Chapter Thirty Two
" Liz I don't think you should go to work today, " said Max.
" Max, you said we had to act normal " said Liz. She was tying her shoes.
" Liz I'm serious. It's too dangerous for you to be going to work "
" Max " she said sternly. " I know it's dangerous but we have to act normal " she said kissing him on the lips. " If anything happens I'll tell you "
Max was holding her tightly against him. " I can't let anything happen to you "
" Nothing's going to happen to me, " she said. " You won't let anything happen to me "
" I have a bad feeling about today, " he said.
Liz sighed but smiled up at him." I'll be home in a couple hours then. I have to get some stuff ready for the director tomorrow. I'll put everything together and I'll come right back home " she kissed him again. " I have to do this Max "
He reluctantly let her go. " I'm timing you " he said looking at his watch. " If you're not here in three hours I'm going over there myself to drag you back "
" Deal " she said opening the door. " I love you "
" I love you too, " he said as he watched her walk out the door.
The phone rang again.
" Hello? "
" Hey son "
" Dad! " said Max " What's going on? "
" Well I was just wondering if you were coming into the office today "
" Oh dad I can't today "
" You can't today " repeated Philip " So the Trevor case is supposed to go on hold for you? "
" No dad I just can't come in today "
" Why not son? "
" I was planning on having a late morning with Liz "
" Oh I see " said Philip laughing. " Will we be seeing you tomorrow? "
" Of course dad. I have to support my wife "
" All right son "
" Thanks for dinner last night, Liz and I had a great time "
" You're welcome. Good bye son "
" Good bye dad "
The phone rang again. " Hello? "
" Max! "
" Kyle? "
" My parents are gone "
~~~~~~~~~~
Liz was going through the normal motions in getting ready to go through the lab. She had to get all the equipment ready for the inspection. She had her tape recorder on and ready recording her thoughts. Her director was going to look through her research and she had to make sure your conclusions were real. She couldn't risk that her calculations would be different when she had actually conducted the lab in front of him. She took a deep breath and started pouring the solution into the beaker. The creak of the door opening made her turn around.
" Excuse me. What are you doing in here? " she said looking at the guy that had just come in. He looked 16 or so. " Are you a student? "
" No " he said walking and to the opposite side of the table she was working at.
" Are you lost? "
" No " he said calmly. His voice was so familiar.
" Well you're going to have to leave because this is off limits to anybody "
" You cannot kick me out " he said. " I have no where else to go "
" What are you talking about? "
" You are Liz Parker are you not? "
" Yeah. How do you know me? " she said feeling her heart start racing. Maybe she should have listened to Max and stayed home. Now he would worry about her.
" I have heard a lot about you " he said.
Something about him was so familiar. She couldn't really see his face. She had caught of glimpse of it before but not now. He managed to keep his face hidden in the dark. She couldn't really see him through her goggles." What have you heard? " she asked. " Did you want to take my class? "
" My mother has told me much about you " he said in a monotonous tone.
" Your mother? " asked Liz as she took off her goggles to look at him. " Oh my God " she said when she looked at his face.
~~~~~
" What are you talking about? "
" My dad and mom are gone "
" What do you mean gone? "
" Someone took them? "
" Weren't they on a trip? "
" Yeah but they came back when I told them what was going on "
" Did you see them when they got back? "
" No I was on the phone with him and I heard a struggle and nothing "
" Where are you right now? "
" I'm on way from his house. It looked like they were taken Max "
" Kyle calm down. I don't think they would kill your father "
" How do you know Max? God if my father dies... "
" I know Kyle. Just come to the Crashdown. I'll call everybody, just get here " Max hung up the phone and ran out to the Crashdown. The person standing at the entrance almost made him jump back. His expression quickly turned into disgust as she looked at him and started towards him. She looked a lot older than in his eyes since the last time he saw her.
" Max, where is my son? " she cried.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
" You're " said Liz trying to stay focused and not panic. " You're Max's son "
" I am, " he said putting his face right in front of her. " My name is Ryu " and after a few quite seconds he added. " Do I look that much like him? "
Liz nodded with her mouth open.
" Well that is something, " he said smirking.
Liz looked at his face closely. He had so much of Max in his face. Those eyes were definitely from Max. She wondered if he was human or was this a skin. " So you haven't seen Max " she stated more for herself than for him.
