Sacrifice
A Sequel to Quietly into the Night
Conventional Couples
Rating: PG-13

Chapter Nineteen

Roswell, New Mexico

Maria lay in bed, with little Beth cradled in her arms as she nursed. She traced a finger over the downy head of her little girl, amazed that she and Michael were able to create something so remarkable. Maria closed her eyes and dozed while her daughter fed. As she rested, images filled her mind. Peaceful images at first, dreams of her and Michael and the baby. But just as quickly, the images turned from dreams to flashes of Michael on Antar. She saw the reunion with Kyle and Kam. She felt Michael's frustration at not being able to locate Isabelle and Lexie, and finally his rage when he heard that Liz was to marry Kivar. Her eyes snapped open, and Beth, sensing the change in her mother began to scream.

Maria soothed her baby, and sang her to sleep. Once she had Beth nestled back in her cradle, she reached for the phone and began to dial before she realized that she was the only one left. Everyone else was gone. She got up out of the bed and walked out the French doors leading from the bedroom to the balcony Michael had added to the house. She looked up into the night sky, her heart heavy. How did Max stand it? She thought to herself. I don't know, maybe it was even worse for him. He never knew if Liz was alive or dead. No, that's not true, she admitted to herself. Max never doubted that she was alive. That was my job. And now, I'm here while all of them fight to bring my best friend home. The nucleus of a plan began to form in her mind, but she resolutely shoved it aside.

Maria walked back into the bedroom and checked on the baby one more time. She turned on the baby monitor and walked down stairs, trying to keep quiet so she didn't wake her mother and Jim, who were sleeping in the guest bedroom. In the kitchen, she made herself a snack and sat down at the kitchen table. A few minutes later, Jim walked into the kitchen and smiled at her.
"Can't sleep?" he asked.
"Kind of," she mumbled through her peanut butter sandwich. "I was feeding Beth, and I dozed a bit, and I started having these dreams about Michael and Beth and myself, but they changed to flashes. I was getting flashes from Michael on Antar."
"You got flashes? You mean he tried to contact you, right?" asked Jim
"No, it wasn't like that. I think it's because I was feeding the baby. I mean I have this incredible bond with this wonderful little baby that Michael and I created, and so does he. This baby is a part of him, so of course she has a bond with him too."

As Maria spoke, Jim rummaged through the refrigerator and poured himself a glass of milk.
"That makes sense," he said when she was finished. "Do you think the connection came because you were feeding the baby?"
"Yeah, all the books say it's the ultimate connection between a mother and her child, so it kind of makes sense."
"Do you want to tell me what you saw?" Jim asked. "I mean if it's something personal and all, you don't have to, but I have to admit, I am curious."
"No, it's ok, I think you need to hear this, I and I have to tell somebody, and I think I need your advice about something too. First off, you should know that Max and Michael are with Kyle and Kam. Kyle is alright Jim, he is safe."
"Oh that is good to hear," said Jim, the relief visible on his face. But wait. What about the others? Where are Lexie and Liz and Isabelle?"
"I'm not sure about Isabelle and Lexie," said Maria.
"Maria, what about Liz? What aren't you telling me?"

Maria tried to speak, but her eyes welled up with tears. She tried to catch her breath, and it was several minutes before she was able to continue.
"I got such a feeling of rage and frustration from Michael. Liz is supposed to marry Kivar. I don't even get that. How can he be alive? I killed him myself. I saw his body on the ground!" she shouted.
"Maria, calm down," said Jim. "You'll wake your mother and Beth, and right now, I don't think you are in any shape to handle either of them."
"You're right," said Maria taking a deep breath. "I need to calm down. The think is, I don't know if I should tell Liz's parents about this. I mean, they should be told, but I don't think I can do it. I just can't."
"I don't think you should tell them," said Jim decisively. "Not until we have concrete proof." He held up a warning hand to forestall the outburst he knew was coming from Maria. "Listen Maria, I believe you when you say you got these flashes, but until we get some other type of confirmation, I don't think we should say anything to get them any more worried than they already are."

Maria stood up and placed her glass in the dishwasher. "You're probably right Jim," she said. "Thanks for listening."
"Maria, I should be thanking you. You told me my son was all right. He is healthy, and with friends. You don't have any idea how that makes me feel."
"Well, I'm glad I could help someone then," said Maria. "Look, I'm beat, I'm going to head back to bed. Beth is probably getting ready to wake up anyhow, and I don't want to let her scream the house down." She leaned over and kissed Jim on the cheek and walked back upstairs, thoughts multiplying in her head at an alarming rate.

