Roswell Fanatics

Finally another chapter finished. I hope everyone likes it. It's not as long as I was going for, but I'll have another update up tomorrow night. Thank you so much for the feedback. It means so much! Thanks!




Chapter 11

Liz Evans lay in bed waiting for her husband and Emma to come home. Emma had been staying over at a friend's house. She called crying saying she wanted to come home.

Liz immediately threw back the covers, preparing to go get her, when Max vehemently protested Liz driving at one in the morning. He said he would go get Emma himself. When Liz offered that she would go with him, this offer was also protested.

Apparently, Max thought she was an invalid being eight months and one week pregnant. She was annoyed at first. But deep down her heart swelled at his protectiveness.

Emma has yet to go through with a sleepover at a friend's house. She would go, and would always want to come home. Liz didn't mind at all, it just hurt her deeply to think Emma still was having difficulty trusting her safety. She would only feel safe at home, with Michael and Maria, or staying over at Jesse and Isabel's. A tear slipped down her cheek unnoticed at the thought of Isabel. It had been well over three months, almost four, since Isabel was murdered. No leads...nothing. After her, the bodies just stopped appearing. Number six had yet to appear. Everyone was sick with paranoia and fear. All of Orange County was, especially Anaheim. The questions were on everyone's mind. Who would be number six? Would there even be a number six? Who is killing them? Was it someone they knew? It haunted everyone.

Emma seemed especially haunted. After everyone lost Isabel, Emma was so afraid of losing someone else. She never wanted to leave her family, hence why she was up at 1 AM, waiting for her family to come home. She knew Max was just as protective of Emma.

Splaying her hands gently over her protruding abdomen, a warm smile graced her face knowing that Max was going to show the same tender love and fierce protectiveness towards their babies. Their twins. Their son and daughter. Tyler Michael and Sophie Isabel Maria. Liz's smile grew even warmer. She remembered the day when they found out they were having a son and a daughter.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Max, calm down," Liz said frustrated.

"I am calm Liz," Max assured his wife.

"Then why do you keep bouncing your leg? You only do that when you are nervous," Liz said.

Max rolled his eyes. "I"m just anxious okay? I am dying to know," he admitted softly.

Liz smiled. "So am I Max. But you need to relax. You've got this look on your face like you're about to across enemy lines. It's just the doctor's office Max. You've been here dozens of times with me already," Liz teased.

"I know. I know. I'm just....nervous. You know?" Max admitted.

Liz did know. During her pregnancy, both herself and Max had been on eggshells. They were both so afraid of losing their babies. Especially since everything that had been going on. But Liz knew the babies would be born, they would definitely see the world and she was sure their entrance was going to be memorable.

"Liz Evans?" the receptionist asked interrupting the train of thoughts the couple were having.

Liz and Max stood up simultaneously.

"The doctor will see you now," she informed them.

They both nodded and linked hands and crossed enemy lines.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Both babies are fine. Beautifully, perfectly healthy twin babies," the doctor informed them.

The doctor smirked at seeing the impatient and excited looks on their faces. She knew they were absolutely dying to know what the sexes were. She decided to put them out of their misery.

"Well, it looks like you're having a son....and a daughter," she informed them with a huge smile on her face.

Max and Liz both looked shell-shocked.

"W-What?" Max gasped out.

"You're having a boy and a girl," she repeated.

"Oh my God," Liz whispered.

Max and Liz stared into each other's tear-filled eyes with the same intense feelings. Astonishment. Awe. Hope. Love. They felt all of these things.

"I can't believe it," Liz said.

Max smiled, "I know..it's just so...so..

"Perfect," Liz interrupted.

Max nodded, "Perfect," he whispered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Liz was broken out of her reverie by the sound of the front door closing.

She got up out of bed and padded across the room and out into the hall. As she was ending the hall, she saw Max carrying a sleeping Emma up the stairs.

"How is she?" Liz asked quietly as to not wake up Emma.

"Tired. Scared," Max answered solemnly.

"I wish she wasn't scared anymore," Liz said.

"I wish none of us were scared anymore," Max said.

Liz followed Max into Emma's room while he tucked her safely into bed.

Liz brushed a strand of dark, wavy hair out of her face and kissed her forehead tenderly.

"Sweet dreams baby," she whispered before her and Max walked out of Emma's room, leaving the door cracked.

"She's okay Liz," Max said softly at seeing the look on his wife's face.

"How do we know for sure? I mean, Max, she was traumatized severely," Liz said.

"So were you," Max countered softly.

"I know! But I wasn't a child Max. Emma was, god she was tormented by that bastard," Liz spat out feeling the anger resurface.

Max's heart broke at the anger he heard in her voice and saw on her face. It broke because he knew that fear and pain were fueling that anger.

"Baby, come here," Max said opening his arms.

Liz rushed into his arms without further encouragement.

"Everything will be okay," Max assured her.

Liz nodded against his chest, wanting to believe him, but knowing that he didn't know for sure whether or not everything would be okay.

The ringing of Max's cell phone broke into their moment. Liz sighed moving away from him, knowing he had to answer whoever the hell was calling so late. At least they had the decency not to call the house, Liz thought.

Max gave Liz and apologetic look and answered his phone quickly.

"Yeah?" he answered tiredly.

"Max...it's Jesse. I found him. I know who killed Isabel," Jesse said urgently.

TBC

I appreciate the feedback..thanks so much! Here's the new chapter, I hope everyone enjoys it.



Chapter 12

Max pulled up the address that Jesse had given him. Jesse had cryptically told him to meet him there and hung up after telling him he found the killer. Max's stomach was in knots. He didn't know what to think. Did Jesse really find him? Or had Jesse finally lost it completely? Max seriously hoped it was the former.

He was abruptly shaken out of his thoughts by an insistent pounding on this window. He looked up to see Jesse's face. Jesse looked like he'd been through hell, and rightfully so, considering that's exactly what he had been through.

Max stepped out of the car.

"Jesse?" he asked cautiously.

"Max, it's him. He lives right here," Jesse spat out angrily.

Max swallowed feeling dread form in his stomach.

"Who is he?" Max asked.

"His name is Richard Collins. He's 46-years old. He killed Isabel," Jesse said like that explained everything.

"How do you know this?" Max asked with even more caution than he felt before.

"Because I fucking know it's him Max! He's on parole right now. Six months ago he was released from doing a twenty year sentence for second degree murder. I know it's him. He killed a woman in 1984. Just like Isabel. The woman was stranded on the side of the road and he beat her to death," Jesse said.

"Jesse, but how do you know he killed Isabel?" Max asked.

"Who the else could it fucking be Max? It's him. He's the lead we have. We go in there, we fucking kill him!" Jesse screamed.

"Jesse, we can't just go barging into his house without a warrant and fucking kill him!" Max screamed back.

"Yes, we can! He deserves it Max," Jesse said full of rage.

"Jesse, you have no proof it's him. You haven't questioned him for an alibi or anything. What about the other murders, huh? That's certainly not his type, is it? None of the others were stranded. This doesn't add up Jesse, " Max reasoned.

"It adds up enough to me," Jesse said with finality.

"Come on Jesse, let's go. We'll get a warrant and we can question him, okay? Find out if it's really him," Max said, although he knew that this Richard Collins was certainly not the killer. Max felt it in his bones that this was the wrong guy. His bones also felt that they were all slowly losing Jesse as well. Isabel died in a matter of minutes, Jesse had been withering away for months.

"No Max! Fucking no! You might not give a shit about Isabel, but I fucking do!" he screamed.

Max felt the anger begin to boil his blood. He knew Jesse was irrational and didn't know what he was saying, but he cared about Isabel, they all did. They all still do.

"Don't you ever fucking say that again! I understand you probably don't know what you're saying, but that's the last time Jesse. Not again! You're not going in there and killing him. We're not doing it. Think about it Jesse. Listen to yourself," Max said desperately.

"I am listening to myself Max. You might not be going in there. But I am. You can't stop me," Jesse said.

"No. You're not," Max disagreed.

"Max, don't fight me on this," Jesse said warningly.

