"Let's see what you got Parker." Michael challenged the next day.
"Why is this so important to you anyway?" Liz said as she moved some rocks across the pod chamber.
"I want to know what we can count on you to do if there's a crisis."
Liz gave him a look before she whirled a rather large rock around and sent it flying towards one of the pods. They heard a small ripping sound. "Oh Michael I'm sorry."
He waved a hand. "No- look. What is that?" He got on his hands and knees and began to examine it.
"Step back. Lemme see if I can make it bigger." Liz said walking over as well.
"No. Let me. Never know, it could be booby trapped the way your trunk was." Michael blocked her. He was ashamed of the feeling, but he was almost jealous that Liz had discovered something about their past, something about him that even he didn't know.
"Michael let me help you okay? Please?"
"I can do this." He said. "Call Isabel. She'll want to know about this, and she can call Max and Tess, since you seem dislike talking to them."
"No cell phone." Liz said before her head rolled down. A few seconds later she was back. "Oh that was close."
"What?"
"Mrs. Evans almost saw me."
"What- how- oh wait you did that astral thing."
Liz heard Michael’s voice, but it was distant.
"Liz, are you okay? You don't look so hot. Liz!"
"I think she's coming around."
"Prue?" Liz's eyes fluttered open. "How?"
"Your friend called." Prue explained.
"Michael?"
"Max, honey." Piper said. "How are you feeling?"
"Woozy. What happened?"
"Leo said it was because you astral projected so far. You have to do things slow Liz." Phoebe said as she helped her sit up.
"Why am I still in the cave?"
"Because honey. It was a lot easier than telling your mother you over extended yourself. She is unbelievably protective of you."
"True." Liz looked around. "Where are my friends?"
"Outside with Leo. Max is pacing or he was last time I checked." Phoebe said. "He loves you a lot."
"Please, please, please, don't say that. If one more person does I'll have to scream. It drives me crazy."
Piper smiled. "I know the feeling." She stood up. "I'm gonna go tell them you're okay. Do you feel up to seeing them?"
"Yeah and I should probably thank Michael. I think he caught me."
"He did. Can you explain why you're in a cave with a yummy looking guy while his best friend is in love with you? And it's a weird cave too- what are those things? Leo won't tell us." Phoebe pouted.
"Pheebs take a breath." Prue said. "Piper, go get her friends. They're probably worried out of their minds."
"I'll explain on the way home Pheebs. I promise. Then Leo can take you guys home."
"I'd love to hang around here for a while. We have so much catching up to do with your parents."
"Oh God Liz!" Maria shrieked. "Are you okay? By the way have you ever done that orbing thing with Leo? It's a total head trip." She hugged Liz.
Liz hugged back. "You let him orb her around?" She asked Prue. "Now she'll want to do it again and again and get even more loopy."
Prue giggled. "Sorry. It was the fastest way to get her out here. Just be glad Amy didn't see him."
"Liz you okay?" Isabel asked.
"I'm good Isabel. Did your mom see me?"
"No, just wondered why I was talking to myself. Wanna tell me what you and Michael found?"
"We're not sure. I passed out before Michael could see anything. By the way where is Michael?"
"No one's seen him." Maria frowned.
"I wanna thank him." Liz felt a breeze. "Okay did you feel that?" She asked Phoebe.
"Yeah." Phoebe nodded. "You know what it is, don't you?"
"Grandma."
"Or Grams."
"Or both." Prue said.
"Wait Liz your grandmother is dead. I was at the funeral." Maria said.
"Don't ask." Prue, Piper, Phoebe, and Liz said at the same time.
"Don't worry." Isabel, Tess, Maria, and Alex said at the same time.
"Where are Leo and Max?" Liz asked.
"Leo had to orb out for a few and Max is outside calming down. He's mad at Michael for this."
"It wasn't Michael's fault." Liz defended. "It was my own."
"Tell that to my brother."
"If he comes inside I will."
"Okay." Isabel went outside and dragged Max back in. "Now listen to the girl Max. Go ahead Liz."
"It was not Michael's fault. He could not stop it. Don’t be mad at him."
Max sighed. "Are you okay?"
"Yes I'm fine. Did you meet my cousins?"
"Briefly." Max nodded at them.
"Max, Isabel, you have to see this!" Michael's excited voice echoed through the cave. He was nowhere in sight.
"How'd he do that?" Isabel said.
"Oh he found a way in." Liz stood up along with Phoebe. "Follow me." She went to the pod where she'd made the hole. "Michael?"
"Through the hole Liz- but send Max and Isabel first."
"Why?"
"Let them get an untainted view of it. Follow in a sec, if you're up to it."
"Okay." Liz backed away. "You heard the man. Go." Liz motioned. "Tess you too."
"When did Tess get here?" Michael asked.
"About five minutes after you disa- whoa!" Max's voice was heard.
"Oh my God." Tess sounded reverent.
"The granolith." Isabel whispered.
"Hey can the Wicca chicks come in or what?"
"Don't forget about us regular humans." Alex's voice called.
"Sure." Michael said.
"There isn't enough room for all of us. We can squeeze four more in, then we'll have to do a rotation."
"You guys go." Alex said.
"No, Liz, you, Alex, and Maria go. Prue go with them." Piper said.
"Why me?"
"You're the oldest."
"Is Kyle out there?" Tess' voice asked.
"No." Liz called back.
"Ok, you guys come on in." Her voice sounded disappointed.
"Sorry Tess. I guess Leo forgot about him." Liz said as she climbed in. "Is that what I think it is?" She asked Michael. He'd filled her in on the granolith on the way here.
"The holy grail of an alien culture." Max murmured. "How many humans get to see that?"
"Alien?" Prue questioned.
"Lemme guess. You didn't tell her right?" Michael asked.
"I was planning to."
"Max, am I allowed to tape your mouth shut?" Isabel's voice dripped sarcastic sweetness.
"What did I say?"
"You blew the secret again." Tess informed him. "Guys, if you scoot a little that way, and we go this way I think we could bring in the rest."
They all did and then Prue called for Piper and Phoebe who made their way in.
"Whoa." Phoebe said.
"I have never seen anything like that before." Piper said.
"Nor will you." Tess said, pride in her voice.
Piper gave the blonde a questioning look.
"Tess, this is Piper Halliwell, my second cousin on my father's side."
"Father? Meaning she's a-"
"Warren witch, yes."
"Well, you're witches, and we're aliens. Only in Roswell." Isabel said.
"Now who blew the secret?" Max asked.
"Guys enough." Liz said. She checked her watch. "Oh we better go." Liz said. "Mom's gonna be worried."
"No, no, we told all our parents that we're camping with your cousins." Alex said. "We can take as long as we want."
"Good. Though I can't believe Mom bought the story. She knows Prue too well."
"Prue has magic powers that make camping more bearable." Phoebe deadpanned.
"True." Liz said putting an arm around Phoebe. "I'm really glad Leo went and got you guys. I missed you."
"We missed you too." Phoebe hugged her. "Now, I want to hear all the details."
"Let's go outside. I need some fresh air." Liz and Phoebe left.
"You know it's weird but Liz and her cousins look more like sisters then anything else." Tess remarked.
"They do, don't they?" Maria agreed. "What's this thing do?"
"We don't know but it's important." Tess said. "You know Liz was right. I need some air too." She climbed out of the chamber.
"Why'd she leave?" Maria asked.
Isabel gave her a look. "Isn't it obvious?"
"No."
"With the way you treat her she's scared to be in the same room as you." Isabel glared.
Prue and Piper looked at each other. They were unused to the role of 'grown up' to teenagers, but someone should probably step in soon.
