A malevolent wish come true (CC/ML/TEEN) COMPLETED! 13/01/06

[rie482]

A Malevolent wish come true

Author: Rie482

Category: CC – M/L

Rating: Teen

Summary: What if Liz left after Tess and Max got together in series two? Alex never died, Tess did get pregnant and but didn’t leave. What could have happened?

Disclaimer: I own nothing – the characters or concept of Roswell either from the book or television series.

PART ONE

It’s been four years since I left Roswell, New Mexico. It had all gotten too much for the smallest of small town girls because my world became unbearable and closed in all around me. As soon as future Max came to me my whole life just fell to pieces, like a china doll that had been thrown on the floor by an angry child. Max fell for Tess, as he was supposed to, and used her to drive me away. He wanted to hurt me and it worked. So I went into my shell and hardly spoke to another living soul. My parents put me into counselling. I stopped speaking to Maria and Alex, and I just drifted apart from the group. I was in so much agony to see them together all in their couples, their pairs. Tess and Max. Michael and Maria. Isabel and Alex. Valenti and Kyle. I was the odd one out, so I was fazed out.

When future Max had come to my window, did he think about how I would end up? Did he think that I would be here? In a place no one knows. An isolated place that only holds me and Ava. I came across her again when I went to Florida, after my parents thought it was best that I went away again. It was then we decided that would we be together as friends, live in a place far away that no one knew about, except for my parents. It was the perfect plan and I was happy for sometime. I suppose in a way that is why I haven’t written in this journal since I used Kyle to make Max believe that I had slept with him. But now I turn to this journal out of fear. I need the comfort you bring, I need to know if what I am about to do is right.
* * * * * * *

Maria was sat their usual booth of the Crashdown, her head in her hands. It had been yet another hard night, with little help from Susie. For a while now she had been stuck with the woman from hell that did hardly any work. She didn’t know what the concept of working was, and it infuriated her because she wasn’t Liz. She couldn’t handle a girl like Susie like Liz could.

“Liz would have just got on with it. Why can’t you?” she whispered to herself, sighing loudly as she swung her legs up on to the table.

“Because you’re not Liz.” She heard her boyfriend reply. A sad smile crossed her lips as she looked at him. He was covered in burger grease and other things that just didn’t look normal. His head was covered by a bandana, which had pictures of little green aliens all over it. He looked awful like that, yet she still loved him. She loved his heart and loved the way he said little things that just lifted her spirits a little.

“If you were Liz you wouldn’t be here and I wouldn’t love you. You are Maria Deluca and I love you. You are stronger than you give yourself credit.” That was one of his new lines. Something he had gotten good at over the last three years. Something she needed from Michael. He had slowly turned into the man of her dreams, one that pissed her off enough and loved her back as much as she loved him. He was perfect to her and she knew she could depend on him. But she needed Liz. She was stronger with Liz Parker, her best friend. The best friend who she had phased out. The best friend who she let run away from her problems instead of helping her regain her life. Looking back on it, Maria knew there was something wrong, yet just didn’t do anything about it. Now she regretted it. She didn’t know where she was, how she was and worst of all Liz wouldn’t let herself be found. She had made her parents swear an oath of secrecy and they had stuck with it, out of fear they would lose her as well.

“I miss her” she whispered as she fought back tears. “I let her pull away and now I am paying for it.” All Michael could do was drag the woman he loved into his arms and hold her tight. She blamed herself for Liz’s actions and was always going to, nothing he said or did was going to change that fact. All he could do was to be there for her. Listen to her problems, hold as she cried and whisper that he would always love her. Something he had been doing daily for the last six months. Something was up with Liz, Maria could sense it in everything around her. Every time she touched the soda machine, every time she touched a strawberry, every time she spoke to Nancy or Jeff. The final straw was the way Nancy was acting, so closed off from Maria, someone who she depended on highly to get her through the day. He sighed as Maria sobbed gently in his neck. Something was going to have to change, some time soon. He could sense it himself.

* * * * * * *

“Daddy?” Max heard Matthew call out. Max stood from the chair he was sat in, out on the porch of his and Tess’ house, and walked into the house to find his son. “DADDY!” He heard Matthew yell as soon as he saw his father. The young boy, his blonde curly hair flowing behind him, ran towards his father, a picture in his hand. “Daddy… who’s this lady?” He asked Max. Max looked at it, his heart breaking at the mere sight of it. It was Liz, her cheeks flushed as she smiled cheekily at the camera. A picture Liz had given him so he wouldn’t miss her when she wasn’t with him. He thought he had hidden it well away, somewhere no one could find it.

*Obviously not* he thought to himself. He looked at his son, and tried to answer it as honestly as possible, with out any hatred or pain in his voice.

“She was a lady mummy and daddy knew a long time ago. Her name was Liz”

“Where did she go?” He asked innocently. Max winced at that question. He did so because he didn’t know the answer to that one. She could have been anywhere now, with someone else. To be honest he didn’t really want to think about it, but it was moments like these that kept popping up every so often to remind him of the person who had hurt him. Had betrayed him with someone he thought was a friend.

“I don’t know, she went away a long time ago without telling us where she was going.” He replied. “Now, lets go find mummy and see what she is making for dinner” He took the picture from the child’s hand, and watched him as he bounded away through into the kitchen where Tess, his wife, was making dinner. They had married not long after Matthew was born months after Liz had left. He decided that was what he needed to get his mind off of Liz, his soul mate. She had made a new life for herself, so he did to, with a woman who he knew loved him. She would always be loyal, she would love him whole heartedly and in time he believed he would grow to love her. He sighed as he walked towards the door of the kitchen. He still couldn’t find a way to actually love her as much as he once loved Liz Parker, and prayed everyday that he would.

* * * * * * *

“Izzy?” she heard Alex say as she spaced out yet again. She couldn’t focus these days, she was so tired all the time and she knew Alex was struggling. He was the wonderful husband she thought he would be. After Liz had left they had grown closer to one another, finally admitting they needed each other and married a year later. Now she was sat on the sofa, her feet up, just four months pregnant and was already being subjected to the doting husband from hell. He wouldn’t let her do a thing, and it was frustrating her. She loved her independence, she needed to do her own thing but she knew Alex was right, she needed to rest. He made sure she did everyday and she loved him even more for it.

“Yeah?” she asked as he came in the room. A smile was displayed on his lips as her mother followed him the in room. “Mummy!” she squealed excitedly as if she hadn’t seen her in months, when in fact she saw her only two days ago. Yet to see her mother was a great comfort to her, the ice queen who had melted, because she didn’t know what kind of mother she would be and needed all the help she could get.

Her mother pushed back a piece of her long brown hair around her ear and then hugged her daughter, a comforting hug that they needed. It had been two years since her father had died and it was still not sinking in at times. Diane always expected him to be lying next to her in the morning and rattled around their large house, surrounded by all the fresh memories that it contained. She just couldn’t bare to leave it, it was as if a part of her would die if she ever left.

“My oh my, how much you have grown” she gasped as she always did, sending giggles all around.

* * * * * * *

“Liz, are you sure you are doing the right thing?” Nancy asked from the chair that was sat next to Liz, who was sitting at the table, pen in her hand. Ava was stood behind Nancy, nodding in agreement at the words Nancy spoke.

“I didn’t think you would want them to see you like this, so much has changed since you left” she reasoned. Liz looked up from the piece of paper that was laid in front of her.

“I need to do this. They have the right to know” she replied seriously, a tear making tracks down her cheek “He has a right to know everything before… before” she couldn’t finish her sentence before sobs took over her body.

“Okay” answered Ava simply and calmly as she took the piece of paper from Liz and placed it in the envelope that was addressed to Maria, and left the room, leaving Nancy to console her best friend

[rie482]

PART TWO

Everyone was sat in the Crashdown, waiting for the sudden burst of rain to die down before going out. Tess was sat next to Max, who was tickling Matthew. Tess could only smile as she watched the happy sight. It wasn’t everyday saw Max this happy, and even when he was it was with Matthew. She knew he wasn’t happy with her that he married her because of Matthew, but she couldn’t complain. There wasn’t anyone to tell him that he was making a stupid mistake, there was no Liz Parker to get in the way and they looked just like a normal happy family.

“Stop it daddy,” squealed Matthew who was being tickled. “PLEASEEEEEE” he yelped. Max soon calmed down when his son made that noise. It was usually a warning that he would use his powers to get even, and in public that wasn’t a good thing.

“Okay buddy” he said happily “Go find Maria.” He pushed Matthew off his lap and into the direction of the backroom. Maria had just finished her shift and was getting ready, which always took longer than it needed to. For once Max was grateful he had Tess, she never kept him waiting and didn’t spend forever picking the right clothes.

Isabel rolled her eyes as Maria came bounding out the backroom being pushed by an energetic Matthew. She could only wish that her child would be like Matthew, lovely and energetic, yet didn’t in some ways because he was just such a handful. Alex squeezed her hand as he watched her watching Matthew. They couldn’t wait until they had their own child in the world and everyday it was coming just one day closer. Parenthood was something he wanted. He wanted to be the father he knew he would be and wanted Isabel to be the mother he had always dreamed her to be. But he knew she was nervous, she was the ice queen of the group and to have a child would seriously melt her heart. She would feel strongly and it scared her.

