Maria wasn't exactly sure what reaction she expected from the members around the room: revulsion, fear, maybe even hate, but whatever she expected she got the opposite.
The elders all burst up laughing. "That's impossible dear, you're two sweet!" Dinah said, squeezing her hand.
"Yes," Sintama agreed, "A Tyrvanas child would have natural aggression issues and would not be able to hide them inside. You are too darling of a child for that."
"Besides," Lana added. "When I looked into your souls last week, I would have seen it."
"It really does sound unlikely," Ashtar said.
Maria looked him in the eye. "It's true, I tell you. I've seen it and I've felt it deep inside. The ritual woke something up inside of me and I have had aggressive tendencies to some degree."
"This is a joke," Dinah said but her face now looked unsure. She looked to Michael and he nodded at her gravely.
"Nacerro came to her last night and told her. Also yesterday, we found another with powers like hers, a guy we go to school with and Liz's ex-boyfriend. Nacerro told Maria that they were brother and sister and then told her about the prophecy and how it came to be that he was her father and Kyle's mother. It all sounds a little out there but it makes sense. I...I believe her."
"How do you know if it makes sense, Michael?" Isabel asked. "How much do you really know about her life?"
Michael looked at Isabel...his real sister-he was going to have to get used to that...and said, "When we connected during the ritual, we saw every little detail of each other's lives since we were children. I know ever thought and feeling she has ever had and I've seen the events of her life since she was born. I know what I saw and I know that Nacerro's story is true. What she feels, I feel, and I feel that it is true. He is her father and Kyle is her half brother and her purpose would never be to hurt anyone of us." He said the last part to the rest of the members of the room as well.
Maria looked around the faces of the room, wondering what their reaction would be to this. Disora and Lyson were frowning but the rest looked a little shocked. Ashtar was the first to speak.
"What are your intentions, Maria?"
She didn't hesitate. "I want to put that bastard in the ground and that's why were here. We need help. I need help. I need to know how I do it. Will you please help me?"
"Excuse us, we need to speak privately," Ashtar said to the teenagers and he and the elders left the room. Maria didn't know what to think of that. Would they refuse to help her? God, she hoped not.
She turned to look at Michael and saw that Dinah was staring at her with an unreadable expression. "I would never hurt Michael," she said, trying to reassure the woman. "I love him with all my heart and soul. Nothing could make me hurt him."
Dinah nodded. "Of that I have no doubt. I can feel the love between you. I do however have my reservations only because if you are who you say you are, your blood will take over and it will not be about how you feel. It will be about what you are destined for."
Maria grabbed Dinah's hand and squeezed it, not giving her a chance to pull away. "Dinah, the prophecy says my will has to be strong and it isn't! Well, it's strong but rather on the opposite poll. I want him gone for the pain he has caused me and my mother all these years and the pain he intends to cause to my friends. I want him and all the others dead. Except for Kyle. I want him on our side. And...I saw some things last night from inside him and I think my baby is the key."
The woman searched Maria's face for a moment and in that span of time, Maria held her breath. She wanted this woman to not only like her but to believe her. If she couldn't gain her trust, how would she ever gain the trust of the elders? Finally Dinah stopped searching and she slowly nodded. "I...I believe you."
Maria sighed a breath of relief and she squeezed the woman's hand one more time. "Thank you," she whispered. And then in a louder voice she said, "Now that's over, how about you go meet your other children." She smiled at the woman and said, "I think they're getting a little anxious."
Dinah nodded at Maria's first comment and then her face fell open is shock when she realized that she had totally forgotten about Isabel and Max in all the confusion. She turned towards them and her eyes filled with tears. She held out her arms in welcome and said, "Oh, my children. Come here."
Both Isabel and Max looked a little shy but they walked up to the woman and she embraced them both. Then she pulled Michael into the embrace so that she held all three of them. "My beautiful babies," she sobbed.
Maria looked over to where Liz and Alex were sitting and they exchanged smiles, respecting the moment between Michael, Max, Isabel and their mother. They didn't feel left out or anything; instead they were overjoyed that their loves found a link to their heritage.
