Chapter Thirty-Four

This is a big chapter and this is how the chapters are going to be from now on...did a little calculation and I figured if I keep putting those chapters with only two or three characters, It will take me forever to finish...so enjoy and review...

Michael was standing in front of a women clothing store and wondered once again what in the world he was doing and why. It was one thing to live by himself and it had alread been two days and already he was getting more than a little fastrauted staying with a homocidal manic who was more girly than his girlfriend. Not only that Tess had decided that she would be staying with him for good, and boy was she making herself comfortable in his home. She had actually sneaked a list of groceries for him to buy...not only that but now diapers and milk and that wasn't his job to do and yet it was his money being wasted. He wasn't going to ask Tess for payback however, this was Max's responsibility and boy was he going to pay for all this...

Tess was a liar and a manipulative bitch and things seemed to get only worse with each and every hour but Max was still in denial mode. Michael knew that nothing anyone was going to say would change Max's mind about Tess. And if he was gong to be honest with himself. Michael wanted Max to right but he knew it was unlikely.

Another thing that was extremely pissing off Michael were the past life memories that refused to tell him anything he wanted. His memories of Tess as Ava and even Max as Zan were there full blown but only personal perspective. He still wasn't remembering anything about his relationship with Valendra and his own life for that matter. He knew Nikolas was his brother yet he still couldn't get something concrete that will at least tell him why Nikolas would want to kill him. It was funny because he never thought of finding out more about Valendra's betrayal as he was about Nikolas. He hadn't told anyone about his one memory of Nikolas except Tess...he knew he should talk to someone but who?

"Michael"

A voice broke into his thoughts, a soft feminine voice of humanities creature of perfection. Well at least he thought so, Michael turned to find Maria standing beiside him. She was wearing tight jeans and a lose shirt that was tied in the back. She looked simple adoring.

Maria took Michael by the shoulders and kissed him full blown on the mouth. An inticing, passionate, juice kiss that had Michael wondering what in the world he had done to deserve this kind welcome and how to thank God.

"Oh, Michael this is such a surprise" Maria whispered softly holding on to him tightly looking deeply in his eyes, "So this is my anniversary present, you are taking me shopping, for a moment there I thought you forgot about that...but I should have known better... there is no way my knew perfect boyfriend would do that."

Oh...

That's what she thought. Anniversary present...Michael didn't even know that today was his anniversary and this shopping thing wasn't about her at all and boy was he in trouble. When Maria finds out why in the world Michael called her talking about going to the mall and shopping he probably should have told about Tess. Michael forced a smile as Maria pulled his hand inside the store...he was definitely in trouble.

"Maria" Michael really wished he was anywhere in this world, in this universe, than standing in front of his girlfriend, "We aren't here for you"

Maria's smile slipped from her lips as she digested the words. There weren't at a women clothing store for her so why in the world where they there. It didn't take for her to think of one name Tess...she was the only who wasn't allowed to go out in public because of her muderious spree. Isabel would not ask Michael of all people to go buy her a dress and Liz if she didn't have time would just ask her. So of course the logical conclusion would be that Tess had asked Michael to buy her something.

"So why are we here, Michael?" Maria was determineed to allow Michael to beg her to forgive him and she really wanted to hear his explanation.

"See...well" Michael leaned forward and bagan to whisper coming up with the best explanation as he went along, "Tess is having dinner tonight with the Evans and she needed an evening gown...I was just so grateful that she was going out for tonight because honestly I was actually planing to...cook us a romantic dinner for our anniversary"

Maria gaped for a moment, did the fool really think that she was going to buy that stupid crazy explaination. The guy probably hadn't even known about the anniversary and since when in hell could Michael cook?

"Fine" Maria said nodding in understandin, "But why did you call me?"
"I thought you could me find her something" Michael said after taking a deep breath, completely realived that she was taking this very well but felt like he should continue explaining, "I mean I trust your judgement, I could have called Isabel but she would probably kill and Liz would bit my head off..."

Maria could hardly Michael just walked to the nearest shelf and grabed the red strapless dress there and handed it to Michael.

Michael examed the dress for a short while before looking at Maria, "Thanks"

Maria gave a small nod and forced a small smile, "See you tonight"

Maria struggled against the tears coming in her eyes as she turned and left the store thinking and began to think about Alex. Michael had refused to call Liz and Isabel because he knew that Alex's death and Tess was something that they didn't need to deal with. But what about her?

Did he even think about her pain, she was as close to Alex as Liz and even more so than Isabel. He wasn't blaming Michael for his assumptions because he was only reacting to everyone else's reactions. Of course just because she seemed strong, but someone had to be strong and someone had to be there for Liz and Isabel and even Michael. She had never gotten along with Isabel before but she certainly talked to her a lot more than either Max or Michael. And Liz was a wreak as if she was the only one suffering in this entire world, she could understand Isabel but Liz knew how much Alex to Maria too...

