Roswell Fanatics

PART ELEVEN.

Max, from the far side on the pod chamber, could only watch as Liz arranged all Czechoslovakians in a line facing the wall of it, leaving Alex, Maria, Ava and Matthew sat behind the pods for safety. Liz did it in a way only someone with experience could, which just showed what she had been through in the past four years. He watched as she stood next to Michael and began to give orders.

“Right, I want you all to take a deep breath and then focus all your energy into the centre of your hand. Don’t think of anything else other than the centre of your hand. If you let yourself become distracted by something or someone else you will build up a force bigger than intended. It will feel like you have pins and needles in your arm once you are ready to fire.” She looked down the line, looking at the faces of her pupils. “Everyone okay with that?” After much nodding of agreement she took a deep breath, holding her hand out in front of her body and let out a bolt of purple light, which hit the wall, sending large bits of to rock fly off into different directions.

Everyone stood with mouths open as they inspected the damaged the petite woman had caused. The perfect shot displayed her knowledge of her own power to be far greater than their knowledge of their own. She could control the amount of energy, the direction and angle of it so precisely it seemed as if she had known how to control it all of her life, not for just the last four years. She looked at everyone in an embarrassed way. She knew that they would be surprised at the high level of control she had yet she always thought that wouldn't look at her in such a way it made her uneasy.

“Now it's your turn” She said as she took one step back from the line. “On my mark. 1, 2, 3. Fire” She turned her face away, as she heard all four of the aliens let their energy go, each hitting the wall at random points, except for Max. His energy blast hit the wall in the exact style, place and way Liz had done just moments before. All turned to look at him, mentally saying to themselves that their connection had done that.

“Well done Max,” Liz said as she stepped in front of the group once again. “Don't worry, it all comes with practise, so keep trying, I will just be over there if you need me.” She started towards where the others were sat, when Max stepped before her, moving in close to her ear.

“I need to talk to you” he whispered.

* * * * * * *
Tess looked over her shoulder at both Max and Liz with anguish. She was still reeling from the moment when Ava and Liz declared that not only weren't her and Max destined to be together but their marriage on Antar had been worthless. The hurt of the truth within their words had almost doubled her over with pain. Somehow she had always known it was true, yet couldn't see past it.

*Maybe that's why our marriage just didn't work* she thought glumly. *We didn't truly believe we should be with each other*

Now all she felt like doing was running, running away from the situation, so she wouldn't have to be around Max or Liz. She didn't want to see them rebuild their love and trust, she didn't want them to build a new home or family and least of all she didn't want Liz to be the one who was out to save her son. Protectiveness wanted her to throw Liz out of the door, back to where ever she was the last four years so the danger wouldn't come running back to the person she was trying to protect.

Mentally kicking herself Tess suddenly realised how bitter she felt towards Liz. After all this time Liz could still get everything she wanted and still get herself in the centre of attention. All focus had suddenly seemed to have been removed off her son to Liz as if she was the person whose life was in jeopardy.

*Stop it!* she demanded to herself. *It's because she has been gone for so long. It's not like she came here just to take everyone from you. She came back to save Matthew. Now practise!* Taking a slight glance towards Matthew she threw her hand up and focused all her energy into the centre of her hand and realised it, sighing as she instantly felt better.


* * * * * * *
“Okay” she nodded and looked towards Ava. “Can you watch them for me?” She took Max's hand, as Ava moved from behind their shield, and walked towards the door of the pod chamber, but not actually leaving. “What is it Max?” she asked as she stood closely to him, her eyes looking up at him in the same as she had when they were together. A spark shot between them as they locked eyes, making Max blink as his heart skipped a beat. She still had the ability to turn him to a quivering fool even after all this time. Taking a deep breath he began.

“I know the truth” Max declared softly as he swept away a piece of her hair. Liz's eyes focused on him and she bit her lip nervously, a signal that told him Liz knew what he was on about, yet she hid it and waited for him to tell her exactly what he knew. “I know you didn't sleep with Kyle, I know about the Future me. Why didn't you just come to me?” The hand which had just swept away the lock of her was now caressing her cheek. Her lip began to quiver.

“Because of what might have happened if I didn't do what you asked of me. I didn't want us to suffer. But I now see that in the long run I was to suffer anyway.” She took a deep breath before she continued. “But that isn't what you wanted to talk to me about was it?”

Max shook his head. “No, it wasn't. I wanted to know why I didn't see flashes of the last four years. It was as if you have no memory of it at all” Liz's whole body tensed up before his very eyes, once again he had hit a raw nerve. “I'm sorry I didn't mean ...”

“Don't worry Max,” Liz cut in “I knew there would come a time when you would ask me that. A lot has happened over the last four years, most of it are some things I have tried so hard to forget. I need to block the painful memories from myself and anyone else to keep going.” Her hand found his as she continued. “One day you may see, I may find it in my heart to be able to trust you with it, but right now, I need to keep strong.”

Max squeezed her hand lightly as he nodded, his heart racing at the simple touch of her hand.

“Liz...” he said quietly, his head coming forward to touch her forehead with his. “I'm sorry for everything I said to you. I didn't mean to say those things. I ... I never meant to hurt you.” His eyes widened with shock as Liz pulled away, a look of disbelief flashing across her face.

“You DID mean everything said to me. You apologise for something you MEANT to say, then said you never meant to hurt me!” Anger raised the pitch of her voice to one Max could not stand. “At least admit that you set out to hurt me Max. THAT I can forgive... but to DENY that you intentionally went out of your way to make my life unliveable... that is something I cannot forgive so easily.” Shaking her head in disbelief she stepped one step further from Max. “I thought that you, of all people, would be brave enough to admit you did you best to hurt me. I thought the leader in you and the man I loved, would have the courage to do that and help put it past us. But no.”

“I am the man you love,” he stated in a hurtful tone, catching her hand in his, tugging her closer to him.

“No. No your not.” she argued, placing a hand on his chest to separate them, “Being with her and all the things I did to you, just to drive you away, has changed you. I used to able to take pride in the fact that Max Evans, my soul mate, would love me unconditionally and no matter what I did to him, he wouldn't retaliate and could admit when he was wrong.” Liz gently pulled her hand away. “The man I see standing here before me today is not that man I fell in love with. I wish he was because I miss him, I have always missed him”

“Liz... You did this to me” he blurted out in defence.

Her eyes turned cold once the words left his lips. “No, I didn't. You did.” With that she turned away and as she started to charge off towards the others, she felt complete anger and disbelief. All this time she had thought he was still the Max Evans she had loved... but no. The real Max Evan's died the moment Tess Harding and Matthew took over. Just the thought of Tess sent her into a bitter rage. She had slept with him, taken him away from her. She had ruined Liz's life. Yet she couldn't blame Matthew for something he didn't plan or have any part of.

She paused as she felt a prickling sensation run over her body, her eyes sought out the source and shock and disbelief stirred inside her. Matthew was looking directly at her, trying to do something. He was trying to calm her from across the room.

Her mouth dropped. Turning to back Max, terror written on her face.
“Why didn't you tell me Matthew was empathic!”she practically screamed, knowing full well how what Khivar could do with this power.

“What do you mean empathic?” He stated. “We have checked it out, he has no powers and he is completely human!” His stance became defensive, his arms folded, a scowl on his face. The leader in him even more evident than before.

“Max...”she said softly “He picked up on how angry I am. He was looking straight at me, sending calming thoughts. Max... He's empathic.” Liz shifted closer to him and said in his ear “It's not exactly a powerful weapon and I know it doesn't seem much, but this is really dangerous for him! He will be like a human homing beacon! If Khivar is looking for him, he will be able to use him to pinpoint where he is.”

“How?” He asked, seemingly more worried now.

“Max!” came the piercing scream that filled the pod chamber. “Max!”

Both Liz and Max looked at each other for a brief second, a weird feeling stirring within them, a final sign that their connection still existed before they made their way to Maria quickly.

Maria was sat on the dirty floor, the head of Matthew laid in her lap, her hand running through his soft dark brown hair. Her worried eyes shot up at Max as he leapt to the floor, taking his son's hand.

“He won't wake up!” she cried out. “He said he was tried then all of a sudden he just collapsed.”

Max took Matthew quickly from Maria as Tess bounded up franticly trying to grab at her son.

“Let me have him!” she cried “I'm his mother let me have him!”

“Tess... I am the one who can heal him, not you. Now let me do my job!” He said calmly as he he lowered Matthew onto the centre of the floor of the pod chamber. His hands started to roam just inches of his son's body as everyone gathered around them. Silence and held gasps filled the air as they watched Max carefully searching Matthews body for any reason or cause for this sudden change, from his usual bouncy self. He shook his head puzzled, panic building, as he stopped his search. Physically there was nothing wrong with him.

“Why did you stop?” shouted Tess.

“Because there isn't anything wrong with him.”

Isabel's arm went around Tess as she looked at the young mother. Her tears were falling in full force; for the first time in her life Tess was looking vulnerable so Isabel tried her best to comfort her.

“Max...” she whispered “Try again”. Max nodded and once again tried to heal his son. After a moment the little boys fingers began to twitch and his eyes flung open, making everyone surrounding him gasp.

“Oh my god” Whispered a terrified Liz. “No.”

PART TWELVE-song words featured are from I shall believe, Sheryl Crowe

Matthews once green eyes were now coal black.

“No” whispered Liz once again. Her whole tense body was frozen to the spot as she watched the little boy search the room with his prying eyes.

His sweet voice sang out the words “Come out come out where ever you are!” as if playing a game of hide and seek. His eyes finally settled on Liz as he finished his search. His once pleasant and childish smile disappeared and what emerged was the start of a demonic one that stretched from ear to ear. A smile that made his eyes seem even darker than before. This sent a shiver down Liz's spine. It could only mean one thing.

“I see you” He whispered evilly “And it won't be long until I have you once again. I see you have gone through the final changing process.” Liz shut her eyes as he noticed the green shade they had become. “That means just one thing... I have to find you now because you have something I want...”

Liz was still frozen to the spot as his eyes remained on her. Her hands began to tremble at the way he spoke. He wanted her again. He wanted her body.

“What? No hello? No little kiss for the one who will be your lover?” he sneered.

“You won't have her Khivar!” Yelled an angry Ava “She can't even bare you a child anyway. She is barren.”

Khivar's menacing gaze didn't leave Liz as he snorted. “It's not about the chosen one any more. I can take Antar anyway, WITHOUT Max's son. I could easily take him. No... what I want is far greater, far more desirable and far more powerful than the chosen one... I want Liz as my Queen.”

“Well you won't have her!” Michael declared to the little boy. “Over our dead bodies!”

All Khivar could do was laugh. “So be it. I'm coming for you Liz” He winked at her before leaving the little boy's body. As soon as he left, Matthew woke, silent tears of shock cascading down his chubby cheeks, which sent him into the arms of his mother. As everyone tended to the shocked little boy, no noticed the pale shade Liz suddenly became.

****Flash****
“It's not about the chosen one any more.”... “What I want is far greater, far more desirable and far more powerful than the chosen one.” ... “ I want Liz”

***end of flash***

*He wants me!* she panicked mentally. *he wants me* Suddenly, the realisation of what that meant, made Liz feel sick and quite literally knocked her off her feet as the overloading panic made her faint.

* * * * * * *

Both Maria and Isabel watched Liz as she laid on the bed, still unconscious. Worry was etched on their faces as hours of complete and utter silence had ticked by yet there was still no sign of Liz waking any time soon. The awkward tension between Isabel and Maria started to build up as soon as all the men had gone down stairs to talk with Liz's parents, who were still reeling from having Liz miraculously healed.

“What's wrong?” Blurted out Maria as she forced herself to get brave and confront Isabel. Over the last hour she had tried to fathom why Isabel was so tense and silent, a side Maria hadn't seen from Isabel for years.

“Nothing” she replied coldly, peering at Maria with a side ward glance as she did so.

“Don't go all Ice Queen on me Iz! I know you better than you may think and right now... I know there is something up.” She placed a hand on Isabel's to get Iz to look at her. “ You can tell me”

Isabel looked at Maria thoughtfully. She was right, there was something, yet it she didn't feel comfortable sharing with Maria. Even though they had gotten closer since Liz had left, they had never really opened up to each other.

*Liar* she thought to herself *She always opens up to you, you just don't open up to her*

All the time Liz had been gone Maria had turned to Isabel about every last thing that was going on in her life. From Michael, work, how much Max and Tess were pissing her off to how much she missed Liz. To begin with she had hated the fact that Maria had latched on to her for comfort and advice that only her best friend, Liz, could give her. It wasn't something that Isabel Evans, the Ice Queen and Christmas Nazi, was any good at. She always kept to herself and only ever willingly listened to the problems of her brothers and Alex. Now Maria was asking her to open up. Something Maria had asked many, many times and this time she wanted to, she didn't know if Maria was going to like it.

She took a deep breath as she realised that Maria was still looking for her to open up, to confined in her.

“Okay,” she whispered taking her eyes away from Maria. “But you aren't going to like it” Hope filled Maria. For once she might actually get Isabel to open up, so she simply nodded that it would be okay. Nodded to say that she would listen anyway, even if it wasn't something she wanted to hear. “I... I ...” Isabel took a deep breath and just blurted out the words. “I wish she wasn't here!” She snapped her eye lids shut as she waited for Maria to respond angrily and in disbelief at what she just said. But that didn't happen.

“Why? Is it because of the baby?” she asked patiently as she bit her tongue to stop herself from yelling at her for even thinking about such a thing.

Isabel nodded. “It's not that I don't want her here... Its... just...” she looked away from her again as she tried to get words to form in her mouth.

“It's just she has made it dangerous for your baby?” Maria filled in the blanks, understanding exactly how she felt. Liz being back was a good thing, but in the long run she had lead danger straight back to them. She could feel Isabel's despair as she played with her hands. She needed to ensure the safety of her baby and with Liz around that wasn't something she could do. “Have... Have you... you know... considered leaving Roswell?” Isabel snapped a shocked look at Maria. “Not just because Liz is here. I mean... because it has never really been safe here... has it?”

“I have... I admit it, but it has been safe for us here for well over a year, and I suppose it would always stay that way. I don't want to leave 'Ria. It's not fair on us or our families and you know... after all our searching for home... this here” she pointed to the floor “and everyone here is home.” She smiled “I could never live anywhere else.” Both women sat in silence as they thought about their home. Even though at times it had been a struggle and at times all they wanted to do was run away from their problems, they couldn't call anywhere else home. Roswell gave this feeling of being at home; it was something that would never change no matter what happened. It was a place you could come back to and know nothing would have changed.