"NO! You don't fight me on this," Max said back with just as much warning.

His warning was met with a solid punch to the nose. He fell back against the car and proceeded to fall limply to the ground. He held his nose and felt the blood coming pouring between his fingers. His surroundings kept fading in and out. He heard Jesse's footsteps run off, he heard them each and every angry step.

He heard banging on the front door, and a man opening it. He heard yelling and screaming. Accusations and defenses being shouted. He heard breaking glass. Then he heard the gunshot before losing consciousness.

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

When Max Evans awoke the first thing he saw was Liz's worried, tired face staring back at his own.

"Oh my God, Max! Are you okay?!" she asked frantically at seeing her husband's eyes open.

Max just kept staring at her, then answered, "You look tired."

Liz stood there in shock, she knew he was always worrying about her, but this was just ridiculous.

"Of course I'm tired Max, it's 5 in the morning. I haven't slept all night. But I'm fine. Are you okay though?" she asked with concern.

"I'm fine, I promise. Just a headache," he said. At the mention of his condition, he immediately remembered the nights events that led to him actually being here in the first place.

"Jesse?! Is he okay? I heard a gunshot!" Max asked just as frantically as Liz was before. He was trying to get up out of bed while asking these questions.

"Max, lay back down. Jesse's fine, at least in the physically," she said with sorrow.

"What happened?" Max asked warily.

"Jesse and that man got into a fight. Jesse pulled out his gun and shot him," Liz said.

"WHAT?!" Max yelled in disbelief.

"Is Richard Collins dead?" Max asked.

"He's in ICU. It's pretty serious. As of now, he's alive, but the doctors don't know for how long or even if he'll pull through," Liz answered.

"Jesus Christ," Max muttered.

"Where's Jesse?" he asked.

"He's in jail. They are holding him until he's court hearing tomorrow morning," Liz said.

"Oh God," Max said in even further disbelief.

"Where's Emma?" he asked worriedly.

"She's fine. She's at her friend's house again. I called them, they were okay with her coming back over. I don't think Emma wanted to, but I didn't want her here," Liz said.

Max nodded in agreement.

"Let's get out of here and go get her," Max said.

"Max, you need to stay," Liz protested.

"Liz I'm fine, just a little busted nose," Max teased halfheartedly.

"Liz, come on, I want to be at home, with you and Emma," he pleaded.

"Okay, let me get the doctor first and see if it's okay," Liz said.

Max sighed.

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

Thirty minutes later, the doctor agreed it was okay for Max to go home and the release papers were signed and they were ready to go.

Liz and Max were walking down the hospital corridors slowly, in Max's delicate condition, and Liz's of course.

Liz felt a sharp pain go through her stomach and she flinched noticeably.

"What's wrong?" Max asked alarm.

"I had a cramp or something. I'm fine," Liz assured him.

Just as quickly as she assured her husband, another one went through her stomach.

"Oh God," Liz whispered feeling a liquid rush down her legs and onto the floor.

"Oh my God,"Max whispered.

"Oh My God! We need a doctor! Someone!" Max yelled frantically.

"Max, I'm not due for another three weeks," Liz said full of worry.

"It's fine, baby, you're fine, the babies are fine," Max assured her, but it did no good to calm his worries.

"Ahhh...God," Liz screamed clutching her stomach in pain.

"Somebody fucking help!" Max roared in complete panic at seeing Liz.

"What's wrong?" a doctor asked running up.

"She's in labor!" Max yelled.

"Someone get a wheelchair!" the doctor ordered.

A second later, a wheelchair was in front of Liz and she was being eased down into it.

"She's not due for another three weeks," Max informed the doctor worriedly.

"I'm sure she's fine. It's not unusual for a woman to go into labor early," the doctor assured him.

Max felt his worries ease only a little.

"Call my doctor!" Liz ordered at the nurses pushing her down the hall.

"Who's your doctor honey?" the nurse asked sweetly unfazed by Liz's attitude. She was used to pregnant women in labor.

"Dr. Audra Kennedy," Max answered quickly for her.

"Okay, I'll go get her down here now," the nurse said before running off.

Liz was wheeled into a hospital room and placed into bed.

"Max, oh God, I'm so scared," Liz whimpered in pain.

Max felt his heart broke at the idea of Liz being in pain. Even though it was for their children.

"I know baby, I know," Max cooed while holding her hand tightly.

"I can't believe the babies are coming," Liz said.

Max was so scared and excited at the same time, he couldn't even think of what to say to express the intense and profound feelings he was going through. What came out of his mouth wasn't what he thought he'd say to his wife in labor who just said such a sweet statement, definitely not what Liz wanted to hear.

"Good thing we were already in a hospital. At least my broken nose was good for something, huh?" Max joked lamely.

Liz only squeezed his hand in a death grip while another contraction ripped through her body.

TBC

I hope you guys like the new part! Thanks so so much to everyone who has ever left me any feedback on this fic, even just one comment makes my day. Thanks again!

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Thanks again and I hope you guys like the new chapter!


Chapter 13

Max Evans sat by his wife's bedside, clutching her hand while she slept. She was dead to the world, completely and utterly exhausted. Rightfully so, considering just a few hours ago she gave birth to two children. His heart swelled at the thought of them. Sophie Isabel-Maria Evans, born at 8:52 am and Tyler Michael Evans, born at 9:07 am. He still couldn't believe it, the babies were here and they were safe. Liz was perfectly healthy, albeit tired, but they were all good.

His thoughts went to Jesse, and he saddened thinking how Jesse isn't so lucky. Jesse was supposed to have had a hearing this morning at 10:00 am, but it was pushed until 4:00 this afternoon. It was now a little past noon. He didn't want to leave Liz or the babies, but he wanted to be there for Jesse's hearing. He'd wait and see how things were around that time, then he'd decide if he'd go. Maria and Michael were called just as Liz went into labor, Liz made Max tell the nurse, that after she called her doctor, to call them. So Maria and Michael were only a couple hours away now, with orders to pick up Emma from her friends house before coming here.

He couldn't wait for Emma, Michael, and Maria to see the babies. He wanted to show them to everyone, brag about their beauty, and at the same time he wanted to keep them between himself and his wife.

His left hand was holding onto Liz's tightly and looking down at his free hand he grinned. Turning it palm side up, his grin grew when he saw the nail marks in his hand, courtesy of Liz Evans. A few even broke skin. He didn't mind though, it was nothing compared to the pain Liz felt, more like agony. He cringed remembering her ear-piercing screams that seemed to resonate throughout the whole hospital. He was sure she woke up coma victims.

He looked up when there was a knock at Liz's hospital door room before a nurse entered pushing in his two children.

He quickly stood up and walked over to them. Looking down at each of his children, his breath was literally taken away from him. Sophie looked exactly like Liz, she had a full head of dark hair, that he was sure to be as soft as her mother's. Everything was a carbon copy of Liz, except for her eyecolor. The shape of the eye was all Liz, but the color was all him. Amber eyes. His baby girl had his eyes. He felt his eyes tearing up yet again.

Bringing his watery gaze to the right, he saw his son. His son. He couldn't even begin to fathom the idea yet. His son was the carbon copy of him. Except, ironically, the color of the eyes. Tyler had Liz's dark chocolate gaze. He had his mother's eyes. He thought it was simply amazing. He felt his heart constrict at the protectiveness and love he already felt for them, and looking over at Liz, his wife, their mother, his everything, he felt even more protectiveness swell inside his very being.

"I think these two beauties are hungry," the nurse whispered grinning at Max's obvious awe.

"Hungry?" Max whispered back in question.

The nurse nodded.

"I'd hate to do this, but mommy needs to wake up. When they are hungry, there's no stopping them," she said back smiling regretfully while looking at the woman's exhausted face.

Max nodded,"Okay, I'll wake her," he whispered.

Walking over to Liz, he sat down beside her and began raining kisses all over her face.

"Wake up baby," he whispered gently again and again.

"Mmmm....Max?" Liz questioned sleepily.

"Yeah," he whispered.

"What time is it?" she asked groggily.

