Chapter 9:

Michael found Isobel in the driver's seat with a sleeping Max in the back and slid into the seat beside her.

"Max has woken up, I assume? Just left a royally pissed off Liz venting to Maria in the van. What happened?"

Isobel brought him up to date.

"So his forcefield showed up as a green glow surrounding him? Then he woke up, saw Liz, mistook her for Tess and said he missed her, then went back to sleep? There's way too much sleeping going on around here. Kyle is also doing a Sleeping Beauty routine in the van. Similar special effects, too."

"Kyle is glowing green, as well? Is it the alien healing effect starting to show?"

"I guess so, Iz. It seems the most likely explanation. Max and Liz didn't turn green and sleepy when Liz got powers, though."

"No, and he didn't think she was Tess then, either. What's going on, Michael?"

"How should I know, Isobel? Whatever it is, we don't need it right now. We are still running for our lives and we can't let this, whatever it is, distract us. We'll all just have to sit it out and deal with whatever happens. Our priority is still to find a place to hide. This just makes it more difficult. Kyle is now an unpredictable factor, just like Max. We can't let them out in public, in case the glowing thing starts up again. Great! This is all I need."

He glanced over at Max again, before turning back to Isobel.

"You still ok with being alone with him and Liz for a while longer? I don't want to put the sleeping beauties in together yet - too risky".

"Can't Maria change places with Liz? She's good with Max and she won't freak if he glows again."

"Maria stays with me at all times. She's the most vulnerable one of us all now, with no alien defences of her own. I'm gonna protect her, no matter what, Iz."

"Then I'd rather be on my own with Max. Liz can travel in the van, Michael. She'll be better off away from him for a while, anyway."

"Sorry, but Liz stays with the Chevy for the duration, or until Max or Kyle are back in the loop. Our resources are too stretched right now. She'll just have to deal."

He opened the door, climbed out, then leaned back in to add an afterthought.

"We'll still stop every hour to change drivers, but we add an extra check every twenty minutes by overtaking each other instead of stopping, ok? See you in a while, Iz."

Left alone in the van with an agitated Liz, Maria patted her soothingly. It didn't work.

Liz angrily sat up, turned to face Maria and spat out "Do you know what that ass*hole did? He called me T . . ." she choked on her rage and tried again. "He c-called me Tess! Again! He called me Tess and told me he'd missed me so much . . ."

"He's been behaving irrationally since we left Roswell, Liz. It must have been the last straw - the FBI again, just when he thought he was relatively safe at last. You surely can't believe he'd hurt you deliberately. It would be a suicidal thing to do, he knows I'd kill him myself, and Max really does love you, no doubt about that, chica."

"Then why does he think about her when we're making love, Maria? I know he does, because I saw flashes and he thought I was her and called out her name . . . Oh, God, I feel sick to my stomach thinking about it."

"He did WHAT? Oh, he's dead meat, Liz. Don't worry, as soon as I get my hands on him, he's history, chica. Never mind the FBI, I'll make him wish he'd never been hatched. Why didn't you say anything about this before?"

"Michael wouldn't let me talk to you; when I came to speak to you about it, he threw me out and slammed the door in my face. He's just so rude and he's treated you so badly most of the time you've been together. Sometimes, I wonder how you can bear to be with him, Maria."

"Oh, he's got a few good points that make up for all that crap . . ."

Liz suddenly giggled and looked knowing.

"Yeah, I saw one of them this morning. Ve-ry impressive. You may be a lucky girl, after all."

Maria chose to ignore the remark. She didn't feel comfortable discussing Michael with Liz any more. The confidences on the night of the rave had been a drunken aberration. They were no longer the two little Crashdown waitresses giggling about kisses over ice-cream in the kitchen after hours. Their friendship had changed almost beyond recognition. Maria would always be there for her, but she knew she was now just basically the audience for the drama of Liz's life. The worst thing was that she no longer quite trusted this new Liz and somewhere inside of her it cut deep.

