I don't own Roswell or any of its franchise.

A/N This chapter – and the next one, I'll imagine – is focused on the gangs handling of the whole battle thingie, so don't expect major bloodshed and action now; for once I'm gonna concentrate on the couples - especially since we're drawing near the end at long last…so I hope you'll enjoy it.

As always, eternal gratitude to my lovely – and reliable – beta, Marzmez – even when her own life gets rough she's still there for me and that means the world to me.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Alex's POV

It was a cool, wet sensation that slowly brought Alex back to the world of the living. A moment of silent pondering told him that someone was running a wet towel across his face and down his bare torso.

Usually, Alex's natural shyness and awkwardness in his own lanky teenage body would have caused him to sit up and grab the nearest cover as he emitted an unmanly shriek. But Alex was exhausted, beyond so in fact.

I feel like I've competed in twenty consecutive marathons and then done eight-thousand pushups. Alex decided wearily as he struggled to compile enough energy to even open his eyes.

After taking one more long breath, Alex's mind caught up with him and he tensed immediately. The memory of what had happened before he'd lost control again flew through his thoughts, along with everything else that had taken place in the cave and for the first time the young teenager could finally begin to comprehend what he'd actually done.

Oh God, he winced, I nearly killed Maria. Isabel too…What am I doing just lying here? Wait, his rational side kicked in and Alex felt himself calm a little, if you're in someone's bed and they're cleaning you, things must have gone in our favor so you can relax a little.

"Alex?" Isabel's worried voice reached him, and he nearly frowned when he realized that he wasn't feeling anything from the bond, or his new power. That gave Alex the last bit of strength he needed to haul his eyes open.

The sight of a disheveled and dirty-faced Isabel met him, but to Alex she was still the most beautiful girl in the world, as she'd been ever since he'd seen her step off the bus for the first time way back in elementary school.

"What happened?" his voice was hoarse, but considering the amount he'd screamed during the last day or so (he still wasn't sure exactly how long he'd been unconscious), Alex wasn't surprised. The last thing he could remember was Isabel guiding him into Maria's mom's car to return to Tess' place, but then everything went black.

Isabel turned half-way around to place the dirtied towel on the windowsill before facing him again. Alex could see dried tear streaks in the dirt on her face, and wanted to grab the towel and return the favor, but he still felt as weak as a newborn kitten, so he promised himself to pay her back later.

"I guess you could say that we won the battle. I'm just not too sure of the war yet," Isabel murmured her eyes trailing up his face to meet his eyes. She continued softly with a small, but sincere smile, "Kyle didn't die after all, you're still here so is everyone else, but I can't help feeling like it's just the calm before the storm. It's all so unreal to me right now."

The mention of Kyle got Alex to remember the last of the fuzzy details and he couldn't contain a smile of his own as he struggled to sit up and answer Isabel. She saw his attempt and quickly sat down next to him to help, and when she tried moving away again, Alex simply held her tight in his shaking arms. "Don't go," he pleaded.

Isabel cringed, making Alex worry until she explained, "I don't want to harm you – I know your gift works better with actual touch, and after what you've suffered ever since getting that damn ability, I want to spare you as much as possible."

In that, at least, Alex could ease Isabel's worries. "Don't be scared. I don't know if it's because I'm so tired, or that I'm out of juice for now, but I don't feel anything other than pure joy that you're okay, and still willing to actually spend time with me after nearly killing you."

The look Isabel sent him would have sent a more capable man running scared, but Alex's exhaustion and inability to move proved to be a good thing when, after a long, tense minute, she sighed and put her head in the crook of his shoulder. "Don't be stupid. I'll always want to be near you."

"Good," Alex whispered and rested his head on top of her's. Underneath all the grime, sweat and blood, he could still smell that special scent that was purely her and it relaxed him more than anything else ever could. "Let's rest for a bit and then go out to the others and talk about everything there. For now, just try and sleep a little, you don't have to keep watch over me anymore, Isabel. Let me return the favor."

The only response Alex got was Isabel's soft, but deep breathing, telling him that she was already sleeping. She is probably just as wiped out as I am, Alex realized, gently letting one shaky hand caress Isabel's cheek and carefully planting a small kiss on her head. The silence echoed all around him, and he added while closing his heavy eyes once again, I guess we all are so I'd better use this opportunity to actually rest a little more…

0o0o0

When Alex woke again, it was dark out and Isabel with him anymore, which immediately raised his adrenaline level a bit. She wouldn't have left without telling you if it was important, Alex's rational side cut through his worry and Alex breathing slowed.

