What is the Truth?
By Didi
Disclaimers: Do I really need to do this? I mean how many of you would believe me if I did say that I owned them all?
Note: Starts just at the end of Season 2 but I'm writing it my way cause I simply refused to except the way the writer screwed up that storyline. So, here's my take on the end of the episode and what happens afterwards. Forget everything that was on UPN, it didn't happen.
"Spoken," *thoughts*
~~~~~
Michael stared at the shut door for a disbelieving second before turning to Max completely stunned. Jerking a thumb at the door, "Does she really think that's going to keep us out?"
"She isn't stupid," Max replied calmly as he advanced on the door. "Tess," rattling the handle. Locked, of course. Sighing, he turned to look at his friend. "I don't want to blow it in case there are flying debris."
Rolling his eyes, "Then we do it the hard way," Michael shrugged and put his shoulder into the door. The flimsy wood gave on the third attempt, sending a stumbling Michael into the room. Tess shrieked as a hundred and fifty pounds of pure muscle landed on her. Scrambling off of the tiny young woman, Michael has a momentary flash of panic.
"Tess!" Max, Alex, and Kyle tried to get through the door at the exact same time and end up making a comic scene that came right out of an episode of Three Stooges.
"Oh for god sakes," Isabel muttered as she pulled Kyle and Alex back by their pant waists and marched through the door with Max following closely behind. "Tess, you all right?"
"I was," she made a face and sat up slowly. "What the hell was that?"
"You being stupid," Michael said disgruntled as he dusted himself off and glanced at the approaching Max.
Tess scouted all the way to the wall on her hands until she had nowhere left to go. Shaking her head at him, "Please Max... no."
He hesitated two feet from her. "You're still too weak to use your powers, aren't you? That's why you're still here. Can't get out of the room cause your body isn't up to blowing a hole in the wall, is it?"
She glared at him, hating the fact that he was speaking the truth. "I could if I have to."
"Survival instincts," Michael nodded his head in understanding. "Yeah, I know what you mean."
"But you're not in danger, are you Tess? And a part of you knows that already, don't you?" Max asked quietly, going to his knees in front of her. His hand still glowed iridescently. "How about we compromise since the idea of being linked to Michael so repulses you?"
Maria's eyes went wide.
Michael frowned. "Thanks for the support, Max."
Kyle scratched his head. "What do you mean, 'linked'?"
Isabel's breath caught in her throat. A part of her, the part that she's always kept under lock and key, knew that it meant.
Tess eyed him cautiously. "What kind of a compromise are we talking about here? Cause if it's anything like Michael's..."
Max reached out to stroke her face with his open hand; swallowing the twinge of hurt he felt when she flinched at his touch. [Easy, Max. One step at a time. It's like building a wall; you've got to start from the foundation. And light knows I've obliterated whatever trust she ever had in me.] "If you won't let Michael protect you, then let him protect our child."
Her hand closed instinctively over her belly, shielding the precious life within. Looking up, she searched Michael's calm unwavering gaze. Being linked to one meant being linked to the other, at least for the time being. But as time passed, "Michael...."
"Just say the world, Tess," Michael replied, his face too serious on his youthful face. He wasn't backing down from this. "You know I'm here."
She looked to Max once more, him patiently waiting her answer. Could she do this? Could she really force her child to endure this? Max may have word it differently, making her hesitate, but essentially he left her with no choice at all. She won't put her baby through that, being linked to another. Knowing that every second of the day, the other was aware of you, whether you were safe or in distress. A constant watch... and protection. "No, not for the baby. He will have to make the decision on his own, I won't do it to him."
Leaning in closer, Max pressed his cheek against hers. "Then Michael will protect you, from now until our next life together," and pressed the warm glowing hand against her arm, imprinting the mark of the royals on her, forever linking her life to Michael's. For a moment there was silence. He turned his head slowly, pressing his lips against her temple, ignoring the stab of guilt he felt knowing that Liz was there to watch.
Michael felt it, the instinct connection of the link. Her fears, her doubts, her desperation, it was almost more than he wanted to know.
Alex rolled his eyes. Turning he motioned for the others to leave. "Okay, everybody out. Nothing more to see. Let the pregnant beached whale get her rest."
