Author: Laura(DoubleL27)

Ok the basic couples in this story are M/M, I/K(slightly odd I know) and M/L. Don’t own any of them, wish I did though. So this is my first fic on this site and I would appreciate feedback. This is a future fic taking place in the year 2011.
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Maria opened the door to the home she shared with Michael. She looked at the pictures that were all over the living room. The first to catch her eye was her wedding photo. She had become Mrs. Michael Guerin at the age of 21, hard to believe that that had been six years ago. She thought it had taken him long enough to propose and had teased him about it in the following years. Isabel had been the maid of honor and Kyle had been the best man. Maria sighed, that hadn't been what they'd planed as teenagers, but things turn out differently in reality. There were the pictures of her daughter, Elizabeth, whom she called Beth, who Michael seemed to love even more than Maria at times. Then were the pictures of Isabel and Kyle, who had gotten together during the year after Alex's death and Tess's disappearance. Her mother and Jim were captured in photos as well. Maria still called her step-father by his first name, although he was the first father figure she ever really had. The last picture displayed was one of Max and Liz at high school graduation. Maria sniffed at that one, the rest of Liz, Max and the ones she had of Alex were all in photo albums.

Beth and Michael came running in from the back yard once they heard Maria's car come into the driveway. Beth ran at her mother. "Momma, you're home!" Maria scooped up her daughter and held her close.

Over Beth's head Maria smiled at Michael as he grinned at her. She loved that smile, she loved him. He was as handsome as always only older. It was great to be home. Although she had only been gone for a week it had seemed like forever.

"Momma, promise you won't go away for that long ever again." Beth said still in her mother's arms pouting.

"Now, baby, how else is your mother going to promote her albums. Besides she has the toughest publicist ever." Michael said with a laugh as he walked over to his wife and daughter. He leaned over to give Maria a kiss on the cheek, he would do more of what he really wanted later. Although he'd never admit it his thoughts ran along the same train as his daughter's.

"Oh, I know. Isabel's never going to give me a break. Not in this century at least." Maria sighed and sat down in an armchair.

"Ran you ragged did she?" Michael asked smirking.

"Yes she did. You know she did. She always does." Maria returned. It was always good to know that the banter that had been there, was still viable.

"Well it's your own fault. You know how she is about Christmas, you should have known how she'd be about her career."

"I know, I know-"

"The ultimate perfectionist." Maria and Michael said together

"Aunt Izzy and Uncle Kyle are coming to dinner, so are Grammy and Grammpy. "Beth piped up. She'd left her parents and had turned on the TV

"Oh they are, are they?" Maria said as she turned to glare at Michael.

Michael knew that tone, it was Maria's "what have you done behind my back and just so you know, the only reason I'm not yelling at you is 'cause there are people here I don't want to know I'm pissed off."

"Maria, everybody wanted take out anyway. Your mother's picking it up on her way here." Michael said trying to

"Yeah, ‘cause Daddy said you'd be pissed off if you had to cook after Aunt Izzy ran you ragged. He also made me clean the house with him" Beth chimed in trying to help her father and instantly doing the opposite.

“Beth sweetie, why don’t you go to the bathroom and clean up.” Maria said, still glaring at Michael.

Beth scampered off to the bathroom while Michael tried to find a way out of the trouble he knew he was going to be in with Maria. “Maria, baby-”

“Oh don’t you ‘Maria, baby’ me Michael Guerin. Inviting family over right after I come home, swearing in front of Beth. God Michael, why can’t you just-”

“Look, Kyle, Jim and your mother insisted. I didn’t know Beth was listening, she was supposed to be asleep. Besides, Kyle’s going to get yelled at as well.”

“Fine. When are they going to be here?”

Maria’s question is answered by the ring of the doorbell.

“Michael!”

“I’m going to get the door. You can change if you want to, but you look beautiful like that you know.”

“I swear Michael, if you weren’t so good with complements when you need to be-”Maria said, losing her irritation.

“I’d already be thrown out.” Michael said with a smile.

Michael went over and opened the door revealing Amy and Jim. They had been married before the kids had graduated from high school and had been very happy. Maria was glad that her mother had finally found happiness and she knew Kyle regarded the relationship the same way.

“Hey Darlin’ ” Jim said as he walked through the door carrying food. “I’m guessing Isabel’s making you work hard for the money that seems to be rolling in.”

“Oh for heavens sakes Jim, I know you love the fact that somebody in this family has a music career, but do you have to talk about it every time we get together.” Amy said following her husband “You must be glad to be home baby.”

Maria walked over to her mother and gave her a hug. “Yeah Mom, I am.”

“Gramma! Grampa! You’re here!” Beth came running out of the bathroom. She ran at Jim who took the three year old up in his arms as Amy walked over to them both.

“Hey there. You couldn’t have missed us too much, we just saw you yesterday.” Jim said

Kyle and Isabel walk up to the already open door. “Well apparently we’re not late. Oh Maria I hope you don’t mind. Kyle insisted that we come over and such. We kind of have news.” Isabel said, talking from the second she came in the door.

“Aunt Izzy!” Beth struggled out of her grandfather’s arms and ran at Isabel.

“Well it’s good to see you too munchkin. I missed you.” Isabel returned smiling.

“You and Momma were gone to long.”

“I know munchkin, but it was necessary. Are we going to eat soon because I’m starved.”

“O.K., come here Beth.” Maria said “We’re all going to sit down now. Beth please let go of your aunt and come here.”

“Yes Momma.” Beth ran back to her mother and took her seat at the table. “The entire family is here now.”

Beth missed the sad looks on her parents and aunt and uncle’s faces. To them the entire family wasn’t there. Maria only had one photo of all of them. Junior Prom. Before Alex’s death, before Tess left for Antar, when Max and Liz were still in Roswell, but that had all been years before Beth, she’d never met a single one of them. She only knew them through stories.

Michael continued to set the table putting out paper plates and Tabasco sauce. Kyle and Jim were unloading the fast food chicken onto the table. Maria and Isabel walked over to the table as the old friends that they had become.

Everybody sat down at the table and sank into the comfortable conversation they always seemed to have with one another now. In the past, conversation had been forced between the four that were now considered best friends. In high school, Kyle Valenti, Maria DeLuca, Isabel Evans and Michael Guerin had started of against one another and relationships with others who were no longer their, common experiences, and chemistry had caused them to grow closer.

Michael stopped for a moment and looked around the table. He smiled thinking yet again about what he had now, the family he had been looking for his entire life. Maria and Beth were a big part of it, hell they were the reason he was still there, but Isabel and Kyle were definitely siblings and Amy and Jim were the parents he’d never had. He remembered telling Maria once that he was looking for something better than Roswell NM, now Michael could not think of a better place to be than Roswell NM.