Dinah finally pulled back and looked all three of them in the faces. "Oh Isabel, you are gorgeous. You look alot like my mother before she died but that's a story for another time. And Max, you look so much like your father, I can't believe I didn't see the resemblance when I entered the room. I had only heard of Michael being alive and I was desperate to see it for myself. He was my first child. You two didn't come until later."
"How much older than us is he?" Max asked.
"Well, you all appear to be the same age but he is seven human years older than the both of you. And you two are twins. We were on the ship to earth for over forty earth years and we knew that if we wanted you to survive, we should put you all in the incubation pods. That's why there is no differences in your current appearances."
Isabel bit her lip and it was obvious that she was debating whether or not to ask a question. "What is it, Isabel? Don't be afraid to ask me anything."
"Well, I was wondering about our father? Is he....?" she trailed off.
Dinah looked down in her lap, her expression a little sad. "He was murdered back on Pearlan. Killed by a Tyrvanas warrior. All the royalty was murdered except for me. I got away."
"Royalty?" Michael asked, raising an eyebrow. He was sad to learn he had no living father but he was more overjoyed than he ever thought possible that he had a mother out there somewhere all his life and she was now sitting before him.
Dinah nodded and smiled. "Yes, you are all royalty amongst our people. Your father was ruler of the Dilana people. That's why you're so important.. Under your leadership, we shall regain our planet." She stopped for a moment, apparently thinking to herself and then she said, "I like your earth names but your birth names were ones chosen from our prophecies. We knew who you were by the time I was pregnant with Max and Isabel. The names roughly translate to savior, power, and leader."
"What are they? Their Dilana birth names, I mean." Maria asked.
"Well, Max is the leader. He is the one who is destined to organize the rebellion. His name is Arion. Isabel is the power. She is the one whose power will be the greatest. Her name is Izmine. And Michael is our savior. He is the one wild power who will shall regain the planet. His name is Kieran."
Alex whistled and everyone looked over at him questioningly. "Wow, looks like some things never change. You three must have been playing those roles by instinct or something."
Liz nodded, understanding what getting at. "I know. Like, Max has always been the leader and always takes responsibility for everyone else even though it isn't necessary, Isabel has the greatest power and she can do many things the other can't, and Michael, well, I don't know about the savior part but he is definitely a wild power."
"That's for sure," several voices agreed, including Maria's, and Michael glared.
Michael glared but his lips were turned up in a smirk. "Ha, ha. Very funny."
Everyone got a short laugh out of this but they quieted when the elders reappeared. Maria looked first at her friends - her family - and then she inhaled deeply and faced the elders. Ashtar spoke for the group. "We'll help you Maria. We're going to have a community meeting in an hour so that the entire community knows that we have found the three children who shall retake over our planet and we will let them know that we have one of the two on our side. Between us all, we shall come up with a plan to defeat Nacerro."
*****
"Here put these on," Dinah instructed the three girls. "At community meetings, we all dress up in our bests and Isabel, as ruler, you can't go in wearing jeans."
The girls unfolded pile that Dinah gave them and began to put them on. Maria's and Liz's dresses consisted of a chemise like the one that Maria wore at the ceremony except these weren't transparent. Over the bust they had bodices. Liz's was made of a pale blue material lined with silver and Maria's was made up of a rich green lined with gold. They wore matching skirts over the bottom of the chemises and small crowns on their heads. The outfits were something you would have seen straight out of the Renaissance Era but these were much more grand.
Isabel's dress was just as grand if not grander. The bodice and skirt were a deep royal blue and her chemise was silvery. Her head was adorned with a crown of small Asarra crystals which looked amazing over her golden locks.
"So, does everyone dress like this at the meetings?" Maria asked as she tied up the front of her bodice. "I mean, they're a little grand for a meeting I would think."
Dinah shook her head. "No, not at all. But my children are royalty and that's the way they must dress for their introduction into our community."
Maria arched an eyebrow, a little confused. "Why do we have to dress like this, then? I mean we're not royalty."
