Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 45 added 4/21

Post by **majiklmoon** » Sat Nov 22, 2003 8:25 pm

<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie"> <center>It all started with a boy, a girl, and a silver handprint.</center><center><a href=http://pub84.ezboard.com/bmajiklmoonsrealm><img src=http://members.aol.com/majiklmoon/image ... a></center>

Post by **roswellkitkat** » Mon Nov 24, 2003 1:44 pm

Yeah, do your stuff...like come back quickly with another update! <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... humpup.gif ALT=":thumbsup"> <div style="text-align:center">Knowing you'll be haunting me to the end of time? Mmmm...It's a dream come true...</div>  <div style="text-align:center">Angel to Spike</div>

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 5:23 pm

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vecastone · Post by **vecastone** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 2:55 pm

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Post by **Angel13** » Fri Dec 05, 2003 2:01 am

Thanks for all the great feedback!! I hope you enjoy this next part... Part 30 Isabel leans against the wall opposite Ava and studies the other girl as they wait for Max to talk to Liz. Michael is pacing up and down the hall and she can feel his anticipation. She knows that they plan on going after Zan…she just doesn’t know the details. Michael is agitated about the upcoming confrontation and she’s trying to focus her concentration on Ava instead. “Do you think Zan knew you were coming to see us?” Isabel asks her. Ava looks up, startled by Isabel’s voice. She had been watching Michael pace. “He knows. I’m sure he expected I would.” “Won’t he know to stay away from places you know he’d go?” Ava shrugs. “I don’t think he’s thinking that clearly right now. He’ll go somewhere familiar to him…somewhere safe.” Isabel thinks about what Michael told her earlier about the bond. That if one of them forms a bond, their duplicate will also have it. She’s anxious to talk to Cal about it and get more answers from him. But the thought of becoming bonded with someone and going through what Max and Liz have scares her. She wouldn’t want that for herself or anyone else. “So do you have a bond, too?” She’s curious about how Ava seems to know so much about it. “No. Tess never bonded to anyone.” She says. “You can’t do it yourself?” Ava thinks for a moment, then says, “I don’t think so. I’m not sure. Never thought about it.” “Do you know what’s happened to them? Tess and my duplicate?” Isabel wonders if they’re still with the FBI. She’s thought about it a lot over the last three years…wondering what’s happening to them. Ava shakes her head. “No. Never thought about that, either.” Isabel raises an eyebrow at Ava’s simple answers. Is she really that uncaring, or does she just not want to reveal what she’s thinking? Shifting her attention away from Ava, Isabel pushes away from the wall and goes to join Michael. The funny thing is, she’ll probably get more conversation from him than with Ava. ~~~~~~~~~~ “Have you started yet?” “You’re not helping.” “Well maybe you’re not trying hard enough.” “I think you’re too wound up right now for this to happen.” “I’m not wound up.” “Liz.” Max sighs and drops his hands. He smiles at her look of frustration and says, “I can’t do this if you’re about to fidget right out of the bed. Look at you…you need to relax.” She freezes, realizing that he’s right and she bites her lip. Uncrossing her legs, she takes a deep breath and stretches out on the bed. “I’m sorry. I’m just finding it hard to relax right now, I guess.” “It’s ok. We can try later.” Max assures her, picking her hand up off the bed and holding it between his own. He runs his fingers lightly over the scrape marks marring her hands and wrists and he looks up at her. “I’ll heal the rest when you go home.” Liz smiles gratefully and asks, “So when are you leaving to find Zan?” “Soon.” Max glances up at the clock on the wall and knows that Michael is impatient to get going. Liz follows his gaze to the clock, then back to his face. “Do you know where he’s at?” “Ava has a few places in mind. We’ll try those first.” He tells her. She nods and looks down at her lap, wondering what they’re going to do to Zan. Her feelings about it are mixed. In a way, deep inside of herself, she thinks that he didn’t want to do what he did…that he didn’t mean to attack her. From what Max told her, it sounds more and more like there’s something alien related involved. But then she thinks about how scared she was…how much he hurt her. And she wants him to pay for it. She wants him to hurt as much as he hurt her. “Liz, I promise you that I’ll find him. And you won’t have to worry about him coming near you again.” Max can see the emotions crossing her face and he doesn’t want her to ever be afraid. Liz takes a shaky breath and tries to force a smile on her face to show Max that she believes him. “I was so scared.” “I know. I wish I could go back and change what happened.” He realizes what he’s said less than a second after he says it and they both lock gazes. And they both bark out a short laugh. “That’s probably a dangerous thought, considering.” “I think maybe we should put a moratorium on changing the past. We’ve screwed things up enough as it is.” Liz smirks and adds, “We have so many pasts right now, I don’t think we’ll ever get them straight.” Max nods his agreement and becomes completely serious as he continues to stroke her hands. “There’s one thing I’ve got straight.” “What’s that?” Liz smiles softly, the butterflies in her stomach making their presence known with him so close. “That you and I need to be in each other’s lives.” He brings her hand up and gently kisses her knuckles…willing his kiss to take the pain away that she must be feeling there. “I really want that to be true. But we have to consider that a pretty good argument could be made that our pasts are telling us the complete opposite.” He sets her hand back down on the bed and says, “True. But I won’t believe that.” Liz smiles at that and then thinks back to what they were talking about before. “So do you think something with the bond caused Zan to attack me? From what it sounds like, he was pretty confused about the whole thing afterwards. It doesn’t make any sense that he called to tell you that I needed help if he really wanted to hurt me.” “That’s one of the reasons I want to find him.” Max says as he looks at his watch. “Maybe we should try connecting before I leave.” She nods and says, “Alright…I think I’m more relaxed now.” Leaning forward, he places his hands on both sides of her head and looks in her eyes. It takes a few seconds, but he finally gets in and he’s bombarded with images from Liz. He sees the attack again, then he sees them at his apartment yesterday up in the loft. Before the visions can take more of his concentration, he pushes them away to look for the bond or even the block that Cal put there…but he doesn’t see it. He stays longer than he thinks is necessary, but he wants to be sure. Liz watches lines of concentration appear on Max’s forehead as she tries to breathe evenly and not break eye contact. She’s not seeing anything from Max and she guesses that he’s holding back images from his mind from her. Finally, he breaks free and lowers his hands. “I don’t see it. I didn’t really expect to, but I think it’s really gone.” She lets out the breath she was holding and says, “That’s…it’s a good thing, right?” Biting her lip, she searches his face for any sign of regret or disappointment. He nods, not sure what she’s looking for him to give as far as an answer. “Yah.” Frowning, Liz says, “And you won’t ever be able to form a bond again…with anyone.” Max looks at her for a moment, wondering what she’s digging for. He’s not sure, but he thinks she’s expecting him to be disappointed that the bond is gone. “And that’s a good thing. This is a good thing. I think so, anyway.” Considering how much they’ve been through together, and what they were doing just the day before, he feels awkward and unsure of himself suddenly. Like finally being free of his bond to Liz has cast him adrift and he’s on his own now to make what he wants happen. Liz nods, bites her lip and relaxes against the pillows behind her. She knows Max has to leave. She wishes she could leave, too. “I better get going. Michael’s pacing.” Max quirks a smile at her as he stands up. He leans forward and brushes his hand across her forehead, tucking her hair behind her ear. As he stands up, he hears a light knock on the door and looks up to see Isabel peeking in. “Sorry. But Michael’s driving me nuts.” Isabel shrugs her shoulders and Max steps away from the bed. “That’s ok. I was just leaving.” He walks toward Isabel and asks, “Are you staying?” She looks over to Liz in question. “If Liz doesn’t mind.” “No…I don’t mind at all.” Liz says with a smile as she glances at Max. “Will you call…and let me know what happens?” She can’t hide the nervousness in her voice. She’s worried about what will happen and she doesn’t want Max to get hurt because of her. “Yah. But try to get some sleep…maybe you’ll get to go home tomorrow.” Max says. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.” His gaze lingers on her for a few last moments before he turns back toward Isabel and says, “I’ll call your cell when we find him.” Isabel puts her hand on his arm as he goes and says, “Be careful.” He nods at her, and with one last glance toward Liz he opens the door and leaves. ~~~~~~~~~~ “I have magazines.” After Max leaves, Isabel swiftly makes her way to Liz’s bed and sets down a stack of magazines on the rolling tray hovering near Liz’s feet. “I didn’t know what you’d like, so I got most of what they had.” Liz eyes the stack of magazines in amazement and says, “Wow…thanks. You really didn’t have to do that.” Isabel shrugs and says, “No big deal. I imagine this place can get pretty boring.” She takes a look around the room and sees a TV hanging from a bracket in the corner. “At least you have a TV.” Glancing up at the ancient looking TV box, Liz can see her small reflection in the screen. “Yah. I um…don’t really watch a lot of TV.” “Me either.” Isabel sits in the chair next to Liz’s bed. “Work keeps me pretty busy.” “Me too.” Liz smiles and looks around the room uncomfortably. She gets the feeling that Isabel wants to talk to her about something, but maybe she’s just feeling on edge being in here. Some people don’t like hospitals. “So…” “So.” Isabel smiles, pauses for a moment then says, “I’m glad you’re doing so well. We were all pretty worried last night.” “I wouldn’t be if it weren’t for Max.” “Yah, well…if it weren’t for…” Isabel starts, but Liz interrupts by holding her hand up. “Let’s just stop, ok? We don’t need to go back and forth placing blame anywhere. It happened. Zan is the only one responsible for his actions.” Liz says firmly, not really sure how she even feels about everything that’s happened. The confusion surrounding what Zan did is overriding everything else. She decides instead to change the subject. “So tell me about where you guys went when you left Roswell.” Isabel is confused by the request at first, then realizes that Liz is asking about when they were teenagers. “Wow, that seems like a lifetime ago.” Liz smiles sadly and says, “I always wondered where you were…what you were doing. Your parents used to come to the Crashdown and I wished I could have told them something to make them feel better.” Isabel nods, not wanting to talk about her parents. The thought of what they must have gone through…what they must think happened to them still haunts her. “We went to Dallas first. A big city where we could get lost for a while.” She looks down at her hands as she remembers what those first few months were like. “I can’t imagine what it must have been like…just leaving everything you’d ever known like that.” “It was hard. And Michael was totally annoying back then…so paranoid. He and Max used to get into the worst fights.” Isabel remembers having to get between the two of them and play the peacekeeper when all she really wanted to do was let them kill each other. “It got better. We went to St. Louis, Chicago, and Philadelphia before finally settling for New York. There were smaller towns in between…I can’t remember them all.” “But you still found a way to go to school. That’s pretty admirable considering the circumstances.” Liz says. Isabel gives a bitter laugh and says, “I wouldn’t have been able to if it weren’t for Max. Michael was so hard on him.” She looks up sheepishly at Liz and says, “Well, we both were.” “You blamed him.” Liz says, remember how she accused Isabel of holding onto this grudge against Max for all these years when the three of them were being held in that apartment. Isabel nods. “Yah, we both did. It just became…normal to hold him responsible. And he took it.” Her brow furrows before she continues. “It wasn’t just that he took responsibility for us being in that situation…it was everything else, too. He made sure the bills were always paid. He made sure I got to go to school. He decided where we went…how long we stayed. And we let him…because we thought it was his fault we had to be there in the first place.” “You sound like you don’t think that anymore.” Liz says carefully. Isabel shakes her head. “I don’t think Michael does, either. Everything that’s happened…I don’t know. I just get the feeling that you, Alex and Maria were meant to be a part of lives in one way or another. I can’t make up to Max the awful way we treated him all those years, though.” “I’m sure he doesn’t think you need to.” Liz tells her. “You were so young and we all do things we regret. It’s what you do now that matters. You know, Max just said the same thing to me…about how maybe we’re supposed to be in each other’s lives.” This makes Isabel smile. She doesn’t know why those words comfort her, but they do. “Well then I must be right.” ~~~~~~~~~~ “How much further?” Michael grumbles as he follows Max and Tess through the dampness of the underground tunnel they’ve been walking in for the last fifteen minutes. It’s dark and smells like something died down there. “Not far.” Ava says, easily making her way through the familiar territory. Michael grunts and mumbles just loud enough for Max to hear, “I’m too old for this shit.” Max grins at Michael’s remark…having heard Michael say that about pretty much any physical activity they ever have to do. Like carrying groceries. Ava stops in front of Max so quickly that he almost runs into her. “What is it?” He whispers. She holds her hand up behind her telling them to be quiet as she listens for the faint sound she heard just a moment ago. They all hear it then…a pounding sound, almost like… A small rubber ball suddenly bounces from around the corner, ricocheting off the wall and hitting Ava in the calf. The three of them freeze then, as they hear footsteps coming closer to them from the tunnel running perpendicular just ahead. This is it, Max thinks. And he positions himself in front of Ava as the shadow of someone walking toward them slowly gets smaller. As Zan rounds the corner in search of his ball, he immediately sees Max and stops in his tracks. He doesn’t try to run…knowing that he won’t get away this time. He can see the look of surprise on Max’s face and he studies him for a moment before noticing Ava behind him and Michael off to the side. He trains his gaze on Ava, letting her know the how deeply he feels betrayed by her. She led them to him…no doubt to save her own skin. In a way, he knew she would, though. It was just a matter of time. Taking a deep breath, he says, “What a surprise…I wasn’t expecting company.” Ava steps out from behind Max and says, “Zan, I’m sorry. It had to be this way.” Zan raises his eyebrows and studies the three in front of him. His shoulders sag in defeat. Yah, he knew it would have to end sooner or later…he just thought sooner wouldn’t be so…soon. “S’pose so.” He says with a nod. “Don’t worry ‘bout it sweetness. It’s all good.” He stands up straighter and looks squarely at Max. “Guess you came her to kill me, right? I don’t blame you…just, you know…can you make it quick? We don’t need some drawn out drama about the whole thing.” Max looks at Zan closely and can see that that’s exactly what he expects…that he’s even accepted it. He probably didn’t think they’d find him so quickly, but he knew they’d find him eventually. And even though Max can see that Zan thinks he deserves this punishment, he can’t feel any respect for him. All he can see is what he did to Liz and it’s taking every ounce of his control to not fling him against the wall with all the power he can build. Michael steps up next to Max, ready to do whatever Max says. Max told him earlier that he didn’t want to kill Zan, but he can tell from the look on his face that it’s something he’s seriously contemplating now. “What do you wanna do?” He asks, directing Max’s attention away from Zan. His red haze of anger dissolves when he hears Michael’s voice and he reminds himself of what he came here for. “We don’t plan on killing you. Yet. Don’t think I wouldn’t do it in a heartbeat, though, if you try to run again. Not understanding where this is going or what they’re doing here if they don’t wanna kill him, Zan asks, “So what is you do want?” “An explanation.” Max says simply. Zan’s brow furrows in even more confusion and he looks at Ava. Was she somehow able to talk them out of killing him? “Just tell him what’s been goin’ on, Zan. I tried to explain as much as I could…but he wants to hear it from you.” Ava explains. “Whadaya talkin’ about? I followed Liz, grabbed her, and killed her. What is it you wanna hear?” Zan says, clearly bewildered as to why they would even want to hear his version of events. “That’s it? That’s all you have to say?” Max asks. Zan shrugs and stuffs his hands in his jean pockets. “I could say I’m sorry…that I didn’t mean to do it…that I wasn’t tryin’ to kill her. But would it matter?” “But you…” Ava starts but Michael grabs her arm roughly, silencing her. “Enough. Let him talk.” Michael warns her not to say anything. “Why? I want to know everything…I want to know why you attacked her.” Max says carefully, not wanting to let him off the hook quite yet. He still thinks Liz is dead and for now, he wants to keep it that way. Why. Isn’t that the question of the day? Zan scrubs at his face with his hand and nods back toward the tunnel he just came from. “Come on…might as well get comfortable.” He turns slowly, motioning for them to follow him. They follow him around the corner and into a large, cavernous area and Max and Michael look around in shock. There’s furniture here, almost like someone lives down here…or used to. It’s all old and ratty…a sofa, a couple of chairs, tables. But what gets their attention are the four, large oval shaped objects hanging high up on the wall in a row. “What the hell?” Michael says in awe as he steps closer to them. “What is this place?” Max asks, walking with Michael toward the odd, slightly familiar things on the wall. There’s something about them…like he should know what they are. “This is where we used to live. After Cal left us.” Ava explains and watches Max and Michael eye their pods with wonder. “Those are our pods.” Max whips his head around to look at her before his gaze is drawn back to the pods. “Your pods.” “I forgot…you ain’t ever seen yours, have you?” Ava says, now understanding their fascination with them. “These are yours? So we have some that look just like this somewhere?” Michael asks. “Yah. You should anyway. Unless they’ve been destroyed.” Ava says as she sits down next to Zan on the sofa. She turns to him and says, “I really am sorry, Zan. I had to…he’s the man, you know? I had to.” Zan nods and says, “Yah, I know. It’s ok, don’t sweat it.” He assumes she’s saying that the king ordered her to…not Max. “I don’t think they’re gonna hurt you. They just wanna hear about what’s been goin’ on with you…why you did it.” She tells him. “So, you done gawkin’? They’re just old, dried up membranes. Nothin’ special.” Zan says to Max and Michael. Michael turns away from the sight in front of him then and leads Max to the two chairs adjacent to the sofa. He still can’t help but look around and take in his surroundings. To have to live down here…it smells for Christ’s sake. He doesn’t think he’ll be able to stay down here for very much longer without gagging. Max doesn’t say anything as he sits down, he just looks at Zan expectantly…waiting for him to start talking. Seeing that they’re waiting for him to start, Zan cracks his neck and starts. “Yah, so…you probably ain’t gonna like what I tell you, but there’s nothin’ to do about that.” “Just start at the beginning.” Max says. Zan glances over at Ava and says, “She tell you about when we got back from the dust bowl three years ago? About what she found in my head?” Max nods. “I don’t know how to explain it really. It started out just bein’ annoying. I was drawn to her and wasn’t really sure why. She’s not really my type.” He shrugs and says, “I mean, really not my type, you know?” He pauses, remembering how confused he was by his attraction to Liz Parker. “Usually I go for the more…uh…curvaceous type of chick, you know what I mean? A woman with a little more to, uh…offer.” He looks pointedly over to Ava’s sizable chest and smirks when he sees her roll her eyes. “Anyways, I thought maybe it was some kind of lingering feeling from that bond you two had. And lemme tell ya, that was some uncomfortable shit when we were back in Roswell.” He shrugs and continues. “But that’s the way it is. We always knew it would happen. But see, I thought it was all good when Cal said he got rid of it.” “But didn’t you realize he didn’t really break the bond? Didn’t you feel it then before we all got back here?” Max asks. “Sure I felt it. But like I said, I thought it was like some kind of lingering thing…like maybe the feeling would go away in a few days. I just wanted to get out of there and back home.” Zan says. “But we figured out what happened…a few weeks later when it didn’t go away. I couldn’t stay away from her. I’d go out, meaning to go one place and I’d end up outside Liz’s apartment…or her school. It was like I couldn’t control what I was doin’.” Max clenches his jaw and asks, “That’s what I don’t understand. Why couldn’t you control yourself? I had the same bond…I had the same urges to be near her. But I was able to exert some self control. I stayed away from her for three years.” “Wow. You want a shiny gold star? Guess I don’t have your iron will, man.” Zan says in a tone thick with snark. Max feels his anger boiling up again and asks, “That’s it? That’s your excuse? That you have no self control?” “I don’t know what you want me to tell you. Yah, I guess that’s it. Maybe that’s why I’m the back up and you’re not. I didn’t get as much of the human DNA they was shootin’ for…didn’t mix it up right and give me that self control you pride yourself so much on.” Zan leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Look, I didn’t mean to do it. I’m tellin’ you, it was like I wasn’t even in my own body…all I wanted was her and I couldn’t see anything else. She musta hit her head or somethin’. I don’t know. I wanted to heal her…but the cops saw me and I had to take off. That’s why I called you…I knew you could.” His voice gets quiet. “I never wanted to hurt her. I could never…I just, I don’t know what happened. It was like it had all built up and…I never wanted to hurt her.” His voice cracks at the end and he hangs his head down, staring at the dirty floor beneath his feet. “But I did. And there’s nothin’ I can do to change it.” Max leans back in his chair and rubs at his eyes wearily. He doesn’t know what to make of this whole thing and he can tell that what Zan is saying is the truth. “What am I supposed to do with this? What am I supposed to do with you?” He sees Zan look up at him, his face drawn…pale. “What would you do if our positions were reversed?” “I’d have probably killed you the minute I saw you.” Zan says immediately. It’s the truth and he knows Max will see through any bullshit answer he might give. Max nods and stares at Zan. “The way I see it is I have three options. One, I could kill you. I should kill you, but you’re right…we’re different. Two, I could turn you over to the FBI and let you rot in a cell with your sister and Tess…if they’re even still alive.” He takes a small amount of satisfaction in the fear that descends on Zan’s face at that prospect. “Or Three, I could believe everything you’ve told me. I could believe that it was the bond making you do what you did and that you didn’t have control over it. I could trust that this won’t happen again and let you walk.” Zan nods and says, “Fair enough. I don’t suppose I get a vote on which one you choose?” “No.” Max says. “I really don’t like any of those choices. But only because I’m not buying your story.” He sees Zan about to protest and stops him. “Not that I don’t believe you think you’re telling me all of it. But because I think there’s more to it that we don’t know. It just doesn’t add up…not even if you’re right about not having as much human DNA in you as I have.” “So now what?” Zan asks. “Cal is coming. He should be here tonight and I plan on getting some answers from him.” Max says, noting the surprised look on Zan’s face. “He knows more than he’s saying…he’s kept things from me that he shouldn’t have. That’s going to end now.” “Well shit, he’ll just tell you to kill me for what I’ve done. In his eyes, Liz was still his queen…you were still bonded to her. He’ll never agree to let me live.” Zan slumps back into the sofa. “You might as well kill me now.” Max sighs and decides to tell Zan the truth. “You might have one thing going for you, though. Liz isn’t dead.” ~TBC~

