So, I didn't mean to post another chapter so fast, but this just came flowing out. So, here you have it, another chapter that needs to be split into 2 because it's gotten too long and send my pre-made outlines into a tail spin.
Thanks to kbeth82 and xxTHE for the reviews, those are so very appreciated. I'm still debating on Rebel vs. Dreamer for this story, but I have at least two more chapters that don't need a decision to be made, so review or send me some PM's if you want to weigh in on that one. :)
This time of the year - Part 1
"So you really are not doing presents?" Tess asks as they walk down the chips and snacks aisle.
"Don't remind me. This year… this is not like me at all," Isabel answers.
"Guess so. I've heard all about the Christmas Nazi. But you don't even have a tree and Christmas is in two weeks."
"I know," she answers, looking depressed.
"At least you live with the man of your dreams."
"Stop it."
"What? It's true. You fight evil by bringing him into your dreams and save him in his by showing him your past life loving," she teases.
"Would you please."
"Oh come on, stop denying it. You want him." Isabel rolls her eyes and looks for the chips Michael put on their list. "You lied to Kyle, right? You two were totally at it in that dream?"
"Tess!" she says, looking mortified.
"Oh my God you were! Was it hot?"
"It was during a nightmare," she says. Then she whispers, "A Kivar attack, not something to joke about."
"I know, I'm sorry. I'm just trying to see the good within the bad, you know. And you two were so protective of that moment and all shy. It was cute."
"You are horrible and I hate you," she answers, moving away from her to the soda and drinks aisle.
"Come on, have some fun and share. It must have been good if it was a strong enough memory to," she changes her tone to a whisper. "Defeat our enemy." She returns her voice to normal. "I remember me and Max and kissing and some stuff, but not actual sex. Give me some details."
"You are impossible. Why are we friends again?"
"Because I get you and I told you how you and Michael were destined to be together."
"Uhuh and under that reasoning you and my brother should be living your own happily ever after."
She shrugs. "That ship has sailed. Max and I are friends now. But seriously," she says before pausing and looking at Isabel with a straight face for a second then she smiles. "How much did you like seeing Michael naked?"
"Tess!" They hear a couple of people clearing their throats and coughing uncomfortably behind them. "Mom, dad."
"Hello," Tess says.
Isabel's dad nods at them and just stares.
"Hello Tess. Izzy," her mom says, looking at her stomach. "How are you?"
"Good. I'm good, great."
"Max said it's a boy… you're naming him Adam."
"Yeah. Adam."
"Where's Michael?" her dad asks.
"Work," she answers defensively.
"Still doing the construction thing on the weekends?" her mom asks, kindly.
"Yeah, every Saturday. He works really hard."
"That's good. You're still with Karla?"
"Yeah, Mrs. Maloney has been very supportive. I… I should get going. We have to finish this shopping and get to a baptism in two hours."
"We? Tess are you working with Karla too?"
"No, just giving Izzy a ride."
"Michael gets dibs on the vehicle over his six month pregnant girlfriend?" her dad says, looking concerned.
"If you must know, he offers to give me the truck every time our work schedules are like this! But I am not making him walk for hours or bus a crazy route at five in the morning when the event I have is only ten minutes from home and Tess is happy to take me," she answers angrily.
"Please, don't argue. We just want to make sure you and the baby okay."
"We're perfectly fine where you left us, with Michael! And I'm not an invalid that needs to be driven around and have constant care."
"Of course not. You look much better than the last time we saw you," her mom says. "You look beautiful," she adds moving her hand to touch her stomach.
Isabel backs away. "Umm… thanks."
"Isabel, sweetheart... we miss you."
"I'm not the one that left," Isabel says and starts to fastly push the cart away. She stops at the end of the aisle. "Tess, grab Michael's Snapple."
"Peach?"
"Yes."
Tess grabs a pack and carries it to the next aisle where Isabel waits. "You okay?"
"Let's get this shopping done. Quickly."
Isabel runs through the list efficiently and there's no more talking. They get to the register to pay and see her parents right behind them again. She doesn't know if she's angry or sad or… whatever. She misses them, a lot, but she also doesn't want to see them. That makes no sense, but having them around makes her remember that not that long ago she lived under their roof and thought she would always have them. Seeing them hurts and makes her angry and just...
