Zack and Max finished a full, careful sweep of the area surrounding the facility. The very first tinges of dawn could be seen. As they got back in the car Max looked at her watch. Only 05:43 hours. She started the car and began driving back to Roswell.
"We could head to the UFO Center, see if Logan's found anything useful."
"Sure," Zack replied, frowning. "Let's find Kyle too. I want to know what ideas he's come up with."
Max looked at Zack. His brow furrowed deeply in concentrated thought and she had to admit that he actually looked worried. Their sweep had revealed little to assuage her doubts and up her confidence in this mission. It was going to be very, very difficult. And she was worried about Zack. He'd just been in Manticore. He normally was no conversationalist but these past two days he had been downright silent. She pulled the car to the side of the road.
"What are you doing?"
"Zack, I need to know. Are you okay…I mean, really okay?" Max asked, her eyes searching his.
Zack nodded. "I'm fine."
She sighed, frustrated. "You were just in Lydecker's claws. No way are you fine! I'm being serious here. Zack, just the thought of what they could do to you…I've been so worried about you. I mean, I know you can take care of yourself, that's all good but…Manticore is different."
Zack nodded again. "Yeah, it is." He looked away, taking a deep breath. "It was hard, Maxie. I was in some kind of pain every moment of every day." He looked at her. How could he tell her the horrors he'd undergone? How could he tell her he'd almost broken when he thought she'd come to get him? Lydecker had dressed a girl like Max and since he was so doped up on hallucinogens he'd almost believed it was her. "They wanted to know where the others are…I made myself forget, how they taught us to, so I wouldn't give in."
Max stared at him. She knew the mental anguish such a feat must have caused him. She would never forget the torture techniques used for memory retrieval and the exhausting process involved in actively forgetting. "Its over now. It'll be okay."
"No, its not!" his voice rising. "I'm the only one who knew, who remembered, and now I've forgotten and I can't help them anymore!"
"That's not true. You remembered me and Niyah."
"Niyah called me. Apparently I gave her a contact number and she called me. I don't remember giving it to her. I don't remember the others, just that there were others I had to protect. If I could remember, they'd be here too, helping us."
They sat in the car, the silence deafening around them. "What about me? You remembered me."
Zack shook his head and sighed. "Its different with you. It's always been different. I could never forget…" he looked out the window. "They made me believe that you had come to rescue me."
"What? How?"
"Pumped me up with some drug and dressed someone like you who started an escape. I almost told her," he said with a half-sob. "I almost gave in." They sat in silence again for several minutes. Zack decided he told her this much, he might as well finish it. "The only way out of Manticore for me was to die, so I 'died'. A doctor pretended to help me and 'killed' me. When I came to I was buried underground in a coffin." Max shuddered, shaking her head in disbelief. This was worse then she expected. "He helped me escape but I was bugged. I took the bug out once I reached Manticore's perimeter. I had to take a few days to clear all the drugs from my system, to make sure that this was reality."
Max touched his arm, her eyes full of concern. "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault," he replied softly, covering her hand with his. "It was my decision, my choice to go."
"Why'd you do it? I don't understand. You knew what would happen."
"Exactly," he said. Gently, he pushed a stray curl back from her face and tucked it behind her ear. "I couldn't let that happen to you."
"But why, Zack, tell me why you couldn't let it happen. I'm as trained to withstand pain and torture as you are. What, is it 'cause I'm a girl?" Max desperately hoped it was because if he did it for the reason she suspected…No. Not possible. That couldn't be it. Could it?
Zack let his fingers slowly trace down her jaw line to her chin. Cupping her face in his hand he said, "Because no matter how hard I've tried to convince myself otherwise and tried to run from it, I'm in love with you, Maxie."
Max blinked, swallowed, and then looked straight ahead, abruptly pulling her face from his grasp. 'Oh my god, girl. Logan was right! He loves you!' She wasn't sure how to react, wasn't sure how she really felt.
Zack sighed when she flinched away from him and settled back into his seat. "But…I know you're in love with Logan so I took your place. I'd know you weren't suffering and…you could be there for him."
She looked sharply at him. "I'm not in love with Logan! He's my friend and he needed me. I couldn't just let him die!"
"Right," Zack nodded. The instant she'd known Logan was in the hospital she'd run to be with him, run away from safety and into danger to try to save him. 'Who is she kidding? How come she can't see the bond that she and Logan have, the one that keeps her trapped in Seattle, come what may?'
She looked forward again and continued driving. "I'm not in love with anyone," she said softly.
Zack considered this, his heart rising a little. Did this mean there was hope? Could Max fall for him instead of Logan? 'Focus. What the hell are you thinking?! A seriously dangerous mission awaits you and you're consumed with Max!' Zack looked out the side window, watching the sky lighten with the new day.
Alex swept up the last of the Nicholas dust. Everyone was doing something to clean up and reorganize the restaurant before the morning customers arrived. No one spoke. Isabel was in the break room curled up in a ball with Tess still wrapped around her. Her shivering had stopped but the shock and horror of it had yet to leave her. She kept seeing that hole she'd burned out of Lonnie's body. She hadn't been able to save Grant last week and now she'd committed another murder. This one felt even more gruesome then killing Whitaker. This time she'd had to kill 'herself'.
Maria couldn't contain a yawn. "I'm sorry, but it's so late…early, whatever," she said rubbing her eyes. "Thank god I'm not scheduled this morning." Several people acknowledged their own exhaustion as Kyle and Niyah returned from disposing of the bodies.
"Is it done?" Michael asked, his voice weary.
"Yeah, no one will find them. Not even a Grant Sorenson type," Kyle answered wryly. Michael winced at Kyle's attempted joke. 'Thank god Isabel didn't hear that.' Grant Sorenson, an archeologist, had come to Roswell on an excavation. He'd befriended and even dated Isabel. He had been infected with the Gandarium queen on one of his first digs and had died to protect Isabel. She would always blame herself for his death.
"Well, I guess that means it's over, right?" asked Maria.
