Lost in the Crowd
Chapter IV

Quote of the Day:
Mick- Don't you watch the news?
Anton- I hate that fucking show.
Idle Hands

Author's Note: By removing the tracking bug from the motorhome, Kyle and Michael have managed to throw the Special Unit off of their tracks for the time being, but they aren't gone. I know that the gangs final destination is Bear Point, but they won't be getting there for a while yet. Hope you're all enjoying the ride. I have decided that this story is only the first in a series, that will eventually lead the gang back to Antar. I'll be bringing in three new characters in the second installment including Vi from BtVS, a skin who was a member of Courtney's faction and a transgenic.
A/N 2: TC Samuels, the reporter who wrote the article Isabel reads about in the RV, is one of my closest friends in real life. The Manager of the Hotel that the gang stays at in Fresno, Griffin Buser, is my best friend in real life. And the couple that Serena talks to at Sierra Vista Mall, Madeline Plaut and Tim Monet are old high school friends of mine. I'll have more appearances of my friends and family, as well as the occasional cameo from a character or two from my Virtual Series 'Darkstar', which will be airing in the late summer or early autumn of this year on VTV. The phone number that Tim gives Serena is the designations of Jondy, Syl and Max from Dark Angel put together with a zero before Max's..
A/N 3: While this story takes place in 2002 for continuity, for all intents and purposes, it's 2006, so that I can have the recently returned ECW in the story. Also, John Kerry is president cause he's my homeboy, kinda. LOL…. shrugs and tugs at collar of shirt nervously He's much better than Bushwhacker. Lastly the Hills Have Eyes + Tess- Nuff Said….
A/N 4: The returns of some old characters take place in this chapter, including Topolski and Duff.

June 6th, 2002
Last Stop Motel- Primm, Nevada
The next morning, the gang packed up what they had and got back on the road. Serena, Kyle and Tess piled into Serena's car, Michael, Maria and Oz got into Oz's van, Max and Liz took the SUV, and Isabel and Alex claimed the RV. Then the alien entourage headed out of the parking lot, this time bound for Fresno, California.

Serena's Car
"So how long do you think it will take us to reach Wolf Point, if we even end up there?" Serena asks, making conversation.
Tess and Kyle exchange a look, before Tess answers. "The way Michael does things, we probably wont even see Montana before August, at the earliest."
So what are we going to do before then?" Serena asks, shaking her head in confusion at why it should take two months to complete a week long trip. It's only about a thousand miles from here to Billings then a couple hundred more to Wolf Point, It doesn't make sense that we should waste all that time." She argues.
"Yeah, we know, but Michael's got his way of doing things and Max is too wrapped up in Liz to really care." Kyle says.
"Is that a hint of jealousy I hear, Mr. Valenti?" Tess jokes. Kyle waves his hands in denial.
"Jealousy? Me?" Kyle sputters. "Nah, I've been over it for two years."
Tess grins and turns back to Serena. "We'll probably head up through Yosemite, spend a few days there, then head over to San Francisco for a few more days, then northeast to Sacramento by June 20th, ohhhh Taproot will be playing there on the 21st. We gotta convince the others to go!" Tess exclaims, looking from Serena and Kyle, who both chuckle at her enthusiasm.
"So what are what is there to do in Fresno?" Kyle inquires, popping open a can of cherry cola, and pouring some Tabasco into it. Since Liz, Kyle, and Alex had changed they had started to exhibit some of the alien taste buds that they had previously found disgusting.
"Well, there's Chaffee Zoological Gardens, Sierra Vista Mall, and the Fresno Civic Center." Tess replies looking at a map. "I think Michael said something about an ECW event being held there on Tuesday. He'll probably drag us to go watch. If we're still in the area, that is."
"We got rid of the tracking bug and planted on a bus bound for Florida, so we should have thrown them off of our tracks for a while." Kyle announces. "Which means that we should be able to stay in one place for more than just a few hours like Sedona and Vegas."

