Part 25
Jaxon followed Mrs. Evans up the stairs and through a doorway at the top. "This is your room." She told him softly. "Do you remember it?"
He surveyed the unfamiliar room impassively. Walking forward, he noticed a picture frame sitting on the desk. He picked it up, stared down at it.
It was a picture of six people, four of whom he recognized.
Jaxon's eyes were immediately drawn to his own face. He was smiling slightly, but it was clear that he wasn't really paying attention to the camera, but, rather, was focused on the girl sitting on his lap. It was Liz. She had her arm around his neck and she was laughing, her forehead resting against his cheek as though she was too weak to hold her head up.
Directly to their right was a tall, skinny boy with dark brown hair and twinkling eyes. Mirana was standing beside him, her hand in his, smiling openly at the camera.
To their left was Tristandor. He was scowling, but it was not in an angry way. Rather he just looked amusingly frustrated. It was clear that the girl beside him was talking to him. Her mouth was open and she clearly had no intention of looking at the camera. Tristandor's arm was around her though and the way he was holding her...It was clear that they were a couple.
Mrs. Evans came up behind him, glanced over his shoulder. "That was taken on your seventeenth birthday - yours and Izzy's." She told him sadly.
Jaxon glanced at her over his shoulder. He liked Mrs. Evans - Mr. Evans too - he was sorry that he did not remember them and he was also sorry that it hurt them so much that he did not. "Who are these two?" He asked her, curious. It was clear that they had been friends of his. It was also clear that they were MORE than friends with Mirana and Tristandor, which just served to confuse him.
His sister and Tristandor were supposed to be married to each other. Or at least that is what Tarsus had told him.
"That's Alex, Izzy's boyfriend." Mrs. Evans explained. "And that's Maria." She paused. "She's Liz's best friend and Michael's girlfriend..."
Max turned to look at her curiously. It was clear that the woman he was told was his adoptive mother wanted to say something more. "She's very ill at the moment." She finished lamely.
Jaxon stared down at the picture briefly. He wondered why Maria looked so familiar. He knew that he was supposed to know her, but it was more than that...
He carefully replaced the picture on the desk. "I'm sorry." He said.
Mrs. Evans gazed at him for a moment, smiled briefly again. "Well, I guess I better go make sure that Jennetta is settling in with Isabel." She finally said. She paused, then turned to leave the room. "Sleep well Max."
"Mother." She whirled around. Jaxon realized that the word sounded highly unnatural. He remembered what he had heard Mirana call Diane Evans. "Er - Mom." Her eyes filled with tears. "Thank you."
She hurried back towards him, hugged him before he could stop her. He realized that he didn't mind. He actually sort of liked it. "I'm so glad that you're back Max. We've missed you so much."
"Thank you." He said again, feeling utterly unsure of what to say.
Jaxon watched her leave a moment later, went to carefully sit on the bed. He swallowed, looking around the room again, wishing that he remembered something...Anything.
He sighed, fell back against the pillows and closed his eyes.
He was exhausted, sure that he would fall asleep immediately. He semi-hoped that this was all a bad dream and that when he awoke he would be back in his tent in Dernia. He wouldn't even mind waking up in the Citadel. He would be happy anywhere that wasn't this strange planet that he clearly had spent many years on.
And he remembered none of it.
But if he had not come here, he would not have met Liz.
His eyes snapped open at that. He clenched his jaw. No matter how hard he tried to be immune to her charms, he could not stop thinking about her.
She was driving him crazy.
He had sat beside her on the airplane returning from the land she called England to the land of America. Being so close to her had nearly driven him insane. Even when he turned away from her, the clean scent of her had managed to invade his space, making him want to turn around and crush his lips to hers.
In the Miami airport he had felt her eyes on him the whole time, serious and concerned and shining with some emotion that he was trying to avoid at all costs.
And so he had concentrated on being furious.
He had tried to be furious at Tristandor for stealing Jennetta away from him, but to see her face light up the way it did in his presence...Well, that hadn't worked.
So, he had tried to be furious at Mirana for betraying him...But one look at the hurt expression on her face every time their eyes met...Well, somehow that had been a failure too.
Finally he had tried to be angry with Liz - for bewitching him, for trying to comfort him. It was clear that she knew exactly when he was upset and it frightened him. What frightened him even more was that he seemed able to feel HER emotions as well. And although she was sad that he could not remember her, the overwhelming emotion he was receiving from her was love.
In the end, he had settled on self-loathing. It was easiest. He hated himself for being drawn to these people, even though he knew that they had betrayed him in the past and would do so again in the future.
Now, as he lay on this strange bed in this strange bedroom, he tried to think about what he was going to do. He had to get Jennetta safely home somehow but he had absolutely no idea how he was going to go about doing that.
Jaxon gave up trying to sleep. He knew that he wasn't going to get any rest until he checked on Jennetta once more.
The Evans household was quiet as he opened his bedroom door and pushed open the door next to his. He knew it was Isabel's room for he had seen Mr. Evans bring Mirana's suitcase in her when they had gotten back from the airport.
It had been strange to arrive at the Roswell airport. There had been several people waiting for them, including Mrs. Evans and a man everyone called the Sheriff. The Sheriff's son, Kyle, was there as well.
Liz had hurried forward to hug Kyle. Jaxon had been surprised when a pang had hit him. He realized that it was jealousy. But it had quickly flown from his mind when Mrs. Evans had taken him into her embrace, weeping all over him.
The Sheriff had moved forward to shake Jaxon's hand. Jaxon had blinked when Valenti had pulled him forward to give him a quick hug. "We're glad to have you back Max." Jaxon had seen Liz smiling at him affectionately as he stared at the Sheriff, perplexed. She had mouthed that she would explain later.
Mrs. Evans had been delighted to meet Jennetta. When she had asked how they had managed to get her into the country, Isabel had smiled for the first time that Jaxon had seen. "As Maria would say, a little Samantha genie hocus pocus." She had whipped out the passport that she had created for Jaxon's small sister.
"Well, a new daughter! Imagine Phillip!" Mr. Evans had looked pleased as well. Jaxon had frowned slightly when Jennetta had continued to cling to Michael's hand.
"Aren't you coming with us?" She had asked him worriedly. Tristandor had smiled down at her reassuringly.
"I'll come see you soon Jenny. I just have to go see someone else first."
Jaxon had seen Michael scowl when Kyle and the Sheriff had exchanged looks. Kyle had led Michael away, had clearly been telling him something that Tristandor was not at all happy to hear.
Jaxon's brother-in-law had been gone a split-second later, running towards the exit at a dead sprint, Kyle on his heels.
When Jaxon had turned back to the others, he noticed that Liz was watching Michael's retreating back, a slight frown on her beautiful face.
That had pretty much been the last sight he had had of her. Before he knew it, the Sheriff had hustled her away, saying that he would drive her home. Liz had appeared to be reluctant to leave them, but she gave in finally, telling Isabel that she would be over first thing in the morning.
Right before she left, she had come up to Jaxon, had touched his cheek lovingly. "Sleep well Max." Her eyes had been shining as she gazed at his face. "I'll see you tomorrow." He had frozen when she had stood on her tip-toes. He KNEW that she was going to kiss him.
He had felt strangely disappointed when all she did was press her lips to his cheek.
Now, as Jaxon stared down at the sleeping Jennetta, he felt that disappointment again.
He had wanted Liz to kiss him.
No, he had NEEDED her to kiss him.
Somehow the idea had come to him that if Liz kissed him everything would be all right.
It was ridiculous, ludicrous, insane.
But then nothing in his life currently made any sense.
Jaxon stared across the room at Mirana, who was curled up in the other bed.
She could help him.
He was at her bedside in an instant. "Mirana!" He whispered urgently, not wanting to awaken Jennetta. His twin did not stir. He tried again. "MIRANA!" Nothing. And then, "ISABEL!"
She sat up abruptly, stared at him. She blinked, her blonde hair tumbling around her shoulders. "Max?" Her tone was hopeful.
"Er no." He suddenly felt very foolish. "Never mind." He moved to leave the room, silently cursing himself for the romantic whimsy that seemed to have taken control of all his senses.
"Jaxon?" Isabel was suddenly behind him, stopped him by grabbing his arm. "What is it? You can tell me. I'm your sister." She was gazing at him with a mixture of hope and affection. It did not gel with the cold harpy he remembered from Illyria, but then this WAS NOT Illyria.
He eyed her a moment longer...And finally...
"I need you to tell me where Liz lives."
He saw her face light up.
"That I can do." She moved away, picked up a jacket that was lying across her bed. She slid her feet into a pair of shoes. "In fact, I can do better than that. I can take you there."
Liz sat curled up on the chaise lounge on her balcony, a pad of paper lying forgotten on her lap. She was staring up at the "V" constellation in the sky, a slight smile on her face.
She was so happy that Max was back, she could even look at those cursed stars without flinching.
He was back. They had done it.
Well, almost, she amended sternly to herself. They still had to convince him that Isabel and Michael had not betrayed him. Oh, and also help him to remember being Max Evans.