"Maria, you and I haven't talked in ages." Piper said. "Let's go outside and catch up." Piper linked arms with the blonde and led her out.
"You know, Isabel I love that outfit. I bet we like the same designers." Prue said.
Isabel smiled. "Probably like them. Can't always wear them though." She gestured to Prue's daring shirt.
Prue smiled at the younger girl. "When I get back to San Francisco I'll clean out my closet and have Leo bring some clothes next time he comes to see Liz. I bet you'd love some of the stuff I have. Probably some of Phoebe's too."
Isabel grinned in delight. Max frowned. "Isabel you already-"
"Shut up Max." Michael and Isabel said together.
"So Max is an alien and you're in love with him but you won't be with him cause he supposedly belongs with Tess here." Phoebe motioned to the blonde who was sitting next to her.
"He doesn't want me at all, he's completely in love with her." Tess said. "But she's scared he'll jump planet and leave her all alone."
"You guys belong on some trashy talk show."
"I don't think our topic has ever been discussed in the public forum."
"Liz, you really should give him a chance."
"I have. I told him I'll be with him if he finds a way to stay on the planet." Liz said.
Tess shrugged. "Well there's the other set of us, so that's no problem." Tess pointed out.
"Tess no offense but I don't trust the other set of you. Except for maybe Ava. Alex, Maria, and Kyle all feel the same way."
Tess nodded. "Irony, isn't it? You don't trust me, but you do trust my evil twin." She held up her hands. "Okay, so she's not evil. I know what you mean. We don't trust them either, but if you're going to be selfish you should be satisfied."
"Selfish?" Liz looked offended, and scalded.
"You're hurting Max." Tess said simply. "For no good reason."
Liz made a face and seriously considered sending Tess to a distant place.
"Liz let's take a walk." Phoebe got up. "Personal gain rule, remember?" She whispered.
Tess sighed. "Think about it, that's all I want you to do." She turned and went back inside the cave.
"How can someone I dislike and don't trust be able to read me so well?" Liz whined.
Phoebe tried not to smile. "I don't know."
"Hey you guys hungry?" Maria and Piper walked up. "There's a diner a few miles that way."
"Starving, let's go. Collect the yummy looking guys." Phoebe suggested brightly. "Now, Maria, talk to me...” She grabbed the small blond and started chattering a mile a minute.
"Are you sure we don't have a DeLuca hanging on one the branches of our family tree?" Liz asked Piper.
"If we do, we are in so much trouble." Piper giggled.
"Hey Michael wait a sec." Liz touched his arm and slowed him down as they walked towards the diner. "If you hadn't caught me, I'd probably have a nice bruise and possibly a few or more bumps on my head."
"So?" He shrugged. "It's no big deal."
"It is to me. Thank you." She said deliberately.
"No big deal." Michael said again before he walked in.
"Cute but hard headed. I remember the type well." Prue said from Liz's side.
"I know you do. You used to date them like there was no tomorrow."
"Who's he with now?"
"Maria, off and on."
"I'll talk to her, give her a few tips."
"Here's a tip for you. Buy stock in cypress oil. If they ever get back together she'll buy it in bulk."
Prue laughed as they sat down in the large booth next to Piper and Phoebe. "So what's good here?"
"Nothing." Maria said promptly.
Michael rolled his eyes. "If I were you I wouldn't touch anything except milkshakes."
"And the fries." Liz said. "I ate them here at the beginning of the summer. They weren't bad."
"They were horrible." Maria disagreed. "Much too spicy."
"Was that after you know?" Phoebe asked.
"Yes."
"Am I missing something?" Max asked.
"No."
"I feel like I am." He said.
"You're not Max." Maria said.
"Trust them." Alex said. "I think I'll go with a burger. They weren't all together awful."
"Isabel, could I borrow your cell?" Tess asked. "I've got this really odd feeling about Kyle and the Sheriff."
"Here." Isabel said handing it to her. "Think I'll join you in the burger Alex."
Tess dialed the phone impatiently. "Damn- we're out of range."
"I think there's a pay phone in back Tess." Liz said, pointing.
"Thanks." She dropped the phone on the table and nearly dashed to the booth. She breathed a sigh of relief when Kyle answered. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah we're fine. Where are you guys?"
"Out in the middle of no where." She answered. "I was worried- I kept getting this weird kind of vibe off of you. You're sure you're okay?"
"Tess I'm fine. And as far as I know so is Dad. When will you be back?"
"Soon I hope. If that Leo guy shows up I'll see if I can get him to orb me home. According to Maria it's a head trip."
"Orb? Leo? Oh no, is there some freaky alien thing going on?" He demanded.
"Alien and witch. Liz projected today and then she passed out."
"And no one told me." He sounded upset.
"I'm sorry." She said. "I assumed you knew. Look, I gotta go. We'll talk later, is that okay?"
"Yeah. Just be careful."
"I will, I promise." Tess hung the phone up and rejoined the group who were starting to order.
"Is he okay?" There was a note of almost concern in Maria's voice.
"He said there was nothing going on." Tess answered carefully.
"You don't believe him?" Isabel frowned.
"I believe he thinks there's nothing going on." She responded.
"Maybe we should forget eating here and get food at the Crashdown." Liz suggested. "Then I can bunk at the Manor with my cousins and you can check on Kyle."
"That's a good idea, Liz." Isabel said.
"I'm hungry." Maria whined.
"Here." Alex said, handing her a Snickers. "Eat this."
"They're coming out with the food now." She pointed out.
"Perfect. We'll take it on the road with us." Michael said.
"Tess here." Max handed her the keys to the jeep. "Be careful."
"Are you sure?"
"Go."
"Thank you." She said gratefully. "Anyone else coming?"
"I'll go with you." Michael said, grabbing his food. "Maria?"
She made a face. "I-"
"Stay, I'm sure you and Liz's cousins have a lot to catch up on." Tess grabbed her purse. "I'll try to call Isabel's cell when I know what's going on. Do you want me to drop by your house to check on your mom?"
"Uh yeah. If you don't Liz might try to AP again." Max said. "And we don't need that."
Liz frowned.
"He's right honey we don't." Piper said.
"Well Prue's here now." She shrugged.
"Tess will check on Mrs. Evans and the rest of us will go to the Manor. Tess call there when you're done." Alex said.
"Sure." She said, tossing her hair. "Michael, you need anything else before we go?"
He shook his head no, because his mouth was full.
"Okay then let's go." Tess dragged Michael out of the diner while everyone else gathered their food into take out boxes and then piled into Liz's car and Alex's van.
"Is she psychic too? I mean, does she get premonitions? What does she do?" Phoebe babbled happily.
"I don't know. Michael got sort of a premonition thingy last year." Maria said to her as they ate in the back of Alex's van.
"Next question: What's the story with Alex and the tall blonde?" Phoebe whispered.
"Ice Princess runs hot and cold. She plays games, but he's so in love with her he can't see straight, so he let's her."
"Think he'll wake up anytime soon?"
"Nope."
"So Max, how long have you known Lizzie Beth?" Piper asked the brown-haired boy sitting next to her in the back seat of Liz's car.
"Lizzie Beth?" He grinned. "Third grade. We met in third grade."
"Really? And you just started being friends last year?" Prue inquired.
"He's shy." Isabel said in a moderately clipped tone. "Plus there's the whole-"
"Let him talk." Prue interrupted. "You were saying?"
"She said it basically." He smiled a little. "But-"
"He's been hopelessly in love with her since the first time he saw her." Isabel rolled her eyes.
