So, this chapter is a bit all over the place, some girl talk, some fluff, some drama and some background for the story line. But I wanted to have some fun and it's all mixed up in here. Remember reviews make authors want to write and I so would love to hear what you think.

All together

In Tess' car, on the way to the Evans' house.

"So?" Tess asks.

"So?"

"Michael seemed pretty shaken up."

"Yeah," Isabel answers with sadness, looking to her feet.

"Maria didn't seem to help."

"Of course she did. She was right there, helping him."

"You know what I mean."

"No, actually I don't."

"Come on, Isabel. He disantagled himself from her in like two seconds. She may have been trying to help, but I don't think she did."

"And you're going to tell me what you think whether I want to hear it or not."

"Of course I will," she says with a giggle.

"You're horrible and I hate you."

"You do not," Tess teases. "And I think you could have helped Michael. He was upset over you not her."

"Can we please not go there? How many times do I have to tell you that Michael and I are just friends?"

"Right, just friends. Two friends that -"

"Don't."

"That have a wonderful baby boy."

"It's not like we actually made that baby."

Tess stops at a red light, looks at her friend and talks confidently. "Isabel, maybe you don't remember but you two made that baby and if my memories are right it was some sort of miracle."

"Stop it."

The light turns green and Tess looks to the road. Then she smiles and says, "You two must have been good at it."

"Tess!" she admonishes, blushing furiously.

She laughs, "You're too easy. Admit it. You want him."

"No, I think I want Alex."

"Keep telling yourself that."

"Tess, Alex is great. He's sweet and smart and understanding. He listens and cares."

"That's all true. He's turned out to be the best human so far. But you still have no chemistry at all whatsoever."

"We do too!"

"Do not. He wants you. He strokes your ego. Just admit it. He makes you feel special, like the most beautiful girl alive. But you don't feel the same. You don't fantasize about jumping his bones, do you?"

"Not everything needs to be physical."

"Just saying that Michael has been in your dreams about s-"

"No! It was the stars, not us! You know what? I was going to invite you to sleep over. But forget it."

"Great dodge and yes I'll stay."

"Too bad, you're uninvited."

"You know, if you felt nothing for Michael you wouldn't be this worked up."

"You know, if you could just open your eyes and see that my brother loves Liz, you would save yourself a lot of hurt."

"That was uncalled for."

"No it wasn't. It's not like you fight fair."

"Fine. No more boy talk."

"Great."

"So I'm staying over?"

"Whatever."

Isabel lays on her bed and Tess on a sleeping bag next to her.

"Tess."

"Yeah?"

"Do you remember anything else from the past? Anything about Adam or how to hatch him?"

They are silent for a bit. "Tess?"

"I… It's just random images and these… feelings."

"Would you tell me?"

"You might not like it. It's strange."

"Well, we're strange."

"And you're suddenly okay with that?"

"No, not really, but… I love Adam. That's strange, but it feels right. So, maybe I should just get used to it, the strange."

Tess smiles and says, "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being my friend."

Isabel smiles too. "So, you wanna share?"

"I remember being happy. The way it felt when Max held me and when I woke up next to him. You… pregnant and glowing… so beautiful. Michael bringing you this fruit that looked like a banana but smaller and really bright blue and looking so unlike himself... so in love with you. Max teasing him. You yelling, refusing to have your essence captured unless you got to keep Adam in your next life. The two of us scared of the war and not really wanting to resort to having a second life."

"Maybe we should ask Nasedo more about us?"

"No!"

"Why not?"

"It's just… look I told you when I was with Adam I began to feel like myself."

"Yeah."

"It's like a weight has been lifted. Something was wrong and… I can't really explain it, but I feel it. It's like I remember this fear and pain and confusion and it's not from before. It's not from our old lives. It's… something happened to me and contact with Adam made it better."

"Are you saying Nasedo hurt you?"

"I don't know what I'm saying. I just… I don't trust him. Not like before. Something about seeing Adam and feeling this instinct... it's like I know that if you are not there for some reason then I need to step up and help Michael and Max and love the baby. And somehow that means I don't trust Nasedo. I don't know why but I feel like he did something and I should know what it is, but I can't tell. All I know is that I feel more like myself and that means that I don't trust him. At least not when it comes to Adam."

