Title: True Destiny
Rating*tongue*G-13
Summary:Liz finds some clues that help aid the pod squad in finding out who they really are. And an unexpected guest brings news that no one could expect.
Disclaimer: ROSWELL is not my property, however I did a better job than some writers who will go unmentioned... who left us with an incredibly confusing season 2.
Author's Note: Takes place after Viva Las Vegas (S2) none of S3 has happened. Has a sequel. Deals with unanswered questions....
Chapter 1:
"Liz? If I don't leave this house soon I'm going to like collapse or something, ok? This is insane! I've been in my house for two weeks!"

"Well Maria, your mom has the right to be mad."

"So we skipped school and went on a semi-illegal trip to Vegas!"

"Semi-illegal? Maria, we participated in underage gambling, you auditioned to be a stripper, Max and Michael were arrested, and we skipped school. We're lucky we only got a lifetime of punishment from our parents, and from Valenti."

"I know, I know. But geez, did mom have to be so... motherly?"

"Maria! Get off the phone now!"

"I gotta go. Bye Liz."

"Bye." Liz smiled as she hung up the phone. She loved the way she felt lately. It was some strange unexplainable feeling. Like finally her life was getting together. She felt more like a normal teenage girl, with a strange movie type twist. She was on
punishment, she went from school to the Crashdown then up to her room. But she was happy. The only thing that would have made it perfect was Max Evans. Liz made her way to the balcony and pulled out her journal.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is Liz Parker and lately I've been asking why? Why is it that so many things happen? Like when I got shot back in September... why did Max heal me? Why did we fall in love when we both knew it wasn't meant to be? But I'm moving on... at least trying to. When I pretended to sleep with Kyle, Future Max disappeared. Doesn't that mean that the future was changed? That I no longer have the chance to be with Max and elope to Vegas? But if that's the case, why do I keep having these strange flashes? They're everywhere, even in my dreams. About us leaving, falling in love and being happy. I just wish things could go back to normal. The way things used to be. Or maybe not, because if I had then I could have never experienced being in love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Liz held the pen over her journal as she drifted off to sleep. Her eyes closed and the familiar images circled her brain.

« DREAM
"Liz!" Liz fell to the floor with the force of the bullet. There was a throbbing pain as she bled on the floor. The last person she remembered seeing was Max Evans leaning over her. Somehow, minutes later, she was fine with ketchup smudged all over her. The rest were simply amazing memories. The type people try to collect throughout an entire lifetime. The time she and Max were in a car accident, when she saw him kiss Tess, when they slept in the desert, when she walked away at finding out his destiny. That was, or so she thought, the hardest day of her life. She left for the summer to forget it and came back to a love sick Max. Then Future Max changed everything. All the images came as flashes. When he first showed up, the serenade, her plan to get him with Tess, the Romeo and Juliet speech (particularly his face), and her attempt to sleep with Kyle. But what pounded in her mind was what he said. "You have to help me fall out of love with you." The end was hurting Max. Forgetting all her dreams. Then there was Vegas. How she felt in his arms when they danced, how Max had seen them married, how they held hands.

« END OF DREAM

"Liz? Can I come up?"

Her head shot up at the sound of his voice.

"It was only a dream." She whispered as she started to get up and saw Max jumping on to the balcony.

"Max?!"

"Are you ok? You look shaken."

"I'm fine. What's up, you ok?"

"Yeah, I just need to talk to you. I haven't slept well for nights."

"Is everything all right?"

"I keep seeing your face, you're in your wedding dress. You look so happy. I feel like everything is perfect. We dance and sing, then I wake up. Crying most nights because I know it's only a dream. But it doesn't feel that way. It feels real. Like a memory. Like it really happened."

"But it didn't."

"I know you said it's over Liz. And that... that you don't love me anymore."

"I NEVER said that! Max... it's just so complicated.Your destiny is Tess."

"But she can never be you. Liz, I was supposedly married to Tess in another life. But I don't remember her face. I don't remember loving her. But with you... you're the only person I wanted to share my secret with. The one person I can see as my wife."

"Max I'm only being honest. If it's not meant to be..."

"Who says? Nasedo? Tess? Liz we make our own destiny."

Liz covered her face as she cried. Max came over to her and cupped her face.

"I wish it were that simple."

"Why can't it be?"

"Because you need Tess, she completes your circle."

"Maybe the group... but not me. YOU complete me Liz, you."

He went to kiss her and as their lips slowly touched they saw themselves in their wedding clothes dancing as the gang sat back eating and laughing.

"Liz! Phone!"

"I have to go. I'll see you at school."

Liz walked into her room and looked out the window over at Max. She placed her hand on the window and tried to smile as a tear fell from her face. Max looked her in the eyes and lost himself.

³ FLASH ³
"Thank you. For every kiss, every smile."

"I don't have any regrets."

"I may never see you again."

"You have to go. Don't forget me."

"I love you."

He placed what looked like a diamond in the Granolith. Seconds later, he was looking at Liz who's hand was on the glass, then he was gone.
³ END OF FLASH ³

When he looked again, she was gone. "What was that?"

Chapter 2:

"Alex! Hey... geez, you're hard to catch up with."

"Oh hey Isabel. What's up?"

"Nothing much. I was just on my way to the mall and thought you'd like to come."

Alex picked up the plates from the table and took them into the kitchen.

"To the mall? For what?"

"Well, I just thought you'd like to relax. Leave here. The Crashdown tends to get busy at this hour and I figured you needed a break."

"Yeah a break would be really nice... considering I'm not even getting paid for this! Talk about volunteer work." Alex took off the apron he had on and tossed the last few cups in the sink. Just as he walked out the kitchen a hungry family of eight came in to eat. Isabel looked at Alex's shocked face and ran out the door grabbing his hand.

"Let's go before Liz comes down!" As they ran out, Maria walked in.

"Oh great. This is great... just what I need to deal with. A lot of people and smelly left overs." She walked over to the back room, put on her uniform and walked out as she tied her alien apron. Suddenly, a small wrapped package fell. She went to pick it up when Liz came out the door and bumped into her head on.

"OUCH! That hurt!" The girls laughed at their lack of coordination. Then Liz saw the small wrapped box.

"Maria? What's that?" Maria picked it up and looked at her excitedly.

"I don't know. I think it's a gift. A ring? Earrings? A pin?"

"Easy there Maria... you don't even know if it's yours." They looked at the small box in Maria's hand and saw that there was strange writing on it.

"Ok... is this some kind of like joke. God that Michael Guerin is going to drive me off the wall! Alien writing! Figures!"

"Let me see that." Liz grabbed the box and almost immediately felt the rush.

³ FLASH ³
"Max! Max, come on! We have to go."

"But Isabel..."

"She's fine! She's out of there. We need to leave."

A dark figure came in out of the darkness of the woods they were running in. As he approached the figure became more familiar in form.

"Where do you think you're going?" With a swift hand movement, he threw Liz against a tree and held her there.

"LIZ!! Let her go! She has nothing to do with this!"

"The bride of the king of our planet? And she has nothing to do with this?"

"Max leave! I'll be ok!"

"Kavar, I'm telling you this once. You don't want to come up against me."

"Or me." Michael stood next to Max with his arms crossed. Isabel came up on the left of Max. Then Tess on the far right.

"What do you want with us?" Nickolas walked in from behind Liz's tree.

"We want to solve the mystery for you."

"What mystery?" There was a slight annoyance in Isabel's voice.

"Of who she really is." Everyone stopped and looked at Liz. All of a sudden, they were in the Granolith chamber. They took something from Liz's bag and tied her across the gigantic figure. It began to glow and Max yelled as he saw Liz's body begin to fade. They didn't know what was happening but they knew it wasn't anything good. Max went to run to her, when the room exploded in a burst of light.
³ END OF FLASH ³

"Liz! Girl, don't do that! You freak the crap out me!"

"I need to get some rest. Can you cover my shift?"

"Sure. You ok?"

"I'll be fine." Liz went up and fell asleep. Shortly after, Maria came up and gave her half the tips. She kissed her friend on the forehead and tiptoed out of the room. Liz was sleeping so profoundly, she didn't wake up until the next morning.

The bright hues of morning were just appearing as the sun made its way up in the sky. Liz turned to sleep on her side as a shadowy figure came through her window. She gasped softly, then resumed her peaceful sleep. The figure made its way quietly out of her room and down her balcony.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hey Maria! God, I'm starved. You want something?"

"Oh, I'm not that hungry. Just get me a stack of pancakes, bacon, sausage and a cup of orange juice."

"Not that hungry huh? Ok, consider it made."

