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.
Author's Note: Well this is it, the end is in sight. Actually, excpet for the epilogue, this is the end. Thanks to everyone who left the really great feedback, you guys really rock, and thanks to everyone who urged me to write a sequel to Love Changes Everthing. Without you, Tomorrows yet to come never would have happened.
Chapter Eighty – One The Return Home
"So, I guess this is it," Zan said when the night of celebration had ended. "You're all going to head home now?" He turned and looked out the window, so that Max wouldn't see the sadness in his eyes.
"I think so," said Max. "It's time. I mean, hell, Liz and I just left school without a word to anybody. Well, almost anybody," he amended thinking of Bill, Steve, Chuck and Justin. "We kinda just dumped some money in our friends laps and asked them to ship all of our stuff home. Liz sort of told them what was going on, but I think we owe them a real explanation. And we have someone we need to say goodbye to," he added sadly, thinking of Fred.
"What about Michael and Maria, are they okay?" Zan asked. "I was afraid to ask earlier. I mean, Maria still looked pretty pissed."
"Yeah, they're going to be okay. Michael won't tell any of us, including Maria, what happened with his mother, but he seems a lot happier now. Kind of at peace if you know what I mean," said Max.
"Yeah, I think I do," said Zan, reflectively, thinking about the bond that was developing between him and his parents. "You watch out for Ava for me, will ya?"
"Of course I will," said Max, but with Michael and Kyle, do you really think you need to worry?"
"I suppose not, but the Gadori are still a threat, and you have to watch out for them," said Zan.
"So do you," said Max. "So do you."
"I suppose we ought to go hook up with the others and do the big goodbye thing," said Zan, his tone implying he'd rather do anything but that.
"I don't think we have to bother," said Max when the door opened. "Here they come."
"We got sick of waiting for you guys," said Liz, joining Max and Zan by the window. "Is everything okay?"
"We're good," said Zan, hugging Liz. "How is Maria, is she okay?"
"Actually, she is," said Liz, grinning. "Apparently, her new mother-in-law doesn't believe in keeping secrets, and she filled Maria in on some of what went on between her and Michael. But, don't tell Michael," she cautioned. "He just thinks Maria is being compassionate and understanding."
The three of them burst into laughter, causing everyone else in the room to look over at them.
"So, what's the joke?" asked Michael.
"No joke," said Zan. "We're just saying our goodbyes."
"You're taking it better than I am," said Isabel, standing next to her mother. "I don't want to go, but I know I can't stay."
"It is time for you to return to your home, Isabel," Kitana said. "But we will never be separated again, because you will always be in my heart."
"And you in mine, Mother," said Isabel. "But it isn't the same."
"Perhaps this will help to ease the pain of your departure," said Drinian, reaching into a bag that sat beside him on the floor. He pulled out eight of the belts that Alex had copied from the Aberjani.
"With these, you will be able to travel back and forth to Antar. That way, we will never be truly separated again."
"And," added Zan. "We have people working on a way for us to communicate with each other, kind of like the telephone or something. I'm not too up with the science guys, but they sound like they know what they're talking about."
"I too am finding it hard to say goodbye," said Dijanya. "But I know that you need to go back to the lives that you have on Earth. Just promise me, my children that you won't stay away forever."
"Never," said Ava, hugging her mother. "Kyle's dad is totally great, but I love knowing that I have a Mother that cares about me."
"I agree," said Michael, blushing at the pronouncement. "Maria's mother has always been great to me. So have Max and Isabel's parents, and Kyle's Dad. But it's kind of cool knowing that I have someone out there who is mine."
Dijanya held out an arm to Michael who stepped willingly into his mother's embrace for the first time. Everyone watching could see the tension leave his body as his mother hugged him.
"The only thing that really stinks about this whole thing, is leaving Zan here by himself," said Maria. "Not that he'll be alone, I mean. I know he has all of you guys," she pointed to the adults. "But it's not the same. I mean, I have Michael, and Max and Liz are together and Kyle and Ava and Alex and Isabel. Zan deserves to find someone too."
"There are girls on Antar Maria," said Zan. "Not that it's going to be easy for any girl that thinks she's going to be a part of my life. She's got a lot to live up to," he added.
"Like what?" asked Max curiously. It sounded to him as if Zan had left someone behind on Earth; someone pretty special.
"Well, she's going to have to be as smart as Liz, as beautiful as Isabel, be as loyal as Ava, and have Maria's sense of humor and spaghetti making skills," said Zan. "I don't know if I'll ever find anyone who can fill your shoes."
"Oh Zan," the girls cried, and ran to hug him.
"Nice," Alex whispered to the others. "He gets to stay here after making that nice little speech, and we have to go back and live with them. There is no way we're ever going to top that."
"I heard that Alex," said Isabel.
"It is time," interjected Drinian. "I left word with Jim Valenti. He is going to have all of your parents waiting at the CrashDown. That is where the belts have been programmed to take you. I suggest we not waste time on long goodbyes, for we shall see each other again."
Despite Drinian's request, the goodbyes were long and drawn out, but finally the time had come for them to leave Antar. They strapped on their belts, and at Max's signal activated them, and in a flash of light, disappeared, leaving Zan to rule Antar, his final warning about the Gadori, ringing in their ears.