Chapter Twenty One

" That's what I saw, " said Isabel. Max, Liz, Michael, and Maria were sitting around her in the Crashdown. Thaman was with Valenti and Kyle took Serena to her hotel." Max. You know how when Tess first came to town, do you remember your first reaction? "
Max looked at Isabel. How did Tess factor into the conversation about her and Thaman? But of course he remembered how he felt about Tess when he first saw her. " I felt like I couldn't trust her and all I wanted to do was stay away from her, " he said looking disgusted. " Why? "
" Don't you get it Max? Our first instincts are right when we come into contact with aliens. Whenever we meet someone from our own race or in our past lives we get this feeling about them. You had those feelings because Zan knew that Ava was no good. So naturally when you saw Tess you felt the same way. When I first saw Thaman I couldn't explain how I felt but now I know. When we came out of the pods, we instinctively knew that we were brother and sister. Michael was always outside of us but we were really close always. Thaman told me that I only thought of Rath as my brother and nothing else. Even though we were betrothed we didn't love each other in that way "
" So I guess you guys should just trust your instincts when you meet people " said Maria
" Instincts " said Liz looking at Max.
" Your vision was so vivid " said Maria, she was clinging to Michael for dear life. " To see your own death and the way you were feeling "
" Sounds like you're leaving something out, " said Michael looking at Isabel.
" I saw you get shot and lying on the floor with blood all over your face " she said looking at Michael. Then she looked at Max " I tried to save you and got shot. Thaman held me as I died "
" I saw that too " said Liz nodding.
" You saw that too? From Max? " asked Isabel
" Yeah. I saw everything from Zan's perspective. I saw Khivar kill the one responsible for shooting you. I saw Zan shaking Ava and yelling at her for being the traitor. I saw Zan get shot and a hole in his chest " she said closing her eyes. " I saw him fall over " she leaned in closer to Max for comfort.
" Oh God " said Maria holding on tighter to Michael.
" Thaman was too late to save any of us and he blames himself for that. He came just seconds after Zan was killed. He was the one that killed Ava "
" He killed Ava? " asked Michael
" I was wondering how she died " said Liz " But I saw Zan kill Khivar. How come he's still alive? "
" What? " asked Max.
" Ava brought him back and Thaman was going to kill him when Khivar's men came and other bodyguards were pulling Thaman back "
" So since Ava was the real traitor why did they bring her back? " asked Michael looking upset.
" Thaman doesn't know why. The only thing he knows is that our mother wanted the four of us brought here together "
" That's ridiculous. How could they endanger us like that? " asked Michael.
" We don't know the circumstances Michael " said Max. " Remember Thaman told us that a lot of things were happening while we were being created? "
Michael didn't look at him. He studying the utensils on the table. " We owe Thaman everything "
" He blames himself for everything. All the things that went wrong " said Isabel.
" But what is this about you and Thaman? " asked Michael looking at Isabel.
" That's personal " she said looking down.
" What's too personal? I just want to know what's going on? There has to be something "
" Michael I don't think... " said Max
" I think we need to know Max. Is there something that she's not telling us? "
" I loved Thaman in the other life " she said softly. " I was with Khivar because I couldn't have Thaman "
" What the hell? " asked Michael " How did that happen? "
" I don' t know exactly but I had a memory flash or something and I saw it " said Isabel closing her eyes. " When I had the first flash with Thaman I saw how he felt about me. How he felt as he held me when I died. What he did with my body "
" What did he do with your body? " asked Max suddenly.
" He brought my body to our mother's feet and in front of her he kissed me. Saying good bye "
Maria and Liz both sighed. They looked at each other. No wonder Isabel had fallen so badly for him so fast.
" And you loved him too? " asked Maria
Isabel nodded.
" You remembered loving him " said Liz thinking.

