Title: Those Who Sacrificed

Author: Dontia

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything but the plot.

Spoilers: Wipeout

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Memorial Day fic. Maria again turns to Tess for help, and the others become suspicious.

Notes: Sequel to "Mother’s Day". Any similarity to Season Two is vague at best. So no, the crappy finale didn’t happen.

Feedback: It’s the circle of life. I love to write, you love to read. Tell me you love reading, I’ll continue to love writing.

Dedication: To Hussies everywhere, who still believe.

***************************************

The Sunday before Memorial Day, the entire gang except Tess is at the Crashdown. It’s after closing time and they’re sitting in front deciding what to do the next day. Mr. Parker gave Liz, Michael, and Maria the day off.

"What do you wanna do Michael?" asks Isabel.

"I already have plans," says Michael.

"What?" asks Kyle.

"I’m gonna put up this thing for Courtney."

Max looks up. "Courtney?"

"Tess has me thinkin’ of the real meaning behind holidays. You know, besides getting a day off. Memorial Day is a day to remember the people who sacrificed their lives so others could stay free. That’s what Courtney did for us."

"What are you gonna do for her?" asks Alex.

"I have this flower collage thing. I don’t know where she killed herself, so I’m gonna put it outside her old apartment."

"That’s really nice," says Liz.

"What does Tess think of that?" asks Kyle.

Michael shrugs. "Said she was fine with it."

Maria eyes the door. "When is Tess getting here?"

"Why do you care?" asks Isabel.

"I need to talk to her."

"About what?" asks Liz, hurt Maria would rather confide in Tess.

"Stuff."

Tess walks in. "Hey guys. What’s goin’ on?"

"We’re deciding what to do tomorrow," says Max as Michael kisses Tess. "Any thoughts?"

"I was talking to this couple in the grocery store. They said Memorial Day is the first official barbecue day of the summer."

Kyle grins. "A barbecue! I haven’t been to one of those in a long time."

"That’s a great idea Tess," says Isabel. "Where should we do it?"

"Not the park," says Michael. "We couldn’t use our powers if we needed to."

"Our house," says Max. "Our parents are going to Taos overnight. They’re gonna meet some of Dad’s old army buddies. They won’t be back until Tuesday."

"Are they gonna let us have it?" asks Liz. "After that talk-"

"We agreed to never mention that," says Alex. "Ever."

"Sorry."

"I’ll run it by my parents," says Max.

Maria clears her throat. "Now that that’s settled, can I talk to you Tess?"

Tess nods. "Sure, let’s go in back."

Maria and Tess leave the others staring after them.

"Since when are Tess and Maria friends?" asks Liz.

"Didn’t know they were," says Kyle. "I’d be scared if I were you Guerin."

"Why’s that?" asks Michael.

"Your ex is talking to your current girlfriend," says Alex. "It’s probably about you."

Kyle nods in agreement. "You should definitely be scared."

Isabel is quiet, and thoughtful. She’s remembering the look Tess and Maria exchanged a couple weeks ago after Tess bought a home pregnancy test.

***************************************

In the alley behind the Crashdown, Tess looks at Maria. "You don’t look well."

"I don’t feel well," says Maria. "I think I’m pregnant."

"We did the pregnancy tests, they turned out negative."

"I’ve been having morning sickness every day for the last week, and just the sight of food…it’s all I can do not to throw up."

"Okay, maybe you took the tests wrong."

"You bought the tests!"

"I didn’t pee on the stick for you!"

"Fine, what do I do now?"

"We can’t go to the hospital in case Max is…"

"I know that."

"Let me think, all right?"

"You’re gonna dust off your brain just for me?"

"I can leave and you could deal with this by yourself."

"I’m sorry, all right?"

"Apology accepted. Okay, here’s what we’ll do. We’re gonna drive to the next town and buy every brand of pregnancy test there is. Then tomorrow, you take ‘em all."

"And if the results conflict?"

"One thing at a time. We have to think of a plausible story for the others."

"We’ll say we’re going to my house cause I need help with my homework."

"They’ll wonder why you didn’t ask Liz. Besides, we don’t go back to school for two days. You wouldn’t be doing your homework yet."

"How do you know that?"

"I pay attention. Is your mother home?"

"Yeah, why?"

"We’ll tell them she wants to talk to me."

"That works. Let’s go before it gets too late."

They reenter the restaurant.

"We have to go," says Tess.

"I have a couple more things to finish here," says Michael, eyeing her and Maria.

"Not you and me, me and Maria."

"Where are you going?" asks Liz.

"My mom wants to talk to Tess again," says Maria. "She nagged me until I promised to bring her home with me."

"You didn’t mention it earlier."

"I forgot."

Kyle looks at Tess and Maria. "Tell us what’s really going on."

"We just did," says Tess, rolling her eyes.

"We know you were out there talking about Michael," says Alex.

