Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I'm simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD's get released.
Chapter Seventy – Healing
Ava began to weep at what she saw in the Granolith. Jim Valenti stood before them, completely healed, while Zan lay unmoving at his feet.
"Step out, Jim Valenti," said Drinian. "The Granolith's work is not yet finished.
Jim stepped out of the Granolith and walked straight into the outstretched arms of his son.
"Jesus, Dad," Kyle whispered, brokenly.
"I'd do it again," said Jim.
"Please, all of you, you need to focus," said Drinian.
"Everyone, back into position," said Max, a new authority in his voice. "I was right when I said I couldn't do it. I can't, but we can. Zan reminded me, we're stronger together than we are apart. The Granolith needs all of us to make this work. It's not about me, and it's not about any one of you, it's us!"
Kyle quickly returned to his corner of the square, and the Granolith began to pulse with color again, only this time, the light ranged from deepest green at the base to a bright gold that came shooting out of the Granolith. The room filled with dazzling gold, and it enveloped the group as they stood around the Granolith.
"It's not working!" Max shouted to the others. "Focus all your energy on Zan. He needs all of us to help him."
The golden light grew brighter and brighter, until at last, it was almost a pure white. It subsided with a flash, revealing Zan's body still lying in the Granolith, and the bodies of Max and the others lying on the floor, their outstretched arms reaching as if to embrace the Granolith, and the figure lying in side of it.
"Che'koth, what the hell is going on here?" demanded Jim. "What happened to my kids?"
Che'koth smiled at Jim's reference to his kids. His wife had been wise to suggest Earth as a place of refuge for their children. They had so many people who loved them.
"Be calm, Jim Valenti,' said Drinian. "Have faith. Max did. It was a lesson he finally learned, and now you must learn it to. Faith is what brought you back, and faith is what will save them.
As Drinian spoke, Max stirred first, struggling to pull herself up to his hands and knees. He pulled himself over to Liz, and pressed his ear to her chest. His shoulders sagged with relief when he heard her heart beating strongly in her chest.
Max looked around in dazed confusion and saw Michael and Kyle both pulling themselves to a sitting position. Max pulled himself up and struggled weakly towards the Granolith as Michael dragged himself over to check Alex and Isabel.
Max reached out and touched the base of the Granolith. As soon as he did, the Granolith immediately turned various shades of blue, ranging from a midnight blue at it's base to the palest ice blue at it's pinnacle. The light quickly faded, and Zan stood up inside the Granolith and stepped out and stood next to Max.
"What the hell happened," Max said, his voice still weak.
"You got me," said Zan, his voice just as weak as Max's. "Last thing I remember was the two of us switching places. After that everything is a blur."
Alex stood up slowly and helped Isabel to her feet, with Michael's help. They walked slowly over to Kyle and Ava, while Michael moved back over to help a struggling Maria.
"I so do not feel good," said Maria. "Actually, I feel like I just worked 3 double shifts in a row at the CrashDown. Anybody mind cluing me in on what just happened?"
"I think that's everybody's question," said Max, lifting Liz to his feet with Zan's help.
"We can discuss this later," said Drinian, "But right now, I believe the people are waiting to see their king."
"Then you'd better go see them," said Max. "I'm sure they'll all be very happy to know that you're alive."
Liz looked at him to see if he was being bitter or sarcastic, but he seemed to be truly sincere.
"I'm not the king any longer, Max, you know that," said Drinian. "I stepped down and succeeded the throne to you. I cannot retake the throne again. It is Antarian law."
"I meant it every time I said I wasn't anybody's king," said Max. "I've proven it more times than I can count. I understand that the Granolith chose me, but I'm not sure what to do about it. I can't ask Liz to stay here, and I can't imagine staying here without her."
"Max, none of this has to be decided right now," said Kitana. "All we are asking you to do, all of you to do," she said, including the rest of the group in her glance, "Is to go out and let the people know that all is well."
"But is it fair to them to have me, to have us, go out here when we don't know if we're staying?" asked Max.
"Max, I am pleased to see you thinking of the people," said Drinian. "You are their king. Go to them, let them know you survived, and that those who died did not die in vain."
Max turned to the others. "What do you think, guys?" he asked.
"Max, you need to do this," said Liz. "Che'koth, I mean, Drinian is right. We don't need to make any decisions now, but we do owe it to the people out there to let them know everything is okay."
"She's right," said Michael. "Come on Maxwell, you're not wearing the crown jewels or whatever, your just letting them know you're alive."
"Isabel, what about you, what do you think?" Max asked.
"I don't know, I'm just as confused as you," she said. "We've had a couple of huge shocks," she added, looking at her parents. "I can't even begin to take it all in. Let's just take one step at a time, okay?"
"That was helpful," said Max with a wry grin. "Ava, what about you?"
"I agree with Michael and Isabel. A lot has happened in the past few hours, you need time to take it all in, but you also owe it to those people out there to let them know you really are here," said the petite blond.
"Zan, what about you?" asked Max.
"Why you askin me, man? You're the king, remember?" asked Zan. "I'm good with whatever you decide."
"No, we're the king," said Max. "I'm you, and you're me. If we had both been together at when the Granolith activated, it would have chosen both of us. If I go out there, you're going out there with me."
"Okay," said Zan, finally. "I got your back."
"And I have yours," said Max with a smile. "Come on everyone, let's go greet our public.
Drinian looked on silently, pleased at the strength and maturity both Max and Zan had shown in what could have been an incredibly awkward situation. They still had so much to discuss, and so many things to explain, as well as so many decisions to make, but for right now, everything was going to be okay.