The Truth Behind Lies

Hours of conversation over the four aliens sat quietly on the couch processing everything that had been said. It was hard to believe that what they had been told the year before was all a lie. When they had discovered how to activate the orbs and learned of their 'destiny' they had a purpose, a goal to fight for. Everything that Zan and Rath had told them seemed to counter act that.

Isabel sat in silence with her eyes closed lost in her own thoughts. The past year had been hell on them all forcing them in directions that none of them wanted to go. She could still remember how heartbroken she had been when she had heard the story of why they were on earth. She had been so happy to know that she had been a princess on her planet, someone of importance. Her dream had always been to be a princess but she had never expected it to be true. It was a hard thing to swallow that she had been betrothed to Michael in her other life. Shaking her head to rid itself of the thoughts Isabel stood and exited the living room.

She needed time to think, a place where she could simply go to sort out her worries and fears. Pushing open the door to her bedroom, she laid herself down on top of the covers. Sighing for a moment she used her powers to turn on her radio as she filtered through several stations before landing on one that would do. While she was not an outright fan of country music, Isabel often felt that sometimes the music spoke the words she couldn't get out.

Sometimes it feels like this world is spinning faster

Than it did in the old days

So naturally we have more natural disasters

From the strain of a fast pace

Closing her eyes softly, Isabel took deep breaths trying to calm herself down. The first strains of the song wafted to her ears and she could not help but be drawn in. There was something so poignant about the starting words of the song. She could feel her world spinning faster and faster out of control and she was lost on ways to stop it.

Sunday was the day of rest

Now its one more day for progress

And we can't slow down

Cause more is best

It's all an endless process

Sighing Isabel rolled over on the bed as she lost herself within the lyrics. The soft caress of the music was slowly taking over Isabel's soul as she kept her eyes closed. So lost within the strains of the music Isabel never heard the door open slowly.

Alex entered softly as he stood in the doorway watching Isabel. She was upset but he would not pressure her. If she wanted to talk she would come to him like always. Alex knew he had been away for quite a while but it was not enough to feel like an outsider.

Slowly Alex walked to the bed laying down next to Isabel. Turning so that her back was to his chest he wrapped his arms around her gently. There were no words needed at the moment so he would be content to hold her.

Well I miss Mayberry

Sitting on the porch drinking ice cold Cherry --- Coke

Where everything is black & white

Picking on a Six String

Where people pass by and you call them by their first name

Watching the clouds roll by

bye bye

Tears leaked out from behind her closed eyes as she felt the words touch her heart. Things had been simpler when she was young, heck even a year ago before that fateful day in September things had been simpler. She could walk down the hall and know exactly what kind of reaction everyone would give her. Her shallow friends were her security blanket and she never truly had to let anyone see the real her. She could spend time with Max and Michael and no one questioned because they were considered brother and sister. Her life had been simple then but it was empty.

It broke Alex' heart to see the tears in his girls eye and he vowed silently to stop her pain by any means available. He may not be an alien but he knew a few ways to cheer up his girl.

Sometimes I can hear this old earth shouting

Through the trees as the wind blows

Thats when I climb up here on this mountain

To look through God's window

Now I can't fly

But I've got two feet

To get me high up here

Above the noise and city streets

My worries disappear

Opening her eyes Isabel turned over and locked her eyes with Alex's. "I just feel so lost right now. For so long Max, Michael and I have sought to find out who we really are and why we are here. I was so happy that day in the cave when we learned who we were but now we find out that everything is a lie."

Alex pulled Isabel close and kissed the top of her head. "Life is full of change Isabel. Do you wish things would go back to the way they were? Do you want to go back to hanging out with those shallow sappy girls and never getting to know three humans who love you dearly?" His words were soft spoken with a hint of underlying fear.

Several long minutes passed before she spoke again having made a decision within herself to simply be more free-spirited. She would allow the pressures of life to simply cause her less stress. "I would never give up what I have now. I have a true family for the first time Alex. Giving that up would be giving you up and I won't do it"

Alex kissed the top of her head again as he reached over to turn the station but decided against it allowing the last strains of the song to filter their world. "Sleep some baby. Tomorrow is a new day and we can start out fresh. Rest, let your dreams carry you to the stars and back."

