Title: Starting Over
Part 1-Sera's Introduction
Author: LizabethR2D2
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I owned these characters/this show I do not! They belong to Melinda Mets, Jason Katims, the WB and UPN networks and the amazing actors who portrayed them! I guess I do own Sera, but I’d be willing to trade her for Colin Hanks. (Or Nick!!!)
Category: CC
Rating: Adult (It will vary chapter to chapter, but let’s just be safe and say Adult to cover all our bases!)
Summary: Alternate Season 3-Picking up a few weeks after the WB Season 2 Finale. This is the Season 3 that I would have liked to see televised, our CCs are together, no one is going to a Vermont boarding school, no one moves to NYC and no one marries Delko! Just good old fashioned Season 1 type entertainment. (At least I like to think so!)
Hello, Welcome to my Alternate Season 3, for my fanfic series please accept these following changes in the Roswell universe:
Mr. Whitman has remarried. (Alex’s mom is never mentioned all that much!) His wife, Nicole is an archeology professor. She has a daughter, Sera who is the same age as our favorite Roswellians.
Jim is once again Sheriff. After Hanson’s botched ‘rescue’ during the blackout, the city council realized that Roswell needed Sheriff Valenti back.
Jim and Amy are engaged. (How I miss Diane Farr!)
Isabel is NOT married- in my fics Jesse doesn’t exist-though she did graduate early and will start her Freshman year of college as the rest of the gang begins their Senior. year at West Roswell.
Max and Liz are together, as for She Who Shall Not Be Named, yes she did all the rotten stuff we saw in Season 2 so we Dreamers still hate her! However, M and L hashed out everything. Let’s just say that she gave him an earful, but took him back anyway.
(If you’ve read my story on Fanfiction.net, I’m sure you noticed some edits that I’ve made since my original posting in 2002. These are a result of my insane need to make it worthy of my fellow Roswell fans, and for some inconsistencies I noticed when watching the DVD’s! Hopefully I have fixed all of these, if not, please let me know!!!)
TOBY’S GARAGE
June 2001
Kyle Valenti looked up from his paperwork and saw a girl exit the tow truck with Toby.
Who’s the hot chick?
Kyle wondered as he looked on approvingly.
Wonder if she’s just passing through or if she’ll be here for awhile.
She leaned back into the truck to grab her bag off the floor, then sighed and bowed backwards to get the kinks out of her back.
This offered Kyle a nice view.
Flexible, I like that in a girl and DAMN, I thought Isabel was well endowed!
Kyle was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the girl was now standing in front of him.
“So the driver says I’m supposed to give these to you.”
Kyle snapped out of his trance and did a double take.
“What?”
“My keys and this invoice thingie?” she said, waving the items at him.
“Oh, right, sorry! I’ll uh take those! So, I haven’t seen you around, are you new?”
“I just moved here yeah. My mom got remarried and got a new job, so here I am!”
“Weird feeling isn’t it? My dad is getting remarried soon. It’s all still a little strange.”
She sighed, “I’m told it gets better! I’ll get back to you on that!”
Kyle laughed.
A honking horn blared close by and they turned toward the source-a cab
had pulled into the parking lot. “That’s my ride. So when do you think this will be done?”
“I’ll give you a call after I check it out…um this is your home number?”
“That’s my cell-feel free to call-whenever.”
“Um, I’m Kyle by the way”
“I know-its on your shirt. I’m Sera. Davidson.”
The cab driver honked his horn again and Sera glanced back at the vehicle.
“I guess that’s my cue. It was nice to meet you Kyle.”
“Nice to meet you too.”
Kyle watched her as she made her way to the cab and turned to wave.
He waved as the cab pulled out of the lot then smiled to himself.
“Things are definitely looking up.”
**************
CRASHDOWN CAFE
Liz and Maria were filling the sugar containers when the bell above the door rang. They turned to see a girl about their age enter the café.
“Hi I’m looking for Jeff Parker.”
“Um, He’s out, is there something I can help you with?” Liz asked.
“I’m here to interview for a job. I know I’m a little late, but my car
broke down, I tried to call, but I was having trouble getting cell service,
so I thought I’d….” Sera stopped when she noticed Liz looking at her
strangely, What?”
“You’re Mr. Whitman’s stepdaughter?”
“That would be me.”
“Its so nice to meet you. When I heard Mr. Whitman got remarried and
that his new wife had a daughter…well I just couldn’t wait to meet you.”
“We were best friends with Alex.” Maria explained.
"You’re Liz and Maria! Its nice to meet you, Mr. Whit-Charles told me
all about you two. He really loves you guys.”
“We love him too. We haven’t gone over there as much as we should
have lately.” Liz said averting her eyes.
“Yeah, it’s been a little crazy around here the past few months."
Maria confirmed.
“I know he’d love to see you. Sera hinted with a smile. “So
what’s the skinny on this place, is working here rough?”
“Well it can get pretty demanding, especially after school, a lot of kids
make a stop here before they go home.”
“Oh, I don’t know if I can do it or not…I got permission from the
cheerleading coach to try out for the squad. I missed the tryouts by a
week, I was on Pom Squad at my old school.”
“If you make the squad and you could work after practice and on
weekends, I’m sure my dad would work something out. Besides…it will be
nice having a Whitman back in the fold!” Liz said with a smile.
“If he could that would be great! I totally dig the décor, this place is sweet!”
“It has its moments. SO tell us everything there is to know about you.” Maria said hopping on the counter.
“Well, I’m 16, my birthday is in August, so I’ll be 17 soon. I grew up in
San Diego, I was co-captain of my pom squad last year. My mother was
an archeology professor at San Diego State, now she’s at the University
of New Mexico. I’m an only child….that’s about it. I’m a pretty boring
person.”
“You’re leaving out the best details….Men!” Maria exclaimed.
Sera smiled at the blonde girl. “There’s not much to tell on that front. I
dated a really great guy my Freshman year but his mother’s law firm
transferred her to France that summer. Then I dated the captain of the
basketball team my Junior year, but we weren’t all that serious-
sometimes I think we were only together because it was expected. You
know, a cheerleader with a basketball player, his best friend dated my
best friend. It was like high school law or something!” Sera said with a
rueful smile.
“Sounds like the scene here. The cheerleaders date jocks exclusively,
don’t even give the non-sports players the time of day. I guess they don’t
want to date outside their mindless, annoying clique.”
“Maria.”
“Of course the guys are just as bad.”
“Maria!” Liz said a bit louder.
“What Liz its true and you know it, I mean my “brother” (using Dr.
Evil style air quotes) is the only exception. He’s a jock’s jock, but he
tends to stay away from the cheerleaders these days. He thinks most of
them are pretty shallow.”
“I’m sure that Sera won’t be like that if she makes the squad MARIA.”
Liz raised her voice pointedly.
“Oh, of course not. I can already tell! And with us by your side we
won’t let you fall into the seedy world of Pam Troy-ness.”
Liz stifled a laugh and looked up as the bell above the door rang. Jeff
Parker entered carrying three boxes in his arms, Amy DeLuca followed
behind him carrying a garment bag and talking up a storm.
“So I told Jim that we couldn’t possibly put that many officers on the
guest list, no one would be working the night of the wedding. Oh hi girls!
How are my girls?” Amy asked with a smile, then without waiting for a
real answer, she went right back to her conversation with Jeff.
“Mom, Mom! Is that my change of clothes?” Maria asked trying to
get a word in edgewise.
“Yes honey, here you go.” Amy said
“Dad this is Sera, Mr. Whitman’s stepdaughter. She’s here to interview
for the waitress position.”
“You’re Sera? Oh come here and give me a hug. Charles has told me so
much about you!” Amy said, throwing her arms wide open and
motioning for Sera to enter them.
Maria moved closer to Sera and whispered in her ear. “There’s no
escape…you’re one of us now. The hug is inevitable.”
Sera laughed and stepped into Amy’s arms.
“Well Sera, Jeff said once Amy finally let go, I guess I only have one
question…When can you start?”
******
WHITMAN HOUSE
“Hello? Mom, Mr. Wh…Charles, I’m home.”
“Hi Sweetie, we’re in here.” Nicole called from the living room.
“How’d your interview go Sera?”Mr. Whitman asked as Sera
entered the box- laden living room.
“Great! I got to meet Maria, Liz and Maria’s mom. And Mr. Parker
offered me the job right away.”
“That’s wonderful honey. Did the garage call about your car?”
"No not yet. Ms. DeLuca gave me a ride home, she sends her love.”
“Amy’s a wonderful woman; she’ll be getting remarried soon too.” He
turned to his wife, “We should have them all for dinner, once we get
this one and her room unpacked.” Charles laughed looking pointedly
at Sera.
“Yeah, yeah. I get the hint. I’ll start bringing the boxes up now.”
“Don’t worry with the three of us it shouldn’t take anytime at all.”
Charles offered, handing her a box and taking one of his own.
“I don’t know, this is just the first round.” Sera said, grinning.
She ran up the stairs with a giggle at Mr. Whitman’s flustered sounds.
********
Once the first few boxes were in Sera’s room she started to unpack.
Suddenly the sounds of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer theme filled the
room. Sera reached across her boxes and grabbed her purse, reaching in
she found her phone and answered it. “Hello? Oh hi. You did, wow that
was quick. Thanks very much. Yeah see you in a bit. Bye. The garage is
already finished with my car.” Sera said turning to her mother.
“Do you think you could take me to pick it up?”
“Of course, let me get my keys.”
******
The ride to Toby’s was relatively quick. Sera and Nicole hopped out and
went inside. Kyle was manning the desk and smiled as Sera approached.
“Hey. Long time no see.”
“Same to you. I appreciate you getting my car ready so quickly.”
“No problem, now we just have some paper work and then you can be on
your way.”
Kyle turned to grab the invoice of the shelf and Nicole leaned toward her
daughter.
“Made a new friend already?”
“Be still mother!”
“He’s a nice looking boy…”
“Mom, are you trying to embarrass me? Because its working!”
Nicole laughed softly at her daughter’s expense.
Kyle located the proper invoice and turned back to his customers, he
handed Nicole the invoice without taking his eyes off Sera.
“So will you be going to West Roswell this fall?”
“Yeah, it will be weird finishing my senior year at a different school.”
“I’ll bet. I could uh show you around. Help you meet some people.”
“Thanks, I’d appreciate that. I’ m actually headed up to the school
tomorrow, I have a meeting with Ms. Cannon.”
“The cheerleading coach? Are you a cheerleader?”
“Not yet, I’m trying out for the squad. I missed tryouts by a week but she
said I could try out anyway.”
“Ms. Cannon’s pretty cool, unless she’s yelling at us to stay away from
her girls.”
Sera raised an eyebrow in question.
”Oh, I’m on the football team. I’m the quarterback. Most of us spend
football practice talking to the cheerleaders while their supposed to be
practicing. That usually doesn’t set well with Ms. Cannon and Coach
Williams.”
“I can’t imagine why.” Sera joked.
“Okay, honey. We’re all set. Is that all you need?”
Kyle looked to Professor Whitman then at the invoice she was holding.
“Huh…yeah all set.”
“Thank you so much. Kyle, is it.”
“Yeah, you’re welcome.
“We’d better go Sera. You still have unpacking to finish.”
“Right behind you Mom.”
“So, I’ll see you around school?” Kyle asked handing Sera her keys
“Count on it.” Sera said making sure she touched his hand as she
took her keys. She smiled and waved as she exited the garage office.
“I want to run by the store and grab some poster tack for my walls I’ll
see you at home.”
Okay honey. So I noticed that Kyle giving you the eye in there! He’s very
cute. If I weren’t married to Charles….”
“MOM! Do not even think about finishing that sentence! I’m going to
pretend you didn’t just put that horrific image into my mind. I’ll see you at
home.”
Nicole chuckled to herself as she watched her daughter walk to her car.
********
After her successful search for poster tack Sera arrived home to find her
mother and step-father discussing seating arrangements.
“Well, if we put the Parker’s over her and the Evans’ here then we can
put the Valenti’s here.”
“Honey, I’m telling you that we’re going to have to have two tables. I
don’t think fifteen people can fit comfortably around this one.”
“What’s the big to do?” Sera asked.
“We are having a celebratory dinner. Its kind of a mixed bag. We’re
celebrating our marriage, you joining us here in Roswell and a celebration
for Jim and Amy’s upcoming nuptials.”
“Sounds great. Who’s invited?"
“Well, I called Liz and her parents, Maria, her mother, and the Sheriff and
his son. Amy’s marrying the sheriff did I mention that? Maria’s bringing
her boyfriend. I also invited the Evans’: Phillip, Diane and their children. I
don’t think you’ve met them yet. Alex was dating their daughter Isabel
when he…well, they were a couple and Isabel has remained close.”
“Wow, that is a lot of people! When is this mass gathering?”
“Tomorrow at 7PM is that good for you?”
“Yeah, I should finish up at the school with Ms. Cannon around 4 or 5 so
that will give me plenty of time to come home and help out.”
“Wonderful.”
“So I guess that means that I need to make sure ALL of the boxes are at
least in my room, if not completely unpacked.”
“That would probably be a good idea.” Charles laughed.
“On it!”Sera called as she ran up the stairs.
***********
EVANS’ HOUSE
“Oh kids, good you’re home. Listen, Charles Whitman called and he and
his new wife invited all of us for dinner tomorrow night.” Diane said
as she came into the kitchen.
“Really?”Isabel asked as she and Max set the groceries on the
counter.
“Yes, it’s a, what did Charles call it? An Amalgamation Celebration!
They want to introduce their daughter to you kids, have a dinner
reception for their wedding and a pre-wedding fete for Sheriff, I mean
Jim and Amy's wedding."
“Sera's in Roswell already?” Isabel asked as she helped her brother
put away the groceries.
“Yes, Charles said she just got in yesterday.”
“I can’t wait to meet her.” Isabel said tossing Max the last can from
the grocery bag.
“I think I’ll make my brownies for tomorrow. I wish I’d known about
this before you kids went to the market. I guess I can get out
tomorrow.” Max and Iz left Mrs. Evans to prepare her new shopping
list.
They sat in the living room and Iz exhaled deeply. “Its so hard going
into that house without Alex being there.”
“I know. But Mr. Whitman loves seeing you. I think it helps him.”
“It helps me too Max, I miss him so much, being around Mr. Whitman just
reminds me of how special Alex is…was.”
“Have you met his wife or step-daughter yet?”
“I’ve met Professor Davidson, well, Professor Whitman now. She’s great,
really funny.”
“Were has her daughter been before now?”
“She stayed in San Diego, she was finishing up school there, they didn’t
want to drag her out in the middle of the semester, so she stayed with a
friend.”
“Bet she’ll be excited to move from San Diego to Roswell.”
“Like a form of torture. I hoping we hit it off. I need someone to do some
major shopping with.”
The phone rang and Max jumped for it. Iz shook her head at her brother.
Great just what I need, to hear he and Liz make kissy-kissy sounds
over the phone.
“Hello? Oh, hi Kyle, yeah hang on she’s right here.”
He held the phone out to Iz, she took it and crinkled her nose at her
brother.
“Hey Kyle how are you. Lunch tomorrow? Yeah I think I can do that.
Really? We got the big invite too-sounds kinda fun. I know right? So
Crashdown tomorrow or Senor Chow’s? Of course…I think you only go
there because Liz and Maria give you your food for practically free! Okay,
I’ll see you tomorrow, Bye.”
“Lunch with Kyle, again?” Max asked with a grin as Iz placed the
phone back in the cradle.
“Shut up. You know we’re friends and that’s ALL.”
“I don’t know Iz, you two have been spending an awful lot of time
together.”
“Kyle’s been a good friend…to you too.”
“I know. It just obvious that he has a crush on you.”
“I’m leaving now Max, and if you ever say this to me again I will become
VERY violent with you!”
Max laughed as his sister went up to her room.
She’s so much fun to tease.
**********
Saturday morning Sera woke up around 9AM. She dressed and went for a
morning run on the high school track. Making her third lap, she
encountered a statuesque blond running in the opposite direction. The two
girls exchanged pleasantries as they passed. Suddenly they each turned
and glanced at the other as in recognition. Knowing that was impossible,
Sera smiled and turned back to the track.
Isabel returned the smile and continued with her run, trying to shake the
feeling that somehow she knew the girl that just passed.
Sera made it home by noon. She showered and dressed in her old pom
squad warm-up short set. Wrapping a towel around her wet head she ran
downstairs to see if she could help her mother with anything. Nicole was
setting the table in the dining room with the crystal she and Charles had
received as a wedding gift.
“Geez, Mom.” Getting a little fancy aren’t we?”Sera asked.
Professor Whitman paused and surveyed her table. “I don’t think it’s
that fancy.”
Sera laughed as she noticed the place cards her mother had set to the
side. She picked one up and examined it.
“You’re using sterling place card holders, and setting the table as if
you’ve invited royalty.”
Nicole gave her daughter a sidelong look, which Sera ignored.
“So can I help with anything before I meet with Ms. Cannon?”
“I don’t think so honey. I just need to set these up and then I’m going to
start dinner. Prime rib, potatoes au gratin, broccoli casserole, spinach
salad with bacon dressing and black forest cheesecake for dessert.”
“Yeah, this is a real low key affair Mom! If this is your idea of laid back I
can't wait to see what you do for my wedding!”
“Oh honey. We’re going to have pizza and beer for your reception. You
always said you didn’t want too much of a fuss when you got married.”
Sera looked at her mother in horror. “Mom I was like twelve then, and
a major tomboy. You can’t hold that against me.”
Nicole smiled and finished setting the table.
Sera rolled her eyes and quickly kissed her mother on the cheek. “I’ll
be upstairs if you need me, then I’m leaving for the school around 2.”
“Good Luck honey, I’ll know you’ll do just fine!”
“Thanks.” Sera ran upstairs to dry her hair, leaving Nicole to ponder
whether or not sterling place cards were a little too much.
*********
WEST ROSWELL HIGH
Sera walked into the gym to find Ms. Cannon and the entire West Roswell
cheerleading squad seated on the bleachers.
“Hi.” Sera said waving to the crowd.
“Hi Sera, come sit down.” Ms. Cannon introduced her to the squad.
“Ok girls as I’ve told you Sera comes from San Diego’s Kennedy High,
we’ve all seen them on the National Dance Competitions. Sera just
transferred here and would like to try out for our squad. Pam, you and
Vicki walk her though the victory routine while the rest of you work on the
pep rally cheers.”
Pam Troy introduced herself to Sera, who felt sure she would quickly OD
from Pam’s fake sugary sweetness.
“Wow, Kennedy. That’s a great school. I watch the NDC all the time.
I’ll bet that competition is crazy!”
Yeah, it could get a little hairy.”
“What are the guys like in San Diego? I’ll bet you had a million lined up to
date you.”
“Thanks that’s sweet. Um the guys are okay; pretty much like the guys
here I’m sure. Some are worth the effort and some you barely want to
say Hi to!”
Pam laughed a little too hard causing Sera to remember where she had
heard Pam’s name before. Maria mentioned her yesterday and it wasn’t
complimentary.
Sera introduced herself to Vicki, since Pam had neglected to, and the girls
began to warm up. Soon all traces of Pam’s ‘sweetness’ disappeared.
“OK Sera, lets see if you can do this.”
Pam ran a bit down the floor and turned into a double back flip. Sera
followed suit and just for fun added an extra flip. Pam gave her a look
and decided to step it up a bit. She did several front flips into back
handsprings and nailed a perfect landing.
Sera matched her flip for flip, handspring for handspring, but changed the
ending to splits and grinned cheekily at Pam.
Vicki helped Sera up, “Well, we know now that you’re limber and can
handle the gymnastic portion of our routines! Wanna practice the cheer?”
Sera nodded and and the girls went over the cheer twice, before Vicki
deemed Sera ready to face the squad.
As the three girls went through the routine, the other six squad members
nodded approvingly and glanced at Ms. Cannon. She looked pretty happy
with what she saw unfolding before her. When the cheer was over, Ms.
Cannon stood, “Sera it seems we have a decision to make. Could you
wait in my office? It’s just up those stairs.”
“Sure.” Sera stepped in Ms. Cannon’s office, grabbed a magazine off
the small side table, and sat down to read.
In the gym, the squad took very little time deciding to make Sera a
member. Amy Green-the captain was at center stage. “I think she’s
great. She caught on quick and she didn’t make any mistakes. I think
she’ll be a perfect fit.”
Vicki agreed. “She was fantastic.”
“I thought that we were set with the squad we have now.” Pam
whined.
Amy frowned, “We are good; but imagine how amazing we’d be with
someone with Sera’s experience.” She turned and addressed the
entire group. “Shall we put it to a vote? All in favor?” All eight girls
raised their hands, even Pam albeit reluctantly. “Ms. Cannon?”
“I fully agree. Now the only question is who to promote from JV so we
have an even number?”
“What about Darlene Ewing? She’s the strongest on JV and with Laura
Jefferies as their first alternate I think they’ll still be pretty strong.”
suggested Kayla Adler.
“Darlene’s a sophomore right?” Kayla nodded. Okay, yeah, I think
Darlene would be an excellent addition. Everyone? OK. Well gang. I think
that completes our squad! I guess the only thing to do is bring Sera in
and give her the good news.”[/b]
********
Sera turned as Ms. Cannon opened her office door.
“Sera, the girls would like to see you.”
Sera replaced the magazine she had been reading and followed Ms.
Cannon back into the gym. Amy stood and smiled. “Sera, your try-out
was amazing…we’d be honored if you joined our squad.”
END CHAPTER
Starting Over (CC, Adult) Part 18-Training Day [WIP]
Moderators: Anniepoo98, ISLANDGIRL5, truelovepooh, Forum Moderators
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LizabethR2D2
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Wed Jan 17, 2007 9:20 pm
Starting Over (CC, Adult) Part 18-Training Day [WIP]
Last edited by LizabethR2D2 on Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:46 pm, edited 14 times in total.
-
LizabethR2D2
- Enthusiastic Roswellian
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Wed Jan 17, 2007 9:20 pm
Starting Over (CC, All, Adult) Part 2-Dinner Party 2/2/07
Starting Over (CC, All, Adult) Part 2-Dinner Party
Title: Starting Over
Author: LizabethR2D2
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I owned these characters/this show I do not! They belong to Melinda Mets, Jason Katims, the WB and UPN networks and the amazing actors who portrayed them! I guess I do own Sera, but I’d be willing to trade her for Colin Hanks. (Or Nick!!!)
Category: CC
Rating: Adult (It will vary chapter to chapter, but let’s just be safe and say Adult to cover all our bases!)
Summary: Alternate Season 3-Picking up a few weeks after the WB Season 2 Finale. This is the Season 3 that I would have liked to see televised, our CCs are together, no one is going to a Vermont boarding school, no one moves to NYC and no one marries Delko! Just good old fashioned Season 1 type entertainment. (At least I like to think so!) [/b]
Hello and many thanks to Shiesty23, uw51 and BehrObsession for my first reviews. Very kind of each of you! I hope I can keep your interest!
On her way home, Sera stopped by the store to grab a bottle of sparkling
raspberry spumante. Due to the giddy way she acted every time she
consumed a bottle, her mother had, on many occasions, questioned the
alcohol content of her daughter’s favorite drink. Sera vowed that her
behavior was simply a result of the high sugar content and the bubbles.
Sera wandered into the dining room to find Charles and Nicole scurrying
around, putting the finishing touches on the table. "I'm home." she said
watching as her mother folded the napkins into swans.
"Hi honey how did it go?" Nicole asked without turning around.
Sera walked to the table and set her bottle of spumante.
"Well, the standard celebratory beverage must mean that you are
officially a West Roswell Comets cheerleader."
"Am I that predictable?"
"Occasionally."
Sera smiled and made her way back to the kitchen. She stashed the
spumante in the already full fridge and crept to the oven, peering inside
her eyes lit up when she saw the prime rib roasting inside. She was just
beginning to pull down the oven door when her mother entered the
kitchen and loudly cleared her throat. "Ahem, I'd reconsider that move my dear!"
Sera smiled sheepishly and turned to face her mother and Charles.
"I was just checking to make sure that it was properly marinated."
"I'm sure!"
"She's been keeping me away from the food all day! I think she's trying
to starve me!" Charles laughed.
"You need to get upstairs and get changed sweetie. Our guests will be
here pretty soon."
"Yeah. I'm heading up there now. I just wanted to see if you needed
anything before I took my shower."
"I think we have everything under control here, you go on up."
"OK Mom." Sera headed up the stairs to the bathroom.
After a quick shower, she went to her room, grabbed her makeup bag
and hair dryer and walked again to the bathroom to finish getting ready.
Once she selected her jewelry, dried and styled her hair, she returned to
her room to choose her outfit. She found her black knee-length skirt with
ease, but couldn't locate the dusty blue shirt she usually wore with it. She
found a red sleeveless silk instead and slipped it on, just as the doorbell
rang. She turned off her bedroom light and descended the stairs, calling
to her mother and Charles.
"I'll get it!"
She reached the door and pulled it open to reveal Liz and the Parkers.
"Hi!" Sera smiled and welcomed them in.
"Sera, this is my mother, Nancy. Mom, this is Sera."
"Hi Mrs. Parker it's nice to meet you."
"Its nice to meet you too Sera."
"Can I take that dish? I'll put it in the kitchen."
"Thanks, Its Men in Blackberry Pie, one of Charles' favorites." Nancy
said as she handed the pie plate to Sera.
"Did I hear right? Men and Blackberry pie?" Charles asked coming
out of the kitchen.
As Sera passed he reached out for the pie plate and she shooed him
away.
"This is dessert! Now behave or I'll tell Mom."
"Hello Charles," Nancy said smiling as she reached out to hug him.
“Nancy, Jeff always good to see you."
"And you Charles." Jeff said shaking hands with Mr. Whitman.
"I like to introduce you both to my wife Nicole. Honey, this is Jeff and
Nancy Parker and their lovely daughter Liz."
"Nice to meet all of you. Charles speaks so fondly of you."
"Hi Professor Whitman, it's so nice to meet you." Liz greeted Nicole.
Sera emerged at the kitchen door, "What can I get everyone to drink?
We have Coke, Diet Coke, iced tea and lemonade."
"I'll get a Coke, here Sera let me help.” Liz said moving toward the
kitchen. “Mom, Dad?"
"Iced tea sweetheart.” Nancy replied.
"Same here, Lizzie."Jeff told his daughter.
As Liz entered the kitchen Sera turned to her. "Liz, I can get these."
"I don't mind. Besides, when my dad and Mr. Whitman get together, the
conversation borders on boring with a slight turn towards sleep inducing.
Sera laughed as she reached into the cabinet for the glasses.
“So, how did your tryout for cheerleading go?"Liz asked as she
accepted the glass from Sera and began filling it with ice.
"It went great, I made the squad."
"Sera, that's wonderful!!"
"Now I just have to work out a schedule compromise with your dad so I
can keep my newly acquired job!"
I'm sure you can work it out. With me, Maria and Holly there I think we
can cover the two hours or so of after-school rush."
"So I met Pam Troy. She's interesting!" Sera said sneaking a glance
at Liz.
"Oh always!" Liz said meeting Sera's gaze.
The girls loaded the filled glasses on a serving tray and made their way
back into the living room, just as the doorbell rang a second time.
"I'll bet that's Max!" Liz said smiling.
"Boyfriend?" Sera asked knowingly.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Just a little!"
Charles opened the door, "Phil, Diane, come in. Good to see you
again."
"Good to see you too Charles." Diane said squeezing his arm. "I
made brownies, I know the kids like them, especially Michael."
"Thank you Diane. That was very thoughtful. Hello Max."
"Hi, Mr. Whitman."
"Isabel,” Mr. Whitman hugged Iz tightly as soon as she was inside.
“How are you."
"I'm good and you."
"Day by day. I'm sure you're familiar with that phrase."
"Very much so."
“Hello Isabel. Good to see you again.” Nicole smiled warmly.
“Hi Professor! Good to see you too.
"Nicole dear, I'd like you to meet rest of the Evans family: Max, Phil,
Diane, this is Nicole, and her daughter Sera is behind Liz."
Sera smiled at everyone. "Hello, nice to meet you all. Isabel, I saw
you on the track this morning didn't I?”Sera asked.
"Yeah. Have we met? You seem really familiar to me."
"I was thinking the same thing. That's weird isn't it?"
"Maybe you knew each other in a past life." Nicole offered.
Iz, Max and Liz all looked at her oddly.
Covering, Max extended his hand to shake Sera's. "Nice to meet you
Sera."
She smiled and took his hand in hers. "Its nice to meet you Max."
Sera took drink orders from the Evans family and she and Liz headed
toward the kitchen.
"You know, I was so afraid that I wouldn't meet any friendly people
here and so far everyone I've met is wonderful...with the possible
exception of Pam Troy." Sera and Liz shared a giggle.
"I think you'll find, Liz began as she emerged from the fridge,
most of the people here are really nice."
"Really nice or really nice looking?"
Liz laughed. “Well yeah that too.”
“Seriously, I don’t think I’ve meet a single ugly person in this town! Not
that I’m complaining or anything, but damn! I mean is there something in
the water?”
A niggling at the back of Liz’s brain desperately wanted to say ‘Yes,
Gandarium crystals’ but she refrained and simply smiled at her new
friend. As they began loading their serving tray for the second time.
The doorbell rang again as the girls made their way out of the kitchen.
"That must be Maria" Liz said they entered the living room, and
handed the Evans' their drinks.
They saw Amy talking with the Parker's, and Maria, in the doorway,
hugging Mr. Whitman. A voice behind Maria could be heard throughout the
living room.
"Maria, ya wanna let the rest of us in too, or are we supposed to eat
dinner out here?"
Maria sighed at Michael’s question, but released her grip on Mr. Whitman
and joined her mother in the living room, allowing Michael, Sheriff Valenti
and Kyle to enter the house.
As Sera turned to set the serving tray on the counter she noticed Kyle
coming through the door.
"Kyle?"
"Sera?"
(Together)
"You're Mr. Whitman's step-daughter?"
"You're Maria's brother?"
"Well I see the two of you have met." Amy mused, a smile playing on
the corners of her mouth.
"Hello again Kyle." Nicole took the younger Valenti's hand in hers.
"Mrs. Davidson, uh I guess its Whitman isn't it."
“I haven't changed my license or credit cards over yet but yes. It is
Whitman now." She smiled. Turning to the others she explained,
"Kyle was working at the garage when Sera’s car needed some repair.
He was kind enough to offer his services to my daughter."
Maria snorted, barely catching herself from laughing out loud.
Isabel nearly spit up her cherry Coke.
"He offered to show me around school and introduce me to his
friends." Sera interjected before her mother could embarrass her
further.
"Well Kyle, I think that's very kind." Diane said.
Sera and Kyle gave her thankful looks.
Nicole turned her attention to her guests.
"Well, now that everyone is here, if you'd all follow me into the kitchen
we can get started on the appetizers, and we'll get the Valenti's some
drinks."
Amy introduced Sera to Jim as they entered the kitchen.
"Jim this is Sera, Nicole's daughter. Sera honey, this is my fiancée and
Kyle's father, Jim Valenti."
"How do you do Miss Davidson."
"Pleasure to meet you Sheriff Valenti, I can see where Kyle's good looks
come from."
Maria turned around at this and raised an eyebrow at Sera.
"Well, uh thank you. Thank you Sera, that's very kind."
Sera grinned and winked at Maria.
"Sera, this is my boyfriend Michael."
"Nice to meet you Michael. You know Maria, you are proving my point, I
just told Liz that every person I’ve met in Roswell is gorgeous! Especially
the men!"
"Hey, hey! Hands off chickie! I'll fight you for this one." Maria said
mockingly.
"Backing away, hands in the air. But speaking of good looking men, your brother..."
"ALMOST BROTHER!"
"Fine, Almost brother is pretty cute."
"Ewww!"
"Sorry, Sera laughed, grabbing a crab puff off the elaborate appetizer
trays adorning the breakfast island. Just being honest."
"Its OK, But I'm just now adjusting to the idea of Kyle being a part of my
family, I'm SO not ready to hear females express interest in him!"
Sera grinned and shrugged her shoulders. Kyle joined the group bringing
with him drinks for Michael and Maria.
"So Iz, ready for college?" he asked setting his own drink down and
popping several shrimp toast in his mouth.
"Ready? I can't wait! Lean new things. Meet new people. Get away from
the old high school losers."
"Thanks Iz that's sweet! Nice to know you care." Michael teased as he
and Kyle reached for a crab puff at the same time and began fighting
over it.
"Michael, you know I don't mean you guys. Its just there are a number
of people at West Roswell I won't miss in the slightest."
Maria was doing her best to stare down her boyfriend and brother to no
avail. To make matters worse Max had decided that he should get the last
one and was reaching into the fray.
Isabel continued talking to Sera, as now she was the only one listening
since Maria and Liz were trying to break up the boys' squabble over the
appetizer.
Sera, eyes never leaving Iz's reached across the island and pulled
another tray of appetizers toward the boys effectively bringing an end to
their skirmish before they had a full-blown food fight. Maria and Liz
exchanged impressed looks.
"So what will you be taking this semester Isabel?" Sera asked.
"Communications, Philosophy, Economics, and Female Authors."
Kyle snorted "Female Authors? Sounds like a bunch of girls sitting
around reading the latest Oprah books."
"For your information Kyle, it involves the writings of Willa Cather, Jane
Austen, and yes, I believe we eventually read Toni Morrison."
"Don't let Kyle fool you Sera, I believe he's secretly a member of the
Oprah book club. They are piled under the Buddha books in his room."
Maria laughed.
"You're a Buddhist?" Sera asked, interested.
"Its just something I got into at football camp...Its not, well. Yeah, I
am."
"That is so cool. I audited a comparative religion class at San Diego
State. I found the Four Noble Truths to be insightful." Kyle smiled at
Sera.
"Oh great...now there are two of them." Isabel snarked to Maria
Kyle opened his mouth to respond, but Nicole interrupted, "OK
everyone dinner's ready. So if you all will move into the dining room and
find your seats."
Michael practically knocked Maria over in his enthusiasm to enter the
dining room.
Maria shook her head, picked up the drink that he had left on the counter,
along with her own and followed him into the dining room. Liz and Max
followed closely with Kyle, Isabel and Sera bringing up the rear before
the parents. As everyone gathered around the tables, Sera began
directing everyone to their seats.
"My mother went a little overboard with the place cards. But it makes a
nice looking table. Um lets see. Michael, you're next to Maria, Maria,
you're next to Kyle, and he's next to me.
She paused and glared at her mother. Nicole smiled and busied herself
showing the adults where to sit. Um, then Liz, Max, and Isabel."
Maria rolled her eyes, "Oh great, I'm in the middle of Michael and
Kyle? That will be lovely!"
"Maria, I'll switch with you. It will be better than sitting between these
two." Isabel offered.
"Hey!" Max and Michael replied at the same time.
"Yeah, Maria, let Iz sit here. That way we can talk about you."
Maria glared at Kyle but swapped places with Isabel anyway.
Once everyone was seated Sera turned to Charles who was just coming
out of the kitchen carrying a platter of prime rib.
"Is the other platter still in the kitchen?" she asked.
"Yes, Your mother is still fussing over it. She's worried it might be a
little dry."
"How could it possibly be dry?"
"Hey, I just work here."
Entering the kitchen, Sera indeed found Nicole fussing over the second
platter of prime rib.
"Mom, its fine. Leave it!"
"Just rearranging a few slices. I want to have a lovely presentation."
"So how long have you known that Kyle is the Sheriff's son and that he
would be here tonight and WHEN did you switch the place cards? The last
time I looked at the table I was sitting between Maria and Liz."
Well, Ms. DeLuca called to ask if she could bring anything, and while I had
her on the phone, I asked if Kyle by any chance worked at the garage.
She said yes, and you two hit it off so well..."
"Mother! I don't need help getting a date OK? I can fend for myself."
Oh I know that sweetie, but every little bit helps.” Nicole winked at
her daughter.
Shaking her head Sera grabbed the platter away from her mother and
pushed through the kitchen doors she carried the platter to the kid's table
and received a cheer from Michael.
Maria rolled her eyes. Sera tapped Kyle on the shoulder "I'll be right
back with the side dishes, I'm holding you responsible if Michael starts on
the food before I get back Don't let me down!"
Kyle grinned up at her. "I'll do my best."
"You guys seem cozy!" Isabel said, nudging him.
“What? We’re just chatting.” Kyle said, desperate to get Iz’s all
knowing stare off of him.
"You’ll have plenty of time to chat her up, she’s going to start at the
Crashdown soon."
Maria added, smirking at her almost-brother.
"She's working at the Crashdown?" Kyle asked
"Yeah, my dad hired her today."
"Wow, so she's going to be around a lot." Kyle said trying to hide a
smile.
"If you don't ask her out, I'm going to do it for you."
"Isabel." Max warned.
“Come on Kyle, you're always saying its been ages since you've had a
date.
"Isabel."
"I mean seriously, you can't stare at Jodi Ann the Playmate for the rest of
your life."
"IZ!" Max`s harsh tone finally got Isabel's attention.
"What Max?" Max said nothing he just jerked his head above Iz's
shoulder.
Kyle and Isabel turned slowly to see Sera standing behind them with
dishes of broccoli casserole and potatoes au gratin.
"Am I interrupting?"
"Please do!" Kyle said glaring at Isabel.
Maria, Liz and Isabel were trying not to laugh...too hard.
Nicole stood behind her daughter with a tray of salad plates filled with
spinach salad. When she served the kids, Sera finally sat down. "The
bacon dressing is a specialty of my mothers. She gets lots of requests for
the recipe, so I hope you like it!"
"Everything looks great." Michael said his mouth watering over the
prime rib.
Sera picked up the platter placed several slices of meat on her plate. She
passed the plate to Liz. She then grabbed Kyle's plate, filled it and asked
Liz to pass it to Max. Isabel and Kyle were sharing a chuckle that grew
each time Sera filled and passed a plate. Finally she asked the question
on everyone's mind.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing, sorry. You just look like the Who’s." Isabel replied
Sera looked at the table for an explanation. Everyone shrugged.
"Who?"
"The WHO’S" Kyle said with emphasis, as if that explained everything.
"The Who Who’s?" Sera asked still confused.
"You know like Cindy Lou Who," began Iz
"Who was no more than two." Kyle finished with her.
"OK you two are REALLY starting to scare me." Maria said looking
at them warily.
"Just because Kyle and I share a love of classic Christmas
programming doesn't give you the right to ridicule us."
"Oh it absolutely does." Michael said stabbing another forkful of prime
rib into his mouth.
"I love the Grinch." Sera said with a smile. "My favorite is Max,
he rocks!”
”Of course he does...it's all in the name." Max deadpanned.
Kyle and Iz rolled their eyes.
“So besides The Grinch, what other TV shows are on your hot list?”
Sera asked.
"Bewitched." Michael replied without missing a beat.
“Bewitched?” Maria asked.
"Tell me about it!" Max replied. "Since you've been spending
time with your mom, planning the wedding, he's been catching reruns of
Bewitched on Nick at Nite."
"What it's a good show."
Maria shot her boyfriend another odd look then shook her head. “OK,
then...moving on. Liz and I like Buffy.”
"Oh my god, you are kidding me." Sera squealed.
"No"
"That's my favorite show. I'm so in love with James Marsters its not even
funny."
"Oh, I love Spike...his curly blonde hair and that English accent. One of
my favorite scenes was when he was wearing that leather vest and had
the safety pin above his eyebrow, there was just something about him
that was really attractive.” she said shooting a grin at Max who
frowned and shook his head.
"You have to love a show where the main characters have names like
Buffy, Spike, Willow and Giles." Kyle snorted.
"Valenti you know way too much about that show."
"Michael, I live with your girlfriend. I'm forced to watch it every Tuesday
night."
Maria shook her head. "Oh please, who do you think you are fooling.
you watch it with me because you think Sarah Michelle Gellar is hot."
Kyle nodded, "Yeah she is hot. Plus she flips around a lot, it's pretty
cool."
"Men are pigs." Isabel replied, wrinkling her nose in disgust.
"What, I'm just being honest Iz."
"That's why it's so sad."
"Oh, give him a break Isabel. I used to watch X-Files for Mulder."
Sera admitted.
"A little David Duchovny infatuation?" Iz smiled.
"’Not so little, it was pretty much a full blown obsession! He was pretty
nice to stare at every Sunday night."
"Scully's hot." Max, Michael and Kyle said at the same time.
The girls glanced at each other.
"See, Iz they CAN agree on something besides food." Maria
reasoned.
As dinner progressed, they discussed movies and movie stars, music and
Michael, Sera and Kyle argued which was the better sport, hockey vs.
baseball. Before long Nicole announced it was time for dessert.
"OK everyone, we have Black Forest Cheesecake, Men in Blackberry
Pie and Diane's brownies for dessert. I'll let you think about what you'd
like while we get the dinner dishes cleared and then I'll serve dessert."
Sera stood up to help her mother. "Let me help with that." Max
offered as Sera reached for his plate.
"No that's OK Max. Sit, visit, you're a guest."
Sera took her plate along with Liz, Maria and Max's
"OK, I'll be back for yours in just a minute." she said nodding at
Kyle Iz and Michael.
Once Sera's back was turned Isabel nudged Kyle as Maria kicked him
under the table.
"Ow, OW! What was that for?"
"Take these in there for her." Maria hissed
"What?"
"Take the plates in the kitchen for her." Iz motioned toward the
remaining plates.
"Why?"
“Don't argue, just do it." Iz commanded.
"Fine." Kyle grabbed his plate, Isabel's and Michael's and headed
for the kitchen.
Sera was heading out just as the door opened and they narrowly avoided
a collision.
"Oh, Kyle I'm sorry I wasn't expecting you. Oh thanks! That's so
sweet, you didn't have to do that."
"Iz and Maria made...I mean that's OK, I don't mind. Um, where do you
want these?"
"Oh just plop them down by the sink Kyle." Nicole said grinning at
Sera as she cut into the cheesecake.
"Thanks for dinner Mrs. Whitman...it was wonderful."
"Thank you. I'm glad you could join us. I know that Sera was looking
forward to seeing you again."
"Well, MOTHER, Sera said pointedly, I guess I'd better get
everyone's dessert order. I think Kyle should get first dibs since he
helped clear."
"Sounds fair to me." Nicole agreed. So, Kyle which would you
like? Cheesecake, pie, brownies or some of each."
"I'll try the brownies and some cheesecake...that looks delicious."
"Well thank you, I hope you like it." Nicole grinned.
"I'm sure I will."
Sera hesitated, glancing from her mother to Kyle, she threw a warning
look in her mother's direction, and entered the dining room to round up
everyone's dessert preference.
The parents made their choices and Sera scurried to the kids' table.
"OK I need your dessert orders and Maria you have to help me! My
mother is holding Kyle hostage. I know her depraved mind, I just know
she's in there saying things like `My daughter is so nice. You and
my daughter would make a lovely couple.' You have to help me stop her."
"I think its sweet, she's looking out for you.
"And if it were your mother you'd be OK with that sort of behavior?"
"You're right. She must be stopped." Maria sprung into action.
"OK, dessert orders. Michael let me guess some of each?"
"Yeah."
"Isabel?"
“Cheesecake and brownies...don't look at me like that Michael, I run
everyday I can have two desserts if I want to."
"Max?"
"Men in Blackberry pie please."
"Lizzie?"
"The cheesecake sounds great."
Maria and Sera took their orders back to the kitchen. Nicole was just
setting a heaping slice of cheesecake on a plate for Kyle as they entered.
“Hi Mrs. Whitman, Maria said her best suck up to the parents voice.
“We were hoping we could steal Kyle away from you for a moment.
"Sure, Maria. Just let me put some brownies on the plate and he's all
yours."
"I'll get the other plates started." Sera said, thanking Maria with her
eyes.
Kyle took his heavily laden dessert plate into the dining room.
Sera distributed the proper desserts onto the plates and loaded them onto
the serving tray, she paused and looked at Maria questioningly.
"Are you sure you can carry all of those?"
"Sweetheart. I do this nearly everyday for a living!! Well, maybe not for a
living, but I do it for my clothing habit!"
Sera laughed, grabbed the coffeepot and followed Maria out the kitchen
door. Michael looked like an anxious childat Christmas when Maria and
her tray finally appeared at his side.
"Geez, I was beginning to think that Kyle was the only one who was
getting any dessert tonight."
"Keep that attitude up and he will be!" she warned.
"Sera, I'd say you're going to be an old pro at waitressing after tonight
is over. The Crashdown should be no problem for you." Liz smiled.
"I get the feeling that waiting on you guys is a LOT more fun than waiting
on the masses."
"Actually it will be about the same.” Iz replied. Kyle and Max are
there everyday, so get used to it."
Everyone dug into their desserts with zeal, making "MMM" noises and
passing compliments to the respective chefs.
After dessert was over and the tables cleared, Sera took the girls upstairs
to show off her room, while the guys collapsed in front of the TV in the
family room.
As the group passed Alex's room they halted, Isabel reached out and
briefly touched Alex's door, before they continued down the hall.
Entering her room, Sera apologized for the few remaining boxes that
were scatted on the floor.
"You did a lot better job than I would have. I'd still be unpacking."
Liz confessed.
”My advice...don't look under the bed." Sera grinned.
"Chica, I am SO raiding your closet!" Maria said scanning the
clothes in Sera's walk-in.
Iz peered over her shoulder, "Is that Prada?" she asked pointing to
a bag hanging on a hook.
"Yeah, Christmas last year. It was like the only thing I got, but way
worth it."
"I'll bet." Iz said.
"Its yours anytime you want it. Sera offered. Same for
everything else guys, share and share alike yeah?"
"I'm so going to love you!" Maria shrieked, coming out of Sera's
closet and hugging her.
The other girls shook their heads and laughed at the energetic blonde.
After going through Sera's clothes, movies and CDs, the girls finally came
down to find the guys engrossed in the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball
game. Sera placed her arms on the back of the couch and peered at
Michael.
"I thought baseball was boring, that you didn't like to watch it on
TV."
Michael pressed the volume button up two units without looking at Sera.
"It's the only thing on. The Daily Show doesn't start for another hour
and a half."
Maria and Liz joined Max and Michael on the couch. Iz and Sera took the
vacant love seat not far away, and Kyle lounged farther back in his
recliner.
The Diamondbacks failed to score in their half of the sixth inning so
Michael changed the channel to Nick at Nite and was just about to change
it again when the girls all screeched.
"THE FACTS OF LIFE!!!" You take the good, you take the bad, you take
them both and there you have The Facts Of Life, The Facts Of Life."
Max, Kyle and Michael looked VERY frightened now as they watched the
girls sing the theme song at the top of their lungs.
"Must be a chick thing." Kyle said looking to Michael.
"Don't look at me man-this show is a little too sappy for me."
"And Bewitched isn't" Max questioned.
"Hey, don't mess with my show."
"Wouldn't dream of it...Darin."
Michael shot his best friend a warning look and begrudgingly relinquished
the remote to Maria.
As the final credits rolled over the TV screen, and the two couples on the
couch began their ritual snuggling, Kyle joined Sera and Iz on the love
seat.
"What are you two up to?"
"Planning a shopping trip. Wanna come with?" Sera asked amused.
"Oh sure, we can get our nails done and then try on new dresses It'll
be so much fun."
Kyle put on his best feminine voice.
"Please stop doing that voice. You're REALLY scaring me." Iz
pleaded.
They were still laughing when Amy entered the room ten minutes later.
"Ahem, she cleared her throat loudly for the four occupants of the
couch, Just letting you kids know that Jim and I are leaving soon. So
those of you that plan to ride home with us, should get ready to go."
"Well girlfriends, I guess that's my cue." Kyle said winking at Iz and
Sera.
"Me too. Come on Michael." Maria was puling on his hand
"Great, I'll make it home in time to see The Daily Show and some of
Ben Stein."
"My boyfriend lives for Comedy Central."
"Nothing wrong with that!" Sera smiled.
"See, at least someone understands."
"And that's truly terrifying." Maria deadpanned.
Iz, Kyle, Sera, Maria and Michael trudged toward the kitchen, leaving the
super-couple nuzzling on the couch.
As Jim shook hands with Phil, Amy was explaining her (and Buddha’s)
attitude on the wedding plans “Oh, it’s been crazy, but, chaos is
inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence.” Amy then
pulled Diane into a bone crushing hug.
Maria stage whispered in Kyle's ear. "I'm begging you to stop sharing
your Buddha books with my mother."
"She so happy! It’s adoreable." Sera laughed.
"It was cute for awhile, but now it's getting ridiculous!"
"Ready honey?” Amy asked putting her arms around her daughter
and grinning ear to ear.
Maria gave Sera a `See what I mean' look, then smiled at her mother.
“Sera, I want you and your parents to come to dinner next week. Just
let me or the kids know when would be good for you."
"Thanks Ms. DeLuca."
"I'll walk you guys out." Charles told the Valenti crew.
"OK, see you kids later." Jim said as he led Amy to the front door.
They passed by the living room and stuck their heads in to Max and Liz.
"See you two."
"Bye!" They called together.
"I'll call you tomorrow Maria."
In the kitchen, Jeff and Phil began discussing their golf games.
"Should we join the snuggle bunnies or stay in here?" Sera asked
Isabel.
"Nicole, we'll help you with the dishes." Nancy said.
”No, Nancy, please I'll load them in the washer later."
"I insist. You won't be able to get everything in the washer."
"I'll help." Diane said with a smile.
"We'd better join Max and Liz, if not they'll find a project for us too."
Iz grabbed Sera's arm and pulled her from the kitchen. They passed
Charles in the hall and Iz offered him a warning. "That way leads to
boring golf conversation and dish washing."
"Thanks for the tip." Charles laughed.
"Just giving you a heads-up" Sera replied as they continued on to
the living room.
They found Max and Liz on the couch still engrossed in each other.
"God don't you ever come up for air? Mom's helping Prof. Whitman and
Mrs. Parker in the kitchen. Can we join you or do you two need to be
alone?" Iz asked pointedly.
"No, join us." Liz smiled at them
"I think we've got some games if you guys are interested." Sera
said “Lets see, Taboo, Pictionary, Scattergories, Six Degrees of Kevin
Bacon."
Oooh, Kevin Bacon. I love him!" Iz said her eyes lighting up.
"Uh, Iz. You do understand that it's a game and not actually him right."
"You're so funny Max."
"Let's play Kevin Bacon...that game is a lot of fun." Liz said breaking
up the quarreling siblings.
They dove into the game, Isabel and Sera easily beating Max and Liz.
"Do you two any watch movies?" Iz teased.
"Too busy with other endeavors I think." Sera joined in the teasing.
"See here I thought you were going to be a good friend, but now
you're taking sides with Isabel."
"Sorry. But I like to win!" Sera said sticking her tongue out at Liz.
When Sera and Iz won the third game in a row, Max made a suggestion.
"Maybe we should try a new game."
"Max, just because your losing doesn't mean you need to ruin it for the
rest of us."
Max sneered at his sister as the adults entered the living room.
"Max, Izzy it's getting late. We should probably head home." Phillip
called.
"Lizzie, we'd better be going too. Sunday brunch crowd tomorrow."
Everyone walked to the foyer where Sera handed the ladies their respective purses from the hall closet.
"Mr. Parker if you'd like, I can come in tomorrow and learn the ropes.
If you need an extra hand."
"You wouldn't mind?"
"Not at all. It saves me from having to unpack those last few boxes in my
room."
"That would be great. Can you come in around 10?"
"Sounds good to me." Sera smiled at him.
"Wonderful!"
"Great! So I'll see you tomorrow” Liz said smiling at Sera.
"Tomorrow it is."
"Goodnight."
"Night."
"Goodnight Liz, Nancy, Jeff. Nancy, thanks again for the pie. I really do
love it" Charles
hugged Liz and Nancy, and shook hands with Jeff.
"It was so nice to meet all of you."Nicole said, shaking their hands.
"And you, Thank you so much for dinner." Nancy replied.
Max was standing with Liz at the door now. "Nice to meet you Sera."
"Nice to meet you too Max."
"Bye Mr. Whitman, Mrs. Whitman. Thank you for dinner."
"Yes, thank you Diane said. It was lovely."
"Thank you for the brownies. They were a big hit."
Isabel hugged Charles. " Thanks for everything."
"I'm just glad you could make it. I've missed you around here."
"I promise to be better about that." Iz said, her eyes not quite
meeting his.
"Sera, call me and we'll go running some morning."
"I'll do that."
Soon all the good-byes and thank yous had been administered, and the
Whitman's were alone.
"Well, that was a successful party, I'd say." Charles stated, sitting
in his recliner. ”Sera, what did you think of the kids?"
"They were all great. I really like Isabel."
"Yes, she's a wonderful girl."
"Maria and Liz are fun too."
"Alex loved them." His gaze drifted toward the floor.
"Well, I can see why. I don't think school will be so bad now that I
know all of them."
Charles smiled at his stepdaughter, then turned to his wife. "Anything
else you need us to do dear?"
"No I think we got it all while you men talked about golf."
"I'm sure that was a fascinating discussion!" Sera cracked.
"Actually we were planning an outing next week. Interested?"
"And on that note, `A thousand times goodnight' Seriously, I'd better get
to bed if I want to run tomorrow before I go to the Crashdown."
Nicole glanced at her watch, then back at her daughter with a wry smile.
"Who's hosting Saturday Night Live tonight?"
Sera smirked, then quickly tried to hide it, she wasn't fast enough.
"I don't know." she said, trying to sound casual.
"Should I check the TV Guide?"
"Ben Affleck! How do you do that?"
"I know your tells little one, besides, you're NEVER tired this early!"
Sera grinned at her mother.
"Well, what are you waiting for...upstairs! You have enough time to wash your face and get ready for bed before his monologue!"
Sera laughed and kissed her mother and Charles on the cheek before
sprinting upstairs to her room. She flipped on the TV, grabbed her PJs
and headed for the bathroom to wash her face, brush her teeth and
prepare for bed.
Pulling her dark hair back into a ponytail as she returned to her room she
climbed into bed just as the first skit started. She watched as Ben mocked
Matt Damon in a Mango skit.
After `Live from New York and the credits, Ben came out for his
monologue, causing Sera to shake her head. "It should be illegal to be
that attractive!" she mused.
Soon Ben announced the musical guest and told everyone they'd be right back. The commercials started and Sera reached into one of the
unpacked boxes and found her diary. She glanced at the last entry :
So my mother and Mr. Whitman are getting married. Not that I don't
like Mr. Wh---Charles. But they've only just met. A December-April courtship is so whirlwind that I'm getting whiplash!! I think it has to do with Alex’s death. I'm afraid Charles is hoping to fill the void. He’s had a rough go of it, From what Mom says, His ex-wife Gloria really did a number on him, and then he loses his only child. So, if this is what makes him…them, happy, then I’m all for it! And who knows Roswell could be fun! In a sad sort of way---but I'm remaining positive, I think!
*******
She began writing:
Well, mymy mother and Charles have married, in Vegas no less! Eloped like a couple of kids! Ah well, they are so goofy about each other
that I can’t complain! Roswell really isn't so bad. If I keep having days
like this one I'll be set for life.I made the cheerleading squad. I got a job.
And I made six new friends: Liz, Maria, Max, Isabel, Michael and Kyle.
Sera smiled as she wrote Kyle's name.
Kyle's pretty hot. Plus he's a football player, and I SO have a weakness for them. I think buried somewhere in these pages is my 9th grade ode to
Ethan Carpenter, star quarterback. There's one I'd like to forget. I get the vibe that my feelings are mutual, regarding Kyle, not Ethan. But I'm picking up something between him and Isabel that leaves me scratching my head. Maybe I'll investigate through Maria and Liz. Probably more through Maria, she seems a bit more likely to spill the beans. Plus, they live in the same house. So the best dirt will come from her.
SNL was back; so Sera closed her diary tucked it under her bed and
settled in to watch an hour and 30 of Ben before she went to sleep.
Title: Starting Over
Author: LizabethR2D2
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I owned these characters/this show I do not! They belong to Melinda Mets, Jason Katims, the WB and UPN networks and the amazing actors who portrayed them! I guess I do own Sera, but I’d be willing to trade her for Colin Hanks. (Or Nick!!!)
Category: CC
Rating: Adult (It will vary chapter to chapter, but let’s just be safe and say Adult to cover all our bases!)
Summary: Alternate Season 3-Picking up a few weeks after the WB Season 2 Finale. This is the Season 3 that I would have liked to see televised, our CCs are together, no one is going to a Vermont boarding school, no one moves to NYC and no one marries Delko! Just good old fashioned Season 1 type entertainment. (At least I like to think so!) [/b]
Hello and many thanks to Shiesty23, uw51 and BehrObsession for my first reviews. Very kind of each of you! I hope I can keep your interest!
On her way home, Sera stopped by the store to grab a bottle of sparkling
raspberry spumante. Due to the giddy way she acted every time she
consumed a bottle, her mother had, on many occasions, questioned the
alcohol content of her daughter’s favorite drink. Sera vowed that her
behavior was simply a result of the high sugar content and the bubbles.
Sera wandered into the dining room to find Charles and Nicole scurrying
around, putting the finishing touches on the table. "I'm home." she said
watching as her mother folded the napkins into swans.
"Hi honey how did it go?" Nicole asked without turning around.
Sera walked to the table and set her bottle of spumante.
"Well, the standard celebratory beverage must mean that you are
officially a West Roswell Comets cheerleader."
"Am I that predictable?"
"Occasionally."
Sera smiled and made her way back to the kitchen. She stashed the
spumante in the already full fridge and crept to the oven, peering inside
her eyes lit up when she saw the prime rib roasting inside. She was just
beginning to pull down the oven door when her mother entered the
kitchen and loudly cleared her throat. "Ahem, I'd reconsider that move my dear!"
Sera smiled sheepishly and turned to face her mother and Charles.
"I was just checking to make sure that it was properly marinated."
"I'm sure!"
"She's been keeping me away from the food all day! I think she's trying
to starve me!" Charles laughed.
"You need to get upstairs and get changed sweetie. Our guests will be
here pretty soon."
"Yeah. I'm heading up there now. I just wanted to see if you needed
anything before I took my shower."
"I think we have everything under control here, you go on up."
"OK Mom." Sera headed up the stairs to the bathroom.
After a quick shower, she went to her room, grabbed her makeup bag
and hair dryer and walked again to the bathroom to finish getting ready.
Once she selected her jewelry, dried and styled her hair, she returned to
her room to choose her outfit. She found her black knee-length skirt with
ease, but couldn't locate the dusty blue shirt she usually wore with it. She
found a red sleeveless silk instead and slipped it on, just as the doorbell
rang. She turned off her bedroom light and descended the stairs, calling
to her mother and Charles.
"I'll get it!"
She reached the door and pulled it open to reveal Liz and the Parkers.
"Hi!" Sera smiled and welcomed them in.
"Sera, this is my mother, Nancy. Mom, this is Sera."
"Hi Mrs. Parker it's nice to meet you."
"Its nice to meet you too Sera."
"Can I take that dish? I'll put it in the kitchen."
"Thanks, Its Men in Blackberry Pie, one of Charles' favorites." Nancy
said as she handed the pie plate to Sera.
"Did I hear right? Men and Blackberry pie?" Charles asked coming
out of the kitchen.
As Sera passed he reached out for the pie plate and she shooed him
away.
"This is dessert! Now behave or I'll tell Mom."
"Hello Charles," Nancy said smiling as she reached out to hug him.
“Nancy, Jeff always good to see you."
"And you Charles." Jeff said shaking hands with Mr. Whitman.
"I like to introduce you both to my wife Nicole. Honey, this is Jeff and
Nancy Parker and their lovely daughter Liz."
"Nice to meet all of you. Charles speaks so fondly of you."
"Hi Professor Whitman, it's so nice to meet you." Liz greeted Nicole.
Sera emerged at the kitchen door, "What can I get everyone to drink?
We have Coke, Diet Coke, iced tea and lemonade."
"I'll get a Coke, here Sera let me help.” Liz said moving toward the
kitchen. “Mom, Dad?"
"Iced tea sweetheart.” Nancy replied.
"Same here, Lizzie."Jeff told his daughter.
As Liz entered the kitchen Sera turned to her. "Liz, I can get these."
"I don't mind. Besides, when my dad and Mr. Whitman get together, the
conversation borders on boring with a slight turn towards sleep inducing.
Sera laughed as she reached into the cabinet for the glasses.
“So, how did your tryout for cheerleading go?"Liz asked as she
accepted the glass from Sera and began filling it with ice.
"It went great, I made the squad."
"Sera, that's wonderful!!"
"Now I just have to work out a schedule compromise with your dad so I
can keep my newly acquired job!"
I'm sure you can work it out. With me, Maria and Holly there I think we
can cover the two hours or so of after-school rush."
"So I met Pam Troy. She's interesting!" Sera said sneaking a glance
at Liz.
"Oh always!" Liz said meeting Sera's gaze.
The girls loaded the filled glasses on a serving tray and made their way
back into the living room, just as the doorbell rang a second time.
"I'll bet that's Max!" Liz said smiling.
"Boyfriend?" Sera asked knowingly.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Just a little!"
Charles opened the door, "Phil, Diane, come in. Good to see you
again."
"Good to see you too Charles." Diane said squeezing his arm. "I
made brownies, I know the kids like them, especially Michael."
"Thank you Diane. That was very thoughtful. Hello Max."
"Hi, Mr. Whitman."
"Isabel,” Mr. Whitman hugged Iz tightly as soon as she was inside.
“How are you."
"I'm good and you."
"Day by day. I'm sure you're familiar with that phrase."
"Very much so."
“Hello Isabel. Good to see you again.” Nicole smiled warmly.
“Hi Professor! Good to see you too.
"Nicole dear, I'd like you to meet rest of the Evans family: Max, Phil,
Diane, this is Nicole, and her daughter Sera is behind Liz."
Sera smiled at everyone. "Hello, nice to meet you all. Isabel, I saw
you on the track this morning didn't I?”Sera asked.
"Yeah. Have we met? You seem really familiar to me."
"I was thinking the same thing. That's weird isn't it?"
"Maybe you knew each other in a past life." Nicole offered.
Iz, Max and Liz all looked at her oddly.
Covering, Max extended his hand to shake Sera's. "Nice to meet you
Sera."
She smiled and took his hand in hers. "Its nice to meet you Max."
Sera took drink orders from the Evans family and she and Liz headed
toward the kitchen.
"You know, I was so afraid that I wouldn't meet any friendly people
here and so far everyone I've met is wonderful...with the possible
exception of Pam Troy." Sera and Liz shared a giggle.
"I think you'll find, Liz began as she emerged from the fridge,
most of the people here are really nice."
"Really nice or really nice looking?"
Liz laughed. “Well yeah that too.”
“Seriously, I don’t think I’ve meet a single ugly person in this town! Not
that I’m complaining or anything, but damn! I mean is there something in
the water?”
A niggling at the back of Liz’s brain desperately wanted to say ‘Yes,
Gandarium crystals’ but she refrained and simply smiled at her new
friend. As they began loading their serving tray for the second time.
The doorbell rang again as the girls made their way out of the kitchen.
"That must be Maria" Liz said they entered the living room, and
handed the Evans' their drinks.
They saw Amy talking with the Parker's, and Maria, in the doorway,
hugging Mr. Whitman. A voice behind Maria could be heard throughout the
living room.
"Maria, ya wanna let the rest of us in too, or are we supposed to eat
dinner out here?"
Maria sighed at Michael’s question, but released her grip on Mr. Whitman
and joined her mother in the living room, allowing Michael, Sheriff Valenti
and Kyle to enter the house.
As Sera turned to set the serving tray on the counter she noticed Kyle
coming through the door.
"Kyle?"
"Sera?"
(Together)
"You're Mr. Whitman's step-daughter?"
"You're Maria's brother?"
"Well I see the two of you have met." Amy mused, a smile playing on
the corners of her mouth.
"Hello again Kyle." Nicole took the younger Valenti's hand in hers.
"Mrs. Davidson, uh I guess its Whitman isn't it."
“I haven't changed my license or credit cards over yet but yes. It is
Whitman now." She smiled. Turning to the others she explained,
"Kyle was working at the garage when Sera’s car needed some repair.
He was kind enough to offer his services to my daughter."
Maria snorted, barely catching herself from laughing out loud.
Isabel nearly spit up her cherry Coke.
"He offered to show me around school and introduce me to his
friends." Sera interjected before her mother could embarrass her
further.
"Well Kyle, I think that's very kind." Diane said.
Sera and Kyle gave her thankful looks.
Nicole turned her attention to her guests.
"Well, now that everyone is here, if you'd all follow me into the kitchen
we can get started on the appetizers, and we'll get the Valenti's some
drinks."
Amy introduced Sera to Jim as they entered the kitchen.
"Jim this is Sera, Nicole's daughter. Sera honey, this is my fiancée and
Kyle's father, Jim Valenti."
"How do you do Miss Davidson."
"Pleasure to meet you Sheriff Valenti, I can see where Kyle's good looks
come from."
Maria turned around at this and raised an eyebrow at Sera.
"Well, uh thank you. Thank you Sera, that's very kind."
Sera grinned and winked at Maria.
"Sera, this is my boyfriend Michael."
"Nice to meet you Michael. You know Maria, you are proving my point, I
just told Liz that every person I’ve met in Roswell is gorgeous! Especially
the men!"
"Hey, hey! Hands off chickie! I'll fight you for this one." Maria said
mockingly.
"Backing away, hands in the air. But speaking of good looking men, your brother..."
"ALMOST BROTHER!"
"Fine, Almost brother is pretty cute."
"Ewww!"
"Sorry, Sera laughed, grabbing a crab puff off the elaborate appetizer
trays adorning the breakfast island. Just being honest."
"Its OK, But I'm just now adjusting to the idea of Kyle being a part of my
family, I'm SO not ready to hear females express interest in him!"
Sera grinned and shrugged her shoulders. Kyle joined the group bringing
with him drinks for Michael and Maria.
"So Iz, ready for college?" he asked setting his own drink down and
popping several shrimp toast in his mouth.
"Ready? I can't wait! Lean new things. Meet new people. Get away from
the old high school losers."
"Thanks Iz that's sweet! Nice to know you care." Michael teased as he
and Kyle reached for a crab puff at the same time and began fighting
over it.
"Michael, you know I don't mean you guys. Its just there are a number
of people at West Roswell I won't miss in the slightest."
Maria was doing her best to stare down her boyfriend and brother to no
avail. To make matters worse Max had decided that he should get the last
one and was reaching into the fray.
Isabel continued talking to Sera, as now she was the only one listening
since Maria and Liz were trying to break up the boys' squabble over the
appetizer.
Sera, eyes never leaving Iz's reached across the island and pulled
another tray of appetizers toward the boys effectively bringing an end to
their skirmish before they had a full-blown food fight. Maria and Liz
exchanged impressed looks.
"So what will you be taking this semester Isabel?" Sera asked.
"Communications, Philosophy, Economics, and Female Authors."
Kyle snorted "Female Authors? Sounds like a bunch of girls sitting
around reading the latest Oprah books."
"For your information Kyle, it involves the writings of Willa Cather, Jane
Austen, and yes, I believe we eventually read Toni Morrison."
"Don't let Kyle fool you Sera, I believe he's secretly a member of the
Oprah book club. They are piled under the Buddha books in his room."
Maria laughed.
"You're a Buddhist?" Sera asked, interested.
"Its just something I got into at football camp...Its not, well. Yeah, I
am."
"That is so cool. I audited a comparative religion class at San Diego
State. I found the Four Noble Truths to be insightful." Kyle smiled at
Sera.
"Oh great...now there are two of them." Isabel snarked to Maria
Kyle opened his mouth to respond, but Nicole interrupted, "OK
everyone dinner's ready. So if you all will move into the dining room and
find your seats."
Michael practically knocked Maria over in his enthusiasm to enter the
dining room.
Maria shook her head, picked up the drink that he had left on the counter,
along with her own and followed him into the dining room. Liz and Max
followed closely with Kyle, Isabel and Sera bringing up the rear before
the parents. As everyone gathered around the tables, Sera began
directing everyone to their seats.
"My mother went a little overboard with the place cards. But it makes a
nice looking table. Um lets see. Michael, you're next to Maria, Maria,
you're next to Kyle, and he's next to me.
She paused and glared at her mother. Nicole smiled and busied herself
showing the adults where to sit. Um, then Liz, Max, and Isabel."
Maria rolled her eyes, "Oh great, I'm in the middle of Michael and
Kyle? That will be lovely!"
"Maria, I'll switch with you. It will be better than sitting between these
two." Isabel offered.
"Hey!" Max and Michael replied at the same time.
"Yeah, Maria, let Iz sit here. That way we can talk about you."
Maria glared at Kyle but swapped places with Isabel anyway.
Once everyone was seated Sera turned to Charles who was just coming
out of the kitchen carrying a platter of prime rib.
"Is the other platter still in the kitchen?" she asked.
"Yes, Your mother is still fussing over it. She's worried it might be a
little dry."
"How could it possibly be dry?"
"Hey, I just work here."
Entering the kitchen, Sera indeed found Nicole fussing over the second
platter of prime rib.
"Mom, its fine. Leave it!"
"Just rearranging a few slices. I want to have a lovely presentation."
"So how long have you known that Kyle is the Sheriff's son and that he
would be here tonight and WHEN did you switch the place cards? The last
time I looked at the table I was sitting between Maria and Liz."
Well, Ms. DeLuca called to ask if she could bring anything, and while I had
her on the phone, I asked if Kyle by any chance worked at the garage.
She said yes, and you two hit it off so well..."
"Mother! I don't need help getting a date OK? I can fend for myself."
Oh I know that sweetie, but every little bit helps.” Nicole winked at
her daughter.
Shaking her head Sera grabbed the platter away from her mother and
pushed through the kitchen doors she carried the platter to the kid's table
and received a cheer from Michael.
Maria rolled her eyes. Sera tapped Kyle on the shoulder "I'll be right
back with the side dishes, I'm holding you responsible if Michael starts on
the food before I get back Don't let me down!"
Kyle grinned up at her. "I'll do my best."
"You guys seem cozy!" Isabel said, nudging him.
“What? We’re just chatting.” Kyle said, desperate to get Iz’s all
knowing stare off of him.
"You’ll have plenty of time to chat her up, she’s going to start at the
Crashdown soon."
Maria added, smirking at her almost-brother.
"She's working at the Crashdown?" Kyle asked
"Yeah, my dad hired her today."
"Wow, so she's going to be around a lot." Kyle said trying to hide a
smile.
"If you don't ask her out, I'm going to do it for you."
"Isabel." Max warned.
“Come on Kyle, you're always saying its been ages since you've had a
date.
"Isabel."
"I mean seriously, you can't stare at Jodi Ann the Playmate for the rest of
your life."
"IZ!" Max`s harsh tone finally got Isabel's attention.
"What Max?" Max said nothing he just jerked his head above Iz's
shoulder.
Kyle and Isabel turned slowly to see Sera standing behind them with
dishes of broccoli casserole and potatoes au gratin.
"Am I interrupting?"
"Please do!" Kyle said glaring at Isabel.
Maria, Liz and Isabel were trying not to laugh...too hard.
Nicole stood behind her daughter with a tray of salad plates filled with
spinach salad. When she served the kids, Sera finally sat down. "The
bacon dressing is a specialty of my mothers. She gets lots of requests for
the recipe, so I hope you like it!"
"Everything looks great." Michael said his mouth watering over the
prime rib.
Sera picked up the platter placed several slices of meat on her plate. She
passed the plate to Liz. She then grabbed Kyle's plate, filled it and asked
Liz to pass it to Max. Isabel and Kyle were sharing a chuckle that grew
each time Sera filled and passed a plate. Finally she asked the question
on everyone's mind.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing, sorry. You just look like the Who’s." Isabel replied
Sera looked at the table for an explanation. Everyone shrugged.
"Who?"
"The WHO’S" Kyle said with emphasis, as if that explained everything.
"The Who Who’s?" Sera asked still confused.
"You know like Cindy Lou Who," began Iz
"Who was no more than two." Kyle finished with her.
"OK you two are REALLY starting to scare me." Maria said looking
at them warily.
"Just because Kyle and I share a love of classic Christmas
programming doesn't give you the right to ridicule us."
"Oh it absolutely does." Michael said stabbing another forkful of prime
rib into his mouth.
"I love the Grinch." Sera said with a smile. "My favorite is Max,
he rocks!”
”Of course he does...it's all in the name." Max deadpanned.
Kyle and Iz rolled their eyes.
“So besides The Grinch, what other TV shows are on your hot list?”
Sera asked.
"Bewitched." Michael replied without missing a beat.
