After Max, Liz and Kyle decided they were going to get something to drink, Michael took off in the other direction. He needed time alone to think about things. Every time he glanced at Isabel in the rear view mirror he could see the upset look on her face. The last thing he had wanted to do was screw up the dynamics between them, not to mention the rest of the group. Liz was Maria's best friend and you'd have to be blind to not see that Kyle had feelings for Isabel.
Michael had made it about halfway down the road from the van when he heard the gun shots and Isabel's scream. Before he was aware of what he was doing he was at a full run towards the van. The worst scenarios began to play through his minds. He couldn't bear the thought of losing any of them. They were all he had as a family.
By the time he reached the van so had Max and the rest of them. Max had his green shield around the van protecting them from the raining gun fire. The special unit must not have seen Michael running up and he took the opportunity to get the upper hand. Michael held up his hand and sent a powerful blast to the black SUV. The Suburban promptly exploded.
The green shield disappeared from around the van. Every one blanched from any color and shivering and shaking despite the warm sun.
"Where's Isabel?"asked Michael, the concern apparent on his face.
"She's under the van, help me move her," said Max with a shaky voice.
Once Michael was able to get a look at Isabel under the van, his heart jumped into his throat and his stomach turned. She was unresponsive to their prompts and he could see the ground wet with her blood.
"Where is she hurt?"
"It looks like she's been shot in the shoulder and in the abdomen. Liz get some towels out. Kyle take the keys and drive. Michael help me get her into the van. I can't risk healing her out here."
Within seconds they were in the van and on the road. Just as had happened the time before Isabel's powers were running haywire. To Michael's horror they also seemed to have started to fade.
"Oh God, we're losing her Max!"
"Shit, Isabel stay with us!"
Beads of sweat poured off of Max's forehead. All Liz could do was sit back and watch. She couldn't help it, but she was glad it wasn't her this time around. She was so scared the last time and she had lost her child. She didn't know if she had the will to survive it again. Of all people Isabel had the will to survive.
Isabel's sparks had completely stopped, but Max stayed with it and seconds later they came back in a surge and then subsided. Michael watched as she took in a deep breath. He felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off of his shoulder.
"What's happening back there!"yelled Kyle, his voice dripping with worry.
"I think she's pulling through," said Liz
"She'll be okay," whispered Michael.
Max nodded and collapsed against the seat exhausted.
Kyle drove on for what seemed an eternity before anyone spoke again. For once the silence was more comforting than small talk. The only sounds were the occasional shift in ones seat and the tires against the highway.
"Where am I going?"asked Kyle in a barely audible whisper.
"I don't know man," said a voice from the back, which could have been anyone.
"Liz, could you look at the map and tell me where we are? Guys we need a plan. I can't just keep on driving. We need to stop soon so we can get Isabel in a bed, get some food; somewhere were we can try to relax."
"Fat chance on the relaxation bit," breathed Liz, not really meaning to be heard out loud. "Okay, it looks like we're just outside of a place called Victorville. There are a couple of little towns here on the map where we can go. A place called Lake Los Angeles, Apple Valley or we can head up into the mountains. There's Big Bear, Running Springs, Lake Arrowhead and a couple of other small places. The turn offs are coming up soon, so we need to make a decision. East or West?"
"I'm tired of the desert," said Michael, his opinion leaning to the mountains
"I think Michael's right. It'll be easier for us to find somewhere to hole up in the mountains," conceded Max, diplomatic as ever.
"East it is."
Isabel drifted in and out of sleep and she appeared to be running a fever. Michael stayed with her the entire time, her head on his lap. Occasionally he would stroke her hair; he never let go of her hand, which he thought seemed to fit perfectly in his. He wished that they hadn't fought earlier that morning. If he could, he'd go back in time and make things right; never have argued with her the night before.
Before he realized it they were driving through the city of Big Bear. There was still a fair amount of snow for March. It was a nice change of scenery. Everything looked clean and clear. No more brown and dusty. They continued along the highway into the village. Kyle finally pulled into a parking lot along the village.
"I've been driving forever. We need food and a place to sleep tonight," he said through gritted teeth, conveying a don't even try to argue with me attitude.
"Kyle's right. We need to get Isabel into a bed and the rest of us need to eat. Michael, go see if you can find anyone who knows a decent place to stay for the night. Max and I'll go look for a place to eat. Lets meet back here in 15 minutes," ordered Liz in a rare moment of leadership.
"I'll stay with Iz," said Kyle stretching.
Kyle quietly sat down beside Isabel and watched her now even breathing. He couldn't believe that this had just happened again. First Liz. Now Izzy. Who would be next? Would this ever end? What he didn't understand, was how the FBI could be so relentless in their pursuit of the group. In the back of his head, Kyle couldn't help thinking now that they had destroyed an entire van of FBI, they would only pursue their search more.
Izzy stirred and brought Kyle out of his thoughts.
"Hey, you're awake. How are you feeling?" whispered Kyle.
"Oh my God, I feel like shit. What happened?"
"You don't remember?"
"No. Kyle, what's going on?"
"Is, you were shot. The secret unit found us outside of Barstow. We thought we might lose you for a minuet there."
"What?" She said, attempting to sit up, but quickly lying back down with her hand on her forehead.
"Are you dizzy?"
"Yeah a little. Where are we now?"
"Big Bear."
Isabel nodded her head in comprehension, but closed her eyes and seemingly drifted off to sleep. Kyle watched her intently looking for signs of discomfort and distress. Then he looked down and watched the red electricity crackle from his finger tips.