Chapter 11: Emotions and the Meaning of Everything

Michael

I don't know how long the three of us stood there. Maria gapped at Liz and I and for the first time since I've known Maria, she was actually speechless. Liz stood frozen and her emotions were running wild. Neither Liz or I wanted to have Maria find out this way. {Liz, you OK?}

{Put your shirt on, Michael.}

I grew worried. {Liz…}

{Just do it.}

I reached over and pulled my shirt over my head. Finally, Maria spoke. "I'm trying to think of an explanation for this that doesn't involve my best friend making out with my ex-boyfriend in the backroom. Feel free to speak up if you think of one."

"Maria, we didn't mean to let you find out like this," Liz said. Maria's eyes brimmed with tears. I couldn't tell if she was angry or felt betrayed.

"Is that why you didn't call me during the summer? Because you didn't want to tell me?" came Maria's choked reply. Maria looked at Liz and I with obvious distaste. "How could you guys *do* this to me?"

I couldn't help but notice the popular opinion that Liz and I were together just to spite Maria and Max. Did it ever occur to either one of them that our relationship was actually about *us*?

"Maria, it's not like we planned it or anything. We never meant to hurt you," Liz pleaded with tears in her eyes.

Maria's eyes turned black with anger. "What about Max, Liz? It wasn't enough you had Max drooling all over you so you had to go for my Michael. Is that it?" Maria sneered.

That was enough. "No, Maria. That's not what is going on here," I said.

"Really, Michael? Than explain to me how you don't want to be around me because of your powers but you can be around Liz? Tell me how you can say that you love me and then do *this*!"

"Because I lied to you, Maria. I never loved you! How can I love someone who wants me to change constantly? I am who I am, Maria! I can't be a perfect boyfriend and I can't be hopelessly romantic. And I can't give you a normal life. Liz *accepts* that, you don't."

Maria scoffed. "Michael, you *do* love me!"

"No, Maria. I love Liz," I said through gritted teeth. Maria wasn't going to make this easy, was she?

Than Maria turned to Liz and pointed a finger at her. "I hate you. Don't come near me or talk to me ever again."

I could practically hear Liz's heart breaking from where I was standing. "Maria, don't do this," I pleaded.

Liz placed a hand on my arm and looked at Maria. "Don't bother, Michael. Maria, if this is all it takes to ruin our friendship than it wasn't that well off to begin with. You and Michael weren't even in a relationship. Unless you call a relationship you chasing after Michael and him trying to get the hell away from your sorry ass. And we aren't together to spite you, OK? We *love* each other and it has nothing to do with you. You always wanted out of this alien mess, so here you go! You're out! You are fired from this restaurant and you don't have to join in any of our crazy alien adventures!"

I looked at Liz in surprise. {What was that about?}

{I figured that it's time I fought for us. I'm kind of hoping it will be worth it.}

I smiled at her and noticed Maria was basically blowing steam from her ears. Maria moved forward to slap Liz but I blocked her and caught her wrist in the air.

FLASH

Maria out with a variety of guys during our "relationship"

FLASH

Her frustration that I wouldn't change for her

FLASH

Her summer spent with many guys

"You are such a hypocrite, Maria!" I said through gritted teeth.

"What?" she said confused.

"You've been dating other guys during our so-

called 'relationship!" I asked and I smirked when she turned pale.

"How do you know that?"

Liz glared at Maria. "Is this true?"

Maria nodded. "Not that it matter now anyway. You were a waste of my time," she said to me.

Liz was pissed off now. She was unclenching and clenching her fists. Living with Hank, I knew how to anticipate a punch. However, Maria didn't and was shocked to find that Liz had decked her in the eye. Maria covered her face. "Well, you've been a waste of my time for as long as I've known you. Now get the hell out of my restaurant," Liz seethed.

Maria glared at us one more time and stalked out of the restaurant.

Liz

I couldn't believe Maria! She had the nerve to yell at Michael and I when she was the one cheating on Michael the whole time! I can't believe I was ever friends with her. When she left the room, my emotions were still running high. I was angry at Maria for yelling at us and doing Michael wrong. Yet I was sad because I had just literally lost my best friend. I was angry at our group for falling apart. I was angry at Max. I was angry at Nasedo for putting doubts in my head.

I had all of these feelings inside of me and they were all coming to boiling point. Closing my eyes to calm myself down, I began to take deep breaths. Michael's voice made me open my eyes.

