Hii,
Alright, I`m back. Thank you to
RoswellOracle for the beautiful banner. Honestly, it`s absolutely gorgeous. A big thank you to everybody for the feedback. So sorry it took so long to get back to you with a new chapter, I`ve been so busy at work it's been completely crazy.
But here it is; Chapter Seven. Along with the brand new banner for this fic. Hope you guys enjoy!
Chapter Seven
Liz stirred her coffee and added just a hint of sugar; the way she liked it. She and Sweets sat together at bar area of the Crashdown, Sweets was completely engrossed in his meals; pancakes that Liz’s mother had made them for breakfast.
“This is
amazing,” Sweets managed to say in between bites.
“Yeah, it’s definitely good stuff,” Liz agreed, taking a sip of her coffee. “It’s one of the things I miss about this place. My mom and dad’s food.”
“No wonder,”
“Everything okay here?” Mrs. Parker asked. “Both of you tell me if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Parker.” Sweets said. “Hey, that totally makes you Momma Bones.”
Liz glared at him. “First of all, I’m not
Bones.” She said angrily. “And therefore that does not make my mother
Mama Bones.’’
“Oh yes it does!” Sweets said with a laugh.
“Shut up!” Liz said, hitting him lightly on the shoulder. At the same time, the back door swung open and Maria came through. Looking as pretty as ever in a pair of cut-off jeans and a simple white t-shirt. Her long, blond hair had been curled and tied up.
“Maria,” Liz said, guilt immediately hitting her like a ton of bricks. Despite the fact that Maria had lied to her and had hid the fact that Max’s son was here on earth with him, Liz couldn’t argue the fact that she had punched out Maria’s husband AND had completely forgotten to explain herself after she had.
“I’m so sorry,” Both girls’ exclaimed at the same time. Maria threw her arms around Liz, hugging her tightly.
“I’m so sorry I punched out Michael.” Liz said. “I was just angry-”
“Oh, Liz,” Maria laughed. “I’m so glad you did or I think I would have. The way he was acting…”
“But I went overboard.” Liz said.
“Wait, time out,” Sweets said. “You did what? Little Liz Parker knocking out her friend’s husband… now that’s therapy material right there.”
“Oh my, God.” Maria said, holding a shocked hand to her mouth.
“What?” Sweets asked, confused by Maria’s shocked stare. “Yes, I’m a therapist. But that’s not exactly a bad thing.”
“No,” Maria said, shaking her head. “You…look exactly like…Alex.”
“Who’s Alex?” Sweets asked, looking at Liz for an explanation.
“The cranial structure is completely different.” Liz blurted out. “He looks nothing like Alex.”
“He does!” Maria said. “Like…crazy alike.”
“Alex is a friend of yours?” Sweets asked.
“She didn’t tell you who Alex is?” Maria said, looking between Liz and Sweets.
“No, she didn’t,” Sweets said. “Well, this is definitely getting interesting.”
“Alex was our closest friend when we were teenagers. He died when he was 17. He was…um…murdered.”
“Oh, wow.” Sweets said apologetically. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea…”
“It’s fine.” Liz answered with a shrug. Bringing up Alex Whitman was always a slightly touchy subject for Liz. This was why she had never really told anybody about it once she had left Roswell. Bringing him up in a conversation normally tended to sting a bit.
The front doors swung open and Jim Valenti walked in wearing a strained face. “Good morning, Jim.” Liz said.
“Liz,” He said, giving a curt nod to the three of them.
“This is Dr. Sweets,” Liz said, “He’s a psychologist for the F.B.I. Sweets, this is Sheriff Jim Valenti.” The two shook hands.
“I just got a phone call from the local police department.” Jim said, taking a seat next to Liz. “We have ourselves two more murdered victims. The bodies we’re found this morning on the outskirts of Roswell. Word is that the two bodies…well, the bones, we’re found in… a spaceship.”