As soon as he could focus outside of his concern for possible emergencies, Alex realized that the air was thick with delicious smells that made his mouth water. A moment later, his stomach growled loudly as if trying to devour itself, and he was thankful that no one but him heard the inelegant sound.

Sitting up fully, Alex discovered that he'd regained some of his strength and, feeling confident in his ability to walk unassisted, he began making his way down to the kitchen.

He made it half-way down the stairs before an unexpected dizzy spell caught him unawares and he quickly sat down on the step to avoid tumbling down and breaking his neck.

Alex had only sat there for about a minute when he heard steps behind him and turned his head to lock eyes with Kyle. The image of his dead body flashed through Alex's mind, and he had to look away. It's weird, he thought, Kyle and I were never the best or closest of friends, but his death cut me deep, just like everyone else.

"Hey, Man." Kyle sat down next to him, nudging him gently with his shoulder. "Feeling okay?"

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?" Alex's tone was a little guilty, he still found it somewhat incredible that somehow Kyle was once again living and breathing right next to him. It was a little too odd for his logical mind to grasp; especially in the state it was currently in.

Kyle's grin reminded him that he was actually in a conversation and not talking with an illusion. "Well, I gotta say that being brought back to life like that was invigorating. I don't know how, but I was charged one hundred percent when I woke up…Well, you all saw how I acted." This time it was Kyle, who looked a little sheepish.

"Yeah…" The two guys sat together for a long moment of peaceful silence, before Alex suddenly remembered something. "So you're in love with Tess?"

The small flinch didn't go unnoticed, but Kyle tried to act like it hadn't happened. Instead, he shrugged and looked down at his sock-covered feet and reached out to remove some lint that wasn't really there to prolong his lack of response.

Taking pity, Alex continued, "Look, it's not a blame thing, I promise. I just remember that the emotions running through you two were pretty intense, even with everyone else's running amok as they were. I was just surprised, I guess. I mean, didn't you and Michael and Max say it was her that killed me originally?"

"Err…" Alex soldiered on when the stupefied expression on Kyle's face made it clear the other human didn't have a clue how to reply.

"I can't deny the way you feel, or how she feels either. I just," Alex paused and then grinned tiredly. "Well, I think it's neat that the time travel thing worked out for you in the end, 'cause she truly cares about you. I could definitely feel that."

The relief on Kyle's face was profound, and Alex shook his head. He didn't exactly love his powers, but if they could give someone peace of mind, even a little, they were worth it in the end.

"Anyway," Kyle finally met his gaze again, and Alex wanted to smile when he saw a hint of a lingering blush on his cheeks, but decided it would probably only be funny to him if he did so, "the reason I stopped, was just to see if you're okay. As a fellow human, I know getting weird-ass powers are…Well, weird."

This time it was Alex to look away for a bit, his eyes trailing down the steps as he tried to figure out if he was happy or sad that his disturbing, and sometimes rather painful, abilities seemed to be missing. I do miss the connection with Isabel, he suddenly realized. I've grown so used to always having a part of her with me. I completely forgot to ask her if she could even feel me as I am now.

After another long pause, Alex finally spoke. "They don't work right now, so I guess, I should be happy."

"What do you mean 'they don't work'?" Kyle looked concerned, and Alex knew that if he'd been in tune with is body, he would have felt the worry worm its way into his skin, affecting his every sense. That part he didn't miss.

"Ever since I woke up nothing seems to be working right, not even the bond with Isabel, for some reason. Now that I think about it, that's the part that freaks me out the most."

At his words, Kyle seemed to collapse, and it took a second before Alex understood that it was because he'd relaxed at his words. Kyle opened his mouth and explained that it was perfectly normal to be burned out after overusing their powers. It happened to all the humans that overused them, but after a lot of rest they'd come crawling back to him.

"What about the bond thing with Isabel?" He wasn't concerned about his powers anymore, suddenly, it was just very important to reestablish the connection with the girl he loved.

Kyle smiled comfortingly and got to his feet. "That's gonna come back too. You're just exhausted right now, it's your body's way of telling you that things are at a low point, but don't worry, it doesn't last long."