"Aw how sweet." Piper said.
"You know if I could freeze the two of you, I would. Often." Liz said.
"You can't freeze them?" Isabel questioned.
"Nope. I can't freeze other good witches."
"You learn something every day." Max said. "We know Liz's powers work on us, but would our powers still work on you?" He frowned as the thought occurred to him. "I mean, could I still heal you if you were hurt again?"
"I would think so." Liz said as she pulled into the garage of the manor. "Let's see." She held out her hand. "I got a paper cut at school today. Try me."
"Are you sure?" He asked.
She nodded.
He took her hand in his. "Look at me." He said in a low voice. "It won't work unless you look at me."
Their eyes locked. He concentrated. The cut vanished, but a dot of silver stayed on her palm.
Isabel frowned. "We'll have to get rid of that. Do any of you have concealor?"
Prue handed her a bottle, watching with interest.
Isabel dabbed the concealor over the silver and used her powers to make it stick. "It won't come off till the silver mark does."
"Elizabeth?"
"Yes Prudence?" Liz got out of the car in a hurry. Prue only used that tone when she was about to cross-examine someone. She and Phoebe were very familiar with it.
"Has Max ever had to heal you before?"
"Once."
"When?"
"I take the fifth." She let them all in and turned on the light. "There are some rooms upstairs that are made up."
"I'll show you." Isabel offered. "Liz said that you're a photographer?"
"Forget it, Lizzie Beth. You are so not getting off the hook that easily. When did Max have to heal you?"
"When I was shot." Liz said softly.
"Liz-" Isabel looked afraid.
"They'll keep your secret. I mean, they've already seen you use your powers, hell you've even used the 'a' word around them." Liz pointed out.
"You keep our secret and we'll keep yours. Trust me, we have had a taste of being in a fish bowl. None of us want to revisit that point in time." Piper said.
Max swallowed convulsively. "Did they bring you to a white room?" He asked Piper. He seemed to sense a kindred spirit in her.
"Something like that. Then there was the tabloid reporter and then there were the monkeys."
"You sound so flippant about it." Max remarked. "I don't think I'll ever be able to just brush it off like that."
"They've never been in your kind of white room but there was one time they were in a hospital." Liz offered.
"You should rest." He changed the subject. "Isabel can show the girls their rooms. I'll get in touch with Tess."
"I wanted to wait for Pheebs and Maria. See which one was sleeping in my room. Oh Max, Is, there are some rooms downstairs. The beds aren't made up but there are sheets in the closet and the rooms are dust free."
"Thanks, but Liz, we're not kicking you out of your room." Piper protested.
"They wouldn't be. My bed's huge."
Isabel discreetly nudged Max and he shot her a 'Shut up' look.
::Ding-Dong::
"Alex doesn't knock and Pheebs and Maria have keys." Liz said. "So who is that?"
"Let's see." Prue checked. "Um, Liz."
"It's Kyle." Isabel said.
"Let him in." Liz said as she dug. "Piper, you and Prue have keys right?"
"Yeah." Piper said.
Kyle stalked into the room. "Are you okay?" He demanded.
"I'm fine." Liz assured him.
"Good."
"Kyle, take this." Liz handed him a key. "It's to the front door of the Manor. Isabel and Max these are yours. The other two are for Tess and Michael."
Kyle stared at the key in his hand for a long moment. When he looked up, there was something noticeably difference in his posture. "Thanks." He finally said. "Tess was by the house, she told me to drop by over here."
"That's probably her now." Liz said. "Is, why don't you get it?"
"Okay." Isabel picked up the phone and the doorbell rang again while Maria, Alex, and Phoebe came in the side door from the garage.
"Don't answer the door." Alex ordered.
"Why?"
"Cause it's Rath and Lonnie."
"How do you-"
"Premonition. God Liz, you're getting way to good at getting into messes." Phoebe commented.
"I learned from the best." Liz commented cheekily.
"Pheebs what did you see?" Piper asked.
"First you three hide. I don't want Rath and Lonnie to know my cousins are here and Prue no funny stuff. They don't know I'm a witch and I'd like to keep it that way. Now go. Study. Faster."
The bell rang again, louder, and more urgently.
The Halliwell sisters locked themselves into the study and once everyone looked natural, Liz opened the door. "Hi."
"What took so long?" Lonnie demanded arms crossed. Her body language radiated aggression.
"We were having an orgy." Liz said with a serene expression. "Would you like to come in?"
"Haha." Rath shouldered past her.
"You're a funny one." Lonnie said following Rath.
"I try." Liz said as she shut the door.
"So, fearless leader, you got a decision made yet?" Rath asked.
"Let's go outside and talk." Max said leading them both to the back door of the house and stepping outside. Lonnie and Rath exchanged looks before following him. Lonnie shut the door behind them.
"I so don't trust Lonnie." Liz remarked. "No offense Isabel."
"I don't trust her either. She's evil." Isabel answered.
"I still say Ava's the one we can trust." Alex said.
"I have to agree with you." Liz nodded. "She seemed so..."
"Scared of them, but there was more to it than that." He said with a frown.
"She seemed vulnerable to me- like she just wanted someone to love and trust." Kyle threw in his two cents. "One thing's for sure, she was really in love with Zan, but she said she thought he was waiting on someone else."
"What if he goes?" Liz asked as she made hot chocolate. When she was nervous that was what she did.
"He won't." Maria assured her.
"He'll tell us first." Isabel said. "I mean he would have to, right?"
"He is the leader, Isabel. He really doesn't need permission." Liz pointed out.
"But I'm still his sister. He'd tell me." I hope. A small voice in the back of her mind added.
"Hey guys." Michael called as he 'let himself in' using his powers. "Where are you?"
"Back here." Maria called.
"Where's Tess?" Kyle asked.
"I thought she was here already. The jeep's out front."
"Are there any other cars out there?"
"Yeah, a beat up old Chevy." Michael said. "Where's Max? Oh, Tess and I checked on everyone- they're all fine, but she's still insisting something freaky is happening. I think her brain's just gone into overload."
"The Chevy belongs to Mrs. Grim across the street and Max is supposed to be out back with Rath and Lonnie."
"Well he's not." Michael said. "I checked."
"When did you last see Tess?"
"At the Evans’. She dropped me off so I could run back to the apartment. She said she was coming straight here. The Jeep is here. Are you saying you haven't seen her?"
"No. Prue, Piper, Phoebe, you guys can come out now." Liz called. "Is, call your house and see if Max is there. If he's not, have your mom tell him to call us as soon as he gets there."
"Liz what's going on?" Phoebe asked.
"Pheebs what did you see?"
"People who looked like your alien buddies in a car discussing desperate measures."
"Oh God." Liz groaned.
"Yeah, that about says it." Maria concurred.
"Kyle, what exactly did Ava tell you?"
"Not to go into the street unless you looked both ways and not to tell Lonnie and Rath where the granolith was. But that's not a problem since you guys don't know where it is." Kyle looked around at his friends. "What am I missing?"
"Liz and Michael found it this afternoon." Isabel rubbed her forehead. "Max isn't there but there are things missing from his room."
"Damn." Alex said succinctly.
"Kyle does Tess have things at your house that she'd take if she left town?" Liz asked.
He frowned. "Yeah, but we'll have to go there to check. My dad's working."
"Go. Isabel we're going to your house." Liz said.
"Why?"
"Cause the best place to get a premonition is around Max's stuff."
"Honey, you can't force a premonition. It's a non active power." Phoebe reminded her.
"I know but I have to try Pheebs. If Max is in trouble we need to know so we can help."
