A/N: Hi-ya, how is everyone? This story takes place just after Alex's death but with a little twist, Max broke up with Liz and slept with Tess just before the death, but then got back together with Liz just after the fact. Anywhoo, here I go…
The Pod Squad and I-Know-an-Alien club were all sitting at the Crashdown, sipping some drinks after hours. The day's events had been taxing to say the least. Alex's funeral was the worst experience any of them had ever gone through…well, almost all of them. Tess Harding, former Queen Ava of Antar, sat amongst a group of people who she came to view as friends. They were all sitting around telling sad tales of Alex's life, reminding themselves of what he was like, as if they'd forget him after just having seen him only a few days before.
She smiled sadly, gazing at the people around her. Kyle, her brother of sorts sat beside her, listening intently to a story that Maria was telling of Alex and his band. Michael, her boyfriend for the moment sat behind her, massaging her shoulders in a comforting gesture. Liz Parker the once bane of her existence sat beside Maria, holding Max Evans' hand. Max, the king no more, soul mate of Ava, keeper of Tess' heart. He didn't even look at her, he couldn't, not with Liz sitting right there. Tess laughed to herself, Max only chose to see her when Liz wasn't there, he probably felt guilty for looking at all…
And then there was Isabel, sitting next to Max, fist pressed firmly against her mouth, tears in her eyes. Even now, her Ice Queen persona had yet to break. Tess looked at each of them, eyes watering with guilt.
"They can't know," she said to herself, "None of them can ever know. It would put us all in too much danger." She rested a hand on her stomach, the small life growing within her, Max's child. She couldn't believe she had been so stupid as to let that happen, Max seemed so sincere, but then Alex died and Liz needed him, and Tess was cast off to the side as always. She looked back up to the group, studying each of their faces, trying to memorize every feature. She absentmindedly rubbed her stomach, the child was ill, it needed Antar…at least it gave her more incentive to get it over with. The plan needed to be followed through, or all is lost. "I have to do this tonight."
Tess took a deep breath and stood drawing attention from the aliens and Kyle first. "um…" she started, "I'm…I'm going home." There she'd said it.
Kyle looked confused for a moment, before getting ready to get up, "Okay, let me just…"
"No," Tess interrupted, motioning him to stay seated, "I mean, I'm going home…to Antar…"
The group just stared at her as if she were crazy…well most of them. Liz and Maria looked happy, Kyle hurt, Michael and Isabel confused, and Max…well, she couldn't place Max's expression.
"What?"