Category: alien friendship lol
Summary: After events in "Whipeout" three aliens decide to clear up the secrets between them.
Rating: PG-13 for couple bad words and sexual hints lol
Disclaimer: They're mine, I lock them in my dungeon.
Distribution: my site obviously, aelita99.tripod.com. If you want it,
ask, I never say no.
Spoilers: Up to Wipeout.
Author's notes: This isn't M&M *gasp* I know, I know. How uncharacteristic lol Actually this is something that came to me after Wipeout. The whole secrets and strain thing among the three aliens bugged me and as fanfic writer I decided to do something about it in my Roswell universe. Hope you like it.

***
Memories are just where you laid them
Drag the waters till the depth give up their dead
What did you expect to find
Was there something you left behind
Don't you remember anything I said when I said
Don't fall away and leave me to myself

Fuel, "Hemorrhage"
***

Michael opened the door to reveal extremely tense Max. He examined brashly the young man who used to be his best friend not so long ago. Michael couldn't see from Max's guarded expression if he was mad but he didn't need to. Long gone the times when Max dropped by for a social visit. Nowadays he only showed up when he was pissed. And this time Michael even knew why.

Michael took a step back and motioned for Max to come in, not bothering to stop sarcasm from flowing richly in his voice.

"Maxwell. What an extremely *pleasurable* surprise."

Max ignored the taunt and walked in briskly.

"Have you seen Isabel? She came home with me to check on mom and then disappea..." he stopped at the middle of the word when his eyes landed on his sister, curled into a tight ball on Michael's couch.

She glanced at him briskly but he noticed guilty shine in her eyes before she looked away.

Michael leaned on the counter, in a deceptively relaxed pose.

"She came over half an hour ago. Refuses to say anything, just steals my sulking gig over here. Kinda like her quiet like that." His concerned expression contradicted his words.

"I'm in the room you know." Isabel sat up. She sounded tired and without her usual Ice Princess bite.

"Could've fooled me." His quick reply managed to bring a tiny smile to her face.

Max inspected them for a few seconds.

"We need to talk. I wanted Tess to be here at first but decided that it'd be better if there were only the three of us. Would either one of you care to explain what's happening to us?"

Both Isabel and Michael refused to meet his eyes but kept silent. Max felt exasperation rising and continued louder.

"God damn it. I'm not sure I know who you two are anymore."

"Gee, that sounds familiar."

Max turned to Michael.

"What?"

"Nothing. Why don't you start with me."

"Start with you?"

"Well you obviously need to yell at someone or you'll combust. So start. With. Me." Michael crossed his hands on his chest defiantly, his eyes shining dangerously with oppressed anger. Max felt his control slipping. He brushed of a pang of shame at sounding so bad that Michael felt he had to protect Isabel from his rage. They both deserved it but if Michael wanted the first taste, so be it.

"Fine. What the hell where you thinking? How could you be so irresponsible? I can't believe you were stupid enough to tell Courtney where the granilith was."

Michael inhaled deeply before answering, trying to control his irritation.

"I was trying to save a life. Or is it something that only fearless leaders are allowed to do?"

Max saw red. He took a step toward scowling Michael and poked him with his finger.

"Don't you dare compare this situation with Liz. This is completely different."

"How?" Michael seemed calm but tensing muscles of his arms proved otherwise.

"Are you kidding me? I saved the woman I loved. You gave away the location of something vital to the enemy."

Michael's voice rose with anger.

"May be you should write a manual. Whose lives we're allowed to save. King's crush? Check. Second's friend. Sorry, nope. Not good enough."

"Courtney wasn't a friend."

"Not to you obviously."

"God, Michael. Are you blind? She was a skin, a race who dedicate their lives to end ours."

"Oh, and Liz isn't? Do the words FBI, Pierce, alien hunters mean anything to you?"

"This is still different."

"Yeah it is. Because this time it wasn't *you* who played with our lives. It wasn't someone *you* loved."

"Hold it. Are you telling me that you were in love Courtney?"

Michael rolled his eyes.

"Hell no. But she became a good friend. Do you remember what it's like to have friends, Max?"

Max flinched and took a step back.

"I thought I still do."

Regret flashed in Michael's eyes but he didn't back down.

