77First, thanks to kbeth82 as usual for the reviews and support. :)
About this chapter: I've had a bunch of these sweet fluffy ideas in my head for a while and I thought I would scrap them since they aren't exactly necessary to get to the ending. Then I decided an additional chapter to bring these to life wouldn't hurt and I've always wanted to redo of Heart of mine with cliffie in there and one surprise new possible couple. So here is an extra fluffy chapter that was super fun to write. You can guess I borrowed quite a bit from this episode which doesn't mean I own Roswell :( Just borrowing characters and scenes for fun and adapting to this fic. No profit or gain other than your favs, follows or eviews.
Heart of mine
It's April 27th. I'm Liz Parker and I think I figured out the real reason I was able to give up on Max and move on.
Monday after the release of the skins from Sierra Blanca Peak. Home room.
Kyle is early. He's sitting down, reading one of his Buddha books as he waits for Liz and Maria to arrive. He hears someone sit down next to him. "Li- Oh hi, Amy."
"You still reading… ummm… Hinduism?"
"It's Buddhism. And if you're asking about my spiritual journey, I'm touched," he says sarcastically.
"No! I mean… it's great the… Buddhism."
"What?"
"I… I know some of the guys give you grieve and even my girls… just… not me, okay."
Kyle looks at her unsure. "I… thank you?"
She smiles. "You're welcome. I think it's great that you do what you want, stick to what you believe. You like… know who you are."
They stare at each other and then he sees that smirk. Oh damn, the Amy Green smirk, the waves of reddish brown hair falling around that neck, and… don't look at her cleavage, focus, don't… damn! "I… you're... fun." You're fun! Idiot!
She lets out a soft laugh. "Well, I was wondering if you would want to go-"
"Hi," Liz pipes up.
"Umm hey Liz," Kyle says.
"Hi Parker. DeLuca."
"Green," Maria says, unimpressed.
"Are you joining us?" Liz asks.
"No, I have math actually. I was just asking Kyle… well…"
"You were asking him what?" Maria asks pointedly.
She's blushing. Then she looks at Kyle with resolve. "Do you want to go to Prom with me?"
He looks surprised and then smiles. "Sure."
"Great."
"Great."
"I'll be done with cheerleading right when you're done with football. Maybe we can talk more? You know about details and pick up times."
"Sounds good." She smiles and nods and practically bounces as she walks away.
"Amy Green?" Maria asks.
"I know!" he blurts with excitement. Liz looks at him like he's crazy. "Oh come on! She's nice."
"If that's what you call using her looks to get boys to act like drooling puppies, then yeah," Maria says with sass.
"I suppose she's pretty. But she is nice when she wants," Kyle assures. "And it's not like I really have many options."
"What are you talking about?" Liz asks.
Kyle snorts. "I don't regret any of our Czech related activities. Not one bit. But they have not been particularly helpful for the social life. Between all that time away from the real world and my move to embrace Buddha I thought I had turn toxic to the female population."
"You don't have to just go with the first girl available"
"First girl? That's Amy Green," Kyle says.
"Right, whatever."
"You know you could be happy for me."
"Of course I am. It's good you have someone since Alex and I are going together." Maria looks at her like she grew a second head. "And since Maria is bringing Brody and Max and Tess and Iz and Michael will probably go together… I didn't you want you to be alone. So, it's good. Great."
"Great."
"Fantastic," Maria says, rolling her eyes.
After school in the Valenti living room.
"Please talk to me."
"We've been talking for almost an hour."
"Not about us."
"What's there to say?"
"Tess, I know you're upset about me not punishing Sab'nei but -"
"I know. It's necessary. Got it."
"Tess, please."
"What am I supposed to say? You're right and even Anquio says so. It's the type of decision a fair king would make. Congratulations."