“Bewitched?” Maria asked.
"Tell me about it!" Max replied. "Since you've been spending
time with your mom, planning the wedding, he's been catching reruns of
Bewitched on Nick at Nite."
"What it's a good show."
Maria shot her boyfriend another odd look then shook her head. “OK,
then...moving on. Liz and I like Buffy.”
"Oh my god, you are kidding me." Sera squealed.
"No"
"That's my favorite show. I'm so in love with James Marsters its not even
funny."
"Oh, I love Spike...his curly blonde hair and that English accent. One of
my favorite scenes was when he was wearing that leather vest and had
the safety pin above his eyebrow, there was just something about him
that was really attractive.” she said shooting a grin at Max who
frowned and shook his head.
"You have to love a show where the main characters have names like
Buffy, Spike, Willow and Giles." Kyle snorted.
"Valenti you know way too much about that show."
"Michael, I live with your girlfriend. I'm forced to watch it every Tuesday
night."
Maria shook her head. "Oh please, who do you think you are fooling.
you watch it with me because you think Sarah Michelle Gellar is hot."
Kyle nodded, "Yeah she is hot. Plus she flips around a lot, it's pretty
cool."
"Men are pigs." Isabel replied, wrinkling her nose in disgust.
"What, I'm just being honest Iz."
"That's why it's so sad."
"Oh, give him a break Isabel. I used to watch X-Files for Mulder."
Sera admitted.
"A little David Duchovny infatuation?" Iz smiled.
"’Not so little, it was pretty much a full blown obsession! He was pretty
nice to stare at every Sunday night."
"Scully's hot." Max, Michael and Kyle said at the same time.
The girls glanced at each other.
"See, Iz they CAN agree on something besides food." Maria
reasoned.
As dinner progressed, they discussed movies and movie stars, music and
Michael, Sera and Kyle argued which was the better sport, hockey vs.
baseball. Before long Nicole announced it was time for dessert.
"OK everyone, we have Black Forest Cheesecake, Men in Blackberry
Pie and Diane's brownies for dessert. I'll let you think about what you'd
like while we get the dinner dishes cleared and then I'll serve dessert."
Sera stood up to help her mother. "Let me help with that." Max
offered as Sera reached for his plate.
"No that's OK Max. Sit, visit, you're a guest."
Sera took her plate along with Liz, Maria and Max's
"OK, I'll be back for yours in just a minute." she said nodding at
Kyle Iz and Michael.
Once Sera's back was turned Isabel nudged Kyle as Maria kicked him
under the table.
"Ow, OW! What was that for?"
"Take these in there for her." Maria hissed
"What?"
"Take the plates in the kitchen for her." Iz motioned toward the
remaining plates.
"Why?"
“Don't argue, just do it." Iz commanded.
"Fine." Kyle grabbed his plate, Isabel's and Michael's and headed
for the kitchen.
Sera was heading out just as the door opened and they narrowly avoided
a collision.
"Oh, Kyle I'm sorry I wasn't expecting you. Oh thanks! That's so
sweet, you didn't have to do that."
"Iz and Maria made...I mean that's OK, I don't mind. Um, where do you
want these?"
"Oh just plop them down by the sink Kyle." Nicole said grinning at
Sera as she cut into the cheesecake.
"Thanks for dinner Mrs. Whitman...it was wonderful."
"Thank you. I'm glad you could join us. I know that Sera was looking
forward to seeing you again."
"Well, MOTHER, Sera said pointedly, I guess I'd better get
everyone's dessert order. I think Kyle should get first dibs since he
helped clear."
"Sounds fair to me." Nicole agreed. So, Kyle which would you
like? Cheesecake, pie, brownies or some of each."
"I'll try the brownies and some cheesecake...that looks delicious."
"Well thank you, I hope you like it." Nicole grinned.
"I'm sure I will."
Sera hesitated, glancing from her mother to Kyle, she threw a warning
look in her mother's direction, and entered the dining room to round up
everyone's dessert preference.
The parents made their choices and Sera scurried to the kids' table.
"OK I need your dessert orders and Maria you have to help me! My
mother is holding Kyle hostage. I know her depraved mind, I just know
she's in there saying things like `My daughter is so nice. You and
my daughter would make a lovely couple.' You have to help me stop her."
"I think its sweet, she's looking out for you.
"And if it were your mother you'd be OK with that sort of behavior?"
"You're right. She must be stopped." Maria sprung into action.
"OK, dessert orders. Michael let me guess some of each?"
"Yeah."
"Isabel?"
“Cheesecake and brownies...don't look at me like that Michael, I run
everyday I can have two desserts if I want to."
"Max?"
"Men in Blackberry pie please."
"Lizzie?"
"The cheesecake sounds great."
Maria and Sera took their orders back to the kitchen. Nicole was just
setting a heaping slice of cheesecake on a plate for Kyle as they entered.
“Hi Mrs. Whitman, Maria said her best suck up to the parents voice.
“We were hoping we could steal Kyle away from you for a moment.
"Sure, Maria. Just let me put some brownies on the plate and he's all
yours."
"I'll get the other plates started." Sera said, thanking Maria with her
eyes.
Kyle took his heavily laden dessert plate into the dining room.
Sera distributed the proper desserts onto the plates and loaded them onto
the serving tray, she paused and looked at Maria questioningly.
"Are you sure you can carry all of those?"
"Sweetheart. I do this nearly everyday for a living!! Well, maybe not for a
living, but I do it for my clothing habit!"
Sera laughed, grabbed the coffeepot and followed Maria out the kitchen
door. Michael looked like an anxious childat Christmas when Maria and
her tray finally appeared at his side.
"Geez, I was beginning to think that Kyle was the only one who was
getting any dessert tonight."
"Keep that attitude up and he will be!" she warned.
"Sera, I'd say you're going to be an old pro at waitressing after tonight
is over. The Crashdown should be no problem for you." Liz smiled.
"I get the feeling that waiting on you guys is a LOT more fun than waiting
on the masses."
"Actually it will be about the same.” Iz replied. Kyle and Max are
there everyday, so get used to it."
Everyone dug into their desserts with zeal, making "MMM" noises and
passing compliments to the respective chefs.
After dessert was over and the tables cleared, Sera took the girls upstairs
to show off her room, while the guys collapsed in front of the TV in the
family room.
As the group passed Alex's room they halted, Isabel reached out and
briefly touched Alex's door, before they continued down the hall.
Entering her room, Sera apologized for the few remaining boxes that
were scatted on the floor.
"You did a lot better job than I would have. I'd still be unpacking."
Liz confessed.
”My advice...don't look under the bed." Sera grinned.
"Chica, I am SO raiding your closet!" Maria said scanning the
clothes in Sera's walk-in.
Iz peered over her shoulder, "Is that Prada?" she asked pointing to
a bag hanging on a hook.
"Yeah, Christmas last year. It was like the only thing I got, but way
worth it."
"I'll bet." Iz said.
"Its yours anytime you want it. Sera offered. Same for
everything else guys, share and share alike yeah?"
"I'm so going to love you!" Maria shrieked, coming out of Sera's
closet and hugging her.
The other girls shook their heads and laughed at the energetic blonde.
After going through Sera's clothes, movies and CDs, the girls finally came
down to find the guys engrossed in the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball
game. Sera placed her arms on the back of the couch and peered at
Michael.
"I thought baseball was boring, that you didn't like to watch it on
TV."
Michael pressed the volume button up two units without looking at Sera.
"It's the only thing on. The Daily Show doesn't start for another hour
and a half."
Maria and Liz joined Max and Michael on the couch. Iz and Sera took the
vacant love seat not far away, and Kyle lounged farther back in his
recliner.
The Diamondbacks failed to score in their half of the sixth inning so
Michael changed the channel to Nick at Nite and was just about to change
it again when the girls all screeched.
"THE FACTS OF LIFE!!!" You take the good, you take the bad, you take
them both and there you have The Facts Of Life, The Facts Of Life."
Max, Kyle and Michael looked VERY frightened now as they watched the
girls sing the theme song at the top of their lungs.
"Must be a chick thing." Kyle said looking to Michael.
"Don't look at me man-this show is a little too sappy for me."
"And Bewitched isn't" Max questioned.
"Hey, don't mess with my show."
"Wouldn't dream of it...Darin."
Michael shot his best friend a warning look and begrudgingly relinquished
the remote to Maria.
As the final credits rolled over the TV screen, and the two couples on the
couch began their ritual snuggling, Kyle joined Sera and Iz on the love
seat.
"What are you two up to?"
"Planning a shopping trip. Wanna come with?" Sera asked amused.
"Oh sure, we can get our nails done and then try on new dresses It'll
be so much fun."
Kyle put on his best feminine voice.
"Please stop doing that voice. You're REALLY scaring me." Iz
pleaded.
They were still laughing when Amy entered the room ten minutes later.
"Ahem, she cleared her throat loudly for the four occupants of the
couch, Just letting you kids know that Jim and I are leaving soon. So
those of you that plan to ride home with us, should get ready to go."
"Well girlfriends, I guess that's my cue." Kyle said winking at Iz and
Sera.
"Me too. Come on Michael." Maria was puling on his hand
"Great, I'll make it home in time to see The Daily Show and some of
Ben Stein."
"My boyfriend lives for Comedy Central."
"Nothing wrong with that!" Sera smiled.
"See, at least someone understands."
"And that's truly terrifying." Maria deadpanned.
Iz, Kyle, Sera, Maria and Michael trudged toward the kitchen, leaving the
super-couple nuzzling on the couch.
As Jim shook hands with Phil, Amy was explaining her (and Buddha’s)
attitude on the wedding plans “Oh, it’s been crazy, but, chaos is
inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence.” Amy then
pulled Diane into a bone crushing hug.
Maria stage whispered in Kyle's ear. "I'm begging you to stop sharing
your Buddha books with my mother."
"She so happy! It’s adoreable." Sera laughed.
"It was cute for awhile, but now it's getting ridiculous!"
"Ready honey?” Amy asked putting her arms around her daughter
and grinning ear to ear.
Maria gave Sera a `See what I mean' look, then smiled at her mother.
“Sera, I want you and your parents to come to dinner next week. Just
let me or the kids know when would be good for you."
"Thanks Ms. DeLuca."
"I'll walk you guys out." Charles told the Valenti crew.
"OK, see you kids later." Jim said as he led Amy to the front door.
They passed by the living room and stuck their heads in to Max and Liz.
"See you two."
"Bye!" They called together.
"I'll call you tomorrow Maria."
In the kitchen, Jeff and Phil began discussing their golf games.
"Should we join the snuggle bunnies or stay in here?" Sera asked
Isabel.
"Nicole, we'll help you with the dishes." Nancy said.
”No, Nancy, please I'll load them in the washer later."
"I insist. You won't be able to get everything in the washer."
"I'll help." Diane said with a smile.
"We'd better join Max and Liz, if not they'll find a project for us too."
Iz grabbed Sera's arm and pulled her from the kitchen. They passed
Charles in the hall and Iz offered him a warning. "That way leads to
boring golf conversation and dish washing."
"Thanks for the tip." Charles laughed.
"Just giving you a heads-up" Sera replied as they continued on to
the living room.
They found Max and Liz on the couch still engrossed in each other.
"God don't you ever come up for air? Mom's helping Prof. Whitman and
Mrs. Parker in the kitchen. Can we join you or do you two need to be
alone?" Iz asked pointedly.
"No, join us." Liz smiled at them
"I think we've got some games if you guys are interested." Sera
said “Lets see, Taboo, Pictionary, Scattergories, Six Degrees of Kevin
Bacon."
Oooh, Kevin Bacon. I love him!" Iz said her eyes lighting up.
"Uh, Iz. You do understand that it's a game and not actually him right."
"You're so funny Max."
"Let's play Kevin Bacon...that game is a lot of fun." Liz said breaking
up the quarreling siblings.
They dove into the game, Isabel and Sera easily beating Max and Liz.
"Do you two any watch movies?" Iz teased.
"Too busy with other endeavors I think." Sera joined in the teasing.
"See here I thought you were going to be a good friend, but now
you're taking sides with Isabel."
"Sorry. But I like to win!" Sera said sticking her tongue out at Liz.
When Sera and Iz won the third game in a row, Max made a suggestion.
"Maybe we should try a new game."
"Max, just because your losing doesn't mean you need to ruin it for the
rest of us."
Max sneered at his sister as the adults entered the living room.
"Max, Izzy it's getting late. We should probably head home." Phillip
called.
"Lizzie, we'd better be going too. Sunday brunch crowd tomorrow."
Everyone walked to the foyer where Sera handed the ladies their respective purses from the hall closet.
"Mr. Parker if you'd like, I can come in tomorrow and learn the ropes.
If you need an extra hand."
"You wouldn't mind?"
"Not at all. It saves me from having to unpack those last few boxes in my
room."
"That would be great. Can you come in around 10?"
"Sounds good to me." Sera smiled at him.
"Wonderful!"
"Great! So I'll see you tomorrow” Liz said smiling at Sera.
"Tomorrow it is."
"Goodnight."
"Night."
"Goodnight Liz, Nancy, Jeff. Nancy, thanks again for the pie. I really do
love it" Charles
hugged Liz and Nancy, and shook hands with Jeff.
"It was so nice to meet all of you."Nicole said, shaking their hands.
"And you, Thank you so much for dinner." Nancy replied.
Max was standing with Liz at the door now. "Nice to meet you Sera."
"Nice to meet you too Max."
"Bye Mr. Whitman, Mrs. Whitman. Thank you for dinner."
"Yes, thank you Diane said. It was lovely."
"Thank you for the brownies. They were a big hit."
Isabel hugged Charles. " Thanks for everything."
"I'm just glad you could make it. I've missed you around here."
"I promise to be better about that." Iz said, her eyes not quite
meeting his.
"Sera, call me and we'll go running some morning."
"I'll do that."
Soon all the good-byes and thank yous had been administered, and the
Whitman's were alone.
"Well, that was a successful party, I'd say." Charles stated, sitting
in his recliner. ”Sera, what did you think of the kids?"
"They were all great. I really like Isabel."
"Yes, she's a wonderful girl."
"Maria and Liz are fun too."
"Alex loved them." His gaze drifted toward the floor.
"Well, I can see why. I don't think school will be so bad now that I
know all of them."
Charles smiled at his stepdaughter, then turned to his wife. "Anything
else you need us to do dear?"
"No I think we got it all while you men talked about golf."
"I'm sure that was a fascinating discussion!" Sera cracked.
"Actually we were planning an outing next week. Interested?"
"And on that note, `A thousand times goodnight' Seriously, I'd better get
to bed if I want to run tomorrow before I go to the Crashdown."
Nicole glanced at her watch, then back at her daughter with a wry smile.
"Who's hosting Saturday Night Live tonight?"
Sera smirked, then quickly tried to hide it, she wasn't fast enough.
"I don't know." she said, trying to sound casual.
"Should I check the TV Guide?"
"Ben Affleck! How do you do that?"
"I know your tells little one, besides, you're NEVER tired this early!"
Sera grinned at her mother.
"Well, what are you waiting for...upstairs! You have enough time to wash your face and get ready for bed before his monologue!"
Sera laughed and kissed her mother and Charles on the cheek before
sprinting upstairs to her room. She flipped on the TV, grabbed her PJs
and headed for the bathroom to wash her face, brush her teeth and
prepare for bed.
Pulling her dark hair back into a ponytail as she returned to her room she
climbed into bed just as the first skit started. She watched as Ben mocked
Matt Damon in a Mango skit.
After `Live from New York and the credits, Ben came out for his
monologue, causing Sera to shake her head. "It should be illegal to be
that attractive!" she mused.
Soon Ben announced the musical guest and told everyone they'd be right back. The commercials started and Sera reached into one of the
unpacked boxes and found her diary. She glanced at the last entry :
So my mother and Mr. Whitman are getting married. Not that I don't
like Mr. Wh---Charles. But they've only just met. A December-April courtship is so whirlwind that I'm getting whiplash!! I think it has to do with Alex’s death. I'm afraid Charles is hoping to fill the void. He’s had a rough go of it, From what Mom says, His ex-wife Gloria really did a number on him, and then he loses his only child. So, if this is what makes him…them, happy, then I’m all for it! And who knows Roswell could be fun! In a sad sort of way---but I'm remaining positive, I think!
*******
She began writing:
Well, mymy mother and Charles have married, in Vegas no less! Eloped like a couple of kids! Ah well, they are so goofy about each other
that I can’t complain! Roswell really isn't so bad. If I keep having days
like this one I'll be set for life.I made the cheerleading squad. I got a job.
And I made six new friends: Liz, Maria, Max, Isabel, Michael and Kyle.
Sera smiled as she wrote Kyle's name.
Kyle's pretty hot. Plus he's a football player, and I SO have a weakness for them. I think buried somewhere in these pages is my 9th grade ode to
Ethan Carpenter, star quarterback. There's one I'd like to forget. I get the vibe that my feelings are mutual, regarding Kyle, not Ethan. But I'm picking up something between him and Isabel that leaves me scratching my head. Maybe I'll investigate through Maria and Liz. Probably more through Maria, she seems a bit more likely to spill the beans. Plus, they live in the same house. So the best dirt will come from her.
SNL was back; so Sera closed her diary tucked it under her bed and
settled in to watch an hour and 30 of Ben before she went to sleep.
Last edited by LizabethR2D2 on Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:29 am, edited 2 times in total.
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LizabethR2D2
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Starting Over (CC, All, Adult) Part 3-First Date 2/3/07
Starting Over (CC, All, Adult) Part 3-First Date
Title: Starting Over
Author: LizabethR2D2
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I owned these characters/this show I do not! They belong to Melinda Mets, Jason Katims, the WB and UPN networks and the amazing actors who portrayed them! I guess I do own Sera, but I’d be willing to trade her for Colin Hanks!!!
Category: CC
Rating: Adult (It will vary chapter to chapter, but let’s just be safe and say Adult to cover all our bases!)Summary: Alternate Season 3-Picking up a few weeks after the WB Season 2 Finale. This is the Season 3 that I would have liked to see televised, our CCs are together, no one is going to a Vermont boarding school, no one moves to NYC and no one marries Delko! Just good old fashioned Season 1 type entertainment. (At least I like to think so!) [/b]
WHITMAN HOME
Sera hopped out of bed as soon as the alarm buzz registered in her subconscious. She grabbed her robe and dashed to the shower.
She smiled as she adjusted the water temperature.
Tonight she was finally going out with Kyle, ALONE.
I was beginning to think that he was never going to ask.
I figured that he was just a huge flirt who talked a big game, but never did anything about it. I can't believe I'm this giddy over some guy!
Then again Kyle Valenti, is more than just "some guy."
He’s good-looking, charming, funny, an incredible flirt, and is
becoming a great friend.[/b]
She'd been in Roswell for three weeks, and the majority of that time
she'd spent with Kyle. Granted, it was mostly during group outings or
while he ate lunch at the Crashdown. But for now she was willing
to accept quantity over quality. Until now!
As she stepped in the shower and felt the warm water cascade over her,
she planned her day.
Work on the butterflies in my room till my shift starts. Obsess
with Maria over what I should wear tonight. Come home in time for
another quick shower and just enough time to look dazzling before Kyle
picks me up.
Running a freshly lathered shower puff over her body, she thought back to his invitation.
"Hey Sera, what are you doing Saturday night?"
"I work till 6, after that I'm not sure. You?"
"I was wondering if you wanted to see Tomb Raider with me."
Maria, who'd been filling a glass at the soda machine turned with a smile.
Kyle made a quick jerking motion with his head and she turned back around.
"Yeah, I'd love to go."
"I hear it's a really good movie."
"And it has nothing to do with the fact that Angelina runs around in a
half shirt and short shorts right? Sera said with a smirk.
Maria snickered from her position at the soda machine.
"Of course not," He protested
"Yeah right!" Maria and Sera replied in unison.
"Although I think you'll be distracted by Lara Croft, I'd still like to go
with you!"
"Great, I'll pick you up at 7:00? I figured we could grab a bite and catch
the late show."
"Sounds perfect." she beamed at him.
The water temperature changed, bringing Sera out of her rumination.
She rinsed her hair, turned off the shower and hopped out.
Throwing on her robe, she had just entered her room when she heard her
cell phone's version of the Buffy theme. She grabbed her phone off the
charger and hit the talk button.
"Hello?"
"Chiquita, Its me."
"Hey Maria."
"Listen I know you're not supposed to be here for another two hours or something but..."
"Let me guess, Holly called in sick again?"
"Good guess!"
"Yeah, I can come in. I was just going to work on my room today, but that
can wait."
"Are you sure? I don't want to interfere with your plans."
"No big. I was just going to stencil those butterflies on the walls.
I'll just see if I can sweet talk Kyle into helping me."
"I see, enticing Kyle into your bedroom you little slut!" Maria cackled.
"MARIA! Do you want me to come in or not?"
"Just kidding!!"
"OK, I just got out of the shower so give me about a half an hour and
I'll be there."
"I so owe you!"
"And I plan to collect!"
"See ya in a few."
As she hung up, Sera turned to the stencils and paint scattered on her desk.
"I promise I'll get to you tomorrow."
She was sure if they could talk, they'd tell her that she had been saying that
for a week.
CRASHDOWN CAFÉ
Sera walked from the kitchen to the counter where Maria was making a
Blood of Alien smoothie.
"I'm here."
"Oh my God, I've never been so happy to see someone in my life. Its like everyone in town decided to come in for breakfast. Don't they know
there is a perfectly good McDonald's two blocks down the road?
"Now Maria, how can you possibly compare a McFlurry with our very own Blood of Alien Smoothie. Just look at its lovely green hue."
"Funny! Let me know if you think things are so amusing when you've
been here for an hour with all the crazies. And Michael I swear to god if
you ding that bell one more time I will KILL you!"
"You've got two orders that have been up for 5 minutes. I'm getting backed up here."
"Well I guess I know where to start. Maria, where do these go?" Sera asked, playing peacemaker.
"Uh, take the UFOs to table three and this smoothie goes with the waffles over to table eight."
"Got it."
Thanks again for coming in early Sera. It means a lot."
"Anytime."
Sera distributed the food on her tray to its proper locations. She took orders from the tables in what would have been
Holly's section if she'd bothered to come in. As she took the order slips to the window she tried to make small talk with
Michael. He offered her an occasional grunt and a few `yeah, sures' before Maria told her not to bother.
"He's grumpy in the morning."
"Yeah, and you're little miss sunshine."
"See."
"OK guys, call a truce. We're going to be here all day, I think it will go better
if you don't trade barbs for the next eight hours."
"But it's so fun!" Maria whined
"Come on, we have about 15 tables to wait on."
"Ugh, don't remind me."
They worked the tables effortlessly; it was the counter customers who were
the biggest pains in the ass. They always seemed to ask for more coffee only when the girls had their hands full with trays or plates.
Sera was nearly at her breaking point with an elderly lady at the end
of the counter. She wanted blueberry syrup on her UFO cakes but she
wanted it heated, not too hot. She wanted half-decaf, half regular coffee
in a warm mug with cream, but only real cream, not the powdered variety.
Sera took both pots to her mug so the woman could measure the exact quantity. When she finished the lady took a sip and asked if she could have her mug reheated. The coffee simply wasn't hot enough.
Sera plastered on her best fake smile and said "No problem. I'll be
right back."
She pushed through the swinging doors that led into the kitchen.
Popping the mug in the microwave she punched the keypad and turned
to Michael.
"How many years do you think I'd get for lacing the coffee of that Mrs. Doubtfire out there with arsenic?"
Michael gave her a weird look and she pointed out the order window to
the end of the counter.
"That's Mrs. Myers. She's a regular. Liz and Maria play rock, paper,
scissors to see who has to wait on her."
"I was never given that option!"
"Personally if I were on the jury you'd get off Scott free."
Sera grinned and took the warm mug out of the microwave. She placed it on the
counter in front of Mrs. Myers and smiled.
"There you are. How's that?"
Mrs. Myers took a sip and pondered for a moment. "Much better dearie,
thank you."
"Sure."
She started to turn away when Mrs. Myers called out.
"Dear do you think you could re-heat my syrup? It's gone a bit cold."
Sera gritted her teeth and turned around.
"Sure!"
Maria was picking up an order when Sera made her second trip to the kitchen. As she passed she shot Maria a death look and pushed the doors open.
Michael laughed when she came in.
"Back so soon?"
"Laugh it up fuzzball!"
"Listen, Princess."
Sera laughed, "You know most people don't get my Star Wars
quotes. You're quick."
"Empire rocks!."
"Amen to that."
When the microwave beeped AGAIN, Sera took the syrup out to Mrs. Myers.
"Anything else I can get for you?"
Please say no
"No I think everything looks OK for now."
"Great. I'll be right over here if you need anything."
"Mrs. Myers giving you trouble? Maria asked as both girls took a breather.
"How could you stick me with her after I came in to help you?"
Hey, that's the way it worked out. Mr. P scheduled Holly to work that section. And because you are the generous soul you are, you got stuck with Mrs. Myers!"
"Remind me the next time you want a favor, NOT to do it for you!"
"Hey, at least you don't have the Stinky Cheese Man over here."
"Who?"
"That guy, he works at the cheese factory and he stinks...therefore
"The Stinky Cheese Man." they finished together.
One of Maria's tables was low on drinks so she scooted off to make refills
just as the bell over the door rang again and Vicki Delany walked in with a
guy Sera didn't know. They found a table in her section, Vicki waving as
she sat down.
"Hi Vicki, How are you?"
"Hi Sera. When did you start here?"
"Right when I got into town. My step-dad called Mr. Parker and set it up."
"Wow, you were busy when you got here, trying out for the squad, getting a job."
"I'm never happy unless I've got twenty things going at once."
"Sounds familiar. Vicki laughed. God I'm sorry. Sera Davidson, this is Jake Winger, Jake, Sera."
"Hey."
"Hey, nice to meet you. Can I get you guys something to drink?"
"Yeah, I'll have diet coke."
"Uh, Martian milkshake. Chocolate." Jake mumbled
"OK, you guys check out the menu while I'll get your drinks and
I'll be back to get your order."
Sera was at the shake machine when she heard Maria's sultry voice
behind her. "Sooo, excited about tonight?"
Sera turned to face her friend not even trying to hide her smile.
"A little obvious huh?"
"Just a little. Wanna hear something hilarious?"
"Always!"
"Kyle was singing this morning."
"What? No way!"
"Honest to God."
"What was he singing."
"Please. I could barely hear him I was laughing so hard. I really
couldn't make out what it was."
"I think the more important question is why was he singing?"
Michael called from the kitchen
"Michael, girl talk! Go away."
"No Maria he raises an good point. Why is Kyle singing, and why do you
find it so amusing?"
"Hello! Earth to Sera? Have you not noticed that when Kyle gets around
you he looks like a smitten love puppy? I never knew him to sing
before you came to town, and I've known that boy for MANY years!!"
"You really think it had to do with me."
"Yes crazy girl I do. But I can't go into any more detail."
"Why?"
"Because he's heading in our direction."
Sera finished Jake's Martian Milkshake and quickly filled a glass of
Diet Coke for Vicki, before turning to see Kyle grab a seat at the
counter. Maria took the drinks from Sera, and placed them on her tray.
"Go."
"I have to take those to Vicki and Jake."
"Go Wait On Kyle."Maria said stressing every word
"Mar...
"GO! I'll not tell you again."
Sera flashed Maria a huge smile.
"I love you."
"I know. Can I borrow your Prada bag tonight?"
"It's yours for a week if you want it."
"Score! Now hurry, I don't want Kyle to pull a Max and serenade you!"
"What?"
"I'll explain later!" she called as she walked to Vicki and Jake's table
Sera took out her order pad and walked to Kyle.
"Hi."
"Hey you. What are you doing here so early?"
"I was just going to ask you the same thing. I thought you took lunch at noon, Its 11:30" she said consulting his watch.
"Yeah, Toby's letting me off early. So I have to take an earlier lunch.
What are you doing here? I thought you didn't come in till noon."
"Maria called at 9:30 to see if I could come in early."
Kyle glanced around. "No Holly?"
"No Holly."
"I wouldn't make a regular habit of covering for her. She'll call in
sick more often."
"Is that even possible?"
"She'll event a way!"
"The sad thing is, her shift was only from 9-1."
"I think the morning cartoons were too much of a temptation
to pass up!"
Sera laughed, "I guess since you're here for lunch we should
feed you sometime soon. Do you know what you want?"
Kyle had to fight the urge to respond YOU.
"Uh, yeah, Just a Sigourney Weaver, medium with a side of Saturn rings.
And tell Michael medium means it should have some pink in the middle."
"If you want to criticize Michael's cooking go right ahead, but don't have me do your dirty work for you."
"Chicken."
"I'll get your order in. What can I get you to drink?"
"Root beer."
"Be right back."
"So, dinner a movie and then..."
Kyle turned to see Maria perched at his elbow.
"Where did you come from?"
"I was over there with Vicki and Jake. Don't try and change the subject."
"What subject?"
"The subject of where you are taking Sera after dinner and the movie."
"I don't know, probably home. It's a first date Maria."
"What's this? The great Kyle Valenti not taking a girl to Buckley Point!
I'm shocked!"
"I didn't say I wasn't taking her there ever, I'm just saying its not in the plans right now."
"What's not in the plans?" Sera asked returning with Kyle's root beer.
"Uh, uh..." Kyle stuttered looking at Maria desperately for help.
"It's not in the plans for him to go into work tomorrow."
"Oh great. I'm going to stencil those butterflies in my room and I
wanted to enlist your help...if you're free."
"Uh yeah, sure."
"I mean, if you already have plans its cool. I just..."
"No. I'd love to be in your room, Help. Help you in your room."
"Great! Hang on a second." she hopped over to Vicki and Jake's table
to offer them refills.
As soon as she was gone Kyle dropped his head in his hands.
"Smooth!" Maria teased.
"Shut up! You weren't much help."
"What are you talking about? I totally saved the day."
"It's not in the plans for me to go to work tomorrow? Maria you've been
lying on the spot for nearly three years and that's the best you could
come up with."
"Sorry. Next time I'll leave you to sputter and squirm."
"I'd love to be in your room? Did I really say that?"
"You bet Romeo!"
They quieted as Sera brought Vicki's glass to the soda machine and refilled it. She reached under the counter, got a clean glass out for Jake, filled it with ice and coke and took both glasses back to their table.
"So what were you singing this morning?" Maria asked when Sera
was again out of earshot.
"You heard me?"
"Yeah, it was a little hard to hear over my hysterical laughter, but I caught some of it. What were you singing?"
"No force on this planet will get me to tell you that."
"A piping hot Sigourney Weaver and Saturn rings." Sera proclaimed
setting the platter in front of Kyle.
"This looks great. Thanks."
"Sure."
"Oh look, Sean's here." Maria announced without enthusiasm.
"Who's Sean?" Sera asked looking from Kyle to Maria.
"My deadbeat cousin."
"Maria" Kyle said, his mouth full.
"Sorry. Habit. Kyle and Sean have become pretty good friends over the
past few months."
"Hey gang." Sean said as he walked up and snagged food from Kyle's plate
"Hey buddy. Sure, help yourself to my Saturn rings, I don't mind."
"I didn't think you would."
"Sean."
"M."
Sean stopped, gazing at Sera with interest.
"Hello!"
"Hi."
"And who might you be?"
"I might be a lot of people, but my name is Sera."
"Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too."
Kyle picking up on the flirting, quickly moved into action.
"So Sera, where do you want to have dinner tonight."
"I don't know what's a good place?" she asked turning to Maria.
"Yeah, like Michael takes me out to dinner."
"Liz said something about Senor Chow's, is that nice?"
"Yeah, we can go there."
"So you're new in town?" Sean asked, knowing he was ruffling
Kyle's feathers.
"Just moved here about three weeks ago."
"She's Mr. Whitman's step-daughter." Maria explained.
"Cool."Sean replied, pilfering a few more of Kyle's Saturn rings
"Can I get you your own food or do you prefer to just pick off Kyle's plate?"
"Yeah, give me a slice of Men in Blackberry pie with vanilla ice cream."
"Hot?"
"Very hot." Sean snickered his eyes roaming over Sera.
Maria reached across the counter to smack Sean upside the head as Kyle elbowed him in the ribs.
"Let me rephrase, do you want your pie heated?"
"That sounds great."
"Be right back."
"She's feisty Valenti, you'd better hold on to this one."
"How is it that you've been gone for a month to “find yourself” yet come back equally as obnoxious as when you left?" Maria queried.
"What can I say? You bring out the best in me."
The cousins made faces at each other until Sera came back with Sean's pie.
"Enjoy."
"OK guys, I have to head out. If I'm not back soon, Toby won't be so willing
to let me go home early. Thanks for the food." Kyle rose and laid a ten on
the counter.
"I'll see you tonight." He directed at Sera, she nodded and smiled shyly.
"Kyle wait, your change." She started after him
"Keep it."
"Thanks."
He winked at her. "Sure. See you Maria, Sean."
"Later."
"So are you planning on inhabiting the new DeLuca/Valenti home or will
you be staying in your car?" Maria asked her cousin.
"I plan on moving in to the new homestead...if the nearly newlyweds
are agreeable."
Vicki and Jake came to the counter and paid their tab to Sera, after they'd gone she went on a sweep of her tables, checking to see if anyone needed anything.
"She would just like to know if you're going to stick around for more than a week."
"Yeah, I plan on sticking around. Especially now that there are so many interesting developments." he was gawking at Sera as she refilled a coffee cup.
"Hey," Maria yelled as she smacked him. "What did I tell you about checking out my friends? Do you know how creepy it is to see you fawning all over them?"
"You never let me have any fun."
"You're right. It's my goal in life to rob you of any kind of amusement. Especially when it involves dark-haired Crashdown waitresses. I'm sensing
a pattern here."
"Fine, fine. So is Aunt Amy home?"
"Yeah, Sheriff, uh Jim, didn't have to go in till tonight so I think they were going go over the guest list. November is fast approaching."
"So you're OK with this? Aunt Amy and Sheriff Valenti?"
"Yeah, Jim's a great guy and I think I can handle living with Kyle."
"Now I just have to try and live with both of you."
"You're moving in with Kyle and Maria?" Sera asked as she re-joined
them at the counter.
"Yeah. So I'll be around quite a bit."
"How wonderful for us!" Sera joked.
"All right vixens, I can take a hint. I'll see you two later."
"Bye." they replied in unison
"OK. Now we're finally alone, so what are you going to wear on your date tonight?"
"I haven't decided yet. I'm torn between a blue dress and this little flowered skirt with a white corset top."
"A corset? Won't that be a little binding?"
"No, it's not whale boned, it's corded so it's really comfortable; but it does hold in and UP certain things."
"Hmmm, maybe I could borrow that sometime too. I warned you I was going to be raiding your closet a lot."
"I still haven't had a look at yours. I'm sure you've got some amazing finds."
"Please like those will fit into my clothes." Maria laughed pointing in the vicinity of Sera's chest.
"Shut up. You have a great figure."
"I'll second that." Michael said suddenly behind them. He bent to kiss Maria's neck.
"Hey!"
"Jose's here, I'm going to lunch with Max. When are you taking yours?"
"I don't know we really haven't had a chance to talk about that yet."
"You two go to lunch together. I'll hold down the fort."
"No way, I can't do that to you. We get slammed on Saturday lunches."
"Look Mr. Parker is here now so I have him for backup." Sera pointed
through the order window to Jeff who was entering with one of the
delivery guys. "Besides, you'll be back in a half hour. I think I can manage
for that long."
"OK, If you get in too deep call me on my cell."
"I'll be fine. Have fun. Tell Max I say hello."
"Okay, If you’re sure, Hey Mr. Parker." Maria said as Jeff entered the restaurant area.
"Hello Maria, Michael. Taking your lunch?"
"Yeah, we're were a bit worried about leaving Sera here alone but she keeps insisting."
"Well I think the two of us will be OK, you two have fun."
"OK, See ya."
They exited the front door and across the street to pick up Max before heading out to lunch.
The hour was busy but Sera and Mr. Parker handled it well. Maria and Michael walked back into the Crashdown to see Dan McCarey at a table with Kevin Franklin and Tim Malamud. Kevin dropped his spoon on the floor in front of Sera. She stopped to pick it up, providing Dan a view from the rear and Kevin the chance to look down the front of her uniform. Maria started to walk over to their table and tell them off but Michael took her arm.
"Wait."
"Here you go BOYS. Will there be anything else."
"Sure baby, how about you phone number." Kevin asked.
Sera smiled sweetly at him. "Sure sweetie, its 555-Zero Chance! Resorting to childish pranks to peek down a girl's shirt is so not a turn-on. Funny thing is, if you had just asked, I might have been willing to give you a good look. Here's your check you can pay at the counter. Have a nice day."
She turned from their table and walked to the back. Maria and Michael followed her inside.
"Oh my God Sera, I was about to come rescue you, but you CLEARLY didn’t need my help That was great!!"
"Nice."Michael said nodding his head
Sera smiled as she opened her locker and grabbed her purse.
"Thanks, It was tough not to go with my original instinct and dump their milkshakes in their laps."
"Were they hitting on you the whole time?" Michael asked.
"Pretty much."
"They used to do that to me until they figured out that I was with Michael...that put a stop to the harassment REAL quick. Liz is lucky, because she used to
date Kyle they leave her alone."
Sera closed her locker door with more force than she intended as she spun
to face Maria.
"Kyle and Liz used to date?"
"We didn't tell you that?"
"No, I just kinda assumed that she and Max had been together since infancy."
"You'd think so, but no. She dated Kyle about three years ago."
"Wow!"
"Tell me about it!"
"Was it serious?"
"No, it might have been, but Max entered the picture and you know the rest."
"I say again, wow! Well that will give me something to ponder for awhile! OK, I'm going home to grab my clothes and bring them in for your perusal. I should be back in 20."
"Are you going to eat lunch on your lunch break?"
"I'll grab some pasta salad or something, Charles made some last night for dinner and we had a ton left."
"So long as you eat!"
"Thanks Mom!"
"Just looking out for you Chica."
"I'll be back soon."
Sera whipped into her driveway and put the SUV in park. She hopped out
and ran inside.
"Mom? Charles? Hello?"
Getting no response she sprinted up the stairs straight to her closet and
grabbed the outfits she was considering for tonight. Looking around she
spotted a garment bag and put both selections in it. As she started to exit her closet she spotted the Prada bag Maria asked her about earlier. She grabbed it and threw it over her shoulder. Sera got half way to her car when she realized that she forgot the pasta salad in the fridge. She tossed the bags into the back seat of the Pathfinder then ran inside to get her lunch.
Reaching the Crashdown with ten minutes left in her lunch break she
parked the car, walked into the café and motioned to Maria.
"I brought the clothes."
"Be right there."
Sera pulled the outfits out of the garment bag and placed them on her locker. She snagged a fork from the dish drainer and was just about to dig in to her lunch when Maria entered the break room.
”So, let's see!
Sera set her lunch aside and took the blue dress off her locker.
Maria's eyes lit up.
"I like that!"
"You don't think its too revealing?"
"Kyle likes revealing."
"Maria!"
"No I really like it, it matches your eyes."
"What about this?"[/b/]
She held up the corset top.
"Save that for another night! I know! Fourth of July!!"
"Are we doing something for the Fourth?" Sera asked.
"Of course! I'm not exactly sure what that is yet but lets just say it
involves you wearing that shirt in front of Kyle, and copious amounts
of body glitter!"
"Body glitter? Now that sounds fun!"
"Oh it is! I assure you!"
Maria's eyes suddenly landed on the Prada bad sitting on the couch.
"Is that what I think it is?"
"Yep, you asked for it, so it's yours."
"Ahhh! Thank you!"
"I can't wait to see Isabel's face when she sees me with this!"
Maria laughed.
"Now, I didn't give you that bag so you could use it for evil." Sera warned.
"I promise I'll be good. Well, after I parade it in front of her and she's green with envy, THEN I'll be good."
Sera shook her head. "I've created a monster."
Maria placed the bag in her locker and sighed heavily, "Well, I guess we'd better get back out there. I'm sure there are some annoying customers waiting for food."
"Do we have to?"
"Yeah, but just think, soon Liz and Christina will be here and they get the dinner crowd! Does that make you feel better."
"I'd feel better if they came in now."
"I second that emotion...come on," Maria grabbed Sera's arm
"And don't forget your lunch, you can eat it at the counter."
The café was considerably less crowded in the afternoon than from 10-2.
The girls had six tables between them. They were filling sugar containers
when Liz and Nancy returned from their shopping excursion around 3:15.
"Uh Liz? Did you leave anything in the stores?" Maria asked noticing
the volume of shopping bags the Parker women were carrying.
"Maria we didn't buy that much!"
"Three shopping bags apiece...Sera do you think that's a lot?
"Certainly not. When you have to get someone to help you carry the bags
out to your car then you might have a problem."
"See, I told you we'd didn't go overboard," Liz said looking at her mother.
"How was it today?" Liz asked glancing around at the nearly empty restaurant
"Not too bad, but Holly called in sick again so I had to call Sera
in early."
"You have to be kidding me! She does all the time. Thanks for coming
in Sera."
"I only came in so I'd have something to hold over Maria's head!"
Sera smiled, her deep blue eyes flashing.
The girls laughed as Liz rifled through her bags to show them her latest purchases.
When the café failed to pick up by 4:30, Mr. Parker told Sera and Maria they could go.
"You girls have been here all day. Go home! Have a fun night."
"Thanks Mr. Parker." Maria hugged him.
"Michael, you were a part of the morning crew too. Go on, get out of here!"
Michael didn't need to be told twice. He quickly shed his apron, and hung
it on a hook near the door, then turned to Maria.
"Lets go."
She grabbed her purse, Sera's bag and Michael's keys from her locker.
Sera closed her locker door and threw her clothes over her arm.
"Ready?" Maria asked
"All set!"
The trio walked outside to Sera's SUV and Michael's motorcycle.
"The dress, you're sure?"
"Positive! And don't forget to call me tomorrow and tell me how things went!" Maria said
"OK, you two have fun!"
"I plan on it!" Michael said with a lascivious grin.
Sera raised her eyes at her friends and waved goodbye.
MICHAEL'S APARTMENT
Michael sped to his apartment as quickly as he could without driving
recklessly or exceeding the speed limit. The last thing he needed was for
Jim or one of his deputies to catch him in the vicinity of his apartment with
Maria when Amy thought they were at work. Mr. Parker had given the duo
a nice hour and a half window to play with, and he really didn't want to cut
it short.
They entered the apartment, Michael went for the fridge and grabbed a
Snapple, while Maria dropped her stuff on the couch and went straight to his
bedroom. Michael followed her, grinning, "Little anxious aren't we?"
"I'm so tired," she moaned, her face buried in his pillow. Do we have
to go to dinner with Isabel tonight?"
Michael took a long pull of the Snapple. "Yes, it's a double date. She
can't exactly do that without us there."
"Michael," Maria said, lifting her head. "What do you think of her
dating so soon after Alex?"
"I don't know, she had a rough year, with Whitaker, Grant, Alex and
everything else. Maybe its good that she's moving on."
"I guess," she said flatly.
"What?"
"Its just it seems so soon."
"Maria, its not like she's going to marry the guy. Its one date."
"I know, I just feel like she's pulled away from us since he...since then."
Michael walked to the bed, set his Snapple on the floor as he knelt
and took Maria's face in his hands.
"She'll be OK, just let her work through it in her own way."
Maria smiled and gazed at her boyfriend. "I love you."
He returned her smile. "I love you too."
"So are you going to join me here or what?" she asked him suggestively,
patting the bed.
He grinned and pounced on her. As he undid the buttons of her uniform
Michael whispered against her skin, "You know we only have about an
hour."
"Well then Spaceboy, use it to your advantage."
WHITMAN HOME
Sera puttered around the kitchen trying to avoid her mother's questions
about her evening. It wasn't working. Nicole seemed very interested in
Sera and Kyle's date.
"Come on, what if I need to reach you?"
"Mother I have a cell phone. You know how to reach me."
"Charles and I were thinking of taking in a film tonight...maybe we can go
with you."
"Mom!"
"Maybe we'll call Jim and Amy, we can all go, wouldn't that be fun?"
"Why are you needling me?"
"I'm just curious where Kyle is planning on taking my baby girl."
"Fine! My itinerary for this evening is dinner and a movie. Then we're going to
stop by this house party where some kids are selling drugs out of the basement.
After that we're going to park behind the school, get high and have sex in the
back seat of his car. Happy?"
"Sera! I was just teasing."
"Yeah, but from now on you'll think twice about picking on me won't you!"
"You are an evil child."
"I live to torment you." Sera smiled at her mother as she wiped her hands
on a towel.
"All right. I get the hint." Nicole promised, pulling two steaks out of
the refrigerator. "So is this the first time the two of you have gone out
alone?"
"Yeah, it's usually the group, but it's just the two of us tonight. Speaking of
which I'd better start getting ready. Did you need anything else other than the
spinach dip?"
"No, that's all. I appreciate it."
"Sure. I'm going to take a shower and get ready. Kyle said he'd pick me up at
7:00."
*********
After her shower Sera was singing along to “Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee” from
her Grease soundtrack as she dried her hair. So caught up in the lyrics, she
didn't notice her mother standing in her door watching with an amused
expression. She turned around to grab her makeup bag and gasped when she
saw Nicole.
"Mom! You scared me," Sera cried, turning down her music. "How long
have you been standing there?"
"From Beauty School Drop-Out. You've always loved that movie."
"One of my top tens. What's up?"
"Kyle called, said he was running a bit late. He'd be here by 7:15."
"Oh, OK."
"Is that what you're wearing?" Nicole asked glancing toward closet
door where Sera's dress was hanging.
"Yes...why?
"Oh nothing....its nice."
"OK spill what don't you like about it?
"It's just a little strappy that's all."
"Mom, for the past three years I've paraded around on national television in
skimpy cheerleading costumes and you never said a word. What's the what?"
Nicole smiled, "I guess I'm being an overprotective parent, I've just never
seen you this silly over a boy before."
"If I'm lucky, he'll be the last one I'm silly about for awhile. Now, go fix
dinner...I have to finish getting ready."
"I'm going!"
"Hey Mom," Nicole turned. "I love you."
"I love you too sweetie." Nicole said and headed downstairs.
Sera sighed as she began applying her makeup. "Mothers!"
***********
Seven after seven, Kyle rang the Whitman's doorbell. Sera ran to get it but
Charles shooed her away.
"If I recall the lady should wait until the gentleman has been received by
the parents and they ask about his intentions."
"What is this 1810? Wait, has my mother been feeding you lines?”
"Yes, she forced me to say that. I apologize."
"Its OK. I know she can be quite the menace."
"I can hear you two!" Nicole called from the kitchen
"Good!"
Charles opened the door to reveal Kyle holding a single yellow rose.
"Hey Mr. Whitman. How are you?"
"Fine Kyle, come in please!"
"Thanks. I'm a little early with my lateness. Sera wasn't expecting me till 7:15."
"But I'm ready nonetheless," she said appearing behind Charles.
Kyle's breath caught in his throat the moment he laid eyes on Sera. .
"Wow You look great."
"Thank you."
"Uh, this is for you," he said extending the hand holding the rose.
"Maria told me yellow stood for friendship, she also said you liked yellow
roses.
"I love them, thank you."
"Hello Kyle,” Nicole said as she entered the foyer. "A yellow rose how
lovely, those are Sera's favorite."
"Mom, could you put that in water for me?"
"Sure."
"Well, you guys enjoy your dinner, I'll be home late, don't wait up." Sera
moved to her mother, handing off her rose and kissing her cheek.
"Bye kids, be careful."
"We will Mr. Whitman"
"Bye."
"Have a good time honey...and Sera?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't go behind the high school tonight, OK?"
Sera's eyes widened. "Mother!"
Sera pulled Kyle out the front door and away from her mother's chuckles.
"What did she mean by that."
"Nothing, it's just my mother's idea of trying to be funny."
"So I made reservations at Senor Chow's at 7:30, we'll just make it in time."
"Great. Are we keeping the top down?" Sera asked as she got into the
Mustang
"Your call."
Let's keep it down, its so pretty out.
"I'll second that," Kyle murmured gazing at her.
Sera unzipped her purse grabbed a thin silk scarf which she quickly wrapped
around her head. "All set." she smiled at him.
They hit Senor Chows with three minutes to spare. Kyle parked the car, hopped
out and held the door for Sera. She put one hand in his hand and unwrapped the
scarf from her head with the other.
"Hey, that was a pretty cool trick. Most girls would have said to leave the
top down and then complained because their hair was screwed up."
"It's not really a trick, I shamelessly stole if from the old movies I watched as a
kid. In those movies, all the actresses would wear a scarf when they rode in a
convertible."
Kyle leaned in close to her. "I still think it's a pretty neat trick."
Once inside, they were escorted to a table and a waiter took their drink order.
Sera looked at the pool table in the corner
"Wanna play after dinner," she asked nodding toward the table.
"You're going to play pool in that dress?"
"I could take it off."
Kyle's jaw was still on the table when the waiter returned with their drinks.
They ordered dinner and sipped their drinks, as they people watched.
"Look at that guy...what is that shirt? Are we back in the 80s? Did I miss the
memo?"
"Actually I think I own that shirt," Kyle replied grimacing.
"Very scary!"
"Don't look now but there is a girl behind you with orange hair."
"No way."
"I think she was trying to go red and it backfired horribly."
"OK, I have to see this, which direction is she."
Directly behind you, just turn around. Wait! Slowly."
Sera turned, took a quick peek at the offending color, and spun back to Kyle.
"OK, that is the most hideous thing I've ever seen."
"Makes me wish Iz was here to see that. Ms. Fashion Police would walk right
up to that woman and demand that she never to attempt self-coloring again."
"You and Isabel are really close huh?"
"Yeah, We just sort of gravitated toward one another after Alex...you know."
"I think it's nice that you guys are all such a tight group."
"We weren't always so friendly. In fact, for a long time there was no love lost
between me and Max, or Michael for that matter."
"Because of Liz?"
"Uh, well yeah--Maria told you about me and Liz?"
"Today. I was surprised. I just don't see the two of you together."
"Yeah, I was surprised by it too, but I was tired of dating the cheerleading
bimbos...uh, can we pretend I didn't just say that."
Well, nice to know what you think of cheerleaders."
"Sera...
"I'm kidding Kyle. I'm well aware of the stereotype associated with being a
cheerleader. I also know that a lot of times it's a well-founded assumption."
"I didn't mean you."
"I know, I'm just having fun watching you squirm."
Dinner arrived and they continued their conversation between bites.
"So besides Liz, who else in the group have you dated?"
"Just Liz."
"Not Isabel?"
"Iz and I are strictly friends."
Sera scrutinized him "No attraction whatsoever?"
"Well, I didn't say that. I mean she is drop dead gorgeous, but we've just
never felt that way about each other."
"Good."
"Good?"
"Good, at least I don't have to worry about that."
"You were worried about me and Iz?"
"I just like to have all my cards laid out on the table." She took a bite of
her Acapulco Chicken and winked at him.
"So, what about you?" Kyle asked
"You're the only person in the group I've gone out on a date with."
Sera joked.
"Come on, be serious."
"There's really not much to tell. I had a steady, but not serious boyfriend last
year; we broke up just before I moved here. There was never even a question
of making it long distance. I swear our relationship was always more about
high school politics than actual emotion."
"Ouch, bitter much?"
"Not bitter, just cynical."
"It's a fine line!"
Sera shook her head in agreement. "So what were Michael and Maria's big
plans, she said they were doing something with Isabel but she didn't give any
details."
"That would be the big double date."
"The what?"
"Iz is going on a date tonight and she didn't want to go alone so she asked, well
asked isn't really the right word, she told Michael and Maria that they were
joining her."
"Is this her first date since..."
"Yeah, she's been fighting guys off for awhile, but she finally said yes to this
one. She met him at school. He's in one of the summer workshops she's taking."
"Must be hard for her. When I lost my dad it was like someone had ripped me
in two. I didn't want to believe it. I felt like it was all just a bad dream and I was
going to wake up at any minute. Wow, Sera, way to bring conversation to a
screeching halt. We can talk about something else."
"No, I mean, its fine. We can talk about Alex."
"I met him once. Did you know that?" Kyle shook his head. "Mom and
Charles had been dating for about a month when they decided that since Alex
and I were about the same age we should meet. So they came to San Diego
and stayed for the weekend. Alex and I hit it off instantly. We liked a lot of
the same books, music, etc. He was really easy to talk to and I loved
hearing his about his trip to Sweden."
Kyle closed his eyes.
"Are you OK?"
"Yeah, I just, uh I remember his Sweden stories too. I think he really liked it
there." He trailed off and Sera decided to change the subject.
"Are you almost done? I'm ready to kick your butt at pool."
"You really think that's going to happen?"
"Movie and popcorn on me if you win."
"And if, by some miracle you happen to win?"
"Same deal...AND I get to drive your car."
"No way!"
"Nervous?"
"No! I just don't let other people drive my car."
"Now that's something I don't understand. What is it about a guy and his car?"
"Its just, its, It's a guy thing."
"That's an answer?"
"It's a firm NO to the car."
"Fine! Chicken."
"Oh it's on now girl."
They walked to the pool table and Kyle racked up. They decided a best two
out of three would determine the winner.
Sera won the first game with a trick shot that Kyle complained about.
"Geez Valenti are you this big a whiner on the football field?"
Kyle won the next game and sneered at Sera.
"Premature gloating will burn you every time Davidson."
Sera stuck her tongue out at him.
The last game was the closest. Sera took the lead in the beginning but
Kyle gained on her quickly. He sank his last shot with very little effort,
and even called "Eight ball in the side pocket" before successfully
making that one too.
He did a victory dance around the table before sidling up to Sera.
"I believe you owe me popcorn and a movie."
"You only won because I was wearing this dress. I'd have kicked your ass if
I were wearing pants. I knew I should have taken it off."
"Any time you want to play strip pool its more than OK with me...just
promise to tell me when and where I can view such an event."
"All in due time Kyle," she leaned into him grinning as he heard his
breath catch. "All in due time. Just as he began to duck his head
toward her she pulled back. "I guess its time to make good on my bet.
Come on, Angelina Jolie awaits."
***************
Standing in line for the movie Kyle tried to reason with Sera.
"I invited you, I'm not making you pay for our date."
"No, you won fair and square...well you won. I don't intend on listening
to you complain about me not paying my debts."
She stepped to the window. "Two please."
"On me." Kyle tried to get his money to the cashier first.
"I believe I was here before you. Now behave." she took the tickets
and her change from the cashier. She handed one ticket to Kyle.
As he opened the door to let her in the theater she leaned close to him and
whispered in his ear. "You can work it off later."
His eyes popped at her suggestion and he looked at her in awe. "You're going to be an interesting addition to Roswell, have I mentioned that?"
Inside Kyle insisted on paying or the popcorn and refused to take money from
Sera. He handed her the popcorn and they walked to the drink station to fill
their glasses. Kyle filled hers with ice and started to push the button for root
beer when he turned to her.
"Root Beer right?"
"Yeah."
Kyle carried their drinks, put the popcorn in the crook of his arm and they
walked to theater two. He looked at the ticket taker like she was crazy when
she asked him for his ticket.
"Where did you put it?" Sera asked
"In my pocket."
He started to hand her some of the concessions, but she waved him off.
Reaching into his pants pocket she located the ticket.
Sera grinned as he sucked in his breath. Kyle had realized what she was
going to do about a split second before she did it. He of course made no
move to stop her, but he still couldn't believe that she actually did it.
Sera handed the ticket taker both tickets then pulled on Kyle's shirt and led
him into the theater.
They sat down and Sera took her drink and the popcorn from Kyle.
"What?"
"Plan on reaching into my pants at other times this evening?"
"Play your cards right!"
Kyle choked on his root beer.
"We don't have to sit thorough the movie if you don't want to." he said,
leering at her.
"Mr. Valenti. I'll kindly remind you that this is our first date! I have no
intention of parking behind the high school and going at it in the back seat
of your car." she cried in mock indignation.
"Is that what your mother meant by `don't go behind the school'?"
"She kept needling me about our plans this evening, so I told her that to shut
her up."
"Did it work?"
"Kind of."
The theater darkened and the trailers rolled across the screen.
"So, just to be clear, that's a no to going to the school."
Sera shot him a dirty look in the dark, but she couldn't help the smile that
played on the corners of her mouth.
"Are you asking me to defy my mother?"
Kyle leaned forward and placed a quick kiss on her lips.
"I wouldn't dream of it."
He sat back in his chair stealing a glance at Sera and happy to see that for
once SHE was the one who was closing her eyes and exhaling sharply.
Tomb Raider began and at the first sight of Lara Croft, Kyle whistled.
Sera raised her eyebrows at him and he grinned sheepishly.
"What? She's hot"
Lara's butler appeared on screen and Sera sat up excitedly.
"RIMMER!" She exclaimed.
"Who?"
"Rimmer, from Red Dwarf."
"What the hell is Red Dwarf?"
"It's a BBC sci-fi show. It's hilarious! I have a few eps on tape, you should
watch it with me some time."
"The BBC huh? Sounds fascinating."
"Hey, British comedy is awesome. Are you seriously telling me that you don't
like Monty Python?"
"I loved A Fish Called Wanda does that count?"
"It's a start."
********
When the movie ended they made their way to the parking lot, once outside,
they ran into Maria, Michael, Isabel and Iz's date Andrew.
"Hey guys!"
"Hi Sera. How are you."
"Fine Isabel, good to see you."
"Kyle Valenti, Sera Davidson. This is Andrew Taggert."
He extended his hand to Kyle.
"My friends call me Tag."
Kyle rolled his eyes at Iz.
"Pleasure to meet you." Sera smiled at “Tag” and shook his hand
before turning her gaze to Maria and Michael.
"What did you guys see?"
"The Fast and the Furious baby.” Maria exclaimed.
"Did you like it?"
Maria put her hand on Sera's arm. "Honey, it's a movie I highly
recommend-Vin Diesel has a body that DOES NOT quit! And really there
is just not enough that can be said about the hotness of Paul Walker!"
"Sounds good to me."
"Hello," Kyle complained. "We are standing right here!"
"And?" All three girls asked.
"I knew it was trouble for them to get together." he told Michael
"How was Tomb Raider?" Iz asked.
"She was hot."
"The movie was good too." Sera said, giving an actual answer to Iz's
question.
"What you guys can talk about Vin Diesel, like that's his real name, but I'm
not allowed to talk about Angelina Jolie. That’s a double standard."
"Actually it's reserved just for you, so it's really called the Valenti standard."
Iz joked.
"And we will see you later!" Kyle said, taking Sera by the arm
And pretending to leave.
[b["Oh, is Kyle upset because we picked on him?" Maria assured him.
"Really, we wouldn't do it if we didn't love you." Iz reasoned.
"Yes we would!" Sera and Michael answered together.
"Geez, if this is the way you guys treat your friends I'd hate to see how you treat your enemies!"
A quick look passed between the group at Tag’s comment.
"Oh, we're much more subtle with someone we don't like."
Sera deadpanned.
"Unless it's someone we REALLY dislike. Pam Troy!"
(The latter was coughed rather than spoken-Think Iceman in Top Gun "Bullshit!")
"Well gang. Sera and I better get going. If I bring her home too late the
Whitman's probably won't let me take her out again."
Maria, Iz and Sera looked at each other and grinned.
"It was nice to meet you Andr...uh Tag." Kyle shook his hand again,
then turned to hug Isabel. "I don't like him" he whispered in her ear.
"Ow!" he rubbed the back of his head where she smacked him.
"We'll talk about it tomorrow." Iz said her eyes flashing.
"You were so right about this dress." Sera told Maria as she hugged her.
"Of course I was. I think I know by now what makes Buddha Boy tick."
"Buddha Boy?"
"Sorry old nickname. He doesn't really go by that anymore."
"I'll keep it on file though." Sera smiled and reached for Iz.
"Any sparkage?" Sera asked as they turned from the group.
"Maybe. I don't know. What about you two?"
"So far so good. I'm hoping for great by the end of the night."
Iz laughed. "Please promise me one thing."
"Anything."
"Never tell me."
Sera rolled her eyes and playfully smacked Iz's arm.
"Tag, it was nice to meet you. Michael always a pleasure. See ya guys."
Bye Sera, I'll call you tomorrow, Kyle I'll see you at home." Maria called as
Kyle and Sera waved one last time then left hand in hand, in search of the
Mustang.
Watching them walk away Maria threw her arms around Michael's neck and
squealed as she did on the Vegas trip.
Michael looked at Tag over the top of Maria’s head. "Chicks are weird!"
************
Kyle and Sera sat in the Whitman's drive looking at the stars.
"So when you said that you were worried that the rents would never let
you take me out again, I guess that means you're planning on us having a
second date?"
"If you're agreeable."
Sera tilted her face to his and smiled. "I think that can be arranged."
Closing his eyes he kissed her, softly at first then a bit more playful. He
captured her bottom lip between his teeth and gave it a tug.
They broke apart and Kyle gazed at her.
How is it possible that she looks more beautiful?
Sera couldn't be sure if her flushed cheeks were a result of the way Kyle was
staring at her or the fact that she had just had the most amazing kiss of her
entire life.
Wow, when can we do that again?
As if he heard her, Kyle lowered his head to hers and kissed her again. He
wound his hand through her dark hair and pulled her closer.
Suddenly the porch lights snapped on and the teens broke apart.
If Sera thought her cheeks were flushed before it didn’t compare to how hot
they felt now.
"I think that's my cue. My mother suffers from OPMS.
"OPMS?
"Over Protective Mother Syndrome."
Kyle laughed, "Be thankful she didn't pull an Amy."
"An Amy?"
"Amy found Michael in Maria's bed one morning...they just slept, but that
didn't stop Amy from whacking him with a rolled up newspaper a few times."
"You're kidding!"
"Honest to Buddha!"
"You guys have the best stories! I can't wait to hear some of the others!"
Kyle smiled a bit uneasily, "Well, before your mother finds something
to smack me with, how about I get you inside?"
"OK."
They walked to the door holding hands.
"I had a great time."
"Me too. If you still need help putting those butterflies up tomorrow give
me a call."
"Thanks, I will. Thanks for dinner and my popcorn."
"Well thank you for the movie. I need to beat you at pool more often."
Sera lightly shoved him. "Asking for a rematch?"
He grinned. "Bring it on."
She returned his smile and kissed him again.
"Goodnight."
"Nite."
Turning the knob she found the door unlocked. She looked at him and shook
her head.
"OPMS!"
He laughed and waved again as she closed the door.
She watched out the window until the Mustang pulled out of the drive before
she turned around to head upstairs.
Tiptoeing past the living room she was ALMOST to the stairs when she heard
Nicole's voice.
"Did you have a nice time."
Crap!
"Yeah, it was great." She said coming in to the living room. "Dinner was
tasty and the movie was good. We ran in to Michael, Maria and Isabel on the
way home. They saw The Fast and the Furious and said it was a must see."
"Did you go anywhere else?"
"No mother we avoided the high school."
Nicole chuckled at her daughter.
“Just teasing.”
"I know. It was nice, he was nice. It was the best date I've had in forever."
Nicole smoothed Sera's hair.
"I'm glad honey."
"Now are you going to continue the twenty questions or can I go upstairs?
"I guess you pass post date inspection...you may go."
Sera kissed her mother's c
Title: Starting Over
Author: LizabethR2D2
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I owned these characters/this show I do not! They belong to Melinda Mets, Jason Katims, the WB and UPN networks and the amazing actors who portrayed them! I guess I do own Sera, but I’d be willing to trade her for Colin Hanks!!!
Category: CC
Rating: Adult (It will vary chapter to chapter, but let’s just be safe and say Adult to cover all our bases!)Summary: Alternate Season 3-Picking up a few weeks after the WB Season 2 Finale. This is the Season 3 that I would have liked to see televised, our CCs are together, no one is going to a Vermont boarding school, no one moves to NYC and no one marries Delko! Just good old fashioned Season 1 type entertainment. (At least I like to think so!) [/b]
WHITMAN HOME
Sera hopped out of bed as soon as the alarm buzz registered in her subconscious. She grabbed her robe and dashed to the shower.
She smiled as she adjusted the water temperature.
Tonight she was finally going out with Kyle, ALONE.
I was beginning to think that he was never going to ask.
I figured that he was just a huge flirt who talked a big game, but never did anything about it. I can't believe I'm this giddy over some guy!
Then again Kyle Valenti, is more than just "some guy."
He’s good-looking, charming, funny, an incredible flirt, and is
becoming a great friend.[/b]
She'd been in Roswell for three weeks, and the majority of that time
she'd spent with Kyle. Granted, it was mostly during group outings or
while he ate lunch at the Crashdown. But for now she was willing
to accept quantity over quality. Until now!
As she stepped in the shower and felt the warm water cascade over her,
she planned her day.
Work on the butterflies in my room till my shift starts. Obsess
with Maria over what I should wear tonight. Come home in time for
another quick shower and just enough time to look dazzling before Kyle
picks me up.
Running a freshly lathered shower puff over her body, she thought back to his invitation.
"Hey Sera, what are you doing Saturday night?"
"I work till 6, after that I'm not sure. You?"
"I was wondering if you wanted to see Tomb Raider with me."
Maria, who'd been filling a glass at the soda machine turned with a smile.
Kyle made a quick jerking motion with his head and she turned back around.
"Yeah, I'd love to go."
"I hear it's a really good movie."
"And it has nothing to do with the fact that Angelina runs around in a
half shirt and short shorts right? Sera said with a smirk.
Maria snickered from her position at the soda machine.
"Of course not," He protested
"Yeah right!" Maria and Sera replied in unison.
"Although I think you'll be distracted by Lara Croft, I'd still like to go
with you!"
"Great, I'll pick you up at 7:00? I figured we could grab a bite and catch
the late show."
"Sounds perfect." she beamed at him.
The water temperature changed, bringing Sera out of her rumination.
She rinsed her hair, turned off the shower and hopped out.
Throwing on her robe, she had just entered her room when she heard her
cell phone's version of the Buffy theme. She grabbed her phone off the
charger and hit the talk button.
"Hello?"
"Chiquita, Its me."
"Hey Maria."
"Listen I know you're not supposed to be here for another two hours or something but..."
"Let me guess, Holly called in sick again?"
"Good guess!"
"Yeah, I can come in. I was just going to work on my room today, but that
can wait."
"Are you sure? I don't want to interfere with your plans."
"No big. I was just going to stencil those butterflies on the walls.
I'll just see if I can sweet talk Kyle into helping me."
"I see, enticing Kyle into your bedroom you little slut!" Maria cackled.
"MARIA! Do you want me to come in or not?"
"Just kidding!!"
"OK, I just got out of the shower so give me about a half an hour and
I'll be there."
"I so owe you!"
"And I plan to collect!"
"See ya in a few."
As she hung up, Sera turned to the stencils and paint scattered on her desk.
"I promise I'll get to you tomorrow."
She was sure if they could talk, they'd tell her that she had been saying that
for a week.
CRASHDOWN CAFÉ
Sera walked from the kitchen to the counter where Maria was making a
Blood of Alien smoothie.
"I'm here."
"Oh my God, I've never been so happy to see someone in my life. Its like everyone in town decided to come in for breakfast. Don't they know
there is a perfectly good McDonald's two blocks down the road?
"Now Maria, how can you possibly compare a McFlurry with our very own Blood of Alien Smoothie. Just look at its lovely green hue."
"Funny! Let me know if you think things are so amusing when you've
been here for an hour with all the crazies. And Michael I swear to god if
you ding that bell one more time I will KILL you!"
"You've got two orders that have been up for 5 minutes. I'm getting backed up here."
"Well I guess I know where to start. Maria, where do these go?" Sera asked, playing peacemaker.
"Uh, take the UFOs to table three and this smoothie goes with the waffles over to table eight."
"Got it."
Thanks again for coming in early Sera. It means a lot."
"Anytime."
Sera distributed the food on her tray to its proper locations. She took orders from the tables in what would have been
Holly's section if she'd bothered to come in. As she took the order slips to the window she tried to make small talk with
Michael. He offered her an occasional grunt and a few `yeah, sures' before Maria told her not to bother.
"He's grumpy in the morning."
"Yeah, and you're little miss sunshine."
"See."
"OK guys, call a truce. We're going to be here all day, I think it will go better
if you don't trade barbs for the next eight hours."
"But it's so fun!" Maria whined
"Come on, we have about 15 tables to wait on."
"Ugh, don't remind me."
They worked the tables effortlessly; it was the counter customers who were
the biggest pains in the ass. They always seemed to ask for more coffee only when the girls had their hands full with trays or plates.
Sera was nearly at her breaking point with an elderly lady at the end
of the counter. She wanted blueberry syrup on her UFO cakes but she
wanted it heated, not too hot. She wanted half-decaf, half regular coffee
in a warm mug with cream, but only real cream, not the powdered variety.
Sera took both pots to her mug so the woman could measure the exact quantity. When she finished the lady took a sip and asked if she could have her mug reheated. The coffee simply wasn't hot enough.
Sera plastered on her best fake smile and said "No problem. I'll be
right back."
She pushed through the swinging doors that led into the kitchen.
Popping the mug in the microwave she punched the keypad and turned
to Michael.
"How many years do you think I'd get for lacing the coffee of that Mrs. Doubtfire out there with arsenic?"
Michael gave her a weird look and she pointed out the order window to
the end of the counter.
"That's Mrs. Myers. She's a regular. Liz and Maria play rock, paper,
scissors to see who has to wait on her."
"I was never given that option!"
"Personally if I were on the jury you'd get off Scott free."
Sera grinned and took the warm mug out of the microwave. She placed it on the
counter in front of Mrs. Myers and smiled.
"There you are. How's that?"
Mrs. Myers took a sip and pondered for a moment. "Much better dearie,
thank you."
"Sure."
She started to turn away when Mrs. Myers called out.
"Dear do you think you could re-heat my syrup? It's gone a bit cold."
Sera gritted her teeth and turned around.
"Sure!"
Maria was picking up an order when Sera made her second trip to the kitchen. As she passed she shot Maria a death look and pushed the doors open.
Michael laughed when she came in.
"Back so soon?"
"Laugh it up fuzzball!"
"Listen, Princess."
Sera laughed, "You know most people don't get my Star Wars
quotes. You're quick."
"Empire rocks!."
"Amen to that."
When the microwave beeped AGAIN, Sera took the syrup out to Mrs. Myers.
"Anything else I can get for you?"
Please say no
"No I think everything looks OK for now."
"Great. I'll be right over here if you need anything."
"Mrs. Myers giving you trouble? Maria asked as both girls took a breather.
"How could you stick me with her after I came in to help you?"
Hey, that's the way it worked out. Mr. P scheduled Holly to work that section. And because you are the generous soul you are, you got stuck with Mrs. Myers!"
"Remind me the next time you want a favor, NOT to do it for you!"
"Hey, at least you don't have the Stinky Cheese Man over here."
"Who?"
"That guy, he works at the cheese factory and he stinks...therefore
"The Stinky Cheese Man." they finished together.
One of Maria's tables was low on drinks so she scooted off to make refills
just as the bell over the door rang again and Vicki Delany walked in with a
guy Sera didn't know. They found a table in her section, Vicki waving as
she sat down.
"Hi Vicki, How are you?"
"Hi Sera. When did you start here?"
"Right when I got into town. My step-dad called Mr. Parker and set it up."
"Wow, you were busy when you got here, trying out for the squad, getting a job."
"I'm never happy unless I've got twenty things going at once."
"Sounds familiar. Vicki laughed. God I'm sorry. Sera Davidson, this is Jake Winger, Jake, Sera."
"Hey."
"Hey, nice to meet you. Can I get you guys something to drink?"
"Yeah, I'll have diet coke."
"Uh, Martian milkshake. Chocolate." Jake mumbled
"OK, you guys check out the menu while I'll get your drinks and
I'll be back to get your order."
Sera was at the shake machine when she heard Maria's sultry voice
behind her. "Sooo, excited about tonight?"
Sera turned to face her friend not even trying to hide her smile.
"A little obvious huh?"
"Just a little. Wanna hear something hilarious?"
"Always!"
"Kyle was singing this morning."
"What? No way!"
"Honest to God."
"What was he singing."
"Please. I could barely hear him I was laughing so hard. I really
couldn't make out what it was."
"I think the more important question is why was he singing?"
Michael called from the kitchen
"Michael, girl talk! Go away."
"No Maria he raises an good point. Why is Kyle singing, and why do you
find it so amusing?"
"Hello! Earth to Sera? Have you not noticed that when Kyle gets around
you he looks like a smitten love puppy? I never knew him to sing
before you came to town, and I've known that boy for MANY years!!"
