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“How many times? How many times do I have to stand here and watch her suffer? But it’s okay, because we’ve got each other. And isn’t that enough?” he spat out, his sarcastic words slapping Michael in the face and causing the release of his arm. Max saw the pain he had inflicted upon his friend, his best friend, but he no longer cared. Not when Liz was hurting and crying because of him, because of who he was. He slid down the precipice, scratching his face and hands. He finally met up with Liz, curled up in a little ball, silent tears coursing down her face. Before he could reach out to her, she was on her feet again and scrambling away. “Wait, Liz!” he called, grabbing her arm and turning her to face him. “Let me go, Max. The least you can do is let me go,” she whispered, her voice hoarse from tears and anguish. “No, I can’t let you go. I’m not strong like you. I’m selfish and scared and incomplete without you,” Max replied passionately. He cupped her face with his hands, but she turned her head to avoid his gaze. She stepped back, her eyes still shut. He reached out a hand to caress her cheek again, and then she stared back at him. “Goodbye, Max.” And she was gone, slipping and sliding down the mountain, racing away to get away from the one person she wanted to be with forever. “NOOOOO!” His agonized cry reached her ears when she was near the bottom and the sheer force of it knocked her to her knees, hard. He vocalized what her heart was already feeling –– unbearable, body- destroying death. Bile rose in her throat and she retched beside her car as his tormented howls filled her head. This was not normal. This kind of pain was just not normal. Max felt two small arms wrap around his shoulders, urging him off the ground. He wrenched his body out of her damnable grip and turned to face her. Tess stumbled back at the look distorting his face, falling against Michael’s chest. Max advanced closer to her, paying no heed to his sister or his best friend. “Look at me, Tess,” he ordered, his voice deadly calm. “Look at me and tell me you want this. Look in my eyes and tell me that you didn’t mean for this to happen. LOOK AT ME, GODDAMN YOU!” His bellow caused her to bury her head in Michael’s chest. But Max would have none of it and he gripped her upper arm, jerking her to him. “Hey, back off, man,” Michael snarled, coming between them. “Now is that anyway to talk to your boss, Michael? Remember, you’re only second-in-command. I own you,” Max sneered at him. “Why you sonuvabitch!” Michael screamed as he threw his fist right into Max’s left eye. Max immediately landed a punch to his adversary’s stomach, causing Michael to double over. Max used this opportunity to push Michael backward into the unyielding ground. “Max!” his sister yelled, shocked by the display before her. “What? Just keeping everyone in line. You know me, the ‘leader,’” he mocked. Isabel stared at him wide-eyed before rushing over to Michael. Next he grabbed the cowering Tess and hauled her to his chest. “My lovely bride,” he said, stroking her face gently with the palm of his hand. She tensed for a second, but then relaxed at his tender touch. But when he reached the top of her face, he clutched the roots of her hair, yanking her head back roughly to stare at him. “Look in my eyes, Tess. Do you see the pain there? The hopelessness, the despair? It’s because the one person I’ve ever wanted, WILL ever want, just ran away from me,” he stated, peering coldly into her unearthly eyes. How had he not noticed the lack of feeling in them? Liz’s eyes were so expressive, so beautiful. This sniveling creature before him was pathetic and he wanted nothing to do with her. “But we can make it work, Max. Give me a chance, and you’ll see. I can make you love me,” she insisted, reaching up a hand to cup his face. But he knocked the disgusting show of affection away. “That’s right, you can MAKE me love you. You can do your fucked up mind games and make me seem to love you. But you will never hold my heart the way Liz does. I will never look at you the way I do at Liz, never think of you the way I think of Liz. I love Liz. I don’t even LIKE you. You disgust me and I wish you had never come here. You have brought me nothing but pain. You aren’t like me, Tess. You never will be. You and Nasedo –– two peas in a fucking pod, aren’t you? Or no, wait, that’s us. How do I even know that that’s true? How do I know that what we just witnessed, my mother, wasn’t just another one of your VISIONS? Stay away from me, Tess. I can’t stand to look at you,” he finished disgustedly. He shoved her away from him, but she launched herself back in his arms. “No, Max, we ARE meant to be. We are, you’ll see,” she pleaded desperately. “The only thing I see is someone who I wish didn’t exist.” Max turned to walk away, when Michael’s voice stopped him. He twisted to face him and saw Michael holding his cut lip. Max took all this in –– Michael’s injuries, Isabel’s worry, Tess’s tears –– and realized he didn’t give a damn. Everything that had happened to him in the last few days had numbed him of all feeling. Well, not totally devoid of feeling. He felt pain and he felt anguish, but above all, he still felt love for Liz. “You’re just gonna throw everything away, just like that? Didn’t you hear what’s happening? Our planet is fighting a war, and we have to help them!” Michael yelled angrily. Max stalked closer to his beaten friend. ““I didn’t ask for this! And I don’t want it. I’ve spent my entire life here and I happen to like it. I’m sorry if you don’t feel you belong here, but I do! This is my home, this is my life –– the only life I want.” “What? And you think I want this anymore than you do? I didn’t ask to fuck your sister,” Michael ground out between clenched teeth. “And I didn’t ask to fuck yours!” was the heated response. The two came nose-to-nose, seconds away from more punches being thrown. “Stop this, both of you!” Isabel cried, forcing herself between the stand-off. “This is crazy!” “No, you know what’s crazy, Isabel? What’s crazy is that our lives were fine, not perfect, but fine, before SHE showed up,” Max snidely indicated the sniffling blond. “And then she starts screwing everything up and all of a sudden, we’re at odds with one another and our entire lives are down the drain. So, thank you, Tess, I hope you’re happy.” Once he had finished speaking, Max looked at his sister and drew her into a hug. He squeezed her tight, whispered “I love you, Izzy,” and let her go. He cast glances at Michael and Tess, nodding to his friend and ignoring the feeble girl. Maybe they’d forgive him one day. But deep in his heart, he knew this wasn’t right. Max knew that what Tess had been saying all along wasn’t right. Liz was right. And she was the only right he ever wanted to know. So Max turned away from the three aliens and started the long way back to Roswell. To his true destiny. To his true HUMAN life. To Liz. ***** Pain. Searing, stabbing pain. It was all Liz felt. The pain in her sides from running so hard had begun to subside once she had started driving. But the agony in her heart was another matter completely. It made her gasp for one breath after another, stripping her mind of all coherent thought. Pain like this was not normal for a sixteen-year-old girl. Yes, she was supposed to fall in love, and she had. But leaving someone was not supposed to be this hard. She was not supposed to feel like the world had just stopped spinning on its axis and she was not supposed to feel like her heart had been savagely ripped out of her chest. Then again, she was never supposed to have fallen in love with an alien. But he wasn’t alien to her. Max Evans was the farthest from different. Except for his very distinctive eyes. His amazing, beautiful eyes. Eyes that transported from this temporal world to a world where the two of them could live together, in love and unchallenged. He was made for her, his humanity molded to complement hers perfectly. They had found their place in the universe –– together. *Oh, God, how could I have just done that?* she thought. *How could I have just walked away from him?