Liz had grown obsessed with Max, Tess and the alien royalty sh*it, which Maria had never really bought into, despite Michael's struggles over his soldier of destiny crap. In spite of it all, she just couldn't believe how anyone would seriously allow past lives to dictate the present.

She thought wryly to herself that she didn't need Madame Vivienne's crystal ball to predict that she would be drawn back into Liz's demented little Max- drenched world-view if she weren't careful. In fact, it looked depressingly like she was in for the long haul.

Liz was still talking.

" . . .round and he was glowing green in the dark. I totally freaked and Isobel took off and got us here to wait for you. She wouldn't let me touch him, said it was his forcefield, which is probably true, we've all seen it in action. Then Max suddenly woke up, thought I was Tess and told her he missed her so much."

"Oh, Lizzie, I'm so sorry. But like Michael said, as soon as we find a safe place to hide for a little while, we can help him and Kyle get better. We just need to keep moving on for a while until we're sure we're not being followed. It won't be long now, chica. Michael knows what he's doing."

"Yeah, I guess, but I can't handle this Tess thing with Max again. I can't deal with all this any more. I've woken up from the nightmare. It's all over, Maria."

She rested her head on Maria's shoulder again and closed her eyes.

"Don't you dare go to sleep, Lizzie, Michael will kill you, if I don't get you first. Oh, he's back. What's the latest, Spaceboy?"

"Gotta get moving again, Maria. Isobel is waiting for you in the Chevy, Liz, we're ready to roll."

"No, Michael, I told you I'm going to ride with Maria from now on."

Michael took a deep breath and a firm grip on his temper. He would have patience with Parker if it killed her.

"Look, Liz, try to see it from the group point of view. Max and Kyle are out of it for we don't know how long. That leaves just you, Isobel, Maria and me to do the driving and keep a lookout. It's hard, but we have to take care of each other even when it's tough going. That means doing things we don't like. So, you're just going to have to bite the bullet and get back in the Chevy."

"What's wrong with Kyle, why can't he go in the Chevy?"

*** She doesn't know?***

*** Haven't had a chance to mention it yet, Spaceboy***

"We think Kyle is beginning to change, he glowed for a moment back there just like Max and now he's asleep, also like Max. There must be a connection, but we haven't figured it out yet and, as I keep saying, we don't have time."

"Maria can go, instead. Isobel likes her, so she'll be pleased."

"Liz, you have powers, you can defend yourself if we meet any trouble. Maria can't, so she stays with me."

"Isobel has powers, she can protect Maria just as easily as you, maybe better."

Michel closed his eyes and fought for self-control.

"That's not the point, Liz. Think about it. Isobel can't be expected to protect both Max and Maria. It isn't fair on her."

"I'll do it, Michael. We're just wasting time here. If it keeps the peace for a while, it may be for the best."

*** We'll still be in contact, Spaceboy, so you'll know right away if anything happens***

*** No, Maria. I want you safe here with me, where I can see you, not out there in danger***

*** My decision, Spaceboy. It's for the good of the group. Like you keep saying, we don't have time for this ***

"Maria . . ."

"Max is harmless, if you don't touch him when he's green. All he does is sleep, glow and, presumably, dream about Tess."

"Maria!"

"I'm going now. Take good care of Kyle and don't forget, we have a date for breakfast, Michael."

She leaned over and kissed him, patted his cheek and was gone.

Michael raised his hand and all the doors on the van opened, then slammed shut at once. It didn't help his frustration one iota.

It didn't wake Kyle, either.

Without his Maria and with only Liz Parker for company in the foreseeable future, he started up the van and pulled out across the parking lot into the late night traffic. He noted with relief that she wasn't sitting beside him. Her sense of self-preservation was excellent, as always.