Maria was now walking in the park her mind raised toward the envitable, her breath shortening for a while as she struggled to breath, body felt weak and she felt the need to sit down, or even lay down before...

The tears down like rain and she couldn't stop herself.

"Maria"

She looked up and found Mr. Valenti standing in front of her before gathering her in his arms. He asked what was wrong and that was all it took.

She spilled her guts...and didn't know the hell she was unleashing.

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It took an hour for Eric Vandercam to walk from Michael's apartment to the crashdown and during the way he did some major thinking. Mostly about Tess and the pain that she had gone through and the blame for that rightly belonged to him. It was him that had convinced Tess when he found out who she was to go with Nasado. Eric had wanted Tess to do the right thing if millions where dying somewhere out there. He didn't think back then that Tess might have to struggle with many demons here on earth as well. And to think that he hadn't been here to comfort her. Still it gave him great pleasure to know that Tess still trusted him enought to bare her soul to him, that she knew that she could count on him to listen and not judge her for everything she had to do to survive here on Roswell and to go back to Antar.

When Eric entered the crashdown Liz was still making her rounds trying so very hard not to think of the events that took place that day and that afternoon. The work was a good enough distraction for her and Maria. Eric stood at the doorway watching Liz and Maria work together effortlessly and it was rather a busy place. Eric sighed and followed Liz who had yet to notice him to the counter.

"Hi, sweet thing" Eric said softly.

Liz closed her eyes tightly hoping against all hope that it was a dream and that it wasn't who she thought it was. Liz turned and a smiling Eric sitting down without a word of greating Liz reached under the counter and produce Eric's car keys. Eric held Liz's hand as she attempted to hand over his keys.

"Hey" Liz shouted in agitation trying to pull her hand away, "Let go"

"Make me" Eric said childishly still holding on to his smile, he rolled his eyes as Liz continued to glare at him but let her hand go.

As soon as Eric let go of her hand, Liz went back to her rounds ignoring Eric though she could feel his stare. But she wasn't about to let him get to her. Granted she was rather curious to who he was and what his connection with Tess was but she wouldn't ask. A few minutes later LIz found herself unable to ignore him any longer.

"What?" Liz snapped coming behind the counter glancing at Eric.

"Aren't you curious?" Eric asked with raised eyebrows. Eric would be surprised if she wasn't curious or wasn't going to ask him about his history with Tess but it looked that way.

Liz was silent for a moment before she raised her eyes and met his, "Nope, I don't care"

Eric gave a small nod then shrugged his shoulders then wore a smile of contentment, "Fine...we still friends?"

Liz shook her head in disbelief, okay so she claimed that she didn't care about his past with Tess or that she didn't want to know but that wasn't the truth. She wanted to know about his past and wanted to know just how close Eric was to Tess. A small part of her self hoped against all hope that Eric might be a blessing in disguise and that he might be just the thing she needed to keep Tess and Max apart. She looked at Eric again and thought about how manipulative her mind was at that moment. She didn't want to be the person that would hurt someone, or plan to hurt someone...especially Max.

"Why would you want to be my friend?" Liz asked and what she really wanted to ask is how she could be his friend when she knew that he had a personal history with Tess.

Eric leaned forward slightly and shrugged his shoulders then replied, "Cause you're pretty"

"Why would you want to be my friend?" Liz asked and what she really wanted to ask is how she could be his friend when she knew that he had a personal history with Tess.

Eric leaned forward slightly and shrugged his shoulders then replied, "Cause you're pretty"

"Cause...am pretty?" Liz asked astounded at his crudeness then shook her head again even though she allowed a smile to form on her lips, "You are such a pig?"
"A pig?" Eric question frowning then crossed his arms, "Am I wrong? You aren't pretty?"
Liz's smile still in place she shook her head again in disbelief as she began to wipt the counter, "I am not gonna answer that"

"Fine" Eric said still staring at Liz before something occured to him, "So friend...don't you owe me lunch?"

Liz looked up at Eric and smiled once again, "It's past lunch time?"

"Whatever" Eric said rolling his eyes, "Point is you owe free food..."

"Perfect" Liz interupted with raised eyebrows, "not only was I fortunate enough to get a friend who is so full of himself, he is also cheap"

Eric looked at Liz for a moment and thought of Tess. He hoped that she would alright with his friendship with Liz...he was sure that Tess would be okay with it but thinking about her not liking this suddenly put a dumber on his day. Liz looked up to notice that Eric's face had paled a little and wondered what was going on through his head before the realized it must have been something she said. Was he insulted that she thought he was cheap?

"I didn't mean it" Liz said feeling a little guilt for making fun of him.

