Things Fall Apart (CC,M/L,MATURE) A/N 1/26/05 [WIP]

[Chosen~Now]

• • • 

Authors Note: The title of this story is based off of a book by Chinua Achebe and the chapters are named for the songs that inspired them. This is not my first fiction but its the only one worth reading. I really liked writing this and I hope you guys enjoy reading it. So read and review please.

Rating: TEEN I guess maybe MATURE for violence and adult material (HA)

Category: Angsty M/L

Disclaimer: I own nothing, sadly.

Summary: A different version of season 2 , I'm not good at summaries so you'll just have to read it and find out. It is a dreamer fiction all though you won't think so for a while.



I’M SET FREE

And so she stood there, staring at the ground below her that seemed bare and unforgiving. She stood there staring at the ground and tormenting herself with the same old option, the short cut. She had thought about it for a long time now, whenever there was a moment for her mind to wander back to that same image that same thought. The thought that she should have done this before that maybe if she had everything would have been simpler, better.

Because she was the only on left with those moments now, somewhere back there she had lost herself, somewhere in that room. But no matter how hard she tried to pretend everything was ok she couldn’t make herself believe it and no one else was there to reassure her because after everything had happened she had slipped into the shadows where no one would notice her, she hadn’t wanted them to see her she enjoyed the idea of being so isolated that no one would even look her in the eyes anymore.

It wasn’t because they didn’t want to see her, it was because they couldn’t see her if they had tried. She had made sure of that. And at first she had been so proud of the good job she had done at making herself disappear never disturbed by the fact that they had let her, that they had looked away.

As much as they were hurting they didn’t know what it was like to feel the cold the way she had, to feel the stiffness. Now the darkness was a relief, a quiet protector that had wrapped its self around her and kept her warm, kept her away from the cold that now seemed inevitable. But in the harsh light of day there was no where to hide, no comfort in the suns blinding rays that made all the reasons for this so clear.

She had tried, she truly had, and no one could say that was false it had been a long painful year and she had done her best to get through it. For their sake if nothing else, but the longer she stayed here the more obvious it became that no one cared and that she was completely alone.

So now faced with this choice she thought it best to go with her intuition, something she had never really used for fear of it being wrong, of her screwing up again. It was that, that scared her more then anything. How her choices affected others, what they thought of her because of those choices.

So here is where her intuition had taken her, or that is what she had tried to tell herself at least. She knew the truth, that it was a combination of pure exhaustion and defeat that had brought her here. She knew that behind everyone of her ‘noble’ decisions was the inability to struggle and the need to lay her arms down and rest, that quiet voice whispering in her ear

'Give up, you’re tired and broken just let go'

She stared off of the high ledge ready to plunge into the endless abyss just below her feet, she looked up as the sun began to rise and leaned forward ready to relinquish herself to the darkness. But a part of her couldn’t die that way, so instead she sank to her feet her body heaving with dry sobs, she hadn’t really expected to die a part of her thought maybe one of them would come.

One of them would have seen her suffering, seen her disappear and they might have stopped her before she could do any harm to herself. But no one showed, no one came looking for her, no one had noticed.

Why she had expected them to she couldn’t quite grasp, she had done a good job of disappearing and no one would ever come looking for her again. So she lay there on the ground silently staring into the nothingness that was her world and let herself sink into the empty feeling that stopped her from screaming at them for letting her do this to herself. They didn’t deserve that. Why would she want to leave this earth anyway?

“You’re not even here” she whispered to herself before getting up and making her way back to the life she had been so ready to give up.

And so stood Liz Parker, cold and stiff the way she remembered them.

[Chosen~Now]

A/N: Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed it!

Code: Select all

during Alex's death when Max leaves her for "the blonde?"

You're close but not quite. I'm really glad you guys like it! Sorry this next part is short, but I'll post more really soon so don't worry.
-Rosie


I’M SO TIRED


Liz stood behind the counter at the Crashdown staring blankly at the doors, customers came and went and she envied them for that luxury. Freedom from this daily reminder of what life used to be like.

The days when the Pod Squad sat in the same booth everyday briefing each other on the most recent Czechoslovakian encounter, Michael staring at or ignoring Maria depending on the week, Isabel staring longingly at Alex while he tried to keep his cool, Tess talking to Kyle or molesting Max, and finally her Max leading the group.

Now she was lucky if what remained of the pod squad glared her direction at school, they barely talked to each other anymore too disgusted by what has become of their once close knit group.

Maria had quit her job at the Crashdown almost four months ago now, Liz’s father had offered her some time off as well but she knew that would just leave her alone with her thoughts so she turned him down.

Maria still talked to her but they weren’t as close as they used to be, Maria spent most of her time with Michael too scared to ever let him go again. So Liz was alone most of the time, she always felt alone now.

The secret they shared had once seemed like a great adventure, scary and romantic, it had been what held them together. It now felt like a burden each member carrying it alone with no one to talk about it no one to open up to.

All because of that night when everything fell away and left only the struggling survivors standing.

[Chosen~Now]

A/N: This one is much longer then the last, I hope you like it! As you will notice it is a different plot completely. I'm sorry to say Tess is not really a bitch in my story, mostly because to me in the show it seemed like she did a good job of hiding her bitchy evilness. So you'll notice she isn't much of a character. But if you want I can make her life completely suck.

All Along the Watchtower

'It’s too dark’ her mind thought as she raced through the woods ‘has it always been this dark?’ She looked back as she ran expecting to see the others, but she couldn’t even see her hand in front of her face.

She stopped, she couldn’t leave without them. Her bare feet were torn from the rough path she had taken, ‘When did my shoes fall off’ she wondered. A large gash across her stomach bled profusely and her head was killing her, but if she left them here she wouldn’t be able to live with herself.

“Max? Maria? Isabel? ANYONE?!” she questioned of the darkness, but only a quiet rustling answered her. ‘Could that be one of them?’ She wondered she took a step closer to the rustling.

“Hello?”

‘It could be anything calm down’ she demanded of her rapidly beating heart. She had never understood the fear that someone could hear her heart beating before, but now it sounded like a drum.

“Is that…” she stopped herself feeling a sudden overwhelming fear creep across her body.

‘I should have kept quiet, there is no good thing that rustles leaves at night’ she scolded herself. She started to run again back to where she came from but the thing lunged at her, it was a person.

