posted on 12-May-2002 7:19:34 PM by Bordersinsanity
Too Bad – It’s beyond Control



Title: Too Bad It’s beyond Control
Author: Borders InSaNiTy
E-mail: BordersInsanity⊕yahoo.com
AIM: Borders285South
Disclaimer: Characters belong to Katims, Metz and UPN. No infringement intended.
Rating: Pg-13 (language)
Category: Future Fic – Dark ANGST M/L
Summary: You'll just have to read to find out because I really suck at giving a summary. Hint – Twist to the ending of Control. That's all I'm saying.
Distribution: Please, ask first. I’m sure I’ll let you have it; I just want to know who wants it… HEHE!
Author's note: I'm still working on Two Squared! It’s just that it’s taking longer to write the ending than I thought it would. Hang in there. I promise I will finish it!

I started this one while I was on Thanksgiving vacation at my parent’s house last year. I wasn’t really for sure where I was going with it (that’s the story with all my fics. I never plan on anything I just do it.) and my dad ended up giving me my ending. So with a beginning and an ending I’ve pretty much got a story now all I have to do is fill in the middle, which I did with the help of Bob (SciFiNut111) who has the amazing ability to fill in the missing pieces as if he knew what I was thinking. I know this won’t be too popular because it is very dark in the beginning but I hope to get some kind of feedback whether it’s good or bad. Let me have it! I’m sure there is going to be lots of questions and I will do my best to try and answer them as we go along. So enough of my rambling and on with the story.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Prologue

“Are you sure you want to do this Max? Have you really thought this through? Have you thought about the ones you’re leaving behind?” Cal Langley shot the questions at Max in a desperate attempt to get him to change his mind. Cal, in no way shape or form, wanted anything to do with his ‘home’ planet of Antar. He had come to earth in the Late 40’s and found a new home.

“Just drive. I have to get to Antar to save my son. He’s in danger.” Max responded. Ever since they had discovered the location of the rebuilt spaceship, Max had been in a near fanatical mood to use it to get to Antar. His son needed him. He had to save him from Tess and whatever other dangers were out there. Cal had used his connections in the military establishment to find the exact location where the ship was being hidden. It was in a desert facility a four-hour drive away from Los Angeles.

As they raced along the highway, darkness fell. They had been driving for two hours and the monotonous hum of the tires on the pavement was making Max’s head droop. The fact that Max had only slept an average of three hours every night for the past week may have contributed to Max’s tired state.

Since they had left LA, Cal had been trying to convince Max to forget about leaving earth to go ‘home’. He tried to convince him that home was here, on earth, where his loved ones were. But Max seemed determined to save his son. What kind of man would he be if he just turned his back on his own flesh and blood when there was a chance of helping him?

“Well, if you’re going you should at least let your sister know. And how about that cute brunette that you were seeing? You can’t just leave her without a call or anything?” Cal continued to badger Max.

“How do you know about Liz? What do you know about her?” Max shot back at Cal as he straightened himself out in the front seat of the Mercedes Benz to try and force himself to stay awake. He was worried that someone else may realize his feelings for Liz and she would be in danger. One of Max’s hopes was by leaving; he could deflect all of the danger away from the ones that he loved. If the king wasn’t on earth, why worry about the people on earth that he loved.

“Look, Max. You don’t know what you are doing. You really don’t want to go to Antar. It’s not a great place. Fifty years of warfare have turned it into a wasteland. There’s nothing you can do there. You can’t fight Khivar alone. How can you even hope to help your son?” Cal continued with his attempts to dissuade Max.

“Stop! That’s enough! We’re going and that’s the end of it. Now just stop talking and drive!” Max finally snapped.

Cal settled into the seat and concentrated on his driving. Every now and then he would glance over at his king, the man he was genetically programmed to obey, and watched him drift off to sleep.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Part 1

September 18, 2011. Journal twelve entry one. Twelve years ago I died and something amazing happened. I was saved and fell in love with the most amazing man that same year. How was I to know that only two years later I would be faced with another turning point? . After the ten years of slowly dying, I find myself wishing that September 18, 1999 never happened, but then again I would have never known what it was like to be loved by Max Evans. I have survived because he touched my heart forever. To be loved by him has been the greatest accomplishment of my life and I wouldn’t change that for anything. I think it’s safe to say life is good.

I shut my journal and put it back into its resting-place. While looking up at the stars I smile knowing that I have them to thank for everything. Going into our house I look at the clock and notice it's almost one o'clock in the morning. Another night without much sleep but then again I never really slept on September 18th. Never.

I walk through the house to make sure everything is in its place and that all the doors are locked. Paranoia? Nah - Probably. My eyes are heavy with sleep and I crawl into bed and lay down beside the figure that is waiting for me. He's always been there and I know now that he always will be. I pull the covers up and he rolls over and pulls me into his strong arms. His face nuzzles into my hair. He always says that my hair is what he loves best about me. He makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

I drift off to sleep.

"Honey, get up... We've got to go... It's Maria."

"What?" I drowsily sit up in bed and rub the sleep away from my eyes when the importance of what he’s saying hits me. "Maria! Oh my gosh! Maria!" I jump out of bed and glance at the bedside clock and realize that I had only been asleep for two hours. That woman really knows how to get back at me.

I pull on my sweat pants and finish getting dressed. I run to the front door and the car is started and he's inside waiting for me. He's just too good to me... I get into the car and lean over to kiss him. "You're the best." He smiles and I take in his looks. It probably mirrors mine but I have a feeling it looks better on him. His dark hair sticking out of his ball cap. His chin and jaw are showing the signs of morning stubble. "I didn't even hear the phone ring. When did she go in?" I ask him.

"Midnight." He looks at me and his eyes smile at me.

"Why did they wait so long to call me? I'm her coach. I should have been there from the very beginning. Just wait until I get her." I looked back at him and he smiles even wider. I would have to say yes, I love him.

I look out the window while he drives us to the hospital. I can't believe it. Maria's having a baby. Yes with Michael. It was definitely a long, long road before they finally realized that there was no use fighting it. Four years later they are having a baby. I still can't believe it.

The ride to the hospital wasn't that long but it was enough for me to get into my mood. Melancholy. "We're here. They're waiting for us. Are you ready?" I shook my head to acknowledge him and he gets out and meets me on my side of the car. "Well then let's go and have a baby." I smile at him and wish that it were me having a baby. I shake my head to get that thought as far out of my mind as possible. It's not about me. Today is Maria's day.

I stop dead in my tracks. Tears filling my eyes, getting ready to spill. I look up at him and say, "It's over, today will have a new meaning. I have nothing left to remind me of him now. After today it will be over." He knows what I'm talking about and he pulls me into a warm comforting hug.

"Shh." He says trying to comfort me. "It's not over until you are ready for it to be over. Liz look at me." He took my chin in his hands and made me look at him. "I have the rest of my life to make you happy, if you would just give me the chance I know I could do it." I swipe at the tears that were running down my cheeks and avoided his statement by diving back into his embrace.

"I know. I know." Why did love have to be so hard? Why couldn't it be easy?

He keeps me tucked underneath his arm and we walk into the hospital. "You've got a baby to deliver and a best friend that probably has her husband in a death grip by now."

I give a slight chuckle and he squeezes me tight. He was probably right... Now was not about me and Max now was about Maria and Michael.

"I'll race you in?" He takes off and leaves me standing at the entrance to the hospital. I smile and chase after him. He's the best thing that happened to me. Well. The second best thing. How did that sneak in there?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Get this thing out of me!" I hear Maria screaming from the top of her lungs. I walk in and she sees me. She immediately let's loose of Michael's hand and starts to say, "I'm sorry Liz... I didn't mean for it to happen today... It's all Michael's fault." She's nearly in tears now that's she's seen me and she whacks Michael on the arm.

"What did I do? I didn't do anything." He looks at me and smiles sympathetically. Why is everyone looking at me that way? "Thank God you're here. I can't feel my left hand and my right hand has two broken fingers." I smiled at Michael. He would do anything for her. Anything.

"It's okay, Maria. It's about time this day is remembered for something else besides...” I let it trail off and Michael must have thought that was his queue to leave for he scampered off saying something about getting more ice chips.

"How are you?" She asks reaching for my hand. I walk over and hesitate just a moment before placing my hand in hers.

"I don't know. It depends on how hard you squeeze my hand. I want to be able to work after this weekend. It's probably a good thing that you are having the baby today. I can call in to work and tell them that I won't be in and then I can have the rest of the weekend to recoup." I smile at her. Maria... My best friend. I wouldn't trade that for anything. Well... -- No not a thing.

The look on my face must have changed because she asked, "What's wrong?"

I shook my head that there was nothing wrong but over twenty years of friendship she knew better. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Maria you're having a baby! There's nothing to talk about that hasn't been said before." Just as I finished my statement she had another contraction and I actually looked forward to the death grip on my hand. It took my mind and thoughts away from something that just didn't belong there anymore.

"Breathe" I demonstrate the in and out technique that we learned in birthing class. She followed suit. "Good, just keep on breathing. Right through the contraction." And then it was over. "Okay, now take a deep breath.” She does and I can see her relax a bit, before I joke, “So you broke Michael's fingers when you had a contraction."

Her expression on her face turning from pain of the last contraction to guilt. "I didn't mean to. The things we learned in class don't compare to the actual event. I wasn't ready for this and he had me angry how he drove me to the hospital. He needs to take driver's ed. either that or driver's safety. I almost thought that we weren't going to make it." Maria was smiling probably remembering how she was yelling at him. Poor Michael.

I looked over at Maria she was being quiet, which was really unusual for her. She had fallen asleep. 'I guess that last contraction had tired her out. Sleep now for you will have a lot of work to do later.' I sat down in the chair and drifted off to sleep myself.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“What's a clapper loader?” Max asked when I told him that Mrs. Cloverdale thought that Kyle’s granddad thought the alien was the clapper loader.

“Oh! He's the guy who bangs the thing and goes, ‘take one, take two.’” A female voice says. A female voice that I don’t know. A female voice that is with Max in California while I’m stuck here in Roswell. I listen to their conversation.

I hear Max say, “Oh.”

This is my chance so I ask, “Who are you with?”

“Uh... A friend. I'm just taking her back to her place.” He doesn't sound too convincing. I remember thinking to myself that I don't trust him. But it’s Max. I have to trust him. We agreed no more secrets and no more lies. It's killing me. Not knowing what's going on. Not being there with him. We should be together.

“Her place?” I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Max is in California with a girl, that I don’t know, and they are going back to her place. Yes, I’m jealous. It seems like once again I’m second best.

“I mean… I'm just dropping her off. She's helping me. We're getting off the subject.” Oh sure we’re getting off the subject. I want to know what the hell is going on with the two of them and he says we’re getting off the subject.

He wants to be on the subject well then, I’ll get back on the damn subject again. “Okay, uh... Well, here's the theory. If the clapper loader is the shape shifter, then I’m thinking that maybe that's his base form.” How’s that for being back on the subject. He probably can’t wait to get off the phone so they can go do what they were going to do before I called. Damn him!

“The body he always goes back to.” Well, at least he’s paying attention to me now. He would because without me he wouldn’t even have this kind of information.

“Right. And if that's true, maybe if we can find out what this clapper loader looked like in 1959...” I hate the way I’m feeling right now. Why do I let myself get this way. I’m pacing back and forth to try and alleviate some frustration.

“He might still look like that today.” Give the boy a Scooby Snack. He’s still following the information trail. I might not have that much to worry about. The key word being might…

“Exactly.” I say as I go closer to the balcony wall.

“Okay. So how do we find out what this guy looked like?” Is he anxious to get me off the phone?
Come on Liz; get your head back where it belongs. It’s not going to help if you’re dwelling on Max’s untrustworthiness. “Well, he'll be on all the film. He's not in the actual movie, but he'll be in all the dailies.” Let’s see if his little bimbo can help him out with the lingo now.

“What are dailies?” Anyone? Anyone?

“Dailies?” Ding, ding, ding… we have a winner. When I’m good I’m good. Figures she knows what dailies are. I wonder if she’ll feel like she’s being used like I am right now. “Dailies are all the footage they shoot in one day. You know, like outtakes, bloopers, alternate angles. That stuff.”

“Thanks.” Always the polite one now isn’t he.

“I'm really glad that she's so helpful.” I finally take a jab at him. I wonder if he can hear the venom in my voice?

“Ahem.” I guess he can. “So how do we get a hold of fifty-year-old dailies?” Why doesn’t he ask the bimbo? I guess I should answer him then shouldn’t I since he’s asking me.

“Well, I did some research, and I found out that the rights to ’They Are Among Us’ were eventually sold to Paramount Pictures, so all of their dailies should be in their film vaults.” I bet she’s blonde. I wonder if Max would pay any more attention to me if I were blonde?

“God, I love you.” Ut oh, someone catch me I think I’m going to faint.

“Well, did she hear that?” I had to ask. I’m waiting.

“Definitely.” I smile. Yes! I can hear him smiling through the phone. It makes me believe. I remember saying to myself that everything was going to be okay.

“Good. Call me when you find a way out to the Paramount lot. Alone.” I make sure to stress the word. I want him all to myself. I wanted to whisper sweet nothings in his ear. Tell him how much I loved him and I couldn't do that very well with the woman with him.

I hung up the phone and sat out on the balcony looking up at the stars. Thanking them for sending me Max.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Oh my God! Get this thing out of me." I sit up.

"I got it Maria." She scared the crap out of me. "Breathe" I say to her. She starts her breathing and I notice that there is a doctor in the room now. He’s just finishing examining Maria, I look at him with a question in my eyes and he answers, “Eight centimeters, it shouldn’t be long now.”

About a half hour goes by and I hear the doctor say, "Okay Maria. It's looking good. I think we might be able to get the baby on the next contraction. Okay?" Maria nods her head and at the next contraction we have a bouncing baby boy screaming his lungs off.

I'm crying, Maria's crying and not long afterwards, Michael and Isabel are crying. "Congratulations Daddy!" I say handing Michael the baby.

"Let me see, Michael." Isabel says. A look of sadness passes through the expression on her face but then deep down inside I know she's happy for them. We all are. She's sad because we all aren't here to witness it or maybe because she hasn't been able to conceive yet herself? She looks up at Maria and I. I had Maria scoot over on the bed so I could sit down beside her. The woman has a grip like a vise I thought to myself as I rubbed my right hand. "What are you going to name him?" She asks. We look at each other. Out of all of us the name would affect Isabel the most.

"Alex Maxwell Guerin." She's smiling from ear to ear. Tears come welling to the surface of her eyes once again and she excuses herself from the room. I knew that would probably be too much. We all had talked about what the name would be if it was a boy and what it would be if it was a girl. I guess it was just a surprise to finally hear Maria say it out loud.

Just then Kyle and his dad show up. I get off the bed so they can reach her. They hug me first "How are you doing kiddo?" Jim says.

"I'm okay." I look at him and he knows what I'm asking silently. I had asked him a long time ago to help me search for Max. I knew that there had to have been something that had gone wrong but we never did find anything. I can’t help but hope that the next time I see Jim Valenti will be the one time he tells me that he knows where Max is.

He shakes his head no. Of course not. I sometimes wonder if he knows something and just isn’t telling me. He squeezes my arm and I smiled weakly at him. I can’t believe I just thought that. He moves on from me and walks further into the room. "How's that baby Maria?" I drift back to the past.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Max had called me like I told him to do. He was in the Paramount film vault and he was alone. He was looking at a reel of film so he could find the other shape shifter that would help him find his son. I was so nervous and I could hear his nervousness in the tone of his voice. Even though I supported him for his search for his son I never really thought that he would disappear by doing it. That was the last time I talked to him. The film vault must have had some kind of insulation because our phone call got disconnected. I didn't even want to think of any other possibility at the time.

I wasn't too worried. I knew that he would call back when he was done. He wouldn't want me to worry. At least that is what I thought. I was so happy he had found who he was looking for and he would be home soon. I had to keep myself busy so I went into the kitchen to make a care package for Max. I don’t know why I’m doing this he’ll be home before they even get there.

“Voila. M & M tabasco swirl cookies. I came up with the recipe all by myself.” I am beaming. I’m so happy.

“A care package? Max is so spoiled, man.” Maria’s doing her best friend thing. She’s keeping an eye out on me. Gotta love her.

“No, he is not.” I hit her with the potholder. I’m not going to worry; I’m not going to worry. If I keep on telling myself that there is nothing to worry about everything is going to be okay. I’m not going to worry.

“Liz, he hasn't been gone more than a week.” Thanks Maria for raining on my parade and basically telling me that I’m pathetic to love a man that won’t ever have the time to return it.

“Could you just let me finish? Because he's calling in less than an hour.” I’m smiling so she doesn’t know that there is anything wrong.

“What? Really?” She doesn’t believe it and I know that I don’t believe it but hey I’m not going to sulk anymore.

“Uh-huh.” I’m living in a fantasy world.

“Are you guys gonna talk, or are you just gonna breathe heavy into the phone? Are you gonna repeat each other's name back and forth and back and forth?” Hey, is she making fun of me. I can’t help it if her and Michael’s relationship isn’t like what Max and I have. She’s jealous.

“Stop it!” I grab her and kiss her remembering the time Michael did it trying to get her to shut up. That’s the only way to get her to do it. Shut up that is. “Ha ha!” I can’t believe I just did that. Don’t get me wrong it was nothing weird. Just two best friends kissing each other.

Isabel walks in just seconds later. Did she see us? I don’t think so. “Oh! Hey!”

“Hi. Um... I'm getting married to Jesse Ramirez.” She quickly says with her day planner open in her hands.

“What?!” Maria and I say at the same time. That is so not like her. To throw that out like that.

“Yeah, and you know weddings are full of all kinds of stupid traditions, like the garter toss and that--that chicken dance and, well...bridesmaids, and since you guys are the closest thing I have to girlfriends, I was wondering if you would be mine?” I can see that she is nervous. I don’t even want to tell you what’s going on in my mind. So I’m not. I look at Maria to see if she’s going to voice our opinion on the subject.

“Okay.” Okay? No, she can’t say okay. What about Alex? It’s too soon. She can’t be over Alex.

“Yeah, sure.” Wait. Did I just say that? How could I say that? Am I betraying Alex? I don’t want to betray him. But it’s Isabel. Max’s sister. My boyfriend’s sister. I can’t tell her no. She looks so happy. How come I’ve never heard of this Jesse guy? I wonder what Max thinks? Has she told him?

“Great! Good. Okay. That's done. Okay.” She makes a check in her planner and then looks back up at us. She looks between us and notices the cookies. “Is that for Max?” Both Maria and I turn to look to make sure that that was what she was looking at.

“Uh-huh. Yeah. Sure is.” I think my face is permanently frozen with this fake smile on it. Great.

“He's so spoiled.” You know I think everyone thinks he’s spoiled but him. Um… excuse me. Could you tell him that? “You know what? He doesn't know about the engagement yet, so let's just... keep it that way.” She quickly adds, “And, Maria, I'm gonna need you to tell Michael for me.” She glances back down at her planner and then back up at us. “Okay. See ya.” And she’s gone.

“Did that just happen? Maria asks me. I still have that goofy, I’m happy, grin on my face. I look to her…

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Liz?" I wake up from my daydream.

"I'm sorry what?"

"Quit living in the past." Kyle says to me. I sigh. Kyle, who would have thought that we would become such good friends? But he’s been there for us since that day Max saved him. That day was a changing point for his dad too. Without him and his dad I don't think any of us would have been able to continue.

I gave him a small smile and excused myself. I leave the room and walk the halls. I had done my residency after college here so I knew where things were. "Dr. Parker?"

I look up from my walk, torn from my memories, to see the desk clerk that was there when I first started working at the hospital. It seems like a lifetime ago.

"Carrie. How are you?" Carrie was a medium height blonde, slender and had the bedside manner of an angel. She just couldn't stand the sight of blood.

"I'm fine. How about you?"

"My best friend just had a baby boy. Everything is great." I force a smile.

"Did you ever marry that hunk of a guy that always hung around here after you?"

"No, not yet."

"Girl. If you don't get him soon you're going to end up losing him." I never thought that I would lose him it was more that I would find someone.

"I know, I know." I keep on walking not wanting to get any further into that conversation. I take the private elevator and punch in the code. I hoped that they hadn't changed it. The elevator closed and I began to rise.

I only had a couple more hours before the sun would be here. It's not that I was a night person it's more that when the sun is up I tend to live in the real world, the world that I really don't want to be a part of. Why couldn't I let him go? Everything that happened in my life reminded me of him. I even took a major career change because of him.

I decided to be a physician instead of a molecular biologist because the group lost there one and only healer. They lost Max. I decided it would be best for us to have someone that would know what to do in an emergency. So far, so good. It turns out that Michael and Maria's baby has everything that a human would have. No alien DNA shows up. It's amazing what technology can do when you know what you are doing.

My only spot of salvation, of retreat, while I worked at the hospital was up here on this roof. When things got too hectic, when I needed a break from the chaos of the day and I only had two hours break before starting my next shift I would come up here and look at the stars. It had become my second haven, a replacement for my balcony. I look up at the stars, at the constellation that hasn't changed and hasn't moved one bit. "They did it Max." I say to the heavens. "Michael and Maria. You should see them now. They are so happy and the baby, he's going to be okay. Everything is going to be okay.” I continue to gaze up at the stars, thinking that it’s hard to believe that there is life out there.

As if the stars were talking to me a shooting star falls across the sky. I hadn't heard of a meteor shower occurring this morning so I brushed that idea away. It's just a fluke.

I sit down in the hammock that one of the doctors had hung out here and as I lay down to relax my phone rings.

"Hello."

"Hi. How's it going?" He's worried about me I can tell in the sound of his voice.

"They had a baby boy. Everything is okay. He's perfect."

"That's not what I was calling about. How are you doing?"

"I'm fine." I say.

"No you're not."

"I am too?" He doesn't know me that well. "Where are you?" I ask.

"Well, someone has to work today. I have a major take over that I have to tend to. If all goes well I'll be able to spend the weekend with you."

"Oh, you didn't even tell me good bye." I fake pouting over the phone line to him.

"That's why I'm calling you. Can you do me a favor?"

"Anything." I smile because he has this hint of mischief in his voice.

"Get off the damn roof and let go of the past." He says sternly. I sit up and began to stutter. He had never taken that tone with me before. He's always been understanding. That was him. Mr. Understandable. Mr. Dependable... Whatever I wanted he gave me. He loved me. Why was he talking like this?

"I'm not on the roof." He can't prove I am.

"Liz. Don't try and lie to me. I've known you since high school. We went to the same college, not that we went together but I was there for you when you needed me. We've been living together for the last three years. Please. Don't." He didn't wait for me to say anything. "I was going to ask you to marry me this weekend. I guess I'm not everything Max Evans was. I can't compete with a dead man Liz. He's legally dead. He's been missing for ten years and yet he still holds the key to your heart. I can't compete." He trailed off and then began again. "I'll be up at the cabin waiting for you. If you don't show up this weekend I'll send someone to pick up my things. I never wanted to do this to you. I’ve tried my best to be patient but I can't do this anymore. I can't live in the past with you. I love you. I really do." He hung up. He didn't give me a chance to answer. Did I really want to answer? I didn't really know.

I lay back down on the hammock and began crying. It was a good thing that I had the roof to myself.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Happy Mother's Day to all the fabulous women out there!


[ edited 17time(s), last at 14-Sep-2002 12:52:21 AM ]
posted on 12-May-2002 9:58:02 PM by Bordersinsanity
quote:
*Hope* -- Hey I don't know why no one had replied yet but this is amazing!! Keep going I’m hooked. Is Max really dead??? It's a little confusing but good. Please post more soon!
Thanks for the wonderful feedback. First Max isn’t dead. Instead of the ship failing it worked and he left. I’m sorry for the confusion, I hope I will straighten out everything by the time this is done.

quote:
b4echstarrynite -- May I saw awwww. Max left? *puts on pout face* whyyyyy...I like it but I wanna know more about what happened. Was that Kyle on the phone? I think it was. poor Liz I think its time for max to come back. are you going to do a pov later on? I wanna know what happens. great start. can't wait for more. post soon. pretty plzz with Max on top.
Yes, Max has left the planet. The ship at the air base worked instead of failing like on the show. No, that wasn’t Kyle on the phone that was Liz’s boyfriend. Even though Kyle has been a great friend they have never gone any further than friendship. This fic will be mainly Liz POV’d. The only time it won’t be is when I need to give more detail so you guys won’t be lost. I pretty much have the story completed I just have to do some finishing touches so look for a new part tomorrow.

Thanks to the both of you for leaving feedback so soon!

posted on 13-May-2002 10:55:34 PM by Bordersinsanity
Title: Too Bad It’s beyond Control – Part 2
Author: Borders InSaNiTy
E-mail: BordersInsanity⊕yahoo.com
AIM: Borders285South
Disclaimer: I don't own any just wish I did!
Rating: Pg-13 (language)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Part 2

“I always thought when we graduated I would give you my ring.” Max turns the pendant over and over in his hands as he looks up at the flashing UFO. I’m looking at him wondering where this is going. There’s nothing else that he needs to tell me. He slept with Tess and now they have to leave. I can’t look at him anymore so I look up where he’s looking. “It looks like I won't graduate, so this is something from where I'll be.” He holds out the pendant making sure that there is room enough for me to grab it without touching him. I take it as he gives it to me.

I start to shake my head no. “I can't believe that this is what I have of you. I can't believe that after everything...” I just can’t believe that after everything that I did to ensure that the end of the world wouldn’t happen after everything that I went through I’m the reason that Tess has to leave. It makes it even harder to swallow. I look out so he doesn’t see the tears that are beginning to well up in my eyes. I look out so I don’t have to look at his sad expression. I look out so I don’t have to look at the hurt in his face. He doesn’t want to go, I can tell. I don’t want him to go but he’s Max and he will. He will.

“Liz…” He looks at me and I’m forced to look at him. “You never slept with Kyle, did you?” I don’t think my voice will work so I shake my head no, slowly as I suck in my bottom lip. I know this knowledge will make him ask more questions and I hope that he can tell by the look in my eyes that I don’t want him to even ask. No more lies not now when we have so little time.

