Max and Isabel had headed home 2 hours ago and now Liz and Michael were left closing up.

"So Liz. How are you holding up after everything that's happened?" Michael asked while they were cleaning the tables.

"I'm doing okay, considering."

"It's happened a lot lately hasn't it? It's enough with Alex's death and then Maria got taken and…" Michael stopped himself and took a deep breath. He didn't reallt need to be reminded of every bad thing.

"I know what you mean Michael. It's been a rough couple of weeks," Liz said and took a chair and put in on the table.

"Yeah. To say the least," Michael agreed. He was glad Liz understood him.

Suddenly a knock could be heard on the door. It sounded urgent and desperate. Michael followed Liz to the door and saw an upset looking Maria. His worry came. Was anything wrong with her? With someone else?

Liz hurried and unlocked the door and Maria came tumbling in. She looked like she had run there and she looked exhausted. Michael immediately took her in his arms and kissed her forehead. He could feel that something was really wrong.

"What's the matter?" he asked in a gentle voice.

"Is everything okay?" Liz asked, sounding as worried as Michael was feeling.

"No," Maria said in a low voice. "Well, actually I don't know. Actually I think it's a good thing."

"Well, what is it?" Liz urged.

Michael led Maria to sit down on a chair and he sat down beside her. She took a deep breath and seemed to be calming down.

"I've been getting these flashes," she started.

"Flashes?" Michael asked, confused. "What do you mean Maria?"

"I don't really know how I got them, but it all started after I fainted earlier today. First it was just one of…of the space. Just stars and a bright red planet. It was beautiful."

Maria took a break and then continued. "Then they started coming a lot at a time. Flashes of our baby, Michael."

"What? Our baby?" Michael said in astonishment. "How do you know it was our baby?"

"I could feel it. It was our baby. And it was the most beautiful girl I have ever seen."

"It was a girl?"

"Yeah," Maria answered and took Michael's hands in hers.

Michael just sat there and took it all in. Their baby was alive? And Maria got flashes from it?

"Maria, this is great news," Liz said smiling at her friend. "It means she's alive and that you may find a way to bring her here."

Michael's smile faded. He thought about what Liz just said.

"We still don't know where she is," he said and squeezed Maria's hand. "We still don't know how to find her."

It was as if all the hope and joy just washed out of Michael's body. How could he have been so dumb to let himself believe that he would get to see his daughter?

"Actually, that not a problem," Maria said and looked him straight in the eyes.

"What do you mean?" Liz asked.

"I mean I know where she is. I know where our baby is…"

Maria rested her head on Michael's shoulder and relaxed a little.

After she had told Liz and Michael all the details of her flashes they called over the rest of the gang.

Max and Isabel had come first and ten minutes later Kyle and Tess joined them.

"So we need a plan," Max said and spoke as the leader. Maria smiled at how easily he fit in to it. Like he was born to lead. Which he actually was. Born to be the king over a whole planet.

"Well, should all of us go?" Liz asked. "Or will we just be in the way?" she said, referring to herself, Maria and Kyle. They didn't have any powers.

"I'm going," Maria immediately said. She was going to get her baby back even if it was the last thing she did.

"Maria, maybe it's better if…" Michael started.

"No," Maria protested. "I'm going and it's nothing you can do to stop me. It's my baby, remember?"

"I know," Michael said. "But you will be careful and stay behind me all the time." Maria answered him with just a look.

"Okay, so me, Michael and Maria are going," Max said. "Maybe it would help to have you with us Tess," he continued and looked across the table at her. "We may need you to mindwarp someone. If it's okay with you?"

"Of course," Tess said. "I'll do anything."

"What about the rest of us?" Isabel asked, looking at Max.

"I think you better stay here and wait. We can't be too many. And besides, if we don't come back, you have to come after us. So it's good that you stay Isabel, cause you might need someone with powers," Max answered.

He got up from his seat. "We have to hurry. We don't know how much time we have."

Maria flinched. What if they didn't make it in time. What if the baby wasn't there. Maybe it was all a trap somehow. Then she would be responsible for everything.

"Don't worry," Michael whispered in her ear. "We will make it."

They followed Max out to the car that was going to take them to the location.

Maria saw Max give Liz a hug and then a tender kiss on the lips. They slowly parted and Max got in the front seat after hugging his sister first.

Liz gave Maria a hug. "Take care. I hope you find her and bring her back. And don't forget about yourself." Liz said and Maria gave her a weak smile. "It will be fine," Maria reassured her. "I'm teflon babe. Remember?"

"I remember," Liz said and smiled back.

Then Maria hugged Kyle and Isabel. When everybody had said their goodbyes, the four of them drove of in the car. She, Michael Max and Tess.

Maria felt a sting in her heart. She couldn't shake of the feeling that it was so final. Like it was goodbye forever.

But it was probably just a feeling, she hoped…

TBC...  Please rewiew!