The War

by

Domino

Part Eleven

The Desert
Enemy Territory

The girl groaned in pain as she slowly sat up. The pain made her immediately recall the events that had occurred. Again she reached out with her hand towards her pocket to see if what made all this necessary was still there. It was. A quick glance at her watch made her move more quickly, despite the protest from her stiff body. Her mind quickly calculated the time she had been out. It had been a couple of hours. The logical part of her recognised that she needed help and needed it soon.

Ignoring all aches, Maria slowly reached for the ignition. It was dark but she was wise enough not to switch on the lights and slowly pulled out from behind the rock formation and began to drive. She drove slowly, more because of her mind being slightly fuzzy than because it was dark. Her one and only aim was to reach him.

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Skin Headquarters

"Sir, we are receiving a report from the patrols in the desert," a skin reported to his commanding officer, "A human. Woman. She was seen digging in the desert."

"Bring her in for questioning," the officer in charge commanded.

"Sir," the junior replied slightly nervously, "She seems to have evaded capture." He waited for the reaction. The skins were not known for their restraint in anger. Before the commander could reply however, they were interrupted by another junior.

"Sir, there seems to be some unusual activity in the rebel quarters," he said.

"Unusual activities?"

"Yes, sir. They seem to be movement. I'm not sure what's going on. Troops appear to be searching for something, sir."

The commander considered this for a moment before he ordered, "Increase patrols in the area. Keep an eye on the rebel movement and FIND THAT WOMAN." Immediately the Zarians leapt into action.

@@@@@@@@@@@@

Rebel Base

In the apartment, six people sat around while one paced up and down. They all had the slightly discouraged looks on their faces when 6 attempts to dreamwalk had failed. With each successive failure, Michael said less and less. His own attempts to connect also failed.

The irony was at the moment with their close proximity to Enemy Territory and the witch hunt that had been in effect for the last two months since their Oregon Victory there was little they could do. It was waiting game. One that gave them a lot of time to worry, particularly since all there imaginations were working overtime. Their confidence in Maria's ability to take care of herself was offset by their inability to contact her and so far the scales were tipped negatively.

All of them knew the consequences of her missing, with them being so close to Enemy Territory. It was regret that they all shared over the last two years that they had lost Roswell, their home, right in the beginning of the war. Their fear was increased by the last two months. It had a hard two months, with many losses.

The Rebellion's victory in Oregon was a great one for them, but it came with many negative results as the Skins retaliated. They had already lost two bases, although the casualties were contained by well-prepared escape routes. Much to the skins disgust, the losses didn't deter new recruits. Their latest effort was the very public execution of the former vice-president, and amazingly enough even that only served as enthusiasm for their soldiers to the cause. The one thing that could stop the Rebellion was capture or death of the Royal Eight and so far they had been totally unsuccessful at that. The mere possibility was what scared them all. No one could afford to lose Maria.

When Michael suddenly paused mid-stride, everyone looked at him, hopefully. Hope that he felt her getting better, had an idea on how to find her, anything. Again he didn't notice and merely walked towards his apartment door and opened it. Max and Alex immediately stood up. No one was going to let Michael go anywhere.

"Maxwell. I'm through waiting. I'm going to look for her," Michael said grabbing his backpack and weapon from the dresser and heading down the stairs to the messhall which lead to the main exit. The others all followed him, running to keep up. As he reached the door, the other six leaders skidding to a halt behind him, two soldiers stepped directly in front of him.

"I'm sorry, sir but I can't let you through."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I have my orders, sir."

"Maxwell," Michael turned to glare at his best friend.

"I didn't do it."

"Who gave you the orders, soldier?" Isabel asked calmly before Michael could erupt.

"The princess, ma'am," one of the soldiers said, inadvertently using a nickname never said in their presence.

"I beg your pardon," Michael questioned coldly.

"Sorry, sir. Maria Guerin, sir."

Even in these dire circumstances, things could still be amusing or maybe they were just a distraction from what troubled them. Alex and Kyle exchanged grins at the soldiers discomfort from being caught using the nickname no one besides Michael called her to her face. Everyone knew about it of course, although it was possible that the knowledge slipped by Michael and Maria for all the tight rein they kept on their soldiers. It had started during one of their infamous public arguments on safety where Michael while yelling at Maria called her princess. The soldiers eavesdropping on what was hard to miss picked up the name. Since them Maria was known among the ranks as the "Princess General" or plain simple "Princess."

