Fumbling Toward Ecstasy 

Parts 11-20

By Actrez

~Part 11~

Liz wasn’t sure how long they had been standing there as she cried into Max’s chest.

“I’m going in there” Max said in a determined voice.

Liz looked at him in shock as all the dreams she’d been having came back to her. She never remembered much of them when she woke up, just the very end, but now she remembered. Max would go into  a burning house looking for Maria, Michael, Isabelle, and Alex. He wouldn’t find them so he’d come back out and he’d be burned so bad that he would end up dying. “No, Max, you can’t” she said as more tears ran down her face.

“Liz, I have to” he said walking toward the house.

“Max!” she screamed causing him to turn around, “If you go in there you’ll die, maybe their not in there, maybe they left just like we did” when he didn’t start to come back, “Max you can’t leave me here. Let’s just go back to the car maybe there all there waiting for us” she said trying to reason with him.

“Liz, don’t you understand, I have to go in there….their my family, I can’t just let them die” he said walking back toward her trying to get her to understand.

“Their my family too!” she screamed at him, “But I’m not going to let you go in there to get yourself killed. They wouldn’t want that Max”

“Liz..”

“No Max, you can’t leave me! If they are in there then I can’t do this alone. I need you Max…..I love you” she screamed only saying the last three words softly. Max looked at her in shock, “Please Max, let’s just go back to the car” she said softly. He nodded and walked over to her. Liz reached over and took his hand in hers as they walked back towards the car.

Alex and Isabelle both stood there for awhile staring at the house in front of them that was now in flames. “Oh my god,” Isabelle whispered. She had asked Alex if they could talk outside so they had gone outside and then they heard the explosion and had both run back toward the house.

“I have to go in there” Alex said.

“No, Alex, please don’t leave me here, you’ll die if you go in there” she said holding his arm to keep him from running into the burning house.

“They’re in there Izzy” he said softly.

“I know” she said tears running down her cheeks, “Maybe they got out, let’s just go back to the car and wait for them….maybe they’ll come” she said softly, “You can’t go in there Alex, if they were in there there’s nothing you can do. Let’s just go” she said.

Alex nodded, he knew she was right, he just hoped they had all gotten out before the explosion…..or whatever it was.

“No,” Maria said softly as she and Michael looked at the burning house. They had left just a few seconds before. Michael had been getting annoyed that they were taking so long to look at a house instead of looking for clues. They had decided to go out side and see if they could see anything around the house that would give them a clue as to where the siting had been. Then they had heard the explosion and run back and found the house in flames. “I’m going in there” Maria said heading toward the house.

“Maria no!” Michael yelled pulling her back toward him.

“Michael they’re all in there! I can’t just do nothing!” she yelled, heading back toward the house.

“Maria there’s nothing you can do now but get yourself killed!” he yelled running after her.

“Then I guess I’m gonna die!” she yelled back. All of a sudden she felt strong arms wrap around her stomach and she was picked up off the ground. “What are you doing! Let me down!” she screamed.

“I’m not gonna let you get yourself killed” Michael yelled throwing her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing.

Maria hit his back, “Michael let me down! I can’t let them die! I need them” she said sobbing.

Michael set her down and grabbed her shoulders before she could go anywhere, “I need them too Maria, they’re the only family I’ve ever had, but I will not let you go in there to get yourself killed. Believe it or not, I need you just as much as I need them. I can’t lose all of you” he said grabbing her hand and dragging her toward the parking lot.

“Where are we going” she asked tears running down her face.

“To the car, maybe they got out and they’re there waiting for us” he said hoping he was right.

Jimmy watched as Michael and the feisty little blonde headed back toward the car. ‘Damn it’ he thought to himself, ‘why do they care so much for these humans? The whole point of that fire was to get rid of those three so they could finally see that they didn’t need humans’ he thought as he too headed toward the parking lot. ‘I guess it’s time they know about me’ he thought smiling evilly at the thought of the look on the six faces when they found out about him.

TBC….

~Part 12~

Isabelle and Alex arrived at the car first. “They’re not here” Isabelle said fear creeping into her voice.

“Give ‘em a little while” Alex said holding her close to him.

Liz and Max walked in silence. Liz squinted her eyes as they got close to the car, was that Isabelle and Alex? “Max” she said softly pointing to the two figures. They walked quickly over to the car. Isabelle and Alex were facing away from them.

“Izzy, Alex?” Liz asked hoping it was them.

They both turned around and Isabelle quickly ran up to the two. She hugged Liz tightly, “Oh my god we were so worried” she said fresh tears streaming down her face. She let go of Liz and walked over to her brother and hugged him just as tight.

Liz walked over to Alex and hugged him, “I was so worried” Liz whispered to Alex.

“Where are Michael and Maria?” Liz asked once they had all gotten over seeing each other alive.

“They’re not with you?” Isabelle asked.

“We thought they’d be with you” Max said fear evident on his face.

“Oh god, you don’t think they’re…” Liz started but stopped when she heard a familiar voice.

“You are not going back!!!” they heard Michael yell.

“Michael I….” Maria started but stopped when she saw the four figures standing by the car. She quickly ran up to her friends and hugged Isabelle and Maria together. “I was so worried you guys were in the house” she said.

“Thank god you’re ok” Liz whispered to her friend.

“Aw, how touching” all six froze when they heard the familiar voice. Liz slowly turned toward the voice, praying she was imagining things, “Hey there Liz…..miss me?” he asked smiling evilly. Max quickly walked up behind Liz.

“What do you want Jimmy?” she asked trying to keep the fear out of her voice.

“What? No hug?” Jimmy asked in mock hurt.

“Get out of here” Michael said as he held Maria back from killing the guy.

“I have a little surprise for all of you” he said slowly bring his hand up in front of his face, before any of them could say anything else the ground shook beneath them as a white light came from Jimmy’s hand. The six fought to stay balanced. When the shaking stopped and when they looked up they saw Tess’ face looking back at them.

