First, thanks to kBeth82 for the review. I loved it and I'm so happy you like the story and how Michael is getting portrayed (more on that at the end of the chapter).

Now, this chapter was massive so I broke it into two. Hopefully this doesn't feel like it got cut short and in a weird place. Anyway, I may also change the story rating to M since it's getting a bit much with some scenes. Read and tell me if you think that it should go M or just stay T.

Anyway hope you enjoy.

Changes, pain, and what if I like her?

Once the Evanses are gone, everyone tells Isabel that it will be okay. She hears them speak but doesn't really listen. The tears run dry and she stays quiet, burrowed in Michael's chest. She can't figure out why but she knows that as long as he's there, she has a rock she can hang on to. It will be okay, just focus on Michael and forget everything else.

After a while Michael realizes she's asleep and asks everyone to leave. They start to protest. "I don't want any more parents barging in here and accusing me of... whatever. We know how your mom is," he says, looking at Maria.

"Fine, you're right. If she realizes I climbed out my window she'll raise hell."

Alex looks like he's about the object, but is cut short. "You know he's right. Your parents won't buy the 'I went to a concert in Santa Fe with Liz' lie for that much longer. It's really late. I know they're cool but probably not that cool," Tess says. She turns to Michael, "Jim knows the truth and you can use me to activate the stones again. I'll stay."

"Alright," he says.

Alex, Maria and Liz start to leave. Maria asks them to wait for her in the living room. She turns back and looks at Michael, sitting against the headboard of his bed with Isabel sleeping in his arms. She realizes for the first time since this mess started, she's not sad, mad, or jealous. "You did good, Spaceboy. She needed you and you were there for her."

"Doesn't feel like I did anything," he answers, looking at Isabel's puffy red eyes and sick complexion.

"You did. The healing stones and the flowers are in that drawer," she says pointing. "They're very beautiful, Michael, make her better."

He looks at her. Something about this moment seems final. Maybe he should stop her. Maybe he should tell her that she's pretty and quirky and he trusts her. He should say that he does love her and maybe ask if she'd figure out a lie for her mom and stay. But he looks at the girl in his arms and stays quiet. He watches Maria go, takes a deep breath and kisses Isabel's head. He's losing his first girlfriend for real this time, he knows. But this is right… he needs Adam and Iz and they need him.

Tess looks straight at him but says nothing. She takes out the stones and the flowers and they stay up and focused until Isabel's color changes and the fever goes away.

She opens her eyes, notices the unfamiliar setting and sees a pair of brown eyes looking at her with relief.

"Morning," he says.

The events of the previous day hit her. Adam, the transfer, distress… but he's okay and her dad… he told her to never go home. She's homeless. Michael yelled at him for her.

"Hey, you're better, right? Does anything hurt?"

"No… I… I'm okay." She tries to smile and that seems to appease him. She looks around and sees Tess asleep on a chair but with her head on the side of the bed. That's when she realizes she's clinging and practically on top of Michael. "I'm so sorry," she says, blushing and disentangling from him.

"It's fine." He stands up. "I'll make breakfast. Pancakes or eggs and bacon?"

The mention of food makes her realize she's starving. "Both?"

"Both it is."

She watches him walk away and then just sits, thinking of everything. What's she supposed to do now? She can't go home. Could she call? Her brother will come back for her. Max won't dessert her, not now. She looks at Tess and hears Michael moving around in the apartment and feels a wave of relief and gratitude. She has them, Michael, Tess and Max, and Alex, Maria and Liz. They all stood by her and soon she'll have Adam and that's what matters. She'll find a way to be strong. Even if the two people she had depended on for most of her life are not there for her anymore, she'll pull through. She stands up, noticing her clothes from the previous day are wrinkled and clingy. She needs a shower. She touches Tess' shoulder.

"Isabel?"

"Lay on the bed. I'm getting up."

"But…"

"You look like you've barely slept and can't even form a sentence. Just lay down."