In political circles and various war and strategy meetings they didn't call her that, to her face at least. Instead, following the lead of one starstruck new recruit delivering refreshment during one meeting who began calling her Lady Maria, it was what they used when addressing her. It was their way of giving respect to the person that led the armies but without a rank. Losing a lot of what was natural but now a luxury and being in a state of war had certain things slipping back to earlier days without the chauvinistic attitudes that was present in those days. Similar titles were bestowed on the other three woman in the Royal Eight.

The soldier that made the slip, while nervousness evident still stood his ground. He was lucky, Michael was otherwise distracted. On another day, they would be hell to pay. Today however, all Michael wanted to do was leave the building to search for his missing wife.

"Get out of my way. Now," he ordered. Usually a single word from him had men jumping to obey his commands. With that tone they would have been falling over themselves. Today, the soldiers blocking the exit stood resolute.

"I'm really sorry, sir but we are not moving."

"I don't have time for this. I have to find my wife," Michael said impatiently.

Still the soldiers didn't move.

"You are aware that you are risking your lives, your careers. I could court martial you."

"Yes, sir. We have our orders, sir."

"I'm giving you new orders."

"Sir, we are not moving,"

"Let me get this straight, my wife is out there in enemy territory. ALL ALONE, " his voice rose, "And YOU are refusing to let me leave. On HER orders."

"Sir, yes, sir."

"Forget the court martial. I'm going to beat my way through you."

"No, you won't sir. You're our leader, sir."

Michael didn't bother to deny their confidence in him. Everyone in the room knew he wouldn't hurt them. "Then, pray tell, why are you not following my orders?"

"Its for your own protection, sir."

"MY protection. I'm not the one in danger here."

"But if you leave sir, you will be," the soldier replied.

"And she'll be really mad when she finds out," the other soldier added.

"She'll be fine sir. She promised."

"Okay, that's it move NOW."

"Sir, no, sir."

"She said not to let you go, sir. The Rebellion can't lose both of you, sir. You're too important."

Michael threw his hands up in frustration. "Maxwell do something."

"I think that they're right. Michael, you shouldn't go." Michael looked betrayed.

"She's your best friend. And she's out there all alone," Michael looked at his friend pleadingly.

"The Rebellion can't lose you, Michael or her. You're too important. I'll go look for her," Max said.

"Me, too." Kyle and Alex chimed in.

"You can't leave either, sirs."

"What? Why can't we go," Alex demanded.

"We're not as important," Kyle said.

"Lady Maria said not to let any of the Royal Eight go. Its too dangerous and its more important that you remain safe."

"She conveniently forgot that she is one of the Royal Eight," Tess muttered.

"What else did Maria say?" Liz questioned, looking for a clue on Maria's whereabouts.

"She said to tell you that she had to do this alone. She wouldn't even let us go for protection," the soldier answered, "And that she was the only one that could do this."

The other soldier continued, "Lady Maria said that if she succeeds we might have a good chance of winning the war."

"I wonder what she's doing?" Alex wondered aloud.

"I hope she is safe." Isabel said at the same time.

"Forget this. I am going through. There are only two of you," Michael announced and he began to push his way through. Immediately 10 other soldiers stood and walked behind the two blocking Michael.

"She never takes any chances, does she?" Kyle said, more of a statement than a question.

"No, sir, she does not," the soldier answered anyway.

"You won't hurt us, sir," one of the soldiers said looking at his Commander.

"All of you are going to risk this?" Michael finally asked.

"Sir, Yes, Sir," came the unified answer of a military unit in the affirmative. Michael's shoulders slumped. While there were many exits as was customary on their bases, he was pretty sure that Maria's men had blocked them all. She was very thorough when she did something, he of all people knew that.

"We'll send out two teams to search for her in the meantime," he commanded in a soft tone.

"Already done sir," one soldier announced. He was the leader, Maria's second in command. Michael who made it his duty to know these details, before today liked and respected the man. The respect was still there, if only for standing up to him, but he wasn't quite sure he liked the man anymore. He knew that the man was a dedicated soldier to the Cause, to the Royal Eight and most especially to Maria. His loyalty and devotion was unquestionable. For now Michael was going to have to trust him.

"They left 45 minutes ago, sir when she didn't return as scheduled," the 2nd added.

"You're a good soldier," he told the man.

"Thank you, sir. Only following the Princess's orders, sir."

