Notes: at the end

Notes:  at the end

Chapter Twenty-Six: Together

            "So," Maria said slyly, turning and popping a French fry into Michael's mouth, "you all know what went on down here while you were gone, but we know nothing about what happened up there."  Tess shared a look with Michael.  Isabel shrugged, taking Alex's hand and wrapping it around her shoulder.  "Nothing much," she lied, "in fact, it was really quite boring."  Kyle scoffed.  "Boring?  Yeah right.  You guys were the Royal Family on an alien planet.  How could that be boring?"  "Max?" Liz questioned, craning her neck around to look at him, "it's only fair."  He smiled softly, bending to kiss her forehead.  "You're right," he said, "why shouldn't we tell you what happened?"  "Maxwell," Michael warned.  Maria gave him a gentle smack.  "We want to hear," she scolded, "go ahead, Max."  "First of all," Max began, "there was a war …"

**

            Maria leaned back in her seat, her mouth open in shock.  "Maria?"  Michael shook her arm.  "You look like you're gonna be sick."  "I think I am," she muttered, "you and Tess?"  "Should I be offended?" Tess spoke up.  Kyle couldn't take it any more and he burst into laughter.  "Oh, you think this is funny?  I should have known."  He put a hand over his mouth, trying to stifle his amusement.  "You must admit," he said, "it is funny.  I mean, you and Michael?  How many words did you say to each other before you left?"  "Correction," Michael spoke, "Rath loved Ava.  We're not them.  After our memories came back, that all stopped immediately.  There were no romantic feelings between any of us."  Liz looked up at Max with wide, inquisitive eyes.  "Really," he whispered only to her, "even when I didn't know who I was, I remembered a beautiful girl named Liz who I loved with all my heart."  "Thank you," she whispered back, leaning into his arms, "I really needed to hear that."

            "I'm proud of you," Alex said softly to Isabel, "And I told you.  You could never be a terrible person.  You came through for everyone.  You saved them this time."  "Oh, Alex," she sighed, "I just knew that a man that evil wasn't worth the love and trust of my family.  He wasn't worth risking not coming home to you."  She shifted, facing him directly, spontaneously changing the subject.  "What do you think about children?" she asked him.  His eyes widened.  "You, um, you just got back.  There's no way you be, I mean …"  She laughed.  "Alex, I'm not pregnant.  And I don't plan on having children any time soon."  She watched as he let out a breath of relief.  "But what do you think of the name Lara?" she wondered, "Lara Diane?"  Max overheard her and threw her a smile.  Isabel looked at Alex expectantly.  "I think it's beautiful," he answered, "if we ever have a daughter, she'd be extremely lucky to have such a name."  Isabel grinned, wrapping her arms around his neck.  "I was hoping you'd say that."

**

            Max glanced around the table.  Michael and Maria were exchanging good-natured banter back and forth, pausing to peck each other's lips with a tender kiss every few minutes.  Kyle was making disgusted faces as Tess poured more Tabasco sauce into her drink.  She, in turn, shoved the straw in his mouth and laughed as he gagged.  Alex and Isabel cuddled in the corner, probably still discussing their future family.  And Liz.  His perfect, beautiful Liz, leaned her head against his shoulder, playing with his thumb and forefinger.  Her other hand came up to catch a yawn in her palm.  Max smiled, his arms pulling her closer.  His thoughts turned to Antar, to Larek, his mother, and his people.  But as he looked around him – at his friends, his sister, and his lover – he realized that he didn't miss that other life at all.  This is where he belonged, where they all belonged.  This is home.

            "Max?"  He looked down at Liz.  "Hmmm?"  "Where were you?" she asked softly.  He bent to kiss her mouth.  "Nowhere," he told her, "nowhere but here." 

The End

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I'd like to thank everyone who contributed feedback.  Your comments really made me push to get new chapters out to you as soon as possible.  I'd like to do a sequel, but I don't have a clue what the plot could be.  If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to share them.  Who knows?  I could like one of your ideas and have a new story out soon.  Thanks again.  I really enjoyed writing this for you as much as I hope you enjoyed reading it.

- Star Jackson

starshine_416@yahoo.com

Sequel is up.  Titled:  52 Days Of Hades