Title:Tess's Secret - The Truth Hurts
Author: Jade aka SpaceGirl Candy
Disclaimer: I don't own Roswell or anything like it, though I wish I did.
Distribution: Take it if you want, but could you please email me? I love fan fiction sites! But if you can't it's okay.
Feedback: Pretty please! I would really like to know that people actually like what I'm writing. Email me at SpaceGirlCandy@hotmail.com
Summary: The aliens finally come back, but some things have changed
Author's note: I was sitting thinking one day, and well I've never read any fics that explore this possibility so I thought, might as well be the first! Anyways please give feedback! I really would like to know what you think.
Keywords: Michael, Maria, Home
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* * * * * *

"I want to go home." Michael said, nervously shoving his hands in his pockets.
"What are you talking about? You are home." Nasedo said as he stared indignantly at him.
"No. I want to go back. To her. To them. I want to go home."
"We all do." Isabel said looking up. Michael had finally said what they all hadn't had the courage too.
"It's true, we've been thinking about it for a long time." Max said as he walked up behind Isabel. Nasedo smiled at them. His smile it disturbed Michael, he didn't know why. It was like he knew something.
"The truth hurts. It always has." Nasedo paused at then his smile grew wider. "Very well. We will leave for your...home." He spit the word out like it burned his tongue. "We will leave tomorrow at this time. So anything you must do, you must do before then." Then he turned and looked at Tess, and then walked out of the room. Tess looked at them nodding her head and then followed him out. A few minutes later she returned, her face pale, and her usually bouncy blond tendrils seemed to droop, just like her expression. There was something behind her eyes, but Michael couldn't read it.
"There's something I have to tell you." And then Tess looked at them and noticed that they looked relaxed and happy. Something they hadn't been since they had left. And then she remembered something Maria had once told her.
"People tell me I have a sparkle in my eyes. But I believe all people do, just it always isn't as bright. But when people are really really happy and filled with hope, they sparkle too. So really everyone sparkles. They just need their chance to shine."
"What do you need to tell us?" Max said. Tess gulped. She had changed her mind; Nasedo had said she "could" do it. But she wouldn't. He knew she wouldn't be able to and she hated him for that. Because they had the spark, and they were finally shining, and they shone as bright as all the stars in the sky.
"I..umm..I'm not going. Please... understand that..." They all nodded at her, walking over and then gave her a hug. They understood that whatever was holding her back, keeping her here; whatever she didn't want to tell them was something that they shouldn't push her about. Because Tess had a secret.

* * * * *

Michael sat at the cliff watching the sunset in the horizon. The radiant pink, red, and oranges had already begun to mix with the beautiful colors of the night. He had really missed the fresh crisp air and just the feel of being on Earth. He had spent half his life trying to get away and the other half trying to get back. He had never known he would miss this place at all, and especially this much until he left. He sighed as he stood up and threw a rock into the sky and watched as it burst and shatter into a million piece before it hit the desert floor. He continued to do this, it was the only way he could think of the let out his anger. Finally the rocks began hitting the floor with small thuds and sending up tiny clouds of dust. Michael ran a hand through his disheveled hair. And then ran his hands over his face. Time had not taken its tole on him, though stress had. Years of fighting, death, yearning, and waiting had worn him down. He still had his trademark stance, which shouted, at the world to keep away. His defiant attitude and condescending smirk, it was all still there, but inside he was tired. He was tired of everything. He had completed his Destiny, he had fought the war, and they had won. But the one person that he really wanted to be there with him to experience that joy, wasn't here anymore, she wouldn't be now, she couldn't. He checked his watch; he would have to meet Isabel and Max in a few hours. He was sure that when they learned the news they would be just as devastated as he was. All those years of waiting and for…nothing. He just wished that they had been happy. No, he knew they had. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small picture it was worn and creased and old from age. It was his Maria. He was sitting, leaning against a tall tree and she sat in-between his legs as he stroked her hair and he was actually smiling. Her hair had grown longer by then and it hung in long golden waves around her face. Her luscious rosy colored lips smooth and shiny from her strawberry lip-gloss. He loved that lip-gloss it smelled just like her hair, fresh strawberries in a lush green field. And then there were her beautiful emerald green eyes. They sparkled and shined, vibrant with life. It was what he had first noticed about her. Her eyes. She just had this air about her. She was so full of life. She was like the sun. And now he would never hear her laugh again, hear her spit fire voice yelling at him, look into her beautiful eyes, no all he had now, were memories.