Everyone let that thought sink in. It was over. No more fear of assassination attempts, no evil Skins popping up to kill them. There would, no doubt, still be problems and plenty of crises but knowing that Lonnie, Rath and Nicholas were gone made them breathe a little easier. Maybe they'd get a break now, a small return to normalcy.
"I have to go over to the UFO Center because my shift starts soon," Max said, getting up to leave, groaning as his body furiously protested.
"You are not going to work today!" Liz began. "How can you? You're exhausted, we all are." Max tried to answer. "No, Max, no one is doing anything today. My parents are gone for a while so I suggest everyone crashes here. I think we need to be around each other right now." Besides, she didn't want to be alone just yet.
"I agree, Maxwell. You're in no shape to work and I'm sure Isabel will need you," Michael added. "And I don't plan on letting you out of my sight any time soon," he said quietly, pulling Maria into his arms.
One by one everyone agreed to Liz's idea and Max called Brody to let him know he wasn't coming in. Kyle felt that he and Niyah should stay down in the restaurant, just in case. Besides they needed to meet with the other X-5s soon.
"Are you ever going to let us in on your 'little' secret?" Tess asked Kyle. She wanted to believe he was still the same Kyle that she had argued with, found irritating, laughed with, got into wrestling/tickling fights with, and lately had begun to see with even more possibilities. But she wasn't so sure. What she'd seen him do had scared her.
Kyle looked at them, saw the circles under their eyes, the fatigue in their faces. "Not right now, but I will, once you've slept. You guys look like hell," he said chuckling.
"Funny how you look completely refreshed," Max said quietly.
"All part of my fabulous secret," he replied. "Now go on, get some rest you guys."
As the others walked up the stairs, he and Niyah went back into the restaurant to wait for Logan, Max and Zack.
New York, Day Three
He walked into the room, the disaster area he once called home. He already knew they weren't there. He couldn't feel them, no connection whatsoever. They must be very far away, probably in Roswell with the other four. He'd go there after scoping this place. He needed to make sure they hadn't left a clue behind, something he could use to locate them with clear certainty. Then he saw her body on the floor by the wall where Rath had always practiced hockey. His jaw clenched and his hands balled into fists.
"Ava," he whispered. "I'm sorry it took so long to heal," he said, going to her body and touching her hair. "I woulda stopped this. I'm sorry," he said again, tears in his eyes. He angrily swiped the tears off his face. They would pay. He would give them what they gave Ava and triple it! Rage settled cold and hard in his chest. He punched the rock wall above her body, showering her with dust and gravel as his fist smashed a hole. Looking at his now bloodied fist, he refused to wipe the other hand over it and heal the wounds. Let them scar! Ava deserved some memory, some kind of recognition that her loss was felt. Covering her body with a cloth he said goodbye and headed out into the subway tunnels.
Logan had already shut down all the equipment and was on his way out when Zack and Max walked in looking preoccupied.
"So, good news or bad news?" Max asked, flopping into a chair.
"Good. All the equipment is here and Brody said it's mine whenever I need it," he answered, wondering why Max and Zack seemed…out of sorts.
"Great. Know where Kyle or Niyah happen to be?" Zack asked.
"No, since I've been stuck down here for hours!" Logan snapped at Zack. Right now the only thing he wanted was a bed and several lifetimes to sleep. "They left right after I got started."
Max noticed the fatigue in his face. "Logan, you look beat. How 'bout you crash for a few hours while we find Kyle and get a plan set, aiight?" Max offered, concerned. "Just give us the lay out of the facility first."
Logan handed her the papers he'd printed for them. "How about your search?"
Max's face set, worried. "This won't be easy, even with four of us."
Logan nodded and slowly wheeled himself out to the car. As he got in he took Max's arm. "The facility has security like I've never seen before. Maybe this isn't a good idea, Max. I know how much this means to you but the four of you have a very good chance of being stuck there the rest of your lives…"
Max held up her hand. "Logan, it's Brin. It's my baby sister. If there is even a chance..." Max stopped him again. "We've gotten through impossible scenarios before and this time I got extra muscle on my side," she added with a smirk. "She'd do the same for me, you know."
Logan nodded, his blue eyes clouded with worry, and he drove off towards the hotel.
"Let's go see if the restaurant's open yet," she said to Zack.
Isabel had finally fallen asleep on Mr. and Mrs. Parker's bed. She snuggled into Alex's protective arms and he had fallen asleep with his cheek against the top of her head, breathing in the smell that was only Isabel. Tess was curled up next to them with her head in Isabel's lap. She had refused to leave her side since Isabel collapsed.
In the living room, Michael and Maria were on the couch holding each other close as they drifted in and out of sleep. "So, it took a psychotic alien almost killing me to wake you up to the fact that you want me around?" Maria mumbled, sleepy and smiling. Being here in his arms was pure heaven.
Michael kissed her head and pulled her closer. "No, it made me realize that I should just hold you instead of simply wanting to."
Maria's smile grew even bigger as she drifted off to sleep again. Michael lay there for a few minutes, wondering just what those images were that he had seen from Liz and if they had anything to with Max's moodiness the past few months. He closed his eyes. Maria was right. Why did it take these extreme situations to get him to admit that he wanted her in his life, romantically? He loved her! He did, with everything in him but…it was so intense, so consuming, that it terrified him. He didn't like how desperate and weak he felt sometimes. But he'd rather feel like that every day than wake up knowing she was gone, that she was dead. Maria mumbled something in her sleep. Michael smiled, kissed her head again and drifted off into a deep sleep.
After leaving the restaurant, Liz walked directly to her room and she sat on her bed, pulling her knees up to her chest. Her mind was racing with questions and doubts. What was she going to do?! Michael had seen everything that had happened, every lie, every reason why she'd done it…Having Maria know a brief overview was one thing but how could she possibly keep Michael quiet about this? What would happen if Max found out? She wrapped her arms tighter around her knees. Could that appalling future still come true?