Isabel gets out of bed, sits on the floor next Tess and takes her hand. "Then we won't trust him. And if he hurt you or if he tries, protector or not he will have to face us."

"You mean the two of us. I doubt anyone else besides you would care."

"Tess. Look, I know my brother acts like a jerk with you and well today Michael wasn't exactly your best friend, but they do care about you. They would never want to see you hurt. You are one of us."

"Okay."

The next day Isabel stops by Michael's apartment to go to the cave at their scheduled time.

"Hey," he says as he gets into the jeep.

"Hey."

"Are you alright?" he asks, noticing her yawns.

"Yeah. Tess stayed over. Didn't sleep much."

"She tell you anything else?"

"Not really," she answers, not sure if she should tell him about not trusting Nasedo.

"What is it?"

"What do you mean?"

"You are doing that biting your lip thing you do when you are unsure about yourself."

"I do not bite my lip."

"Whatever, just tell me." She stays quiet. "Come on. You wouldn't be like this if you didn't want to tell me."

"Fine. Tess said not to trust Nasedo."

"Why?"

"She's not sure. She just said she got this feeling after seeing Adam that we shouldn't trust him, especially with the baby." Michael gives her that concerned, I'm about to do something stupid like interrogate Tess myself look. "Don't do anything. I trust she told me everything she knows. She really is not sure why she feels that way. I think maybe Nasedo hurt her. I think he did something to her, Michael, and Adam helps her remember. I think we should have her see him again. Maybe she'll figure out why she doesn't want to trust Nasedo anymore and then tell us."

"Okay. That sounds like a good plan. Have you thought about training? I know Tess is up to it and we should start soon. I have a feeling things won't stay quiet for long."

"Michael, you know what Max said. We should keep a low profile."

"And be sitting ducks?"

"Michael."

"Isabel. What if Tess is right and Adam is special, like a king savior or something? What if the signal we sent brings enemies and they are after him?"

"I know. And you know I've wondered about the same thing. But we're already spending all sorts of time trying to figure out how to hatch Adam and what the symbols mean and visiting him. My parents are wondering why I'm not volunteering as much this summer and why Max and I didn't want to go on our Lake trip."

"So?"

"I can't just avoid them."

"Why not? We have new priorities now. We need to be ready to protect Adam when we get him out of the pod. How are we going to that if we don't know how to use our powers?" She stays quiet. "Talk to me, Iz."

"I don't know what to say. You're right, but I also don't know how to do this and keep appearances of my regular life with my parents and follow Max's lead."

"Then don't. How long do you think you can keep up the normal life appearances? It's fine to just be researching and following Max's passive ideas for now. But Adam is going to get out of that pod sooner or later and we need to be prepared for that."

"And how do you suggest we do that? It's not like you have been preparing anymore than I have?"

"Actually, I have."

"What?"

"I got a new job."

"You did?"

"Yeah. Construction. Pays double what I make as a cook."

They arrive by the cliffs and get out of the jeep. "When did you do this?"

"A couple of days ago. Look Max said a baby needs all these things and we need money for that so I got a job that pays more."

"And you can keep this job when school starts?"

"Yeah. I'll work weekends and maybe pick up some late shifts at the Crashdown during the week. And try to graduate early."

"What?"

"Izzy, come on. How the hell are we supposed to raise a baby and go to school? Let's get real, one of us will need to be out of school and get a job that pays real money and also take care of the baby. We both know it should be me, you're too good at school and normal stuff."

"Michael," she says tenderly as they walk into the pod chamber. "You really are invested in this."

"Aren't you?"

"Yes, and... maybe it can be both of us."

"What are you talking about?"

"Come on," she says pointing to the entrance of Adam's chamber. They open it and crawl in.

"Iz. What were you saying about the both of us?"

"Look I… I haven't told anyone but I only need a few classes to be done with school. I have good grades and almost enough credits so… if I worked hard I could graduate by Christmas."

"What about college?"

"I could go close to home. There's a few campuses nearby. But I don't know. What if Adam comes out all alien and we have to keep him in the cave. What then?"

"Shit."

"Don't curse in front of him!"

"Sorry. I just hadn't thought about him being trapped in here after getting out of the pod."

