[b]Part 5[/b]
Liz was not immediately sorry for what she had said to Alex. She was too upset and confused, as she stormed up the stairs to her family's apartment, for that to occur.
It wasn't until she had slammed her bedroom door and her eyes went instantly to the photo of she, Alex and Maria sitting on her vanity that she even understood the completely unfair nature of what she had told her best friend.
He was only worried about her. She [I]knew[/I] she wasn't acting like herself. How could she even pretend to be the Liz Alex knew and loved when she didn't even know who that was anymore? She was living a lie, because of what Future Max had asked her to do, and it wasn't just affecting [I]her[/I] or Max anymore. It affected everyone she cared about - including Alex, who had every right to wonder what was going on with her.
After all, the last time she had behaved so weirdly around him, she had been hiding a secret - the truth about Max, Michael and Isabel - that was almost too big for her to deal with on her own. It had been too hard. She had felt overwhelmed by the three of them, knowing that Max would never hurt her, but certainly not knowing the same about Isabel or Michael. It was why she had had to tell Maria the truth and, then, Alex. It had balanced things out, had made it three and three, had made it so that she could cope. Max had Michael and Isabel to depend on and she had Alex and Maria. Because what had been happening between Max and Liz had just been too big for them not to need people to lean on - too all-encompassing.
It had been so right and, yet, so frightening at the same time, and, now, Liz knew why. What she and Max had set in motion the day they first connected had been the beginning of the end of the world. A countdown had started that day - fifteen years to go.
Maybe that knowledge had been there for both of them from the start, on some deeper level, and they had just ignored it, too wrapped up in the way the made each other feel. Maybe it was why Max had tried so hard to stay away from her at first. Maybe it was why she had walked away from him at the pod chamber that day.
Whatever.
Liz sighed heavily, flopped back on her bed. The point of all this was that Alex had been there for her through it all, even when he hadn't known the truth. It was more than she could even say for Maria, who had been there largely for Michael after a while - in fact, almost from the very beginning. Not that Liz begrudged Maria that.But Alex had remained [I]her[/I] friend first and foremost, behind [I]Liz[/I] through it all, even in spite of his connection to Isabel.
Liz knew that if Alex ever had to choose between she and Isabel, he would pick Liz. She didn't know if that would be the case with Maria anymore, not that Liz could fault her best friend for that. Hadn't she picked Max over Alex for a long time? But Liz had to be honest with herself about Maria. She was so tangled up with Michael, had even bonded with Max over the summer. Maria would stay loyal to the aliens now, even if Liz didn't. Liz even understood.
She knew what it was like to love someone with your whole soul after all.
But this pertinent fact was also why Liz couldn't tell Maria the truth about Future Max. Maria would try to convince her that just telling Max the whole story would fix everything. Maria would not understand that if Max knew the truth, Liz knew he would never rest until they got back together, which would still result in Tess leaving and would still bring on the end of the world. Maria would think that love could conquer all. Because wasn't that what was happening to Michael and Maria? In spite of all of his protestations that they couldn't be together, Michael and Maria [I]were[/I] together in every way that counted.
Liz knew the truth though. Love could not conquer Tess Harding. Michael and Maria had the luxury that Isabel didn't want to be with Michael any more than Michael wanted to be with her. Isabel wouldn't leave. Isabel was bonded to Max just as closely as she was to Michael and would never betray either of them.
The same could not be said for Tess. Tess wanted Max. He was [I]all[/I] she wanted. She didn't care at all about the rest of them Liz knew. It was why she had so readily believed Future Max that Tess would leave. If she couldn't have Max, Tess would want nothing to do with the rest of them.
And they would all die as a consequence of it.
It was why Liz couldn't tell Maria the truth.
But, a small voice was beginning to prod her, she [I]could[/I] tell Alex. Alex, who loved Isabel, but who was beginning to accept that she would never love him in the same way. Alex, who was Liz's best friend first and stayed connected to the Czechs for her sake. Liz knew that Alex had a good sense of himself that he would not stay lost in the alien abyss if Isabel didn't want him. He would never tell their secret, but Liz knew that he could move on without any of them. He had never really bonded with either Max or Michael and he would never stick around to feel humiliated and hurt by Isabel. Liz knew that he was still hanging in there because of [I]her[/I].and Maria of course. He was watching out for their interests, was trying to keep them safe.
And, so, maybe she could tell Alex and she wouldn't feel so alone.