“I wouldn't want to leave either” Maria said with a small smile, standing up from the chair she was sat in and stretching. “Come on, lets go down stairs and see the guys”

“What about Liz?” asked Isabel as she stood, following Maria towards the door.

“She isn't going anywhere”

As both girls crept out the door and down the stairs, Liz's eyes flew open. What was she thinking when she decided to come here? She had put everyone she loved in danger just because she wanted to see their faces one more time and say goodbye. She threw a hand over her mouth as she tried to suppress a desperate sob. She had to do it again. She had to leave them all.

Jumping up from the bed, grabbing her unpack suitcase and throwing it onto the bed, she took deep breaths to calm her. She needed to calm herself down or she wouldn't leave the room without anyone noticing.

*Once upon a time I told myself if I could ever return to Roswell that I could stay forever. I promised myself nothing would stand in the way of my happiness and my friends.* she snorted to herself *I lied... even to myself*

She moved towards her stereo, turning the volume down so not to alert anyone she was awake, she turned it on and continued packing her things. She froze as she heard the familiar words.

Come to me now
and lay you hands over me
Even if it's a lie
Say it will be alright
And I shall believe

A small tear made tracks down her cheek as she remembered the moment the Future Max came in through her balcony window, his hair all a mess and wearing leather; he was a state. She remembered how it was a look that suited him, all rugged and handsome, except for the grey hairs, of course.

I'm broken in two
And I know you're on to me
That I only come home
When I'm so all alone
But I do believe

As she packed the remainder of her things, she came across the picture of Max she had always kept with her, under her pillow, so she could fall asleep looking at the man she loved. Her mind began to wonder to the moment when she was stood at his window, about to knock on it and try to shatter his dreams of being them together. She had been so heart broken that her soul mate was asking for such a cruel thing. She remembered how she had cried bitter tears all the way back from his as the words she had said to him replayed in her mind.

*****Flashback*****
“Your life will always be dangerous, but my life, it doesn't have to be. My life is only in danger if I am with you. I...I want to be in love with boys...normal boys. I...I want to see my 21st birthday. I...I want to have a wedding day. I...I...I want to have children...and I want my children to be safe. You know, Max, if...if you truly love me, you'll let me go. I may love you, but I...I don't want to die for you”
*****End of flashback*****

She shook her head as she tried to carry on backing her suitcase.

“Everything comes back to running away doesn't it Parker? Whenever it becomes to much you just run” she whispered to herself angrily, yet it didn't stop her pack her bag. If anything it made her pack quicker

That not everything is gonna be the way
You think it ought to be
It seems like every time I try to make it right
It all comes down on me
Please say honestly that you won't give up on me
And I shall believe
And I shall believe

As these words filtered in her head she began to cry heavily, through fear and grief, on her bedroom floor, her arms around her knees, her head buried in them. She didn't want to leave everyone she loved behind but she had to because she wanted them to be safe, and safe wasn't around her any more. She had to leave, before he found her and took what he wanted. She stayed there while the rest of the song played on softly in the background as a constant reminder of what she lost in this room when a man she loved paid a visit. A reminder that she had to leave.

Open the door
And show me your face tonight
I know it's true
No one heals me like you
And you hold the key

Never again
Would I turn away from you
I'm so heavy tonight
But your love is alright
And I do believe

That not everything is gonna be the way
You think it ought to be
It seems like every time I try to make it right
It all comes down on me
Please say honestly that you won't give up on me
And I shall believe
I shall believe
And I shall believe

And with the words of the song still haunting her mind, she quietly dropped her suitcase on to her balcony, stepped out into the sunlight and closed the window shut behind her. She peered into the room for a moment, taking in all that she was to leave behind, letting one final tear slip down her cheek before she turned towards the ladder. Looking over the edge and around, she checked no one could see before she lifted the suitcase with her powers and lowered it on to the ground below. She turned and made one last lingering look towards her home, snapping her eyes shut as she turned away and slowly made her way down the ladder.

PART THIRTEEN

Max stood by the bed where he had laid Liz's tired body just hours before. There was just a single note laid on it now, a note that simply said 'I'm sorry'. His heart ached for her right now as he thought about the fact she was now truly on her own in the world. She didn't even take Ava with her this time, something that hadn't shock Ava.

****Flash****

“I knew it” she sighed. “Just the way she looked at Matthew the moment his eyes turned black told me she wouldn't be with us for long.” She turned to Max who was still staring out the Crashdown window, looking for some sign of Liz on the street outside. “Don't worry about her Max. I have been by her side for years, I know her better than I know myself and I know she will be okay. She will either find her ground and come home, or she will build a new one.”

Max turned from the now blackened sky to Ava, concern across his face.

“If that's the case, why do I feel this dull ache in my heart that tells me she needs me with her?” Rubbing his throbbing head, he sat by the counter and stared at the drinks machine picturing a younger Liz, stood in her uniform with her antenna slightly off centre, cleaning the drinks machine, a smile plastered across her face because Max was sat there watching her do it. “She shouldn't have gone with out me. She could have let me help” he whispered as the image flickered and disappeared. “Why did she do it to me again?”

“Because she loves you Max” Running her hand through her black hair she sat down on the chair next to him. “You know what, she once told me that she kept these things to herself because she cared for you. Now... when she said that the first time I couldn't believe that she would do that. To me, yeah, it seemed like she was lying to you and running away from her problems. But now I see something different. Just the way she looked at you the moment she saw you confronting me right here” she threw her hands up to indicate the room they were in “I saw it right there and then. She loves you and she will do anything to stop you from kicking yourself about the things had happen when it involves you.”

Max looked shocked and started to defend himself, but Ava placed her hand on his.

“Come off it Max!” she smirked. “You know it's true! The way you were with her when you took her off into the back room just proves it. You blamed yourself for the pain she was in.”

“But you said I was to blame, so I get that one thing to feel guilty about,” he reasoned. “And the way she snapped at me back in the chamber... she must do.”

“Maybe.” She continued as she began lowering her head so she could look him in the eye. “Maybe not. I blamed you. But did Liz?” Max snapped his head round to face Ava. “Did she actually come out with the words 'I blame you for this Max Evans'? Did she?” His gaze fell to the counter as he shook his head. “I thought not. So therefore you have nothing to be guilty for, because she doesn't blame you for her cancer. See, she won't even let you take the blame for something, I think, you caused. She loves you so much she can't stand to see you hurt. Even if, in my opinion, you deserve it. By not letting you in she is showing you how much she cares.” she laughed at the confusion that gathered on Max's face. “I know... it's warped” She paused to look at him seriously. “She loves you Max. Never forget that, even if she does run away because at the end of the day she is doing it because she loves you.”

*****end of flashback******

*I love you to Liz* he thought to himself as he looked around the room, letting his eyes search the room. He remembered so many times how he would wonder onto the balcony and look into her window, and to see it in the flesh was something that tingled his senses. He could still smell her, a blend of strawberries and something else. Something that was distinctively Liz Parker.

The vibrating phone that laid in his back pocket of his faded jeans pulled him out of his trance. Hoping it would be Liz he quickly pulled if from his pocket, his heart lurching into his mouth. His heart ached as the name Isabel flashed up. Opening it, he gulped as he tried to push out the painful thoughts and speak.

“Hi Iz” he answered

“Max... It's Alex. Get over here quick.” he said quickly and hysterically “It's started” All that Max could hear before he could even reply to Alex was the tone of the hung up phone.

A smile erupted onto his lips as he took in the words. Although today was a day of heartache for him, it was also a joyous day, because he was soon to become an uncle.

* * * * * * *

Two months later

My name is Liz Parker and it has been a long two months since I left Roswell, New Mexico, for the second time. I have spent almost every waking hour looking over my shoulder as I feel eyes, which aren't even there, staring down on me in judgement or want. Those who are judging me are those who want me home or think that I have run away like a coward. I told them that we had to stand up and fight to protect Matthew, but as soon as it turns out its me that is in danger, I run like a coward instead of standing up for my freedom.

Because that is what it would have meant for me if I stood up for myself. It would have meant my freedom, yet at the same time, it meant the imprisonment of those who would have to help me. They would have been trapped, feeling compelled to help me and I don't want that. I could tell, not just from Isabel's own mouth, but from the way people looked at me that they didn't want me there. Tess didn't. I know that for a fact. The way she looked at me as she witnessed Khivar using her little boy, said that she blamed me for it. She blamed me for the incident. So I give their freedom but it turn lose mine.

In someway I like to feel those eyes of judgement weigh on me because the weight is reminding me why I am running. It's reminding me that I am doing this for their freedom and their right to a normal life, one that they had until I came back into it.

The second pair of eyes though, they make me want to run home and cry in the arms of the man I love, with all my heart and soul, even if he isn't the same man as before, because as they bare down on me they make me feel so useless and so unloved. Never in my entire life have I felt so lonely, unloved and forgotten as I do now. My life has turned into this unliveable existence. Sometimes I just feel like I merely exist, like a gust of wind that just appears from nowhere and has no actual purpose to it. Like a speck of light that you see in the corner of your eye that just disappears the moment you turn your attention to it. I want to live again. I don't want to have to change my appearance every block or stranger I pass. I don't want to be living from hotel to hotel, living off take away meals and changing my name on my id every time anyone asks me to show it.

I want to go home and snuggle up in my warm, cosy bed and nestle my head in my pillow, taking in the scent of fresh sheets. I want to have the time to sit in a park and take in the sight before my eyes, without searching it for anyone who just might be out to hurt me. I want to walk down the street with those wanting eyes not staring down on me. I don't want to merely exist. I want to scream from the roof tops that I am Elizabeth Parker, not Marie Newnham, Katie Smith or Rachael Evans. I want to be me, a person I haven't seen for a while and most of all, I want to be free.
Liz angrily wiped away the tears that swept down her cheeks as she threw her diary into her bag, pulling back the leather hide away and sealing it with her powers. Limping back to the bed, of the shabby and run down hotel room, she tried to clear her mind of what had happened in the last 24 hours. She couldn't even bare to write it down in her diary, it was too horrific to want to have to remember. Khivar had come too close this time, almost battering her to death just to get her to submit, yet she didn't and just about managed to escape.

*Just* she thought to herself *You are becoming to reckless.* As she closed her eyes she let her mind wander to what Max was doing, a thought that she had been using as a way of winding herself down. Imaging him with his son could only bring nothing but peace to her turbulent mind. Soon sleep ensured, a smile resting upon her lips.

* * * * * * *

“I have to go now Matt,” Max said as he he placed his son back on the floor, after carrying him home from his car on his shoulders. They had been out to visit his parents and then out to the park. He spent the whole day pushing his little boy on the swings and turning him around fast on the roundabout, much to Matthews amazement. For once in a while he had seen a real smile on his sons face, one that made his little face shine brighter than the sun but now it was gone.

He knew Matthew was still having a hard time adjusting to the fact Max didn't live with him any more. Max had tried everything he could think of to make his son see that he couldn't bare to leave him properly and even projected that feeling to him often, yet he seemed to be losing the battle. His son was upset, so upset he was ignoring the fact his father was as heart broken as he was, something he never thought Matt would do.

“I have to go” he sighed as he gave his son a big hug and after getting no reaction, he just left, all the while projecting how hurt he was to his son.

* * * * * * *

*****Dream*****

A young boy stood by the road, tears in his eyes as he watched his dad cross the road with out him for yet another time. His bitter tears screamed out that he wanted his daddy with him and the confusion on his face told the fact he doesn't understand why his daddy doesn't stay. Tugging at his sleeves as a form of comfort all he can do is helplessly watch his father cross the street.

“Daddy” he whimpered softly to himself. “Daddy, daddy, daddy” he chanted as his heart cried out for him. Suddenly his legs started to twitch as the urge to go to his father grew greater. Soon, he is crossing his front lawn and walking towards the pavement. He pauses slightly as he sees the object of affection stop for a second, hoping it is to turn back to him, but no. His dad has just answered his phone. He is paying attention to someone else other than him, again. Despair fills the little boy as he finally takes the plunge and runs for his daddy, crossing the road with out looking.

All he can hear is the sound of the engine of a braking car and as he turns to look, all he sees is the headlights it. All he can do is scream.

****end of dream*****

Lunging forward in her bed, Liz lets out a piecing and blood curdling scream. Her eyes are wide with fright and her sheets soaked with cold sweat. The dream had been so heart breaking, it had been so emotional, it had been so real. As the dream haunted her as it replayed over and over in her head, she wept silent tears of horror, which only melded into the sweat that dripped over her body. Not in all her time had she seen something so real in her dreams. It could only mean one thing, something she wished to God wasn't true. Something that she wished she had simply made up because if it were real, she would have to go back to be there for him, for them. As she sits trembling and rocking back and forth all she can do is utter one word over and over again.

“Matthew” she whispers “Oh god, Matthew”.

PART FOURTEEN

As Max walked away from his son, he stopped as his phone rang. Answering it he simply asked

“So what did you find?”

Jeff Parker took a deep breath as he tried to form words. “The hotel manager of the Hotel in New York faxed me the picture of the girl he thought could be Liz....” he paused taking a deep breath. “It doesn't look like her Max... she's blonde and looks nothing like Liz, but there was something there that I recognised instinctively... her eyes.”

Max bit his lip. Their search, which kept both him and Jeff up every day and night leaving them with out much sleep, was finally getting somewhere. They were finally getting closer to tracking down Liz. Max sighed as he let the fatigue creep up on him.

“But Max... this is the funny thing. He sent it to me just 10 minutes ago... and then five minutes later rang the Crashdown telling me she ran out in such a state... demanding to be shown the nearest phone... Max, I'm worried. He said she was hysterical.”

As Max went to answer he could hear the faint voice of his son calling him, making him turn round, just in time to see his son sent flying by the braking car that had just hit him. Dropping his phone with shock, Max stood silent at the sight of his son on the road.

“Matthew?” he gasped as he rushed forward, not noticing the car driving away from the scene, the drivers beady eyes focusing on Matthew for about 15 seconds before leaving, a smile glued to his face. Max shook as he laid his hands on his sons battered and bloody body and after a couple of seconds knelt back on his feet, lifting him from the floor. “Matthew?”

* * * * * * *

Isabel was in the kitchen, Sophie's breathing could be heard in the background from the monitor and the radio was on low. The phone rang the moment a news broadcast came on.

“Hello?” Isabel asked as she turned the radio up slightly.

“Oh god...” came the whisper on the other end. “I'm too late” Soon the phone was dead, yet Isabel didn't notice as she listened intently to the broadcast.

