Out of Darkness (CC/Teen) PART 13 Added 5/28/06

[roswellkitkat]

Well...what can I say? This story has me hooked!!!! I can't wait to see whose Zan's father really is and if Tess and nicholas will be a help rather than a hinderance. Oh and the three mystery visitors...sheesh..this story has it all!!!

[Katiekatt23]

The black jeep sat parked down the street from the little house, it’s passengers watching silently for any sign of action. The girl with the dark curls sighed impatiently.

“What are they doing in there?”
“Shhh, I’m sure they had a plan.” The man said, his eyes still fixed on the house.
“What makes you so sure?” The other girl, in the backseat, chimed in.

“Because I know them, Isabel would never just blindly fumble into a situation without a course of action.” He paused, it had been a long time since he’d uttered her name aloud. It danced in his mind all the time, along with visions of her, but he’d scarcely ever let himself talk about her. It made him think about his old life. It hurt too much.

“Ahhh, you said it!” The girl in the backseat crowed, a smile on her face.
“So what?” He assumed his usual nonchalant demeanor.
“So…I know you had a thing about her before….well before all the stuff that’s happened….is she the reason we had to come back?” She shoved back her hood letting her blond hair spill out. He gave her a dirty look.

“We’re trying to keep a low profile.” He looked pointedly at the purple streaks in her blond hair.
“I think my hood looks worse than my hair in that respect.” She brushed off his concern. “And you didn’t answer the question.”

He didn’t feel like lying anymore. “She’s part of it, but not the biggest reason. The boy is the most important reason we’re here.”
“Are you finally going to tell us why?” The girl with the black curls spoke again.
“Soon. I need to see him first, to make sure.”
“Make sure of what? You and your secrets!” She huffed.
“That he’s mine.”

************************

Maria held Zan close, trying to understand. He gazed at her as if he saw her everyday, smiling and laughing. He’s a darling little boy, Maria thought. Hard to believe a sweet little guy like this has a mother so evil. Zan laid his head on her shoulder, looking tired. He played with her blond curls absentmindedly. She looked up to see Michael emerge from the house with a duffel bag in his hand, she rose and carried Zan over to the others on the porch.


Michael smiled at the sight. “Glad to see he likes you. It’ll make the trip easier for him if he’s not scared of everyone.”
Maria gazed at Michael, her eyes serious. “He knew me.”
“What?”
“He knew me, Michael. How is that possible?”
Michael dismissed it quickly. “It isn’t possible, he only saw you once almost a year ago, he couldn’t remember.”

“Michael he said my name.” Maria looked at Zan and smiled. “What’s my name?” She asked playfully.
Zan laughed. “Ria!”
Michael dropped the duffel bag, Isabel and Kyle both whipped around to look at her.
“Ria!Ria!” Zan clapped his hands together, enjoying the attention he was getting.
“This is crazy.” Kyle breathed.
“Ria,” Zan said one more time, before laying his head back down.

“Well, at least we know he isn’t 100 percent human now, don’t we?” Isabel said, her lips curving into a complete smile. This knowledge made her feel better about removing Zan from the Grayson’s care.

“Another lie from Tess to add to the list.” Kyle grumbled.
“ I don’t think we should try and solve this mystery until we get back to Roswell. Let’s just get his stuff and get out here quickly, before they wake up.” Michael still looked blown away, but grabbed the duffel bad and marched back into the house.

Less than fifteen minutes later, they plus little Zan were back on the road.

********************

He watched as they loaded the little boy ito the car, hungrily drinking in every thing he could. Though they were several feet away he could feel it, the connection. He sighed with realization as they started to drive away. “It’s true, he’s mine.” He dropped his face into his hands.

“What’s true?” The brunette beside him watched him with concern.
“He’s my son, mine.” He mumbled into his hands.
The girl in the backseat leaned forward to rub his back. “It’s all right ,at least he’s safe.”
“But she….how could she do that to me?! I had hoped it was just some sick mindwarp....to toy with me. She made me think that she was someone else.....and....I couldn't ...” He sat up suddenly, his fists clenched. “It’s wrong!”

“Yes it is, but it’s in the past and you can’t change it. You can only move forward.” The brunette turned the key in the ignition and started to follow Micheal’s car.
The young man tried to regain his composure, staring after the car.
“Follow them to the hotel, then we’ll confront them."

"It’s time.”

***********************

Liz nearly knocked her book onto the floor. She’d heard his voice, clear as day. She sat up on the bed were she must have dozed off reading her book.

It’s time. The words rang out clearly. She’d even glimpsed his face. No! he’s dead. Liz tried to rationalize what she’d seen and heard.

But the vision had been very clear this time. There was no denying it. She closed her eyes and concentrated, bringing up the image again in her mind. She saw a little house, Michael and the others carrying Zan out to the car. No , no…she tried harder. Finally the focus swung around to focus on the black jeep parked nearby. She looked carefully at the faces.

Panic flew through her mind as she recognized the face of the girl in the backseat. Tess! No, no..Liz noticed the purple streaks in her hair, not Tess…Ava. Her panic subsided and was replaced with confusion. Ava had been a bit rough around the edges but nothing at all like her counterpart. But what was she doing there? In the front seat Liz saw a girl she did not recognize. A pretty girl with long black curls and dark eyes. Some of her features looked familiar, but Liz was positive that they had never met.

The face of the young man in the front was very familiar. Alex!

Liz opened her eyes. He’s alive!

“Max!” Liz yelled, rushing out into the living room.
Max sat on the floor playing with Jack. “What is it? Are you all right?”
“Yes, he’s alive!” She said, breathlessly.
“Who?”
“Alex! I just saw him in a vision. He’s alive! We have to get in the car now!” Liz looked frantic.
“The car?”
“He’s with Ava & some other girl, they’re following Michael and the others. We need to get to them.”
Max picked up Jack and stood. “Are you sure it was him?”
“I’m positive, Max please. We have to go now.”
Max didn’t object a second a time, instead he went to pack their things.

Liz wondered what all this could mean. How can he be alive after all this time? Where has he been? Why is he with Ava? And who was that other girl?

**********************

“Michael, you passed our hotel about an hour ago.” Isabel finally said, watching as Michael ignored her and sped up on the freeway.
“Um Michael ?” Maria gently touched his arm, careful not to wake little Zan who slept across her lap.

“We’re not going back to the hotel.” He glanced at the rearview mirror, his brow furrowed.
“What?”
“Someone is following us. We need to get back to Roswell as soon as possible.” Michael merged into the fast lane and sped up a little more.
Isabel twisted around in her seat to look behind them at the black jeep. It was following them at a distance, and she could not make out any of the faces of the people inside it. But the sight of it chilled her to the bone. It could the be FBI, Tess and Nicholas, or worse….Kivar. She felt a panic begin to settle in.

Iz, calm down. Kyle thought to her. Getting all worked up isn’t going to help anything.
Maria’s cell phone began to ring loudly. Zan woke and began to fuss a little. Maria tried to lean over slowly to get to her purse.

Maria managed to drag her cell phone out . “Hello?”

“Maria!” Liz exclaimed on the other end.
“Hey Chica.”
“Where are you?”

“We just picked up little Zan and we’re about an hour south of there.”
“Okay, tell Michael to meet us in Trinity, it’s just over the border of New Mexico. We’re already on our way and we’ll probably be there before you.” Liz spoke with purpose.
“Why? What’s wrong?”

“Ask Michael about the jeep behind you.” Liz said slowly.
Maria felt the hairs stand up on her neck. “How did you know about that Liz?”
“I saw it in a vision. Listen to me, you guys aren’t in danger, I don’t think. But meet us in Trinity, tell Michael not to stop if he doesn’t have to.”

“Okay, we’ll see you there then. Wait..Liz?”
“Yes?”
“Do you know who is in the jeep?”
Liz waited a moment before she answered. “Yes.”