"You really think it had to do with me."
"Yes crazy girl I do. But I can't go into any more detail."
"Why?"
"Because he's heading in our direction."
Sera finished Jake's Martian Milkshake and quickly filled a glass of
Diet Coke for Vicki, before turning to see Kyle grab a seat at the
counter. Maria took the drinks from Sera, and placed them on her tray.
"Go."
"I have to take those to Vicki and Jake."
"Go Wait On Kyle."Maria said stressing every word
"Mar...
"GO! I'll not tell you again."
Sera flashed Maria a huge smile.
"I love you."
"I know. Can I borrow your Prada bag tonight?"
"It's yours for a week if you want it."
"Score! Now hurry, I don't want Kyle to pull a Max and serenade you!"
"What?"
"I'll explain later!" she called as she walked to Vicki and Jake's table
Sera took out her order pad and walked to Kyle.
"Hi."
"Hey you. What are you doing here so early?"
"I was just going to ask you the same thing. I thought you took lunch at noon, Its 11:30" she said consulting his watch.
"Yeah, Toby's letting me off early. So I have to take an earlier lunch.
What are you doing here? I thought you didn't come in till noon."
"Maria called at 9:30 to see if I could come in early."
Kyle glanced around. "No Holly?"
"No Holly."
"I wouldn't make a regular habit of covering for her. She'll call in
sick more often."
"Is that even possible?"
"She'll event a way!"
"The sad thing is, her shift was only from 9-1."
"I think the morning cartoons were too much of a temptation
to pass up!"
Sera laughed, "I guess since you're here for lunch we should
feed you sometime soon. Do you know what you want?"
Kyle had to fight the urge to respond YOU.
"Uh, yeah, Just a Sigourney Weaver, medium with a side of Saturn rings.
And tell Michael medium means it should have some pink in the middle."
"If you want to criticize Michael's cooking go right ahead, but don't have me do your dirty work for you."
"Chicken."
"I'll get your order in. What can I get you to drink?"
"Root beer."
"Be right back."
"So, dinner a movie and then..."
Kyle turned to see Maria perched at his elbow.
"Where did you come from?"
"I was over there with Vicki and Jake. Don't try and change the subject."
"What subject?"
"The subject of where you are taking Sera after dinner and the movie."
"I don't know, probably home. It's a first date Maria."
"What's this? The great Kyle Valenti not taking a girl to Buckley Point!
I'm shocked!"
"I didn't say I wasn't taking her there ever, I'm just saying its not in the plans right now."
"What's not in the plans?" Sera asked returning with Kyle's root beer.
"Uh, uh..." Kyle stuttered looking at Maria desperately for help.
"It's not in the plans for him to go into work tomorrow."
"Oh great. I'm going to stencil those butterflies in my room and I
wanted to enlist your help...if you're free."
"Uh yeah, sure."
"I mean, if you already have plans its cool. I just..."
"No. I'd love to be in your room, Help. Help you in your room."
"Great! Hang on a second." she hopped over to Vicki and Jake's table
to offer them refills.
As soon as she was gone Kyle dropped his head in his hands.
"Smooth!" Maria teased.
"Shut up! You weren't much help."
"What are you talking about? I totally saved the day."
"It's not in the plans for me to go to work tomorrow? Maria you've been
lying on the spot for nearly three years and that's the best you could
come up with."
"Sorry. Next time I'll leave you to sputter and squirm."
"I'd love to be in your room? Did I really say that?"
"You bet Romeo!"
They quieted as Sera brought Vicki's glass to the soda machine and refilled it. She reached under the counter, got a clean glass out for Jake, filled it with ice and coke and took both glasses back to their table.
"So what were you singing this morning?" Maria asked when Sera
was again out of earshot.
"You heard me?"
"Yeah, it was a little hard to hear over my hysterical laughter, but I caught some of it. What were you singing?"
"No force on this planet will get me to tell you that."
"A piping hot Sigourney Weaver and Saturn rings." Sera proclaimed
setting the platter in front of Kyle.
"This looks great. Thanks."
"Sure."
"Oh look, Sean's here." Maria announced without enthusiasm.
"Who's Sean?" Sera asked looking from Kyle to Maria.
"My deadbeat cousin."
"Maria" Kyle said, his mouth full.
"Sorry. Habit. Kyle and Sean have become pretty good friends over the
past few months."
"Hey gang." Sean said as he walked up and snagged food from Kyle's plate
"Hey buddy. Sure, help yourself to my Saturn rings, I don't mind."
"I didn't think you would."
"Sean."
"M."
Sean stopped, gazing at Sera with interest.
"Hello!"
"Hi."
"And who might you be?"
"I might be a lot of people, but my name is Sera."
"Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too."
Kyle picking up on the flirting, quickly moved into action.
"So Sera, where do you want to have dinner tonight."
"I don't know what's a good place?" she asked turning to Maria.
"Yeah, like Michael takes me out to dinner."
"Liz said something about Senor Chow's, is that nice?"
"Yeah, we can go there."
"So you're new in town?" Sean asked, knowing he was ruffling
Kyle's feathers.
"Just moved here about three weeks ago."
"She's Mr. Whitman's step-daughter." Maria explained.
"Cool."Sean replied, pilfering a few more of Kyle's Saturn rings
"Can I get you your own food or do you prefer to just pick off Kyle's plate?"
"Yeah, give me a slice of Men in Blackberry pie with vanilla ice cream."
"Hot?"
"Very hot." Sean snickered his eyes roaming over Sera.
Maria reached across the counter to smack Sean upside the head as Kyle elbowed him in the ribs.
"Let me rephrase, do you want your pie heated?"
"That sounds great."
"Be right back."
"She's feisty Valenti, you'd better hold on to this one."
"How is it that you've been gone for a month to “find yourself” yet come back equally as obnoxious as when you left?" Maria queried.
"What can I say? You bring out the best in me."
The cousins made faces at each other until Sera came back with Sean's pie.
"Enjoy."
"OK guys, I have to head out. If I'm not back soon, Toby won't be so willing
to let me go home early. Thanks for the food." Kyle rose and laid a ten on
the counter.
"I'll see you tonight." He directed at Sera, she nodded and smiled shyly.
"Kyle wait, your change." She started after him
"Keep it."
"Thanks."
He winked at her. "Sure. See you Maria, Sean."
"Later."
"So are you planning on inhabiting the new DeLuca/Valenti home or will
you be staying in your car?" Maria asked her cousin.
"I plan on moving in to the new homestead...if the nearly newlyweds
are agreeable."
Vicki and Jake came to the counter and paid their tab to Sera, after they'd gone she went on a sweep of her tables, checking to see if anyone needed anything.
"She would just like to know if you're going to stick around for more than a week."
"Yeah, I plan on sticking around. Especially now that there are so many interesting developments." he was gawking at Sera as she refilled a coffee cup.
"Hey," Maria yelled as she smacked him. "What did I tell you about checking out my friends? Do you know how creepy it is to see you fawning all over them?"
"You never let me have any fun."
"You're right. It's my goal in life to rob you of any kind of amusement. Especially when it involves dark-haired Crashdown waitresses. I'm sensing
a pattern here."
"Fine, fine. So is Aunt Amy home?"
"Yeah, Sheriff, uh Jim, didn't have to go in till tonight so I think they were going go over the guest list. November is fast approaching."
"So you're OK with this? Aunt Amy and Sheriff Valenti?"
"Yeah, Jim's a great guy and I think I can handle living with Kyle."
"Now I just have to try and live with both of you."
"You're moving in with Kyle and Maria?" Sera asked as she re-joined
them at the counter.
"Yeah. So I'll be around quite a bit."
"How wonderful for us!" Sera joked.
"All right vixens, I can take a hint. I'll see you two later."
"Bye." they replied in unison
"OK. Now we're finally alone, so what are you going to wear on your date tonight?"
"I haven't decided yet. I'm torn between a blue dress and this little flowered skirt with a white corset top."
"A corset? Won't that be a little binding?"
"No, it's not whale boned, it's corded so it's really comfortable; but it does hold in and UP certain things."
"Hmmm, maybe I could borrow that sometime too. I warned you I was going to be raiding your closet a lot."
"I still haven't had a look at yours. I'm sure you've got some amazing finds."
"Please like those will fit into my clothes." Maria laughed pointing in the vicinity of Sera's chest.
"Shut up. You have a great figure."
"I'll second that." Michael said suddenly behind them. He bent to kiss Maria's neck.
"Hey!"
"Jose's here, I'm going to lunch with Max. When are you taking yours?"
"I don't know we really haven't had a chance to talk about that yet."
"You two go to lunch together. I'll hold down the fort."
"No way, I can't do that to you. We get slammed on Saturday lunches."
"Look Mr. Parker is here now so I have him for backup." Sera pointed
through the order window to Jeff who was entering with one of the
delivery guys. "Besides, you'll be back in a half hour. I think I can manage
for that long."
"OK, If you get in too deep call me on my cell."
"I'll be fine. Have fun. Tell Max I say hello."
"Okay, If you’re sure, Hey Mr. Parker." Maria said as Jeff entered the restaurant area.
"Hello Maria, Michael. Taking your lunch?"
"Yeah, we're were a bit worried about leaving Sera here alone but she keeps insisting."
"Well I think the two of us will be OK, you two have fun."
"OK, See ya."
They exited the front door and across the street to pick up Max before heading out to lunch.
The hour was busy but Sera and Mr. Parker handled it well. Maria and Michael walked back into the Crashdown to see Dan McCarey at a table with Kevin Franklin and Tim Malamud. Kevin dropped his spoon on the floor in front of Sera. She stopped to pick it up, providing Dan a view from the rear and Kevin the chance to look down the front of her uniform. Maria started to walk over to their table and tell them off but Michael took her arm.
"Wait."
"Here you go BOYS. Will there be anything else."
"Sure baby, how about you phone number." Kevin asked.
Sera smiled sweetly at him. "Sure sweetie, its 555-Zero Chance! Resorting to childish pranks to peek down a girl's shirt is so not a turn-on. Funny thing is, if you had just asked, I might have been willing to give you a good look. Here's your check you can pay at the counter. Have a nice day."
She turned from their table and walked to the back. Maria and Michael followed her inside.
"Oh my God Sera, I was about to come rescue you, but you CLEARLY didn’t need my help That was great!!"
"Nice."Michael said nodding his head
Sera smiled as she opened her locker and grabbed her purse.
"Thanks, It was tough not to go with my original instinct and dump their milkshakes in their laps."
"Were they hitting on you the whole time?" Michael asked.
"Pretty much."
"They used to do that to me until they figured out that I was with Michael...that put a stop to the harassment REAL quick. Liz is lucky, because she used to
date Kyle they leave her alone."
Sera closed her locker door with more force than she intended as she spun
to face Maria.
"Kyle and Liz used to date?"
"We didn't tell you that?"
"No, I just kinda assumed that she and Max had been together since infancy."
"You'd think so, but no. She dated Kyle about three years ago."
"Wow!"
"Tell me about it!"
"Was it serious?"
"No, it might have been, but Max entered the picture and you know the rest."
"I say again, wow! Well that will give me something to ponder for awhile! OK, I'm going home to grab my clothes and bring them in for your perusal. I should be back in 20."
"Are you going to eat lunch on your lunch break?"
"I'll grab some pasta salad or something, Charles made some last night for dinner and we had a ton left."
"So long as you eat!"
"Thanks Mom!"
"Just looking out for you Chica."
"I'll be back soon."
Sera whipped into her driveway and put the SUV in park. She hopped out
and ran inside.
"Mom? Charles? Hello?"
Getting no response she sprinted up the stairs straight to her closet and
grabbed the outfits she was considering for tonight. Looking around she
spotted a garment bag and put both selections in it. As she started to exit her closet she spotted the Prada bag Maria asked her about earlier. She grabbed it and threw it over her shoulder. Sera got half way to her car when she realized that she forgot the pasta salad in the fridge. She tossed the bags into the back seat of the Pathfinder then ran inside to get her lunch.
Reaching the Crashdown with ten minutes left in her lunch break she
parked the car, walked into the café and motioned to Maria.
"I brought the clothes."
"Be right there."
Sera pulled the outfits out of the garment bag and placed them on her locker. She snagged a fork from the dish drainer and was just about to dig in to her lunch when Maria entered the break room.
”So, let's see!
Sera set her lunch aside and took the blue dress off her locker.
Maria's eyes lit up.
"I like that!"
"You don't think its too revealing?"
"Kyle likes revealing."
"Maria!"
"No I really like it, it matches your eyes."
"What about this?"[/b/]
She held up the corset top.
"Save that for another night! I know! Fourth of July!!"
"Are we doing something for the Fourth?" Sera asked.
"Of course! I'm not exactly sure what that is yet but lets just say it
involves you wearing that shirt in front of Kyle, and copious amounts
of body glitter!"
"Body glitter? Now that sounds fun!"
"Oh it is! I assure you!"
Maria's eyes suddenly landed on the Prada bad sitting on the couch.
"Is that what I think it is?"
"Yep, you asked for it, so it's yours."
"Ahhh! Thank you!"
"I can't wait to see Isabel's face when she sees me with this!"
Maria laughed.
"Now, I didn't give you that bag so you could use it for evil." Sera warned.
"I promise I'll be good. Well, after I parade it in front of her and she's green with envy, THEN I'll be good."
Sera shook her head. "I've created a monster."
Maria placed the bag in her locker and sighed heavily, "Well, I guess we'd better get back out there. I'm sure there are some annoying customers waiting for food."
"Do we have to?"
"Yeah, but just think, soon Liz and Christina will be here and they get the dinner crowd! Does that make you feel better."
"I'd feel better if they came in now."
"I second that emotion...come on," Maria grabbed Sera's arm
"And don't forget your lunch, you can eat it at the counter."
The café was considerably less crowded in the afternoon than from 10-2.
The girls had six tables between them. They were filling sugar containers
when Liz and Nancy returned from their shopping excursion around 3:15.
"Uh Liz? Did you leave anything in the stores?" Maria asked noticing
the volume of shopping bags the Parker women were carrying.
"Maria we didn't buy that much!"
"Three shopping bags apiece...Sera do you think that's a lot?
"Certainly not. When you have to get someone to help you carry the bags
out to your car then you might have a problem."
"See, I told you we'd didn't go overboard," Liz said looking at her mother.
"How was it today?" Liz asked glancing around at the nearly empty restaurant
"Not too bad, but Holly called in sick again so I had to call Sera
in early."
"You have to be kidding me! She does all the time. Thanks for coming
in Sera."
"I only came in so I'd have something to hold over Maria's head!"
Sera smiled, her deep blue eyes flashing.
The girls laughed as Liz rifled through her bags to show them her latest purchases.
When the café failed to pick up by 4:30, Mr. Parker told Sera and Maria they could go.
"You girls have been here all day. Go home! Have a fun night."
"Thanks Mr. Parker." Maria hugged him.
"Michael, you were a part of the morning crew too. Go on, get out of here!"
Michael didn't need to be told twice. He quickly shed his apron, and hung
it on a hook near the door, then turned to Maria.
"Lets go."
She grabbed her purse, Sera's bag and Michael's keys from her locker.
Sera closed her locker door and threw her clothes over her arm.
"Ready?" Maria asked
"All set!"
The trio walked outside to Sera's SUV and Michael's motorcycle.
"The dress, you're sure?"
"Positive! And don't forget to call me tomorrow and tell me how things went!" Maria said
"OK, you two have fun!"
"I plan on it!" Michael said with a lascivious grin.
Sera raised her eyes at her friends and waved goodbye.
MICHAEL'S APARTMENT
Michael sped to his apartment as quickly as he could without driving
recklessly or exceeding the speed limit. The last thing he needed was for
Jim or one of his deputies to catch him in the vicinity of his apartment with
Maria when Amy thought they were at work. Mr. Parker had given the duo
a nice hour and a half window to play with, and he really didn't want to cut
it short.
They entered the apartment, Michael went for the fridge and grabbed a
Snapple, while Maria dropped her stuff on the couch and went straight to his
bedroom. Michael followed her, grinning, "Little anxious aren't we?"
"I'm so tired," she moaned, her face buried in his pillow. Do we have
to go to dinner with Isabel tonight?"
Michael took a long pull of the Snapple. "Yes, it's a double date. She
can't exactly do that without us there."
"Michael," Maria said, lifting her head. "What do you think of her
dating so soon after Alex?"
"I don't know, she had a rough year, with Whitaker, Grant, Alex and
everything else. Maybe its good that she's moving on."
"I guess," she said flatly.
"What?"
"Its just it seems so soon."
"Maria, its not like she's going to marry the guy. Its one date."
"I know, I just feel like she's pulled away from us since he...since then."
Michael walked to the bed, set his Snapple on the floor as he knelt
and took Maria's face in his hands.
"She'll be OK, just let her work through it in her own way."
Maria smiled and gazed at her boyfriend. "I love you."
He returned her smile. "I love you too."
"So are you going to join me here or what?" she asked him suggestively,
patting the bed.
He grinned and pounced on her. As he undid the buttons of her uniform
Michael whispered against her skin, "You know we only have about an
hour."
"Well then Spaceboy, use it to your advantage."
WHITMAN HOME
Sera puttered around the kitchen trying to avoid her mother's questions
about her evening. It wasn't working. Nicole seemed very interested in
Sera and Kyle's date.
"Come on, what if I need to reach you?"
"Mother I have a cell phone. You know how to reach me."
"Charles and I were thinking of taking in a film tonight...maybe we can go
with you."
"Mom!"
"Maybe we'll call Jim and Amy, we can all go, wouldn't that be fun?"
"Why are you needling me?"
"I'm just curious where Kyle is planning on taking my baby girl."
"Fine! My itinerary for this evening is dinner and a movie. Then we're going to
stop by this house party where some kids are selling drugs out of the basement.
After that we're going to park behind the school, get high and have sex in the
back seat of his car. Happy?"
"Sera! I was just teasing."
"Yeah, but from now on you'll think twice about picking on me won't you!"
"You are an evil child."
"I live to torment you." Sera smiled at her mother as she wiped her hands
on a towel.
"All right. I get the hint." Nicole promised, pulling two steaks out of
the refrigerator. "So is this the first time the two of you have gone out
alone?"
"Yeah, it's usually the group, but it's just the two of us tonight. Speaking of
which I'd better start getting ready. Did you need anything else other than the
spinach dip?"
"No, that's all. I appreciate it."
"Sure. I'm going to take a shower and get ready. Kyle said he'd pick me up at
7:00."
*********
After her shower Sera was singing along to “Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee” from
her Grease soundtrack as she dried her hair. So caught up in the lyrics, she
didn't notice her mother standing in her door watching with an amused
expression. She turned around to grab her makeup bag and gasped when she
saw Nicole.
"Mom! You scared me," Sera cried, turning down her music. "How long
have you been standing there?"
"From Beauty School Drop-Out. You've always loved that movie."
"One of my top tens. What's up?"
"Kyle called, said he was running a bit late. He'd be here by 7:15."
"Oh, OK."
"Is that what you're wearing?" Nicole asked glancing toward closet
door where Sera's dress was hanging.
"Yes...why?
"Oh nothing....its nice."
"OK spill what don't you like about it?
"It's just a little strappy that's all."
"Mom, for the past three years I've paraded around on national television in
skimpy cheerleading costumes and you never said a word. What's the what?"
Nicole smiled, "I guess I'm being an overprotective parent, I've just never
seen you this silly over a boy before."
"If I'm lucky, he'll be the last one I'm silly about for awhile. Now, go fix
dinner...I have to finish getting ready."
"I'm going!"
"Hey Mom," Nicole turned. "I love you."
"I love you too sweetie." Nicole said and headed downstairs.
Sera sighed as she began applying her makeup. "Mothers!"
***********
Seven after seven, Kyle rang the Whitman's doorbell. Sera ran to get it but
Charles shooed her away.
"If I recall the lady should wait until the gentleman has been received by
the parents and they ask about his intentions."
"What is this 1810? Wait, has my mother been feeding you lines?”
"Yes, she forced me to say that. I apologize."
"Its OK. I know she can be quite the menace."
"I can hear you two!" Nicole called from the kitchen
"Good!"
Charles opened the door to reveal Kyle holding a single yellow rose.
"Hey Mr. Whitman. How are you?"
"Fine Kyle, come in please!"
"Thanks. I'm a little early with my lateness. Sera wasn't expecting me till 7:15."
"But I'm ready nonetheless," she said appearing behind Charles.
Kyle's breath caught in his throat the moment he laid eyes on Sera. .
"Wow You look great."
"Thank you."
"Uh, this is for you," he said extending the hand holding the rose.
"Maria told me yellow stood for friendship, she also said you liked yellow
roses.
"I love them, thank you."
"Hello Kyle,” Nicole said as she entered the foyer. "A yellow rose how
lovely, those are Sera's favorite."
"Mom, could you put that in water for me?"
"Sure."
"Well, you guys enjoy your dinner, I'll be home late, don't wait up." Sera
moved to her mother, handing off her rose and kissing her cheek.
"Bye kids, be careful."
"We will Mr. Whitman"
"Bye."
"Have a good time honey...and Sera?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't go behind the high school tonight, OK?"
Sera's eyes widened. "Mother!"
Sera pulled Kyle out the front door and away from her mother's chuckles.
"What did she mean by that."
"Nothing, it's just my mother's idea of trying to be funny."
"So I made reservations at Senor Chow's at 7:30, we'll just make it in time."
"Great. Are we keeping the top down?" Sera asked as she got into the
Mustang
"Your call."
Let's keep it down, its so pretty out.
"I'll second that," Kyle murmured gazing at her.
Sera unzipped her purse grabbed a thin silk scarf which she quickly wrapped
around her head. "All set." she smiled at him.
They hit Senor Chows with three minutes to spare. Kyle parked the car, hopped
out and held the door for Sera. She put one hand in his hand and unwrapped the
scarf from her head with the other.
"Hey, that was a pretty cool trick. Most girls would have said to leave the
top down and then complained because their hair was screwed up."
"It's not really a trick, I shamelessly stole if from the old movies I watched as a
kid. In those movies, all the actresses would wear a scarf when they rode in a
convertible."
Kyle leaned in close to her. "I still think it's a pretty neat trick."
Once inside, they were escorted to a table and a waiter took their drink order.
Sera looked at the pool table in the corner
"Wanna play after dinner," she asked nodding toward the table.
"You're going to play pool in that dress?"
"I could take it off."
Kyle's jaw was still on the table when the waiter returned with their drinks.
They ordered dinner and sipped their drinks, as they people watched.
"Look at that guy...what is that shirt? Are we back in the 80s? Did I miss the
memo?"
"Actually I think I own that shirt," Kyle replied grimacing.
"Very scary!"
"Don't look now but there is a girl behind you with orange hair."
"No way."
"I think she was trying to go red and it backfired horribly."
"OK, I have to see this, which direction is she."
Directly behind you, just turn around. Wait! Slowly."
Sera turned, took a quick peek at the offending color, and spun back to Kyle.
"OK, that is the most hideous thing I've ever seen."
"Makes me wish Iz was here to see that. Ms. Fashion Police would walk right
up to that woman and demand that she never to attempt self-coloring again."
"You and Isabel are really close huh?"
"Yeah, We just sort of gravitated toward one another after Alex...you know."
"I think it's nice that you guys are all such a tight group."
"We weren't always so friendly. In fact, for a long time there was no love lost
between me and Max, or Michael for that matter."
"Because of Liz?"
"Uh, well yeah--Maria told you about me and Liz?"
"Today. I was surprised. I just don't see the two of you together."
"Yeah, I was surprised by it too, but I was tired of dating the cheerleading
bimbos...uh, can we pretend I didn't just say that."
Well, nice to know what you think of cheerleaders."
"Sera...
"I'm kidding Kyle. I'm well aware of the stereotype associated with being a
cheerleader. I also know that a lot of times it's a well-founded assumption."
"I didn't mean you."
"I know, I'm just having fun watching you squirm."
Dinner arrived and they continued their conversation between bites.
"So besides Liz, who else in the group have you dated?"
"Just Liz."
"Not Isabel?"
"Iz and I are strictly friends."
Sera scrutinized him "No attraction whatsoever?"
"Well, I didn't say that. I mean she is drop dead gorgeous, but we've just
never felt that way about each other."
"Good."
"Good?"
"Good, at least I don't have to worry about that."
"You were worried about me and Iz?"
"I just like to have all my cards laid out on the table." She took a bite of
her Acapulco Chicken and winked at him.
"So, what about you?" Kyle asked
"You're the only person in the group I've gone out on a date with."
Sera joked.
"Come on, be serious."
"There's really not much to tell. I had a steady, but not serious boyfriend last
year; we broke up just before I moved here. There was never even a question
of making it long distance. I swear our relationship was always more about
high school politics than actual emotion."
"Ouch, bitter much?"
"Not bitter, just cynical."
"It's a fine line!"
Sera shook her head in agreement. "So what were Michael and Maria's big
plans, she said they were doing something with Isabel but she didn't give any
details."
"That would be the big double date."
"The what?"
"Iz is going on a date tonight and she didn't want to go alone so she asked, well
asked isn't really the right word, she told Michael and Maria that they were
joining her."
"Is this her first date since..."
"Yeah, she's been fighting guys off for awhile, but she finally said yes to this
one. She met him at school. He's in one of the summer workshops she's taking."
"Must be hard for her. When I lost my dad it was like someone had ripped me
in two. I didn't want to believe it. I felt like it was all just a bad dream and I was
going to wake up at any minute. Wow, Sera, way to bring conversation to a
screeching halt. We can talk about something else."
"No, I mean, its fine. We can talk about Alex."
"I met him once. Did you know that?" Kyle shook his head. "Mom and
Charles had been dating for about a month when they decided that since Alex
and I were about the same age we should meet. So they came to San Diego
and stayed for the weekend. Alex and I hit it off instantly. We liked a lot of
the same books, music, etc. He was really easy to talk to and I loved
hearing his about his trip to Sweden."
Kyle closed his eyes.
"Are you OK?"
"Yeah, I just, uh I remember his Sweden stories too. I think he really liked it
there." He trailed off and Sera decided to change the subject.
"Are you almost done? I'm ready to kick your butt at pool."
"You really think that's going to happen?"
"Movie and popcorn on me if you win."
"And if, by some miracle you happen to win?"
"Same deal...AND I get to drive your car."
"No way!"
"Nervous?"
"No! I just don't let other people drive my car."
"Now that's something I don't understand. What is it about a guy and his car?"
"Its just, its, It's a guy thing."
"That's an answer?"
"It's a firm NO to the car."
"Fine! Chicken."
"Oh it's on now girl."
They walked to the pool table and Kyle racked up. They decided a best two
out of three would determine the winner.
Sera won the first game with a trick shot that Kyle complained about.
"Geez Valenti are you this big a whiner on the football field?"
Kyle won the next game and sneered at Sera.
"Premature gloating will burn you every time Davidson."
Sera stuck her tongue out at him.
The last game was the closest. Sera took the lead in the beginning but
Kyle gained on her quickly. He sank his last shot with very little effort,
and even called "Eight ball in the side pocket" before successfully
making that one too.
He did a victory dance around the table before sidling up to Sera.
"I believe you owe me popcorn and a movie."
"You only won because I was wearing this dress. I'd have kicked your ass if
I were wearing pants. I knew I should have taken it off."
"Any time you want to play strip pool its more than OK with me...just
promise to tell me when and where I can view such an event."
"All in due time Kyle," she leaned into him grinning as he heard his
breath catch. "All in due time. Just as he began to duck his head
toward her she pulled back. "I guess its time to make good on my bet.
Come on, Angelina Jolie awaits."
***************
Standing in line for the movie Kyle tried to reason with Sera.
"I invited you, I'm not making you pay for our date."
"No, you won fair and square...well you won. I don't intend on listening
to you complain about me not paying my debts."
She stepped to the window. "Two please."
"On me." Kyle tried to get his money to the cashier first.
"I believe I was here before you. Now behave." she took the tickets
and her change from the cashier. She handed one ticket to Kyle.
As he opened the door to let her in the theater she leaned close to him and
whispered in his ear. "You can work it off later."
His eyes popped at her suggestion and he looked at her in awe. "You're going to be an interesting addition to Roswell, have I mentioned that?"
Inside Kyle insisted on paying or the popcorn and refused to take money from
Sera. He handed her the popcorn and they walked to the drink station to fill
their glasses. Kyle filled hers with ice and started to push the button for root
beer when he turned to her.
"Root Beer right?"
"Yeah."
Kyle carried their drinks, put the popcorn in the crook of his arm and they
walked to theater two. He looked at the ticket taker like she was crazy when
she asked him for his ticket.
"Where did you put it?" Sera asked
"In my pocket."
He started to hand her some of the concessions, but she waved him off.
Reaching into his pants pocket she located the ticket.
Sera grinned as he sucked in his breath. Kyle had realized what she was
going to do about a split second before she did it. He of course made no
move to stop her, but he still couldn't believe that she actually did it.
Sera handed the ticket taker both tickets then pulled on Kyle's shirt and led
him into the theater.
They sat down and Sera took her drink and the popcorn from Kyle.
"What?"
"Plan on reaching into my pants at other times this evening?"
"Play your cards right!"
Kyle choked on his root beer.
"We don't have to sit thorough the movie if you don't want to." he said,
leering at her.
"Mr. Valenti. I'll kindly remind you that this is our first date! I have no
intention of parking behind the high school and going at it in the back seat
of your car." she cried in mock indignation.
"Is that what your mother meant by `don't go behind the school'?"
"She kept needling me about our plans this evening, so I told her that to shut
her up."
"Did it work?"
"Kind of."
The theater darkened and the trailers rolled across the screen.
"So, just to be clear, that's a no to going to the school."
Sera shot him a dirty look in the dark, but she couldn't help the smile that
played on the corners of her mouth.
"Are you asking me to defy my mother?"
Kyle leaned forward and placed a quick kiss on her lips.
"I wouldn't dream of it."
He sat back in his chair stealing a glance at Sera and happy to see that for
once SHE was the one who was closing her eyes and exhaling sharply.
Tomb Raider began and at the first sight of Lara Croft, Kyle whistled.
Sera raised her eyebrows at him and he grinned sheepishly.
"What? She's hot"
Lara's butler appeared on screen and Sera sat up excitedly.
"RIMMER!" She exclaimed.
"Who?"
"Rimmer, from Red Dwarf."
"What the hell is Red Dwarf?"
"It's a BBC sci-fi show. It's hilarious! I have a few eps on tape, you should
watch it with me some time."
"The BBC huh? Sounds fascinating."
"Hey, British comedy is awesome. Are you seriously telling me that you don't
like Monty Python?"
"I loved A Fish Called Wanda does that count?"
"It's a start."
********
When the movie ended they made their way to the parking lot, once outside,
they ran into Maria, Michael, Isabel and Iz's date Andrew.
"Hey guys!"
"Hi Sera. How are you."
"Fine Isabel, good to see you."
"Kyle Valenti, Sera Davidson. This is Andrew Taggert."
He extended his hand to Kyle.
"My friends call me Tag."
Kyle rolled his eyes at Iz.
"Pleasure to meet you." Sera smiled at “Tag” and shook his hand
before turning her gaze to Maria and Michael.
"What did you guys see?"
"The Fast and the Furious baby.” Maria exclaimed.
"Did you like it?"
Maria put her hand on Sera's arm. "Honey, it's a movie I highly
recommend-Vin Diesel has a body that DOES NOT quit! And really there
is just not enough that can be said about the hotness of Paul Walker!"
"Sounds good to me."
"Hello," Kyle complained. "We are standing right here!"
"And?" All three girls asked.
"I knew it was trouble for them to get together." he told Michael
"How was Tomb Raider?" Iz asked.
"She was hot."
"The movie was good too." Sera said, giving an actual answer to Iz's
question.
"What you guys can talk about Vin Diesel, like that's his real name, but I'm
not allowed to talk about Angelina Jolie. That’s a double standard."
"Actually it's reserved just for you, so it's really called the Valenti standard."
Iz joked.
"And we will see you later!" Kyle said, taking Sera by the arm
And pretending to leave.
[b["Oh, is Kyle upset because we picked on him?" Maria assured him.
"Really, we wouldn't do it if we didn't love you." Iz reasoned.
"Yes we would!" Sera and Michael answered together.
"Geez, if this is the way you guys treat your friends I'd hate to see how you treat your enemies!"
A quick look passed between the group at Tag’s comment.
"Oh, we're much more subtle with someone we don't like."
Sera deadpanned.
"Unless it's someone we REALLY dislike. Pam Troy!"
(The latter was coughed rather than spoken-Think Iceman in Top Gun "Bullshit!")
"Well gang. Sera and I better get going. If I bring her home too late the
Whitman's probably won't let me take her out again."
Maria, Iz and Sera looked at each other and grinned.
"It was nice to meet you Andr...uh Tag." Kyle shook his hand again,
then turned to hug Isabel. "I don't like him" he whispered in her ear.
"Ow!" he rubbed the back of his head where she smacked him.
"We'll talk about it tomorrow." Iz said her eyes flashing.
"You were so right about this dress." Sera told Maria as she hugged her.
"Of course I was. I think I know by now what makes Buddha Boy tick."
"Buddha Boy?"
"Sorry old nickname. He doesn't really go by that anymore."
"I'll keep it on file though." Sera smiled and reached for Iz.
"Any sparkage?" Sera asked as they turned from the group.
"Maybe. I don't know. What about you two?"
"So far so good. I'm hoping for great by the end of the night."
Iz laughed. "Please promise me one thing."
"Anything."
"Never tell me."
Sera rolled her eyes and playfully smacked Iz's arm.
"Tag, it was nice to meet you. Michael always a pleasure. See ya guys."
Bye Sera, I'll call you tomorrow, Kyle I'll see you at home." Maria called as
Kyle and Sera waved one last time then left hand in hand, in search of the
Mustang.
Watching them walk away Maria threw her arms around Michael's neck and
squealed as she did on the Vegas trip.
Michael looked at Tag over the top of Maria’s head. "Chicks are weird!"
************
Kyle and Sera sat in the Whitman's drive looking at the stars.
"So when you said that you were worried that the rents would never let
you take me out again, I guess that means you're planning on us having a
second date?"
"If you're agreeable."
Sera tilted her face to his and smiled. "I think that can be arranged."
Closing his eyes he kissed her, softly at first then a bit more playful. He
captured her bottom lip between his teeth and gave it a tug.
They broke apart and Kyle gazed at her.
How is it possible that she looks more beautiful?
Sera couldn't be sure if her flushed cheeks were a result of the way Kyle was
staring at her or the fact that she had just had the most amazing kiss of her
entire life.
Wow, when can we do that again?
As if he heard her, Kyle lowered his head to hers and kissed her again. He
wound his hand through her dark hair and pulled her closer.
Suddenly the porch lights snapped on and the teens broke apart.
If Sera thought her cheeks were flushed before it didn’t compare to how hot
they felt now.
"I think that's my cue. My mother suffers from OPMS.
"OPMS?
"Over Protective Mother Syndrome."
Kyle laughed, "Be thankful she didn't pull an Amy."
"An Amy?"
"Amy found Michael in Maria's bed one morning...they just slept, but that
didn't stop Amy from whacking him with a rolled up newspaper a few times."
"You're kidding!"
"Honest to Buddha!"
"You guys have the best stories! I can't wait to hear some of the others!"
Kyle smiled a bit uneasily, "Well, before your mother finds something
to smack me with, how about I get you inside?"
"OK."
They walked to the door holding hands.
"I had a great time."
"Me too. If you still need help putting those butterflies up tomorrow give
me a call."
"Thanks, I will. Thanks for dinner and my popcorn."
"Well thank you for the movie. I need to beat you at pool more often."
Sera lightly shoved him. "Asking for a rematch?"
He grinned. "Bring it on."
She returned his smile and kissed him again.
"Goodnight."
"Nite."
Turning the knob she found the door unlocked. She looked at him and shook
her head.
"OPMS!"
He laughed and waved again as she closed the door.
She watched out the window until the Mustang pulled out of the drive before
she turned around to head upstairs.
Tiptoeing past the living room she was ALMOST to the stairs when she heard
Nicole's voice.
"Did you have a nice time."
Crap!
"Yeah, it was great." She said coming in to the living room. "Dinner was
tasty and the movie was good. We ran in to Michael, Maria and Isabel on the
way home. They saw The Fast and the Furious and said it was a must see."
"Did you go anywhere else?"
"No mother we avoided the high school."
Nicole chuckled at her daughter.
“Just teasing.”
"I know. It was nice, he was nice. It was the best date I've had in forever."
Nicole smoothed Sera's hair.
"I'm glad honey."
"Now are you going to continue the twenty questions or can I go upstairs?
"I guess you pass post date inspection...you may go."
Sera kissed her mother's c
Last edited by LizabethR2D2 on Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:35 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Starting Over (CC, All, Adult) Part 4-Fourth of July Upd:2/5
Starting Over (CC, All, Adult)
Part 4-Fourth of July
Title: Starting Over
Author: LizabethR2D2
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I owned these characters/this show I do not! They belong to Melinda Mets, Jason Katims, the WB and UPN networks and the amazing actors who portrayed them! I guess I do own Sera, but I’d be willing to trade her for Colin Hanks. (Or Nick!!!)
Category: CC
Rating: Adult (It will very chapter to chapter, but let’s just be safe and say Adult to cover all our bases!)
Summary: Alternate Season 3-Picking up a few weeks after the WB Season 2 Finale. This is the Season 3 that I would have liked to see televised, our CCs are together, no one is going to a Vermont boarding school, no one moves to NYC and no one marries Delko! Just good old fashioned Season 1 type entertainment. (At least I like to think so!) [/b]
A/N: Buddha-boy, thank you! Glad to know that you liked this story in its infancy!
Hopefully the edits I've made and the new chapters I've written will be to your liking as well.
BehrObsession, thanks for your reviews! It means a lot!
VALENTI/DELUCA BACKYARD
Maria and Kyle were setting the tables in the back yard with
an Amy DeLuca original theme: Patriotic Aliens. Hand painted
on the plates, glasses and serving platters were little green
men dressed as George Washington, Uncle Sam, Abraham
Lincoln, the Statute of Liberty and even Bill Clinton.
"Does your mother do anything normal?"
"Welcome to my life...hope you like it, it will be yours in just
four short months."
"Please tell me this isn't what she's setting the table with at
the rehearsal dinner?"
"Don't be silly...she's saving this for the reception.
"I worry about you DeLuca women, you know that?"
"Hey! Valenti said I should bring this out." Michael said
walking outside with a covered container of marinated
cucumbers. He paused, noticing the theme of the party.
"Nice."
"Looks just like you Michael, I can definitely see the family
resemblance."
"Boys, behave yourselves, it’s a holiday." Maria mock scolded.
"Your mother and her decorations...." Michael trailed off,
shaking his head.
"Kyle, Sera's here." Amy called from the house.
"Thanks!" Kyle folded the last napkin haphazardly and
sprinted around the side of the house.
Maria chucked as she watched her almost brother. "He's
crazy about that girl."
"It's a little soon to be that goo goo isn't it? I mean they've
only been together for a few weeks. Does he really know
anything about her?"
"They just have a connection. You know what that's
like. Besides, I think its sweet."
"Connection my ass, I think it has more to do with him not getting any for,
what's it been about three years now."
"Michael! Some people are interested in more than sex."
Michael raised an eyebrow at her in disbelief.
"Really, so if I told you I wanted to skip the party, take you
up to your room and make love to you all night you'd say
no?”
Maria smiled her slow smile as she moved closer to him,
"I said some people, I didn't say me."
He pulled her into his arms.
"Think your mom would notice that we snuck off for a few
hours?"
"Yes, she would." Amy said appearing at Michael’s elbow.
"Mom!"
"Maria, Michael. Salad." Amy looking at each one of them before thrusting
the salad bowl at Michael.
"Ms. DeLuca, we were just uh...
"Michael, you don't want me to get the newspaper out again
do you?"
"No."
Good, then I think there will be no sneaking off."
"Yes ma'am."
"Maria, if you've finished setting the table why don't you
come inside and help in the kitchen."
"OK Mom."
"Michael, the Evans' and the Whitman's are in the driveway.
See if they need any help."
"Sure." he kissed Maria on the forehead before heading to
the driveway.
Rounding the corner he stopped abruptly and shook his head.
Kyle had Sera pressed into the side of the house and was kissing a
trail down her neck. Sera caught movement out of the corner of
her eye and gasped.
"Michael!"
"MICHAEL?" Kyle pulled away looking at her.
"Over here dumbass."
Kyle spun around. "Oh, Michael."
Michael grinned and walked to the couple.
"Afraid your girl's hot for me?" he teased
"She must be having a nightmare to call out your name."
"Will you two stop!" Looking behind Michael, Sera frowned.
"Where's Maria?"
"Amy took her inside. She caught us kissing in the backyard
and was afraid I was going to run off with her daughter."
"Isn't that usually your plan?" Sera asked smiling.
"Well, yeah, but that doesn't mean I'm a sex fiend or
anything."
"When it comes to Maria you are." Kyle muttered.
"What’s that?"
"I’m starting to think Sean has the right idea, we should get Amy to ban you
from the house."
"So this is where the party is." Isabel said as she joined
the trio.
"Hi!" Sera exclaimed. She latched on to Iz's arm.
"Let's go in the backyard...I'm getting testosterone
overload."
They started to walk away when they heard a car pull in the drive.
Nicole was the first to welcome the new guests. "Hi Liz, Max how are
you?"
"Hi Professor Whitman. Good. How are you? Max replied
"Glad to hear that. Everything is good for us too. Aren't
your parents coming Liz?"
"Oh they are, they just wanted to finish the dessert and veggie
tray." Liz said, waving as her best friend joined them on
the driveway
Liz and Maria hugged
"Happy Fourth Chica!"
"Happy Fourth to you Maria. Hi Michael."
"Liz. Hey Maxwell."
Jim was in the driveway greeting the guests and helping with
the food. He nodded to his son and Kyle immediately took a
dish from Professor Whitman and Mrs. Evans
"Ladies, let me help you with those."
Iz looked at her friends. "Check out Eddie Haskell."
"Isabel, he's being nice." Sera defended her boyfriend.
"It's an act." Maria and Iz replied together.
"You guys! You're so mean to him."
"He loves it." Iz told her. "And don't feel too sorry for
him, he’s not shy about dishing it out!"
Sera nodded in agreement.
"I guess we should get inside and help." Iz said
unenthusiastically
"I don't think there's anyway around it."
Entering the kitchen they found Amy directing traffic.
"OK, we'll leave the fruit pies in the fridge. Kyle, honey set
that platter near the door, its going outside. Rolls, Jim what
did you do with the rolls? Oh thank you Phillip. Yes those go
outside too. Maria carry this."
Max and Liz grinned as they watched Amy.
"If she's this bad now just think what she's going to be like
on their wedding day."
"I'm a little scared that she ask me to be a bridesmaid
now."
Max stole a look around the kitchen then pulled his girlfriend
into the broom closet, "You know, since your parents were
home I didn't get to greet you properly."
"Really? And how exactly were you planning on greeting me if
they weren't home?"
"Well, we wouldn't be here yet!"
She gasped and playfully smacked his arm. "Max Evans!
Please continue."
"Tease!" he growled in her ear.
She laughed and kissed him lightly, he ran his tongue along
her lips until she allowed him access to her mouth. They kissed
for sometime completely oblivious to the noises around outside
the closet. Just as his lips descended on her neck, Michael
threw open the closet door.
"Maxwell." Max and Liz jumped apart. "If I can't
sneak off with Maria, don't even think you and Liz are getting
away with it!"
Max sighed heavily but extended his hand to Liz and they
followed Michael into the backyard. The Parker's had just
arrived and waved to their daughter as they unloaded their
contribution to the party on the picnic tables.
"Liz, Max!" Sera waved them over.
The dreamy twosome looked at the décor and laughed. Liz
picked up a plate, then looked at her best friend.
"Another Amy DeLuca original?"
"How'd you guess?" Maria said, rolling her eyes.
"They're cute."
She leaned to Max and whispered in his ear.
"They look three foot tall, green and slimy."
"She forgot to give them a third eye." he whispered back.
They giggled and Isabel rolled her eyes. "God, give it a rest
would you?"
Liz stuck her tongue out at her but Isabel was already headed
toward the drink table with Kyle and Sera.
"Maria, Isn't Sean coming?" Liz asked, noticing but
disregarding the look that Max gave her.
"Yeah, he's at his work picnic right now, he should be here
by 6 or so."
"Which job?"
"For Meta-Chem. Please, like Orbit would have an outdoor
party. Where would they put the disco ball?"
"Michael? You started at Meta-Chem last week, you didn't want
to go to the party?" Liz asked
"Nah, too much time spent with Sean in one day is
detrimental to your health."
Maria laughed. "I'm just happy he got a job at Orbit. Now
we can get in!!"
"Don't you have to be 21 to get in there?" ever cautious
Max asked.
"Just like you have to be 21 to play the tables in Vegas but
we got around that!" Maria answered.
"You went to Vegas?" Sera questioned, as she Iz and Kyle
returned.
The entire group looked at each other for a cover: It was
Isabel who reacted first.
“Yeah, sort of a field-trip."
"Awesome! Did you win anything?"
"I did, but Maria wouldn't let me keep it." Kyle pouted.
"No, I just wouldn't let you continue gambling when we
needed to bail these two out of jail."
Sera's eyes widened, "You were in jail Max?"
"Oh sure," Michael complained. "You're shocked that Max
is in jail but not me."
“What did you do?”
Michael got in a fight, I helped him so I got thrown in too."
"I've been in jail too."[/b] Liz said for the sole benefit of seeing
the look on Sera's face.
"WHAT?"
"Sheriff Valenti arrested me and Alex."
"And you still talk to him?"
"Well, he came around."
"What were you in for?"
"Possession of alcohol." Liz could barely contain her smile
at Sera's expression.
"My world is spinning. I haven't known you guys long but
you two are the LAST two, I'd EVER expect to get into
trouble." she said pointing at Max and Liz.
"Who did you have pegged as the trouble makers." Kyle
asked sipping his soda.
"You for one!" Kyle coughed at this and stared at Sera.
"Me?"
"Your constant sarcastic comments, the fact that you're a jock,
your dad is the sheriff which creates an undeniable impulse to
rebel... it's a recipe for disaster."
"And yet you date me!"
"Lapse in judgment. I believe that I'm suffering from a head
injury, at any moment I will realize my mistake and dump you
for another guy!"
"I like her so much!" Iz said looking at Kyle.
He squinted his eyes and gave her a fake smile.
Maria wandered to the grill and watched Jim turned burgers,
brats and barbecue chicken.
"Don't worry, I have your chicken in the smoker over
there.” He said, noticing her sneer at the chicken on the
grill. "Your mother told me of your aversion to barbecue.”
Personally, I think it’s strange, but I won’t judge."
“I'm just not a big fan."
"I think it looks great." Max offered as he looked over
Maria's shoulder.
"I made some special burgers for you, Isabel and Michael.
I injected them with Tabasco sauce." Jim told him.
"Thanks!" Max said, genuinely touched.
"Girlfriend, you left my best friend in the clutches of Kyle
and Michael? What were you thinking?"
"She has Iz and Sera there as buffers. They'll take care of her.
Besides, I had to come snag some chips and salsa."
Maria watched as Max filled two plates with chips and picked
up one of the salsa bowls.
"You feeding an army there Max? Or you just digging that
salsa?"
"It's for everyone Maria!"
"On second thought you'd better get more. You only have
enough there for Michael."
Jim laughed as he reached across them to snag a carrot from
the veggie tray.
"You kids love to pick on each other don't you."
“It's all good-natured....well most of it is." Max replied,
looking to Maria with a smirk.
"Hey, now Kyle stop that!" Jim called.
Maria and Max turned to see Kyle throw Sera over his shoulder.
"I'm not going to drop her Dad."
"Just be careful."
"Kyle Valenti put me down!" Sera screamed.
Max and Maria walked back to back to the table laughing.
"What prompted that?" Maria questioned sitting next to
Michael and pointing to Sera and her brother.
"He started spouting off about wrestling, and how much he
could bench, Sera said she didn't believe him and he picked
her up to prove her wrong." Michael explained.
"I really don't know what he thinks that proves, Sera's like
125 pounds. My brother can bench that." Isabel said rolling
her eyes.
"Hey!" Max frowned and threw a chip in his sister's
direction. "I can bench more than that."
Liz retrieved the chip and stuck it in the salsa, as she put it to
her lips Max grabbed her hand. "That's really hot. Iz made
it with fire-roasted jalapenos and LOTS of Tabasco."
"I like Tabasco sauce." She said.
Maria picked up the bowl and sniffed it. "I don't know Chica,
It smells too hot for me, my mouth would probably go up in flames if I tried to
eat that!"
"Good, I’ll eat your share!” Michael said loading a chip
with a heap of salsa.
"Hey Mr. Parker, Mrs. Parker! How are you?" Sera called
from Kyle's shoulder.
"Fine Sera, although you look a little preoccupied at the
moment." Nancy noted.
"Now Kyle, be careful with Sera, I don't want one of my
best waitresses to get hurt."
"I promise to be careful Mr. Parker." Kyle said, finally releasing Sera.
She lightly shoved him as soon as he put her down.
"Jerk! Now I have a major head rush!"
"Aw. Poor baby!"
"Very mature Kyle." Iz regarded him sternly for a moment
before smirking and belying her amusement.
"Sera, do you know when you'll need to be off for
cheerleading camp?" Jeff asked.
"Its not till mid August. I figured I'd work as much as you
needed me now and then beg off those two weeks."
"Well, two weeks is a long time, but I think we can work
something out."
"Thanks Mr. Parker! I've been sweating that since I got the call
from Ms. Cannon yesterday."
"When do you leave?" Nancy asked.
"We leave the day after my birthday. On the 18th"
"Yea! So we still get to throw you a party?" Maria asked
gleefully.
"Yeah, I want to have everyone over to the house. I figured
we'd have a cookout and pool party."
Leaning into Kyle she said in a voice only he could hear.
"And I got a new bikini I want to try out."
Kyle grinned and whispered to her. "Think maybe I could
get a sneak peek?"
She pulled back and looked at him. "Maybe. If you're a
good boy."
"If you kids will excuse me, I'm going to refill my drink. Can
I get any of you anything?" Nancy asked.
"No."
"No thanks mom, we're all set."
"Excuse me too everyone." Liz followed her dad's gaze to
see Phillip and Charles comparing golf swings. Jeff left the kids
and made a beeline for their discussion.
"What is it about our dads and golf?"
"Its fun, you get to whack something with a metal club and
have cart races. What more could you ask for?" Michael
said between bites.
"Is that the PGA sanctioned way of playing?" Max
jokingly asked his best friend
"It's the Michael Guerin way...the only way!"
No one could keep a straight face.
"What?"
Patting him on the head, Maria leaned in to kiss him on the
cheek.
"You're very strange."
“That's the pot calling the kettle black," Michael muttered
under his breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!"
Hoping to stop a fight before it started Liz started a new topic
of conversation.
"Are football and cheerleading camp held in the same place again?" she
asked Sera.
"I don't know, ours it at the University in Albuquerque."
Sera replied, looking at Kyle
"That's where ours is too."
"Why they don't just have it at the Silver Bend campus?"
Sera inquired.
"So the camper's significant others won't be inclined to
visit.
Driving an hour and a half to visit your girlfriend or
boyfriend is one thing, but most people won't drive five
hours just to get a little slap and tickle." Maria explained
"I would." came the response from Kyle and Michael.
"Lovely" the others answered simultaneously.
"OK everyone. Food's ready," Jim called. "Maria,
your mother has yours."
"What is up with your dislike of barbecue anyway?" Kyle
asked.
"I just don't like it."
"Weird." Kyle muttered as he grabbed a plate and moved
into the line for food.
Everyone was settled in with their respective eats: Maria had
her rotisserie chicken, the Pod Squad had their Tabasco
injected burgers, Sera and Liz munched on barbecue chicken
while Kyle worked two brats and a cheeseburger.
"Hungry much?" Sera asked looking at his plate that
contained cucumbers, potato salad, and vegetables with three
kinds of dip in addition to his impressive main courses.
"I have to get my weight back up for wrestling. I'm down to
153."
"Keep eating like that and you won't be for long." Isabel
teased.
“Isn’t wrestling a winter sport? I think you have time!”
Sera said shaking her head at her boyfriend.
Kyle shrugged and retuned his attention to his heaping plate.
"So Isabel, what's on your schedule for this weekend?"
Maria asked.
"Not much, there's a party that some friends of Andrew's
are throwing. Kind of a late Forth celebration."
"You still dating TAG?" Kyle asked with a snicker.
He received an elbow in the ribs from his girlfriend.
"I thought he was nice. Leave him alone."
"He calls himself Tag !!" Kyle complained.
"We're not really dating anymore. He just invited me to this
party."
"Any other prospects in the works?" Sera asked stabbing
at her macaroni salad.
"Not so far, I'm hoping that will change by the time the
semester starts."
"Uh, Isabel, have you looked in a mirror lately? I'm here to tell
you you'll be beating the guys away with a stick."
Iz smiled. "Thanks Sera."
"Just being honest."
"So what about you? What are you two doing this weekend?"
"I'm working Friday and Saturday so I'm booked. I don't know
about Buddha Boy over here."
Kyle spun to face her. "How do you know about that
nickname?" He asked loudly.
Everyone at the table stopped talking to look at him.
Her eyes widened, "Sorry, I mean I know you don't go by it
anymore, but you don't have to bite my head over it!"
"I told her about it. It just slipped out." Maria confessed
"Well, now I know what NOT to call you." Sera said
inching away from him.
He grabbed her arm and pulled him back toward him. "I'm
sorry, that name just brings up some memories I'd rather
repress. I didn't mean to snap at you."
She smiled a bit but kept her eyes down.
Kyle looked at his friends. Liz and Max were looking at each
other, their jaws set. Maria and Iz were sharing a worried
glance at Sera and Michael was looking at his food.
Maria broke the uncomfortable silence. "You can call him
Chia- Head, its what I called him in elementary school."
Sera raised her eyes, "Chia-Head?"
"You should have seen his hair...VERY SCARY!"
Sera laughed and that seemed to break the tension.
Kyle laid a kiss on her forehead.
"I'm sorry." He whispered against her skin.
She pulled away from him and frowned.
"Did you just kiss me with your barbecue covered
mouth?"
He grinned and looked at her head. "Oops! Sorry!"
He grabbed his napkin and pretended to wipe away sauce.
"Get away from me!" She squealed pointing at his
sauce covered hands.
He made grabbing motions inches away from her face.
"Isabel! Make him stop!"
"Kyle, down boy!"
"But its fun."
Iz raised an eyebrow and Kyle shrugged. "Fine! All in good
time my pretty, all in good time." He cackled in his best
Wicked Witch of the West voice.
Maria shook her head. "Serious issues!"
Iz and Sera had to leave the table they were laughing so hard.
*********
After dessert, which Michael and Max bet Kyle he couldn't eat
after the massive amounts of dinner he's consumed (he
proved them wrong), the parents went for a walk to work off
dinner.
"Some of us don't have the stamina to run for two hours
every morning." Diane said looking from her daughter to
Sera. "So walking after dinner will have to help keep us in
shape."
Iz and Sera grinned.
"Actually Mrs. Evans, we don't run for two hours. We run
about 30 minutes, then we go grab a cappuccino and talk."
"That's not true, yesterday it was 45 minutes!" Iz said.
Diane rolled her eyes at the girls and took Phillip’s hand and
they set out for their walk.
**********
Sera, Maria and Liz took the remaining containers into the
kitchen.
"How sexist is it that they're out their lolling about while
we're pulling dish duty?" Sera asked disgustedly as she
looked at mountain of dirty dishes.
"If its any consolation, you look hot in the kitchen."
All three girls spun around to see Sean lounging in the door
leering at them.
"Hey Parker!"
"Hi." Liz said before becoming highly interested in loading
the dishwasher.
"Davidson, Nice outfit."
"Hello Sean. Thanks"
"Maria"
"Loser."
"How was your picnic Sean?" Sera asked as she nudged
Maria for the Loser comment.
"Great, you guys should have come. We played football,
had water gun fights, it was nice."
"Who had water gun fights?" Iz asked coming out of the
bathroom. "Sean."
"Isabel Evans, you look more beautiful EVERY time I see you!"
"Never gonna happen Sean!"
"You're killing me girl!"
Iz glared at him. "So who had water gun fights?" she
asked again.
"The guys at the Meta-Chem picnic."
"You know that's not such a bad idea..." Isabel trailed off,
looking outside.
"Isabel, we couldn't do that..." Liz began
"Oh come on Liz. I know my brother is usually Mr. Sensitivity
but look at him, lounging out there with his fellow pigs, while
the ‘women folk’ are cleaning in the kitchen!" [/b]
Sera turned from the refrigerator. "She has a point Liz."
"Come on Parker. I have plenty of water guns. Super Soakers
even."
"Oh, I call one of those." Sera said raising her hand.
"You're on Davidson. Just make sure you point that thing
away from me!"
"Of course!" she said smiling her sweetest smile.
"OK, I say we finish getting these in the dishwasher and the
food in the fridge and then we attack." Iz proclaimed.
"Works for me, but I'm telling you now...Kyle is mine and
he's going down!" Sera said with a devilish gleam in her
eye.
They crept out of the kitchen one by one.
Iz counted off one, two, three on her fingers and they silently
sprung into action.
Sera got to Kyle first and drenched him from head to toe with
the Super Soaker.
He jumped off the porch swing with a yell, "What the hell?
Sera, you are so dead!"
Within seconds he'd regained his composure and was after her.
Liz waited a split second too long and Max was tipped off by
Kyle's cry.
He spun around to face her just as she raised her gun. She
was aiming it at his chest.
"Liz, sweetheart, you don't want to do that!"
"I don't?"
"Now just give me the water gun and we can put a stop to this
foolishness."
"Sure Max, whatever you say." She moved closer to him
and unloaded the chamber on his shirt.
He grabbed her against him and hugged her tightly so she was
as wet as he was.
His mouth descended on hers in a passionate kiss. They
quickly forgot about the water fight.
Maria didn't bother with a gun, she took the ice bucket off the
table and dumped the whole thing over Michael's head.
"Maria!"
She came around the side of the lawn chair with her hands on
her hips.
"Yes?"
"What the hell was that for?"
"I just like to see you all wet."
Michael looked around the yard quickly before stalking
towards her.
They ran inside and up to her room.
"You realize this has to be a quickie right?" She asked
as he pushed her against her bedroom door.
"Not a problem."
Iz turned her gun on Sean and laughed as he chased her
around the yard.
"You were supposed to go after them not me."
"You're an easy target Sean. Besides. Its only fair that their
girlfriends get first crack at them, after that, they're fair
game."
"I like the way your mind works!"
***********
Maria and Michael rejoined the group about 20 minutes later,
to see their friends smiling knowingly at them.
"And where have you two been?" Liz asked trying not
to burst out laughing.
"None of your business." Michael replied
"Did we miss the rest of the water fight?" Maria asked
attempting nonchalance.
"Yeah, we looked all over the place for you, but just had NO
idea where you could have scampered off to!" Sera said
tongue in cheek, as she leaned against Kyle.
"OK, OK. You can drop it anytime now!"
Everyone laughed again before Max finally held up his hands.
"OK, We're done!"
"We are?" Kyle asked still laughing.
"Keep it up Chia-head!" Maria warned pointing Liz's
spent water gun at him.
Kyle stuck his tongue out at her in response.
"Hey Isabel, hit the play button will you?" Sean asked
pointing to the portable stereo he brought out earlier.
"Sure."
She pressed play and the beginning of The Wiseguys' Start The
Commotion filled the backyard.
Sera leapt away from Kyle. "I LOVE this song! Lets dance!"
"No, no, no! I don't dance!"
"What??"
"I don't dance. Not to something like this anyway!"
Not even for me?" She pouted, moving her body to the
music.
"Nope."
Maria extended her hand, "Come on Chica, I'll dance with
you!"
"Yea! Liz. Isabel...you too."
They jumped up, Liz tried to get Max to join them.
"I don't want to be the only guy dancing."
She rolled her eyes and joined her friends.
Sean took the opportunity to get a little playful with the girls.
He moved behind Sera and began to grind into her.
"Something tells me that you'll be in your element at Orbit!
Dance like this and you'll have every guy there ready to take
you home!"
"How did you know I was a closet nympho Sean?"
"Isn't every girl? Except maybe Parker."
"HEY!" Liz exclaimed. "I can be wild."
All four of them looked at her.
Liz narrowed her eyes in defiance and moved behind Sean
running her hands down his arms and back. When he moved
to face her she danced away, Sean laughed at her and turned
his attention back to Sera. She was leaning forward as she
moved her hips into him.
The seething look on Kyle's face did not go unnoticed by Sean.
"Hey Sera, I think you're boyfriend is ready to kill me. He
doesn't look real happy."
"Oh he'll be fine! I'm just giving him something to think
about."
"Yeah, he's thinking about 200 ways of killing me while I sleep.
I live in the same house with him remember? No escape!"
Now Sean, if you go away who am I going to dance with?"
Sera asked turning to face him and locking her arms around
his neck as she swiveled her body into his.
"Oh well, if he's going to kill me anyway, I might as well
make it worth it!"
Sean put his hands behind Sera's back and bent over her
slightly. He brought her back up and she ran a finger from his
lips to his waistband
Finally Kyle called out from the lawn chair.
"Not funny Sera!"
She giggled and laid her head on Sean's shoulder.
"I guess I should give him a break huh?"
"Please, before he murders me right here."
The song changed to No Doubt's Love To Love You and Sean
decided to sit this one out, a good distance away from Kyle.
Sera rejoined her girlfriends and they began to gyrate to
Gwen's sultry tones.
Maria was having a great time watching as Michael's eyes
raked over her body with every shift of her hips.
Whispering in Liz's ear they left Iz and Sera to move within
arms length of their boyfriends and began to dance
suggestively.
Maria's hands began to trace the curves of her body keeping
eye contact with Michael the entire time. As she leaned
forward to touch him, he pulled her into the chair and kissed
her senseless.
Max just sat and appreciated the show.
Does she realize how sexy she is? Not just the dancing,
which is nice, don't get me wrong. But everything about her is
a turn-on. The way she flips her hair over her shoulder, the
way she smiles ever so slightly when she's embarrassed. That
little scar above her eye. Her lips...OK Evans, get control.
Thinking about Liz's lips could result in pulling a Michael and
Maria. As much as Maria loves both of us, I don't think she'd
let us use her bedroom. And there is no way I'd use Kyle or
Sean's!! Ugh!
Liz moved closer to him and he grinned at her like a little kid.
She smiled at him and allowed him to draw her near. He
rested his head against her stomach as she smoothed his hair.
When she exhaled deeply, he looked up at her. She bent to
kiss him and he wrapped his arms around her delicate frame.
Iz and Sera were dancing together while Sean looked on with
thumbs up and other hand gestures. Kyle finally gave in to
temptation and walked toward them.
"So you're not going to come talk to me?"
Without breaking stride Sera looked at him.
"You told me you don't dance."
"Max and Michael weren't dancing but that didn't stop Liz and Maria. Look at them"
"And?"
"You know using them as reference points isn't always the best
course of action!" Iz warned.
Sera laughed and Kyle frowned at his friend.
"OK, I'm going to get some more lemonade." Iz said at
Kyle's look. "You want?"
"Sure, thanks!"
"So, your dance with Sean was interesting to say the least."
"Jealous?"
"I don't know if jealous is the right word, incensed might work
better."
"I was just giving you a demonstration of the type of dancing I
wanted to do with you."
"Really? I...wait a minute, are you trying to sweet talk your
way out of this?"
"Is it working?"
"I might be persuaded to change my mind." he told her
leaning in for a kiss.
"Goody, goody!"
A cough at their elbows broke them apart, Iz had returned
with lemonade and parents.
"Was there an attack?" Jim asked surveying the
damage from the water fight.
"We went a little overboard with the clean up." Kyle
said wringing out his still damp shirt.
"Who won?" Phillip asked noting that the girls were
considerably drier than the boys.
"We did." Sera and Iz proclaimed proudly.
"WHAT? It was a surprise attack! You can't claim victory for that!" Kyle
protested.
"What a baby!" Iz said crinkling her nose at him.
"No kidding." Sera agreed.
Jim and Phil laughed at their kids.
"OK guys, Its time for fireworks, everyone gather your
drinks and what not and we'll head out to the park." Amy
was in director mode again.
"Yea fireworks!" Maria bounded toward Sera and Iz. "I love fireworks."
"There's a surprise." Iz laughed.
"What does that mean?" Maria asked
"Well they are a lot like you, pretty, fun to watch,
sparkly..."
"And loud, don't forget loud." Kyle said unable to resist
teasing his almost sister.
Maria stuck her tongue out at Kyle as Sera smacked him on
the arm.
"Come on Chia-head. Let's go watch the fireworks."
The park was pretty crowded when they arrived. But having
the sheriff in your party certainly helped. Hanson had reserved
a choice piece of property large enough for the entire group.
Jim excused himself and went to talk with Hanson and the fire
marshal. Once they had everything squared away, Jim made his way
to the podium that was set up in the center of the park.
"Good evening everyone. Hope your having a happy Fourth
of July!"
Cheers from the crowd
"Well, I'd like to welcome you to our 25th annual
Fireworks in the Park celebration."
More cheers.
"Now sit back, relax and enjoy the show."
He gave the nod to the fire marshal and the first wave of
fireworks lit up the sky.
He returned to the blanket Amy had laid out for them.
Everyone snuggled together to watch the fireworks. Sera’s
gaze landed on Isabel sitting alone between Max/Liz and
Sera/Kyle and nudged her boyfriend. When he looked at her
she pointed to Iz. He grinned and nodded his head. Tapping
his friend on the shoulder Kyle crooked his finger at her. When
Isabel turned to face him, he patted the space next to him.
Isabel smiled and shook her head no, but Kyle wouldn't hear of it.
He nodded his head and pointed to Sera, who was tapping her
wrist as if to say "Any time now."
"Come on Iz...it will really boost my ego to have the two
most beautiful girls by my side."
Isabel grinned at the couple and acquiesced. She allowed Kyle to
draw her to him. He let her get comfy against him, then threw
one arm over her and the other over Sera. The girls' heads
were occupying opposite shoulders. Sera looked over Kyle's
face and smiled at Isabel. Iz placed her hand on top of Sera's
and met the younger girls eyes in a silent `Thank You."
Sera winked in response.
"Happy Fourth Isabel."
"Happy Fourth!"
Part 4-Fourth of July
Title: Starting Over
Author: LizabethR2D2
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I owned these characters/this show I do not! They belong to Melinda Mets, Jason Katims, the WB and UPN networks and the amazing actors who portrayed them! I guess I do own Sera, but I’d be willing to trade her for Colin Hanks. (Or Nick!!!)
Category: CC
Rating: Adult (It will very chapter to chapter, but let’s just be safe and say Adult to cover all our bases!)
Summary: Alternate Season 3-Picking up a few weeks after the WB Season 2 Finale. This is the Season 3 that I would have liked to see televised, our CCs are together, no one is going to a Vermont boarding school, no one moves to NYC and no one marries Delko! Just good old fashioned Season 1 type entertainment. (At least I like to think so!) [/b]
A/N: Buddha-boy, thank you! Glad to know that you liked this story in its infancy!
Hopefully the edits I've made and the new chapters I've written will be to your liking as well. BehrObsession, thanks for your reviews! It means a lot!
VALENTI/DELUCA BACKYARD
Maria and Kyle were setting the tables in the back yard with
an Amy DeLuca original theme: Patriotic Aliens. Hand painted
on the plates, glasses and serving platters were little green
men dressed as George Washington, Uncle Sam, Abraham
Lincoln, the Statute of Liberty and even Bill Clinton.
"Does your mother do anything normal?"
"Welcome to my life...hope you like it, it will be yours in just
four short months."
"Please tell me this isn't what she's setting the table with at
the rehearsal dinner?"
"Don't be silly...she's saving this for the reception.
"I worry about you DeLuca women, you know that?"
"Hey! Valenti said I should bring this out." Michael said
walking outside with a covered container of marinated
cucumbers. He paused, noticing the theme of the party.
"Nice."
"Looks just like you Michael, I can definitely see the family
resemblance."
"Boys, behave yourselves, it’s a holiday." Maria mock scolded.
"Your mother and her decorations...." Michael trailed off,
shaking his head.
"Kyle, Sera's here." Amy called from the house.
"Thanks!" Kyle folded the last napkin haphazardly and
sprinted around the side of the house.
Maria chucked as she watched her almost brother. "He's
crazy about that girl."
"It's a little soon to be that goo goo isn't it? I mean they've
only been together for a few weeks. Does he really know
anything about her?"
"They just have a connection. You know what that's
like. Besides, I think its sweet."
"Connection my ass, I think it has more to do with him not getting any for,
what's it been about three years now."
"Michael! Some people are interested in more than sex."
Michael raised an eyebrow at her in disbelief.
"Really, so if I told you I wanted to skip the party, take you
up to your room and make love to you all night you'd say
no?”
Maria smiled her slow smile as she moved closer to him,
"I said some people, I didn't say me."
He pulled her into his arms.
"Think your mom would notice that we snuck off for a few
hours?"
"Yes, she would." Amy said appearing at Michael’s elbow.
"Mom!"
"Maria, Michael. Salad." Amy looking at each one of them before thrusting
the salad bowl at Michael.
"Ms. DeLuca, we were just uh...
"Michael, you don't want me to get the newspaper out again
do you?"
"No."
Good, then I think there will be no sneaking off."
"Yes ma'am."
"Maria, if you've finished setting the table why don't you
come inside and help in the kitchen."
"OK Mom."
"Michael, the Evans' and the Whitman's are in the driveway.
See if they need any help."
"Sure." he kissed Maria on the forehead before heading to
the driveway.
Rounding the corner he stopped abruptly and shook his head.
Kyle had Sera pressed into the side of the house and was kissing a
trail down her neck. Sera caught movement out of the corner of
her eye and gasped.
"Michael!"
"MICHAEL?" Kyle pulled away looking at her.
"Over here dumbass."
Kyle spun around. "Oh, Michael."
Michael grinned and walked to the couple.
"Afraid your girl's hot for me?" he teased
"She must be having a nightmare to call out your name."
"Will you two stop!" Looking behind Michael, Sera frowned.
"Where's Maria?"
"Amy took her inside. She caught us kissing in the backyard
and was afraid I was going to run off with her daughter."
"Isn't that usually your plan?" Sera asked smiling.
"Well, yeah, but that doesn't mean I'm a sex fiend or
anything."
"When it comes to Maria you are." Kyle muttered.
"What’s that?"
"I’m starting to think Sean has the right idea, we should get Amy to ban you
from the house."
"So this is where the party is." Isabel said as she joined
the trio.
"Hi!" Sera exclaimed. She latched on to Iz's arm.
"Let's go in the backyard...I'm getting testosterone
overload."
They started to walk away when they heard a car pull in the drive.
Nicole was the first to welcome the new guests. "Hi Liz, Max how are
you?"
"Hi Professor Whitman. Good. How are you? Max replied
"Glad to hear that. Everything is good for us too. Aren't
your parents coming Liz?"
"Oh they are, they just wanted to finish the dessert and veggie
tray." Liz said, waving as her best friend joined them on
the driveway
Liz and Maria hugged
"Happy Fourth Chica!"
"Happy Fourth to you Maria. Hi Michael."
"Liz. Hey Maxwell."
Jim was in the driveway greeting the guests and helping with
the food. He nodded to his son and Kyle immediately took a
dish from Professor Whitman and Mrs. Evans
"Ladies, let me help you with those."
Iz looked at her friends. "Check out Eddie Haskell."
"Isabel, he's being nice." Sera defended her boyfriend.
"It's an act." Maria and Iz replied together.
"You guys! You're so mean to him."
"He loves it." Iz told her. "And don't feel too sorry for
him, he’s not shy about dishing it out!"
Sera nodded in agreement.
"I guess we should get inside and help." Iz said
unenthusiastically
"I don't think there's anyway around it."
Entering the kitchen they found Amy directing traffic.
"OK, we'll leave the fruit pies in the fridge. Kyle, honey set
that platter near the door, its going outside. Rolls, Jim what
did you do with the rolls? Oh thank you Phillip. Yes those go
outside too. Maria carry this."
Max and Liz grinned as they watched Amy.
"If she's this bad now just think what she's going to be like
on their wedding day."
"I'm a little scared that she ask me to be a bridesmaid
now."
Max stole a look around the kitchen then pulled his girlfriend
into the broom closet, "You know, since your parents were
home I didn't get to greet you properly."