" A memory flash? How come you are the only one that has gotten that? " asked Michael getting back to the subject.
" I've gotten one before " said Max
Michael looked at him in disbelief. " When? "
" When we were in Vegas. I had a flash of me and Liz getting out of cab like we had just been married in Vegas "
" But you never got married in Vegas " stated Michael
" We did in the other reality " said Max
" What other reality? " asked Michael
" Liz got a visit from a future version of me telling that if we were together that the world would end "
" What? You guys being together isn't all that important " said Michael indifferently.
" He told me that when Max and me got back together, Tess eventually left Roswell and then when the enemy came fourteen years later that everyone died. Isabel and you, Michael, were dead and Future Max came back to warn me "
" That's why Max thought that Liz slept with Kyle " said Maria
" Without Tess you guys didn't have a chance "
" We don't have Tess now either " said Michael. " How are we going to have that? "
" We have Thaman now. From what I know Thaman wasn't in the other reality. But he did tell me that Serena would be my friend and tell us how to use the Granolith as a time machine "
" Serena? " asked Isabel.
" Yeah, Serena " said Liz. " She's supposed to be part of the group and somehow she knew how to make the Granolith into a time machine "
" Oh my God " said Isabel and Maria at the same time.
" Have you told her anything? " asked Michael suspiciously.
" No I didn't tell her anything " said Liz
" She doesn't push for any info either about you Michael, " said Maria rolling her eyes.
" She doesn't " said Liz. " She told me she wouldn't push me for anything I didn't want to tell her. She seems like she's got something hiding behind her too. She got strange after she saw Tess' picture "
" What? " asked Max
" Yeah she was looking through our Prom pictures and she saw a picture of Kyle and Tess. I thought that she would be jealous of Tess in the picture. I was about to explain that they weren't together when she called Tess Ava "
" She called her Ava? " asked Michael
" Why would she call her that? " asked Isabel
" I don't know. But I think Tess did something to her "
" How do you know it was Tess and not Ava? " asked Maria
" Because she said that the girl she knew looked exactly like Tess. She didn't say that she looked like that but had dyed hair and a nose piercing " said Liz.
" How could she know Tess? "
" I don't know, " said Liz. " That's why she came to Roswell, to find Tess "
" Did she give you the reason? " asked Max
" No, she just said that she was looking for her. Then she started asking if Tess was the reason why Max and I were having problems "
" How did she know you were having problems? " asked Michael.
" She said that before when we were talking about the guys we were with "
" She asked if Tess was close to anyone here "

" Does she know about Tess? " asked Michael.

" I don't know "

~~~~~~~~~~~

" Thaman why are you so antsy? "

" Jim, we do not have much time. I fear we may not make it to tomorrow "

" What are you talking about? " laughed Valenti. It was a vain attempt to make a lighter mood. He looked at the urgency in Thaman's eyes and stopped laughing.

" Something bad is coming "

" How bad? "

" Very bad I'm afraid "

" Is it dangerous for people in Roswell? "

" Everyone Jim. So many people we cannot save them all. The war has begun Jim and you know that. Who knows when the next battle will begin. Khivar's appearance was not some random act. He came to test them. Now he knows their powers have not developed to their fullest. Do you think that he will wait to attack? "

Valenti shook his head.

" Jim, we have no time. They do not stand a chance. I cannot protect them from an army. I am useless to them unless they can protect themselves. There is only so much I can do. If I do end up dying I want to die knowing that they can protect themselves. To keep them from worry now, I am telling them this is a short trip. We may come back, we never know but we have to prepare them somehow so that they are ready. I am afraid Khivar is already on his way to attack Earth. I know he will have Tess shortly with his Majesty's son "

" The Earth is in danger and there's no way of warning everyone "

" I know I endangered the Earth by letting Tess go. But once they are trained I do not think that there will be anything to worry about "

" Why did you pick Earth for them? "

" It was decided it was the safest place. Jim I did not pick Earth. I am only a soldier "

" I know it's been hard for you "

" More than 50 years Jim. I have waited for them. To have them become the people that they were. To protect them until we returned to Antar. It has a long time to wait to settle old scores. But I am glad that I delayed the ship's generators "

" What do you mean you delayed the generators? "

Thaman smiled mischievously. " Do you really think it would take 24 hours for a ship of that much power to recharge? "

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

" So all of you are leaving tomorrow? " said Serena

" Yeah. We decided we needed to escape Roswell together "

" You guys must be really close "

" I guess you could say we have an unshakeable bond "

" I can see that "

" I wish I could stay here. We could have gone out more together "

" That would have been nice "

" Serena, " said Kyle stopping.

" Yeah, " she said stopping and turning to him.

" If under normal circumstances. Could I have stood a chance? "

She gave him a little push on the shoulder. " You betcha "

They walked to the front of her door. She turned around and looked at him. If he left town with everyone else she would be alone again. It had been such a nice change to have people around her that were her age. It was something that she missed. " Kyle, would you mind taking a walk with me? "

Kyle smiled at her happily. " I would love to "

