 |
| Pairing(s) |
Michael/Maria, Kyle/Tess |
| Rating |
NC-17 |
| Summary |
Set a month after Departure. Everything that happened in S2, prior to the eppy departure happened. However, in my little world, the pod-squad left for Antar. |
| Author's Note |
Written for Chicky. |
Maria sighed, snuggling into her pillow. She tossed and turned, until the light tapping of the rain lured her into a light slumber.
"Maria?" His voice whispered as her eyes fluttered open. Maria looked up into his familiar brown eyes, her heart soaring with happiness.
"Michael," she gasped as she wrapped her arms around him. "I've missed you."
"It's been so long," he groaned as her body warmed his damp skin.
"You're soaked," she whispered as she tugged on his damp t-shirt. “Let me help you out of this-" she giggled as she pulled off his shirt.
She ran her hands down his chest noting a small scar. She traced it lightly with her fingertips, touching it tenderly.
"Oh-" he gasped sucking in a deep breathe as her hands continued to feel him- to explore him.
Their lips touched softly remembering their last kiss, their last night of passion. Their kiss deepened sending shivers down their spines. "Michael," she moaned, giving access to her mouth. His tongue grazed hers sparking an electric current.
He pulled her closer to his body wanting, needing to be closer to her. His hands lingered on the small curve of her back and traveled down to the hem of her night shirt.
A slight gasp escaped her lips as he pulled her shirt off revealing her skin to the cool air. He tossed the shirt aside as he leaned in to kiss her neck. "Maria," he growled as he broke contact from her skin and kissed her wanting lips.
His hand slid down her chest and cupped her breast. She moaned softly as he teased her nipples with his rough finger tips.
"I need you," Maria whimpered softly between his kisses. She tugged at his pants as his lips left her mouth and started to travel down her chest.
His tongue left a hot blaze as he moved his way down. Her back arched slightly giving him better access as he pulled her panties off. She closed her eyes with ecstasy as his tongue touched her throbbing clit.
She could feel his erection pressed against her body. She wanted him to enter her and make her body one with his. She wanted to feel whole.
*crash*
The thunder ripped through the room breaking the silence of the room. Maria gasped as she opened her eyes. "Michael?" She whispered her voice sounding frail.
She looked around the empty room. She could still feel the hot traces of his lips lingering on her skin. She touched her bare chest, remembering this touch-
She looked down at the ground and saw his discarded t-shirt. She quickly picked up it. "Michael!" She cried as she noticed the t-shirt was damp with his blood.
//flash//
Michael stood before her his hand outstretched to her. The small scar earlier looked larger, swollen, and red. She reached out to him.
Her hand only grazing the tip of his hands-
*crash*
Maria sat up in bed gasping for air. She gazed around the empty room as the lighting continued to flash. "Michael," she whimpered as she pulled her knees to her chest.
Wiping away her tears, she watched as the rain continued to fall- "It was only a dream," she whispered to herself. "Only a dream-"
~*~
"Maria," Michael moaned as he opened his eyes. He blinked quickly, his eyes adjusting to the bright rosy horizon. He tried to sit up as the pain rippled through his chest.
He groaned as he moved his hand over his chest. He gasped as he felt the soft warmth of his blood trickle down his chest. He removed his hand and looked at his crimson blood on his fingertips.
He felt light headed. His arms and legs felt heavy as he tried to get up. "Fuck," he cried out in pain.
"Michael," a voice whispered. He turned around to see her crumbled body on the ground.
He crawled to her and turned her to face him, "Tess." He cried as he looked at her blood soaking into the ground beside her.
"Ohhh..." She moaned. "He's dying- save him," she begged. He looked into her crystal blue eyes and nodded.
Tears streaked her face as she removed her hands from her bulging abdomen. Michael placed his hand on her and willed all his power and strength into the baby.
//flash//
Michael and Tess walking the grounds, laughing as the discussed the happy news.
//flash//
Tess laughing ceases as they hear their intruders surround them.
//flash//
Their pain igniting as the sharp blade of the knife scorches and rips their skin.
//flash//
Michael pulled away breaking their connection, falling beside her. "I'm sorry," he managed to whisper as the darkness claimed his mind.
~*~
Maria slowly walked down the stairs still vividly shaken from her dream. She took a deep breath, taking in the thick aroma of fresh brewed coffee that lingered heavily in the air. She entered the kitchen to see Kyle preparing a cup a coffee.
She leaned against the door frame as she watched him pour sugar and Tabasco sauce into his cup. He took a sip and let the hot liquid warm his chilled senses. He sighed softly as he felt her eyes on him.
"The usual?" Kyle asked softly as he instinctively grabbed another cup and started to fill it up.
"Yes," Maria replied as she walked towards him. "We really need to stop meeting like this," she laughed slightly trying to lighten the mood.
"The storm woke me up," he replied quickly as he added in sugar and grabbed the cream from the fridge.
"It's been awhile since we had a big storm like this," Maria paused as she accepted the cup of coffee and sat down at the table. "The lighting is eerie," Maria whispered more to herself.
Kyle nodded in response as he continued to look out at the stormy skies. "I hope it dies down soon, today's the big day."
Maria watched Kyle as she thought of the days event's, "it will be official today."
"I'm happy for them," Kyle announced as he took another sip of coffee, "at least they will be happy."
Maria nodded as she sipped the warm liquid. He turned around and sat down beside her. They sat together in near silence as the storm continued to rage around them.
"When are we leaving?" Maria asked after a lingering pause. Kyle looked at her and then glanced at the clock.
"In six hours," he whispered, his eyes meeting hers for a second.
The sadness that reflected in their eyes sent shivers down their spines. "I don't want to go," Maria admitted her voice wavering with unshed tears.
Kyle sighed as he reached over and covered her hand with his. "We don't have a choice, it's for our parents," he whispered.
"That was one of the last places we were all together," Maria moaned as a tear escaped and rolled down her cheek. "The last time we were happy, the last time we were all together."
"Oh, Maria," Kyle whispered as he stood up and embraced her.
Her tears soaked his shirt. "Tell me, it'll be okay. Tell me, they'll come home. Tell me, my heart will heal.” Maria cried as she looked up at him.
"I can't," Kyle groaned as he his gaze met hers.
Maria nodded and pulled herself away from his arms. "Why?"