"I have. I think I've thought about every possible scenario."

"Don't."

"Don't what?"

"Don't keep thinking about the worse and looking all depressed like that."

"Isn't that what you always do? Weren't you just saying that we have to prepare for the worse?"

"I guess. But, you shouldn't. That's my job." Isabel smiles at him. "What?"

"You're going to be a good dad."

"I hope so."

"I know so."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

"So?"

"So?"

Suddenly, they see the pod light up slightly. "Guess he heard us," Isabel says.

"Yeah. Look, you don't have to decide anything alright. I have a better job and well I need more than two classes, but I think if I try I can finish school by the end of Junior year. Just gotta get Mr. Harrison to give me a break in English. "

"I know you can do this. You're smart, you just never wanted to try in school. I can help you figure out a schedule to finish and help you study if you want."

"Okay."

"Okay."

Then they simply put their hands together and touch the membrane of the pod. They both smile.

"It's strange, but… even though our lives are being flipped upside down, I'm happy we found him," Isabel says.

"Me too. He's… I can't describe it."

"I know what you mean."

"I know you do. We'll keep him safe. We have to."

"We will. Michael… you're right about the training and everything. Let's bring Tess and Max to see Adam and then talk to them. It will probably be better to try to change Max's mind about it after he sees Adam again."

"Sounds like a plan," Michael answers. "Thanks, Izzy."

She smiles at him and then a flash overtakes them.

They are on a beach. The water is red and the sand is reddish brown like clay. Above them a bright silver sun keeps the area hot and humid and the sky looking a beautiful shade of green. The mouth of a cave is behind them and they can see yellow flowers flowing out of there. He wears a loose red robe with a strange rope holding it in place. It makes him blend with the sand and rocks as if he belonged there. She wears a similar robe but in blue and tied with a golden belt to her middle. He is showing her how to fight.

"Look at your opponent's eyes and follow them. That will tell you where their attack will go. Then focus on putting your shield up based on that."

"Okay."

"Ready?" he asks after putting a good distance between them.

"Yes."

His eyes turn completely orange. It's like he has fire coming out of them and suddenly a bunch of spiky rocks are flying towards her. She raises her hand and stops most of them, but a couple pass her shield. He lifts his hands and the rocks explode before they hit her. He runs to her. "Are you alright?"

She smiles at him. "I'm fine. You moved fast. All that hit me was dust."

"That's enough for today."

"No. I dragged you up here and -"

"You didn't drag me anywhere I didn't want to be," he says and then kisses her softly. "Beautiful," he whispers and then deepens the kiss.

She separates from him, smiling. "Stop distracting me. That's supposed to be my job."

"Maybe we can trade jobs for a while," he teases and goes to grab her waist. She giggles. "Maybe later. You're right about this. We both need to be able to defend ourselves. You are already the most powerful destroyer this side of the galaxy. But I need to work on this. Keep teaching me, please."

"Okay."

She moves away from him. They continue practicing her shield until no rocks can pass it.

"Let's try one more thing and call it day," he says.

"Okay."

"So far I've only attacked you from one direction. But, in a true battle you get attacked from all sides so you need to create a global shield."

"Like the one you had me read about?"

He nods. "You remember the technique to do it?"

"Yes. You think I'm strong enough for that?"

"You are the Princess of Antar and have the brightest alkelean shine I have ever seen. You are a mind glider and keeper of one of the royal seals. You're stronger than you believe. You can do this."

"Okay."

"Ready?"

"Yes."

His red hue intensifies around him. He closes his eyes, opens his arms and rocks are lifted from all around them. Then as he closes his arms in a clap the rocks all catch fire and fly towards her.

She lifts her arm and moves in a circle while twirling her hand. The fiery rocks all stop a good distance away from her, all except for one. He opens his eyes and fear takes over his face as he sees the large fiery rock closing in on her. He lifts his hand. She screams and suddenly a gust of wind hits the rock and makes it fly far into the red ocean, but it also hits him.

"Rath!" she screams as she runs to him. "Rath. Rath." She puts her hand on his chest and makes it glow in silver. "You're asleep. You're just asleep. Thank the stars. Wake up," she says as her hand glows in a shade of purple.

"Lonnie?" She smiles at him. "You… did you knock me?"