"Almost 12:30 in the afternoon. I know you've only been asleep for a few hours, but Sophie and Tyler are hungry, and they are not going to be ignored. They must get their stubbornness from their mother," he grinned.

"They must get their appetites from their pig of a father," Liz grinned back.

"Indeed they must," he said before leaning down and kissing her softly.

"I love you so much," Max whispered passionately.

"I love you too, Max," Liz whispered back.

They were broken out of their little world by the sounds of their son and daughter beginning to softly cry.

They broke apart grinning sheepishly at the nurse while she brought the children over to their parents.

"Oops," Max said embarrassed.

The nurse just grinned.

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

Max and Liz were both squeezed onto her hospital bed, both leaning against the headboard, one with a baby cradled. Max with Sophie and Liz with Tyler in her arms. It was a beautiful, peaceful family moment, until Maria Guerin came crashing into their room.

"Oh my God!" she squealed.

"Maria!" Liz squealed back just as loud.

"Shh, you two, I don't want my children going deaf before they even have a chance to hear," Max said half-joking.

They both ignored him.

"Oh god, their so beautiful!" She yelled.

"Liz, you look beautiful too, how are you feeling?" Maria asked.

"Yeah right Maria, I look far from beautiful, but I'm feeling good, I'm sore and tired, but I'm perfectly happy," Liz said with a bright smile on her face.

Michael and Emma finally made their entrance.

"Liz! Max!" Emma yelled running towards them.

"Hey sweetie," Liz whispered before giving her an awkward hug, as Max did. It was awkward because they were both sitting down with newborns nestled in their arms.

"Jesus Christ, Guerin, you could have waited for us," Michael said annoyed and out of breath, but as soon as he saw the babies, the annoyance melted away.

"Wow," he breathed in awe.

"I know exactly what you're saying," Max said.

"I see we already have a mama's boy and a daddy's girl," Michael teased.

"Are they my brother and sister?" Emma asked sweetly.

"Yes they are. Emma, this is your brother, Tyler Michael and your sister Sophie Isabel-Maria," Liz introduced.

"They're so small," she observed.

"They're really beautiful Liz," Michael commented.

Liz gave him a small smile in return.

"Thank God they lucked out in the ear department. I have a feeling Maxwell's flappers would have definitely hindered that beauty," Michael teased again.

His efforts were rewarded with a smack from Maria, a glare from Liz and Emma, and Max discreetly giving him the middle finger.

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

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" Max asked again worriedly.

"Max I'm fine, you'll be gone just a few hours. I have Emma, Michael, and Maria here with me. I'll be okay. I am in a hospital, you know?" Liz teased.

"I know, I just feel like the worst husband leaving you for even a second, and the worst father for leaving Tyler and Sophie already," he said sadly.

"Hey, baby, you are by far the best husband ever and you are the perfect father. You need to be there for Jesse. I don't want him alone at his hearing, he'll need your support. I know he was the support of the other officers, but he still needs yours," Liz said.

Max nodded while saying, "You're right, especially with that ass of a DA," Max muttered.

"What?" Liz asked.

"Nothing baby," Max answered.

"Okay, I'll call you when it's over. I love you," he whispered before kissing her.

"Hey Tyler, Hey Sophie, I love you guys too," he said with a voice hoarse with emotion.

He kissed their soft cheeks before saying a goodbye to Michael and Maria and giving a kiss to Emma.

He felt saddened walking out of that room full of love, and on his way to a courtroom. He felt like he was a soldier leaving the homefront and making his way to the battle of the century.

Probably because that's exactly what he was doing.

TBC

Okay here's the new part, I am certainly now expert on how hearings go, so I'm just going with what want to happen. I hope you guys like it!

ana julia- Thanks so much! I'm glad you like my portrayl of Max and Liz. Definitely a hard couple to live up to.

Chapter 14

Max Evans was walking down the corridors towards Jesse Ramirez's cell. His hearing was soon and he wanted to speak to him privately before. He felt horrible about not calling or coming sooner. But he felt he had a good excuse, his wife went into labor, with twins nonetheless. He felt Jesse would be happy for him and understand, but he also knew that it would hurt Jesse, because he himself would never experience his wife going into labor.

Walking up to the cell, he saw a look of complete resignation on Jesse's face. A look of indifference. Like he didn't care if he came or went. Lived or died. That scared Max. Beyond belief.

He cleared his throat catching Jesse's attention.

Jesse looked up at Max and didn't say anything. They both stared at each other while the guard unlocked Jesse's cell to let Max in.

Walking in Max stood awkwardly near his bed, having no idea how to approach him. What do you say to a man whose wife was murdered, then completely lost it and tried to kill someone innocent, the aforementioned resulting in your impending court appearance.

Max was relieved when Jesse began the conversation.

"I fucked up, didn't I?" he asked gruffly.

"Yeah, you did," Max agreed.

"You know what's said though?" Jesse asked.

Max shook his head in the negative.

"I don't think I really care Max. Without Isabel, I don't care," he said sadly.

"Jesse, you have to care. You can't let yourself go like this, there's more to live for, more to fight for," Max argued.

"Like what Max? What the fuck do I have to live for? Tell me, Max! What the fuck do I have to look forward to when I wake up?!"Jesse screamed.

Max stood motionless not knowing what to say.

"Can't think of an answer for me, huh?" Jesse asked.

"Well, I have one, it's nothing, that's what! NOTHING!" Jesse yelled harshly.

"That's not true!" Max screamed just as harshly.

"You have me, you have Liz, you have your family. You have yourself to live for, Jesse. You still have Isabel to live for, you know she would want you to fight for your life, to live for her. She'd want you to find out who really killed her," Max said hoping that would be enough for Jesse, at least for the time being.

Jesse seemed to contemplate Max's words for a moment.

When Jesse nodded solemnly, Max sighed in relief.

"Good, now that's settled," Max said.

"How are you going to plead?" Max asked.

"My stupid lawyer wants me to please not guilty...reason of insanity bullshit," Jesse spat out.

"Maybe you should," Max replied quietly.

"Yeah, maybe," Jesse agreed.

"So, proud papa, how's the babies doing?" Jesse asked quickly changing the subject, he had no intention of pleading insanity.

Max's eyes widened in shock. "How did you know?" he asked.

"One partner in jail for going off the deep end, the other with newborn babies born in the same day. Big news around here," Jesse said.

"Jesse," Max started.

"No, Max. It's okay, I'm happy for you, I really am. You deserve it, Liz deserves it," he said genuinely.

"You deserve happiness like that also," Max said.

"Yeah, well, someone else didn't think so," Jesse said bitterly.

"What's their names?" he asked.

Max smiled brightly. "Tyler Michael and Sophie Isabel-Maria," he said proudly.

"Beautiful," Jesse whispered hoarsely, "thanks Max. Isabel would love that."

Max nodded jerkily.

The conversation was ended when it was time for Jesse to appear in court. To face the consequences of his actions, actions that were caused by a man who chose to make his wife was lucky number five.

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

Max sat behind Jesse. He could tell Jesse was nervous. Hell the whole courtroom was filled with a nervousness that was palpable. It was almost tangible.

One side, were people looking to prosecute Jesse. People always looking to prove police brutality and corruption exist. The other were fellow officers in support of their equal. Max was the latter of the two, except Jesse was also his friend.

"All rise for the honorable Judge Northam," a strong, male voice boomed throughout the courtroom.

Everyone rose.

"Case number 46427. The state of California vs. Jesse Ramirez. Charge of attempted murder of one Richard Collins," the judge called out.

"Judge Northam, may I have permission to speak?" a woman asked.

"Go ahead," the judge said.

Before she spoke, Max leaned forward and asked Jesse's lawyer who that was. Turns out, she was the ADA, a woman of 36 years of age. With bright red hair and determined green eyes. He knew looking at her, they would be in a for a fight.

"In response to a recent update, we'd like to change the charges to murder. Murder in the first degree," she said.

The courtroom erupted into an uproar of shouted voice of disbelief and ones of excitement. One man sat quietly in the back of the courtroom with a look of complete contentment on his face. A pit stop at Richard Collins hospital room before the courtroom, made sure he would feel content.