*****************

“They know we’re following….” Ava said slowly, watching as Michael’s car changed lanes, then changed back again.
“I don’t care. Just keep following them. He’ll stop eventually. We’ll confront them as soon as they do.” He returned.

“Do you think they’ll take it well?” The brunette asked.
“I don’t really know. I hope it will be a good thing. They’ll want to know where I’ve been all this time.”
“Are they going to hate me on sight?” Ava’s voice was quiet, insecure.

“They’ll have to get used to you…since you look so much like her. But you said that Liz knew you, the others will listen to her.”
“Liz? Oh the girl….” Ava looked lost in thought, remembering.
“What?” He asked.

“I do remember her, ...she’s the one.”
“The one what?”
“I’ll explain later…I have a feeling that once that car up there stops; explaining is going to be all we’re doing.” She said, chewing on her lip.

***********************


Tess blew out a large sigh as she passed the sign that read ‘ROSWELL 15 MILES’. The dry desert air was the same, even the type of night felt familiar. Beside her, Nicholas let out a low moan. Tess noticed that his breathing was raspy, and he was sweating. She quickly pulled over onto the shoulder, kicking up dirt in her wake.

“Hey….you okay?” She murmured, shaking his shoulder.
He didn’t move.
“Wake up…we’re almost there.”
Still nothing.

“Nicholas!” Tess shook him harder. His only response was another moan, and he did not open his eyes. His forehead was drenched with sweat. She unzipped his jacket and pushed it off his shoulders, his shirt was damp.
“Come on, Nic…” She whispered.

When he still didn’t wake up, she placed her hands on either side of his face and closed her eyes. I hope this works. This connection thing wasn’t her best skill, but she hoped she could manage a little. If only to find out what was wrong.

Faintly at first, then stronger…she felt the connection build. It was different because Nicholas had no human blood, only the skin and his mind beneath it. But nonetheless his mind was strong, it did work. Finally she broke through the barrier that he had up and the images began to come to her.

Tess had to suck in her breath as everything flew by. She saw stars, constellations, brief images of Antar… of his former self and his trysts with Vilandra/Isabel….she saw herself from the year before: unleashing the firestorm…she heard Kivar’s death sentence to him…she watched as he groped through the alleys of New York looking for food….finally she saw herself in the present through his eyes. She heard his thoughts as he stared at her sleeping form in the hotel….She’s beautiful…could she forgive me?

Tess had barely a moment to process the sentiment she’d heard before she saw what she’d been looking for. His skin, it was dying…now. He didn’t have more than a few hours left before it gave out completely.
She let go of him then, and leaned back in her seat to catch her breath. Staring at him she tried to process all that she’d seen, she wanted to know the entirety of what was in his mind…now just glimpses. There isn’t time for this! Her conscience raged against her,

He’d saved her from the special unit only days before… .I can’t let you die, she thought as she looked at his face. Tess turned the key in the ignition and stepped on the gas, praying that she remembered right about where the Tachyan was buried.
She flew down the road, ignoring the speed limit completely, her mind a jumble of emotions and confusion. His words rang out in her mind….she’s beautiful…..and Tess felt a blush creep up her face against her will. She glanced at his sleeping form, and pressed down even harder on the gas.

****************

[roswellkitkat]

I have a feeling you will have us liking Tess and Nicholas by the end...if they actually make it that long! :P

[Katiekatt23]

Trinity turned out to be a tiny town, Liz was surprised that it had been on the map. But it had been the perfect half way point to meet Michael and the others. She and Max pulled in an hour or two after darkness set in.

“See the Trinity Ghost Town, only 5 miles. See the Haunted Tavern for yourself.” Max laughed as he read the large bulletin board. He crooked an eyebrow at Liz. “What do you think?”

Liz let out a sigh. “If this were a pleasure trip I would say yes, but…”
“I know, I know. I was just kidding. Here we are, the modern day town of Trinity.” Max maneuvered the car onto the main street.
Liz stared around. There wasn’t much to the place, a shopping center, a diner, hotel, a few streets of houses, and a bowling alley. She gestured toward the diner. “Pull in there Max, I’m hungry and it should be air conditioned. We’ll wait for them there.”

*****************

“Michael, there’s the exit!” Isabel pointed off to the right.

Michael quickly took the exit, watching his mirror in frustration. That damned jeep was still right behind them. He sped down the road toward the main drag of Trinity, looking for the diner that Liz had called a few moments ago and told them to look for.
He spotted it a moment later and quickly parked the car. “Everybody out, right now!” Michael felt the blood pounding in his veins, his powers nearly bristling. He felt sure that if anyone in that jeep planned on hurting them….that person wouldn’t live very long to do so.

“Michael….Liz said she didn’t think we were in danger.” Maria said softly, waking Zan and unbuckling her seat belt.
“She doesn’t know for sure, now out.” Michael used a slightly gentler tone, and met Maria’s worried gaze. Please listen to me, he thought…wishing she could hear him. I don’t want you hurt. Maria nodded as if she understood, quickly lifted Zan and got out of the car.

“Michael!” Max called. He stood in the doorway of the diner, holding the door open. The light from inside the restaurant shown out onto the street.
“Hey Maxwell.” Michael still stood beside the car, watching the road that they had come in on. Off in the distance, he could see the jeep…coming closer. Max stepped up to his side. “We’ve got trouble…” Michael said slowly.

Liz walked out of the diner, Jack in her arms. Maria hurried over to her. Zan lifted his head off Maria’s shoulder to look at Liz. He waved one of his chubby hands at her. Liz felt an odd sense of déjà
vu, remembering how he had done so in her vision. Liz wanted to blurt out about her vision and the jeep, but there wasn’t time.

They made an odd picture the six of them standing out in the semi-darkness of the parking lot, staring at the road. Maria and Liz, held the two boys in their arms and watched as the jeep drew closer and closer. Kyle moved to stand with Max and Micheal, the three of them looked tense, ready to do battle with whatever force might threaten them.

The jeep slowed down as it approached the parking lot. In the darkness they could make out three figures. The boys watched, only Max knowing who they could be. He murmured a few words under his breath. “Here we go.”



The male figure emerged from the jeep, his hands up to signal he meant no harm. Liz stepped closer and saw that his hands were trembling. His hood hid his face from them, but Liz could feel in her heart that it was him. She walked up to Max’s side, holding Jack close against her chest.

“Take your hood off,” she called to the man.

His two companions joined him, one on each side. The one girl flipped back her hood first and Liz recognized her as the pretty mystery girl from her vision. She was even prettier close up with long black curls and striking dark brown eyes. Something about her face looked very familiar to Liz but she couldn’t place it. The girl surveyed all of them closely, her eyes darting from face to face until they stopped on Michael’s and lingered there. Liz felt rather than saw Maria step up to his side.

Isabel moved forward too, and gripped Kyle’s hand tightly.

The male stranger noted Micheal’s defensive stance. “We’re not here to hurt you,” he said quietly.
“We’ll see,” Micheal grumbled, his body still tense and ready for an attack.

The other female figure took off her hood. Out tumbled a purple streaked white blond mane, and a familiar face. Kyle sucked in his breath as he looked at her closely. Ava knew why, she’d been told about what her alter ego had done to him, making him think he was a murder accomplice. She tried to send a soft smile his way to put him at ease. Max stared at her as well, shocked at first, but then remembering his encounter with the rest of her four.
Micheal still stood looking freaked. “Not here to hurt us?” he smirked, seeing Ava.

“I’ll prove it.” The male figure finally took off his hood. The cloth slid away to reveal a very familiar face.

Standing in front of them was the long lost friend that they’d all mourned as dead.
Standing there was Alex.

Isabel fainted.

