Chapter Twenty-Three

Michael was sitting down on the couch sipping a bottle of snapple, the only thing other than Maria, he could stand from this god forsaken planet. His life had been rather hectic of the late and he was glad and pleased that the night was quiet. Nope, tonight was going to be a normal night with no problems. None what's so ever. Michael found out how wrong his thoughts were, especially when Max, walking in with Tess and the baby in tow. Michael was shocked though he jumped out of his seat, hand raised into a defensive position.

"Michael, no" Max said standing in front of Tess protectively, "Don't"

Michael was silent for a moment, not trying to think of Tess as Ava, but of the murder that killed Alex. He shook his head, surprise at Max's protective stance though reminding himself that Max had Zan's memories of Ava and that had somehow scrumbled his mind, that still shouldn't matter however, he remembered Ava but he was not liable to let Tess get away with murder.

"Get out of the way, Max" Michael said hesitantly, hand still raised.

Max stepped forward, his eyes rather calm, "I won't let you harm her" His voice was clear and filled with command that Michael took a step back, "Do you understand, Michael?"

Michael looked at Max for a moment, then dropped his hand to his side, "What is she doing here, shouldn't she be on Antar?"

"I don't know, she just showed up" Max said with a shrug, while Tess with the knowledge that she wasn't no longer in danger, moved to place her son on the soft couch, placing the pillows around to assure his safety.

"Wait a minute?" Michael said remembering a few weeks ago when he had told Max about the UFO that crushed, "Did your UFO crash a few weeks ago"

Tess looked up at him, gazing up his eyes as if searching for something. Michael felt a little heated, but managed to stay in controll and calmly as Tess studied him, and he took his liberties in studing her as well. Her hair had grown longer, her eyes more bright, her face looked right about the same, but now Michael was noticing things he hadn't noticed before. Like how juiced up her lips seemed, how shadowed her eyes were, her body was now an attractable force for him. Her body was full, curves on the right places.

Tess finally gave a small smile, "You were always the quick one...so much like Rath"

Michael froze as she said that, did he give himself away somehow? Was it possible that she was aware of the feelings Rath had for her and that perhaps, he had made her think by looking at her that...maybe his eyes showed more than he thought. Michael looked up at Max and frowned as he found his best friend of forever looking at Tess in the way Zan had looked at Ava in his dreams, in the way Max had always looked at Liz...but something was different in that look. It was a look of totally freedom.

Michael rolled his eyes, before Liz was the love of Max's life and now Tess, his head hurt even thinking about it.

Max finally realized Michael was also in the room, turned to his friend, "I need water, really cold water"

At that time Michael was getting water for Max and a bottle of snapple for Tess, the door suddenly flew opened.

"Max" a soft voice called out. Tess didn't have to be a psychic to know who's voice that belonged to. She looked at Max in disbelief but he seemed as surprised as she did. Liz's eyes went straight to Max and the two stared at each other as they always did when they got in the same room together. Tess looked between the two, and Michael hid his smile, this was going to be interesting.

"Hi" Tess suddenly called out in a soft tone to her voice, interupting the two lovebirds in lala land, getting both Max and Liz's attention.

The moment Liz's eyes met Tess, Liz froze. For a moment she wasn't sure if she was really seeing Tess, standing there, wearing a smile. A wave of unbearing anger gathered inside Liz, a hatred that had been diminished slightly come in a rush. Tess should not be the one standing there smiling at her, wearing that innocent look on her face, after everything she had done to her and her friends. After killing Alex, how could that bitch stand there smiling as if nothing about.

"Tess" Liz said in a seemly calming manner, then before anyone could act, Liz's hand shot out, unleashing all her anger and hatred she felt, transforming that into a spirking energy that send Tess flying to the wall. "You bitch, I am going to kill you"

Max's hand shot out with no warning sending Liz flying into the door, Michael was shocked to see Max do such a thing to Liz, but the look on Max's face was cold and deadly and he wondered again what the hell was going on. Michael rushed to Liz's side, still not about to believe that Max had attacked Liz. He however glad that Liz had done something he himself had been willing to do the moment he saw Tess. He felt a little guilty as he glanced over at Tess, having a flash of Ava laughing, Michael wasn't sure if he had ever seen Tess laugh. Why did it matter at this point? Tess had gotten what she deserved, Right?. Apparantly, Max didn't think so. He had murder in his eyes.

