Roswell Fanatics

SERENA

"Maybe I said it wrong earlier. I talk regularly with Michael on the phone - especially lately when I was busy with moving. We haven't actually *seen* each other, we talk on the phone, that is it and ... unlike many women, we don't talk that much on the phone."

Before I can reply to Alex, Tess comes over and hugs me, saying that her and the others were heading out. I smile as her and Zan banter before saying good bye to the others and watching her and the others leave the kitchen, leaving Zan, Alex, Seth and myself alone.

"So, you and Michael are fine?" I ask, going back to what we were talking about before Tess came over.

"Yep. We are fine." Alex says

“Uncle Michael said that he is going to take me to a hockey game.” Seth adds causing Alex to send me a told you so look.

“Okay then,” I say, studying Alex briefly for any signs of lying. I’m not sure if Alex would admit that there was a problem or that he needed my help. Its always been pretty independent, it just seem to get a little worse after Abby. Everything seemed to get a little worse after Abby left. Huh, left, as if it was her choice. There not really a good word to describe someone who’s not in your life anymore because they are dead. God, I hate that word. Dead. Its so cold and unfeeling and doesn’t to justice to Abby who was the most alive person I knew.

“You know, I just worry about you guys. You’ve been away for so long and so much as changed. I’m sorry if I’m a little bossy…”

“A little bossy?” Zan snorts.

“…but I can’t help myself. I want to make sure that you’ll happy here. You, Seth and Michael mean the world to me.” I state and realize that my words probably seem a little mushy to Alex but I don’t care. I stopped trying to look cool in front of Alex when I was 8 and he was 11. I try to lightening the mood as I say, “But you know, whatever. You guys better get moving before I start getting weepy or I decide never to let you leave.”

~~~~~ISABEL~~~~~
"Okay, people. Let’s go. Max and Liz you can talk about whatever you’re talking about.”
Tess turns to me and grins.
“And Izzy, you’re with me, walking upfront. The walk to the restaurant will be the perfect time to play catch up. So tell me have you photographed any good-looking men lately?”
I smile. "Well...have you heard of a Mr Kyle Valenti?....Oh before I forget....Serena" I call out. "I might come by the club tonight. A client said he may be there"
I smile at Tess. "Happen to have heard of a Mr Kyle Valenti?"

TESS

"Happen to have heard of a Mr Kyle Valenti?" Isabel asks.

I wrinkle my nose as I scan my brain for any memories of the name Kyle Valenti. Right, so he can’t be anything to do with music, television, movies or shopping because I wouldn’t have to think this hard at all. I think I remember some of the guys at work talking about someone called Valenti, which suggests a sport of some kind.

‘The mystery is nearly solved. Look out Sherlock Holmes.’ I bite my lip to stop from laughing at my own lameness. Gah, I need some serious help.

“Is he a hockey player?” I ask, biting my lower lip. Aren’t hockey players meant to be super good looking and super rich. Hmm, I could use a nice hockey player in my life to take care of all my needs.

ALEX

For a moment, I was worried that Serena might be angry because Michael and me didn't have such close contact lately but when she's finished with her little speech, I can't help myself and reach out to hug her.

"Hey, I don't have a problem with you worrying over Seth and me. It's good to know that you care about the two of us and Michael."

Releasing her, I turn her slightly to Zan, "So, time to hand you over now." I say to Serena then I turn to Zan, knowing that this will annoy her a lot, "She's all yours again, man."

~~~~ISABEL~~~~
I see her thinking. Clearly Im not the only one who doesnt know him either.

"The mystery is nearly solved. Look out Sherlock Holmes.’ I raise an eyebrow at her as she tries not to laugh.

“Is he a hockey player?”
"Close but no cigar. He's some hotshot star quarterback" I tell her. "But yeah he said he was gonna come by the club later if he could. Told me I should go home and spend more time with my family and friends."

I scoff. "I spend plenty of time with you guys....I just... cant give up my work now can I?"

SERENA

"Hey, I don't have a problem with you worrying over Seth and me. It's good to know that you care about the two of us and Michael." Alex says wrapping his arms around me.

I hold him tightly for a moment, hoping that he knows how much I love him, before letting him go.

"So, time to hand you over now." Alex says, turning me and gently shoving me into Zan’s direction. I guess this is Alex’s way of telling me that I should be living my own life and not interfering in his. "She's all yours again, man."

I roll my eyes in slight annoyance. The way Alex said that makes it sound like a problem that Zan has to deal with and not his girlfriend. And to think that I actually missed Alex’s teasing and goofy sense of humor. What was I thinking?