"No, I put you to sleep."

"You did?"

"Yeah. I checked your state. You were not harmed just in deep sleep. I woke you like I do after I glide into someone's subconscious."

"You know what this means?" She looks at him unsurely. "Vilandra, this is your weapon. If you work on this, you could put an entire army into deep sleep. You got me and I've fought some of the best in the galaxy."

"You didn't have your shields up."

"True, but I can teach you to brake shields and you will have one hell of a weapon."

"You think?" she says, smiling.

"Yes!" he answers and kisses her. "A warrior princess," he whispers against her mouth. Then he pushes her into the sand and attacks her lips and slowly caresses her thigh as her robe rises upwards. She laughs in between kisses and says, "I have the best teacher." He keeps kissing her and teases, "I love my student."

They step away from the pod breathing heavily.

"Jesus," she says grabbing her head.

He looks at her and feels overwhelmed. She's flushed and looks... No. Best friend. Adam's mom. Max's sister. My… no she's not my sister. Definitely not my sister.

They sit on the floor with a good distance in between them and stay quiet for a while.

"So… your name was Lonnie, Vilandra," he says awkwardly.

"And yours was Rath."

"I guess you could put an army to sleep."

"Yeah. And you… you were really good. You like made meteorites and knew a lot."

"Yeah."

"Umm… we'll train with Max and Tess."

"Yeah with Max and Tess."

Isabel had felt weird the past couple of days. Every time she met Michael to see Adam she was nervous of what they might see. Luckily, nothing more had happened and they were bringing Max and Tess with them tomorrow so she was safe. Still the flashes of that beach had felt so real it was like she knew just how it felt to have Michael on top of her, kissing her and touching… Stop. Maria's boyfriend. My best friend who is my other friend's boyfriend. Just go out with Alex and Maria and have fun and forget the whole thing. Worry about it when we see Adam alone or I start helping him study.

So Isabel met Alex and they got to the DeLuca household. "Hi Mrs. DeLuca," Alex greets. Isabel also says hello.

"Oh hello, Alex, Isabel."

"Is Maria ready?" Alex asks.

"Sorry. I think Maria is indisposed."

"Indisposed?" Isabel questions.

"Is she sick? Izzy got tickets to the Nelly Furtado concert in Albuquerque. They made me agree to go weeks ago. She better be ready," he says playfully.

"Oh that was today. Yes, that's great. That should help," Mrs. DeLuca says enthusiastically.

"Help with what? Is she okay?" Alex asks.

"She's fine. Just a little... sad. Michael again. She thinks it's really over this time."

"That doesn't make sense," Isabel says. He is supposed to be with Maria. Damn him! Both Mrs. DeLuca and Alex look at her questioningly. "He hasn't said anything," she adds. "We've spent hours with A... Astronomy. Yeah, you know catching up on astronomy for school and he didn't say a thing."

"Well… maybe he didn't want to get the look," Alex says.

"What look?"

"That look you had, Izzy. Like you were an angry snake getting ready to strike Michael if he showed his face."

"Well, you'd think he'd tell his best friends these things. What is he thinking? He's supposed to stay with Maria. Because… you know… she's great."

"Of course, she's great," Alex adds. "Is she really upset? On the scale from one to ten, how bad is it?"

"She won't talk to me about it. She's been on the phone with Liz a few times, but she's still eating ice cream," Mrs. DeLuca answers.

"Never a good sign with girls," Alex says.

"Well, we'll get her to the concert and have some fun," Isabel says. Alex nods.

"I'm glad my daughter has such good friends. Now go in at your own risk. Last she talked to me, she not so kindly said to leave her with Alanis and Ben and Jerry."

"At least some good news," Isabel says. Alex frowns at her and Mrs. DeLuca looks confused. "Alanis is girl power, so good for her."

"Of course," Mrs. DeLuca answers with a smile.

They manage to get Maria to the concert in time for the opening act. She seems in much better spirits after, but not quite herself.

"Are you okay?" Alex asks when him and Maria are alone, paying for snacks at a gas station as they get ready to leave Albuquerque.

"Never better."