"Well you sure as hell haven't been acting that way."

"And you have?"

Michael glared at him for a few seconds and scoffed, speaking a little softer.

"Friends trust each other Maxwell. You could've trusted me to make the right decision."

That only fueled Max's fury.

"You didn't give me the luxury of the choice, did you?"

"Because I *know* you don't trust me."

"That's a lie."

"Is it? What would you have said if I told you that I want to reveal the location to Courtney?"

"That you're crazy."

Michael shook his head with bitter chuckle.

"Even now, when you know I was right about her."

"Right? You *knew* she was a skin. You *knew* that skins were after the granilith. And you weren't even a little suspicious? Since when did you suddenly turn into Mr. Trustful?"

"Oh, I don't know, may be when she gave up her chance at survival to save our lives?"

"That could've been a set up."

"God damn it Max. The girl gave up her life to prove that she's trustworthy. What else do you need? Or are you just pissed because she was a better soldier than either one of us?"

Max gaped at him.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

The words left Michael's mouth before he realized how terrible it sounded.

"She knew how important the secret was and killed herself rather then give Nicolas the information. That's more than you did."

"Michael!" Isabel jumped up and stood between them, her hands on their chests. "This is getting out of control. You didn't mean that."

Two young men ignored her and continued glowering at each other. When Max finally spoke, his voice was filled with pain and venom.

"What's wrong Michael? Now you wish me dead? Can't wait to become the leader? Cuz I'd be happy to give the crown to you. Do you think your head is big enough for it?"

Michael leaned a little forward, barely noticing Isabel's horrified expression and her attempts at holding him back.

"If I wanted to be the fucking leader, you wouldn't be standing here alive right now."

"Is that a threat?"

For some reason this question cooled Michael off. He realized how his declaration sounded and took a step back, rising his hands in peaceful gesture.

"No Max. I would never even consider that." He rubbed his face tiredly. "It's a long story that you won't believe anyway. Let's just say that if I believed it, we'd never made it to Copper Summit on time to help you guys. That's all I meant."

Max eyed him and replied bitterly.

"More secrets, huh? What a shock."

"Enough you two. This is ridiculous. You sound like enemies."

"You're the one to talk *Vilandra*." Max emphasized the foreign name as he studied his sister's face for reaction.

She paled and turned away.

"Care to explain what Nicolas meant when he said that the situation should look familiar to you? You knew what Vilandra project was, didn't you? Were you ever going to tell us?"

Isabel looked at him, her eyes filled with tears.

"How... how was I supposed... I didn't know... I mean I knew I just... Whitaker told me that my name in my previous life was Vilandra. I didn't even know if it was true until Nicolas did something to me in that barn and I started remembering..." she was screaming by that point, tears flowing freely from her torn eyes. "How was I supposed to tell you that in my previous life I betrayed not only you, but my husband... my whole race..." neither Isabel nor shocked Max noticed Michael grabbing his head and wincing in pain. "That because of some man everyone I cared for died."

"Stop."

Isabel ignored Michael's plea, not taking off her eyes of Max's stunned face.

"That it's my fault we lost the war to the skins. That they expected me to be one of them and betray you in this life..."

"STOOOP!" Isabel turned towards Michael just as he slumped on his knees and doubled over clutching his head.

"Michael?" she and Max simultaneously fell on their knees next to moaning and rocking in obvious pain Michael. Isabel glanced at Max. "Oh God, Max. What's wrong with him?"

"I don't know Iz."

Anger and hostility disappeared from the room, replaced by fear and concern. Isabel stroke Michael's back lightly. Max put his hand on Michael's shoulder and spoke with worry but insistently.

"Michael. Look at me. You have to tell me what's wrong." Michael didn't acknowledge hearing him and desperation flashed in Max's eyes as an agonizing growl escaped his friend's throat. "Michael, please tell me..."

Suddenly a shudder rocked through Michael's body and he froze. Max and Isabel had to strain to decipher his hoarse whisper.

"I caught you."

The siblings exchanged confused glances as he straightened up a little. He sat on his heels and wrapped his hands around himself. Grimace of pain still twisted his expressive face, eyes lost in the invisible to others images that assaulted his brain.

