Dear Journal,

It's September 22nd a Friday the year 2000, and I wish I could just hide under a rock. Not only do I get the silent treatment now from Michael but also in three weeks we're to invade another alien species and with any luck wipe them out. Sure piece of cake right? But no, I go to school, look around and everyone's coupled up. Alex and Isabel are holding hands giggling Kyle is staring at Tess, Maria is making out somewhere with Lucas. It's like one of those bad teen series and of course the two odd couples Liz and I are stuck keeping our guys at arm's length. It could be easy right? I mean two days ago I was near convinced that letting Michael in, being with him could work. Now all these memories are starting to surface and I realized maybe the past could hold us back.

Sam looks around her study hall and closes her diary, just as Max coming with a bathroom pass enters the library and sits down next to her.

"Something's happening in three weeks right?"

Sam looks up at Max and puts her hand slowly on her journal.

"Yeah, I meant to come and talk to you about it."

Max nodded and looked away for a second.

"Do you have time now Max?"

Max looked back at Sam and shook his head while holding up his pass.

Sam smiled and nodded.

"Liz doesn't have study hall with me."

Max blushed and looked down.

"So wanna meet today after school? I have to work at 4 so if I could catch a ride that'd be great."

Max nodded and smiled got up and walked out of the library. Sam looked down at her journal a small glow waned and disappeared as she encoded the writing.

The day went by quite slowly, after piano class Sam went straight to her locker where Max was waiting for her.

"Hey sorry thanks for waiting though."

Max nodded and leaned on the locker waiting for Sam to get all of her books together. Michael who hadn't been seen all day in school came walking up to Max as he waited.

"Hey Maxwell can I talk to you for a second?"

Sam ignored him as Max nodded and gave a hold on a sec look to Sam. The two boys went into a nearby room to talk.

"What is it Michael?"

"What is it? Well it's Sam, it's I don't know a memory a feeling I can't describe it."

Max nodded and smiled, "Love?"

Michael looked up at Max half convinced and half disturbed.

"Should love feel like my heart is being ripped out of my chest?"

Max looked down, "Sometimes yeah it can feel that way."

Michael looked down too.

"I don't know Maxamillion I was fine, evening getting visions remembering little things about who we were."

Max looked up shocked at Michael.

"You remember things?"

Michael nodded, "Sure mainly people and how I felt about them. And for some reason Sam is the strongest presence."

Max nodded.

Meanwhile outside Alex was walking by Sam's locker as she waited for the boy talk to be over.

"Sam? What are we waiting for?"

Sam smiled at Alex, "Max is taking me to work, and meanwhile we'll go over a plan for the skins."

Alex got a shudder. Isabel had been worry free for a while now he feared that things were going to get crazy.

"Right so is there anything I can do?"

Sam looked up at Alex and smiled she had an idea and maybe everyone could help out.

"Yeah Alex I think you can, get everyone together for a meeting Crashdown right after closing Uncle Jeff's out of town so Liz and us girls are in charge."

Alex nodded as Isabel came strutting down the hall in a red tank top and cute black skirt. Alex could just sense her approaching and turned around.

"What's up guys?"

Sam shrugged as Alex held her close.

"Just a meeting of the minds tonight to work out some glitches operation Skin extermination."

Alex was trying to lighten the subject but Isabel's features faltered and tightened.

Sam noticed and took charge.

"Don't worry Isabel it's not the same as it used to be we can handle this."

Isabel relaxed slightly and then looked around for Max and Michael.

"Michael wasn't in school today but Max should be here."

Sam nodded, "They're in Mrs. Bailey's classroom having a discussion."

Isabel smirked and excused herself to go interrupt the boys. Just as Maria and Lucas followed by John and Sandie came to a halt in front of Sam.

Lucas looked at Sam and tilted his head.

"Meeting tonight Crashdown closing time?"

Sam smiled and nodded. Maria giggled and rubbed closer to him.

"How do you do that?"

The two began kissing again and John along with Sandie just nodded and headed out to the car. Sam's gaze followed them, she was worried but didn't say anything. It seemed those two were in really deep with each other.

"John, why can't you just tell me what's bothering you?"

John looked to Sandie and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Nothing it's just that since we've come here things have turned upside down.

Sandie let go of John's hand.

"You mean you and me?"

John shook his head.

"No I mean, look I just don't want our leader influenced by the same distractions as last time that's all."

Sandie shook her head, ever since they had been together memories from their past were flooding in. It had begun to eat away at John, she wasn't sure if he was getting over Sam or falling deeper for her.

Max started to chuckle as Michael looked up at him confused.

"What's so funny?"

"Well Spaceboy I never thought you would have these feelings this intense before it's comforting to know I'm not the only one."

Michael not sure how to respond nodded his head and smirked as well.

"So Michael, do you remember the girls?"

Michael looked up half amused "the girls?"

Just as he said this Isabel opened the door and heard the question.

"Yeah Michael tell him about the four armed and three eyed girls of our planets."