“Jeaz! I hope your kid isn’t going to be this impatient” she said jokingly towards them, a smile on her face.

“Well if you didn’t take forever in the first place, maybe he wouldn’t be so impatient” smirked Michael.

“Ohhhh! Space boy you’ve got yourself into some deep trouble!” she fumed at him “You aren’t getting any from me tonight!”

“I don’t get it anyway,” he snapped back quickly, yet another smile on his face from her reaction. He quickly jumped up from his stool at the counter and made a dash for it, when Maria made a charge at him.

“You’re so getting it” she exclaimed as she chased him around the counter of the deadly quiet Crashdown. The ringing of the bell above the door was the only thing that calmed them down, making them turn to it. A tall man was stood at the door, a satchel over his shoulder and a letter in his hand.

“Maria Deluca?” He asked “I have a letter for a Maria Deluca”

“That’s me” Maria answered, her eyebrows burrowed in a frown. “Why would anyone be sending me a letter here?” she asked as she crossed the room to the man.

“I don’t know. It must be important though, it was sent yesterday from the middle of no where.” He handed a clipboard and pointed at the spot for her to sign, waiting as she did so, then nodding his head, handing her the letter and uttering “Bye” as he walked out the door.

Everyone was stood around Maria at this point, wondering who would send Maria an important letter in the middle of the day, to the Crashdown, not her house. Her mouth sat wide open as she looked at the handwriting on the letter, one that she could never forget the look of. It was from the hand of a long lost friend. One that she never thought that she would ever hear from again. Her hands trembled as she sat down in the booth nearest to her, her hands turning the letter over again and again in wonder.

“Open it already!” Ordered an impatient Isabel. Everyone snapped their heads round to look at her in disgust for rushing an obviously upset Maria. “Sorry… it’s the hormones” She sat down. Her eyes never leaving the table until everyone’s attention was back on Maria.

She slowly opened it and slipped out the folded piece of paper. She took a deep breath, squeezed Michael’s hand before opening it and reading it out loud.

Dear Maria, Alex and Czechs,

It’s been a long time and I’m sorry. I need to talk to you and I know you probably don't want to hear me after all I did leave you without saying a word and haven't tried to form some sort of contact but I need to explain things to everyone, to clear my head of the burdens I hold. But not now, not in a letter. Set Alex’s webcam up and link it to the address below. I will be waiting for you at 1pm tomorrow.

Please

Liz.

“Obviously we won’t do it will we? After all this time she just expects us to want to listen?!” Tess protested. “And how do we know it is even Liz? This could all be some sick joke!” Everyone turned to look at Tess with shock, who was resting her son on her hip.

“She sounded desperate Tess… and I know you aren’t her best friend, but we have to hear what she wants to say.” Michael said coolly. “And anyway, doesn’t she have the right to be heard? We did faze her out after all. We turned our backs on her” He took Maria’s hand in his. “We need to know why she left.” He paused as everyone except Max and Tess nodded in agreement. “Maxwell, she wants to talk to us all. At least do this one last thing before cutting her out completely.”

“No. She hurt me and left all of us. You can do what you like, but I don’t want to know anything about what she wants!” He said, sounding hurt, the pain she had caused still evident in his voice.

“Max…” Isabel pleaded, “We need to know what has happened. You need to know what happened. She wants to explain things to everyone. That means you two. We all need to be there.” As Max shook his head she sighed “You will regret it if you don’t Max.”

“I won’t,” he answered simply and in a serious manner, one that no one could reply to. They all remained looking at him in disbelief. “Once upon a time I would have cared. But I have a family now, one that doesn’t include Elizabeth Parker” and with that he took Tess by the hand and left the Crashdown. After a couple of minutes of silence, Maria stood from the table.

“Right, so everyone meet at Alex and Izzy’s at 12.30.” she ordered. “We need to hear what she has got to say.” She sighed as she looked around her “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m off home. Come on Space boy” Maria took Michael’s hand and dragged him out of the Crashdown, into the pouring rain. Hope began running through her veins. Tomorrow she would finally find out why Liz had left, where she had been and when she was coming home.

* * * * * * *

Michael stood at the front door waiting for the answer to his banging. He turned to the Jetta that was sat at the roadside.

“Remind me… Why does it have to be me who does this?” he yelled, as he made pathetic pleads of mercy at Maria. She threw her head of the window; her blonde locks draping over it.

“Because you’re the only one who might get through to them, so stop being a baby and get on with it.” she yelled in response. Michael turned to the door, in frustration. He was always the one sent to do her dirty work. He didn’t want to have to persuade them to come to the meeting if they didn’t want to go; it was their choice after all. Free will and all that. After a couple of seconds more of standing there he knew that they weren’t coming to the door. He could practically feel Max’s defiance through the door, which he had his back to.

“Fine Maxwell. Be that way. But you will regret not speaking to her.” He sighed, “I know she hurt you, but you are the reason she left. You kept pushing her away didn’t you? I remember the day you decided that whenever she came in the room you would start kissing Tess. I also remember you taking Tess to the Crashdown everyday to flash her off. Oh and remember when you found out Tess was pregnant. You marched straight up to Liz and basically said that you hope she never has children because of the way she hurt you.” Anger began to bubble inside him as he remembered the way he hurt Liz “Guess what. You’re going to hurt her again now. But oh well eh? You have the life you aren’t happy with. You are married to a woman you don’t love. So what does it matter, cause that’s all Liz’s fault isn’t it? So hurting her one more time won’t hurt…?” He sighed once again. “Max you are selfish. Do something right for once” Stepping back from the door Michael yelled out in frustration. His brother was always going to be so stubborn when it came Liz Parker. He knew it.

Shaking his head he got into the Jetta and drove away with Maria.

Max was still sat with his back turned to the door, a single tear trekking down his face. Michael had been right; he was selfish and always would be. Liz Parker had hurt him and when she tried to pull away, to stop her hurt, he just followed her. Flaunted Tess in front of her and wished she never had children to her face. He had enjoyed causing her pain and that last remark had been the most enjoyable, until the point her face just fell. She had always been strong against his insults; his little games but the last comment he had made had sent her over the edge. She began to cry as she just simply walked away, her arms around her body clutching to herself for some sort of support. That’s when he had truly lost her. That was the thing that drove her away. It was the last time he ever saw her face.

And now, he was set to hurt her again. By not being there at the meeting. A meeting he didn’t want to go to out of the fear. Michael was right, he did feel Liz was to blame that he was stuck with a woman he didn’t love, and he wasn’t going to the meeting to hurt Liz. He blamed her and didn’t want to see her face ever again just in case he stopped blaming her because it was an effort to keep his body positioned where it was. His heart was crying out to go to Liz, crying out to see her sweet face and hear her voice because even though he hated her for the position he was in it didn’t change the fact he still missed her.

[rie482]

It seems my computer likes me after all! It is letting me post this

PART THREE

Alex and Isabel’s house was a small cosy place that everyone always seemed to gather at. It felt like home to everyone, a place where everyone could go when they needed comfort, a roof over their heads. It had turned into a safe haven from the F.B.I. and the Skins, and other enemies that they had dealt with in the past four years. Isabel often reflected on the fact that time didn’t stop here in Roswell New Mexico, even though to some extent it did. Everything was exactly the same before Liz had left; it was as if everything just stopped in its tracks, waiting for Liz Parker to return. Yet it didn’t for the Czechs. It hadn’t at all. They had fought off the many people and things that threatened them and this house was the one safe place that they had to go to, a place Liz Parker had turned to a meeting place, even though she didn’t know it existed. It just showed Liz’s influence over everything.

Everyone sat nervously and impatiently as they watched Alex play with his computer, trying to get it to work. The one time he really needed it the moment it crashed.

*Typical* he thought to himself, just as the thing came to life. He jumped up from the floor, where he had been sitting for the last 15 minutes and landed in his swivel chair.

“Voila!” He shouted as the thing came to life and did exactly as it was told. “I have got the thing working… at last!” He happily began typing away at the keyboard, his eyes never leaving the screen. He picked up the piece of paper, with the web link on it, and began to type the link in. The screen came to life showing vivid greens and yellows as the web cam began to connect to the other one.

Gathering around the computer, the blurred image that appeared on the screen grabbed their attention. They could just make out a person sat on the other side, fiddleing with the camera. A voice could be heard as the picture focused on the person.

“I’m sorry about this, we haven’t had to use the camera in a while.”

“Liz?” Asked an impatient and excited Maria who edged closer to the screen, ready for the glimpse of her friend. Her jaw dropped as the figure on the other side came into focus. It was Tess, or someone who looked like Tess. Her hair was short, straight and black, unlike Tess’ long blonde curls and she had a lip ring in. This wasn’t Tess, this was someone who looked like her. Her dupe.

“Ava?” Gasped Isabel. She watched as the girl nodded as she sat down in front of the screen, her nervousness evident. She tried to avoid all eye contact with the camera as if were judging her.

“Where’s Liz?” questioned Alex, as he in turn focused their web cam. They watched as Ava turned to look behind her, as if she was worried about being caught.

“She’s in the other room. She thinks I am having trouble with the computer” Her voice had a slight New York accent, not as rich before though. Ava had been to other places and had lost the accent slightly. “Look… guys. Since Liz has been gone, a lot has happened. So please take it easy on her, right? She’s my best friend and I don’t know what I would do if you guys were to, you know, hurt her.”

