Author: Susan
E-mail: susanandtad@cs.com
Disclaimers: Don't own Roswell or any of there characters but I would love to borrow Michael for a few days!
Spoilers: nope
Category: CC/UC, Michael/Maria as well as Max/Maria, FF and AU
Archive: This is my first attempt so if you want it take it just e-mail and let me know.
Summary: Kind of stealing the love triangle story from Pearl Harbor.


Prologue

Max and Isabel came out of the Pods together and were found and adopted by the Evans. Michael didn't come out for another year and was put in the foster system. Michael was adopted by the Evans a few years afterwards when they found out about Hank abusing him. Max and Michael are true brothers in everyway except for blood. Tess came out two years later and was found by Amy Deluca who was traveling down the old highway after making a delivery of her alien merchandise and was later adopted by her. Max, Michael, Tess and Isabel were the Royalty of the planet Antar. The queen mother cloned them and sent them to Earth knowing that one day their enemies would come and try to destroy Earth like they did Antar. Before the planet was completely destroyed they sent the ship containing the pods to Earth with a Protector but he died soon after hiding the Pods. The queen knew that the Royal Four were the only hope for the survival of the human race.

In this story they are in the second year of war with the Skins. Michael and Maria are together as well as Kyle and Tess and Alex and Isabel. Liz and Max were together but she is now dead (Sorry not a fan). She was one of the first casualties of the war. Max, with the aid of Sheriff Valenti, Michael, Tess and Isabel, is the leader of a Rebellion against the Skins. The rebel base is outside of Roswell. In the opening scene Michael is going off on a very dangerous mission.


Part 1


"Why do you have to be the one to go?" Maria asks tearfully.

"Because I am the only one. We have already gone over this a thousand times Maria. I have to go. You know that."

"It doesn't make it any easier Michael."

"I know. I love you Maria. I promise I will be back."

"You better Spaceboy. I love you to." Maria hugs Michael and they kiss goodbye passionately.

Michael walks away from Maria to say goodbye to his best friend and brother Max.

"Maxwell."

"Michael."

They both look at each other hoping that this isn't the last time they see each other.

"You don't have to do this Michael. We can send someone else."

Michael shakes his head. "You know I can't do that Maxwell. Plus we both know I am the best one for this job."

"I know. Doesn't mean I like it much. Be careful Michael."

"You know me."

Max smiles. "That is what worries me."

Michael glances back at Maria who is crying in her sister's arms.

"Maxwell I need you to make me a promise."

"Anything Michael."

"If something should happen to me..."

Max tries to interrupt.

"No let me finish. If something should happen I want you to be the one to tell Maria and I need for you to take care of her."

"You know you don't even have to ask that Michael. I will. I promise."

"Thank you Max."

Michael holds out his hand to shake but instead Max pulls him into an embrace.

They separate and Michael goes and hugs and kisses Maria one last time. As Michael gets into the jeep and drives away Max walks over to Maria who throws herself into his arms crying.

"He is going to be ok. Right Max?"

"You know Michael. He always comes out ok."

"God I hope you are right Max. I just have this horrible feeling that I will never see him again."

Max hugs Maria tighter. He doesn't say anything but he has the same nagging feeling. He hopes he is wrong.

Two weeks later...

Jim Valenti walks into the Rebel base looking for the Leader of their group. He is dreading the job that is in front of him. It brings back memories of another day two years ago when he had to tell the young man in front of him that the love of his life was killed by the Skins. Only this time it is his Brother who has fallen.

Max looks up and sees the expression on the Sheriffs face. He closes his eyes and grabs onto the table for support.

"Tell me."

"They sent us a message. Michael was caught. They killed him Max."

"Are we sure?"

The Sheriff nods his head. "I checked it out with our spies before I came here. They confirm that he was taken and that they saw him go down. Said Nicholas was furious that Michael was shot down before he could get to him."

Max shakes his head and turns away from the Sheriff as tears threaten to escape from his eyes. His second in command, best friend, his brother is dead. The words don't even seem real to him. Now he has to find a way to tell his other best friend that the love of her life is not coming back.

