A/N: Sorry it has taken so long to update for those of you who are reading this. Please review... it's always nice to have feed back. Italics are internal thoughts or dreams.

Searching

Liz stretched across the bed, slowly awakening from her slumber. She reached over to touch Max, but found his side of the bed empty. Liz rubbed her eyes as she drowsily sat up to look around the dark room.

"Max," she called, hoping he was near.

When she heard no response, she slid out of bed and exited the bedroom, walking clumsily down the hall. She peeked around the corner to see Max and Michael through the sliding glass door of the patio. Things looked intense between them and Liz felt she'd better see what was going on.

"You wanna run that past me again Maximillion," Michael stared at his friend. "Cause I'm not sure I heard you right the first time."

"I said…"

"Hey," Liz interrupted, stepping onto the patio. "I woke up and you weren't there. Is everything okay?" She shot a worried glance between the two of them.

"Yeah," Max nodded. "We were just talking about your vision, right Michael?" He looked to his friend for help.

"Right," Michael squinted at him from behind Liz. "Coming up with a plan."

"Great," She turned towards Michael. "Let's hear it."

"There's nothing concrete yet," Max answered for him. "We can discuss this tomorrow, I think we could all use some sleep."

"I was thinking the same thing." Michael gestured toward the door. "I'm going to check on Maria."

Liz waited until Michael left before saying anything. "You weren't really talking about my vision, were you?"

"Michael just wanted to talk." He cupped her face, gazing at her. He hated lying to her but he had to make sure it was real before he alarmed Liz. "Let's go inside."

"To sleep?" she asked playfully, pulling at his shirt.

"I hope not," Max smiled at Liz and took her hand, leading her back to bed.

Michael retrieved the OJ from the fridge and began drinking right from the carton. He struggled to wrap his mind around Max's words.

I think she's alive…Tess.

He thought back to the day they'd found out Tess killed Alex; that she had betrayed them, and was leading Max and Isabel into Kivar's hands. His mind raced .

She died blowing up the military base. How could she possibly be alive? Max had to be mistaken. Tess had to be dead!

He put the almost empty carton back in the fridge, deciding he'd worry about this tomorrow. Michael crept to his room, and closed the door behind him, careful not to make a sound. He pulled back the covers and slid into bed silently.

"What's wrong?" Maria spoke suddenly.

"I didn't know you were awake," Michael sat up. "Did I wake you?"

"I was waiting for you to come back." Maria rolled to her side, facing him. "What happened?"

"Nothing," Michael paused. "It's just Max, he was thinking about Zan."

"He hasn't really mentioned him much since he gave him up." She propped herself up on her elbow.

"What can he say?" Michael shrugged nonchalantly.

"Are you sure that's all?" Maria looked at him deeply.

"Yes Maria," He bent down to kiss her on the forehead. "It'll be fine in the morning." He hopped he was telling her the truth.

Michael slid down into the covers. Maria laid her head on his chest, clutching her arms around him. She knew it wasn't the whole story, but she accepted the explanation. Maria was too tired to pry and figured she'd get it out of him tomorrow anyway. Michael wrapped his arms around her, each holding each other tightly until they fell asleep.

Tess sat by the window and looked out into the darkness. She sensed her son needed her, but how could she convince Max to help her. She opened the window and hopped out, walking the vast field that was painted before her. The stars spread through the heavens, their silver lights twinkling above her; but she no longer looked for home in the night sky. She no longer had one.

Tess came upon a stream and bent down to run her hand back and forth through the cool water. She looked around at the dark sky and this field, the scene becoming strangely familiar to Tess. She felt as if she'd been in a place like this before. Tess concentrated, trying to remember and suddenly she felt a sharp pain between her eyes. Tess fell onto the ground and began to have a flood of visions. Lonnie, Rath, Ava, Alex, Herself. There were all in a shack of some sorts, together, in an open field like the one she lay in now.

"What's he doing here?" Ava questioned, pointing to the young man tied up in the corner. "I thought we only needed her."

"Oppie here is smart," Loni replied. "We need him to decode the book."

"I'm not helping you with anything!" Alex yelled, tugging at the ropes that bound him to a chair. He looked to his friend, lying on the floor. "Tess! Wake up!" Alex turned back to his captors after he saw no movement. "What have you done to her?"

