Chapter Forty-four

Too long for the new chapter, sorry

There weren't BBFs, Liz and Tess had reached an understanding, that was all. Liz couldn't really go on hating Tess for something she really didn't do? Something she said she didn't do of course. Tess had cleared things up, she had taken the initiative and reached out to Liz. She wondered if Liz was going try and get along.

Late at night, she had gone to bed thinking about this and there she was waking up thinking about the same dang thing. Why was she worried? Alex's death, it wasn't her fault…not really her fault. She hadn't meant him harm, harm had arrived anyhow. She couldn't change the past. Tess shook her head, she had to stop this blame game she played with herself. If she kept blaming herself, how could she expect everyone else to stop. Tess stood, stretched, and thought it was a new day and she had many responsibility that needed her attention.

Zan was still asleep, looking as cute as pie…Tess smiled, she had the cutest baby in the world, and that wasn't her being bias, just the whole hearted truth.

Tess began to wonder about her life a bit as she entered the bathroom and shook her head furiously. She needed to stop doing, instead she should concentrate on planning a perfect execution in regards to LA. How was she going to get close enough with the subject? How to make him help her? What had nasado warned about the producer? She had never meet the producer herself, but she would recognize…she knew his name after all. Kal Langley, she had even watched his movies, which weren't very bad and considering that the genre was Sci-Fi, she was well aware that his ideas come from experience.

After a peak at her son once more, Tess crossed over the room and opened the door that led to the other parts of the apartment. She headed straight to the kitchen, in hopes of making herself some breakfast but stopped shot. She turned to her right, and drew in a breath.

"Hello Tess"

"Mr. Valenti"

Tess was utterly surprised, the man she had come to known as her father, the only other man who had treated her like a daughter was standing before her. He looked about the same, his eyes sparkling blue, his face ragged, wearing the same cowboy boots with a hat in his hands. Tess just stood there, she didn't move, she didn't breath but she did blink, she perhaps thought she was seeing things or just maybe dreaming and was still asleep. When it began clear that she wasn't seeing things and she wasn't dream she moved towards the livingroom where he stood.

"Hi" Tess whispered standing up while trying to stop her heart from racing, if she had came and gone back to Antar without seeing Mr. Valenti...it would have been just fine with her.

A moment of silence passed between them, neither one knew what to do, how do express themselves in any words that would be enlightening to the other. The older man studied the young lady who had a part of his heart, she hadn't changed at all. Still as beautiful, still as innocent looking only…

"Thank God you were innocent" He said then surprised the poor girl by hugging her tightly.

He had never envisioned their reunion to be like this, neither had Tess. She hadn't always dreaded seeing the anger, hate, disgust in his eyes, had prepared herself for the backlash she was sure to receive but this was different. She was limp from the way he held her. For him the world made sense once more. Tess smiled and closed her eyes, this was perfect. The two held each other for a few more moments before pulling away.

The two stood there for a moment, in an uncomfortable silence looking at anything and avoiding each other's eyes. Tess's smile dropped, she had done a lot of damage hadn't she. She had hurt everyone that she had claimed to love. Mr. Valenti and Kyle had to have suffered the most because they had loved her the most back then, had trusted her the most and she had let them down.

"I am so sorry" Tess whispered with a heavy heart, her eyes to the ground she spoke again, saying the same thing "I am really really sorry"

Mr. Valenti sighed and nodded his had then looked back at Tess, "I guess the important thing it that you didn't kill Alex"

"I should have explained everything" Tess admitted

"No kidding" Mr. Valenti would have understood, have helped her if she had only trusted him…would have protected her.

"I made you hate me didn't I?" Tess asked wryly taking a deep breath.

"I wish that was true" Mr. Valenti said, it would have been easy if he had hated her but that wasn't true. He was disappointed, hurt, and angry but he never could hate Tess.

"I am still so sorry for everything" said Tess sincerely

Mr. Valenti smiled, he would have been worried if she wasn't sorry at all. He took her hands and led her to the couch, "We have time now, to get past this and get to know each other again"

"Actually," Tess bit her lips and smiled a little nervously, "We don't, there is still a war going on"

"Oh" Mr. Valenti's face filled crumbled down, he let out a disappointed sigh, "Kyle didn't mention that" he added with calm dismay.