"Liz, look at your skin," he said with worry evident in his voice.

" .God." My skin was covered with tiny green volts of energy. They ran up my arms and up to my neck and my hands were a bright green. And what scared me the most was that I could *feel* the hot energy coursing through my veins. I turned to Michael, my eyes wide with terror. "Michael? What's happening to me?"

Michael looked just as terrified as I did and he began to slowly put his arm out towards me. "NO!" I screamed at him. "Don't touch me! I could hurt you!" I moved away quickly and jerked my arm away. In the process, I blasted a nearby picture frame. "Oh god," I said softly.

"Liz, I think your emotions are effecting your powers. You need to calm down," Michael pleaded with me. His concern and worry was like a hammer nailing a nail into my head.

I put my hands on my head and whimpered. "It's too much. There's too much stuff in my head."

The dull sensation in the back of my head that was usually a result of Michael and mine connection was now beginning to become painful. It felt like my body was on fire. I started to cry the pain was so unbearable.

"I'm going to get Isabel or someone!" Michael said frantically.

Panic rose in me. "NO! Don't leave me, OK?"

He glanced at me and sighed, "OK. I won't leave you. I promise." Michael slowly walked over to me and put a hand on my shoulder. The pain began to dull. I looked up at him in amazement.

"Michael, hold me." He wrapped his arms around me and I buried my face in his shirt. The pain was gone but the energy was still coursing through my body. I began to concentrate on Michael. How he smelled; how he looked; how he was *Michael*. My breath came out in even puffs and watched as the green volts went away.

Michael looked in me and let out a sigh in relief. "Don't ever scare me like that again!"

"What just happened Michael?"

"I don't know. I didn't know you could blast things, Liz. I've never seen anything like that happen before."

"But you said that it was my emotions affecting my powers."

He scratched his head. "Well yeah but it's never happen to that degree before. It's never happened so I was in pain."

"Wait. You've gone through this before?"

"When I was first placed with Hank, I was angry. And than well -you know what Hank did to me-and I would get angry. Angry at him, at me, the whole *world* and I would get spells like that where the power would actually *hurt*. Luckily, Hank was too drunk to remember his green glowing foster child."

His pain about the whole Hank situation permeated my brain. "Hank was a jerk, Michael. There is no excuse for what he did to you. No one should have to go through that. Did you tell Isabel or Max about it?"

Michael shook his head. "They wouldn't have understood. They didn't even know about Hank's abuse."

I nodded. Michael was right; I doubt Isabel or Max would have understood the circumstances. "How'd you make it stop?"

Michael shook his head sadly, " I didn't-not really anyway. I had to blast something and get rid of the energy. Sometimes, it was a chair or some other kind of crap appliance. Occasionally, I'd hit Hank but that was only when it got really out of control. After a while, I was able to control the energy from getting out of control and it hasn't happened since except with…" Michael trailed off and his eyes darkened.

"With Pierce," I finished for him. He nodded slowly.

I looked at my hands. "So I could actually, uh, *hurt* someone when I'm like this." Staring at the demolished picture frame, I thought about if someone was standing there.

"Yeah, Liz, you could. But you didn't. That's what matters. I guess it stopped because I calmed you down," Michael thought out loud.

"I think that it kind of works like conduction," I said.

"What now?"

I laughed. "Your energy was trying to equalize mine. Maybe it's because we are so connected."

"I still don't like this, Liz," Michael said worriedly. "I'm alien-you're not. We don't know how this affects you."

Michael was silent for a moment and then he said, "I think we should go see River Dog."

Michael

I was scared as all hell. It's not everyday that your girlfriend starts glowing green and is crying is pain because of an energy overload. Liz and I were about to leave the restaurant when I spotted Isabel parking Max's Jeep in the front. She saw Liz and I and started over. She stopped when she saw the looks on our faces. "What's wrong?"

"We are going to River Dog," Liz said.

Isabel's frowned. "Why? Did something happen?"

I removed my hand from Liz's and Liz's hand began to glow green again and she closed her eyes in pain. I quickly took her hand back in mine and glanced at Isabel. "We'll explain later, Isabel."

Isabel gestured towards the Jeep. "Let's go then. Don't think the two of you are doing this alone."

Liz and I both smiled at Isabel with gratitude and got in the car. She stepped the pedal down and drove fast to the reservation. I told Isabel what had happened.