Alex sighed heavily, exhaling all his untold worries and started struggling to get back to his feet. His dizziness returned as soon as he stood up and he toppled forward. Luckily, Kyle grabbed him just in time and threw his arm over his shoulder.

"I know it's not considered cool to do this when you're practically half-naked," Alex flushed, only now remembering that he still hadn't put on a shirt from Isabel cleaning him, and Kyle laughed and added, "but don't sweat it, I got you."

"Thanks, Kyle." Alex gingerly placed one foot on the lower step, grateful for Kyle's assistance. "I can't seem to regain my strength right now. Ever since we were in that cave, it's like I've just had all my energy sucked out of me or something."

"Well," Kyle's expression had a peculiar look to it, and Alex suddenly had a burning need for his powers to figure out what was going on in the other human's head, "trust me on this, Alex, even though it sounds strange, but this isn't the worst time we've had in a cave together. Last time there were killer crystals…and we were kinda underground, but well…"

"Huh?"

Kyle didn't continue, and Alex decided not to push, realizing a little late that he was talking about something that had happened with that other Alex that had died. Feeling uncomfortable remembering once again that he'd actually been dead before, and by a friend's hand, Alex shook off those memories and concentrated on getting to Isabel and the sinfully delicious smelling kitchen.

A few minutes later, his tired eyes locked on Isabel, who was standing by the stove, cooking up a storm. There were several plates with numerous food items sitting on the breakfast table and he grinned with delight –especially since she'd cleaned herself up and looked a lot better than their earlier encounter in the bedroom.

His laughter distracted Isabel from pouring pancake batter, but judging from the beaming, albeit slightly wobbly, smile she sent him, she didn't seem to mind. Kyle cleared his throat and helped Alex sit down on one of the available chairs.

"I'm just…" Kyle trailed off, looking at a point over Isabel's shoulder, and Isabel's smile dimmed. "Yeah, I'm gonna go see if some of the others are up for some grub." With that, he vanished and Alex looked at Isabel with every intention of figuring out what that was all about, when, in that moment, their connection reopened and he could feel her again.

Fortunately, for Alex's brittle state of mind, it was only their bond that had awakened and not his powers. The massive flood of emotions that were running through Isabel as she watched the now empty doorway where Kyle had stood, would more than likely have knocked him out again.

"Your pancake is burning," Alex pointed out when Isabel didn't seem to come back to herself.

The girl flinched guiltily and immediately put her hand over the pan and evaporated the burning pancake with her powers. She stood with her back to him for a moment, and the continuous stream of happiness, sadness, guilt, worry and confusion was starting to make Alex dizzy again.

Finally, though, Isabel snapped out of it and looked back at him in silence. Alex blinked and ran a hand through his grimy hair. "So," he whispered, reaching out to pour himself a cup of coffee, "I guess there's a story between you two that would explain why you always feel so conflicted around him?"

Isabel swallowed, seeming unable to reply and Alex continued softly, "To be honest, Isabel, I don't care what that story is. I just want you to be happy, so please stop worrying. It's okay that you're thrilled he's alive and with Tess, even while you're angry that he's with her too. The rest of it doesn't matter anymore. We're living a new life now, remember?"

Slowly, Isabel loosened up and after a short hesitation, she made her way over to him and to Alex's surprise, she dropped to her knees and planted her head in his lap. "I'm just to tired, Alex, but please," she turned a little to look up at him, "please don't doubt my love for you... ever."

Alex smiled and caressed her soft hair with elation, "You forget that I can feel you, so I won't ever have that problem." He bent over and raised her head enough for him to gently place a kiss on her lips. The sensation was invigorating and it ignited the spark inside of him that was his powers, and the next thing Alex knew he was once again able to feel everything.

"Uh, I'm sorry." Isabel all but tore herself away from him, when she too, felt his powers return, but Alex barely noticed. He was too busy fighting for control of his power, and then somehow, Alex suddenly had it and he was able to shut it off for the first time.

"It can be controlled," he muttered, opening his eyes to look into Isabel's eyes with pure joy. "Don't tell me why I couldn't before, but right now; I just know how to use this instead of it using me. So," Alex grinned widely and opened his arms, "you better come back here right now."

