Title: Change of Heart
Author: Emma
Disclaimer: I don’t own anything, except the characters that are not related to Roswell.
Category: M/L
Rating: ADULT
Summery: Liz Parker realises at 30 that her life isn’t all that, so she returns home with a change of heart.
One
I’ve devoted my entire life to my job. It’s been eight years since I’ve been home to see my family. Eight years since I’ve had a holiday, or a life. All my life all I’ve ever wanted to do was to help other people by finding the cure to some rare disease. I thought I was close, actually I know I was. Now at the ripe old age of 30 I find myself with no job, no life and whilst all the people I once knew are getting married and starting families, I’m starting over again.
“I’m sorry Liz, I really am but they cut our funding” the words were delivered with remorse but they cut me to the very core. Everything I knew was over. After eight years someone decided that our cause wasn’t important anymore. I got the job as a research assistant at Chicago Hope straight out of college and I loved it. I worked along side my mentor Dr James until he retired two years earlier, and after that I was promoted to head of the project. I was devastated when he CEO of the hospital told me that they just couldn’t afford to run the research anymore. Wasn’t breast cancer important anymore?
I’ve missed so much. My parents recently retired and are getting ready to start travelling, my older brother has his first child on the way, and my younger sister is getting married.
I used to be close to my family. I love them more than anything, but over the years they got tired of my neglect and begging me to take some time off. I can’t remember the last time they invited me home for something.
I pull up out the front of my family home and sigh. It looks the same except for the new coat of paint. The driveway is full of cars, most likely Lindsay’s friends or her fiancée’s family.
The call had only come a few weeks back. Delivered by my mother and tactfully. I think they thought I would fall apart at the news, maybe they hoped I would realise what I had lost. My younger sister who is only 25 is marrying my childhood friend.
I hop out of my car, opting to leave my bags inside until I decide whether I want to stay, and make my way towards the front door.
“Don’t go in there,” a voice warns me.
“Excuse me?” I look down and squint at the man sitting on the porch swing. I can’t see his face in the dark and I wonder who he is.
“I said don’t go in there. There is stuff everywhere,” he informs his arms emphasising his point.
“Oh,” I frown. “What kind of stuff?”
“Magazines, wedding plans,” he answers with a shrug. I step closer as I see him bring a cigarette to his mouth. My mouth waters, I took it up a few weeks ago after I lost my job. It’s ironic that women who had devoted her life to finding a cure for breast cancer would take up smoking.
“Can I?” I ask pointing.
“Sure,” he replies and hands it to me.
I can see him more clearly now. He looks nice.
We sit in silence passing the cigarette back and fourth until he throws it to the ground and stubs it out. I remind myself that I need to give up the filthy habit.
“You don’t remember me do you?” he speaks.
I turn and look at him. I study his face and then I shake my head. “I’m sorry.”
He chuckles softly, it sounds really nice. “It’s cool. I didn’t recognise you straight away.”
“Oh,” I smile I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.
“You and Linds look a lot a like,” he tells me then.
“We do?” I ask surprised. Lindsay was 17 when I saw her last so its not surprising that she would look different at 25 but like me? I cant believe that, she was always much more beautiful that I was.
“Yeah, your hair is longer though,” he points out and I smile. I’ve had long hair since I was a child. It’s almost down to my bum and his words remind me that I need to make an appointment to get it cut.
We continue to sit in silence. I wonder who he is and when he is going to tell me but I’m not in any hurry.
“Did they set a date?” I finally ask.
He chuckles again and I wonder what’s so funny about my question. “No,” he answers.
“Oh,” I reply. I had been surprised to hear about the engagement. No one had mentioned Lindsay dating seriously and I wonder if there is more to the story then I know.
“Does that bother you?” he asks.
I shake my head immediately. “No. I mean why would it bother me?”
He shrugs again and I frown, this guy is really frustrating and I hate the fact that he knows me but I don’t know him.
“I don’t know,” he replies. “She’s your little sister and she’s getting married before you.”
“How do you know I’m not married?” I ask defensively. “Or in a serious relationship?” I add.
“Whoa don’t get all defensive on me,” he says. “I think I would have heard if you had gotten married, Liz.”
It’s the first time he said my name and I find myself smiling, I like the way it sounds from his mouth.
“See I told you I knew you,” he teases.
“And I know you?” I ask then curious.
“You did,” he says but this time it’s a lot quieter. “Once upon a time.”
I smile at his words despite their meaning. I use that phrase all the time.
“So what brings you home?” he asks.
I sigh. I knew someone would want to know eventually.
“It was time,” I reply.
He nods in understanding but he seems slightly disappointed.
“So are you going to tell me who you are, and how I know you?” I ask then.
He chuckles at me again. “You held out longer than I thought.”
“It was tough,” I assure him.
He’s about to say something when we hear someone walk out the front. I look up and see the silhouette of my sister standing on the porch looking around. I can’t see her very well but I see that he was right because she does look different.
“Where is he?” someone else asks coming up behind her.
“I don’t know,” she replies annoyed.
“They can’t see us,” he leans in and whispers.
“You sure?” I ask surprised.
“Positive,” he grins.
“Why did he just leave with out saying something?” Lindsay sighs before she disappears back into the house.
I look over at the man sitting next to me. “You just pissed her off, you know that right?”
He grins. “Yep, but she pisses me off all the time,” he informs me.
“Ok,” I reply, my eyes returning to the front door. I should go in there and say hi but continue to sit next to the stranger who says he knows me.
“You should go in. They’ll be happy to see you,” he tells me.
“I guess,” I sigh.
I know they will be. They may have given up hounding me to come home but they never stopped loving me or calling me.
I watch him stand up then. “I might see you around sometime, Liz,” he tells me and then with one final smile he pushes through the shrubs and disappears.
“Wait!” I call out. “I don’t even know your name?”
He turns back and grins at me and I feel my heart pitter-patter. How did I not notice before how gorgeous this man was?
“It’s Max,” he tells me and without another word he turns and continues walking.
TBC........
Thank you to my wonderful beta Ki Ki
because i don't think that this is very good. Anyway i really appreicate you reading! 
I hope you enjoy this next part too