RV
Alex is driving and Isabel is looking through an issue of USA Today from the week before.
"Whoa, we made the national news." Isabel exclaims, flipping through the pages of the newspaper. "Listen to this.' Are there real Aliens in Roswell? By TC Samuels. 'The stage was all set for the graduating class of 2002 from West Roswell High, where the trials and tribulations of the last four years would finally pay off for the hundred and thirteen graduating seniors. International Best-seller Bryce McCain was on hand to give the commencement speech and was about to start when he was met halfway by graduate Max Evans, 19, who according to McCain told him to leave for his own safety, then waved his hand over McCain's prepared speech, changing the text to mirror Evans' previous statement, and McCain complied, leaving the building. Evans then preceded to address the audience, and gave a lengthy speech, telling them that there were two groups at the ceremony that night, and that one was there to receive their diplomas and toss their caps in the air, and that the other group was there to say goodbye. He said that the group consisted of outsiders, and that He had to be who he really was and that some people might even find that frightening. As he spoke, the lights went out and several of Evans' fellow graduates were observed making their exits; Elizabeth Parker, 18, Alex Whitman, 19, Evans' sister Isabel, also 19, Maria Deluca, 18, Kyle Valenti, 18, and Tess Harding, 19, were found to be missing after the ceremony and all of them are believed to be members of the group described in Evans speech. Also missing is one Michael Guerin, 18, who is also believed to be with Evans and the others. At the end of Evans speech, a motorcycle flew into the auditorium, and screeched to a stop in front of Evans, who jumped on and he and the mystery driver (believed to have been Michael Guerin) sped off into the unknown. No leads as to the whereabouts of the eight Roswell Natives, but investigators have not stopped looking. We'll have more on the situation as it develops.'" Isabel reads aloud.
"Well it's a good thing that we changed our appearances, or else half the country would be on a manhunt for us." Alex says, and Isabel nods in agreement. She turns the page and sure enough, there is a strip of pictures in a row. From left to right; the still black and white images of Maria, Herself, Max, Michael, Tess, Liz, Kyle and Alex look up at her.
"I wonder if they'll ever just let us live in peace. Isabel wonders aloud.
Alex pulls her over for a kiss on her forehead. "It's gonna be alright Izzy, We'll get through this, we always do."

Washington D.C.
White House- Oval Office
President John Kerry, Special Agent Susan Duff and Agent Kathleen Topolski are in conference.
"These kids you suspect of being alien, have done nothing to us." Susan Duff exclaims at Topolski in anger. "You attack them and they ran. They didn't fight back. Roswell. Sedona. Los Vegas. Everytime you cornered them, they ran. We must seek out an alliance with these people."
John Kerry scratched his head in thought. "What I'm trying to understand here Kathleen, is while Susan raises a good point, I'm still trying to figure out why you have such a vendetta against this Max Evans and his friends." He asks after a moment.
"With all due respect, Mr. President, I don't feel the need to explain my motives for wanting to detain Evans and his group for questioning." Topolski says, scathingly.
"Well I'm sorry that you feel that way and I'm sorry that I have to do this, but…" Kerry trails off, glancing at Agent Duff. "Kathleen Topolski, you are hereby absolved of any duties as the head of or pertaining to the Special Unit of the FBI."
"You can't do that!" Topolski shrieks in outrage.
"The papers have already been signed. You have shown yourself incapable of making honest, unbiased decisions. Your interest in Evans in the others is personal, and in my opinion, unhealthy. The rest of the unit will undergo psychological testing to stay in the employ of the division. The last thing I need is the body of an innocent gunned down by the government, alien or not. Agent Duff, I am naming you as the temporary head of the Unit, permanent office pending." Kerry says. "Topolski, I'll need you to clear out. Agent Duff and I have matters to discuss."
Topolski storms out of the Oval Office, muttering aznd cursing under her breath. This was not the last time that Max Evans would be bothered by her, not by a longshot.

Fresno
Hideaway Hills Hotel
The Four vehicles that the gang has in their possession pull into the parking lot of the Hideaway Hills Hotel and everyone gets out and stretch, then congregate in front of the front entrance.
"Any idea how long we'll be staying, or should we just keep all the luggage in the cars?" Kyle quips sarcastically, recalling their last two 'pitstops' in Sedona and Vegas. Tess punches his arm playfully.
"No, I think that this place'll be okay to hang out for a few days, now that the tracker bug is on a bus heading for Florida." Michael puts in and Max nods.
"We'll stay for a week or so, then continue north to Yosemite." Max says. "Unless anyone else has any other ideas."
The group all soon agrees with what Max has suggested and make their way into the hotel.
Michael and Maria lead the way into the lobby of the hotel and make their way over to the front desk.
"Hello, I'm Griffin Buser, the manager of this establishment. How many rooms will you be needing during your stay here?" The man behind the counter asks.
"Do you have royal suites?" Liz asks, and the man nods.
"Yeah, we have five suites on the top floor, each have three bedrooms, and it's a hundred fifty a night." Griffin replies.
"We'll take two of them." Max says.

