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By: Jen
Rating: PG-13 ///// Category: M/L, with other couples
Spoilers: Only the first season. Since it takes place after 'Destiny' the second season does not exist in my timeline.
Disclaimer: The characters or events (relating to the episodes) of Roswell do not belong to me, etc. I did create Anni, Shawna, Kevin, Paul Garrison. Tirsta, and other Aldaberanians however. But other than that, it's all Jason Katims and the rest of the Roswell staff.
Note: Book 2 of the Forgotten trilogy....sequal to Forgotten
/ Part 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / TBC... /
Part 1
Earth year 2012; Prima Giedi Daily Office Building; Aldaberan
"Tirsta!" Melin shouts from his office. I hurry down the hallway, brushing past all the other reporters, secretaries and such in the building. Mita glares at me as I knock down the pile of papers and equipment he was carting to the storage room.
"Sorry," I mutter, still racing to the Editor's room. I couldn't believe it; Towa Melin wanted to speak to me. I had just received the reporter's possession a few months ago and haven't even had my first assignment, unless you count filing. Which I don't. Could it be that Melin finally has something for me? I really hope so. Before entering his office, I duck into the bathroom and quickly glance myself over in the mirror. Sometimes I wish I could just stay in my normal Aldaberanian form, instead of looking like a human. But I shouldn't complain, considering one of my best friends is from Earth. He's a reporter too, and has been on lease to the Prima Giedi Daily from his Earth newspaper, the San Francisco Times. I was told to show him around, my second assignment as a reporter.
I grab a band from my bag and tie my long whitish blond hair back after fixing it. I quickly straighten my clothes, and turn out the door, calmly, trying to calm my excitement. I really think Paul, my human friend, has been able to convince Melin to let me actually try writing an article. I wonder what it could be as I quietly enter the office.
"Tirsta Orius, so nice of you to finally make it here." I look around the room. I see Paul Garrison sitting across from Melin. His dark brown face looks extremely serious, like always, but today, there seems to be this glint of satisfaction. I quickly take the chair next to Paul and attempt to greet Towa Melin. Melin is in his usual lax jumpsuit, a common way of dressing, usually not so in business environments though. His brown hair is combed neatly, as opposed to my usual in-a-rush hairstyle. Before I have a chance to say anything, he continues.
"As you two know, the tenth anniversary of our independence and freedom from the Subrarians is approaching in a few weeks. I have all ready told Paul, considering your tardiness, but our paper has been given the honor to devote an issue on this historic event: not just research though, but actual interviewers with the Royal Four and their council."
Paul continues grinning and my own eyes, a deep brown like everyone else on this planet, light up. "You mean, I actually, we actually," I stutter, pointing to Paul and myself, "We are going to meet the King and Queen! Oh my Serpos, I can't believe this. This, this is such an honor sir. A thousand thanks Mr. Melin." I continue to babble until he interrupts me again.
"Tirsta, they are out almost every week, acting like normal citizens," he sighs with annoyance. I think Melin's been acting like that too much when I'm around lately. "This is a very important and honorable task that the Daily has been requested to do. I expect you two to begin right away, no excuses. I have arranged for full access to the palace for both of you over the two weeks. This should be enough time to meet the King and Queen, and the rest of their long, extended family: the heroes of our war." Melin tells us, handing me and Paul press passes.
When Paul first came to this planet five months ago, I had taken him on a tour of the Terris Palace. We hadn't had the opportunity to see any of the royals, since they were on Earth, visiting family. This was unbelievable, and made up greatly for the lame assignments I originally had gotten. The end of the Great War was one of the single most important events that has ever happened in our history.
"We will do our best to please you Melin," I say, speaking for both Paul and I. He had gotten used to my bossiness, unlike my own family, and usually let's it slide. Luckily!
Melin excuses us from his office and I turn to face Paul. "Can you believe it!" I say, not able to keep my voice at a whisper.
"I always knew that being a part of the exchange program would be interesting, but actually being able to meet them. Wow, Tir, I can't." He replies in full seriousness, brushing a hand through his short, curly hair. "We have to begin tomorrow."
I nod my head eagerly to confirm. "I'll call you later to make plans," I tell him and rush out of the modern skyscraper, one of the few, that is the home of the Prima Giedi Daily. I have to get home. I have to tell everyone I know that I am going to interview our leaders!