‘Or not’ she thought. It grabbed her feet tearing at her ankles and causing her to fall on her face, she managed to get up and run back, in her confusion and in the darkness she tripped again falling over something cold and wet.

Suddenly the light from the building she had narrowly escaped came back on. She turned around in hopes of seeing what she tripped over. She looked down to see Alex’s motionless figure beneath her legs, he was covered in blood and his eyes stared at the stars as if captivated by them.

“Alex?! Alex! No! Wake up please please please!”

His eyes stayed frozen and his body stiff on the ground. She shook him disturbed by how unreal he felt, like wood, and when she touched his face it felt like ice. ‘How long has he been lying like this?’ Suddenly strong arms grabbed her and lifted her away from him.

“No! No we have to help him he’s…” she screamed at the figure holding her.

She spun around to see a horrified Max holding her arms.

“Oh god!” he gasped seeing Alex, “Liz… Liz we have to go!” he stumbled over his words his voice cracking; it no longer held the authority and strength that had made him the leader.

“It was so cold…” she shuddered at her use of the word it for Alex, the thought that Alex was gone rippled through her leaving her shaking.

Max spun her around and pulled her away from the body.

“We can’t leave him here like this” her voice barely above a whisper.

But before she could stop him Max had lifted her to her feet and was leading her back into the woods by her wrist. They ran her following him blindly until they were deep enough in the woods and then they sunk into the darkness.

“You can heal him Max! You have to”

“Liz you said it yourself, it… he’s cold, it’s too late” His voice sounded defeated, Liz began to stand up but Max pulled her back down.

“What are you doing Liz? We can’t go back there it’s not safe.”

“I have to go back for him Max, he would’ve gone back for me!” Tears streaming down her cheeks now.

“Liz…” Max tried to reason with her.

“And I’m not so sure that it’s any safer here” she said softly, touching her now bleeding ankle.

“What do you mean?” he searched her face.

“I mean that something has been following us since the second we entered these woods.” She said looking off in the direction of the thing that had chased her.

“Please Max I can’t just leave him here, let these woods become his grave. He deserves better then that.”

“Liz there is nothing I can do” he choked the words out as if they had been gagging him.

“How long was he lying there” Liz’s voice now distant and emotionless.

“All I know is that he never made it inside.” He stared at the ground now.

“I should have been watching him; I should have made sure…”

“Liz this is not your fault and we do not have time for this” He lifted her up again.

“What about the others?” her face blank.

“Michael and Maria were a head of me, Tess should still be keeping watch, and Isabel…”

“Does she know,” She said cutting him off “about Alex?”

“No, now please Liz we have to get out of here before…”

“Before we die too” her features twisted in a strange sad smile.

“Yes.” He said before grabbing her arm again and dragging her behind him as he ran.

When they reached the road the trees no longer obstructing the soft moonlight Liz caught a glimpse of Tess sitting in the Jeep.

“Max, Liz! Come on we have to go!” Tess whispered so only they could hear her from across the road.

“The others?” Max questioned

“Michael, Isabel and Maria took the Jetta twenty minutes ago, what took you guys so long?” Max opened his mouth about to speak but Liz beat him to it

“Alex is dead.” Liz stated bluntly

“What?” Tess gasped in horror.

“We have to get out of here first, come on” Max pushed Liz into the Jeep and turned the ignition.

“I’ll tell you and the others everything when we get to the Pod chamber.” He said before peeling away from their parking space in the dark cold woods.

They drove in silence, Tess staring at her hands, Max never looking up from the road ahead of him, and Liz staring into the darkness surrounding her. The headlights a dim reminder that they were going somewhere, that they did have some sort of goal aside from wasting time.

When they finally pulled up next to Maria’s Jetta in the shadowy desert a disconcerting feeling settled over them. They entered the pod chamber to find four scared faces, Michael, Maria, Isabel, and Kyle all confused and frightened searching for answers.

Isabel spoke up first, the concern in her voice overwhelming.

“Where’s Alex?”

[Chosen~Now]

A/N: Sorry I wasn't clearer on the fact that some of these chapters are flashbacks, but you get the idea. Read and enjoy!

Eulogy To Lenny Bruce


Max stood looking uncomfortable a great sadness shadowing his face.

“He’s okay isn’t he?” Maria questioned, she suddenly noticed Liz. She was bloodied from battle like the rest of them but she looked completely beaten and there were tears staining her cheeks, and then she caught a glimpse of Liz’s hands covered with blood, not from her wounds.

“No, no, no, no…” she chanted quietly at first until she was screaming it. Isabel looked at Maria and then back to Max, eyes wide with terror.

“Where is he!” her voice sounded desperate, almost as if she was trying to sound strong or demanding but the look on her face as she shifted her gaze to the floor gave her away.

“He’s gone Isabel, I’m sorry…” he tried to sound calm but the pain in his voice kept leaking through.

Isabel just fell to the floor silently, kneeling on the ground as if she were praying. Michael tried to keep his eyes on the wall behind Max not able to look at his face but he instead found a broken Liz slumping from the great weight of sadness.

“But you can heal him Maxwell you have to be able to.”

“It was too late” Max’s words sounded like a plea more then an answer.

“What does that mean?” Maria’s anger taking over her

“He… he …” Unable to come up with the words Liz took over.

“He never even got inside; he was dead long before we found him.” Her features stoic, she looked like a statue of some tortured Saint in a church.

“What?! Why wasn’t someone with him? What happened to the freaking Buddy System!? That wasn’t simple enough for you Max?!” Maria now completely consumed by her anger rising faster then ever.

“Maria stop.” Michael said softly trying to reassure her.

“I don’t think playing the blame game now is going to help anyone, anyways we didn’t do it,” Kyle cut in

“What do you mean?” Max looked up at Kyle.

“I mean no one got the disk”

“Why… what happened?” Tess’ voice small.

“They knew we were coming they were ready for us Maxwell, you know that,”

“Yeah but I thought… I mean I thought we had it under control.” Max’s confusion rising.

“We barely got out of there with our lives.” Michael cringing at his choice of words.

“Some of us didn’t” Liz’s voice barely a whisper, and although they heard it they ignored her quiet whimper.

“Then we have to…” Max started before Isabel cut him off her voice ragged.