"Really? And how exactly were you planning on greeting me if
they weren't home?"
"Well, we wouldn't be here yet!"
She gasped and playfully smacked his arm. "Max Evans!
Please continue."
"Tease!" he growled in her ear.
She laughed and kissed him lightly, he ran his tongue along
her lips until she allowed him access to her mouth. They kissed
for sometime completely oblivious to the noises around outside
the closet. Just as his lips descended on her neck, Michael
threw open the closet door.
"Maxwell." Max and Liz jumped apart. "If I can't
sneak off with Maria, don't even think you and Liz are getting
away with it!"
Max sighed heavily but extended his hand to Liz and they
followed Michael into the backyard. The Parker's had just
arrived and waved to their daughter as they unloaded their
contribution to the party on the picnic tables.
"Liz, Max!" Sera waved them over.
The dreamy twosome looked at the décor and laughed. Liz
picked up a plate, then looked at her best friend.
"Another Amy DeLuca original?"
"How'd you guess?" Maria said, rolling her eyes.
"They're cute."
She leaned to Max and whispered in his ear.
"They look three foot tall, green and slimy."
"She forgot to give them a third eye." he whispered back.
They giggled and Isabel rolled her eyes. "God, give it a rest
would you?"
Liz stuck her tongue out at her but Isabel was already headed
toward the drink table with Kyle and Sera.
"Maria, Isn't Sean coming?" Liz asked, noticing but
disregarding the look that Max gave her.
"Yeah, he's at his work picnic right now, he should be here
by 6 or so."
"Which job?"
"For Meta-Chem. Please, like Orbit would have an outdoor
party. Where would they put the disco ball?"
"Michael? You started at Meta-Chem last week, you didn't want
to go to the party?" Liz asked
"Nah, too much time spent with Sean in one day is
detrimental to your health."
Maria laughed. "I'm just happy he got a job at Orbit. Now
we can get in!!"
"Don't you have to be 21 to get in there?" ever cautious
Max asked.
"Just like you have to be 21 to play the tables in Vegas but
we got around that!" Maria answered.
"You went to Vegas?" Sera questioned, as she Iz and Kyle
returned.
The entire group looked at each other for a cover: It was
Isabel who reacted first.
“Yeah, sort of a field-trip."
"Awesome! Did you win anything?"
"I did, but Maria wouldn't let me keep it." Kyle pouted.
"No, I just wouldn't let you continue gambling when we
needed to bail these two out of jail."
Sera's eyes widened, "You were in jail Max?"
"Oh sure," Michael complained. "You're shocked that Max
is in jail but not me."
“What did you do?”
Michael got in a fight, I helped him so I got thrown in too."
"I've been in jail too."[/b] Liz said for the sole benefit of seeing
the look on Sera's face.
"WHAT?"
"Sheriff Valenti arrested me and Alex."
"And you still talk to him?"
"Well, he came around."
"What were you in for?"
"Possession of alcohol." Liz could barely contain her smile
at Sera's expression.
"My world is spinning. I haven't known you guys long but
you two are the LAST two, I'd EVER expect to get into
trouble." she said pointing at Max and Liz.
"Who did you have pegged as the trouble makers." Kyle
asked sipping his soda.
"You for one!" Kyle coughed at this and stared at Sera.
"Me?"
"Your constant sarcastic comments, the fact that you're a jock,
your dad is the sheriff which creates an undeniable impulse to
rebel... it's a recipe for disaster."
"And yet you date me!"
"Lapse in judgment. I believe that I'm suffering from a head
injury, at any moment I will realize my mistake and dump you
for another guy!"
"I like her so much!" Iz said looking at Kyle.
He squinted his eyes and gave her a fake smile.
Maria wandered to the grill and watched Jim turned burgers,
brats and barbecue chicken.
"Don't worry, I have your chicken in the smoker over
there.” He said, noticing her sneer at the chicken on the
grill. "Your mother told me of your aversion to barbecue.”
Personally, I think it’s strange, but I won’t judge."
“I'm just not a big fan."
"I think it looks great." Max offered as he looked over
Maria's shoulder.
"I made some special burgers for you, Isabel and Michael.
I injected them with Tabasco sauce." Jim told him.
"Thanks!" Max said, genuinely touched.
"Girlfriend, you left my best friend in the clutches of Kyle
and Michael? What were you thinking?"
"She has Iz and Sera there as buffers. They'll take care of her.
Besides, I had to come snag some chips and salsa."
Maria watched as Max filled two plates with chips and picked
up one of the salsa bowls.
"You feeding an army there Max? Or you just digging that
salsa?"
"It's for everyone Maria!"
"On second thought you'd better get more. You only have
enough there for Michael."
Jim laughed as he reached across them to snag a carrot from
the veggie tray.
"You kids love to pick on each other don't you."
“It's all good-natured....well most of it is." Max replied,
looking to Maria with a smirk.
"Hey, now Kyle stop that!" Jim called.
Maria and Max turned to see Kyle throw Sera over his shoulder.
"I'm not going to drop her Dad."
"Just be careful."
"Kyle Valenti put me down!" Sera screamed.
Max and Maria walked back to back to the table laughing.
"What prompted that?" Maria questioned sitting next to
Michael and pointing to Sera and her brother.
"He started spouting off about wrestling, and how much he
could bench, Sera said she didn't believe him and he picked
her up to prove her wrong." Michael explained.
"I really don't know what he thinks that proves, Sera's like
125 pounds. My brother can bench that." Isabel said rolling
her eyes.
"Hey!" Max frowned and threw a chip in his sister's
direction. "I can bench more than that."
Liz retrieved the chip and stuck it in the salsa, as she put it to
her lips Max grabbed her hand. "That's really hot. Iz made
it with fire-roasted jalapenos and LOTS of Tabasco."
"I like Tabasco sauce." She said.
Maria picked up the bowl and sniffed it. "I don't know Chica,
It smells too hot for me, my mouth would probably go up in flames if I tried to
eat that!"
"Good, I’ll eat your share!” Michael said loading a chip
with a heap of salsa.
"Hey Mr. Parker, Mrs. Parker! How are you?" Sera called
from Kyle's shoulder.
"Fine Sera, although you look a little preoccupied at the
moment." Nancy noted.
"Now Kyle, be careful with Sera, I don't want one of my
best waitresses to get hurt."
"I promise to be careful Mr. Parker." Kyle said, finally releasing Sera.
She lightly shoved him as soon as he put her down.
"Jerk! Now I have a major head rush!"
"Aw. Poor baby!"
"Very mature Kyle." Iz regarded him sternly for a moment
before smirking and belying her amusement.
"Sera, do you know when you'll need to be off for
cheerleading camp?" Jeff asked.
"Its not till mid August. I figured I'd work as much as you
needed me now and then beg off those two weeks."
"Well, two weeks is a long time, but I think we can work
something out."
"Thanks Mr. Parker! I've been sweating that since I got the call
from Ms. Cannon yesterday."
"When do you leave?" Nancy asked.
"We leave the day after my birthday. On the 18th"
"Yea! So we still get to throw you a party?" Maria asked
gleefully.
"Yeah, I want to have everyone over to the house. I figured
we'd have a cookout and pool party."
Leaning into Kyle she said in a voice only he could hear.
"And I got a new bikini I want to try out."
Kyle grinned and whispered to her. "Think maybe I could
get a sneak peek?"
She pulled back and looked at him. "Maybe. If you're a
good boy."
"If you kids will excuse me, I'm going to refill my drink. Can
I get any of you anything?" Nancy asked.
"No."
"No thanks mom, we're all set."
"Excuse me too everyone." Liz followed her dad's gaze to
see Phillip and Charles comparing golf swings. Jeff left the kids
and made a beeline for their discussion.
"What is it about our dads and golf?"
"Its fun, you get to whack something with a metal club and
have cart races. What more could you ask for?" Michael
said between bites.
"Is that the PGA sanctioned way of playing?" Max
jokingly asked his best friend
"It's the Michael Guerin way...the only way!"
No one could keep a straight face.
"What?"
Patting him on the head, Maria leaned in to kiss him on the
cheek.
"You're very strange."
“That's the pot calling the kettle black," Michael muttered
under his breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!"
Hoping to stop a fight before it started Liz started a new topic
of conversation.
"Are football and cheerleading camp held in the same place again?" she
asked Sera.
"I don't know, ours it at the University in Albuquerque."
Sera replied, looking at Kyle
"That's where ours is too."
"Why they don't just have it at the Silver Bend campus?"
Sera inquired.
"So the camper's significant others won't be inclined to
visit.
Driving an hour and a half to visit your girlfriend or
boyfriend is one thing, but most people won't drive five
hours just to get a little slap and tickle." Maria explained
"I would." came the response from Kyle and Michael.
"Lovely" the others answered simultaneously.
"OK everyone. Food's ready," Jim called. "Maria,
your mother has yours."
"What is up with your dislike of barbecue anyway?" Kyle
asked.
"I just don't like it."
"Weird." Kyle muttered as he grabbed a plate and moved
into the line for food.
Everyone was settled in with their respective eats: Maria had
her rotisserie chicken, the Pod Squad had their Tabasco
injected burgers, Sera and Liz munched on barbecue chicken
while Kyle worked two brats and a cheeseburger.
"Hungry much?" Sera asked looking at his plate that
contained cucumbers, potato salad, and vegetables with three
kinds of dip in addition to his impressive main courses.
"I have to get my weight back up for wrestling. I'm down to
153."
"Keep eating like that and you won't be for long." Isabel
teased.
“Isn’t wrestling a winter sport? I think you have time!”
Sera said shaking her head at her boyfriend.
Kyle shrugged and retuned his attention to his heaping plate.
"So Isabel, what's on your schedule for this weekend?"
Maria asked.
"Not much, there's a party that some friends of Andrew's
are throwing. Kind of a late Forth celebration."
"You still dating TAG?" Kyle asked with a snicker.
He received an elbow in the ribs from his girlfriend.
"I thought he was nice. Leave him alone."
"He calls himself Tag !!" Kyle complained.
"We're not really dating anymore. He just invited me to this
party."
"Any other prospects in the works?" Sera asked stabbing
at her macaroni salad.
"Not so far, I'm hoping that will change by the time the
semester starts."
"Uh, Isabel, have you looked in a mirror lately? I'm here to tell
you you'll be beating the guys away with a stick."
Iz smiled. "Thanks Sera."
"Just being honest."
"So what about you? What are you two doing this weekend?"
"I'm working Friday and Saturday so I'm booked. I don't know
about Buddha Boy over here."
Kyle spun to face her. "How do you know about that
nickname?" He asked loudly.
Everyone at the table stopped talking to look at him.
Her eyes widened, "Sorry, I mean I know you don't go by it
anymore, but you don't have to bite my head over it!"
"I told her about it. It just slipped out." Maria confessed
"Well, now I know what NOT to call you." Sera said
inching away from him.
He grabbed her arm and pulled him back toward him. "I'm
sorry, that name just brings up some memories I'd rather
repress. I didn't mean to snap at you."
She smiled a bit but kept her eyes down.
Kyle looked at his friends. Liz and Max were looking at each
other, their jaws set. Maria and Iz were sharing a worried
glance at Sera and Michael was looking at his food.
Maria broke the uncomfortable silence. "You can call him
Chia- Head, its what I called him in elementary school."
Sera raised her eyes, "Chia-Head?"
"You should have seen his hair...VERY SCARY!"
Sera laughed and that seemed to break the tension.
Kyle laid a kiss on her forehead.
"I'm sorry." He whispered against her skin.
She pulled away from him and frowned.
"Did you just kiss me with your barbecue covered
mouth?"
He grinned and looked at her head. "Oops! Sorry!"
He grabbed his napkin and pretended to wipe away sauce.
"Get away from me!" She squealed pointing at his
sauce covered hands.
He made grabbing motions inches away from her face.
"Isabel! Make him stop!"
"Kyle, down boy!"
"But its fun."
Iz raised an eyebrow and Kyle shrugged. "Fine! All in good
time my pretty, all in good time." He cackled in his best
Wicked Witch of the West voice.
Maria shook her head. "Serious issues!"
Iz and Sera had to leave the table they were laughing so hard.
*********
After dessert, which Michael and Max bet Kyle he couldn't eat
after the massive amounts of dinner he's consumed (he
proved them wrong), the parents went for a walk to work off
dinner.
"Some of us don't have the stamina to run for two hours
every morning." Diane said looking from her daughter to
Sera. "So walking after dinner will have to help keep us in
shape."
Iz and Sera grinned.
"Actually Mrs. Evans, we don't run for two hours. We run
about 30 minutes, then we go grab a cappuccino and talk."
"That's not true, yesterday it was 45 minutes!" Iz said.
Diane rolled her eyes at the girls and took Phillip’s hand and
they set out for their walk.
**********
Sera, Maria and Liz took the remaining containers into the
kitchen.
"How sexist is it that they're out their lolling about while
we're pulling dish duty?" Sera asked disgustedly as she
looked at mountain of dirty dishes.
"If its any consolation, you look hot in the kitchen."
All three girls spun around to see Sean lounging in the door
leering at them.
"Hey Parker!"
"Hi." Liz said before becoming highly interested in loading
the dishwasher.
"Davidson, Nice outfit."
"Hello Sean. Thanks"
"Maria"
"Loser."
"How was your picnic Sean?" Sera asked as she nudged
Maria for the Loser comment.
"Great, you guys should have come. We played football,
had water gun fights, it was nice."
"Who had water gun fights?" Iz asked coming out of the
bathroom. "Sean."
"Isabel Evans, you look more beautiful EVERY time I see you!"
"Never gonna happen Sean!"
"You're killing me girl!"
Iz glared at him. "So who had water gun fights?" she
asked again.
"The guys at the Meta-Chem picnic."
"You know that's not such a bad idea..." Isabel trailed off,
looking outside.
"Isabel, we couldn't do that..." Liz began
"Oh come on Liz. I know my brother is usually Mr. Sensitivity
but look at him, lounging out there with his fellow pigs, while
the ‘women folk’ are cleaning in the kitchen!" [/b]
Sera turned from the refrigerator. "She has a point Liz."
"Come on Parker. I have plenty of water guns. Super Soakers
even."
"Oh, I call one of those." Sera said raising her hand.
"You're on Davidson. Just make sure you point that thing
away from me!"
"Of course!" she said smiling her sweetest smile.
"OK, I say we finish getting these in the dishwasher and the
food in the fridge and then we attack." Iz proclaimed.
"Works for me, but I'm telling you now...Kyle is mine and
he's going down!" Sera said with a devilish gleam in her
eye.
They crept out of the kitchen one by one.
Iz counted off one, two, three on her fingers and they silently
sprung into action.
Sera got to Kyle first and drenched him from head to toe with
the Super Soaker.
He jumped off the porch swing with a yell, "What the hell?
Sera, you are so dead!"
Within seconds he'd regained his composure and was after her.
Liz waited a split second too long and Max was tipped off by
Kyle's cry.
He spun around to face her just as she raised her gun. She
was aiming it at his chest.
"Liz, sweetheart, you don't want to do that!"
"I don't?"
"Now just give me the water gun and we can put a stop to this
foolishness."
"Sure Max, whatever you say." She moved closer to him
and unloaded the chamber on his shirt.
He grabbed her against him and hugged her tightly so she was
as wet as he was.
His mouth descended on hers in a passionate kiss. They
quickly forgot about the water fight.
Maria didn't bother with a gun, she took the ice bucket off the
table and dumped the whole thing over Michael's head.
"Maria!"
She came around the side of the lawn chair with her hands on
her hips.
"Yes?"
"What the hell was that for?"
"I just like to see you all wet."
Michael looked around the yard quickly before stalking
towards her.
They ran inside and up to her room.
"You realize this has to be a quickie right?" She asked
as he pushed her against her bedroom door.
"Not a problem."
Iz turned her gun on Sean and laughed as he chased her
around the yard.
"You were supposed to go after them not me."
"You're an easy target Sean. Besides. Its only fair that their
girlfriends get first crack at them, after that, they're fair
game."
"I like the way your mind works!"
***********
Maria and Michael rejoined the group about 20 minutes later,
to see their friends smiling knowingly at them.
"And where have you two been?" Liz asked trying not
to burst out laughing.
"None of your business." Michael replied
"Did we miss the rest of the water fight?" Maria asked
attempting nonchalance.
"Yeah, we looked all over the place for you, but just had NO
idea where you could have scampered off to!" Sera said
tongue in cheek, as she leaned against Kyle.
"OK, OK. You can drop it anytime now!"
Everyone laughed again before Max finally held up his hands.
"OK, We're done!"
"We are?" Kyle asked still laughing.
"Keep it up Chia-head!" Maria warned pointing Liz's
spent water gun at him.
Kyle stuck his tongue out at her in response.
"Hey Isabel, hit the play button will you?" Sean asked
pointing to the portable stereo he brought out earlier.
"Sure."
She pressed play and the beginning of The Wiseguys' Start The
Commotion filled the backyard.
Sera leapt away from Kyle. "I LOVE this song! Lets dance!"
"No, no, no! I don't dance!"
"What??"
"I don't dance. Not to something like this anyway!"
Not even for me?" She pouted, moving her body to the
music.
"Nope."
Maria extended her hand, "Come on Chica, I'll dance with
you!"
"Yea! Liz. Isabel...you too."
They jumped up, Liz tried to get Max to join them.
"I don't want to be the only guy dancing."
She rolled her eyes and joined her friends.
Sean took the opportunity to get a little playful with the girls.
He moved behind Sera and began to grind into her.
"Something tells me that you'll be in your element at Orbit!
Dance like this and you'll have every guy there ready to take
you home!"
"How did you know I was a closet nympho Sean?"
"Isn't every girl? Except maybe Parker."
"HEY!" Liz exclaimed. "I can be wild."
All four of them looked at her.
Liz narrowed her eyes in defiance and moved behind Sean
running her hands down his arms and back. When he moved
to face her she danced away, Sean laughed at her and turned
his attention back to Sera. She was leaning forward as she
moved her hips into him.
The seething look on Kyle's face did not go unnoticed by Sean.
"Hey Sera, I think you're boyfriend is ready to kill me. He
doesn't look real happy."
"Oh he'll be fine! I'm just giving him something to think
about."
"Yeah, he's thinking about 200 ways of killing me while I sleep.
I live in the same house with him remember? No escape!"
Now Sean, if you go away who am I going to dance with?"
Sera asked turning to face him and locking her arms around
his neck as she swiveled her body into his.
"Oh well, if he's going to kill me anyway, I might as well
make it worth it!"
Sean put his hands behind Sera's back and bent over her
slightly. He brought her back up and she ran a finger from his
lips to his waistband
Finally Kyle called out from the lawn chair.
"Not funny Sera!"
She giggled and laid her head on Sean's shoulder.
"I guess I should give him a break huh?"
"Please, before he murders me right here."
The song changed to No Doubt's Love To Love You and Sean
decided to sit this one out, a good distance away from Kyle.
Sera rejoined her girlfriends and they began to gyrate to
Gwen's sultry tones.
Maria was having a great time watching as Michael's eyes
raked over her body with every shift of her hips.
Whispering in Liz's ear they left Iz and Sera to move within
arms length of their boyfriends and began to dance
suggestively.
Maria's hands began to trace the curves of her body keeping
eye contact with Michael the entire time. As she leaned
forward to touch him, he pulled her into the chair and kissed
her senseless.
Max just sat and appreciated the show.
Does she realize how sexy she is? Not just the dancing,
which is nice, don't get me wrong. But everything about her is
a turn-on. The way she flips her hair over her shoulder, the
way she smiles ever so slightly when she's embarrassed. That
little scar above her eye. Her lips...OK Evans, get control.
Thinking about Liz's lips could result in pulling a Michael and
Maria. As much as Maria loves both of us, I don't think she'd
let us use her bedroom. And there is no way I'd use Kyle or
Sean's!! Ugh!
Liz moved closer to him and he grinned at her like a little kid.
She smiled at him and allowed him to draw her near. He
rested his head against her stomach as she smoothed his hair.
When she exhaled deeply, he looked up at her. She bent to
kiss him and he wrapped his arms around her delicate frame.
Iz and Sera were dancing together while Sean looked on with
thumbs up and other hand gestures. Kyle finally gave in to
temptation and walked toward them.
"So you're not going to come talk to me?"
Without breaking stride Sera looked at him.
"You told me you don't dance."
"Max and Michael weren't dancing but that didn't stop Liz and Maria. Look at them"
"And?"
"You know using them as reference points isn't always the best
course of action!" Iz warned.
Sera laughed and Kyle frowned at his friend.
"OK, I'm going to get some more lemonade." Iz said at
Kyle's look. "You want?"
"Sure, thanks!"
"So, your dance with Sean was interesting to say the least."
"Jealous?"
"I don't know if jealous is the right word, incensed might work
better."
"I was just giving you a demonstration of the type of dancing I
wanted to do with you."
"Really? I...wait a minute, are you trying to sweet talk your
way out of this?"
"Is it working?"
"I might be persuaded to change my mind." he told her
leaning in for a kiss.
"Goody, goody!"
A cough at their elbows broke them apart, Iz had returned
with lemonade and parents.
"Was there an attack?" Jim asked surveying the
damage from the water fight.
"We went a little overboard with the clean up." Kyle
said wringing out his still damp shirt.
"Who won?" Phillip asked noting that the girls were
considerably drier than the boys.
"We did." Sera and Iz proclaimed proudly.
"WHAT? It was a surprise attack! You can't claim victory for that!" Kyle
protested.
"What a baby!" Iz said crinkling her nose at him.
"No kidding." Sera agreed.
Jim and Phil laughed at their kids.
"OK guys, Its time for fireworks, everyone gather your
drinks and what not and we'll head out to the park." Amy
was in director mode again.
"Yea fireworks!" Maria bounded toward Sera and Iz. "I love fireworks."
"There's a surprise." Iz laughed.
"What does that mean?" Maria asked
"Well they are a lot like you, pretty, fun to watch,
sparkly..."
"And loud, don't forget loud." Kyle said unable to resist
teasing his almost sister.
Maria stuck her tongue out at Kyle as Sera smacked him on
the arm.
"Come on Chia-head. Let's go watch the fireworks."
The park was pretty crowded when they arrived. But having
the sheriff in your party certainly helped. Hanson had reserved
a choice piece of property large enough for the entire group.
Jim excused himself and went to talk with Hanson and the fire
marshal. Once they had everything squared away, Jim made his way
to the podium that was set up in the center of the park.
"Good evening everyone. Hope your having a happy Fourth
of July!"
Cheers from the crowd
"Well, I'd like to welcome you to our 25th annual
Fireworks in the Park celebration."
More cheers.
"Now sit back, relax and enjoy the show."
He gave the nod to the fire marshal and the first wave of
fireworks lit up the sky.
He returned to the blanket Amy had laid out for them.
Everyone snuggled together to watch the fireworks. Sera’s
gaze landed on Isabel sitting alone between Max/Liz and
Sera/Kyle and nudged her boyfriend. When he looked at her
she pointed to Iz. He grinned and nodded his head. Tapping
his friend on the shoulder Kyle crooked his finger at her. When
Isabel turned to face him, he patted the space next to him.
Isabel smiled and shook her head no, but Kyle wouldn't hear of it.
He nodded his head and pointed to Sera, who was tapping her
wrist as if to say "Any time now."
"Come on Iz...it will really boost my ego to have the two
most beautiful girls by my side."
Isabel grinned at the couple and acquiesced. She allowed Kyle to
draw her to him. He let her get comfy against him, then threw
one arm over her and the other over Sera. The girls' heads
were occupying opposite shoulders. Sera looked over Kyle's
face and smiled at Isabel. Iz placed her hand on top of Sera's
and met the younger girls eyes in a silent `Thank You."
Sera winked in response.
"Happy Fourth Isabel."
"Happy Fourth!"
Last edited by LizabethR2D2 on Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
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LizabethR2D2
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Starting Over (CC, All, Adult) Part 5-Sera's B-day Update2/7
Starting Over (CC, All, Adult)
Part 5-Sera’s Birthday
Title: Starting Over
Author: LizabethR2D2
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I owned these characters/this show I do not! They belong to Melinda Metz, Jason Katims, the WB and UPN networks and the amazing actors who portrayed them! I guess I do own Sera, but I’d be willing to trade her for Colin Hanks. (Or Nick!!!)
Category: CC
Rating: Adult (It will vary chapter to chapter, but let’s just be safe and say Adult to cover all our bases!)
Summary: Alternate Season 3-Picking up a few weeks after the WB Season 2 Finale. This is the Season 3 that I would have liked to see televised, our CCs are together, no one is going to a Vermont boarding school, no one moves to NYC and no one marries Delko! Just good old fashioned Season 1 type entertainment. (At least I like to think so!) [/b]
SILVERBEND MALL
Maria, Liz and Isabel wound their way through the mall leading Kyle from
store to store. Each time he picked up a gift one of them would veto.
“What about this?”
“No.” Maria said barely looking up, as she and Liz were engrossed in a shower gel display.
“She likes this scent, I think. And anyway, I thought you girls liked getting baskets of bath beads and lotions. God knows you have a ton of this crap all over the bathroom.” he said looking at his almost-sister.
“Kyle that’s not the point. The point is this is your girlfriend we’re talking about. You need to get her something with a little more thought behind it not just a random gift basket. Besides, that’s what Michael and I got her.”
Isabel took Kyle by the arm as they walked out of Crabtree and Evelyn.
"Kyle this will be a lot easier if you just use your head. What would
she like? Think about what would mean a lot to her.”
I think I can do that!”
“Well, don’t strain yourself.”
“Come on Iz, you’re the expert gift shopper here. Can’t you help a little? I know you got those earrings Michael gave Maria last Christmas.”
Isabel looked as though she was ready to deny that accusation.
“Please, there is no way Michael would have come up with those on his own! If you didn’t buy them, then you at least picked them out.”
“True, but Maria doesn’t know that so keep your voice down.”
Kyle laughed as Iz shoved him lightly. Turning to tug on her hair, he
noticed something in a store window.
"What about those?"
***********
CRASHDOWN CAFE
“Sera, I really appreciate you coming in on your birthday.”
“It’s more than OK Mr. Parker. You’ve been so great giving me all this time off for camp. I owe you big time.”
“Nah, We’ll be okay Just have fun!”
Michael smacked his hand down over the order bell breaking up the conversation.
“Sera, Will Smith medium rare.”
“Thanks!”
“Well, I’ll let you get back to it!” Jeff said as he left the restaurant for the apartment above.
Sera picked up her order from Michael and went to her tables.
The bell over the door rang and Max walked in.
She smiled at him and motioned him to a booth in her section.
"Hey Max! How are you?”
“Hey Sera, happy birthday!”
“Thanks!”
“I’m surprised to see you today! I thought you’d be home preparing for your party.”
“No, I told Mr. Parker I’d come in and help out. Kyle forced Maria, Liz and Isabel to go to the mall with him. He needed help picking out my present.”
“He hasn’t picked up anything yet?”
“No, and his face gave him away. I reminded him that everyone was coming over at 5:00 and his eyes kinda bugged out, then he made some excuse that he forgot something he and Isabel were supposed to do and left.”
Max laughed. “Well, I’m sure my sister will rip into him for last minute shopping. It’s one of her pet peeves.”
“She sure has a tight leash on him! EXCELLENT!” She said with a Mr. Burns-esque tone. “So what can I get for you?”
“I’ll just have a Mars Attacks, medium well with chips instead of French fries please.”
“You got it! What about a drink?”
“Cherry Coke.”
“Why did I even ask?” they shared a grin. “I’ll be right back.”
“Hey Michael, Max would like a Mars Attacks medium well, chips no fries.”
“Sure. Order up!”
“Already?”
“Not yours, this is Holly’s, table four”
“Where’s Holly?”
“She went on her break.”
“Wonderful! I guess that means I’m taking her tables too!”
Michael smirked. “Happy Birthday!”
Sera rolled her eyes. She took the order for table four and quickly filled a cherry coke for Max. Placing them both on a tray she wound through the tables.
She dropped off the food first then set Max’s soda down.
“Working the whole restaurant today?” Max asked taking a sip.
“Holly is supposed to cover that side but Michael just said she took a break! AGAIN!”
“Mr. Parker really is a softy to keep her on. I can’t count how many times Liz and Maria complain about her.”
“I’ll give her one compliment, when she does bother to work, she’s pretty good at her job!”
“Well, that’s a start!”
DING
“Sera, order up!” Michael yelled.
“Excuse me.” Sera said moving away from the table.
“You rang?” she asked Michael as she returned to the kitchen.
“Cute, here’s your Martian Melt and Redskin Basket.”
“You know, All work and no play make Michael a dull boy!”
He stared at her for a moment before holding up his finer and saying, “REDRUM”
She laughed. “Was that a joke? I knew you had it in you Michael!”
Sera took the meals off the window and took them to the couple at table five.
She rang two customers out; refilled sodas for three tables and was just bending down to get more sweetener for a table when:
DING
“Mars Attacks for Maxwell”
She grabbed the Equal packets and Max’s lunch off the counter. Dropping the sweetener off at table two she was just serving Max when Liz, Maria, Iz and Kyle strolled in armed with shopping bags.
“Hey beautiful!” Max called as the gang approached his table.
“Gee, Thanks Maxie. You’re pretty cute yourself!” Kyle said in a girlish voice.
“I thought we talked about you and that voice.” Sera complained as Isabel instructed Kyle: “You know you are to refrain from that voice in my presence!”
“He does that so well, I question his sexual orientation.” Maria joked.
“Don’t, I can vouch for him.” Sera said with a sly smile.
“More than I needed to know!” Maria said with a grimace.
“I second that.” Iz shook her head.
“God, gutter minds! Sera smacked Maria on the arm. “I just meant that I’ve been dating him for over a month now, I think I’d know!”
“Oh.” Maria tried not to laugh.
“Is that all you think about?” Sera asked regarding Maria with a stern gaze.
“Maybe!”
“See, gutter mind!”
Maria playfully shoved Sera into Kyle, then grabbed her bags and went to visit Michael.
Iz glanced at her brother and Liz sharing his cherry coke and chips, then looked at Sera and rolled her eyes.
“Well, I can see there is no talking to those two, they are WAY too wrapped up in each other.”
Come on I’ll put you behind them so you’ll be in my section, actually, I think every section is my section today.”
“Holly’s here. Isn’t she supposed to have that side?” Liz asked snagging some chips from Max’s plate.
“Oh my God you mean she’s actually going to work today?” Kyle asked.
“Surprise Surprise right?” Sera joked. “She’s probably pissed because I get off early and she works till 6:00 with Christina and Deandra.”
Kyle and Isabel took thier seats as Sera left to get them drinks.
“So you think she’ll like them?” Kyle asked.
“YES!! For the one hundred and fiftieth time yes!”
“Is he bothering you?” Sera asked as she returned with their beverages.
“Not bothering so much as obsession on the same point over and over again!" Isabel answered.
“Leave Iz alone!!!” Sera said tugging Kyle’s hair affectionately. “She was nice enough to take you shopping today.”
“I took her…wait, how did you know that we went shopping?”
“I have my ways! Did you find anything?”
“I got a few new outfits.” Iz said sipping her cherry coke.
“Anything I can borrow?” Sera asked.
“Of course!”
“Yea, shopping trip in Isabel’s closet!” Kyle smiled as he watched his girlfriend dance her happy dance.
“OK people, order what you want because I’m out of here in ten minutes. Gives me time to slip in to my bikini and catch a few rays before I have to prepare for your invasion.”
“Our invasion? I thought we were invited.” Iz said.
“Yes, but only cause I’m a present whore!” Sera asked
Kyle’s eyes bugged out and he nearly choked on his soda.
“PRESENT whore. Learn to listen!”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You have that look.”
“Oh the classic Kyle Valenti, I really want to say something but I know if I do I’m going to get in trouble look?” Iz conjectured.
“Exactly!” Sera concurred.
“Why do I let you two gang up on me?" Kyle asked
“You love it and you know it!” Sera said with a smirk. “Now are you two going to order or not?”
“Nothing for me.”
“Kyle?”
“Asteroid Pie with ice cream.”
“You do know we’re having an ice cream cake tonight right?” Sera asked.
“Yeah?”
Sera looked to Iz who shrugged her shoulders and threw up her hands.
“Don’t look at me, you’re responsible for him now!”
“Gee thanks!” Sera laughed. “I’ll be right back with your order.”
As she entered the kitchen door she saw Michael and Maria huddled near the sink. Maria was laughing as Michael attempted to put something on her wrist. Sera cleared her throat and they sprung apart.
“Hey Chica, didn’t hear you come in.”
Sera had to cover her mouth when Maria raised her hand to smooth her hair: Shackled to Maria's wrist was a pair of red feather covered handcuffs.
“Been to Frederick’s?” Sera asked getting the Asteroid Pie out of the fridge.
“What, why….oh.” Maria pulled her hand down and undid the handcuffs, then stuffed them in the nearest bag.
“It’s just a gag gift for a friend.”
“Uh-huh!” Sera said with a grin. “They look pretty cool. I just hope you have something to wear with them, I hear they have a great leather teddy.”
Sera scampered out the door to avoid the dishtowel Maria tossed at her.
Stopping to grab a fork for Kyle, she peeked in the order window.
“You know if you aren’t into leather, there is a great red lace thing I saw in the last catalog, I think it would match perfect.”
“I’m about three seconds from taking your gift back to the mall.” Maria yelled at her.
“Stopping now!”
Making her way back to Kyle and Iz, she couldn’t help but grin at Liz and Max, who were smiling at one another as they talked softly. Sera once asked Kyle if they were always that googly with each other.
(Kyle's response, “CONSTANTLY!! Max once told me that he and Liz saw into each other’s souls…of course we were both drunk at the time, so take that with a grain of salt.”)
Reaching Kyle and Iz’s table Sera set the Asteroid Pie down with a warning.
“If you ruin your appetite don’t blame me!”
“I’ll have plenty of room for cake later! Promise!” Kyle stated as he dove into the pie.
“Isabel did you drive?”
“No, Kyle did.”
“Well, I am officially off in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, NOW! Woo Hoo! I’m going to clock out and I’ll be right back!”
She returned in a flash and sat next to Kyle.
“Did you bring your stuff with you or do we need to swing by your house?”
“No I dropped my stuff in his trunk before we went shopping.”
“Great so we can go straight to my house and the pool!”
“So is this a girl’s only thing or can the boyfriend come too?”
“Girl’s only.” Sera said shaking her head. “Sorry!”
“Why be sorry? That means he can come.” Iz cracked.
“I really dislike the two of you.” Kyle said looking at each girl.
*****
“So you got Sera’s present wrapped?” Max asked as Liz returned with his cherry coke refill.
“All taken care of.”
“You still want to me pick you up at 4:30?”
“Well,” she began, snuggling closer to him. “If you came by a bit earlier we’d have some time alone, before the big celebration.”
Max grinned as he looked at his girlfriend.
“Have I told you today how beautiful you are?”
“Not yet.”
“Well, I should make up for that. Liz Parker, you are the most beautiful person in this or any world.”
Liz blushed and leaned into Max for a kiss.
Behind them Iz coughed loudly and Max broke away to glare at his sister.
“Maybe we should go upstairs and get away from the on-lookers.” Liz offered.
“Sounds like a plan to me.” Max said with a gleam in his eye.
They practically sprinted to the back and up the stairs, making sure to tiptoe past Jeff and Nancy’s room where Nancy was listening to Elvis Costello and folding laundry before slipping into Liz’s bedroom and onto her balcony.
“Did you have a fun time at the mall?” Max asked kissing his girlfriend’s forehead.
“Shopping with those three is QUITE the experience.” Liz laughed as she pulled Max down on the lounge chair. “I think Kyle looked through every store in the mall TWICE before Isabel and Maria OK’d his present choice.”
“Sounds like you need to relax and unwind after that.”
“Any ideas on how to do that?” Liz asked with a smile.
“I think I might be able to come up with something.” Max teased, placing a kiss on her collarbone.
“I think I’m going to like this idea!” Liz said before Max moved to her mouth.
********
Downstairs Kyle was still trying to persuade Iz and Sera to let him crash their pre-party.
“No! Male guests are not allowed until 5:00!” Sera said with a stern tone.
“Oh come on! What do you guys have a stripper coming or something.”
Sera and Iz looked at each other.
“DO YOU?” Kyle asked a little louder.
“No, but that would be an excellent way to kick off the party!” Isabel said nudging Sera.
“Damn, why didn’t we think of that sooner!” Sera said, loving the look crossing Kyle’s face.
“Not funny!” he warned.
“Nothing to worry about, there will be no strippers, at least for now. We’re just going to do some good old fashioned girl talk—in our bikinis!!”
“OK I’m definitely coming over now.”
“Compromise, You stay away until 4:00. That will give you time to WRAP UP a few things before you head over.” Iz looked at him pointedly.
Kyle caught on and shook his head. “Yeah, I do have a few things to finish up. Uh, is that OK? If I show up a little early?”
“I guess I can put up with you for an extra hour!” Sera said making a face at her boyfriend.
“Gee thanks.” Kyle joked tickling her side.
Sera squealed and hopped out of the booth. She stuck out her hand and motioned toward his empty pie plate.
“Done? Or do you need to lick it clean?”
“Such abuse, I think I’ll take that present back.”
“Isabel? Should that threat worry me?”
“Actually Sera it might. He did a pretty good job.” Isabel admitted.
“With lots of help from you I’m sure.”
“Naturally!”
“What? You are not taking credit for my present.” Kyle protested.
“Children! Let’s not argue!” Sera said, taking Kyle's plate back to the sink. She said goodbye to Maria and Michael who were arguing about the proper toppings to go on the bowl of ice cream they were sharing.
“See you at 5:00 right Chica?”
“Well, I’d try and convince you to come to the girls only pre-party, but something tells me you have other plans.” Sera said with a grin.
“I’ll be there at 5:00.”
“See you then. Bye Michael.”
“Later.”Sera walked out front to retrieve Isabel.
“Ready?”
“When you are.”
Kyle followed the girls to the parking lot, popped the trunk and took out Isabel’s bag.
“I’ll see you at 4:00.” he said leaning in to kiss Sera quickly on the lips.
“See ya then.” she said, pressing the unlock button on her keychain.
“Later Iz. Thanks for today.”
“You owe me.”
“As usual!” Kyle grinned at her.
Sera and Iz hopped in the Pathfinder and pulled out of the parking spot. Sera honked and both girls waved at Kyle, then they set out for Sera’s house.
***********
THE WHITMAN’S (POOL SIDE)
Iz turned over on her stomach and passed the sunscreen to Sera who applied another coat to her arms before lying on her tummy as well.
“So you and Kyle are getting pretty serious?”
Sera turned to face Iz. “Was there a segue to that? I thought we were talking about movies.”
“I’ve never been good at small talk. I prefer to just get to the point.”
“OK, direct. I like that. Yeah, I think we are getting serious. At least I hope so.”
“You hope so?”
“I REALLY like him. I know we haven’t been dating long, but I’ve never had so much fun in all my life.”
“Really?”
Sera blushed and grinned at the look on Isabel’s face.
“Not that kind of fun! He’s been a perfect gentlemen.”
“We are talking about Kyle Valenti aren’t we?”
“YES! I’m serious Isabel, coming here, meeting all of you. It’s been amazing. I kept worrying I wouldn’t fit in, I wouldn’t have anything in common with anyone. But you, Kyle, Maria, Liz, Max and Michael; you’ve all been wonderful. And Kyle? I starting to feel things about him I’ve never felt for anyone.”
“You’ve been good for him.”
“You think so?”
“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it. Kyle and I have become pretty good friends in the past few months, we’ve been working through difficult times, it’s nice to see him happy.”
“Thanks Iz.”
“Just make sure he stays happy.” Isabel warned, with a smile.
“I’ll do my best.”
**************
By the time Kyle arrived around 4:00, Iz and Sera were on their second pitcher of non-alcoholic strawberry margaritas.
“Man, you started the party without me?” He asked looking at the girls who were sitting in their lounge chairs wearing their cover-ups and toasting giddily. “Are you sure there is no booze in these?” Kyle questioned as he appraised the two giggling girls.
“100% alcohol free. So says the label. We are just naturally goofy.” Sera explained.
“That’s for sure!” Kyle agreed, setting the gift he was carrying onto an empty table near the food table.
“Is that for me?” Sera asked jokingly.
“No, its for Iz.” he deadpanned.
“Me? I love presents. But Sera can have it, I already know what it is!”
“So hard to please.” Kyle said laughing at his friend.
Isabel smirked at him.
“OK…who’s ready for a water fight!” Kyle asked raising his eyebrows at Iz and Sera as he stripped off his shirt.
Sera was grateful for her sunglasses as Kyle shed his shirt. Had they not been present, she swore that her eyes would have popped out of her skull.
Damn, he’s got a nice body! I mean I know it feels nice when I’m running my hands up his chest but GOOD LORD! I don’t think anyone has the right to look that good.
While Sera was trying to regain the ability to speak, Iz glared at her friend.
“Don’t even think about it!”
“Why not? You guys attacked us on Fourth of July. I say turn about is fair play!”
“You’re all alone. You really think you stand a chance against us?”
“When the guys get here I’m sure they’ll back me up!”
“You think Max and Michael will pay any attention to you with Liz and Maria parading around in bikinis? When did you suffer a massive head wound?”
“Guys stick up for each other.”
“Not when their girlfriends are standing four inches away from them wearing only a tiny swatch of fabric!!”
“We’ll see.”
Iz turned to Sera. “Stand up.”
“Huh?” Sera looked at Isabel.
“Stand up. I’m going to prove my point.”
Sera did as she was told and stood beside Iz.
Isabel walked toward Kyle pulling Sera with her. She reached out and yanked the tie to Sera's halter style cover-up. The material drifted down Sera’s body and she blushed to the roots of her hair when she saw Kyle’s eyes roam over her approvingly.
OK, I’m so glad these swim trunks are bulky. I didn’t think that Sera could possibly look more beautiful than she did in that corset thingie on Fourth of July, but this suit is making me crazy! It matches her eyes, which makes them seem more blue than ever-if that’s even possible.
Praise Buddha, she was built for a bikini! Wait, I’m supposed to be refuting Isabel’s point.
“And?” Kyle managed to choke out, hoping he sound stronger to them than he did to himself.
Sera grinned and looked at Isabel before moving closer to her boyfriend.
“So my proximity to you, in this garment has ABSOLUTELY no effect on you?”
N…None whatsoever.”
Kyle stuttered.
Sera pressed into him and breathed in his ear. “None? Really? I must be losing my touch.” She said as she traced a path down his arm.
Sera started to turn away from him and he spun her around to face him. “Well I guess you did have some effect on me.”
She smiled. “Really?” she asked putting her arms around his neck. “Care to share?”
“This is something I’d better show you.” Kyle said kissing her lightly.
“Standing right here.” Isabel complained.
“Don’t worry Iz, I’ll show you too.”
“What?” the girls shouted a split second before Kyle wrapped one arm around Iz’s waist and jumped into to pool with both girls.
They came up sputtering as Kyle howled with laughter.
“Pay back is a bitch isn’t it?” He asked.
Isabel struggled with her wet cover-up for a moment before finally pulling it free.
“Nice suit Iz.” Kyle said regarding the copper bikini that looked stunning against her tan form.
She shot daggers at him in response.
He swam the length of the pool as the girls got their hair out of their faces and plotted their revenge.
“He is so going down!” Sera said as she wiped her face with a towel.
“You’re not kidding!” Iz said, pulling the wet ponytail holder out of her hair.
They swam to Kyle, who tried to get away but they were too fast for him.
“Where are you going? We just want to have a little fun.” Sera said in a singsong voice.
"Hey, now if you want all of us to have fun, I can think of a really good way.”
Sera nodded slightly to Iz who quickly jumped Kyle, dunking him under the water.
Kyle tried in vain to escape Isabel’s hands, she was deceptively strong and, he had a sneaking suspicion she was using her powers on him. He caught hold of Sera’s legs and took her under. She swam free of his grasp as Isabel released him. He came up with a devilish glint in his eyes. He splashed Sera, his arm making a sweeping motion through the water. She retaliated, but her aim was off and the brunt of the wave caught Iz full in the face. Isabel sputtered for a moment before going after Sera.
Kyle, Sera and Isabel were having so much fun they didn’t realize how much time had passed until Maria, Michael, Liz and Max appeared at the pool’s edge.
“Well. Looks like you guys are having fun without us.” Maria said laughing at the pool occupants.
The trio finally called a truce and hoisted themselves out of the water.
“Happy Birthday Chica! I’d hug you but your soaked.”
“That’s OK.”
“Oh good the gang’s all here.” Nicole said as she and Charles came out bearing pizza and gifts.
“Man, Sera you are making a haul.” Maria laughed examining the card table where the gifts were stacked. “Just think if you’d invited too many more people, the presents wouldn’t fit.”
“Everyone I want to share my birthday with is here. Except Sean.”
“Yeah, he hated that he couldn’t get off work, but he sent his birthday wishes. He said he’d give you your birthday spanking the next time he saw you.”
“Ooh, I can’t wait!” Sera joked.
“Sean’s so humorous isn’t he?” Kyle asked as he draped his arm somewhat possessively over his girlfriend.
Nicole opened the pizza boxes and blanched. “Ugh, I don’t know how you kids eat this stuff. Pineapple and hot peppers on the same pizza?”
“Sweet and Spicy.” Max, Iz. Michael, Maria and Liz answered all at once.
“Yes, well, better you than me I guess!” Nicole said with a head shake.
“You call us when you’re ready to do gifts.” Charles said turning to head indoors with his wife.
“You aren’t staying?”
“No, you have fun at the party part of the party and call us for the gift giving and for clean-up.”
“You two rock! Can it be my birthday everyday?”
“Thankfully no.” Charles teased. “Have fun kids!”
They loaded up plates with the pizza, chips, and dip and sat on the lounge chairs to talk.
“So what exactly does one do at a two week cheerleading camp?” Isabel asked sipping her water.
“Seems a bit excessive doesn’t it?” Sera replied with a grin. “Well at Kennedy, we worked on the routines for the coming year. Our camps were only a week long. Maybe they do something special here. I know it will be fun, but I have a major hurdle to overcome.”
“What’s that?” Liz asked.
“How to spend two weeks in a close proximity to Pam Troy without killing her.”
“Now there’s a challenge.” Max said causing everyone to stare at him.
“What? I’m not allowed to express my opinions.”
“Just never knew you had it in you!” Kyle said looking at Max bewildered.
“I’ve expressed my opinion regarding you PLENTY of times.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t count. You’re jealous of me.” Kyle puffed out his chest.
Sera threw a potato chip at him. “Why would Max be jealous of you?”
“Thanks for the support!” Kyle said frowning at her.
“Anytime!”
Max picked up the Tabasco bottle and liberally doused his pizza.
“Tabasco on top of hot peppers? Geez you three really do like the hot stuff!!” Sera said turning her attention to Iz, Max and Michael.
“Just our little dietary quirk.” Iz said stealing a glance at Maria, who grinned.
“I guess I can’t say anything. I made a cake with cayenne in it last year.”
The group stared at her.
“I had just seen Chocolat, because hello, Johnny Depp, and anyway, Juliette Binoche uses chile peppers in her hot chocolate. I went home and tried it with a cake. I thought it was pretty good. My mother, however, wouldn’t let me near the kitchen for three weeks after that.”
“Good thing Mr. Parker hired you as a waitress, not a cook!” Michael joked.
Sera sneered at him, but joined everyone else as they laughed.
When they put away most of the pizza Sera ran to get Nicole and Charles for the gift giving.
When she returned Liz was collecting the paper plates and stacking them on the table near the pizza boxes. Sera walked quickly to her and took her hand.
“You are not at work! Put down the plates, walk away from the table and no one gets hurt!”
“Sera, I don’t mind!”
“I do! Come sit down.”
“OK!”
The sat near Kyle and Max, Sera clapped her hands at her mother. “Gimmie, Gimmie!”
“I thought you’d outgrow this obsession with getting presents." Nicole lightly chided her daughter.
“No way. I’ve still got at least another 10-20 years before I tire of getting presents!”
“OK, lets start with this one from me and Charles.”
Sera opened the package to reveal diamond earrings. She squealed and jumped up to hug her mother.
“You’ve been waiting for those for awhile now, so I hope you like them.”
“I love them. Thanks Mom. Charles,” she exclaimed as she hugged him, “Thank you, they’re beautiful!”
She scampered back to the chair she and Kyle were sharing to show him. He laughed at her enthusiasm. “Easy girl, you still have five more to get through!”
“I can’t help it, I love presents.”
“Don’t listen to him Sera, he loves getting presents just as much as the next person!” Liz reported.
Iz grabbed the next present off the table and read its tag. “This one’s from Sean.”
“That was sweet!” Sera cooed.
Kyle took the package and held it at arms length. “Be careful, it might explode.”
“Give it back! It’s for me it won’t explode. Now if it were for you, then we’d have cause to worry!”
Kyle returned the present and Sera ripped into it. Her eyes widened as she looked inside.
“Oh my God!!!” She reached in and held up the gift to show Maria. “He’s such a sweetie! It’s a Spike clock! I’ll now have James Marsters in my bedroom on a regular basis!”
“Can I borrow that?” Liz asked.
“NO!” Max and Sera forcefully answered her.
“I can’t believe he remembered that conversation.” Kyle looked to her for an explanation. “He was in the Crashdown having lunch one day and I mentioned that he’d better tip me well because I just found a new Buffy website to blow all my cash on. He asked me a little more about it and THIS,” she held up the clock for demonstration. “was one of my heavily coveted items! How did he know I didn’t have it?”
“He called to make sure before he bought it.” Charles explained.
“Oh! I can’t wait to see him in person! To thank him, I may let him give me those birthday spankings after all.” Sera said laughing.
Kyle mocked her laughter. “Ha Ha Ha. Over my dead body!”
“OK Iz, what’s next. Mr. Testosterone is beginning to rear its ugly head.”
“You can open mine next.” Isabel said passing a slim package to Sera.
“I love this wrapping its beautiful!
“Why is it chicks get just as excited about the wrapping paper as they do the actual present?” Michael asked Max.
Max shook his head with a grin.
Sera opened the package. “Iz I love them!” She modeled her new J-Lo style shades for everyone.
“I’ve never seen them with a butterfly, its usually a heart.”
Iz and Kyle grinned. “I had them make an alteration.”
Sera leaned forward to hug Isabel. “Thank you so much.”
“That one is from Max and me.” Liz said as Isabel picked up a larger package.
“I love packages wrapped like this. It makes me feel like I’m on TV.” Sera joked as she pulled the wrapped top off the bottom. “Oh my God you two, Thank you.”
She pulled Enemy at the Gates and The Mummy: Ultimate Edition out of the box.
“There’s a second layer.” Max said pointing to the box.
Sera laughed as she lifted up the tissue paper and uncovered three bags of microwave popcorn.
“It was a vicious plot. Get you movie and popcorn and you HAVE to have us over to share!”
“Agreed! I’ll put them in a special bag marked Max and Liz only!”
“Hey, What about us?" Michael questioned.
“We’ll see.” Max laughed.
“OK that one’s from me and Michael! Open open!” Maria exclaimed.
Sera accepted the package from and pulled back the paper.
“Crabtree and Evelyn! Ohh, Nantucket Briar is my favorite scent! Thanks guys!”
“Honey were are you going to put all the shower gels and bubble baths you have now?” Nicole questioned with a smirk.
“Not to worry Mom. For this I’ll make room!” She winked at Maria and Michael.
“If you say so!” Nicole shook her head. “Well, looks like we’re down to one present. Kyle this must be yours.” She handed the package to Kyle who turned it over to Sera apprehensively.
She smiled at him as she took the gift. She slowly slid her fingers under the tape and pried the wrap away from the box. When it finally slid away her breath caught in her throat. She glanced up at Kyle before opening the box. She reached in and pulled out a set of colorful butterfly wind chimes.
Kyle whispered in her ear. “If you don’t like them we can take them back. She shifted on the lounge chair and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love them.” she whispered back. “Remind me to show you how much later.”
Kyle pulled away and looked at her with a goofy grin on his face.
“Now Kyle you know I’m not one to say I told you so…”
Iz began as the rest of the group coughed and snickered.
“BUT…” she shot them an icy glare.
“I told you she’d like them.”
“Yes you did. Thank you Iz!”
“All of you thank you so much! I love everything. You guys are so great!” Sera said as she wiped tears from her eyes.
“How about some cake kids?” Nicole said giving Sera an opportunity to compose herself.
Kyle picked up the wrapping paper mess that had created a nest around his and Sera’s chair.
“Fudge Mint Ripple ice cream cake.” Nicole announced as she strategically placed seventeen candles around the cake’s perimeter.
“Oh yes! Sera you know how to pick your ice cream!” Isabel said with delight.
“Honestly, is there any other flavor even worth mentioning?” Sera replied.
“Very Vanilla is my favorite.” Liz admitted.
“Vanilla? Your favorite flavor is vanilla?” Sera asked incredulously.
“Tell me about it!” Isabel said rolling her eyes.
“You two leave Liz alone! Vanilla is a fine flavor!” Charles defended her.
“Thank you Mr. Whitman!”
“Well, I can’t let those two pick on you! It’s just not fair!” he winked at her.
Everyone filed to the table to get their cake then returned to their chairs. Maria provided a shield as Michael pooled some tabasco sauce onto his plate. Liz smiled and did the same for Max. Kyle grabbed a plate from Charles and put sauce behind the cake for Iz before handing it to her. He turned back to the table and accepted another plate from Charles before joining Sera on the chair.
They ate their cake in relative silence with a few jokes from Kyle about skinny-dipping. Apparently he failed to realize that Charles and Nicole had not yet gone back inside.
Once Charles cleared his throat and gave him a stern stare, Kyle refrained from such comments.
When the cake was finished and the Whitman’s safely back inside, Maria decided it was time for everyone to hit the pool. She stripped off her clothes and grinned when she heard Michael’s breathing alter.
Her tiny light blue suit with sparkly yellow sunbursts certainly seemed to attract his attention.
Max was equally as interested in Liz’s black tankini. His eyes roamed over her appreciatively until his sister smacked him upside the head.
“You think you could have eye sex with her a little later?”
“Isabel!” Max turned to face his sister.
“Honestly Max, they way you two stare at each other is ridiculous!”
“Maybe if you weren’t so nosy, you wouldn’t notice the looks that Liz and I share.”
Max I could be blind and I’d still be subjected to those looks. They radiate off you two!”
Max grinned and started for his girlfriend.
“So, when did you get this and why haven’t you modeled it for me?” Michael asked Maria as he nuzzled the back of her neck.
“Because she got it the day I got mine!” Sera informed him as she and Kyle swam to the steps where they were seated.
“What else did you two pick up that day that you’re keeping from us?” Kyle asked with a glint in his eye.
“I guess you’ll have to wait see!” Sera said laughing as she splashed him.
Iz sat down on the pool edge and dangled her feet in the water. “Am I interrupting couple time?”
“Never. We’re always happy to see you.” Sera smiled.
Iz smiled back, before appraising Maria’s suit. “Is that it?” she questioned.
“Yeah.”
“Looks nice. How long was he non-verbal?” she asked nodding in Michael’s direction.
“Awhile.”
Michael looked from his girlfriend to his ‘sister’ “You two are a riot!”
“We try!” Maria said winking at him.
“Did you get tired of the dreamy twosome?” Kyle asked gesturing toward Max and Liz, who were on the opposite end of the pool, completely engrossed in each other.
“I can only take so much! I figured that you two were the safest couple to be around.” she said pointing at Sera and Kyle.
“What about us?” Maria said getting defensive.
“Please, you two are just as bad. I’ll say this for you. You don’t insist on making googly eyes at each other 24 hours a day!”
“No they prefer the more subtle tongue down your throat approach.” Kyle said making a face at Maria
“Like you’re opposed to that!” Maria said staring at him harshly.
“I think I’m a little more smooth than that!” Kyle protested.
All three girls responded at the same time: “No you’re not.”
Kyle turned on Sera. “Aren’t you are supposed to be expressing your thanks for your birthday present.”
“You’re the one who said we should come pick on Michael and Maria.”
“I said talk to not pick on.”
“Oh. There’s a difference?”
“Hey! See if I stick up for you anymore!” Maria said flicking water in Sera’s direction.
“Children place nice.” Iz chided.
“You never let us have any fun!” Kyle complained.
“I think those two are having enough fun for all of us.” Sera said pointing at Max and Liz.
“Ugh, still! Do they ever come up for air.” Iz asked joining her friends in the water.
“I think we all know the answer to that!” Michael replied dryly.
**********
At the other end of the pool Liz laughed as Max tried to join her on the raft she recently acquired from the pool ledge.
“I feel like Rose in Titanic.”
“What?” Max asked confused.
“Near the end of Titanic, Jack tries to join Rose on this raft thing, actually it’s a door or something. But each time he tries he nearly tips them both over so he settles for leaning on it while she stays afloat.”
“Oh.”
“Max, I know you’ve seen that movie! I’ve watched it with you.”
“I know I just love to hear you explain things.” he said gazing at her.
She smiled and kissed him. “Just be thankful that the Whitman’s keep their pool warm so we don’t have to worry about you freezing!”
“I’ll never let go Jack, I’ll never let go!” Max said in his best Rose voice.
“MAX! You’re ruining a beautiful movie moment! How would you like it if I made fun of Crouching Tiger?”
“That’s not allowed!” Max declared.
Liz grinned and shifted on the raft so she was closer to him.
“So Sera had a good time don’t you think?” she asked wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Yeah. This was fun! We haven’t had a real birthday celebration in the group in a long time.”
“I’ve missed everyone hanging out together. With everything that happened this spring, it feels nice to get some semblance of normality back.”
Max stroked her hair for a moment before a grin lit up his face. “Don’t get comfortable just yet!”
“Why not?” she inquired.
“Isabel’s birthday is in two months, that gives us JUST enough time to plan.”
Liz smiled and leaned in for another kiss.
END CHAPTER
Part 5-Sera’s Birthday
Title: Starting Over
Author: LizabethR2D2
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I owned these characters/this show I do not! They belong to Melinda Metz, Jason Katims, the WB and UPN networks and the amazing actors who portrayed them! I guess I do own Sera, but I’d be willing to trade her for Colin Hanks. (Or Nick!!!)
Category: CC
Rating: Adult (It will vary chapter to chapter, but let’s just be safe and say Adult to cover all our bases!)
Summary: Alternate Season 3-Picking up a few weeks after the WB Season 2 Finale. This is the Season 3 that I would have liked to see televised, our CCs are together, no one is going to a Vermont boarding school, no one moves to NYC and no one marries Delko! Just good old fashioned Season 1 type entertainment. (At least I like to think so!) [/b]
SILVERBEND MALL
Maria, Liz and Isabel wound their way through the mall leading Kyle from
store to store. Each time he picked up a gift one of them would veto.
“What about this?”
“No.” Maria said barely looking up, as she and Liz were engrossed in a shower gel display.
“She likes this scent, I think. And anyway, I thought you girls liked getting baskets of bath beads and lotions. God knows you have a ton of this crap all over the bathroom.” he said looking at his almost-sister.
“Kyle that’s not the point. The point is this is your girlfriend we’re talking about. You need to get her something with a little more thought behind it not just a random gift basket. Besides, that’s what Michael and I got her.”
Isabel took Kyle by the arm as they walked out of Crabtree and Evelyn.
"Kyle this will be a lot easier if you just use your head. What would
she like? Think about what would mean a lot to her.”
I think I can do that!”
“Well, don’t strain yourself.”
“Come on Iz, you’re the expert gift shopper here. Can’t you help a little? I know you got those earrings Michael gave Maria last Christmas.”
Isabel looked as though she was ready to deny that accusation.
“Please, there is no way Michael would have come up with those on his own! If you didn’t buy them, then you at least picked them out.”
“True, but Maria doesn’t know that so keep your voice down.”
Kyle laughed as Iz shoved him lightly. Turning to tug on her hair, he
noticed something in a store window.
"What about those?"
***********
CRASHDOWN CAFE
“Sera, I really appreciate you coming in on your birthday.”
“It’s more than OK Mr. Parker. You’ve been so great giving me all this time off for camp. I owe you big time.”
“Nah, We’ll be okay Just have fun!”
Michael smacked his hand down over the order bell breaking up the conversation.
“Sera, Will Smith medium rare.”
“Thanks!”
“Well, I’ll let you get back to it!” Jeff said as he left the restaurant for the apartment above.
Sera picked up her order from Michael and went to her tables.
The bell over the door rang and Max walked in.
She smiled at him and motioned him to a booth in her section.
"Hey Max! How are you?”
“Hey Sera, happy birthday!”
“Thanks!”
“I’m surprised to see you today! I thought you’d be home preparing for your party.”
“No, I told Mr. Parker I’d come in and help out. Kyle forced Maria, Liz and Isabel to go to the mall with him. He needed help picking out my present.”
“He hasn’t picked up anything yet?”
“No, and his face gave him away. I reminded him that everyone was coming over at 5:00 and his eyes kinda bugged out, then he made some excuse that he forgot something he and Isabel were supposed to do and left.”
Max laughed. “Well, I’m sure my sister will rip into him for last minute shopping. It’s one of her pet peeves.”
“She sure has a tight leash on him! EXCELLENT!” She said with a Mr. Burns-esque tone. “So what can I get for you?”
“I’ll just have a Mars Attacks, medium well with chips instead of French fries please.”
“You got it! What about a drink?”
“Cherry Coke.”
“Why did I even ask?” they shared a grin. “I’ll be right back.”
“Hey Michael, Max would like a Mars Attacks medium well, chips no fries.”
“Sure. Order up!”
“Already?”
“Not yours, this is Holly’s, table four”
“Where’s Holly?”
“She went on her break.”
“Wonderful! I guess that means I’m taking her tables too!”
Michael smirked. “Happy Birthday!”
Sera rolled her eyes. She took the order for table four and quickly filled a cherry coke for Max. Placing them both on a tray she wound through the tables.
She dropped off the food first then set Max’s soda down.
“Working the whole restaurant today?” Max asked taking a sip.
“Holly is supposed to cover that side but Michael just said she took a break! AGAIN!”
“Mr. Parker really is a softy to keep her on. I can’t count how many times Liz and Maria complain about her.”
“I’ll give her one compliment, when she does bother to work, she’s pretty good at her job!”
“Well, that’s a start!”
DING
“Sera, order up!” Michael yelled.
“Excuse me.” Sera said moving away from the table.
“You rang?” she asked Michael as she returned to the kitchen.
“Cute, here’s your Martian Melt and Redskin Basket.”
“You know, All work and no play make Michael a dull boy!”
He stared at her for a moment before holding up his finer and saying, “REDRUM”
She laughed. “Was that a joke? I knew you had it in you Michael!”
Sera took the meals off the window and took them to the couple at table five.
She rang two customers out; refilled sodas for three tables and was just bending down to get more sweetener for a table when:
DING
“Mars Attacks for Maxwell”
She grabbed the Equal packets and Max’s lunch off the counter. Dropping the sweetener off at table two she was just serving Max when Liz, Maria, Iz and Kyle strolled in armed with shopping bags.
“Hey beautiful!” Max called as the gang approached his table.
“Gee, Thanks Maxie. You’re pretty cute yourself!” Kyle said in a girlish voice.
“I thought we talked about you and that voice.” Sera complained as Isabel instructed Kyle: “You know you are to refrain from that voice in my presence!”
“He does that so well, I question his sexual orientation.” Maria joked.
“Don’t, I can vouch for him.” Sera said with a sly smile.
“More than I needed to know!” Maria said with a grimace.
“I second that.” Iz shook her head.
“God, gutter minds! Sera smacked Maria on the arm. “I just meant that I’ve been dating him for over a month now, I think I’d know!”
“Oh.” Maria tried not to laugh.
“Is that all you think about?” Sera asked regarding Maria with a stern gaze.
“Maybe!”
“See, gutter mind!”
Maria playfully shoved Sera into Kyle, then grabbed her bags and went to visit Michael.
Iz glanced at her brother and Liz sharing his cherry coke and chips, then looked at Sera and rolled her eyes.
“Well, I can see there is no talking to those two, they are WAY too wrapped up in each other.”
Come on I’ll put you behind them so you’ll be in my section, actually, I think every section is my section today.”
“Holly’s here. Isn’t she supposed to have that side?” Liz asked snagging some chips from Max’s plate.
“Oh my God you mean she’s actually going to work today?” Kyle asked.
“Surprise Surprise right?” Sera joked. “She’s probably pissed because I get off early and she works till 6:00 with Christina and Deandra.”
Kyle and Isabel took thier seats as Sera left to get them drinks.
“So you think she’ll like them?” Kyle asked.
“YES!! For the one hundred and fiftieth time yes!”
“Is he bothering you?” Sera asked as she returned with their beverages.
“Not bothering so much as obsession on the same point over and over again!" Isabel answered.
“Leave Iz alone!!!” Sera said tugging Kyle’s hair affectionately. “She was nice enough to take you shopping today.”
“I took her…wait, how did you know that we went shopping?”
“I have my ways! Did you find anything?”
“I got a few new outfits.” Iz said sipping her cherry coke.
“Anything I can borrow?” Sera asked.
“Of course!”
“Yea, shopping trip in Isabel’s closet!” Kyle smiled as he watched his girlfriend dance her happy dance.
“OK people, order what you want because I’m out of here in ten minutes. Gives me time to slip in to my bikini and catch a few rays before I have to prepare for your invasion.”
“Our invasion? I thought we were invited.” Iz said.
“Yes, but only cause I’m a present whore!” Sera asked
Kyle’s eyes bugged out and he nearly choked on his soda.
“PRESENT whore. Learn to listen!”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You have that look.”
“Oh the classic Kyle Valenti, I really want to say something but I know if I do I’m going to get in trouble look?” Iz conjectured.
“Exactly!” Sera concurred.
“Why do I let you two gang up on me?" Kyle asked
“You love it and you know it!” Sera said with a smirk. “Now are you two going to order or not?”
“Nothing for me.”
“Kyle?”
“Asteroid Pie with ice cream.”
“You do know we’re having an ice cream cake tonight right?” Sera asked.
“Yeah?”
Sera looked to Iz who shrugged her shoulders and threw up her hands.
“Don’t look at me, you’re responsible for him now!”
“Gee thanks!” Sera laughed. “I’ll be right back with your order.”
As she entered the kitchen door she saw Michael and Maria huddled near the sink. Maria was laughing as Michael attempted to put something on her wrist. Sera cleared her throat and they sprung apart.
“Hey Chica, didn’t hear you come in.”
Sera had to cover her mouth when Maria raised her hand to smooth her hair: Shackled to Maria's wrist was a pair of red feather covered handcuffs.
“Been to Frederick’s?” Sera asked getting the Asteroid Pie out of the fridge.
“What, why….oh.” Maria pulled her hand down and undid the handcuffs, then stuffed them in the nearest bag.
“It’s just a gag gift for a friend.”
“Uh-huh!” Sera said with a grin. “They look pretty cool. I just hope you have something to wear with them, I hear they have a great leather teddy.”
Sera scampered out the door to avoid the dishtowel Maria tossed at her.
Stopping to grab a fork for Kyle, she peeked in the order window.
“You know if you aren’t into leather, there is a great red lace thing I saw in the last catalog, I think it would match perfect.”
“I’m about three seconds from taking your gift back to the mall.” Maria yelled at her.
“Stopping now!”
Making her way back to Kyle and Iz, she couldn’t help but grin at Liz and Max, who were smiling at one another as they talked softly. Sera once asked Kyle if they were always that googly with each other.
(Kyle's response, “CONSTANTLY!! Max once told me that he and Liz saw into each other’s souls…of course we were both drunk at the time, so take that with a grain of salt.”)
Reaching Kyle and Iz’s table Sera set the Asteroid Pie down with a warning.
“If you ruin your appetite don’t blame me!”
“I’ll have plenty of room for cake later! Promise!” Kyle stated as he dove into the pie.
“Isabel did you drive?”
“No, Kyle did.”
“Well, I am officially off in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, NOW! Woo Hoo! I’m going to clock out and I’ll be right back!”
She returned in a flash and sat next to Kyle.
“Did you bring your stuff with you or do we need to swing by your house?”
“No I dropped my stuff in his trunk before we went shopping.”
“Great so we can go straight to my house and the pool!”
“So is this a girl’s only thing or can the boyfriend come too?”
“Girl’s only.” Sera said shaking her head. “Sorry!”
“Why be sorry? That means he can come.” Iz cracked.
“I really dislike the two of you.” Kyle said looking at each girl.
*****
“So you got Sera’s present wrapped?” Max asked as Liz returned with his cherry coke refill.
“All taken care of.”
“You still want to me pick you up at 4:30?”
“Well,” she began, snuggling closer to him. “If you came by a bit earlier we’d have some time alone, before the big celebration.”
Max grinned as he looked at his girlfriend.
“Have I told you today how beautiful you are?”
“Not yet.”
“Well, I should make up for that. Liz Parker, you are the most beautiful person in this or any world.”
Liz blushed and leaned into Max for a kiss.
Behind them Iz coughed loudly and Max broke away to glare at his sister.
“Maybe we should go upstairs and get away from the on-lookers.” Liz offered.
“Sounds like a plan to me.” Max said with a gleam in his eye.
They practically sprinted to the back and up the stairs, making sure to tiptoe past Jeff and Nancy’s room where Nancy was listening to Elvis Costello and folding laundry before slipping into Liz’s bedroom and onto her balcony.
“Did you have a fun time at the mall?” Max asked kissing his girlfriend’s forehead.
“Shopping with those three is QUITE the experience.” Liz laughed as she pulled Max down on the lounge chair. “I think Kyle looked through every store in the mall TWICE before Isabel and Maria OK’d his present choice.”
“Sounds like you need to relax and unwind after that.”
“Any ideas on how to do that?” Liz asked with a smile.
“I think I might be able to come up with something.” Max teased, placing a kiss on her collarbone.
“I think I’m going to like this idea!” Liz said before Max moved to her mouth.
********
Downstairs Kyle was still trying to persuade Iz and Sera to let him crash their pre-party.
“No! Male guests are not allowed until 5:00!” Sera said with a stern tone.
“Oh come on! What do you guys have a stripper coming or something.”
Sera and Iz looked at each other.
“DO YOU?” Kyle asked a little louder.
“No, but that would be an excellent way to kick off the party!” Isabel said nudging Sera.
“Damn, why didn’t we think of that sooner!” Sera said, loving the look crossing Kyle’s face.
“Not funny!” he warned.
“Nothing to worry about, there will be no strippers, at least for now. We’re just going to do some good old fashioned girl talk—in our bikinis!!”
“OK I’m definitely coming over now.”
“Compromise, You stay away until 4:00. That will give you time to WRAP UP a few things before you head over.” Iz looked at him pointedly.
Kyle caught on and shook his head. “Yeah, I do have a few things to finish up. Uh, is that OK? If I show up a little early?”
“I guess I can put up with you for an extra hour!” Sera said making a face at her boyfriend.
“Gee thanks.” Kyle joked tickling her side.
Sera squealed and hopped out of the booth. She stuck out her hand and motioned toward his empty pie plate.
“Done? Or do you need to lick it clean?”
“Such abuse, I think I’ll take that present back.”
“Isabel? Should that threat worry me?”
“Actually Sera it might. He did a pretty good job.” Isabel admitted.
“With lots of help from you I’m sure.”
“Naturally!”
“What? You are not taking credit for my present.” Kyle protested.
“Children! Let’s not argue!” Sera said, taking Kyle's plate back to the sink. She said goodbye to Maria and Michael who were arguing about the proper toppings to go on the bowl of ice cream they were sharing.
“See you at 5:00 right Chica?”
“Well, I’d try and convince you to come to the girls only pre-party, but something tells me you have other plans.” Sera said with a grin.
“I’ll be there at 5:00.”
“See you then. Bye Michael.”
“Later.”Sera walked out front to retrieve Isabel.
“Ready?”
“When you are.”
Kyle followed the girls to the parking lot, popped the trunk and took out Isabel’s bag.
“I’ll see you at 4:00.” he said leaning in to kiss Sera quickly on the lips.
“See ya then.” she said, pressing the unlock button on her keychain.
“Later Iz. Thanks for today.”
“You owe me.”
“As usual!” Kyle grinned at her.
Sera and Iz hopped in the Pathfinder and pulled out of the parking spot. Sera honked and both girls waved at Kyle, then they set out for Sera’s house.
***********
THE WHITMAN’S (POOL SIDE)
Iz turned over on her stomach and passed the sunscreen to Sera who applied another coat to her arms before lying on her tummy as well.
“So you and Kyle are getting pretty serious?”