"Okay," she says, falling back asleep the second her head hits the pillow. Isabel smiles as she leaves the bedroom. Maybe destiny is done and Tess won't get to be her sister in law, but she's as close to a sister as it gets.

"Michael."

"Yeah?"

"Can I use your shower?"

He looks at her like she's crazy. "You don't need to ask for permission. Don't be weird. There are towels in the hallway closet."

She smiles remembering she made that his linen closet when he moved. She knows where almost anything is in his apartment. She gets showered and uses her powers to clean her clothes so she can wear them again. Once she's done she feels like a new person. For most of her life she has feared that if her parents found out she was an alien they would turn their backs on her. Now they did, even if it was for a different reason. Somehow the fact that it happened feels freeing. It is painful and awful and she hates it, but now she doesn't have to fear it. It is done and she can move on and face whatever comes next. Maybe normal was overrated and now she can be herself, whoever that is… she's free to figure it out.

After breakfast Tess leaves and that afternoon Max comes to see her, with all her belongings in tow. Michael is asleep when he arrives, but as quiet as him and Isabel try to be they still manage to wake their friend and he joins their talk. Max explains that their mom didn't want her without anything and assures her that soon he'll convince their dad that he made a mistake and she'll be back home. Michael says nothing just picks up the bags, puts them in his room and that's that. She moves in and they don't discuss the events of the previous day any further.

Time passes quickly after. Isabel's boss allows to her to keep her job on the agreement that she doesn't get involved in any events around the time the baby will be born and that she'll be part time for at least a couple of months after the birth. Isabel is thankful for the opportunity and happy that even though her boss isn't thrilled about the news that her brand new employee needs maternity leave, she still wants her around and treats her with respect and kindness.

Isabel and Michael share chores and dinners, daily visits with Adam, and they study so they can graduate early. Time at the pod chamber, the apartment or at the Valenti's are her new favorites. She can stop using her powers to look pregnant so no one stares at her fake belly. Michael has turned out to be great company even though he's lost his private space. He showed her all sorts of tricks to save money and still get things. It was impressive. She changed the colors of the walls and made the place look bigger by moving some things around. She also bought a sofa bed after he refused to let her take the couch. If he wasn't going to have a bed in his own home she'd at least make sure he slept somewhere comfortable.

Sometimes they stay up and watch movies or play a board game. He's a sore loser and a bit of a slob and that annoys her, but she's learned to tease him about it and just pick up things on the go so they don't accumulate and drive her crazy. After all he cooks more often and is working at the Crashdown every other night and his other job on Saturdays. She is overly aware about sharing bills and keeping track of everything, from the car payment to rent to grocery shopping. It's irritating to know every detail, but he knows it's fair and it will help them be ready for the baby. And she keeps things too organized but he lets it go and gets used to having his movies to books alphabetized and the towels and linens color coordinated. He even starts keeping whites separate from colors at all times. At least he doesn't have to clean the place by himself, even if he used his powers he has doubts he could get the apartment to look as good as it does with her around.

"What time do you have to work on Saturday?" she asks as they watch The Sixth Sense while eating popcorn.

"Seven to three."

"The Fotopoulos wedding starts at two. So, I have to work from ten to six," she says, looking concerned.

"Just drop me off at seven and I'll figure out how to get home," he says, like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"Michael, the construction site is a half hour drive from here."

"So? I know how to take the bus."

"There are no buses running that way yet. There's almost nothing there besides the houses you're working on. You'd have to walk at least three miles to the closest bus station." He shrugs. Figures Isabel would memorize bus routes now that they had to share one car for important things. She shakes her head at him. "I'll ask Max to get me to the wedding and you can take the car."

"What if he's busy?"

"Then I'll ask one of our friends or take the bus. The bus goes right up to the park and zoo."

"Fine, but I'll pick you up after and we can have dinner with Adam."