"Why?" Kyle repeated as he picked up his coffee mug and took a sip. "Why, what?" Kyle whispered harshly as a flicker of anger blazed in his eyes. "Why did Alex die? Why did they leave? Why did Liz desert us? Why are we so fucked up that we can’t even sleep a full night? Why can’t we seem to break our connection to them?" Kyle asked bitterly as he threw his coffee mug against the wall, the mug shattering into pieces. The tinted red coffee seemed to ooze on the tiles. "Why do I even fucking care?"
//flash//
"Kyle?" Maria gasped as she reached out for him. Kyle turned away from her.
"A month, Maria-" he replied harshly. "They've only been gone a month and look at us."
"Why now Kyle? What happened?" Maria asked as she recalled Michael’s blood. "It wasn’t a dream."
"Dreams are never what they seem to be," Kyle replied as he turned and walked away. Maria stood in a trance as she watched him walk away.
"Dreams are never what they seem to be," Maria repeated as she hugged her body.
Maria sat down on the couch and pulled her legs closer to her. She rested her chin on her knees and took a deep breath. Closing her eyes, she thought of her love- "I love you, Michael. Now and forever."
~*~
I love you, Michael, now and forever. Her soft voice lingered in the air.
"Maria," Michael moaned as he opened his eyes. "Maria!" He urged, his voice barely above a whisper.
"How do you feel?" Michael registered the voice and turned to it and looked into the eyes of his King.
"Like shit," Michael managed to grumble as he sat up. His muscles tensed and stiffened as a ripple of pain shot through his chest.
"Be careful." Max warned as he rushed to his side. "We were worried," he whispered as he help Michael stand.
"Why?" Michael shrugged.
"Why?" Max cried. "You were practically dead. If I hadn't..."
"You shouldn't have, I don't have anything." Michael responded as he turned away from his gaze and looked around the infirmary for Tess.
"Michael, you have us," Max gasped, upset over Michael's declaration of death.
"It's not enough," Michael whispered. "Where's Tess?"
"Why should you care? We aren't enough for you," Max snapped.
"Where is Tess?" Michael repeated harshly.
Max remained silent and started to walk away. "Don't worry about her, you can't help her."
"Damn it, Maxwell! Where is she?" Michael cried. "She's my sister!"
Max snapped his head around. "What?"
Michael looked away from his piercing stare. "She's my sister," Michael repeated softly. "That's why we were out. We were coming back from a relative of ours. We had just found out."
"She's in her room," Max whispered. "She won't talk to anyone..."
Michael walked past Max before he could finish his train of thought and went straight to her room.
"Tess?" He called softly as he knocked on her door. He waited impatiently for an answer. "Tess?"
He opened the door and glanced around the dimly lit room. He noticed a small lump in the middle of the bed. He walked over to the bed and pulled back the down comforter.
"Tess?" He gasped as tears came to his eyes. She looked so tiny in the large bed tucked into a little ball.
He crawled into the bed and wrapped his arms around her. "No!" Tess growled as she struggled and tried to push him away.
"Tess," he whispered tenderly as he held her tight. She fought against him as her hot tears burned against his skin.
"No! No! Nooo!" She moaned as Michael continued to hold on to her. "No," she whimpered as she started to relax in his arms.
Michael rocked her softly. "I'm here," he whispered as he kissed the nape of her neck.
"He's gone," she whispered as she turned around to face him. He gasped as he looked into her empty blue eyes.
He wiped away her tears, "I'm sorry."
A heavy silence hung in the air as she looked lost in thought. "Why? Why did they have to take him away from me?" She cried as she buried her face into his chest.
"I don't know," he whispered his voice cracking with emotions.
"I wanted him so much, he was the only thing I had left," she mumbled into his chest.
He rubbed his hand over her back, trying to sooth her heartache. "You have me."
"It's not enough," She whispered. He tensed as her words mimicked his own. He understood her heartache and felt her fear and sadness.
"I know," he whispered. "I know."
~*~
Maria sighed as she shut the door. She glanced over at Kyle as he started to take off his suit.
"You want the bathroom first?" He asked as he returned her glance.
"Thanks," Maria answered as she grabbed her stuff and headed for a shower.
Maria showered quickly and returned to the room to see Kyle sitting on the floor with the lights off.
"Kyle? What are you doing?" She asked as she stood in front of him.
"Shh..." he replied harshly.
"What are you doing?" She repeated as she sat down in front of him mimicking his pose.
"Meditating."
"Yeah, like it works."
"You'd be surprised," he whispered lightly as he opened his eyes and looked at his sister.
"Teach me, Oh, wise one." Maria giggled and Kyle smirked in response.
"This is called the lotus position," Kyle replied.
"Like this?" She asked as she shifted her weight and placed her hand on her knees.
"Perfect," Kyle whispered. "Now close your eyes and clear your mind." He instructed closing eyes.
"Kay," she replied as she followed his instructions. "Now what?"
"Take a deep breath. Breathe in and breathe out." Kyle instructed as he could hear breathe in and out.
A peaceful silence filled the room. He moved his hands and placed them on hers.
//flash//
"Tess?" He gasped as tears came to his eyes. She looked so tiny in the large bed tucked into a little ball.
He crawled into the bed and wrapped his arms around her. "No!" Tess growled as she struggled and tried to push him away.
"Tess," he whispered tenderly as he held her tight. She fought against him as her hot tears burned against his skin.
"No! No! Nooo!" She moaned as Michael continued to hold on to her. "No," she whimpered as she started to relax in his arms.
Michael rocked her softly. "I'm here," he whispered as he kissed the nape of her neck.
"He's gone," she whispered as she turned around to face him. He gasped as he looked into her empty blue eyes.
He wiped away her tears, "I'm sorry."
A heavy silence hung in the air as she looked lost in thought. "Why? Why did they have to take him away from me?" She cried as she buried her face into his chest.
"I don't know," he whispered his voice cracking with emotions.
"I wanted him so much, he was the only thing I had left," she mumbled into his chest.
He rubbed his hand over her back, trying to sooth her heartache. "You have me."
"It's not enough," She whispered. He tensed as her words mimicked his own. He understood her heartache and felt her fear and sadness.
"I know," he whispered. "I know."
//flash//
Maria and Kyle remained deep in their connection. "Kyle," she moaned as tears fell from her eyes. She wanted to break the connection, the pain was so strong.
"Breathe in. Breathe out." Kyle responded softly through his own tears.