Antar – Capitol City

"Michael, Michael!" called Max. "Michael, snap out of it, will you?"
Michael shook his head and looked at his friend. "Sorry, I was a million miles away," he said.
"Yeah, back on earth with a new baby, I bet," said Max, giving his friend an understanding look.
"Yeah, exactly. I just had this moment when I felt incredibly close to Maria and the baby. Like they could read my mind or something. Ok, what are we doing here?"
"We're trying to decide if we should stay here and try and get more information about Liz, or if we should travel on to Uzshtar City and try and find Lexie and Isabelle. What do you think?"
"Well, has Kyle or Kam been able to reach either one of them, or Liz for that matter?"
"No, that's part of the problem. If we could reach any of them, we'd have a better idea of what we should do. As it is, we're flying blind."

"Kyle, what do you think?" asked Michael. "Do you have any ideas at all?"
"Well, the one thing I do know is we shouldn't split up. Logically, it makes sense for some of us to stay here, while the others go searching for Isabelle and Lexie, but in this case, logic doesn't play into it."
"I don't understand Kyle," said Jereon. "Logic should always be used when making decisions."
"Oh great, now he's Mr. Spock," said Michael."
"Mr. Spock?" said Jereon. "I'm afraid I don't understand."
"Never mind," said Kyle, shooting Michael a nasty look. "The thing is Jereon. We've tried splitting up before, and the one thing we've learned that we are strongest as a group."
"Well, if that is the case, then I believe we should remain here and try and gather information regarding the Queen. She is in the greater danger. The Princess and Lexie are with my father. He will keep them safe," said Jereon."

Saranara and Kam joined the group. "My brother is right," she said. "If Isabelle and Lexie are with my father, then they are safe. He will protect them."
Michael looked at Max and he nodded slowly. "Ok then, I agree. We stay here and try and find out what's happening with Liz. The one thing I do know is that she isn't marrying Kivar willingly. He's either forcing her to do it, or she's going along with it to buy herself some time, but she isn't going to marry that bastard."
"Agreed," said Michael. "Ok then, why don't we head back to your shop," he said looking at Jereon and Saranara. "We can stay in the tunnels as much as possible while you two gather what information you can."
"It is easy to see why you were such a good general," said Jereon. "You think quickly and act fast. Those are good traits in a leader." Michael flushed at the compliment, shrugged it off and continued. "We should get moving, the longer we wait, the more information we may miss."

The small band traveled back through the tunnels until the reached the room under the shop. Saranara and Jereon exited the tunnel first and climbed up into the storeroom. Once they were certain that the shop was empty, they signaled the others to come up into the storeroom. While Jereon gathered supplies to make their stay underground more comfortable, Saranara and Kyle went out into the city to gather information.
"You look funny to me with your hair that color, and a beard," said Saranara.
"Well, funny isn't quite the look I was going for, but as long as nobody recognizes me, I'm fine with it," said Kyle.
"Well, I can still tell it's you," said the Antarian girl squeezing his hand gently. "I will always know it's you."
Kyle stopped walking and pulled Saranara into his arms and kissed her passionately. "And I would always know you as well," he said. He reluctantly released her and the two continued down the road to a well-known eating establishment with strong ties to the rebel faction that opposed Kivar.

Kyle opened the door and allowed Saranara to enter the large room first. Once inside, his senses were hit with an avalanche of sights, sounds and smells. The two ordered a large quantity of food to take home.
"Saranara," greeted the owner. "Any word on your father yet?"
"No Driden, there isn't," said the girl as they waited for their order.
"Who's your friend," said Driden, nodding at Kyle.
"This is Tridoc, a cousin to my father. He came to offer his assistance when he heard that my father was missing," she said, knowing full well that Driden knew her father had no other family. Driden looked at Kyle and nodded before replying.
"Good, good, family is important at a time like this. Have you heard the latest news?" he asked passing them their bundles.
"About the Queen marrying Kivar? Yes, I have."
"Fine state of affairs when the wife of the true king is forced to marry that," he began, but was interrupted by someone rushing through the door and shouting.
"Fire, fire at the royal palace! The palace is on fire!"
"Good, and I hope that usurper roasts," muttered Driden.
Kyle looked at Saranara and the two quickly grabbed their packages.
"Driden, we must go right away. If you hear anything else," she paused.
"I'll let you know," he said.