[I]You're not alone. You'll [/I] never[I] be alone.[/I]
Liz sat up abruptly, her heart in her throat, as the voice suddenly filled her head. It had sounded like he was standing right next to her but, as her eyes darted around the room frantically - fearfully - she could see that she was still the only one in her room.
[I]You're imagining things,[/I] she told herself. But she brought her arms up, wrapped them around her middle to suppress the shiver that ran through her.
Because she had recognized that voice. It was as familiar to her as her own - as familiar as Max's, his being the only voice that had ever touched her in the way the voice she had just heard had.
It was that fact alone that told her who the voice belonged to, who it was that had reached out to her across whatever distance separated them.
"Will."
Liz closed her eyes and reached out for him, tentatively, but no longer afraid. Somehow she just [I]knew[/I] that he would never hurt her.
She was not at all surprised when she simply [I]found[/I] him, so easily it was as though she had just called him on the phone.
[I]Liz.[/I]
It went beyond anything she had ever experienced with anyone. So clear, so right.
So [I]not[/I] right!
The thought slammed into her as her unseeing eyes suddenly focused on the set of pictures tucked into the mirror across the room. She and Max, smiling, laughing.
Meant to be.
Common sense returned to her instantly. The minute her eyes focused on Max's beloved face, smiling, trusting, [I]loving[/I] her.
What the heck was wrong with her?
[I]Liz?[/I] She could feel the question in his tone, the concern. He seemed to somehow [I]know[/I] that he was losing her.
"I.I can't! Please! Just leave me alone!" With that, she slammed her mind shut. She jumped to her feet and hurried out the door.
She knew now that something was not right with the new boy, that they had [I]not[/I] just made a random connection that morning. He was obviously not normal, had to be an alien. How else could he have done what he had just done?
And he had sought [I]her[/I] out. There was no question. Which could only mean that he was Max's enemy. Which made him [I]her[/I] enemy. Because, no matter what happened between the two of them, even if he never knew it again, she would [I]always[/I] side with Max.
But, because of Tess, because the current state of affairs between them was still so new and raw, he was not the one she could go to now, Liz realized as she practically ran back towards the school. She could not be near him right now. Neither of them could handle it if that morning had been any indication. As heart breaking as it was, Max might not even [I]believe[/I] her.
He thought she had betrayed him, that she had lied about everything that she had ever said to him. Why [I]should[/I] he believe her? It was so far- fetched, so crazy. Why would his enemies try to get to Max through her? She was an insignificant human. If anyone, it was Tess they wanted. Hadn't Whittaker already proven that once? They thought it was Tess he loved, Tess he would fight for.
For all Liz knew, that [I]was[/I] really the case now anyway. But she also knew that she was right. The new boy was trouble and Max had to know. She ignored the pang of disappointment that it was true - that the first person she had actually considered getting to know since falling into the alien abyss, turned out to be totally using her.
She shook her head, trying to clear it of the memory of Will's clear blue eyes. They had been so guileless, so sincere, so completely focused on her.
But, then, Tess had seemed innocent at first too. And, while she had not turned out to be their enemy (well, not Max's anyway), it was highly unlikely the same thing would prove true twice.
If Will Spencer could communicate telepathically, he was an alien. Plain and simple. And Max had to know, plain and simple.
She needed an intermediary.
There was only one person she trusted to make sure that Max believed it.
Isabel.
And there was only one way to get to Isabel - particularly if Max's sister had heard about Kyle and Liz, which she must have by now.
Alex.
Liz's relief was like a boulder had been lifted off of her shoulders. Because now she had the excuse she needed to tell Alex at least part of the truth. She would help her figure this out.
She wouldn't be alone anymore.
[I]You're not alone.[/I]
The memory of Will's voice sent another shiver down Liz's spine.
She ran faster.
Kate waited for her brother on the sidewalk outside the Crashdown.
He was speaking to the girl Jack was [I]sure[/I] was Rowena, another boy hovering over her, staring at Will suspiciously. He looked familiar, that boy. It took her a moment, but she finally placed him as the guy who had almost tripped over her following her encounter with Zan.
He was friends with Liz Parker? It was almost [I]too[/I] coincidental. Kate frowned slightly, moved deliberately so that Will would notice her.
Will's eyes met hers through the glass and he seemed to wrap up his conversation, because moments later he was through the door and at her side. They started walking, both in silent agreement that they wouldn't discuss what Will had done until they were sure they were alone.