“I wish…” he begins and stops. “ I wish this all could have been different. I wish that so much.” I look at him and as I do, one lone tear races down the side of my face. My heart breaks. Once again Max Evans has broken my heart. He brushes it away with his thumb and just by the contact between us he grabs me and pulls me into a harsh kiss. A kiss that says goodbye. This will be the last time that I kiss Max Evans. Everything that I did was for nothing. Nothing!

Our kiss breaks and we stay close to each other. I liked to say that there were flashes but there weren’t. I couldn’t let myself feel when I kissed him. I couldn’t allow him to know the truth. I didn’t want him to hate me anymore than what he already did for lying to him about Kyle and me. I pull away. Rolling my lips to taste him one more time. “I guess that this is our goodbye. Just tell me one thing do you love her?” I know I’m asking to be kicked while I’m already down but if I can’t have Max then I want to know. I want to know.

“Not like I love you.” What kind of answer is that? Not like you? So he has feelings for her. I just want to curl up and die. I crawl out of the jeep and walk to the double doors of the restaurant and before I go in I slowly turn and take the one last glimpse of the man I will always love. The man that holds my heart in the palm of his hand and the man that continually shreds it to pieces. He smiles at me to give me courage to walk away. I wonder why he just doesn’t drive away, why he’s just sitting there. Will it make it easier on him knowing that I was the one that left before he did? I guess I will never know.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I must have fallen asleep because I woke up to the sound of my name being called and the morning sun in my eyes. I am thankful that I did because I didn’t want to remember what happened next. We figured out that Tess was the one that was the killer and we went to the granolith chamber to stop them from leaving and they stayed. All of them but Tess, Max still let her go for his son’s sake. I sat up in the hammock and rubbed my eyes. "Dr. Parker?” The voice called again. “They're paging you down to the maternity ward." It was a candy striper that I had never seen before. Connie must have sent her; she must have remembered where she could find me.

"Thank you." I get up and head for the phone on the wall. "Dr. Parker." I say when the line goes active. I hear the few clicks as the operator transfers my call to the appropriate phone.

I bet it's Maria and she is worried about me so she had the nurse page me I think to myself as I wait for someone on duty to take my call. "Dr. Parker, Mrs. Guerin is requesting that we find you. Can I pass on a message to her as to when you will be available?" What can I say? Being best friends has its advantages.

"Tell Maria that I will be there in just a few minutes." I just needed a few moments to gather myself up. After Craig’s ultimatum and the hellish nightmare of the past revisited I can’t walk into a room of cheery people and I can’t face my best friend because she will know that something is up.

"I will do that. Oh, Dr. Parker?" I wondered what else Connie could want. It wasn’t like her to want to keep a doctor on the phone.

"Yes."

"It's nice to have you in the hospital again." That was sweet. Leave it to Connie to know just the right thing to say.

"Thanks Connie." I hung up the phone and then turned to take one more look at the rising sun on the horizon. Just as I started for the door I got dizzy spell and I had to brace myself against the wall and close my eyes, to wait for it to pass. Oh God, please don't let me be pregnant. I say to myself. I don’t know whether it was the dream that made that thought pop into my mind or what. But that instantaneous thought made me realize that Craig was right. I had been holding out for Max's return.

Just as I went to open my eyes I got this feeling of urgency. I needed to be someplace soon... I needed to find her. She could help. I had no idea where these thoughts came from but I had to find out. I practically ran to Maria's room to see if everything was okay. "Are you okay?" I asked her as I stand in the doorway.

Everyone in the room just looked at me strange. "Liz, are you okay?" Isabel was standing now and was on her way over to me.

I back up I don’t want her to get a flash from me when I’m not in control. "Yeah, I'm fine.” I begin while I think of an excuse to leave the hospital without alarming any of them. “I need to go. Craig is upset with me.” I feel my face flushing with heat. I’m not able to keep my thoughts straight as I stand there. “I need to go make it up to him. Call me on my cell if anything comes up. I really got to go." I went around the room and kissed and hugged everyone good-bye making sure to block any thoughts as I do it. I don’t want anyone to find out the real reason why I’m leaving. At least not until I know for sure where these feelings are coming from.

Maria held on just a little bit longer than the rest of them. "Are you sure you're okay? She asked, staring me straight in the eyes. “You're awfully pale. Like you've seen a ghost." If she only knew what was really going on.

"I'm okay, Maria. It's just Craig's call that has me upset. That's all." I try to reassure her with a small smile as I rush to leave the room not even looking back.

The fear and the urgency were still with me. It was getting stronger the further away I got from the hospital. This was so strange. What was going on?

The only other female that I could think of that might be in danger would be my mom. I had tried calling her on the cell phone but it just wasn't working, all circuits were busy. Las Cruces was a couple of hours away from Roswell and as I settled into my seat for the long drive ahead, the feeling that was growing inside had me in near hysterics.

I went down the old highway hoping that I would be able to drive a little bit faster. Less traffic meant that there was no need for the highway patrol to be on it. With the accelerator down, my Jeep Cherokee was going nearly eighty-miles per hour and it still felt like I wasn't getting anywhere fast enough.

Slowing down for an intersection, something outside my driver's window caught my eye. 'Hurry' came to mind when I looked in that direction. This was weird. Was this happening because Craig gave me the ultimatum? Was I once again searching for someone that wouldn't be there?

Was this my subconscious mind’s attempt to tell myself that Craig and I were never meant to be together? I shook my head to get the crazy thoughts out of my mind. If push came to shove I knew that I would probably end up marrying him. Max had been gone for nearly ten years. I have to accept that he won’t be coming back. And if he does? He would have to accept that there would be no possible chance for us to get together.

That was wishful thinking. Somewhere deep down inside I still believed that Max Evans would come back and would want to be with me. I'm such a fool. The bridge between Max and I was burned along time ago. It was burned when he went to L.A. and never returned. It was probably burned way back that one horrible October night when I stage my betrayal on the night of Gomez. I couldn’t really blame him but could I really blame myself for everything that happened? I don’t know. I lost count that was a long time ago.

'Help me, please.' came the voice in my head. 'You have to help me save him. He told me to find you, that you would be able the only one that could help him.'

I didn't know how this voice was calling to me, and had no idea who it could be but I found myself trying to comfort it. 'It's okay. I'm on my way. Who are you?' I got no answer. 'Where are you?'

'This way.' Again something caught my eye out of my driver's door so I turned my truck in that direction.

I was driving slow trying to see what was making me believe that something was out here. I kept on looking for some kind of clue to what was drawing me out in the middle of nowhere. 'How much further do I have to go?' I asked the voice.

'You're getting closer. Please hurry. I don't know how much longer before they realize where we are. I can't keep them from seeing us for too much longer.' Right then the voice sounded so small to me. So unsure of its self.

'Tell me where you are?' I asked the voice inside my head.

'He says to tell you to go to the Granolith chamber.' I’m about to have a heart attack. They know about the Granolith Chamber.

"Oh my God. Max is that you?" I was talking out loud now. It had to be Max. Everyone else that knew about the Granolith chamber was in Las Cruces Hospital with Maria and Michael. There was no other but Max but it didn’t feel like Max. Oh God, could he have changed so much? So much that I didn’t recognize me. No, it must be someone who came with Max.

'Hurry.' Now that I knew where I was going I pushed the accelerator down as far as I dare possible. The Jeep bounced along the dirt road throwing me from side to side in my seat as things were going through my mind. 'Is Max hurt?' I got no answer. Every time I tried to get some answers there was no one there to answer them.

Just as I bounded over a hill my cell phone rang scaring the shit out of me. "Parker." I fumbled the phone to my ear as I let the Jeep slow down. I would definitely kill myself with everything that is going on with me. I had to focus or else I will be in the ditch somewhere helping no one.

"Liz, honey. Are you okay? I saw your number on the caller ID is there anything wrong?" My Mom always the alarmist answered with concern in her voice.

"Yeah, Mom. I'm okay. I just had this weird feeling that I needed to get a hold of you. How about you? Is everything okay with you and Dad?"

"Yeah, we're fine, but the whole town is going crazy. Everyone is talking about another spaceship crashing early this morning. It’s unbelievable how gossip travels these days. Your dad is blowing up all those blow-up dolls that Amy sold him when she first started her business. Remember those green things with the huge black eyes. He’s hoping that they’ll say that it’s unexplained so business will start to boom."

"When did that happen? What's going on out there? I thought it was a shooting star. I saw it this morning.”

“What on earth were you doing up at the crack of dawn?” Okay that’s my mother getting off the subject.

“Is the air force on it already?" My grip on my phone tightens. I have to know. The voice said that he wouldn’t be able to keep them from finding them too much longer. I have to know. I have to know!

"Relax sweetheart. When did you get so interested in UFO's sweetie?" My Mom asks questioningly. Could she tell by the sound of my voice? Breathe in, Parker. Breathe out. One more time.

"I just thought if the air force were in town that Amy will have a tough time getting into Las Cruces to see her new grandson." Will she take it? I hope so.

"Las Cruces? Oh, my! Liz Parker how dare you keep me on the phone this long and not tell me.”

"Sorry mom."

"What did she have?" Was she not listening to me? I can’t complain too much at least she took the bait.

"She had a boy." I tell her again.

"What did she name him and who does he look like?"

"His name is Alex Maxwell Guerin. He weighs a whopping ten pounds eight and half ounces and is twenty-two inches long. He's got green eyes right now and dark unruly hair. So I would have to say that he's going to look like both of them."

"Wow that's a big boy and she delivered it naturally? I tell you I never thought that Maria would be the first one of you girls to have a baby and then to have one that big... All I have to say is that I'm glad that you were little."

"Anyway mom. What's happening in town? Is the air force there yet?"

"Yeah, they've been in here since seven this morning. They haven't found anything yet though and by the talks of it in the restaurant they don't expect to find anything either." Typical. Like they didn’t find anything in ’47. There’s something out there and I need to get to it soon.

I let out the breath that I had been holding. I was almost to the Granolith chamber and needed to let my mom go. "Well mom I got to go. Maria is needing me." I hated lying to her, but old habits came rushing back. I wasn’t even for sure Max was back on the planet and I was already lying to everyone around me.

"Okay, honey. Thanks for calling and kiss that baby for me."

"I will Mom. Keep me posted."

"I will." There was a hint of wonderment in my mother's voice. I'm sure she's wondering why I would be interested in what the government was saying about something but the entire town was saying was a crashed UFO. Oh, well now is not the time to worry about it.

Just as I turned onto another dirt road that would lead me to the Granolith chamber I spot an roadblock that was in front of me. I hit the steering wheel with great force while yelling "NO! NO! NO!" It was too late to turn around so I acted as if nothing was wrong and pulled up to the roadblock.

I was the only vehicle for miles around it seemed so I drove right up to the men that were manning the station. As I pulled to a stop one of the soldiers walked to my window and asked, "Miss, Can you roll your window down please?"

I began to roll my window down as was requested. "License and registration." The man in camouflage gear asked.

"What's going on?" I asked as if I didn't know. I opened the glove department and acted like I was searching for my registration. I needed to stall. I needed to be doing a lot of things besides being stopped here.

"Nothing. I need you to state your business. Why are you out here this morning?"

My head began searching for the many answers that I could give him. Not being able to come up with a good reason for being alone, in the middle of nowhere at the crack of dawn, with no sleep, I decided to give him my license and registration and a flirting smile. I’m hoping that would take his mind off the fact that I didn't answer his question.

"Here you go. Officer?" Flash the teeth and blink the eyes. Forget the fact that I’m dressed in sweats and haven’t brushed my teeth yet this morning. It’s never going to work. Why me?

"Dr. Elizabeth Parker? Is that correct?"

"Isn't that what it says?" They definitely didn't have to be rocket scientists to work for the government.

"What is your business out this way this morning?" Does the government teach these guys what to ask? I can see it now. The list of questions to ask at a roadblock 101…

"I'm going home to Roswell and this is the way I always come. My father used to take me camping out here, so I like to stop here to remember old times. We're not that close anymore and every time I go home I come here. That's all. Nothing major?" I few tears began welling up because I knew that my relationship with my dad had never been the same after Max had left. I had blamed him for everything that had happened between Max and myself for a really long time. It hurt still knowing that even though I knew that Max was somewhere searching for his son, at least that’s what I hoped he was doing, that I found it so easy to take it out on my dad.

Shaking the old memories away I decided to ask the officer, "What's going on?” Again. “Does this have to do with that shooting star that I saw this morning?"

"I'm sorry Miss that's classified."

"How can a shooting star be classified? Everybody in the state of New Mexico could see it." Watch it Liz... You're walking on thin ice.

"I need you to turn around and continue on a different route to Roswell. This one is closed."

“What? Why is this road closed? This is public land.” I start to argue as the panic welled up inside of me but a calming force made it dissipate. 'I will get you here. Turn around as if nothing is wrong.' That touch was so much like Max. Was it my imagination running wild with the fantasy of Max coming back to me and calling me?

The voice sounded so sure of itself. I did as it told me and took a deep breath as I held my hand out for the man in camouflage gear to give me back my license and registration. I noticed that he was waving a device over both pieces of information and that it was transmitting it to a workstation. 'Crap.' I said to myself. They've got me on record now. Now my name is going to be searched to see if it matches up with any other time the government was involved. 'Why didn't I just turn around when I first noticed the road block?' "Stupid."

"Excuse me?" Oh great the army man thinks that I just called him stupid.

"Nothing. I was talking to myself." I smiled at him and nervously push a piece of hair behind my ear and waited for him to get done with my information.

"Here you go, Dr. Parker. Please turn the vehicle around and continue on a different route to Roswell."

"Thanks." I backed up the Jeep and turned around when I was able to. As the roadblock got smaller and smaller my mind kept on racing through other routes that I could use to get to the Granolith chamber.

Just as the roadblock disappeared from site the voice in my head told me to turn back around. "I can't turn around they'll definitely throw me in jail for interfering in a government search."

'They won't see you this time. Trust me.'

'I would like to trust you but I don't know you.' It was true. My trust took a lot longer to get since Tess left Roswell after killing my best friend. There were only five people that had my trust. Michael, Maria, Isabel, Kyle and Jim Valenti. That was it. No more, no less.

'I need you here to help me.’ Taking a deep breath, I turned the Jeep around headed back towards the roadblock.

The worst thing that would happen to me would be that I would end up in the army jail. I would then have to call the only lawyer that I knew. Lucky for me I was sleeping with him and I think that he would do his best to get me out of this. 'Okay. Do your magic.'

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We’re walking down the dark street just me and him. It’s nice with it being just the two of us. It doesn’t happen very often and I’m enjoying. So I tell him. “I want to move out.”

“And then what?” I figured he would jump on the chance to get away from my parents. Ever since the fiasco in Utah I can’t go anywhere without giving them a full description on where I will be and who I will be with.

“Move in together? Don't you want to?” Please say yes. Right now there is nothing that I want to do more than spend the rest of my life living with him. Can’t he see that?

“I want to for the right reasons.” He says it as if it was no big deal as if he hasn’t ever thought about it. I have to swallow my heart once again.

“How 'bout being together? You know, we could just leave tonight and find some place.” I’m willing to go anywhere as long as we can be together. Anywhere away from my over-bearing parents.

“The cost's just too high.” The cost is too high. The cost is too high if I stay under my parent’s thumb. Can’t he see that? If my dad has his way I would be locked up in the castle tower with no way out.

I offer a solution to the high costs. “We'll get jobs.” I’ve worked at the restaurant since I was fifteen. I’m not afraid of a little hard labor.

“Your family, Liz. It would destroy your mom and dad.” They don’t care about me. All they care about is punishing me.

“They're destroying us.” I voice my opinion on what I think about my family.

“Liz…” We look at each other. I can see it now, everything that I was missing when I wasn’t looking into his eyes.

“They are, Max. Well, my father is, anyway. How am I supposed to help you find your child if I can't even be with you?” I know he’s going to win. He’s not going to let me make a childish decision without thinking of the consequences. I wish just once he would just go out on a limb so we can be together. Fight for me for us. Just once.

“You are with me... All the time.” He loops his arms around me and I know he’s won. “All the time.” He pulls me into an embrace and I wrap my arms around his neck.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I return to reality as I headed over the last hill and the roadblock grew closer and closer. 'Go around it. They won't see you.'

I did as the voice said. I thought to myself that this alien was very powerful because he was able to control the minds of people he didn't even know and he was also capable of reaching me in another town. A chill went down my spine. 'What if it was Khivar and this was a trap to get me here?'

'I'm not Khivar and that's the reason why we had to come back. We had to warn you that Khivar is closer than you think in finding the rest of the royal four.'

I kept on driving and the panic inside of me quieted more and more the closer I got to the chamber. 'Is he doing okay?'

'Yes, he believes in you and he is resting until your arrival.'

'How bad is he? What do I need to expect when I get there?'

'The crash has damaged his exterior shell it needs major healing. Will you be able to heal him?'

'I'm not like him. I'm not a healer like him but I do know some things about his metabolism that I can manipulate to help him heal himself.'

'You're not one of us?’
Even through the mental connection, the shock was evident.

He didn't know who I was and it confused him. 'No. I'm not one of you. I'm a human.'

The connection disappeared instantly. The first thing that I thought of was my camouflage. What if when he broke the connection he dropped the mind warp as well? 'I am totally screwed.’' I was only a few yards away from the chamber now. I put the Jeep in park and grabbed my doctor's kit that I kept in the car for emergencies. I ran up to the entrance of the chamber and began beating on the rock to the entrance. 'You have to let me in if you want me to help him.'

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Kyle, Maria and I are piled into Maria’s little red Jetta. “There's the mile marker. Kyle, how much further?” I ask as I point to the marker from the back seat.

“It's just up ahead.” We just discovered that Tess killed Alex and that she has been mind warping Kyle as well. He stops the car and we all jump out and begin to run up the hill to the Granolith Chamber.

“Wait it's right here. Hey guys open up.” I tell the others. I don’t want anything to happen to them. They’re all I have left. They don’t listen and we are all banging our fists on the rock wall and yelling, “Open up!!”


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It opened.




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Well, there's the next installment. Hope you guys are still interested. Look for the next part on Wednesday.

posted on 15-May-2002 10:52:56 AM by Bordersinsanity
Title: Too Bad It’s beyond Control
Author: Borders InSaNiTy
E-mail: BordersInsanity⊕yahoo.com
AIM: Borders285South
Disclaimer: I don't own any just wish I did!
Author’s Note: A lot of you are wondering how this can be a M/L fic when you are hating Max right now and Liz is so unLiz like. Anyway I can assure you that there will be a M/L ending and that all the stuff in the middle will be worked out. Have faith and keep on reading. Oh, and leave feedback whether it’s good or bad. Thanks.

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Part 3

"Talk to me. I've got to know what is going on. I've been wasting my time on this puny planet in hopes of getting the rest of the royal four that are here; and you tell me now that Zan has escaped? And with his son no less! Incompetents! How is it possible for one hybrid to escape my entire army? One man." Craig was pacing from the window to the big mahogany desk while talking to the intercom that sat on one side of it.

“We’re trying to find out who was responsible. He must have had help on the inside. We’re doing mind scans of everybody that came into contact with Zan over the last month.”

“Obviously, whoever was responsible already found a way to get by the mind scans.” Craig snapped. “No, trying to find the culprit that way is no good. I want them all killed. Everyone that came into contact with Zan or his heir over the last three months I want dead. Do you have that? Dead!”

“But, … you… You’ll be killing loyal troops also. You can’t do that. That could be as many as fifty men.” Came the whining reply.

“I don’t care. They were all incompetent! They’re all to blame.” Craig kept talking in a harsh tone. “It will send a message to the rest of the army that we don’t tolerate failure.” Getting no response from the phone, Craig continued, “Maybe it will light a fire under the troops here in New Mexico to find Zan and his heir.”

"Don't worry sir. We will recover Zan and his heir. They can't get very far. The damage to the ship was great. The condition of the passengers couldn't be much better."

"I don't want assumptions from you. I need answers and I want them now. I want every man that we have here in New Mexico to be on the search for Zan and his heir." Craig stopped his pacing and was looking out the window and the barren landscape that stretched for miles.

“Yes sir.” The intercom clicked as the person on the other end broke the connection.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"What do you think is wrong with Liz?" Michael asked.

"It's probably Craig, like she said. She can't expect him to hang around forever without any kind of commitment from her." Isabel commented as she stood up and started looking out the window.

"Do you think they should get married?" Maria asked as she sat feeding baby Alex. "I don't know if that would be such a good idea." She continued shaking her head.

"Why? Craig and her could be happy." Michael interjected.

"Could be? Are you listening to yourself? Could be? What about just plain being happy... No could be, how about a definite would be." Baby Alex had started to fuss so Maria quit her ranting.

"We are talking about our best friend. She's family and we are saying she should get married because she could be happy. Maria's right. I'm not sure if Liz and Craig could ever be truly happy. There’s just something about Craig that’s causing Liz to hold back. I think we just have to be there for her when she finally makes up her mind." Isabel had turned her attention back to the room full of friends.

"There's only one way to get this straightened out." Michael went to the phone and began to dial a number that he knew by heart.

"Hello." The voice that answered the phone was harsh.

Michael waited a beat and then began, "Craig, its Michael."

"Sorry, Michael. I wasn't expecting you to be the one calling. What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing." He paused for just a moment and then continued. "Well actually it's about Liz."

"What's wrong? Is she alright?" Craig’s voice was full of concern.

"Well, that's what I was hoping you could answer for me. She left here in a toot about an hour ago, saying that she needed to mend some things with you. I know it's none of my business..."

Craig cut Michael off, "You're right Michael. My relationship with Liz is none of your concern. It's between the two of us."

"Whoa, wait a minute. I've known Liz a lot longer than you have and I think I have more right to be concerned for Liz's personal life than you do." Michael's anger was growing. Maria could actually see the steam rolling off his head because he was so hot.

"You're not family, Michael, and you're not married to her so therefore I don't think that you have any say in what Liz does. That's her problem. She's too worried what everyone will think if she moves on and leaves Max Evans behind. Everyone in that room can't let the man alone so what makes you think that she can let him alone? Is Liz there? I want to talk to her.”

“No she’s not here, even if she were I wouldn’t let you talk to her in this state. I may not be married to her, and ‘technically’ I’m not family, but Liz is one of my best friends and her happiness means a lot to me.” Michael slammed the phone down on its base and stormed out of the room with his hands going through his hair.

“What was that all about?” Maria asked Isabel who was turning away from the window and on her way out of the hospital room after Michael.

“I don’t know but I’m going to find out. It’s not like him to do this.” She said as she got to the door.

“It’s just like Michael… He didn’t trust Jesse. Don’t you remember what he did to try and find out if he was human or not?” Maria reminded Isabel. In turn, Isabel gave a light chuckle as she revisited the memory. Michael pin pricking Jesse so that he could get a blood sample. Seeing the smile on Isabel’s face she continued “Let him be Isabel. He’ll come around we just have to be patient. Liz will do what is right. She’s never done anything that would jeopardize her or you guys. I know it’s going to be tough but I think everything will work out in the end.”

Isabel looked at Maria and wondered if giving birth made her more all seeing or if she had always been that way and it was always overlooked. Isabel walked away from the door and sat down. She couldn’t relax so she stood up again and began pacing. “I’m going to call her and warn her what Michael did. I can see her going into Craig’s office and him being mad for something Michael did and she not knowing anything about it.” Isabel picked up the phone and dialed Liz’s cell phone. It rang and rang and then went into voicemail.

“Hi, you’ve reached the voicemail service of Dr. Elizabeth Parker I’m unable to come to the phone now if you could leave your name, number and a brief message I will return your call as soon as possible. Thanks a lot and have a great day.” Isabel hated the message and every time she got it she wished that she would remember to ask Liz if there was a way of bypassing it in the future.

“Liz. It’s Isabel. I need you to call me as soon as possible. Michael’s done it now and I just need to warn you before you see Craig. Oh, I hope you’re not already talking to him, if you are I guess you don’t need to call me back. Anyway… just call me when you get this message. I’ll be with Maria until about four this afternoon then I’ll be home cooking dinner for Jesse. Call me…” She was ready to hang up when she blurted out the last few words. “I love you and whatever you decide I will stand behind you. If you need anyone to talk to I’ll wait up for you. Good luck.” She hung up the phone and sat down in the chair with a humph.

“Voicemail?”

“Yeah, I hope she’s not talking to him already.” She switched the way her legs were crossed and then began to fidget with her hair. She had grown it back out to the length that it was when they were in High School.

Maria noticed that Isabel wasn’t comfortable with something and she decided to ask her what was wrong. “What is it Isabel?”

“Something’s not right. Something’s wrong.” Isabel replied to the question. She thought for a minute while twisting her hair before she continued, “I know that it’s not Michael or Jesse and I’m pretty sure that Liz is okay but there’s someone that is in pain. Some one that’s in trouble.”

“Could it be your mom or dad?”

“I don’t think so but would you mind if I called them to find out?”

Maria was already pushing the phone towards her friend of ten years before she said anything. “Go ahead, I don’t mind. I really need to get up. Being in this bed is killing me.” Maria rang for the nurse to come help her and with her help Maria had made a successful trip to the bathroom. A little encouragement from the nurse and she had made a trip around the nurses station.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Hello.”

“Hi mom it’s me.”

“Isabel honey… What’s wrong?”

“That’s what I was going to ask you. Are you and dad okay?”

“Were fine. I don’t recognize the phone number where are you?”

“Oh, I’m at the hospital with Michael and Maria. They had a baby boy.”

“How wonderful! What did they name it?”

“Alex Maxwell Guerin.”

“Oh, sweetie. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, mom. It’s great.”

“Are you sure? I know that’s what you wanted to call your first born boy.”

“It’s okay mom. Maria and Michael are like family and I would hate for the name not to be used. It really is perfect. You should see him. He’s perfect.”

“Are you going to stay in Las Cruces all weekend or will you be coming home?”

“I’m coming home today… I should be home this afternoon.”

“Well be careful sweetheart. Why don’t you and Jesse come by for supper? Your father and I would love to see you. It’s been so long.”

“Okay, mom. I’ll have to talk to Jesse but I’ll let you know when I find out.”

“Bye.”

“Bye mom. Call me if you need anything.” Isabel replied. The feeling that she had still hadn’t been relieved.