Isobel had cheered up immediately when Maria jumped into the passenger seat of the Chevy. She liked the smaller girl, who had been kind and understanding after Alex died, sometimes inviting Isobel for coffee, sharing grief and memories of the special boy they'd both loved. Nobody else except her mother had really thought of her feelings and Isobel never forgot that. Their low-key friendship had continued after her wedding to - she veered away from the memory in panic. The monotony of hours spent with a silent Liz had brought back her depression with a vengeance. The interlude with sleepy, green Max had frightened her until it had become obvious that nothing else was going to happen.

She had felt bad for Liz when Max had mistaken her for Tess and sympathised with her feelings, but she could see that he had no control over the matter, so she reserved her judgement on his guilt. All she could do for him was watch for their enemies and head as far away from Roswell as possible.

As Isobel moved the Chevy out into the light evening traffic, closely following the van this time, Maria began to rummage around in the back seat looking for the food supplies, careful not to disturb Max.

"When did you last eat, Isobel?"

"Oh, Liz and I had some juice and cookies earlier on, but I could really use some coffee, Maria. How about you?"

"Coffee is a must. Food, too, come to think about it. Kyle and I shared a candy bar when Michael was deep in survival manuals. We were all going to eat properly later on, but then Kyle went Kermit and everything else went out of my mind. I hope Michael remembers to eat. It's too long until breakfast and he must keep his strength up."

Isobel was amused.

"I don't think anything could make Michael forget about food, Maria."

Maria was carefully making their coffee in two cups suspended in the cup- holders, one of the many comforts provided as standard in the Chevy's luxurious interior that the Jetta had lacked. Isobel noticed that she had poured the water and waved her hand to heat it up. Maria added milk to both cups, sugar and Tabasco to one. Isobel nodded her thanks as Maria picked up the conversation again.

"I know you're right, Isobel, it's just that I worry about him. His worst nightmare has come true and he's not only running from his enemies, but he's had to take on the leadership and protection of the whole group."

"It seems to agree with him, though. In fact he's far more calm and stable than I've ever seen him before."

"Yes, he is. Between you and me, I even think some part of him is secretly enjoying it." Maria suddenly recognised the truth she already knew in her heart. "Michael's found a goal to aim for, and it's the one that he's totally involved in, heart and mind. He's been expecting it and he's prepared himself for it mentally and physically over the years. Now it's happened and I . . . I think he feels . . . fully alive for the first time in his life."

"You feel the same way, don't you, Maria? That's how you know. I can see it shining in your eyes, when you look at him."

"I know it's totally weird, but yes, it feels kind of like. . . freedom for me, Isobel. I've left a whole life behind me in Roswell, and the only thing - the only thing - I miss is my mom."

Isobel's watch beeped and she checked the mirror before she pulled out to pass the van. Drawing level, waves and nods were exchanged between the occupants, then the Chevy moved ahead of the van and settled in to lead for a while.

*** How you doin', Blondie, everything ok?***

Maria heard Michael's voice in her head and sent him a kiss.

*** Doin' fine, Spaceboy. How are you holding up? Any change with Kyle yet? Has Liz calmed down? ***

*** The answers are: 'just about', 'no, dammit' and 'don't give a sh*t ***

*** Hmm, grumpy. . . Time to eat, Spaceboy. Offer Liz some cookies or candy from the bag on the floor by Kyle's feet. It will keep you both going until we reach the next stop. Not long now, then you can give me a hug ***

*** Not soon enough for me. Liz is no substitute for you, princess. It's cold here without you***

Their mental conversation had taken mere seconds and Maria returned her attention to Isobel sitting next to her.

The alien girl was sipping from her coffee cup and looking more relaxed than Maria had seen her since they'd run away. Maria decided not to coax reciprocal confidences for the moment. She thought Isobel could use a little normal for a while and suggested some music. Isobel didn't mind, so she hunted until she found a station they both liked, then they settled back to cruise along in comfortable companionship, Maria singing along softly with the radio now and then.

Kyle and Max briefly turned green again, but nobody noticed.

TBC.