“What do you mean a lot has hap…” Alex began as a familiar voice stopped him mid sentence.

“I see the camera is ready.” Liz’s voice could be heard, yet her figure could not be seen. “Can you move me please?” Ava took a warning look towards the camera and then left the chair, moving it out the way completely. Everyone’s eyes were glued to the screen hoping to see the Liz they once knew bound into the screen, all smiles. Yet that didn’t happen. The woman who was wheeled into view wasn’t the Liz Parker they knew.

All gasped as they took in her appearance. Her lips were chapped, her eyes warn, her cheekbones showing and her long hair was no more. A beanie hat took the place of her hair, not a sight of it anywhere. She was wheeled into placed in a wheel chair, which had drips that were attached to her chair. She looked so pale and small in the chair, like a feeble old woman, who could no longer take care of herself. A slight smile crossed her face as she looked at the screen, seeing her friends as if for the first time.

“Step back guys, I can’t see all of you, you’re crowding.” They all took a step back, their eyes never leaving the screen. A tear escaped Liz’s eye as she took in the sight, everyone looked so well and happy. Time hadn’t changed them at all. It was as if time had just stood still since she had left. As her eyes wondered over the group the fact Max and Tess weren’t in the room grabbed her attention. Sadness swept over her. The last chance she would see Max and he hated her so much he did not to want to speak to her.

“So? How is everyone?” she asked to get the uneasy silence to pass. “You all look great” The silence continued as everyone just stood looking at the screen in disbelief. “Please…” she said, her hand going to her mouth to suppress the sobs. “Please don’t stare at me like that.”

“It’s hard not to Lizzy,” replied Maria, tears filling her eyes. “What’s going on?” She whispered.

Liz looked straight at the screen as to not look at the camera. It seemed so less real if she looked at the screen, as if she was speaking to just a picture, not the real people.

“I have ovarian cancer.” Her tone was solemn as she spoke. “I didn’t mean to break it to you like this, but everything has happened so quickly and it was all so sudden… I had a list you see, and you lot were on the top. But … I … I kept putting it off. Doing this just makes it all so real, you know?” She began to play with her hands as she looked at the screen, still not looking at the camera. Their reactions were ones of upset, except for Maria who stared straight at the screen, her eyes questioning the words ‘I had a list’. The fact she had a list just made Maria think of the worst.

“A …list?” she whispered. Her eyes went from side to side as she thought about what it meant. A list was a thing that a person did, when they knew something was going to happen. Something tragic. “Liz… Please tell me…” Tears welled in her eyes as she realised that this was probably the last time she would see her best friend. “You’re dying aren’t you?” The words came out barely heard by most, but Liz could hear them perfectly. She was listening out for those words, like some nosy neighbour that was ear wigging on a conversation. Like it was a piece of information she so desperately needed to hear. But now she wished she hadn’t. She wished she didn’t hear her say it. It made everything so much harder to bare. She contemplated her next move, her next words as all sorts of emotions crashed over her. There was only thing she could say, yet didn’t want to say it because she knew what the consequences would be for both her and them.

“Well, I see you are all well. Isabel congratulations” She said out of nervousness. She had gotten quite good at changing the subject when she wanted. Many years of practise with Ava had been worth it, yet this was a dodge that would not go unmissed, like she hoped. She didn’t want to answer the question, it was all too painful, and it made her tremble at the thought of actually uttering the words. Out of habit, she went to pull a piece of hair away from her face, forgetting that her hair wasn’t there anymore. The shock suddenly hit her, sending tears to her eyes once more.

Everyone all sat staring at the sight before them, shock at the thought she might be dying. They knew in their gut that what she was trying to not say was getting to her. She was breaking down, her life just disappearing every second. Michael’s arm went round Maria, searching for comfort, and tried giving comfort to the obviously distressed woman. Her could feel that her body was tense, her heart dead in her chest and her body cold. She was numb.

Alex gathered all the strength he could muster together as he clutched Isabel’s hand. He took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. His heart was racing. He didn’t know what to say, to do. His whole world had collapsed the moment Liz had left but he had always held on to the hope that maybe, just maybe she would be back one day to lift his world out of it’s death bed and bring it back to life. But this changed everything. The spark of hope just dyed as Liz tried to change the subject but it wasn’t sinking in. He needed to know, to let his body take it all in. He took another deep breath, exhaling slowly as he tried to calm himself down and turned to look straight at the camera. His voice was full of panic yet unnervingly calm all at once.

“Liz… answer her question”

Liz looked at the screen and smiled.

“I here the weather’s good out there…”

“LIZ!” Alex shouted angrily. “Tell me. Are you dying?” His voice was so forceful and loud it made Liz jump out of her skin. Not once had she heard her best friend speak in such a way, but this wasn’t a normal thing to have to go through. He had never experienced anything like this, so she had to give him credit for that. Knots tied in her stomach as she slowly turned her head round to face the camera. Tears clearly falling. Her hand stretched out to the power switch of the computer as she did so. She had to make it quick like ripping a band-aid off your leg, even though she still had so much to tell them, she couldn’t stand it any longer.

“Yes” Was all she said before she turned it off, letting her image abruptly cut out leaving her friends staring at a blank screen.

[rie482]

hiya guys, i am sorry i didn't post as i said i would, things such as the london bombing and other personal things made me unable to post. But here it is.

PART FOUR

Both couples sat in complete silence as Liz’s final words began to sink in. Maria backed away, taking Michael’s arm away from her shoulders and sat on the sofa that was just inches away. She slowly made her descent into the sitting position as she continued to focus on the blank screen, as if it would suddenly come to life again, with Liz declaring that it was all a joke. Her mind whirled over and over the information, tossing it all in her head like a house in the eye of a tornado. None it made sense because it was muddled and was happening far too fast to comprehend.

Alex sat staring at the blank screen as well, hoping just the same thing Maria was. He just wanted his best friend to burst on the screen, full of life and laughing about how gullible they all were. But the fact was, she wasn’t going to come back like that. She wasn’t coming back. Full stop. He was never going to have his world brought back to life with her life, it was going to be buried deeper in the ground, along with her. His legs suddenly moved on their own accord, lifting him out of the chair and making him run out the room to the front door. His shaking hand turned the doorknob and he darted out into the road, stopping dead as he just screamed out into the sky.

He fell to his knees as he looked up in total disbelief with anger boiling within his body.

“This isn’t fair!” He yelled at the sky. At God. “It’s not bloody fair! What has she ever done to you?” He felt the warm hands of his beloved wife place themselves on his shoulders, a form of comfort, as he placed his head in his own hands. Tears muffled his words, yet Isabel could hear everyone of them. “She was the innocent one out of all of this and we… we just… let her pull away from us. Just… just think … how many years we could of had… much time we could have shared in the whole time she has been gone. I have lost the last four years with my best friend because we always thought…” He angrily wiped at the tears with his shirt “thought that she would come to us. That if she wanted us, she would come to us. But she just thought we hated her. Her mother told us that when she left… we pushed her away.” His hands clenched into a ball as anger boiled furiously in his stomach “NOW WE ARE BLOODY PAYING FOR IT!”

Isabel jumped to her knees and drew her husband roughly into her arms. She had never seen him like this before, he was in distress and she felt helpless because she knew she could nothing. The only thing she could do was hold him as he cried tears of rage, in the middle of the road.

* * * * * * *

Michael turned from the door, closing it softly and made his way back to the front room where Maria was still sat, still staring at the screen. Her whole body was tense and motionless as a statue. Not one tear had been shed from her eyes as she stared. He knelt before her, blocking her view of the screen, yet she did not move.

“Maria?” he asked softly, taking her hands in to his. “Maria? Are you okay?” He gazed intently on her face. There was no emotion held on it, it was as blank as the screen she was staring at. He brought his hand to her cheek, caressing it in the hope she would look at him. Yet she didn’t. She stared straight through him like he was a ghost. Like he wasn’t even there. A sign that shock had taken over her body.

Michael drew his hand to a lock of her hair, remembering painful at the way Liz had done it, and tucked it behind her ear. A spark of life came to Maria as she felt that piece of hair being tucked away. Her numbness began to linger away as grief swept in. Her eyes suddenly closed as tears came to the surface, her hands went to her face in response and she began to rock back and forth as she cried. She remained rocking for many hours as Michael sat waiting for her to come to him for comfort.
* * * * * * *

I, Liz Parker, am a coward. I couldn’t look at them with out nearly breaking down, and couldn’t even say the words “I’m dying” to them. To utter those words to them makes everything seem so real, and reality is something that I don’t want, but I need. If I am to get through my final two months without breaking down every time I think about it, reality has to come into it because I need to remain composed and strong for those around me. Or lack of. How I miss the hubbub of Roswell life, with the many people, family and friends around me. Just seeing their faces today reminded me of what I left behind four years ago. I left a group of people, which I cared about because of a guy who was cruel to me. A man, from the Future. The man, that I miss everyday. The man, I still love with all my heart.

To not see his face today has broken my heart, or what is left of it. He truly hates me, he must do. The Max Evans I love would have been there, his heart actively searching for the other half of it. His soul would have been ready and waiting for me to come back into his life. Yet he wasn’t there, because he is no longer the Max Evans I knew. He has changed and is even with the one person I hate. Tess. Yet it’s irrational of me to be angry with her for something I gave to her on a silver platter all those years ago.