"Max, do you need me to tell Maria?"

Max turns around. "No, I promised Michael I would be the one."

The Sheriff nods his head and walks away. For two years he has stood in awe of the young man who now leads this group trying to save their world. Without Max as leader they would have fallen long ago. But it has cost him a lot throughout the war, first his parents, then Liz and now his brother. Michael's death just may break them all. He hopes that they can somehow survive this.

Maria is eating dinner with her sister, Tess ,and her brother, Kyle. She likes to tell people that her sister is engaged to marry her brother. The looks on their faces are priceless until she explains that her adopted sister is marrying her stepbrother. Jim Valenti married Amy Deluca a year before the war began. Unfortunately the marriage did not last long as Amy was killed in the first attack. But the family bond was already established. Kyle would always be her brother.

She listens to Tess and Kyle argue about something silly. Kyle is good at lightening up the mood. It is his gift. Get Alex and Kyle together and everyone will be in tears laughing in 20 minutes. Thank god for that. They wouldn't have survived this long without the comic relief. She suddenly feels a chill and hugs his arms around her. A feeling of utter dread hits her hard. Tess and Kyle stop talking and look up as Max walks into the room. Kyle smiles and starts to say something but after getting a good look at Max's face his smile fades. Maria sees this and turns suddenly to face Max. She knows without him saying a word. His eyes are full with un-shed tears and his face is full of pain. Pain that someone so young should not have to know. Maria starts to fall to the ground but Max catches her before she falls. He holds her tight and they both weep for the one they loved. For all they have lost, the casualties of war.

Part 2

A year and a half later, the war is finally over. Earth won.

Maria sits on the roof of her car looking out into the desert thinking about the past year and half. They all had lost so much, their parents, Liz, Michael, Valenti and they nearly lost Isabel and Tess before it was finally over. Valenti died saving Tess. Isabel was hurt trying to save them both. Maria is glad that they survived. She doesn't think that Max could have taken another loss. Michael's death hit him hard, even harder then it hit her. He took the weight of the blame on himself. Even though it was Michael's decision to go on the mission. Max never ordered him to go, in fact he asked him to send someone else on several occasions. Maria did not blame Max and did everything she could to let him know it. They had been each other's rock this past year and half. Maria knows that she wouldn't have survived without Max being there for her. Since the war ended two weeks ago things had been strained between them. Maria knew the reason for the tension but she didn't know if she was ready to face it yet. That is why she came out to the desert to think about where to go next.
(Yes the Jetta survived the war) and headed back home, to Max.

Back at the former Rebel base, now Max's home, Max sat looking out the window. He was also thinking about the past year and half. It was finally over. He didn't know why he didn't feel any better. Like something was just out of place. The last battle was the hardest of the whole war. They lost so many people. Tess and Isabel had barely made it out alive and they lost the man who had been a father to them all the past 3 and half years. Max and the others were all his children and he showed them daily how much they all meant to him. And in the end he gave his life to save one of his "children", his son's wife, Tess. The celebrated the victory and mourned the loss of the people they loved in one night. Max thinks of Kyle, the carefree boy who is now a strong and determined man. The new Sheriff of Roswell. He will now lead. If anyone is ready for the responsibility it is Kyle. Max is more then happy to turn over the reigns to him. He is tired of being responsible for so many lives. Now he has to think of the future, one that thrills and scares him at the same time. For hours he has sat in front of the window waiting for his future to come home to him. Maria. And as if he was able to wish her there he sees the Jetta pull up front. Max remains in his chair waiting to find out her decision. It is up to her what happens next. The tension has been brewing for weeks and it was only a matter of time before they had to face it. It seems that now was the time.

Part 3

Maria walks into Max's place and sees him staring out the window. He knows that she is there but he isn't looking at her. Maria sits down on the arm of his chair and looks out the window with him.

"What do we do now Max?"

"Live."

Max still doesn't look at Maria.

"I..." Maria starts to say something but stops. She reaches over to Max and turns his head so that she can look into his eyes.

"I thought I was going to die when Michael...(Maria can't bring herself to say the words) but I didn't and that was because of you. You have been by me for the past year and a half and I...I need for you to stay in my life."

