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  A New Beginning

  ( Roswell’’ - 5 )

  Kevin Ryan

  Facing an unknown futureAs Max, Michael, Isabel, Liz, Maria, and Kyle pile into their van and leave Roswell behind, they are each hoping for positive experiences – or at least something different from most of the events of the past three years. After all, their high school years were anything but typical – the whole alien experience has nearly cost them their lives, again and again. Still, they know that taking charge of their destinies and deciding to make a positive difference in the world has empowered them all. But it isn't long before Liz sees a vision of future destruction, and the group realizes by leaving Roswell they have changed history, and not necessarily for the better. When they end up in a town where young girls are disappearing, it quickly becomes clear that their lives beyond Roswell will be anything but easy…

  Kevin Ryan

  A New Beginning

  (Roswell’’-05)

  TV Series Placement: Post-Season 3 / Immediately following TV series finale

  June 2003

  Facing an unknown future

  As Max, Michael, Isabel, Liz, Maria, and Kyle pile into their van and leave Roswell behind, they are each hoping for positive experiences – or at least something different from most of the events of the past three years. After all, their high school years were anything but typical – the whole alien experience has nearly cost them their lives, again and again. Still, they know that taking charge of their destinies and deciding to make a positive difference in the world has empowered them all.

  But it isn't long before Liz sees a vision of future destruction, and the group realizes by leaving Roswell they have changed history, and not necessarily for the better. When they end up in a town where young girls are disappearing, it quickly becomes clear that their lives beyond Roswell will be anything but easy…

  1

  My name is Liz Parker, Liz wrote into her notebook. Then she paused and put down her pen. The notebook was new, which Liz thought was appropriate since she was starting a new phase of her life. From this point on, things will never be the same, she thought as the road swept past the van window.

  Since she was eight, Liz had religiously kept a diary. However, in the last three years, the entries had gotten a lot more interesting.

  Three years earlier she had been shot. Three years ear- lier she had died. Three years earlier Max had healed her and brought her back.

  And yet those were just the first in a series of strange events that had happened since. They were not even the strangest things that had occurred.

  Max. Aliens. The Skins. Losing her friend Alex. Then Max dying and coming back to her.

  Strange things, yes. And many changes. Even now, she knew her body was changing. When Max had brought her back, he had changed something inside of her. Part of his alien self had touched Liz and made her like him… had made her part alien.

  The word no longer meant what it used to for Liz. When she was a girl it meant monsters from space… monsters that weren't real.

  Now it meant Max, Michael, and Isabel… people she knew and, in the case of Max, loved. Now alien meant Liz herself. When Max had healed her he had given her the gift of life. He had also given her powers that had lain dor- mant until a few months ago.

  She now sometimes saw things before they happened. And she could occasionally move things with her mind. She had made a harmless schoolbook burst into flames.

  The changes Max had started in her three years ago were not finished, Liz was sure. Would they be a gift? Or a curse? They were frightening. Of that much she was sure.

  Turning her head, she looked at Max. He was concen- trating on driving. Like the others and like Liz herself, he was silent… lost in his own thoughts.

  But he sensed Liz looking at him and shot her a glance, raising his eyebrows to ask a question that he did not have to speak out loud.

  Anything wrong? his look said.

  With a smile and a shake of her head, Liz responded just as silently and just as clearly.

  Liz was no longer surprised at how often they didn't need to speak out loud to communicate or to know what the other was thinking. It wasn't an alien trick, though. She knew other couples who enjoyed the same kind of communication.

  Turning her head, she saw her best friend, Maria, sitting in the van directly behind her. Maria gave Liz a thin smile. Next to her was Michael, who was looking intently out the window. In the seats behind them were Kyle and then Isabel, who was also staring out the window, looking lost… maybe more lost than any of them.

  Liz understood. Isabel had given up a lot. Just a few hours ago, she had been a married woman looking for- ward to her life with Jesse.

  Now, she was on the road… or was it on the run?… with Liz, Max, and the others.

  Changes… for all of them.

  Liz picked up her pen and started to write.

  I thought things had changed three years ago, when I learned the truth about Max, Isabel, and Michael And while many things did change, my friends and I still went to school every day and went to sleep in our own beds most nights.

  Even as our lives seemed to have changed completely, our world stayed almost unnaturally the same. I was still Liz Parker: good daughter, good student, and good girl.

  I was going to do well in high school, win a science fair or two, and go to a good college: Northwestern. Then on to a good career. Now, on the night of my high school graduation, I am in a van… just going. Not even Max has a plan or a destination this time. Everything I thought might happen to me and every plan I ever made just disappeared.

  Yes, this is the biggest change of our lives. This time, not only our perceptions will be different, but our whole world.

  Liz. put down the pen. She took another glance at Max. He was alert. Liz herself, however, felt her eyes growing heavy. All the excitement she had felt earlier in the day had washed out of her.