Max made sure everyone was settled before he came to check on Liz. "Liz," he called out, knocking on her door.
She jolted out of her thoughts. "Come in," she said in a small voice. 'Did he already know?'
"Are you okay?" he asked, concerned after what he'd seen her go through.
She smiled a little for him. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Small headache though."
"Here, let me get that," he said, reaching for her forehead to heal the pain.
"No!" she flinched away. "I said I'm fine."
Max was horrified. "I wouldn't hurt you, Liz! I just wanted to make your headache go away."
She sighed, knowing she'd just wounded him. "I know, Max. It's just…that you'd probably connect to me or something and I've had enough connecting for one day!"
"I understand," Max looked at her, the way her body was held so tight. He wanted to soothe her pain, make her forget that horrible experience. But what could he do if she wouldn't even let him near her? He tried again. "Please, Liz?"
Not having the energy to argue, she nodded her head. She hissed in pain when even that slight movement caused stabs of agony. Max frowned, his concern growing. Gently, he touched her forehead. Just the physical contact itself brought relief to her aching head. She smiled at him, conceding her trust in his abilities. He smiled back and reached out with his mind to repair the damage, feeling her pain ebbing as the throbbing ceased. She looked up at him and they're eyes met for a moment. The instant their eyes connected, a barrage of images, feelings, and emotions assaulted Max. Quickly he let go of her, averting his eyes as he did so to avoid any further connection.
"I'm sorry, Liz…I…didn't mean to…connect," he said, flustered by the incomprehensible things he'd just seen.
Liz hid her face in her hands. This couldn't be happening. She'd tried so hard. "What did you see?"
He paused. "Nothing that made sense."
"What did you see!?" she demanded.
Max cleared his throat. "I'm not sure. Memories I think. Our first kiss, a fight with Tess, some conversation with Michael…" he hesitated.
"What, Max?" She knew what though. She knew before he even said it.
"I saw me with long hair. I looked…older."
Liz exhaled slowly, shaking her head. Looking at the ceiling she said, "I tried, I really did."
"Tried what?" Max asked, confused.
Liz looked at him and bit her lip. "I promised not to tell you. No matter what."
"Promised who?" Max wasn't sure he was going to like this answer. The Kyle thing had been devastating and if this was yet another guy…
"You."
"What?! Me? What are you talking about?" Max was definitely confused now!
"I'm too tired to get into this." Liz started to lie down but seeing his confusion, his rising panic, she relented. 'I mean, really, what's the point anymore?' she thought to herself. "Come here," she said, holding out her hand. He took it and she placed his hand on her forehead. "Look. It's all in there. I can't think of a better way to tell you." Max hesitated. He was so scared. She smiled at him. "Really, it's all right." He took a deep breath and once again opened the connection.
As soon as he did, the images began. He saw an older Max dancing with Liz, he saw this Max try to console her as she cried, he felt her agony when she saw his face at the window while in bed with Kyle, he saw himself with tears in his eyes listening to her tell him that she didn't want to die for him, felt her pain at every lie, her loneliness every time she saw him, knowing how much she'd hurt him…He learned the full truth, experiencing it as Liz had. Gently he eased back from the connection. He opened his eyes to see Liz's full of tears.
"I'm so sorry, Max," she whispered. "Now you know."
In a heartbeat he had his arms around her, crushing her to him, his lips kissing hers. He let her see what he felt, what he had always felt, the pain, the loss, but the trust, and the underlying, never fading love he would always feel for her. She had done this for him, because he'd asked her to. Her love had never wavered. He kissed her deeply, not wanting to pause even for breath, ignoring his need for air. The flashes came as they always did, images of their possible future, their passion. Liz finally broke the kiss and stared into his eyes.
"Max, we can't…"
"Yes, we can. Tess isn't going anywhere. She belongs here now. You changed that future! You did. That's what my future self said, right? That Tess was the key to our survival? I don't have to be with her, she just has to stay and help us fight," he paused and took her face in his hands. "We don't have to be apart, Liz, not any more." His voice pleaded with her to see the possibilities. "I'm the one who should be sorry. I never should have put all that on you."
"Max, there wasn't anyone else he…you, whatever, could have gone to for help." Liz realized that they were still so close, caught in Max's impulsive embrace. Max noticed it too and went to move away. "No, don't," she started, "Can you…sleep here, next to me right now?"
Max's heart soared. She was willing to try. They were starting over, really starting over! "Of course." She curled up in his arms and he covered them up with a blanket.
"I love you, Max," she whispered as she fell asleep. "I never stopped…loving…you." She was sound asleep as Max whispered back, "Ditto."
Zack and Max entered the Crashdown, spotting Kyle and Niyah immediately. There were hardly any customers so they got served right away.
"How'd the scouting go?" Niyah asked.
"Fine, but this is going to be harder then I first anticipated," Zack replied, staring at the cut on her forehead. Niyah waved away his concern.
"Not impossible though, right?" Kyle was in no mood for impossibilities.
"No, not impossible. And if Logan can really keep them off our backs once we're inside, then infiltration won't be hard. It's the egress that concerns me."
"Why?" Niyah didn't like the sound of that.
Max took this one. "The surveillance is limited outside which is no big dealio for us goin' in but when we're comin' out Brin's gonna be with us and she'll probably be unconscious."
"In case she's already rehabilitated?" Kyle asked. The thought of having to knock out Brin, even as a precaution, was disturbing.
"Yes," Zack answered. "There is a twenty five foot wall surrounding most of the immediate perimeter of the facility. A hundred feet from that is barbed wire running at varying levels between eight to fifteen feet high. Guards and dogs patrol this section. Normally this security would be an insult but with Brin, it could be a problem."
"And Logan said the security inside is nothing like he's ever seen and I promise you, the guy knows his shit," Max added.
"Well, now that I'm thoroughly discouraged, how 'bout it, Kyle? Got any plans in your brilliant mind?" Everyone seconded Niyah's sarcasm.
