Season 4 – Episode 3: Destructive Forces
Disclaimer: Melinda Metz wrote the books and one episode. Jason Katims, Ronald D. Moore, Thania St. John, Gretchen J. Berg, Aaron Harberts, Toni Graphia, Russel Friend, Garrett Lerner, Breen Frazier, David Simkins, John Harmon Feldman wrote the show. I personally have no rights to any of the characters or the story. This is for entertainment only.
Author's note: So I suck. I told people months ago that this episode was coming but I got distracted which is bad because I don't have a great attention span for projects anyway. About a month ago I was reading what I had for this episode and let me tell you. It was crap. You are all lucky I re-did everything and I took things in a little different direction that I thought I would. It's amazing to me how organic this process has been. I'm a not an especially anal person but the way things are flowing again I might get a few episodes out before I space out again. Oh! And I did want to thank all of you that had taken the time to comment. It means the world to me but please don't be afraid to be brutal. I'm tough I can take it and I want to get better. I can't guarantee that I will take all suggestions for the direction of the season but it will definitely be considered and I love feedback.
Summary: As they are all getting settled in Seattle, the pod squad is feeling the strain of living in such close captivity. Tempers are rising, punches are thrown, and none of them know what the future will bring.
"Last one, I promise." Liz said to Isabel as they walked briskly through the business park toward a modern looking concrete and glass building. Isabel never expressed any irritation with Liz dragging her around to different places but the brunette didn't have to be a mind reader to know the blond was getting bored. The only reason she came to town was so they could pick a few things up at the hardware store. She was determined to make their little run down house a home even if they most likely wouldn't be staying there long.
So far Michael and Kyle were the only ones to find jobs and theirs literally fell in their laps. They stopped to help a woman with her car and it turned out her son in law was the owner of a garage that could really use the extra hands. She made a call and by the end of the week they both had jobs. The girls in the house hadn't been so lucky. Maria and Liz were scouring the newspapers and internet looking for employment. Max and Isabel were the only ones not really actively looking but between renovations and talking strategy with Larek it was up to them to try and make sure the group was as safe as they could be for the time being.
The two women said very little as they crossed the pristine lobby to the elevators. A large brass plaque told them which floor the law firm looking for a personal assistant could be located. The ad had said at least 2 years experience but given Liz's experience with Congresswoman Whitaker, she knew she could do the job and the money they were offering for the position was impressive enough that the once waitress felt it was worth a shot.
The elevators opened directly into the office of Peterson and Forester instead of a hallway so there was no getting lost. The receptionist glanced up vaguely disinterested as the two girls stepped out but she forced a smile for them. "Welcome to Peterson and Forester. How can I help you today?" Liz could tell the words were practiced and devoid of anything even close to heartfelt but at least the woman was polite. "Hi." The brunette started trying to be as genuine as she knew how. "I saw an ad that there was a personal assistant position job open for Michael Peterson. My name is Elisse Cole. I brought my resume. Should I leave that with you or…" Before she could finish her question, a tall, handsome, Ivy League looking man stepped out of one of the offices obviously hearing the voices. He glanced at Liz briefly but it didn't take long for his gaze to slide to the statuesque blond to her right. Instantly, his face brightened with interest as he flashed a grin exposing perfectly white teeth that complimented his yacht club tan.
"Good afternoon, Ladies. I couldn't help but overhear my name. You are applying for my PA?" The question should have been directed to Liz but blond man couldn't take his eyes of Isabel. "No, I…" Isabel started when Liz cut in. "She didn't bring her resume today. She was going let me have a shot at it first but it's no secret she's the better woman for the job." The taller girl did a double take. She had no idea what was going on. Liz could see that the man was already interested in Isabel in more than an employment capacity but it did give her a better chance at getting hired. Better than Liz anyway and as long as someone had that income coming in, it didn't matter to Liz if it wasn't her.
"Well, that's awfully nice of her." Michael said as he sauntered closer. "Oh yeah, she's great. She's efficient, organized, punctual, capable, and there isn't anything she can't get done." Liz continued giving the blond a look that told her to play along. Isabel's shock never left her face even as Michael Peterson was eating it up. "It's a shame you didn't bring your resume. I could really use someone to start tomorrow. It's been murder trying to take care of everything myself." Liz nudged Isabel and the alien shook herself out of her shock and gave him a smile. "Well, actually, I think I might have something. You weren't our first stop today though definitely the favorite." The lawyer glowed as she played into his ego and reached into Liz's bag. She didn't have a resume. She'd never really worked before and didn't think she would be qualified for anything that required more than an application. They were supposed to be keeping a low profile and most of the jobs they picked up along the way weren't the sort of places that did extensive background checks so their fake personas were safe. Pulling out one of Liz's phony resumes, she altered it before placing it in his hand.