"Thanks Liz. Hey did I tell you I found a manager? I'm so excited. I mean after that gig in Vegas, I realized I needed to do something with my life. I never know when it'll end."

"Good." Maria looked over at her friend. She pulled down the chair and sat looking up on the table.

"Liz, I'm sure you learned something too. Maybe about Max."

"Maria, that's like so impossible."

"Back to this again? What about that wacked out vision you had yesterday? That's a sign girl! And Kyle is friendly with the spacey blonde..."

"I know that Tess and Kyle... and maybe it'll work... but in reality I'm not the one. It's not meant to be, he himself said that once."

"That was a long time ago. He's changed and you've changed. Maybe it's time you guys realize the reason you still love each other is because it IS meant to be. Geez... me and Michael have realized it, and we're so totally without a clue." Just then Michael
walked in.

"Speaking of the devil."

"Look I'm here looking for Max."

"Aren't you always?"

"No time for wise cracks Maria."

"Whatever. I haven't seen him." She looked over at Liz.

"Don't look at me. I don't know where he is."

"He left last night saying he was coming to speak to you and no one has seen him since, you sure you don't know where he is?"

"I'm positive. We only spoke for like 5 minutes, and then I had to go. I haven't seen or spoken to him since."

"Let me know if you hear from him. Maria... come on." Maria looked at Michael in confusion.

"What?"

"You're coming with me to find him."

"Ok!" She ripped off her apron and dropped her antennas.

"See ya Liz!" Before Liz could realize what was going on, Maria was gone.

"But wait... what am I supposed to do?" Liz grabbed Maria's apron and put it in her locker. She went upstairs to her room and made her bed. As she fluffed her pillows she looked at her nightstand and saw a note with her name neatly printed on the cover.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Liz,
I've tried to be a good leader. I feel for such a sudden burden, I've done what I can do. But things just get harder and I'm not getting stronger. I'm not sure what else I can do unless I get help. I'm afraid that although I'll fix things and we get a chance to go back to our planet, there will be nothing to go back to. My heart is here Liz. You know that. I
think I found something, but I don't want to tell everyone yet. I'll meet you on your balcony at midnight tonight. Be ready. We may have to go for a drive. Love,
Max
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Liz stared at the letter. Then thought of the box. She ran downstairs to the counter and found the box that she and Maria had been debating over the day before. As she looked at the writings she began to open the box. A bright light shone and then dimmed as she looked in on a beautiful quartz crystal. ¬What is this? ¬ She looked carefully at the crystal, knowing of course it was a quartz, it was very common, and it was obviously carved. But there was something else about this crystal. Something oddly familiar. She
put the box in her pocket and kept working. Throughout the day she felt for the crystal, and each time it was as if she saw a new picture to a puzzle. Her parents tried to keep her off her feet, thinking that she may be coming down with the flu. She made her way upstairs and lied down. As she slept, all her thoughts rummaged through her clouded brain and she saw things she couldn't explain. She understood things, although she wasn't sure what it was she understood. Everything was just very strange.

The sky was pitch dark as Max made his way to Liz's balcony. He looked in on her sleeping calmly on her bed. As he made his way into her window he had a flash.
³FLASH³

"Ready?"

"Yea, I'm all done, let's go."

"Liz, are you sure you want to do this?"

"Of course I'm sure. I love you Max."

"Ok, come on!" They got into the Jeep and rode off into the night. Finally, they got to Vegas. The lights were extremely bright, even for that hour of the night and the couple held hands happily as they ran into the motel. There stood Alex, Isabel, Michael and Maria. A little while later, they were all dressed in their tuxedos and gowns and were ready to go. They went into the Elvis Chapel and were finally married. As he looked back, he caught a glimpse of Tess... then of Kyle.

³ END OF FLASH³

Max shook off the strange feeling. The one he had already gotten once before with a vision that was all too similar.

"Liz?" He whispered at her from the window.

"Liz!"

"Huh? Oh God! Did I sleep through the night?"

"Shhh!!! It's fine, we're on time. Are you ready? Come on." He helped her out of bed and sat next to her as she tied her sneakers. The whole time he just stared at her, seeing her face as they spun in his arms, in her wedding dress.

"What?" She turned to face him and found herself surprisingly close to his face.

"Nothing. Shall we?" He grabbed her hand and they went off into the night.

Chapter 3:

Michael bolted through the doors of the Crashdown.

"Where is he?"

"Whoa, whoa! Who? What are you talking about?"

"Max. It's been two days and still no sign of him. You have to know something. Or Liz...."

"Yea, that would work out pretty great. There's just one problem. Liz is gone."

"What?" Michael's bewildered statement caught Maria by surprise.

"Well, I tucked her in yesterday when she was feeling kind of funny. I think she had one of those vision thingies and she was feeling kind of sick so I put her to bed. I haven't seen her since. And her parents are worried sick. All I know is she left a little note saying she'll be back, she had to run off. I haven't seen her since."

"Ok, Max is missing. Liz is missing. Where the heck could these two be?"

"Wow, why does that make me extremely uncomfortable? For some reason, I think I might have led her to believe she deserved a vacation with him."

"What did you say?" Michael gave her a suspecting look.

"I just... oh wait!" Maria ran to the back room and looked on the table. It was empty. She went into her locker. It wasn't there. She checked Liz's locker, it wasn't there either.

"It's gone!" Her eyes got big with confusion.

"What's gone? What are you talking about? What did you forget to tell me?"

"The wrapped box. I thought it was from you, or from Max. It was pretty but had alien writing and it was really bright inside of it. I didn't know what it was or what to do with it."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh no! Then maybe it was a bad alien thing. Ay Dios mio, this can't be good. This can't be good at all." Maria went to the back room and took off her apron. She went to talk to the Parkers and told them she needed the day off. They were a bit reluctant,
but they gave it to her.

"So where are we going?"

"I don't know Michael. I honestly don't even know where to begin."

"I might. Come on. I think I have an idea."

"Oh great. One of Michael Guerin's genius ideas." They left the Crashdown and got into Maria's car.

"Maybe you should let me drive."

"Uh uh. Don't think so. I've become very choosy about who rides and drives my car, and you space boy, are not on my top 5 list. Got that?"

"Sure."

"Great." She hit the pedal and drove off. Once they were on the highway he told her to go to the pod chamber.

"Wait, why are we going there?"

"Just go and don't ask questions, ok?"

"No. It's my car, my gas, my time, and my friend we are dealing with here."

"I just have a feeling ok?"

"No. It's not ok. Is there something you're not telling me?"

"I've just been having these dreams lately. And I think Liz and Max have something to do with it that's all."

"What! That's all?" Maria swerved her car into the emergency lane.

"What do you want to do, get us killed?"

"What has been in your dreams?" Michael looked out the window.

"Michael? Please, I have a really bad feeling about this."

"Look, it's just this stupid dream I've been having. Maybe I just got too much on my mind. It may not even mean anything."

"Or it may mean everything. Michael?"

"Let's just go." Maria turned the car back on and started to drive off to the chamber.

Chapter 4:

"So what did you really want me to come with you to the mall for?" Isabel looked through the dress rack and stood for a thoughtful moment.

"I've been having these nightmares."

"Ok. About what exactly?"

"I'm not sure yet. I've had a lot on my mind and I'm sure it could just be stress but they won't go away. And they get worse every night. Clearer. More exact. It's really starting to scare me."

"Do you know what's bothering you?" Isabel grabbed his hand and pulled him into the corner of the store. She looked around and whispered.

"Do you remember when Liz and Maria were kidnapped by Lonnie and Rath? How we vowed never to bring it up. Then the whole thing with Laurie happened and we went
to Vegas. And things kind of cleared up, in a sense?"

"Yea...."

"Well... I'm having dreams like the ones Max had. The dreams that seem to fulfill some future event."

"Like a premonition?"

"Yes, but scarier."

"Why?"

"Because it's the end of the world."

"The WHAT?"

"Alex... be quiet."

"I'm sorry, but that's just a tad bit much, don't you think?"

"That's not even the worse part."

"Then what is?"

"The fact that Liz... may be in trouble again. I mean, if it's real. The dream, I mean."

"Don't tell me this."

"I'm sorry Alex."

"So what exactly happens?"

"Max and Tess end up together. Liz ends up kidnapped by Nickolas and."

"And who?"

"Kavar."

"Who's Kavar?"

"The present day tyrannical leader of our planet."

"How is that even possible? And why would they want her? What about Tess?"

"That's the thing. Tess is of course the queen of our planet."

"So why does he want Liz?"