“Oh my god” Liz gasped.

“Nasedo” Michael said just loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Hello my children” he said, but in Tess’ voice.

Part 13

“Oh my god” Liz gasped.

“Nasedo” Michael said just loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Hello my children” he said, but in Tess’ voice.

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

“You’re the one who tried to kill Liz?” Michael asked speaking the question he knew everyone was thinking.

“Yes I was,” Nasedo said smiling, “and it would have worked too, if this stupid little bitch hadn’t come after her friend” he said holding Maria’s chin and shaking her head back and forth slightly.

“Don’t talk to her like that” Michael growled ready to kill the guy. Nasedo let go of Maria’s face and she gently placed and hand on Michael’s arm to keep him from doing anything stupid.

“But I had a plan for her” he said and laughed evilly as he walked over towards Isabelle and Alex, “I had a plan for you too” he said looking at Alex. Alex felt Isabelle shiver beside him and unconsciously wrapped his arm around her and held her close just to assure himself that she was still there.

“So you were Jimmy, all that time?” Liz asked softly her voice shaking with fear. Nasedo nodded and smiled evilly at her.

“Were you Tess then too?” Maria asked looking at the Tess look alike that stood in front of them.

Nasedo shook his head, “No, Tess wasn’t me, she was someone else” he said still smiling at Liz.

“Was?” Liz asked in fear, she hadn’t liked Tess but she would never had wished death upon her.

“You’ll see” he said and somehow faded into the dark night that surrounded them.

The six stood there for a few minutes in silence digesting everything that had just happened. Liz shivered and Max wrapped his arms around her from behind, she unconsciously leaned into his chest. “Let’s get out of here” she whispered loud enough for the whole group to hear. They all agreed silently and got into the car and headed back into the hotel.

When they got back the guys went to their room and the girls went to theirs so they could all change for the night, even though they all knew none of them would be getting much sleep. All three girls were silent as they got ready for bed.

Isabelle looked at the two girls that were like sisters to her, ‘I almost lost them today’ she said thinking back to the fire and then Nasedo. Almost losing them made her realize how much they meant to her, ‘what would I do without them’ she thought. She walked into the small bathroom where both Liz and Maria were washing their faces. They turned and smiled at her as she walked in. Nobody had spoken since they left the woods, the whole car ride back and ever since they got to their rooms, she knew the guys were probably just as quite because she couldn’t hear any noise on the other side of the wall. Isabelle looked at her two friends again and hugged them both together, they hugged her back, no words were needed they knew exactly how she was feeling.

Once they were all ready for bed the girls walked into the boys room and sat down on one of the beds.

“He could be anyone” Liz said breaking the long silence that had hung over them since they had left the woods.

“Yea, I guess so” Max said.

“We’re gonna need some way to tell if it’s him or not,” Maria said, everyone looked at her in confusion, “I mean he could like shape-shift into one of us, we have to have to way to know if it’s really that person or if it’s Nasedo” she explained.

“Like a code?” Alex asked realizing Maria was right, they needed a way to know.

“How about our favorite candy” Isabelle said, “We each pick our favorite candy and that will be our password, and  whenever we met each other we have to say the other persons pass word” everyone just looked at her in confusion. “Ok Liz what’s your favorite candy?” she asked trying to show them what she meant.

“Skittles” she said looking at Isabelle in confusion.

“Ok, and mine’s Mounds, so lets say that you and me were meeting for….for lunch all right?” she asked Liz nodded still confused, “Ok so when you sit down I say ‘Skittles’ and you say…”

“Mounds” Liz said understanding where Isabelle was going with the idea now.

“That’s a good idea, so what’s everyone’s favorite candy?” Alex said, “Skittles, Mounds, Peeps, Whatchmicallit,” he said pointing to Liz, Isabelle, Maria, and then himself.

“Snickers” Michael answered.

“Mars” Max said.

“Ok, let me get this straight, Skittles, Mounds, Whatchamicllit, Snickers, and Mars” she said pointing to each person as she said their favorite candy. Everyone nodded. “Sounds simple enough” Maria said.

“There’s something I’ve been wanting to try” Isabelle said, “Everyone sit on the floor in a circle” she said sitting down. Alex sat on one side of her Liz on her other. Max sat on the other side of Liz, Maria sat next to him, and Michael sat next to Maria. “Ok now everybody take each others hand” she instructed them, “Max, Michael, concentrate like your making a connection” she told them. All three aliens concentrated on connecting with the people next to them. After a few moments all six could see their auras blending together into a rainbow.

“This is so cool” Maria said. She could feel everyone’s feelings, hear all of their thoughts.

After about ten minutes they broke the connection. “That was so cool,” Liz said.

“I thought it might help give us strength with the whole Nasedo thing going on” Isabelle said smiling.

“We should probably get to sleep” Maria said yawning, everyone nodded in agreement, “I don’t know about you guys but there is no way in hell I’m sleeping in there. I say we camp out in the guys room” Maria said to Isabelle and Liz. Both girls nodded in agreement and the guys said it would be ok. Michael and Maria took the couch, Isabelle and Alex took Alex’s bed, that left Max and Liz.

“I can sleep on the floor” Max offered seeing Liz’s hesitant look.

“No, don’t” she said. He could hear the fear creeping into her voice again.

“You ok?” he asked softly.

She nodded, “Yea, I’m fine” she lied. She looked up into his face and knew he didn’t believe her, “I just don’t want to be alone” she said softly.

“It’s ok Liz, I won’t let anything happen to you” he said figuring she meant she didn’t want to be alone for the night. He pulled the covers back, she climbed in and in climbed in next to her.

‘Just tell him now Liz’ she scolded herself, ‘You can’t wait forever…..tomorrow, I’ll tell him tomorrow’ she thought as she curled up next to him. She felt his arm wrap around her protectively as she drifted off to sleep.

