Notes: I want to move things along more quickly on Earth, but keep the same timeline with the aliens. So, just imagine that a month or so on Earth equals only a day on Antar.
"Vilandra, dear, stop fidgeting!" Throwing her arms to her side, Vilandra sighed with frustration. "Mother, I can't help it," she whined, "it's too tight. Tell them to fix it!" Lara stood in front of her daughter. "Lift your arms," she said. Vilandra did so, but she couldn't lift them very high. Lara scoffed, turning to the tailor. "You call this a gown fit for a princess?!" she exclaimed, "fix this at once! I would expect better measurements from a renowned professional such as yourself." The poor tailor gathered up the discarded gown, which Vilandra stripped off moments previous, and hurried from the room. "Yes, Your Majesty," he muttered, shutting the door behind him.
Lara sat next to her daughter, who held her head in her hands. "I want my wedding to be perfect," Vilandra said, resting her head on her mother's shoulder, and knowing what would happen that day. "It will be perfect," Lara promised, "I won't allow anyone to ruin your special day."
**
"Alex, stop fidgeting!" "Maria," he stressed, "I have to go to the bathroom. Would you please stop the car?" She groaned and pulled into the nearest gas station. "Fine. But hurry up!" she called as he ran inside for the key. Drumming her hands to the beat of the radio, she noticed Kyle pull up beside her in his truck. "Whitman have to use the potty?" he asked. Maria rolled her eyes. "Well, thank god," Liz said, jumping out from the passenger side, "if I had to wait any longer, I would burst." She took off for the bathroom.
Liz and Alex met up at the bathrooms. He was coming out, she going in. "So, what's the deal with this impromptu road trip to Santa Fe?" he asked. Liz shrugged. "It was Maria's idea. She thought we should have one last 'hurrah' before graduation." "I guess," Alex said, "well, enjoy your … bathroom. Hope yours smells better than mine did." She laughed, inserting the key into the door. "Yeah, me too."
"Do you ever think about that day?" Maria wondered, as the three sat waiting for Liz. "What day?" Kyle asked, fiddling with the knobs of his radio. "The day of the 'big decision.' What if Tess hadn't pulled Liz away and got her to change Max's mind? They would still be here. Getting ready to graduate next month with the rest of us." "Oh, so it's my girlfriend's fault?" Kyle said, sticking his arm out the open window. "No," Maria bit out disgustedly, "I didn't say that." Alex, deciding to end the debate, leaned back in his seat. "I remember," he said softly.
**
"So, what's the verdict?" Michael asked excitedly, as the group once again came together, this time at the Crashdown. Tess cleared her throat, casting a quick glance up at Kyle. "Yes," she answered timidly, "I think we should go." Michael nodded, smiling. "Alright, that's one vote. Isabel?" She looked down at the floor. "No," she said quietly. "I vote no too," Max said tightly, his eyes daring Michael to challenge him. Michael merely shook his head and sighed. "And I vote yes. So much for your majority rules scenario, Maxwell. What now?" Max turned his back, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know. I guess – I guess I thought we'd all agree." "Agree to what?" Michael retaliated, "say no? How could you pass up an opportunity like this? I mean, don't you want to go home?" Maria wanted to calm Michael down, but knew he would only push her away again. "I am home," Max stressed.
Tess watched as Liz wrapped her arms around Max. Then she looked at Kyle. She didn't want to leave him, but Michael was right. This is the chance of a lifetime, they'll be back soon enough. "Liz?" she asked, breaking the room's frustrated silence. Everyone looked up in surprise. Tess took a step forward and inclined her head. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" Liz exchanged a look with Max, then nodded. "Sure."
**
"Hey Alex," Liz stuck her head in the window of the Jetta, "switch me? I wanna ride with Maria for a while." "What's the matter?" Kyle called, "do I stink or something?" Liz laughed. "Yes! And, your taste in music stinks too!" "Well, then I certainly don't wanna share a car with him," Alex grumbled, climbing into the truck. "Suck it up, Alex!" Maria shouted, tearing out of the gas station, dust flying from the tires.
**
"How's everything coming along?" Ava asked, finding Vilandra in the front sitting room. "How's what coming?" Vilandra snapped, taking another sip of her drink. "The wedding, of course." Vilandra sat up higher in her seat. "It's going to be bigger and better than yours." Ava rolled her eyes. "Really. For a mere princess?" Vilandra stood up coolly, setting her glass down hard on the table. She leaned in to whisper harshly in Ava's ear. "I know you're having an affair. As soon as I discover who it is, I'm going to my brother. Your 'Queen Bee' days will soon be over." Pushing back, she noted the frightened look on Ava's face. Satisfied, she flounced from the room.