Sweets laughed. “A spaceship? Wow. That’s the first time I hear that one.”
Liz felt as though her heart had stopped beating. To anyone who was, well, normal; this would have been a funny situation. But Liz knew that this was no laughing matter. Because it could very well be that the bones were in deed found in a real spaceship.
Liz felt Maria’s hand grip her arm tightly and right away knew that she wasn’t the only one who was thinking what she was thinking.
“I’ll call Michael.” Maria said, turning on her heels. She disappeared out the backdoor, almost bumping into Seeley Booth.
“Whoa,” Booth said, stepping aside. “Sorry about that.”
“Its fine,” Maria answered, quickly speed-dialling her husband.
“Looks like we got ourselves another case,” Sweets explained. “Bones were found in a spaceship.” He snorted with laughter, unable to contain himself.
“Oh great.” Booth said, rolling his eyes. “Aliens in a spaceship; just what our trip to Roswell needed.”
“Let’s get going.” Liz muttered.
“What’s the rush? I want pancakes.” Booth said, sitting down next to Liz, grabbing the menu off of the counter.
“We don’t have time for pancakes.” Liz mumbled. “Come on.”
“Calm down, what’s with the mood change?” Booth asked. “Is it the aliens? Are you scared of the aliens?” He jokes, poking her in the ribs.
“No,” Liz snapped, slapping his hand away. “We just have a lot of work to do.” She stood up. “If you and Sweets want to eat pancakes; that’s fine. I’ll get a ride with Jim. Just meet us at the crime scene.”
She motioned for the Sheriff to follow her and he did. The two made their way out of the busy restaurant, which was now bustling with local clients and tourists.
“Truck’s parked this way.” Jim said, nodding towards the other side of the street. They both crossed and got into Jim’s jeep. “Crime scene’s about 25 miles south from here. Out in the dessert.”
“Jim,” Liz said, letting out a deep breath as she put her seat belt on and snapped it into place. “Do you think this is a real spaceship that we`re talking about?”
“Not sure,” Jim answered truthfully. “Agent Sanders give me a call this morning. He knows you and Booth are in town so he wanted you guys to check it out. Agent Sanders has a tendency of stretching the truth out a bit. This “Spaceship” could turn out to be a Toyota or something.” He saw Liz’s tense face and reached to give her arm a squeeze. “Don`t worry about it, I`m sure it’s nothing.”
“Did you tell Max?” Liz asked.
“No. I’m sure Maria`s got that covered.” Jim answered. “She probably told Michael and he’s probably told Max by now. Besides, I didn’t want to worry them until we know what’s going on. Not with the wedding happening tomorrow and the rehearsal dinner tonight. Everyone’s already on edge about everything, no need to make them panic any more than they already are.”
“Looks like they listened to you,” Jim chuckled, glancing in his rear-view mirror to see Booth and Sweets running to their rental truck to catch up to them.
“I’m just stressed.” Liz explained. “With all this happening, with the wedding, and with…Max being back. All of it is just so damn unexpected.”
“Didn’t think you’d be dealing with all this here, huh?” Jim asked.
“Really not,” Liz answered, shaking her head. “Thought it would be easier to come back here. But I guess not.” She paused. “Jim…do you think…this spaceship. It couldn’t be Tess…could it?”
“No.” Jim answered. “No possible way. At least, I don’t think so.”
“That’s all my damn weekend is missing.” Liz huffed as she stared out the window of Jim’s Jeep.
Jim’s phone rang. “Valenti,” He answered. There was a pause as the other person on the line spoke. “Yeah, we’re on our way. We’ll be there in about fifteen minutes.” He snapped the phone shut. “That was Sanders,” He explained. Barely seconds after he had shut the phone close that it rang once more.
“Damnit,” Jim swore as he answered his phone once more. “Valenti,” He spoke. Once again there was a pause as the person on the line spoke. “Yes, we’re going to check it out now.” Yet another long pause. “Michael, I’ll keep in touch. Try not to worry, it’s probably nothing.” He shot Liz an apologetic look. “You know what, if Liz trusts him; then so do I.”