"Because he doesn't know, he left before I could tell him" Tess explained, Kyle had been so excited to know that Tess was innocent that he had left the night early to talk to his dad and Tess hadn't stopped him. She had wanted Mr. Valenti to know the truth for her own sake. "Stay a while, we can talk then"

Tess looked so hopeful that Mr. Valenti couldn't bare to tell her that he already made plans. So he smiled, took her hand and led her to the couch.

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Michael I need to talk to you, meet me in the Eraser room before lunch

Maria

That's all the note had said, but Michael knew better. He was in trouble for some particular reason but he wasn't in control anymore, his feelings were of no concern any longer. His other life persona had taken over for now, it was the only way as Michael understood the situation. Ever since he was little, Michael hadn't always thought he was above the world, that nothing could touch him and in effect hurt him. He had grown up in an abused home and that had made him stronger emotionally but Maria had changed all that. He wouldn't leave earth for anything in the world, he was a selfish being and he was aware of that but Rath….

Rath was the Ultimate force of nature, remembering the things he had done in his past, the lives lost, the sacrifices made…Rath was a survivor. He had survived without the women he had loved in the last lifetime and he could survive without her in this.

"you do understand I'm you right?" Rath asked Michael, or in essence himself.

"You are stronger than I am, you do what you have to for your people" Michael replied in a defeated tone.

He had seen the most horrific image that only compared to the earth holocaust or even more recent the Rhuwanda genocide. How could he stay on earth, live his life knowing what he knew, he couldn't, not in clear conscious.

Michael walked but did not walk, heard his fellow students in the hallway but was oblivious to the attention he aroused. Michael wasn't aware that he was different that day. He was wearing clothes he would never normally wear, walking in a manner that would have been foreign to him before. When he spoke to his teachers that day it had been unlike him with the respect of a student yet above them all. Maria turned when Michael opened the door in the eraser room and stood there mouth gapped.

"Hi" Michael walked towards her, leaned down and kissed Maria on the cheek, "Isn't it early for you to be at school?"

"I wanted everything to get back to normal as soon as possible" Maria explained, she was still shocked at how he looked. He didn't look ruffled, rugged, or like he hadn't taken a shower. He looked neat, hair laid back, face shaved and smooth, he wore a Pinpoint Oxford Point Collar French Cuff Dress Shirt that she had bought last year. He had taken one look at it, tossed it on the side and gave her a rough thanks and there he stood in front of her wearing it.

He looked handsome.

"No need to sound surprised" Michael grinned at her.

"I thought you hated that shirt?" Maria's eyebrows drew together in confusion, occasionally Michael would be the sweetest guy. He had probably worn it to please her and she was pleased as well as losing her perspective.

"You gave it to me" Michael simply said then shrugged his shoulder, "how could I hate it, its my favorite"

"Michael you are being sweet" Maria warned with a teasing grin.

How could she help but be touched?

"Don't you just hate when that happens?" Michael asked drawing her into his arms.

Maria stood silent for a moment, being in Michael's arms was the only thing she wanted but even she knew that this wasn't going to work.

"what's on your mind?" Michael asked curiously.

Maria sighed and pulled away from him. She didn't know how to begin, how to start what could be a heartbreak for her as well as him. When this had began, when Michael had kidnaped her, when they began. How scared she had been of him then but had been sure of how her future would be. She had bolted things up for so long, about this huge secret from her mom and Alex at first. She looked at Michael's face, the face she had grown to love so much that she couldn't breathe sometimes. How was she suppose to be okay to lose something that was so precious to her, to people she didn't even know.

"Don't go" Maria whispered with a determined tone.

Michael stood there and studied her for a moment, it might have been because he expected more from her that just two sentences. She looked so fragile, Michael hesitated for a moment, unaware of what to say.

"I know I sound selfish" Maria went on, she placed her hands on her hips to stop them from shaking, "But I am trying to be honest with you, I don't want you to go back, I want you to stay here with me"

Maria wondered what Michael was thinking, his intense stare was almost breaking her apart. She blinked back tears and suddenly felt like a fool. What was wrong with her anyway?

"I'm sorry" Maria whispered after a few minutes, she leaned into his arms "I didn't mean to say that"

"yes, you did" Michael said softly and held her tight.

This was all his fault as he well knew.