~~~~~~~~~~~

" She's got to be a skin, " said Michael

" Michael you're just being paranoid, " said Isabel

" I'm not being paranoid "

" Then why didn't she use her powers when she was attacked this morning? "

" She probably just set it up like that for you "

" Yeah like she would have people like Paulie helping her. If she was a skin she would have just killed them "

" That's true Michael, " said Liz

" Why are you even defending her Isabel? Didn't you learn from Tess? "

" Are you going to throw that in my face now? Cause I can make a list of all… "

" I think we're getting worked up over nothing. We don't know all the facts. Let's just see what happens, " Max looked at Michael " With Thaman here I don't think that Serena should be what we're worrying about. We should just calm down and concentrate on our trip tomorrow "

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

" But the book told them that it would take 24 hours "

" A piece of paper can be changed. I gave them 24 hours to figure this whole thing out on their own "

" What would've happened if they didn't? "

" They would have figured it out. Liz's connection with my King is too strong and her mental abilities, including her powers, are too great. There was no way for her not to "

" You have a lot of faith in people "

" We have to have faith in people. But I know it is not safe on our planet. Something has happened. Nathan would not have come here unless there was something wrong. I can only imagine the worst "

Valenti thought back to the time in the lab when Thaman lost it. He had thrown a jar across the room and clenched his fists. He said that this was his best friend who's body was on display in this eerie lab. " What do you imagine? "

" They have already killed the Royals and were after him. Him being on display is a sign of victory. Like a deer head on the wall. He was a trophy for those bastards. To let them remember a triumph "

" Was he a bodyguard like you? "

Thaman nodded. " There were only five of us chosen especially for the Royal Family. The best of us were chosen. Yes there were more regular guards but only five elite. When the battle broke out one of us, Ishtar was killed. Two more of us, Zenobia and Nubus, were killed when the ship carrying the eight pods took off. Three others accompanied me, including Nascedo, but two were killed in the crash "

"They weren't like you "

" No I was the only one. Nathan was supposed to have stayed on Antar along with the other two, to protect the Queen Mother. But he was the only one left. He had assured me that he knew of some place that they could go safely "

" Pierce said that there were four of you. Two had already died, just as you said. Then he said that one died in the lab under observation. That wasn't Nascedo "

" That was me "

" What do you mean? "

" I did not die in there "

" But they said that you did. How did you pull that off? "

Thaman brought his right index finger to his head and tapped on it. " I mind warped them all and became invisible. When I was a safe distance away I let them see my body crumble to pieces and disappear into thin air "

" You were in there three years "

Thaman nodded. " It took me a long time to get them to stop giving me those chemicals that weakened my powers "

" God Thaman "

" Surprised I do not feel like killing every human in sight? "

Valenti nodded.

" I repaid the favor to those who were owing. My past sufferings do not matter at any rate. We do not have time. I can depend on you now right? " reaching out his hand.

" For anything " said Valenti shaking his hand. " And can I tell you that it's an honor to fight along side you "

" Not as much of an honor as it is for me to fight alongside you Jim "

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

" Zan? Zan where are you? " called Liz as she ran through a dark hallway. There were no lights. She only the echoing of her feet and the sound of her heart beating. Logic was past her now. The fact that Zan was dead wasn't relevant in her mind. Something wasn't right and her dreams were the only logic. " Are you close? " she called desperately. She was swinging her arms around in the darkness trying to find a door. " Zan please tell me where you are "

Suddenly a bight light illuminated from the end of the hall. Liz shielded her eyes from the sudden light. Her breathing was still heavy and it seemed to echo in the hall. The air was so shallow as she gulped it into her lungs. There was an open door where the light was coming from. Liz sprinted over to it scared that the light would go out. Without thinking she ran through the door.