*~*~*~*~*
She rushed off again. I really like Tirsta, but sometimes… She can be a little too impatient and pushy, but I guess those qualities are good in a reporter. I walk over to my desk and clear out the items I will need for tomorrow. I make sure I have the datapad I received from Melin when I first came to Prima Giedi. I have to say one thing; this planet is certainly a lot different from Earth. If anything, I would say it closely resembled Theed, Naboo from that 'Star Wars' prequel my parents took me to see when I was ten, or maybe a more sci-fi version of Boston.
I exit the building and walk the short distance to my parked hovercar. Yes, hovercar. I'm still not quite used to the idea, but they are starting to be more and more in demand at home. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that I, Paul Garrison, skeptic extrodanere, am actually living on another planet. People like Tirsta have made me feel very welcome though. And an assignment like this, it's big, even though unlike the leaders on Earth, from what I've gathered the ones here act like ordinary people. That's the way they grew up, so it's sort of natural to them I guess. And I, Paul Garrison, got the job.
I love the house I live in. It reminds me of a small fairytale cottage, which a thatched roof and a cylinder in place of a chimney. But looks don't work for this home, it's so much stronger and bigger than it appears from the front view. I added the red curtains, they fit its theme. It's located on a bluff near the ocean, so I can always smell the salty breeze. San Fransisco is a coast city, and sometimes that's why I think they gave me this paticular location to live instead of one in the heart of the city. But it doesn't matter, I like it.
When I reach home, I grab my datapads. I think I should start with some history on their pasts, what they've been through, before meeting them tomorrow. I decide to start with their first lives. It took me a while to adjust to the idea, that the Aldaberan rulers have lived before, but I think I'm used to it by now. I think. Quickly, I punch up the information on the Sargas family as I wait for Tirsta to call.
"Taran and Rheni Sargas," my datapad reads out, "Rheni Ivok Sargas was second-in-command to former King Dubum before the king's untimely death in 4019."
I pause it for a second. Sometimes I get confused between the Earth years I still try to follow and the traditional Aldaberan years that most people on the planet prefer. Then I remember, Aldaberan civilization is about two thousand and eighty-seven years ahead of Earth's. I resume the recording:
"Rheni Sargas married Taran Ami Mar in 3996, at age 27, she age 23. Eight years later, their twins, Caph Nekkar and Chara Maia were born. Being first born, Caph was betrothed to the Princess Alya Mira Kiltalpha, who, along with her twin brother, were born five months earlier. [See Kiltalpha family for more information on the royal twins] When the twins were age ten, in the year 4014 Rheni and Taran were murdered by an Aldaberan anarchist, name unknown. At that point, the twins were separated. Caph was sent to live with the royal family and Chara sent to live with the Taygetas, the Sargas family's closest friends.
"Their daughter, Tess Nashira Taygeta, was betrothed to the Prince Allioth Naos Kiltalpha. [See Sargas family for more information on Tess] Ten years later, Tess and Chara were designated to go to the palace, Chara to be reunited with her brother, Tess to meet her betrothed. Upon meeting, Allioth instantly fell in love with Chara, and begged his mother, Queen Shawna Kiltalpha, to end his betrothment to Tess. Not being able to say no to her only son, Shawna conceded. Two years later, when Allioth was crowned king of Aldaberan, he and Chara married.
"For the next ten years, life was peaceful on Aldaberan. In 4032, Supreme Leader Tarnus and his followers on Subra, our neighboring planet, came to power. The same year, they attacked Aldaberan and declared war. Caph's reluctant wedding to Alya was supposed to occur that year, but Allioth and the rest of the Royal 4, as they came to be known, decided to postpone it until after the fighting.
"Unfortunately, this never happened. Two years later, Tess Taygeta appeared out of the blue, as Tarnus' second-in-command. She tricked the Royal 4 into attending the peace conference in which they were assassinated. Luckily for the Aldaberan people, this was not before creating Aldaberan-human hybrid clones of them. [See cloning for more details] Upon their deaths in 4034, Queen Shawna sent them to Earth and became the leader of the rebels. [See Aldaberan Underground] For further information look at the Great War, which they participated in, or the more recent files on Chara and Caph Sargas, labeled Evans, Elizabeth or Guerin, Michael."