The events of that year still trouble me, and there is still so much I have to say to my friends about it. There is just so much I need to say. I want to help Maria with all her girly problems and I want to be her best friend forever. I want to help Alex adjust to his life as a father and be there for him as he confronts his emotions about what is happening to me. I want to tell Michael and Isabel how much they mean to me, that they are a part of my family, whether or not they are Czechs. And most of all, I want to tell Max that I never slept with Kyle. That it was all a mistake, a mistake I made because someone came to me and told me that the fate of the world was at stake. Its selfish to think that I shouldn’t have done what Future Max said, but I have every right to be selfish because he didn’t foresee the point I am at in my life. I am dying because of him. If he had never came and hadn’t demanded so much from me, maybe I would be healthy right now. Maybe I would have a life to live.

And now, I have decided I need to take what’s left of my life and live it. I need to grasp all I have left behind and what I currently have with both hands and hold on tightly until my final breath. I need to find a place, which will bring me comfort and let me die in peace. And that place isn’t here. I am haunted here by memories I made in an entirely different state. I need to go confront that which haunts me so and fight back. I need to live right now and I am going home Roswell, New Mexico, to do it.

* * * * * * *

It had been a long hard couple of days for what was left of the group. Liz’s announcement had left everyone shaken to the core and it was taking its time to sink in. Although to the outside world they were all happy, inside they were torn to pieces, hating themselves for every last word that had been said angrily about Liz to her face or behind her back. Alex still felt they were to blame for this, for Liz’s illness and it had become a general belief that the whole group shared. Their guilt was so much they couldn’t bare to talk about it because the guilt would render them speechless, meaning that Max and Tess didn’t know what Liz’s meeting was about. However, they didn’t have to face Max when it came to that, because he didn’t ask.

Michael looked out of the kitchen at Max, who was sat chatting to Maria and Matthew. Not once had he tried to find out what was causing everyone so much distress and heartache and continued to act normally everyday without expressing concern over why he found Maria crying daily. He really did not want to know anything and it just showed how much Max was still hurting.

*To tell him would completely destroy him* Michael thought to himself as he tried to rationalise over whether he should just force the information down Max’s throat or not.

His mental debate was answered as the back door of the Crashdown was swung open, as if it had been kicked and a weak Liz stepped through the door, using a walking stick to prop herself up, with Ava and Nancy closely behind her, carrying a couple of bags. Her eyes searched the backroom, a wave of nostalgia swept over her. So much had led the pod squad to this backroom, this was the place just moments away from where Max and Liz shared their first flash. This is where she led her blind date as they ran away from the mobs of adoring fans and nosy parkers. It was just a door away from where this whole situation had begun. As her eyes combed the room, her eyes glanced at the figure stood in the kitchen. Theirs eyes locked in recognition. A smile spread across her lips as she lent her cane against the wall and stepped forward, her arms wide open.

“Michael!” she exclaimed as she walked towards him, wanting a hug from the once stonewall. He paused looking at her, taking in the fact she looked more ill face-to-face, and went to her, needing to comfort him with her presence. Her body was so frail that he couldn’t hug her as tightly as he wanted and needed to. He stepped back after a couple of seconds and looked down on her.

“Liz…” he started to say as a hand was placed on his lips.

“Save it Michael. If you say anything else right now I will cry.” A soft smile caressed her lips as she spoke. She was simply glad to be home and any words about her fate would just send her into fits of sobs. She didn’t want that. Not right now. Her stomach began to rumble embarrassingly as she lifted her hand away from his mouth.

“Excuse me, I haven’t eaten in hours.” She said, a blush covering her pale cheeks. Ava stepped forward, concern written over her face.

“I’ll get you something,” she said as she rushed out the door into the restaurant. Liz attempted to grab her arm, yet missed, and could only watch as Ava went into the lion’s den. She knew who was behind those doors and it was something she had to deal with more prematurely than she wanted.

[rie482]

Hiya guys! Thank you for all your replies and I am glad to hear that you like this story This next part is short but I thought it was a gd place to leave you hanging. Will be back with the next part asap.

PART FIVE
As soon as Ava rushed into the restaurant, she realised her mistake because as soon as she walked in, her focus came to the people sat in the booth just inches away from her. Max Evans, a young boy and Maria were sat just inches away. She could hear every last word uttered and could see any move made. Her presence didn’t go unnoticed by the young boy who looked up at her in total confusion.

“Mummy? You look funny.” He giggled, which made Max turn his attention to the woman. His eyes showed amusement, then concern as he realised that it wasn’t Tess who was stood in front of him, it was

“Ava” he heard Maria gasp as she jumped up from her seat, bringing her into a big hug. He noticed an exchange between the two. Ava lent in closer and whispered something into the blonde’s ear that made her run off out into the back room. She ran her hand through her short black hair as she turned to Jeff, who was at the counter, asking for a couple of donuts because ‘she’ was hungry. What shocked Max was the fact Jeff just handed them over without asking for money.

“Daddy? Why is mummy dress weird?” asked Matthew, who had grabbed his fathers hand.

“That is not your mummy, Matthew. Its her… twin sister Ava.” he replied as he continued to observe Jeff and Ava. Max tried to get some idea of what the conversation was about but Jeff suddenly became excited, leaving the restaurant to go into the backroom, much like Maria had done. Confusion swept over Max and as he saw Ava begin to turn to go in the same direction as both Jeff and Maria. Max stood from the table, letting go of the young boy’s hand, and stopped Ava in her tracks.

“What are you doing here?” He demanded under his breath so no one could hear. His stance told Ava that he wasn’t in the mood to be messed with so she simply replied

“I am here with a friend” With that she made an attempt to the back room but was stopped yet again by Max who grabbed her arm and held it tightly. Max stood with his back to the backroom door as he hissed at her, completely unaware of Liz’s entrance.

“What friend? Last time I saw you, you didn’t have friends and was sleeping rough” His grip tightened “Now tell me, why are you here.”

“I am here with a friend, I told you that. Now let me go!” she demanded, her eyes beginning to scream fury. She darted a look towards a highly amused Liz, who stood watching the scene before her. Two of her best friends in the whole world were acting in the exact way she had expected them to. Max was also weary about the dupes, yet didn’t know why. But Ava was just as defensive; she just got really violent and physical instead of bottling it all in. Liz had learnt that an angry Ava wasn’t a controlled Ava and she stepped forward to stop a huge fight that she feared would erupt, yet didn’t move too far before her head started to feel dizzy.

Ava saw the dizzy episode begin the moment Liz had set eyes on Max and had wanted to go straight to her. She turned her head to Max.

“Let me go” she demanded fiercely, which just made Max tighten his grip on her arm.

“Why should I? You haven’t told me what I wanted to know!” He said crossly

“I have! Don’t make me use my powers on you in public Max! Let me go!” her eyes darted towards Liz who had begun swaying slightly as she attempted to take another step forward. Ava suddenly became desperate to get to her best friend, so she used the one thing she vowed she would never use. “Please!” she pleaded with Max, her eyes wide with fear and as Liz started to collapse to the floor. She placed a hand on his and sent a shock into it, making him step back and let go. As soon as his grip was released she began to run towards Liz, catching her by the arm just before she reached the floor.

“Liz!” she heard Maria shout as she walked through the door, panic evident in her voice as she took in the sight of Liz’s limp body lying in Ava’s arms, and the many concerned customers that were making a circle around them. Gasps of horror could be heard as everyone recognised the young girl to be Liz Parker.

“Oh my god… Liz?” Asked a concerned elderly regular. “Some one call an ambulance!”

Max’s head jolted up in reaction to the name, his mouth ajar as he looked over in shock at Ava. Her back was to him, a head resting in her lap, with Maria, Michael, Jeff and Nancy all crouched down with worry etched across their faces. Customers started to crowd around the figure, all gasping as they stared. He stood from the spot on the floor that he was currently sat in, and stepped forward in curiosity.

*I’ve probably heard it wrong* he thought to himself. *Liz wouldn’t be here, with Ava* As he stepped forward, Maria looked up from the person laid on the floor, tears cradled in her eyes. Each step closer he took, another head turned their attention, from the body on the floor, to him. And each step closer he took, the closer Matthew got to the person on the floor.

“Daddy!” he squealed “It’s that woman from the piccy!” and as Max stepped closer one final time, he finally saw her face. The withered and pale face was once a person he had known before and a sense of knowing overcame him.

“Liz?” he asked out loud in shock, his hands clenched tightly. There was his soul mate; lying on the floor of the Crashdown, appearing as vulnerable as the day he had saved her life from a bullet. Suddenly he went into autopilot and knelt down on the floor, taking her small frame from the arms of Ava. Ava did not fight him; she knew what he wanted. He wanted to hold her close, because at this moment in time he had forgotten the pain and hurt she had caused him those many years ago. Liz’s vulnerability was bringing out a side of him that was reserved only for her. All she could do was watch as Max took Liz into the backroom, and follow.

