Title: Revelations (part 9)

Author: Angela Rae

Category: Max/Liz, Michael/Maria, Isabel/Alex, Kyle/Tess (M) (AR)

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these fabulous characters, more's the pity. They are the exclusive property of 20th Century Fox Television, Regency Television, Jason Katims, Melinda Metz and Laura J. Burns. To quote some of my favorite fan fiction authors, I'm just borrowing – I'll return them as I found them. Cross my heart!

A/N: Rated M for safety reasons… this fic is set at the end of "Destiny", ep 1:22, which makes it AR. It's Roswell post S1 as I think it should have happened. Hope you Enjoy!

I'm really sorry for the delay on this update! :( My new job is nuts right now – the big learning curve and two weeks of OT have taken a HUGE chunk out of my available time to write. Anyway, I've been working on this chapter since last night and am posting it un-beta'ed because I'm trying to assuage my own guilt here. So, if there are any glaring mistakes let me know, I'll try to fix them asap, and mea culpa.

I've finally resigned myself to the fact that this story will take longer to complete then I originally thought. And some of you have asked if I'm really going to finish this one – the answer is "yes", I promise to stick with it until it's done. The updates might be a little more scattered than I want, but please stick with me, I promise I won't quit.

I'm working on Ch 10 right now. Hopefully, I can get it off to my wonderful beta, Tay, before I drop from exhaustion tonight. Please review, even if I wasn't able to reply to your last, know that I appreciate it so much every time you take the time to let me know what you think!

Okay, I'll shut up now. On with the show!...

Max's hazel eyes met Liz's startled brown through the clear glass. His eyes quickly traveled over her frozen form, barely registering that she was holding onto her ex-boyfriend, and instead focusing on the fact that he couldn't see any obvious injuries. Relief crashed through him and the constriction in his chest eased. He sighed. Liz was okay.

He stepped over the window pane and into the room. Liz pulled away from Kyle just as the other boy realized that Max had arrived. Liz smiled slightly at the surprised look on Kyle's face as she stepped forward to meet Max.

"Max," she said softly.

"What happened? Are you alright?" Max asked, his brow furrowed with worry.

"I'm fine," Liz said, "It was just a misunderstanding. Max, Kyle needs to talk to us. We've got a bit of a Czechoslovakian problem here."

Max's brow rose but he nodded and reached for Liz's hand. Her fingers entwined with his and he closed his eyes for a moment. She knew he was assessing her feelings and deliberately sent a pulse of reassurance and love down their bond. He smiled as he opened his eyes and briefly squeezed her fingers in response.

"So, what's going on, Kyle?" Max asked.

"Okaaaay…. Well, um," Kyle drew out uncertainly, glancing back and forth between Max and Liz. Liz just nodded her encouragement but stayed silent. He could either trust Max or not. She wouldn't push him either way.

Kyle hesitated for another second then shrugged, sat down on the bed and began to tell Max everything. He explained about the dreams, with the strange room and lights and symbols… and exactly how freaked out he was by the whole thing. On that point he made sure to spare no details.

Max just listened until Kyle fell silent.

"So, what do you think, Max?" Liz turned to look into his eyes.

"Well," Max said slowly, "he's obviously seeing the pod chamber. And the symbols sound like what we all saw when we healed Michael with the stones in the cave with Riverdog."

"Pod chamber?" Kyle exclaimed, "What, like some sort of alien hatching ground or something? I thought that kind of thing was just in the movies, man."

"No, it's not just in the movies, Kyle." Max said, "And it's exactly like some sort of alien hatching ground. It's were Michael, Isabel, Tess and I were born on this planet." Max turned to Liz. "We'll have to talk to the others before we bring him any farther into this. We can't just make decisions about things this big without them."

"I know," Liz said, "That's why I told Kyle to talk to you. But, Max, he is one of us now. You healed him and now he's a part of this, whether the others acknowledge it or not."

"I know, Liz. I know." Max look at Kyle with something like an apology in his eyes.

"Whatever, man. I just need to get to this 'pod chamber' or whatever you call it. If you can take me there, great; and if you can't, I'll just find it on my own somehow. Either way, I'm going." Kyle's expression was pure stubbornness. Liz just sighed and shrugged when Max looked her way.

"Alright, Kyle. Let's talk to the others and I'll see what I can do about getting you there without there being any issue. I don't understand why you're dreaming about it at all, but I'm curious enough to want to show it to you anyway," said Max.

