Chapter 2 revised 1/19/10

Tess finally managed to get Max alone after he approached her about the tablet. She led him to the same place she'd told Isabelle and Michael to meet her at.

"Who are you?" Max demanded.

"Don't you remember I saw the way you reacted when you first saw me? So you must know." Tess said refusing to believe she was the only one feeling the attraction.

"You're right I know exactly who you are, Nasedo."

Nasedo she thought, "No Max… I" She kept forgetting that this wasn't Zan but Max. He had no reason to trust her, especially if he really didn't recognize her.

"Don't lie to me, you murderer. I saw those pictures that Valenti had in his office. All the people you've killed and the sliver hand print that you left on them."

"I've never…"

"DON'T LIE TO ME."

Crying Tess continued to back away from Max. She remembered the man she loved a lifetime ago, Zan had been intimidating and like a raging beast when angry. The man in front of her was reminding her of that beast, his temper was so unpredictable. She remembered a time when only she could sooth the savage beast.

"Max please" she pleaded.

He grabbed her and threw her onto the dusty desert ground.

"Don't you remember me" she cried.

It was her aguish that got through to Max. Looking down at the angelic face that he had pressed into the dirt , he remembered. Not Antar but the cave, the 4 pods, leaving Tess behind. He felt broken. He'd attacked a woman without thought, he didn't want to believe that he was capable of such a heinous act. They'd all left her there alone.

Pulling up Michael and Isabelle noticed the stunned look on Max's face "What have you done to him" Isabelle demanded of Tess, not even realizing the tears staining her face or red rimmed eyes.

"Nothing. I…I "

"She didn't do anything she… she's one of us."

Max informed the others of how he knew Tess and together the four of them went to visit their birth place for the first time. Looking around the room it was then that Isabelle remembered she needed answers from Tess.

"The dreams are nothing but your subconscious reminding you that your body is ready to mate."

"So, you mean …I'm in heat" Isabelle spat out unable to believe what was happening to her.

" You and Michael are a mated pair just like Max and I. Your mind, body, and souls are linked to one another. When your body is ready it sends signals to your mate to let him know that you are ready to conceive. The dreams will only get worse for the next couple of days. After that things will go back to normal."

"So I'm not pregnant"

"Not unless you and Michael have had sex"

"This is so great." Isabelle felt such relief one moment, only to find herself mourning a child that has yet to be the next. She had been fearful at the thought of pregnancy, but now she wondered if she would ever hold the child she saw in her dreams.

Michael walked over to the corner of the cave where Isabelle stood hugging herself. Turning she went into his arms and explained to him what Tess had told her.

"Michael I know I should be happy, relieved, but why is it that all I feel is lost."

"I don't know." (sigh) "Maybe it was because in the dreams we seemed happy, felt whole and normal."

"Yeah maybe that's it" Isabelle said though she felt it was more to than that.

Tess stood next to Max across the cave watching him as he watched his sister. She had already told Max that Isabelle wasn't pregnant. She'd even told him about the aligning of the constellations and their body's reaction to it. But he hadn't seemed to care. She continued watching noticing that Max like all of them had changed since their time on Antar. Humanity had made him kinder in some aspects and less so in others. His eyes were the same shade of milk chocolate. They had that same gleam of defiance and authority, and yet they seemed less weighing. She watched as his eyes met hers. She knew that he, just like her, was feeling the pull that claimed them. No, it wasn't like what Michael and Isabelle were going through, but it was strong none the less. It was so hard standing here watching him resist, and seeing the distrust in his eyes. It was even harder when he walked away.

x

Michael was once again staying at Max and Isabelle's place. He should have stayed in there with Max but since he didn't want to fall asleep fearing the dreams he may have. He decided to check on Izzy. He didn't want to think of her that way, but could he truly deny destiny. He sat in the chair across from her bed and watched her sleep. He watched the way she writhed and moaned. Maybe I should wake her up. Instead he continued to sit by her bed even when he heard his name fall from her lips. He managed to keep his desires under control as he watched her knowing what the dreams contained. She sat straight up in bed whispering his name harshly as she tried to catch her breath. He watched her look around then their eyes met. He felt as if he had no control as he walked over to her bedside and pulled her into his arms.

"Everything's fine. It was just a dream." She nodded her head and hugged Michael tighter.

What happened next was nothing short of fate. It started with a kiss. She couldn't stop herself. She needed him to hold her, need her, she wanted to feel the way she did in her dreams. She wanted to belong.

"Michael…" His name was barely a whisper on the night air. She pulled up the hem of his t-shirt, wanting nothing in between them. Merging lips, the taste of his of mouth. He had one had in her hair the other covered her breast gently kneading, she gasped as he nipped her bottom lip.

"I need more."

"How much more?" Michael asked.

"Everything." At her request he removed her tank, tossing it to the floor…

Michael woke up the next morning just as the sun started to peek over the horizon. He gently removed himself from Isabelle's arms and bed, being careful not to wake her. What have I done? What about Maria?

This was unbelievable he watched Isabelle shift in the bed balling her self into the fetal position in an attempt to protect her from the morning cold. Michael tucked the covers around her smiling as she sighed in her sleep. She was beautiful her hair spread across the pillow like spun gold. Michael got dressed then listened at the door making sure no one was awake. Then he softly crept back to Max's room. Luckily, Max was still asleep.

Isabelle woke to the sound of her mother knocking on her door. She reacted quickly by using her gifts to lock the door.

" Isabelle, Honey breakfast is ready."

She then realized she was in bed alone. Where was Michael? It was real wasn't it? "Just a minute mom."

"Of course it happened" she whispered to herself. How else did her clothes wind up on the floor? She made her way to the shower ignoring her muscles protests to movement. Unbelievable. How could he just leave? He should have woken me up. Stepping into the hot spray of the shower Isabelle proceeded to get ready for her day.

x

Michael was sitting at the breakfast table when Isabelle came in. He couldn't help the smile that crept across his face. Isabelle met his eyes with hers. Anger flashed intensely from them.

"What's her problem?" Max asked

"I have no idea". Breakfast went more like a formal dinner amongst warring emperors. The tension between them was palpable.

Isabelle and Michael didn't get a chance to talk alone until they arrived at Crash Down for lunch. Max was at the counter talking to Liz; Michael pretty much dragged her to the back so they could talk in private.

"So you're going to tell me what's wrong?"

"What's wrong?"

"Yeah. Please don't tell me that you regret last night?"

"Last night?"

"Yeah. Wait, why do you keep repeating me?"

"Last night. I gave myself to you last night the least you could have done was be there when I woke up."

"Is that what this is about? Did you forget that we were under your parents' roof with your brother in the next room? Did you really want to have to explain what I was doing in your bed?"

"You could have woken me up Michael." Isabelle answered still peeved, neither of them noticed Maria watching from the stairs.