Chapter 10

Somewhere between midnight and 3 am, the Chevy and the van were given another make-over. Isobel changed the Chevy's paintwork from silver to dark red, gave it Indiana plates and removed all signs of its rental status. The van became dark blue with Iowa plates.

The fugitives travelled on through the night towards Canon City still following the same routine: stopping to change drivers every hour and report any green outbreaks, which were happening with increasing frequency, both separately and simultaneously, though still for no more than a minute or two each time.

At every rest area they came to, Liz was first out of the van, hurrying towards the Chevy, desperate for her best friend. Maria, feeling a little guilty about her earlier thoughts on their friendship, knowing that Liz was devastated by Max's behaviour, gave her friend as much comfort as she could during the few minutes they had at each stop. There was no worse humiliation that Max could inflict on Liz than calling out Tess's name instead of hers. Maria suspected it might finally have killed the relationship, so she willingly gave Liz all the tenderness and concern she demanded.

Michael and Isobel, unaware of the extent of Liz's pain, seeing Max's involuntary remark about missing Tess as barely more than a clue in the mystery of the Kyle/Max connection, were not particularly sympathetic.

To Michael, who had never more than tolerated Liz at the best of times and usually ignored her if he could, her presence in the van instead of Maria, combined with her monopolisation of his only recently regained girlfriend, was a growing source of irritation.

Isobel watched with detachment, and some sympathy, but her loyalties were with her brother if there had to be a choice.

It was a long night for those awake in the van and when Michael suggested that the next stop should be for a real breakfast outside Canon City, Liz was thankful for a respite from her misery.

They chose a place on the outskirts with an attractive coffeeshop and a tourist information booth and the Chevy followed them in. As they had driven further into the mountains there was a marked increase in the number of SUVs and 4WDs around and even a few other vans not dissimilar to their own as the summer tourist season began, so unobtrusive parking was not difficult. Michael and the three girls gathered between the two vehicles to confer on the best way to arrange cover for the duration of their stay.

Maria, concerned as she was for Liz and sympathetic to Isobel's grief and loneliness, still needed some time to herself with Michael and knew, from his increasingly lurid comments in her mind, that he felt the same way.

Michael reminded the girls that they would still have to spend the day shopping for camping equipment, although without Kyle's advice and guidance, but he said that he'd got more understanding of what was needed since he'd started reading the survival manuals, so he thought they would be ok to carry on as planned.

At this point, Maria had a sudden recollection.

" Michael, I just remembered the idea I had in the van last night before Kyle ran it off the road. Since none of us, except Kyle, have had much experience at camping, what do you think about spending a few days at a tourist campsite in a state park? I mean, it would give us all time to learn the basics in a safe environment, we could hide among the tourists and it would give us the privacy we need to help Kyle and Max."

Michael glanced round at the girls and noticed that they were all looking at him hopefully. He leaned back against the Chevy and considered the idea.

All Maria's arguments were sound. The main drawback was that they would be tied down in one spot for a significant length of time, long enough for their enemies to find them. However, he was becoming more and more convinced that if they were, in fact, being followed they had out-run any pursuers for the moment. He had no intention of dropping his guard or letting the others do so either but there had been no signs of pursuit as far as his instincts and observations could tell. Anticipating their route and arranging surveillance in advance of their arrival would have been logistically impossible without unlimited personnel resources, which he didn't believe their enemies, even the FBI, had. Even if they had been followed, their pursuers were so far behind that they were unlikely to trace the group, now split, among the plethora of RVs and vans in the area. Another general cosmetic makeover would cloud the waters even more.

He was swayed by the opportunity for them to learn the basics in, as Maria pointed out, a relatively safe environment. It would buy them time before they had to move out into the more remote areas and give them confidence in their ability to survive. There would be rangers around who could even unknowingly help and advise them if they were cautious about what story they told. It suited his long-term plans for their summer in the wilderness and so he smiled at Maria and sent her a mental kiss. Not long now before it got to be physical . . .