“Matthew Evans, a four year old boy, was admitted into West Roswell memorial hospital just half an hour ago after a hit and run incident. Although he was physically unharmed accept for a suspected blow to the head and he is yet to wake. It is believed that he will suffer from brain damage. Local police are encouraging anyone, who witnessed this incident or know any information about it, to come forward.”

“Alex!” she screamed as she lunged for her keys.

* * * * * * *


Walking into the hospital Liz, trembled, nervously pushing back a lock of hair and biting her bottom lip. Knowing she didn't need to be nervous, knowing no one would recognise her, she continued through the corridors watching out for the group. Being back in Roswell for just a couple of hours, since arriving after driving franticly from New York, was bizarre and she was tired. Her eyes showed her weariness and her lack of sleep, just looking in the mirror had made her wince, knowing her powers wouldn't hold out for much longer than two hours. She became determined to find them and just to see if Matthew was okay.

Walking down the plain white corridors, her heart raced and ached as images of Max's experience in the white room crossed her mind. Instantly she knew he was in the building, struggling with his past and with the present. His heart was breaking; Liz could feel it. She could almost see little Matthew through the window, Max was staring through, tubes attached all over his frail body. As the emotions intensified, Liz slipped into the nearest vacant room, throwing her bag off her shoulder.

Soon she was back in the corridor, a white jacket over her and a chart under her arm. Her hair was now red and in a bun, her eyes a haunting grey and her face structure much like her mothers. She kept her head held high, trying to maintain some display of confidence, something that almost flattered instantly as she turned the corner and saw Max's pale face staring through the window of Matthews room. Just as she felt just minutes earlier, she could see his heart breaking, making it hard for her just to stand by and watch.

*You're just here to see if Matthew is okay... then out. He doesn't need you ... he has shown you that time and time again. Now hold your head high and do what you came to do!”

Remaining her focus on the room, she went in to it, quickly and quietly. Tess was sat at Matthews side, holding his hand as she tenderly played with his hair with the other. Her focus left him for just a few moments to Liz, who simply looked at the charts that were at the end of his bed. She let go of the breath she didn't realise she was holding in, with a slight force that made Tess look up from the bed, confusion on her face.

“What?” she asked in a panic.

Snapping her head from the chart, Liz just smiled pleasantly. “I'm just glad to hear he will be okay,” almost forgetting the fact that she wasn't Liz Parker at this moment. So she quickly continued, “I was here when he was first brought in. I wanted to know if he was okay.” Biting her lip she turned to leave.

“Do I know you?” asked Tess puzzled, sure that she recognised the woman. She observed the woman as she turned around hesitantly, obviously thinking about what to say next. Biting her lip and pulling at her jacket, the woman just shook her head.

“No, you don't” she whispered, tears threatening to the surface. She wanted so much to turn to Tess and declare that she did know her. That she was Liz Parker, the person who gave everything up to Tess but she didn't. She bit her tongue and simply continued with “I have to go. Bye.” Once outside the door Liz turned back to the room she had left her things in, but was stopped by the light feeling of a hand on her shoulder. Instantly she knew who it was, it sent a tingling feeling around her body and sent her heart racing. Turning she met the amber eyes that could make her melt. Ones that were full of pain with a tint of hope, a hope that died the moment she turned around.

“Sorry” he mumbled embarrassed, “I thought you were someone else” Liz held her breath as she tried desperately to keep her composure, as her heart leapt about in her chest. Not once did she look him in the eye, trying to keep him from seeing her soul beneath them. As soon as he took his hand off her shoulder, Liz walked away quickly, breaking out into a near run as soon as she exited the hospital, charging past Ava without realising.

*I knew it was stupid for me to come here* she thought angrily to herself as she charged past the cars and into her own. *Porno version of Aladdin it is for tonight*.

* * * * * * *

As soon as Ava stepped out of the door, of her new car, she could sense her. She could feel Liz's presence like she could tell she was still breathing, yet couldn't see her. Knowing she couldn't tell simply by glancing at the people around her she took the time to catch someone's eye.

*After all, the eye is the gateway to a person's soul* she reminded herself. Her focus came to one redhead, who was practically running towards her. Trying to catch her eye Ava realised that she looked pained in someway, yet as the woman pushed past her, she couldn't catch her eye. Suddenly, Liz's presence just disappeared as quickly it as it had appeared. Looking back towards the woman, she shook her head, dismissing the feeling as her simply missing her best friend and made her way into the hospital.

* * * * * * *

His beady eyes followed Ava's gaze to a petite redhead who was making her way franticly to her car.

*Bingo* he thought to himself.

Focusing his attention to the black headed woman, he masked Liz's presence to throw her off as she started to move towards Liz. As he watched her dismiss her feelings, he smiled to himself.

*I don't want Liz to think she has someone to turn to* smiling to himself once more with glee he turned on his car, following Liz out into the road, quietly tailing her all the way to her motel.

* * * * * * *

Max sat in the chair on the right side of his son while Tess went to have a break. Both parents were warn out, the constant watching was beginning to take its toll on both of them. Neither Max or Tess could bare to have Matthew alone, just in case he should wake.

*****Flashback*****
“Someone has to be here” Tess stated quietly, as she hugged herself “Just in case he wakes up. He needs to be able to see one of us there, not some doctor he doesn't even know”

Michael looked up from the chair in the corner “Plus we need to keep watch for anyone suspicious and if one of you are here at all times, it won't look too suspect after all, you are his parents”

Max nodded. “I can't bare to leave him anyway” he choked out as he simply watched his sleeping son, silently pleading him to wake.
*****End of flashback*****

“No change?” asked Ava as she let herself into the room and sat in the chair opposite. Max just shook his head, looking defeated and dismayed. A moment of comfortable silence passed, both listening to Matthews steady breathing and the slight beat of the heart monitor. “Have you... you know...?” she asked him, her eyes remaining on Matthew.

“Yes.” He replied quietly. Wiping his hand over his face to wipe away sleep, he continued. “3 times, but it's not physical. I don't what it is... he just won't ... w-wake up.” He paused for a moment, feeling a chill run down his spine. Liz's presence was gone. A slight frown appeared on his face as he tried to figure what had made him think she had been there, it was like his soul was been held by hers as a form of comfort. He could feel her pain, her loneliness and heartbreak. “I could feel her” he whispered to himself. “I was so sure she was here with me.”

Ava's head turned round as she listened to Max's soft whispers. “I felt her to.” She said. “I thought I saw her... but then all of a sudden her presence was just... gone. I-I thought I was just missing her.”

Max's eyes grew wide as she spoke. “I thought I was just dreaming,” he said excitedly. “I even thought this redhead was Liz. I even stopped her in the corridor.” He laughed to himself as he remembered his embarrassment. “She practically ran away when I let her go. I think I scared her off...” His laughter stopped as Ava's face went white. “What?”

“She was here Max,” she said. “I saw the same redhead in the car park, I was so sure it was her. But before I could say anything, her presence just seemed to disappear with the redhead still just in front of me so I thought nothing of it.” Worried Ava stood up, pacing around the room.

“What?” asked Max who was now sat with his elbows on his knees, rubbing his hands together nervously as he watched her. Stopping dead, staring straight in front of her, Ava spoke to Max.

“That redhead was Liz. It had to have been her. Both of us felt her and both went to the same woman.” Turning to face him, Max could see Ava's frown. “But why did her presence just disappear like that? It's not possible for her to just shut her essence off.” Horror flitted across her face, her eyes grew wide. “Unless someone did it for her... so I wouldn't know she was here.” All sorts of situations ran through her mind, Khivar, a skin, Langley. Anyone. Running her hand through her hair, letting her hands rest on top of her head, she mentally kicked and jived herself. “How could I have not seen it?” she exclaimed, panic surging.

“Ava?” She heard Max whisper, calmly, his hands on her elbows. Bringing her hands down from her head, he lead her down to his chair and made her sit. “You need to calm down.”

“Why are you not worried? How can you be so calm?” she practically spat in his face, as he knelt before her.

As he closed his eyes for a couple moments, Ava took in his appearance. It was obvious he hadn't been to sleep for a few days. He hadn't shaved, washed or even combed his hair the entire time. Not that it was much different from the way he usually looked. The last two months had been pure hell for Max, searching every paper for news on anyone who may have been killed, kidnapped. Anything to him was a lead. He would be on the phones to every hospital and motel in the entire state of New Mexico in the hope he would find her. But nothing. Every time there was a lead something kicked him off it.

Looking at him now for these few moments she realised he had to be calm right now, or he would lose it and break down completely, something he, as a leader, should never do. “I have to be” he explained. “I love her Ava, so of course I am worried about her, I worry about her every second of everyday and I have searched all over for her. You saw what I was like when she left! I was searching high and low, following every lead I could find, putting pictures of her on the net... just in the dire hope that maybe... just maybe I could find her. But Matthew needs me to be here now, I know if she needs me, she knows where to find me.” Swallowing the tight ball that appeared in his throat he opened his eyes, sighing with a small glum smile upon his lips. “At least we know she is alive.”
* * * * * * *
Standing out side her motel room, he flew his hand over his face, making it glow slightly in the dark. Giddy with anticipation, he knocked on the door, listening out for her approaching the door, in the same careful manner as she always did.

“Who is it?” she asked through the door. Instead on answering he just quickly tapped on the door again, making it sound like something of urgency. She responded in the way he expected her to, sending a menacing smile across his face. A smile that disappeared the second the door opened, revealing the blonde Liz.

“Liz” he whispered gently, closing the door behind him as she subconsciously stepped back letting him in.

“Max?” she replied in shock, disbelief written on her face.

Hiya guys. I am posting this now at 9am (in england) because I have plans today and I didn't want to make you wait for the next part.

PART FIFTEEN

“Not exactly” He revealed as he lunged at her.

“Nicholas” she gasped as she dodged him. “Leave me alone! For christ sake!” she exclaimed, almost pleadingly “Just leave me alone!”

Nicholas stood glaring at her. “No. You know he wants you Liz, I have strict instructions to bring you to him.” Liz was ridged with fear, yet again she just couldn't move as he stepped forward, lifting a piece of her now blonde hair and bringing it to his nose, taking in it's scent. “He really has chosen well, you know? Your feisty and sexy... If he didn't want you... I could... easily imagine being with you”

“You wish” she spat, her legs now finally regaining the ability to move, yet remained where she was, waiting for her opportunity to spring on him.

“Tut Tut” he said as his hand ran down her soft arm, taking in the feel of her warm flesh. Coming closer to her ear, his hand made his way to her waist, grasping her close to his body. “You underestimate me Liz. See, the thing is that Khivar wants you whether or not your entirely whole... entirely pure, if you wish to call it. So I could have you right here right now if I wanted.” His grip intensified on her “And you know what?”

“What?” she gasped

Laughing to himself at the look of horror on her face, he answered “And I think I will”. Pushing towards the wall, Liz franticly tried to free herself from his grip on her petite form. As he pushed her to the wall, he brought her hands up above her head and kept them held there. “Now, now Liz. Don't make this harder for yourself.”

As his eyes closed as he moved his lips towards Liz's she made her move, burning his hand with her powers and swiftly kneeing him in the groin.

“Don't you dare touch me again” she yelled infuriated at the man who stood before her, still appearing to be Max. Bringing her hand up aiming at him she grew more and more angered. “Why can't you just leave me alone!”

“Because he wants you!” he replied seconds before he throwing against the wall. As she tried to again her composure, he strode over to her lifting her by her jumper to her feet. “Don't you try that again” he muttered fiercely as he slapped her hard across the face, letting her fall to the ground before kicking her hard in the stomach, which made her send a piercing scream around the whole motel. He turned her back to her as he went to rummage through her things looking for her bug detector. Liz, shot him a look as she scrambled silently to her feet. She clenched her hands as she ran at him, but he saw it coming and shot Liz through the door of the motel, into the open air. As she landed on the floor, her head hit it hard.

He paused at the open door as he looked at her. Her small body was turning black and blue before his very eyes. As he walked up to her unconscious body, people came out of their motels from the piercing scream that Liz at let out before her head hit the ground. Before anyone saw him, he quickly fled, knowing full that Khivar wouldn't be happy with his continuous failure.

“Quick!” someone yelled from one of the motels. “Call an ambulance!”

* * * * * * *

Liz woke to the sound of monitors that bleeped around her. Bringing her hand to her head, she found her head battered and bruised.

*Oh great* she thought to herself. Sitting up she looked around the white washed room. No one was with her besides the other unconscious patients. Searching the room, she found her chart at the end of the bed, with the name “Katie Smith”. *At least my id stayed intact* she thought. Reading her chart, she was thankful to find that her blood work came back as normal, giving her something less to worry about.

As she placed her chart back and settled back in her bed once again, a young nurse came in, her long blonde hair flowing behind her. Her face reminded her of Maria.. but as she to a second look she suppressed the urge to run into her arms.

“I see you are awake Miss Smith.” she beamed at Liz. “You gave us a fright for a moment.”

Giving the bubbly nurse a small smile, she sat up, looking at her questioningly. “How long have I been out of it?” she asked.

“For about two days.” came the reply, one that made Liz's eyes wide. “Can I get you anything?” asked the nurse. Turning her attention back to the nurse Liz nodded.

“Can I have something to eat?” she blushed as her stomach mumbled. “I haven't eaten anything since, you know.” She bit her lip as her embarrassment disappeared.

“Sure.” The nurse replied, before quickly leaving the room. As soon as she was gone Liz got to work, quickly pulling out all drips and switching all the machines off not to alert the nurses. As she pulled on her clothes, she ignored all pain that she felt. She had been laid there for two days, Nicholas would know for sure where she was and she needed to get out of there as quickly as possible.

Moving towards the door, she searched the room one last time to check for anyone conscious enough to give her away. Moving slowly, she looked out the door, searching for any nurses. Once the coast was clear she made her way to the lift, hoping to high heaven that no one caught her in the journey between her room and the lift. Standing for the lift door to open, she stood ridged with fear.

*The further away I am from this place the better* she thought to herself as she let out a breath as the door opened and she stepped in. *One step closer to freedom*

As she stood in the lift, she listened to the irritating music that played in the background. It was a song Maria loved at one point. Remembering how Maria used to try to irritate Liz with it, a smile crossed her face, making her wince as she forgot about it. She grimaced as she realised that the bruises wouldn't go down for a while without Ava there to heal them for her, which meant she would be stared at in the street. *Great! More attention than I need!*

The lift stopped with a jerk, making Liz snap her eyes with pain. *It's not just my face that he affected* As she tried to overcome the pain, with her eyes closed she didn't see a tired Max step aboard, who instantly sent a look of concern over to her.

