Jim Valenti pulled up to the cave. This didn't look like a group of happy-go-lucky teens on a camping weekend. They looked tired and serious. Kyle was talking to Liz-well, that was good, he thought. At least they are getting along.

He got out of the car and approached Kyle. "Everything going okay up here?"

Kyle looked at Liz, then Max, not sure what to say. Max walked over to them. "Hello, Sheriff. Checking up on us?"

"Just doing a sweep through the area, Max. Thought I'd check in on you folks. How's it goin'?"

"We're okay, Sheriff, but you might as well know we had an accident here yesterday. Isabel and Alex fell from an overhang onto some rocks. Isabel is okay, but Alex was pretty shaken up. He's resting."

Liz had been listening to see how much Max would tell Valenti. He knew all about them now, but even so, he might have insisted on taking Alex to a doctor. Max was playing it safe. Kyle looked uncomfortable.

"I'd best go in and check on him then, hadn't I?" The Sheriff walked directly into the cave. When his eyes had adjusted to the dark, he realized Alex was sitting up, staring at the cave wall, then writing in a small notebook. He had not even heard the Sheriff walk in.

"Alex?"

"Oh! Sheriff. What are you doing here?"

"Just checking in. I heard you had an accident. How are you doing?"

"Fine, Sheriff. I'm fine."

"What have you got there?"

"Nothing."

"Alex, I thought we were done with secrets now. What are you up to?"

"I . . . I'm not sure, but I think I'm reading these cave paintings. For some reason, they're making sense to me. And I can't believe what they say. I don't want to tell the others yet. They'll be pressuring me for answers, and I need more time. Please, Sheriff."

Valenti stared at Alex. "This could give them the answers they've been looking for. That I've been looking for. You take your time, Alex. But you will tell them, right?"

"As soon as I feel like I know what this says, I'll tell them. Promise."

Valenti returned to the kids outside. "Looks like he's doing pretty well, but he's real tired. I'd find something else to do for a while and give him some quiet time. Watch where you build those campfires, now, okay?" And he got into his car and sped off.

Michael and Maria had wandered off, and Isabel had fallen asleep under the tree. Max took Liz's hand and said, "Let's go for a walk," and they took off toward the cliffs. Kyle sat down by Tess.

"You look like you've lost your best friend. What's up?"

Tess sighed. "I don't know what to do, Kyle. I've always believed that when I found Max, everything would just fall into place. He would love me and we would fulfill our destiny together." She looked up at the clear blue sky. "It seemed simple, preordained. No decisions or debate. That's just the way it was supposed to happen. But it hasn't. Max can't forget Liz. Even when she tells him goodbye, he won't come to me, at least not as a lover. Only a business partner. I'm not sure what happens if we veer off from what's been planned for us."

Kyle looked at her. She was really very cute, but she looked like she felt as out of place as he did. "I don't believe in that destiny crap," he told her. "We decide for ourselves what to make of our lives. Why would you let someone dictate that to you, anyway?"

"You make it sound easy, Kyle. But I'm alone in the world, except for Isabel, Michael, and Max. If I don't have them, I don't have anyone."

"They don't seem to see it that way. Look at Michael and Maria." He pointed across the distance to where they stood arm in arm admiring the scenery. "Look at Max and Liz. Even Isabel and Alex have something going. So why do you think you can only have alien relationships?"

"I guess because that's what I've always been taught. It's all I've ever believed. I never even tried to have other friends."

Kyle smiled and took her hand. "Maybe you should rethink that one, huh?"

14

Max and Liz strolled toward the cliffs in silence. They each had so much on their minds to say to each other, but nothing came out. As they approached the cliff's edge, Max tore his hand away and took a few steps ahead. Liz just stopped, watching him. He whirled around.

"What are we doing, Liz? This makes no sense." He looked at her for a moment. "Does it?"

"I thought we were doing what's right. What's meant to be. What choice do we have?"

"Damn it, Liz, we do have a choice. We must have!" Max walked toward her. "Liz. I don't think I can do this. Every fiber of my being tells me we should be together. How am I supposed to focus on this so-called destiny when all I can think about is you? You are the one I want. You are the one I need." He stepped closer and took her face gently between his hands. "I love you, Liz."

He bent his face close to hers and brushed her lips. As always, Liz felt as if she'd been shot through with electricity that gradually spread its warmth through her whole body. She leaned forward, drawn into that place she only found when she was kissing Max. A place so welcoming, so completely home, so intense that she could feel nothing else. This couldn't be wrong. It was so right!

Minutes passed at the young lovers gave in to the flood of wants and needs they had denied. Max felt as if he couldn't tell where he ended and Liz began. This was his soulmate, his destiny. He couldn't believe there was any other truth. His hands cradled her face, buried themselves in her hair, held her as close as physically possible as he breathed her in. For the second time, Max thought about just running away. Leaving it all behind and disappearing into a world where he and Liz could be together. But Isabel and Michael needed him. He couldn't abandon them. He loosened his grip on Liz and she brought her head back to look at him, eyes shining with love.

"What are we going to do, Liz?"

She took a step back. "I don't know how to answer you, Max. I wish I did."

