Part 13
Maria felt like her body was falling apart.
She had been annoyed when Michael had told her that she was not
coming to the Crashdown, but she could not deny that it had been a
relief to sink back onto her bed. Every single part of her hurt.
She had terrible cramps in her arms and legs, her head felt like it
was going to explode and she had gotten to the point where she was
pretty much throwing up every hour on the hour.
She knew she was dying, which was why she had wanted to go to the
meeting in the first place. She wanted to spend every moment
possible with her friends before the end. With Michael.
Now she lay on her bed, staring out the window, her gaze drifting to
the "V" shaped constellation that was shining down on her
from the star-pocked sky above. She remembered sleeping under those same stars, wrapped in Michael's arms, during the three weeks that he
had tried to heal her in the desert.
It had been the happiest and most peaceful time of her life.
Ironic really, how much the little things counted, when the little
things were not going to be yours for much longer.
Maria knew that Max was not going to return in time to heal her.
Even if they did, by some mega-miracle, manage to bring him back,
there were absolutely no guarantees that he was going to be able to
help her. He wasn't God after all.
She had made her peace with what was happening to her. What she had
not made her peace with was the idea of leaving Michael alone.
She really was not sure if he would be able to go on without her -
and it terrified her.
The bond that had formed between them - she knew that something of
great significance had taken place in their relationship during their
time together in Illyria. Michael had been so much more protective
of her in every sense since they had come back and it WASN'T
just because she was sick.
Something had happened to make it so. She just wished that she could
remember. Sometimes it felt like the memories were just beyond her
reach, that the fingertips of her mind were brushing against the
truth but that there was no chance of grasping it. It was supremely
frustrating.
Maria was pulled from her reverie by a knock on her window. She
managed to sit up, smiled at the sight of Michael's face peering
in at her. "Come on in Spaceboy."
Michael pushed the window up, climbed in quickly. He stood there for
a moment staring at her. It looked like he was trying to compose
himself. "How're you feeling?" He finally asked gruffly.
"Oh about the same." Maria replied, trying not to let her
physical pain reflect in her voice. He didn't need that on top of
everything else.
His guilt about Max, not to mention her, was already almost out of
control.
"I'd feel a lot better if you were over here instead of over
there." She continued, managing to quirk a grin at him.
He smiled back, took off his jacket and shoes, and gently climbed
into bed beside her. Michael pulled Maria into his embrace. She
rested her head against his chest and was not surprised when her pain
did ease a little.
The love she felt for him was like the best drug in the world.
She could feel him playing with a lock of her long hair. "So
what did you guys decide?" Maria finally asked when the comfortable
silence had stretched on long enough.
"Liz, Izzy and I are going to England." He told her abruptly. "They
really think that this Stonehenge thing is a sign or something." He
sighed.
"Don't you?" Maria asked quietly. She really hoped it was, that Max
was on his way home. She hoped it for Liz's sake. It would be nice to know that her best friend in the world was with her soulmate. And she knew that Max would be the one most likely to be able to help
Michael through his grief when she was gone. Isabel would drive him crazy with her worrying. Max would listen and give advice - advice that would likely annoy Michael beyond belief.
But an annoyed and angry Michael was much better than a devastated Michael.
"I don't know." Michael replied. "But we have to do something. Everyone is going crazy, I swear. Tess totally flipped out tonight."
Maria frowned to herself. "Why isn't she going with you?"
"Someone needs to stay and protect you." Michael told her sternly.
"TESS?" Maria's surprise gave her enough strength to be able to sit up to stare down at him. "Don't you think that's a little weird Michael?"
Michael turned his head, stared out the window. "That's what she said." He didn't say anything for a long time. "I don't want to go." He finally continued. "I want to stay here. I want to be the one who heals you. God, Maxwell, where are you?"
Maria had not seen Michael cry since the night that Hank had found out about his Czech status, the night he had had the biggest fight of his life with Isabel and Max, the night that Michael had felt the most alone.
But she could hear tears in his voice now.
She lay back down on his chest, reached up to stroke his cheek. "I know you want to do it Michael, but you can't protect me foreverand you're not Superman, even if you are an alien who crash-landed on
this planet. Maybe if you can get Max back, we can find out about what happened to us when we were on your planet. I really want to know Michael. I really NEED to know."
"Me too." He scrubbed his hand across his face. "God, Maria! Why are you comforting me when I'm the one who did this to you? I'm the one who should be sick, not you." His jaw was clenched in fury.
She continued to stroke his face, trying to ease the tight muscles.
"Don't you get that that would be like even worse in my book?" She gently kissed him on the lips. "I love you. If it was you, I wouldn't be able to bear it."
Michael's eyes had been closed, but they opened now, stared up at her. "Then you know how I feel." He told her hollowly.
"I love you Michael." Maria kissed him again. She buried her face in his neck, breathed in the scent that was all him, only him.
"Ditto."
Maria fell asleep moments later, her last thought that dying would be quite all right, as long as she could do it in Michael's arms.
Part 14
Miami Airport, Florida, September 25, 2001
Liz glanced at her watch impatiently, heaved a sigh of annoyance.
"Where the heck is he?" She asked Isabel. "The plane is leaving in fifteen minutes." She blushed slightly when Mr. Evans gave her a surprised look. She realized that that had sounded nothing like her usual self. Spending so much time in close quarters with Michael Guerin, the cause of all the grief of the last few months, was driving her nearly insane.
Liz, Isabel and Isabel's dad were standing near the boarding gate for their British Air flight to London. Michael had disappeared into the crowds of the Miami airport the moment they had gotten off their flight from Albuquerque.
That had been two hours ago. They had not seen him since.
"He went to call Maria." Isabel explained. "I ran into him at McDonald's about half an hour ago. Don't worry! He'll be here."
Liz shifted from one foot to another, tried to get herself to calm down. She was never going to survive the seven hour flight to England if she didn't cool it.
But she couldn't help it.
For some reason she felt like time was running out...and not just because Maria was so sick.
She was getting the feeling that if they didn't get to Stonehenge quickly they would lose the opportunity to bring Max home. And that did not bear thinking about.
"Did you call your parents Liz?" Mr. Evans asked, clearly trying to change the subject.
Liz and Isabel exchanged glances. "Ummm, yeah." Liz replied, hating herself for having to lie to him. "They told me to call again when we reach London. They worry about me being on planes."
Although Tess had still been furious at them when they had seen her that morning, she had done her part. She had created an illusion of the Parkers at the Roswell airport saying good-bye to Liz. Mr. Evans
had not suspected a thing. He still had no idea what Tess' gift was.
Mr. Evans nodded sadly. "A parent can never be too careful." He said quietly.
Liz saw Isabel's eyes fill with tears. It was clear that Mr. Evans was thinking about Max. It was equally clear that Mr. Evans felt like he had failed his son somewhere - that if he had been a better parent, none of this would have happened.
Of course, it couldn't be further from the truth. Max, Isabel nd Michael had never had any control over their lives. What on Earth could the Evans possibly have done to make it any different? What they had done had been wonderful enough.
Max Evans was the kind, loving person he was because of them. They had given him the normal life he had always wanted.
But then all hell had broken loose.
If Liz had her way though, it was all going to change when Max came back. He was going to be happy and normal if it killed her. Destiny be damned.
Isabel was searching the crowd with concern. "Okay, he has been gone for way to long." She finally admitted.
Just then Liz caught a glimpse of Michael's spiky head towering over the people in the terminal. He was rushing towards them, a sucker stuck in his mouth.
He looked completely unconcerned. Liz wanted to strangle him.
Michael stopped and stared at them all. They were all staring back at him.
"Why aren't you on the plane?" He asked in typical Michael fashion, as though they were the idiots and he was an innocent bystander trying to stay clear of their polluting ways.
"We're waiting for you dimbulb!" Isabel replied, rolling her eyes.
"Why?" Michael scowled at her. "I can board a plane by myself you know."
Liz heaved a sigh. Michael glanced at her, quickly looked away, a guilty expression on his face. Liz tried to suppress the pang of guilt that suddenly hit HER. She was not going to feel bad for Michael. He deserved to feel bad. They wouldn't even have to be doing this if it wasn't for him.
"Let's just go kids." Mr. Evans suggested, trying to ease the tension.
Liz followed him quietly. I just better not have to sit with him, she thought to herself as she boarded the plane.
As she settled into her window seat next to Isabel, her thoughts naturally returned to Max.
We're coming Max! Just hold on a while longer. I will see you again.
***********************************************************
It was late afternoon.
Kyle had gone to the airport to see Liz, Isabel and Michael off and
was headed over to Maria's to check on her. Michael had asked
him to and he had quickly agreed.
Not only was he worried about Maria for her own sake, he also knew
that Tess would be there. He was just as concerned about her.
Tess had showed up at the airport to do her, as Maria would say,
voodoo alien mind thingy on Mr. Evans. She had not spoken to anyone
but had stalked out, without even acknowledging Alex and Kyle's
presence, as soon as the trio traveling to England, as well as
Max's dad, had boarded the plane.
She was acting very strangely. Like she hated them all.
It was so sudden, Kyle didn't know what to think.
Tess had started to develop a bond with the group - one that had
become natural after she had given up on all that destiny crap. The
fact that they had all been mourning the loss of Max had made the
transition in their relationships even more logical.
Past mistakes and bitterness had seemed really petty after what had
happened to Max.
But, after her little freak-out in the Crashdown the previous
evening, Tess had been totally alienated from the rest of them, no
pun intended.
She was even ignoring Kyle. And it hurt.