“I will.” Diane Evans hung up the phone and continued putting up the groceries that she had bought earlier that morning.

“Your mom okay?” Maria asked when her and the nurse slowly walked in.

“Umm” Isabel looked up. “Yeah, it’s not them.”

“What about Kyle and his dad?” Maria was beginning to run out of names. If it wasn’t the Valenti men then it only left one other person and she wasn’t about to bring him up. Not yet anyway.

“I can try Kyle’s cell but they just left. I don’t think that this feeling is coming from them. I had it while they were still here, I got it around the time Liz was leaving.”

“Try anyway. Where is Michael? Maybe he is having the same problem.” The two girls looked at each other realizing that no more words were necessary. They both knew who was in trouble but neither one of them wanted to believe it. It had been too long since anyone had had any contact with him.

“I’m going to go find Michael and you can call the Valenti’s.” Isabel squeezed Maria’s hand that she had grabbed when she came into the room and then left in search of one Michael Guerin, proud father and loving husband. She searched the cafeteria and the gift shop and was about to give up on the search when she found him in the nursery.

Evidently when Maria had gone for her walk with the nurse they had taken baby Alex into the nursery. Michael was now sitting in the room holding his son. Isabel didn’t need to enter the room for the minute she saw him he looked up at her. Concern on his face. He knew what was going on and it wasn’t going to be good. He kissed the top of his son’s head and placed him gently into the crib, took off his scrubs and met Isabel at the door. “What’s up?”

“Like you didn’t know?” She said sarcastically.

“It’s not Liz?” He began to worry.

“I don’t think so. I tried her cell phone but wasn’t able to get through to her. I think she has her phone turned off.” Isabel was biting her nails. Michael slapped at her hand. “Stop that. You’re getting me worried now.”

“What about Jesse?” Isabel shook her head no. “Your mom and dad?” Isabel once again shook her head no. “The Valenit’s?”

“I don’t think so but I haven’t called them yet. I just wanted to see if you had the same feeling. It’s going to be alright, right?” Michael wasn’t standing by the nursery door anymore. He was on his way towards Maria’s room. “Where are you going Michael?” Isabel was racing after him.

“I’m going to Craig’s.” He shouted over his shoulder.

“Why?” Isabel asked as she followed.

“I don’t know why but something is telling me to find Liz.” Michael rounded the corner and was quickly picking up his pace.

“Michael wait.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Have you found her yet?” Craig was pacing the distance between the window and the desk.

“No sir. She’s not at the hospital but I think something is up. Isabel was frantically searching for Michael. They just left the nursery and are heading towards his wife’s room.” The woman’s voice coming from the speakerphone was short and to the point.

“Don’t loose them. If they leave the hospital you leave the hospital. I will send someone else to watch the remaining people.” Craig clicked the intercom off and dialed a number on his phone.

“Hi, you’ve reached the voicemail service of Dr. Elizabeth Parker I’m unable to come to the phone now if you could leave your name, number and a brief message I will return your call as soon as possible. Thanks a lot and have a great day.” Craig hung up the phone and began pacing. Where are you Liz? What are you doing?

He pushed down on the intercom. “Anyone found Liz Parker yet?”

“Not yet sir.”

“Where is the last place the tracking system had her heading?”

“She was going towards Roswell.”

“Did she place any calls from her cell?”

“Yes sir. One to her mother.”

“What time?”

“Eight this morning.” The voice said over the intercom. He immediately clicked the intercom off and dialed another number from his memory.

“Hello.” He scrunched his face as the sound of her voice grated across every nerve ending in his body.

“Hi, Nancy. Have you heard from Liz today?” He said with a smile so his voice would sound pleasant.

“Oh hi, Craig. What do you think about the new baby?” That wasn’t what he wanted to talk about but he had to keep up the image of being a loving boyfriend and caring friend to his future in-laws.

“We were so happy they finally had it but I’m worried about Liz. She did call then?” He hated talking to her mother but he had found out a long time ago that that was important to Liz that her family liked him.

“Yeah, she called about eight this morning. What’s wrong?” Nancy’s concern began to build.

“Oh, nothing. I can’t get through to her on her cell phone and thought she might be on her way to your house.”

“Oh. I don’t think she’s coming to Roswell. She just called to let me know that Michael and Maria had their baby and then she asked if everything was okay. Everything’s okay right?”

“Well, that’s what I’m trying to find out.”

“Call me if you find her. You’ve got me worried now.”

“I’m sure there’s nothing wrong. I proposed to her this morning and I haven’t heard anything from her yet. I’m just getting anxious I guess.”

“Oh, Craig!” Nancy squealed into the phone. “I’m so happy. She’ll say yes, I know she will. Her father and I have been hoping that the two of you would settle down. After all you both have your careers laid out and once you get married everything will just fall into place.”

“I hope so Nancy. I’m tired of playing house; I want what’s between us to be real. I want us to have a family of our own not sharing in everyone else’s.”

“It will be. Hang in there honey. I can’t wait to go tell Jeff. This is exactly what we need. I never thought that there would be anyone else for Lizzie but you hung in there. Keep on hanging in there, we’ll be waiting to hear the good news.”

“I will. Thanks. Please call my office if you hear anything from her but don’t ask her about the engagement. I don’t want to put any pressure on her.”

“I won’t. Congratulations.” He could practically see the way the woman would be acting about the upcoming marriage. It’s too bad that they won’t be a part of it.

She hung up the phone before she could hear his reply; “I hope so.” Liz Parker is definitely the one. Craig hung up the phone with a smile on his face. That woman is so easy to manipulate. He leaned over the intercom and pushed it once more. “Is there any government activity in the Roswell area?”

“Yes sir.”

“Search their communications and when Liz’s name appears let me know. She’s up to something.”

“Yes sir.”

He turned once again in his big leather chair to face the big window and looked out. He thought back to when and how his original plan changed.

“Liz, what’s wrong?” I looked at her and she looked like hell.

“Nothing, Craig. I’m just really tired. I just want to take a shower and go to bed. The hospital was complete chaos.” She disappeared into the small bathroom of our apartment. She had made sure not to give me any details. She never did. I always expected her not to come back but every time she walked in, looking like hell, but she walked in.


Over the years I tried everything that I could get my hands on, to try and get rid of the thorn in my side but no matter what it was I had thrown at them it was still there. It was like the damn Energizer Bunny.

I hated how close they all were. I thought I had a brilliant plan created to end it all but all it did was bring them closer. I had Maria kidnapped while Liz was in college thinking that they would never find her. They did. They found her and rescued her. Liz was gone for a week and came back and packed her bags. “I’m going back home. I can’t make it out here all by myself.” She said to me. Yes, she looked like hell but she was determined. It was like she had made a promise to someone to look after everyone. She dropped everything for them and did they ever repay her? No.

“You have me.” I told her. “What am I?” She quit shoving clothes into the open suitcase and looked at me.

“Craig, that’s not what I mean. I need more. My family and friends mean a lot to me and I’m feeling isolated right now that I can’t even concentrate on my studies. I’m going back.” She continued shoving clothes into her suitcase.

I walked over to her. “I’m coming too.” She looked up at me and her gaze softened.

“No…” she shook her head as she said it. “I don’t want you to come, I mean…” She was searching for words. When she realized that she couldn’t find them without bringing me into it she gave up. “Why?” She looked at me when she asked her question. “Why me? Anyone else would have left already. The one that I thought would be forever left without a second glance but you… you are always there.”

I closed the distance between us and took her small hands into my larger ones. “I never thought that I would find the one that I’ve been searching for but I have, and if the one that I’ve found is leaving then I’m going too.” She took one of her hands out of mine and caressed my cheek.

“I don’t know why you put up with me, but thank you.” She got up and continued to her closet.

“Liz… Why don’t you let me do this? You’re tired from the long day. I swear you were in some kind of boot camp by the way you look when you came home if I didn’t know better.” She smiled a nervous smile at me and dropped everything that she had in her arms onto the bed.

“Thanks, Craig. I’m just going to go take a bath.” She disappeared into the bathroom like she always did. The water running longer than normal and I was sure that that was the day my feelings for Liz changed.

She was a fighter, a leader, and would be an asset to any man that would have her or better yet who she would have. If she knew who I was she would kill me in an instant. There was no doubt about that; I would be a dead man. She would do it herself, probably while I slept beside her. She wouldn’t wait for one of the men to do it. How do I know? I could tell by the look in her eye. It hardened a little bit more and more every year. Every year she grew stronger and stronger and the alien power that was lying dormant inside her began to blossom. She had so much potential if only I could teach her how to use it. We could be something wonderful.

As I sit here I know that I have no choice but to end it. The love of her life is back and once again she’s out and about keeping secrets from everyone. The only way I could get away with her is to make her see what a fool she has been all these years to be waiting for him. Make her see that he’s not worthy of her love like I am.

“Let the games begin.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Well here it is as promised, Part 3… Wow! What a twist, uh? I sure there’s questions and I can only hope that I have a few of you on your seat waiting PATIENTLY for the next part. Look for it on Friday. Yes, Friday I won’t keep you in suspense for too much longer. I can’t wait to see your feedback so please leave me some. Thanks so much!

posted on 17-May-2002 8:36:38 AM by Bordersinsanity
Title: Too Bad It’s beyond Control – Part 4
Author: Borders InSaNiTy
E-mail: BordersInsanity⊕yahoo.com
AIM: Borders285South
Disclaimer: I don't own any just wish I did!
Rating: Pg-13 (language)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Part 4

I hesitated just a moment before I entered the chamber, the chamber that had been the source of so much heartbreak in my life. The long forgotten memories of the bad times were quickly resurfacing. The first is the message from Max’s mom revealing his destiny. The second is Tess’ betrayal and immediate departure with Max’s unborn son. Here goes nothing. I entered with caution, but I’m curious more than anything on who was going to meet me inside.

The voice had told me that it wasn’t Khivar but I still had my suspicions. “Hello.” I called out. I was surprised that no one was here to meet me at the opening. I looked around and was instantly drawn to the pods that still remained after all this time. I was surprised that they hadn’t been destroyed when the Granolith took off. My hand hovered over the one that was Max’s. Please be okay. I thought to myself and placed my hand on it.

The sound of the entrance closing startled me and made me whip around. I expected someone to be there but there wasn’t. “Hello.” I called out again. Where is the voice that brought me here? Are you okay? I asked. Hoping to get a response, but I didn’t.

I began searching the chamber. They had to be here somewhere. “Hello.” It was worth a shot to try again. “Max. Are you here? It’s me Liz.” You have to show me where you are. I can tell that you are scared about meeting someone who is not like you but I can assure you that I won’t hurt you or him. Surely he has told you about me. He told you to contact me. Trying to reason with an unknown entity is a lot harder than I thought.

‘I’m not scared of you. I have his memories of you but there is danger coming and I can’t be disturbed right now. Please wait if you can.’

“Is Max still okay?”

‘Yes.’ I let out the breath that I had been holding and did a turn to take in my surroundings. The chamber hadn’t changed at all since the last time I was here. I am surprised that it’s in as good of condition as it is since the blast from the Granolith practically destroyed the mountain it was hidden in.

I walked around the room and came to a stop just beside the entrance. I felt the rock wall and it was cool and comforting. I braced my back against it and slid down to a sitting position. I didn’t know how long I would have to wait but I was going to wait as long as I needed to. I brought my knees up to my chest and crossed my arms over them and then rested my head in my arms. I was feeling really tired right about now. Adrenaline was the only thing that had kept me awake this long. I’ve been a doctor for almost four years and I’ve conditioned myself to sleep when it was convenient.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“You may kiss the bride.” I had scanned the rows and rows of friends and family, the face that I was searching for never showed up. It was hard to try and make it through the ceremony but now everyone looked to me for leadership.

The wedding was beautiful and I think Isabel was relieved that it was done. It wasn’t until a month later that she started to worry.

“Liz. Has he called you yet?” I shook my head no. “What are you going to do?” I remember thinking to myself, ‘what was I supposed to do?’ but that’s not what I said.

“I’m going to Jim to see if he can help us. Maybe he can do some kind of investigation or something.” She shook her head in agreement.

“Good. That’s good.” She let out the breath that she had been holding and then turned around and left. I don’t think she wanted to deal with it or maybe she didn’t want to continue to look into my sad eyes.

I knew it from the beginning. He had left. I was only going to Valenti to make sure that I was correct. We had to know for sure that Max did leave and that no one had grabbed him. We had to be sure. I had to be sure.

I walked from the Crashdown to the Valenti’s in less than fifteen minutes, the entire time scanning any and all passing vehicles. I knock on the door and wasn’t really surprised that he was there. It was two o’clock in the afternoon. He no longer had a job. “Liz. What a surprise. Come in.”

“Is it really?” I asked.

“What?” He wasn’t following me or at least that’s the impression that he wanted me to have.

“A surprise. Max has been missing for a month and everyone is looking to me to find out what’s happened to him. Now I’m coming to you. Is it really a surprise that I’m here?” I was serious and I think he knew it.

“No. Come in, please.” He held the door open while I stepped through. He didn’t say anything else but continued to lead me back into a room that looked like his office. There was a computer and chair to the left and a window that had the shade pulled down on the right. The amazing part of this room was the wall that you faced when you first walked into the room. It was covered with little notes here and there.

“What’s that?” I asked while pointing to the wall.

“This is everything that I know about Max. I figured it would be only a matter of time before someone came and asked me for my help. I just didn’t think it would take you guys this long. I started this when he didn’t show up for Isabel’s wedding. It’s probably a good thing that I did because it’s a little hard to follow his tracks when they are this cold.”

“Sorry.” I looked down. Why had I waited so long? Did I really want to answer that? Nope, not right now. “What do you have so far?” I inched closer to the wall and began to study it.

“Well I talked to his manager in LA who says that the last time he saw Max he was with Cal Langley, some famous director.” He stood studying the wall as if he was trying to think of where to go next. “He didn’t seem too worried that Max had dropped off the face of the earth. He said that Max and Langley were talking about a new film he just figured that they had locked themselves away while trying to get the script put together.”

He must have seen that I wasn’t falling for that excuse so he continued. “I went to Cal’s house. They weren’t there. The last time anyone had seen either of them it had been over a week ago. What does this Cal person have to do with anything?” He looked at me and I told him.

“Cal is the other shape shifter sent here. Max was going to him to see if he could help him find the ship.”

“There’s a ship?”

“Yeah, that’s the reason we were arrested in Utah. We traced the ship to a secret government storage facility under the QuikStop. We were so close, it was there. But then the cops showed up. When Max was able to make his way back it was gone. Moved. The trail was cold.”

“How did you know that there was another shape shifter?”

“That was easy. The dupes. There were two sets of pods. There had to be two sets of protectors. Ava had said that they hadn’t seen their protector, that they never had one. Michael had talked to a retired army man who knew that there were two sets of pods and that they were rescued by two glowing bodies. Everything pointed that there had to be another protector out there we just had to find him.”

“How did you do it?” He was curious and if he only knew how we came about finding the other shape shifter he would absolutely be amazed.

“Your father.”

“Dad? How could he help?”

“Well, Kyle and I were at the nursing home doing a journalism assignment. Finding the truth. You remember?” He shook his head. How could he not remember? Kyle and I walked around his house for a week with a video camera practically attached to our hip. “Well anyway we were visiting Grandpa Valenti and I noticed he was holding a book of “They’re Among Us”. And I asked him if he wanted me to read it. When I started to, he freaked out. I put two and two together and realized that he firmly believed that there had been an alien on the set when they were filming it here in Roswell. To make a long story short, there was. Cal Langley is the other shape shifter. Max found him and I believe that he’s gone to save his son.”

“Then why are you here? If you think he’s gone home.”

“I want to be sure. I want to be able to look at Michael and Isabel in the eye when I tell them what I know. I just want to be sure.” I looked down.

“Let me look some more and I’ll get back to you in a week.”

“Thanks.” I turn and walk out of the room and leave the Valenti house.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I woke up from my dream and slowly surveyed my surroundings. I felt really stiff and stretched my arms above my head and twisted my back trying to get the kinks out. I wanted to see what time it was and went to look at my wrist and noticed that I forgot to put my watch on with all of the commotion this morning. I dug in my purse in search of my phone. I had turned it off. Strange I thought. I never turn my phone off. I wonder if the battery is dead.

I push the on button and waited for the display to turn on. The display tells me its almost noon and I had two messages. Going through the menu I get to the option to see what calls I have missed. The hospital and Craig. Craig can wait. He’s probably calling to apologize. Let him suffer for a while.

I hit redial for my phone to call the hospital. “Las Cruces Hospital. How may I direct your call?”

“Maria Guerin’s room. Maternity. Room 226.” I say.

“Just one moment and I’ll connect you.” The phone was put on hold and then after a brief moment it began to ring.

“Hello.” It sounds like I woke her.

“Maria, its Liz. Is everything okay?”

“Oh thank God you called. We’ve been worried sick. Liz are you okay?” I hear her come completely awake. There was much concern in her voice and I was beginning to wonder what it was all about.

“Yeah, I’m okay. What’s going on?”

“Well Isabel’s got this feeling that someone is in trouble and you were the only one that we couldn’t contact. So Michael called Craig but Craig didn’t know where you were.”

“Wait. Craig knows that I’m not at the hospital? Great.”

“Liz? What’s going on? Why do you want Craig to think you’re here? Michael and Isabel are beginning to act weird.”

I ignore her questions and ask, “What did Michael say to Craig?”

“I don’t know. Something about him being concerned about how you were feeling when you left earlier and he wondered if Craig had seen you.”

“And” she wasn’t giving me much information. I felt like I was pulling teeth.

“Yeah, anyway. Michael said something about knowing you longer and that he had every right to be concerned about your personal life. I wouldn’t worry about it Liz it’s typical Michael. Craig and him were just having a little pissing contest that’s all. So where are you?”

“I can’t really say right now, but I’m okay. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“Liz I’m worried.” Now what.

“What’s wrong Maria?”

“Michael left to go to Craig’s. He said that something’s not right and…”

I cut her off. “Maria. You have to stop Michael from going to Craig’s.”

“Why.” Think Liz… What can I tell her that will sound good? I can’t get tied up dealing with my personal life right now. Max needs me.

“Umm, because I need to be able to think for awhile. He gave me an ultimatum and I don’t know if I’m ready to accept it or not, at least not right now. I probably would have if it happened yesterday but not now.”

“Liz you’re talking in tongues. I don’t know what you are talking about. You know you can tell me anything.”

“I know Maria, I trust you, and I don’t trust the phones. Just make sure that Michael doesn’t reach Craig’s before I get to talk to you all.””

“Liz, you’re talking like James Bond. What do you mean you can’t trust the phones? What’s happening? Give me a hint.”

“Is that Liz?” I hear in the background. “Let me talk to her.” I never heard anything from Maria but I could hear the struggle over the receiver. “Maria, I need to talk to her.” Isabel said insistently. “Liz. Are you okay?” I had never heard Isabel with this much concern for me.

“Yeah. I’m fine. I know I told Maria but I have to be sure that Michael doesn’t reach Craig before I can talk to you in person. Please Isabel, make sure he doesn’t involve Craig. Okay?” I had to make sure that they understood. Max was back and if anyone found out that shouldn’t we could be in a lot of trouble. We weren’t ready. There is no way that we can defend ourselves against our enemies. Especially not knowing what Max had done on Antar.

“Are you sure? I have this strange feeling that there is someone that is connected to us that is in trouble.”

“Not in trouble, just here. Don’t say anything else I will get back to you when I know it’s safe.” I punched the end button on the phone and prayed that it was going to be all right.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Sir, We have her. She just made contact at the hospital.”

“I want the full recording of the conversation within the next ten minutes. You hear me? Ten minutes.” Craig slammed the phone down and then leaned back in his leather chair and smiled Ah, Liz, you are so predictable. It’s just a matter of time until I have him.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Hello?” Michael picked up the cell phone that was in the passenger seat of the car.

“Michael, it’s me.” Isabel hadn’t wasted any time calling him. She knew whom Liz meant when she said that ‘just here’.

“Isabel, what’s wrong? Is Maria and the baby okay?”

“Yeah Michael they’re okay. I just found out why we have the feeling that we do. I just got off the phone with Liz. He’s back.”

There was complete silence on the phone that spread the space of about fifteen seconds. Isabel was just starting to think that the connection had been broken when she heard, “Are you sure?”

“She didn’t say that exactly but I know that’s what she meant. I know it. That’s what I’m feeling. It’s him Michael. It has to be. He‘s found a way back.” Michael could hear the happiness in her voice and he prayed that she was right. Everything was going to be okay. Max was back. But then he remembered that everything had been okay already and he got even angrier with his friend for leaving. They had survived without him after all this time. Why was everyone acting like this was the answer to everything? The only answer that they were going to get out of this was that they would know where the hell he had been for all this time.

Liz would finally know the truth. She would finally be able to relinquish all leadership of the alien fiasco to Max. She could finally move on with the personal side of her life. It wasn’t long after Max leaving that Michael had started to respect her. She stepped up to the plate without asking. She held them all together when Maria was missing. She had to keep this side of her life from everyone that she loved. Her mom and dad and especially Craig. They had voted at one time to bring him into the circle but Liz said no. She told us that this was her decision to make and that if she told him about it all she would never have the chance to have a normal life.

Michael had watched Liz for the last ten years while she had progressed with her professional life but had her personal life on hold. Yeah she had made some small steps, dating Craig, finally moving in with him, but she had never totally committed to anyone outside of the group. Over the years he had come to realize that her sense of honesty wouldn’t allow her to move on with Craig unless she could free herself from the alien abyss. But then her fierce loyalty to her friends, who looked to her for leadership, wouldn’t let her abandon them. In the end Liz was forced to walk a tight-rope, balancing the needs of her friends against her personal desires.

“That still doesn’t explain the feeling we’ve been getting. Someone is injured and in pain. They’re also scared. If it is him; he’s in danger and in pain.” Thinking for a moment, Michael continued, “What else did she say?” making it clear to Isabel that he wasn’t happy at all that Max just decided to come back after all this time.

“She doesn’t want you to meet with Craig. She doesn’t want him involved.”

“Well she should have thought about that before she started sleeping with him.” Michael blurted out but took a deep breath to calm his self. He wasn’t mad with Liz, he was angry with Max. “Now that Max is back; how is she going to explain to Craig that a man that nobody’s seen for ten years, who he helped have declared legally dead, is alive and kicking? She’ll want to be with him you know that don’t you Iz?” Michael had stood back from Liz’s life on more than one occasion to observe what she did in certain instances and he felt like he could anticipate what she was going to do in this one. Max Evans was the love of Liz Parker’s life. There was no way that she was going to let him get away from her like he did before.

“I can’t make that assumption. Liz’s heart is something that I have never understood. She took us all in when we needed her Michael, but she’s moved on with her life. I think it’s going to take a miracle for her to turn her back on Craig. He’s been there for her from the very beginning. He’s comforted her no questions asked. Liz’s loyalties are one of her best character traits that I can count on. It’s going to be hard to say. I just hope that Max will understand if she’s decided to move on without him.”

Maria hearing everything that Isabel said decided to step in. “She’s not leaving Max. I know that much. She just needs time to think of a way to break it to Craig.”

Isabel turned her head to Maria. “Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure. She said Craig gave her an ultimatum that she’s not ready to accept. She said she probably would have accepted if it happened yesterday but not now. She still loves him. She will be with him. I know… I place my first-born child on the line. That’s how sure I am.”

“Maria, you can’t do that without my permission. That’s our first born child.” Isabel started to giggle. Michael was already attached to his child but Maria was quite sure of what her friend was thinking.

“Michael says you can’t place Alex up for a bet. It’s his child too.”

“Yeah, right. It’s our child after all the hard work I’ve done. I didn’t see him trying to help push Alex into the world. A few broken fingers and he was gone. Men have no tolerance for pain. Tell him I’m right and if I’m not, then we’ll think of something else to wager. Maybe I could just give him to Liz.” Maria smiled.

“She said…”

“I heard what she said. Did Liz say where she was?”

“No. She didn’t want to say over the phone. She said she’ll meet with all of us later.”

“Okay, I’m on my way back. Let’s hope she can get him to us in one piece.”

“She will.” They both hung up the phone and hoped for the best.

I hope you aren’t in over your head Liz. Michael thought to himself. He looked for a place to turn the car around so that he could start back to the hospital. He spotted a Taco Bell up ahead and realized just how hungry he was. As he pulled in to the driveway of the fast food restaurant he thought that it was a good thing Isabel called when she did because he would have been in Craig’s office in another five minutes.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

There is a knock on Craig’s office door. “Come in.” He looks up to see a scrawny guy with dark rim glasses and messed up hair standing in the doorway. “Is that it?”

“Ye…Ye… Yes sir. This is the tape that you requested of the phone conversation between Dr. Elizabeth Parker and the hospital.” He hesitated to enter any further into the office. He was frightened of the man that sat behind the desk and the only reason he was here now was because he lost the toss of the coin.

“Well don’t just stand there bring it to me you buffoon.” Craig was sitting straight in his chair anticipating what he was going to get from this tape. “Has there been any headway with the government communications. She’s somewhere around Roswell and that area is crawling with army men she’s bound to show up somewhere some time soon.” He watched the man approach the desk nervously.

“Not yet sir. We are still working on that.” He set the tape down on the desk with shaking hands and started walking backwards to his original position. Close to the door for a speedy exit he turned and asked. “Will that be all sir?”

Waving his hand to dismiss the man with no name he said, “Yes, that’s all for now. The minute her name comes up on any communication scan with the government I want it here as if it happened yesterday. Is that understood?”

“Ye… Ye… Yes sir.” Just as the man turned to leave Craig shot him in the back with a power blast.

“You are a weak link and I will not tolerate that in my company.” He punched the button on the intercom. “Whoever sent that stuttering nitwit to me have him come in here and clean this mess up and then see to it that he is placed in detention for not doing his own dirty work.” He released the button and then leaned back contemplating the tape and player in hand. I have him now, Zan will be mine and the woman he loves will be the one to deliver him to me. Thank you Liz.

He swiveled his chair once again to face the barren dessert.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Look for the next part on Sunday! Hope you all are enjoying it. Thanks for all the FABULOUS feedback!