"We'd better get back. Let's take the long way." He put his arm around her and they started slowly back to the cave.

15

By noon, hunger and heat drove the scattered campers back toward the cave. Isabel crept in quietly so as not to disturb Alex, but when she had reached the center of the cave, she could make out that he was sitting against the wall with a notebook, concentrating hard on something.

"Alex," she said softly, "how are you feeling? What have you got there?"

Alex looked up at her and grinned broadly. "Get everyone in here. I have something to tell you."

"What are you talking about?" Isabel thought Alex was feeling incredibly happy for someone whose life was draining away just a few short hours ago. She was shocked when he sprang to his feet, strode toward her, grabbed her shoulders, and pulled her toward him for a quick, hard kiss.

"Alex! Should you be up?" Isabel couldn't help but smile. She was pleased, both by his energy and the way he chose to use it.

"Just get everyone in here," he ordered, and Isabel quickly obeyed.

When everyone was assembled, Alex began. "Everyone take a seat. I have something to tell you that will change your lives." Pleased at the surprised anticipation on everyone's face, he continued.

"I'm not completely sure how to explain this, but here goes. After everyone left this morning to let me sleep, I found myself drawn to the cave paintings. I had time to look at them for a long while, and soon I realized that I was actually understanding what I was looking at! As I studied the different pictures, they began to make sense to me. I got out my notebook and started writing down what I thought I was seeing. It took all morning, but I really believe I've deciphered the message on this wall."

He paused to see what affect his words were having on his audience. They were totally focused on him, with their mouths open and their eyes wide.

"Well, spit it out, Alex!" yelled Michael. "What does it say?"

"Isabel, are you wearing that necklace, the one with the symbol that matches this one?" he asked, pointing to the cave wall.

"Always," responded Isabel. She lifted it over her head and handed it to him.

"You know how you've always wondered what this meant? And, more recently, how it related to what the hologram told you in the pod chamber? Well, I can tell you now."

"What is it, Alex?" Isabel breathed. "What does it mean?"

"The two curved lines that wind around within each other but never quite touch? Those represent the two civilizations-yours and Earth's. The circle in the middle represents where those two civilizations come together. You see over here?" Alex pointed further down the wall. "These figures represent the four of you, each with your own gifts. Here's Max, the leader, but also diplomat and healer. Michael is the protector and defender figure, aggressor, too, when necessary. Isabel is here; she's like a counselor or advisor, helping to keep balance between the two. And Tess is the historian, the one who records what happens and brings the perspectives of the past to bear on the present.

"What the hologram told you was true, but not the way you thought. You had all the pieces to the puzzle, but you put them together wrong. You are meant to be together, but not paired up. You are meant to reach out to this other civilization-humans-and form a community of support here that will allow you to work on your powers and build your resources to help you free your home world. They knew you couldn't do it alone, so they sent you here to bond with humans and recruit help while you honed your skills.

"You already know that you are largely human. Your engineered human brains have just enhanced characteristics that were naturally there. I believe that the reason I could read these cave pictures is because Max's blood helped enhance my natural ability to figure things out-to go into the puzzle of how things work and make sense of them.

"The symbol you've been wearing, Isabel, is just that-a symbol of your purpose. It represents the whole goal of your presence here. How you reach that goal is up to you."

There was total silence as each person let the implications of Alex's words sink in. "Don't you see? All these feelings we've been fighting-they are what's meant to be!"

16

"No!" screamed Tess. "You have no idea what you're talking about." She turned to the startled group. "Surely you can see what he's doing! He's dreamed this whole thing up to get to Isabel and to help out his little pals. What makes you think he has any idea what these symbols mean?"

"Tess," said Alex quietly. "I don't blame you for being skeptical. I know this isn't what you want to hear. But I wouldn't lie about something so important. I couldn't. Be logical. How could the four of you accomplish such an enormous project on your own? This makes perfect sense, if you think about it."

"I think Alex is right," said Max. "We are only four people. We've been overwhelmed all week wondering how we were supposed to carry out this 'destiny' on our own. Looking at it with this new information, though, I can understand how it might be possible. There really is hope. This perspective just feels right."

"I agree," said Isabel. "Tess, this does include you, you know. We still need you. It's not that different from what you've believed all this time. It just means reaching out to someone other than just the three of us."

Tess was on the verge of tears. "I'm not sure I know how."

Alex smiled. "You know, Tess, everyone here has been adjusting to a whole new reality every day for the past year. You won't be alone."

For several minutes, the teens sat quietly with their own thoughts. Finally, Isabel stood and moved toward Alex. Suddenly she was laughing and kissing him. He swung her around, joining her laughter.

Maria looked at Michael. How would he take this? He hadn't said a word through the whole discussion. He had believed so strongly that he was meant to be with Isabel and that he was dangerous to Maria. But he had said he loved her. What would he do now? Maria didn't move, waiting for Michael to make up his mind. When he turned to look at her, she drew her breath in sharply. His piercing gaze ripped right through her and the intensity of emotion in his eyes was unlike anything she had seen in him before. He rose slowly to his feet and started toward her, his eyes never leaving hers. When he reached her, he held out his hand and helped her to her feet. "Come with me," he murmured, and they turned and left.