Laughing, Isabel did just that and they sat together, just enjoying each other. This is why I don't mind any of that other stuff, Alex thought, about her caring too much for Kyle or even the dangers and pain that follows them around. As long as we're together nothing else matters and I'm beginning to understand why they fought so hard to return to us…

His stomach complained loudly and interrupted their tender moment. Alex shrugged sheepishly, and rubbed his belly pathetically. A few seconds later, Isabel had poured him some coffee and some juice and reheated the food all around him.

"Let's eat," she smiled, handing him a plate of bacon. "God only knows how much there will be left once the rest of them joins us."

Alex smiled and nodded in agreement before losing himself in the wonderful food, briefly wondering how his two best friends were doing.

Michael's POV

The sound of her tears woke him up, the feeling of her sadness that rushed at his dulled senses with the subtlety of a brick smashing through a glass window. With a small groan, Michael dragged himself back to consciousness, pushing his many aches to the back of his mind.

Before he was entirely awake, Michael had his arms around the shivering girl he loved so much. "Shh, Baby," he whispered, "what brought this on?"

He could feel her gulp big breaths as she tried to stop sobbing. It took her several tries, but then Maria finally subsided in her violent crying and graduated to hiccupping shallowly.

"I don't know," she got out, her voice muffled from keeping her head at his chest. "I was dreaming, and then things just hit me, you know? These crazy things aren't supposed to happen to kids. We're still kids, you know?"

Michael barely suppressed a flinch, "I know," he agreed quietly instead. Maria burrowed closer to him and continued spilling her every thought.

"I thought I was okay with everything. We survived, or got brought back to life in Kyle's case, that's a weird thing I've not even begun thinking through, but that's fine 'cause I'm still trying to not think about my best friend lying dead on the ground with her freaking throat cut open for all to see!"

The image of Liz's injured state flew into Michael's mind, and this time he couldn't quite fight off the uncomfortable shudder that ran through him. She looked both so panicked and so serene at the same time, he remembered, all her interest was in Max's battle with Caden as if her dying wasn't even important. She looked…Michael hesitated and then thought with a growing sense of foreboding that he didn't quite understand, she looked like the old Liz…

"Michael?" Maria's worried voice interrupted his thoughts, and Michael forced a small smile on his face to show he was still listening.

"I thought I was fine," the human girl continued softly, and Michael's heart went out to her. "But… I don't…This is so not what a normal teenager goes through, and you know what?" She moved her head to look into his eyes fully, "for some crazy reason, despite all the fear and horror and genuine grossness of everything, I still have this notion that I'd rather do it all over again than live a perfectly safe life without you. I want to be with you no matter what and it boggles me, I don't get it!"

Michael closed his eyes, feeling a pang in his chest at her words. The 'no matter what' part reminded him of the day they'd decided to leave Roswell, how her intense eyes had grounded him, promising that she would follow him no matter what, despite the rocky year they'd had relationship-wise.

I've longed for her to care for me that way again, Michael thought, grasping Maria's smaller body and pulling her close once more, but it's bittersweet to finally hear her acknowledge it. Knowing her she'll begin to pull back and avoid me like Liz did to Max when after hearing his mother speak of his destiny…

"Do you think things will settle down now?"

Michael sighed at Maria's question, too weary to hide it. "I don't know," he answered seriously, "but I'll do my best to keep you out of harm's way if worst comes to worse."

There was a short, heavy pause and suddenly, Maria moved. In one quick movement, she'd sat up, grabbed a pillow and threw it in his face. Michael was so dumbfounded that he just kept lying there, staring up at her with his jaw hanging open in disbelief.

"I'm not worried about me, Dumbass!" Maria practically shrieked, lunging for the pillow again. "Like it or not, I'm just a measly human and easily overlooked. You on the other hand…Don't you dare get killed!"

"Uhm…" Well, what could he really say to that? It seemed like Maria approved of his non-response and slowly made herself comfortable at his side again.

"Now," she muttered, stroking his chest once, "I'm gonna sleep some more and if I have anymore nightmares that make me cry like a little girl then either find me some of my oils or hug me tighter. You got that?"

"Yeah." Michael grinned widely, settling down to rest a little more himself as well. "Oils and hugs, I got it."

0o0o0

When he woke up again, Michael felt more at ease than he really could remember. The bond with Maria practically hummed from their earlier talk and with a soft kiss to her sleep ruffled hair, Michael eased his way out of the bed.

He went in search of the nearest bathroom only to stop when he found Liz, of all people, standing in front of the closed door to said bathroom.