"Do you think this is like that disease you had last year?" she asked trying to keep her eyes on the road.

I shook my head helplessly. "I don't know, Isabel. I don't' see any similarities."

"She's human, Michael. We can't be sure."

I glanced at Liz who had been getting worse as we drove. As much as I kept trying to equalize her energy it wasn't working anymore. She was sweating and grimacing in pain. Her body was doing the green volt thing again. "Isabel, I don't know what happening but we have to get help. Can you go any faster?" Liz whimpered next to me and put her hands on her head, her fingers digging into her scalp. I immediately stroked her hair soothingly. "What's wrong, Liz?"

"I can feel everything! It's too much, Michael! I can't.." she sobbed.

"What are you feeling, Liz? You have to tell me!"

She closed her eyes tightly. "Emotions. Yours. Mine. Isabel's. It hurts."

Isabel turned to me quickly. "I think she's overloading, Michael. Her powers are growing but she doesn't know how to control them."

"But why are they causing her pain, Isabel? It doesn't make sense. And why are they growing so fast?" I had so many questions. All I knew was that somehow, someway I was going to fix this. I watched in horror as her eyes began to flutter and close; then open again. "Isabel!" I yelled frantically. "She's passing out!"

"We are almost there! What if we need the healing stones?"

"Max has them!"

Isabel said reluctantly, "We have to call him and tell him to bring the stones with him!"

"I don't *care* what you do, Isabel! Just do something, OK?"

Isabel called Max but I was too engrossed in Liz to hear the conversation. "Liz! You need to stay awake, OK? We're getting you help."

Her eyes fluttered open and her breathing was shallow. "It hurts, Michael. Make it stop, please."

My heart lurched. "I will, baby. Just wait a little bit more."

"Max is going to meet us there, Michael," Isabel said. Then we saw the 'Welcome to the Mahavo Indian Reservation' sign.

Isabel stopped the car and it screeched. I spotted an wooden cabin and jumped out of the car. "I need River Dog! Someone please get me River Dog!"

Finally, a guy who has about our age came out. He glanced at me and than at Isabel. We had laid Liz flat on the seat so no one would see her. His eyes pierced mine. "He is waiting by the cave."

"I don't know where a cave is! You have to help us, please."

"My name is Eddie," he said. "Follow me."

"Hold on!" I ran back to the Jeep. "Isabel stay here and wait for Max and tell him to get to a cave!"

Isabel frowned, "What cave?"

Liz opened her eyes painfully. "He knows, Isabel. Max and I have been there before," she rasped out. If Max didn't have the stones, for all I cared, he could be lost in the woods and be eaten by wild dogs slowly. But maybe that's just me. I went to pick Liz up and I recoiled immediately.

"Liz, you're so hot. You're burning up," I said. In response, Liz rolled her head from side to side and began to tremble. I picked up her up and cradled her in my arms. Holding her close, I turned to Eddie. "Let's go."

"Michael!" Isabel called out. "Take care of her."

I nodded at her. Eddie looked at Liz and then at me, "River Dog did not expect her to be this far along."

"What? He knew this would happen?" I yelled. So this complete stranger was going to tell me that River Dog *knew* this would happen and did nothing to prevent it? I was going to kick that old man's ass.

I was brought back to reality by Liz's sharp cry of pain. She must be getting more emotions from Eddie. I stared at him. "Let's go."

He guided Liz and I down a grassy hill that lead to a forest-looking area. I followed Eddie until we got to a cave. Eddie turned to me. "He is there."

I glanced at the cave and when I turned around Eddie was gone. That dude was creepy. I walked into the cave and was grateful that Liz emitted a green light. Otherwise, it would have been pitch dark. I had been walking for a while until I saw River Dog.

River Dog took one look at Liz and frowned. "It is happening too fast."

River Dog looked the same as he did the last time I saw him. I glared at him, "It shouldn't be happening at all. You knew this was going to happen and you didn't tell us."

River Dog lowered his head and said slowly, "I'm an old Indian chief, visitor, and I have seen many things. But I have never seen a change of person as it has happened in you."

"Yeah, well, that's great but can we please help Liz," I pleaded.

He looked me straight in the eye. "There is nothing we *can* do, visitor. Liz's body is changing due to her new DNA."

"How can you be so calm about this? And what do you mean her DNA is changing?"

