Author's Note: Before I post part 34, I'd like to make you all aware of an
initiative, in which I am involved. (Part 34 is below the announcement)
Fanfic Auction for FMSA
Date: May 7, 2002-May 17, 2002
Event: A live, online fan fiction auction on e-bay to benefit FSMA
Questions: Contact RosDeidre@aol.com or link to:
http://pub82.ezboard.com/froswellfanficfsmafundraiserfrm1
"Don't you know what you are to me? What you're always going to be?
You're the love of my life."
"I just wish that I could have stopped you from saving my life that
day in the Crashdown."
"It's like the porno version of Aladdin."
"Buddha forgive me, but I am going to kick your ass!"
Ever since the pilot of Roswell, the series' hallmark has been
memorable writing. So it comes as no surprise that this beloved
television show has generated one of the Internet's most imaginative
and devoted group of fan fiction authors. LivE. Breathless. Kath7.
Linda. Ash. EmilyluvsRoswell. Tasyfa. Majesty. RosDeidre. Names that
call to mind favorite stories that we've cherished; authors who spin
worlds as magical as the show we've treasured since we first heard
the strains of Dido's Here With Me.
And although Roswell may be ending forever on May 14th, you have a
rare opportunity to own some of your favorite stories permanently.
You can treasure them year after year; long after Roswellian fan
fiction sites vanish from the Internet. All auctioned stories will
be professionally bound, with laminated covers—many beautifully
designed by artists such as Schurry, Blanca, and fishish25.
Roswriters for FSMA is an informal collective of fan fiction authors
banding together to help find a cure for FSMA. On May 7, 2002, we
are launching an auction on e-bay, and approximately 35-40 original
fan fiction stories will be gathered in eight separate tote bags
being auctioned off individually. You won't want to miss the
opportunity to bid on these hand-painted totes, each with a different
specialty theme, such as Dreamer Tote, UC Couple Tote, NC-17 Tote,
just to name a few.
Participating authors will be LivE, Breathless, Kath7, Linda, Ash
(Ash_a_Leigh), Tasyfa, RosDeidre, EmilyluvsRoswell, Majesty,
BennieBA, Cookie, ShellSueD, Carol, Watcher Tara, and many others.
As a special bonus, three Dreamer Totes will also contain CDs of more
than 800 of bigspam's original photos, including images from one of
Roswell's last days on location, while filming the finale.
One very unique Dreamer tote will also contain a gorgeous, hand-
designed "Max Quilt." This lovely work of art has been crafted by
Cookieman789 (Stacey), and will be a great way to snuggle up with the
Dream Guy himself.
PHILADELPHIA GATHERING AUCTION
Further, a special tote will be auctioned at the upcoming Philly
Roswellian gathering on May 10th. Tote contents for this event:
LivE's THE EXPERIMENT
Linda's US SIX AGAINST THE WORLD
Kath7's OUT OF THE WOODS
Breathless' SPECIAL KIND OF LOVE
RosDeidre's ANTARIAN SKY
Bound Compilation of these short stories: Majesty's PULSE,
EmilyluvsRoswell's RIPPLE EFFECT, Carol's HOLIDAY DREAMER SERIES,
Tasyfa's THE FORGING OF A LIFEBOND (short version), Ash's FLOOD and
BennieBA's BEFORE I SLEEP
Additionally, there will be one of bigspam's rare picture CD's,
featuring some 800 original photos from Roswell on location included
in this Philly tote.
Here's a reminder of the high quality images Big Spam has shared with
fans in the past:
http://a9.cpimg.com/image/15/F0/9205269-0fd4-02000178-.jpg
http://a2.cpimg.com/image/2C/3B/6755372-11fa-02000148-.jpg
http://a0.cpimg.com/image/8A/67/5161610-2538-02000176-.jpg
Please visit our message board site for updated press releases and
links to the auctioned totes, or watch on Crashdown for links
beginning May 7, 2002. Email Rosdeidre@aol.com with questions.
Visit our site at:
http://pub82.ezboard.com/froswellfanficfsmafundraiserfrm1
Part 34
Liz watched Max make his way up the slope, waited until he disappeared from view before she turned again to Ben. The little boy was staring up at her, his blue eyes almost silver in the shadows, obviously still scared, but also determined now that his father had given him a very specific goal to accomplish.
She refused to think about how much danger Max had just placed himself in. She had a very specific job too. He had asked her to save his son and his niece. She would not let anything happen to them.
She would not allow Alex's legacy to be hurt in any way. Ever. Her determination sent strength running through her veins, made her feel strong.
Because it was in that instant that she finally understood exactly why it was that she had forgiven Max in the end. For the first time since they had ever heard the name Tess Harding, they were in perfect sync, their lives dedicated to the same goal.
Before Tess, their common goal had been a simple one - finding happiness together. In the end, their new dream was just as simple, but so much more important. It was to live every minute to the fullest and in doing so, raise and protect the future in the form of Ben - because he was the only link they had left to the one person who still represented the innocence of the early days of the six friends who had been willing to die for each other.
The destiny message they had heard in the pod chamber that day had destroyed the strength that bound the six of them together, had divided them into camps that could not be reunited, no matter how much they loved each other.
Ben was the bridge between the two sides. And through their love for him, Max and Liz had found their way back to each other.