Tess watched the couples pairing off into their own worlds of laughter and love. The one thing they all seemed to share was a sense on relief. Tess wasn't sure what she was feeling. Max was lost to her for good, that was obvious. Where did that leave her? Kyle walked up beside her. "Do you realize what we are witnessing?"

"What do you mean?" asked Tess.

"Think about it. This is one of the most momentous days the Earth has ever known, and I'm a part of it. It's incredible, really. Somehow, over 50 years ago, you were sent in pods to this planet. Now you are grown, living on Earth, and bonds that the world has never even imagined are being formed. You were worried earlier that you would be alone if you didn't have Max and the others. But you do have them, and a whole world of possibilities besides. I, for one, would be proud to be your first human friend."

He held out his hand as if to shake hers. She extended her hand and accepted his handshake with a smile. Kyle bowed, "Kyle Valenti, at your service, madam." Tess giggled. "I'm not sure we should stick around here," Kyle observed tactfully. "Maybe we should take a walk."

"You're on," said Tess, and they headed out into the sun.

17

Max looked at Liz. She was staring at him, amazed at this shocking answer to their prayers. She crawled toward him, smiling seductively, and swung herself around until she was straddling his lap. They stared into each other's eyes for a full minute until their lips found each other in a deep, intense kiss.

"Max, there's something I want to show you," Liz whispered in his ear. She rose and walked across the cave to retrieve something from her backpack. She hugged it to her and said, "Come on. I want to show you this privately."

They walked for a time, holding hands and smiling at each other, until they came across a breathtaking view. They settled against a rock, and Liz handed Max what she had been holding.

"It's your journal," said Max. "Are you sure you want me to read this?"

"Turn to the back," Liz told him. "I wrote this last week before . . . everything happened. It's how I feel about you, Max . . . about us. I wouldn't have shown you before, but now I think it's okay."

Max opened the journal to the last page and saw a poem. He began to read:

He healed my body, but touched my soul, And revealed himself to me. I caught a glimpse of unknown worlds A brand new destiny.

The human veil in which I lived Slipped silently away, Revealing truths, unspoken love, Such loneliness and pain.

Through soulful eyes of untold depths To which I had been blind, I fell into a warmth so rare, The love I'd hoped to find.

I bless the stars that brought him here And showed me he was mine. His longing kiss and piercing gaze Are passion redefined.

That quiet strength, that tender touch, His vulnerability Belie the danger of his world, A lonely mystery.

His reaching out was not in vain. It forged a mighty bond. Though others' ignorance breeds fear, I know that they are wrong.

For the future that we see as ours, For the perfect love we share, We'll hold on to each other's hearts And accept fate's cosmic dare.

Hand in hand, where two worlds merge, We'll stride toward the unknown With trust in truth and faith in love, We'll make this world our own.

Max looked up, his eyes shining with tears. "Liz," Max's voice broke with emotion. God, he loved her! "It's beautiful. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever read." He reached for her. "Thank God I found you."

They held each other for what seemed like hours, crying, kissing, talking about everything life might bring, and feeling strong in their new sense of belonging.

18

Sunday night, everyone had gone home to unpack and take badly needed showers. Liz was on her balcony, staring at the stars that seemed very lucky indeed.

"Liz," she heard Max call.

"You don't need to ask anymore, Max. Just come up."

Max ascended the ladder easily, even though he was carrying something bulky.

"What's that?" Liz asked.

"I don't write poetry, Liz, but I still have those same feelings. This isn't my usual style, but I heard a song that I really believe was written for us. This is what I feel about you, Liz. These words are from my heart to yours." He placed the boombox on the ledge and inserted a CD. As Liz heard the opening bars of "Amazed" by Lonestar, she looked at Max in surprise.

"'Amazed' Max? I can't believe it. Every time I hear that song, all I can think of is someone wrote that for us. This is exactly how I feel about you. Now I see that you've been feeling the exact same way!" She smiled, glowing with happiness.

"Dance with me," whispered Max as he gathered her into his arms. As the song began, Liz relaxed against Max's chest, sure that there was no greater feeling in the world than having Max's loving arms around her. The words floated around them, infusing the night with a special meaning that was theirs alone.

Every time our eyes meet, This feeling inside me. Is almost more than I can take.

Baby, when you touch me, I feel how much you love me, And it just blows me away.

I've never been this close to anyone or anything. I can feel your thoughts. I can see your dreams.

I don't know how you do what you do. I'm so in love with you, It just keeps getting better. I want to spend the rest of my life With you by my side, forever and ever. Every little thing that you do, Baby, I'm amazed by you.

The smell of your skin, The taste of your kiss, The way you whisper in the dark.

Your hair all around me, Baby, you surround me, Touch every place in my heart.

Oh, it feels like the first time, every time. I want to spend the whole night in your eyes.

I don't know how you do what you do. I'm so in love with you, It just keeps getting better. I want to spend the rest of my life With you by my side, forever and ever. Every little thing that you do, Baby, I'm amazed by you.

As the closing bars ended, Max leaned his forehead against Liz's.