Cocking/Caulking (Lizfic) ADULT COMPLETE 3/30/06

[DMartinez]

Author: DMartinez
EMail: shockerdm@icqmail.com
Disclaimer: Characters belong to creative geniuses: Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and UPN. 'Haunting Me' and 'Save Yourself' belong to Stabbing Westward. 'Save Yourself' belongs to Sense Field. 'Bleed American' belongs to Jimmy Eat World. Small excerpt from 'White Fang' by Jack London. No infringement intended.
Category: Liz
Summary: A single word can change your day.
Spoilers: Absolutely none. Alternative Universe
Warning: There are dealings with rape issues in this story.
Note on title. Both words have many, many meanings so you'll understand it later.
Pairing: M/L, but a little bit of everything

Cocking/Caulking

I'm Liz Parker and an amazing thing happened today. I survived.

Liz rolled her eyes at Maria as they passed each other with trays of food in their hands. Liz twisted her hips so that she could fit between two chairs pulled out further than necessary on her way to her destination. Tourists with money to spend in alien themed restaurants. She set their meals down on the table. "Okay, I have got one Sigourney Weaver, that's for you. And one Will Smith. Can I get you guys anything else? Green Martian Shake? Blood of Alien smoothie??"

She looked from tourist to tourist to see if she could possibly sell them more greasy or entirely too sweet food. The man shook his head slightly. "No, thanks. We're good."

It seemed normal enough to begin with. It really did. The tourists were overflowing for the Crash Festival and I was about to score a major tip from my table of fanatics.

Liz watched him exchange a glance with his dining partner. Both of them were very obviously alien obsessed. Noting the time of year and really wanting a big tip, Liz turned on the charm. "Are you guys here for the Crash festival?"

The woman spoke up, entirely too anxious in Liz's opinion. Once again there were glances exchanged between the couple. "Yeah, can't wait. So...does your family come from Roswell??"

"Just four generations." Liz nodded sincerely, cashing in the tips in her head. These guys would be too easy. She wouldn't have to lay it on nearly as thick and get the same reaction.

The guy was already intrigued. "Uh, well, does anyone in your family have stories about the UFO crash?"

"Well, I guess it would be O.K. to show you guys this...." Liz bit her lip and reached into her apron pocket for a picture. As she pulled it out, she glanced behind her at Maria, who was passing by with another order. The blond shook her head at her friend and kept on walking to a table where two men were too busy arguing to notice their waitress was standing there. Liz turned back to her customers and lowered her voice. "My grandmother took this picture at the crash sight RIGHT before the government cleaned it up."

The woman took the picture from her hand to take a closer look at what appeared to be an alien. Her heavily black lined eyes widened. "Do people know about this photograph?"

Yup, these guys had every episode of The X-Files on tape at whatever hovel they called home. They were going to eat this right up. "Well, I know about it, and now you know about it."

The guy took the picture and looked as if he might be trying to memorize its every facet. "Whoa."

"Wow."

Liz glanced around and noted her other tables. She needed to get back to work or kiss other tips good bye. "I'm gonna be right back, don't show that to anyone."

They nodded, entranced by the supposed artifact. "No...."

She had to suppress a burst of laughter after leaving the table. Those fanatics were so gullible. Maria caught up with her as they moved toward the back to take a moment and gather things they needed for their tables. The blond shook her head at her friend. "You are sooo bad girl. Oh, and Max Evans is staring at you again."

I thought Maria had to be on crack. Max Evans looking at me is just some kind of cruel joke. He's Max and I'm Liz and we're lab partners, not potential couple.

"No way." Liz shook her head and turned to look at the table where the gorgeous and every mysterious Max Evans sat talking to his friend, his eyes seemed to glanced in her direction before they suddenly shifted everywhere but in her direction. "Maria, that is so in your imagination."

She turned away before he caught her staring at him, which would be completely embarrassing. He was the epitome of every fantasy that she had ever had regarding the male sex. He was gorgeous and completely out of her league. "Max Evans? This? No, un uh..it's not..."

"And with those cheeks! Preciosita tan linda!" Maria squeezed Liz's cheeks while she rattled off her Spanish compliments.

"Maria!!" Liz whined. She had to get her mind off this or else she'd be useless the rest of her shift. "And, and even if it weren't... I'm going out with Kyle." She caught the look her friend sent her at the mention of her boyfriend. "I mean, he's steady and loyal, and he appreciates me."

I knew Maria could tell what I've been feeling about Kyle. We're too different and it's just not working. I know he genuinely thinks we're going someplace but there's only so many times I can get felt up without moving forward and I can't do that with Kyle.

Maria wrinkled up her nose. "Sounds like you're describing a poodle." The blond started to move away but paused. "No... I'll prove it. Ask him."

"What?" Liz's jaw dropped open, her eyes flicked to where Max sat, his lips puckered up to take a drink from his straw. "No."

"I dare you to go talk to him and see if he doesn't try to ask you out." Maria smiled evilly. "I'll bet you today's tips. I'm doing good today, sweetie. If he doesn't want you, you get my tips... if he does... I get yours."

"Maria." Liz scoffed but it was so enticing. More money into her Get-Out-Of-Roswell fund. "You're on."

"Yes!" Maria did a little dance as she went back to her tables.

I figured that I'd have twice as much and be that much closer to getting out of this town. So I agreed to the bet. I can't believe that I agreed to it though. I was just asking for a heart stomping.

Liz stood there a second to compose herself before she noted that he had just darted his eyes off in another direction the second she focused on him. It couldn't be true. Max Evans, the shy lab partner, the heart throb of West Roswell High, staring at Liz Parker in her sea-foam green alien themed uniform. 'Inconceivable!' to quote her favorite movie. Then again, when 'Inconceivable!' was used, it was quickly contradicted. On to the task at hand.

Taking a breath, she grabbed a napkin holder and made her way over to his table. "Excuse me." She flashed him a half smile as she switched the full napkin holder on his table with the one she had just brought over. Then she paused. He wasn't even looking at her. She flicked a glance to his friend, Michael, who was glaring at her slightly. "Ok... this is going to sound totally off the wall but can I ask you something, Max?"

"Um..." Max's eyes snapped to her face in surprise. She was still there. She was standing right beside his table wanting information from him. "Um, sure."

"Okay. Um... Maria just said the craziest thing to me a minute ago." Liz released a small laugh and fixed her gaze on the mural behind their booth; her face began to warm up and soon she was sure she would be blushing. "She told me that... well, that you were staring at me... again." She quickly began a ramble when her eyes dropped to his face. "I think she's hallucinating but... it's Maria and she sees things and um... We have a bet going on this and I'd really like to pocket her tips as well as mine tonight... and I should let you answer, huh."

"Maybe." Michael fixed her with his patented 'go away' face. "Maxwell, answer her."

"I..." Max suddenly couldn't find his tongue. Liz Parker had caught him staring. He was beyond humiliated. Michael was goading him. Michael was not going to let him hear the end of it. Michael was going to call him a pussy if he didn't tell the truth and so he opened his mouth. "Well, yeah... I guess I was."

"Oh. Really?" Liz felt a nervous smile float across her face. "Really?"

Imagine my shock to find out that Maria was right. Moreover... Max Evans has been staring at me. Staring at me!

Before Max could answer her, a commotion rose from the other side of the room. ".....you ask me to give you another day!!?? You're running outta time!"

A clatter of dishes and silverware seemed to fill the air. Then they watched in shock as one of the men shoved the other. It was escalating so fast. Liz blinked but it was still happening. She could see Maria out of her peripheral vision. "Liz!!"

"I want the money today. NOT tomorrow!!" The man shouted at his companion. Then to everyone's horror, the second man pulled a gun. A struggle ensued and suddenly a shot rang out. Liz felt like her entire life had been turned upside down in those 10 seconds.

When she opened her eyes, she was under a table with Max and Michael, her face pressed against Max's chest. The air was so quiet as footsteps faded outside the restaurant.

I've never been as scared as I was right that moment. I couldn't believe someone had pulled a gun in my father's restaurant, practically in my home... But Max was there holding me and stroking my hair, whispering that it was all going to be alright.