Max swung around with a red face both boys looked like they had their hand caught in the cookie jar. Behind Isabel, Tess appeared she looked in and smiled.

"If this is a meeting with the POD squad I didn't get my invite."

Isabel smiled and turned to look at Tess.

"No Tess I was just interrupting a testosterone fest."

The two girls walked in and sat down on the desks.

"Look Sam wants to have a meeting tonight about October 13th."

Michael looked at Max and then back to Isabel.

"What's October 13th?"

Tess smiled, "It's Friday the 13th good day for some skin killing."

Everyone looked at her and she just shrugged.

Max got up and went to the door.

"I guess we'll all meet at the Crashdown after closing I have to go and discuss things with Sam."

Michael stood up, "What just you Maxwell?"

Max turned around, "For now yes."

He walked out of the room and Tess and Isabel followed.

Outside Liz was talking to Sam who had grown restless from waiting, Kyle greeted Tess and the couples dispersed by the time Max and Michael made their way over to the girls. Alex looked back at Liz.

"Hey Liz you coming?"

Liz looked up at Alex and nodded. She smiled back at Sam and waved goodbye to Max timidly and was off to the Crashdown. Michael followed her out of the school and headed toward the parking lot, just as Sam followed Max to the jeep.

"So Max I had this idea, everyone of us each has a gift, ya know whether it be human or more than human."

Max nodded as he started his car.

"Are you thinking of utilizing all of our assets?"

Sam nodded, "Exactly."

The two spent the entire way brain storming until they reached the Crashdown. As they walked in together and took a booth, made their orders, they finally looked around. It was a good time to meet in the Crashdown right after school. There was no one until the midday rush of 4pm. That's when the high school kids knew they'd get waited on by their peers.

"Look Max I think we've got it figured out we'll set up assignments now."

Max nodded as Sam took out a notebook and began writing down detail-by- detail of how the 13th to the 15th was going to go. Just as they were putting some finishing touches on their plan Courtney walked in to pick up her check. Sam felt her presence right away and gave her a come here look. Courtney grabbed a chair and looked from one leader to the other.

"Well what is it?"

"I need you here tonight after closing we have assignments for the 13th."

Courtney nodded, "The rest of us are going to be in Cooper Summit ready for the Harvest."

Sam nodded, "Can you get a private fax or email to them by then?"

Courtney nodded, "Email will work the best why?"

Sam smiled and turned the pad over to Courtney.

"I need your email address Alex will be contacting you shortly."

Courtney nodded and wrote down her address and then gave the pad back to Sam.

"Looks pretty organized, so like Macaria."

Sam looked up as Max clammed up a bit, Courtney excused herself and went in the back to pick up her check.

"Why does that name sound so familiar?"

Sam looked down and then right back up in Max's eyes.

"That was who I used to be."

Max nodded he began to clench and unclench his fists. Sam tried to ignore Max for a while and continued assigning things according to everyone's powers. She organized whose car was to be used and who would drive the two trucks. By quarter to four everything was done. Sam smiled as Liz walked into the Crashdown from the back she met eyes with Max and the two stared at one another for what seemed like an eternity. Sam broke the stare by clearing her throat Max snapped out of it along with Liz who began prepping her section.

"Well I have to get ready for work now I'll transfer this over to a word document to give to Alex tonight."

Max nodded and returned his stare on Liz as Sam approached her to ask if she could change in her room. Liz nodded and feeling Max staring at her went over to see if he needed anything.

"Hey Max, uh can I get you anything?"

Max couldn't think he just wanted to hold her.

"No I have work soon, just the check I guess."

Liz smiled, "it's already taken care of Max."

She blushed and grabbed the two drinks Max stopped her as she grabbed his half finished cherry coke with lime. Their hands touched and Flash.

Liz could see herself going through space, there were stars and then memories of her past looking at Max for the first time, seeing him but never thinking he saw her. And then all of last year, up until that very moment. As the flash faded away Max looked down he had gotten the same flash and couldn't handle the feeling right now. Liz moved away slowly.

"Well Max I'll just let you finish that okay."

She quickly went to the back dropped off the dishes and leaned on the wall of the kitchen. Her heart was beating wildly and these images and waves of emotion came over her. She looked down at her hand, the hand that Max touched it was glowing green. There were waves of green energy surging in between her fingers. Liz went upstairs to show Sam.

Upstairs Sam had transferred with her powers the written text to a word document saved it to a 3 ½ disk. She was already changed into her uniform when she heard Liz running up the stairs. Liz's powers flung the door open before she could get there and Sam looked slightly shocked as Liz's right hand was pulsating with power.

"Liz are you okay?"

Liz was scared and in some pain.

"I can't, control it."

Sam walked up to her and grabbed her hand she concentrated on calming all the particles of her skin along with her mind. Slowly the green faded to nothing, and Liz sighed with some relief.

"You touched Max huh?"

Liz looked up, "yeah I did."