" Oh God " she said sitting up. She touched her face and wiped the sweat from her forehead. She looked up and saw Max at her window. He was watching her. She looked at him for a second, questioning her sanity. She blinked her eyes twice before she got up and opened the window for him.

" Liz " he said grabbing her face and looking into her eyes in worry. " What's wrong? "

" I keep dreaming about him Max. It's as if something's not right. We have to go back to the lab "

" Liz are you sure you want to go back there? " he watched as Liz scrambled to change her clothes. She clumsily pulled her shirt over her head and grabbed a jacket. " We should go tell Thaman " he said.
" Max we don't have time. If Thaman comes then everyone will come. There is nothing over there anymore so we don't need Thaman " Liz was talking with such urgency Max was taken back. " We'll be back before it's time to go. Please Max, I just need to see that everything is the way we think it is so that I can stop having this nightmare "
~~~~~~~~~~~
" So that ends my pathetic love life. I don't know what it is about me. I'm just a big fat loser when it comes to women. Like my dad, we can't do anything romantic. We're just these guys who live for sports "
" That was only two girls in your life. You managed to stay friends with Liz didn't you? " said Serena
" Yeah. I was pissed for awhile but I just accepted it after awhile. Max and Liz have this whole other worldly thing going on between them "
" Looks like it's something different, " said Serena. The both of them were sitting on a park bench. Neither one paid attention to how late it was. It was just incredible that the both of them were talking about past experiences like they already knew each other.

" I'm not good in all that romantic stuff anyway. I guess guys like Max get the girl "
" Michael has Maria and he looks like he doesn't have a romantic bone in his body. You have something inside you Kyle. Don't give up. You're going to find someone that will love you for you and you're going to be happy "
" I don't think so. I think I'm destined to be a loner. Our group aren't very sociable and its not like I can leave it "
" Why not? Why are you guys so closely knitted? I don't get it "
" It's a long story "
" I like long stories "
" You won't like this one " he said looking at the grass.
Serena could tell she wasn't going to go anywhere like this. " Tell me why things didn't work out with Tess? "
" Tess " he said half mockingly. He laughed to himself in disgust. " I was totally attracted to her. She grew on me somehow. I invited her to go to prom with me because I wanted to take our relationship further. Then when I get there I have only thoughts of her being my sister. I didn't have any thoughts like that before. Even I didn't get it "
" That doesn't mean you were a loser "
" Yeah that is. How could I ever have thoughts like that for a person I thought of as my sister? Sounds like an episode for Jerry "
" I don't think that at all Kyle, " she said looking at him. He looked so cute with that look on his face. " What was Tess like? "
" She had some good things to her but we realized that she was no good inside "
" We? "
" The group, she was part of us and then she betrayed us all and left "
" How did she betray you? "
" She lied about everything just to get what she wanted "
" What did she want? "
" To have Max's baby " Kyle's eyes widened. Did I just say that?
" Max's baby? "
" She was a nutso I tell you, " he said covering it up. " She was in love with Max "
" Did Max ever encourage that? "
" No, if anything he would push her away. Then they started getting close "
" Did she get pregnant? "
Kyle looked at her. Then he looked behind her. Serena looked at him confused. " What is it? " she asked turning around. She saw a small kid with spiky smirking at them with an evil look on his face. He had five guys beside him. " Oh God " she said getting up.
Kyle got up and stood in front of her.
" Where are they, Kyle? " asked the boy
Kyle looked at him. How did he know his name? From what the others had told them he knew this was Nicholas. But how could he explain this away? Would he make it?
" Where are they, Kyle? " repeated Nicholas impatiently.
" Why you asking me? You're so smart why don't you find them yourself? "
" Don't waste my time Kyle, " said Nicholas waving his hand. Kyle and Serena flew back and landed on the grass.
" Do we ever get a break? " asked Kyle laying there beside Serena. " God we just had to deal with your fearless leader yesterday. Do you guys ever rest? " he wished things were back to their occasional craziness and not this constant non stop chaos that they had to deal with now. He got up and looked at Serena. She sat up beside him and he crawled over to her just as Nicholas walked up closer with the five guys beside him.