"Sixty two ninety," says the cashier.
Isabel pulls out the wallet from her purse and is so distraught that she has a hard time looking through the different bills in there. Keep it together. Don't look upset. Look good, no matter what, just look good. God, I wish one of this was a hundred and I could just hand that in without counting! Then she sees the one dollar bill she's touching turn into exactly what she wanted. She pulls it out and inspects the thing.
"Madam?"
She startles. Madam, when did I become madam? I'm eighteen years old. Is it the belly?
"Isabel?" Tess says. "Hand that over."
"Right." She pays and the cashier runs a marker through the bill and then gives her change back. She feels like she just robbed somebody, in front of her parents too. They pack up the groceries and she leaves like the devil is chasing her out of the supermarket.
"Are you okay?"
"Let's just get these in the car, please." They put everything in the trunk and then get in the vehicle.
"Do you wanna talk about it?"
"Not really... Tess... I changed the bill."
"What are you talking about?" She pulls a one from her wallet and tries to focus on changing it to a hundred. It works. "So?"
"What do you mean so?"
"Nacedo did that all the time. How do you think we had a house and all the stuff when he never worked? How do you think I buy all my clothes?"
"And you're just telling me this! We've been working our butts off and worrying about money for months!"
"I thought it was a 'want to be human' thing."
"Oh my god Tess! We can buy that swing for Adam and the bookcase and… a Christmas tree and… I can have Christmas! I can't wait to tell Michael," she says, letting a hint of a smile out.
Tess laughs at her. "You're in love." She stays quiet. Tess laughs again. "You know, I have an idea."
"If this is about destiny, I don't want to hear it."
"Just listen."
Five days before Christmas at the UFO center.
"Hello? Brody?"
"Maria. Hi."
"Ok. Flash update on Christmas Eve. Tess my slut almost friend is...
"Maria. I'm sorry. This just really isn't a good time."
"Oh. Ok."
"Listen. I'm gonna be away for a few days. Uh, you don't need to bring my lunch."
"Fine. Is...is everything all right?"
"Yeah. Fine. I'll be back after Christmas."
"Yeah. Of course. Merry Christmas," she says as she leaves.
"Yeah. Merry Christmas."
Later that day.
"Nine in the morning on Christmas Eve. You're coming right?" Tess asks, as they walk into the Crashdown.
"Remind me again, why am I going along with your schemes?" Alex says.
"Because we love Isabel and this will lift her spirits."
"She seems to be doing just fine," he answers, looking to where Isabel is. She's talking to Michael who's taking a break from the grill. They seem perfectly content.
"Fine then do it for me. You love me," she jokes with a smile. Alex just stares at her as she approaches Isabel and Michael. She greets them and Alex joins them.
"So, what's new?" Tess asks.
"Nothing," Isabel and Michael say together.
"Okay."
They talk about nothing in particular for a while. Then Isabel speaks. "I gotta go soon. I'm directing the Christmas pageant and need to talk to the stage guy. You didn't forget about going to the soup kitchen and replacing me in the prep for this year's meal? Or the dog show?"
"No, I haven't forgotten," Tess wines. "How did I get trapped into so many of your old holiday duties?"
"The Christmas Nazi defeated you as she moved on to weddings and a baby," Michael tells her with a smirk.
"Michael," Isabel scolds, giving him an evil look.
"What?" he smirks. "She's a newbie. She needs to learn to fight harder next year."
"Whatever. You better have a perfect tree when I get home."
"Or what? You'll look like your head might explode and I'll laugh about it."
"Tonight, Michael," she says as she stands.
"Hey, I don't even believe in this, so why should I get sucked into it? The whole thing's a marketing scam invented to make people buy things they don't even need. We have better things to spend our hard earned money than a tree."
"It's coming from my unexpected bonus. We have the money. Follow the diagram," she says and starts to walk away. Tess and Alex laugh.
"Wait. Kyle asked me to tell you he's free tomorrow. For the… mechanics project," Tess says.
"Cool, I'll call him. See you guys later."
"Wait. You never took anything shop related and Kyle is good with cars," Michael says. He gets no answer since she's out of earshot. Tess and Alex look at each other. Alex shrugs.