Liz felt peace settle over her. Through all of Max's talk about the connection that bound them she had known that she was not compelled to be with him because of it. He still did not understand. Their bond was so much simpler than that, and yet so much stronger too.
They were bound by how deeply they both loved, by how truly optimistic they were at heart that there was one person meant for everyone. They had found it in each other, not once, but twice.
It was a gift, not a curse. As soon as they got themselves out of this mess, she was going to spend the rest of her life convincing him of it.
She loved him. It was as simple as that. And because she did, she forgave him.
"Are you ready Sweetie?" Liz whispered now, taking Ben by the hand and clutching Lexi close to her chest. The baby was restless, whimpering, obviously exhausted, but also just as clearly aware that something was wrong.
"Ready."
Liz felt a slight tugging at her mind, could feel Ben inching his way in. She felt the certainty that they were alone, that no one was chasing them, that no one could [i] see[/i] them, begin to come over her…
They began the long climb up the hill. Liz felt Ben trip against her at one point, but he held the warp. In fact, it seemed to become even stronger after that. She was absolutely positive that they were going to make it. She knew intellectually that it was the warp making her feel this way, but she could not care, trusted that Max knew what he about having Ben do this.
Her only moment of uncertainty came at the top of the hill. Just as they crested movement near the door of the dome, about a hundred yards from the vehicle, caused her to take her focus off of getting away.
She watched in dismay as Dan Riley came stumbling out of the house, something obviously awry. He looked right at her for an instant, bringing her heart into her throat. But then he blinked and looked away.
"He can't see us Liz." Ben's voice was strained, he was obviously tired, and yet he still took the time to try and reassure her. A pang of love for the child made her squeeze his hand.
"I know." She ignored Dan, tried not to question why he was collapsing on the hood of Kyle's SUV. "Let's go start your Auntie Isabel's car."
She had Lexi in the child seat in the back and Ben strapped in beside his cousin before she told Ben to drop the warp. She knew it was too soon, that she should wait until they were well away from the dome, but she was growing concerned by the pasty colour of Ben's skin, the blankness in his eyes. He was clearly exhausted.
The minute they hit the highway, she spoke over her shoulder, "We're safe now Honey. You can end the mindwarp."
She was already beginning to reflect on where she could take them that they would be assured of safety, was not focusing on the disappearance of the illusion.
And so, when the warp ended, she was completely unprepared for the fact that she was no longer alone in the car with two children.
She caught sight of Isabel first. She was in the back seat, beside Ben, staring straight ahead, unseeing. Liz gasped, swerved the car.
"Please don't kill us." The voice was pleasant, came from beside her. She recognized it immediately as Jesse Ramirez's, but the tone was so different from that of Isabel's husband - arrogant and amused where Jesse's was friendly and warm - that it made her blood run cold. "Keep driving Elizabeth. Don't worry about Vilandra. She has had quite a shock. She'll be fine."
Liz swallowed, felt her insides freezing up in terror.
She focused on the road, refused to look to her right. If she didn't look, this wouldn't be happening.
But she knew it was. "Where do you want me to go?" She finally asked. She glanced back at Ben. He had fallen instantly asleep, like the last time he had held a mind-warp too long.
At least he was asleep. The last thing she wanted was for Ben to remember any of this.
"I don't know," Jesse replied pleasantly. Liz finally forced herself to glance in his direction. He was staring straight ahead, a placid expression on his face. "I'll think about it. For now, just drive."
"What's wrong with Isabel?" Liz demanded. "What are you doing here? How could we not have seen you?"
"I was giving Ben's mindwarp a little boost of my own," Jesse told her.
Liz gasped despite herself, "You're…"
"Alien? Certainly." Jesse turned to look at her, surprised. "Didn't you know? Everyone else does."
"No," Liz searched her mind. "Isabel knows about this?"
"She's known for a long while, has reveled in it. Vilandra has always loved people she isn't supposed to." Jesse stretched lazily, cupped his hands together and rested them behind his dark head.
"Who are you?"
"I am many people, the least of whom is Jesse Ramirez, hotshot young attorney. I am Zan's destroyer, Vilandra's lover, Rath's brother, Ava's creator. I am the rightful King of Antar."
And Liz understood. "You're Khivar." She swallowed again, resisted the urge to scream. There was no point.
"I am. I'm pleased to meet you officially Elizabeth."
"You're supposed to be dead," Liz told him, knowing she sounded ridiculous, but her shock was deep. Max had been so [i] sure[/i], had proclaimed that Khivar had died by his own hand.
"Reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. Zan may have killed my body on Antar, but my mind has always been my most important weapon. With the aid of the turncoat Larek I have finally turned my essence into an entity that Zan cannot destroy, no matter how hard he tries," Khivar's glee was barely controlled. He sounded like a spoiled child with a new toy.
Liz frowned. His tone indicated that he felt in complete control of this situation, was enjoying himself immensely. "Does Max know about this?"
"Oh, he knows," Khivar snorted. "He is berating me mentally as we speak."
Liz glanced at him, her heart starting to beat erratically. "You're talking to him right now?"
"Gotta love that seal," Khivar shrugged. "I can have a chat with Zan whenever I feel like it. We are connected - eternally. Needless to say, he is somewhat disconcerted by the fact that I have you in my possession. He feels the same for you as he felt for that slut Kadiya. It's really quite nauseating, but it makes him so easy to control. He is [i] so[/i] predictable."
