A somber group gathered inside the Granolith chamber. The four aliens stood in the middle with a few belongings. Max and Isabel's parents were there, just staring at the scenery. Alex, Liz, and Maria huddled close, trying to draw strength from each other. Kyle and Valenti also were there, a little off to the side.
"How do you know when it's time to go," Philip Evans finally ventured to ask.
Max looked at his dad and answered, "I'm not sure, but we'll know." The other podsters nodded their heads slightly to affirm his answer.
"Well, in case we don't have too much time, I'm going to start saying good-bye," Mrs. Evans said with a noticeable tremble in her voice.
With those words, everyone moved forward toward the four-some. Philip went to Max and Diane approached Isabel. They moved into a huddle and the parents told them how much they loved them and how they accepted them. They added that nothing would ever change the fact that they were their children, now and forever.
Max and Isabel stood there with tears in their eyes and knew that they had made the right choice in telling. They moved into their parents' embrace and held on tight. "Thank you," Max began with a lump in his throat. "Thank you for stopping that night in the desert. Thank you for becoming our parents. Thank you for loving us."
"There is no need for thanks, honey. If there is, we should thank you for showing us the joys in being a parent, for trusting us," Diane replied.
Meanwhile, Tess was talking with Liz. They stood awkwardly for a moment but Liz summoned her courage and spoke. "Look, Tess, I know that we're not really friends and all, but I just wanted to say that I hope you are happy back home. I mean…"
Tess spoke, "I will be happy. I don't think that there will be any question about that. I mean, I will queen. And I will rule beside my husband," with that, Tess pointedly looked at Max. Liz followed her gaze and then turned back.
"Good. It is your destiny, after all."
"So glad you realize that, Liz," Tess responded coolly.
The two stared at each other with nothing less than distrust before they were interrupted by Kyle. "Hey, Tess, can I talk to you?"
Liz then went to talk to Michael, who was busily hugging Maria. "Hey, can I interrupt for a second?" she asked with a small smile.
"Sure, Lizzie. I'll just go…" Maria began.
"No, you can stay," Liz told her. She looked at Michael and said, "I know how hard it must have been for you, Michael, to decide to leave. I know that you and Maria…" Liz trailed off, unsure of what to say. "But it's necessary for you to be with them."
Michael looked at her suspiciously for a moment, wondering at her choice of words. Then dismissing it, he replied, "Tell me about it. But, hey, I want you to do something for me."
"What is it?" Liz asked, truly wondering at what Michael wanted.
"Make sure she's okay, will you?" Michael gestured toward Maria, who was still hanging onto him. "You know, just that she's fine when I'm gone and …"
Liz interrupted. "Sure, Michael, no problem."
"What's the matter, Spaceboy? Don't you trust me? Let me tell you, I'll be fine…"
Liz secretly smiled and stole away from them. 'Always arguing,' she thought to herself. She looked around and saw with surprise that Isabel was giving Alex a fierce hug. 'So, in the end, some emotional truths are revealed,' Liz commented, thinking about her own little secrets. She looked down in her hands and the object she was carrying. In it contained her life, her hopes, and her love.
She saw that the Sheriff and Kyle were talking with Tess. Tess confused Liz. At times, she seemed to genuinely want to be one of the group, but then there were times that Liz honestly did not trust her. Tess would show signs of duplicity and seemed to be conniving some scheme. 'Of course, it could just be that you don't trust her because she has Max,' Liz reminded herself.
At the thought of Max, Liz looked around to see where he was. Nervousness pervaded her body as she saw that he was heading towards her. Then the thought that Max was actually leaving hit her. She might never see him again. This thought gave her courage to what she was going to do.
Max swallowed as he approached Liz. Standing by herself, she seemed to be stoically alone. Yet her face was so expressive, something Max once thought he could read so perfectly. Now, he saw some struggle going on inside of Liz. That seemed to be the case lately. Ever since the incident with Kyle, Liz seemed to have closed a part off to him – something that hurt more than her betrayal.
With each step closer toward each other, the more the words built up in each of them. So much to say, so much to fear. "Hey, Liz."
"Max," Liz said with a brave smile. "So this is it, huh? You're actually going?"
"Yeah, I guess so," Max agreed, slightly nodding his head. "Look, Liz, before I go, I just wanted to tell you something."
"Yeah?" Liz asked, expectantly.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For accepting me … and the others, you know, even though we were … different," Max said, his gratitude showing through his eyes. Liz was mesmerized at how his eyes just seemed to glow with emotion.
Just then, the Granolith started glowing and humming. Everyone's eyes automatically locked with each other's and knew it was time to go. Everyone immediately began hugging each other and soon Liz found herself half-across the room from Max. "So how does this all work?" Maria asked.