Kyle knew that Tess did not feel the same way about him that he felt
about her. He loved her. She LIKED him and was totally oblivious to
how he really felt. It sucked, but he accepted it. At least he got
to spend time with her.
If he lost that, he didn't know what he would do.
He pulled his Mustang into the Deluca's driveway. He was not
surprised to see Alex's parents' car parked on the street out
front.
Kyle hurried to the front door, knocked. Maria's mother answered
a moment later.
Amy Deluca looked like she had been put through the wringer. She had
dark circles under her eyes and her brown hair was hanging limply, as
though she hadn't washed it in days.
If Kyle didn't know that Maria was suffering from some spacey
disease, he might wonder if what she had was catching. Her mom
looked like she was on death's doorstep too.
"Hi Kyle." Amy said quietly, her usual bubbly personality
muted under the heavy burden of her concern for her daughter.
"How's your dad?"
"He's okay." Kyle replied. Kyle had often wondered what
had gone down between his dad and Amy. He knew that they had gone on a couple of dates, and he knew that his dad had really liked her, but then BOOM! Nothing. It was weird.
"Maria's in her room." Amy told him. "Alex and Tess are here too.
Do you want to stay for dinner?" Amy continued. "Maria asked
for pizza." She sounded really excited that Maria actually had an
appetite.
Kyle suspected that Maria was only pretending to be hungry in order
to ease her mother's mind.
"Sure, thanks." Kyle replied. He made his way down the
hallway to Maria's bedroom, knocked softly.
"Come in." Maria's voice came through the door. Kyle entered to
the sight of Alex sprawled on Maria's bed beside her. Tess was
sitting at the vanity, gazing out the window, a far-off expression on
her pretty face.
"Hey guys! What's up?"
Maria was curled up on Alex's shoulder, her pillow on her lap.
She looked even worse than she had yesterday, if that was even possible.
"Michael just called." Maria replied, her breathing heavy.
Kyle saw Alex frown slightly. "They're in Miami about to board
the plane to London."
"Cool." Kyle said, sticking his hands in his pockets. He
suddenly realized that they were a strange group to be hanging out together. Liz and Max were the ones who had always bonded them. To have both of them gone...It just felt peculiar.
"So we're trying to come up with a movie for tonight." Alex piped
up. "The girls have already vetoed Scream 1, 2 or 3."
"Actually, we're vetoing any film that has a number after the
title." Maria put in. "Right Tess?"
Tess' head snapped around. "What?" She asked. She had clearly
not heard a word of their conversation. Alex and Kyle exchanged a
look.
"Tess, are you okay?" Kyle asked, going to put his hand on her
shoulder. She flinched away. He tried to ignore the pang of hurt
that clenched at his stomach.
"I'm fine," she snapped.
"You're not still mad that they left you behind?" Maria demanded,
sounding annoyed. "I mean, we all wanted to go Tess. I just
was not logistically possible."
Tess looked away again. "I know." She said. "I'm not mad anymore. I'm just tired." She finished lamely.
Kyle knew she was lying.
"Anyway," Alex attempted to change the subject. "Movies? Any ideas Valenti?"
"Don't you think we should be looking into who has Liz's
journal?" Kyle asked, scowling slightly. "We still have no
idea and, from what I understand, there's some pretty explosive stuff
in there."
Maria struggled to sit up. "Kyle's right. We need to make up a list of suspects."
"Who are you?" Alex asked teasingly, "Sherlock Holmes?"
Maria grinned slightly. "Actually, I'm Watson. Michael's Holmes."
"Yeah, and a really effective one at that." Alex replied
sarcastically. "Has that guy EVER broken in somewhere without
almost getting caught or pulverized?"
Maria smacked him. "So, I vote for Pam Troy. That girl was just
WAY too excited about that web-site."
Kyle shook his head. "I don't know. She's pretty dumb. I don't
think she could set up a web-site."
"Not to mention, the person who did it clearly has an agenda.
There was a reason that the Czech parts of the journal were left out."
Alex continued. "Whoever did it wanted us to know that they had
it, wanted us to worry, but they didn't want to give up the goods -
yet anyway."
"Good point. So who the hell was it then?" Kyle sighed. "Jeez,
this is tough. I never realized how much Liz and Max were the brains
of this operation."
Alex scowled at him good-naturedly. "I resent that Valenti. I am
clearly the designated nerd around here..." He was cut off by
Tess, who had suddenly jumped to her feet.
"Can we please just shut up about Max and Liz for once?" She
demanded. "That's all I ever hear about - how much LIZ misses Max,
how much SHE needs him. Every time you say their names its like
they're one word! LIZANDMAX, MAXANDLIZ!" She was practically
yelling now. "There are others of us who cared about him too you
know!"
Kyle moved to put his arm around her. "We know that Tess." She
whirled away from him.
"I'm leaving. I need some air. I'll be back in a while
to check on you." She told Maria. Maria was still staring at her with her mouth open. She snapped it shut abruptly.
"Okay."
"What got stuck in her craw?" Alex asked when the bedroom door had
slammed shut behind Tess.
"Shut up Whitman." Kyle snapped.
He was torn about whether to go after Tess or not. He decided to
give her a chance to cool off. Not to mention he needed to think.
He had thought that Tess had gotten over all this jealousy stuff,
that she had given up on her so-called destiny.
But the way she had just acted...It didn't seem that way at all.
Can things possibly get any worse? He wondered as he plunked himself
down on the vanity stool Tess had just vacated.
When Kyle looked back on the incident days later, he wished that he
had knocked on wood - because, surprise, surprise, it had turned out
that things COULD get worse.
Much worse.
************************************************************
Heathrow Airport, London, England
Isabel stumbled off the plane, rubbing her eyes. She had been
surprised that she had managed to sleep. She had been exhausted
though and had also been willing to do anything to escape the
tension between Liz and Michael.
She had been stuck sitting between them and it had been no picnic,
that was for sure.
Liz had snapped at every word that had come out of Michael's mouth,
until Michael had just stopped talking entirely. The whole thing was
even more disturbing because Michael never said anything to defend
himself. It was so unlike him to let someone treat him that way, it
was very worrisome to Isabel.
She could not be mad at Liz though. She knew that resenting Michael
was the only thing that was keeping Liz in one piece. If she really
started to think about the fact that Max might never come
back...Isabel just knew that Liz would lose it totally.
"Do we have to get our baggage before we go through customs?"
Mr. Evans was asking Liz as they followed behind Isabel.
"No." Liz replied. "We can pick them up on the other side." Liz
was the designated tour-guide being as she had spent a considerable
amount of time in London in the fall of their junior
year, during the time when she had been trying to give Max his
freedom to live out his so-called destiny with Tess.
"What time is it anyway?" Michael asked tiredly. He had just
joined them.
"It's a seven hour time difference." Liz replied. "I think its
about eight A.M. London time. I'm thinking that we should probably
go straight to my aunt's and try and get rid of this jet-lag. We
can get up later this afternoon and head for Victoria Station to get
bus tickets to Salisbury."
"I don't think I can sleep." Isabel told Liz as they slowly made
their way through the customs line. It looked like a whole slew of
747's had landed at the same time and that they had come from all
over the world. Isabel could not even identify half the languages
she was hearing.
Isabel felt a pang of excitement. London! How she wished she was
there under different circumstances. It was one of the most exciting
cities in the world, one she had always wanted to visit. She had
often dreamed of leaving boring little Roswell behind for the lights
of the big city. Of course, the "big city" had usually meant New
York or Los Angeles, but London was right up there on the list.
"Yeah, I know what you mean." Liz replied. "But we need all our
strength Iz. We have no idea what's going to go down
tomorrow."
"God, I hope we DO know." Isabel sighed. "I hope we're right
Liz, that we're not on some wild goose chase here. What if
Stonehenge doesn't mean anything?"
"It has too." Liz told her firmly. "Why else would we ALL have
seen it?"
"I guess." Isabel did not have time to continue. She was
suddenly confronted by a very cranky looking customs officer.
"Country?"
"Ummm...the U.S." Isabel told her.
"Reason for your visit? Business or holiday?"
I wonder what she would say if I told her that we were here to bring
my brother back from another planet through an interstellar gateway
that we think is at Stonehenge? Isabel wondered briefly. "Holiday."
She bit out quickly, trying hard not to laugh.
The customs officer stared at her closely. Isabel scowled at her.
This woman is in for some VERY unpleasant dreams tonight, she thought
to herself.
"Enjoy your visit." The woman said abruptly, waving her
through.
"Don't you worry. I will." Isabel muttered under her breath.
Liz was through a minute later. She had charmed the customs lady no
doubt. Isabel wondered why everyone loved Liz so much. All she had
to do was smile and people melted.
When Liz suddenly threw her arm around Isabel's shoulder, she
suddenly remembered. It was because of Liz's heart. Her friend's
goodness shone through, even to complete strangers.
It was no wonder that Max had loved her the moment he had laid eyes
on her so many years before.
She was Liz.
"Well, we're here. Only a day to go and we'll see him."
Isabel smiled at her friend.
When Liz said it....
She knew it was true.
Part 15
The Citadel, Illyria
Jennetta sat on the floor of the stone corridor, her back pressed against Jaxon's chamber door. Her eyes were closed as she concentrated on trying to access her older brother's mind.
Their mother had moved Jaxon out of the dungeon after their meeting and had given him free run of the fortress, but her brother was not allowed outside the Citadel's inner courtyard.
He seemed resigned to the fact and had chosen not to leave his chamber at all over the past two days. He refused to see anyone, although Jennetta had not let that stop her. Although Jaxon had tried to get rid of her the first couple of times she had visited him, he had apparently finally given up and instead just listened to her chatter patiently, an expression of half-affection/half-annoyance on his face.
