Author's Note: Maybe I should explain the Max being naked in bed statement in the last chapter…LOL. I meant "Naked"—devoid of concealment or disguise, because he felt "numb"…as in that he felt naked and alone. (That was funny though, 'cause I never thought that it'd come out that way...) As for Tess's baby, it's not Hank's—but it is one of the rapists. And NO, it's not a dream. She's really pregnant.
Timeline: Pretend it's the summer—no school just yet. (Also, Michael and Tess had gone to another school previously.—They lived in the poor side of town, while Max & Isabel, and the Valenti's lived in the rich side—and out of experience, there usually is more than one school system per town.) Now as the story has progressed, it's been about two weeks since the "incident". We can also assume that since Tess is still alien, she will be pregnant for only a month, and therefore will be starting to 'show'.
One More Note: Also, I am purposely skipping what I believe are non-important parts of this story. (I'll explain further in the next chapter.) Though, if you really want to see something, let me know, I'll write it in as a flashback.

Chapter Five: Have You No Shame

Crashdown Café – A few days later

Alex Whitman quickly slid into the seat next to his best friend, Maxwell Evans still wearing his smock from work announcing him as a "U.F.O. Expert."

"Max!" Alex hissed, "I've only got fifteen minutes left of my break. What's the big emergency? My research was actually getting somewhere; I've figured out what the 'V' shaped constellation is."

Max lifted his chin off his chest, and with red rimmed eyes stared at his friend. He spoke softly, practically whispering, "Sorry, Alex. I don't mean to get you in trouble with—Brody, right? That's your boss?"

Alex gasped, "Max! Are you alright?"

Max scratched at his unshaved face before nodding, "Oh…yeah. Sorry, Alex. I just haven't been sleeping very well. The dreams—they're not just at night anymore. I—I think I'm hallucinating her. I—I see her everywhere Alex. She's crying for me and I keep trying to reach her, but she's so far away that I can't save her…Then, there are the dreams where she's not crying—where she's with me."

"Her?" Alex questioned, "The dream girl, right?"

"Yeah," was the haggard response.

The tapping of a pen on a pad shook both boys, who weren't paying attention to their surrounding area. They looked up at the sound of bubble gum popping loudly. "Can I get you guys something to drink? Or are you ready to order?" The waitress waited impatiently for them to look over the menu, still tapping her pen. "Well? What're you havin'?"

"Maria! Why don't you just get Table 4 their drinks, I'll take their orders, okay?"

Maria De Luca huffed, but gladly walked away from the alien crazed odd balls that seemed to gravitate to the Crashdown Café from the U.F.O. Center.

Elizabeth "Liz" Parker shook her head at her best friend, knowing that she was in a bad mood as she walked over to take their orders. She smiled at Alex, recognizing him from school. "Oh, hi, Alex. I didn't know it was you." She nodded to his friend, not remembering his name. "I'm really sorry for Maria. She's just not feeling well today. What can I get you guys?"

Max spoke up, "Um, Liz, how about two Cokes?"

Liz glanced up surprised, "How'd you know my name?"

Alex rolled his eyes at her then pointed to her name badge. She blushed furiously, then rushed off to get them their drinks. She put the drinks in front of them, then rushed back to the counter to help the next customer. Alex sipped his drink, still shaking his head at her 'blonde-moment.'

Max cradled the glass in his hands, "Alex, what do I do? I can't go on like this, forever. I feel like I'm losing my mind."

Alex got excited, his voice squeaking slightly, "Max! I figured it out! I know what the 'V' constellation in your dream is."

Max looked into his best friend's eyes, trying not to hope, "You did? What is it?" He closed his eyes, praying that it would be an answer.

"The constellation is actually the position of the planet Venus in its current orbit in our solar system. I discovered it purely by accident, Max. Brody was telling me how he might've discovered an 'alien-signal' originating from that area of space, and when he pulled up today's star chart, there it was! It seems that the stars have been aligning for about two weeks now, and that two nights ago—the night that you called me—was the night it reached its peak position in the sky in order to form the 'V' shape. I'm thinking that it might be linked to when your dreams started."

Max shook his head, "Alex. I've always dreamt about her; it's not sudden. I've always had 'feelings' that she was there, but now, I'm starting to get a picture of her in my mind. I know what she looks like, Alex."

Alex glanced at the clock, then answered, "Max. I've got to get back to work soon, but how about drawing her? You know on paper, like a sketch?"

The two boys continued their heated conversation, only stopping when a quiet hush came upon the place as Isabel and a group of her girlfriends walked in. Isabel walked ahead of the four girls, her head held high and poised as if she knew that everyone was staring at her. Hell, she practically dared them to look away. The new mini-dress she bought yesterday left little to the imagination. Even her friends were shocked at the daringly low cut of both the neckline and dress, but quickly agreed that she was a fashion genius.

They practically stalked to the counter, and then disgustedly wiped the stools before they sat down at the counter, shaking their heads at the lack variety in the 'boring' menu.

They gossiped loudly about everyone—not caring if they were in hearing vicinity or not. One of Isabel's friends, Jennifer laughed, "Oh, my god. Just kill me if I EVER have to dress in those dorky alien uniforms. I mean, who designed those hideous things!"

"Tell me about it. Of course, we'd never get a job that required a uniform. I'd rather sell ALL of my shoes!" Abby agreed with Jennifer, setting off another round of laughter.

Maria's mood got worse, gritting her teeth as she approached the Bitches of West Roswell High. "Can I get you anything to drink? Milk, perhaps?"

