Roswell Fanatics

~Michael~

I tried to hide my grin at the surprise that seemed to show on both Liz's face and the guy that I could only assume was Kyle. Alright, so I was certain to get reemed for this at some point, but I know that I have plenty of solid reasoning for coming here whether the others agree or not. Besides, being in here is making be rather hungry now. The smell of food is beginning to make me wonder what it actually tastes like with all these strange names.

The fact that they weren't making an approach had me wondering just what the hell was going on especially when they started talking amongst themselves. I'd even glanced at the menu briefly at one point after I'd first entered. *MICHAEL! What the HELL are you doing?* I hear Max's voice in my mind and I'm actually a bit surprised.

*Max? I..* I barely get the chance to get anything out before Max is going off on a tirade.

*I told you to leave her alone. You get out of there IMMEDIATELY!* I know instantly that little Miss Liz has contacted Max and I scowl as I look back toward her and the guy. I was not happy and I was also not going to be bossed around at every single moment.

I'm silent and unresponsive for several minutes, feeling my anger rise at being ordered about. He might be king but he damned well wasn't my boss when it came to where I went on this planet or what I did.

*Michael! Answer me!* Max sounds off again and I am tempted to hold my head with how loud his voice is in my head.

*Right, Maxwell, like that would look good, coming in with the obvious intention of getting something to eat and then walking back out again.* I respond, thinking that maybe I should point out the logic. *I'm not here to cause problems, Maxwell. Just to eat and observe, damn it!*

No way was I going to simply leave now, especially when I noticed that they were heading my way. This was bound to be interesting.

“What do you want Michael…? You’re not supposed to be here!” Liz says as she finally reaches the booth where I am sitting and I notice from her stance that she's nervous.

"Is there a law that says I can't eat something?" I asked, keeping my voice low as I added, "Any suggestions about what burger is best?" I glance at the guy who is standing there next to her and force myself not to smirk at how protective this kid is trying to be over her.

OOC: Great posts, I love this, even if I was the one to start it hehe. Anyway hope this works for you guys, tell me if you think I should change anything

~Liz~

“Is there a law that says I can’t eat or something?”

I’m amazed at how casual he makes the question sound. As though he’s just popped in for something to eat with no ulterior motive – although from Max’s comments about how the Crashdown made them feel, I know that’s not that’s not true.

In keeping with the fact that he’s supposedly a ‘customer’, I do have my pad out, but I’m hoping he’s just going to leave, and soon… “I don’t think you’d enjoy any of them…” I tell him awkwardly, looking down and realising with a sinking feeling that my nervousness is there for anyone to see given the way my hand is shaking.

I swallow and slide my pad back into my apron pocket, pressing my hand against the side of my leg in an attempt to hide it from Michael.

I concentrate on him and close my eyes a moment. I can’t exactly say what I want out loud, so although I’ve only tried it with Max, here goes… *You’re not supposed to be here…what happened to giving me some time…?*

He looks over at Kyle, apparently amused by something and I frown. “What do you want Michael…?” I ask again out loud. Hopefully it will pass as something I might be asking…if anyone else hears, but Michael will know exactly what I mean.

Just then I notice a movement, out of the corner of my eye. Mr Brook is moving back behind the counter…now there’s a sign I’m not doing my job right now… And why would that be…? Well Michael might have some idea…

I shake my head and look over quickly, hoping that he’s not angry. After looking at Kyle quickly, silently questioning him with my eyes if he’ll be okay, on getting a slight nod I take a breath and look back at Michael. “Look, if you want to order, I’m sure that Kyle will be able to do that for you…me, I need to get back to work…I’ll see you later Michael!”

My façade is back in place, and I don’t intend to let it slip again… Quickly I hurry back over to the counter and slip behind. “I’m sorry Mr Brook…”

He nods, stepping back to let me take over again. “I’m just a little surprised it seemed to take two of you to take that order…” He comments, looking over to where Kyle is still dealing with Michael.

I hope he’s alright… I nod awkwardly. “Yeah…I’m sorry about that…he sat down at one of my tables, but I thought I’d seen him before…” I trail off, allowing him to read what he wants into that.