TBC

Chapter 15


Max sat silently in shock of the day's events. He couldn't believe Richard Collins had died. He couldn't believe Jesse was charged with his murder.

After the ADA's shocking announcement, the courtroom had went wild. It room seemed to be filled with cries of shock and shouts of pleasure, along with the incessant banging the Judge was making in an attempt to bring order to the courtroom. After settling down, Jesse's lawyer tried to object, but to no avail. He tried every loophole possible, but there was no way to get Jesse out of the charges. Especially with the ADA of Janet Taylor. Especially since the DA of Jay Cunningham. It seemed they were after a conviction. And Jesse was the one to be convicted. During the whole thing Jesse sat despondent, like he knew it was going to happen. Maybe because he had already been shocked by even more horrible things, that nothing can phase him anymore. He was officially jaded in Max's eyes.

His plea was not guilty. Even though Jesse told him and his lawyer that he might plead temporary insanity, he didn't. Max wasn't surprised. Max was, though, terribly frightened about Jesse's fate. His plea of not guilty definitely won't help matters. Richard Collins was innocent, Jesse Ramirez killed him. Without pleading insanity, he might have no chance. The prosecution was looking for life without parole. Thank God for small favors Max though, because he was a police officer, they weren't looking for the death penalty. Max knew though if Jesse was convicted, he wouldn't live his life in prison, and that scared Max. He knew Jesse would bring his own hand to knock on Death's door, before staying like a caged animal, with the men he put away.

*******************************
Liz lay in her hospital bed with Sophie and Tyler nestled safely in her arms, fast alseep. Maria was in the same condition, her body curled up in a chair near her bed, with Emma lying in the chair next to her fast asleep also. Michael and her were the only one's awake.

"Max should be back soon," Michael said.

Liz nodded, "I know. He sounded upset on the phone. It definitely did not go well."

Liz blew out a tired sigh.

"You okay?" Michael questioned.

"Yeah, I'm wonderful. I just.....I'm worried about Jesse, I'm worried about Max, because I know he's worrying about Jesse, and I'm worried about this killer that's still out there. Granted, no one has died in the past few months, but that's what worries me. It's like he's stopped all things, to plan something that is even more horrifying than before," Liz said fearfully.

"Hey, Liz. Nothing's going to happen, okay? You know Max is going to worry about Jesse. We all are, but there's nothign we can do except be there for him. And maybe this killer just gave up, went somehwere else," Michael said half-convincinly.

"Michael, I don't believe that for a second, neither do you. Someone who takes the time to malicuois kill people, marking them with numbers, doesn't just stop for no reason, he stops for a really good reason," Liz said.

Michael didn't respond, because he knew she was right. Looking silently into Liz's eyes, he knew she knew that.

The silence was broken by the sound of the hospital door opening.

"Hey," Max whispered.

"Hey," Liz whispered back.

Max walked straight towards Liz and leaned down to kiss her lips in a gentle caress. Pulling back, he looked down at his son and daughter and he felt all his stress from the day go away. His family had the power to do that. He leaned down and gave them a kiss as well.

"Michael," Max acknowledged.

"Max," Michael said back.

Max looked around the room and saw Maria and Emma fast alseep.

Max looked at Liz and Michael's expectant faces and knew they were waiting for him to talk about what happened, even though he just wanted to pretend the day never did.

"Richard Collins died," Max said quietly.

Liz gasped softly in response.

Michael barked out in disbelief, "What?!"

"Shhhhhh," Liz and Max both admonished Michael at once.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

"He apparently died from his injuries earlier today. Jesse has been charged wtih first-degree murder. Prosecution's going for life without parole," Max informed them.

"Oh God," Liz whispered her eyes quickly filling with tears.

"Hey, baby, it's okay," Max tried reassuring her.

"How did he plea?" Michael questioned.

"Not guilty. Against his legal advice of temproary insantiy," Max said.

"Jesus Christ," Michael muttered while raking a hand though his hair.
"I know, " Max said.

"Max, I don't like this," Liz said softly.

"I know you don't baby. None of us do," Max murmrrued while cupping her face gently. He wiped away her tears with the pads of his thumbs before leaning in and giving her a reassuring kiss.

"I know you two probably need to be alone right now. I'll just grab Maria and we'll see you two in the morning." Michael said standing up.

Liz and Max nodded not disagreeing that they needed to be alone.

"Do you want me to take Emma back with us?" Michael asked.

"No, it's okay Michael. She's already asleep, she'll want to be here with us when she wakes up. But thanks for asking," Liz said.

Michael nodded and gently picked Maria up while she mumbled incoherently in her sleep.

"Liz, Max, congrualtions on the babies, they really are beautiful," Michael said sincerely.

"Thanks Michael," Max said smiling in agreement.

Liz gave Michael a beaming smile for his comment.

After they left, Max gently picked up Sophie and Tyler and placed them in their beds. He brushed a kiss tenderly over each of their foreheads before gazing intently at both of them.

"Goodnight babies," he whispered softly.

He let out a soft sigh.

"I know what you feel," Liz said smiling.

Max turned questioning eyes towards his wife.

"About the babies. That sigh you just gave, I've been doing it all day. It's like looking at them, just fills you with so much emotion, you have to let some of it out, or you'll suffocate from the intentsisty of it," Liz said softly.

Max smiled softly, "Exactly."

He walked over to Emma and pulled her blanket tighter around her and kissed her softly.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Sore. Tired. Happy," Liz said.

Liz scooted over and patted the side of the bed. "Come here," she whispered.

Max obediently walked over and lay down beside her. Turning on his side he looked into her eyes searchingly.

"What else are you feeling?" he asked concerned.

"That about covers it," she said.

"Liz, baby, I can see it in your eyes," he said softly.

"See what?" she questioned.

"Fear. You're scared, aren't you?" he whispered.

Liz nodded reluctantly.

"It's in your eyes too Max," Liz said.

Max nodded.

"Liz it's going to be okay, somehow, someway, I'll make everything okay. Jesse will be okay. I promise we'll catch him soon too," he whispered the last part quietly.

Liz pulled back shocked.

"I know that's part of your fear," he said.

"But I promise you, nothing will hurt you, the babies, or Emma," he said vehemently, "I won't allow it."

Liz smiled tearfully.

"And I won't allow it either," she said looking at her babies and Emma's sweet sleeping face. "I won't allow you hurt either, Max."

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

Walking through his house the man whistled with joy. With triumph of the day's events. He wasn't expecting his number five's husband to go and kill someone, but he decided to have some fun with that. And fun it was.

Reaching into his jacket pocket, he pulled something out.

Looking at the picture he held in his hand, the man grinned with anticipation. He had found his number six.

TBC

Author's Note: Hey everyone! I am so very sorry about the long wait, I know it has been forever. School, work, life and everything else just got in my way of my writing. Okay, enough with the excuses and here's the next part. I hope everyone enjoys it! Thanks!

Mandy


Chapter 16

Liz threw herself face down on the couch and heaved a tired sigh. The twins were finally asleep. Listening carefully, a smile broke out on her face at what she heard....absolutely nothing. She rolled over onto her back and stretched out to take a nap.

Her and the babies had been home for a little over a week. It had been a blissful, perfect, sleep-deprived week with Tyler and Sophie. She knew she wasn't the only tired one. Max was just as tired. He took care of the babies just as much as she did. She actually had to fight him to change the diapers. She assumed she should consider herself lucky to have a husband who would so willingly and happily change diapers. He was throwing himself fully into being a father to their twin newborns. She knew he was trying to treasure every moment with them. Every moment was precious. She knew this, they both did. Losing your first baby makes every moment even more precious with the ones you have.

Liz threw her arm over her eyes. When the silence of the house almost lulled her completely into much-needed sleep, she was rudely pulled out by a knocking on the door. Jumping up quickly out of fear that the twins would be awakened, she ran to the door, quickly unlocked it and swung it open. She wasn't surprised in the least to find the Guerin’s on her doorstep staring at her with a shocked expression.

