Author's Note: Thank you all so much for reviewing. It made my day. So, here is Chapter Two, as promised. PLEASE keep reviewing, so I know it's being read by somebody.

Chapter Two: Return to Antar

My homecoming to Antar was a lavish affair. It was broadcast on all newsmedia all over Antar. Kivar and his council were there to greet me. Apparently, it was to show the public how there was now peace between the former government (Max's), and the new one (Kivar's). There was a formal reception, with representatives from all the five planets. Larek was there. He had been a good friend of Max, in our previous life, had been instrumental in getting me and Max together. He had helped save all our lives when we were on Earth, when we were threatened by the Gandarium crystal. I was sure he would be quite shocked to learn how I had betrayed the others.

During a lull, when no one was fawning over me, gushing about the new, bright future for our worlds, Larek came up to me. He had a pleasant expression plastered on his face, but in a low voice, that only I could hear, he said, "So, you've been working with them all along." He sat down next to me. "Not exactly," I said levelly, keeping a polite smile on my face. I rested a hand on my belly. "I was just looking out for my survival and my son's."

Larek turned to me. "What about Zan? Your husband? What about Rath and Vilandra. I heard about how you were going to just turn them over to Kivar. What do you think would have happened to them? I thought you loved Zan."

"I did! I do. I was going to try to work something out. This was the only way I could get us home. Nasedo said--"

"Yes, I heard about your protector making that deal with the, what did you call them, the Skins? What kind of a name is that, anyway?"

I muttered, "The bodies they used on Earth starting shedding. But that's not important anymore. What's important is that I'm home." I said this last with a confidence I didn't quite feel.

"Yeah, congratulations," Larek said sarcastically, and then politely kissing my hand, bowed and walked away.

I picked up my glass of Antarian wine, and took a sip, sighing with pleasure. Just right. Not like anything I ever ate or drank on Earth. There I always had to add something to make things taste right. A little sugar here, a little Tabasco there. But this, this was perfect.
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They have set me up in a splendid suite of rooms in the palace. Now that I'm back, all the blurry memories of this place are becoming crystal clear. This suite isn't as nice as the one I'd lived in back when I was queen, but in any event, it's quite nice. I have a door opening out onto a patio with a little path leading down to the bay. I walk down there and wade into the water. I remember how I helped Max remember the water here. Not quite liquid, not quite solid. It's very buoyant, and I float effortlessly on the surface. In a few minutes I have to go back inside. The doctor is coming for my daily checkup. Every precaution is being taken so that I will give birth to a healthy heir. I've given a lot of thought to a name, and decided that my son will be named Zan. After all, Max is the father, and his real name was Zan. So, now my son will be Zan.

If all goes well, the baby will be named the rightful heir of Antar, and Kivar will be named Lord Protector, with my approval. This way, Kivar can stay in power, but hopefully the people will be appeased by my involvement.

Today there was another protest in front of the palace. Kivar went out and made his speech about how the old regime gave it's full approval to this new situation. He had me there as proof. I smiled and waved to the crowd. They were happy to see me. "Queen Ava!" they cheered. I look different now, than I did before, in this human body, but it's close enough that they knew it was me. But then the resistance people showed up, and started going on about how King Zan is still alive, on another planet, and how he's going to come back and take his rightful place on the throne. Kivar gave some orders to the guards, and in no time, the crowd had dispersed, with as many of the resistance rounded up as possible.

Thinking about the incident, I have to laugh. Max and the others have no interest in coming back here. Max doesn't want to be a king. I was close to convincing him. If I'd had a little more time. If it weren't for that stupid Liz getting in the way all the time..... Maybe I should have mindwarped her, instead of Alex. That would have gotten rid of her, and she would have been helping me at the same time. But only Alex had the necessary computer skills to decode the book.

I walk back into my quarters now. The doctor should be here any minute.

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I lay in my bed, waiting. After a two-hour labor (long by Antarian standards), my baby was born. Before I could get even a glimpse of his face, they whisked him away to do all the DNA tests, to make sure he really is the offspring of Max and I. I'm not worried. Of course he is Max's son. I just wish they would bring him back soon. I want to hold him.

The nurse who helped me during labor enters the room, bringing me some water. She has a concerned expression on her face that worries me.

"What's wrong?" I ask, struggling to sit up.

"Lie still, my lady," she says, gently pushing me back onto my pillows. "You need to rest."

"What's wrong?" I ask again, more urgently. "Where's my son? I want to see him now. I demand it."

The nurse looks at me sadly. "You'll see him soon. Just rest." She leaves the room.

Something is wrong. Slowly, I get out of bed, and pull on my robe. I go to the door, and quietly opening it, peek out. The coast is clear, so I slip out of the room and hurry down the corridor toward the sound of voices arguing. I turn a corner, and find the doctors talking to Kivar and a couple of the heads of state.

"What's going on?" I demand, putting on my imperious attitude.

They all turn to me. The doctor who delivered my baby looks apologetic. "My lady----" he begins, but Kivar cuts him off.

"The child is human!" He looks enraged. "Not a speck of Antarian DNA was found."

A feeling of shock sweeps over me. "What?! How is that possible?"

One of the doctors explains, "You're half-human, the father was half- human, apparently the human genes predominated and were passed on to the child. It's a matter of simple genetics."

"This is a disgrace! The mere existence of that child suggests that human DNA is dominant over Antarian DNA. I will not tolerate any suggestions that we are genetically inferior to humans. Something will have to be done with the child. Come, " he gestures to his aides, and they all hurry off.

I am surrounded by a group of doctors and nurses who help me back to my room, urging me to sleep, that I am not strong enough to be up and about so soon. Two of the nurses help me get settled back into bed, and I look up at their faces, more frightened than I've ever been before.