" I have been looking for you "
" Why? " asked Liz. Was he going to kill me?
" Thaman said it would be better to meet my stepmother first "
" Thaman? " asked Liz. " Thaman told you? "
" Yes " he looked into her face and seemed to read her mind. " You do not think I my intention for coming here was to kill you. Do you? " .
" The thought did cross my mind ".
" I could never hurt you " he said looking into her eyes. " Just as my father would never hurt you "
" If you know who Thaman is ... "
" I know what has happened between you and my father " he said leaning on the table, closer to her face. He stared into her eyes for what seemed to Liz like an eternity. " I can see why my father loves you so much, " he said finally.
" You can? " asked Liz shyly.
" I see it in your eyes " he said looking at her admiringly. " There is something about them "
" Why are you here? " asked Liz trying to focus. " What's happened? Why don't you want to kill me for taking your father away from you? "
" Everyone is here. " said Ryu grimly. " My mother, stepfather and his whole army have arrived. The army is waiting just outside the Earth's atmosphere, ready to attack. Thaman and I tried to get here in enough time to warn you but they are already here. We have failed in our attempt to reach you first "
" You and Thaman came together to warn us? "
" Yes "
" Why do you wanna help? I would think you'd want me dead first "
" I do not feel that way about you "
" Why not? "
" Because like my father, I trust Thaman "
" Instead of your mother " said Liz squinting in concentration.
" My mother has not actually been a mother to me. And neither has my stepfather " he explained. " I am a tool to gain the throne "
" So Tess is here? How can I trust that you won't kill Max and take over the throne? " asked Liz.
" We are just going to have to trust each other "
~~~~~~~~~~~
" You have a lot of nerve walking in here like this Tess " said Max glaring at her.
" What are you going to do? " she asked leaning in closer " Kill me in front of all these people? ". She looked around the Crashdown. " So where is my son Max? I want my son back "
" What do you mean? "
" I know you had Thaman kidnap him and steal the Granolith "
" What are you talking about? "
" Don't play stupid Max. You know what I'm talking about " she spat.
Max just glared back at her. " I don't care what kind of story you're making up now Tess. But if you don't get your face out of here right now. You won't make it out the door "
" The final battle is here Max " she said laughing at him " And you won't be the last one standing ". With that she turned around and walked out the door.
Max clenched his fists in frustration. She really was back. Liz was not going to like this. And what was she talking about? Her son? That means his son was on Earth. Where was he?
" Hey Max " called Kyle. Max turned around and saw Serena and Kyle at the break room door.
~~~~~~~~~~
" Ok so you'll get your order as soon as I'm done making them " said Maria. " I know it's taking forever but it takes a long time to hand paint those things on. You need them tomorrow? I don't think I can get them to you tomorrow. Ok, ok I'll get them to you tomorrow. I'll deliver them myself. Ok bye " she said hanging up the phone. " I can't believe this! " she said throwing her hands up. " Two hundred alien models by tomorrow and I only have fifty finished. Could this day get any worse? " she said as she felt a hand go over her mouth.
" Your day just got worse Maria " said Nicholas.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isabel ran through the Crashdown and through the break room door.
" What's the emergency? " she asked looking at Kyle and Serena. " What is it? "
" My parents are missing, " said Kyle.
" What do you mean missing? "
" As in they're gone. They've disappeared "
" Where's Max and Michael? "
" Max is trying to call Liz right now. How did you know something was wrong? " asked Serena
" I don' t know. I just knew " she said sitting on the couch next to Serena.
" Michael's not answering his phone, " said Kyle hanging up his cell phone.
" Liz isn't answering her phone. I'm going over there, " said Max running down the stairs.
" Max we have to stay together " said Isabel.
" Then we all go but I have to go find Liz. I tried connecting with her but I can't " he said opening the door. " Let's go now " he said stepping out the door and crashing into Michael.
" Maria's gone " said Michael. " We have to go find her "
" She's gone too " said Kyle.
" Who else is missing? " asked Michael.
" My parents "
" And Liz must be next " said Isabel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
" We do not have any time now. We have to get you out of here " said Ryu.
" What do you mean? "
" They are planning on taking all you humans as hostage "
" All humans on Earth "
" No, just you who know my family "
" That means the army is here "
" Yes "
" Then why doesn't the government see the ships in outer space? "
" Because our ships are not detected by their tools, " he said " We have no time for this. I need to... "
" To what? " they both heard.