Her brother tried very hard to hide the fact that he had emotions - but he did not do a very good job of it. Jennetta knew exactly what was going through his mind and heart at any given moment.
Of course it helped that she had the gift of telepathy as well.
Now she was waiting for her brother to fall asleep, although she wanted to go in and talk to him. She loved to talk to him. He was the only one in the fortress who took her at all seriously, beside Lucianus of course. Jaxon seemed to hang onto every word she told him, storing it for later use.
Jennetta was happy to oblige him. She told him about Tristandor, whom she had never met, but who she just knew was the most wonderful brother- in-law in the world.
She told him about Mirana, whom she had met once in a dream.
She spoke of Sabrya, who she didn't really like, but knew that she was supposed to love, so she tried.
And she spoke of the humans that Lucianus had told her about - Liz and Maria and Alex and Kyle. The humans who were meant to save Jennetta's planet for her.
Jennetta's eyes snapped open a moment later. She leapt to her feet, raced down the corridor and took the winding staircase two at a time. If Mama saw her, she would be in trouble for being so unladylike, but Jennetta knew that her mother was currently in the transmission room attempting to make contact with Mirana.
Mother had been trying to connect with Mirana ever since Jennetta could remember. She didn't know if Mama had ever been successful, but she never stopped trying.
Slamming through the wooden door to Lucianus' study, Jennetta threw herself at the old man, who was leaning over an electronic tablet on his table, studying it carefully. Lucianus' head snapped up. He smiled at her tolerantly.
"He's asleep Lucianus! Finally! He had about five thousand thoughts whirling through his mind all evening, but he finally just gave up and went to sleep." She smiled at him conspiratorially. "Most of his thoughts were about Liz! Isn't that good news?"
"It is very good news indeed little one. Thank you for coming to tell me so quickly." Lucianus climbed to his feet, kicked his long robes out of his way and hurried across the room. The ease of his movements belied the whiteness of his hair.
Jennetta followed him closely, practically jumping up and down in her excitement. "Are you going to do another dream-meld with Liz?" She asked him breathlessly.
Lucianus paused, raised an eyebrow at her. "How did you know about that little one?"
Jennetta could feel herself blushing slightly. "Er - I might have taken a peek into Jaxon's mind when you did it last time."
Her mentor frowned at her. "You know better then that Jennetta. Jaxon's dreams are his own private domain."
She frowned back. "Well you manipulate his dreams all the time!" She told him indignantly. "I was just taking a look. I didn't DO anything."
Lucianus continued to stare at her, then was forced to laugh. "I suppose you are right little one. But I suggest that you let Jaxon and Liz be alone this time. This is the most important step in our quest to return our king to himself. Only Liz can do it, but it must be soon. He is going to try and escape tomorrow."
Jennetta's eyes widened. "He is? How do you know?"
"It's written in the stars." Lucianus told her in that mysterious way that always annoyed her.
Lucianus had stopped at the control panel on the far wall of his chamber. He began to fiddle with some keys, then turned and opened a nearby chest, pulling out two red orbs and placing them in their slots on the control station. Jennetta watched all this with interest. She always tried to remember exactly what Lucianus was doing whenever she watched him at work. One could never know how to do too much.
"There we are." He smacked a button soundly and sat back with satisfaction.
"Is it happening?" Jennetta looked at the control panel in confusion. It looked exactly the same to her.
"Oh yes." Lucianus smiled.
Greenwich, London, England
Liz stared up at the ceiling of the guest room in her aunt's flat, sighed with annoyance. She had been trying to sleep all night, but her body clock was totally messed up due to jet-lag. Isabel had been right not to take a nap that afternoon. Her friend was currently sound asleep in the twin bed beside Liz's, a slight frown on her face.
Finally giving up, Liz climbed out of bed and went to grab her England Guide Book out of her knapsack. She flipped to the entry on Stonehenge, reread the entry for what seemed like the thousandth time. A picture of the great stone circle accompanied the paragraph about how to get there and admission prices. Liz traced it with her fingers, wondered if it was really going to help them bring Max home.
She and Isabel had gone to Victoria Station earlier that day to book four seats on the National Express bus to Salisbury for the next morning. They had decided that they would pretend to be regular tourists and visit Stonehenge tomorrow afternoon in order to case it out. After that, she, Isabel and Michael would return later that evening with the orbs and try and open the gate to Illyria.
She only hoped Max was waiting for them on the other side.
Liz knew that it was not going to be easy to access the heritage site in the middle of the night. She was sure that such an important tourist attraction would have tons of security and she had no idea how long they were going to need in the circle to bring Max back. She also had no idea what they would do if they were caught.
For the first time she wished that Tess had accompanied them. Her gift of illusion would have come in very handy. But at least they had Isabel's dad. They might need a good lawyer if all did not go according to plan.
She tried to push her nervousness aside, tried to focus her attention on another problem that was rearing its head.
Liz wondered briefly what was up with Tess. She had talked to Maria earlier on the phone and her friend had told her that although the blonde-haired girl was taking her job of "protecting" Maria very seriously, she was basically ignoring Kyle and Alex and when she wasn't, she was snapping at all three of them.
Liz knew that this had to be about more than just being left behind by Michael and Isabel. She could tell by the tone of Maria's voice that her best friend was hiding something from her. Liz didn't push it though. Maria or Alex would tell her what was going on when it became truly necessary.
Maria had also told Liz that her parents still had no idea that she was gone. Tess had called them, imitating Mrs. Evans so perfectly, even Maria had been impressed. She had told them that the Evans were taking Liz on a week long tour of eastern colleges with Isabel, but that they had to leave immediately because Mr. Evans had managed to get discount airline tickets that expired after the weekend.
"That's brilliant Maria!" Liz exclaimed. "Now if only I can convince my aunt that she doesn't need to call them to tell them I arrived safely."
Maria had replied, "Can't help you there chica." She had paused for a moment. "How's Michael?" She had finally asked quietly.
Liz had felt herself scowling just at the mention of his name, although she tried to control herself. She knew that she was being totally ridiculous at this point, but she seemed to have no control over how she felt about Max's best-friend. She hated him more every day.
"He's okay." Liz had answered evenly.
Liz could hear Maria breathing on the other end of the line. "Liz, you've go to give him a break. He feels terrible about what happened."
"I know Maria." Liz did not want to upset her best friend. She had enough to deal with. "I'm trying." But are you? A little voice in the back of her mind asked her.
"Liz, you've got to promise me that you're going to look after him."
Liz had frowned at that. "Michael has made it pretty clear on this trip that he can look after himself Maria." Maria's silence was deafening.
"I wasn't talking about on the trip Liz." Liz pressed her lips together, could feel tears beginning to well up in her eyes.
"Stop talking like that Maria!"
Maria sighed. "You've got to accept what's happening sweetie. You're going to need to be strong - for me."
Liz felt herself beginning to panic. She could NOT promise to be strong again. She had already promised Max - she couldn't bear the weight of another promise of that magnitude. She was horrified when she heard the words coming out of her mouth. "I promise that I'll be there for you - and him - Maria."
"I love you Liz."
"I love you too Maria. We'll be home soon, with Max, and everything's going to work out. You'll see."
"I hope so. Well, I better go. This call is probably costing my mom at least two inflatable alien dolls."
As Liz remembered the conversation, she could feel tears filling her eyes again. She thrust the guide-book in her hands aside and buried her face in her pillow. She didn't want to wake Isabel. Max's sister needed all her strength to open the portal tomorrow.
Liz was suddenly hit by an overwhelming wave of fatigue. She missed Max so much, was so worried about Maria, was so resentful of Michael...It was wearing her down, bit by bit. She could feel herself falling into the gratifying sanctuary of slumber, where she would not have to think any longer.
And moments later, she was with Max.
*Dreams * Max and Liz
He was scowling at her. "So they've sent you to do their dirty work again have they?"
Liz could feel herself blinking. It was taking her a moment to adjust to the fact that she was back in the Waylandian Ring and that Max was standing not two feet from her. She knew it was a dream, but it was so real, she could hear him breathing.
"I don't know what you're talking about." She told him quietly.
He was eyeing her, clearly trying to be angry with her, but his dark eyes were shining as they gazed at her. He was not as displeased to see her as he made out.
"Are you aware of the lies they've been telling me?" He asked abruptly, moving forward to help her to her feet. It was only then that she realized that she had been sitting on the ground, the tall yellow grass waving around her.
Liz just shook her head. "No Max, I have no idea."
"Jaxon." He snapped. "My name is Jaxon." Liz just stared at him. His mood was incredibly erratic. He actually looked like he wanted to throttle her and kiss her at the same time.
"Are you okay?" She moved forward, reached up to touch his face. She saw him lick his lips, press them together. His hand grabbed hers, pulled it down from his cheek. She was pleased to note that he kept her hand firmly in his though. He seemed unaware that he was doing it.
"No, I am not." He replied evenly. "My mother is trying to turn me against Tarsus. She is trying to tell me that Mirana and Tristandor did not betray me. She is trying to convince me that I have only been back on Illyria for several months, that all the memories I have of the life I lived here, the battles I have fought, are false! How by the stars could I be okay?"
Liz did not know what to say to him. "And you think that I am working for your mother?"
"Who else could you be? You told me the same things she did."
Liz could feel her heart going out to him. He looked so confused, so scared, like everything that he had known to be true was being taken away from him. He looked like a lost little boy.
Which in a way he was. He did not remember being Max Evans. He had lost himself. Liz could feel tears welling up in her eyes again.