“We are not going back in there Max, we can’t not after everything!”

“And if they keep that disk then you better be ready to leave Roswell,” Max challenged, “And not just Michael, Isabel, and me. All of us.”

“This is my home it has been forever, I can’t just leave.” Kyle’s voice sounded distant

“I won’t leave either Max.” Isabel said standing up from her position on the floor.

“Then you know what we have to do. All of us… together.” Max’s authoritative voice regaining its composure.

Everyone nodded in agreement. And as they left, many of them expecting to never come back, they walked as a complete group each as important as the next. Alien or human no longer came into the equation, they were together and together they would be strong.

They should have been strong.

[Chosen~Now]

Citadel

Disturbed by how vivid the memory had been Liz closed up and headed up stairs to fall into a restless sleep filled with confused nightmares.

******************************************************

“Liz? Liz?” she opened her eyes to see Max staring worriedly at her face.

“Max? Is that really you?” her voice filled with hope.

“She’s not waking up, I don’t know what to do” pain crept into his voice.

“Check her pulse!” A voice from behind Max demanded, it sounded so familiar.

“Alex!” she smiled as she saw his face.

“She doesn’t have a pulse,” he paused putting one glowing hand over her chest “I can’t heal her either!” Tears fell down his cheeks

“What do you mean? Who?” Liz questioned but no one responded.

“I’m sorry Maxell.” Michael placed a hand on Max’s shoulder.

“No! No! She can’t be gone!” Maria screamed, as Alex stumbled backwards the anguish overcoming him.

“What do we do with her body.” Isabel asked through a veil of sorrow.

“WHY CAN’T YOU HEAR ME?” Liz screamed.

“It’s not hers anymore” Max stated bluntly

“I know… I mean how she died… how do we explain it, or do we just leave her out here”

“We can’t just leave her here!” Alex snapped “She deserves a proper burial.” Alex’s voice piercing, Tess clung to Kyle as he cried silently.

“My dad he can do something with… Oh God!” Kyle turned and vomited on to the ground behind him.

“I can’t believe she’s gone.” Tess stated solemnly

“I’m right here!” Liz said becoming exasperated she got up from the ground and turned to see a horrifying scene.

All her friends stood around her, lying torn and broken on the ground. The same tear decorated her stomach but her body was contorted in a disturbing and ugly way, her neck twisted too far to the left, dark blood dripped from her mouth, and her eyes frozen in a look of complete terror.

She stood there staring at her damaged body which was staring at the ground. She gasped at the disfigured version of herself. Someone behind her tapped her on the shoulder but when she spun around she was met by a blinding light that brought her back to reality.

******************************************************

Liz sat up gasping for air and covered in a cold sweat. No matter how much time passed she never stopped having that dream that horrified and confused her. Every night she fell asleep only to wake up several hours later frightened and unable to drift back to sleep. So she stepped out on to her cold dark balcony and sat on the lawn chair she had spent so many sleepless nights on since that night.

‘Another day awaits us tomorrow’ her imaginary self spoke, her words echoing inside her brain. ‘Another day of being the living dead, I hope you’re enjoying it because this is it. This is your life now’

She sat unable to look at the stars that she had once loved, enraged by them and how they had ruined everything. The clouds passed covering their bright light.

“Nice to know someone’s looking after me.” Sarcasm dripping from her words like honey.

[Chosen~Now]

After Hours

That night passed uneventful and she was pulled out of her reverie by the rising sun which signaled it was time for her to get ready for school. In the beginning she had thought that school would be her haven that it would let her forget for a while or a least occupy her for those long painful days.

But she was wrong. School was no less agonizing then any other place she spent her time now, even worse because everything reminded her of them.

And as she sat down in her seat in biology another flash hit her like a truck.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And so for the second time that night they went into those woods believing they were ready for what awaited them. They reached the same government building and the four aliens took their places in front and blew the steel door right off its hinges in a flash of green light and as they stepped inside what seemed like a deserted building Liz’s senses began to crackle to life no longer sluggish from her woe.

Had she looked at her hands at that moment she would have seen a green spark surge from her finger tips but that discovery was for another day in a painful future when it would no longer matter. They stepped forward as group with purpose and a great feeling of vengeance bubbling under the surface.

“Do we even have any idea where it is?” Kyle sounded so hopeless, so lost.

“Before the… before we had to go we were looking in this like doctors office place at the end of that hallway but we didn’t umm… we didn’t have time to see if it was there” Michael said pointing at a long corridor to their left.

Without answering Max started in that direction the others following him when they reached the end they saw the office Michael had spoken of and two other doors on the other sides.

“Okay we have to split up…” Max started before a frightened Tess cut him off.

“But Max you said we wouldn’t be alone.”

“You won’t, we won’t. Isabel, Michael, and Maria go in that room,” Max pointed to the door closest to the office. “Tess and Kyle you go in that room,” pointing at the room diagonally across from the office. “And Liz and I will take the office. If anything happens just call out, and try to get out as soon as possible.” They each took their own path and Liz followed Max into the dark office.

“Okay it’s pretty small but they wouldn’t just leave it anywhere so check locked drawers, safes, and hidden places first.” Max said flipping the light switch and starting to break the file cabinet open with his powers, he glanced up when Liz didn’t answer to see her looking through a closet the blood from the gash on her stomach had soaked her shirt.

“You’re bleeding,” he said calmly focusing on the cabinet again.

“Yeah I uh… yeah.” Her voice slow and detached as she pushed cleaning supplies around searching for some sort of secret hiding place.

“How bad is it, I could heal it if… if you want me to.” He sounded almost timid.

“I’m fine,” she said a little too quickly touching the wound and feeling oddly sentimental about it “It will leave a scar but… I want it too.” She scolded herself for letting him hear her awkward feelings.

“I get what you mean,” he whispered

“How do you get what I mean, I don’t even get it” her misery coming out of her mouth like vomit.

“I’m sorry I just… you don’t have to hide it Liz we’re all sad about Ale…”

“STOP!” her tone tough and dire “Don’t say his name.” tears flowing down her cheeks.

“Liz I’m sorry and I would do… something but we can’t not here, not now.” She didn’t answer him and went back to looking, scared of what she might say if she kept talking.

Max looked up to say something else when he saw something in the back of the cabinet. He reached for it and examined it.