"Brrriiinnnggg!" The phone snaps me out of my studies. Okay, it caused me to jump a mile high away from the datapad. I land on my red rug in a heap, not funny.
"Hello?" I speak, annoyed.
"Paul! Hey," it's Tirsta. "Everything okay?" She's giggling. Probably heard my fall.
"Fine," I reply grimly. "What do you want?" I don't like being made fun of, especially by Tirsta, and that fall is perfect ammo for her.
"About tomorrow, how about we meet in front of Terris palace at five in the afternoon? Okay? I've all ready checked with Ambassador Valenti. She says that it's okay for us to come by. Something about a conference with President Roken, or whatever. But she says also says she's not sure who'll we'll meet in what order. But Ambassador Valenti guarantees we will meet all of them by the end of the week!"
Tirsta was speaking about a thousand times faster than her normal speedy rate. It definitely seemed like she couldn't contain her excitement. I send out a prayer hoping she'll be able to maintain her dignity tomorrow. But then, in the short time I have worked with her, I know Tir always manages to figure out something when she goofs up.
"Okay, that sound's good to me Tir. Sorry to make you do all this work. I've been catching up on a few history lessons. They didn't exactly cover your planet in history class when I went to school."
"I know that. And it's because we didn't think you humans could handle the truth yet." Tirsta spoke arrogantly. I sighed; it's impossible to argue with her when she gets all defensive about her home.
"Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow." I look at my clock. "It's late, I better get some sleep. Goodnight Tirsta."
"'Night Paul!"
/ Part 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / TBC... /
Part 2
Earth year 2012; Terris Palace- Evans Wing; Aldaberan
I sigh, pick up my pen, and begin my nightly ritual of writing in my journal. "It had been another long day of political meetings with Max and some delagates of the United Nations. You'd think that after eight years, we would have gotten most of the kinks in the treaty worked out!" I collapse on my bed. "To make matters worse today, Rheni and Claudia decided to take their five-year-old cousin Jackie, and his best friend Kathleen, on a tour of the palace. They walked right in on the meeting. Luckily, Ambassador Annie Marsters has kids of her own and entertained the quartet while Max and I finished our discussions.
"It's funny. I never, ever, once in my life pictured myself as any type of ruler. It was always some sort of scientist. I was able to fulfill that dream through the Prima Giedi University and many private tutors, but I never have anytime to work in laboratories. All I have is the degree… But I really shouldn't complain. It's hard being the queen, but Max is the best king anyone could ask for. We're constantly out visiting our people, and Max charms everyone. I guess, its just sometimes I wish for that normal life I once planned. And then, in the middle of that dream, Tess or Diane-Marie tend to bounce in to hear a bedtime story, and I forget all about it."
As if on cue, both girls walk in. Following her older sister's actions, Dima, Diane-Marie's nickname, developed by Claudia, jumps on my bed next to me, with Tess on the other side. They both grab an amber colored pillow and carefully worm their way under the scarlet red covers. Max always thinks this is adorable, and I have to agree. Then they both turn and look up at me eagerly, causing me to smile.
Tess looks a lot like Max and I. She has these deep brown eyes, along with shoulder-length brown hair, which crown her triangular face in bangs. It's her smile that convinces everyone she's innocent. And Dima, is starting to learn that same trick. Max claims it's from my side, inherited from Michael, but I'm really starting to believe it's an Evans trademark. I smooth Dima's long blond curls, and pull both girls close to me.
"What story do you want to hear tonight?"
The two stare at each other, pretending to communicate telepathically. It's a little game Tess and Dima share, out of jealously towards their older siblings' connection. It seems that all Aldaberanian twins, hybrids or not, can sort of communicate telepathically. It took a while for me and Michael to master it, the same with Izzy and Max, but now it's easy. I know the girls have all ready decided before hand what story they want me to tell them. They always do.
"Um, Cinderella!" Tess shouts out, speaking for both of them. It's their favorite Earth fairytale, but usually they pick a factual story. I guess both of them are preferring dreamland tonight, I decide, and clear my voice…
"…and they lived happily ever after." I finish telling the tale to the now slumbering Tess and Dima. Just as I get out of bed to place them in their room, Max walks in.
"Sorry to get here so late Liz," Max apologizes unessicarily. "Mika and Kev took longer than normal to get to sleep." He whispers, after spotting two of our other daughters, slumbering away.