They laid the plans of the facility on the table, each of them throwing ideas around but nothing worked. Every plan had serious weaknesses with a sizable margin for error. It frustrated Zack that this seemingly smooth operation was beginning to look futile. Slowly, Kyle saw how to make this mission possible.
"I've got an idea but I need a minute to think this through," he said, excited at the possibility but nervous that they wouldn't agree…well, specifically that Zack wouldn't go for it. "We all agree that not only is every single one of our current ideas dangerous but the ratio of success is decidedly low, right?" They nodded, so he continued. "We need help."
"We have help, we already have Logan," Max said, not following him yet.
"And I'm not bringing anyone else in, got it?" Zack demanded.
Kyle looked at Niyah and could tell she had followed his line of thinking. The aliens! With their powers this just might…she nodded. "Actually, we do need more help, and yes, Kyle, I think you're on the right track," she said, backing him up.
"What am I missing here?" Max asked, confused.
"Niyah, I need to ask them first. Can you …?" he waved his hand in the direction of Zack and Max as he raced upstairs to find the Royal Four.
Kyle tiptoed through Liz's house, finding Michael first. "Sorry to wake you," he whispered. "We need to talk." He indicated that Michael should follow him.
Michael got up, grumbling, kissed Maria's forehead and followed Kyle to the kitchen. "This better be important, Valenti!" He'd been having a rather pleasant dream involving Maria and some strawberries…
"It is. Can you get Max while I get Tess? We should probably leave Isabel alone for now." Michael considered his request for a moment, then nodded and went to wake Max. Kyle carefully opened the door to the Parker parents' bedroom. Tess opened one eye and smiled when she saw him. He put his finger to his lips and motioned for her to come with him. Quietly she slipped out and they met up in the kitchen.
"What is it?" Max asked, his voice groggy from sleep.
"I need your help, tomorrow, with another mission."
"Mission?" Tess was confused.
He ignored her comment. "I have another sister," They just looked at him, sleepy and expectant, so he continued, "Well, actually I have five sisters and five brothers." It worked. Now they stared at him, fully awake. "I'll explain it later. One of my sisters is being held in a facility near here and I need your help to get her out. I wouldn't ask but there is no other way, none that I can see. I know you're tired and you've been through a lot, I'd understand if you said no but please consider it. I wouldn't need you until tomorrow night."
Kyle paused. He looked at Max, knowing he'd make the final decision. Max swiped his hands across his tired face. Kyle had just saved their asses, how could he say no. "Yeah, Kyle, we'll help you," Michael and Tess looked at Max, astounded by this spot decision. "But only if you tell us what the hell is going on and I mean FULL disclosure, as in details." Kyle opened his mouth to speak but Max cut him off. "I meant later, Kyle, let us sleep. Some of us actually do need rest."
Kyle nodded and smiled. "Thank you," he said, intensely. "If I'm not at home, check the UFO Center. Brody's letting us work there."
"Us?" asked Tess.
Kyle chuckled. "Later, go sleep now. I'm sorry I woke you. Find me when you get up and bring Isabel if she's up to it."
Michael and Tess went back to bed but Max caught Kyle's arm. "I know what happened between you and Liz…" he started. Kyle looked defensive, crossing his arms. "No, I mean what really happened. That, well, nothing happened."
That took Kyle by surprise. "Oh. She told you? I mean, her reasons for it, 'cause she never told me why."
"Yeah, I know," Max paused, then looked at Kyle again. "Thank you, for being her friend when she asked. And for keeping your end of the bargain."
Kyle couldn't tell if Max was referring to not telling everyone he and Liz didn't do anything or the fact he never actually touched Liz. It was obvious Max wasn't going to tell him the reasons involved either. "So…are you guys back together?"
"Yes," Max smiled.
"Good. You two weren't meant to be apart. I gave you a lot of shit 'cause I thought you were hurting her by dragging her into this whole alien mess. But the truth is she was hurting a lot worse after she…did to you whatever it was she did." Max nodded. Kyle nodded back and turned, going down the stairs into the restaurant. Max stood there for a moment. Kyle was becoming more of an enigma every day.
Logan pulled himself out of bed and into his wheelchair. It was getting easier. Those plurapotens in his bloodstream from the transfusions were definitely working. He could stand up a little longer every day, and even take the occasional walk. It certainly made his life simpler. Showering was easier, dressing, getting in and out of his car…
He'd managed to sleep for a few hours before realizing that his brain was stuck on overdrive, trying to dream up a safe way for Max and the others to accomplish this crazy rescue. He gave up on any more sleep and wheeled into the bathroom for his shower.
His thoughts whirled. 'Zack wouldn't let anything happen to Max, right? I mean, look at what he's endured already to ensure her safety.' Although he was thinking about this mission, he had to admit that 95% of his thoughts were from a Max related point of view. 'Like that's new!' he chuckled to himself. She was always egging him on, driving him crazy, kicking his ass in a chess game, burning something in his kitchen, or dragging him to some party…He couldn't help but think of her often.
He got in the car after deciding to drive to the restaurant and eat a late breakfast. Maybe he would spot one of the X-5s on the way.
He'd been traveling for hours now. He'd taken a train ride, illegally of course, getting him as far as Denver, Colorado. He was frustrated. The trip wasn't moving fast enough for him but what could he do?! Unfortunately his powers didn't include anything that sped up transportation. Just now, he had talked a trucker into taking him as far as Albuquerque, New Mexico. Getting to Roswell from there would be easy.
'Soon,' he thought, his face hard and cold. 'Soon they'll regret underestimating me.'
Kyle sat back down at the table with his siblings. From the thunderous look on Zack's face he could tell that Niyah's explanation had not gone over well.
"So, you filled them in?" he asked Niyah.
"Sort of, what'd they say?" she indicated the stairs he'd just come down.
"Yes…if we offer full disclosure," Kyle said hesitantly.
Zack couldn't believe this. "You want to bring in several unknown civilians, who supposedly have amazing, yet secret abilities different from ours that will somehow make a plan of ours work? AND we have to give them full disclosure?! No fucking way!"