Mr Brook’s expression softens somewhat. “And he caused trouble…?” He asks in a voice which indicates he’s rather more sympathetic now.

“Yeah…kinda…he just said a few things…or rather the guy I thought he was did…it turns out he’s not the same guy so I’m sorry for the mix-up…” I quickly clarify, not wanting to cause trouble even if I don’t want Michael here.

“Alright…you can always tell me if someone’s like that though…” He gives me a small smile. “I can’t have anyone doing that to my best waitress…”

For the first time since Michael got here, the smile on my face is once again genuine. “Thanks Mr Brook…”

He nods again. “Only telling the truth…”

I smile again then look over at the growing crowd of people who are waiting to order and be seated. “Okay, well I guess I should get back to it…” I comment, fitting actions to words as I head to the end of the counter where the queue as such begins.

*Max*

Finally, I hear Michael respond but it's not exactly the answer I was hoping for. *Right, Maxwell, like that would look good, coming in with the obvious intention of getting something to eat and then walking back out again. I'm not here to cause problems, Maxwell. Just to eat and observe, damn it!*

How it looks? He's worried about his rep? I can't believe this. *I don't care how it looks. Pretend you forgot your wallet. It doesn't matter. I promised we wouldn't pressure her --that she would be the one to make the next contact. I won't let you dishonor that.* I tell Michael. I try to keep my mental voice firm and without emotion, although he has to know how angry this makes me. Everyone knew that we were supposed to give her space and time to assimilate all that we'd just loaded onto her shoulders.

I hand the drinks to Alex and tell him. "I got to go. It's Michael," I tell him simply. I expect to get Michael out of there long before I can physically arrive at the Crashdown, but I'm starting in that direction, anyway. If I'm wrong and I actually get there, he'll be the sorriest alien on the planet. I'll make sure of that... "Sorry, Terry. Maybe we can talk more another time," I add before turning away towards the locker room.

*You’re not supposed to be here…what happened to giving me some time…?* I hear softly, in Liz's 'voice.' She's shakey and I almost didn't hear her. It's clear she's trying to talk to Michael. Concidering how new she is at this and how poorly Michael engaged her in conversation last night, I wonder how much he heard from her.

I want to apologise again, although that's not going to help anything. I need to solve the problem first. *You will have time, Liz. I promise.* I tell her quickly as I get to the locker room and quickly unseal the cupboard that Alex and I had chosen. *Did he say anything to you?*

*Isabel? Are you anywhere near the Crashdown? Michael's in there bothering Liz...* I tell her while shoving my feet into my shoes and grabbing my clothes. I'm not going to bother to take the time to get fully changed. Maybe I'll just put on a shirt over the swim-shorts. Looking up, I'm not surprised to see Alex reaching for his own clothes. I can only guess what Terry and Sarah think of me after that strange performance, but that's a very minor concern at the moment.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

*Kyle*

This guy is definately creepy.

That's my first and only thought as I watch him watching Liz and me, although he hasn't really done anything. If he was just a stranger, I might not feel the same way, but everything Liz had told me about him shows me that she's uncertain about him and a bit freaked. I know she was told nobody would be approaching her so when I look at him, I'm feeling more and more angry. Liz is always defending Max, but maybe it'll be safe to really dislike this guy...

Liz is talking to him in a way I've never heard her talk to a customer. Actually telling him he won't enjoy the food, although he'd directed the question to me. Not that I blame her. I wanna get this guy out the door, too.

“Look, if you want to order, I’m sure that Kyle will be able to do that for you…me, I need to get back to work…I’ll see you later Michael!” Liz says, suddenly turning and heading back to the counter. I know there's more to that than just her remembering that Michael should be my customer.

I look at him for a long moment before deciding to treat him as a customer -- almost. I take out my order pad. "The Will Smith is very nice. I'll be happy to prepare it 'to go,' for you," I say in my most dispassionate voice.

~Alex~

Max is definitely distracted…I can see that even as he’s coming back carrying the drinks. He might be managing not to spill them, but then again I guess he could be using a little alien mojo for that…

“Are you okay…?”