Royal Suite #1
Kyle, Tess, Serena and Oz are led into the large room by a bellhop. Kyle tips him and he leaves their luggage in the main foyer, then walks out, shutting the doors behind him.
"So what are we gonna do? I don't want to spend the whole time cooped up the hotel." Serena says.
"We could go check out the mall, maybe catch a movie." Kyle suggests.
"We could go see the Hills Have Eyes movie, I heard that it got goo d reviews." Tess puts in hopefully.
The other three quickly agree and Tess goes to tell Max and the others that they're taking Serena's car and going out for some much need relaxation time.

Sierra Vista Mall
The front sliding doors open and Tess, Kyle, Serena, and Oz walk in. They go over to where the movie theater is and check the times.
"It doesn't start for an hour and a half." Tess notes. "What are we going to do until then?"
"I'm sure I can figure something out." Kyle says suggestively, kissing Tess's neck.
"Not in a crowded mall Valenti." Tess says. "We wait until we get back to the hotel room."
"Oh oh oh, there's a Bertucci's here. We have to go, they have the best brick oven pizza there." Serena points out.
"Yeah they do." Oz agrees "I haven't been to one of those since I was in Boston last year." Oz says.
The four friends head over to the resteraunt to eat before going to the movie.
About forty-five minutes later, the four of them walk out, Oz heading for the Record Town across the hall, while Tess and Kyle going over to find a spot to make out, and Serena walking over to the CVS to buy a pack of cigarettes. She buys some Marlboro reds and heads outside to smoke one.
She leans up against the building wall and lights the cigarette. Taking a drag, she glances around the exterior and sees a young couple who look about twenty or so coming over.
"Hey, d'ya have an extra stog?" The guys asks, and Serena nods, pulling out her pack and handing a cigarette to each of them.
"Thanks." The girl says appreciatively. "I'm Maddie, and this is my boyfriend Tim."
"Serena." Serena introduces, and the two of them nod.
"Nice name." Tim comments. "You're not from around here are you?"
"Nope, I'm from Indiana, originally. I'm traveling with some friends. I'm only gonna be around for a few days." Serena answers.
"Well, there's this killer party going down tonight at my place. You should come. Bring your friends." Tim invites.
"Yeah, I'll pitch the idea to em." Serena replies. "What's your number?"
"(210)701-0452" Tim answers and he and Maddie finish their cigarettes and leave as Serena lights another cigarette.
Tim and Maddie walk inside the mall.
"She doesn't deserve it." Maddie says sadly. "She was nice."
"It doesn't matter. She'll be the last one, then Pete will be off our backs." Tim says, although he looks just as distraught.

Later
Serena and Tess come walking out of the movie theater, arms linked. Kyle and Oz come out behind them.
"So what are we going to do now?" Tess asks. "I'm too wired to go back to the hotel right now."
"I got an invite to a party earlier, we could go check it out." Serena tells them.
" Sounds like fun." Oz says.
"Yeah, lets go." Kyle nods.
Serena pulls out the piece of paper that she wrote down Tim's number on, and dials it on her cell phone. After a few rings Tim picks up.
"Hello?" Serena hears him say.
"Hey it's Serena from the mall." Serena answers. "I was wondering if that invitation to the party still stands?"
"Uh, yeah. It's at 743 Spruce Street. Take a right at the road heading north away from the mall and you can't miss it." Tim tells her. "It's already started, so you can't miss it."

Royal Suite #2
Max, Liz, Alex and Isabel are sitting in the lounge, watching an episode of Darkstar on Tv.
"Man, I just can't get over the fact of how much Allison, Trish, Andrew, Hunter and Erika look like Tess, Me, Kyle, Michael and Serena. It's unreal." Isabel says.
"Hey, shouldn't someone call Tess and the others, make sure everything is okay?" Liz asks.
"Nah I'm sure they're fine." Max says. "They'll call if something happens."