********************************************


Maria’s mouth worked but no sound came out. Her eyes widened as she stared. Michael stepped up to her side and soundlessly took Zan from her arms, he came to Micheal willingly as if he understood. Maria stepped toward Alex, still looking as if she didn’t understand.
“Maria.” Alex’s mouth curved into a smile.

“You’re alive!” Maria’s hesitance disappeared, and she threw herself into his arms, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Alex!! But how…?”
“It’s a long story, one I’ll tell you all.”

Liz walked over as well, her own eyes brimming. Seeing him standing there, flesh and blood, unharmed was such a shock. She switched Jack to her left shoulder and reached out to touch his arm, as Maria stepped back.

Alex’s own eyes were a swirl of emotion, he looked at the baby in Liz’s arms. “Yours?”
Liz laughed. “Mine. Another long story.”
Isabel still sat slumped in Kyles’ arms. Alex nodded at Kyle. “Is she all right?”

“I think she’ll be fine.” Kyle gently shook Isabels’ shoulders.
This time her eyes fluttered slowly open. She looked very confused to find herself on the ground. “What happened?”
“You fainted.” Kyle smiled at her.
“I did?” Isabel quickly stood up, and brushed off her clothes, looking embarrassed. Her eyes alighted on Alex again, this time she stayed on her feet.

He met her gaze, a million thoughts dancing behind his eyes. “Hello Isabel.” He said quietly.
“Alex….” Isabel’s voice faltered. “I don’t understand.”
“Like he said, it’s a long story. But we’ll tell you if you want to hear it.” The brunette who stood behind Alex finally spoke up. Everyone turned to look at her.

“I don’t mean to be rude, but who are you?” Micheal demanded.
The brunette met Micheal’s eyes, with a stubborn expression a lot like his own. “My name is Serena.”
Liz let out a small shocked sound.

“She’s a friend.” Ava piped up. Alex nodded.
“And are you?” Micheal returned.
“Yes.” Ava paused, looking at each of them in turn. “I know that all of you will have a problem believing that after what my…my other self did to you. Even though we share the same DNA mix, we’re different. I didn’t help kill Zan, and it wasn’t me who tried to kill your friend here.” Ava touched Alex’s shoulder.

“Actually, she’s the one who saved me.” Alex’s face was serious as he uttered the words.
Max stepped forward. “I know we all want explanations, but I think we should find somewhere private to do them. It’s getting cold out here.” Max nodded toward Zan and Jack.

Alex followed his gaze, and walked slowly over to Michael. “You’re right, let’s find a hotel. You’ll want to sit down before you hear all that we have to tell you.”
Zan squirmed in Micheal’s hold, his arms stretched toward Alex.
“He likes you.” Micheal noted.
“And with good reason!” Ava blurted out.

Alex shot her a look as Micheal let him take Zan. The little boy stared into Alex’s face solemnly, as if trying to recognize something.
“What is she talking about Alex?” Isabel asked.
Alex looked at her, his eyes dark with emotion. “I don’t want to lie to you, and you might as well know….” His voice faltered.

Liz suddenly knew, she could tell from the way Alex held Zan, the way he was looking at him, the emotion in his face.
“He’s your son.”

[Katiekatt23]

An hour or so later, the nine adults sat in a motel room waiting to see who would speak first. Jack and Zan were sound asleep, nestled together in one of the beds. Liz sat on the edge of that bed, keeping an eye on the two boys. It pleased Liz that Zan had taken a liking to Jack, more so now that she knew the truth of his parentage.
Alex finally took a deep breath. “Well, to begin with…I didn’t die, obviously.”
Michael chucked, Maria elbowed him sharply in the ribs. “We all thought you had, we saw your body…Max tried…” Maria bit her lip to keep from crying at the memory.
“That would be my doing.” Ava said, quietly.

“Another mind warp?” Kyle muttered.
“She had a good reason. My brain was so damaged from Tess’ mind warps, and I was badly burned in the car crash. Ava pulled me from the car, and she brought me back to life… but she couldn’t fix all the damage by herself.” Alex tried to explain.
Michael interrupted. “Wait, you were there when the car crashed?”

Ava squirmed uncomfortably, twisting a purplish blond curl around her finger. “I was hitchhiking here. I felt all that mind warp energy she was dishing out for a few months. I wanted to find out why. And to tell you the truth the whole solo alien deal wasn’t really working for me.”
“You were coming to us?” Liz’s heart went out to the girl, despite her resemblance to Tess.

“When I saw your friends’ car crash, I figured that would be my ticket in with you guys. If I saved your friend, then maybe you would let me stay.”
“What about the rest of your four?” Maria asked.
“I think they were killed,” Max answered solemnly. “They attacked Tess in New York, she said she fought back. We never saw them again.”

Ava nodded. “Even if they were alive, I wouldn’t want to go back with them. They killed Zan….” Ava’s forehead wrinkled up, her eyes lingering on Max for a moment. “And they probably would have tried to kill me too, in the end.”

After a small silence, Alex continued his speech. “Once she figured out she couldn’t heal me on her own she made it look like I had died. The body you saw was actually an alien dummy she stole from the UFO center. She used her powers to make it look like me. That’s why you couldn’t heal me Max.”
“You shouldn’t have let us think he was dead.” Isabel murmured, staring at Ava.

“I didn’t know if I was gonna be able to fix him or not. And I didn’t think I would get a warm welcome if I brought your friend back as a vegetable.” Ava returned.
“We also didn’t know that Tess had killed Alex until months later.” Liz pointed out.
“Ava called for help. The one other alien hybrid living on Earth that she knew of.” Alex gestured toward Serena, who smiled.
“What?” Michael nearly came out of his chair. “You’re a hybrid like us?”

“Actually Michael, she’s more than that.” Alex said, slowly.
“What are you talking about?”
“Would you shut up a minute and let him talk?” Serena shot at Michael, in a temper much like his own.

“Now wait!” Michael sputtered. Both he and Serena stood to face each other, both wearing the same stubborn look.
But Alex was laughing, so hard he almost choked. Nearly everyone turned to look at him.
“What’s so funny?” Michael growled.
Alex regained his composure. “You are. Michael Guerin, meet your sister. Serena.”

“You’ve got to be joking!” Michael finally managed, staring hard at the girl opposite him. She did seem familiar; they had the same mouth, the same eyes. But his sister?
“I assure you he’s not kidding.” Serena retorted, letting go of her defensive stance.
“But the hologram never mentioned them sending my sister.” Michael was still dumfounded.

“That’s because I didn’t die at the same time as you all. I was sent two years later. Dad was one of the top scientists on your hybrid project back home. After the success of your journey, and my…”Serena faltered for a moment. “…after my death, he convinced them to send me too, as a failsafe.”
“A failsafe?” Liz was curious, after Future Max’s mention of her; she wanted to know all she could.

“Basically, I was sent equipped with information in the case that something happened to any of you. You were all sent with your brains wiped, to make your transition easier for you. I was sent with all my memories of Antar, with several documents and supplies, and this.” Serena fished a small black cube from her pocket.
“What is that?” Max asked, he had seen a similar one when he had been in Larek’s home back on Antar.

“A transmitter cube, tuned to your exact frequency. It’s an Antarian device; it magnifies thought communication, has some defense properties, and lets me spy on you guys a little.” Serena’s smile took on a mischievous hue, looking very much like Michael’s.
“You’re saying you’ve been spying on us?” Maria looked doubtful.

”Only a little, mostly when you were using your powers, it doesn’t work as well when you’re not.” Serena put the cube back into her pocket and sat down again.
“If you’ve known about us, why did you never contact us?” Kyle finally piped up.

“Well for starters, I wasn’t supposed to until you were old enough to understand. And then secondly because once Max was abducted to Antar, I received a communication to watch, not interact with you all until he returned.”
“Did you know about …”Liz gestured toward the children.