[ edited 1 time(s), last at 17-May-2002 8:37:50 AM ]
posted on 19-May-2002 9:44:56 AM by Bordersinsanity
Title: Too Bad It’s beyond Control
Author: Borders InSaNiTy
E-mail: BordersInsanity⊕yahoo.com
AIM: Borders285South
Disclaimer: I don't own any just wish I did!
Rating: Pg-13 (language)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Part 5

I hadn’t been able to concentrate on anything my professors were instructing and when it was so blatantly obvious to one of them, he told me to take the day off. “Come in ready to go first thing in the morning. You have to get over this now or you are never going to make it as a doctor.” He told me. I shake my head and try and make it out of there before the tears begin to fall.

What could make me get over this, over him? I kept on repeating to myself. I wasn’t paying any attention to where I was going and somehow I ended up at one of the most popular bars near campus. I just wanted to fade into nothing. I wanted to be no one. I didn’t want to know that aliens existed and I definitely didn’t want to remember that I am in love with one.

The song playing over the stereo system is appropriate. Jon Anderson’s “Straight Tequila Night.” I listen to the lyrics while waiting for the waitress to come by. “Hey, sweetie. Can I get you anything to drink?” The first thing that comes to mind is that it’s about time but I quickly push it back.

I look up and she must have seen the pain in my eyes for she tilted her head to one side and I could almost hear her say awww. I wasn’t here for her pity I was here to get my life back on track. I can’t continue to live like this. Dreaming, hoping and praying every night that Max Evans was going to return. “Um, yeah. Can I have a tequila shot with lemon and salt. Give me the whole nine yards.” I know I sounded stupid because I have never really ventured into a bar yet alone to drink myself under the table. But I had seen many people in the dorms come back wasted on more than one occasion and I decided why should I be any different.

After a few shots of tequila I’m feeling pretty good. I can still feel my lips so I guess I have a ways to go yet. My cell phone rings and its Maria. “Liz where are you?”

“I don’t know.” I say. “Maria do you know what today is?” I ask just to make sure that I’m not acting like a fool for nothing.

“Oh, sweetie. Tell me where you are so I can send someone for you.” She’s concerned for me. I can hear it in her voice.

I look around for the waitress and when I catch her eye I point to the empty shot glass in front of me. She nods, so I guess she knows what I want. I go back to my conversation with Maria.

“No, Maria. I have to do this for myself. If I don’t I’m never going to be any good to any of you. I need to do this. I need to lay Max Evans to rest once and for all.”

“Liz… What are you doing? Where are you? Please don’t do this to me when I’m over two thousand miles away from you.”

“I’m a big girl, Maria, I can handle myself. I don’t need babysitting anymore.” Just as I finished telling her that, I noticed that I’m no longer alone at my small circular table. I turn my head and am relieved that I know this person. “Craig. Oh, Maria Craig’s here. Here Craig drink with me.” I shove the shot of tequila towards him. Eyeing him to see if he accepts it or not. If he accepts it then he’s friend if he rejects it then he’s here because Isabel sent him. Sometimes I think that I don’t even have a life anymore. Everyone is always trying to make decisions for me.

“Not tonight Liz.”

“Wuss. Maria, Craig is a wuss. He’s not even going to drink with me.” I turn to face him and pull the phone away from my ear. I take the shot glass and Craig watches me knock it back, not even bothering with the salt or lemon. I figure I’m a pro now. He doesn’t realize that it took all my concentration to make sure I got it in my mouth. Even so some of the raw alcohol splashes on my face and into my eye. “Christ, that stings.” I slur out as I reach up to rub my eye. I need to concentrate on my conversation with him. As the stinging subsides I continue, “I was just telling Maria that she doesn’t need to babysit me anymore. I’m a big girl and I’m going to get through this if it’s the last thing that I do.”

“I’m not here to babysit you. I just saw you over here all by yourself and thought that I could spend the evening being your friend. No ulterior motive. Not from me…”

The waitress comes around; “Can I get you anything?” She looks at Craig. I don’t think she wants to give me anymore.

“I’ll have a cherry coke.” He says.

She nods and starts to leave to get his drink… “Hey, empty glass here, I’ll take another shot.” She turns her head and looks at me. “I saw that.” I yell. Who does she think she is giving me that look? I’m not a drunk and I’m definitely not drunk yet. I hear Maria’s voice over the phone and decide to put it back to my ear.

“Let me talk to Craig.” She says.

“Here she wants to talk to you. I’m going to the restroom, be right back… and don’t drink my shot.” I stand up and wonder when my feet had gone numb. I pat him on the back as I wobble past him on my way to the bathroom. Why do these places have to be so dark? I can’t see where my feet are walking and it seems like the room is moving on me just a little bit. Maybe the waitress knew what she was doing when she cut me off from anymore drinks.

“Hey, baby. Haven’t seen you here before.” Was I just getting hit on? I can’t believe it. Here I am struggling to get to the bathroom and this guy has the nerve to try and distract me from my objective.

“I don’t think so.” I say as I continue on to the back of the room. I had to go through the game room. Why on earth would the designer of the bar decide to put the bathrooms clear back here? I finally make it to my destination and now I have to wait for my turn. Why do women always have to wait in line for the restroom? I lean up against the wall and wait.

I close my eyes and the next thing I notice is that the girl behind me is nudging me and saying. “You better go or everyone is going to cut in front of you.”

“Thanks.” I take my place in the next available stall and carefully place paper all the way around the seat. I’m almost a doctor and know what can be transmitted on these things. I pull down my pants and turn around to sit down. When I finally connect with the toilet I’m relieved. This could be heaven right now. I’ve never felt like this before. Who would have thought that six little tequila shots would make me have to go to the bathroom so bad?

I relaxed as I went; every muscle in my body giving in to the alcohol that I had consumed. This felt good. I didn’t have to think about anything or anyone. It was just me in my little room. I closed my eyes wanting to savor this moment. I leaned my head against the side of the stall and it’s cool. It helps to keep the room from spinning.

While my eyes are closed my mind is reeling. ‘Is this how Max felt when he was drunk that one Valentine’s day…’ I trail off. I open up my eyes and start counting. “1… 2… 3… 4… 5… No that can’t be right.” I start again, only this time I use my fingers. “1… 2… 3… 4… 5…” I shake my head no. I sit even further back on the seat and contemplate what I have done with my life. Has it really been five years? Then it hits me… It’s been six. Today was September 18, 2006. Max had been gone five years and that Valentine’s day when he was drunk had been six years ago.

“Hey what are you doing in there? There are other’s that need to use the bathroom.” The woman outside continued to bang on the door. I started crying. I stood up and began to pull up my pants.

The tears are coming even more and with the combination of them and the alcohol I can’t see a damn thing. She bangs again. I open up the door. “Okay. I get the point. Just stop banging already.”

The woman takes one look at me and relents, “Sorry, I thought you had fallen asleep.” She stepped aside so I could make my way to the sink.

The stall door closed behind me and I walk to the sink and turn on the water. While lathering the soap in my hands I glanced up. Who was that looking at me in the mirror? My soapy hand went up to touch the image in it and it finally hit me that the image was me. “What am I doing here?” I asked her. Nothing. No response. The image couldn’t help me. I was on my own.

I shoved past the line waiting for the girl’s bathroom and went back to my table to get my purse. I stopped short of it and looked. Craig was still there; he hadn’t left the whole time I was in there. I push back my hair and continue forward. What a fool I had been. “I’ve gotta go.” He stood up to help me and I shook free from his offering hand. “I’m okay.” I grab my purse and walk passed him tears flowing even more.

“Liz. Wait. Let me make sure that you get to your apartment okay.” He follows me. I don’t bother to argue with him. Isabel has trained him well. Come to think about it. How did I meet Craig? We are outside the bar and I stop dead in my tracks.

“Who are you?” I ask.

“Liz what’s wrong? You know who I am. We’ve known each other since senior year.” He smiled nervously… At least that’s the way I took it. He reaches for my arm to take me home and I shimmy away from him.

“Who sent you? How did you know I was here?”

“Liz what is wrong with you? Why are you being so paranoid?”

“Craig I know we’ve known each other for a long time and I don’t know if it’s the alcohol in my system or what; but I have to know. Why have you always been there for me?”

“Because it was you, Liz.” I was nearly knocked off my feet by that one. “I know that this is probably the worst time I can tell you this but I think I’m in love with you.”

“Wh… what?” Not only had he said Max’s key phrase but also he said that he loved me. How can he love me? He doesn’t even know me. “You don’t even know me.” I say. “You don’t even know what this is all about.” I wave my hands up and down my figure stressing my state of being at this particular moment.

“Let me in, Liz. Please. It is killing me to see you like this and you’ve been doing this for five years now. Always on the same day… Tell me Liz why are you like this on September 18th. What is so important about this date that it breaks your heart more and more every year? Tell me.”

“I can’t tell you.” I see the concern in his face and continue, “It’s the day I died Craig. It’s the day my heart died. My body just hasn’t realized it yet.” I started walking again my head was pounding and I was beginning to see spots in my vision. I raised my hand to my head to try and relieve some of the pressure but it did no good.

I had passed out and Craig had carried me all the way home.

I remember waking up here and there in the middle of the night only to throw up and I remember him there with a cool towel to sooth my head as he held my hair out of the toilet. Looking back now I realized that was the turning point in our relationship. Craig was there and Max wasn’t. Craig had been there for a while and Max wasn’t. Two months later he moved in.




Liz shook her head to clear her mind. All these things that happened in the past kept coming to the surface. Was it just because she was trying to put her life in order before she saw him or was there another reason she kept on going over the events of her life? Putting her phone back into her purse she decided to stand up and stretch. She had been sitting far too long on the cave floor. She began walking the edge of the chamber, her hand was kept on the wall for comfort, she had made it about halfway when a silver handprint appeared. She snatched her hand away as if she had touched a live wire. Standing back and looking at it she decided to see what would happen if she pressed it. “Here goes nothing.” She said as she pressed her hand to it.

When the wall opened the sight took Liz’s breath away. Her hand flew to her mouth as she stumbled through the opening, “Max! Oh, God Max!”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“I’ll have two beefy burritos, a beef mexi-melt, umm… a nacho supreme add a taco pizza and a large code red.”

“Will that be all?” The attendant asked wondering to herself where this man was going to stuff all that food.

“Ummm yeah. That’s it.” Michael was hungry and wasn’t going to waste his time with eating the small stuff. His life had changed with the arrival of his son. This must be what it was like to be happy. Everything he had ever dreamed of was coming true. He now had a family, a woman that loved him and a son that would grow up being normal. Well, as normal as a child of a half human and human could be.

“Order number two your order is up.” The lady behind the counter calls out. Michael looks down at his receipt and notices that it’s his order. He stands up to get his order when honking horns and screeching tires draws his attention to outside. He barely looked out in time to see the car that ran the red light and it took a minute to sink in that it had been Craig who had ran the light.

“I need this to go… NOW!” Michael’s voice startles the worker and she does the best she can to move all the contents of the tray into a sack… Michael began tapping his fingers on the counter to show his signs of impatience. When she finishes he grabs the sack. “Thanks!” He yells as he pushes his way out the front door. ‘What the hell is up with Craig? Where the hell is he going in such a hurry?’ He couldn’t help but wonder to himself. He jumps into the car and throws his sack of food into the passenger’s seat and curses when he sees the bag burst open. In moments he has the car out on the open road and the accelerator pushed to the floor.

After ten minutes of driving with the pedal to the metal he finally sees the tail end of Craig’s car. It’s all his fault. He shouldn’t have been so thankful for everything being normal. He should have known that it was too good to be true.

All the trash in the passenger’s seat was making it difficult to find his cell phone. Pulling it out with a few remnants of shredded lettuce dangling from it he called the hospital. He had to tell Maria that he wouldn’t be back for awhile.

“Hello.”

“Are you sleeping?”

“Um. Yeah. Where are you Michael?” Maria was now sitting up in bed, the sleepiness slowly leaving her head.

“I’m taking a little detour.”

“Why are you taking a detour? I thought you were coming straight back. Liz is coming here to tell us something. Michael, what’s going on?” He didn’t want to get into this over the phone but he could hear her concern in her voice.

“Nothing, everything’s okay. Let’s just say I’m following up on a loose end. Get it?”

“No. I don’t get it. Why are you acting like this? Just tell me what’s going on. I mean it.”

“Okay. Let me think… I was getting something to eat at Taco Bell…” As soon as he said it he knew it was the wrong thing to say. Maria hated when he ate at Taco Bell.

“How many times do I have to tell you that their food isn’t any good for you. You have to start taking care of yourself.” Maria just had to interrupt him.

“Anyway…” Michael took back control of the conversation. “As I was saying. I was ordering a few things off the lite menu at Taco Bell when I heard this commotion outside. This car ran a red light and let’s just say I know who it was. He left in a really big hurry and I wanted to see what he is doing. Get it now?”

“Who, Michael?” Maria still had no idea who the he that Michael kept on referring to.

“A certain acquaintance that doesn’t need to be involved with things right now.” Come on Maria get it already.

“Oh.” She said quietly and then came the big, “OH… OH… I know who it is. Why are you following him?” She had finally figured it out. Michael sighed in relief. Thank god for small miracles. At the rate that they were going the whole country could figure out who he was tailing.

“He’s up to something and I don’t trust him.” That’s what it boiled down to. He didn’t trust Craig at all.

“Liz trusts him that should be enough for us.” Maria was tired of Michael’s paranoia.

“If she trusts him how come she didn’t want him to know that she wasn’t at the hospital?” That was a valid question. Let’s see how she answers that one.

“Where’s he going?”

“If I knew that I wouldn’t have to tail him would I?” Was Michael’s snapped response. Then remembering who he was talking to he continued, “Sorry, he’s heading towards Roswell and at the rate that he is travelling we’ll be there in less than an hour. He’s in a really big hurry.”

“Do you think it has anything to do with Liz?” More concern was showing in her voice. Michael could almost see the wrinkle that traveled between her two eyebrows begin to form.

“I don’t know. I’m going to try her next. Tell Isabel to start moving. If something’s going down we’re all going to have to be there.”

“Michael. Be careful. Don’t do anything stupid. There’s more to think about than just you. We have a family for you to consider now.”

“I know Maria. It’s going to be okay. Just tell Isabel to start home. I’ll call her on the car phone to let her know where to meet me. Let’s just hope that Liz is okay.”

“Michael. Call me as soon as you find anything out.”

“I will. Kiss the baby for me. Tell him I love him.” He hung up the phone not wanting to hear the nervousness in her voice. Too many things had changed and he was beginning to think that he was getting too old for this type of thing.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Liz raced to his side. Sliding to the ground on her knees she was there in no time. He was laying on the ground unconscious, which to her wasn’t a very good sign. She went to lean over him and touch him when a green force field was enabled. “What?” She was confused. Something or better yet someone was preventing her from reaching him.

She settled back on her heels to take a look around. It was another chamber, one that no one had seen before. She was sure that they had gone over every inch of the pod chamber when they first discovered it; and never found this one, maybe it was new. Maybe Max had created it to protect them from harm. Looking back at Max she realized that he was in no condition to create caves, alien powers or not. Off a little ways to her left she noticed that there was another pod. She stood up and began to make her way to it. The first thing that came to mind was that it was Max’s son, but that notion was laid to rest when she saw what was inside. A baby. No more than two years old. If it were Max’s son he would be almost ten by now.

A sigh of relief escaped her and her focus went back to the man of her dreams. He was hurt and unconscious she needed to get through the shield. But how? “Hello.” She called. The voice had to be around here somewhere.

‘You look different than the way he remembers you.’

Liz turned around and saw no one. “Where are you?” She asked.

‘I’m here.

Liz did another spin to survey the room and came up completely empty. “I can’t see you. What is keeping me from seeing you?

‘You just looked at me.’ The voice said with a hint of laughter in it.

“I need to get to Max. Do you know how I can get through the field?”

‘Yes, I will take it down for you. I had to make sure that it was you. You look different but yet the same.’

Liz understanding why she would look different offered the voice a reason for her appearance. “It’s been ten years since I’ve seen him. My body has aged.” She walked to where Max was laying, hoping that the voice had done what it said it would do, and she knelt down beside him. Hesitating just a second before pushing further she finally was able to touch him.

Her body relaxed and a tingling sensation went all through her. She had dreamt of this moment for a long time. Of him coming back. To be able to touch him again. To be able to laugh and smile with him. It had been so long. In fact, it was just this morning that she had finally given up on the idea. She smiled to herself and realized that Max came back just in time.

Pushing back her own feelings she opened up her medical kit and started working on him. Cleaning the scrapes and burns that were all over his body. Administering the medication that they had tested on Michael to see if it would help their healing process a lot better. While she took the gauze and started cleaning his face it finally hit her. Max hadn’t aged at all. He still looked like he did all those years ago. What was happening? “Max. Can you hear me?”

No answer. She shifted some so that she was in a more comfortable position and then reached for his body and pulled it so he now rested on her lap. She stroked his hair as the silent tears ran down her face.

She had mixed feelings… Max was back which was a good thing, but he was back and it looked like he had never left. She swiped at the tears and then stiffened as her phone rang.

Reaching for it she stretched. She didn’t want to disturb Max but then she had to see who was calling. Just about the time she was ready to give up trying to reach it; the phone moved just enough for her to reach it. She just stared at it. How did that happen? The next ring jolted her out of her daze and she picked it up. The caller id identified the caller as Michael so she took the call.

“Michael what’s wrong?”

“Please tell me you aren’t where I think you are.” His voice was in a near panic.

“Where do you think I am?” She knew what he was trying to do. He didn’t want to disclose her position if by chance someone was listening in.

Michael searched his memory for something that would related to the granolith chamber… but came up empty… “Come on Liz, where do we go to get all of our bad news?”

“What if I am?” She said.

“Where’s your Jeep?”

“Just outside. What’s going on Michael?”

“You’re about to have company. Your boyfriend has found you.”

“How is that possible? He doesn’t know… I’ve never… Oh, god Michael. What am I going to do?”

“Get the package and get the hell out of there!”

“I can’t… I can’t move it. Aren’t the road blocks still there?”

“Roadblocks? What do you mean? There aren’t any roadblocks anymore… Liz you have to get out of there.”

“Michael. It’s going to be okay. He can’t get in… Can’t you remember about the locks? You need to be special.”

Michael was quiet for a second before asking. “What if he is special?” Liz could hear Michael swearing under his breath. “Just get out of there. Meet me where we used to meet. You got that?”

“Yeah. I think so… What about the package?”

“Leave it. Isabel will pick it up, or we can come back for it later. Just get out of there and lead him some place else.”

The phone went dead and Liz hit end on her end. She set the phone down on the ground and began crying. ‘What has she done?’ She thought to herself. She bent over Max and kissed his bruised and scraped face. “I love you.” Then she sat up, swiped the tears from her eyes and began to leave the room. She turned around and spoke to the voice. “Take care of him. We’ll be back. Tell him. We’ll be back.”

I will. Go now and I will hide your get away…

She took one more look around and still saw no one. Whoever it was that had been speaking to her didn’t want to be seen. She left the room in a run and the door to the chamber slid open and she ran out. Jumping into the jeep she tried to start it. It wouldn’t start. “What is wrong with this thing?” She said while hitting the steering wheel as if that would help the ignition, she tried again. Finally it started and she tore away from the cliff that held the chamber. It was so hot outside that she was already sweating. She kept a continuous watch on her review mirror; no one was there.

When she reached the highway and settled onto the paved road her cell phone rang and she jumped in her seat as if she had just been electrocuted.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Look for a new part on Tuesday. Hope you guys liked this part. Keep up the fantastic job of leaving feedback. It’s wonderful to see it since I know what a dark fic this is. Hang in there though… I promise that it will end up with a M/L reunion…


posted on 21-May-2002 10:47:06 AM by Bordersinsanity
Title: Too Bad It’s beyond Control Part 6
Author: Borders InSaNiTy
E-mail: BordersInsanity⊕yahoo.com
AIM: Borders285South
Disclaimer: I don't own any just wish I did!
Rating: Pg-13 (language)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Part 6

“Hello.”

“Craig?” She hoped that he couldn’t tell by her voice that there was anything wrong. “Are you still at work?”

“No, actually I was on my way to see you. Where are you?” He knew approximately where she was but he didn’t have the specifics.

“I’m heading towards the cabin.” Liz did a u-turn in the middle of the road so that her Jeep was now headed in the direction of the cabin. Not wanting him to know that she knew that he was heading towards her she continued to play the game. “I thought about what you said.” Liz stopped in the middle of her sentence. She had to lead Craig somewhere else; she had to get him away from Max. “I’m ready. I thought about it all morning. You know about what you said earlier. I’m coming to meet you at the cabin. Can you meet me there?” She knew that he wasn’t anywhere close to the cabin but she needed him out of this area so the others could get to Max and save him. The phone was silent; evidently he didn’t think she was going to say this. “Craig? Are you still there?”

“Are you sure? A lot has happened this morning and I was on my way to see you. I wanted to apologize to you for saying what I said. Liz… I’m sorry. I never meant to give you an ultimatum like that. I never wanted to push you into giving up on him. I understand if now is not the right time.”

“Craig. It’s okay. Just meet me at the cabin and we can talk about it all.” Liz pulled the phone away from her mouth and let out the huge breath that had been pressing on her lungs.

“I’m on my way. I’ll meet you there in about an hour.” He said.

“Okay. See you soon.” Liz hung up the phone not wanting to wait for him to say anything.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Isabel walked into Maria’s room. The minute she crossed the threshold of the doorway she was hit with Maria’s appearance. She was so pale. She was crying and rocking baby Alex at the same time. “Maria what’s wrong?”

“You have to go now. Somehow, Craig’s found out where Liz is and he’s on his way to get her.”

“How do you know?”

“Michael’s following him. He had stopped for lunch and saw Craig go tearing by, headed for Roswell. He called to say that he wants you to start heading home. He’s going to meet you at the quarry.”

“Is Max okay?” Isabel asked as she sat on the edge of Maria’s bed and started to caress baby Alex’s head.

“I don’t know.” Maria said as she swiped at the tears that were sitting on her cheeks. “Michael was supposed to call Liz after he called me. I just don’t know if he was able to get a hold of her or not.”

Isabel stood up and began picking up her stuff. “Are you going to be okay? I don’t want to leave you two here if something is going down.”

“Don’t worry. I called Kyle. He’s on his way here now.”

“Speak no more, the cavalry has arrived.” Kyle strolled in, hands held out away from his sides so he could make a grand entrance.

Isabel slapped him on the arm and then wrapped him up in a hug. “Thanks for coming, Kyle.”

“Hey. I’m there for you guys. Nothing will ever change that. So, what’s going on?”

“Maria, you fill him in. I got to get going if I’m going to make it there anytime soon.”

“Hey, I would stay off the highway… Major roadblocks. Something’s going on out there. Take the back way. I know it’s longer but you won’t be stopped.”

“Thanks Kyle.” Isabel went to Maria and the baby and hugged and kissed her and then kissed the baby’s head. “Be good and take care of your momma.” She looked up. “I got to go.”

“You said that already. Just go… We’ll be okay. You’re the one that needs to be careful.” Maria took a deep breath as she watched Isabel run out of the room. Purse in hand and suit jacket draped around her forearm.

“So what do we do now?” Kyle said as he plopped down into the chair that sat next to the bed.

“I guess we wait.”

“You wait? Hah!” Kyle made a big show of looking around the room while he dug his hand into his pocket. “Where do I pay for admission to the show. This I have got to see. I’ve never seen you wait in your entire life. I’m glad you called me in to see this. It will be something for me to tell the grandkids, I was there when Maria DeLuca-Guerin waited.” Kyle was doing his best to lighten the mood. Even though she was smiling her eyes were telling him that she was worried and that he should be too.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Hello.” Michael picked up his cell phone expecting it to be Liz but was shocked to hear Isabel’s voice.

“Michael, what’s going on?” Isabel’s voice was full of concern.

“Not now Iz, I don’t have time to explain. How soon can you be in Roswell?” Michael had pulled off on to a side road to avoid Craig when he had urgently flipped a u-turn in the middle of the road. It was great when following someone, on these desert roads you can see for miles ahead.

“About an hour to an hour and a half. Why? What’s going on?” She asked again.

“I’m not sure, but I think Craig isn’t who we thought he was.”

“What do you mean he’s not who we thought he was? We’ve known him forever.” Isabel would be taking this the hardest because she was the one that introduced them all to Craig.

“No, Isabel we haven’t known him forever and now he seems to have found Liz when she told me that he should have never been able to find her. Understand?” Michael was going over an intersection on the dirt road that he had taken. “Listen. It’s going to be okay. Whatever Liz told him on the phone it worked. He’s heading away from Roswell. We won’t have much time, though. There’s a slight change in plans. We have to move a certain someone, you know who I mean. Get him as far away from where Liz saw him as we can.”

“Why? Isn’t he safe where he is now? No one but us can get in.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Michael turned his car around headed back the way he had come. He stopped just far enough away from the highway so he would be able to watch the traffic go by. “I’m not taking the chance that someone could get that information from Liz and I know that she is expecting me to move him.” Michael saw Craig’s car whiz by just as fast if not faster than he had been traveling before. Whatever Liz said he bought it. “Look I’ve gotta go. I’m calling Liz to see what’s going on.”

“Okay… I’m heading your way now. Be careful Michael. You have a family to think of now. I don’t want anything happening to you for no reason.”

“I don’t think Max is for no reason. But I will be careful.”

Isabel hung up the phone and pressed down harder on the pedal.

Michael thumbed through the numbers on his cell phone until he came up to the one he had called earlier. Pressing it he waited until the phone started to ring.

“Hello.”

“Liz. You okay?”

“Yes, Michael. I’m okay. Where are you?”

“It doesn’t matter. How is he?”

“I don’t know. I had to leave before I could get any vitals. He’s alive but barely. He’s unconscious. I gave him the shot we were working on, and it should help him heal while he rests. But I’m not sure if I missed anything. Will you be able to check him out when you get there?”

Just as she finished asking her question she passed the road that Michael was waiting on. She was about ten minutes behind Craig and he figured it was a good place to be right now. “I will. Liz…” Michael paused planning on saying more but he then shook his head no. He couldn’t tell her anything. It was for her protection as much as for theirs.