"Wait, Zack," Max stopped him. "What other choice do we have?"
Zack looked at her. If he could just remember where the others were then this would be unnecessary. But she was right, they were out of viable options. Still… "I want full disclosure on them. I want to know what they can do, how they do it, when and if I can count on it, and I want them to know that we are in charge of this mission. They stick to our plan! Understood?" He looked right at Kyle.
Kyle and Niyah exchanged glances. Would the aliens still help them if they had to tell their secret? "Sure, Zack, I'll get them to agree to those conditions."
Zack didn't like this. It was too risky but was it any riskier then going in that facility with a plan that wouldn't work? "Fine, we'll meet them at the UFO Center at 20:00 hours. We should all get some rest. We need to be at our best tonight."
They nodded. Kyle took Niyah with him. She'd been up for over forty-eight straight hours and she looked about ready to drop. Zack grunted something about needing information and took off. Max sat there finishing her coffee. Well, several hours of sleep did sound inviting. Logan probably wouldn't mind if she crashed on the floor in his hotel room. As she got up to leave, Logan walked in the front door leaning on his cane. He smiled when he saw her. "I had a feeling that I'd run into one of you here."
She grinned. "You look like you're feeling better."
He seemed immediately apologetic. "Sorry about this morning. I was really tired and frustrated."
She waved away his apology. "No worries, Logan. It's cool," she paused. "So, here for some chow?"
"Yes," he answered brightly. "I'm famished, even if that means I'll be eating greasy diner food."
They laughed as Max brought him back to the table she'd just left. The waitress appeared and gave them menus.
"Funny," Max noticed with some surprise, "I've been here all morning and I never ate. Guess I was waiting for you, huh?" She smiled at him.
Logan grinned back. "Guess so." They ordered breakfast and spent the next forty-five minutes laughing and joking around. Max had specifically requested that they didn't talk about the mission, which left them able to enjoy each other's company stress free. Logan could tell she was tired though. "Hey, Max."
"Yeah?"
"You should go sleep. I know, I know, you have shark DNA…but you do need some sleep. Here's my key," he said handing her a hotel room key. "Use my bed. I'll be working on the computers anyway."
"Thanks," He always took good care of her. She got up to leave. "Oh, Logan, we're meeting at the UFO Center at 8:00 tonight. I guess we're bringing in some extra help. Somethin' Kyle thinks will work. Be there?"
"Of course," he nodded. "Go get some sleep."
She smiled and left. Logan smirked and shivered at the thought that she would be sleeping in his bed. Granted, he wasn't in it at the time but still…He paid the bill, grabbed his cane, and walked across the street to start some new simulations.
Late that afternoon, Isabel woke up. She smiled, realizing that she was still lying in Alex's arms. She knew Alex had given up his quest for her but all the same she suspected he still cared. It meant a lot to her. Carefully, she got off the bed, blowing a kiss to Alex. She tiptoed to the door not wanting to wake Tess but no such luck. As she opened the door Tess slid up next to her, indicating with her head that they should go out in the hall. Isabel barely had time to close the door before Tess spoke. "Kyle was here earlier. We didn't want to wake you…" Tess started.
"We?"
"Max, Michael and I. Kyle says he needs our help to find another sister of his."
"He has another one!?" Isabel whispered, surprised.
"Actually he has five sisters and five brothers," said Max, coming up behind them.
Tess and Isabel jumped. "Max, don't do that!" Tess hissed. "You scared us to death!"
"Sorry," he said, looking penitent.
"Well, appears we're all rested," said Michael coming around the corner. He tilted his head towards the kitchen and they followed him. Max held Isabel back for a moment.
"Is, are you okay?" he asked, concern written all over his face.
She smiled a little. "Max, I'll be fine," she assured him. "Now I want to know what all this Kyle sibling stuff is about," she said walking into the kitchen.
"Well," Max began, "I'm not really sure yet. He asked for our help…"
"To find his other sister?" she interrupted.
"I think he knows where she is actually. It sounds more like a rescue. I said we would help, especially after how he and Niyah helped us. But under the condition that he tells us what's going on."
"Maxwell here made his first snap decision," Michael said, proudly wrapping his arm around Max's shoulders. They all laughed at that.
"What's so funny?" Liz asked as she entered the kitchen.
"Nothing important," Max answered still chuckling, sliding away from Michael's arm.
"What's not important?" Alex walked into the kitchen, grabbing a piece of fruit. "And how come Kyle was here earlier?"
"Just something about another sister of his," Tess answered, surprised that Alex had noticed. She'd thought he was asleep.
"He has more sisters?!" Alex asked in disbelief.
"Actually he has several brothers and sisters…"
"WHAT?!" Maria yelled in the doorway, eyes wide with surprise.
Startled, Alex choked on his banana and Michael slapped him on the back.
"Unbelievable! It's like I don't even recognize him anymore!" Liz exclaimed.
"I know what you mean," Tess added softly.
"Well, standing around here is doing no good. I say we go find Kyle and get some answers." Isabel took charge leading the way to the parking lot. They piled into the Evan's Jeep and Maria's Jetta, arriving at Kyle's house in record time.
"Hi, guys, what's the rush?" Kyle asked, yawning and rubbing his eyes.
"You said to find you when we were rested. I'd say it's time we knew what was going on with you," Max answered.
"I said bring Isabel too but of course you'd bring everyone," he muttered as shook his head. Kyle stood back to let them all in, calling to Niyah that they were here. He played the good host, offering drinks and food, getting them comfortably settled in the tiny living room with no chairs. He wasn't sure where to begin or even how to begin. "First, um, before I…divulge my life story, I need to ask you one more thing," he said. "If I give you 'full disclosure' like you said, I need you to be willing to reveal some things as well." He saw Michael mounting a huge protest. "Wait, wait," he said, holding up his hands. Pressing his palms together he continued, "I don't mean tell them about the other four or the King part or any of the royalty stuff…I just mean the alien part, the hybrid part, you know, the powers." He looked at Max.