"I don't know what Michael did, but it will be okay." Maria gives shakes her head indicating she disagrees. She looks in the direction Isabel left and looks so… distraught. "Ria, what's up? You keep looking at Izzy like you want to hate her or something. I think she noticed too and is staying a bit out of your way."

"Well, I do. I want to hate her."

"Why?"

"Michael loves her."

"He told you this?"

"Of course not. He won't admit it, but he is falling in love. And I can't even hate her for it. He's having a kid and falling for her and now I like her. I like her and the baby Czech. It's like the kid put a love fuzzy inside me when we were in that cave and now that I spent time with Queen Ami and we're friends, I can't hate her either. It's all ridiculous. And I want to kick Michael."

"Maria, you're exaggerating. Remember we thought they'd get together when they broke things off with us and nothing happened. Plus, Isabel seemed really mad when she heard you and Michael broke up. They just care about Adam. That's it."

"It's not. You should give up now. I don't want you to get hurt like this. I can already see it. Trust me on this."

"Trust you on what?" Isabel asks as she returns from the bathroom.

They are surprised, but Alex makes a good save. "Getting home. I had said maybe we were too tired to keep driving so we could find a place to sleep in Santa Rosa. But Maria said it will be better to just take 285 and get home tonight."

"Of course it is. 285 saves us almost an hour compared to going through Santa Rosa. I can drive. I'll just mix that less than great French vanilla with some tabasco and I'll be good to go."

Two weeks later Max sees Liz on the street.

"Liz."

"Hi...Max."

"Hi. So...so when did you get back?"

"A couple of days ago...actually."

"Well, that's odd. Maria didn't say anything when we met yesterday."

"Yeah, I know she didn't. Um, you know, I just...I wanted to get settled a little bit before…"

"Yeah. Yeah. I...I understand."

"Plus, you were busy talking, needing a supercomputer, trying to locate a planet and with Michael and Isabel trying to graduate early and hatch a baby."

"Right. Maria told you."

"She had to vent. It's a lot."

"Listen, Liz, I...I know how strange everything got before you left. And all this decoding of the book and everything with Adam is made for an odd summer. But I think it's ok. No aliens have attacked. Nasedo is putting an end to the special unit as we speak. I think we are safe. Even with Adam, he'll hatch and with some help Izzy and Michael will manage and things will calm down."

"Oh, I really hope that's true...for all of you."

"I just want you to know about the whole Tess situation…"

"Oh, Max. You don't...you don't have to."

"It's just that it's definitely over. I don't have feelings for her. We spent the summer helping Michael and Isabel and no feelings here. I've told her that… and she understands. We make our own destiny. I know it's probably irrelevant at this point, but...just for the record."

"Right. Yeah. I just want to get a fresh start. I've decided…"

"Right...right. Anyway, you look… Great! Different."

"Oh, I have a job interview actually."

"Oh. What about the Crashdown?"

"Well, this really incredible opportunity came up sort of out of the…"

A woman arrives and walks up to Liz. "You must be Liz Parker."

"Congresswoman Whitaker! It is so nice to meet you. You are a real hero to me."

"You don't need to suck up, really. My paid staff takes care of my enormous ego."

"Oh, so there's, um, not an actual salary?"

"We have a lot to talk about." Congresswoman Whitaker turns to Max. "Hi."

"I'm sorry. This is Max Evans. A friend."

"Nice to meet you."

"Same here."

"Should we step inside?"

"Yeah. Sure. That'd be great."

They are in a blue forest. The purple sky is beautiful with stars shining brightly. His eyes are green and his soft black curls are tied back, making him look like royalty. He is handsome and has a winning smile. Somehow, she knows that he has the power to give some of the best speeches she has ever heard. She knows that he's sure of himself, he knows what he wants and cannot wait to claim the future. He is a powerful ally and he can make her laugh and he listens to her. He is perfect. Yet, as he approaches to kiss her, she feels dread. She knows this is wrong, but she steels herself and slowly forces all apprehension to wash away as she feels his lips press against hers.

It starts softly but he becomes demanding quickly. His hands are at her back and pulling her to him. She gives in. She wants to fight it but she has no control, no choice. Her lips feel like he's forever bruising them and she knows that sooner or later he will devour her whole and she just lets him. Then his lips move away from hers and he begin to kiss down her neck.