Tim's House.
Serena pulls the car into the car filled driveway of 743 Spruce and shuts the motor off. The four friends get out of the car and walk up to the entrance. Serena rings the door bell, and after a few moments a man wearing a ski mask opens the door and points a gun at the foursome menacingly.
"Welcome to the party, any sudden moves and you die, kapiesh?" The masked man sneers. "Now get inside!"
To Be Continued…..

Part V: Hybrids versus the Mob

In This Chapter: Tess, Kyle, Serena and Oz take a stand against local gangsters in Fresno who have been extorting money and killing people who refuse to pay up. Liz has a vision of Antar. Agent Duff contacts Jim Valenti at the behest of the President.

Quote of the Day:

Dante: I don't have enough indignities in my life and people start throwing cigaretees at me.

Veronica: At least they weren't lit….

Clerks

Tim's Mansion

Serena pulls the car into the car filled driveway of 743 Spruce and shuts the motor off. The four friends get out of the car and walk up to the entrance. Serena rings the door bell, and after a few moments a man wearing a ski mask opens the door and points a gun at the foursome menacingly.

"Welcome to the party, any sudden moves and you die, kapiesh?" The masked man sneers. "Now get inside!"

Tess, Serena, Kyle and Oz exchanged a quick glance, then make their way inside the house quickly. The gunman shuts and locks the door behind them and pushs the gun into Tess' back urging her forward. She squeals in fear and hurries forward. One of Kyle's hands go behind his back, forming a small fireball, while he brandishs the other at the gunman.

"Don't you ever point that fucking thing at my girlfriend!" Kyle yells at the masked man.

The man turns the gun on him, jabbing the tip of it against his chest. "You wanna play hero and die kid?"

"Nah. Been there, done that." Kyle says looking at the gun aimed at his chest.

"What do you want!" Serena asks, and the gunman looks away from Kyle for a moment. Kyle's reaction is instantaneous. He shoots off a blast of fire that causes the masked man to drop the gun in pain. Oz kicks it away and grabs the man by the throat.

"How many more people are there in here with guns?" Oz demands.

"What the hell are you people!" the gunman wheezes, not answering. Oz squeezes harder. "Okay..Okay, there's six other guys. Three in the living room, two watching the place from a car up the street, and one having his way with our late host Tim's girlfriend Maddie."

"You sick fuck." Serena sneers, punching him unconscious. Oz loosens his grip and the man falls to the floor.

"What do we do?" Kyle asks. "There's other people here who are going to need help. We should do something. Help the hopeless or something."

Tess nods her head in agreement. "We take them out and send their gang a message not to mess with the downtrodden. Everyone get ready for a fight."

Royal Suite #2

Michael and Maria are sitting in the lounge, watching Braveheart. Michael has a pad of paper in front of him and is tallying the number of deaths in the movie, trying to get an accurate count.

"We should go out and do something. I'm sick of being cooped up in hotel rooms and the cars all of the time. We finally have a few days to relax and you're watching Braveheart… for the five millionth time." Maria complains.

"We'll some one has to stay here and mind the phone in case Tess or Issy or Max calls with an emergency." Michael defends.

"Whatever. Fine, stay here. I'm going out." Maria says getting up. She grabs her coat and leaves the room, letting the door slam shut behind her, unaware of the look of longing that Michael throws her. After a moment he gets up and walks over to the phone. He quickly dials a number that is written down on a piece of paper.

"Hello, is this ticketmaster?" Michael asks. "Yeah, I'd like to purchase ten front row seats to the ECW show at the Fresno Civic Center for tomorrow. No the money is not going to be an issue."

Chaffee Zoological Gardens

Max and Liz are walking across a bridge, over looking the panda exhibit below. They're walking hand in hand a nd have big smiles on their faces.

"So I was wondering if you wanted to set a date yet, for our marriage?" Max asks Liz after leading her to sit on a bench.

"Whenever you want to do it, I'm all for it." Liz replies. "God knows that we could use some good morale in the group. We've only been out of Roswell for barely a week and I'm already tired of running. I wish that this had never happened."