* She was tempted to turn the car around and run back to him. She was wrong; she didn’t have to leave. They could work it out. She’’d do anything for him –– anything to keep him. She loved him. “My god, I love him,” she whispered in the silent confines of her car. The gravity of the situation came crashing down all around her and she finally had to pull over. The pain was spreading now. From her heart, throughout her entire body, until it was too intense to bear and she cried out in anguish. She shakily unfastened her seatbelt and brought her knees up to her chest, rocking herself side to side, trying to alleviate the agony tearing her body in half. ***I’’m not strong like you……*** “I’m not strong, damnit, Max!” she screamed, slapping her hand flat on the dashboard. “I’m not strong,” she repeated weakly. She brushed the tears from her eyes and craned her neck to look back at the cursed mountain, tall and leering at her. “Come save me, Max. I’m right here,” she whispered when she realized how little she had actually gotten from the base. Her unconscious desire for him still had stopped her from running away completely. Why wasn’t he running after her, declaring his love for her? *Because you wouldn’t let him* her mind mocked her. “I’m right here.” ***** Max hopped in the Jeep, hearing the engine kick to life. He sped past Izzy’s car and onto the highway. The tears streaming down his face made it hard to see and he swept them away harshly. No time for sorrow now, Liz was all that mattered. He was sure that if he could just see her again, talk to her one more time, he could convince her. Tess wasn’t his destiny –– Liz was. He knew it, Liz had to know it, too. And if she didn’t know, he’’d just have to show her. Their love had to be strong enough. Max didn’t know what he’d do if it wasn’t. He had barely driven any distance from the mountain when an excruciating flash of pain and suffering shot through him. The breath was forced from his lungs as millions of tiny knives stabbed him, piercing his heart. *Is this what death is?* he thought blankly as the anguish continued to invade his body, cell by cell. He was surely dying, as this type of torture was too intense to live through. Unbeknownst to him, Max stopped the Jeep on the side of the road in the exact same spot Liz had but five minutes earlier. He staggered out of the car and fell to his knees as another wave crashed over him. The instant he touched the ground, rapid visions played through his mind. Liz, crying. Liz, hurting. Liz, suffering. Max sobbed on the dusty ground, wrapping his arms around himself. The only one who could comfort him was speeding away as fast as she could. And here he was, paralyzed on the ground, powerless to stop her as the pain slowly but surely destroyed his body. ***** When he reached Roswell an hour later, he immediately went to the Crashdown. By this time, night had fallen, and he crept up to her balcony in the darkness. He found her on the chaise lounge. But instead of her usual writing, she was sitting Indian-style, head in hands and sobbing. Max was at her side at once, collecting her in his arms whispering soothing reassurances of their love in her ear. When she didn’t fight his strong embrace, he relaxed and let his tears flow freely, mixing with hers. The entire way from the desert, he hadn’t allowed himself to cry. He had been focused completely on getting her back, proving to her that their love was real. But his heart broke when she looked up at him and gently removed his hands from her body. “Please, Max,” she pleaded. “Please don’’t make this any more difficult than it is.” It took all of her willpower and resolve to refuse him again. However, in the hour she had sat here, she had thought. She had thought and thought and thought. She remembered all their times together, all the love they had shared. Every moment they had spent with each other had played a bittersweet production in her mind. But she had considered what she had witnessed that afternoon and come to realize that those memories are what she’’d have to cling to now. She had to let him go; what was happening to him was far bigger than she. He had to be set free to go forth in the plans laid out for him. But oh, God, it hurt. “No, Liz, *you* don’t make it any more difficult. It doesn’t have to be difficult at all. Please, don’t leave me. I need you,” he breathed, staring deep into her eyes, begging her to come back to him. “Max, this afternoon –– ” “This afternoon wasn’t something I want,” he cut her off. He placed a finger on her lips, silencing any further objections. “I promise you, Liz, I’d –– ” The mocking voice that spoke to them from the edge of the balcony caused both of them to spin around in shock. “You’d give it all up for her. Yes, we know.” ***** “You’d give it all up for her. Yes, we know.” The woman before Max and Liz was stunning. Her red hair was thick and long, waving over her slim shoulders. She was tall and thin, her relaxed stance clothed in a simple navy slip. The only thing marring her beauty was the look crossing her face. Her piercing blue eyes rolled in impatience and her countenance was one of irritation. Max sprung up, guarding Liz from this stranger. She didn’t appear dangerous, but neither had Topolsky. “Who the hell are you?” he asked angrily. How did she get up there without either of them noticing her? Liz stood up behind Max, peering over his shoulder at the intruder. The shock of the woman’s appearance caused both of them to forget their current situation and Max reached his hand back as Liz brought hers up to meet it in reassurance. “Oh, sit down, you two. I’m not here to hurt you,” the woman said exasperatedly as she pushed off the railing and strode toward them. Her movements startled Max and he stepped forward to stop her from coming near Liz. However, she waved him away as she came to stop directly in front of them. “Shut up and sit down, Max. Do I really look that dangerous to you?” “How do you know my name?” he cried. A sardonic smile curled her full lips and she hoisted herself onto the edge of the wall. As she moved to sit, she suddenly lost her balance and started to fall. Instinctively, Max rushed toward her. But the woman righted herself, halting Max’s advance, and regarded him deliberately. “See, you trust me. On some level, you recognize me, Max. And you know, it took you damn long enough,” she muttered. She switched her gaze to the pretty girl behind her protector. “You do, too, Liz.” “Okay. First off, who the hell are you? Secondly, how do you know our names? Thirdly, why on earth would we recognize you? I’ve never seen you before in my life,” Liz replied, agitated. “Well, *first off*,”” the woman mocked, “you can call me Joan. More on that later. *Secondly*, I know your names because I’ve dealt with you before. More on that later. *Thirdly*, ‘why on earth’ would you recognize me? Interesting choice of words, Liz. You wouldn’t recognize me on THIS earth. But you have seen me before in your life. Just not one that you remember,” Joan finished. The two teens sat down simultaneously. “Excuse me?” Joan sighed. You know, you’d think after all this time, they’d remember. But no, same reaction, without fail. “Let’s keep an open mind, shall we, kids? Do recall that Max here is an alien, so the possibilities are endless.” When he opened his mouth to object, she shushed him, “Do you want to know or not? God knows *I’ve* been through this enough.” Both of them nodded, gazing warily at her. Joan took another deep breath and got comfortable, readying herself for the long explanation. “Okay, you exist on this earth, in this time, in this life. Well, that’s all good and well, but there have been countless other Max Evanses and Liz Parkers on countless other earths, in countless other times, in countless other lives. Don’t ask me why, but you two were chosen, long ago, to……well, to be concise, to save the earth. Your earth. Only, you’ve never gotten it right. And *trust me* you’ve had plenty of opportunities. So, you keep coming back, I keep coming back, we all keep coming back. I –– ” “Wait, why don’t you just tell us how to get it right?” Joan shot him a withering look. “I don’t take interruptions, hon. All will be revealed in time,” she said, spreading her arms open wide. Then she sobered and lowered her arms before continuing. “Anyway, as I was saying, you’ve never gotten it right. And I can’t tell you how to *get* it right, because I don’t know. See……how to put this, how to put this? I’m from a different galaxy all together. And when I was a kid, which was so long ago, I don’t even want to think about it, when I was a kid, I starting playing around