Chapter Ten

Tess' hand immediately grabbed Nicholas' arm, holding him in place, she knew that he would do something reckless…and she didn't need that right now…she really didn't need that. She stared…she couldn't help it. Here were the three people in the world, in the whole universe who were just like her…here were the three people she never ever thought she'd see again…here were the three people she never thought would want to see her again.

"What…what are you doing here?" she asked in English. Nicholas looked at her slightly confused, why would she be speaking English on Antar. He could understand it of course, after she'd been sent to earth, he and Kivar, and Larek had been determined to learn the language she's most likely be speaking.

"You can speak Antarian," Max said softly, "We remember…"

Tess let out a shuddering breath, falling back onto the couch, putting her head in her hands. Nicholas sat down as well right next to her, his arms around her as she cried once again. Seeing her shoulders shaking with tears, Michael pushed his way past Max and Isabel and knelt before his sister. "Tess…" he said, lifting her face from her hands, "I am so sorry for what I said. I didn't mean it, I swear to the gods of our ancestors I didn't mean it." Tess looked up at him, all the pain she'd felt when he'd said those harsh words to her, reflected in her bright blue orbs. Michael even felt his own eyes welling up…only Ava could make Rath tear up when they'd lived on Antar before. "Please forgive me Ahvah…" he whispered, bowing his head.

Tess looked at Nicholas; unsure what to do…she could never stay mad at Rath or any of them for long…it just never happened. She could still remember all the times that Rath had been there for her, covered for her, stuck up for her. When she'd started to go to school as Ava, she'd been shorter than most of those in her class, and she hen been picked on because of it. But Rath always stuck up for her, he always stayed by her side even though the other boy made fun of him for hanging out with a girl. She could even recall times where Michael had protected her, trusted her, helped her. She sighed, shaking her head, "I forgive you Michael," she whispered. Rath had nothing to apologize for; she knew it was Michael who really needed to be forgiven.

He looked up suddenly and lunged at her, pushing her back in the couch as he gave her the biggest hug he'd ever given. He wasn't even sure he'd ever hugged Isabel as much as he was Tess at that point. Tess smiled and hugged him back, but then she pushed him away slightly. He stared at her questioningly, when she nodded to her left. He still stared at her, and she nodded more forcefully. He turned his head and saw Nicholas sitting there a playful grin on his face, bouncing a child on his lap.

"Oh!" he nearly shouted, "Neecholis!"

The two men stood up, embracing each other, before parting and talking in rapid Antarian about everything they had missed. Nicholas hadn't been in contact with his older brother for years, and neither had Michael.

Tess smiled slightly, standing slowly, her eyes now on Max and Isabel. Isabel had tears in her eyes that she was barely containing, before Tess could even open her mouth to say that she forgave her, Isabel had thrown herself at Tess and, much like Michael had done, gave her a hug. She was crying now, muttering incoherently in Tess' ear, bits and pieces in Antarian, bits in English, some even mumbled in a language Tess had never even heard of. She couldn't help but laugh at Isabel's antics, Vilondra was always very emotional…which often made Tess wonder what happened to Isabel to make her so closed off and stoic.

"Isabel, Isabel!" Tess shouted pushing her away slightly, "It's alright…"

"But…"

"It's fine," Tess started, "Really, I forgive you…"

"Really?" Isabel asked, watching the girl before her as if she were afraid that she was just joking with her. Tess nodded, "Thank you!" Isabel shouted, hugging her again before running off to Michael.

Someone cleared their throat and Tess looked up. Max was standing before her, shuffling back and forth. Tess had to smile, he looked so unsure…so scared…so not himself. Maybe it was just her perspective of things, but Max himself never really seemed as timid and unsure to her as he did at that point. She shook her head; it was just her feeling for Max making her see him differently. She knew Max was always unsure and timid and scared…but her feelings always made him out to be stronger, smarter, braver…

She frowned slightly, as she watched him walk closer to her. She'd always dreaded that he'd remember their love…and that that would be the only reason he loved her…But she had to keep telling herself that Max had loved her…or at least cared about her before she left. "Hey…Tess…" he said, using her Earthly name.

"Ava," she said, "Here…I'm Ava."

He nodded; somewhere in the back of his mind he always did think of her as Ava, she and Tess were the same in so many ways. "I…I wanted to say…I'm sorry too…" he took a breath, "I never should have said those things to you…"

"Max…"

"…and I never should have jumped to conclusions like I did," he continued, "I guess it's a habit I have to break and…"

"Max."

"…I should have asked you what it was about…or let you explain it or…"

"Max!" she shouted, finally succeeding in getting his attention.

There was a silence between the two. Michael, Isabel, and Nicholas were still talking, but Max and Tess were quiet.

"Um…" Max started, unsure of how to say what he wanted.

Tess sighed; she knew what he was probably going to say. He was sorry and would be going back to Liz now…

"…me Zan…" she heard Max say, and then she realized that he was speaking.

"What?" she asked.

"Call me Zan," he repeated, a small smile on his face.

A smile soon grew on Tess's as well…

The End

A/N – Really sudden ending, but I thought that it would be a sweet place to stop. Max accepted his alien heritage, stays with Tess, and they all live happily ever after with Nicholas becoming a writer and Kivar becoming an explorer. But that's it for this story. Not sure if I'll manage updating another Roswell story today, but I'll try.