Post by **roswellkitkat** » Fri Dec 05, 2003 7:30 pm

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<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> More! <img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... kliam3.gif ALT=":hotgreen"> More !<img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... kliam2.gif ALT=":hotpink"> More!<img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... kliam3.gif ALT=":hotgreen"> <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sra ... f8323d.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>

vecastone · Post by **vecastone** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 2:33 pm

WOW WOW WOW !!!!! <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"> FABULOUS !!!! I LOVE MAX AND ZAN ENCOUNTER GREAT WORK ANGEL !! <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> Ok, I have too many questions I know the story will answer soon but I want your opinions. First, how will Max and Liz bond again, without involving Zan in the middle? Because, poor guy. And the fact the dupe´s are not the original four, doesn´t mean they will have to be slaves of the other four desires without being able to have their own lives. I didn´t remember this guys don´t know yet where the granolith is and never have seen their pods. <img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... scared.gif ALT=":rolleyes"> One positive thing, Max and Isabel realized the importance of the six of them being together , no matter the life line they are in. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> Great point !! Liz´s anxiousness to see if the bond was still there, lovely. <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> I can´t wait for the next update Angel, hurry up <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)">

Post by **Angel13** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 1:49 pm

Merry Christmas! 2 new parts for your present! Part 31  All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsion, habit, reason, passion, and desire. Something he read from a book on Aristotle once. Back when he was trying to figure out his place in this world. The more he studied humans and human nature, the more he wanted to be one…to live like one. But in the process, he also realized that his hybrid charges were created with everything he wanted. They could live here, on this planet, as humans. For the most part, they are human. And the only reason he’s here is because that damn ship crashed, leaving him no way back. So there’s the paradox. A planet where he doesn’t belong…whose governments would gladly take custody of him for experiments if they could. This planet that he hated at first…knew he could never belong within their society is now the place he would give up everything for to stay. To belong. To truly live as they do. Feel as they do. Oh, how they would be horrified back home if they could see him now. Loyal Armin, struggling for a mere scrap of humanity. Living for the days when he can taste…when he can smell. They don’t come often and it usually involves something very spicy, bitter, extreme. But those days…it makes it all worth it. “Sir, we’ll be landing in fifteen minutes.” His lovely assistant, Stephanie tells him…pulling his attention away from the blackness outside the jet’s window…away from his thoughts. Terrific. Having the king know that he’s programmed to obey his every command is something he wishes could have been avoided. He has better things to do than fly across the country at the last minute for their latest crisis. Why can’t they just settle in…enjoy what they have? All the questions…it would probably give him a headache if he could actually get one. What do they think having answers is going to get them? It’ll get them exactly nothing…that’s what. But there’s no helping it now. The Granolith has screwed things up. It’s their damn curiosity that gets them in trouble. Obviously, somewhere along the line they learned that the Granolith could rip a tear in the fabric of time here on Earth. That’s dangerous knowledge in the hands of ignorant hybrids. They had no business messing with it. If he could have, he would have destroyed the thing. But at the time, shortly after the crash, his only thoughts were of getting off this planet and back home. And the Granolith was the only way. So many mistakes were made in the beginning. He would have done a lot of things differently if he knew then what he knows now. But isn’t that always the way? Isn’t that what he always hears humans talk about? Hindsight is 20/20. It makes him feel better. Makes him feel more human that he has the same faults as they do. “Call Max and tell him where I’ll be.” Cal tells Stephanie. He looks at his watch and sees that it’s just before 9pm Eastern Time. Whatever’s going on, he hopes his stay here will be short. But he has a nagging feeling that it has to do with more than the visions of alternate timelines. ~~~~~~~~~~ His phone starts ringing as they make their way back to the apartment. It’s probably Isabel. He’d called her earlier to fill her in on what happened and to tell her to meet them at home. He’d talked to Liz briefly and assured her that he was ok. Digging the phone out, he sees that the ID isn’t showing up. “Hello.” “Mr. Evans?” He hears a woman on the other end and he stops, thinking something happened at the hospital. “Yes?” “This is Cal Langley’s assistant, Stephanie. I’m calling to let you know that we’ll be landing shortly. Mr. Langley also wanted me to tell you that he’ll be in room 1710 at the Waldorf Astoria during his stay in New York City.” “Ok, thank you. Tell him I’ll be by to see him later tonight.” Max says, glad to hear that Cal is finally here. “Of course. Goodbye, Mr. Evans.” Stephanie says courteously, as if she’s making an appointment for Cal at the spa. Max tucks his phone back in his pocket and turns to Michael. “Cal’s here.” “Good.” Michael says and looks over at a nervous but somewhat resigned Zan. “You going alone?” He asks Max. “Yes.” “Is that a good idea? I think I should go with you.” Michael says, knowing Max will say he wants to talk to Cal by himself first. “I need you here with Isabel.” Max motions toward Ava and Zan as they approach the street entrance to their apartment. “I don’t want him going anywhere.” Michael nods his agreement and notices Max stepping to the side of the door as they get ready to go inside. “You’re going now?” Max sees Zan and Ava waiting patiently for them to go in and he says, “I’m going to the hospital first.” Zan steps forward and says, “Can you…can you just tell her…” “No.” Max says quickly, cutting him off and turning back to Michael. “Keep an eye on him and I’ll call.” Michael nods and opens the door, leading Zan and Ava into the building. ~~~~~~~~~~ In an isolated square patch of worn out land, Tess and Lonnie are sitting on the ground and enjoying their brief half hour of freedom. Fifteen-foot high electrical fences, topped with nasty looking barbed wire, surround the yard. Surrounding them along the fence are ten armed guards watching their every move. Aware of their constant surveillance, the two women have learned to use whatever they can to communicate. Body language, hand signals, and sometimes a little mind walking. When they first arrived, Tess didn’t even know that Lonnie was at the facility with her. It was over a year before she found out the other woman had been confined to a room just next door to hers. The first year was filled with experiments…procedures. There were several times that she wished they would just kill her, or hoped that she might die on the operating table. Waking up to find herself in a very secure government facility had shocked her to the core. How did things go so wrong? How could the shifter let this happen? But she can’t think about that. What’s done is done. Ever since she discovered Lonnie was here with her, she’s thought of only one thing…the same thing she knows Lonnie thinks about, too. For the last two years, three months and ten days, her mind has been filled with nothing but escape. Escape…and revenge. ~~~~~~~~~~ “Maybe I should move out here.” “Maria. Stop it.” Alex sighs again and pointedly rolls over, turning his back toward Maria. They’d both come back to the apartment exhausted and decided they didn’t want to sleep alone. Maria would often do this when she came to visit…most nights ending up curled up in bed with either Liz or Alex. Usually finding Maria peacefully asleep next to him would warm his heart, but tonight Maria won’t let go of this idea she has and all he wants to do is sleep. “I’m just saying.” She ignores his attempt to get her to shut up and scooches closer to his back, crowding him on his side of the bed. “It wouldn’t be that big a deal. I could get a great place and you and Liz could move in with me, of course, because you know I refuse to live here and not have you close. A nice, big place…close to the park…with a doorman…and lots of security.” Rolling onto his back, Alex stares up at the ceiling and says, “We like it just fine here. I know why you’re thinking of doing this, but don’t. You know we’d love it if you moved here, but don’t do it for the wrong reasons.” “The wrong reasons?” She gasps in disbelief. “Are you telling me you and Liz are the wrong reasons?” “No, I’m saying that moving here because of what happened to Liz is the wrong reason. Being in a bigger place with a doorman and lots of security wouldn’t have stopped what happened.” Maria, for once, doesn’t respond right away. She feels so helpless and it’s a feeling that she’s not very used to. Lonely…yes, she’s used to feeling lonely. But never helpless. If there’s one privilege of having money it’s that she can get whatever she wants and she can provide her mom and her friends with security and peace of mind. But this whole alien business has turned her world upside down. She can’t protect anyone from aliens. “I think we should all just stay away from them from now on.” She says quietly, her eyes on the ceiling. “Maybe you’re right. But I really don’t think that it’s up to us, do you?” Maria snorts and says, “Well Liz better get her head out of her ass and start thinking about herself and her own safety. I don’t care that she’s in love with him…he’s gonna get her killed. Maybe get all three of us killed.” “I don’t believe that’s an entirely inaccurate statement.” Alex turns his head toward Maria. “But you and I both know that we can’t tell her what to do. Our girl is nothing if not stubborn.” “Yah.” Maria closes her eyes, hating this feeling. “Let’s go to sleep…I’m beat.” ~~~~~~~~~~ Liz feels herself reluctantly drifting off to sleep when she hears her door open quietly. She turns and sees Max quickly sneak in, shutting the door silently behind him. “Hey. I had to sneak in…visiting hours are over.” She smiles at his nervousness. “I’m glad you came.” She watches him as he makes his way over to the side of her bed and sits down. “How’d it go?” “Better than expected. It was like he was waiting for us…we found him pretty quickly.” Max shakes his head. “You should have seen it…where they lived…grew up. He was hiding out in the sewers, where they lived after Cal left them on their own.” “Oh my God. The sewers? Are you serious?” She can’t imagine what living there would be like. “The sewers.” Max nods his head. “Furniture…everything. There were these empty…pod things hanging on the wall. What we came out of, I assume. We have matching ones somewhere, I guess.” “Pods? Like incubations chambers?” When Max nods, Liz can’t help the curiosity bubble up inside of her. “Where they organic? Or synthetic? Was there anything attached to them, telling them when it was time to release you? I wonder how you received nutrients.” Max smiles slightly, of course she would be fascinated by the science aspect. “I don’t know. I didn’t actually study them.” “Right.” Liz smiles, embarrassed. “Sorry. Tell me what happened with Zan.” “He thought we’d come to kill him…he was expecting it.” Max furrows his brow. “I don’t know what to think right now. Whether I believe it was the bond that made him act, or something else.” “Something else? You mean someone else?” Liz asks. “Yah. He had obviously lost all control of his actions. He seems genuinely scared and horrified at what he’d done…he thought you were dead.” “Did you tell him I’m ok?” “Eventually.” Max looks up sheepishly. “Cal just got in. I’m going there after this to talk to him.” “Are you going alone?” Liz asks, concerned. “He can’t do anything to me. I just want to run a few things past him before we all get together tomorrow.” Max makes a mental note to ask Cal about something…realizing how easy it was for him to sneak in here. “You don’t think he had anything to do with this, do you?” Liz worries. “No. I doubt it. What reason would he have? I thought about it, but I’d like to hear it from him to confirm that it wasn’t him.” Max checks his watch and sees that it’s getting late. “Who’s going to be there tomorrow?” Liz asks. “Michael, Isabel, Ava, Zan.” Max says, knowing what she’s going to ask. “I wanna be there, too. I’m sure I’ll get out of here in the morning.” Max sighs and shakes his head. “I don’t want you anywhere near Zan.” He sees the fiery denial coming and says, “Liz, please. How about I have you on the phone instead?” She doesn’t say anything and he can tell she’s not happy with being left out. Sighing again, he says, “What if Maria and Alex came and I had you on the phone the whole time? Would that be ok?” She pretends to pout for a moment and grudgingly says, “I guess. I don’t see what the big deal is, though. It’s not like he’s gonna do anything to me with everyone there.” “That’s not it. I just…I don’t want him near you. I don’t even want him looking at you.” He realizes that what he’s saying sounds extremely possessive and he says, “I’m sorry. That sounds really childish.” She smiles when she sees him blush. “Yah…but it’s sweet.” “Yah? I thought it came out more cavemanish, but I’ll go with whatever you say.” He smiles back and says, “I should get going. You need to get some rest.” “I suppose I do. I was almost asleep when you came in.” Max looks alarmed and says, “I’m sorry. Why didn’t you say something?” He stands quickly, afraid that he’s been sitting here keeping her awake. “Because I was glad to see you.” She assures him, not wanting him to feel guilty now for coming. Warmed by her words, he smiles and says, “Well, I guess I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” He shifts, not wanting to leave her side, but knowing he has to. “Good luck with Cal. And be careful.” She tells him and he gives her a smile and nod before he walks toward the door. Turning before he opens it, he says, “Good night, Liz.” “Good night, Max.” She says softly and watches him leave as silently as he came in. ~~~~~~~~~~ At room 1710, Max stands staring at the engraved number on a gold plaque. Behind this door are answers that he knows Cal has…answers that have been withheld from him for too long. He raises his hand to knock but before it reaches the door, it’s opened by a woman who Max assumes is Stephanie. “Max, come in. Cal’s waiting for you.” She steps aside as he enters and he takes in the woman standing in front of him. Does she know who Cal really is? Does she know who he is? She’s all business…dressed in a pressed black pantsuit with her hair tied back severely on the back of her head. She’s wearing black-framed glasses and carrying a small, electronic organizer. He notices two mobile phones clipped to her jacket pocket…one of which is ringing softly. “He’s right through there.” She motions him forward as she reaches for the ringing phone and closes the door. Max walks into the living room and sees Cal sitting in an overstuffed chair…papers spread out over his lap and on the table in front of him. When he sees Max, Cal shuffles the papers on his lap and drops them onto the table. “So what do I owe the pleasure, Max?” Max doesn’t miss the sarcastic tone of his voice. He knows Cal is extremely irritated to have been called here on such short notice, helpless to say no. “I want you to answer some questions. A lot has happened since I talked to you yesterday.” “Sit.” Cal motions Max toward a chair facing him. “Would you like something to drink…eat? Stephanie can call up room service.” “No. I’m fine.” Max glances over at the woman on the other side of the room suspiciously and looks back at Cal in question. “She’s ok. She knows my little secret…anything you say stays in this room. She can be trusted.” Cal says, noticing the wary way Max is eyeing his assistant. Max looks at him in surprise, but quickly shakes it away. He doesn’t have time to think about what motivated Cal to let a human in on who he is. “Zan attacked Liz last night…almost killed her.” This gets Cal’s attention and his eyes pop open in surprise. “Where is he now?” “Liz is ok…in case you were wondering.” Max says, annoyed. Cal waves his hand in the air. “Of course she is. I’m assuming you healed her.” “He’s at my apartment, with Michael and Isabel. We found him hiding out in the sewers…where they lived after you abandoned them.” Max can’t help the hatred he feels for this man…no, alien…right now and it’s seeping out in his tone. Rolling his eyes, Cal says, “You gonna judge me, now? I don’t have to explain myself or my actions to you regarding the back-up. You have no idea what happened, so you can quit with the righteous indignation.” “I found out last night that not only were Liz and I bonded, but Zan had a bond to her, too. It drove him insane and he snapped last night. Tried to rape Liz…almost killed her. You wanna tell me why you decided to keep that bit of information from me all these years? You knew…you knew what it would do. Why didn’t you warn me?” “Hey…I didn’t make him attack her.” Cal throws both hands up in the air defensively. How dare this kid come in here and start slinging accusations at him. “Didn’t you?” Max eyes him suspiciously. Bolting up from the chair, Cal says, “Whoa…uh uh. Hold it right there. I didn’t make Zan do anything.” He stares directly into Max’s eyes and repeats, “I didn’t make him attack her. I have no influence over Zan or what he does. You understand me?” Max studies him for a moment, then nods his head slightly. “Why, then?” Sitting back down, Cal shrugs. “Who’s to say? You want me to take care of him? That why you made me come here?” Max looks at him questioningly. “Take care of him?” “Kill him, of course. He’s obviously defective.” Cal says off-handedly. “He’s not an object. He’s a person…you can’t just…” Max starts. “No…he’s not a person.” Cal interrupts. “He’s a biologically engineered alien with obvious defects. Attacking the queen…his king’s bonded mate…who he also shares a bond with…tells me that there was a flaw in his creation.” He sees the look of horror on Max’s face and continues. “He’s not human. He was created with human DNA which makes him look human…but he’s not. We don’t live by human laws and moralities. The same thing would be done if this had happened on our planet…and believe me, I’ll show a lot more mercy than he would get there.” Seeing the confliction on Max’s face, Cal says, “What are you gonna do? Turn him over to the police? Have him arrested? Sent to jail? Sorry, it won’t work that way. They’ll take his blood and it’ll be all over for him. They’ll send him somewhere that’s a whole hell of a lot worse than jail, believe me. Killing him would be what he’d want…ask him. Besides, you wanna risk Liz’s safety by leaving him on the loose?” “The bond is gone. I’m not sure that’s he’s even a threat to her anymore if that’s what made him do it.” Max tells him. “How did that happen?” Cal asks, then understands. “She died…and you brought her back?” “She died…the doctors brought her back. I just made sure she would make it.” Nodding, Cal says, “I see.” Stroking his chin with his hand, he absently wishes he could feel stubble there. “So you think Zan is harmless now?” “I don’t know. I honestly don’t know what to do about him right now. He seems pretty shaken up at what he did. He thought I came to kill him when we found him earlier.” Max looks toward the windows and the twinkling skyline that lies just outside of it. “You want him to pay for what he did.” Cal says. “Understandable. I’ll do whatever you decide.” “Do you think it was the bond that made him do it? Or could someone else be controlling him?” Max asks. Cal thinks for a moment. “Hard to say. If someone were controlling him, it would have to be someone powerful…someone with a strong mind ability.” “His sister, maybe?” Surprised that Max actually thought of that, Cal cocks his head. “Maybe. Doubtful that she’s powerful enough, but it’s a possibility. She’s probably got a lot of time on her hands. A lot of time to plot revenge.” “Khivar? What about him?” “He’s not on this planet. I’d have heard if he was. And honestly, I don’t know what motive he would have. My contacts have consistently told me that he has no interest in you or the back-ups. Although, he would still like to get his hands on the Granolith. If he’s decided to make a move for it, he could be plotting quietly…biding his time.” Cal’s thoughts drift in this direction and he taps his fingers on the table next to him. “And eliminating Liz would get rid of any chance of my producing an heir. That also means that he knows a lot more about us than I feel comfortable with.” Max deduces. “True, but him knowing about Liz doesn’t mean much. It would have been clear to him that you’d claimed your queen, and who she was, for those few days she was transmitting.” “Can you use your contacts to dig deeper into what Khivar might be planning?” Max asks. He sees Cal arch an eyebrow at him…letting him know that he doesn’t want anything to do with this. He realizes his mistake and corrects by saying, “You will use your contacts to find out more about what Khivar is planning.” Smirking, Cal says, “What are you gonna do if you find out he is planning something?” “I’ll worry about that if and when the time comes. I’m not standing back anymore and doing nothing, though. You will tell me everything you know, and you will use whatever resources you have to help me.” Max narrows his gaze at Cal, letting him know how serious he is. “There are other matters we need to discuss, but they can wait until tomorrow when everyone else can be here. For now, I want you to arrange for security for Liz. I don’t care what means you use, or who you get…but you will guarantee that not a hair on her head will ever be harmed again.” “You don’t think Liz might have a problem with that?” Cal asks. “Liz won’t know. You keep them out of her way and out of her sight. Do whatever you have to do.” Max is beyond caring about taking advantage of Cal, his money, or his resources. He’s going to take advantage of anything he can to make sure Liz is protected. “I understand. I’ll make some calls tonight and take care of it.” Cal nods toward Stephanie, letting her know to make a note. She’s been quietly standing to the side, taking notes of the meeting. Max stands up then and says, “We’ll be here tomorrow. Ten a.m. alright with you?” “Wow. You’re actually asking me? I’m touched.” Cal picks his discarded papers up off the table dismissively. Max rolls his eyes and heads to the door. Stephanie beats him there, opening it for him. “Good night, Mr. Evans. I’ll have breakfast waiting for you when you arrive tomorrow.” Max glances at her as she makes a note about it in her organizer and says, “Uh, yah…sure. Thanks.” He isn’t sure how he feels about knowing this stranger knows who and what he is. As he walks toward the elevator, he hears the door shut and lock. He makes a mental note to ask Cal about her tomorrow. ~~~~~~~~~~ As he walks back toward home, Max dials his office number and leaves a quick message for his boss telling him he won’t be in for the next few days because of a family emergency. He promises to call by Tuesday to let him know when he’ll be back in and in the meantime to have his assistant call him if something comes up. He really wants to go back to hospital to see Liz, but it’s too late and he hopes she’s resting. Debating about whether to call or not, he decides to wait until tomorrow. Instead, he dials home and lets Isabel know that he’s on his way back. ~TBC~