Max! Her heart screamed for him. He had to be going insane with worry, would surely be drowning in guilt that he had let Khivar get near Ben, her, Isabel.
And Khivar was tormenting him mentally right at this moment, weakening him with his own guilt, his own fear. He was using the seal as it was meant to be used, to control Max through his own human emotions.
His emotions were at once Max Evans's greatest strength and his greatest weakness. His love for her and all the others had driven him to extremes, good [i] and[/i] bad, on so many occasions, she had almost lost count.
She had to free him. Once and for all. And, suddenly, without a doubt, she knew that she was the only one who could do it.
Max had told her himself that it was only his love for her that had kept him from going off the precipice immediately after the summit in New York. Anytime he felt hope that they would find their way back to each other, the seal weakened. When he felt closer to losing her for good, it strengthened, turned him into someone unrecognizable.
His connection to [i] her[/i] was stronger than the seal. She had to break it - had to save him, once and for all.
Liz felt her heart pounding as she formulated a plan. The first thing she needed to do was get this car stopped. She could not do anything while they were speeding down 285 North at 70 miles an hour.
She blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "I need to go to the bathroom."
There was a long pause. Khivar finally chuckled. "Very well. Stop the car. We're not really in any hurry."
Liz slowed down the Volvo, carefully drove onto the shoulder. "I won't be long."
"There's a flashlight in the trunk," Khivar told her, sounding bored. When Liz looked at him strangely, he smiled slightly. "Hey, it's [i] my[/i] car. When I'm around that is."
Liz frowned slightly. "Aren't you always?"
"No." He smirked at her. "When I am, Nikkol goes…elsewhere."
"Nikkol?"
"Oh, I apologize, you know him by his Earthly moniker. That would be Nicholas to you. He kept this body ready for me, ready for when I could finally leave my Antarian shell behind."
"Jesse is [i] Nicholas[/i]?" Liz demanded in horror. "I don't understand."
"It's really not very complicated [i] Elizabeth[/i]," Khivar rolled his dark eyes. Liz felt her own widen at the way he said that. It sounded strangely familiar, and not just because Dan was the only one who called her by her first name. "This body contained Nicholas's essence when I was not in it. His skin died long ago because Vilandra destroyed the Harvest. We had Larek's technology - he was a traitor long before Zan ever suspected by the way, long before Zan even came back to Antar. Nicholas allowed himself to pass on so that his essence could be transferred."
"Does Jesse Ramirez even exist?" Liz asked quietly, glanced back worriedly at Isabel. No wonder Max's sister was practically catatonic.
"He did, long ago. We had to clone his body from somewhere." Khivar scowled in Isabel's direction as well. "I wish he still did though. He would have been a simpler being to control. Nikkol has been fighting me recently." He transferred his gaze to Lexi. The baby was sound asleep, her small hand entwined in her mother's dark hair. Isabel's head was leaning against her child's, seemingly in an attempt to draw strength from her. Lexi had calmed down the instant she had laid eyes on Isabel, after the warp had broken. "Ever since that one was born as a matter of fact," Khivar continued.
"Lexi? Why?"
Khivar shook his head. "She is in line to the throne you understand. Nikkol had visions of ruling Antar in his daughter's name. Vilandra is Zan's only blood relative after all. Her offspring are his heirs."
Liz felt a pang. Isabel was going to be devastated by all of this. Her life had appeared so perfect, had been one of the reasons that Liz had begun to recognize the depth of her discontent with Dan. But it had all been an illusion, none of it real. At least with Max, their problems were up-front, out in the open.
And, yet, she could not forget the way Jesse had looked at his wife. He had loved Isabel. Nicholas or not, evil or not, he had loved her.
She realized that she was thinking in the past tense. Khivar had spoken of Nicholas that way after all. "Is he dead?"
"Yes," Khivar replied, sounding unconcerned. "He threatened Ben. He paid the price. This body is mine alone now. I don't need him anymore anyway."
"So you can't leave it again?"
"There is no need. Zan is in my clutches, under my control again. I cannot return to Antar - the rebellion has completely destroyed the monarchy, thanks to that idiot. I will be content to rule Earth. I am human now after all."
Liz stared at him. "Max will stop you."
"If you say so," Khivar chuckled again. When Liz continued to sit staring at him, he finally turned to look at her. "Don't you understand little one? As long as I have you, Zan will be preoccupied with finding you. He will not be able to stop me. You are his weakness. He knows I will not harm Ben. He is [i] mine[/i]. But you…" He reached out a hand, gently tucked a strand of Liz's hair behind her ear. It was so close to the gesture Max often employed, it made her shudder. "You he will fear for. I am in complete control of him now."
"Because of the seal?" Liz asked quietly.
"Indeed." Khivar turned away again. "Now go and relieve yourself. We must depart quickly."
"I've changed my mind. I'm fine."
"Very well. Drive then."
"What would happen if I just killed myself? Then you wouldn't have any more control over him."
Khivar turned back, his eyes surprised. "You would do that?"
"To free Max from [i] you[/i], from your control over him, I would," Liz replied simply.
"It would devastate him." Khivar raised an eyebrow at her, not sounding concerned, merely interested in her reasoning.
"But he would be free."
"Zan does not want to be free," Khivar smiled, amused. "Don't you know what happened to him on Antar when he lost his love?" He paused. "You do know about Kadiya, do you not?"