"That's what I haven't gotten to yet. But I keep seeing these memories. Like Liz's or Max's. Of events that never even happened."

"Like what?"

"Them having met at around this age. Falling in love and eloping to get married. All while Max had snuck from our planet to here through Brody's method of
transportation and he cheated on Tess. Like a prince escaping from his palace from an afternoon of hectic royal stuff. Falling in love with a peasant. Almost like.... Liz is his reincarnated love."

"Are you serious?" Alex's face looked almost blankly at Isabel.

"I wouldn't be telling you unless it was really bothering me. I talked to Michael. He's having similar dreams, but different. In his Liz becomes an alliance with Kavar and help attack us since she knows so much. Leaving you and Maria, in the dust."

"Liz would never do that. I don't think."

"I'm not saying this to worry you Alex. Maybe there's something triggering these dreams. Maybe we can stop them. I'm going to need your help."

"Sure. What's the plan?"

"I'm not sure yet. I'm really not sure."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile:

"Max, what are we doing here?"

"I need to talk to you, and I needed to find a place where I felt like we were going to connect."

"What do you have to tell me that you had to drag me out of bed in the middle of the night to come here?"

"I remember."

"Remember what?"

"My past. My planet. Everything." Liz looked up into his eyes. She felt her heart break slowly, but kept her composure.

"When you say everything you mean....?"

"I mean smells, thoughts, events. Some things are clearer than others, but they're there."

"That's great. Really great. Do you remember people?" Max looked at her slightly unsure of what to say.

"Yes. Their essence more than what they look like. But, I remember."

"Even Tess?" She kept her eyes locked on his to see all of his statement. He looked down for a minute then looked up with some sort of painful statement.

"I remember her the most. I remember our first kiss, our wedding day, our first child." Liz looked down and turned around.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"I felt like you had the right to know."

"It shouldn't matter Max. I mean, it's not like we're going out or anything."

"Liz... I know this. But we shared something that's unexplainably intense...."

"Max, to be honest, I don't want to hear it. I mean, regardless, it hurts. And I know things are weird between you too. Besides, I may be getting involved."

"Liz.... I kissed her." Liz looked up and her eyes were slightly teary.

"You did?"

"Yes. I don't know how it happened I just... it just did."

Liz looked around feeling like the world was spinning. She couldn't believe what she just heard. She knew it was coming, but she could have never imagined that it would be so soon. And so intense. She tumbled on to the pods and placed her hand into one of the handles. All of a sudden, the pods separated down the middle exposing the Granolith chamber. Max looked on with wide eyes in amazement. They walked into the chamber and looked at the big silver image.

"I'm sorry. I didn't... I mean."

"Oh my God."

Chapter 5:

Months Later:

"Maria! Maria! I figured it out!"

"Liz, what are you talking about?"

"The crystal we found at Leanna's place. It's just like the quartz crystal we found here at the Crashdown!"

"Wait, what?"

"The quartz has some sort of special meaning. The one Michael has is like the big version. We have the little version. It means something Maria, I'm telling you."

"But Liz, I mean... I guess it could."

"And I'm sure Alex knew what that was."

"He probably did. Liz, now is not the time. Give me a call later. I'll try to go over your house ok?"

"But this is really important..."

"I really got to go, bye Liz." Liz sat and looked at her phone blankly. Suddenly, she heard a tap at her window. She looked over almost expecting to see Max. Instead, she saw Michael.

"Hey. Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure." She made her way to the balcony.

"I want you to come with me. There are some things you should know. Some things I think you may know and some things that may just come as a shock to you." She climbed down the balcony wall and saw Isabel waiting in the car.

"Guys, what's this all about?"

"Nothing. We just really think that you should know what's going on." She got in the back seat and Isabel looked back through the rearview mirror. There was something strange about her glare. Something... cold.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile:

"So what is it Michael? What's the big news?"

"Ok, this won't be good news. But I want you to know. I promised you now, and I've been trying to live by that promise...."

"Michael." She looked straight into his eyes.

"We're having some complications."

"We?"

"Yea. Me, Max, Tess and Isabel. See... Tess is sort of pregnant."

"WHAT? How is that possible Michael? To be pregnant you have to... oh my God, he didn't!"

"I didn't want to have to be the one to tell Liz. I'm not sure if he's going to."

"Oh my God poor Liz." Maria looked around in shock, not quite knowing what to do.

"There's more. It may be dying. It can't live in this atmosphere...."

"So?"

"So Max's plan is we go home." Maria's eyes widened at the statement. Her voice got caught in her emotion.

"When you say home... you mean like...”She pointed up at the ceiling and he put down her hand.

"Yea. Home." The silence was short but deafening.

"So you are going to go off on a spaceship and leave me."

"Maria it's not my choice. I need you to know that." She was too busy crying by now to say another word. She tried to compose herself and passed him the phone.

"What?"

"Call Liz. If anyone has the right to know it's her." She put her hands on her face and then ran them through her hair.

"First Alex, now you." Michael hung up the phone. His face was slightly puzzled.

"Maria? Didn't you just finish talking to Liz?"

"Yea..."

"Get your things. We're going for a drive." They drove over to Max's house. They went and knocked on his bedroom window.

"Michael?"

"We need to talk." Michael jumped in the window and grabbed Maria's hand to help her in.

"What're you doing here?"

"Why didn't you tell me about Tess being pregnant? Why didn't you tell Liz? Why'd you do it?"

"Maria calm down. Michael, what's this all about?" Max sat at the edge of his bed.

"Something is going on. Something may be wrong. You saw the proof. Alex was working on translating our book. So if you still believe he committed suicide then it's just plain ignorance. I'm not telling you what to believe but it's obvious he had something to hide."

"So you're saying we killed him..."

"No! I know we didn't. Obviously. But we're not the only aliens. Max, it's very possible someone of our species killed him so that he wouldn't find out too much."

"Why was he so intent on finding out about us anyway?"

"Maybe to help you! Instead of complaining you should appreciate it! I mean he cared for Isabel. I'd even go so far as to say he loved her, and if you knew what that meant, you'd understand." Michael looked back at Maria who was beginning to lose her
patience.

"You don't think I know what it means to love someone? You out of all people should know...”Max's eyes softened from his anger.

"Ok chill. Let's get Isabel. There's something I think we need to do." Max went and knocked on her door.

"Iz? We're going for a drive. You coming?" She looked up reluctant but saw the look on his face.

"Ummm... ok." She put down her book and grabbed her purse. They gathered and walked out into the Jeep.

"We need to check on Tess."

"I'm not going to see her, so if you're going I'm getting out." Everyone's head turned to face Maria. Michael tried to break the silence.

"Come on. We'll ride your car. Meet us at the Granolith." Max and Isabel drove off and Maria and Michael got into her car.

"You ok?"

"I just can't believe all of this is happening. Let's go get Liz."

"No Maria, Max would... fine. Let's go." They drove off and reached the Crashdown. Maria ran to the back and then upstairs. Minutes later she ran back down.

"Where is she?"

"Maria... you remember that quartz you once told me about?"

"Yea the one that looks like yours?"

"Does she have it?"

"Yea she was telling me... wait. I think it's in her locker. Let's check." They went and found her jacket, some books and her keys.

"Wait, she doesn't leave anywhere without her keys." Maria looked worriedly at Michael. She ran to the phone and dialed her cell phone.

"Hello?"

"Liz! It's me. Where are you?"

"Oh hey, I'm just out with Michael and Isabel, I'm sorry I didn't call you."

"WHAT? I'm with Michael, Liz!"

"Maria what are you..."

"Liz? Liz? Michael she cut off! She thinks she's driving with you and Isabel!"

"Come on we got to go now!"

Chapter 6:

"So you caught on? Good job Parker."

"Who are you guys?" The two look alike transformed into the punk rock versions of Michael and Isabel.

"Oh no. Not you again."

"Where's Ava?"

"Who?"

"Ava! Don't play stupid; we know she stayed here with you for a while. We also know she told you about Zan. You know what? We want her and we want what's ours."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Rath turned to face Liz and the car swerved on the highway.

"Be careful!" Liz's eyes grew wide. Lonnie laughed and turned around.

"Let me put it to you this way... we want the Granolith. We know you know where it is. We also want Ava. If you don't know where she is we'll find her. And we want your little pooches... what's his name? Max right?"

"I don't know where he is. We don't... I mean we're not..."

"Ah, so you broke up? Did he finally realize that blonde retard was his mate?" Rath smiled and thought about some inside joke. He looked at Lonnie and kissed her intensely as the car swerved madly on the freeway.