But Liz knew that it was only a matter of time. The real miracle had already happened. He had come back to them. To her.
It was only a matter of time.
And then she heard it.
She blinked, shook her head, was sure that she was dreaming.
But no...
There it was again. "LIZ!" It was half a whisper, half an echo of days gone by. She almost didn't dare to go to the edge of the balcony to look over.
It would be too, too disappointing if he wasn't really there.
She forced herself to climb to her feet, to go look down on the alley, to the spot where he had stood so many times before calling up to her.
It was not a figment of her imagination. He was standing there, looking up, a perplexed expression on his face. Liz realized quickly that he wasn't alone. She saw Isabel slinking away into the shadows, clearly wanting to leave them alone.
Thank you Isabel.
"Can I come up?" He sounded worried, and even a little frightened.
"Of course." Liz managed to reply, sounding more confident than she felt.
He was beside her a moment later. "Hello." He licked his lips, appeared not to know what to say after that.
"Hi Max. What's going on?" She tried to sound natural, but there was nothing natural about any of this.
The only really natural thing to do would be to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him, connecting with him, loving him the way that she would never love anyone else.
"I'm not sure." He replied quietly. "I needed to see you."
"Why?"
He paused, stared at her. She felt her heart speed up when his gaze dropped to her lips. "I...I don't...I should go." He finally managed to say. "This is ridiculous. I don't even know why I came here."
Liz watched him turn away, felt her heart go out to him. He was so lost. It was devastating to see him this way. Her Max had always been quiet, but he had also been strong and sure of who he was.
This Max was confusion incarnate.
"I know why." Liz said quickly as he moved to climb back down the fire escape.
He turned around. "You do?"
"Yes." She moved toward him. He backed away from her until he was up against the wall that ran around the balcony. He blinked at her, took a deep breath. "I know you Max. You can't hide from me any longer. You want to kiss me. Don't you?"
Liz stopped about a foot away from him. It was torture to do so, but it was up to him to make the next move. He was staring at her, looking fascinated. "May the stars preserve me," He finally breathed, gently bringing his hands up to cup her face. Liz felt her own breath stop. "I do."
He brought his lips down on hers.
Part 26
The minute Jaxon's lips touched Liz's the connection was made.
The images rushed through his mind in a blur, making him dizzy. He didn't understand any of it.
And yet it was all completely familiar.
Flash*
"You're all right now. You're all right. You broke the bottle when you fell, spilled ketchup on yourself. Don't tell anyone...please."
Flash*
"I prefer the term 'not of this earth...' Sorry. Its not a good time to joke."
Flash*
"I never thanked you...For saving my life."
"Thank YOU."
Flash*
"No we've always looked like this...well, except for the third eye....Kidding."
Flash*
"I can't stop what's happening to your grandmother, but maybe I can help you say goodbye."
Flash*
"Hey. The first moment anything weird happens, anything at all, you come back."
Flash*
"I've been waiting for this for a long time."
Flash*
"Cause if I don't go right now things are going to change."
"Change how?"
"I'd have to touch your hair because its so soft...and I'd have to tell you that no matter what we go through its all worthwhile for me because we're together..."
"And then?"
"And then...I'd have to do this..."
Flash*
"...something about Venus in the morning sky."
"I thought she was right in front of me."
Flash*
"What's so great about normal?"
Flash*
"I mean some girls would give a lot to see themselves fly through outer space."
Flash*
"I look at you and I know you're the person I'm supposed to be with. I've always known it. What happened here that day, when you got shot, and how that brought us together...it's fate. Look at me. You're the one Liz...the only one. I could never be with anyone else."
Flash*
"Whether I die tomorrow or fifty years from now my destiny is the same. It's you. I want to be with you Liz. I love you."
Flash*
"But you mean everything to me!"
Flash*
"Jeez Liz! I'm not dead. I'm sorry I didn't turn out to be the guy you thought I was, but really there's no need for the soap opera. I'm doing just fine. I happen to like Pam. She's fun, not serious. There's not the boring dissection of every little thing with her..."
Flash*
"But Liz...I DON'T love you."
Flash*
"I don't understand Liz. Everyone else gave up on me. Why didn't you?"
Flash*
"I will always be with you Liz. You are my heart."
Flash*
"I loved you from the first moment I laid eyes on you and I will love you until my dying breath."
Jaxon felt Liz wrap her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.
He couldn't seem to get enough of her...
The way she felt in his arms was indescribable...the images she sent whirling through his mind....
He had never felt closer to anyone in his life...like he now knew her inside and out.
Like he had come home.
He moved his hands until they were gently cupping her delicate skull, her long hair trailing like silk through his fingers. He slanted his lips over hers, deepening the kiss until he felt like he was drowning.
Liz sighed gently. "Max..."
Jaxon's eyes snapped open.
Liz seemed to feel the moment that he lost the connection. She moved back slightly, gazing into his eyes seriously. Jaxon felt his breath coming raggedly. He stared at her, felt panic beginning to set in.
He WAS NOT Max Evans! He was Jaxon - he was Jaxon dammit!
"Are you all right?" Liz asked him quietly, refusing to remove her gaze from his. He wanted to turn away from her, but he felt paralyzed.
He swallowed, finally managed to get the words out. "What was that?"
What he had seen - it had all been familiar, and yet those were NOT his memories.
"We connected." Liz replied. "You were seeing ME."
Jaxon blinked at her. "I don't understand."
"We've always been able to do it Max. Ever since the first moment I knew who you were. We're bonded in a way that defies explanation." Liz took his hand in his. He stared down at where her gentle grip connected them.
"I saw so many things Liz. I saw you when you were a little girl. I saw YOU die. I saw every single memory you have of me." He could not stop himself. He reached up and touched her face. "I FELT the way you feel about me."
Liz's gaze did not falter. "I love you." She told him simply.
"I know." Jaxon replied, feeling amazed.
For the first time he hated that he could not remember their relationship. He had to accept that there had been one.
She loved him. She would not betray him.
He finally had someone to trust on this cursed planet.
Liz led him over to a chair, gently pushed him down into it. She knelt in front of him, looked up at him seriously. "What happens now?"
Jaxon rubbed a hand across his face, sighed. "I don't know." He looked at her. "I'm so sorry Liz."
Her beautiful face looked perplexed. "Why?"
"It must hurt you that I don't remember." Her face tightened momentarily, but relaxed a moment later.
"It's more sad than anything else. I miss sharing memories with you Max." She placed her hands on his face, forced him to look at her. "But you're still you - even if you don't remember. We are still connected, bonded. We will be forever."
Jaxon leaned forward slightly, brought his lips to hers again in a gentle kiss. His intention had been to comfort her, but the fire that existed between them quickly flared again and before he knew it she was on his lap, her hands in his hair.
He placed one hand on her waist to hold her steady, brushed the other one up and down her slender back, loving the way he could feel her breathing. When his hand reached the back of her neck, the skin there was so soft...Her hair brushed the back of his hand, making his heart speed up even more than it already had.
It was like heaven.
It took them both several moments to realize that the phone was ringing.
Liz sighed, gently disentangled herself from his embrace. "Normally I would let that ring." Liz told him wryly. "But it's so late it has to be about Maria." Jaxon watched her expression darken as she went to pick up the telephone that was sitting on a nearby table.
Jaxon stood up, watched her back as she talked. He was not listening to her words at all.
He could not stop staring at her. She was so lovely she took his breath away.
He was in SERIOUS trouble.
When Liz hung up the phone, her head was lowered. She did not turn around, did not say a word.
Jaxon knew that something awful must have happened.
"Liz?" He finally broke the silence, moved to stand close behind her, wanting to comfort her, but not knowing how.
He knew that she was upset. Maria, the one that had seemed so familiar in the picture he had seen earlier that evening, had clearly taken a turn for the worse. "That was Michael." Liz finally choked out, still not turning around. "Maria's in a coma. I saw her earlier tonight." She explained. She still had not turned around. "Her heart stopped twenty minutes ago."
"Liz, I'm sorry." He didn't know what to say.
"They managed to revive her." Liz continued. "But...I don't think...I mean..." Jaxon could hear the tears in her voice. Her back began to shake.
He reached out, pulled her gently against him, her back to his front, tried to comfort her. "I am so sorry." He paused. She was quietly sobbing. "Is there anything I can do?" He asked in desperation.
She froze. She said nothing for what seemed like forever, but finally... "We decided not to ask you. You have enough to deal with."
"Ask me what?" And then he knew.
They knew about his gift.
Of course they did. It was how he and Liz had first connected. He had healed her.
He COULD do something for her.
Jaxon gently turned Liz around so that she was facing him. He lifted her chin with his index finger. Her dark eyes were liquid with tears. If he could do something to stop her from crying, he would do it. He would do anything.
Somehow he was getting the feeling that even though he did not remember their relationship, he would still gladly die for this small slip of a girl.
"Take me to her."
*************************************************************************************
Kyle literally thought that Michael was going to hurl the doctor through the wall. "What the hell do you mean you want to unhook her life support?"
At least he didn't think to blast him, Kyle thought wryly as he, his dad and Alex managed to pull Michael off of poor Dr. Lerner.