"I'll let the blocking my way go for now, but don't let me catch you calling my wife Princess again. she doesn't like it." The soldiers gave a sigh of relief.

"Sir, yes, sir."

"We wait," Michael announced. His tone was soft and held a bit of rebellion in it, "Isabel?"

"Already on it."

End part 11

Part Twelve

2008

Maria fought to hold onto her consciousness. She couldn't afford to slip back into the state of the unknown. It was too dangerous with her stuck in enemy territory. Unfortunately, her severe lack of energy made it impossible for her to contact her husband, to reassure him.

Three things kept her going - one was Michael. He was first and foremost. The second one was the reason she had undertaken this, one might call it a suicidal mission. And the third was the result of the mission. The thing in her pocket - his heritage, their heritage. It was going to help them win the war. Of course, that was provided Maria could get back to the Rebel Base.

All that was required was to stay awake long enough. Fifty miles between her and Michael. Fifty miles between her and safety. Maria clung to this thought and using her husband's name like a mantra forced herself to stay conscious.

She drove into the night, the desert, her sense of direction taking her to the clearing where she had hidden her escape - the helicopter. The helicopter was the quickest way in and the quickest way out of the Roswell Area, now in enemy hands. She had to get to it before they got to her. In the distance she finally caught sight of the looming shadow that was the 'copter.

Her feeling of relief, however, was quickly cut short when out of the darkness came the sound of engines reverberating as skins patrolling the area caught sight of her. In a dilemma, no place too hide and this close to escape, Maria chose to run. The car sped towards the 'copter far exceeding the speeds it was meant for, before coming to a sudden brake directly next to the helicopter.

Behind her, shooting resumed as the skins chased after her, determined not to lose her again. Maria ignored it all and leaping out of the car, she moved as fast as she could to the door and jumped in. Everything moved in slow motion for her, her low blood count and injuries slowing her down.

She had the engine going, the blades whirling when the skins pulled up. Her sudden take off just missed them, but the skins in a last attempt to catch her grabbed hold of the landing bars at the bottom, pulling two of them into the air with her.

Ironically it was the movies that saved her from this threat. Years of watching them with their helicopter chases, car chases and all the rest, Maria - her life more like fiction than real life since she was sixteen, even in her befuddled state expected this action and a sudden brake in the air dislodged one of the skins, the other still holding tight. In a quick move that cost her, pain flooding her every cell, Maria grabbed her back-up weapon gun lying in the passenger seat next to her, her usual weapon long lost in the desert. She fired. The Zarian fell to the ground, a scream escaping his lips. The helicopter tilted dangerously for a second, the loss of weight causing it rebalance.

Again her relief was short lived. Flying out of Roswell, she saw two Zarian Helicopters flying behind her in hot pursuit. Pain flowing through her, her consciousness slipping and dizziness overtaking her, Maria expelled one last effort and desperately called her husband to her.

End Part 12.

Part Thirteen

The large room was silent, with the exception of the footsteps that paced its lengths. The soldiers waited in a respectable quiet filled with fear and worry for their commander. Some prayed, others merely waited, and some continued their duties made necessary by the state of war.

One corner of the room was watched - sometimes subtlety, sometimes noticeably. This was where five of the Humanities Hope sat. Kyle was in a lotus position on one of the tables. His eyes were closed and it was obvious to even the ignorant that he was meditating. Max and Liz sat, holding hands tightly, as their worried glances moved between the 7 remaining members, resting mostly on Michael. Isabel had her head resting on Alex's shoulder. She kept this position when she was dreamwalking and in periods of rest, for the process was extremely tiring, although it had been a while since her last attempt.

The other 2 members, one a scared sister and the other a terrified husband and soulmate paced. Michael and Tess paced at right angles to each other. At regular intervals their paths intervened. At which point without glancing up, they would move each to their right, out of the others path and continue. The soldiers watched. Most followed Michael and the rest Tess, theirs eyes moving in sync with the continuos path of movement.

As for Michael his mind, like Isabel's in her dreamwalking, was occupied in trying to reach his wife. The other part of his thoughts was busy calculating a way to get out of the hall without hurting Maria's soldiers.

The routine of pacing had become to regular that when Michael suddenly paused mid-stride, everyone held their breathe. Yet what he did shocked all of them. Without looking back, Michael took of at a run, his hands held out. The soldiers slow to react, tried to intercept him before he reached the exit, but before they could get even close to him, a controlled energy burst shot from his hands and the soldiers in his path flew backwards in one motion before landing unhurt, too far away, despite their hurried movements, to do anything but watch as he raced through the doors to the surface.