Max seemed to calm down somewhat at the sight of it. He unconsciously brought his hand up to her face. "What is wrong my Liz?" He blinked, like he wasn't really sure where that had come from.
"I am just sad Ma...er Jaxon. I wish that you remembered me."
"I do remember you." Max replied, clearly trying to make her feel better. "I have told you as much."
"Then I don't understand why you insist on the fact that you are Jaxon! How can you be both my Max and Jaxon at the same time?" Max looked perplexed.
"I have no idea."
Liz shook her head. They had to stop wasting time. They were going in circles anyway. She did not know how long they were going to have together and she had many things to tell him.
"Max, we are coming for you." She told him, running her hands over his arms. He did not pull away from her.
"How?"
"Through the portal. I think that you have to be in the Waylandian Ring though. Can you do that?" Liz asked him hopefully. He was looking at her like she was crazy.
"I have no intention of leaving Illyria Liz. This is my home. It is MINE. I can not leave it for my mother to take over." His eyes shadowed slightly. "It is why they had Jennetta - another heir to the throne seriously compromises my position. I cannot leave."
Liz could see that he was torn about something. "Who is Jennetta?" She asked him, deciding to leave the subject of returning to Earth for the moment.
She could see his eyes light up despite himself. "She is my sister. While I know that my parents plan to use her as a pawn to unseat me from my throne..." He trailed off.
"You love her?" Liz asked. Max turned away from her.
"I do not know what love is." He replied gruffly. Liz smiled. Yeah, right.
"Don't you?" She asked him, trailing her hand across his back as she moved to walk around him so that they were facing each other again. "I think you do."
Liz saw him swallow. His eyes were burning into her soul. Oh yes, he knew. At least here he did.
Liz caressed his cheek again, danced her other hand up his arm. She could feel his muscles tensing under her touch. "You do know what love is. You are mine. You are MY Max. They might try and tell you differently, but you know. Don't you?"
"Liz..." He looked terrified, but strangely intrigued at the same time.
She reached up, ran her fingers through his dark hair. Liz's eyes did not leave his. She would lose him if she let him look away for even an instant. "Max..." His head was slowly coming down. Liz parted her lips. She could feel her heart beating a mile a minute. MAX!
"LIZ!" She saw Max look beyond her, a slight frown on his face. He had heard it too. Liz grabbed his chin, forced him to look back at her.
"LIZ!" It came again. Liz knew exactly who it was and she felt the rage fill her as Max's gaze drifted from her face again.
"Tristandor." He said, sounding betrayed. He looked at her, his eyes shining with hurt. Max wrenched himself away from.
"MAX! Don't leave me! Please!" Liz screamed after him, but he was walking away from her, had stepped out of the stone circle. "Max! Come back!"
"Liz! Wake up!" Isabel's voice had joined Michael's, calling at her to come back to them. She couldn't! She had to follow Max! She was losing him again!
"LIZ!"
Liz's eyes snapped open, her gaze instantly lighting on Isabel and Michael who were both leaning over her, matching expressions of concern on their faces.
She sat up, glared at them. "Why? Why did you wake me up? I almost had him!"
They exchanged looks. "Liz, you weren't breathing." Isabel finally told her quietly. Liz stared at her.
"What do you mean?"
"I woke up because you were tossing and turning on the bed. I thought you were having a nightmare." Isabel explained. "When I tried to wake you up, you stopped breathing. I went to get Michael to help me."
Liz closed her eyes, fell back against her pillow. "God, he is so messed up you guys."
"You saw him again?" Michael asked.
"Of course I saw him. He is totally torn in two. He doesn't know who to believe anymore." She jumped out of bed, glanced at the clock. It was six in the morning. Their bus to Salisbury was leaving in two hours.
She turned back to Isabel and Michael. "This has to work you guys. We need to bring him back soon or we're going to lose him....and this time not just physically."
Liz saw Isabel flinch, watched Michael put his arm around her to comfort her.
It had to work. They had to MAKE it work.
She would not lose Max.
Part 16
Roswell, New Mexico
Kyle glanced at the clock in his fourth period English class for the fifth time in the past ten minutes. The minute hand seemed to be moving backward. There was absolutely no other explanation for why this class was taking so long to end.
He was the only one who had managed to make it to school. Tess had been absent in the two classes he shared with her, Kyle assumed Maria was too ill to come and Alex had gone AWOL aswell.
So much for acting like everything was normal.
He tapped his pencil against his desk impatiently, frowned slightly when he noticed that Pam Troy was staring at him, a slight smirk on her face. Kyle scowled at her. She quickly turned away and began giggling with the girls sitting hear her. That girl needs to get a life, Kyle reflected as the bell finally rang.
Kyle jumped out of his seat, pushed his way through the crowds of students to the front door of the school. There was no point in hanging around. His concentration was totally shot anyway and he was going to explode if he had to sit through one more ridiculous class, his next one being French.
Somehow the proper use of the subjunctive did not seem significant when one of your friends was dying, while three more were off on a covert mission to England to try and bring a fourth back from another planet.
And then there was Tess: the girl he loved, who didn't know he was alive and was suddenly acting like he had the Bubonic Plague.
It was time to get to the bottom of that little mystery.
Tess had returned to Maria's the previous evening in order to check on her. She had barely even acknowledged Kyle or Alex's presence but Tess had even offered to sleep on the Deluca's couch if Maria
wanted. Kyle had seen Alex and Maria exchange perplexed looks at that. Tess was taking this "protecting Maria" stuff way seriously.
It was beyond weird. It wasn't like Maria was in any real danger that Tess would be able to prevent. Her illness was slowly draining her, but there was nothing Tess could do about it. What was she trying to
accomplish?
Kyle climbed into his Mustang, pulled out of the student parking lot with a screech of tires. He saw two freshmen practically have to jump out of his way, felt a little bad, but kept going.
He pulled up in front of the Harding's house several minutes later. Tess had continued to live there after Nasedo had gone to work at the Special Unit. Kyle's dad had taken care of the paper work and had helped Tess to become legally emancipated like Michael. Nasedo had left her with enough money to live quite well.
Of course, Kyle did not want to even think about where Nasedo might have gotten the money. He would not have put it past the shapeshifter to have murdered some billionaire in his sleep just to keep his earthly finances solvent. While Kyle had never actually met the guy - the stories that Maria, Liz and Alex had told him about him...They made his toes curl.
And the man responsible for a murderous rampage across the South-West was basically Tess' father - he had raised her at least. Sure he had done most of it to protect Max, Isabel, Michael and Tess, but he had still killed a lot of innocent people.
Max, Isabel and Michael had been raised as humans. Max and Isabel had known loving parents and a pretty normal life. Yeah, Michael had had to deal with some crap, but he had at least had Max and Isabel.
Tess had only ever had a murderous, shape-shifting, emotionless weirdo to depend on.
It was no wonder that she was kind of strange. The fact that she was as normal as she was, it was one of the things Kyle admired about her.
There was no answer when Kyle rang the doorbell. He peered in the picture window in the front of the house but there was no sign of any life within. He turned around, stood on the lawn for a moment with
his arms crossed, frowning.
Where the hell was she?
He knew she wasn't at Maria's. He had called there on the cell in his car, just to check in. Amy Deluca said that Maria was sleeping and that there had been no sign of Tess all day.
Kyle didn't really feel like driving the streets of Roswell in search of her. He'd try the Crashdown and then come back here later if he had no luck. He had climbed back into his car and had started down the
street when he saw his quarry walking down the sidewalk, her head lowered, her curly blonde hair falling over her face. Tess appeared to be deep in thought.
Just as he opened his window to hail her, another car, coming from the opposite direction, pulled up next to her. Tess raised her head, clearly not noticing Kyle at all, although he was only about ten feet away from her. She quickly opened the passenger door and climbed in.
"Tess!" Kyle called, trying to catch her before she took off with whoever was in the car. He jumped out of the Mustang, ran down the street after them, but they were gone. Belatedly he realized that he should have stayed in his car and followed them.
Imbecile. Worrying about Tess was turning him into a moron.
He stopped, scowling. There was absolutely no one in Roswell that Tess Harding should be getting into a car with, he reflected. Her only friends were her fellow Czechs and he, Liz, Alex and Maria. He wondered briefly if it was Nasedo, finally back.
Tess had contacted the shapeshifter at the FBI after Max's disappearance. Nasedo had been strangely uninterested in the whole affair. "He had to go back sometime." The bastard had told her.
They had largely been out of touch with him since. Once Max was gone, he didn't seem to take his role as their "protector" quite as seriously. No one quite knew what to make of that.
Kyle returned to his car, wondered if he should try and catch Tess and her mysterious companion. He decided it would be pointless. He might as well go grab some lunch at the Crashdown and try and
catch up with her later.
His plans changed a moment later when his cell rang. "What?" He demanded as he switched it on. In his current mood there was no time for social niceties.
It was Alex and he didn't seem to care, not even bothering with a typical snappy comeback. "I don't have time to talk Kyle, but you better come to the hospital right away."
Kyle's brow knit. "What's wrong?"
"It's Maria. Get here quick." The other boy hung up without saying another word.
Kyle turned off his phone, stared out the windshield in front of him.
He knew exactly why Maria was in the hospital.
The end was near.
************************************************************
Tess waved her hand in front of the stone wall, watched with an expressionless face as the silver handprint appeared. She glanced at her companion, raised an eyebrow.
The girl stepped forward, placed her hand directly on the mark. Tess closed her eyes as the wall slid away, leaving the entrance to the pod chamber open.
So she had not lied. She was one of them.
And Tess Harding's entire world changed.
