Thanks to Cyn for the Wonderful Banner!
Title: A Bid For Love
Author: Alysia
Category: Alternate universe, no aliens.
Couple(s): Mentions all CC, but mainly focused on Max and Liz.
Summery: A short fluff story really. There’s an auction before Valentine’s Day...how exactly is it that Max and Liz get together?
Author’s Note: I originally wrote this story for another fandom. I’ve been meaning to convert it to fit in the Roswell universe.
Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the characters familiar to Roswell.
“Thank you so much for doing this Liz,” Isabel Whitman thanked as the two women stood outside of the large ball room that had been booked for their benefit. “You really are a life saver,” she praised.
Looking to the tall blonde next to her, Liz Parker couldn’t help but laugh. She really had no problem with helping her co-worker and friend out. She’d met Isabel three years earlier when she moved to Roswell for a job opportunity. The two had become fast friends. “I don’t mind Isabel,” she excused softly. No, she hadn’t minded at all. She’d learned that over the years when certain occasions arose, Isabel often took charge, pulling along most people that she knew. Liz knew that it was either agree to help host the charity event or become one of the prizes. “I would have preferred this over being in the auction...”
At the point the slim brunette made, Isabel nodded and let out a small laugh. “Still...I wanted to say thank you. I mean without yours and Maria’s and Tess’ help...I don’t think it would have turned out nearly as well,” she denied. It wasn’t the first event she had taken over, but her friends were definitely able to add things that she never would have thought to add.
“The hall looks amazing,” Liz aknowledged, having finished preparing the room just that afternoon. With a make shift stage and many tables full of men and women anxious to bid for a date with some of Roswell’s finest, she had no doubt that they would make plenty of money for the orphanage.
“Here,” Isabel announced as she held out a rather large stack of index cards.
In confusion, Liz glanced through the stack. “Uh, these aren’t the ones I made...” she trailed off.
“I know, I remade them. I figured that they would be better then your chicken scratch,” Isabel excused as though it wasn’t a big deal.
Liz, on the other hand, was very put off by the action. She had spent much of her free time helping with this charity event, writing out each index card, trying to make whoever sound more interesting. Turning away from Isabel, Liz let out a weary sigh. The night was almost over...once it was, her friend would be back. She’d learned not to take Isabel’s notions to heart when she was on a mission.
Looking up and down the approaching hallways, Isabel began muttering to herself and stomped her foot. Most of the contestants were already in their holding room, but quite a few were still missing...most importantly, her closest friends. She and her husband Alex had parted ways earlier that day, she headed to the hotel...he was to meet with their friends. Hours later and a stream of unanswered phone calls returned, her nerves were beyond frazzled. “I’m going to go try and reach them again,” she excused as she quickly marched away.
Watching the dominant woman stalk away in anger, Liz let out a deep breath. Pissing Isabel off was never a good thing, but daring to do it when she was in one of her ‘moods’, that was worse by far. Turning her attention back to the note cards in her hand, she made sure they were all in order, a fruitless effort seeing as they had just been passed from Isabel’s neurotic hands.
“Hey there sexy,” a husky drawl was heard. Liz spun around, a bright smile kissing her lips at the sight of Max Evans. Her stomach fluttered upon seeing him approaching her. He really was the most handsome man of her acquaintance. Seeing as he was Isabel’s brother, Liz had met him quite a few times over the years. Each time they met, they took turns teasing one another, before they finally ventured into their own friendship. Nothing ever progressed further then that, much to her dismay. Although their playful banter continued. He let out a whistle as his gaze moved appreciatively down her form, her face turned hot from a blush. “Too bad you aren’t in the auction, I’d spend every penney I have on you.”
Liz forced the hope that he actually meant his words down. While they continued to flirt, nothing had ever happened as a result. Aside from that, she was completely different from the women that he usually dated, who were almost as tall as him, with far better attributes going for them. Taking the opportunity, she drank in his appearance. Never before had she seen Max so dressed up, it was something that she liked very much. The black suite complimented by his read dress shirt and finished off with a black satin tie...she wanted a lick, wondering if he tasted as good as he looked.
Max felt his heart hammer in his chest at Liz’s perusal. The predatory gleam in her eyes did wonders for his ego and a smirk broke out onto his face. He’d often thought about her, wondered what she thought of him...now he was getting the chance to see the answer up close and personal; quite a change from the guarded woman he knew her to be. “See something you like?” he asked teasingly, although hoping that she’d take the question seriously.