"I beg to differ," Lana said as she entered the room. "As Michael's wife, you are our...I guess the best word would be Queen. Michael is the first born of our leader back on Pearlan and it is his rightful place."
Maria interrupted the woman before she could go on. "But if Max is the leader why isn't he king?"
"He is leader as in organizer but Michael is our people's leader, and as to what I was going to say, Liz, as Max's soulmate is required to be at his side as is Alex and Isabel."
Both Isabel and Liz looked up sharply. "Soulmates?" Isabel asked, her face reflecting shock.
Liz shook her head. "But, I'm not even with Max."
Dinah reached out for Liz's hand. "But you should be. You belong together and Isabel belongs with Alex."
Lana nodded in agreement. "I saw it the moment that I walked into the room this afternoon. Do you think it's a coincidence that you three met Michael, Max and Isabel? Well, my dear, it just isn't so. It was Rusu's plan that you would find each other. You six belong together and whether or not you are together at the present time, there is no arguing what has been destined."
"Royalty? Bodices? Jeez, I feel like I've stepped back in time," Isabel muttered.
"Tell me about it," Maria agreed.
They heard a knock at the door and Sintama popped her head in. "It's time."
Dinah clapped her hands in delight. "Okay children, let's go meet your people."
*****
"How come I don't see any children or teenagers?" Maria whispered to Sintama as they walked to the front of the room. She was a little uncomfortable as she walked in to the large hall because the hoards of people sitting in the room were watching them curiously. She figured they hadn't been told yet.
Sintama smiled. "Our reproduction cycle doesn't come on for another three years. We can only reproduce every fifty human years. But, believe me, in three years, this place will have so many children we won't know what to do with them."
Maria was confused. "Then, how did I get pregnant?"
"You have human and Tyrvanas blood in you and your cycles aren't like ours. Go ahead and take you seat next to Michael, now."
Maria hadn't noticed Michael until then but when she did, she had to laugh a little. He was wearing the same green colors as she was but he looked stiff and uncomfortable in his clothes and there was a small scowl on his face. Maria sat down next to him and said, "Hey spaceboy, looking good."
"Bite me Deluca," he grumbled, but that only made her laugh harder.
"Later," she promised and looked over to see a wicked grin on his lips. Then she looked forward and got a little comfortable at how everyone was still staring at them. She felt like she was on display.
"Okay, everyone quiet down." Ashtar said as he made calming gestures with his hands. "I guess you're wondering why we have called this emergency meeting with you all tonight and why we are joined by six new members? Believe me, it was for good reason." He cleared his throat and looked behind him at the teenager and then he addressed the community again in a proud, boisterous voice. "We have always thought them dead but one week ago, we discovered it just isn't so. These children before you are our hope for the future. Stand up children." A little unsure, they all stood. "I would like to introduce Arion, Izmine, and Kieran and their soulmates."
A collective gasp could be heard around the room.
One of the men in the front stood and sputtered, "You mean...they..."
Ashtar nodded. He walked over and grabbed Isabel and Alex by the hand. "I present to you Izmine. The one with the power. Her earth name is Isabel and her soulmate is Alex."
He moved back and retrieved Max and Liz. "And here I present Arion. The prophesized leader. His earth name is Max and his soulmate is Elizabeth."
"And finally, I present Kieran and his wife, Maria. Kieran, our savior, is earth named Michael. And he and Maria are with child."
Maria looked forward and saw confusion reflecting on everyone's faces. "How is that so?" a voice called out. "The birthing cycle isn't here yet."
"You can sit," Ashtar said to the teenagers and then he addressed the group. "Well, that's partly the reason why we are here. I need everyone to remain absolutely attentive while I speak and I don't want any interruptions. What I say might be shocking but believe me, there is nothing to worry about. Here me out. First off, Liz, Alex, and Maria are human. Well, at least Liz and Alex are completely human but Maria is only half."
"Human soulmates? That's preposterous!" Someone cried and Ashtar silenced them with a look.
Lana spoke. "No it's true. No interruptions!"
