In The Moment

Zander stood on the deck looking out at Tess who was down near the water. He knew she wanted a little time alone, probably to gather herself and let everything she'd learned sink in before their next move, but he felt it was unsafe for her to be out by herself.

"So, back from the dead," Barbas was suddenly behind him. "How's it feel?"

Zander shrugged. "I don't know," he paused as he let out a long breath. "Strange I guess."

"Strange?" Barbas repeated. "That's it?"

"What else is there?" The question was rhetorical but the next one wasn't. "Do you think we can pull this off?"

"You mean getting Little Zan back," Barbas watched him nod. "Yeah, I do." He studied the other alien for a moment. "You seem pretty involved."

"I am," Zander replied firmly. "This is my planet we're talking about and Kivar…"

"That's not what I meant," he interrupted. "I meant with Tess; why are you going through all this trouble?"

"I could ask you the same question," Zander peered at him. "Why are you so involved?"

"I believe in what Antar was and in the prophecies and destiny it's yet to fulfill," Barbas explained. "I've always been willing to fight to go back or to defeat Kivar but you…" he let the sentence hang in the air. "Look, that's just never been your thing."

"You make it sound like I don't care when I do," Zander stepped closer to him, his features tight in annoyance. "Do not forget that Antar is my planet, that I was the king of the kingdom that Kivar is continually destroying."

"I haven't forgotten," Barbas countered. "But the summit you didn't go to is a prime example."

"A prime example of what exactly, good instincts," Zander retorted. "The summit was a set up and I knew it would be," his voice was hard and cold. "Ask Tess, she went and all Kivar wanted was the granilith."

"And all of you dead," Barbas added. "And I don't disagree but you were pretty content with not doing anything after that to fight for Antar, that's all I'm saying."

"I was dead after that," Zander said, his voice low but the anger in his voice undeniable. "If you have a problem with how I'm handling things then just say it; don't sugar coat it. I'm ready to go whenever you are."

"We're on the same side here Zander," Barbas replied calmly.

"Are we?" he questioned.

Barbas looked slighted. "Yes, we are." He shook his head. "I was just asking if Tess was the reason for your change. It was not meant to insult you."

"Fair enough," Zander nodded, knowing the last thing they needed now was to fight each other. "We have enough enemies as it is."

"And I am not your enemy," Barbas replied. "Like it or not, we're friends." He gave a light hearted chortle. "We always have been."

"And I'm your king," he laughed.

"Well you're the back up at least," he shrugged, laughing. "I guess that is better than nothing."

"Remind me why we're friends," his eyes glanced briefly to Tess before looking back at Barbas and focusing on their conversation.

"Because I call you on your bull and I can read you like a deck of cards," he explained. "Tess is the reason for this new focus on your duty."

Zander shot him a look but said nothing.

"The question is Your Highness," Zander smiled. "What are you gonna do about it?"

Tess stood with her arms elevated, eyes closed, and feet shoulder width apart as she concentrated on the fire she was creating around her that was now starting to fill the room. She suddenly felt a change within her body and opened her eyes, the mind warp dissipating quickly.

"You have to concentrate," Kal spoke forcefully. "Why did you stop?"

"I told you, the last time I did this I tapped into something I never want to tap into again," she shook her head. "I lost control."

"Then don't this time," he said simply. "Take control."

She rolled her eyes. "How exactly?"

"By not letting your fear overtake you," Kal explained. "It is something that hindered you before and it is your greatest weakness now: your fear of those you care about dying."

"I shouldn't fear that," Tess scoffed. "My son is with that mohawk freak and could be handed over to Kivar at any moment, of course I'm fearful."

"And your feelings are understandable but you can not let your emotions rule you," Kal replied. "Not in this situation. Like it or not, you are a queen and you must act like it."

"And hear I thought you were all about the human emotions," Tess raised an eyebrow at him.

