A/N: I meant to put this up on Monday but I got really busy at work. Thanks for reading and Please Review :)

Face to Face

Tess looked across the dark room at Ava who was sleeping on the other side of the couch. They planned on leaving tomorrow for Estel's house. She'd given her a call earlier, alerting the kind woman to her arrival. Ava tried to talk Tess out of this, saying she hadn't planned it enough but she remained grounded. Tess wasn't going on plans or preparations, she was going on pure instinct and so far that had led her to her son and the truth.

Tess rose from the couch and laid Zan on one of the cushions. She realized that she hadn't told Max that Zan was safe, and with her. She was bursting to tell him the truth about everything but something was holding her back. She was worried how the others would take the news. So many of them hated me and killing Alex gave them a reason to. What will they do once they realize it was all a lie? She shook her head, resolving not to care. It was really Max and Kyle's reactions she cared the most about; and she hoped Isabel and Michael would accept the truth easily.

Tess stood silently as she closed her eyes and began focusing on finding Max's aura. Her arms rose from her sides slightly as she reached out with her mind and found herself walking towards him.

"Max," her voice was soft.

"Tess," Max said. He stood still for a moment, unsure of what to say. "We're on our way to New York to find Zan."

"He's safe," she smiled slightly. "He's with me now." Tess took a deep breath and exhaled. "It's a long story but Ava has been taking care of him."

"Ava?" Max questioned. "Why did she have him?"

"She was keeping him safe." Tess paused as her mind raced with thoughts, "from Rath and Loni."

"What do Rath and Loni have to do with this?" Concern spread across his face. "Did they try to hurt Zan?"

Tess nodded. "Before he was even born."

"What are you talking about?" Max was confused by her vague words.

"Loni set me up Max," Tess blurted out, not knowing how to ease into this part of the conversation. "She fooled everyone, even me into believing I killed Alex but it's not true."

"You can't change what you did to Alex by lying," Max said in a firm tone. "What's done is done."

"She did something to my mind and she used Ava to do it!" Tess exclaimed.

"I don't have time for this Tess," Max was becoming irritated. Although he really didn't put anything past her this was unbelievable.

"Max listen to me," Tess pleaded. "I know how much this is to take in but if you'd just give me a chance to explain…"

"Explain what Tess?" Max was now yelling. "How I should trust you again so you can deliver me to my enemies!"

"Max…" Tess began but he did not let her finish.

"I can't believe I was actually worried about you," Max shook his head in disgust. "That you would use Zan..."

"I would never use my child!" Tess was yelling back at him, furious that he wouldn't give her a chance to explain. "Don't worry about me Max and don't worry about my son; I'm taking care of the threat myself."

"What threat?" Max's emotions were a mixture of concern and anger. "Is Zan okay?"

"He will be," Tess replied coldly.

"What does that mean?" Max asked, seeing the fear hiding behind her eyes.

"It means I don't need you and neither does Zan," she spat. "We'll be just fine Max." And with that, Tess broke the connection and her form disappeared.

"Tess," Max awoke in the airplane, calling out her name.

"Max," Liz reached over to him.

"I think he's really in danger and I don't think Tess will be contacting me again," Max said in a distraught tone, "ever."

"What happened Max?" Liz asked quietly.

"I blew it." Max kept seeing the look in her eyes before she disappeared. He'd seen her display many emotions: fury, anger, passion, sadness but never this. "I've never seen her look afraid and Liz I saw fear in her eyes."

"You're still not telling me what happened," Liz pressed.

Max looked at her thoughtfully, not wanting to upset his wife with Tess' words. "I accused her of using Zan."

Liz just sat silently, waiting for him to continue.

"She was trying to convince me of her innocence," Max said vaguely.

"Innocence of what?" Liz asked.

Isabel, who was sitting in front of them, had been listening to everything and perked up at the word "innocence." She turned around in her seat and whispered, "She told you about Alex, didn't she?"

"What about Alex?" Liz's tone changed completely.

"How did you…" Max was cut off by Isabel.

"I dream walked her and in her dream she was so happy we finally knew the truth," her tone was sarcastic.

"The truth about what?" Liz huffed.

"She said she didn't kill Alex," Max replied. "She said Loni did something to her mind."

"Her mind?" Isabel repeated then shook her head. No, it couldn't be.

"You're not considering this?" Liz stared at her husband. "Max, come on."

"No," Max turned to see a thoughtful look on Isabel's face. "You are?"

Up a few rows sat Michael, Maria, and Kyle. The three of them kept looking back; wondering what the looks on Max, Isabel, and Liz's faces were.

"I wish I knew what they were talking about," Maria squirmed in her seat.

"Well I'm going to find out," Michael rose from his seat.

"Michael, you can't just get up and start roaming around through a plane." She pursed her lips and gave him her signature 'No Michael' look.

"When the fasten seatbelt sign is off you can go to the bathroom," Kyle replied.

"Kyle," Maria shot a look in his direction, then back to her boyfriend. "You can't…"

"Watch me," Michael cut her off. "Kyle, stay here with Maria."