"You're gonna figure out that book," Rath bent down in front of Alex. "Or we're gonna figure out you."He slammed his fist into his hand.

"Fix his mind!" Loni barked. "Alex here is going on a little trip."

"I don't want to do this, please." Ava's eyes filled with water but she wouldn't cry. "I don't want to be part of this."

"Oh but you are," Rath wrapped his arm around her forcefully. "Unless you wanna split like Zan did."

"You know I'll find you." Loni smiled crookedly, stroking the smaller girl's cheek. "I found you this time, I'll find you again." She shoved Ava's head to the side.

"You can be free," Rath looked down at her, "after you do your part in this."

"And you'll leave me alone?" Ava looked between the two of them.

"Yeah, fine." Rath released his grip.

"What about her?" Ava pointed at Tess.

"She won't remember any of this when we get through with her." Loni leaned over the blonde lying on the floor. "Who's the queen now?"

Tess came out of her vision and pushed herself from the ground. She tried to make sense of this memory flash.

Had Loni and Rath sent Alex to look for the book? Why then do I remember sending him?

Tess rubbed her head; it was still pounding from the intense pang she felt before she fell to the ground. Her mind was jumbled with thoughts of Zan, Max, and the other aliens. She ran back up to the house to gather her strength, and rest for the journey ahead. She had to find her son. She had to find out the truth. Tess decided in that instant, she was going back…

Back in Oregon, the six of them sat in the living room bouncing ideas of one another, trying to figure out what Liz was seeing.

"Has anybody even considered the possibility that we're being set up?" Isabel finally spoke. "You did say this vision was different than the others."

"I really don't think that it is," Liz replied.

"But what if she's right," Maria leaned against the couch.

"Who else could be sending the visions?" Kyle questioned.

"Just a wild guess here but maybe an alien," Maria shrugged.

"They could be setting up a trap." Isabel put her hand on her forehead, pushing her hair back. "The skins, or whoever, and we could be just walking into it."

"The skins are dead! Te…" Max stopped himself. "They're dead okay."

"Nicholas came back when you went to the summit," Isabel continued. "Who says there aren't more of them out there, just waiting for us?"

"This isn't getting us anywhere," Max looked around the room at all the anxious faces. "We all have to be cautious but I think we should find out where this vision leads."

"Max is right," Michael replied. "We'll go check the convention center, see what we can find out."

"Max is right?" Isabel scoffed. "That's always interesting coming from your mouth Michael."

Max shot her a glance. "So Michael and I will check it out," His words ended the meeting. Max walked out to the balcony as everyone else dispersed and went along with their morning routines. He looked out into the sky, thinking of his son. He heard the door open from behind him. "Thanks for backing me up in there. I…" Max stopped mid-sentence as he turned around. "Is!"

"Expecting someone else?" Isabel peered at him. "Max, what's going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you and Michael never agree on anything," Isabel stepped closer to him, putting her hand on the railing. "Never about anything that has so many holes in it. Now what is going on?"

"You don't have to worry." Max began to change the subject. "But I am worried about you."

"You're not getting out of this that easy." She rolled her eyes.

"Seriously," Max looked at her thoughtfully. "I've never known you to be so paranoid."

"Do you remember what happened the last time we walked into a trap?" Isabel raised her voice, frustrated. "You died Max!"

"I came back Is," Max half-smiled, trying to reassure her.

"What if it's not so easy this time?" Isabel was worried. "You're my brother, my home."

"Nothing's going to happen to any of us, I promise." Max embraced his sister tightly. "Everything's going to be okay."

"Maximillion," Michael called from the sliding glass door. "We have to go."

"Michael," Isabel released her brother, turning to look at her friend solemnly. "Be careful."

"Don't worry." Michael smiled at her before turning to leave.

Max gave Isabel a quick glance before following behind Michael. He hurriedly caught up to him, following Michael to a parking lot and a new black jeep.

"Where did you get this from?" Max raised his eyebrow.

"I borrowed it," Michael tossed the keys at him.

"From who?" Max questioned.

"Maxwell, we'll return it later." Michael hopped in. "Don't worry; it was silver when I borrowed it."