Almost as if sensing Michael’s feelings, Maria placed her hand on his arm and smiled at him. She too had had her dreams realized. If you’d asked her years ago if she had a future with Michael Guerin, she would have said it was doubtful. Her biggest fear since they’d first started going out had been that he would leave her, and he’d always said it was a possibility, but he’d stayed. Eleven years and he was still there. He’d had the opportunity to leave, more than once, but he’d chosen to stay with her. They’d found where they belonged, the human and the alien, together. Maria smiled even bigger at that thought, she had her alien.


“Ahem. We” Kyle said, grabbing Isabel’s hand, while interrupting Maria’s thoughts, “Have some news. I suppose you want to tell them all Iz.”

“Well,” Isabel said looking extremely happy and slightly nervous. “I’m pregnant.”

Everyone at the table broke out into words of congratulations. Hugs and kisses were given out and the talking seemed to be non stop. Michael shooed everyone out into the living room and Maria found sparkling cider in the fridge. They poured glasses for everyone and toasted the new child that would soon enter the family.

“We were on the road for a week and you said nothing.” Maria said, feigning being hurt “Well if Michael and I are alowed to spoil this child as you two do ours then I think it will be ok.”

“Oh Maria, think of all the toys that make noise that we could give them.” Michael said grinning mischievously “It would serve them right, giving those type of toys to us.”

Outside

“Are you sure this is the right house?”A woman said as she stepped out of a car in front of the house.

“Yes Liz, I’m sure. I looked it up on the Internet three times. This is the only Michael Guerin in Roswell NM.”

“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea Max. We just got back. We should get resettled, something other than this. It’s been nine years Max. We don’t even know how they’re going to react. Look they even have people over.”

“Liz, if we don’t go to them first than they’ll be even more pissed off. It has to be now.”

“You’re right.” Liz took a peek into the backseat of the car she and Max had driven then followed Max up the front steps.

After a little while Jim and Amy were putting Beth to bed, Maria and Isabel were going through Maria’s old maternity clothes and Michael and Kyle were finishing up cleaning the kitchen. All of a sudden the doorbell rang.

“You didn’t invite any one else did you?” Kyle asked

“Of course not. Maria’s bad enough about having family over after getting home from the road, anyone else would mean certain death.” Michael said in reply to Kyle’s question. He then called out to Maria as the doorbell rang again. “I’ll get it.”

Michael ran over to the door not wanting to have the doorbell ring again, it would only upset Maria and make it impossible for anybody to put Beth to bed. He opened the door quickly and began speaking without looking at who was on the other side. “Hey, how can I help you? It’s a little late for…” Michael trailed off as he realized who was standing on the other side of his door.

“Michael.” Max simply said.

Michael stood there gaping at Max and Liz. It seemed like forever since he had seen either. They looked the same as well, liz with her long dark hair and easy smile, Max with his confident, take charge expression. Michael really didn’t know where to go from here.

“ Who is it Michael?” Maria asked as she rounded the corner from the hallway. All she could see was Michael in front of the open door. “For God’s sake Michael,” Maria said, sounding irritated “Would you let whoever it is in.”

Michael moved out of the doorway giving Maria a chance to see who was at the door. Liz had perked up at the sound of her old friend’s voice, the old familiar tone that Maria had always used with Michael when she had been upset, and actually looked happy. Maria only took one look at Max and Liz before her eyes filled with tears, and she fled to her bedroom. She passed Isabel, Jim and her mother who were coming out of the hallway and Kyle walked out from the kitchen. Isabel recognized her brother and Liz instantly, and her mouth fell open. Kyle stood behind his wife and placed an arm around her waist, resting a hand on her abdomen and said “Holy shit,” in a low tone. Jim and Amy only stared in shock.

Beth came out of her bedroom and noticed the strangers who had entered the house. She walked over to her father. “Who are they Daddy?”

“ Oh, baby, we’ll talk about that tomorrow. You know what, why don’t you spend tonight with your grandparents? You two don’t mind do you?”

“No of course not.” Was Amy’s easy reply.

“But Daddy, Momma just came home.” Beth whined.

“I know, we’ll be there to pick you up tomorrow morning and have breakfast there, ok? Besides Momma isn’t going anywhere, but the studio for awhile. ”

“But Daddy-”

“No buts.”

“Please!”

“NO!” Michael’s voice was stern and a bit louder than he’d intended, but he knew he was going to get even more upset tonight and he didn’t want Beth to hear the arguing that was going to go on in the room.

“Come here Beth. We’ll go put your things together.” Jim said convincing the little girl to go to her room with him. Amy followed them both, glaring at Max and Liz before leaving.

“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.” Liz said, believing that she had been right all along. “We can go.”

“No, you and Maxwell are staying. You both have a lot to answer for.” And with that Michael headed off to his own bedroom.

He opened the door slowly and could see Maria lying on the bed, shaking with silent sobs. He walked across the room and sat down on the bed next to her. The concern in his eyes was apparent.. “They’re here. We have to talk to them.”

“It’s been nine years Michael. Nine fucking years, and now they’re home. I’d convinced myself they were dead, because that would be easier to take. If they were going to go like that, they never should have come back.”

“We’re going to get answers tonight.”

Maria sat up on the edge of the bed next to Michael and stared at him. “You will not lose your temper, not with Beth in this house. She’s seen you upset, but she’s never seen you like that, and if I can help it she never will.”

Michael put his arm around Maria and pulled her closer and kissed her on the top of her head. “No, I know. She’s going over to stay at your mother’s. I know how I’m going to react, I don’t want her to see that either. Come on, I don’t want to leave Kyle and Iz out there alone, they have enough on their minds right now.”

“I know. Let me wash up a bit, it’s obvious I’ve been crying.”

They got up at the same time, Michael still looked at Maria with concern. “I’m going to be fine Michael, really, you can stop looking at me like that.” Michael smiled, she wasn’t even looking at him and she knew. All of a sudden the door opened slowly and Beth was standing on the other side.

“Bye Momma. I love you.” Beth said running to her mother

“Oh Beth,” Maria said as she picked up her daughter, “Don’t say it like that. It’s only for tonight. I love you too.”

“It’s because of the strangers isn’t it?” Beth asked, hoping to get answers out of her mother.

Michael walked over to them both and took Beth. “I told you we’d talk about it tomorrow. It’s time for you to get going. Let’s let Momma get cleaned up.”

“Ok, bye Momma.”

“Bye Baby.” Maria said as she walked into the master bath.

Michael walked out into the living room with Beth in his arms and handed her to Amy. “Thanks Amy.” He said placing a kiss on his mother-in-law’s cheek “I owe you.”

“Oh Michael you owe us nothing.” Amy said “We owe you for letting us take her home.”

“Promise you’ll still say that if she doesn’t let you sleep tonight.”

“Promise.”

Michael followed Amy, Jim and Beth to the door. “Bye Bethers, see you tomorrow.”

“Bye Daddy.”

Michael closed the door behind them. He turned around and walked back over to the where the couch was. Isabel and Kyle were sitting down on the couch and Liz and Max were still standing. Michael walked over to Maria once she entered the room and stood behind her rapping his arms around her, in order to give he the support he knew she needed. “So Maxwell, where’ve you been?” Michael said at last breaking the silence.
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Part 2

"Come on Maxwell, where’ve you been?"