"Get a hold of yourself Mr. Guerin!" Kyle's dad commanded. "You are not helping anyone here. Certainly not Maria."
Kyle could see Amy Deluca watching them all with horror from Maria's hospital bedside. She finally turned away, began to stroke Maria's forehead.
Michael pulled away from them all, stalked away down the hospital corridor, raking his hands through his spiky hair. Kyle could hear him muttering to himself.
"I'll go." Alex said to Kyle, following Michael at a safe distance, giving him a chance to cool down.
"I'm sorry Doctor." Kyle heard his dad trying to appease the doctor. "He's just a kid and he's grieving."
"I understand." Dr. Lerner replied, his face still white. He looked like he had just seen his life pass before his eyes.
Kyle sighed. He and his dad had brought Michael and Liz to see Maria on the way home from the hospital. The Parkers had come for their daughter a couple of hours ago. Although Liz had not wanted to leave, she had finally been convinced that she could come back for the night shift at Maria's bedside.
Michael had refused to go anywhere. He had been a powder keg waiting to explode since Kyle had told him what was going on with Maria at the hospital.
Just like they had known he would be, he was practically insane with fury that no one had told him that his girlfriend was in a coma. They had finally managed to calm him down, but Kyle had seen the expression on his face when Maria had flat-lined.
Michael Guerin had looked like he had died too.
It made Kyle almost glad that Tess had rejected him. He did not ever want to have to feel the horror and pain that Michael had obviously felt at that moment.
Kyle watched his dad go in to comfort Mrs. Deluca. If anything good had come out of this situation, it seemed like Maria's mom and his dad might finally be getting their relationship back on track.
There was no question that Amy was going to need someone very soon.
Not for the first time that night Kyle wondered why no one had brought Max to see Maria yet.
They had their very own miracle-healer in their midst and he was nowhere to be found.
Kyle had briefly heard from Liz about Max's loss of memory, but Kyle could not believe that Max Evans, no matter who he thought he was, would ever NOT do something for someone in pain if he could.
He had always been Saint Max. He always would be, even if he did call himself Saint Jaxon now.
At that exact moment the doors leading into the IC unit swung open and Liz came rushing through.
And she was not alone.
Max Evans' eyes met his as Liz came to an abrupt halt next to him.
The first thing that Kyle noticed was that Liz and Max were holding hands.
Interesting. Saint Max WAS still around.
"Are we too late?" Liz asked breathlessly. Max stood quietly beside her, but Kyle could see his eyes stray towards the window that looked into Maria's room.
"She's still breathing." Kyle replied quietly. "The doctor wants to take her off life-support."
"Oh God!" Liz's eyes filled with tears. "We might be too late."
"It's still worth a shot." Kyle could see that his dad had noticed Max's arrival. He was gently helping Amy to her feet. His dad was clearly trying to clear the hospital room so that Max could work his healing magic.
"C'mon Amy. Let's go get a cup of coffee. The kids can stay with Maria for a few moments" Kyle and his dad exchanged glances as the Sheriff led Mrs. Deluca down the hall in the direction Alex and Michael had taken several moments before. Amy looked like she had already started to shut-down. Grief made her stumble a few steps later. Kyle's dad put an arm around her, but they kept going.
Kyle trailed Max and Liz into the hospital room. Max was staring down at Maria, a sad expression on his face.
Finally, Kyle saw Max swallow. "Liz, you need to tell me about her - about OUR relationship, I mean if we had one." He finally said desperately. "I need something to be able to connect with her. I don't remember!" Max sounded upset and frustrated, but determined as well.
Liz smiled wanly at him. "Just think of strawberries." She told him quietly.
Max's brow furrowed slightly. He looked confused. "Okay."
Kyle put his arm around Liz as they watched Max gently lay his hands on Maria's temples.
"God, please let this work." Kyle muttered under his breath.
Part 27
*Dreams * Maria
"MICHAEL! Are you insane? I refuse to allow it!" Maria screeched, placing a hand against the wall of the cave to support her weight. Her back was killing her. She took a deep breath, wished that she had a bottle of cyprus oil to calm her nerves.
Fleeing evil aliens was not fun in the best of circumstances.
Doing so while eight months pregnant with an alien baby downgraded the fun factor by about another ten points.
She had never been so tired in her life. But she was not so tired that she couldn't knock some sense into Michael's stubborn spiky head.
"No Maria, I am not insane." Michael replied evenly. "We're sort of in a dire situation here." He raised his eyebrows at her. "Do you have any other ideas?"
Maria scowled at him. "We wait for Max. He said he would be here."
Michael scraped a hand through his hair in the way that usually endeared him to her, but currently made her want to belt him. "It's been five days Maria. He's not coming."
"Do you think it's easy breaking into a fortified encampment?" Max asked wryly as he suddenly appeared at the cave's entrance. Maria heaved a sigh of relief.
The voice of reason had returned in the form of Max Evans. She had had just about enough of arguing with Michael about the stupidity of turning himself in to Tarsus.
"Thank God." She told Max. "Maybe you can talk some sense into him."
"When has Michael ever been capable of sense?" Max snapped, tossing a bag at Michael. "They're in there." He told his friend, suddenly looking very tired.
Michael scowled at Max, but turned away without retorting to Max's comment.
"What are THEY?" Maria demanded, annoyed that, as usual, she was completely in the dark about the plan.
"The orbs Maria." Michael replied peevishly, pulling two red orbs out of the bag. "Do you really think these things will open the portal?" He asked Max, looking unconvinced.
Maria wrinkled her nose. "Not more orbs. I HATE orbs." She muttered. "Orbs were what got us into this mess in the first place."
She saw Max trying to smother a smile. He might be generally ticked off at Michael lately, but he was still capable of laughter, something Michael seemed to have forgotten how to do.
Sure their lives currently sucked, but then, what else was new?
There was a lot to be happy about too.
They had escaped. They were going home.
Maria still wasn't sure HOW they had managed to get away from the Dernians, but it had happened.
When Max had appeared in the stone circle over eight months ago Maria had felt the first glimmerings of hope that they were finally going to get back to Earth.
And now it was on the verge of happening.
Of course, she and Michael had made one tiny strategic error all those months ago. One that was going to be VERY difficult to explain when they returned to Roswell.
Maria had imagined the conversation with her mother about a thousand times. Every time it ended up sounding more ridiculous.
"So Mom, you might be wondering where I've been for the last year and a half. Actually, I've been held captive with my alien lover on his home planet, where he happens to be the right hand to a King. Well, "lover" might be too strong a word for the one time we actually gave into our raging teenage hormones. I mean, we HAD just gone through an alien judgment where we both potentially could have been fried to a crisp. Max should have known better than to leave us alone. But hey! Guess what! We beat the odds! One time lucky for Maria Deluca. Mom, I'm pleased to inform you that your worst nightmare has come true. I am following in your illustrious footsteps by becoming the third generation unwed teen mother in the Deluca clan!"
Maria snapped back to attention when she realized that Michael and Max were still bickering.
"I tell you Maxwell...It's not going to work!" Michael was complaining as he fiddled with the orbs.
"Just like my plan to escape the camp didn't work?" Max asked condescendingly. Maria grimaced. THAT was going to piss Michael off.
"Are you saying MY plan wouldn't have worked?" Michael demanded, advancing on Max with a menacing expression on his face.
"I NEVER said that. Al I'm saying is that your plan was not feasible. Maria was in no condition to attempt a direct bolt for the Ring." Max replied, clearly frustrated. He stared Michael down in that serious way of his that had become far too familiar to Maria in the last few months.
"So you're blaming THAT on me again too!" Michael's voice was quiet with loosely leashed anger.
"The words are coming out of YOUR mouth Michael. You're the one who told ME that you could control your - ahem- power source."
Maria realized that this conversation was quickly entering territory she wanted NO part of.
"Whoa! Time out boys! You can play your male ego games later." Both Max and Michael turned to stare at her in irritation. Maria swallowed, took another deep breath. "Far be it from me to keep you two from continuing your twisted Czechoslovakian version of the Odd Couple, but I think we have a situation developing here."
"What?" Michael demanded. Maria gasped suddenly, clutched her stomach. A stabbing pain that felt like it was ripping her apart suddenly seemed to take control of her body. She fell to her knees, trying to block out the pain.
"What's wrong! Maria!" Michael's voice sounded like it was coming from a great distance.
The pain seemed to reach a peak and then slowly faded away. When Maria opened her eyes, she saw both Michael and Max close at her side, their faces white. Michael had his arm around her back, supporting her. She realized that neither was looking at her, but were rather staring at each other in horror.
"I think it's the baby Michael." Max finally said, his voice sounding a little squeaky. Maria turned to look at him, tilting her head in amazement at the terrified expression on his face.
"Jesus! What are we going to do?" Michael demanded.
"Ummmm...Hello??? I am still here." Maria said testily. "I think it is safe to say Mr. States-the-Obvious," Maria looked at Max pointedly, "That it IS the baby."