Not feeling up to arguing with Michael and sick of the van himself, Max caved, shaking his head and getting in the driver's seat. They sat in silence for most of the ride.

"Do you think Isabel could be right," Max suddenly blurted out, "about the visions?"

"Maybe, who are you thinking?" Michael paused, already knowing the answer. "She's dead Maxwell."

"I'm not so sure she is Michael." Max pulled the jeep into the Convention Center parking lot. "That dream, it was so real."

"But it was a dream." Michael wasn't sure if he was trying to convince Max or himself.

"What if it wasn't?" Max parked the jeep. "She said that my son is in danger."

"How would she know that?" Michael questioned. "Say she is alive, what, now she's got mother's intuition?"

"She loves Zan." Max's statement shocked him self.

"She loved you too," Michael replied, "and look how that turned out." It was harsh, but he couldn't let Max forget who they were dealing with.

Michael's words stunned him for a moment. He didn't want to admit it, but it hurt. "I just want to make sure that my son is safe," he said after a long beat.

"Is that what this is really about?" Michael asked. "Or is this about Tess?'

"This is about my son!" Max exited the jeep. "This is not about her."

Michael got out after him.

"If there's even a chance that my son is in danger, I have to find him." Max's tone was softer than before. "I gave him up to keep him safe, to spare him everything we've gone through. What if that was the wrong decision? What if I just made it easier for our enemies, my enemies, to find him? I have to make sure he's okay. If you don't want to be involved, that's fine but I'm going to do this."

"Where do we start?" Michael conceded.

"Right after we find out what's going on with the Convention Center."

Maria sat in her room strumming her guitar. Michael brought it for her when they were in Fremont, shortly before they had to leave. She hummed along to the chords, playing a melancholy tune. Maria missed her mother and surprising to her, she missed being stuck in Roswell.

"I miss it too," Liz stepped into the doorway.

"Did you ever think I would?" Maria laughed. "I couldn't wait to get out of there and now…"

"Do you regret it," Liz sat down next to her best friend, "leaving with us?"

"No." Maria smiled slightly. "I just wish we didn't have to run."

"Me too, sometimes…" Liz replied. "But then I think of all the people we can help, and that makes it okay for me."

"And at least I have Michael." Maria grinned.

"You have me too," Liz replied, acting offended.

"That's not what I mean." Maria finally laid her guitar down. "You have Max, I have Michael, but Isabel and Kyle… they don't have anyone."

"It was so hard for her to leave Jesse behind." Liz shook her head. "And how is Kyle ever going to meet someone? I can't imagine being without Max."

"I can't imagine not arguing with Michael." She laughed.

"Is everything okay between you two now?" Liz asked, concern washing over her face.

"What do you mean?" Maria was confused.

"Max told me Maria," She paused, "about you and Michael fighting last night. He was so upset; he came to talk to Max."

"What!" Maria raised her eyebrows. "Me and Michael were not fighting, at least not last night."

"But Max said…" Liz trailed off, sitting pensively.

"Michael said Max was upset about baby Zan," Maria interrupted before Liz could finish her thought. "I can't believe they both lied to us."

"What could be going on?" Liz stood up. "We promised to be honest with each other, always. Why would he lie to me?"

"Do not say a word to Max." Maria stood in front of her. "You and I are going to figure out the truth here."

"Maria," Liz sighed deeply. "I don't know."

"Liz, it's me." Maria was being her animated self. "Have I ever steered you wrong? Wait… don't answer that."

Liz looked at her best friend, worried.

Tess poured the OJ in a glass. She retrieved the Tabasco sauce out of the cabinet, dashing in an ample amount. She drank half the glass quickly.

"Tabasco in orange juice?" Estel said coming from behind her. "That's a strange mix."

"It's my little quirk," Tess shrugged. "It's kind of a family thing."

"You're leaving?" Estel stated, more than asked the question. "Are you going to find your son?" Tess had told her about Zan, leaving out the extra terrestrial details.

"Yes," She replied. "He needs me. I have a feeling he's in danger."

"There's nothing like a mother's intuition." Estel replied. "What about his father; does he know that you're coming?"

"Not yet." Tess downed the rest of the spicy liquid. "He's sort-of moved on." She remembered looking down from the granilith as it took off. Max had not wasted any time, he was already holding Liz in his arms as she was leaving, pregnant with his child. She tried to block the memory from her mind. "He actually moved on a while ago."