"It's a long story."

"It sure as hell better be, it's been nine years."

Liz had been looking at her old friends since she'd walked in the door, wanting to know the little things. She and Max had been gone for so long and had purposely stayed away. Sure she'd kept up with Maria's career and had even been to a concert, had caught glimpses of the people she'd once known while she was there, but that was it. "Beth" Liz said looking at Maria, "What's her full name."

Maria looked up, shocked to hear Liz's voice, it had been so long since they'd talked that she'd practically forgotten the sound. "Elizabeth Alexandria Guerin." She replied.

"You..."Liz stopped, emotions forced her to.

"I thought you were dead." Maria said trying to hide her emotion, but failing. "It had been six years since you disappeared without a good-bye and we never heard from you again. All we ever knew was that Max might be alive because occasionally Michael or Iz could feel him. Khivar had been there that night, and we hoped that you were all right, but as the years passed we couldn't, we gave up hope that we'd ever see you again." Maria broke down in tears and turned around in Michael's and he held her tightly to him, staring at Max and Liz, the blame in his eyes was evident.

"That night was tough on all of us." Max said, trying to get everyone to be less upset.

"Yes and you ran." The fury was evident in Isabel's voice as she spoke to her brother for the first time in years. "Jesse died that night, I lost him like I lost Alex and it was a devastating blow." Isabel stood up now continuing her rant, moving closer to Max, "And I go looking for you because regardless of all the problems we have had over the years I needed my brother, and you were gone. Nobody could find either of you. And my world completely collapsed then. You had been a constant in my life for so long and then-" Isabel's face paled and she swayed. Kyle was on his feet instantly and by her side. Michael rushed over as well, but Kyle already had her. Isabel put her hands on his shoulders and pressed her forehead to his, she held on tightly rapping her arms around him.

Kyle made sure Isabel was steadier before pulling away slightly. "Are you going to be all right? God, you ought to be lying down." Panic had creeped into Kyle's voice, and the worry in his eyes was plain for everyone to see.

"I'm fine Kyle, really I am. I was just dizzy for a moment, it's been a while since I've yelled like that." She said smiling.

"If you'd like you can lay down in Michael's and my room for a while." Maria offered, not too concerned herself but knowing that the guys were.

"No, thanks for offering though. You know, I think I'd like to go home. Today was a busy day, I'm tired and I haven't really gotten to spend much time in my own home since we got back. Do you mind Kyle?"

"Course not Iz. Go get your coat, I'll start the car." Kyle headed to the front door throwing Max a glare.

Maria headed with Isabel to the door once she'd gotten her coat "I know you're fine, but lying down once you're home will help." Maria said

"Yes mother Maria." Isabel returned with a laugh. "Oh, I'm going to send Kyle over here tomorrow with the truck to pick up those things you're going to let me borrow."

"I'll mark them and leave them by the door so Michael and Kyle won't be lost." Maria gave Isabel a hug. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Michael walked over and gave his sort-of sister a kiss on the cheek. "Don't forget to tell your husband that he's going down in the bowling tournament."

"God!" Isabel said rolling her eyes "You two and this damn tournament." And with that she walked out the door shutting it behind her.

"O.K. Maxwell, I want answers tonight. I've been waiting too damn long to hear this story." Michael's anger was beginning to show.

"Pissed of now, why can't you just keep one mode of operation, I'd be easier to keep track of." Max said, remembering Michael and the way he conducted things.

"Look Maxwell, could have started off pissed but I didn't want to upset Beth or Iz, though just seeing you did it. But enough of your stalling. Where the hell have you been? Fuck, we searched for you for the better part of three years."

"We needed to stay gone. We were running from Khivar and Tess, they were both there that night and after us. Khivar had one of my children already, he wanted the other."

"The other?" Maria's eyebrows had arched and she sounded shocked.

"I was pregnant Maria." Liz said, the tears had gathered in her eyes. "I'd found out two days before and then, Khivar showed up, came after us. We've been running ever since."

"Did the baby..."Maria trailed off not knowing how to finish.

"He lived. We named him Alexander. He's in the car with his brother and sister."

"In the car, for heaven's sake Liz, it's freezing out tonight." Maria was horrified that her friend could have done something so foolish.

"Don't worry Maria, Max took care of it."

Maria breathed a sigh of relief, and then looked up again upon realizing the part of Liz's earlier statement that she'd missed. "Brother and sister?"

"Max and Melissa."

"M-names." Maria smiled at the thought and then sobered. "You never called, you were never going to tell me. I was supposed to be there. You were supposed to be here."

"I know. I'm sorry. One quick question, does Beth...you know."

"Yes. She can call things to her and she has her father's temper."

"Ours have powers as well. We'll get into it later."

"So that's it." Michael said, not pleased that Khivar and Tess were the only reason. "We could have taken care of Khivar and Tess."

"I didn't want you to Michael." Max said, his own temper flaring. "It was my problem."

"It was not just your problem, it's all of ours! How could you Max, I never thought you were capable of just leaving. The things that happened that night, the people that got hurt. Jesse and Shawn died that night and you and Liz just take off. It practically killed Maria and Isabel."

"Michael." Maria said warningly, she hadn't wanted him to talk about how hard that time had been.

"It's the truth. We would have stood by you both, and you didn't even think of our feelings, let alone if we could help." Emotion was bubbling over in his voice. He'd only ever admitted to Maria how much Max's disappearance had hurt, and now that he'd learned that Max had left because he hadn't believed in Michael's abilities, it was a crushing blow.

"You know what, we ought to get going. Our parents should know that we're back." Max said, wanting to get away from the tension, let Michael get used to having them back.

"Fine, but I swear Maxwell, If you leave again without saying good-bye you will never be welcome back here ever again."

Max had gotten to the door before one crucial question came into his mind. "Does any one else know about us?"

"Yes." Maria answered, staring bravely into Max's shocked face. "My mother and both sets parents for you two."

"Why?" Was all Max could manage.

"Your mother and mine caught a glimpse of Beth's powers before we did and they completely freaked. Isabel and I decided to tell them everything. Besides, I thought the Parkers and Evans deserved to know what had happened to their children. You know they can actually speak to one another again."

"Without-"

"Without what Max! Consulting you! If you had wanted to be consulted you should have been here. And, just so you know, they're all fine with it and have kept it a secret, and will continue to do so indefinitely."

"We'll discuss this later." And Max escorted Liz out the door.

Once the door closed Michael hit it.

"You do know that that isn't going to help." Maria said watching her husband.

"I know, but they can't just do that can they? Show up on our doorstep and make everything all right."

"Everything isn't all right. None of us have forgiven them. Isabel and Kyle sure as hell haven't and won't for a while. Me, I'm pissed and hurt, she was my best friend and didn't have the decency to tell me that she was pregnant and leaving, and you, you're the same as me."

"I never said that."