"Maybe we should send Leo after him." Piper suggested.
"Can we do that?" Liz asked.
"We can try." Prue said. "Piper, call him."
"Why me?"
"Cause you're the one he's in love with. He'll answer you more promptly."
"Uh Alex I need to confer with you for a moment." Liz said pulling him aside.
"What?"
"Do you still have all those fake identities you made for us when the whole Topolsky return happened last year?"
"Maybe. What are you planning?"
"We're going after them. How much time would it take to make three more?"
"I don't know. If I started like this second maybe eight hours."
"Eight HOURS?"
"Liz we're talking a lot of work."
"Okay go and take Pheebs with you. She's good with computers."
"All right." He gave her a quick hug. "Pheebs come with me to my house. I'll explain on the way."
"OK." She trotted after him.
"Kyle, we're going to your place."
"We should check her house and my apartment too." Michael said. "Liz, you're a wreck, you shouldn't be driving. Neither should you Kyle, you might do something stupid. Prue, follow Kyle's directions, get to his house. Maria, come with me. Piper, can you drive Liz to Tess' house? It hasn't sold yet so there might be some of her stuff there still."
"What about me?"
"Go home, search Max's room, and then pack a bag." Liz said. "In fact everyone pack a bag. Isabel would any of your clothes fit Prue?"
Michael's eyes communicated something else.
"What?" Isabel asked.
Michael pulled her to him to whisper in her ear.
"I'll try." She shivered. "But how would we know that Ava didn't leave with them? And I need a picture to dreamwalk."
"Use a picture of Tess. That could tell us where she is and who's with her." Michael suggested. "And Liz is right, packing is good too."
"Don't worry about any sort of ID or money. Alex is taking care of that." Liz said. "Just tell your folks we're meeting Tess and Max up in Fraiser Woods to go camping."
"Maria, don't forget your long johns. We don't want to tip off your mom." Prue said as she took Kyle's keys.
"And everyone keep an eye out for Ava." Michael said.
The group disbanded.
"You're sure you want me to come with you?" Tess whispered to Max.
"Yeah I am." Max smiled.
Tess smiled back. "So where's Ava?" She asked.
"She decided to stay in Roswell."
Tess' eyes clouded for a second. "Oh." She said. "Is that why you wanted me to come?" She asked Max.
"Every king needs a queen." He said playfully. "Besides, you know more about this than I do, and I trust you more than I trust Lonnie and Rath."
"Where are they anyway?" She asked, ignoring the twinge that reminded her he hadn't said that he really trusted her...
"I don't know. They said they were hungry and that they had to use the bathroom. They should be back in a sec."
She nodded. "OK, what did they tell you about the summit so far?"
"Nothing. It's like pulling teeth to get an answer from them. Any luck with getting Kyle on the phone?"
"No." She said, with a little pang of guilt. "I left a message for Michael."
"How?" Max asked, worried. "You have to be-"
"If you say 'careful' leader or no, I will be very upset with you. I survived eight years without telling a soul. You told four humans and four witches the secret."
"Fine. Sorry."
"It's okay. What about Isabel?"
"No luck at home, the Manor, or the Crashdown."
"Do you think they're worried?"
"I doubt it, I mean, they'll guess where we're going."
"That's what I think will worry them. It worries me." Tess said, almost sarcastically.
"Michael's rubbing off on you."
"I'm not quite sure how to take that."
"I'm not quite sure how I meant it."
"I can't believe you made me and Liz siblings. We don't even have the same kind of blood."
"Shut up." Alex said, exasperated. "Those were very time consuming."
"Besides you should check out Jerimiah Valmont's bank statement. If it's anything like Melanie's, you are going to be happy." Phoebe said.
Michael made a few more grumbling noises before settling down. "No one found them?" He said, easily stepping into the leader role.
"No premonitions on our side." Liz said.
"And dream walking didn't work on ours." Isabel said.
"At least we found Ava." Maria pointed out. "I'm sorry, I mean Harlow."
"Frig it, you're as bad as they are." She snapped, looking terrified. "What you freaks planning on doing to keep me locked up here?"
"Um Ava, we don't want to hurt you and we won't. We just want to find our friends." Kyle said.
"That's why you grabbed me, dragged me here and asked a whole load of questions? Yeah right."
"I apologize for Michael." Liz said.
"So do I." Isabel remarked.
"But Ava, we care about Tess and Max and if Lonnie and Rath are gonna hurt them you need to tell us so we can stop them."
"They ain't gonna hurt 'em. They still need 'em. And that Tess is smart- knows she can't really trust 'em. They'll be fine. Now I gotta get out of here. This town's a snake's nest and I for one am not gonna step in it. I'm getting out."
"Come with us." Liz said suddenly. "We have an ID made for you and you know where Rath and Lonnie will take Max and Tess when they get to the city. Ava please."
She looked shocked. "You really care about them don't ya?" She asked. "I thought it was just a story- a scam. I always thought humans don't care about nothing but themselves."
"You've been seriously misled." Liz handed her a small black wallet. "If you come, you're their sister." She motioned to Prue, Alex, and Piper. "The rest of us are your cousins."
She took the id, staring at it for a moment.
Isabel sighed. "Please, come, help me save my brother."
Ava looked up with tears in her eyes. "Your Max was a lot like my Zan." She finally said. "I loved him, even if he did have a brick head. I'll go."
"Thank you." Michael said. "You probably don't know how much this means to us, but thank you."
"I think I do." Ava smiled. "Harlow?"
"Your parents liked old movies. Our parents are pretentious and their parents were hippies." Liz said.
Ava nodded. "So we just go? I mean, sure, sounds great, but don't humans have like parents and family and stuff?"
"Our parents think we're camping out in Fraiser woods with my cousins. Oh by the way, Ava this is Prue, that's Piper, and over there is Phoebe."
Nods were exchanged. "Then let's blow this joint."
"Alex is the van loaded up?"
"Every bag and sleeping bag is there. Uh Liz are you bringing the you-know-what?"
"Already packed."
"You-know-what?" Ava said.
"Need to know."
"Which means?"
"When you need to know, you'll know." Michael said.
"Michael, please don't start." Maria said as she followed Liz and Phoebe out the door. "Kyle you have a key on you?" She called over her shoulder.
"Yeah." He said. "I'll lock up."
"Thanks." Liz called before she climbed in. "Okay guys from this moment on we're not from Roswell. The Valmont’s are from Arizona, the Russell’s are from Texas, and the Warrens are from Oklahoma. Got it?"
Michael shot her a look that could only be described as irritated. "Ivy, sit down, and be quiet."
"You may be the older brother Jer, but you are so not the boss of me."
"We need to work out a protocol for delaying with crisis." Isabel put in. "When it's alien stuff, Max is in charge, or in his absence Michael and me. When it's witch stuff then it's your show Liz. But this is our future. You've made it very clear you want no part of this. So just back off."
"Okay. Sorry Hope. I'll behave. Mel, you got any food in that bag?"
"Sure little sister. You want junk or something healthy?"
"I'll take an apple."
"Healthy?" Phoebe wrinkled her nose. "I really thought I had finally brought you to the dark side of junk food."
"I promise to have something junk food like for dinner." Liz said with a grin. "Who is driving first?"
"Alex."
"No way, he's been staring at a computer screen for so long his eyes can hardly focus." Maria protested. "I'll drive, everyone else is too wired."
"If Maria is the only one among us who is 'not wired' we're in serious trouble." Kyle said dryly.
"Hush. And it's Joy, remember Wisdom?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'll navigate." Kyle got into the passenger's seat. "Get some rest Hes." He said to Alex.