Post by **Angel13** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 1:51 pm

Part 32 December 2012 Christmas sucks. Most years, he wouldn’t even give it a second thought…only to complain about the subways crowded with bag-toting people, or the corner Santa’s begging for money that he doesn’t have. At least the Christmas Nazi has calmed herself over the years, having given up on getting a co-conspirator out of either him or Max. Instead, she throws herself into going to the round of parties all month. People in the fashion industry throwing holiday parties suck even worse than the holiday itself. Michael usually spends the month of December locked in his room, avoiding getting trapped into a blind date, or as Isabel’s escort for the evening. But this Christmas is different. This Christmas there are humans who know who they are…right in this city. Since they got back from Roswell a few months ago, Michael can’t get that thought out of his head. It’s been three months since he last saw any of them. It’s also been three months since he, Isabel or Max have talked about what happened. They’ve just somehow thrown themselves back into their lives as if it never happened. Isabel goes out every weekend. Max works every spare minute. They’re both avoiding…he can see it in their eyes. Not that he’s big on sharing, but it’s like a giant elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about. They’re not alone in the world anymore. There are others out there like them. There are humans out there who know about them. How can they just fall back into old routines and ignore that? It’s one a.m. and he’s just gotten home. He knows when he walks in that the loft is empty. One week until Christmas and Isabel is probably still at her party. Max is no doubt at the office working. Working until he’s ready to drop. As if that will erase the memory of her. Michael walks back to his room and shuts the door as he clears out his pockets. Then he carefully pulls out the folded piece of paper, smoothing it out over the top of his dresser. He stares at it, memorizing the words printed there and looks up at his haggard appearance in the mirror. He doesn’t think he looks that much older. Tired, weary…yes. There are a few lines appearing at the corner of his eyes that didn’t use to be there. And his forehead has a crease there that used to go away when he was done frowning that doesn’t go away anymore. He shrugs…doesn’t matter. He is almost 32 years old…he thinks. That means he’s probably got about 50 to 60 years left. 50 more Christmases. That doesn’t matter, either. Because this year is different. This Christmas will be different. He looks down at the announcement and reads it again…almost in disbelief that the words are really there. Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall ~ Featuring Maria Deluca This year will be different because he’ll be seeing Maria. “Michael, did you hear me?” Michael’s thoughts are shattered by Isabel’s voice. His thoughts about that Christmas three years ago…and what happened…memories that return with the weight of a 10-ton truck every Christmas. Shooting her his most annoyed look, he answers back, “What?” “Max is on his way back. He just called.” “Ok?” He waits for more…for a better reason that that for her to be interrupting his musings. Instead of giving him one, she throws her hands up and rolls her eyes…making a grunting sound as she whirls away from him and walks back into the living room. He shakes his head, wondering what she’s so pissed at. But ends up shrugging and looking back down at his desk. The calendar there says that today is December 20, 2015. His radio is playing Christmas music and he wonders if she ever thinks about that night three years ago. ~~~~~~~~~~ Maria can’t sleep. Too much has happened in the last 48 hours that she can’t calm her mind down enough to fall asleep. Not wanting to wake Alex up with her restlessness, she quietly gets out of bed and tiptoes into the kitchen to make a cup of tea. As she plays with the teabag, she thinks about what she said to Alex. She was serious…they shouldn’t have anything to do with them. Look at what happens when they do. He agreed with her, too. Oh shit…what is she doing thinking about him? Scrunching up her eyes and shaking her head, she tries to steer her thoughts away from that subject. But she can’t help it. Especially during this time of year. December 25, 2012 “Merry Christmas New York! Thanks for coming out tonight…you’ve been great!” Maria yells into the microphone, her voice carrying over the cheering crowd in front of her. She gives one last wave as she turns to walk offstage, but a face in the crowd causes her to stumble slightly. She recovers quickly, throwing another glance at the familiar person standing at the end of one of the rows up close. Fifth, sixth…whatever. He’s close enough that she recognizes him. As she reaches the side of the stage, she glances back once more and he’s still standing there…immobile…staring at her. “Maria, you were great!” Her manager rushes over with a bottle of water and her cell phone. “Your mom’s on the phone.” She takes it absently, knowing her mom watched the broadcast on TV since the show was live. She looks at it a moment before stopping her manager. “Alan, there’s a guy…end of the row, left side, fifth or sixth…I couldn’t tell. Go give him a pass and tell him to come back to see me. Tall, shaggy brown hair, wearing a blue shirt and jeans…he’s alone.” Alan looks at her strangely. It’s not like Maria to invite anyone backstage, let alone strange men. But when she gives him a piercing look to get moving, he goes. She talks to her mom on the way back to her dressing room. Tells her she loves her and misses her and makes plans for her mom to come out to L.A. and visit in January after her New Year’s show in Hawaii. Sitting at her dressing table, Maria takes off her make-up as she looks at the flowers that fill the room. She smiles when she sees the big bunch of daisies sitting close by. They’re from Liz and Alex. Alex went back home for the holidays and Liz met her parents down at her aunt’s in Florida. Funny that she’s the one here in New York and her two friends who live here are gone. Sighing, she changes into her street clothes. Jeans and a black turtleneck sweater. From here she’s going straight to Hawaii. He mom wants her to stop in Roswell on the way since she doesn’t have to be in Hawaii until the 31st. She’s still debating about that, knowing in the end she probably won’t go…but at least she can tell her mom that she’s thinking about it. She hears a hesitant knock on the door and she remembers who it is. “Come in.” She calls and turns to the sound of the opening door. Tilting her head to the side, she studies him for a moment as he shuts the door behind him. “Hi.” She says softly, wondering what he’s doing here by himself. “Hi.” He says back, scratching his eyebrow with his finger. A gesture that she finds both endearing and familiar. Familiar in a way that she can’t explain, considering she only spent a couple of days around him. “You should have called…I could have gotten you tickets. You must have paid a fortune for the seat you got.” She begins with an innocent enough comment, trying to ease his nervousness…and hers. He shrugs…doesn’t answer. She waits for him to say something and sees him looking around the room at all the flowers. “The smell’s a little overpowering, isn’t it?” She smiles and watches him move to one of the larger bouquets sitting off to the side. He touches the card, his eyes opening a little in surprise. “The President?” He turns to look at her with an eyebrow raised. It’s her turn to shrug. “I’m sure he didn’t send them himself. He has an entire staff in charge of sending gifts and flowers.” He makes a noncommittal sound and turns back to look at all the flowers. Most are roses, orchids…exotic and obviously expensive. His gaze falls to the daisies and he asks, “Alex or Liz?” Surprised, she says, “Both. How’d you guess?” “Daisies are your favorite. Only someone who knew you would send them.” He says nonchalantly. She doesn’t say anything…doesn’t ask how he knows daisies are her favorite. Probably the same way she knows that he still listens to old metal rock…Metallica, Nine Inch Nails. “Why aren’t they here?” He asks her, having not seen either one of her friends at the show or backstage. “Out of town. Roswell, Florida.” She says. He nods. “And you’re here for Christmas by yourself.” She smiles. “Yah. But not for long. I’m leaving for Hawaii later tonight. New Year’s Eve show.” Is that disappointment she sees cross his face? Maybe, but he recovers quickly. “Well, I don’t wanna keep you. It was good to see you again…you were really…it was a good show.” He backs toward the door slowly and turns to open it. Making a split second decision, she calls out, “Wait!” He turns back around and she smiles…embarrassed. “I have a couple of hours before I have to be at the airport. You wanna…I don’t know, get a cup of coffee or something?” She holds her breath, hoping he doesn’t say no. She’s not disappointed when he nods and says, “Sure.” They find a hole in the wall diner that’s thankfully open on Christmas and they spend the next three hours talking. About their lives, about Roswell, about what happened a few months ago there. Michael tells her about how he’s thinking of going to school. She tells him about how she’s thinking of stopping in Roswell to see her mom before going on to Hawaii…how she doesn’t want to…how she hates Roswell. He encourages her to go…to see her mom for Christmas. He tells her family is important, especially at this time of the year. And her mom probably misses her. “Come with me.” She asks, glancing at her watch again…hating that the time has gone by so quickly. She doesn’t want the night to end now. “What?” He asks in disbelief. “You’re crazy.” “We all know that. Come with me. You’re alone tonight, I’m alone, my mom is alone. No one should be alone on Christmas.” She gives a look that she hopes is convincing. She can see now that he’ll say yes…she can see that he doesn’t want to go back home tonight. For some strange reason, he wants to spend this night with her. “I want you to come with me.” She looks at him closely, willing him to say yes. Shaking his head lightly, he says, “Fine.” Forty-five minutes later, they’re seated on a private jet speeding up for take-off. Maria opens a bottle of champagne and pours a glass for herself, starts to pour one for him but he stops her. “I don’t drink.” He says, grabbing a bottle of apple juice instead. She raises her glass once they’re in the air and says, “To a truly surprising Christmas.” He nods and clinks his bottle with her glass before drinking. “This has to be the craziest thing I’ve ever done.” He says, setting the bottle down on the table in front of them. “I doubt that. In fact, I know that’s not true.” She quirks an eyebrow up at him and leans back in her seat…studying the mysterious man across from her. She never thought twice about him in High School. Not until he disappeared along with Max and Isabel, that is. She spent so many years digging for information, trying to find answers for that day in the Crashdown…answers that her best friend wouldn’t give her. “Why aren’t you scared of me…of us?” Michael asks her as he leans back also, crossing his long legs ankle to knee. She always had her suspicions that Max was an alien…Michael and Isabel by association and circumstances. Having it confirmed for her didn’t really shock her, surprisingly. Maybe it would have if she were younger. But years in the public eye, living in L.A., have made her cynical. She’s seen how low people will sink to get what they want. She’s seen how desperate people will go to great lengths to come out on top. Not much about people surprises her anymore. The fact that her suspicions about Michael, Max and Isabel were true…well, it could have been worse. She shrugs in response. “I don’t know. You’ve never done anything to make me afraid.” “Do you trust everyone until they do something to make them not trust you?” She laughs. “Oh God, no. I don’t trust anyone. Except for a handful of people…my mom, Liz, Alex.” “You barely know me and you invited me along on this little…trip. I could kill you, hurt you. You don’t know.” He’s baiting her, she can tell. Looking for something…but what? Confirmation that she feels something for him? She looks around the cabin as if suddenly aware that they’re alone and she turns back to him, smiling. “I guess you could. No one here to see. Just the pilot. But you could probably use some kind of alien power on me…make it look natural, right?” She shrugs again. “But you won’t. I may not know you very well, but I know enough.” “What do you know?” He says, his tone dripping with doubt. “I know you’re protective of Max and Isabel. You’d give your life to save theirs if you had to. They’re all you have. You’ve been alone your entire life…growing up, you had to learn how to survive in a world you didn’t feel you belong in. I know you don’t get close to anyone…you have walls protecting you. You don’t like that we know about you, can expose you. I know that you’re attracted to me and you hide it from Max and Isabel. I know that you’re alone on Christmas, that you came to see me sing, not expecting that I would have seen you and asked to see you. You’ve come to other shows I’ve had throughout the northeast. I saw you in Boston three years ago. I didn’t recognize you fully, but I saw you…knew that I knew you from somewhere. I know you wouldn’t hurt me.” She picks up her champagne glass and takes a sip, delighted with the look of shock on his face. “Just because I like to hear you sing doesn’t mean I’m attracted to you.” He finally responds. “Then why are you here?” He shrugs, looks around the plush interior of the plane. “Didn’t have anything better to do.” She smiles at him again and says, “Fair enough. I’m grateful for the company either way.” They’re both silent for several minutes, staring at each other, trying to figure out what’s going on here. Michael opens his mouth a few times as if he’s going to say something, but closes it again. The tension in the air has grown thick and Maria finishes off her glass. She’s intrigued by him, that’s a certain. She also knows that she wants him. Maria takes her mug of tea over to the windows and looks out into the blackness of the night. The empty street outside is lit by streetlamps as she thinks about that night yet again. It didn’t take long for them to end up tangled together on the leather couch of that plane. It was passionate…desperate. They made love for the next three hours and when they reached Roswell, she left him at the airport, instructing the pilot to take Michael back to New York City. They agreed that it would be best to keep their brief encounter private. She knew that her life wasn’t for him, he knew it, too. Just as she didn’t belong in his life…it was too dangerous. As she got into the car waiting for her, she watched the plane carrying Michael Guerin take off before telling her driver to take her to her mother’s house. It was one of the best nights of her life and she doubts that she’ll ever forget it. They agreed to pretend it never happened. It was an indulgence that their friends didn’t need to know about…their own private memory…their own Christmas. But she never expected to be thrust back into his life like this…never really expected to see him again. She hates that she feels rattled around him, especially since her appearance doesn’t seem to affect him very much. If anything, he seems uncomfortable. She wonders if he thinks about that night even half as much as she does. ~~~~~~~~~~ The next morning, Max calls Alex and Maria and asks if they want to meet them at the hotel for their meeting with Cal. They agree to meet them there after going to the hospital. He manages to get everyone up and ready to go…no small fete…considering two of those people are Isabel and Michael. Isabel called into work and told them she was taking the week off. Her boss wasn’t happy, but couldn’t argue against a family emergency. Michael is already on break from school for the holidays so he doesn’t need to make any arrangements. At 9:30, Max knocks on Michael’s door and says, “You ready?” He hears a grunt on the other end and assumes that means yes. He continues into the kitchen where Isabel is pouring juice. “I don’t see why we gotta go.” Zan calls in from the living room. “We can just hang here.” Max levels his gaze at Zan and says, “This involves you. You’re going.” When Michael finally emerges from his room, they all leave and head toward Cal’s hotel. On the way there, Michael asks Max, “You really think someone else is involved in this?” “I don’t know. But it’s time we were one step ahead of our enemies instead of the other way around.” Max says. When they arrive, they see that Alex and Maria are already there. Max immediately asks how Liz is and Maria says, “Ready to go home. The doctor gave her the go ahead…we’re going to get her after this.” Max nods, glad to hear it. Stephanie has indeed provided a buffet of everything anyone could ever want for breakfast and everyone is hovering around the table loading up plates of food. Maria has evidently gotten over finding out that Cal is an alien because she’s sitting next to him and they’re both talking about L.A. and people they both know there. She’s balancing a plate of food on her knees as she laughs at something Cal says. Max looks over at Michael and sees that he’s watching her intently. He doesn’t know what’s going on there and he thinks that he’ll ask Michael about it later. Cal spies Max looking over the group and he clears his throat. “So we gonna get started here, or what?” Everyone makes their way over to sit down and Max takes out his cell phone to call Liz. When she picks up, he says, “Hey. I hear you’re going home today.” “I can’t wait. Are you all at Cal’s?” Liz asks. “Yah, we’re just getting started. Just let me know if you have any questions or anything you wanna add.” He sits on the arm of the chair Isabel is sitting in and says to the group, “Liz is on the phone.” Max pointedly ignores Zan, who suddenly starts fidgeting nervously. “Right now we’re just trying to cover all the possible angles of Zan’s actions the other night. You all know the issues with the bond, which no longer exists, but Cal and I decided last night that we also can’t rule out the possibility of an outside influence.” “You think someone else was controlling Zan?” Alex asks. “Maybe.” Max says and turns to Zan. “What do you think?” Zan shrugs and says, “Don’t know. It’s possible seein’ as how I felt like I couldn’t control what I was doin’.” Max rolls his eyes when Zan raises his voice in an obvious attempt for Liz to hear him. “Ava, would you be able to see if someone had been in Zan’s head?” “Wait now…I never agreed to let anyone wander around in my head. Not even Ava. Checkin’ for the bond is one thing…takin’ a stroll is another.” Zan protests. Max ignores Zan and waits for Ava to answer him. She glances at Zan apologetically and says, “I might. I don’t know what I’d be lookin’ for, though, so it’s hard to say.” “That’s a good idea.” Cal says. “It’ll let us know how far we should pursue that angle.” “Am I invisible? I ain’t lettin’ no one sift through my head.” Zan says again, louder this time. “I won’t mess with anything, Zan.” Ava says. But then everyone starts talking at once…the loudest voice belonging to Zan, protesting. Michael’s telling him to shut up, Maria is demanding that Cal do something with him. Alex is trying to come up with another way and Cal is telling Max that it’s ridiculous to involve everyone in this. The more Zan talks, though, the angrier Max gets. He can feel the blood rush to his face, heating it, and he yells, “You’ll do what I tell you to do!” He’s staring straight at Zan and is glad to see that everyone has stopped talking and turned to Max…surprised that he raised his voice. When it’s quiet again, he says, “You’re alive right now because I say so. That can change.” Zan stares back at Max defiantly, clenching his jaw in frustration. “Fuck you, man. Don’t do me any favors.” He stands up and shoots a betrayed look toward Ava before taking a step toward the door. Both Max and Michael jump up and Max shoves Zan, knocking him back onto the sofa. “Give me one more reason to kill you.” Max yells at him as Michael pulls him back. “Just one.” Max punches Zan once more in the chest before whirling away out of Michael’s grip. “Alright, alright. Let’s get the testosterone under control.” Cal says. “Zan, how about you just keep your mouth shut and you might live through the day.” Maria hears a noise coming from the floor and looks down to see Max’s cell phone lying there. She can hear Liz’s voice yelling on the other end and she picks it up. “Liz, it’s me.” “What’s going on there? Dammit, I hate being here.” Liz says in frustration. “We almost had an Alien Smackdown. But no one’s dead…yet.” Maria watches Max walk back into the room, considerably calmer than when he stormed out. She holds the phone out to him and says, “Moondoggie, you dropped Gidget on the floor.” Max looks at her in confusion before he realizes what she’s talking about. He walks over and takes the phone back, glancing at Cal in annoyance…he’s laughing so hard at Maria’s comment that he’s wiping imaginary tears from his eyes. “Moondoggie! Maria, you’re killin’ me here!” Cal continues to laugh, not caring that he’s the only one. ~TBC~