"You didn't have to. He left, not even trusting you to help him at all. It was the same thing with Liz and me. They turned away from us, and being back here isn't going to change that either. Now we have the house all to ourselves for the rest of the night, if you want what I want I think this night could improve greatly."

"I like how you think." Michael said picking up Maria and heading to their bedroom after removing her shirt, "I really like how you think."

***
Max and Liz have gotten in their car and the children are still asleep in the backseat.

"Well that didn't go half bad." Max said.

"Yeah, considering Iz almost passed out, Kyle had to restrain himself from killing you, Michael and Maria were really cold, and we didn't tell them everything."Liz returned upset.

"Do you honestly want to tell them everything?"Max was on the verge of yelling.

"Max!" said Liz in a sharp whisper "don't wake the children. No I don't want to tell them but it will only get worse if they find out some other way."

"We'll tell them later, when they won't turn on us completely." Max said as he pulled the car out of Michael and Maria's driveway.

***
Isabel Valenti walked out of her bedroom and into her living room to find her husband sitting on the floor in front of his Buddha statue. She watched him and waited for him to finish. She spoke once he stood up. "Do you really believe in that or do you just have a Buddha statue and prayed to get laid on Friday nights." She smiled. She had remembered the line another woman had used years ago on New Years.

"I do believe, but the praying to get laid actually works."

"Does it now?"Isabel said her eyebrows arching.

"Got you pregnant, didn't I?"

"You must have pretty low self esteem to believe praying to Buddha is what got me to sleep with you, but you know it could have been."

"You're still the bitch from high school you know?"

"Yeah and you're still the football stud."

She laughed running into their bedroom as he chased her.

***
It was about 11 o'clock in the afternoon when Maria and Isabel met in the graveyard. Both women were carrying two bouquets of flowers. They separated first, Isabel going to Jesse and Maria to Shawn, after a few minutes they joined up again and sat in front of Alex's grave, each leaving a bouquet.

"Hey Alex" Maria said breaking the silence. "they came home last night you know. They want to make things right I think."

"I don't know if they can though." Isabel admitted sadly "It's been a long time and there's been a lot of pain, caused by the two of them. Oh Alex I wish you were here."

"We both do babe. You were so easy to talk to Alex, I don't know, Kyle and Michael are really upset and you would be too, probably are."

"We just want you to know that we missed you, and oh yeah, I'm pregnant."

***
About the same time that day Michael is helping Kyle to put all of the stuff Maria was lending Isabel into Kyle's truck. As they were finishing Max pulled up alone.

"What are you still doing here Evans, thought you would have left by know." Kyle sneered.

"Lay off Kyle." Max returned "You don't know what you're talking about. I'd like to talk to Michael alone."

"Yeah and you don't either." Kyle said "I was the one who took care of your sister when she couldn't sleep at night, I was the one who convinced her that she wasn't cursed, with the help of Michael of course, but he had Maria to worry about as well.

"And Kyle helped with Maria. We've all become close Max. You can't change that. I haven't run to you in years, haven't needed."

"You've all lead relatively normal lives, have you." Max's jealousy was apparent. "Got to be normal people with normal problems, well I'm sorry I didn't have that option."

"We've never been normal Max."Michael shouted back "Maria and Kyle haven't been since we entered their lives. Maybe we've gotten to be slightly normal for a while but the threat is always there." Michael hadn't wanted to admit that they had had problems since Max had left. That they'd all almost died, more than once, but if Max wasn't about to give details neither was he.

"Fine. I'll come back later." Max said jumping back into his car and headed off, leaving Michael and Kyle in the driveway.

Part 6

“Who are you talking about?” Max asked again, walking across the room to his wife and son. He could tell that they were both upset and he didn’t like that.

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out. I can’t seem to get a strait answer” Liz said “Apparently there is a woman by the name of Serena that is a friend of our son and she knows.”

“You let someone know!” The anger and fear grew in side Max.

“Don’t yell at me!” Xan returned. “You don’t have any right considering you let Mom in on the secret and besides, I didn’t tell her, she already knew.”

Max’s face went pale. Fear for his young son had grown. The people who had a tendency to show up and already know were dangerous, Nasado, Tess, those who had worked for Khivar, Courtney Banks, Khivar himself, well not Courtney, but still it hadn’t been good. “We need to fix this.” Max’s voice was shaky.

“You don’t need to fix a thing. She’s our friend can’t you understand.”

“This has happened before, when we were young. People who come here knowing are usually very dangerous.”

“She’s not Tess Dad.”

“How do you know that name.”

“How do I know anything? It’s all Seri. And no she doesn’t work for Tess or Khivar. She can’t stand them, the way they treat Tor.” Xan was shaking his head by the end. He had come to love the brother he’d never met. Seri would tell him stories of Tor and would tell Tor stories of him. He couldn’t help but hate the other woman that his father had been with. He knew that she was only cruel, that she’d hurt not only Tor, but his mother as well and that was even worse in his eyes.

“Go to bed Xan. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.” Max said without looking at his son.

Xan dejectedly walked into another room and Liz and and Max just stared at one another. They didn’t know what to make of everything. How could this woman be a friend? There were so many enemies out there, how could a nine year old boy know who was good and who wasn’t? And why would she tell Xan anything about their pasts. She’d had no right.

“What are we going to do Max? We can’t just ignore this. He said she’s been around for as long as he could remember. She mentions Beth and Michael by name in this letter. She’s here in Roswell.”

“I don’t know Liz. I just don’t know yet.” Max walked over to Liz and held her to him, kissing the top of her head. “We can’t do anything tonight. We’ll see if anybody knows who this girl is tomorrow.”

“The name is familiar Max. I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve heard it somewhere before, that it means something.” Liz said, trying to puzzle it out.

“Your instincts are usually right, Liz. We will figure this out tomorrow.”

Liz and Max walked back into their bedroom. Max’s arm was still around Liz’s waist. After the incident tonight, they felt the need to be close to one another. It was just to frightening, that they might have walked strait into danger.

Xan was still awake. He was lying in his bed wide awake. He looked up into the sky and spoke. “I’m so sorry Seri. I never ment for them to find out, I swear. I’m so sorry.”

***

Liz was waitressing at the Crashdown the next day, when Maria and Beth came in with a young woman Liz couldn’t recognize. Liz headed over to them still carrying plates from the table she’d just cleared. Liz stopped short when she heard Beth call the woman Seri. She didn’t even notice the plates slipped out of her hand, she was too busy fixating on this young woman.

She was pretty. She had brown hair, that light brown color that Michael had always exhibited. Actually the girl looked quite like Michael. She wasn’t that tall though. She was about 5’4” and was slender. She had gray green eyes that were staring right back at Liz.

Maria had rushed over to pick up the porcelain shards that had collected around Liz’s feet. When she noticed that Liz had absolutely now clue what had happened she tried to talk to her. “Liz, Lizzie.” Liz finally looks down at Maria. “ God Chica, what’s up with you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost or something frightening.”

“Can we all go back to your place?”