Isabel nods and smiles at him. Michael is quiet. He is not happy. It feels like lately they are constantly asking for something from someone or Iz is having to do things she never did before, like take the bus. He hasn't felt this pathetic about his living situation since Hank. This is not nearly as bad but he didn't want to ask for help then and he definitely doesn't like asking now. Him and his son and his… whatever Isabel is, they shouldn't have to. Her and Adam should not need to settle for what little there is or need help. We need another car and a bigger apartment and-

"Michael."

"What?"

"What are you thinking about? "

"Nothing."

"You look… I don't know, what is it?"

He stays quiet, but she keeps staring with those big eyes. When did she start staring that way again? It's like when they were kids and she wanted to know his locker combination or something stupid like that. She stopped this for such a long time. But now it's back full force and he feels disarmed and unable to hide a damn thing. He shakes his head and squares his shoulders. "You shouldn't have to ask people for rides or take the bus."

"I really don't mind."

"Well I do. You never had to do things like that before. You had a house, a car, your own room, your trips to the mall and everything you wanted. Now you're stuck in this place with me."

"Umm... you're right." He looks at her with angry sad eyes and her heart feels like it's twisting. "But Michael… what I want is different now. I want Adam and…" She takes a breath and bites her tongue. She rethinks her words and then explains. "I want Adam, more than a car or stupid trips to the mall or anything else. I don't need my old normal life. Not anymore. As long as we get to have Adam, then this is all I need, this is perfect," she says.

He looks at her and can't help the small smile that grows on his face. "I… okay. I just wish I could give Adam the world… you two deserve better than this."

"Michael," she says, sweetly. "I want to give Adam the world, too. And I think we could do it. We're a team now and we can change things. If we want to stop needing to take the bus or asking for rides then we both can try to get more work hours and buy another car. But, we have to work together. You have to talk to me, okay?"

"Okay."

She gives him a hug. "Thanks Mikey."

"For what?"

"For caring," she answers with a smile. "Now watch, this part is good."

He turns back to the TV and watches as Bruce Willis realizes he's a ghost.

On Thursday night, Isabel and Tess are in the kitchen making spaghetti. Kyle and Michael play a video game.

"Seriously man how do you handle it? Tess has her underwear and her bras and her girlie things all over the bathroom. Every time I go in to shave, I feel like I'm walking into Victoria's Secret."

"So what's not to like? Watch the left, zombie coming."

"Take that, half-dead jerk! Anyway, she's taken over the television, the computer, my phone. If some chick's gonna be yelling at me about keeping the toilet seat down, she better at least be doing me."

"Good luck with that."

"I could tell you the same thing. It's not like you're getting any from your mother to be pretend girlfriend."

Michael gives him a look that could kill.

"Oh come on, I didn't mean it in a bad way, you didn't have to die and leave me with the zombies. Anyway, I'm just saying you'll be saddled with a kid soon and didn't even have sex. You're like Saint Michael. So, how do you deal with the take over?"

"I don't." Kyle looks confused. "Iz and I both have cell phones. She helps with the bills and the chores. And I don't get to see much of her underwear. She's kinda shy about that stuff."

"Oh hell, so it's only me that's stuck with the take over everything shameless non-girlfriend."

"Dinner is ready!" Tess says.

"Sucks to be you, Valenti."

Saturday afternoon comes and Isabel is frazzled. The morning was hectic and not what she expected. Half of the flowers were wrong and after one of her best tirades filled with threats about anything that popped into her brain, the florist got the right flowers and re-did the place. Honestly, she isn't a bitch, the bride would have had a meltdown if she got Astromelia Pelegrinas instead of the Astromelia Cultivars she had repeatedly specified. It was the florist's fault. She had told him about her particular wishes at least twenty times the past few weeks! After that everything was perfect, beautiful ceremony, delicious meal, touching toasts. It was great. But now, the guest are wild. This is Greek wedding madness.

"Hey."

"Michael. What are you doing here?"

"I was bored at home so figured I'd come early and see if you were done. I told you one day I would come to one of these things to see what's the fuss," he teases, unable to admit that these days when she's gone the apartment feels weird… lonely.

"Holy shit!" she exclaims. People are jumping around and breaking plates and she looks like she might go insane. "Okay. No, no! You cannot throw plates at the statues!" Michael laughs.