Michael ignored the voices of his friends calling to him or the footsteps that chased him. He didn't hear them. Maria was calling to him and he was answering her.

The Rebellion's vehicles were parked outside under cover. The soldiers guarding them didn't think to stop him as he jumped into a humvee and leaving a cloud of dust blazed of into the night. Behind him, 6 friends and Maria's soldiers jumped into jeeps and other four by fours and raced after him, leaving a half empty lot and some surprised guards.

Michael heard the helicopters a while before he caught sight of them. There were 2 problems to getting Maria home. She was barely conscious. The helicopters waved unevenly and as much as Michael would like to believe it was because of the shooting guns from the Zarian copters in hot pursuit, he knew better.

Still the first problem was solved easily enough. Michael sent her a burst of energy - strength through the link they shared. While he couldn't heal her from the ground, he could provide her enough energy to fly the remaining distance home.

The second problem, however, was slightly more difficult. The helicopters pursuing her would not give up. Michael would have to stop them. Stopping the car about 20 miles from the base, he jumped out and ran to the back. The surface to air gun was already set up, as rules on base dictated. "Be Prepared" - a boy scout motto was one that they adopted. The other motto they lived by was "Protect what's ours."

Loading the weapon, he aimed at the 2 Zarian helicopters in the air almost directly above him. The first one exploded in a blaze of fire as the missile reached it. Nearby 4 jeeps pulled up, having finally caught up with their leader. Seeing what Michael was doing, the soldiers immediately loaded their weapons while the remainder took cover from the guns now shooting at them, leaving Maria free much to Michael's relief.

The 2nd missile Michael shot missed the last helicopter but with a little energy manipulation by Max and Tess redirected, turning around towards the copter. It hit the copter at the same time as the soldiers missile did. The resulting explosion was even larger than the first.

Before anyone had time to cheer or celebrate as was the norm, Michael was already in the driver's seat, the humvee heading back to the hidden base, after Maria's copter. Again everyone followed. They all reached there at about the same time and chasing Michael everyone still running, raced into the building. Just as they arrived, the door opened and

End part 13

Part Fourteen

Andat the door stood Maria. Everyone gasped in shock at the state she was in. Before anyone could say or do anything her exhausted body fell straight into the arms of Michael who caught her.

Everyone immediately moved towards the two of them. Michael lifted Maria more securely in his arms and gently placed her on a table kneeling down beside her. His fingers lightly ran over her face covered in blood from a small wound on her head. With each run of his fingers the dried blood disappeared. Maria's eyes remained closed. She was unconscious again. Slowly while he waited for her to wake up Michael moved his fingers down her entire body removing the blood stains and trying to see where she was injured. His fingers were gentle as they lightly traced her slight form.

No one said anything as they waited and watched Michael. Liz held herself back from running up and touching Maria to see if she was okay while she waited for the verdict. This time Maria's unconscious state lasted a lot less time. A few minutes later Michael moved even closer as a small moan was heard. The others did as well and when Maria finally opened her eyes to the coaxing of her worried husband, the first sight she saw was his face filled with fear and above him six of her best friends all looking down at her.

'I made it,' was her one thought and she attempted to give a small smile to relieve the worry and fear on their faces. It wasn't very successful since it came out looking more like a grimace. Michael immediately wrapped his arms around her careful not to hurt or aggravate any of her injuries. Liz reached out and ran her hands through her hair. But the others were pushed back by Michael as he dragged Max to the front to heal her.

Max looked into her eyes and made the connection. A rush of flashes came at him in quick succession. They were mainly of Michael and Maria with a few of her as a small child playing with Liz and Alex. Among the others was one of Maria running in the desert darkness surrounding her. Max didn't focus on all of this as he reached out with his mind to search for all the pain in his best friend. The arm he fixed first. Then the small wound on her head. He reached even further and found the internal haemorrhaging. The panic that filled him as he recognised the limited time she had left he ignored. It was detrimental to the concentration required to fix it. Then max blinked, 'That's strange,' he thought, 'We'll have to talk about it later.'