“Yeah. I’m sure Seri wouldn’t mind watching the kids or running your shift.”

“No she needs to come.”

“Why Liz? What’s going on and what does this have to do with my nanny?”

“I’m not really sure, I just know that it does.”

“Fine. We’ll go drop of Beth at my mother’s and-“

“NO Momma. I wanna stay with Seri. They know.” Beth shouted across the room at her mother, and everyone who was already in the themed restaurant.

“What do they know?” Maria asked, peering curiously at her daughter.

“She has to tell you all, but I want to bee there she need’s me.”

“Fine. Liz we’ll se you at my and Michael’s place. Come on you two. I’d really like to know what’s going on.”

“Don’t forget to get everyone else.” Liz called out to Maria

“Liz, Michael’s at work. God, he has a higher position in the security company and still does survalince. Kyle has work, and Iz is going to want to get back to work.”

“They’re all going to want to be there please Maria.”

“Fine.”

Liz disappeared into the back room as Maria walked out the front door. Maria had Seri drive as she made phone calls. The one to Michael was marked with Maria’s tone getting harsher.

“Look Michael, Liz was terrified. I think we need to hear whatever it is she has to say….Yes…God just use your lunch break…we all hope so…yes….goodbye Michael.”

“I still love hearing you two talk.” Seri said. Her voice was deep and husky for a girl, but still high enough that you could tell the voice was definitely feminine.

“Seri, I was practially yelling at him. He infuriates me you know.”

“I’m well aware Ria, but you two love each other so much and it’s always so obvous. And yes he’s an infuriating man.”

“Thank you for the wonderful compliments. What I really want to know is why my best friend freaked out when she saw you and dropped a pile of plates.”

“Look, by the end of this meeting you’ll all know. Just so you know I was planing on telling you all in my own time and in my own way. You and Michael were going to be first, you’re family.”

“Oh I know sweetheart, you’re like family as well.”

They reached the house and went inside. Serena sat on the couch nervously looking around. She was worried about how they’d treat her after this, would they discard her. That was her greatest fear that they wouldn’t’ want her, that they wouldn’t trust her. She didn’t want Michael to look at her with distrust or anger and she knew that it was coming. She knew how he felt about his girls, and for him to know that he let another alien into their lives, regardless of who she was, he’d freak.

Everyone arrived at about the same time. Michael and Maria took seats on either side of Serena, knowing that accusations would be flying at her, but not knowing why. Max had brought his three children, because he couldn’t find anyone to stay with them and they’d insisted on coming. They sat at Serena’s feet along with Beth.

“Who are you?” Max asked in what had been classified years ago as his kingly voice. “My wife and I already know what you are.”

“What the hell are you getting at Maxwell?” Michael raised his voice, louder than he knew he should have in front of the children, but he couldn’t help it. He’d come to love Serena as family, she to felt like she was a part of everything she just didn’t know key things and Michael had intended to keep it like that for her own sake.”

“She’s one of us Michael. Well I don’t know if she’s on our side, but I know that she is an alien and that she came because she knows we are too.”

“Serena,” Michael said looking at the woman next to him who was buisy staring at her feet. “Is it true?”

“Yes, I’m a hybrid like you and I was sent down afterwards. I am the Guardian, I’m needed.” Serena said quickly, defending herself from the accusatory stares.

All of a sudden Liz remembered where she knew the name. Her mind went back to when future Max had shown up on her balcony over 10 years ago.

Flashback

Liz: If I did believe you, and I’m not saying that I do, how did you get here?

F. Max: The granolith.

Liz: How?

F. Max: Serena. You don’t know her yet but you will, she’s a friend of yours. She figured out how to use the granolith.

end flashback

“Oh my God.” Liz said staring at Serena “You are who you say you are. You are a friend.”

Part 8

Michael and Maria had been driving around for close to a half an hour looking for Serena. Michael was getting more and more frustrated by the minute and Maria was doing her best to calm him down, but that wasn’t working either.

“Where the hell is she? How could we just lose her like that?” Michael demanded, yelling at Maria.

“Excuse me. She ran out of there like the world was ending, I don’t think we could have stopped her.”

“We could have tried. God Maria that’s my baby sister, if anything-We have to find her.” Michael says, swerving out of the other lane of the two lane highway, narrowly missing another car.

“Well, Michael, if you get us killed, we’re never going to find her. Damn it Michael pull the car over.”

“No.”

“I will throw myself from the car if you don’t pull over right now!” Michael pulled over out of the shear shock of what she’d said. Maria got out from the passenger’s side and ran over to the driver’s side. “Get out Michael. I’m driving now.”

“Why are you insisting on driving?” Michael grumbled as he climbed from the car and headed over to the other side.

“Because I want to live. And it would have been safer to throw myself from the car than to stay in it with you driving.” Maria started the car up again and headed off down the two lane highway. “You’ve gone completely crazy Michael and that makes you dangerous.”

“She’s my sister.”

“I’m well aware, but I think she’s capable of taking care of herself, Michael, she seems to have a bit of your edge.”

“I have an edge?” Michael’s eyebrow raised, as worried as he was about his sister it didn’t stop him from teasing his wife.

“God, Michael. That’s all it takes. To get your mind off of your sister disappearing all I have to do is say something that you can interpret as sexual. Yes you have an edge and can be very dangerous, now don’t go and get a swelled head, or anything else for that matter.”

Michael smiles and leans over to begin kissing her neck. “Michael. Michael! Damn it! Do you really want to die? I can’t concentrate when you do that. Michael!” The last time she said his name was on a moan, he’d found the spot.

“Michael Guerin. I’m going to have to pull this car over. I thought you wanted to find your sister. Now get over onto your side of the car and stay there.”

Maria continued driving along the deserted two lane highway. Once they got to where the pod chambers were and where the Granolith had been Michael had insisted that Maria get off the highway and go there.

“Michael, Serena said herself that the Granolith is gone, why would she go there.”

“I don’t know, but I know that she did. She’d my sister damn it! I ought to know.”

“Fine, Fine. We’ll go and see and if you’re wrong I don’t want to hear you complain one more time about how long this is taking. And just so you know I am driving until we find her.”

The pulled in to the place where Maria had parked, the day Michael had stayed for her. In the place where the Jetta had been all those years ago, sat Serena’s old Camry.

“Told you she would come here.” Michael said triumphantly. “Now all we have to do is to wait for her to come back.”

* * *
“I can’t believe we agreed to stay behind!” The tension and upset in Max’s voice was clear. He was standing by the bay window at Michael and Maria’s house.

Liz’s heart went out to her husband. This girl they barely knew, knew the son he’d never gotten the chance to know. Liz walked over to Max and put her arms around him from behind, resting her head on his chest. “I know Max, but someone had to stay behind to watch the kids. Everything is going to be alright. We’ve all made it this far, everything is going to be alright.”