"You can't have the baby here. " Michael said firmly. "Not only is it too early, we agreed that it would be born on Earth. We've got the orbs. We're going home. The baby CANNOT be born until we're back on Earth." He kept saying it, as though repeating the phrase "the baby will be born on Earth" would make it so.
Max was nodding his head in agreement.
"Oh sorry." Maria replied sarcastically. "I forgot to tell the baby that."
She gulped, grabbed Michael by the shirt-front as another contraction ripped through her. "Oh my God! This really, really hurts!" She started panting, remembering how labouring woman had looked on ER the last time she had tuned in. She didn't know much, but she did know she had to breathe..."Oh, this so sucks." She moaned. "You are so dead for this Michael."
When the contraction finally ended, Max appeared to have gotten a hold of himself. He was calmly rubbing Maria's back. She tuned in to him telling her to breathe.
"These contractions are pretty close together." He said, annoying Maria by stating the obvious again. He wasn't talking to her though. He was talking to Michael. "We have to get her out of here. Tarsus and his minions weren't far behind me." Max looked down at Maria. "How long have these been happening?"
Maria scowled at him. "Thanks for including me in the discussion of what you're going to do with ME." Max pressed his lips together, looking slightly abashed. Maria felt better. "I think a while actually. I thought I had a backache but it might have been contractions. The pain sort of seemed to come at regular intervals."
"Oh great! Maria, why didn't you tell me?" Michael asked, sounding put out.
"I seem to recall I was busy keeping you from running off and getting yourself killed." Maria snapped. She clenched her teeth, felt the next contraction beginning to rise. "Oh my God. Oh my God." She tried to stop herself but she shrieked.
"Okay, we need to pull ourselves together here." Maria could semi-hear Max through the haze of pain that felt like it was tearing her body apart. "We obviously can't go anywhere for the moment."
"We're dead Max. They're going to find us." Michael sounded resigned. Maria felt him moving around behind her. When she emerged from the contraction, she realized that she was now seated between his legs, leaning back against his chest. He was stroking her hair comfortingly.
Max sighed. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. In the meantime, I can make it a little harder for them." Maria watched Max hurry out of the cave.
"Where is he going?" She asked Michael in amazement. She felt her boyfriend shrug.
"Are you okay?" He was still stroking her hair. He sounded very upset.
"Unfortunately, no." Maria replied saucily. "I have a feeling this is going to get worse before it gets better."
She could feel the tension descending on the cave like a blanket. Michael was breathing heavily. Finally he broke the silence. "I am so sorry about this Maria."
Maria felt her heart go out to him despite herself. She willed herself to get through what she had to say before the next contraction took over. She could already feel it building...
"Don't ever be sorry for what happens between us Michael." She couldn't turn her awkward body around to face him, but she knew that he was listening. "You weren't the only one who lost control of their -er how did Max phrase that? - power source? I love you. What happened was only natural." She laughed, realized that it sounded a little hysterical. "Trust us though to always manage the most disastrous results."
"Do you really think it's a huge disaster?" Michael asked her quietly.
Maria paused. In reality, she would be lying if she told him that she was eager to have this baby. But on the other hand...
It was MICHAEL'S baby.
"Well, it might be a little sooner than I would have liked. "Maria finally replied wryly, "But it's your babies I want to be having so at least I got THAT right." The last word came out sounding a little squeally. "Oh no! Oh no! It's happening again..."
The last thing Maria was consciously aware of was Max returning....and then the pain was all that was left...
"Well, at least she isn't green and slimy." Maria said a few hours later as she stared down at her newborn daughter. She felt like laughing like a maniac.
They had done it. Somehow she and Michael, with a little help from Max, had managed to bring this living being into the universe.
The first thing Maria had thought when she'd seen the baby was that it was the most hideous creature she had ever laid eyes on.
"Oh God! Michael! She has your hair!" Maria had shrieked when Max had finished cleaning her up and placed the tiny baby on Maria's stomach. "Why does she have to have your hair??? She's never going to have any boyfriends!" She had glared at Max who had started to laugh. "Shut up Max! Just look at her! She's all spiky!"
"She's beautiful." Maria had turned her head to stare at Michael. He had been gazing down at the baby, the most amazed expression on his face. "How can she possibly be so beautiful?"
"Are you crazy?" Maria demanded. "She looks like a troll!" Max was still laughing. "Max, would you please shut up! I just know that your and Liz's kids aren't going to look like this! It's not fair!"
"Maria, would you shut up?" Michael snapped. "She'll hear you!"
"Michael, she's ten minutes old. I don't think I'm scarring her for life here."
Max had intervened at this point. "I think all babies sort of look weird when they're first born Maria. I remember seeing on the Learning Channel that babies born with hair generally lose it anyway." Maria knew that he was trying to reassure her, but she couldn't stop staring at the baby's hair. It was exactly the same shade as Michael's and it literally stood up all over her head.
But then the tiny girl had raised her fist to her mouth, causing Maria's heart to stop. "Oh my God! She's perfect!" She breathed. "Her hand...It's so tiny."
And that was the moment she fell in love with her child.
The labour had been long and arduous but Michael had coached her through it, not even flinching when she had grabbed him by the hair at one point, screaming that she was going to murder him.
It had been Max who had delivered the baby. He had looked dubious at first, but as was usually the case with Max Evans, he rose to the occasion like the leader he was. Maria had been slightly unable to believe that they had actually done it when Max had announced that it was a girl.
She and Michael had a daughter.
Now, as Maria watched Max wander to the other side of the cave to check his illusionary blockade of the entrance to the cave, she turned to Michael who was holding the baby. She looked even tinier in his large hands. He was still staring down at her as though she was literally the most amazing thing he had ever seen in his life.
Maria had never seen a more beautiful sight in HER life.
Michael Guerin finally had his family.
"What are we going to name her?" Maria asked Michael suddenly, realized that she could not believe that they had never discussed names.
Michael managed to tear his gaze away from his daughter to look at Maria perplexed. "I have no idea. All I know is that it is not going to be a soap opera name. My daughter is NOT going to be named Sheridan or Charity. And nothing trendy. There are already too many Taylors and Hunters running around Roswell."
Maria grinned at him. "Gee, you've really put a lot of thought into this, haven't you? And might I inquire as to how you know the names of soap opera characters?"
Michael looked momentarily embarrassed and replied defensively, "Hey, I know what it was like to be one of twelve Michaels in my grade. And I skipped a lot of school in my day Maria." He continued. "There are only so many sports channels."
Maria was still smiling at him affectionately. "I have an idea." She told him quietly, after she had watched him watching their daughter a while longer.
Michael glanced up at her briefly. "Yeah? What?"
"Well, obviously her middle name is going to be Elizabeth." Maria began. Michael raised an eyebrow at her. "Well, I mean duh! But for her first name, I think something signifying YOUR heritage would be perfect."
Michael was confused. "What do you mean?"
"Ren told me about your mother Michael." She saw Michael's eyes widen.
"What?" He asked finally, after he seemed able to use his voice. "Why didn't you tell me about this?"
"Well, I thought you had enough to deal with what with all the sisters you suddenly had running around." She explained quickly, hoping that he wasn't going to get mad at her. "Anyway, apparently your mother died right after Tess was born. Ren didn't tell me much about her, but he did tell me her name. It was Jennetta."
Michael looked down at the baby again, this time sadly. He looked up at Maria again. "I like it." He leaned forward, kissed her gently on the forehead. "Thank you."
The moment ended too quickly for Maria.
Moments later Max had returned, a resigned expression on his face. "I'm sorry you guys. They found us." He glanced back at the cave entrance. "That illusion isn't going to hold very much longer." He eyed Maria, assessing her condition. "It's too soon. We can't move you or the baby."
Maria scowled at him. "I'm not a wimp Max. We can go, if there's a back way out of here."
She saw Michael and Max exchange looks. "There isn't." Max finally told her.
Somehow Maria didn't believe them. It was frustrating, but it was apparent that there was no way that either of them were going to let her move.
Michael gently handed Jennetta back to Maria, climbed to his feet. "Are we going to fight Maxwell?"
Max shook his head. "No. We can't risk the baby. I think she's the key to this whole thing Michael. We're going to have to give ourselves up. For now." He amended hastily when he saw the expression on Michael's face.
"I'm not giving my daughter up." Michael told Max firmly. "I'll kill her before I hand her over to those emotionless bastards." Maria cradled Jennetta close against her chest, even the thought of her baby dying causing her to begin to panic.
"Oh my God! What are we going to do? Michael!" She tried to keep her voice steady, but that irritating note of hysteria was just below the surface.
Michael never had a chance to respond.
As the trio watched in horror, Max's illusion faded away like the dispersal of fog. The entrance to the cave was suddenly filled with Dernian soldiers.
Maria was not surprised when the soldiers parted to reveal the blank-faced Tarsus. He came to a stop a few feet from them.
Max and Michael had moved in front of Maria and Jennetta, but Maria was able to see Tarsus quite clearly anyway. He was staring right at her.
Or rather, he was staring at Jennetta...
Maria felt a shudder run through her body.
She suddenly knew with complete certainty that her baby was in grave danger.