“Are you okay?” he asked. Liz stopped dead as she opened her eyes, seeing Max in front of her, she held her breath hoping he wouldn't recognise her.

Avoiding all eye contact she replied, as she watched him lean back on the wall of the lift. “Yes, just a little sore, you know?” She paused, closing her eyes again to over come the fresh bout of pain, “How about you?” she asked almost too tenderly. She opened her eyes.

“Worried.” he replied. “My son is in a coma” The words almost choked him as he said them.

“Oh, I'm sorry” she almost whispered to him as she watched his face. He looked so pained, so troubled that she just wanted to engulf him a large hug and hold him for hours on end.

A moment of silence engulfed the two, one that was interrupted by the lift violently shaking to a stop, which sent Liz to the floor. As the lights cut out, Max ran to her side, trying to help her up.

“Are you okay?” he asked again.

“No... not really” she replied calmly as she pressed the emergency button on the panel. “Nothing a couple of days rest couldn't fix.” A frown erupted on her face as she kept pressing the button, yet it didn't do anything. No one answered. After a couple minutes of trying to get the button to work, Liz backed away frustrated. She didn't know how much longer she had until someone discovered her missing and she was desperate to get of the hospital, while not breaking her cover to the guy who was sat on the floor. “It's no use!” she exclaimed, as she kicked at the wall.

“Hey, hey!” Max whispered as he stood and took the blonde woman away from the wall. “That's not going to do much except put you in more pain. I think we should just sit and wait it out.”

Nodding Liz said. “Yeah I suppose your right... as always.” The last part came out as a whisper, yet Max still heard it.

“What do you mean by 'as always'?” He questioned looking at her expectantly.

As she sat down, she took a deep breath trying to figure out how to dodge the question but could only say “You seem like the type of guy who always looks out for people and always says the right things.” She closed her eyes, leaning her head against the wall as she remembered all the times when Max did nothing but look out for her and thought about what was best at that time.

“I wish that was true...” he muttered to himself.

“Why?” she asked confused. “What do you mean?” Max Looked at the woman sat down beside him, her head still leant back against the wall. For some reason he felt draw to her and almost compelled to tell her everything, as if she could be trusted.

*I've only felt that once... and it turned out okay* he reminded himself before he explained.

“It's nothing... just this girl. Well... she's more than a girl to me.” Liz's eyes flew open and looked at him questioningly. “Her name is Liz” Liz's heart skipped a beat the moment she heard the name fly out of his mouth. “And quite frankly... I screwed up. I hurt her and she just upped and left... with out s-saying goodbye.”

“You seem to blame yourself?” she observed patiently as she watched him talking.

“I do.” he replied in a matter of fact tone. “I went out of my way to hurt her at a time I was in so much pain... and I made it worse by saying I didn't mean it. The moment I said those words she could just see through me,” Liz sat and watched him scratch behind his head, in the cute way he had always done in the whole time they had known each other. “I just thought that would build some bridges. We have been down such a rocky road over the last few years... I thought just maybe I could do something right for once by apologising. I just wish I had admitted I went out of my way to hurt her... because I did and I regret it. With all my heart. I used to be good at knowing what she needed to hear...”

“Why?”

“Because... she is everything to me, she is my soul mate. I knew what to say because I was so in tune with her feelings, but things happened and I changed... into this person I don't even recognise in the mirror. Now I have spent the best part of two months searching and when ever I get a lead to her whereabouts it just flickers away. It's so frustrating. I-I just want her home, I don't even care if she doesn't want to see me ever again. I-I just worry about her everyday... I worry about if she has enough money, worry about where she is living, who she is with, what she's eating. I worry about the fact she is alone... I just worry. I can't stand the though of her being out there without someone.”

Liz bit her lip, snapped her eyes shut as she tried to suppress the side of her that wanted to cry out with relief. “I wish all men were like you, some of them just worry about getting their own way.”

Max let his head fall into his hands. “I am like that to. I went out of my to get my revenge after she hurt me, and I wish I didn't. I wish I can take all back and she comes back into my life.”

“Why do you want her back if she hurt you so?” Liz tucked a piece of her hair back as she continued to stare at the floor, at her shoes.

“Because... no matter how much she hurt me, I still love her. I can't breath when I don't see her face back at the Crashdown, where she used to work. I'm suffocating a little bit each day because she isn't there to light up my life because she was the reason I used to get out of bed every day. Now... I'm numb all over.” His voice lowered as he felt the connection, which still remained, flicker slightly. “I can feel her if I think about her hard enough. It's almost like she's in the same room, talking to me” Liz's heart was jumping around violently in her chest. There was a glimmer of the old Max Evans peering through. He laughed shyly as he felt her eyes on him. “I bet you think I am a right hopeless romantic... I doubt you even believe in soul mates”

She shook her head, shocking him slightly. “I do believe. Mine is out there. I can feel him too... and- and so what if you are a hopeless romantic? If it works for you what is wrong with it?” she joked.

“Liz used to think the same way.” his eyes glazed over as he reminisced.

“It sounds like you miss her”

Max's eyes refocused on the woman. “I do. A great deal... I just wish she felt the same way”

A moment of silence ensured before she quietly uttered “You never know... she might miss you too” Max nodded an appreciatively.

Both sat in silence, comfortable in each others company until Max's eyes were drawn to the woman who was on the other side of the lift. Her shoulder length blonde hair was covering half her face, yet could not cover the purple and black bruises that were on her face. His eyes wondered down her petite frame and came to the bruises not covered by her new top.

“What happened to you?” he asked. When she opened her eyes startled he diverted his stare, his cheeks red, and quickly said “You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.”

“A guy” she replied gently. “I kinda got on the wrong side of him” She smiled at Max's face, one of pure disgust at the guy and complete worry about her.

“Why could anyone do something like that?” Pausing he continued quietly “Especially to you.”

“Easily, he is one of those guys who doesn't even care. It's like he is devoid of human emotion” she replied knowing full well Nicholas was completely devoid of it. “But you get used to it after a while, I try to forget it. Which I really would like to do... if you don't mind. I don't mean to sound rude, but I really don't want to dwell on it.” Understanding the woman Max nodded in agreement, throwing his hand out to her.

“Hi! My name is Max” Liz grudgingly accepted it lightly.

“My name is...” was all Max heard before he received a flash

*****Flash*****

“I could have you right here right now if I wanted.” His grip intensified on her “And you know what?”

“What?” she gasped

Laughing to himself at the look of horror on her face, he answered “And I think I will”. Pushing towards the wall, Liz franticly tried to free herself from his grip on her petite form. As he pushed her to the wall, he brought her hands up above her head and kept them held there.

*****End of flash*****
“Katie smith” was what Max heard as it ended. Confusion swept over him. That was Katie in the flash and it was him who was backing her up against the wall.

“What...?” Liz asked cautiously, knowing what he saw.

“Who are you?” He asked as he shot a look at her. Instantly she avoided his eye contact. “Look at me, who are you?” he asked again but more forcibly. Turning her head to look at him, she began to brace herself but before she could utter one word the lift came to life quickly travelling downwards. “What the...?” exclaimed Max was thrown to the side.
The next thing either of them heard was a voice ringing around the lift.“This is a lift announcement, this lift needs fixing and is being taken to the basement, where you shall be moved to another lift to be taken back to the ground floor. I shall greet you once you are there. Thank you for your patience.”

“Finally!” grunted Max as he stood up. Looking back towards the woman Katie, he noticed her face had gone white. “Are you okay?”

Liz looked up at him. She knew that voice. “Max” she whispered, the fact she was scared was evident in her voice. “Max...” Every time she tried to say something her mouth just dried up and her jaw locked, her eyes grew wide with terror as the lift stopped. So she did the one thing she could do, standing up she looked Max straight in the eye for a couple of seconds and uttered his name once more.

“Max”

PART SIXTEEN.

Realisation hit him just as forcibly as Liz did as she threw him to the side, as the door began to open. Instantly her hand went up just seconds too late as a red energy blast hit her in the stomach sending her up against the wall of the lift, just inches from Max.

Max watched in horror as this all happened before him, the whole scene seemed to come to a complete stop, time moving slowly around her body. He could see everything as if he was a picture in his hand, noticing every single small detail even though it all moved so fast. He noticed how her hand trembled as her hand had tried to defend her. She appeared calm and collected like she had done this hundreds of times before, but Max could all of a sudden feel her emotions as she allowed the whole connection spring to life. He could feel her dread, her heart pounding in her chest as she was forced to comfort her worst nightmare and the need to protect him from the one person who could make his life a living hell.

He froze as he watched her lying backwards, her arms flying outwards, her palms out stretched. Her head flew backwards, her lips parted, a trickle of blood already forming in the split second she was cascading through the air. The snap of her back against the wall sent shivers throughout Max's body. Then time stopped all together for him. The picture of Liz hitting the wall stood out in front of his face. Her arms were no longer stretched out, but wrapped around her body holding on to herself for dear life, she was biting her lip as her leant back against the wall, her eyes locked as she lost all consciousness, just letting her body slam to the floor.

Max clambered to his feet, his shield up. Holding onto his breath he brought his eyes to focus on the person before him, continuously aware of Liz crumpled on the floor, her peaceful face full of pain even when she was unconscious. As the blurry figure came into view he saw the darkness around him disappear as the figures hand glowed, showing himself to Max, making the Hybrid king gasp. Standing just metres in front of him was his double, who was simply smiling at him.

“Your highness? I didn't realise she would come to you, it's very unlike her to want to get you involved. Oh well, never mind. He will just have wait for some other time... anyway... he won't want her looking like that” he growled as he waved his hand over the door, shutting it tightly. Max didn't stand down until the lift jerked to life. Letting his hand drop to his side, he turned to the motionless woman before him.

She laid there, her cheek bruised and more blood trickling out the corner of her mouth. Rushing over to the emergency button on the panel, he wished he could heal her in the lift, knowing he didn't have enough time so all he could do was gather up into his arms and sooth her comatose figure.

“Don't leave me Liz,” he whispered in her ear as he pulled her tighter to his body. “Please.”

* * * * * * *

Anxiously pacing the length of the corridor. Max couldn't handle the waiting any longer. Liz had been rushed into surgery two hours before, leaving him completely helpless, wishing to just go into the operating room and just heal her himself. But he couldn't, not with out risking the exposure of everyone, including Liz.

“What's going on?” yelled a distort Maria as she walked up to Max. “I got your message 10 minutes ago, it was so cryptic that I didn't know what to make of it!” One look at Max's face made Maria suddenly shut up. “What's going on Max?” she asked seriously.

“I ... I met this pretty blonde woman in the lift earlier. The lift jammed and we were talking. Something happened when I shook her hand...” he paused “I saw myself trying to rape her.”

“You... didn't?” she gasped her hand over her mouth.

“No! I wouldn't do such a thing! You know me better than that!” He cried out in defence. “No, it was a past vision. She had said before that a guy had beaten her up... you should have seen her. She was really beaten. I mean she had bruises everywhere and she winced practically every time she moved.” Maria frowned as she saw tears forming in his eyes. “It was the result of a guy who looked like me, which isn't possible so I asked who she was. Before she could answer the lift heads to the basement, saying it needs to be fixed and we will be getting on another one. You should have seen the look on her face, she was literally glued to the floor, frozen with fear. Next thing I know she keeps saying my name, as if she is trying to tell me something but can't get the words out.” He paused to look down the corridor, checking for anyone who may over hear. “As soon as it stops and the door opens, she pushes me away up against the wall. Next thing I know a red light, which can only be an alien energy blast, hits her in the stomach.” Stepping closer to Maria so no one else can hear he whispers. “As soon as I stood up, with my shield up, I get to see who had shot her. It was someone like Khivar or Nicholas, but looked exactly like me. It was like looking into a mirror. But ... anyway. He's not important right now”

“What do you mean that's not important now!” Maria exclaimed, “Khivar or Nicholas randomly attack this woman and you say it's not important!”

“It's not when you think about it.” he said lightly grabbing her by the shoulders. “A woman who says my name as if she has used it all her life. A woman who KNEW who would be behind that door.”

Maria's expression softened as he looked at her. “What are you saying Max?”

“Before she knocked me over, she looked straight into my eyes.” Swallowing harshly he whispered. “There has only ever been one person who could make me feel like a mumbling idiot with just a look. Only one girl who could make heart do somersaults and my soul back flips. Only one woman could look me in the eye as if she was declaring her love for me.”

Maria's eyes grew wide with realisation and almost gasped the word “Liz?” Shaking her head, she backed away from Max. “How can that be possible? You didn't even recognise her.”

“Maria... it's her. I remember something Ava told me the other day. She told me that a persons eyes are the gateway to their soul. No matter how different a person can appear to be, the way they look at you will tell you who they really are. The whole time I spoke to the woman, she avoided my eyes until she decided it was time to let down her guard.” He paused, taking a moment to remember the way she looked at him, before carrying on. “I felt my whole body come to life. My heart skip a beat. My blood rush through my veins. It had to be her.”

“Where is she?” Maria whispered, wanting to see for herself.

Max's glum expression told it all. “The blast hit her hard. She had some internal bleeding. She has been in there... there for j-just about two hour... hours.” Starting to choke on his words Max took a deep breath. “I can't lose her Maria. First Matthew and now this.” He exclaimed as he lent back against the wall. “I can't... I can't lose what I need so much.”

Maria, blinded by tears of fear took Max into a hug, holding on tightly as they both cried.
“We lost her twice, Max, but she came back both times. We won't let her leave us indefinitely, she'll be back. You'll see. ”

* * * * * * *

Max woke to someone stroking his hair as his sleepy head laid on her bed. Not daring to move he closed his eyes, wishing that it could be like this forever. He wanted to be able to feel her love for him flood over his body, like he was lying in a warm bath the bubbles towering above him. This simple action spoke larger than words, she loved him.

Opening his eyes, he lifted his head from the bed, coming face to face with Katie, all the while knowing deep down inside her was Liz Parker. The girl he fell in love with all those years ago. He sighed. To the outside world it had only been four years since the last time he spoke to her, to him it had seemed like an eternity.

“Hey” he greeted her quietly, with a friendly smile. “How you doing?” His hand laid on top of hers as he settled himself next to her on the bed.