with my ‘gifts’ as you all call them. And, well, I kinda blew up our neighboring planet. Apparently, that’s taboo in intergalactic politics,” she smiled sheepishly. “But since I am royalty, they couldn’t just kill or exile me. So, I got stuck with you two, only they never told me the secret that would save your planet and unlock me from this godawful prison. I thought it was a one time deal, you know, take on a human form, talk to you two, save your planet. But oh no, they had to choose the two people who can’t get it right.” “Well, look, I’m sorry if –– ” Max interjected indignantly, but Joan cut him off. “Chsh! What are you doing? We’’ve been over this; I talk, you listen,” she sighed as she rubbed her eyes wearily. You blow up one planet and all hell breaks loose. “You know, I really like it better when Liz is the alien. She’s so much more reasonable.” “What! I’m not an alien!” Liz cried. Oh. My. God. This is what hell is. I’m stuck in the Roswell spin cycle. Over and over and over. “Yes, we know. This time, you’re not. Follow me, okay?” she asked edgily, snapping her fingers in their faces. “Look at me. I’m a woman, right?” They nodded their heads. “WRONG! This is the form I’ve taken to make it easier for you to understand. You, too, are just ‘essences’ in human bodies. It’s Buddhist reincarnation in a way. Buddha. I loved that fat little man,” she said, casting her eyes away dreamily. Soon, she shook her head, focusing her attention back to the teens before her. “Anyway, your ‘souls’ –– you two like that idea *a lot* –– are reborn each time you fail. The bodies you take do not matter, however, and sometimes your essences switch in an attempt to complete the mission correctly,” she finished. Max and Liz glanced at each other as the seriousness of the situation washed over them. For all Joan’s wit and sarcasm, the notions she was conveying to them were significant and solemn. Max brought his hand up to Liz’s cheek as he peered in her eyes, connecting with her, sans visions –– purely emotional. She smiled softly at him and leaned her forehead against his. She felt his breath hot on her skin and she reached her own fingers up to trace his jaw. His eyelids fluttered shut and the whisper of his lashes tickled her face. ““Max……” Joan watched the two connecting before her. Their hearts were remembering what their temporal minds could not. She stole a glance at her watch and saw the time was drawing near. Clearing her throat, she brought their attention back to her. “Look, I know you have more questions, so let me help you understand all you can. I want this more than you do. You may not remember the past times, but I do. I’ve lived this too many times and I’m tired. I want to go home. I want to *stay* home. I want to be able to hug my family again and know that I won’t suddenly be catapulted through space to send you on your merry, futile way. I want it to end.” They were taken aback by her impassioned speech and they considered thoughtfully. “How do you know we have more questions?” Liz asked softly. Joan rolled her eyes. “I know everything about you. I could recite *this*” she waved her hand between herself and the two seated before her, “in my sleep. I know the questions you’re going to ask before you ask them. I know what you’re going to say before you say it.” Her eyes saddened and she had to look away again. “I know what’s going to happen……” “How many times have we done this?” Max inquired hesitantly. He had seen the flash of pain in her eyes, heard the longing to be home once again. He knew those feelings all too well, and he had only had to deal with them for ten years. This woman –– whoever or whatever she was –– had had to deal with them for much, much longer. “Too many. If I told you, you couldn’t comprehend it,” she replied, stronger now. Weakness had no place here; now was a time for revelation, for discovery. She had to tell them all she could, so that, maybe, they could free her from this hell. “How old are you?” Max asked, trying a different route. Perhaps years would allow for better understanding. Joan cocked her eyebrows at him. “Don’t you know it’s not polite to ask a woman her age?” she sang. They laughed and Max threw back at her, “Yeah, but you’re not a woman, you just told us you’re an *essence*.” She sprung off the wall, dancing around them, eyes glittering. “Ah, yes, but I could be. I can be anyone I want. How ‘bout……Queen Elizabeth?” she posed to them, waving her hands over her clothes and immediately taking on the attire and countenance of the great queen. Liz gasped at the transformation. Joan chuckled and sashayed her full skirt. “Oh, the Queen. Dear, sweet woman. Had a wicked sense of humor, too.” They laughed along with her and she changed again. She struck a pose in front of Max and asked him who she was now. “Joe DiMaggio,” he whispered in awe. The greatest baseball player in history was standing before him. This little trick of Joan’s was so cool! Liz squealed. “Sexy!” she cried. Max turned to her, hurt and giving her his little boy look, and she pecked him on the lips to pacify him. Then she realized what she had done and she turned away. No matter what Joan told them, it didn’t take away this afternoon. She was still upset and she had still walked away from him. Joan noticed the tension between them and changed back to her original form. In doing so, she caught a glimpse of her watch. Soon. Max cleared his throat and broke his gaze from Liz, looking back at Joan. “So, why this? Do you always look like this, when you come to see us?” She shook her head. “No, sometimes I’m different. Sometimes I’m a man. It depends on my mood. But lately, I’ve been a woman because I like the name. Joan. You know, like ‘of Arc,’ the messenger. That girl was a brave one, and I’ve always admired her. I’’m *your* messenger.” Liz cracked a smile and she refocused on the woman perched atop the wall. “So, I don’t get it. You know all these people, Joan of Arc, Buddha, Queen Elizabeth –– ” “Don’t forget Napoleon. Real charmer, that sexpot,” she laughed. Rolling her eyes, Liz continued, “So, does that mean that Max and I existed in past time periods? Or what? I’m a little confused.” Joan nodded. “I understand. No, you two did not live in ancient times. The world progresses as it does, from the dinosaurs to now. The events that happen, occur as they do, because they lead to your lives. Everything that takes place before you is for a reason, as it contributes to this exact moment. Nothing ever changes, for if it does, you would not exist. The only way anything can change is if *you* change,” she explained. “From the dinosaurs to now? That’s, that’s like millions of years, though!” she exclaimed. “I know,” Joan stressed. “Trust me, I know. See, the time frames between your planet and mine are much, much different. So, I don’t know when I’ll get flung back home. I never know when I’ll come back either. It just happens, so sometimes you’re here, sometimes you’re not. If you are, I relay my message, and inevitably see the end of the world. If you’re not, then I hang out and chill with your history lesson.” The mirth of the last sentence went over the two youth’s heads, as the ‘end of the world’ statement rang in their ears. Max unconsciously took Liz’’s hand and leaned forward. “The end of the world. What’s it –– what’s it like?” he asked brokenly. Joan licked her lips and sat in silence for a while. No matter how many times she told it, it never got any easier. “The end of the world is nothing. It’s like walking off the edge of a cliff and never hitting the bottom. It’s a warped rabbit hole, but you never catch the white rabbit. It’s falling asleep and never waking up. It’s not spectacular and it’s not loud. There’s a moment of silence across the world, everyone draws a collective breath, trying to postpone the inevitable, and then the lights turn out. And I sit here in the darkness, waiting. Your culture says you know at the end. You know you’re going to die and your life flashes before your eyes. It’s not true. You never know……But I do. I’m always here and I always live. I know. I see it. Everytime. I know,” she whispered, her voice cracking as the despair of incalculable years spent watching death, but never being able to experience the release herself, swept over her. Each time, she prayed. ‘Let me die, too. Let me go. I don’t want to live it again. If I never see my family again, it will be worth it, because at least I won’t have to experience this devastation again and again and again.’ They were silent as Joan’s narrative sank through their bodies, ricocheting through their minds. Tears streamed down Liz’s face as she imagined the horror of living through the end of a world repeatedly. Max saw her tears and he wrapped her in his arms, comforting her with his embrace. She pushed away her thoughts of that afternoon and she collapsed into his body, her frame wracked with sobs. He smoothed her hair, whispering reassurances in her ear. Reminding her of his love, of their love. His declarations conjured up images of Tess and Max’s destiny, but right now, more than anything, all she wanted was his comfort. So she curled closer to his body and buried her face in his neck, squeezing her eyes shut from the disturbing descriptions of the end of her world. Joan cast a sympathetic eye toward the pair. But in the silence, she could hear the noise of the second hand as it……tick……tick……ticked its way around the face. Almost time. Tick……tick……tick…… Joan drew in a breath and looked back at the distraught pair in front of her. “Listen, I’m sorry, I know it’s a lot to take in all at once. But we really do need to talk. You need to understand a few things.” “Like what?” Liz asked, bringing her head up from Max’s chest and scrubbing her cheeks dry. She tried to pull away from him, but he kept his arm firmly wrapped around her shoulders. He buried his face in her hair, dropping a kiss on the top of her head. Sighing, he brushed his lips against her temple and then turned to face Joan. She regarded both of them and their embrace. Max’s arm was draped around Liz, his body slightly in front of hers, still trying to protect her. She was tense in his hold, but that was from her own doubts that stormed in her eyes. Joan could sense the implicit faith Liz actually had in Max and his intentions regarding her. She just couldn’t admit it to her conscience right now. Knowing she was about to broach a sensitive topic, Joan shifted a bit on the wall and then met their inquisitive stares head on. “I know what happened this afternoon,” she began. Liz stiffened at her words and they avoided each other’’s eyes. “Look at me, you two. Think about it –– if Tess was really Max’s destiny, don’t you think I’d be talking to her? But she’s not. You are, Liz, and deep down you know that. You’ve always known, but you don’t want to allow it, because this way is safer. You don’t get hurt this way.” “Don’t get hurt! I’ve never hurt more in my life!” Liz broke in, her eyes shining with tears. Max looked down at her sadly, his own heart breaking. He knew; he knew that he was destined to be with Liz, and it hurt to see her reaction. The barely disguised anguish marring her beautiful face was almost more than he could bear. He hugged her tighter to him, trying to comfort both of their inner turmoil. “Yes, you hurt now, but you reason that it would hurt less for you to walk away than to watch Max walk away. You think –– ” “I would never walk away from you,” Max whispered earnestly, turning away from Joan to face Liz. He gripped her chin gently in his hand, tilting her face to meet his gaze. “I would never leave you.” Liz’s heart was being pulled in two opposite directions. One way was toward Max, his love and devotion to her. She could see it swimming in his eyes, pleading with her to love him back. All the desire and pure adoration her felt burned his eyes a molten ebony. She could see it, and she knew. But the other way was just as compelling. No matter what Joan had told them, they had all seen Max’s mother today. The prophecy still held true. Liz opened her mouth to remind both of them of that fact, but Joan cut her off. “Yes, Liz, his mother was real. His planet is fighting a terrible, bloody war. Thousands have died. And you are the key to their salvation. Just as Max is essential to saving this earth. You two must work together to save both your planets. But it is you two that must fight, not Tess and Max. Your souls are of different essence; Max and Tess’s are the same. That is why your mother told you of your destiny, Max. On your planet, they believe you two are to be betrothed. But you and Liz were chosen before your planet even existed for this daunting task. And this supercedes your planet’’s choice. It’s you and Liz, Max. It’s always been you two.” Her words of promise and revelation shot ribbons of joy and bliss into the hearts of the two lovers. They turned to each other once more, smiles shining through their tears of happiness. Max cupped Liz’s face in his hands, softly stroking her cheeks as he gazed into her loving eyes. A silent communication passed between them, sealing their existing love and adding to their preordained connection. Liz placed her hands on his neck, leaning her face to his. Their breath swirled in front of them, drying one another’s tears with the soft exhalations. Max hesitantly lowered his lips to hers, brushing the sweetest kiss onto her waiting mouth. Both their hearts swelled at the fiery contact, which sent shockwaves through their bodies. This was right. The two of them together was right. Joan averted her eyes from the display of reconciliation and love. She checked her watch again. Too soon, her mind screamed at her. It’s too soon. They don’t know enough yet. Just when she was about to say something, Liz broke away from Max and glanced back at Joan. “There’s more, isn’t there?” she asked matter-of-factly. Max looked at her surprised, but Joan nodded solemnly. By allowing her heart to open up to Max’s, Liz had also unlocked the connection. She could read some of the thoughts running from Joan to the couple. It wasn’t complete or very clear, but the two women could communicate on a different plane now. It had sure scared the hell out of Joan when Liz had first done it, but now she could expect it like everything else. “Now, Tess may not be Max’s intended mate, but do not discount her under any circumstances. She was selected to be his wife, a high position on his planet, as you are the leader, Max. But Tess’s family has a dark history; their roots go back to the first resistance fighters. They are a sinister group who defy the authority and guidance of our competent and brave officials. They are the ones who started the war and they are the ones responsible for all the death. Your people are a peaceful one and they abhor death and devastation. They refuse to fight back, the reason for the large-scale destruction.” Max looked sickened at the thought and he tightened his grip on Liz’s hand. She squeezed back, offering her support as he asked the question that had been on his mind since the beginning of Joan’’s explanation. “When our planet ends and begins again, does that –– does my planet die, too? Do they start over?” he asked her in a soft voice. Joan closed her eyes in anguish. She had seen the desolation wreaked upon his planet. It was horrible, a sight she never wished to behold again. The images she had seen were emblazoned into her mind, reminding her everyday of the urgency to be successful here on this earth. She kept her eyes shut as she whispered, “No. They don’t start over. The war continues each time you fail.” As Max’s choked sob tore through the air, Joan was quick to add, “But it didn’t start until recently. Your people have put down opposition in the past, but this is too damaging and they can’t. I thought they would persevere again, but they haven’t, and that’s why your mother has come to you. When she first appeared, I thought maybe you would get it right, since her apparition was different from occurrences in the past. But it ended the same, and the war has been fighting ever since. But Max, you must not give up hope. Your people are still numerous, much larger than the resistance. And they are strong and resolute in their beliefs. They can survive……with your help.” “But you just said that they’ve been fighting for a while now. If I was to help them, then I should have been able to do so then, the first time my mother appeared. Why would now be any different?” he inquired desperately. For the first time in several minutes, a genuine smile crossed Joan’s face, lighting up her entire countenance. She eased off the wall and knelt before them. “Because, you said something today that I’ve never heard you say before. Tess is the descendent of a resilient strain of rebels. But