"I see." Estel smiled at her, seeing the pain in the young girl's eyes. "You remind me so much of my daughter Emma."

"Really?" Tess leaned against the counter.

"She was beautiful, a free spirit like I can tell you are." Estel shook her head. "But she always had this sadness about her, and I think that got her into a lot of trouble."

"What happened to her?" Tess was genuinely curious.

"She passed on." Estel held back tears. The thought that her daughter was gone always made her want to cry. "There was an accident."

"I'm so sorry." Tess was a little surprised that she meant it. The last year and a half had hardened her and she seldom allowed herself to give in to human emotions, at least she tried not to.

"Sometimes when you feel you don't belong, you do things to make sure you won't." She placed her hand atop of Tess'. "Be careful."

"I will." Tess started to feel uncomfortable.

"I'll get you some clean clothes before you leave," Estel patted her hand before turning to walk away.

After Tess took a shower, she put on the clothes that Estel had given her. She also gave her a bag with a couple more outfits in it and money for a bus ticket. Estel told her if she ever needed anything, she could always return. Tess was moved by the sentiment, but knew she wouldn't be back. Earl dropped her off at the bus station where she bought a one way ticket to Roswell, New Mexico.

Tess looked out of the window of the bus, thinking about what it meant going back. Will I still have people looking for me? Are they after my son? Her mind filled with memories of the only place that semi felt like home to her; of the people who had meant so much. It still was hard for her to believe she'd betrayed them. She shook her head, blocking away this flood of thoughts, choosing instead to ball up in her seat, and fall asleep. Deep in slumber, Tess began to hear voices reverberating.

At first they were distant, but they soon became crystal clear. The sky rumbled, as if to open up and swallow the Earth whole, while rain pounded on the outside of the roof. She felt disoriented, as if she'd been put in a trance of sorts. Tess couldn't move, yet she heard everything around her.

"Did you do it?" Loni sat in a chair, slouched back.

"Yeah," Ava replied, her eyes full of fear. "He thinks he's on his way to Sweden tomorrow."

"Did anyone see you?" Rath grabbed her arm, jerking the petite girl.

"No." Ava shook her head fiercely. "No one saw me and if they had, I looked like Tess."

"Everything has to be done perfectly," Loni smiled crookedly. "First we get the book, then the granilith, and then we go home."

"And you're sure Alex can decode it?" Rath let go of Ava. "I mean, he's human. What does he know?"

"He's like a super nerd." Loni laughed. "Nicholas said Alex was the one."

"Hey," Rath pointed at Tess' lying body. "Is that retard moving?"

"Don't worry." Loni knelled down beside Tess. "She won't remember a thing." Loni placed her hand on the unconscious girl's forehead.

Tess awoke gasping for air, nearly falling out of her seat. She felt a sharp pain in between her eyes as they stung with tears.

"Are you alright?" A young lady across from her asked.

"I'm fine," Tess adjusted her self in the seat, "just fine."

Max searched the filing cabinet in the supervisor's office, looking for clues of anything that could be related to Liz's vision. He looked through the open cabinets one by one, finding nothing suspicious. Max had all but given up when he spotted a small locked cabinet on the side of the desk, away from the others.

Max put his hand over the lock, releasing the drawer with his powers. He opened the first drawer and scanned through the folders. In the very back of the cabinet, he saw a rolled up piece of paper. Max retrieved the document and spread it across the desk, using different objects in the office to anchor the corners.

It's a blue print. He quickly rolled it up and shoved it into his jacket, hoping it would aid them in their quest. Max relocked the drawers before retreating from the room and joining Michael.

"Did you find anything?" Michael asked as he peered around the corner, making sure it was safe.

"Maybe," Max replied. "We should get back to the others."

Max and Michael quickly made their way out of the Convention Center and headed back to the Silver Cloud Inn. Within a few minutes they were back in the hotel room and Max begun explaining why he took the blueprints.

"Look at the floor plan." Max was leaning across the table. "There's something underneath the Convention Center."

"Maybe it's just a basement," Kyle shrugged. "It could be an old fallout shelter or a storage unit."