"Isabel."

"Thank God!" she says, looking at her boss. "I have totally lost control. Help me, please?

"Oh good grief. We have to find Tina or Leo."

Right then the bride stops and pulls Isabel into a hug. She looks like she's had too much of the champagne. "This has been perfect. It's just what we wanted. Thank you, darling." She turns to her boss. "She's amazing."

"Tina, you didn't tell us you'd be doing this. We didn't plan for it," Mrs. Maloney says sternly.

"The caterer is going to kill us," Isabel adds, obviously anxious.

"We'll pay for everything. Just bill it all!"

Then the groom comes and takes his bride back to the dance floor. Michael is smirking at the chaos. Isabel doesn't know what to do. "What now?" she asks.

Her boss smiles, grabs a plate and says, "I guess if you can't beat them…" She throws the plate full force and it shatters on the floor. She hands one to Isabel and they break two more. Isabel looks relieved and happy.

"Didn't really think it'd be entertained at one of these, but watching you destroy things is priceless," Michael says.

"You are?" her boss asks.

"Oh sorry. This is Michael."

"Your Michael, the baby's father," her boss says. Isabel blushes and nods. "Nice to finally meet you," Mrs. Maloney adds, shaking Michael's hand.

"Ahh… yeah, you too," he answers.

Isabel smiles and hands him a plate. He breaks it. They laugh and break plates for a bit. Then they hear. "Wedding ladies!"

"Mr. Fotopoulos."

"My daughter is so very happy, thanks to you two."

"No needs for thanks. It's our job," Mrs. Maloney says.

"Dance!"

"I couldn't," her boss says with a conspiratorial smile. "But take the couple."

"What?" Michael says.

They hear the old man whistle to the crowd. "New couple!" He takes a closer look at Isabel. "They're having a baby!" Then they are surrounded and being carried to the dance floor. They get stuck in the middle of the crowd with plates smashing onto the ground and people dancing recklessly. At first Michael feels like a fish out of water, but somehow having everyone cheering around them gets him to relax. They all seem so... happy. Him and Isabel dance, or more like move wildly among a crowd, for almost an hour. He's noticed that usually when she has to walk around with the fake belly she seems self conscious and uncomfortable, but right now she is smiling, and flushed and alive and just… Isabel. Then it's time for cake.

He gets to see her in all her organizational glory, getting staff to clean the floor and serve cake on paper plates while the photographer takes pictures. Then she's arranging people for a bouquet toss thing. Her boss is also walking around the party and giving directions. A while later they make sure everyone, even him, gets a little bag with confetti and then line up outside. The bride and groom walk out and people shower them with good wishes and the confetti from the baggies as they move towards a white limo. It's actually kinda fun to be here. It's strange, but fun and he can see why Isabel loves her job.

He walks aimlessly, feeling like everything inside him has shattered. How could this happen? She said she was thinking about it... that after dealing with Adam she would consider them together again. Why would she do this? Why? He looks at his surroundings and realizes where his feet have brought him. He needs his sister. He needs her to help him make sense of things because if anyone can understand him it's her. She's always been there before.

He sees Michael's Montero getting parked a bit away from the building's main door. His friend and sister come out of the car. It's pretty late and she's still wearing the dress she had on earlier when he dropped her off. They must have gone to see Adam after the wedding. Michael is listening to her and has a smirk on his face. She is practically glowing as she gestures wildly and talks. If he didn't know better he would believe the act. Isabel looks like a girl who might be young and pregnant but is happy. He's never seen either of them look so carefree and it hurts. He's lost his soulmate and his sister is no longer home and doesn't seem to care about it anymore!

God, he did his best. He fought Tess, Michael and Isabel so many times, all for Liz. He battled with destiny and thought he had won. He managed to help everyone and start the hatching, all while pushing Tess away so he could be with Liz. But now he's the one that's left behind, feeling miserable and like an intruder, without girl he loves, with his sister gone and his best friend as her savior. How can she look so… happy after losing her family? How can they all just let go like this? Liz and Iz and Michael, they've moved on and left him and it hurts. He turns and starts to walk away.