Unbidden, the image of her bleeding throat came to him, and Michael had to fight off a sudden burst of nausea and panic. She's here, he calmed himself, and she didn't die.

"Liz?" He walked a little closer, and the brunette turned around with the same grace he'd always associated with the Liz from his original timeline. Again, there was a small pang in his chest for memories lost before he managed to focus on the positive things. They were all still alive, for one.

"Oh hey, Michael." Liz greeted, turning back to the door which she stared at with a concentrated expression on her face, almost as if she was-

Michael frowned, "Are you actually thinking to Max in there? 'Cause even though I know you guys always had that 'soul-mate' thing going on, that's just a little too much closeness, you know?"

Liz froze for a long moment, and Michael had just enough time to worry that he'd offended the girl; he'd used to joke rather candidly within their original lifetime, before she broke out into a big grin and shook her head at him.

"Don't make me laugh right now, Mike, I'm busy trying to get Max back to the realm of the living."

"What do you mean?" Instantly, Michael was on edge again, his feet already carrying him toward the door to lend aid. "He's hurt?"

Thankfully, Liz shook her head and immediately eased his worries.

"No," she said with a heavy sigh, "I think with everything happening over the last few days, his mind just needed a break. He went in to take a shower two hours ago and he's still there. He…" for the first time there was a hint of something other than vague, tired annoyance on Liz's face and Michael once again had the eerie sense of recognition that he'd had earlier. "He's shut down, that's the best way I can explain it."

The two of them stood silently in front of the unmoving door that seemed like a huge obstacle in their way to Max, both too polite to actually wrench the truly fragile wood off its hinges to get to the man they both considered the strongest one of them all. Finally, Liz turned back to Michael with a curious expression of…Well, if Michael had to name it, he'd say it was mirth.

"You better go in there," she said, nodding with her chin at the door. "I think I'll go back to our room and try to fix this mess, since Max is still a little too out of it to help me."

Michael followed Liz's eyes, and for the first time, he noticed the once so pristine plaster on her broken arm. It was now dirty beyond belief, covered in the reddish sand from the desert and chunks of dried blood that the Antarian rightfully guessed mostly belonged to her. Now that he noticed it, Michael realized that she was still mostly covered in dirt, sweat and blood. That told him that unlike most of them, Liz had returned to the Harding house and hadn't cleaned herself up yet. It was kinda gross, to be honest.

"Oh, do you want my help?" He asked, already reaching forward a little in case she said yes.

Surprisingly, Liz quickly stepped backwards with an unexplainable smile on her lips. "No thanks," she said, all but covering up her injured arm. "I'm not that injured, my friend. I'll wait for Max – tell him I'm in the downstairs bathroom instead of our room, cleaning myself as much as I can in a sink, okay?"

"Uh, sure," Michael muttered, his eyes following the brunette as she made her way to her self-proclaimed goal and disappeared from his sight altogether. That was weird; he thought with a growing frown, she seemed a little different than usual. I would've expected her to rage and scream for answers considering her past behavior, but she seemed almost too calm compared to what's happened to her lately. Maybe that's why Max is freaked out?

The thought of his friend, and leader, got Michael to focus and he turned back to the bathroom-door with a small sigh. "Like it or not, Maxwell, here I come." He warned and placed his hand over the doorknob, using his powers to unlock the door and enter.

The moment the large hybrid had closed the door behind him and found Max. Michael's insides momentarily twisted together in a mix between horror and dawning realization of just how bad Max's state of mind really was.

Max was sitting naked as the day they'd clawed their way out of the pods, in the bottom of the tub with water pouring down on his back and bowed head. The red welts on his skin, and a quick look at the shower faucet, told Michael that Max had turned up the water to the highest temperature available.

But, Michael thought, eying the lack of steam with a knowing look, since he's been sitting there for about two hours, according to Liz, he's sitting in freezing water now.

Another close look revealed that Max's lips were blue, and his body was trembling under the ongoing water, but his eyes seemed completely blank.

It reminded Michael of another time when Max's mental state had been completely broken by stress and loss and just all around badness. Max had kept everything inside to stop people from spending valuable time worrying about him, even Liz had been fooled until the day Max's defenses had failed, where his temper had gotten the best of him. He had almost killed Sydney, his powers lashing out at her and suffocating the girl. In the end it had been Liz who had stopped the attack by managing to force herself to her feet and drag herself over in front of him, because even half out of his mind, Max would never hurt Liz.

