Author's Note: Hello there everybody! Okay, here is chapter one to this on-going fic. Thanks to those of you who read and reviewed that you're interested in the direction of this story. I've got BIG plans for it. Just a warning, that this chapter is intentionally a tad cryptic. But starting in chapter 2 it should all start to fall into place :o) So that said...please let me know your thoughts.

The thought of it now was amazing; how was it possible that only two short days earlier they'd been together and happy? In no time at all, everything had been turned upside-down…the world in its entirety it seemed had collapsed onto his shoulders and claimed the lives of everyone he loved.

His sister Isabel, his brother and best-friend Michael…they were gone now.

And as if those losses hadn't destroyed him enough, as if bearing them hadn't already decimated his faith…they'd taken his queen too…his love…his wife…his Liz.

The ground shook violently beneath him as he came upon the opening of the chamber.

The explosions were getting closer.

He had to hurry.

Regaining his footing, he quickly made his way to the cave's lighted entrance. From here he could see that the granolith hummed with its harnessed potential energy. It glowed absolutely with iridescent hues of mixed green and blue that glittered across the tall rock walls surrounding it.

Heavy breathing coupled with desperate fumbling had inhibited his approach until now, but with the increasing intensity of the aftershock explosions beneath the rocks surface, he was now practically forced to crawl to the glowing transporter. Reaching into his shirt pocket he grasps the slender crystal activator and lunges forward finally forcing the key into its target.

Max is violently taken aback when a small burst of light emanates through the granolith and waves of energy are converted into rays of green, yellow and blue shining light all around him. Finally the thought penetrates him…his struggle to get here will be rewarded with a successful departure; he sighs with great relief.

There was hope after all.

He would be given the chance to change the course of events that led them all here…a chance to set things right.

Stretching his left hand out in front of him, he readies himself to touch the illuminated alien surface. His eyes however were instantly drawn to the visible band of skin that marked where his wedding ring had once resided. With one hand suspended in front him, he reaches the other up around his neck to take hold of the ring bound there by a silver chain.

Liz…

His mind crying out for her triggers an onslaught of flashes from their past, as he's strangely comforted by the realization that even death cannot quell the power of their connection. Through this most cherished symbol of their eternal love, they'd always be together.

Even in death, their love was far stronger than their enemies had ever anticipated…

Their greatest moments of shared intimacy replay as treasured memories in his mind; one by one the images and sensations surge through him unleashing a maelstrom of powerful emotions.

He experiences the longing of their first kiss once again, as if for the first time. He relives the memory of their first declaration of love in a deserted van after she'd sacrificed her own freedom to rescue him from the terrors of the FBI. He remembers the beauty of their wedding day as they'd exchanged rings…and repeats the memory of the unbridled passion they'd shared on their first night as husband and wife. He revisits the pain they were both too familiar with; times when the King's presence had been required and they'd been apart…but of course their torture apart had only proved to make for even sweeter reunions.

And while he recalled those memories with warmth, his comfort was short lived. In an instant, he once again witnessed the unbearable scene that unfolded as they exchanged rings for the very last time.

A sob was wrenched from deep in his throat at the remembrance of it; the heartache it stirred only reaffirmed his determination to prevent this future from being repeated.

He'd pulled the ring from his finger and reached for her palm, setting it in her hand and folding her grip around it he spoke to her gently, "For the first time in fourteen years, I'll be without my wedding ring Liz. But I want you to hold onto it for me. No matter what happens, always remember…I loved you with my last breath…and for as long as I am a part of this universe…I'll love you still." His hand lifted to caress her cheek and her lower lip trembled with unshed tears. "Max…" a thought suddenly occurred to her. She reached around her own neck then to unclasp the silver chain hanging there. Removing the charm, she replaced it with the wedding ring from her own finger. He immediately knew her intention and he'd had to desperately fight to reign in his emotions at the thought; if not for his own sake, for hers. Instead he lowered his head in anticipation of her gift. Encircling his bowed neck, she fastened the clasp and fingered the chain. Finally reaching for the ring, he encircled her fingers holding the ring within his own. Watching as her eyes glistened with tears, he could no longer fight the tears that were pulled from his own brown orbs. "Someday Max, you'll return home to me; and you'll put this ring back on my finger. Until that day comes, remember that I'll forever belong to you…and I'll always be with you."

This followed by the last words she would ever speak to him, "I love you."

A cry of despair and anger was ripped from his throat when finally the last image faded. He fell to his knees then in a heavy heap as the colored glow emanating from the granolith came back into focus. Only this time, as he opened his eyes he realized that he was no longer on the rocky floor of the cave…but now he was inside the crystal.

Wiping at his eyes and drying his tears, Max stands and looks heavenward to find a swirl of radiant energy pulsating above him. It was then that he felt that he was being drawn and lifted up toward the apex of swirling energy above him. His own energy as it was mixed with the power being created by the crystal produced a separation of mind and body that worked collectively to transport him to his destination: Roswell, New Mexico…in the year 2000.

From the darkened shadows a mysterious invader watched closely. Tucked away behind a nearby rock he waited, ever careful not to be discovered. This plan of his would need to be executed perfectly and without hesitation if it was going to work.

There would be no time for second thoughts, or second chances.

From a safe enough distance he'd followed the hybrid King up the mountainous terrain; through the rock cavern he'd watched as the King stumbled and grasped in desperation. Truly, it was a rare sight to witness such desolation in the fearless leader of the Antarian race. And strangely, as he'd watched the young leader fumble, he'd stood questioning his own eagerness to succeed in this deception. Fortunately it wasn't long before he'd concluded that the only way to find and activate the granolith would be through Max.

But could he continue in this hateful plot?

From his position behind the cavernous wall, he'd watched as the scene of despair played before him. Over the years he'd come to watch as the King and his bride succeed as many times as they'd failed. He'd watched them share their moments of failure with as much tenderness as they did their moments of triumph. And through those encounters he'd formed a dangerous bond to the couple; one that he knew now clouded his judgment.

But he had to be resolute. He couldn't allow such weakness to conquer.

His previous alliances and actions no longer afforded him the opportunity to waiver in his judgment.

So now he sat, and he watched as the king concentrated heavily on the small object in his right hand. He'd seen him crumble to his knees in agony; but it was when he witnessed the crystal capturing him with its enormous energy that he realized now was the only chance he'd have of escaping this existence.

Once sight of the King was gone, he quickly walked through the empty chamber. Pausing at the base of the crystal he checked to see that the activator was still inserted there. Taking one last gulp of air he pressed his own hand to its glowing surface; and soon he too was entombed within its walls. Preparing himself for the explosion of energy he knew was coming, he looked above him as he'd watched the King do before he'd disappeared.

And within the space of a second, another intense burst of energy nearly blinded him as he too was transported through untapped dimensions of time and space.