they were smart in their planning and they left her to be adopted after her birth. She was taken in by a wealthy and powerful family, a family close to yours. That is how she became betrothed to you. A marriage between you two would bring about the guaranteed extermination of your people, a fact counted on by her own family. But you said something to her today when she told you to give her a chance. She said you’d see that you were meant to be and you said –– ” “And I said all I saw was someone I wish didn’t exist,”” Max finished quietly. Liz looked at him in shock, surprised at his harsh words and his complete disregard for his destiny. He gazed down at her with serious eyes, allowing her to see that he had, in fact, meant the words. Joan nodded excitedly, her red hair swinging over her shoulders. “Yes! You’ve never said that before. And when you declared your disregard for her, and your choice to be with Liz, it set forth a series of events that cannot be stopped. And I think it’s the key to your survival, for the continued existence of this planet.” Liz’s eyes widened at the proclamation of hope. “What? What’s happening?” Joan stole another glance at her watch and saw that the time had come. “What day is today?” she asked them, knowing full well what the date was. They regarded her curiously, but glimpsed down at their wrists anyway. Liz’s watch wasn’t digital, but Max’s was and he saw the date lit up by the dim green light. “Saturday.” “No, the date,” Joan stressed. He looked again, noticing it was after midnight so it wasn’t Friday the sixteenth anymore, and replied, “June 17th. Why?” She peered up into their anxious eyes from her position on her knees before them. She only had one more question, and then they would know. “What happened nine months ago?” Liz did the simple calculation in her head and voiced it out loud, “September 17th.” A look of recognition settled on her face and she gasped out loud. “Oh, my god, the day I was shot……” Max swiveled his head between Liz and Joan, his eyes wide with shock. Joan smiled at him, taking both their hands. “Tell me what’’s significant about nine months on this planet,” she urged quietly. Liz shot up from her seat, leaving Max staring after her and Joan still kneeling on the hard floor. “I am not pregnant!” she exclaimed. “We haven’t even had sex!” Joan tried to hide a smile at the girl’s vehemence and motioned Liz to come back and sit down. She did, taking refuge in Max’s strong arms. He still had slightly dazed look on his face, as though the proceedings that were taking place right before him were too surreal to be accepted as true. “You know that really bad joke about how do aliens mate on their planet……with a handshake?” she inquired. At the horrified looks that streaked across their faces, she shook her head and amended, “Sorry. Not a time to be joking. But it’s not that far off from what actually happened. When Max healed you that day in the diner, Liz, your souls intertwined and in the process, remembered the mission you two were given –– ” “ I didn’t ask to be given this! I didn’t ask to be impregnated at the age of sixteen by……by……a touch from a guy whose planet is fighting a war that I’m the key to stopping!” Liz interjected heatedly, her words tumbling from her mouth in a continuous string, attempting to deny what was being presented to her. Max waved off Joan’s effort to pacify his obviously shaken girlfriend, if that’s even what she was anymore. What do you call someone who is the other half of a supernatural-alien-soulmate- mission and the salvation for your planet? ‘Honey’ didn’t seem quite strong enough. “Liz, look at me,” he coaxed quietly, capturing her chin in his warm, gentle hand and tilting her head to face his. “Please, baby, don’t shut me out. I don’t know what’s happening, but I need you to help me. I can’t do this alone,” he whispered passionately, gazing down into her shimmering eyes. She bit her lip as she met his eyes, trying desperately to keep her tears from overflowing down her cheeks. She buried her head in his neck and he brought his hands up to stroke her glossy hair. “I’m scared, Max. But I can’t do this without you. I……I love you,” she murmured into his neck, her words muffled but ringing startlingly clear in his ears. He drew back from her and searched her eyes for confirmation of what she just declared. She nodded silently in response to his unasked question, cupping his wet cheeks with her hands. He brought his head down to meet hers in an intense kiss, all thoughts of Joan and missions and planets in danger of extinction gone. “I love you, too,” he breathed against her lips, their tears mixing between them. It had only been days since he had last said it to her in that dilapidated car, but so much had happened since then. He couldn’t believe that she still loved him after everything with Tess and his mother, and now with Joan and her message for them. Needing her to know the depth of his feelings for her, he whispered the profession again and again as their mouths crashed together in expression of their love. “I love you, I love you so much.” Joan watched them from the wall to where she had retreated when they had first started comforting each other. She knew it was a lot for them to accept all at once, but it had to be this way. And there was still more for them to learn. Walking over to them, she hesitantly placed a hand on each of their shoulders, breaking them out of their oblivion. “We need to talk more,” she reminded them softly. They nodded and Max leaned in for one last kiss before turning his attention back to Joan. The way his hand naturally found Liz’s did not escape unnoticed by Joan and though she was happy for them, it saddened her as well. Would she ever find her soulmate? Or had she already been written off as a lost cause? The acuteness of her despair and desolation stabbed her sharply in the chest and she squeezed her eyes shut against the pain. Max and Liz looked at each other warily as the woman who held all the answers to their success crumpled before them. She reached behind her and braced herself on the wall as the emotions she had tried to block for so long came crashing back over her. The physical pain wracking her body was nothing in comparison to the mental pain of knowing that she had a family hundreds of constellations away that loved her. Her people were a fiercely proud one, and Joan knew that if she ever hoped to see her father again, she would have to succeed here. Then, when all the sins of antiquity were absolved……then she could go home. And stay there for good. Max stood and extended a hand to the woman whose head was bowed in evident anguish. He wanted to help her, but he didn’t know how. The whole time Joan had been talking to them, never had she shown this extent of weakness. Her comments to them were flip and said with an air of levity. But not now. Not when she was clutching her chest, trying to alleviate a pain that originated from across the universe. She finally opened her eyes and looked at them apologetically. “Sorry about that. When you’re my age, you get some weird aches and pains at the oddest times,” she joked, trying to avoid the looks they were both giving her. Max cast her one final look of worry, but settled back next to Liz, acknowledging that Joan didn’t want to talk about it. She smiled her appreciation, and continued, “When you so callously dismissed Tess and chose Liz of your own complete free will, you accepted the child that was conceived nine months ago when you connected to Liz. You dissolved the bond between you and Tess with your wish for her nonexistence. Every time before, you followed the destiny that was presented to you, and the baby died. This time, however, with your words to Tess, you chose the life that the stars chose for you so long ago. Your life with Liz and your baby. Yes, Liz, you *are* pregnant. And your child is the key to everything.” The young girl gasped, protectively covering her stomach with one hand. Joan knelt in front of her, placing her own palm over Liz’s. “There is a child growing in you. She is the key to his planet’s redemption,” she said, indicating Max and his origin. “But for now, for your planet’s survival, it is up to the two of you. And I’m sorry, but I don’t know how to do it. I can’t tell you how to save your planet. It’s a knowledge that only you two know.” “We know it? Then how come we can’t use it?” Liz