"I don't need it."
"Yes you do. Come back and talk to me." Phoebe said brightly.
"Alright." Alex made his way back. "Who was in charge of drinks?"
"That would be your sister, Britt." Liz said motioning to Prue.
"I've got soda, juice and milk. I've also got Tabasco sauce."
"You remembered. Good." Michael said curtly. "Is, are you ready?"
"For what?"
"We'll take the Jeep out of town- having your parents stumble across it wouldn't be good."
"What are you up to Michael?" Isabel frowned.
"I just don't want your parents to think weirdness has happened if they see the jeep."
"They won't. Is told them that Tess had finagled Kyle's truck, which is hidden behind Portman's grocery store, and that the rest of us were going up in Alex's van." Liz said. "So c'mon. We're wasting time."
Michael glared helplessly. "If I'm going in the van, I'm at least driving."
"Michael, I'm worried too, but biting the heads off everyone else isn't helping." Isabel told him.
"If he wants to drive it's no skin off my back." Maria said. "But who's going to navigate? Kyle you willing to do it?"
"Yeah, fine."
"Michael, you aren't in any condition to drive." Isabel said.
"Why not?"
She whispered something in his ear, and his demeanor changed. "Fine, Isabel. We'll try it your way."
"So am I driving or what?"
"Yeah Maria go ahead."
"I'm sorry who's Maria?"
Michael smiled sardonically. "Sorry. Joy, cousin dear, be my guest and drive."
"I will."
“Ava, what do you know about the summit?" Isabel began. The three of them were in the back of the van, talking.
"Only that they need the king to be shown any kind of respect. Zan wouldn't go."
"And then he died. Awfully convenient." Michael said softly.
"Nothing convenient about it." Ava said with a morose expression. "Think I could get something to eat from them?"
"Yeah Ava go ahead. Could you send Liz back?" Isabel asked.
"I'll get you something. What do you want?" Michael asked. "I want to ask you one or two more questions."
“Go ahead and ask." Ava said. "I'm not the one with something to hide." She cast a look at Liz, Prue, Piper, and Phoebe, who were in a huddle around something.
"Do you know who will be at the summit?"
"Reps from all the worlds in the solar system. They wanna end the war that's been going on for fifty years."
"You mean they're coming here?"
"No they're sending themselves through the galaxies and inhabiting some bodies on earth for a short while."
"Alien abduction." Isabel realized.
Ava nodded. "It's gonna be one hell of a show, that's for sure."
"Thanks Ava. Why don't you go get that food now? And send Liz back." Isabel said.
"Sure." Ava made her way to where Liz was and gave her the message before she went to find something to eat.
"What's up Isabel?" Liz said as she joined them.
"Witchcraft can work on aliens right?"
"Far as I know." Liz affirmed.
"Stop it Isabel." Michael said shortly. "We are not going to rely on Liz's powers. It's too dangerous. What if something happened to her?"
"I appreciate the concern Michael, but it's not your place to protect me."
"The hell it isn't." Michael said curtly. "Isabel, scrap whatever plans brewing in that head of yours- we can come up with something better."
"First of all, Jerimiah," She said pointedly. "You are not in charge of me. We're co-rulers. And I think my plan is a workable option."
"Liz is too weak." Michael turned to her, "No offense, but you are, you still haven't completely recovered from before."
"Would you like to see how recovered I am?" Liz asked pointedly.
"Not right now."
"You-"
"Is, can you give us a moment?"
"Sure." Isabel went back up front and sat down next to Alex.
"If you are going to go off on some macho head trip I so don't want to hear it."
"Then get out of the van Liz." Michael suggested.
Liz closed her eyes. "What is it about me that brings out this protective side of everyone I know? Leo does it, Max does it, Kyle and Alex do it, and now you're doing it. You don't even like me and you're doing it."
"It's not about protecting you." He protested. "OK, it is a little, but that's cause I promised Max- you really don't get it, do you?"
"Obviously." She scowled.
He tried to explain. "This was supposed to be mine. Mine, and Isabel and Max and Tess's. You weren't supposed to find the granolith when none of us did. You weren't supposed to spot the dupes before we did. You weren't supposed to develop powers and learn to control them in three months when I've had powers that I can't control for my whole life. Don't you get it? Whether you mean to or not you're taking away everything that means anything to me."
Liz stared at him. "I'm sorry you feel that way, I really am. But I had to learn to control my powers in three months or move to San Fran and into Halliwell Manor. I couldn't do that because I promised Maria I'd be back. And believe me I did not want to spot Rath and Lonnie before you did. I didn't want to spot them at all. But to look for things that didn't belong was pounded into my brain by Leo and Prue over the summer. As for the granolith? You're the one who too me to the cave Michael." She looked down. "And believe it or not Michael, we do have something in common."
"What's that?"
"We have absolutely no control over what we were born as. Neither of us can return our 'gifts'." Liz said quietly. "And believe me there were times in the beginning I wanted to."
Michael simply turned his head away from her. He believed her, but it didn't change the fact that she was one of the major factors in what he saw as every problem they have. Finally he sighed. "I believe you." He ran his hands over his jeans. "Just stop doing that thing where you don't listen to a word the people who care about you say." He stood and went to the front. He touched Isabel's shoulder. "I'm sorry." He whispered. "What's your plan? We'll see if we can make it work."
Isabel looked back at Liz who was looking at her hands. "First, is she okay?"
"I think so."
"Okay." Then Isabel began to lay it out for Michael.
"Lizzie Beth?" Piper sat down next to her. "You okay sweetie?"
"Yes." She sniffled. "No. I don't know."
Piper sighed and hugged her. "Tell me."
"He hates me."
"No he doesn't."
"Yes he does Piper. And he should ya know? If it weren't for me, they wouldn't have had the year from hell as it were last year. The white room wouldn't have happened, Topolsky wouldn't have come around, and-"
"And you'd be dead. No matter what happens, I love your Max for saving you that day." Piper's eyes spilled over as she brushed back Liz's hair. "When we get him back, I'm gonna tell him so."
Liz started crying in earnest.
Isabel glared at Michael. "What did you say to her?"
"I got a few things off my chest." He answered. He moved to the back again. "Cara, could I have a word? I'll be nice."
Liz waved Piper away.
"Liz, I'm not sorry Max saved you. You've been a...formidable ally. Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. As Max would say I have a lot of misplaced anger that I let loose on you." He grimaced. "It's not because you're doing anything wrong, I'm glad you're helping us, but you just keep taking over. Wait that's the wrong thing to say- how's this? Sometimes it's better to be a leader, because then you have some control over the situation. God knows I hate being a follower. But wait- that's wrong too- I guess I'm just trying to say I know you want Max back as much as I do, and I'm glad you're on our side to help us. I'll try not to let my issues interfere with what we need to get done here. Deal?"
Liz sniffled and nodded her head. "Deal." But instead of shaking his hand she gave him a quick hug. "But I think it's in our best interest if we let Ava in on my family's secret."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"I have to agree." He surprised her. "But it wasn't my secret to tell."
She nodded. "Britt, Cara, Mel, we need to talk to Harlow."
"Okay." Prue said. She knew what was coming. The four descendants of Melinda Warren formed a semi-circle around Ava.
"Ava there's something you need to know about us." Liz began.
"You're gonna tell me your secret now?" Ava cracked a piece of gum loudly in her mouth. "Why?"
"Because we know yours and you need to be able to trust us." Liz said.
"So what is it?"
"We're witches." Phoebe said.
"Yeah right." Ava snorted. "I got some beach property in New Mexico if you're interested."