Post by **roswellkitkat** » Fri Dec 26, 2003 2:57 am

Glad your muse enjoyed Aruba! But you know what they say...give us 2 parts and we want 3! <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/Grin_anim.gif ALT=":grin"> It's late and I want to say so much about the two parts...I'm going to be lazy and just say they were awesome. It was good seeing even just a glimpse of the two women in alien lockdown. I think the M&M memories were sweet...I really wish they would relzie they need to be together though. Most of all I want more solid answers...there are to many ' it could be this or it could be thats! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)">

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Jan 02, 2004 5:36 pm

<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> Two excellent parts!<img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... humpup.gif ALT=":thumbsup"> <img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... humpup.gif ALT=":thumbsup"> <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sra ... f8323d.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>

vecastone · Post by **vecastone** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 3:09 pm

So M&M mmmmmm beautifully written all those flashbacks !! I think its time they realize they all should be together and that´s all. I am thinking here it must be Khivar the one playing with Zan`s emotions. Great fight with Max, or almost fight ... it was obvious he wasn`t going to let Ava to his mind that easy. About Te** and Isabel`s dupe..... mmmmm this will get dangerous soon, I am smelling the danger here !! Lovely M&L together as usual !! I want more answers too !! So Aruba treated you well , uh ? <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"> jejej !! well now is time to write !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! jejeje <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... tongue.gif ALT=":b">

