something from the archives: say goodbye - part 34

there's suspense, there's danger, there's teleportation! you can catch up with the story at the links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,  31, 32, and 33.

read on for part 34.

Part 34

Liz groaned as she slowly opened her eyes. It took her a moment to remember why she was lying on the floor, why it was her body was screaming out in pain, why it was her heart was pounding its way out of her chest. Grunting with effort she tried to push herself up off the hard floor. She managed to seat herself, and as she pushed her hair back away from her face she noticed blood on her hands.

“You have a real nasty cut there, Liz.”

Kyle’s words startled Liz out of her numbed state.

“Oh God. Kyle, are you all right?”

“Yeah. Just a little bruised. I got the wind knocked out of me. Can you stand?”

“No. I think I twisted my ankle too.”

“What the hell are we going to do? We’re blocked in here.”

“Michael and Isabel?”

“I don’t know. They were pretty far up ahead of us.”

Kyle and Liz looked at the mountain of rubble that had effectively cut them off from any way of getting back outside or closer to Michael and Isabel.

“Can you connect with him?” asked Kyle.

“How?”

“Like you did with Max.”

“But he couldn’t hear me. And Isabel was with me.”

“But it’s Michael. Liz you have to try. I’m going to try to dreamwalk Isabel.”

“Do you think it will work?”

“It has to.”

Liz closed her eyes and nodded. It had been a while since she had tried to focus on the energy that Max had left behind when he healed her. It often simmered inside of her and she hoped that she had enough to reach Michael on her own. Breathing in and out she thought of Michael. But nothing was happening.

She opened her eyes. Kyle was sitting lotus position, his breathing deep and even. She didn’t think meditating would help her any. Her finger tingled, and she remembered that Michael had used his powers to create her engagement ring. If she could hone in on his essence locked within the ring, and use the energy trapped within herself, she might have a chance of reaching Michael.

Closing her eyes, she held the ring tightly in the palm of her hand. She let loose the torrent of power within her that begged to be unleashed and allowed it to heat the metal in her hand. Shifting through the molecules that were platinum, finding the molecules that were Michael, and projecting her image to where his body lay.

She opened her eyes once again. Michael lay before her, his body trapped beneath a boulder, blood trickling down his face, his arms, his legs. There was no place he wasn’t cut or bruised. Liz ran to his side and brushed the hair off his forehead.

“Michael.”

“Liz?” he moaned and opened his eyes. “What are you doing here? How?”

“Don’t ask me how. I had to find you.”

“Isabel?”

Liz looked around and saw Isabel lying in a heap a few feet away.

“She’s right here. Kyle’s dreamwalking her. Can you stand? I don’t know how to get out of this, Kyle and I are trapped too.”

Michael groaned. “I have an idea. But I need you to wake Isabel and go back.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Just trust me, baby. I’ll get us out of this.”

Liz nodded and walked to where Isabel lay. Gently she shook her awake.

“Liz?”

“Isabel. Are you okay?”

Isabel looked at Liz questioningly. She knew Liz had said something but it was as if she was on mute.

Liz simply pointed to where Michael lay and faded away.

“Michael! Oh my God!”

“Can you heal me Isabel?”

“Yeah. Hold on.”

Isabel placed a hand on Michael’s chest and seeking out his hurts with the energy that flowed through her, she slowly mended his battered body.

“Michael, what now?”

“Iz, you remember how we used to sort of transport from one place to another?”

“Yes. But we haven’t done that in years. I hated the feeling of it.”

“Yeah. But there’s no way we can get out of here unless we try to do it.”

“What about Liz and Kyle?”

“I think we can manage to take them with us.”

“Michael.”

“Isabel. We have to try.”

Isabel nodded. She took Michael’s hand in hers and closed her eyes.

They both concentrated on Liz and Kyle, and on becoming nothing but empty space where they were and materializing out of thin air next to Liz and Kyle. Slowly the molecules that formed them separated and flew through space and time one by one. Coming together cell by cell, becoming Isabel and Michael once more.

“Michael.” Liz said from where she sat on the floor. Michael ran to her and gathered her in his arms. Pressing his forehead to hers he whispered.

“Oh baby, I was so scared I’d lost you just when I’d found you.”

“Never.” Liz whispered back. Their lips met in a searing kiss. Both had been weakened by exerting their powers. Their breathing harsh and ragged. Their hearts pounding. Not with passion. But with fear and adrenaline.

“How did you guys get here?”

“It’s something we hadn’t done since we were kids. It’s real unsettling. You feel yourself disintegrate and come together. I need you to try it with me and Iz. It’s the only way I can get us out of here. I don’t know how long we have until the cave collapses entirely.”

“You think it will collapse again?”

“I’m pretty sure the whole thing was alien-related and that as soon as they realize we’re still alive they’ll try it again if we’re still in here. I’m going to get us out. But I need you to trust me. I need both of you to trust me.” Michael said including Kyle in his gaze.

“Okay. What do we have to do man?” asked Kyle.

“Just hold on to Isabel and me. And concentrate on outside of the caves. And don’t resist when you feel your body pulling apart. I know it’s creepy. I hate the way it feels, it’s why we never do it. But it’s the only way. Once we're outside Isabel and I can heal you guys.”

Liz and Kyle nodded their assent. Forming a circle they allowed themselves to be moved seamlessly from one space to another.

Gasping from the effort they all lay in a heap on the floor back outdoors. Breathing in the lush fresh air that was so liberating, unlike the constricting dankness of the caves. Liz lay in Michael’s embrace, while Kyle held Isabel.

“We shouldn’t stay here. We don’t want the rangers to find us.” Michael said tersely.

“I can’t walk. I think my ankle’s broken.” said Liz. Michael nodded and placed his hand on her injured leg, but when he tried to concentrate on healing her his energy shot all over the place.

“Isabel. I can’t. Take care of her.” Michael stepped away, his expression inscrutable, and watched as Isabel healed Liz completely. “You okay Kyle?” he asked.

“Yeah. Nothing major. Let’s get a move on.”

Nodding, Michael took hold of Liz’s hand and began walking back towards the camp. It had been a long day. They had much to talk about. They all needed to rest. And they needed to get back to Roswell.