"Maria, pull the van over." Piper called. "I think this calls for some show and tell."
Maria pulled over on the side of the road. The van lurched to a stop.
"That does it, I'm driving, and you’re navigating." Kyle said.
"Fine." Maria said.
"Maria is not navigating." Isabel argued. "She has no sense of direction. I'll navigate."
While they argued, Liz, Michael and Alex out of the van followed Piper, Prue, Phoebe, and Ava.
Prue used her powers to throw a rock in the air, Piper froze it in place and Phoebe floated off the ground for a second. Liz formed a fireball in her hand, and then put it out with a little bit of water.
"Wait a sec, when did you develop that power?" Michael looked disturbed.
"I came upon it by reading Grandma's notes in the book. I didn't know I had it until about an hour ago."
"OK, honesty's gonna be a big thing in this plan." Michael said. He pointed at the rock hanging in midair. "May I?" He addressed Prue.
"What?" She asked.
"Demonstrate the thing I do best."
"Sure."
"Ava, can you do that thing Tess does? It's green and glowy and protects you."
"I'll try."
Michael pointed at the rock. It exploded.
"Whoa. Now that is a cool power." Phoebe said.
"Ava can you do that mind warping thing Tess does?" Liz asked.
"Yeah but not to Rath and Lonnie."
"Damn."
"Okay, try that green thing Michael was talking about." Piper said.
"I could help Zan do it, or keep it going after he quit but I can't start it." She explained. "I tried when the rock was flying at my head, but it didn't work."
Michael frowned. "I can keep the shards contained when I blow stuff up. It was one of the things Tess forced me to learn this summer."
"Wait I've got an idea. Piper would that changing powers spell work on an alien?"
"Uh maybe. Why?"
"Pheebs how'd you like a temporary active power?"
"What are you talking about Liz?" Michael asked, containing his anger.
"There's a spell in the book that switches powers. If Pheebs got Rath or Lonnie alone and chanted the spell, then she'd have their power and they'd have hers, which isn't all together active."
"But she can levitate."
"But they won't know that."
"It seems kinda risky Liz. I mean what if one of their premonitions shows us coming to get them?" Prue pointed out.
"They won't really know what to make of that though, will they?" Michael looked to Ava to back him up. "I mean, these premonitions sound intense. They might think they're going nuts, right?"
"They might. Do you all get premonitions?” She asked the cousins.
"No, just Pheebs and Liz." Piper said.
"Oh. So where'd you get these powers?"
"We're the latest in a long line of Warren witches." Liz said.
"It all started with our many times great-grandmother, Melinda Warren."
"It's genetic then." Ava said. She took in their shocked faces. "Oh get over it, I may talk like it but I'm not dumb."
"Okay. Well you're right it is genetic if you’re girls anyway." Liz said. "Any other questions?"
"Not at the moment, but probably later." Michael said. "Let's go, I don't like using powers in the open like this."
"Okay, everyone back in the van. Hey whoever's driving, keep an eye out for some place with food." Liz called as they all piled back in.
"We have food Ivy." Kyle said, as he signaled and got back on the road. "I really want to find Tess before those creeps mess her up. Or Evans either." He added.
"Floor it." Isabel said.
"Who am I to argue with a princess?" So he did.
"Max, you're gonna love New York." Tess said with a sweet smile. "You really will."
"Have you been here before?"
"Once with Nasedo. We stayed for almost a year." She said. "It was great.”
Lonnie rolled her eyes.
"Cornballs." Rath mouthed.
"So wanna see our crib?" Lonnie asked.
"Sure. I could use a rest." Tess said.
"Me too." Max agreed.
"No time for that- don't you wanna see everything the Big Apple has to offer?" Rath asked.
Tess shook her head. "I'll only need about an hour of sleep, then I'm going to hit the town. Max, do you want to come? We can do the whole tourist thing; Lady Liberty, Empire State Building, MOMA, Soho..."
"Whoa slow down a sec." Rath complained.
"What?"
"He's right. We're here for the summit, we better prepare for that." Max said.
Tess's eyes met his and he saw something unusual in their depths. Then he 'got it.' She was setting it up for them to have time away from Lonnie and Rath without suspicions being aroused.
"But we have time for that later. We're not going anywhere." Max said. "Tess you that tired or could you stand to walk around for a while?"
"I'm ready to run." She said. "Where and when should we meet you?"
"There's a deli on Sixth Avenue. Martin's. Meet us there around six." Lonnie said.
"We'll be there." Max took Tess' hand and they disappeared into the crowds of people.
Nicholas came up behind Lonnie and Rath. "You simpletons got him here. That's more than I gave you credit for."
"We'll do more. Don't worry." Lonnie smiled.
"I'm not." Nicholas licked his lips, belying his words.
Rath rolled his eyes. What a little worm. "What you want we should tell him ‘bout the summit?"
"Nothing yet. Let them get comfortable with you and then drop the bomb." Nicholas said. "Don't screw this up."
"Have we ever?" Lonnie asked. "We covered Zan."
"So where's the other member of your group cause I know that wasn't Ava."
"She stayed behind in that little hell hole Roswell. Couldn't stand us any more." Rath sneered. "That's her clone."
"What's she called?"
"Tess something or other." Lonnie said. "I don't like her. She's too much like Ava. Too devoted to the king."
"She's loyal?"
"She thinks he walks on water."
"If she gets in the way take care of her."
"It would be my pleasure." Rath said with satisfaction.
"How far are we from New York?" Liz asked Isabel.
"We'll pass the state line in a half hour. God knows how long from there, traffic into the city is usually hell this time of day."
"Then how about a stop?" She suggested. "Maybe at some kind of flea market or something? Stretch our legs and we need a phone."
"Why?"
"We can't sleep in the van." Liz pointed out. "We need some kind of room. Or rooms."
"We can sleep in the van if we have to." Michael pointed out.
"You won't find a better place than this that doesn't ask questions round here." Ava said.
"Okay, okay, point taken. But if we're gonna run into all kinds of traffic, I still vote for a short stop."
"Pit stop sounds good." Maria agreed.
"My bladder would have to agree."
"Told you not to drink so much Wisdom." Prue said.
“There's a piece of wisdom for you to add to your store." Alex laughed.
"There's a mall coming up." Isabel announced. "Would that be okay?"
"Sure." Everyone concurred.
"Everyone stick with someone. Use the names on your ID's and do a little shopping if you want. Nothing major." Liz directed the last statement to Prue and Isabel.
"What?" Isabel asked. "I'm not gonna go nuts out here! I'm saving up for Bloomingdale’s."
"We'll hit the stores in the city together." Prue agreed.
"Could someone stick with me? I want to pick out some clothes that make look like I belong with you guys." Ava said. "Maybe change my hair a little too."
"Come with me." Maria said. "We'll get you suited up without buying out every store here." She said, barbing the comment at Isabel.
"I'll help." Piper said. "Keep things quick."
"You don't need hair dye right?" Isabel asked.
"No I can change my hair on my own." She looked around her. "Think I'll go brown."
"Good idea." Alex agreed. "Pheebs, Liz, why don't we hang together?"
"And leave me with Guerin?" Kyle groused.
"Not to mention Prue and Is." Liz pointed out.
"I'll take Hope and keep her out of trouble." Michael said. "That leaves Wisdom with Britt."
"Alright everyone into the mall together. We find out if there's a food court and agree to meet there in what? Two hours?" Liz said.
"Sounds fine." Michael said. "See you then."
"What do you mean, there's a test?" Max asked.
"We have to make sure you're the king." Rath said with his mouth full of coleslaw. "Don't worry you'll pass."