"Guys! Really I swear I don't know where the Granolith is!"

"Well I guess we can just drive around until you remember then." They kept kissing and the car just kept swerving.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Where the heck is Max?"

"I don't know. He said he was going to see Tess, I guess he just caught up."

"Doing what? You know what? Don't answer that." They stood around and then Max and Isabel came in.

"Ok so what's up?" Isabel looked around since it had been a while since she had been there. Michael led them to the Granolith chamber. He pulled out the quartz.

"I think these two things go hand in hand." He looked over at their puzzled faces.

"Why do you think that?" Max looked around the Granolith for some sort of sign.

"I've actually been reading the book. I don't understand it all, but I'm almost positive I got that part."

"Ok?" They stood around waiting for some sort of answer but Michael really didn't know what to say. All of a sudden Liz and Lonnie and Rath burst into the room.

"Liz?" Maria ran to her friend. Lonnie and Rath looked around surprised and Michael, Max, and Isabel stood ready to attack.

"Well here it is!" Lonnie put up her hand and Max blocked them off with his green shield. Liz was on their side so they grabbed her. Max looked and hesitated as Michael pulled Maria behind him. Max looked at Liz and their eyes met. He couldn't just let her get hurt. He let go of the shield and there was chaos as Maria yelled for them to jump. She had put the quartz in some area of the Granolith and the room was warping. Before they knew it, Liz, Max, Maria, Michael and Isabel were in the Granolith looking out at Lonnie and Rath who were left speechless and turned to run into their car.

Chapter 7:

The five stood around. They were in the back room of the Crashdown and when they looked around they really had nothing to say. As they looked out the little back room window they saw the Crashdown full of customers, as it usually was. But there was something weird. The air was cool and crisp. Like the fall. They looked around for clues as to what was going on when Liz and Maria went to the back corner. Maria
gasped. Her hair was so short!

"Oh yea, Max Evans is staring at you again."

"No way. That's like so not possible Maria. Besides I'm going out with Kyle. He's caring and loyal..."

"Sounds like you're describing a poodle."

The girls looked at each other and then at the group.

"Guys! It's September 21st!"

"So?"

"Michael! This was the day Liz got shot. We went back in time!"

"No. There's no such thing as time travel. Come on Liz, tell them."

"Actually..."

"Liz?"

"It has something to do with quantum physics. It is possible."

"Oh come on! First an alien killed Alex and now we can time travel!"

"Well Max, think about it. One came true, so I guess the other must be true then huh?" Liz looked at Max who stopped to think for a second and looked back at her.

"What are we doing here?" Isabel looked out and Max and Michael sitting at their usual booth.

"I guess that thing was for time travel. No wonder everybody wants it." All of a sudden, the room shook as the bullet was fired. They all gathered at the door window and saw Liz slowly fall to the floor. She saw herself and thought for a second. Maybe there was a reason they were all there. Back in time. Like Future Max had done.

"Isabel, stop him." They all stopped and looked at her.

"What?"

"Liz what are you talking about?"

"You can interact. They don't know you're from the future, they just know you're Isabel. You can stop Max before it all gets to this. And then all of this can be prevented. Alex will still be alive, and...."

"No! No! That's not an option Liz."

"But it's the perfect solution."

"But what would happen to you Liz?"

"I would disappear. Cease to exist in my current form."

"NO! I will not let you die! That's final!"

"He's right Liz. We've been through too much. Come on please."

"Liz?" Isabel looked at Liz who just stared at herself almost in slow motion.

"Isabel, just do it."

"Isabel don't listen to her. Please Liz... I can't be without you. You're like my sister girl. I need you!" Before they could all decide Max was leaning over Liz in a moment of weakness saving her life. They looked at each other in the back room. They could feel everything they had felt at that moment, on that day. Like they were reliving the experience. Max lowered his eyes first. He felt so confused. Lately he's been feeling like maybe him and Tess had something special. But when he felt the way he felt at that moment, he realized what he felt for her was far from the way he had felt for Liz.

"So what do we do now?" Michael looked at everyone who seemed to be beyond themselves with shock.

"We have to do something right?" He waited for a response but no one seemed to be able to provide one.

"Well we have to get out of here."

"Why Liz?"

"Because if the past version of us comes in contact with the future one we can get into a jam." They all ran out of the Crashdown and went to a motel a little out of the city. They sat around relaxing, from the stressful day they had. Max took off his sneakers and looked over at Liz who was sitting at the table near the window. He went and sat next to her.

"I'm sorry to sound suspicious, but how do you suddenly know so much about time travel?"

"I just do."

"That's a flat out lie. I know you didn't just decide to look up information on time travel for the heck of it."

"Look Max, I just know ok?"

"Fine. So you know that we can time travel and can give a logical scientific explanation. But why and how do you know about you disappearing now if you were
to die here, in the past?" He looked at her intensely, refusing to let down his glare. To his surprise, she returned the glare.

"I really don't want to talk about this right now. I think you should start figuring out what we're going to do here to fix the mess we're in further in the future and stop worrying about other things." Michael sat on the edge of the bed with Maria's head on his lap.

"She's right Max. We need to find something to do here and get the heck out."

"But think about it Michael, how did she know all of this stuff? Maybe she's the one who has explaining to do."

"Max... that's not the way to get Liz to tell you anything." Isabel looked at Liz.

"I'm sorry... we're sorry. We've really separated ourselves and we just didn't remember how much we really needed you guys."

"You may be sorry Isabel, but I'm not. I'm not about to sit around and be blamed for one of my friend's deaths. I refuse."

"Why because you feel guilty? I gave you the chance to let me die! You wouldn't take it! What do you want me to do? I'm sorry ok? You saved my life and told me your secret and I messed up your life! What else to you want me to tell you? Everything is
perfect now isn't it? You're with Tess, you have your little book and Alex is dead! That's it!" Liz got up and walked out and slammed the door.

"Leave her. She needs to get herself together."

"Yea, but she also needs a friend." Maria got up and went to go after her.

"Max what's your problem?" He looked at Isabel.

"I don't expect you to understand." He grabbed his jacket and motioned for Maria to sit down.

"I got it." He went and walked around the edge of the motel and there sat Liz on the bench facing the pool. She was crying and he stopped to think for a second about what he was going to say.

"I don't want to talk right now." She hadn't even turned around and knew someone was standing there.

"I think there are certain things we need to hear."

"Really? Like what?" She turned to look at Max who sat next to her.

"I don't know if you've heard, but Tess is pregnant." Liz sat there. She couldn't bring herself to speak. Slowly, she felt the tears come down stronger and faster. She tried to contain herself, but this was much more than she could have imagined.

"Did you hear me?"

"Yes." She got up and started walking away.

"Liz!"

"I'm sorry... but I really don't want to hear this. I really don't want you to tell me. Do you understand?"

"There's just been so much going on... and with your accusation...."

"Oh I see so my accusation made you go and sleep with Tess? Yea, that makes perfect sense Max."

"I don't see how you have any right to get mad. You slept with Kyle while we still had something!"

"What are you talking about? Newsflash Max: I didn't sleep with Kyle! Ok? Is that what you wanted me to tell you? There you go."

"Wait, what?"

"I DIDN"T SLEEP WITH KYLE! Geez Max, I pretended to sleep with him because I had to. You asked me to! Or the future you, or whatever. That's how I know so much about time travel and how I knew about the Granolith before you came to New York. Happy now? I had a strange alien encounter with you in another time
zone."

"Liz you can't be serious. You've really lost your mind, haven't you?"

"Really? Is that what you think? Great Max, keep thinking that ok? Ask Maria what she thinks about the situation. Don't you see? I would have never done that unless is was drastic."

"Drastic? What's your definition of drastic?"

"It was my fault the world came to an end."

"Ok, I'm sorry that's just ridiculous."

"Ridiculous? We were married. We eloped at 19 and got married in Vegas at the Elvis Chapel. That vision you had? That was probably because you felt you had been there before. Guess what? I felt that way too. Tess left Roswell and got all upset and without her you guys couldn't survive. So I went through all these things to see if I could get you to leave on your own will. What I ended up having to do is pretend to sleep with Kyle. I cried for the rest of the day. So there. Yea, I guess you can say I've lost my mind." Max sat, his eyes wide, practically speechless, but feeling like he had no choice than to believe.

"I don't know what to say..."

"I didn't think you would." She put her hands in her pocket and felt a small box. She pulled it out and her eyes widened.

"I got it! We can go back! Oh my God how could I forget!”? Max looked up even more confused than before. Liz opened the box and pulled out the small quartz.