“What?” Liz barked out when she noticed they were glancing over her form. Looking down she noticed she must look like complete hell.

“Come at a bad time?” Maria joked.

Despite herself, Liz let out a laugh.

“No, Ria. Come on in, Liz said while holding open the door. After Michael and Maria made their way into the house, she shut and locked the door.

Turning around, she was met with Michael and Maria’s questioning looks.

Liz rolled her eyes. “Max,” was all she said in way of an explanation.

Maria nodded in understanding.

“I think it’s a good idea, especially with everything that’s been going on,” Michael said.

“Yeah,” Liz agreed quietly.

Clearing her throat, Maria asked excitedly, “Where’s Tyler and Sophie?”

“Asleep. And let’s keep it down so they stay that way,” Liz warned pointedly, especially to Maria.

Maria through her hands up in a defensive gesture, “I’ll be quiet,” she said.

Michael rolled his eyes while mumbling, “Like that’s every possible.”

“Michael, don’t get her started,” Liz warned.

“Liz, we can go if you want to rest,” Michael offered.

Liz shook her head in the negative, “No, please stay.”

“Do you guys want anything to drink? Eat?” Liz offered.

“No, I’m good. Thanks anyways Liz,” Michael answered.

“Maria?” Liz questioned.

“No, chica, I’m good too,” Maria answered.

“When’s Emma going to be home from school?” Michael asked.

Liz smiled, knowing that Michael adored Emma. “She gets out of school at 3:30. She should be home in another couple of hours or so,” Liz answered smiling brightly.

“How’s Jesse holding up?” Maria asked hesitantly, hating to bring up an unpleasant topic.

Liz’s smile immediately faded and she released a heavy breath laced with exhaustion.

“I guess as well as can be expected. His trial started a couple of days ago. I think Max said he’s supposed to take the stand sometime next week,” Liz answered.

“Is that good or bad?” Maria asked nervously.

“Depends on how you look at it. I guess we won’t know whether him testifying is beneficial to his case or not until he actually testifies. Anything could happen on the stand, with him on it,” Liz answered just as nervously as Maria asked the question.

“Where’s Max?” Michael questioned wanting to change the subject, “I thought he had a few days off from work for the babies and Jesse?”

Liz shrugged, “He does. He said he had some things to take care of. I think he was going to stop by and see Jesse,” she answered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Baby Evans

Beloved child of
Max and Liz Evans
March 2002 - May 2002

Max Evans sighed heavily as he sat staring at his and Liz’s child’s tombstone. It was a sigh of sorrow, regret, and fear of the future. He always wondered whether Baby Evans was a boy or a girl. He’d never know. He’d never know what their first child would look like. The grave was empty, but he felt their child when he came here. He and Liz both agreed they needed something, someplace to be close to their lost child.

He visited Jesse earlier, and at the request of his friend, he placed Isabel’s favorite flower on her grave, sterling roses. Now he was visiting his child. Liz always came with him, but today he needed to be here by himself. He just prayed to God he’d never have another grave to visit ever again. He’d soon find out that God wasn’t listening to his prayer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The woman stood up from her desk and stretched her tired limbs. Rubbing her temples, she decided it was time for her to call it a day. She saw a lot of patients today and had a lot of paper work to do. Even though it was still early in the afternoon, she decided to leave and finish the work at home. Gathering her things, she walked to her office door, opened it and shut it behind her. Turning to face the door, she locked it and double-checked the door to make sure it was securely locked.

With her back to the door, she didn’t see someone come up behind her. She didn’t see the gun being aimed at the back of her head. She did feel the bullet piercing through her head. She fell to the floor in a loud thump.

The man smiled at his success. Reaching his hand forward, he wiped off the blood on the nameplate that was on the office door. Dr. Audra Kennedy was the name that was embedded in the gold plate. Dr. Audra Kennedy was the woman who was just made victim number six.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Max Evans unlocked the front door and was greeted with the sight of his wife.

"Hey baby," Max whispered softly.

Liz walked up to her husband and wrapped her arms around him.

"I'm glad you're home," she whispered into his chest.

Max smiled into her hair, "I'm glad I'm home too," he said before kissing her neck softly.

Leaning back he smoothed her hair out of her face, frowning when he noticed the dark circles under her eyes.

"You look exhausted," Max observed.

"I am. You look exhausted too," Liz said in response.

"I guess it looks like we're both exhausted," Max said.

"Did you go see Jesse?" Liz asked.

Max nodded, "Yeah, I just went to see how he's doing. He's definitely going to testify next Wednesday. He wanted me to put some sterling roses on Isabel's grave," Max answered.

Liz's eyes quickly welled up with tears.

"Shhh...don't cry. Everything's going to be okay," Max assured her.

"I know, it's just, I miss Isabel so much. I wish she could see the babies," Liz said.

"I know, we all do. How are the twins?" Max asked smiling.

"Asleep. I can't believe they went to sleep and stayed asleep the whole time Maria and Michael were here," Liz said.

"Maria and Michael were here?" Max questioned.

"Yeah, they just stopped by for a little bit. They're going to rent a little house for a while and stay here with us before going home," Liz said happily.

"I'm glad," Max said.

"Did you go anywhere else?" Liz asked.

Max blew out a breath. Liz immediately knew where he went.

"I would have went with you," she said softly.

Max smiled. Tracing his finger across his wife's soft cheek, he said,"I know you would have."

Grabbing her hand, he tugged her down the hall towards their bedroom.

"Max?" Liz questioned smiling.

"I want you to lie down and take a nap. I'll get dinner started and I'll be here when Emma gets home from school, which should be soon. I'll wake you when it's ready," Max said.

"Max I'm fine," Liz protested.

"I know you're fine. That's not the question. You're just so tired and I don't want you to wear yourself out. Please, for me?" Max pleaded.

Liz relented with a roll of the eyes.

Max grinned in triumph.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Max was busy preparing the chicken when his cell phone rang. Quickly wiping his hands, he jogged over to it before it could awaken Liz or the twins.

"Evans here," Max answered.

While listening to caller's news, his face kept getting paler and paler by the second. Hanging up the phone he jumped when he heard his wife's voice.

"What's wrong?" Liz asked fearfully.

"You should be asleep," Max chided in an attempt to delay the news.

"I'm not asleep. I'm awake. Now, tell me what's wrong?" Liz demanded shaking.

Max swallowed hard, "Baby, Dr. Kennedy is dead."

"What?!" Liz gasped out, "Audra's dead?"

Max nodded.

"What happened?" Liz cried.

Max's silence was the answer.

"It was him, wasn't it?" Liz asked.

Max nodded slowly.

"Oh God, Oh God. This isn't happening," she cried over and over.

Max quickly ran to her and wrapped his arms around her. "Shhh...it's alright. It has nothing to do with us. Nothing at all," Max tried to reassure her.

Liz pulled back and pinned Max with a pair of disbelieving eyes.

"It has nothing to do with us?! Max, my doctor was just murdered. The woman who delivered Tyler and Sophie. You honestly believe it has nothing to do with us? Isabel?!" Liz cried in terror.

Max pulled Liz to him tight and closed his eyes. He hoped to God that this had nothing to do with them.

TBC

A/N: Finally I have an update! Thanks for waiting everyone, I promise to update more frequently! Thanks again!
Mandy

ana julia- thanks!


Chapter 17

Detective Max Evans sat in the passenger seat of Michael’s car, staring out the window pensively. He sighed painfully thinking about how Liz became so upset. Hysterical almost. Emma came home from school and walked right in on him trying desperately to calm Liz down. Emma became upset, the twins woke up, basically the Evan’s household had a level of tension so high it could suffocate you.

Once Liz calmed down enough to calm the children down, he called Michael and Maria. Now he and Michael were on their way to the crime scene while Maria stayed with his family.

Millions of thoughts were running through his head. Thoughts of the possible connection to himself and his family. There were none he could think of. Nothing. The evidence was pretty undeniable in the fact that the murders had to be related to them. There was just no evidence as to what kind of connection. In frustration, he threw out a slew of curses while slamming his clenched fists on the dashboard.

