Dreamwalk

20

In the Evanses' living room, Max watched as Jason started a rousing game of Jenga with Michael. The pair were crawling around on the floor picking up the pieces they had spilled out of the box and were carrying on like they were the ones who were old friends.

«I've never seen Michael warm up to a child so quickly," Max said as Maria came over to him.

«I've never seen him warm up to anyone so quickly," Maria agreed. «So, what's the kid's story?»

«Too long to go into," he replied.

«Gotcha," she said. «I think I'll join in the game.»

Max continued to watch as she plopped herself on the floor beside Jason. For the first time that afternoon he was actually glad that he had brought the boy along. Considering the mood he and Liz had been greeted with yesterday, Max suspected this was probably the first bit of fun Jason had experienced in a while. He was also glad to have brought Jason for slightly selfish reasons as well, because the boy was providing a minor distraction for him to keep

his mind off all the many frighteningly different things that could possibly be going wrong in the other room.

He continued to be amazed by how quickly Michael and Jason had bonded, although he suspected he shouldn't have been too surprised. Michael had spent years being roughed up by his foster father, Hank, all the while Max and Isabel were ignorant of the abuse. Somehow, Max suspected that the common bond between Michael and Jason was subtle enough that the pair would be naturally drawn to each other without realizing why. Max made a mental note to ask Michael about it some other time, then scratched it right off his mind when he remembered that Michael was never really big on those touchy-feely conversations.

Feeling silly standing in the doorway watching his friends playing, Max went over to join them on the floor. His mind wouldn't be even partially on the game, but at least it was a way to pass the time. The four of them settled into one of the quietest games of Jenga any of them had ever played. Three of the players kept an ear out to hear if they were needed in the other room while the fourth sensed the tension and remained mostly quiet out of respect.

Once Jason had finished placing the rows of rectangular blocks on top of one another, they took turns removing a block from the middle of the stack and placing it back on top. They went around the circle twice before Michael knocked it over, though Max suspected that the fall was on purpose since Jason was next and the tower was already leaning. That is not the Michael Guerin I know, Max thought. But then again, I've never really seen him interacting

with kids. Maybe there's a fun uncle in there for my son after all.

Game play continued as the tower was rebuilt and they started again. The game still didn't take anyone's mind off Isabel and Kyle, but it did allow them to get more into it as the minutes passed. In fact, they were so engrossed in the game at one point that they didn't notice they were no longer alone.

Isabel and Liz had entered the room, stopping to watch them for a moment.

«Good to know I was missed," Isabel said quietly as she saw the game players on the floor. Glad Max didn't have to interrupt his baby-sitter, she thought as she noticed the young boy with them.

Liz let out a cough to discreetly announce their presence, but it was unfortunately timed with another fall of the Jenga tower and all four players bursting out in near riotous laughter.

«Good morning," Isabel said loudly from the doorway in a slightly annoyed tone. «I'm so glad that while Kyle and I were in there fighting for our lives and his sanity, you guys got to play some fun party games.»

The look of relief on everyone's face was quite evident as Max was the first up to embrace his sister. The rest of the gang followed, although Jason stayed behind on the floor feeling somewhat out of place.

«Are you okay?» Max asked, squeezing tightly.

«Fine, I think," she said, stifling a yawn. «Surprisingly well rested, in fact.»

«How's Kyle?» Maria asked.

«Resting comfortably," Liz said cheerily.

«He was still sleeping soundly," Isabel added. «We decided he needed the rest, so we didn't bother to wake him.»

«Yeah," Liz agreed. «He's kind of taken over your room, Max. Sorry.»

«Giving up my bed is the least I could do for him," Max replied. «Considering all the things he's been through.»

«So what was the deal?» Michael asked bluntly.

Isabel didn't even consider explaining things, since she felt what they had gone through was Kyle's business and it wasn't her place to tell. «Just helping him battle some personal demons.»

«Guess that means we can go," Michael said quickly, giving Isabel a hug to welcome her back to the waking world. «I for one could use a shower.»

«Me too," Max, Maria, Isabel, and even Jason all said in unison.

«Call us if you go to any other planes of existence," Maria added in Isabel's ear so she wouldn't be overheard.

«I'll walk you to the door," Isabel said, leading them away. «Thanks for your help, guys.»

«No problem," Maria said. «Just another typical day in Roswell.»

«Oh, for the atypical day every now and then," Isabel said.

«From your lips," Maria agreed as they reached the front door. «Oh, some guy from your dad's work stopped by. Kyle spoke to him.»

«Jesse?» Isabel slipped before she remembered to play ignorant. While she had been stuck in Kyle's head she had not entirely forgotten about their plans to get together, but it

had slipped to the back of her mind. Now that she was finally free, it became her primary concern. She could only hope that he would forgive her for blowing him off two times in as many days. But then again, it was a good measuring stick for their relationship since she suspected this would not be the last time her other life would get in the way.

«Kyle didn't mention his name," Maria said with growing suspicion over this mystery man. «He told the guy that you were sick. I thought you should know in case he calls or something.»

«Thanks," Isabel said, looking for a way to change the subject.

«We should go," Michael said bluntly, unknowingly coming to his friend's rescue.

«Don't you just love those temperamental artists?» Maria commented to Isabel cryptically. «Let's go, Rembrandt.»