Sera turned to face Iz. “Was there a segue to that? I thought we were talking about movies.”
“I’ve never been good at small talk. I prefer to just get to the point.”
“OK, direct. I like that. Yeah, I think we are getting serious. At least I hope so.”
“You hope so?”
“I REALLY like him. I know we haven’t been dating long, but I’ve never had so much fun in all my life.”
“Really?”
Sera blushed and grinned at the look on Isabel’s face.
“Not that kind of fun! He’s been a perfect gentlemen.”
“We are talking about Kyle Valenti aren’t we?”
“YES! I’m serious Isabel, coming here, meeting all of you. It’s been amazing. I kept worrying I wouldn’t fit in, I wouldn’t have anything in common with anyone. But you, Kyle, Maria, Liz, Max and Michael; you’ve all been wonderful. And Kyle? I starting to feel things about him I’ve never felt for anyone.”
“You’ve been good for him.”
“You think so?”
“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it. Kyle and I have become pretty good friends in the past few months, we’ve been working through difficult times, it’s nice to see him happy.”
“Thanks Iz.”
“Just make sure he stays happy.” Isabel warned, with a smile.
“I’ll do my best.”
**************
By the time Kyle arrived around 4:00, Iz and Sera were on their second pitcher of non-alcoholic strawberry margaritas.
“Man, you started the party without me?” He asked looking at the girls who were sitting in their lounge chairs wearing their cover-ups and toasting giddily. “Are you sure there is no booze in these?” Kyle questioned as he appraised the two giggling girls.
“100% alcohol free. So says the label. We are just naturally goofy.” Sera explained.
“That’s for sure!” Kyle agreed, setting the gift he was carrying onto an empty table near the food table.
“Is that for me?” Sera asked jokingly.
“No, its for Iz.” he deadpanned.
“Me? I love presents. But Sera can have it, I already know what it is!”
“So hard to please.” Kyle said laughing at his friend.
Isabel smirked at him.
“OK…who’s ready for a water fight!” Kyle asked raising his eyebrows at Iz and Sera as he stripped off his shirt.
Sera was grateful for her sunglasses as Kyle shed his shirt. Had they not been present, she swore that her eyes would have popped out of her skull.
Damn, he’s got a nice body! I mean I know it feels nice when I’m running my hands up his chest but GOOD LORD! I don’t think anyone has the right to look that good.
While Sera was trying to regain the ability to speak, Iz glared at her friend.
“Don’t even think about it!”
“Why not? You guys attacked us on Fourth of July. I say turn about is fair play!”
“You’re all alone. You really think you stand a chance against us?”
“When the guys get here I’m sure they’ll back me up!”
“You think Max and Michael will pay any attention to you with Liz and Maria parading around in bikinis? When did you suffer a massive head wound?”
“Guys stick up for each other.”
“Not when their girlfriends are standing four inches away from them wearing only a tiny swatch of fabric!!”
“We’ll see.”
Iz turned to Sera. “Stand up.”
“Huh?” Sera looked at Isabel.
“Stand up. I’m going to prove my point.”
Sera did as she was told and stood beside Iz.
Isabel walked toward Kyle pulling Sera with her. She reached out and yanked the tie to Sera's halter style cover-up. The material drifted down Sera’s body and she blushed to the roots of her hair when she saw Kyle’s eyes roam over her approvingly.
OK, I’m so glad these swim trunks are bulky. I didn’t think that Sera could possibly look more beautiful than she did in that corset thingie on Fourth of July, but this suit is making me crazy! It matches her eyes, which makes them seem more blue than ever-if that’s even possible.
Praise Buddha, she was built for a bikini! Wait, I’m supposed to be refuting Isabel’s point.
“And?” Kyle managed to choke out, hoping he sound stronger to them than he did to himself.
Sera grinned and looked at Isabel before moving closer to her boyfriend.
“So my proximity to you, in this garment has ABSOLUTELY no effect on you?”
N…None whatsoever.”
Kyle stuttered.
Sera pressed into him and breathed in his ear. “None? Really? I must be losing my touch.” She said as she traced a path down his arm.
Sera started to turn away from him and he spun her around to face him. “Well I guess you did have some effect on me.”
She smiled. “Really?” she asked putting her arms around his neck. “Care to share?”
“This is something I’d better show you.” Kyle said kissing her lightly.
“Standing right here.” Isabel complained.
“Don’t worry Iz, I’ll show you too.”
“What?” the girls shouted a split second before Kyle wrapped one arm around Iz’s waist and jumped into to pool with both girls.
They came up sputtering as Kyle howled with laughter.
“Pay back is a bitch isn’t it?” He asked.
Isabel struggled with her wet cover-up for a moment before finally pulling it free.
“Nice suit Iz.” Kyle said regarding the copper bikini that looked stunning against her tan form.
She shot daggers at him in response.
He swam the length of the pool as the girls got their hair out of their faces and plotted their revenge.
“He is so going down!” Sera said as she wiped her face with a towel.
“You’re not kidding!” Iz said, pulling the wet ponytail holder out of her hair.
They swam to Kyle, who tried to get away but they were too fast for him.
“Where are you going? We just want to have a little fun.” Sera said in a singsong voice.
"Hey, now if you want all of us to have fun, I can think of a really good way.”
Sera nodded slightly to Iz who quickly jumped Kyle, dunking him under the water.
Kyle tried in vain to escape Isabel’s hands, she was deceptively strong and, he had a sneaking suspicion she was using her powers on him. He caught hold of Sera’s legs and took her under. She swam free of his grasp as Isabel released him. He came up with a devilish glint in his eyes. He splashed Sera, his arm making a sweeping motion through the water. She retaliated, but her aim was off and the brunt of the wave caught Iz full in the face. Isabel sputtered for a moment before going after Sera.
Kyle, Sera and Isabel were having so much fun they didn’t realize how much time had passed until Maria, Michael, Liz and Max appeared at the pool’s edge.
“Well. Looks like you guys are having fun without us.” Maria said laughing at the pool occupants.
The trio finally called a truce and hoisted themselves out of the water.
“Happy Birthday Chica! I’d hug you but your soaked.”
“That’s OK.”
“Oh good the gang’s all here.” Nicole said as she and Charles came out bearing pizza and gifts.
“Man, Sera you are making a haul.” Maria laughed examining the card table where the gifts were stacked. “Just think if you’d invited too many more people, the presents wouldn’t fit.”
“Everyone I want to share my birthday with is here. Except Sean.”
“Yeah, he hated that he couldn’t get off work, but he sent his birthday wishes. He said he’d give you your birthday spanking the next time he saw you.”
“Ooh, I can’t wait!” Sera joked.
“Sean’s so humorous isn’t he?” Kyle asked as he draped his arm somewhat possessively over his girlfriend.
Nicole opened the pizza boxes and blanched. “Ugh, I don’t know how you kids eat this stuff. Pineapple and hot peppers on the same pizza?”
“Sweet and Spicy.” Max, Iz. Michael, Maria and Liz answered all at once.
“Yes, well, better you than me I guess!” Nicole said with a head shake.
“You call us when you’re ready to do gifts.” Charles said turning to head indoors with his wife.
“You aren’t staying?”
“No, you have fun at the party part of the party and call us for the gift giving and for clean-up.”
“You two rock! Can it be my birthday everyday?”
“Thankfully no.” Charles teased. “Have fun kids!”
They loaded up plates with the pizza, chips, and dip and sat on the lounge chairs to talk.
“So what exactly does one do at a two week cheerleading camp?” Isabel asked sipping her water.
“Seems a bit excessive doesn’t it?” Sera replied with a grin. “Well at Kennedy, we worked on the routines for the coming year. Our camps were only a week long. Maybe they do something special here. I know it will be fun, but I have a major hurdle to overcome.”
“What’s that?” Liz asked.
“How to spend two weeks in a close proximity to Pam Troy without killing her.”
“Now there’s a challenge.” Max said causing everyone to stare at him.
“What? I’m not allowed to express my opinions.”
“Just never knew you had it in you!” Kyle said looking at Max bewildered.
“I’ve expressed my opinion regarding you PLENTY of times.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t count. You’re jealous of me.” Kyle puffed out his chest.
Sera threw a potato chip at him. “Why would Max be jealous of you?”
“Thanks for the support!” Kyle said frowning at her.
“Anytime!”
Max picked up the Tabasco bottle and liberally doused his pizza.
“Tabasco on top of hot peppers? Geez you three really do like the hot stuff!!” Sera said turning her attention to Iz, Max and Michael.
“Just our little dietary quirk.” Iz said stealing a glance at Maria, who grinned.
“I guess I can’t say anything. I made a cake with cayenne in it last year.”
The group stared at her.
“I had just seen Chocolat, because hello, Johnny Depp, and anyway, Juliette Binoche uses chile peppers in her hot chocolate. I went home and tried it with a cake. I thought it was pretty good. My mother, however, wouldn’t let me near the kitchen for three weeks after that.”
“Good thing Mr. Parker hired you as a waitress, not a cook!” Michael joked.
Sera sneered at him, but joined everyone else as they laughed.
When they put away most of the pizza Sera ran to get Nicole and Charles for the gift giving.
When she returned Liz was collecting the paper plates and stacking them on the table near the pizza boxes. Sera walked quickly to her and took her hand.
“You are not at work! Put down the plates, walk away from the table and no one gets hurt!”
“Sera, I don’t mind!”
“I do! Come sit down.”
“OK!”
The sat near Kyle and Max, Sera clapped her hands at her mother. “Gimmie, Gimmie!”
“I thought you’d outgrow this obsession with getting presents." Nicole lightly chided her daughter.
“No way. I’ve still got at least another 10-20 years before I tire of getting presents!”
“OK, lets start with this one from me and Charles.”
Sera opened the package to reveal diamond earrings. She squealed and jumped up to hug her mother.
“You’ve been waiting for those for awhile now, so I hope you like them.”
“I love them. Thanks Mom. Charles,” she exclaimed as she hugged him, “Thank you, they’re beautiful!”
She scampered back to the chair she and Kyle were sharing to show him. He laughed at her enthusiasm. “Easy girl, you still have five more to get through!”
“I can’t help it, I love presents.”
“Don’t listen to him Sera, he loves getting presents just as much as the next person!” Liz reported.
Iz grabbed the next present off the table and read its tag. “This one’s from Sean.”
“That was sweet!” Sera cooed.
Kyle took the package and held it at arms length. “Be careful, it might explode.”
“Give it back! It’s for me it won’t explode. Now if it were for you, then we’d have cause to worry!”
Kyle returned the present and Sera ripped into it. Her eyes widened as she looked inside.
“Oh my God!!!” She reached in and held up the gift to show Maria. “He’s such a sweetie! It’s a Spike clock! I’ll now have James Marsters in my bedroom on a regular basis!”
“Can I borrow that?” Liz asked.
“NO!” Max and Sera forcefully answered her.
“I can’t believe he remembered that conversation.” Kyle looked to her for an explanation. “He was in the Crashdown having lunch one day and I mentioned that he’d better tip me well because I just found a new Buffy website to blow all my cash on. He asked me a little more about it and THIS,” she held up the clock for demonstration. “was one of my heavily coveted items! How did he know I didn’t have it?”
“He called to make sure before he bought it.” Charles explained.
“Oh! I can’t wait to see him in person! To thank him, I may let him give me those birthday spankings after all.” Sera said laughing.
Kyle mocked her laughter. “Ha Ha Ha. Over my dead body!”
“OK Iz, what’s next. Mr. Testosterone is beginning to rear its ugly head.”
“You can open mine next.” Isabel said passing a slim package to Sera.
“I love this wrapping its beautiful!
“Why is it chicks get just as excited about the wrapping paper as they do the actual present?” Michael asked Max.
Max shook his head with a grin.
Sera opened the package. “Iz I love them!” She modeled her new J-Lo style shades for everyone.
“I’ve never seen them with a butterfly, its usually a heart.”
Iz and Kyle grinned. “I had them make an alteration.”
Sera leaned forward to hug Isabel. “Thank you so much.”
“That one is from Max and me.” Liz said as Isabel picked up a larger package.
“I love packages wrapped like this. It makes me feel like I’m on TV.” Sera joked as she pulled the wrapped top off the bottom. “Oh my God you two, Thank you.”
She pulled Enemy at the Gates and The Mummy: Ultimate Edition out of the box.
“There’s a second layer.” Max said pointing to the box.
Sera laughed as she lifted up the tissue paper and uncovered three bags of microwave popcorn.
“It was a vicious plot. Get you movie and popcorn and you HAVE to have us over to share!”
“Agreed! I’ll put them in a special bag marked Max and Liz only!”
“Hey, What about us?" Michael questioned.
“We’ll see.” Max laughed.
“OK that one’s from me and Michael! Open open!” Maria exclaimed.
Sera accepted the package from and pulled back the paper.
“Crabtree and Evelyn! Ohh, Nantucket Briar is my favorite scent! Thanks guys!”
“Honey were are you going to put all the shower gels and bubble baths you have now?” Nicole questioned with a smirk.
“Not to worry Mom. For this I’ll make room!” She winked at Maria and Michael.
“If you say so!” Nicole shook her head. “Well, looks like we’re down to one present. Kyle this must be yours.” She handed the package to Kyle who turned it over to Sera apprehensively.
She smiled at him as she took the gift. She slowly slid her fingers under the tape and pried the wrap away from the box. When it finally slid away her breath caught in her throat. She glanced up at Kyle before opening the box. She reached in and pulled out a set of colorful butterfly wind chimes.
Kyle whispered in her ear. “If you don’t like them we can take them back. She shifted on the lounge chair and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love them.” she whispered back. “Remind me to show you how much later.”
Kyle pulled away and looked at her with a goofy grin on his face.
“Now Kyle you know I’m not one to say I told you so…”
Iz began as the rest of the group coughed and snickered.
“BUT…” she shot them an icy glare.
“I told you she’d like them.”
“Yes you did. Thank you Iz!”
“All of you thank you so much! I love everything. You guys are so great!” Sera said as she wiped tears from her eyes.
“How about some cake kids?” Nicole said giving Sera an opportunity to compose herself.
Kyle picked up the wrapping paper mess that had created a nest around his and Sera’s chair.
“Fudge Mint Ripple ice cream cake.” Nicole announced as she strategically placed seventeen candles around the cake’s perimeter.
“Oh yes! Sera you know how to pick your ice cream!” Isabel said with delight.
“Honestly, is there any other flavor even worth mentioning?” Sera replied.
“Very Vanilla is my favorite.” Liz admitted.
“Vanilla? Your favorite flavor is vanilla?” Sera asked incredulously.
“Tell me about it!” Isabel said rolling her eyes.
“You two leave Liz alone! Vanilla is a fine flavor!” Charles defended her.
“Thank you Mr. Whitman!”
“Well, I can’t let those two pick on you! It’s just not fair!” he winked at her.
Everyone filed to the table to get their cake then returned to their chairs. Maria provided a shield as Michael pooled some tabasco sauce onto his plate. Liz smiled and did the same for Max. Kyle grabbed a plate from Charles and put sauce behind the cake for Iz before handing it to her. He turned back to the table and accepted another plate from Charles before joining Sera on the chair.
They ate their cake in relative silence with a few jokes from Kyle about skinny-dipping. Apparently he failed to realize that Charles and Nicole had not yet gone back inside.
Once Charles cleared his throat and gave him a stern stare, Kyle refrained from such comments.
When the cake was finished and the Whitman’s safely back inside, Maria decided it was time for everyone to hit the pool. She stripped off her clothes and grinned when she heard Michael’s breathing alter.
Her tiny light blue suit with sparkly yellow sunbursts certainly seemed to attract his attention.
Max was equally as interested in Liz’s black tankini. His eyes roamed over her appreciatively until his sister smacked him upside the head.
“You think you could have eye sex with her a little later?”
“Isabel!” Max turned to face his sister.
“Honestly Max, they way you two stare at each other is ridiculous!”
“Maybe if you weren’t so nosy, you wouldn’t notice the looks that Liz and I share.”
Max I could be blind and I’d still be subjected to those looks. They radiate off you two!”
Max grinned and started for his girlfriend.
“So, when did you get this and why haven’t you modeled it for me?” Michael asked Maria as he nuzzled the back of her neck.
“Because she got it the day I got mine!” Sera informed him as she and Kyle swam to the steps where they were seated.
“What else did you two pick up that day that you’re keeping from us?” Kyle asked with a glint in his eye.
“I guess you’ll have to wait see!” Sera said laughing as she splashed him.
Iz sat down on the pool edge and dangled her feet in the water. “Am I interrupting couple time?”
“Never. We’re always happy to see you.” Sera smiled.
Iz smiled back, before appraising Maria’s suit. “Is that it?” she questioned.
“Yeah.”
“Looks nice. How long was he non-verbal?” she asked nodding in Michael’s direction.
“Awhile.”
Michael looked from his girlfriend to his ‘sister’ “You two are a riot!”
“We try!” Maria said winking at him.
“Did you get tired of the dreamy twosome?” Kyle asked gesturing toward Max and Liz, who were on the opposite end of the pool, completely engrossed in each other.
“I can only take so much! I figured that you two were the safest couple to be around.” she said pointing at Sera and Kyle.
“What about us?” Maria said getting defensive.
“Please, you two are just as bad. I’ll say this for you. You don’t insist on making googly eyes at each other 24 hours a day!”
“No they prefer the more subtle tongue down your throat approach.” Kyle said making a face at Maria
“Like you’re opposed to that!” Maria said staring at him harshly.
“I think I’m a little more smooth than that!” Kyle protested.
All three girls responded at the same time: “No you’re not.”
Kyle turned on Sera. “Aren’t you are supposed to be expressing your thanks for your birthday present.”
“You’re the one who said we should come pick on Michael and Maria.”
“I said talk to not pick on.”
“Oh. There’s a difference?”
“Hey! See if I stick up for you anymore!” Maria said flicking water in Sera’s direction.
“Children place nice.” Iz chided.
“You never let us have any fun!” Kyle complained.
“I think those two are having enough fun for all of us.” Sera said pointing at Max and Liz.
“Ugh, still! Do they ever come up for air.” Iz asked joining her friends in the water.
“I think we all know the answer to that!” Michael replied dryly.
**********
At the other end of the pool Liz laughed as Max tried to join her on the raft she recently acquired from the pool ledge.
“I feel like Rose in Titanic.”
“What?” Max asked confused.
“Near the end of Titanic, Jack tries to join Rose on this raft thing, actually it’s a door or something. But each time he tries he nearly tips them both over so he settles for leaning on it while she stays afloat.”
“Oh.”
“Max, I know you’ve seen that movie! I’ve watched it with you.”
“I know I just love to hear you explain things.” he said gazing at her.
She smiled and kissed him. “Just be thankful that the Whitman’s keep their pool warm so we don’t have to worry about you freezing!”
“I’ll never let go Jack, I’ll never let go!” Max said in his best Rose voice.
“MAX! You’re ruining a beautiful movie moment! How would you like it if I made fun of Crouching Tiger?”
“That’s not allowed!” Max declared.
Liz grinned and shifted on the raft so she was closer to him.
“So Sera had a good time don’t you think?” she asked wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Yeah. This was fun! We haven’t had a real birthday celebration in the group in a long time.”
“I’ve missed everyone hanging out together. With everything that happened this spring, it feels nice to get some semblance of normality back.”
Max stroked her hair for a moment before a grin lit up his face. “Don’t get comfortable just yet!”
“Why not?” she inquired.
“Isabel’s birthday is in two months, that gives us JUST enough time to plan.”
Liz smiled and leaned in for another kiss.
END CHAPTER
Last edited by LizabethR2D2 on Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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LizabethR2D2
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Starting Over (CC, All, Adult) Pt 6 Summer Camp Update 2/8
Starting Over (CC, All, Adult)
Part 6-Summer Camp
Title: Starting Over
Author: LizabethR2D2
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I owned these characters/this show I do not! They belong to Melinda Mets, Jason Katims, the WB and UPN networks and the amazing actors who portrayed them! I guess I do own Sera, but I’d be willing to trade her for Colin Hanks. (Or Nick!!!)
Category: CC
Rating: Adult (It will vary chapter to chapter, but let’s just be safe and say Adult to cover all our bases!)
Summary: Alternate Season 3-Picking up a few weeks after the WB Season 2 Finale. This is the Season 3 that I would have liked to see televised, our CCs are together, no one is going to a Vermont boarding school, no one moves to NYC and no one marries Delko! Just good old fashioned Season 1 type entertainment. (At least I like to think so!) [/b]
WEST ROSWELL HIGH SCHOOL
Jim pulled his jeep into the parking lot of the high school to drop off Sera and Kyle.
The teens hopped out and grabbed their duffels.
“Sera, Charles said he’d pick you both up at 3PM on September 1 right?”
“Yes sir!”
“OK, you two have fun! Uh, not too much fun.”
“DAD!” Kyle yelled as Sera turned bright red.
“Right! I’ll see you in a few weeks.”
“Bye Sheriff.” Sera called as she stepped away from Jim’s jeep.
“Bye now.”
“Later Dad.”
“Kyle, you guys be careful, I mean with you know everything.
“Dad…”
“I'm a parent Kyle, I worry, it's inevitable, especially when I'm dropping my son and his girlfriend off for two weeks without parents.”
“Goodbye Dad.”
Jim sighed and waved to his son as he drove off.
Kyle shook his head as he walked to Sera.
“What was that about?” she asked.
“Dad attempting the responsibility lecture.”
“Mom gave me that lecture, right before she gave me the third degree. She wanted to know our exact itinerary, where the boys dorms were in relation to the girls dorms and she packed my cell, charger and even an extra battery!”
“She’ll probably call it every free hour listed, just to make sure I haven’t dragged you off somewhere to take advantage of you!”
“First of all you wouldn’t have to take advantage of me. Second of all, I may have adjusted the itinerary slightly. I gave us two free hours instead of three and I shortened the lunch period from an hour to a half hour.”
“Sneaky!”
Sera raised her eyebrows, “I try!”
“Uh, oh. Cannon is giving us the eye! We’d better head over!”
“You were the one that told me she didn’t like you football types flirting with her girls! I’d watch it if I were you!”
“Sera! Over here!”
Sera and Kyle turned to see Vicki Delany and Amy Green waving excitedly.
Everyone exchanged hellos, then Sera checked in with Ms. Cannon.
Pam sauntered over to hug Kyle.
“It’s been too long Kyle! How’s you summer been?” Pam asked releasing Kyle from her hug, but slipping an arm around his waist.
Gazing at his approaching girlfriend he smiled, “It’s been my best summer ever.”
Sera smiled as she returned to the group. “Hi Pam how are you?”
“Oh well hey there Sera, Didn’t see you.”
Sera smiled sarcastically at Pam before turning to Kyle. “Ms. Cannon says we’re on one bus so I guess you’re stuck with me.”
Kyle extracted himself from Pam’s grip and bent to pick up his and Sera’s bags.
“So Kyle, is it true your dad and Maria’s mom are getting married this fall?” Pam asked with a snicker.
“In November.” Kyle replied nodding his head.
“So Maria’s going to be your sister. That should be fun!”
Kyle gave her a tight smile and began walking toward the bus.
Pam turned to Amber Timmons and laughed. “Poor thing, saddled with Psycho DeLuca, and her degenerate trailer trash boyfriend.”
Sera’s deep blue eyes flashed and she moved toward Pam with a menacing expression on her face.
“What did you just say?” Sera yelled.
“OK! We’re getting on the bus!” Kyle said catching his girlfriend before she could do serious harm to Pam.
“WITCH!” Sera called as Kyle led her away.
“What the hell is her problem?” Pam asked shaking her head at Amber.
“Pam, she and Maria are pretty friendly, they work together at the Crashdown.” Vicki explained.
“So that’s how she’s got Kyle pulling a big brother routine! Carrying her bags, loading her on the bus. All because she’s friends with Maria and that band of freaks! Well, I guess it’s my duty to rescue Kyle from that existence. I think I’ll start taking his mind off things ASAP.”
“You are so bad girl!” Amber said laughing with Pam as they boarded the bus.
Kyle and Sera sat near the back. Sera sat closest to the window and glared at Kyle as he greeted some of his teammates. He caught her look and returned to their seat.
“What?”
“How could you let her talk about them like that?”
“That’s just Pam, she does that to everyone.”
“Who the hell does she think she is?”
“You have to learn to ignore her. God knows we all have.”
“She’s so, so…”
“Annoying?” Kyle finished for her.
“For starters!”
“She’s jealous. She’s never liked Liz, because of Max and me. And as you know, Liz and Maria are a package deal. You get one with the other. Pam starts in on Liz and Maria dishes it right back at her.”
“Still, I don’t like anyone saying those kind of things about my friends. I mean that was just vicious”
“Geez, I hope no one says anything bad about me.”
“Why?”
“Well, you were ready to kill Pam for her comments about Michael and Maria. I’d hate to see what you’d do if she started picking on me.”
“Oh, she can pick on you. I think its funny when you’re the butt of jokes!”
“Thanks a lot!”
Sera smiled sweetly at her boyfriend.
“You think that’s funny?”
“Uh-huh!” she said nodding her head.
“You still think its funny,” he asked pinning her between him and the window and tickling her.
Sera squealed and tried to push Kyle off her.
“Still think its funny? Huh? Huh?”
“OK OK I give!” She was winded, giggling and still slightly beneath Kyle when Tim Malamud and Kevin Franklin approached.
“Valenti.” Kevin extended his hand as Kyle straightened in the seat, allowing Sera to sit up.
“Franklin.” Kyle shook Kevin’s hand then looked at Malamud. Sera couldn't help but notice the harsh tone Kyle's voice took as he greeted the other boy. “Malamud.”
“So I see you met our new girl.” Kevin said reaching for Sera’s hand. She looked at him suspiciously but offered her hand anyway. He kissed it dramatically as if he were Jack Dawson and she Rose DeWitt-Bukater.
“I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced. I’m Kevin Franklin.”
“I’m Sera Davidson. I don’t think there was time for introductions the last time we met. You were too busy looking down my uniform at the Crashdown, nice to put a name with the leer.”
“Sarcastic and beautiful, I like that in a woman.” Kevin said finally releasing her hand.
“I trust our star quarterback is treating you well?” Tim asked moving for Sera’s hand once Kevin had relinquished it.
“I am and I think that’s enough hand kissing for one day.” Kyle said glaring at Tim and blocking his attempts to take Sera’s hand.
“Valenti, playing the big brother role again? Geez, can’t you give a guy a chance to get to know our newest cheerleader?”
“Not for a million dollars Malamud!”
“Well, perhaps we should ask Miss Davidson if she’d care to join us so we can get to know her better.”
“Thanks but I don’t think my boyfriend would like that very much.”
“Well, what your boyfriend doesn’t know won’t hurt him will it?” Tim said in a conspiratorial voice.
Sera fought to stifle a laugh, then looked at Kyle. “I think he already knows! But let’s ask if it would hurt him. Kyle?”
“Well, it wouldn’t hurt ME, but I might hurt Malamud in a second.”
Kevin caught on first, “You mean you two…”
“Yep!” Sera said laughing at the look on his face.
“What?” Tim asked.
“Malamud, meet Sera Davidson, MY GIRLFRIEND!” Kyle said with an edge.
“Damn. Hey, how’s it going? Sorry, guys we had no idea!”
“No problem.” Sera found it hard to talk as she convulsed with laughter.
“Yeah, we’re gonna go back up front. See ya later Valenti. Sera, nice to meet you. Sorry about the way we acted at the Crashdown.” Kevin said as he backed away.
“It’s forgotten. Just don’t do it again or you’ll be wearing your milkshake.” She cocked her head and smiled sweetly at Kevin.
“Hey Valenti!” Malamud said as he made his way down the aisle, “Remember what I said about Tess? Same thing applies for Sera… Couple of hours man.”
Kyle shot Malamud a murderous look as the boy left to pester someone else.
Sera looked at Kyle for an explanation, “Old girlfriend?”
“What?”
“Tess, is that your ex-girlfriend? I just figured from the look on your face that he tried to move in on her.”
“Oh, uh, yeah. She was…I…we went to Prom together last year.”
“Oh. Does she still go here?”
“No.”
“Dating a senior? Mr. Valenti, I didn’t know you liked older women!”
“Can we talk about something else?” Kyle snapped.
“Sure,” Sera said looking at him uneasily as Kyle busied himself with the zipper on her purse in the seat between them.
“Hey,” she placed her hand on his arm. “I didn’t mean to stir up bad memories.”
“No, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap, it’s just, that’s in the past. I’m not one to dwell...Buddha says…”
Sera leaned into him and kissed him soundly on the lips.
“What were you saying?” She asked with a grin.
“I don’t remember!”
“Good!”
*********
Sitting on a bus for five hours was incredibly tedious; Kyle and Sera played Mad Libs to ease the boredom. Sera made an effort to keep them marginally clean, but with Kyle as her partner, she failed. Every so often one of Kyle’s teammates came down the aisle to talk to him. Sera was convinced she met the majority of the football team in less than two hours.
Kayla Adler, sitting two seats ahead of Sera and Kyle, turned to face them.
“Hey Sera, I stole a look at Ms. Cannon’s log. It looks like we’re bunking together.”
“We have roommates? There’s only 10 of us!”
“Roommates are to act as chaperones. That way we don’t get a nice dorm room all to ourselves that would be too much of a temptation. The admin fears late night visits from significant others.” Kayla said pointing at Kyle.
“Would I do that?”
Kayla’s seatmate, Vicki Delany turned to join the conversation,
“Freshman year you and Kevin snuck in the room Pam and I were sharing. You nearly gave us heart attacks.” She reminded him.
“Yeah, but we were only playing practical jokes. There was noting illicit going on.”
Kayla muttered something and Vicki nudged her.
“Just letting you know right now Kyle Valenti, if you are planning on sneaking into my room to see Sera, I have two rules: One, you'd better keep it down, and Two, you’d better bring Devon with you.”
“You’re still dating Rayburn? I thought you would have dumped him by now.” Kyle teased.
“Hey.” Devon yelled from the seat across from Vicki and Kayla.
Devon bounced a Nerf mini football off Kyle’s forehead.
“Ow!”
Sera rolled her eyes. “Don’t be such a baby.”
She picked up the offending football and launched it back in Devon’s direction. It hit his temple and she giggled.
“Hey Valenti,” Nathan Webber, the wide receiver called, “Your girlfriend’s a better pass than you are.” He and Jarrod Donnell found this extremely amusing.
“Laugh it up Webber, I’m still waiting for Coach to give me a receiver who can catch worth a damn.” Nathan responded by winking at Sera and flipping off Kyle.
“Geez! Why don’t you two just whip them out right here and get the rulers.” Sera said with an eye roll “I thought you and Michael were bad, you’re worse around this crew.”
“Is that your subtle way of getting my pants off?”
Sera stared at him for a moment. “If I wanted your pants off I’d come right out and tell you to drop them!”
Kyle blinked about 20 times before he found his voice again.
“So will you be telling me that anytime tonight?”
“We’ll see!” she replied winking at him.
*******
The bus pulled in to the dorm parking lot a little after 3PM. Everyone filed off and unloaded their stuff. Ms. Cannon and Coach Williams were barking orders left and right, each trying to out-shout the other.
“Girls-this way. I’ll show you to your rooms.”
“Team, let’s go. Same floor as last year. Move out!”
Kayla found Sera just as Kyle was handing her duffel bag to her and kissing her goodbye.
“Hey!” Kayla said waving goodbye to Kyle.
“Hey roomie!”
“Wow, you and Kyle look pretty exclusive.”
“Well, I don’t know about that. We’ve never actually said we’re exclusive.”
“He called you his girlfriend right?”
“Yeah.”
“In front of the guys on the team?”
“Yeah, that’s how he introduced me to Tim Malamud.”
“You’re exclusive!”
Sera smiled as she and Kayla entered the dorm building.
“It took forever for Devon to call me that. He usually say ‘This is my date Kayla’ or ‘Kayla and I are together’ I think we were a couple for six months before he finally said the dreaded G word.”
“Why do most guys have an aversion to using that term. Is there something horribly wrong with the word girlfriend?”
“You got me. But Kyle certainly doesn’t seem to have a problem with it. Maybe it’s the Buddhist thing!”
“Maybe!”
“One thing though. You might want to watch out for Pam.”
“Why do you say that?”
“She has her sights set on Kyle, and I for one know how determined she can be.”
“Well I appreciate the warning, but I’m not too worried about Pam. Kyle doesn’t seem interested.”
“Please, you think that stops Pam?” Kayla laughed.
“Adler, Davidson. This is your room.” Ms. Cannon said stopping near an open door.
“Delany, Ewing. You’re here. Forrester and Gordon next to them. Green and Martz, and finally Timmons and Troy. Those of you wondering why we’re doing alphabetical rooming this year: in previous years when you were allowed to choose your own roommates, there were several incidents involving football players entering the rooms. I trust that we won’t have those problems this year! You’re all on the honor system. Any rule breaking, ESPECIALLY involving members of the opposite sex in dorm rooms should be reported to me IMMEDIATELY! Am I making myself clear?”
A chorus of ‘Yes Ma’ams’ and Ms. Cannon seemed satisfied. “I’ll let you settle in.”
Kayla and Sera dropped their duffels on their beds and began to unpack.
“So you’re working at the Crashdown huh?”
“Yeah. You checking up on me?” Sera asked with a smile.
“No, Vicki told me.”
“Oh. Yeah, I started right when I got into town.”
“You’ve got it made girl! Working at a cool place, you made the cheerleading squad, and you’re dating one of our star football players. What’s your secret?”
“Its simple, I pay people VERY well!!”
The girls laughed and finished unpacking.
***********
CRASHDOWN CAFE
Maria sighed as she came into the kitchen.
“So, what are you and Prince Charming up to tonight?” she asked Liz.
“We’re having dinner with his parents.”
“By choice?”
“Maria!”
“I’m sorry. I’m just trying to imagine Michael voluntarily sitting down to dinner with my mother and Jim! There is an amusing image.”
“Hey, are you two working or yakking?” Michael scolded from the grill.
“Pleasant isn’t he?” Maria asked as she watched Liz finish making a Blastoff Sundae.
“Do you two ever stop fighting?”
“No!” She and Michael answered at the same time.
Maria leaned into her best friend, “Well, there is one instance that we don’t fight.”
“Stop right there.” Liz warned as she moved away from Maria.
“Lizzie, come on.”
“Maria, I don’t need to hear about these things!”
“What did you say to her?” Michael questioned.
“Go back to your grill Spaceboy, this is girl talk.”
“I know. That’s what I’m afraid of!”
***********
CAMP
“The new chick is hot.” Bailey Kroft said as he tossed the pigskin to Travis Nixon.
“She had a face? All I noticed was her body! Sweet!” Nick Fitzgerald yelled throwing the ball to Greg Tierney.
“Who’s the latest dish?” Kyle asked, joining the group.
“Your girlfriend.” Paul Stewart answered honestly.
“New topic!” Kyle warned catching the ball and firing it to Jake Winger.
“You don’t like us discussing Sera?” Jake asked jokingly as he pitched the ball to Rafael Lopez.
“You want us to start talking about Vicki?” Kyle teased, “Cause I’ve got a lot to say on that subject!”
“Hey, how about a new topic fellas!” Jake yelled to the team.
********
On the other side of campus, Ms. Cannon split her girls in two groups:
Kayla, Sera, Vicki, Darlene Ewing, and Rachel Forrester comprised the first group, with Amy, Pam, Karen Gordon, Tonya Martz, and Amber Timmons in the second.
“OK, I want each group to take some music, and choreograph a short routine then present it at our next session, before dinner. That gives you two hours.”
Sera’s group pawed through the stack of CDs Ms. Cannon presented them with. Darlene started a table with two headings: Songs with Potential and NO WAY IN HELL.
Suddenly Sera jumped up. “I’ve got it! It’s the perfect cheer.”
“That’s it!” Kayla said shaking her head. “You are banned from further SNL viewing.”
“But the Spartan cheerleaders are great!” Sera whined.
“NO! You are cutoff missy! You were quoting Mango in the room earlier and now Craig and Arianna! Enough!”
“I thought it was funny Sera.” Vicki defended.
“So what is the ‘perfect cheer’ anyway?” Rachel asked.
Sera smiled and held up the soundtrack to Bring It On.
*********
As the cheerleading captain, Ms. Cannon had Amy's group present first.
Tonya Martz queued up their music and the girls got into place. Sera and Kayla could hardly keep from laughing aloud as The Baha Men’s “Who Let The Dogs Out” emanated from the CD player.
The music selection caused a smattering of chuckles from several of the football players who had gathered to watch the girls practice.
Rachel leaned forward to whisper in Darlene’s ear. “They have some good moves, the song is just all wrong.”
“That basket toss is great!” Vicki said nodding her head.
“Amy, Karen and Tonya’s kicks are right on beat too.” Sera commented.
The routine was finally (and mercifully, Sera thought) over.
Ms. Cannon offered her review, “OK girls, I saw some great moves there! I think we’ll use a different song, but the mechanics were nice!” Sera, Vicki, Kayla, Rachel and Darlene. You guys are up.”
Sera put their CD in the player, queued their song and ran to her spot behind Rachel. Bewitched’s “Mickey” started and the girls ran out to the ‘center’ of the quad.
Kyle, Devon, Jake and several of the other football players cheered and hooted as the girls did their routine.
Sera and Kayla lip-synched the entire song as they danced. Kyle smiled as he watched his girlfriend perform. He turned to Devon, “Do you realize how lucky we are man?”
“You mean because we have two incredibly hot and if I may say LIMBER girlfriends?”
“Yeah!”
“Yeah! I do! Look at them! By the way I think Pam’s trying to get your attention. If she sticks her chest out any farther, she’s going to fall over.”
“I think she’s trying to flirt.”
“Whoa, if that’s flirting color me scared.”
“Tell me about it!”The girls finished their routine and the football players game them a standing ovation and wolf whistles. Kyle wondered if Sera was the main choreographer of the routine since it had LOTS of gyrations and other moves he’d seen her use while dancing. Not that he was complaining, those gyrations are what made it a great routine.
Sera bounded toward him with a mega-watt grin on her face.
“Ms. Cannon LOVED it! She is actually considering using it as one of our half time routines this year! She wants Amy and me to go over a few things, new ideas and what not. But I’m SO excited!”
“So you did choreograph that?”
“We all did. I did some but Kayla and the others were key. It was a group project.”
“Liar!” Kayla said as she and Devon joined them. “She’s being modest. That was totally her creation.”
“No it was not! Everyone put it together.”
“Fine. 99% was Sera and the rest was us.”
Sera laughed and shoved Kayla into Devon. Kayla jumped on her boyfriend’s for a piggyback ride. The quartet headed for the dining hall as Pam caught up with them.
“Nice routine guys.” Pam managed as she noticed Kyle and Sera holding hands.
“Thanks Pam. You guys were great too! Love the song.” Kayla snarked from Devon’s back.
Pam shot Kayla a harsh look, before softening her features and turning to Kyle. “Amber and I are having a party in our room later tonight if you want to join us.”
“Thanks, but I’ve got plans.” Kyle said pulling Sera closer to him.
“Well, if you change your mind…”
“We appreciate it Pam, but we’ll be REALLY busy! If you catch my meaning.” Sera ran her hand up Kyle’s chest keeping her eyes on Pam to gauge her reaction.
Pam forced a smile. “OK then, I’ll see you at dinner.” She stalked away from the group and Sera cackled.
“That was great! I loved the look on her face!”
“We should really piss her off more often.” Kayla agreed. “That was fun!”
“You know when we were listing their attributes, we forgot ruthless.”
“You were listing our attributes?” Sera said glancing at Kyle.
Devon immediately began backpedaling, “And forgiving, did we mention forgiving."
**********
Maria and Michael walked up the Evans’ driveway
“I still cannot believe that you forgot to tell me they invited us to dinner and that you accepted on our behalf. I didn’t get the chance to call Mrs. Evans and ask if there was anything I could bring. So now I have to show up empty handed and...”Michael stopped at the porch, reached behind a shrub and pulled out a bouquet of wildflowers.
“What, how….Michael?”
“Isabel. I told her that I forgot to tell you about dinner, that you were beyond pissed and she told me not to worry, that she’d have something for me behind the shrub. Here, you can give these to Mrs. Evans.”
He knocked on the door. Phillip pulled it open moments later and beckoned them inside.
They followed Mr. Evans into the kitchen where Max and Liz were setting the table and chatting with Diane.
“Oh good, you made it!” Diane beamed at M and M.
“Hi! These are for you.” Maria said presenting the bouquet.
“Oh wildflowers, my favorite! Thank you Maria. That’s so sweet.”
“Kids, what can I get you to drink?” Phillip asked.
“Cherry coke.” All four teens replied.
“Why do I ask?” Mr. Evans said grinning at his wife.
************
Michael reached for a second helping of lasagna after getting an OK from Diane. He set it on his plate and was about to put the serving fork down when Maria cleared her throat. “You think you could dip some out for me?”
“Did you ask for seconds?”
“Michael.”
“Children, lets not fight at the table.” Diane said in mock warning.
Maria smiled and took the fork from Michael.
“So girls, have you heard from Kyle or Sera? Did they get in OK?”
“Kyle called Jim, He said they got in just fine and were already heading out for practice.” Maria answered.
“Those poor kids will be so exhausted when they get back.” Diane said making the universal tsk tsk noise for which mothers are famous.
“I’m kinda curious to see what Kyle picks up this year. I mean last year he came back as a Buddhist, there’s no telling what we’ll get this year.” Max joked.
“I think Kyle’s changed for the better since he became Buddhist.” Liz defended her friend.
“I agree. ” Maria said nodding her head.
“Of course he changed for the better, its not like he could have been worse!” Michael joked shoving another forkful of lasagna in his mouth.
Diane smirked but managed to shoot Michael an admonishing look. “Kyle and Sera certainly seem to be serious these days.” Mrs. Evans observed.
Maria and Liz shared a smile before Liz responded. “I think she’s been really good for him.”
“And here we thought that Kyle and Izzy were heading for a romance.” Phillip said.
Max and Michael nearly choked on their dinner as Maria let out a short blast of laughter.
“Kyle and Iz? A couple? No, I don’t think that was ever an option!”
“No? They seem really close.” Phil insisted.
“They’re just friends. Very good friends.” Liz explained.
“Yeah Dad, I don’t think you have to worry about Kyle and Isabel hooking up in any other fashion!” Max laughed.
“Thank God!” Michael said shuddering.
“How long are Kyle and Sera away at their camps?” Diane asked, hoping to get the conversation back on track.
“Two weeks.” Maria said, exhaling loudly. “They have to be bored right? I mean two weeks of cheers and football! Yawn! What could they possibly do for fun?”
************
“I got it!” Sera yelled as she spiked the ball over the net.
Nathan Webber looked up in time to see the ball hurtling towards his face. He dove out of the way and the ball smacked into the ground.
“Woo Hoo!” Sera yelled as she danced before a still prone Nathan.
“I think that evens the score boys!”
“I think they’ve got a ringer.” Jake called from the back.
“It gets worse, she’s serving!” Kyle said with a grimace.
Sera turned and stuck her tongue out at her boyfriend before serving the ball right to him.
Kyle popped the ball up and Greg Tierney spiked near Pam. Pam squeaked and threw her hands up to cover her face. “GREG! That was close!”
Amy dove to the ground and made enough contact to get the ball to Sera who sent it sailing over the net again and right between Tim Malamud and Chris Gordon.
Sera helped Amy up and the girls exchanged high fives and grins.
“If I’m not mistaken this is game point gentlemen!” Sera chanted as she served. Sam Miller got underneath the serve and bashed it across the net to Rachel Forrester. Rachel managed a one-handed spike that Tonya smashed back to the boys’ side. Kyle and Paul Stewart were ready. Kyle jabbed the ball toward Paul, who in turn, launched a beautiful spike directly at Pam. Pam did just as the boys expected her to do; she used her hands as a shield and the ball hurtled to the ground.
Darlene lunged for it but it was too late.
“Oh girls, I think THIS is game point.” Chris cackled as he smacked the volleyball at his sister, Karen. Karen returned Chris’ serve with little effort. Chris may be her big brother, but Karen was just as good an athlete if not better. The football players scrambled for the ball and just managed to get it over the net, right between Sera and Amy.
Sera dove to no avail, the ball bounced off the tips of her fingers and landed in the soft sand with a plop.
On the other side of the net the boys erupted with cheers and hoots, high fives all around. Kyle disengaged himself from the throng, crossed to the cheerleaders’ side of the net, and pulled his girlfriend to her feet.
“Well that sucks!” Sera said, as she stood and pulled out of Kyle’s arms.
“You really don’t like to lose do you?” Kyle asked, remembering the pool game on their first date.
“No! And what makes it worse is that we totally could have beaten you if we could have eliminated certain members of out team.”
“Anyone in particular?” Kyle asked knowingly.
“You know exactly who I’m talking about! You would think that as competitive as she is about cheering, it would carry over to other sports!”
“You play sports to win, Pam plays because she wants to flirt with the football team.”
“I just can’t stand the way she goes up there and slaps at the ball. It’s pathetic. Does she really think guys don’t find athletic females attractive? Hello! Gabrielle Reese is a pro volleyball player and plenty of guys find her sexy.”
“Yeah she is hot!” Kyle said with a faraway look in his eyes.
“Maybe we should make a rule that you don’t fantasize about other women while we’re together.”
“Oh well, if you insist.”
Sera fixed him with a look that left no room for doubt.
Okay, change of subject! Kyle thought.
“You wanna get out of here?” Kyle asked.
“Depends on what you have in mind.” Sera said grinning.
“You’ll see.”
Sneaking into the dorms Sera laughed as they entered Kyle’s room and she glanced at Devon’s empty bed.
“Guess that means that my room is off limits for awhile!” Sera joked.
“What do you mean?”
“Did you see Devon at the game?”
“No.”
“Did you happen to notice who was missing from our side?”
“Not really, I…OH! So you think their off doing…OK”
“If not, they’re at least having some ‘alone time’.” Sera said complete with Dr. Evil style air quotes.
“Now there is a good idea.” Kyle said as he advanced on Sera, tackled her on his bed and began to tickle here with a mischievous grin on his face.
“At last I have you in my clutches, Maw Haw Ha!”
Sera stopped struggling and laughing long enough to give Kyle the ‘you are completely insane’ look before drawing him into a kiss.
They remained wrapped up in each other for awhile, soon Sera became aware of Kyle’s hand moving under her tank. She inhaled sharply as his fingertips brushed her ribcage.
When he felt the lacy fabric of her bra he paused, wondering if he should continue. His hand hovered above her breast for a full minute before Sera pushed into him and made the decision for him. After a bit, Kyle’s hand moved for the front clasp to her bra. She had a fleeting inclination to
stop his efforts, but decided she was enjoying herself too much to stop him just yet.
He shifted his mouth to her neck and kissed the hollow before sliding her tank strap down to kiss the swell of her breast. Kyle smiled as Sera’s fingers wound into his hair and she pressed her body closer to him. Feeling a bit daring, he continued his exploration of her chest as one hand
drifted to the tie on her shorts.
Sera stiffened and struggled beneath him.
She pushed at his chest. “Kyle stop.”
“What?” He pulled back to look at her.
“I can’t, I…I’m not rea… not yet.”
“Hey, its OK. Relax, we can stop.”
He started to sit up and she grabbed his shoulders. “It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just….” she trailed off and looked away.
“What?”
“I’m...”
“Sera, I’m not trying to force you into something you’re not ready for. You saying no isn’t going to change my feelings for you.”
“Kyle, I’ve never done that with anyone.”
“Kissing? Sera, you’re gorgeous, I find that very hard to believe.”
“Kyle! You know what I mean. The other stuff,” She paused, hoping it would dawn on him, it didn’t. “the under the clothes stuff.”
The proverbial light bulb sputtered to life over Kyle’s head as her words registered with him. His eyes widened as looked at her. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
She looked at him, waiting for him to continue.
“That uh, you’re a virgin?”
“Disappointed?” she asked warily.
Kyle laughed for a moment until he saw the hurt look on her face. He titled her face towards him.
“No!.”
“Are you sure? I mean I know you’ve dated a lot of girls who are more…advanced, so I’m sure you expecting…”
“Sera, I won’t lie and say I don’t want you. Every time I’m around you, I have to keep myself in check. You give me those looks like you’re going to ravish me. You say things that make me want to ravish you. The way you kiss me goodnight at the end of our dates drives me so insane I literally have to meditate to stop myself from creeping into your bedroom at night.”
She blushed and dropped her eyes.
“But if you’re not ready, you’re not ready!”
She smiled as she gazed at him.
“I didn’t mean to lead you on.”
“You didn’t, I can wait.” After a beat, “It may kill me.”
She averted her eyes and he touched his nose to hers. “I’m kidding. You set the pace. We’ll play by your rules!”
She smiled and ran a finger along his jaw.
“I do love the way you kiss!”
“Kissing works for me.”
Kyle kissed her again. After a time she pulled away and looked at him with a devilish grin.
“I think SOME under the clothes stuff would be OK.”
Kyle groaned as he digested that infomation thinking to himself, I am SO going to need a cold shower after tonight
*************
"So you’re sure, about the sex stuff I mean?” Sera asked as Kyle walked her down to the girl’s floor.
“If I just wanted to hop into bed with someone I’d be sneaking into Pam’s room right now. I’m where I want to be and who I want to be with.”
She smiled and hugged him tightly.
“Thanks!”
“Now get inside and be quiet, you don’t want to wake up Kayla.”
No sooner were the words out of his mouth than they noticed the door creeping open ever so slightly. Devon poked his head out the crack and motioned for them to get inside.
“Told ya so.” Sera laughed looking back at Kyle, as they entered the room that was illuminated by Kayla’s Diva nightlight.
“Get in here. Pam came by about two minutes ago asking where Sera was. I think she knows you two were off somewhere.”
“She didn’t see you?” Kyle asked.
“I hid in the closet.” Devon replied.
“I told her you were in the bathroom. I don’t think she believed me. My guess, she’s going to snitch to Cannon you’re missing!” Kayla said standing near the closet.
“What the hell is up with that girl?” Sera asked. “She’s had it in for me since day one.”
“ You want a list?” Kayla asked. “You’re dating Kyle, you’re a better cheerleader, you’re better looking, you’re dating Kyle and you’re friends with Liz Parker. Oh did I mention that you’re dating Kyle?”
“But if she squeals on me she burns him too.”
“That’s why she wants to catch you out of the room. I guess she figured you’d come back alone and Cannon would catch you in the hall after curfew!”The four teens froze when they heard Ms. Cannon knock.
“Girls, Wake up!! Bed check!”
Kyle and Devon looked like deer in headlights while Kayla covered her mouth with her hands.
Sera however sprung into action: She shoved the boys in the closet then grabbed her and Kayla’s bags and placed them in front of the closet door. She tossed her covers about to make her bed looked slept in and stripped off her shorts. Finally she grabbed the portable CD players the girls had unpacked earlier and tossed one to Kayla. “Put these on and lay down!” she whispered before moving to the door.
Kayla got under the covers, and covered her ears with the headphones.
“Ms. Cannon? What’s up?” Sera asked as she opened the door.
“It was reported that you were missing.” Ms. Cannon said moving into the room and turning on the light.
Kayla sat up, removed the headphones and looked from Ms. Cannon to Sera.
“Missing? No, I went down to the bathroom a little while ago but I came straight back.”
“Kayla, you’ve been here the whole time?”
“Yes Ma’am. But I didn’t hear her.” She pointed at the CD player on her pillow.
Sera laughed and held up her own player. “I just barely heard you knocking. I kept trying to figure out why “Yesterday” suddenly had a drum solo in it.”
Ms. Cannon chuckled. “No, I don’t think that’s the way John and Paul wrote it!”
“Much to Ringo’s chagrin.” Sera laughed, relieved that Ms. Cannon didn’t seem suspicious.
“Well, OK. You girls get back to bed. And to the Beatles! Good choice by the way!”
“Thanks! I grew up listening to them, my mom’s a big fan and she created a monster in me!”
“Hey there are worse things you could be listening to. Kayla what’s spinning in your player?”
“Oh, uh Jay-z.” Kayla said the first thing that came to her mind.
“See.” Ms. Cannon said winking at Sera.
Sera grinned back and followed Ms. Cannon to the door.
“Sorry to bother you. Good night girls!”
“Good night Ms. Cannon.” they replied together.
The coach closed the door behind her. Both Sera and Kayla breathed a sigh of relief. Sera locked the door before moving to the closet to let Devon and Kyle out.
Kayla was trying to quell her laughter but she couldn’t. She looked at Sera. “Bad joke I know but looks like they’re decided to come out of the closet.”
Sera laughed with her roommate.
“Ha Ha. Glad you two think this is so funny!” Kyle said.
“Nice work on that Beatles reference girl!” Devon said looking at Sera.
“Yeah, how could you be so sure she’d get that?” Kayla asked
“I was in her office when you guys were deciding whether or not to add me to the squad. I noticed that she had a framed lithograph of Meet the Beatles. I remembered it because it was the first album my dad ever gave me.”
Kyle swept Sera into his arms. “That's my girl!”
“Sera, liking the pink lace!!” Devon said leering at her.
Kyle looked down at his girlfriend and noticed for the first time that she was wearing only a tank and her panties. “Sera!”
“What?” She asked grabbing her shorts from underneath her covers and slipping into them. “I couldn’t exactly answer the door in the same outfit I’ve been wearing all night! I figured I could get by in the tank, but not the shorts."
"Well I for one approve of the no pants look!" Devon said wagging his eyebrows at Kyle who stared him down in return.
“So I guess the big question is how do we get these two out of here?” Kayla asked looking at Kyle and Devon.
“Go out like you’re using the bathroom. Check the hall and make sure Pam and Cannon are gone. I’ll keep the door open and you can signal us. Wave your hand or something.”
“Man Sera, that’s a plan and a half.”
“Please, you act as though I never had to sneak a guy out of my room before.”
“What?” Kyle yelled spinning to face Sera.
“I never said I was a saint!” She said grinning mischievously at him.
******
By the end of the week Sera was ready to murder Pam. If the incident the first night of camp wasn’t enough, Pam made it her mission to ruin any free time Kyle and Sera had, each time the couple tried to sneak off, Pam was right behind them with her flavor of the week, Tim Malamud.
Things got even uglier when Pam dropped Sera during a routine. Kyle and the rest of the football players had gathered to watch the girls practice before dinner. Pam was supposed to bridge her arms for Sera to complete the pyramid; however, Pam was too busy making eyes at Kyle and the rest of the team and her grip faltered sending Sera plummeting toward the ground. Mason Garner and Jack Robinson, the cheer spots, caught Sera scant inches from the ground.
Sera burst out of their grip and advanced on Pam. “What the hell was that?”
“What are you talking about?” Pam answered nastily.
“I’m talking about you nearly dropping me on my…”
“GIRLS!" Ms. Cannon interrupted their argument. “Sera are you all right?”
“A little shaken, but I’ll be OK.”
“Good. Pam, what happened?”
“Sorry Ms. C, I just lost my grip.”Sera rolled her eyes as Pam put on an Eddie Haskell routine for Ms. Cannon.
“OK, girls. Let’s go ahead and break for dinner.”
“You OK?” Kyle asked as he reached his girlfriend’s side
“Yeah, just a little tense.”
“Want some help with that?” Kyle asked grinning at her.
She smiled at his meaning. “Maybe later.”
Pam made a face at their display and looked at Amber, “You know if Sera didn’t weigh so much I wouldn’t have dropped her.”
Kyle moved faster than Sera could. He picked her up in a fireman’s carry and walkedaway before Sera could do Pam bodily harm.
Vicki turned on Pam. “You know, it’s a really good thing that Sera’s OK Pam. We need her.”
“Please.” Pam snorted
“She’s serious Pam." Tonya agreed. "Sera brings a lot to this squad and you are going out of your way to pick on her.”
“I think what they’re trying to convey to you Pam is that you reap what you sow. If you continue on this path, we’re not going to feel too sorry for you when Sera snaps and Kyle’s not around to carry her off.” Kayla warned picking up Sera’s bag along with her own. “Dev, Let’s go catch up with Kyle and Sera.”
Kyle was still carrying Sera when Kayla and Devon caught up with them.
“Sera? You okay up there?” Kayla asked.
“Fine! He won’t put me down though.”
“No way. Not until you calm down to the point that I think you’re not going to strangle Pam.”
“If you don’t put me down soon you’ll be the one I want to strangle, not Pam.”
“What’s the harm?” Kayla asked as she put Sera’s bag on Kyle’s shoulder.
“What?”
“What’s the harm in letting her strangle Pam, she needs to be knocked down a peg or two.”
“As much as I agree, I’m sure Sera wants to remain on the cheerleading squad long enough to actually cheer at school, not be kicked off before we get out of camp for fighting.”
“Oh, yeah. Good point.”
Sera in the mean time had reached around her boyfriend’s waist, into her bag and retrieved her phone.
“What are you…” Kayla asked giving her friend a strange look.
“Hey Maria! Its Sera.”
“Hey! How’s camp.”
“Well actually that’s why I’m calling. Could you please tell your almost- brother to put me down and that I promise not to attack Pam at this present moment.”
“Put you down?”
“Yeah we went all caveman, carrying me off over his shoulder because I made a semi-threatening move toward Pam after she made a crack at my weight.”
“Sure, put him on, but I wouldn’t make that promise about Pam, she deserves whatever she gets.”
Sera reached up and put the phone to Kyle’s ear.
“Hello?”
“What is going on?” Kyle winced as his almost-sister’s voice reach howler monkey level.
“She and Pam just don’t see eye to eye.”
“Of course they don’t Sera doesn’t stoop that low. Tell me what happened.”
“Pam dropped her in a routine…DON’T YELL!! She’s fine, the spots caught her. Then Pam said she wouldn’t have dropped her if Sera didn’t weigh so much.”
Kyle had to take the phone away from his ear as Maria reacted to the news. Devon, Kayla and Sera could hear her perfectly.
“What? And you didn’t help knock that witch on her ass?”
“Maria, I just don’t want her to do anything stupid.”
Sera, who had been tapping her fingers on Kyle’s back during his conversation with Maria, smacked him for the comment.
“OW! See. Violence.”
Maria snorted, “I think its fully justified.”
“You’re a big help!”
“I knew I called the right person.” Sera called from her perch on his shoulder.
“I’m hanging up now!” Kyle warned
“No wait, let me talk to Sera again.”
“Here.” Kyle said handing the phone back to his girlfriend as he finally set her down.
“Hey!”
“So?”
“So what?”
“Anything good going on?”
“Maybe!!” Sera answered cagily.
“He’s still holding you isn’t he?”
“No. He finally put me down but he’s standing right here.
“Fine! But you call me when you get a spare moment. I want to hear everything, well not in detail, but you know-generalities!”
“I’ll do that! How is it there?”
“Oh crazy busy as usual-nothing new.”
“Is it really bad? I mean is Holly even remotely helping?”
“Surprisingly she’s been showing up on a regular basis. Of course she’s been taking extra breaks but you have to take the good with the bad. Don’t worry about us! We can handle things here. You go learn how to spell words with your arms and shout rhymes.”
“Thanks Maria. You’re the best!”
“I know! You kids have fun!”
“Bye Maria.”
“Bye chica!”
Maria laughed as she flipped her cell closed. Liz came into the Crashdown kitchen.
“What’s so funny?”
“That was Sera.”
“Oh how’s camp!”
“Well she’s ready to kill Pam, but other than that I think she’s OK.”
“Someone wanting Pam dead. There’s a shock. But I’ll bet she’s glad to be spending time with Kyle.”
“Speaking of spending time with one’s significant other, are you and Max still headed for the desert tonight?”
“Yes, and take that look off your face right now Maria DeLuca! We’re just going to talk.”
“Talk, right sure!”
“I’m serious!”
“Call it whatever you want girlfriend.”
“Maria!!”
“Fine, you’re going to talk. But I encourage you to finish your talk early, because believe me getting physical with a Czechoslovakian is out of this world…pun intended!”
“Maria!”
“Just being honest!”
“I’m going up to change, you get out of here too. I’m sure you and Michael have big plans.”
“Oh yeah, the couch and a hockey game. Perhaps I’ll even get treated to a bottle of Snapple!
Color me excited!”
“Well try to have fun!”
“Don’t worry chica, I’ll find some way to take his mind off the hockey game.”
“I’m sure you will!”The girls parted with a hug. “Call me tomorrow and let me know how the ‘talk’ went.”
“Bye Maria.”
Liz waved and ascended the stairs to her room. As she walked through her door she could hear music playing softly, but she couldn’t quite determine the origin: she checked her clock radio but it was off, looking on the balcony she again found nothing. Then she realized that the sounds were coming from her bathroom.
When she walked in she found Max standing near the bubble filled tub with a white rose between his teeth, he removed the rose and slowly stepped toward her.
“I thought after today you deserved a break.”
“Max.”
“I put Vanilla Bean in the tub, had Maria pick up some Lavender candles from Amy’s shop and I put on some Gomez.” he pointed to her CD player.
“Max…”
“This isn’t a seduction scene. I just wanted you to have some R and R before our date tonight. You guys were pretty packed today.” Max grinned and Liz melted, she closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Did anyone ever tell you that you are the galaxy’s greatest boyfriend?”
“Not today.”
“Well you are and I love you!”
Max smiled and rested his head on her forehead.
“I love you more. Now get undressed!”
“MAX!!!”
“So you can take your bath. Geez, you have a dirty mind!”
“Ha Ha!” Liz laughed, rolling here eyes at him.
Max placed the rose on the counter and stepped out of the bathroom. Once Liz shed her uniform and climbed into the tub, she called out to him.
“OK Max, you can come back in.”
“You look comfy!”
“It feels great! Thank you.”
“Does it need to be reheated?” he asked holding his hand over the water.
“No. Its perfect. You know I appreciate the gesture and all, but you really didn’t have to leave.” she said, smiling up at him.
“Yeah I did. If I hadn’t walked out, I’d be in there with you.”
“Is that a threat or is that a promise?”
**************************
Maria curled closer to Michael on the couch as the Red Wings and the Stars faced off.
“Is this almost over?”
“Maria, it’s the first period.”
“Ugh!”
“Why, did you want to do something else?”
“Well," she began, climbing on his lap. “I did have another activity in mind.”
“Anything that would interest me?” Michael asked with a grin as he grasped her hips.
“I think so!” Maria looped her arms around Michael’s neck and placed a kiss on his lips.
“I think you’re right!” Michael said returning the kiss.
As Michael trailed a kiss down Maria’s neck, Brendan Shannahan broke away from a defender and slid a goal past Marty Turco.
“YES!!”
“I’m good! I’ve barely touched….MICHAEL!”
“What!”
“Why do I even bother?”
“OK, OK I’ll turn it off!”
“Its not like I’m asking for much, all I want is the opportunity to make you my love slave for a few hours.”
Michael lunged for the remote and quickly pressed the power button.
“Only a few hours? Why not all-night?” he asked grinning at her.
“If that’s what you think is best.” Maria conceded.
“Oh I do.”
***********
The night of the camp banquet provided Sera and Kyle their only real time alone since the first night at camp.
After dinner while everyone else went to the nearby theater to see Rush Hour 2, Kyle and Sera walked to the quad. They nestled together on one of the concrete benches.
“Man I’m beat!” Kyle said yawning. “Coach had us doing up downs all day, AFTER running five miles!”
Sera stroked his hair. “Poor baby! I think Ms. C and Coach Williams decided to torture all of us. We had to do our routine from 7 AM to 5:30 and we only got a break for lunch. She made us run two miles to warm up.”
“Yeah, at least you get to run in the early morning when its still nice out. Coach had us doing our five at 12:30!!! Is there a hotter time of day?”
“I think it was a strategic plan to wear all of us out so we’d fall right to sleep and be ready to go in the morning for the return trip.”
“Probably. But you know I’m not too worn out. I think my lips are still in working order.”
“Oh good!”
The couple kissed lightly for a moment before Kyle pulled Sera to him so he could kiss her properly. Sera pulled back after a few minutes and gazed at her boyfriend.
“What?”
“Nothing, just thinking about how much I’m going to miss doing this when school starts.”
“Are we not going to be dating when school starts?” Kyle asked warily.
“No! I mean Yes! Yes we’ll still be dating…I hope, school starts Tuesday. I just mean that we’ll be in class all day and its not like I can pounce on you in the middle of science class.”
“Actually I don’t think that would be an issue anyway. You’ll be in the super smart class while Maria, Michael and I toil away in remedial science for another year.”
“You know what I mean.”
“OK! I swear, I’ll make every effort to steal you away in between classes for some quality makeout time.”
“Promise?”
“Promise!”
“Woo Hoo!”
“So when we get back to Roswell tomorrow you want to go see Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back?”
“Yeah! That’d be great! Should we call Maria and Michael? I know Michael likes Kevin Smith.”
“No. Let’s make it just us. I thought coming into camp we’d have plenty of time to spend together, but with Pam following us all the time I feel like I’ve barely seen you.”
“That’s fine. I think I can handle being alone with you in the back row of the movie theater.”
“If you only knew what was going on in my mind you wouldn’t be so sure.”
“I guess I’ll have to take my chances.” she grinned at him.
“If I weren’t so dead tired, I’d respond to that with a Dr. Evil laugh.”
“How about I get a Kyle laugh, I like that much better.”
Kyle rewarded her with a chuckle and wrapped his arms around her.
END CHAPTER[/b]
Part 6-Summer Camp
Title: Starting Over
Author: LizabethR2D2
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I owned these characters/this show I do not! They belong to Melinda Mets, Jason Katims, the WB and UPN networks and the amazing actors who portrayed them! I guess I do own Sera, but I’d be willing to trade her for Colin Hanks. (Or Nick!!!)
Category: CC
Rating: Adult (It will vary chapter to chapter, but let’s just be safe and say Adult to cover all our bases!)
Summary: Alternate Season 3-Picking up a few weeks after the WB Season 2 Finale. This is the Season 3 that I would have liked to see televised, our CCs are together, no one is going to a Vermont boarding school, no one moves to NYC and no one marries Delko! Just good old fashioned Season 1 type entertainment. (At least I like to think so!) [/b]
WEST ROSWELL HIGH SCHOOL
Jim pulled his jeep into the parking lot of the high school to drop off Sera and Kyle.
The teens hopped out and grabbed their duffels.
“Sera, Charles said he’d pick you both up at 3PM on September 1 right?”
“Yes sir!”
“OK, you two have fun! Uh, not too much fun.”
“DAD!” Kyle yelled as Sera turned bright red.
“Right! I’ll see you in a few weeks.”
“Bye Sheriff.” Sera called as she stepped away from Jim’s jeep.
“Bye now.”
“Later Dad.”
“Kyle, you guys be careful, I mean with you know everything.
“Dad…”
“I'm a parent Kyle, I worry, it's inevitable, especially when I'm dropping my son and his girlfriend off for two weeks without parents.”
“Goodbye Dad.”
Jim sighed and waved to his son as he drove off.
Kyle shook his head as he walked to Sera.
“What was that about?” she asked.
“Dad attempting the responsibility lecture.”
“Mom gave me that lecture, right before she gave me the third degree. She wanted to know our exact itinerary, where the boys dorms were in relation to the girls dorms and she packed my cell, charger and even an extra battery!”
“She’ll probably call it every free hour listed, just to make sure I haven’t dragged you off somewhere to take advantage of you!”
“First of all you wouldn’t have to take advantage of me. Second of all, I may have adjusted the itinerary slightly. I gave us two free hours instead of three and I shortened the lunch period from an hour to a half hour.”
“Sneaky!”
Sera raised her eyebrows, “I try!”
“Uh, oh. Cannon is giving us the eye! We’d better head over!”
“You were the one that told me she didn’t like you football types flirting with her girls! I’d watch it if I were you!”
“Sera! Over here!”
Sera and Kyle turned to see Vicki Delany and Amy Green waving excitedly.
Everyone exchanged hellos, then Sera checked in with Ms. Cannon.
Pam sauntered over to hug Kyle.
“It’s been too long Kyle! How’s you summer been?” Pam asked releasing Kyle from her hug, but slipping an arm around his waist.
Gazing at his approaching girlfriend he smiled, “It’s been my best summer ever.”
Sera smiled as she returned to the group. “Hi Pam how are you?”
“Oh well hey there Sera, Didn’t see you.”
Sera smiled sarcastically at Pam before turning to Kyle. “Ms. Cannon says we’re on one bus so I guess you’re stuck with me.”
Kyle extracted himself from Pam’s grip and bent to pick up his and Sera’s bags.
“So Kyle, is it true your dad and Maria’s mom are getting married this fall?” Pam asked with a snicker.
“In November.” Kyle replied nodding his head.
“So Maria’s going to be your sister. That should be fun!”
Kyle gave her a tight smile and began walking toward the bus.
Pam turned to Amber Timmons and laughed. “Poor thing, saddled with Psycho DeLuca, and her degenerate trailer trash boyfriend.”
Sera’s deep blue eyes flashed and she moved toward Pam with a menacing expression on her face.
“What did you just say?” Sera yelled.
“OK! We’re getting on the bus!” Kyle said catching his girlfriend before she could do serious harm to Pam.
“WITCH!” Sera called as Kyle led her away.
“What the hell is her problem?” Pam asked shaking her head at Amber.
“Pam, she and Maria are pretty friendly, they work together at the Crashdown.” Vicki explained.
“So that’s how she’s got Kyle pulling a big brother routine! Carrying her bags, loading her on the bus. All because she’s friends with Maria and that band of freaks! Well, I guess it’s my duty to rescue Kyle from that existence. I think I’ll start taking his mind off things ASAP.”
“You are so bad girl!” Amber said laughing with Pam as they boarded the bus.
Kyle and Sera sat near the back. Sera sat closest to the window and glared at Kyle as he greeted some of his teammates. He caught her look and returned to their seat.
“What?”
“How could you let her talk about them like that?”
“That’s just Pam, she does that to everyone.”
“Who the hell does she think she is?”
“You have to learn to ignore her. God knows we all have.”
“She’s so, so…”
“Annoying?” Kyle finished for her.
“For starters!”
“She’s jealous. She’s never liked Liz, because of Max and me. And as you know, Liz and Maria are a package deal. You get one with the other. Pam starts in on Liz and Maria dishes it right back at her.”
“Still, I don’t like anyone saying those kind of things about my friends. I mean that was just vicious”
“Geez, I hope no one says anything bad about me.”
“Why?”
“Well, you were ready to kill Pam for her comments about Michael and Maria. I’d hate to see what you’d do if she started picking on me.”
“Oh, she can pick on you. I think its funny when you’re the butt of jokes!”
“Thanks a lot!”
Sera smiled sweetly at her boyfriend.
“You think that’s funny?”
“Uh-huh!” she said nodding her head.
“You still think its funny,” he asked pinning her between him and the window and tickling her.
Sera squealed and tried to push Kyle off her.
“Still think its funny? Huh? Huh?”
“OK OK I give!” She was winded, giggling and still slightly beneath Kyle when Tim Malamud and Kevin Franklin approached.
“Valenti.” Kevin extended his hand as Kyle straightened in the seat, allowing Sera to sit up.
“Franklin.” Kyle shook Kevin’s hand then looked at Malamud. Sera couldn't help but notice the harsh tone Kyle's voice took as he greeted the other boy. “Malamud.”
“So I see you met our new girl.” Kevin said reaching for Sera’s hand. She looked at him suspiciously but offered her hand anyway. He kissed it dramatically as if he were Jack Dawson and she Rose DeWitt-Bukater.
“I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced. I’m Kevin Franklin.”
“I’m Sera Davidson. I don’t think there was time for introductions the last time we met. You were too busy looking down my uniform at the Crashdown, nice to put a name with the leer.”
“Sarcastic and beautiful, I like that in a woman.” Kevin said finally releasing her hand.
“I trust our star quarterback is treating you well?” Tim asked moving for Sera’s hand once Kevin had relinquished it.
“I am and I think that’s enough hand kissing for one day.” Kyle said glaring at Tim and blocking his attempts to take Sera’s hand.
“Valenti, playing the big brother role again? Geez, can’t you give a guy a chance to get to know our newest cheerleader?”
“Not for a million dollars Malamud!”
“Well, perhaps we should ask Miss Davidson if she’d care to join us so we can get to know her better.”
“Thanks but I don’t think my boyfriend would like that very much.”
“Well, what your boyfriend doesn’t know won’t hurt him will it?” Tim said in a conspiratorial voice.
Sera fought to stifle a laugh, then looked at Kyle. “I think he already knows! But let’s ask if it would hurt him. Kyle?”
“Well, it wouldn’t hurt ME, but I might hurt Malamud in a second.”