" Now are you going to tell me where they are? "
" You can kiss my ass first " retorted Kyle
Nicholas frowned at him. He raised his hand and shot out a bolt. Kyle grabbed Serena and covered her, but the bolt bounced off a clear blue wall. Serena grabbed Kyle's shoulder in surprise. The bolt bounced off an invisible barrier and hit the park bench behind Nicholas. Kyle looked around and saw no one, Thaman.
" Why don't you come out where I can see you Thaman? " said Nicholas looking around with a smile on his face. He looked at the girl with Kyle.
Suddenly her eyes rolled up her head and she fell backwards on the grass.
" Serena? " said Kyle looking down at he. " Serena! " he said shaking her. He saw her breathing easily as she lay peaceful on the grass.
" Come on Thaman, for old times sake " said Nicholas
" I do not recall ever having any times with you Nicholas " said Thaman standing above Kyle.
" I'm glad you're here Thaman " said Nicholas smiling. " You will make this fun for me "
" Yes it will be fun. When you're finally dead " said Thaman crossing his arms and smiling at Nicholas with the same contempt and hate. " It amazes me that you have lived as long as you have "
" What from killing Nathan and all "
" You are not responsible for Nathan's death " said Thaman with no expression on his stern face.
" How do you know? "
" You have been on Earth too long. You do not remember that you stood no chance against him? You would have had a better chance at killing Rath "
" I did kill Rath "
" Only with a cheap shot " said Thaman " You are a play boy Nicholas, not a soldier "
" You're mistaken. I was a play boy but now I find killing to be far more rewarding "
" You are obviously still stupid if you chose the body of a child for Earth " said Thaman looking him up and down. " But you did not come here to talk about old times did you? " Thaman looked at the five guards beside Nicholas. " This offends me greatly. You bring only thugs to fight? "
" Who you calling a thug? " asked one of the guards standing forward.
" And stupid, just like it's leader " said Thaman.
" May I? " said the guard to Nicholas.
Nicholas smiled at the thought. " If you want " he looked at Thaman.
Thaman reached into his pocket and took out the communicator. He pushed a couple of the buttons and threw it to Kyle. " Press the middle button and hold it tight Kyle " he said.
Kyle obeyed and immediately a shield covered him and Serena.
Thaman looked back at the guy. " Let us make this fair. No powers " he said
The guard nodded in consent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thaman bent his knees slightly and loosened his arms. He motioned the guard to come forward. The guard ran towards him and swung a punch at him. Thaman dodged and returned with a kick in the shins. The guard didn't seem to notice the impact. He jumped up and tried to kick Thaman with his knee but Thaman punched his knee and the guard flew and crashed into a tree. Thaman stretched his hand and closed it again. The guard fell to the floor and massaged his knee a little. He charged Thaman again jumping in the air and lunging forward with his foot going for Thaman's face. Thaman whacked his leg to the side and punched the guard in the face. Kyle looked at him in amazement. This was better than the Matrix. The guard charges towards Thaman again and landed with a thud on the grass again. He looked up at Thaman in anger. He wiped the blood from his lip and got up. He reached out his hand and shot at Thaman. Thaman caught it in his hand and threw it back at him. The guard ducked and it hit the tree behind him. The tree split in half and fell. The guard turned around to see Thaman charging towards him. He blocked with his hands as Thaman jumped and spun over him landing behind him and sent a bolt up his back. He vaporized instantly.
" Thaman they're gone " said Kyle from inside the shield.
" They are not far. We have to regroup " he turned around and squinted at Kyle. " Kyle take her to the Crashdown and wait for us in Liz's room " Kyle didn't see Thaman's lips move. He pointed at his watch. " Just knock on the window and do not look inside " replied Thaman. It took Kyle a few seconds to realize that Thaman was talking to him telepathically. Kyle nodded. He watched as Kyle got into his car and drove before he turned invisible and ran towards the Evans' house.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isabel was sleeping peacefully with a smile on her face. She was dreaming about Thaman.

Thaman hesitated before walking over to her bed. He didn't want to disturb that face. But he reached over and gently shook her.
She opened her eyes and smiled up at him. She saw the look in his eyes and sat up. " What's wrong? "