Jaxon followed Mrs. Evans up the stairs and through a doorway at the top. "This is your room." She told him softly. "Do you remember it?"
He surveyed the unfamiliar room impassively. Walking forward, he noticed a picture frame sitting on the desk. He picked it up, stared down at it.
It was a picture of six people, four of whom he recognized.
Jaxon's eyes were immediately drawn to his own face. He was smiling slightly, but it was clear that he wasn't really paying attention to the camera, but, rather, was focused on the girl sitting on his lap. It was Liz. She had her arm around his neck and she was laughing, her forehead resting against his cheek as though she was too weak to hold her head up.
Directly to their right was a tall, skinny boy with dark brown hair and twinkling eyes. Mirana was standing beside him, her hand in his, smiling openly at the camera.
To their left was Tristandor. He was scowling, but it was not in an angry way. Rather he just looked amusingly frustrated. It was clear that the girl beside him was talking to him. Her mouth was open and she clearly had no intention of looking at the camera. Tristandor's arm was around her though and the way he was holding her...It was clear that they were a couple.
Mrs. Evans came up behind him, glanced over his shoulder. "That was taken on your seventeenth birthday - yours and Izzy's." She told him sadly.
Jaxon glanced at her over his shoulder. He liked Mrs. Evans - Mr. Evans too - he was sorry that he did not remember them and he was also sorry that it hurt them so much that he did not. "Who are these two?" He asked her, curious. It was clear that they had been friends of his. It was also clear that they were MORE than friends with Mirana and Tristandor, which just served to confuse him.
His sister and Tristandor were supposed to be married to each other. Or at least that is what Tarsus had told him.
"That's Alex, Izzy's boyfriend." Mrs. Evans explained. "And that's Maria." She paused. "She's Liz's best friend and Michael's girlfriend..."
Max turned to look at her curiously. It was clear that the woman he was told was his adoptive mother wanted to say something more. "She's very ill at the moment." She finished lamely.
Jaxon stared down at the picture briefly. He wondered why Maria looked so familiar. He knew that he was supposed to know her, but it was more than that...
He carefully replaced the picture on the desk. "I'm sorry." He said.
Mrs. Evans gazed at him for a moment, smiled briefly again. "Well, I guess I better go make sure that Jennetta is settling in with Isabel." She finally said. She paused, then turned to leave the room. "Sleep well Max."
"Mother." She whirled around. Jaxon realized that the word sounded highly unnatural. He remembered what he had heard Mirana call Diane Evans. "Er - Mom." Her eyes filled with tears. "Thank you."
She hurried back towards him, hugged him before he could stop her. He realized that he didn't mind. He actually sort of liked it. "I'm so glad that you're back Max. We've missed you so much."
"Thank you." He said again, feeling utterly unsure of what to say.
Jaxon watched her leave a moment later, went to carefully sit on the bed. He swallowed, looking around the room again, wishing that he remembered something...Anything.
He sighed, fell back against the pillows and closed his eyes.
He was exhausted, sure that he would fall asleep immediately. He semi-hoped that this was all a bad dream and that when he awoke he would be back in his tent in Dernia. He wouldn't even mind waking up in the Citadel. He would be happy anywhere that wasn't this strange planet that he clearly had spent many years on.
And he remembered none of it.
But if he had not come here, he would not have met Liz.
His eyes snapped open at that. He clenched his jaw. No matter how hard he tried to be immune to her charms, he could not stop thinking about her.
She was driving him crazy.
He had sat beside her on the airplane returning from the land she called England to the land of America. Being so close to her had nearly driven him insane. Even when he turned away from her, the clean scent of her had managed to invade his space, making him want to turn around and crush his lips to hers.
In the Miami airport he had felt her eyes on him the whole time, serious and concerned and shining with some emotion that he was trying to avoid at all costs.
And so he had concentrated on being furious.
He had tried to be furious at Tristandor for stealing Jennetta away from him, but to see her face light up the way it did in his presence...Well, that hadn't worked.
So, he had tried to be furious at Mirana for betraying him...But one look at the hurt expression on her face every time their eyes met...Well, somehow that had been a failure too.
Finally he had tried to be angry with Liz - for bewitching him, for trying to comfort him. It was clear that she knew exactly when he was upset and it frightened him. What frightened him even more was that he seemed able to feel HER emotions as well. And although she was sad that he could not remember her, the overwhelming emotion he was receiving from her was love.
In the end, he had settled on self-loathing. It was easiest. He hated himself for being drawn to these people, even though he knew that they had betrayed him in the past and would do so again in the future.
Now, as he lay on this strange bed in this strange bedroom, he tried to think about what he was going to do. He had to get Jennetta safely home somehow but he had absolutely no idea how he was going to go about doing that.
Jaxon gave up trying to sleep. He knew that he wasn't going to get any rest until he checked on Jennetta once more.
The Evans household was quiet as he opened his bedroom door and pushed open the door next to his. He knew it was Isabel's room for he had seen Mr. Evans bring Mirana's suitcase in her when they had gotten back from the airport.
It had been strange to arrive at the Roswell airport. There had been several people waiting for them, including Mrs. Evans and a man everyone called the Sheriff. The Sheriff's son, Kyle, was there as well.
Liz had hurried forward to hug Kyle. Jaxon had been surprised when a pang had hit him. He realized that it was jealousy. But it had quickly flown from his mind when Mrs. Evans had taken him into her embrace, weeping all over him.
The Sheriff had moved forward to shake Jaxon's hand. Jaxon had blinked when Valenti had pulled him forward to give him a quick hug. "We're glad to have you back Max." Jaxon had seen Liz smiling at him affectionately as he stared at the Sheriff, perplexed. She had mouthed that she would explain later.
Mrs. Evans had been delighted to meet Jennetta. When she had asked how they had managed to get her into the country, Isabel had smiled for the first time that Jaxon had seen. "As Maria would say, a little Samantha genie hocus pocus." She had whipped out the passport that she had created for Jaxon's small sister.
"Well, a new daughter! Imagine Phillip!" Mr. Evans had looked pleased as well. Jaxon had frowned slightly when Jennetta had continued to cling to Michael's hand.
"Aren't you coming with us?" She had asked him worriedly. Tristandor had smiled down at her reassuringly.
"I'll come see you soon Jenny. I just have to go see someone else first."
Jaxon had seen Michael scowl when Kyle and the Sheriff had exchanged looks. Kyle had led Michael away, had clearly been telling him something that Tristandor was not at all happy to hear.
Jaxon's brother-in-law had been gone a split-second later, running towards the exit at a dead sprint, Kyle on his heels.
When Jaxon had turned back to the others, he noticed that Liz was watching Michael's retreating back, a slight frown on her beautiful face.
That had pretty much been the last sight he had had of her. Before he knew it, the Sheriff had hustled her away, saying that he would drive her home. Liz had appeared to be reluctant to leave them, but she gave in finally, telling Isabel that she would be over first thing in the morning.
Right before she left, she had come up to Jaxon, had touched his cheek lovingly. "Sleep well Max." Her eyes had been shining as she gazed at his face. "I'll see you tomorrow." He had frozen when she had stood on her tip-toes. He KNEW that she was going to kiss him.
He had felt strangely disappointed when all she did was press her lips to his cheek.
Now, as Jaxon stared down at the sleeping Jennetta, he felt that disappointment again.
He had wanted Liz to kiss him.
No, he had NEEDED her to kiss him.
Somehow the idea had come to him that if Liz kissed him everything would be all right.
It was ridiculous, ludicrous, insane.
But then nothing in his life currently made any sense.
Jaxon stared across the room at Mirana, who was curled up in the other bed.
She could help him.
He was at her bedside in an instant. "Mirana!" He whispered urgently, not wanting to awaken Jennetta. His twin did not stir. He tried again. "MIRANA!" Nothing. And then, "ISABEL!"
She sat up abruptly, stared at him. She blinked, her blonde hair tumbling around her shoulders. "Max?" Her tone was hopeful.
"Er no." He suddenly felt very foolish. "Never mind." He moved to leave the room, silently cursing himself for the romantic whimsy that seemed to have taken control of all his senses.
"Jaxon?" Isabel was suddenly behind him, stopped him by grabbing his arm. "What is it? You can tell me. I'm your sister." She was gazing at him with a mixture of hope and affection. It did not gel with the cold harpy he remembered from Illyria, but then this WAS NOT Illyria.
He eyed her a moment longer...And finally...
"I need you to tell me where Liz lives."
He saw her face light up.
"That I can do." She moved away, picked up a jacket that was lying across her bed. She slid her feet into a pair of shoes. "In fact, I can do better than that. I can take you there."
Liz sat curled up on the chaise lounge on her balcony, a pad of paper lying forgotten on her lap. She was staring up at the "V" constellation in the sky, a slight smile on her face.
She was so happy that Max was back, she could even look at those cursed stars without flinching.
He was back. They had done it.
Well, almost, she amended sternly to herself. They still had to convince him that Isabel and Michael had not betrayed him. Oh, and also help him to remember being Max Evans.