“Jesus Christ Maxwell!” Michael screamed startled.

“Sorry,” Max mumbled.

“You okay man?” Michael asked worriedly.

Max turned and gave his best friend a disbelieving look.

“Right, of course you’re not.” Michael said.

“Michael do you honestly think this has anything to do with us?” Max asked.

Michael sat in silence for a long moment, pondering the answer to Max’s question.

“Honestly, I don’t know. I know that’s not the clarity you were hoping for, but I have no idea. I mean it’s too coincidental to know so many of the victims. Way too fucking coincidental. But on the other hand, stranger things have happened. Maybe it is just a coincidence. I don’t see what relation you could have to all of this. I’m stumped Maxwell,” Michael answered honestly.

“That makes two of us,” Max grumbled frustrated.

Feeling sick at the thought he was having, Max decided to voice it aloud.

“Do you....Do you think this has anything to do with him?” Max asked.

Michael turned his head quickly to regard Max, “Do you?” he asked.

“Maybe. I mean, maybe there’s some sick fuck out there who is obsessed with this kind of shit. Maybe he thought by fucking around with this Cole Jensen shit that he’d became one of those glorified serial killers. It’s possible, don’t you think?” Max asked even though he was disturbed by the possibility.

“Anything’s possible,” Michael said cryptically.

The car became engulfed in silence while each friend, each detective became engrossed in their thoughts.

“We’re here,” Michael announced breaking the silence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maria sat stiffly on the couch. The twins were both laying in their bassinets in front of her. She relaxed when she spotted Sophie and Tyler’s beautiful faces looking right at her. Sophie’s amber eyes and Tyler’s chocolate eyes were too precious. She couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Emma was sitting on the floor watching television. She could tell she wasn’t really watching it, just staring at it, lost in thought of the day’s events. Her heart broke at the thought. They had all been through too much. She didn’t know how much more their hearts could take.

“Shit!” she heard Liz yell from the kitchen.

“Liz?” Maria called in question.

“I’m fine Maria!” Liz snapped.

Maria once again became tense. After Max and Michael had left, Liz suddenly turned completely around. She decided to finish the dinner Max started saying Emma needed to eat and Max would be hungry when he got home. Maria offered to cook, but Liz bit her head off saying she could cook her own family dinner, that she wasn’t completely helpless.

Maria knew what Liz was doing. After all they had been best friends since...well since forever. Liz was trying to focus on something other than what was going on. She was focusing on something normal. Like making dinner for her family. But this normal activity wasn’t helping Liz, it was only frustrating her even more.

Hearing another frustrated growl from Liz, Maria decided to intervene before Liz had a nervous breakdown.

“Liz, honey, why don’t you go sit down. I’ll finish up here,” Maria suggested softly.

“Maria, I can do it,” Liz said angrily.

“I know you can chica, but you don’t need to be doing it right now,” Maria said.

“Dammit Maria, I’m fine. Okay?! Quit treating me like a child, because I am a grown woman! Take off your damn kid gloves you’re treating me with and let me cook dinner! Okay?!” Liz yelled.

“Liz?” Emma’s voice echoed softly the doorway in the kitchen.

Maria and Liz both whipped their heads around to see Emma standing there with tears welling in her eyes.

“Emma, God,” Liz rasped out in apology.

Walking over to her and kneeling down she cupped Emma’s cheek, “I’m sorry sweetie. I’m just a little tired, okay? Go back in the living room and I’ll come watch TV with you? Sound like a plan?”Liz asked smiling.

“Sounds like a plan,” Emma confirmed nodding her head.

“Okay, go on out there and find something for us to watch,” Liz said before kissing Emma softly on the forehead.

“Okay,” Emma replied before turning and walking out of the kitchen.

Running a tired hand down her face, she turned to Maria, “Finish up here?” she asked softly.

“You got it babe,” Maria smiled.

Liz walked over to Maria and hugged her tight.

“I’m sorry I yelled at you,” Liz whispered in Maria’s ear.

“Sorry for putting on my kid gloves,” Maria whispered back.

Maria got the reaction she was aiming for when she felt Liz smile into her hair.

“Smart ass,” Liz mumbled before walking out of the kitchen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Standing in the elevator in silence, Max and Michael both watched the elevator go up floor after floor.

Both men sighed when they saw the button eight light up signaling they were on the floor where Dr. Audra Kennedy’s private office was located.

Stepping off the elevator and walking right, they saw a flurry of activity. It reminded Max of a time long ago, when Liz was abducted. The yellow tape, the numerous state workers littering the crime scene. He shivered involuntarily at the memories.

“You okay?” Michael asked with a worried tone of voice.

Max merely nodded in confirmation.

Max saw the shape of a slim woman under a white sheet tarnished with blood being lifted onto a gurney.

“Hold up,” Max said before walking over.

Taking a deep breath, he pulled back the sheet. Staring back into his eyes were Audra’s lifeless ones. Closing his eyes in regret, he pulled the sheet back over her head. Max nodded to the men signaling they could take her.

“You okay?” Michael asked in concern.

Max laughed without humor.

“You seem to be asking me that a lot lately,” Max answered dryly, “But yeah, I’m fine. I just had to see for myself,” he added.

Michael nodded in understanding.

“Detective Evans,” a man called out.

“Yeah?” Max answered.

“Hi sir, I’m Officer Lewis,” he said sticking out his hand.

Shaking it, Max pointed his chin towards Michael, “Nice to meet you, this is Detective Guerin.”

“Hi Detective, you from around here?” Officer Lewis asked.

“No,” Michael stated simply.

“Out of your jurisdiction?” Officer Lewis joked.

Michael glared at the officer before saying, “A woman’s dead and you’re over here kissing our asses and making jokes.”

“Michael,” Max admonished seeing the look on the young man’s face.

“Sorry,” Officer Lewis said.
Clearing his throat, “I actually came over here to tell you something.”

Max raised an eyebrow in question.

“Sir, well, there have been some items apparently stolen from Dr. Kennedy’s office,” Officer Lewis said.

Max felt his stomach tighten, “What kind of items?” he asked hesitantly.

“Well, files sir,” the officer answered.

Max stiffened already knowing what was coming.

“Files?” Michael questioned.

“Well, more like....a file,” Officer Lewis corrected.

Michael rolled his eyes in annoyance, “Just fucking say it already.”

Officer Lewis turned his eyes to Max. “Sir, you’re wife’s file.”

Max felt bile rise up in his throat. He felt sick to his stomach. He just received confirmation from the young, eager officer that this case was definitely related to his family. No more questions of connections. They were connected.

His heart sped up in panic with one frightening realization.

Their address was in that file.

TBC

A/N: Thanks so much for the feedback everyone! I'm so glad you all enjoyed the update! Hope you enjoy this one as well!

Chapter 18

Liz and Emma were sitting in the living room watching television as Liz promised. Emma’s choice was Shrek 2. Liz smiled at how much Emma loved the Shrek series. She loved fairy tales, so much. Maybe because her life had been anything but a fairy tale.

Liz was shaken from her thoughts when Maria came storming into the living room.

“Liz, I give up!” Maria yelled, throwing her hands in the air in a gesture of surrender.

Liz desperately held in her laugh at the look on Maria’s face. She knew how much Maria hated cooking, and how much it hated her in return.

Patting the space on the couch beside her, Liz said, “Sit down and rest Maria. We’ll order pizza or something in a minute.”

“Wish we would have thought of that earlier,” Maria mumbled.

They sat in silence watching the movie while the twins slept peacefully, every once in a while letting out a small gurgle of contentment.

“Liz, if Max looked like Shrek, would you still love him like Fiona did?” Emma asked innocently.

Maria guffawed loudly at Emma’s question.

Liz glared at Maria, “I certainly would Emma.”

Maria snorted, “Yeah right Liz. I’m sure you’d love mister amber eyes looking like Shrek.”

“Maria, I so would,” Liz denied thinking how ridiculous the conversation was.

“Okay, okay, I’m sure you would.” Maria said.

Emma turned to Maria and asked her the same question.