And then he completely shut down, Michael remembered, seeing the memory play out in his head. Max had barricaded himself in the shabby conjoined bathroom of the two rundown motel rooms they'd all been hiding in, not responding to anyone or anything. Even back then, Liz had known to send in Michael since she knew her husband's guilt would only increase by seeing her, knowing how close he'd come to hurting her – even if the rest of them knew she was never really in danger.

It had taken a lot of gentle talking – something Michael at the time hadn't had the most experience in, a lot of patience and in the end a good smack on the head to get the brunette to even begin responding to him. They'd never spoken of that day since.

Somehow I don't think a simple smack is gonna be enough to solve this, Michael thought as he cautiously inched closer to the still immobile Max. He looks numb right now, but if I move too fast he may lash out and accidentally hurt me and that'll only make things worse…

The General in Michael was busy coming up with counter-plan upon counter-plan when, to his huge shock, Max turned his head in the direction he was standing in.

Michael held his breath, but when, after nearly a minute, nothing happened, he exhaled heavily and chanced a little talking after all.

"I ain't exactly enjoying seeing you full Monty there, Maxwell."

Max didn't respond, but Michael hadn't expected him to, he was just happy not to be lifted up and thrown through the door. Another couple of small steps led Michael to the toilet, and he slowly sat down, eyeing the intensely staring brunette all the while.

Finally, after another few minutes with no words, Michael's patience couldn't take it anymore. "Wanna fill me in here? I'm a little confused to be honest, last I saw you, you were keeping things together."

For one entirely too brief moment, it seemed like Max was actually going to twitch his lips up into a half-smile, but then a rush of some other, darker emotion ran over his weary friend's face. Another minute went by before Max eventually, to Michael's relief, opened his mouth and then his words completely tilted Michael's world upside down yet again.

"Liz remembers." After taking in a deep breath, Max exhaled the next part heavily, "she remembers everything."

"What the hell?" Michael had jumped to his feet before his brain had made a conscious decision to do so. "…I mean…What the hell? That's great, isn't it? I mean I'd think it was great; you don't look like you think it's great. Don't you think it's great? Why don't you think it's great?"

Oh jeez, Michael had to repress an urge to rip out his own tongue; I was channeling my Maria for a second there. He took a deep breath, trying to keep all his questions from running out his way too active mouth. A moment later, Michael was distracted from his internal self-flagellating by Max doing the absolute last thing he'd expected, judging from how he'd been acting: the guy laughed, a big, throaty and hoarse laugh that sounded like it wasn't used all that much. Which, Michael shrugged mentally; it kinda isn't, now that I think about it.

Max brought an end to his thoughts when he suddenly got up on his feet, naked as the day they'd been found in the desert. Michael rolled his eyes, ripped off the shower curtain that was around the bathtub and unceremoniously threw it at the other male.

"Don't shock my delicate senses, Maxwell – I don't think I could handle any more right now."

Max nodded silently, wrapping the curtain around him and, with a few gestures, transformed it into some nondescript clothing before stepping out of the tub. With every movement, it seemed to Michael as if Max's usual strength was coming back tenfold.

"Look," Michael held up a hand, tilting his head a little in confusion, "not that I'm not thrilled to see you back to your senses again, but weren't you like half-way insane just a minute ago?"

With a small smile Max replied, "I guess the only way to explain it is that my mind and my body needed a break. After Liz told me that her memories were back, I kinda spaced out; too many things had happened in too short a time and I came in here to take a shower and next thing I remember is you barging in here and pulling me together like…like last time. I'm glad you didn't have to hit me, though, my head's killing me to be perfectly honest."

"What happens next, Max?" Michael stepped to the side to let Max pass so he could reach the door.

Max looked over his shoulder as he reached for the doorknob. "I'm going to have a talk with my wife." And with that, he disappeared, leaving the door wide open, not noticing that Michael was overwhelmed by a sudden rush of pure envy to such a degree that his knees buckled and he slid down to the tiled floor.

Why are you acting like such a girl? Michael tried to rally himself back to his own senses; you've got nothing to be jealous off. Remember how Maria was at the end? Do you really want her going back to that? She's young and still pretty innocent in this time; her memories would more than likely destroy her…

The thoughts brought forth an onslaught of memories of a much more jaded, battle-weary and all-round haunted Maria that truly hated the way her powers struck fear in everyone just by looking at them. Seeing everyone's worst fears created a black hole in her, Michael thought, running a shaky hand through his hair, a black hole that eventually consumed her until she decided to die alongside Liz, leaving me, the person she claimed to love the most, behind.