Her eyes met Max's for a few seconds between his whispered reassurances. In those few seconds, she could see that he was as scared as she was about what had just happened. Michael tapped her shoulder. "Coast is clear. We can come out now."

Liz crawled out from under the table to find the rest of the restaurant doing the same. She had to take control of the situation. "Is anyone hurt?"

"Don't think so." Someone answered her. "Shot went wild."

Liz barely blinked when Maria wrapped her arms around her. "Jose! Call the police." Liz blinked and thought rapidly about what to do. How had something like this have happened? Was there anything that could have been done to prevent it?

No one was hurt and I was so grateful when Daddy came down to see what had happened cause he took over and I could concentrate on getting my hands to stop shaking...

I survived today. The odds of no casualties in gun related incidences is extremely rare. I survived and now I know that Max Evans stares at me while I work. I guess I should give Maria my tips tomorrow. She won but she's probably like me and trying to do anything at all to get her mind off the fact a gun went off where we spend 20% of our time everyday.

I can't help but wonder though... was Max being serious?

TBC

[DMartinez]

I'm Liz Parker and I have no clue what's gotten into me.

Liz slid into her seat in biology and waited for Max to show up. She didn't know what she would say to him when he got there but she always waited for him. They had been partners since the first day of school because she had been late due to a discrepency in her schedule. The only seat had been next to Max at the back of the room. Every day since she had sat there and waited for him to get to class.

Maybe she was just desperate to confirm whether or not he had been staring at her while she worked. If he was, she was out 80 bucks but up one very handsome lab partner. If only she didn't sort of have a boyfriend.

Liz glanced up when Max tried to sneak in through the back door and slid silently into his seat. She ran her eyes over his dark hair and his eyes, brown and yet not quite, his tan skin and quickly at his muscular arm beside hers. She managed a small smile before she turned to the microscope in front of her.

He kept glancing at her about as often as she glanced at him. Finally, she laughed to herself and turned toward him. "I want to say thank you."

"For what?" He whispered back as he passed her a bottle of iodine.

"For pulling me under that table yesterday. I was kinda rooted to the spot there... and for..." She trailed off, blushing and biting her lip.

"For?" He pressed slightly, unsure of where she was going.

"For costing me $80 in tips." Liz pressed her lips together and watched his eyebrows knit together in confusion.

"How'd I do that?"

"You made me lose a bet."

"And you're thanking me?" He shook his head ever so slightly.

"Yeah." She flashed him a smile. "I... uh... didn't actually think Maria was right but thanks for proving me wrong."

"oh. OH." Max ducked his head, his cheeks flaming. He recalled the bet just then. Maria had caught him staring at Liz and told her, they had placed a bet on whether or not he actually was. "Well... I guess... I do what I can."

"Ms. Parker, Mr. Evans. Back to work, please."

Max was blushing. I have never seen anything so adorable. I am falling head over heels for him, now. I've always had a crush on him but now I know that he has some interest in me. IN ME, Liz Parker, queen of the science geeks. Who would have thought in a million years that a completely gorgeous guy like Max could be interested in me?

Liz sat next to Maria at lunch and handed her a wad of cash. "It's yours."

"Whoa. You got good tips yesterday." Maria took the money and then her eyes widened. "He was staring at you! I knew it!" She hopped up and faced Liz. "So did you talk to him? What did he say? Did he ask you out?"

"He didn't say much. He didn't ask me out. He got really embarrassed though." Liz said with a slight smile. She pulled a peanut butter sandwich out of her backpack. "But you know... He knows I'm still kinda seeing Kyle."

"Oh... so now you're only kinda seeing Kyle. Poodle boy." Maria shook her head and dug into her carrot sticks and dressing.

"It was a casual summer thing. Surely he'll think that too. We left things casual and it's time we went our separate ways." Liz nodded to no one in particular. "It's for the best."

"Who are you trying to convince?" Maria scoffed and sat gingerly next to her brunette friend. "You made out several times over the summer, that doesn't make you exclusive. You had four real dates all summer. That's not a boyfriend, it's a distraction." With one wildly colored finger, she turned Liz's face to meet the gaze of Max Evans across the quad. "I say go for it. Let hunka burning love over there know that you're interested. Let Kyle deal with it on his own."

I know that Maria doesn't like Kyle but I can't just do that,can I? I mean, really. Kyle and I weren't really serious and now that school's started up again, it should just be left in the summer. He wouldn't want me to mess with his repuatation, anyway, right? That's what I thought.

"Hey." Kyle wrapped an arm around Liz's shoulder at her locker afterschool.

"Hey." Liz managed a small smile. "Don't you have practice?"

"I have a few minutes." He nodded and leaned in to kiss her but she turned slightly so he would catch her cheek. "So, how's it going?"

"Um... pretty good." Liz nodded stiffly.

"Liz, what's going on? Tommy said he saw you under a table with Max Evans and Michael Guerin." Kyle removed his arm and leaned on the locker beside hers.

"Yeah. I was there." She nodded again and saw the crushed look on his face. "Right after a customer pulled a gun, which went off and left a hole in the back counter."

"Yeah, my dad told me about that." He bent a leg to rest his boot on the locker. "Liz, is there something going on? I've hardly seen you since school started and... I know you're all into homework and school and stuff but..."

"But what Kyle?" Liz shook her head and closed her locker. "You just got jealous because I was under a table, fearing for my life with two boys and now you're upset because I couldn't find time to spend with you?"

"Liz, I just want to know that we're still good. I mean, are we still going to the Crash Festival?" He stood up straight.

"I'm going but I don't know about you." Liz turned to walk away.

"So what? You're breaking up with me?" He walked after her, his boots loud in the emptying hallway and attracting the attention of the people still remaining... including Max Evans and Michael Guerin.

"Maybe I am, Kyle." Liz spun around to face him. "Kyle, we left things casual and I took that as a hint that we were just a summer thing. I figured we'd both move on when school started." She lowered her voice slightly. "I had fun, you're a great guy and everything but I really, really don't see us together anymore."

"Liz, you're just going to tell me that you can just shut your feelings off just like that."

"Feelings, Kyle?" Liz was on the verge of anger. "Kyle, we're 16 years old. I don't know what to wear to school every day much less know what I'm feeling but I do know that what I feel for you is just--"

"Don't you say friendship. You and I are not friends. We're dating. I really care about you, Liz. I can see myself married to you, not just dating you." Kyle pleaded with her, his blue eyes trying to make her seen how much he cared for her.

Liz had never realized how much Kyle had put into their meager relationship. It was enough to make her cry but she had to stay strong. "I don't see us together next week, much less married and it's way too soon for anything like that for me... with anyone. I'm sorry, Kyle. I really am."

She tored down the hallway, leaving a stunned Kyle in her wake.

It was so hard for me to do that but he saw us MARRIED. Married, I am no where near that frame of mind. I can't hold it against him, I guess. Kyle really did share with me. He misses his mother. Maybe that's his problem, he misses her so much that he latches onto whoever he thinks he needs....

I shouldn't be analyzing him but I can't help it. I do really feel bad for Kyle. I had no idea he felt that strongly for me. It's better I guess than to lead him on for months without being able to feel the same for him. It's for the best...

TBC

[DMartinez]

I’m Liz Parker and it’s strange the way your life can shift. One event can change your life without changing it at all, at least not enough for you to notice until it’s behind you.

Liz took a deep breath and walked into school. After it was said and done, she couldn’t quite believe that she had broken it off with Kyle or that she had done it so very harshly.

During her first period, she mulled it over. Why in the world had she done it? Kyle was safe, loyal but not enough.

I figured it out. I was unwilling to recognize it before but this afternoon I was standing in the waitress station and I glanced over at Max’s regular booth. I was standing in that very spot two days ago. The bullet hole was directly behind me. It scared me. I realized that I can’t waste my time or else be safe forever. I have to take a risk something. That risk the other day had saved my life. Before that day, I would have never approached Max with something as stupid as that but I did. Thank God I did.

Liz slid into her seat in bio a few seconds before the bell rang. Max turned slightly. “Hey.”

“Hey.” She managed a small smile. After a pop quiz they were free to talk or study. Liz found the silence between them to be very awkward. “Ummm… Max?”

“Yeah?” He continued to stare at his hands.