“Liz I found it! We can go!” Max exclaimed surprised by the small amount of time it took to find it.

“You can’t leave yet,” Declared a deep voice from behind him and as he turned around he saw a man with his right hand wrapped around Liz’s mouth and the other hand cover the wound on her stomach. He wore a blue suit and his blonde hair was slicked back.

“Liz!” Max leapt forward in an attempt to get her free but when he did the man squeezed the wound on her stomach causing her to groan in pain, her eyes watering. Then the man reached into his jacket pocket with his right hand uncovering Liz’s mouth as he reached for his gun.

“Max go! You have the disk just go!” Liz cried

“I won’t leave without you!” his voice shaking the fear evident.

“You won’t be leaving at all.” the man said before pointing his gun directly at Max as Liz struggled against the man’s grip on her.

“Stop fighting me little girl” he sounded annoyed he turned the gun against her neck.

“NO!” Max screamed “Take me but leave her alone.” His voice growing more livid by the second.

“Max no don’t do something stupid because of me.”

“No by all means do something stupid,” the man smiled as he slammed Liz against the wall.

“Stop it.” His voice quieter.

“Make me!” he had a wide grin spread across his face now

“I’ll give you the disk!” Max blurted out in an effort to bargain for Liz “If you let her go I’ll give it to you.”

“Don’t do this Max” Liz pleaded with him. But Liz held the disk tightly in his outstretched hand now but as the man reached for it her pulled it away and the man dug the gun further into Liz’s neck.

“Her first” Max’s voice demanding and sad

“Okay,” the man shove Liz toward Max keeping the gun trained on her and Max through the disk at the man before grabbing hold of Liz.

“Are you alright?”

“You should have left me; you should have just left while you still had a chance.” Her voice overwhelmed.

“What? No, Liz don’t say that.” Max said surprised

“She’s right you know,” the man announced pointing the gun at Max again smiling “sorry kid got to do it but you know what? I’ll leave your little girlfriend here alone.” Max lunged at the man grabbing the disk from his pocket, the man didn’t notice and pushed Max back towards Liz

“It’s sad really,” he started looking at Liz “to know that you’re the reason he’s gonna die… oh well!” he exclaimed before firing the gun.

Liz screamed and everything went completely black for a second and then suddenly the world came rushing back to her and she wished it hadn’t. Max was lying on the floor, blood was gushing from a wound in his chest, and the man had gone.

“Max!” Liz cried as tears poured from her eyes. She placed her hands on the wound trying to stop the bleeding. ‘There’s too much, it’s too much’ she thought seeing the blood surge from underneath her palms.

“Liz,” his voice quiet and ragged “Liz you have to destroy the disk.” He unclenched his palm revealing the disk in his hand.

“Max no! We’re going to get out of here and we’re going to get rid of it together.”

“Liz I don’t think I can hold for much longer, no one can heal me…”
“What about a hospital? We can go we don’t have to explain as long as you’re okay it doesn’t matter.”

“Liz you know we can’t do that,”

“We have to do something I can’t just sit here and watch you die Max I just…” She said before he cut her off touching her cheek with his hand.

“Liz you have to do it, and you have to take care of the others because no matter what they tell you, you are important to the group you always have been.”

“Max,” she pleaded “Don’t”

“Liz I want you to know that I always loved you,” his voice so quiet and beaten “even if you didn’t love me.” He told her as she shook from the sobs.

“I never stopped loving you Max, not since the first moment I saw you and I never will.” Her tears falling on him as she sobbed.

“Never let them get you Liz, if they come looking never let them touch you,” he begged her as she nodded “Its up to you now Liz, we make our own destiny and I know that the one you choose will be amazing.” he sputtered as blood trickled from his mouth.

“I love you” her voice cracked as she kissed him on his forehead.

“I love yo...” he coughed unable to finish his last words as he fell away from himself and left his body lying on the ground staring directly in Liz’s eyes as she held him close to her body leaning against his corpse as the last of the warmth left him.

“Oh my God!” Kyle bellowed as he saw the room covered in blood.

Tess came running in after him and fell to her knees as she saw the scene in front of her. Isabel and Maria almost ripped over her as they entered the room, Maria turned to Michael who had followed them in and he held her against his chest as tears fell from his eyes.

Isabel just stood their dumbfounded, unable to comprehend the amount of sorrow that filled her. Liz just sat there in a pool of Max’s blood holding his limp body and weeping.

“It’s over now,” she whispered in his ear “you can be safe now. You can go home.”

‘Home’

A/N: I just wanted to say my collar bone is feeling better and I hope you guys are enjoying this story! I'm sorry about any spelling mistakes, you should just pretend they are all intentional and that I'm witty and cool. Keep Reading!

[Chosen~Now]

And It Stoned Me

“Miss Parker?” the distant voice of her teacher pulled her out of the memory.

“Yes?” Liz asked not sure what the teacher had wanted.

“Maybe you should go down to the nurse’s office; you don’t look very… healthy.” Genuine concern in her teacher’s voice as he searched for a non insulting way of saying she looked like crap.

It was not hard to see that she was unwell at a time when the school year was almost over and most of the seniors were partying and getting ready for graduation. She looked worn dark circles under her eyes spoke of the many sleepless nights, her pale complexion, and her frailness told how little she had been eating and the look in her eyes of complete emptiness left most people feeling cold.

“No I’m fine I just need to get some more sleep,” she tried to make her voice sound strong and careless but failed.

“Miss Parker we’re not really doing anything important here just going over the homework, just come back tomorrow ready for the final ok?” the teacher almost sounded worried that Liz would challenge him again.

“Okay.” Liz stated it as a defeat, most of the students would have killed for the teacher’s permission to skip but she hated being left alone.

She gathered her things and left the classroom silently walking down the empty hallway and making her way to the front door because going to the nurse would have been a waste of time. As she walked down the street she heard a car pull up behind her, at first she was scared no one had come for them in a while but she was still jumpy every time she saw a new customer in the Crashdown or heard a car driving slowly.

“Parker?” yelled the familiar voice from the car. Liz turned around to see Sean in his car.

“Hey,” her voice quiet and weary as it had been for so long.

“What are you doing outside of school I thought you were getting your bookworm on?” his smile was met by a weak smile from Liz.