"Where does the guy think I'm gonna go?" Kyle shrugged as Michael walked over to the other three, who were still enveloped in their conversation.

"What the hell's going on?" Michael questioned.

"Isabel is explaining to us why she's taking Tess' side against Alex," Liz's voice was full of anger even though her tone was quiet. "He was a good guy and he didn't deserve to die like that. He was my best friend and…"

"Would you stop acting like you are the only one who lost him?" Isabel ran a hand through her hair. "We all lost Alex; we all loved him."

"Then why are you taking her side?" Liz questioned.

"I'm not!" Isabel exclaimed then quieted as she saw everyone turn around to look at her.

"This isn't solving anything," Max stated firmly.

"I'm sorry sir but you're going to have to take your seat." The stewardess walked up to Michael.

"Hey Man," Michael tapped the boy next to Isabel who was bopping his head up and down, music blaring through his speakers.

"What's up?" The young man pushed one headphone off his right ear.

"Can you trade seats with me?" Michael asked.

"Please," Isabel batted her eyes at him.

"Whateva," he replied while smiling at Isabel.

Michael pointed to the seat next to Maria and the boy grabbed his walkman and moved.

"Sir," the stewardess pressed.

"I'm sitting," Michael scooted in the now vacant seat and looked over at Maria who was giving him a dirty look.

The stewardess continued walking up the aisle.

"Is there something the three of you want to share?" Michael leaned against the seat, facing sideways.

"Something's wrong with Tess," Isabel stated blankly.

"We all know there's something wrong with Tess," Michael looked at them like they were all crazy. "What's your point?"

Max looked between Liz and Isabel before speaking. "Tess says Loni and Rath set her up and she didn't kill Alex."

"What?" Michael scratched at his eyebrow.

"I," Max exhaled a long breathe before continuing. "I lost my temper and she told me she'd take care of the threat herself; then she broke the connection."

"So we're sure Zan really is in danger then?" Michael questioned.

"I saw fear in her eyes Michael," Max replied. "She's telling the truth about Zan."

"And about Alex?" It was a question.

"I don't know," Max looked over at Liz, waiting for her reaction which she gave readily.

"Why are we taking her at her word?" Liz was trying her best to stay calm but she felt like exploding. "She admitted to killing Alex! She mind warped Kyle into carrying the body!"

"What makes you believe her?" Michael was with Liz, this just didn't make any sense.

"I don't believe her," Max sounded like he might be trying to convince himself too.

"Something happened to her mind Michael," Isabel turned towards him. "I don't know how to explain it; I could just feel it."

"So what are we saying here?" Michael looked between the three of them. "Zan's in danger and the only real link we had to finding him is a murdering liar or an innocent scapegoat who either way isn't talking to us."

"Maybe she'll talk to me," Isabel replied. "I'll visit her in her dreams and show her I'm willing to listen."

"So you believe her?" Liz was dumbfounded. "Great, this is just great."

"Liz," Max looked at her, silently pleading for her to be okay with this. "We're out of options."

"Fine," Liz breathed out deeply. "But I still don't trust her."

Ava awoke to a rustling sound in the room. She picked her head up and peered through the dark at a figure moving back and forth across the room. It was Tess. She was pacing as she mumbled inaudible words underneath her breath.

"Tess," Ava spoke through the darkness. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Her response was short as she continued to pace, still mumbling.

Ava fluffed her pillow and turned her head to lie down as she felt Tess' weight on the edge of the couch. Ava rolled to the side, propping herself up on her elbow.

"Do they think I'm just going to wait around until they come to their senses?" Tess began speaking into the air. "I didn't ask to be set up."

Ava sat up and looked at her patiently, allowing her to vent.

"I mean Liz tells him I'm a murderer and in two seconds he goes from the man planning a future with me and our child to the man who wants me dead!" Tess was finally letting her emotions spill out. "And I tell him the truth and he won't even hear me out." She took a labored breath. "I mean, I wasn't expecting let's pick up where we left off, but I wasn't excepting this."

"What were you expecting then?" Ava asked, trying to sound comforting even though she was tired.

"I don't know," Tess shook her head back and forth. "I guess I expected him to care."

"He'll come around," Ava gave a half smile. "They all will."

"They're coming here," Tess said.

"To New York?" Ava saw Tess nod. "Are you going to wait for them, to take Zan for you?"

"No," Tess stood up, making her way to the other sofa. "They don't trust me and I don't trust them; I trust you."

"Thanks," Ava smiled. "You should get some rest."

Tess picked up Zan and laid him down on the couch, placing her son on her chest. "Goodnight Ava."

"Goodnight Tess."

Isabel stood in the cramped space, unintentionally leaning into the sink. She wasn't a fan of flying, seeing how the first time she was in an aircraft it crashed. Her non memory of the event was irrelevant.

She stared down at the picture in her mind, focusing on Tess' face. She hoped no one would knock on the bathroom door and interrupt her from making the connection. She lightly touched her fingers to the petite blonde in the picture and closing her eyes, let her mind reach out to find Tess in dream state.