[rie482]

Yet another short part to keep you guessing Next Part either sunday or monday

PART SIX

As he laid her on the green sofa, his eyes remained on her. He had always wondered what he would do if he ever saw Liz again. He always thought he would shout, scream or even try to blank her. He swore he would never touch her, he would never hold her close to his body and he would never take care of her again, even if she had needed him. Yet here he was. He was taking care of her, going against all the vows he had made to himself. The whole time, she was away, he had dreamt up little situations where Liz had come back, but not once had he seen her in his dreams as vulnerable, in pain or in such state where he hardly recognised her.

Her once bright skin that was full of life was now aged and pale. Her long soft hair, which always smelt of strawberries, was replaced by a pink beanie that clung onto her skull. Her once curvy yet slim figure was now barely there. She had just withered away into nothing but skin and bone. He slowly caressed her colourless cheek as he continued to take in the sight. The woman before him was no longer the woman who had left Roswell those four years ago. She had changed. Although her face showed her condition, it also showed a new form of wisdom that she had acquired over the last few years. She had seen things, done things and heard things that had changed her. She was now a wiser Liz Parker than when she left.

*If that’s even possible* he thought to himself. The concept of a wiser Liz was something that had seemed impossible; the woman had always been wiser beyond her years. His thoughts lingered over the Christmas where he came to Liz for help with the guy who haunted him. She had told him that no matter how noble or sweet it was to help the children in that hospital, he wasn’t God. Her wisdom shone through then, and it still did, as she lay unconscious on the sofa before him.

“What’s happening to her?” he whispered as he felt Ava enter the room, and sit on the arm of the sofa. She ruffled her hair with her hand as she thought about what she was to say.

“A malevolent wish come true.” Was all she could say to him in her rich New York accent. His questioning eyes lifted themselves from Liz to Ava. “Four years ago, you made a wish. Do you remember that Max?” He simply nodded, his shame of it still sitting in the pit of his stomach. It had been a wish he wanted taken back and it had just stuck with him since the words had fell from his lips. It was a wish that filled him with shame. “Well, Max. It came true.” Ava realised her tone was a calm one; there was no blame or hatred. “Man, I have been around Liz too long” she thought out loud as she shook her head. “I don’t even blame you, when by all rights I should do.”

“Why?” Max questioned. Ava’s eyes turned a serious black as she shot him a look of disgust. A shot that went straight through Max.

“Because this IS your fault!” she said angrily. “You had your wish. She developed ovarian cancer, if caught early enough; she would live but could never have children. But you see the thing is, we didn’t catch it early enough” Tears of rage started to fall.

“What do you mean?” he asked in disbelief and fear. He knew the answer, yet could not quite believe it.
“Now, she won’t have any children because she won’t be alive much longer than 2 months!” she spat at him. “My best friend is dying because of you!” Max stepped back as Ava lunged forward at him, leaving her to land in a heap on the floor.

“It’s not my fault!” he shouted as he threw his shield up in defence. “How could I be to blame?!” Ava turned her head angrily towards Max as she sat on the floor.

“Because you couldn’t see! You couldn’t see the truth, through all the hatred you held, to see the lies she was spouting! You are meant to be her soul mate! Yet you couldn’t see the lies. You couldn’t see the real truth in her eyes!” She remained looking at him as she stood up. She stepped forward, placing a hand on the green shield that separated her from Max and Liz. Her voice came down to a whisper as she spoke. “You said you loved her. You saw into her soul but still you couldn’t see.”

“See what?” he asked, his piercing amber eyes demanding answers.

“You couldn’t see the fact she was lying Max. You couldn’t see the fact she did not do it!”

“Do what?” his voice hardly heard through tears.

“Max…”she paused as she thought about whether she should tell him, because it wasn’t her secret to tell. Her eyes found Liz’s body on the sofa. The woman she had cared so much about needed Max to know the secret, it would save her life for him to know. The next few words were said in a whisper, so low that only the two of them could hear the words. “she didn’t sleep with Kyle.” Ava’s hand fell through the shield has Max’s stone wall dissolved. Tears clouded his vision as he looked on Ava.

“I always knew” he whispered. “I just couldn’t believe she was lying to me. That was why I was so angry. That’s why I made that wish.” He angrily wiped away a tear as he lent back on the wall for support. His gaze went to the love of his life and anger began to boil away. He had caused this. He was killing her. “I have to stop this.” He whispered as he stepped forward, his hands ready for what he was to do. “She shouldn’t have to suffer.” He knelt before her, his hands hovering over her body, searching for the source. He stopped, turning to Ava, his eyes pleading. “I am going to need your help.”

Stepping forward Ava just replied, “What do I have to do?”

“Just place your hands on my shoulders and focus on Liz” His hands found Liz again as soon as he felt Ava’s shaking hands on his shoulders. She was scared, scared that it wouldn’t work and as his hands began to glow, her worries disappeared.

Suddenly the door of the backroom slammed open and both Max and Ava were thrown across the room before Max could even begin to heal.

[rie482]

Thank you guys for all your feedback! Here is the next part I shall be getting the next part out to you on friday *fingers crossed*

PART SEVEN

“Tess.” Max said flatly, as his pounding head lifted from the floor and he realised who had just thrown him across the room. Her eyes screamed fury as she looked at the person who was laid out on the sofa of the Crashdown backroom. Not once had she thought Liz would reappear in Roswell, but even if she did Tess never thought that she would be so angry to see the girl. Yet she was. Rage filled her veins. Jealousy of seeing her husband over her had sent purple electricity running through her hands and Tess just couldn’t stop the urge just to throw him across the room. So she had done.

“What do you think you were doing?” she spat bitterly as she shot a look at him. “You are supposed to be my husband, yet I found you trying to HEAL this bitch!”

“It was my fault she is like this Tess, I just wanted to help her live her life.” He sighed before continuing “She has every right to, even if I don’t because of her past actions.”

Tess’ draw dropped as she heard the last few words escape his lips. Was he actually admitting he wasn’t happy? Was he actually admitting that he has no life? “What do you mean by that?” she whispered as the words hit her hard. She had always known he wasn’t exactly blissfully happy like he was with Liz, but not once had she thought he considered himself to have no life what so ever.

Max sighed once again as he thought about what he should say. He could lie to her and carry on living a lie, just for Matthew or he could let her know the truth, something she deserved. There was only one option.

“You know what it means Tess.” He broke eye contact as he continued. “ I am just not happy. Even with Matthew in my life, I have no life worth living.” His gaze fell on Liz’s sweet, worn face. “Since she left, I have had no life.”

“But what about those times when we made love?” she whispered, batting away tears with her eye lashes. “When you told me that you loved me?”

“Lies.” Yet again shame rumbled away in his belly. “So you wouldn’t take Matthew away from me.” It had always been a fear he had. He had fallen so in love with Matthew the moment he was born in the pod chamber, he was always willing to do or say anything to keep hold of him. Yet now things were changing. He knew that Matthew picked up on the fact mummy and daddy weren’t exactly the happiest parent’s and maybe it would be better for him if they were to split and both be content.

“I would never have done that to you Max” she replied in total shock and disbelief, the anger and jealousy complete washed away. “Why would you think that?”

“Because of what you were like before.” Was heard from Ava, who was slowly lifting herself from the floor. “You wanted him so much you were willing to hurt anyone to have him for yourself. I wouldn’t have put it across you to do that if Max was ever to leave you.” She took a step towards her best friend as she spoke. “You would have used Matthew either as a pawn to get Max back, or you have used him to hurt Max. To ruin his life, because without the little one in his life Max isn’t whole.”

“What makes you think you are right?” demanded a horrified and confused Tess. She hadn’t really believed Matthew about the fact he had see another one of her, but coming face to face with her twin showed that he was telling the truth. Just looking at her, Tess could tell they were not a like in appearance. “We are completely different!”

Ava snorted. “Only in appearance. We used to be the same person. Remember? We still have her personality traits so I am just like you in personality. Therefore I know how I would have done things if it had happened to me but that would have been if I hadn’t of met this one” she gestured towards Liz with her hand. “She has this way about her that makes you see the best in you.” she turned to Max “Doesn’t she?”

A smile crept across Max’s face in agreement as he stood. He had always been able to see the best in himself when he had been with Liz and without her he lost all faith in himself. From the moment she left his life he had simply stopped trying because he couldn’t see the things he was good at. He just couldn’t see the best of himself.

“That’s why I love her” Stepping forward he took Tess’ hand in his. “I love her Tess. But I need to know that you won’t use Matthew against me because of it.”

“I … won’t,” she said tenderly. “I couldn’t if I tried.” She looked towards Liz. “Go help her Max, she needs you right now.” After placing a single gentle kiss on his cheek, Tess let go of Max’s hand and left the backroom, knowing that she had done the right thing. Now she had a chance to live her own life and planned to. Expectant and worried faces turned towards her as she stepped out the backroom, she ignored them as she went up to the group. “He will need your help if he is to heal her completely.” She turned to Matthew to who had begun to tug at her white skirt. “Come on, we need to go home now” She lifted him in her arms, a single tear sliding down her cheek. “See ya guys.” She said as she walked away from them and out of the Crashdown.

* * * * * * *

Liz woke in her old bed that she had always retreated to when in need of comfort. It had always been a place where she dreamt away her worries and frightened away her fears. It was the place where she had dreamt of her best friend and soul mate. It was where she cried when he told her about Tess’ pregnancy. It was where she had made the decision to leave. Now here she was, once again but something was different. Something had changed. She could smell it all around her. It was the smell of freshly cut grass, a new beginning or change of something old.