“I have been better” she groaned as she tried to sit up, “But nothing an alien couldn't fix” A light smile crossed her lips as she squeezed his hand tighter and moved closer to him, laying her head on his shoulder. “How long until we can get me out of here?” she asked scrunching her nose as she lifted a part of her blonde hair to her face. “I want to be me again.”

“Not for at least a week, doctors want to check that you are okay before they let you go. You were in a pretty bad way.” His hand caressed hers as they sat there, shoulder to shoulder, relishing in this small time alone, something they hadn't had before Liz had run off alone.

“Who knows I'm here?” she mumbled as sleep started setting in.

“Only Maria... we didn't think its a good idea to tell everyone until your out... You know what they would all be like. Demanding to see a Miss Liz Parker and of course she isn't here right now.”

Liz gently nodded, “Good. I don't know if I can face the onslaught of questions. Like where have you been all this time? Why didn't you ring?”

Max stared straight ahead, his mind whizzing. “Why did you leave Liz?”

She let out a short breath, “Because I brought the one thing you tried so hard to forget back into your lives. Isabel freaked, worried about the baby and that's when I realised that I had to go.”

“You didn't have to Liz, I could have helped. I've searched everywhere for you.”

“I know,” she paused. “But I just couldn't let you find me and right now you don't need this coming back into your life and I needed to be invisible. I changed my appearance everyday. I was a different person entirely, just so you wouldn't find me.”

There was silence. A silence which showed how much it hurt Max, as he sucked in his breath he tried the one thing he hoped would keep her here. “Liz... promise me you won't leave again without this being sorted out. It hasn't been fair on you to live like this, losing yourself and your own identity.” Liz didn't respond, her body tense at the thought. “Promise me Liz. Please.”

“I promise” she hesitantly agreed. No matter how much she wanted to jump of the bed and run away before Nicholas found her, she knew Max was right and for once Max was offering her something she desperately wanted. A life. He also gave her the option of leaving, something she was grateful for, one that filled her with some hope that the old Max was coming back to her. He was willing to let her go, to be happy, something he couldn't allow himself and his family.

She sighed, realising that she was free in comparison to Max. He had to stay in Roswell, New Mexico, acting like a normal person feeling that he wouldn't be accepted if any one else found out their secret. He was bound by a destiny that didn't exist, all because he was different making him trust in any information he was told. He was pushed away by the one person he needed the most and was forced into the arms of Tess, the only person who seemed dependable at the time, by Liz and his Future self. He had been trapped all his life and without any hesitation was willing Liz to have her freedom.

Moments passed without anyone saying a word, both wanting to keep the peaceful state of mind they were in, just sitting with each other. Something was settled between them now, as if the conflict between her and Nicholas had wiped the slate clean. As if Max saving her life once again was settling the feud although they both knew they had bridges to rebuild. Now they were just sat together, holding hands. Max smirked as he realised it was a simple guilty pleasure that he once took for granted.

“Thank you” Liz mumbled in her half dazed state. Her eyes closed as she started to nod off quietly to the sound of Max's breathing.

“What for?” He too closed his eyes as he listened out for her breathing.

“For saving my life...”

“It was you Liz... I'd do it even if you didn't want me to.” he declared under his breath as he started to drift off.

A moment of silence.

“What is it about hospitals that make people so sleepy?” asked a thoughtful and sleepy Liz.

“I don't no...” he replied, just seconds before completely falling to sleep, with Liz following him.

* * * * * * *
A week later.

“What do you mean she's back?” Yelled Isabel angrily at Maria who was sat on the sofa. Her body shook uncontrollably as she peered at Maria, her eyes wide as if she was possessed. “I thought she was finally gone!”

Alex looked up at her confused. The two months that Liz had been gone, Isabel had been giving the impression that she wanted her back, often expressing her concern about her safety and well being when Max was back from a lead. Now she was totally different, ranting and raving angrily which just scared him more.

“After all she has put us through she just thinks she can waltz back in here and act like everything will be all fine and dandy!” she nervously ran her hands through her hair, “Argh!” she shouted at the top of her lungs her hands from her hair, in the air, fingers out stretched. “Why can't... can't she j-just leave us alone.” Alex watched helplessly as she ran out the room, getting up to go after her.

“Don't Alex” Maria said as she grabbed his arm, holding him back. “She needs to be alone right now.”

His hurt look almost killed Maria as he turned round. He wasn't used to standing by and watching Isabel like this, he was used to going after her, holding her and finally calming her down.

“Why?” he asked deflated. “All this time she had me fooled thinking she wanted Liz here... but now this? I-I just don't get it”

“She does want Liz back, Alex... it's just with Liz she brings the one person she fears the most.” Alex's eyes widened.

“Khivar” he gasped as he threw himself on the sofa. “Of course! I didn't think about it” Tugging at his faded jeans he looked at Maria. “She's why Liz left... isn't she?” He hissed slightly.

“I think so.” Maria replied, her head bent down as if she was being punished. “We were talking about Izzy's fears for Sophie while we were watching over her. I didn't think to check if she was awake or not.” Fiddling with the end of her hair, she looked at Alex. “I think it also had something to do with Max but chances are it's probably just about the fact Khivar found her.” The sound of Sophie gurgling on the baby monitor filled the room. “I have to admit, Izzy was relieved when Liz disappeared because it meant Sophie was safe. She's just worried that Khivar will try to harm her. I have tried to make her see with all the Czech's around, he wouldn't get anywhere near her, but she still worries. Michael even told her that if anyone came near his niece that he would have to deal with him” she let out a small laugh “But Izzy gave him a look that knocked him off his high horse.” Her tone turned serious, one Alex hadn't heard Maria use in a while. “She needs to feel safe right now. You have a young baby and all she can think about is the worst scenario. She needs you to reassure her, because at the end of day, it's you who she will listen to.”

PART SEVENTEEN

Alex stood in the doorway of his little girl's bedroom, watching Isabel singing delicately to her as she sat on the floor, leaning herself against the thin bars of the cot, fingering her baby's hand gently. The last two months had been complete bliss for both of them, yet he could tell something had been troubling Isabel and hadn't realised until the moment Maria told Isabel Liz was back.

He padded over to the other side of the cot, sitting beside Isabel, watching Sophie sleep. Since she was born he would sit for hours watching her small chest rising and then falling as she breathed. The slight sound made his spirits reach the heavens; she was an angel sent from God.

“She's so beautiful” she said softly.

“Just like her mother,” He said in response as he moved closer to her. “Izzy, why didn't you tell me you were worried about Liz being here would bring Khivar to us?”

Isabel watched her husbands understanding face as he looked intently on her. “Because... because she's your best friend, Alex. I couldn't exactly tell you I didn't want her here, could I?” She nestled her head on his shoulder as his arms came around her, both still watching the person they had created. “I don't know what I would do if I ever lost her Alex.” She whimpered as tears fell from her eyes. “I thought we were finally safe and I thought it would be safe to start a family, to be like everyone else. I... I finally felt human. But now... now, it's different because we are going to be sucked into the whole alien abyss, a part of something I don't want to be in now.”

Alex sat in understanding silence as he made circles on her hand as he it. “Is this more about Liz being here or about what you are scared could happen?”

“It's... always been about what I am scared will happen, but back when on the day Liz fled... when I was sat there... I had this over whelming feeling. It wasn't something I could suppress, like I had to say and think that I didn't want Liz here. But i suppose I'm not worried about her being here, I want her here Alex... I really do... it's just I'm scared to be put in the position where I have to leave Sophie's side to protect Liz, and not come back to her...”

Silence ensured as Alex took in the information Isabel had just said to him.“Who says you need to be part of it?” He suggested. “You are seeing this in the same way Max has always done. He's supposed to be the King, so he takes it all on himself, burdening himself with the blame of everyone's problems. You think that just because you are half alien that you have to be involved in anything alien related that happens.” Pulling his wife closer to him, tucking his head into her long blonde hair, he took in the scent of it. “What if you don't have to be, just like Kyle did? What if, for once, you see it as Sophie is your world. Sophie is priority now, not the whole alien business.”

“But what if it comes to me? What if it sets out to harm you or Sophie?” Isabel argued. “And I'm not like Kyle, he's human, he left because he could and because of what knowing us had done to him and his dad. He couldn't forget it once Jim died. He was human... he had the right to leave when he ever wanted to. I'm not human.”

“Izzy, you are more human now, than you have been ever before, why do you burden yourself with the belief you have to be there to help all the time?”

She sighed heavily, “Because I can't leave them, Alex. I can't stand by and watch them suffer. But... B-But at the same time I'm terrified. For Sophie. For you. I don't know what would I would do if anything happens to you.”

“But has it?” He asked softly, “Has anything torn us apart?” Isabel remained silent. “No. We can't live in fear Izzy, we can't or it's not a life worth living. It's like that in everyone's lives. One day I might walk out onto the street and get hit by a car, it happens. I can't live in fear about something that might not happen and neither can you. You have to live Izzy, or Sophie won't ever remember a time in her life where she saw her mother being care free and enjoying life.”

Her body trembled as Isabel began to sob silently. “I'm... just s-so scared”

“Hey... hey” he soothed as he gathered her in his lap. “I'm here. I'm here”.

* * * * * * *
Liz stood at the window of Matthews room, holding on to the wall for support. Her heart bled as she watched Max sat by his sons bedside, alert for any change in his face to suggest he was going to wake from his coma. Max had changed again, he had become more wary and more sensitive of the feelings of others, constantly asking her and anyone else if they were okay and how they were doing. There to help her even if it was to get her a glass of water.

There in that room was the Max Evans she had once loved. He made her feel special, feel loved because he had almost lost the two most important people in his life. It had awaken something in him so deeply hidden he, and everyone else, thought it was lost forever.

As she padded towards the door, butterflies flew around in her stomach, nervous of being around him, worried about whether she would look like a right idiot in front of him. A feeling she hadn't experienced in a long time, one feeling that brought new hope. Pushing it aside, she walked in the room, intent on helping Max.

Instantly Max was on his feet, a look of worry on his face as he practically lifted her up in his arms and placed her tenderly in the chair he had just leapt from. “What are you doing out of bed?” he demanded “You're not well enough to be out of bed let alone walking around the hospital!” A light smile played across Liz's lips. “What?” He asked curiously as he knelt down before her.

“It's nice to see you are your old worrying self. It's nice to see you care. I haven't seen this side of you in a long time.” Her hand caressed his cheek, “But... Max I'm not a baby! If I want to be out of bed I can be out of bed. No one is going to stop me”

“Liz...”

“Not even you Max Evans!” she declared defiantly, her head held high, her green eyes sparkling in the light of the lamp sat on the bedside table. Her face grew serious as she looked down on Max “Max... I'm here for a reason.” He followed her gaze as it fell on Matthew. “I think I can help.”

Using a finger to tilt her head towards him he shook his head. “Your too weak and don't think we haven't tried.”

“Give me a chance, the completion of the prophecy means that I have more knowledge on my powers.. and I think this was Khivar's work. I dreamt about the accident Max... I watched it all happen before my eyes. I have a feeling I had the dream because I can help him. Please Max... let me try” she pleaded as he shook his head.

“Liz... you're too weak.”

“I didn't come here to ask for your permission Max, I came here to help. Whether or not you think I should do it, I will do it, I'll just come here when your not here.” Taking his hands in her she sighed. She brought her lips to them, kissing them gently. “Let me do this for you. Its breaking your heart to see him like this, Max... and it's breaking my heart to see no spark in your eyes.”

Tears welled up in his eyes. “But... but what if you can't come back to me” he whispered. “I can't lose both of you”

Liz shook her head lightly with a small frown. “Don't even think it Max. How can I get lost if you are here waiting for me? If you anchor me I'll come back.”

“Okay” he breathed. He sighed as he realised the words he was going to say next. They had been here before, right at the beginning, sat on the edge of his bed talking about the pendant. Looking down at his chest, he could feel the pendant underneath his shirt. It was a pendant that had brought information he had longed for, but also brought with it a destiny he didn't want, one he had followed because he felt he had no other choice especially with Liz gone. The moment she had left his will power against following his destiny completely left his body and he made the ultimate sacrifice. He married Tess.

Now it was time he passed the pedant on, not to rid himself of the burden, but by giving it as a sign of peace and hope. Lifting it from around his neck, Liz's eyes fell on it. Taking a deep breath he handed it to her. “Max...?” she gasped alarmed. “I can't take it! It's yours!”

“Yes... yes you can. It was something I was going to give you anyway, and right now I think you need it. It'll ground you.” Parting the string, he placed it over Liz's head, drawing her to him. Their foreheads touched as they gazed into each others eyes, their hearts racing, reliving a tender moment that they had shared so many years ago. “But the moment anything weird happens, anything at all, you come back”

As she pulled herself away, she felt her soul crying out to be with him, to be held by him just one last time before she did this. But she didn't turn back knowing if she was too fall into his arms again, she wouldn't have the strength to do her duty. Her whole body shivered as she placed a hand on Matthews warm hand and was almost instantly yanked in.

* * * * * * *

“Matthew?” she called out in the darkness that was thick as fog. There was no colour, no wind, no sound. All there was the darkness that clouded Matthews mind. She took one hesitant and blind step forward, her hand wrapped around the pendant, dreading what she could step on or in to.

*The mind is a very complex thing,* she reminded herself. *Be cautious because anything can change at any second*

“Matthew?” she called out once again, a sense of pleading in her voice. “Matthew can you hear me?” A distressed whimper could be heard for the darkness, “Matthew?” The sound of the child crying burst through the darkness like a hurricane. It filled Liz's head, shrilling and echoing in it until her head felt ready to burst under the strain of it. “Matthew? W-where are you?” she asked, her hands partly over her ears to stop the pain. Silence was all she received. A disturbing silence, like the silence you would find in a morgue. Presence was there, yet she could not hear a sound, besides the sound of her feet moving across the darkness.

Turning her head, she caught the light. It was faint to begin with but as she moved closer to it, she saw it. A glass box, just wide enough to fit the boy, who was laid on the floor, curled in a ball, his hands to his tear stained eyes. He wept as he laid there, alone and scared.

“Matthew?” she gasped faintly, the shock of the sight seeping into her veins. Suddenly her feet made out in a run towards him, desperate to release him, stopping dead in front of it. Stretching her hand out to touch it, the cold sent shivers around her body.

