Part Twenty Six
It was a battered and bruised nine war-weary people that arrived at the cave. Everyone entered immediately except for the sheriff. He instead quickly got his arm healed by Isabel, the only alien with enough strength left to complete the process. There was no sign of the laser bullet hole on his arm where he had been shot during the run to the car.
Much as the sheriff would have liked to clear up some of the inconsistencies and stay with his injured son, it was more important right now to deal with the consequences. The one good thing about bad aliens is that left no bodies as evidence only dust. It made life easier when trying to explain away an exploded house when there were no dead bodies inside to identify.
Inside the cave, 8 teens moved slowly, tiredness and hurt evident in their every movement. They sat Max and Kyle down in the one corner, significant others collapsing next them. Isabel walked around and lit the stones and Alex pulled out food and water.
Michael and Maria walked up to where their injured friends lay. Liz immediately stood up and threw herself in Maria's arms. Maria returned the hug tightly.
"I was so scared, Ria," Liz whispered. "He wouldn't wake up and I was all alone."
"Its okay, chica. We're all fine. He's going to be fine."
"Promise?"
"Of course," Maria answered.
Liz released Maria and went up to Michael and hugged him.
"Thank you for coming for us."
Michael looked embarrassed, "We're always going to come and get you. You're safe now, Liz," he said slightly awkwardly.
Michael knelt down besides his best friend, "Maxwell."
Max opened his eyes slowly and mouthed the words "Thank You," to his friend before closing them again. Liz sat back down and lightly lifted Max's head and placed it in her lap. He immediately relaxed and fell into a light healing sleep.
Liz had done a lot of thinking, stuck in that white prison and she had come to one realisation. While not startling to others it was a surprise to her since she had spent months convincing herself that distance would eventually have an effect. It turned out despite her current relationship with Max, her feelings towards him would never change. And more importantly she realised, that distance didn't make it hurt any less if anything ever happened to him. This time she was holding on tight and not letting go for any reason no matter how earth shattering.
```````````***********```````````.
Nearby Kyle and Tess lay on the sleeping bags Isabel and Alex had laid out earlier. They were not sleeping. Kyle was not speaking because it hurt too much and Tess didn't have any energy to form words. They watched each other and the others. Both smiled when they saw Liz and Max essentially get back together. It was much better when the two were together. They stopped being so moody and depressed , well Max at least. Liz buried herself in work and tried to avoid everyone during the separation.
Of course no one was as bad as Michael and Maria apart. Michael snapped at everyone and went all obsessive over Czechoslovakian stuff and Maria got hyper and pretended nothing was wrong. It was too exhausting on everyone else, especially since Maria kept dragging them into new schemes which inevitably went wrong. Kyle and Tess turned their attention to the two in their thoughts, unspoken communication already becoming part of their relationship, fast forwarded by the situation and the secret.
It wasn't hard to tell if they were back together. Michael and Maria always had a link bonding them. It was as tangible as the looks Max and Liz were forever exchanging. It was stronger now. You could see it even with them separate. Michael was helping Alex draw a circle with 7 links in the centre of the cave while Maria and Isabel were transporting the healing stones from the back of the cave where it was hidden.
Isabel and Maria dropped the stones in the centre of the circle drawn and walked towards Tess and Kyle. Isabel placed an arm around Tess and Maria helped Kyle up and walked with them to their places on the circle. Kyle had never been involved in a group healing before and Isabel explained it to him while Maria went to help Liz with Max. They woke him up and together tried to lift him. It wasn't easy. He had even less strength than during the escape and was a complete dead weight. Before Liz, Maria and Max could fall down Michael catching sight of the precarious threesome rushed over, Alex right behind him. The two guys caught them before they tumbled over and took over transporting Max to the centre and gently laid him down right in the centre.
Liz's face took on a resolute expression. She remembered the last time they had tried this and how she had backed out. She wasn't going to that this time. She sat down next to Kyle, Tess on his other side. Maria sat down next to her and Michael on her right. Isabel and Alex completed the circle after Isabel took the stones and handed them out to each person. Everyone concentrated.
The bond between the 8 of them was at its strongest. They relied completely on each other for almost everything. It was the reason why the it didn't take long, despite the poor condition they were all in, for the healing stones to begin to glow, floating slightly in the air. A blue light emitted from each stone, the light rising up to meet in the centre. It went unnoticed by the seven friends on the circumference and their injured friend in the middle. Their eyes were all shut, concentrating on healing. All of them were aware of the dangers involved in such a healing but no one questioned it. Or its necessity.