"There's a park down the road," Kate told him after a few minutes.
"Okay."
She glanced at Will curiously out of the corner of her eye. He looked pensive and, if she was not mistaken, a little sad. Kate bit her lip, hoping that Rowena had not hurt him. He had been waiting for her for so long, never giving up hope that they would find her, even when it had seemed unlikely, if not impossible. When they had lost her in the Crash, it had seemed as though Will was doomed to repeat the tragedy of their past lives - that he would never have the chance to be with the girl he loved.
They finally reached the park. Kate was about ready to jump out of her skin, the questions for her brother piling up in her mind. "Well?"
"It's her." It was a simple reply, but the emotion in his tone more than reflected how deeply he had been affected by his encounter with the dark- haired girl named Liz.
"How could you tell?"
"Her eyes. They haven't changed a bit. It is [I]definitely[/I] her."
Kate remembered how she had recognized Zan immediately by his eyes as well. Interesting.
"Did she know you?"
There was a long pause. Kate looked at Will, worried for him. If she hadn't.It was going to break his heart. "I.I think she [I]knew[/I] me. There was a connection."
"But she didn't recognize you for sure," Kate pressed.
"No." Will let out a long sigh, slumped down onto a bench they were passing.
"Oh Will."
"But, it's not what you think," Will continued. "I don't think she even knows who she is. I don't think she even knows she's not human."
Kate frowned. "How can that be? That's impossible Will!"
Will rubbed a hand across his face. "I don't know Kate. I've been thinking.What if Ro was taken out of her pod too early? I mean, it would make sense, particularly if it was damaged."
Kate felt her eyes widen. "You mean."
"It wouldn't have had time to prepare her completely," Will said. "It makes sense. Our human half was the first to develop after all, then the alien, then our memories of our past life. If she was taken out too early."
"She might be more human than anything." The enormity of this hit Kate squarely in the ribs. She collapsed beside her brother. "If that's true Will, then she's of no use to us!" And she wasn't. Without her powers, Rowena could not complete their Four Square. Zan would win.
Will's head whipped around and he glared at her. "She's [I]still[/I] Rowena! It doesn't make one shred of difference whether she has gifts or not. Her soul is the same."
Kate stared at her brother. "I know it Will. I'm not saying I won't still love her, that you shouldn't. What I am saying is that she won't be able to help us." She narrowed her eyes at him. "You weren't looking for her to help us at all though, were you?"
"No." His voice cracked and he buried his face in his hands. "I [I]need[/I] her. I can't do [I]any[/I] of this without her. Not any longer. Not now that I know she's still here."
Kate grimaced. She had never seen her brother break down, not even in the first days after Rowena's death in their past life. He was always so strong. It wasn't until this moment that she realized that he had remained strong because of the hope that he would find his true love again. That if he endured, they would earn the right to be together.
And now Rowena did not remember him. She did not even remember who she was.
Not used to comforting him, Kate awkwardly brought her arm up around his shoulders and patted him lightly. "We can make her remember Will."
They say in silence for a moment longer. Kate didn't know what else to say to make her brother feel better. She didn't like him like this. It scared her. He was always the strong one, the one who led. What if this thing with Rowena affected him to the point that he couldn't function? What if [I]she[/I] had to lead?
She needed to snap Will out of this, immediately if not sooner.
"I saw Zan." She said it bluntly, expecting the reaction she got.
"[I]What?[/I]" Will's head raised and he looked at her in disbelief. "What are you talking about?"
"I went to the school to find you," Kate admitted. "I ran into him." She grimaced. "Literally. I.I think he recognized me."
"Oh hell! Kate! There goes the advantage of surprise. What the hell were you thinking?" Will demanded, jumping to his feet.
"What were [I]you[/I] thinking?" Kate countered. "We agreed we wouldn't seek Ro out until we had the granolith in our possession. And, then, the first think you do once we reach this town is seek her out? How bright was that move?"
"I couldn't help it," Will grumbled. "I just.I just had to see her, had to make sure." He sighed, started pacing. "Well, tell me."
"He's definitely playing up the normal teenage boy angle," Kate admitted. "Nicholas was right about that. I never thought that Zan would be able to mask his arrogance enough to pull it off, but he has."