Liz could feel the ring Max had given her practically burning against her skin. It still hung on the chain around her neck. It was all she could do not to touch it. But Khivar did not know who she was, could [i] not[/i] know. It was the only power she held here - the knowledge that her connection to Max was stronger than his. If he knew…
He would kill her and end it all immediately. Because Liz did not doubt that he was right, that her fate was irrevocably linked to Max's, that he would die if she did. But it wasn't simply because of the [i] rashna[/i], nor because they were bonded soulmates.
It was because they loved each other - as Max and Liz, Zan and Kadiya, it didn't matter. Living alone would be intolerable.
"I know."
"He allowed himself to be killed because he believed that she was dead." Khivar shook his head. "He is such a fool. He allows his heart to rule him."
"It is why he is a great king," Liz returned hotly.
"He deserted his throne for a [i] woman[/i]!" Khivar returned, sounding disbelieving still. Even over the years that had passed since the death of Zan on Antar, Khivar still could not understand it.
"His love for Kadiya showed him the path to take that was best for his people," Liz argued. "He rid them of you in the end, didn't he? You're stuck here."
Khivar's eyes narrowed. Liz could see that she was finally making him angry. "I choose to be here."
"Right," Liz made a great show of rolling her eyes, turning away.
There was a long pause. She could feel the fury coming off of Khivar in waves. She held her breath, hoped that she had pushed him enough…She needed him distracted, angry, unfocused…
He started to laugh. Liz felt her heart drop.
"Well, I can certainly see what Zan sees in you. You're exactly like Kadiya. So spirited! You haven't shown me this side of yourself before Elizabeth."
Liz frowned, refused to turn around. She stared out the driver's side window, her arms crossed over her chest. "What are you talking about? We've never met before today."
"I've told you that Jesse Ramirez was not my only host - [i] Elizabeth[/i]."
It took a moment for her to understand what he meant. She whirled, stared at him in horror. "You were…You were [i] Dan[/i]?" She felt bile rise in her throat, quickly rolled down the window, breathed in great gulps of night air. "For how long?" She finally managed to ask, knew that her voice sounded weak, hated herself for it.
Images of all of the intimacies she had shared with Dan were tumbling through her mind, horrifying her more with each one.
"Oh relax," Khivar replied. "It was only this week that I understood how important you were to Zan. I had to find out why. But until this moment I couldn't figure it out. You were not like this with your fiancé."
"Does Dan remember any of this?" Liz asked, finally turning around, relief sweeping through her. She remembered that Brody had never recalled anything from during the time that he had been possessed. It would be a supreme irony if Liz had confessed Max's heritage to Dan, only for it to have been Khivar, who had certainly known better than anyone who Max was.
"I would doubt it. Not that it matters. He is dead anyway. The instant I left his body, he passed on."
Liz felt her heart stop. Guilt came crashing down on her so intensely, she had to grip the steering wheel for support. Tears of horror were welling in her eyes. She fought them desperately. He could not know how this was affecting her. "You are a monster," she finally whispered.
"No," Khivar replied. "I am merely human." He started to laugh again. She turned her head, glared at him. "Forgive my giddiness," he said. "It's just that I have waited so long to finally have Zan in my clutches. I am quite losing my head."
"You killed him in his last life!" Liz exclaimed. "Wasn't that enough for you?"
"But he came back." Khivar's lip curled. "That slut made sure of it. But there is no Kadiya to save him this time." He picked up a lock of her hair, rubbed it between his fingers. "There is only you little human. And that isn't enough, is it? It is enough to destroy him, but not enough to save him."
Liz swallowed, resisted the urge to spit in his face. It was time. He was totally engrossed in his own triumph, totally sure that he knew everything, that he could not be outplayed this time.
"You're wrong," she whispered.
"Pardon me?" Khivar sounded amused, like he couldn't wait to hear how she was going to tell him how mistaken he was and why. So that he could laugh again at her naiveté.
"I am the only one who can stop you."
"I think not," Khivar replied. He stroked her face gently. "Give in to me Elizabeth. Accept what must be. You are mine to do with as I will – my instrument."
"Like Kadiya was? Did you not use Zan's love for her to bring down his family?"
His face hardened. "I tried. But she evaded me, cloned him, sent him off here to live on without her."
"Not without her," Liz replied, smiling slightly. "I'm surprised you haven't guessed by now Khivar – that you haven't guessed why Max came back to me, why he didn't just stay on Antar to raise his son. You were finished there anyway."
Khivar frowned. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that I am the only one who can stop you because I am the only one whose bond to Max is stronger than yours. He is [i] mine[/i] – has been for two lifetimes. You have tried to take him away from me twice, but it ends here."
She saw the look of astonishment appear on his face as she pulled the ring out from under her shirt. "Do you know this?"
His jaw clenched. She felt a flash of joy when she saw fear flare in his eyes before he could hide it. "It is the Royal Seal," he finally managed to mutter. "I have been searching for that for years."
She didn't know how she knew what to do. It was as though her past self, as though Kadiya, was working in the present, guiding her, sending her on the right path. She felt the power of Kadi's knowledge in her veins like some sort of drug, pushing her on.
"Because it is the only seal that really counts," Liz replied. "Zan gave this to Kadi with his own free will. He gave himself over to her by choice. He did the same for me. It is why our bond will [i] always[/i] be stronger. As long as he has me, you will [i] never[/i] win."
