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 Jim Valenti looked at the stack of papers on his desk; he had been putting off the filing for a long time. As a matter of fact, some of it went back to when he came back on the force. This was one part of police work that he didn't miss, but it had to get done. Sighing, he decided to do the oldest first. After flipping over the pile, he starts to go through months of routine cases, until he found something he didn't know existed. It was a notification from the FBI, dated two days after graduation. Jim stared at the faces of Max, Michael, Isabel and Liz; they were wanted for questioning concerning matters of national security. Surely no one took this seriously, but just in case they would, he wasn't about to show this to anyone. Looking around, he makes sure that no one sees him fold the paper and tuck it into his jacket pocket. He would have to find a safe place to destroy it…no one could know that they were being hunted.
“Jim, if you want to go to lunch now, go ahead.” Hanson stuck his head around the corner. “I have an appointment this afternoon, so it would be great if you'd go now, since I might need you to cover things then.”
“Sure, no problem. Can I bring you something back?” It still seemed strange to answer to him, but what he gave up to protect the kids was worth it. Hanson was a good guy, there were times that he still turned to Valenti, a lot of times really; he just didn't have a lot of the experiences that Jim had.
“No, I'm good. Have you heard from Kyle yet? It just seems strange that he'd leave town like that and not keep in touch.” Shaking his head, he turns and goes back to his office.
Jim was glad that he answered his own question, he hated to lie to him, but when it came to protecting his son and the rest of his “family” he'd do whatever was necessary. Picking up his jacket, he heads over to the Crashdown Café, maybe Geoff Parker could help him destroy the evidence he had hidden in his pocket.
 Max stared out the window, they had been traveling for hours, coming closer to home with each turn of the wheels. “If we keep up this pace, we should be in Roswell by morning. But if anyone wants to stop for the night, we can make one more stop, no problem.” He looked at Liz and winked, he knew better than to ask that…everyone was too anxious to get home.
“The only way I want to stop is if we blow a tire or we're sucking gas fumes…no other reason is acceptable!” Kyle couldn't wait to finally get home and sleep in his own bed.
“Hey Kyle? Do you think your dad would take in a boarder if I can't stay at Maria's? I never know what to expect from her mom.” He looked at Maria, the last thing that he wanted to do is leave her at her mom's, but it might have to come down to that if her mom wouldn't let him stay there.
“Michael, if you can't stay there, I'm going with you. I don't care if we have to sleep in the van. I won't be separated from you, no matter what…” They might not show what they feel like Max and Liz, but that didn't matter, they're feelings were just as strong.
“Maria, if it comes down to that, it won't be for long, just until I can save enough to get another place. Maybe I could be lucky enough to get my old place back.” He looked at her and grinned.
“Or not.” She mumbles under her breath.
“What, did you say something?”
“Oh, I said that's hot!” She didn't want to hurt his feelings, but if she never saw that place again she'd be happy.
“I think Liz and I will probably stay at her parent's place…” Max looks at Isabel to see her reaction.
“Thanks Max, that means I'll have to stay at Mom and Dad's all by myself…you know what that will mean. They'll drive me crazy with questions.” She rolls her eyes, trying hard not to think about staying at home again.
“Don't worry; we'll be getting our share of questions. Maybe we should pool our money, well once we get some of course, and share a house.” Liz didn't realize what she was saying.
“Liz” Maria looks at her, then pinches her cheeks. “I love ya, babe. But we have been one big happy family for almost eight months now. I kind of think we would be defeating our purpose.”
“Sorry, I just didn't think. It'll just seem strange not seeing everyone every day.”
“Never fear, Maria and I will probably be seeing you everyday. If your dad will let us come back that is. Think you could put in a good word for us?”
“I don't even know if I'll have a job there myself…”
Geoff Parker looked at the lunch crowd, then flipped over the last two burgers he'd put on the grill. “I'd give anything to have those three back.” He grumbled to himself. Who knew that three teenagers could keep this place running better than he could…he didn't realize how rusty he was.
Looking up, he sees Jim Valenti walk in the door; he had a funny, almost guilty look on his face.
Serving up the two burgers, he puts them on the ledge waiting for a pickup. “I'll be back.” Pointing at a few things on the grill he tells the other cook to keep an eye on them.
“Hey, Jim, can I get you anything?” He was drying his hands as he came out of the kitchen.
“I need to talk to you, you know in private. It's important, if you know what I mean.” He tried not to look too obvious as he followed Geoff into the break room.
“Does this have to do with the kids?” He was starting to get worried.
Jim quickly pulls out the paper, showing it to Geoff. “I need to destroy this. No one can see it.”
“Where did you get this? Are the FBI still looking for them?” He stood there looking at the pictures on the paper.
“This is dated two days after the graduation…so hopefully it's all old news by now.”
They exchange glances knowing that was only wishful thinking on their part. “I know what we can do with it.” Sticking the paper in the pocket of his apron, he goes back into the kitchen. “Dave, could you go into the storeroom and get me another case of ketchup, I think we're getting low.”
“But…I just got…” Looking a his boss he could tell it was better to do what he asks and not mention that he had just asked him to bring up a case of ketchup an hour ago.
Once he was alone in the kitchen, he removed the paper from his apron. Ripping it into a few smaller pieces, he holds it over the flames of the grill, charring it beyond recognition.
Everyone was trying to stay calm; they were only a few miles outside of Roswell. Michael was driving, Maria looked like she would jump right out of her skin if you said one word to her. Glancing to his right, Michael realized where they were. Just ahead stood the pod chamber. Suddenly he takes a right turn onto the dirt road.
“Michael! Where are you going? We're almost home!”
Michael didn't say a thing, he just exchanged looks with Max in the rearview mirror. Max knew without being told what he was doing. As they got closer, Max stood up. Everyone was wondering what was going on. “Liz, stand up for a minute, there's something I have to get.”
After she stood up, Max waved his hand near the one end of the couch. A small door opened revealing the box the alien artifacts were stored in.
“That's where they disappeared to! Good idea Max. Now, tell what's going on.” Isabel was getting impatient.
“We have to put these somewhere safe before we go back into town. We can't risk them falling into the wrong hands.” Picking up the box, he waits for Michael to stop the van. “Come on Liz, I need you to do something. You guys might as well wait here. We'll be right back.”
Walking up the path to the pod chamber, Michael has yet to figure out why they brought Liz. “Okay, I give up why did Liz need to come?”
“I'm curious too, Max.”
“I need to know something.” When they get to where they would open the pod chamber door, Michael starts to place his hand on the rock formation. “No, let Liz do it.”
“Maxwell, as far as we know the only people that can unlock the pod chamber is the royal four. I know Liz is changing and is getting powers, but that doesn't make her one of us…nothing personal, Liz.”
“No problem, Michael.”
“Go ahead Liz…I have to know.” She looks at him, “This is crazy” she thinks to herself.
“Max, there's no way I can do this…”
“Please, if it doesn't work, it doesn't work.”
“Okay.” Placing her hand on the spot that she had seen them use before, it only took a few seconds for the door to slide open…
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