She nodded and followed his instructions. She felt his love for her through their connection, she felt the love he held for Tess. She gasped at the strong bond that they shared with each other.
Kyle slowly gave her a calming pulse of energy. He never realized the strength of his sister's bond to Michael. He had always suspected their bond and now he knew indeed how strong it was.
Maria sighed as she felt her pain ease.
"Breathe in. Breathe out." Kyle repeated softly.
~
Amy and Jim laughed in the hallway. "I want to check on them." Amy whispered as she scanned the key card.
"They may be asleep," Jim replied as they heard the door click.
"See the blue light under the door, it’s the TV. They must be awake."
"If you say so, Dear," he whispered as he kissed her softly.
They walked into the room and stopped in their tracks as they looked around the room.
Amy gasped in shock as she looked into the faces of Michael and Tess hovering over Maria and Kyle.
The blue light that flooded the room radiated off the four of them.
Michael and Tess glanced over at their intruders and disappeared into thin air. They blue light started to fade.
"What the hell is going on?" Amy cried out as she held onto Jim for support.
Maria and Kyle snapped out of their trance and looked at their parents at the door.
~*~
"Maria!" Michael moaned softly as his fingers grazed over her silky blonde curls.
She looked up at him her hungry eyes. She reached up and stroked his face lovingly. Her lips trembled with the need of his touch.
He tightened his embrace around her delicate frame. He felt lost in her love and surrendered himself from the pain that engulfed him earlier.
"You're okay," she whispered in his ears. "I was so worried, the blood."
"I'm fine," he groaned as he glanced over at Tess. Kyle had her wrapped in a tender embrace. He could see the lingering tears on her checks reflecting in the soft blue light.
"I miss you," Maria whispered as he heard laughter from afar. He knew their precious stolen moments were coming to an end.
He kissed her one last time savoring her soft kiss and sweet taste. "Michael?" Tess whispered with a hint of fear and sadness in her voice.
The door flew open and they felt a bolt of electricity and a surge of pain dash through and consume their bodies. The connection had been broken.
"Michael," Tess gasped as she looked over at him. He held onto her tight as they adjusted to the transition. Their minds were clouded and fuzzy.
"Fuck," Michael groaned as he pulled away from her and sat up in bed. He touched his lips recalling Maria's touch, her taste.
He stood up and started to pace back and forth. "Michael?" Tess questioned looking up at him with concern.
"What happened?" He asked as he looked at her. "How?" She looked away and curled herself up into a ball. He knew she was hiding something. He had dreamwalked Maria before, but this time she brought them to her. "Tess?"
"Kyle, helped her." She whispered as I sat down beside her.
"How?" He asked softly.
"He has powers," Michael strained to hear her soft voice.
"What?" Michael gasped. "Since when?"
"He started to gain them ever since he was healed by Max and..." She paused as she studied his reflection.
"And?" he urged.
"Whenwehadsextheywerestrengthened." She slurred her words together hoping he would not piece it together.
"Sex? When?" Michael asked confused. "Does Max know?"
"Please not now," She begged her eyes still teary.
Michael nodded and wiped a strand of hair away from her face. He pulled her into his embrace and laid back down.
He massaged her back until he heard her breathing deepened and he knew she had fallen asleep. He looked up at the soft emerald green canopy, his thoughts drifted back to Maria. He sighed and closed his eyes.
He found himself being pulled to her. He entered once more into their dreams. "Michael," She gasped as she wrapped her arms around him.
"Oh, Maria," he gasped sucking in a deep breath as her hands started to room over his chest. Her touch sent waves of undercurrents through his body.
They kissed. "Michael," she moaned, giving access to her mouth. His tongue grazed hers sparking an electric current and she melted into his embrace.
He pulled her closer to his body needing to be closer to her. His hands lingered on her back and Maria moaned with ecstasy as he began to remove her clothes. She responded eagerly as she removed his clothes.
His hands slid down her chest and cupped her breast. She moaned softly as his lips teased her nipples and his tongue left a hot blaze as he moved his way down. Her back arched slightly giving him better access. She closed her eyes with ecstasy as his tongue touched her throbbing clit.
He licked his lips as he moved up to kiss her lips. She could feel his erection pressed against her body. She spread her legs even more and wrapped them around his waist.
With ease he entered into her slowly. "Oh," She moaned as he pushed further into her. He moved in and out slowly. She moaned with every agonizing plunge.
"Michael!" a muffled voice cried. Michael awoke to the urgency in the voice and Michael looked up to see Max.
"What the fuck do you want?" He growled feeling hot and deprived.
"Where's Tess?" He asked as Michael realized the bed was empty beside him.
"Tess?" Michael whispered as he felt guilty for leaving her side and going to Maria. "I don't know."
~*~
"Michael?" Maria groaned as she sat up in bed. She ran to the bathroom and splashed cold water onto her face.
She looked up at her reflection in the mirror. She touched her lips, her lips still tingled from his kisses, she still tasted him on her lips, "Michael."
She sighed and returned back to her bed. She flipped on the TV and turned to her side to check on Kyle on the other double bed.
"Kyle?" She whispered as she realized the other bed was empty. "This isn't funny, Kyle!" She cried as she walked over to the bed and started searching the room. "Kyle!" She cried as she ran to the door.
She stopped in her tracks as she noticed the bolt was still intact. There was no way that he could have left the through the door. "Kyle?" She gasped as fresh tears sprang to her eyes. "You left me. Where are you?"
Maria climbed back onto her bed and hugged the pillow tightly in her arms in. Her body began to tremble with her tears. "Don't leave me too."
~
Michael forced a smile as he climbed out of the bed and started to walk through the door.
"What?" Max asked stopping Michael from leaving. "What the fuck is your problem?"
"One, your timing stinks. Two, you pretend to be this great King and all you are is a boy. Three, you made me leave the only one I could ever love, to be here and you treat me like shit. Four, you knocked up my sister, but you don't love her." Michael yelled venting his frustrations.
Max looked at him sternly, "is that all?"
"No, I'm just warming up." Michael barked back as Isabel ran into the room.
"Have you found her?" She asked as she looked hopefully at Max.
"No," he replied as he looked over at Michael. "I was hoping he would know where she was."
"I'm sure she's not missing. How long have you been looking for her?" Michael replied as he walked past Isabel.
"An hour or two." Isabel replied as she nibbled on her lower lip. "I'm worried about her, she tried to kill herself earlier."
