Maria was going to be singing later that night, and she had invited everyone to the club. They would all have to leave early to get there since it was out of town. Nevertheless, she was excited as a big shot from a record company was going to be there. She had hopes.

Max was sitting with Liz at a sub shop having lunch. He found it hard not to tell her what he had been told by Isabel. After all whom would she tell? He sat there eating, lost in her warm eyes, and soft smile. He planned to go back home just before dark and talk to Michael before he tried to heal him. He had to know.

"Max, are you still with me?"

Max saw her waving a chip in front of his nose, and he smiled. "Yes. I was just thinking about kissing you."

Liz's smile got brighter, as he reached over and entwined her fingers with his. "Before I go back to work you can have that kiss."

"Liz, how is Maria taking Michael being gone?"

Liz looked surprised, she hadn't expected him to ask, as none talked about Michael. It was almost as if it was forbidden. ""Why have you heard something from him?"

"No, I haven't heard from him." Well it was true he hadn't heard from him, Isabel had. It didn't count that he was lying in her closet, sleeping.

"Well she was upset when he just disappeared like that. She thought he really cared about her. However, I happen to know that she has her eye on Kyle now. She says he doesn't need as much training as Michael did. I still don't understand why he left as he did. He didn't even tell you."

"No he didn't. But then I wasn't talking to him at the time." He remembered the argument he had had that day with Michael. He had yelled at Michael for trying to contact Antar, and Larek. After all he could have ended up with their greatest enemy showing up. Michael had said he wanted to go home, for he didn't belong on Earth. It wasn't as if he had any family or future there. He had even thought Isabel would go with him to Antar. But Max doubted that, why would she? After the shouting match, Michael had stormed off, and Max had not seen him again.

Max remembered finding Isabel crying in her room holding the letter from Michael. He had been angry that Michael had taken off without his permission. Then he had told Isabel what had happened earlier that day. He had rarely seen her that angry over anything. But she jumped up fire in her eyes, and she had told him off with hot angry tears in her eyes. She stood toe to toe with him, and reminded him at least Michael was trying to do something. He wasn't weak like him. That had stung coming from her. She had not spoken to him for a month after that. The icy princess was back, at least with him.

"Max, I have to get back to work, walk me back?"

Max stood up, and waited for her. They walked out the door and down the hot pavement. He had to talk to Michael.

OOOOOOOO

Isabel went home and went up to her room. Then she went and shut her curtains, and went to the closet. Opening it, she looked down at him. He lay there quietly, and looked peaceful. She went down on her knees, and reached out and with a feather light touch she touched his face, and then ran her fingers through his hair. It was nolonger spiky; it came to the middle of his ear. She liked the look.

She came to realize she read the letter just how important he was to her. How much she loved him and always had. She loved him more than anything, and knew that she had been fighting a battle she couldn't win. He was her other half, and without him she could not exist. She would not push him away again. She would not let any other woman have him either. He was hers.

She still had the letter that he wrote her. In it, he had confessed his feelings for her. Apparently thinking he would never see her again, he found he could write it all down. He loved her, and had since he first saw her just out of the pod, and in the other life also. He'd love her through all the lifetimes to come. But he had also said he thought he wasn't good enough for her. He had ended his letter with hopes she would find someone who was worthy of her, who could give her all the things she wanted and deserved. But he was all that she wanted, or needed. The rest didn't matter.

She stood up, and closed the door. She heard her mother calling to her. She had some errands she had to run for her. Isabel left her room, and went downstairs. She couldn't wait until dark.

OOOOOOOOOO

It was after seven when Isabel returned home, and rushed upstairs. Opening the bedroom door, she found no Michael, and when she opened the closet, she found it empty. 'Where are you Michael?'

It was then she saw the note on her bed, and went over to read it.

Babe, have gone for a bite to eat. Will return later this evening. Go with the gang for the evening, and I will talk to you later. XO, Michael

Isabel didn't want to go out with the gang. But she didn't want to sit home alone either. Therefore, with a wave of her hand she was dressed for the night out. She heard Max in his room and went to knock on his door.

OOOOOOOO

The club was packed and the music loud. All the gang was here except for Michael. Isabel had danced with a few of the guys that had asked her. But she felt kinda left out. Liz and Max were at their corner table, making her ill with their behavior. Kyle was dancing with Maria between sets. She wished she hadn't come.

She went up to the bar and ordered an iced tea. The bartender eyed the beautiful blond and smiled rogishly at her. She stood watching the dancers, as a man over to the right moved over as the bartender placed the glass on the counter. He switched the glasses and moved off. He waited.

Isabel turned and picked up the glass. She was hot and thirsty from dancing, and drank the whole ten ounces of the drink. She motioned to the bartender for another one. She was going to take it to a quieter spot. She picked up the glass, and started to move away from the bar. The room seemed longer than before. She felt strange. She put the glass down and glanced towards where the ladies room was. A little cool water on her face should do it. She began to move that way. Why was the ladies room so far away? She could hear voices, but could not make out what they were saying. Faces around her changed form, like a fun house mirror. As she came down the hall, she pushed the exit door and went outside. She took a deep breath, it didn't help.

"I have got to get out of here. I need to go lay down." However, there was no one to take her home. She looked at the silver Jag not three feet away, she walked over to it. Opened the door, and with her powers started it up. She pulled out of the parking lot and headed towards home. Her vision trained on the twin lights that lit the road. Unaware that she was weaving.

OOOOOOOO

Michael came to the cave, and entered and stopped. Lying on the stone floor was Isabel. He rushed over, went to his knees, and lifted her up against him.

"Isabel?" He ran his fingers through her hair.

She didn't stir and he touched her neck, and found her pulse but it was slow and thready. "Isabel? Come on wake up. What is wrong?" Her lips parted slightly, and he could smell the alcohol. "Damn it Iz, you know better." He could feel she was in danger, and he knew without a doubt she was dying. "No damnit you are not going to leave me!"

He grabbed her pocketbook, opened it, and took her cell phone. Opening it, he pushed a button and waited.

OOOOOOO

After calling Max, Michael sat on the cold stone floor holding Isabel in his arms. Her breathing was coming slower, and she had turned pale. He didn't think she could last until Max arrived. He placed his hand over her stomach, and he closed his eyes, concentrating. A glow began to surround them.