Patience KDI, patience! Thanks for the review ya'll!

Michael will seem a little out of character considering most themes, but for this story, I think it works. Ok, now, my crazy, bi-polar neighbor who just can't seem to take no for an answer,(ie. Max the penile implant) brought a CD of love songs to my mother to give to me, and of course, she accepted it on my behalf, cause that's what sweet southern mammas do. Right? Well the songs were pretty good actually, and I got kinda sappy, hence the following chapter, though not sappy enough to agree to a date with the neighbor from hell! Oh, and don't get me wrong, I'm really pleased with this chapter actually!

Chapter 21

Michael was still holding my hand, nodding off as I sat in-between he and Kyle in Jim's truck. Kyle had been telling me about our absence, and as much as I knew Michael wanted to hear about everything, one look at his peaceful face, left me no other option. So rarely was Michael at peace, that I couldn't let this opportunity pass.

During our time in capture, he was either in pain or worrying about our escape and me to find real rest. When he slept, he looked so much like the Rath of my dreams, not yet knowing pain, persecution and fear. My thoughts turned to Hank. How could anyone do the things he did to this person I hold so dear to my soul? Someone who only ever wanted acceptance, love and a home!

My anger was rising out of control, and I could feel the energy crackling through my fingertips. I knew Jim's truck was in for a melt down if I didn't get control soon. God, how I wanted to blast something! I quickly blocked myself off from Michael, knowing my anger would wake him. I had to focus on something else.Kyle would do.."So they know? My parents, Amy, Mr. Whitman, and the Evans?"

"Yeah. I mean, we had to tell them something, and frankly, I think we're all sick of lying. We thought about mind-warping them, but the whole town would know something was up so that was axed. I guess we just took the easy way out."

"Easy? God, that's so far from my ideal of easy! How did they take it?"

"Great actually. I mean, they knew something was going on. I think they we beginning to believe we had joined a Satanic cult, or a gang or something, and we were really relieved to have it in the open."

"So you just told them.and they accepted that their children are actually reincarnated aliens from the planet Antar?"

"No, actually, we showed them. There was minor freakage, but."

"So what about the school and everyone else? Four people can't just disappear for five months, then come back two short, and expect everything to be hunky dory!"

"Since we didn't know where you were, and we thought Maria and Max were with you guys, we.lied a little. Michael and Max supposedly went off on this learning "expedition" to the Yucatan.he'd better start boning up on that area, and you and Maria went to help out your Aunt Hilda who got a nasty virus and needed assistance."

"Kyle I don't *have* an Aunt Hilda!"

"Yeah, I know, but nobody else does."

"Oh, and not to mention, we don't have Maria or Max with us."

"Hey Liz, not to worry. We'll think of something.we've gotten pretty good at that, ya' know? Besides our great philosopher Buddha says."

I love Kyle like my own flesh and blood, but I just couldn't handle Buddha at that moment. "Hey Kyle?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks.for everything."

"For you Parker.anything."

I leaned over, gave him a kiss on the cheek, then scooched back, and snuggled into Michael's warm embrace.

*****

~You got really angry a few minutes ago.~

~Oops, I'm sorry. I tried to.it's just.didn't mean to wake you. You looked so peaceful.~

~Liz.God.it hurt.but I always knew there was something better out there for me.~

~Michael.~

~Let me finish. You probably won't ever get this out of me again so.~

He was kidding. That was a good sign, but his tone was also pleading. I resolved to let him have his say with no interruptions.

~That's what kept me going. The day I found Iz and Max, I thought that was it, but it wasn't. So I kept searching, thinking I was looking for a way to get back to Antar.to home. That is until an amazing girl walked into my life and asked me to make her a fake I.D.~

I couldn't help myself. ~How many girls have asked you to make fake I.D.'s, Michael?~

~I think you know the answer to that Miss Parker. Anyway, from that moment, you were under my skin. The day you came over to ask for my help, I wasn't drawing a dream or a flash, I was drawing you. You were at the club dancing with your hair flying and you were smiling. That was right after the picture of you at the Crash in your uniform, and the one of you riding my bike. Anyway.I thought that by putting you on paper, would get you out of my head. .Rath and Eliza were best friends right?~

~Uh huh.~

~Well, I guess.what I'm trying to say is, that day, I found you, my best friend, and I stopped searching. I found my home.~

~You're my home Michael. I don't know what I'd do without you.~

~You're never gonna' have to find out. You're stuck with me Parker.~

The tears that had been threatening to spill since my tirade about Hank, silently made their way down my face as he pulled me closer. ~And you Mr. Guerin, are stuck with me.~

~Night Liz.~

~Night Michael.~