"Can you take Tess? I'll carry Dima into their room," Max nods and walks over to pick up Tess from under the heavy covers, but not before giving me a kiss.
"Later," I promise him and open the door, cradelling Diane-Marie in my arms. We walk down the palace hallway a few paces until reaching the girl's room. I place Dima in her bed by the window while Max is on the other side tucking Tess in. The two girls may act a lot alike, but there are obvious differences. Tess is much more head strong than any of the other children while Dima is definitely the dreamer in the family.
I lower the light switch and Max gently shuts the door. "Did you see to everyone else?" I ask.
"Rheni and Timmy are fast asleep, the same with Claudia. And both Rheni and Claudia apologized about a thousand times for this afternoon. I'm pretty sure Alex and Isabel are getting the same treatment from Jackie, the same with Anni and Kyle from Kathleen. And Mika and Kev are asleep, for now."
It's times like this, when everyone else on the planet is sleeping, and Max and I are all alone in the world, that I think I'm the luckiest person on the planet.
/ Part 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / TBC... /
Part 3
Earth year 2012: Terris Palace Conference Room; Aldaberan
It's five o'clock, finally! Paul and I are now awaiting for Ambassador Valenti's arrival, this way she could show us to the conference room where we will be conducting our interviews for the Prima Giedi Daily special report on our freedom day. And it figures she's late. I pace around, complaining to Paul about a thousand times why people should be accurate with appointments. For some reason, he shakes his head and sighs. Doesn't he understand?
"Where is she?" I ask Paul for the thousadth time. I stop pacing though. Instead, I'm leaning against one of the walls in the huge hallway of the building. Paul is seemingly ignoring me, his attention caught by an incoming tour group. As the people come and pass, a tall, red-haired woman, walking with a small, sandy-haired boy, appears from one of the couriders. She approaches Paul and I.
"Hi, I'm Ambassador Anni Valenti. You can just call me Anni though. You are the two reporters right?" She doesn't even wait for our answer as she continues. "Sorry to arrive late, I was busy. Oh, this is my son, Jamie Valenti." She kneels and turns to her son, talking to him softly.
Paul takes advantage of the moment. "She reminds me a lot of you," he whispers while the Ambassador is dealing with her boy.
"Hi," the small kid speaks.
I put on a smile and try to be nice. I'm not really that good with children. Ambassador Valenti stands and looks at us. "I'm Tirsta Orius and this is Paul Garrison. I spoke with you on the phone last night."
"Yes, I remember." Ambassador Valenti faces the doorway she entered by and gestures us to follow. We do. As we enter a new corridor of the palace, this one adorned with many decorative lamps but no wall paintings, Ambassador Valenti slides her card through the security access. The door automatically opens inward, the airlock sound barely registering. The boy, Jamie runs inside and stops next to a petite shorthaired blond woman rocking a baby of her own.
What's with all the kids?
"Auntie Maria!" Jamie shouts and gives her a hug, careful of the baby in her arms. He then looks in the blankets. "Hi Taran," he mutters.
The Ambassador pulls out a hairband and takes her long red curls and pulls them back into a tight ponytail. "Tirsta, Paul, I'd like you to meet Captain Maria Guerin-"
"Maria DeLuca-Guerin," the girl interupts rudely, her green eyes sparkling. "I can do my own introductions you know," she tells Ambassador Valenti.
Hmmm, do I sense a bit of rivalship between the two? Interesting.
"Anni, Anni, Anni," she says, standing up, reaching her hand out for a shake. Paul smiles at the Earth custom familiar to him. "I understand that this is all part of your duty as an ambassador, but we are capable of speaking for ourselves. Now," she says, placing the baby in a nearby crib, "who are you?"
Ambassador Valenti sighs and pulls Jamie on her lap as she speaks. "If you didn't intereupt me, these are the two reporters, Tirsta Orius and Paul Garrison." She seems to glare at Captain Guerin for a second and then the pleasant face returns.
"I'll be back later, along with my husband." She pulls a datapad out of her bag and studies it. "After Maria's finished speaking to you, I think it's supposed to be Alex." She catches the look in my eyes and corrects her statement. "Councilman Alexander Whitman."
Ambassador Valenti grabs Jamie's hand and walks out of the room, telling Maria she'll see her later for dinner. Now, the interviewing can begin.