Serena offered Liz a friendly smile. “Yes, I did. I was supposed to keep watch over you most of all. If anything happened to you or your baby….it could have been disastrous.”

“Go Ahead Alex.” Maria tugged Michael back into his chair, wanting to hear the end of Alex’s tale.
“Okay, Ava called Serena and they brought me to where Serena lived. Together they healed my burns but my mind was still damaged. I could walk and breathe, but I couldn’t speak or remember who I was.” Alex continued. “So they took me to the only place where I could be truly healed. Antar.”

Max’s head jerked up. “You were on Antar too?”
Alex nodded. “At the same time you were, although I didn’t know who you were for most of my stay. Being mostly human meant I had to stay hidden while the healers mended my brain. If I had been discovered by Kivar’s troops, I would have been killed on sight. I heard of your escape through Serena.”

“Why did you stay so long?” Isabel asked, her eyes clouded.
“Mostly because it took a long time for them fix me. The mind warps had destroyed many of my neural pathways, my memories, everything. It took them a long time to reconstruct them all. And secondly because of this,” Alex lifted his hands, a green force field shot out of it. Everyone gasped.
“You have powers?” Maria’s eyes were wide.

Alex let the force field drop. “Yes, because I was brought back, same as Liz, and Kyle. Antarians and Humans are almost the same, just one is more evolved than the other. When we are brought back it gives our DNA a jumpstart to their level, as I understand it.” He jerked a thumb toward Serena. “She’s tried to explain it me a few times.”

Alex turned his head to glance at Zan. “When we found out you were going after him, we had to come back right away. I wanted to see for myself. When I was healed, they cleansed the deceptions from my memory. I knew she had….used me.” Alex faltered. “But I didn’t want to believe it, until I saw him for myself. But it’s true, he is my son.” Alex’s voice faded out, as he finished his story.

The group sat in silence, as they pondered everything they had just heard. Isabel looked stricken. “Did you get all your memories back?” Her voice was quiet.
Alex stared hard at her, his eyes smoldering, oblivious to Kyle’s arm around her waist. “Yes I did.”

*****************************

“We’re here, can you hear me?” Tess parked the car on the shoulder. The rocks of the pod chamber were visible in the distance.
Nicholas lay slumped against the passenger door. His breathing was coming rasps and rattles, the sweat had formed sheen over his skin.
No, I need you to walk, she thought. She grabbed his face in her hands and poured energy into him. Nicholas let out a moan and his eyes slowly opened. He stared at her glassy eyes, as if he was drugged.
Tess struggled to drag him out of the car and onto his feet. “Come on, you have to walk a little ways.” She said, already half leading, half dragging him out into the moonlit desert.

Together they stumbled out to the pod chamber, at the base of which Nicholas collapsed, all his strength gone. Tess noticed cracks forming on his arms, and his skin was deathly pale, even in the dim light. He smiled at her. “I …..Can’t...go further, too late.” He mumbled brokenly.

Tess felt a knot form in her stomach and lump in her throat. “Just a little further, Nic come on.” She knelt by his side.
“Can’t…it’s dying…”

Tess felt wetness on her cheeks; she did not even try to wipe these tears away. I’ve never really kept a promise…I can’t give up on you!
You tried, thanks for that. His voice in her mind was weak.

Tess jumped to her feet. “Hold on.” She ran up the jagged rock toward where the entrance had been. She pulled the cube from her pocket and held it up. It cast a purple beam onto the rock. A small piece of rock melted away and Tess saw the Tachyan orb snuggled safely in the compartment. She grabbed it and rushed back down to Nicholas’ still form.

His eyes were closed and the rasping of his lungs was clearly audible in the silence of the night. Tess tried frantically to recall the way to operate the Tachyan. But the small black orb sat motionless in her palms. Come on, I have to remember!

Nicholas heaved one last rattling breath, and then was still. Tess felt the lump in her throat threaten to choke her.
“No! No….I’m sorry.” She sobbed, leaning over him. She touched his face, remembering how he had helped her, remembering the thoughts she had seen in his mind.

Suddenly the orb in her hand came to life, emitting purple beams of light. Tess felt a feeling like electricity flood through her and she gave herself up to it. Where her hand rested on his cheek, his skin began to glow...brightly. It spread until Tess had to close her eyes, it was too bright. She concentrated on what needed to happen. Change him…she thought. Give him a body of his own.

The orb in her hand began to get warmer, hotter. Soon Tess had to force herself to hang onto it, despite the fact that it was burning her skin. I have to finish it!

Moments later the light faded and Tess herself fell to the dirt beside Nicholas, unconscious. The orb rolled out of her hand and onto the ground between them.

[Katiekatt23]

I hope you guys are enjoying this story so far.

I had the entire thing finished but it was lost in the hack and then when I got a new computer, the ending was lost. I'm working on rewriting it.

Let me know if you would like me to post more.

[Ti88]

i knew that was fimalier when i started reading it, but i wasn't too sure. i can't remember if i ever got to finish it. but thiis story is awesome. i was almost postive with the exchange between maria and michael about getting married. but between the tess and nicholas parts and them getting baby zan i was like yes i remember this tale. it is a wanderful tale. i can't wait for the next parts. and i am very sorry about the crash

[Katiekatt23]

“I hate to ask the dreaded question, but what happens now?” Maria asked, looking about the room.

“Well, I guess we head back to Roswell first.” Liz answered, glancing at the two boys asleep in the bed.
Max nodded, moving to sit beside Liz. His arm gently wrapped around her waist. Alex noted the tender gesture. “I take it that you two have reconciled, from the looks of that baby.” He said with a smile.

“Yes, we have.” Liz coyly flashed her ring finger, with the engagement band. “And we’re not the only ones.” She winked at Maria.
Alex’s head spun in her direction. “Are you serious?! You and Michael?”
“No, me and Kyle…geez, who do you think?” Maria laughed, showing her engagement ring too.
Alex laughed. “Wow, I wondered how long it would take you to stop fighting and realize that you were a perfect match.”

“Yeah. Everyone’s been pairing up.” Isabel spoke up. She was still sitting on the couch beside Kyle. The whole situation seemed very awkward for her, and Kyle didn’t need to guess why. But his heart was insisting on denying it.
Alex looked at the two of them, his eyes mostly on Isabel. “You too?”

“Kind of.” Isabel answered, not noticing the way Kyle stiffened beside her.
Kind of? Kyle stood up and moved away from the couch. He pretended to be interested in looking out the window. He saw Michael and Serena perched out on the hood of the jeep, talking.
The sudden silence of the room was threatening to strangle him. Kyle knew they were probably all waiting for him to freak out. He wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction.
“I’m going to go see if there’s a soda machine somewhere.” He said quickly, and moved out the door without looking over his shoulder.

Kyle walked quickly, away from the room ,away from where Michael was firing a million questions at Serena about their family and Antar. Her words rang out in his mind, over and over. He remembered how she had fainted when she saw Alex. He should have known right then and there.

“Hey Wait up!”

Kyle took no notice of the voice that called after him, he was too absorbed in his own thoughts and self pity. It wasn’t until he heard footsteps running to catch up with him that he looked. Ava skidded to a stop beside him, her sneakers squeaking against the pavement. “Thanks for waiting.” She panted.

“I don’t know if I’m going to be good company.” Kyle mumbled, turning to continue his walk out to the street.
“No problem, you just gave me an excuse to escape. I was starting to get claustrophobic in that room.” Ava pulled her light jacket tighter across her ribs.

They walked on in silence. Kyle glanced at her, noticing the subtle differences between her and Tess. Ava’s white blond curls were still ridden with purple streaks, but her lip ring was gone. Although she had the same features, Ava’s face seemed different. Less pouty, more thoughtful. Less sultry, and more sarcastic. Kyle smiled, thinking Ava’s aura was a vast improvement.
“So, are you going to tell me what you’re thinking or do I have to read your mind?” Ava laughed.