“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” Liz took a breath. “I just didn’t believe Maria and I never turn down possible money for the college fund, you know?”

“I’m not uncomfortable because of that… well... maybe a little.” Max bowed his head as a flush crept across his face.

“Sorry.”

“I just didn’t think I was that obvious. Michael tells me I am but that’s just Michael being Michael.” Max turned slightly and leaned his body on the lab table. “If it creeps you out, I’ll stop. I swear it.”

Liz flashed him a smile then blushed. “No, it’s okay. I just didn’t think you would… look at me… like that.”

“Like what?”

“Max, do you not know?” She had to look away for a moment before she could take the risk and tell him exactly what she thought of him. “There is not a single girl in this school who wouldn’t want you to stare at them like that.” She reached over and pinched the front of his shirt. “You are completely adorable.”

“Adorable?” Max couldn’t hold in a laugh. “Adorable.” He cleared his throat. “So what does that mean?”

“Do you not own a mirror?”

“What’s that supposed to mean? First you say I’m adorable, which sounds like a puppy to me, and then you accuse me of not owning a mirror. That tells me that I need to pay more attention getting dressed.”

“You are such a goofball.” She smacked him on the arm. “Fine, I’ll just say it.” She took a deep breath and let it out slow. “Okay. Max, besides being unbelievably good looking, you’ve got this thing about you. You’re mysterious.”

Max cleared his throat. A lump had formed there after she said he was good looking. “Mysterious?”

“Yeah. To my knowledge, not that I’ve… studied you or anything, but you’ve never had a girlfriend, you only hang out with Michael… Some people actually think you might be gay.”

“What?!” Max’s exclamation received a stern look from Ms. Hardy and strange looks from the rest of the class. He lowered his voice after apologizing. “Who thinks that?”

“Okay, so I know you’re not. Feel better?”

“Well, I guess it doesn’t really matter what people I don’t know care about.” He relaxed and resumed his survey of her.

“Why are you staring at me?” Liz blushed furiously and turned her head to her books.

“I thought you said you were okay with it?” Max flicked her hand before she could swat him again.

“I want to know why though.” She whined. “Do I have an odd shaped head or something?”

"No. Just the opposite. You’re nice to look at.”

I had fun in biology. I saw Max smile more in that twenty minutes than in all the time I’ve known him He didn’t ask me out but I think we’re a little closer than we used to be.

“Am I completely insane?” Liz pleaded with Maria for an answer. “I just broke up with him in front of everyone. What’s wrong with me?”

“You opened your eyes, girl.” Maria clapped her hands together. “So you ask Max out?”

“No.” She protested. “But we talked for a while in class. He is completely adorable and he doesn’t even know it.”

“Oh really?” Maria nodded her head slowly. “So you talked?”

“Yeah. He’s great and he’s got a great smile.”

“Yes. Yes. This we know. Is he going to ask you out?”

“I don’t know. But… I’m still upset about Kyle. He expected too much of me but I was really harsh with him.”

“Forget Kyle because Max Evans is staring at you yet again."

Their eyes met across the quad and Liz shuddered slightly. His gaze was just so intense. She could get lost in it and that was scary; that was frightening but exhilarating at the same time. She hadn’t been lying when she had said he was mysterious. There was really nothing personal that anyone knew about him. He went to school and got good grades; that’s what people knew.

Maria’s hand in front of her face broke the gaze. “Geez, that was weird. That’s it. You have to go out with him.”

So I told her I’d think about it but I’ll let him ask me. Max is so intense as a lab partner. I wonder what he’d be like as a boyfriend. He’s always been so quiet and sometimes it’s like he’s not alive but then a single glance into his eyes and I know that he’s just guarded. I wonder what kind of secrets he has. He’s definitely a work of art. God knew what he was doing when he put Max together… and not just physically.

“Lizzie?” Jeff Parker called from the counter.

"Yeah, Dad?" Liz flipped her order book closed and pulled off her antennae. Her shift was finally over.

"Sweetie…" He took a breath. "Promise you won't kill me?"

"Dad?" Liz gave a short laugh. "What's up?"

"I promised we'd work the Festival tomorrow."

"What?" Her jaw dropped open. "When? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Sweetie, I wasn't going to do it but we need to fix that back counter. If we're going to afford the damage bill and being closed three days to do it, we need the Festival crowd here and there." He explained to his daughter. "I know you were looking forward to the night off but I need you here or there."

"Okay." She sighed and walked over to the station to take a good look at it. "Okay. I'll go work the Festival."

Just when I thought I was taking control of my life… Not like anyone I know will be there, right. Anyway, after I finish deluding myself about the misery my night will be tomorrow, I'm going to dream that this is a perfect world and my dad will fire me, Max will ask me out. Right. I was going to stop deluding myself. I need a nap.

TBC[/b]

[DMartinez]

I'm Liz Parker and I so hate my father. I had to wear a costume and serve frozen alien pie on a stick to other people also in costumes. Everyone from school was there and... I guess I can't really complain. I love my dad.

Liz served yet another ice cream to yet another alien fanatic in costume and sighed. She nodded to the next customer and turned to retrieve three more ice creams from the mini-freezer. When those customers had paid and stepped aside, Liz found herself face to face with Max Evans.

"Hey." He nodded with a slight smile. He looked so cute in his oversized suit.

"Hey. What can I get for you?" Liz smiled and pointed to the menu. Every effort to keep her fluttering heat in check only seemed to make things worse. She casually glanced behind him. No line. She had time to chat.

"Let's see." He focused really hard on the menu and shrugged. "I guess I'm not really hungry."

"Oh." Liz bit her lip and leaned on the makeshift counter. "How is it out there?"

"Same as every year I guess." He shrugged again. "It's not really my thing."

"No? Then... " She trailed off and waited for an explanation.

"Isabel." He bowed his head slightly and cleared his throat. "All her friends are here and she already bought a costume. I'm the one with the driver's license and the Jeep."

"Hazards of being a driver." She smiled and nodded. "It's nice that you do things for your sister. Most people I know complain about having brothers and sisters."

"Oh, don't get me wrong. She's a royal pain in the ass but she's still my sister." Max laughed. "Hazard of being related to Isabel. She's just... something else."

"Sometimes I wish I had a brother or sister but then I know I wouldn't want to compete for my parents attention. It's hard enough to talk to them with the restaurant and all... and by the same token, it's hard to avoid them because of the restaurant." She sighed looked out into the crowds. "This is a good year. Much bigger crowd than last year."

"Did the Crashdown work the Festival last year?"

"No but I was here. We weren't going to work it this year either but we need some repairs done. Gunshot the other day split the back counter. It'll still hold but um... no telling how long that will last and it doesn't really do much for business with a bullet hole there."

"That was pretty scary." Max nodded stiffly.

"Yeah... and thank you again for pulling me under the table. I just couldn't move and now I just... I look at things differently because it was scary and nothing bad happened." Liz paused and blushed. "It sounds stupid."

"No, it doesn't. How do you mean, differently?" He prodded and leaned on the counter in front of her.

"I just... My relationship with Kyle was nice and safe but for me it was empty and... because it was safe, I told myself I liked it." She sighed and then lowered her voice. "I should start taking some risk, you know? That day I was standing right where that bullet went through the counter. If I hadn't gone over to talk to you... I could have been shot."

"Wow." He whispered.

"I could be dead right now but I'm not. I'm alive and right here talking to you." Liz held her breath when he opened his mouth to say something but then they heard his name.

"Max!" Isabel went ripping through the crowds. Max straightened to see what she wanted. "Max, we're leaving."

"What? We just got here." Max protested and shot an apologetic look to Liz.

"Because, we're leaving. Tracy is spreading an evil rumor and I have to do some damage control." Isabel pulled on his arm and began dragging him away.

"Bye Liz." Max turned his head back to the counter and waved with his free hand. Max made Isabel slow down after a while. "What is your problem?"

"Why were you talking to her?"

"Because she's nice... and she likes me." He answered her after a little hesitation.

"Right. We can't get involved Max." Isabel bit out at him.

"Involved? I was talking to her." Max ripped his arm out of her grasp. "You date all the time."

"But I've never dated anyone I was obsessed with since birth." She glared at him.