"What?" Michael gasped stopping in his tracks. "When?"
"Before you woke up. She can't be by herself." Isabel whimpered as she looked into his eyes. "You have to find her."
"I know where she is," Michael answered having a good idea of where she would be. He left the two and started walking to the tower.
The grand tower was off limits, but Tess loved this one room. It had a widow seat and a thick velvet curtain. She loved the fact that you could hide behind the curtain as you looked down below.
//flash//
"Michael it's the best room in the palace. Look at the view." Tess explained as Michael glanced out the window.
The view was breathtaking. It looked over the far reaches of the land. "It is beautiful," he replied. "But, it's not safe."
"I feel at home here, I feel safe here."
//flash//
"Michael?" Max inquired breaking Michael from his thoughts. "Where?"
Michael continued to walk and chose to ignore Max's request. He stopped in front of the door and heard Tess giggle.
They looked at each other with a confused glance as they heard her giggle turn into soft laughter.
"I need to talk to her alone. Please," Max urged. Michael nodded in response.
Max opened the door and walked into the room. Michael waited a few seconds and stepped inside the room in time to catch Max pull the curtain back.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" Max growled as he caught sight of him.
"Max," he responded bitterly.
"Kyle," he replied with even more spite.
Kyle pulled Tess aside protectively. "This is all your fault," Kyle accused as he continued to glare at Max. Max didn't hesitate a second and punch him in the gut.
Kyle drew in a sharp breath, but did not waver with the strength of the punch. "Kyle?" Tess cried out as she wrapped her arms around Kyle. "Leave him alone, Max."
"Max, stop." Michael cried as he stepped forward and grabbed Max before he tried to strike again. "Are you okay, Kyle?"
"Fine," Kyle responded harshly.
"How?" Michael asked in awe as Kyle looked towards him with recognition.
"Fuck," Kyle replied as he looked at Michael with a look of fear in his eyes.
"What?" Tess asked softly. Kyle leaned down and kissed her softly on the cheek. “Kyle?”
"Maria needs me," he whispered. She nodded in response. He looked over at Michael briefly as he crossed his arms and closed his eyes.
*flash*
A brilliant flash of light engulfed the room. When the light dispersed, Michael and Max looked at Tess for answers.
"What?" She gasped as she started to walk out of the room.
"Tess, how?” Michael asked.
“I told you he has powers, but this was his first visit.” Tess explained to them as Max started to pace back and forth.
“How?” Max cried. “I mean, Liz never developed powers. Let alone powers to travel through space, even we can’t do that!”
“After being healed by you, mindwarped by me then being healed by me and then… um...” She paused looking nervously at Michael. “His powers were increased.”
“You healed him?” Max asked with laughter in his voice.
“Yes, I healed him.” Tess replied with slight malice in her voice. “We have a connection that will never be broken. He loved me, which makes his power even stronger. Liz could have had more powers, but obviously she didn’t love you that much.”
“You, Bitch!” Max cried as Isabel walked into the room.
“Max!” Isabel cried as she put her arms around Tess and walked her out of the room.
Michael looked over at Max with anger, “leave my sister alone. You had your chance.”
“You knew he had powers.” Max accused him as he started to walk towards him. “You only like him because he is helping your precious Maria.”
Michael snapped and punched Max hard in the gut. ”You deserve so much more, your Highness.”
Michael left Max gasping for air. He needed to find Tess, he needed to know what Kyle meant earlier about Maria. “Kyle, take care of her for me.”
~
Maria felt a surge of energy in the air and the lights flickered off and on. She watched Kyle reappear on his bed. “Kyle!”
“Maria, I’m sorry.” He whispered weakly. “Michael was suppose to keep you occupied, you were suppose to be asleep.”
“Don’t ever do that to me again!” She cried as she hugged her brother.
“I promise I won’t leave you.” Kyle whispered softly as he kissed her forehead.
“Good,” She whispered as she snuggled into his chest and feel asleep.
“There won’t be a next time,” he whispered to himself as he ran his hand through her hair.
~*~
The sun trickled in through the windows as Maria heard a knock at the door. Maria yawned and stretched out pulling herself from Kyle's embrace. She headed to the door and looked through the key hole.
"Mornin'," Maria whispered in a sleepy haze as she opened the door.
"Mornin', our plane leaves in an hour," Jim replied as he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a hug.
"Is Mom okay?" She asked still concerned over her outburst last night.
"Yes," he replied as he looked towards his son sleeping in the bed.
"Good thing Kyle developed those powers. Mom would have freaked," Maria whispered.
"When we get back, we will have to sit her down and tell her everything. I can't keep this from her any longer." Jim announced as Maria nodded in agreement. "But first we will relax in the sun and dance the night away."
"Have fun," Maria giggled at the thought of them partying the night away in the Bahamas. "We will be fine."
"I'm sure you will be," he replied as he turned towards Kyle.
"Morning sweetheart," Amy whispered as she entered the room and hugged her daughter.
"Morning," Maria whispered. Maria turned to Kyle's bed. "Kyle? Wake up! They are leaving soon." Maria cried out as she jumped on the bed.
"Huh?" Kyle mumbled in response as he covered his head with the pillow.
"Kyle, time to get up!" Maria sang as she took his pillow and hit him in the head with it.
Kyle looked up at her then glanced over at his Dad and smiled. "Mornin'," he moaned softly as he got out of bed.
Amy quickly walked over to him and gave him a hug. "You take good care of my Maria."
"I will," he replied as he looked over at Maria.
"Take care of yourself. Have a safe trip back to Roswell and we will see you in two weeks, pending any Alien attacks." Jim laughed as he winked at Amy.
Amy laughed as she hugged Maria one last time. "Goodbye, I love you."
"I love you too," Maria replied as she watched Kyle grimace in pain when Jim hugged him.
"You better hurry before you guys miss the plane!" Kyle replied forcing a laugh.
Maria looked over at him with a hint of confusion. He acted as if he was hiding something. Her smile started to fade as Kyle refused to meet eye contact.
"See you later," Maria replied quickly as she followed them to the door. Kyle waved goodbye from across the room and wavered slightly.
"Be good," Jim warned in a playful voice as they left the room.
"We will," Maria laughed as she shut the door behind them. She turned to see Kyle collapse on the bed. "Kyle?"
Kyle shut his eyes as a wave of pain traveled through his body. He flinched and moaned softly as Maria placed her hand on his back.