Ryu flipped over the table to where Liz was and stepped in front of her.
" Is this why you came to Earth before us my Prince? " said the figure in front of them. She was definitely a new face to Liz. She was stunningly beautiful. Her hair was long and light brown hair that reached down her back. She was wearing a tight black jump suit and high black boots. She was wearing something like Isabel wore to the Crash Festival so long ago. But she wore black and this looked like leather. She would definitely stand out in a crowd. " To rescue a useless human? "
" Leave her be " he said putting his arms around Liz.
" You know you cannot stop this my Prince " she answered.
" But I can stop you "
" Only for a little while. It is only a matter of time before they are all dead " she said looking at Liz. " Are you willing to risk your life for these humans? Do not be foolish like your father and decide to live on Earth "
" I am part human. And if she is so useless why is it that you want her? "
" The weakness in you is human my Prince. Why do you not listen to your father and stop acting rebellious? "
" Leave her be Ishtar " repeated Ryu.
Ishtar raised her hands. " I back off this time your Majesty. Only because you are the Heir " she said " But I will be back for her " she then backed off from the door and closed it.
Liz looked at Ryu. " Who...was that? " she asked.
" Ishtar. One of the five elite bodyguards chosen to protect the Royal Four "
" But Thaman said that they were all dead "
" Not her " he said looking down. " She betrayed my family and went to the other side " he turned around and looked at her. His eyes almost took Liz back when she looked in them. It was like Max's eyes were looking back at her. She found herself speechless. " We need to get you some place safe. She will be back soon and she will not stop the next time "
" But I have to tell Max that you're here. He'll be looking for me "
" I know he will. But we have to go now "
Author's Note: I thought it would be appropriate to bring Max's son into the picture. He has been neglected in my story. Well, there better have been a good reason why it has taken Thaman so long to come back to earth. I am very bad at giving names. I hope Ryu is a good enough a name for you. I'm sorry my story seems to last forever. I hope you don't feel it dragging.
Chapter Thirty Three will be up soon. Please review.
" Liz I don't think you should go to work today, " said Max.
" Max, you said we had to act normal " said Liz. She was tying her shoes.
" Liz I'm serious. It's too dangerous for you to be going to work "
" Max " she said sternly. " I know it's dangerous but we have to act normal " she said kissing him on the lips. " If anything happens I'll tell you "
Max was holding her tightly against him. " I can't let anything happen to you "
" Nothing's going to happen to me, " she said. " You won't let anything happen to me "
" I have a bad feeling about today, " he said.
Liz sighed but smiled up at him." I'll be home in a couple hours then. I have to get some stuff ready for the director tomorrow. I'll put everything together and I'll come right back home " she kissed him again. " I have to do this Max "
He reluctantly let her go. " I'm timing you " he said looking at his watch. " If you're not here in three hours I'm going over there myself to drag you back "
" Deal " she said opening the door. " I love you "
" I love you too, " he said as he watched her walk out the door.
The phone rang again.
" Hello? "
" Hey son "
" Dad! " said Max " What's going on? "
" Well I was just wondering if you were coming into the office today "
" Oh dad I can't today "
" You can't today " repeated Philip " So the Trevor case is supposed to go on hold for you? "
" No dad I just can't come in today "
" Why not son? "
" I was planning on having a late morning with Liz "
" Oh I see " said Philip laughing. " Will we be seeing you tomorrow? "
" Of course dad. I have to support my wife "
" All right son "
" Thanks for dinner last night, Liz and I had a great time "
" You're welcome. Good bye son "
" Good bye dad "
The phone rang again. " Hello? "
" Max! "
" Kyle? "
" My parents are gone "
~~~~~~~~~~
Liz was going through the normal motions in getting ready to go through the lab. She had to get all the equipment ready for the inspection. She had her tape recorder on and ready recording her thoughts. Her director was going to look through her research and she had to make sure your conclusions were real. She couldn't risk that her calculations would be different when she had actually conducted the lab in front of him. She took a deep breath and started pouring the solution into the beaker. The creak of the door opening made her turn around.