With that, she placed her hands on both sides of his face, stared right into his eyes and said, "It ends now."
And she kissed him.
Fanfic Auction for FMSA
Date: May 7, 2002-May 17, 2002
Event: A live, online fan fiction auction on e-bay to benefit FSMA
Questions: Contact RosDeidre@aol.com or link to:
http://pub82.ezboard.com/froswellfanficfsmafundraiserfrm1
"Don't you know what you are to me? What you're always going to be?
You're the love of my life."
"I just wish that I could have stopped you from saving my life that
day in the Crashdown."
"It's like the porno version of Aladdin."
"Buddha forgive me, but I am going to kick your ass!"
Ever since the pilot of Roswell, the series' hallmark has been
memorable writing. So it comes as no surprise that this beloved
television show has generated one of the Internet's most imaginative
and devoted group of fan fiction authors. LivE. Breathless. Kath7.
Linda. Ash. EmilyluvsRoswell. Tasyfa. Majesty. RosDeidre. Names that
call to mind favorite stories that we've cherished; authors who spin
worlds as magical as the show we've treasured since we first heard
the strains of Dido's Here With Me.
And although Roswell may be ending forever on May 14th, you have a
rare opportunity to own some of your favorite stories permanently.
You can treasure them year after year; long after Roswellian fan
fiction sites vanish from the Internet. All auctioned stories will
be professionally bound, with laminated covers—many beautifully
designed by artists such as Schurry, Blanca, and fishish25.
Roswriters for FSMA is an informal collective of fan fiction authors
banding together to help find a cure for FSMA. On May 7, 2002, we
are launching an auction on e-bay, and approximately 35-40 original
fan fiction stories will be gathered in eight separate tote bags
being auctioned off individually. You won't want to miss the
opportunity to bid on these hand-painted totes, each with a different
specialty theme, such as Dreamer Tote, UC Couple Tote, NC-17 Tote,
just to name a few.
Participating authors will be LivE, Breathless, Kath7, Linda, Ash
(Ash_a_Leigh), Tasyfa, RosDeidre, EmilyluvsRoswell, Majesty,
BennieBA, Cookie, ShellSueD, Carol, Watcher Tara, and many others.
As a special bonus, three Dreamer Totes will also contain CDs of more
than 800 of bigspam's original photos, including images from one of
Roswell's last days on location, while filming the finale.
One very unique Dreamer tote will also contain a gorgeous, hand-
designed "Max Quilt." This lovely work of art has been crafted by
Cookieman789 (Stacey), and will be a great way to snuggle up with the
Dream Guy himself.
PHILADELPHIA GATHERING AUCTION
Further, a special tote will be auctioned at the upcoming Philly
Roswellian gathering on May 10th. Tote contents for this event:
LivE's THE EXPERIMENT
Linda's US SIX AGAINST THE WORLD
Kath7's OUT OF THE WOODS
Breathless' SPECIAL KIND OF LOVE
RosDeidre's ANTARIAN SKY
Bound Compilation of these short stories: Majesty's PULSE,
EmilyluvsRoswell's RIPPLE EFFECT, Carol's HOLIDAY DREAMER SERIES,
Tasyfa's THE FORGING OF A LIFEBOND (short version), Ash's FLOOD and
BennieBA's BEFORE I SLEEP
Additionally, there will be one of bigspam's rare picture CD's,
featuring some 800 original photos from Roswell on location included
in this Philly tote.
Here's a reminder of the high quality images Big Spam has shared with
fans in the past:
http://a9.cpimg.com/image/15/F0/9205269-0fd4-02000178-.jpg
http://a2.cpimg.com/image/2C/3B/6755372-11fa-02000148-.jpg
http://a0.cpimg.com/image/8A/67/5161610-2538-02000176-.jpg
Please visit our message board site for updated press releases and
links to the auctioned totes, or watch on Crashdown for links
beginning May 7, 2002. Email Rosdeidre@aol.com with questions.
Visit our site at:
http://pub82.ezboard.com/froswellfanficfsmafundraiserfrm1
Part 34
Liz watched Max make his way up the slope, waited until he disappeared from view before she turned again to Ben. The little boy was staring up at her, his blue eyes almost silver in the shadows, obviously still scared, but also determined now that his father had given him a very specific goal to accomplish.
She refused to think about how much danger Max had just placed himself in. She had a very specific job too. He had asked her to save his son and his niece. She would not let anything happen to them.
She would not allow Alex's legacy to be hurt in any way. Ever. Her determination sent strength running through her veins, made her feel strong.
Because it was in that instant that she finally understood exactly why it was that she had forgiven Max in the end. For the first time since they had ever heard the name Tess Harding, they were in perfect sync, their lives dedicated to the same goal.
Before Tess, their common goal had been a simple one - finding happiness together. In the end, their new dream was just as simple, but so much more important. It was to live every minute to the fullest and in doing so, raise and protect the future in the form of Ben - because he was the only link they had left to the one person who still represented the innocence of the early days of the six friends who had been willing to die for each other.
The destiny message they had heard in the pod chamber that day had destroyed the strength that bound the six of them together, had divided them into camps that could not be reunited, no matter how much they loved each other.
Ben was the bridge between the two sides. And through their love for him, Max and Liz had found their way back to each other.
Liz felt peace settle over her. Through all of Max's talk about the connection that bound them she had known that she was not compelled to be with him because of it. He still did not understand. Their bond was so much simpler than that, and yet so much stronger too.
