When It's Time To Leave Home

Author: Sunnycouger (foolofatook_@hotmail.com)

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: You all don't honestly think that I own any of this do you? Roswell and all its characters are property of Melinda Metz and Jason Katims..I just take them out to play sometimes...

Category: CC

Summary: This is a future fic when the aliens get a chance to go “home” and the story follows each of their reactions to the news and their final decision.

Authors Notes: This is the introduction to a story arc that involves all the characters. Basically parts 1,2,3 and 4 all run concurrent with each other with the intro and the epilogue starting and finishing things nicely. The parts can stand alone but will work better if you at least read the intro first.

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Epilogue

Time: 22.15. The next day.

It was time. Time for relationships that had been built over the years to be broken apart as quickly as it takes to say goodbye, it was time for them to change, time for them to say everything that needed to be said. It was nearly time to leave.

There were eight people out in the desert waiting for the inevitable: three couples, one father and one lost and lonely soul. It had been a day since everything had happened and although they all had had to say goodbye to their families and come up with haphazard excuses about why they were leaving so suddenly. The Valenti’s didn’t have to worry on than account; the benefits of having a family that knew everything. The Parker’s, on the other hand, knew nothing so Liz Parker-Evans was taking full advantage of the internet age; she was getting Isabel and Alex to send periodic e-mails from “her” to her family letting them know how well she was doing in “South America” with Max. Michael observed the group in front of him, Max was hugging Isabel while Alex was comforting both Liz and Tess in a hug while Kyle stood next to them looking dazed. He looked on at the group in front of them. They had all decided to stay together. He was going to be the only one up there alone. He walked away from them to try and clear his head. He had to think straight. He was going into war and no matter what his heart was telling him and how much it hurt, it wasn’t safe for her up there. He wouldn’t put her in danger no matter how much it killed him. He never heard the footsteps come up behind him and it was only when the voice spoke behind him that he realised anyone had noticed he was missing.

“Well, it’s been some day hasn’t it? You’re going alone?” Michael couldn’t raise the energy to actually say anything and just nodded his head.

“She didn’t take it well I guess, she’s like her mother that way. Do you think she’ll come?” again no vocal response just a shrug of the shoulders as he walked a few paces away from the man who had come up to stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

Jim Valenti knew the pain of being left alone and he knew the pain the young man in front of him was feeling because in a strange way they were similar. They had both a strong sense of duty that often over-ruled their emotions. They were both drawn to the fiery personalities of the De Luca women who could break their hearts with a mere look and who, no matter their good intentions they kept hurting despite doing it with the best intentions. He walked up to the younger man and put his hand on his shoulder.

“You could call her you know? Just to tell her everything. It might make you feel better.” He turned to look at the man in front of him, his eyes betrayed the pain he was feeling and Jim knew that just talking with her would not help. He needed to hold her, but of course then he would never be able to leave her. After a few minutes in silence Michael turned to him.

“When Kyle’s mom left you both..how did you feel? Did you hate her?”

He didn’t know how to answer that, he knew that he wanted to get an indication of the feelings Maria had for him just now, but it was a totally different circumstance. He had hated her at first, but only at first then he understood why she had to leave him. He had just never forgiven her for abandoning their child.

“Michael, I accepted her decision to leave me. I ever made it easy for her to stay, at the time I was chasing shadows and not being a good husband or father. You, on the other hand, have been a good husband. You are trying to protect your wife and although it hurts I know that she will NEVER hate you. NEVER!” He looked to see the reaction of his words on the man beside him and is shocked when he turns and begins to cry.

“I don’t know if she’ll ever forgive me…and I already need her so badly to be here..”

He had never seen this strong young man as emotional before and he realised that it must be killing him. He didn't know what to do to ease his pain so he did the only thing he knew - he took Michael in his arms and let him cry openly.

She had seen the scenes in front of her unfold and she wanted to run over to him and comfort him but she couldn’t bring herself to. If she said goodbye just now it would mean that he was going to go. Instead of walking over to the two men she went over to the group.

“Thanks for coming Maria, it’ll mean a lot to him.”