Minutes later Maria looked as good as new. The pain was gone and Michael had already cleaned her outfit from both the bloodstains and the dirt. The memory of injuries didn't leave her friends as easily. For them seeing the fragile little figure of their best friend so broken would likely stay with them for a long time if not an entire lifetime. Michael in particular had a hard time dealing with it. He lifted her up and held her tightly this time. She grabbed on as tight now that her arm no longer hurt.

Liz didn't wait for Michael to release her and hugged her from behind. Alex followed suit and before Maria had time to blink everyone had joined in the group hug.
"You know I love you guys but breathing is real important," her voice came out sounding slightly stifled in the middle of the crush of bodies surrounding her.

The others laughed and moved away from her. Michael kept one hand in hers. He wasn't quite ready to let go just yet.
Maria reached into her pocket and took it out. She held it in her closed fist before holding her hand out and slowly opening it directly in front of Michael. Michael stared into her eyes trying to delve the secrets they held. You could see the barely contained excitement in their emerald gaze.

It was everyone else that became impatient when Michael didn't appear to be saving himself from drowning in her eyes anytime soon.

"Okay that's it," surprisingly out of all of them it was Max who cracked first. He wasn't exactly known for his impatience. That was more Michael's thing.

"Open the damn box already," Kyle said.

"Yeah, we're all waiting," Alex added.

Michael didn't even blink. He was getting really good at ignoring everyone else where Maria was concerned. Max reached out for the small box that lay in Maria's hand. She stopped him by closing her fists.
"Michael has to open it," she said. And because she said it, he did. He let go of her hand and took the box opening the lid slowly. A bright shiny glow emerged from the box. The light spilled out of the container onto Michael and Maria lighting them up.

The others began to crown around again to see what was in the box. A large crystal, emerald in colour lay in the box. It didn't appear to be a normal crystal judging by the light it was emitting. A few gasps were heard when they caught sight of the crystal. It was an absolutely awe-inspiring sight.

End part 14

Part Fifteen A

Maria was watching everyone as they took in the crystal. Their reactions were worth what she went through to give them what by all rights belonged to them. Their heritage. She protected it with all she had.

"It's your right, your heritage," Maria vocalised what she thought. Everyone gave her their full attention. "I wouldn't let them get it."

A look of understanding began to dawn in their eyes as they realised what she meant.

"Maria?" Michael asked, his tone gentle.

"Yes," she answered.

"What are you talking about?" he clarified. And Maria realised that she hadn't told them, that they didn't know.

She needed to tell them and she wasn't quite sure how Michael would take it or any of the others. First Michael. Then she would let the others know.

"Guys," she turned to face them, "I need a moment alone with Michael first if you don't mind." They didn't look too happy. It was too soon to let her go anywhere yet but willingly moved to the other side of the room to give them privacy.

"Michael. I have to tell you something."

"I kind of figured that, Maria"

"It's hard. Please don't get mad."

"Honey, right now I don't think I am going to yell at you. Not today, okay. Do you have any idea how you scared the hell out of me."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know it would happen like that."

"Do you remember last night when we won that battle in Iowa and we had our own private celebration?"

A smile crossed his face as the memory passed, "You were acting weird afterwards. You said it was nothing,"

"I had a flash that night," Maria said.

"A flash. What kind of flash? You have those all the time."

"Not this kind. It was different," she paused and looked into his eyes.

"OK, this is taking too long. Maria, you will tell us immediately," a voice interrupted them as Tess decided that patience wasn't really her strongest suit. The others all nodded in agreement. Before anyone could say anything else, Max ordered all the soldiers waiting, out the room and he and the others moved in closer.

"Alright, I'll have to tell you all later anyway," Maria agreed.

"So catch us up. What do we know so far?" Isabel queried.

"Maria had a flash the other night when weyou know," Michael said, flushing a bit.

"That's all we know. We gave you guys so much time." Liz said.

"If you all would just let me talk, I'll tell you the rest."

"It was one of those planet flashes, you know. Like the one you had when we found the orb, Liz."

She had all their attention, "I saw the granolith. It had these crystals placed in it to activate it." Everyone turned to stare at the crystal still in Michael's hand.

"Like that?" Alex asked softly.

"Like that," Maria replied her voice almost reverent.

"They were four of them. Each one had a differentpower to make it work. In the flash I could see that all of them were hidden on earth somewhere in different places but I only knew where one was."