"If we hadn't left Roswell, Serena would still be looking for answers, and Oz, well he wouldn't have Serena." Max reminds her and Liz nods, a smile tugging on the corners of her mouth. The grin quickly fades as a vision hits her and she swoons.

FLASH

Liz is standing in the bridge of what appears to be an alien spaceship. Max, Michael, Maria, Isabel, Alex, Tess, Kyle, Serena, Oz, a guy with short dark hair, a woman with long brown hair and a redhaired girl who looks to be about the same age as Liz. All thirteen of them are looking out the front window of the ship, a golden planet looming in the horizon in front of them. Liz looks down at her watch, and sees that the date is September 28th.

END FLASH

"What happened?" Max asked with concern.

"We're going to Antar." Liz tells him

"What?" Max exclaims stunned. "All of us? When?"

"Yes, all of us, Serena and Oz included, and there were three more people with us that I didn't recognize. We're going on or before September 28th."

"That's barely three months." Max acknowledges. "We should get married soon, or they might want me and Tess to reclaim our thrones as King and Queen together."

"We'll get married when we reach San Francisco." Liz promises, and she and Max kiss.

"We should call the others, and tell them about your vision." Max says, picking up his cell phone. Liz snatches it away and pockets it.

"There's always time for that later." Liz says bring her mouth up to meet his in a passionate kiss.

Roswell, New Mexico

Sheriff's Office

The recently reinstated sheriff, Jim Valenti is sitting behind his desk, looking through files he has on a recent homicide in the area. He looks up at the sound of the phone ringing and picks it up.

"Kyle? Tess?" He asks hopefully.

"I see you're looking for them too." Agent Susan Duff's voice says through the receiver. "Where are they Jim?"

"Ahhh, Agent Duff you don't call, you don't write." Jim says, with a slightly mocking tone.

"Don't get smart with me Valenti, I covered for your ass in Tucson. Now this whole thing has been blown wide open. The president has given me the go ahead to approach you on joining the new Special Unit of-"

"No." Jim replies shortly. "I refuse to have anything to do with that group of hate mongers. I met Pierce and saw what he was all about. He killed people, ruthlessly and emotionlessly. Agent Stevens, five innocent people at a psychiatric hospital, Kathleen Topolski."

"Kathleen Topolski isn't dead." Duff informs him. "She has been tracking your eight runaways, plus one Serena Crowley and one Daniel Osbourne, both of whom are believed to be different. She cornered them in Sedona and Los Vegas, both times they narrowly escaped. She's out for blood Jim, and she isn't going to stop."

Valenti sighed. "What is it that you need me to do?"

Forestiere Underground Gardens

Alex and Isabel are sitting on a park bench staring at the stars above them in the sky.

"Do you think that they'll send someone for us now that Kivar and Kilan are gone." Isabel asks Alex in a whisper.

"They are going to need someone to lead them." Alex tells her.

"I'm scared to go back, Tess was there for six months and she was tortured, beaten and starved. I don't want to go back to that." Isabel whispers. "I don't want to be Vilandra."

"You're not Vilandra. You're Isabel, you're my Issy." Alex assured her, and wrapped her in a tight hug as they continued to watch the stars.

Tim's mansion

Serena leads the way down the dimly lit hallway, plasma bursts charged up, Tess follows, her hand up and ready to blast away. Kyle's entire body is completely on fire, fireballs where his fists are and he's ready for a good old fashioned brawl. Oz has his automatic crossbow that he carries with him under his overcoat. They are about to go through what appears to be the entrance to the living room. Kyle stops them.

"I'll go first, you guys might want to cover your faces so that they can't get a positive identification of any of us." Kyle says and Tess nods, grabbing a nearby sheet and waving her hand over it, she turns it into three separate masks. She gives one to both Oz and Serena, who put them on promptly and slides the third over her own head. Kyle nods and kicks the door open.

Just as the punk said, there were three more gunmen in the room, and about seven hostages. They jump back in surprise at seeing a man completely enflamed walk into the room.

"Holy shit!" one of the men yells out in shock. "What the hell are you?" Seeing that Kyle doesn't seem to be in any pain.