He stares at her and takes her hand gently. "I'm sorry," he says, caressing her fingers. "I know she allowed your family to be killed and you have every right to be furious and hate her. I just… we need each other, more than ever. I want us to trust and be there for one another and somehow despite everything manage to be happy. Is there anything I can do to help you deal with this?"
She sighs. "You're right that I'm beyond frustrated. You don't know what it's like to know that one of the accomplices in murdering your family is free and walked away right pass you. You can't understand, but this isn't about that. Max, you didn't ask us. I know we had agreed to try to get them on our side, but that was before knowing everything they've done. And then you decided to forgive all their sins without any hesitation. You didn't even know if they really meant it when they agreed to be on our side or if they'd turn on us the moment we let them out of the cave."
"But Anquio ensured that they mean it. He said they would never give up their link to the Golderian forces if they weren't sincere about turning their loyalties. So we made them do that. I know I didn't ask but it seemed right and I just acted. I'm sorry."
"I know, but I'm still mad. Michael and Isabel do not want to expose Adam to any of this. And I want to help Anquio with his nightmares and his past from the war. You know that. But you promised that they would meet the life bringer and got my brother to agree to meet with Sab'nei every few days without any concern for what the rest of us wanted. This is going to put Adam at risk and bring back all sorts of memories that hurt my brother. How am I supposed to be happy? My only consolation is that seeing Anq makes that bitch look like she wants the ground to open up and swallow her."
"I know I'm not making anyone happy. Not you, not Isabel and Michael, not even the skins who want an idea of when they could get to go home. But, what would you have me do? Would things have been any better if I had let Anquio kill her? Would her death have led the skins to fight us as soon as Isabel released them all? Would we have killed them all?"
Both of them take deep breaths. "There was no winning this one," Tess says. "I know that, but..."
"Your heart doesn't understand."
"Ironic. For so long, I didn't allow myself to feel anything. I did what Nasedo told me and disregarded all this emotional stuff as just the human part that I had to disconnect from. Now, I feel too much."
"No, Tess. I love who you are. You are fierce and protective and a fighter. And I am so glad to have you with me, even if you're mad at me and fighting my decisions. I'd never want to go back."
She lets out a small but sincere smile. "How do you make me feel like kissing you when I'm still mad at you?"
"By loving you," he says and then gently joins their lips. He puts his forehead against her. "I'm sorry I made a decision that upset you. I mean it when I tell you that I love you. I want to be there for you Tess. I'm just trying to do what I think is best for all of us and our people, so we can free them together and live and be happy."
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"Yes. I'll be okay."
"And I will deal with the consequences of my actions. I'll put my life on the line before I let anything happen to my nephew. And I will go with Anquio every time he meets with Sab'nei and make sure he's okay."
"You will?"
"He's my brother, too. Through you."
A few days later. Liz's room.
"Thanks for bringing us up here," Isabel says, as she places a crying Adam on Liz's bed. She starts taking out what she needs to change him.
"Off course. You know Ami, Liz would let you up here anytime you're at the Crashdown and need to give Adam a break from the place. You don't need me as intermediary," Maria says, as she approaches the baby and tries to distract him. Isabel starts working on the diaper and once done heads to the bathroom to throw it in the garbage. Maria watches Adam as he coos and wiggles his arms and legs.
"He likes you," Isabel says as she walks to sit on the bed on Adam's other side.
"And I like him." They are quiet for a short moment just watching the baby happily lay on Liz's bed. "How are you?"
"I'm fine. Michael told you everything, right?"
"Yeah. He's pissed and you're probably too but maybe-"
"I'm not. Max is trying to be the best man here. He wants to show the skins that sided with us that we mean to do the right thing and they made the right choice. I get it. And it's not like I wanted to go in that cave and kill more people, aliens, whatever."
"But you worry about Adam." Isabel nods. "And Michael keeps fighting Max while him and Anquio try to organize things with the skins. And Tess is too busy supporting Max and trying play Anquio's therapist along with the sheriff. Meanwhile you're stuck trying to keep the peace."