  As her eyes closed, she felt Max's eyes on her. No, everything hadn't changed. There is one thing I am still sure of, Liz thought as she fell asleep.

  Max heard the change in Liz's breathing and knew she was asleep. The others were silent. He didn't have to turn around to see that his friends and sister were deep inside themselves.

  He was particularly worried about Liz and Isabel. Of all of them, they had given up the most to follow him… No, Max stopped himself. To come with him on this… what was it? A road trip? An adventure? An escape? Maybe it was all of those. Maybe they wouldn't find out for a while yet. Max only hoped it lasted long enough for them to find out. He was still concerned that someone from the remains of the FBI's Special Unit was tracking them. It was unlikely, but unlikely was the story of their lives lately.

  Or perhaps the Skins were onto them.

  Again unlikely, but…

  Max decided he would have to be content with the nearly empty road for now.

  The only thing he was sure of was that he was not the leader of this expedition. He was not the King here.

  Max had given up that role when he'd told the others what he was doing. He would not make the decision for the group, only for himself.

  The others had all come on their own. Max was not leading them.

  Yet, he knew that he was ultimately responsible for them. That he could not shake. He had sealed everyone's fate three years ago in the Crashdown Cafe when he had healed Liz. And again later that day when he'd refused to run, though Michael had insisted they do just that.

  He had sensed that Liz could help them, and she did. So had Alex and he died for it. After that, Agent Pierce of the Special Unit had found them. Agent Pierce who had put Max into the White Room.

  Agent Pierce, whom Michael had to kill in self-defense. Michael paid a hi
gh price for it. Though his friend refused to talk about it, Max knew that Michael was still paying that price.

  Then there was Tess, her betrayal, and Max's own son whom Max had lost, then found again. Max had given him up finally, but at least now the boy had a chance at a nor- mal life.

  All of that had happened because of Max's decision three years ago. Yet, even now he knew that not healing Liz had not been an option. Even then, even before they had become… close. Before they were together.

  He could not have let her die. So he saved her and the whole group of them paid for his single act. Alex paid with his life.

  Isabel paid with the end of her short marriage to Jesse and her only chance at a normal life.

  Liz paid in tears. Way too many of them. She paid in other ways, too, deeper and more important ones.

  But no more, Max vowed. If he accomplished nothing else with the rest of his life, he would keep her safe and do his best to make her happy for as long as she would have him.

  Turning to Michael, Max whispered, breaking the silence that had lasted almost an hour. "You were right, you know," he said.

  "What?" Michael asked.

  "Three years ago, after Liz was shot… you were right," Max said.

  Max saw his friend looking at him with raised eye- brows. "That's funny, Maxwell, I was just thinking that I was wrong. It you had listened to me, Liz would have died.”

  "No," Max said, shaking his head gently. "I was right about that, but we should have done this that night. We should have run.”

  For a moment, Michael was silent, and Max saw every- thing he needed to see in his best friend's eyes. Michael didn't gloat, though.

  Michael made a small grin and said, "Does this mean that from now on you'll listen to me?”

  Max found himself returning the grin. "I always lis- tened.”

  "And then did whatever the hell you wanted," Michael added. "What's the plan now?”

  "Plan? You're asking the wrong guy. I'm just the driver," Max replied.

  Michael seemed surprised. Then he nodded.

  He knows I'm serious, Max thought. And I am. More seri- ous than I have ever been.

  Michael smiled again. "Okay, Jeeves, tell me when we get there." He leaned back in his seat.

  Max saw something he almost couldn't identify on his best friend's face. A smile. Not a grin, but a smile… an actual, full-blown smile.

  It took Max a moment to figure out what was wrong with that smile. He realized there were two things. First, Michael smiling at all was unusual. The second was that the smile looked almost… relaxed.

  In the last three years… and even the fifteen before that… Max could rarely remember seeing Michael relaxed.

  Something had changed in Michael, Max knew. He just wasn't sure what it was yet.

  Well, I've got plenty oj time to figure it out, Max thought.

  It took a moment for him to realize how important that notion was. In the past, he had jumped on every mystery or question as if his life and the lives of the others had depended on it. Quite often their lives had depended on those answers. Depended on Max acting quickly. On doing the right thing, making the right move.

  Not anymore.

  Now they had time.

  Max and Liz had time to sort themselves out. Max had time to figure out what was happening with Michael. Isabel had time to come to terms with losing Jesse.

  Time and open road.

  Max smiled to himself and realized that his own smile was relaxed as well.

  2

  It took a moment for Liz to realize where she was. She looked around as the room seemed to take form, to solidify.

  She was standing alone in the band room. Waiting. For Max.

  She was excited. Nervous but excited.

  Max was going to meet her. It was a secret meeting, and the thought thrilled her for a second. Guilt rose up. Kyle couldn't know. He wouldn't understand.