Sam nodded, "you're in the final stage of controlling your powers and touching him right now when he doesn't understand how to control his powers fully won't help you."

Liz nodded and looked down. Sam smiled to herself.

"You know it won't be long before all of this is solved I mean we can work this out you know that."

Liz nodded and the two girls walked down the stairs for their shift as Sam explained the agenda for tonight's meeting.

The shift was an easy one since Michael had the night off and Maria wasn't working Liz and Sam just joked around and served all the customers. By closing time though the entire group had assembled in random booths with shakes and fries at hand. As soon as the last normal customer left Liz locked the front door and the meeting started. Max got up and stood next to Sam who had her list ready.

"Okay well Max and I have come up with a way that all of us can ban together to efficiently make this work."

Kyle looked around, "You mean how all of us can destroy a town of evil aliens, great, goodtimes."

Sam smiled and shook her head.

"Buddha boy, it's kill or be killed and right now I choose us."

Kyle nodded and looked down.

"Besides you won't have to do any of the killing."

Courtney straightened up.

"I'm not sure what happens when our skins are destroyed."

Everyone looked to Courtney.

Sam took a step toward her.

"What do you mean?"

Courtney looked up broken from her chain of thought.

"I mean our bodies can't survive in this atmosphere it's too hostile but we don't die, not right away. We may go back."

Liz cleared her throat.

"Wait like."

She pointed one finger in the air. "Like back?"

Courtney nodded.

"It's possible."

Kyle nodded as well as Sam.

"Either way if we don't take care of them before the harvest then we're screwed it's another fifty years of fear."

Courtney nodded.

Michael looked up at Sam and then to Courtney. He went to open his mouth then closed it Sam notices and looked around to the group.

"I can understand if this is scary, I know it is, that's why Max and I have all assigned you to things that you're best fit for. That way those of you who can't handle it won't have to take the skins down directly."

Everyone nodded. As Sam continued to explain to everyone the plan, Michael kept his stare directly on Sam the entire time. When she was finished and the group broke up to head home Sam was left alone making some finishing touches to her list. Michael was the only one left Sam tried not to notice.

"Sam?"

Sam didn't look up.

"Yeah Michael?"

"I was just wondering if you needed a ride home?"

Sam looked up at Michael and smiled she looked outside it was a beautiful night not too cold not too hot.

"You know what I think I'll walk."

Michael tilted his head.

"You don't want to ride with me do you?"

Sam looked up and smiled, "You can walk me home if you want."

Michael looked at his bike outside of the Crashdown and nodded at Sam.

"Sure."

The two walked quietly passed the park and UFO Museum. Sam couldn't stop staring at the stars the sky was full of them and it was so clear. When they reached the florist whose lights were out but signs were still softly glowing Sam went to go sit for a minute. Michael sat next to her and the two just looked at the sky. Before Sam knew what was happening Michael's warm hand had taken hers. Her pulse raced, but Michael didn't take his eyes off of the stars.

Sam smiled when she recognized Bernard's star. Michael looked at her noticing she was smiling.

"What is it?"

Sam shook her head. "Bernard's Star."

Michael looked where Sam was and saw a wobbly star barely noticeable.

"That's the same star that I could see from the window of my room."

Michael looked to Sam he could see the star too but the sky wasn't black but a dark red.

"From Antar."

Michael stopped at his own words. Antar he thought that name, it just came to him. Sam looked at Michael and the two-stopped Sam nodded in shock and then Michael could sense that she wanted to leave. The two got up still holding hands and walked the rest of the way to Sam's house not having to say a word. As they got outside of Sam's house there was an awkward pause. Michael sensing this may be his only chance leaned forward to kiss Sam. She stopped him before he reached her lips.

"Michael we can't do this, it'll hurt too many people."

Michael looked around as if there were people looking.

"Who will it hurt?"

Sam sighed and looked down.

"Maria for one, and maybe, maybe I'm not ready for this."

Michael nodded and let go of Sam's hand gently. Without his warmth she felt empty. She tried to smile and caught Michael's gaze.

"Well Sam, when you're ready I'll be here, and if it's about Maria I can talk to........"

Sam shook her head.

"No, Michael if anyone's going to talk to her it'll be me okay."

Michael nodded his head and took a step backwards.

"Goodnight Samantha."

Sam smiled; she reached her doorway and looked back at Michael.

"Goodnight Michael."

With that she was inside her house and closed the door. She leaned on it for a few moments trying to steady her knees, which had turned to mush. Michael stood there and hide behind a bush he waited for Sam's light in her room to go on. As soon as he knew which room was hers he left.

"The one with a balcony, good, convenient."

And with that Michael headed back to get his bike at the Crashdown.

You know the funny thing about having a diary is the ability to be completely honest with someone. Well not someone but at least to be able to let go of all inhibitions and write. A journal is for no-one to see and that gives the writer the utmost freedom to just write his or her heart out. Okay I know what you're going to say but things perked up a bit today. Yes they got really serious but also Michael and I. Well who knows?