"We were talking. Just talking."

"About?"

"You are such a..." Max bit his tongue and tried again. "Look. Liz and I were talking the other day when that gun went off. She was so scared that she couldn't move so I pushed her under the table with Michael and me so she wouldn't get hurt. She was thanking me."

"Whatever." Isabel turned and continued to take long strides to the Jeep.

"You are impossible!" Max yelled after her. He stayed put for a minute before following her.

So Max didn't ask me out. I could swear that he would have if Isabel hadn't shown up but I can't be sure. It's funny the things I notice now. How his bangs curl on his forehead, how his eyes are brown but still light enough to be another color... like honey or amber... how he's got a really great build and doesn't really play sports. He's got a really funny sense of humor. Half the time I'm almost sure there's a joke that I'm not getting because I never know what he's thinking. Guess I've developed a crush.

"It's been five days." Maria groaned. "Five days since he almost asked you out and nothing?"

"Not nothing." Liz protested. "We talk and have fun in class. Sometimes we talk after school."

"But he hasn't called you or asked you out."

"Well, no."

"Then nothing."

"Maria, he's just really shy." Liz adjusted the phone next to her ear. "I mean, I think he does call but he hangs up."

"How do you know that?"

"Because I've been screening my calls. Kyle leaves messages, so do you and Alex... but sometimes I get these blank calls. No message, just dead air for like 30 seconds."

"Then you should hint to him that you've been having to screen your calls." Maria suggested wickedly. "Then see how fast those empty messages disappear."

Maria's right but I just... I just wish that Max could be a little more open. There is this weird thing. I never knew Isabel even knew who I was but every time I talk to Max in the halls, she shows up and then leaves with him. She's always giving me these ugly looks and I have no clue why.

"Liz." She spun around in the hall because the voice was so low it grabbed her attention. Max. He had his head poking out of an empty classroom. "Liz."

She walked over to him and he pulled her inside the classroom. "Max, what's going on?"

"I... I wanted to do this before I chickened out and before Isabel showed up to ruin it." He rambled and then took a deep breath. "Would you like to catch a movie this weekend... with me?"

Liz bit her lip to hide her grin. "Um. Sure like a matinee?"

His shoulders sagged slightly and this strange look crossed his eyes. "Actually, I was thinking maybe Saturday night... and then maybe grab something to eat... but if--" His tone sounded so dejected that Liz felt bad for teasing him.

"I'd love to." The corners of her mouth turned up. "What time should we meet?"

"I could um... come by and pick you up at um... six..." Max stumbled over his words; still not sure how well it was going.

"Sure. I'd like that." She smiled and stepped closer to him. Max swallowed thickly and began to dip his head slowly towards hers...

Things were going really well, I was about to kiss him when Isabel threw open the door and demanded that Max get to class. I really don't know what her problem is. I won't think about that because I have a date with Max Evans. I'm having a heart attack but that'll be okay. I just need to survive the next two days and then I'll know how it went.

TBC

[DMartinez]

I'm Liz Parker and I think I'm the only girl in the world that's ever kissed Max Evans. Last night was great. It was almost perfect. I say almost because we had to ditch Isabel and that took some working.

"Liz, hi." Max turned and shoved his hands in his pockets when she answered the door. "You... You look great."

"Thank you. You look great, too." Liz smiled as she stepped out onto the pavement.

He raised his hand to scratch at the back of his neck. "I hope you don't mind. Isabel wouldn't leave me alone and I had to bring her with me." Then he turned suddenly to look at her. "Don't worry. I think we can ditch her soon. This wasn't exactly my idea of a night out with you."

"Isabel seems to be... everywhere lately, doesn't she." She commented quietly as they slowly made their way out to the Jeep.

"Yeah well, I'm not really a dating person and she's... not my top priority lately. I think she just wants attention." He stopped walking for a moment. "I love my sister but she can be a royal pain in the ass. She thinks my current lack of dating skills is enough to get me hurt... she's just being an older sister, I guess."

"Well, I don't know about Isabel but you are most definitely the sweetest person that I have ever known and anyone wanting to hurt you should be shot." Liz reached up to kiss his cheek.

I am very glad that I am an only child. Isabel insisted on sitting in the front seat. Then she picked the movie and then she sat between us. I was beginning to doubt that Max had a plan at all. She was really getting annoying.

Max stretched and tapped Liz on the shoulder without alerting Isabel. Liz turned slowly to see Max looking at her from behind Isabel, mouthing, 'Go to the bathroom.'

After a few moments, she got the hint and excused herself, scooting past Isabel and sliding between Max and the seat in front of them. She made her way out to the bathroom, where she waited and waited until finally Max rushed out of the theater and ushered her outside. "Come on. She's really into the movie and she won't notice for a while."

"Where are we going?" Liz asked as he helped her into the Jeep.

"Anywhere you want." Max flashed her a smile and threw the Jeep into gear. They sped out of the parking lot and down the street. "You hungry?"

"Um, sure. Whatever you want." Liz bit her lip and the comment about what Isabel would do when she found out they were gone. If he wasn't going to worry about it, then neither should she. "What does Max Evans eat when he's not at the Crashdown?"

"There's that pizza place on Washington." He suggested.

"Oh yeah. I like that place."

"Then that's where we're going." Max kept his eyes on the road for a few minutes until finally he had to look at her. "I hope you don't mind that we ran out of the movie."

Liz slid her hand into his. "It's not a problem. It'll be showing for months anyway."

Max is just the sweetest person in the world. We talked for an hour after we ate. About school, friends, family... it was great... until Isabel found us. I swear the girl has a homing device in Max's pocket or something. She was pissed about being left behind, which I kinda understand. Then Max handed her some money to order herself something and then grabbed my hand. He said we were going for a walk but for her to enjoy herself.

"So the plan is to save as much money as possibly until I graduate and then get away from this town." Liz gripped his right hand with her left and squeezed his arm with her right.

"Sounds like a good plan." Max nodded, wondering what in the world he had done right to have Liz Parker clinging to his arm while they walked through the streets of Roswell.

"What about you? Ever thought about what you're going to do after high school?"

"Not really. I think some part of me thinks that if I leave, my parents won't ever find me." He shot a glance at her. "My biological parents."

"Oh. You think they're coming back?"

"I have to think that." He whispered. "It's better than thinking they threw me away."

"Max..." Liz chided lightly. "I'm sure you're right. Maybe they are looking for you... What would you say to either of them if they showed up today?"

"Ask why they gave me up. Why they didn't leave us any clues... What was so important that it took so long to get back to us?" Max stopped suddenly and turned to look at Liz.

"What?" Liz caught the strange look in his eyes. "What?"

"I've never talked about this stuff to anyone before but with you it just came out." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "My parents would kill to know half the stuff I've told you tonight. I just feel... really... comfortable with you."

"I'm glad you feel that way because I do too." She noted that they were only a block from her house. "I've had a really great time, tonight."

"Me too." He nodded. There was an awkward pause for a few seconds before Max leaned in to meet her lips. It was soft at first but then he grew braver, opening his mouth to taste her lips.

Liz had to grip his shirt to keep from sinking to her knees. Who knew that Max was such a great kisser? Grateful when his arm wrapped around her body, she opened her mouth for his exploration.

I've kissed boys before. Kyle, Jacob... that kid, whose name I suddenly can't remember... Point is that kissing Max surpassed all those other kisses. That weak in the knees thing that Grandma always used to talk about, it's real. Afterwards, Max didn't let go, he just held me in his arms and touched my hair, like he was trying to memorize the moment. I know I was.

"I've always wanted to do that." He whispered, brushing his fingers through her hair. His watched beeped suddenly and he cursed quietly. Glancing at it, he groaned. "Your curfew?"

"Around now." She grimaced, loathe to pull away from him first. "I guess we should head over..."

"I guess so."

Of course it was still another ten minutes before we budged from that spot. We just looked at each other, we didn't speak and then we were walking. Max is just the cutest when he blushes. I asked him and that's when he admitted that he had never kissed a girl before. I find that hard to believe... especially when he kissed me again at my door. Natural talent like that should really be outlawed or else there would be boneless girls all over the place. Of course I called Maria the second he left.