Kevin caught on first, “You mean you two…”
“Yep!” Sera said laughing at the look on his face.
“What?” Tim asked.
“Malamud, meet Sera Davidson, MY GIRLFRIEND!” Kyle said with an edge.
“Damn. Hey, how’s it going? Sorry, guys we had no idea!”
“No problem.” Sera found it hard to talk as she convulsed with laughter.
“Yeah, we’re gonna go back up front. See ya later Valenti. Sera, nice to meet you. Sorry about the way we acted at the Crashdown.” Kevin said as he backed away.
“It’s forgotten. Just don’t do it again or you’ll be wearing your milkshake.” She cocked her head and smiled sweetly at Kevin.
“Hey Valenti!” Malamud said as he made his way down the aisle, “Remember what I said about Tess? Same thing applies for Sera… Couple of hours man.”
Kyle shot Malamud a murderous look as the boy left to pester someone else.
Sera looked at Kyle for an explanation, “Old girlfriend?”
“What?”
“Tess, is that your ex-girlfriend? I just figured from the look on your face that he tried to move in on her.”
“Oh, uh, yeah. She was…I…we went to Prom together last year.”
“Oh. Does she still go here?”
“No.”
“Dating a senior? Mr. Valenti, I didn’t know you liked older women!”
“Can we talk about something else?” Kyle snapped.
“Sure,” Sera said looking at him uneasily as Kyle busied himself with the zipper on her purse in the seat between them.
“Hey,” she placed her hand on his arm. “I didn’t mean to stir up bad memories.”
“No, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap, it’s just, that’s in the past. I’m not one to dwell...Buddha says…”
Sera leaned into him and kissed him soundly on the lips.
“What were you saying?” She asked with a grin.
“I don’t remember!”
“Good!”
*********
Sitting on a bus for five hours was incredibly tedious; Kyle and Sera played Mad Libs to ease the boredom. Sera made an effort to keep them marginally clean, but with Kyle as her partner, she failed. Every so often one of Kyle’s teammates came down the aisle to talk to him. Sera was convinced she met the majority of the football team in less than two hours.
Kayla Adler, sitting two seats ahead of Sera and Kyle, turned to face them.
“Hey Sera, I stole a look at Ms. Cannon’s log. It looks like we’re bunking together.”
“We have roommates? There’s only 10 of us!”
“Roommates are to act as chaperones. That way we don’t get a nice dorm room all to ourselves that would be too much of a temptation. The admin fears late night visits from significant others.” Kayla said pointing at Kyle.
“Would I do that?”
Kayla’s seatmate, Vicki Delany turned to join the conversation,
“Freshman year you and Kevin snuck in the room Pam and I were sharing. You nearly gave us heart attacks.” She reminded him.
“Yeah, but we were only playing practical jokes. There was noting illicit going on.”
Kayla muttered something and Vicki nudged her.
“Just letting you know right now Kyle Valenti, if you are planning on sneaking into my room to see Sera, I have two rules: One, you'd better keep it down, and Two, you’d better bring Devon with you.”
“You’re still dating Rayburn? I thought you would have dumped him by now.” Kyle teased.
“Hey.” Devon yelled from the seat across from Vicki and Kayla.
Devon bounced a Nerf mini football off Kyle’s forehead.
“Ow!”
Sera rolled her eyes. “Don’t be such a baby.”
She picked up the offending football and launched it back in Devon’s direction. It hit his temple and she giggled.
“Hey Valenti,” Nathan Webber, the wide receiver called, “Your girlfriend’s a better pass than you are.” He and Jarrod Donnell found this extremely amusing.
“Laugh it up Webber, I’m still waiting for Coach to give me a receiver who can catch worth a damn.” Nathan responded by winking at Sera and flipping off Kyle.
“Geez! Why don’t you two just whip them out right here and get the rulers.” Sera said with an eye roll “I thought you and Michael were bad, you’re worse around this crew.”
“Is that your subtle way of getting my pants off?”
Sera stared at him for a moment. “If I wanted your pants off I’d come right out and tell you to drop them!”
Kyle blinked about 20 times before he found his voice again.
“So will you be telling me that anytime tonight?”
“We’ll see!” she replied winking at him.
*******
The bus pulled in to the dorm parking lot a little after 3PM. Everyone filed off and unloaded their stuff. Ms. Cannon and Coach Williams were barking orders left and right, each trying to out-shout the other.
“Girls-this way. I’ll show you to your rooms.”
“Team, let’s go. Same floor as last year. Move out!”
Kayla found Sera just as Kyle was handing her duffel bag to her and kissing her goodbye.
“Hey!” Kayla said waving goodbye to Kyle.
“Hey roomie!”
“Wow, you and Kyle look pretty exclusive.”
“Well, I don’t know about that. We’ve never actually said we’re exclusive.”
“He called you his girlfriend right?”
“Yeah.”
“In front of the guys on the team?”
“Yeah, that’s how he introduced me to Tim Malamud.”
“You’re exclusive!”
Sera smiled as she and Kayla entered the dorm building.
“It took forever for Devon to call me that. He usually say ‘This is my date Kayla’ or ‘Kayla and I are together’ I think we were a couple for six months before he finally said the dreaded G word.”
“Why do most guys have an aversion to using that term. Is there something horribly wrong with the word girlfriend?”
“You got me. But Kyle certainly doesn’t seem to have a problem with it. Maybe it’s the Buddhist thing!”
“Maybe!”
“One thing though. You might want to watch out for Pam.”
“Why do you say that?”
“She has her sights set on Kyle, and I for one know how determined she can be.”
“Well I appreciate the warning, but I’m not too worried about Pam. Kyle doesn’t seem interested.”
“Please, you think that stops Pam?” Kayla laughed.
“Adler, Davidson. This is your room.” Ms. Cannon said stopping near an open door.
“Delany, Ewing. You’re here. Forrester and Gordon next to them. Green and Martz, and finally Timmons and Troy. Those of you wondering why we’re doing alphabetical rooming this year: in previous years when you were allowed to choose your own roommates, there were several incidents involving football players entering the rooms. I trust that we won’t have those problems this year! You’re all on the honor system. Any rule breaking, ESPECIALLY involving members of the opposite sex in dorm rooms should be reported to me IMMEDIATELY! Am I making myself clear?”
A chorus of ‘Yes Ma’ams’ and Ms. Cannon seemed satisfied. “I’ll let you settle in.”
Kayla and Sera dropped their duffels on their beds and began to unpack.
“So you’re working at the Crashdown huh?”
“Yeah. You checking up on me?” Sera asked with a smile.
“No, Vicki told me.”
“Oh. Yeah, I started right when I got into town.”
“You’ve got it made girl! Working at a cool place, you made the cheerleading squad, and you’re dating one of our star football players. What’s your secret?”
“Its simple, I pay people VERY well!!”
The girls laughed and finished unpacking.
***********
CRASHDOWN CAFE
Maria sighed as she came into the kitchen.
“So, what are you and Prince Charming up to tonight?” she asked Liz.
“We’re having dinner with his parents.”
“By choice?”
“Maria!”
“I’m sorry. I’m just trying to imagine Michael voluntarily sitting down to dinner with my mother and Jim! There is an amusing image.”
“Hey, are you two working or yakking?” Michael scolded from the grill.
“Pleasant isn’t he?” Maria asked as she watched Liz finish making a Blastoff Sundae.
“Do you two ever stop fighting?”
“No!” She and Michael answered at the same time.
Maria leaned into her best friend, “Well, there is one instance that we don’t fight.”
“Stop right there.” Liz warned as she moved away from Maria.
“Lizzie, come on.”
“Maria, I don’t need to hear about these things!”
“What did you say to her?” Michael questioned.
“Go back to your grill Spaceboy, this is girl talk.”
“I know. That’s what I’m afraid of!”
***********
CAMP
“The new chick is hot.” Bailey Kroft said as he tossed the pigskin to Travis Nixon.
“She had a face? All I noticed was her body! Sweet!” Nick Fitzgerald yelled throwing the ball to Greg Tierney.
“Who’s the latest dish?” Kyle asked, joining the group.
“Your girlfriend.” Paul Stewart answered honestly.
“New topic!” Kyle warned catching the ball and firing it to Jake Winger.
“You don’t like us discussing Sera?” Jake asked jokingly as he pitched the ball to Rafael Lopez.
“You want us to start talking about Vicki?” Kyle teased, “Cause I’ve got a lot to say on that subject!”
“Hey, how about a new topic fellas!” Jake yelled to the team.
********
On the other side of campus, Ms. Cannon split her girls in two groups:
Kayla, Sera, Vicki, Darlene Ewing, and Rachel Forrester comprised the first group, with Amy, Pam, Karen Gordon, Tonya Martz, and Amber Timmons in the second.
“OK, I want each group to take some music, and choreograph a short routine then present it at our next session, before dinner. That gives you two hours.”
Sera’s group pawed through the stack of CDs Ms. Cannon presented them with. Darlene started a table with two headings: Songs with Potential and NO WAY IN HELL.
Suddenly Sera jumped up. “I’ve got it! It’s the perfect cheer.”
“That’s it!” Kayla said shaking her head. “You are banned from further SNL viewing.”
“But the Spartan cheerleaders are great!” Sera whined.
“NO! You are cutoff missy! You were quoting Mango in the room earlier and now Craig and Arianna! Enough!”
“I thought it was funny Sera.” Vicki defended.
“So what is the ‘perfect cheer’ anyway?” Rachel asked.
Sera smiled and held up the soundtrack to Bring It On.
*********
As the cheerleading captain, Ms. Cannon had Amy's group present first.
Tonya Martz queued up their music and the girls got into place. Sera and Kayla could hardly keep from laughing aloud as The Baha Men’s “Who Let The Dogs Out” emanated from the CD player.
The music selection caused a smattering of chuckles from several of the football players who had gathered to watch the girls practice.
Rachel leaned forward to whisper in Darlene’s ear. “They have some good moves, the song is just all wrong.”
“That basket toss is great!” Vicki said nodding her head.
“Amy, Karen and Tonya’s kicks are right on beat too.” Sera commented.
The routine was finally (and mercifully, Sera thought) over.
Ms. Cannon offered her review, “OK girls, I saw some great moves there! I think we’ll use a different song, but the mechanics were nice!” Sera, Vicki, Kayla, Rachel and Darlene. You guys are up.”
Sera put their CD in the player, queued their song and ran to her spot behind Rachel. Bewitched’s “Mickey” started and the girls ran out to the ‘center’ of the quad.
Kyle, Devon, Jake and several of the other football players cheered and hooted as the girls did their routine.
Sera and Kayla lip-synched the entire song as they danced. Kyle smiled as he watched his girlfriend perform. He turned to Devon, “Do you realize how lucky we are man?”
“You mean because we have two incredibly hot and if I may say LIMBER girlfriends?”
“Yeah!”
“Yeah! I do! Look at them! By the way I think Pam’s trying to get your attention. If she sticks her chest out any farther, she’s going to fall over.”
“I think she’s trying to flirt.”
“Whoa, if that’s flirting color me scared.”
“Tell me about it!”The girls finished their routine and the football players game them a standing ovation and wolf whistles. Kyle wondered if Sera was the main choreographer of the routine since it had LOTS of gyrations and other moves he’d seen her use while dancing. Not that he was complaining, those gyrations are what made it a great routine.
Sera bounded toward him with a mega-watt grin on her face.
“Ms. Cannon LOVED it! She is actually considering using it as one of our half time routines this year! She wants Amy and me to go over a few things, new ideas and what not. But I’m SO excited!”
“So you did choreograph that?”
“We all did. I did some but Kayla and the others were key. It was a group project.”
“Liar!” Kayla said as she and Devon joined them. “She’s being modest. That was totally her creation.”
“No it was not! Everyone put it together.”
“Fine. 99% was Sera and the rest was us.”
Sera laughed and shoved Kayla into Devon. Kayla jumped on her boyfriend’s for a piggyback ride. The quartet headed for the dining hall as Pam caught up with them.
“Nice routine guys.” Pam managed as she noticed Kyle and Sera holding hands.
“Thanks Pam. You guys were great too! Love the song.” Kayla snarked from Devon’s back.
Pam shot Kayla a harsh look, before softening her features and turning to Kyle. “Amber and I are having a party in our room later tonight if you want to join us.”
“Thanks, but I’ve got plans.” Kyle said pulling Sera closer to him.
“Well, if you change your mind…”
“We appreciate it Pam, but we’ll be REALLY busy! If you catch my meaning.” Sera ran her hand up Kyle’s chest keeping her eyes on Pam to gauge her reaction.
Pam forced a smile. “OK then, I’ll see you at dinner.” She stalked away from the group and Sera cackled.
“That was great! I loved the look on her face!”
“We should really piss her off more often.” Kayla agreed. “That was fun!”
“You know when we were listing their attributes, we forgot ruthless.”
“You were listing our attributes?” Sera said glancing at Kyle.
Devon immediately began backpedaling, “And forgiving, did we mention forgiving."
**********
Maria and Michael walked up the Evans’ driveway
“I still cannot believe that you forgot to tell me they invited us to dinner and that you accepted on our behalf. I didn’t get the chance to call Mrs. Evans and ask if there was anything I could bring. So now I have to show up empty handed and...”Michael stopped at the porch, reached behind a shrub and pulled out a bouquet of wildflowers.
“What, how….Michael?”
“Isabel. I told her that I forgot to tell you about dinner, that you were beyond pissed and she told me not to worry, that she’d have something for me behind the shrub. Here, you can give these to Mrs. Evans.”
He knocked on the door. Phillip pulled it open moments later and beckoned them inside.
They followed Mr. Evans into the kitchen where Max and Liz were setting the table and chatting with Diane.
“Oh good, you made it!” Diane beamed at M and M.
“Hi! These are for you.” Maria said presenting the bouquet.
“Oh wildflowers, my favorite! Thank you Maria. That’s so sweet.”
“Kids, what can I get you to drink?” Phillip asked.
“Cherry coke.” All four teens replied.
“Why do I ask?” Mr. Evans said grinning at his wife.
************
Michael reached for a second helping of lasagna after getting an OK from Diane. He set it on his plate and was about to put the serving fork down when Maria cleared her throat. “You think you could dip some out for me?”
“Did you ask for seconds?”
“Michael.”
“Children, lets not fight at the table.” Diane said in mock warning.
Maria smiled and took the fork from Michael.
“So girls, have you heard from Kyle or Sera? Did they get in OK?”
“Kyle called Jim, He said they got in just fine and were already heading out for practice.” Maria answered.
“Those poor kids will be so exhausted when they get back.” Diane said making the universal tsk tsk noise for which mothers are famous.
“I’m kinda curious to see what Kyle picks up this year. I mean last year he came back as a Buddhist, there’s no telling what we’ll get this year.” Max joked.
“I think Kyle’s changed for the better since he became Buddhist.” Liz defended her friend.
“I agree. ” Maria said nodding her head.
“Of course he changed for the better, its not like he could have been worse!” Michael joked shoving another forkful of lasagna in his mouth.
Diane smirked but managed to shoot Michael an admonishing look. “Kyle and Sera certainly seem to be serious these days.” Mrs. Evans observed.
Maria and Liz shared a smile before Liz responded. “I think she’s been really good for him.”
“And here we thought that Kyle and Izzy were heading for a romance.” Phillip said.
Max and Michael nearly choked on their dinner as Maria let out a short blast of laughter.
“Kyle and Iz? A couple? No, I don’t think that was ever an option!”
“No? They seem really close.” Phil insisted.
“They’re just friends. Very good friends.” Liz explained.
“Yeah Dad, I don’t think you have to worry about Kyle and Isabel hooking up in any other fashion!” Max laughed.
“Thank God!” Michael said shuddering.
“How long are Kyle and Sera away at their camps?” Diane asked, hoping to get the conversation back on track.
“Two weeks.” Maria said, exhaling loudly. “They have to be bored right? I mean two weeks of cheers and football! Yawn! What could they possibly do for fun?”
************
“I got it!” Sera yelled as she spiked the ball over the net.
Nathan Webber looked up in time to see the ball hurtling towards his face. He dove out of the way and the ball smacked into the ground.
“Woo Hoo!” Sera yelled as she danced before a still prone Nathan.
“I think that evens the score boys!”
“I think they’ve got a ringer.” Jake called from the back.
“It gets worse, she’s serving!” Kyle said with a grimace.
Sera turned and stuck her tongue out at her boyfriend before serving the ball right to him.
Kyle popped the ball up and Greg Tierney spiked near Pam. Pam squeaked and threw her hands up to cover her face. “GREG! That was close!”
Amy dove to the ground and made enough contact to get the ball to Sera who sent it sailing over the net again and right between Tim Malamud and Chris Gordon.
Sera helped Amy up and the girls exchanged high fives and grins.
“If I’m not mistaken this is game point gentlemen!” Sera chanted as she served. Sam Miller got underneath the serve and bashed it across the net to Rachel Forrester. Rachel managed a one-handed spike that Tonya smashed back to the boys’ side. Kyle and Paul Stewart were ready. Kyle jabbed the ball toward Paul, who in turn, launched a beautiful spike directly at Pam. Pam did just as the boys expected her to do; she used her hands as a shield and the ball hurtled to the ground.
Darlene lunged for it but it was too late.
“Oh girls, I think THIS is game point.” Chris cackled as he smacked the volleyball at his sister, Karen. Karen returned Chris’ serve with little effort. Chris may be her big brother, but Karen was just as good an athlete if not better. The football players scrambled for the ball and just managed to get it over the net, right between Sera and Amy.
Sera dove to no avail, the ball bounced off the tips of her fingers and landed in the soft sand with a plop.
On the other side of the net the boys erupted with cheers and hoots, high fives all around. Kyle disengaged himself from the throng, crossed to the cheerleaders’ side of the net, and pulled his girlfriend to her feet.
“Well that sucks!” Sera said, as she stood and pulled out of Kyle’s arms.
“You really don’t like to lose do you?” Kyle asked, remembering the pool game on their first date.
“No! And what makes it worse is that we totally could have beaten you if we could have eliminated certain members of out team.”
“Anyone in particular?” Kyle asked knowingly.
“You know exactly who I’m talking about! You would think that as competitive as she is about cheering, it would carry over to other sports!”
“You play sports to win, Pam plays because she wants to flirt with the football team.”
“I just can’t stand the way she goes up there and slaps at the ball. It’s pathetic. Does she really think guys don’t find athletic females attractive? Hello! Gabrielle Reese is a pro volleyball player and plenty of guys find her sexy.”
“Yeah she is hot!” Kyle said with a faraway look in his eyes.
“Maybe we should make a rule that you don’t fantasize about other women while we’re together.”
“Oh well, if you insist.”
Sera fixed him with a look that left no room for doubt.
Okay, change of subject! Kyle thought.
“You wanna get out of here?” Kyle asked.
“Depends on what you have in mind.” Sera said grinning.
“You’ll see.”
Sneaking into the dorms Sera laughed as they entered Kyle’s room and she glanced at Devon’s empty bed.
“Guess that means that my room is off limits for awhile!” Sera joked.
“What do you mean?”
“Did you see Devon at the game?”
“No.”
“Did you happen to notice who was missing from our side?”
“Not really, I…OH! So you think their off doing…OK”
“If not, they’re at least having some ‘alone time’.” Sera said complete with Dr. Evil style air quotes.
“Now there is a good idea.” Kyle said as he advanced on Sera, tackled her on his bed and began to tickle here with a mischievous grin on his face.
“At last I have you in my clutches, Maw Haw Ha!”
Sera stopped struggling and laughing long enough to give Kyle the ‘you are completely insane’ look before drawing him into a kiss.
They remained wrapped up in each other for awhile, soon Sera became aware of Kyle’s hand moving under her tank. She inhaled sharply as his fingertips brushed her ribcage.
When he felt the lacy fabric of her bra he paused, wondering if he should continue. His hand hovered above her breast for a full minute before Sera pushed into him and made the decision for him. After a bit, Kyle’s hand moved for the front clasp to her bra. She had a fleeting inclination to
stop his efforts, but decided she was enjoying herself too much to stop him just yet.
He shifted his mouth to her neck and kissed the hollow before sliding her tank strap down to kiss the swell of her breast. Kyle smiled as Sera’s fingers wound into his hair and she pressed her body closer to him. Feeling a bit daring, he continued his exploration of her chest as one hand
drifted to the tie on her shorts.
Sera stiffened and struggled beneath him.
She pushed at his chest. “Kyle stop.”
“What?” He pulled back to look at her.
“I can’t, I…I’m not rea… not yet.”
“Hey, its OK. Relax, we can stop.”
He started to sit up and she grabbed his shoulders. “It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just….” she trailed off and looked away.
“What?”
“I’m...”
“Sera, I’m not trying to force you into something you’re not ready for. You saying no isn’t going to change my feelings for you.”
“Kyle, I’ve never done that with anyone.”
“Kissing? Sera, you’re gorgeous, I find that very hard to believe.”
“Kyle! You know what I mean. The other stuff,” She paused, hoping it would dawn on him, it didn’t. “the under the clothes stuff.”
The proverbial light bulb sputtered to life over Kyle’s head as her words registered with him. His eyes widened as looked at her. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
She looked at him, waiting for him to continue.
“That uh, you’re a virgin?”
“Disappointed?” she asked warily.
Kyle laughed for a moment until he saw the hurt look on her face. He titled her face towards him.
“No!.”
“Are you sure? I mean I know you’ve dated a lot of girls who are more…advanced, so I’m sure you expecting…”
“Sera, I won’t lie and say I don’t want you. Every time I’m around you, I have to keep myself in check. You give me those looks like you’re going to ravish me. You say things that make me want to ravish you. The way you kiss me goodnight at the end of our dates drives me so insane I literally have to meditate to stop myself from creeping into your bedroom at night.”
She blushed and dropped her eyes.
“But if you’re not ready, you’re not ready!”
She smiled as she gazed at him.
“I didn’t mean to lead you on.”
“You didn’t, I can wait.” After a beat, “It may kill me.”
She averted her eyes and he touched his nose to hers. “I’m kidding. You set the pace. We’ll play by your rules!”
She smiled and ran a finger along his jaw.
“I do love the way you kiss!”
“Kissing works for me.”
Kyle kissed her again. After a time she pulled away and looked at him with a devilish grin.
“I think SOME under the clothes stuff would be OK.”
Kyle groaned as he digested that infomation thinking to himself, I am SO going to need a cold shower after tonight
*************
"So you’re sure, about the sex stuff I mean?” Sera asked as Kyle walked her down to the girl’s floor.
“If I just wanted to hop into bed with someone I’d be sneaking into Pam’s room right now. I’m where I want to be and who I want to be with.”
She smiled and hugged him tightly.
“Thanks!”
“Now get inside and be quiet, you don’t want to wake up Kayla.”
No sooner were the words out of his mouth than they noticed the door creeping open ever so slightly. Devon poked his head out the crack and motioned for them to get inside.
“Told ya so.” Sera laughed looking back at Kyle, as they entered the room that was illuminated by Kayla’s Diva nightlight.
“Get in here. Pam came by about two minutes ago asking where Sera was. I think she knows you two were off somewhere.”
“She didn’t see you?” Kyle asked.
“I hid in the closet.” Devon replied.
“I told her you were in the bathroom. I don’t think she believed me. My guess, she’s going to snitch to Cannon you’re missing!” Kayla said standing near the closet.
“What the hell is up with that girl?” Sera asked. “She’s had it in for me since day one.”
“ You want a list?” Kayla asked. “You’re dating Kyle, you’re a better cheerleader, you’re better looking, you’re dating Kyle and you’re friends with Liz Parker. Oh did I mention that you’re dating Kyle?”
“But if she squeals on me she burns him too.”
“That’s why she wants to catch you out of the room. I guess she figured you’d come back alone and Cannon would catch you in the hall after curfew!”The four teens froze when they heard Ms. Cannon knock.
“Girls, Wake up!! Bed check!”
Kyle and Devon looked like deer in headlights while Kayla covered her mouth with her hands.
Sera however sprung into action: She shoved the boys in the closet then grabbed her and Kayla’s bags and placed them in front of the closet door. She tossed her covers about to make her bed looked slept in and stripped off her shorts. Finally she grabbed the portable CD players the girls had unpacked earlier and tossed one to Kayla. “Put these on and lay down!” she whispered before moving to the door.
Kayla got under the covers, and covered her ears with the headphones.
“Ms. Cannon? What’s up?” Sera asked as she opened the door.
“It was reported that you were missing.” Ms. Cannon said moving into the room and turning on the light.
Kayla sat up, removed the headphones and looked from Ms. Cannon to Sera.
“Missing? No, I went down to the bathroom a little while ago but I came straight back.”
“Kayla, you’ve been here the whole time?”
“Yes Ma’am. But I didn’t hear her.” She pointed at the CD player on her pillow.
Sera laughed and held up her own player. “I just barely heard you knocking. I kept trying to figure out why “Yesterday” suddenly had a drum solo in it.”
Ms. Cannon chuckled. “No, I don’t think that’s the way John and Paul wrote it!”
“Much to Ringo’s chagrin.” Sera laughed, relieved that Ms. Cannon didn’t seem suspicious.
“Well, OK. You girls get back to bed. And to the Beatles! Good choice by the way!”
“Thanks! I grew up listening to them, my mom’s a big fan and she created a monster in me!”
“Hey there are worse things you could be listening to. Kayla what’s spinning in your player?”
“Oh, uh Jay-z.” Kayla said the first thing that came to her mind.
“See.” Ms. Cannon said winking at Sera.
Sera grinned back and followed Ms. Cannon to the door.
“Sorry to bother you. Good night girls!”
“Good night Ms. Cannon.” they replied together.
The coach closed the door behind her. Both Sera and Kayla breathed a sigh of relief. Sera locked the door before moving to the closet to let Devon and Kyle out.
Kayla was trying to quell her laughter but she couldn’t. She looked at Sera. “Bad joke I know but looks like they’re decided to come out of the closet.”
Sera laughed with her roommate.
“Ha Ha. Glad you two think this is so funny!” Kyle said.
“Nice work on that Beatles reference girl!” Devon said looking at Sera.
“Yeah, how could you be so sure she’d get that?” Kayla asked
“I was in her office when you guys were deciding whether or not to add me to the squad. I noticed that she had a framed lithograph of Meet the Beatles. I remembered it because it was the first album my dad ever gave me.”
Kyle swept Sera into his arms. “That's my girl!”
“Sera, liking the pink lace!!” Devon said leering at her.
Kyle looked down at his girlfriend and noticed for the first time that she was wearing only a tank and her panties. “Sera!”
“What?” She asked grabbing her shorts from underneath her covers and slipping into them. “I couldn’t exactly answer the door in the same outfit I’ve been wearing all night! I figured I could get by in the tank, but not the shorts."
"Well I for one approve of the no pants look!" Devon said wagging his eyebrows at Kyle who stared him down in return.
“So I guess the big question is how do we get these two out of here?” Kayla asked looking at Kyle and Devon.
“Go out like you’re using the bathroom. Check the hall and make sure Pam and Cannon are gone. I’ll keep the door open and you can signal us. Wave your hand or something.”
“Man Sera, that’s a plan and a half.”
“Please, you act as though I never had to sneak a guy out of my room before.”
“What?” Kyle yelled spinning to face Sera.
“I never said I was a saint!” She said grinning mischievously at him.
******
By the end of the week Sera was ready to murder Pam. If the incident the first night of camp wasn’t enough, Pam made it her mission to ruin any free time Kyle and Sera had, each time the couple tried to sneak off, Pam was right behind them with her flavor of the week, Tim Malamud.
Things got even uglier when Pam dropped Sera during a routine. Kyle and the rest of the football players had gathered to watch the girls practice before dinner. Pam was supposed to bridge her arms for Sera to complete the pyramid; however, Pam was too busy making eyes at Kyle and the rest of the team and her grip faltered sending Sera plummeting toward the ground. Mason Garner and Jack Robinson, the cheer spots, caught Sera scant inches from the ground.
Sera burst out of their grip and advanced on Pam. “What the hell was that?”
“What are you talking about?” Pam answered nastily.
“I’m talking about you nearly dropping me on my…”
“GIRLS!" Ms. Cannon interrupted their argument. “Sera are you all right?”
“A little shaken, but I’ll be OK.”
“Good. Pam, what happened?”
“Sorry Ms. C, I just lost my grip.”Sera rolled her eyes as Pam put on an Eddie Haskell routine for Ms. Cannon.
“OK, girls. Let’s go ahead and break for dinner.”
“You OK?” Kyle asked as he reached his girlfriend’s side
“Yeah, just a little tense.”
“Want some help with that?” Kyle asked grinning at her.
She smiled at his meaning. “Maybe later.”
Pam made a face at their display and looked at Amber, “You know if Sera didn’t weigh so much I wouldn’t have dropped her.”
Kyle moved faster than Sera could. He picked her up in a fireman’s carry and walkedaway before Sera could do Pam bodily harm.
Vicki turned on Pam. “You know, it’s a really good thing that Sera’s OK Pam. We need her.”
“Please.” Pam snorted
“She’s serious Pam." Tonya agreed. "Sera brings a lot to this squad and you are going out of your way to pick on her.”
“I think what they’re trying to convey to you Pam is that you reap what you sow. If you continue on this path, we’re not going to feel too sorry for you when Sera snaps and Kyle’s not around to carry her off.” Kayla warned picking up Sera’s bag along with her own. “Dev, Let’s go catch up with Kyle and Sera.”
Kyle was still carrying Sera when Kayla and Devon caught up with them.
“Sera? You okay up there?” Kayla asked.
“Fine! He won’t put me down though.”
“No way. Not until you calm down to the point that I think you’re not going to strangle Pam.”
“If you don’t put me down soon you’ll be the one I want to strangle, not Pam.”
“What’s the harm?” Kayla asked as she put Sera’s bag on Kyle’s shoulder.
“What?”
“What’s the harm in letting her strangle Pam, she needs to be knocked down a peg or two.”
“As much as I agree, I’m sure Sera wants to remain on the cheerleading squad long enough to actually cheer at school, not be kicked off before we get out of camp for fighting.”
“Oh, yeah. Good point.”
Sera in the mean time had reached around her boyfriend’s waist, into her bag and retrieved her phone.
“What are you…” Kayla asked giving her friend a strange look.
“Hey Maria! Its Sera.”
“Hey! How’s camp.”
“Well actually that’s why I’m calling. Could you please tell your almost- brother to put me down and that I promise not to attack Pam at this present moment.”
“Put you down?”
“Yeah we went all caveman, carrying me off over his shoulder because I made a semi-threatening move toward Pam after she made a crack at my weight.”
“Sure, put him on, but I wouldn’t make that promise about Pam, she deserves whatever she gets.”
Sera reached up and put the phone to Kyle’s ear.
“Hello?”
“What is going on?” Kyle winced as his almost-sister’s voice reach howler monkey level.
“She and Pam just don’t see eye to eye.”
“Of course they don’t Sera doesn’t stoop that low. Tell me what happened.”
“Pam dropped her in a routine…DON’T YELL!! She’s fine, the spots caught her. Then Pam said she wouldn’t have dropped her if Sera didn’t weigh so much.”
Kyle had to take the phone away from his ear as Maria reacted to the news. Devon, Kayla and Sera could hear her perfectly.
“What? And you didn’t help knock that witch on her ass?”
“Maria, I just don’t want her to do anything stupid.”
Sera, who had been tapping her fingers on Kyle’s back during his conversation with Maria, smacked him for the comment.
“OW! See. Violence.”
Maria snorted, “I think its fully justified.”
“You’re a big help!”
“I knew I called the right person.” Sera called from her perch on his shoulder.
“I’m hanging up now!” Kyle warned
“No wait, let me talk to Sera again.”
“Here.” Kyle said handing the phone back to his girlfriend as he finally set her down.
“Hey!”
“So?”
“So what?”
“Anything good going on?”
“Maybe!!” Sera answered cagily.
“He’s still holding you isn’t he?”
“No. He finally put me down but he’s standing right here.
“Fine! But you call me when you get a spare moment. I want to hear everything, well not in detail, but you know-generalities!”
“I’ll do that! How is it there?”
“Oh crazy busy as usual-nothing new.”
“Is it really bad? I mean is Holly even remotely helping?”
“Surprisingly she’s been showing up on a regular basis. Of course she’s been taking extra breaks but you have to take the good with the bad. Don’t worry about us! We can handle things here. You go learn how to spell words with your arms and shout rhymes.”
“Thanks Maria. You’re the best!”
“I know! You kids have fun!”
“Bye Maria.”
“Bye chica!”
Maria laughed as she flipped her cell closed. Liz came into the Crashdown kitchen.
“What’s so funny?”
“That was Sera.”
“Oh how’s camp!”
“Well she’s ready to kill Pam, but other than that I think she’s OK.”
“Someone wanting Pam dead. There’s a shock. But I’ll bet she’s glad to be spending time with Kyle.”
“Speaking of spending time with one’s significant other, are you and Max still headed for the desert tonight?”
“Yes, and take that look off your face right now Maria DeLuca! We’re just going to talk.”
“Talk, right sure!”
“I’m serious!”
“Call it whatever you want girlfriend.”
“Maria!!”
“Fine, you’re going to talk. But I encourage you to finish your talk early, because believe me getting physical with a Czechoslovakian is out of this world…pun intended!”
“Maria!”
“Just being honest!”
“I’m going up to change, you get out of here too. I’m sure you and Michael have big plans.”
“Oh yeah, the couch and a hockey game. Perhaps I’ll even get treated to a bottle of Snapple!
Color me excited!”
“Well try to have fun!”
“Don’t worry chica, I’ll find some way to take his mind off the hockey game.”
“I’m sure you will!”The girls parted with a hug. “Call me tomorrow and let me know how the ‘talk’ went.”
“Bye Maria.”
Liz waved and ascended the stairs to her room. As she walked through her door she could hear music playing softly, but she couldn’t quite determine the origin: she checked her clock radio but it was off, looking on the balcony she again found nothing. Then she realized that the sounds were coming from her bathroom.
When she walked in she found Max standing near the bubble filled tub with a white rose between his teeth, he removed the rose and slowly stepped toward her.
“I thought after today you deserved a break.”
“Max.”
“I put Vanilla Bean in the tub, had Maria pick up some Lavender candles from Amy’s shop and I put on some Gomez.” he pointed to her CD player.
“Max…”
“This isn’t a seduction scene. I just wanted you to have some R and R before our date tonight. You guys were pretty packed today.” Max grinned and Liz melted, she closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Did anyone ever tell you that you are the galaxy’s greatest boyfriend?”
“Not today.”
“Well you are and I love you!”
Max smiled and rested his head on her forehead.
“I love you more. Now get undressed!”
“MAX!!!”
“So you can take your bath. Geez, you have a dirty mind!”
“Ha Ha!” Liz laughed, rolling here eyes at him.
Max placed the rose on the counter and stepped out of the bathroom. Once Liz shed her uniform and climbed into the tub, she called out to him.
“OK Max, you can come back in.”
“You look comfy!”
“It feels great! Thank you.”
“Does it need to be reheated?” he asked holding his hand over the water.
“No. Its perfect. You know I appreciate the gesture and all, but you really didn’t have to leave.” she said, smiling up at him.
“Yeah I did. If I hadn’t walked out, I’d be in there with you.”
“Is that a threat or is that a promise?”
**************************
Maria curled closer to Michael on the couch as the Red Wings and the Stars faced off.
“Is this almost over?”
“Maria, it’s the first period.”
“Ugh!”
“Why, did you want to do something else?”
“Well," she began, climbing on his lap. “I did have another activity in mind.”
“Anything that would interest me?” Michael asked with a grin as he grasped her hips.
“I think so!” Maria looped her arms around Michael’s neck and placed a kiss on his lips.
“I think you’re right!” Michael said returning the kiss.
As Michael trailed a kiss down Maria’s neck, Brendan Shannahan broke away from a defender and slid a goal past Marty Turco.
“YES!!”
“I’m good! I’ve barely touched….MICHAEL!”
“What!”
“Why do I even bother?”
“OK, OK I’ll turn it off!”
“Its not like I’m asking for much, all I want is the opportunity to make you my love slave for a few hours.”
Michael lunged for the remote and quickly pressed the power button.
“Only a few hours? Why not all-night?” he asked grinning at her.
“If that’s what you think is best.” Maria conceded.
“Oh I do.”
***********
The night of the camp banquet provided Sera and Kyle their only real time alone since the first night at camp.
After dinner while everyone else went to the nearby theater to see Rush Hour 2, Kyle and Sera walked to the quad. They nestled together on one of the concrete benches.
“Man I’m beat!” Kyle said yawning. “Coach had us doing up downs all day, AFTER running five miles!”
Sera stroked his hair. “Poor baby! I think Ms. C and Coach Williams decided to torture all of us. We had to do our routine from 7 AM to 5:30 and we only got a break for lunch. She made us run two miles to warm up.”
“Yeah, at least you get to run in the early morning when its still nice out. Coach had us doing our five at 12:30!!! Is there a hotter time of day?”
“I think it was a strategic plan to wear all of us out so we’d fall right to sleep and be ready to go in the morning for the return trip.”
“Probably. But you know I’m not too worn out. I think my lips are still in working order.”
“Oh good!”
The couple kissed lightly for a moment before Kyle pulled Sera to him so he could kiss her properly. Sera pulled back after a few minutes and gazed at her boyfriend.
“What?”
“Nothing, just thinking about how much I’m going to miss doing this when school starts.”
“Are we not going to be dating when school starts?” Kyle asked warily.
“No! I mean Yes! Yes we’ll still be dating…I hope, school starts Tuesday. I just mean that we’ll be in class all day and its not like I can pounce on you in the middle of science class.”
“Actually I don’t think that would be an issue anyway. You’ll be in the super smart class while Maria, Michael and I toil away in remedial science for another year.”
“You know what I mean.”
“OK! I swear, I’ll make every effort to steal you away in between classes for some quality makeout time.”
“Promise?”
“Promise!”
“Woo Hoo!”
“So when we get back to Roswell tomorrow you want to go see Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back?”
“Yeah! That’d be great! Should we call Maria and Michael? I know Michael likes Kevin Smith.”
“No. Let’s make it just us. I thought coming into camp we’d have plenty of time to spend together, but with Pam following us all the time I feel like I’ve barely seen you.”
“That’s fine. I think I can handle being alone with you in the back row of the movie theater.”
“If you only knew what was going on in my mind you wouldn’t be so sure.”
“I guess I’ll have to take my chances.” she grinned at him.
“If I weren’t so dead tired, I’d respond to that with a Dr. Evil laugh.”
“How about I get a Kyle laugh, I like that much better.”
Kyle rewarded her with a chuckle and wrapped his arms around her.
END CHAPTER[/b]
Last edited by LizabethR2D2 on Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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LizabethR2D2
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Starting Over (CC, All, Adult) Pt 7 1st day of school 2/10
Starting Over (CC, All, Adult)
Part 7-First Day of School
Title: Starting Over
Author: LizabethR2D2
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I owned these characters/this show I do not! They belong to Melinda Mets, Jason Katims, the WB and UPN networks and the amazing actors who portrayed them! I guess I do own Sera, but I’d be willing to trade her for Colin Hanks. (Or Nick!!!)
Category: CC
Rating: Adult (It will vary chapter to chapter, but let’s just be safe and say Adult to cover all our bases!)
Summary: Alternate Season 3-Picking up a few weeks after the WB Season 2 Finale. This is the Season 3 that I would have liked to see televised, our CCs are together, no one is going to a Vermont boarding school, no one moves to NYC and no one marries Delko! Just good old fashioned Season 1 type entertainment. (At least I like to think so!) [/b]
September 4, 2001
Sera entered the halls of West Roswell High School searching for a friendly face. She had five particular faces in mind, but at this moment anyone from the cheerleading squad would suffice, except maybe Pam Troy.
“Hey Chica! Over here.”
Sera smiled as she recognized Maria’s voice. Scanning the she saw the blond pixie waving at her. Sera picked up the pace and quickly reached her friend, who was standing near her locker with Michael, Liz and Max.
“Hi everyone.” Sera said with a small smile.
“Hey Sera, ready for your first day?” Liz asked
“I’m a little nervous, being the new kid and all.”
“You’ll be fine, I know you’ll fit right in!!”
Liz smiled warmly at the girl. Sera returned her smile.
"Well, I have to admit that I'm glad that I have you guys and the girls from the squad. At least I don't have to come in blind forage for friends like some sort of wild animal!"
Maria shook her head, "You're a little goofy sometimes you know that?" Sera shrugged her shoulders but remained silent.
“Okay, let’s see your schedule girlie.” Maria said reaching to pluck the paper from Sera’s hand.
“Oh you have Drama, with me first period, Yeah! Then AP English…you have that one with the smartie super-couple over here. Then Calculus with Liz, AP Physics with M and L again…geez you smart people. Then lunch…good you have the same lunch period as the rest of us. Study Hall with Max AND Kyle!”
She paused to wink at Sera.
“ I expect many Eraser Room visits during that hour. Max you probably won’t see a whole lot of those two.”
Sera looked at her friends.
“What’s an Eraser Room?”
“Oh you’ll learn,” Maria said with a smile. “Next we all have Government together, and then you leave us for P.E. which you don’t even have to participate in because you’re a cheerleader. Its so sucks that you get to practice instead of being forced to run track with the rest of us.”
“Maria we’re not running track in P.E. we’re playing volleyball. You like volleyball,” Max reasoned.
“Max, I’m just saying that I find it unfair that Sera here gets to work on creating the perfect human pyramid while the rest of us get all sweaty and nasty.”
“Maria, I know you would have made the squad if you tried out.” Sera placated.
Michael mumbled, “She’s got the mouth for it. Oww.”
He touched the back of his head where Maria smacked him.
“Hey ‘bro’!” Maria called as Kyle neared the group.
Kyle greeted everyone “Hey guys.”
He paused and regarded Sera for a moment. “Hey you!”
Sera beamed. “Hey.”
“Hey you? That’s how you greet your girlfriend? This cannot be the same couple who was heating up the back row of the movie theater the last night.”
Thanks Maria.” Sera said, utterly embarrassed.
Kyle moved closer to Sera and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Don’t let her get to you, its her goal in life to mortify as many people as possible!”
“Mission accomplished,” Sera said with a grin.
“Besides, she doesn’t have a whole lot of room to talk!”
Maria smirked at Kyle while Sera “So Chia-head, what’s first on your schedule?”
“Uh, Spanish.”
“Senor Valenti, I’m in your class!” Liz exclaimed
“Great. You wanna head there now or you want me to save you a seat?”
“Um…” Liz paused looking at Max.
“Go, Michael and I should probably head to Minorities anyway.” Max said.
“I’ll see you 2nd period.” she said before meeting his lips with hers in a long kiss.
Kyle looked at Sera and rolled his eyes in their direction, she giggled.
Michael coughed, forcing Max and Liz to pull apart. Liz flushed and hid her head on Max’s shoulder. She leaned up, whispered in Max’s ear, and kissed his cheek before waving to the rest of the group.
Kyle met Sera’s eyes and asked “I’ll see you at lunch?”
“Yeah.” she said smiling. He kissed her once more before departing to Spanish with Liz.
“Sera we should go. Mr. Hammond doesn’t like his students to be late.
“Yeah we’re leaving too. See you guys later.” Michael said as he began to walk off.
“Ahhhem,” Maria cleared her throat loudly. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
Michael raised an questioning eyebrow and shook his head. Maria responded with an eye roll and crooked her finger at him.
Finally it dawned on him what he forgot. “Oh yeah!” he smiled and wrapped his arms around Maria and pulled her in for a kiss. “See ya later.”
Maria arched her eyebrows suggestively at him “Count on it.”
Max smiled and waved goodbye to Sera and Maria. The girls made their way to Drama just as the bell rang. Mr. Hammond gave them a look as they reached two seats in front.
“Good Morning. For those of you who don’t know me I am Justin Hammond, you will call me Mr. Hammond, I expect prompt attendance everyday. ” At this he looked over his glasses at Maria and Sera. “As well as total preparation and concentration. Today we will begin with some icebreakers. We’ll start over here, when it’s your turn, please stand up and introduce yourselves to the class. Include your name, class designation, and one significant event in your life.”
Maria rolled her eyes at this. She had some significant life events that would curl the hair of every person in the class.
Where should I start? Let’s see: Two years ago I watched my best friend, Liz die and be brought back to life by Max, who it turns out, is an alien. Not only is Max an alien, but so are his sister and my boyfriend. As if three aliens roaming the halls of West Roswell weren’t enough, then we got Tess…The stupid skanky slut who went after Max even though he had a serious girlfriend. The bitch who murdered my sweet Alex, mindwarped my “brother” into helping her dump Alex’s body and who would have delivered my Michael into the hands of his enemy, as long as it meant she got to sit on a throne.
Michael, I could talk about Michael. He started our relationship by kidnapping me and taking me to some sleazy motel. He broke my heart about 100 times telling me that he couldn’t feel human. That the biggest reason he couldn’t be with me was because he loved me too much. Michael who ultimately came back to me, stayed for me, because he realized that he couldn’t live without me, on any planet. AHHHH No! I can’t talk about The Pod Squad or Tess’ manipulations. I can’t talk about Michael either. One, I’m not sharing the most intimate details of my life with these people. And two, Michael would kill me if he knew I was discussing our relationship in front of the entire class.
Maria was jolted out of her reverie when she heard Sera calling her name.
“Maria, Maria it’s your turn.”
“Hi, I’m Maria DeLuca, I’m a Senior. FINALLY! Um, one significant event in my life, I guess that would be the day that my dad walked out on my mom and me. I was only seven but I remember it like it was yesterday. The day he left I sat on the front stoop waiting for him to come back. He never did. But now I think that may have been for the best. His leaving made us stronger. My mom and I became close and we learned to take care of ourselves. We were Independent Women before Destiny’s Child ever had an inkling about that song.”
Very nice. Miss Davidson, you’re next.
“OK. Hi everyone. My name is Sera Davidson, I’m a Senior as well. I guess the most recent significant event in my life is my mother getting remarried and us transferring here to Roswell from San Diego. I was really, really nervous about making that transition, especially in my senior year, but; I’ve been lucky enough to make some really great friends so that’s been great.”
Sera looked at Maria and smiled.
“Thank you Miss Davidson.”
Mr. Hammond said before turning to Brent Carter who was seated behind Sera.
“Mr. Carter you know the drill by now.”
Sera took out a piece of paper and jotted a quick note to Maria.
S: Did I sound too Dawson’s Creekish?
Maria wrote on her own paper, so Mr. Hammond wouldn’t catch them passing notes.
M: No, is that what you were going for?
S: No, It’s just as I heard myself talking, all I kept thinking was how much I sounded like Joey Potter, you know all stuttery and rambling.
M: You were fine. Besides, what is all this about significant life events. What one person considers significant could be totally irrelevant to someone else.
The girls looked at each other and stifled their laughter as Brent Carter began sharing his significant experience at a sci-fi convention over the summer.
M: Told you so!
**************************************************************************** **
When the bell rang, Maria and Sera sprinted out the door. They took the stairs two at a time to reach the hall were everyone was meeting before second period. When they reached their group they were alarmed to see Kyle dancing about with a small pair of maracas.
“What is he doing?” Sera asked Liz.
“Senora Via gave a prize to the group who translated her daily paragraph perfectly. We were in the winning group.” she held her pair of maracas up for Maria and Sera to inspect.
“And he felt the need to celebrate?” Maria asked.
“He figured out most of the translation, so he was a little excited!”
“As he should be, he usually can’t string together two words in his own language, much less a foreign one.” Maria deadpanned.
Kyle’s dance had brought him near his almost-sister and girlfriend. He leaned down and kissed the girls on the cheek before shaking his maracas at them.
“Are you drunk? Cause its only 9:00 in the morning, you should at least wait until lunch!” Sera chided.
“Nope, I just have a really good feeling about this year!”
“Not to mention the fact that the coach’s just told him that the football team picked him to be captain.” Liz confessed.
Sera’s eyes widened and she turned to her boyfriend. “Oh my God! When were you going to tell me.”
“I was going to let you sweat it out a little! I needed to know if you were dating me for me or the because you liked the idea of dating the CAPTAIN of the football team!”
“Well, its for the title of course.” Sera joked.
“You have been spending way too much time with Maria! That must end soon!”
“Worried she’s going to corrupt me?”
“I thought that was my job.” Kyle said leering at her.
“You do your fair share.” Sera said laughing at him.
“And on that note, lets go to English shall we?” Max said steering Liz toward the open door.
“I’ll see you at lunch!” Sera said, kissing Kyle on the cheek [/b]”Have fun in Algebra.”
“Yeah, I’m sure it will be a delight!”
******************
Kyle fidgeted in his seat behind Maria. She turned on him once Mr. Kulick approached the board.
"If you don't sit still I will harm you!"
"I hate this class."
"Kyle it's the first day. You can't possibly know that yet."
" Its not fair, you and Michael are in here together, Max and Liz have English together. Sera and I don't share a class until 5th period." Kyle pouted.
"Yes and I'm sure that the two hours from now until lunch will a trying separation!"
"Fine, fine. Make your jokes."
"I live to torture you!" Maria grinned.
"Hey." Michael hissed. "When did you get so whipped?"
"Whipped? I'm not whipped."
"Oh you so are!" Maria concurred. "You're like a little smitten love puppy."
"A what?"
"You heard me."
Kyle scowled at his almost-sister. "Have you been saying crap like that to Sera?" he asked.
"The conversations that Sera and I share are private, Kyle Valenti."
"Not when they're about me they aren't."
"What are you worried about anyway? I like Sera and on occasion I like you."
"Yeah, but that's a very rare occasion." Michael whispered.
Kyle glared at his friend and started to flip him off, when Mr. Kulick's voice rang out.
"Mr. Valenti, Can you tell me what x represents in this equation?"
"Uh..5?
"Try again."
Swearing under his breath Kyle looked at the board and concentrated. "7?"
"Correct."
Michael turned to him and smirked. "Nice save!"
"Shut up Michael."
"Mr. Guerin," Mr. Kulick turned his attention Michael's way. "Why don't you take the next equation."
Kyle had to cover his mouth to stifle his laughter.
**********************************
After English, Max walked Sera and Liz to Calculus before heading towards the gym for P.E. Entering the classroom, the girls spied Pam Troy sitting in the middle of a group talking loudly and braying like a hyena. Liz and Sera found seats on the opposite side of the room. Once settled Sera reached into her bag grabbed her Chex Mix and offered some to Liz.
"Hey Sera. If you expect me to be able to lift you, you'd better lay off the snacks." Pam's voice rang out.
Sera ignored Pam’s recurring taunt concerning her weight and focused on Liz.
So, tell me all about the Roswell happenings while I was away."
"There's not much to tell. Not much goes on here, as I'm sure you've noticed."
Sera narrowed her eyes and looked at Liz. "You mean to tell me that you and Mr. Perfect didn't do anything disgustingly romantic?"
Liz laughed, "Kyle's right! You have been spending too much time with Maria!"
"Please! She's not the only one who notices that you and Max are totally and completely in love with each other. I mean the WORLD notices how amazing you two are together."
"Oh they've had their share of problems, isn't that right Liz?"
The girls were so involved in their conversation they had failed to notice that Pam and two of her cronies had wandered over.
"What do you want Pam?" Sera asked, not even attempting to hide her contempt.
"Just curious about the latest in the Max and Liz saga, I mean, it really has been interesting, hasn't it girls." The two Pamettes chuckled.
"Pam, Sera and I were talking." Liz began.
"Oh come on Parker. Last time I saw Max, he was with Tess Harding. I mean WOW, they looked REALLY tight at Prom."
Liz bristled at the mention of Tess' name. Sera caught her reaction and stood to face Pam.
"You know Pam regardless of what Max was doing with someone FIVE MONTHS ago, he's with Liz now, and very much in love with her. So why don't you and your little groupies here go back to your seats and leave us the hell alone."
Sera may have had a fake smile plastered on her face, but her deep blue eyes flashed a warning that no one, not even one as dense as Pam could miss.
Pam chewed on her lip for a moment before making the decision to retreat to her seat. Halfway there, she paused and turned toward the girls again.
"Did you tell her about you and Kyle Liz?" The Pamettes erupted in laughter, as Pam turned on her heel and walked the remaining distance to her seat.
"God that girl is annoying!" Sera said as she sat back down. She looked at Liz who was suddenly very still. "You OK?"
"Um yeah. Its just."
"Look, I already know about you and Kyle dating. He told me…well actually Maria told me inadvertently, but I'm cool with it."
"Sera, there's ."
"Is it that Tess chick? I've heard her name before. Tim Malamud mentioned something about her on the camp bus. Kyle said that they went to Prom together."
"Uh, yeah. She's just a sore sub…you know it's a long story."
"Its OK." Sera said smiling. "So, come on, spill, there had to be SOME moments of fun while I was gone."
Liz, grateful that Sera didn't push the Tess discussion, smiled at her friend. "Well, Max ran this bath for me.."
************
The bell rang signaling the end of the period Liz and Sera made a speedy exit to avoid another dealing with Pam. They found Max and Maria waiting patiently. Well, Max was waiting patiently, Maria on the other hand was talking a mile a minute to Max who nodded his head every so often and grinned at his crazy friend.
"I know that she wants me to help her with this and I know its my duty not only as her daughter, but as her maid of honor and all, I just don't understand why she has to do this now. I told her that I didn't want her calling me while I'm at school. I think she's worried that Michael is going to run off with me again. And we really haven't done that for awhile, so why is she choosing now to freak out?"
"Maria I…"
"I mean really Max we haven't done an impromptu road trip since Vegas, well unless you count Las Cruces, which I really don't, and the tongue lashing I got for our Vegas Vacation was enough to make me stay in Roswell for awhile."
Liz stepped between Maria and Max and held up a vial of a cedar and cypress oil blend "Breathe!"
Maria took the vial and inhaled deeply. "Thanks chica!"
"Sure." Liz turned to Max and he smiled gratefully.
"How'd you know?" he asked, looking over his girlfriend's shoulder at Maria who was explaining to Sera the reason for her latest meltdown.
"Please, when you've been friends with someone as long as I've been friends with Maria, you can spot problems 100 miles away, and she was using the 'voice'."
"The 'voice'?" Max asked.
"The 'voice': Her normal tone goes up about an octave and she gets really animated, I'd recognize it anywhere. I've heard it all my life, but even more so the last three years, now that she uses it for Michael as well as her mother."
"I can hear you Liz Parker."
"Maria, inhale, exhale."
"She called me at school Liz. How many times do I have to tell her that that behavior is NOT okay!"
"Maria she's planning her wedding. Just think what you'd be like while planning your wedding?"
Maria's eyes widened and she let out a short burst of laughter. "Married to Michael? Are you insane?"
"You have another candidate in mind?" Sera asked jokingly.
"No I mean, and Max back me up here, but Michael? Married? I so think not!"
Liz rolled her eyes. "MARIA, that's not the point. Your mother is only driving you nuts because she wants to include you in her day."
"I know. You're right. I just wanted to have one day that I didn't have to hear about the flower arrangements, or seating charts, or that Kyle and I need to work on our speeches. I was actually looking forward to school today, because it got me out of the house."
"Man, Liz this is serious!" Sera laughed, pulling Maria into a hug. "Look on the bright side. The wedding is right around the corner, then comes the honeymoon and because you were such a big help and put up with them during the planning stages, you'll most likely get big rewards. I like to think of them as guilt gifts. You know once the euphoria of the wedding settles in, they realize how crazy they made you before the ceremony and they do their best to make it up to you."
"Speaking from experience Sera?" Max asked as he rested his chin on Liz's shoulder.
"How do you think I got my car?" Sera replied with a wink.
"Oh, now there's a wonderful thought!" Maria's eyes lit up in excitement.
She checked her watch and groaned. "OK kids. I hate to leave, but I've got to get to English and I'm sure that Mr. Hoffman would be less than pleased if you three walked in late."
"You're probably right." Liz agreed.
Maria waved to the group and started to walk away when Liz turned and called out to her.
"Maria?"
Maria turned and tossed Liz the vial of oil that the brunette had learned to carry with her in case of emergencies.
Liz smiled at her best friend and stuck the vial back in her book bag before heading into Physics with Sera and Max.
***************
Since Max and Liz were lab partners as per usual. Sera scanned the room hoping to God and Buddha (Geez, she thought, I really need to stop Kyle- he's starting to make sense to me.) that someone would take pity on her and be her partner.
Tonya Martz waved as she moved away from the group she was talking to and walked toward Sera.
"Hey, do you have a partner yet?"
"No, you?"
"I'm all yours, just say the word."
"Well Ms. Martz, it would be an honor."
Tonya grinned and sat down next to Sera.
"You know Max and Liz right?"
"Oh course, who doesn't!" Tonya winked at Liz who smiled in return.
"We all had AP Bio together sophomore year. I'd say what a drag, but I know Liz and I think she'd take deep offense to that!"
Sera laughed. " Yeah, I've heard rumors that these two are the extra smartie pants in these parts!"
"Its not just a rumor, it's the truth!" Tonya confirmed, placing her textbook on the lab table.
"Would you two stop!"
"Come on Liz. You know that you eat all this science stuff up with a spoon."
"I wouldn't advise that Ms. Martz." Mr. Hoffman said as he exited his office in the back of the classroom and made his way to the front. "Its been my experience in my many years of teaching that eating science "stuff" never ends well.
Tonya grinned and shook her head catching Sera's eyes. The girls tried to control their laughter, but once Liz quietly snickered it was all over.
"Well class as you see, we're going to have fun in this class. And don't worry Ms. Martz, not all of it will be at your expense."
The class burst into laughter, Tonya stood up and bowed to the class, she tried to push Sera off her stool when she noticed her friend giving her a Men At Work "golf clap". "OK, we are starting with kinematics, vectors, and projectiles. And, Mr. Gordon before you ask I'll give you a preemptive no (holding his hand in the fashion of Dr. Evil's shh.) on giving a projectile demonstration."
Sera laughed as she noticed Chris' shoulders sag.
"Points to Mr. Hoffman for the Austin reference." Tonya whispered to her partner.
"He seems cool, I like this class already!" Sera said with a smile.
"Hey, as long as the two lovebirds here don't get vocal with their daydreams like they did Sophomore year, I think everything will be good."
"Excuse me?" Sera asked, her eyes wide.
"Um Tonya, can I talk to you over here, away from Sera!!!" Liz asked, trying to pull Tonya from her stool.
Sera latched on to Tonya's arm. "No way! I HAVE to hear this!"
"OK so we're sitting in biology."
****
Max, Liz and Sera waved as they approached Michael and Maria at the entrance of the cafeteria.
Sera noticed Kyle's absence and regarded Maria with a quizzical look.
"He was dragged off by the no-necks. Apparently they wanted to celebrate his being named
captain."
"Wonderful. That means we'll be graced with a testosterone overloaded Kyle in Study Hall." Sera said with a sigh.
"And that's different from regular Kyle how?" Max joked, dropping Liz's hand long
enough to select two cherry colas from the soda machine.
"Too true!" Sera laughed. "Okay, I'm new here and all so someone's going to have to walk me
through the cafeteria. What's edible, what to avoid with a ten-foot pole. Et cetera."
"If I were you, I’d avoid anything you don't bring yourself." Michael replied waving
a brown paper bag at her.
"Great! Now you tell me! Well, there's a salad bar, that can't be too bad right?" she asked
hopefully looking at each of her friends.
"Or, A voice sounded in her ear. "You could eat the Kung Pao Chicken and Szechuan Beef that I got from The Golden Wok."
Sera turned to see Isabel carrying four paper bags ornamented with the jade green dragon symbol
of The Golden Wok.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, hugging the older girl.
"My class was 9-12, and I figured that this being the first day of school you guys needed a
special break."
Max narrowed his eyes at his sister, “Uh huh."
Iz scrunched her nose at him and confessed. "Okay, okay my study group wanted to dine at McDonalds after class!"
"Again? Geez your study group really digs their Big Macs!"
"Yeah, I’m not really sure if they actually like it because it’s cheap or if there’s like a rule that you can only eat crappy food once you’re in college. During our summer workshop I know they ate there three out of four days." Iz recalled with a shudder.
"Well, I have no problem taking these off your hands." Sera said as she reached for two of the bags Isabel was holding.
Searching the courtyard they found a table and Iz and Sera began emptying the bags.
Everyone dug into to the fabulous food with gusto. A few minutes later, a silly-string covered Kyle flopped down between Isabel and Sera. "My two favorite girls!" Kyle said starting to put his arm around both of them.
"I'd reconsider that!" Iz said with a stern look as she avoided his arm.
"TWO favorite?" Maria asked looking pointedly at her almost-brother.
"Three..FOUR favorite." Kyle backpedaled when he noticed Liz smirking at him.
"Kyle, you should know better than to try and play favorites around these four." Max said as he absently ran a hand through Liz's long dark hair.
"What happened to you?" Sera asked setting her chopsticks down and examining her boyfriend.
"This is what the football team considers congratulating someone when they make captain." He responded, attempting to remove some of the Silly String from his head.
Iz snorted as she rolled her eyes. "Boys!"
"Hey it wasn't just the guys, some of the cheerleaders did it too."
"Guess my invitation got lost in the mail." Sera remarked dryly taking another bite of her Kung Pao Chicken.
"It was just a couple of the girls."
"Really? Which ones?" Maria asked although she was pretty sure she knew the answer.
"You know Vicki, Amy, Amber and Mam." The last name was muffled as Kyle swiped his hand across his mouth.
"I'm sorry. What was that Kyle? We didn't quite hear you." Isabel grinned evilly at her friend's discomfort.
"Pam." Kyle said in a quiet voice, then tilting his head to peek at his girlfriend.
Sera looked from Kyle to Maria, Liz and finally Isabel before commenting. "That must have been nice!"
"Pam Troy still chasing the not so eligible bachelors of Roswell?" Iz asked with a grimace.
"Of course and our brothers are at the top of the list." Maria said dryly.
"Lucky them!"
"She's harmless." Kyle began before being cut off by the girls.
"No she's not!!"
"Get with it Valenti, even I know that!" Michael's first reply since the food was placed in front
of him startled the group.
"Wow, he can talk in the presence of food. I'm impressed." Kyle joked, then ducked as Michael hurled a fortune cookie in his direction. **************************************************************************** **
Lunch was over far too early for the Pod Squad and company. Isabel bid everyone adieu as they
went their separate directions. Max, Kyle and Sera headed for study hall, while Michael dragged
Maria off to the eraser room before heading to Art class.
Over the summer Mr. Kulick had asked Liz to be his teaching assistant for Biology 102. Liz
readily agreed since it gave her an hour to do any work she had been assigned in her morning
classes; thus, freeing her of the homework burden during the evening. This way she figured she
could spend her evenings with Max, hanging out at the Crashdown, going out a date, saving the
world, whatever!
In study hall Max, Sera and Kyle choose seats in the back. Kyle pointed out that they were close
enough to the back door that Max could slip out and persuade Liz to ditch Mr. Kulick's class to
log some eraser room time.
"What is this eraser room you guys keep talking about?" Sera asked looking at the boys.
Max put on his innocent face and explained. "Its a room where we clean the chalkboard
erasers."
"They need a room for that?"
"Its so the chalk dust doesn't fly all over the school."
"Okay, I get it, let’s make fun of the new girl, she’ll believe anything!"
"He's serious." Kyle concurred.
"Why don't they just take the erasers outside and clean them if they think there is enough chalk
on them to be damaging to students?"
"Don't look at me. I didn't come up with the idea of the room." Kyle said with a shrug.
Sera ignored her boyfriend and continued on with her questions.
"Okay then, if that's what the room is for, then why does everyone keep talking about it? It sounds pretty boring to me. And Max, why on earth would you take Liz in there on purpose?"
Max couldn't help but laugh at Sera's innocent question. Her perplexed look did nothing but increase his laughter.
Kyle laughed too and pulled Sera to him. "Don't worry! I promise to show you what the eraser room is about soon."
Max nearly toppled out of his seat in hysterics.
***********
The 6th period bell sent Kyle, Sera and Max bolting down the hall and up the stairs for
Government. They arrived in time to see Maria chasing out a random student who dared enter the
cluster of seats she was watching over.
"He didn't have a reservation?" Max asked.
"He just wandered over and sat down. All it took was a stern look and a slight wave of my
hand."
"I think that's call shooing someone away." Sera laughed as she imitated the action Maria used
to chase out the offender.
Michael entered the room, and took up residence in the desk across from Maria and in front of Max. Liz came in moments later, her arms brimming with papers. Max immediately moved to
relieve her of her burden. "What is all this?" He asked, setting the mountain of papers on a desk.
"Mr. Kulick's lesson plans. I'm supposed to review them and offer my opinion."
"See this is what being smart gets you, more homework." Kyle mused as he chose a desk
behind Liz.
Sera rolled her eyes at her boyfriend and noticed Kayla waving at her from the front of the room.
She motioned for her friend join them in the back. Kayla smiled and headed for Sera, as she
walked by Doug Sohn he leered at her and said something off color. Kayla flipped him
off without breaking stride and sat next to Sera.
"Hey everyone."
"Hey."
"Hey Kayla."
"Doug Sohn making his typical lewd comments?" Maria asked a distasteful look.
"Of course. You'd think he would have grown up since junior high. Apparently not!"
"Ugh. Don't even get me started on Doug Sohn and junior high." Maria said with a shudder.
"Why not Maria?" Liz asked with an unsettling smirk and a not so innocent tone.
"BECAUSE LIZ, its not important. Lets drop it shall we."
"Didn't you and Doug kiss in 8th grade?" Kyle asked loudly earning him a kick from Sera and a menacing glare from Maria.
"You kissed that loser?" Michael asked sneering.
"Yes Michael, on occasion I kiss losers, I wouldn't complain too much things worked out
okay between us."
Max shook his head and leaned in close to whisper to Liz.
"Do you realize that when we're old and gray these two will still be fighting like this?"
"And loving every minute of it." she replied.
Kyle's low whistle broke the couple out of their tête-à-tête.
They looked up to see Ms Madison enter the room. Sera glared at her boyfriend's approval of Ms.
Madison's tight V-neck shirt and short skirt.
He looked at Michael and wagged his eyebrows, Michael's eyes caught Sera's before Kyle's and
he quickly became engrossed in the ceiling.
Kyle caught the hint and looked at Sera. He smiled what he hoped was a charming smile and said:
"Hi honey."
"Uh Huh!"
"Smooth!" Michael muttered giving Kyle a thumbs up.
***************
Ms. Madison decided to start right away with the homework schedule. She assigned
three chapters and the twenty questions that followed each chapter for the next day.
"Good thing we're all in here, we can study together." Maria said packing up her stuff.
Everyone agreed and set up a study schedule. The Crashdown after school seemed like the best
place to meet. All three girls and Michael had to work that evening and Max would show up there
after the UFO Center closed, to do what Kyle referred to as "Liz Watching". It just made sense
for Kyle to join them there to study.
"That works for me.” Sera said happily as she packed her bag. "Kayla are you going to join our study group?"
“Well if it’s cool with you guys I’ll think I’ll alternate between yours and Devon’s. I told him I’d work on Government with him since like half of the football team is in there and Lord knows most of those boys need all the help they can get!”
“HEY!” Kyle said with a frown.
“Oh relax Valenti, I didn’t mean you.” Kayla said patting his arm.
When he returned his attention to his bag Kayla caught Sera’s eye and nodded her head as she whispered. “I totally meant him!” before heading out the door.
Sera smiled took Kyle’s hand, “Well, we’re off to PE. More time with Pam, yea!!
"See ya at work chica."
"See ya."
Maria watched them walk away and smiled at Liz. "They are so cute. I love playing
matchmaker."
"Matchmaker? I thought they got together on their own." Michael reasoned.
"With some subtle pushing from me."
"Subtle?" Max teased.
"Well, OK maybe not so subtle."
"Maria, nothing with you is EVER subtle."
"Quiet Spaceboy."
***************
Sera dressed in her Crashdown uniform after cheerleading practice. She was thankful that her mother had suggested that she tuck it in her bag so she didn't have to make a special trip home before work.
Waving goodbye to Tonya and Kayla, Sera headed out to the parking lot. She had just put her sunglasses on and was walking toward her SUV when she heard a voice behind her.
"Have I ever told you how much I like that uniform on you?"
She spun around to see Kyle leaning against the wall.
"What are you doing out here? I thought you guys got out of practice before we did."
"We did. I was just waiting for you."
"Well, as much as I'd love to play hooky with you, I have to go to work."
"Yeah, I was just going to go there with you. Want a ride?"
"I drove today."
"Yeah," he said pulling her closer to him. "But if you leave your car here and go to the
Crashdown with me, then I guess I'll just have to give you a ride back to your car after we
finish studying!"
"Always with the ulterior motive!"
"I do my best."
Come on, before Mr. Parker decides having a cheerleader on the payroll isn't going to
work after all."
***********************
Jeff spent most of the night chuckling at Kyle and Max who were sitting in a booth patiently waiting for their girlfriends and Michael to get off work. They playing cards, hassling each other over their poker hands. When they tired of that, they took the jukebox hostage, playing their favorite songs and scarcely letting anyone else near it all night. Michael joined them when the kitchen closed, and started the poker game back up. He used the potato chips from the Plutonium Platter he'd fixed as his poker chips.
Jeff walked to the table that Liz was wiping down and spoke to his daughter,
"I think you girls should let me finish closing up. The boys are starting to get a bit restless."
Jeff pointed to the booth the boys occupied. Michael was tossing chips at the others and proclaiming himself the greatest poker player in the world.
Maria walked up to the Parker's. "Is he getting too out of hand? I can pop him upside
the head for ya."
Jeff laughed, watching Maria reign in Michael was always a source of amusement.
"I think all they need to settle down is for the three of you to join them."
Sera turned from the counter where she sat refilling the sugar containers and catsup bottles.
"Aww, do we have to? That's why we come to work, to get away from them."
"Yeah, but you keep scheduling me and Michael together. So he's impossible to escape."
"Yeah, cause you were trying really hard to get away!" Liz said, smiling at
her best friend.
"Yeah, yeah!" Maria groused.
"OK.you three go, work on your homework. That's an order!" Jeff shooed the girls toward
the boys.
"The parent in him rears its head!" Sera laughed as the girls joined their boyfriends.
"You kids make yourselves at home. I'm going to finish up in the stockroom then head to
bed."
"Night Dad."
A chorus of 'Goodnight Mr. Parker' was heard from the table.
The group worked on the chapters and questions for about forty-five minutes before hunger struck.
"Michael, make me a Nebula Salad." Maria whined.
"In case you haven't noticed the kitchen's closed, and I'm off duty."
"Please!!!" She moved closer to him and placed her head on his shoulder.
Michael sighed. "Fine." He left the booth and maneuvered past the small table the girls had pulled next to it.
"Oh Michael while your up." Max stopped when he noticed the look on his best friend's face.
"Never mind."
Sera hopped up, "I'll get it Max, what do you need?"
"That's OK Sera."
"No, we could all use a snack, what do you want."
"Just an Alien Blast."
"Anyone else?"
"Orbit Rings for me." Kyle said.
"Try again. "
"What?"
"I don't want your smell onion breath."
"Sera."
"Do you want a good night kiss?"
"I think I'll have Space Fries instead."
"Sorry the oil is cold and I'm not turning it on just for you." Michael told him.
"Well, if I clear it through committee can I get a slice of Asteroid Pie?
"We are not a committee and yes you can! What about you Liz?" Sera asked
"I'll get it, I'm going to make a Alien Blast too."
“I’m already up, I'll make it."
Sera followed Michael into the kitchen and they started on everyone's orders.
"This is great huh? he said, We work a full shift tonight and now we're stuck waiting on everyone again."
"Nah, We could be waiting on worse people."
"I don't know Valenti's pretty bad."
Sera sighed and looked at him.
Michael shrugged and finished Maria's salad.
"Michael, can you grab me a slice of Alien Green Lime Pie and one of Asteroid Pie? I'm going to go make the super couple their Alien Blasts. Is it just me or are they sickeningly sweet?"
"Why? Because they order the same thing all the time, and are so in tune with one another."
"Yeah, for starters."
"Maria calls them soul mates."
"I believe that. I also know two others who are soul mates."
"You and Valenti?
"NO, Well.I don't know. Its way too early to tell that. I meant you and Maria."
"Us?"
"Please, you two are so crazy about each other it has to be a forever thing!"
Michael said nothing, he just smiled and walked to the fridge to grab Sera and Kyle's desserts.
Sera made the Alien Blasts and was starting through the door when Michael's head appeared at
the order window.
"Hey!"
"Yes?"
"Make me a Blastoff Sundae?"