*~*~*~*~*
"Okay, so you want to know about our trip here back in 2002?" I ask the reporter. Tirsta something-or-other.
She nods, as does her friend, Paul. They look like nice people. I'm all ready feeling sorry for them when Michael has to talk to them. I give a quick glance towards Taran, to make sure she's sleeping peacefully. Two children, Laurie and Taran are handfuls, and they're both girls too! Sometimes I wonder how Liz manages seven kids and running an entire planet all at the same time. Okay, she does have Max but still…
Tirsta coughs rudely, causing my mind to crash back to the present. Oh yeah, interview going on. I resume speaking. "Let me tell you this, Tirsta, Paul." I meet both their eyes. "It sucked.
"First off, spaceboy, or your General Prince Caph Michael hogged the only video screen abored the Star Wonder. Dad had Shawna install it in the ship." Tirsta's eyes narrow at this. God, this girl has a thing for formality. "And then, he watched that movie of his, Braveheart, about twenty more times in a row. Don't ask how often he's seen it. All of us lost count. Anyway, he didn't pay any attention to me, the first time in years. Seemed like now that Lizzie was back, he could revert to his old ways.
"So, I storm off to find his sister. And then, my other supposed friend Max" (again with the eyes narrowing- what? Am I supposed to say 'his majesty' or something like that? God, it's MAX!) "Was too busy being all lovey-dovey with Liz, leaving me without a best friend. So, I'm like searching the ship for a gal pal, or Alex, but can't find Izzy anywhere. I wind up having to hang out with Anni for two too many hours. Don't get me wrong, she's a good friend now, probably because she's like my step-sister-in-law, but then- arrogant…"
Earth Year 2002; the Star Wonder; Aldaberan's orbit
Liz Parker stood by the window of the Star Wonder, Queen Shawna Kiltalpha's ship. Sometimes, she still couldn't believe this was happening. They had left Earth about a week ago, and had been traveling through space since then. It was definitely a weird feeling, especially after believing almost all your life that stuff like this was science fiction. And now, they were finally going to land on Aldaberan. Another planet! And if she had been the only one going through all this, Liz was certain she would have freaked. But Liz had Max and her brother, all of her closest friends. With them, she felt like she could face anything.
As the aqua blue planet came into view, Liz couldn't help but consider how much her life had gone off course from the plan she had told Topolski (then posing as a guidance counsler) during Future Week at West Roswell High more than two years ago. Life had always been a straight forward path towards her goal of becoming a molecular biologest, and honestly, even when Max, Michael, and Isabel had entered her life, she just never counted on any serious interferences.
But instead, here she was, flying off into space, to a planet she had never been, and was expected to suddenly take over rule of the rebels with Max. And all this within a matter of a week from regaining her memory of her life as Liz Parker in Roswell. She had lost it when she, Max, Michael, and Isabel had discovered their destiny, by falling down a cliff after running away. Max and Isabel's true mother found her and had raised her for the past two years. Liz wondered who she was a lot lately. Obviously, with everything she had been through, she wasn't just normal, boring Liz Parker anymore. In fact, she had the memories of three different people swarming inside of her: Chara Sargas, Rel Kiltalpha, and Liz Parker. Sometimes, it was just too much to take.
"Your highness," came a voice behind her. Liz twirled around to see Alex Whitman just entering the room. "Enjoying the view?" he asked as the ship slowly began it's descent into the atmosphere.
Unlike Liz, Alex was still dressed in his normal clothing. Okay, he was wearing some of the nicer articles he owned, a button down shirt and black pants to look more presentable. Shawna had asked each of the humans and Anni to dress in their best, while the Royal 4 were asked to done traditional Aldaberan garments. Liz felt silly wearing the scarlet gown that seemed to cling to her upper body but flow into a long skirt. The neck split into a V and the sleeves clung to her arms until the elbows, where they became as flowing as the skirt.
Somewhere on the Star Wonder, Isabel was wearing an identical white gown. Both of their hair was loose, except for a cover of braids around the back of their heads. Finally, to add to Liz's embaressment, Shawna had given Liz Chara's - her - old crown to wear. The queen said it would be best for the Underground to see their beloved leaders as they remembered them, and every bit of moral was needed at this point.
"Alex," she sighed, leaning into the wall. "Please don't call me that- Ever!"