Tess and Maria look at each other and laugh.

"Not a good sign man," says Kyle.

"What’s going on with you two?" asks Max. "You’re really friendly lately."

"We called a truce," says Maria. "It’s not worth it."

"I agree," says Tess.

"I think they just dissed you Michael," says Isabel.

"Are you sure there’s nothing I should know?" asks Michael.

"I’m sure," says Tess. She gives him a soft kiss on the lips and pulls back with a smile. "I’ll be home in a few hours."

Tess and Maria leave. Liz stares after them a moment, then goes up to her room. Max follows.

"Raise your hand if you believe Tess and Maria’s story," says Alex. No one raises their hand.

"What should we do?" asks Kyle. "Should we follow them?"

"Maybe we should," says Michael. "Maybe they’re in trouble."

Isabel shakes her head. "I don’t think they are."

"Do you know what’s going on?" asks Kyle.

"No, maybe. I’ll let you guys know once I’m sure."

***************************************

Max enters Liz’s bedroom and finds her looking put her window. "Are you all right Liz?"

"I’m losing my best friend. Maria never wants to spend time together anymore. I told her I forgave her for setting you up and Tess, but she keeps pulling away from me. It’s like something changed that can never be gotten back."

Max hugs Liz, hiding his guilt-stricken face from her.

"And now I find out she’s spending time with Tess. Tonight isn’t the first time I found them together. What, she can’t have you so she’ll steal my best friend to get back at me?"

"If you guys haven’t been spending time together, there’s probably a logical reason that has nothing to do with Tess. You can talk to Maria tomorrow at the barbecue. Speaking of the barbecue, I need to talk to my parents before they go to bed."

"All right Max, I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you."

"I love you too."

Liz feels a little better, while Max leaves with his conscious further weighed down.

***************************************

The next morning, Michael lays his offering of flowers next to Courtney’s apartment. Sensing another presence, he looks up and is surprised to see Max.

"Didn’t mean to startle you," says Max.

"What are you doing here?" asks Michael.

"I got to thinking last night, about what you said. A lot of people, human and alien, gave their lives so we could live. We should honor them."

"We should."

"There’s really no safe place to create a memorial, so I thought we could release some of these every year." Max picks up a birdcage hidden on the side of the apartment complex.

Michael’s eyes widen in surprise. "Crows?"

"You’ve seen the movie ‘The Crow’ right? Crows carry the spirit of the dead to the afterlife. But sometimes, when the soul has unfinished business, they allow the spirit to return."

"Like you, me, Tess, and Isabel. I like it Maxwell."

"Good. Why don’t you say a few words for Courtney, then we’ll release the crows."

Michael gives Max a small smile before clearing his throat. Their friendship, while not back on solid ground, is no longer deep in the abyss.

***************************************

At the Deluca house, Maria and Tess are sitting on Maria’s bed. Because Maria was so scared the previous night, Tess slept over. Maria just finished taking the ten pregnancy tests they bought, and they’re waiting for the results.

"Michael still thinking about Courtney doesn’t bother you?" asks Maria.

"Kinda," admits Tess. "But I still care about Max and Kyle, and he cares about you, Isabel, and Courtney. Doesn’t mean we love each other any less."

"Wait, you and Kyle? When?"

"Before me and Michael. We were mostly just flirting."

"It never went any further?"

"Not really. Back then, we weren’t part of the group. If it hadn’t worked out, we wouldn’t have had anyone. At least, not anyone in the ‘I Know An Alien’ club."

"What if I’m pregnant with Max’s baby, and my kid becomes an integral part of the club?"

"We don’t know that you’re pregnant. Worrying about it until we’re sure is pointless. Even if you are, it might be Alex’s."

"With the way my luck’s been running? How am I gonna tell my mother?"

"You’ll find a way. She loves you."

"And that’s what she’ll say right before she kills me."

Tess looks at her watch. "The tests should be ready. You want me to look?"

"Go with me?"

Tess takes Maria’s hand, and they walk into the bathroom. Together, they look at the ten tests.

"This confirms it," says Maria. "My life is a big cosmic joke."

"May we did something wrong."

"On which ones? Five say positive, the other five are negative. Oh God."

"Calm down, let me think. Okay, do you have an aversion to alien powers being used on you?"

"What are you gonna do?"

"I’m gonna put my hand on your stomach and see if I can connect. In theory, I should be able to tell if there’s a fetus."

"In theory?"

"Haven’t exactly done it before. It should work, I hope."

"Stop adding qualifiers, they’re not helping."

"Just hold still." Tess puts her hand on Maria’s stomach and closes her eyes. A minute late, she steps back and looks at Maria with compassion. "You’re pregnant."

"Can you tell me if the baby’s, you know?"

"My powers don’t go in that direction. Max could probably-"

"No!"

"Or not. He’s gonna find out eventually."