"So beautiful, I love you," she hears him whisper. She wants to cry and a tiny squeal comes out of her. He must think it means something else because the next thing she knows he starts pulling down one of the tiny straps of her dress and kissing between her shoulder and neck and pressing her closer to him.

"No!" she says in a panic, taking a step back from him. She feels dirty and wants to run away.

"Lonnie?"

"My lord… I mean Kiv. Kiv... I… I just... you know I've never…"

"Of course. I just thought perhaps you're ready. It's almost time. The turn of the silver suns is almost done and then it will be time… my love, my Vilandra. Are you ready?" he asks and leans in to kiss her.

"I… I will be," she whispers and steps back a bit. She can't. She can't do this right now. Please no more. Then he's there.

"Lord. Princess."

"General."

"Michael," Isabel whispers as she wakes up, sweating and feeling like she was caught doing something awful. Was that a memory or was I in a dream? It felt real. I was there. I didn't really want that. Was Michael catching me with someone else? Tears begin to leak from her eyes. What does this mean? Should I tell him? No! Max or Tess? No, this is… what the hell is this? Isabel can't answer herself, but she's scared. There's the strange they have been dealing with but this seems worse, like she did something wrong and for some reason the word betrayal keeps echoing in her head. Maybe it's a sign. Maybe this other man... alien… whatever… this Kiv is yet another reason why she must stay away from Michael, at least in the romantic sense. But there is attraction. Of course, she's attracted. Him and his smiles when they are with Adam… his angry sad eyes looking joyous for a change and his hand, warm and strong on hers… and him getting a better job and doing more in school and listening to her… he's just… Dammit! No! I see Michael just for Adam. That's it. Just two friends going to see their alien baby. Michael will probably end up getting back together with Maria anyway. So… I'm just Adam's mom. That's it. That's where Michael and I begin and end. I need to bring a distraction for when we're at the cave. I can't just keep staring at them and talking to him. I need something else. Something that is for Adam. That's my only focus, just Adam.

About a week later Liz joins the group at their weekly meeting in Michael's apartment.

"So… I think Tess and I got most of it figured out."

"The book?" Max asks.

"Yeah. We finished the pages about Michael and Isabel, but would need another trip to the supercomputer to finish the rest," Tess answers.

"So?" Michael questions.

"So what?" Alex asks.

"So do you know how to get Adam out of the pod?"

"Yeah, sort of," he says.

Tess then explains how they will need to open a portion of the pod and do a transfer of Michael and Isabel's blood into Adam's feeding tube.

"Let's go then," Michael says.

"Wait," Max counters. "We don't know what our story will be for after he is born."

"No, Maxwell. THIS was the point of this entire summer and I won't let you and your fear of stepping out of the normal stop us."

"He's right, Michael. We have to wait," Tess says.

"Why?" Isabel asks. "I get why Max would be hesitant about this, but you?"

"She's keeping the baby safe," Alex adds. "Look we have most of the translation, but we don't understand everything. We need to follow a very particular procedure with your blood and we don't know how to do that. If we do this wrong we could kill all three of you." Everyone stays quiet for a minute.

"We don't understand the genetics of it yet," Tess says softly.

"That's why I asked Liz to come. You're good at this kind of thing," Alex says looking at his friend.

"Oh… thanks," she answers, obviously uncomfortable about this discussion.

"So, what do we need to do?" Michael asks.

"It says something about merging. About how giving Adam two unmerged sequences could create the wrong mutation and kill him and since you two will get hooked up to his pod you could die too. We have to use an instrument called the assaitac mold that creates a hybrid vector from the two of you and then passes that to Adam. He'll process it in the pod for about six months and then he should be safe to come out," Tess says.

"Except we need to learn how to use this instrument properly to create the right vectors. Whatever that means," Alex adds.

Liz begins to speak, "In regular genetics a vector is a section of DNA that can incorporate another DNA fragment without losing the capacity for self-replication. A vector containing an additional DNA fragment is a hybrid vector. If the fragment of DNA includes one or more genes that's gene cloning."

"So we'll be cloning them?" Maria asks.

"Sort of. Maybe is just cloning some genes. I'd have to read more. This is probably way beyond my level," Liz adds.

"But once we figure out how to use the instrument and get the correct vectors things from our blood we'll be able to hatch Adam?" Isabel asks.