"There was a battle... we lost. I was crushed but it was nothing compared to what I felt when I came home and caught you in bed with him." Isabel gasped and slowly got up. "My... my worst enemy. Nicolas." Max paled when he grasped what Michael was talking about. "I could handle you sleeping with other men. Our marriage was a joke. Arranged by your brother to give me the Royal status so I could become the Commander. I wasn't faithful either. But we were... friends. I knew... I knew there was a traitor somewhere in our midst but I couldn't... believe it was my own wife... my friend..." his voice gained some of its strength back. "I threw him against the wall and was about to kill him when you... her... Vilandra jumped in front of him. Protecting him with her body. I... he couldn't hurt her so he stopped. She begged for Nicolas' life." Michael started rocking lightly again. "while we were arguing Nicolas came to..." he shut his eyes, wincing. "I... I can't... just pain..." his breath unsteady he turned and looked at Isabel. "That's when he killed me, isn't it?" His eyes burned into hers.

Isabel felt vile raising to her throat and she took off toward the door. Max jumped up to follow her but found himself flying toward the couch.

"What the..."

Michael interrupted him and stretched out his arm toward the door, preventing Isabel from opening it with his powers.

"I learned to clean up my own messes Max. Stay out of this one."

Isabel sobbed while struggling with the doorknob.

"Iz." She froze at the warmth with which Michael pronounced her name. She didn't understand. He was supposed to hate her now.

"You're not her." Isabel wasn't moving. Michael started getting up unsteadily. "You're not Vilandra. I'm not Ariel." She turned when she heard him use the name. He walked up a little closer to her. "I remember them. I remember Vilandra. She wasn't half the woman you are." Isabel gasped and tried to step away but he grabbed her arm gently. "I happened to know that for a fact. She loved him, didn't she? Nicolas. Truly loved him."

Isabel scoffed bitterly and replied, her voice soft with tears.

"She thought she loved Ariel at first. And she wanted to hurt him like he hurt her for making a laughing stock out of her by flaunting his endless affairs. Hurt him more. She thought of one man sleeping with whom would've destroyed Ariel and found a way to follow that plan. But it backfired. Soon she found herself unable to resist Nicolas in anything. He awakened something primal in her. She finally fallen in love for real and would've done anything he asked. He made her question her loyalty... her life... For him she even pretended to fall in love with Khivar so that he'd trust her."

"You can't blame her. She was in love and made a mistake."

"She betrayed her family!"

"Her family betrayed her first. Where was her brother or her husband when she was hurting? It doesn't matter, Iz, because I know you won't. Isabel, listen to me." He held her arms delicately until she calmed a little and looked up at him. "Get it into your blond head that you're not her. Vilandra is dead. So are Ariel, Valentine and Teroma. They lost because they were spoiled by being worshipped and getting whatever they wanted in a flash. They had so much and yet they wanted more, throwing hissy fits when they didn't get it. We are the new improved generation. We're better because we learned the hard way what's important in life. By almost loosing it." His eyes traveled from Isabel's face to Max's who came up and stopped a couple steps away. "We're more competent because we had to fight for survival and know how to stand on our own feet. We're smarter because we know what the choices we made in our past lives lead to and this time we can make better ones. We're stronger because no matter what happens we will always have each other to hold on to." He threw one arm over Isabel's shoulders and pulled her into a half-hug, while offering other hand to Max. Max smiled and grabbed it, putting his other around Isabel's waist, forming a circle. "Something tells me that we'll be faced with a lot of decisions similar to the ones in our past lives. I've faced the first one already. I don't know whether the choice Ariel made was the right one for that lifetime. I do know that the choice I made is the right one for this one. I chose family over crown. And if I'm faced with that decision again, I'll make the same choice." He placed a kiss on Isabel's forehead. "I believe you will make the right one too."

"So do I." Max's voice was gentle but firm. "I believe in you, Iz."

Michael pulled away first.

"OK, enough with the mushy stuff before I get sick."

Isabel slugged him lightly and wiped away her tears.

"Why do you always ruin the perfect moment? You're such a... guy."

"I'll take that as a complement." Michael smirked and dropped on the couch. Max hugged Isabel one more time before letting go and sitting next to Michael. Michael noticed him glancing in his direction with surprise.