"Hold on. Date with Max Evans?" Maria took a deep breath and began again. "Back it up, sweetie because you didn't even tell me you had a date, much less that you had one with Senor Evans, Mr. Hottie himself."

"I was too nervous. I didn't want to jinx it." Liz sighed dreamily into the phone.

"Okay, so first. How did he ask you out?" Maria demanded, mouth full of something.

"What are you eating?"

"Jowly Ranters."

"I want one."

"Get your ass over here and get it."

"Maria..." She whined. "You're so mean."

"TELL ME."

And so I told her everything from teasing Max when he asked me out, to feeling bad for teasing him, to the Isabel thing, which she agrees is pretty weird.

"Okay. So Max thinks that Isabel is being an over protective big sister? He doesn't have a problem with it?"

"No, see. He does. We ditched her at the movie and then we went to Double Dave's and we had a blast. We talked and laughed. Then she showed up eventually. I think she was too pissed at him so she watched the whole movie before hunting us down. Anyway. This time we ditched her to her face and just walked around until curfew."

"I knew it. This is the one. Max Evans has got to be the best potential boyfriend in the world. So... when's the next date?"

"Maria! We just finished the first date. I guess I'll just wait for him to call me or something."

"I hear a blush. He kissed you, didn't he!"

"Maria! Stop it." Liz pulled a pillow over her head and cleared his throat. "So what if he did?"

"And? Details. Hello. Boyfriend-less. I'm in a major dry spell. I live for your love life. Tell me." Maria waited and waited. "That good, huh."

"Better." She managed finally. "Maria... he's so sweet..."

"I knew it. I always knew it." Heavy sighs made their way across the phone lines. "You are so lucky, chica."

"I don't know about luck. Maybe fate. I mean. What if you hadn't dared me to go talk to him that day?"

"Don't say anymore. I am traumatized. I refuse to talk about that day. Guns and me aren't ever going to be friends."

"I know what you mean."

But I don't. Maria refuses to even think about it. Sometimes it's all I think about. I told my dad and he just got really quiet. I guess it hit him too. A lot could be lost in that millisecond it takes to pull a trigger. For the bullet to cross a room. For a dare to be taken seriously. I'm not over-analyzing... just getting the thoughts out. I read somewhere that you should right down random thoughts to learn more about yourself. The way you think and react. My cousin Sherry said that she hated English Composition I in college mainly because of what's known as a 'turning point paper.' She said she couldn't think of one. I have one. A point in time that has made all the difference...

TBC

[DMartinez]

I'm Liz Parker and life is good.

Max hurried to catch up with Liz as she made her way down the hall. She smiled up at him and their hands immediately found each other, intertwining as they made their way to class. "Hey."

"Hey." Liz bit at her lip and adjusted her bag with her free hand.

"So... I was going to call you yesterday but..." Max ducked his head. "I realized that I never asked you for your phone number."

"You didn't try to look it up in the school directory?" She teased him lightly, pulling on his arm a little.

"Okay, so I didn't want to seem like some kind of jerk for assuming it would be okay to look you up." Those intense eyes fixed on her. "Happy?"

"It's okay, really but just to make you special..." In 15 seconds, her phone number was inked on the inside of his wrist in bright blue.

So, I'm happy. I think we're officially an item. Half the school saw us at either the movies or at the pizza place so now everyone knows that we went out. I hate the rumor mill sometimes but other times it's great.

"Hi Max."

He looked up at the voice. Few people ever addressed him by his first name. The face his eyes met was not exactly a familiar one. "Um... hey."

"So... I was wondering if maybe..." She kept talking, pushing her chest into his face.

Max had to lean back to avoid contact. He was never more grateful when Isabel's friends walked past. "Pam, give it up. Didn't you hear? He's with Liz Parker." Max gathered his things and turned to Pam, as it turned out her name was. "Look, there she is I better go."

Liz looked up just as Max was within 10 feet. "Max! Hi!"

He stopped just in front of her and Maria. "Hey. Um... Mind if I...?"

"Sure." She smiled brightly and scooted onto the grass so he could sit on the concrete edge. Sitting, he pulled out his lunch and a bottle of Tabasco sauce. She watched him pour it into his bag of chips and wrinkled her nose. "K, Max?" He looked up at her. "You put that stuff all over your pizza the other night and now you've just drenched your Sunwheats..."

"I like it." He shrugged and smiled sheepishly.

"You blush like at the drop of a hat, don't you." Maria burst in.

"Ignore her." Liz stuck out her tongue and turned back to Max. "Isabel was pissed?"

"She'll get over it." He was about to lean in and kiss at least her cheek but she put a hand to his chest and leaned in to whisper in his ear.

"Don't. If you kiss me here, I won't be able to think for the rest of today."

"Then we'd be even. I haven't been able to think straight since the other night." He whispered back.

"Aw. You two are too cute."

The best part was after school. I didn't have to work and so I stuck around to wait for him after last period. Turns out he was waiting for me.

Their fingers wound together as they walked out toward his Jeep. At long last, Max turned to her and took a deep breath. "I don't know if you've been listening to all the speculation but I wanted to... make sure there wouldn't be any problem with confirming it."

"What?" Liz blinked at him.

"I mean... Everyone's been pretty much assuming that we... you and I... are together and I was wondering if... and if you don't... that's fine. You just broke up with—" He never got a chance to finish his sentence. Her lips were on his, confirming to the entire parking lot that Max Evans and Liz Parker had at least an attraction for each other. When their lips parted, he cleared his throat. "Well, I have to say that I like it when you do that."

"Do what?"

"Stop me from rambling like that." he grinned a little sheepishly. "Um... do you need a ride home?"

"Thanks, that'd be nice." Her smile lit up her face, making him smile.

So, even though he never came out and said it, I think he wants us to be together, as in exclusive and I can honestly say that I wouldn't mind. Max is so gorgeous and adorable and sweet. We're going to homecoming together. It's still a couple of weeks off but I can totally see us still in this happy place.

TBC

[DMartinez]

I'm Liz Parker and I love Max Evans. Tonight was awesome. He picked me up for the dance and he looked incredible. He did the whole meeting-the-parents thing. Poor thing, my dad hates him on principle alone. My mother loves him. The dance was great. He actually likes to dance. The best part for me happened in his Jeep. I love kissing Max. He's like a drug.

"So, not to jinx us or anything but um... we haven't been interrupted lately." Liz leaned on the seat, facing Max in the driver's seat.

"Yeah, they just backed off once I put my foot down." He shrugged and then caught the strange look on her face.

"They?"

"Isabel and Michael." He clarified.

"Yeah, I noticed he was giving me some odd looks but I think he just doesn't like me."

"Michael doesn't like anyone." He laughed. "If people thought I was gay then he'd have to be asexual. He's just... alone."

"How did the two of you get to be friends?" It was one of those things that everyone wondered. How could Max Evans and Michael Guerin be such good friends? "It's just that... no one gets it."

"I guess that's the beauty of it." He took a breath and turned slightly to stare out over the dash. "Michael and I met in the third grade. Isabel had already met him the first day of school but I... I was off doing some tests because I wouldn't talk to anyone but Mom and Dad and Iz. Then when I finally got to go to classes, I could eat lunch with everyone else. He didn't say much at first but I guess we kinda knew each other, found each other."

"How do you mean?"

"Isabel and I are adopted and Michael lives with his foster dad. We just kinda gravitated toward each other."

"So, you're really close huh."

"It's like... we're not really friends so much as family. We just created a family between the three of us. I would call Michael my brother more than my friend." Max turned his soft eyes to her. "I know him better than anyone else and trust me when I say that it's not that Michael doesn't like you... but he doesn't trust you because he doesn't know you."

"And not interested in knowing anyone he doesn't trust?" She laughed at his serious expression and then laughed harder when he started laughing too.

"Yeah. That's Michael in a nutshell." He reached over and put his hand over hers. "Are you and Maria like that?"

"Well, yeah. No one really gets Maria but she's the best friend I've ever had. We're always there for each other..."

"But..." He prompted at the way she trailed off.

"Ever feel afraid that you'll outgrow your friends? Sometimes it's like I've taken five steps ahead and realized that I left Maria about three steps back... you know?" She wrinkled up her nose, not making sense to herself. "It's like she's content to pretend we're not growing up but wants to think she's grown up."