"Kyle is taking… Physics. I meant mechanics from Physics. He's failing and Isabel is just helping him," Tess says.
He's about to question her more when Maria interrupts him, "Some of us would like to do our jobs and can't without food getting cooked."
"Lay off. There's not many people here. I needed a break," Michael counters.
"I believe your need just walked out the door so you should be free to grace the kitchen with your presence." He gives Maria a glare and walks towards the grill.
"Good work motormouth," Tess says.
"I do my best, space slut."
"You two are insane, you know?" Alex says.
"No we're not," Tess answers.
Max walks in and sits with them. "Hey, have you guys seen Isabel?"
"You just missed her," Alex answers. "Something about a pageant."
"Right, the pageant for the little girls. I actually came to ask if she needed help moving the extra cans and boxes the soup kitchen gets for the holidays."
"Yes!" Tess answers. Max looks at her with confusion. "She got me to do a bunch of the holiday things she can't do because she's working. I have a list and those cans and boxes are haunting me. I planned to use my powers, but there's always people around."
"Don't worry about it. I got your back. She makes me do it every year. I've learned to be insanely efficient so she doesn't bite my head off."
"Great!"
"Do you need any more help?" Alex asks.
"I don't think so. That storage room is small so having more than us two would probably only give us claustrophobia. But how are you with dogs?"
"I'm great with canines."
"Good. Go to the humane society tomorrow at two and ask for Annie. She'll have two special canine friends that need transport to the show."
Max laughs at her. "The Christmas Nazi has made you her minion."
"It's not funny."
"Actually it is. We should get you an elf suit," he says, smiling and looking at her with fondness.
"Who are you and what have you done with the king gloom and doom?"
He shrugs and smiles. "I'm just happy that my sister is acting normal. Even got the most alien alien I know into her seasonal craziness."
"Whatever. I'm going home in an hour to get my car. We could meet at the soup kitchen in two hours."
"Or we can just leave from here in the jeep and I'll take you home after."
"Okay. Thanks."
"Hi. What can I get you?" Liz asks.
"Hey you. Cherry coke." Alex says.
"Hi. Regular Coke," Max says, getting a bit more serious.
"Cherry coke for me too," Tess adds.
"And some tabasco," Max and Tess say together.
"Jinx," Tess says.
"Are you ten?" Max asks, smiling slightly.
"It's Kyle and this one," she says, pointing to Alex. "They keep getting me used to doing these silly kind of things."
Max answers, "It's good, fun."
"Yeah. We're pretty fun together," Alex adds.
"We are," Tess says. "Alright, this is freaking me out. Liz, where's motormouth? Pretty sure she can bring down this people loving me moment."
"Getting food for table six. I'll get your sodas and send Maria with them," Liz says and quickly walks away, looking gloomy.
"Be right back," Alex says.
Max looks towards where Liz left.
"So… are you two okay?" Tess asks.
"I wouldn't know. We… haven't really spoken that much."
They are quiet for a bit. "You can tell me, you know."
"Tell you what?"
"That you miss her and you still love her. That between Kyle and I, we ruined your life."
He places a hand on hers. "It has nothing to do with you or Kyle. Just… she said some things and I… maybe she's right. It's just..."
She stares at him and he looks right back at her blue eyes. "You got hurt," she states.
"Yeah.."
She pulls her hand away. "You should focus on other things. Find a friend you can help, take on a hobby, learn something new just... nothing to do with love things."
"Is that what you did? To… let go of… sorry, too personal."
"It's fine. And well yeah... I... I help Isabel, even with her crazy Christmas crap. And Jim and Kyle... if I wasn't around, their meals would probably still only come out of cans and boxes. I should thank you for helping your sister convince me to move in with them."
"No need." He smiles at her. "What's your hobby?"
"Now you're getting personal." They laugh. "I'm learning to knit. Don't tell Iz or Michael. I'm making baby clothes."
"That's... nice."
"Actually, they're pretty terrible. Kyle says they'll fit Adam if he has ET's head, bigfoot's feet and the body of a mini walrus," she says jokingly. "I'm good at reading though. And I'm learning a lot about computers from Alex. He's really smart and good at explaining human technology, gets me to understand everything that's going on when we hang out."
"He is smart. Are you still working on the destiny book?"