That snapped Tess out of her blissful trance. "Hey, I resent that!"
Turning to grin at her, Alex shrugged his shoulder and pushed a reluctant Kyle out the door. "Too bad." Pointing to the alien king, "Max, make sure she sleeps."
"I will," Max reassured him as he waved them off, cradling Tess's body against his own. "I will make sure nothing ever happens to her again."
~~~~~~~~~~
Michael flexed his hand, feeling a slight tension there. It was strange, his knuckles felt tight as if he had been clutching them for a long time. His back felt sore too... as if from lack of movement for a very long time. Over all, he felt just a twinge of discomfort without actually feeling uncomfortable.
"You all right?" Maria asked, her chocolate eyes deep with concern. Apprehension was on her face. In the time that she's known of their secrets, it was the first time she's been actually afraid of their powers. "Michael, what happened in there? What's with the glowing tattoos?"
His hand went to his shoulder, knowing that the evidence was no longer visible but somehow he still sensed its presence. "A responsibility."
"To Tess?" Valenti asked quietly, his eyes watching him steadily. He may not understand it all but he heard enough to know to suspect.
"Yes," he replied, soberly.
"Forever?" Alex asked, going to kitchen to clean up. He knew that answer already but he wanted to hear it anyways. A part of him knew that he should feel relieved. Tess and the baby was safe now, no more lies and deception. Michael was going to make sure they're okay. But a part of him couldn't help but feel... jealous? Was that the right word for it? Jealous cause this meant that Tess no longer needed him?
"Yeah." For some reason, it didn't feel like a death sentence to him. In fact, it felt oddly comforting... like going home after a long trip. "It's like a marriage, until do us part."
Maria stared at him, eyes wide with horror. "Excuse me?"
"Relax Maria, it's just a analogy," Alex replied cheekily as he poured dishwashing detergent on the sponge. "No need to get your panties in a bunch."
"Wait up here," Kyle held his hand up and shook his head. "I don't get it. What does the little glowy thingy do?"
Michael frowned, rubbing his shoulder with the palm of his hand. "It makes sure that I knew when Tess is in trouble." And lets him know when she needed him. Last time, it had been Zan he had been linked to... right up to the end when the king's death killed him as well.
Kyle's eyes narrowed slightly, watching the play of emotions cross Michael's face. "What aren't you telling us about this whole alien marriage thing?"
"It's not a marriage," Isabel replied softly, her eyes unfocused and trying to remember something she wasn't sure she wanted to remember. Something terrible happened back on Antar, something related to this link. "It's a connection from the soul. 'Two hearts as one beating in time. Where one lives, the other follows.' It's an ancient tradition that hasn't been used since the last Great War."
Silence held its breath as Isabel shook herself from the distance memory of something she doesn't quite remember but can't quite forget. She stared back at the stunned eyes that watched her disquietly.
Everything was changing now. Nothing was what it was once before. A week ago, they all knew where they stood in life... where they wanted to go. Now... all was but a puzzle of what the universe has in stored for them. Nothing is for certain except change.
Fin?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author's Note: This chapter didn't start out as the end of this story, it just kind of evolved into it. I know that it doesn't feel finished but there really isn't anywhere for me to go with this except in each individual's imagination. So I'll let you guys finish the story on your own. Here's a few question for thought:
1) Will Alex and Tess go to LA?
2) Can Tess ever trust Max again?
3) Will Max and Tess end up together?
4) Will Isabel and Alex get a second chance at what they began?
5) What will happen with Michael and Maria now that Michael remembers some of his life in the past... with Isabel.
6) Liz is alone now... will she find love again? Or will love find? (hint: Kyle)
7) What is Khavir going to do when he finds out that Tess is on earth? And with Max.
8) Will these kid's parents ever wise up to the truth? (The survey says nay!)
9) Will everyone that's followed this story want to kill me? (Show of hands folks.)
10) Will I ever write another Roswell fan fic? (Great possibly if I can ever get over this affliction of being unable come up with decent, satisfying endings.)
Thanks for tuning into the story guys. I'm sorry that the ending may not be as satisfying as some might want it. Please do comment and throw tomatoes.