Suddenly, the door opened and Nancy Parker stood in the threshold with a startled look on her face.

"Mom!" Liz exclaimed.

Nancy took one look around the room and said firmly, "Oh, no, young lady. Not on my watch."

"Mom…" Liz began in a 'let's be reasonable' tone, only to swallow what she was about to say when her mother sliced her a look that clearly said 'not one more word, or else..'.

Nancy looked at both of the young men standing in her teenage daughter's room in the middle of the night and swiftly pointed at the door. "Out."

Not one word was spoken as both of the guys made for the door immediately. A pissed off mother was pretty high on the list of 'not to be screwed with' in the minds of most teenage boys. Only Max dared to glance back over his shoulder. Liz clearly understood what he didn't say with words – he'd be back later that night. She smiled slightly in response, the tension leaving her shoulders with that new reassurance. Then he disappeared down the hall with Kyle.

"Liz, what were you thinking!" Nancy began, "I heard a shout and came to see what was going on and find two boys in your room, with the door closed, at night! I thought we could trust you to be more responsible than this."

"Mom, I'm sorry, it's just…" Liz stumbled, searching for the right words. She didn't want to lie to her mother, but she couldn't exactly tell her the whole truth.

"Just what…? Just that you have no explanation for this at all? Don't you have any respect for the home that your father and I work so hard to provide for you?"

"Mom, no! That's not it at all!" Liz was shocked that her mother would feel that way. She couldn't exactly explain what was happening between her and Max. That would totally freak her parents out – and they'd probably forbid her to ever see Max again – but she didn't want her mother to feel like her daughter didn't care how her parents felt at all. This was going to take some immediate damage control on Liz's part. She decided to start with as much of the truth as she could.

"Look, this was all about Kyle. He's been having some issues lately; actually it's more like he's been having major problems. He can't talk to his dad about it, 'cause he doesn't want him to worry or freak out, and it's been really hard on him."

Liz could tell her words were making an impact when her mother got that little worried frown that said she was concerned and trying to hide it, so she kept going.

"I know we haven't really been talking much lately, but he's my friend, Mom. He didn't have anyone else to turn too, so he came over tonight to talk to me. He climbed up the fire escape and I invited him in. I know I shouldn't have, but he was really upset and I just wanted to try to help him out if I could."

Nancy bit her lip and shook her head with a sigh. "Liz…"

"I know, but I had to," Liz said quickly, forestalling the lecture she knew was coming, "And I called Max." That was the truth, even though she hadn't called him exactly the way her mother would think. "I called him and he came over. He's been through some stuff that's a bit like what Kyle is dealing with right now, so I thought he could help. He came in through the window too. I know I should have told you and Daddy what was going on, but it just happened so fast, it didn't cross my mind. I'm really sorry, Mom. It won't happen again." That last part was a lie and something in Liz cringed to tell it, but it had to be said. There was no way her mom would leave her alone if she didn't make that promise.

"Okay, honey," Nancy sighed in defeat after a long moment of indecision. It was like all the anger and hurt drained out of her in a rush, leaving behind only rueful acceptance. "I trust you. And your father does to. So, I'm going to let this one go… as long as you promise me it'll never happen again."

"I promise," Liz said swiftly, mentally crossing her fingers with a hidden wince.

"All right," said Nancy, "But if either your father or I catch boys in your room again, you're grounded for life. I mean it. Parolees with ankle bracelets will have it easier than you will."

"Okay, okay. I get it." Liz said quickly.

"Good," Nancy said as she walked forward to give her baby girl a big hug. "Remember, it's for your own good. We're here to take care of you and protect you. And we'll do whatever it takes to do what's best for you, honey. No matter what."

"I know, Mom," Liz said, squeezing her mother close and trying to shove back some of the guilt, "I love you."

"I love you too, baby," Nancy whispered into her daughter's hair. Then she let go with a final squeeze. "Now, get some of that homework done. I know you've got a few finals left and you should be studying."

"You're right," Liz said, picking up one of the pencils at her desk and making a show of cracking open her Trig textbook.

"Night, honey." Nancy smiled, walking out the door.

"Night," Liz called back. When the bedroom door closed, Liz laid her head down on her folded arms and groaned. She was officially a horrible daughter. She just sat there for several long minutes, wallowing in the guilt.

A tap at the window brought her head up. It was Max.