"This is not gonna work" Rath's voice echoed mockingly

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Nine lifetimes. Making this their tenth, even that was too much for the human mind to phantom. All but this one having a tragic end, although we had yet to determine the outcome of this one. It was almost to much to think about so therefore she wasn't gonna. Liz placed the last ketchup bottle on the last table and sighed in relief. This was what she got for getting a job in the service business, well not that she had a choice anyways. Regardless of the fact that her father owned the dinner, where else in Roswell could she work at. This wasn't the city, maybe she could be an assistant to the senator like she had been before. Then again, what did that have to do with her future anyway, of course, the same could be said for her "burger and fries" skills as she liked to call them. At least on this job, she got payed. Unlike that non paying internship as the senator's assistant. She sighed, were these the only things she could possible think about. With all that was happening in the world, job picks was the only thing on her mind. How about the aliens departure, whenever that was to take place? But she didn't want to think about that because as usually that thought process led to Max and that usually led to Tess and she wanted to just forgive and forget. Correction, she was going to forgive and forget but it wasn't going to be easy for her. Liz began her rounds as usually, but thankfully that day was not crowded. She was glad that she and Tess had talked. It wasn't much but it was just a start, and maybe just maybe when she looked at her once rival she wouldn't be hateful or angry.
It was tiring after a while, hating and hating and hating. It was hard to let go of something that powerful even if it was tiring. But enough was enough, Tess had put herself out there and the least Liz could do was try and make peace. A new dawn was coming and she would rather be happy for Max than be miserable all the time. For a week she had mediated on this, and this was the only conclusion to be had.
She was going to have to play nice and unlike before she wasn't going to fuss or make it difficult for anyone. Other than that, Liz was still concerned about the trip to LA. She wondered if she was going to have to miss school but then again she was a senior so that wouldn't be a real problem. But her parents, what was she going to tell them to convince them so she could go to LA, it would only be for the weekend as far as they would be concerned, not that she knew how long that trip was going to take. As much as she didn't want to fight off being

"hi" Liz smiled at Isabel, who had just entered the Crash down, "hold on I'll be with you in a minute"

Liz went on to take another order before joining Isabel at the counter, getting her friend a drink as well as and smiled warmly.

"So, how are you feeling?" Liz asked

"Actually I feel better" Isabel quietly, filled with content.

"About Tess, really?" Liz asked flatly, knowing not what to say.

"Ah, well..." Isabel fell silent, she suddenly felt like a traitor or what not, she shrugged her shoulder, "I got closure and it did turn out that Tess was innocent so..."

"I understand" Liz interrupted, she couldn't hate Isabel for forgiving Tess, after all that was also her plan wasn't it.

Isabel gave a small smile, sipped her drink and looked away, suddenly she felt uncomfortable. She wasn't really sure why herself, maybe it was really was closure but she wasn't really sure. She should still be in shock mode, still had some kind of emotional residue. She had for long imagined many desirable ways in which Tess was dead, horrid way in which she herself had been a part in. What she had felt before was a burning hate that she never wanted not feel ever again, she hoped never to feel ever again.

"Its just that…"Isabel had began to explain herself better when she realized she had lost the attention of her friend. Turning to the object of Liz's peculiar look, and found Eric walking in the diner along with Sheila. He looked at them, smiled and waved as a way of greeting.

"Unbelievable" Liz murmured with disgust.

"What is it?" Isabel asked with an amusing smile turning back to Liz, "What's wrong"

Liz found herself blushing when she turned to find Isabel studying her. It was Maria's entrance that prevented Liz's response. Maria strode to the girls at the corner in her uniform, and stood next to Liz and conceded with an opinionated view of her self.

"I'm a selfish bitch" Maria snapped, then turned to stride towards Eric's table.

Isabel and Liz exchanged a glance, the disgust in Maria's voice worrying both. Isabel sighed and stood to go, "Good luck" She said quietly.

"Thanks" Liz said and watched as Isabel left then strode to her friend, grabbed her arm to pull her towards the back room while Eric stood up at once.

"Liz" Eric spoke up before Liz could split, "Thanks for talking to..." Eric glanced at Sheila, leaned forward and whispered just enough for Maria to hear, "Tess, I know it wasn't easy"

"Sure, no problem" Liz said pulling Maria towards the back room.

"You and Tess" Maria roe a shocked expression, "Looks like I've missed a few Eric/Liz scenes huh?"

"it just...well, we have became..." Liz fell silence and smiled self consciously, "Friends"

Maria crossed her arms, "Friends?", she wore a smile that completely displayed her amusement about the term considering that he and Tess were childhood sweethearts. As much as she understood the situation.

"So what about you and Tess?" Maria asked.