TBC….

Part 14

Max looked up from channel surfing when he heard a noise. He found Liz standing at the doorway that connected the two rooms. Max’s breath caught in his chest, she looked beautiful, ‘God, what was I thinking breaking up with her for Tess’ he thought for the millionth time since that morning. Liz was wearing a light pink shirt with a red lady bug on the front for the spots on the lady bug it had red jewels and a pair of dark blue jeans. “The others went to get pizza” he said finally finding his voice. They had all woken up around noon and had decided to order pizza, when it was about time to pick it up Liz had been in the shower and Max had told the others to go and he’d stay, he  didn’t want to leave Liz here by herself with Nasedo running around. He noticed the slight look of fear on Liz’s face.

“Oh,” Liz said, when Max didn’t say anything else her face paled. ‘Oh god it’s Nasedo, what am I supposed to do?’ she thought frantically.

Max looked at Liz and saw her pale face and the fear in her eyes, ‘Oh shit’ he thought, “Skittles” he said quickly.

Liz sighed in relief, “Max, we need to talk” she said walking into the guys room, he noticed she looked a little nervous.

“Ok, about what?” he asked.

“About us” she said softly. Max stayed silent waiting for her to continue. “I know I said I needed sometime” she said suddenly finding an interest in her hands, “But with Nasedo and everything, I really don’t know how much time we have.”

He walked over to her and lifter her chin so he could look into her eyes, “Don’t talk like that” he said gently. He saw the unshed tears shimmering in her eyes.

“Last night, with the fire and Nasedo and everything, I realized that I could lose you any day” she said a single tear falling down her cheek, Max gently wiped it away as she continued, “I meant what I said last night Max, we have all this stuff happening right now, and it’s really scary and I need you” she said softly as more tears fell.

“You aren’t going to lose me Liz,  I promise” he said softly.

“I can’t forget what happened before, but it’s in the past and I think that we should just put it behind us. I want to be with you Max, more than anything,” she said.

Max leaned his forehead on hers, “I never meant to hurt you Liz…” he started but was stopped when Liz quieted him with her finger.

“Let’s just put it behind us” she said softly. He nodded in agreement and kissed her finger that was still on his lips. She slowly traced the outline of his lips and brought her finger down. He slowly brought his head down and captured her lips with his own. Max traced her lips with his tongue urging them apart. Liz allowed Max’s tongue to slid into her mouth, she moaned softly into his mouth as his tongue explored her mouth. Max slowly walked backwards leading them over to the bed as Liz wrapped her arms around his neck deepening the kiss. When he reached the bed he sat down and pulled Liz on to his lap. Liz whimpered softly as Max pulled away and started kissing down her neck. She realized that if they didn’t stop now they would let things go to far.

“Max,” she said but it came out as more of a moan. She moaned again as he sucked on the sensitive spot on her neck. “Max” she said again and he groaned in response, “Max, we have to stop” she said breathlessly. He pulled away and brought his face back up to hers leaning his forehead on hers. She smiled softly at him and kissed him softly. “I love you” she whispered against his lips looking into his eyes.

Max smiled against her lips, “I love you too” he whispered back. He leaned back onto the bed and Liz stayed sitting onto of him tracing invisible designs in his chest. After a few moments Liz laid down on his chest and listened to his heart beat. Max wrapped his arms around her holding her close.

Suddenly the door flew open and a breathless Isabelle and Maria rushed in with Michael and Alex close behind them. Max and Liz sat hp quickly as soon as they saw their friends faces. Maria and Isabelle both gave Liz a look seeing that she didn’t get off of Max just turned around to face them.

“Skittles and Mars” Isabelle said quickly for all of them, they had been together since they left so she knew that Maria, Michael, and Alex were all the real them.

“Mounds, Snickers, Peeps, and Whatchmicallit” Liz said looking at the four.

“What’s wrong?” Max asked taking in the fours expressions.

“We have to show you guys something, come on” Maria said her voice slightly shaking with fear.

Michael put the pizza down on the table as Max and Liz quickly got up and got their shoes and jacket and followed their friends out the door.

TBC….

Part 15

Dreaming comes so easily
'Cause it's all that I've ever know
True love is a fairy tale
I'm damaged, so how would I know

I'm scared and I'm alone
I'm ashamed
And I need for you to know

I didn't say all the things that I wanted to say
And you can't take back what you've
taken away
'Cause I feel you, I feel you near me

            Plumb’s song “Damaged” played softly in the silent car as Michael drove them to what Maria, Isabelle, Alex, and him had seen after they had picked up the pizza. Maria sat next to him in the passenger seat. He reached over and took her hand in his. He could tell she was terrified by what they had seen. He squeezed her hand supportively and she gave him a brave smile.

I didn't say all the things that I wanted to say
And you can't take back what you've
taken away
'Cause I feel you, I feel you near me

            Max held Liz closer to him as they drove. He had a bad feeling about where they were going. The four of them had looked really shaken up when they had gotten back. Something inside of him told him what ever they had to show them had something to do with Nasedo. Liz laid her head on his shoulder scooting closer to him and he held her tighter.

Healing comes so painfully
And it chills to the bone
Will anyone get close to me?
I'm damaged, as I'm sure you know

            Alex held Isabelle close to him. He still couldn’t believe this was happening. ‘That could have been Isabelle, or Maria, or Liz’ the thought kept repeating itself over and over in his head driving him close to insanity at the mere thought of losing one of them. Maria and Liz had always been like sisters to him, and he loved Isabelle. Isabelle kissed him softly bring him out of his thoughts. ‘I should tell her’ he thought. “I love you” he whispered softly to her.

            Isabelle looked at him in surprise. ‘He knows the truth about me and he still cares about me’ she thought in surprise. “I love you too” she said softly as he brought his head down and kissed her softly.