Liz, sensing what Michael was about to do decided to say something. “Don’t tell me Michael. It’s not safe. I don’t want to know. Just make sure you take care of him. Oh. I have to tell you. There’s another.”

“Who?” Michael was expecting this. “His son?”

“No. I don’t think so. Too young. Who ever it is seems to be about a year to a year and a half. Too young to be his son.”

“Anything else I should know before I go in there?”

“Yeah.” Liz paused not really ready to say it out loud but she had too. “He looks like he never left. He’s still eighteen years old.”

“No way. How can that be possible?”

“I’m not for sure, but it may answer a lot of our questions. Like why did you guys come out when you were six. How long will Khivar live? Things like that. He’s going to have all the answers that you and Isabel have been waiting for.”

“Liz. Don’t.”

“What Michael?” Just as she asked that question she heard static on her phone. “I’ve got to go Michael. I’ve said too much already. I got carried away. It’s not safe. Just make sure you pick up both packages. I’m not sure how important the little one is but if its here with the other one then it has to be for something.”

“Oh, God, I almost forgot Michael. The packages are in a new area. I never saw it before. You may be forced to pass a test to get in. Whoever is guarding Max is working on 10-year-old visions of what we look like. Max’s memories of what we looked like. So be nice, don’t piss them off.”

“Okay. Gotcha. Be careful Liz. If you need anything call us, any of us. We’re there for you.” Michael waited for a reply but Liz must have hung up already. He set the phone down in the seat and started his car once again. He had to get Max out of there and he just hoped that there was enough room for both of them.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Liz dropped the cell phone into her purse then started chewing her fingernails. It was a habit that she had picked up when Max had first left. How it seems so long ago. She had thought she had beaten the habit a few years back. God, one look at Max and she’s chomping away again. She shook her head and pulled her finger out of her mouth and then instinctively reached down in her purse and pulled out a stick of gum. The cabin wasn’t too much farther away now and the closer she got to it the more relaxed she got.

She knew once she was there in Craig’s presence that Max would be safe. What she needed to do now was push him as far out of her mind as she could. She had to prepare and she was thankful for the hour drive to the cabin. It had given her time to prepare. The cabin would be safe for her. She didn’t have any memories there except the ones Craig and her had created.

Liz began to go over what she was going to do. She couldn’t really kiss him for the minute she did he would know. But on the other hand, if she didn’t kiss him he would know that she was hesitant as well. ‘What am I going to do?’ she asked herself.

Then the voice came. ‘Be careful, you shouldn’t have gone to him by yourself.’

‘Why?’ Liz asked. This voice, this being that was constantly in her mind was warning her about Craig but why? She had no idea. ’If you know something you should tell me. Please. Why should I not trust Craig?’

’He’s not who he says he is.’ The voice said.

Liz tried to get the voice to come back but no matter what she tried it didn’t come. Turning off onto another dirt road that led to the cabin she pushed back all her thoughts of Max. She needed to see what Craig was up to. The voice in her head said that she shouldn’t trust him as well as Michael. Why all of the sudden after all this time was Craig not good enough?

That was easy. Max.

Parking behind Craig’s car she turned her jeep off and sat there. The place looked deserted. ‘Where was he?’ She opened the door and hopped out. Hopefully Michael will have gotten to the chamber by now and will be in the process of moving Max and the baby. Walking to the back of the cabin she ran her hand over the hood of Craig’s car. It was still warm. Too warm. He had just gotten here himself. She wondered why he wasn’t outside to meet her. “Craig.” She called for him. No answer.

She walked into the cabin and took in the familiar surroundings. She smiled when she first saw the fireplace that dominated the front room, so many memories were made there. “Craig.” She called again.

“I’m upstairs on the phone I’ll be down shortly.”

“It’s hot in here. I’ll be outside by the pond.” She told him. She had yet to see him. She went back outside and stopped at the view. The man made pond was always breath taking. This cabin was a place that she reluctantly came to enjoy. Walking around to the backside where the dock was, she walked out and sat down. So much had happened today. All she wanted to do was relax.

Taking off her shoes she rolled up her sweatpants. She laughed. Here she was getting ready to hear her boyfriend ask her to marry him and she was dressed in sweatpants. What was she doing here? She wasn’t ready for this. Even if she were she never envisioned it to happen like this with him. Her dreams had always involved Max and now that he was back she was actually doing something that she didn’t want to do. Craig was going to be so devastated.

She pushed back her thought and decided to wait until it actually happened there was no use in getting all worked up over nothing.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“I don’t care what it takes. Something is going on out in that goddamn desert and I want to know what it is. If you don’t take care of it then I will make you wish that you never followed him to Earth. Is that understood? Find him now!” Craig slammed the phone back down onto its cradle. Liz had showed up way too soon. He wasn’t ready for her to be here yet.

‘Oh well. No time like the present to see how well their connection has lasted over all this time.’ He went down the stairs one at a time and stopped about halfway down. He looked out the large bay window that faced the west side of the cabin and over looked the pond. There she sat on the dock. Her pants rolled up and her feet swinging in the water. She looked like she was anywhere but here and in a way he wished that he didn’t have to do what needed to be done. But this was his war and during time of war casualties were expected.

Taking off his tie and jacket and throwing them onto the couch that faced the fireplace he began to unbutton the first few buttons of his dress shirt. He then moved to unbuttoning the sleeves as well. Rolling them up and taking a deep breath he walked out to where she waited. Putting on his fake smile that he had mastered over the years he walked down the dock and sat down beside her.

She didn’t react to his presence at first. “Liz. Is everything okay?” He asked.

Waking up from where ever she was she looked up at him and smiled. He noticed right away that the smile didn’t reach her eyes. It never really did but he had hoped that one day he would win her heart. ‘Why was he always second best?’ “Hey, everything okay?”

“Umm… yeah.” She said as she continued to look out across the pond. The sun was just pass the noon position and the glare from the water was flashing her in her eyes. “How about you?” She asked.

“I’m not through yet but it will be all over in a matter of days.” He said

“Oh.” She looked back down and began kicking her feet again. ‘This is so awkward…’ she thought to herself. “Craig?” She looked up at him again.

“Why couldn’t you love me like him?” He asked. He didn’t even give her the chance to say anything. He already knew, the pain was visible on his face for her to see.

“Craig…”

“No, don’t tell me that you do because I know that if he were alive and came back today you would run to him in an instant.” He could see that she was going to try and tell him that she wouldn’t but the truth was she wasn’t a liar she just didn’t tell the whole truth. She would try to sugar coat it as best as possible but in the end she would turn him away.

“How come we always hurt the ones we don’t want to hurt?” She asked. Her pain was mirroring his. No matter what everyone said about him she knew deep down that he cared for her.

“That’s just the way it works. So tell me… did your heart still flutter when you saw him today?”

Liz’s eyes grew wide with fright. “Craig…”

“I know he’s back. It was only a matter of time before he was able to sneak away from his captors.”

“How…”

“How do I know all of this?” He smiled an evil wicked smile that Liz didn’t think he was capable of showing. “Let me ask you this. How would it make you feel if he found out that after all this time the man that you shared your bed with… the man that made you scream in ecstasy was in fact the very same man that killed him in his first lifetime and the very same man that is going to do it to him again in this life.”

“No!” Liz began back peddling to get away from him. “No!” She screamed again.

“Run all you want to Liz, you’re not going to get away from me that easy. In fact… I need you to bring them all to me. It’s time for them all to die and for you and me to go home and rule our world that has been waiting for my return.”

“Khivar?” She asked as she stood still staring and wondering how after all this time she could have been so blind.

He laughed a deep evil laugh that sent goose bumps all up and down her arms. “I have to say I was worried a few times that you would find out who I was but all I had to do was warp your perception a little and you’d forget about it.” He laughed again when he saw recognition hit her.

“I’ll never give them to you. Never!”

“You don’t have to. They will come for you. That’s the beauty of it. Not only will I get the rest of the Royal Four but I will get the heir as well. Tell me. Will you be the mother to him that Tess never could be?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Max’s son. He came back with his son. Surely you saw the infant this morning.” His grin was enough to make Liz skin crawl again.

“No. You won’t get me to do what you want me to do. I will fight you to the end. I will die before I do anything that you want me to do.”

Craig held his arm up and Liz froze where she stood. Pain and agony slipped over her face. “I won’t give them to you. I won’t!” She screamed before she fell to her knees.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Michael reached the chamber. He couldn’t believe the number of army units that he had passed on his way here. Why they were all moving out now he had no idea but that was none of his concern. He was here to do one thing and one thing only. Get Max to safety before anything else happened. Swiping his hand over the mechanism that opened up the cave he pressed on the newly illuminated silver handprint. He waited for the cave wall to roll back enough for him to enter. He could still smell the scent of Liz. After all these years it still smelt the same.

The chamber still looked the same after all this time and if she hadn’t told him that there was a new compartment over to the right he wouldn’t have noticed it. Running his hand over the wall once again a handprint lit up. Pressing it the wall rolled away and he walked in. Lying on the ground in front of him were two objects. One was his friend and brother from so long ago and the other was a pod that was identical to the four that were out front.

Taking a step further into the new chamber he found that he was stopped by an unseen force field. “She told me that you wouldn’t recognize me. It’s me, Michael. I need to make sure that he is okay. I can help heal him. After all that’s the reason you brought Liz here isn’t it?” He waited to see if anything or anyone would come out from the shadows.

‘It’s strange that everyone looks so different. What has happened during the short time that we have been gone?’

Michael chuckled and rubbed his finger over his eyebrow in his signature move. A blast of air moved and he took a tentative step forward. The shield was gone. Michael stood still for a moment when the silence was broken.

“LIZ!” Max sat bolt up right and looked around in frenzy

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Look for the next part on Thursday. Woodwinds... You are so cute... I'm back. Yes... I was in a car for 24 hours this weekend. Made a quick trip back home for my sister-in-law's high school graduation and am back... Whoo... Anyway, hope you guys don't throw rotten produce at me after you read this part. It's going down hill from here... but remember! Dreamer friendly ending. I hope I don't loose any of you guys... Love the feedback thanks for everything.

posted on 23-May-2002 9:05:39 AM by Bordersinsanity
Title: Too Bad It’s beyond Control – Part 7
Author: Borders InSaNiTy
E-mail: BordersInsanity⊕yahoo.com
AIM: Borders285South
Disclaimer: I don't own any just wish I did!
Rating: Pg-13 (language)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Part 7

Michael felt the barrier that was holding him back disappear just as Max was screaming Liz’s name in pure agony. “Max… Max… it’s okay.”

“Where is she? Where’s Liz?”

“She had some things to take care of. She’s okay. She’ll be back later tonight. Take it easy. You have a lot of damage you shouldn’t be moving like this. She’s going to tan my hide.” Michael eased his friend back down to the ground but Max tried to fight him. “Max. Max. It’s okay. Liz is okay. She just left here.”

“NO! Michael she’s not, I feel her. She’s in trouble. Khivar has her and he’s going to kill her if we don’t go save her.”

“Max you have to lay still for a few minutes. There is no way that we will be saving her in the condition that you are in. Relax.” Michael could see that Max was going to give in to him. “Khivar doesn’t have her, I would know. We haven’t had to worry about Khivar for a long time. Take it easy.”

Once he had lain down on the ground he looked up to Michael and asked, “You’re wrong. You’re wrong.”

“If I’m wrong then work with me. Do what I say and we’ll get to her sooner.” Max leaned back and waited for Michael to do what he needed to do.

“How is she?” Max asked as he closed his eyes and tried to relax.

“She’s good.” Michael didn’t want to be the one to tell him that she had moved on. Hell they all had moved on. What were they supposed to do? Sit around and wait forever?

“Isabel?” Max was going through the list of loved ones.

“Umm… She’s good too.”

Max opened his eyes and looked at Michael. “Michael, look at you. You’re old.”

“Oomph. Really? Well I hate to be the one to tell you the news Maxwell but you’ve been gone for a long, long time. We’re all old.”

“What, I’ve only been gone a year and a half. What do you mean I was gone a long time?” Max asked, confused.

“Max, I don’t know where you get the year and a half stuff, but you’ve been gone ten years. A lot has happened. Now just lay back and relax and let me check you out.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to help accelerate your healing. Liz injected you with a serum that she designed to help us heal and all I have to do is give it a little nudge.” He concentrated and after a brief moment Michael leaned back and smiled. “Like so and tada. You’re healed.”

“You’ve gotten better at healing.” Max said as he sat up. “And you have a baby?”

“Umm. Yeah, born just this morning. You sure do have impeccable timing Maxwell.” He embraced Max into a hug. “It’s good to have you back.”

“It’s good to be back. You said I was gone for ten years, has it really been that long?”

“Yeah Max, ten years.” Michael stood up and began to pace. “You want to tell me what this is?” He said as he pointed at the pod that was in the room.

“That’s my son. I finally found my son. It wasn’t easy but I did it and I came back as soon as I could. I haven’t been gone that long though. Like I said, it’s only been a little over a year and a half. When’s the last time you saw Liz? Trevor says that there is something wrong with her and that the enemy is holding her. We have to go save her.”

“Who the hell is Trevor?”

“My son.” Max said as he stood up and placed his hand over the front of the pod. An image morphed out of thin air but all Michael could see was a swirling pattern of colors. “He’s worried for her. He’s been connected to her since we’ve landed.”

“Connected? What do you mean connected? Your son’s in a pod Max.”

“He’s still awake Michael. He must have sensed that Liz was someone from my past that he knew I could trust. That he knew I was connected to.” Max tried to explain. “Michael, you have to check on her. Something isn’t right.”

“Hang on. Let me call her.” Michael whipped out his cell phone and dialed Liz’s number. The phone began to ring.

“Hello.”

“Liz. Are you okay?” Michael let a sigh of relief out.

“Michael!” The phone was yanked out of her hand.

“Well, well, well. You’ve figured it out have you?”

“Craig put Liz back on the phone. This has nothing to do with you.”

“On the contrary it has everything to do with me. If you want her why don’t you and that miserable excuse of a king come get her?” Craig hung up the phone.

“Shit!” Michael slapped the phone shut. “What the hell did he mean king? How does Liz’s boyfriend know what you are and that you’re back?” Michael saw the flash of pain that shot across Max’s eyes at his mention of a boyfriend for Liz, “Sorry man, but it’s been ten years. You have to try to understand.”

Max wiped a weary hand across his eyes; “I’m beginning to realize that a lot has changed. God, Michael, it was only a year and a half on Antar. I can’t believe ten years have passed here.”

Max was staring off into space. “Trevor says that the man who has her is Khivar.” He looked up at Michael and asked, “Khivar’s been right under your nose for all this time and you didn’t know? How could you let her get mixed up with him?” Max stormed off and headed for the outside. “I’m going to go get her.”

“Max. You can’t. Liz will be okay. Craig and her have gone back a long time. He won’t hurt her. He’s in love with her.” Michael knew he had said the wrong thing as soon as the words left his mouth.

Max immediately whipped around, eyes blazing, “He doesn’t love her Michael he’s been playing her to get to us. He’ll do anything to her just because he knows what she means to me. I won’t let her sacrifice herself to save us. I won’t!”

Max turned around and opened the cave. As the sunlight streamed in Max commented, “Yellow sunlight and the desert. God how I missed this place.”

As he continued out of the cave and into the sunlight Michael caught up with him, “What are we going to do about your son? We can’t leave him there. Liz knows where he is. She told me to get the both of you out of here and to a safe location.”

Michael’s word brought Max up short. “What do you mean? Why isn’t it safe right here?”

“All I know Max is that Liz wanted you moved from here. The crap is hitting the fan. There are roadblocks and the army is crawling all over the desert. She wanted you and your son moved to another location, a location that she doesn’t know about. What she doesn’t know she can’t tell.” Reality hit Michael hard but he couldn’t speak his thought because Max had already begun his old routine of blaming himself.

Max’s head dropped. “I can’t believe it. I’m back for less than twenty-four hours and her life is in danger again. She knew that she was going into trouble.”

Michael looked at Max and couldn’t believe that he had thought of it too. “She knew. I can’t believe she knew and she still went without thinking of herself.”

Thinking for a moment, Max looked back up at Michael, “We can leave my son here. He’ll be safe. Khivar wouldn’t kill him, and there’s no way the military will find him.”

“That’s not the plan Max. We move your son first. Isabel is waiting for us at a safe location. We’ll move him and then we’ll think of a way to save Liz.”

Max looked at Michael and shook his head in amazement, “I can’t believe it. Michael Guerin, Mr. Responsibility telling me to be cautious.”

“Well, I know you’re going to get tired of hearing this but a lot has changed. Time didn’t stand still because you left Max.” Michael made his way down the hillside and clapped Max on his back as he passed. “Come on. Let’s go get Isabel. She’s got an SUV that will hold the pod.” Michael glanced back at Max. “ She’s nervous about seeing you. You really caused a lot of pain when you left with no word to anybody.”

They climbed into the car and made their way to the quarry. Michael reached for his phone, looked at the caller-ID, hit a button and then tossed the phone to Max. “It’s for you.” He said with a corny grin on his face.

“Hello?” Max said into the phone as he looked at Michael.

She didn’t even wait for anyone to answer. “Michael! What the hell is going on? Did you find them? Are they okay? For god’s sake say something.”

Hearing her voice for the first time in a while and remembering what Michael had just told him, all Max was able to get out was, “Isabel…” The phone was quiet all of the sudden.

“Max? Is that you? Oh thank you! You’re all right.”

“Yeah, I’m okay.” He managed to choke out.

“You’re really here? I mean this is real right? You’re not going back are you?”

Max could hear her tears in the sound of her voice, and he gained strength in the knowledge that they still loved him, “I’m here and this is real and I’m not going back.” The shudder of her intake of her next breath made him sad. They all had suffered deeply because he had left so long ago.

“Okay, I’ll see you in a little bit then.” It wasn’t a question it was a statement. A statement that Isabel couldn’t believe that she was saying. Max was back. Everything was going to be okay. And then it hit her. Liz. What was Liz going to do? Her heart broke into a million pieces for she knew that there would never be a good time for them. Too much had happened in the last ten years for her to go walking back into his arms. Did he even know about her life? He wasn’t even back for twenty-four hours and they were already being slung back into chaos.

“I can’t wait. I’ll see you soon.” He hung up the phone. “I don’t understand why we can’t just have her meet us here. It seems like a waste of time going there and then coming right back.”

“Why didn’t you just tell her? She would have done it that way if you had asked. It’s been a long time since you’ve been around, we’ve haven’t really gotten used to you being back. We do things the way Liz says to do things.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. It was the logical thing for us to do. After all it was always her that we all turned to for help anyway.”

“Tell me what has her life been like? What have I missed out on?” Max looked at his friend and was hit with the most sympathetic expression imaginable.

“I don’t think I want to tell you. It’s not my place to tell you.” Michael once again scratched at his eyebrow. He was being asked to tell what Liz went through.

“You said that she created this serum to increase our healing powers. Did she go to Harvard and become a molecular biologist like she wanted to?”

“Actually? No. She tried to, after you left she was devastated. Luckily, she had already submitted her application to Harvard and when it came time for her interview she had gotten her life back together. She was accepted and then…. Well. I, uh." Michael faltered. Not knowing whether to tell him what they all had gone through.

“So, she did go to Harvard? She lived her dream?”

“If it had only been that simple. Yeah, she went to Harvard and lasted a semester. We all stood there and waved good-bye, happy that she was getting over you. We all felt so safe. You were gone, and Tess was gone, we didn’t think we were in danger anymore.”

“What happened Michael?” Max had to know. “If everything was fine, what happened to disrupt everything?”

“We were all happy, well as happy as we could be with someone you love missing.” Michael took the chance to glare at Max. “Then Maria was kidnapped. And I lost it. I was like a loose canon chasing every clue down. I wasn’t going to lose her.” Michael shook his head remembering how out of control he was. “Luckily it was close to Christmas and Liz was home on a break. She took control, and eventually we were able to find Maria and get her back.”

“And of course Liz thought she had to be in Roswell.” Max sighed. “I thought I was doing the right thing. I really did.” Max let his head fall into his hands.

“Yeah, well you didn’t. You should have let us know what was going on.” Michael told Max.

They drove on in silence for a bit more until Max asked Michael, “So, she never went back? To Harvard, I mean.”

“Oh, she went back. We wouldn’t let her stay. This was her dream we were talking about.” Michael remembered. “She lasted until the end of the semester. She came home and told us all that she had transferred to UNM. Maria tried to get her to change her mind. She told her parents she was home sick. Yada, yada yada. She’s one stubborn bi, uh, woman when she wants to be.” Michael just shook his head in admiration.

“She studied Molecular Biology at UNM?” Max asked. “Is that what she’s doing now? Working in a lab?”

“No, umm. Actually she became a doctor.”

“I figured she’d get her PhD. She was always brilliant.” Max replied, misunderstanding Michael.

“No Max, not a PhD type doctor, a medical doctor. You know patients and everything.”

“A doctor? Wow. Dr. Parker.” Max looked out the window letting everything that Michael was telling him sink in.

“Yeah, since none of us were any good at healing she decided to help out in the only way she could.”

“You guys have put too much pressure on her. She shouldn’t have had to deal with all of this. She shouldn’t have been involved anymore.”

“She has a mind of her own and it’s not for me to tell her what she can and can’t do. You left. She dealt in the only way she knew how. She buried herself in the only thing she could. She searched for you for the longest time. She even wrangled Jim Valenti into helping her. She went to LA and came up empty.”

“I should have picked up the phone call,” was all he said as he put his head in his hands.

“You should have told her. Her mind ran rampant with all the possibilities that could have happened. It wasn’t easy for her. Isabel got married almost immediately after you left.”

“Iz is married?”

“Yeah, to a latino no less.”

“Does he know?”

“No.”

“Do my parents know?”

“No.”

“Why didn’t she tell them? I was gone that was all she ever wanted to do when I was here. You know how many times we argued about telling our parents. She had her chance. She should have done it.”

“Like Liz I think Isabel expected you to return sooner and now… well now it’s too late. She’s lied to her husband for ten years she can’t tell him now.” Michael explained.

“What did Liz think about Isabel’s marriage?” Max wondered.

“She didn’t know what to say about it. It was so sudden and so soon after Alex’s death she didn’t really know what to do. She attended like we all did. That’s when we all met Craig. He was there. No one knew why he was there he just was. He kept her company the whole evening. She went off to school and he followed. You have to see it from her point of view. Liz shut down and did nothing but search for you before her freshman year. Craig helped her. He was there for her from the very beginning. None of us questioned him. She kept him at a distance for over six years and then I think reality finally hit her. You weren’t coming back.” Michael realizing that once again he had said way too much but continued anyway. “Damn it Maxwell. I told you I wasn’t going to tell you and here I am telling you her life story.”

“Was there any good times? I mean all I’ve heard is the times that she spent looking for me or of her waiting for me.” Max looked at him and waited while he saw that Michael was going from time to time. “Michael did she live a good life while I was gone?”

“Yeah, I think so. You are going to have to ask her.” Michael glanced over at Max and asked, “So, how about you? How was ‘home’? Everything that you were starting to remember?”

Max’s face took on an icy cast, “No, it was nothing like I thought it would be. I didn’t really give it much of a chance. I hated everything about my trip, the reason for it, the space ship, Cal, Antar. I lived every second of every day with one thing on my mind. Finding my son and getting home.”

Max glanced over to Michael; “Do you know that Trevor isn’t my son’s real name? Khivar had him named Treznor after my grandfather. Could you imagine a child living here on earth with a name like that? I changed it; it’s close but not quite the same.

“We’re here.” Michael put the car in park and proceeded to get out of the car. Max had barely opened up his door before Isabel launched herself into his arms.

“Oh, Max. You are here. You really are here!” Isabel kept repeating as she crushed him in her embrace, all signs of the Ice Princess she had once been gone.

“Yeah it’s me. I’m back.” He whispered in Isabel’s ear.

“Look at you.” She covered her mouth while she finally released him and stepped back to get a better look at her brother. “You’re so young.” She ran her hand down the side of his face. “Look at you. You haven’t changed at all.”

“Look at you. You haven’t changed a bit.” He said as he held her back at arm’s length.

“Well it hasn’t always been like this. Just wait until you see the photo albums.” She said cheerfully. She once again embraced him into her arms. “I’m so glad you are back. I wish I were there when Liz saw you. Just wait until she gets her hands on you. If she doesn’t kill you first.”

“Speaking of Liz… we really need to get going. Some things never change. He’s not even back for twenty-four hours and our Miss Liz Parker is in trouble.” Michael said as they began walking Isabel to her vehicle.

“What kind of trouble?” Isabel stopped short and turned to look at the two men standing before her.

“Craig isn’t Craig.” Michael said. “Evidently he’s Khivar.”

“You have got to be kidding me.” She said with a shocked expression on her face.

“Well that’s what Trevor says anyway.” Michael voices as he held the door open for her to get in.

“Who’s Trevor?”

“My son.” Max finally spoke. “He’s my son and he’s somehow connected to Liz. Don’t ask me how he’s done it but he’s keeping tabs on her.”

“Oh, god Max. We have to go get her.”

“That’s exactly what I said but Michael insisted on coming to get you and then going and moving him to a place that Liz doesn’t know.”

“It’s what she told me to do Isabel.” That’s all he had to say.

“Well then that’s what we are going to do. We’ll go get her when we’re done. Now are you riding with me?” She asked her brother.

“Of course. You going to follow us?” He asked Michael.

As they turned to walk back to the cars, Max stopped and put his hand to his head and grimaced. Michael and Isabel both noticed and stopped to look at him with concern. “What’s wrong Max? Is everything okay?”

Max looked at Michael and Isabel with pain filled eyes, “No. It’s not. Liz is in pain and we have to go now.” Max fell to his knees and passed out.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Hello.” Maria picked up the phone. No one answered her. “Hello. Michael? Is that you?” Still no answer. “Liz?” The phone went dead. “Oh my god, Kyle. Something is going on.”

“What? What? I’m up, I’m up.” Kyle shifted in the chair and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. “Who was on the phone and what’s wrong?”

“I don’t know who was on the phone but I know something is wrong.” Maria pushed herself up. “I’ve got to call my mom. We got to get out of here.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. You are not getting out of that bed. You just delivered a baby this morning. Now, just sit back and relax. Leave it to me. I’ll find out what’s going on.” Kyle was standing over the top of Maria giving her his evil glare.