Max closes his eyes for a second and releases the breath that he has been holding. He brushes away the tear that is traveling down her cheek. "I will always be in your life Maria. Nothing could stop me."

Maria knows she has to make the first move because Max will not so she leans forward and gently brushes her lips against Max's. She pulls away and looks into Max's eyes. She sees love. Max touches her cheek gently and pulls her closer. He whispers that he loves her and kisses her with all the love he has felt for so long.

Not so far away from Roswell...

A blond woman enters the white room and looks at the young man restrained to the table in front of her.

"Well it is finally over. The Rebels won. Looks like you will be going home soon."

The young man in front of her almost smiles. Before she walks back through the door she turns her head towards the young man.

"I'm going to miss you Mikey G."

Part 4

Six months later...

Courtney watches the young man sitting in the white room through the two-way mirror. She thinks about when he came here. He was all but dead. He probably would have been if her group had not gotten him away from Nicholas. It took almost a year for Michael to fully recover from his injuries. None of her group of Skins could heal so Michael had to heal on his own. His injuries were severe. They should have let him go along time ago but she convinced the others to keep him until after the war was over and then she convinced them to keep him a little bit longer, but now she has to let him go. She had hoped he wouldn't want to go but no matter what she did he insisted he wanted to go home. She tried repeatedly to seduce her Mikey G. but he was resistant to her. He was loyal to his family and his Maria. If he only knew what "his" Maria had been doing in his absence. She smiled to herself. It is only a matter of time before Mikey G. decides that what she has to offer isn't so bad after all.

On the other side of the mirror Michael sits waiting for them to let him go. This group of Skins did not participate in the War. They just wanted to live on this planet in peace. They also showed their loyalties towards the Royal Four, that is why he was saved in the first place. But he knows that isn't the reason why they have kept him here so long. Courtney was. Courtney wanted him for herself. That was never going to happen. He belonged to Maria and as soon as they let him out of here he was finally going to go home to her.

Back in Roswell...

Max feels like his world has ended. He sits staring at the note in front of him.

Max Evans,

Congratulations on your victory against Nicholas. We are a rogue group of Skins. We just want peace. Two years ago one of the Royal Four, you call him Michael, was injured by Nicholas's men. We saved him. To show our good faith we are releasing him to you. He will be at Buckley Point at noon tomorrow.

His brother is alive. All this time they thought he was dead to now find out that he'd been a prisoner of the Skins. Part of him is rejoicing that he is going to see his brother again but still another part of him feels like someone has hit him with at sledgehammer. Tomorrow he would bring his brother home. Tomorrow was supposed to be his wedding day.

Part 5

Max is still staring at the note when Kyle and Alex arrive to take him out on the town for his bachelor party. One look at Max and both men know something is wrong.

"What is it Max?" Kyle asks.

Max hands the note over for them to read.

"%*#&"

"You can say that again."

"What about Maria, Max?" Alex asks.

"I have to tell her. I have been sitting here for hours trying to figure out how."

Kyle and Alex look at each other. Neither envying the position that their friend is in.

"I've got to go guys. I can't put this off any longer."

"We'll drive you Max"

"Ok."

The car trip to Tess and Kyle's house was a quiet one. Max didn't know how this would all turn out but he was sure one or more people were going to be hurt. The most important thing right now was for him to tell Maria that her first love, his brother, was alive. She nearly lost it when they found out he was dead he can only imagine how she is going to react to the news that he is alive. Tomorrow Michael would finally be coming home. But what he would find when he did wasn't going to be easy for anyone.

They arrive at the Valenti home in record time. Kyle and Alex remain in the car until Max gets out and walks to the front door. Isabel answers the door. She is about to give Max a hard time about seeing the bride before her wedding but stops when she looks at his face. She knows immediately something is wrong and she knows it can't be good.

"I need to see Maria."

"She's in the den."

Isabel watches her brother go into the den and turns to face her husband.

"What is going on Alex?"

As Max enters the den he hears his sister scream. Alex must have told her.