"So are you and Alex, Kyle and Liz."
"But we don't have a baby that keeps us up at night and needs constant care. Or aliens that tried to kill us, wanting to meet that baby as part of an allegiance. I know Spaceboy has the 'aliens outside our group will only get near Adam over my dead body' role covered, but that doesn't mean you need to hide that you're not okay with things. You don't have to be the composed and rational mediator in this."
"I do. I don't need the world to see me weak."
"Not the world, just your friends. And acting worried or upset doesn't mean you're weak. You and Michael can share the load with the rest of us. We'll always help, especially with Adam."
Isabel takes deep breath. "The woman soldier, Sab'nei, said that Vilandra mated with Kivar. They slept together and she opened the doors to the palace. I betrayed my family… How can I contradict Max and not keep the peace when it's my fault we're in this position?"
"You can't believe that. Spaceboy told me how Anquio described Rath and Vilandra were in love. And Max, Tess, Michael, and you, have remembered that Vilandra loved Rath and Adam. All this got started because you remembered that she wanted to protect her baby. I don't believe she would have done anything that could cause his death. You shouldn't either."
"You don't understand. I… I've been having new dreams." Maria seems surprised. "Please don't tell anyone."
"You know I won't. Maybe it's Kivar trying to get you to believe Vilandra and him slept together."
"Maybe. But these dreams are different, intense and just… they feel more like memories. I've never seen if sex actually happens, it's close but then it's like I get my bearings and remember that I don't want that and I wake up before it gets too far. Then Michael is there and holds me. He thinks it's just dreams of losing him and Adam or killing skins. I want to tell him. He should know that at some point Vilandra might have been with Kivar and maybe she liked it… but I just can't. It feels like I'm betraying him."
"No," Maria says. "You haven't."
"What if I did?" she says. "I just wish I understood. I feel like I'm missing a key piece to the puzzle of the past and Anquio says he only got to be around Vilandra on a daily basis after they brought her and Rath back from the ruined stars. He knows that before the war started I spent time with Kivar in his planet, but that's as much as he knows. What if I slept with him?"
"Not you. Vilandra."
"Me, Vilandra… what if I turn back into her?"
"Then we find a way to turn you back. Isabel, if you turn into her then we'll fight to get you back."
"What if Michael hates me?"
"He can't. He's in love with you." Isabel looks worried. "Ami, that's why I let him go. I could see it, even before you moved into his apartment. He relies on you and trusts you and protects you in a way he never did with me."
"He loved you."
"He did, but not like he loves you."
"Maybe it's just Rath."
"It's not. Isabel, Spaceboy decorated for Christmas. He knew just how the garlands and bows should go and made us follow the patterns. He wined and grumbled, but deep down I know he loved doing it because it was for you. That had nothing to do with Vilandra and everything to do Christmas Nazi you. And when you two came back from Hondo. The happiness he felt came shining through even though he was apologizing and I was berating him, he couldn't help himself. And when I finally got him to confess, it was like he couldn't believe what he was telling me. He just could not believe he got to be that way with you and wanted to prove he was worthy and give you the world. He got parental approval before asking to marry you in front of all our friends for heaven's sake. And he's taking you to Prom. We know spaceboy hates school functions, dressing up and anything that shows he cares. But he asked you to go and what you wanted for that day because it's the last chance you two have to go. He loves you. Trust him."
"I do. Thanks, Maria."
"No, thank you. I know I've said it a bunch of times, but you and Michael telling Brody everything, it's meant the world to me."
Isabel manages a sincere smile. "You mean the world to us." She takes a deep breath, looks at Adam and smiles again. "I'm gonna tell him."
Maria nods. "Good."
And that night she does. Isabel tells Michael all about the dreams with hands shaking and eyes downcast, as a part of her waits for him to be mad or disappointed. But it's like Maria said. He's there for her, trying to understand. Telling her that Kivar is probably sending the dreams. Convincing her that she's not the enemy. Getting her to promise that this is something that they too will fight, together, and find a way to win.