“The teacher sent me home,” she tried to sound more interested and happy to see him, it wasn’t that she didn’t like talking to him it was that she was always so tired now.

“What did you do?” he looked surprised at the idea of Liz getting in trouble.

“He said I should get some rest,” her voice solemn he looked at her, his eyes knowing.

“Oh, well then I’ll leave you…”

“No.” her voice quick as she opened his car door and sat down “I couldn’t sleep if I wanted to, and I don’t want to go home.”

“So what would you like to do on this sunny afternoon?” his smile returning

“Lead the way,” her smile a little more sincere this time.

They stood atop a bridge above a small brook Liz looking over the edge and remembering her attempted suicide. ‘Shut up brain! Just let me rest’ she begged of her mind which kept flashing back to the scene up on that cliff and how calm it had been. Sean stood a foot a way facing the opposite direction the sun shining on his face as he squinted to see past it.

“So…?” he attempted to start a conversation “Graduation is coming up soon right?”

“Yup, this Saturday” she said sounding unexcited “I’m not going though.”

“Why not?” shock evident on his face.

“I don’t see the point, you know sitting on an uncomfortable chair for three hours only to get a piece of paper that tells me I’m a high school graduate which isn’t that hard to figure out without it. Plus the whole getting up in front of your peers to get it seems kind of like another chance to trip and embarrass myself one last time.”

”I get it. And I agree totally. What are you doing instead? Maria said she was going but I don’t know ab…” he said as she cut him off.

“She’s going?” Liz spoke softly surprised he hadn’t seen that they had barely talked all year.

“You didn’t know?” his brow furrowed.

“We don’t talk much anymore, I don’t talk much anymore.” She stated coolly.

“I noticed but I mean you guys have been friends forever and honestly I like you a lot more then that Michael guy.” He smiled

“He’s good to her though,” Liz looked up and Sean nodded in agreement. “He got even closer after… everything. He had no reason to stray anymore.” Her voice low.

“Yeah,” Sean said trying to look into her eyes.

“So what’s next?” Liz stated loudly trying to change the subject.
“I was thinking some sort of food, what do you think?”

“I think this occasion definitely calls for Nachos!” she said happily glad he didn’t linger on past hurts too long.

Liz climbed up the ladder and on to her balcony after her day of craziness with Sean. He was a great guy, but she didn’t know if she would ever be able to date him and if she did she wouldn’t really be there and he deserved better. Better then damaged goods.

She looked over to the spot where she kept her diary, she hadn’t written in it since their deaths but she had kept a few other keepsakes in their, mostly alien artifacts a necklace, some of the translations from the book, and other things. She still hadn’t told anyone about her powers, they weren’t anything great all she could really do now was light things on fire when she wasn’t paying attention and zap people.

She hadn’t figured out how to do much else when she was emotional it was kind of like an explosion so she tried to keep calm. It hurt sometimes, felt like it was trying to burst out of her skin.

She knew that she could’ve gone to one of them and they would’ve helped her but she didn’t have the courage for something like that, and they really hadn’t been that talkative their only way of communicating with Liz was through a series of glares and looks of anger. She grabbed the necklace that they had found so long ago and put it on her neck before going inside to wash up.

“Just keep going, day by day and soon we can leave and it will be better. It has to be better.” She whispered to herself before heading downstairs to face her parents and the hungry patrons of the Crashdown.

“Just keep moving”

[Chosen~Now]

HEY JOE

Liz walked like a zombie through the Crashdown she was in the middle of refilling the napkin container at one of the tables when someone tapped her on the shoulder; she spun around expecting her father but was met by an unpleasant surprise.

“Hello again,” spoke the deep voice of the same man who had killed Max last year “What? Surprised to see me? You should have been expecting me.”

“You…” her voice shaking as the pain rose in her throat.

“Yeah that’s right me. We were never formally introduced, I’m Agent Paul Gregors,” Liz glanced around relieved to see there were at least six people in the diner. “And you’re Liz Parker.” He spoke touching her face.

“Get out.” Her voice still shaking with a combination of fear and anger.

“Ouch! That hurts!” He said sarcastically touching his chest as if she had struck him. “Do you still have blood on your hands little girl.” He hissed.

“You are a murderer!” she whispered

“I’m not a murder sweetheart because you see your boy toy wasn’t human.”

“Shut up.” She stated plainly tears welling up in her eyes

“He was an animal, nothing more then a stupid animal that I had the unique pleasure of putting down.” He smiled broadly now as he watched a single tear slip down her cheek.

“I just wanted to tell you and your little friends that we’re done waiting and that we’re gonna be comin' for you very soon.” He whispered in her ear as he held her head to his lips. “We are comin’ for you.” He said kissing her neck before turning around and leaving. As soon as he had stepped out of the diner Liz ran to her father.

“Dad can I leave early tonight I have some things to do?” she tried to keep her voice steady.

“Sure honey, when do you…” he spoke with a great deal of concern in his voice before she cut him off.

“Thanks Dad, bye.” She ran up the stairs changed and left for Maria’s house knowing that Michael would probably be there too.

As she reached Maria’s front door she couldn’t help but feel a great sense of loss over their forgotten friendship and all that had gone with it. She knocked on the door and Sean answered.

“Hey,” he smiled at her surprise visit “What are …”

“I need to talk to Maria.” She cut him off

“Uh her and Michael are upstairs I don’t know if you wanna go up there though.” He raised one eyebrow the disappointment in his voice evident.

“It’s an emergency.” He heard the fear and desperation in her voice

“What is it?” the concern in his voice rising

“Just let me in I need to talk to Maria and Michael!” her voice more demanding then he had ever heard, he opened the door and she strode past him and up the stairs knocking on Maria’s door.

“Go away Sean!” Maria’s exasperated voice answered.

“Maria it’s me.” Liz said through the door, it opened revealing a surprised Maria and Michael standing not far behind.

“Liz I haven’t seen you in …” Maria started softly

“Something big is happening.” Liz stopped her.

“What?” Michael’s gruff voice questioned her, it sounded so strange as did Maria’s

‘Have I really not spoken to them in that long?’ she wondered.

“He’s back. They’re looking.” Liz’s voice was fast

“What!” Maria’s voice loud now and full of fear.