"What?"

Max smiled again.

"Nothing. I'm just a little surprised."

Michael frowned.

"Why?"

Isabel squeezed in between them. She put her head on Max's shoulder and dug her feet under Michael's thighs as she replied for Max teasingly.

"Because you've suddenly became Yoda."

Michael rolled his eyes and plopped his feet on the coffee table, slouching a little more comfortably.

"Stop making me into the village idiot, Isabel. I've been right quiet a few times. Not that your brother would ever admit it." He leaned toward Isabel a little and whispered loudly. "I think it'll physically hurt him."

Max shifted and glared at Michael over Isabel's head.

"When have you been right?"

"Where the hell have you been in the last week? Forget week, in the last 24 hours? This was exactly what I've been trying to warn you about and asking you to prepare for the past four months."

"Ask? Demand is more like it. And anyway, when exactly did you warn me about a hostile alien trapped in a teenager's body using a time altering device to wipe out the entire human population of Roswell so he could catch us?"

Michael rolled his eyes.

"Ok, fine. May be not *exactly*. But I was still right when I said that we should've been trying to learn more about our enemy."

"Yeah, you were."

Michael stared at him for a few seconds and cracked a real smile.

"See, Maximillian? That wasn't too bad. By the way, I was also right about Courtney."

Max shook his head.

"Come on Max. You know you really shouldn't judge the person by the skin they're shedding. It's called... speciesism."

Max chuckled lightly and admitted.

"May be you were right about her not being the enemy. But you shouldn't have taken the risk. It's too vital."

Michael sighed and rubbed his face.

"I guess. I just... freaked, you know? I didn't want to loose her. Not when I could've done something to help." He looked into Max's eyes. "Max, you have to believe me, I was a hundred percent sure that she would never betray me."

Isabel turned slightly so she could see Michael.

"How?"

He hesitated before replying but kept his gaze steady.

"She was in love with me."

Silence established for a few minutes as what he said sank into Max and Isabel. It was Max who asked the next question calmly.

"How can you be so sure?"

"I... um... I had a flash. It wasn't images like usual. More like... I could feel what she felt."

"Flash?" Max tensed up. "You kissed her?"

Michael scoffed.

"Yeah Max. To get a flash it's necessary to kiss the subject. I still get a hard on every time I remember my heavy make out sessions with Atherton's key."

Max relaxed a little and leaned back on the couch.

"Point taken."

Isabel smiled smugly when she asked the next question in the most innocent voice she could master.

"So, how exactly do you know what if feels like to be in love?"

Michael froze. His lips moved but he couldn't say a word. Isabel couldn't hold back the laughter. He glared at her.

"Watch it, Izzy. I know where your feet are and I know how ticklish they can be in skilled hands." Isabel growled at him. He continued with wonder stricken expression on his face. "It wasn't just love. She literally worshipped me. She spend fifty years looking for me and when she did... I exceeded her expectation. I mean... *me*. Roswell's infamous screw up exceeded someone's expectations. For a change someone thought I was a better person. I know it wouldn't mean as much to either one of you. You two are almost perfect. I'm... well... me. She made me feel... worthy of something better... but scared. I didn't want to prove her wrong."

He turned to look at Max, his eyes pleading to understand.

"She believed in me Max. I couldn't let her down."

Max smiled, finally understanding a little.

"Wow."

Michael shrugged.

"I know."

Isabel kicked him lightly and smirked.

"Must've been low expectations."

He glared at her mockingly.

"Thanks."

She sighed and relaxed.

"I really missed this guys. You know, just the three of us, hanging out. It's been so long."

Michael got up and grabbed the phone.

"That reminds me."

"Who are you calling?"

He stared at Isabel like she just asked the stupidest question in the universe.

"Iz. What vegging out would be complete without pineapple jalapenos pizza, cherry tabasco coke and..."

Max and Isabel finished together with him, laughing.

"...Honey Mustard wings."

He smiled and hit speed dial. Isabel threw a pillow at him to get his attention.

He grabbed it mid-fly and glared at her.

"Hey, I sleep on this pillow."

"Whatever. Get extra large. Killing evil aliens makes me hungry."

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