Max turned around and put his arms around Liz, looking down into her chocolate brown eyes. “I can’t help but think that this has something to do with my other son. I can’t help but wonder if I’d tried harder to find them that…that maybe…” Max broke off, unable to continue the train of thought that was prevalent in his mind, maybe he could have changed things. He hugged Liz tighter as he wondered if he could have changed things.

While Max was mad at himself, Liz’s anger was placed somewhere else, with Tess. Liz had never liked Tess and as the years passed it had grown into a hatred. Tess was the cause of so much pain. As a girl she single handedly destroyed Alex, breaking the hearts of those that had become her friends. She’d convinced Max to sleep with her so that she would get pregnant and would be able to haul Max, Michael, and Isabel back up to Antar and feed them to Khivar. And now as a woman she was abusing the child that Max had given her. It was worse than anything else that Tess had ever done, in Liz’s mind it was the worst possible crime. The boy was a part of Max and there for was a part of her. She hadn’t always thought that way, but after she’d had Alex she understood the connection Max felt with the son he had never been allowed to know. Liz hoped that one day Tess would get hers.

Max put some more space between Liz and himself and looked down at her again. “Thank you.” He said plainly.

“For what? I haven’t done anything special.” Liz said, looking up at him with surprise in her eyes.

“Yes, yes you did. You stayed Liz, you trusted me regardless, you forgave me for Tess and the mistakes I’ve made, you made love to me, you married me, had my children, I don’t know how to thank you for it all.” The tears welled up in Max’s eyes as he spoke.

“You don’t have to thank me for it Max, I wanted to do it, I wanted you more than anything else. I still want you more than anything else. You are my heart and my soul Max, I don’t know if I could do it without you.”

“You could and that’s the thing that frightens me. I’m the one who could never go it alone Liz, I’m the one who will always depend on you. Don’t ever leave me.”

“I won’t Max, I won’t. Not ever, I promise. I’ll always be with you, always. I promise.”

* * *

Serena was in a white room wearing a blue filmy dress. She was looking around franticly and begins to call out a name. “Toran. Toran! Where are you? I know you need me and you are here. Show yourself, I’m not working with your mother, you know that.”

The room changes only slightly as a little dark haired boy appeared behind her. His face was tear streaked and full of fear. “ Oh Seri!” The little boy cried rapping his arms tightly around Serena as he threw himself at her. “I want to go back with you. They can’t make me stay. I can go to Daddy, they can’t force me back if we do. Please Seri, Please. Take me home.”

Part 9

“Toran, I don’t know.” Serena said nervously. “Earth isn’t exactly the safest place. I know you don’t like it here, but there are all sorts of new dangers on Earth that you don’t know how to handle.”

“Anywhere is better than here Seri. I can’t stay.”

Serena struggled with the dangers of both worlds. She looked at Toran again. The cuts and bruises on his face, arms and legs were too much for her to bear. She wasn’t about to let him stay with his mother and step—father. Serena knew that they couldn’t kill Toran as long as she was around, but they could make his life his hell. She knew that he would be much better off on Earth.

Toran was eyeing Serena, trying to judge her decision. He could tell that she was leaning towards taking him back, he just had to convince her the rest of the way. “Please Seri. You’ll be there. Dad, my brothers and sister, Aunt Izzy, Michael, Maria, Kyle and Liz. I’ll be safe with all of you around. Please!”

“OK, baby. I’ll take you back.” Serena said, knowing she’d have to get him out of there soon.

All of a sudden there was a pounding on the door of the room. “Open up you little brat!” Khivar’s voice boomed through the door. “I know you’re in there with your little guardian. Open up now and I’ll make life much easier for the both of you than if I have to come in there myself.” They answered him with silence pretending that they weren’t there.

Khivar broke the door down and entered the room with Tess trailing behind him. Toran made sure that they didn’t see that he and Serena were standing in the middle of the room. “Damn it. The fucking bitch got your precious child. He was our key to getting everything we wanted. I bet that that bitch took him to his father.”

“If he left it’s all your fault!” Tess screamed. “He can ask her to take her to his other family if things go to far. I shouldn’t let you beat him like that.”

“You don’t let me do a damn thing, bitch.” Khivar yelled, turning on her. “I do as I please. I’m king here.”

“You have absolutely no leverage without my son.”

“Well we’ll just have to go get him then won’t we.”

Khivar took Tess by the arm and led her out of the room. Toran let go of the warp, obviously exhausted. Seri lifted him into her arms and willed herself back home.

* * *

“We’ve been sitting out here for two hours Michael.” Maria said staring at her husband, half out of contempt and half out of consern “You don’t think that-”

“Nothing happened to her!” Michael’s voice was harsh. He regretted using that tone with her, when she had been good enough to sit out in the middle of the desert with him, but he was worried.

Maria knew where his mind was going. She figured that there we’re either two things she could do, comfort him now, or have some fun with him to keep his mind off of things. Maria decided that the latter was a better plan of action for the time being. “You know, I’ve been good about being out here with you. I was only suggesting that-”

“I don’t want you suggesting a damn thing!”

“I was only suggesting that it might take longer than you expect. If you don’t want me to stay, I don’t have to. I can strand you out here if you’d prefer.”

“Empty threat.”

“You wanna bet.”

Maria ran for the station wagon and jumped in the driver’s seat, keys in hand. Michael climbed in the other side and grabbed the keys out of the ignition. He then proceeded to pull Maria from the driver’s seat across the passenger’s seat and out the door of the car.

“Let me go Michael! Damn it, let go.” Maria shrieked, actually pissed off, now.

“There is no way in hell I’m letting you drive when you’re this emotional.” Michael yelled at her, practically shaking her. “You could get yourself into another car accident. I’m not going to lose you. Not a single one of you.”

Maria realized that her plan hadn’t worked as well as she had wanted. Michael had only transferred his worry for Serena on to her. She rapped her arms tightly around his neck, and felt as his arms tightened around her, nearly breaking her ribs. “I’m not leaving you Michael Guerin. You’d get off to easy if I did. And I don’t think that Seri has any intention of leaving either. I think she has gotten pretty attached to you over the past three years.”

“Really?” Michael questioned, still unsure of where he really stood.

“You know what the problem with your childhood was Michael, you didn’t have enough women around you.” Maria said slyly, leaning back in his arms to se his face, knowing that she would be kicking herself later for inflating his ego, but it would be worth it for him to smile. “We just can’t seem to resist you.”

“So I’ve noticed.” Michael said, grinning contentedly. He suddenly turned serious, feeling the need to explain to his wife why he’d been in such a mood. He knew she probably already knew, but he needed to tell her just the same. “I just want to keep my girls safe, is that too much to ask?”

“No Michael, it’s not. You’ve always been overprotective you know. Telling me what is and isn’t good for me, doing whatever it is you can to protect me in your own warped way. It’s gotten worse over the years, you know.”

“Just because you seem to enjoy scaring me half to death. Really, Maria, I don’t know what I’d do without you, all of you.”

“You’d live without me Michael. We both know that.” Maria said thinking back to the times that they had spent apart throughout high school.