I look up over at Terry awkwardly, realising that Max isn’t the only one who’s distracted… Fine job I’m doing of acting normal… I shake my head at myself and try to salvage the conversation. “Oh…yeah…sorry…I guess I spaced a little…a lot of stuff going round in my head from work you know…?”

She nods, although I’m not certain she’s convinced, and I turn my attention back to her, trying to shift the conversation in a safe direction. “So…have you always lived around here…?” I ask, figuring it’s a pretty reasonable question if she’s watching her sister after school – her parents must live fairly close…

“Uh…yeah…” She still looks a bit uncertain of me, but soon loosens up again. “I’ve actually lived in the complex all my life too…my mom and dad have one of the older of the three bed-roomed places…I think they’ve been here about the longest of anyone living her currently…” She shrugs. “Of course you can’t complain I guess…it’s not that cheap, but then you get the pool, and the sports centre… I’ve always liked it here – hence why I got my own place I guess…” She grins and glances over at Sarah who’s busily writing now. “Have you got any sun block on at the moment?” She asks, apparently just thinking of it.

“G*d you really are like mom…” Sarah rolls her eyes at the question before pulling a face and shaking her head, standing up and reaching for the bottle of stuff that’s stood by the sun bed without needing to be told. “I’m putting some on now…”

Terry laughs and shakes her head, looking back at me. “Of course if she got burnt, we’d never hear the end of it…”

I smile and nod somewhat awkwardly given that once again my attention is wandering… The look on Max’s face as he approaches us is definitely enough to tell me something is wrong…

This feeling is confirmed as he hands me the tray immediately he reaches us, saying that he has to go, and mentioning Michael’s name. Okay…Michael, trouble…really not good…

Max heads off back towards the locker room without waiting for a response, and I look back at Terry knowing that this probably isn’t going to go down well. “Uh yeah…I should…go after him…” I respond weakly, setting down the tray of drinks on the table. “Enjoy the soda’s…”

Terry looks at me almost as though I’m crazy. “What about your drinks…?” She asks, her brow wrinkling in confusion.

“I’m not thirsty after all…” I tell her, grabbing my towel as I hurry after Max.

I catch up with him a few minutes later in the locker room, already beginning to get changed. He’s opened the locker, and I reach for my clothes which are still sat in there in a neat little pile.

Pulling on my trousers, I concentrate on my shoes next. Max doesn’t seem to be bothering with all that, but while some of us might be able to get away with walking around in swim trunks, I don’t think I’m one of them…

I look over at Max, taking in his obvious sense of urgency. “What’s happened…?” I ask, grabbing my shirt as he starts heading out of the room and pulling it over my head as I follow, hurrying to try and catch up with him.

~Liz~

*You will have time Liz…I promise…*

I wish I believed him, but I don’t really see what Max can do given that he’s not actually here… I’m guessing he’s probably tried telling him to get out of there, but it would appear he’s not paying any attention, so it’s not like that’s doing any good…

*Did he say anything to you…?*

I almost shake my head, in response, not being used to communicating in this way as yet, but stop myself just in time. *No…he just turned up…I’m sorry…maybe I’m over reacting, only I didn’t expect to see him and as I said, I’m busy…*

Having distanced myself a little from Michael by coming back to the counter, I’m now calming down a little, although his presence is still unnerving me… I keep glancing over at Kyle, checking that he’s okay as well…I don’t suppose that Michael would be stupid enough to try anything in public, but I wouldn’t like to bet my friend’s safety on it, and it doesn’t take much to gather he was far from happy when I told Max and the others about telling Kyle…

*It’s me I know, but what you’ve told me, it contradicts everything I’ve always believed, and I just need a little time to get my head around it…I’m sorry…*

As much as I try and tell myself that I shouldn’t be, that I have nothing to feel sorry for, I’m beginning to feel as though this is my fault, and I’m the one in the wrong… Chewing my lip for a moment, I try to concentrate on what I’m doing, taking some more orders and fixing them, as I wait to see if Max will respond.