You can read minds too? Kyle tossed the thought to her, like a challenge.
Yep! You’re not bad…for a mostly human. Ava bounced back at him, much clearer than Isabel ever did. Isabel…

“Don’t feel too bad about it. Trust me, I know what it’s like to pine away for another persons’ lifemate.” Ava’s voice lost most of it’s sarcasm.

Kyle was interested. “You mean Max?...I mean the Max from your group?”
She nodded. “He tried with me…and for awhile that was enough. But we both knew the truth.” Ava kicked at the asphalt gravel. They had reached the sidewalk but neither wanted to stop so they kept walking.
“What truth?”

“That I wasn’t his lifemate. It’s an Antarian…well and a human thing too. People are either meant to be together, or they’re not. And no matter how bad you wish for it to be one way, you can’t change it. That’s what the other me…Tess didn’t understand. Although one day she will.” Ava’s voice took on a prophetic tone.

“When?”
“When she meets her lifemate.” Ava said simply. “Same thing will happen with you.”
Kyle’s face fell. “I thought it was her.”

Ava gently touched his shoulder. “You wante
d it to be her. But you knew deep down that it wasn’t.”
Kyle reluctantly nodded.
“I felt the same way about Zan.” She let go.

“Does it ever stop aching?” Kyle asked, looking up at the stars.
“Eventually, when you met your real lifemate.”
Kyle looked over at Ava and managed a small smile. “Thanks.”


***********************

Nicholas slowly pulled himself into a sitting position. I’m not dead. He looked at his arms, the sweat and the cracks in his skin were gone. He felt perfectly fine.
It worked! Whatever she did worked! He looked around for Tess and found her lying in the dirt beside him, a shiny black orb near her hand.
“Tess?” He touched her face.
No response. But she was breathing.

I need to get her back in the car. He stood up, feeling slightly disoriented. Wait a minute, Nicholas looked at his arms and legs, both were longer and stronger. She really did it, she aged me, this isn’t the skin, it’s real. I’m not a perpetual fourteen year old anymore.

With newfound ease and strength, Nicholas crouched down and drew Tess into his arms. She didn’t wake as he carried her and the orb back to the car. Nicholas saw the burns on the inside of her hands and wondered what had caused them. Carefully he laid her on the back seat and got in to drive them into Roswell.

**************

Isabel had no choice but to let Kyle go. She was so confused. Everything in her mind felt like she had just gotten off an enormous roller coaster.
“Isabel are you okay?” Max asked.

“No.”
Max moved to sit beside her. Liz was laying on the bed with the children, looking about ready to fall asleep. Alex had moved outside to join Michael, Maria, and Serena.
“This has got to be rough for you Iz.”
“I’m scared Max.”
“Of what?”

“What if he doesn’t feel the same about me anymore?” Isabel’s bottom lip trembled. Max’s heart went out to his sister. It was such a rare thing to see her Ice Queen exterior so melted.
“Iz, you could ask him.”
“But what about Kyle? How can I hurt him like that?”

“If it’s meant to be, Kyle will understand. If you and Alex are soulmates, then that’s the way it will have to be. You can’t fight it. Liz and I tried to fight it, she ran away to Florida, I ran to Tess, nothing worked.”
“Max, how did you know with Liz?”
“I just did. Talk to Alex.”

******************

Jim Velnti watched as the small burgundy sedan sped past him. He checked the dial of his speedometer gun, 88mph.
“Finally,” he sighed, flipping his lights. “Thought I was going to fall asleep out here on night watch.”

Nicholas tensed as he caught sight of the police lights in the rearview mirror. He followed his first instinct and stepped on the gas.

“That’s more like it.” Jim laughed and gripped the wheel, feeling the thrill of the chase. He reached up and flipped on the siren.

The sound of the siren roused Tess slights, though she didn’t open her eyes. “What’s going on?” She murmured.
“Sheriff’s chasing us. I’ll lose him in a minute. How are you doing?”
“Sheriff?”
“Yeah, think so.”

“Pull over.”
“What?”

“Pull over, please. I know him.” She mumbled.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“You’re the boss.” Nicholas was doubtful but decided to trust her, and slowed down to pull the car over to the shoulder.
A few seconds later the sheriff pulled behind him. Nicholas tried to relax as he heard the footsteps approach his window.

Jim peered at the young man in drivers seat. His face looked familiar, but he couldn’t place it. He directed the flashlight at him.
“Going a little fast weren’t you?”
A familiar voice whispered from the backseat. “Jim?”
He flashed his light into the backseat. The face he saw nearly made him drop his flashlight. “Tess?!”

*********************

Isabel sat up most of the night fretting over the situation. She looked about at her comarades, scattered about the room asleep. She even felt a twinge of envy toward Maria and Liz who both lay sleeping soundly in the arms of their beloved.
When is it going to be my turn? When am I finally going to get that security, without all this confusion? Isabel turned her gaze toward where Kyle slept stretched out on the floor with a pillow. He hadn’t spoken to her or even looked her way since he’d come back from his walk with Ava. She’d felt his hurt radiating from him, but not in the same way she’d come to know his emotions. He had closed his mind off, at least to her. Isabel felt a mountain of guilt, but it was peppered with her anxiety over Alex. I’d always thought he was mine, my soulmate. I never thought I’d admit that.
Neither did I. Alex’s voice chimed in, Isabel heard and felt his presence in her mind. She nearly started as she looked across the room. Alex had sat up on the sofa, and was watching her with a small smile on his face.
You can hear me?
Of course I can, didn’t I tell you they changed me?
Yes, but I didn’t think you could….
Let’s go outside and talk, so we don’t wake the others.

Alex stood up and silently walked to the door, Isabel followed. Her mouth was dry, this was going to be the conversation she’d been fearing.
Alex walked out to the jeep. He opened the passenger side door. “Want to go for a ride?”
“Sure.” Isabel figured it was the safest option, that way, if he rejected her, no one would see her cry but him. She climbed into the jeep.
Alex got in as well, and quickly drove them out to the main highway. Being so late there were few cars on the road, only a hundred stars above. Alex turned on the jeeps’ heater.
“So go ahead,” he began.
“What?”
“Ask me.” He wore a slight smile.

Isabel suddenly felt as if her tongue would not move. Alex turned to look at her and noticed her panic. He reached over with his free hand and entwined it with hers. His skin was warm and Isabel felt a shiver race through her at his touch.
“Fine I’ll start. I’ve missed you Isabel.” His voice was thick with unspoken thoughts.
Isabel felt as if her bones were beginning to melt. “Alex….when I thought you died….”she hesitated, remembering th
e anguish she’d felt. “ it was like part of me died too. I sat by your grave and talked to you, even though it was my imagination. It made me realize just how much,….how much you meant to me.”
Alex stiffened a little in the drivers seat, but kept his eyes on the road. “And how much was that?”
“Everything Alex, everything.” Isabel’s voice was barely above a whisper.
Alex suddenly swerved to pull the jeep over onto a dusty shoulder seemingly in the middle of nowhere. His action was so quick the wheels of the jeep kicked up a small dust cloud. Alex turned to her, his eyes hot.
“Do you mean that Isabel? I have to know. I’ve been through too much to play any more games with you about how we feel toward each other. I need to hear you say it.”

Isabel took a deep breath and met his eyes. “I mean it Alex, I always did. I was just too stupid and scared to admit it.”
Alex leaned in and kissed her then, taking Isabel’s breath away. She remembered kissing him from years ago but this kiss was different. It held a shadow of the same shy sweetness she remembered, but it was laced with a bright passion and a flow of unresolved longing from both of them. It was a few moments before they parted, both slightly breathless.
“I love you, Isabel Evans.” He murmured, brushing a kiss over her cheek.
“Alex,” Isabels’ voice broke as she threw her arms around his neck and began to sob against his shoulder. All the hurt, the longing, the feelings she usually kept hidden behind her Ice Queen persona flooded out of her.