By Didi
Disclaimers: Do I really need to do this? I mean how many of you would believe me if I did say that I owned them all?
Note: Starts just at the end of Season 2 but I'm writing it my way cause I simply refused to except the way the writer screwed up that storyline. So, here's my take on the end of the episode and what happens afterwards. Forget everything that was on UPN, it didn't happen.
"Spoken," *thoughts*
~~~~~
Michael stared at the shut door for a disbelieving second before turning to Max completely stunned. Jerking a thumb at the door, "Does she really think that's going to keep us out?"
"She isn't stupid," Max replied calmly as he advanced on the door. "Tess," rattling the handle. Locked, of course. Sighing, he turned to look at his friend. "I don't want to blow it in case there are flying debris."
Rolling his eyes, "Then we do it the hard way," Michael shrugged and put his shoulder into the door. The flimsy wood gave on the third attempt, sending a stumbling Michael into the room. Tess shrieked as a hundred and fifty pounds of pure muscle landed on her. Scrambling off of the tiny young woman, Michael has a momentary flash of panic.
"Tess!" Max, Alex, and Kyle tried to get through the door at the exact same time and end up making a comic scene that came right out of an episode of Three Stooges.
"Oh for god sakes," Isabel muttered as she pulled Kyle and Alex back by their pant waists and marched through the door with Max following closely behind. "Tess, you all right?"
"I was," she made a face and sat up slowly. "What the hell was that?"
"You being stupid," Michael said disgruntled as he dusted himself off and glanced at the approaching Max.
Tess scouted all the way to the wall on her hands until she had nowhere left to go. Shaking her head at him, "Please Max... no."
He hesitated two feet from her. "You're still too weak to use your powers, aren't you? That's why you're still here. Can't get out of the room cause your body isn't up to blowing a hole in the wall, is it?"
She glared at him, hating the fact that he was speaking the truth. "I could if I have to."
"Survival instincts," Michael nodded his head in understanding. "Yeah, I know what you mean."
"But you're not in danger, are you Tess? And a part of you knows that already, don't you?" Max asked quietly, going to his knees in front of her. His hand still glowed iridescently. "How about we compromise since the idea of being linked to Michael so repulses you?"
Maria's eyes went wide.
Michael frowned. "Thanks for the support, Max."
Kyle scratched his head. "What do you mean, 'linked'?"
Isabel's breath caught in her throat. A part of her, the part that she's always kept under lock and key, knew that it meant.
Tess eyed him cautiously. "What kind of a compromise are we talking about here? Cause if it's anything like Michael's..."
Max reached out to stroke her face with his open hand; swallowing the twinge of hurt he felt when she flinched at his touch. [Easy, Max. One step at a time. It's like building a wall; you've got to start from the foundation. And light knows I've obliterated whatever trust she ever had in me.] "If you won't let Michael protect you, then let him protect our child."
Her hand closed instinctively over her belly, shielding the precious life within. Looking up, she searched Michael's calm unwavering gaze. Being linked to one meant being linked to the other, at least for the time being. But as time passed, "Michael...."
"Just say the world, Tess," Michael replied, his face too serious on his youthful face. He wasn't backing down from this. "You know I'm here."
She looked to Max once more, him patiently waiting her answer. Could she do this? Could she really force her child to endure this? Max may have word it differently, making her hesitate, but essentially he left her with no choice at all. She won't put her baby through that, being linked to another. Knowing that every second of the day, the other was aware of you, whether you were safe or in distress. A constant watch... and protection. "No, not for the baby. He will have to make the decision on his own, I won't do it to him."
Leaning in closer, Max pressed his cheek against hers. "Then Michael will protect you, from now until our next life together," and pressed the warm glowing hand against her arm, imprinting the mark of the royals on her, forever linking her life to Michael's. For a moment there was silence. He turned his head slowly, pressing his lips against her temple, ignoring the stab of guilt he felt knowing that Liz was there to watch.
Michael felt it, the instinct connection of the link. Her fears, her doubts, her desperation, it was almost more than he wanted to know.
Alex rolled his eyes. Turning he motioned for the others to leave. "Okay, everybody out. Nothing more to see. Let the pregnant beached whale get her rest."