"I'm the Human fucking Torch, bitch." Kyle sneers and blasts the man with a column of fire, sending him crashing through a wall. One of the other two men take aim at Kyle's head, but Serena hits the pistol with a plasma ball, melting the tip of it just as the man shoots, causing it to backfire and explode in the man's hand. He flies back and hits his head on a statue of Michelangelo. The third man makes a run for it, but Oz takes care of him, with a crossbow bolt to the back of each leg. He falls to the ground writhing in pain and one of the hostages grabs the gun and tosses it to Serena.

"Wow, you guys are heroes." A teenaged blonde girl says standing up. "Are you mutants like in the comic books or something?"

Kyle, Serena, Tess and Oz share a wry glance. "Not exactly." Serena replies. "Just a group of superheroes who happened to be in the neighborhood. Hey, where are Tim and Maddie?"

"They…. They killed Tim." The blonde girl says mournfully. "Maddie is upstairs with Burke. That guy is a fucking pig."

"Show us where he took her." Tess instructs. The girl nods, and starts to lead the way upstairs. Tess turns to Serena and Kyle. "You two get them out of here, and take care of those two goons casing the place."

Kyle and Serena nod, and lead the six hostages out. Tess and Oz follow the blonde girl up the staircase to the main bedroom. The three of them stop at the entrance.

"In there…" The blonde girl says and runs off to catch up to the others. Oz and Tess glance at one another, hearing the sounds of thrashing inside.

"Ready wolf-boy?" Tess teases and Oz shakes his head and raises his crossbow up, ready to fire if necessary. Tess raises her hand and blows the door off the hinges and sending it flying backwards into the room. The pair run into the room and find Maddie nude, bound and gagged to the bed, Burke on top of her thrusting. He doesn't seem to notice that Oz and Tess have entered the room. Oz fires off a bolt from his crossbow, and hits Burke in the back. Burke screams in pain and falls off the side of the bed. Tess runs over to where Maddie is tied to the bed and begins to unbind her.

"It's okay, I'm gonna get you out of here, and you're gonna be okay. Alright?" Tess croons and Maddie nods through the tears. Tess quickly unties the battered Maddie and helps her to stand, running her hand over the wounds inflicted on her by Burke and healing them. Tess is covered in sweat by the time she finishes. Maddie looks from her now flawless skin to a weary Tess, then to Oz, who is standing over Burke's prone body with the crossbow.

"Who are you people?" She asks in wonder.

"Friends." Tess says simply, and to her relief, Maddie nods.

"I won't say anything." She promises.

"Thank you." Tess says with a reassuring smile as she picks up a sheet and wraps it around Maddie.

Oz leads the way as Tess assists Maddie down the stairs, through the hallways, and outside where, to there horror several newsvans and a dozen squad cars are already waiting. Kyle and Serena are no where in sight, and several cops have their guns drawn and aim at Tess and Oz as they exit the building and start walking down the front walkway. A single shot rings out.

Tess, Oz and Maddie quickly check themselves to see if they've been hit. A second later a loud thump is heard behind them and the three spin around to see Burke lying on his side, a bullet hole in his head and an sixteen inch knife in his hand. He's dead.

Several police officers rush up to help out. They take Maddie away from Tess gently and lead her over to the ambulance to get cleaned up. The lead officer turns to Oz and Tess, and sizes them up.

"You two must be the superheroes we've been hearing about for the last couple of minutes. You and your friends are true patriots." The cop says genially.

"Where are our friends?" Oz asks.

"The self-proclaimed Human Torch and Meltdown? They're giving a statement right now." The cop says pointing towards the barricade. "So what are your names?"

"Psylocke and Wolverine." Tess quips sarcastically.

"Hehe, funny." The cop chuckles. "The press has been crazy trying to get interviews."

"We're not going public." Tess says immeadiately.

"It's too late, kid. In a few hours your names, faces and the deed you've done for this city is going to be all over the nightly news. Burke and his gang have been terrorizing Fresno for years, and you just single handedly took him down."

Tess turns to Oz. "We gotta get the hell out of here." Tess announces. She mindwarps the cop and the pair bolt towards, Serena and Kyle. The four of them pile into Serena's car and take off.

The blonde girl who led Tess and Oz to the bedroom in the house is standing off to the side, talking on a cellphone.

"Hello, Mr. Heyman. Yeah, it's Sarah. I think I may have found your celebrity VIPs for tomorrow night."

To Be Continued……..