There's mending for my soul
An ending to this fear
Forgiveness for a man who was stronger
I was just a little girl, but I can't go back

When they pulled into the parking lot at the woods everyone quickly got out. “Over this way” Michael said taking Maria’s hand and leading the way. They all headed in the opposite direction they had gone the other night. When they had walked into the woods a little ways Michael stepped away so Liz and Max could see.

“Oh my god” Liz whispered tears stinging her eyes and blurring her vision. Max pulled her close to him and stared at what was laying on the ground in front of him.

Liz looked down at Tess’ body. There was a silver hand print on her head. She had never liked Tess, but she hadn’t wanted her dead. And she wouldn’t had wanted her to die the way she did. “It was Nasedo wasn’t it?” she questioned already knowing the answer. She looked over at Michael who nodded.

“When I touched her I got a vision, Nasedo and her were following us up here, she was with him, he touched her and made a connection so he could crush her brain stem” Michael told them.

“How did you guys find her?” Max asked.

“I thought I saw something when we were driving back and I had a feeling we should check it out, we pulled over and looked around and there she was” Isabelle explained.

“I was afraid this would happen” the six turned around at the sound of the strangers voice.

“Who the hell are you?” Michael growled.

TBC….

Part 16

“I was afraid this would happen” the six turned around at the sound of the strangers voice.

“Who the hell are you?” Michael growled.

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

“What are you doing here?” Liz asked, she recognized the man, it was the older man from the hotel, the one who had told them about the sitting when they checked in.

“I saw you six leave in a hurry” he said.

“So you followed us?!” Michael asked in anger.

“Michael, calm down” Maria said.

He turned to her and whispered, “We don’t know who the hell this guy is, he could be Nasedo”

“I don’t think he is” Liz said hearing Michael talking to Maria.

“I’m not who you think I am” the older man said.

“Who do we think you are?” Isabelle questioned.

“My brother, Nasedo, I’m not him”

“How are we supposed to know that you’re telling the truth?” Max asked.

“He’s right, he’s not me” Nasedo said coming up behind the older man, at the moment he looked like Jimmy, “Hello Brian” he said to the older man.

“Nasedo” he said nodding to the person the stood in front of them.

“That’s the kind of greeting you give your brother?” Nasedo said in mock hurt.

Brain ignored the comment, “You’re handy work?” he questioned nodding to Tess’ body.

“What can I say, she was annoying” he said smiling, “We have a lot to catch up on, I’ve been following these three for sometime now. They told humans, just like you have. I had their deaths all planned out, shot Liz over there” he said nodding over to Liz, “But her little human friends came and saved the day.”

“Get out of here” Brain said through clenched teeth.

“Don’t you want to see your brother?” he asked in mock hurt.

“You’re not my brother, now get out of here and leave these kids alone” he said.

“We’ll keep in touch” he said turning to walk away then turned back to the group of six, “Don’t think I’m not watching you” he said to all of them and turned and left.

“Let’s go back to the hotel” Brain said and led the way back to the cars.

When they got back to the hotel the six went up to their rooms with Brain.

“Who are you?” Michael asked once they were in the room.

Brain smiled at the boy, “You’re remind me of your mother” he said. “I’m your father Michael.”

Michael just stared man in front of him.

“Your cousins with Isabelle and Max, Nasedo is your uncle. Your parents were killed in the crash, as was your mother Michael. Nasedo and I were the only adult survivors, we put the pods in the cave and got separated. The FBI got to Nasedo, he escaped after a while, but by that time they had experimented on him so much that he hated humans, he is convinced they’re all horrible. That’s why he doesn’t like the ides of telling humans about us, that’s why he’s been watching you three” Brain explained.

“So your the one who sent the signal?” Isabelle asked. Brain nodded.

“How’d you know it was us?” Max asked.

“When you two checked in” he said to Max and Liz, “I noticed that neither of you had wedding rings on, then she asked about the sitting and I just put two and two together, plus the feeling I was getting off of you and I figured it out” he explained.  “So tell me about yourselves how’d did these three find out?”

Max, Isabelle, and Michael explained everything that had happened in the last few months to Brain.

“Will Nasedo come after us again?” Liz asked after they had explained everything.

“Not tonight, but he will with in the next few days” Brain said.

“Let’s just go home” Maria whispered to Michael shivering slightly at the thought of Nasedo coming after them again. Michael wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close kissing her on the top of the head.

“Actually I think that might be the best plan” Brain said, “He’ll follow you back, but at least you’ll know the area, I’ll come back with you to help you out” he said.

“What are we supposed to do about him?” Isabelle asked, “Kill him?”

“No, you three cannot kill him, he is of you kind, Liz, Maria, and Alex can though” he explained.

“That’s dangerous, he has more power than the three of us combined, he could probably kill them with a look” Max said holding Liz close protectively.

“You’re right it would be dangerous, we’ll have to come up with a plan. But for now get some rest so we can leave early tomorrow” Brain said and started to leave.

“Wait! What’s your favorite candy?” Isabelle asked, he looked at her oddly and she quickly explained their code.

“M&M’s” he said smiling.

“Mounds, Whatchamicallit, Peeps, Snickers, Mars, and Skittles” she said pointing to each person respectively.

Brain nodded, smiling, “Ok, I’ll see you in the morning” he said as he left.

After he left the girls went to their room to get ready for bed and pack their things. As the girls were changing and packing the guys got their stuff packed. After the girls finished they came back into the guys room. Maria walked over to Michael who was sitting on the couch that was pulled out into a bed. She sat down next to him and he held her close. Isabelle walked over to Alex, who was sitting on his bed, she laid her head on his shoulder and he hugged her close to him. Liz walked over to Max’s bed where he was sitting and sat in front of him between his legs. The six sat in silence for a while, not needing to speak to know what each other was thinking. After a while Alex turned on the TV to break the silence.