She went over to the windowpane and leaned against the frame, amazed at how just looking at him made her feel like everything was going to be all right.

"Hey." Max smiled softly.

"Hey," she said in reply, her lips curling in an involuntary smile as her eyes filled with tears. Her heart felt like it was being pulled in two different directions at once. She was so scared that one day she would have to make a choice between her family and Max… that what happened tonight was just the beginning of a path that would inevitably lead to a crossroads that she didn't want to face.

Concern was immediately written all over Max's face. "What's wrong?"

"I lied to my mom, Max," Liz's voice broke a little over the words.

Max's heart swelled with the need to take the hurt away and an understanding of exactly what Liz was feeling right now. He felt exactly the same way whenever he had to lie to his parents to hide his and Izzy's secret. It felt like he was betraying them somehow. He didn't want Liz to ever feel that way.

"What exactly did you tell her?" Max asked softly.

Liz spoke in a rush. "I said that Kyle was having problems and that he needed to talk and I called you to help… and that was technically the truth. But then I had to promise her that it would never happen again, that I would never have another boy in my room. And that was a whopper of a lie, Max." Liz smiled ruefully through the tears. "I need you with me right now. It just feels so wrong when you're not there, and I don't know why. It's like I'm losing my ability to stand alone. It's really scaring me, but there it is."

"Me too," Max said, "I know it's not normal, but I promise, Liz, we'll figure this out. Together. It's going to be okay."

"I know, Max. I just hate lying to them. It feels so wrong."

"Well, let's see… you promised your mom that you wouldn't have guys in your room again, right?"

"Yeah," Liz said, with a little hiccup, wondering where Max was going with this.

"Okay, well that's not a hard promise to keep," Max said with a smile.

"What are you saying, Max?" Liz asked, feeling a little spike of worry.

"Grab a couple of pillows and the blanket and bring them out here." Max stood up from his crouch and walked over to patio lounge chair on the open balcony. "It's a really nice night. It'll be like camping, only without the tent."

Liz's smile blossomed like the sun breaking through the clouds and Max's heart skipped a beat when he saw the absolute love shining in her dark brown eyes. Her laugh floated out through the night as she did exactly what he said, snatching the pillows and comforter off her bed and shoving them out the window. Max made a quick grab for the whole bundle before they could hit the roof and grunted when her body collided with his as she lunged out the window behind them, wrapping the pillows, blanket and Max in a tight embrace and tumbling them back onto the sprawling chair.

Her mouth settled on his in a passionate kiss that shattered his soul and he pushed the pillows and blanket to the side quickly, not caring about any of it getting dirty anymore, as he gathered her close. In a rush that was becoming more familiar by the day, the bond between them flared wide and he basked in the glow of her complete love and trust. She was perfect, his whole world, and he would never let her go again.

Reluctantly, he broke away from her mouth and grinned at her moue of disappointment, making sure to hold her close with one arm as the other reached over to prop the discarded pillows behind his head and broad shoulders. He leaned back into the reclined lounge chair and pulled her firmly against his body until she cuddled alongside him, her head lay on his chest, her arm over his torso, her leg thrown over both of his. She shivered and hugged him tight. He pulled the blanket over the both of them and tucked it around her to keep her warm.

Liz rubbed her nose lightly along his pectoral and ran her hand along his side, slipping it under his t-shirt to be in contact with Max, skin to skin. She loved the way his muscles jumped when she ran her fingers over them. He retaliated by sliding his hand down her back and over her jeans. She squeaked, startled, when he gripped her ass and pulled her more firmly to him.

Liz smiled when she felt his laughter rumble under her ear.

"Go to sleep, Liz," Max said quietly, "I'm trying to be good here and you're not making it easy."

She sighed as she settled into him. Surrounded by the smell and feel of Max, the connection between them like a cocoon of warmth and love around her heart, she fell asleep in his arms knowing this was where she belonged.

(***)

"Oh, for God's sake!"

Amy's exclamation of exasperated surprise woke Michael out of a dead sleep.

He groaned and buried his face in the pillow, pulling Maria in closer as he tried to ignore the screeching banshee, who was in all likelihood his future mother-in-law.

"Maria!"

"What?" came the groggy response from somewhere under his armpit and a mound of blankets.

"Get up!" Amy shrieked, "I want to see you in the kitchen, young lady. Right now!"

"Okay, okay!" came the disembodied, disgruntled reply.