Maria felt like her body was falling apart.
She had been annoyed when Michael had told her that she was not
coming to the Crashdown, but she could not deny that it had been a
relief to sink back onto her bed. Every single part of her hurt.
She had terrible cramps in her arms and legs, her head felt like it
was going to explode and she had gotten to the point where she was
pretty much throwing up every hour on the hour.
She knew she was dying, which was why she had wanted to go to the
meeting in the first place. She wanted to spend every moment
possible with her friends before the end. With Michael.
Now she lay on her bed, staring out the window, her gaze drifting to
the "V" shaped constellation that was shining down on her
from the star-pocked sky above. She remembered sleeping under those same stars, wrapped in Michael's arms, during the three weeks that he
had tried to heal her in the desert.
It had been the happiest and most peaceful time of her life.
Ironic really, how much the little things counted, when the little
things were not going to be yours for much longer.
Maria knew that Max was not going to return in time to heal her.
Even if they did, by some mega-miracle, manage to bring him back,
there were absolutely no guarantees that he was going to be able to
help her. He wasn't God after all.
She had made her peace with what was happening to her. What she had
not made her peace with was the idea of leaving Michael alone.
She really was not sure if he would be able to go on without her -
and it terrified her.
The bond that had formed between them - she knew that something of
great significance had taken place in their relationship during their
time together in Illyria. Michael had been so much more protective
of her in every sense since they had come back and it WASN'T
just because she was sick.
Something had happened to make it so. She just wished that she could
remember. Sometimes it felt like the memories were just beyond her
reach, that the fingertips of her mind were brushing against the
truth but that there was no chance of grasping it. It was supremely
frustrating.
Maria was pulled from her reverie by a knock on her window. She
managed to sit up, smiled at the sight of Michael's face peering
in at her. "Come on in Spaceboy."
Michael pushed the window up, climbed in quickly. He stood there for
a moment staring at her. It looked like he was trying to compose
himself. "How're you feeling?" He finally asked gruffly.
"Oh about the same." Maria replied, trying not to let her
physical pain reflect in her voice. He didn't need that on top of
everything else.
His guilt about Max, not to mention her, was already almost out of
control.
"I'd feel a lot better if you were over here instead of over
there." She continued, managing to quirk a grin at him.
He smiled back, took off his jacket and shoes, and gently climbed
into bed beside her. Michael pulled Maria into his embrace. She
rested her head against his chest and was not surprised when her pain
did ease a little.
The love she felt for him was like the best drug in the world.
She could feel him playing with a lock of her long hair. "So
what did you guys decide?" Maria finally asked when the comfortable
silence had stretched on long enough.
"Liz, Izzy and I are going to England." He told her abruptly. "They
really think that this Stonehenge thing is a sign or something." He
sighed.
"Don't you?" Maria asked quietly. She really hoped it was, that Max
was on his way home. She hoped it for Liz's sake. It would be nice to know that her best friend in the world was with her soulmate. And she knew that Max would be the one most likely to be able to help
Michael through his grief when she was gone. Isabel would drive him crazy with her worrying. Max would listen and give advice - advice that would likely annoy Michael beyond belief.
But an annoyed and angry Michael was much better than a devastated Michael.
"I don't know." Michael replied. "But we have to do something. Everyone is going crazy, I swear. Tess totally flipped out tonight."
Maria frowned to herself. "Why isn't she going with you?"
"Someone needs to stay and protect you." Michael told her sternly.
"TESS?" Maria's surprise gave her enough strength to be able to sit up to stare down at him. "Don't you think that's a little weird Michael?"
Michael turned his head, stared out the window. "That's what she said." He didn't say anything for a long time. "I don't want to go." He finally continued. "I want to stay here. I want to be the one who heals you. God, Maxwell, where are you?"
Maria had not seen Michael cry since the night that Hank had found out about his Czech status, the night he had had the biggest fight of his life with Isabel and Max, the night that Michael had felt the most alone.
But she could hear tears in his voice now.
She lay back down on his chest, reached up to stroke his cheek. "I know you want to do it Michael, but you can't protect me foreverand you're not Superman, even if you are an alien who crash-landed on
this planet. Maybe if you can get Max back, we can find out about what happened to us when we were on your planet. I really want to know Michael. I really NEED to know."
"Me too." He scrubbed his hand across his face. "God, Maria! Why are you comforting me when I'm the one who did this to you? I'm the one who should be sick, not you." His jaw was clenched in fury.
She continued to stroke his face, trying to ease the tight muscles.
"Don't you get that that would be like even worse in my book?" She gently kissed him on the lips. "I love you. If it was you, I wouldn't be able to bear it."
Michael's eyes had been closed, but they opened now, stared up at her. "Then you know how I feel." He told her hollowly.
"I love you Michael." Maria kissed him again. She buried her face in his neck, breathed in the scent that was all him, only him.
"Ditto."
Maria fell asleep moments later, her last thought that dying would be quite all right, as long as she could do it in Michael's arms.
Part 14
Miami Airport, Florida, September 25, 2001
Liz glanced at her watch impatiently, heaved a sigh of annoyance.
"Where the heck is he?" She asked Isabel. "The plane is leaving in fifteen minutes." She blushed slightly when Mr. Evans gave her a surprised look. She realized that that had sounded nothing like her usual self. Spending so much time in close quarters with Michael Guerin, the cause of all the grief of the last few months, was driving her nearly insane.
Liz, Isabel and Isabel's dad were standing near the boarding gate for their British Air flight to London. Michael had disappeared into the crowds of the Miami airport the moment they had gotten off their flight from Albuquerque.
That had been two hours ago. They had not seen him since.
"He went to call Maria." Isabel explained. "I ran into him at McDonald's about half an hour ago. Don't worry! He'll be here."
Liz shifted from one foot to another, tried to get herself to calm down. She was never going to survive the seven hour flight to England if she didn't cool it.
But she couldn't help it.
For some reason she felt like time was running out...and not just because Maria was so sick.
She was getting the feeling that if they didn't get to Stonehenge quickly they would lose the opportunity to bring Max home. And that did not bear thinking about.
"Did you call your parents Liz?" Mr. Evans asked, clearly trying to change the subject.
Liz and Isabel exchanged glances. "Ummm, yeah." Liz replied, hating herself for having to lie to him. "They told me to call again when we reach London. They worry about me being on planes."
Although Tess had still been furious at them when they had seen her that morning, she had done her part. She had created an illusion of the Parkers at the Roswell airport saying good-bye to Liz. Mr. Evans
had not suspected a thing. He still had no idea what Tess' gift was.
Mr. Evans nodded sadly. "A parent can never be too careful." He said quietly.
Liz saw Isabel's eyes fill with tears. It was clear that Mr. Evans was thinking about Max. It was equally clear that Mr. Evans felt like he had failed his son somewhere - that if he had been a better parent, none of this would have happened.
Of course, it couldn't be further from the truth. Max, Isabel nd Michael had never had any control over their lives. What on Earth could the Evans possibly have done to make it any different? What they had done had been wonderful enough.
Max Evans was the kind, loving person he was because of them. They had given him the normal life he had always wanted.
But then all hell had broken loose.
If Liz had her way though, it was all going to change when Max came back. He was going to be happy and normal if it killed her. Destiny be damned.
Isabel was searching the crowd with concern. "Okay, he has been gone for way to long." She finally admitted.
Just then Liz caught a glimpse of Michael's spiky head towering over the people in the terminal. He was rushing towards them, a sucker stuck in his mouth.
He looked completely unconcerned. Liz wanted to strangle him.
Michael stopped and stared at them all. They were all staring back at him.
"Why aren't you on the plane?" He asked in typical Michael fashion, as though they were the idiots and he was an innocent bystander trying to stay clear of their polluting ways.
"We're waiting for you dimbulb!" Isabel replied, rolling her eyes.
"Why?" Michael scowled at her. "I can board a plane by myself you know."
Liz heaved a sigh. Michael glanced at her, quickly looked away, a guilty expression on his face. Liz tried to suppress the pang of guilt that suddenly hit HER. She was not going to feel bad for Michael. He deserved to feel bad. They wouldn't even have to be doing this if it wasn't for him.
"Let's just go kids." Mr. Evans suggested, trying to ease the tension.
Liz followed him quietly. I just better not have to sit with him, she thought to herself as she boarded the plane.
As she settled into her window seat next to Isabel, her thoughts naturally returned to Max.
We're coming Max! Just hold on a while longer. I will see you again.
***********************************************************
It was late afternoon.
Kyle had gone to the airport to see Liz, Isabel and Michael off and
was headed over to Maria's to check on her. Michael had asked
him to and he had quickly agreed.
Not only was he worried about Maria for her own sake, he also knew
that Tess would be there. He was just as concerned about her.
Tess had showed up at the airport to do her, as Maria would say,
voodoo alien mind thingy on Mr. Evans. She had not spoken to anyone
but had stalked out, without even acknowledging Alex and Kyle's
presence, as soon as the trio traveling to England, as well as
Max's dad, had boarded the plane.
She was acting very strangely. Like she hated them all.
It was so sudden, Kyle didn't know what to think.
Tess had started to develop a bond with the group - one that had
become natural after she had given up on all that destiny crap. The
fact that they had all been mourning the loss of Max had made the
transition in their relationships even more logical.
Past mistakes and bitterness had seemed really petty after what had
happened to Max.
But, after her little freak-out in the Crashdown the previous
evening, Tess had been totally alienated from the rest of them, no
pun intended.
She was even ignoring Kyle. And it hurt.