"What is that?"

"A small version of the quartz Michael had. We can use it to go home." She started running back to the motel and Max got up to run after her. She burst into the room and everyone looked up.

"Guys I got it!"

Chapter 8:

They snuck into Maria's house and stole her keys and got into her car. They drove over to the Granolith chamber. They looked around and realized they didn't have the communicators. They hadn't reached that time yet. Isabel crawled into one of the pods and still managed to get to the chamber. They all went through and stood around praying it was going to work. Liz pulled out the small quartz and placed it in the small slot. It was too small and there was no reaction.

"Oh come on!"

"Wait, Liz the writing." Liz took the box and unwrapped the paper that was full of alien writing.

"Does anyone have Alex's translation?" They all shrugged their shoulders. Max walked around the Granolith.

"I have an idea."

"What?"

"Let's all hold hands."

"Not the time for ring-around-the-rosie Max."

"Isabel just trust me on this one." They all stood and held hands. At first, nothing was happening.

"WHY isn't it working!”? Maria threw her hands up in the air in distress.

"I don't know. Just give it time. It probably just needs a couple of minutes." Max asked Liz for the paper and looked at the writing. He just looked at it and tried to figure it out. Suddenly he just felt like he knew something.

"Liz come here next to me. Take the quartz and put it between our hands. Concentrate hard, but clear your mind. The way you did that day you first saw the
flashes at the Crashdown. And think of a time and place you'd like to visit. To change something, anything." She walked over to Max and did as he said. They all closed their eyes and thought hard. Suddenly a bright light began to glow from the quartz and they felt as if the room was spinning. Then, they were dropped almost as if from the sky in the Crashdown. Alex sat eating at the table. Isabel walked out of the back room without hesitating. She went and sat next to Alex.

"Hey."

"Ohh mmm.. hay." They laughed as he tried to swallow his food.

"What's up?"

"Nothing much." Alex looked at her suspiciously.

"Isabel, is there something wrong?"

"No. Nothing’s wrong at all. You're supposed to be going to Sweden tomorrow aren't you?"

"Yea. How'd you know?"

"Liz told me."

"I told her not to tell anyone."

"I know, but she did. I know this sounds crazy but, could I go with you?" Alex practically choked on his food.

"Wait what?!"

"I want to go with you."

"Why?"

"Because, I would miss you too much if you were to be gone for that long without me." Alex looked at her unbelieving.

"Is this some kind of joke?"

"No joke Alex." She smiled and kissed him softly. His eyes grew wide and he turned to face her completely.

"I guess I could postpone my trip. I mean, if you're serious."

"I'm so very serious. And another thing,I know it's really early in the year, but would you go to the prom with me?"

"Of course I would!" He kissed her hard and she looked to the back room. Maria was crying and Liz could not stop smiling.

"Well I have to go. I love you Alex." She looked him deep in the eyes and he stood shocked.

"Goodbye." She walked to the back room. Maria and Liz walked out.

"Alex!"

"You guys will not believe what just happened. I don't believe it!"

"Well, we can't stay and chat, but we wanted to hug you and say we love you and thanks for being such a great friend."

"Ok... what is it with everyone today?"

"Nothing. We just must go away for a few days. Take care of yourself buddy." Maria smiled her widest smile and hugged him as hard as she could. Liz jumped in to make a group hug. Then without a word they walked to the back room. No words were exchanged. They just all held hands and closed their eyes. They'd done what they needed to do. But when they opened them, they were not back at the chamber, they
were at Liz's balcony. It was early morning and it was quiet out. Liz looked at Max. It was the morning he had seen her and Kyle!

"What are we doing here?"

"I had to see for myself." Liz looked at him wide eyed. They heard a slam of a door, so they all turned to look inside. There was Kyle in the bed and Liz with her towel on.

"Kyle I just want you to understand that we're not actually going to...”Maria looked at Liz outside the window and gave her a comforting look.

They stood around for a while and heard the conversation and saw Max come and abruptly leave. Michael, Maria, and Isabel stood in shock, not knowing how all of this had happened. Then they saw a longhaired Max talking with Liz on her balcony as they hid in the back. They heard them talking and saw them dancing and then he disappeared. Max's jaw had tightened and he was clenching his fists in order to deal with his emotion. They held hands again and were transported straight back to the Granolith chamber.

Chapter 9:

"Do I dare ask what day it is?" Maria held Michael's hand tight.

"I think we're back." Isabel looked around uncertain what to think. They climbed through the pod one by one, Max and Liz being last. Liz went to climb under when Max grabbed her arm.

"Liz... I ...”He grabbed her and kissed her. The kiss was strong, almost sad. Then he had a flash.

³FLASH³
He saw them kissing that night in the desert. When they spent the night under the stars. He saw them at the Crashdown. He saw them the day she left him at the pod chamber. Then he saw the repeated vision of the night they eloped. And then Tess. He saw Tess and remembered looking at her face after they had spent the night together. He remembered feeling as he looked at her, it should have been Liz.
³END OF FLASH³

"I felt that..." Liz looked down as she whispered the words then made her way through the small pod. They got into the Jeep and for the rest of the ride home were in silence. They went straight to Valenti's house to tell them what they found.

"Where the heck have you been? I've been worried sick! You've been gone for two days! Where's Tess?"

"TWO DAYS! We were gone for two days?! No way!"

"Your parents are worried sick! I thought you guys had been kidnapped or something."

"Not exactly...."

"You better have a REAL good reason for being gone for two days."

"We went back in time."

"Guys, I'm serious."

"So are we Sheriff." He looked at the solemn faces of Michael, Max, Isabel, Maria, and Liz and knew this was no joke.

"So where's Tess then?"

"She was sick. I thought she was with you?" Max looked at the sheriff confused.

"No she isn't or wasn't with me!" Max ran to her room and the group ran behind him.

"She's gone!"

They all stood for what seemed like hours and finally Max grabbed his jacket and headed out the door.

"Max where are you going?"

"I have to find Tess, Isabel. I can't just let her get hurt." Liz come from behind in the distance.

"Here. You may need it more than I do." She handed him the box with the small quartz crystal. They looked into each other's eyes for a second, and he almost felt guilty for loving her.

"You're not going alone."

"No Michael! Please, don't leave."

"Maria, I can't let him go alone." Her eyes watered up and he went and hugged her.

"I'll be back. I promise." He jumped into the car with Max and left the three girls there with the Sheriff. Isabel looked around, stressed out and wanting to take action.

"Wait! I know a way we can help!" She ran to Tess's room and found the prom picture. Liz and Maria ran after her. She placed her finger on Tess' face and concentrated hard. She was sent into a whirlpool of thoughts. She felt like she was in a different planet. The water was red, the heat was dry, and Max was swimming. Tess sat at the edge of some sort of strange swimming pool. Isabel went up to her.

"Tess!"

"Isabel! What... how did you get here?!"

"I'm in your thoughts. Where are you?"

"I'm on our planet."

"Tess, seriously, where are you?” Suddenly the images started to fade and it was as if she was looking through Tess's eyes. She was looking at Lonnnie and Rath...they were in the Granolith chamber messing with the communicators!

"Tess we're getting you out of here."

"Hurry!" Isabel woke up and sat startled for a second. The girls huddles around her.

"What did you see? Is it bad?"

"We have to call Max." Isabel dialed his cell phone number, minutes later a small ring was heard on the table near the couch.

"He left it!" Maria brought the phone over to Isabel.

"We're going to have to dream walk him too."

"I'll do it." All the heads turned in the room. Kyle, the sheriff, Maria, and Isabel all looked at Liz.

"What do you mean you'll do it?" Kyle looked at Liz dumbfounded.

"I can dream walk him too. I just need help from Isabel." He looked at Liz suspiciously.

"You mean to tell me you have super secret powers too?"

"Not the time Kyle!" Isabel looked at Liz.

"You sure you wanna do this?"

"Positive."

"Ok. Hold my hand." Isabel held her hand and closed her eyes. Liz closed her eyes and concentrated hard. She was nervous, but was more than willing to go through with it. As she concentrated, she felt herself drifting mentally. Suddenly, she was on a deserted street. Several seconds later, Max's Jeep drove up and almost ran her over.

"Max! It's me Liz!" The car swerved and stopped abruptly. She walked over to his side of the car and started to explain.

"So you think she's at the Granolith chamber?"

"Yes. But you have to hurry, they may catch on to the Granolith much faster than you think."

"Ok, thank you." Michael looked at Max confused.

"Maxwell, who are you talking to?" Max turned to look at Michael then back at Liz. By then she was gone.

