Hard.

The small explosion of pain made Alex grimace and grab his arm, nodding at Joey’s apologetic smile as they walked ahead into the church. “Yeah, yeah. Attack the hybrid in a weak moment- nice combat ethics, HUMAN!”

He shouted the last word just to make himself feel better. Ouch. That was going to leave a bruise. Unless he could... Nah. Leave the healing stuff to the professionals.

He rubbed his arm gingerly and cast out his mind to see if Isabel was on her way yet. She was so preoccupied that it was almost like she was doing that “blocking” thing. But oh well, for now it was actually a good thing. Now knowing what it was like being “connected” to someone, he could only imagine how bad it must have been for Max when Michael and Liz were the ones sharing the link. He winced at the memory.

Man, the orb had really screwed up that one. Alex absently beat a drum beat on his thigh. Where was Isabel? The longer he was away from her, the more uneasy he felt. At first, he’d been fine with the whole thing- the transformation, the twelve, leaving Earth. But then, you had to look at where he was coming from. Anything was better than the chemical hell that he‘d been subjected to. His mouth ran dry at the memory and he took in a deep breath to help get rid of the images.

There. That’s better.

Now that things felt more normal, it was difficult for Alex to accept that he’d never go home again, never graduate from college, never eat hot dogs at a football game... never even play his guitar again? Of course, none of the things he would miss compared with Isabel at all. If he had to choose-

*Okay, okay, I’m coming, Alex.*

Finally! Where are you?

*In the van. We‘re almost there.*

Great. I was just comparing you to hot dogs...

*Niiice, Alex.*

Well, you were winning...

*Gee, thanks.*

After several long, anxious moments when Alex’s feet seemed to drift toward the parking lot of their own free will, the last van finally pulled up. Alex’s heart skipped a beat when Isabel opened the door and gracefully placed one high-heeled shoe on the ground. Oh wow. The slit in her long red dress was high and very sexy...

She must’ve heard his thoughts because smiled in his direction as she stood. Alex could feel his mouth dropping open. The deep red dress skimmed her breasts and accentuated her waist before dropping elegantly to the ground... and did he mention how it skimmed her breasts?

He sucked in a deep breath. How could this beautiful creature even consider being with him?

Isabel looked disgusted with him as she approached. “Okay, okay, I was fine with the breast fixation, but exactly how did you sink from that to self-mortification?”

Her glare just made him grin as he knelt before her. “Oh great princess, I am not worthy to be your lackey, your lap dog, or even your pool boy!”

Isabel reached down and grabbed at his lapels, trying to pull him to his feet. “Aleeeex.” She looked around nervously.

He stayed down on his knees. “Sorry, princess, but shouldn’t you get used to this kind of thing?”

“No. Now get up before I turn your tux neon yellow.”

“Ouch! Okay, okay, but I just have one thing to say before I get up.”

Isabel sighed. “What is it, Alex?”

His throat went completely dry. He pulled a small box out of his breast pocket, his clumsy fingers barely managing to clutch it tight enough. He opened the box and watched her face light up as she saw the diamond ring inside. Somehow, he’d managed to surprise her. The look on her face was priceless.

“Wh- wh- how?” She barely breathed the words out.

“Well, I happened to have a few spare minutes and gee, here we were headed for a church at the exact time that a preacher happens to be waiting and well...”

Alex suddenly realized he wasn‘t saying anything he meant to say. He looked down and took a deep breath.

“Look, I know we’re leaving and things may be different where we go. And I want you to know that I have no qualms about taking my part in the twelve with you.” He paused to check that statement out. Needed amending. “I mean, besides the intergalactic travel thing, which sort of makes me break out in hives. But anyway, before we go, I have to be sure of you.” He took another deep breath, reaching past the comedian to the lover inside. “You are the stars in my night, Isabel, and I’d be completely lost without you. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you and being loved by you. So will you do me the honor of marrying me tonight, Isabella Chloe Evans?”

Isabel’s eyes were shining their beautiful brown magic in the darkness. “I will marry you, Alex Charles Whitman.” She helped him stand and pulled him in close, her soft hair brushing his face. Then she whispered, “But as for being lost, that part would be me without you.” Tears quivered in her eyes as she pulled back, even though she smiled. “You are the bravest man I have ever met and I love you.” She leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. Wait! SHE thought HE was brave?

Then he was lost in their connection, in the love and warmth radiating from her, from the promises of heaven in moments to come-

An irritating noise suddenly broke into his thoughts.

*Ignore them.*

Them? He reluctantly pulled away to see two very familiar, very happy faces- Liz and Maria.

“Congratulations, you guys,” Maria chirped and pushed herself into Alex’s arms.

“Nice privacy, Deluca,” Alex grumbled as she squeezed the breath out of him. “Okay, okay, I give, I give!”

She pulled back, laughing.

“My turn!“ Alex opened his arms for Liz and she wrapped her little arms tightly around him. He hugged her carefully, not wanting to squish her beautiful dress. “You guys really deserve to be happy now. I am so-” Liz choked off and Alex tightened his arms around her.

“You do, too. Big, big buckets of happy.”

She pulled away and wiped at her eyes.

“Here, let me fix that,” Isabel said, wiping one hand across Liz’s eyes to fix her make-up. Alex couldn’t help but notice how beautiful Liz looked, and suddenly it seemed that certain attributes were a little more noticeable. He averted his eyes accordingly.

*Why don’t you tell her?*

Alex looked at Isabel with raised eyebrows. Is this a trick question?

*No. She’s been feeling unsure of herself.*

Alex grinned. Don’t worry, Max’ll put that fear to rest easily. He looked over at Liz and offered her his arm. “Might I escort you inside, beautiful lady?”