Kyle knew that Tess did not feel the same way about him that he felt
about her. He loved her. She LIKED him and was totally oblivious to
how he really felt. It sucked, but he accepted it. At least he got
to spend time with her.
If he lost that, he didn't know what he would do.
He pulled his Mustang into the Deluca's driveway. He was not
surprised to see Alex's parents' car parked on the street out
front.
Kyle hurried to the front door, knocked. Maria's mother answered
a moment later.
Amy Deluca looked like she had been put through the wringer. She had
dark circles under her eyes and her brown hair was hanging limply, as
though she hadn't washed it in days.
If Kyle didn't know that Maria was suffering from some spacey
disease, he might wonder if what she had was catching. Her mom
looked like she was on death's doorstep too.
"Hi Kyle." Amy said quietly, her usual bubbly personality
muted under the heavy burden of her concern for her daughter.
"How's your dad?"
"He's okay." Kyle replied. Kyle had often wondered what
had gone down between his dad and Amy. He knew that they had gone on a couple of dates, and he knew that his dad had really liked her, but then BOOM! Nothing. It was weird.
"Maria's in her room." Amy told him. "Alex and Tess are here too.
Do you want to stay for dinner?" Amy continued. "Maria asked
for pizza." She sounded really excited that Maria actually had an
appetite.
Kyle suspected that Maria was only pretending to be hungry in order
to ease her mother's mind.
"Sure, thanks." Kyle replied. He made his way down the
hallway to Maria's bedroom, knocked softly.
"Come in." Maria's voice came through the door. Kyle entered to
the sight of Alex sprawled on Maria's bed beside her. Tess was
sitting at the vanity, gazing out the window, a far-off expression on
her pretty face.
"Hey guys! What's up?"
Maria was curled up on Alex's shoulder, her pillow on her lap.
She looked even worse than she had yesterday, if that was even possible.
"Michael just called." Maria replied, her breathing heavy.
Kyle saw Alex frown slightly. "They're in Miami about to board
the plane to London."
"Cool." Kyle said, sticking his hands in his pockets. He
suddenly realized that they were a strange group to be hanging out together. Liz and Max were the ones who had always bonded them. To have both of them gone...It just felt peculiar.
"So we're trying to come up with a movie for tonight." Alex piped
up. "The girls have already vetoed Scream 1, 2 or 3."
"Actually, we're vetoing any film that has a number after the
title." Maria put in. "Right Tess?"
Tess' head snapped around. "What?" She asked. She had clearly
not heard a word of their conversation. Alex and Kyle exchanged a
look.
"Tess, are you okay?" Kyle asked, going to put his hand on her
shoulder. She flinched away. He tried to ignore the pang of hurt
that clenched at his stomach.
"I'm fine," she snapped.
"You're not still mad that they left you behind?" Maria demanded,
sounding annoyed. "I mean, we all wanted to go Tess. I just
was not logistically possible."
Tess looked away again. "I know." She said. "I'm not mad anymore. I'm just tired." She finished lamely.
Kyle knew she was lying.
"Anyway," Alex attempted to change the subject. "Movies? Any ideas Valenti?"
"Don't you think we should be looking into who has Liz's
journal?" Kyle asked, scowling slightly. "We still have no
idea and, from what I understand, there's some pretty explosive stuff
in there."
Maria struggled to sit up. "Kyle's right. We need to make up a list of suspects."
"Who are you?" Alex asked teasingly, "Sherlock Holmes?"
Maria grinned slightly. "Actually, I'm Watson. Michael's Holmes."
"Yeah, and a really effective one at that." Alex replied
sarcastically. "Has that guy EVER broken in somewhere without
almost getting caught or pulverized?"
Maria smacked him. "So, I vote for Pam Troy. That girl was just
WAY too excited about that web-site."
Kyle shook his head. "I don't know. She's pretty dumb. I don't
think she could set up a web-site."
"Not to mention, the person who did it clearly has an agenda.
There was a reason that the Czech parts of the journal were left out."
Alex continued. "Whoever did it wanted us to know that they had
it, wanted us to worry, but they didn't want to give up the goods -
yet anyway."
"Good point. So who the hell was it then?" Kyle sighed. "Jeez,
this is tough. I never realized how much Liz and Max were the brains
of this operation."
Alex scowled at him good-naturedly. "I resent that Valenti. I am
clearly the designated nerd around here..." He was cut off by
Tess, who had suddenly jumped to her feet.
"Can we please just shut up about Max and Liz for once?" She
demanded. "That's all I ever hear about - how much LIZ misses Max,
how much SHE needs him. Every time you say their names its like
they're one word! LIZANDMAX, MAXANDLIZ!" She was practically
yelling now. "There are others of us who cared about him too you
know!"
Kyle moved to put his arm around her. "We know that Tess." She
whirled away from him.
"I'm leaving. I need some air. I'll be back in a while
to check on you." She told Maria. Maria was still staring at her with her mouth open. She snapped it shut abruptly.
"Okay."
"What got stuck in her craw?" Alex asked when the bedroom door had
slammed shut behind Tess.
"Shut up Whitman." Kyle snapped.
He was torn about whether to go after Tess or not. He decided to
give her a chance to cool off. Not to mention he needed to think.
He had thought that Tess had gotten over all this jealousy stuff,
that she had given up on her so-called destiny.
But the way she had just acted...It didn't seem that way at all.
Can things possibly get any worse? He wondered as he plunked himself
down on the vanity stool Tess had just vacated.
When Kyle looked back on the incident days later, he wished that he
had knocked on wood - because, surprise, surprise, it had turned out
that things COULD get worse.
Much worse.
************************************************************
Heathrow Airport, London, England
Isabel stumbled off the plane, rubbing her eyes. She had been
surprised that she had managed to sleep. She had been exhausted
though and had also been willing to do anything to escape the
tension between Liz and Michael.
She had been stuck sitting between them and it had been no picnic,
that was for sure.
Liz had snapped at every word that had come out of Michael's mouth,
until Michael had just stopped talking entirely. The whole thing was
even more disturbing because Michael never said anything to defend
himself. It was so unlike him to let someone treat him that way, it
was very worrisome to Isabel.
She could not be mad at Liz though. She knew that resenting Michael
was the only thing that was keeping Liz in one piece. If she really
started to think about the fact that Max might never come
back...Isabel just knew that Liz would lose it totally.
"Do we have to get our baggage before we go through customs?"
Mr. Evans was asking Liz as they followed behind Isabel.
"No." Liz replied. "We can pick them up on the other side." Liz
was the designated tour-guide being as she had spent a considerable
amount of time in London in the fall of their junior
year, during the time when she had been trying to give Max his
freedom to live out his so-called destiny with Tess.
"What time is it anyway?" Michael asked tiredly. He had just
joined them.
"It's a seven hour time difference." Liz replied. "I think its
about eight A.M. London time. I'm thinking that we should probably
go straight to my aunt's and try and get rid of this jet-lag. We
can get up later this afternoon and head for Victoria Station to get
bus tickets to Salisbury."
"I don't think I can sleep." Isabel told Liz as they slowly made
their way through the customs line. It looked like a whole slew of
747's had landed at the same time and that they had come from all
over the world. Isabel could not even identify half the languages
she was hearing.
Isabel felt a pang of excitement. London! How she wished she was
there under different circumstances. It was one of the most exciting
cities in the world, one she had always wanted to visit. She had
often dreamed of leaving boring little Roswell behind for the lights
of the big city. Of course, the "big city" had usually meant New
York or Los Angeles, but London was right up there on the list.
"Yeah, I know what you mean." Liz replied. "But we need all our
strength Iz. We have no idea what's going to go down
tomorrow."
"God, I hope we DO know." Isabel sighed. "I hope we're right
Liz, that we're not on some wild goose chase here. What if
Stonehenge doesn't mean anything?"
"It has too." Liz told her firmly. "Why else would we ALL have
seen it?"
"I guess." Isabel did not have time to continue. She was
suddenly confronted by a very cranky looking customs officer.
"Country?"
"Ummm...the U.S." Isabel told her.
"Reason for your visit? Business or holiday?"
I wonder what she would say if I told her that we were here to bring
my brother back from another planet through an interstellar gateway
that we think is at Stonehenge? Isabel wondered briefly. "Holiday."
She bit out quickly, trying hard not to laugh.
The customs officer stared at her closely. Isabel scowled at her.
This woman is in for some VERY unpleasant dreams tonight, she thought
to herself.
"Enjoy your visit." The woman said abruptly, waving her
through.
"Don't you worry. I will." Isabel muttered under her breath.
Liz was through a minute later. She had charmed the customs lady no
doubt. Isabel wondered why everyone loved Liz so much. All she had
to do was smile and people melted.
When Liz suddenly threw her arm around Isabel's shoulder, she
suddenly remembered. It was because of Liz's heart. Her friend's
goodness shone through, even to complete strangers.
It was no wonder that Max had loved her the moment he had laid eyes
on her so many years before.
She was Liz.
"Well, we're here. Only a day to go and we'll see him."
Isabel smiled at her friend.
When Liz said it....
She knew it was true.
Part 15
The Citadel, Illyria
Jennetta sat on the floor of the stone corridor, her back pressed against Jaxon's chamber door. Her eyes were closed as she concentrated on trying to access her older brother's mind.
Their mother had moved Jaxon out of the dungeon after their meeting and had given him free run of the fortress, but her brother was not allowed outside the Citadel's inner courtyard.
He seemed resigned to the fact and had chosen not to leave his chamber at all over the past two days. He refused to see anyone, although Jennetta had not let that stop her. Although Jaxon had tried to get rid of her the first couple of times she had visited him, he had apparently finally given up and instead just listened to her chatter patiently, an expression of half-affection/half-annoyance on his face.