Post by **Angel13** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 2:20 pm

Part 33 Once everyone calms down, Ava says, “You want me to do this now?” “Might as well get it over with.” Cal says. “Then we can concentrate on what the real threat is.” Ava gives Zan a sympathetic look before asking, “I’m not really sure what I’m looking for. You got any idea who it would be?” Max shakes his head and says, “We have a couple of ideas, but why don’t you just look for anything abnormal.” She turns to face Zan and says, “I’m sorry. It’ll be ok, I won’t mess with anything…I’m just gonna look.” He doesn’t say anything, just stares straight ahead. Ava kneels on the floor in front of him and places her hands on his head, looking into his eyes to form the connection she needs. Everyone watches silently as Ava and Zan become completely still…their breathing evening out. The only sound in the room is Max talking to Liz, telling her what’s going on. Isabel listens closely…the way he’s talking to Liz, the tone of his voice…she can tell that this is going to be a permanent thing. Liz Parker has now become part of their lives for good or bad. There’s nothing standing between them now. Isabel glances over at Michael to see, unsurprisingly, that he’s still staring at Maria. Maria is either oblivious, or doing a very good job at acting like she doesn’t notice. She gets the feeling that something is going on between them, or something happened in the past. Michael would never tell her…maybe she’ll have a little talk with Maria later. She then looks over and catches Alex looking at her. She smiles, feeling a flutter in her stomach at catching him staring at her. She wonders if he ever thinks about her. At least she knows he thinks about her in his dreams. She feels a pang of guilt when she thinks of all the times she’s dreamwalked him. Seeing him almost studying her, she wonders if he’s ever suspected her of intruding on him like that. He knows she can do it. She looks away from Alex and notices that Max has stopped talking to Liz. The room is silent and everyone is staring intently at Ava and Zan. Neither one of them has moved, but she can see lines of strain appearing on Ava’s face. Finally, she drops her hands and falls back onto the floor. They all wait expectantly for what she has to say and Maria hands her a bottle of water. “Thanks.” Ava says, taking the bottle from Maria gratefully and drinking half of it in one gulp. Ava turns to Cal and shakes her head. “His head is a mess. I don’t know if anyone else has been in there, but it’s all confusing. Like there are conflicting brain patterns.” She shakes her head in frustration. “I don’t know how to explain it. I wanna say it looks like multiple personalities or something, but that’s not it.” Cal leans back in his chair and asks, “Did you ever get into Lonnie’s head?” Ava thinks for a moment and says, “Sure. A few times when we were younger.” “Did you recognize her at all when you were in Zan’s head? Did you recognize her presence at all?” Cal asks. “You think…no, I didn’t get a sense of her at all.” Ava figures out that Cal thinks Lonnie may be the one getting in Zan’s head. “I think I’d recognize it if she was there or had been recently.” Cal nods and looks over at Max. “Sounds like remote possession of some kind.” Max takes a deep breath and looks over at Zan. “The other night, when was the last time you can remember being totally in control of yourself?” Zan takes a few moments to think about it, then says, “I was hangin’ out at the pizza place down the street from my place. Then I don’t remember much until I found myself out on the street in front of your apartment. But it was like I was watching myself…like I wasn’t in my own body.” Max nods and looks back at Cal, who has an expression of understanding on his face. “What do you think?” “Like I said, sounds like remote possession. I need to contact a few people…try to find out if this is what I think it is.” Cal takes a deep breath and exhales loudly. “Fuck. We’re in for some trouble if I’m right.” “Right about what? What does this mean, Max?” Isabel asks. “We think Khivar may be making a move to take back the Granolith.” Max says. “Eliminating Liz would be his first step in getting me out of the picture.” “What does Liz have to do with the Granolith? Couldn’t he just come to Earth and take it?” Maria wonders. “As far as Khivar knows, Liz and I…and by default, Zan…are bonded. Getting rid of Liz would eliminate any chance that I could produce an heir.” Max listens to the phone, obviously Liz is saying something. He nods and looks at Cal. “Liz remembers you saying something about the heir not being important. If that’s true, why would Khivar be concerned about that?” “Your heir isn’t important for operating the Granolith like Browan thought. But your heir would be very important in the grand scheme. There’s a chance that any heir you produce would be able to travel back to our planet and claim back the throne. You can’t…you weren’t engineered to survive on our planet. But there’s a small chance that your offspring might. But at the very least, a royal heir would rally the resistance to Khivar.” “So they could have children who are alien…more alien than they are?” Maria asks and Michael doesn’t miss the note of hysteria and disgust in her voice. Cal shrugs and says, “It’s genetically possible. Besides eliminating any chance at an heir, though, killing Max’s bonded mate would open up a greater opportunity to find and take the Granolith. It would throw Max into a physiological and psychological tailspin. It would ensure that Khivar could come and take it without Max knowing, or caring about it.” “Are you sure we’re dealing with Khivar? Could it be someone else?” Isabel asks, not liking the idea of having to go up against him. “Could be. Lonnie is a possibility. There’s also Tess, but Lonnie would have a greater motive for revenge. Although, her reasons for going after Liz are unclear.” Cal says. “If I had to bet money, I’d bet on Khivar.” “How are we supposed to protect ourselves from him if he can just possess any one of us and make us do whatever he wants?” Michael asks. “I can’t be sure, but if he truly did have possession of Zan, then he got a foothold into his head during the awakening. If Khivar has been waiting all this time for his chance, that would be it. His strength lies in his mental abilities and the brief time that Liz was the active queen would have given him the chance to get to Zan…get his foot in the door.” Cal looks back over to Max and continues. “On our planet, the queen is vulnerable. I told you this before. But we also have security there that you don’t. Security for the queen and everyone who comes near her involves scanning. Kind of like fingerprint scanners here…they scan the brain to verify identity and prevent this sort of thing from happening.” Max feels the familiar anger rising again at not being told these things. If he had known from the beginning, he might have been able to prevent forming the bond with Liz in the first place. Or at least prevent claiming her as his queen. He hears Liz’s voice in his ear and he repeats what she asks to Cal. “Khivar would think that Liz is dead, though, right? The bond is gone, he would have felt that through Zan.” “True. That could definitely work in our favor. He wouldn’t be expecting any trouble from you, that’s for sure.” “Would he still have access to Zan now that the bond is gone?” Max repeats what Liz says again. “Yes. Once he’s been in, the door is always open.” Cal answers. “Great.” Zan mutters from the couch. Max ignores him and turns to Ava. “Could Ava put something in Zan’s mind…something to prevent him from remembering that Liz isn’t really dead?” “No…I let her go walkin’ around in there…but there’s no way in hell I’ll let her fuck with my memories.” Zan jerks his head toward Cal. “You better just fuckin’ kill me cuz you ain’t turnin’ me into a vegetable.” Cal rolls his eyes and says, “Don’t be such a drama queen.” He turns to Ava and asks, “You think you could do it?” Ava looks doubtful and glances at Zan. “I don’t know. I don’t really like doin’ that.” “You work on it. If he believes he was successful, it’ll give us an edge. And we need all the help we can get.” Cal says. “On to the timeline. You need to fix that first.” “Liz knows where the Granolith is. We’ve been there before, we just didn’t know it.” Max says. Maria slumps back in her chair. “We really have to go back to Roswell? Because if we’re voting, I vote no.” Max gives her a sympathetic look and says, “Sorry, we have to go.” “When do we leave?” Alex asks. “As soon as possible. I can have a jet ready today if you can be ready.” Cal motions for Stephanie as he looks over the group. “What are we going to do about Zan? Liz has to go, too. If we make Zan believe she’s dead we can’t have him seeing her.” Max looks over at Zan, sees him pouting and staring at the floor. “Good point.” Cal brings his hand up to his chin, thinking. “We’ll have to go in two groups. Zan in one, Liz in the other.” “I can arrange for another jet to be at the airport by…” Maria glances at her watch. “Six tonight?” She looks at Cal to see him smiling at her. “Excellent.” He says, clapping his hands together. “We meet at the airport at six tonight. Maria and Liz on her plane, everyone else on mine.” Max frowns, not liking that idea, and says, “I think Michael should go with them.” This gets Michael’s attention. “What? Why me? Why not you?” “We don’t need anyone babysitting us.” Maria protests at the same time. “I’d feel better if you had him with you for protection.” Max tries to reason with Maria and he can hear Liz ask him why they need protection over the phone. “Max is right.” Cal gets their attention. “Michael should go. Max and I have things to discuss, he goes with me.” “Besides, I’m not letting Zan out of my sight.” Max adds. “Please Michael, can you just do me this one favor?” “Fine.” Michael sighs, annoyed with how easy he is. Maria stands up and says, “Is that it? We really need to go get Liz released from the hospital.” “Yah. We’ll see you at six.” Max says. Maria glances at Michael and catches him looking at her. Smirking, she grabs Alex’s hand and heads to the door. “Au Revoir.” She calls out as they walk out. “I just adore that little girl.” Cal muses after Maria leaves. “Full of fire, that one. There was this party last year, big to-do in the hills. Anyway, she shows up with Trent Farrel, you know, the guy from those Out of Time movies?” “Can we move on? I don’t think we need to hear Maria stories.” Michael grumbles. “No, no…this is good.” Cal holds his hand up and smiles. Max hears Liz say that it really is a good story and he smiles, too. “So, there’s cameras everywhere and Maria’s giving ‘em a show…smiling, posing with other industry types. And Trent is hanging all over her, kissing and groping…putting on his own show for the cameras. He was hoping to ride on her coattails, help his stock go up, you know? She’s polite about it the whole time, smiling for everyone. But just when the cameras leave…and I saw this happen myself…she grabs a glass of white wine and pours it down the front of his linen pants. Then she knees him in the balls…hard.” Cal starts laughing. “Trent was moaning and stumbling through the party grabbing his crotch, could barely walk. And Maria comes in shaking her head…all sympathetic like…and announces, ‘I’m afraid Trent here has had a little accident.’ you know…staring pointedly at the wet spot on his crotch. The look on Trent’s face was priceless. I tell ya, I wish I’d had my camera there. He was completely horrified and tailed it out of there pretty fast.” Max and Isabel join in laughing and even Ava tries to hide a smirk behind her hand. “Ava, why don’t you get started with Zan. I want to be sure it works before we leave.” Max finally says, noticing that Michael didn’t seem to think that was as funny as the rest of them. ~~~~~~~~~~ About an hour later, Max is pretty sure that Zan doesn’t remember anything about Liz other than attacking her and thinking he killed her. They’ve had Ava triple check and they’ve questioned Zan extensively. He’s genuinely distraught at what he’s done and can’t seem come to terms with it. He see-saws between screaming at Max in rage for not saving Liz to and curling up on the couch in confusion. “Why don’t you leave him here and I’ll keep an eye on him while you take care of whatever you need to do.” Cal says. Max, Isabel, and Michael get ready to leave but Max stops to talk to Cal privately. “Did you take care of the security?” “Taken care of. As of five this morning, she’s got three tails around the clock. It’s gonna be difficult on the plane, but I’ll send one with the pilot…she won’t see him. The others will ride with us so they’re in Roswell when she lands.” Max nods, glad that’s done. “Thanks. Call me if anything happens with Zan. Otherwise I’ll see you at six.” “Will do.” Cal turns away then and takes a ringing cell phone from Stephanie. He’s already in a conversation by the time Max is in the hallway. “What was that about?” Michael asks as they walk toward the elevator. Max has debated about whether or not to tell Michael and Isabel. He might as well, in case Michael sees the extra man on board the plane and gets suspicious. “Cal arranged for Liz to have a security team follow her wherever she goes.” “Why would he do that? Liz will never go for it.” Isabel says, pushing the elevator button. “I asked him to.” Max says. “She won’t know they’re there.” Michael snorts and says, “Man, you are gonna be in so much trouble when she finds out. And you know she will, because Maria will find out and she’ll blab to Liz.” “And how exactly will Maria find out?” Max levels his gaze at Michael. Michael shrugs and says, “She just picks up on that shit. I’m telling you, she’ll know something’s up.” “Then maybe you should distract her so she doesn’t.” Isabel grins at him and steps into the elevator…her smirk getting bigger when she sees his face turn red. “There’ll be a guard on the plane sitting up with the pilot. Just do your best to make sure Maria and Liz don’t know who he is. Tell them he’s part of Cal’s security team…whatever.” Max says, rescuing Michael from further embarrassment. Michael gets on the elevator and wonders if Isabel and Max think something’s going on with him and Maria. No, nothing has happened to make them think that. Isabel’s just being annoying. ~~~~~~~~~~ As promised, Max shows up at Liz and Alex’s at thee sharp. Maria called and told him Liz was at home and he immediately left to go over there. When he walks in, he’s surprised to see Liz in the kitchen making coffee. “What are you doing?” He rushes over to her, throwing an accusatory look in Alex’s direction. He just shrugs at Max and walks back to his room. “I’m making coffee. What does it look like?” She smirks at him, knowing what’s coming. “You should be…” He starts but she slaps her hand over his mouth. “If you say I should be in bed, I will have to kick your ass.” She says. “I’m fine. I’ve been in bed long enough…I won’t break.” He reaches up and grabs her hand, kissing her palm before pulling it away. “At least sit down so I can heal the rest.” She smiles and starts to take a coffee mug from the cabinet above her. “You want some?” “Sure.” He says, reaching for another mug and gently shoving her toward the living room. “Sit.” She rolls her eyes and heads toward the living room, calling over her shoulder. “I like extra vanilla in mine.” He searches the counter and sees a container of powdered vanilla sitting close to the coffee maker. After pouring the coffee, he carries both cups into the living room and sets them on the table. She picks it up and holds it under her nose. “Mmmm…it’s been so long.” She croons with her eyes closed as she takes a giant whiff of the aroma. “It’s been a day. I think you’re overreacting a tad.” Max smiles as he takes a sip, thinking the vanilla definitely makes it taste better. She narrows her eyes at him as she takes a sip of hers. “Don’t come between me and my coffee.” He throws his hands up in surrender and says, “Never. Now will you let me do this?” She sets her cup down and says, “How do you want me?” He arches an eyebrow at her. “There’s a loaded question.” Her smile fades at the switch from playfulness to…something else. “Maybe I should…um…lie down?” She turns and leans back onto the armrest, bringing her legs up to stretch out as Max kneels down on the floor beside her. He looks her over, from the khaki pants and thick wool socks to the bulky turtleneck sweater she’s wearing. He hesitates for a moment, not sure where to start. “Should I get undressed?” She asks, her voice is soft but it still startles him. He has his hands over her, not quite touching yet. “Maybe just the sweater.” She leans up and he helps her pull the sweater up over her head. He’s both relieved and disappointed to see that she’s wearing a tank top underneath. He spends the next several minutes carefully healing every scrape, every bruise from her body. It doesn’t take too much energy since they’re all just surface injuries. He focuses on her smooth skin, running his hands down her arms, over her hands, up and over her shoulders and neck. Liz can feel the warmth radiating from his hands, making her skin tingle. When he brushes them across the upper part of her chest and up to her neck, she hears an involuntary moan escape her throat and she freezes…embarrassed. Did he hear that? Yes, he had to…because his hands have stopped and he’s lifted them off of her skin. “Did I hurt you?” He asks, his voice quiet and full of worry. She opens her eyes and sees that he’s close, so close. Shaking her head, she says, “No. It…it feels good.” He nods slightly, licks his lips and continues healing her neck, then her face. When he’s done, he puts his arms down and leans back slightly. “Good as new.” He says, watching her bring her hands up to see the now smooth skin on her knuckles. “That’s a really cool trick you have.” She smiles over at him, still impressed at the awesome power he holds in his hands. “Hmm..yes, but I seem to only have to use it on you. Too often.” He says. “You’re trouble, Miss Parker.” She smiles and says, “I guess I’ll have to keep you around, then.” She sits up, bringing her legs back down to the floor on either side of him and leans forward. Pulling his face toward her, she covers his lips with hers for a soft kiss. “Thank you.” She whispers when she pulls away slightly. He searches her face briefly before leaning in and kissing her back. It’s more demanding, quickly turning into more than a little thank you kiss. He feels her bring her arms around his neck and press her body into his…another breathy moan escaping her throat. Breaking away, Liz brings her hands to his face. “I need to um…go pack a few things.” “Right.” He takes a deep breath and kisses her gently on the forehead before he stands up. “I’ll see you at the airport, though…before we leave?” She asks as she stands up, pulling the sweater back over her head. “I planned to just go to the airport with you. Isabel has my stuff.” He says. “If that’s ok?” A bright smile comes to her face and she says, “Of course. You can help me pack.” She winks at him and grabs his arm, pulling him toward her bedroom. “Only if you promise to behave. We only have two hours.” Max jokes as she pulls him along. “I am a very good girl, Mr. Evans.” He laughs. “Sure you are.” And she slams the door behind him once they reach her room. ~~~~~~~~~~ “Sounds like someone’s feeling better.” Alex says, hearing Liz giggle from her room. He turns to Maria who’s sprawled out on his bed while he packs. “Yah.” She says. “Sounds like it.” Alex studies her for a moment and says, “What’s wrong?” She looks up at him absently and says, “Huh? Nothing, why?” “I know you don’t want to go back there. But it won’t be for long.” Alex sits next to her, thinking she’s feeling stressed about going back to Roswell. “I know.” She shoves him and says, “Finish packing, I’m just tired.” He walks back over to his closet and hears a loud thump from across the hall followed by laughter. “So what do you think…about that.” He nods his head toward Liz’s room where he can hear Max laughing. Maria shrugs and says, “It’s good. It’s what she’s wanted for a long time. I think Max is a good guy…he loves her.” “I just hope he doesn’t get her hurt again.” Alex says, stuffing clothes into his suitcase. “It wasn’t his fault, Alex.” Maria doesn’t know why she’s defending Max, but he’s obviously going to be a part of Liz’s life now and it would be better if Alex didn’t hold him responsible for every thing that happens to Liz. “She loves him.” “Weren’t you the one who was agreeing with me last night that we need to stay away from them?” Alex asks. Maria groans and says, “Yah, you can see how well that’s working out for us.” She rolls her eyes at him when he looks over. “Hopefully this will all be over soon and we can just forget about them.” Alex pauses in his packing. “But you’re ok with Liz being with Max?” She doesn’t answer and he makes an Ah Ha motion with his head. “You’re talking about Michael and Isabel…or are you just thinking about Michael?” Maria sighs. “I don’t know. I just…I wish I knew that we were going to be all right in the end. I don’t see anything good coming out of being in this alien mess, you know?” “Well, for what it’s worth, I think we’re already knee deep in it and there’s no getting out now.” He closes his bag and throws it out into the hall. Pulling Maria from the bed, he says, “Come on. Let’s get this over with.” ~TBC~

vecastone · Post by **vecastone** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 3:48 pm

An updateeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee give me five and i will be back with feedback !! yupyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy jejejej

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 8:21 am

Ohhh that was great<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> I just love the candy moments in that part though I wish they'd admit their feelings to one another. It was good to see Liz so happy with Max! They've both been through a lot <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sra ... f8323d.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>

vecastone · Post by **vecastone** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:17 am

Guauu !!! Great update. I am sad though about Zan. I agree with Fallen I hope Michael and María would be able to face their mutual feelings. Liz and Max are gorgeous together I can´t wait to see some action jejeje I am dying to know what was that bump Alex heard jejeje. Well, great work as usual Angel. Do I have to say I love your stories ? I DO !!! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)">

Post by **majiklmoon** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:11 pm

Michael and Maria will never be able to admit their true feelings for each other <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/lol.gif ALT=":lol"> great update Angel. You are the best of the best <img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... humpup.gif ALT=":thumbsup"> <center>It all started with a boy, a girl, and a silver handprint.</center><center><a href=http://pub84.ezboard.com/bmajiklmoonsrealm><img src=http://members.aol.com/majiklmoon/image ... a></center>

Post by **roswellkitkat** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 3:35 pm

The best of the best, is right! You rock Angel! <img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... humpup.gif ALT=":thumbsup"> <div style="text-align:center"> <img src="http://<a href="http://weatherpixie.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://weatherpixie.com/displayimg.php" style="border:0;"/></div>