Liz nodded. “Please.”

Alex offered Isabel his other arm and moved forward blissfully.

“What am I, chopped liver,” Maria grumbled from behind them.

“Oh, that I had three arms!” Alex smiled over his shoulder at her. “You do look wondrous tonight, Deluca. Wait ‘til Michael gets a gander at you.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’ve been telling him all night.”

Maria straightened her navy blue jacket and winked at Alex. He couldn’t help but feel stupidly happy. Liz was not only okay, but she was about to get married to the man of her dreams, Maria and Michael were connected and actually still getting along and wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles, Isabel Evans was going to walk away from this church a Whitman tonight.

The thought almost floored him.

Batten the hatches, ye hearties, Honeymoon ahoy!

“Doesn’t Liz look perfect in her dress, Alex?”

“Absolutely,” he said without hesitation. “You did a great job picking it out, dear. And by the way, just wait ‘til you see the groom.” He couldn’t help but grin at her.

Isabel’s eyes narrowed, fire flaring up in them immediately. “Did you guys do something to him?”

Alex almost stopped walking, “No, no, I swear, we didn’t. He’s just looking a little... uh, Dagonian now, that’s all.”

She tilted her head. Liz’s grip on his other arm tightened.

“His preference,” Alex added quickly. “Matpatha helped.”

Isabel nodded and seemed satisfied. “So is everything ready?”

“Yep. You guys head over to the room on the right there, and I‘ll go let the boss know she‘s here.”

Isabel looked at him questioningly. “Now you know that Max wanted this-”

“I know, I know,” he interrupted. “Believe me, I know EXACTLY how Max wants everything. And it’s all ready, even the very shell-shocked and befuddled pastor.”

Liz suddenly let go of his arm. “Wh-why is the pastor shell-shocked?”

Alex blinked. Maybe he shouldn’t have said that. He turned to her and smiled engagingly, ignoring Isabel’s blistering stare behind him. “Oh, it’s nothing. He’s just not used to... uh... transferring, that’s all.”

Liz looked at him blankly, but with growing fear. “Max transferred him here? Isn’t that dangerous?”

“Alex, why don‘t you go do what you‘re supposed to and leave the pep talks to me, okay?” Her quick, happy smile that lasted about two milliseconds let him know just how much trouble he was in. Isabel grabbed Liz’s arm and headed to the room where they were supposed to wait for Max.

Alex sighed as Maria pulled him in the opposite direction. “Let’s go lover boy. Looks like you’re going to have some serious making up to do later.”

Alex agreed. Living with Isabel’s temper was going to be interesting. But then again, he imagined the rewards of putting up with it would be absolutely amazing...

He turned to watch Isabel disappear around the corner, lost in the swaying of her hips for a moment...

*Alex! Go!*

Yes, dear.

******

Max looked up as soon as Alex opened the door. “She’s here?”

“Yeah. Are you still blocking her?”

Max nodded. “Just a minute or so more.”

“Well, don’t leave her hanging too long.“ Max stared at him until he continued. “She didn’t take the news of the transferred pastor very well. Sorry.“

Max jumped to his feet. “Is she okay?”

Maria appeared beside him. “She’s fine. She just needs to see you, that’s all.”

Max breathed a sigh of relief. “Right.” After last time, he couldn’t blame her at all. That’s why he was going to see her before the ceremony ever started and he wasn’t going to leave her side during the whole thing. If he’d just done that last time-

“Boss, you alright?” Max jerked his head up to see Alex looking at him worriedly. He nodded and smiled.

“Flashbacks.”

Alex nodded. “Yeah, having the same problem myself.” He came forward and reached out to shake Max’s hand. “Everything is fine. Everything will be just fine.”

Max felt tears prick his eyes because he knew the words were hard won. They had all been through so much to get here. Alex dropped Max’s hand, but leaned over to whisper. “By the way, she said ‘yes.‘”

Max looked up in stunned amazement, but kept his voice low. “Congratulations.“ He pulled Alex into a hug and clapped him on the back.

“Hey, mind if we borrow your wedding?”

Max pulled back and grinned. “Not at all. I think Liz would love that. Borrow anything you need.“

“Thanks.“

Max shook his head in amazement at the turn of events, then looked around the room at his friends and family. It didn‘t take long to get everyone‘s attention. “It‘s time. Everyone should probably take their places.”

The twelve in the room took their places at the front as witnesses, almost all bowing as they went. The parents were taking their seats in the front rows. Max stopped to lean down and kiss his mother’s cheek. “I love you.“ He looked over at his Dad. “Thanks for everything, Dad.“ His Dad nodded and smiled.

Max straightened up and walked to the back of the room, where the pastor was waiting, smiling vacantly. Max hesitated, then decided to speak. “Thanks again for agreeing to do this.”

“Sure, sure, I’m glad to help after that... after all that... happened last time...” He looked vaguely disturbed, but they had managed to convince him that this was all a very weird dream. Of course, transferring him here had helped him believe that little charade. He was willing to do whatever he was supposed to, but obviously he was hoping to wake up soon.

“I’ll be right back.”

The pastor nodded and Max headed out the door. He walked quickly to the bridal room, his heart beating double-time. He couldn’t wait to see Liz, to reconnect with her. It seemed like years since she’d last looked into his eyes...

Isabel was waiting outside the door for him. She looked a little nervous. Max’s stomach hit the floor. “What is it?”

“Nothing. She’s fine. It’s just that... her mother wanted to see her before the wedding. She’s in there now.”

Max set his mouth grimly. “How long?”

“About three minutes. I can’t hear a thing.”