He was about to say something further, when Lonnie said, "Just have faith."
Max nodded as Tess sat back down. "Everything okay?"
"Bathroom was gross but other then that yeah."
Lonnie rolled her eyes. What a princess. "So you two tired yet?"
"Not a bit of it, but we should rest anyway." Tess said. "Is there a mirror at your place or should I pick one up on the way?"
"Sorry we don't have one. We usually use the local Y to get cleaned up." Lonnie said. "There's a store on the way that you can stop at."
"No, I'm talking for tomorrow." She said. "I want to make an entrance."
Rath frowned. "What's the point?"
"You never did understand politics." Tess answered softly. "The point is, if we look like royalty, we will be treated like royalty, which will lead to feeling like royalty, leading to the actions of royalty."
Lonnie decided to put that into simpler terms. "Got it? No swearing, spitting or displays of idiocy or we'll never get out of here."
Rath nodded. "Fine. I'll behave." He rolled his eyes. "I wanna go home just as much as you do Lonnie."
"I know."
Max and Tess exchanged a look. One thing was for sure; they were in for an interesting couple of days.
"Hey Mel? Do you like this locket?" Liz held it up for inspection.
"Ooh, that's cute. But it looks pricey."
"Yeah I know but I figure if I want it to last for eternity I have to spend a little more." Liz said quietly. "By the way did Cara ever get in touch with Leon?"
"Still working on it. Frankly I'm worried. He doesn't usually take this long to answer all three of us."
"Make it four. I tried before when I went to the ladies' room." She looked around. "Where's Heston?"
"He escaped when we came into the jewelry store. Said something about Starbucks."
"I swear times like these prove just how related he and Jer are."
"He's not that bad- he was up very late last night." Phoebe pointed out. "And he doesn't make you cry."
"Jer only makes me cry when he's intentionally mean. And don't start Mel."
"Me? I won't start on you."
"Look we have at least two more hours in the car besides this weekend and the trip back. Don't get into a fight with him okay? That's the last thing any of us need." Liz pleaded.
"Okay, but if you start crying again I'm doing him some damage." Phoebe said.
"Fine." Liz held up the locket again. "Should I take it?"
"Yeah." Phoebe said. "But let me buy it. You look too young to have that much money. We don't want to draw attention to ourselves."
"Okay. Buy away. I'm gonna go find Heston. Join us at Starbucks."
"Will do." Phoebe said as Liz left.
"Oof!" Liz said as she knocked into someone. "I'm sorry are you okay?"
The younger boy look seriously annoyed but managed to keep his temper in check. "I'm fine. You?"
"I'm fine. Sorry."
"No problem." He went on his way.
Liz watched him. He gave off the strangest vibe and seemed familiar in a bad way. She shrugged it off as her being on edge and continued her walk down to meet Alex.
She saw Alex sitting at a table- actually, resting his head on a table, sound asleep, with three cups of coffee lined up in front of him.
Liz decided to have a little fun. She bent down close to Alex's ear. "You're drooling all over your desk and Isabel's watching you. She knows what you're dreaming about."
Alex gave a little sigh. "Go 'way." He mumbled.
Liz frowned. That should've gotten a much larger reaction. Then, Liz saw Isabel. Would it be too cruel to have Isabel wake him?
Nah.
Liz motioned to Isabel and got her attention. She came over.
"What's up?"
"Wake him up. Creatively."
Isabel gave a mischievous grin. She leaned over him, so that her chest was against his back. "Alex...” She whispered. "Time to wake up and make love to me, darling."
He sat up so fast the back of his head slammed into her nose.
"Ow!" Isabel howled through her laughter.
Alex shook his head. "What happened?"
"You crashed so Hope and I had a little fun with you." Liz said.
"How much fun?" He looked suspicious. Suddenly he realized there was something stuck to his forehead. He blushed and pulled off a napkin.
"Not nearly enough." Liz said. "Where's Jerimiah?" She asked Isabel.
"Men's room." She said. "He'll be here in a sec."
"And Mel?" Alex asked.
"Right here." Phoebe announced. "This belongs to you."
"Thanks." Liz put it in her purse. "How much time before we meet everyone for dinner?"
"Ten minutes." Isabel answered. "Does that kid look familiar?" She asked Phoebe and Liz. "He's been following me and Jerimiah all day. At first I thought he was checking me out, but he's too young for that, isn't he?"
"I just knocked into him coming out of the jewelry store." Liz said.
"He was watching us before when we went into Victoria's for pjs." Phoebe said. "I didn't think anything of it at the time but I remember him sitting on the bench outside."
Isabel fiddled with a ring on her finger. "He looks like he's twelve, but it's like I used to know him."
"I got a weird vibe from him." Liz said. "Here comes Jer. Let's go to the food court and meet everyone else. See if he follows us."
Isabel stood. "I'll tell him what's going on." She grabbed Michael's hand.
Alex watched, forlornly.
Phoebe linked arms with him. "C'mon Hes, escort your favorite cousin to dinner."
"Cousins." Liz corrected taking the other arm. "Everyone got everything?"
"Your locket." He reminded her. "It's still on the table."
"Oh God. Thanks for the reminder." Liz went back and grabbed it off the table. She looked up when she got a prickly feeling on the back of her neck. That kid was still watching them.
"Ivy?" Michael called. "C'mon little sister, I'm starving."
She walked up to them.
"Darn, I think I left something in the coffee shop." Michael said. "I'll be right there."
Isabel held onto his arm for dear life. "Don't." She whispered. "It's not worth it. Yet."
"What's going on?"
"Just hold on to Hope and walk." Liz said. "She'll explain." She hung back and then took Alex's other arm. "So Hes did you buy anything besides that book on computers?"
"Besides the three cups of coffee?"
Phoebe giggled. "Ivy did anything happen when you knocked into that guy?"
"Nothing."
"Well he's still following us." Isabel said lightly. "Has been all day it seems."
"I wonder if he followed anyone else." Alex remarked. "Like Cara, Joy, and Harlow."
"I don't think so." Michael said. "I have this feeling Hope's the one he wants."
Liz looked around. "There's Britt and Wisdom." She pointed. "C'mon."
Kyle looked the worse for wear, to put it nicely. "What is it with women and shopping?" He groaned.
"Britt takes after Aunt Trish. She's a world class shopper and being her son you should have remembered that Wisdom." Phoebe said as she made up a name for their aunt and Kyle's mom.
"She was a hippie and didn't believe in material possessions." Isabel corrected. "Ivy's mom is the real shopper.”
"That's right." Phoebe said. "Makes me realize how long it's been since I've been home when I can't remember that my own mother is the shopper in the family."
"Don't feel bad." Isabel said patiently. "Let's get some food."
"Good idea. Uh wait, where's Cara, Joy, and Harlow?"
"Probably still transforming Harlow. I've seen Hope here spend two hours playing with makeup and stuff and look exactly the same- who knows how long it'll take them to give her a complete makeover?" Michael answered. "Besides, we're supposed to meet at the food court any way."
"Guys." Isabel rolled her eyes. "Can't go ten minutes without food."
"Darn tooting. Watching Britt shop exhausts me, so little sis, me and my cousins are gonna go snag a table and grub. You can stand here if you want."
"I'm coming chill out. Geez how'd you get to be so uptight? I know you didn't get it from Mom and Dad."
"He got it from Grandpa." Liz rolled her eyes. "C'mon Britt, what do you say to splitting a calzone with me?"