They were bound by how deeply they both loved, by how truly optimistic they were at heart that there was one person meant for everyone. They had found it in each other, not once, but twice.
It was a gift, not a curse. As soon as they got themselves out of this mess, she was going to spend the rest of her life convincing him of it.
She loved him. It was as simple as that. And because she did, she forgave him.
"Are you ready Sweetie?" Liz whispered now, taking Ben by the hand and clutching Lexi close to her chest. The baby was restless, whimpering, obviously exhausted, but also just as clearly aware that something was wrong.
"Ready."
Liz felt a slight tugging at her mind, could feel Ben inching his way in. She felt the certainty that they were alone, that no one was chasing them, that no one could [i] see[/i] them, begin to come over her…
They began the long climb up the hill. Liz felt Ben trip against her at one point, but he held the warp. In fact, it seemed to become even stronger after that. She was absolutely positive that they were going to make it. She knew intellectually that it was the warp making her feel this way, but she could not care, trusted that Max knew what he about having Ben do this.
Her only moment of uncertainty came at the top of the hill. Just as they crested movement near the door of the dome, about a hundred yards from the vehicle, caused her to take her focus off of getting away.
She watched in dismay as Dan Riley came stumbling out of the house, something obviously awry. He looked right at her for an instant, bringing her heart into her throat. But then he blinked and looked away.
"He can't see us Liz." Ben's voice was strained, he was obviously tired, and yet he still took the time to try and reassure her. A pang of love for the child made her squeeze his hand.
"I know." She ignored Dan, tried not to question why he was collapsing on the hood of Kyle's SUV. "Let's go start your Auntie Isabel's car."
She had Lexi in the child seat in the back and Ben strapped in beside his cousin before she told Ben to drop the warp. She knew it was too soon, that she should wait until they were well away from the dome, but she was growing concerned by the pasty colour of Ben's skin, the blankness in his eyes. He was clearly exhausted.
The minute they hit the highway, she spoke over her shoulder, "We're safe now Honey. You can end the mindwarp."
She was already beginning to reflect on where she could take them that they would be assured of safety, was not focusing on the disappearance of the illusion.
And so, when the warp ended, she was completely unprepared for the fact that she was no longer alone in the car with two children.
She caught sight of Isabel first. She was in the back seat, beside Ben, staring straight ahead, unseeing. Liz gasped, swerved the car.
"Please don't kill us." The voice was pleasant, came from beside her. She recognized it immediately as Jesse Ramirez's, but the tone was so different from that of Isabel's husband - arrogant and amused where Jesse's was friendly and warm - that it made her blood run cold. "Keep driving Elizabeth. Don't worry about Vilandra. She has had quite a shock. She'll be fine."
Liz swallowed, felt her insides freezing up in terror.
She focused on the road, refused to look to her right. If she didn't look, this wouldn't be happening.
But she knew it was. "Where do you want me to go?" She finally asked. She glanced back at Ben. He had fallen instantly asleep, like the last time he had held a mind-warp too long.
At least he was asleep. The last thing she wanted was for Ben to remember any of this.
"I don't know," Jesse replied pleasantly. Liz finally forced herself to glance in his direction. He was staring straight ahead, a placid expression on his face. "I'll think about it. For now, just drive."
"What's wrong with Isabel?" Liz demanded. "What are you doing here? How could we not have seen you?"
"I was giving Ben's mindwarp a little boost of my own," Jesse told her.
Liz gasped despite herself, "You're…"
"Alien? Certainly." Jesse turned to look at her, surprised. "Didn't you know? Everyone else does."
"No," Liz searched her mind. "Isabel knows about this?"
"She's known for a long while, has reveled in it. Vilandra has always loved people she isn't supposed to." Jesse stretched lazily, cupped his hands together and rested them behind his dark head.
"Who are you?"
"I am many people, the least of whom is Jesse Ramirez, hotshot young attorney. I am Zan's destroyer, Vilandra's lover, Rath's brother, Ava's creator. I am the rightful King of Antar."
And Liz understood. "You're Khivar." She swallowed again, resisted the urge to scream. There was no point.
"I am. I'm pleased to meet you officially Elizabeth."
"You're supposed to be dead," Liz told him, knowing she sounded ridiculous, but her shock was deep. Max had been so [i] sure[/i], had proclaimed that Khivar had died by his own hand.
"Reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. Zan may have killed my body on Antar, but my mind has always been my most important weapon. With the aid of the turncoat Larek I have finally turned my essence into an entity that Zan cannot destroy, no matter how hard he tries," Khivar's glee was barely controlled. He sounded like a spoiled child with a new toy.
Liz frowned. His tone indicated that he felt in complete control of this situation, was enjoying himself immensely. "Does Max know about this?"
"Oh, he knows," Khivar snorted. "He is berating me mentally as we speak."
Liz glanced at him, her heart starting to beat erratically. "You're talking to him right now?"
"Gotta love that seal," Khivar shrugged. "I can have a chat with Zan whenever I feel like it. We are connected - eternally. Needless to say, he is somewhat disconcerted by the fact that I have you in my possession. He feels the same for you as he felt for that slut Kadiya. It's really quite nauseating, but it makes him so easy to control. He is [i] so[/i] predictable."
Max! Her heart screamed for him. He had to be going insane with worry, would surely be drowning in guilt that he had let Khivar get near Ben, her, Isabel.