Time had no meaning but it seemed everyone opened their eyes at the same time. In front of them, a blue glow arising from 7 sides led to the centre and encircled Max in its light. Max did not retreat to a place of hallucinations and visions as Michael did during his healing but instead felt energy flowing into him replacing the one he lost. He felt love and trust surrounding him. He felt Liz. He felt Michael and Isabel, Maria, Alex, Kyle and Tess. He felt the bonds between everyone and he felt the links and love holding them together. He healed. And around him Kyle and Tess healed. Bruises and cuts magically disappeared and weariness left them as energy combined and grew.
The stones stopped glowing and dropped to the ground in front of everyone. No one moved for a second, staring at Max in front of them unmoving, waiting to see if it worked. Max opened his eyes and sat up. In less than a second Liz was at his side holding him tight. Isabel came in from her side grabbing him as well and Maria joined them, glad to see one of her best friends smile again. Tess a little less exuberantly also hugged him, after looking at Liz for permission first. It wasn't necessary – Liz assured her with a look.
The guys stood back waiting. Max stood up and one hand still in Liz's turned to face them. Alex stepped forward and shook Max's hand. Kyle followed suit, exchanging a look of understanding with Max. Michael went last. He and Max looked at each other for a long moment. Liz stood back to give them this space they needed. Isabel held onto Alex and watched her brothers, a smile on her face. Michael held out a hand to Max but Max didn't take it. Instead he pulled his best friend and brother into a hug. A manly hug of course but still a hug. Michael held him tightly for a second, conveying his relief before they both released and stood back both looking slightly embarrassed. Without even realising it their hands both reached for their other halves. Maria took Michael's hand and opposite her Liz did the same for Max. Isabel smiled at them, noting their reactions. She exchanged amused glances with Alex, Kyle and Tess all of whom observed what occurred.
It was all over. Smiles were exchanged before the 8 teens sat down and began a picnic with the food Alex and Isabel had brought. The sheriff phoned and them the "okay " to the relief of all. No foul play suspected – just an electrical fire out of control. He had even managed to retrieve Kyle's car undamaged because it was outside during the explosion. Everyone was visibly relieved particularly Michael whose past experience with cops had not been good ones.
It was a long night for the friends. A night of truths – a carthagic night. They all talked. Secrets, fears, torture. All was revealed. Tears were shed and comfort exchanged. Nacedo's death was mourned by those present, even if some of the mourning was more for Tess and their pasts still unrevealed. Max spoke for the first time of his nightmare in Pierce's hands and Michael however reluctantly, holding Maria's hand tightly unveiled his life and fears. Hours later, 4 couples fell of to sleep in each other's arms after watching the sunrise together.
The next day, late night aside, kidnapping and rescues aside, 8 teens awoke and got ready for school. Life went back to normal. Enemies may come and go but parents and school were still necessary. Tests still had to be written and homework handed in. And after school life appeared to have returned to normal as well. Maria and Michael were still working at the Crashdown. The congresswoman's 'disappearance' put Liz out of a job as an intern and she returned to the Crashdown, her parent's cafe.
The sheriff insisted that Tess move in with them with Nacedo dead. All of them helped her move. She took Kyle's room but it was noted by all that he didn't seem to mind much. His father sat them both down and gave them a long talk about appropriate behaviour in the house basically translating into NO SEX , embarrassing for Kyle although Tess seemed to appreciate receiving it, Nacedo not big on talks.
Normal may have returned but there were differences. The 8 spent all their time together. Max and Liz were back to being joined at the hip exchanging nauseating looks to the dismay of any and all observers. Kyle and Tess were the same and Isabel seemed much more reliant on Alex. In the case of Michael and Maria, it was more of Michael refusing to let Maria out of his sight. He claimed he was preventing her from getting into trouble and Maria said she was just making sure he didn't do anything stupid. They didn't fool anyone especially when they were caught making out in the breakroom, their mouths fused together.
The couples back together was not the only differences they exhibited. The differences were subtle but there. Everyone remained in large groups, preferring to remain near Michael and Maria who they felt safest with. The aliens began training more and all the humans and aliens started a regime with Maria including self defence. Every morning they ran 10 miles. The sheriff and Kyle helped Maria teach all of them how to shoot. They practised in the desert in isolation. Max took his leadership more seriously and they began acting as a team, realising the strength they held together was stronger than anything they had apart. The mission and rescue proving that to them.
In addition, all of them were more alert. Isabel ran mind patrols regularly and anything slightly unusual resulted in a meeting. They had been caught unaware once. It wouldn't happen again. The irony of it all was that the more paranoid everyone became the less paranoid Michael was. He smiled more and suggested to the shock of all his friends fun stuff all the time. They decided Maria was a bad influence on him but it helped them relax slightly.
Life went on after all. They had each other and that was all that they needed. For life. For destiny. Forever.
The end.
A/N
I wanted to thank everyone that gave me feedback on this fic. I did appreciate it. There is a sequel called the War. I know that not many pepple were reading this on ffn, but if those that were would like me to post the sequel, please let me know.