Eric was drawn out of his thoughts as Liz's voice reached him...it took him a moment to realize what she had said and why she had said it.

"It's okay" Eric said forcing a smile, "Your cute little lips have the right to say all they want...especially dirty things."

Liz struggled once again and couldn't help herself as she smiled once shaking her head.

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Tess gave herself another look in the mirror. With the red strapeless dress that hugged all her curves just right, she looked smoking hot and sophisticated. There was noway anyone who would look at her think that she had a baby right now. How Michael had bought this perfect outfit was really surprising. Of course she didn't let herself dwell on that considering that she was having dinner with the in-laws, she was just glad that he had brought something presentable. Touching her hair slightly, twirling one curl around her finger, she waited as the rest of her curls turned into glorigying red, while her skin changed slightly to avoid certain identification.

Knowing just how beautiful she was, Tess gave her mirror image a smile of perfection. Tonight was going to be perfect, nothing was going to go wrong, she was sure about that. With that thought in mind, Tess stepped out of Michael's room, which she was using as her own at this point to the living room where Michael was sitting on the couch holding on to Zan, smiling brightly.

"How do I look?" Tess asked interupting the moment that was taking place between Michael and her lovely son.

"Perfect" Michael said only glancing at her slightly before turning his attention back to the little guy he was holding, already he was already taken with the young life.

"Michael" Tess smiled as he turned to her once again before finally realizing she was ready and gave Zan to her with relunctance of course.

"So the macaroni is in the oven?" Michael asked, after spurting that lie to Maria about cooking her something for their Aniversary which he had absolutely no idea about. He knew that unless he did something he would be in so much trouble.

Tess gave a small nod and after a getting Michael to wish her luck off she was on her way. Holding Zan in one hand and a bag of diapers in another, Tess walked down the stairs and straight into the cab. Good thing she planted ahead.

It took about a few minutes to make it to the Evans house and that time was for her to think things through. Paying the driver and making sure she had everything in hand walked to the door while sending a telepathic message to Max to open the door for her. She waited and couldn't risk ringing the door incase another member of the Evans family was to open the door and see a woman standing there that looked nothing like Tess. Max opened the door and ushered her in, giving her space as he closed the door to change her form.

"Hey" Max whispered looked down at Tess's real form giving her a small kiss on the fore before taking Zan in his arms. Tess followed Max into the dining room, her heart beating against her chest in a rapid formation. The plates were already set, the food already on the table and Isabel was alread sitting down.

"Hi" Tess greated Isabel with a forced smile, suddenly her vision of the perfect evening was going up in smoke. She had not thought about Isabel being at dinner, how stupid was she to believe that for one second.

Isabel glanced at Tess and raised her eyebrows at her, oh hell no did the bitch just talk to her? She didn't respond however, no need to make a scene in front of her parents. Soon everyone will know what a manipulative skank ass bitch she was. That thought brought a smile to Isabel's lips.

"Hi, Mr. and Mrs Evans" Tess greated Max's parents as they come out of the kitchen.

"Tess" Mrs. Evans smiled while wearing a surprised expression, "Did you just come in because I didn't hear the doorbell"

"Max opened the door for me" She respounded with a small smile while Max directed her to sit right beside him. She was surprised to see a highchair for Zan which Mrs. Evans explained for Tess.

Dinner began for the family.

For Tess, this was the parents that raised Max since he was "born" so she had to be polite and nice and get them on her side. Not to mention that they were Zan's grandparents and they were nice and truthfully, Tess rather like them. She complimented Diana on her cooking and was completely charming. And Isabel was trying so hard not to scream, she had to force herself to smile when someone talked to her. She was also aware that she had to make it seem natural which was kinda of hard to do when the murder who killed the man she loved was sitting right across from her happy as a pickle. She really really hated Tess. Max keep glancing at his mother and Tess as they interacted kindly with one another wondering when and how that was going to end. He knew that the only reason that his mother invited Tess to question her about what why the army was looking for her. Philip and Diana Evans were both pleased with pleasnt evening though they knew that soon or later that was going to end.

It was about in the middle of that pleasant conversation that things turned bad and it only started with one question.

"So Tess when you found out that you were pregnant with my grandchild...what did you do?" Mrs. Evans asked looking at Tess closely.

Tess smiled, she had been waiting for this question and had prepared for this very situation, "Well, I told Max first and he thought that we should come to you and talk about it. You have to understand I was scared and I didn't know what I want for a time I thought that I wanted to terminate the pregnancy..."

"What?" Max asked turning to look at Tess in surprise.

Isabel could not believe the things coming out of that sluts mouth, if she didn't completely hate Tess she would be impressed. Diana exchanged glances with her husband before both eyes fall on Tess as well. Max had to admit that he was impressed at Tess and her ability to just lie like she breathed. He was struggling not to laugh and really wanted to stop her before she put herself in an even bigger whole.