Liz would have blushed had it not been for a way to so easily dismiss the challenging undertones that had made their way into her conversation. “Oh yeah...very much,” she cooed.
Continuing on with the game, he stepped closer to her. “My view isn’t so bad either,” he confessed.
At hearing the tone that Max’s voice had taken on, Liz couldn’t help but wonder if he was actually meant his words. She felt her cheeks once against flair up in a flush. She had bought her dress months ago, but she hadn’t found an occasion to wear it up until that day. It was a short sleeved dress cut into a v-neck. The material flowed out into an A-line skirt that stopped just above her knees. It was a rich, blood red color with black lace over it. Her hair was tossed up in a flattering way and she applied more make up then she used on an everyday basis.
“Seriously Liz,” Max continued once he found his voice. “You should have agreed to be in the auction.” She deserved to have a nice time that night, and he had a feeling that if she were in the position to be bid on that she would gather quite a few admirers
“I’ll be fine,” she denied softly. She’d rather remain dateless then be bid on by men she had no choice of refusing. Before another word could be spoken, they were interrupted when Isabel joined them, her relief present by the way her face was relaxed. The rest of the contestants followed her.
“I thought you flaked out,” she confessed in soft whisper to her brother. “I think that for once in my life, I’m thankful for your tardiness...although, you could have just been on time,” she said, a smile gracing her face.
Max stopped at his sister’s ironic words. So much for being happy for his tardiness. “Hey, don’t blame me. I was ready on time. Look to your diva friends behind me,” he replied, speaking of Tess Harding and Maria Deluca. “Besides, I wouldn’t have blown you off, I need a date for Valentine’s Day,” he excused laughingly.
Liz pretended not to hear his words. Thinking about Max and whatever bimbo would land him that night was not something she wanted to focus on. She turned to Isabel’s husband...her co-host for the evening and smiled. “I think we should head inside and kick this off.”
Alex nodded and stepped closer. “You are breathtaking tonight Liz,” he confessed. He’d spent much time with her over the years, but Liz usually opted for casual clothes. Even when the group met up for dinner, she wore a pant suite. Knowing that Liz had never been very good at accepting compliments, he moved into another direction. “Too bad I’m already married.”
Hearing the words, Isabel leaned over and smacked her husband playfully on the arm. “Too bad huh?” She teased as she kissed him briefly. “Okay...” Isabel said as she spun around to face everyone else. “Do you all know what order you’re coming in?” At their nods, Liz spoke up.
“Remember, we’re helping to raise money for Child Haven, so be as chanting as possible,” she reminded them. Before turning back to Alex, she turned her attention to Max and straightened out his tie. Not bothering to say anything for fear that she would mess it up, she offered him once last smile.
________________________________________________________________________
“Thank you for coming out tonight and participating,” Alex thanked as he and Liz stepped up to microphone on the podium. “This is a great turn out...”
“As you well know, the firemen and the police branches do their own fundraisers each year,” Liz added in.
“Each group doing very well,” Alex reminded the audience.
“This year though, we’ve decided to team up together and see what can come out of this. Outside we’ve got plenty of anxious men and women ready to meet you. Since we’ve already liquored you up, feel free to spread the wealth,” she joked.
“So, here’s how this words, one lady or gentleman will come in and it’s up to you to bid on them. The amount will start at fifty dollars. Are we ready?”
Around the room, catcalls were head, causing both of the hosts to chuckle. As the evening passed their friends and various coworkers strutted out for charity. Of course there was a tense moment for Liz and Alex when Michael bid and won a night out with Maria. The two fought like cats and dogs, never having been able to get along since they met. Although, Maria grudgingly accepted the bid and left the stage, tossing him dirty looks.
With Kyle Valenti bidding on Tess, only Max was left. Having shared the cards, Alex began reading off Max’s card.
As expected, Max drew in a good amount of attention. Women in the audience went crazy at seeing him, applauding even more as he began dancing to the song that way playing. Liz’s attention was drawn to him as well, wishing...not for the first time, that she was in the audience so she could bid on him. She chuckled at the show he was providing, reveling in the wink he tossed her as he bounced up on stage in front of the sea of admirers.
“We’ll start the bidding off at fifty,” Alex began once the music stopped and the women around the room settled down.
“Fifty!”
“Fifty-five!”
“Sixty!”
“Seventy-five!”
