Author's NOTE: Here it is! A Max and Tess Chapter! PLEASE REVIEW! It's taken me twice as long to write this chapter because I kept doing the software version of rolling the paper up into a ball and throwing it in the trash many times. I've saved many a tree's life by typing it. I just hope that you think that it's touching—and not too corny.

It was like the center of the storm, quiet, serene…as if nothing had happened moments ago. It was the kind of afternoon that was musical and magical. The birds were chirping, the children laughing and playing outside. Love, hope, and life filled the air.

Standing outside Tess's bedroom, his head leaning against the doorway, Max could only hope that was Tess was feeling that magic. After all, pregnant women were supposed to glow. Wiping a tear that had strayed beyond his control, he straightened; it was going to be okay. He promised her—in their vows, which he now remembered every word he spoke lovingly to her as they were bound for eternity—he would do anything to make her happy and be the kind of husband that she deserved. Listening to Tess cry while he stood outside her room, he felt like a failure. For once in his life, Maxwell Evans had no idea what to say to his wife; there was nothing—no words of apology—that would make up for his betrayal. First, he betrayed her by forgetting her (she was his DESTINY!) and falling in love with Liz. She had gotten pregnant with his child, was almost dying; and what did he do—he went running to Liz; he kissed Liz! What had he been thinking! His ultimate betrayal, of course, was believing that she would kill a friend and plot with their enemy against him.

Breathing heavily, he understood that it was this moment and this moment alone that would birth both his future and the future of his son. For without her, his future would be lost.

The door opened. This jarred him from contemplating exactly what he was to say. Alex had walked, not noticing that Max was standing in front of the doorway, right into him. The collided with an oomph. Ava had been following behind and caught Alex before he could fall. Max was not so lucky; falling on his butt.

"Oh, sorry, Max. I didn't see you there. What are you doing standing right in front of the door?" Alex asked, patting Ava's hand in thanks for the save. He lent his hand to his friend, levering him up off the floor.

Ava shyly said, "Hi, Max."

He nodded his hello, "I was going in to see Tess. Is she alright? She was crying…"

Alex became uncomfortable, fidgeting where he stood. He shot a glance at Ava; the typical I'm-a-male-so-you-handle-the-emotional-stuff. Ava got the hint; after all she'd been living with Rath, Zan, and Ronnie her entire life. She was the only emotional one out of the three. "Max, Tess needs you. She's been crying FOR YOU. You need to go in there! Now, Max! She thinks that you're going to leave her after the baby dies. And more than anything—she's afraid that she's going to die along with the baby and you won't be there with her."

He ran a hand against his mouth to keep from swearing. "Ava—I can't. I don't know what to say. All I thought of today was to get back to her, and now that I'm here, I can't get myself to go in to see her."

"That's bullshit! You're a dumbass! I can't believe that you're not going to go in to see her because you're afraid! LISTEN TO ME, OH GREAT KING OF THE UNIVERSE! AVA AND I HAVE SPENT THE LAST FEW MONTHS OF OUR LIVES AS A PRISONERS IN THIS WAR OF YOURS; EVERYONE THOUGHT I WAS DEAD, WHILE AVA WAS MANIPULATED INTO A TOOL! NEVER MIND THAT KYLE WAS BRAINWASHED INTO THINKING THAT TESS KILLED ME! I haven't seen my parents or any of my friends because I have no idea what THE HELL I'm going to tell them happened to me. Now Tess has been kidnapped, tortured, and to top it off—her baby, YOUR BABY is dying! AND ALL YOU CAN THINK OF IS YOURSELF. YOU BASTARD!" Alex exploded in rage, taking out all the frustration, anger, pain and fear on Max in one hard swift blow to the jaw, knocking him to the ground again.

Jim and Kyle had run into the hall to see what the commotion was about. Everyone stood in shock as peaceful, quiet Alex transformed in front of them. Jim bit his lip—he'd seen this before—in the men who had come back from Vietnam. War had changed everything; Alex was no longer the innocent, wide-eyed teenager that he had been before.