((((Flashback))))

The sky was dark and the stars twinkling brightly in the sky. The cold air of the desert whipped around the nine people who stood silently giving each other comfort, and finally realizing that this could be the last time that they would ever see the four ever again. Max. Michael. Isabel. Tess. Maria. Alex. Liz. Kyle and Jim. They all stood perfectly still. Not wanting to move. Not wanting to ruin the moment of pure and utter silence. A star twinkled in the night began getting bigger and began shining brighter, coming closer and closer until in stopped and floated in front of them. Suddenly there was a bright burst of light and they all covered their eyes to shield from the light. When they looked again there was giant metallic looking spacecraft hovering 10 feet off the floor. A light blue light beamed down from the bottom of the ship, illuminating a small circle of the New Mexico desert ground. First was Max. He said goodbye to everyone and kissed Liz, he have her a letter and a passionate goodbye kiss, and in return she handed him what looked like her journal and hugged him with all her might not wanting to let him go. Finally they released and he walked to the side and waiting for the others. Tess over the years had gotten in touch with her humanity, something that had always been there, it just needed a chance to bloom. She said goodbye to everyone and then handed Maria a box. It was the most surprising thing. Over the years Tess had found a best friend in Maria, and she didn't think she would ever understand how much that had meant to her. Isabel said her goodbyes, crying silently. She usually didn't let people see her cry, but now she couldn't help it, she was leaving and she knew when she did she would be leaving half of her heart. She didn't think people would believe her but really, she had two homes. When she stood in front of Alex they shared a loving embrace and a sweet kiss. Isabel unbuttoned the top button of Alex's shirt and then handed him the necklace piece she had found at Atherton's and he in return gave her a CD of the Whits and new songs he had recorded just for her. Finally there was Michael. He too said his goodbyes and then stood silently in front of his one and only love. He nervously ran a hand through his unruly hair. He then reached out his hand and with his thumb wiped away her tears. Then reaching into his pocket he pulled out a beautiful silver chain with his ring dangling on it. He slipped it over her head and around her neck and she managed a small smile. Then leaning forward her gave her a soft sweet kiss. And for the second time in his life, Michael Guerin let himself cry. Quietly Maria handed him a small frame with a picture of them together. Then they all walked into the eerie blue light of the ship and were beamed up. The ship transformed back into a blinking star and then disappeared into the night.

((((End Flashback))))

Michael shouted into sky. As far as he was concerned he would never love again. Hi beautiful pixie was gone and with her, she had taken his heart and soul. He remembered the day it had happened. He had been on the battlefield and then he felt this clenching in his heart. This clenching was stronger then any he had felt before, but he knew he had to go on. He didn't know what was happening; ever since they had arrived he had felt this small clenching in his heart. Then after that day the clenching had been so intense and then inside he had just felt so empty. The emptiest he had ever felt before. He didn't know what was going on so he just went on, but when he got back he knew why. He knew why he felt empty. Now he understood what Tess had meant, and her words echoed in his head and the moment replayed in his heart.

((((Flashback))))

"It's all going to be different you know. You don't get that now, but you will later. That's why you can always come back." Tess spoke quietly, tears of happiness and sadness glistening in her eyes. Years of fighting a war had softened Tess. Maria had shown her kindness and with that she had finally understood why her "family" cared so intensely for the humans. She just wished that she had been able to experience love. No she had loved and been loved, by Max, Isabel, Michael, and even Maria. But to be in love was still something she had never experienced. And when she thought of the pain they were soon to endure a little part of her was happy that she hadn't. She didn't think that she would be strong enough to handle the news they would soon learn. And she would never forget their grief stricken faces when it was time to go. It had been a beautiful night when it happened. But now they were going back to their lovers. She understood this. They had a long time decided that to accomplish their destinies they didn't need to be "together." Now Tess stood looking at them. She wouldn't go back with them. It wasn't her place. But it was her place to wait here for them. They would be back and they would be heart broken she knew they would be, and she wished that she could do something about it, but not even she could do that. Everyone had been shocked when Michael had been the first to express his feeling and yearning to go back home. Tess remembered she had been overjoyed for them, but then Nasedo, he had told her the truth and she understood. None of them had ever questioned why they had to travel through space in the chambers and now she knew why. She had gone to tell them immediately but then she realized, that she wouldn't be the one to break their hearts. She couldn't. They would never understand. The only way they would is if they experienced and learned it themselves. So she smiled and waved back at them, trying her best to smile. "I'll miss you. Tell...Maria...I've missed her..." And then she couldn't hold the tears back. When she had refused to go they had all given her a strange look but they hadn't asked her about it. Now Michael was one again giving her that look. He didn't understand that no one would ever again be able to tell Maria they cared. And she cried for them, for Michael, Max, and Isabel, and then for herself, because they were happy and they didn't know. But she did and she couldn't tell them. Maria her only friend besides them, the most beautiful caring person inside and out she had or would ever meet, and her fantastic friends would not be there to wait for them.

((((End Flashback))))

Michael stood and wiped the tears away from his face. He understood now. Why Nasedo had smiled when they had decided to go back. He understood why Tess had been detached ever since they had decided to go back, and now he finally understood why she had cried. Tess the girl he had learned to be his long last family who had never shed a tear in her life, she cried. As he walked back to the ship he noticed Max and Isabel waiting for him. Their were dried tears on their cheeks and they were defeated looks on their faces which he was sure was mirrored on his own. He walked over and they all shared a tight embrace and then he felt Isabel let out a sigh and cry, and then they all cried there together. Now they would go home, because the dream of coming back to their home away from home had been shattered. No one had told them, but they had been foolish not to ask. They had been foolish not to think of all the possibilities first. They understood space travel but never questioned it. Never learned everything. Now they were gone. They had been gone for a very long time. Because though they were only in their mid thirties the humans were gone. Space travel. What a joke. They had known when they had come back to Earth it would be different but they hadn't known it would a completely different world. A completely different Earth. For when the aliens came back, it was the year 2402.

END