Ashtar thanked her with a glance and then proceeded. "If you remember correctly, the Tyrvanas' prophecy said that there would be two that shall arise to stop the three - if their will is strong." Heads could be seen nodding amongst the crowd. "I don't want to alarm you and I need you to understand that her will is strong on our side, her intentions are pure, but Maria is one of them. She is half Tyrvanas by blood but her heart belongs to Kieran. She wants to stop her father and bring us back into leadership of Pearlan."
Silence could be heard throughout the hall for a moment and then it interrupted into chaos. Several voices could be heard amongst the clamoring of the crowd.
"That's a likely story!"
"She's here to kill us all!"
"You're a fool to trust in a Tyrvanas!"
"I say we kill her while we have the chance!"
That last comment struck Maria to the core and she began to cry. It was useless, they would never believe her. They would never help her.
"SILENCE!" Ashtar yelled. "EVERYONE SHUT UP NOW!!!!
The hall quieted but Maria couldn't help but notice the menacing, untrusting glares that were turned on her. *I have to make them believe me!* she thought and Michael grabbed her hand.
*Go make them believe you then.*
Maria nodded and then stood up and walked to where Ashtar stood. In a loud voice, she said, "EVERYONE PLEASE LISTEN! I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ON MY BEHALF!"
The crowd grew completely quiet and Maria spoke.
Maria spoke. Or at least she tried. Every eye in the hall was on her and her throat tightened.
Michael sent her a thought but it took her a moment to realize what he was saying to her. She fought to clear the cobwebs from her head and then she caught it. *Tell them, Maria. Make them believe you.*
She smiled. He was giving her encouragement. All of the sudden, her throat didn't feel so tight anymore and some of the tension left her body.
"Everyone, there are things you all need to understand before you pass your judgments on me..." She stopped and cleared her throat, trying to think of the best way to convince them. "Up until one week ago my life had been the life of every normal sixteen year old girl. I liked to shop and hang out with my friends and talk on the phone like every other girl my age. The only thing that really set me apart from the rest was that I had a secret. Three people who weren't really friends but more like people who I had grown up with and who I couldn't stop crossing paths with were aliens. At first when I learned of them, I didn't take it well and almost turned them over to the authorities, but then I realized that besides the obvious differences, they really were going through the same things as everyone else. That they weren't that different. So, since then, I've helped to keep their identities a secret no matter how dangerous or scary it has been. This all started about six months ago and in that time, I have fallen head over heels in love with Michael." She stopped and turned to look at him. There was a small grin on his face.
Maria grinned back and then turned back to the crown but she didn't speak right away. She wasn't quite sure where to go from there.
Then she heard Michael's mental voice in her head. *Keep going, Maria. Don't stop now. I think it's working. Look, you have their undivided attention.*
Maria did as he said and searched the faces of the members of the crowd. She saw that the crowd wasn't as hostile as it had been. More faces looked thoughtful than angry or fearful. This gave her a rush of confidence and she continued. "And then a week ago, Michael came to me and asked if I would like to go on a road trip with him to Sedona, Arizona where there had been a sighting.. Of course I went. I would have given anything to be near him. Since then, since we made love, my life has been full of chaos. We found your settlement here and found out that our lovemaking could kill me. I thought it couldn't get any worse than that, but believe me, it has. Since the ritual, I have become pregnant, I've grown strange powers which I never had before, I've been having horrible frightening visions, Michael and I have become sexually aggressive in the most inappropriate of places that we somehow black out and never remember. I even tried to inflict pain on a girl who made a stupid remark about me but when I stopped using my powers the attack continued. That's when we came across Kyle. He had the same powers as me and it appeared that they arose at pretty much the same time as mine. And then, last night, Nacerro came to me and told me he was my father and Kyle's mother and he said we were created to destroy Michael, Max and Isabel. Now, here's your dilemma. I know that you probably don't trust me when I say I would never hurt them but it's true. I would rather sacrifice my own life than cause any harm to these three, especially Michael. Nac...My father has caused so much pain to me and my mother for so many years and I feel nothing but hate for him. I refuse to follow the path he has chosen for me. I'd rather die than follow that path. I want to destroy him but I don't know how. His powers are so much stronger than mine and alone, I couldn't last one round against him. That's why I'm here. I need your help. I need to know what I can do to stop him. Please believe me when I say that." She looked down at the ground knowing that she hadn't ended with as much impact as she may had wanted but she did the best she could. The rest was up to them.