Maria comes to the doorway of the den when she hears Isabel scream and stops when she sees Max. She smiles when she sees her husband to be but the smile fades once she sees his face. She staggers a bit but Max grabs her arm to steady her. He leads her over to the couch and pulls out the note and hands it to Maria.

"What is it Max?"

"Just read it Maria."

Maria reads the note. Her face goes pale and tears stream down her face. She looks Max in the eyes and sees that he is crying also. Max brushes the tears away from her cheek. Maria throws herself into Max's arms and sobs. After what seems like hours she pulls out of Max's arms.

"But Max tomorrow we were..." Max cuts her off before she can finish the sentence.

"I know Maria."

"Oh God Max. What is going to happen to us all?"

"I honestly don't know Maria."

Part 6

Michael was anxiously waiting for them to come get him. Courtney came in about a hour ago to let him know that they would soon be leaving. They had sent Max a note letting him know that they would be at Buckley Point at noon. Of course Courtney had tried once again to make a play for him and again he had turned her down flat. He couldn't wait to see Maria. God he hoped she was ok. They had told him that she was but he wouldn't be satisfied until he held her in his arms. He had spent two years thinking of nothing but her and what their future would be. Maria, his beautiful Maria, would become his wife and they would have a bunch of kids. He would finally have the family that he had always wanted. Max, Isabel and the Evans were great but he never felt like he totally belonged. The only time he ever felt like he was home was when he was with Maria. And he didn't plan on letting her out of his sight until it was official.

Courtney walks into the White Room that had been Michael's home for the last two years.

"Ok Mikey G. it is time to go. Don't want to be late meeting you loving brother."

She smirks at him as she says the last part. Yeah Max the great loving brother who has taken up with the love of Michael life. She wonders how Michael will feel about Max and his Maria once he finds out what they have been up to while he was gone. As they walk out of the complex and into the van that will transport them to Buckley Point Courtney stops and turns to Michael.

"Listen Mikey G. if things aren't as great as you remember them and you change your mind about us just give me a page." She hands Michael and piece of paper with her pager number on it.

"I won't change my mind Courtney." He goes to hand the paper back to her.

"Just keep it babe. You never know when you might need it."

At Buckley Point...

Max and Maria wait in silence for the van to arrive. They decided last night that they would both come to meet Michael and that they would wait till later to tell him about everything that has happened in his absence. As for the future, that has yet to be decided.

Max knows that Maria loves him but Michael was her world. So much has happened over the last two year, too much to decide what is going to happen next right now. For Max it is just a waiting game. The most important thing is bringing Michael home the rest will have to wait. It may kill him to lose Maria but he also can't stand in the way of her happiness. His brother also deserves a chance to be with Maria. It wasn't his fault that this all happened. He lost two years of his life. He deserved to get his life back. Even if that means taking part of Max's away.

Since Max had given her that note Maria felt like she was having a bad dream that she can't wake up from. Michael was alive. What she had dreamed about and wished for so long was a reality. The only problem was she had finally let go of that dream. She had faced the fact that Michael wasn't coming back and that she needed to move on and she had. Max was now her life and was going to be her husband. What was she supposed to do? Her mind and heart were undergoing a huge debate. Michael or Max? Michael was her past, at one point her whole life, but Max was her present, a present she didn't know if she could lose. It was an absolute no win situation, one that wasn't going to work itself out easily. Someone was going to be hurt, there was no way around that. For now all she wants to concentrate on is bringing Michael home, the rest would have to wait for later.

The van pulls up in front of the Jetta where Max and Maria wait. Michael can see them both from his window. They both look wonderful. Before the vehicle can come to a full stop he opens up the door and walks toward his family. Max reaches Michael first. They embrace. There are tears in both of their eyes.

"God, Maxwell it is so good to see you."

Max can't speak for a moment. Seeing his brother alive was even more overwhelming than he expected. He finally is able to speak. "We thought you were dead."

"I know Max, they told me. But I am back now. Everything will finally be ok."

Michael turns to face the love of his life, the woman who has haunted his every waking moment and his dreams for two years, his Maria.

"Maria."