asked. Joan shook her head in frustration. “I don’t know. All I know is that you two are armed with a knowledge stronger than any the Pentagon or the UN possess. You two have the ability to save a planet within your grasp. But I can’t tell you what I don’t know. And I don’’t know how to tap into this knowledge, nor how to use it. I’m sorry,” she whispered in defeat, casting her eyes down on the floor. She moved to take her hand away from where it covered Liz’s on the girl’s stomach, but she felt a stronger hand cover both women’s, halting her withdrawal. “How can you be sorry? You’ve given us everything. You’ve given us a chance. You’ve shown us so much, explained so much. You may not know, but we do. We have this information inside us and I know that my love for Liz and her love for me will save us. I know that what I feel for her could save the entire universe. She’s my world, and if we have to save our physical earths, then I know we can. Together. You gave us that,” Max replied, his voice wrought with emotion. After he finished his speech, he gazed down at where all three hands were congregated on Liz’s abdomen. A faint light emanated from the entwined grip, illuminating all three faces. “That’s never happened before,” Joan breathed, her eyes trained on the phenomenon before her. She shifted her look to the two pairs of eyes above her. “Maybe I *can* help,” she said determinately. The teens stared at her, and their expressions of trust prompted Joan to forge ahead. “Give me your hands,” she ordered, raising off her knees and pulling them up with her. Once she had one of each of their hands in both of hers, she smiled. The same light encased their clasped fingers. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, allowing the words of a life previous to fill her mind and speak through her mouth. “Your souls met before time began. You recognized the other as a kindred spirit, sealing your fate. You became one in a realm that you could never imagine, as it is the domain of origination. Time and space separated your bond, but never broke it. Forever and always, you were connected, as you are still connected now. Then in this dimension, your souls met again and became reacquainted. They joined once more, recalling a mission with which they were entrusted when you first met in that initial beginning. The temporal bodies you now inhabit are nothing more than physical demonstrations of what your souls already know. Max and Liz, you are one. Let the love between you hold strong in the face of adversity, protecting the awesome union that exists in this world and all others.” Joan paused and pressed Max and Liz’s hands together, enveloping them with her own. “May your love be your salvation.” Her words swirled around Max and Liz, but they were indistinct. However, the lovers understood the meaning of her narrative, as they joined each other in that place where they first met. Their souls came together, and the two teenagers were awestruck as they observed the complete beauty of the joining. Their mortal bodies were left behind as they were propelled through time and dimensions to witness the convergence of their souls. The heavens exploded and the stars swelled with elation as they claimed their rightful place in the universe –– together. Joan watched them, and took their slightly smiling, closed-eye faces as a sign that it had worked. What she had just performed was a ritual that she hadn’t even remembered until tonight. It was a ceremony celebrated on her planet, as well as others, for the marriage of two souls. And because it was the unification of souls, it was not a marriage in a contemporary sense. This bond transcended a contractual connotation; it was, instead, the binding of heart and essence that could never be dissolved. Max and Liz gradually came to, and Joan released their hands. She stepped back from them, allowing their joined grip to hover in the air between them. As their eyes slowly opened, a look of sheer contentment washed over their countenances. Max was the first to recover from the humbling experience. He stepped toward Liz, wrapping her body in his arms. Tipping his head down to place a chaste kiss on her lips, he whispered, “I love you so much. You are amazing, and I love you.” Liz smiled shakily at his declaration, still overwhelmed from what she had just witnessed. The scientific, logical part of her argued that everything she had heard tonight wasn’t possible; that what she just underwent didn’t really happen. But then Max’s hand drifted to her stomach, grazing the spot where he had healed her nine months before and she could swear that she felt a baby growing inside her. “No, Max, *we* are amazing. And I love you,” she breathed reverently. She covered his hand with her own, sending waves of love to their baby inside her. He locked eyes with her, an expression of utter awe crossing his face. The tears streaming down her face blurred his image, but when he reached forward to capture her lips in a kiss full of promise, she realized that he was silently crying tears of joy as well. Joan leaned back against the wall, her breath coming in short spurts. It had taken a lot out of her to relinquish herself to the ritual, allowing the ancient wisdom to speak through her mouth. She could feel her essence fading inside her, and she knew that she didn’t have much longer. If they did not succeed this time, she would die in the limbo between this planet and hers, never seeing her family again. But she could not tell them that, as they had enough pressure as it was. She watched them with sad eyes, her heart smiling, yet unable to produce one on her face. This time was completely different; she had never done the ritual before, amongst the other unusual happenings that took place today. Maybe Max was right. Maybe she had given them a chance. She prayed that a chance would be sufficient enough to save the planet. For this was their last opportunity. The two lovers finally broke apart, gazing at Joan with happy eyes. Liz reached forward with one hand, saying, “Thank you, Joan. Thank you.” She didn’t need to clarify. All three knew exactly what she meant. Six hands clasped together for a final embrace. The connection between them opened up, and Joan saw for the first time what the ritual consisted of. It brought tears to her eyes as she reveled in the beauty that was presented to her. They *had* to be successful. There was so much magnificence to live for. Joan finally stepped back, composing herself. The next words out of her mouth were the toughest she had had to say all night. She had just given them the world and now she was taking it all away. “I’m sorry, but you only have until sunrise,” Joan warned them, her voice barely above a whisper. “Sunrise!” Max exclaimed, tightening his grip on Liz’s hand. “That’’s……that’s too soon!” She nodded, her eyes apologizing. “I know, I’m sorry. I don’t know why, but it has to be this way. I’m so sorry, it’s up to you now.” Stepping forward, she clasped their joined hands in hers once more. However, no light emanated forward, the absence of illumination also darkening her essence. She raised her tearful eyes to them, knowing they were going to fail and she was never going to see her family again. Her temporal heart faltered in her chest, reflecting the weakness of her essence. “Good luck,” she choked out, before dropping their hands and disappearing over the ledge. Liz rushed to the ladder, but Joan was gone. She turned back to Max, the tears running freely now. “I just got you back, Max. I can’t lose you again.” He drew her into his arms, breathing softly into her hair. The strong presence of his embrace calmed her gradually, his gentle words soothing her anguish. “You never lost me, Liz. I’ve always loved you.” His hand slid down her abdomen, coming to rest over her womb. He pulled back from her face, searching her eyes and trying to relay his feelings to her with his expression. Seeing that she was too distraught for a connection, he whispered softly, “And now we have a baby together. God, Liz, a child! I don’t think I’ve ever been happier than I am in this moment.” She buried her face in his neck, the scent that was only his wafting to her nose, causing the raging emotions within her to subside. But then Joan’’s parting caveat came back to her, triggering new waves of apprehension to crash through her system. “What time is it?” she asked