A little awkwardly, she walked over to sit back next to Michael and he grabbed her hand and laced his fingers with hers. "Good job," he whispered.
A low murmur began amongst the crowd as she sat down. She couldn't tell exactly what they were saying and she had no indication whether or not they were going to help her. She held her breath.
Ashtar spoke to the community again. "We, the elders, have already chosen to help her, but things will be much easier if we combine our efforts as a community. We will all leave the room now and I will leave it up to you to decide if you will help. Send Rakar Shirna to the main house with your decision." He turned to Maria and the others and said, "Let's go back to the house now."
Not releasing Maria's hand, Michael stood and led the rest out of the room. "Do you think they will help?" he asked Ashtar as they trekked back to the house.
The older man smiled. "I think that Maria got through to them if that's what you're asking."
Michael nodded and they continued their walk in silence. Once they reached the house, they all took their seats in the living room and waited. Maria glanced at her watch and saw that it was a little after noon and she wondered how much time it would take for them to come to their decision.
"You did a good job, Maria," Isabel said, interrupting her from her thoughts. "If I didn't already believe you, you would have totally convinced me with your speech."
Heads nodded around the room and Liz reached over and grabbed her hand. "I'm very impressed. After this, you should never have another problem with stage fright."
"You better not," Alex said and Maria giggled.
"I know. Like, when I first stood up, I thought I was going to pass out but I knew that I had all of you supporting me and it gave me confidence. I promise Alex, if we ever perform again and I freeze up, you have total permission to kick my ass."
"I'm holding you to that, Deluca," Alex said and Maria laughed again. She felt so relaxed and safe for some reason, despite the fact that an entire mob of people had wanted her dead not a half hour before. It was almost as if the last week in Roswell had been a bad dream, like none of it had been real or it was just a bad nightmare.
They heard a knock on the door just then and Maria sat up a little straighter as a man walked in. He glanced at Maria before addressing the Elders. "We decided that we'll help. But, everyone had one small request."
"What's that?" Ashtar asked, his brow furrowing.
The man smiled. "We'd like to welcome them all into our settlement. We thought a Kisarra Festival would be the most appropriate in celebration of Kieran...I mean Michael's and Maria's union."
Ashtar nodded slowly. "It's not really the season for a Kisarra Festival but I think it's a wonderful idea. Whose idea was it to have this festival?"
"Mother Essie. She said that during the ending festivities, she has a present to give Maria."
*****
"I told you Maria, I don't dance."
Maria crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. "But come on, this festival is for us and the least we can do is have some fun. Please???"
Michael shook his head. "I said no."
Maria narrowed her eyes and said, "Fine. Alex, will you dance with me, then? Please?"
Alex rolled his eyes and then nodded. "Sure, let's go," he sighed.
Maria clapped her hands in delight and dragged him out to the dirt clearing around the bonfire where many members of the community were dancing. The style of dance was not anything Maria was used to but she was having a blast during the festival and she was determined to try.
She and Alex got into position and then began to move on the next beat of the song. The dance consisted of a lot of confusing steps but Maria just went with it even though her partner was a little stiff.
Michael looked on from the bench he was sitting at and a smirk crossed his face. He hadn't seen Maria this happy in a few days and the smile hadn't left her face once in the last few hours - that is of course not counting the playful little pout that had crossed her lips when Michael said he wouldn't dance with her.
This is the way he wished it could always be for her. He wished he could freeze time down to this moment where she would never again have to worry about strange powers or battling Nacerro. He wished he could give her all the happiness in the world.