"Kyle?" Her voice wavered. She felt the heat rolling off him in waves. "Oh, God, what's wrong?"
"I'm okay," he groaned as he pulled himself up and leaned back against the headboard.
"Liar!" Maria shot back. "You are burning up!"
"I'm fine," he whispered as he closed his eyes.
"Don't lie to me Kyle. What's wrong?" She urged.
"I'm fine," he managed to whisper. "I used to much of my strength yesterday."
"Is that it?" She questioned searching his eyes for the truth. "Kyle?"
"I just need to rest, I'll be fine in an hour." He moaned as he laid back down and shut his eyes.
Maria nodded and hesitantly decided to let him rest for an hour.
~
Maria paced back and forth and continued to watch every breath he took.
"Oh, Kyle." She moaned as she glanced over at the clock. She knew something else was wrong. "Please, be okay. You can't leave me too."
Maria sat down next to Kyle as the hour mark passed by. "Kyle?" She gulped as she placed her hand on his back. "Oh, God!" She cried as she snapped her hand back. She kissed her fingers that tingled and burned from his touch.
She ran to the bathroom and soaked some towels in cold water. She pulled off his hot and damp clothes and placed the cooling towels on him. "Kyle?" She cried in tears. "Please Kyle. Open your eyes!"
Kyle remained near a comatose state. "Kyle! Oh, God,” Maria continued to cry. “Kyle! Wake up!"
Maria gasped and started to cry even harder when he did not respond. She began to pace trying to think of how to help.
"Liz?" She gasped as she grabbed her address book. Through her tears she found her number in Florida.
She dialed the number and waited impatiently for someone to pick up. "Hello?" She cried as she heard the phone pick up.
"Maria?“ Liz inquired as Maria smiled at the sound of her friends voice. Maria knew that if anyone could help, it would be Liz.
"I don't know what to do! He's so hot and…" Maria mumbled wiping away her tears.
"Maria," Liz interrupted. "I can't talk right now."
"But, Liz..." Maria gasped.
"I just need some time to think about what has happened."
"It's been a month."
"Maria, I just need more time." Liz pleaded.
"Liz please," Maria begged. "I need to know if you developed any powers and if..."
"Maria, go sniff some oils and call me next week."
"Liz!?" Maria cried as she heard the phone click and the dial tone returned. "Kyle may not have that long."
~*~
Michael paced the hallway allowing time for Isabel to comfort Tess. His mind raced with questions that had no answers in sight. He sighed as he looked out the window.
The sun started to peak through the horizon. The rosy reds highlighted the sky. It was a new day, a day for answers, "it's now or never, Guerin."
Michael turned and entered her room. He paused at the entryway and looked over at Isabel comforting Tess. Isabel looked up at him and smiled. He smiled in response, "can I speak to Tess alone?"
"Sure," Isabel sighed and hugged Tess briefly. "I need to check on Max anyway." She added as she turned to leave.
"Thanks," he whispered as she walked towards him.
"Just make sure she's okay," Isabel whispered as she squeezed my arm gently.
Michael nodded and walked over to Tess. "Care to explain what happened earlier?"
"Do I have too?" Tess groaned as she looked away from him.
"Either tell me now or I can go get Max and you can tell him." Michael shrugged, "it's your choice."
"Max?" Tess gasped as she glared at Michael.
"Yes, Max." He stated flatly with as little emotion as he could. He knew she would cave and tell him.
"Okay," she whispered.
Michael waited for her to continue as a heavy silence fell over the room. "Tell me what happened."
"But, Michael..."
"Now, Tess."
"Fine." She muttered as she stood up and walked over towards the window. "Promise me you won't tell."
"I promise," he grinned. "So, Sis. Tell me about you and Valenti."
Tess smiled and walked back over to Michael. "Kyle," Tess sighed. "He is... he is..."
"He's your what?"
"My everything," she purred as her eyes twinkled and then misted over. "He still loves me after everything I did. He forgave me. He loves me."
"I could see that he loved you," Michael replied softly taking her hands into his. "But when? How did it begin? How the hell did he get here?"
"When?" Tess repeated. "Umm, last Thanksgiving. I had just gotten back from New York. That night was our first time together, but certainly not our last."
"You've been a couple since Thanksgiving?"
"Not exactly," Tess whispered. "At first it was just pure raw sex, we were fuck buddies. We were horny teenagers that needed somewhere to belong and we found it in each other."
Michael looked at her with amusement, "fuck buddies?"
Tess blushed and buried her face in her hands. "Yes. Oh, that just sounds bad."
"No, it sounds like what normal horny teenagers would do," Michael laughed.
"Around Christmas time it changed," Tess continued. "I became more human and he was evolving more and more into an 'Alien'.
"The sex changed as we did. It became softer, slower, more erotic. New Years night, we made love for the first time, it was the first time we opened up our hearts as well.
"I knew he loved me and I loved him in a way. But, there was still a part of my heart that craved. No, it wanted, it needed..."
"Max?" Michael offered softly.
"Yes," Tess gasped. "Max was my destiny. He was my past. Max was my King, my husband, my lover."
"So? It was in the past."
"So, when Max was free for the most part from Liz and he finally started to remember me as Ava and he started to remember our past." Tess paused and looked away. "I mindwarped Kyle and made him believe that he loved me as a sister and I went for Max."
"Why?"
"I didn't know then," Tess moaned as a tear trickled down her face.
"Know what?"
"That I loved him," Tess sighed. "I was too consumed with my desire for Max and I was so obsessed with my destiny, that I didn't see Kyle for what he was."
"And now?"
"I wish we could go back, I know what destiny feels like and it is not what I expected. Nesado was wrong, destiny wasn't worth it."
Michael wrapped his arms around his sister. He wiped the tears from her eyes. He wanted to tell her everything would be okay, he wanted to lighten the pain in her heart.
"What about his powers?" Michael asked as he kissed her forehead.
"Kyle started developing his powers after Max healed him," Tess explained as she pulled away from Michael.
"He did?" Michael gasped. "How?"
"The bullet pierced his heart and lungs... it did major damage. When Max healed him he changed his molecular structure. The blood pumping through his new heart changed and ignited changes through out his body. He was slowly evolving into an 'Alien'."
"What kind of powers did he have?"
"At first he could do everything that we could, but he could only do it in small amounts and it made him weak afterwards."