"Don't get angry."
"I won't. I think… with the whole Kivar thing, it can only help if we know more."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Have you found anything useful?"
"No. But… it's only me and Alex, so it's bound to be slower than our summer research. It's okay."
"Tess?"
"Yeah?"
"Would you want me to help with the book?"
"You? You'd help with that?"
He nods. "You just told me to help a friend and get a hobby. We're friends, right?"
"Yeah. I just…"
"One coke, two cherry cokes and tabasco."
"Thanks, motormouth."
"Whatever, space slut. Are you ready to order?"
Two days later, Maria walks down the street with the people from the caroling group. She's happy to sing all day. "Ok. Last house of the night. Five-year-old girl with cancer," she hears. That's so sad. They start singing "Deck the Halls" and the little girl comes out of the house to listen.
"Daddy, come here!" she says.
Brody comes outside. Maria and Brody see each other, and Maria realizes why Brody wasn't in the Christmas mood a couple of days before when she brought him his lunch. She finishes her singing duties and walks back to Brody's house.
"Maria," Brody says surprised.
"Hey."
"What are you doing here?"
"Um, I don't know. I'm just...I'm just here."
"You're wondering about Sydney."
"Yeah."
"She's my daughter."
"She's very beautiful."
"Thank you. She's staying with me for a few days, you know, for Christmas."
"Oh. She has, uh…"
"Cancer. Yeah. It's in her bone marrow. Inoperable."
"I'm so sorry."
"I know you and I talk a lot and that I've never mentioned her. I just don't...it's hard, you know, to talk about it."
"If there's anything I can do, anything at all…"
"Thank you. You did enough earlier. You have a really beautiful voice."
Maria blushes and he smiles weakly. Then the little girl comes to the door. "Daddy, I can't get my crown to fit right." She looks at Maria. "Who are you?"
"Syd, this is Maria. Maria, this is Sydney."
"It's nice to meet you Sydney."
"Yeah, you too."
"Wow… is that a Christmas present you're wearing?"
"Sydney's gonna be in the holiday pageant tomorrow, aren't you, sweetheart?" Brody places a tiara on her head. "All right. A bit big, isn't it? There we go. It's lovely, isn't it?"
"Beautiful," Maria says, smiling at the little girl.
"I remember you. Can you sing again?" she asks.
"Of course."
At the Crashdown.
"Space boy, I have to leave for a while on Christmas eve. From eleven to one."
"What! This was your idea and now you can't help!"
"First off, it was space slut's idea. Second of all, I will help. I just need to take a little break."
"I swear to God, you women are all crazy!" he says, looking really angry.
"Look, I need to meet someone. But, Alex, Tess and Kyle will be there the entire time and everything will be ready." He doesn't seem placated at all. "What is your problem?"
"Nothing!"
"It's something. You've been cranky all morning. More than usual. What's going on?"
"I said nothing!"
"I will keep bugging so spill it out already!"
"Kyle! He won't be there."
"Oh God. Fine! I'll make more time to help. Does that make it better?" He still looks mad as hell. "What now?"
"He's hanging out with Isabel."
"What are you talking about?"
"Kyle and Isabel. They keep meeting to work on some mechanics project thing, including on Christmas Eve. But she's done with school and lying through her teeth, I can tell. She can't lie to me, but she sure as hell is trying."
Maria lets out a snicker. "Oh my God! You're jealous."
"I am not. Her and Max are my best friends."
"Yeah, keep telling yourself that." He glares at her. "Relax space boy, I'm sure it's nothing like that."
"She can do whatever she wants. I just don't like liars."
Maria laughs again. "You're so jealous it's almost adorable, except not. You know you already have a bad enough attitude so for the sake of all of us around you, tame the neanderteen overreaction."
"Get out of this kitchen."
"You know what, if you don't admit you're mad about her then I just might cheer for Kyle to get her. He's a good guy. Might be a good step daddy for Adam."
Michael looks like he's going to kill her. Maria escapes the kitchen.
Michael is helping Isabel right before the pageant starts.
"So, you'll be ready to go for some Astronomy after this?" he asks, sharing their new code phrase for going to see Adam.
