Chapter 34 – Tara's Invitation
Upon his return, Larek had sent for Mirek and his family as well as Ankaa. He had to break the news to Tess as well as requesting Tara's assistance and there wasn't a lot of time for disagreements, which he was expecting. Tess wasn't going to be happy. Sitting at his desk, he awaited his guest's arrival.
Soon there was a knock at the door.
"Enter" This time it was only Ankaa. It looked like she was awoken out of a deep sleep.
"I came as quickly as I could. What's the emergency?" questioned Ankaa.
"Let's wait for Mirek, Tara and Tess. I just sent for them as I did for you, they should be here momentarily."
"Very well" Ankaa said, sitting down on the nearby chair.
It was about ten minutes before there was another knock on the door. Larek went to the door and opened it. Standing before him was a sleepy eyed Tess and her family. "Please come in and take a seat. I'm sorry for the late hour summons, but it was imperative that we meet." Larek stated.
Tess fell on the nearby couch as Tara and Mirek joined her.
After everyone was seated, Larek began. "As you know, I was going to contact Max and I have just returned from my communication with him. Max has agreed to join us at the Summit."
"Well that's very good news" Ankaa said, excitement in her voice. She was finally going to get to meet her son reincarnate.
Tess however wasn't convinced. "You've got the 'but face'" she said looking up at Larek.
"Excuse me?" Larek said astounded at the comment.
"You've got the 'but face'" repeated Tess. "Max has agreed to join us at the Summit, but…You've got the 'but face'."
"Tess, what are you talking about?" asked Mirek, thinking this was another one of Tess' human traits shining through.
"She's right" Larek stated. This was the moment he was dreading. "Max did agree to join us for the Summit, but there was a problem that arose. Max and the others were under the impression that Tess was dead and her miraculous rise from the grave did not go over too well."
"Max is not going to keep me from my son!" Tess cried out as tears began to flow from her bright blue eyes. She was filled with hurt as well as anger.
"What are you talking about?" Tara asked, trying to calm her daughter and then looking up at Larek, she repeated her question. "What is she talking about Larek?"
"I don't know what transpired between Tess, Max, Isabel, Michael and their friends, but they were very animate about not allowing Tess to come through the portal at this time."
"This isn't fair. I should be able to see my son!" cried Tess, "He has no right."
"Well, actually he does. He is the King." Larek flatly stated.
"And I'm the Queen, don't I have a say?" countered Tess.
Ignoring Tess' last comment Larek continued, "It has been agreed upon that this would not be the best time for Tess to return. They thought it best if they were given time to digest this new information before having to deal with it."
"I bet" jibed Tess.
"Actually" Larek said, turning towards Tess clearly getting irritated, "it was Liz who defended you. They had already told your son of your death and having you show up on their threshold before having a chance to tell him that you escaped death and were living here would come as a shock. She did mention that you should come through the portal, but at a later time. They just need time to digest the fact that you are alive. And as I said, I don't know what transpired, but when you do finally go back, you need to resolve your issues with the group if you intend on keeping an open line of communication, including seeing your son."
Tess was seething with anger, but she kept quiet and sat back on the couch. She honestly didn't expect Liz to stick up for her. She was over Max. She knew there was no chance of ever reconciling with Max after he and the rest of them found out what she had done, but she had no idea on how she could rectify the situation. She couldn't just bring Alex back from the dead.
Ankaa, having sat back during this conversation, finally spoke up "So, who will be taking Tess' place in the portal?"
"Well, Clark express his desire to meet Tara, his mother's sister, but only if she consented." Larek said looking towards Tara and Mirek.
Tara was shocked. Up until the past few days, she believed she was the only remaining Kryptonian and now she had the opportunity to meet another Kryptonian who was her own nephew. "It would be an honor to be able to meet Clark and the rest of the Royal Four."
"Would it be possible for me to accompany Tara to Earth?" Mirek asked. "She could go first and I can wait for Max to return and use the portal to bring someone else back."
"Well, I do know that Clark and Liz will be accompanying Max to the transport site and Liz did mention how she really wanted to join Max, so this may work. Go ahead and pack your bags too and Tara can ask Max and Liz when she arrives on Earth. If Liz chooses to join Max then you'll be ready." Mirek nodded his head as Tess sat back and sighed. She didn't just have to deal with Max upon his return but Liz too.
"Then it's settled" Larek said.
"When do we leave?" asked Tara.
"Immediately. They gave me a three hour window" and then Larek looked towards Tess and said, "and they would like the transport site to be Jim's house."
"Fine" Tess said curtly, "and then Max and I are going to have a long talk."
Tara and Mirek had to go and pack, so they excused themselves and retired to their room. Ankaa was also bubbling with excitement. She was finally going to meet this person named Max, her Zan and this mysterious woman in his life. She also retired to her room, wanting to prepare herself for the upcoming reunion. Tess was still seething with anger. She decided to take a walk in the palace gardens to calm herself down and to reflect on her situation. Larek remained at his desk. That went better than he thought it would. Hopefully whenever Tess got the opportunity to be reunited with the Royal Four and their friends she could finally find peace after they resolved their underlying problems. They needed to keep the Royal Four's connection strong as well as Zan, for their worlds depended on it.