“Matthew?” His eyes darted towards her. “Matthew, I need you to help me. Okay?” The boy just lay there, scared. “Matthew, please” He began to creep towards the wall of the box where Liz was stood and as he reached her, she sat on the floor, cross legged. “I need you to put your hands on the wall, in the same place as me. Can you do that for me?” she pleaded as she placed her hands in the centre of the wall. Relief crashed over her as he did so. “Now, close your eyes and think about breaking the glass, like you would bash down a Lego model or a brick tower. Can you... you close your eyes for me?” She closed hers as he did so. “Now break the glass Matthew”

Sitting there crossed legged she could feel her power criss-crossing through out her body, charging and heating up the palms of her hands. Releasing it gently she could feel them putting strain on the glass. Small cracking sounds could be heard as the energy they had built up began to splinter the glass. Finally, she let a final push of energy at the wall, shattering it completely.

Opening her eyes, she watched the glass just fall and seconds later, gathered Matthew in her arms, swaying back and forth with him as he cried. “It's okay to wake up now Matthew. It's okay now.” Seconds later, he was gone from her arms. Grabbing the pendant, she willed herself to wake, opening her eyes to the image of Matthew in the arms of his father.

* * * * * * *

“Come on!” Ava shouted at him. “Hit me harder! I know you can do so much better than that... you wimp!” Her New York tone turned mocking. “Shall I say to Maria how her Mikey Wikey can't even hit a girl when she asks.” Michael's expression turned into a scowl as he angrily sent a large energy blast at her shield. “Come on Mikey... Matthew could do better than you and he's in a bloody coma!” that finally comment sent Michaels anger sky high seen in the form of the large energy blast that hit Ava hard, throwing her across the pod chamber.

“Don't you DARE bring Matthew into this you insensitive cow!” Standing over her, he was ready to boil. Green lines of energy crossed over his body as he bit his lip, trying to maintain some control over his emotions. “Argh!” he yelled as he spun round and hit the wall, with an energy blast, on the other side of the chamber. He turned round slowly, to see Ava with a smile upon her face. “What's there to smile about?!” he spat.

“Just remember what I said... use it when ever you come into combat. When your fried up you are a match... even for me.” Picking herself up from the chamber, the door opened and in came Maria and Isabel.

“He's awake!” Maria declared happily, jumping into Michael's arms.

“How?” asked a surprised Ava. Every time they had tried to get into his subconscious they had all been kicked out. Something had been keeping him there and not letting anyone else through.

“Liz,” Maria announced. A grin erupted over her face as she saw the damage that had been inflicted on the wall. “You do this Spaceboy?”

“Yeah” he shot quickly. “What do you mean Liz?”

“She's back.” Isabel started carefully, knowing full well no one was going to like the fact the information had been kept from him and Ava.

“What? When?” Demanded Ava, marching up to Isabel.

“A couple of days,” she replied quietly.

“Why wasn't I told?!” Ava said bitterly “Why weren't we informed!” She now had Isabel practically backed up against the wall, her anger building into something almost unstoppable.

“B-because...” swallowed Isabel, franticly trying to find the words.

“Because she is in a bad way Ava.” Maria's hand came onto her shoulder pulling her away. Ava swung her head round, her eyes questioning. “Nicholas got to her. She was lucky Max was with her.”

“He knew she was back!” yelled Michael, obviously hurt that Max had kept the knowledge away from him. Maria shot him a look.

“He didn't know, she had changed her features, going under the name Katie. They were in a lift, which malfunctioned and went to the basement. Nicholas attacked Liz when it reached it the bottom, but seconds before hand she made it known to Max that it was her. I didn't believe at first, she didn't actually turn around and say 'Hey Max! It's me Liz... your soul mate!'” Her eyes fell to the floor. “You should have seen Max; he was hysterical, he thought she was going to die. I thought he was exaggerating the state she was in... but god, you should have seen her when they brought her out of surgery. She was black and blue. Nicholas sure did a number on her.”

“So how did she help Matthew if she was in that state?” asked Ava, her arms folded as she worried about her friend.

“She made her own way to his room, telling Max that she was going to do it whether he liked it or not. It worked and they are both fine.” Isabel beamed.

“so why are you here? Couldn't you have rung us?” bit Ava. Her body was tense with impatience. She wanted to get back to training, to release all her pent up emotions.

“Because their coming here.” informed Maria as she looked out the door of the chamber at the car that was heading their way.

PART EIGHTEEN

Liz sat in the car, nervously playing with her hospital wristband, not wanting to take it off because it told her she was Katie Smith. A care free girl, in her opinion, one that didn't have to worry about anyone else. To tell the truth, she was scared about going back to being the smallest of small town girls, Liz Parker because Liz Parker couldn't be the person she wanted to be. The person she so desperately wanted to be. All she seemed to be was

*The royal run away and complete coward* she thought to herself. Looking out at the pod chamber, where Max was born, she punished herself for even thinking in that way. She wanted to be Liz Parker, just not like this. She didn't want to feel hunted, she wanted to feel loved and cherished. She wanted to be surrounded by her friends like she had been before. Before she gave everything up.

“What are you thinking?” Max's tentative voice echoed through her mind. He had been so good to her over the days she actually questioned whether he was the old Max Evans once again, or just doing it to rub in the fact she couldn't be with him because of the whole end of the world situation.

“About how messed up everything is.” she answered honestly. She couldn't lie to him. “I'm on the run because some lunatic got it in to his head that he wants me for a wife.” she laughed at herself. She sounded ridiculous again. “I don't even look like myself, I'm a mess physically and mentally. All because of...” She broke off.

“Because of what?” asked Max as he parked the jeep.

“Of the person who came to my window those years ago. Sometimes I just wish he didn't come to me... that he went to someone else. I know it's not fair to blame him because after all he didn't know this was going to happen.... but I still do.”

“Why do you say he... instead of you. We all know it was me. I was the one who asked you to give up everything. Practically forced you to break your own heart... I can't believe I would do something like that.” His hands clenched on the steering wheel as he stared straight ahead in the parked jeep.

Liz rested her hand on his arm, making him shiver. “That person wasn't you Max... it was the desperate man who had lost half his family because of who was. He had to do anything in his power to stop it from happening. I shouldn't have said what I did in the pod chamber... because it wasn't you who caused this... it was him. You just have his face but it wasn't you who asked me to do those things, it was a man who had his life turned upside down.” Stepping out the car she winced. The pain was still bitter; still fresh. “Even though I know all this... I can't help blame him for everything. I just wish he went to some one else... so I could at least look like myself and have full use of my body”

“You will soon enough” he said as he rushed over the other side of the car, letting out Tess and Matthew, who had been asleep in the back of the jeep and Alex, who had been occupied with Sophie. Max then ran over to Liz, lifting her into his arms.

“I can walk you know” she insisted weakly, knowing she wasn't going to get anywhere and was comfortable lying in his arms.

“You shouldn't have to” he whispered in her ear as he carried her over the rocks and into the chamber, closing the door behind him.

Putting her feet on the floor, she couldn't help notice how everyone just stared at her. Her blonde hair didn't cascaded over her back like it used to, her green eyes dazzled and her nose was a little smaller, her lips fuller. She blinked back tears. They looked at her like she was a stranger. Waving a hand over her face slowly, she changed her face back to the way she had once been. She was now Liz Parker again, something that made her collapse to the floor in tears.

* * * * * * *

As Max backed away from her now healed body, Liz still lay there crying.

“I want my life back” she whimpered. “I can't live like this.” Everyone stood in silence, still staring at her. All had the same emotions running through their veins. Their hearts broke as they saw at how damaged she was. She had forced herself into depression by taking it all on upon herself. Isabel shifted nervously on her feet, guilt washing over her.

*I caused this...* she thought bitterly at herself. *Why couldn't I have just kept my mouth shut?*

“Then we'll get it back for you” Ava announced as she strode over to Liz and dragged her into her arms, letting her cry softly on her shoulder. “And I know the perfect way to do it.”

* * * * * * *

“Do you think the plan will work?” she asked Max as they drove into the garage of his childhood home. As he stopped he turned to her, his hand resting on her shoulder.

“It has to Liz... or you just won't get your life back” His voice became soft. “And that's what I want most of all for you.”

As Max made his way into his parents house Liz stood by the car, hesitating. The last time she had been in his house was when she had told him she wouldn't die for him, a memory she had failed miserably in forgetting.

Max's voice drifted into her mind as she stood still, her eyes glazed over. “You coming in?” Her body simply followed him into the house, her mind still resisted by shutting down making her feel like she was numb all over. Yet the moment she stepped into his room, her mind erupted into a full blown panic. “What is it Liz?” panicked Max as Liz's eyes darted around the room, her arms hugging herself.

“I ... I shouldn't be here.” As she went for the door, Max leapt in front of her, taking her by the shoulders.

“Of course you should be! We agreed you would stay here with me.. it's safer here.” His hand started to caress her shoulder “So I can protect you”

“I- I know... it's just the last time I was here... I said all those things and I-I'm... afraid.” Her face scrunched up as she remembered one last time what she said that painful night.

“Of what?” Max pleaded her to answer. As Liz tried to turn away from him he pulled her close to him. “Tell me... lets be honest to each other for once.”

Taking a deep breath, she gently eased her way out of his arms and turned away sitting on the bed. “I'm afraid... that i-if I stay... things between us will change.”

“Change...? Why? How?” he asked as he back up against the door, leaning on it, as if to block Liz from running away. This was a moment that he had been waiting for years and he wasn't going to let Liz leave until they both said what they needed to say to each other. For years they had tormented each other, left feelings not addressed and hidden away from each other.

“If I don't leave now... I'll have to tell you I didn't mean all those things that day. It was all a speech the future you had planned. Not once had I thought I would ever say that I wouldn't die for you... especially after all you have done for me.” Max watched her hands she was gently rubbing together, trying to take in what she was saying. “You... you should have seen the way I cried that night up on my balcony. It-it felt like my heart was dying. It literally...” she let out a sob, her head in her hands, as she reminisced “broke. And the way you looked at me when you found me and Kyle in the same bed... I wished so much that I could run to you and tell you it was all this stupid plan to get you to fall out of love with me.” Her sobs now shivered through her body as she rocked as every word tumbled out of her mouth. “I didn't want to do it... I didn't want this to happen. I... I just wanted to hide away for ever... I didn't and still don't want to hurt you because... at the end of the day I...I” her face fell in shock, her head tilted up to look at Max who was now knelt before her. “I l-love you.”

Max knelt before her, his mouth wide open, tears on his cheeks. “I thought... thought I wasn't the same man you fell in love with. You told me... that... that I had changed.”

Her hand found his cheek as her other hand subconsciously went to the pedant to give her strength. “You did. You changed into a man we both forced you to become. I'm sorry.” a silent tear ran down her blood shot eyes. “But... the last few weeks have made you change. The man I saw in that lift was different. He was thoughtful, caring and willing to change. The moment you said 'I can feel her if I think about her hard enough. It's almost like she's in the same room, talking to me' I knew. I just wanted to run into your arms and cry for hours in them but...”

“But you couldn't. You left to protect everyone from this and that's exactly what you were going to do.” A bright yet sad smile erupted over Liz's face as he spoke.

“You haven't lost your touch, you can still read me like a book.” She bit her lip “I am so sorry for all I have put you through, Max. I meant to hurt you... but because of something that was out of my control. I'm sorry that I ran away... twice.”

Max gathered her hand in his leant forward, catching her eyes and holding them. “You have nothing to be sorry about. I'm the one that should be sorry... and I am... I'm sorry.” Tears started roll down his cheek “After what you did, everything went down hill for me. I felt like everything I depended on was gone and so I turned to the one person who said would always be there for me. I felt compelled to. But still that did nothing to make me feel more secure. I was broken by what you did, but I understand now. But it doesn't excuse the way in which I went out of my way to hurt you,” Max gave her hands a light squeeze. “I regret it Liz, because I was the one who sent you on your own, left you to fight against Khivar by yourself. I caused your cancer”

“Max... Don't blame yourself for that.” Liz demanded with certainty in her voice. “You were not to blame!”

He looked at her. “How do you know that? How do you know that when I feel deep in stomach that I am? Liz... every moment of every day I wish to God I hadn't hurt you.”

“I thought you didn't believe in God.” Her hand still rested in his, as she leant forward towards him touching his forehead with her own.

“Things change. People change. Beliefs change. I wished to God you would come home... and you're here right now.” He swallowed as he gazed into her emerald eyes. “But the one thing that didn't change was how I felt. I-I missed you, Liz. For the last four years I have missed seeing your face whenever I walk into the Crashdown. I miss watching you clean the drinks machine. I missed just seeing your face and the past five years I have missed holding you in my arms. I love you, I always have and always will do...” his glaze fell to Liz's lips the moment Liz's sought after his. Just forehead to forehead they could see the desire to kiss each other rumbling. Their souls craved, their hearts ached and their lips glowed crimson. Liz's hands left Max's and travelled up his arms to his neck, as his hands travelled to Liz's cheeks caressing each one as they moved into her hair pulling her head forward until their lips were just millimetres apart, both being able to feel the other's sweet breath on their lips. There they stayed, enjoying just the simple closeness, testing the other, seeing who will move first.

“Max” came the soft whimper from Liz's mouth as she took the final step. She couldn't deny herself the taste of his lips. Both started to embrace each others lips gracefully and lovingly as they both tried to display their love for one another. The kiss was slow and deep, loving and tender both taking it all in like it was air as if this whole time they had been suffocating without each other in their lives. Tears fell as their souls mingled together and Liz let Max in.

*****Flash*****

“You're not an alien, I mean. Are you?”

“Well I prefer the term not of this earth. Sorry, it's not a good time to joke.”

*****Flash*****

“Max, how is it possible that I could be...I could be the happiest that I've ever been in my entire life.. you know, and now the saddest all at... all at one time?”

“I think that's what what being in love is.”

“Yeah, I think so to.”

*****Flash*****
“Max, the day that you saved my life, your life just ended.”

“No, that was the day my life began. Liz, when I was in that room, and they did what they did to me. You're what kept me alive. The thought of you. The way your eyes look into mine. Your smile. The touch of your skin. Your lips. Knowing you has made me human. Whether I die tomorrow or fifty years from now, my destiny is the same: it's you. I want to be with you, Liz. I love you”

“I love you”
*****Flash*****

“What happened?”

“The closer that you and I grew, the worse it got with Tess, and eventually she left Roswell”

“Because of me?”

“Because of me, and how I treated her. And it turned out Tess was critical to our survival. The four of us- Michael, Isabel, Tess and I... we made a complete unit. We all had different gifts, and with one of us missing, we weren't as strong, and everything fell apart.”

“So, um... you want me to help you and Tess get together?”