“Who’s back?” Michael’s voice changed to a more bossy tone.

‘So he’s the new King now, I should’ve figured’ her mind echoed.

“The government, specifically the man who… who killed Max” she struggled to get the painful words out.

“WHAT! NO!” Maria’s voice even louder now, loud enough to raise Sean’s curiosity, he walked up the stairs to see Michael, Maria, and Liz talking just inside Maria’s room.

Maria’s hand was covering her mouth and she looked as if she was about to cry, Michael looked extremely worried and Liz’s back was turned towards him.

“He said that they’re back and that they’re coming for us.” Liz’s voice was so scared.

“What’s going on up here?” Sean made his presence known “Who’s coming for you?” he asked confused and frightened by Liz’s words. Michael looked up and glared at him.

“Stay out of this” he stated angrily before slamming the door closed leaving him, Maria, and Liz in the privacy of Maria’s closed room.

Sean frowned angrily at the unresponsive door before turning around and going back down the stairs.

“We have to do something.” Liz’s voice trying to remain relaxed

“We have to get Isabel, Tess, and Kyle.” Michael said looking to Liz then Maria, once he received a nod from both he picked up the phone first calling Tess and Kyle.

“Just meet us out at the pod chamber in 20 minutes.” Michael demanded of the phone. “And call Isabel; tell her to meet us out there too. Okay?” He then turned to Maria and Liz. “Let’s go.” They headed out of Maria’s room and down the stairs where they were met by an angry Sean.

“What’s going on?” His voice firm.

“None of your business tough guy,” Michael said as Sean stepped in front of the door “Back off.” Michael’s tone challenging.

“Make me” He glared back at Michael ready to fight for the information.

“Both of you just stop it!” Maria yelled “Sean move it we have to go.”

“What is this about?” when he was met with silence he turned to Liz his features softening “Liz please just tell me what’s happening I can help.” His eyes held hers for a moment before she lowered them ashamed that she had turned him down. He stared at her for a moment hurt by her unwillingness to let him in; after all he had been the one who had continued to be her friend when the others had abandoned her.

Michael pushed him aside and walked out the door Maria following close behind, Liz stopped for a moment in front of Sean looking into his eyes, he caught a glimpse of her, the pain and the intense fear that had consumed her this year.

“Liz…” he started his tone sad.

“Come on Liz!” Michael shouted from outside, Liz turned from him, stepped out of the house and he watched as she got into Maria’s Jetta and they sped away. For a moment he thought of following them, but he knew better.

When they reached the pod chamber Liz remembered a similar experience almost a year ago now. They stepped out of the Jetta and walked toward the pod chamber, Michael put his hand up against the stone and the odd opening in the cold rock appeared. Liz wondered for a moment if she could open it

‘Or do you have to be royalty?’ she had never tried, had never had a reason to.

When they stepped inside the chamber they saw Isabel, Kyle, and Tess waiting for them, all of them looked scared and confused.

“What’s this all about” Isabel started her voice more rough then Liz remembered, it felt strange to be holding a meeting with these people because of their dissolved friendships and the missing members that had been so important to the group.

Liz was also surprised to realize that it hadn’t been a slow process that had ended the tight bond they seemed to have had before, it had been quick. So quick that this was probably the first meeting since that horrible night.

“He’s back.” Michael’s words so blunt they almost caught Liz off guard even though she had been the one who had said them less then an hour ago.

“Who?” the fear rising in Tess’ voice.

“The guy who killed Maxwell and Alex.” Michael’s choice of words yet again felt so careless and quick but Liz could tell the reason he had said it that way was because he would fall apart if he just let them stay in his mind for too long.

“What?!” Isabel’s words came roaring out.

“He approached Liz.” Maria spoke up.

“Did he hurt you?” The concern in Kyle’s voice felt strange and he noticed it.

“No, he just told me that he’s coming… and that his name is Paul Gregors.” Liz’s voice so empty and emotionless it confused Kyle.

“So what do we do?” Tess questioned.

“We move in groups no one is left alone.” Michael answered

“That’s it? We just sit around and wait for him to attack?” Isabel snorted

“When we’re ready to make a move we will until then we just have to stay safe,” Michael paused considering the groups. “We should be alright in school but anywhere else, don’t go alone. Kyle and Tess you stay together, Isabel and Liz, and me and Maria.”

“What about at night?” Liz spoke up “I mean you and Maria and Kyle and Tess are ok but what about me and Isabel.”

“Yeah.” Isabel agreed raising an eyebrow

“You can have yourselves a little slumber party I guess” his voice mocking

“Is that it?” Tess asked “I mean should we go home now?”

“I guess.” Maria said as they all awkwardly broke off into their groups. Isabel walked towards Liz.

“Is it ok if we stay at your place,” Liz nodded “It’s just my parents have been a little… off this year.” Liz nodded again understanding.

They all stepped away from the pod chamber and towards their respective vehicles; Isabel walked towards the Jeep Liz almost gasped disturbed by the memories of her and Max that came from the sight of it. Isabel sat in the Jeep and waited for Liz before starting it and driving away, it was dark now and the stars seemed to flicker above as they drove toward the Crashdown. Isabel parked in the alley on the side and they walked through the front passing Liz’s father.

“Umm Dad is it okay if Isabel sleeps over here for a while?” Liz asked him.

“I suppose…” he started before she walked away. They walked up the stairs and into Liz’s room.

“So…,” Isabel started “Where should I sleep?”

“You can take the bed I have a cot that I can bring in” Liz said to confused by their non existent friendship to share the bed.

“Okay let me help you get it at least.” They went and lifted up the cot and carried it in, Isabel caught a glimpse of Liz’s scarred hands.

“You have powers don’t you?” Isabel didn’t sound surprised, but Liz looked up worried.

“How did you know?” She stated shakily.

“Your hands,” Isabel pointed to them “Michael’s always used to get like that when his powers got out of control, plus after everything Ava said last year I figured you would get powers I just didn’t know when.”

“They started about a year ago, right after…” Liz trailed off.

“Oh… I could help you, if you wanted me too.” Isabel stated cautiously

“Sure… that would be nice.” Liz smiled slightly.

“No problem” Isabel shrugged it off.

Liz finished and they went to bed neither of them sleeping, they just stared into the black void that stood in front of them.

