Chapter Twelve: Reunion of The Strong
Zack sped through the streets of Roswell, as he hurried to his sister's place. Zack knew, in his heart, that although he loved Risa, he never saw her as a substitute for Jess, he loved Jess more than he ever thought possible, but with Risa, it was different. He and Risa had grown up together, they trained together, and they were the closest that any brother and sister could be. What he couldn't ignore, however, was the difference that he had felt in his love towards Risa lately, that is ever since he set foot back into Roswell again. He loved her, that much he knew was true, but he didn't know, was in what way he loved her. He knew that the love he felt for Risa, was different from the love he felt for the rest of their siblings. But, Zack also knew that the love he still felt for Jess, was indefinitely more powerful. Zack rubbed his temples in frustration, as he drove. He didn't know what the hell it was that he was feeling, all he knew for sure, was that he needed to make peace with Risa. She was the only one, besides Jess, who had been there with him, through thick and thin, and who understood what it was like to be torn between your own emotions, and your duty. Out of all the X5's who escaped, only Risa and Zack strictly followed protocol, of obeying your superiors, and following orders. Risa still saw Zack as her C.O., and whatever orders he gave, she followed, knowing that it was because of him, that she was still alive at all. Zack respected the decisions Risa made, or at the very least, he respected the ones she actually had a choice to make. Together, they made an invincible team, which was what the Tac Officers, and Lydecker used to say, whenever they had missions that they had to complete, or training exercises that they needed perform. Zack knew that they worked well together, and that he couldn't imagine having the relationship, that he had with Risa, with anyone else. Which was why, he couldn't let what he had done on impulse destroy it. Zack sighed as he parked his bike right below Risa's balcony, and started climbing up the ladder that led up to her bedroom.
Risa looked up from her spot on the hard balcony floor, where she sat on a blanket, writing in her journal. Closing her journal with a snap, Risa walked over to where her brother was standing, close enough so that they were practically nose to nose. "I'm glad you came by Zack." Zack nodded, swallowing hard, "Risa look, I'm really sorry about what I did, I know it was wrong, and I know that you told me you weren't looking for a relationship. It was just on impulse, I'm sorry Risa." Risa stared at her brother for a moment, before bursting out laughing. "Okay, hold on, Zack, slow down. I know that you're sorry, okay, I get that. But, I'm sorry too, you know, I mean I kissed you back, even though I knew how much you still love Jess. So, we're even there bro." Zack smiled, relieved that he and Risa had patched things up somewhat. "Risa, you know that I love you, as a sister, and as a…………a………… a lover. But, I just didn't want you to feel like-" Risa smiled, filling in the gaps that her brother had left, "a replacement for Jess. Yeah I know, I love you too Zack. I really do, and you intentions were well received Commander." Zack smirked at her use of protocol, and wrapped his arms tightly around her. "Thank you Lieutenant." Zack and Risa stood there, with their arms wrapped each other, glad to get everything out in the open, before they had to take off for Seattle, in a few hours.
tbc……………………………………
(A/N: That should satisfy all you Zack/Liz people out there. Sorry this chapter's so short, I'm saving ammo for the next few.)