That snapped Tess out of her blissful trance. "Hey, I resent that!"
Turning to grin at her, Alex shrugged his shoulder and pushed a reluctant Kyle out the door. "Too bad." Pointing to the alien king, "Max, make sure she sleeps."
"I will," Max reassured him as he waved them off, cradling Tess's body against his own. "I will make sure nothing ever happens to her again."
~~~~~~~~~~
Michael flexed his hand, feeling a slight tension there. It was strange, his knuckles felt tight as if he had been clutching them for a long time. His back felt sore too... as if from lack of movement for a very long time. Over all, he felt just a twinge of discomfort without actually feeling uncomfortable.
"You all right?" Maria asked, her chocolate eyes deep with concern. Apprehension was on her face. In the time that she's known of their secrets, it was the first time she's been actually afraid of their powers. "Michael, what happened in there? What's with the glowing tattoos?"
His hand went to his shoulder, knowing that the evidence was no longer visible but somehow he still sensed its presence. "A responsibility."
"To Tess?" Valenti asked quietly, his eyes watching him steadily. He may not understand it all but he heard enough to know to suspect.
"Yes," he replied, soberly.
"Forever?" Alex asked, going to kitchen to clean up. He knew that answer already but he wanted to hear it anyways. A part of him knew that he should feel relieved. Tess and the baby was safe now, no more lies and deception. Michael was going to make sure they're okay. But a part of him couldn't help but feel... jealous? Was that the right word for it? Jealous cause this meant that Tess no longer needed him?
"Yeah." For some reason, it didn't feel like a death sentence to him. In fact, it felt oddly comforting... like going home after a long trip. "It's like a marriage, until do us part."
Maria stared at him, eyes wide with horror. "Excuse me?"
"Relax Maria, it's just a analogy," Alex replied cheekily as he poured dishwashing detergent on the sponge. "No need to get your panties in a bunch."
"Wait up here," Kyle held his hand up and shook his head. "I don't get it. What does the little glowy thingy do?"
Michael frowned, rubbing his shoulder with the palm of his hand. "It makes sure that I knew when Tess is in trouble." And lets him know when she needed him. Last time, it had been Zan he had been linked to... right up to the end when the king's death killed him as well.
Kyle's eyes narrowed slightly, watching the play of emotions cross Michael's face. "What aren't you telling us about this whole alien marriage thing?"
"It's not a marriage," Isabel replied softly, her eyes unfocused and trying to remember something she wasn't sure she wanted to remember. Something terrible happened back on Antar, something related to this link. "It's a connection from the soul. 'Two hearts as one beating in time. Where one lives, the other follows.' It's an ancient tradition that hasn't been used since the last Great War."
Silence held its breath as Isabel shook herself from the distance memory of something she doesn't quite remember but can't quite forget. She stared back at the stunned eyes that watched her disquietly.
Everything was changing now. Nothing was what it was once before. A week ago, they all knew where they stood in life... where they wanted to go. Now... all was but a puzzle of what the universe has in stored for them. Nothing is for certain except change.
Fin?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author's Note: This chapter didn't start out as the end of this story, it just kind of evolved into it. I know that it doesn't feel finished but there really isn't anywhere for me to go with this except in each individual's imagination. So I'll let you guys finish the story on your own. Here's a few question for thought:
1) Will Alex and Tess go to LA?
2) Can Tess ever trust Max again?
3) Will Max and Tess end up together?
4) Will Isabel and Alex get a second chance at what they began?
5) What will happen with Michael and Maria now that Michael remembers some of his life in the past... with Isabel.
6) Liz is alone now... will she find love again? Or will love find? (hint: Kyle)
7) What is Khavir going to do when he finds out that Tess is on earth? And with Max.
8) Will these kid's parents ever wise up to the truth? (The survey says nay!)
9) Will everyone that's followed this story want to kill me? (Show of hands folks.)
10) Will I ever write another Roswell fan fic? (Great possibly if I can ever get over this affliction of being unable come up with decent, satisfying endings.)
Thanks for tuning into the story guys. I'm sorry that the ending may not be as satisfying as some might want it. Please do comment and throw tomatoes.