"Oh! I… I need to talk to Kyle. Just for a bit. He's picking me up and then bringing me to the apartment. I'll meet you there within an hour after the pageant. Promise." He glares at her. "What?"
"Nothing."
"Okay," she says, confused. She gives him a box. "Take it to the table that is next to the judges. It's the prices for the girls."
"Fine," he says, leaving with a scowl on his face. She looks at him confused then shakes her head and moves on.
"Ok, you guys. We worked really hard, so just don't forget to smile, ok," she says to the girls.
Michael places the box where Isabel asks and then stands near the stage. He sees Liz talking to Maria who is in tears. What the hell? Those two keep talking for a bit. Then Maria actually smiles and the two girls approach Max, who is sitting with Tess, Alex and Kyle, waiting for the pageant to start. Crazy girls. Then Isabel takes the stage.
"Hi, everyone. Welcome to this year's holiday pageant! I'm Isabel. Some of you know me as the director of this pageant, others may know me as the past president of the hunger drive, which is now in the capable hands of Miss Tess Harding!" There is some applause. "Others might know me from the many holiday events at the nursing home or from Maloney's Events. And some of you know me as… the Christmas Nazi." Isabel glances accusingly at Michael and then Max. "But enough about me. Let's feast our eyes on the cutest darn kids in America. Welcome to Roswell's 23rd annual holiday pageant!"
The girls start walking and Isabel introduces each of them. Michael stands still, just watching her. She looks completely in her element. He's mad at her for lying but can't help but feel a strange sense of contentment at seeing her looking so happy.
As the show goes on, Liz whispers into Max's ear. Max glances over at Brody, then to Liz, then to Sydney. He looks into Liz eyes and can't help himself. Of course he'll help.
It's late when Max drives with Liz and Maria over to Michael's apartment. They don't see the Montero and have to wait. He calls Tess and her and Kyle get there only a few minutes before Michael and Isabel arrive. Maria explains about Sydney.
"She had a relapse after the pageant. She's in the hospital in Phoenix," Maria says.
"And?" Michael asks.
"I'm going with Liz and Maria. It may be a little dangerous. I just thought you all should know," Max says. They are all quiet. "You're against it?" Max asks, looking at Michael.
"No, actually, I was thinking I wouldn't want to be Brody. If it was Adam…"
Isabel smiles at him, "You're just worried it could get us caught."
"Yeah," he says then looks at Max. "You realize you'll leave a big silver handprint that points right to us."
"It'll be in Arizona."
"I know. But I'm going with you too. Someone has to keep you from getting us all killed."
"No," Tess says.
"What?" Maria argues. "You'll leave a little girl to die! Brody's daughter!"
"I didn't say that. I said no to Michael going." She turns to Michael. "You and Isabel can't risk it. If one of you gets caught in trouble then Adam could be lost. I can go with Max, Liz and Maria."
"Tess," Isabel says, with gratitude.
"I'm coming too," says Kyle. "I can help create diversions if needed. I'm charming like that."
"Might as well call Alex and see if he can check on the hospital's security," Tess says. "He's gotten good at using technology for breaking and entering."
"We should call dad from the road, so he can get us out of trouble with the law if we get caught," Kyle says.
"Yeah," Tess says.
"Okay," Max adds.
It's early on Christmas Eve and Michael wakes up to a sweet smell.
"Morning," Michael says.
"Morning," Isabel answers.
"What are those?"
"Merry early Christmas," she says, showing him a plate of cookies. He looks at her confused. "I know I've a bit demanding. You got a great tree and I guess I must have been driving you insane the past few days because… you've been upset or annoyed or something, so… peace."
He grabs a cookie. "These are good."
"Your favorite."
"Thanks. So... what are your plans for today mein fuhrer?"
She gives him a glare, but her lips can't help but tug up into a slight smile once she turns away from him. "Not much. Just going to the nursing home for a bit and then Kyle and I are finishing his project. I'll be at the Crashdown by two. You?"
"I'm spending the day with Maria then coming back here."
"Maria?" she says, looking confused and dare he say, unhappy.
"Yeah. Is that a problem?"
"Of course not."
Isabel and Kyle arrive at the Crashdown and see Michael standing by the Montero in front of the restaurant.
"Hi. Were you waiting for me?" Isabel asks.
"Yeah."