"How do you mean?"

"Okay, like she had this boyfriend and he didn't treat her well. Instead of wising up, she just moved on. She's accepted that she's older than she was before but won't act it." Sliding forward just a bit, she looked up into his face. "I'm prepared to grow up and accept all that comes with it, the responsibility, the privileges but it's like she can't. She wants the privileges without the responsibility. It makes me mad some days but others it just doesn't occur to me."

"Yeah, I know what you mean."

"I'm all for cutting loose but not in the damaging way she sometimes does."

"And sometimes she looks at you and you're cutting loose and she doesn't want to let you... like she's the only one who can have fun because you're the responsible one." He rambled on until he caught the look on her face. "So maybe I can relate." They sat in silence for a few moments, strains of music from the dance drifting to their ears. "So... did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?"

"Thank you." She smiled gently and really looked at him. "You are gorgeous as always." Immediately, she was rewarded with his blush. When she leaned over to kiss his lips, she nearly fell. His hands caught her before she could hurt herself on the gearshift. "Thanks."

"Maybe bucket seats aren't the best..." He commented even as his eyes zeroed in on her lips. His lips brushed against hers playfully again and again. Slowly, they maneuvered her across the gearshift and into his lap, all the while exchanging soft kisses. The small space didn't afford any room to move but they made do, putting more fire into their kisses. His hands kept running up and down her sides and back but never wandered out of gentlemanly territory.

Some unspoken language had been knit between them that his hand wouldn't make the journey north until her hand pulled at his shirt under his arm. That when the need to breathe arose that attention drifted to the necks and shirt collars. That buttons didn't come undone until moans had to be muffled. So when he eased down the strap of her dress, she wasn't surprised. It was the hand that crept up her skirt that surprised her.

She waited to see what he would do before she pulled away. His hand simply rested on her outer thigh while he continued to suck at her neck. A glance down and she couldn't even see his hand after it disappeared underneath the thin skirt. Stiffening, Max noted where her attention lay. "I'm sorry. Just say the word and I'll stop."

"Max... I haven't been there either. We're on the same page at this point." She whispered softly, resisting the urge to readjust her dress strap.

"Ok." He nipped gently at her lips and then nodded. "I uh... my mom wants to meet you. Apparently she's glad I'm not gay either." They both chuckled. "Seriously, I'm supposed to bring you by before we go on another date."

"Oh. Ok. Sure. Whenever is good for you." She leaned in again to kiss him but he pulled back. "What?"

"I just wanted you to know that the reason I'm bringing you home is because I think you're a very special person and I want to share that with my family." Max met her eyes. "Come to dinner tomorrow night." Lifted a hand to run through a loose strand of her hair. "Please?"

"I will be there."

"I will have to apologize in advance for my mother. She will ask you a million questions and make you eat everything in sight..."

Max rambled on and on about what a pain his mother could be but I could tell he thought the world of her. Sometimes he made me feel guilty that maybe I didn't love my mother as much as he loved his. I guess everyone feels that way when you starting growing apart from your parents. I love my parents but lately we've all been a little too busy to be a family. But... Mom wants to have a talk about Max. She did the same thing when Kyle brought me home after our third date. I catch her looking at me sometimes and it's like she's seeing me for the first time. I guess the growing up thing is a little weird for everyone.

TBC

[DMartinez]

AN: That part was kind of short so here's another because I can't seem to get back to sleep.

I'm Liz Parker and I think my wedding is being planned for me. I went to dinner at Max's and Mrs. Evans just kinda... well, she was all over the place.

Liz took a deep breath before she followed Max into his house. This was the first time that she had actually been inside his house and on top of that, she was meeting his parents. The second the door shut, Mrs. Evans appeared from the kitchen. "Hi! You must be Liz."

"Hi." Liz smiled and shot Max a wary glance. "And you must be Max's mother." They shook hands. "It's nice to meet you. Um... do you need help or anything?"

"Oh. No. I have everything. You two just sit and relax until dinner's ready." She waved off the teens and disappeared into the kitchen again.

"Ok." Liz nodded and looked to Max.

"Don't ask me. This is totally new." He raised in hands in self-defense. "But she's been like this since I told her that you were coming after all." He gestured to the couch and as they were sitting, Mr. Evans wandered into the room.

The man blinked at the sight of his son holding hands with a girl on the couch and after a beat, stepped toward them. "Hi. I'm Philip."

"Liz." Liz rose, dropping Max's hand to take his father's.

"Right." Max blushed, realizing that all etiquette had flown out the window when Liz had walked in. "Liz, my father. Dad, my girlfriend Liz."

"A girlfriend, hmm." Philip nodded and appraised the couple. "You'll do." He winked and leaned forward. "You make him look good."

Liz blushed and murmured a thank you just as Isabel emerged from her room. "Hi."

"Hi." Isabel nodded and moved on into the kitchen.

"So… it looks like I'm the last to hear about this latest development." Philip nodded to Isabel's cool greeting and looked to his son. "Care to brief me on the specs?"

"Dad." Max groaned and motioned for Liz to take a seat.

"Come on. Fill me in. Maybe this way I'll have an edge on your mother."

She had to smile at the banter and waited for Max to speak up. He looked uncomfortable and then began to fill his father in on the when, how and wheres of his budding relationship.

"All this happens and I find out today… Maybe you should go into espionage, Max." Philip chuckled and smiled up at his wife when she joined them. "Max was just explaining how much I've been left in the dark."

"Dinner's ready guys." Diane shot Liz a smile. "Come on into the kitchen."

Dinner was fine. Max's mom asked a lot of questions. Max's Dad made a lot of jokes… and kept winking at Max. Apparently that rumor that Max might be gay hadn't been totally discounted by his parents. Isabel ignored me completely. That was to be expected, but at least she wasn't as bad as I could tell she wanted to be. But Max was great as always. Strange as it may seem, he's even shy at home. I couldn't believe it. My dad and I always joke around… Max does with his parents but even then, he's still quiet.

"So you work in the Crashdown with your parents?" Philip asked as he helped himself to a second helping of potatoes.

"Yeah… um… Yes, sir." Liz managed and took a sip of her tea. "I'm saving for my college fund."

"Smart. That is a very good idea." Philip turned to each of his children in turn. "I like initiative."

"I'm going to be a model." Isabel ended the discussion on her end.

"I… I applied at the UFO Center the other day." Max spoke so quietly that everyone had to lean forward to listen to him. "It'd be minimum wage and only part-time if even that but Milton says I have a good shot at it."

"When did you do that?" Liz nudged him.

"Well, at least you've acted on your plan." Philip nodded as if he had known all along that Max was going to do it.

"I won't know until tomorrow if I got the job… Just because I'm not sure what I’m going to do… I should still be planning to do it." Max cleared his throat and pleaded for a change of subject.

"How about dessert?" Diane rose from her seat and began gathering their empty dinner plates.

I could tell there was some tension at the table but the Evans cover nicely. I wonder if it was because of Max and Isabel. I know Isabel isn't happy about Max and me but really… it's very strange. Of course there was more interrogation to come. Mrs. Evans kept hinting at college choices that held much opportunity despite various majors. I could just tell she was sending us both to Harvard and imagining grandkids. It was… very strange.

Max walked Liz to her door and suddenly sighed. She looked him over and realized that he had barely relaxed. "What's wrong?"

"I was just waiting for something to go wrong." Max admitted. "My parents are really nosy but at least they didn't pull out the photo albums."

Laughing she hugged him. He had been nervous all evening and just never let it show. "Your parents are great."

"You're only saying that because they're not yours… and Mom…" He rolled his eyes. "The whole college thing is taboo in my house. Isabel wants to be a model and I don't have a clue and my dad keeps pointing out that Harvard has a whole college devoted to law."

"It really wasn’t so bad… although I kept thinking I was going to say something to offend your mother about something or other." She leaned against him, her head on his shoulder.

"You were great. Even with the pushing of college and jobs and all that." He sighed again. "He's waiting for you."

Groaning, she tilted her head back for a goodnight kiss. "I'll see you in class tomorrow."