"We talked" Liz said and tried to explain when Maria raised another eyebrow "We reached an understanding"

"She stole your man and now you understand each other" Maria shook her head, "sweetie that's nuts"

Liz shrugged her shoulders, everything was so confusing but the facts were all in. He beating her brains out because her future with Max was over wasn't going to change. Besides, Liz had a feeling that Maria was using this as an excuse to avoid talking about whatever was pissing her off.

"Okay" Liz ordered after a moment of silence, "Talk"

There was heartbeat, before Maria's face changed, there was no amusement anymore, only sadness. Quietly as she sat by the bench in the middle of the lockers.

"I told Michael I didn't want him to go" Maria confessed

Liz looked surprised for a moment, but could absolutely understand her feeling in the matter. She herself was reluctant for the others to leave as well, after all they weren't going on a vacation, but were entering a war.

Maria explained the situation, how she had wanted to talk to Michael having had spent the entire evening before just thinking about everything. She had been trying to be honest, with herself as well as him. Recently, she had realized that keeping things to oneself, or trying to appear strong or satisfied was very damaging. The very least would be to be truthful to one self as well as others.

"I love him so much", said Maria.

"I understand" Liz said sitting beside her friend, "Max is going to, and you know how much I loved him"

"Loved" Maria turned to her friend, "as in past tense"

Maria knew well enough, she knew that wasn't what Liz meant, she also knew that Liz was stronger that she was. Michael drove the girl nuts most of the time, he was nothing like prince charming but unlike Liz, she wasn't strong enough to let him go.
"Well, what did he say?" Liz asked, thinking of how he would have reacted.

"Nothing bad" Maria said, "he just broke up with me"

Liz stared at Maria in surprise, then sighed, putting a comforting arm around Maria's shoulder. Maria leaned on her friend and tried so hard not to let the tears threatening her not to fall.

"Look, Michael needs to do this" Liz wistfully noted, she didn't want to say anything that might be too disrupting but she also was going to put her two cents in, "Maybe in order to prove something to himself but after what we have just seen, do you want him to turn his back on that?"

"I guess I should be proud of him" Maria said softly, with look of comprehension.

"You guess?" Liz asked with raised eyebrows.

"I should" Maria said with and took a deep breath, "I just know what I am losing him at the same time"

"I know" Liz said, she didn't know what say. Maria had always helped her when it come to the Max mess and she hoped she could provide the same comfort. Maria got herself together and both she and Liz left the back room and went back to work. For a while things were okay, getting on with their usually routine. Maria froze like the devil himself had entered the diner. Michael and Maria caught eyes for a moment.

"I think we should break up" Michael said pulling away from Maria, "Its not gonna work"

The two slowly drifted towards each other, it wasn't something one could stop. The gravitational pull was too strong.

"hey" Maria said trying to look calm, which she thought was passable on the outside.

"hey" Michael tried to not show concern toward his now ex-girlfriend's feelings, "I am here to talk to Mr. Parker, to tell him I'm..."

"quitting" Maria offered after a moment of silence.

"yeah" Michael agreed and tried to smile, he hated awkward moments, "how you doi..."

"Fine" Maria said interrupting him, "I...ah...understand"

With that said Maria turned and went back to work. Liz had seen the exchange in silence and waited patiently, it was hard for both of them. Michael turned, caught eyes with Liz and approached her next.

"Liz, Max wanted me to tell you guys that we are going to LA next week" Michael told her without so much as a greeting, he was just following orders.

Liz gave a nod and tried to smile failingly, "how do you guys know this?" She asked although she had a sinking feeling that it had somehow to do with Tess.

"Tess" Michael said slowly, confirming her thoughts.

Liz forced a smile, "She seems to have a head full of secrets plans" Liz pointed out, she wondered how much she can really be trusted at that point in time.

Michael studied Liz for a moment then smiled an all knowing smile, "tell me about it"

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Max sat on the couch at Eric's apartment, he was frozen, his mind kept replaying the disastrous dinner he had with his family earlier that night. He couldn't help but remember.

"We are leaving" Max said without so much as lay in.

"Max" Isabel fell silence when Max turned his gaze on her, it was clear he wanted her to keep shut.

"Leaving" Diana looked between her two children with an shocked expression.

He hadn't meant to sound so cold while talking to his mother, he hadn't meant to make her look at him in that way.