  She didn't understand yet, herself, but she was sure that Max would explain it to her. He would explain what he had done to her. How he had saved her. How he had mag- ically healed the gunshot wound in her stomach.

  How he had brought her back to life.

  Liz realized she should be afraid of Max, but she wasn't because she loved him and he loved her.

  No.

  Not yet. That would come later.

  She was aware of that contradiction, but it didn't trouble her. The logic of dreams made it all perfectly clear.

  And this was a good dream. Liz would not question it.

  Max was coming and he would explain everything. Then she had something to tell him.

  After a few moments of waiting, he entered the room. Liz could see his perpetually serious expression soften for a moment when he saw her. Something flashed in his eyes and across his face. Liz was sure there was no single word for that expression, but she knew it was good.

  She was also sure that something similar passed across her own face.

  Then Max's control was back and his expression grim. "Liz, we need to talk," he said simply.

  It was then that Liz realized that she didn't want to talk. There had been too much talk. Three years of discussion. Three years of worry.

  A voice inside her said, None of that has happened yet. You are not with Max yet. You are with Kyle.

  It was easy to push the voice down. It was even easier to lean into Max and kiss him. He responded immediately.

  Of course, he was her… boyfriend. The word seemed much too small for what he was to her, but it would have to suffice until… until what? Until that changed, sometime in the future. Not the future of the dream, Liz realized, but the future of her waking now.

  Even in her dream state, Liz was aware of the difference between her dream reality and the reality that awaited her when she woke up.

  It was another contradiction that didn't trouble Liz as she kissed him more deeply. He pulled her to him.

  They were done with questions, problems, and issues.

  Finally, they had found their answer. Liz was sure she had found hers, and she held him tightly.

  Her awareness shifted to the real world, which she felt hovering above her like the surface of the water when you were under it. A hand brushed her cheek. Max's hand, she was sure.

  The touch was a like an electric shock. She felt the room shifting around her. She also felt Max slipping out of her arms.

  When the world solidified around her, she realized that he had disappeared.

  No, not exactly, she realized.

  Taking in her new surroundings, Liz saw that it was she who had disappeared. There were lockers on both sides of her.

  I'm in the hallway of school, she thought. Immediately, Liz realized that she didn't want to be here. Something was wrong with this place.

  Liz started to run, trying to find her way back to the band room, where she sensed Max was waiting for her.

  She tried every door she found, but they were all locked. Though the classroom doors all had glass panes, she couldn't see inside any of them.

  We're running out oj time, a voice that Liz dimly recog- nized as her own rose up inside her.

  Finally, she came to a single door with a light on inside. "Max," she called out as she peered inside. The single fig- ure inside the classroom was not Max, though.

  It was Alex.

  But Alex is dead, she thought.

  Pulling on the door, she saw that it was locked. Alex obviously heard her and turned to see her. He looked at her calmly and expectantly.

  Liz pulled on the door with all of her strength.

  Alex will help me, she thought desperately. He will help me find Max.

  But the door wouldn't budge.

  We're running out of time, the inner voice yelled.

  Turning, Liz looked down the hallway. At the very end she could see the door to the band room.

  Her legs felt like jelly, but Liz made them work through sheer will. Soon, she was racing down the hall at full speed and somehow finding
more strength to go even faster.

  Max is behind that door, Liz thought, but the door receded, even as she approached.

  Then there was a flash of orange light that threw Liz to the hallway floor. When she looked up, a wall of flames stood in front of her, blocking her way to Max.

  Then she sensed something behind her. A monster, the inner voice said. And this one's real.

  Turning to look, Liz saw something coming for her, rac- ing toward her… across the desert.

  Liz barely noticed the change of scenery.

  She had to get up. She had to do something.

  But her peripheral vision caught sight of something on the ground nearby. It was Max. He was holding someone, Michael, who was lying on the ground.

  Michael was hurt, she could see. No, not hurt, the inner voice said.

  Max put Michael gently to the ground. As he did, he moaned. It was a terrible sound that told her without a doubt that Michael was much more than hurt. It was then that Liz saw another figure beyond and partially behind Michael. Though Max was mostly blocking the figure and it was not… completely intact, Liz was certain that it was Isabel. And that she was also much more than hurt.

  Max got to his feet. He was wobbly, unsteady. He turned slowly to look at her and the site of her seemed to steady him… to give him strength. He gestured vaguely to Michael and Isabel. And she nodded that she understood.

  Somehow, she found her voice. "It's coming, Max," she said, pointing behind him, from where the thing, what- ever it was, was coming. "You have to get out of the way”

  Then Liz realized there was something odd about Max. "Liz, you look different," he said, speaking her own thought about him out loud.

  He was different. He wasn't the Max who waited for her back in the band room. He wasn't even the Max who was sitting beside her in the van, up above the waterline of her dream.

  This Max had not happened yet, and would not happen for almost fifteen years. Nevertheless, he had come to visit her. She and Maria had called him Future Max. He had come to warn her once.