"Sounds heavenly, but unhealthy. I think I'll go for a-"
"If you say salad I'll scream." Phoebe said suddenly. "This is a vacation. During vacation you eat junk food. It's an unwritten law."
"Better get your fill now Britt." Alex said. "Cause soon we'll be in the land of health food better known as Grandma and Grandpa's house."
"I don't need junk food."
"Honey, everyone needs junk food." Phoebe said.
"If you're worried about the weight I'll show you a trick Hunter taught me- it burns off all the fat from a meal, but keeps the taste." Isabel said.
"Speaking of Hunter, where exactly are we supposed to meet up with her and Truth?" Michael asked.
"Harlow's got the address in her purse. I think she said it was near some subway entrance." Kyle said.
"Then it's a good thing we have a native New Yorker with us- there's tons of subway entrances." Liz said. "Here they come."
"Whoa." Alex said softly. Ava had gone from piercings and multi-colored hair to jeans, a sweater, and brown hair. She looked nice. She looked normal.
She looked completely Tess. Minus heavy makeup. Judging from his reaction Kyle was a little surprised.
"Hi guys." Piper greeted. "Guys stop staring." She said to Alex, Kyle, and Michael.
"You look cute." Kyle said.
"What am I, a puppy?" Ava demanded. "I don't need none of that crap."
"Trust me you are no puppy." Alex said.
Isabel looked positively green and Phoebe and Maria exchanged smiles.
"Harlow, are you hungry? We were just deciding what to eat."
"Yeah, I'll do duty. We heading out to the dumpsters?"
Now Isabel looked really green. "Come with me." She said. It had just hit her how lucky she really was to have ended up with the Evans’. "We'll get some ice cream and some of the Chinese stuff. I'll show you how to mix it together without letting the humans who are watching you catch on."
"Speaking of being watched, any sign of our little peeping Tom?" Liz asked quietly.
"I don't see him. Jer?" Alex said.
"I think so. One of you needs to make positive id though. Ten feet behind us, to the left." Michael said in a low voice. Then, louder, fabricating an excuse he continued more loudly. "Here, Harlow, Hope, Ivy, Mel why don't you turn this way so I can get a picture of a few of my prettiest cousins."
"We're not your cousins Jer. I know you try and forget it every day but you do have two sisters." Phoebe said.
"Cute Mel. Just turn around so I can get a photo." Michael said.
"Don't argue with the man Mel." Liz said as she linked arms with Phoebe and Isabel. Ava was on the other side of Isabel and the girls had their arms around each other's waist.
"Britt, why don't you take the picture? You are the photographer- Cara, why aren't you with them?" Alex maneuvered so that everyone got a good look at where the kid had been.
"Joy, get over here." Phoebe called. "Can't take a picture without you."
Kyle was inching away, towards the kind, slowly and surely. No one was paying attention to him, not even the boy, until Phoebe called out to Maria. She shot him a 'no way' look and they both set out to find the kid and wring some answers out of him.
Liz looked over at Ava who had gotten good look at the kid that was watching them. She looked like a Mac truck had hit her. "Harlow, what's the matter?"
"I know him."
"Who is he?" Phoebe asked, as Michael realized Maria's intention and set off purposefully.
"Trouble." Ava said. "We need to find your friends before he gets back to Lonnie and Rath."
Lonnie rose from the couch. It was about ten o'clock at night but Rath was sleeping as were Max and Tess. She grabbed her jacket and headed down the tunnels and into the night. She needed to clear her head.
Max was just a cornball, but he reminded her so much of Zan. Zan, the brother she had loved, but killed anyway. The guilt was bad, but this... what she was about to do was worse.
Lonnie shook it off. She was going home and if she had to dispose of a couple of cornballs then so be it. She just couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen before they could get themselves home.
"So his name is Nicholas?" Michael asked Ava.
"Yeah. He's a skin."
"Nasedo warned us about them right before he died. Tess said they're the enemy- will they be at the summit?" Isabel asked, thankful that Alex was finally behind the wheel of the van- the ride was much smoother.
"Yeah. He'll be speaking for the guy who rules home now. His name is Kevar. When did you first notice him?"
"Phoebe saw him when she and Liz were getting pajamas, Liz knocked into him coming out of the jewelry store, and I noticed he was following Michael and me around the time I dragged Michael into the fourth shoe store."
"This is bad. Real bad." Ava said. "You- Maria- Joy- whatever the hell your name is, did you see him after you at all today?'
"No. Piper?"
"Maybe. I think I saw him when we went into Macy's for Ava's sweater. I could be wrong."
"I really had this feeling that Izzy was the one he wanted." Michael sounded disturbed.
"He's always checking Lonnie out so you might be right." Ava said.
"He gave off a bad vibe when I knocked into him but no premonitions." Liz said.
Ava shivered. "That don't surprise me- he's got these mind powers- he can get inside your head and rip out anything he wants. He controls and manipulates and kills- he does Kevar's dirty work and gets rewarded for it."
Liz ran her hands through her hair and then paused. "I hear rhyming. Pheebs, what are you doing?"
"She's trying to write a spell- best not to distract her." Piper said.
"Yeah, we might end up in a really screwy situation." Prue said dryly. "Instead of being chased by the representative of an alien planet, who is inhabiting the body of a twelve year old, while we chase alien friends of my cousin, who is a witch, with fake ids created by my little sister-"
"We got it. It's already a little screwy." Piper cut her off. "Where is Leo?"
"I don't know but if he doesn't get his whitelighter ass down here I am so telling Prue what really happened to that roll of pictures she took of the Van Horne mansion." Liz threatened looking up.
No orbing flash answered.
Damn, he's not even paying attention. She thought. "Or, I could tell Pheebs what happened to her chem. experiment." She continued.
Nothing.
"Try again Liz." Piper said.
Liz thought. "Or I could tell Pipe-"
Leo orbed in. "Enough. I give."
"What could you tell Piper?" Piper asked. "I want to know."
"Leo, did you find them?" Liz asked.
"No. But I did find the owl feather." Leo said holding it up. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Oh very sure."
"What are you planning Liz?" Michael asked.
"Present for Lonnie."
"What kind of present?" Ava asked.
"It's a spell. It's only in case Lonnie tries to get rid of Max."
Michael frowned. "Okay, you couldn't find Max and Tess. I accept that. Did you get those papers I asked you for?"
"I still don't understand why you want to read the Enquirer, but here." Leo handed over a bundle of tabloids.
Michael distributed them. "Look for any articles about alien abductions." He instructed. "With the summit coming, all the heads of state will have to possess the bodies of humans, right?"
"Michael I can barely see straight." Maria said. "By the way Ava, Alex needs to know where the nearest parking garage is to where you lived with Rath and Lonnie."
"Parkin' garage?" She snorted. "We'll be parking this baby in Jersey folks, and taking the sub into the City. Attract less attention that way."
"Is there any chance of getting some sleep first?" Prue asked. "Kyle and I bought blankets and pillows at Linens and Things."
"Should we risk it?" Liz deferred to Michael.
"Nothing's going to happen till after the summit." He said, with a sort of grace. "We can spare a few hours, I know everyone's bushed. Why don't you start resting now, I'll take care of these."
"Leo do you need to sleep?" Liz asked.
"Not really."
"Then here." Liz took the magazines from Michael and gave them to Leo. Then she gave Michael a pillow and a blanket. "Go to sleep." she ordered before unbuttoning her own shirt to reveal a tank and taking off her jeans and revealing some boxers. Then she plopped down next to Phoebe and closed her eyes.
Michael waited until her eyes were closed to take back a few of the magazines. He, Leo and Alex were the only ones awake in the speeding van for hours.