“Don’t glare at me. I’m not moving…” she lowered her voice and continued with, “yet.”

“I heard that. Let me call Liz.” Kyle reached for the hospital phone and dialed Liz’s cell phone. It rang and rang and went into voicemail. “Liz, it’s me. Call me before your friend here has a fit and leaves to come search for you.” He ended the call and looked at Maria. “Everything is going to be fine.”

“No, it’s not. Call Michael.” She demanded as she lay back down. “Just call him.”

Kyle dialed Michael’s number. It rang and rang and rang and then went into voicemail. “Uh, hey. Michael, call us at the hospital. Um… If you don’t your wife is threatening to walk out of here now. Baby in tow and I don’t think I’ll be able to stop her. Yeah, thanks.” He hung up the phone.

“I told you… I told you. Something’s wrong. Now call my mother; tell her to get over here. We’re checking out.” Maria sat up and walked over to the dresser where her clothes from her night bag were placed. “Move!”

“Maria we’re not staying at the Hilton, you just can’t check out.” Kyle stood and watched the small blonde woman move gently across the floor from one piece of furniture to the other.”

“I don’t care. I’ll get Liz to check me out. She’s a doctor.” Tears had started to flow down her cheeks. She brushed them away quickly.

“Come on. Settle down.” Kyle wrapped her up into his arms. It can’t be that bad. Whatever it is… we’ll make it through. We always do.”

“I’m not so sure this time. I’m not so sure.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Okay you guys have finally caught up to me. Look for the next update on Monday. If I get it done sooner I’ll post it if not I’ll keep you up to date. You are a wonderful group. I thought there would be an assassination group out for my hide but I’m quite surprised that you guys are hanging in there and are going to trust me. I don’t know… I’m still kind of leery and I’m the one writing it. LOL. I still have the feeling that you are still going to put the hit out on me when the story is all said and done. Oh, well. I’ve enjoyed writing this and I’ve really enjoyed reading all of your feedback. I’ve got another one on the back burner that is just waiting to be let loose soooo… Never fear



posted on 25-May-2002 5:37:44 PM by Bordersinsanity
woodwinds – You know I’ve told you this on more than one occasion. “Get out of my head.” HEHE! I know it’s almost scary how when you leave me feedback you are soooo close in guessing on what is going to happen… Hang in there. I think I might be able to post another part tomorrow. If not Sunday then Monday! Whatever you do don’t fall off your seat. Hang on! And oh yeah, it will get worse before it gets better…

AvenginAngelIQ – I agree. Burn. Khivar. Burn.

Angela35 – It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you on one of my threads. Thanks for checking in. I’m glad I haven’t disappointed you. YET! HEHE! IF you guys only knew what I know… I don’t know. I don’t want to give anything away. Thanks for all the wonderful feedback. It means a lot to me that you think my writing is growing… Hope you continue to follow me. I’ve got a few more in the works but don’t want to post until I get a little farther along on them… I’ll start a new one once Too Bad is complete which at the rate that its going it won’t be too much longer.

Once again thanks to everyone that has left me feedback. I was scared with this one because it is such a DARK, DARK Fic…

Love you guys!

posted on 27-May-2002 11:02:57 PM by Bordersinsanity
Title: Too Bad It’s beyond Control – Part 8
Author: Borders InSaNiTy
E-mail: BordersInsanity⊕yahoo.com
AIM: Borders285South
Disclaimer: I don't own any just wish I did!
Rating: Pg-13 (language)

Author's Note: Just so you I haven't forgotten you. Thanks, Bob (SciFiNut111). There's not a part that goes out without him seeing it first... You're the best!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Part 8

“I want them taken out of the hospital now. I don’t care who sees them leaving I want them here now!” Craig slammed the phone down onto its cradle. He looked over to the couch where Liz was lying. He had picked her up after he had zapped her and brought her in out of the hot September heat.

Soon Kyle and Maria would be here to join her. That would surely get the others here. Liz had no choice now but to do what he said. She would sacrifice her very soul if it meant that the rest would live. He had to make sure that was the way that she saw it.

The phone rang. “Speak.” He said into the receiver. “Good, good. We’ll be waiting.” He sat the phone down again and walked over to Liz.

“Liz…” He rubbed her hair away from her face. “Liz. It’s time to wake up.” He kissed her forehead and waited.

“Craig…” She was slowly beginning to come around. “Craig. What’s going on? Where am I?” Liz tried to sit up but was unable to due to the searing pain that shot across her temples.

“Just relax. You’ve had a rough day. The others will be here soon…” Liz ignored the pain the minute Craig said that there would be others coming.

“Who’s coming?” She asked as she winced in pain.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. I had Maria, the baby and Kyle picked up so they can be here with you. I know how stubborn you are and that you wouldn’t let them come but I insist so I had them picked up for you. They should be here in less than an hour now.” He got up from his crouching position and walked into the kitchen. “Can I get you anything to drink? Some coffee or maybe a shot of whiskey?”

Liz laid back down onto the couch her arm covering everything out. ‘What am I going to do? I have to get out of here.’

Not wanting to hide anymore from her nightmare she sat back up and looked around and squinted at the pain in her temples. Her keys were still sitting on the table by the door. She could make a break for it and try to escape but it wouldn’t help Maria, the baby and Kyle. No. She needed to stay in order to make sure that they would be safe.

“What happened to Tess?” She finally asked. It had just dawned to her that Tess hadn’t been mentioned in awhile.

“She’s dead.” He didn’t even bat an eye when he said it. Liz chuckled a little. Why did she expect him to show remorse?

“How did you kill her?” She stood up on shaky legs and walked to the bar that separated the kitchen from the living room.

Craig looked at her and smiled. “See that’s the beauty of it. I didn’t kill her. I didn’t even have to lay a finger on her.” Craig was toying with her. She knew it and then she looked closer at him. He smiled even bigger at her.

“Max?” She looked at his response to her question.

“You’re getting warmer.” There was something there that he wanted her to know. Something critical.

“Max didn’t kill her and you didn’t kill her. Did she kill herself?”

“Now, you’re getting colder. Tess would never do anything like that. She was a self-centered bitch that would ruin your life before she would kill herself. Come on, Liz. You know better. Come on. I know you know who killed her.”

“Just tell me Craig. I’m not guessing anymore. I’m not going to be your entertainment. If you want me to know who killed Tess then you’re just going to tell me.” She sat down onto the stool that she had been standing beside and took a swig of the whiskey that Craig had poured her. Taking in a sharp breath when it stung the back of her throat she waited for him to answer.

“Well you remember me asking if you were ready to be the mother to Max’s child that Tess could never be.” Liz shook her head she had no idea where this was leading but she wasn’t about to speak in fear that he wouldn’t finish the story that he had started.

“Tess died the minute she landed on Antar. She thought that we would be able to help her child but in all reality it wasn’t the child that was in jeopardy of dying, it was her. He was killing her.” He took a drink of a blue liquid that she had never noticed before and walked closer to him.

“Why would the baby want to kill his mother? I don’t understand.” Liz continued to eye Craig as he walked back and forth in front of her.

“See that’s the beauty of it. Tess never was his mother.” He paused for a moment to enjoy Liz’s confusion. “I can see you didn’t know this little piece of Antarian history. “Tess could never carry any child of Max’s no matter how hard they tried. The child would always terminate the pregnancy. Max healed you so long ago and when he healed you he gave you a piece of him and with it you were coded to be the one to carry the future heir of Antar. Tess didn’t know this little piece of information either. Nasedo had always told her that she was to bear Max’s child. I really shouldn’t speak ill of the dead; after all she did bring the heir back to us. It was a pity that she couldn’t live long enough to see him.” He was quiet as if he was mourning her death but then he looked up at Liz and smiled.

“What are you saying Craig? Quit toying with me and just tell me what the hell you’re talking about.”

“Max loved you with all his being and even though him and Tess created the baby she did it without his consent. If he didn’t want to have anything to do with Tess then his little guys didn’t want to have anything to do with her either. It was always you. Always.” Craig saw the confused look in Liz’s eyes and tried to explain. “I can see you still aren’t following.” He took a deep breath and continued. “Traznor was aborting the pregnancy here on earth. It was so much worse here because he could sense you like you can sense Max and vise versa. Anyway Tess thought that the only way that the baby could survive was for it to be born on Antar so she told Max that their child was dying. She never lied to him. She actually loved Max, in her own twisted way, like she thought she should have.”

He took another drink from his glass and then continued. “She was lucky that she was able to make it because the minute they landed on Antar the baby killed her. Being so far away from both of his parents made him… well I guess you could say that he felt like he had been stolen from the only ones that could love him so he terminated Tess by sucking all of her life force from her. He was lucky that they made it to Antar because with our technology the way it is we were able to pod him and save him until he could reach the maturity that was required to live without being in contact with his parents.”

Liz let the information that Craig had been telling her sink in. The pod was Max’s son In all reality he should have been her son. . I should have known that, he was so protective of Max, the mind warp should have told me he was Tess’ son too. She looked up at Craig and could see the twinkling in his eyes. “I don’t believe you. You can tell me anything that you want but I don’t believe that a child has the power to kill its mother.”

“Tess was never a mother. She could never be what you are. That’s why I’m so grateful to Max for leaving you all alone for all this time. With the death of Max the child will have no choice but to rely on you. We’ll take him out of the pod and claim him as our own. Together we will become the royal family and together we will rule Antar.” Craig closed the distance between him and Liz, and quickly wrapped her into his arms. He breathed in her scent and rested his chin on her head. Liz had nowhere to go and she knew that it would be useless to struggle so she let him do what he wanted to do.

“Over the years I’ve marveled at how the scent of you combined with the feel of your hair is so intoxicating. The soft silky tresses make everything that I hate seem to disappear.” Craig’s hand glided up and down Liz’s back in a caressing gesture. “When I hold you like this I feel like I can be the man that you want.” Craig slowly held her away from him as he looked in her eyes, “Give up on him. He’ll never be what I can be. He’s still a boy. He’s ten years younger than you are. He has no idea what it takes to makes you tick. I know you, Liz. I’ve been inside your head many of times. I can be everything you wanted him to be and more. Just let me prove it to you. Please.” Liz let him pull her back into an embrace as she thought about everything that he promised.

They stood like that for a few minutes as Liz mulled his offer. Finally she broke the silence, “Only if we do it the way I say we do it.” She looked up at him and she could see the hope in his eyes.

“Anything. I can be anything as long as you’re here with me willingly. I’m tired of living a lie. I want you to know me inside and out and I want to do things together. Tell me.” He held onto her not wanting to let her go.

“I’ll be with you if you let the others be. We’ll leave today if you promise me that no harm will come to the others. All it will take is one simple little promise to me and I will go willingly and will never look back again.” She looked at him hoping that he would take the offer and that the others will be able to finally be free.

Craig looked down at her, trying to gauge the true meaning of her words. “I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it some. You’re asking me to let the ones that I’ve despised for not only one lifetime but two to be set free.” He let her go and stepped away from her. “I’ll let you know within the hour what my decision is.” Craig gently pushed her towards the stairs to the second floor, “Why don’t you shower and change. It might make you feel better.”

Liz started up the stairs and when she got to the landing Craig called up to her, “If I agree we will leave tonight.”

Liz stopped and looked back down at Craig, “Fair enough. I’ll just go take a shower and change.” She answered as she turned back towards the stairs.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Damn I lost the signal.” Michael slapped the phone closed and looked at Max and Isabel.

“What are we going to do now?” Isabel looked at her brother and still couldn’t believe that he looked so young and then looked at Michael. Both of them had the women that they love in jeopardy and both of them had a defeated look on their faces. “You and I will take Trevor and hide him. Michael you go get Maria and baby Alex.” Isabel looked at the both of them to see if they agreed.

Max walked over to the pod and placed his hand on it. “What’s he doing?” Isabel asked.

“Just watch.” Michael said.

The swirling aura appeared and Max closed his eyes as if he were listening. After a brief moment he hung his head down low and sunk to his knees. “Max…” Michael took a few steps, “what’s wrong?” He knelt down beside him and placed a hand on his back.

“Trevor says that she is okay for now. She’s going along with what Khivar wants in order to keep him from coming for us. She told Trevor to make sure that we don’t come, that Khivar will kill us if we come.” Max looked up, the grief clearly etched on his face. “What am I going to do? I can’t let her sacrifice herself for me… for us. I won’t let her do it.”

“We won’t.” Isabel was now crouching beside the two of them. “What else can Trevor tell us? Can he tell us where they are?” Max looked up at his sister.

“He says that she won’t tell him where she is and he doesn’t recognize it from any of my memories.” He smiles a little and a tear runs down his face.

“Max…” Isabel leaned in to see what he was smiling about.

“She shut him out. He says she’s as stubborn as I am.” Max looked up and wiped the tear away. “I’ve told him to keep trying and to get back to me when he finds out where she is.” Max stood up abruptly, a determined look on his face and held his hand out to his sister to help her up. “Let’s go. I think Isabel has a good plan but I think I’ll go with Michael just in case there is trouble at the hospital.”

Isabel gripped Max’s hand and rose to her feet as Michael followed beside her. Max released her hand and lifted the pod and moved it to the back of Isabel’s Tahoe. After the pod was safely stowed he closed the back of the truck. When he turned Isabel hugged him like she did the first time. “I’ll take care of him as if he were my own.” She whispered and then followed with a brief kiss on the cheek. “You guys be careful. Call me when we are ready to regroup.

Max hugged back and then pulled away. “Let’s go.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Maria I can’t believe that you are doing this.” Kyle was pacing back and forth between the bed and the window. With every word he said his hands moved up and then back down to slap the side of his legs.

Maria just stood there and then finally she began to laugh. “What are you doing? Trying to fly?”

“What?” Kyle stopped in his tracks and looked at her. “What? I don’t get it.”

“You… trying to fly. You’re pacing back and forth flapping your arms as if you were trying to take off and fly.” Maria imitated him and then laughed some more.

“Not funny. Quit laughing. I’m nervous. We can’t get a hold of anybody and you’re over there packing getting ready to make a run for it. I don’t like it…”

“Did you get a hold of my mother?” Maria began to zip up the overnight bag that they had brought to the hospital that early morning.

“No. I didn’t. I couldn’t even get a hold of my dad. It’s weird. It’s as if this cell has been disconnected from the system.”

“Did you try the room phone?”

“Yeah, I tried that after the cell didn’t work. No luck there either. The phone sounds like it’s ringing but no answer.”

“I told you something is happening and I’m not about to let anything happen to the baby. Now, quit your yapping and let’s go get my baby and leave.” Maria opened up the door. “Oh, don’t forget my bag.” She turned around and smiled sweetly at Kyle.

Kyle grabbed the bag and followed Maria out the door. The halls were quiet, almost too quiet. “What’s going on?” He asked when Maria stopped at the first corner.

“I don’t know but I have a feeling it’s about to get a lot crazier around here. You might think I’m crazy but the less anyone knows where we are the better.” Kyle nodded his head and stepped in front to lead the way to the nursery.

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” He asked quietly.

“I have to be. My baby’s life is the most important thing to me right now and I don’t think Michael will ever forgive me if something happens to him.

“Okay. Follow me.” The two kept to the shadows. So far so good.

As Maria walked into the nursery she felt odd. Glancing around she noticed that the desk where the duty nurse usually sat was empty. Turning to Kyle she whispered, “That’s really weird Kyle. There’s always someone at the desk.” Maria walked over to where baby Alex was lying and reached down to grab him. She looked around again, still not believing that there wasn’t a nurse on duty, when she saw the coast was clear she brought him up and out of the crib. Alex was asleep and looked so peaceful. She was too busy looking at the small bundle of joy that she didn’t notice the slew of men walking down the hall past the observation window to the nursery.

Maria may have been wrapped up in baby Alex but Kyle’s senses were on full alert. “Maria. Come on. Those guys were heading towards your room. We have to go.” Kyle went over and reached her arm and pulled it toward the exit. They waited for the rest of the squad to pass the nursery before they exited the room. “This way.”

“Wait… why this way?” Maria laid a hand on Kyle’s arm and asked the question.

“Because… it’s the way they came from. I think it’s safe to say that they won’t be going over their own tracks.” Kyle started to go again.

“No, there will be guys staked out along their trail. This way.” Maria pulled him to follow her. They turned left and right and then left. They were now facing the service elevator. Maria pushed the button and the door opened. “Are you coming or are you going to stand out there forever?” Maria was inside bouncing little Alex up and down not so much to comfort him but to comfort her.

Kyle stepped in and the door closed. “Are you beginning to develop powers that you’re not telling anyone about?”

“Noooo. I’m not developing powers that I’m keeping from you. Just call it mother’s intuition.” She smiled a small smile and then looked back down at the baby. He was looking up at her and smiling. “I won’t let anything happen to you. Mommy and Uncle Kyle will get you out of here.”

“Uncle Kyle, huh… I like the sound of that.” Kyle was grinning from ear to ear when the door to the elevator opened up. “Umm Maria, we are in the basement.”

“I know. I figured they figured that we wouldn’t know that something was up so they only have the main entrance guarded. Now here comes the hard part.”

“It gets harder?” Kyle was trying hard to keep it light. This should be a time of happiness not a time of dodging military personnel.

“Look for a taxi or a car something…” Maria was scanning the parking lot and was just about to give up hope when she saw a certain familiar car pull in slowly at the hospital entrance. She placed a hand on Kyle’s arm. “My Knight in shining armor has arrived.”

“What are you talking about? Michael is here?” Maria pointed to the car that was heading towards them. “I’ll never say another bad thing about your husband again.” Kyle shifted the bag from one hand to the other and the two of them waited for the car to pull up in front of them.

Maria pulled out her cell phone and dialed Michael’s number. It rang and rang and it never picked up. “That is so weird.” She said as she shut the phone and looked up for the car. “Go flag them down.” She told Kyle.

“What? You want me to run after the car?” Kyle looked at Maria to see if she was serious.

“Yes, Kyle. I want you to run after the car. No, wait. Maybe it will be better if I send the baby to do it. What do you think? Go chase down the damn car.” Kyle sat the bag down and started to jog after the car that was going up and down as if it were looking for a parking spot.

“Hey, hey… Michael over here.” Kyle was flagging his arms up in the air to try and get their attention.

The car stopped and then backed up. Kyle looked around to smile at Maria and she was gone. “Oh no! Maria!” Michael rolled down his window and Kyle looked back around. “Michael.”

“Valenti, what the hell are you doing out here? Where’s Maria?” Michael scanned the area as if he knew something was wrong.

“She was just here. She sent me to come get you. Something major is going down. There are guys all over the hospital searching. She made us leave. She knew we weren’t safe.” Kyle was gripping the side of the car as if it were his anchor.

The passenger side door opened and Max got out. It was the first time that Kyle realized that Michael wasn’t alone. “Where was she last?” Max looked at Kyle and Kyle just stared back.

“Max? Is that really you?”

“Kyle, we don’t have time for hellos, where was Maria last?” Max walked around to the other side of the car and grabbed Kyle by the arm.

“Jesus Max. It really is you.”

“Yeah, Kyle it’s me but that’s not important. Khivar’s men are here and if you said Maria was just here then his men must have her and the baby. We have to go find her now.”

“Okay, I’ll show you the way we came. Maybe we can find her that way.” The two men went back inside the entrance that Kyle and Maria had just walked out.

Max hollered back to Michael. “Be ready to roll. When we come out there’s going to be a lot of people upset.” Michael nodded his head and put the car in gear and found a place to wait for Max and Kyle to come out with Maria and the baby.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“You have them? Good. Bring them here. The more the merrier.” Craig hung up the phone and looked up just as Liz was walking down the staircase.

“Who do they have, Craig?” Liz’s hair was still wet from the shower that she had taken. The towel was wrapped around her shoulders to keep her hair from getting her shirt wet.

“Just a little insurance. Don’t go worrying about it.”

“You promised.” She spat as she took the last few steps.

“No, I didn’t. I said I would think about it and besides what better way of making sure that others don’t try and do something foolish. Having Maria and the baby will be my little piece of insurance that I need to make sure that the poor excuse of a king and his second in command don’t try and save you.” Liz’s face turned with pain as Craig spoke.

“I can call them and tell them.” She offered. “Please, don’t bring Maria and the baby. Let me talk to Max and Michael and make sure that they don’t do anything to interfere. Michael will listen to me. I know he will.”

“I just don’t understand you Liz. You do everything for these people and they don’t give you anything in return.” Craig began pacing the distance between the couch and the window. “Year after year, I watched you suffer with your emotions. Always being put in second place by the man that you loved with all of your heart to an infant that was born to a mother that you despised. The others were no better. Calling on you to make the decisions making you listen to their own personal problems. Not once did anyone offer to listen to your problems. Not once did they offer to take the load off of your shoulders. Not once did anyone think of the pain that you might be going through. Maria had her baby on your day. Your day, a day that you made yours, a day that you allowed yourself to be comforted for the loss of everything that you had lost over the years.” Craig stopped and looked deep into the eyes of Liz. “I was there each and every day you needed someone to talk to. I was there every single time one of them called. I saw the disappointment when your best friend didn’t even ask if there was something that she could do.” He closed the distance between them. “Everything I do, I do it for you, Liz.”

“No you don’t.” She backed away from him. “Everything you do you do it for you. Not me. You. I was just a pawn in your game. I was just a way into the group so when Max came home you would know. I meant nothing to you. Don’t try and gloss things over. I meant nothing to you.” Liz stormed passed Craig and out the door. She ran crying all the way down to the dock.

‘Please tell me where you are. My father is upset that he can’t locate you. You are suffering. Let us help you.’

‘I can’t. Telling you where I am will only put all of you in jeopardy. Now that Max is back they don’t need me. I’m tired. He’s right. I need sometime for me. Just me. It’s not fair to you and I apologize but I can’t be everything to everyone anymore. But I’m not going to go while Maria and the baby are in their clutches. If it’s true and he has them then they will be coming this way.’ Liz visualized a map of the area. ‘Show this to your father. Tell him this is where they are taking Maria and tell him not to come any farther. They need him now more than they need me. I was just holding the fort down while he was away searching for you. Do you hear me Traznor? Tell him not to come any farther.’ Liz didn’t wait for a response she closed her mind to Max’s son and sat down on the dock.

She needed to think of a way to get Craig to leave with her before the others came for her. If she was here on earth they would continue to search for her. The only way that they would truly be safe if she was no longer able to be rescued. She had to make sure she was out of their reach. “Think Parker. Think.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I know I’m running behind schedule… but it’s still Monday *happy* and I’m posting now… Hope you are still enjoying look for the next part between Wednesday and Friday. That should give me enough time to get another part out by then. Let me know what you think I enjoy the feedback!

Oh, and a special thanks for the feedback to Lana Lane!
*wink*
posted on 30-May-2002 2:42:21 PM by Bordersinsanity
Okay here's a small warning... This is getting really bad... BE WARNED! It's a good thing this isn't all that long of a post. I won't make you suffer that bad.

Love the feedback and I'm sure I'll be hearing a lot of "What the*$⊕% is going on?" Hang in there... That's all I'm going to say.

Title: Too Bad It’s beyond Control – Part 9
Author: Borders InSaNiTy
E-mail: BordersInsanity⊕yahoo.com
AIM: Borders285South
Disclaimer: I don't own any just wish I did!
Rating: Pg-13 (language)

Author's Note: Just so you I haven't forgotten you. Thanks, Bob (SciFiNut111). There's not a part that goes out without him seeing it first... You're the best!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Part 9

“Michael I need a map.” Max had closed his eyes so that he wouldn’t loose the vision that Trevor had sent him.

“Why?” Michael looked over at Max whose eyes were closed.

“Liz told Trevor where she thinks Khivar is taking Maria and the baby. I need a map so I can show it to you.” Max looked over at Michael.

“Glove box.” Max opened up the glove box and began rummaging through all its contents in order to locate a map of the area.

“So is anyone going to tell me why Max looks like he is still eighteen or am I going to have to just wait until you guys decide to fill me in?” Kyle leaned up over the front seat and asked. He shifted his gaze from one to the other and then back again. “I’m waiting. Oh and here’s another question. Who the hell is Trevor and why is Liz with him?” Kyle began strumming his fingers on the seat that his arm was resting on as he waited for someone to answer him. He was getting antsy just sitting here doing nothing. Even though they were on their way to save Maria and the baby it still felt like nothing.

“My son.” Max replied without even acknowledging Kyle with a glance.

“You found him?” The shock plain in Kyle’s voice, “Where’s Tess? Did you leave her sorry ass at home?” Scorn dripping from the last few words since Kyle didn’t try to hide his emotions when he spoke. “Why’d you come back? And how in the hell can you know what’s going on with Liz and Trevor? Is he with her?” Kyle quit looking to Max for his answers when he saw him engrossed in studying the map. “Michael. Some help here, please.”

“Trevor linked to Liz when Max and him arrived this morning. He called Liz to come help Max. Max was hurt really bad and couldn’t heal himself.”

“Why didn’t his son do it for him?” Kyle focused all his attention on Michael since he was the only one supplying answers.

“He’s podded still.” Michael slowed down so he could turn a corner.

“What do you mean podded? He should be ten years old.” Kyle slumped back in the seat, “This is really strange.” He sat back and looked between Max and Michael as he thought about everything that he had learned.

“Look Kyle I don’t know all the answers. I just know what Max has told me and what I’ve pieced together.” Michael glanced over to Max and he was running his finger up along a route on the map. “Max? Are you going to help me out anytime soon?”

Max seemed to snap out of the daze he was in, “Hmmm? I’m sorry I was talking to Trevor. I think we know where Liz is.” Max looked up from the map with hope in his eyes. There was still a chance for them to save everyone. Then he would have a chance to talk to Liz. There was so much that he wanted to tell her. So much that he wanted to do with her. He had missed her and to him it had only been a year and a half but for her it had been a ten long years. He had a lot of making up to do.

Kyle leaned back up at the mention of Liz’s name. “We’re going after Liz? Why are we going after Liz? She shouldn’t be involved in this. She left early this morning to go do something with Craig.” Reality hit Kyle as he slowly pieced together the pieces. “Wait, Liz healed Max but she’s not here now.” Looking at Max he continued, “Why did Liz just leave you out there? Where’s Liz?”