"I am," he said softly. "But if we don't learn to get past our fear than Kivar will win and he will destroy Antar and Earth too. We can't let that happen."

A soft knock was heard on the door as it slowly opened. "Hi," Cina poked her head inside. "Can I talk to Tess?"

"We can take a short break," the shapeshifter replied. "I'll be back in five minutes."

"Thank you," Tess gave Cina a smile of gratitude as the shapshifter left. "He means well but…" she trailed off and then waited for Cina to close the door. "Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing other than what's going on," the brunette answered. "I just wanted to check on you." She shrugged. "We were friends before."

"Oh," Tess nodded. "Were we good friends?"

"I'd like to think so," Cina replied. "We went to school together and gushed over guys when you weren't so focused on your studies."

"On Crite?" Tess asked.

"Yes," she smiled. "I was from Crite originally," she paused. "Well at least I grew up there."

"So how did you end up here," Tess gestured to the open space in front of them, "on Earth?"

"I came to Antar when you delivered your speech during the peak of the rebellion against you and King Zan," Cina explained. "Back at the last location, your sister went instead."

"I had a sister?" Tess asked softly.

"Yes," the young woman continued. "Her name was Emilia. In any case, after she left, the venue was attacked. The next thing I remember is waking up in this," she motioned to herself. "A different body and a different planet," she shrugged. "I've been here ever since."

"And you were a Skin back then too?" Tess was curious.

"I was half Skinarian, half Critarian." She shrugged again. "Now I'm in a human husk." Cina gave a short laugh. "This must all be so weird to you, hearing all these things you can't remember."

"It makes it hard to know who I can trust sometimes," Tess said as Zsar and Jared both crossed her mind.

"I understand," Cina nodded. "But I want you to know you can trust me. I was loyal to you on Antar and I am loyal to you on Earth. It's why I wanted to help," she paused briefly. "That and Barbas."

"Surprisingly with as many times as I've been burned, I do believe you," Tess replied honestly. "Now," she breathed out. "Tell me more about these guys we gushed about."

Zander ran back and forth across the sand, pausing only to put up and retract his shield as he sent blasts out into the water.

"What are you doing?" Tess almost laughed.

"Training," he turned around and began to walk towards her. "Are you and Kal all done with your sessions?"

"Oh," she nodded as realization dawned. "That was your idea."

"We have to be prepared," he wiped the sweat off his brow. "We don't know how many we'll be facing and if Kivar is at full power, there's a chance we might not all make it." He paused as he gave a labored breath. "But you and Zan, you have to survive."

"So do you," she said softly as she looked up into his soulful taupe eyes. "We all do."

"That's why I'm training," Zander replied. "Barbas and Cina are running their own drills down the beach a little." He paused briefly. "So how did your training with Kal go?"

"Good," Tess said confidently. "We're going to get my son back and I will eliminate anyone that stands in my way. There's nothing I wouldn't do to protect my son."

Zander smiled. "I believe you, and I wouldn't want to be on the other end of that." He reached up and stroked her hair. "I believe in you."

"I know you do," she reached over to hold his hand. "You have gotten me through all of this. You saved my life and tomorrow, we will save my son's."

Zander nodded silently.

"Hey," Cina walked towards them. "I was hoping I'd find you both down here."

"What's up?" Zander turned towards her.

"Well after my grueling training session with Barbas, thank you so much Zander for suggesting it, I had an idea." She turned towards Tess. "You said that there was someone on Antar that helped you, someone that had access to Kivar and The Palace."

"Yes, Fiona." Tess nodded. "She works in The Palace as a cover to spy for The Resistance." She squinted at the female alien. "Why?"

"Because I think she can help us," Cina replied.

"But she's on Antar," the blonde's face took on a puzzled expression.

"Exactly," Cina grinned like a cheshire cat. "Kal and Barbas are waiting up at the house. I'll explain it all to you."

Tess and Zander both looked at each other before the duplicate king spoke. "Okay, let's go."