“Authorities are still trying to figure out what caused a mysterious fire in an old abandoned house in Johnson woods….” a news reporter said as they showed a picture of the house that the six had been in the night before. Alex quickly changed the channel.

“A young girl was found dead today in Johnson woods, authorities can find no cause of death except for a mysterious hand print on the girls head….” another news reporter said, Alex quickly turned of the TV.

“Maybe we should just go to sleep” he said. Everyone nodded silently in agreement and Isabelle snapped her fingers turning off the lights.

Everyone sat in the dark silence for a few minutes, no one really able to fall asleep, still trying to take everything in.

“This is really happening isn’t it?” Maria asked breaking the silence. Isabelle snapped her fingers again, turning on the lights. “Not only do we have the FBI after us, but now we have a crazy shape-shifting alien after us” she said softly.

“We’ll get through it” Isabelle said.

“What are we gonna do?” Liz questioned, “You guys can’t kill him, we can’t just run from him forever” she whispered her voice shaking slightly in fear, Max held her tighter to him.

“We’ll be ok” he whispered softly to her, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

“We have to make a promise to each other” Maria said getting everyone’s attention, “Because I’m worried that we’re gonna graduate in a few years and go our separate ways, and never see each other again. And I know we haven’t really considered this, but the FBI is still going to be after us and so is Nasedo, if he’s still alive, even after we graduate high school. I can’t do this alone, I can’t fight them alone” she said her voice getting softer as she spoke.

“You won’t have to” Alex said to her. Everyone nodded in agreement.

“We’ll always be here Maria” Isabelle said.

“Yep, friends forever” Liz said smiling at her friend.

“Like that Vitamin C song” Isabelle said smiling.

“Yea, that’s our theme song!” Liz said.

Michael, Max, and Alex all looked at each other. Max decided he’d be the one to speak for all of them, “Vitamin C?” he questioned. The girls all looked at them and then at Michael and Alex and saw the blank looks on all their faces.

Isabelle sighed, “What are we gonna to with you three” she joked.

“Vitamin C is a singer” Liz explained.

“And she sings this song called Friends Forever” Maria said. All three guys just looked at the girls blankly, the girls sighed and shook their heads.

“We should probably get some shut eye if we want to get an early start tomorrow” Alex said looking at the clock finding it was already past midnight. Everyone nodded in agreement and Isabelle snapped her fingers once more as everyone settled in and quickly feel asleep.

TBC….

Why can’t Isabelle, Max, or Michael kill Nasedo? Will Nasedo come after them again? What will Michael do now that he found his family? Can the three aliens still get back to their home planet? Find out soon (OK now I sound like a cheesy promo, you know from those old shows, I really need to get a life! J )

            Part 17

Liz woke up the next morning and slowly opened her eyes squinting slightly at the bright sunlight pouring in through the window. She briefly considered getting up but decided against it snuggling deeper into Max’s chest. She looked around the room at her friends and her eyes met Michael’s. He was playing with Maria’s hair as she slept, softly twirling it around his finger. She smiled softly at him, she knew he was still processing everything from last night, so was she, but he had more to deal with, like the fact that he had family.

“Hey” he said softly so not to wake the others, “so I take it you and Max are back together?”

Liz nodded smiling, “Yea.”

They were silent for a few moments, “It’s a lot to digest isn’t it?” Liz asked referring to last night, breaking the silence.

“Yea, I still can’t believe I have family” he said more to himself then her.

“You know Michael, even if you didn’t have blood relatives, you’d still have family” she said referring to the six of them who had gotten extremely close in the past few months.

He smiled over at her, “I know, but thanks for reminding me.”

A couple hours later all six were up.

“Did we mention that we wanted to leave sometime today?” Alex yelled into the girls room. Isabelle was taking a shower and Liz and Maria were getting dressed and putting on make-up.

“It takes time to look as great as we do” Isabelle yelled back getting out of the shower and waving her hand over her hair, drying it instantly.

“Could have fooled me” Michael yelled at the girls.

“Ha. Ha, you’re so funny” Maria yelled throwing a shoe at him.

“Ow!” he said, Maria looked over and smirked at him.

“Ok, Maria, Michael, back in your corners” Liz joked, looking at Isabelle and shaking her head, “What are we gonna do with those two” she said smiling.

Isabelle smiled and was about to say something to Liz when they both heard Maria scream.

“Oh my god! This is the song!” Maria screamed quickly turning up the clock radio.

And so we talked all night about the rest of our lives
Where we're gonna be when we turn 25
I keep thinking times will never change
Keep on thinking things will always be the same
But when we leave this year we won't be coming back
No more hanging out cause we're on a different track
And if you got something that you need to say
You better say it right now cause you don't have another day
Cause we're moving on and we can't slow down
These memories are playing like a film without sound
And I keep thinking of that night in June
I didn't know much of love
But it came too soon and there was me and you
And then we got real blue
Stay at home talking on the telephone

We would get so excited, and we'd get so scared
Laughing at our selves thinking life's not fair
And this is how it feels

The three girls sang along with the song. “This was the song we were talking about last night” Liz said when the guys walked into the room to see what was going on.
 
As we go on, we remember
All the times we had together
And as our lives change, come whatever
We will still be, friends forever

“Again wanting to leave sometime today” Alex joked.

So if we get the big jobs
And we make the big money
When we look back now
Will our jokes still be funny?
Will we still remember everything we learned in school?
Still be trying to break every single rule
Will little brainy Bobby be the stockbroker man?
Can Heather find a job that won't interfere with her tan?
I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly
And this is how it feels

As we go on, we remember
All the times we had together
And as our lives change, come whatever
We will still be, friends forever

La, la, la, la; yeah, yeah, yeah
La, la, la, la, we will still be friends forever

The three girls continued to get ready as they sang along with song. “I don’t think we’ll be leaving anytime soon” Michael joked.

Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now?
Can we survive it out there?
Can we make it somehow?
I guess I thought that this would never end
And suddenly it's like we're women and men
Will the past be a shadow that will follow us 'round?
Will these memories fade when I leave this town
I keep, keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly

As we go on, we remember
All the times we had together
And as our lives change, come whatever
We will still be, friends forever

As we go on, we remember

          “I love that song” Isabelle said as the song faded and Maria turned the radio down. The other two girls nodded in agreement.

“I thought we’d never leave” Brain said as the guys started packing the bags in the car.

            “Just because we’re packing up the car doesn’t mean we’ll be leaving anytime soon” Michael said.

            Brain groaned, “How much longer could it possibly take for those girls to get ready?” he joked.

            “They’re girls, it could take all day” Michael joked back.

            “So you and Max are back together” Maria said to Liz.

            “Yea” Liz said smiling.

            “You know, if you don’t stop smiling you’re face might freeze like that” Isabelle joked. This just caused Liz to smile even bigger.

            “So yesterday before we got back what was going on?” Maria asked nudging her friend.

            “We we’re just…”

            “Making out?” Isabelle asked smiling.

            “Making up” Liz corrected her.

            “Oh, of course making up” Isabelle said.

            “Speaking of yesterday, we never ate that pizza” Liz said trying to change the subject.

            “Don’t try to change the subject on us” Isabelle said.

            “We didn’t have any breakfast either” Maria pointed out.

            “Yea, no that you mention it, I’m starving” Isabelle said.

            “Let’s go, we’ll make the guys buy us lunch” Maria said zipping her bag closed.

            “You guys go ahead I’ll be right down, I just have to get a few more things” Liz said as the two girls nodded and walked out.

            Liz walked into the bathroom and grabbed the last of her things in there. “Max?” she asked as she heard the door open figuring he was probably checking on her. When she didn’t get a reply she walked out into the room and looked around.

            “Where’s Liz?” Max asked when he saw his sister and Maria walk into the parking lot.

            “She just had to get a few more things, she said she’ll be right down” Isabelle said packing her things into the car along with Maria.

            “I’ll go get her” Max said turning and heading back toward the hotel.

            “Maxwell we want to get going,” Michael complained.

            “I’ll be right back Michael” Max said walking to the hotel. He suddenly had a very bad feeling about Liz being in that hotel room alone.

            “Max?” Liz called again walking into the guys room. Again silence answered her. She shook her head, “I’m going crazy” she said to herself turning and going back into the girls room. She put her things in her suitcase and quickly zipped it up. She shivered suddenly. Just as she was about to pick up her bag and leave she heard a noise in the other room. She froze and listened quietly. She heard it again and slowly put her bag down. It sounded like someone was walking around in the other room, ‘But if Max or anyone was here they would have answered me’ she thought, slowly making her way to the door that connected the two rooms.

            Max walked quickly down the hallway his bad feeling increasing as he got closer. “Damn it” he muttered as he reached the door and realized that he had already turned the keys in. He quickly waved his hand over the door unlocking it and walking in.

            Liz walked slowly around the guys room she didn’t see anyone. Suddenly she heard the noise again. She looked around the room, ‘The bathroom’ she thought and slowly started heading toward it. She froze again as she heard the door to the girls room unlock and open.

            “Liz?” she heard Max call.

            “Max?” she said her voice shaking slightly in fear.

            Max heard Liz’s voice shake and he quickly walked toward the other room.

            Liz continued to walk toward the bathroom ignoring the small voice in her head telling her to stop. ‘What if that’s not Max?’ she thought causing her hands to shake in fear even more than they already were.

            “Liz” she heard Max say again and quickly turned around to find him standing in the doorway, ‘Well he looks like my Max’ she thought, ‘of course he looks like your Max, that’s the reason they call them shapeshifters, they can look exactly like other people’ the little voice told her again.

            Max started to walk toward Liz noticing the fear in her eyes. When he got to her he wrapped his arms around her and held her close, “Skittles” he whispered to her.

            “Mars” she said softly back burying her head in his chest. Just as she was about to say something she heard the noise again. She pulled away and looked at Max, he nodded letting her know he had heard it too. “At least I know I’m not going crazy” she said softly turning and heading toward the bathroom again.

Max grabbed her arm gently, “Liz, lets go” he said pulling her towards the other room.

“Max” she protested.

“Liz, you’re not going to see what that noise was, it could be anyone, I’m not taking a chance at losing you, let’s go” he said.

Liz nodded as Max grabbed her bag and they left the room and headed toward the parking lot.

Nasedo looked around the room, “Just as I thought” he said, “They’re leaving, we’re just gonna have to see where they’re going” he said smiling evilly.

TBC…

Part 18

                Liz looked over at Max as they drove down the dark deserted highway. She turned her head looking back at Isabelle and Alex. Isabelle was sleeping with her head on Alex’s shoulder and Alex had his arms wrapped around her. Alex looked up at Liz and smiled tiredly at her. Liz smiled back, and looked back behind him at the car following them, Brain was driving and Michael was sitting shot-gun, ‘Maria’s probably asleep’ she thought, ‘Lucky girl.’

            “Max, let’s find somewhere to stop, it’s late” Liz said softly after looking at the clock and finding it was already passed two in the morning.

            Max looked over at her, “We still have ten hours to go” he said.

            Liz touched his arm lightly, “Max, it’s late, you’re exhausted, you can’t drive all night, we’ll stop somewhere and then we can get going early in the morning” she said. Max nodded reluctantly, and started looking for a place to stop.

            Michael looked back at Maria, who was sleeping in the back, he turned back around and looked over at Brain. ‘I have family’ he thought. He was still getting over the shock of it. He racked his brain for something to say. All his life he had planned what he would say when he found his family, and now he nothing seemed like the right thing to say. “Nasedo said you told humans about being an alien” Michael heard someone say, then realized it had been his voice he had heard.