“That wasn’t really living Maria. I’ve only really felt alive knowing that you were a part of my life.”

“Damn it Michael. There you go, making me forget why I was pissed at you.”

“It’s one of the things that I do best.” Michael said, a devilish grin spreading across his face. “It is my one true talent.”

“That, your art work, and making love.” Maria quipped. “I think I’m going to keep you.”

“Is that so, Maria Guerin?”

“I thought I was still Maria DeLuca.” She said, just to get him riled up again.

“That’s only for your star status, beyond that you’re Maria Guerin. Especially here.” Michael insisted, leaning down to kiss her.

The kiss was amazing but theirs usually were. Both started getting flashes, mainly of what the other one was thinking. Michael and Maria couldn’t seem to get enough of each other out in the middle of the desert. The stress of having so much going on had been getting to them. They didn’t break the kiss until a streak of blue light shot across the sky.

Both stared at it as it hit the pod chamber. “Seri’s home.” Michael said quickly, trying to hide his excitement and relief of having his sister home. “Let’s go check it out.” Michael grabbed Maria by the hand and proceeded to drag her up the hill.

Ch 10

“Michael. Michael, you’re going to pull my arm out if you keep this pace up.” Maria said breathlessly as Michael continued to pull her behind him. Michael slowed down a little as he continued to make his way up the hill. “She’s fine Michael. She came back.”

“I’m well aware of that, I just want to see her for myself.”

“Worrywart.”

“Thank you Maria.”

“Welcome.”

Michael finally got to the wall of rock where the opening to the cave could be found. He put his hand up to it and opened the door. He was shocked that he could still do it, it had been years since they’d used it.

Michael entered the cave first, making sure Maria was directly behind him. He had one hand on her wrist keeping her in place and his other in front of him in case anything dangerous came back with Serena. Maria struggled a bit, trying to make him let go of her and so she could walk next to him, instead of his overprotective hold, but he was not about to budge. Maria sighed loudly, and Michael turned around, placing his finger in front of his mouth. Maria just stuck her tongue out at his silent order.

They rounded the corner and were right next to the chamber where the granolith had once been. Michael pressed an ear up to the chamber and could hear two voices. One belonging to his sister and the other to a child.

“Are we there Seri?” A young voice said, quavering.

“Yes, Tor. We made it. Now we’ve got to get going. I’m sure that our family is out looking for me. I kinda dissapeared quickly and I can only imagine what is going through their heads.” She said quickly.

“What is your imagination telling you?” Michael questioned, somewhat amused. Maria was behind him, trying to pull him from the room. Michael turned around to look at his wife. “What are you trying to do?”

“Seri’s obviously gotten this under control. I think we should let her handle the boy alone for right now. I mean it must be terrifying to come here, to a place you’ve only seen in dreams hoping to find-” Maria broke off sharply upon getting a good look at the boy. The bruises that covered his face and arms were horrible. Maria’s heart went out to the boy, and she could practically see Michael in his place, which only made her eyes fill with tears even quicker.

Maria rushed over to the boy and knelt down in front of him. She gently touched his face with her fingers and watched as he winced. ‘Khivar’ was the first name that came to Maria’s mind. She had hated this being that she had never met since high school, and now it went somewhere beyond that. Tess wasn’t far away on her list of people to blame for all of this, and it only proved that she had been right to hate Tess all these years. The people that woman destroyed.

Looking the boy over again from head to toe, Maria saw the definite resemblance to Max. The hair, the eyes, the solemn and understanding expression. He was definitely Max’s. Maria’s heart went out to Liz as well, wondering how hard her friend’s heart would break. As much as Liz could claim that there was no problem with Max sleeping with Tess and having a child with her, Maria knew the truth. Liz had never really forgiven Max.

“Well” Maria said, he voice choked with tears. “You are just going to have to come to my house and we’ll get you cleaned up there. You’ll be just fine. There are lots of people who want to meet you. You’re father especially. And then there’s-”

“You’re Maria. Aren’t you?” Toran said, interjecting himself into her rambling.

“Yes. How did you know?” Maria’s voice had a bewildered tone as she spoke.

“Seri always said that you were kinder than anyone she ever knew and that you talked more than anything else.” Toran said innocently.

Michael burst out laughing. That was Maria all over. “Well, they’ve got you pegged Ria. You just need to add hyper, kooky, and dangerous when need be.”

“Thank you, Michael.” Maria said shortly. She would take this up with him later. “Seri, why don’t you take Toran in your car. You can follow Michael and me back.”

“Sounds great.” Serena replied.

* * *

“I can’t believe that we are just sitting here” Isabel’s voice echoed from out of the bathroom in her house.

“What exactly did you have in mind? We don’t even know what’s going on Iz.” Kyle called back, sitting on their bed.

“ I don’t know. But why am I the one who gets shoved out of the way? Max and Michael don’t think first, they just do. They can’t just do this all on their own without me. Max left after not coming to those of us who could help, it proves that I’m right.” Isabel continued her rant through the closed door.

“Baby. As much as I don’t like your brother, I think that this is all to protect you. You are pregnant you know.”

“I’m well aware Kyle, I am the one who’s pregnant. It doesn’t make me some sort of weakling and I hate that that’s what all of you see. I can handle myself you know. I’m not useless.”

“I never said you were useless. Iz, let Michael handle this.”

“Michael’s a loose cannon. You add the fact that Serena is his sister, he’s going to lose it.”

“He’s got Maria with him. If anyone can keep Michael under control it’s Ria.”

Isabel opened the bathroom door and walked over to the bed, sitting down next to Kyle. “I’m just used to being left in the loop. I hate being sent home.”

“I know. Does this have anything to do with Max being home?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know anymore.” Isabel dropped her head into her hands as Kyle placed an arm around her. “Max left, Kyle. It’s not fair that he just gets welcomed back in. He hurt us all with that, and now I’m getting sent home while he takes what would have been my spot.”

“No one just welcomed him back in. Michael and Maria haven’t. I sure as hell haven’t. After what he put you through. And Maria never got over their disappearance, it just pissed me off. I really don’t like the idea of him getting a carte blanche. I never liked him, I was honored that he saved my life, but really Iz…”

“It’s alright Kyle.” Isabel said, trying to calm Kyle down. Max was the one subject that got Kyle all riled up like that. “I’m just frustrated that’s all. I love my brother, and I need him. One of these days you’re actually going to have to like him. He’s family you know.” Isabel’s voice turned to a teasing tone.

“Right now I’m enjoying the family I have.” Kyle said, pushing Isabel back on the bed, kissing her all over.

While in the middle of trying to undress one another, the phone rang. Kyle sighed loudly as Isable reached for it. She gave him a disapproving look. “Hello…Maria…you found her that’s-…yes…yes…No!…Oh My God…We’ll meet you at your house….Of course. Bye.”

Isable hung up the phone and immediately began to put her clothes back on. “Come on Kyle. We’ve got to go.”