She rolled onto her back and began to stare at the ceiling, something she had gotten used to when she was lying in bed sick from all the chemo, and sighed. Staring straight ahead had always made her feel better, even if for a little while before another course of chemo was needed, and she had become quite good at it. She made a game of it, trying to spot all the different shapes she could see in the plaster, a game that only interested her. Her mother and Ava could never see exactly what Liz did when they played, and stopped even trying to play. She stared ahead as she mentally prepared herself for actually getting up from the bed, something that was always hard. Using her arms she pushed herself up till she was sat up.

Something was different, not just the smell told her that. Her head felt heavy. Her arms felt weird. Her whole body tingled. She lifted her hand to her head and gasped with shock at what she felt. Her slim fingers came in contact with something soft and smooth, something she had thought she would never feel again. Her fingers ran down it, twisting the long strands around it. As she finally found the end, she brought it forward to her tearful eyes. Hair.

“It’s real!” she gasped as she jumped out of bed in excitement and began jumping up and down with complete and utter joy. Tears fell from her eyes.

She stopped dead. Took a deep breath in as she realised she was actually jumping up and down. She had energy. A gasp came from her fine lips as she caught sight of herself in the mirror that was sat on her draws. She stepped forward as she simply stared at the person in the mirror. She had gotten used to seeing this old dying woman look back at her whenever she attempted to look in it, but now it was different. There was someone else. It was the real Liz Parker. The one that had stayed behind in Roswell, New Mexico.

She ran her hand over her face as she realised how young and full of life it was. Her eyes were now sparkling emeralds. Her hair ran all the way down her back, just like it had before she had taken the scissors to it when she was first diagnosed. Her hands wondered to the diary that was laid next to the mirror and turned to a blank page. Her left hand tucked her hair behind her ear, which brought a smile to her face, as she grabbed a pen with her other. After turning it to landscape she wrote in big bold letters as she let tears fall.

Placing the pen back in her pen pot she grabbed the diary and stepped back, sitting on her bed. She continued to look at the page as she cried with joy; she hadn’t felt so healthy before, never felt so happy. She slowly stood from the bed and made her way to the window, where her eyes met the figure that was stood on the balcony, tears falling down his cheeks as well.

Their eyes locked. Amber and green melted into one as they caressed each other’s souls, smiles upon their faces. Feelings of unspoken love filled their hearts as they gazed into each other’s heart and soul, showing each other just how much they needed one another. Love spoke to each soul, erasing bruises that were on each beating heart, through a hand from each person placed on the windowpane that just separated them. After what seemed like hours Liz took her hand away from the pane, lifted the pages of the diary up to the window and pressed them up against it. Her eyes continued to watch him as words filtered into her mind. She couldn’t hear them but she knew what he was thinking as he turned to the ladder and made his way down. His eyes were still locked in hers as he made his way down and the whole time he sent her the words.

*You are welcome*

[rie482]

PART EIGHT
 
Tess cried into her pillow as Max turned to leave. She didn’t want him to leave. She wanted him to love her forever, but she knew that it couldn’t be. He was unhappy and the fact he was downstairs packing made it all a reality. It was too much. Even though she had let him go with the impression it would all be okay, she wasn’t okay. She was far from it, because she loved him with all her heart and soul. The only other individual in her life that she loved more was Matthew. Her heart and her soul; her son.
 
Ava had been right, she wanted to use Matthew against Max, and she wanted to hurt him yet thinking about it, she couldn’t do that to Matthew. She knew that he would feel it so much more strongly than Max ever could. Does it make it right to hurt the man who scorned you, by simply telling the truth, with his son? Is it right to hurt their son just to get revenge? Once upon a time she would have said yes, to both questions. She would have used Matthew at all costs, but that wasn’t really her. It was Nasedo’s influence on her. The Tess Harding that had been brought up wasn’t the Tess Harding that should have been there and that meant the present Ava was wrong. Yes, the original Ava was manipulative and cruel; Tess Harding wasn’t supposed to be the same way and the only thing that linked both Tess and the original Ava was Nasedo.
 
Her eyes grew wide as she remembered things she had seen in her past memories. She had seen a man, who resembled Nasedo in everyway, stood over her, spitting some angry order into her face. Nasedo had manipulated her then and he had done it again. Resolve swept over her body. She wasn’t going to be like that anymore; he wasn’t going to determine what she was to do next. She wasn’t going to use her son against Max. She wasn’t going to bite back and spit out angrily. She was going to be the Tess Harding no one saw, the Tess Harding that was forced into hiding.
 
* * * * * * *
 
Liz couldn’t help but smile as she looked in the mirror once more and giggled heartedly as she played with the newfound hair.
 
“I feel so… so … childish!” she laughed in delight as she clapped her hands together once again as her hair fell from the top of her hair, where she had piled it. The sensation was one she loved more than love itself. It made her feel human again. It made her feel normal, a side to herself she hadn’t seen in close to four years. All she could see in the mirror was herself and the reflection of Ava’s smiling face. “What are we going to tell everyone?” she gasped swinging round to face her. The whole concept of what she was to tell people about her miraculous recovery hadn’t dawned her in the whole 2 hours she had spent stood at the mirror, excitement running through her veins.
 
“Tell them the truth” Ava whispered. Liz shot her a look of surprise and confusion. Not once had Ava ever suggested that she told anyone the truth, she had even been against the idea of telling Nancy, but here she was suggesting telling about 5 Crashdown regulars that she was healed by an alien. Ava looked confused at the confusion on Liz’s face. “You do realise I mean tell them that it was a miracle… which it was. After all we didn’t come back here for you to be healed.” Liz turned back to the mirror, a smile on her face. They hadn’t come back to Roswell for Max to heal her, it was just a miracle. 
 
“What did you tell dad?” she asked to the reflection of Ava as she continued to play with her hair. “He doesn’t exactly understand the whole situation as mum does.”
 
“Probably because you let her in on the secret sooner. When I told him, he honestly didn’t believe me.” She smiled as she remembered his reaction.
 
“You should have seen his face chica!” said Maria excitedly as she bounded in the room, grabbing Liz into a bear hug, holding her tighter than she was able to earlier in the backroom. “He went all pale and his draw just dropped. It took seeing all of the Czechs help heal you completely, for him to even believe us. He thought we were crazy and I think he still does. He hasn’t actually seen you!” She pulled out of the hug, her hands still holding onto her arms and stepped back to look at Liz. “Look at you!” Tears filled her eyes “You look healthier and happier than I have ever seen you before.” Liz could only smile at that because in fact she did feel better than she had ever felt before. As she took Maria back into her arms once more, a figure in the door way caught her attention making her pull away from Maria and step forward.
 
“Lizzy?” came the shocked voice of her father. As Ava and Maria left the room to give the reunited pair privacy, tears fell as he walked over to her and captured her in arms, holding tightly as if he was to lose her if he were to let go. “I didn’t believe them… I thought… thought…”
 
“They were crazy?” Liz questioned happily, knowing he felt the same disbelief that she had when she had found out. He nodded as he breathed in his daughter’s wholesome scent. “I know how that feels. Don’t worry; it sinks in sooner or later. But daddy… you can’t tell anyone. Do you understand that?” She asked looking her dad in the eyes.
 
“But… what do I say to your doctors or the rest of the family?” he asked, “I can’t just say you were miraculously healed. They won’t believe that an angel came and answered my prayers.”
 
“Daddy. You can’t tell anyone” Her father’s expression turned into a frown at the seriousness of the tone she took. “It anyone was to know… you would be putting not just Isabel, Michael, Tess, Ava and Max in danger but you will also be putting the life of a child and my life in danger. There are dangerous…”
 
Jeff suddenly pulled away from Liz and stood staring in shock and questioning. “What do you mean your life? You aren’t one of them!” Disgust ran clear in his tone as he spoke. “Those people cannot put your life in danger after what they did for you!” His voice was raised to a shout. “I WON’T LET THEM TAKE YOU AWAY!”
 
Liz stepped forward as she looked at her enraged father. “Daddy, please forgive me for what I am about to do” The request made Jeff stop in his tracks and look at the daughter before him, her hand glowing a purple light.
 
“What the…?” was all he could ask as her hand reached round the back of his head and everything went blank.
 
She barely managed to stop him thudding loudly on the floor by forcing him on to the bed as he began to fall. Regret flowed through her veins as she began to check over him as he laid out on the bed. Not once had she thought she would need to use her powers on anyone, especially on her father, but she had no other choice. She didn’t know whether or not it was safe. Backing away from the bed she made her way to the suitcase by the door, as Ava slipped in.
 
“Is downstairs secure?” she signed to Ava.
 
“Yes, but I found two bugs in the phones. Thank god you didn’t tell your mother over the phone. We would all be dead by now.” She signed back to Liz. Relief swept over Liz’s face as she took in the information. Unzipping the suitcase she took out a small black device one that had the same silver symbol on it that was found on the pendent, found in Atherton’s house all those many years ago. Waving her hand over it she sent a blue ray of light through the room, which travelled around the room, and gathered around certain points in her room.
 
“Four” signed Liz in horror. “They must know I am here.”
 