`Domino
It was a battered and bruised nine war-weary people that arrived at the cave. Everyone entered immediately except for the sheriff. He instead quickly got his arm healed by Isabel, the only alien with enough strength left to complete the process. There was no sign of the laser bullet hole on his arm where he had been shot during the run to the car.
Much as the sheriff would have liked to clear up some of the inconsistencies and stay with his injured son, it was more important right now to deal with the consequences. The one good thing about bad aliens is that left no bodies as evidence only dust. It made life easier when trying to explain away an exploded house when there were no dead bodies inside to identify.
Inside the cave, 8 teens moved slowly, tiredness and hurt evident in their every movement. They sat Max and Kyle down in the one corner, significant others collapsing next them. Isabel walked around and lit the stones and Alex pulled out food and water.
Michael and Maria walked up to where their injured friends lay. Liz immediately stood up and threw herself in Maria's arms. Maria returned the hug tightly.
"I was so scared, Ria," Liz whispered. "He wouldn't wake up and I was all alone."
"Its okay, chica. We're all fine. He's going to be fine."
"Promise?"
"Of course," Maria answered.
Liz released Maria and went up to Michael and hugged him.
"Thank you for coming for us."
Michael looked embarrassed, "We're always going to come and get you. You're safe now, Liz," he said slightly awkwardly.
Michael knelt down besides his best friend, "Maxwell."
Max opened his eyes slowly and mouthed the words "Thank You," to his friend before closing them again. Liz sat back down and lightly lifted Max's head and placed it in her lap. He immediately relaxed and fell into a light healing sleep.
Liz had done a lot of thinking, stuck in that white prison and she had come to one realisation. While not startling to others it was a surprise to her since she had spent months convincing herself that distance would eventually have an effect. It turned out despite her current relationship with Max, her feelings towards him would never change. And more importantly she realised, that distance didn't make it hurt any less if anything ever happened to him. This time she was holding on tight and not letting go for any reason no matter how earth shattering.
```````````***********```````````.
Nearby Kyle and Tess lay on the sleeping bags Isabel and Alex had laid out earlier. They were not sleeping. Kyle was not speaking because it hurt too much and Tess didn't have any energy to form words. They watched each other and the others. Both smiled when they saw Liz and Max essentially get back together. It was much better when the two were together. They stopped being so moody and depressed , well Max at least. Liz buried herself in work and tried to avoid everyone during the separation.
Of course no one was as bad as Michael and Maria apart. Michael snapped at everyone and went all obsessive over Czechoslovakian stuff and Maria got hyper and pretended nothing was wrong. It was too exhausting on everyone else, especially since Maria kept dragging them into new schemes which inevitably went wrong. Kyle and Tess turned their attention to the two in their thoughts, unspoken communication already becoming part of their relationship, fast forwarded by the situation and the secret.
It wasn't hard to tell if they were back together. Michael and Maria always had a link bonding them. It was as tangible as the looks Max and Liz were forever exchanging. It was stronger now. You could see it even with them separate. Michael was helping Alex draw a circle with 7 links in the centre of the cave while Maria and Isabel were transporting the healing stones from the back of the cave where it was hidden.
Isabel and Maria dropped the stones in the centre of the circle drawn and walked towards Tess and Kyle. Isabel placed an arm around Tess and Maria helped Kyle up and walked with them to their places on the circle. Kyle had never been involved in a group healing before and Isabel explained it to him while Maria went to help Liz with Max. They woke him up and together tried to lift him. It wasn't easy. He had even less strength than during the escape and was a complete dead weight. Before Liz, Maria and Max could fall down Michael catching sight of the precarious threesome rushed over, Alex right behind him. The two guys caught them before they tumbled over and took over transporting Max to the centre and gently laid him down right in the centre.
Liz's face took on a resolute expression. She remembered the last time they had tried this and how she had backed out. She wasn't going to that this time. She sat down next to Kyle, Tess on his other side. Maria sat down next to her and Michael on her right. Isabel and Alex completed the circle after Isabel took the stones and handed them out to each person. Everyone concentrated.
The bond between the 8 of them was at its strongest. They relied completely on each other for almost everything. It was the reason why the it didn't take long, despite the poor condition they were all in, for the healing stones to begin to glow, floating slightly in the air. A blue light emitted from each stone, the light rising up to meet in the centre. It went unnoticed by the seven friends on the circumference and their injured friend in the middle. Their eyes were all shut, concentrating on healing. All of them were aware of the dangers involved in such a healing but no one questioned it. Or its necessity.