            “Yea, I told my wife” Brain said.

            “You’re wife?”

            “Yea, we’ve been married twenty years, you can’t be married to someone and keep a secret like that” Brain said smiling.

            “Did see know before?” Michael questioned.

            “Yea, I had known her for a while, she knew long before we got married.”

            “I didn’t see her around in Montana” Michael said.

            “She was visiting our daughter in California”

            “You had kids….I mean, it’s possible to, you know….nothing bad happens or anything?” Michael asked having trouble getting the words out.

            “No, the kids turned out fine, they had some of the powers I had, but they’re not green, and they don’t have antennas” Brain said laughing.

            Michael watched as Max pulled off at an exit and Brain followed. “Looks like Maxwell decided to stop finally” Michael said.

            Liz lay awake staring at the ceiling. They had found a hotel and quickly gone to sleep. She was exhausted but she couldn’t seem to fall asleep. So she lay awake thinking about everything that had happened in the past few days. Max and her hadn’t told anyone about what had happened in the hotel room that afternoon, Liz wasn’t really sure why, they just hadn’t. Liz froze as she heard a noise similar to the one she’d heard early at the other hotel. She wasn’t really sure where it was coming from, she laid in bed quietly until she heard it again.

            “Liz?” she heard Maria whisper.

            “Yea?” she asked trying to keep her voice from shaking in fear.

            “Did you hear that?” Maria asked.

            Liz was quiet for a second until she heard the sound again, “You mean that? Yea, I heard that” Liz said unable to keep her voice from shaking this time.

            “Maria, Liz?” they heard Isabelle ask.

            “Yea?” they answered together.

            “Am I going crazy or did you guys hear that noise too?” she asked, Liz noticed the slight fear in her voice.

            “Yea we heard it” Liz answered.

            “I say we go sleep in the other room” Maria said referring to the guys room across the hall, they hadn’t been able to get joining rooms.

            “I have to agree with Maria” Isabelle said.

            “I’m there” Liz said getting out of bed but freezing when she heard the noise again.

“Guys? Is it just me or is that noise coming from like right outside our door?” Maria asked.

“Maybe leaving the room isn’t such a good idea” Isabelle said.

“I’m not staying here, what if whoever it is can get in?” Maria asked.

“You’re saying you think it’s Nasedo?” Isabelle asked.

“I’m saying I’m not sticking around to find out” Maria said as Liz turned on the light.

“It couldn’t be him, how would he even know we had left yet?” Isabelle argued.

“Well who else could it be?” Maria asked.

“I don’t know, I’m just saying there’s no way Nasedo could have known we left yet, is there?” Isabelle said.

“I think he was in the hotel room the other afternoon” Liz said, quickly explaining what had happened early.

All three jumped when they heard a crash. “That’s it, I’m leaving” Maria said heading for the door.

“Wait Maria, the noise is coming from out there” Liz said grabbing her friends arm.

“Yea well, I’m not gonna stick around her to find out what the noise is” Maria said pulling away from Liz’s grasp and heading for the door again.

“Wait!” Isabelle called out, “I’m coming” she said getting up and following Mara.

“Me too” Liz said following Isabelle and Maria out the door.

They quietly made their way across the hall. When they reached the guys door Isabelle put her hand up to the door to unlock it when she felt Maria grab her hand away, ‘We don’t know who is making that noise’ she realized, ‘We can’t let the wrong person see me using my powers.’ Instead of unlocking it she knocked softly on the door. They waited a few minutes and when no one came Isabelle knocked again, a little louder.

“What the hell?” they heard Michael mutter, they heard footsteps coming towards the door, “Who is it?” Michael asked.

“Michael, it’s us” Maria said quietly, “We were wondering if you guys have any Snickers” she said.

Michael quickly opened the door, “What’s going on?” he asked rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

“Can we come in?” Maria asked.

“Yea, sure” he said stepping aside to let them in. As they walked in Liz heard the noise again and looked down the hall toward where shed heard it coming from. She saw a dark figure quickly run around the corner.

“There was someone outside of our door” Maria said when they walked in.

“What’s going on?” Max asked as he and Alex walked up the four standing by the door.

“What are you guys doing here?” Alex asked.

“Sorry, we didn’t want to wake you up” Isabelle said walking over to stand by Alex.

“That’s OK, what’s going on?” Alex asked.

Max looked over at Liz and even in the dark he could see her pale face, and the fear in her eyes, “Liz? What’s wrong?”

“There was someone out there” Liz said.

“Someone out where?” Max asked. Maria quickly explained why they had come to the guys room, “And someone was out in the hallway?” Max asked Liz, she nodded, “Do you think it was Nasedo?”

Liz shook her head, “No I don’t think so, I’m mean I can’t be sure, but he ran off when I looked down the hallway, I don’t think Nasedo would have run off” she explained.

“Who do you think it was?” Michael asked.

“I have no idea” Liz said. Max walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her.

“Should we tell Brain?” Isabelle asked.

“No” Michael said.

Isabelle looked at him in shock, “Michael he’s your father” Isabelle said.

“We’ve handled stuff like this before, we can handle it again” Michael said.

“Michael’s right” Max said, “ We may just be over reacting, we don’t need to worry Brain about it.”

“Max, Liz told us about the noise earlier” Isabelle said.

“What noise earlier?” Michael asked. Maria quickly told the guys what Liz had told her and Isabelle a few minutes ago.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Alex asked.

“I didn’t want to worry anyone” Max said.

“We should tell Brain” Liz said.

“No, we don’t need to worry him, if it gets serious then we’ll tell him” Max said.

“By the time it gets serious it might be to late” Isabelle said.

“Look why don’t we talk about this in the morning, right now lets just get some sleep” Maria said.