"Max? Max!"

He moves, but then she's right there, grabbing his arm. He looks at Isabel and her worried confused eyes.

"What is it? Are you alright?"

And right then he can see it. She still cares about him... he still has his sister. He pulls her into a hug and begins to shake from holding back tears.

"Max? What's wrong?"

He shakes his head. He can't say it aloud. If the does then it's all true and…

"Maxwell. What is it? Are you hurt?" Michael asks.

"Come inside," Isabel says and gets him to walk towards the building. The walk there feels eternal and like a fast blur all at once. He sits on the couch under their watchful eyes. For once Michael is quiet with no rebellious words or fighting looks on his face.

"Max, what happened? What's wrong? Do you need anything?" Isabel asks.

"Liz."

"I'll call her," Michael says.

"No."

"No? Max you're not making any sense," Michael says.

"You're scaring me. Talk to me, please?" Isabel pleads.

He looks at her, then at Michael, and then stares down at the floor. "Liz… she… she slept with Kyle."

"What?" Michael says.

"No way. She couldn't have," Isabel adds.

"I saw them," he says. "I went to her window to ask her about us, again… and they.. they were in her bed…"

And now it's real. Now Isabel is giving him that 'I can't believe this but I'm here for you and will battle the world in your name' look. Even Michael shows only loyalty and concern and seems completely on his side. And it's their expressions that break him. His sister holds him until it's all out.

"I risked everything… I fought you and Michael. I risked Adam… I hurt Tess… and I… I'm in pain," he mumbles.

Michael just stares. This isn't like when Iz cried from her father's words. She had tears coming out torrentially, but he somehow knew exactly what to do, just how to hold onto her and show her she was safe and still had family. But Max is like… hyperventilating or something, there are a couple of tears but it's mostly shaky shoulders and shortness of breath and Michael has no clue what to do. He wants to help his friend so badly, but has no idea how. He hates this feeling of helplessness. He needs to do something to make Max better. Kill Kyle or even Liz, not really, but maybe shake them and scare the crap out of them. Isabel starts humming something. It's sweet and soothing and so… familiar.

She sits in a big ornate chair. Her stomach is huge, but she's never been more beautiful. She hums a tune that brings a smile to his usually stern face. His mother used to sing that same song when he was a little boy and now his mate hums it to their babe. She caresses her stomach and her connection to their child is plain for anyone to see. Then she looks at him.

"You're staring again."

"Your fault. I'm only made of flesh and you're beautiful."

She giggles. "Never thought the great General Rath would be one for flattery."

"Can't stop myself. It's your fault, again. When it comes to you, I can never stop myself," he says as he walks towards her. He kneels before her and kisses her.

"Don't ever stop yourself, not with me," she says as she returns his kisses and deepens them. "I love you," she gasps out while he feasts on her neck.

"And I love you," he answers as she snakes her hand under his uniform shirt. "Lonnie."

The moment becomes heated and Michael can't really believe what he sees.

He gasps and shakes his head, trying to clear it. He looks around and realizes that his friends didn't notice he was having a flash. He lets out a breath of relief but then feels all tingly when he sees that Isabel is glowing gold again.

What the hell? Max is losing it and I'm remembering kissing and floating and sex with his sister. No, stop that train of thought right now, mold, sink gunk and dirty toilets, Hank's puke on the trailer's rug. That's it, disgusting. Crap. I'm the world's worst friend. No wonder Max never listens to half of what I say. Crap. Crap. Crap. The hum is still there and she's still glowing. Dammit, Isabel! Rath knew this from his mother. Do you have any idea what you're doing to me? Him, us? Whatever.

Max begins to calm and eventually his breathing is back to normal. "It's okay, big brother," Isabel says. "You have me."

"I miss you."