"Well…" Alex jabbed his hands into his pockets and smiled slightly at his crazy conclusions. "You should get used to it. After all, you and Max were technically married on this planet before you died, meaning you are the queen-"
"And Isabel was betrothed to my brother. And we both know you were never happy with that idea. What's happened, happened. So…"
"Hey, I was just trying to ease up all the tension on the ship. If you actually try leaving this cabin and walking around the rest of the ship- you remember how cold the air would feel when Riley and Angel were around each other. It's worse than that."
Liz smiled in spite of herself. "Alex, fiction? This is reality. Angel and Riley, well, they're not."
"I know. But you should see what this nervousness is doing to our friends!" Alex walked over and put his arm around Liz's shoulder, his expression suddenly changing from comical to serious. "Your grandma Claudia would have been so proud."
At his words, Liz's eyes began to flood with tears. And despite her attempts to hold them back, a few began to slip. She wouldn't have been here today if her grandmother hadn't found her alongside the road when driving to visit Liz's adoptive parents in 1983. She owed her life to her and never really knew it. Alex gently wipped away the tears with his sleave. She whispered a thank you.
"Now, as I was going to suggest, let's go to the cockpit. Everyone else is all ready there." Liz nodded her agreement and the two friends headed down the small hall.
*~*~*~*~*
"Michael, move!" Maria DeLuca's shrill scream was the first thing Liz and Alex heard when entering the corrider of the cockpit.
Alex placed his hand on the bright green button to the right of the automatic doorway. A slight woosh sound was heard and the door opened to reveal a red-faced Maria trying to push Michael Guerin out of a chair. While the adults were ignoring this bickering, the teens were staring. One look at Isabel's face, and you could tell she was enraged.
Maria stopped shoving when Liz and Alex entered the room and decided to pursue a new tactic. "Liz," she called sweetly, walking away from the chair and towards her two best friends. "Could you please ask your brother to get his big, fat, alien butt out of my seat?"
"I'm not fat!"
Isabel rolled her eyes as Maria continued to plea to Liz. "He won't listen to me- at all. Ask Anni, Max, Isabel, or Kyle. The second I got up to ask Dad something, he stole my seat. And I want it back!"
"Told you so," Alex whispered in Liz's ear.
Liz looked at Max as if telling him he should of done something. After all, he was Michael's best friend and sometimes the only one able to control her brother. When receiving a shrug back, Liz walked over to Michael, smirking on the chair. She placed a hand on his white clothd shoulder and began to concentrate. In a matter of seconds, Michael jumped out of the seat and rushed out of the room cursing.
"What did you do to him?" Maria asked in concern, regaining her seat. Anni looked at Liz and the girls shared a secret smile.
"Something I used to do to Anni when she acted that stubborn. I sort of increased the movement of the fibers in his shirt so it would give him a rope burn. It's only slightly though. He'll be fine." Liz smiled at some of the memories it brought back.
Max walked over to her and placed a kiss on Liz's head, pulling her close to him possesively. Alex had all ready wandered back to where Isabel was sitting. By the time Michael had reentered the cockpit, Max and Liz had completely broken off from the rest of the group, and the others were not that far behind.
"I think we're here," Kyle spoke up in awe, disrupting the small conversations as the Star Wonder gave a small bump upon hitting the grass in a small jungle clearing.
/ Part 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / TBC... /
Part 4
Earth Year 2012; Terris Palace Cafeteria; Aldaberan
I walk into the room as Maria is still chatting her head off to the two reporters. Some things never change I guess. Despite Maria's position as head of the Royal Guards, the girl is still as talkative as ever. But that was always one of the qualities Liz and I liked best in her. Whenever Liz or I were upset, we would go to Maria for a babble-fest over ice cream. She was always there to cheer us up, and still is now, many years later.
"Alex!" Maria yells and runs over to give me a hug, abandoning her story at whatever point she was at. The two reporters watch us carefully, the female busy taking notes on her datapad, well the guy has a look of amusement on his face.
"Maria," I say. "You do realize that I saw you and Liz earlier today for lunch. Not much time has elapsed since then."
"I know," Maria replies matter-of-factly. "But that still doesn't mean I can't greet you with a hug when I see you. How long have you known Liz and me now, um, about twenty years? Get used to it."
"DeLuca," Even though Liz and Maria usually go by their married names now, I still refer to my two best friends as 'Parker' and 'DeLuca' often. "Just not in front of strangers, okay?"