" Excuse me. What are you doing in here? " she said looking at the guy that had just come in. He looked 16 or so. " Are you a student? "
" No " he said walking and to the opposite side of the table she was working at.
" Are you lost? "
" No " he said calmly. His voice was so familiar.
" Well you're going to have to leave because this is off limits to anybody "
" You cannot kick me out " he said. " I have no where else to go "
" What are you talking about? "
" You are Liz Parker are you not? "
" Yeah. How do you know me? " she said feeling her heart start racing. Maybe she should have listened to Max and stayed home. Now he would worry about her.
" I have heard a lot about you " he said.
Something about him was so familiar. She couldn't really see his face. She had caught of glimpse of it before but not now. He managed to keep his face hidden in the dark. She couldn't really see him through her goggles." What have you heard? " she asked. " Did you want to take my class? "
" My mother has told me much about you " he said in a monotonous tone.
" Your mother? " asked Liz as she took off her goggles to look at him. " Oh my God " she said when she looked at his face.
~~~~~
" What are you talking about? "
" My dad and mom are gone "
" What do you mean gone? "
" Someone took them? "
" Weren't they on a trip? "
" Yeah but they came back when I told them what was going on "
" Did you see them when they got back? "
" No I was on the phone with him and I heard a struggle and nothing "
" Where are you right now? "
" I'm on way from his house. It looked like they were taken Max "
" Kyle calm down. I don't think they would kill your father "
" How do you know Max? God if my father dies... "
" I know Kyle. Just come to the Crashdown. I'll call everybody, just get here " Max hung up the phone and ran out to the Crashdown. The person standing at the entrance almost made him jump back. His expression quickly turned into disgust as she looked at him and started towards him. She looked a lot older than in his eyes since the last time he saw her.
" Max, where is my son? " she cried.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
" You're " said Liz trying to stay focused and not panic. " You're Max's son "
" I am, " he said putting his face right in front of her. " My name is Ryu " and after a few quite seconds he added. " Do I look that much like him? "
Liz nodded with her mouth open.
" Well that is something, " he said smirking.
Liz looked at his face closely. He had so much of Max in his face. Those eyes were definitely from Max. She wondered if he was human or was this a skin. " So you haven't seen Max " she stated more for herself than for him.
" I have been looking for you "
" Why? " asked Liz. Was he going to kill me?
" Thaman said it would be better to meet my stepmother first "
" Thaman? " asked Liz. " Thaman told you? "
" Yes " he looked into her face and seemed to read her mind. " You do not think I my intention for coming here was to kill you. Do you? " .
" The thought did cross my mind ".
" I could never hurt you " he said looking into her eyes. " Just as my father would never hurt you "
" If you know who Thaman is ... "
" I know what has happened between you and my father " he said leaning on the table, closer to her face. He stared into her eyes for what seemed to Liz like an eternity. " I can see why my father loves you so much, " he said finally.
" You can? " asked Liz shyly.
" I see it in your eyes " he said looking at her admiringly. " There is something about them "
" Why are you here? " asked Liz trying to focus. " What's happened? Why don't you want to kill me for taking your father away from you? "
" Everyone is here. " said Ryu grimly. " My mother, stepfather and his whole army have arrived. The army is waiting just outside the Earth's atmosphere, ready to attack. Thaman and I tried to get here in enough time to warn you but they are already here. We have failed in our attempt to reach you first "
" You and Thaman came together to warn us? "
" Yes "
" Why do you wanna help? I would think you'd want me dead first "
" I do not feel that way about you "
" Why not? "
" Because like my father, I trust Thaman "
" Instead of your mother " said Liz squinting in concentration.
" My mother has not actually been a mother to me. And neither has my stepfather " he explained. " I am a tool to gain the throne "
" So Tess is here? How can I trust that you won't kill Max and take over the throne? " asked Liz.
" We are just going to have to trust each other "
~~~~~~~~~~~
" You have a lot of nerve walking in here like this Tess " said Max glaring at her.
" What are you going to do? " she asked leaning in closer " Kill me in front of all these people? ". She looked around the Crashdown. " So where is my son Max? I want my son back "
" What do you mean? "
" I know you had Thaman kidnap him and steal the Granolith "
" What are you talking about? "
" Don't play stupid Max. You know what I'm talking about " she spat.