Max took a breath and glanced at Michael. Isabel caught his eye and nodded. Tess smiled and nodded.
"There's no way you can give me anything more to go on?" Max asked.
Niyah interjected. "If we tell you too much we risk other people's safety. It's not just Kyle's story or my story. It's bigger than that."
Max nodded, consenting. "That I understand. All right. We'll answer whatever questions we're asked if you can promise the same in return."
Relieved, Kyle nodded. 'Well, here goes nothing,' he thought. He took a deep breath and took the plunge. "I'm not 100% human," he began. Seeing that they were surprised but listening he continued with a grin. "I'm not alien, unless of course you consider any DNA that's not human to be defined as alien. What I mean is, a government branch called Manticore genetically engineered me. I'm mostly human with some animal DNA thrown in."
"Okay, not what I was expecting to hear," Maria commented, blinking in disbelief.
Niyah picked up the story. "There were fifteen of us in our group. We were created to be perfect soldiers, spies, and assassins. The training was…for lack of a better word, brutal."
Kyle snorted. "Training? Don't you mean torture?" he interjected sarcastically. "Colonel Lydecker was in charge and he's got a small problem with power addiction. Anyway," he waved that grim thought away. "By the time I was six our group had been reduced to thirteen."
"Damien drowned and Eva was shot," Niyah whispered, her voice tight. She looked up at the group. "Training exercises can be deadly." The Roswell group shifted uncomfortably. This was definitely not what any of them had expected to hear this evening.
"Zack, he was the oldest and was trained to be our leader, he decided that we wouldn't take this anymore. The day Eva died he convinced us to escape that night. I planned the escape and he led it," Kyle's voice softened as he lost himself in thought. Niyah took his hand.
"It wasn't your fault you know. Your plan was good. It was Cole's hesitation that killed him."
Kyle nodded. "I know but still…So, anyway, twelve of us made it out alive past the perimeter. Zack told us to split up and hide in different major cities. He was the only one who knew where everyone was. I went to New York with Niyah." Everyone was silent. Kyle sat on the floor with his arms around his chest. No one seemed sure of what to say.
"So…what exactly are you capable of?" Tess asked finally.
Niyah answered. "Well, we're sort of suped-up humans. Our genetics allow us to move at speeds that would normally cause severe muscle damage. I myself can sustain a run at 70mph for about twenty minutes. Cheetah DNA," she said, explaining.
"We have excellent night vision, hear things several blocks away, smash through obstacles with minimal damage, heal wounds in a matter of hours, jump 15-20 feet in the air, scale walls, outrun bullets…" Kyle added, " just to name a few."
Tess sat down by him and said shyly, "You could have told me sooner, you know. I mean, that you're Superman."
Kyle cracked up laughing. "Yeah, Superman." They all laughed with him. But Kyle's smile faded. "I wish it was just the abilities."
"What do you mean?" Max wasn't sure what he meant by that statement.
Kyle looked at the group and sighed. "Our brain lacks an amino acid. It's a flaw in our genetic make-up. It causes seizures that can get so violent they'd break your spine. Hurt like hell too. We found that the drug Tryptophan works to curb the seizures but it won't cure them. Only going back to Manticore would do that. We were also given a genetic barcode that grows back no matter how many times its removed."
"You've been removing yours, that's how I found you," Niyah said. "How do you handle the pain?"
Kyle laughed, embarrassed. "Actually, I passed out last time. Some Superman, huh?"
"Wait, if you've got this amazing strength, why didn't you use it to get us out of that freaky crystal cave situation?" Alex asked. "I mean we were running out of air."
"We were under several feet of solid dirt, not to mention all the crystal imbedded everywhere! As previously stated, I'm not Superman."
"So, what do you need from us? Sounds like you're set for anything." Michael couldn't begin to understand why Kyle would want help from the 'dreaded' aliens when it was obvious he already had all the muscle he'd need.
"Well, Brin, that's our sister, she's being held in a facility a few miles from here. The security is minimal on the outside but unbelievably tight inside. Getting in will be only mildly tricky but it's getting out that is almost impossible," Kyle began.
"Brin has been there for some time so it's likely that they've rehabilitated her. We are going to knock her out for safety's sake, which means one of us will have dead weight to carry. That's fine except when we get outside. Like we already said, scaling walls is easy for us but doing it carrying someone is much harder. Also there will be dogs and guards to deal with," Niyah continued.
"What about the alarms and cameras and stuff?" Alex asked.
"We have someone who will be linked to the mainframe to disable those security measures," she answered. "But maintaining that level of electronic infiltration is difficult. It may not be possible for him to keep us covered the whole time."
"And Brin's most likely located several floors down. It'll take a while to get to her. Each floor has several simultaneous security procedures to follow," Kyle added, pausing to see what the group thought.
Tess nodded. "So you need us to help disable stuff and distract their attention, right? Do some of our 'alien mind warps'?" Tess smirked knowing how much he hated it when she used her powers on him.
"Yeah," Kyle smiled and laughed. "If you could distract the guards, Tess, and other personnel, while either Michael or Max comes in with us to disable the locks, then Logan, he's the computer guy, would only have to monitor us instead of actively hacking the system. It would keep us all safer and give us an extra edge."
"But if this is a government facility then wouldn't it be stupid for us to go near it?" Michael questioned.
"Just minimize your power use to disabling locks and infiltrating minds. No energy bursts or walls or anything. We'll do any fighting if its necessary. That should keep you safe."
The group looked at Max. He wasn't sure what to do. It sounded reasonably thought out and it was obvious that they needed help. Once again he nodded his consent. "We'll do it if the final plan proves there's no danger to us being discovered by the government," he said slowly. Liz pulled Max a little closer at the thought of him getting caught again. She could sense that he was worried about it too. The White Room has been a terrorizing experience, one that he wasn't sure he could survive a second time.