Everyone agreed and walked over toward the beds, careful not to wake Brain who had chose to sleep on the floor. All six quickly fell asleep, but didn’t notice a dark figure watching them from the balcony.

TBC….

Part 19

Brain woke up early the next morning. He looked at the six teens and saw that Max was already awake, he was holding Liz stroking her hair. He noticed Maria and Isabelle were in the room too. He raised his eyes at Max in question.

“It’s a long story” Max whispered.

Brain nodded, “We should get the others up so we can get going early” he said looking at the clock and noticed it was six in the morning.

Max nodded, “Liz” he whispered softly shaking her gently. She mumbled something about five more minutes snuggling closer to Max. “Liz, come on we need to get going” he told her softly.

“I don’t want to” she moaned.

Max smiled down at her, “I know” he said kissing the top of her head. He pulled her closer to him and buried his head near her neck, “Come on, the sooner we get going the sooner we can get home” he whispered kissing her ear.

“Fine” she moaned opening her eyes and stretching.

“Have I mentioned how much I hate getting up early on my spring break?” Maria complained as she got out of bed. Brain had woken the other four up while Max woke Liz up.

When they were all ready it was 6:30, they all met down in the lobby and checked out. Brain sensed something between the six, he could tell they needed to talk. “Why don’t you six ride in Max and Isabelle’s car, I’ll drive Maria’s car” he offered.

The six exchange glances, “OK thanks” Isabelle said.

“So you’re sure it wasn’t Nasedo?” Michael questioned Liz again. Liz was driving, Max was sitting shot-gun, and the other four were crammed into the back.

“I told you I don’t know, it just didn’t feel like Nasedo” she said slightly annoyed, Michael had already asked her the same question a couple of times, it wasn’t like her answer was going to change.

“What’d you mean, didn’t feel like Nasedo?” Maria questioned.

“I don’t know. Whenever Nasedo was around before I got this feeling, I can’t really explain it, just a feeling, a bad feeling” Liz said trying to explain.

“Did you get that feeling in the hotel room the other afternoon?” Max asked.

Liz thought back, “Yea I did, just not last night…” Liz thought back to when she had first started dating Nasedo when he was Jimmy, “Come to think of it I didn’t get that feeling at first around Jimmy, I mean Nasedo” she said confusion.

“Maybe it wasn’t Nasedo at first” Alex said.

“But Nasedo said that there was never a real Jimmy” Isabelle pointed out.

“Well I don’t know about you guys, but Nasedo doesn’t come across as being completely honest” Michael said, all six sat in silence thinking about what could of happened.

Liz looked in the rearview mirror as she switched lanes, she noticed that a blue car followed her. She tried speeding up slightly and the car sped up also. “Shit” she muttered under her breath. All six heads looked to her, having heard her in the silence of the car.

“Liz, what’s wrong?” Max asked in concern.

“Hold on” she said switching lanes again and watching as the blue car followed once again. She sped up again and the blue car did the same till it was practically tailing her.

“Liz what are you doing? You going to pass Brain” Maria said.

“I think someone’s following us” Liz said watching the car as she switched lanes again to get back behind Brain, the blue car followed her into the other lane but backed off a bit.

“Who?” Isabelle asked.

“I don’t know” Liz said, “My guess, the same person who was outside our door last night” Liz said turning her attention back to following Brain.

TBC….

Part 20

“I’m going to get something to eat anyone want anything?” Isabelle asked once they stopped at a gas station that night.

“I’ll go with you” Alex volunteered.

“Do you guys want something?” Isabelle asked directing her question at Max and Liz, Maria had already gone off to the bathroom and Michael was over talking to Brain. The four of them were standing outside the car to stretch their legs.

“Um, I’ll just have some chips” Liz said.

“OK Max?” Isabelle asked turning to her brother.

Max looked away from Liz, who he’d been staring at the whole time, to look at Isabelle. “Huh?” he asked a slight blush creeping up on his cheeks.

Isabelle rolled her eyes, “Do you want anything to eat?” she asked trying to sound annoyed but not being able to help the smile that spread across her face.

“No thanks” he said turning back to stare at Liz.

Isabelle laughed at her brother and took Alex’s hand in hers as they walked off.

Max reached out and brushed a stray hair behind Liz’s ear. Liz looked up and smiled at Max. He leaned down slowly, capturing her lips with his. Liz moaned softly as Max slipped his tongue into her mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck as she felt him pull her closer wrapping his arms around her waist. They pulled away and Liz laid her head on Max’s chest sighing happily. Max kissed the top of Liz’s head and rested his chin on the top of her head.

Liz breathed deeply inhaling Max’s scent. “Max?” she asked softly.

“Mmm” Liz took that as letting her know he was listening, “Do you really think we should keep this from Brian?” she asked looking up at him.

Max looked down at her and saw the fear in her eyes, “Yea, we might just be over reacting, we don’t need to worry him, he has enough to worry about with Nasedo and all. It’ll be OK Liz, I won’t let anything happen to you” Max promised kissing her forehead.

Liz nodded. Suddenly something caught her eye, she turned her head to look at it, “Max” she said but it came out as a whisper. Max turned his head to look at what Liz was looking at and saw a man in a suit watching them from across the parking lot. He quickly looked when the man caught him looking at him. Liz looked away and up at Max. Max could see the fear in Liz’s eyes.

“Do you think it’s Nasedo?” he asked.

Liz shook her head no and looked over at the man again noticing the car he was standing in front of. “Max, that’s who was following us” she said.

“Are you sure?” he asked looking over at the guy again.

“Yea, look at the car” she said. Max looked over and noticed that it was the same car.

“Hey, what are we looking at?” Maria asked as she came back over to her friends, looking in the direction they were, “Hey isn’t that the car that was following us?”

“Yea, and my guess is that’s the guy who was driving it” Liz said pulling away from Max.