“HEY LIZ, order up!” Martin in the kitchen calls, causing me to look back. The only food order I’ve taken thus far is for Pam and her group of course, and it takes all my effort not to pull a face. “Thanks…” I call back trying to keep a light, cheerful voice as I head over and pick them up. Just three plates…not too difficult, and I don’t need a tray. I juggle them carefully, my experience providing a lot of practice, as I head over to serve the burgers.

“About time…” Pam is filing her nails, looking rather bored, as she looks up at me. All pretense of pleasantness has gone…

I do my best to look apologetic although I don’t really see that she’s been waiting any longer than usual. “Oh I am sorry Pam…I brought it over as soon as it was ready though…”

She doesn’t respond, and I simply place each plate in front of the correct person. “Enjoy your meal…” I tell them before heading back over to the counter again.

*Max*

Liz's voice in my head does little to assure me although I'm glad to hear that Michael hasn't actually said anything to her yet. I wonder if it's spookier for him to be watching her without speaking. He's actually stalking her. How can he think this will help anything? How can he be such a bonehead sometimes. When I get my hands on him.....

*No. You're not over-reacting. I can't even imagine how disruptive this must be for you. You deserve some time to sort it out.* I tell Liz as soothingly as possible. I've been so anxious today waiting for the hours to pass until she might be able and willing to call. I wanted to talk to her, to start getting to know her, but I have to admit I was a bit scared of it all, too. There's so many expectations riding on this. I keep wondering how I'm going to just get to know HER without all of that getting in the way. I really do understand her wanting to go slow.

Only then, does Alex's question penetrate my mind as he follows me through the locker room. I know he's still almost completely in the dark. "Michael went to the Crashdown. Liz called me telepathically. She's really freaked out." I explain, without looking at him. The locker room is empty except for us, but I keep my voice low anyway, juss to be sure.

Only then does it occur to me that they might not want swimwear in a diner like the Crashdown. I'm still hoping I won't have to actually get that far, but I run my hands over my trunks, instantly drying them and then shoving my shorts on over top just as we get to the door. That'll do.

"Thanks," I say to the girl at the desk as I hurry past her. Reaching the outside door, I break into a run, dashing back to our unit as quickly as I can. It was a nice short walk on the way over but now it seems like miles to get back to the townhouse.

*Michael!* I shout silently. *I know you want to hurry this but you're only making it worse. You're going to chase her away. You better apologise to her and get out of there NOW before you ruin everything!*

~Michael~


I smirk as I see that expression on Liz's face. The nervousness she conveys not only with her words but the fact that her hand shakes as she holds the order pad in front of her makes me ALMOST feel sorry for her. The comment she makes in regards to my question makes me hard put not to laugh. “I don’t think you’d enjoy any of them…” I hadn't actually planned on taunting her when I came here, but this was so easy it wasn't funny. Even with Max screaming in my head.

*I don't care how it looks. Pretend you forgot your wallet. It doesn't matter. I promised we wouldn't pressure her --that she would be the one to make the next contact. I won't let you dishonor that.* I forced myself to keep from shaking my head, refusing for the moment to even acknowledge his words.

I'm suddenly surprised though when I hear her voice in my head, it seemed as though I was only getting pieces of it, but still it was more then I had expected. *...not ...be here…what ... giving ... time…?*

Once I gave myself the chance to think about it, I rationalized that since she had been alone with Max, she might have had the chance to become comfortable with the rapport but since I myself hadn't really been someone she knew or was comfortable around her emotions wouldn't quite allow complete communication with me. *I'm not here because of you.* I sent back into her mind only a moment before she spoke aloud.

“What do you want Michael…?” She glances around and then just as suddenly as she had seemed determined to get me out of there she said, “Look, if you want to order, I’m sure that Kyle will be able to do that for you…me, I need to get back to work…I’ll see you later Michael!” I knew I had touched a nerve of some sort, but that was fine by me. Max might be thinking about Liz in this whole thing, but we also had the right to think about ourselves.