“Sweetie, if Michael looked like Shrek it wouldn’t make much of a difference. He already is an ogre,” Maria answered.

Liz spotted Emma yawning.

“You tired sweetie?” Liz asked gently while smoothing her hair away from her face.

Emma nodded.

“I know it’s been a long day. Why don’t you go on and take a nap. I’ll order some pizza and wake you when it gets here,” Liz offered.

“Sounds good. Extra cheese?” Emma asked hopefully.

“Extra cheese,” Liz agreed.

Liz leaned in to kiss Emma’s cheek wishing her sweet dreams.

After watching Emma walk to her room Liz went and began looking through the phone book for a pizza place.

“Liz, how’s Jesse doing?” Maria asked curiously.

“As good as can be, I guess. He’s testifying in a few days. I guess we’ll really find out then,” Liz answered sadly.

Liz began flipping through the pages when suddenly a chill ran up her spine.

“Liz?” Maria asked in concern noticing her stiffened posture.

Liz looked up into Maria’s worried eyes.

“I’m fine....I just...I just got this weird feeling,” Liz answered shakily.

Maria stood there loooking into Liz’s brown eyes, while Liz looked into her green ones. Both haerts became beating frantically at the sudden shift in the atmosphere around them.

Suddenly everything went dark.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Max and Michael were running out of the building in a lightening speed.

Running into the car, Max quickly started it and waited for Michael to get in before speeding out of the parking lot with a loud screech of the tires.

Max picked up his radio and called for all available officers to go to his address.

“Max, you don’t think that he went there?” Michael asked worriedly thinking about Maria.

In answer to Michael’s question, Max turned frantic eyes onto Michael’s equally worried ones.

Grasping around in his pocket for his cell phone, he pulled it out quickly hitting speed dial to his home.

His heart dropped to the pit of his stomach so fast he thought he would double over with what he heard.

The operator saying the number had been disconnected.

He quickly hung up and dialed Liz’s cell phone.

He choked back a sob when he heard Liz’s sweet voice come over the line saying to leave a message. Her voicemail.

He threw his phone down in frustration.

“Max?” Michael questioned.

Swallowing past the bile in his throat he answered, “Home line disconnected, Liz isn’t answering her cell.”

“Oh God,” Michael rasped out.

“Maria’s phone?” Max asked hopefully.

Michael shook his head in remorse.

“She broke it. We were fighting earlier and she threw it against the wall,” he said in guilt.

Max gripped the steering wheel tightly in fear. He had to get to them. He couldn’t let anything happen to his family again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I’m going to go check on the twins, call Max for me Maria,” Liz said.

In the darkness, Liz made her way over to her babies checking to make sure they were okay.

Picking up the phone, Maria’s heart clenched in worry when she heard no dial tone.

“Liz, the phone’s dead,” she called out shakily.

“What?!” Liz yelled out in question.

Quickly walking over to the phone she grabbed it and put it to her ear to confirm what Maria said.

“Liz, what’s happening?” Maria asked fearfully.

Feeling goose bumps manifest themselves on her flesh, she shook back her fear to answer Maria.

“Probably just a power outage,” Liz answered.

Walking over to the window to look out Liz’s eyes immediately filled with tears. No one else’s home was dark.

Feeling her breathing became erratic, Liz willed herself to calm down. She couldn’t lose it. She had her children to look after. She willed all darkening, paralyzing thoughts of Cole Jensen and a dark cell out of her head.

Liz turned around to face Maria.

Maria’s fear rose to unprecedented amounts when she saw the raw fear in her friend’s eyes. It was a fearful sight, with Liz’s face bathed by the glow of the streetlight.

“Maria, we have to get out of here,” Liz said quietly.

“Oh God, Oh God,” Maria began chanting.

Liz quickly seeing her best friend on the verge of hyperventilating quickly made her way over to her.

Grabbing her arms gently but with enough force to get her attention, she said, “Maria you have to calm down. Go wake up Emma, I’ll stay with the babies and wait for you at the bottom of the stairs, okay?”

Maria shook her head. “No Liz. No. We stay together. You know this. Everytime you split up, something bad always happens. It’s in every scary movie,” Maria rambled in fear.

“Liz?” Emma called out from the stop of the stairs.

“Oh God,” Liz breathed out quickly, Emma startling the tense moment.

“I got up to go to the bathroom, but the lights won’t come on,” Emma said.

“Sweetie, come down here,” she said.

“What’s going on?” Emma asked.

“Nothing, just a power outage. We’re going to get out of here okay,” Liz said trying not to worry her.

“Okay,” Emma said knowing something else was going on.

“Let’s get the twins. Quickly,” Liz said.

Maria, Liz, and Emma walked towards the twins with their arms linked tightly together. They jumped when they heard the ringing of a phone.

Liz’s eyes quickly went to the direction of the kitchen.

“My Cell!”she yelled.

Turning to Maria, she more or less ordered, “Maria take the twins and Emma and hurry up and get out of the house. Go wait for me at the neighbors. Don’t’ argue with me. I have to get my phone, it could be help. I don’t want the kids in here any longer and they can’t be alone.”

Maria nodded.

Running into the kitchen, Liz’s heart stopped when the phone stopped ringing.

She suddenly froze, feeling the familiar chill up her spine. Looking around she noticed the kitchen was eerily dark.

Walking towards her phone, she picked it up seeing it was Max that called.

“Max,” she breathed out in relief.

Quickly hitting speed dial she waited for him to answer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The ringing of Max’s cell phone broke the dead silence in the car.

Grabbing his phone he let out a strangled cry of relief at seeing Liz’s name lighting up the screen.

“Liz, baby, are you okay?” Max said quickly answering the phone.

“Yeah, Max, I’m fine. Something’s wrong,” Liz said.

Max’s whole body began tense, “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“I don’t know. I just have this weird feeling. The phone’s dead, the power’s out. Something’s....I don’t know.....off,” Liz answered.

Max swallowed back his fear, “Where are the kids?”

“On their way to the neighbors with Maria,” she answered.

“Max, what’s going on?” Liz asked knowing he knew something.

“Sweetie, just get out of the house, okay? Go to the neighbors and wait for me and Michael, okay? I’ll stay on the phone with you.” Max asked feeling himself begin to tremble with fear.

“Okay,” Liz answered.

“I love you,” she said.

Closing his eyes quickly, he murmured, “God, I love you too.”

Liz tensed when she heard a noise coming from outside. She drew in a quick breath of fear.

Max heard this and quickly became worried.

“Liz?” he asked in trepidation.

“I heard something,” she whispered shaking.

“Liz get out of the house now,” Max ordered in fear.

“I’m going,” she said with a shaky voice.

Seeing the sliding glass doors that led to the backyard and the pool right behind her, she hurriedly walked over to them and opened them.

Walking outside she felt the breeze blow gently, causing her goose bumps to reappear.

“I’m outside,” Liz said.

“Good. Now baby, just hurry up and get to the neighbors,” Max said.

Liz was walking, almost running when a sound caused her to freeze in her steps.

Turning around she let her gaze look over her surroundings. She saw nothing. Just the moonlight reflecting off of the pool.

Her breathing became more uneven by the second.

“Liz, baby what’s happening?” Max asked hearing his wife’s erratic breathing.

Liz swallowed, “I heard something.”

Max’s heart began to beat so fast from fear he thought it was going to burst out of his chest at his wife’s words.

“Baby. Run, okay? Just run!” Max yelled in fear.

Liz turned around and began running towards her neighbors house.

She wasn’t looking, just running as fast as her legs could take her.

She suddenly slammed into a hard body, sending her and her only connection to Max flying.

Landing hard on the ground, she felt her face press into the cold grass.

She lay there too afraid to look up.

“Max,” she called out weakly in hopes that he would hear her.

TBC

A/N: Hey everyone! Okay, since I already had part of Chapter 19 finished, I'm going to go ahead and post it. I'll have the rest of it up for you guys this weekend. Hope you enjoy!



Chapter 19a

“Liz?” Max yelled into the phone.

Silence.

“Liz!” Max screamed again.