He looked round at the group, and saw that they were all smiling at him, even Liz, so he shrugged and said, "Ok, that's what we'll do if you're all happy about it. Dig out those leaflets from the van, Maria, and bring them along to breakfast."

" We can't all go at once - who's going to do guard duty first?" Isobel poured cold water on his hopes for a tryst with his girlfriend.

Maria sighed, seeing the prospect of any significant private time with Michael receding fast as reality bit. Liz would expect to be with her for a longer spell of tlc and she didn't see how she could refuse without hurting her feelings. Maria knew how hard it was to watch a happy couple when your own heart was broken, but she repressed the urge to show Liz, never sensitive in that area herself, just what that felt like when the tables were turned.

"The fairest way is to toss a coin, I suppose. Everyone spins once and the first two that come up heads have breakfast together and come back to take over guard duty."

"Good thinking, Isobel. Here's a quarter, you go first."

Michael leaned nonchalantly on the Chevy, watched the coin in the air and concentrated hard. He wasn't about to lose this chance.

"Heads."

"Liz, you're next, chica"

*** Go for it, Spaceboy ***

"Heads."

*** Oh, yessss!!!***

"That's you and Isobel for first breakfast, then, Lizzie." Maria still felt guilty, but - what the hell - Michael needed her, too. She would be spending a whole lot of time with Liz anyway in the foreseeable future, especially when Max woke up. "Why don't you take the leaflets, then you both can scope out the state parks between you. Michael and I will find a map and city guide at the tourist booth place and plan how to get the rest of the equipment on Kyle's list."

Liz rather sulkily reached into the van and collected the leaflets from the single seat where Maria had left them earlier. Isobel gave Michael a suspicious stare, then grinned at Maria.

"We'll be back in half an hour. Try not to spontaneously combust.."

Maria laughed and Michael rolled his eyes at Isobel's departing back. They looked at each other, turned to check on their respective charges, then leaned back against the Chevy, side by side, but careful to keep a little distance between them.

Responsibility was hell.

Sharing a table in the corner away from the window, Isobel ate her chocolate croissant, missing the Tabasco tang, but enjoying it all the same. Liz ate a Danish and sipped a glass of milk without tasting it, eyes full of misery and pain.

Isobel tried to make Liz feel a little better. The girl was suffering.

"Liz, look, I know it was a shock when my brother came out with . . . that name, but you know there's something going on with him and Kyle and this alien healing thing. It's in the past and you're together now, just as you deserve to be. You've been through so much, why give up now when he clearly didn't know what he was saying? Don't you think you should wait and talk to him about it when he's himself again before you rush into any decisions you might regret?"

Liz looked up from her pastry. "Sorry, Isobel, I know you're being kind, and if it was just that one time then maybe it wouldn't be so bad, but it's not the only thing."

"Why, what else has happened, Liz? I know we've never been close, but we've only got each other to depend on now and I hate to see you like this."

Liz couldn't bring herself to share with Max's sister the humiliating details of her sex life, however sympathetic she might be. It was so not going to happen. She looked away.

"I can't talk about it, Isobel, I'm sorry. It just hurts too much. I have to protect myself or I'll be lost. Please understand."

Isobel nodded and changed the subject.

"Let's look at those leaflets on the state parks. Thank God Maria thought of this. Camping certainly wasn't my choice and maybe a week in a tent will persuade Michael that motels are a better option after all."

Liz gave a weak, watery smile. "I'm with you on that one and I really can't see Maria surviving without a mall close by."

They began to study the handouts and the same idea occurred to them almost immediately. ID and permits would have to be arranged somehow and they would have to match up with the disguises, too. For the first time since they had left Roswell, Liz began to take an interest in the arrangements for their survival.

Maria and Michael, like typical tourists, had a street map spread out over the hood of the Chevy and were consulting a city guide to identify the specialist equipment stores they would need to visit and work out an itinerary.