"Actually, we'd like some freshly squeezed lemonade. I saw the carton of lemons being delivered and I just had to have some, you know? Maybe you could squeeze some for us, huh, Maria?" Isabel smiled at her, condescending and mean.

Liz walked up behind Maria and gently pushed her into the back room before she got the idea to dump the tray of drinks on their heads. "Isabel, I'd be happy to get you a lemonade. Does anyone else want one?" She smiled brightly, not wanting them to see her get upset. She took their orders down before walking over the kitchen to ask her father to bring out a case of lemons for the lemonade.

It took her and Maria ten minutes to make a pitcher of lemonade enough for Isabel and the other girls. Maria suggested that they spit in their pitcher, sending both girls into a giggle fit.

They poured the drinks, then brought them out to the front counter in time for them to hear their latest comments. Marissa, Jennifer's sister, was pointing at the scruffy blonde girl who just walked in with two boys. "Look at her! I mean, give me a break. She drags around two guys with her because she probably doesn't know which one of them knocked her up!"

Jennifer laughed with her sister, "That's Kyle Valenti! Holy shit! Knowing Kyle, they probably did her at the same time! What do you think, Isabel?" The girls laughed; unaware that Isabel had stopped laughing with them and was now staring at the spiky dark-haired boy who was now approaching them with a deadly intent.

It was still strange, foreign for him to believe that Michael and Tess Guerin were aliens. It was even stranger to believe how quickly his father accepted their story and powerful demonstration.

Kyle had grown up around the alien stories that his grandfather had told him. His grandfather was a true believer; His father told him that he had been institutionalized for his beliefs. And now, to find out that the stories were true; it shook him to the core. His father on the other hand was curious beyond belief, asking question upon question about their origins and history, and seemed disappointed that they didn't know.

Neither Michael nor Tess knew anything about their 'alien' side except for the abilities they developed as they grew. Both explained that it was hard for them to control, Michael could blow things up if not careful. It was hard for both of them to explain what Tess could do—she called it a 'glamour', using a popular television show term, in order to make people believe things were not as they seemed. For example, they made him believe Tess had brown hair instead of blonde.

Staring at her little bulge, he couldn't believe that she was only two weeks pregnant. She'd been hiding her growing belly from them all—Michael included—for a week now using her abilities, afraid of how quickly the baby was growing. His father remarked that she looked four months along. And now, it was starting to get harder and harder for her to fit in her clothing, never-the-less hide it.

In his heart, he knew that they were the same people that he'd first met, but in his mind, there was the fear of the unknown. Shaking his head, it wasn't his place to fear them; he knew for a fact that the fears Tess and Michael lived with on a daily basis far outweighed his stupid fears. It only took a moment for him to accept that notion, letting his unfounded concerns melt away in order to focus on what was really important.

Protecting them.

Silently, he vowed to protect them with every fiber of his being. No one would ever know about the true existence of aliens on Earth from him. Their very lives depended on his ability to keep a secret and it wasn't everyday that Kyle Valenti was giving such an important task. He wasn't about to give it up.

His father lectured him on the importance of 'being normal' around them numerous times throughout the day, wanting everyone to feel safe. Taking his advice, he asked Tess if she'd like to go mall shopping and that his father had given them the credit card, gently reminding her that would need new clothes. Michael tagged along with them under the guise of being the "pack-horse", volunteering to carry the bags for them. Tess laughed at him and kissed his cheek for his over-protectiveness, then excitedly ran around the mall as she shopped around for clothes that would fit her.

They'd been shopping for four hours! Kyle didn't think anyone could shop for so long, but after seeing the look on Tess's face, he didn't have the heart to stop her. Both he and Michael were bored out of their minds sitting in front of the women's fitting room for the last two hours. Michael had remarked quietly that this was the first time that he or Tess had ever shopped in the mall; they usually bought or traded clothes at the local Salvation Army and that he wanted her to have a perfect day.

They both carried the bags of clothes to Kyle's car, putting them in the trunk before deciding to take a walk around town. The Roswell temperature was making it harder to stay out of the heat, so they unanimously decided to get something cold to drink at the Crashdown.

He walked in next to Tess, gently placing a hand on her elbow to help her up the step she hadn't noticed before she tripped. Michael led them both to the table nearest to the door, making sure that he was facing the doorway. Kyle didn't even blink, Michael never turned his back on an open doorway—not even at home. Kyle smiled as he noticed Isabel Evans at the counter. In his opinion, the girl was hot! Well, she was a bitch too, but definitely hot.

"Look at her! I mean, give me a break. She drags around two guys with her because she probably doesn't know which one of them knocked her up!...That's Kyle Valenti! Holy shit! Knowing Kyle, they probably did her at the same time! What do you think, Isabel?"

His cheeks flushed red, making his brow sweaty and his hands clammy. He glanced at Tess, and watched as the blood faded from her cheeks. She looked both mortified and terrified at the same time.

SCREECH.

The sound of a chair being pulled out forced his gaze away from Tess.

Michael had practically thrown the chair he'd been sitting on across the room and had gotten up to confront the 'Bitches of West Roswell High'. He strode over like a panther, his movements fluid and seemingly dangerous.

Kyle jumped out of his chair, taking a second to look back at Tess to make sure she was alright before running after Michael in hopes of keeping him from making a violent move against the mean girls. Selfishly, he hoped that the town would forget about the confrontation he knew would happen before school started or else they'd all be in for a long school year.

To be continued….

Well, what do you think? Please read and review. (It only takes a second, you don't even have to sign in.)