"Thank you, Max," Kyle said, relief evident in his voice. "We're meeting at eight o'clock tonight to finalize the plans for tomorrow."
"You never did say who 'we' was," Maria pointed out.
"'We' is my brother and sister. And of course Logan."
Isabel sat there shaking her head.
"What?" Kyle asked.
"I'm just amazed that the dumb jock with the C average turned out to be this super-power guy," she said with a smile.
Niyah burst out laughing. "You're joking, right?! A 'C' AVERAGE?!" She was laughing so hard now that tears were forming in her eyes. Kyle blushed beet red.
"Why is that so funny?" Michael wondered out loud, considering his own C average.
Gasping for breath, Niyah replied, "Kyle was engineered to be the strategist of our group." They just looked at her. "He's got a genius level IQ. He's the smartest of all of us." Now Kyle rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath.
"What was that, brother of mine?" Niyah asked with mock sweetness.
"Oh, shut up," he said between clenched teeth, punching her lightly in the arm. But he couldn't help smiling. It was kind of funny. By now everyone was laughing. It broke any leftover tension in the room.
Tess started cleaning up and Kyle and Max got up to help her. Alex had to leave for his band's rehearsal and Maria left with him since she had to work at the Crashdown soon. She promised to be at the UFO Center as soon as she was done. Isabel didn't want to wait for Max so she offered Michael and Liz a ride home but Liz declined. She wanted another chance to talk to Niyah.
"See you there tonight," Michael called out as he and Isabel left.
Liz sat down next to Niyah. "Um, I wanted to say thanks for what you did yesterday. I'm not sure we could have survived if you and Kyle hadn't killed Rath and Nicholas."
"I just wish I could have given you more warning," Niyah replied. "I'm sorry that Lonnie got inside your head."
"It's okay. Max healed it." It occurred to Liz how much being around Max must hurt Niyah and she opened her mouth to apologize but Niyah cut her off.
"It's okay, Liz. I'm fine. Losing Zan…was very painful and it aches more everyday but Max isn't Zan. And I know that I'll survive, that I'll be okay. So…don't sweat it. I'm glad you two have each other." Max walked up to them and Niyah smiled. "I'm glad to see that no one followed their supposed destiny around here. Looks like you're following your hearts." A little smile pulled at the corner of Max's mouth. He reached out and took Liz's hand, drawing her close.
Quietly, Logan entered the hotel room. He hoped Max was sleeping and he didn't want to wake her. After carefully closing the door he realized that there was no one in the bed. Granted, the bed was a disaster, which meant Max must have slept there. He shivered again at the thought. But where was she? Humming a song, Max strolled out of the bathroom in nothing but a towel.
"Hey," she called out. "Kick ass shower! Sorry about the hot water supply. I couldn't help myself," she said, flashing him a grin, steam billowing out behind her.
"Get some sleep?" he inquired, trying desperately not to stare, setting food on the table as she rummaged through a bag on the bed.
"Mm hmm." She grabbed some clean clothes and went back into the bathroom, cracking the door open so she could talk to Logan. "I slept a little, thanks." Actually she slept very little. The bed smelled like Logan, like his subtle cologne. It added to her tossing and turning while she agonized over what Zack had said to her that morning. He loved her! Logan had been right about him but what did this mean? She didn't love him, at least not romantically. Of that she was certain. It seemed to be the only thing she was certain of. Everything had been changing so much lately; Original Cindy moving in, Kendra falling for that cop, Logan walking!
"Glad to hear it. This rescue is bound to wear you out," he said, pulling himself to standing. Max, fully dressed now, stepped out of the bathroom. She watched Logan stand to reach for some things on the dresser and was surprised by how much her heart sped up watching him. Shaking her head to dismiss these aggravating thoughts, she peered into the containers on the table. "What's all this?"
"Oh, I thought I'd bring you some dinner. Figured you'd be hungry before the meeting tonight," he answered, settling himself back into his wheelchair.
"Thanks, I'm…"
"Starving?" he cut in. "Ouch!" he hollered as a plastic spoon bounced off his head.
"That's what you get for mocking my voracious appetite!" she smirked and dug into the food. "Um, sweet and sour tortillas?! What kind of food is this?" she gasped after she bit in.
"I believe the restaurant is called Senor Chow's. Sort of a Southwestern/Chinese thing."
"I can't say it's terrible…but…it's definitely…different," Max finished lamely.
"Good to know."
Max eyed him with suspicion. "You're egging me on. What's the dealio here?"
"Me, I'm not doing anything," Logan replied, smiling innocently. "Just thought you'd like some food."
They ate in silence for a moment. Despite the jovial start to the meal their thoughts quickly turned to the upcoming meeting. Neither one wanted to bring it up but it was inevitable. "Was Kyle able to figure out a safe route?" Logan asked finally.
Max finished her bite. "No…well, not at first. We're bringing in some help."
Logan looked at her, incredulous. "You're serious? And Zack agreed to this?!"
Max chuckled. "Well, he wasn't happy, but if they give us full disclosure then we'll let them in on it. Kyle says they have abilities that can really help. Probably some kind of connection to the facility or something." They ate in silence for a while.
"Max, what if…what if this can't be done safely?"
She looked at him. He had the most penetrating blue eyes. For a moment she felt stuck, pinned like a butterfly by his questioning gaze. She looked down at her food. "We'll do what we have to, to get Brin out. We…I promised her I would." They went back to eating in silence. Logan had gotten some chocolate fudge pudding for desert, knowing it was Max's favorite.
"Besides, it not like you always do the safe thing!" Max blurted out suddenly.
"What?"
"You take chances all the time, sometimes very dangerous chances. But that's part of Eyes Only, right? And I don't try to persuade you to stop. I know you're work is important to you," Max was on a full rampage now. She jumped up and started to pace the room. "Excuse me for caring about my family but they are all I have, aiight? You have no idea the hell we sent Brin into and I'll be damned if I don't do somethin' about it!" She stopped pacing, her back facing him. She couldn't look at him. She hadn't meant to take it out on him, it was just…She didn't want to look and see the hurt her angry remarks may have caused him.