They were absorbed in this when a green flash lit up the interior of the van. Michael looked through the window at Kyle to find him sitting up, wide awake again. He automatically told Maria to stay back, more out of hope than expectation, and was not in the least surprised when she followed him into the van.

"Valenti, glad to see you're back, man. How long are you planning to stay this time?"

"Huh?"

"Don't tease him, Michael, let me bring him up to speed. Kyle, you've been glowing green and out of it since yesterday evening, we think you're getting the alien power thingy, like Liz. Max is out of it, too. How do you feel?"

"Good -in fact, great - but hungry, man, starving. Food. That's what I need. By the way, where are the girls?"

"Having breakfast in the coffeeshop. They won't be long."

"Coffeeshop? Then that's where I'll be. I'll tell them you said hello. Later, guys."

He half rose out of his seat, but stopped at Michael's warning.

"Hang on, Valenti, what if you go green and glowy again? You've been doing nothing else all night, in fact, you and Max were the only entertainment on offer. Go out there and your gonna take your act on an extended tour of all the major secret Government facilities".

Kyle subsided onto the back seat again with a frustrated sigh.

"Green and glowy, huh? I guess you're right, no sense in playing the big arenas until you've polished the routine in the sticks. What about some breakfast, though? I'm still starving."

"I'll go get you something -"

"Make it one of everything they've got, Maria, and an extra tall latte to go . . ."

".and Michael can stay here with you and Max until the girls come back with your food. Then he can join me for breakfast."

She left the van but a moment later leaned back in and laid the map and guidebook on the seat next to Michael. With a final flick of her hand, she was gone.

"So where are we, Guerin?"

"Still up sh*it creek, Valenti, but we've got the paddle."

"Meaning?"

"We've just hit Canon City, bang on schedule, and it looks like we've shaken any pursuit. I think we threw them on Grad night by escaping when they expected us dead. Over-confident. There was no guard outside to stop us and now we've got too far ahead of them to track us easily. We've been careful to cover our tracks and we've acquired an extra vehicle. We no longer fit the original description of six teens in a van."

"Think we're safe, then, Guerin?"

"No way, it's a likely theory but we've still got no proof. We've gotta assume they are watching and keep our guard up at all times."

"Still plan to hit the shops this morning?"

"Yeah, but the girls want a little vacation before we disappear into the hills. We're gonna stay in a state park for a few days and do some basic training."

"Ok, that's cool. But hang on, Guerin, just go back to the green glowing thingy that Maria mentioned. What exactly happened.?"

For a moment, Michael was tempted to change his mind about giving his friend a hard time on the subject, but his newly developed sense of responsibility kicked in and he simply explained what they'd seen.

Kyle was thoughtful by the time he had finished.

"I still can't get used to saying this, Guerin, but I think you're right. Repulsive as the idea is, Max and I have gotta somehow be linked while this alien change thing is happening. Buddha, please let this be over soon."

Suddenly a look of absolute horror crossed Kyle's face.

"This means I may actually be. sharing a brain with Max Evans! Kill me now!"

TBC.

Chapter 11

Isobel hurried back to the van with coffee and a selection of breakfast foods for Kyle. He received them with gratitude and started in on them right away. Michael snagged a blueberry muffin, despite Kyle's possessive snarls, and soaked it in Tabasco from their supplies. Isobel looked at them both with disgust as they devoured their spoils.

"Feeding time at the zoo has nothing on you two, does it?"

Michael ignored her. Kyle waggled his eyebrows at her until she reluctantly laughed and went to sit beside him on the back seat.

Michael licked the last of the spicy muffin from his fingers. Maria was waiting for him and clearly getting impatient. He took a swig of Kyle's coffee, grimaced and went off to find his girlfriend.

Liz was sitting with Maria in the corner of the coffeeshop and the usual minor irritation he always felt on seeing her was magnified when he heard Maria's first comment in his head.

