"He remembers? This cannot be happening." Lara wrung her hands together nervously. Larek nodded gravely. "I'm afraid it is Madame. But as far as I know, he's the only one." Lara seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "That's good. So … we'll just give him more serum. He'll forget again, won't he?" Larek paused. "Your Majesty," he began cautiously, "perhaps it's not such a disaster." Her head shot up. "What do you mean? Of course it is! If he remembers, he'll want to go back. He'll hate me for what I've done. I will not lose my children again!"
"Mother." They both turned as Max walked slowly towards them. A look was exchanged with Larek, who quickly left the room. Lara stood, pasting a smile on her face. "Zan, darling. Come. Sit with me." She took her hand in his and sat him down beside her. "I overheard you talking with Larek," Max said, glancing down at their hands. "I do remember things mother, but I'm still your son. I still remember my childhood here with you." At this, she smiled. "But," he continued softly, "I remember my other childhood too. On Earth. I don't mean to hurt you, but I have to go back." Lara shook her head with finality. "No Zan," she said tersely, standing and pacing the room, "you have no idea what it was like to watch you die before. What it was like for me to give you up, to send you away." Max gazed up at her. "But mother, what I have here isn't real. I'm not Zan, not really. He died. How can you expect me to remain here and live his life? I can't do that. I'm sorry. This isn't home to me." "It is!" "No," Max told her more firmly, standing, "you know nothing about my life down there. Yes, it's often dangerous, but no more so than it is here. I have parents who love me, friends, and … I even have a soulmate. Mother, please … I know I'm asking a lot, but you have to let us go." A tear ran down Lara's cheek and Max reached out and wiped it away. "I won't agree with this," she told him waveringly. Max smiled. "You wouldn't be a mother if you did."
**
"Ava, please stop pacing," Rath implored, holding a tired hand to his forehead. She turned to him, a devastated expression on her face. "I can't. Rath, everything is ruined. We'll be cast out. Zan will hate me for certain." There was a knock on the door and Rath jumped up from his chair. "Hide," he whispered to Ava. "Oh, what's the difference now? Come in!" she called. Max entered with a big grin on his face. "Hey guys!" Rath and Ava exchanged a look. "Have, uh, you spoken with Vilandra today?" Rath wondered cautiously. Max was still smiling, looking from one to the other. "Yeah, she told me what was going on. I think it's hilarious. You two of all people." Ava's mouth dropped in confusion. "But-but Zan … you think this is good? We've hurt you and Vilandra so …" Max shook his head, taking her by the shoulders, and looking down into her eyes. "You haven't hurt me. Trust me. Yes, it's surprising. But there's something more important we have to talk about. I invited Is – my sister to join us." Rath cleared his throat. "Zan." Max turned to him, his eyebrows raised in question. Rath noticed Vilandra enter the room and shook his head. "Forget it," he mumbled.
"So," Vilandra spoke harshly, looking to her brother, "what sentence will you be giving them?" Max sighed, shaking his head. "That's not why we're here. I want everyone to forget about this affair, okay? It means nothing in the scheme of things." They stared at him dumbfounded. "Nothing?" Vilandra accused. Max took her hand and nodded to Rath. "Take his hand," he told her. Vilandra shook her head and made a disgusted face. "I'd sooner kiss a toad." Rath rolled his eyes, grabbing her hand and holding it tightly. "I don't know what this is about Zan," he said, "but I'm awfully curious." Max smiled, taking Ava's hand and instructing Rath to do the same. "It's time to remember," he whispered.