"That is what cadium X can do you to a human body when it is still alive. When Max healed her, he altered her DNA just enough to grant her mind powers. But *you* gave her physical powers. When a visitor such as yourself or Max heals somebody with such emotion and effort as you did to her, you give your energy to that person. That is all healing really is-the transferring of energy to another. Your energy changes her DNA and your energy is cadium X. Does it make sense now, visitor?"

I put Liz gently on the ground. "Will it hurt her?"

"No. But it will take time before the transformation is complete."

"Transformation into what?"

"A visitor as you are."

Could I really do that? Bring Liz into a life of danger? Of hiding? I looked at Liz who had passed out. It was better that way because she felt no pain now. I met River Dog's gaze. "How do you know all this? Why didn't you tell us?"

"It was essential that I didn't. I am very wise you see ,and in a way, can see what will happen before it does. The girl had to have everything that has happened happen to her to get to this point and most importantly, to get her to *you*."

"So this was all a master plan to get Liz and I together?"

River Dog allowed a small smile. "No. There is no master plan-just the principle that everything happens for a reason."

"Is there a way to speed the transfer up? With the healing stones?"

"Let nature take its course, visitor. You will need her abilities for tough times ahead and you will need *her* for tough times ahead."

Alarm shot through me. "Tough times? What is going to happen?"

"You will be betrayed, visitor. From one of your own."

Tess. "Who? We are already falling apart as it is!"

"I do not cause the future. I just warn you of it and what you do with the information is what matters and what makes the difference." He paused and glanced at Liz. "And what can save lives."

I heard the ruffling sounds of footsteps and turned around to see Isabel and Max running towards us. Max was holding the healing stones and Isabel was trailing him. Isabel and Max looked at River Dog and then at Liz's prone form. "What happened?" Max asked River Dog, ignoring my presence.

River Dog looked at Max. "She is changing and those healing stones will not help her. What is done has to be done."

"Like hell," Max said angrily. "There has to be something we can do."

Isabel lightly touched Max's shoulder, "Leave it be. River Dog knows what he is talking about."

"This doesn't concern you, Isabel," Max snapped curtly.

"Well it does, Max. You are my *brother*! I don't care if you think of me as one of your royal subjects but you are my brother to me. And you keep leading this road of self-destruction and I'm not going to stand by and watch you do it," Isabel choked out.

"River Dog, as you can see we are already falling apart," but my voice faded as I realized the old man wasn't there.

Isabel ripped her gaze away from Max. "So what is happening with Liz? Is she OK?"

I explained to them what River Dog said and Isabel looked at me with wide eyes. "She's turning into one of us?"

I nodded. Max turned concerned eyes on me. "How much longer will it take?"

"River Dog didn't say exactly when. I guess I'll just wait here until it's done."

"Don't you think we should talk about this? She's turning into an alien, Michael. That doesn't happen everyday," Max said.

"No, really, Maxwell? I thought she was glowing green because someone forget to turn her off," I quipped sarcastically.

Max shot daggers at me with his eyes. "Being an alien isn't exactly a privilege, Michael. We are putting her into a world of constant hiding and secrets. We can't just do that to her."

"Don't you think I *know* that?" I yelled angrily.

"I'm trying to protect her!" Max yelled back.

"She isn't *yours* to protect anymore, Max! You are meant to be with Tess! The two of you seem fitting seeing as you're a asshole and she's the alien equivalent of a rabbit in heat."

"I don't love Tess. I love Liz," he ground out.

I looked Max square in the eyes. "She doesn't love you, Max. Move on."

Max's face shattered and his eyes brimmed with tears. "Don't you think I want to Michael? Do you know how much it *hurts*? I love her too much to let her go."

For a split second I felt bad for Max. It would kill me to see Liz with another guy and it would definitely kill me to Liz with Max. "Did you even think about how this would affect me?" Max snarled.

"Don't even go there, Max. From day one, we thought how it would affect you. The minute we got to Florida we realized we couldn't tell you that we are living together. We didn't tell you because we wanted to lie to you, Maxwell! We did it because we wanted to *protect* you. That's all everyone does! *Protect you*! Well I'm sick and tired of it. You're a big boy now, Max, you can get *hurt* every once in a while."

Max stood silent.

"Everything happens for a reason, Max."

"Then why is everything falling apart?" he choked out.

I remembered River Dog's words of caution. "They aren't. Not yet anyway."