The Crashdown Cafe. Students are gathered, all decked out in their prom wear. Maria is fixing Liz's hair by the counter.
"Excited for your hot date?" Maria says.
"Don't start."
"Just saying… don't you think it's a little strange that you got all worked up over your ex?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I think you do and I am a hot date," Alex adds.
"Oh God, did anyone else hear this crazy talk," Liz says, mortified.
"Don't worry your secret's safe with me."
"There is no secret!"
"Okay, okay, corsage?"
"Thank you."
They see Kyle and Amy walk in the door along with Max, Tess and Anquio. They sit at a booth and Anquio has never looked more out of place. Kyle and Max approach.
"Can we get two cokes and three Cherry cokes?" Kyle asks Courtney, who is behind the counter.
"Sure thing cutie."
Kyle and Max share greetings with their friends. Then they all look over at Valenti and Amy DeLuca sitting together at another booth.
"I caught 'em making out on the couch," Kyle says.
"Dude, I caught them making out in the pantry closet in the kitchen. It's just so embarrassing," Maria adds.
"I know, but there's nothing we can do about it. It's just raging hormones," Kyle adds, head shaking. "And they are our chaperones."
"Yeah, it's ugh... Hey so are you and Amy... you know official?"
Liz glares at her. Kyle smiles. "We're going to prom, we'll see."
"She seems nice," Max adds.
Michael and Isabel walk in with Adam. Anquio springs away from the table like his salvation just arrived. They sit at a booth nearby and Isabel starts talking.
"Twenty bucks Anq won't remember half the instructions she's giving," Kyle says.
Max laughs. "I'm sure she wrote it down. And Michael's making sure he listens."
"He must really not want to be around new people if he willingly went to hear Isabel's babysitting dos and don'ts," Alex comments.
"Yeah. It's weird," Kyle says. "He's ready to battle enemy ETs and be a force that protects Adam. But the idea of interacting with another human has him all edgy."
"He did fine with us," Liz says.
"You're our friends and he's used to you by now. We don't know much about Amy," Max says.
"We've known her since the first grade," Kyle counters.
"Yeah, but he doesn't want to do something that will make her suspicious. He's been off lately," Max says.
"You don't think he'll do that here?" Kyle asks.
"He didn't project on purpose in your house. It's good he's being careful."
"Right." Courtney gives the boys their drinks and they start heading back to the booth. Kyle turns and looks at the girls. "By the way, you look great."
Liz blushes. "Thank you."
Once they are out of hearing range, Maria speaks. "You have it bad."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
They see the Evanses arrive with a camera. Soon they are herding everyone to take pictures.
"Where is Brody?" Isabel asks.
"He's meeting me at the school. Didn't want any trouble. She can try to corner him here," Maria answers, glaring at her mother.
"Oh."
"It's okay. He's sneaking us out after a few dances," Maria whispers.
"He is?" Liz asks.
"He is," Maria assures with a smile.
"Someone is planning to have too much fun tonight," Tess quietly teases. "Just don't run your motormouth and ruin the appeal for the poor man."
"Shut up, Spaceslut."
They take a few pictures and share some laughs until Adam starts crying. They start to move to let Isabel get the baby, but then freeze as they listen to Anquio who holds Adam with reverence and sings.
My brightest star, my dearest,
sleep soundly tonight,
for I watch over you,
no matter what may fright.
My brightest star, my reason,
remember this feeling inside.
for feeling grows to words wise,
to unleash power and might.
Michael freezes as he feels like he's traveling back in time. He's young boy, and feels a kiss on his forehead before he lays down. Then a soft hand caresses his hair and sings. Her voice is beautiful and the words… Anquio is repeating his mother's words but not in their language.
My brightest star, my miracle,
survive to moons uncounted,
my heart lives in your heart,
no matter distance travelled or
most long lasting struggle.