The bidding continued on until the amount totaled two hundred and forty dollars. Next to Alex, Liz stared out to the made up blonde that was reigning champion of the round. The woman was pretty enough, she allowed, but completely artificial, so not right for Max...or so she thought. Of course, she bore remarkable resemblance to most of his dates.
“We have two hundred and forty dollars,” Alex called. “Do we have Two hundred and forty-five?”
Making a snap decision, Liz stepped closer to the object of her affection. She was not about to allow Botox Barbie walk away with him. She was tired of never being noticed. At least this way, she could have a date with him and he wouldn’t be able to deny her. “Two hundred fifty,” she breathed out, ignoring the murmurs over the audience.
At her unexpected entrance, all attention turned to Liz. She refused to looked at the crowd, instead, she held her gaze steady with a confused Max Evans.
“Two hundred and seventy five dollars!” The blonde called out desperately, not liking the way that the co-host was staring at the participant, or his attention on her in return. She was used to getting her way and she was not about to let that streak go easily.
Without removing her gaze from Max’s, Liz once again out bid the woman.
“Three hundred and fifteen dollars,” the rival stated, upping the mark again.
Liz licked her lips and smiled over to Max. “Five hundred and fourteen dollars and eleven cents,” she announced breathlessly. Surely the other woman wouldn’t dare outbid that.
Seated at a table, everyone waited on the edge of their seats. Isabel, Maria and Tess held their breath, hoping that Max and Liz would finally get their chance. Even Michael and Kyle were entranced at that moment, anxious to see what would takr place. The attraction was obvious to all, well, except to Liz and Max. They had thought the two would have found their way to the other months ago, but both remained clueless.
Alex shook his head at the scene that had just unfolded. “Any other offers?” When no one said anything, he turned to couple once again. “Going once....going twice...sold to the lovely Liz Parker!” All the while, he shook his head in disappointment. Leave it to Max and Liz to make things complicated. He didn’t care how special someone was, there was no way in his right mind he would spend five hundred dollars for them when they could wait and get together for free.
The couple stepped closer to each other, Max was feeling humbled at the amount that Liz was willing to pay for him. All the while, she could only smile at him, still feeling the adrenaline from her bidding competition.
“Liz...” Max couldn’t say anything else. He hoped that his tone held the various emotions he was feeling. Hope, wonderment, awe, fear, pleasure, delight and most importantly, love.
Liz nodded as if understanding his meaning. “I had to.”
Max leaned down and laid his forehead again hers as their finger laced together in front of them. “Why didn’t you say something?” He whispered, fearing that if he spoke any louder that it would ruin the moment. “You could have had me for free...”
Emotion welled up inside Liz. She coughed out a noise that in between a laugh and a sob. “I didn’t think you’d want me,” she confessed.
With a pounding heart, Max shook his head. “How could I not?” He’d been enamored with Liz since she first arrived in Roswell. When her attention seemed to stay at a friendly level, Max forced his own feelings aside. Their friendship had evolved and taken on a playful banter that he didn’t dare share with anyone else.
“Are we really going to do this?” She asked in wonderment.
“Well,” Max shrugged. “You did pay five hundred dollars for me...the least I could do is make sure you get your money’s worth,” he waggled his eyebrows playfully.
“How far does that go?” Playing along with him, Liz returned the eyebrow waggling and smirked.
“As far as you want,” he replied, leaving the comment open ended. He didn’t want her to feel as though he pressuring her for anything. He could wait for her, so long as he had her...he could go at her pace.
“Why you couldn’t have done this when there wasn’t an auction going on it beyond me,” Alex interrupted, smiling for his friends’ new found happiness. “Are the two of you gonna’ kiss or what?”
Max and Liz both laughed at their friend before they turned back to each other, smiles still adorning their faces. Liz shrugged. “The man does have a point,” she allowed. “You haven’t kissed me yet...”
She didn’t have to tell him more then once! Max anxiously laid his lips against hers. Their meeting was electric. Passions engulfed them as their arms wove around the other person in effort to pull them closer.
______________________________________________________________________________
“Tonight has been amazing,” Liz confessed as she and Max stood at her door. She never thought that she would find the guts to act on her attraction for the devilishly handsome man standing before her.
Max nodded, knowing exactly how she felt. The entire evening had felt surreal to him as well.
Playing with her keys, she couldn’t remember the last time she felt so nervous at the end of a date. Looking up at him through her long lashes, she gathered up some courage. “Do you want to come in?” She didn’t want to make him think that she was offering up more then she was willing to give, but she just didn’t want the night to end.