“Max, what the fuck is going on? Is Liz okay?” Michael questioned in panic.

“Shhh...” Max ordered.

Max pressed his ear as close as possible to the phone trying to hear...anything. Any sound or voice to indicate his wife was okay.

He found it almost impossible to hear anything other than the sound of his own panicked breathing. His heart was beating so fast and so hard in his chest he actually thought he could hear it colliding with his chest.

“Max?” Micheal asked again in worry.

Max ignored Michael, trying to listen for Liz and concentrate on getting home. It seemed as if the drive to his home was a never-ending road, even with the dangerous speeds he was driving at.

Nothing. Absolute silence.

“Liz, answer me! Damnit just say something! Just let me know you're okay!” Max screamed desperately.

Max’s ears perked up instantly when he heard a rustling sound.

“Liz?!” he yelled in question.

Max’s heart started beating faster with the feeling someone was on the other end, and it wasn’t Liz.

“Who the fuck is this?” he asked through gritted teeth.

In the background he heard the sound of sirens wailing loudly. Another unit was close.

“What do you want?” Max asked gripping the steering wheel tightly.

No answer. Just the sound of sirens becoming louder and louder. Signaling they were closer and closer to his wife. He just wished it was his sirens that were almost there.

After a tense moment of silence, albeit for the loud sirens in the background, suddenly stopped.
Yanking his phone away from his ear quickly, Max looked at the screen to see the words ‘call ended.’

“Fuck!” he yelled in frustration tossing his phone against the dashboard.

“Max what the fuck is going?” Michael asked.

“I don’t have a fucking clue,” Max muttered.

“Micheal, try and dial Liz’s number again, please,” Max pleaded.

Michael retrieved Max’s phone that had bounced off the dashboard and onto the seat, quickly dialing Liz’s number.

“Straight to voicemail,” Michael answered.

“Do you know the neighbors number?” Michael asked.

Max shook his head in the negative.

Closing his eyes he prayed that he would make it. Two minutes away. Hopefully it wasn’t two minutes too late.

**********************************
Liz lay face down on the ground, breathing in the scent of the grass. The wind was completely knocked out of her, but that wasn’t the reason she was unable to move. It was out of fear. That familiar paralyzing fear she prayed she would never have to feel again.

As she was pushing herself up, a hard knee came down on her back, pressing her roughly into the ground yet again.

Her heart was beating so fast from fear she thought she was going to faint.

She opened her mouth to scream but a hand came from behind quickly to halt her scream.

“I advise you not to do that,” the voice whispered hotly into her ear.

Liz began trembling even more. Hearing his voice made what was happening much more real.

Looking to his left he saw a cell phone. Pressing his knee harder into her back to pin her down even more, he stretched his arm over and grabbed the cell phone.

Hearing his voice on the other end, yelling for his wife, made his blood literally boil. It was the first time he had heard his voice in six years. Thinking of why it was six years, his boiling blood immediately turned to ice. He hated Max Evans.
Hearing sirens in the background, coming closer, he knew he had to leave, but he couldn’t bring himself to. Hearing Max Evans’s voice made him frozen in anger. Rage.

Finally, he hung up.

Tossing the phone, he knew he had to be quick with his message.

He jerked Liz over so she was lying on her back.

“Please,” she begged.

Looking, up Liz saw he was wearing a black mask over his face. He had dark eyes, almost black. Evil.

He just sat on top of her, staring at her.

Liz felt bile rise up in her throat.

“No,” she cried out when he began leaning down towards her face.

She began jerking her head wildly underneath him, but he grabbed her head forcefully with his hands, effectively holding her in place.

Leaning down so his face was just a breath away from hers, he whispered, “Tell Max the number ten isn’t going to be so lucky for him after all.”

Then he was gone.

TBC

Chapter 19b

Liz Evans sat on the edge of her hospital bed, clutching the front of a hospital blanket closely to her chest.

She was cold. Almost freezing.

And it had nothing to do with the temperature. She had felt like ice ever since her chilling encounter with....whoever it was. She didn’t want to know, but at the same time she did.

Especially since he seemed to know who her husband was.

A squad car arrived almost seconds after he left, with Max and Michael arriving just a few seconds after the first squad car.

She was frozen still on the ground the entire time. The police finally being there didn’t register in her mind. Max finally being there didn’t register in her mind....at first.

She was laying there completely terrified, in shock, not even knowing her husband was there. It took him actually picking her up and forcefully screaming her name to shake her out of it.

Then she had immediately broken down into tears, which had, in turn, caused her to hyperventilate.

So that’s why she was on the hospital bed waiting for her husband to give her an explanation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You okay?” Michael asked Maria softly.

Maria simply turned her head and gave him a pointed look that said it all.

“Right,” Michael mumbled nodding.

After making sure Liz was okay, Michael and Maria were taking Emma and the twins back to their place. Liz and Max didn’t want them at the hospital any longer, and well, their house didn’t exactly feel so safe anymore.

“Michael?” Maria questioned quietly.

“Yeah babe?” Michael whispered.

“Do you think everything’s going to be okay?” Maria asked with a tremor lacing her voice.

After glancing in the back and seeing the twins and Emma were asleep, Michael answered, “I honestly have no idea. I hope so. I’ll do everything possible to make sure, and God knows Max will do everything possible and then some.”

“Let’s hope that’s enough,” Maria said sadly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Max and Liz sat silently staring at each other. Liz still on the bed, Max in the chair across from her. They both looked like they had been through hell.

“Are you ready to talk about it?” Max asked sadly.

Liz shrugged, “As I’ll ever be.”

Liz watched as he put a tape recorder on the table beside him.

She turned questioning eyes towards her husbands regretful ones.

“Liz I hate to do this, but you know it’s my job to get a statement,” Max said softly.

“I know,” Liz whispered.

“Come here,” Max pleaded.

Liz immediately scrambled into his arms, placing herself snugly in his lap.

Max kissed her forehead tenderly waiting for her to begin.

“You know almost everything that happened Max. I was running outside and I just ran into someone. It knocked me down. I.....I couldn’t breathe after that. I was so scared Max, without even having to...having to look up. I just knew I should be scared,” Liz cried softly.

Max ran his hands softly through her hair to try and comfort her.

Swallowing hard he asked, “Did you get a good look at him?”

Liz shook her head against his chest.

“Not really. He had a mask on. I can’t even say his height. He seemed of normal weight. I just remember his eyes. His eyes were so dark. They were almost pitch black. The way they looked at me....I just knew he had no compassion, no good in him. Nothing in him but.....anger and hatred,” Liz said.

Max tensed, her description of his eyes seeming familiar.

“Anything else?” he asked hoarsely.

“His voice. It was the kind of voice that grates on your soul. The kind of voice that makes you sick with fear,” Liz answered shaking.

Max sucked in a deep breathe of air, trying to keep his tears at bay, “Did he say anything to you?” he asked.

Liz raised her head to meet her husband’s eyes.

Max sucked in a sharp breath at the look in Liz’s doe eyes. Fear. Confusion. Accusation?

“He did actually,” Liz said quietly.

Max waited with bated breath for her to go on.

“Max, what’s lucky number ten mean to you?” Liz asked.

Max froze in recognition. He couldn’t believe it.

Liz watched her husbands mouth open and close repeatedly. She watched his face drain of all color. She watched his eyes widen in shock and recognition.

“W-What did....did you just say?” Max stumbled out.

“Lucky number ten. It was a message to you,” Liz forced out. The look on his face was scaring her.

“He said, “Tell Max the number ten isn’t going to be so lucky for him after all,” Liz said.

Max felt the fear rise in his stomach. “I think I’m going to fucking puke,” he said.

“Max, you’re scaring me,” Liz whispered with tears quickly filling her eyes.

This seemed to shake Max out of it.

“Oh god, baby, I’m so sorry,” Max rasped out, hugging Liz tightly.

Liz hugged him back just as tightly. “What’s going on Max?” she whispered against his ear.

Max lifted haunted eyes up to meet his wife’s scared ones.

“This is all my fault,” he whispered brokenly.

TBC....Chapter 20 will be up this weekend!!