Post by **Angel13** » Thu Jan 29, 2004 1:57 pm

Thanks for the feedback and comments! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"> Part 34 Michael and Isabel are the first ones at the airport. As they sit in the private jet’s waiting area, Isabel turns to Michael. “Is there something going on with you and Maria?” She’s noticed the looks, the guarded comments over the last couple of days and she can’t get rid of the nagging feeling that there’s more going on between the two of them than they’re letting on. Michael gives Isabel a blank look and doesn’t say anything. Isabel looks away and nods. “How long?” “There’s nothing going on.” He says, telling the truth. There isn’t anything going on with him and Maria. There never really was. He’s not actually lying to her. “Never was.” She eyes him doubtfully for a few moments. “Interesting.” She raises an eyebrow at him, prepared for more of his denial when Cal arrives with Ava, Zan and Stephanie. “Let’s get this show on the road. Where’s Max?” Cal says loudly as he enters the waiting area. “He’s with…Maria and Alex. They’ll be here soon.” Michael catches himself before he says anything about Liz. Cal nods. “Right. Well, let’s go ahead and get on board.” He guides Zan and Ava out of the hanger and toward one of the waiting jets on the tarmac. Michael stands up as they leave and says to Isabel, “You can go ahead…I’ll wait here for Max. He should be calling soon to make sure Zan’s out of sight.” Isabel picks up her bag and stands up to leave. She turns back to Michael before she reaches the door. “Michael, just…” She doesn’t know what she wants to say so she just says, “Just be careful.” She knows he’s lying to her about Maria. And part of her doesn’t really care if he gets involved with her. It’s just that she knows their lives don’t mesh. Hers is too public and his is too private. Knowing that there’s something more than the casual roll in the hay going on between the two of them, she just doesn’t want Michael to get hurt. Michael nods and says, “You, too.” He watches her walk outside and get on the plane. He shakes his head and wonders how she knows. Does Max know, too? No…they can’t. Are they seeing something in him that he, himself, doesn’t see? He always thought he kept his thoughts and feelings pretty close to the vest. His phone rings, interrupting his thoughts and he tells Max that Zan is safely on board Cal’s plane and they’re clear to come in. He then calls Cal and tells him that Max is here. Now Cal needs to make sure that Zan doesn’t see anything that he shouldn’t. As he walks toward the door, he thinks that keeping Zan from finding out about Liz during this trip is gonna be a pain in the ass. He meets their car when it pulls up and waits while they all get their bags together. Alex hugs Liz and Maria before he walks toward Cal’s plane. Max walks with Michael, Maria and Liz to the other jet and he passes off Liz and Maria’s bags to the pilot who’s waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Michael notices Maria look curiously to a second man getting on the plane, but thankfully she doesn’t say anything. When the pilot sees Maria, he says with a wide grin, “Ms. Deluca. It’s nice to see you again.” “Mike, good to see you, too. Haven’t seen you for a few weeks.” Maria says. The pilot nods and says, “Had to take some time off for a family emergency.” “I’m so sorry. I hope you’ll let me know if there’s anything I can do.” She tells him, sincerely. He smiles. “Thank you.” As he’s taking the bags from Max, the pilot’s gaze falls on Michael and Max’s mouth drops open at his next words. “Mr. Guerin? So nice to see you again.” At Michael’s surprised face, the pilot continues, “I never forget a face. It’s been, what…two, three years?” Michael looks at Max, then Maria…extremely uncomfortable…and surprised. “Uh…yah. Something like that.” Max stares at Michael, confused. He’s never seen this pilot before…he doesn’t think he’s the one who flew them from Roswell back to New York. He can see that Michael is embarrassed and Max shifts his gaze to Maria. She’s staring at the ground, her face bright red. “Well, let’s get going.” She says, a little to cheerfully. She grabs Liz’s arm and pulls her up the stairs. Michael is torn between following them and answering Max’s questioning gaze. He’s thinking desperately for an explanation when Max says with a smirk that Michael hates, “Mr. Guerin…you better get on board.” Michael watches as Max turns and walks over to Cal’s plane before he climbs the stairs to his own. Great…he’s never gonna hear the end of this. And not only is he going to have to put up with Max after this, he has to sit on this plane…the same plane…with Maria as they fly back to Roswell. How much torture can one guy take? Mike follows Michael up the stairs and secures them before disappearing into the cockpit. Making his way toward the seats, he stops and grabs a bottle of juice before he settles himself next to a window opposite Liz and Maria. He can hear Liz asking Maria how her pilot knows Michael and he strains to hear Maria’s answer. “Oh…I think Mike was our pilot when we all flew back to New York from Roswell. I don’t know…this company uses a rotation of five or six pilots. I know them all…he must have been with us then.” Maria says so easily…so smoothly, that Michael’s jealous at how well she can lie. Michael glances over and sees Liz looking toward the cockpit. “Really? I didn’t recognize him.” He sees Maria roll her eyes slightly and take a deep breath. “You were pretty out of it.” “Yah, I guess.” Liz’s gaze shifts from the pilot to Michael and she sees him listening to them and watching a little too closely. She smiles knowingly as Michael jerks his head away and looks out the window. Yup…there’s definitely something going on with them. Between the pilot recognizing Michael and the easy, familiar way he grabbed that juice from the mini refrigerator when he got on board…Michael’s been on this plane with Maria before. And it wasn’t when the rest of them were here, too. “But I’m pretty sure I remember the pilot from that flight.” Liz decides to play with them a little more. “And that wasn’t him.” She jerks her thumb toward the cockpit. “Oh for Christ’s sake, Liz. Just drop it.” Maria huffs and pulls out a pair of headphones from a pocket on the side of her seat and plugs them into a jack in the armrest. “How am I supposed to remember who our pilot was on a flight three years ago? Shit, I can’t remember what I wore yesterday.” She throws her hand up dramatically and makes a show of turning her music on and the volume up, signaling the end of that conversation. Liz tries to hide her smile…especially when Michael slinks down further in his seat and turns his face closer to the window as if trying to hide. ~~~~~~~~~~ “You’ll have to move the Granolith after this. It’s not safe having this many people know its location.” Cal says to Max as their plane climbs through the atmosphere on its way to Roswell. Max notices his choice of words…that he said you and not we…and agrees that Cal shouldn’t know of its new location. He’s seen how easily Cal is willing to give up the location of the Granolith. “I agree.” His tone dripping with accusation that they can’t even trust their protector with that knowledge. “I’ve never kept my intentions a secret, Max. You’re right to not trust me.” Cal shrugs. Max looks out the window at the brilliant colors of the horizon. Orange, red, purple, pink…with the clouds below looking like big tufts of cotton and the sky a brilliant blue above the colorful display, it almost looks like a different world. The scene in front of him shifts so quickly and suddenly that Max gasps. The clouds morph into skyscrapers and a tall fence appears in front of him. He sees people crowding around him from his periphery, but before he can recognize any of them, the New York skyline disappears and he finds himself back on the plane and looking out at the sunset dancing along the horizon of clouds. He’s seen the skyline countless times, but one thing he’s never done in all the years he’s lived in New York is seen the skyline from the observation deck of the Empire State Building. It must be a vision of another timeline. “How are we supposed to fix this?” Max turns to Cal. “Do you know what we’re supposed to do?” Cal shakes his head. “No idea. It’ll come to you once you’re there. The primaries should be the only ones there. I can get it started, but it’ll know what to do once it recognizes you.” “Primaries?” “The ones who created the rift. The ones responsible for altering the timelines.” Cal says. “That would be you, since you’re the only one who could have traveled back in time using the Granolith. And those who made decisions as to how the future would change…those who helped you, the future versions of you.” “So no one else needs to be there?” Max asks. “They should be close by, but no. Only close enough for the Granolith to pick up energy signatures.” Sighing, Max nods in understanding. That means just he, Isabel and Liz will be going to the Granolith. He wonders what will happen while they’re there. Will the timelines come together somehow…showing them what happened? Or will the other timelines simply disappear without any memory of them. This possibility is why he wanted to write down as much as they could remember of the visions they’ve all had. He doesn’t want to lose the record of what happened. Of course, he was hoping that by writing it all down they’d get a clearer picture of what went so wrong before that he had to go back twice to change things. But now it doesn’t look like they’ll be finding any answers. Answers. What a joke. They’ve been living blind their entire lives. And this…man sitting in front of him has held all the answers. Every question they’ve ever had about where they came from, why they’re here, who they are. Questions that have always consumed them, become a part of them. Questions they gave up ever finding answers to. And they’ve lost everything and everyone that’s important to them because of it. September, 2007 It’s Max’s favorite time of year in New York. Fall. As he makes his way through the Manhattan streets, he takes in everyone around him. So many people making their way home at the end of the day. The fading sunlight filters down on him as he slowly makes his way down Lexington Ave. and he turns his face toward the park where he feels the sunlight on his face before it dips down behind a building. He can feel the beginnings of a chill in the air, signaling the end of summer and the beginning of fall. The changing of the seasons. So different from the New Mexico desert. Stepping up his pace, he heads toward the subway. Dropping his keys on the table and closing the door behind him, he sees Isabel sitting at the kitchen counter with her laptop. “Hey. You’re home early.” Isabel looks up and he sees that her eyes are red and puffy. He drops his briefcase and rushes over. “What? What is it?” She gives him a weak smile and turns back to the laptop. “I couldn’t take it anymore, Max. I’m sorry, but I just had to.” When he reaches her side, he sees what Isabel is talking about and he freezes. On the screen are several different pictures of his parents. Pictures that were obviously taken without their knowledge. “What is this?” He whispers. “It’s all anonymous, Max. I swear, no one knows.” Isabel tries to assure him quickly, knowing what he’s thinking. “You hired someone to follow them?” He asks incredulously. How could she have their own parents followed…maybe put in danger? All because of her curiosity. “Just…just for a couple days. They never saw him. And he doesn’t even know who I am…just through an anonymous email account. There’s no way anyone can trace this back to me.” Max looks back at the screen. He sees a picture of his parents in what looks like their kitchen. The photographer must have been using a pretty good telephoto lens. There’s another one of them on the sidewalk in front of their house. One of his mom getting out of a car on Main St. One of his dad walking up the front steps of his office. “Why?” He asks absently, noting how much his parents have seemed to age. Isabel ignores him and instead says, “Look, he even sent a video.” She clicks and suddenly a window pops up. His parents are sitting at an outdoor table on the sidewalk outside the Crashdown. There’s even sound…hard to hear, but it’s there. “…I’m just saying that it’d be better if you just go and I stay here.” It picks up in the middle of a conversation that’s already in progress. Max sees his mom reach across the table and pick a sugar packet out of the little white box that sits next to the ketchup as she talks. “Honey, you know Susan would like it if you came with me.” His dad says. “I know. I just really want to get the kitchen finished. I can’t stand one more day living with tarps and paint cans in there.” He watches his mom shake her head and stir the sugar in her glass of iced tea. Max watches his dad sigh and say, “If that’s what you want…” He’s cut off when someone walks up to the table and pulls up a nearby chair. Max’s eyes widen and he leans in slightly when he sees that it’s Jeff Parker. Isabel scoots her chair over to give Max room and she smiles knowingly…watching Max as he sees their parents for the first time in eight years. “Hi guys.” Mr. Parker sits down in the chair he’s pulled over and smiles at his parents as if they’re longtime friends. Of course, they knew each other, but Max never knew of a time the two couples ever socialized. “Phil, I have that drill bit in the back. It should do the job for you. How about I come over around six tonight and we’ll try it out?” “Sounds good.” Phil smiles at Jeff. “I’ll stop and pick up some beer on the way home.” Max watches his mom roll her eyes and laugh. “Oh God, you two. You just want an excuse to sit in the garage all night and drink. Don’t even try to pretend you’re doing any work on those cabinets.” Mr. Parker smiles and says, “Come on, Diane. We have to have our