[Chosen~Now]

A/N: Hey everyone! I'm sorry I didn't post this sooner it's been ready for a while but I've been too busy watching my new Aqua Teen Hunger Force DVDs. And please rememeber when you guys finish reading please review and be honest even if that means being mean because I am a masochist and I want real feedback. READ AND ENJOY!


VENUS IN FURS

The day had gone by faster then Liz had expected and she found herself walking back to the Crashdown alone before she had realized how stupid it was.

"Hey," Said the familiar voice sounding kind of down trodden. Liz turned around to see Sean walking behind her.

"Hey" Liz spoke turning to stare at the ground in front of her as Sean took his place walking next to her. "So you guys ran off pretty quick last night..." He trailed off hoping for some answers.

"Something came up it was kind of... private" Liz said searching for a way to make it sound less like a government conspiracy.

"Yeah I noticed," He paused putting his hands on either of her shoulders and turning her to face him "What's going on?"

"Nothing..."

"Nothing? You haven't spoken to Maria or Michael in like a year and all of the sudden you show up and drama ensues and I'm supposed to believe it's nothing?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Look there was just some unresolved issues that came up and they needed to be taken care of." Liz looked away from him but he lifted her chin with his hand so he could look into her pained eyes. She looked into his eyes and for a moment she let him see her.

"Does this have something to do with what happened last year?" Sean asked and Liz immediately turned to stone again turning away and walking fast. But he caught up to her matching her speed. "Liz I don't know what happened that night but I know that it's what tore you and Maria apart, I know it's when everything changed, when you changed," She walked faster and he stopped "I know you were there when they died," he shouted so she could hear him and she stopped in her tracks, he walked up to her.

Tears were welling in her eyes as he spoke.

"Please Liz just let me in, you've been hurting for a year now and it won't stop until you tell someone about it." He touched her face with his hand but she shrugged him off.

"You have no idea what I went through that night! What any of us went through!" She hissed under her breath, a look of confusion crossed his face "What? You didn't know? You honestly thought Maria was asleep in bed that night? I helped her sneak out, we were all there Michael, Isabel, Maria, Tess, Kyle, and me, we were all right there with Max and Alex up until the bitter end. We were all there for a reason, for a purpose you will never understand." She glared at him but was angrier at herself for letting such a hefty chunk of information slip out, they had all had alibis but Sean had only dispelled Liz's.

"Liz I want to know what happened ," Sean pleaded.

"Sean even if I wanted to tell you I couldn't. I have been covered in the blood of people I love for too long I won't let another slip away."

"Liz why would telling me hurt anyone?" his tone rising in frustration.

"Because Sean if you haven't noticed Maria, me and all the others were bonded by a secret that I will take to my grave even if that means lying to the people that I care about for the rest of my life!" Liz yelled exasperated, the tiredness in her voice very obvious.

"Fine," Sean nodded "But you're killing yourself Liz." He walked away leaving Liz alone again. She gave up and let the tears fall down her cheeks, she was angry at him for being so persistent but she understood his need for answers.

In a sad way his pursuit of the truth reminded her of how Alex had found out, which hurt her even more. Liz headed for the Crashdown ready for round two of this new found hell.

Isabel, Kyle, and Tess sat in one of the booths as Liz waited tables, Michael and Maria had gone over to Michael's place where they would all be meeting after Liz's shift. Isabel twirled a French fry in Tabasco sauce before popping it in her mouth while Kyle and Tess talked about the situation at hand.

"I just don't think we should stick around to see what happens," Kyle stated poking his burger bun pointedly.

"What do you propose we do then Kyle?" Tess reasoned

"Get the hell out of here while we still have all of our major organs!" He exclaimed quietly, Isabel rolled her eyes and reached for one of his French fries before getting up and walking over to the counter where Liz now stood.

"What's up?" Liz asked worriedly

"Well, the Bobsy twins over there are getting a little insane for me." Isabel sounded bored.

"My shifts almost over so we can go pretty soon..." Liz said slowly "Have you told anyone else about your powers?" Isabel said quickly

"Great segway Isabel," Liz smiled sarcastically "And no, anyways I'd hardly call them powers unless you really like weak electric fences" She smiled wryly

"You can't change anything yet?" Isabel asked as she ran her hand over the salt shaker quickly turning it red and then back to make her point.

"I don't think so," Liz said trying the same motion and knocking over the salt with her hand. "I can't even fake it," she said disappointed.

"Maybe you can't," Isabel shrugged "it never really changes anything though... you know, not like Max" she said quietly looking at the ground "What can you do?" she sounded interested for the first time in months

"Mostly just zap things and burn things but nothing great,"

"They will develop on their own but you should to practice on focusing them," Liz nodded as Isabel spoke, Liz motioned towards the back room as she removed her apron.

"See you in a minute," Liz said and Isabel nodded, as Liz stepped into the back room to change and came out a few minutes later. All of them ready they headed for Michael's, not wanting a repeat performance from Sean.

When they reached Michael's and got inside they were met by darkness.

"Hello?" Kyle questioned of the dark getting no response.

"I don't like the looks of this" Tess started to back towards the door.

"Oh calm down they're probably just making out or something," Kyle explained as he flipped on the light switch to find them unconscious and tied on the floor.

"Oh God!" Isabel yelled running towards them, but she was stopped by a dark figure, Agent Gregors.

"I didn't know alien freaks believed in God. Well, you learn something new everyday," He smirked pushing Isabel back. "You kids are smart, it took us a while to retrieve the information you took from us last year but we got it easy enough," He spoke again

"Get out of here!" Kyle yelled

"Apparently not smart enough though," he said ignoring Kyle "You didn't even try to run, granted we needed the info to legally go after you but Jesus you just stayed put," Liz glared at him "Nice to see you again sweet thing," he smiled "We learned all about you and your budding powers too" a look of shock crept across her face.

"What?" Kyle turned to ask her

"You have powers because of your connection with Max," Tess stated dejectedly, Liz nodded embarrassed her secret came out like this.

"The scientists back in Washington really want to have a look at you honey, they said they want you alive but the others can go back either way." Isabel rushed at him blowing him back with her powers, but he took out a bat and hit her on the head knocking her to the ground.

He immediately went for Tess knowing he couldn't risk her using her powers on him and knocked her out with two blows.

