Dedication: to Trude, my most loyal of reviewers, I hope it answers your questions & knocks your socks off (one will okay).

Chapter 16

"Here's what I'm saying we should do. We should go to the clearing tonight meet this girl, try to find out where she is really from, cause I know she is lying to us, and the blast her to kingdom come if she is a spy from Khivar," said Michael, aggrivated.

"Michael! That's not nice! This girl obvious has no evil intentions, come on she's related to Alex, how bad can she be?" screeched Maria, smacking Michael's arm.

It was the next afternoon, and the Pod Squad and friends were sitting in Michael's apartment discussing Ananda, Ananda's message, and the next course of action.

Michael was being his usual suspicious self, and was not about to go without a fight, not even to Maria, and Maria was not about to let Michael be an ass to Alex's new found relative.

"How can we trust her? We know nothing about her, except what little she has told us, and that could be lies!" Michael exclaimed.

"You know what your problem is? You don't trust anyone! This girl knows things about you and has powers and is obviously someone important, and better yet she hasn't been threatening or made any mention of any threats. There is no reason to act like this!" Maria yelled.

"That's exactly what I'm saying she knows things, which means she might be a spy!" Michael shouted.

It was quickly becoming obvious to the rest of the group that this fight was about more than just Ananda. Things were going to get messy if someone didn't intervene right then.

The person who intervened was the one who yesterday would've been the least likely.

"You two really need to calm down. Michael, I understand why you might be suspicious, Ananda did just show up out of the blue, but Maria is right, she means us no harm and look her, she helped bring me back. She saved me from my sister," Tessandra said, calmly, standing between Michael and Maria.

"She's right, you two, and if we are going to accomplish anything and find out any more info, we really need to stay calm and think about what should be done next," Liz agreed.

"You guys, I think the best plan is to go there tonight and just ask her about our pasts. I think that Ananda is pretty likely to tell us more information and then we will have succeeded. How does that sound?" Max asked, playing the leader.

The group expressed their agreement and then Max dissmissed the meeting.

"Liz! Can I talk to you?" asked Isabel, walking over to Liz.

"Yeah, sure. What's up?" Liz responded.

"Well, I had a flash, I think, but I think it might've been of the past, but how do you know?" Isabel asked.

"What was your flash off?"

"I was talking to Alex and he said 'Goodnight, Princess' and then I got a flash of someone who looked like him smiling at me and saying the same thing in the garden of this beautiful palace. Liz, I think that palace was on Antar."

"So, you think this was of your past life? Wow, Isabel,that's amazing."

"Yeah,but should I tell Alex? Or Max? What do I do? This has never happened to me before."

"Well, you can tell whomever you want, its up to you, its your flash." Liz said.

"Thanks, Liz, for helping me out," Isabel said, as they made to leave the apartment.

"Sure, anytime. It was my pleasure,"

"Well, I'll see you tonight," Isabel said.

"Bye."

"Bye."

The two girls split off and Liz was left thinking on her own. Things were getting weird for her. Isabel was being unusually friendly, and something that Ananda had said was bothering her. 'What did she mean, Max and I were like this before?' Liz thought, 'Maybe she was confused.' Liz continued to mull her thoughts as she walked into the Crashdown to prepare for her shift, knowing that when it was done, it would be time to meet with the girl from the stars once again.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

That was what I would like to call a little segue. We knew from chapter 15 how Alex felt, now I had to give everyone else a chance to voice their thoughts, now didn't I?

I'm sorry I haven't written a lot lately...I've been in Boston for the past 3 weeks (yes I met tons of Democrats) for a conference. It was great & I made tons of new buddies.

Also...anyone watching the Olympics? Wait...what am I saying...4 million people across the world at least are watching the Olympics...I can be such a fool sometimes. I love the Olympics...not so much any particular country...just certain people.

Anyways, lately I've been feeling inspired to write some good old fashioned romance…I don't know why…well, yes I do, but still I don't like how it has been influencing me so. Well, that means there shall be hope for all of you rooting for your fave couple, doesn't it?

Muchos Gracias to sleep26 for reviewing, even after I hadn't updated for ages...maybe other people should take a leaf out of that book? Or I could update faster...huh...interesting.

Um, enough of my ranting. Please read and review. Thank you. Lots of luv.

Gifted Empress

P.S. This chapter was brought to you by a random bunch of songs, such as The Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony" and Modern English's "I Melt for You". Oh yeah, and the Proclaimer's "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" (can't forget the Scottish band). Yup random, just like me.

P.P.S. Chapter 17, the rough draft is finished & I'm working on perfecting it, so it should be up by the end of the week!