"His human body couldn't handle it."
"He hid his powers for the longest time. But, I caught him using his powers one day and I started helping him. I coached him." Tess whispered, "then, when we started having sex his powers increased."
"How?" Michael asked slightly concerned.
"I don't know, they just did." She whispered and looked into Michael's worried eyes. "Maria will be okay. I think his powers increase mainly because of the connection that opened between us."
He nodded and looked away in thought. "Maria and I have opened a connection, but your bond with Kyle is much stronger."
"Our bond, our connection was strengthened when I healed him," Tess admitted.
"After you mindwarped him," Michael added as Tess nodded in reply.
"The mindwarp only lasted a few days. He confronted me about it. I thought he would be angry with me, but he said he understood and that he loved me enough to let me go."
"Then you healed him?"
"Well, I tried too." She giggled, "but, I think I did something else. I increased his powers instead."
"I can't believe no one knew about his powers or even that you two were together!" Michael exclaimed in amazement. "I never suspected it."
"Alex knew, he helped us." Tess whispered as she sniffed back fresh tears.
"Alex?" Michael gasped.
"Yes, Kyle and Alex became extremely close after the cave incident."
"Alex was a good friend. He made Isabel happy and for that I thank him."
"Alex was killed by Lonnie!" Tess blurted out.
"What?" Michael cried out taken aback by the news.
"Kyle snuck into the corners office, he scanned his body. He saw what happened. It was Lonnie." Tess explained in a rushed voice.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Michael cried out.
"How could we?” Tess inquired. “Oh, by the way Kyle is more 'Alien' then we are and he knows that Lonnie tricked him, drugged him and killed him because Khivar ordered her to."
Michael glared at Tess. "I can't believe you would hinder our survival by keeping this from us."
"Michael, I couldn't expose Kyle."
"You mean you couldn't expose your relationship. What would Max have thought of you then?" Michael snapped.
“I had to protect Kyle,” Tess snapped back as a wave of nausea and feeling of light headiness descended on her.
“Why? Because you claim you love him? If you loved him you would have never betrayed him.”
"Michael?" Tess gasped as she felt a surge of pain at the base of her neck. She froze as the pain sparked and tingled through out her body.
"Tess, do you realize that I am here stuck on Antar because of you." Michael cried out as he turned away from her.
Tess nodded as tears fell from her eyes. "Michael," she moaned as the pain tripled in intensity.
Michael turned back to her as her moaning sent waves of fear through his body. "Tess?" he gasped as she struggled to stand.
"Something's wrong," she moaned as he quickly went to her side. She leaned up against him using him for support.
"What‘s wrong?"
"Kyle," she groaned as she fainted into Michael's arms.
"Tess?" He cried out as he carried her to the bed and laid her down. "Tess?" He felt hot tears sting his eyes as she trembled and whimpered.
He wrapped his arms around her, cradling her in his arms. A few minutes of unbearable silence filled the air. “Tess, sweetie. Open your eyes.”
Tess eyes fluttered open momentarily. “I’m sorry,” she struggled to say.
“Sorry?” Michael laughed. ”You have nothing to be sorry about.”
Tess smiled weakly. “I love you,” she moaned. “You are my favorite brother.”
“I’m you’re only brother.” Michael laughed trying to lighten the mood.
“It hurts.”
“I’m here for you,” he moaned as his tears rolled down his face. She gasped and for second his heart stopped. “Breathe, Tess… stay with me.”
Michael encircled his arms around her. “Maria,” she whispered. His body stiffened as Tess moaned his lover's name.
“Maria? Tess?” Michael moaned as he tried to stay calm.
“Maria. Healing Stones. Kyle." Tess groaned as she trembled in his arms.
Michael nodded as he pieced her cryptic words together. He rubbed her back softly with his hands. "Help is on the way," he reassured her. "Just stay with me Tess. Don't leave me too."
~*~
Michael looked at Tess with mixed emotions. He wanted to scream, he wanted to yell.
He felt betrayed.
He pulled away from her and started to pace the small length of the room. Her words echoed in his mind. "How?" He moaned.
"What did you do to Kyle? How is he more Alien then we are?" Michael questioned. "Lonnie killed Alex? Why did you not tell us? Why did you lie?"
"Michael?" Tess whispered softly. He turned to her, his anger dispersing as he registered the pain in her voice.
"Tess?" He called out as he moved closer to her. He wrapped his arms around her as she looked up at him.
"Maria," she moaned.
"Maria?" Michael gasped as he recalled her earlier request.
"The stones, Kyle..." she groaned.
"I know, but how?"
"Maria. Healing Stones. Kyle." Tess repeated as she reached out and touched his face.
Michael's hand covered hers. He blinked back tears as he felt the pain radiate off her. "How?"
"Go to her..." she implored. "She needs you too."
Michael's heart skipped a beat as she closed her eyes once more. "Tess?" he inquired softly, already knowing that she wouldn't reply.
He laid down beside her and held onto her hand. He closed his eyes, "Maria."
~
Maria pulled her knees to her chest and rocked slowly back and forth. Her eyes remained on Kyle's chest. "Breathe in." She instructed as he took a slow agonizing breath. "Breathe out."
She closed her eyes, blinking back the hot tears.
Maria.
She looked up as she heard her name lingering in the air. He was waiting for her.
Maria squeezed her eyes shut and tried to relax. She sighed softly as the dreamworld descend around her.
"Michael?" She called out as he came into view.
"Maria," he moaned as they embraced.
The pain and sadness faded slightly as he cupped her face in his hands. He looked longingly into her teary eyes and kissed her soft lips.
"Oh, Michael." She moaned as she pulled away slightly and buried her face into his chest. "I'm scared."
"What's wrong with Kyle?"
"How did you know?" Maria gasped looking up at him.
"Tess."
"He's barely breathing, he's so hot, and he won't wake up." Maria cried. "I don't know what else to do."
"The healing stones." Michael whispered as he remembered Tess' request.
"The stones?" Maria repeated as it dawned on her. "For Kyle... but how? Where?"
"They are in my room, you still have a key right?"
"We are in VEGAS!!" Maria cried out. "How the fuck am I suppose to wing that?"
"In Vegas?" Michael questioned. "Why?"
"Jim and my Mom got married." Maria sighed. "We already missed our flight and I don't have any more money. I don't know what to do!"
"Michael?" A soft, pleading voice interrupted.