quietly, dreading the answer. Max glanced at his wrist resting on her back, grimacing at what he saw. “It’s one-thirty, baby. We have a little more than five hours.” The expected cry did not come forth, and he looked down in surprise at her. Liz was staring resolutely up at him, the determination set in her face. “I don’t know about you, Max, but I just found out that I’m pregnant. I have a baby and I have you. I have too much to lose for this not to work. I don’t know how we’re going to do it, but damnit, Max, we’re going to succeed. You chose me and our child this time. And I choose to live.” Her impassioned declaration sparked new resolve in him. They had too much to fight for. He would do whatever it took to save Liz’s earth……their world, the only place he’d ever known to call home. But the confusion of where to begin crept back up to the fore and he looked down at her with worried eyes. “What are we going to do, though? Where do we start? We have no idea of what to do,” he said despondently, the fear wavering through his voice. His anxiety was reflected in her eyes and she tried to hide her tears in his collar. He stroked her back for a while, trying to suppress the urges that had swirled around his body since the awesome experience that had bound them together. He grew angry with himself for feeling this way, when she was sobbing in his arms. The worry was still ever-present in his mind, but these yearnings were strong……chemical. When she lifted her head to place a reassuring kiss on his lips, he responded in kind, breaking away after a few glorious moments. He searched her eyes, pleading with her to see past the obvious implications of what he was about to say. “I’ve loved you forever, Liz. But we don’t know what we’re doing, much less how to go about doing it right. And I don’t want to die not knowing what it’s like to love you completely. Let me love you, Liz.” The recognition dawned in her eyes and she nodded, her eyes flashing with new desires. She silently led him to the window, entering first and then holding her hand to draw him inside. They halted by her bed, and she gazed at it before raising her head and meeting his eyes. He was unprepared for the emotions clashing in her expression, her eyes storming with ebony waves of uncertainty, love, fear, desire, and trust. Tilting his head down to meet her willing lips, he captured her mouth in his as he laid her gently down on the mattress, following her with his own body. She broke away from the heated kiss, regarding him deliberately. “We did it your way before, and I’m pregnant with our child. We have five hours until my world either lives or dies. It’s my turn, Max. Love me *our* way, let our humanity save *our* world.” ***** The stars shone on them as they lay there, tangled in the sheets of Liz’s bed. Neither one wanted to face the reality that awaited them, now that they had loved each other fully. Their hands were in constant motion, tracing each other’s body, as they tried to stave off the sleep that threatened to seize them. Max’s voice finally cut through the stillness, “Do you have any ideas, Liz? Because frankly, I have no clue as where to turn.” The silence settled back around them, as she contemplated their options. An idea that had teased her mind since Joan had revealed their mission to them started to grab onto the edges of her cognizance and pull itself up to be heard. She gasped as images surged through her mind, the past nine months showing itself in startling clarity. She spoke slowly, trying to sort all the memories filling her head. “Well, it all started when you saved me. You connected with me, and our child was conceived. I learned about you, and everything has stemmed from that,” she explained, staring up at the ceiling as she allowed more images to show her the way. Max propped himself up on one elbow, watching her in astonishment and listening carefully to her words, as they started to fall into place. She turned to him abruptly, regarding him closely. “I think we have to go back there. Back to where it all began,” she stated matter-of-factly. The fear that had accompanied the events on the day in September came back to Max, and his heart tightened in remembrance. He cupped her face reverently, whispering, “I don’t know if I can see you……like that, again. It just about killed me last time.” Her smile reflected the brilliance of the stars. “Actually, I believe I was the one who almost died,” she reminded him wryly, but he didn’t return her smile. Instead, he lay there, stroking her face with his hand. His eyes gazed down into hers, exposing the very real terror that he associated with the shooting and how he had almost lost her. Her expression softened at his concern for her, and she scooted closer to him, burying her face in his bare chest. She placed quick kisses on his breastbone, allowing him to entwine his fingers through her hair and breathe in her calming scent. Their harmonious union was enough to soothe them both, and Liz finally felt his pulse throb a little slower. She knew she would only exacerbate his worry if she asked the time, and she simply couldn’t do that to him, not when he had just started to breathe easier. So instead, she reached up and trailed kisses down his neck, glancing over his shoulder at her bedside clock. 4:45. She turned back to him, kissing his closed eyelids. “Come on, space cowboy, you’re not fallin’ asleep on me, are you?” she teased, trying to alleviate his severe anxiety. His eyes snapped open and he regarded her with a look akin to disbelief. “How the hell can you be so calm?” “I don’t know,” she answered honestly. Liz gazed up at him, trying to reassure him with her eyes, allowing him to see her soul. “You told Joan a few hours ago that I was your world and that our love could save the entire universe. I feel it, too, Max. You make me feel invincible,” she stated strongly. Grasping his hand in hers, she placed their joined grip on her stomach, caressing their baby. “Besides, we can’t die. My dad has to kill you first for knocking up his little girl.” His small chuckle was music to her ears, and she kissed him lightly on the lips. He glanced at his watch when she pulled back and the hand she held on his chest felt his heart start to speed up. She was about to try to comfort him again, when she saw the desire glittering in his eyes. “Ready for round two?” he asked wickedly. She knew he was still extremely anxious about their mission, but was trying to be strong for her sake. Acknowledging this, she raised her eyebrows and said incredulously, “Round two?” knowing that they had done it far more times that just one ‘round’. He caught her reference to their numerous exploits and ducked his head, blushing. Her heart swelled at his innocent embarrassment and she nudged her head under his chin. “Yeah, I’m ready for, uh, round two,” she assented, her eyes sparkling with love as she lightly mocked his terminology. Her face grew serious as he met her warm gaze. “Love me, Max.” ***** Max stroked her sleek hair, running the strands through his spread fingers. She trailed her own hands across his chest, near where her head lay. He could practically feel her smiling against his skin and he desperately wanted to stay this way forever. She understood somehow and sat up slowly on his lap, bringing the blanket around them. His heart soared at the sight of her, knowing without a doubt that she loved him. Reaching up, he pulled her face down to meet his in a crushing kiss. Liz could feel the tears running down her face, but she didn’t know whose they were. “Sunrise is in twenty minutes, Max,” she said softly, without even looking at the clock. As the time drew nearer, she could feel her body synchronize with the universe. She knew Max felt it, too, as he closed his eyes in defeat, knowing their perfect night had ended. A few seconds passed and when he felt a gentle hand run down his cheek, wiping away his tears, he opened his eyes back up and met her promising gaze. As he continued to stare at her, he realized that he could hear her as clear as if she were speaking out loud, her thoughts comforting him in his mind. When he looked at her in shock, she shook her head. “I’m not sure, but I think we’re one person now. It’s just our bodies that continue to be separate.” Nodding at her explanation, he rose silently and they left the bed. Quickly dressing, they opened the door of her bedroom. Before they