“Yes”

“Why don't you just go to Tess”

“It's you I trust. It's you I have faith in, and because it's not just about me getting close to Tess. I need you to help me fall out of love with you”

*****Flash*****

“Your life will always be dangerous, but my life, it doesn't have to be. My life is only in danger if I am with you. I...I want to be in love with boys...normal boys. I...I want to see my 21st birthday. I...I want to have a wedding day. I...I...I want to have children...and I want my children to be safe. You know, Max, if...if you truly love me, you'll let me go. I may love you, but I...I don't want to die for you”

*****Flash*****

Liz on her balcony with Max's future self “Do you know how hard it was for me to tell him that I didn't want to die for him? He's the only reason that I'm alive right now”

*****Flash*****

Liz sat on her balcony “Don't you realise what you are to me...and you're always going to be? You're the love of my life Everyone else is gonna be second best. There'll never be another you.”

*****Flash*****

Liz sat in the doctors crying as her words rang through her head. “I'm sorry... you have ovarian cancer”

*****Flash*****

Liz was stood in the alleyway of where she worked, throwing out the garbage. The noise of a dustbin being toppled over echoes throughout the alleyway, startling Liz. As she turns she sees him instantly, making a run for the door to find it slamming in her face.

“Leave me alone!” she yelled with all her might, throwing Khivar across the alleyway and against the wall. “That was too easy” she whispered to herself as she came closer to the body.

Suddenly a hand covers her mouth and she is dragged away.

*****Flash*****

“Khivar, I'm going to die for christ sake! Just... just leave me alone... please” Liz sobbed into the ground as she laid half naked and face first in the dirt, Khivar's body still on top of her. “I can't give you what you want.... I can't have children” Everything remains silent until he rolls off her and everything goes black.

*****end of flashes*****

As the flashes ended Max pulled away from Liz with a start, gasping for air at what he had just seen. “Oh my god... Liz... did he?” the horror filled his face as he looked at her.

Turning her head away with shame she shook her head with confusion. “I don't know” she cried out loud. “I don't remember... anything after it went black. I...I...I wouldn't put it past him” She bit her lip. “I have tried so hard to forget it ever happened.” sobs broke her as she collapsed to the floor from the bed into a small heap, her head in her knees. “All I remember is waking up in the alley, half my clothes scattered around. I-I felt so... so...”

Max's heart almost burst with regret as he watched Liz crying on the floor. Damning himself, for driving her away from Roswell with Tess, he gathered her into his arms. “Shhh... it's okay. Your safe now.” he whispered sweetly. “You can forget about it. With me around he won't even get close to doing it to you again”

After what seemed like an hour of pure silence, both just holding each other, Liz lifted her head from his chest and her lips sought out Max's tugging him into a passionate kiss, something she needed. He held her tighter to him as their tongues mingled. Pulling away, Liz stood up, her hand out stretched for his. “Max... I need you to do something for me. I want us to put all our differences behind us, put behind every word we said back then... just for tonight at least. I need you to...to. I need you to love me tonight” she said quietly. “just in case I never get the chance”

Max looked at Liz, love in his eyes. She was willing to give herself to him, something he had dreamt about hundreds of times. It was a request he had never thought he would hear. “Are you sure?” he asked softly as he took her hand, and pressed their foreheads together.

“I've never been so sure before in my life” was all Liz replied before she lead him to the bed.

ohhhhhhhhhhh okay. You can have it now... only cos I love ya

PART NINETEEN

Liz didn't want to be in the middle of the park by herself. She wanted to be back in bed, lying opposite Max, mouthing I love you to each other until the early hours of the morning like she was just hours ago. Neither of them had gotten any sleep that night, lying together intertwined as they spoke for hours on end about anything and everything. It was the night that she realised she was always going to shine brightly on the inside, because Liz and Max's souls became one for that one moment of bliss.

*****Flash back*****
She felt every emotion he felt, see every thought he had and she could almost read his mind as they made love passionately yet tenderly to each other. Sweet sweat covered their bodies as their temperatures rose. Their eyes never left the others, flashes playing across their minds as they did so. As their hands roamed over each others bodies, a silver glow followed and as their bodies moved slowly, a glow emitted from them. A purple glow that filled the room, a glow so bright that it almost blinded them yet wasn't seen by anyone else but them.

As the purple light dimmed, they just laid there mouthing the word 'wow' over and over again.

“Even with the couple of times I have been with Tess... that hasn't happened.” Liz winced slightly at the reminder that Max had been with Tess yet raised an eyebrow as she remembered the words

“Just a couple of times?” she sounded amazed. “You have been married for just about four years, but you have only made love a couple of times?”

“We had sex... yes, but just a couple of times. With you I made love.” He smiled “For the first time...” soothing back her hair from her face he declared softly. “I love you.”

“I love you”
*****End of flashback*****

Now Liz was sat in the middle of a day lit park, quite literally waiting for Nicholas to show up and she didn't like it even though she knew the rest of the gang were placed around the park, constantly watching her every move. After only two minutes of sitting around, Liz could already feel him getting closer in the form of the feeling of dread settling in her stomach. She clenched onto the bench she was sat on to keep herself from running away or change her appearance before it was too late.

So she sat there, searching the deserted park peacefully, watching everything around her like it was the last time she was going to see it. As she did so she saw him, sitting by the pond, staring at her in an amused way. Next thing she knew he was sat right next to her.

“Has someone given up the fight?” he taunted in a way you would to talk to a child. “Can't stand the big old nasty men any more?”

Liz kept her gaze straight ahead, watching Isabel and Michael acting like a couple playing with their child. Their hands twitched slightly as he placed a hand on her knee, the other on her chin to turn her head. Her eyes still looked somewhere else other than him as she watched Max start to approach them, a disgusted look in his eye. As his hand came up to fire at him, a blast in his back sent him to the ground and sent Liz to her feet.

“No! Max!” she screamed, Nicholas holding her down on the bench. As her stare remained on Max, she watched as his attacker stepped forward out of the trees. “Ava?” she whispered in horror.

“Isabel!” she screamed as Ava started making her way towards Liz, but heard no reply. Turning round to glare at her, she realised Isabel couldn't see what was happening. Horror filled Liz as she looked around at her friends, none of them could see Ava approaching Liz, a manic look on her face. “You mind warped them!” she stated frightened. “Why? I thought you were my friend!”

All Ava did was smile. “Haven't you heard of the phrase keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer? You were so easy to fool Liz... pathetically so.” She placed a hand on Liz's shoulder. “Now that I have you... its about time he sees you.” Placing her hand on Liz's head she sent her to the floor, unconscious and totally unseen by her friends. “Nicholas... do something right for once and bring his royal highness, Max, to the car as well. I think Khivar could use him to break her.”

* * * * * * *

As soon as Ava dropped the mind warp, Isabel looked up at the bench, expecting to see Liz sat there yet there was no one. Grabbing her phone, she rang Max. The light ring of his mobile could be heard just meters away from the bench, making her feeling like she was going to vomit. Taking a few steps towards Michael who was sat on the floor with Matthew she almost burst into tears. The worst had happened and they didn't even realise.

“Michael... I think we have a problem” she mumbled as she pointed over her shoulder. “Max and Liz are gone.” Looking around her acknowledging Tess' presence the opposite side of the bench, “I can't seem to see Ava either”

* * * * * * *

“What do you mean you can't find them?” yelled a hysterical Maria. “How can you lose three people for God's sake!” Her panicked screeches made everyone nervous and her pacing around the room made the feeling worse. Without Max, their leader there to help them through they were lost and were just scaring each other more and more. As Isabel hid in Alex's arms, Alex tried desperately to calm Maria down.

“Maria... please you have to calm down... if you get yourself worked up you won't be any use and we will be one man down in the rescue party...”

“But what if we can't find them. I mean they could be bloody anywhere. In the white room, in the river... oh my god.” Her face paled “They could be dead already. Oh my god... what will I do with out Lizzy?!”

“Shut up!” shouted a voice from the corner of the Michaels apartment that sent everyone in the room to stop dead. All were frozen with shock except for Tess who fired an angry look towards Maria. “Liz, Max and Ava are all missing, probably in trouble and all you can think about is what you are going to do without Liz if she dies!” Her blonde curls moved wildly as she moved towards Maria, pointing her finger at her. “The more you bloody rant and rave the more likely it is that you will have to deal with life without her! Now calm down and lets find out where the hell they are being kept.”

She fired the look at everyone, making them all nod. “Right... Izzy, do you think you could dream walk one of them? It might give us a starting place”

Izzy gripped on to Alex's hand, almost cutting off the blood to it. “I... I... ummm...” her eyes fell to the floor “I can't do it”

Tess flew a hand to her mouth as she remembered that Isabel had dream walked her father just moments before he died. The images that she saw suggested he knew he was going to die, and they had scared Isabel. Since then she had a fear of dream walking, one fear that usually had her frozen to the spot, in tears or trembling. “I am so sorry I forgot. I know it was traumatic for you when you dream walked your Dad... but Izzy, you don't want to lose them as well... do you? Because if you don't do this... we will lose them. Sophie won't have an uncle, Matthew won't have a father.” Compassion filled her voice. “I know this is hard for you Isabel... but you have to do this. For them.”

Isabel didn't answer, just lead Alex into the bedroom, silently taking a photo frame, which contained a picture of them at the prom in it. Michael just picked up a shirt and left the room, needing to let off some steam. Tess was now stood alone with Maria Deluca, a woman she had never tried to get along with because she simply couldn't understand the girl. She fed off fighting and sexual tension between her Michael yet crumbled at times of crisis... yet she couldn't hate her. She couldn't even mildly dislike her because it was Maria. Just like Alex she was one of those people who pick up your spirits and send them flying.

“I don't know what else to suggest... we do. If Max was here... or . or” Her human side almost pushed through her stone wall as she thought about it. “If Jim and Kyle were here... we would have some ideas but...” her head almost fell forward to hide the tears that had gathered on her lashes as she thought about the reasons they weren't around.

“Tess?” asked Maria, who looked concerned.

“It's okay... I just wish they were here, you know?” Maria nodded. Tess sighed heavily as she reminisced... revealing her feelings to Maria as she fell to the sofa. “When Liz left everything changed... and when Jim had his heart attack, it felt like they both held us responsible. The doctors said it was stress... Kyle said it was alien related stress. He became so angry with me and it got worse the moment me and Max announced our engagement. Kyle accused me of killing his dad. He said that they had let me into their home, into their family and I killed his dad because of it. He said that announcing our engagement had pushed Jim over the edge and he fell, dying the same day.” She wiped her hands over her tear stained face, looking at the tears angrily. She never cried, she never shared her feelings, but today something small changed. She made herself leader to help her friends; her family. She turned to face Maria whose eyes were bulging out of her skull with shock at the sight. “Sorry,” Tess whimpered embarrassed.

Maria shook her head. “Never apologise for being human, Tess. Never. Its about time you spoke about it... I know how much you cared about Kyle” Tess's head lurched up.

“What do you mean?”

Maria smiled to herself. “I saw they way you used to look at him. Don't think I didn't see the way you looked on your wedding day. You didn't look as near as happy as when you were Kyle.”

Tess fumbled in her pocket nervously, trying to get away with answering Maria. She pulled a hair band out of it and quickly scraped all her blonde curls into a pony tail before jumping to her feet. “What can I say... I loved... love him. Right.. I'm going to go scout out some areas they could be. Ring me once Isabel has something.”

Maria nodded, running her hand through her long hair. “Okay” she muttered as new tears sprang to life as she remembered about Liz.

* * * * * * *

Isabel stood in Liz's dream watching all that had happened

So she sat there, searching the deserted park peacefully, watching everything around her like it was the last time she was going to see it. As she did so she saw him, sitting by the pond, staring at her in an amused way. Next thing she knew he was sat right next to her.

“Has someone given up the fight?” he taunted in a way you would to talk to a child. “Can't stand the big old nasty men any more?”

Liz kept her gaze straight ahead, watching Isabel and Michael acting like a couple playing with their child. Their hands twitched slightly as he placed a hand on her knee, the other on her chin to turn her head. Her eyes still looked somewhere else other than him as she watched Max start to approach them, a disgusted look in his eye. As his hand came up to fire at him, a blast in his back sent him to the ground and sent Liz to her feet.

“No! Max!” she screamed, Nicholas holding her down on the bench. As her stare remained on Max, she watched as his attacker stepped forward out of the trees. “Ava?” she whispered in horror.

“Isabel!” she screamed as Ava started making her way towards Liz, but heard no reply. Turning round to glare at her, she realised Isabel couldn't see what was happening. Horror filled Liz as she looked around at her friends, none of them could see Ava approaching Liz, a manic look on her face. “You mind warped them!” she stated frightened. “Why? I thought you were my friend!”

All Ava did was smile. “Haven't you heard of the phrase keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer? You were so easy to fool Liz... pathetically so.” She placed a hand on Liz's shoulder. “Now that I have you... its about time he sees you.”

Everything went black. Isabel tried to find her bearings but without luck made her hand glow, giving herself a light. As she stepped forward she found her, curled in a ball her eyes wide, staring straight ahead with fear. Her eyes were almost vacant as Isabel approached. Liz had hidden inside herself, detaching herself from what she felt was going to happen.

“Liz?” Liz's eyes didn't flicker, not one muscle moved. “Liz can you hear me?” Still nothing. Liz was still staring but now muttering to herself. Her hands started to twitch uncontrollably. Isabel knelt before her, a hand moving towards her shoulder. As soon as she made contact Liz screamed, lunging towards Isabel, grabbing her blue shirt bringing Isabel to her level.

“Help... please” She held on tight as if Isabel was he life line.

“Liz... what's going on? Where are you?” Liz shook her head, unable to tell her.

So Isabel did something she had only ever done with Alex, she connected with Liz which sent a wave of flashes that were out of her control.

*****Flash*****
Liz waking in the car, looking out and seeing the window, seeing she was still in Roswell. Being injected with a green goo. “That will stop them using their powers”

*****Flash*****
Liz being dragged by the arms, her head bent, through a long corridor. Liz screamed inwardly as she saw the same symbol they had seen when Max had been taken by the FBI.

*****Flash*****
Liz being thrown into the white padded cell, the door shut behind her.

*****Flash*****
“No!” she cried as she scraped her nails along the floor of the room she was being kept in. The table stood waiting for her, as they dragged her to it. She landed with a thump as they threw her on it and strapped her down. The leather ties dug in her skin as they pulled it tighter and tighter. Ava stood over her smiling.

“He'll be here soon” she said coldly, “ But I have been told I can some fun until then”.