Her brother tried very hard to hide the fact that he had emotions - but he did not do a very good job of it. Jennetta knew exactly what was going through his mind and heart at any given moment.
Of course it helped that she had the gift of telepathy as well.
Now she was waiting for her brother to fall asleep, although she wanted to go in and talk to him. She loved to talk to him. He was the only one in the fortress who took her at all seriously, beside Lucianus of course. Jaxon seemed to hang onto every word she told him, storing it for later use.
Jennetta was happy to oblige him. She told him about Tristandor, whom she had never met, but who she just knew was the most wonderful brother- in-law in the world.
She told him about Mirana, whom she had met once in a dream.
She spoke of Sabrya, who she didn't really like, but knew that she was supposed to love, so she tried.
And she spoke of the humans that Lucianus had told her about - Liz and Maria and Alex and Kyle. The humans who were meant to save Jennetta's planet for her.
Jennetta's eyes snapped open a moment later. She leapt to her feet, raced down the corridor and took the winding staircase two at a time. If Mama saw her, she would be in trouble for being so unladylike, but Jennetta knew that her mother was currently in the transmission room attempting to make contact with Mirana.
Mother had been trying to connect with Mirana ever since Jennetta could remember. She didn't know if Mama had ever been successful, but she never stopped trying.
Slamming through the wooden door to Lucianus' study, Jennetta threw herself at the old man, who was leaning over an electronic tablet on his table, studying it carefully. Lucianus' head snapped up. He smiled at her tolerantly.
"He's asleep Lucianus! Finally! He had about five thousand thoughts whirling through his mind all evening, but he finally just gave up and went to sleep." She smiled at him conspiratorially. "Most of his thoughts were about Liz! Isn't that good news?"
"It is very good news indeed little one. Thank you for coming to tell me so quickly." Lucianus climbed to his feet, kicked his long robes out of his way and hurried across the room. The ease of his movements belied the whiteness of his hair.
Jennetta followed him closely, practically jumping up and down in her excitement. "Are you going to do another dream-meld with Liz?" She asked him breathlessly.
Lucianus paused, raised an eyebrow at her. "How did you know about that little one?"
Jennetta could feel herself blushing slightly. "Er - I might have taken a peek into Jaxon's mind when you did it last time."
Her mentor frowned at her. "You know better then that Jennetta. Jaxon's dreams are his own private domain."
She frowned back. "Well you manipulate his dreams all the time!" She told him indignantly. "I was just taking a look. I didn't DO anything."
Lucianus continued to stare at her, then was forced to laugh. "I suppose you are right little one. But I suggest that you let Jaxon and Liz be alone this time. This is the most important step in our quest to return our king to himself. Only Liz can do it, but it must be soon. He is going to try and escape tomorrow."
Jennetta's eyes widened. "He is? How do you know?"
"It's written in the stars." Lucianus told her in that mysterious way that always annoyed her.
Lucianus had stopped at the control panel on the far wall of his chamber. He began to fiddle with some keys, then turned and opened a nearby chest, pulling out two red orbs and placing them in their slots on the control station. Jennetta watched all this with interest. She always tried to remember exactly what Lucianus was doing whenever she watched him at work. One could never know how to do too much.
"There we are." He smacked a button soundly and sat back with satisfaction.
"Is it happening?" Jennetta looked at the control panel in confusion. It looked exactly the same to her.
"Oh yes." Lucianus smiled.
Greenwich, London, England
Liz stared up at the ceiling of the guest room in her aunt's flat, sighed with annoyance. She had been trying to sleep all night, but her body clock was totally messed up due to jet-lag. Isabel had been right not to take a nap that afternoon. Her friend was currently sound asleep in the twin bed beside Liz's, a slight frown on her face.
Finally giving up, Liz climbed out of bed and went to grab her England Guide Book out of her knapsack. She flipped to the entry on Stonehenge, reread the entry for what seemed like the thousandth time. A picture of the great stone circle accompanied the paragraph about how to get there and admission prices. Liz traced it with her fingers, wondered if it was really going to help them bring Max home.
She and Isabel had gone to Victoria Station earlier that day to book four seats on the National Express bus to Salisbury for the next morning. They had decided that they would pretend to be regular tourists and visit Stonehenge tomorrow afternoon in order to case it out. After that, she, Isabel and Michael would return later that evening with the orbs and try and open the gate to Illyria.
She only hoped Max was waiting for them on the other side.
Liz knew that it was not going to be easy to access the heritage site in the middle of the night. She was sure that such an important tourist attraction would have tons of security and she had no idea how long they were going to need in the circle to bring Max back. She also had no idea what they would do if they were caught.
For the first time she wished that Tess had accompanied them. Her gift of illusion would have come in very handy. But at least they had Isabel's dad. They might need a good lawyer if all did not go according to plan.
She tried to push her nervousness aside, tried to focus her attention on another problem that was rearing its head.
Liz wondered briefly what was up with Tess. She had talked to Maria earlier on the phone and her friend had told her that although the blonde-haired girl was taking her job of "protecting" Maria very seriously, she was basically ignoring Kyle and Alex and when she wasn't, she was snapping at all three of them.
Liz knew that this had to be about more than just being left behind by Michael and Isabel. She could tell by the tone of Maria's voice that her best friend was hiding something from her. Liz didn't push it though. Maria or Alex would tell her what was going on when it became truly necessary.
Maria had also told Liz that her parents still had no idea that she was gone. Tess had called them, imitating Mrs. Evans so perfectly, even Maria had been impressed. She had told them that the Evans were taking Liz on a week long tour of eastern colleges with Isabel, but that they had to leave immediately because Mr. Evans had managed to get discount airline tickets that expired after the weekend.
"That's brilliant Maria!" Liz exclaimed. "Now if only I can convince my aunt that she doesn't need to call them to tell them I arrived safely."
Maria had replied, "Can't help you there chica." She had paused for a moment. "How's Michael?" She had finally asked quietly.
Liz had felt herself scowling just at the mention of his name, although she tried to control herself. She knew that she was being totally ridiculous at this point, but she seemed to have no control over how she felt about Max's best-friend. She hated him more every day.
"He's okay." Liz had answered evenly.
Liz could hear Maria breathing on the other end of the line. "Liz, you've go to give him a break. He feels terrible about what happened."
"I know Maria." Liz did not want to upset her best friend. She had enough to deal with. "I'm trying." But are you? A little voice in the back of her mind asked her.
"Liz, you've got to promise me that you're going to look after him."
Liz had frowned at that. "Michael has made it pretty clear on this trip that he can look after himself Maria." Maria's silence was deafening.
"I wasn't talking about on the trip Liz." Liz pressed her lips together, could feel tears beginning to well up in her eyes.
"Stop talking like that Maria!"
Maria sighed. "You've got to accept what's happening sweetie. You're going to need to be strong - for me."
Liz felt herself beginning to panic. She could NOT promise to be strong again. She had already promised Max - she couldn't bear the weight of another promise of that magnitude. She was horrified when she heard the words coming out of her mouth. "I promise that I'll be there for you - and him - Maria."
"I love you Liz."
"I love you too Maria. We'll be home soon, with Max, and everything's going to work out. You'll see."
"I hope so. Well, I better go. This call is probably costing my mom at least two inflatable alien dolls."
As Liz remembered the conversation, she could feel tears filling her eyes again. She thrust the guide-book in her hands aside and buried her face in her pillow. She didn't want to wake Isabel. Max's sister needed all her strength to open the portal tomorrow.
Liz was suddenly hit by an overwhelming wave of fatigue. She missed Max so much, was so worried about Maria, was so resentful of Michael...It was wearing her down, bit by bit. She could feel herself falling into the gratifying sanctuary of slumber, where she would not have to think any longer.
And moments later, she was with Max.
*Dreams * Max and Liz
He was scowling at her. "So they've sent you to do their dirty work again have they?"
Liz could feel herself blinking. It was taking her a moment to adjust to the fact that she was back in the Waylandian Ring and that Max was standing not two feet from her. She knew it was a dream, but it was so real, she could hear him breathing.
"I don't know what you're talking about." She told him quietly.
He was eyeing her, clearly trying to be angry with her, but his dark eyes were shining as they gazed at her. He was not as displeased to see her as he made out.
"Are you aware of the lies they've been telling me?" He asked abruptly, moving forward to help her to her feet. It was only then that she realized that she had been sitting on the ground, the tall yellow grass waving around her.
Liz just shook her head. "No Max, I have no idea."
"Jaxon." He snapped. "My name is Jaxon." Liz just stared at him. His mood was incredibly erratic. He actually looked like he wanted to throttle her and kiss her at the same time.
"Are you okay?" She moved forward, reached up to touch his face. She saw him lick his lips, press them together. His hand grabbed hers, pulled it down from his cheek. She was pleased to note that he kept her hand firmly in his though. He seemed unaware that he was doing it.
"No, I am not." He replied evenly. "My mother is trying to turn me against Tarsus. She is trying to tell me that Mirana and Tristandor did not betray me. She is trying to convince me that I have only been back on Illyria for several months, that all the memories I have of the life I lived here, the battles I have fought, are false! How by the stars could I be okay?"
Liz did not know what to say to him. "And you think that I am working for your mother?"
"Who else could you be? You told me the same things she did."
Liz could feel her heart going out to him. He looked so confused, so scared, like everything that he had known to be true was being taken away from him. He looked like a lost little boy.
Which in a way he was. He did not remember being Max Evans. He had lost himself. Liz could feel tears welling up in her eyes again.