And Khivar was tormenting him mentally right at this moment, weakening him with his own guilt, his own fear. He was using the seal as it was meant to be used, to control Max through his own human emotions.
His emotions were at once Max Evans's greatest strength and his greatest weakness. His love for her and all the others had driven him to extremes, good [i] and[/i] bad, on so many occasions, she had almost lost count.
She had to free him. Once and for all. And, suddenly, without a doubt, she knew that she was the only one who could do it.
Max had told her himself that it was only his love for her that had kept him from going off the precipice immediately after the summit in New York. Anytime he felt hope that they would find their way back to each other, the seal weakened. When he felt closer to losing her for good, it strengthened, turned him into someone unrecognizable.
His connection to [i] her[/i] was stronger than the seal. She had to break it - had to save him, once and for all.
Liz felt her heart pounding as she formulated a plan. The first thing she needed to do was get this car stopped. She could not do anything while they were speeding down 285 North at 70 miles an hour.
She blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "I need to go to the bathroom."
There was a long pause. Khivar finally chuckled. "Very well. Stop the car. We're not really in any hurry."
Liz slowed down the Volvo, carefully drove onto the shoulder. "I won't be long."
"There's a flashlight in the trunk," Khivar told her, sounding bored. When Liz looked at him strangely, he smiled slightly. "Hey, it's [i] my[/i] car. When I'm around that is."
Liz frowned slightly. "Aren't you always?"
"No." He smirked at her. "When I am, Nikkol goes…elsewhere."
"Nikkol?"
"Oh, I apologize, you know him by his Earthly moniker. That would be Nicholas to you. He kept this body ready for me, ready for when I could finally leave my Antarian shell behind."
"Jesse is [i] Nicholas[/i]?" Liz demanded in horror. "I don't understand."
"It's really not very complicated [i] Elizabeth[/i]," Khivar rolled his dark eyes. Liz felt her own widen at the way he said that. It sounded strangely familiar, and not just because Dan was the only one who called her by her first name. "This body contained Nicholas's essence when I was not in it. His skin died long ago because Vilandra destroyed the Harvest. We had Larek's technology - he was a traitor long before Zan ever suspected by the way, long before Zan even came back to Antar. Nicholas allowed himself to pass on so that his essence could be transferred."
"Does Jesse Ramirez even exist?" Liz asked quietly, glanced back worriedly at Isabel. No wonder Max's sister was practically catatonic.
"He did, long ago. We had to clone his body from somewhere." Khivar scowled in Isabel's direction as well. "I wish he still did though. He would have been a simpler being to control. Nikkol has been fighting me recently." He transferred his gaze to Lexi. The baby was sound asleep, her small hand entwined in her mother's dark hair. Isabel's head was leaning against her child's, seemingly in an attempt to draw strength from her. Lexi had calmed down the instant she had laid eyes on Isabel, after the warp had broken. "Ever since that one was born as a matter of fact," Khivar continued.
"Lexi? Why?"
Khivar shook his head. "She is in line to the throne you understand. Nikkol had visions of ruling Antar in his daughter's name. Vilandra is Zan's only blood relative after all. Her offspring are his heirs."
Liz felt a pang. Isabel was going to be devastated by all of this. Her life had appeared so perfect, had been one of the reasons that Liz had begun to recognize the depth of her discontent with Dan. But it had all been an illusion, none of it real. At least with Max, their problems were up-front, out in the open.
And, yet, she could not forget the way Jesse had looked at his wife. He had loved Isabel. Nicholas or not, evil or not, he had loved her.
She realized that she was thinking in the past tense. Khivar had spoken of Nicholas that way after all. "Is he dead?"
"Yes," Khivar replied, sounding unconcerned. "He threatened Ben. He paid the price. This body is mine alone now. I don't need him anymore anyway."
"So you can't leave it again?"
"There is no need. Zan is in my clutches, under my control again. I cannot return to Antar - the rebellion has completely destroyed the monarchy, thanks to that idiot. I will be content to rule Earth. I am human now after all."
Liz stared at him. "Max will stop you."
"If you say so," Khivar chuckled again. When Liz continued to sit staring at him, he finally turned to look at her. "Don't you understand little one? As long as I have you, Zan will be preoccupied with finding you. He will not be able to stop me. You are his weakness. He knows I will not harm Ben. He is [i] mine[/i]. But you…" He reached out a hand, gently tucked a strand of Liz's hair behind her ear. It was so close to the gesture Max often employed, it made her shudder. "You he will fear for. I am in complete control of him now."
"Because of the seal?" Liz asked quietly.
"Indeed." Khivar turned away again. "Now go and relieve yourself. We must depart quickly."
"I've changed my mind. I'm fine."
"Very well. Drive then."
"What would happen if I just killed myself? Then you wouldn't have any more control over him."
Khivar turned back, his eyes surprised. "You would do that?"
"To free Max from [i] you[/i], from your control over him, I would," Liz replied simply.
"It would devastate him." Khivar raised an eyebrow at her, not sounding concerned, merely interested in her reasoning.
"But he would be free."
"Zan does not want to be free," Khivar smiled, amused. "Don't you know what happened to him on Antar when he lost his love?" He paused. "You do know about Kadiya, do you not?"