"Definitely." Kiss. "Liz." Kiss. "Liz." Kiss. "Your Da--" Kiss. "Liz." Kiss. "He's pulling out the shot gun."

"Fine." Kiss… "See you tomorrow."

"Bye." Max managed to pull himself away and waited until she stepped inside before turning to go. He made it two blocks to where he left his Jeep before he heard the footsteps.

"Evans…"

So, maybe I didn't want to let him go. I almost ran after him when my dad told me that Grandma was coming to town. I can't wait for her to meet him. He's just the best and I know he'll love her about as much as I do…

[DMartinez]

I'm Liz Parker and I'm worried. Something happened to Max and he won't tell me what. I didn't see him until the day was almost over. He just acted like nothing but my goodness, his face…

"Max?" Liz had just stepped into the library and had barely caught a glimpse of his face before he had turned the other way. "Oh my god… Max?" She rushed to his side and caught him before he tried to turn away again. There was a horrible gash over his left eye, which was purple and swollen. His bottom lip was split open and his right cheek bore a large red scrape. "Max… oh my god… what happened?"

"Basketball game." He shrugged and looked away, trying to tuck in his bottom lip so that it didn't look so bad.

"Is this why I haven't seen you all day?" She reached up to touch his face but he backed away. "People kept asking me if I'd seen you but… Max…"

"It's not so bad." He shrugged, still not meeting her eyes.

"Are you sure you got all this playing basketball?" She slipped her fingers through his and just stared at the scraped side of his face until she knew he wasn't going to talk about it. "So um… I was going to tell you… My grandmother is coming to town."

"Oh yeah?" came the distant reply.

"Max." She said sternly and waited until he looked at her. "She really means a lot to me so when she comes this Friday… I want you to meet her. She's like… the basis of my existence… she… is just everything that I ever want to be."

Max relaxed a little, realizing that he was being an ass. "Sure."

"And I'll have all week to tell you all about her. She is just the most amazing woman that I've ever known." Liz pulled him closer.

"She must be pretty great."

"Grandma Claudia is my best friend… we always have these really amazing talks… you'll love her." Her eyes kept wandering the injured contours of his face despite her efforts not to. He just seemed really uncomfortable about it.

He said it was a basketball game but his face looked so bad… like he was used for the ball. But he agreed to meet Grandma and that makes me feel better. … and he really took to the idea of me kissing his war wounds better.

Soft kiss to his battered lip. Gentle press to his eyelid, barely a breath against his scrape. Back to his lips. "ow."

"Sorry."

"No, just stings a little." His bent in again to brush his mouth, carefully, against hers. "Feeling better already." A banging on his Jeep door broke them apart.

"Maxwell. Let's go." Michael leaned against the door. His head rolled around to look at Liz. "Take your tongue back, sweetheart. We gotta go."

"Michael. What is it?" Max rolled his head back to look at his friend without letting go of his girlfriend.

"What do you think it is? The princess beckons and we are but her lowly slaves."

"Tell her to bite me." Max groaned and buried his face in Liz's hair. After a moment, he sat up slightly and turned back to Michael. "I can't anyway. Milton said he'd have an answer for me in about half an hour…"

"You're the one that lives with her." Michael shrugged and ran a hand through his spiky hair. "I don't want to be there when she finds out you blew her off."

"Then don't be there."

"You know… you're the one who always said we needed to stick together."

"She's just being difficult. I'm not always going to be there."

Michael stared Max down for a full minute. "Thanks for the memo. Nice to know we can't count on you."

Max stared after his retreating friend and banged his head against the back of his seat, barely wincing at the bruise on the back of his head. Took some comfort in Liz's head on his shoulder. "What was that about?"

"Michael and Isabel. It's nothing, really."

Sometimes I think there's something that Max isn't telling me. He blows off Isabel and Michael but I can tell that it bothers him… but he got the job at the Center. And that's weird too. I'm glad he got the job and he says he is too but… he makes jokes about it. Max… the only time he jokes constantly about something is when he's uncomfortable about it… either that or he just omits it altogether.

"Yeah, nothing like stuffing the plastic guts into a fake alien to complete my day." Max snorted into the phone.

"How much is he paying you?"

"Minimum… just barely. It's trial pay… after six weeks I get a quarter raise. Guess he wants to make sure I'm not abducted before he decides that he wants to keep me." Shifting slightly, he took the pressure off his side, which was still healing from the bruising he had taken. "The hours are just trial, too. 5 'til 10 every night. So… leaves little socializing time."

"Like we had that much to begin with, Max." Liz smiled on her end of the phone. "Dad schedules me wherever he sees fit and I think you've noticed that more and more of that time has been right after school."

"Yeah… he really hates me, huh."

"He doesn't hate you. He… just doesn't want you to date me. He was the same way with Kyle, too. It's not a big deal."

"Not to you. You're not the one that he looks at like he's going to pull out a gun at any moment."

"Speaking of… try not to come by when he's around until your face heals more."

"Yeah…" Max sighed and shifted the cold compress on his face. His mother insisted he keep it on until it was time for bed but it was cold. Michael was right. He could just heal it but that would be suspicious. All they needed was to draw attention to themselves. "Nothing like walking hamburger to make you lose your appetite."

"Max." She chided. "You're healing really well. Next time you and Michael decide to play basketball, please remember to stay on your feet."

"I'll remember that the next time he trips me." He murmured softly. He hated lying to her but he knew he couldn't tell her that he'd been jumped after he walked her home two nights before. He looked up with his uncovered eye when the door opened. His mother noted the phone against his ear and cleared her throat. That paired with the mom look she shot him and he immediately felt guilty. He had told her he was too tired to watch TV with the family. "I'm beat. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Your mom just walked in… didn't she." Liz smiled into the phone when he cleared his throat in the affirmative. "Alright. Night, Max."

"Night, Liz." Max couldn't help but smile before he hung up. He shrugged helplessly at his mother when she wouldn't stop looking at him. "Sorry."

"Things with Liz going well?"

Nodded, hoping she would be satisfied and leave. He readjusted the pack on his face. And she waited for him to elaborate. "I've already met her parents but she wants me to meet her grandma when she comes in this weekend. Apparently it's a bigger deal than meeting her father."

"I see." Diane kept her sparkling blue eyes trained on him and sighed. "You're growing up, Max. Isabel… there was no fighting that but you… I could pretend for so long that you were still a little boy."

"Ma…" Max whined.

"Alright, alright." She reached over and took the pack from his face. "Goodnight."

"Night." Max waved as she shut his door.

"Night." Michael mimicked from the window. He hopped in and pointed to the floor.

"Whatever." Max shrugged and tossed him a pillow. "How long were you out there?"

"I'm surprised you don't blow kisses over the line." Michael mumbled as he laid out the sleeping bag and made himself comfortable on the floor. "Can't believe she thinks I roughed you up playing basketball."

"Continuity." Max mumbled. "Can't change my story now."

"She's an idiot."

"Hey." Max furrowed his brow at his friend, rolling over to look at him.

"She is." Michael lifted a hand and started pointing. "Your story never held water. She's an idiot if she hasn't heard people talking. Kyle and his buddies are bragging about it. Everyone at school knows it was them. I still say we get them back."

"We're not doing anything to them."

"Is she worth it? Isabel's not talking to you, the football team is using you for a tackling dummy and I'm this close from walking, too." He waited and knew he didn't want the answer to that.

"Yeah, she is." Max nodded and laid back, assuming the conversation was over. Of course, he had to know. "Why haven't you walked?"

"You and I are close. We're the same. When the time comes… I'm not going to Isabel to find out how sex works with us."

"Michael, we're not."

"Right… it'll happen. You guys are a couple of horndogs."

"Michael… go to sleep."

Max is doing the private joke thing again. Today I asked him if he wanted part of my corndog at lunch and he nearly spit out his coke. It was very odd. But that's not the best part. When he came in to get something to eat before work, we got a little carried away but… Grandma Claudia arrived!

Max followed Liz into the break room, glancing around for her father. He had been sitting at the counter the last time he saw him but for all he knew, Mr. Parker was Spiderman and could crawl on the ceilings. Avoiding the man while he had all these cuts and bruises was proving to be very difficult.

She slipped her hand into his and pulled him beside the lockers so no one in the kitchen could see them. "I like the uniform."