"Hey, man," Kyle says. Michael grunts a greeting to him. Kyle smirks and looks at Isabel. "See you later."
She turns to Michael. "Aren't we having dinner with everyone?"
"Yeah, but later. Come on a drive with me."
Kyle turns back to them from the main door and loudly speaks, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do. Or go ahead and do it, you're already having a baby!" Then he runs into the restaurant. Michael scowls angrily.
"Let's go," Isabel says. "On that drive."
"Right."
They get in the car and as they go through town she realizes the street they are approaching.
"Where are we going?"
"You know where."
"Michael, I can't. Stop the car!"
"Isabel, relax."
"No! Why would you bring me here?"
"Max has been begging me to talk to you about this for weeks and then… your parents cornered me."
"What?"
He stops about two blocks before the Evans' home. "Last week, when I went to get your tree, your mom and dad were there."
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asks, angrily.
"I tried but you completely shut that down, remember?"
"The night we put up the tree and took the hearth to Adam's podchamber," she says. He nods. "I remember what you said, but I… I was happy and... talking about them… I just wanted to stay happy. Michael… what are we doing here?"
"Look… when I ran into your parents, I was pissed off. I know they upset you at the grocery store and said some stupid stuff and the shit your dad said before they left you in my apartment… man was I pissed at him. But then… your mom saw that I had your psycho tree diagram and started to cry. How was I supposed to stay mad at a crying lady?" Isabel looks at him with understanding. "Then she started asking about Adam and it was all awkward, but I told her he's doing great and will be born in early March. Then she started talking to your dad and saying she couldn't do this anymore. That she wanted to have her daughter back and be there for her grandson. She apologized for leaving us to deal with things on our own and got him to apologize for hurting you. I... didn't really say much. Don't know what I was supposed to say anyway. They asked me to come to dinner and bring you, practically begged. I said I didn't know, that it was up to you. Then Max started hounding me about it everyday."
"So you're bringing me to Christmas Eve dinner with them?"
"No. Max knows about dinner and your Secret Santa thing at the Crashdown. But I agreed to have us stop by for a little while. Then Max can go with us to the Crashdown. Look, he wouldn't leave me alone and he knew you wouldn't listen to him."
"He's right. He's tried to talk to me about mom and dad, but I always shut him down. Michael… I just... I don't know about this."
"If you really want to go and not see them for Christmas, we'll leave. We'll go see Adam and then meet everyone for dinner later."
"But, there is a but in there, I know it."
"But I know you miss them. I know you want to see them and make up. Isabel, I know you want to be with your family for the whole holiday thing."
She takes his hand and squeezes it. "I do. I want to be with my family for Christmas, which is why I made sure tomorrow I spend the day with Adam and with you," she says, looking at him with that stare that could probably melt ice. It's like there's a heat lamp right in front of him and his face is warm and his chest feels knotted. "We'll go in. You're right… I… this is the time of year to make peace. Stay at my side?" she asks, looking so vulnerable he wants to pull her into a hug and keep her safe and to himself. He nods, staring at her eyes and hoping she knows that no matter what he will be there for her and for Adam. He will always be there for them. She nods back and then lets go of his hand. She takes a deep breath and says, "Okay."
He drives up to the Evans' house. They get out of the car and he can tell how nervous she is. He walks next to her and takes her hand. "Thank you," she says. Then they ring the doorbell.
Well, let me know how you liked this chapter. I always loved the Christmas Nazi and I thought the best part was all the flirting between Michael and Isabel. Candy fans would kill me for saying that because obviously they were discussing a present for Maria, but come on I couldn't help but see the chemistry between Michael and Isabel as they bantered and he teased the Christmas Nazi. Watch the episode and you'll see it.
Also, I'm going to take a short break from this to write a chapter for my Breaking Tradition fic. I have a chapter to write as a birthday present to my most amazing fanfic supporter and I can't let her down. So, short break, but no worries I will come back to this as quickly as possible. Also, if you like Harry Potter you might like that fic. I've been writing it for ages and then got stuck in major writer's block mode last year. Funnily enough it was that writer's block that got me to write Roswell fanfic just to get some words out and now here is Royal Child and I can't stop writing this even though it was supposed to be my way to get back to writing and back to my longest fic. :)