* * *

Max and Liz had fallen asleep on the couch together. She was on top of him, his arms rapped tightly around her. She was warm and comfortable and home. Liz was woken by the sound of Maria’s phone ringing. Liz fumbled around on the endtable until she found it.

“Hello.” Liz answered.

“Hey chica.” Maria’s voice came through the phone “We’re on our way home, I just wanted to give you guys a heads up.”

“Thanks, but why?”

“Well you know. Slight surprise, but I think you can guess. I just didn’t want you to be completely shocked.”

“Are you trying to protect me Maria?”

“Always Lizzie. Anyway, we’ll be back in, oh fifteen minutes. Yes Michael, I’m getting off the phone now. God, Men Lizzie men. What ever have we gotten ourselves into. Love you. Gotta go. Buh bye.”

Liz hung up the phone and looked down at Max, wondering how much her life was going to change.

Ch 11

Michael and Maria arrived at the house with Seri and Toran on their heals. Maria noted that Kyle and Isabel had shown up already and decided to rush in the house. She knew her brother well enough to know that if he was left alone with Max for too long that it would not be pretty. She was positive that he was restraining himself for Isabel, but no one could tell how long that would last.

Maria hopped out of the car and hurried towards the house. Michael grabbed her by the arm and held her back, waiting for Seri and Toran to catch up. The four of them walked towards the house together. Michael opened the door and ushered everybody else inside.

Toran was slightly frightened by the large gathering of other people. He’d never actually been in the presence of so many adults, only his mother and Khivar, and those weren’t pleasant experiences. He clung to Seri as the others moved in for a closer look.

For Max this was the moment he’d been waiting for since Tess had left. His first born son was standing in front of him for the first time. He really didn’t know what to say. This experience had looked like it was never going to happen a long time ago, so he gave up hope. Now that it was real he didn’t know what to do. “Toran.” Was all he could manage, softly and simply.

Liz was shocked. The boy was definitely Max’s, there was no denying that. Toran and Alex could practically be twins. She had wanted Max to meet his son and she understood the connection that Max felt for the boy, but it was also a connection to Tess and she didn’t like that. She didn’t hold it against Toran and she didn’t hate him, he was a reminder of that awful hurt though. Liz simply smiled, trying to sort her feelings out inside.

Isabel fell in love with her nephew instantly. The poor child had been shoved into this world, coming from what she could only imagine was hell. Isabel blamed herself and a part of her always would. She had enabled Khivar to enter their lives in the past and then Tess. It was a guilt she had learned to live with, but now it would be fixed, she hoped.

“Well,” Michael said breaking the silence. “I think Toran should stay here for the night. I mean- ”

“No!” came Max’s vehement denial.

“Look Maxwell-”

“He’s my son.”

“I’m well aware of that Maxwell, but he met you all of two minutes ago. Serena is staying here for the night and I think it would be better if-”

“When the hell did you start making all the decisions?” Max asked.

Neither noticed as Seri took Toran and led him out of the room and towards the bedroom. She didn’t want him to witness the fight that was about to ensue.

“I started making the damn decisions the day you left Maxwell. There was no one else to do it. Toran would feel better to be around Serena and there’s no way in hell you could fit more people in that little apartment you and Liz share. Not even Toran by himself.”

“I make decisions about my children Michael. You have no right.”

“I have every fucking right! You don’t know this boy or what he’s been through. You only know that he’s yours. That doesn’t make you right that makes you pigheaded.”

“I’m the King.”

“Fuck you. How dare you trump?”

“Ok.” Maria said, stepping in between the two, knowing the problems that this could cause. “You two can’t do this.”

“Maria.” Michael said wanting to yell at Max more than anything.

“Not here. You promised me Michael. Not here, not ever. Go somewhere else. All of you. There’s a lot of talking that I think needs to go on. Seri and I will be fine watching the kids. We’ll be safe I promise.”

Liz moved towards Maria. “I could-”

“No,” Maria said softly. “Go. We’ll be fine. Now out of my house.”

The five left. Max and Michael still fuming and Kyle waiting for his shot. Isabel and Liz walked behind, not talking to one another.

Maria sighed, closing the door behind them. She headed back to the bedroom that all the children were in. She watched contentedly as Seri tucked Toran into bed with the other children. It was refreshing to see more innocence, especially after the fight that had just erupted.

“That was my fault.” A small voice said as he noticed Maria. It was a statement not a question.

“No. That wasn’t your fault. Those two have been fighting over who’s right for ages. After your father disappeared, Michael took control. He’s not going to give up making decisions and neither is your father. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens. How about I sing you a lullaby.”

“Sing ‘A La Rue’ Momma.” Came another small voice from the bed.

“I thought you were asleep Beth.”

“Daddy got mad, I could tell.”

“Fine ‘A La Ru’ it is.”

Maria sat down in a rocking chair in a corner of the room and Serena sat on he floor nearby. Maria began to hum the tune and then to sing in her low husky voice.

“O sleep my darling baby,
By you loving mother here;
So peacefully do you slumber,
My heart forgets its fear

A la ru, a la me,
A la ru, a la me,
A la ru, a la me,
A la ru, a la ru, a la me.

King Herod never will find you;
In the morning we must fly;
But now the arms or your mother
Hold safe till morn is nigh.

A la ru, a la me,
A la ru, a la me,
A la ru, a la me,
A la ru, a la ru, a la me”
[A La Ru, Spanish-American carol]

By the time Maria was finished all of the children were asleep again. She smiled as she softly exited the room, leaving Serena to watch over the children.

Michael was still pissed off by the time they reached Isabel and Kyle’s house. He couldn’t believe that Max was trying to make all the decisions and he said so as Kyle parked his car in his driveway.

“Now you know what it feels like.” Isabel said indignantly from the front seat. Kyle nudged her as if to say that her behavior was inappropriate. She turned towards her husband and glared at him.

“What are you talking about Iz?” Michael was completely confused “You know what I don’t want to know.” He added, knowing that Iz had a rant planed for him.

“You’re going to know. I was left behind Michael. For the first time in years. I wasn’t even allowed to stay with the kids. Hell I wasn’t even addressed myself. You just quickly said ‘Kyle take Isabel home.’ I deserved to be in the loop.”

“I was trying to protect you Izzy, I just can't help it. Maria already yelled at me over that tonight. It probably would have been better, though.” Michael conceded. “With Max there it was too much like old times. He thinks he has a right to make decisions.”

“It is his son.” Kyle said, reminding them of the task at hand.

“Yes he is, but still. You’ve been on another planet all your life with your crazy mother and your evil…god knows what in your life and the only other contact you ever have is with this young woman who tells you stories about the rest of your family. She’s the only person you trust in the entire universe and then you ask to go home and you get taken to your family who you realize you don’t know at all.”

“I’m not saying you’re wrong Michael, but you have to remember that.”

“I know. I just think the adjustment will be easier this way.” Michael said sighing.

“Well come on.” Isabel said, watching as Max and Liz got out of their car, Liz obviously trying to calm Max down. “We better get this over with.”