I have to admit though, she's got more spunk then I would have originally attributed to her. It was something I could get used to, possibly. *Look, Maxwell. Get a grip. I never promised a damn thing and I'm getting sick and tired of everyone always assuming my purpose in things is to cause trouble. I'll leave..soon.* I sent out to Max as I watched Liz walk away and then glanced at Kyle. She'd called him that, so it meant that my hypothesis was correct.

"The Will Smith is very nice. I'll be happy to prepare it 'to go,' for you," Kyle says and I can't keep from smirking at his audacity to speak that way knowing what I could easily do to him. The guy had guts.

Deciding to bait him, trying to see if I could catch any hint as to whether he would betray our secret, I acting like a customer as I questioned, "How exactly is that prepared? And would I be able to get some hot sauce with that?"

*Michael! What the hell are you doing?* I suddenly hear Isabel yelling at me and realize that Max must have told her that I was at the Crashdown.

*Trying to get to know Kyle.* I responded, knowing she'd hear the sarcasm in the mind speech. *I'm doing what any good protector would do, making certain he isn't a threat to us.*

I leaned back in the booth, preparing to look as well at ease as possible. Perhaps it was a challenge of sorts to the human. See, I don't really consider Maria and Alex as human anymore. They are as much a part of our group as the three of us even without the alien DNA.

*Michael!* I hear Max shout. *I know you want to hurry this but you're only making it worse. You're going to chase her away. You better apologise to her and get out of there NOW before you ruin everything!*

I choose for the moment not to respond to what he said. Me apologize? For doing something I feel is safe for those that are basically my family.

~Isabel~

I'm turning the corner, still trying to determine in my mind where exactly the hotheaded one of our group has gone. I love the guy to death, he's like a brother and all, but at moments like these, I would just as soon strangle him rathern then hug him.

*Isabel? Are you anywhere near the Crashdown? Michael's in there bothering Liz...* I hear my brother through the mindlink and sigh. Great, he would have to do that.

*I'm close. I can be there in less then five minute* I told him as I started in that direction instead of the way I had planned on going. Well, Michael had better be prepared for what I was going to say if he was still inside the Crashdown when I got there.

Not really wanting to wait, I sent to Michael, *Michael! What are you doing?*

When he responded I wished I could see the expression on his face, *Trying to get to know Kyle.* There was that good ole' Michael sarcasm. *I'm doing what any good protector would do, making certain he isn't a threat to us.*

*Why do you have to be so stubborn, Michael?* I sighed before deciding instead to see how well I could send a message to Liz.

*Liz, I'm on my way to try and extract Michael.* I then sent nearly the same message to Max.

~Liz~

Not…you Michael’s message, or as much as got through, keeps going over and over in my head… Not here for me…? Hearing his voice in my head had come as something of a shock…the touch was unquestionably different to Max’s, that was for sure, and it had taken me a little time to try and work out what he had meant. Even those two words had been muffled, unclear…almost as though he were speaking from behind a screen… I didn’t understand that factor, but if I was right in what I thought he meant, it had to be Kyle… My anger is fast being replaced with tension and fear once more. I’ve played right into his hands…letting Kyle sort his order then…

I look over to where Kyle is still serving Michael nervously, trying to guess what might be going on… They don’t look much like waiter and customer, that’s for certain… I swallow and shake my head, concentrating and attempting to make a connection with Michael again. *You hurt him Michael, and you’ll learn exactly what I know I can do with my powers at the moment!*

I’m actually threatening him… Given how nervous he still makes me feel, that’s no small feat, but then this is my friend we’re talking about… This is Kyle, who has been my best friend….well pretty much as long as I can remember… This is Kyle, who’s been there for me all these years, and who, when he found out the truth, accepted me even though I was different… This is my friend, and I won’t let Michael hurt him…

*No. You’re not over-reacting. I can’t imagine how disruptive this must be for you. You deserve some time to sort it out*

I hear Max’s calm, soothing voice come through plain as day in my head. It’s so different from with Michael…with him the message was so distorted, I’m surprised I heard anything…