boy’s night every once in awhile. And besides, we’ve made some good progress on those cabinets.” Max glances at Isabel, then back to the screen. “What the…?” His parents are friends with the Parkers? He continues to watch as they chat for another minute and Jeff Parker gets up to leave. They both watch him go and his mom sighs and turns back…staring down at the table. She runs her hand over the top of the table, almost reverently. “You remember? How much they used to come here? I wonder if they ever sat here.” Max watches his dad reach across the table and grab his mom’s hand. “I remember.” His dad says. “It’s ok. Let’s just order.” He releases her hand and picks up the menu. Max sees his mom nod her head in agreement and pick up her menu. “I think I’ll just have a salad today.” The video continues for ten minutes. It cuts off at the Crashdown and picks back up as they get out of the car and walk into their house…where it follows them around as they do everyday things like check the mail, take out the trash, and put the car in the garage. There’s no more sound. When it ends, Isabel clicks on one of the pictures to bring it up front. A picture of their parents in front of their house. A good one…both are smiling at something. Max takes a step back in shock…he doesn’t know what to say. “Max, I…” Isabel looks up at her brother and he can see that she wants to tell him something. But she stops, her lips pressing together as she looks to the floor. There’s something besides hiring and investigator to follow their parents weighing heavily on her. But she’s afraid. Of him? No, he doesn’t think so. But she’s afraid of something. “What? What is it?” Max asks, looking between her and the laptop screen. Isabel shakes her head, almost to herself, and looks back up at him. “Nothing. I just…I miss them. I’m sorry, but I just wanted to see them.” “It’s ok.” He tells her, understanding. “But you better not let Michael see that.” He looks around and asks, “He’s not here?” She shakes her head and he pulls a chair up next to her. “Let’s watch it again.” He says as he takes his suit jacket off and she smiles at him, tears coming to her eyes as she turns and starts the video once more. Max opens his eyes and looks out at the now-dark sky. Isabel almost told him that night. She almost told him about the future. He can look back now and find several times that she almost told him throughout the years. She’s had to carry this burden with her for so long, and he should be angry with her for keeping it from him. But how can he be? It was him that made her promise not to say anything, wasn’t it? How can he feel anything but remorse for the secret she’s had to keep all these years…because he asked her to? He looks up and sees Isabel reading a magazine. He gets up and sits in the seat next to her and she looks up. “Hey.” “Hey.” He looks down at the magazine. “What’re you reading?” She shrugs and says, “Nothing really.” She looks at him and asks, “What’s on your mind?” “I was just thinking about mom and dad.” He says. “About those pictures you got…the video. You remember?” She smiles and cocks her head to the side. “Yah. What made you think of that?” He shrugs and says, “I don’t know.” His gaze travels over her face. She’s still as beautiful as she was when they were teenagers. But he sees the strain of their life on her face, in her eyes. “I wanted to apologize.” “Apologize? For what?” She’s completely confused and she smiles at him uncertainly. “For asking you to do that…for asking you to keep this secret all this time.” “Oh.” She realizes what he’s talking about and isn’t surprised he’s found a way to twist it all around so that he can feel guilty about it. “You don’t need to apologize. It wasn’t really you, anyway, was it? I did what I had to do.” “But you shouldn’t have had to do it alone. I…I wish you wouldn’t have had to go through it alone. I’m sorry for that.” Isabel grabs Max’s hand, unsure of why he’s thinking about this now. But she can tell it’s weighing heavily on him for some reason. “It’s ok, Max. Really. I was never alone. I had you and Michael. And we were safe. That’s all that’s important.” She lays her head on his shoulder. “We all did what we thought we had to do and it’s gotten us this far, hasn’t it? No regrets. Not now.” Max closes his eyes, thinking of a way to make it up to her. It’s time to start making up for the mess he started so many years ago. “No regrets.” He says, squeezing her hand and settling back into the seat for the long trip ahead of them. ~~~~~~~~~~ “So.” Maria taps her fingers on the armrest of her chair as she takes a sip of her vodka and tonic. Liz glances over at her and says, “So.” Maria grins slightly and asks, “What’s going on with you and the alien?” Liz raises and eyebrow and says, “I could ask you the same thing.” The grin fades from Maria’s face and she says, “But I asked first.” She doesn’t want to get into a discussion about Michael. Especially with him sitting a few feet away. She glances over at him, happy to see he’s not paying any attention to them. “I’m not sure what’s going on. You know, we have other things to worry about right now and it’s just really complicated.” Liz says, picking up the soda in front of her and absently playing with the tab at the top. Maria waves her hand at her and says, “Blah blah, words words…now dish. I want details.” Liz smiles and rolls her eyes. “I don’t know…it’s just…he’s just…” Maria sees the far off, dreamy look come to her friend’s face and she smiles. She’s happy that Liz has found what she was looking for…that she found the one person she’s been waiting for her entire life. If anyone deserves to be happy, it’s Liz. “I’m glad. Really Liz…I hope it works out. That is, if we make it out of this whole mess alive.” Maria takes another sip of her drink and shoots a withering look toward Michael. Not that it does any good, he’s not looking in her direction. He’s busy looking outside the plane window and doing his best to appear as if he’s not listening to every word they say. If this plane weren’t so damn small. Maybe he should get up and move further away. No, he can’t do that. Then they’ll know he was listening. Sighing heavily, Michael reclines his seat as far back as it’ll go and closes his eyes…hoping those two will do the same. He jolts out of sleep, not realizing he’d drifted off, when he feels the plane dip suddenly. Gripping the armrest, he looks over and asks, “What the hell was that?” Maria and Liz are wearing matching looks of surprise and Maria says shakily, “Turbulence. Must be turbulence.” The plane continues to bounce for a few more minutes before finally smoothing out. Michael relaxes his grip on the armrests and takes a deep breath. He sees Maria unbuckle her seatbelt and walk forward to the cockpit. She’s only gone for a couple of minutes and when she comes back, she says, “The pilot said it was a little rough patch, but everything’s ok now.” Michael grunts, disbelieving, and stands up to stretch and walk to the back of the plane. From this spot, he can see directly into the cockpit. The pilot is sitting on the left and another man on the right. Liz’s secret security. He glances at Liz, wondering if she’s noticed anything weird about the extra man and sees Maria eyeing him curiously instead. Cursing under his breath, he turns away swiftly and picks up a magazine lying on the seat next to him. Maybe if he plays it cool, she won’t get a bug up her ass. He flips through the magazine absently and sees her coming toward him out of the corner of his eye. Shit. “Ahem.” Maria clears her throat to get Michael’s attention. She knows he’s not really reading that magazine. Because it’s upside down. Reaching over, she grabs it from him and turns it around so it’s right-side up. “Better?” He looks at her sheepishly and puts it down. “I uh…wasn’t really reading it.” She smirks at him and gets right to the point. “So, you wanna tell me about our extra passenger?” “Part of Cal’s security team.” Michael says automatically. “I see.” She moves to lean on the wall opposite him and crosses her arms. “But that doesn’t answer my question. Why is he on this plane?” Michael’s eyes involuntarily flick over to Liz. For the briefest moment…but it’s all Maria needs. Oh shit. He sees her eyes open wide in understanding and she leans in toward him. “He’s for Liz, isn’t he?!” She whispers excitedly. “Did Max arrange for this? She doesn’t know about this, does she? No, of course she doesn’t. She would have said something. How long have they…” “Jesus. Shut up, would you?” Michael spits out angrily. She shuts her mouth fiercely and pulls her head back in surprise at his tone. Did he just tell her to shut up? She looks at him and can see him studying her to see what her response will be. He looks scared…and mad. Raising her eyebrows, she dramatically turns on her heels and starts to go back to her seat. Liz is watching intently, having hear Michael shout at her friend. “Maria, wait.” Michael calls after her and grabs her arm. She stops and looks down at his hand, then glares up at him as she turns her head. Very slowly, she says, “Don’t. Touch. Me.” He clenches his teeth, and pulls her back toward the bathroom he knows is beyond the door to his right. He grips her harder when she struggles and makes a few vocal protestations and drags her through the door, shutting it firmly behind her. “What do you think you’re doing?” Maria yanks her arm from his grip. “Just listen, would you? Why do you have to be so difficult?” Michael stands in front of the door, blocking her way out. “Me…difficult? That’s funny.” Maria huffs and rolls her eyes. They hear Liz call out on the other side of the door and knock. “Maria? What’s going on? Are you ok?” Before Maria can answer, Michael calls out, “We’re fine. Just need to talk…you understand, right?” He shoots Maria a warning look and he’s thankful when she doesn’t say anything. “Oh. Liz pauses and says, “Maria?” Liz sounds doubtful and Michael sends a pleading look to Maria, begging her with his eyes to just hear him out. Maria stares at Michael…sees that this is somehow important to him. She lets him sweat for a minute before yelling out, “It’s ok, Liz. I’ll be out in a minute.” Michael hears Liz walk away and his shoulders slump in relief. Max owes him big time. “Max asked Cal to get some security for Liz…to stay out of sight. He knows she won’t like it, so he doesn’t want her to know about it.” “Of course she won’t like it!” Maria rolls her eyes. “She has a right to know she’s being followed around by a swat team.” “Think about it for just a minute, would you? She’s in danger, Maria. Serious danger. Don’t you get it? Somebody tried to kill her. Or have you forgotten about that already?” “The somebody who tried to kill her is on the other plane right now. And no, I haven’t forgotten. I’m just saying she should know about it.” Maria takes a step forward and points a finger at him. “Don’t make me sound like I’m some horrible person. I know she’s in danger. We’re all in danger. And why is that? Oh yah…because of you!” She feels a twinge of satisfaction when she sees him flinch, but it quickly plummets into her stomach when a look of regret and sadness lands on his face. He exhales loudly and says, “Ouch.” He knows she’s right. Hell, they talked about this very thing…apparently on this very plane…three years ago. It’s one of the reasons they agreed to not see each other again. But it doesn’t make it hurt to hear her say it any less. She drops her hand and says contritely. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like…” “Yes you did. And you’re right.” He scratches at his eyebrow absently and asks, “Can you just wait until we get to Roswell? Let Max tell her. It won’t do anyone any good if you march out there and tell her now.” Maria mulls it over for a minute and agrees. “Fine. I won’t say anything. But he better tell her, or I will.” “I told him you’d be a problem.” Michael mutters. Her eyebrows shoot up and she says, “Really. And you know me so well?” “Better than you’d like.” He smirks at her, happy to see a blush creep up her neck into her face. “You’re right about that.” The words fly angrily out of her mouth before she knows what she’s saying. She sees his face turn to stone and instantly regrets it. “Michael…I…” She takes another step toward him, but he turns abruptly and opens the door. “Don’t.” He says. “I think we’re done here.” He walks out the door without looking back and she falls back against the sink counter and brings her hand to her forehead. “Crap.” She mutters to herself before straightening and following him back into the cabin. ~TBC~

Fan Fic and More

Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 45 added 4/21

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 28 added 11/14

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 28 added 11/14

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 28 added 11/14

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 28 added 11/14

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 28 added 11/14

WHAT!

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 30 added 12/4

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 30 added 12/4

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 30 added 12/4

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 30 added 12/4

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 30 added 12/4

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 30 added 12/4

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 30 added 12/4

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Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 33 added 1/21

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 33 added 1/21

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 33 added 1/21

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 33 added 1/21

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 33 added 1/21

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 33 added 1/21