“Gah, you can go now.” I say, shoving Alex towards the hallway and the front door. “You’re starting to make jokes, which means you’ll getting a little too comfortable for my liking.” I stoop down so that I am eye level with Seth and ruffle his hair before kissing him on the cheek and hugging him much to his obvious horror. “You are such a cutie, Seth Whitman. The next time I see you, which will be soon, I’m bringing cookies and some other treats. I got a lot of missed spoiling to make up.”

“Yay,” Seth says, looking a bit more happier about being hugged and kissed by a girl.

Standing back up to my full height of 5 foot 7, I grin at Alex. “Okay, so call me tomorrow about dinner on Monday night and tell Guerin to call me if you speak to him before I do, okay.”

“Okay,” Alex nods. “Say good bye, Seth.”

“Good bye Seth.” Seth repeats with a cheeky grin.

“He is so cute,” I state with a smile while Alex just rolls his eyes.

“See you later guys,” Alex says, stepping out of the apartment.

I watch him and Seth disappear down the stairs before I close the door. The apartment suddenly seems so empty with my family and friends’ laughter and talking. Maybe I should have gone to lunch with the others. It would have been fun to spend some time with them while Zan was catching up on his sleep. I know that I thought that it would be the perfect time to do the accounts for the club but I’m really in the mood for…

The air rushes out of lungs when I turn around and catch Zan staring at me hungrily. I try and remember what I was thinking about but can only focus on Zan and the way that he is prowling towards me. God, he is so hot. Just looking at him makes me melt into a puddle of goo.

TESS

"Close but no cigar. He's some hotshot star quarterback. But yeah he said he was gonna come by the club later if he could. Told me I should go home and spend more time with my family and friends." Isabel tells me before scoffing slightly "I spend plenty of time with you guys....I just... cant give up my work now can I?"

I brush a strand of hair behind my ear to stall for time. I’m not sure how to answer Isabel’s question because we are so different and have such different views on life. For example; she loves her job and doesn’t mind working overtime whereas I don’t hate my job but I don’t love it either. Its just a source of income for me and if I didn’t have to work, I wouldn’t. I would much rather spend my time shopping or with my friends.

So instead of answering her question, I sidestep it and ask her, “You’re meeting him at the club tonight? Are you into him? The photographer and the quarterback. I think I read that love story.”

~~~~~ISABEL~~~~~
“You’re meeting him at the club tonight? Are you into him? The photographer and the quarterback. I think I read that love story.”

I roll my eyes. "Huh? Oh no....different types. No I dont date clients, you know that. Besides which I dont date. I do family and work. Thats my forte. Not dating. I dont need a guy. Anyways, you wanna come tonight? He's quite cute..."

Then I realise she didnt answer me.
"Hey...you didn't answer my question" I say crossing my arms. "What does your silence mean?"

TESS

"Huh? Oh no....different types. No I don’t date clients, you know that. Besides which I don’t date. I do family and work. That’s my forte. Not dating. I don’t need a guy. Anyways, you wanna come tonight? He's quite cute..." Isabel’s sentence trails off and she crosses her arms across her chest and stares at me. "Hey...you didn't answer my question. What does your silence mean?"

“It means that I was so close to avoiding that question,” I say with a sigh and a weak smile. I quickly think of something to say that won’t offend Isabel and make her hate me forever and a day. “Sure, we don’t get to see you as much as we use to but Izzy, you love your job and that’s great. And we will have all the time in the world to hang out when we old and in a retirement home or something.”

I hold my breath as I wait to see Isabel’s reaction to my answer. I didn’t sugarcoat anything or lie. I just said what I thought but a lot of the time that gets me into trouble. Everyone in the group seems to be busy with their working lives especially the Evans siblings. Sometimes it makes me feel so lazy.

ALEX

I silently watch Serena saying goodbye to Seth. I can already tell that she's going to spoil the little guy. Just hope that she won't forget to spoil her great cousin too!

After leaving Serena and Zan, I briefly wonder if I have enough food home and ... who am I kidding, Seth just ate two pounds of cookies, I'll certainly be able to make sure he wont starve later.

"And, do you like aunt Serena?" I ask him and he's grinning up at me, I guess he does.

"Yeah, she's a great cook, way better than you dad."

"Oh, thanks for that." I reply dryly before picking him up. "Just for that, you'll have to go to bed at seven later."

"Oh dad!"

Yeah, I guess we are going to be okay here. Now, I only have to worry on what to cook on Monday evening and for how many people.