Time had no meaning but it seemed everyone opened their eyes at the same time. In front of them, a blue glow arising from 7 sides led to the centre and encircled Max in its light. Max did not retreat to a place of hallucinations and visions as Michael did during his healing but instead felt energy flowing into him replacing the one he lost. He felt love and trust surrounding him. He felt Liz. He felt Michael and Isabel, Maria, Alex, Kyle and Tess. He felt the bonds between everyone and he felt the links and love holding them together. He healed. And around him Kyle and Tess healed. Bruises and cuts magically disappeared and weariness left them as energy combined and grew.
The stones stopped glowing and dropped to the ground in front of everyone. No one moved for a second, staring at Max in front of them unmoving, waiting to see if it worked. Max opened his eyes and sat up. In less than a second Liz was at his side holding him tight. Isabel came in from her side grabbing him as well and Maria joined them, glad to see one of her best friends smile again. Tess a little less exuberantly also hugged him, after looking at Liz for permission first. It wasn't necessary – Liz assured her with a look.
The guys stood back waiting. Max stood up and one hand still in Liz's turned to face them. Alex stepped forward and shook Max's hand. Kyle followed suit, exchanging a look of understanding with Max. Michael went last. He and Max looked at each other for a long moment. Liz stood back to give them this space they needed. Isabel held onto Alex and watched her brothers, a smile on her face. Michael held out a hand to Max but Max didn't take it. Instead he pulled his best friend and brother into a hug. A manly hug of course but still a hug. Michael held him tightly for a second, conveying his relief before they both released and stood back both looking slightly embarrassed. Without even realising it their hands both reached for their other halves. Maria took Michael's hand and opposite her Liz did the same for Max. Isabel smiled at them, noting their reactions. She exchanged amused glances with Alex, Kyle and Tess all of whom observed what occurred.
It was all over. Smiles were exchanged before the 8 teens sat down and began a picnic with the food Alex and Isabel had brought. The sheriff phoned and them the "okay " to the relief of all. No foul play suspected – just an electrical fire out of control. He had even managed to retrieve Kyle's car undamaged because it was outside during the explosion. Everyone was visibly relieved particularly Michael whose past experience with cops had not been good ones.
It was a long night for the friends. A night of truths – a carthagic night. They all talked. Secrets, fears, torture. All was revealed. Tears were shed and comfort exchanged. Nacedo's death was mourned by those present, even if some of the mourning was more for Tess and their pasts still unrevealed. Max spoke for the first time of his nightmare in Pierce's hands and Michael however reluctantly, holding Maria's hand tightly unveiled his life and fears. Hours later, 4 couples fell of to sleep in each other's arms after watching the sunrise together.
The next day, late night aside, kidnapping and rescues aside, 8 teens awoke and got ready for school. Life went back to normal. Enemies may come and go but parents and school were still necessary. Tests still had to be written and homework handed in. And after school life appeared to have returned to normal as well. Maria and Michael were still working at the Crashdown. The congresswoman's 'disappearance' put Liz out of a job as an intern and she returned to the Crashdown, her parent's cafe.
The sheriff insisted that Tess move in with them with Nacedo dead. All of them helped her move. She took Kyle's room but it was noted by all that he didn't seem to mind much. His father sat them both down and gave them a long talk about appropriate behaviour in the house basically translating into NO SEX , embarrassing for Kyle although Tess seemed to appreciate receiving it, Nacedo not big on talks.
Normal may have returned but there were differences. The 8 spent all their time together. Max and Liz were back to being joined at the hip exchanging nauseating looks to the dismay of any and all observers. Kyle and Tess were the same and Isabel seemed much more reliant on Alex. In the case of Michael and Maria, it was more of Michael refusing to let Maria out of his sight. He claimed he was preventing her from getting into trouble and Maria said she was just making sure he didn't do anything stupid. They didn't fool anyone especially when they were caught making out in the breakroom, their mouths fused together.
The couples back together was not the only differences they exhibited. The differences were subtle but there. Everyone remained in large groups, preferring to remain near Michael and Maria who they felt safest with. The aliens began training more and all the humans and aliens started a regime with Maria including self defence. Every morning they ran 10 miles. The sheriff and Kyle helped Maria teach all of them how to shoot. They practised in the desert in isolation. Max took his leadership more seriously and they began acting as a team, realising the strength they held together was stronger than anything they had apart. The mission and rescue proving that to them.
In addition, all of them were more alert. Isabel ran mind patrols regularly and anything slightly unusual resulted in a meeting. They had been caught unaware once. It wouldn't happen again. The irony of it all was that the more paranoid everyone became the less paranoid Michael was. He smiled more and suggested to the shock of all his friends fun stuff all the time. They decided Maria was a bad influence on him but it helped them relax slightly.
Life went on after all. They had each other and that was all that they needed. For life. For destiny. Forever.
The end.
A/N
I wanted to thank everyone that gave me feedback on this fic. I did appreciate it. There is a sequel called the War. I know that not many pepple were reading this on ffn, but if those that were would like me to post the sequel, please let me know.
`Domino