"It's just an orange vest." He blushed a little. Her small body was pressed up against him. There were a million other things he'd rather be talking about… or not talking about. "I got Saturday night off."

"Good." A dazzling smile and then tiptoeing to press a kiss to his lips.

He cleared his throat. "Isn't it a little busy out there?"

"The teeth people can wait… I'm going to miss you tonight." Her lips met his again. Their arms wrapped around each other, lost for the moment. Her hand quickly tugging at his shirt under his arm, mouths traveling away to the next available patch of flesh and then hands began to wander. By the time the swinging door slammed, Liz's uniform was halfway open and Max's shirt was wrinkled.

Leaping apart, they quickly righted their clothes and just in time. Mr. Parker nodded to every word his mother said as she followed upstairs. "And where is my Honeybear?"

"Grandma?" Liz ran a hand over her hair and practically pushed Max out of the way. "Grandma! I thought you weren't coming until Friday." The two Parker women hugged tightly.

"I was finished with the museum tour earlier than I thought and I just had to come right away and look at you!" Claudia exclaimed. "You are not a little girl anymore. Last year you were still a little girl and now… now you're practically a woman."

"You can say that again." Jeff shook his head and ascended the stairs with the bags, pointedly ignoring Max's presence.

"Did you finish the book?" Liz's eyes lit up with excitement and Max had to smile. "The one at the Res?"

"Book, schmook. I'm here to gossip. You are going to tell me about all the boys who have fallen head over heels in love with you." Claudia squeezed Liz again and nodded to Nancy as she made her way through.

"Good luck, Claud." Nancy sighed. "She doesn't talk about Max to anyone." She barely noticed the red-faced teen standing barely ten feet away.

"A-ha! Max. Tell me all about him."

"Grandma… Omigod, Max!" Liz turned and found him staring at his feet nervously. "I'm so sorry. Grandma, this is Max Evans, my boyfriend. Max, this is my grandmother, Claudia Parker."

"Pleasure to meet you." Max stepped forward and shook her hand politely. "Liz has been talking about you for days. It's nice to finally meet you."

"Oooh. Polite, handsome… I think you'll do." Claudia smiled and nudged her granddaughter.

Max stared down at his feet at the compliment. "I uh… wish I could stay but I think I'm going to be late."

"Oh, I’m sorry, Max." Liz stepped over to kiss his cheek. "I'll talk to you tonight?"

"Yeah, sure. Bye and nice meeting you." Max ducked out of the break room but not before he heard the older woman speak again.

"Sweet and shy… I like… but sweetie… what happened to his face?"

We are going to have such a blast this week.

TBC

[DMartinez]

AN: The parts go hand-in-hand... and most of this first part is a rip off of Normal.

I'm Liz Parker and my heart is aching. So much has happened and I haven't written in at least a week. I can't even write it and somehow… I know if I ever read this again… I'll know exactly what I didn't write.

"Some kid pulled these out." Max shoved the pale green guts back into the bright green alien cadaver. It was a little sickening but it was work. He knew she was there before she opened her mouth.

"Great job you've found, Max. Real dignified." Isabel wrinkled her nose at the sight of the cadaver.

"Gotta feed the monkey." He ducked his head slightly.

"Seventeen people told me about your face yesterday. Twenty-three people mentioned it today." She waited until finally he lifted his face. "Oh my god. Is this why you were avoiding me? What happened?"

"Michael and--"

"Stop right there. He told me what you're telling people. I want to know what happened."

"Some guys roughed me up." He shrugged as if it didn't matter.

"Looks pretty raw. Just… get rid of them."

"You know I can't. It has to be normal and like you said… it's been two days, if they go away before they're supposed to, people will notice." Max locked eyes with her and she backed down.

"Which guys?"

"Kyle and his friends."

That was all she needed to hear. She scoffed and looked up to the ceiling. "You have to break it off with her. She's getting you beat up and I will not have it." Her eyes drifted down to his. "Kyle's got real stalker potential and his dad is the Sheriff. Do I have to remind you how that man terrifies me?"

"I'm being careful. Nothing's going to happen."

"Evans!" Milton's voice found them before the man did. "Evans, your mom just called, something about your girlfriend and the hospital."

It hurts so bad. I vaguely remember calling Max and getting his machine. He was there though and I was so grateful. I never asked how he knew where I was.

Isabel stood back when Max rushed into the waiting room and made a beeline for Liz. She looked awful. Her eyes were red and her makeup running and she could barely complete a coherent thought. "… stroke but that's all they say. Not if it was severe or mild. They won't even tell us if she'll pull through."

"Sh. Sh. It'll be okay." Max sat with her in his lap. "Iz, can you call Mom?"

"Sure." She turned and exited to used her cell phone.

Max stroke Liz's back and kissed her hair. "Where are your parents?"

"Dad's in the room with her… Mom's in admitting filling out papers… Maria's taking care of the Crash… Max, I can't believe this is happening. She was fine. We were having a good time. We were gossiping and laughing and then she…" Liz buried her face in his neck.

"Hey, it's okay. She'll be fine."

And I really wanted to believe him. He stayed until my parents came back. He spent his free hour with me in the lounge at school. Being around him just made me feel better.

With her head in his lap, he stroked her hair. "You're going to be okay when I go to class?"

"Yeah." She nodded. "Maria's coming in a little bit."

"Okay." It broke his heart to see her so sad and withdrawn.

Sitting up, she stared into his face. "Thank you." She leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips.

"Ok, kiddies, break it up, break it up." Maria's voice pulled them apart. "Max, you have class."

"Bye." Max grabbed his bag and bent to kiss Liz's forehead. He winced when his still tender lip brushed her skin and waved them goodbye.

"Look at him. He's so sweet. I can't believe anyone would want to hurt him." Maria sighed and flopped down next to Liz.

"I honestly don't think he has enemies."

"I wish that were true."

"What are you talking about?" Liz rolled her head around to look at her friend.

"Don't tell me that you haven't heard. You cannot tell me that Max didn't tell you what happened to his face." Maria's green eyes rolled back in her head at Liz's expression.

"He did. He was playing basketball."

"No he wasn't." She paused to take a breath. "Okay. I heard Maggie telling Jenny, she heard it from Heather, who's dating one of Paulie's friends. Paulie was involved. They beat Max up and he didn't even fight back. He just took it."

"No… why would Max lie to me?"

"Think about it. Mr. Sweetness himself gets his ass kicked. First off, there's the male ego. Second, he was probably thinking that it would make you angry. He might resent having his ass kicked but I'll bet he wouldn't want to get anyone in trouble over it." Maria watched Liz's face. "I heard they did it because Kyle's still upset over the breakup."

"Oh my god, it's been like a month and a half."

Maria was right though. It made me angry. Angry that Kyle felt he had any right to have his friends beat up my boyfriend… Angry that Max didn't feel he could tell me what had really happened… Angry that my Grandmother was in a coma… Just angry and I couldn't take it anymore.

Kyle looked up in time to catch a fist in the face. After the shock wore off, he found himself on the ground at Liz Parker's feet. "What the hell, Liz?"

"You tell your friends not to touch Max ever again. I can't believe I ever dated someone who would do something like this. What did Max ever do to you?"

"What are you talking about?" He rubbed his sore nose and cheek.

"Don't even, Kyle. I don't ever want to talk to you again. You have no right to just go around beating up innocent people." Liz suddenly felt sick. "Don't touch him again. He might be too much of a man to get revenge but it won't stop me."

It felt good at the time but I just felt so awful for doing that. I didn't say anything to Max when I saw him again. He's so quiet. Doesn't complain, tries not to bother me… It's sweet but it's also maddening. It's like he tries to be invisible.

"Are you going to be okay?" Max whispered, tucking her hair behind her ears.

"Yeah. I think so. I'll probably head over to the hospital later. Give my parents a break." She leaned in her doorway. "Thanks, Max…"

"For what?"

"Being you."

"I'll talk to you later?"

"Yeah."

As open as he is with me, I still feel like he's holding something back. I was beyond caring this week. He took me home the night Grandma Claudia died. He stayed until my parents came home. He's there for me, has been there for me. I guess that's what matters right now…

TBC