"I think so," Alex answers.

"How long will that take?" Michael asks with a frustrated tone.

"We don't know," Alex answers.

"This may not be a bad thing," Isabel says, earning her a sharp look from Michael. She turns to him, "Look, it won't be years. We'll make sure of that. Michael, maybe waiting a little longer is not a bad thing. It gives us time to come up with a story about where Adam comes from. And we can finish school."

"You're worried about school!" he says angrily getting in her face.

"Yes! About school and Adam and doing this right," she says, not backing down. "And you need to calm down, now. We're on the same side." They stare at each other, their faces mere inches apart and then Michael calms and leans back onto the couch. Everyone is uncomfortable. Then Maria breaks the silence.

"It's probably good to take your time." Michael looks annoyed. "Look, I want baby Skywalker to come out. I do! But not at the risks of your lives. They just said all three of you could die if we do this wrong."

"Well it's a risk I'm willing to take," Michael says quickly.

"Okay. Can we make sure it's really safe?" Max asks looking at Tess and Alex.

"We can try to understand every detail from the book and follow it as closely as possible. We're trusting that it is all we need," Alex says.

"And the instrument, right? We don't know where that is," Liz says.

"Actually, I know where it is," Tess adds.

"You do?" Max asks.

"We all have had flashes of the past this summer," Tess states. Maria looks annoyed. Isabel blushes and stares at the floor. Michael tries not to react but his eyes briefly land on Isabel. And Max speaks, looking at Liz, "Only when we visited Adam and those were not pleasant."

Tess continues. "But the book says that the architects told us about the process and the final details and I've been remembering. I remember the architects saying the assaitac mold would be sent with us, but under strict security. Only one of us was told where it was. The king knows its exact location and how to use it," she says. Max looks taken aback. "You need to remember," Tess adds.

"Well that's convenient," Maria comments.

"Maria," Michael warns.

"Oh, come on! Of course, she wants him to remember. And let me guess Tessie dear, just like with the training thing, you would be the one helping him remember, right? Maybe using your lovely mind tricks in the process so he remembers his destiny."

"This has nothing to do with destiny. It's about this instrument and Max needing to remember important details," Michael argues.

"And how do you propose I do that? We have gotten some flashes from visiting Adam but that's it," Max says.

"It's not," Michael answers. "Tess and I started meeting a couple of weeks ago to remember. She knows these memory retrieval techniques and… it's getting clearer."

"Is it?" Maria asks. "It's not enough to have the past and her supermodel looks to hunt the boy, suddenly he'll feel memories of undying love and realize who he really is and be free to run with it under the destiny excuse."

"Maria," Alex says. "Max wouldn't do that and I don't think Tess will mind warp him."

"She did once," Maria counters.

"And I'm sorry! I said I'm sorry. Can this argument ever end?" Tess responds.

"This isn't about Tess, is it?" Michael asks. "Come on," he says, standing and moving towards Maria.

"Leave it alone. You're good at that," Maria argues.

"Maria, this is the last time I try. I swear after this you need to let it go."

"Or what? You'll blast me like a rock or shove memories in my face with "everything" as an explanation?"

Everyone is tense and quiet. "Come on," Michael says to Maria. She stands and follows him out of the apartment.

"You knew about this? The memory retrieval thing," Max asks, looking at Isabel.

She nods. "I wasn't ready to try myself. But Tess needed to remember and Michael has always wanted to know more about where we're from, so I suggested they work together."

"And you didn't tell me!"

"I'm sorry! But I started trying to tell you when I explained that Tess didn't trust Nasedo anymore. That she needed help figuring out why. You didn't seem that eager to help, so I just let Michael do it. I didn't want to start another argument."

"Of course not, you'd rather just do whatever Michael and Tess want."

"Max!"

"It's the truth! I expect Michael to just act rashly, but you used to think about things. Have you given any thought to your life and our parents? They will be crushed when they find out you have a child. And Maria and Alex, do you see what all this is doing to your relationships with them? Do you even care about anyone else?"