"Hmmmmm." Will looked thoughtful. "I never did get a chance to ask Liz about her connection to Zan." He paused. "I guess we should get used to calling them by their Earth names. Max Evans." The name rolled off Will's tongue like a curse. "Well, this just means we're going to have to speed things up."
"I guess. Do you think the others will be as easy to sniff out?"
"Likely. Hiding in plain sight. It's actually pretty smart," Will admitted grudgingly. "I don't know why our protectors never thought of it."
Kate knew exactly what he was talking about. They had been well hidden in the countryside until the disaster at Copper Summit, their protectors feeling it unwise that they become too attached to the world of humans since they were not destined to stay on Earth for any great length of time. Their people had been sent out far and wide in search of Zan and the others. They hadn't even known that they had been found until they were called to Arizona.
Their protectors had been in Copper Summit for the Harvest. They had been amongst the first to die when it failed. Kate knew that there were still many Skins alive, but it was only a matter of time until their protective sheathes gave out, until the three of them were all alone on this planet. For the first time, she regretted ever wishing they could have had more freedom, that they were not so dependent on others.
Now they had all the freedom in the universe and they were screwing it up already.
But they [I]had[/I] found Rowena. That was something at least.
"What are we going to do?" Kate asked now, trying to mask her fear.
It didn't take her long to realize that Will wasn't even listening to her though. He had a strange expression on his face. He was staring off into the distance and clearly wasn't at all focused on her. Kate stared at him. "Will?"
"She's crying. I just.I felt her." He sounded amazed. "She's.she's lonely." He closed his eyes, seemed to be concentrating even harder.
"Will!"
His eyes snapped open. He looked disappointed. "She shut me out."
"Who?"
"Rowena of course."
"You just connected with her?" Kate blinked. "Without even trying?"
He smiled, suddenly smug. "It's Ro. I just [I]felt[/I] her."
Kate scowled. He knew she had always been jealous of how easily Rowena had been able to connect with people in their past life. It was her special gift, one which they could all access, but not like Ro. Ro had just understood others and, so, it has always been easy for her. It was why she had been such a great queen.
"So if she connected with you."
"It means she can still access her powers." Will finished. He looked at Kate again. "There's only one thing to do Kate."
Kate felt her heart start to beat more quickly. She had a feeling she wasn't going to like this at all.
"We're going to tell her the truth."
Liz was not immediately sorry for what she had said to Alex. She was too upset and confused, as she stormed up the stairs to her family's apartment, for that to occur.
It wasn't until she had slammed her bedroom door and her eyes went instantly to the photo of she, Alex and Maria sitting on her vanity that she even understood the completely unfair nature of what she had told her best friend.
He was only worried about her. She [I]knew[/I] she wasn't acting like herself. How could she even pretend to be the Liz Alex knew and loved when she didn't even know who that was anymore? She was living a lie, because of what Future Max had asked her to do, and it wasn't just affecting [I]her[/I] or Max anymore. It affected everyone she cared about - including Alex, who had every right to wonder what was going on with her.
After all, the last time she had behaved so weirdly around him, she had been hiding a secret - the truth about Max, Michael and Isabel - that was almost too big for her to deal with on her own. It had been too hard. She had felt overwhelmed by the three of them, knowing that Max would never hurt her, but certainly not knowing the same about Isabel or Michael. It was why she had had to tell Maria the truth and, then, Alex. It had balanced things out, had made it three and three, had made it so that she could cope. Max had Michael and Isabel to depend on and she had Alex and Maria. Because what had been happening between Max and Liz had just been too big for them not to need people to lean on - too all-encompassing.
It had been so right and, yet, so frightening at the same time, and, now, Liz knew why. What she and Max had set in motion the day they first connected had been the beginning of the end of the world. A countdown had started that day - fifteen years to go.
Maybe that knowledge had been there for both of them from the start, on some deeper level, and they had just ignored it, too wrapped up in the way the made each other feel. Maybe it was why Max had tried so hard to stay away from her at first. Maybe it was why she had walked away from him at the pod chamber that day.
Whatever.
Liz sighed heavily, flopped back on her bed. The point of all this was that Alex had been there for her through it all, even when he hadn't known the truth. It was more than she could even say for Maria, who had been there largely for Michael after a while - in fact, almost from the very beginning. Not that Liz begrudged Maria that.But Alex had remained [I]her[/I] friend first and foremost, behind [I]Liz[/I] through it all, even in spite of his connection to Isabel.