She throws herself into Michael's arms. She has missed the feeling of his arms so much, even more than she had known. While he had been with Max she had taken a good look at him. He was beautiful. Thinner and paler than he had been but he was still the Michael she had fallen in love with.

Michael holds onto Maria as if his life depended on it. He never wants to let her out of his arms again. It feels so good and she is even more beautiful then she was two years ago. He pulls back slightly and grabs onto her hands to hold. He looks into her eyes and sees love but there is also something else in her eyes that he can't quite figure out. He rubs her hands but stops suddenly as he feels a ring on her left hand. He turns her hand over and looks to see a diamond and emerald ring. When he looks into her eyes again he recognizes what he saw before, guilt.

"Michael, lets just go home. Ok?"

He looks at Maria's pleading face and nods his head. He refuses to let go of her hand. He wasn't letting her go. He would fight for his Maria, no matter what.

Courtney watches the scene in front of her. She sees the look on Michael's face when he sees the ring on Maria's finger and smiles. Michael's world was just about to crumble down around him and she would be there to put it all back together.

"Remember what I said earlier Mikey G." Courtney shouts to Michael as he gets in the car beside Maria. He turns his head towards her for a second but does not acknowledge her words.

"It is only a matter of time. You will be mine." Courtney says to the retreating car.

Part 7

Max, Michael, and Maria spend a very quiet and seemingly long car trip back from Buckley Point.

Michael has so many questions to ask. First and foremost, who is Maria engaged to and how does she feel about him? He can't blame her for moving on. He knows that they all thought him dead but it still doesn't ease the pain. Just thinking of his Maria with someone else rips him in two. Whoever, this man is he better be ready for a fight because Michael isn't letting Maria go. She is his life, his home and nothing is going to take that away from him.

Maria spent the entire trip home glancing between Michael and Max. Michael is her first love. From the moment they first met she knew he was the one. They were ten at the time. There was never any doubt that they would be together. She had helped Michael feel like he was safe and he had showed her that not all men leave. Seeing him again brought all her feelings back to the surface. Then there was Max, her savior, her best friend, and her love. She owed him everything. She wouldn't have made it without him. They had spent over a year fighting the budding feeling for each other because they had been afraid of losing someone they loved again. When the war was over and they finally gave into their feelings it was wonderful. She hadn't felt so alive in a very long time. One of the happiest days of her life was the day Max asked her to marry him. Today was supposed to be their wedding day. She knew that this was incredibly hard on Max. He had lost so much and now the possibility of losing either her or his brother was tearing him in two. Right at this moment Maria had no idea what would become of them all.

In the front seat of the Jetta Max watched both Michael and Maria through the rearview mirror. The array of emotions both were feeling kept flashing across their faces. Max knows the look on Michael's face. It is determination. He knows that Michael isn't going to give up without a fight. The fact the he hadn't let Maria from his side was proof enough. It still amazes him that his brother is alive. The joy of seeing him is only diminished by the fact that he is going to loose Maria. To be totally honest he knew that he had lost her the moment he read the note saying Michael was alive. The love he and Maria shared was nothing compared to the love she shared with Michael. Theirs was a unique and a special kind of love. If he had any doubts before he doesn't now after seeing them together. Maria's eyes had a special shine and sparkle in them that she never had with him. Max knew he had to let her go but he didn't know how he was ever going to survive it. For the past two years he was the only reason he kept going. When things started to close in around him all he had to do was look at Maria and it would be ok. Now he looks at Maria and only feels worse knowing what is to come next.

Part 8

They arrive back at Max's and quietly get out. Michael holds Maria 's hand the whole time.

"Isabel and the others will be her later. They wanted you to have some time alone. I'm going to call them and let her know we are back." Max tells them as he walks into the backroom.

Maria lets go of Michael's hand and walks over to the couch. She doesn't know where to begin. Should she tell him about her and Max or wait. Michael speaks first before she gets a chance.

"Listen Maria, I just want you know I don't blame you. You thought I was dead. But I want you to also know that I plan of fighting for you."

Maria can't speak. The emotions are to close to the surface. She reaches for his hand and places a soft kiss on top of it.