"No one. I mean, someone obviously, but... forget it. Come on. We gotta go to the Granolith chamber."

"All right, let's go!" The car sped off leaving a cloud of dust. They reached the Granolith in a short amount of time. From the car, you could see somewhat into the cave opening. There seemed to be some energy coming from that area. Max ran to the cave and Michael ran in after him. They saw a bright light flash, then they saw Lonnie and Rath transported in the Granolith as Tess stood to watch.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing! They took me here!"

"You're letting them go! Stop them!" Michael ran to get the quartz but Tess closed her eyes and concentrated. Suddenly, they stopped, the room got back to normal and Max and Michael were looking around confused.

"What are you doing here? Are you ok?"

"I'm fine. I just came to see this place one last time."

"Before what?"

"Before we go home."

Chapter 10:

The room was so cozy now. It seemed so safe. So secure. So much like what home should be like. Isabel looked around and threw on her pajamas. As she made her way in bed, she stopped to think. She got up and walked into her parents' room.

"Mom, Dad?"

"What is it sweetie? Is something wrong?"

"I can't sleep, can I sleep with you tonight?"

"Sure baby, come on."

Isabel made her way in between her parents the way she used to. That's when she knew they'd made the right choice to stay on Earth. It was home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For not leaving me."

"I couldn't."

"Everything you said to me, last night, I just really understood why I love you so much. And I wanted to thank you, for letting me see you... really see you. It meant the world to me, especially considering that I was afraid you were gonna leave me."

Michael smiled and grabbed Maria over the counter of the Crashdown kitchen and kissed her hard. She smiled and kissed him hard right back. Liz came in from the back room and rolled her eyes. She went to the cash register by the door and started to press in the code. For some reason it wouldn't open, so she made her way past a greasy Michael who was pulling away from Maria because the smell of smoke was starting to surround
the kitchen area. She smiled at how great she felt since Tess was sent off in the Granolith and she had Max to herself now. They'd have to work things out, but she was sure they could do it. She was in her room looking for the key to open the register when she heard a voice outside on her balcony. She looked out and there was Max, as he used to be, waiting by the window.

"Hey."

"Hi." She looked at him and then looked down. She kept up the search for the key.

"What's up?"

"Oh, I'm just looking for the cash register key."

"This one?" He looked over at her and smiled as he handed it to her.

"Thank you." She smiled back and looked at him as she smiled wider.

"What are you doing tonight?"

"I think I'm working until 6 or 6:30 but then I'm free. Why?"

"I'll meet you here and be ready to go for a long drive. I have a surprise for you."

"Ok, I'll try."

Max walked up to her and kissed her intensely. One of the kisses he knew would get her attention. When they pulled away, they looked at each other and Max softly kissed her forehead.

"I'll see you tonight."

He left out the window and Liz grabbed the key and went downstairs. She knew immediately that she could not wait for that night. She worked all day trying to keep her mind off of the event. She kept hoping she could guess what was going to happen. Finally the last pair left the Crashdown and her parents went off to dinner. Liz closed up and realized Maria had left early. She went upstairs and got all ready for that evening. She thought maybe he'd take her for a drive under the stars, or maybe he'd tell her some untold, deep, life-changing secret. As she thought to herself, she heard his steps on the balcony. She looked back and saw Max at the window, a small grin on his face.

"You ready?"

"Yea. Can I just ask where we're going?"

"No. Then it wouldn't be a surprise." He grabbed her hand and helped her out the window, then they went down the balcony into a rental car.

"New?"

"We sort of blew up the Jeep. It's only in the meantime."

"Oh." Liz smiled. She was excited and nervous about what the future held for them. When he let Tess go off with his child back to their planet, Liz knew that they had something special. That maybe they were in fact soul mates, regardless of destiny. They were driving on the highway, when Max pulled over. Liz looked at him curiously and then smiled.

"What's going on?"

"I need to tell you where we're going."

"Ok... where are we going?"

"Vegas." The word sent shivers up her spine. She didn't know what else he was going to say, but she knew that word sent only one image into her mind.

"Vegas?"

"Yea. Las Vegas, Nevada. Gambling capital of the world, as Michael likes to put it."

"Why are we going to Las Vegas?" She looked at Max wide-eyed and nervous of what kind of response he would give her. He saw her insecurity and grabbed her face to kiss her. They passionately kissed and Max felt a strong image.

³FLASH³
"Liz? Are you ready?"

"Yea, I'm coming." Liz walked out of the motel room, her long white dress dazzling and her eyes glistening with an unbelievable amount of happiness. Maria came out from the back dressed in a beautiful black dress and Isabel in a burgundy dress. Michael had on an "alien-made" tuxedo and Kyle had on his one good suit. Max looked at Liz and handed her a small box.

"Open it later." He smiled and they jumped into a cab and went on their way. Shortly after, Max was coming out of the Elvis Chapel holding Liz in his arms and kissing her. They'd just gotten married.

³ END OF FLASH ³

Liz looked over startled at Max. He looked at her deep in the eyes and realized this was the one girl he loved more than anything.

"Liz, will you marry me?"

"WHAT!?"

"Marry me."

"Max! We're... we're too young. I mean school and... well, we're only 17...."

"I love you. I love you too much to lose you. I know we're meant to be together. That's why I was at the Crashdown that day, that's why I saved your life. Because from the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew I loved you. That's why you fell in love with me,
rather than run away when you found out I was an alien. I don't care what anyone says... I've come to my own conclusion. Maybe there is a destiny. Mine surely wasn't Tess. I could have never loved someone like that. You're my true destiny."

Liz looked unsure at Max. Then she thought of something.

"Max, there's something I've been meaning to tell you. You know how I did, but didn't sleep with Kyle?"

"Yes."

"Ok, well, it's a really long story."

"You've got the whole ride."

"Well, there was a future version of you who came to change the past in order to prevent the end of the world. We were together in Whitaker's office when we first got you to talk to Tess. We had been trying to find a way to get you to fall out of love with me so that way the world wouldn't end. That night while in the dark, he told me that we were married, in Vegas, at 19. We were too young of course, but we were in love. He also told me that I had given you a Romeo and Juliet speech, which I turned against you. I'm just not sure, if this is a good idea. What if we repeat a past where the only end is destruction?"

"You have to believe we're doing the right thing. Love can conquer all. I truly believe we're meant to be."

They sat in the car and Liz looked down at the radio that played a beautiful love song.

I am in love with you
You set me free
I can't do this thing called life without you here
with me
'Cause I'm dangerously in love with you
I'll never leave
Just keep loving me the way I love you loving me.

Max looked at her pleadingly and Liz shook her head.

"Fine. Let's get married!" They leaned in for a
long kiss and then Max drove off into the night.

Chapter 11:

Every time I see your face, my heart smiles
Every time it feels so good
It hurts sometimes... created in this world to love,
To hold, to feel, to breathe, to live ... you're
Dangerously in love.....

I am in love with you
You set me free
I can't do this thing called life without you here
with me
'Cause I'm dangerously in love with you
I'll never leave
Just keep loving me the way I love you loving me.

Isabel, Michael, Maria, and Kyle were each busy getting ready in the motel room they'd rented. Maria had the radio and had sat down to listen to the beautiful love song.

"Wow... I didn't really like Destiny's Child, but I must say, that song is incredible!"

"That was just Dangerously in Love by Destiny's Child. Two young gentlemen wanted me to send that one out to their ladies...."

"Oh that's sooo cute!!! Michael... I wish you would...."

"Maria, hush! I'm trying to listen!"

"It was from Michael and Max to Maria and Liz. Maria, Michael said you're his heart and soul. You make him feel human. That's so poetic. Oh... and Liz, if you're listening, Max wants you to know he loves you indefinitely. Destiny put you two together and nothing can split you apart. Congratulations on getting married!"

Maria sat speechless and just stared at the radio, which had now started to play some distant song sounding more and more like an old Mariah Carey. She looked up and over at Michael who was standing in front of her, his white shirt unbuttoned at the top and his beater showing. He had a funny grin on his face.

"You were saying?" Maria got up and kissed Michael with complete emotion. He stepped on her dress by mistake and she pulled away.

"I can't believe they're getting married. This is unbelievable. I wish Alex were here to see her. And her parents." Isabel looked over at the sound of Alex's name.

"He is here. In spirit. We know how much he loved Liz, he would be so proud of her."

"And think she's crazy for marrying so young."

"Yea." Isabel laughed trying to swallow the tears that had gathered in her throat.