“Liz left me when she tried to lead Khivar away from the chamber.” Max explained. “We think he has her now and will have Maria and Alex soon.”

The weight of the situation settled down upon them all in the car. Kyle sank back down into the back seat. “I knew it was too good to be true. Damn it!” Kyle hit the door with his fist and then crossed his arms in front of his chest. “How long has he had her?”

“Well according to Michael almost ten years.” Max looked at Michael and Kyle could see the silent communication going on between the two men.

“Wait. Ten years. What’s that supposed to mean?” Kyle felt like a yo-yo in the back seat. Either he was leaning up into the front or he was leaning back in the back seat.

Michael glanced in the rearview mirror at Kyle’s face as he told him, “Craig is Khivar. He’s been here all this time and we never knew. Craig’s been waiting for Max to return so he could get his revenge on him.”

Kyle hit Max’s seat from behind. “And now she’s in danger. She’s in danger because you’re back and she helped you? Do you have any idea what he could do to her? Do you have any idea what she will do to protect all of us?”

“You’re asking me if I know what Khivar’s capable of? Do you think I want Liz in this situation? Liz didn’t give me a choice.” Max shot back. “I wasn’t even conscious when she left. I wouldn’t have let her do anything by herself. Never!”

Kyle wasn’t phased by the anger in Max’s words, “What kind of plan do you have for getting her back?”

Max sighed as the anger left him and he ran a shaking hand through his hair, “I don’t know, Kyle. I don’t know. I don’t even know if this is where she is.” Max waved to the general location of the map that he had been looking at. “Its somewhere around here but I’m not familiar with the area.”

“Let me see.” Kyle leaned further over the seat and yanked the map out of Max’s hands. “She’s at the cabin.”

Michael looked into the review mirror to look at Kyle. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

“I don’t know. Maybe because your wife and first born are missing.” Kyle gave his sarcastic explanation. After a moment Kyle relented, “Don’t beat yourself up about it. I’m surprised that you’re driving so well.” Kyle gave a reassuring squeeze on Michael’s shoulder. Michael gave a weak attempt of a smile to pass his lips.

Max watched the conversation between the two men and was amazed. Both of them acted like they were best friends. A lot must have happened in the last ten years. Of course it had. How many times had Michael told him that this morning? More than he could keep track of. He had a lot to catch up on.

Michael drove for a few seconds more before glancing at Kyle in the mirror, “You have to call Isabel. Tell her to meet us outside the cabin on the dirt road that runs north and south on the west side.” Michael tossed the phone back to Kyle.

Kyle hit the numbers to Isabel’s cell phone and waited. When she answered her phone he cut her short by saying, “Hey, change in plans. We know where everyone is.”

Kyle listened for a moment, a look of surprise on his face, “Huh? You… How did you know?” Kyle listened to her explanation and then looked up to the front seat as he repeated the substance of what Isabel told him, “Trevor told you? I should have known. Okay. Well, we’re about a half and hour behind you. We’ll meet you on the dirt road on the west side. You know the one I mean?” Kyle listened until Isabel assured him that she did, “Just stay there and wait for us. Be careful and don’t do anything until we get there. Do you understand? Just wait for us.” Kyle flipped the phone off.

“She’s almost there.” Kyle said as he shook his head in wonder. “It seems that Trevor has been a busy little boy. Trevor told her what he knew and she figured it out already and was heading that way. She should be there just a little before us.”

Kyle slumped back in the seat and looked out the window at the passing desert as silence consumed the car. No one was talking as they were all consumed with worry for their loved ones. It was the calm before the storm.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Get your hands off me!” Maria screamed at the man that was holding her arm. He jerked a little bit harder. “Okay, okay. I’m moving.” She began to walk in the direction they were leading her in. The man gave her a little push to make sure she got the idea. “Hey! Baby on board, you moron! So help me if you make me drop him you will not live to take your next breath of air. You got that?” Maria had turned around to face the man face to face. “Do you hear me?”

“Get into the van.” The man opened up the door to a white van and held out a hand to help Maria in.

Whoever these people were they were prepared. There was a car seat waiting. Maria buckled Alex into the seat and then sat down beside him. She looked down at the small bundle and felt tears begin to fall down her cheeks. ‘What have I done? What have I done?’ Maria cried for the life that she knew her son would continuously live. A life that Michael has had to live. She closed her eyes and began to hum a soothing song. Even though Alex wasn’t fussing it gave her a small piece of comfort hearing the soft song.

“Don’t you worry little one. Your daddy and everyone else is going to save us. I know they will.” Little baby Alex cooed at the sound of his mother’s voice. His hands were waving around without a care in the world and when it came into contact with one of Maria's he grasped onto it tight.

“You better not make a liar out of me Michael Guerin or I will so hurt you.” She looked out the window to see if she could tell where they were going just in case Isabel tried to dream walk her later. This wasn’t the first time that Maria had been kidnapped. After the first time they laid down a set of rules and she was following them as best as she could.

Rule number 1: Don’t piss of the kidnappers.
Rule number 2: Look for any and all information that will tell where you’re being held.
Rule number 3: Keep a cool head don’t get mad. It only makes them feel like they have you right where they want you.

She could go on and on for quite some time after all Liz Parker compiled the list of rules. She was good at itemizing things to no end. Liz… what was she going to do? Max was back and she knew it when she left this morning and she didn’t say anything to her at all. That’s why she said that if Craig had asked her to marry him yesterday she would have said yes. She would have said yes because she had finally given up on the notion of Max ever returning. They all had but much sooner than she had.

She still loved Max Evans. Maria looked back out the window at the barren desert scenery that flew by. She saw a historical land marker and she finally realized where they were going. She leaned back in the seat still holding Alex’s hand and tried to force her self to sleep. They needed to know that they were heading for Liz’s cabin. The minute she closed her eyes she was asleep. Dreams of little Alex growing up as a normal little boy playing before her eyes.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Liz was lying on the dock trying to relax, the sun warming her body. Her hair was beginning to dry. There was many a day that she had done just this. It was so peaceful. A light breeze rustling the leaves in the trees, and the birds chirping. This was her haven away from all the chaos that normally was her life. This was her haven from all memories of Max. And now it was ruined.

She had been such a fool to try and escape; all she had accomplished was to be pulled into it deeper. She wanted to believe Craig loved her. Liz sat up and put her head into her hands as she tried to think. She picked her head up out of her hands and shook it. Damn it, she needed to quit thinking of him as Craig. He was Khivar. Khivar, their enemy, not Craig her lover. She finally had a face to go with the name and she didn’t like it.

Looking up at the sun she closed her eyes and let the sun’s warmth wash over her. She couldn’t lie to herself. She loved him. Granted it wasn’t the heart-stopping, skin-tingling love that she had had with Max but it was a comfortable thing. He had never treated her wrong in the ten years that she had known him but the more she thought about it the more she knew he had. Maybe not him personally but he had a hand in it. The Skins didn’t do things unless they were ordered to do them by Khivar. Khivar was Craig. Craig was Khivar. There was no way around it. She had fallen in love with her enemy. Max’s enemy.

She laid back down and threw her arm over her face. She didn’t want to see the pink glow behind her eyelids. It shouldn’t be a bright sunny day. It should be dark and dismal. It should be raining cats and dogs. Max had come back today which would be reason enough to have the sun shine but she would be leaving today and that was the reason she wished that it would be raining.

Liz didn’t know how long she had been lying on the dock. It had been so quiet that she had forgotten where she was. She quickly sat up when she heard tires crunching on the gravel of the road as it drove up the drive. She shaded her eyes so that the sun wouldn’t shine in them as she looked for the vehicle. As it rounded the drive she saw that it was a white van with very dark tinted windows. Evidently it was Maria. Max, Michael and Kyle were unable to get to her in time. “Damn it. They have no choice now but to come here to save her and if they were going to save Maria and the baby they would try to save me as well. I know them too well.”

Liz stood up and started walking to where the van had parked. The passenger door opened and a beefy guy with a hat and dark shades got out and went to the side door of the van. He stood and waited for the driver to get out and come around before he opened the door. They motioned into the van and Maria climbed out with Alex in her arms. One of the men put a hand on her arm but she shook it away. “Get your damn hands off of me!” She yelled as she brought the bundle that she was holding in closer to her body so she could protect it better.

Liz started for the van. “Maria!” She began to run to close the distance between the two of them.

“Liz!” Maria hollered back but she stayed standing where she was. She made no attempt to go anywhere her captor’s didn’t want her to go.

“Maria, I’m coming.” Liz was about halfway to the van when Craig stepped out of the cabin. She slowed down when she came close to him and as Liz started to walk past him he reached out and grabbed her arm. “Let me go!” She tried to shrug his hand off of her and pull away from him but he held onto her tightly.

“Where do you think you’re going?” He asked as if he didn’t know where she was headed.

“Let me go! Or so help me…” Liz tried to free herself from his grasp.

“What, Liz? What are you going to do?” He let go of her arm and they squared off. “You’ll be a fool to do anything now because your best friend and her baby are here. You wouldn’t want anything to happen to them now would you?” Liz hung her head in defeat and shook it no. “I didn’t think so. We’ll go greet her together. We wouldn’t want you to try anything foolish now would we.”

Khivar reached for Liz’s hand but she pulled it away from him. He reached for it again and grabbed it firmly. She looked up and then looked away. She didn’t know how she could have missed it all this time. “Don’t forget to smile, Liz. We would hate for her to think that you don’t love me.”

“Shove it, Khivar!” She said in a short clipped tone.

“Maria, it’s so nice of you to join us. We have some wonderful news and I didn’t want Liz to go away and not be able to say good bye to her best friend so I had you brought out here. I hope you don’t mind.” Khivar placed a wide grin on his face. “Besides I was informed that you were leaving the hospital anyway so what is a short side trip here before you go home.” Still Maria had yet to say anything and had yet to move.

“Maria…” Liz started but when Khivar pulled on her hand she quit speaking. She looked at Maria and was just able to say, “I’m so sorry.” Tears started to run down her cheeks. She didn’t know what Khivar had planned to do to her but Liz just knew it wasn’t going to be good. Either she cooperated or Maria would get hurt. She knew the drill.

The minute they were merely arm’s lengths away Liz pulled away from Khivar’s grasp and wrapped her arms around Maria’s neck. “I’m so sorry. I was so blind.”

“Oh, Liz. We all were. We all trusted him more than you did. I’m sorry we didn’t know sooner. I’m so sorry.” The two girls pulled away and looked at each other.

“Well now that the formality of the greeting is over lets go some place out of the sun. It’s deathly hot out here.” Khivar pulled Liz to him and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He pulled her in so tightly to him that Liz’s arm had no place to go but around his waist. Looking at the two men flanking Maria he snapped, “Bring her and the baby into the house.”

Khivar didn’t wait for them to react he just turned with Liz and walked ahead of them as if there wasn’t a care in the world. Liz was still crying but Khivar didn’t tell her to stop so she wasn’t going to. “Just think by tonight the whole gang will be here. It’s only a matter of time before they come and try save you now.” Khivar chuckled.

Liz quit listening to his mindless speech. It was all an attempt to make her feel worse. She concentrated on contacting Traznor. They had to know that plans had changed. Closing her eyes she concentrated. ‘Traznor… are you there? I need you to tell the others that Maria and the baby are okay and that they are here with me at the cabin. Make sure Michael knows that she and the baby are okay. I won’t let him do anything to them. I will die before they are harmed. Do you hear me?’ Liz opened her eyes. She didn’t know why she couldn’t get through to him. Maybe he was still angry with her for cutting him off earlier.

They walked into the cabin and Liz turned and waited for Maria and the baby to walk in as well. “I can’t believe you did this Craig.” She said as she watched Maria and Alex approach the door. Turning to look at Khivar she continued, “I can’t believe… I told you I was going to go. No questions asked and no looking back…” She slumped down to the floor her legs crossed and her head in her hands. “I was going to leave. I was… I could have been happy about it too but now I wonder.”

“Could you have really left Liz? Could you really leave all your friends behind?” Khivar stood over Liz looking down at her.

Maria and Alex walked past them and stood in the middle of the room watching the two of them.

Liz looked up at Khivar; “You never had any intention of just leaving did you? This was all a big trap for the others, wasn’t it?”

Khivar continued to look down at Liz and shrugged his shoulders; “It isn’t good policy to leave your enemies behind where they can plot against you, now is it.”

She struggled to her feet to face Khivar, “You lying bastard, I hate you!” Liz swung her hand and slapped his face. Khivar turned his head and then cupped his face with one hand.

“I’m so sorry to hear that. Now everything changes.” He turned and took aim at Maria and let loose.

“No!” Liz screamed as she saw Maria’s body flying across the room and slam into the fireplace and slide limply to the floor, baby Alex still in her arms. Liz turned to go help her but Khivar reached out and grabbed her arm. At the feel of Khivar’s hand on her arm Liz lost all reason. She turned and attacked. She brought her knee up into his crotch and as he released her arm and bent forward in pain Liz drove the heel of her hand up into his nose. She felt his nose break and knew that it could be a killing blow but Khivar just staggered back in shock. Khivar shook his head as if trying to clear it. He reached up and felt the blood pouring from his shattered nose. He stared at Liz in shock for a moment but before Liz could attack again his eyes flashed with anger and he held up his hand and unleashed a blast that threw her across the room. As Liz slammed into the wall her last coherent thought was that she had failed to save her friends, then blackness came.

As the fury coursed through Khivar’s body he started to release bolts of power at various parts of the room. As the bolts struck the walls they burst into flames filling the room with a dense smoke.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Okay... I really, really appreciate all the fabulous feedback that I'm going to be receiving so let me hear it... Look for the next part on Monday... If I get it done I'll post the next part sooner. Thanks again for hanging in there. You guys are the greatest.



posted on 3-Jun-2002 3:45:17 PM by Bordersinsanity
UGH! Thanks for all the fabulous bumps... I'm sorry to do this to you but the next part took longer to do... Yes... it's almost done and should be posted sometime tomorrow...

I'm so sorry... Maybe I shouldn't give time frames. I'm constantly missing them. I had a really good excuse. I spent all day yesterday at Rockstock 2002! Awesome concert... and yes I drank way too much so I'm not all here today at work. I should have taken the day off...

Once again...check in tomorrow... Thanks guys for your understanding.
posted on 4-Jun-2002 8:36:15 AM by Bordersinsanity
Lana Lane -- What am I like? Ummm... I'm probably one of the older fanatics out here. I just turned 29 in May... I have a four year old daughter, hence the reason I do all my writing at work and not at home. HEHE! I bet there's a lot of us that wish they had a job that let them do what they liked to do. Will you need tissues? -- Probably, although I didn't tear too much but I know what's going to happen. Maybe that will make you feel like the insurance is still yet to come. Hang in there. One more part. Thanks for the bumpage... I really appreciate it.


ON WITH KILLING KHIVAR! YEAH!

Title: Too Bad It’s beyond Control – Part 10
Author: Borders InSaNiTy
E-mail: BordersInsanity⊕yahoo.com
AIM: Borders285South
Disclaimer: I don't own any just wish I did!
Rating: Pg-13 (language)

Author's Note: Just so you I haven't forgotten you. Thanks, Bob (SciFiNut111). There's not a part that goes out without him seeing it first... You're the best!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Part 10

Michael had the pedal as far down as he could go. When he heard that Isabel was going to beat them to the cabin he didn’t like it. “Michael slow down.” Max said in his usual voice. It took Michael back ten years when Max said that phrase.

“I’m not going to slow down, Max. Not only do they have my wife and child but they have Liz as well and if we aren’t careful they may end up with Isabel and Trevor too.” Max didn’t know what to say. Michael was right. Things really had changed while he was gone.

“Umm. Guys. You might want to quit bickering about the speed and look what’s in front of us.” Kyle was leaning over the front seat once again. He was pointing out the front windshield at a white van that was getting closer and closer. “Do you think it could be Maria?” Kyle looked at Michael. He had given up on getting any answers from Max at the beginning of the ride.

“It could be. What do you think?” Michael looked at Max.

“You can’t tell?” Max asked with a raised eyebrow.

“What?” Michael asked. He had no idea what Max was referring to.

“You should be able to sense your son, Michael. Concentrate and search. You’ll know once you feel it.”

“I’m new at this kind of thing. My son’s just over eight hours old.” Michael reminded Max.

“Try. Concentrate.” Max watched as Michael did as he said.

Michael began smiling. “It’s them! It’s them.”

“Way to go.” Kyle clapped Michael on the shoulder and then looked back to Max. “What’s the plan?”

“Hang on… I’ll see if Trevor can cover us. We’ll need to stop the van and take it over

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Charlie, we’ve got company. Coppers are at our six.” The driver of the white van said as he looked into the review mirror.

Charlie leaned forward so he could look into the side mirror. “Shit. Are you speeding?”

“No, I’m not speeding. I’m not an idiot.”

“Well if you ask me you both are idiots. I told you that you wouldn’t get away with this. I told you.” Maria piped in with a singsong voice.

“Shut up blondie if I wanted any shit from you I’d squeeze your head.” Charlie said as he looked at her with an evil look. “What are you going to do, Bryan?” He said as he turned and looked at the driver of the van.

“Act cool. Just act cool and so help me chick if you even make one peep I’ll kill that kid of yours while you watch.” Maria sat back and raised her hands in a defensive way showing that they weren’t going to get any trouble from her. She turned around and saw what the two were talking about but it wasn’t a cop car, it was Michael’s car. They did come to save her.

It was a bad idea to even have looked to see what the two idiots were so scared of because she was having a hard time keeping a smile off her face now. She didn’t know how they had done it but they did. Her and Alex were going to be saved. Chalk one up for the home team.

“Just pull over. This isn’t a very populated highway and so they are probably just doing a routine traffic stop.” Charlie tried to calm Bryan as to what to do.

“Okay, you’re right. Remember what I said about killing the kid.” Maria shook her head in understanding and the guy pulled over.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“What the hell? They’re just pulling over.” Kyle said to the two that were sitting in the front seat.

“It’s Trevor. He’s creating a mind warp to make them believe that we are cops. We’re pulling them over for a routine traffic stop. Michael, how much control do you have over your powers?” Max asked as the cars slowed down. Better than when I left?”

Michael nodded his head before answering, “I’ve been practicing. Liz insisted on it.”

“Good, so you can take out the passenger without blowing up the van?” Max continued.

“Yeah, that would be no problem.”

“Good, then you go to the passenger side and take care of whoever’s there, I’ll take the driver. Whatever you do don’t look at Maria and your son. Act like a cop, you’re only interested in the passenger. As soon as the driver starts to reach for his wallet we act. As soon as we get rid of the kidnappers we can take care of Maria and your son.” Max was laying down the plan. Both Michael and Kyle were surprised at the efficiency of Max and his son.

“Kyle, keep your head down. I’m sure they never saw a patrol car with three troopers in it. Hopefully Michael and I can handle everything.”

“So, Trevor’s doing all this?” Kyle asked as he slid down in the seat.

“Yeah.” Max wasn’t going into details and it was killing Kyle.

“Some things never change.” He shook his head.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Max asked as the two vehicles came to a complete stop.

“It means that you’re still not one to give a lot of information. You just expect us to do as you say.” Kyle let the issue drop. It was useless in arguing with Max. He didn’t understand how things had changed while he was gone and it wasn’t the time right now to go into it with him. All that mattered was getting Maria and Alex back safe and unharmed.

Max and Michael got out of the vehicle at the same time. They both started forward towards the van as the plan required. As they approached the rear of the van Michael looked over at Max and whispered, “What do I do? Just hit him or what?”

“Whatever it takes. Just make sure he can’t turn towards Maria.” Max instructed.

“Thanks. I just didn’t want to mess it up.” Michael nodded his head and the two proceeded down each side of the van. As Michael reached his side he nodded at the passenger as he watched Max talking to the driver. As the driver started to reach into his hip pocket for his wallet the passenger sensed the movement and turned to look. Michael reached into the van and grabbed the passenger by the head and smashed it back against the door pillar. The passenger immediately slumped forward. Michael then looked over to see what was happening with Max and he saw that the driver was already out too. Michael wrenched open the side door of the van and the family of Michael Guerin was once again reunited.

“What took you so long?” Maria slapped Michael and then kissed him as she stepped out of the van.

“Are you okay?” Michael asked as he pulled away to scan her for any injuries.

“Besides going crazy with worry. I’m okay. We are both okay.” Michael pulled her into his arms and caressed her as they both began to rock.

Kyle came running up to the van and climbed inside. After a moment he climbed out with baby Alex in his arms. “All’s good here. Baby is fine.” Kyle looked up with a strange look on his face. “Umm. I think he needs a changing. Maybe too much excitement and boy does it reek.” Kyle was holding the baby at arm’s length. “Someone take him, quick.” He held the baby out to Maria.

Maria held up her hand, “You change him Uncle Kyle.”

Kyle’s face took on a look of horror at the thought. “Ugh, no freaking way! I wouldn’t change a diaper if you paid me.”

“I’m not changing him. Michael.” She looked up at her husband.

“What? You’re expecting me to change a diaper after I just rescued you?”

“Yes.”

He knew that there was no point in arguing with her. Actually he would do anything for her knowing how close they were to loosing each other. “Fine. Give me Alex.” Kyle handed him the baby with a smile.

“Breaking him in early aren’t you?” Kyle asked Maria.

“Well…” Her sentence hung while her eyes moved from Kyle to behind him. There standing in the background was Max. “Max? Max Evans… is that you? Oh my god! I can’t believe it. Well I can believe it but look at you.” Maria ran to him as she pushed Kyle out of the way.

“Hey Maria.” He went to hug her but before he could she wound up and slapped him across his face.

“That’s for disappearing ten years ago! I swore I’d hit you for what we all went through.” She then reached up and although Max flinched a bit thinking she would hit him again, she grabbed him into a crushing hug. As she released him she said, “Welcome back Max.”

As Max looked down at her he noticed that she hadn’t changed that much. Well, if you don’t count marrying Michael and having a baby. “How are you feeling?” He looked down at her.

“I’m fine. Relieved. Tired. Should I continue? I can you know. Just ask these two. Not much has changed.” Max raised an eyebrow at her. “Well, maybe a lot has changed but some things never do.” She hugged him again. “I’m glad you’re back.”

“Me too. Me too.”

“Look at you. You’re so young. Whatever it is you did I want to know your secret.”

“No you don’t. My secret is that time seems to slow down on Antar. What was only a year and a half for me was ten years for you. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to go back to stay young longer. I’ve missed out on too much as it is.” He pulled Maria to the side while Michael and Kyle were struggling with changing the baby’s diaper.

“How is she?” Max’s eyes were questioning just as much as he was verbally.

“Liz? Well, she’s good. Acting a little strange today but under the circumstances I can see why.” Maria squared her shoulders to face him. “I don’t want to lie to you. It was hard on her, on all of us but especially her. She was devastated when she couldn’t get a hold of you and she realized that you found the ship and you took off. I remember she had made this care package for you and I had teased her that you would be back before it even reached California. I think she had some idea that you wouldn’t be coming back that if you had the option of finding your son or choosing her that you chose him.”

“Isabel’s wedding came and as we stood up there with her Liz continued to look for you. She always looked for you in hopes that you come back. About a month after Isabel’s wedding and almost two months since anyone had heard from you she went to Jim and asked for help. They spent all summer searching and going over every step that you had taken.” Maria sat down on a large rock while Max continued to stand. Michael and Kyle were done with Alex and were standing off to the side while Maria continued to tell Max everything.

“Summer came and went and they were no closer. She went off to Harvard but not willingly. Things happened and she moved back here. She’s been here ever since.” Maria looked down at her feet.

“Look, I don’t mean to interrupt the old times but you guys do realize that Liz is being held by Khivar and Isabel and Trevor are basically at his back door.” Kyle stepped up. “So, what’s the plan?” Kyle looked to Max. He could see that it was hard to hear everything that Maria had told him about Liz because his eyes were filled with much regret and tears that were about to fall.

“Let’s get to Isabel and Trevor first and then I’ll tell everyone what we are going to do.” Everyone broke and moved to their vehicles. Max and Kyle pulled the two that they had knocked out from the van and started to drag them towards the back. As Kyle dragged the passenger passed Maria she let all the fear and frustration she had boil up inside her out. She took a step up to the guy and kicked him in the side as Kyle’s grip loosened and the guy started to fall to the ground Maria kicked him again, “That’s for threatening my son you bastard.”

Kyle started to step between Maria and the unconscious guard but before he could she gave him one last kick and turned towards Michael “Let’s get to Isabel.”

Kyle grabbed the guy and together Max and he put them in the back of the van while Michael grabbed the car seat and moved it to the car. There was no way that he was going to let Maria and his son out of his site any time soon.

The drive to the cabin seemed longer than it actually was. Isabel was pacing outside her truck while she waited. The minute the van and the car pulled to a stop Isabel ran to hug Max. “You got them! Oh thank goodness.” She turned to Maria. “I’m so glad you guys are safe.” She turned back to Max, “So what’s the plan?”

“Okay, this is what we are going to do.” Everyone huddled around Max and listened to what he had to say. “Kyle, Maria and the baby stay here. Michael, Isabel and I will take the van while Trevor mind warps Khivar and Liz. When we get close we’ll grab Liz and take down Khivar.”

“Sounds simple are you sure that it will work?” Kyle asked the first question.

“I’m not sure, no. But I’m not about to sit here while she’s down there. If anyone else has an idea I’m willing to hear it.” Max looked around the group. When forced to look at him they opted to look away. “Okay, everyone ready?”

“Wait. What do we do if you guys get caught?” Maria looked at all of them. “Kyle and I are only human there’s no way that we can help you guys if you get caught.”

“She’s right.” Kyle added.

“If we get caught you guys go home. There’s not anything that you can do.” Turning to Isabel and Michael he continued, “If you want to back out tell me now, whatever your decision is I’m not leaving Liz down there.” Max walked to the van and hopped in. He started the van and waited.

Isabel opened the side door and crawled in. They looked at each other and smiled. “Are you sure?” Max asked.

“Yeah, I’m sure. There’s not anything that I wouldn’t do for Liz. Maria will tell Jesse if anything happens to me.” She yanked the door shut and settled herself in. “So, what’s the plan?”