“Everything is going to work out now Isabel,” he said softly.
“How can you say that? Everything has always been so crazy…” Isabel pulled back to look at him with glassy eyes.
“Because I feel it, everything is falling into place. The war on Antar is almost won from what I learned while I was there. Almost everyone there has forgotten about you and Max and the others. If you don’t want to go back there, you won’t have to.”

Isabel half suspected Alex of reading her mind. The things he spoke of were many of her deepest fears about the future. The opposite of Tess, Isabel had always been concerned about staying on Earth and living as close to a normal life as she could manage. “Alex, can things with us ever be normal?”
“How normal are you thinking?”
“I don’t know, just …”
Alex grinned. “How about marriage, kids, white picket fence, the Guerins, the Evans, the Whitmans all living in the same suburb? Is that normal enough for you?”
Isabel had to laugh. “Yeah that sounds perfect.”
“Of course there would be that small problem of the kids glowing green or overcooking their food with their powers…but we could handle that.” Alex laughed.

***********************


Jim Valenti stood staring in the window with his mouth slightly open. A million thoughts and memories ran through his head at the sight of the pale blond girl. Most vividly he remembered the scene when he’d last seen her. That voting about her death business. He’d never been comfortable with that, and from the way she looked right now
he wasn’t comfortable leaving her with this strange young man in a state that looked like near death.
“Who are you?” He questioned the guy in the drivers seat.
“My name is Nicholas, we’ve met before I believe.” He looked as if he half expected to be shot after uttering the sentence.
But Jim simply tried to recall the memory. “Oh, you’re the kid that was the head of the skin bunch….?”

“In a manner of speaking, but not anymore.”
“You don’t look how I remember you.”
“It’s a long story sheriff.”
Jim turned his attention back toward Tess, who looked as if she were about to faint. “Tess, what is going on? Are you all right?”
She shook her head.
“Sheriff, she’s sick…and that’s an even longer story. But I’ll try and help fill you in if you’ll help us.” Nicholas said quickly then held his breath Trusting an authority figure had been a huge offense in his book, usually they would just be killed and disposed of quickly. But Tess had said to trust this one.

“Help you?” Jim scratched his head, not wanting to betray his son and the others. What would they think if they returned to find Tess and Nicholas with him? They would be furious, but a small memory plagued his conscience, Tess arranging that Christmas dinner for him and Kyle and Amy DeLuca. He remembered the pains she had gone to try and create a family atmosphere for them. And he felt he owed her a small amount of sympathy for that.

“Fine, I’ll help. But I want to know everything. I so much as suspect that either of you are here for dishonest reasons, you will be locked up faster than you can blink. I also don’t know how Kyle and the others are going to take this. They’re out on a trip right now but they’ll probably be back by tomorrow night. When they come back you’ll have to deal with them on your own, understand?” Jim face took on a serious light. Conscience or not, he wasn’t about to get into that battle.

******************************

[Island Breeze]

Well, that was interesting! Nicholas has decided to trust Jim, and Jim agreed to help them. That does present some interesting possibilities. I'm glad they asked Jim for his help.

And this part made me smile:

Isabel half suspected Alex of reading her mind. The things he spoke of were many of her deepest fears about the future. The opposite of Tess, Isabel had always been concerned about staying on Earth and living as close to a normal life as she could manage. “Alex, can things with us ever be normal?”
“How normal are you thinking?”
“I don’t know, just …”
Alex grinned. “How about marriage, kids, white picket fence, the Guerins, the Evans, the Whitmans all living in the same suburb? Is that normal enough for you?”
Isabel had to laugh. “Yeah that sounds perfect.”
“Of course there would be that small problem of the kids glowing green or overcooking their food with their powers…but we could handle that.” Alex laughed.

[Katiekatt23]

hI all-

I'll be on vacation for a week, so there won't be any updates after this one for at least 8-12 days. I'm still working on rewriting the ending and I'm nearing the end of what was already written. I'm glad people are liking reading this again though.

~Katie


PART 14

Back in the hotel room, Isabel watched as Alex drifted off to sleep, lying on the bed near little Zan. Knowing that her lost love was home safe, and that he wanted her was an immeasurable feeling, but guilt tugged at her conscience as well. Kyle still lay on the ground nearby and Isabel knew what she needed to do. It was the only way they would have the privacy she needed to tell him. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting herself slip into his dream.

Instead of finding herself in any of Kyles’ normal dreams, she found herself standing in the darkness of an empty abandoned house. The furniture was tattered and decayed, the triangle shaped windows broken. Eerie moonlight spilled in through the broken glass. It wasn’t a house….it was that old dome they’d explored years ago. The one Micheal had been obsessed with. But Kyle hadn’t been with them then.

“Why are you dreaming about this?” Isabel whispered to herself.
“You tell me.” Kyle’s voice startled her and she turned to see him leaning against a doorjamb. His expression was filled with quiet pain.
“Kyle, I needed to talk to you alone. I figured this was the only way.”
He nodded ,but didn’t move from the doorway. “What is this place anyway?”

Isabel noted the detail of his dream, down to the ripped up furniture and old floorboards. “It was an old dome building in the desert that Micheal had a vision of. We all went out there to see and your Dad was chasing us then. Micheal found a key to a secret room under the floor. The guy that lived here was obsessed with UFOs and aliens, he’d met Nasedo, but he was long gone. Your dad found us and we ran. That’s all I remember.”

“Why am I dreaming about it? I wasn’t even with you guys then.”
Isabel chewed her lip. “I know, it worries me. Maybe it has something do with your having powers.”
“Maybe it means we’re going to be here again in the future.”

“Like Liz’s visions you mean, or premonitions I should say.”
“Yeah.”
Silence fell between them like a thick blanket. Isabel knew she needed to say what she had come here to say before either of them lost the dream.

“Kyle….I….”
Kyle stepped toward her, sadness danced across his eyes. “Iz, I know. He’s your lifemate. I can’t stop it….anymore than Tess could stop Max from loving Liz.”

“But Kyle, I never wanted to hurt you….and you’ve been so great to me….” Isabel felt tears welling up. As much as she loved Alex, Kyle had been the most normal boyfriend she’d ever had….and she felt like she was betraying that.

He pulled her into a hug. “It’s okay Isabel. It hurts….but I’ll be fine. You belong with him,” Kyle paused long enough to pull back and look into her eyes. “Not with me.”
“I’m sorry, for what it’s worth.” Isabel mumbled.
“Don’t be. We had our time. And we had fun, didn’t we?”

“Yes.”
“Then let’s leave it at that. I’m not sorry. And I know that in awhile…I’ll even be happy for you and Alex.”
Isabel managed a small smile. “Thank You Kyle.”
“For what?”

“For being so ……you.”
Kyle laughed a little. “Who else would I be Princess?”
Isabel smiled and let the dream link disappate, slipping into her own sleep and dreams that were only hers. She felt contented. The only worry that nagged her now was whether Kyle’s dream about the dome was a premonition or just coincidence.



The ride back to Roswell was filled with possibility and hope for nearly everyone. Serena, Maria and Michael talked the whole way, as she filled him in on their family history and laughingly recalled their past sibling rivalries. Ava and Kyle traded bad jokes about road signs and bumper stickers. Isabel felt as if a great weight had been lifted off of her as she rode beside Alex in his jeep, Zan sleeping peacefully in his carseat, she asked Alex all sorts of questions about his life on Antar and his journey back.