Isabel can't help herself. From the moment she heard the song she's been humming. She's hummed this tune for Max when he cried and for Adam since he was born. She feels everything. The movement of a rocking chair under her. The weight of the large belly she carries and the roundness of her cheeks as she smiles and hums, touching her stomach. She's happy, so happy, in love with the life that's growing inside her.
My brightest star, my hope,
be strong and we may follow,
this light we share as one,
smile despite all odds,
and bring our future bright.
Tess and Max both stare. Their eyes big as if lost in time. It's like the entire diner stopped and they can't move. But suddenly girls are whispering and awwing at how cute Tess' brother is. The tune continues.
My brightest star, my love,
Feel deeply and follow right,
be fearless as the suns,
for as long as they kiss skin,
and moon shows marks bright,
I am your keeper, soul, heart and mind.
My brightest star, my family,
Life is this cruel, life is this kind,
but this love between us nothing can outshine.
My brightest star.
Roswell high school gym, decorated, music playing.
Isabel walks with Michael right after being done taking their picture. As they move away they hear a couple of whispers from cheerleaders calling her a slut and him a loser. Michael tenses and glares.
"Don't," Isabel says. "They're not important."
"I know but they -"
"They don't know shit."
He snorts out a laugh, "You are hot when you curse," he says and kisses her. They separate but stay close with their foreheads touching. "They still have no right. I never even touched you while you were still in school."
She looks up at him with a smile. Then he sees a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Care to change that?" His eyes look like they might bug out of its sockets. Then he laughs and pulls her towards the door with his brain fixed on the eraser room.
Max dances with Tess, a contented smile on his face. Kyle is in a similar position with Amy Green. Alex sits with Liz at a nearby table. Maria and Brody are swaying slowly with contented smiles on their faces despite the stares from people around them.
"I hated prom when I was in school," he comments.
"Really? Why?"
He shrugs. "Skinny geek was never a good prom date."
"You're a great date."
He snorts out a laugh. "Pretty sure you could do better. You're the most beautiful girl here. Probably the only one who made her own dress. These boys should hate that an alien obsessed older weirdo got you."
"Too bad because I think love my alien obsessed older weirdo."
"Maria."
"You don't have to say it back."
"I know," Brody answers. He looks at her intensely as if whatever happens next will change their entire world. "I never thought I could feel this way again. Not after the divorce. I love you like crazy."
She stares at him like and then pulls him to her for one hell of a kiss. He pulls away quickly, panicked, eyes searching for her mother. "Let's get out of here," she says.
"Right now?"
"Yes, now," she practically orders. Then they run out of the gym.
An hour later, Kyle, Michael and Max are talking in a hallway as they wait for the girls to return from the bathroom.
"I can't believe you and my sister could be this careless," Max accuses.
"Tess took care of it. Drop it."
"More like can't believe Mrs. Halverson didn't faint at the sight of you two glowing and naked in the eraser room," Kyle teases with a snicker.
"Mrs. Halverson remembers nothing and we weren't naked." Michael argues. Max glares at him. "Iz was on top and I made sure her dress covered us in case of something like this!" Michael argues, defensively.
Max covers his face with his hands. "You're supposed to protect Izzy not put her in a position where both of you could be exposed to the FBI or who knows what other agency or Czechs." Michael stays quiet with a mix of anger, frustration and regret on his face. "Just promise that you two won't have a repeat of this and we'll never speak of it again."
"Promise."
"So you'll keep it in your pants," Kyle adds with a laugh.
"Would you can it Valenti! I can't wait for the day you get scarred by catching your dad with Mrs. DeLuca or Max and Tess in the act."
"You're doing it with my sister!"
"No!" Max glares at Michael again. "I… we… haven't..."
"But you have the conservatory reserved for stargazing all night. Give me a break Maxwell," Michael says, happy to divert the attention away from the eraser room incident.