«I don't know why I ever tell you anything," he said, although Isabel had no idea what they were talking about.

«You never tell me anything," Maria reminded him.

«Well, thanks again.» Isabel ushered them out the open door. «We must do this again some time.»

«Until the next crisis," Maria agreed.

«Until then," Isabel said.

«Yeah. Bye," the king of the monosyllabic sentence added.

Isabel watched as the pair made their way down the front walk. No matter what evidence, we may have to the contrary, she thought, those two were made for each other. No one else will have them.

As Isabel was saying good-bye to their friends, Max and Liz rejoined Jason on the floor, cleaning up the scattered

wood pieces and returning them to the box from which they had come.

«Your sister looks like she's feeling better," Jason said.

«Yeah, we think it was a twenty-four-hour flu," Max replied. «She got it the same time yesterday, and apparently it's very precise.»

Jason looked at him like he didn't know what to make of what Max was saying. That is until both Max and Liz started giggling.

«Sorry this weekend got so crazy," Liz said.

«Are you kidding?» Jason's eyes went wide. «I was rescued from a mine shaft, got to visit the place I grew up, met all your cool friends, and kicked Michael's butt in Jenga. This was, like, the best weekend ever.» He had the first genuine smile on his face that Max had seen all weekend. «I never want to go home.»

The look of seriousness that crossed Liz's and Max's faces told him that was not an option. The expression was contagious as the smile was wiped away from his face as well. The distractions had served their purpose in getting him to forget his troubles, but all three of them knew that there was still a long way to go before the situation was finally resolved.

Liz took his hand, «We'll talk to your mom together. And I'll even stay until we go back to the doctor on Monday.»

«Yeah, whatever.» The carefree Jason of the past hour had disappeared.

«Don't worry," Liz said. «Aunt Jackie will take care of everything.»

The silence that followed was enough to tell Max all that he needed to know.

«Your mom already knows, doesn't she," Max spoke his suspicions.

«I never told her," Jason reluctantly admitted. «But, yeah. She has to know.»

Liz was beside herself. «I can't believe Aunt Jackie-"

Max grabbed her free hand, giving her a gentle look that said not now. «New plan," he said, focusing his attention back to Jason. «We'll take you to see Liz's mom. I suspect if there's anyone who can get through to your mom, it will be her.»

The look of hope on Jason's face nearly made both Max's and Liz's hearts break. «You think?»

«Absolutely," Liz said firmly. «My mom will make sure Aunt Jackie accepts the truth. And if she can't… I've always wanted to have a little brother.»

It seemed so simple, but Max knew that it wouldn't be. He also knew how important Jason was to Liz, and that made the boy important to him as well. They would see to it that Jason was protected, even if it meant bringing Max's own father and his law firm in on it.

«I do have one question, though," Max said.

Jason looked uncomfortable. «What?»

«Back at the ranch," he asked, «what happened to all the sheep?»

Jason laughed out loud as he detailed the story of the missing sheep by explaining that the rules of George's inheritance from his parents had required him to look after the sheep for six years. The time limit was up two months ago, and the sheep went with it.

«That's it?» Liz sounded disappointed. «I was hoping for something more.»

«Sorry," Jason replied.

«And who have we got here?» Isabel asked, coming back into the room.

«Jason," Max performed the introductions, «this is my sister, Isabel. Isabel, this is my friend Jason.»

«Nice to meet you," Isabel said, giving the boy's hand a shake.

«Hi," he stammered with an odd look on his face. «Glad you're feeling better.»

«Thanks.» She smiled. «Well, if you don't mind, I've got a phone call to make.» She grabbed the cordless phone as Jason's eyes followed her every move.

«We were on our way out.» Max watched Jason watch his sister. «I may be home later this afternoon, depending on things.»

Isabel silently cursed her dumb luck. «Well, since I've been cooped up all morning, I might go out tonight, so I'll see you later.» She was out of the room before he could ask her anything about her plans.

«Well, we should get over to Liz's place," Max said, noticing that Jason's eyes were still locked in the direction Isabel had just gone. «And maybe you and I should continue that conversation about changes that we started last night," he added in a conspiratorial whisper.

«I call the front seat," Jason yelled as he ran out to the car, slightly embarrassed.

«He's a good kid.» Max took Liz's hand as they also walked out to the car.

«So, do you have any more fears about raising your own son?» she asked.

Her gave her hand a little squeeze. «I'm sure I always will. But as long as I have you around to help me out, I

have a good feeling that everything will be just fine.»

He leaned in to kiss her, feeling secure in the knowledge that he would get his son back one day. With Liz by his side, not only did he think he would be fine raising his child, but he felt secure in the knowledge that he was growing up and into the role of the leader that he had been bom to fill.

Back in the house, Isabel stopped in the doorway to Max's room before continuing on to her own. Checking in on Kyle, she saw that he appeared to be sleeping peacefully, all curled up in the fetal position.

Since there was a shadow across his face, she couldn't be sure, but it appeared that he was sucking his thumb. She could, however, see his right hand clearly and, unlike the previous night, she could tell that it was completely still. The tapping had ceased and she expected that the dreams had stopped as well. She smiled at the sight, hoping that, for a while at least, Kyle and all her friends would have nothing but pleasant dreams.