But Liz knew that it was only a matter of time. The real miracle had already happened. He had come back to them. To her.
It was only a matter of time.
And then she heard it.
She blinked, shook her head, was sure that she was dreaming.
But no...
There it was again. "LIZ!" It was half a whisper, half an echo of days gone by. She almost didn't dare to go to the edge of the balcony to look over.
It would be too, too disappointing if he wasn't really there.
She forced herself to climb to her feet, to go look down on the alley, to the spot where he had stood so many times before calling up to her.
It was not a figment of her imagination. He was standing there, looking up, a perplexed expression on his face. Liz realized quickly that he wasn't alone. She saw Isabel slinking away into the shadows, clearly wanting to leave them alone.
Thank you Isabel.
"Can I come up?" He sounded worried, and even a little frightened.
"Of course." Liz managed to reply, sounding more confident than she felt.
He was beside her a moment later. "Hello." He licked his lips, appeared not to know what to say after that.
"Hi Max. What's going on?" She tried to sound natural, but there was nothing natural about any of this.
The only really natural thing to do would be to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him, connecting with him, loving him the way that she would never love anyone else.
"I'm not sure." He replied quietly. "I needed to see you."
"Why?"
He paused, stared at her. She felt her heart speed up when his gaze dropped to her lips. "I...I don't...I should go." He finally managed to say. "This is ridiculous. I don't even know why I came here."
Liz watched him turn away, felt her heart go out to him. He was so lost. It was devastating to see him this way. Her Max had always been quiet, but he had also been strong and sure of who he was.
This Max was confusion incarnate.
"I know why." Liz said quickly as he moved to climb back down the fire escape.
He turned around. "You do?"
"Yes." She moved toward him. He backed away from her until he was up against the wall that ran around the balcony. He blinked at her, took a deep breath. "I know you Max. You can't hide from me any longer. You want to kiss me. Don't you?"
Liz stopped about a foot away from him. It was torture to do so, but it was up to him to make the next move. He was staring at her, looking fascinated. "May the stars preserve me," He finally breathed, gently bringing his hands up to cup her face. Liz felt her own breath stop. "I do."
He brought his lips down on hers.
Part 26
The minute Jaxon's lips touched Liz's the connection was made.
The images rushed through his mind in a blur, making him dizzy. He didn't understand any of it.
And yet it was all completely familiar.
Flash*
"You're all right now. You're all right. You broke the bottle when you fell, spilled ketchup on yourself. Don't tell anyone...please."
Flash*
"I prefer the term 'not of this earth...' Sorry. Its not a good time to joke."
Flash*
"I never thanked you...For saving my life."
"Thank YOU."
Flash*
"No we've always looked like this...well, except for the third eye....Kidding."
Flash*
"I can't stop what's happening to your grandmother, but maybe I can help you say goodbye."
Flash*
"Hey. The first moment anything weird happens, anything at all, you come back."
Flash*
"I've been waiting for this for a long time."
Flash*
"Cause if I don't go right now things are going to change."
"Change how?"
"I'd have to touch your hair because its so soft...and I'd have to tell you that no matter what we go through its all worthwhile for me because we're together..."
"And then?"
"And then...I'd have to do this..."
Flash*
"...something about Venus in the morning sky."
"I thought she was right in front of me."
Flash*
"What's so great about normal?"
Flash*
"I mean some girls would give a lot to see themselves fly through outer space."
Flash*
"I look at you and I know you're the person I'm supposed to be with. I've always known it. What happened here that day, when you got shot, and how that brought us together...it's fate. Look at me. You're the one Liz...the only one. I could never be with anyone else."
Flash*
"Whether I die tomorrow or fifty years from now my destiny is the same. It's you. I want to be with you Liz. I love you."
Flash*
"But you mean everything to me!"
Flash*
"Jeez Liz! I'm not dead. I'm sorry I didn't turn out to be the guy you thought I was, but really there's no need for the soap opera. I'm doing just fine. I happen to like Pam. She's fun, not serious. There's not the boring dissection of every little thing with her..."
Flash*
"But Liz...I DON'T love you."
Flash*
"I don't understand Liz. Everyone else gave up on me. Why didn't you?"
Flash*
"I will always be with you Liz. You are my heart."
Flash*
"I loved you from the first moment I laid eyes on you and I will love you until my dying breath."
Jaxon felt Liz wrap her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.
He couldn't seem to get enough of her...
The way she felt in his arms was indescribable...the images she sent whirling through his mind....
He had never felt closer to anyone in his life...like he now knew her inside and out.
Like he had come home.
He moved his hands until they were gently cupping her delicate skull, her long hair trailing like silk through his fingers. He slanted his lips over hers, deepening the kiss until he felt like he was drowning.
Liz sighed gently. "Max..."
Jaxon's eyes snapped open.
Liz seemed to feel the moment that he lost the connection. She moved back slightly, gazing into his eyes seriously. Jaxon felt his breath coming raggedly. He stared at her, felt panic beginning to set in.
He WAS NOT Max Evans! He was Jaxon - he was Jaxon dammit!
"Are you all right?" Liz asked him quietly, refusing to remove her gaze from his. He wanted to turn away from her, but he felt paralyzed.
He swallowed, finally managed to get the words out. "What was that?"
What he had seen - it had all been familiar, and yet those were NOT his memories.
"We connected." Liz replied. "You were seeing ME."
Jaxon blinked at her. "I don't understand."
"We've always been able to do it Max. Ever since the first moment I knew who you were. We're bonded in a way that defies explanation." Liz took his hand in his. He stared down at where her gentle grip connected them.
"I saw so many things Liz. I saw you when you were a little girl. I saw YOU die. I saw every single memory you have of me." He could not stop himself. He reached up and touched her face. "I FELT the way you feel about me."
Liz's gaze did not falter. "I love you." She told him simply.
"I know." Jaxon replied, feeling amazed.
For the first time he hated that he could not remember their relationship. He had to accept that there had been one.
She loved him. She would not betray him.
He finally had someone to trust on this cursed planet.
Liz led him over to a chair, gently pushed him down into it. She knelt in front of him, looked up at him seriously. "What happens now?"
Jaxon rubbed a hand across his face, sighed. "I don't know." He looked at her. "I'm so sorry Liz."
Her beautiful face looked perplexed. "Why?"
"It must hurt you that I don't remember." Her face tightened momentarily, but relaxed a moment later.
"It's more sad than anything else. I miss sharing memories with you Max." She placed her hands on his face, forced him to look at her. "But you're still you - even if you don't remember. We are still connected, bonded. We will be forever."
Jaxon leaned forward slightly, brought his lips to hers again in a gentle kiss. His intention had been to comfort her, but the fire that existed between them quickly flared again and before he knew it she was on his lap, her hands in his hair.
He placed one hand on her waist to hold her steady, brushed the other one up and down her slender back, loving the way he could feel her breathing. When his hand reached the back of her neck, the skin there was so soft...Her hair brushed the back of his hand, making his heart speed up even more than it already had.
It was like heaven.
It took them both several moments to realize that the phone was ringing.
Liz sighed, gently disentangled herself from his embrace. "Normally I would let that ring." Liz told him wryly. "But it's so late it has to be about Maria." Jaxon watched her expression darken as she went to pick up the telephone that was sitting on a nearby table.
Jaxon stood up, watched her back as she talked. He was not listening to her words at all.
He could not stop staring at her. She was so lovely she took his breath away.
He was in SERIOUS trouble.
When Liz hung up the phone, her head was lowered. She did not turn around, did not say a word.
Jaxon knew that something awful must have happened.
"Liz?" He finally broke the silence, moved to stand close behind her, wanting to comfort her, but not knowing how.
He knew that she was upset. Maria, the one that had seemed so familiar in the picture he had seen earlier that evening, had clearly taken a turn for the worse. "That was Michael." Liz finally choked out, still not turning around. "Maria's in a coma. I saw her earlier tonight." She explained. She still had not turned around. "Her heart stopped twenty minutes ago."
"Liz, I'm sorry." He didn't know what to say.
"They managed to revive her." Liz continued. "But...I don't think...I mean..." Jaxon could hear the tears in her voice. Her back began to shake.
He reached out, pulled her gently against him, her back to his front, tried to comfort her. "I am so sorry." He paused. She was quietly sobbing. "Is there anything I can do?" He asked in desperation.
She froze. She said nothing for what seemed like forever, but finally... "We decided not to ask you. You have enough to deal with."
"Ask me what?" And then he knew.
They knew about his gift.
Of course they did. It was how he and Liz had first connected. He had healed her.
He COULD do something for her.
Jaxon gently turned Liz around so that she was facing him. He lifted her chin with his index finger. Her dark eyes were liquid with tears. If he could do something to stop her from crying, he would do it. He would do anything.
Somehow he was getting the feeling that even though he did not remember their relationship, he would still gladly die for this small slip of a girl.
"Take me to her."
*************************************************************************************
Kyle literally thought that Michael was going to hurl the doctor through the wall. "What the hell do you mean you want to unhook her life support?"
At least he didn't think to blast him, Kyle thought wryly as he, his dad and Alex managed to pull Michael off of poor Dr. Lerner.