Liz could feel the ring Max had given her practically burning against her skin. It still hung on the chain around her neck. It was all she could do not to touch it. But Khivar did not know who she was, could [i] not[/i] know. It was the only power she held here - the knowledge that her connection to Max was stronger than his. If he knew…
He would kill her and end it all immediately. Because Liz did not doubt that he was right, that her fate was irrevocably linked to Max's, that he would die if she did. But it wasn't simply because of the [i] rashna[/i], nor because they were bonded soulmates.
It was because they loved each other - as Max and Liz, Zan and Kadiya, it didn't matter. Living alone would be intolerable.
"I know."
"He allowed himself to be killed because he believed that she was dead." Khivar shook his head. "He is such a fool. He allows his heart to rule him."
"It is why he is a great king," Liz returned hotly.
"He deserted his throne for a [i] woman[/i]!" Khivar returned, sounding disbelieving still. Even over the years that had passed since the death of Zan on Antar, Khivar still could not understand it.
"His love for Kadiya showed him the path to take that was best for his people," Liz argued. "He rid them of you in the end, didn't he? You're stuck here."
Khivar's eyes narrowed. Liz could see that she was finally making him angry. "I choose to be here."
"Right," Liz made a great show of rolling her eyes, turning away.
There was a long pause. She could feel the fury coming off of Khivar in waves. She held her breath, hoped that she had pushed him enough…She needed him distracted, angry, unfocused…
He started to laugh. Liz felt her heart drop.
"Well, I can certainly see what Zan sees in you. You're exactly like Kadiya. So spirited! You haven't shown me this side of yourself before Elizabeth."
Liz frowned, refused to turn around. She stared out the driver's side window, her arms crossed over her chest. "What are you talking about? We've never met before today."
"I've told you that Jesse Ramirez was not my only host - [i] Elizabeth[/i]."
It took a moment for her to understand what he meant. She whirled, stared at him in horror. "You were…You were [i] Dan[/i]?" She felt bile rise in her throat, quickly rolled down the window, breathed in great gulps of night air. "For how long?" She finally managed to ask, knew that her voice sounded weak, hated herself for it.
Images of all of the intimacies she had shared with Dan were tumbling through her mind, horrifying her more with each one.
"Oh relax," Khivar replied. "It was only this week that I understood how important you were to Zan. I had to find out why. But until this moment I couldn't figure it out. You were not like this with your fiancé."
"Does Dan remember any of this?" Liz asked, finally turning around, relief sweeping through her. She remembered that Brody had never recalled anything from during the time that he had been possessed. It would be a supreme irony if Liz had confessed Max's heritage to Dan, only for it to have been Khivar, who had certainly known better than anyone who Max was.
"I would doubt it. Not that it matters. He is dead anyway. The instant I left his body, he passed on."
Liz felt her heart stop. Guilt came crashing down on her so intensely, she had to grip the steering wheel for support. Tears of horror were welling in her eyes. She fought them desperately. He could not know how this was affecting her. "You are a monster," she finally whispered.
"No," Khivar replied. "I am merely human." He started to laugh again. She turned her head, glared at him. "Forgive my giddiness," he said. "It's just that I have waited so long to finally have Zan in my clutches. I am quite losing my head."
"You killed him in his last life!" Liz exclaimed. "Wasn't that enough for you?"
"But he came back." Khivar's lip curled. "That slut made sure of it. But there is no Kadiya to save him this time." He picked up a lock of her hair, rubbed it between his fingers. "There is only you little human. And that isn't enough, is it? It is enough to destroy him, but not enough to save him."
Liz swallowed, resisted the urge to spit in his face. It was time. He was totally engrossed in his own triumph, totally sure that he knew everything, that he could not be outplayed this time.
"You're wrong," she whispered.
"Pardon me?" Khivar sounded amused, like he couldn't wait to hear how she was going to tell him how mistaken he was and why. So that he could laugh again at her naiveté.
"I am the only one who can stop you."
"I think not," Khivar replied. He stroked her face gently. "Give in to me Elizabeth. Accept what must be. You are mine to do with as I will – my instrument."
"Like Kadiya was? Did you not use Zan's love for her to bring down his family?"
His face hardened. "I tried. But she evaded me, cloned him, sent him off here to live on without her."
"Not without her," Liz replied, smiling slightly. "I'm surprised you haven't guessed by now Khivar – that you haven't guessed why Max came back to me, why he didn't just stay on Antar to raise his son. You were finished there anyway."
Khivar frowned. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that I am the only one who can stop you because I am the only one whose bond to Max is stronger than yours. He is [i] mine[/i] – has been for two lifetimes. You have tried to take him away from me twice, but it ends here."
She saw the look of astonishment appear on his face as she pulled the ring out from under her shirt. "Do you know this?"
His jaw clenched. She felt a flash of joy when she saw fear flare in his eyes before he could hide it. "It is the Royal Seal," he finally managed to mutter. "I have been searching for that for years."
She didn't know how she knew what to do. It was as though her past self, as though Kadiya, was working in the present, guiding her, sending her on the right path. She felt the power of Kadi's knowledge in her veins like some sort of drug, pushing her on.
"Because it is the only seal that really counts," Liz replied. "Zan gave this to Kadi with his own free will. He gave himself over to her by choice. He did the same for me. It is why our bond will [i] always[/i] be stronger. As long as he has me, you will [i] never[/i] win."
With that, she placed her hands on both sides of his face, stared right into his eyes and said, "It ends now."
And she kissed him.