It took a few moments but she was in. Isabel could feel the damage done to Tess' mind and it scared her. She pressed on and soon found herself standing face to face with her.

"Tess," Isabel was unsure of what she should say.

"What are you doing here?" Tess asked. After Isabel gave no response she said in a calm voice, "Max told you."

Isabel nodded. "Who did this to you?"

"You believe me then?" Tess tried to sound nonchalant but deep inside she hoped at least one of them would. She was surprised it was Isabel.

"I can tell that someone has," Isabel struggled to find the right word, "tampered with your mind."

Isabel's gliding over the question did not sit well with Tess. "Then you don't believe me?" Tess squinted before rolling her eyes.

"I don't know what to believe." She was being honest. "I am willing to listen to you though."

Tess stood for a moment. That's more than Max was willing to give me. She shrugged. "It all started the last time I was in New York, after the summit…"

Isabel listened to every word: How Loni connected to Tess, how Ava manipulated her memories after she was threatened, and how Loni killed Alex. She told her how Nicholas was involved, Leanna was a skin, and now there was another alien on Earth searching for her.

After Tess was through and all of Isabel's questions were answered, she broke the connection. Isabel hoped she convinced Tess to wait for them but she wasn't sure she had. What she did get was Tess' location, at least for now.

She stood for a moment in the cramped space; taking in everything she'd been told. She wasn't sure if she believed that Tess killed Alex or not but she believed that Tess believed it. If this is a setup, I don't think she's behind it. But what do I tell the others; how do I convince them that we should trust her?

Max looked around the car, thinking there were less people on the subway then when he last rode the train. There were still people talking, laughing, sleeping, and some who just kept to themselves but it was definitely less crowded. They were all standing towards the end of the car where there was open space for wheelchairs on one side and luggage on the other.

He'd zoned out of the conversation for a moment, letting his mind run over everything that Isabel told them. Had we really been wrong about Tess all this time? It was a thought that shook him to his core. She stood by me, saved us from the skins and we may have delivered our greatest ally to our enemies.

...They aren't my enemies...

He could still hear the conversation in his head, when she admitted to him that she made a deal and now Isabel was telling him, them, that this all could've been a setup.

"Max," Michael's voice cut through his thoughts. "Are you listening?"

"Yeah," Max nodded. "Go ahead."

"I was thinking about the tapping," Michael continued. "Tess mind warped people before but no one was ever tapping or anything. If they did something to her…" He let the sentence trail off. "Am I the only one who found that a little weird?"

"Maybe that was a little too convenient," Max said solemnly.

Liz looked at Max but said nothing.

"Well maybe this is a little too convenient now," Maria replied.

"Well maybe it's not," Kyle's voice was slightly louder than everyone else's. "Maybe the reason she was so convenient was that even your dupes could tell how you all really felt about her." Kyle's emotions were running high and he couldn't seem to stop himself. "None of you ever really cared about her."

"That's not true Kyle," Max's tone was quiet but you could hear the annoyance in his voice.

"It was obvious how you each felt about her," Kyle couldn't help but lash out. She was innocent all along. "You all used her for your own benefits."

Max didn't like the way he said 'benefits' and he scowled at Kyle.

"How were we supposed to know she hadn't betrayed us? She admitted it." Michael uncrossed his arms. "You were the one who told us she was guilty."

"If you hadn't come to the pod chamber that day, none of this would've ever happened." Isabel ran a hand through her hair, regretting the last comment. "Kyle," her tone was softer now.

"No, you're right." He took a shaky breathe. "I wish I could change what happened." Kyle shook his head. "She was my sister; I should've known."

"How could you?" Liz finally spoke, her tone endearing."None of us knew; none of us know now."

"Tell me when we get to the stop," Kyle turned and walked a few rows down, sitting in a seat.

Liz started to walk after him when she felt someone grab her arm.

"Let me," Isabel said softly, then moved towards Kyle.

The rest of the train ride was pretty much silent. It didn't take them long to find the building that Tess described. After entering, they stopped dead in their tracks as they looked around the shoddy room.

"She's actually staying here?" Maria questioned, kicking a piece of wood that she'd stepped on.

"What if something's happened Max?" Liz could feel the glass crunching underneath her feet.

"Wait here," Max said firmly. "I'll check upstairs."

Tess sat in the middle of the floor in indian style, trying to feel out the link that Loni had to her. Her chest began to heave as she drew in short gasps of air and sweat beads formed on her brow. Tess took a sharp breath in as she started to see images of Loni, a dark blue car, Rath, a road, and then Loni again. Tess could feel she was coming. When it was over, her body felt a little uneasy. Tess had never experienced a flash without connecting to someone first but then she thought, maybe I did? Maybe I'm learning to make the connection go the other way.

She pushed the strands of hair that were now sticking to her forehead back and rose up from the floor. She heard the knob rattle slightly. Tess whipped around suddenly with her palm in the air as she heard the door open.

"Tess," the figure in the doorway stood rigidly.

She lowered her arm. "Hello Max."