"Get a hold of yourself Mr. Guerin!" Kyle's dad commanded. "You are not helping anyone here. Certainly not Maria."
Kyle could see Amy Deluca watching them all with horror from Maria's hospital bedside. She finally turned away, began to stroke Maria's forehead.
Michael pulled away from them all, stalked away down the hospital corridor, raking his hands through his spiky hair. Kyle could hear him muttering to himself.
"I'll go." Alex said to Kyle, following Michael at a safe distance, giving him a chance to cool down.
"I'm sorry Doctor." Kyle heard his dad trying to appease the doctor. "He's just a kid and he's grieving."
"I understand." Dr. Lerner replied, his face still white. He looked like he had just seen his life pass before his eyes.
Kyle sighed. He and his dad had brought Michael and Liz to see Maria on the way home from the hospital. The Parkers had come for their daughter a couple of hours ago. Although Liz had not wanted to leave, she had finally been convinced that she could come back for the night shift at Maria's bedside.
Michael had refused to go anywhere. He had been a powder keg waiting to explode since Kyle had told him what was going on with Maria at the hospital.
Just like they had known he would be, he was practically insane with fury that no one had told him that his girlfriend was in a coma. They had finally managed to calm him down, but Kyle had seen the expression on his face when Maria had flat-lined.
Michael Guerin had looked like he had died too.
It made Kyle almost glad that Tess had rejected him. He did not ever want to have to feel the horror and pain that Michael had obviously felt at that moment.
Kyle watched his dad go in to comfort Mrs. Deluca. If anything good had come out of this situation, it seemed like Maria's mom and his dad might finally be getting their relationship back on track.
There was no question that Amy was going to need someone very soon.
Not for the first time that night Kyle wondered why no one had brought Max to see Maria yet.
They had their very own miracle-healer in their midst and he was nowhere to be found.
Kyle had briefly heard from Liz about Max's loss of memory, but Kyle could not believe that Max Evans, no matter who he thought he was, would ever NOT do something for someone in pain if he could.
He had always been Saint Max. He always would be, even if he did call himself Saint Jaxon now.
At that exact moment the doors leading into the IC unit swung open and Liz came rushing through.
And she was not alone.
Max Evans' eyes met his as Liz came to an abrupt halt next to him.
The first thing that Kyle noticed was that Liz and Max were holding hands.
Interesting. Saint Max WAS still around.
"Are we too late?" Liz asked breathlessly. Max stood quietly beside her, but Kyle could see his eyes stray towards the window that looked into Maria's room.
"She's still breathing." Kyle replied quietly. "The doctor wants to take her off life-support."
"Oh God!" Liz's eyes filled with tears. "We might be too late."
"It's still worth a shot." Kyle could see that his dad had noticed Max's arrival. He was gently helping Amy to her feet. His dad was clearly trying to clear the hospital room so that Max could work his healing magic.
"C'mon Amy. Let's go get a cup of coffee. The kids can stay with Maria for a few moments" Kyle and his dad exchanged glances as the Sheriff led Mrs. Deluca down the hall in the direction Alex and Michael had taken several moments before. Amy looked like she had already started to shut-down. Grief made her stumble a few steps later. Kyle's dad put an arm around her, but they kept going.
Kyle trailed Max and Liz into the hospital room. Max was staring down at Maria, a sad expression on his face.
Finally, Kyle saw Max swallow. "Liz, you need to tell me about her - about OUR relationship, I mean if we had one." He finally said desperately. "I need something to be able to connect with her. I don't remember!" Max sounded upset and frustrated, but determined as well.
Liz smiled wanly at him. "Just think of strawberries." She told him quietly.
Max's brow furrowed slightly. He looked confused. "Okay."
Kyle put his arm around Liz as they watched Max gently lay his hands on Maria's temples.
"God, please let this work." Kyle muttered under his breath.
Part 27
*Dreams * Maria
"MICHAEL! Are you insane? I refuse to allow it!" Maria screeched, placing a hand against the wall of the cave to support her weight. Her back was killing her. She took a deep breath, wished that she had a bottle of cyprus oil to calm her nerves.
Fleeing evil aliens was not fun in the best of circumstances.
Doing so while eight months pregnant with an alien baby downgraded the fun factor by about another ten points.
She had never been so tired in her life. But she was not so tired that she couldn't knock some sense into Michael's stubborn spiky head.
"No Maria, I am not insane." Michael replied evenly. "We're sort of in a dire situation here." He raised his eyebrows at her. "Do you have any other ideas?"
Maria scowled at him. "We wait for Max. He said he would be here."
Michael scraped a hand through his hair in the way that usually endeared him to her, but currently made her want to belt him. "It's been five days Maria. He's not coming."
"Do you think it's easy breaking into a fortified encampment?" Max asked wryly as he suddenly appeared at the cave's entrance. Maria heaved a sigh of relief.
The voice of reason had returned in the form of Max Evans. She had had just about enough of arguing with Michael about the stupidity of turning himself in to Tarsus.
"Thank God." She told Max. "Maybe you can talk some sense into him."
"When has Michael ever been capable of sense?" Max snapped, tossing a bag at Michael. "They're in there." He told his friend, suddenly looking very tired.
Michael scowled at Max, but turned away without retorting to Max's comment.
"What are THEY?" Maria demanded, annoyed that, as usual, she was completely in the dark about the plan.
"The orbs Maria." Michael replied peevishly, pulling two red orbs out of the bag. "Do you really think these things will open the portal?" He asked Max, looking unconvinced.
Maria wrinkled her nose. "Not more orbs. I HATE orbs." She muttered. "Orbs were what got us into this mess in the first place."
She saw Max trying to smother a smile. He might be generally ticked off at Michael lately, but he was still capable of laughter, something Michael seemed to have forgotten how to do.
Sure their lives currently sucked, but then, what else was new?
There was a lot to be happy about too.
They had escaped. They were going home.
Maria still wasn't sure HOW they had managed to get away from the Dernians, but it had happened.
When Max had appeared in the stone circle over eight months ago Maria had felt the first glimmerings of hope that they were finally going to get back to Earth.
And now it was on the verge of happening.
Of course, she and Michael had made one tiny strategic error all those months ago. One that was going to be VERY difficult to explain when they returned to Roswell.
Maria had imagined the conversation with her mother about a thousand times. Every time it ended up sounding more ridiculous.
"So Mom, you might be wondering where I've been for the last year and a half. Actually, I've been held captive with my alien lover on his home planet, where he happens to be the right hand to a King. Well, "lover" might be too strong a word for the one time we actually gave into our raging teenage hormones. I mean, we HAD just gone through an alien judgment where we both potentially could have been fried to a crisp. Max should have known better than to leave us alone. But hey! Guess what! We beat the odds! One time lucky for Maria Deluca. Mom, I'm pleased to inform you that your worst nightmare has come true. I am following in your illustrious footsteps by becoming the third generation unwed teen mother in the Deluca clan!"
Maria snapped back to attention when she realized that Michael and Max were still bickering.
"I tell you Maxwell...It's not going to work!" Michael was complaining as he fiddled with the orbs.
"Just like my plan to escape the camp didn't work?" Max asked condescendingly. Maria grimaced. THAT was going to piss Michael off.
"Are you saying MY plan wouldn't have worked?" Michael demanded, advancing on Max with a menacing expression on his face.
"I NEVER said that. Al I'm saying is that your plan was not feasible. Maria was in no condition to attempt a direct bolt for the Ring." Max replied, clearly frustrated. He stared Michael down in that serious way of his that had become far too familiar to Maria in the last few months.
"So you're blaming THAT on me again too!" Michael's voice was quiet with loosely leashed anger.
"The words are coming out of YOUR mouth Michael. You're the one who told ME that you could control your - ahem- power source."
Maria realized that this conversation was quickly entering territory she wanted NO part of.
"Whoa! Time out boys! You can play your male ego games later." Both Max and Michael turned to stare at her in irritation. Maria swallowed, took another deep breath. "Far be it from me to keep you two from continuing your twisted Czechoslovakian version of the Odd Couple, but I think we have a situation developing here."
"What?" Michael demanded. Maria gasped suddenly, clutched her stomach. A stabbing pain that felt like it was ripping her apart suddenly seemed to take control of her body. She fell to her knees, trying to block out the pain.
"What's wrong! Maria!" Michael's voice sounded like it was coming from a great distance.
The pain seemed to reach a peak and then slowly faded away. When Maria opened her eyes, she saw both Michael and Max close at her side, their faces white. Michael had his arm around her back, supporting her. She realized that neither was looking at her, but were rather staring at each other in horror.
"I think it's the baby Michael." Max finally said, his voice sounding a little squeaky. Maria turned to look at him, tilting her head in amazement at the terrified expression on his face.
"Jesus! What are we going to do?" Michael demanded.
"Ummmm...Hello??? I am still here." Maria said testily. "I think it is safe to say Mr. States-the-Obvious," Maria looked at Max pointedly, "That it IS the baby."