Only Liz and Max were subdued in their car. Both had a rippling feeling of apprehension.
“Do you feel it too?” Liz asked.
Max kept his gaze on the road. “Yes, but I don’t know what it means.”
“Something is waiting for us back in Roswell.” Liz murmured.
“But what?”

********************

Jim sat across from Nicholas at the table. The two regarded each other with a nervous look.
“ You want to start by telling me what’s wrong with Tess?”

Nicholas looked uncomfortable, dealing with a new emotion of guilt. “I think she’s just weak. She….she went through a lot to help me.”
Jim watched the nervous youth. There was little about this young man that seemed threatening, in fact he found it hard to believe that this was the same little brat who had wreaked so much havoc upon the pod squad. “You think? Or you know?”

“I think…well I was unconscious when she did it.”
“Did what?”

“Changed me. My husk….it was dying. Tess was looking for this thing….she called it a Tachyan orb, from Antar. It was buried out in the desert, she said that she could use her powers through it to help me. I passed out in the car as we got to the desert, I remember her half dragging me out into the desert, then there’s nothing. I woke up hours later, and she was lying next to me.”

“So she did that to herself for you?” Jim was doubtful. He wanted to believe she had tried to redeem herself, but with so much bad history…
“She did. Last night I still looked the way you remember me, my husk didn’t age. I was stuck being a 14 year old boy for my entire time on this planet. Whatever she did with that orb changed the husk….changed it into a human body.”

“You know that for sure?”
Nicholas caught what Jim was hinting at. “I can’t use powers against you if that’s what you mean. Any abilities I had are gone.”
“Sounds like a great alibi…..or a lie.”
“You want proof?” Nicholas felt frustrated. He wasn’t used to being believed, but was unsure of how to convince this man of his honesty.

“It’d be nice, but I don’t know how I could test you.”
“You could try cutting me with a knife. You’d see that I can’t heal it, or defend myself against it.”
Jim stifled a small chuckle. “Then I’d have you bleeding on my kitchen table, I’ll wait until my son and the gang come back. I’m sure they’ll put you through a better test than that.”

Nicholas stared into the cup of coffee in front of him. The thought of them coming back, while she was still so weak, while he was defenseless….what would happen then? He only hoped that they would be merciful.
“You don’t like my coffee?” Jim questioned, reading the anxiety on Nicholas’ features.
“I….I don’t know.” Nicholas sipped the beverage, but was shocked at the bitter taste that filled his mouth, he rushed to the sink to spit it out.
Jim looked amused. “That bad?”

“No, I just….never knew that’s what it tasted like.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve never had a sense of taste before.” Nicholas admitted slowly, his skin’s humanness had been limited only to its appearance.

Jim stared at him for moment, then began to laugh. “And the first taste you had was my day old coffee? Well, I guess I got my revenge then.”
Nicholas wiped his mouth and managed a small smile. He might get along with this man after all.



Liz breathed a small sigh of relief and exhaustion as they pulled into the driveway of the Evans home. She was tired and wanted nothing more than to snuggle up with Max and Jack for awhile until she had a chance to process her emotions about Alex’s return.

On one hand she was so grateful that Alex was alive, but on the other she was distraught about how he now had a son and all the complications that they would have to deal with. They would have to find a way to explain his ‘return from the dead.’
“It’s okay Liz, we’ll figure out how to explain it. Weirder things have happened in Roswell.” Max carried Jack in his baby seat. The infant snoozed peacefully.



Isabel faltered as Alex pulled up the jeep to her driveway. Max and Liz had already gone inside. She stared at his face, trying to memorize every detail. He’d changed, the softness gone from his features, but the love in his eyes was undeniable.
“It’s okay Isabel. I’ll see you soon.”

“I feel stupid….like I’m scared if you drive away, I won’t see you again.”
Alex turned her face to look at him. “If I have to spend the rest of our lives reassuring you…I will.” He leaned in to kiss her, savoring her taste. He had imagined moments like these for so long, and now enjoyed them fully.

After a moment Isabel pulled back, now smiling. “All right.”
“I’ll call you later. I’m going to be doing a lot of explaining to my parents.”
“Are you going to tell them?”
“I can’t see a way around it. How else would you explain a return from the dead? I think that they’ll be relieved to hear it was just aliens, and not some satanic business.” Alex forced out a false laugh. In truth, he was unsure of how they would handle it, but it couldn’t be avoided.

“You’re going to tell them about him too?” Isabel nodded toward the small boy in the backseat, sleeping soundly.

Alex nodded, his gaze softening as he gazed at his son. “Maybe it will give them some hope and happiness to not only reclaim me, but their grandson as well.”

“I hope so, Alex. Max was hurt that Zan didn’t belong to him, but relieved as well. I didn’t get to ask you how you felt.” Isabel really wanted to ask him how it was possible, but didn’t want to know at the same time.
Alex faltered. “I’ve had awhile to process it. She used me, Isabel. I was so messed up from the mindwarp….and she …..I …..I didn’t know it was her.” His face looked conflicted, ashamed, embarrassed.

“It’s okay. I don’t need to know. What matters now is that he has a father who cares about him, regardless of how he was conceived.” Isabel rubbed his cheek.

Alex nodded. “I do love him. He’s my son. Despite his mother, although I’m changing his name a bit.”
“To what?”

“Zander. It’s a little more human, and since he’s not really Max’s son, or Zan’s.”
Isabel smiled. “It’s perfect, plus it’s a form of Alexander.”

********************

Jim Valenti watched as Michael pulled into his driveway. He heaved a large sig and looked toward where Tess and Nicholas sat on his couch. Tess’ tired blue eyes met his gaze and she nodded. “Better now than later.”

Jim stepped out onto the porch, shutting the door behind him. Michael and the others were tumbling out of the car. Jim did a double take as he saw another Tess walking beside Kyle. Kyle appeared at ease with this twin though, laughing at something she said. A girl with dark curls was unfamiliar but she clapped her eyes on him and Jim knew she was one of them, and she knew what he was about to tell them, before he said a word.

Serena put a hand on her brothers arm. She remembered their closeness from before, he’d taught her to use her powers, helped her steal treats from the kitchen, and always looked out for her. But now, with his memories wiped, she would have to look out for him.
“Micheal….they’re here.”

“Who?”
“Tess and Nicholas.” Serena said slowly, watching the older man’s eyes. He’d all but shouted the news in his eyes.
Micheal’s hackles went up. Serena tightened her grip. “I’ll call Max , Liz, and Alex. We should wait to do anything until they get here.”

Michael’s old temper flared for a moment. “Why, because he’s the fearless leader?”
“No, because we’re stronger together.”

Maria had to smother a smile as she watched Serena diffuse Michael’s seething reaction. But as Jim reached them and explained who was inside she felt her stomach lurch. Would they ever be able to live in peace?
Ava and Kyle stood together as his father explained how he’d found the two traitors, and what Nicholas had claimed about his humanity.

Kyle tossed a thought at Ava. What do you think?

Not sure, but I don’t feel power being dished out, and your dad’s brain seems clear of mindwarp traces.

Good to know. Do you think Max is going to kill your doppelganger?

Ava shrugged as she thought back. Not sure, Alex might get to it before he does.

Yeah, I can’t understand how he feels about everything she did to HIM.

He’s angry, but your friend Alex is a good person. I don’t know what is going to happen.

Kyle paused before asking. Are you nervous about seeing her?

A little. Ava kicked a pebble with her sneaker. She’s the reason it’s going to take awhile for you all not to hate me.

They don’t hate you.
Do too.
Do not
Do too!!
Do not!!

Serena spun on them. “Will you two cut it out?! I’m trying to get a message out and your flirting is distracting!”

Both Kyle and Ava blushed as Serena turned away. Michael, Maria and Jim gaped at them. Kyle risked one more thought to Ava. Well, if it matters…..I don’t hate you.
Ava’s voice was much quieter in his head this time. It matters.