Michael Peterson glanced over it and his eyebrows lifted in mild surprise. "Says here you have more experience as an event planner though these organizations are impressive. I have no doubt you could manage the work load. Though I doubt my cases will be as exciting as Christmas fundraisers and hospital banquets." Isabel just gave him a smile. "Actually, my father is a lawyer and I have always found the practice to be intriguing. You know, if you are looking for someone right away, I'm willing to start tomorrow, first thing. After a few days if I don't work out, you can always replace me." The man didn't even hesitate, which made his receptionist's eyes roll. "Alright, you have yourself a deal Ms. Cole. Are… Are you two sisters?" He asked. Isabel chuckled and Liz had to really fight to not laugh at how easily the man was worked over. "Sisters-in-law actually. But please, call me Jessika."
The next few days were uneventful. Those with jobs went. Those without looked for one. The plan was to save up as much as they could so that the moment the heat was on again they had enough to go for a while without stopping. Larek told them he didn't understand why they bothered with money since they could create whatever was needed. He was eager to get them ready for their triumphant return to their home solar system. But aside from Max's insistence that to create fake money was unethical, it would also draw attention since eventually they would be found to be counterfeit. Besides, they'd spent the whole summer trapped in a van with one another and it was taking its toll. They needed to get a little time away from each other.
Some things hadn't changed though. Every morning, rain or shine, Kyle and Isabel got in their morning run. They were up to 5 miles now and the more settled they got into their routine the more relaxed Izzie seemed to be. When she was relaxed she was playful and happier. They even had a movie night just the two of them. He knew he was setting himself up for disappointment but every easy laugh, piece of popcorn thrown, and playful smack to the arm made it worth all the late night conversations about how much she missed Jesse and how she couldn't ask for a better "friend". This word was his bane. First with Liz. Then with Tess. And now, possibly the most painful, with Isabel.
He had to be careful though. Sometimes, he was sure that everyone could see just how head over heels he was with his married friend. It wasn't as though he didn't try and talk himself out of it nearly every day but then she would smile or do something in that sweet nurturing sort of way that only Isabel could make less hokey and he would be back. The others may not have appreciated her mothering tendencies, in truth it got on his nerves at times too, but it was how she showed she cared. Straightening a collar. Remembering to leave a light on in the hallway because Maria got freaked out at night when the house settled and if it wasn't on she was waking up Michael every half hour chasing shadows. Folding their clothes as soon as it came out of the dryer so they didn't wrinkle. Making him juice instead of coffee in the morning because caffeine first thing did funny things to his stomach. A hundred billion little quiet things she did every single day to show she loved them. Sometimes it meant more than the hugs she doled out effortlessly and it was constantly running through his mind.
Even when he should be thinking about other things. "Fu… guh! Ow!" Kyle exclaimed as the tire iron slipped from his grasp, hit the ground and bounced back up to nail him right in the shin. Michael, who was sliding under the car, grunted. "Hey! Would you watch what you are doing? I'd like to get out of here by 6. I don't feel like hearing Isabel bitch about being late again." The former sports star made a face as he rubbed his bruised leg. "Oh god, don't concern yourself with my well being or anything. You know how shy I get." Kyle grumbled. The alien chuckled and slid out from under the car to look at his friend. "Whatever dude. You can stand there crying in your coveralls if you want but come 6, if your ass isn't ready, you're walkin'."
The boys hurried to finish and get cleaned up so that by 6 they were en route to the law office to pick up Isabel. Michael tapped on the stirring wheel and grew impatient when 10 minutes passed and she still hadn't emerged. "She's doing this on purpose" He grumbled and Kyle smirked. There was the distinct possibility. They were over 30 minutes late the day before. The sheriff's son was just about to offer to run in to get her when she came out. Only she wasn't alone. No one except Liz had seen the lawyer Isabel was working for but they all just sort of assumed the partner of a law firm would be her father's age. Possibly bald with a great big belly like someone's grandfather. Of course that could have just been wishful thinking on Kyle's part. He never thought she was working for some 30 something Harvard poster boy. Oh dear god, he even had dimples.
Both Michael and Kyle watched in annoyance as the blond and her boss chatted, obviously enjoying themselves. Simultaneously, both men shifted as the lawyer touched her arm casually and they laughed at some joke Michael and Kyle weren't in on. However, it wasn't until she flipped her shoulder length hair and he moved in to kiss her cheek did their jaws clench and Kyle decided that they definitely needed to know more about this guy.