ventured out, she paused, the first sign of apprehension he had seen of her all night. She met his eyes and whispered passionately, “I love you. I’m scared as hell, but I love you.” He smiled and took her face in his hands. “I love you, too.” Taking her hand in his, he looked down at her one last time before heading into the hall. ***** Joan sat on the top of the rock, surveying the expansive desert before her. The stars twinkled above, casting ethereal light down on the earth. Crossing her legs, she glanced down a few hundred feet at the spot where the afternoon’’s soap opera had taken place. She sighed as she remembered how temperamental teenagers could be. One of the few times she had spent a decent amount of time at home was when her baby sister was going through her teen years. Laughing out loud, she remembered how angry her father had been when her sister had dyed his head yellow in belligerence toward restraints on her still-developing powers……and not just, his hair –– his entire head, face and everything. While being blond here on Earth was acceptable, it was an odd occurrence on her planet, and her father had been livid! Her chest tightened at the memory, and she knew she would give anything to have her sister dye her hair again. She would give anything to just to be able to hug her father again, and feel his arms wrap around her, welcoming her home. But as she heard the slow advancement of her watch, she knew that she’d never experience that. They were going to fail and they didn’t even know it. She did, however, and she hugged her knees to her chest as she felt the tears pour down her cheeks. The darkness hemmed her in on all sides, as though actually trying to invade her body and rip away her essence. Straightening, she glared defiantly at the stars, daring them to try to kill her one minute before her time. She still had a lot of tears to cry and self-pity to wallow in, and she’d be damned if she died before she worked herself up into a decent depression. ***** Max and Liz made their way down the hallway, but she dropped his hand as they reached another bedroom. “My parents,” she whispered tearfully, bringing her tremulous hand up to her mouth. He immediately wrapped his arms around her, trying to soothe her broken spirit. “Do you want to go kiss them goodbye?” he asked, knowing he desperately wanted to do the same to his parents. Liz shook her head, saying, “I’d only wake them up.” They stood there for a few seconds until she shook herself, pulling herself together. She looked behind her and gave him a small smile, stepping away from the door in front of them and heading toward the stairs. ***** Joan tossed another rock down into the inky darkness, not breathing until she heard it hit the bottom of the mountain. “And how did you spend your last moments on earth?” she asked mockingly. Shaking her head in disgust, she threw another rock, stilling all movement until the satisfying thud met her ears. “Fi-ga-ro……Fi-ga-ro……” she called softly across the space, hearing her words bounced back at her, the echo louder and deeper than her original voice. Just a few more minutes. ***** Max lay Liz gently down on the linoleum, leaning above her. He met her scared eyes and offered a small smile of consolation. “We’ll just do this, and then we can look back on it and laugh. Like, how crazy we were to think the world was ending,” he whispered, trying to lighten the somber mood. She forced a smile and continued, “Aren’t you supposed to rip my shirt off or something?” He chuckled and said, “Well, hell, and I just put it back on, too.” But he obligingly placed his hands on the buttons of her shirt, tearing them open with gusto. Raising his eyebrows at her, he stated dryly, “I think you had a bra on last time.” She rolled her eyes, saying, “Just shut up and impregnate me, Max. Oops, you already have.” “Funny,” he whispered, all traces of mirth gone as he felt the seconds coming closer. He placed his hands on her stomach, right where the bullet had entered her nine months before. ***** Joan felt the universe readying itself, sucking in the last breath. Hot tears streamed down her face as she let the last of her defenses go, floating away on clouds she couldn’t see in the ebony night. Her heart skipped a few times, and she knew her essence was nearly gone. Glancing down at her watch illuminated by the starlight, she saw the arm tick the last remaining seconds off. She sat straight up, staring into the perpetual night. They had failed. The sun would never rise again. The sound of children’s laughter would be heard no more. She felt the earth shudder and then still, the light never breaking over the horizon. It was over.
***** Max gasped in shock as blue light shot straight up from Liz’s body, straight up to the heavens. His hand blazed iridescent as the light passed right through his skin and into the air, breaking through the ceiling and reaching to the stars. Their bodies convulsed as the world tilted on its axis, the connection between them extending to all ends of the earth, laying a comforting blanket of salvation on all people. The sun rose on the horizon, its brilliant radiance setting the world on fire. Then all hell broke loose. The lights flickered between black and white, while the sun continued to blaze outside. The tables flew against the walls, and the screeching sounds of car alarms down the street deafened their ears. They watched in horror as lampposts and parking meters were uprooted and impaled in the street, pummeling through the roofs of cars. “What’s happening?” Liz cried. He could only shake his head, pressing his palm down onto her stomach. The ground beneath them shook, the tile chipping into shards, flying dangerously by their bodies. The glasses fell off the counter and the doors swung open, the wind whistling past their ears. Max had to struggle to keep his hand on Liz’s body, as they were being thrown around on the buckling floor. And then……silence. The restaurant looked perfectly fine, no broken glass, no shorted-out lights. The floor was not a rolling ocean beneath them. The doors were still securely locked, the intact panes of glass reflecting the dazzling light of the sun. Everything was still. Max hesitantly took his hand from Liz’s body, waiting to see if it was over. When nothing else happened, he stood, reaching down to pull her up next to him. “What the *hell* was that?” he asked, keeping his voice low. It appeared that what they had just witnessed, no one else had. The rest of the world had not experienced the minute of turmoil, only Max and Liz. The Parkers were still up in their bed, oblivious to what took place downstairs. It was simply a wrinkle in time, only accountable to Max and Liz’s world. She turned to him, her eyes shining. “I think that was us, saving the world.” Her words took a few seconds to sink in, but when they did, the biggest smile she had ever seen broke across his face. He picked her up and swung her around in a wide circle, his mouth closing over hers in a loud, passionate kiss. Liz laughed joyfully, wrapping her legs around his waist and crushing her to him. They had done it! “Oh, my God, Joan,” she whispered, gazing down at his face in seriousness. His broad grin faded away, and he lowered her to the ground. “The caves,” he replied, already grabbing his keys out of his pocket and running with her to the Jeep. ***** They found her on top of the crag, her body sitting straight up, gazing across the dusky caverns. Liz tried to catch her breath after the steep climb, and wheezed, “Joan? Joan, we did it.” Joan didn’t turn around, and Liz felt the first tendrils of fear wrap around her heart. “Joan?” she whispered. Max crossed ahead of her and placed a hand on Joan’’s shoulder. When she didn’t respond, he glanced at Liz and then walked in front of the woman. Her face was blank, her eyes shut. “Oh, my God,” Liz breathed, the tears streaming freely down her cheeks. Max encased her trembling body in his arms, trying to hold back his own emotions. But he couldn’t, looking at the woman who had given them everything. Liz cried against his chest, “Oh, my God, she’s dead. She died, Max!” Something caught his eye, and he stepped away from Liz to get a closer look. Turning back to her, he smiled and brought her closer, soothing, “No, baby. She didn’t die. She went home.” And then he pointed out the inscription emblazoned onto the rock. Thank you. THE END |