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Tuesday,
30 January 2001 It's evening. The kidnapper, still wearing his ski mask, breaks in and ransacks Michael's apartment. He stops when he finds pictures of Laurie and her grandfather's mansion. Michael is watching the mansion through binoculars and Maria, to Michael's annoyance, is calling Liz to bemoan the fact that she got tree sap on her mother's cashmere sweater. The lights on the house go out and Michael grabs the phone and Maria, and heads for the house. They sneak past the guard. Agent Duff and Jim Valenti have pulled Grant over and are asking him to step out of his car. This time they have a search warrant. While Jim searches his car, Duff asks Grant about the car rental receipts she has from New Castle, Wyoming in July, Fort Collins, Colorado in August and Las Cruces, New Mexico in September. She asks him why he was in those cities and he replies for research. Jim finds some gloves in his bag and asks if they are his. Grant says no and tells Duff that he doesn't know why, but Valenti has been persecuting him since he arrived in town and now he is planting things in his truck. Duff notices some scratches on his neck and asks where he got them. He has no idea. Michael and Maria are in the mansion and heading for Laurie's bedroom. When they open her door, she is lying on the bed in a foetal position, hugging her pillows and surrounded by candles. She is rocking herself and seems scared but unharmed. Michael kneels by her bed and says "Hey. I just wanted to make sure you're OK. We're gonna help you" and she replies "My aunt and uncle need me to be crazy". Just then her aunt and uncle arrive with the guard and demand that they leave, telling the guard to make sure they drive away this time. Michael takes Laurie's hand, for reassurance, before he and Maria depart with the guard. Her aunt and uncle leave as well, closing her door behind them. Laurie begins to cry. Wednesday, 31 January 2001 Early the next morning, Max, Isabel, and Liz are at the Crashdown before it opens telling Tess what they learned from Larek the night before about the gandarium. Brody walks in but when Max addresses him, he lets him know that it's actually Larek. Once again, due to the strain on Brody's heart, Larek only has a few minutes so he gets right to the point. He tells them "The gandarium are a genetically engineered life form, designed to bridge the DNA and RNA re-sequencing during 3rd stage amino acid synthesis". They have no idea what he means so he clarifies "Let's say you want to create an alien/human hybrid. First you get some alien cells, then you get some human cells. Normally they don't mix very well, you need something to help bridge the differences. That's were the gandarium come in. In a controlled environment, like on your ship, they're harmless. But released into an ecosystem, the gandarium will perform the only role they know - infect human cells". Isabel and Tess point out that they seem to be focusing on one human so he explains "Not every human is a candidate for hybridisation. Their genetic structure has to have…well, you would call it, a flaw. It's very rare on Earth, fewer than 1 in 50 million people have it". Liz deduces that Laurie must have this defective gene. Max asks what will happen if Laurie is infected. Larek says "Once they've infected her, the gandarium will mutate into a universal virus. She'll infect anyone she comes into contact with, human or otherwise. They, in turn, will infect everyone they come in contact with. Eventually, she and every infected person on the planet will die". They are all distressed at this information. Max asks "How do we destroy them". Larek replies "Once they've infected the host, it's all over". They are pretty sure that Laurie has not yet been infected or they wouldn't still be after her, so Larek thinks they have a chance to beat it. He tells them that the gandarium are hive-like, kill the Queen and the hive will die. Larek leaves and Max says they should go to Frazier Woods to find the crystals and then figure out a way to destroy them. He tells Isabel, Tess and Liz to collect digging equipment and meet him there. He will get Kyle and Alex. Maria and Michael are at City Hall. Maria wants to check the deed of the Dupree mansion. Michael thinks it's a waste of time but Maria's suspicions are proven right - Laurie is the rightful heir of the mansion, not her aunt and uncle, and that's why they "want her to be crazy". Armed with this "leverage" Michael and Maria return to the mansion. When Maria lets them know she has this information, they let her and Michael in. In Frazier Woods, as they are digging away, Alex asks Kyle "Is this the 6th or 7th hole we've dug today?" Kyle confesses to Alex that he "always wondered what the hell you people were doing sophomore year". Alex replies "A lot of secret meetings, a lot of lying to authorities, sometimes narrowly escaping gun fire". At Kyle's shocked look he admits the last one was on rare occasions only. Kyle asks what's in it for the humans. Alex says he is not sure and Kyle responds "See, I guess what I have a problem with is that suddenly I'm a member of this club I never wanted to join. And as it turns out, this club has a striking resemblance to a chain gang". Just then, Alex's shovel breaks through to an underground cave which contains the crystals. He wants to go find the others and tell Max but Kyle wants to investigate. Not to be outdone by Kyle, Alex agrees and they throw their backpacks in and enter the cave. There are crystals everywhere and Kyle says "What do you suppose alien crystals are going for on E-bay?" Alex is uneasy being down there and suggests they leave but they are no longer able to - the crystals have blocked the opening. A little later in the day, and now raining, Liz and Tess and Max and Isabel return from their mutually unsuccessful explorations. They meet at the spot where Kyle and Alex were digging and notice the crystal protruding from the hole. Liz gets a call on her cell phone. It's Kyle calling from the cave beneath them. Max, Isabel and Tess try to use their powers to move the crystal blocking the entrance but are unsuccessful. Kyle is concerned because there is not that much air down there. Liz says they will get back to them and to "breathe shallow". Max suggests that Isabel go back to the UFO Centre to get some equipment. In the meantime, Max, Tess and Liz decide to try digging another hole. At the mansion, Maria is sitting on the pool side patio talking to Laurie's Aunt Meredith. Meredith tells her that they have power of attorney over Laurie because she is certifiable so Maria's knowledge of the deed means nothing. But Maria has been busy collecting more information and has found Meredith's chequebook register. She confronts her about the $1,000,000 cheque she wrote to Pinecrest Psychiatric Institute to get them to say Laurie was crazy. In Laurie's bedroom, Michael is taking credit for Maria's idea about checking the deed. Laurie is impressed with his ingenuity. Michael absentmindedly scratches his eyebrow and Laurie points out that Grandpa Dupree had the same habit as well as wearing a ring on the same finger. Michael asks "What was he like?" Laurie replies "A lot like you. Hard to read, lived in his own head". He was the only one in the family she felt safe with. She asks Michael if he would "like to meet him" and then takes him to their bomb shelter in back where Grandpa spent much of his time. His things are still there. She sniffs his shirt which still has the scent of Indian River pipe tobacco. Michael flips through his journal and finds drawings of big eyed aliens. Michael comments on them and Laurie says "Grandpa said they took him. He wouldn't talk about it. He'd just come down here to the bomb shelter and read for hours. It was his sanctuary. The older he got the more he wanted to know what really happened to him, so he started talking. Aunt Meredith and Uncle Bobby used it, to put him away". As Laurie is talking, Michael continues to flip through the journal, past drawings of spaceships and such. He stops at a page where the text is written in a spiral, just as Laurie finishes, and he says "It drove him crazy". Laurie responds "That's what I got from Grandpa. That and some bad blood". Michael asks "Bad blood?" and Laurie explains "A bad chromosome actually. It's what they call a recessive genetic defect". In realisation and under his breath, Michael says "That's why they want you". Laurie finds some of her grandmother's artefacts and Michael learns that her name was Ada Jane and that she too has passed away without Laurie meeting her. Being reflective, Laurie says "We can't fight who we are, Michael. You're Grandpa's legacy and I'm crazy". Michael gently takes her arms in his hands and turns her to look her straight in the eye. He says "You are not crazy. What happened to you was real. You have the right to live your life. Bobby and Meredith have tried to take that away from you, but it's yours. Just like this house is yours. Now look, I'm not what you would call an optimist. Life sucks, people suck, that's reality. But you're special. You're a good person and you deserve better than to be locked up in an institution because it's more convenient for your aunt and uncle. This is your life and this is your house. That evening at the UFO Centre, Isabel finds the equipment they need and starts to collect it. The kidnapper comes up behind her and places a chloroform soaked cloth over her mouth and nose. She struggles at first and then collapses. The kidnapper removes his ski mask - it's Grant. Grant is driving down the road with Isabel in the passenger seat, unconscious. He stares at her like he doesn't understand what is happening. Then, in an agitated state, he says "Things I know. 2 x 2 is 4, gato is Spanish for cat, my middle name is Ellis". He continues reeling off things he is sure to be true. Isabel stirs and then comes to. She looks at him and he says "I'm not doing so good Isabel. That agent, from the FBI…" Isabel interrupts with "Agent Duff?" He barks back "I know her name! OK? I know things!" Calming down, but still agitated, he continues "She said I went to Wyoming. She asked if I stole a gun there. I don't remember! When I try to remember, it just gets worse. You're the only one I trust Isabel. You have to help me". Isabel wants to help, but is also concerned by his agitated state. She suggests they pull over. He ignores her and says "How did I get shot?" Isabel replies "That was you". He continues "Why am I driving to Tucson? I don't know!" He pleads with Isabel once again to help him and then continues to reel off things he knows. Isabel looks on with concern, then asks "When did this all start happening?" He thinks it began last summer when he was digging out by Pohlman Ranch and found some crystals. Isabel tells him that his body has been taken over by the gandarium but he doesn't understand what she is taking about. He screams out "I don't know what that means! OK? I'm losing it here. Why is this happening to me? I'm a good person". Isabel agrees that he is a good person and he is somewhat comforted