He watched in amusement as she and Alex got their signals crossed and both fell to a heap on the ground. Maria clutched her stomach and howled with laughter. It broke Michael's heart to know that she couldn't always be that happy. As her giggles subsided, her eyes met Michael's and the smile faded from her face. Time seemed to freeze in that moment and something passed between them. Michael's breath caught in his throat. She looked so alive, so beautiful.
Briefly, Maria turned to Alex and said something to him. Alex looked over at Michael and then grinned and nodded. He helped her up from the ground, and then walked in the direction where Isabel was chatting with Liz. Maria looked at Michael again and then moved to walk towards him.
Michael stood up and met her halfway. She smiled up into his face as she wrapped her arms around his back. Her touch caused fire to tingle in his nerves. He weaved on of his hands into her silky hair and dropped his mouth to hers in a tender kiss. She continued to smile against his lips. "Are you having fun?" he whispered.
She nodded and said, "So much that I wish we could stay here forever."
He nodded and then kissed her again, this time deeper. Maria melted in his arms and leaned into him. She moaned in his mouth and he tightened his grip on her.
"They are so adorable together," they heard a voice say and they broke apart to see Dinah, Kisa, Lana, and Sintama standing a few feet away watching them with huge smiles lighting up their faces.
Maria blushed and Michael cleared his throat. Dinah produced a small velvet pouch from her pocket and walked up to them. "I don't want to interrupt but I have something I'd like to give to the both of you. Michael, hold out your hand."
Michael glanced at Maria and then held his palm out. Dinah dumped the contents of the pouch into his hand and two rings fell out. The bands were gold with odd carvings on them like the ones from the cave paintings back in Roswell and they had purple stones in them that appeared to glow. Maria's eyes widened and Michael knew it was because they were the ones she had seen in her vision yesterday after finding out about Kyle. Dinah continued. "These were my parent's wedding rings and I would be honored for you two to have them."
Maria's face lit up and her eyes teared up. She pulled Dinah in for a hug and whispered, "Thank you, Dinah. This means a lot to me."
Dinah pulled back and kissed Maria lightly on the forehead. "I'm glad to give them to you. There's no one else I'd rather give them to. My parents love for each other was very pure and beautiful and when I see you and Michael together, I am reminded of their happiness. I wish you both the same happiness as they had. Try them on."
Maria looked at Michael and he picked up the smaller ring. He grabbed her left hand and put it on her ring finger. She frowned because the ring was a little loose. Dinah laughed and placed her hand over Maria's finger and instantly, she felt the band tighten against her skin. When Dinah removed her hand, Maria looked at her hand and saw that it now fit snugly against her flesh. She smiled her appreciation and then grabbed the other ring from Michael's palm and placed it on his finger. It fit perfectly and needed no adjustments.
Their eyes met and they both smiled at each other. Dinah pulled them both into her arms and first kissed Michael's cheek and then Maria's. "Have a wonderful time tonight, you two. I'll leave you alone now."
Maria grabbed the woman's hand as she turned and squeezed it. "Thank you," she whispered again and the woman smiled and returned to where the other elder women were standing.
A very slow song began to play and Maria decided to try again. "Michael, please. Will you dance with me?"
He surprised her when he didn't groan or protest at all. Instead, he nodded and pulled her out to the dance floor. She was even more surprised to see that he could dance really well. In all actuality, they were only swaying from side to side but his body wasn't stiff as Alex's had been.
As they danced, they gazed lovingly into each other's eyes and Michael raised a hand to caress her cheek. She could tell what he was thinking but she wanted to hear it from his mouth so she asked him.
"I'm thinking that I can't remember of a time when you looked more beautiful or when I have ever been happier. My life feels so complete right now."
Maria couldn't help the smile that formed on her lips and she looked away fighting to suppress it but it wouldn't go away.
"Yuck! You're starting to sound like Max," they heard Isabel's voice say but there was no animosity behind it. They looked behind them to see Isabel and Alex dancing together and they were both smiling. "If you call her honey, I think I'm gonna barf."
"Oh shut up, little sister," Michael said and Isabel's smile widened.