Ava waved her hands in disagreement. “That’s not possible,” she signed before she disabled all the bugs. She finally spoke out loud as soon as the last was dealt with. “These look old. These have been here since before you left here.”
 
“That means they HAVE been following me. It also means they probably no about the others … and Matthew.” She sighed as she came closer to her father. “We need to tell them.” Ava nodded in agreement.
 
“What are we going to tell him?” she asked as Liz knelt before her father.
 
“The truth” She turned her attention back to Jeff as she waved a hand over his head, retrieving him from the dream plane.

[rie482]

PART NINE

She looked at the door in front of her with a weird feeling overcoming her body. She didn’t know why she was there; after all she hadn’t, until just a couple of hours ago, spoken to the woman properly in well over 4 years and didn’t exactly part on the best of terms, yet she knew she had to. For Matthews sake. Hesitation after hesitation took place every time she went closer to the door. Each hesitation sent her back to the Jetta, which she had borrowed from Maria, in the hope that maybe if she kept delaying it, the time of the meeting would have passed and she didn’t have to go talk to her. Yet this final hesitation was different from all the others. This hesitation remained at the door, in the form of scraping her hand through her short black hair.

Ava drew in a deep breath and quickly threw her hand at the doorbell, only slightly pressing it in the hope that she had pressed it too gently. If she didn’t press it hard enough, she didn’t have to face her twin and she could at least honestly say she tried to get hold of her. Yet there it was. The piercing tone of the doorbell rang through her skull, snapping her back from the train of thought that had left her standing staring at the glass of the door. She grimaced as she saw a figure move towards the door, she was to face her twin after all.

*For Matthew* she thought to herself as she watched the figure move closer to the door.

“For Matthew” she whispered quietly to herself as the door started to open. As it opened the smiling face of Tess Harding could be seen. To the untrained eye she seemed the ideal happy housewife, a woman who treasured her children and cherished her home. Perhaps, she seemed that way even to the closet of people, but not to Ava. She didn’t have to look at her to know that smile was forced, her whole presence screamed that she wasn’t happy and the way Tess’ face dropped as she saw the woman, who was stood at her doorstep, showed the fact Ava could read her like a book, because after all they were the same person to some extent.

“What are you doing here?” Tess asked in a slightly demanding tone. Her greeting and her ruffled appearance told Ava that her double was not in the mood for pleasantries, something Ava herself couldn’t stand, so she went straight to the point, in roughly the same tone.

“Get in the car and drive to Max’s. Make sure you take Matthew with you. We will meet you in 10.” With that she turned towards the car, yet was stopped by Tess grabbing her arm.

“Why should I?” Tess asked defiantly. Turning to face the woman Ava displaying a look that was much like the one Tess had written over her face. Her eyes glowed with impatient and annoyance. Yet, Ava’s annoyance and impatience was gained by just simply being in the same spot as her double, where as Tess’ was something she had gained hours ago. Something that had festered, and was boiling away within the little woman, just like the bitterness had done when Liz had first arrived. So Ava spoke in a way both of them would understand.

“Because if you don’t” she said seriously in a harsh tone. “You will endangering the life of your son.” Ava didn’t even stop to see Tess’ reaction as she turned away because she knew she didn’t need to, so she went for the car, silently praying that Tess was going to act in the way she was hoping. Suddenly all her fears were blown away by the sound of Matthews name being called.

* * * * * * *

Max was laid stretched out on his bed, staring at the ceiling; a thing he usually did when he was thinking. Such a lot had happened in a just a couple of hours. Not only had he split with his wife, moved out and had moved into his parent’s house, but he had also saved the life of his soul mate. He could hear just one sound in his mind as he laid there; it was the sound of Matthew crying the word 'Daddy' as Max drove away. It had been the hardest thing he had ever done. Telling the young boy about the fact he wouldn't be with him everyday registered badly in the little boys mind. He seemed to have the idea that Max wasn't coming back, firmly held in his mind. It was something that, in time, Matthew would see wasn't the truth. His dad was determined to be around through out his life. But that thought, although reassuring, it didn't make the sound of Matthews bitter tears fade away from Max's memory.

He closed his eyes as he thought about Liz and her appearance when he clapped his eyes on her for the first time in years. He really hadn’t of thought she would ever end up in such a position, in such a state. It had never occurred to him that she wasn’t invincible; it never occurred to him that she was just as human as anyone else in the world. She would get sick. She could die. It hadn’t registered in his mind before because he always felt that he would be there for her, today was the perfect reminder that he hadn’t been there for her. He was there for her because they had pushed each other away, both for different reasons.

He winced as the image of Liz lying, seemingly naked in bed with Kyle Valenti, flashed through his mind. A scene that was made up. A scene that was a complete lie. All to save his soul from the misery of holding the dead bodies, of his brother and sister in his arms. He could feel her anger towards the Future image of himself, he could feel the shock that she felt when she realised that he would do this to them as a couple if it meant that the world could be safe. He could feel her loathing towards Tess as Max gravitated towards her and he now knew the shame she had felt for hating her. Most of all, he knew the pain he had made her feel when he had made his wish.

*****Flashback*****
“Liz?” Max called out to her as he made his way of the English room after her. “Liz?”

She spun around her eyes wide and weary. They hadn’t been on good terms for a while, and Liz knew that what ever Max wanted it wasn’t to beg her to come back to him. Most of their conversations had been about things like what the weather had been like lately or how much he loved Tess, something she knew already from the fact he would shove his tongue down her throat every time he saw Liz. It hurt. As she heard him call her name again, she took a deep breath and turned around to face him.

“Yeah?” she asked, taking in his appearance. His backpack was slung over his shoulder, his hair slightly ruffled and his black shirt reminded her what she was missing. She calmed her racing heart as she realised the look in his eyes. He had something to tell her.

“Not here,” he whispered in her ear, taking her hand and leading her to the eraser room. The place where they had been caught making out by a teacher. A place where they had shared intimate moments. This could mean two things, either he wanted to make out with her, or he wanted to talk about something, something important. As he locked the door he placed his head on the windowpane, a giddy feeling rushing all over his body.

“What is it Max?” Liz asked slightly impatiently, a quality she had gained over the last couple of months. If it wasn’t important it was wasting her time, which she had a lot of.

“I have some good news” He said, his head still resting on the pane. “It’s about me and Tess.” He listened out for the deep breath Liz always took in every time that name was mentioned. He knew he drove her crazy just by saying Tess', so he had made a point of saying it whenever he saw her.

“I know you to are together,” she snapped. “What else do I need to know?”

“That she’s pregnant, I am going to be a father.” As he uttered those words he turned to see her expression, as a form of guilty pleasure. He wanted to see her hurt.

Liz looked at him shocked, desperately trying to suppress a sob and appear indifferent. Inside she was aching, he had slept with another person; she had saved herself for him and was now paying for it. On the outside she appeared not to care.

“Oh” she managed to say quietly but in firm way.

“Is that all you have to say?” He questioned, “All you have to say to me is ‘Oh’?”

“What else am I meant to say Max?” she crossed her arms defensively.

“Well ‘Congrats Max! I am so happy for you!’ would be a start!” he exclaimed as he desperately tried to get some sort of emotion out of her.

“Well, I’m not so why should I lie? I think you are stupid for it so there is no way in hell I am congratulating you!” She stepped forward until she was just inches away. “Now unless you have something important to tell me besides tell me about your little brat, I am off to do something worth while with my time” She pushed past him and unlocked the door, her hand shaking as she placed it over the handle. As she began to turn it an arm forced her around and backed her up against the door. Feeling scared Liz looked him straight in the face.

“You bitch.” He spat. “You go off and sleep with Kyle Valenti and have the bloody cheek to call my son a brat! How dare you! If anyone is the brat it’s you and for that comment I wish you can never have children!” Suddenly shame filled his stomach. Had he actually said that? As he looked in the eyes of the woman before him, he knew he had struck a nerve and it was as if all Liz’s will power to maintain strong just left her body. For the first time in months he could see that she was hurting and was vulnerable. He could see that he had achieved exactly what he wanted by bringing her to the room, and it was killing her more than he had intended it to. He was killing her.

Tears lined her eyes as she took in the words. He had actually wished she could never have children, and in that split second she could feel a change within her, like the wish was coming true. With out speaking another word she turned away from Max, opened the door slowly and walking away, her hands running through her hair as she cried silent tears.

*****Flashback*****

Guilt was all that remained with Max and it would always stay with him. For he knew that by saying those words to the love of his life he was quite literally killing her. He had almost killed a human being, a thing he vowed never to do, a vow, like many others, he almost broke. His train of thought was broken by the sound of a tap at the window. As he leapt from his bed and headed towards it, he could feel her presence making his heart race, No matter how much time and distance had been between them, nothing had changed the way they both felt about one another. Just the thought of being so close to her was being to make him realise that not once had he hated her. He had just been hurt and hated himself. Now was the chance to have his say, to win her back. As he pulled back the curtain, the sight before him was one for sore eyes. She looked so full of life, so innocent with her pink sweater and her hair swept over her right shoulder, a slight frown on her face as she bit her lip because she was nervous. These were all the little things he had missed. As he pulled open the window a smile crossed his face.

“Liz” he said gently.

“We need to talk,” she said seriously and as his face dropped, the rest of the group huddled around the window. “It’s important.”