Liz rolled her eyes. Of course Michael was asking Jim if Booth was there. She couldn’t believe the damn nerve he had.
“He doesn’t trust me.” Liz said, angrily. “Wow, he’s got some nerve.”
“It’s not that he doesn’t trust you.” Jim explained as he hung up the phone. “You have to understand how Michael is. Yes, he comes off as rude, but he’s extremely protective. He doesn’t
know you. That’s the difference.”
“He knows me.” Liz argued.
But Jim shook his head. “No, he doesn’t. He never did. You we’re never close to Michael in the first place. And then you left Roswell. He married your best friend, but you haven’t been around much…”
“I’ve been living my life.” Liz answered angrily, all of a sudden feeling attacked. “I sure as hell think I deserved too after everything I went through. It was my choice-”
“We don’t blame you.” Jim replied. “Trust me, Liz. You did the best thing. I’m just saying that you’ve been away…and you and everybody in Roswell- you grew apart. Michael is extremely protective of Maria and Max. After everything Max went through when he was on that planet of theirs, it’s normal that Michael feels this way.”
“I guess.” Liz said slowly. But neither Jim nor Liz had the chance to think or discuss the subject further as they pulled up to the crime scene right on the outskirts of Roswell, New Mexico. Right smack in the middle of the dessert.
There were at least five police cars parked, and about a dozen officers had invaded the crime scene.
“Sanders,” Jim called out as they got out of the jeep. “This is Liz Parker- I mean- Dr. Parker.” He looked down at Liz. “Still not used to calling you that.”
“Ahh, Dr.Parker,” Agent Sanders said smiling widely. “Such an honour to meet you. I’ve heard so many good things about you.”
“Thank you,” Liz said, shaking his hand. His wide, white smile and piercing brown eyes made her shiver.
“Okay, enough chit-chat.” Booth said, appearing by Liz’s side. “Where’s the spaceship?”
“Agent Booth, I presume.” Agent Sanders said, his smile growing thin. “Of course, I`ve heard a lot about you too. And you are?” He turned to Sweets.
“Dr. Sweets.” Sweets said, shaking Sander’s hand. “Psychologist for the F.B.I.”
“And there I thought you were Dr. Parker`s son or something.”
Booth snorted and Liz rolled her eyes.
“I’ve been told I look young,” Sweets said. “But I`m not that young.”
“Of course,” Agent Sander’s said. “Well, never the less, would you care to join me in this investigation?”
“What’s the situation?” Liz asked. “There are bones involved, right? Because I only do bones. I don’t do flesh.”
“Not to worry,” Agent Sander’s said, leading them closer towards the crime scene. “It’s only bones.”
“What happened exactly?” Jim asked.
“Young couple spotted this spaceship-looking thing this morning while driving by.” Agent Sander’s explained, not taking his eyes off of Liz for a second. Liz was growing uncomfortable but remained silent. “Couple stopped, took a look, and saw two bodies inside. Then they called us.”
“Wow,” Sweets said in awe as they came face to face with…
“This is not a spaceship.” Liz exclaimed. “This is some sort of…shuttle.” Sure, it could have been mistaken for a spaceship. But there was no way in hell that his was one.
“It looks like a spaceship.” Booth said attentively. Whatever it was, it was round, brown, and clearly rusted. And big enough to store something or someone inside. It had two small windows surrounding it.
Liz snapped her gloves on and kneeled next to the window. The windows were covered in dust. She ran her hand over it, trying to get rid of as much dust and dirt as she could in order to peer inside. Two skeletons were propped up, the flesh was completely remained.
“We got ourselves two more murders.” Liz said with a sigh as she looked solemnly at Booth.
“Guess we’re going to be in town for a little bit longer than we thought.”
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