Liz knew that if Alex ever had to choose between she and Isabel, he would pick Liz. She didn't know if that would be the case with Maria anymore, not that Liz could fault her best friend for that. Hadn't she picked Max over Alex for a long time? But Liz had to be honest with herself about Maria. She was so tangled up with Michael, had even bonded with Max over the summer. Maria would stay loyal to the aliens now, even if Liz didn't. Liz even understood.
She knew what it was like to love someone with your whole soul after all.
But this pertinent fact was also why Liz couldn't tell Maria the truth about Future Max. Maria would try to convince her that just telling Max the whole story would fix everything. Maria would not understand that if Max knew the truth, Liz knew he would never rest until they got back together, which would still result in Tess leaving and would still bring on the end of the world. Maria would think that love could conquer all. Because wasn't that what was happening to Michael and Maria? In spite of all of his protestations that they couldn't be together, Michael and Maria [I]were[/I] together in every way that counted.
Liz knew the truth though. Love could not conquer Tess Harding. Michael and Maria had the luxury that Isabel didn't want to be with Michael any more than Michael wanted to be with her. Isabel wouldn't leave. Isabel was bonded to Max just as closely as she was to Michael and would never betray either of them.
The same could not be said for Tess. Tess wanted Max. He was [I]all[/I] she wanted. She didn't care at all about the rest of them Liz knew. It was why she had so readily believed Future Max that Tess would leave. If she couldn't have Max, Tess would want nothing to do with the rest of them.
And they would all die as a consequence of it.
It was why Liz couldn't tell Maria the truth.
But, a small voice was beginning to prod her, she [I]could[/I] tell Alex. Alex, who loved Isabel, but who was beginning to accept that she would never love him in the same way. Alex, who was Liz's best friend first and stayed connected to the Czechs for her sake. Liz knew that Alex had a good sense of himself that he would not stay lost in the alien abyss if Isabel didn't want him. He would never tell their secret, but Liz knew that he could move on without any of them. He had never really bonded with either Max or Michael and he would never stick around to feel humiliated and hurt by Isabel. Liz knew that he was still hanging in there because of [I]her[/I].and Maria of course. He was watching out for their interests, was trying to keep them safe.
And, so, maybe she could tell Alex and she wouldn't feel so alone.
[I]You're not alone. You'll [/I] never[I] be alone.[/I]
Liz sat up abruptly, her heart in her throat, as the voice suddenly filled her head. It had sounded like he was standing right next to her but, as her eyes darted around the room frantically - fearfully - she could see that she was still the only one in her room.
[I]You're imagining things,[/I] she told herself. But she brought her arms up, wrapped them around her middle to suppress the shiver that ran through her.
Because she had recognized that voice. It was as familiar to her as her own - as familiar as Max's, his being the only voice that had ever touched her in the way the voice she had just heard had.
It was that fact alone that told her who the voice belonged to, who it was that had reached out to her across whatever distance separated them.
"Will."
Liz closed her eyes and reached out for him, tentatively, but no longer afraid. Somehow she just [I]knew[/I] that he would never hurt her.
She was not at all surprised when she simply [I]found[/I] him, so easily it was as though she had just called him on the phone.
[I]Liz.[/I]
It went beyond anything she had ever experienced with anyone. So clear, so right.
So [I]not[/I] right!
The thought slammed into her as her unseeing eyes suddenly focused on the set of pictures tucked into the mirror across the room. She and Max, smiling, laughing.
Meant to be.
Common sense returned to her instantly. The minute her eyes focused on Max's beloved face, smiling, trusting, [I]loving[/I] her.
What the heck was wrong with her?
[I]Liz?[/I] She could feel the question in his tone, the concern. He seemed to somehow [I]know[/I] that he was losing her.
"I.I can't! Please! Just leave me alone!" With that, she slammed her mind shut. She jumped to her feet and hurried out the door.
She knew now that something was not right with the new boy, that they had [I]not[/I] just made a random connection that morning. He was obviously not normal, had to be an alien. How else could he have done what he had just done?
And he had sought [I]her[/I] out. There was no question. Which could only mean that he was Max's enemy. Which made him [I]her[/I] enemy. Because, no matter what happened between the two of them, even if he never knew it again, she would [I]always[/I] side with Max.
But, because of Tess, because the current state of affairs between them was still so new and raw, he was not the one she could go to now, Liz realized as she practically ran back towards the school. She could not be near him right now. Neither of them could handle it if that morning had been any indication. As heart breaking as it was, Max might not even [I]believe[/I] her.