Tess sat on the floor in the center of the room, waiting for Cina to join her. Cina had explained to them all her idea to pull Kivar back to Antar quickly, minimizing their chance of a huge battle. Since he'd come once before but it had taken him so long to strike again, she was sure although the technology was advanced that it must take a huge toll on their resources and that it was not easy for him to keep transporting without waiting for his energy source to build up. The only catch in pulling him back was that the person doing it would have to be on Antar and have access to The Palace. And Tess only knew one person who fit that bill: Fiona.

Everyone thought Cina's plan was good, even Tess, but that didn't stop her from having apprehensions. She hated the fact that she would once again be putting Fiona in danger for her, assuming she'd survived the last time unscathed. After all, Tess hadn't been able to contact Fiona since she left Antar and there was a good chance she no longer lived in The Palace. And although Tess hated to think about, there was also a chance her friend had not survived.

The hybrid queen watched as Cina sat down beside her and silently went over the plan in her mind. She would concentrate on Fiona and Cina would use her as a bridge to dreamwalk the young woman on Antar as Kal funneled his energy through the Skin to keep her balanced. It was all simplistically complicated and Tess knew even though the odds were against them, it would work. It has to.

"You ready?" Cina nodded at Tess as Kal kneeled beside her.

Tess gave a reassuring smile and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and concentrating on her far away friend. She forced her mind to let go of all other thoughts and focused solely on Fiona's aura. She faced her palm upward, signaling she was ready.

Cina clasped Kal's hand with her left one and then hovered the right one over Tess' hand, emitting a white light between them. She gasped suddenly as she began to enter Tess' mind and Zander had to hold Barbas back from rushing to her, silently reminding him that this was all part of the process. You could see the sweat beads forming on Cina's forehead as she delved deeper into the hybrid's mind, the light growing brighter as she used Tess as a bridge to enter Fiona's subconscious. The blonde's head dipped forward as she was suddenly thrust by Cina into Fiona's dream.

Tess and Cina watched the hoards of people laughing, talking, and celebrating. The grounds were vast; thick blades of lush indigo grass that went on for miles and the scent of newly bloomed flowers wafting through the air. The sky was a brilliant mix of orange and pink with no clouds in sight and the two suns glistened on a huge pond in the distance, casting sheens of light over the crimson water. It was the Antar of Tess's dreams and apparently Fiona's too.

Cina looked at Tess and gave a nod, silently signaling that Fiona was passing them.

"Fiona," Tess spoke.

"Your Majesty," Fiona looked confused. "How did you… what are you doing here?" she paused. "Is it really you?"

"Yes," Tess smiled before embracing her. "This is my friend Cina."

"Hello," Cina said.

"Hi," Fiona replied and then turned back to Tess. "Are you alright? You made it back fine?"

"It was a bumpy landing but yes I did," Tess answered. "And you, were you caught?"

"No," she shook her head. "I'm still working in The Palace unnoticed. How is His Majesty Little Zan?"

"That's why I'm here," here voice was solemn. "Rath, the defect general, has taken my son and is set to exchange him to Kivar for passage home," she took a labored breath. "I hate to ask you to risk yourself again but I need your help."

"You know you can ask of me whatever you need," she replied. "What do you need me to do?"

Tess smile gratefully. "Kivar is apparently using a new technology to come to Earth."

"I've heard some things about that," Fiona looked a bit worried.

"Well he plans on using it tomorrow and our only hope is if we can get Kivar pulled back before he's ready," Tess explained. "If we can pull him back quickly and have someone damage what's he's using after it'll keep my son safe but we have to act fast."

"I understand," Fiona nodded.

"The person will have to be on Antar to do it," Cina finally spoke again. "Can you help us?"

"We'll have to disable the guards on the outside first and then those inside the room," Fiona said thoughtfully. "And take care of whoever is running the machine for him."

"I know this is a lot to ask," Tess exhaled deeply. "I will understand if you can't do this."