“I’d love to,” he accepted politely. Liz opened her door and let him hin, locking it behind them. At the first opportunity, she kicked off her ridiculously high heeled shoes and put on her pink slippers.
“Go ahead and have a seat,” she told him softly. “I’m just going to make some coffee.”
Max took a seat on her couch as she urged, his eyes never faltering from her form as she danced around her kitchen fiddling around.
Minutes later, Liz walked in carrying a tea set on a tray. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted any so I brought an extra cup,” she informed him as she laid the tray down on her coffee table before she moved around it to grab a seat next to him.
“You are so beautiful,” Max declared. It had been the only thing on his mind the entire night. He always thought she was, but never before would he have felt so comfortable saying so to her.
Liz blushed. “Max, tonight has been wonderful, but...”
But. The word rang in Max’s mind. “Was it not what you wanted?” He asked, wondering if he had in some way pressured her.
Liz laid her hand on his arm and smiled sheepishly. “I guess I could have phrased that differently. I just meant that the only reason why you are saying this is because of the way I look tonight. The dress, and hair and make up is not a part of my everyday attire, and I just want you to remember that come tomorrow, I’ll be the same old Liz I’ve always been.”
He nodded. “I know that,” Max replied. “I didn’t just fall for you tonight,” he confessed. “I’ve been falling for years.”
Liz melted at his words. She focused on making her cup of coffee as she asked him her next question. “Years huh? Just how many are you talking about?”
“Well, it’s come so slowly, but I had to hazard a guess...I’d say the first year that you helped me Christmas shop to find something for Isabel.”
After sipping her drink, she placed it down and turned to him, her mouth agape. “Why didn’t you ever say anything to me?”
Max stared into her brown orbs. “You know why.” He’d felt intimidated. She’d had a few dates over the years, and normally they were with men that were different then him on one level or another. He just couldn’t believe that such an intelligent and interesting woman would be interested in him. More then that, he was afraid that he would mess up their friendship.
In a bold move, Liz brought his hands to her mouth, kissing each digit gently, all the while never losing eye contact with him. The innocence around them faded as she made the first steps to deepen the mood. “I don’t feel that worry now,” she confessed in a breathless whisper as her heart pounded against her chest.
Max’s’s head moved closer to hers. “Me either,” he affirmed before his lips crashed down over hers.
___________________________________________________________________________
“Neither of us wanted the night to end. We were afraid that we would go to sleep and wake up in the morning to find that it was all a dream.” Liz replayed. It had been two days since the auction, and since their weekend off, this was the first time she had a chance to talk with her friends about it.
Maria shook her head, feeling a little envious. Liz got the sweet one while she got stuck with Michael. It had been so long since the last time she had felt that way. That night, she had been stuck doing what Michael wanted to do. Then again, he’d asked her out for the following night where he returned the favor. “That is so sweet,” she cooed. “So, did you two have sex that night?”
Liz blushed at the bluntness that was Maria. As she turned around at the counter to pour herself a cup of coffee. “Yes, because I’m sure that his sister wants to hear about that just as much as you do,” Liz argued back, hoping that they’d let up. When Maria and Tess returned her imploring stare with their own, she sighed. “Nope. We just held each other and talked into the early hours before we finally slipped off to sleep. He was perfect gentleman.”
“I assume you’re talking about me,” Max said as he walked into the room, making a bee line for Liz.
“Who else would I be talking about?” She asked as she felt his arms come around her waist, feeling his front side flush against her back side. She let out a small sigh at the swift open mouthed kiss he lay on the column of her neck.
Maria watched their intimacy with interest. Their current position offered more then just romance. Their bodies fit together as lovers... “I thought you said you didn’t have sex?” She asked, half accusing and half confused.
Max stepped away from Liz to turn and look at Maria. When Liz spun around smirking, he couldn’t help but smile.
Liz nodded. “You didn’t ask about that first morning,” she hinted.
Maria and Tess giggled as Isabel grimaced. “Okay, can we stop talking about my brother’s sex life now? I’m feeling more then a little uncomfortable right now.”
Completely ignoring Isabel’s outburst, Maria continued on. “How was it? Did you orgasm?”
At the questions, Liz’s face turned an interesting shade of red.
“Maria!” Max and Isabel called out in sync, but for very different reason. One in embarrassment, the other in discomfort.
The End