He thought she had betrayed him, that she had lied about everything that she had ever said to him. Why [I]should[/I] he believe her? It was so far- fetched, so crazy. Why would his enemies try to get to Max through her? She was an insignificant human. If anyone, it was Tess they wanted. Hadn't Whittaker already proven that once? They thought it was Tess he loved, Tess he would fight for.
For all Liz knew, that [I]was[/I] really the case now anyway. But she also knew that she was right. The new boy was trouble and Max had to know. She ignored the pang of disappointment that it was true - that the first person she had actually considered getting to know since falling into the alien abyss, turned out to be totally using her.
She shook her head, trying to clear it of the memory of Will's clear blue eyes. They had been so guileless, so sincere, so completely focused on her.
But, then, Tess had seemed innocent at first too. And, while she had not turned out to be their enemy (well, not Max's anyway), it was highly unlikely the same thing would prove true twice.
If Will Spencer could communicate telepathically, he was an alien. Plain and simple. And Max had to know, plain and simple.
She needed an intermediary.
There was only one person she trusted to make sure that Max believed it.
Isabel.
And there was only one way to get to Isabel - particularly if Max's sister had heard about Kyle and Liz, which she must have by now.
Alex.
Liz's relief was like a boulder had been lifted off of her shoulders. Because now she had the excuse she needed to tell Alex at least part of the truth. She would help her figure this out.
She wouldn't be alone anymore.
[I]You're not alone.[/I]
The memory of Will's voice sent another shiver down Liz's spine.
She ran faster.
Kate waited for her brother on the sidewalk outside the Crashdown.
He was speaking to the girl Jack was [I]sure[/I] was Rowena, another boy hovering over her, staring at Will suspiciously. He looked familiar, that boy. It took her a moment, but she finally placed him as the guy who had almost tripped over her following her encounter with Zan.
He was friends with Liz Parker? It was almost [I]too[/I] coincidental. Kate frowned slightly, moved deliberately so that Will would notice her.
Will's eyes met hers through the glass and he seemed to wrap up his conversation, because moments later he was through the door and at her side. They started walking, both in silent agreement that they wouldn't discuss what Will had done until they were sure they were alone.
"There's a park down the road," Kate told him after a few minutes.
"Okay."
She glanced at Will curiously out of the corner of her eye. He looked pensive and, if she was not mistaken, a little sad. Kate bit her lip, hoping that Rowena had not hurt him. He had been waiting for her for so long, never giving up hope that they would find her, even when it had seemed unlikely, if not impossible. When they had lost her in the Crash, it had seemed as though Will was doomed to repeat the tragedy of their past lives - that he would never have the chance to be with the girl he loved.
They finally reached the park. Kate was about ready to jump out of her skin, the questions for her brother piling up in her mind. "Well?"
"It's her." It was a simple reply, but the emotion in his tone more than reflected how deeply he had been affected by his encounter with the dark- haired girl named Liz.
"How could you tell?"
"Her eyes. They haven't changed a bit. It is [I]definitely[/I] her."
Kate remembered how she had recognized Zan immediately by his eyes as well. Interesting.
"Did she know you?"
There was a long pause. Kate looked at Will, worried for him. If she hadn't.It was going to break his heart. "I.I think she [I]knew[/I] me. There was a connection."
"But she didn't recognize you for sure," Kate pressed.
"No." Will let out a long sigh, slumped down onto a bench they were passing.
"Oh Will."
"But, it's not what you think," Will continued. "I don't think she even knows who she is. I don't think she even knows she's not human."
Kate frowned. "How can that be? That's impossible Will!"
Will rubbed a hand across his face. "I don't know Kate. I've been thinking.What if Ro was taken out of her pod too early? I mean, it would make sense, particularly if it was damaged."
Kate felt her eyes widen. "You mean."
"It wouldn't have had time to prepare her completely," Will said. "It makes sense. Our human half was the first to develop after all, then the alien, then our memories of our past life. If she was taken out too early."
"She might be more human than anything." The enormity of this hit Kate squarely in the ribs. She collapsed beside her brother. "If that's true Will, then she's of no use to us!" And she wasn't. Without her powers, Rowena could not complete their Four Square. Zan would win.
Will's head whipped around and he glared at her. "She's [I]still[/I] Rowena! It doesn't make one shred of difference whether she has gifts or not. Her soul is the same."