"I'm not sure but I get the feeling we just step through," Max answered.
"So, let's get this show on the road then," Michael announced. Maria's choked sobs echoed through the room and Michael gave her one last kiss before stepping into the glowing Granolith. He turned and faced them. His gaze lingered on Maria and he waved before he disappeared.
"Michael!" Maria's anguished cries reverberated through the room. She almost ran after him before Alex grabbed her and held her back.
"Tess, why don't you go ahead," Max suggested.
"No, Max, I want to go with you," Tess whined. She attempted to grab his hand but Max gently pulled away.
"Please, Tess. Isabel and I want to spend these extra minutes with our parents," Max replied, trying to be patient while his nerves were being tried.
"Are you sure that's the reason you want me to go first," Tess slyly said, glaring at Liz.
"Tess," Max warned.
"Fine," Tess huffed. She turned to look at everyone but realized that there was no one there that would really miss her except for the Sheriff and Kyle. They both nodded their good-byes and she slightly smiled back. Then tossing Liz one more contemptuous look, she practically ran to the Granolith, not bothering to hide her eagerness to go.
Isabel then said, "I guess then I should go next. Mom, Dad, thank you again for everything. I can't tell you everything I want to say or express all the gratitude and love I feel, but I want you to know that I love you." Tears fell onto her face.
"Oh, Izzy," Diane wept. She wiped the tears from her daughter's face gently with a mother's love and touch.
"Isabel, your mom and I know what you feel because we feel the same toward you and Max. You take care, please," Philip said thickly. He then engulfed her and Diane into a hug, and then pulled Max into it. They stood there for a few more seconds before Isabel pulled away.
She then walked over to Alex, Maria, and Liz. "Thank you, for accepting me," she said simply. Then, as if on impulse, she kissed Alex before resolutely turning to the portal and stepping through. She blew them a kiss before she was transported to Antar.
"I guess this is me then," Max tried to say bravely.
"Take care of yourself, son," his dad said, giving him another hug.
"I will," Max replied, blinking away tears. His mom said nothing but Max knew what she was feeling and no words had to be exchanged as they hugged one last time.
The Sheriff came up to Max and said, "Son, I just wanted to say I'm sorry about what happened when I first suspected the truth. There's no real excuse except that I was scared. Now I know better and thank you for giving me the closure I needed about my father." He held out his hand, which Max took.
Than Kyle spoke up, "Look, Evans, a while back I said some stuff that I kinda regret now too. You didn't ruin my life or my family's. What was meant to be, was meant to be. And you saved my life, which I never thanked you for. So, thanks."
Max was silent for a moment but quickly recovered. "No hard feelings, Kyle," and they took shook hands, reconciling their past disagreements.
The Granolith then gave a louder pulse, which made everyone jump in the air. Max turned and looked at it before saying, "I should go now."
Alex spoke up and said, "See ya then." Max smiled at that, hoping it would be true someday. Maria then tearfully spoke up and said, "Watch Michael for me, Max. You know how he doesn't think most of the time. Watch him please."
"You know I will, Maria," Max reassured her. His eyes then ticked over to Liz's. Liz knew it was now or never.
She went up to him and said, "Max, before you thanked me. You have nothing to thank me for. Accepting you … I already did before I knew. It should be me thanking you." The Granolith gave another angry pulse, trying to signal that time was almost up. Liz hurriedly tried to say all her words. "Thank you for opening up the world, for showing me that there's more in this world than what meet's the eye. For showing me that normal isn't always good. For making me breath, for saving me."
Max stood there listening to her and quickly pulled her into a fierce embrace. In a flash, Liz felt all his emotions – including his love for her still. Max then turned to go but Liz rushed after him. "Max, wait!" she shoved her package into his hands. When his confused eyes met her her's, she explained, "It's my journal. All the questions you have, the answers are in there. Everything," she stressed.
Max quickly looked at the Granolith and back at Liz. "I love you, Liz, still," he said before stepping in. "I love you!" Liz cried desperately at him, hoping he heard her.
The way Max's eyes quickly lit up, she knew he did. But then, overwhelming sorrow engulfed his face and he put his hand on one side of the Granolith. For some reason, Liz felt a sense of déjà vu as she lifted her own hand to mirror his hand on the other side. And with that, Max was gone.
I know that it's been positively forever since I last updated and I hope that you all haven't forgotten about this fic. I had the worst case of writer's block along with a busy schedule. Not to mention, I am a horrible procrastinator. So, again, I apologize! I hope you guys enjoyed this part - though it is horribly sad to think that the pod squad has to leave. Well, maybe except Tess.