"Butterscotch, Caramel, Hot Fudge, or Strawberry?" Sera rattled off like a seasoned waitress.
"Hot Fudge and Caramel."
"You got it."
She made the sundae quickly and Michael came through the doors with a tray containing Maria's
salad and the two pieces of pie.
Once everyone was settled with their snacks, they dug into the food and the homework again.
They worked non-stop, oblivious to the time until Sera's cell phone rang, the Buffy theme startling everyone.
"Hello? Hi Mom. I'm still at the Crashdown, why? It's what time. Are you kidding me? Oh
crap. Yeah, we're finishing up. I'll be home soon. I love you too. Bye."
"Wow!" Max said looking at his watch. "I didn't realize that it was almost one."
"Wonderful. My mother's going to kill me." Maria said laying her head on the table.
"She'll probably castrate me!" Michael said, only half-joking.
Kyle spit his soda back into the glass. "Sorry, just got the image of Michael writhing on the
floor in pain and Amy standing over him with a knife. 'I told you what would happen if you
touched my daughter again.'
The gang laughed and Maria raised her head. "Don't laugh too much that's probably exactly
what she'd say!"
Sera hopped up. "So the last three questions everyone can tackle on their own before 6th
period?"
"Yeah, I think if I look at this any longer I'll go cross-eyed." Liz said rubbing her temples,
Max moved her hands away and replaced them with his own.
"Lizzie complaining about homework? I never thought I'd see the day." Maria teased her
best friend.
Sera looked at her boyfriend. "Help me clear these dishes before we go."
"No Sera leave them. I'll get them before I go to bed."
"Liz."
"You guys, go ahead. I'll help Liz clear." Max said moving his hands from her temples to her
shoulders.
"Are you." was all Sera got out before Kyle grabbed her hand.
"They're sure. Let's go."
"I'll see you guys in the morning."
"It IS morning." Maria moaned as Michael pulled her to her feet.
Liz walked everyone to the door and locked it behind them.
She turned to find Max clearing the table, putting the dishes into a tub.
"You don't have to do that."
"I know." Max replied as he continued clearing.
"Max, leave those, come upstairs with me."
"Upstairs?"
"I just want to sit on the balcony with you for awhile."
Max smiled at her and dropped the last of the glasses into the tub before setting it on the counter.
Liz turned off the lights and took Max's hand.
They walked up the stairs quietly not wanting to wake Liz's parents.
Reaching her room they stepped out on the balcony and curled up in the chaise lounger.
They kissed for some time before Liz pulled back and cuddled with him
"The start to this school year has been much better than last year." Liz said as she rested her head on Max's chest
"It certainly helps that you were in town this summer. I nearly went crazy last year."
"But you got to spend quality time with Maria."
"Well that's true. If you hadn't left I never would have achieved Girlfriend status."
"And that's important status to have."
Liz looked down, Max's hands were absently tracing a pattern on her abdomen right where the
bullet had penetrated.
"It's almost been two years." She said quietly, placing her hands over his.
"Worse day of my life, even given everything else that's happened in the last two years, that was the worst!"
"It was the best day of my life."
Max looked down at her. "Why?"
"It brought us together."
Max smiled and hugged her closer. He held her in silence until her breathing changed and he
knew she was asleep. Lifting her up he took her through the window into her bedroom. Max
slipped her out of her uniform, into her pajamas and placed her in her bed.
He kiss on the forehead before returning to the to climb down the ladder and head for home
**************
Kyle pulled along side Sera's Pathfinder and brought his Mustang to a stop.
He unbuckled his seat belt and moved toward his girlfriend.
"So? What did you think about your first day at West Roswell?"
"It was nice."
"Nice?"
"What do you want me to say? It was the best day ever?"
"No, I just wanted to make sure it was a good day."
"It will be ever better in about 5 seconds."
"Why is that?"
"Cause you're about to kiss me."
"Oh I am?"
"Yes."
"OK"
END CHAPTER
Part 7-First Day of School
Title: Starting Over
Author: LizabethR2D2
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I owned these characters/this show I do not! They belong to Melinda Mets, Jason Katims, the WB and UPN networks and the amazing actors who portrayed them! I guess I do own Sera, but I’d be willing to trade her for Colin Hanks. (Or Nick!!!)
Category: CC
Rating: Adult (It will vary chapter to chapter, but let’s just be safe and say Adult to cover all our bases!)
Summary: Alternate Season 3-Picking up a few weeks after the WB Season 2 Finale. This is the Season 3 that I would have liked to see televised, our CCs are together, no one is going to a Vermont boarding school, no one moves to NYC and no one marries Delko! Just good old fashioned Season 1 type entertainment. (At least I like to think so!) [/b]
September 4, 2001
Sera entered the halls of West Roswell High School searching for a friendly face. She had five particular faces in mind, but at this moment anyone from the cheerleading squad would suffice, except maybe Pam Troy.
“Hey Chica! Over here.”
Sera smiled as she recognized Maria’s voice. Scanning the she saw the blond pixie waving at her. Sera picked up the pace and quickly reached her friend, who was standing near her locker with Michael, Liz and Max.
“Hi everyone.” Sera said with a small smile.
“Hey Sera, ready for your first day?” Liz asked
“I’m a little nervous, being the new kid and all.”
“You’ll be fine, I know you’ll fit right in!!”
Liz smiled warmly at the girl. Sera returned her smile.
"Well, I have to admit that I'm glad that I have you guys and the girls from the squad. At least I don't have to come in blind forage for friends like some sort of wild animal!"
Maria shook her head, "You're a little goofy sometimes you know that?" Sera shrugged her shoulders but remained silent.
“Okay, let’s see your schedule girlie.” Maria said reaching to pluck the paper from Sera’s hand.
“Oh you have Drama, with me first period, Yeah! Then AP English…you have that one with the smartie super-couple over here. Then Calculus with Liz, AP Physics with M and L again…geez you smart people. Then lunch…good you have the same lunch period as the rest of us. Study Hall with Max AND Kyle!”
She paused to wink at Sera.
“ I expect many Eraser Room visits during that hour. Max you probably won’t see a whole lot of those two.”
Sera looked at her friends.
“What’s an Eraser Room?”
“Oh you’ll learn,” Maria said with a smile. “Next we all have Government together, and then you leave us for P.E. which you don’t even have to participate in because you’re a cheerleader. Its so sucks that you get to practice instead of being forced to run track with the rest of us.”
“Maria we’re not running track in P.E. we’re playing volleyball. You like volleyball,” Max reasoned.
“Max, I’m just saying that I find it unfair that Sera here gets to work on creating the perfect human pyramid while the rest of us get all sweaty and nasty.”
“Maria, I know you would have made the squad if you tried out.” Sera placated.
Michael mumbled, “She’s got the mouth for it. Oww.”
He touched the back of his head where Maria smacked him.
“Hey ‘bro’!” Maria called as Kyle neared the group.
Kyle greeted everyone “Hey guys.”
He paused and regarded Sera for a moment. “Hey you!”
Sera beamed. “Hey.”
“Hey you? That’s how you greet your girlfriend? This cannot be the same couple who was heating up the back row of the movie theater the last night.”
Thanks Maria.” Sera said, utterly embarrassed.
Kyle moved closer to Sera and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Don’t let her get to you, its her goal in life to mortify as many people as possible!”
“Mission accomplished,” Sera said with a grin.
“Besides, she doesn’t have a whole lot of room to talk!”
Maria smirked at Kyle while Sera “So Chia-head, what’s first on your schedule?”
“Uh, Spanish.”
“Senor Valenti, I’m in your class!” Liz exclaimed
“Great. You wanna head there now or you want me to save you a seat?”
“Um…” Liz paused looking at Max.
“Go, Michael and I should probably head to Minorities anyway.” Max said.
“I’ll see you 2nd period.” she said before meeting his lips with hers in a long kiss.
Kyle looked at Sera and rolled his eyes in their direction, she giggled.
Michael coughed, forcing Max and Liz to pull apart. Liz flushed and hid her head on Max’s shoulder. She leaned up, whispered in Max’s ear, and kissed his cheek before waving to the rest of the group.
Kyle met Sera’s eyes and asked “I’ll see you at lunch?”
“Yeah.” she said smiling. He kissed her once more before departing to Spanish with Liz.
“Sera we should go. Mr. Hammond doesn’t like his students to be late.
“Yeah we’re leaving too. See you guys later.” Michael said as he began to walk off.
“Ahhhem,” Maria cleared her throat loudly. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
Michael raised an questioning eyebrow and shook his head. Maria responded with an eye roll and crooked her finger at him.
Finally it dawned on him what he forgot. “Oh yeah!” he smiled and wrapped his arms around Maria and pulled her in for a kiss. “See ya later.”
Maria arched her eyebrows suggestively at him “Count on it.”
Max smiled and waved goodbye to Sera and Maria. The girls made their way to Drama just as the bell rang. Mr. Hammond gave them a look as they reached two seats in front.
“Good Morning. For those of you who don’t know me I am Justin Hammond, you will call me Mr. Hammond, I expect prompt attendance everyday. ” At this he looked over his glasses at Maria and Sera. “As well as total preparation and concentration. Today we will begin with some icebreakers. We’ll start over here, when it’s your turn, please stand up and introduce yourselves to the class. Include your name, class designation, and one significant event in your life.”
Maria rolled her eyes at this. She had some significant life events that would curl the hair of every person in the class.
Where should I start? Let’s see: Two years ago I watched my best friend, Liz die and be brought back to life by Max, who it turns out, is an alien. Not only is Max an alien, but so are his sister and my boyfriend. As if three aliens roaming the halls of West Roswell weren’t enough, then we got Tess…The stupid skanky slut who went after Max even though he had a serious girlfriend. The bitch who murdered my sweet Alex, mindwarped my “brother” into helping her dump Alex’s body and who would have delivered my Michael into the hands of his enemy, as long as it meant she got to sit on a throne.
Michael, I could talk about Michael. He started our relationship by kidnapping me and taking me to some sleazy motel. He broke my heart about 100 times telling me that he couldn’t feel human. That the biggest reason he couldn’t be with me was because he loved me too much. Michael who ultimately came back to me, stayed for me, because he realized that he couldn’t live without me, on any planet. AHHHH No! I can’t talk about The Pod Squad or Tess’ manipulations. I can’t talk about Michael either. One, I’m not sharing the most intimate details of my life with these people. And two, Michael would kill me if he knew I was discussing our relationship in front of the entire class.
Maria was jolted out of her reverie when she heard Sera calling her name.
“Maria, Maria it’s your turn.”
“Hi, I’m Maria DeLuca, I’m a Senior. FINALLY! Um, one significant event in my life, I guess that would be the day that my dad walked out on my mom and me. I was only seven but I remember it like it was yesterday. The day he left I sat on the front stoop waiting for him to come back. He never did. But now I think that may have been for the best. His leaving made us stronger. My mom and I became close and we learned to take care of ourselves. We were Independent Women before Destiny’s Child ever had an inkling about that song.”
Very nice. Miss Davidson, you’re next.
“OK. Hi everyone. My name is Sera Davidson, I’m a Senior as well. I guess the most recent significant event in my life is my mother getting remarried and us transferring here to Roswell from San Diego. I was really, really nervous about making that transition, especially in my senior year, but; I’ve been lucky enough to make some really great friends so that’s been great.”
Sera looked at Maria and smiled.
“Thank you Miss Davidson.”
Mr. Hammond said before turning to Brent Carter who was seated behind Sera.
“Mr. Carter you know the drill by now.”
Sera took out a piece of paper and jotted a quick note to Maria.
S: Did I sound too Dawson’s Creekish?
Maria wrote on her own paper, so Mr. Hammond wouldn’t catch them passing notes.
M: No, is that what you were going for?
S: No, It’s just as I heard myself talking, all I kept thinking was how much I sounded like Joey Potter, you know all stuttery and rambling.
M: You were fine. Besides, what is all this about significant life events. What one person considers significant could be totally irrelevant to someone else.
The girls looked at each other and stifled their laughter as Brent Carter began sharing his significant experience at a sci-fi convention over the summer.
M: Told you so!
**************************************************************************** **
When the bell rang, Maria and Sera sprinted out the door. They took the stairs two at a time to reach the hall were everyone was meeting before second period. When they reached their group they were alarmed to see Kyle dancing about with a small pair of maracas.
“What is he doing?” Sera asked Liz.
“Senora Via gave a prize to the group who translated her daily paragraph perfectly. We were in the winning group.” she held her pair of maracas up for Maria and Sera to inspect.
“And he felt the need to celebrate?” Maria asked.
“He figured out most of the translation, so he was a little excited!”
“As he should be, he usually can’t string together two words in his own language, much less a foreign one.” Maria deadpanned.
Kyle’s dance had brought him near his almost-sister and girlfriend. He leaned down and kissed the girls on the cheek before shaking his maracas at them.
“Are you drunk? Cause its only 9:00 in the morning, you should at least wait until lunch!” Sera chided.
“Nope, I just have a really good feeling about this year!”
“Not to mention the fact that the coach’s just told him that the football team picked him to be captain.” Liz confessed.
Sera’s eyes widened and she turned to her boyfriend. “Oh my God! When were you going to tell me.”
“I was going to let you sweat it out a little! I needed to know if you were dating me for me or the because you liked the idea of dating the CAPTAIN of the football team!”
“Well, its for the title of course.” Sera joked.
“You have been spending way too much time with Maria! That must end soon!”
“Worried she’s going to corrupt me?”
“I thought that was my job.” Kyle said leering at her.
“You do your fair share.” Sera said laughing at him.
“And on that note, lets go to English shall we?” Max said steering Liz toward the open door.
“I’ll see you at lunch!” Sera said, kissing Kyle on the cheek [/b]”Have fun in Algebra.”
“Yeah, I’m sure it will be a delight!”
******************
Kyle fidgeted in his seat behind Maria. She turned on him once Mr. Kulick approached the board.
"If you don't sit still I will harm you!"
"I hate this class."
"Kyle it's the first day. You can't possibly know that yet."
" Its not fair, you and Michael are in here together, Max and Liz have English together. Sera and I don't share a class until 5th period." Kyle pouted.
"Yes and I'm sure that the two hours from now until lunch will a trying separation!"
"Fine, fine. Make your jokes."
"I live to torture you!" Maria grinned.
"Hey." Michael hissed. "When did you get so whipped?"
"Whipped? I'm not whipped."
"Oh you so are!" Maria concurred. "You're like a little smitten love puppy."
"A what?"
"You heard me."
Kyle scowled at his almost-sister. "Have you been saying crap like that to Sera?" he asked.
"The conversations that Sera and I share are private, Kyle Valenti."
"Not when they're about me they aren't."
"What are you worried about anyway? I like Sera and on occasion I like you."
"Yeah, but that's a very rare occasion." Michael whispered.
Kyle glared at his friend and started to flip him off, when Mr. Kulick's voice rang out.
"Mr. Valenti, Can you tell me what x represents in this equation?"
"Uh..5?
"Try again."
Swearing under his breath Kyle looked at the board and concentrated. "7?"
"Correct."
Michael turned to him and smirked. "Nice save!"
"Shut up Michael."
"Mr. Guerin," Mr. Kulick turned his attention Michael's way. "Why don't you take the next equation."
Kyle had to cover his mouth to stifle his laughter.
**********************************
After English, Max walked Sera and Liz to Calculus before heading towards the gym for P.E. Entering the classroom, the girls spied Pam Troy sitting in the middle of a group talking loudly and braying like a hyena. Liz and Sera found seats on the opposite side of the room. Once settled Sera reached into her bag grabbed her Chex Mix and offered some to Liz.
"Hey Sera. If you expect me to be able to lift you, you'd better lay off the snacks." Pam's voice rang out.
Sera ignored Pam’s recurring taunt concerning her weight and focused on Liz.
So, tell me all about the Roswell happenings while I was away."
"There's not much to tell. Not much goes on here, as I'm sure you've noticed."
Sera narrowed her eyes and looked at Liz. "You mean to tell me that you and Mr. Perfect didn't do anything disgustingly romantic?"
Liz laughed, "Kyle's right! You have been spending too much time with Maria!"
"Please! She's not the only one who notices that you and Max are totally and completely in love with each other. I mean the WORLD notices how amazing you two are together."
"Oh they've had their share of problems, isn't that right Liz?"
The girls were so involved in their conversation they had failed to notice that Pam and two of her cronies had wandered over.
"What do you want Pam?" Sera asked, not even attempting to hide her contempt.
"Just curious about the latest in the Max and Liz saga, I mean, it really has been interesting, hasn't it girls." The two Pamettes chuckled.
"Pam, Sera and I were talking." Liz began.
"Oh come on Parker. Last time I saw Max, he was with Tess Harding. I mean WOW, they looked REALLY tight at Prom."
Liz bristled at the mention of Tess' name. Sera caught her reaction and stood to face Pam.
"You know Pam regardless of what Max was doing with someone FIVE MONTHS ago, he's with Liz now, and very much in love with her. So why don't you and your little groupies here go back to your seats and leave us the hell alone."
Sera may have had a fake smile plastered on her face, but her deep blue eyes flashed a warning that no one, not even one as dense as Pam could miss.
Pam chewed on her lip for a moment before making the decision to retreat to her seat. Halfway there, she paused and turned toward the girls again.
"Did you tell her about you and Kyle Liz?" The Pamettes erupted in laughter, as Pam turned on her heel and walked the remaining distance to her seat.
"God that girl is annoying!" Sera said as she sat back down. She looked at Liz who was suddenly very still. "You OK?"
"Um yeah. Its just."
"Look, I already know about you and Kyle dating. He told me…well actually Maria told me inadvertently, but I'm cool with it."
"Sera, there's ."
"Is it that Tess chick? I've heard her name before. Tim Malamud mentioned something about her on the camp bus. Kyle said that they went to Prom together."
"Uh, yeah. She's just a sore sub…you know it's a long story."
"Its OK." Sera said smiling. "So, come on, spill, there had to be SOME moments of fun while I was gone."
Liz, grateful that Sera didn't push the Tess discussion, smiled at her friend. "Well, Max ran this bath for me.."
************
The bell rang signaling the end of the period Liz and Sera made a speedy exit to avoid another dealing with Pam. They found Max and Maria waiting patiently. Well, Max was waiting patiently, Maria on the other hand was talking a mile a minute to Max who nodded his head every so often and grinned at his crazy friend.
"I know that she wants me to help her with this and I know its my duty not only as her daughter, but as her maid of honor and all, I just don't understand why she has to do this now. I told her that I didn't want her calling me while I'm at school. I think she's worried that Michael is going to run off with me again. And we really haven't done that for awhile, so why is she choosing now to freak out?"
"Maria I…"
"I mean really Max we haven't done an impromptu road trip since Vegas, well unless you count Las Cruces, which I really don't, and the tongue lashing I got for our Vegas Vacation was enough to make me stay in Roswell for awhile."
Liz stepped between Maria and Max and held up a vial of a cedar and cypress oil blend "Breathe!"
Maria took the vial and inhaled deeply. "Thanks chica!"
"Sure." Liz turned to Max and he smiled gratefully.
"How'd you know?" he asked, looking over his girlfriend's shoulder at Maria who was explaining to Sera the reason for her latest meltdown.
"Please, when you've been friends with someone as long as I've been friends with Maria, you can spot problems 100 miles away, and she was using the 'voice'."
"The 'voice'?" Max asked.
"The 'voice': Her normal tone goes up about an octave and she gets really animated, I'd recognize it anywhere. I've heard it all my life, but even more so the last three years, now that she uses it for Michael as well as her mother."
"I can hear you Liz Parker."
"Maria, inhale, exhale."
"She called me at school Liz. How many times do I have to tell her that that behavior is NOT okay!"
"Maria she's planning her wedding. Just think what you'd be like while planning your wedding?"
Maria's eyes widened and she let out a short burst of laughter. "Married to Michael? Are you insane?"
"You have another candidate in mind?" Sera asked jokingly.
"No I mean, and Max back me up here, but Michael? Married? I so think not!"
Liz rolled her eyes. "MARIA, that's not the point. Your mother is only driving you nuts because she wants to include you in her day."
"I know. You're right. I just wanted to have one day that I didn't have to hear about the flower arrangements, or seating charts, or that Kyle and I need to work on our speeches. I was actually looking forward to school today, because it got me out of the house."
"Man, Liz this is serious!" Sera laughed, pulling Maria into a hug. "Look on the bright side. The wedding is right around the corner, then comes the honeymoon and because you were such a big help and put up with them during the planning stages, you'll most likely get big rewards. I like to think of them as guilt gifts. You know once the euphoria of the wedding settles in, they realize how crazy they made you before the ceremony and they do their best to make it up to you."
"Speaking from experience Sera?" Max asked as he rested his chin on Liz's shoulder.
"How do you think I got my car?" Sera replied with a wink.
"Oh, now there's a wonderful thought!" Maria's eyes lit up in excitement.
She checked her watch and groaned. "OK kids. I hate to leave, but I've got to get to English and I'm sure that Mr. Hoffman would be less than pleased if you three walked in late."
"You're probably right." Liz agreed.
Maria waved to the group and started to walk away when Liz turned and called out to her.
"Maria?"
Maria turned and tossed Liz the vial of oil that the brunette had learned to carry with her in case of emergencies.
Liz smiled at her best friend and stuck the vial back in her book bag before heading into Physics with Sera and Max.
***************
Since Max and Liz were lab partners as per usual. Sera scanned the room hoping to God and Buddha (Geez, she thought, I really need to stop Kyle- he's starting to make sense to me.) that someone would take pity on her and be her partner.
Tonya Martz waved as she moved away from the group she was talking to and walked toward Sera.
"Hey, do you have a partner yet?"
"No, you?"
"I'm all yours, just say the word."
"Well Ms. Martz, it would be an honor."
Tonya grinned and sat down next to Sera.
"You know Max and Liz right?"
"Oh course, who doesn't!" Tonya winked at Liz who smiled in return.
"We all had AP Bio together sophomore year. I'd say what a drag, but I know Liz and I think she'd take deep offense to that!"
Sera laughed. " Yeah, I've heard rumors that these two are the extra smartie pants in these parts!"
"Its not just a rumor, it's the truth!" Tonya confirmed, placing her textbook on the lab table.
"Would you two stop!"
"Come on Liz. You know that you eat all this science stuff up with a spoon."
"I wouldn't advise that Ms. Martz." Mr. Hoffman said as he exited his office in the back of the classroom and made his way to the front. "Its been my experience in my many years of teaching that eating science "stuff" never ends well.
Tonya grinned and shook her head catching Sera's eyes. The girls tried to control their laughter, but once Liz quietly snickered it was all over.
"Well class as you see, we're going to have fun in this class. And don't worry Ms. Martz, not all of it will be at your expense."
The class burst into laughter, Tonya stood up and bowed to the class, she tried to push Sera off her stool when she noticed her friend giving her a Men At Work "golf clap". "OK, we are starting with kinematics, vectors, and projectiles. And, Mr. Gordon before you ask I'll give you a preemptive no (holding his hand in the fashion of Dr. Evil's shh.) on giving a projectile demonstration."
Sera laughed as she noticed Chris' shoulders sag.
"Points to Mr. Hoffman for the Austin reference." Tonya whispered to her partner.
"He seems cool, I like this class already!" Sera said with a smile.
"Hey, as long as the two lovebirds here don't get vocal with their daydreams like they did Sophomore year, I think everything will be good."
"Excuse me?" Sera asked, her eyes wide.
"Um Tonya, can I talk to you over here, away from Sera!!!" Liz asked, trying to pull Tonya from her stool.
Sera latched on to Tonya's arm. "No way! I HAVE to hear this!"
"OK so we're sitting in biology."
****
Max, Liz and Sera waved as they approached Michael and Maria at the entrance of the cafeteria.
Sera noticed Kyle's absence and regarded Maria with a quizzical look.
"He was dragged off by the no-necks. Apparently they wanted to celebrate his being named
captain."
"Wonderful. That means we'll be graced with a testosterone overloaded Kyle in Study Hall." Sera said with a sigh.
"And that's different from regular Kyle how?" Max joked, dropping Liz's hand long
enough to select two cherry colas from the soda machine.
"Too true!" Sera laughed. "Okay, I'm new here and all so someone's going to have to walk me
through the cafeteria. What's edible, what to avoid with a ten-foot pole. Et cetera."
"If I were you, I’d avoid anything you don't bring yourself." Michael replied waving
a brown paper bag at her.
"Great! Now you tell me! Well, there's a salad bar, that can't be too bad right?" she asked
hopefully looking at each of her friends.
"Or, A voice sounded in her ear. "You could eat the Kung Pao Chicken and Szechuan Beef that I got from The Golden Wok."
Sera turned to see Isabel carrying four paper bags ornamented with the jade green dragon symbol
of The Golden Wok.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, hugging the older girl.
"My class was 9-12, and I figured that this being the first day of school you guys needed a
special break."
Max narrowed his eyes at his sister, “Uh huh."
Iz scrunched her nose at him and confessed. "Okay, okay my study group wanted to dine at McDonalds after class!"
"Again? Geez your study group really digs their Big Macs!"
"Yeah, I’m not really sure if they actually like it because it’s cheap or if there’s like a rule that you can only eat crappy food once you’re in college. During our summer workshop I know they ate there three out of four days." Iz recalled with a shudder.
"Well, I have no problem taking these off your hands." Sera said as she reached for two of the bags Isabel was holding.
Searching the courtyard they found a table and Iz and Sera began emptying the bags.
Everyone dug into to the fabulous food with gusto. A few minutes later, a silly-string covered Kyle flopped down between Isabel and Sera. "My two favorite girls!" Kyle said starting to put his arm around both of them.
"I'd reconsider that!" Iz said with a stern look as she avoided his arm.
"TWO favorite?" Maria asked looking pointedly at her almost-brother.
"Three..FOUR favorite." Kyle backpedaled when he noticed Liz smirking at him.
"Kyle, you should know better than to try and play favorites around these four." Max said as he absently ran a hand through Liz's long dark hair.
"What happened to you?" Sera asked setting her chopsticks down and examining her boyfriend.
"This is what the football team considers congratulating someone when they make captain." He responded, attempting to remove some of the Silly String from his head.
Iz snorted as she rolled her eyes. "Boys!"
"Hey it wasn't just the guys, some of the cheerleaders did it too."
"Guess my invitation got lost in the mail." Sera remarked dryly taking another bite of her Kung Pao Chicken.
"It was just a couple of the girls."
"Really? Which ones?" Maria asked although she was pretty sure she knew the answer.
"You know Vicki, Amy, Amber and Mam." The last name was muffled as Kyle swiped his hand across his mouth.
"I'm sorry. What was that Kyle? We didn't quite hear you." Isabel grinned evilly at her friend's discomfort.
"Pam." Kyle said in a quiet voice, then tilting his head to peek at his girlfriend.
Sera looked from Kyle to Maria, Liz and finally Isabel before commenting. "That must have been nice!"
"Pam Troy still chasing the not so eligible bachelors of Roswell?" Iz asked with a grimace.
"Of course and our brothers are at the top of the list." Maria said dryly.
"Lucky them!"
"She's harmless." Kyle began before being cut off by the girls.
"No she's not!!"
"Get with it Valenti, even I know that!" Michael's first reply since the food was placed in front
of him startled the group.
"Wow, he can talk in the presence of food. I'm impressed." Kyle joked, then ducked as Michael hurled a fortune cookie in his direction. **************************************************************************** **
Lunch was over far too early for the Pod Squad and company. Isabel bid everyone adieu as they
went their separate directions. Max, Kyle and Sera headed for study hall, while Michael dragged
Maria off to the eraser room before heading to Art class.
Over the summer Mr. Kulick had asked Liz to be his teaching assistant for Biology 102. Liz
readily agreed since it gave her an hour to do any work she had been assigned in her morning
classes; thus, freeing her of the homework burden during the evening. This way she figured she
could spend her evenings with Max, hanging out at the Crashdown, going out a date, saving the
world, whatever!
In study hall Max, Sera and Kyle choose seats in the back. Kyle pointed out that they were close
enough to the back door that Max could slip out and persuade Liz to ditch Mr. Kulick's class to
log some eraser room time.
"What is this eraser room you guys keep talking about?" Sera asked looking at the boys.
Max put on his innocent face and explained. "Its a room where we clean the chalkboard
erasers."
"They need a room for that?"
"Its so the chalk dust doesn't fly all over the school."
"Okay, I get it, let’s make fun of the new girl, she’ll believe anything!"
"He's serious." Kyle concurred.
"Why don't they just take the erasers outside and clean them if they think there is enough chalk
on them to be damaging to students?"
"Don't look at me. I didn't come up with the idea of the room." Kyle said with a shrug.
Sera ignored her boyfriend and continued on with her questions.
"Okay then, if that's what the room is for, then why does everyone keep talking about it? It sounds pretty boring to me. And Max, why on earth would you take Liz in there on purpose?"
Max couldn't help but laugh at Sera's innocent question. Her perplexed look did nothing but increase his laughter.
Kyle laughed too and pulled Sera to him. "Don't worry! I promise to show you what the eraser room is about soon."
Max nearly toppled out of his seat in hysterics.
***********
The 6th period bell sent Kyle, Sera and Max bolting down the hall and up the stairs for
Government. They arrived in time to see Maria chasing out a random student who dared enter the
cluster of seats she was watching over.
"He didn't have a reservation?" Max asked.
"He just wandered over and sat down. All it took was a stern look and a slight wave of my
hand."
"I think that's call shooing someone away." Sera laughed as she imitated the action Maria used
to chase out the offender.
Michael entered the room, and took up residence in the desk across from Maria and in front of Max. Liz came in moments later, her arms brimming with papers. Max immediately moved to
relieve her of her burden. "What is all this?" He asked, setting the mountain of papers on a desk.
"Mr. Kulick's lesson plans. I'm supposed to review them and offer my opinion."
"See this is what being smart gets you, more homework." Kyle mused as he chose a desk
behind Liz.
Sera rolled her eyes at her boyfriend and noticed Kayla waving at her from the front of the room.
She motioned for her friend join them in the back. Kayla smiled and headed for Sera, as she
walked by Doug Sohn he leered at her and said something off color. Kayla flipped him
off without breaking stride and sat next to Sera.
"Hey everyone."
"Hey."
"Hey Kayla."
"Doug Sohn making his typical lewd comments?" Maria asked a distasteful look.
"Of course. You'd think he would have grown up since junior high. Apparently not!"
"Ugh. Don't even get me started on Doug Sohn and junior high." Maria said with a shudder.
"Why not Maria?" Liz asked with an unsettling smirk and a not so innocent tone.
"BECAUSE LIZ, its not important. Lets drop it shall we."
"Didn't you and Doug kiss in 8th grade?" Kyle asked loudly earning him a kick from Sera and a menacing glare from Maria.
"You kissed that loser?" Michael asked sneering.
"Yes Michael, on occasion I kiss losers, I wouldn't complain too much things worked out
okay between us."
Max shook his head and leaned in close to whisper to Liz.
"Do you realize that when we're old and gray these two will still be fighting like this?"
"And loving every minute of it." she replied.
Kyle's low whistle broke the couple out of their tête-à-tête.
They looked up to see Ms Madison enter the room. Sera glared at her boyfriend's approval of Ms.
Madison's tight V-neck shirt and short skirt.
He looked at Michael and wagged his eyebrows, Michael's eyes caught Sera's before Kyle's and
he quickly became engrossed in the ceiling.
Kyle caught the hint and looked at Sera. He smiled what he hoped was a charming smile and said:
"Hi honey."
"Uh Huh!"
"Smooth!" Michael muttered giving Kyle a thumbs up.
***************
Ms. Madison decided to start right away with the homework schedule. She assigned
three chapters and the twenty questions that followed each chapter for the next day.
"Good thing we're all in here, we can study together." Maria said packing up her stuff.
Everyone agreed and set up a study schedule. The Crashdown after school seemed like the best
place to meet. All three girls and Michael had to work that evening and Max would show up there
after the UFO Center closed, to do what Kyle referred to as "Liz Watching". It just made sense
for Kyle to join them there to study.
"That works for me.” Sera said happily as she packed her bag. "Kayla are you going to join our study group?"
“Well if it’s cool with you guys I’ll think I’ll alternate between yours and Devon’s. I told him I’d work on Government with him since like half of the football team is in there and Lord knows most of those boys need all the help they can get!”
“HEY!” Kyle said with a frown.
“Oh relax Valenti, I didn’t mean you.” Kayla said patting his arm.
When he returned his attention to his bag Kayla caught Sera’s eye and nodded her head as she whispered. “I totally meant him!” before heading out the door.
Sera smiled took Kyle’s hand, “Well, we’re off to PE. More time with Pam, yea!!
"See ya at work chica."
"See ya."
Maria watched them walk away and smiled at Liz. "They are so cute. I love playing
matchmaker."
"Matchmaker? I thought they got together on their own." Michael reasoned.
"With some subtle pushing from me."
"Subtle?" Max teased.
"Well, OK maybe not so subtle."
"Maria, nothing with you is EVER subtle."
"Quiet Spaceboy."
***************
Sera dressed in her Crashdown uniform after cheerleading practice. She was thankful that her mother had suggested that she tuck it in her bag so she didn't have to make a special trip home before work.
Waving goodbye to Tonya and Kayla, Sera headed out to the parking lot. She had just put her sunglasses on and was walking toward her SUV when she heard a voice behind her.
"Have I ever told you how much I like that uniform on you?"
She spun around to see Kyle leaning against the wall.
"What are you doing out here? I thought you guys got out of practice before we did."
"We did. I was just waiting for you."
"Well, as much as I'd love to play hooky with you, I have to go to work."
"Yeah, I was just going to go there with you. Want a ride?"
"I drove today."
"Yeah," he said pulling her closer to him. "But if you leave your car here and go to the
Crashdown with me, then I guess I'll just have to give you a ride back to your car after we
finish studying!"
"Always with the ulterior motive!"
"I do my best."
Come on, before Mr. Parker decides having a cheerleader on the payroll isn't going to
work after all."
***********************
Jeff spent most of the night chuckling at Kyle and Max who were sitting in a booth patiently waiting for their girlfriends and Michael to get off work. They playing cards, hassling each other over their poker hands. When they tired of that, they took the jukebox hostage, playing their favorite songs and scarcely letting anyone else near it all night. Michael joined them when the kitchen closed, and started the poker game back up. He used the potato chips from the Plutonium Platter he'd fixed as his poker chips.
Jeff walked to the table that Liz was wiping down and spoke to his daughter,
"I think you girls should let me finish closing up. The boys are starting to get a bit restless."
Jeff pointed to the booth the boys occupied. Michael was tossing chips at the others and proclaiming himself the greatest poker player in the world.
Maria walked up to the Parker's. "Is he getting too out of hand? I can pop him upside
the head for ya."
Jeff laughed, watching Maria reign in Michael was always a source of amusement.
"I think all they need to settle down is for the three of you to join them."
Sera turned from the counter where she sat refilling the sugar containers and catsup bottles.
"Aww, do we have to? That's why we come to work, to get away from them."
"Yeah, but you keep scheduling me and Michael together. So he's impossible to escape."
"Yeah, cause you were trying really hard to get away!" Liz said, smiling at
her best friend.
"Yeah, yeah!" Maria groused.
"OK.you three go, work on your homework. That's an order!" Jeff shooed the girls toward
the boys.
"The parent in him rears its head!" Sera laughed as the girls joined their boyfriends.
"You kids make yourselves at home. I'm going to finish up in the stockroom then head to
bed."
"Night Dad."
A chorus of 'Goodnight Mr. Parker' was heard from the table.
The group worked on the chapters and questions for about forty-five minutes before hunger struck.
"Michael, make me a Nebula Salad." Maria whined.
"In case you haven't noticed the kitchen's closed, and I'm off duty."
"Please!!!" She moved closer to him and placed her head on his shoulder.
Michael sighed. "Fine." He left the booth and maneuvered past the small table the girls had pulled next to it.
"Oh Michael while your up." Max stopped when he noticed the look on his best friend's face.
"Never mind."
Sera hopped up, "I'll get it Max, what do you need?"
"That's OK Sera."
"No, we could all use a snack, what do you want."
"Just an Alien Blast."
"Anyone else?"
"Orbit Rings for me." Kyle said.
"Try again. "
"What?"
"I don't want your smell onion breath."
"Sera."
"Do you want a good night kiss?"
"I think I'll have Space Fries instead."
"Sorry the oil is cold and I'm not turning it on just for you." Michael told him.
"Well, if I clear it through committee can I get a slice of Asteroid Pie?
"We are not a committee and yes you can! What about you Liz?" Sera asked
"I'll get it, I'm going to make a Alien Blast too."
“I’m already up, I'll make it."
Sera followed Michael into the kitchen and they started on everyone's orders.
"This is great huh? he said, We work a full shift tonight and now we're stuck waiting on everyone again."
"Nah, We could be waiting on worse people."
"I don't know Valenti's pretty bad."
Sera sighed and looked at him.
Michael shrugged and finished Maria's salad.
"Michael, can you grab me a slice of Alien Green Lime Pie and one of Asteroid Pie? I'm going to go make the super couple their Alien Blasts. Is it just me or are they sickeningly sweet?"
"Why? Because they order the same thing all the time, and are so in tune with one another."
"Yeah, for starters."
"Maria calls them soul mates."
"I believe that. I also know two others who are soul mates."
"You and Valenti?
"NO, Well.I don't know. Its way too early to tell that. I meant you and Maria."
"Us?"
"Please, you two are so crazy about each other it has to be a forever thing!"
Michael said nothing, he just smiled and walked to the fridge to grab Sera and Kyle's desserts.
Sera made the Alien Blasts and was starting through the door when Michael's head appeared at
the order window.
"Hey!"
"Yes?"
"Make me a Blastoff Sundae?"
"Butterscotch, Caramel, Hot Fudge, or Strawberry?" Sera rattled off like a seasoned waitress.
"Hot Fudge and Caramel."
"You got it."
She made the sundae quickly and Michael came through the doors with a tray containing Maria's
salad and the two pieces of pie.
Once everyone was settled with their snacks, they dug into the food and the homework again.
They worked non-stop, oblivious to the time until Sera's cell phone rang, the Buffy theme startling everyone.
"Hello? Hi Mom. I'm still at the Crashdown, why? It's what time. Are you kidding me? Oh
crap. Yeah, we're finishing up. I'll be home soon. I love you too. Bye."
"Wow!" Max said looking at his watch. "I didn't realize that it was almost one."
"Wonderful. My mother's going to kill me." Maria said laying her head on the table.
"She'll probably castrate me!" Michael said, only half-joking.
Kyle spit his soda back into the glass. "Sorry, just got the image of Michael writhing on the
floor in pain and Amy standing over him with a knife. 'I told you what would happen if you
touched my daughter again.'
The gang laughed and Maria raised her head. "Don't laugh too much that's probably exactly
what she'd say!"
Sera hopped up. "So the last three questions everyone can tackle on their own before 6th
period?"
"Yeah, I think if I look at this any longer I'll go cross-eyed." Liz said rubbing her temples,
Max moved her hands away and replaced them with his own.
"Lizzie complaining about homework? I never thought I'd see the day." Maria teased her
best friend.
Sera looked at her boyfriend. "Help me clear these dishes before we go."
"No Sera leave them. I'll get them before I go to bed."
"Liz."
"You guys, go ahead. I'll help Liz clear." Max said moving his hands from her temples to her
shoulders.
"Are you." was all Sera got out before Kyle grabbed her hand.
"They're sure. Let's go."
"I'll see you guys in the morning."
"It IS morning." Maria moaned as Michael pulled her to her feet.
Liz walked everyone to the door and locked it behind them.
She turned to find Max clearing the table, putting the dishes into a tub.
"You don't have to do that."
"I know." Max replied as he continued clearing.
"Max, leave those, come upstairs with me."
"Upstairs?"
"I just want to sit on the balcony with you for awhile."
Max smiled at her and dropped the last of the glasses into the tub before setting it on the counter.
Liz turned off the lights and took Max's hand.
They walked up the stairs quietly not wanting to wake Liz's parents.
Reaching her room they stepped out on the balcony and curled up in the chaise lounger.
They kissed for some time before Liz pulled back and cuddled with him
"The start to this school year has been much better than last year." Liz said as she rested her head on Max's chest
"It certainly helps that you were in town this summer. I nearly went crazy last year."
"But you got to spend quality time with Maria."
"Well that's true. If you hadn't left I never would have achieved Girlfriend status."
"And that's important status to have."
Liz looked down, Max's hands were absently tracing a pattern on her abdomen right where the
bullet had penetrated.
"It's almost been two years." She said quietly, placing her hands over his.
"Worse day of my life, even given everything else that's happened in the last two years, that was the worst!"
"It was the best day of my life."
Max looked down at her. "Why?"
"It brought us together."
Max smiled and hugged her closer. He held her in silence until her breathing changed and he
knew she was asleep. Lifting her up he took her through the window into her bedroom. Max
slipped her out of her uniform, into her pajamas and placed her in her bed.
He kiss on the forehead before returning to the to climb down the ladder and head for home
**************
Kyle pulled along side Sera's Pathfinder and brought his Mustang to a stop.
He unbuckled his seat belt and moved toward his girlfriend.
"So? What did you think about your first day at West Roswell?"
"It was nice."
"Nice?"
"What do you want me to say? It was the best day ever?"
"No, I just wanted to make sure it was a good day."
"It will be ever better in about 5 seconds."
"Why is that?"
"Cause you're about to kiss me."
"Oh I am?"
"Yes."
"OK"
END CHAPTER
Last edited by LizabethR2D2 on Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Starting Over (CC/Adult) Pt 8 Football and the Eraser Room
Starting Over (CC, All, Adult)
Part 8-Football and the Eraser Room
Title: Starting Over
Author: LizabethR2D2
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I owned these characters/this show I do not! They belong to Melinda Mets, Jason Katims, the WB and UPN networks and the amazing actors who portrayed them! I guess I do own Sera, but I’d be willing to trade her for Colin Hanks. (Or Nick!!!)
Category: CC
Rating: Adult (It will vary chapter to chapter, but let’s just be safe and say Adult to cover all our bases!)
Summary: Alternate Season 3-Picking up a few weeks after the WB Season 2 Finale. This is the Season 3 that I would have liked to see televised, our CCs are together, no one is going to a Vermont boarding school, no one moves to NYC and no one marries Delko! Just good old fashioned Season 1 type entertainment. (At least I like to think so!) [/b]
FOOTBALL AND THE ERASER ROOM
Sera practically bolted out the front door when she heard Kyle pull up. He laughed as she made her way to the car.
"Geez, someone's in a rush this morning!"
"I'm always hyper on game day. Where are M and M? Think I can start calling them the Candy Couple?"
"Not if you want to remain friends with them! Anyway, Michael had something to do after school so he took Maria on his bike this morning. But she is riding with us after the pep rally."
"Oh, okay."
She dropped her bag and herself into the car then leaned across the seat and gave Kyle a kiss.
He smiled approvingly at her uniform. "You know the short cheerleading skirt is the best invention ever made."
"Yeah, its right up there with tight football pants."
"Yeah but we don't wear them all day, so you can only appreciate them on the field."
"That's probably for the best. Otherwise I'd be grabbing at you all day."
"Remind me to change when we get to school."
****************************
After Physics, Sera, Liz and Max walked to the courtyard together. Maria and Michael were already at their usual table. Sera looked around and spotted Kyle in the center of the courtyard sitting with most of the football players and cheerleaders. Nathan Webber, Joel Kline and Kyle were all making sweeping gestures with their hands then exchanging hi- fives.
"Now that's a table I'll be avoiding today! I suffer from an allergic reaction to extreme outbursts of pep."
"Except of course at the pep rally." Liz reasoned.
Sera looked at Liz and just caught the smile playing at the corners of her mouth; she scrunched her nose at her friend just as Max came back to the table with two bottles of cherry cola and three Styrofoam cups of ice. Sera accepted one of the cups and reached into her bag for her VitaminWater. Popping the top and pouring it into the cup, she had just raised it to her lips when Pam, Rachel and Amber appeared at her side.
"Sera. We're sitting over there." Pam announced in her maddening voice.
"Okay, have fun!" Sera said taking a sip.
"No, WE as in cheerleaders are sitting over there. Notice where everyone else sporting that outfit is?" Pam said pointing first to Sera's uniform then to the table where the other cheerleaders were.
Sera nodded her head and turned her attention back to her friends. Pam huffed, rolled her eyes and stalked back to the tables with Amber following close behind.
"Maybe there's some secret cheerleading stuff you're supposed to do before the big game." Maria joked.
"Sorry everyone, Its just tradition that the squad and the team sit together on game days." Rachel explained, apologetically. "Pam shouldn't have come off so snotty.”
"No big. I'm used to it." Sera said shaking her head.
Rachel half-smiled and looked from Sera to the jock and jockette table.
"Go ahead. I'll catch up." Sera promised.
Rachel hesitated for a moment before joining her friends across the courtyard.
Sera looked at Michael, Maria, Max and Liz. "Fantastic, looks like I get to spend the rest of lunch subjected to fart jokes and locker room talk!"
"Won’t the guys avoid too much of that kind of talk with you girls present?" Liz asked, picking at the Greek God Salad she purloined from the CD's kitchen earlier this morning.
"Please Liz, its not the football players I'm worried about-You should hear the mouths on the cheerleaders!
Maria snorted as she passed Sera her water bottle. "It doesn’t surprise me. But look on the bright side, you get to spend more time with Pam!"
Sera scowled, "Why do you hate me?"
Maria laughed and chucked some napkins at her friend, who reluctantly joined the table of athletes.
Liz and Maria shared a grin when Pam pointed to a spaced on the edge of the table while she attempted to squeeze closer to Kyle, who responded by pulling a more than willing Sera onto his lap.
"Sometimes I really like my almost-brother." Maria told Liz, who nodded her head in agreement. "He does have his moments."Michael and Max looked at their respective girlfriends and rolled their eyes.
"Women."
******************
Kyle sat tapping his pencil against the desk. He looked back and forth from the clock to Max and Sera who sat working on an English project.
"Psst." Kyle hissed.
Sera didn't turn away from Max she just held up her finger to indicate that she'd be with him in a moment. Kyle sighed loudly, and Sera finally gave him a warning look.
He slumped down in his seat and continued tapping his pencil. Sera's hand shot out for the pencil within seconds of his resumed drumming. Kyle reluctantly handed it over and placed both hands flat on his desk.
Max laughed as Kyle frowned like a little boy.
"I think you hurt his feelings." Max told Sera.
"I'll make it up to him, we just need to get this done, I think he can sit still for a few more minutes."
They worked quickly and finished their project. Sera turned to Kyle and affectionately tousled his hair. "OK, I'm all yours!"
Kyle smiled wryly, "I was just wondering if you wanted to see what the Eraser room is all about."
"What are we going to do? Sneak out of study hall?"
"That's pretty much what I had in mind."
"Okay!"
"Hey, we're going to take off." Sera whispered to Max as she stuffed her English book into her bag.
Max glanced at Kyle who went up to ask for a bathroom pass, then back to Sera.
"Going anywhere particular?" Max asked with a smile.
"Oh you know, around."
"Right. So will you be showing up for Government or should I write the homework assignment down for you?"
"We'll be back. I think he's just restless."
Sera winked as she slipped out the back door.
Max grinned as he watched her go. "I don't think that's what he's feeling.
***************
Kyle opened the door to the eraser room and turned to grin at Sera.
"Guess being the sheriff's son has its advantages." Sera mused watching him put away the small tools he used to pick the lock.
"Yeah, he's got all sorts of cool toys I'm not supposed to play with."
"But of course you do anyway."
"Of course!"
Sera surveyed her surroundings. "So this is the infamous eraser room?"
"This is it." Kyle said as he closed the door.
"Okay. And why would anyone come here willingly?"
"It probably has to do with what we usually do in the eraser room."
"Which is?"
Kyle said nothing, just moved closer to Sera and put his arms around her.
She grinned as the reason dawned on her.
"Oh!"
His lips quickly found hers and she threw her arms around his neck.
Sera started to chastise herself for skipping class to make out in the janitor's closet, eraser room, what have you, then she stopped and thought:
Hello, we're in high school, we're supposed to do this sort of thing.
Their kisses went from playful and gentle to hot and heavy in a matter of moments. Kyle grabbed her waist and set her on top of the eraser cleaning machine. Neither one of them heard the key in the lock, the door open, or Ms. Madison's gasp. They didn't break away from each other until Ms. Madison cleared her throat and spoke their names.
"Kyle! Sera! OUT!"
Kyle helped Sera down from the machine, trying hard to suppress a grin as she smoothed out her skirt. She tossed him a nasty look as they exited the eraser room.
Kyle and Sera walked down the hall with Ms. Madison; Kyle was trying to charm her into letting them go with an admonition. Sera started to intervene on behalf of the bumbling Kyle but Ms. Madison held up her hand as she stopped in front of a door. Sera glanced up to see that they were standing outside Principal Forrester's door.
Ms. Madison knocked and from somewhere inside both teens could hear Forrester's voice.
"Come."
"Sir."
"Eileen, Mr. Valenti. Ms. Davidson."
"I found them in the eraser room."
The usually pleasant smile quickly vanished from Mr. Forrester's face.
Ms. Madison crossed to Mr. Forrester's desk and spoke in a hushed tone to the principal.
"Indeed? Thank you Ms. Madison. I'll take it from here."
Ms. Madison left the office, closing the door behind her.
Sera and Kyle looked at one another before Mr. Forrester cleared his throat.
"Sit down, please."
Sera sat first, Kyle sat next to her and exhaled loudly.
"Principal Forrester." Sera began.
"Sera, I believe your mother is a professor at the University." Sera nodded. "Well, that's a bit too far away for her to come in today. But we can certainly call her." He punched a button on his intercom. "Mrs. Griffin, please dial the work number of Sera Davidson's mother. And get Sheriff Valenti's office on my line please."
"Certainly sir."
Mrs. Griffin's voice sounded on the intercom moments later.
"I have Sheriff Valenti on the line for you."
"Jim, its Gil. Could you come down to the school? We need to talk. No, no everything is all right. We just need to have a discussion. Thank you.”
"Principal Forrester? Ms. Davidson's mother is in class at the moment. The department secretary wants to know if its an emergency and should she interrupt?"
"Tell her that's not necessary, just leave her a note to call my office when she gets out of class. Let’s try and reach Ms. Davidson's step-father instead."
Sera closed her eyes and said a silent prayer of thanks to anyone listening.
OK Mom's in class, and if it started at the top of the hour I've still got thirty minutes to call her office and tell Doug to rip up the note, he's cool, he'd do that for me. Mom's assistant or not, he knows what its like to sneak off somewhere with his girlfriend. Besides, it will sound much better when I explain it than it will coming out of my principal's mouth. Man, I'll bet Rachel has to walk on pins and needles around her dad at home.
Sera looked up to find Kyle staring at her strangely.
"What?"
He nodded toward Principal Forrester.
"Sera. Your step-father would like to talk to you." Principal Forrester was holding the phone toward her.
"Hello?"
"All you all right honey?
"I'm fine. Its uh, Kyle and I kinda skipped class. And well, there's more to explain but I'd rather do it with you here. Mom's in class so..."
"But you're okay."
"Yeah, Principal Forrester just needs to talk to you."
"I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Thanks Charles."
**************
Twenty minutes later Jim, Charles, Sera and Kyle walked out of Principal Forrester's office.
Sera looked at her stepfather and started to say something.
"Let's talk about it tonight, when your mother gets home."
Sera sighed and nodded.
"You two get to class. Kyle I want you right home after school."
"We have a pep rally after school Dad."
Jim cleared his throat. "Fine. I'll see you after that. Sera."
"Bye Sheriff."
"Same goes for you Sera. Straight home after the pep rally."
"I understand."The bell rang; Jim looked at both kids.
"Well, go on, the last thing we need is for both of you to miss another class."
“Technically, we haven’t missed any classes, it was just Study….
Kyle stopped speaking as he looked at the expression on his father’s face and felt Sera’s grip tighten on his arm. The kids quickly said goodbye to their parents and dashed for their lockers.
They grabbed their Government books and raced to class, entering the door just as the final bell sounded. Ms. Madison gave them a stern look as they passed.
Walking to their seats they were greeted to smirks from their friends.
"Little too much time in the eraser room?" Maria asked.
"Hardly." Sera said as she sat down. "Madison busted us and sent us to Forrester's office."
"Are you serious?"
"Jim and Charles had to come down and talk to Forrester."
"More things you and Lizzie have in common!"
"What?"
"I'll tell you after class."
Michael leaned around Max and passed Kyle a note.
Did you really get caught in the eraser room?
Kyle nodded, wrote back and tossed the note onto Michael's desk
Dad and Charles had to come down.
Michael laughed and showed the note to Max before writing back.
Bet you won't be seeing her outside school for awhile.
Kyle didn't write back, he just groaned and buried his head on his arms.
*************
Government was soon over. Kyle and Sera did their best to avoid their friend's questions as they made their way to PE.
Sera hit the locker room and was instantly greeted with catcalls.
"How did you know?" She asked as Kayla walked to her sporting a goofy grin.
"Are you kidding me? This place is rumor central. Heather French saw Madison leading you to Forrester's office. And she did what any gossipmonger would do: she pretended that she needed something from the admissions office and eavesdropped."
Sera shook her head. "Wonderful! So I suppose its all over school now.
"Almost!
Rachel Forrester walked toward them. "Hey Sera!"
"Hey Rach. Tell me something?
"OK"
"Is your dad like a holy terror when you bring a guy home? Cause he's got the evil eye to end all evil eyes."
Rachel laughed. "Now you know why I don't date much!"
Kayla nudged Sera as they put their bags in their lockers. "I think someone's a little greener with envy than usual!" she said in a singsong voice after Pam walked by them not even looking at Sera.
"That may be worth the six month grounding I'm sure to get!"
*****************
Practice was simple a rundown of the cheer they were using at the pep rally, and the game, and a quick dress rehearsal of the routine. Ms. Cannon's word choice caused Sera and Tonya fits of laughter as they emulated Ross and Monica of Friends doing 'The Routine'.
When the bell rang for the end of school, the girls made their way outside to the stadium. They congregated near the football players and waited for the pep rally to begin.
Principal Forrester's voice came over the loudspeaker, greeting the students. He led them in a moment of silence for the September 11th attacks. Then the Pledge of Allegiance, and finally asked them to get on their feet and greet their cheerleaders.
The girls ran out on the floor to a cheer mix that included Ready to Go, Chinese Burn and the theme from Mortal Kombat. While the football players chose to run out to We are the Champions.
Maria found this music choice interesting. "Champions of what exactly?" She asked looking at Liz and Max. "They haven't even played a game yet."
She quieted down when Principal Forrester handed Kyle the microphone.
"Hey everyone!” He waited for the chorus of "Hi Kyle!" to die down before speaking again. “We've got a great team this year and I know we're going to take it all the way to the state championships. And I know the whole way you guys are going to be there, coming out to the games to cheer us on and supporting us in our championship bid."
When Kyle finished speaking, the cheerleaders led everyone in cheering and singing the West Roswell fight song.
Principal Forrester dismissed everyone after the rally; Sera ran into the locker room to get her bag, said goodbye to her friends and made her way to the parking lot where Kyle and Maria were waiting.
"Amazing pep rally girlfriend." Maria said when Sera joined them.
"Thank you.I thought this one here gave a pretty good speech!"
"I kinda tuned him out after awhile."
"Gee thanks! You are so sweet to me."
"I try!"
"I guess we should go. I for one am expecting to be placed under lock and key once my mother discovers what happened this afternoon."
"Yeah, I'm sure Dad left the station early so he can make sure I get home on time."
"Juvenile delinquents!"
"How is it that you and Michael never got caught in the eraser room?" Kyle asked her as he backed out of his parking place.
"Simple. We're smarter than everyone else. Besides, I thought you would have learned your lesson after Liz and Max got caught.”
"Liz and Max got caught in the eraser room?" Sera asked turning around to look at Maria.
“She's not as goody two-shoes as you thought is she?"
"I'm stunned!" Sera mused. "You ever go in the eraser room with Liz?" she asked turning toward Kyle.
Kyle's eyes met Maria's in the rearview mirror.
"Yeah, I’m pleading the fifth on this one!"
****************************
Kyle pulled into the Whitman's drive and parked the car as Sera cursed.
"What?"
"Mom's home."
"Well she hasn't come out brandishing any sort of weapon yet so my guess is she doesn't know."
"Either that or she's inside methodically plotting your slow and painful death." Maria shared.
"I thought siblings were supposed to be supportive."
"Our parents aren't married yet."
"OK. I'm going in to face the music." Sera hopped out of the Mustang. "Wish me luck?"
"Good luck." Maria said, raising both thumbs over enthusiastically.
Kyle and Sera exited the car. Kyle walked Sera to the door as Maria moved from the back seat to the front.
"You sure you're okay handling this?"
"I'll be fine. I'm sure there will be some yelling and most likely some grounding, but it will be OK in the end."
"I could come in with you."
"NO! That would be incredibly bad! When my mother is ready to speak to you and can do so without yelling. She'll let you know."
"Thanks for the warning!"
"I'm going to go in."
"Good luck." He whispered as he dropped a quick kiss on her lips
"I'll see you tonight."
She waved once before turning into the house.
"Think I'm ever going to be allowed see her again?" he asked Maria when he returned to the car.
"Sure, tonight. After that, all bets are off."
Kyle sighed as he piloted the car toward the Valenti/DeLuca homestead. ****************
When game time rolled around Sera was anxious to escape the house. Because it had been planned for several days Nicole allowed Kyle to pick Sera up, but he had to come inside and sit down for a talk.
"Mom. I'm 17, Kyle's 18. We don't need lectures."
"Obviously you need someone to give you a lecture you on why skipping class to make out in a broom closet isn't proper behavior."
“First of all it’s called the eraser room and second, it was just study hall!"
"Sera, you're already on very thin ice."
"Mom."
"He comes in and we have a chat or you don't go to the game with him."
"Fine, I'll call him and tell him to come early."
"Don't hang up before I speak to Jim."
"Fine."
**********
Kyle arrived stood in the doorway apprehensively. Only when he had about twenty assurances from Sera that Nicole was not lying in wait somewhere to castrate him, did he enter.
Nicole sat them down and their third lecture of the day began.
When Nicole felt she had made her point to both kids, she allowed them to leave for the game.
Kyle took a deep breath and walked out the door with Sera.
"I'd say we got off easy."
Sera smiled and quoted one of her favorite movies. "Easy? You call that easy?"
"Would you stop with the Star Wars quotes!"
"Sorry. I thought it needed to be said."
"Come on. Lets get to the game before your mom changes her mind." ************
West Roswell won the game 21-0, thanks to Kyle's three touchdown passes.
Since Amy and Jim got engaged and Kyle had become an integral part of the group, Maria had become his personal cheerleader.
Sera told her after the game that she was cheering louder than the actual cheerleaders.
"I was just being a supportive almost-sister, since I was accused of failing in that capacity earlier today."
"Is that why you nearly dismembered me?" Michael asked rubbing the arm that Maria had
clutched on to after Kyle's first touchdown pass.
"You're fine stop making such a fuss."
"Kids." Jim's voice sounded behind their small group.
"Hey Sheriff."
Son, good game."
"Thanks Dad."
"What's on the agenda for tonight?"
"We were going to meet Isabel at the Crashdown."
"I should have known. Sera, Kyle, Can I see you two for a moment?"
The couple exchanged looks with each other then with their friends before following Jim.
Jim led them to an area near the track where Nicole, Charles and Amy were standing.
"Look, we know you two have plans, and we're not going to interrupt but;
we want you home by 11:30."
The duo nodded.
"That's not 11:45 or even 11:35.it's 11:30."
"We understand." Sera said not meeting the parent's eyes.
"Look, guys. We're really sorry about today." Kyle began.
"Now is not the time for that. You two go, and have fun with your friends. We'll deal with the events of this afternoon, and their consequences later." With that, Nicole effectively brought the pow-wow to an end. Kyle and Sera dashed away to join their friends.
The parents tried to contain their laughter as they watched their children retreat.
Charles regained his composure first. "Do you think we scared them enough?"
"Let's hope it will be a long time before either of them even THINK of doing something like that again!” Amy said, looping her arm through Jim's. "Why do they even have an eraser room? Why can't they just clean the erasers outside?"
All four parents shook their heads at Amy's observation.
"Well, now that we've done our parental duty in scaring our children, anyone up for dessert?" Charles asked.
END CHAPTER
Part 8-Football and the Eraser Room
Title: Starting Over
Author: LizabethR2D2
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I owned these characters/this show I do not! They belong to Melinda Mets, Jason Katims, the WB and UPN networks and the amazing actors who portrayed them! I guess I do own Sera, but I’d be willing to trade her for Colin Hanks. (Or Nick!!!)
Category: CC
Rating: Adult (It will vary chapter to chapter, but let’s just be safe and say Adult to cover all our bases!)
Summary: Alternate Season 3-Picking up a few weeks after the WB Season 2 Finale. This is the Season 3 that I would have liked to see televised, our CCs are together, no one is going to a Vermont boarding school, no one moves to NYC and no one marries Delko! Just good old fashioned Season 1 type entertainment. (At least I like to think so!) [/b]
FOOTBALL AND THE ERASER ROOM
Sera practically bolted out the front door when she heard Kyle pull up. He laughed as she made her way to the car.
"Geez, someone's in a rush this morning!"
"I'm always hyper on game day. Where are M and M? Think I can start calling them the Candy Couple?"
"Not if you want to remain friends with them! Anyway, Michael had something to do after school so he took Maria on his bike this morning. But she is riding with us after the pep rally."
"Oh, okay."
She dropped her bag and herself into the car then leaned across the seat and gave Kyle a kiss.
He smiled approvingly at her uniform. "You know the short cheerleading skirt is the best invention ever made."
"Yeah, its right up there with tight football pants."
"Yeah but we don't wear them all day, so you can only appreciate them on the field."
"That's probably for the best. Otherwise I'd be grabbing at you all day."
"Remind me to change when we get to school."
****************************
After Physics, Sera, Liz and Max walked to the courtyard together. Maria and Michael were already at their usual table. Sera looked around and spotted Kyle in the center of the courtyard sitting with most of the football players and cheerleaders. Nathan Webber, Joel Kline and Kyle were all making sweeping gestures with their hands then exchanging hi- fives.
"Now that's a table I'll be avoiding today! I suffer from an allergic reaction to extreme outbursts of pep."
"Except of course at the pep rally." Liz reasoned.
Sera looked at Liz and just caught the smile playing at the corners of her mouth; she scrunched her nose at her friend just as Max came back to the table with two bottles of cherry cola and three Styrofoam cups of ice. Sera accepted one of the cups and reached into her bag for her VitaminWater. Popping the top and pouring it into the cup, she had just raised it to her lips when Pam, Rachel and Amber appeared at her side.
"Sera. We're sitting over there." Pam announced in her maddening voice.
"Okay, have fun!" Sera said taking a sip.
"No, WE as in cheerleaders are sitting over there. Notice where everyone else sporting that outfit is?" Pam said pointing first to Sera's uniform then to the table where the other cheerleaders were.
Sera nodded her head and turned her attention back to her friends. Pam huffed, rolled her eyes and stalked back to the tables with Amber following close behind.
"Maybe there's some secret cheerleading stuff you're supposed to do before the big game." Maria joked.
"Sorry everyone, Its just tradition that the squad and the team sit together on game days." Rachel explained, apologetically. "Pam shouldn't have come off so snotty.”
"No big. I'm used to it." Sera said shaking her head.
Rachel half-smiled and looked from Sera to the jock and jockette table.
"Go ahead. I'll catch up." Sera promised.
Rachel hesitated for a moment before joining her friends across the courtyard.
Sera looked at Michael, Maria, Max and Liz. "Fantastic, looks like I get to spend the rest of lunch subjected to fart jokes and locker room talk!"
"Won’t the guys avoid too much of that kind of talk with you girls present?" Liz asked, picking at the Greek God Salad she purloined from the CD's kitchen earlier this morning.
"Please Liz, its not the football players I'm worried about-You should hear the mouths on the cheerleaders!
Maria snorted as she passed Sera her water bottle. "It doesn’t surprise me. But look on the bright side, you get to spend more time with Pam!"
Sera scowled, "Why do you hate me?"
Maria laughed and chucked some napkins at her friend, who reluctantly joined the table of athletes.
Liz and Maria shared a grin when Pam pointed to a spaced on the edge of the table while she attempted to squeeze closer to Kyle, who responded by pulling a more than willing Sera onto his lap.
"Sometimes I really like my almost-brother." Maria told Liz, who nodded her head in agreement. "He does have his moments."Michael and Max looked at their respective girlfriends and rolled their eyes.
"Women."
******************
Kyle sat tapping his pencil against the desk. He looked back and forth from the clock to Max and Sera who sat working on an English project.
"Psst." Kyle hissed.
Sera didn't turn away from Max she just held up her finger to indicate that she'd be with him in a moment. Kyle sighed loudly, and Sera finally gave him a warning look.
He slumped down in his seat and continued tapping his pencil. Sera's hand shot out for the pencil within seconds of his resumed drumming. Kyle reluctantly handed it over and placed both hands flat on his desk.
Max laughed as Kyle frowned like a little boy.
"I think you hurt his feelings." Max told Sera.
"I'll make it up to him, we just need to get this done, I think he can sit still for a few more minutes."
They worked quickly and finished their project. Sera turned to Kyle and affectionately tousled his hair. "OK, I'm all yours!"
Kyle smiled wryly, "I was just wondering if you wanted to see what the Eraser room is all about."
"What are we going to do? Sneak out of study hall?"
"That's pretty much what I had in mind."
"Okay!"
"Hey, we're going to take off." Sera whispered to Max as she stuffed her English book into her bag.
Max glanced at Kyle who went up to ask for a bathroom pass, then back to Sera.
"Going anywhere particular?" Max asked with a smile.
"Oh you know, around."
"Right. So will you be showing up for Government or should I write the homework assignment down for you?"
"We'll be back. I think he's just restless."
Sera winked as she slipped out the back door.
Max grinned as he watched her go. "I don't think that's what he's feeling.
***************
Kyle opened the door to the eraser room and turned to grin at Sera.
"Guess being the sheriff's son has its advantages." Sera mused watching him put away the small tools he used to pick the lock.
"Yeah, he's got all sorts of cool toys I'm not supposed to play with."
"But of course you do anyway."
"Of course!"
Sera surveyed her surroundings. "So this is the infamous eraser room?"
"This is it." Kyle said as he closed the door.
"Okay. And why would anyone come here willingly?"
"It probably has to do with what we usually do in the eraser room."
"Which is?"
Kyle said nothing, just moved closer to Sera and put his arms around her.
She grinned as the reason dawned on her.
"Oh!"
His lips quickly found hers and she threw her arms around his neck.
Sera started to chastise herself for skipping class to make out in the janitor's closet, eraser room, what have you, then she stopped and thought:
Hello, we're in high school, we're supposed to do this sort of thing.
Their kisses went from playful and gentle to hot and heavy in a matter of moments. Kyle grabbed her waist and set her on top of the eraser cleaning machine. Neither one of them heard the key in the lock, the door open, or Ms. Madison's gasp. They didn't break away from each other until Ms. Madison cleared her throat and spoke their names.
"Kyle! Sera! OUT!"
Kyle helped Sera down from the machine, trying hard to suppress a grin as she smoothed out her skirt. She tossed him a nasty look as they exited the eraser room.
Kyle and Sera walked down the hall with Ms. Madison; Kyle was trying to charm her into letting them go with an admonition. Sera started to intervene on behalf of the bumbling Kyle but Ms. Madison held up her hand as she stopped in front of a door. Sera glanced up to see that they were standing outside Principal Forrester's door.
Ms. Madison knocked and from somewhere inside both teens could hear Forrester's voice.
"Come."
"Sir."
"Eileen, Mr. Valenti. Ms. Davidson."
"I found them in the eraser room."
The usually pleasant smile quickly vanished from Mr. Forrester's face.
Ms. Madison crossed to Mr. Forrester's desk and spoke in a hushed tone to the principal.
"Indeed? Thank you Ms. Madison. I'll take it from here."
Ms. Madison left the office, closing the door behind her.
Sera and Kyle looked at one another before Mr. Forrester cleared his throat.
"Sit down, please."
Sera sat first, Kyle sat next to her and exhaled loudly.
"Principal Forrester." Sera began.
"Sera, I believe your mother is a professor at the University." Sera nodded. "Well, that's a bit too far away for her to come in today. But we can certainly call her." He punched a button on his intercom. "Mrs. Griffin, please dial the work number of Sera Davidson's mother. And get Sheriff Valenti's office on my line please."
"Certainly sir."
Mrs. Griffin's voice sounded on the intercom moments later.
"I have Sheriff Valenti on the line for you."
"Jim, its Gil. Could you come down to the school? We need to talk. No, no everything is all right. We just need to have a discussion. Thank you.”
"Principal Forrester? Ms. Davidson's mother is in class at the moment. The department secretary wants to know if its an emergency and should she interrupt?"
"Tell her that's not necessary, just leave her a note to call my office when she gets out of class. Let’s try and reach Ms. Davidson's step-father instead."
Sera closed her eyes and said a silent prayer of thanks to anyone listening.
OK Mom's in class, and if it started at the top of the hour I've still got thirty minutes to call her office and tell Doug to rip up the note, he's cool, he'd do that for me. Mom's assistant or not, he knows what its like to sneak off somewhere with his girlfriend. Besides, it will sound much better when I explain it than it will coming out of my principal's mouth. Man, I'll bet Rachel has to walk on pins and needles around her dad at home.
Sera looked up to find Kyle staring at her strangely.
"What?"
He nodded toward Principal Forrester.
"Sera. Your step-father would like to talk to you." Principal Forrester was holding the phone toward her.
"Hello?"
"All you all right honey?
"I'm fine. Its uh, Kyle and I kinda skipped class. And well, there's more to explain but I'd rather do it with you here. Mom's in class so..."
"But you're okay."
"Yeah, Principal Forrester just needs to talk to you."
"I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Thanks Charles."
**************
Twenty minutes later Jim, Charles, Sera and Kyle walked out of Principal Forrester's office.
Sera looked at her stepfather and started to say something.
"Let's talk about it tonight, when your mother gets home."
Sera sighed and nodded.
"You two get to class. Kyle I want you right home after school."
"We have a pep rally after school Dad."
Jim cleared his throat. "Fine. I'll see you after that. Sera."
"Bye Sheriff."
"Same goes for you Sera. Straight home after the pep rally."
"I understand."The bell rang; Jim looked at both kids.
"Well, go on, the last thing we need is for both of you to miss another class."
“Technically, we haven’t missed any classes, it was just Study….
Kyle stopped speaking as he looked at the expression on his father’s face and felt Sera’s grip tighten on his arm. The kids quickly said goodbye to their parents and dashed for their lockers.
They grabbed their Government books and raced to class, entering the door just as the final bell sounded. Ms. Madison gave them a stern look as they passed.
Walking to their seats they were greeted to smirks from their friends.
"Little too much time in the eraser room?" Maria asked.
"Hardly." Sera said as she sat down. "Madison busted us and sent us to Forrester's office."
"Are you serious?"
"Jim and Charles had to come down and talk to Forrester."
"More things you and Lizzie have in common!"
"What?"
"I'll tell you after class."
Michael leaned around Max and passed Kyle a note.
Did you really get caught in the eraser room?
Kyle nodded, wrote back and tossed the note onto Michael's desk
Dad and Charles had to come down.
Michael laughed and showed the note to Max before writing back.
Bet you won't be seeing her outside school for awhile.
Kyle didn't write back, he just groaned and buried his head on his arms.
*************
Government was soon over. Kyle and Sera did their best to avoid their friend's questions as they made their way to PE.
Sera hit the locker room and was instantly greeted with catcalls.
"How did you know?" She asked as Kayla walked to her sporting a goofy grin.
"Are you kidding me? This place is rumor central. Heather French saw Madison leading you to Forrester's office. And she did what any gossipmonger would do: she pretended that she needed something from the admissions office and eavesdropped."
Sera shook her head. "Wonderful! So I suppose its all over school now.
"Almost!
Rachel Forrester walked toward them. "Hey Sera!"
"Hey Rach. Tell me something?
"OK"
"Is your dad like a holy terror when you bring a guy home? Cause he's got the evil eye to end all evil eyes."
Rachel laughed. "Now you know why I don't date much!"
Kayla nudged Sera as they put their bags in their lockers. "I think someone's a little greener with envy than usual!" she said in a singsong voice after Pam walked by them not even looking at Sera.
"That may be worth the six month grounding I'm sure to get!"