"Me too, Max. I miss you. But I'm okay and you will be too. If I can leave home and make it then you can get over Liz Parker." He looks at her like she's telling him to climb Mount Everest without shoes or something. She stares him down. "You will get pass this and you will be okay," she orders. "I will make sure of it. We both will," she adds, looking at Michael. He nods and she hands Max the glowing flower that materialized in her hand.

The next week is strange. Max is moping and avoiding everyone. Isabel brings him lunch and bakes him the only cookies she knows how to make. It's a good and bad thing that they are Michael's favorite. She just about bites his head off when he tries to steal some.

She is constantly on the move, checking on her brother and giving Kyle and Liz the evil eye at school.

"What's her problem?" Kyle asks.

"He is her brother," Michael answers, angrily. Honest, what the hell is Valenti thinking?

"It's not Kyle's fault," Tess argues.

"Yeah, Max stole my girlfriend first and you didn't see me sending girls to try to kill him with one look."

"Whatever. You don't have a sister to send, Valenti. But Isabel is on the warpath. Provoke her or get near Max and… never mind, go ask her what her problem is. That'll be fun to watch," Michael counters.

"Too bad you won't get to. I love Iz, but this one isn't on Kyle. Max and Liz weren't together and if he thought he had a chance and then it fell apart that's on him and Liz, not on my brother." Kyle smiles at Tess, but she doesn't return it. "And you shouldn't be sleeping with girls that won't date you after. Think with your actual head and stop acting like a dolt."

Maria and Alex are the at Crashdown. They have been so confused and can't stand any more angst with the Czechs.

"Alright chica, we need to talk."

"Maria."

"Look this rumor has gone far enough. Max is really hurting."

"I know, but… it's just… it's not a rumor."

"You really slept with Kyle?" Alex asks.

Liz nods and looks remorseful, "Please guys, just let it go. Please." She grabs a plate from the kitchen and takes it to someone's table.

Maria cannot believe what she just heard. She looks at Alex, hoping he has some answers.

"What?" he asks.

"Tell me you know what the hell is going on."

"I think our friend made a mistake."

Tess walks in with Kyle. Alex smiles.

"Oh hell no!"

"What?"

"Alex, really?"

"What are you on about now?"

"Don't even try to lie to me. Isabel I could understand. She's gorgeous and a good friend, but space slut."

"Would you not do the names thing?"

"Would you stop going gaga when you see her?"

"I don't go gaga, Maria. I don't think I even know how. Stop talking crazy."

"Crazy? Ever since that trip to Santa Fe, you have been acting strangely. You hang out with her way too much and suddenly seeing Isabel and Michael in the little dance they pretend they're not doing has not affected you anymore. I notice things, Alex. Now stop it. Space slut is a really bad idea. She can say she's done with destiny all she wants, but I call bullshit. Maybe she mind warped Liz."

"Really Maria? We're going there?"

"How else would you explain it?"

"I don't know. But maybe Liz got tired of waiting for a sign of something. Maybe she realized it was too complicated and wanted to know what it's like to be with someone who is great looking and tenacious and doesn't need to worry about everything and can have fun."

"Are we still talking about Liz?"

"Of course we are."

"Alex, don't be foolish. Maybe you had fun getting to know space -" she stops at his glare. "Fine, Tess, you had fun getting to know her this summer and then dealing with the Geologist and going to Santa Fe. But she is as complicated as the rest of them. She still wants Max. I know it in my bones."

"He's been a jerk to her. I get he wanted Liz, but he didn't need to be quite that direct. He bordered cruel. And now he usually just makes Tess mad. She's moving on."

"Oh my god, I knew it! You do like her!"

"So? What if I like her? What's the big deal? I'm not trying to marry her."

"Alex! You and I already did the hot relationship to then get hurt by alien thing with Michael and Isabel. I know that was hard for you. It may have been worse for me, but you still got hurt. Don't go and do it all over again."

"She won't hurt me."

She gives him her best 'are you stupid?' look.

"She won't, okay. We're at least friends. Closer than Isabel and I were before we dated. She cares about me," he says and walks away to sit with Tess and Kyle.