He heard Amy march out of the room and down the hall. Michael cracked an eye open just as a blonde head popped up with an adorable scowl.

"Don't say a word," she warned.

He opened his mouth just to mess with her, an unfamiliar, teasing glint in his eye.

Her finger came up. "Not. One. Word."

He shut his mouth with a half-assed grin. Some things you just didn't mess with, like nuclear reactors, rabid grizzly bears, and Maria before her first cup of Chai Tea in the morning.

Michael watched with interest as she rolled out of bed and snatched some clothes from her dresser, hopping a little as she pulled on a pair of jeans and a very fitted tank top, muttering darkly to herself the entire while. He linked his fingers behind his head and decided he really enjoyed the view.

His own jeans had stayed on the entire night, but his t-shirt was hanging haphazardly over the back of one of her chairs. He struggled to keep the emotion off his face when she finally looked at him and her expression calmed. Her eyes filled with love when she cocked her head to the side and walked toward him. Neither of them said a word when she leaned down and lightly kissed him. They didn't have to.

The bond between them pulsed with desire and acceptance, it was warm and comforting – and Michael struggled to accept it without pushing her away again. He wanted her so badly it scared him shitless. Losing her would break him, and he'd never had any luck with keeping anything he wanted this much safe before. He'd always found a way to ruin everything he touched. Michael clamped down on those fears as he gripped Maria's hand tightly in his.

Maria felt his internal struggle as clearly as she felt her own fear that he would run again and leave her behind. She reached for the warmth of the love she felt flaring just as strongly as the anxiety and concentrated on the solid knowledge that she loved him and he loved her, whatever else might happen. She needed to be the rock that he could lean on and she wouldn't fail him now.

"It's okay, Michael. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere," she whispered against his lips before she pulled away and looked into his bright, blue eyes. "…except into the kitchen to face my mother's wrath. And I'm not facing it alone. So, put your shirt on and get your butt out there in five minutes."

(***)

Isabel laughed and Alex just stared at one his best friends in disbelief. They were about to take their 3rd period final for US Government and all he could do was gape at one Maria DeLuca, who they'd both noticed was wearing a familiar pink flower tucked behind one ear.

"And what did she say then?" he finally asked.

"Well, what else could she say?" Maria asked with what she hoped was an air of world-weary sophistication when Isabel raised an eyebrow in amusement. "I mean, one of the benefits of one's mother being an ex-hippie is that there's not much you can do that she hasn't already done before. And my mom hates hypocrites. I just pointed out that Michael and I weren't actually doing anything she had a problem with and it's really not that big a deal. Besides, mom and I have a standing agreement that as long as I'm under her roof I follow her rules, and I'm going to stick to it."

"That's it? She's okay with you sleeping with Michael, in your bed, as long as all you're both doing is sleeping?" Alex looked at Isabel with a hopeful expression. Maybe…

"Don't even think about it," Isabel said, leaning over to kiss him when he drooped with disappointment.

"Well, that wasn't all she said exactly…" Maria admitted, twisting her name pendant necklace in her fingers. "She said she was bringing in a cot from the shed and Michael could sleep in my room as long as he stayed where she put him, and if he put one toe out of line, she'd take it off."

Isabel laughed even harder as she asked, "What did Michael say?"

"He didn't say anything. He just grunted and kept eating his pancakes." Maria grinned.

Isabel shook her head and said, "That sounds like Michael."

Suddenly the classroom door opened as Mr. Hansen hurried in with an armload of papers and a mug of steaming coffee.

"Alright class," he said with forced cheerfulness, running quick fingers over his head to check that his comb-over was still in place, "Today's the US Government final, so I hope you've all prepared for the test and gone over the review questions. The essay question will be on FDR and the New Deal. So, put your notes away and get out your pencils."

Isabel and Maria shared a quick look of mutual dread, while Alex just looked interested, before they each took a stapled exam off the top of each pile being passed back down the rows of desks.

When each student had a test in hand, Mr. Hansen glanced at the clock and announced, "Begin."

(***)

Liz sat in the quad during her one and only free period of the school day, luckily for her it was the last period of the day.

She'd picked a shaded table on the far side of the open area to get some peace and quiet so she could concentrate on getting some real studying in. She was glad to have the time, especially after everyone had gathered again at Alex's locker earlier that afternoon to review the evening's plan.