"I know I should have told you guys butit was in Roswell. I couldn't let you guys go there. And I was the only one that could find it. I just couldn't risk anyone else, " Maria continued. She looked at her husband for his reaction. She knew he wasn't exactly happy about her actions right now. Michael kept his face blank but she'd been married to him, lived with him and been with only him for a long time and by now she could read the slight facial expressions and the emotions whirling in his eyes.

"Maria" Michael began. He was mad at her but today relief overshadowed everything else.

She interrupted, "Michael I know you don't think I should have gone in there but I had to. This crystal, the granolithits going to let us win the war. Its why you guys were sent to earth, your destiny."

It had been a long time since nay of them had heard or used the word destiny. The word brought back memories and for Tess activated something in her brain. A gasp was heard from her and they all turned to face her.

End Part 15A

Part Fifteen B

Almost as if she was speaking to herself, Tess began to softly speak, "I know what he means now. No, wait that can't be right. All the pieces don't fit. But it makes the most sense"

"Tess, honey?" Kyle spoke softly to his wife. She looked up at 7 curious faces and began to explain.

"When I was a kid and we moved around, Nacedo thought me this one verse. He told me to always remember it. He said it was the key to our destinies," she began. The others listened cautiously knowing Nacedo's views on destiny. I don't think he knew quite what it meant. Although he had a theory," she paused trying to remember the verse. It had been a long time since she had thought about it.

When she didn't say anything for a while, Liz questioned, "Tess?"

"Shhhh. I'm trying to remember the verse. Its been a while since I heard it." The others sat in silence waiting. Michael smoothed his fingers over Maria's hand forming circles and just holding her to remind himself that she was safe. Another time and he would have probably completely freaked out on her for leaving without telling him and going alone but marriage to a headstrong beautiful smart and stubborn woman had opened his eyes in a way living with her didn't. He knew how her mind worked, mainly because he spent a lot of time in there, just as she knew how his worked. Not telling him would be exactly what he would have done if he had received the flash. Protecting each other was always their number one priority and right now a part of him felt that he failed that part of it.

Maria leaned back into his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. She knew what he was feeling. Opening her mind up she reached out to him and him to her. It was their way of healing. Their emotions mixed, their feelings combined and they healed. She reassured him and he her as there minds became one. Her memories of the flash was passed as was her escape. He in turn shared his, of his wait, of his fear.

Slow even breathes escaped during this process. It wasn't one they did often, not usually going deeper then surface conversation - telepathic, emphatic discussions but it was one that they took seriously. Their eyes shut but to any observer it would appear that they were merely leaning into each other, resting if you will. Their friends weren't any observers - they knew better. As they waited for Tess, they watched Michael and Maria out of the corner of their eyes, for while they could see nothing out of the usual, just knowing what was happening was enough to make them feel slightly voyeuristic.

A triumphant shout interrupted them all and everyone's attention went back to Tess. Michael and Maria's eyes snapped open and they too looked at Tess.

"I remembered. The verse goes like this:
The Four must each a vision be
But only by connection between all three
To destroy thine enemy
And their worlds free."

Confusion was the prominent emotion.


"What does that mean?" Isabel asked.

"I'm not sure. But" Tess trailed of.

"What?" it came from a few voices.

"I think I know what Nacedo thought it meant. Hear me out ok and I have a theory to what it actually means."

"Well?" Alex pushed her to reveal.

"Nacedo thought it meantthat the crystal could only be revealed in a vision if we were pregnant. You know a vision between all three. That's why he tried to make Isabel and Michael think they were pregnant. Michael is suppose to have the vision of the first crystal. If the dreams pushed them into being pregnant then he could recover the granolith."

The others stared at her in shock. She continued, "The only thing he could never figure out was how to get 4 visions when a pregnancy between two of us only revealed one. I'd forgotten all about this, tried to really after that Destiny fiasco and I never really knew all the details like the granolith but it all makes sense except for one thing"

"I'm not pregnant," Maria said and Tess nodded.

"Well, actually," Max said, "I actually think you may be. I was going to wait to talk to the two of you butI think that I felt another life force when I healed Maria."

It was a toss up to see who looked more shocked -Maria or Michael. That didn't even include the others. Pregnancy wasn't something they had considered in these times and a part of them were not even sure they could fall pregnant.

"I'm pregnant," Maria said softly, her hands moving over Michael's on her stomach. Suddenly a thought occurred to her and she released her hands and jumped up out of Michael's arms. He knew immediately. Their thoughts were still joined. He'd felt her shock, her joy, as she felt his, and now he felt her fear, her pain and her guilt.