"Now back to you little boy," He spoke to Kyle "No one needs you but I'm not supposed to bring much harm to you so let me take you peacefully or..." Liz interrupted him jumping on his back and wrapping her hands around his head. "Get off me girl I'll get fired if I bring you back on ice," he yelled trying to shake her off as Kyle ran towards them.

"Stand back Kyle!" Liz yelled as she let her powers run through her fingers electrocuting Gregors, he screamed in pain before throwing her against the wall and hitting her with the bat a few times.

"Just because I can't kill you doesn't mean I can't soften you up a little bit!" He continued beating her until Isabel cam to and untied Michael who attacked him, his gun falling from his belt.

As Isabel, Kyle, and Michael did their best to subdue him a bruised and beaten Liz reached for the gun.

"You can't beat me freaks!" he yelled angrily

"STAND BACK!" Liz screamed aiming the gun at Gregors, they all backed away unsure of what to do, they couldn't just let him go. But could they let Liz kill him like that? "See how you like having a gun pointed at you?" he smirked again "Stop smiling!" she screamed.

"You can't shoot me little girl,"

"Don't sound so sure," her hands shook a little as she stepped closer, the bruises and cuts on her body making it uncomfortable to move. "A year ago you took everything from me, ripped it away right in front of me, I won't let you do it again! I promised that I wouldn't let harm come to these people, my friends and I intend to keep that promise."

"Oh please..." his mocking voice cut off by a gunshot and a horrible splatter, he looked down and fell to his knees grasping at the gushing hole in his stomach.

Liz's eyes widened as she let the gun drop to the floor, no one moved they all just stood there listening to his horrible gasping noises until they stopped. Liz stood there wide eyes staring at the man's body as Michael untied Maria. Maria rushed toward Liz and turned her away walking her outside and towards her Jetta.

"I'm gonna take you to my house and we're going get you all cleaned up," Maria's tone was a combination of concern and fear. "Everything is going to be alright,"

"Maria I think everything is very far from alright," Liz said turning towards her and crying while Maria held her. "I don't think anything is ever gonna be alright again,"

[Chosen~Now]

A/N: Hey! I just wanted to say that if any of you are cringing from the Sean/Liz moments don't stop reading! You are supposed to be grossed out and annoyed by them. I'm trying to alienate you guys on purpose! So keep reading and you may be pleasantly surprised.


MOONLIGHT MILE

Maria walked with Liz towards Maria's house, Maria had tried to help Liz but she wouldn't let her touch her. Liz's face was blank her eyes seemed empty and Maria thought it felt as though she were looking at her through a thin veil of black that kept her separated from this world. Everything about her looked different. She had changed a lot this year but now it was like she was a complete stranger.

'Lost' Maria thought, 'I lost her too' Maria walked up to the door and opened it letting Liz inside.

"Where the hell have you been!?" Sean said fuming.

"Liz go up stairs," Maria stated calmly, Liz looked at her and then walked upstairs.

"What's with her?" Sean asked concern creeping into his voice.

"It's been a rough night," Maria whispered

"Oh, that is not an answer Maria!" He said pointing at her, "You're so lucky Aunt Amy is out..." he said before Maria cut him off

"Let it go Sean!" Maria yelled before walking up the stairs and into her room where Liz stood staring at an old picture of Maria, Alex, and her before all of the alien craziness had hit them.

"I have some bandages and things for your..." Maria said pointing Liz's torso and Liz lifted her shirt to reveal her beaten flesh. Her body was covered in bruises and she was bleeding.

"God," Maria gasped at her friend's wounds and walked over to her "You probably have a few broken ribs," Liz stayed completely still as Maria looked at her wounds.

"What I did..." Liz trailed off

"Liz you don't have to say anything you were defending yourself. You were defending us." Maria said quickly her voice anxious

"Maria..." Liz started again but Maria stopped her

"No Liz this is not you." Her voice shaky

"Yes it is Maria," Maria looked into her friend's eyes

"This is it Maria, this is me. And you're scared of what you see aren't you?" Liz asked as a tear slid down her cheek.

"Liz no I...I" Marian hesitated realizing the truth in Liz's words, Liz looked down and pushed Maria's hands away from her wounds before walking slowly towards the door.

"It's ok Maria, I understand." Maria looked at Liz tears running down her face. "I'm wrong, and I can't pretend I'm not anymore. I can't keep pretending I'm still Liz when I know in my heart I died a year ago. I love you Maria and I love the others all of them, but it's just..." Liz paused looking towards the door, "It's just not enough anymore, I'm not enough." Liz turned and walked out the door her face now soaked by her own tears. She walked down the stairs and started towards the door when Sean stopped her.

"Liz?" He questioned, he grabbed her and spun her around so she faced him.

"Sean, I'm sorry I led you on but I haven't been here for a while and you are too good a guy to be with me." She said point blank and walked out the door. He followed her rushing after her.

"Liz what is going on? Please just tell me!" He begged her as she walked fast.

"You want to know what's going on Sean? Is that it?" She looked into his eyes her stare harsh and hollow.

"Yes" he breathed out, her shirt lifted just enough so he could see her broken midriff.

"What happened to you?" He gasped shock and concern covering his face, as he reached to touch her stomach she pulled away.

"Too much," she paused "And it's not over, it will never be over. It's not just me it's everyone. It's Maria, Michael, Tess, Isabel, and Kyle. And Max and Alex, it's what killed them." She shuddered at the thought of Alex and Max.

"What does that mean Liz?" He asked brow furrowed.

"It means I'm stuck, this is my life now." She thought of what that meant, she was alien now. Some sort of alien and now she would never be able to escape.

"Why Liz, why are you stuck?" he said almost mockingly

"Because I'm one of them now." She stated quietly, her voice too low for him to hear.

"What?" he asked, but before he said anything more she turned and kissed him passionately trying to regain what was left of her humanity. 'Not human, not an alien so what am I?' she asked her self and as she pulled away from the kiss she realized 'I'm a murderer'

"Liz..." his voice sounded far away and as he opened his eyes he saw her hard features staring into his eyes, her face blank and void of emotion.

"Sean I recommend you stay out of this, you don't want to know what has happened this year, tonight. And honestly I don't want you to know." She said firmly "Goodbye Sean," and she walked away leaving him there dumbfounded.