That last thought somehow managed to bring Michael's tumult emotions into a semblance of peace, and, with a long, heavy sigh he slowly got back to his feet again. He caught a glimpse of his reflection in the bathroom-mirror, and he cringed.

Jesus, I look like the walking dead, he thought and he quickly opened the faucet and splashed a generous amount of ice-cold water on his face, rubbing it to bring back an inkling of color to his pasty skin.

After another few minutes, which he spent getting himself under control, Michael set out to get some food. As soon as he walked toward the stairs, a mouthwatering scent reached his nostrils and Michael quickened his steps, pushing all else aside with a stubbornness that had gotten him through war alive.

As soon as he reached the bottom of the stairs, Michael heard the most beautiful sound in the world, to him: Maria's laughter. He stopped in the doorway to the kitchen and just looked as she grinningly handed a napkin to a blushing Alex, whose chin was bearing evidence of a spill of some kind that Michael wasn't too interested in, his eyes riveted on the sight of his beautiful wife.

In that moment, Michael had no doubt whatsoever that somehow, sometime in the future, Maria would once again consent to be his bride, and that knowledge finally cemented his decision to stop his petty jealousy of Max and Liz's relationship.

If I had to choose, Michael decided and made himself known by falling into the empty seat next to Maria and ordering to be fed with a smile up at an equally grinning Isabel, I'll take Maria's happiness over my own any day of the week. Besides, he added mentally, when Maria turned to look at him with a look that bore that special kind of adoration and annoyance that was just for him, I'm not exactly miserable with this Maria, now am I?

Liz's POV

Leaving her husband behind for Michael to take care of, took more willpower than Liz had anticipated. As soon as Michael closed the door behind him, Liz instinctively snuck back to listen at the door, before her more rational – and older – self got her to change direction midway and walk back to the bedroom she'd spent only a short time in before Max had decided to "take a shower".

The bright sun was mocking her and Liz quickly pulled the curtains to block it out, childishly sticking out her tongue before rolling her eyes at herself.

What am I doing? She plopped down on the untouched bed with a loud sigh. I screwed things up with Max; he's too weary to truly understand what's happened. I should at least have waited a few days before springing this on him.

Liz closed her eyes and the image of Max's frozen expression back at the podchamber immediately came back to haunt her. The worst part of it all, Liz remembered, absentmindedly scratching a speck of dirt, or maybe dried blood off of her collarbone, is the state of our bond. I can't believe I – the younger part of me – let it get so strained. I am her so I know what she thought about it, and to a point I sort of understand it, but still…the connection between us has always been instant, so I don't understand myself…

Another, recent memory floated into Liz's thoughts to remind her just how idiotic and selfish she had behaved at times. Max sitting in the Crashdown, looking crushed when she'd asked him to close the bond.

From the way he looked, Liz recalled, biting her bottom lip worriedly, I'd say they hadn't been back for long at that point.

Liz sat, her mind going in circles for a long while, ignoring the random bursts of emotions from Max's side, figuring he was responding to whatever it was that Michael was saying. Finally, she sat up and abruptly cursed.

"Stop it. I did what I did because I didn't know Max's story. It's completely illogical to keep shaming myself into a big mess of remorse. I'm back and I will fix things and make everyone happy again." She firmly told herself, standing up and ripping off her dirty and ruined shirt. She was suddenly completely disgusted by all the gore on her body, and in half a mind to call for Isabel to come help her out, but before she could make up her mind, the bedroom door opened and Max walked in.

Liz froze mid-movement, her ruined shirt dangling from suddenly boneless fingers as she watched his eyes travel up and down her body. After a little too long for it to be deemed appropriate, Max met her eyes again and simply said that they needed to talk.

"Yeah," was all Liz managed to croak out, all her earlier wisdom and power seemingly vanishing in thin air in a few seconds. "We really do."

TBC…

A/N Thanks to those who've stuck by me for so long, your kind words and encouragement means so much and I know I've been bad at replying to your reviews lately, but my life is really busy and I hope a sincere thanks will help a little:) As always, any and all comments will be received with a smile (or a grimace in case of flames;)).

Until Next Time