"No, not okay." She folds her arms over her chest and smiles at me. Maria points to the two people in the conference room with us. "Just so you know, the female reporter, Tirsta something, likes formality a little too much. Definitely a stickler to facts. Think Anya from Buffy. The other, Paul, he's completely normal."
Maria then proceeds to grab my hand and pulls me over to Paul and Tirsta in the room. "Tirsta, Paul, may I introduce one of my best friends in the entire world: Councilman Alexander Charles Whitman."
"Please to meet you, Al." Paul reaches out to shake my hand. Obviously this guy has little problem with informality.
"It's Alex. Not Al, never was, never will be. Nice to meet you too. Tirsta," I hold out my hand in greeting. She shakes it briefly.
"Well, um, I'll just be going. Maybe Liz…" Maria was right about the Tirsta girl. She was just about shooting daggers at Maria as she called Liz by her first name. I really feel like telling her that Maria has known Liz since third grade and will continue to call her whatever she wants, despite Liz's royal position. "…needs help with some of my favorite nieces and nephews. Got to go. See you two at our next meeting. Have fun Alex!" The sing song voice, not a good sign.
Trying to break the ice between us, I speak. "How about we go down to the cafeteria or something. It's close to dinner time, and I'm starved. It's this way."
Paul and Tirsta nod their heads and start after me.
*~*~*~*~*
"So, um, Maria left you off at the point when we landed here for the first time?" I ask in between bites of my french fries.
"Captain Guerin left us off at the point," Tirsta corrects me in agreement. Paul shakes his head at her comment. I laugh, a little too loud. People at other tables stare at me, which causes Paul to start laughing too. Tirsta is the only one who isn't.
The palace cafeteria isn't that crowded but, then again, it never is. Most of the people who work in the palace have their own homes to go to for meals, and those who do live here tend to eat with their families in their own, private kitchens. I'd have to say that this cafeteria is probably most commonly used by Isabel, Liz, Maria, Max, Michael, Kyle, Anni, our families, and myself. Probably explains why it so stocked up on earth foods. We were raised on earth after all.
Paul's enjoying the food. He got french fries too. Anya, as I've come to call Tirsta due to Maria's comment, is only picking at her food, waiting for me to start talking. Hmm, should I let her wait a bit longer? I can here Isabel already scolding me if I do.
"As if marrying an alien isn't hard enough, an alien princess is impossible."
"Did you just say something?" Paul asks. Great Whitman, you blew it big time.
"No," I shake my head vigurously. "Nothing. So Paul, what do you think of Aldaberan?" I try to change the topic, and fast.
"Not Earth, but I like…"
"Excuse me, I think we're supposed to be interviewing you Councilman Whitman, not the other way around." Tirsta interupts. Paul shrugs and I smile. "No offense Paul, but I've already heard all your comments on this planet. He's seen that movie Star Wars too many times. Paul's constantly comparing Aldaberan to something in that movie." She rolls her eyes. Paul blushes.
"It's okay. When I first got here, I thought the same thing. After all, isn't Star Wars the best pop culture refrence to compare this planet too? Landing at the Underground base in the jungle sure reminded me of the scene when Amidala's ship landed in the Naboo swamp…"
Earth Year 2002; Aldaberan Underground Hidden Base
…Maria's face turned white as a ghost as they landed on the planet. "Oh my god! We're actually here. I…I can't go out there. Um, maybe we should go back to Earth. Someone, anyone! Dad! Michael! Liz!"
Kevin DeLuca came from the pilot's room to where his daughter was standing with her seven friends. "Maria, honey, calm down," he told her firmly, placing both his hands on her shoulder. "The people out there are just like humans. It's okay, you don't have to worry."
"Maybe you should sniff some ceder oil," Alex suggested, still leaning against the wall. "It used to calm you down years ago."
"I don't have any!" Maria screamed back, causing the others to break out into nervous giggles.
Liz left Max and Michael's side for a moment to try and comfort her best friend. "Maria, be happy you're not me and don't have to go out there and face all those Aldaberanians who believe me to be their queen. I'd trade places with you any day."
"I wouldn't Liz." Maria replied, finally calming down a bit. "At least we all have to face it together. And you, spaceboy, Max, and Isabel get to deal with them first. Good luck…"
TBC...