"You can't have the baby here. " Michael said firmly. "Not only is it too early, we agreed that it would be born on Earth. We've got the orbs. We're going home. The baby CANNOT be born until we're back on Earth." He kept saying it, as though repeating the phrase "the baby will be born on Earth" would make it so.
Max was nodding his head in agreement.
"Oh sorry." Maria replied sarcastically. "I forgot to tell the baby that."
She gulped, grabbed Michael by the shirt-front as another contraction ripped through her. "Oh my God! This really, really hurts!" She started panting, remembering how labouring woman had looked on ER the last time she had tuned in. She didn't know much, but she did know she had to breathe..."Oh, this so sucks." She moaned. "You are so dead for this Michael."
When the contraction finally ended, Max appeared to have gotten a hold of himself. He was calmly rubbing Maria's back. She tuned in to him telling her to breathe.
"These contractions are pretty close together." He said, annoying Maria by stating the obvious again. He wasn't talking to her though. He was talking to Michael. "We have to get her out of here. Tarsus and his minions weren't far behind me." Max looked down at Maria. "How long have these been happening?"
Maria scowled at him. "Thanks for including me in the discussion of what you're going to do with ME." Max pressed his lips together, looking slightly abashed. Maria felt better. "I think a while actually. I thought I had a backache but it might have been contractions. The pain sort of seemed to come at regular intervals."
"Oh great! Maria, why didn't you tell me?" Michael asked, sounding put out.
"I seem to recall I was busy keeping you from running off and getting yourself killed." Maria snapped. She clenched her teeth, felt the next contraction beginning to rise. "Oh my God. Oh my God." She tried to stop herself but she shrieked.
"Okay, we need to pull ourselves together here." Maria could semi-hear Max through the haze of pain that felt like it was tearing her body apart. "We obviously can't go anywhere for the moment."
"We're dead Max. They're going to find us." Michael sounded resigned. Maria felt him moving around behind her. When she emerged from the contraction, she realized that she was now seated between his legs, leaning back against his chest. He was stroking her hair comfortingly.
Max sighed. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. In the meantime, I can make it a little harder for them." Maria watched Max hurry out of the cave.
"Where is he going?" She asked Michael in amazement. She felt her boyfriend shrug.
"Are you okay?" He was still stroking her hair. He sounded very upset.
"Unfortunately, no." Maria replied saucily. "I have a feeling this is going to get worse before it gets better."
She could feel the tension descending on the cave like a blanket. Michael was breathing heavily. Finally he broke the silence. "I am so sorry about this Maria."
Maria felt her heart go out to him despite herself. She willed herself to get through what she had to say before the next contraction took over. She could already feel it building...
"Don't ever be sorry for what happens between us Michael." She couldn't turn her awkward body around to face him, but she knew that he was listening. "You weren't the only one who lost control of their -er how did Max phrase that? - power source? I love you. What happened was only natural." She laughed, realized that it sounded a little hysterical. "Trust us though to always manage the most disastrous results."
"Do you really think it's a huge disaster?" Michael asked her quietly.
Maria paused. In reality, she would be lying if she told him that she was eager to have this baby. But on the other hand...
It was MICHAEL'S baby.
"Well, it might be a little sooner than I would have liked. "Maria finally replied wryly, "But it's your babies I want to be having so at least I got THAT right." The last word came out sounding a little squeally. "Oh no! Oh no! It's happening again..."
The last thing Maria was consciously aware of was Max returning....and then the pain was all that was left...
"Well, at least she isn't green and slimy." Maria said a few hours later as she stared down at her newborn daughter. She felt like laughing like a maniac.
They had done it. Somehow she and Michael, with a little help from Max, had managed to bring this living being into the universe.
The first thing Maria had thought when she'd seen the baby was that it was the most hideous creature she had ever laid eyes on.
"Oh God! Michael! She has your hair!" Maria had shrieked when Max had finished cleaning her up and placed the tiny baby on Maria's stomach. "Why does she have to have your hair??? She's never going to have any boyfriends!" She had glared at Max who had started to laugh. "Shut up Max! Just look at her! She's all spiky!"
"She's beautiful." Maria had turned her head to stare at Michael. He had been gazing down at the baby, the most amazed expression on his face. "How can she possibly be so beautiful?"
"Are you crazy?" Maria demanded. "She looks like a troll!" Max was still laughing. "Max, would you please shut up! I just know that your and Liz's kids aren't going to look like this! It's not fair!"
"Maria, would you shut up?" Michael snapped. "She'll hear you!"
"Michael, she's ten minutes old. I don't think I'm scarring her for life here."
Max had intervened at this point. "I think all babies sort of look weird when they're first born Maria. I remember seeing on the Learning Channel that babies born with hair generally lose it anyway." Maria knew that he was trying to reassure her, but she couldn't stop staring at the baby's hair. It was exactly the same shade as Michael's and it literally stood up all over her head.
But then the tiny girl had raised her fist to her mouth, causing Maria's heart to stop. "Oh my God! She's perfect!" She breathed. "Her hand...It's so tiny."
And that was the moment she fell in love with her child.
The labour had been long and arduous but Michael had coached her through it, not even flinching when she had grabbed him by the hair at one point, screaming that she was going to murder him.
It had been Max who had delivered the baby. He had looked dubious at first, but as was usually the case with Max Evans, he rose to the occasion like the leader he was. Maria had been slightly unable to believe that they had actually done it when Max had announced that it was a girl.
She and Michael had a daughter.
Now, as Maria watched Max wander to the other side of the cave to check his illusionary blockade of the entrance to the cave, she turned to Michael who was holding the baby. She looked even tinier in his large hands. He was still staring down at her as though she was literally the most amazing thing he had ever seen in his life.
Maria had never seen a more beautiful sight in HER life.
Michael Guerin finally had his family.
"What are we going to name her?" Maria asked Michael suddenly, realized that she could not believe that they had never discussed names.
Michael managed to tear his gaze away from his daughter to look at Maria perplexed. "I have no idea. All I know is that it is not going to be a soap opera name. My daughter is NOT going to be named Sheridan or Charity. And nothing trendy. There are already too many Taylors and Hunters running around Roswell."
Maria grinned at him. "Gee, you've really put a lot of thought into this, haven't you? And might I inquire as to how you know the names of soap opera characters?"
Michael looked momentarily embarrassed and replied defensively, "Hey, I know what it was like to be one of twelve Michaels in my grade. And I skipped a lot of school in my day Maria." He continued. "There are only so many sports channels."
Maria was still smiling at him affectionately. "I have an idea." She told him quietly, after she had watched him watching their daughter a while longer.
Michael glanced up at her briefly. "Yeah? What?"
"Well, obviously her middle name is going to be Elizabeth." Maria began. Michael raised an eyebrow at her. "Well, I mean duh! But for her first name, I think something signifying YOUR heritage would be perfect."
Michael was confused. "What do you mean?"
"Ren told me about your mother Michael." She saw Michael's eyes widen.
"What?" He asked finally, after he seemed able to use his voice. "Why didn't you tell me about this?"
"Well, I thought you had enough to deal with what with all the sisters you suddenly had running around." She explained quickly, hoping that he wasn't going to get mad at her. "Anyway, apparently your mother died right after Tess was born. Ren didn't tell me much about her, but he did tell me her name. It was Jennetta."
Michael looked down at the baby again, this time sadly. He looked up at Maria again. "I like it." He leaned forward, kissed her gently on the forehead. "Thank you."
The moment ended too quickly for Maria.
Moments later Max had returned, a resigned expression on his face. "I'm sorry you guys. They found us." He glanced back at the cave entrance. "That illusion isn't going to hold very much longer." He eyed Maria, assessing her condition. "It's too soon. We can't move you or the baby."
Maria scowled at him. "I'm not a wimp Max. We can go, if there's a back way out of here."
She saw Michael and Max exchange looks. "There isn't." Max finally told her.
Somehow Maria didn't believe them. It was frustrating, but it was apparent that there was no way that either of them were going to let her move.
Michael gently handed Jennetta back to Maria, climbed to his feet. "Are we going to fight Maxwell?"
Max shook his head. "No. We can't risk the baby. I think she's the key to this whole thing Michael. We're going to have to give ourselves up. For now." He amended hastily when he saw the expression on Michael's face.
"I'm not giving my daughter up." Michael told Max firmly. "I'll kill her before I hand her over to those emotionless bastards." Maria cradled Jennetta close against her chest, even the thought of her baby dying causing her to begin to panic.
"Oh my God! What are we going to do? Michael!" She tried to keep her voice steady, but that irritating note of hysteria was just below the surface.
Michael never had a chance to respond.
As the trio watched in horror, Max's illusion faded away like the dispersal of fog. The entrance to the cave was suddenly filled with Dernian soldiers.
Maria was not surprised when the soldiers parted to reveal the blank-faced Tarsus. He came to a stop a few feet from them.
Max and Michael had moved in front of Maria and Jennetta, but Maria was able to see Tarsus quite clearly anyway. He was staring right at her.
Or rather, he was staring at Jennetta...
Maria felt a shudder run through her body.
She suddenly knew with complete certainty that her baby was in grave danger.