Well I miss Mayberry

Sitting on the porch drinking ice cold Cherry --- Coke

Where everything is black & white

Picking on a Six String

Where people pass by and you call them by their first name

Watching the clouds roll by

bye bye

Sometimes I dream I'm driving down an old dirt road

Not even listed on the map

I pass a dad and son carrying a fishing pole

But I always wake up everytime I try to turn back

Well I miss Mayberry

Sitting on the porch drinking ice cold Cherry Coke

Where everything is black & white

Picking on a Six String

Where people pass by and you call them by their first name

Watching the clouds roll by

bye bye

Leaning her head up, Isabel placed a gentle kiss on Alex's cheek before closing her eyes. She was soon fast asleep lost in her dream world as Alex watched her with love. It had been too long since he had simply held her while she slept. Though the times were rough right now, Alex knew that his day was coming. They day when the two of them were more than just friends. A small part of him wanted to rush to process but what good would it do him.

~~~

After Isabel left the living room emptied out fast each person traveling to their respective bedrooms. Things were tense and quiet as Maria followed Michael into their bedroom. The soft lilt of a distinctly feminine voice wafted through the air as she realized that they had left the radio on.

Upon entering the room Michael veered off towards the dresser. He was tense and scared and trying so hard to hide his true emotions. As the words of the song hit his ears he stilled as he listened.

I don't know if you can see

The changes that have come over me

In these last few days I've been afraid

That I might drift away

I've been telling old stories, singing songs

That make me think about where I've come from

That's the reason why I seem

So far away today

Secrets had been the foundation of his life, always hiding things that he was too afraid to let someone see. These last few days had been so hard, knowing that he could go home and never see earth again had brought about a serious change within himself. His decision to tell Maria had been the hardest in his life. He wanted so badly to keep her safe and never hurt her but it was impossible for him.

Memories of him standing there in the granilith chambers moments away from leaving still haunted him. In that moment he chose to follow his heart for the first time; realizing that his home was here with Maria. His choices had always been about him yet for the first time he chose to think about someone else. These changes were scary to him making him feel vulnerable.

Let me tell you that I love you

That I think about you all the time

Caledonia, you're calling me, now I'm going home

But if I should become a stranger

Know that it would make me more than sad

Caledonia's been everything I've ever had

"Maria I love you so much. I don't know what I would do if anything ever happened to you. I am not as strong as Max is Maria. A part of me died when Liz was taken and now I understand why. She is my little sister and I couldn't even sense it. I was so lost within myself and my thoughts never went past myself and my goals. You changed me Maria and I love you even more for it." keeping his back to her Michael took two short breaths praying for control over his emotions.

Now I have moved and I've kept on moving

Proved the points that I needed proving

Lost the friends that I needed losing

Found others on the way

I have kissed the fellas and left them crying

Stolen dreams, yes, there's no denying

I have traveled hard, sometimes with conscience flying

Somewhere with the wind

The nickname of Hurricane DeLuca was not a small feat to earn. There were things about Maria that she was not proud of but had shaped her into the woman she was becoming. Having a hippie for a mother had led her to certain beliefs and dreams. Since this whole encounter with the aliens Maria had realized just how flighty her life had been. While she might not have slept around with boys she did date and dump them. Maria had always been happy and secure in her wacky world with Liz and Alex by her side.

Let me tell you that I love you

That I think about you all the time

Caledonia, you're calling me, now I'm going home

But if I should become a stranger

Know that it would make me more than sad

Caledonia's been everything I've ever had

"I love you with my soul Michael. I still remember that day you kidnapped me. It was the first day that you opened up to anyone other than Max and Isabel. That day will be with me forever."

Walking slowly towards Michael her thoughts were confusing. She loved him deeply but her heart could not take being broken again. When he told her he was leaving a small part of her died that day. She was hopeless without him, so in love with him that she would never admit it. Reaching out, Maria wrapped her arms around Michael's waste as she hugged him from behind.

Now I'm sitting here before the fire

The empty room, the forest choir

The flames have cooled, don't get any higher

They've withered, now they've gone

But I'm steady thinking, my way is clear

And I know what I will do tomorrow

When hands have shaken, the kisses float

Then I will disappear

Sighing both Michael and Maria lost themselves in the feel of each other for a moment. Rubbing circles into Michael's back Maria sighed as she kissed his shoulder. "Why don't you go take a shower and relax baby. I love you so much but perhaps we should save this conversation for another time."

Michael reluctantly pulled himself out her grasp to head towards the shower. Closing the bathroom door behind him, Michael took a steadying breath. Maria's touch set a fire deep within himself and ever since they made love a few days ago he had the hardest time resisting the urge to take her again. Turning on the water as hot as he could get it, Michael stepped under the spray. Images of seeing Maria naked and spread out before him like a feast was driving him wild.

Too soon the water was getting cold and Michael pulled himself out of the shower. Using his powers to dry himself off, he threw on a pair of pajama pants and headed back into the bedroom. Sprawled out on the bed, asleep in one of his Metalica tee shirts. Quietly he made his way to the bed and pulled the covers up around Maria as he slid in behind her. Wrapping his arms around her Michael drifted off into sleep hoping that tomorrow would bring a better day.