" Nicholas is here and we need to regroup. We must get to My two Lords but I want you to come with me. I cannot take a risk that he takes you. Please, My Lady, get dressed and meet me outside your window " he said jumping back out her window.
Five minutes later Isabel was climbing out of her window. Thaman held out a picture of Michael. She looked at him and nodded. She closed her eyes and touched Michael's picture.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ten minutes later they were climbing up to Liz's balcony. Maria was the first to go inside and noticed the unmade bed. She saw Kyle and Serena. Serena was unconscious on the love seat and Kyle was watching over her. Liz and Max were no where in sight.
" Where are they? " asked Thaman looking at Kyle
" They're gone "
" Where the hell did they go? " asked Michael
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They were almost there. They could see the Pepper's Café coming up. Liz squeezed Max's hand as he parked the jeep in front of it. Max looked at Liz's face.
" Are you sure you want to do this? " he asked
" Yes " she said taking off her seat belt.
Max got out and held her hand as they walked into the Café. It looked the same. It was dusty and rusted. They both walked over to the back room and opened the hatch. They had both expected to find it collapsed but there was a way to walk through. Liz looked at him and walked down before he had a chance to. The lab was totally demolished. There was debris everywhere. Somehow underneath the rubble some lights were still on. Liz looked around. She couldn't see anything, the rocks were blocking everywhere.
" Liz over here " said Max looking at a part of the rocks that opened up. "
Someone was here "
Liz grabbed Max and they both walked through the parted rocks, towards where Zan was with the dupe. She clung to Max for strength as she walked closer. In the far end of her mind she wondered why she didn't smell the odor of his dead body but she dismissed the question. The humming noise was gone now and she wondered what had happened to the dupe. They walked closer to it. Liz took a deep breath and turned her gaze in that direction.
" Oh my God Max " said Liz turning to Max. He looked stunned. They both ran towards where the dupe had been. Zan's body was gone and the dupe's pod was opened. There was a trail of dried blood on the floor and then it disappeared at a certain point. Liz stopped in front of the now opened pod. She touched the pod. It was hard and cold. It felt like dried slime. It didn't look like the pods that were in the Pod Chamber but it was very similar.
Max bent down and touched the dried blood. Images flashed through his mind. Zan grabbing the syringe and jabbing it straight into his heart. He was unconscious on the floor.
" Someone took them " said Liz
" No, he didn't die " said Max standing up and looking at her. Images flashed in his eyes again. He was losing his balance. He saw Zan gain consciousness when things had stopped falling around him. He was covered in dust. He shook the dust off his head. He looked forward and saw two naked feet in front of his face. He pushed the rubble off that was on him and quickly stood up to defend himself. He stared out in open awe at the figure in front of him.
" Liz " he muttered trying to keep from gasping. She was so beautiful. Her long brown hair was behind her shoulder and her body was covered with the remaining yoke of the pod. Her face was a little sticky and it was all over her hair. She smiled up at him. " Are you real? " he asked looking at her.
" I'm here "she said coming closer to him. She reached our her hands for him.
Max felt the way Zan felt at that moment. He knew that this was only the dupe but he didn't care. He was alive and he had Liz in some form all to himself. They could run away now and not have to worry about anything else. They both had nothing but each other. He grabbed her outstretched hands and kissed her fingertips.
" Max! " called Liz standing on her tip toes to make eyes contact. Max blinked his eyes and looked down at her.
" They're gone Liz " he said " They ran away together "
" What do you mean? How? "
" He used something. He gave himself an injection and he woke up fine and your dupe hatched "
" She hatched? " said Liz in a hollow voice.
" So there are two of us out there "
" Living the life together "
" We will live like that one day Liz "
" I know Max. I hope they're happy. I hope they can be as happy as I am " she said looking at Max again. She pulled his face towards her and kissed him.

Author's Note: I am not good at writing fight scenes. So excuse the bad fight with Thaman. I tried my best to describe what was happening. Thank you for all your reviews. It is really encouraging me to continue. If you like the story, don't worry, it is far from over. I hope you all have liked what you have read so far. Please leave your reviews for me. Thank you.