Of Mice and Men
Part 10

By Prestor John

Disclaimer: All of the standard: Don't own 'em, just borrowing 'em.
Summary: Sequel to “Best Laid Plans”. My AU diverges when Max kisses Tess in Heart of Mine. Tess Left town, Liz told everyone about Future Max to explain why they have to find her, Liz and Max start reconciliation, and Isabelle dream walks Tess, but then can’t contact her causing the group to think Tess is dead.
Category: Other
Rating: R
Authors Note: The continuation of my first fiction. Today is 5/23/01. I started Best Laid Plans right after CYN. I started Of Mice and Men after OTM. Now that Departures has come and gone I’m rethinking the entire direction of this story. I’m going to try and tie the revelation from Departures into the story. Hope you like the way it flows. Many thanks to Fadre for reading and correcting my numerous grammatical mistakes.

The two-car convoy made it to the pod chamber a little before sunrise, and met an anxious Isabelle and Alex there. After a round of hugs, and making sure everyone was all right, Max turned to the Sheriff, “Do you want to explain about Jessie now?”

“I could, but I think it’d be better if I got something from the house first.” Dropping his gaze briefly, Jim looked back at Max and said, “Besides, I have an idea what your going to do, and you don’t need me here for that. I’ll be back soon.”

Looking at Michael carrying the still unconscious Tess up the hill to the entrance to the Pod Chamber, Kyle spoke up, “Yea, I think I’ll go with you dad.” Looking at Max he said, “I can’t believe I loved someone who would do that to a friend.”

Reaching out and giving his shoulder a quick squeeze, Max said to Kyle, “I know. I loved her too, in another life, but still – We have to do this, Kyle, otherwise, who knows who it’ll be next.”

“I know.” Said Kyle. Turning abruptly, He looked at his dad and said, “Let’s go.”

Watching father and son drive off, Max turned and started up the hill to where the others were. Halfway there he found Liz waiting for him. Stepping into his arms, she hugged him tightly. Max leaned down and inhaled the scent of her hair. God, he loved her.

After a few minutes of their mutual support, Liz looked up at Max and gave him a quick kiss. “I guess we’d better get in there.”

“Yea,” Max agreed, “I guess we should.” After a falling into step with each other, Liz held firmly under one arm, Max looked over at her and said “Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, you know you don’t have to, and..”

Reaching up Liz put a finger over Max’s lips. “Hush.” She said softly. “I know, and I still think this is the best idea. I trust you – and Michael and Isabelle.”

Smiling, Max kissed the finger before she moved it away. Then turning as one they went on into the Pod Chamber.

In the chamber they found Maria and Alex sitting on a ledge. Looking at the couple entering, Maria said, “She woke up. Michael and Isabelle took her back to the Granolith.”

Nodding the pair headed back to the back chamber. Looking at Alex Maria whispered, “Where’s Liz going? I thought this was an Aliens only meeting?” Alex had no answer so just shook his head and watched the pair disappear through the doorway.

In the back they found Michael and Isabelle facing a strangely different Tess as the lights of the Granolith pulsed. “Max!” Tess cried, taking a step in his direction the halting when she saw his arm around Liz. “What’s going on? Michael and Is won’t talk.”

Glancing up about the doorway Max saw the glowing/ flashing dial with barely 10 minutes left on the count down. Turning to Tess he said, “You’re going home, Tess.”

“What?” she said in a startled voice. “We’re going home?” a grin starting to split her face.

“He said you’re going home, not us.” Isabelle’s icy voice caused Tess to turn around.

“We know what you did to Alex.” Said Max. “You almost killed him, you mind warped him so much.” Feeling his voice break with anger, “You almost Killed him!” Looking around at the others, “We also have the translation of the book. We rescued you from the White Room, Tess, but we don’t want you with us anymore. We can’t trust you, so we’re sending you back.”

“How…” Tess began but was quickly interrupted by Michael. “How could we not Tess?! You mind fucked Alex. Who would be next? No. You’re going where you can’t hurt anyone again.”

Tess’s old spirit emerged when she turned on Max and Liz “This is that bitch’s fault! If it wasn’t for her you would have been MINE!”

“DON’T TALK ABOUT LIZ LIKE THAT!” Screamed Max in Tess’s face, driving her back with shock. “You have no right to talk about her!” Taking a breath he pointed to the Granolith. “Go Tess. We don’t want to hurt you,” Max ignored Isabelle’s muttering to the contrary, “But we will if you don’t go – now.”

Tess slowly looked around at the group facing her, “You have betrayed your heritage. You’ve become human.” Seeing that they weren’t rising to the bait she reached her hand up to the Granolith. A small vortex seemed to appear under her hand. Then with a flash of light Tess was gone. Looking up into the Granolith the group saw her appear, floating there, surrounded by small spinning points of light.

“Now!” cried Max. In unison, the three aliens and one human reached up with their right hands to the Granolith. They arranged themselves so that Liz’s hand was in the center with Max’s right behind hers. Michael and Isabelle’s were on either side of Liz’s.

Energy crackled in the chamber. The ghostly form of Tess seemed to see what they were doing and shook her head in slow motion and put her hands out. A bright star of light appeared on the Granolith where the friend’s hands were. Then with a crackle of lightning, a beam of light shot out of the Granolith. It almost appeared to be funneled by Michael and Isabelle’s hands into Liz’s.

Liz’s eyes shot open and she let out a little gasp as the light poured into her hand. If anyone had noticed they would have seen the hairs on everyone’s arms stand up, as if a great deal of static electricity was loose in the room.

Just as suddenly as the light started, it stopped. As if they had all been leaning back on an invisible wall that suddenly disappeared, every one stumbled back a few steps. Then they all stumbled again as the entire chamber shook. Looking up at the “clock” on the wall, Isabelle saw the final icon disappear. “Its time, lets go!” fighting the shock waves that seemed to emanate from the Granolith itself, the four made their way out to the outer chamber. There, Maria and Alex joined the rush for the exit.

The six friends ran down the hill as fast as they could and took shelter behind an outcropping of rock to watch the explosion of the Granolith from the top of the mountain, and it’s subsequent disappearance into the sky.