“Well Max, if I didn’t come I wouldn’t be able to say goodbye to my favourite people. From and not from this world. You guys all sure you aren’t going to stay? Things aren’t going to be the same without you all. Even my stupid brother's leaving me.”

“Hey look on the bright side Maria, you’ve still got me…and Isabel. We’re staying.”

“I know Alex, it’s just..it’s just..” she begins to cry and Liz and Kyle both take her to the side and begin to comfort her. Alex saw Max looking at Isabel and knew that the two of them needed to talk. He grabbed Tess’s arm

“C’mon lets go and get Michael and Valenti. It’s nearly time. They walk off leaving the siblings together.

“Well.”

“Well. You’re leaving then?”

“Yeah. You’re staying then?”

“Yeah. Max…” they began to hug each other.

“I know Isabel, I know. I wish I was staying with you..but..”

“You have to go. I can’t go..I’m going to miss you so much Max..”

“Me too Iz, but I’ll be back. I want to see my niece and nephew grow up..”

“You will come back?”

“Try and stop me..”

“I love you Max, so be careful and look after my sister in law. I want to see our kids play together..”

“I will..and you look out for our humans..we’ll need them when we get back.”

“Consider it done. So this isn’t goodbye?”

“Not even close” he began to smile as he wiped her tears away as he signals Alex over towards them. Seeing Alex wrap a protective arm around her he knew that she will be fine. He’ll look after her. He looks around the area. The Valenti father and son said goodbye while Liz and Tess talked to each other. He looked at Michael, as he stood awkwardly on his own. Maria walked over to him as the wind began to pick up around about them. They didn’t have much time, the ship was nearly here.

“Well, it looks like I’ve only got a minute to say this spaceboy so listen up.”

His heart began to beat faster than it had in 24 hours..she didn’t hate him.
“I’m not going to pretend that it doesn’t hurt that you don’t need me with you..”

“I never said I didn’t need you Maria..”

“Whatever..let me finish. You made me a promise and I expect you to keep it ok? Don’t go up there and get yourself killed and leave me here a widow. You promised me you’ll come back and you better do it.”

“I promise you Maria, if I have to move heaven and earth I will be back for you! I love you."

“I love you too Spaceboy. I’m going too miss you so much..”

“Me too..” at that point they wrapped their arms around each other as their tears mingled with each other as the wind got stronger. Hearing Max shout that it was time friends bade goodbye to friends and families said goodbye to each other. Michael kissed Maria passionately as his heart began to ache. The ship appeared and came close to landing. He reluctantly pulled away to see his feelings showing in her face as her tears streamed down. He pulled her close and whispered in her ear that he would be back for her and that he loved her before walking away. As he began to walk away to join the others she ran to him and thrust something in his hand before miming “I love you” to him and blowing him a kiss through her tears. He smiled weakly at her and ran off to the others before he changed his mind. He saw Isabel, Alex and Sheriff Valenti walk over beside her as she watched him leave. Isabel and Valenti were both crying as they lost their families while Alex was supporting the three of them. In a flash they were gone and they were leaving.

As they all got their bearings on the ship Michael looked down at the package that had been thrusted into is hand. He tore the paper off and looked down. Maria’s name necklace that she always wore was lying there alongside one of her aromatherapy oils and a photo of the two of them. The note fell to the floor and he picked it up and read it.

“Hey Michael, this is just to help you remember your promise to come home to me and not forget me. I love you more than I thought was possible even tough you left me stranded at work yesterday. You owe me for that one Guerin! Get back here and keep your promise. I’ll be waiting. Love Maria. PS tell the others that I expect to see them back here too ok? And be safe. I love you” He felt the gentle touch on his arm to see Liz and Kyle standing next to him. She never said a word but gently leaned over to read the note as Kyle put his hand on her shoulder. He looked at Michael and enquired “Maria?” who gave a smile. She had given him a goal away with him. To make it home soon. To make it up to her for leaving her alone. He would do his sentence here along with Max, Liz, Kyle and Tess and then, they would all head for their real home. Back in Roswell, New Mexico.