Alex’s jeep pulled into the driveway at about the same time as Max’s car. Alex’s eyes blazed with a fury so bright that even Isabel was scared to say anything to him. The others sat on the porch steps, looking both confused and concerned. All of them rose as Alex’s slammed the jeep door.
“They’re inside?” His words came out like more of a snarl.
Max nodded. “We waited for you.” He led them all inside.

Nicholas and Tess looked up as everyone filed in. Tess looked weak, wrapped in one of Jim’s old afghans. Her skin was pale and clammy, her eyes tired. She looked resigned and despondent as the gang all flooded in, but the last face she saw caused her eyes to go wide with shock.

“Alex?”
“Shocked Tess?” He sneered.
“No…..you’re dead!!....I killed ……impossible.” She mumbled, shaking her head back and forth.

“Disappointed?” Alex’s voice dripped with an angry sarcasm.

Liz could feel the crackling energy radiating off Alex as she stood behind him. Alarmed, Liz looked down and saw the green beams of light dancing over his fingers. This was all happening too fast. She was scared that if Alex acted too quickly, he might never be able to forgive himself for his actions.

Liz felt a fluttering at the edge of her mind, Ava’s voice. I know…we need to diffuse this.
Liz tried to think back an answer, unused to speaking with her thoughts. But what can we do?

Tess finally broke the silence. “Alex…..I’m sorry.”
But Alex’s anger raged, still on a high. “Sorry?!!! You expect me to believe that?! After what you did to me? After…..we….” His voice broke and he looked down.

Tess let out a small gasp. “You know then? You know about ….our son?” She looked at the others, and seeing their lack of shock or curiousity continued. “You all know?”
Maria answered. “Yes, we found him.”

Tess brightened a little. “Is he all right? Can I see him?”
Alex’s head snapped back up, his eyes narrowed. “No!” His hand raised and it seemed that for a moment time slowed.

Green light crackled around Alex’s outstretched fingers. Tess looked scared and Nicholas panicked, moving to hold Tess in his arms as if she shield her. But he looked frightened too, closing his eyes tightly.

“NO!!! DON”T!!” Ava lurched forward and grabbed Alex’s outstretched hand. But the green light around his fingers had already faded, having done nothing. Alex looked down and his shoulders slowly began to shake. Liz and Maria stepped toward their friend.
“I can’t do it. After everything she did…. I couldn’t….” Alex mumbled, sounding ashamed.
Liz embraced her friend. “I couldn’t either.” She whispered in his ear, remembering when it had been her decision if Tess would live or die.
Ava spoke up. “And you don’t have to.”


Everyone turned to stare at Ava as she stood in the middle, looking as if lightening had just struck her brain.
“What are you talking about?” Kyle asked, stepping toward her.
“There is something else you….I mean we can do to help them.”

“Why would we want to help them?” Micheal bursted out.
“Because it would show you that you don’t have to fear them.”
Serena looked thoughtful and moved toward Ava and Kyle. “If she used the Tachyan orb to heal him….her powers would be depleted…..it might work.”

“Would someone please explain what you’re thinking of?” Michael’s temper was still simmering.
Serena turned to him. “We can heal them, their minds. I can help you.”
“Wait a minute!” Nicholas sputtered.

“No, it won’t hurt you. You’ve recently become human, this will help you sort out all the stuff going on in your head. And it will help Tess understand. It won’t hurt either of you. In fact…it will probably help you.” Serena explained.

Nicholas looked at Tess. “What do you think?”

Tess looked around at the faces of the others. “I think we should let them. It might keep them from killing us.” She sighed, still reeling from seeing Alex and hearing about Zan.

“Okay, Max ? I need your help.” Serena gestured for Max to join their circle.
Ava grabbed Kyle’s hand. For a moment he found himself lost in a flash of an image of Tess…no Ava as a child running through a sewer tunnel, looking over her shoulder and laughing. It was accompanied by an electric hot sensation, that woke up his every nerve.

“Kyle?” Ava pulled on his hand and he found himself back in the room, but a warm tingling feeling still danced on his skin. He forced himself to concentrate on what was going on. “I need you.” Ava said quickly. He found himself wishing she’d said the words in a different context..but obeyed, kneeling beside her in front of Tess and Nicholas.

Serena held Max’s hand and Nicholas while Ava and Kyle joined up with Tess. All six closed their eyes. The room got very quiet as a white light began to glow around each little huddle.

Liz held tightly to Alex and Maria, suppressing the urge to run across the room and yank Max away from where he knelt. Seeing him so near Tess and Nicholas made her stomach lurch. Without warning green energy crackled around her knuckles as she stared.

Alex leaned his head back to chuckle, covering her green lit hand with his own, dousing the charge. “Hey, if I don’t get to kill them, neither do you.”

Liz had to smile. “It’s nice to have you back Alex, I’ve missed you.”
Alex grinned, tugging both girls closer into their group hug. “You don’t know much I’ve missed you two!”


Ava worked as fast and furious as she could. It wasn’t easy working with someone else’s power. Kyle’s connection to her was deep and open though, he freely gave all of his strength and power to her as she worked. And there was something else there too in their connection that she was trying to ignore for the moment. A pleasant warm glow that licked at the fibers of her being, a familiarness….that threatened to distract her from her task at hand. She tried to push it to the back burner as she rifled through Tess’s memories of her and Nasedo.

Nowhere were there memories of Tess playing or laughing….never being allowed to be a normal child. Even on Antar children were not as schooled and demanded of as she had been. No wonder her emotions had never evolved correctly. Ava realized that she’d had the better upbringing, despite hatching in the sewer and having to steal food and provisions all her life. At least her four had been allowed to make up their own minds, to learn to laugh and to love.

Ava could feel Serena using Max’s power on Nicholas nearby. Her work had to be just as hard. Skins only had a basic sense of anger, hatred, revenge, lust and greed. Serena was creating more neural pathways in his newly human mind so that he could learn quickly to deal with all the emotions that it carried.

Ava felt her strength waning as she moved through Tess’ mind, hitting memory after memory. As she was about drained she found herself standing face to face with Tess in a misty blank slate of her mind. The two stared at each other, Ava looking past all their surface differences and seeing only their sameness. She reached out for Tess’s hands, and Tess complied lacing their fingers together.

“Why are you doing this? Why are you helping me?” Tess asked.
“Because we were the same. You were meant to be like me, like the rest of them. You were meant to be able to feel.” Ava answered.
“I was meant to be with Max too…but that wasn’t true. Meant to be doesn’t mean anything to me anymore.” Tess sighed sadly.

“You weren’t ‘meant’ for Max anymore than I was meant for Zan. You’ll find your lifemate, and so will I.” Ava paused as their connection deepened and she felt a familiar sense. “Or maybe we already have.”
An image of Nicholas popped into Tess’ mind as Ava uttered those last words. She had one more question. “Are we one person?”

“We were, now we’re two. But I can make you whole again.” Ava focused the last of her power and Kyle’s. She let loose a blast of it into Tess, burning away the last of the pain, the hurt, the betrayal, until all that was left was the good and the new.

[Ti88]

i remember why i love this tale. your multi-dimensional characters.

[Island Breeze]

“You weren’t ‘meant’ for Max anymore than I was meant for Zan. You’ll find your lifemate, and so will I.” Ava paused as their connection deepened and she felt a familiar sense. “Or maybe we already have.”
An image of Nicholas popped into Tess’ mind as Ava uttered those last words. She had one more question. “Are we one person?”

“We were, now we’re two. But I can make you whole again.” Ava focused the last of her power and Kyle’s. She let loose a blast of it into Tess, burning away the last of the pain, the hurt, the betrayal, until all that was left was the good and the new.

Nice! I love it!

And I agree with Roselle about your characters being multi-dimensional! You develop them very well.

Great chapter!

:D