"NOW GET YOUR ASS IN THERE, EVANS!" Alex pointed to her door.

He had obeyed his friend without another doubt or thought in his mind.

Tess lay in her bed; the tears had dried on her face. She had told Alex and Ava that she needed a few minutes alone to herself. Turning on her side to face the wall, she forced the memories of their captivity out of her mind, choosing to focus on the memories of her past life—the life that had been filled with love.

The baby kicked her again; she was glad about that—he was still alive. His daddy still had the chance to 'feel' him before—well, before it was too late.

The sounds of screaming from the hallway made her sit up straight. Was that Alex's voice that she heard? Why was he yelling? Fear shot through her; what if Kivar had come back!

Struggling free from her covers, Kivar would not take her again! She didn't care if she had to crawl, bite, and scratch her way out—she would.

As the door opened, Tess cried out to herself, clenching her fists over her eyes, her body tense and ready to fight. She closed her eyes, not wanting to see. She wanted her last memory to be of Max—not Kivar.

She felt, rather than saw, someone coming closer to her bed. Felt the bed dip besides her, and the hand that ghosted her shoulder. If he touched her, she thought…scream!

The scream died before a sound was uttered. Her name was whispered by the one person she thought would never be at her side again. She moaned, thinking it was just a dream again.

"Tess…It's me, Max. Please, open your eyes, Tess. I'm here…please." Max's heart broke at the sight of his wife. Remembering from first time he had met her, he knew that she was a strong proud young woman who had lived through hell with an emotionless protector, whose duty was to ensure her survival only. It had taken time, but she had blossomed in Roswell becoming his confidant, his friend—someone that he could always count on. He had never seen her so afraid before—he had done this! He had taken away her trust that she would always be safe with him.

Tess was afraid, but not for the reason that Max had envisioned. She was afraid that he would be taken away from her. He pleaded with her to open her eyes, telling her that he had to tell her something very important about the baby.

Max focused on his main concern; the life of his son. What he had learned would change everything. He had gone to Liz in hopes for an explanation and for once, his hopes hadn't faded—their son would not die on this planet. He just needed to tell Tess the good news.

Flashback to the White Room

Tess lay screaming on the cold ground; pain was radiating from her womb. The baby—her son was dying. His light, a bright yellow-blue was shining through her. Max had been there—had connected with him.

He was breathing! His son could BREATHE the air on this planet. Max stared in shock, not understanding how it was possible. It was a miracle. It was the only explanation. Leaning over Tess, he promised her, "Tess. It's going to be okay, I promise you..."

Flashback to the Crashdown (Liz's Room)

"…Liz. I told you, the baby can BREATHE the Earth's air now! He couldn't before. How is this possible? I can't tell Tess unless I know that this isn't some trick—that he's going to be taken away from us again. I can't let her hope that our son will live, if it's not true." Max was desperate for it to be true. He had seen it, felt it with his soul that it was true—but he couldn't hurt Tess by telling her if it wasn't.

Liz stared hard at him, searching her memory for a scientific explanation and not finding one. "Well, Max. I mean, there are tons of explanations. God, a miracle, I mean, who knows what your bodies can do? I mean, if Tess was a pure human and was pregnant with a baby wasn't able to get what it needs, either it would take it from the mother's bloodstream or abort itself. Your baby is alien, I mean, what if it just took the oxygen and DNA it needed from Tess…"

Tess finally opened her eyes. "It's not dream," she whispered to herself. Her husband was sitting besides her, smiling at her as he looked upon her with love and concern in his eyes. She could almost imagine their previous lives together, the mornings that she'd wake up after a night of making love with him just staring at her as she slept. He would stare at her with passion; smiling at her as she woke.