"God help me, my friends have gone insane," Maria says.

"Who's insane?"

"Jesus, Courtney! Don't sneak up me! Don't you have tables to check?"

"Fine. God, you're the worst trainer ever."

A few days later they meet at school during recess, by the empty bleachers. Max does a double take when Kyle arrives with Tess. He says nothing about it and moves on to the conversation they need to have.

"I hear what you're all saying but I'm not sure this is a good idea. Last time one of us made contact with another alien it took away all our control."

Michael looks unhappy but it's Isabel that speaks. "Max, I know terrible things happened and everything became hectic because we signalled Nasedo. But it also got us Tess and Adam and gave us a chance to meet our mother. I don't regret helping Michael with that signal. It's been hard, but I think or at least I hope we're pass the worse." She takes his hand in hers and squeezes it.

"Adam and your mother are not the issue," Tess adds, looking frustrated. "If you don't want to go, you don't have to. Tell me the time and place and I'll meet him."

"It is not what you're implying," Max says. He truly doesn't want to hurt her or make her feel unwelcome anymore. He just wants to keep them safe. He feels like he just got Izzy and Michael back and he's just afraid this will bring chaos again.

"Yeah right, and you started avoiding me after the hatching and stopped remembering because?"

"Because it was done. We figured Adam out and he'll hatch in a few months and we're managing all the changes that come with that. There is no purpose to researching or remembering more. It's done."

"It's not," Alex says. "We've been translating the rest of the book. There is more but we haven't found the keyword for your pages yet. It's about another device and planets but it's not clear."

"You're still working on the book? Why?"

"Because he's my friend. Because I asked and he is brave enough to help me," Tess says, defensively.

Max looks like he wants to explode but he takes a breath. "I didn't ask him why. I asked you. Tess, why are you still doing this?"

"Why not? Why are you so afraid of the past and being part alien?"

"Why are you so afraid of the present and being part human?"

"How about you two deal with your personal problems on your own?" Michael says. He looks at Max. "I know you want to stay in control, but so do we. Iz and I want to go to this meeting. This guy said they know the hatching started. We need to know what that means for Adam and the rest of us."

"How do you know it's safe?" Maria asks.

"We don't," Isabel adds. "But I've seen Larek a couple of times in my memories. I know I trusted him in our past lives. Michael and I discussed this and if he knows about Adam we should find out his intentions and see if he has any advice."

"But what if it's not anything helpful? What if it's a trap?" Liz asks. She knows a lot of them really don't want her here right now. But she has to say it.

"And what if he's trying to keep us and Adam safe and we ignore him?" Tess asks.

"We're going," Michael states. He has been as understanding and helpful as he can be with Max. But this is about Adam and his worries for Max end where the ones for his son begin.

"Do you care about anything I say?" Max asks, looking at Tess and Michael with a mix of sadness and disappointment. He looks so incredibly tired. "One day you beg me to be this King that helps you bring a baby into the world and the next you have nothing but an attitude about everything I think."

"Attitude reflects leadership," Tess counters. Max looks like he's been slapped.

"That's not fair," Isabel says.

"It wasn't fair for us to get killed in our planet or for your baby to be trapped and all alone in a pod for so long or for you to almost die and get kicked out of your human home. Even me being left behind wasn't fair. But what is really not fair is for our people to be in a war torn planet while their King continues to pretend he's a brokenhearted teen with no purpose!" She stares at Max's eyes. "I remember. I made promise. My life is not my own -"

"It belongs to those who cannot fight for their own," Michael interrupts. "You're not the only who remembers things."

"Tess, I know we left you behind, but you're not alone. We are here for you, too," Isabel adds.

She looks to Michael and Iz and gives them a grateful nod. She turns back to Max. "You asked us to meet you and tell you what we think so we can decide what to do. Now you know what I think. Tell me the time and place, please."

"UFO center Sunday night at eight."

"Thank you." She turns to Michael and Isabel. "I'll see you there." Then she walks away. Alex follows her.