[rie482]

Guys! I wasn't going to give you this next part until tomorrow evening... but unforseen circumstances have meant that I might not be able to get online to post this tomorrow, so i am posting it now so you shall definitely get this part! I will get the next part to you by sunday

enjoy

PART TEN

The blue light, from the devise, had only just died down when Liz’s words rang around the room.
“I haven’t exactly been truthful with you guys about why I came back, but that’s only because I haven’t the chance since I arrived.” Liz started to explain as everyone stood around Max’s room. A pregnant Isabel was snuggled on Max’s bed with Alex’s hand placed firmly on her tummy, as if he was going to protect their child from an invisible threat. Ava sat on the window ledge, half expecting to be thrown out by the people who seemed so uneasy around her they had completely separated themselves from her, a grim expression sat upon her face. Tess stood by the door, ready to run away if things became too much. Maria was lent in Michael’s arms by the desk, listening patiently, a smile upon her face at the way her friend was behaving. The same way she always did, just showing that she was now the same Liz Parker. Max sat in his chair, his eyes never leaving her body, with his son wrapped in his arms. Liz, who was stood in the centre of the room, looked uneasily at the young boy.

“Max, I really don’t think he should be here” she whispered embarrassed and worried Max would take offence. Shock overcame her as he simply nodded and whispered something in his son’s ear and the young boy immediately ran out. Max watched as his son left the room and once again shame lined his stomach because he was the object he had used against Liz.

“Max, because of what I am about to say I thought it best he wasn’t here.” She could always read him like a book, an ability she had always had from the moment he had opened up to her about his abilities and once again she had demonstrated this. His heart ached once again as he thought about their bond; their connection to one another, one so strong no one could destroy it, not even Max himself. “As you all know I have been gone for a couple of years, what you don’t know is why I left. To some extent you do. You all know what occurred between me and Max the day before I left.” She shot him a hurt look before she continued. “But that isn’t entirely the reason. I left because I was changing.”

She looked around the room, eagerly searching for people’s opinion on what that meant to different people. She held her breath as she felt the bombardment of questions vibrate through the air.

“What do you mean changing?” asked Alex concerned.

“I thought someone would ask that. It means exactly how it sounds. I changed. I was becoming a little off human, or as a term someone once used ‘not of this earth’.” She smiled at Max with a cheeky grin at the way he done that the day all was revealed to her. The day he confined in the woman he saved.

Maria’s mouth dropped open as she looked at the woman before her.
“So that means you are… Czechoslovakian?!” she exclaimed in a slight whisper.

“Slightly” Liz replied, her cheeks burning with embarrassment at the way everyone, besides Ava, was staring at her. For once she knew what it felt like to be in a Victorian Freak show, and she didn’t like it one bit.

“Can you stop looking at her like that” Ava’s voice rang around the room. “She is still human to some extent.” Now slight red tinges appeared on the cheeks of the others in the room at their reaction.

“It’s okay guys. Mum kinda freaked slightly as well.”

“Your Mum?” Michael exclaimed as his head jumped up with shock. Liz stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

“Michael, she has known for just about four years. What could I say to her when she found me blowing things up and lying 3 inches off of my bed while I slept?” she giggled at the way it sounded so absurd. It sounded like something out of the exorcist.

“Why? How?” Asked Maria, obviously worried about how it might happen to her.

“Because I was brought back to life. But I don’t think we should gander on how or what I have changed to. All you need to know is that I have changed. I am more like Max and the Czechs now, but it doesn’t make me any less human; so don’t treat me that way. Now…” she took a deep breath before continuing. “I need to tell you things that you aren’t going to want to know. It’s going to be shocking and I know that your reaction will be to run, but don’t. This.” She waved the black devise in the air to indicate what she was on about “Is a bug detector. It’s from your planet. It's from Antar”

“How did you get it?” questioned a troubled Max.

“From hands of Nicholas.”

“But… But I thought he was dead!” cried out a panicked Isabel.

“We last saw him in New York” Tess said calmly. “He could have been alive or dead for all we knew.”

“He wasn’t. He was watching me.” Answered Liz.

“What?” snapped an angry, confused and protective Max. “Why?”

“Because Khivar saw me as being the key to Antar’s throne. He thought that since I was Max’s first love, he would use me as a pawn in his game by taking me and demanding complete control of Antar in exchange for me alive.” Liz swallowed hard as she tried to keep down all the tears that threatened to surface. “But after I started to change he saw me as something totally different.” Her voice cracked slightly “He saw me as part of a prophecy, one that stated that the woman that had been changed by the king, in our case Max, would have the child of a much more powerful chosen one. He had chosen me to… to…” She closed her eyes, shaking her head as she struggled to realise the words she so desperately need to say. But it was too hard and frustration just built up.

“He needed her to produce that child” Ava filled in after a few painful seconds of Liz's frustration.. “Liz… you don’t have to if you don’t want to.” She whispered to her friend, stepping forward taking her by the shoulders, looking her straight in the eye. Liz simply shook her head.

“No. I have to do this” She sniffed as fought back tears.

“Okay” Was all Ava said before she made her way back to her spot. She knew that Liz needed to actually confront her fears, and by talking about it Ava hoped that maybe she would let people in to help her.

“He wanted to use me to produce a child more powerful than the heir to the throne and... h-he wanted to be the father of that child. So he had Nicholas follow me,” yet again her she choked on the words and began forcing them out to release the pain it was causing her “ f-find out where and when I was e-everyday. I had... had noticed for a quite a few weeks before I left, that... that someone had been going through my things and the final straw was when I had a flash when I touched my diary. That’s when I knew someone was following me.” She paused

“So you left?” asked Maria again, with a slightly hurt tone. Liz's disappearance was one that had hurt the most. Through out everything they had all been through, she thought Liz would always be there for her and the moment Nancy had told Maria Liz had left was the moment she felt the world collapse around her. “Without saying goodbye”

“I couldn’t” Liz replied turning to her best friend “If I had you would have demanded why and where I was going, something I couldn’t tell you. My house was bugged.” she exclaimed desperately “So ever since I have been on the run. I went to Florida, where I met Ava, thinking I was safe, but I wasn’t so we left.” She ran her hand through her hair to calm herself as she continued “Where ever we went he always found us. We went to New York... He found us. We went to Canada... He found us. We to every place we thought we were safe... but he found us. We couldn't hide!” Her now despairing tone rang out the room. Suddenly her eyes fell to floor and her voice became soft, almost inaudible in comparison to what she was like just moments before. “He came so close to getting what he wanted. Every time we just narrowly escaped. One time ... um. he... he became so close to actually… um.. you know.” She whispered hoarsely, as she remembered the time he was close to raping her. She coughed, pulling herself together, before carrying on. “But that’s in the past. So we moved to a secret position, one where no one could find us.”

“And that was how it remained. We researched hard to find out all we could and we even translated the book that Tess had.” Ava turned to confused Tess “I stole it one day while you were out. It stated clearly that although Max and Tess were married in their past life, it didn’t mean a thing because on Antar it was a political thing and that most of the time they didn’t even have a relationship. It’s not like a marriage here. Its simply the joining of two families, sort of like a forgiveness.”

“So what about the prophecy?” asked an impatient Max. He wanted to know what was going on, but also he wanted to hurry the conversation to where it was going... so he could talk to Liz, alone. Just seconds ago she had seemed almost broken, something that almost tore his own heart.

“Well, it did say that the first person that you save from near death would ultimately be changed and would be blessed with the duty of baring the chosen one.” Liz said. “But I knew I couldn’t do that. I was diagnosed by that time and I knew it impossible for me to ever have children.”

“You could have come back because he wouldn’t have wanted you. I could have healed you.” whispered Max, who was now stood next to Liz, his hand pushing back a piece of her hair tenderly.

Liz shook her head. “It would have lead him to the next best thing. Matthew. He is still the heir of the throne, and at that point I didn’t know whether Nicholas and Khivar were keeping tabs on me. So I thought it would be better if I just died. Turns out… it would do the exact thing I didn’t want. If I died he would have just come here and literally waited for you and Tess to have a child. So I am here to warn and train you.”

“For what?” asked a frightened Tess.

“To stand up and fight, because God knows you will lose your son if we don’t.” Liz said seriously in a calm tone.

“But what makes you think you are the one to train us?” demanded Michael, who was slightly miffed by the fact Liz was bossing them around. Her eyes borrowed in to his as she answered.

“Because I am the one who practically died twice. The last time I was healed I gained all your previous knowledge and previous powers, the fact my eyes are now green proves it. It was the final thing that proves that I am the one the prophecy speaks of and right now, we don’t need to be questioning who is bossing whom around. We need to get going or the life of a little boy, we all love dearly, is going to be in danger.” Silence fell about the room as they took in the seriousness of the situation, a situation that they hadn’t dealt with in just over a year.

“The pod chamber?” suggested Ava after a minute of unbearable silence. Everyone in turn nodded and all began to make their way out of the room. All the while Max was left staring at the Liz Parker before him. He had been right about the fact she had seen so much more in the last four years; she had seen things that had changed her life completely. She was now wiser, but he knew all too well that some thing's didn’t change. She was still insecure, like the old Liz Parker was. It something that was shown in the way she subconsciously grabbed his hand as she made her way out the door.