"This is it?" Isabel asked

"This is it." Tess confirmed

Tess brought Max, Michael and Isabel to the Pod Chamber and showed them where they were really born
Tess walked closer to the pods, "Michael came out of that one," she pointed to the one at the far left. Then pointed to the next one, "Isabel from that one," she pointed to another, "Max from that one," and she pointed to the last one, "and I came outta that one."

The three stood in amazement

"This is absolutely crazy, but yet, it's so kewl." Michael said

"That book I saw in the flash, what was it about?" Max asked Tess

"That is called the Destiny Book, I have yet to discover how to read it." Tess answered, "It's uhm, right," she closed her eyes and concentrated on something and a metallic book appeared on her hands, "here."

The three stared at it

Tess opened it and flipped around, "Nothing in it is actually reading material."

"Can we try and read it?" Michael asked

"Sure," she gave the book to him, "not like you'll be able to though. I've spent eleven years on that useless book and still have nothing."

"How about if we connect or something." Isabel suggested

"Connect?" Max asked

"Uhm, Iz and I have been practicing, and we've been connecting a lot lately." Michael said

"Lately?" Max asked

"It doesn't matter what they were doing, or how or why, all that's important is that they can." Tess said, "Which is actually an excellent thing. I can help Max connect and with the four of us, we just might be able to get it done."

"Uhm, let's get into a circle and hold hands." Isabel said

Michael placed the book in the center, closed. The four stood in a circle and held hands

"Breath slowly and make it match everyone else's." Tess said

"And the same with your heart beat." Michael added

They glowed a bright baby blue. The wind began to grow loud…whistling around them. The ray of blue light rushed to the book and it opened. Them to the book and the book to them. Information rushed into their minds, filling them with everything about their past and their Destiny. Slowly, the four broke their connection.

"Damn," Michael whispered

"We're the Royal Four." Max said

"We're here for an actual purpose." Isabel said

"We're royalty." Michael said

"Michael is Second in Command, Isabel the princess, still my sister, Tess is queen and I'm king." Max said

The four smiled

"So that's all that's in that damn book?" Tess laughed out, "that's not news to me. I knew all that already."

"We know the way home." Michael said

"That's new though." Tess said

"Should we go?" Isabel asked

"I don't know." Max said

"I think we should save the way home for a rainy day if you know what I mean." Tess said

"I agree." Michael said

"Yeah." Max and Isabel said

Silence over took the four

"Destiny." Isabel whispered

"We're meant to be together." Max said to Tess

"And we're meant." Michael said to Isabel

Max kissed Tess

Michael kissed Isabel

"I guess Destiny is chosen." Isabel said as her and Michael parted

"What else would we chose?" he asked caressing her cheek

"We're the royal family and we'll always stick together." Max said"Destiny prevails." Tess said

"I love you." Max and Tess told each other

"I love you." Michael and Isabel told each other

-

-

-

Max and Tess are walking down the school hall, hand in hand, turning heads as they went. Many jocks couldn't be more angry that Max had gotten the new girl in school. It was their lunch period and they were to meet up with Isabel and Michael, but first, it was their alone time…as Michael had called it: 30 minutes alone and 15 minutes with four for company. Max loved his alone time with Tess…he couldn't ask for more.

They sat down at their usual spot: underneath the oak tree, in the nice shade. Their conversations were always good. Whether it be a debate or jokes…maybe their past…it was all good talk and they enjoyed the other's company.

"So, later, you up for a movie?" Max asked her

"Sure, why not." She said happily

He lay on the grass and she lay next to him, wrapping her arms around his back and stomach. He brought her closer, making her head lean on his chest. The jocks pop up.

"Evans." One said

Max and Tess sat up

"Drake," Max said, "What do you want?"

"We are gunna talk. Now." He said

Max narrowed his eyes; "I'm busy."

The jock knelt in front of Tess, "I don't believe we met. I'm Drake Zambar."

"Hi." Was all Tess said

Max smiled at this. He liked that she didn't tell him her name…not that he didn't already know…but still

"You're Tess Harding right?" he asked

Tess nodded, "yes."

Drake smiled, "would you care to take a walk with me?"