by that. Then he starts to shake, like he's fighting a compulsion to do something. He tells her "I'm suppose to kill you, but I don't want to. There's a cell phone in my coat pocket. Grab the phone Isabel, now". She does and he pulls over and screams at her to get out of the car. She doesn't want to but knows she must, so she reluctantly gets out, apologising to him. He drives off, leaving her standing in the rain. She uses the cell phone to call Jim. She is rambling but manages to tell him that Grant is the kidnapper, is possessed by the gandarium and is on his way to Tucson. He is concerned for her safety but she tells him she can handle herself and that he needs to get to Laurie's the quickest way possible. They lose their connection before he can get any additional information. Max, Tess and Liz are still digging in the pouring rain using the cars' headlights to see by. Alex and Kyle are singing "American Pie" to keep up moral. At the same time, Kyle puts some of the crystal in an empty bottle, lights a match, puts it in the bottle, puts the lid back on the bottle and says "Die, sucker, die". When the match burns out, the crystal starts to go crazy, bouncing off the sides of the glass bottle. Kyle and Alex look on in amazement. When the crystal dies, they call Liz on the cell phone. She deduces that the crystal died from suffocation when the match burned up all the oxygen in the bottle, therefore the gandarium cannot live without oxygen. Michael and Maria are lounging in luxurious robes by the pool side watching Laurie swimming in the heated pool. Maria comments on how happy Laurie now seems and asks what he said to her. He tells her he just listened to her, then asks Maria what he should call Laurie - granddaughter, DNA clone? Maria suggests sister. Michael wistfully replies "I have a sister. That is so weird". Maria fills Michael in on Meredith and Bobby's "evil" plan to trick Laurie out of her inheritance. Michael replies that they are "shallow, shallow people". The maid approaches and Michael tells her, "Carmen, I think it's kind of a Braveheart night and tell the kitchen we will be ready to dine about seven". Carmen delivers a cell phone to him on a tray and tells him he has a call. It's Max. Max tells Michael about being able to stop the gandarium by depriving them of oxygen. Michael tells him there are no gandarium were they are. Max asks "So Laurie is safe?" Michael replies "She is under my constant watch. I'm not even sleeping. How are things with you?" Max despondently replies "Tired. It's been a long couple of days". Michael cuts in "Yeah, tell me about it". Max continues "It's been raining pretty hard here, morale's a little low". Carmen delivers a portable DVD player, so Maria and Michael can watch Braveheart by the pool. Michael tells Max "Uh, Maxwell, I've gotta take another patrol around the perimeter". They disconnect and Michael calls after Carmen to bring them some more iced tea. Jim goes to the Sheriff's Station to see Agent Duff. He tells her that Grant is on his way to Laurie's and that they need to take a plane to beat him there. She wants to know how he knows this and he replies "Listen, we work together or we don't. You gotta trust me, we have to get to Tucson now". She agrees and starts to call the Arizona field office for back up. He stops her and says "Agent Duff, there's something that you need to know. Before this is over you may see some things that you won't be able to explain. As a matter of fact you won't want to. You told me once you appreciated honesty. Well here it is. If you tell the Bureau what we're about to do…you kill your career". She says "What are you talking about?" He replies "You gotta trust me. You gotta follow my lead and be very selective with what you put in your final report". He picks up the phone's receiver and says "Now get us a plane". Michael, Maria and Laurie are having dinner in the luxurious Dupree mansion dining room. Laurie says "This is the first time I've felt at home at this dinner table since my Grandfather died". Maria comments on how delicious everything is. Michael agrees but remarks that the chicken is rather small. Walking in at that moment Meredith disdainfully corrects him saying "It's not chicken, it's squab, stuffed with foie gras and black truffles in a pinot noir glaze". Bobby is appalled that they are using the good crystal to drink their root beers. Meredith tells them that although it is the staff's night off, she has asked them to prepare them a seven course meal in the hopes it will keep them from snooping around among her personal belongings. She and Bobby are going out for the evening. They leave and Maria rings the dinner bell for more service at the same time calling out for Carmen. There is no response from Carmen so Maria tells Michael to see what's the matter. He goes out to the kitchen and sees that Carmen's throat has been cut. Michael goes back to the dinning room, calmly walks over to Maria, takes her arm, lifting her from her chair and says "Get up". Walking her over to Laurie he says "Take her some place safe right now". Maria and Laurie immediately panic and Laurie whimpers "Oh my God. They're here?" Michael tries to calm her down then tells Maria once again to take her. Maria is reluctant to leave, asking what he is going to do. He firmly replies "Just go!" They take off and Michael walks back into the hallway and slowly walks towards the front foyer. He hears a noise behind him and retraces his steps. He stops at the end of the hallway and looks around. Grant shoots him and he goes down. Isabel is hitching