*****Flash*****
Liz stared at the ceiling, detaching herself from the situation. If she could detach maybe she wouldn't feel any pain. She could feel the other woman running her hand over Liz's leg, deciding what to do with her. Suddenly it all stopped. No one touched her. No one spoke and as she looked down to see what was happening she screamed as Ava broke her leg in two, the bone ripping through the skin, the smell of blood filling the room.

Isabel gasped as she was forced out of Liz's mind into the harsh reality, Alex's arms around her.

“Oh my god” she screamed. “They are torturing her!”

“Who are?” asked Alex calmly as he rubbed her back, trying to get her to stop shaking.

She turned her head to look at him. Her face was pale, tears tracing down her cheeks. “Ava.” she lunged off the bed to the kitchen, running the tap and gulped a sip of water, both Alex and Maria stood behind her, arms crossed. Isabel didn't turn to look at them. “They have her in the white room, at Eagle Rock. The same one they tortured Max in... but this isn't the FBI.” she took her hair out of the brown clip she was wearing, letting it fall around her shoulders. “It's Ava... I think she is working for Khivar” She didn't turn to see their reactions. Maria's sob said it all.

Well it's wednesday... And since I usually post on wednesdays I guess it's time for another part even though I posted one on monday This will explain A LOT.

PART TWENTY

Liz woke no longer strapped to the table, her leg fully healed, yet all the rest of the torture was still branded on her body. Ava had enough compassion in her body to heal the leg but nothing else.

*Like she has any humane bone in her body.* she thought bitterly as she winced from the pain of trying to get up from the floor. Once she had managed she looked around the room, the room haunting her as she remembered what had once occurred either in this very room or in a room much like it. It was exactly the same room she had seen in Max's memories except for the mirror that was now in the right wall.

She could tell just by looking at it someone was on the other side, watching her every move. They had probably witnessed everything that had happened to her. Seen the burning, the cuts, the beatings and the breaking. They probably witnessed her scream for any ounce of mercy that Ava had in her body. They probably watched her cry herself to submission and fall unconscious from the pain.

*They probably enjoyed it* She touched the mirror with her blooded hand, leaving a smear of blood across it as she wiped her hand away from it. She continued to stare into it. She looked defeated and old, her sparkle in her eye gone. Extinguished the moment Ava touched her. Her eyes were red raw where she had cried herself out of tears. The want and urge to cry was lying underneath her skin, yet she didn't cry because there were no tears left in her body. The dried blood, which most of her hair stuck to, covered her face so much her pale skin could not be seen beneath it.

She backed away from the mirror as she felt Khivar's presence in the building, feeling like the world had ended, she backed into the corner and slid down the white padding, mentally detaching herself.

“Give up Liz,” she heard his voice boom out of concealed speakers. “Just give up and come be mine. We could be so happy together.”

Liz didn't speak, just stuck her middle finger in the air, not knowing if he could see it, not caring if he did. “Fuck you!” she spat at the mirror. “You can't have me”

She heard a laugh fill the room. “You really are feisty. Here I was thinking Nicholas was exaggerating and he wasn't. I am going to have some fun with you!”

“Never” she shouted, her hands pounding on the padded floor.

“We shall see about that. You may want to look at the mirror. What you shall see might just surprise you” She turned her head to the mirror expecting to see Khivar stood there, his handsome but menacing eyes peeling off her clothes.

As the mirror disappeared she gasped, faced with a plain glass wall, with Max on the other side of it, tied up to the wall by his hands. His eyes pierced straight through the glass into Liz's and the tears welled in her eyes.

“Oh, Max” she whispered as she scrambled over to the glass, her hands flat against the glass. “Max” she cried as they just looked at each other, declaring their love for each other across their connection, across the glass barrier that separated them.

A panel moved in his cell and Ava appeared, in a black suit, closing the white padded panel behind. She glanced at Liz as she moved towards Max, waving a hand to reveal his bare chest, turning back to Liz. Ava walked to the glass and placed a kiss that was just inches from her face before bringing a blade from behind her hand and laid it flat against the pane. Liz's eyes focused on it with absolute horror, watching as Ava took it away and run straight at Max, plunging it straight in his stomach.

Liz pounded at the glass, crying as she watched Max's face as he silently screamed with pain.

“Stop it!” she screamed “Please! Stop hurting him!” There was no answer, and all she could do was watch Max's face. He lifted his head, his jaw clenched, tears gathering in his eyes. Their eyes met for a brief second before Ava twisted the knife at a 90 degree angle, blood pouring from it. He threw his head back for a moment, roaring with pain, a pain which was gone a second later as Ava removed the blade and healed him.

“Let her go” he pleaded through gritted teeth. “I'll give him the throne if he just lets her go!”

Ava just beamed at him, glancing back at Liz who was hitting the glass hard with her bloody fists. “What makes you think that's what he wants. He already has the throne Max. What he wants is a powerful Queen to be by his side and the prophecy states Liz is the most powerful... so therefore he wants her and only her. What ever you have offer in return won't change his mind.”

“What if I offer him the granolith?” He asked in desperation. Ava smiled once again.

“We have that now... thanks to your feeble mind” wiping her knife on her pressed trousers, she walked over to the wall. “Any way... he won't need that now that he has Liz. It will just be an added bonus. Now let me have my fun.” Again she made a charge at Max, embedding her knife deep within him. Blood spilled to his lips as she twisted it round and round, her body pressed up against him.

“I thought you were her friend” he forced out, ignoring the agony she was causing to his body.

She laughed. “That's what I wanted her to believe. All this time I was just doing it for my own sake.” she licked her lips as she neared his face. He could feel her hot burning breath on his face as she spoke. “Think how I felt when she had what I wanted, you.”

“What about Za...?” he asked trying to stop himself from screaming as she pushed the blade in slightly.

“Zan?” She smirked “He never loved me. All he wanted was to stay here on this pathetic planet. When I first saw you I thought you were different and could easily be moulded. I hoped you would want to go home just as much as we dupes did... but no” she spat in his face, then licked it off, her tongue burning his skin like acid. “You were just the same as Zan. So I decided I would screw you over... you and your precious little Liz.”

“By giving her to Khivar and torturing her?” he roared angrily.

Ava giggled slightly at his reaction and shook her head. “No. By breaking her bit by bit, piece by piece everyday. Khivar and his prophecy just gave me the perfect excuse.”

“Why? How? Liz is the strongest person I know... how could you break her?”

Ava's hand began to glow as she moved to a panel near Max, starting the intercom, allowing Liz to hear. Liz's muted tears filled Max's cell as Ava moved away.

“Liz?” he breathed as he listened on her tears. Liz's head bobbed up to look at him.

“Oh Max” she began before she was cut off by his screams. Ava's hand was on his skin, torching a hand print into his flesh. “No!” She screamed “Stop it!”

“The quicker you shut it, the quicker the pain stops” Ava's threw over her shoulder at Liz, her eyes black and menacing. Liz became silent and as promised Ava stopped.

“I don't want to repeat myself here... so you will hear what I have to say. Max here asked me how could I break the strongest person he knew. Easy. Through the one thing she loved. You, Max and everyone else she cared about. My work started a couple of weeks after Future Max... when I forced you two apart with the one thing that stood in your way...”

“Tess” Liz growled.

“Yes. Tess. The one person who could drive a wedge between the two of you. After Max saw you in bed with Kyle he didn't stop loving you, and was almost on the verge of accepting you whether or not you slept with Kyle. So I... how shall I put this... generated some feelings that neither Tess or Max shared.”

Max caught his breath in his lungs. “Y-you were responsible for me and Tess?”

Ava nodded. “I am also the reason Matthew exists in the first place. I forced that evening to happen.”

“That's why I don't remember much about that night...”

“You weren't in control” finished Liz, tears of hope filling her eyes. The man she loved had never loved Tess, hadn't meant for that night to happen. His feelings for Tess Harding were a mind warp.

“You haven't been in control every time you have slept with her, you haven't been in control for a while. Didn't you wonder why you couldn't feel her emotions once you had connected?”

Liz's mind boggled. Was that what the light was about? Were they now connected. Taking a deep breath she opened up her senses and there, as she expected, was Max. She could feel every emotion of hatred towards Ava.

“The purple light,” Max muttered to himself.

Ava turned to him shocked “The light is what you will experience when you truly connect with a person,” her head crept round to face Liz. “And I expect that means you two are connected now.” Yet again she faced Max. Her anger boiling beneath the surface. “The one time you are in control of your body and the first thing you do is fuck her! You're more like Zan then I thought you were!” She rammed her knee hard into his groin, making him numb all over with pain. “But I suppose I had my revenge with that day in the eraser room.”

“You mean...” Liz started, pain seeping into her chest as she remembered that day whole heartedly.

“Yes. He wasn't even in control when he last spoke to you before you ran away. He didn't say those things.” she flashed a sly smile across her lips. “I did.”

Liz looked at Max. Her heart breaking knowing that some one had caused the rift between them, a rift that had almost destroyed her.

Ava continued regardless to the fact neither of her prisoners was listening to her, their souls were crying out for comfort. “Everything he has felt against you has been a complete lie. Every time I took control all I could feel was his nauseating love for you. He wouldn't have forced you away like that, so I did it to you.”

Max closed his eyes, his tears washing away all the negative things he had thought about Liz. In his heart he had never meant them and was finally seeing sense. They had always seemed like they had been put there and were false.

Ava focused her attention to Max, her small hands wrapped around the handle of the blade. “I even made her friends phase her out of the group. They all felt things they didn't actually feel. I used you, Max, and everyone else to my advantage and she ran straight to her Aunts, exactly how I expected. When I found her in Florida I spent my time getting to know your little whore, knowing she would open up to me because I was an alien after all.” She paused to drag out her knife from Max's body, allowing him the right to gasp in anguish at the feeling. Looking at the blood on the knife intently she continued. “After a couple of months she had wanted to go back to Roswell, but I just reminded her of the brat you had brought into the world and the way you had treated her. When Khivar came to me I offered him Liz in return for going home. Telling him I would make sure she would come home to Roswell at some point, where she was most vulnerable,... but not for a while until it was time for the next phase of the prophecy when she would finally become useful to him.

“I thought he wanted her child?” asked a confused Max.

“He never did... We told Liz that so she would fear him... run herself down by making her run. The only problem with that was sooner or later she would want to go home so you would protect her as you would... so I kept her away by telling her she would lead danger back to you and your normal lives, spouting all this crap about how selfish that was.” she looked at Liz. “You had no idea I was drumming that idea into your head on purpose. After a year or two you just automatically believed you would be putting them into danger if you went back home.”

“I have always been selfless” Liz cut in. “You couldn't have had that much of an affect over that.”

“That's what you think. You maybe be selfless when it comes to the people you love, but not to go home when you need help... that isn't you. You would have gone home, not caring what or who you lead back with you. I made sure it was something you feared and that broke you. The final straw was my wish, which came from Max's mouth. You had wanted to come home... go back and beg for help like the pathetic thing you are, it was also time for the next phase of the prophecy” Her gaze fell from the knife, lowering it to her side twisting it round in her hand, and looked at Liz. “I did the one thing I knew would keep you away, yet eventually lead you back. I started the chemical reaction in your body and your cancer formed, saying that it was what Max had intended and then continuously blamed him for it.”

Liz's hands pounded on the glass. “You bitch. You slag. How could you! You made me believe that I was going to die.” she grinned as she carried on. “But I never believed you when you said Max had caused it.” She looked towards Max. “You know how I was adamant you weren't to blame for it.. Well I had defended you every single time she blamed you without knowing why I knew for sure it wasn't you. It was her the whole time, I knew it but just wouldn't believe it!”

Ava moved towards Liz, kneeling before her. Both their breath formed little clouds on the glass, both eyed each other. “It worked though... you stayed away.”

“But she didn't stay away forever did she?” Barked Max.

Ava's head snapped round. “Her will power to stay away was wavering, telling me it was time. So I brought her back... I decided to form the idea that because she couldn't have children it would put Matthew in danger because Khivar didn't need her any more. Not only did it break her slightly, but it meant that the phase of the prophecy could be completed. I knew full well you would heal Liz once you saw her. Once that had happened I needed Liz to become careless and withdrawn... so I played on her emotions... well...” she smirked. “Isabel did.”

Liz's face went pale. “You... y-you made her feel all those things?”

“Well... I played on her fears feeding them with the idea that Khivar would go after her child. I have to admit that was my best work yet. She had no idea what came over her.”

Max looked confused at Liz. “What is she on about Liz?”

“Isabel was the reason I left. S-she felt that I had brought danger to you lot... so I felt I had to leave... so you could all lead a n... normal life.” Her body rested limply on the pane as she remembered how empty she felt as she heard Isabel speak. “But it was all a lie.” she eyed Ava. “Why?”

A smile spread across Ava's lips, excited about how she was now able to unravel her plans. “Because it would force you out on your own. Without anyone to watch over you... you made careless mistakes. It brought you more into solitude and into danger. You weren't yourself, you couldn't be and that would be what ultimately broke you. Because when I set the accident up..”

“It was you!” belted Max who tried helplessly to pull his hands free from his binds and throttle Ava. “You tried to kill my son!”

“I had to do it! Just to bring her back... so she could feel the pain that she could see you but you couldn't see her. She couldn't hold you or speak to you even if she wanted to. The belief that she was doing it for all your own good would throw her further into depression, making mistakes forcing her to show herself and you would make the ultimate mistake... follow my plan. To trust me. With a little help from Nicholas I managed to break her until you were all willing to do what ever it took.”

Liz hands came to her face, blood smeared onto her hands where the tears had turned it back to a liquid. The one person she felt she could trust with her life had turned her into this mess; she turned Liz Parker into this shell of a person. She trusted someone and yet again she was hurt by her. It wasn't everyone else she should have worried about, protected herself from... it was Ava that she should have been wary around. “To think I trusted you. You made me turn my back on every person I loved. Every night when I cried myself to sleep, begging myself to go back, you told me my friends didn't want to know because I had run away like a coward. You always enforced... the i-idea that I was... was a bloody c-c-coward.” she stammered, using her own arms to hold herself and her misery, she picked herself from the floor, speaking to the padded wall. “All I wanted was to be loved and to be able to trust, you took that to your advantage. Now your going to just hand me over to Khivar and think I will go willingly.” She turned to face Ava, disgust on her face. “Your wrong. I won't go willingly. You can do what you want to me... I won't break.”

Ava stood from where she was kneeling, wiping her hands on her trousers. It made Liz want to vomit because there on those trousers was Max's blood. “I won't be so sure about that Liz, you will go. I will break you.”