Max seemed to calm down somewhat at the sight of it. He unconsciously brought his hand up to her face. "What is wrong my Liz?" He blinked, like he wasn't really sure where that had come from.
"I am just sad Ma...er Jaxon. I wish that you remembered me."
"I do remember you." Max replied, clearly trying to make her feel better. "I have told you as much."
"Then I don't understand why you insist on the fact that you are Jaxon! How can you be both my Max and Jaxon at the same time?" Max looked perplexed.
"I have no idea."
Liz shook her head. They had to stop wasting time. They were going in circles anyway. She did not know how long they were going to have together and she had many things to tell him.
"Max, we are coming for you." She told him, running her hands over his arms. He did not pull away from her.
"How?"
"Through the portal. I think that you have to be in the Waylandian Ring though. Can you do that?" Liz asked him hopefully. He was looking at her like she was crazy.
"I have no intention of leaving Illyria Liz. This is my home. It is MINE. I can not leave it for my mother to take over." His eyes shadowed slightly. "It is why they had Jennetta - another heir to the throne seriously compromises my position. I cannot leave."
Liz could see that he was torn about something. "Who is Jennetta?" She asked him, deciding to leave the subject of returning to Earth for the moment.
She could see his eyes light up despite himself. "She is my sister. While I know that my parents plan to use her as a pawn to unseat me from my throne..." He trailed off.
"You love her?" Liz asked. Max turned away from her.
"I do not know what love is." He replied gruffly. Liz smiled. Yeah, right.
"Don't you?" She asked him, trailing her hand across his back as she moved to walk around him so that they were facing each other again. "I think you do."
Liz saw him swallow. His eyes were burning into her soul. Oh yes, he knew. At least here he did.
Liz caressed his cheek again, danced her other hand up his arm. She could feel his muscles tensing under her touch. "You do know what love is. You are mine. You are MY Max. They might try and tell you differently, but you know. Don't you?"
"Liz..." He looked terrified, but strangely intrigued at the same time.
She reached up, ran her fingers through his dark hair. Liz's eyes did not leave his. She would lose him if she let him look away for even an instant. "Max..." His head was slowly coming down. Liz parted her lips. She could feel her heart beating a mile a minute. MAX!
"LIZ!" She saw Max look beyond her, a slight frown on his face. He had heard it too. Liz grabbed his chin, forced him to look back at her.
"LIZ!" It came again. Liz knew exactly who it was and she felt the rage fill her as Max's gaze drifted from her face again.
"Tristandor." He said, sounding betrayed. He looked at her, his eyes shining with hurt. Max wrenched himself away from.
"MAX! Don't leave me! Please!" Liz screamed after him, but he was walking away from her, had stepped out of the stone circle. "Max! Come back!"
"Liz! Wake up!" Isabel's voice had joined Michael's, calling at her to come back to them. She couldn't! She had to follow Max! She was losing him again!
"LIZ!"
Liz's eyes snapped open, her gaze instantly lighting on Isabel and Michael who were both leaning over her, matching expressions of concern on their faces.
She sat up, glared at them. "Why? Why did you wake me up? I almost had him!"
They exchanged looks. "Liz, you weren't breathing." Isabel finally told her quietly. Liz stared at her.
"What do you mean?"
"I woke up because you were tossing and turning on the bed. I thought you were having a nightmare." Isabel explained. "When I tried to wake you up, you stopped breathing. I went to get Michael to help me."
Liz closed her eyes, fell back against her pillow. "God, he is so messed up you guys."
"You saw him again?" Michael asked.
"Of course I saw him. He is totally torn in two. He doesn't know who to believe anymore." She jumped out of bed, glanced at the clock. It was six in the morning. Their bus to Salisbury was leaving in two hours.
She turned back to Isabel and Michael. "This has to work you guys. We need to bring him back soon or we're going to lose him....and this time not just physically."
Liz saw Isabel flinch, watched Michael put his arm around her to comfort her.
It had to work. They had to MAKE it work.
She would not lose Max.
Part 16
Roswell, New Mexico
Kyle glanced at the clock in his fourth period English class for the fifth time in the past ten minutes. The minute hand seemed to be moving backward. There was absolutely no other explanation for why this class was taking so long to end.
He was the only one who had managed to make it to school. Tess had been absent in the two classes he shared with her, Kyle assumed Maria was too ill to come and Alex had gone AWOL aswell.
So much for acting like everything was normal.
He tapped his pencil against his desk impatiently, frowned slightly when he noticed that Pam Troy was staring at him, a slight smirk on her face. Kyle scowled at her. She quickly turned away and began giggling with the girls sitting hear her. That girl needs to get a life, Kyle reflected as the bell finally rang.
Kyle jumped out of his seat, pushed his way through the crowds of students to the front door of the school. There was no point in hanging around. His concentration was totally shot anyway and he was going to explode if he had to sit through one more ridiculous class, his next one being French.
Somehow the proper use of the subjunctive did not seem significant when one of your friends was dying, while three more were off on a covert mission to England to try and bring a fourth back from another planet.
And then there was Tess: the girl he loved, who didn't know he was alive and was suddenly acting like he had the Bubonic Plague.
It was time to get to the bottom of that little mystery.
Tess had returned to Maria's the previous evening in order to check on her. She had barely even acknowledged Kyle or Alex's presence but Tess had even offered to sleep on the Deluca's couch if Maria
wanted. Kyle had seen Alex and Maria exchange perplexed looks at that. Tess was taking this "protecting Maria" stuff way seriously.
It was beyond weird. It wasn't like Maria was in any real danger that Tess would be able to prevent. Her illness was slowly draining her, but there was nothing Tess could do about it. What was she trying to
accomplish?
Kyle climbed into his Mustang, pulled out of the student parking lot with a screech of tires. He saw two freshmen practically have to jump out of his way, felt a little bad, but kept going.
He pulled up in front of the Harding's house several minutes later. Tess had continued to live there after Nasedo had gone to work at the Special Unit. Kyle's dad had taken care of the paper work and had helped Tess to become legally emancipated like Michael. Nasedo had left her with enough money to live quite well.
Of course, Kyle did not want to even think about where Nasedo might have gotten the money. He would not have put it past the shapeshifter to have murdered some billionaire in his sleep just to keep his earthly finances solvent. While Kyle had never actually met the guy - the stories that Maria, Liz and Alex had told him about him...They made his toes curl.
And the man responsible for a murderous rampage across the South-West was basically Tess' father - he had raised her at least. Sure he had done most of it to protect Max, Isabel, Michael and Tess, but he had still killed a lot of innocent people.
Max, Isabel and Michael had been raised as humans. Max and Isabel had known loving parents and a pretty normal life. Yeah, Michael had had to deal with some crap, but he had at least had Max and Isabel.
Tess had only ever had a murderous, shape-shifting, emotionless weirdo to depend on.
It was no wonder that she was kind of strange. The fact that she was as normal as she was, it was one of the things Kyle admired about her.
There was no answer when Kyle rang the doorbell. He peered in the picture window in the front of the house but there was no sign of any life within. He turned around, stood on the lawn for a moment with
his arms crossed, frowning.
Where the hell was she?
He knew she wasn't at Maria's. He had called there on the cell in his car, just to check in. Amy Deluca said that Maria was sleeping and that there had been no sign of Tess all day.
Kyle didn't really feel like driving the streets of Roswell in search of her. He'd try the Crashdown and then come back here later if he had no luck. He had climbed back into his car and had started down the
street when he saw his quarry walking down the sidewalk, her head lowered, her curly blonde hair falling over her face. Tess appeared to be deep in thought.
Just as he opened his window to hail her, another car, coming from the opposite direction, pulled up next to her. Tess raised her head, clearly not noticing Kyle at all, although he was only about ten feet away from her. She quickly opened the passenger door and climbed in.
"Tess!" Kyle called, trying to catch her before she took off with whoever was in the car. He jumped out of the Mustang, ran down the street after them, but they were gone. Belatedly he realized that he should have stayed in his car and followed them.
Imbecile. Worrying about Tess was turning him into a moron.
He stopped, scowling. There was absolutely no one in Roswell that Tess Harding should be getting into a car with, he reflected. Her only friends were her fellow Czechs and he, Liz, Alex and Maria. He wondered briefly if it was Nasedo, finally back.
Tess had contacted the shapeshifter at the FBI after Max's disappearance. Nasedo had been strangely uninterested in the whole affair. "He had to go back sometime." The bastard had told her.
They had largely been out of touch with him since. Once Max was gone, he didn't seem to take his role as their "protector" quite as seriously. No one quite knew what to make of that.
Kyle returned to his car, wondered if he should try and catch Tess and her mysterious companion. He decided it would be pointless. He might as well go grab some lunch at the Crashdown and try and
catch up with her later.
His plans changed a moment later when his cell rang. "What?" He demanded as he switched it on. In his current mood there was no time for social niceties.
It was Alex and he didn't seem to care, not even bothering with a typical snappy comeback. "I don't have time to talk Kyle, but you better come to the hospital right away."
Kyle's brow knit. "What's wrong?"
"It's Maria. Get here quick." The other boy hung up without saying another word.
Kyle turned off his phone, stared out the windshield in front of him.
He knew exactly why Maria was in the hospital.
The end was near.
************************************************************
Tess waved her hand in front of the stone wall, watched with an expressionless face as the silver handprint appeared. She glanced at her companion, raised an eyebrow.
The girl stepped forward, placed her hand directly on the mark. Tess closed her eyes as the wall slid away, leaving the entrance to the pod chamber open.
So she had not lied. She was one of them.
And Tess Harding's entire world changed.