"Look, I won't bring up the eraser room if you never mention my dad or the girl that is practically my sister doing it with anyone. Tess is an innocent soul that wants to go to a convent," Kyle says giving Michael an angry stare. Michael snorts but nods. "Plus if anyone in the Valenti household should score it's me," he jokes. Michael rolls his eyes at Kyle's antics and they are all happy to see Isabel, Tess and Amy return. None notice the two figures that overheard their conversation from around the corner.
"Are you okay?" Alex asks.
Liz squares her shoulders and stands taller. "I'm fine. I told you I'm over Max, really. Are you okay?"
He shrugs and sighs. It was hard to see Tess beautiful in her blue dress, holding onto Max as they danced, with the most content look, like in that precise moment her life was perfect. But overhearing this was... He feels Liz take his hand and squeeze gently. He finds his voice. "I think I will be, in time. And I wasn't asking about Max."
Liz rolls her eyes. "Maria is crazy."
"I wish that was true. But she was right when called me out on Tess and she's right now. You want Kyle."
"We have a special bond. We shared Adam for weeks and… he kept me together before you knew about the future… he's a wonderful friend. Just a friend." She sighs. "Let's not talk about this, please."
"As you wish my lady. Care to go back in for a dance?"
She manages a small smile. "Okay."
It's April 27th. I'm Liz Parker and I think I figured out the real reason I was able to give up on Max and move on. I feel a little foolish to have missed it. I've been trying so hard to be smart, responsible, logical. But all that didn't help me see what was right in front of me. I guess my heart was not ready. It still isn't. I saw a future of despair and I'm scared that's still coming and I'm not meant to be happy with anyone. I want to be free to choose who to love. I think I can love again, but I can't tell my heart how to feel. I don't think anyone of us can control that.
Max and Tess are in the observatory. They share an embrace as they look at the stars and talk. He sweetly kisses her shoulder. She smiles at him and turns to face him. He holds her a little tighter and they smile at each other, then continue to look at the stars. Nothing more needs to happen this night.
Sometimes our hearts lead us to places we never thought we wanted to go.
Maria looks into Brody's eyes as she holds onto his shoulders, gasping at the intensity of it all. They move as one, never wanting to let go, until it's too much and Maria's toes curl as he lets out a loud grunt. They kiss deeply, and she thinks she never wants to leave his bed.
And sometimes our hearts can be the sweetest, gentlest things we have.
Isabel sits between Michaels legs on their bed as she breastfeeds their baby. She has cleaned off the makeup and let down her hair. Both are in pajamas and humming the tune they heard from Anquio. Michael has a soft smile as he caresses his sons head. She turns, looks at her fiancé with adoration and presses a kiss on his cheek.
Sometimes our hearts can make us feel miserable, angry, and confused. All at once.
Alex sits on his bed. He stares at the black piece of the book of destiny and a picture of Tess. He puts them away in his desk drawer, takes a deep breath.
My heart is terrified. But at least it is open and I'm feeling again. I'm feeling for Kyle. And I'm angry at myself because I once let him go. I didn't see who he could become and got swept up in Max and the wonder he brought into my life back then, but now… she saw. Amy saw how special Kyle is before I realized I want a second chance.
Kyle and Amy are laughing as they dance a fast song at the Prom.
Weeks later. Phoenix Arizona.
"Progress has halted," Nicolas says, earning a glare.
"The little tramp has proven stronger than anticipated. But we will still break her."
"Pray tell, how?"
"Like before. My son and her own."
Nicolas looks at Kivar's mother with a satisfied smile. "So you need to get closer to the little bastard."
She nods. "Find a proper location to run this operation in New Mexico."
I hope you liked that one. I think 3-4 more chapters and we will be done. Not sure how fast they will come since I'm starting school again and this school year is kicking my xxxx. But I'll do my best. Plz review and let me know what you think. Your comments really motivate me and may help me write faster.