"Tess?" Maria whispered as she studied her pained expression.
"Kyle needs the healing stones to readjust the balance within. He upset it when he teleported. His body is still mostly human, even though his brain is not." Tess explained as she faded in and out in front of their eyes.
"Tell me what to do," Maria replied her heart racing as she tightened her grip on Michaels hand.
"You must leave Kyle and get the stones." Tess pleaded. "He doesn't..."
"Doesn't what?" Maria called out as Tess disappeared and did not return.
"Tess?" Michael cried out as Maria's arms tightened around his chest.
"I... leave him? I don't... I can't..." Maria mumbled.
"Tess won't leave him... You must go back to Roswell." Michael ordered. "I have a stash of money hidden away. Use it, save Kyle."
"Michael, he's my brother, I can't lose him too." Maria whispered as her tears scorched his chest.
Michael nodded as the dreamworld started to fade away. He leaned in and kissed her. "I know you can do it."
Maria sat up in the bed. A sense of fear and loneliness engulfed her. "Can I?" She groaned as she glanced at Kyle.
She quickly changed and called the front desk to reserve the room for another night. She ran her hand through his dampened hair.
"I'll be back soon," she promised as she kissed his forehead lightly. She felt the prickly heat on her lips. "Hold on."
~*~
Six hours later, Maria franticly looked for the healing stones. She rummaged through Michael's things as the dust stung her eyes.
"Damn it!" She cried sinking to the floor in desperation. "I'm sorry, Kyle." She moaned blinking back as the tears trickled down her face. She wrapped her arms protectively around her body.
She sighed deeply as her tears left tracks down her cheeks, "Michael where are they?"
She closed her eyes for a brief second as she felt compelled to look in the closet one more time. Her hands followed the smooth lines of the floor as she noticed a small gap.
She placed her fingers in the gap and tugged up lightly on the wood.
~
Michael paced the room nervously as Tess' condition worsened.
"Tess?" Came a voice from the door. Michael turned around as Max entered the room.
Max glanced at Tess and then Michael. "What's going on?"
"Nothing." Michael snapped as he walked over to Max and stood in front of him, blocking his view.
Max glared at Michael as he pushed him aside and walked over to her. "Tess?" He inquired as he put his hand on hers.
"Max, I think it would be best if you left."
"No." Max growled as he turned to him. "She's my wife and I will stay."
Michael's anger started to raise as he watched Max touch Tess' face. "Max you are not wanted here. You can't help her."
"Like you can?" Max snapped as he ran his hand through her hair.
"Why do you pretend to love her? Your marriage is a scam, you were forced to marry her."
"Things change," Max replied with a tender note to his voice.
"Not enough," Michael mumbled as he watched in fear for his sister.
"What the fuck is your problem?" Max cried as he turned away from Tess and glared at Michael.
"My problem?" Michael responded. "You're the king you should know."
"Yes and you are Second in Command. You should learn your place."
"I have learned my place. Have you?" Michael replied bitterly.
The heated glances escalated as Tess sat up in the bed and looked at them with tears in her eyes. "Stop it!" Tess moaned.
Michael looked over at her and felt his heart sink as he looked into to her eyes of despair. "Tess."
Max studied Tess' pained expression and then glanced back at Michael. He knew they were hiding something. "What's going on?"
"Nothing." Tess replied as she looked pleadingly at Michael.
"Leave it alone Max." Michael warned as he crossed the room and sat down beside Tess. He wrapped his arms around her as she snuggled in close to him.
"Tess?" Max implored. "Let me help you."
"I don't need your help anymore." She whispered as she closed her eyes. "I have Michael and I have..."
"Kyle?" Max finished her thought as Tess looked up at him with a hint of fear in her eyes.
Before Tess could respond she felt a wave of pain increase and coarse through her body. Michaels arms tightened protectively around her as her body trembled with pain.
“What is going on?” Max cried as he watched her stiffen and tense up with unseen pain and torment.
“You don’t really want to know.” Michael responded bitterly.
“It‘s Kyle isn‘t?” Max replied with an equally bitter tone. Michael looked away and Max knew the answer .
“Goodnight,” Michael replied as his gaze locked with his. They challenged each other once again.
Max opened his mouth to speak his mind and decided against it. “Goodnight,” he replied as he turned and left the room.
Michael sighed a sigh of relief and looked at Tess in his arms, “Maria, please hurry. Remember they are in the closet. Remember the closet.”
~*~
Maria opened the door and ran over to him. "Kyle?" She asked softly as she reached out and touched his face.
Kyle remained unresponsive to her touch. Maria blinked back tears as she quickly sat down beside him. She pulled the stones out of her bag and placed them in her lap. She arranged them and held them close to her body focusing all of her love and energy into them.
Maria moaned softly as a flicker of an electric current started to flow through her body and into the stones. Her eyes fluttered close as the energy increased and multiplied.
Kyle groaned in response to the influx of energy and power. He felt his balance regain as his muscles relaxed and his pain eased with each pulse. The waves of energy pulsated and engulfed all of his senses.
//flash//
Maria looked at him across the desert sands. He stood strong and healthy in the heat of the radiate sun. Her heart soared with happiness.
She ran towards him and they embraced under the realm of dreams.
Kyle smiled and kissed her softly on the forehead as yet another surge of power crackled in the air. Kyle felt the familiar current and turned around to see Tess standing in front of him.
Tess blinked back tears as she ran to Kyle. Tess tentatively reached up and touched his face before they embraced.
Maria wiped away her tears of happiness as she noticed another figure on the horizon.
Kyle looked away from Tess as he felt a new pulse of electricity linger in the air. His eyes locked with Michael's and he nodded.
//flash//
"Kyle!" Maria cried out with joy as the hotel room materialized around them, the dream realm disappearing.
"Maria," Kyle replied as he looked at the healing stones between them. "No biggie, just needed a nap."
"Augh!" She laughed as she punched him in the shoulder. "Don't you ever scare me like that again!"
Kyle smiled weakly as they embraced once again.
~
Tess sat up with a smile plastered to her face. “He is going to be okay!” Tess cried out tackling Michael. “It worked!”
“I’m glad.” Michael replied softly as he looked away his mind turning to other matters.
“Michael?” Tess asked slightly concerned over his tone and actions.
“It’s not over." He paused as he took a deep breath. "You need to talk with Max. You need to tell him everything.”