"Uhm, well," Tess looked to Max, "We were kinda in the middle of something."

Drake looked at Max, "Evans, after school, 3 o'clock, we gotta have a little chat."

"Sorry, I'll be with Tess at that time. I don't have time." Max said casually

"Make time." Drake said, "I'll see you at three." He slapped Max on the shoulder

The jocks walked off

"You're not gunna go meet with them are you?" Tess asked worriedly

"If I don't, I'll be nicknamed wuss or something. Don't worry, it's nothin I can't handle." He smiled at her

She smiled faintly, "Just be careful."

"Definitely."

---

A little later…

"We should go meet up with Izzy and Michael." Tess said, calming down from their laughs

"Yeah, okay."

They stood and brushed themselves off and walked to the quad

"There you are!" Michael said removing his arm from around Isabel's shoulders, "I was beginning to worry." He said a little bit on the sarcastic side

"So, what's up?" Isabel asked, "I saw the jocks around you two before, and I was gunna go see what happened, but then I remember Michael's rule so I backed off."

Michael smiled, "That's a good girl." He patted her head

Isabel raised an eyebrow, "Anyway, what happened back there?"

"Uhm, Drake decided it's my turn for the wuss call." Max answered

"Oh, killer." Michael said

"What do you mean: wuss call?" Tess asked

"It's just something that the jocks do. Sort of like the game chicken." Michael said

"Chicken is when you see who backs out first on something dangerous. Like a drag race to the end of a cliff.

Whoever stops first is a chicken." Isabel added

"Drake and his friends made up the wuss call. They challenge you into a fight. And don't back off until someone's on the floor bleeding." Michael said

"They usually give you an invitation for the wuss call because they want something of yours." Isabel said, "Usually, a par of sneakers, a jacket, a par of Tims, or a girl."

"A girl?" Tess questioned

Isabel and Michael gave an uh-oh look

"No, Max has lots of Tims…and a lot of good jackets…and sneakers too." Isabel said

"Don't worry Tess, Drake could never hurt me." Max said

"Yeah, Maxwell would never let Drake spill his blood. And it won't be over until it happens…so,"

"Max, you're not gunna go." Tess said

"Don't worry, if worse comes to worse, I'll use some other … thing to hurt them…" Max said

Tess glared at Max; "I don't want you to do this."

"Trust me, I don't either…but I have to if I wanna make sure I keep my name outta the wuss column."

"So what if you get called a wuss…at least you'll be a safe and smart wuss." She argued

"Relax," Isabel told Tess, "Max isn't one to get beat up."

"Maybe cuz he's never been in a fight." Michael said

"That could be why." Isabel said

"Thanks for the support." Max said sarcastically

"I'm coming with you." Tess declared

"No, you stay at your house and I'll pick you up for our date." Max said

"I want to make sure you'll be okay."

"Tess, I'll be with him, I'll make sure that he comes to you in tact." Michael said

Max grinned at Michael, "See, I'll be fine."

Tess frowned, "Fine."

The bell rang

"I guess it's off to class." Isabel said

The four stood and walked back into the school

Tess wasn't happy. She didn't want Max to get into any fight because it's a game that the jocks play. No matter what they told her, she knew that this was because of her. The jocks were just mad because Max had her and they didn't even had a chance. Well, that was too bad. It wasn't Max's fault that they wanted to be together…it was the choice of their hearts… If those jocks hurt him, they would regret the day that she did come to Roswell.

-

-

-

"Maxwell, relax, the jocks won't do you in." Michael promised Max

"I'm not worried about that, I'm worried about Tess." Max admitted

"Why? Did Tess get a wuss call? I don't think the jocks do that to the girls." Michael said

"No she didn't get one, she wanted to come to make sure that nothing happened."

"There wouldn't be anything that she could do though."

"I know. But she wanted to be there with me, which would make the fight worse. I wouldn't need to be in the fight cuz I'll be declared a wuss when my girlfriend shows up to be my backup."
Michael laughed, "you know, I honestly didn't think about that."

"But I did."

"Well, let's just go to the field and deal with them now. With the rules, it should be a two on two cuz I'm your back up."