"Yeah, I actually went to a abortion clinic outside of Roswell" Tess said allowing her voice to drop to a sympathic level, "But I couldn't go though with it so I just went to my hometown in Charlestown and stayed with my childhood friend, Eric Vandercamp...he was more than welcoming but after I gave birth to Zan, Eric convinced me that coming back to Roswell and tell Max about his son would be the honorable thing to do"

"Oh, you poor thing" Isabel rolled her eyes out at the tone of her father's voice, "You have been throught a lot haven't you?"

"And that is the only thing that happen?" Diana asked and waited until Tess gave a small nod, "Well that's funny, it's sounds all normal...can't help but question why the United State military would be looking you, can you?"

Tess was suddenly speechless, she hadn't seen that coming. You would think for someone who looked at all her options that she could have at least thought that an officer of the military would approach Mrs. Evans. Tess noticed Isabel sitting up straight at this turn of events and knew that the princess of Antar was having a inner party with shouts of joy. Tess suddenly felt weak and needed some water which she wished she could turn into alcohol at that point.

Don't worry...I was there she didn't give you up

Those words should have brought her comfort before she realized that Max hadn't warned her. She and him were going to have words later, but one thing at a time. She had to find a way to cover what she had said. It wasn't easy coming up with stories that she could keep track of, that would have been Nasado's job.

"Well Tess" Philip spoke, both parents looking at her expectantly, "Is there something you want to tell us?"

Max looked at Tess's face and could see the lining of helplessness. She hadn't thought of this senerio and hadn't planned on anything. And he knew that she really deserved to be put on the spot even though his friend probably thought he had lost his mind. Just because he remembered Zan didn't mean that he lost his mind. Beside as the future King of Antar, he really need to improve his personality for the better and it really wouldn't do any good to let Tess manipulate him at all. Speaking of Antar...

"Mom, Dad, me and Isabel have found out..who our birth parents are"

Silence followed Max's little announcement as all eyes turned to him. All the faces turned to him wearing expressions of shock and weary surprise. Diana and Philip glanced at one another once again, this hadn't been the kind of truth that they had been expecting. Of course they had expected that Max and Isabel might one want to know who their birth parents were but Diana always figured that when that day came, he children would turn to them. So this was a surprise...a big one. And Tess well, she was shocked yet way grateful. And Isabel...lets just say her feeling were too complicated and extreme to the max.

"You found your birth parents?" Diana asked even though she had heard him the first time, she couldn't help herself.

"Well, we know who they are" Max said, he was amazed that he sounded so calm and collected when he felt a little more than crazed but this was the perfect apportunity to be truthful about everything, "We have only met our mother..our other mother..."

"You met your birth mother?" This time Philip was the one who spoke and he was looking at Isabel as he noticed her blantant silence. He figured that she really hadn't been told about this little tell all scene.

"In a way, we didn't really talk" Max said because in all honest he hadn't really met his mother, or the true form of his mother but of course that was the closest he had ever come to meeting his mother. And with all his new memories of the Queen Mother of Antar, he couldn't help but feel strangely connected to her, "But there is more..."

"There's more?" Diana struggled to say as she glanced at husband again. Gone was the suspecious dome about Tess and now there was Max's big revelation.

"Yes" Max had avoided looking at Isabel until that point, his expression begging her to forgive him yet her expression was emotionless so he looked back to his parents, "Me and Isabel have wanted for so long to tell you guys this...the truth about out parantage" Max fell silent for a moment before he decided to just string the news, "We are aliens...me and Isabel, we can during the famous Roswell crash"

Silence followed that little proclamation before Diana and Philip glanced at each other and bubbles of laughter filled the room. Max exchanged glances with Tess, his parents seemed to be taking the news well then again maybe it had a lot to do with the fact that they didn't believe him.

"Mom, I am serious" Max said trying not to laugh, not that he could blame their reactions but really were they suppose to believe that their son and daughter were aliens.

"Of course you are sweety" Diana said nodding her head looking at her husband, "Aliens...really?"
"I am" Max said trying to sound serious, "I can prove it, I'll prove it right now"
Diana and Philip were still laughing when the table began to tremble slightly, Tess and Isabel both turned to Max wearing another set of shocked expressions. The laughter died down as plates rose and hovered in the air. Philip and Diana looked at each other, then Isabel and then Tess and then finally Max.

"Oh my God!" Diana whispered more to herself than anything.

Philip stood up then, blinking furiously and moved to the door.

"Dad were are you going?" Max asked a little nervious about both his parent's reactions.

"I'm going to the living room to get some alcoholic substances...I have a feeling I am going to need some vodka"