*****************
Practice was simple a rundown of the cheer they were using at the pep rally, and the game, and a quick dress rehearsal of the routine. Ms. Cannon's word choice caused Sera and Tonya fits of laughter as they emulated Ross and Monica of Friends doing 'The Routine'.
When the bell rang for the end of school, the girls made their way outside to the stadium. They congregated near the football players and waited for the pep rally to begin.
Principal Forrester's voice came over the loudspeaker, greeting the students. He led them in a moment of silence for the September 11th attacks. Then the Pledge of Allegiance, and finally asked them to get on their feet and greet their cheerleaders.
The girls ran out on the floor to a cheer mix that included Ready to Go, Chinese Burn and the theme from Mortal Kombat. While the football players chose to run out to We are the Champions.
Maria found this music choice interesting. "Champions of what exactly?" She asked looking at Liz and Max. "They haven't even played a game yet."
She quieted down when Principal Forrester handed Kyle the microphone.
"Hey everyone!” He waited for the chorus of "Hi Kyle!" to die down before speaking again. “We've got a great team this year and I know we're going to take it all the way to the state championships. And I know the whole way you guys are going to be there, coming out to the games to cheer us on and supporting us in our championship bid."
When Kyle finished speaking, the cheerleaders led everyone in cheering and singing the West Roswell fight song.
Principal Forrester dismissed everyone after the rally; Sera ran into the locker room to get her bag, said goodbye to her friends and made her way to the parking lot where Kyle and Maria were waiting.
"Amazing pep rally girlfriend." Maria said when Sera joined them.
"Thank you.I thought this one here gave a pretty good speech!"
"I kinda tuned him out after awhile."
"Gee thanks! You are so sweet to me."
"I try!"
"I guess we should go. I for one am expecting to be placed under lock and key once my mother discovers what happened this afternoon."
"Yeah, I'm sure Dad left the station early so he can make sure I get home on time."
"Juvenile delinquents!"
"How is it that you and Michael never got caught in the eraser room?" Kyle asked her as he backed out of his parking place.
"Simple. We're smarter than everyone else. Besides, I thought you would have learned your lesson after Liz and Max got caught.”
"Liz and Max got caught in the eraser room?" Sera asked turning around to look at Maria.
“She's not as goody two-shoes as you thought is she?"
"I'm stunned!" Sera mused. "You ever go in the eraser room with Liz?" she asked turning toward Kyle.
Kyle's eyes met Maria's in the rearview mirror.
"Yeah, I’m pleading the fifth on this one!"
****************************
Kyle pulled into the Whitman's drive and parked the car as Sera cursed.
"What?"
"Mom's home."
"Well she hasn't come out brandishing any sort of weapon yet so my guess is she doesn't know."
"Either that or she's inside methodically plotting your slow and painful death." Maria shared.
"I thought siblings were supposed to be supportive."
"Our parents aren't married yet."
"OK. I'm going in to face the music." Sera hopped out of the Mustang. "Wish me luck?"
"Good luck." Maria said, raising both thumbs over enthusiastically.
Kyle and Sera exited the car. Kyle walked Sera to the door as Maria moved from the back seat to the front.
"You sure you're okay handling this?"
"I'll be fine. I'm sure there will be some yelling and most likely some grounding, but it will be OK in the end."
"I could come in with you."
"NO! That would be incredibly bad! When my mother is ready to speak to you and can do so without yelling. She'll let you know."
"Thanks for the warning!"
"I'm going to go in."
"Good luck." He whispered as he dropped a quick kiss on her lips
"I'll see you tonight."
She waved once before turning into the house.
"Think I'm ever going to be allowed see her again?" he asked Maria when he returned to the car.
"Sure, tonight. After that, all bets are off."
Kyle sighed as he piloted the car toward the Valenti/DeLuca homestead. ****************
When game time rolled around Sera was anxious to escape the house. Because it had been planned for several days Nicole allowed Kyle to pick Sera up, but he had to come inside and sit down for a talk.
"Mom. I'm 17, Kyle's 18. We don't need lectures."
"Obviously you need someone to give you a lecture you on why skipping class to make out in a broom closet isn't proper behavior."
“First of all it’s called the eraser room and second, it was just study hall!"
"Sera, you're already on very thin ice."
"Mom."
"He comes in and we have a chat or you don't go to the game with him."
"Fine, I'll call him and tell him to come early."
"Don't hang up before I speak to Jim."
"Fine."
**********
Kyle arrived stood in the doorway apprehensively. Only when he had about twenty assurances from Sera that Nicole was not lying in wait somewhere to castrate him, did he enter.
Nicole sat them down and their third lecture of the day began.
When Nicole felt she had made her point to both kids, she allowed them to leave for the game.
Kyle took a deep breath and walked out the door with Sera.
"I'd say we got off easy."
Sera smiled and quoted one of her favorite movies. "Easy? You call that easy?"
"Would you stop with the Star Wars quotes!"
"Sorry. I thought it needed to be said."
"Come on. Lets get to the game before your mom changes her mind." ************
West Roswell won the game 21-0, thanks to Kyle's three touchdown passes.
Since Amy and Jim got engaged and Kyle had become an integral part of the group, Maria had become his personal cheerleader.
Sera told her after the game that she was cheering louder than the actual cheerleaders.
"I was just being a supportive almost-sister, since I was accused of failing in that capacity earlier today."
"Is that why you nearly dismembered me?" Michael asked rubbing the arm that Maria had
clutched on to after Kyle's first touchdown pass.
"You're fine stop making such a fuss."
"Kids." Jim's voice sounded behind their small group.
"Hey Sheriff."
Son, good game."
"Thanks Dad."
"What's on the agenda for tonight?"
"We were going to meet Isabel at the Crashdown."
"I should have known. Sera, Kyle, Can I see you two for a moment?"
The couple exchanged looks with each other then with their friends before following Jim.
Jim led them to an area near the track where Nicole, Charles and Amy were standing.
"Look, we know you two have plans, and we're not going to interrupt but;
we want you home by 11:30."
The duo nodded.
"That's not 11:45 or even 11:35.it's 11:30."
"We understand." Sera said not meeting the parent's eyes.
"Look, guys. We're really sorry about today." Kyle began.
"Now is not the time for that. You two go, and have fun with your friends. We'll deal with the events of this afternoon, and their consequences later." With that, Nicole effectively brought the pow-wow to an end. Kyle and Sera dashed away to join their friends.
The parents tried to contain their laughter as they watched their children retreat.
Charles regained his composure first. "Do you think we scared them enough?"
"Let's hope it will be a long time before either of them even THINK of doing something like that again!” Amy said, looping her arm through Jim's. "Why do they even have an eraser room? Why can't they just clean the erasers outside?"
All four parents shook their heads at Amy's observation.
"Well, now that we've done our parental duty in scaring our children, anyone up for dessert?" Charles asked.
END CHAPTER
Last edited by LizabethR2D2 on Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Starting Over (CC/Adult) Pt 9 September 19, 2001 Upd 2/10
Starting Over (CC, All, Adult)
Part 9-September 19
Title: Starting Over
Author: LizabethR2D2
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I owned these characters/this show I do not! They belong to Melinda Mets, Jason Katims, the WB and UPN networks and the amazing actors who portrayed them! I guess I do own Sera, but I’d be willing to trade her for Colin Hanks. (Or Nick!!!)
Category: CC
Rating: Adult (It will vary chapter to chapter, but let’s just be safe and say Adult to cover all our bases!)
Summary: Alternate Season 3-Picking up a few weeks after the WB Season 2 Finale. This is the Season 3 that I would have liked to see televised, our CCs are together, no one is going to a Vermont boarding school, no one moves to NYC and no one marries Delko! Just good old fashioned Season 1 type entertainment. (At least I like to think so!)
September 19, 2001
Kyle pulled in the Whitman's drive. He did a breath and hair check before getting out of the car to knock on the front door.
Charles opened it with a smile. "Hello Kyle. How are you?"
Good thanks. And yourself?"
"Good, Come in, come in. Kyle followed Mr. Whitman into the living room. Can I get you anything to drink?"
"No thanks, I'm fine."
"Have a seat. Sera says you're going to hear Maria sing with your father."
"Yeah, they are becoming the regular Captain and Teneille those two."
"Who's becoming Captain and Teneille?" Sera asked as she entered the living room.
Kyle turned at her voice and his eyes widened. "You look amazing!"
She smiled and winked at him. "Thanks, I stole the pants from Isabel."
"I like them better on you."
"Why do you know what Isabel looks like in leather pants?” Sera arched an eyebrow at him.
"What? No I just meant."
Kyle heard Mr. Whitman chuckle behind him and realized that Sera was teasing him.
"Can we go or do you want to embarrass me a little bit more."
"Oh I'm always ready to do that, but yes, we can go."
"Good night." Sera called as she and Kyle stepped toward the door.
"Did your mother set a curfew?" Charles asked as he trailed after them.
"1:00?"
"Try again."
"Midnight?"
"11:30."
"But."
"Don't argue, it's a half hour later than town curfew." Kyle reasoned.
"But we have an in with the sheriff's department, I should get some leeway."
"Honey if it were up to me I'd let you stay out, but your mother made me promise to have you in at a decent hour on a school night."
"Grumble, grumble."
"11:40, and that's my final offer."Sera smiled and hugged her stepfather.
"Thanks!"
"Just don't tell your mother!"
"Scout's honor!"
Kyle and Sera bid Charles good-bye and headed for the Mustang.
Once inside Kyle pulled Sera against him. "I wanted to do this the moment you came in the living room." He said before capturing her lips in a kiss.
"Probably good that you waited, Charles no doubt would have snitched to Mom that you were molesting me." Sera said once the kiss ended.
"On occasion I exhibit a great deal of self-control."
Sera looked at him skeptically.
"Yeah you're right, who am I kidding?"
She squeezed his shoulder. "I'm so excited about seeing your dad and Maria perform."
"Please say sing. You say perform and I get all these horrible images."
"Eww, that's not AT ALL what I meant!"
"Sorry. Its just, some of the songs they pick are highly disturbing!"
"Disturbing how?"
"Things that I don't relish hearing my almost-sister and my father sing to each other!"Sera laughed and ruffled his hair.
"Hey, I just fixed that!"
"I know I saw you."
"What?"
"I was watching you from the window, before you knocked on the door. By the way your breath smells fine"
"Why do I put up with you?"
"Cause you think I'm cute!"
"Oh yeah! I knew there was a reason!"
"Come on, I for one am dying to see the song stylings of Valenti and DeLuca."
"Actually it's the Kit Shickers."
"You're kidding."
"Trust me when I say I wish I was!"
***********
Michael, Max, Liz and Max were already at Cow Patty's when Sera and Kyle arrived. Liz patted the stool next to her and smiled at the couple.
"We saved you a seat."
"Thanks." Sera said taking the offered seat. She looked at her friends.
"No Isabel?"
"She said we couldn't pay her enough money to come here."
"Even with Maria and the sheriff perform…uh singing?" She cast a quick glance at Kyle, who was shuddering at her first word choice.
"That was part of the reason she refused to come." Michael said jokingly.
"I see her point.” Kyle mumbled. “I wouldn't be here if not for this one." He pointed accusingly at Sera.
"Hush! I think its going to be great!"
About 10 minutes later the lights went down and Maria appeared on stage with the Kit Shickers.
"She looks amazing!" Liz said gazing at her best friend.
Michael's gaze could have burned a hole through Maria as he watched her sway to the music.
"Mind not looking at my almost-sister like she's your next meal?" Kyle asked trying to break Michael out of his Maria induced trance. Michael's eyes never left Maria, but he did offer Kyle his middle finger.
***************
"Maria, you have THE most incredible voice I've ever heard." Sera gushed.
"Thanks Chica." Maria smiled as she sat next to Michael and picked fries off his plate.
"So what is everyone up to after the last set?" Maria asked as she switched seats with Max so she could sit next to Liz.
"We're going back to my place. My parents are out with the Larken's."
"Jacqueline's parents?" Maria asked, pilfering another fry from her boyfriend's plate.
"Yeah, they usually try and get together once every few months or so, Mom says she can't believe that they all ran around together so much in high school and now they barely see each other."
"Yeah, its not like Goddard is that far from Roswell."
Liz leaned close to Maria and whispered in her ear. "I'm just glad they decided to go tonight. Its kinda special."
Maria looked at her best friend for a moment, before the truth dawned on her. "It's the anniversary."
"Its more than that Maria."
Maria's eyes widened. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
Liz smiled and averted her eyes.
"Oh Pumpkin! I'm so happy for you!"
The rest of the table looked at the two girls who now had their arms wrapped around each other.
"What? Can't we be giddy once in awhile?"
"Once in awhile?" Kyle snorted. “Ow!” Kyle picked up the fry that Maria had flung at him.
*****************
Since it was a school night Maria only performed in two of the Kit Shickers' three sets.
Amy, who was seated three tables over with the other band member's wives, insisted that her daughter be home at a reasonable hour.
After Maria's final set, the kids headed out. They stopped by Jim and Amy's table on the way.
"We're off." Maria said, leaning down to kiss her mother's cheek.
"Be home by midnight?"
"Midnight? Mom its 10:30."
"Yes, and town curfew is at 11. So I think that asking you to be home by midnight is more than generous. OK?
"OK.I'll be home by 12:30."
"Maria!"
"Kidding Mom, midnight, I'll be there."
"You kids have fun!” Amy stood and hugged her daughter. “Michael?"
Michael smirked at Amy, she was standing with her arms out waiting for a hug. He gave Amy a quick hug and whispered in her ear, "I'll get her home safe and sound."
"That's never a concern when she's with you." Amy patted his cheek and sat back down. Michael looked at her in wonder for a moment, before he yielded to Maria tugging him away.
********************
As soon as they were outside Cow Patty's the couples split up.
"Hey you two, stay out of the eraser room." Maria called as she slowed near Michael's bike.
"You're funny!" Kyle yelled across the parking lot.
Maria waved to Liz as Max put her in the Chevelle.
Liz grinned and Maria mouthed 'Have fun!' then latched on to Michael with a squeal.
"What got into you?"
Nothing, just happy."
"Uh-huh!"
Maria wrapped her arms around his waist as he stated the bike.
"Take me home Spaceboy. I need to ravish you."
Michael pulled out of the parking lot with breakneck speed.
***********
Isabel stood on the Evans' front porch and waved goodbye to Sera and Kyle.
"I'm glad we got to see her before she left for her field trip." Sera said snuggling close to her boyfriend.
"Yeah, since when do colleges have field trips?"
"I think its cool that they get the chance to attend the art museum and get credit for it."
"I think the important thing is she gets to spend a few days in Albuquerque."
"Yeah, she'll love the boutiques."
"You two and your shopping. I'm surprised there are any new clothes left in the state of New Mexico."
"Well I was going to say what now, but if you're going to make fun of me you can just take me home."
"I don't think so. I have much better plans for you than that."
"Care to share?" Sera asked with a smile.
"You'll see."
Once they arrived at their destination, Sera laughed.
"The school?"
"Why not?"
"You know its only been five days since our last 'transgression', as my mother likes to call it, on school grounds. Don't you think we'd better be careful."
"We won't get caught.who'd be at the school at this hour?"
Sera smiled and leaned across the bucket seats to pull him into a kiss.
After awhile, Kyle reached around Sera and located the adjustment bar on her seat. He locked his grip on her with one hand as he put the seat down with the other; all in one motion.
Sera broke away from his kiss momentarily to smile at him. "Impressive!"
"Thanks, lots of practice."Sera raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, not exactly what I wanted to hear!"
"Sorry, I just mean."
"Don't try and explain, I have a feeling you'll just dig yourself in deeper."
"I, uh.."
"Kyle,"
"Yeah?"
"Shut up and kiss me."
"OK."
Sera grabbed the sides of his jacket and pulled him closer to her as she sunk down in the seat. Kyle maneuvered across the bucket seats of the Mustang as best he could, avoiding the hazard of the gearshift that lay between them. Sera thread her hands through his hair as he moved from her mouth to the shell of her ear. They were so caught up in the moment, they didn't see the approaching headlights or the flashlight as it swept across the car. Only when a sharp knock landed on the window did they
break apart. Kyle jumped away from Sera as if she had burned him. He looked at the window that the knock originated from and was dismayed to see the outline of a Roswell Sheriff's Department hat.
"Great, Hanson out making his rounds, ruining fun for teenagers everywhere." Kyle muttered to Sera as he pressed the button for his window "Look Hans…Dad."
"Sera. Kyle. My office, NOW."
**********************
Liz leaned her head on Max's shoulder as they sat on the chaise lounge on her balcony.
"The stars look so bright tonight."
"It's a special night." Max said, wrapping Liz tighter in his arms.
"Max, I…I'm ready."
"Ready?"
"I want to go to the desert."
"Liz."
"Max, after everything we've been through I think this is the perfect night."
"Are you sure?"
"You asked me that once before. I was sure then and I'm more than sure now."
Max stared at her for a moment before hopping off the lounge. "Let's go."
********************
Jim led Sera and Kyle to his office. Once in side he pulled the two chairs that faced his desk far apart and directed each of them to sit.
"When I dropped Amy off at the house, I realized that I had left a file I needed in my desk. No sooner do I enter my office when I get a phone call from Hayden Cross, the night janitor at the school. He tells me he thinks he sees my son's car parked behind the school. Now I know that's not possible, because I remember telling my son he had to be home as soon as he dropped off his girlfriend. And she had to be home a half-hour ago.
"Dad."
"Imagine my surprise when I get to the school and indeed it is my son's car, containing not only my son but his girlfriend as well.
"Dad."
"Look, I know both of you are good kids, and I know that you really care about each other, but we agreed with your request not to make you stop seeing each other, even after you two skipped class (Kyle mouthed the words Study Hall but Jim continued on unfettered) and got caught in the eraser room. I'm starting to regret that decision."
"Dad, its not that big of deal."
"You think so do you? Think about what it would have been like if that HAD been Hanson and not me. He would have called your parents." He pointed to Sera "And had them pick you up at the station AFTER he explained where he found you and what you were doing."
"Does that mean you're not going to call them?" Sera asked meeting Jim's eyes.
"I think we can skip that part this time. I will however call Charles and let him know you've been with me and Amy and are on your way home IMMEDIATELY!”
Sera breathed a sighed of relief. Kyle started to stand but Jim held his hand up and pointed to the chair. Kyle sank back down with a sense of foreboding.
"Sera, I can't remember seeing my son this happy in a long time. I'm very grateful for that. And Kyle, from what Charles and Nicole tell me you've been good for Sera. But, and here's where the parent in me comes out. We want you to be careful, take things one day at a time.
There's no need to rush into anything."
"Sheriff Valenti we're not rushing into…that is to say we're not."
Great Sera, you're in AP English and you can't string together a few reassuring words for your boyfriend's father.
"Dad, what Sera is trying to say is that we ARE taking things one day at a time and we haven't rushed into anything. We were just kissing."
Both Sera and Jim looked at him incredulously. "OK it was more than kissing but not THAT much more."
"Kids I'm not trying to be a spoilsport, I'm just looking out for everyone's best interest, both of you and me."
Kyle and Sera looked at Jim quizzically.
"Sera after talking with your mother after the eraser room incident I REALLY don't want to have to try and explain where I found you tonight! So how about we keep it between us and I get a promise from both of you that neither my deputies nor myself catch you like that again?"
"We promise." Kyle and Sera replied at the same time.
"OK. Now go on. Get out of here. Kyle you take Sera home and I'll meet you at the house in 20 minutes."
"OK Dad."
Sera leaned toward Jim and kissed him on the cheek before taking Kyle's hand and leaving the office.
Jim watched them go and shook his head. "Son, The phrase head over heels takes on a whole new meaning when you're around her!"
***********
Michael and Maria lay spent in each other's arms. Michael was absently running his hand down Maria's arm. She sighed deeply and pressed a kiss against his bare chest.
"So you going to tell me what you and Liz were all giggly about?"
Maria shifted her head up to meet Michael's eyes.
"You know, just girlie stuff."
Michael narrowed his eyes, then quirked an eyebrow at the love of his life.
"Okay fine, but if Liz finds out I told you she'll never speak to me again."
Michael continued to stare at Maria, who took a deep breath and began.
"So today's the 19th of September right?"
Michael nodded, not seeing the point.
"Something really important happened on this date a few years ago."
Michael continued to stare at her.
"This is the second anniversary of the day Max saved Liz."
"And?"
"Well, we were giggly because Liz has something special planned for Max tonight."
The meaning suddenly dawned on Michael. "Oh! So Liz is finally going to get some."
Maria smacked Michael's chest. "Could you be more crude?"
"Yes."
"It was a rhetorical question."
Michael flipped her over so she was resting beneath him.
"Let's not talk about Max and Liz anymore. Let’s talk about us."
"Talk?" Maria asked smirking.
"Well," he said bending to kiss her throat. "Maybe not talk."
Maria arched into Michael's kisses and fisted her hands in his long hair.
Just before he made them one he looked deep into her eyes. "I love you."
*************
Liz did not make the ride to the desert easy on Max, her hands continuously drifted across the gearshift toward Max's leg.
He looked at her. "Keep doing that and there is no way we'll make it to the desert."
Liz started to laugh until she looked at Max and noticed that his eyes were dark and his expression serious.
"Hurry Max."
When they reached Pohlman Ranch, Max popped the trunk and hopped out. He opened the trunk lid and took out a blanket.
They neared where they found the orb so many months ago.
"Are you scared?"
"I'm just going to put myself in your hands."
Max smiled and pulled Liz to him.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Their lips met for a kiss. Everything was in that kiss: Lust, passion, desire, hope and above all else, love. Both Max and Liz gasped as their connection opened wide. Their thoughts and feelings melding into one.
Max laid her back against the blanket, and moved over her carefully, so his weight wouldn't crush her. He was reluctant to leave her lips, but the tender flesh of her neck was begging to be kissed. He trailed a path from her earlobe to the collar of her shirt. Liz thread her hands in his hair and sighed contentedly. Max retraced the trail he'd just created on her skin, met her eyes and kiss her slowly, before moving to the other side of her neck. Meanwhile, Liz's hands had found their way under Max's shirt and she was lightly running her nails up and down his back, enjoying the change it made in his breathing pattern with each touch.
Soon she was tugging at the shirt, trying to remove it from his body. Max pulled away long enough for her to complete her mission. When she'd divested him of his shirt, he looked at her expectantly. She blushed momentarily before sitting up slightly to allow him to remove her shirt. Max's eyes nearly bugged out as he took in the lingerie Liz was wearing.
She laughed at his reaction to her feather trimmed red bra.
"Maria and I went to Frederick's. I wanted to go to Victoria's Secret, but she decided that I quote: 'Needed something a little less vanilla!'"
"It…you…wow. Have I mentioned how much I love Maria?"
"You know I don't really get the purpose of sexy lingerie . You put it on just so someone can take it off you."
Max's eyes widened again then narrowed playfully. "Who are you and what have you done with my girlfriend?"
Liz interlaced her fingers with his. "Its me, just a little more aggressive. I have what I want and I'm not willing to ever let you go again."
"I could never leave you. I was stupid to think that I ever could. You mean everything to me."
Liz closed her eyes at his words and leaned in for a kiss.
They shed themselves of their remaining clothing, including, albeit reluctantly, the lingerie. After their explorations of one another left them both breathless, Max brought a hand up to cup her face.
"Liz, are you sure?"
Liz smiled and looked into his eyes and into his soul.
"In my whole life Max, I've never wanted anything more."
END CHAPTER
Part 9-September 19
Title: Starting Over
Author: LizabethR2D2
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I owned these characters/this show I do not! They belong to Melinda Mets, Jason Katims, the WB and UPN networks and the amazing actors who portrayed them! I guess I do own Sera, but I’d be willing to trade her for Colin Hanks. (Or Nick!!!)
Category: CC
Rating: Adult (It will vary chapter to chapter, but let’s just be safe and say Adult to cover all our bases!)
Summary: Alternate Season 3-Picking up a few weeks after the WB Season 2 Finale. This is the Season 3 that I would have liked to see televised, our CCs are together, no one is going to a Vermont boarding school, no one moves to NYC and no one marries Delko! Just good old fashioned Season 1 type entertainment. (At least I like to think so!)
September 19, 2001
Kyle pulled in the Whitman's drive. He did a breath and hair check before getting out of the car to knock on the front door.
Charles opened it with a smile. "Hello Kyle. How are you?"
Good thanks. And yourself?"
"Good, Come in, come in. Kyle followed Mr. Whitman into the living room. Can I get you anything to drink?"
"No thanks, I'm fine."
"Have a seat. Sera says you're going to hear Maria sing with your father."
"Yeah, they are becoming the regular Captain and Teneille those two."
"Who's becoming Captain and Teneille?" Sera asked as she entered the living room.
Kyle turned at her voice and his eyes widened. "You look amazing!"
She smiled and winked at him. "Thanks, I stole the pants from Isabel."
"I like them better on you."
"Why do you know what Isabel looks like in leather pants?” Sera arched an eyebrow at him.
"What? No I just meant."
Kyle heard Mr. Whitman chuckle behind him and realized that Sera was teasing him.
"Can we go or do you want to embarrass me a little bit more."
"Oh I'm always ready to do that, but yes, we can go."
"Good night." Sera called as she and Kyle stepped toward the door.
"Did your mother set a curfew?" Charles asked as he trailed after them.
"1:00?"
"Try again."
"Midnight?"
"11:30."
"But."
"Don't argue, it's a half hour later than town curfew." Kyle reasoned.
"But we have an in with the sheriff's department, I should get some leeway."
"Honey if it were up to me I'd let you stay out, but your mother made me promise to have you in at a decent hour on a school night."
"Grumble, grumble."
"11:40, and that's my final offer."Sera smiled and hugged her stepfather.
"Thanks!"
"Just don't tell your mother!"
"Scout's honor!"
Kyle and Sera bid Charles good-bye and headed for the Mustang.
Once inside Kyle pulled Sera against him. "I wanted to do this the moment you came in the living room." He said before capturing her lips in a kiss.
"Probably good that you waited, Charles no doubt would have snitched to Mom that you were molesting me." Sera said once the kiss ended.
"On occasion I exhibit a great deal of self-control."
Sera looked at him skeptically.
"Yeah you're right, who am I kidding?"
She squeezed his shoulder. "I'm so excited about seeing your dad and Maria perform."
"Please say sing. You say perform and I get all these horrible images."
"Eww, that's not AT ALL what I meant!"
"Sorry. Its just, some of the songs they pick are highly disturbing!"
"Disturbing how?"
"Things that I don't relish hearing my almost-sister and my father sing to each other!"Sera laughed and ruffled his hair.
"Hey, I just fixed that!"
"I know I saw you."
"What?"
"I was watching you from the window, before you knocked on the door. By the way your breath smells fine"
"Why do I put up with you?"
"Cause you think I'm cute!"
"Oh yeah! I knew there was a reason!"
"Come on, I for one am dying to see the song stylings of Valenti and DeLuca."
"Actually it's the Kit Shickers."
"You're kidding."
"Trust me when I say I wish I was!"
***********
Michael, Max, Liz and Max were already at Cow Patty's when Sera and Kyle arrived. Liz patted the stool next to her and smiled at the couple.
"We saved you a seat."
"Thanks." Sera said taking the offered seat. She looked at her friends.
"No Isabel?"
"She said we couldn't pay her enough money to come here."
"Even with Maria and the sheriff perform…uh singing?" She cast a quick glance at Kyle, who was shuddering at her first word choice.
"That was part of the reason she refused to come." Michael said jokingly.
"I see her point.” Kyle mumbled. “I wouldn't be here if not for this one." He pointed accusingly at Sera.
"Hush! I think its going to be great!"
About 10 minutes later the lights went down and Maria appeared on stage with the Kit Shickers.
"She looks amazing!" Liz said gazing at her best friend.
Michael's gaze could have burned a hole through Maria as he watched her sway to the music.
"Mind not looking at my almost-sister like she's your next meal?" Kyle asked trying to break Michael out of his Maria induced trance. Michael's eyes never left Maria, but he did offer Kyle his middle finger.
***************
"Maria, you have THE most incredible voice I've ever heard." Sera gushed.
"Thanks Chica." Maria smiled as she sat next to Michael and picked fries off his plate.
"So what is everyone up to after the last set?" Maria asked as she switched seats with Max so she could sit next to Liz.
"We're going back to my place. My parents are out with the Larken's."
"Jacqueline's parents?" Maria asked, pilfering another fry from her boyfriend's plate.
"Yeah, they usually try and get together once every few months or so, Mom says she can't believe that they all ran around together so much in high school and now they barely see each other."
"Yeah, its not like Goddard is that far from Roswell."
Liz leaned close to Maria and whispered in her ear. "I'm just glad they decided to go tonight. Its kinda special."
Maria looked at her best friend for a moment, before the truth dawned on her. "It's the anniversary."
"Its more than that Maria."
Maria's eyes widened. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
Liz smiled and averted her eyes.
"Oh Pumpkin! I'm so happy for you!"
The rest of the table looked at the two girls who now had their arms wrapped around each other.
"What? Can't we be giddy once in awhile?"
"Once in awhile?" Kyle snorted. “Ow!” Kyle picked up the fry that Maria had flung at him.
*****************
Since it was a school night Maria only performed in two of the Kit Shickers' three sets.
Amy, who was seated three tables over with the other band member's wives, insisted that her daughter be home at a reasonable hour.
After Maria's final set, the kids headed out. They stopped by Jim and Amy's table on the way.
"We're off." Maria said, leaning down to kiss her mother's cheek.
"Be home by midnight?"
"Midnight? Mom its 10:30."
"Yes, and town curfew is at 11. So I think that asking you to be home by midnight is more than generous. OK?
"OK.I'll be home by 12:30."
"Maria!"
"Kidding Mom, midnight, I'll be there."
"You kids have fun!” Amy stood and hugged her daughter. “Michael?"
Michael smirked at Amy, she was standing with her arms out waiting for a hug. He gave Amy a quick hug and whispered in her ear, "I'll get her home safe and sound."
"That's never a concern when she's with you." Amy patted his cheek and sat back down. Michael looked at her in wonder for a moment, before he yielded to Maria tugging him away.
********************
As soon as they were outside Cow Patty's the couples split up.
"Hey you two, stay out of the eraser room." Maria called as she slowed near Michael's bike.
"You're funny!" Kyle yelled across the parking lot.
Maria waved to Liz as Max put her in the Chevelle.
Liz grinned and Maria mouthed 'Have fun!' then latched on to Michael with a squeal.
"What got into you?"
Nothing, just happy."
"Uh-huh!"
Maria wrapped her arms around his waist as he stated the bike.
"Take me home Spaceboy. I need to ravish you."
Michael pulled out of the parking lot with breakneck speed.
***********
Isabel stood on the Evans' front porch and waved goodbye to Sera and Kyle.
"I'm glad we got to see her before she left for her field trip." Sera said snuggling close to her boyfriend.
"Yeah, since when do colleges have field trips?"
"I think its cool that they get the chance to attend the art museum and get credit for it."
"I think the important thing is she gets to spend a few days in Albuquerque."
"Yeah, she'll love the boutiques."
"You two and your shopping. I'm surprised there are any new clothes left in the state of New Mexico."
"Well I was going to say what now, but if you're going to make fun of me you can just take me home."
"I don't think so. I have much better plans for you than that."
"Care to share?" Sera asked with a smile.
"You'll see."
Once they arrived at their destination, Sera laughed.
"The school?"
"Why not?"
"You know its only been five days since our last 'transgression', as my mother likes to call it, on school grounds. Don't you think we'd better be careful."
"We won't get caught.who'd be at the school at this hour?"
Sera smiled and leaned across the bucket seats to pull him into a kiss.
After awhile, Kyle reached around Sera and located the adjustment bar on her seat. He locked his grip on her with one hand as he put the seat down with the other; all in one motion.
Sera broke away from his kiss momentarily to smile at him. "Impressive!"
"Thanks, lots of practice."Sera raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, not exactly what I wanted to hear!"
"Sorry, I just mean."
"Don't try and explain, I have a feeling you'll just dig yourself in deeper."
"I, uh.."
"Kyle,"
"Yeah?"
"Shut up and kiss me."
"OK."
Sera grabbed the sides of his jacket and pulled him closer to her as she sunk down in the seat. Kyle maneuvered across the bucket seats of the Mustang as best he could, avoiding the hazard of the gearshift that lay between them. Sera thread her hands through his hair as he moved from her mouth to the shell of her ear. They were so caught up in the moment, they didn't see the approaching headlights or the flashlight as it swept across the car. Only when a sharp knock landed on the window did they
break apart. Kyle jumped away from Sera as if she had burned him. He looked at the window that the knock originated from and was dismayed to see the outline of a Roswell Sheriff's Department hat.
"Great, Hanson out making his rounds, ruining fun for teenagers everywhere." Kyle muttered to Sera as he pressed the button for his window "Look Hans…Dad."
"Sera. Kyle. My office, NOW."
**********************
Liz leaned her head on Max's shoulder as they sat on the chaise lounge on her balcony.
"The stars look so bright tonight."
"It's a special night." Max said, wrapping Liz tighter in his arms.
"Max, I…I'm ready."
"Ready?"
"I want to go to the desert."
"Liz."
"Max, after everything we've been through I think this is the perfect night."
"Are you sure?"
"You asked me that once before. I was sure then and I'm more than sure now."
Max stared at her for a moment before hopping off the lounge. "Let's go."
********************
Jim led Sera and Kyle to his office. Once in side he pulled the two chairs that faced his desk far apart and directed each of them to sit.
"When I dropped Amy off at the house, I realized that I had left a file I needed in my desk. No sooner do I enter my office when I get a phone call from Hayden Cross, the night janitor at the school. He tells me he thinks he sees my son's car parked behind the school. Now I know that's not possible, because I remember telling my son he had to be home as soon as he dropped off his girlfriend. And she had to be home a half-hour ago.
"Dad."
"Imagine my surprise when I get to the school and indeed it is my son's car, containing not only my son but his girlfriend as well.
"Dad."
"Look, I know both of you are good kids, and I know that you really care about each other, but we agreed with your request not to make you stop seeing each other, even after you two skipped class (Kyle mouthed the words Study Hall but Jim continued on unfettered) and got caught in the eraser room. I'm starting to regret that decision."
"Dad, its not that big of deal."
"You think so do you? Think about what it would have been like if that HAD been Hanson and not me. He would have called your parents." He pointed to Sera "And had them pick you up at the station AFTER he explained where he found you and what you were doing."
"Does that mean you're not going to call them?" Sera asked meeting Jim's eyes.
"I think we can skip that part this time. I will however call Charles and let him know you've been with me and Amy and are on your way home IMMEDIATELY!”
Sera breathed a sighed of relief. Kyle started to stand but Jim held his hand up and pointed to the chair. Kyle sank back down with a sense of foreboding.
"Sera, I can't remember seeing my son this happy in a long time. I'm very grateful for that. And Kyle, from what Charles and Nicole tell me you've been good for Sera. But, and here's where the parent in me comes out. We want you to be careful, take things one day at a time.
There's no need to rush into anything."
"Sheriff Valenti we're not rushing into…that is to say we're not."
Great Sera, you're in AP English and you can't string together a few reassuring words for your boyfriend's father.
"Dad, what Sera is trying to say is that we ARE taking things one day at a time and we haven't rushed into anything. We were just kissing."
Both Sera and Jim looked at him incredulously. "OK it was more than kissing but not THAT much more."
"Kids I'm not trying to be a spoilsport, I'm just looking out for everyone's best interest, both of you and me."
Kyle and Sera looked at Jim quizzically.
"Sera after talking with your mother after the eraser room incident I REALLY don't want to have to try and explain where I found you tonight! So how about we keep it between us and I get a promise from both of you that neither my deputies nor myself catch you like that again?"
"We promise." Kyle and Sera replied at the same time.
"OK. Now go on. Get out of here. Kyle you take Sera home and I'll meet you at the house in 20 minutes."
"OK Dad."
Sera leaned toward Jim and kissed him on the cheek before taking Kyle's hand and leaving the office.
Jim watched them go and shook his head. "Son, The phrase head over heels takes on a whole new meaning when you're around her!"
***********
Michael and Maria lay spent in each other's arms. Michael was absently running his hand down Maria's arm. She sighed deeply and pressed a kiss against his bare chest.
"So you going to tell me what you and Liz were all giggly about?"
Maria shifted her head up to meet Michael's eyes.
"You know, just girlie stuff."
Michael narrowed his eyes, then quirked an eyebrow at the love of his life.
"Okay fine, but if Liz finds out I told you she'll never speak to me again."
Michael continued to stare at Maria, who took a deep breath and began.
"So today's the 19th of September right?"
Michael nodded, not seeing the point.
"Something really important happened on this date a few years ago."
Michael continued to stare at her.
"This is the second anniversary of the day Max saved Liz."
"And?"
"Well, we were giggly because Liz has something special planned for Max tonight."
The meaning suddenly dawned on Michael. "Oh! So Liz is finally going to get some."
Maria smacked Michael's chest. "Could you be more crude?"
"Yes."
"It was a rhetorical question."
Michael flipped her over so she was resting beneath him.
"Let's not talk about Max and Liz anymore. Let’s talk about us."
"Talk?" Maria asked smirking.
"Well," he said bending to kiss her throat. "Maybe not talk."
Maria arched into Michael's kisses and fisted her hands in his long hair.
Just before he made them one he looked deep into her eyes. "I love you."
*************
Liz did not make the ride to the desert easy on Max, her hands continuously drifted across the gearshift toward Max's leg.
He looked at her. "Keep doing that and there is no way we'll make it to the desert."
Liz started to laugh until she looked at Max and noticed that his eyes were dark and his expression serious.
"Hurry Max."
When they reached Pohlman Ranch, Max popped the trunk and hopped out. He opened the trunk lid and took out a blanket.
They neared where they found the orb so many months ago.
"Are you scared?"
"I'm just going to put myself in your hands."
Max smiled and pulled Liz to him.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Their lips met for a kiss. Everything was in that kiss: Lust, passion, desire, hope and above all else, love. Both Max and Liz gasped as their connection opened wide. Their thoughts and feelings melding into one.
Max laid her back against the blanket, and moved over her carefully, so his weight wouldn't crush her. He was reluctant to leave her lips, but the tender flesh of her neck was begging to be kissed. He trailed a path from her earlobe to the collar of her shirt. Liz thread her hands in his hair and sighed contentedly. Max retraced the trail he'd just created on her skin, met her eyes and kiss her slowly, before moving to the other side of her neck. Meanwhile, Liz's hands had found their way under Max's shirt and she was lightly running her nails up and down his back, enjoying the change it made in his breathing pattern with each touch.
Soon she was tugging at the shirt, trying to remove it from his body. Max pulled away long enough for her to complete her mission. When she'd divested him of his shirt, he looked at her expectantly. She blushed momentarily before sitting up slightly to allow him to remove her shirt. Max's eyes nearly bugged out as he took in the lingerie Liz was wearing.
She laughed at his reaction to her feather trimmed red bra.
"Maria and I went to Frederick's. I wanted to go to Victoria's Secret, but she decided that I quote: 'Needed something a little less vanilla!'"
"It…you…wow. Have I mentioned how much I love Maria?"
"You know I don't really get the purpose of sexy lingerie . You put it on just so someone can take it off you."
Max's eyes widened again then narrowed playfully. "Who are you and what have you done with my girlfriend?"
Liz interlaced her fingers with his. "Its me, just a little more aggressive. I have what I want and I'm not willing to ever let you go again."
"I could never leave you. I was stupid to think that I ever could. You mean everything to me."
Liz closed her eyes at his words and leaned in for a kiss.
They shed themselves of their remaining clothing, including, albeit reluctantly, the lingerie. After their explorations of one another left them both breathless, Max brought a hand up to cup her face.
"Liz, are you sure?"
Liz smiled and looked into his eyes and into his soul.
"In my whole life Max, I've never wanted anything more."
END CHAPTER
Last edited by LizabethR2D2 on Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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LizabethR2D2
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Starting Over (CC/Adult) Pt 10 Friday Night in Roswell 3/1
Just a short little fluff piece, a check in with our characters before being sucked into the Alien Abyss once again!
Friday Night in Roswell
It’s September 21st, I’m Liz Parker and 2 days ago I died…only not from a bullet wound, but from the unbelievable passion caused by Max Evans as we made love.
Maria was right, being intimate with a Checzslovakian is amazing. I can’t even begin to describe it, it’s like I was floating…I mean Max has been known to cause some intense feelings in me, but what happened between us in the desert…was, and there is just no other way to say this. It was out of this world!
“Liz, I’ve been calling your name for like 10 minutes. What are you so wrapped up in over here?”
Liz jumped at the sound of Maria’s voice, “What? Oh sorry Maria, I wasn’t paying attention.”
“Yeah, I kinda gathered that. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, I’m just thinking.” Liz said, closing her journal and smiling at her best friend.
“About anything in particular?” Maria teased with a knowing smile.
“Maybe.”
“Hee Hee!”
Maria’s high pitch giggle earned her a scowl from Michael who had stepped out of the kitchen to grab a soda. “Let me guess, more girl talk?”
“It’s what we do best!”
Michael raised his eyebrows suggestively toward his girlfriend. “I can think of something….”
“Stop right there!” Maria said raising her hand in warning and giving Michael a steely gaze. He returned her gaze with a lecherous smile and took his soda back to the kitchen.
“Okay, I’ve been quiet for like two days now and since you are my oldest and dearest friend you know what a challenge that has been for me. But I can not do it anymore, I must know! Did you…you know.”Liz nodded her head and grinned.
“HEE HEE!”
Michael looked through the order window and rolled his eyes at the sight of his girlfriend hugging the life out of her best friend. “Women!” he muttered before he returned to his task of cleaning the grill.
“And?” Maria asked when she finally released Liz.
“And, you were right Maria, it was amazing! I’ve never felt anything like that before, I mean well, obviously I’ve never felt anything like it before, but I mean it was just so powerful. All of our emotions, all our thoughts and feelings like converged and we weren’t really two people, it’s like we were one person. Is that, that’s weird isn’t it?”
“No, that’s not weird at all.”
“Was, was that what it was like with Michael?”
“Oh definitely, every time! It’s just so unbelievable, it’s just, what’s the phrase I’m looking for…oh! I know its cliché, but it really is out of this world!”Liz squealed and threw her arms around Maria.
Michael once again peered through the order window and sighed heavily at the two clearly insane women.
*********
“What time do you work tomorrow?” Kyle asked reaching across the bus seat he was sharing with Sera to grab a bottle of water.
“I go in at 10 and work until 4, why? Are you coming to see me at lunch?”
“No, Iz told me that I’m going to be helping with her communications project tomorrow during lunch.”
“Don’t you mean she asked you to help with her communications project?”
“No, told. I wasn’t given an option!”
Sera laughed, “Yeah, I can totally see that!”
“No, I was going to see what time you wanted me to pick you up for Kroft’s party.”
“I don’t know, what time does it start.”
“Kroft’s parties don’t really have a start time, just when ever we get there.”
“Hello kiddies.”
Kyle and Sera looked up to see Kayla and Devon slide into the seat behind them.
“Hi guys. Nice game Dev, how’s your shoulder feel?”
“Hurts like hell,but I'll live.” Devon answered Sera before turning to Kyle, “So Valenti you going to Kroft’s tomorrow? His parents are out of town-I think it’s his dad’s class reunion or something.”
“Yeah we were just talking about that actually.” Kyle replied.
“You know, I could use a new outfit, want to go shopping tomorrow after you get off work?” Kayla asked Sera.
“Sure, I never turn down shopping.”
“What girl does?” Devon asked.
Kyle started to agree, until he got a look at his girlfriend and closed his mouth as quickly as he’d opened it.
Kayla continued on, ignoring the boys. “So I’m thinking Anthropologie or maybe Daisy Maze?”
“Oh I love Daisy Maze. I found the cutest top there a few weeks ago when Maria and I went shopping.”
“Daisy Maze? Wow I didn’t know they made clothes for….curvy women.” a new voice had entered the conversation and the girls shuddered as they recognized it.
“Hey Pam.” Sera greeted turning to see the girl slip into the seat in front of her.
“Hey Kyle, I was hoping you and I could work on our Spanish assignment now. I figure with the game tonight and Bailey’s party tomorrow that pretty much takes up our whole weekend. The next thing you know its Monday and our assignment is due!”
“Yeah, cause that third day in there called Sunday is clearly not the day to work on homework!” Kayla retorted, rolling her eyes at Sera.
“Was anyone talking to you Kayla?”
“Actually yes, Sera and I were having a conversation before you so rudely interrupted.”
“Well then you two return to your stimulating convo while Kyle and I start our own. Shall we?” Pam asked, holding up her Spanish text.
“Uh sure, why not, I can give it a look. Um, I didn’t bring my book, its back in the locker at school.”
“Oh that’s ok, we can share. Sera you don’t mind do you?”
“Mind, no. Kyle can study with whomever he chooses.”
“So you’ll switch seats with me?”
“Nope.” at the pinched look on Pam’s face Sera offered an explanation. “I’m very comfortable where I am, but since you’re both on the aisle you should be able to share your book. However, you might find it a little bit hard to see, what with it being night and all.”Pam narrowed her eyes for a moment before reaching into her bag and producing a book light. She held it aloft triumphantly and issued a challenging smile to Sera.
Rolling her eyes, Sera turned around and focused on Kayla again.
“Okay, so I get off at 4, wanna leave at 4:30? I figure that gives us enough time to get to the mall, find a few things, get home and get them washed, dried and perfect before we have to be at Bailey’s around what 7:30 or 8?”
“Tell me you aren’t going to let that skank get away with that?”
“Get away with what?”
Kayla huffed and adopted her Pam voice “I didn’t know they made clothes for curvy women.”
“Kayla, I can’t go all nuts on her every time she says something like that. I’d be attacking her everyday. She likes taking potshots at my weight. I’ll get over it.”
“But you’re not fat!”
“I know that and you know that, so who gives a shit what she thinks?”
“Just because you’re not flat as a board like her…” Kayla trailed off and Sera grinned at her friend’s protective nature.
“Hey, I’m not going to complain about what God blessed me with.” She said motioning toward her chest. “Course I guess if I was on the other end of the spectrum, like some people, I’d be a little bitter too!” she jerked her hand in Pam’s direction and Kayla laughed.
“You are a lot nicer than I am sister!”
“Yeah well, I’m not above getting a little payback.”
“What’s a little?”
“Push me.”
Kayla quirked an eyebrow, “Excuse me?”
“Just call his name and when he turns to look at you, push me into him.”
Catching on Kayla grinned, “Yeah, you’re a little evil! Ready?”Sera nodded.
“Hey Kyle!”As predicted, Kyle turned away from Pam, when he did Kayla pushed Sera into him.
Sera grasped for her boyfriend to steady herself.
Kyle’s arms immediately went around her “Hey babe, you okay?”
“Yeah, sorry, it must be my curves, they throw me off balance. You know?” She asked looking at her chest then back up at him with a pseudo-innocent smile.
Kyle’s gaze was riveted on her chest. (He’d followed her eyes down, but not back up!) “Yeah, yeah, I can see that. Umm want me to balance them for you?” He asked holding up his hands like a scale.
Sera flashed him a mega-watt smile and pulled him closer to her to give him a soft kiss on the lips. “No, at least not here. Remind me to thank you later though.”
“Yes ma’am!”
Sera dropped another small kiss on his lips before righting herself and turning back around to face Kayla. Sera leaned as close as possible to her friend to get the scoop.
“So was she pissed? Please tell me she looked pissed.”
“Looked? She still is! I swear I can see the steam coming out of her ears!” Sera grinned and the girls bumped knuckles.
*********************
Maria and Liz laughed as Claire put her lipstick on with her chest. Michael sighed and looked at Max, “Man I don’t get this. How can you chicks still think this crap is funny when you’ve seen it like a hundred times?”
“I’m sorry, and exactly how many times have you watched Braveheart?” Liz asked.
“Hey! I’ll have you know I watch that movie for historical accuracy as well as entertainment.” The other three occupants of the room held in their laughter for a spilt second before it burst out uncontrollably. Max was clutching his side pleading for breath as Maria and Liz had collapsed on top of each other and were trying desperately to regain their composure.
“I hate double dates.” Michael muttered, throwing popcorn at Max.
Maria finally sat up, wiping tears from her eyes. “Oh, Spaceboy, we’re just teasing you.” Michael grunted. “I know you love Braveheart, just like Max loves Crouching Tiger, and Liz and I love The Breakfast Club. We’re all obsessed with different movies, and in all fairness, it was our turn to pick!”
“Yeah, I’m starting to regret that decision, right Maxwell.”
“Oh, no! I’m not getting yanked into the middle of this one!” Max said, sitting up and holding his arms out defensively.
“You could have stopped this you know!” Michael said staring at his best friend.
“Yeah, but I have to give in at least once in awhile if I want her to watch Crouching Tiger with me again.”
Maria rolled her eyes. “Ugh, I think this means we need to get out more. We need to find some new movies to intersperse with the old ones.”
Max shook his head and adopted a mock serious tone, “We fear change Maria.”
“Yes girlfriend, I understand that, but honestly do you want to watch Braveheart for the, what viewing are we up to Michael?”
“413.”
“Yeah, we so have to get you a new hobby!”
**********
“So what were you and Kayla doing on the bus?"
“What ever do you mean?”
“Yeah, the innocent act doesn’t work as well on me as it does everyone else. I know too much about you."
Sera pouted and tried to give Kyle her best puppy dog eyes.
“Still not buying it!"
“You always complaining about me spending too much time with Maria, I’m beginning to think that you two becoming siblings is going to be very bad for me. I won’t be able to get away with anything!”
“Speaking of my almost sister, what were she and Michael up to tonight?”
“She said they were going to hang at the CD after their shift and watch a movie with Max and Liz.”
“Let me guess, the choices ranged from Braveheart to Crouching Tiger right?”
“No, Liz said that it was Ladies’ Choice tonight”
“Oh God, what are those deviants forcing Evans and Guerin to watch?”
“Wait a minute, why are Maria and Liz suddenly the deviants in this scenario?”
“Because I shudder to think of what horrible chick flick they’re foisting on my friends. Notting Mountain, Brenda Jones’ Journal or crap like that.”
“You are simply amazing you know that?” Sera said shaking her head at her boyfriend.
“Thanks babe, you’re pretty great yourself.”
“It’s not a compliment idiot, it’s an observation. What I mean is, I think it’s simply amazing that you think its okay for Max and Michael to force my friends to watch their movies over and over, but the very rare occasion where the girls get to pick, why do you automatically assume evil is afoot?”
“Because we’ve been dating long enough that I’ve had to endure some of those horrid chick flicks; and, as if you don’t torture me enough, Iz drags me to them too.”
“I didn’t think you minded chick flicks, I mean I know you complain after the fact about some of Isabel’s choices, but I’ve never heard you say anything about the stuff we see.”
“Yeah, well when I go with you at least I know I’m getting something out of it!”Sera stared at him waiting for an explanation, before the meaning of it dawned on her.
“Oh, I see. So the only reason you sit through those movies with me is so you can get a little play?”
“Yes!”
“Unbelievable!”
“What? I’m being honest!”
“Yeah I know and I’m not sure if that makes you a completely skeezy jerk, or an incredibly sweet boyfriend.”
“Well, I vote for the second one!” Kyle said with a hopeful grin.
“Yeah, I’m sure you would! By the way, brain trust, it’s Notting HILL and BRIDGET Jones’ DIARY!!"
********************
“So are we really going to have evenings that don’t include Braveheart and Crouching Tiger? Or was that just an empty promise?” Liz teased as she and Max dropped the popcorn bowls off in the kitchen.
“Liz Parker, you should know by now that I don’t make empty promises.”
“Great, so next Friday we can go see a NEW movie?”
“Um no.”
“No?”
“Yeah, I already promised Michael we’d all go cosmic bowling.”
“Cosmic Bowling? First of all what is Cosmic Bowling, second of all, do you even know how to bowl normally?”
“Well…first of all, Cosmic Bowling is where they turn off the lights, and you use glow in the dark balls to knock down glow in the dark pins and secondly, yes I know how to bowl. I mean I’ve been bowling before….okay, okay we went for PE one week.”
“Oh I’m sorry, well of course that makes you a bowling expert then!”
“Hey, you’re one to talk, or are you going to tell me that you developed some sort of ten pin proficiency that I’m not aware of?”
“Hey, I have some skills.”
“If you say so.”
“I bet you $10 Max Evans that I get a higher score than you do.”
“Oh Liz I love you and I really hate to take your money like that, but if you insist...”
“That’s it Evans, I’m going to wipe the floor with you?”
“Yeah? We’ll just see about that missy!” Max said before grabbing Liz in his arms and carrying her toward her bedroom.
“Max, my parents!”
“As appealing as that sounds sweetie, let’s not invite them to join us tonight-maybe tomorrow.”Liz gasped in protest and started to speak, but was quickly silenced as Max’s mouth descended on hers.
********************
Kyle pulled into the drive and groaned as he noticed Maria and Michael making out like fiends on the back of Michael’s bike.
He pulled along side them, “Can’t you two get a room for that?”
Yeah, I tried to convince her, but she kept talking about curfew and having to get up early and all that.”
Maria sighed, “I do have to get up early, and I’d be inside if I could go in without gagging.” Kyle shot her a questioning look as he exited his car.
“We’re hiding out here.” She continued. “It’s not safe to go in, they were making out again-we could see them through the windows!” Kyle slammed his car door shut, “Jeez Maria, I so did not need to hear that!”
“Be thankful you only had to hear about it. My eyes and psyche are permanently scarred from having to witness it! Ugh! They are acting like teenagers, it’s ridiculous.”
“Not even teenagers are this bad! Well, except you two.”
Maria quirked an eyebrow at her almost-brother, “Pot, kettle! Brother dear!”
“What? Okay, so Sera and I got caught in the eraser room, once!”
“Uh, yeah and behind the school two days ago!”
“What? How did you…? Who told you that?”
“You seem to forget that I’m friends with your girlfriend.”
“There is no way Sera would have told you that. She was way too embarrassed!”
“Can’t say that I blame her, she was caught with you!” Michael said smirking at Kyle. Kyle’s response was to flip off the alien.
“You’re right, she didn’t tell me, I heard Jim telling Mom about it.”
“Your mother knows? No wonder she’s been giving me that smirk for the past few days!”
“Why does he get a smirk and I get beaten with a newspaper?”
“Because, I’m not molesting her daughter!” Kyle said.
“Hmm, so if I went to Professor Whitman to discuss your after school activities, someone besides me would be getting a beat down? Nice!”
“Funny Guerin, real funny!”
“Okay boys, that’s enough!” Maria said, putting an end to the good natured ribbing between the guys. “How was the game Kyle?”
“Good, we won, but Devon got taken down pretty hard and has a nasty bruise on his shoulder. Nothing serious, at least we don’t think so.”
“You just get back from taking Sera home?”
“Yeah, I asked her if she wanted to get something to eat and hang out for a bit, but she has to work tomorrow. How was your evening, you know, before you happened upon the nearly newlyweds?”
“Good, we stayed at Lizzie’s after our shift and watched The Breakfast Club.”
“Not as bad as I thought then.” Kyle said shooting Michael a significant look.
“What does that mean?” Maria questioned him.
“No, it’s just that Sera told me you and Liz were picking the movie tonight and I was afraid that you were making them watch some Merchant Verde thing.”
“That’s Merchant Ivory, genius.”
“What ever, the point is I thought you were going to force them to watch some crappy chick flick, but that movie’s actually pretty funny.”
“Man Valenti, you seriously scare me!” Michael said kissing Maria on the forehead. “I’m going to head out; it’s probably safe for you two to enter the house now.”
“Are ya sure you don’t want to stay?” Maria asked batting her eyes at her boyfriend.
“Yeah, I’m sure. As much as I like your mom and as great as Valenti is, I really don’t want to see them getting it on.”
“Gah! Why do you people insist on putting those pictures in my head?” Kyle said squeezing his eyes shut.
“Come on Chia Head, maybe if we run upstairs really fast we can avoid any damaging situations that may be occurring in there.”
“Fine, but you go first.”
“Oh no, you’ve already been given a visual, I shouldn’t have to suffer as well.”
“What? That doesn’t make any sense!”Michael kissed Maria’s cheek and hopped on his bike, leaving the almost-siblings in the drive bickering over who would enter the house first.
END CHAPTER
Friday Night in Roswell
It’s September 21st, I’m Liz Parker and 2 days ago I died…only not from a bullet wound, but from the unbelievable passion caused by Max Evans as we made love.
Maria was right, being intimate with a Checzslovakian is amazing. I can’t even begin to describe it, it’s like I was floating…I mean Max has been known to cause some intense feelings in me, but what happened between us in the desert…was, and there is just no other way to say this. It was out of this world!
“Liz, I’ve been calling your name for like 10 minutes. What are you so wrapped up in over here?”
Liz jumped at the sound of Maria’s voice, “What? Oh sorry Maria, I wasn’t paying attention.”
“Yeah, I kinda gathered that. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, I’m just thinking.” Liz said, closing her journal and smiling at her best friend.
“About anything in particular?” Maria teased with a knowing smile.
“Maybe.”
“Hee Hee!”
Maria’s high pitch giggle earned her a scowl from Michael who had stepped out of the kitchen to grab a soda. “Let me guess, more girl talk?”
“It’s what we do best!”
Michael raised his eyebrows suggestively toward his girlfriend. “I can think of something….”
“Stop right there!” Maria said raising her hand in warning and giving Michael a steely gaze. He returned her gaze with a lecherous smile and took his soda back to the kitchen.
“Okay, I’ve been quiet for like two days now and since you are my oldest and dearest friend you know what a challenge that has been for me. But I can not do it anymore, I must know! Did you…you know.”Liz nodded her head and grinned.
“HEE HEE!”
Michael looked through the order window and rolled his eyes at the sight of his girlfriend hugging the life out of her best friend. “Women!” he muttered before he returned to his task of cleaning the grill.
“And?” Maria asked when she finally released Liz.
“And, you were right Maria, it was amazing! I’ve never felt anything like that before, I mean well, obviously I’ve never felt anything like it before, but I mean it was just so powerful. All of our emotions, all our thoughts and feelings like converged and we weren’t really two people, it’s like we were one person. Is that, that’s weird isn’t it?”
“No, that’s not weird at all.”
“Was, was that what it was like with Michael?”
“Oh definitely, every time! It’s just so unbelievable, it’s just, what’s the phrase I’m looking for…oh! I know its cliché, but it really is out of this world!”Liz squealed and threw her arms around Maria.
Michael once again peered through the order window and sighed heavily at the two clearly insane women.
*********
“What time do you work tomorrow?” Kyle asked reaching across the bus seat he was sharing with Sera to grab a bottle of water.
“I go in at 10 and work until 4, why? Are you coming to see me at lunch?”
“No, Iz told me that I’m going to be helping with her communications project tomorrow during lunch.”
“Don’t you mean she asked you to help with her communications project?”
“No, told. I wasn’t given an option!”
Sera laughed, “Yeah, I can totally see that!”
“No, I was going to see what time you wanted me to pick you up for Kroft’s party.”
“I don’t know, what time does it start.”
“Kroft’s parties don’t really have a start time, just when ever we get there.”
“Hello kiddies.”
Kyle and Sera looked up to see Kayla and Devon slide into the seat behind them.
“Hi guys. Nice game Dev, how’s your shoulder feel?”
“Hurts like hell,but I'll live.” Devon answered Sera before turning to Kyle, “So Valenti you going to Kroft’s tomorrow? His parents are out of town-I think it’s his dad’s class reunion or something.”
“Yeah we were just talking about that actually.” Kyle replied.
“You know, I could use a new outfit, want to go shopping tomorrow after you get off work?” Kayla asked Sera.
“Sure, I never turn down shopping.”
“What girl does?” Devon asked.
Kyle started to agree, until he got a look at his girlfriend and closed his mouth as quickly as he’d opened it.
Kayla continued on, ignoring the boys. “So I’m thinking Anthropologie or maybe Daisy Maze?”
“Oh I love Daisy Maze. I found the cutest top there a few weeks ago when Maria and I went shopping.”
“Daisy Maze? Wow I didn’t know they made clothes for….curvy women.” a new voice had entered the conversation and the girls shuddered as they recognized it.
“Hey Pam.” Sera greeted turning to see the girl slip into the seat in front of her.
“Hey Kyle, I was hoping you and I could work on our Spanish assignment now. I figure with the game tonight and Bailey’s party tomorrow that pretty much takes up our whole weekend. The next thing you know its Monday and our assignment is due!”
“Yeah, cause that third day in there called Sunday is clearly not the day to work on homework!” Kayla retorted, rolling her eyes at Sera.
“Was anyone talking to you Kayla?”
“Actually yes, Sera and I were having a conversation before you so rudely interrupted.”
“Well then you two return to your stimulating convo while Kyle and I start our own. Shall we?” Pam asked, holding up her Spanish text.
“Uh sure, why not, I can give it a look. Um, I didn’t bring my book, its back in the locker at school.”
“Oh that’s ok, we can share. Sera you don’t mind do you?”
“Mind, no. Kyle can study with whomever he chooses.”
“So you’ll switch seats with me?”
“Nope.” at the pinched look on Pam’s face Sera offered an explanation. “I’m very comfortable where I am, but since you’re both on the aisle you should be able to share your book. However, you might find it a little bit hard to see, what with it being night and all.”Pam narrowed her eyes for a moment before reaching into her bag and producing a book light. She held it aloft triumphantly and issued a challenging smile to Sera.
Rolling her eyes, Sera turned around and focused on Kayla again.
“Okay, so I get off at 4, wanna leave at 4:30? I figure that gives us enough time to get to the mall, find a few things, get home and get them washed, dried and perfect before we have to be at Bailey’s around what 7:30 or 8?”
“Tell me you aren’t going to let that skank get away with that?”
“Get away with what?”
Kayla huffed and adopted her Pam voice “I didn’t know they made clothes for curvy women.”
“Kayla, I can’t go all nuts on her every time she says something like that. I’d be attacking her everyday. She likes taking potshots at my weight. I’ll get over it.”
“But you’re not fat!”
“I know that and you know that, so who gives a shit what she thinks?”
“Just because you’re not flat as a board like her…” Kayla trailed off and Sera grinned at her friend’s protective nature.
“Hey, I’m not going to complain about what God blessed me with.” She said motioning toward her chest. “Course I guess if I was on the other end of the spectrum, like some people, I’d be a little bitter too!” she jerked her hand in Pam’s direction and Kayla laughed.
“You are a lot nicer than I am sister!”
“Yeah well, I’m not above getting a little payback.”
“What’s a little?”
“Push me.”
Kayla quirked an eyebrow, “Excuse me?”
“Just call his name and when he turns to look at you, push me into him.”
Catching on Kayla grinned, “Yeah, you’re a little evil! Ready?”Sera nodded.
“Hey Kyle!”As predicted, Kyle turned away from Pam, when he did Kayla pushed Sera into him.
Sera grasped for her boyfriend to steady herself.
Kyle’s arms immediately went around her “Hey babe, you okay?”
“Yeah, sorry, it must be my curves, they throw me off balance. You know?” She asked looking at her chest then back up at him with a pseudo-innocent smile.
Kyle’s gaze was riveted on her chest. (He’d followed her eyes down, but not back up!) “Yeah, yeah, I can see that. Umm want me to balance them for you?” He asked holding up his hands like a scale.
Sera flashed him a mega-watt smile and pulled him closer to her to give him a soft kiss on the lips. “No, at least not here. Remind me to thank you later though.”
“Yes ma’am!”
Sera dropped another small kiss on his lips before righting herself and turning back around to face Kayla. Sera leaned as close as possible to her friend to get the scoop.
“So was she pissed? Please tell me she looked pissed.”
“Looked? She still is! I swear I can see the steam coming out of her ears!” Sera grinned and the girls bumped knuckles.
*********************
Maria and Liz laughed as Claire put her lipstick on with her chest. Michael sighed and looked at Max, “Man I don’t get this. How can you chicks still think this crap is funny when you’ve seen it like a hundred times?”
“I’m sorry, and exactly how many times have you watched Braveheart?” Liz asked.
“Hey! I’ll have you know I watch that movie for historical accuracy as well as entertainment.” The other three occupants of the room held in their laughter for a spilt second before it burst out uncontrollably. Max was clutching his side pleading for breath as Maria and Liz had collapsed on top of each other and were trying desperately to regain their composure.
“I hate double dates.” Michael muttered, throwing popcorn at Max.
Maria finally sat up, wiping tears from her eyes. “Oh, Spaceboy, we’re just teasing you.” Michael grunted. “I know you love Braveheart, just like Max loves Crouching Tiger, and Liz and I love The Breakfast Club. We’re all obsessed with different movies, and in all fairness, it was our turn to pick!”
“Yeah, I’m starting to regret that decision, right Maxwell.”
“Oh, no! I’m not getting yanked into the middle of this one!” Max said, sitting up and holding his arms out defensively.
“You could have stopped this you know!” Michael said staring at his best friend.
“Yeah, but I have to give in at least once in awhile if I want her to watch Crouching Tiger with me again.”
Maria rolled her eyes. “Ugh, I think this means we need to get out more. We need to find some new movies to intersperse with the old ones.”
Max shook his head and adopted a mock serious tone, “We fear change Maria.”
“Yes girlfriend, I understand that, but honestly do you want to watch Braveheart for the, what viewing are we up to Michael?”
“413.”
“Yeah, we so have to get you a new hobby!”
**********
“So what were you and Kayla doing on the bus?"
“What ever do you mean?”
“Yeah, the innocent act doesn’t work as well on me as it does everyone else. I know too much about you."
Sera pouted and tried to give Kyle her best puppy dog eyes.
“Still not buying it!"
“You always complaining about me spending too much time with Maria, I’m beginning to think that you two becoming siblings is going to be very bad for me. I won’t be able to get away with anything!”
“Speaking of my almost sister, what were she and Michael up to tonight?”
“She said they were going to hang at the CD after their shift and watch a movie with Max and Liz.”
“Let me guess, the choices ranged from Braveheart to Crouching Tiger right?”
“No, Liz said that it was Ladies’ Choice tonight”
“Oh God, what are those deviants forcing Evans and Guerin to watch?”
“Wait a minute, why are Maria and Liz suddenly the deviants in this scenario?”
“Because I shudder to think of what horrible chick flick they’re foisting on my friends. Notting Mountain, Brenda Jones’ Journal or crap like that.”
“You are simply amazing you know that?” Sera said shaking her head at her boyfriend.
“Thanks babe, you’re pretty great yourself.”
“It’s not a compliment idiot, it’s an observation. What I mean is, I think it’s simply amazing that you think its okay for Max and Michael to force my friends to watch their movies over and over, but the very rare occasion where the girls get to pick, why do you automatically assume evil is afoot?”
“Because we’ve been dating long enough that I’ve had to endure some of those horrid chick flicks; and, as if you don’t torture me enough, Iz drags me to them too.”
“I didn’t think you minded chick flicks, I mean I know you complain after the fact about some of Isabel’s choices, but I’ve never heard you say anything about the stuff we see.”
“Yeah, well when I go with you at least I know I’m getting something out of it!”Sera stared at him waiting for an explanation, before the meaning of it dawned on her.
“Oh, I see. So the only reason you sit through those movies with me is so you can get a little play?”
“Yes!”
“Unbelievable!”
“What? I’m being honest!”
“Yeah I know and I’m not sure if that makes you a completely skeezy jerk, or an incredibly sweet boyfriend.”
“Well, I vote for the second one!” Kyle said with a hopeful grin.
“Yeah, I’m sure you would! By the way, brain trust, it’s Notting HILL and BRIDGET Jones’ DIARY!!"
********************
“So are we really going to have evenings that don’t include Braveheart and Crouching Tiger? Or was that just an empty promise?” Liz teased as she and Max dropped the popcorn bowls off in the kitchen.
“Liz Parker, you should know by now that I don’t make empty promises.”
“Great, so next Friday we can go see a NEW movie?”
“Um no.”
“No?”
“Yeah, I already promised Michael we’d all go cosmic bowling.”
“Cosmic Bowling? First of all what is Cosmic Bowling, second of all, do you even know how to bowl normally?”
“Well…first of all, Cosmic Bowling is where they turn off the lights, and you use glow in the dark balls to knock down glow in the dark pins and secondly, yes I know how to bowl. I mean I’ve been bowling before….okay, okay we went for PE one week.”
“Oh I’m sorry, well of course that makes you a bowling expert then!”
“Hey, you’re one to talk, or are you going to tell me that you developed some sort of ten pin proficiency that I’m not aware of?”
“Hey, I have some skills.”
“If you say so.”
“I bet you $10 Max Evans that I get a higher score than you do.”
“Oh Liz I love you and I really hate to take your money like that, but if you insist...”
“That’s it Evans, I’m going to wipe the floor with you?”
“Yeah? We’ll just see about that missy!” Max said before grabbing Liz in his arms and carrying her toward her bedroom.
“Max, my parents!”
“As appealing as that sounds sweetie, let’s not invite them to join us tonight-maybe tomorrow.”Liz gasped in protest and started to speak, but was quickly silenced as Max’s mouth descended on hers.
********************
Kyle pulled into the drive and groaned as he noticed Maria and Michael making out like fiends on the back of Michael’s bike.
He pulled along side them, “Can’t you two get a room for that?”
Yeah, I tried to convince her, but she kept talking about curfew and having to get up early and all that.”
Maria sighed, “I do have to get up early, and I’d be inside if I could go in without gagging.” Kyle shot her a questioning look as he exited his car.
“We’re hiding out here.” She continued. “It’s not safe to go in, they were making out again-we could see them through the windows!” Kyle slammed his car door shut, “Jeez Maria, I so did not need to hear that!”
“Be thankful you only had to hear about it. My eyes and psyche are permanently scarred from having to witness it! Ugh! They are acting like teenagers, it’s ridiculous.”
“Not even teenagers are this bad! Well, except you two.”
Maria quirked an eyebrow at her almost-brother, “Pot, kettle! Brother dear!”
“What? Okay, so Sera and I got caught in the eraser room, once!”
“Uh, yeah and behind the school two days ago!”
“What? How did you…? Who told you that?”
“You seem to forget that I’m friends with your girlfriend.”
“There is no way Sera would have told you that. She was way too embarrassed!”
“Can’t say that I blame her, she was caught with you!” Michael said smirking at Kyle. Kyle’s response was to flip off the alien.
“You’re right, she didn’t tell me, I heard Jim telling Mom about it.”
“Your mother knows? No wonder she’s been giving me that smirk for the past few days!”
“Why does he get a smirk and I get beaten with a newspaper?”
“Because, I’m not molesting her daughter!” Kyle said.
“Hmm, so if I went to Professor Whitman to discuss your after school activities, someone besides me would be getting a beat down? Nice!”
“Funny Guerin, real funny!”
“Okay boys, that’s enough!” Maria said, putting an end to the good natured ribbing between the guys. “How was the game Kyle?”
“Good, we won, but Devon got taken down pretty hard and has a nasty bruise on his shoulder. Nothing serious, at least we don’t think so.”
“You just get back from taking Sera home?”
“Yeah, I asked her if she wanted to get something to eat and hang out for a bit, but she has to work tomorrow. How was your evening, you know, before you happened upon the nearly newlyweds?”
“Good, we stayed at Lizzie’s after our shift and watched The Breakfast Club.”
“Not as bad as I thought then.” Kyle said shooting Michael a significant look.
“What does that mean?” Maria questioned him.
“No, it’s just that Sera told me you and Liz were picking the movie tonight and I was afraid that you were making them watch some Merchant Verde thing.”
“That’s Merchant Ivory, genius.”
“What ever, the point is I thought you were going to force them to watch some crappy chick flick, but that movie’s actually pretty funny.”
“Man Valenti, you seriously scare me!” Michael said kissing Maria on the forehead. “I’m going to head out; it’s probably safe for you two to enter the house now.”
“Are ya sure you don’t want to stay?” Maria asked batting her eyes at her boyfriend.
“Yeah, I’m sure. As much as I like your mom and as great as Valenti is, I really don’t want to see them getting it on.”
“Gah! Why do you people insist on putting those pictures in my head?” Kyle said squeezing his eyes shut.
“Come on Chia Head, maybe if we run upstairs really fast we can avoid any damaging situations that may be occurring in there.”
“Fine, but you go first.”
“Oh no, you’ve already been given a visual, I shouldn’t have to suffer as well.”
“What? That doesn’t make any sense!”Michael kissed Maria’s cheek and hopped on his bike, leaving the almost-siblings in the drive bickering over who would enter the house first.
END CHAPTER
Last edited by LizabethR2D2 on Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:50 am, edited 2 times in total.
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