I guess that’s a sign of the fact that Max and I already have a better connection than I do with any of the others…but then that makes sense… Max has talked to me, spent time with me… Even if some of the stuff I didn’t want to hear, he’s spoken to me about it all. Michael…well I’m not sure if he spoke more than about ten words the whole evening, and his attitude and opinion regarding what Max and I should do were perfectly clear though, and maybe that’s one of the reasons I feel so uncomfortable around him…

I don’t know if anything is going to happen between Max and I… At the moment, the possibility seems completely ‘alien’ if you’ll excuse the pun, but I won’t know for certain until we begin to get to know each other… And as we said earlier when we were alone, getting to know Max and Liz is more important than Zanelroi and Lareina at the moment…

*Thanks…* I send back, not really sure what I can say, except to show him I appreciate the stand he’s taking… Taking time, taking it slow…that’s what I need…I don’t want to rush into anything, I want to get to know him, and Isabel, Maria, Alex, and even Michael…but I needed to do that in my own time…

I try to push all thoughts like these to the back of my mind for now, just as I have been doing so far this afternoon I really can’t afford to start thinking about this stuff…not at the moment…

There’s still a lot of people waiting at the counter to be served, but there’s also a few couples waiting to be seated, and I’m torn as to which I should deal with first. In the end, Mr Brook solves that for me though, dealing with the seating, while I get the next few orders for drinks and go to try and fix them.

*Liz…*

I’m stood at the coffee machine, waiting for it to heat up again, when I hear a new voice in my head. It’s getting rather crowded in there… I think to myself, laughing inwardly at the thought before concentrating to try and focus on the message being sent. It’s faint, and I lost it completely for a moment, but I manage to catch the last it at least *…extract Michael…*

From the sound of the voice, and from process of elimination, this is probably Isabel – or if it isn’t I don’t know who that leaves anyway… What she’s trying to say I’m not too certain though… Extract Michael…she’s coming to get him to leave maybe…? It could be wishful thinking on my part, I can but hope though…

*Kyle*

I'm trying very hard to be civil here. After all, I haven't even been introduced to this guy. But I really can't believe he's in here doing this to Liz. Haven't they done enough to her? They're asking for her to re-sort her entire life -- to spend the rest of her life on some other planet. But on top of that, they have to come stalking her like this. It's beyond comprehension.

Okay, maybe not "they." Liz insisted that Max didn't know anything about this and Michael is alone, but it doesn't change anything. Damn. This Max is supposed to be a king and he can't even control his friend? He thinks he can control a whole planet?

"How exactly is that prepared? And would I be able to get some hot sauce with that?" he asks.

"For you, it's prepared 'to go,'" I explain again. I quickly tell him what's on the burger and add. "I'll give you all the hot sauce you can stomach and I'll let you have it for free if you leave here immediately. Liz isn't ready to talk to any of you."

She's probably even less ready now than before, I think. Or if she isn't, she should be. I don't know how she could possibly trust any of them after this.


*~*~*~*~*~*

*Max*

Alex is right behind me as I rush across the lawns to get to our house. Michael doesn't answer me even when I tried to explain that his little stunt is only going to drive Liz away from us. I would have thought that avoiding that would be the most important thing on his mind. I can't believe we've gone through all this to find her and he's going to ruin everything...

*Thanks,* I hear Liz say, but I can tell she's still stress about it all. Not that I blame her. This is totally unfair to her.

*I'm so sorry, Liz. I'll take care of it.* I promise. It might not be enough. It might be too late to reverse the damage all ready. But I'm going to do the best I can.

*I'm close. I can be there in less then five minute* I hear Isabel answering me. It's good to know. I shouldn't be much longer than that but every minute counts right now. I have to show Liz that I'm sincere in my intent to let her have her time to adjust...

I run in the back door, through the kitchen and out the front. On the way, the keys to my jeep fly from their hook and into my hand. At the same time, I hear Isabel confirm that she's on her way to get Michael out of there. That's good news because it doesn't seem like he's going to be leaving just because I'm telling him to. Michael appears to be immune to logic...

*Michael, don't do this to me,* I say, pleading with him, now. *Don't ruin any chance I have with Liz...*