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 Isabel didn't know what to say. "I'm sorry I woke you, I think I have the wrong number.”
“Um…That's okay…Wait! Who were you calling?” She was still half asleep.
“Jesse Ramirez.” Isabel waited.
“Oh, you have the right number, hang on! Jesse, Jesse wake up you have a phone call.”
Oh, Jesse, no…please this can't be. Isabel felt the tear run down her cheek. He couldn't do this, he loves her…but she has been gone for so long. What was she going to do?
“Hel…Hello.” He wasn't awake, what time is it? Looking at the clock he saw that it was one in the morning. “Can I help you? Is anybody there?”
“Jes…Jesse, it's Isabel. I guess I called at the wrong time, sorry.” She felt more tears run down her face.
“Isabel! Is it really you? Oh my God…Is everything alright?” He was wide awake, he couldn't believe his ears. “Where are you…no wait, don't tell me.” It wouldn't be safe for her to tell him on the phone, they could have it traced if she talked too long.
“Jesse, who answered the phone?”
“Who answered…oh! You think? Oh man, that's just a friend from work…”
“How convenient…” The tears were turning to anger; a picture started banging on the wall, their wedding picture started to float and spin.
“I should say a group of friends from work…”
“Jesse, that's not making it sound any better…”
He thought for a minute, and then he realized what that might sound like to her. “We were working. We have a big case coming to trial and we needed to put in some extra time on it and since I'm the only one that lives alone it was easier for them to come here. We might have disturbed the other guys' families with an all nighter.” As he was talking, the other people started to gather up their things. They waved as they went out the door. “Bye guys, see you tomorrow.”
Isabel felt the anger start to slow down, everything started to settle back in it's place. “I'm so sorry, I sounded like a jealous wife…well I guess I am. It's not fair that they can be there with you.” She wiped what was left of the tears from her face. “I'm home.”
“Home as in…” He wished she hadn't said anything on the phone; it could be dangerous for them.
“Yes, Max, well we all decided it was time, we wanted our lives back. But I can't leave here; we don't know what will be happening.” She prayed that he would say he would come there. That he wanted her more than that job.
“Damn, I can't leave right now either…this case is a major one. I hate this! If I can see a way, I'll be there as soon as I can. I love you more than you know. You better go, it might not be safe to stay on any longer.”
“I love you too, Jesse. I hope you can get away soon…” She hangs up the phone, then buries her face in her pillow and cries.
 Liz felt the sun coming through the window; lying on her side she watched Max sleep. It seemed like that is was the only time he really relaxed. Then she remembered that time that he walked up to her window and saw her in bed with Kyle…oh how that hurt him, but she thinks it hurt her more. Looking around the room she was glad that all of the things were different, no reminders, even though he knew the whole story now, it still bothered her to think of what she had to do.
“Hey, penny for your thoughts.” He had that half asleep look in his eye. “Did it feel good to sleep in your old bed?”
“I can sleep anywhere, as long as you're there.” She reached up and brushed a stray hair from his face. “My mother did a nice job…she kinda went overboard with all the flowers though.”
“Oh, I don't know, it reminds me of our little outing yesterday.” He smiles at her, then looking at the clock he decides it's time to get up. As he starts to pull the covers back, she started to pout.
“Are we going back to our real life so soon? I kind of hoped we'd be normal for a little while longer.”
Max leans down and gives her a long kiss, pulling away, he sighs. “I have to start looking around; I need to know where we stand.” He started to think he liked being on the road, at least then they didn't really need to mind the clock. “Then I have to see Brody…this will be the hardest thing I've had to do in a long time. Do you want the shower first?”
“I think since we're back home in the desert we should conserve water…” Grinning at him she runs into the bathroom, he wasn't far behind her.
When they came down into the restaurant, they saw Michael and Maria were already there.
“Morning sleepyheads, did you sleep well?” Maria was in a good mood for that early in the morning.
“Is it safe to assume that Michael didn't break in the new couch last night?” Max couldn't help teasing him.
“Funny Maxwell, Maria's mother has become very open minded these days.”
“Maria, I think today is the day to approach Brody…I need to know where things will lead, we might have to come up with a new plan if this fails.” He was worried, wonder if Brody turned them down, but he couldn't could he?
Liz rubbed her hand on his back. “It will be okay Max…Brody gets so confused by his abductions, I think once he knows the truth he'll be relieved. Plus when he knows that you were the one to save Sydney, he will be glad to help us.”
“I don't want to tell him that…I want his help because he wants to give it not out of obligation.” Looking up Max sees Geoff standing there with his order pad; he was smiling at the four of them. “How was the trip to Santa Fe? You're home awfully early.”
“We got half way there and decided we didn't really want to go, so we spent the night out. I take it you both slept well?” Grinning he looked at Liz, she seemed to be glowing. He was happy to have them home. “Now, can I take your order?”
After they finished their breakfast order Maria added something extra. “Oh, and we need a Galaxy sub, hold the mayo and extra pepper jack please.”
Geoff knew that could only mean on thing, they would be going to see Brody. He noticed the change in Max's face. He carried such a burden on his shoulders for such a young man. He was so proud that Liz stood by him. She seemed to get stronger with each passing day…how will they make it through whatever could come their way? It just seemed like so much for two people to survive.
When they got done with their breakfast they started looking around…they'd been back almost a full day, had they been found out? Were their enemies bidding their time, waiting for them to make one mistake? Max looks at Maria, it was showtime…”It's now or never Maria, let's go.” Liz takes his hand a gives it a gentle squeeze. Max looks down at her, then runs his hand over her hair…they didn't need to talk, the touches said it all.
Maria picks up the bag with the Galaxy sub, she looks at Michael, they both know what this could mean. Michael watches them cross the street hoping that Max is right. If he is, this could open a whole new world of opportunity for them all. As he looks over at Liz, he sees something he had never seen before, she had the strength of a warrior was shining from her eyes.
Max opened the door to the UFO Center, looking around he sees that they hadn't opened yet, which was strange. Maybe he changed the hours since we left, he thinks. Something didn't feel right. “Maria, stay here, I don't know what's going on, but something's wrong.” He goes back to where Brody used to store much of his equipment. Walking around the corner he hears a noise.
“Brody is that you? Are you okay?”
“Max? Is that you? When did you get back…?” As Brody came into view Max realized that it wasn't Brody…it was Larek!
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