*** Sorry, Spaceboy, looks like nookie's on hold for now after all - Liz is hurting bad over the ex-king, who's going to be the late king when he wakes up and I kill him ***

*** I really don't think it's his fault this time, Maria. He's out of it because of this Kyle thing. Even Liz must realize that. Why the hell doesn't she cut him some slack? The bitch is dead, she's no threat anymore ***

*** It's more than that, Michael. Much more. Keep it to yourself, she'd hate me for telling anyone, but Max called her Tess when they were, you know, together, back in the motel before he started turning green. She can't forgive him for that. No girl would***

*** So, Max the ass*hole strikes again. And he calls me the screw-up. No wonder she's pissed at him. Guess I can't blame her too much after all***

*** She needs me, Michael, I can't just leave her alone. You do understand, Spaceboy?***

*** I suppose, but she's already had more than her share of free time this stop. She should be on watch. Iz is already back in the van. And she's suffering just as much as Liz, remember. Ok, I'm not gonna push her on it this time, Maria, I'll let her have you all to herself for now. But she's gotta start thinking of the group, not just herself, soon***

*** I know, Michael, but I'll talk to her, she'll listen to me***

*** I hope so, princess. God, I need some time on our own soon or I'm gonna go nuts. Thinking about you was all that got me through the night***

*** So I heard, Spaceboy . . . Oh, I can't wait to be back in the van with you again. I like travelling with Isobel, and the Chevy is so cool, but I miss you, Michael ***

*** Don't tell me that, Maria. It only makes it worse***

By this time he had bought himself a coffee and a breakfast bagel, so he joined the two girls at the corner table.

Liz sent him a hostile look, and clutched Maria's hand more tightly, obviously resenting his intrusion into their girl time.

Michael gave her an almost-smile as he sat down, then leaned over to kiss Maria's cheek. He was impressing the hell out of himself with his restraint.

"Kyle's awake and eating for America. Max is still out and Isobel is on guard. I don't want to be the party-pooper here, Liz, but it's your watch, too."

"I want to spend time with Maria, since you won't let us travel together. Kyle's awake, so Isobel can cope without me, Michael."

Her imperious manner immediately sparked his temper and he forgot his intention to let her off the hook. He lowered his voice and leaned towards her. Liz raised her chin in defiance and didn't hide her antagonism.

"Liz, we've had this conversation before and the answer remains the same. Kyle is still unpredictable and Isobel cannot be expected to handle them both if anything happens. You. Have. Powers. We all have a part to play in the defence of the group, so personal issues are not on the agenda for any of us right now."

She looked at him earnestly, her brown eyes tragic.

"It's different for me. I've gone through so much for Max for so long and I can't take it anymore. You just don't understand, Michael."

" Oh, I do, Liz. You think you're the only one of us who's in pain. Well, here's the heads up. Isobel is devastated about leaving Jesse and her parents behind, Kyle is worried sick about his dad, who could be developing powers anytime, too. Maria has left her mom behind. They aren't bitching about it, but they're all suffering too. The difference is that they're all thinking of the group, being strong for each other. Feelings come later, when it's not a danger to us all."

She looked away, so he didn't see the hatred flare in her eyes, but Maria did and privately sent him a storm warning.

Michael softened his tone, attempting to be a little conciliatory after his hard speech.

"Look, Liz, stay with Maria. I'll take your watch this time, but think about what I said."

He looked regretfully at his girlfriend as he drained his coffee cup, picked up his untouched bagel and rose to leave.

"Sorry, Maria, I'll catch you later." He walked out and headed back to the van, chewing thoughtfully on the bagel as he went. Liz might be turning into yet another problem he didn't need. And it looked like he still wasn't going to get to be alone with Maria anytime soon.

Back in the coffeeshop, Liz exploded at Maria in a furious undertone. All her anger and frustration with Max had suddenly been diverted into hatred for Michael and she pulled no punches. Michael was a loser, a screw-up, a selfish, uneducated jerk - always had been, always would be. Maria must be stupid or desperate to want him. Her vicious whisper was cut short by a hard slap that resounded through the room as her best friend's hand made contact with her cheek.