"Not if I…"

"Is that what you wanna do?"

"I want this all to be a horrible dream."

"Why don’t you go lie down? I’ll call Isabel and tell her we’re not coming."

"We have to go. They’re already suspicious."

"Are you sure? Liz will be there."

"Yeah. One last day of normalcy before all hell breaks loose."

***************************************

In the Evan’s back yard, Kyle and Alex are arguing good-naturedly in front of the grill. Liz is sitting on a lawn chair and Isabel’s in the kitchen.

"No," says Kyle, guarding the meat from Alex’s sauce brush. "My family’s used this barbecue recipe for generations."

"Then it’s time for something new," says Alex, trying to dodge around Kyle. "This sauce is at every Whitman family gathering. It’s a tradition."

"What happened to it’s time for something different?"

"I meant for you."

"Don’t make me sic the aliens on you."

"Bet my aliens could take your aliens."

"In your dreams."

As they continue to dance around the grill, Isabel comes outside and hands Liz a soda. "Are you all right?"

"Isabel, do you know what’s going on with Maria and Tess?" asks Liz.

"Tess hasn’t told me anything."

"I just, I feel like I’m losing my best friend."

"Tess already has a best friend, me. She’s not looking to take Maria from you."

"I hope you’re right."

"I know I am."

The back gate opens, and Michael and Max enter. Greetings are exchanged.

"Where’s Tess?" asks Kyle.

"I think she’s still at Maria’s," says Michael. "She spent the night over there."

"What for?" asks Liz.

"Didn’t say. Just called and said she wouldn’t be home. Food almost ready?"

"It will be once you settle this," says Alex. "You’re a chef, which sauce is better, mine or Kyle’s?"

Michael and Max go over to judge the sauces. After a decision is made to coat half the meat with one sauce, and half with the other, the food is brought to the table.

"Should we wait for Maria and Tess?" asks Alex.

"We’re here," says Maria as she and Tess enter the back yard.

"Are you okay?" asks Liz, noting Maria’s unnatural paleness.

"I’m fine. Is it time to eat yet?"

***************************************

After everyone eats, they decide to watch a movie in the living room. After some debate, they decide on ________.

Snuggled into Michael’s arms, Tess isn’t watching the movie. She’s watching Maria watch Max with Liz. When Maria suddenly gets up and goes upstairs, Tess follows, much to everyone’s surprise.

Upstairs, Tess checks the bathroom and finds it empty. On a hunch, she tries Max’s room. There, she finds Maria silently crying on Max’s bed, holding a picture of Max and Liz.

"They’re so much in love," says Maria as Tess closes the door. "I’m gonna ruin that."

"You weren’t the only one there."

"She’s my best friend, other than Alex. But since I might be ruining his life instead of Max’s, that’ll probably change."

"Max calls Liz the love of his life, he could’ve walked away. As for Alex, no one forced him to sleep with you."

"Everyone’s gonna hate me."

"No they won’t. If they do…they’re stupid and you can hang out with me."

"Why are you being so nice to me? I’ve always treated you-"

"Let’s not go there. I’m doing this because, I don’t know why. But it’s the right thing to do. You wanna get outta here and talk about your options, or go back downstairs?"

The door opens and Isabel comes in. "You shouldn’t go down there unless you’re ready to tell the others what’s going on."

"How much did you hear?" asks Maria.

"You’re pregnant, and either my brother or ex-boyfriend is the father."

"You can’t tell anyone," says Tess.

"Fine, but what are we gonna tell everyone?"

Tess sighs. "I’m outta ideas. Michael knows I’m lying. He won’t let me get away with it again."

"We’ll try the truth," says Maria. "At least a version of it. I’ll tell them I found out some news that’s gonna change my life, but I’m not ready to share it."

"Liz will be upset that you went to Tess," says Isabel.

"She’ll be more upset by the truth," says Tess. "We’ll say I found out by accident, which is true."

Maria takes a deep breath. "Okay, that’s the plan. Let’s go."

***************************************

Michael and Tess enter their apartment.

"You gonna tell me what’s really going on with Maria?" asks Michael.

"She told you," says Tess, getting her clothes ready for school.

"And now I’d like to hear something closer to the truth."

"That was the truth."

"There may have been some truth thrown in, but it wasn’t the whole truth."

"Let’s say, for arguments sake, that there’s more to the story. It’s not my story to tell."

"Is she all right?"

"I…don’t know how to answer that."

"So she’s not all right."

"The situation doesn’t lend itself to a yes or no answer."

"What’s the situation?"

"I can’t tell you Michael, I promised her."

"You promised me we wouldn’t keep things from each other."

"About stuff that has to do with us! Dammit Michael, I made a promise and I’m not gonna tell you."

"Fine. I’m going for a walk."

Michael leaves the apartment. Tess throws a glass at the door in frustration.

***************************************

THE END