"I think I could get used to the sound of that," she said and then Alex leaned in and whispered in her ear. She pulled Alex in closer and tossed her head back, laughing loudly. Then she looked into his eyes and said, "I know I could get really used to that." Alex picked her up and spun her around in a circle and she laughed gaily.
"We'll see you two later," Alex said and the two walked away hand in hand.
Maria laughed and said, "Looks like the two of them are getting pretty cozy," but the smile faded from her face when she noticed Liz standing alone over Michael's shoulder. Grimly, she said, "But it looks like Liz and Max are only growing further apart."
"Who are you kidding, Maria?" Michael muttered. "They both want to be with each other so badly they can taste it. I think they just need a little push and we should take care of that right now."
"How?"
"That's simple. Come on." He led Maria over to Liz and with his free hand, he grabbed Liz's and pulled her over to where Max was standing by himself.
"What's going on?" Liz asked, looking between Michael and Maria questioningly.
Michael let go of Maria's hand and grabbed Max's briefly, forcing Liz and Max's hands together. "Look you two," he said. "This is a party and everyone is happy but the two of you. So Maria and I aren't giving you a choice. We know you two belong together. We know it, the elders know it and deep down, you know it. So why don't you two just forget everything bad that has happened up until now and move on with your lives. Besides, were getting sick of seeing you two mope."
Liz looked into Max's eyes but she didn't say anything. Maria shook her head and said, "Babe, let me help you out here." The pitch of her voice rose in a fake impersonation of Liz and she dramatically said, "Oh Max, I love you so much, my life isn't complete without you in it."
Michael took her cue and said, "Max this is where you say..." he deepened his voice and said, "I love you too, Liz. And my life is so empty without you. Please forgive me for being such a jackass."
Max looked at Michael, raising an eyebrow in amusement and then he pushed him away. "I think I can take it from here, Michael." Then he smiled down at Liz and without a word, he kissed her.
Maria smiled and said, "That's what I like to see."
Michael tossed his hands up in the air and said, "Finally! It's about damn time. Now, would you two go have some fun together? Please?"
Liz pulled back from Max and smiled at Michael. "Oh, if we must," she said and then tugged on Max's arm.
They began to walk away but Max turned and mouthed his thanks to them.
"Mission accomplished!" he said to Maria after they were gone and then he picked her up by her trim waist and she squealed again. He pulled her down so that there faces were only inches apart and said, "Now that we have played match-makers can we please go somewhere to be alone?"
She smirked and arched an eyebrow. "Well..."
"Hold that thought, Michael," Ashtar said coming up behind them. "There is one more thing to do before you two can go off together. Mother Essie, the oldest woman in our community would like to give her present to Maria soon and you don't want to miss that."
*****
The community gathered around the bon-fire and looked on as Mother Essie, a withered, stooped woman with white hair called Maria to the front. In a soft, quiet voice, she spoke addressed Maria.
"Child as the eldest woman of our people, it is only right that I properly welcome you into our community. As our new leader I pay homage to you with this gift. Normally, I would give you a jewel to wear that would signify your royal position but under the current circumstances, I think this is more appropriate. What I am about to give you can help you defeat your father."
Maria's eyes widened at the woman's last statement. The woman turned and nodded to another woman who walked up and handed her something. Mother Essie turned back towards Maria and handed her the gift.
Maria's mouth fell open when she saw what it was; a silver dagger encrusted with green and purple stones. She began to shake. It was the one from her vision. The one she had used to try to kill Michael.
"No!" she cried, dropping it on the ground as if it were a poisonous snake. A muttering of confusion could be heard throughout the crowd and Michael rushed up to Maria's side as she began to back away.
"It's okay!" he told her as she turned desperate eyes on him.
She shook her head fiercely and said, "No Michael! Nothing will ever be okay again!"
"What's going on?" Ashtar asked, appearing at their side and Michael tried to calm the trembling girl in his arms.
Maria looked at Ashtar and said, "I had a vision of that knife and in the vision, I killed Michael."
Then, she fainted.