Max just glared back at her. " I don't care what kind of story you're making up now Tess. But if you don't get your face out of here right now. You won't make it out the door "
" The final battle is here Max " she said laughing at him " And you won't be the last one standing ". With that she turned around and walked out the door.
Max clenched his fists in frustration. She really was back. Liz was not going to like this. And what was she talking about? Her son? That means his son was on Earth. Where was he?
" Hey Max " called Kyle. Max turned around and saw Serena and Kyle at the break room door.
~~~~~~~~~~
" Ok so you'll get your order as soon as I'm done making them " said Maria. " I know it's taking forever but it takes a long time to hand paint those things on. You need them tomorrow? I don't think I can get them to you tomorrow. Ok, ok I'll get them to you tomorrow. I'll deliver them myself. Ok bye " she said hanging up the phone. " I can't believe this! " she said throwing her hands up. " Two hundred alien models by tomorrow and I only have fifty finished. Could this day get any worse? " she said as she felt a hand go over her mouth.
" Your day just got worse Maria " said Nicholas.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isabel ran through the Crashdown and through the break room door.
" What's the emergency? " she asked looking at Kyle and Serena. " What is it? "
" My parents are missing, " said Kyle.
" What do you mean missing? "
" As in they're gone. They've disappeared "
" Where's Max and Michael? "
" Max is trying to call Liz right now. How did you know something was wrong? " asked Serena
" I don' t know. I just knew " she said sitting on the couch next to Serena.
" Michael's not answering his phone, " said Kyle hanging up his cell phone.
" Liz isn't answering her phone. I'm going over there, " said Max running down the stairs.
" Max we have to stay together " said Isabel.
" Then we all go but I have to go find Liz. I tried connecting with her but I can't " he said opening the door. " Let's go now " he said stepping out the door and crashing into Michael.
" Maria's gone " said Michael. " We have to go find her "
" She's gone too " said Kyle.
" Who else is missing? " asked Michael.
" My parents "
" And Liz must be next " said Isabel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
" We do not have any time now. We have to get you out of here " said Ryu.
" What do you mean? "
" They are planning on taking all you humans as hostage "
" All humans on Earth "
" No, just you who know my family "
" That means the army is here "
" Yes "
" Then why doesn't the government see the ships in outer space? "
" Because our ships are not detected by their tools, " he said " We have no time for this. I need to... "
" To what? " they both heard.
Ryu flipped over the table to where Liz was and stepped in front of her.
" Is this why you came to Earth before us my Prince? " said the figure in front of them. She was definitely a new face to Liz. She was stunningly beautiful. Her hair was long and light brown hair that reached down her back. She was wearing a tight black jump suit and high black boots. She was wearing something like Isabel wore to the Crash Festival so long ago. But she wore black and this looked like leather. She would definitely stand out in a crowd. " To rescue a useless human? "
" Leave her be " he said putting his arms around Liz.
" You know you cannot stop this my Prince " she answered.
" But I can stop you "
" Only for a little while. It is only a matter of time before they are all dead " she said looking at Liz. " Are you willing to risk your life for these humans? Do not be foolish like your father and decide to live on Earth "
" I am part human. And if she is so useless why is it that you want her? "
" The weakness in you is human my Prince. Why do you not listen to your father and stop acting rebellious? "
" Leave her be Ishtar " repeated Ryu.
Ishtar raised her hands. " I back off this time your Majesty. Only because you are the Heir " she said " But I will be back for her " she then backed off from the door and closed it.
Liz looked at Ryu. " Who...was that? " she asked.
" Ishtar. One of the five elite bodyguards chosen to protect the Royal Four "
" But Thaman said that they were all dead "
" Not her " he said looking down. " She betrayed my family and went to the other side " he turned around and looked at her. His eyes almost took Liz back when she looked in them. It was like Max's eyes were looking back at her. She found herself speechless. " We need to get you some place safe. She will be back soon and she will not stop the next time "
" But I have to tell Max that you're here. He'll be looking for me "
" I know he will. But we have to go now "
Author's Note: I thought it would be appropriate to bring Max's son into the picture. He has been neglected in my story. Well, there better have been a good reason why it has taken Thaman so long to come back to earth. I am very bad at giving names. I hope Ryu is a good enough a name for you. I'm sorry my story seems to last forever. I hope you don't feel it dragging.
Chapter Thirty Three will be up soon. Please review.