"What the hell was that?" Michael blurted the moment she climbed into the car. Without skipping a beat she closed the door and replied "It's called civilized conversation, Michael. It's a fairly common concept. I'm sure even you could manage it if you ever bothered to learn manners." Kyle turned in his seat so he could see her in the back and smirked. Her features were collected with only the slightest hint of that stubborn streak that played so fiercely under the surface. "He's your boss, Isabel. The only conversation you need to have with the guy is asking for your paycheck. We aren't here for you to flirt with your tool of a boss." Her full lips thinned in irritation as she glared at her fellow alien. "So because he actually did something with his life, worked his butt off, and made partner by 30, he's a tool? Heaven forbid, he has goals and take strides in achieving those goals. You know not everyone has to have our screwed up existence. Some people actually have a chance at a life. At happiness. Is it so wrong to wish for a life where I didn't have to run and lie all the time? A life that lets me be with the person I care about and possibly start a family with him?"
No one said anything for a moment and Kyle felt awkward in the silence like a kid watching his parents fight. He glanced back and forth between them. Michael was working his jaw and grinding his teeth. Isabel was staring out the window with her arms crossed and a willful tilt to her chin. "So did anyone else hear about that UFC fight last night? I heard…" Kyle started but got cut off by Michael. "You know, YOU were the one that sent your husband off to Boston. We never said he couldn't go. I think you realized you didn't belong with that guy and used our leaving Roswell as an excuse to get rid of him." Kyle flinched as soon as the words were out of his friend's mouth. Isabel's head snapped back around and if she had Tess' powers the car would have been engulfed in flames. Kyle could see that Michael was trying to keep his face hard but his eyes gave him away. He knew what he said was wrong but he was too stubborn to retract it or apologize. "I don't think you have any business judging me on my marriage, Michael. I may have made mistakes but at least I was willing to take a chance on love. What did you do? Huh?"
"Isabel. No." Kyle quietly pleaded with her not to continue but she was so angry she was shaking and the sheriff's son didn't think anything he could say would deter her. "You claim you love this girl so much. The girl of your dreams that you gave up home for but short of that pitiful display of co-dependence, you've never told her where you really stand with her. You never take it to the next level. You don't support her. And she's all wrong for you but she's comfortable. You feel like you did the hard part already and instead of ending it with her like she's tried to do with you what? Half a dozen times? You cling to her rather than starting over with someone else. Someone who might actually be better for you."
A sound very much like an "eep" escaped Kyle's lips as Michael jerked the wheel sharply and pulled over the car. In a flash both aliens were out of the vehicle and in each other's face. "What are you going to do Michael? Hit me?!" Kyle scrambled out of the car and tried to get between them but they were almost touching they were so close. "Whoa! Guys! We don't need to do this. I don't think either of you meant what was said. You were just upset. Michael, tell her you would never hit her." He all but begged but Michael just glared into her dark eyes as she glared back. Then Kyle screwed up. Without giving it much thought, he tried to physically pull Michael back and no sooner was contact achieved did the alien swing his fist around and connect with the other man's jaw. A split second before his fist hit, Kyle knew it was going to hurt but he had no way to prepare himself for the supernatural force that came with the blow. It more than made him see stars. Kyle went flying; unconscious before he hit the ground.
"A real friend wouldn't make me do this." Maria whined as Liz dragged her into the sports bar. "I told myself after Roswell, I would never don an apron again." Liz rolled her eyes. "Come on, we've been calling around for days and this is the first place to call us back." It was Maria's turn to roll her eyes. "Call YOU back. I never applied here and I'm almost positive forgery is against the law."
Liz pulled Maria toward the bar. "So are fake names and social security numbers. Now stop being a baby. It's just temporary." She whispered sharply. "That's what you said about the Crashdown and we worked there how long?" Maria whispered back just as the manager came up. In her head, she groaned as she caught sight of the uniforms. It wasn't antennas but the referee shirts, knee high men's style socks and short shorts really weren't much better. "Hi!" Liz said cheerfully. "I'm Elisse Cole and this Marissa Devine. Are you Coop?" The manager smiled. "Yep. That's me. Thanks for coming."
The interview seemed to be going well. Maria still wasn't thrilled about being a waitress again especially at another themed restaurant. However, Coop seemed like a nice enough guy and there was stage set up on the bottom floor of Score! where karaoke and live music could be played. Coop got them set up with paperwork and within 30 minutes they were receiving their uniforms. Maria left the sports bar and held the shirt up against the front of her. "A little more cleavage and we could have worked at Hooters." She teased. "We've been wishing for that little extra cleavage since the 7th grade." Liz chuckled as she pulled out her cell phone that was going off and answered it. She barely managed a hello before the person on the other end dominated the conversation. From the voice it sounded like Isabel and she was panicked. Liz was making that face she always made when something was very wrong and Maria's heart sank. She silently prayed it wasn't Michael but honestly she didn't want anything to be happening to anyone. The brunette snapped the phone shut and grabbed Maria's elbow. "We need to get Max and Larek and get home."