"No, Maria," he shouted as she made to run. The others watched worriedly not sure what was going on. Maria stopped and she dropped to the floor wrapping her arms around her. Michael walked up to her.

"You didn't know, Maria. How could you? And you're safe, both of you."

"I should have known, Michael. I put our baby in danger. Because of me. I almost lost her." Michael wrapped his arms around his wife and connected with her again.

"No you didn't. Both of you are fine. Everything is fine. Wait a secondher? How do you know it's a her?" a smile came through the tears running down Maria's face and he leaned over and with his thumb wiped the tears away.

"I don't know. I just do," she said with a bubbly laugh.

"Oh great. The world really needs another you," he joked.

"Hey," she tapped his arm. He pulled her to her feet. And with a rarely heard laugh he swung her around before kissing her soundly. She let loose a laugh as well.

"We're going to have a baby," she said wondrously and again her hands moved to her stomach.
"A beautiful baby girl who's just like her mother," Michael added.

"Let's just hope she doesn't have your hair, Michael," Isabel said, figuring it was now safe to interrupt. And with that sentence she ran over to Maria and Michael and wrapped them in her arms. "I'm going to be an aunt," she yelled. Max and Tess joined her but the others still stood in shock. Liz hadn't moved since she heard the news and Alex and Kyle had stunned looks on their faces. Suddenly Alex burst out laughing and everyone stared at him.

"Man, Michael can you just imagine it. You and Maria making a baby together. The world as we know it just ended. Your little girl is going to give everyone a run for their money. Think about it. Maria's genes, your powers, both of your stubbornness. This is going to be fun," and Alex cracked up again. Kyle snapped out of the shock and laughed as well. Michael's face took on an expression akin to fear with Alex's words which just made the two of them laugh more and the others joined in. Liz woke up from her trance and ran to Maria and hugged he r tightly. "We're going to have a baby," she said and Maria nodded, tears of joy filling her eyes again.

"Wait a second. We need to finish the discussion," Max interrupted pulling Michael away from Kyle and Alex where he was mock beating them up for insulting his still unborn baby. The two of them hadn't stopped laughing imagining all the horrors a baby of Maria's could get up to, their memories of Maria as a little girl fresh in their minds. Immediately everyone sobered, knowing that this discussion was necessary.

"What I want to know is why wait until we're pregnant before we get the visions?" Liz asked her analytical mind moving into action.

"Maybe because we can only get pregnant with our soulmates and it has to be in the right combination before it happens," Isabel suggested.

"I think it has to do with why we came here. We have to reproduce. Every species does, right so maybe when we do, our protective instincts activate and since the granolith is a weapon" Liz said thinking aloud, her biology background coming into play.

"Its our way of safeguarding our young and where we live," Michael finished for her.

The others nodded.

"It makes sense. Must be a built in mechanism," Kyle said aloud what they all were contemplating.

"Your flash, Maria? What else was in it?" max asked, trying to get all the details out.

"Every crystal did something else. They could be used separately but together all four of them made the weapon that could get rid of all the skins for good. Each crystal was hidden and the memory of where given to the four of you to be revealed when the time was right," Maria started.

"In other words, when we fell pregnant," Tess said.

"Must be. This crystal is the weapon to destroy. It works in small distances but has a much larger range if used in combination with the others. The second crystal allows you to travel back in time. Third one in space and the fourth is the energy crystal. It amplifies energy, transfers it. Each crystal if used with the others increase it powers and all together linked with us will give us all the power to get rid of all skins on earth."

Six faces looked at her in surprise. That was a major revelation. It explained why Maria felt that she had to recover the crystal. Michael already knew all this, having seen the flash a little earlier.

"That's why the skins want the granolith, why they're so scared of it," Kyle said, understanding dawning on his face.

"Its important that power like that not fall into the wrong hands. That's why they took precautions. To protect it. The crystals were all separate and the granolith hidden. We would find it when it was time," Maria said, revealing the last of the flash. This flash was more detailed than any of the others, "Did I leave anything out, Michael?"

"No, covered everything," he replied.

"Well, if we're done," Maria started, "I need to celebrate with my husband AFTER he beats up two unnamed former friends for insulting my baby." The ice broken, the soberness shed and for the first time in a long time, everyone behaved like they were kids again. Alex and Kyle immediately took off, Michael right behind them and laughter filled the room.

End Part 15

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