Kate stared at her brother. "I know it Will. I'm not saying I won't still love her, that you shouldn't. What I am saying is that she won't be able to help us." She narrowed her eyes at him. "You weren't looking for her to help us at all though, were you?"
"No." His voice cracked and he buried his face in his hands. "I [I]need[/I] her. I can't do [I]any[/I] of this without her. Not any longer. Not now that I know she's still here."
Kate grimaced. She had never seen her brother break down, not even in the first days after Rowena's death in their past life. He was always so strong. It wasn't until this moment that she realized that he had remained strong because of the hope that he would find his true love again. That if he endured, they would earn the right to be together.
And now Rowena did not remember him. She did not even remember who she was.
Not used to comforting him, Kate awkwardly brought her arm up around his shoulders and patted him lightly. "We can make her remember Will."
They say in silence for a moment longer. Kate didn't know what else to say to make her brother feel better. She didn't like him like this. It scared her. He was always the strong one, the one who led. What if this thing with Rowena affected him to the point that he couldn't function? What if [I]she[/I] had to lead?
She needed to snap Will out of this, immediately if not sooner.
"I saw Zan." She said it bluntly, expecting the reaction she got.
"[I]What?[/I]" Will's head raised and he looked at her in disbelief. "What are you talking about?"
"I went to the school to find you," Kate admitted. "I ran into him." She grimaced. "Literally. I.I think he recognized me."
"Oh hell! Kate! There goes the advantage of surprise. What the hell were you thinking?" Will demanded, jumping to his feet.
"What were [I]you[/I] thinking?" Kate countered. "We agreed we wouldn't seek Ro out until we had the granolith in our possession. And, then, the first think you do once we reach this town is seek her out? How bright was that move?"
"I couldn't help it," Will grumbled. "I just.I just had to see her, had to make sure." He sighed, started pacing. "Well, tell me."
"He's definitely playing up the normal teenage boy angle," Kate admitted. "Nicholas was right about that. I never thought that Zan would be able to mask his arrogance enough to pull it off, but he has."
"Hmmmmm." Will looked thoughtful. "I never did get a chance to ask Liz about her connection to Zan." He paused. "I guess we should get used to calling them by their Earth names. Max Evans." The name rolled off Will's tongue like a curse. "Well, this just means we're going to have to speed things up."
"I guess. Do you think the others will be as easy to sniff out?"
"Likely. Hiding in plain sight. It's actually pretty smart," Will admitted grudgingly. "I don't know why our protectors never thought of it."
Kate knew exactly what he was talking about. They had been well hidden in the countryside until the disaster at Copper Summit, their protectors feeling it unwise that they become too attached to the world of humans since they were not destined to stay on Earth for any great length of time. Their people had been sent out far and wide in search of Zan and the others. They hadn't even known that they had been found until they were called to Arizona.
Their protectors had been in Copper Summit for the Harvest. They had been amongst the first to die when it failed. Kate knew that there were still many Skins alive, but it was only a matter of time until their protective sheathes gave out, until the three of them were all alone on this planet. For the first time, she regretted ever wishing they could have had more freedom, that they were not so dependent on others.
Now they had all the freedom in the universe and they were screwing it up already.
But they [I]had[/I] found Rowena. That was something at least.
"What are we going to do?" Kate asked now, trying to mask her fear.
It didn't take her long to realize that Will wasn't even listening to her though. He had a strange expression on his face. He was staring off into the distance and clearly wasn't at all focused on her. Kate stared at him. "Will?"
"She's crying. I just.I felt her." He sounded amazed. "She's.she's lonely." He closed his eyes, seemed to be concentrating even harder.
"Will!"
His eyes snapped open. He looked disappointed. "She shut me out."
"Who?"
"Rowena of course."
"You just connected with her?" Kate blinked. "Without even trying?"
He smiled, suddenly smug. "It's Ro. I just [I]felt[/I] her."
Kate scowled. He knew she had always been jealous of how easily Rowena had been able to connect with people in their past life. It was her special gift, one which they could all access, but not like Ro. Ro had just understood others and, so, it has always been easy for her. It was why she had been such a great queen.
"So if she connected with you."
"It means she can still access her powers." Will finished. He looked at Kate again. "There's only one thing to do Kate."
Kate felt her heart start to beat more quickly. She had a feeling she wasn't going to like this at all.
"We're going to tell her the truth."