Maria would be dropping Isabel and Alex off at the Evans' house before Michael and she went straight to the Crashdown because Liz, Maria and Michael's shift started almost right after school today. Max had decided to wait at the Crashdown for the three of them to finish their shift, so he would be driving Liz after school. Isabel would inform her parents that everyone was coming over for a late-night study session to cram for finals after they all got off work – not that they would actually get any studying done or anything.

It was just an excuse to crowd the whole group into Max's room so they could talk about what they were going to do next. They might have a man on the inside of the Special Unit now, but the dangers were still out there, hunting them. So, Isabel and Alex would be waiting for them all at the Evans' house.

No doubt, they wanted a little time to themselves before everyone started showing up. Not that Liz could blame them. She'd been thinking the same thing about Max and herself all day. She smiled at the thought of seeing him again in another hour then settled in to focus on the task at hand.

She pulled her hair back into a neat ponytail, tucking an extra pencil behind her ear, before she cracked open her Ethics textbook. She was getting behind on Mr. Jenkins' study guide for the class. It was a good thing she took detailed notes.

Okay, she thought, flipping to Chapter 20 and glancing at the practice questions, it can't be too hard to catch up. Besides, when in doubt, just present the most logical argument possible. If it worked with her father, it should work with Aristotle. At least, she hoped so. It was a hypothesis, anyway.

She started to tap her pencil on the table in between jotting down her thoughts for questions like "What is the highest good?" and "What is the definition of virtue?", a little frown of concentration developing between her dark brows.

After the first few minutes, she was so absorbed in study; it took her a moment to realize someone was calling her name.

"Liz?"

Liz looked up to find Pam Lewis, fellow member and Vice President of the Science Club standing across the table from her.

"Studying for finals?" the blonde asked, smiling.

"Ethics," Liz said with a grin.

Pam groaned in sympathy before saying quickly, "Hey, I wanted to talk to you really quickly about something. Can I have a seat for a second?"

"Sure," Liz said. She reached forward to move her backpack and clear a space.

Her hand came into direct contact with the table for the first time since she'd sat down.

Liz staggered under an overwhelming onslaught of emotion. Feelings of intense malice and hatred threatened to crush her under their incredible weight.

Images flooded her mind.

Flash. A black orb with blinking triangles that formed a perfect hexagon. Flash. A grey sky streaked with lightening. Flash. An image of a young man's face twisted in a cruel smile. Fear flooded through Liz when she saw his face. This boy was pure evil. She didn't know how she knew that, but she did. Flash. Max, Liz, Isabel and Alex sitting at their table in the quad eating lunch and laughing. Flash. The same young man as before standing with a triumphant smile, his glowing hand outstretched toward Michael, who was on the ground, his mouth grimacing in pain and blood coming from under the hand he was pressing to his side.

"Liz? Liz!" A hand shaking her shoulder broke Liz out of the visions.

Liz looked up into Pam's concerned eyes.

"Are you okay? You're really pale," the girl said, "Do you need to go to the nurse's office?"

"No," Liz said, her voice shaky, "I'm okay." Her mind cast about for a believable excuse, because she definitely couldn't let Pam know what had really just happened. She needed Max. As suddenly as she thought his name, he was there inside her.

Their connection had opened wide and she felt his alarm and concern for her. She concentrated on sending him feelings of reassurance in spite of the cold knot of fear still coiled in her belly. She didn't want him to get into trouble for running out of class to get to her.

So, she focused on sending him calm emotions as she glanced at the outdoor clock above the door leading back into the school. Only ten minutes until the bell rang. She could hold on for ten minutes.

She looked back at Pam and realized she needed to say something more.

"Um, I think I'm just dehydrated. I got a little dizzy. Too much sun or something," Liz said to the other girl.

Pam looked confused for a second as she looked up at the table umbrella over their heads and the circle of perfect shade around the table. Then she shrugged, obviously willing to let the matter drop in favor of whatever she had come over for in the first place.

Pam dug around in her bag and pulled out a bottled water. "Well, here, you should drink this then."

She eyed Liz, until the dark-haired girl unscrewed the top and obediently took a few sips.

"Anyway," Pam said, "You know Marty's graduating this year, so that means his position in the Science Club will be open next year…"

Liz tried to pay attention as Pam started talking about votes and dedication to the pursuit of scientific truth but her eyes kept straying to the clock, counting the seconds as it ticked down.

Come on, she thought. Ring.

TBC…

A/N: R&R is always appreciated. So, press the little blue button… :)