Maria said nothing aloud but her eyes expressed everything as she calmly rose and left Liz sitting at the table, focus of the interested gaze of the staff and the other customers.

Michael was leaning against the shady side of the van away from the bright morning sunlight, thinking over their plans for the next few days, when he was hit by a wave of incandescent fury and hurt from Maria. He looked up to see her emerge from the coffeeshop and begin first to walk, then run, in his direction. She was on him before he had taken more than a few steps from the van towards her. He wrapped her tightly in his arms and held her shaking body against him as all his protective instincts blazed into red alert.

Half-carrying her to the shelter of the van, he pushed her back against it and shielded her with his body from the curious stares of any passers-by. Isobel and Kyle peered at them through the window of the van in alarm, but he shook his head at them to warn them off.

*** Maria! Maria, what the hell's wrong? Are you hurt? Tell me what's wrong, princess***

The cloud of anger that obscured her thoughts quickly cleared as his physical presence calmed and soothed her. The shaking stopped and she relaxed against him as her fire rapidly cooled to ice.

*** Miss Elizabeth Parker, prize bitch, is what's wrong, that's all, Michael. I let her get a reaction from me, which was what she wanted. Sorry I scared you, Spaceboy. It's right, what you said earlier, feelings should be put on hold until we have time to deal***

"Nobody hurts you and gets away with it," he threatened coldly, "you're her best friend, what the hell did she say to get you so mad, Maria?"

Maria drew back a little and looked up at him.

"Leave it, Michael. I'll tell you later, when I can do it without getting angry again."

"No, Maria. Tell me now."

"Oh, well, she got mad at you and said some hurtful, untrue things about both of us. I just couldn't let her get away with that. I slapped her, Michael. I'm not a bit sorry for that, but I am sorry it drew attention to us. Everyone in the coffeeshop noticed us and it's all my fault. I shouldn't have done it and I've put us all in danger."

"Don't lose any sleep over it, Blondie, anyone tracking us this far would know we were here anyway. We'll be long gone by the time any questions are asked, if they ever are. Pleased you got a good shot at her anyway."

They exchanged several soft kisses, then Michael drew reluctantly away and smiled at her teasingly.

"Actually, it's quite a turn on, you bitch-slapping Liz Parker in defence of me. How about an action replay some time when we're not so busy.?"

"Michael! Behave yourself. It's not really funny. I will never, ever forgive or forget what she said. I know I'm going to have to speak to her eventually for the sake of peace in the group, but she'll certainly have to apologise big-time before I do. Hurting over Max does not excuse her taking it out on you or me."

Inside the van, Isobel and Kyle were watching this exchange with deep interest.

"Maria seems to have freaked about something. It can't be anything we really need to worry about, otherwise Michael would have ordered us back on the road before now and, anyway, I think Liz is still in the coffeeshop. I wonder what happened?"

"Maria bitch-slapped Liz for insulting Michael."

"Good for Maria, I would have done the same thing. Wait. How did you know that, Kyle? Is it something to do with your new powers?"

"Nah, I just read their lips."

"This is not the time for jokes, Kyle. Can't you ever be serious? Is it super-hearing or a variation of dream walking or something? What did you do?"

"I'm not joking, Isobel. I told you the exact truth. I read their lips."

"You, Kyle Valenti, ex-jock, read lips?"

"Yeah, it gave me an edge, why not?"

"Well, I guess - I just didn't expect it to be one of your talents . . ."

"Just one more surprise in the fascinating mystery that is Kyle Valenti, Super-Alien. Flies like a bird, swims like a fish -"

".Eats like a pig. You'd better dump your breakfast trash before we leave, Kyle. If it was left to you and Michael, this van would be a public health hazard before the end of a day."

"Hey, Isobel, your first joke. Congratulations. We should mark the occasion in some way . . ."

"Read my lips, Kyle."

"Yes, Ma'am, shutting the hell up now."

TBC . . ..