"He would be proud of you too Isabel. You're doing so well with everything, you're so strong. He thought you were a goddess you know. He told me that once." Kyle hugged Isabel, probably for the first time since they knew each other. She composed herself and smiled.

"It's a special day. My brother is getting married to the girl of his dreams. We should all be very happy for them." Isabel looked in the mirror and took out her make-up bag. Maria and Michael went to take a walk and Kyle sat trying to fix his bow tie. Then,
the doorbell rang and Liz rushed in excitedly.

HOURS LATER:

The drive back home was a tiring one. Liz sat in the front seat of the Jeep and looked at Max who was busy driving. Isabel was in the back seat sleeping. Liz grabbed Max's hand and held it tight. He looked over at her and smiled.

"You're not mad at me?"

"Of course not. I understand you weren't ready. I'm sorry for pressuring you."

"NO, no! You didn't pressure me! We're just so young Max, and we have so much ahead of us still. You know?"

"Yeah, I understand. Keep the ring. Think of it as a promise ring. Maybe after we graduate, we can get married. Really married. With your father walking you down the aisle." He looked over at Liz and smiled. She smiled back widely.

"I'd love that." She leaned in and kissed him.

Isabel was asleep and didn't even notice. Once they got to the Crashdown Liz kissed Max goodbye and they woke Isabel so she could sit in the front seat. Max drove off and Liz climbed into her window. She dropped her purse in her seat and went to reach for the light switch. As the light went on, Liz had to put her hand over her mouth to keep herself from screaming.

"Shhhh!!!! I'm not gonna hurt you Liz. You know that. I need to talk to you."

Ava sat at the edge of Liz's bed with another familiar face. Serena sat with her, and motioned for Liz to sit on the bed.

"You guys scared me."

"I'm sorry Liz." Serena's eyes brought back all the memories of her and Maria's kidnapping by Lonnie and Rath and how Max almost found out about her and Kyle. Not that it would have made a difference, since he already knew.

"What are you two doing here? I mean, Serena, I thought you were going back to your future?"

"There's been a problem... you guys sent back Tess, didn't you?"

"She killed Alex, I mean, she could have killed any one of us. And she was evil."

"No, I understand. It's just that, there's been another problem in the future."

"A problem?"

"Yea... I think it has to do with the fact that you sent Tess back. She and Kavar... the baby... it's a really long story."

"I have all night. But wait, Ava, why are you here?"

"They're looking for me to kill me."

Liz's eyes widened at this comment, afraid she knew the answer.

"They?"

"Lonnie and Rath. Before they go home, they wanna kill me. They're after Max, Liz. They're gonna kidnap Max and kill me and go back to our planet so they can be the royal four. Forget Michael and Isabel, they're already out of the picture."

"When are they planning this?"

"I don't know. Could be next week... could be tonight." Ava sat hysterical, trying to hold back her tears of fear and looking at Liz for some comfort.

Liz looked at Serena pleadingly, hoping she could help in some way.

"Serena?"

"I think I know a way to stop them... and get the results we need. I saw an amazingly peaceful planet Liz. I don't know how exactly to make that happen, but it's possible. We're on the right track, we just need to discuss what our possibilities are. Now, there's something we need to take in consideration first."

"Ok... what?"

"It's what I came to talk to you about. It's about destiny."

"Look... Serena I've heard enough about destiny... and frankly..."

"Not Max's Liz. Yours."

Chapter 12:
"So what you're saying is that we are in danger of what... exactly?"

"There's so much that we have to tell you."

"I'm frickin' scared Liz. Things are so different now. I don't know where my life is gonna lead me. My destiny has changed and...."

"Ava. Ava! Listen to me ok? You choose your own destiny... I strongly believe that. If you set a goal and try to follow it, I know you'll go far. You just have to take it easy, and tell me what's going on."

Serena looked at Ava and then at Liz. She lowered her head and sighed, then she pulled out a locket. It was gold and had sparkly diamonds and was shaped as the symbol on the communicating orbs.

"Wow. What is that?" Liz's eyes widened at the sparkling peace of jewellery.

"It's a locket. The queen's royal locket to be exact.... It belongs to you." Ava looked over at Liz when Serena made the comment to catch her reaction.

Liz just sat, unsure of what she heard, or maybe what it meant.

"I don't understand."

"Liz, you said Max healed you. He brought you back to life, right?"

"Yea, but what does that...?"

"That means that you're different now."

"I know, you told me. I have powers now; I understand that."

"It's much more than that Liz. Much more."

"Well what is it then?" Liz looked over at the locket and at Serena's face. She seemed so sure of everything. So honest. How could she be sure Serena wasn't lying?

"Your destiny Liz. It's been... well you could say, it's been altered."

"I don't believe in destiny. I'm sorry." Liz got up from the corner of her bed and went to get her pyjamas when she started getting dizzy.

³FLASH³

"Now what?!"

"Just go!"

"No, I'm not leaving you!"

"Liz get out of here now!"

"NO!" She stood in his face as he looked forward then back at her. His look was so intense, so loving, that she had to kiss him.

"Max please..."

"I don't want them to find you here."

"I don't care. Let them find me." Suddenly, the doors to the Crashdown burst open and in came some familiar voices.

"Search the place." The deep male voice sounded irritated and anxious. There seemed to be three people in there. Maria and Michael came from the back door and were practically crawling on the floor.

"Ok, so what exactly is going on?" Maria whispered at Liz.

"I don't know. We think it's the skins."

"It definately has to do with them. I saw Nicolas."

Everyone turned to look at Michael and then back at Max.

"Where's Isabel?"

"She's not back from her trip to San Francisco yet."

Michael looked at Maria and held her hands on the floor. "Leave, this can be really dangerous."

"If you think I'm leaving you have another thing coming sweetie. I'm not going anywhere. You abandoned your planet for me... this is the least I could do." She kissed him hard and crawled closer to Max and Liz.

"If she's not here, she's probably upstairs. That's where she lives." The voice was so familiar that it sent shivers up and down their spines.

"Is that....?!"

"Ava! Which way upstairs?"

"We're on Earth now Nicolas. You can call me Tess."

"So once we find Liz, you're sure we'll find Max?"

"Positive your highness. He rejected what we told him as his destiny and went with her..."

"He felt it. We can't have him finding out the truth now can we?" The three started walking towards the back room.

Max, Liz, Maria and Michael sat under the counter in the kitchen.

"Kavar?"

"Nicolas."

"What about the other duplicates?"

"Since Lonnie has shown her complete dedication, we shall bring her home with us. Her look alike shall be killed. We'll get Max and the other guy...."

"Michael."

"Right. And we'll take them home and kill them. We'll kill Rath to cover up the duplicate thing and we'll kill the other Lonnie."

"No problem."

"And Tess, if we find your supposed lover boy, I'll give you the pleasure of killing him yourself."

³ END OF FLASH ³

Liz stood trying to regain her mind and balance.

"Liz, you ok?" Ava went to help her up and saw her eyes a little strange.

"What's wrong?" Serena looked at them and back down at the necklace. She knew what was wrong.

"It's the locket...." Liz regained herself and looked at Serena.

"What?"

"You're having a reaction to the locket."

"Why would I have anything to do with that locket?"

Ava helped keep Liz standing and then sat her on the bed. She bent down to look her dead in the eyes.

"Because you're the real queen. And it belongs... or belonged... to you."

Liz looked up over at them, unsure of what to say. Her eyes were wide in disbelief and her head was throbbing at the temples. She stood from her spot at the bed and the room seemed to be spinning. Finally, she passed out.

Chapter 13:
Max shot up in bed, his hair damp from the sweat, his head throbbing from the thought of the nightmare. He wasn't sure exactly why he kept having them or what exactly it was that they meant, but he knew they were no good. He threw on his tee shirt and sneakers and grabbed his keys. He had to see Liz. He drove thinking of what he would do once he got there, what he would say. He wasn't even sure she'd be awake. Just hours earlier, he had dropped her off at home from their long drive to Vegas where he proposed, but didn't marry.

He climbed up her balcony and the lights were on. Yes! He had a sudden urge to kiss her then. He went to knock on the window when he heard other voices.

"Liz! Liz! Come on wake up, please!"

"What now Serena? She doesn't believe us." Max looked through the window and saw Serena and Ava pick up Liz and put her on the bed. What are they doing here?

"What the...?"

"Max!? What are you doing here... it's... it's 3a.m.!"

"I could ask you the same question..." He looked at Ava and couldn't help but cringe at the similarity between her and Tess.

"It's not what you think, really." He looked over at Liz who was regaining consciousness.