Michael sits down beside her on the couch.

"Can you tell me about him Maria?"

She gulps visibly. Maria doesn't know what to say.

"Well at least tell me if you love him."

"Yes Michael, I love him very much. I think I would have died without him. He has been so good to me."

Knowing this was making it even harder on Michael. He knows that whoever this guy is must be a good man or Maria wouldn't have fallen in love with him. It makes his job harder but not impossible.

"Well when do I get to meet him."

"You already have." Max says as he walks into the room and stands by the window.

Maria looks from Max to Michael. She can tell the moment Michael figures it out. She wishes she never had to see the look on his face. It was a cross between anger, pain and sadness.

Part 9

Michael couldn't believe what he was hearing. Max, his brother, was engaged to his Maria. He doesn't know what he should be feeling. He is angry and hurt but also very sad.

"Maria I need to talk to Michael for a moment."

"Max..." she tries to argue with him but Max stops her.

"Please."

Maria walks out of the room and shuts the door.

"Just so you know, Michael, I didn't plan for it to happen. I love her more than I ever thought possible but I know I'm not who she needs. It's you. It's always been you. Today was supposed to be our wedding day but that doesn't matter now." Max turns away from Michael with tears in his eyes.

Michael is speechless. The anger he had initially felt was gone. He watched his brother's face and eyes the whole time he was talking. He knew that this was killing Max. First he had lost Liz and now he is losing Maria. He hurt for his brother.

"I'm sorry Max."

"So am I Michael. But I am really glad you are back."

Michael nodded his head towards the other room where Maria was waiting.

"So where do we go from here?"

Max looks towards the other room.

"I need to talk to her."

"Ok."

Max turns to go to Maria.

"Thank you Max."

Max shakes his head in acknowledgement.

Max takes a breath before opening the door. He knows this isn't going to be easy for either of them. But it has to be done and the sooner the better.

Part 10

Maria is waiting for Max on the bed. She knows what is coming. Max is going to let her go. She knew that was coming as soon as he made he leave the room. Max was too damn noble for his own good. Of course, this was one of things she loved about him. She knows he loves her, enough to give her up. She also knows she should fight him, insist that he give them time to figure this all out but she can't. She loves Michael with every fiber of her being. He is her heart and soul and now that he is back she can't imagine letting him go. Maria also loves Max but their love comes from a different place. She doesn't want to loose Max from her life but she knows that she can't be with him while Michael is still alive.

Max walks into the bedroom that he has been sharing with Maria for the last couple of months. Maria's presence was everywhere in this room. Her aromatherapy oils were on the dresser right next to the array of pictures of their family, both those who were gone and those that remain. Max looks around the room and smiles. The rest of the house remains all Max but their bedroom was definitely Maria's domain. Whereas, the rest of the house was gloomy this room was bright and cheerful. To Max this room is representative of his life with Maria. Now it will all change.

"Maria."

"Come sit with me Max." Maria holds out her hand for Max. He takes it and come to sit by her on the bed. They are both quiet for a moment.

"I know. You don't have to say it Max." tears start to roll down Maria's cheeks. Max reaches up and brushes them away with his hand.

"I love you Maria."

"And I love you Max." Maria hugs Max tightly. Neither wants to let go because once they do it will truly be over. Max pulls back first.

"Now go and don't look back. Just look towards your future, with Michael."

Maria nods her head and does as Max asks. Once Maria has shut the door Max breaks down and cries for the first time since this all began less than 24 hours ago.

On the other side of the door Maria barely makes it through the door before she herself is overcome with tears. Michael comes up to her and holds her as she cries. Unshed tears glimmer in his eyes for the pain that both his brother and his love are feeling.

Part 11

Two months later...