"I feel like we're just drawing straws here." Maria pulled her hair behind her ears. "None of this makes any sense. Who blows up libraries? Who blows up Convention Centers?"

"No one," Isabel huffed. "We just need to stay away from the whole thing."

"And just ignore the vision?" Liz questioned. "We can't just walk away from this."

"Why not?" Michael paused as all eyes focused on him. "If Isabel is right and this is a set up…"

"Because that's not what we do." Max replied. "We decided we'd use our gifts to help people. Liz is right, we can't just walk away. I know this is a stretch but we have to explore every avenue."

"We're running out of time." Liz felt genuinely concerned for the people in her vision. "We are their only hope."

"There's a big convention coming up." Michael leaned forward on the couch. "It's a sci-fi convention, maybe it happens then."

"A sci-fi convention," Maria almost laughs. "When is it?"

"Ten days from now,' Michael answered.

"I'll go there tomorrow," Liz replied, standing up. "Maybe I'll get a vision from something."

"Okay." Max agreed. "Michael, you and Kyle go with her. Isabel and Maria, I'll need you two to see what you can dig up on these blue prints."

"What are you going to do?" Isabel questioned, still worried about her brother.

"I'm going to check out a few things on my own," Max said vaguely. "See what else I can find."

"I take it this meeting's adjourned," Maria said getting up. "So we can go?"

Max nodded, and everyone else began to get up, filtering out of the common room.

"Michael," Max turned around. "We need to go over a few things."

"What are you guys not telling us?" Maria whispered, grabbing Michael's arm. "What else is going on? "

"Maria," Michael looked down at her. "Not now."

"When then?" She looked up at him with doe eyes. She was more concerned than upset.

"After I talk to Max," He kissed her on her forehead lovingly. "Everything's going to be okay."

"I liked it better when you didn't say things like that," Maria let go of him, "and meant it."

Michael looked at her deeply, and then turned to meet Max, who was already standing outside. The two of them walked the grounds.

"Maria knows something's up," Michael spoke frankly. "I told her you were upset about being away from Zan but she knows. She always knows when I'm not telling her something."

"I told Liz you and Maria had another fight." Max stopped. "I hate lying to her but I can't make her worry if I don't know for sure." He exhaled deeply. "Liz is a wonderful person. She would never wish death on anyone but she was relieved to know that Tess was out for our lives for good. I can't… I won't worry her if I don't have to."

"You're not going to try a contact Tess are you?" Michael was worried. "Maxwell, are you crazy? She's dangerous, she betrayed us. We can find your son without her."

"I know Michael," Max replied. "I'm going to contact Valenti."

"What's Valenti got to do with this?" Michael questioned.

"When she crashed, where's the first place she went?" Max's question was rhetorical. "If she's alive, she'll go there again."

"And if she is alive," Michael paused, letting his own words sink in. "That still doesn't mean you can trust her. I say we let her stay dead Maxwell. Where's she been all this time?"

"I don't know." Max shook his head. "Let's hope this was all just a dream."

The bus pulled into the parking lot of the bus station, just as the sun was setting. Tess grabbed her bag and quickly exited, her eyes scanning everywhere for the premise of danger. No dogs, no armed forces, no men in black, she thought to her self, finding the last one comical. She stretched her arms towards the sky, taking the beautiful view of the sunset in. Tess took a deep breath, smelling the dry air and the scent of yucca flowers on the warm breeze.

She began to walk, not knowing where she was going to end up. When she finally stopped, she found her self in front of Valenti's house. Tess stared at the place that was once her home; she longed for the familiarity of it but knew she would not be welcome there. Valenti said he could no longer help her, and she understood his words. He had been like a father to her and she had betrayed his trust. Tess let one tear fall down her cheek before she turned away from the place she'd once known, and continued walking.

Tess could only think of one other place to go, The Evan's house. She wondered what Max told his parents about her; that she'd betrayed him. Taking her chances, she walked to the back of the house.

"Mr. and Mrs. Evans," Tess called by the back porch. "Diane! Phillip!"

Figuring no one was home, Tess walked up to the back door, unlocking it with her powers. She slid open the door cautiously and began to enter when she heard a rustling behind her.

"Freeze!" yelled a thin man, dressed in a brown police uniform.

Tess spun around to see the barrel of a gun pointed directly at her.