"You can't help us mother, neither you or dad can" Max looked away and stated the undeniable truth, "you are only human"

That hadn't been the way he wanted to say goodbye, infect he had wanted to make things as simple and easy as possible. If he had his way, he would have done the video thing like the last time they wanted to leave. Of course Tess had convinced him otherwise but what exactly had he been thinking to listen to Tess's advice. Tell her the truth, she had advised. Make sure she understands you reasons, she had advised. Make her feel guilt, she had advised.

"We have to do it for Zan" Max almost screamed in frustration, it hurt him as well as her. "For your grandson"

"What does this have to do with Zan" Diana had asked after a moment of silence, "What do you mean?"

"This is a war mother" Zan snapped, "They will try and eliminate all certain threats, that includes my heir"

Max knew his mother wanted to protect him and Isabel, but she really couldn't. She had done enough just raising him and because of her ideals, he was going to finally do the right thing. Max knew he could have been more gentle but it wouldn't change the inevitable. As soon as the confrontation had ended, his mother had stomped to her room in frustration, his father followed to comfort her. Isabel had given Max a dark look then shook her head, and went to her room as well. The scene had reminded him of the past, but not so much. Tess, the love of his life, the mother of his child was trying to get Zan to sleep. Max had to admit he was a little blinded by his feelings for her.

"Is he sleeping?" Max asked without looking up, he didn't have to know that Tess was in the same room as he was.

Tess smiled and moved to sit beside him, "yeah, he is so cute Max. Tess smiled and moved to sit beside him, "yeah, he is so cute Max. We did good" Tess complimented their genes, while leaning on his shoulder. She was wearing a silk blue top with white jeans.

Max grinned and kissed her forhead, "We did didn't we" It was a statement of truth.

"So, how did your parents response when you told them?" Tess asked, she wanted to get that conversation out of the way and get to the good stuff. When Max said nothing for a few minutes, Tess tensed up and pulled back, "max, you did tell them didn't you?" She question almost afraid of the answer. When he had showed up ealier wearing a pitiful, Tess hadn't been able to ask what was wrong but now she was wondering if he hadn't told his parents.

"yeah" Max said flatly turning to Tess, "I told them"

"Good" Tess forced a smile, it was obvious that things hadn't gone very well, "And"

"They are both crushed and not okay with me leaving to go off to war" Max murmured, he had wanted to take both their pain away.

"No parent would want that" Tess agreed.

"The look on my mother's face" Max blinked back tears, "it was horrible, because there is nothing I can do for her, to make things better"

"Yeah" Tess leaned forward and kissed Max on the cheeks, "I can't do anything for them either but I can probably make you feel better"

Max grinned when he saw the twinkle in her eyes, "What do you have in mind"

Tess made herself into a comfortable position before swinging her legs around until she was straddling him. She looked at him intensely, then dipped her head, her lips planting a soft kiss on his cheek while her hands went to caress his skin.

"I love you Max" Tess whispered then kissed him full on the lips, passionately. Her tongue explored every part of his month, while Max made moaned in passionate response. It had been such a long time since the last time they had been together and it showed. Desire seemed to graze into their bodies, making their blood boiling with heat. Max grabbed her hips, pushing her towards him. Thrusting her against him, deepening their kiss. The exchange was hot and surpassed his their past encounter. Perhaps because they had waited so long without each other. Max pulled back before nibbling her neck, sucking and tasting her neck while his hand explored every other part of her body, trying to memorize every inch of her skin. This moment was absolutely wonderful. It made everything in the world disappear and this was their own little world.

Together, it was electrifying. Max moved his fingers to her neck as his lips met hers once again. She moaned, it was wonderful to feel this way once again. Young and in love. He was losing control as he struggled to rid her of her shirt, which he did with one swoop, leaving only a pink bra. His fingers burned her flesh, as he caressed her body, his lips then moved to her shoulders, his fingers moving exploring. Brazenly, every inch was explored, their mouths meeting once again. Tess moaned once again, the desire she always hidden was unleashed.

They broke apart and looked deeply into each others eyes once more, Max's look was imploring, Tess's was wicked.

"beautiful" Max whispered, eyes still on her...it was almost like he was looking deep inside her and seeing her soul. "I love you so much" he said pushing some hair from her forehead.

Tess smiled and leaned to kiss him again, only for the apartment door to spring open.

"Oh hell" Eric said taking in the sight, he sigh while watching embarrassment and a blush creep on both the lovers face. Eric closed the door shut and shook, "Get a room, would you"

Max and Tess were frozen in their position while Eric walked by then to his room, the two exchanged glances at the Eric slammed his door shut. Both waited a beat then started to laugh.