a ride from a stranger and asking for a ride to Tucson. Maria and Laurie going to the bomb shelter and are having difficulty closing the door behind them because it is heavy and stiff from lack of use. Jim and Duff enter into the kitchen, guns drawn, and find Carmen's dead body, then going to the hallway they find Michael bleeding from his gun shot wound in the shoulder. Michael tells Jim "They're back there. Back there, go!" In the bomb shelter Maria and Laurie are still struggling with the door when Grant comes upon them. He pushes his way in, grabs Laurie and puts his gun to her head. Jim and Duff arrive and Jim says "Sorenson, you don't want to do this". Duff says "Put the gun down and step away from the girl". Laurie pleads to them "Don't let him put me back in the ground!" Duff repeats "Put the gun down now!" Grant, struggling with the compulsion to do Laurie harm, plaintively says "I wanna, but I can't! You have to stop me!" Jim says "Listen to me. We're gonna help you. I promise. Just put the gun down". Grant screams and grabs his head, releasing Laurie in the process. She falls to the ground and quickly crawls to Jim and Duff. Jim says "Good, now just drop the gun and everything will be all right". Grant is losing what little control he still has left and shouts back "No, no, no. You have to kill me!" Jim tries to calm him down by saying "Grant, I'm gonna help you. I promise, you can trust me". He lowers his gun and says "Look, I'm gonna walk over there, see?" Grant loses all control and raises his gun to fire. Duff fires first and Grant goes down. He falls onto a cot in the shelter. They tentatively approach him and are startled when the gandarium crystals burst out of his chest. The Queen, which looks like a flying jelly fish, emerges from the crystals and hovers over the body. They all stand there mesmerised by it. Michael arrives at the shelter and screams for them to get out now. He shuts the door behind them. Then he uses his powers to suck all the oxygen out of the room. Like the crystal in the bottle, the Queen starts bouncing off the walls. Jim asks "What did you do?" Wincing from the pain in his shoulder, Michael explains "Max said they need oxygen to live, so I just sucked all the air out of the room". Through the door's window,they watch as it makes a drive straight for them, splattering itself against the window. Laurie asks "So, it's over?" Jim replies "I guess that depends on what happens to the rest of the crystals". Alex and Kyle are lying on the floor of the cave contemplating their end. It's not how Kyle pictured it but Alex thinks it was a hell of a ride, saying "I mean, think about it. We not only met aliens but they killed us. How many people can say that?" Kyle replies "You're getting delirious, is that it?" Alex responds "Take a step away from you life, Kyle. I mean, you are part of this amazing thing, this amazing knowledge that you have that 6 billion people on this planet don't. You really want to step out of this cave if it meant you were gonna be another dumb jock?" Kyle replies "You know what, I wouldn't". The crystals start to drip on them and Kyle panics thinking they are attacking. Alex calms him down by explaining that they aren't attacking, they are dying. The crystals blocking the entrance drip away and they escape the cave to the cheers of Max, Liz and Tess. Liz asks what happened. Kyle replies "I'll tell you what must have happened. Since Alex and I figured out how to kill the Queen and Max told Michael, Michael must have killed the Queen. So the all crystals died and they fell on us cuz they're dead, which means we must have saved the world!" They all cheer and hug each other. Alex says "Which means our job is done and I need to take a shower". Liz says "Let's go home". Isabel enters the bomb shelter. Grant is still lying on the cot. She picks up a blanket and covers him with it. She stoops down next to the cot and half whispers "Oh God, I'm sorry. I'm just gonna sit here for a while. OK? Just sit here so you're not alone". Agent Duff is Jim's dining room sharing some scotch. Duff says "So it looks like I have two options. Tell the truth about everything I've seen or write a false report and commit a felony". Jim says "Not very attractive options". Duff agrees. Jim says "I always took a very legal approach to my job. If I couldn't put in a report or swear to it in a court of law, in my mind it never happened". Duff asks "Just walk away?" Jim replies "That would be my advice. Sometimes it's better just to walk away with your victories". Michael and Maria are in the Dupree kitchen. Maria is holding Michael's head in her hands as she gently kisses him on the forehead, nose and lips, while softly saying "My brave, handsome, hero". Michael winces and says "Wounded hero. I've got to get back to Roswell and let Max work on this shoulder". Maria replies "Whenever you're ready spaceboy". Michael wonders about asking Laurie to move in with him but then realises that being in close proximity to him would put her in danger from enemy aliens and she needs a respite from all that right now. He asks Maria "What's gonna happen to her? We can't leave her here with these freaks". Maria replies "Well that's something that we can handle. All we need is a lawyer". She gently kisses him again Thursday, 1 February 2001 The next day in the Dupree living room Maria and Michael watch Bobby and Meredith sign papers that hands the property back to Laurie. Later in Michael's apartment, he places a framed picture of Laurie on a shelf. Maria comes up to him and they hug each other. |