"You remember?" Max asks, looking at Michael.

"Tess and I did a lot of retrieval sessions. I needed to understand Rath. He made that oath many times. A couple of them with Zan and Ava but towards the end he made that oath as a team with Vilandra."

Everyone is quiet. "Do you remember, too?" Max asks, looking at Isabel.

She shakes her head no. "I… remember that Vilandra worked with Ava a lot. She was the hand of the Queen and would carry help missions for the crown all over the galaxy. I was like the public face of the royals."

"So you've always planned the world's best events and organized charities while looking fabulous?" Maria asks with a teasing smile, obviously trying to clear the tension among them. It works and everyone smirks for a little bit.

"Max, it's okay to want to be human and to be afraid. I am too. But you told us about Larek and his request and asked us to think about it. You did the right thing by asking and we did what you said. We really thought about it and now we want to meet him," Isabel says. "I can't let fear of strange new things win, not when I think that dealing with it is what's best for us and Adam."

"I think Ami is right," Maria adds. "Even if this guy is not on our side, better to have an enemy we know than to know nothing at all. We just have to go prepared for anything."

"Fair enough," Max replies. "We'll go."

"So we're meeting at the UFO center?" Maria asks.

"We? Maria I don't -"

"Stop right there, Spaceboy. We've helped you guys with everything for over a year. We're coming. Plus I'm the only person besides Max that knows Brody. If this Larek is really taking over his body and something weird happens someone that he knows who is not an alien should be there for him."

"Fine, whatever."

"I can't come since I already had plans, but would you watch after Tess?" Kyle asks, looking at Michael. "I know you and Max will make sure Isabel is okay, but would you -"

"I will," Isabel says. "Tess is my friend. I can check that she's okay. But she's more than capable of taking care of herself. Neither one of us needs babysitters assigned to us by you of all people," she states and leaves. Max follows her.

"Nicely done, Valenti. Stick it in your mouth any further and she might really blow you up one of these days," Michael adds before walking after Isabel and Max.

Kyle looks at Liz. "I'm sorry," she says. Then she bolts.

"Well, at least we know who they blame," Maria tries to joke. "You alright?"

"Yeah. Pain and anger are transient. Inner peace is what counts."

Maria wants to laugh, but only lets out a small smile. "You are one weird jock, you know?"

"Says the motor mouth essential oils believer who dates aliens."

"Dated. Past tense. And the essential oils actually work."

"Doesn't take away the motor mouth."

Well that's all folks! At least for now. I have most of the next chapter written since it was all one huge one before. I'm happy I cut it now. Review and it will motivate me to finish and polish it and get it posted sooner rather than later. :)

Oh - the note of Michael. So in the last chapter I was worried a bit that Michael was getting out of character being all protective and sweet to Isabel, which kind of continues in this chapter. But I think it works. Hear me out. Michael grew up having very little and getting the worst treatment while growing up out of all the characters the Roswell story, which made him so abrasive and harsh and on the defence. But I'm pretty sure that once he found someone that he felt he belonged with, once he found a family, he would never let anything happen to them and would want to give them the world. That's the perspective I took as inspiration for the last two chapters and a lot of the story. (Some may argue that he did get to be sweet with Maria and that's in a way true in some of season 2 and I didn't watch season 3 so maybe I missed more of that). Anyways, Michael was always my favorite character in the story because he was so flawed to begin with and deep down he was insecure, a reflection of his pain from the way he grew up. My second favorite was Isabel because she worked so hard to put up a front to hide the fact that she was scared and insecure as well. She was just a scared girl that wanted her true mom and craved to be get true love but felt she didn't deserve it, so she pretended to be perfect. At least that was my impression from seasons 1 and part of 2. Again, I didn't really watch much of season 3 because I hated how 2 ended and 3 felt like a trainwreck that followed the mistakes of the end of 2. So all this is based on season 1 and part of 2 and the craziness of my brain.

Oh and I still don't own Roswell or it's characters, even if my brain is making them do what they do in this story. :o)