"What is your problem Liz, you could have hurt her" Max said calmly to Liz, even though knowing that Liz's rage was warranted, it made no difference at this moment. Instinct to protect Tess from all forms of danger the only thing clear on his mind.
"How can you be defending her, she killed Alex " Liz hissed as Michael helped her stand up. She could not believe what Max had done. He had attack her, and he was protecting Tess. But to attack her, the woman that he loved it was unexpected. What in the world was going on.
"It was an accident, she didn't mean it" Max replied shocking Michael again as Tess stood up and grabbed Max's arm for support. Making sure to stay behind him as she stared at Liz with shock. She wasn't shocked at Liz's outburst. She had expected someone to attack her as soon as they saw her but for Liz to attack her with that kind of power was not something she thought could happen. She had the power to take Liz down and nothing would give her pleasure, but she knew that Liz had every reason against her. And Max, well Max would not forgive that.
"What? how can you say that?" Liz screamed in horror, trying to keep tears behind her eyes as she walked backwards, staring at Max as if the first time she was really seeing him. What was he thinking, what was wrong with him?
"Because I know Tess, and the fact is she wouldn't have killed anyone unless it had been an accident" he told her with a clear face, showing her that he knew what he was talking about. Beside that didn't matter, noone was going to hurt the woman that he loved, not Tess. Not the mother of his son.
"What is wrong with you Max, why are you protecting her?" Liz asked in desperation to understand what was going on but not really grasping it. She was just shocked at what Max was telling her. After all,this woman had killed Alex.
"Because I'm not just Max anymore, I'm Zan as well" he told her in a finally tone. "I have his memories and I would not allow anything or anyone to hurt Ava"

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The tension in Michael Gurrin's apartment could not be cut with a knife. It was electrifying, Liz was sitting at the counter glaring at Tess. While Tess was standing near the window looking out in the streets. Michael was sitting on the couch drinking his snapple in silence trying not to look at anyone. Max closed the door to Michael's room where the baby was sound asleep, causing all eyes towards him. Nerviously he glanced at Liz then Tess, he knew both wanted him to sit by there side, apparantly that little scene before with Liz. He was losing his courage, Zan's bravery was leaving him. Now he was aware of Liz's feelings, he couldn't make a decision because that would hurt someone. Tess's attack had drawn an natural instinct to protect her and he felt even more so guilt for using his powers against Liz. Memories of Liz and memories of Tess and Ava where in conflict with each other so Max did the only thing he could. He went and sat next to Michael.

Tess gave a small smile to Max, thinking about him as Zan and about his feelings for her. Zan had loved Ava and she was Ava, Max was Zan. Liz went on to glaring at Tess angry because of Max's defense on her behalf, sure he had memories of Ava now but that didn't mean he had to forget about Alex. Before anyone could do anything else the door opened with Kyle and Maria walking in the apartment laughing. Tess looked up, her eyes trained at the young, nice looking guy that had walked in. Kyle Valentine had been like a brother to her while staying with him. Above all those in Roswell, she loved Kyle the most. He had made all this bearable.

"Hey" Maria called out trying not to fall prey to the tension in the room, she had not seen Tess yet, "Brought in the milk and diapers you wanted, is there anything you want to tell me Alien boy?" Still remembering that Michael had called on her thirteen minutes ago sounding mysterious, telling her to buy some milk and diapers.

"That would be for me" Tess called out, she didn't sound nervious or intimidated by the very people who thought she had killed Alex. Both Maria and Kyle went all pale as Tess walked up to them taking the bag from Maria's hands. Before looking through her at Kyle, "Hi Kyle"

Maria quickly gained her sense back and slapped Tess with all her might. Liz smiled in satisfaction but her smile quickly dropped as Max got up with surprisely speed, obvious rage on his face. He strode to Maria, standing in front of Tess protectively.

"Back off Maria" Max warned menacely, Maria took a step back seeing the menace behind Max's eyes. Michael stood up, looking at Max. Don't Max, Michael send the telepathic message. He really didn't want to hurt Max but if he had to chose between him and Maria, it would get bloody. Because he wasn't going to let anyone hurt Maria, not for anything. Max must have gotten the message because he turned to Tess, gazing down at her before tilting her chin to, examining her critacally.