Max nodded and the two headed to the field

"Here's the wuss now." Drake Zambar called

"Drake, Imma be Maxwell's back up." Michael said

"You want to be a part of the wuss call?" Drake asked

"I'm not a part of it, I'm the back up. Those are the rules you know."

"Rules are meant to be broken Guerin. No back up! It's a one on one."

"You can't change the rules like that!" Max yelled

"Sure I can. I made the game, so I make the rules. And I say, no more back ups."

Max and Michael glared at Drake

"Fine, I'll be watching." Michael said, "Just make sure your men do the same."

"No problem." Drake said, he looked to his jocks and they all backed up, "See, not a problem."

Michael nodded and backed up as well

"Okay, let's get started." Drake said, taking off his football jacket and tossing it aside; he then took off his black turtleneck sweater off and tossed it aside as well

Max took off his long sleeved, v-neck sweater and tossed it to Michael

Drake lifted his fists

Max stood there…motionless

"You should probably put your hands up, Evans, it might help you defend yourself." Drake said

"I'll fight the way I fight. Just worry about yourself."

"Oh, okay, in that case, the person –no matter which, you or me- that gets their blood spilled first, cannot go and tattle. You say you ran into a wall or something, got it."

"Got it. Does the same apply for you too?"

"Yup. But don't worry, that won't happen."

"Oh, I think it just might."

"What's that supposed to mean!" Drake put his guard down

"Because of this!" Max pounced on Drake, pushing him to the ground

"Get him the fck off me!" Drake called to his jocks

The jocks jumped to Max
Michael then lunged to the jocks

Tess and Isabel just happened to be passing by and screamed at the sight of Michael and Max in a fight

The two rushed to the fight and tried to pull Max and Michael out

"Tess! Iz! Get away!" Michael yelled as he punched the jaw of one of the jocks
The jocks seemed to have backed off when they saw that Michael nearly killed a jock with one punch, they practically ran off, leaving Michael pleased with himself…the jocks were really at the bleachers…they still had a clear view of the fight

Drake and Max, however, were still at it

Michael kept the girls at a good distance and made sure that Tess wouldn't try and get to Max

Drake threw a punch, and Max countered with a thrust kick. Drake grabbed Max's foot. Max hurled himself onto him, causing Drake to fall. Max's other foot slammed into Drake's jaw, bruising his skin and causing it to bleed
Drake tried to get out of Max's hold, but failed. Max punched Drake's cheek hard, then grabbed his throat roughly, lifting him in the air. Drake gasped for air, "Okay!" he choked out

Max dropped Drake with no consideration that he may harm him

The jocks rushed back to Drake, helping him stand and carrying him away

Max sighed and wiped his forehead with his arm, removing some sweat

"Max!" Tess yelled

Michael let her go and she ran to him

"Oh my god! Max! OH! Thank god you're okay!" she grabbed him into a hug and held him tightly, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Michael wrapped an arm around Isabel's shoulders. Izzy wrapped an arm around his waist. He kissed her neck, and the two exchanged smiles

Tess released Max to take a look at him, "OH!" she squealed, "Max! You're bleeding!"

Max looked to Michael, to see if she was just exaggerating. Michael nodded, which meant, he was indeed bleeding, "Where?" he asked

She ran a finger around his eye and the swollen eye that was once there that was red where it was supposed to be white, healed. She smiled, "No where."

He smiled back, "Thank you." And he kissed her, "Wanna go for an early date?"

"First, you have to put your shirt back on…" she paused and then laughed: "not that I don't like to see you shirtless."

Max smiled, "I guess I should go take a shower too…"

Tess' nose scrunched up slightly, "Yeah," she nodded

"I'll pick you up in an hour."

"Kay."

He kissed her forehead, "See ya then."

She smiled and her and Isabel walked off

"Where do you plan to take her?" Michael asked

"I am going to take her to Galaxy 7." Max answered

"Do you even knoe how to dance to that kind of music?" Michael laughed out

"No. But I bet Tess does. She could teach me."

"She could. But will she?"

"I'm sure she would."

"Whatever. Just go and clean up." Michael pushed Max lightly

Max smiled

Michael tossed him his shirt, "GO!"

"I'm going." Max put his shirt back on and ran to his house

Michael smiled and walked to his apartment