It wasn't like anything near the experience she'd shared with Max on Earth. After their first night together, she had dreamed that he would devote himself to her, as he'd done on Antar. And that their night of making love would be treasured. She was mistaken; He wouldn't look at her afterwards, ashamed at himself for loving her. Thinking of his precious Liz and her feelings instead. Tess knew; she's wasn't a fool. She knew that Max regretted their night together; she could see it in his eyes. If only he would look at me the way he looked at Liz, she thought.

It was why she wanted to cry at the way he was gazing at her now. It wasn't real. He didn't really love her.

Max stared at her; it was funny how he never noticed how beautiful she was before. Yeah, he thought she was nice to look at before, but he never realized how deep her beauty ran. He held out his hand to her, encouraged that she'd taken it instantly. "Tess…" Max was saying her name in almost a reverent manner, "I'm so sorry. I," his voice broke, not being able to continue unemotionally.

Tess stared at him, not really understanding. She knew that he wanted to discuss the baby. "Max, what's wrong? Is it the baby?" She rested her free hand against her curve.

"No—Well, yes, but its good news! Tess, the baby is going to be okay. Our son is going to live." He smiled widely at her, happy that he could finally tell her.

Still not understanding, she tried to see through his eyes. "Oh, Max. I really do wish that. But the atmosphere—you said it yourself—the baby is dying."

"No! Tess, listen to me, he's going to be okay! He can breathe now. You're not in any pain anymore, right?"

"The pain stopped…Max are you sure? Because you can't do this to me. You're telling me that our baby is going to live? That he'll be born on this planet?" Tess's lips trembled; she was getting towards the end of her energy.

Max placed his forehead against hers, eyes to eyes, and lips to lips. "Yes. That's exactly what I'm telling you, Mommy." His eyes lit up at the word. It was the first time he'd called her that. The first time, but definitely not the last time.

She almost didn't hear his answer, too busy looking into his eyes, while trying to ignore the proximity of his lips to hers. "Mommy" his lips had uttered; eyes bright and smiling. Tess smiled back. It had to be true or else he would've never called her that.

She laughed lightly, as light as a breeze. "Mommy. I'm going to be a mommy. And you're going to be a Daddy." He laughed back, his face still right against hers.

"Tess," he whispered again, "I swear on the life of our son that I will make it up to you…I'm so sorry that I hurt you; I can't believe how blind I was. Never again…Please forgive me."

Reaching up to cup his cheek with both hands, her thumbs softly memorized his face, letting them down the length of his mouth, chin, nose, and forehead. "I love you, Max. Of course, I forgive you."

His lips quivered under her hands, "Why? Why do you love me so much?"

"You must've been a good husband in our past life…remember? And now, you'll be a good father to boot." She smiled at him again, sweetly this time. As she spoke those words, she knew that they'd be true. Max would be a wonderful father to their son.

Her thoughts jumped ahead to visions of Max pushing the baby in a stroller; taking him for walks in the park, teaching him to play baseball, to ride a bike as she imagined them laughing and playing together. Someone stood on the edge of the park, watching them play as she did. In her vision, Liz walked up and put her arms around Max, then hugged the little boy that had run up to her. Tess stood on the edge, just watching, calling out the little boy's name. The child didn't even notice her, completely enthralled by the brunette spinning him around. Soon, she took both of them away from her, leaving her alone in the park. Tess shook her head free of that thought, the smile slipping off her face. "What about Liz?"

Max had watched her; watched as her face became despondent yet again. "Liz? What about Liz?"

"What does Liz think about you being a father? Is she excited?" she asked her, trying to sound positive.

"Um…yeah, she's excited. She's actually very happy for me-Tess, why are we talking about Liz?" Things were not progressing like he hoped, fingering the little box hidden in his back pocket. "I want to talk about us."

"Us, Max?"

"Yes, Tess. We were planning our future, remember? Before you fell, before the baby started having problems…we were planning on moving in together—to start a new life together."

"I remember, Max. But after everything that's happened…" she trailed off, unsure.