"It's okay Max" Tess said softly. Maria looked at Liz trying to figure out what was going on. Liz looked livid but not at all surprised. Tess turned back to Kyle offering a small smile. "Guess this is a surprise for you, huh?"

Kyle was silent for a moment then turned to Max, "What is she doing here?" he asked hushly. Tess wasn't taken back by the sound of his voice. She wasn't sure if he would ever forgive her for the part he made him play in Alex's death and if she deserved his forgiveness. To be quite honest Kyle was feeling various emotions go through his body, first had been relief that Tess was okay after her traveling through space, then come the feeling of guilty that he was like giving her a free pass for killing Alex, which brought on feelings of anger on himself and Tess, his heart was burning and the only thing he felt now was pain. Tess had hurt him, emotionally ripped him to pieces. Whenever he thought about his involvement in Alex's murder. It was too much...

"That's a good question, actually" Max said finally as the silence wore on turning to Tess.

Max had been happy when Tess had first arrived and to be truthfully, he was still happy just looking at her at that moment. But he had to stop thinking about her as Ava, he should stop overlapping his memories. And though he wouldn't let anything happened to her, he was suddenly remembering that when Tess left, she was going to Antar, to Kavir. And he was rather curious of what had happened while she got there.

Tess tensed up turning away from Kyle and looking at Max first then at everyone else. She sighed...

"It's a long story" Tess finally said..."But cliffnotes version, I got to Antar okay and...I met with the Queen Mother, and she convinced me to come back and here I am"

But before any other word was spoken a cry floated in the room.

"Zan" Tess exclaimed running to Michael's room, leaving everyone staring after her.

There was silence before everyone in unison turned to Max, looking at him strangely.

"What?" Max asked throwing his hands in the air.

Why was everyone looking at him like that. Just because he had attacked Liz for attacking Tess and he would done the same to Maria. Just because he wasn't treating Tess like the murder she was, doesn't mean that he lost his mind. He still wasn't sure that Tess killed Alex though, no matter what she had said, Max was suddenly finding it had to believe that Tess would kill Alex. Even through Ava had been a warrior and raised by warriors didn't make her heartless. And Tess even though she was no innocent, all of the sudden, it was hard to believe.

"What?" Everyone echoed in a chorus.

"Oh my god" Maria screamed, her palm hitting her forehead, as if she had finally solved a mystery. Everyone turned to her looking at her incredialously, "It's obvious, I mean...seriously...this makes sense..."

"What?" Liz asked interupting Maria, seriously, the girl had to learn how to communicate with people, "What is it, Maria?"

"Hello" Maria said as if everyone should be going in the same direction as she was, "Tess mindwarped him, it explains so much"

Silence befell the room before everyone's were once again on Max.

"she didn't mindwarp me" Max said trying not to laugh, while everyone was looking at him in disbelief, "She didn't"

"What are you saying Max?" Liz finally spoke for the first time since Maria and Kyle walked into the room, her voice was all shocked up and tears threaterned to come out, Max was admitting that he had attacked her without being forced. Before it was just anger, but him actually saying that, admitting that he had wanted to hurt her was just to much, "You wanted to hurt me, Max, you attacked me out of your on free will"

"Wait a minute" Kyle spoke again, confussed and he wasn't the only one, Maria was still in the unknow "What?"

Max opened his mouth, then closed his mouth again. She was right, he had attacked her out of his own free will, but how could he tell her that, how could he possible look into her eyes, as he was now. Eyes filled with sarrow and pain, after everything she had done for him.

"I don't know what happen in that moment, Liz" Max finally said, he wasn't going to lie, even if it would make things far earsier for him. He had been taking the easy way out for so long, it was time for him to be a man, "It was soft of instinct, I couldn't...I just lost my mind for a moment..."

"You attacked Liz" Maria shouted, interupting Max, she looked shocked, she turned to Liz and waiting a minute for him to denie that accusation but that was obviously not going to happen.

"Max, how could you?" Kyle asked shocked beyong belief, this was unbelievable, even more so than Tess showing up out of noway.