"I know, Max," he said quietly. "I understand."
She took a deep breath and slowly turned around to face him…only to be smacked in the face with glob of brown goo. Surprised, she shrieked, getting some in her mouth. 'Mmm, chocolate. Wait! That son of a bitch just flung a spoonful of chocolate pudding at me!!' she fumed.
"Oops…sorry," Logan attempted an apology, trying desperately not to laugh. She was going to kill him. Of that he was certain.
"You know," she said, tilting her head and wiping the chocolate off her face as gracefully as one could in this situation. "This means war." Logan shrugged and scooped up some more of the chocolate pudding, which was all the excuse Max needed. She lunged for the can of whipped cream that was supposed to top off the pudding.
"Wait!! No using superpowers against us mortals!!"
"News flash, Logan. Life ain't fair." And with that the war began. For a guy throwing from an awkward position Logan did have amazing aim. Max fired whipped cream with expert precision, using the occasional glob of chocolate pudding she found on her side of the room. After being thoroughly coated with whipped cream, Logan dove down next to the bed and Max dropped down next to the other side. She heard him swear and instantly panicked, visions of him lying in the hospital running through her mind.
She quickly peered over the top of the bed. "Log…" and a few more globs of pudding smacked her in the face. Now this definitely meant war. Sounds of soft laughter sailed over from his side of the bed. 'That's it!' she fumed to herself.
Sensing that he was REALLY in trouble, Logan decided to call a truce. "We could do this forever, you know."
"So…whatcha suggesting?"
"How about a truce?"
'A truce? In a food fight? You've got to be kidding me!' she shook her head, rolling her eyes. "Sure, why not? I'm game."
"Okay, on three we come out unarmed. Ready?"
"Yeah."
"Okay. One, two…"
Launching herself over the bed she tackled him to the floor, dousing him with the last of the whipped cream. The expression on his face was priceless and Max started giggling. He took off his glasses to wipe them on a dry spot of his sleeve. "Well, that's a very interesting version of a truce."
"Come on, Logan, you know I was trained to attack first without letting down my defenses," she teased.
"Is that so?" he questioned solemnly, looking very grave. Suddenly a final spoonful of pudding flew out of nowhere and into her very open and very surprised mouth! She swallowed, blinked, and looked at him. Then she proceeded to do what any self-respecting girl would do in this situation. She attacked him, this time tickling him mercilessly. After a few moments of desperate struggle, Logan screamed for mercy, gasping for breath between his fits of laughter.
"Surrender?" she asked, out of breath.
"Yes! Absolutely!!" he panted, smiling.
'He's under me,' her annoying brain noticed. Max realized that Logan was lying trapped under her. "Good," she replied to his admission of her superiority. She knew she should move but not a single function in her body paid the least attention to her brain. That intoxicating, addicting smell of his was so much stronger, mixed with that delicious chocolate…'Get a grip, Max!'
"You okay?" Logan asked. That question got through to her fogged brain.
"Yeah, fine," she said jumping up. "Let's get you off this floor."
"You're still mad."
"About what? About the mission?" she asked harshly, turning away.
"If you don't tell me what it is, I can't fix it."
"Fix what?" Max sighed and sat on the bed. She dared to look at him and found herself drawn into those brilliant blue eyes, those hopeful eyes. It dawned on her what it was that she saw in them. It was what she saw in Zack's eyes earlier that morning. "What do you expect me to do? I don't do emotional comfort stuff. Its like, when Lydecker trained us he turned on a switch called Emotional Unavailablility or somethin'. So I…I can't." She stormed towards the bathroom to take another shower. Her mind was whirling. 'If I could've, I'd have comforted Zack, said something to make him feel better. But I just…flinched. Even after the sacrifice he made for me, that's all I can give him, a flinch. Damn him for wanting more. Damn Logan for wanting more. But this time I want to give him more. But I can't. I wish I just didn't give a damn about anything.' Her head hurt.
"Can't what?" Logan asked softly from his sitting position.
"I can't be the things you want me to be. I'm no angel, not like you." She turned slowly towards him. He held his hand out to her.
"Help me up?"
She walked over to him and took his hand. As she pulled him up, she slipped on some pudding and fell down in a tumbled heap onto the bed, landing on top of him again. Max froze, scared. Her heart pounded and she could feel Logan's heart pounding too. She felt him bend his head towards hers and felt his breath tickling her ear. She was totally paralyzed. The phrase 'Gotta blaze' jumped frantically through her head, her usual reaction when things got too tight.
"But, Max," he whispered, "You already are the things I want you to be."
Max couldn't breathe. 'What's wrong with you, girl?! Don't let this happen!' Logan slowly moved his arms around her, holding her close. "Max," he breathed into her hair. 'She's ten years younger then you, Logan. Keeping her near you endangers her life!' the words warred in his head.
As the inches between them became centimeters, Max looked up into his eyes, her fingers tracing his lips. He knew he couldn't stop this anymore and didn't want to. Max closed her eyes. Such an act of surrender from Max shook Logan to his soul. He gave up fighting and kissed her gently. He felt his body react clear down to his toes! Max kissed back, harder, demanding more of this sweet, electric torture. She hadn't realized just how badly she wanted this, needed it. Passion quickly built between them, threatening to drown them both. Neither one could get enough of the other.
Then Max sat up fast and Logan recognized the caged animal look on her face, the terror in her eyes. "I…I…" she stuttered, and then bolted for the front door.
"Please don't run away," Logan said softly. Max froze, her hand on the doorknob. "Almost from the beginning, you felt safe with me. I was a place you would come to feel secure and cared for. Please don't leave, not now, not like this," he said as he stood up, taking a few steps towards her. Her heart ached, her lips still alive from that kiss. But Brin was counting on her. So was Zack. Zack! She couldn't do this, not now. With a half choked sob she ran out the door.