Isabel looks like she wants to cry. But then she takes a breath and stands up, getting eye to eye with her brother. "Yes Max, I care. I care about an innocent baby that's stuck in a pod because I refused to have a second life without him. I remember that I am the reason he is here. It was me that insisted. And if you had someone you were completely responsible for, you would get it. But you don't, so don't try to stop me from doing what I have to do. Don't make this a choice between Adam and my normal life with mom and dad and you. Normal would no longer win if I have to make that choice." Isabel stands and looks to the door that leads out of the apartment but then turns and walks into Michael's bedroom. Max follows her.

"So?" Alex says.

Tess gives him an awkward smile. Liz looks uncomfortable but feels like someone should talk. "So, what else did you guys do this summer?"

"Nelly Furtado concert. Always enlightening to be surrounded by singing girls," Alex says with a smile.

"I'm sure it was great."

"It was."

"Isabel got me to volunteer at the soup kitchen once a week. It's kind of cool," Tess adds to the conversation.

"That's really nice of you. It's a good cause," Liz answers.

"Well that's Izzy for you. She keeps trying to please everyone which is impossible. No matter what, we are stuck between a rock and a hard place. I'm glad at least she's keeping Adam first and trying to take a stand."

"You're mad at Max," Alex states.

"Of course, I'm mad. For all the change things stay the same."

"Tess."

"Don't okay. I know you think it'll all be okay. But I'm angry. Max just doesn't listen. I get he doesn't trust me. But Michael and Isabel?"

"He's doing his best," Liz says.

"Maybe that's not good enough," Tess argues. "This isn't about who dates who. He needs to step out of his comfort zone and lead us. We need to hatch Adam and figure out who our enemy is and we can't do that if he keeps cowering from the past. He needs to help us and let us help him. Maybe you can talk to him?" Tess asks, looking at Liz.

"Me?"

"I'm not blind or stupid… regardless of how I feel or what I think should be… I know he will listen to you. I'm not going to say I like it, but… I want Adam to be born. I believe it's the right thing to do. And if that means you talking to Max and… maybe more… I'll deal," Tess says filled with conviction and yet looking like the words she says physically hurt her. Maybe Iz is right and I should just let go and save myself a lot more hurt.

Liz looks uncomfortable.

"That may not be a bad idea," Alex says. "Liz, we need his help and yours if we're going to figure this DNA issues."

"Okay," Liz answers.

Alex then looks at Tess, "I… I meant to bring this up with everyone but…"

"What?"

"We have another problem." Tess stares at him and makes him nervous. "See when I had the book dated. I talked to a scientist at the New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies and told him I found a rock in the dessert that I wanted dated just for fun to give to... my girlfriend."

Tess rolls her eyes at him. "Go on," she says.

"So, I broke a tiny piece of the book and sent it and now… umm..." Man her blue-eyed stare… it must be an alien thing or something. He feels like he's on trial. "Well the scientist… he's interested in the rock and said he would pay me to keep the piece I sent for further study and… umm… he's sending a friend who is a geologist to meet me to show him where I found it."

"Great! Just great!" Tess says pacing the room and clearly frustrated.

"Calm down."

"You're telling me that a bunch of scientists are currently studying alien material from our book. That they have had direct contact with you which will probably lead the geologist that is coming straight to us. And currently his majesty is too busy trying to be normal and fighting his sister and Michael is doing his weird on and off thing with Maria, which means I have to deal with everything. And I need to be calm."

"Point taken. I'm just used to you always keeping your cool no matter what."

"Yeah, it's getting harder to do that. I don't know, I just… feel things."

"It's only human," Liz says.

Tess looks at her surprised. "No one's ever said that about me."

"Sorry?"

"It's okay. It's weird, but… emotions are stronger lately. It's strange, but not necessarily bad."

"Well, we still need a plan," Alex says.

"Any suggestions?" Tess asks, sighing and sitting down. She looks exhausted.

"We can start with what Alex should say when the geologist shows up," Liz suggest. "He needs a way to lead him away from you guys."

"And then we figure out how to get the piece of book back to avoid any more questions," Alex adds.

"You're right," Tess answers. "But we also need to find a way to get them of your trail. And Alex, don't put yourself so out there again, okay?"

"Okay."

Again reviews make my day. If you love it or hate it let me know. Just no need for awful flames. Also, any dialogue borrowed from the actual show was taken from Roswell Oracle.