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 – Six A Homecoming of Sorts
The rising sun broke over the palace highlighting the banner, which still hung from the roof. Someone had climbed up during the night and changed the pictures of the group, and the writing to a gold tint, and the sun reflected off of it, shooting sparks of light into the courtyard.
Max leaned out over the railing surrounding the balcony and gazed down over the city as it came to life.
"It's quite a sight, isn't it," said a voice behind him. Max turned around and saw Zan standing in the doorway.
"Yeah, it's something," said Max. "Kind of awe inspiring actually. They're just going on like nothing happened. We fought a major battle yesterday, and today, it's business as usual."
"I know, it gives me faith in man's ability to adapt," said Zan. "I don't think I could be half as resilient as these people.
The two men stood side by side watching the city come to life, until the sound of a bell ringing reminded them of the summit meetings that they needed to attend. Standing up, they walked into the room to be greeted by a waiting messenger.
"Your Majesty," said the messenger, bowing his head. "I have a message for you."
"Yes," Max and Zan answered together. The messenger, totally confused wordlessly held out the paper.
Max reached out to take it and together the two men laughed as the messenger scurried away.
"I guess we need to make a decision," said Max, before he opened the message. "I'm open to suggestions, because quite frankly, I don't have a clue what to do."
"Me either," said Zan. "It was a hell of a lot simpler when the Granolith had only chosen you."
"Last night before they left, Kyle suggested we put Velcro on our backs and stick ourselves together and rule Antar as "Zax, the Two Faced King."
Zan exploded with laughter, the image of him and Max stuck together, sitting on a throne, amused him in a way very few things had done before.
When his laughter subsided, Max playfully cuffed him on the shoulder. "Got the visual, huh?" he asked.
"Oh yeah," said Zan, "And it was a doozy."
"Yeah, I know," said Max. "I laughed for about an hour last night. Liz was less than pleased. I think she's ready to kill Kyle."
"She's nice," said Zan, suddenly. "Liz I mean. Well, actually, all of you are really nice. I was prepared to hate all of you, you know? But I'm really glad I found all of you."
"Even Kyle?" Max asked, thinking back to the acrimonious feelings the two shared when they first met.
"Yeah, even Kyle. As long as he keeps treating Ava okay, that is," Zan replied. "It really tore me apart when I thought she took off with Rath and Lonnie. I was prepared to hate her as much as I was all of you, but it turns out I was wrong. She's got a family now, and that's all that matters."
"Zan, you're part of our family too," said Max. "You're a part of us. We're connected now. I mean, my parents are going to freak when the find out about you. Dad will probably insist on putting bunk beds in my room."
"Ah, you're married to Liz, remember?" Zan asked.
"Yeah, but they don't really know about that. Well, I mean they do now, since the Sheriff filled them in on everything, but I'm not sure how well they're dealing with that particular aspect of the situation," explained Max. "They've probably moved right into denial land next to Liz's parents. Hence, the bunk beds."
"I can't go back there with you, man," said Zan, his speech reverted back to the way he spoke in New York "That's you're life. There ain't no room for me in Roswell, New Mexico."
Max looked at Zan, unable to find the words to convince him that he was welcomed in his life. He knew his parents would adore having him around, and would happily shower him with all the love he lacked growing up.
"What's the note say?" Zan asked in an effort to change the conversation. He knew he had no place in Max's life, and it was tearing him apart to know that he'd have to say goodbye to them very soon and disappear from their lives.
Max unfolded the note and read it, and passed it to Zan. "It seems our royal parents request the pleasure of our company during breakfast," he said.
"Cool, I'm up for it," said Zan, brightening visibly. "That Drinian is pretty cool. I thought he was a cool shit when he was Che'koth, but as our old man, he's straight up."
Max followed Zan out the door and down the hall, only listening with half an ear to what Zan was saying. The beginnings of an idea had started in his mind, and he wanted to give it time to grow before he said anything to anybody.
Liz and the others had just sat down at the large table with Kitana and Drinian when Max and Zan entered the room. Max slid into place next to Liz, and nodded to his Antarian parents without saying a word. Zan made their apologies for late arrival, and sat down next to Drinian.
Talk resumed around the table, and Liz used the opportunity to whisper to Max.
"What's wrong?" she asked, keeping her voice low.
"Nothing, in fact, something may be very, very right," said Max, mysteriously. "I can't say anything right now, I need to think about it some more, but I think when I do tell you, you'll think it's great."
"Thanks for clearing that up for me," said Liz with a smile. "As long as you're okay, I'm good with whatever it is. Suddenly, she spun around; trying to locate the sound of cheering that suddenly filled the room.
"What's that?" she asked no one in particular.
"I think I might have an idea," said Drinian, "But I'll hold my tongue and see if I'm right."
Moments later, the door to the room burst open filling the room with the sound of cheering, and Kyle and Alex walked in, their arms filled with packages, smiling in delight.
"Hi Honeys, we're home," they chorused.
Isabel and Ava both laughed with delight and jumped up to greet them.
"How did you know?" Max asked Drinian, after he greeted his friends.
"Well, I took the liberty of arranging transport for the guards a little quicker than you had planned," explained Drinian. "I know Alex and Kyle are more than capable of taking care of things, but I also know the Gadori are very cunning, and the more people we have down there watching your families, the better."
"How are they, Alex?" asked Isabel. "Are our parents okay?" Realizing what she said, Isabel's hand crept up to cover her mouth. "I'm sorry," she said, looking at Drinian and Kitana. "I don't mean any disrespect to either of you, but," she paused, unsure of how to continue.
"Isabel, my daughter," said Kitana. "You have not been disrespectful to us. In fact, I would have been saddened had you not expressed concern for Philip and Diane Evans. They are your parents. They cared for you, and protected you when we could not, and we shall forever be in their debt. It is fortunate that we are capable of loving a great many people, and our heart expands to welcome them all."
"Thank you for understanding," said Isabel.
"You're parents are fine," said Alex. "They send their love. We brought back letters from all of them for you."
Zan watched the joyful reunion, an ache growing in his heart. It would be so great to have somebody on Earth waiting for me to come home. The only person I ever had was Ava, and she doesn't need me anymore, she had Kyle now.
Zan pushed back from the table and tried to slip unnoticed out a side door, only to be stopped by Kyle's shout.
"Hey, Zan, where do you think you're going?" Kyle asked as Alex handed Maria and Liz their letters. "I have one here with your name on it."
"What?" asked Zan. "What are you talking about Valenti? I don't have anyone who gives a rat's ass about me left on Earth. Everyone that cares about me is right here."
"Don't be to sure about that," said Kyle, tossing him an envelope. "That's from Philip and Diane Evans. They can't wait to meet you. In fact, when we left, Max's dad was trying to decide if they could add on a bedroom, or you and Max would be happy with bunk beds."
"I told you," said Max with a grin. "Zan, you have to figure, anybody who would take in two kids they found wandering around naked in the desert have to be pretty accepting of stuff."
Zan took the envelope from Kyle and stuffed it into his pocket. "Thanks, man. I'll read it later."
"No problem," said Kyle. "And hey, Zan," he said, lowering his voice. "Ava and I want you to know you have a place with us, and my Dad wants you to come stay with him, too. So don't be too sure that there aren't people who care about you, okay?"
"Hey, listen up, everyone," Alex said. "There is a crowd of people outside the palace waiting for you all to wave or something, and some guy downstairs asked me to tell you that all the cabinet members and stuff are here. The summit can start whenever you all are ready."