"Tess, I understand if you need some time to yourself. I'll leave-." Max stood suddenly, not wanting to rush her or pressure her in any way. He was almost to the door when he'd heard her plea for him to stay with her.

"Max, please. Don't leave me, please." Tess cried out for him; struggling to get out of bed to chase after his retreating figure.

Running back to her side, he hugged her tightly to his chest as she tried to bury herself inside of him. "I won't leave you. I promise you that. I love you, Tess." She lifted her head up to look into his eyes; there was no doubt in them.

He noticed her look up at him. Taking her left hand in his, he repeated, "Tess…I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You are my destiny. I know that now." He pulled out the black box from his pocket, presenting it to her, "Tess, will you marry me—again?" The box opened to reveal a glimmering red ruby ring.

Breath caught in her lungs, making her gasp. "Oh, Max…yes." He smiled at her, his eyes lighting up with hope and love. Pulling the ring from the box he slipped it on her ring finger.

"I know that engagement rings are supposed to be diamonds, but every time I saw this ring…I pictured you on Dimaras Rock and I knew that this was the ring that I wanted you to have. Do you like it?" Max became a little less confident, maybe he'd made a mistake—maybe she would've rather had a diamond.

Lifting up the trembling hand that adorned the ring to her face, tears streamed down her cheeks. "Max—it's the most beautiful thing anyone has ever given me." Meeting his eyes, she continued, "You remember me…"

It was like having an epiphany so strong that it shook his existence completely. "You're my wife, Tess. My wife—My Tess."

She giggled like a school-girl. "Yes. And you're my husband, Max."

As his lips met hers, they traveled through the stars, through time and space itself, until they both remembered their previous lives. Flashes of their wedding; their vows, their happiness, and mostly their love…

Max pulled away from her, kneeling besides her bed. He spoke in a language that he didn't even understand completely—but knowing that it was the vow that he had made to her, so long ago. In a daze, she repeated the words; making their vows complete for all eternity and sealing it with a passionate kiss that had them both gasping for air.

She smiled coyly at him, "Well, your highness, what do you want to do now?"

Max smiled back just as playful, "I think I can think of something, majesty…" he teased as he crawled in the bed with her.

All thoughts were forgotten as her lips, tongue, hands roamed his body.

Outside the door, Ava and Kyle quickly pulled their head away from the air duct. They had just wanted to make sure that Tess didn't get too upset. Kyle had wanted to protect his sister from too much stress. But as long as Tess and Max were back together—they really didn't need to hear them 'make-up.'

"God—can that guy sound more corny?" Kyle mumbled.

A resounding slap on the back of his head by Ava was his answer. "Oww, Ava. Geez, I'm sorry. You didn't have to smack me."

Kyle rubbed his head as Ava walked away from him, laughing as she went back into the living area where Alex and Jim sat watching TV and chow-ing down on the pizza that had finally arrived. "Hey, save some pizza for me! That pizza was supposed to feed both you and Dad, Michael, Isabel, Tess, Max and ME! I still think we should've ordered more."

Jim, a half a slice in his mouth, asked, "Where is Isabel anyway? Wasn't she supposed to meet us here?"

Taking his two slices of pizza away before there was nothing left, "Yeah…she was. Someone should call her."

As he spoke those words, the front door opened. Isabel walked in a smile on her face, "Hello, my good friends! It's such a marvelous day, don't you think?"

Jim just stuffed the other half a slice in his mouth; when a girl smiled like that it could only mean one thing: BOYS! At this point in time, he really didn't want to know.

To Be Continued…

Okay…I finally have a solution for Alex (and Ava).

I've decided that the two should be together. (They're just too cute.)

Now—I have no idea who to stick Isabel with! (Who's the mystery guy?)

YOU HAVE TO REVIEW THIS CHAPTER! I'VE WORKED SO HARD ON IT AND I'M DYING TO KNOW IF YOU LIKE IT.