The front passenger door opened and Kyle crawled in. “I’m going. Michael should stay here with Maria and Alex. I lifted the gun off the kidnapper’s so I can take out anyone that gets in my way.” Kyle looked back and wiggled his eyebrows at Isabel. “Sorry to interrupt. So, what’s the plan?”

Max explained the plan as best as he could. “We’ll drive down there and act like we are unloading Maria and the baby. Trevor will warp Khivar and Liz into believing that it really is them. Once Liz is close enough we’ll grab her and blast Khivar.” Everyone nodded and Max put the van in gear. “Here we go.”

Max maneuvered the van down the winding dirt road. “There she is.” Max pointed to where Liz was lying on the dock.

“Is she okay?” Isabel asked. As if Liz could hear her ask she sat up and looked at the van. She instantly got up from where she was sitting and started walking to where they would be parking.

“She looks like she’s okay.” Kyle stated.

Max stopped the van. “Okay, here we go. Isabel, wait for Kyle and I to get out and then we’ll open the door. Don’t move until we move. Remember to act like a prisoner, stay with us. I don’t want you falling into his hands.” Isabel nodded and waited for the guys to get out of the van. When the door swung open she stepped out and stood. Kyle shut the door and they waited. Liz was almost there but she was jogging now. Just a little bit farther.

“Maria!” She called out. Isabel’s heart broke at the pain that she heard in Liz’s voice.

“Just a little bit farther. Kyle be ready.” Max whispered under his breath. “Wait, wait.”

Liz was halfway there when Khivar reached out and grabbed her. “Damn.” Max said. “Everyone stay cool. Don’t do anything. Remember we wait.” Max could see Liz and Khivar argue. She definitely knew who he was and she didn’t like it. Max couldn’t help but feel a little bit relieved that he might have a chance to show Liz how sorry he was for leaving her and mend the rift between the two of them.

They made their way to the van. Khivar smiling as if nothing was wrong and Liz looking defeated. Max wanted so much to blast Khivar now but waited. Liz was too close and Max wasn’t sure he could hit Khivar and not her so they went with the plan. Wait. He hated it. She was so close, so close. Max could see her pain in her eyes. Liz felt sorry that Maria was mixed up in all of this. He watched the two girls hug and then break away. Kyle anxiously looked over at Max and Max gave the signal to wait. They didn’t know who else would be here. Surely Khivar wouldn’t be unguarded.

They followed Liz and Khivar into the cabin and then time seemed to accelerate so that the events that followed happened too quickly. Liz was saying something about leaving and Khivar asked if she really would have left. Max couldn’t believe that she was going to leave without telling anyone. How could she do that? And then he thought about it. It was exactly what he had done but for different reasons. She was going to leave so they all lived. He had left to get his son. By the time Max got his bearings it was too late. Isabel had been thrown across the room and was down. Liz was throwing punches at Khivar and he had blast her all before Kyle and Max could do anything.

Max screamed. “NO! And went in blasting.” He was too late. Khivar was in a rage and the cabin was on fire. Max turned to look for Kyle and he barely saw him across the room with Isabel. Max hit Khivar in the chest with a blast and he went down. He rushed to Liz’s side and grabbed her. She was unconscious. “Kyle! Grab Isabel and get out of here.” Max looked over at where Khivar was lying and didn’t bother doing anything else. Let him burn.

Max picked Liz up and carried her out into the open. As he laid her on the porch he tried to make a connection to check her for injuries. “Liz. Liz you have to look at me.” He didn’t know what to do. He looked up at the cabin and waited for Isabel and Kyle to come out. They had yet to emerge. “Kyle!” Max yelled. He heard nothing. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

He looked one more time at Liz and then stood up to go in and save the others. “Kyle… Isabel?” The smoke was too thick he couldn’t see anyone. He tried to clear a path by using his powers but it only made matters worse. “Kyle! Isabel!” Max made his way to the last place he had seen his sister and friend.

He found Kyle leaning over her still form. He looked up to Max. “She’s gone.” He was crying while wiping her hair away from her face. “She’s gone.” Max leaned down to pick her up but Kyle took offense to it. “No! I’ll do it.” Kyle picked Isabel up and followed Max out the door.

Just before they stepped out onto the porch of the cabin, Kyle was hit in the back by one of Khivar’s power blasts. Max turned around and instantly caught the two as Kyle staggered forward. Max had his hands full and there was no way he could defend himself. He staggered under the weight of the two limp bodies and got them out onto the porch, and out of Khivar’s line of sight. “Kyle! Kyle! Can you hear me?” Kyle was gone too. A blinding rage overtook Max and he staggered back inside after Khivar.

“So you’ve come back for more?” Khivar was staggering to keep his balance. The blow Max had hit him with should have been fatal but Khivar had been stronger than Max had thought.

“I’m going to kill you.” Max hissed with vengeance.

“And while you’re killing me who will be healing your precious Liz? Her life is slipping away as we speak. Who is more important? Oh, wait. I know. You’re going to kill me first. Right? Liz comes in second once again. That’s what I never really understood with you. You had this fabulous woman that would do anything for you. She would die for you and you threw her to the side as if she never existed. I was there for her through everything and she never wanted me like she wanted you.” Khivar raised his hand knowing that Max’s retaliation would end his life. “You can kill me but it won’t matter. Liz is still going to die. Your sister is already dead along with her friend. How many are going to die for your selfish acts? I always thought you were a pathetic king but it turns out your just like all the rest. It doesn’t matter who dies as long as you survive.” Khivar took a step with every word he said and by the time he had finished the distance between him and Max were mere feet.

“I don’t care what you think. Go to Hell!” Max raised his hand and blasted Khivar to the other side of the room. Max turned and immediately went to Liz’s side. She was still breathing but it was very laborious. “Liz… Liz… please you have to look at me.” Max began to sob. “LIZ!”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Michael glanced down at his watch; “I don’t like it. They should have been back by now.” Michael looked to his right and took in Maria’s concerned expression that had taken up residence on her face.

“I know. I don’t like it either but it’s all we have. Max says that Trevor should be able to hold the warp long enough to get Liz out.” Michael and Maria both slid further back away from the crest of the hill.

“Do you have any idea what Max will do if Khivar hurts Liz? He’ll kill him.”

“And that’s a bad thing because?” Michael stated sarcastically.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. It would solve a lot of problems. It would be nice to have us all back and the enemy dead for once.”

“You can say that again.” Michael looked at his watch again, “Damn it, what’s taking so long.”

Maria chuckled before saying, “I wish Kyle was here. He would really get to see what waiting was like. What was that at the hospital about me waiting? Not easy is it? That’s what I would say to him. He was giving me such a hard time when we were waiting at the hospital and I wanted to leave because I just knew something was wrong.”

Michael glanced over to Maria ready with a biting response when all of the sudden they heard Liz scream. “What the…” Both Michael and Maria jumped to the crest of the hill and looked down at the cabin. They heard a series of explosions from inside and smoke started to billow out of the shattered windows.

“Fuck!” Michael got up from his crouching position and headed for the car. “Stay here. I’m going to go see what happened.”

“Michael, NO!” Maria stood up but it was too late he was already in the car and had it started. “I knew this plan wouldn’t work. I knew it! Please, please, please let everyone be okay. Please.” A lonely tear traveled down her cheek as she looked upon the chaos that was going on down below.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Michael’s car crept closer to the cabin. It literally looked like a small war had been waged. He got out of the car and started for the house. The first thing he saw was Max leaning over Liz, crying. Michael continued scanning the remaining area and saw Isabel’s and Kyle’s bodies lying limp on the front porch. “Max!” He called out in a loud whisper. Max didn’t even flinch. “Max!” Still no answer. He was too engrossed with Liz’s condition to break away.

Michael moved cautiously to where Max was sitting on his knees cradling Liz’s broken body. “I can’t heal her. I can’t make the connection. She’s dying Michael. She’s dying.” Max looked up at his friend with tear stricken eyes. “They’re all dead. Isabel… Kyle…”

“What about Khivar?” Michael asked.

“Dead. Hopefully burning in Hell.” Max began to sob.

“Max, we have to get away from here I smell gas.” Michael reached for Max to pull him away from the burning building.

“It’s not fair. She shouldn’t have been in this position. I would do it so differently if I had the chance to do it all over again.” Max continued to try to connect with Liz, not seeming to hear what Michael was saying.

Michael grabbed Max and started to pull he and Liz away from the fire. “We have to get away Max. Now!”

Max started to stager to his feet with Liz in his arms. “I should have answered her call. I shouldn’t have gotten on that damn ship. I’ll never make her second best ever again. If only I could do it all over again.” Max kept on repeating it over and over again.

Michael finally got Max moving away from the building, Liz’s limp body in his arms. As they turned to the hill Michael looked up to see Maria racing down the hill to help, “Back! Stay back Maria, there’s gas leaking!” He screamed at her.

The house exploded and the blast launched Michael, Max and Liz into the air. “NO!” Michael heard Maria’s scream. “NO!” Michael tried to get up but he couldn’t. He had landed on a fence post and it was sticking through him. He turned his head just enough to see Max and Liz’s bodies, twisted in grotesque angles before everything faded to black.

Maria fell to her knees as she scanned the devastation all around her. She began to mumble, “Dead, they’re all dead.” She broke down in tears and cried for everyone she had lost. It was just her and Alex and Trevor now. What was she going to do? What was she to do? “They’re all dead.”

TBC

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Okay, you may think this is it but there’s one more part. Yes the dreamer ending… How can that be? Just trust me. Like I said in the beginning it’s a twist to Control. Hence the title… but if you’re wondering you’ll just have to wait and I’m not telling you when I’m posting next. But I would look for it on Thursday. Thanks for hanging in there and look for the conclusion on Thursday. Love the feedback. Let me hear it.

posted on 4-Jun-2002 8:35:58 PM by Bordersinsanity
Well, okay... I guess I'm not that old... But remember guys you're only as old as you act. Thanks for the great feedback and for sticking by the bad parts. You guys are great no matter how old you are.


*wink*
posted on 5-Jun-2002 3:33:30 PM by Bordersinsanity
Well, I’m early… It could be because I’m being nice and feel bad for all the loyal readers having to suffer the trauma of Part 10… or it could be because this is about half the length of my normal posts. You decide the reason. I hope you guys aren’t disappointed in the ending.

The Chilling Conclusion of Too Bad – It’s Beyond Control *bounce*



Title: Too Bad It’s beyond Control – Conclusion
Author: Borders InSaNiTy
E-mail: BordersInsanity⊕yahoo.com
AIM: Borders285South
Disclaimer: I don't own any just wish I did!
Rating: Pg-13 (language)

Author's Note: Just so you I haven't forgotten you. Thanks, Bob (SciFiNut111). There's not a part that goes out without him seeing it first... You're the best!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Conclusion

“Wake up damn it.” Max felt his shoulder being prodded as he slowly regained consciousness. He quickly took in his surroundings and saw that he was in Cal’s car sitting in front of a huge hangar.

Max shook his head to clear out the cobwebs of the deep sleep he had been in. ‘It was a dream? It was only a dream?’ he thought. ‘God, it felt so real.’

“If we’re going to do this we better do it now.” Cal rasped out. “Come on. Your Majesty.” He continued sarcastically.

Max ran his hands through his tousled hair and as he did it he felt something sticky. As Cal opened his door the interior light came on and much to Max’s horror, his hands were covered in blood. He quickly glanced towards Cal but he was already out of the car and walking towards the hangar.

As Max staggered up to Cal he asked him, “What happened? What happened in the car?”

Cal sneered at Max, “You slept. You were sound asleep the entire ride out here while your faithful minion drove.”

Cal turned back towards the hangar but Max grabbed his arm and turned him back, “All I did was sleep? Nothing else happened?”

“Yeah, you slept. I don’t know, you may have been dreaming there for a while, you were moaning and groaning and mumbling about Liz.”

Cal again turned back toward the hangar door and this time Max didn’t stop him as he used his powers to open the door. Max and Cal stepped into the hangar and Cal started to tell Max what needed to be done. “I’ll get into the ship. As soon as you see the running lights come on, open the door. I’ll open the entrance to the ship for you and once you’re in, we’re off.”

Cal looked at Max’s face and tried one last time to talk some sense into him, “You don’t have to do this you know. Your son will be taken care of. He’ll want for nothing on Antar. You should really stay here with your loved ones. There’s nothing you can do up there. What do you think you can do against Khivar’s millions? Do you think that the masses are going to rally to you? Dream on. There’s nothing you can do. Nothing.”

“He’s my son. He needs me.” Max tried to reason.

“Max, you’ll be dead within twenty-four hours. How the hell is that going to help your son?” Cal said to Max. “You’re needed here, not on some suicide mission to try to fix your conscience.”

Max was torn. Could the dream be real? Could it be a warning? “I…I have to go.” Max mumbled.

“So be it.” Cal seethed.

Max watched Cal as he went up to the ship and inserted the key. As the door to the ship opened Max saw Cal shift into an unrecognizable life form and enter the ship. A few moments later the running lights came on and seconds after that the ship began to slowly lift off the supports. Max immediately pushed the buttons to open the hangar doors.

As the doors began the slow process of receding, Max heard his cell phone ring. Max looked down at his phone and saw Liz’s name was flashing on the front of it. ‘What was that?’ Something or someone had caught his eye. When he focused on it, it was gone. He shifted his gaze to look at the phone. He glanced over his shoulder and saw the ship floating in the air. The blue beam shooting down to the ground waiting for him to enter so they could leave.

Leave… Did he really want to do that? He had just seen what would happen if he did. They all died. He didn’t know how much of what he saw was true or his imagination. If it was true then everything that he was ready and willing to do just moments before will be for nothing. He retrieved his son only to die here on earth.

The memory of holding Liz’s limp body unable to help her ran through his mind. He told himself that if he had to do it all over again he would answer Liz’s call. He wouldn’t make her second best this time. He had seen the error of his ways and he was going to fix it here and now.

He looked at the ship one more time and then back at the phone. He turned his back on the ship as he pushed the button to answer it but was too late. Liz had hung up. He turned and stared at the ship. It began to rock and shake. It came down quickly to the ground and crashed. Langley crawled out of the wreckage and shifted back into his original form.

“Langley.” Max rushed over to his side and helped him up.

“Too much damage from the initial crash. The generators overloaded from hovering too long.” Max looped his arm around the bald man and helped him to the car. Putting him in the passenger seat he drove back to the mansion as Cal slept.

They pulled up to the front door. Max walked around to the passenger side of the car and helped Cal out. “Langley…”he held his hand for the man to take it. Cal refused the offer of help; he had too much pride to take anything from the young man standing before him.

“I destroyed my life for you tonight, all for nothing. Because of you, everything I’ve worked for is gone.” He walked into the mansion and Max followed.

“Cal…” Max called out while he walked into the front door of the house.

“It’s how you’ve always been, your majesty. Selfish and ungrateful. Being your protector might be encoded in my genes, but after tonight… I’ll never stop hating you.” Cal turned his back and started to walk up the stairs to his home.

“Cal. You were right. I slept with the enemy, and then sent my own child back with her. It was the biggest mistake of my life, and I have to live with it every single day. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have dragged you into this but I didn’t’ have anything to… I didn’t know what to do.” Cal turned around and looked at Max stand at the foot of the stairs. “I’m sorry.” Max said as he looked into the older man’s eyes.

“Think of all the loved ones you almost left behind. Your sister… Girlfriend… Your mother, who feels like she’s already lost you.” Max could see the feeling in the man’s eyes for the first time since he had met him.

“How do you know about them?” Max didn’t know. He didn’t know how Cal could know about all of them. They had never seen him in their entire life.

“Its’ my job. Go home, Max. Don’t come back.” Looking down at the young man’s face he continued, “Word of advice…. The more you embrace our alien side… the more you’re gonna lose.” It was true. Max had seen what had happen by some miracle. He had seen the future and he had changed it. Liz didn’t have to live the next ten years with someone that wasn’t him. He had been given a second chance. Or maybe he should call it third chance really.

Max didn’t waste anytime getting out of Langley’s house. He hopped into his car and began driving. The whole time he kept on thinking about what had happened. How did it happen? The yellow lines on the road blurred into one and he didn’t know how he was going to make it home.

Home. When he thought of home he was thinking of Liz. They were intertwined in his mind, he never thought of one without the other. There was so much that he needed to do. Things he needed to make up for. The lost time that he felt in his heart even though it hadn’t happened. He stopped for gas and reached for his phone. He thumbed through the missed calls and noticed that Liz’s number didn’t show up. ‘That’s weird.’

He shoved the phone back into his pocket and began to pump his gas. He decided not to look at this small miracle too hard. Accept that he had another chance at something that he hadn’t had before. He was on his way home to Liz and he was going to make sure she knew what she meant to him.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It was just ten o’clock. The Crashdown had closed an hour ago. He had yet to call Liz to tell her that he was coming home. He didn’t know if her parents would let him talk to her. And plus he had a lot of making up to her to do. He had been in California for a little over a week and during that time he had only talked to her when it benefited him. He didn’t want to grow up to be the man that Khivar had expected him to be. He wanted to grow up to be the man that Liz always knew he could be. No questions asked she always brought out the good in him and together they could do anything.

He pulled on the glass door to the front of the restaurant and was a little surprised that it was unlocked. There she stood. His angel. His love. She was sweeping the floor and he could tell she wasn’t into it. She looked sad almost defeated. She looked like the woman he had seen in his vision, the one that gave up everything for him.

She heard the bell on the door tinkle and looked up from sweeping showing no emotion. She stood firm. He could read what she was saying to him without even saying a word. She had given up on him and it had broken her heart. “Hi.” She said as she leaned on the broom.

“Hi.” Max stuffed his hands into his front pant’s pocket. He was waiting to see exactly how upset she was. He knew that he should just throw caution to the wind and kiss her but that wasn’t going to fix anything.

“When did you get back?” She asked as she shuffles the broom and herself closer to him.

“Just now.” He said quietly.

“You didn’t call.” She said.

“I was driving all night. I… I just had to get back to see you.” He took a step closer and pulled his hands out of his pockets. “I… I’m sorry.” He looked into her eyes and saw everything that he had feared he would see.

“You can’t do this, Max. I love you, but… You know, lately, I just haven’t been feeling it back.” She was straight to the point. That was the whole point of them getting back together. They had two rules; no more secrets and no more lies and she knew that he had broken both of them. And it hurt. It hurt her really bad.

“I didn’t mean to…” He stared at her. What could he say? Nothing. The least he could do is stand and listen to her.

“But you did.” She was now leaning on the counter, halfway sitting on a stool.

“Liz, I know you’ve been here, alone, waiting for me, and… and I’ve… It was wrong. I…” Max didn’t know how he could make it up to her. Words paled to what she deserved. She deserved for him to idolize her to be there when she needed him not when it was convenient for him.

She cut him off. “No.” She looked up at him and she could see all the turmoil and the pain that was running around in his head. “Max? What?” He just wrapped her up into his arms. The vision of her dying in her arms had flashed in front of his eyes one more time. “Max… what happened?” He began to sob.

“I failed. And my son… He’s up there somewhere. I’ve just messed everything up. Langley’s life… Yours… I’m so sorry, Liz. I’m so sorry.” The end of his sentence was mixed in with tears. Liz wrapped her arms around him and comforted him.

“It’s okay, it’s okay.” Max continued to sob and Liz continued to stroke his back in a comforting gesture.

“I’ll never leave you, Liz.” He stood up and took her face into his hands. She had no option but to look him in the eyes. She could see his devotion to make her hear what he was saying. “I’m never going to leave you. You’ll never feel like you’re second best. Never. You’ll go to Harvard and graduate with honors. Whatever your dreams are. I want to make them come true.” She placed her hands on top of his and began rubbing them with her thumbs as he continued to say everything to her that he had to say.

She began to speak but Max placed a single finger over her mouth to keep her from interrupting him. “I don’t deserve you and I’ve taken you for granted for the past three years. You can say I’ve been awakened. I’ve seen the light and I know the path that we were leading was wrong. That’s not the way I want us to end up. I want to marry you. I want to have children with you. I want to grow old with you. I want everything that you want and more. You complete me.” He kissed her and tried to put all the love he felt for her into the kiss. When he pulled back and wiped the tear from her cheek he continued. “I want to be everything that you wanted me to be. I can go on and on. But I promise you that you’re everything that I’ve ever wanted in my life and I’ve been a fool for way too long to ever doubt that.”

“Oh, Max. I want to believe you.” She looked down at her feet. “I really do, but what about your son? You said that he was sick. You said he was dying. You wouldn’t be the man that I love if you just turned your back on your own flesh and blood. If you do it to your first born who’s to say that you wouldn’t do it again?”

“I’m not turning my back on him. The ship crashed. We have no way of getting to him. Maybe one day we will but for now. There is nothing I can do. I know he’ll be all right.” He could see Liz’s questioning eyebrow raise. “Don’t ask. Everything will work out and he’ll understand. I know he will.”

He took Liz’s hand into his and bent down on one knee. “I know we are too young to be engaged but I want to make this promise to you. I promise that I will always think of you before I make any decisions. I promise to come to you with my problems. I promise to love you for the rest of my life. And I promise to cherish you until the end of time.” Max looked up at Liz as slid a small silver band with a bright blue stone centered in between two entwining hearts. “Liz Parker, will you accept this promise ring along with all the promises that I’ve made, and when the time has come will you promise to accept my proposal for marriage. I know there is no one else for me. It’s only you. It’s always been you.”

He continued to look up at her and he patiently waited. Liz was crying and her other hand was covering her mouth in astonishment. “Yes.” She said quietly and she knew that he hadn’t heard her so she said it again even louder. “Yes. Yes, Max I will make that promise with you. For I will always think of you before I make any decisions and I will promise to come to you with my problems. I will promise to love you for the rest of my life and I promise to cherish you until the end of time. I love you, Max. And there is no one else, for my heart belongs to you.”

Max stood up and embraced Liz. They began to twirl and their lips met with a kiss to seal the promises that they had just made.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Trevor watched as his father had mended the rift between him and Liz. The rift that had destroyed everyone his Aunt Maria had cared about in her timeline. Aunt Maria had done a great job raising him and Alex. She never showed favoritism to either one, but there was always something missing. He used to hang on her every word when she told stories of them all growing up. He knew what they had was special, and when the reason they had died finally came out it had upset him. 'There just had to be a way to fix things.' And that's when his Aunt Maria had told him the story of Liz and the future version of his father. He didn't believe her at first but the more and more she talked about it the more and more he knew it could be possible. After all there were aliens on Earth. Time travel could also exist. He had to smile because Aunt Maria said that it would work. He didn't know why he even argued with her. But he did. He knew the consequences of his actions. Maria had made sure that he knew. If he succeeded he more than likely wouldn't grow up on Earth. He would have to wait a lot longer to be reunited with his family. It was a chance that he was willing to take. He just hoped that when they did come for him that he would be able to accept them.

Looking in the window as they twirled around in each other's arms, he had faith in them and now that they were together he knew that his life would be different as well as everyone else's. He smiled as he watched his father and Liz, and then he felt it. He glanced down at his hands and watched in wonder as it faded to nothingness right before his eyes. Their future was unknown. They would be able to create their own destiny now.

The End

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Now you know the reason for the title… This story took place in a brief moment during Control… When Liz calls, it makes Max hesitate just enough for the ship to fail. I would like to believe that was the reason he stayed rather than the ship having too much damage to actually work. I know. I’m pathetic; but I’m a dreamer through and through.

The “Too Bad” part came from the song sung by Nickelback. There are just little verses here and there that remind me of Roswell.

Father's hands are lined with dirt from long days in the field
Mother's hands are serving meals in a café on Main Street (reminds me of Liz working at the Crashdown)
With mouths to feed... just tryin' to keep clothing on our backs
And all I hear about... is how it's so bad
It's too bad, it's stupid
Too late, so wrong, so long
It's too bad we had no time to rewind
Let's walk, let's talk

You left without saying goodbye, although I'm sure you tried (The way Max would have just left)
You call the house from time to time to make sure we're alive
But you weren't there right when I needed you the most
And now I dream about it... and how it's so bad
It's too bad, it's stupid
Too late, so wrong, so long
It's too bad we had no time to rewind
Let's walk, let's talk
It's so bad, it's too bad, it's stupid
It's too late, so wrong, so long
It's too bad we had no time to rewind
Let's walk, let's talk

Father's hands are lined with guilt from tearing us apart (The problems that Liz was having with Jeff)
Guess it turned out in the end, just look at where we are
We made it out...
...we still got clothing on our backs
And now I scream about it...
...and how it's so bad, it's so bad, it's so bad
It's too bad, it's stupid
Too late, so wrong, so long
It's too bad we had no time to rewind
Let's walk, let's talk
It's so bad, it's too bad, it's stupid
It's too late, so wrong, so long
It's too bad we had no time to rewind
Let's walk, let's talk
Long time, let’s walk, let’s talk

Thanks for giving me all the fabulous feedback. I really loved reading it all and I had to sit on my hands at times to not blurt out the truth. I know you guys think I’m mean. I’m really not. I just tend to fall on the insanity side of my little world every once in awhile. *wink*

I have a couple of stories in the working (one's co-written with SciFiNut111. Yes, we've decided that two heads are better than one and as soon as he finishes Two of A Kind I think we'll be posting that one.) but I don't have anything really mapped out on the other one yet. Give me about a week to plan (yeah, right. You guys all know I never plan anything. But it sure sounds constructive) and as soon as I’m sure of where I’m heading I’ll post one it. Thanks again and I’ll be looking forward to all the feedback that you guys will be leaving me…

Jennifer
*angel*
posted on 5-Jun-2002 7:10:21 PM by Bordersinsanity
I've got tears in my eyes... Lana Lane you are just too sweet. Thanks for the wonderful feedback and the standing O'.

limegreenli -- I don't think there's going to be a sequel... At least I hadn't thought about it. It pretty much was meant to follow the show after that. Sorry for the disappointment.

[ edited 1 time(s), last at 5-Jun-2002 7:11:14 PM ]
posted on 13-Sep-2002 11:09:03 PM by Bordersinsanity
Well, lets see... There were requests for a sequel... If you want to try I'd be more than happy to try and work with you on it... since your mind is reeling and all...

get back to me.

I'm glad you enjoyed...

Take care
Jen