“Everything?” Tess gasped as she pulled away from him, her feelings of happiness plummeted.
“Yes, Tess. Everything.” Michael stated harshly as Tess flinched in response.
“No,” She replied as she started to back out of the room.
“Tess, you must.” He insisted.
“No. I can’t. Not now, not ever!” Tess cried out as she ran out the door.
“Good going.” Michael berated himself as he slammed his hand against the wall. He wanted to run after her but knew she needed the time to think.
~
The days events had simmered down and Kyle glanced at Maria's sleeping form. He smiled as he noticed a flicker of a smile across her face and he knew that she was safe in Michael's arms.
"Dreams are not what they seem." Kyle sighed. "They betray us."
~*~
Maria sighed and lingered deeper into the realm of dreams. She waited for him to appear. She needed to see him, she needed to touch him.
"Maria?" A voice whispered in her ear and his warm breath lingered on her neck. She smiled and turned to him her heart racing.
"Michael," she gasped as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
He pulled her closer to him and placed a soft kiss on her brow. "Maria," he whispered again holding her even tighter.
They remained close needing to feel each other breathe, to feel their heart beat as one. They needed to know that they were alive, to know that they were safe.
The events of late lingered in the air. Their pain stung deep and their illusions were shattered.
"What now?" Maria moaned slightly above a whisper. She looked up to him with fresh tears in her eyes . "It's not over yet, is it?"
Michael looked away not knowing how to answer her. "I don't know." He replied as a surge of pain cut deep into him. "Fuck."
"Michael?" Maria inquired her voice filled with concern as she felt the same bolt of pain.
~
Michael sat up his body aching. He glanced around the dark room as he struggled to stand. "Tess," he groaned needing to see her. He needed to know she was safe and not the cause of his pain.
"Tess?" He called out again as he walked out into the hallway.
The pain continued to scorch and burn fueling his desire to find his sister. He felt lost in his tortured emotions as he saw a servant boy walk by.
"Have you see, Tess?" He inquired harshly.
"I believe, the Queen, went out into the gardens." He answered quickly.
"The gardens?" Michael repeated as his mind flashed back to the earlier attack. "Alone?" Michael gasped his heart racing even faster.
"I believe so, sir."
Michael paled as he looked away from the servant boy and glanced out towards the garden. He pressed his hand against his chest as his heart skipped a beat.
Michael pushed himself to walk forward and he quickly entered the maze of roses. The flowery smell lingered in the air. The once soothing scent burned and turned acidic in the air.
"No!" Michael heard a muffled voice cry. He paused feeling a sense of dread and fear wash over him.
He turned and ran towards the voice. "Tess?" He cried out as he rounded a corner and stopped in his tracks.
~
Her dream collapsed leaving her in the harsh realm of reality. Maria gasped as the pain she felt earlier deepen.
She paused and took a deep breath. She curled up in the bed and squeezed her eyes tighter. She couldn’t bring herself to look up, she already knew that she was alone. “Kyle, you promised.”
~
He blinked back his tears and tried to take in the scene before him. The sun started to fade as he watched the couple in front of him. His back was turned towards him and all he could see of her was the waves of fabric from her dress.
Michael walked up behind them feeling like an intruder. “Kyle?” he asked as he stepped closer realizing the pain he felt was gone. He felt empty, hollow.
“Leave us alone,” he moaned not looking away from her. “You’re too late,” Kyle replied as he lifted his hand towards him.
“What happened?” Michael gasped as he noticed streaks of blood on Kyle’s hand. Michael glanced around taking in the full scene in front of him.
Blood, dark crimson red. It burned his eyes to look at it. The blood coated the grass and blended in with the roses.
He looked away from the blood and noticed a body crumbled up against the hedges. Michael walked over to it and turned the body over. “Lonnie?!” Michael gasped as he checked quickly for a pulse and found none.
Michael turned back to Kyle hunched over Tess’ body. “She deserves to rot in hell.” Kyle muttered his voice harsh and cold. “She took everything I cared for away.”
“Kyle, I…” Michael began as he saw Tess’ face.
His heart broke as he looked into her lifeless eyes. Her pale skin accented the blood splattered on her face. “Oh, Tess,” he moaned letting his tears fall freely. He dropped to his knees and touched her cool hand.
Michael looked up and gasped as he looked into Kyle’s empty, soulless eyes. “I was too late,” he admitted his voice barely above a whisper.
Michael looked away not knowing what to say. He felt empty and his heart was broken, he knew Kyle’s pain was worse. Kyle had shared his heart and soul with her.
He looked down at Tess and softly stroked his cheek wanting her to open her eyes and smile once more. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s time,” Kyle announced as he stood up and walked closer to him.
Michael stood up and looked at him confused. “Time?” Michael repeated.
Kyle nodded and took Michael’s hand in his. Michael winced at the shock of electricity in his hands.
//flash//
Kyle shoots Lonnie and watches her fall to the ground.
//flash//
Kyle cradles Tess in his arms. Her blood coating his hands as he desperately tries to save her.
//flash//
Her last breath lingers on his lips.
//flash//
“I love you," he whispers as he hears an intruder. "Wait for me.”
//flash//
Michael gulped back his tears as he felt Kyle’s feelings engulf him. “Ky…”
“Take care of her for me,” Kyle interrupted as he gathered all of his power and pushed Michael home.
Kyle dropped to his knees and used his last ounce of strength to reach out to her and brushed his hand against hers.
~
Michael felt lost amongst the undercurrent of electricity and power. He gasped for air as he opened his eyes.
He blinked as his eyes and body adjusted to his surroundings.
“Michael?” Maria cried out as she looked at him.
“Maria?” he gasped as he looked at her in front of him.
“Is this real?” she asked as she reached out to him. She was afraid that if she touched him, he would disappear.
“Yes,” he moaned as he realized Kyle’s gift of life.
“I feel so empty.” Maria whispered as he wrapped his arms around him. “Where’s Kyle?”
Michael stiffened. “He’s gone.”
“Gone?” Maria gasped as she grabbed onto him for support.
“He’s with Tess now.” Michael whispered as he pulled her closer to his body giving her the support she needed, they support that he needed.
“Kyle and Tess?” Maria moaned through her tears.
Michael nodded unable to speak.
Two hearts merged in love and in spirit as two hearts broke over their loss and sadness.
Two lives were gone, never to return as two lives lived in their wake to grow stronger.
Duality.
The End |
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