"It'll take some doing but we'll make it happen," Fiona replied before hugging Tess. "This must be draining on both your powers; you must go so you can reserve all that you have to face Kivar. I'll reach you once it's all set."

"Thank you Fiona," Tess looked at her, her eyes filled with warmth. "I'll never forget everything you've done for me and Zan."

"And I will never forget everything you've done for this planet. You've given us hope Tess; something none of the other reincarnated royals have." Fiona replied. "Be safe, both of you."

"You too," Tess quickly added. "Jet vout karat balwa hy't tar amento siya ma'tay. We will be free of him eventually, all of us."

"I know," Fiona smiled at the figures in front of her as they began to fade. "Stay strong My Queen."

Tess, Cina, and Kal's eyes jolted open quickly, all three of their breathing labored. Barbas swiftly moved to Cina's side and held her as Zander helped Kal to the chair before kneeling in front of Tess.

"Are you all okay?" Zander asked though his eyes were focused solely on Tess.

"Yes," she nodded.

"Just a little bit drained," Kal said as he settled back into the chair.

"So," Barbas pushed back the stray hairs that had fallen over Cina's face. "Is everything a go?"

The brunette nodded. "Yes, we can count on Fiona and The Resistance."

"So we rest tonight and tomorrow we get Little Zan," Kal stood up. "And kick Kivar off of this planet."

Tess sat in the middle of the bed silently, knees pulled up into the oversized t-shirt she was wearing, staring out into the darkness. She had slept for a little while but woke up with her mind racing and she hadn't been able to get back to sleep since.

Tomorrow would be a judgment day of sorts, a battle where they all might not survive and the thought of that, that her last moments on Earth could be tomorrow, made her want to live each moment until that point with no regrets. She had thought of Antar a lot tonight and of the life she'd lived there and although she did not remember everything from her life before, what she did remember about being Ava was that she was a woman who lived her life in the moment and that is exactly what Tess intended to do now.

Nodding to herself in revelation, Tess hopped out of the bed and quickly exited the bedroom. She made her way down the hall quietly, careful not to disturb anyone as she came to the room she'd been targeting.

She opened the door slowly and stood in the frame silently, drinking in the sight of his bare back illuminated by the moonlight. Then, as if he felt her eyes gazing over him, Tess watched Zander roll over to his side, propping his head on his elbow as he looked her up and down.

Tess bit at the corner of her lip and half shrugged before she made her way to the bed as Zander pulled back the covers, offering her a hand as she climbed up. He stroked her blonde tresses and cupped her face lovingly as she brought her lips to meet his in a soft and sensual kiss. Almost immediately the flashes began and they were each flooded with memories and images from the other one's life.

Zander broke from her lips first, tracing kisses down her throat to the hollow of her neck as Tess tossed her head back. A soft moan escaped her as she ran her fingers through his thick hair, guiding his head back and leaning forward so her lips could meet his again. This time she kissed him hungrily, enjoying the roughness of his kiss as he savored the taste that was uniquely her. Zander deepened his kiss, ravishing her mouth as she returned his kiss with a fervor she'd never let herself experience before. Tess held nothing back and it warmed her heart that Zander was returning her kiss with the same passion and openness.

When they finally parted, both of them breathless, Zander's deep saucers stared into her sapphire ones as if silently asking if she wanted to go further. Tess gave a mischievous smile and then in one swift move, she quickly pulled the t-shirt over her head and tossed the garment to the floor.

Zander's mouth relaxed into a soft smile as he drank in the sight of her alabaster skin bathed in nothing but moonlight. He started to open his mouth but Tess put her finger over it, silencing him before she covered his mouth with her own and he pulled her down to the bed.

They both knew tomorrow everything would be different. They would be facing a battle that they may not win; one where one or both may not survive but in this moment none of that mattered. For tonight, they would lose themselves to each other and the moonlight. Tonight, Zander and Tess would live in the moment.