"What did you do to her?!" He pushed them aside and held Liz's face in his hands. She still looked a little out of it, so he tried to wake her.

"Hey, Liz, you ok? Try and focus on my eyes. Liz... focus." Finally she looked straight at him and hugged him.

"Oh God Max, I had this horrible dream that..." She looked at Serena and Ava and then back at Max.

"It wasn't a dream." Max looked at Liz reassuringly and then grabbed her hand. He turned to Serena with a stern face.

"So what are you doing here? I thought you were gone after the incident with Lonnie and Rath. And what are YOU doing here?" He turned his head to Ava, who lowered her eyes at him.

"There's been a problem. We were wrong about a lot of things, and we're trying to make it right by helping you."

"Helping us?" Max looked at her, unsure yet curious of what she had to say. Suddenly, Ava burst into tears. Liz looked at her wide-eyed, now feeling bad.

"What's wrong Ava?" Liz let go of Max and went to her friend's aid.

"He just looks so much like Zan, you know? And to think... all this time I thought he had to love me. The way I loved him. I was wrong... Liz, I was so wrong."

"What are you talking about?"

"You remember that day we spoke downstairs? You told me how Max had told you and I told you about Zan?"

"Yeah..."

"I really loved him. I really did. But, I was wrong. He could never love me the way he loved you."

Liz looked at Ava strangely, then at Max who looked just as suprised about the comment.

"But Ava... I didn't know Zan."

"That doesn't matter... he felt it. He knew I wasn't the right one. That I wasn't his match. Remember I told you he always seemed to be waiting for someone?" Liz nodded her head... unsure of what to think.

"That was you... you're the true bride Liz. You're his soulmate, his destined love." Max looked at her, slightly confused.

"But how is that possible if they never met?"

"Max... you and Zan, you share... an essence. That makes you similar in many ways. What Ava is trying to say is that if Zan would have met Liz, he would have most likely fallen in love with her, just as you have. So, it wasn't some human imperfection of yours... it was meant to be." Liz hugged a now hysterical Ava and looked at Max, then at Serena.

"I'm sorry, I don't completely understand, so can we discuss this?" Serena lowered her head and sighed loudly.

"Ok Max. I didn't want to have to say it this way, but it seems I have no choice. Your meeting up with Liz was no accident. Did you ever wonder why you landed in Roswell of all places? And why... the first person who caught your heart is the same person you still love eight years later? Because it was meant to be. Because what our enemies don't want you to know you've already seemed to figure out."

"And what's that?" Liz asked, hoping not to get an answer she'd regret.

"You're it girl. You're the one. Your union with Max will bring about the downfall of his enemies. Ava's odd reaction to you when she first met you, and her assertion that Zan was waiting for someone, she felt it too Liz. She knew somewhere inside that she wasn't completely a part of the circle. That there was someone else who would hold a special status. That someone else, is you."

"But... how is that possible? I mean, you guys know what your destiny is. Ava? Max?"

"All we know is what we're told," Ava said through tears.

"Like I've always said Liz. We make our own destiny."

"So what happened?" Liz sat attentively, her interest sparked.

"It's a long story."

"We have all night." Max looked at Liz, unsure how to feel. Then he thought for a second.

"Maybe we should have Michael and Isabel here."

"Or we could tell them tomorrow." Liz didn't want to leave, she didn't want to miss the chance that this could actually be true.

"It started way back on our planet..."

~FLASH~

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going out for a while, I'm tired of being in here."

"Ok... just be careful. I don't want anything to happen to you, ok?"

"Yeah."

"I love you."

"I know."

"Zan?"

"Look Ava, I've got a lot on my mind, I just need to walk."

The king stepped out of the castle, eagerly awaiting an escape. He walked out into the royal garden and back towards the swimming pool. The thick, red water encircled him as he swam to release his stress. He needed to see her again. Needed to be with her. He grabbed his belongings and dried off. Eventually he was off in the center of town. He hid under a cloak, so he wouldn't be recognized by the people. He reached a deep wooded area and a small cabin. He knocked three times and a beautiful face opened the door. She smiled at him, and grabbed his hand, pulling him into the house. They kissed passionately and finally he felt at home.

"I don't think we can keep doing this."

"I think we can. With love anything is possible."

"Zan... I'm afraid they'll catch us. Do you know what the penalty for that is? It's death."

"Yes, but I'm the king."

"But what if...?"

"And you're my wife Zila."

"I know, but that was all before Ava... and before your coronation, and before your father died."

"That doesn't change the fact that I love you." She smiled at him and they kissed again feeling light headed, as if there were no worries in the world.

Suddenly the door flew open and there stood guards and Ava.

"So this is where you go to relieve stress?"

"Look Ava, I can explain."

"Don't bother! Guards... take her away. Send her to the chamber and get rid of her."

"Let her go!"

"Are you protecting her?"

"I said let her go!"

The guards released Zila and she was sent off into the darkness of the woods alone. Zan grabbed Ava and took her away with him to the palace.

~ REALITY ~

"What happened to her?"

"You mean to you?"

"To me? I was Zila?"

"Yes Liz. You were Zila... and Max was Zan, and Tess was Ava." Liz looked over at Ava who sat, hand on her forehead looking like she could cry again at any given moment.

"Zan found her and took her to the Granolith. Knowing they would kill her if they found her he sent her to Earth, in hopes that he could occasionally visit her through the mental transportation method."

"You mean the way Brody turns into Larek?"

"Exactly. Once she left... things in the kingdom turned around. Without her Zan felt helpless. He was betrayed by Vilandra and Kavar fought him and in his weakest moment he was killed. They tried to kill Zila too, once they brought her back from Earth, but instead, her essence was sent along with the four of you to Earth and Nasedo placed her in a completely human body in hopes that she'd be hidden and safe.

Tess was sent only as backup who would keep Max busy and distracted. And in case of an emergency attack from the enemy, Liz's essence would be awakened and she would figure out her strengths. By that time, you two were supposed to be friends. But no one expected that you'd actually fall in love, all over again."

Max and Liz sat in shock, so amazed by this story of their previous lives. Feeling almost as if it were impossible. That it must have been some fairy tale. But Ava sat crying and Liz knew that it was true because Ava realized that she had no purpose but to be the diversion, the enemy.

"Ava, I'm sorry."

"Hey, that's how it was meant to be." Max stepped to Ava and sat next to her on the bed. He held her hand and looked her straight in the eyes.

"I don't believe that. I believe that you are who you want to be, destiny or not. Me and Liz are proof of this. Now I believe there is good in you. I see it... unlike Tess, I see it in you. I sent her back because she betrayed us and our friendship and trust.

You were left alone and betrayed after they killed Zan. So, since we're on the same boat, I'll make you a proposition you may want to seriously consider. But first tell me all you can about what's going to happen with Tess and my son."

Serena looked at Max almost catching on to his idea and smiled. This just might work.

"Tess is going to turn on you Max."

"How?" Serena looked at Ava who finished her story.

"She's gonna give Kavar your kid in hopes that he'll raise him and turn him against you. She's involved in that deal to save her own neck. Lonnie is gonna kill me and go off, back to our planet with Nicolas, to resume her love affair with Kavar. Rath will be killed and you three are definitely on the list. Along with the human friends who know about you."

"How can we stop this from happening?" Liz listened carefully trying to capture all of the moment.

"There's a prophecy. It says that the king and real queen are eventually reunited and fall in love again. They marry and their child becomes heir to the throne. He will have to fight his half brother in a battle of good and evil to win back the kingdom. That's when your true powers will be tested." Serena held out the locket with the symbol from the orb.

"This is a power locket. It holds a special meaning which will give the two of you power, but only through the love you share. Now the prophecy called for the royal four... and I'm assuming that Liz wasn't part of that. So without Tess, you may be too weak. You need a complete cirlce." Max looked at Ava and smiled.

"I was thinking about that. And since they're looking to kill all of us... what better way to protect ourselves than by sticking together. You're much more in tune with your powers than we are Ava. You can help us learn, and if they come for us, we'll be four, with our true queen and we'll be able to battle off anyone. What do you say?"

Ava looked up and hugged Max.

"Thank you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The alarm clock sounded and Liz reached over to turn it off. Could it all have been a dream? She got in the shower and thought of how weird that would have been, if it would have been a dream. She stepped out of the shower and got into her uniform feeling like a different person. She looked in the mirror and put her hand on her neck as she gasped. There sat the golden locket.

"Oh my God. It was real."

THE END

PS> I'm posting the sequel too!!!!
*bounce**bounce*

[ edited 1 time(s), last at 21-Jun-2002 12:53:19 PM ]