After a lot of tears and many sleepless nights the group of survivors were finally able to celebrate Michael's return properly. Isabel and Alex were hosting an extravagant party for their family and friends. Isabel was in her Christmas Nazi mode and insisted this was going to be the best party ever and everyone was going to enjoy themselves, or else. The party was about ready to begin, they were just waiting for Michael and Maria to arrive. Max was sitting on the deck watching his sister's fanatic behavior. He couldn't help but smile. It was nice that things were finally getting back to normal. For weeks everyone walked around eggshells not sure how to act around him or Maria. For the first few days Isabel kept coming over or calling him every half an hour. He thought he would go crazy. He just wanted to be alone but of course Isabel was having none of that. Finally, she feels confident enough to focus all her energy on something else besides him. It hasn't been easy but he is now starting to feel better. Maria was such a big part of his life he is just glad they can still be friends. Michael has surprised him the most through all of this. He has been supportive to both Maria and himself. He has given Maria the time she needed and he has just been there for Max as his friend and his brother. They don't talk about Maria when they are together but having him around is really nice. He has missed him so much. Before the war they were as close as two brothers could be and he was glad that they were working their way back to that.

In a car down the street from the Whitman's...

Courtney sits and watches the party being put together. She can't believe that Michael actually stayed with these people especially after everything that had happened while he was gone. His own brother had been with his girlfriend and Michael had actually forgiven them. She was sure that he would have been back to her by now but instead he was now back together with the little tramp. She was boiling over with anger. This wasn't right. She wasn't going to let this happen. It was all that tramps fault and she was going to make her pay.

Back to the party...

Michael and Maria pull up to the Whitman's house. Maria had moved out of Max's that first day and moved in with Kyle and Tess. Michael at first had stayed with Isabel and Alex but it hadn't taken him long to find his own place. Last week Maria had decided to move in with Michael. They had tried to take things slow but they had been apart for so long things that it didn't feel right to be apart from each other any longer. Everything seemed to be going great until a couple of days ago. Then their world as they knew it was turned upside down once again. Last night Maria and Michael spent another sleepless night discussing their future and what was to come. They had some major decisions to make and they still hadn't come to any conclusions. For now they were just going to enjoy the party and tomorrow they would do what needed to be done and try to move forward.

"You ok?" Michael asks Maria.

"Yeah. Let's go and enjoy ourselves today Michael. Ok?"

"Ok."

Michael and Maria walk around the house to the back yard where the party was commencing. They are greeted with hugs and handshakes from all their friends and family.

They all spend the afternoon laughing and having a great time. This is the first time since the war has been over that things feel complete and genuinely good. Michael is talking with Kyle and Tess and Maria is with Isabel, Alex and Max looking at pictures from High School. None of them notice the approach of Courtney until the last moment. She comes up to Maria, her intentions written all over her face. She raises her hand and sends a energy bolt headed right for Maria but at the last second Max steps in front of Maria. He had tried to put up his shield but he just didn't have time. Instead the energy blast hit him in the chest and Max falls to his knees.

Michael had heard Max's shout and saw his brother fall. He raises his hand and shoots an energy blast at Courtney's back turning her to dust. He rushes over to his fallen brother.

"Max, what were you thinking?"

Max struggles to speak. "She was going to kill Maria. I couldn't let her."

Maria is holding Max's head in her lap tears flowing down her face. Michael grabs his brother's hand. He looks to Isabel and Tess.

"We have to heal him."

"No Michael it is to late. You wont be able to heal me." Max barely is able to say.

"No. That isn't an option. Do you hear me Max? You are not going to die." Michael says as tears escape his overflowing eyes.

Max turns his head slightly so that he can look at Maria and then back to Michael.

"Take care of her." Max closes his eyes.

"No Max." Michael shakes Max until he opens his eyes again.

"You can't die Max. Maria told me last night she is pregnant. We were going to tell you tomorrow Max. So you see you can't die. You have to live because you are going to be a father."

Max smiles at Michael. A tear travels down his cheek.

"No Michael. You are." Max closes his eyes again and takes his last breath.

A year and a half later...

Michael holds his son by the hand as they leave flowers at the memorial that had been dedicated to Max Evans the leader of the Rebellion who had won the war against the Skins. His son places his small hands over the face of their fallen leader.

"Come on Maxwell I think your mom has made us one of your Grandma Amy's famous pies. Wouldn't want to miss that."

Michael lifts his son up on his shoulders. With one last glance at the memorial he heads on home where his wife is waiting for her family to return.


The End.