Roswell Fanatics

****

Maria nervously knocked on his door. Granted entrance, she slowly pushed the knob and walked in with her heart on her sleeve.

He slowly sat up as she entered the room closing the door behind her with a soft click.
"Hi", she said softly.

His eyes never left hers."Hi".

Her eyes roamed the room as she tried to gather her rapidly dispersing thoughts.

Come on Deluca, it's now or never. Total honesty, get it out there and just deal with the aftermath.

"Now that everything is out in the open, I want to finish the conversation we put on then backburner on Saturday on account of me getting shot and...well you know".

He nodded wordlessly.

"Right," she nodded, "So..."

"Can I ask you a question?" he asked suddenly.

"Sure," she replied grateful for any reason to procrastinate.

"Why after I healed you did you not tell anyone? not your father, not Kyle, not Alex, for the whole weekend? I know you said it's because I saved your life, but Maria, you must have been pretty scared especially with..." he looked at her stomach.

Maria followed his gaze and pulled up her shirt to reveal the silverhandprint, raising her head, she met his eyes"...this?"

"Yes," he replied," it would only be natural for you to panic and tell someone...why didn't you?"

Pulling back her top to once again cover the handprint, she sighed.

Truth remember, the whole truth and nothing but.

"The same reason I woke up pitch early this morning, drove into the desert and burnt the uniform with my blood on it, till it was just a pile of black stuff and buried it...because you saved my life and because what happened, happened and what defined who I was, was what I would do next," she paused and took a breath. Her next words came in one rushed breath." Plus there's also the fact that despite by best efforts to feel otherwise, I'm completely and utterly in love with you," she finished.

His whole body stilled, his eyes reflected stunned surprise.

Not the reaction I was hoping for but...

"It's okay," she smiled sadly, "You don't have to say anything"

"I won't," he said.

Hurt and indignation flowed through her. "Hey! You don't have to so brutally honest about-"

Maria was silenced by soft lips capturing hers. In a blink of an eye Max had traveled from his bed to her lips ,attached to her body, in the middle of his bedroom floor. Her initial surprise melted away as she gave in to the kiss and her arms automatically wrapped themselves around his neck.

Maria sighed blissfully as the kiss deepened and became more passionate, his tongue demanded entrance and she eagerly granted it . Their tongues danced with fervor, her fingers found the little curls at the nape of his neck and stroked them, his hands found her waist and pulled her towards him, their pounding hearts beating as one.

Reluctantly, the broke for air and Maria found herself staring into eyes which looked back at her with such intensity that it took her breath away.

"Despite my best efforts, I've fallen in love with you too".

As the words left his lips Max felt free, the words had been trapped in his heart the moment he had set eyes on this blonde pixie and now they were finally released.

He would have said them sooner, the moment she had entered the room but fear had kept him silent and then evasive and finally when she had offered him her love, standing there in all her vulnerability, all words had left his mind, all his heart wanted to do was take her in his arms and tell her with unspoken words in a kiss. And before he could think about it, that's exactly what he had done. His heart knew he loved Maria and his mind knew it without him having to think about it, it was a reflex action he had been too paralyzed with fear and insecurity to exercise. Loving her was natural, he had finally given in to nature and it felt better than he had ever imagined.

"You do?" she asked.

His forehead met hers and he stared lovingly into her bright green eyes. "Uh huh".

His reply was rewarded with a bright smile, an excited shriek and the sweet taste of her lips.

"So" he managed between each kiss, "what do we do now?".

He almost groaned with disappointment as she broke away.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I mean, it's official we're boyfriend and girlfriend...what happens now?" he asked shyly.

Maria grinned, touched by his demure nature and obvious cluelessness. "There's no protocol for this Max, you just do what feels natural".

"Do what feels natural," he mused.

"Uh huh," she nodded.

"Okay then..." he took hold of her hand and started leading her towards his bed.

"Whoa there Spaceboy," she said pulling him back, " I don't know how they do it back on Antar but when I say natural, I don't mean that natural".

He looked at her in confusion, "Wha-Oh you think- wait did you just call me Spaceboy?"

"I believe I did," she replied smirking.

"Well," he began as their fingers entwined," I suppose I should call you Earth girl,".

"Oh so we're in I-Tarzan-you-Jane territory are we?" she grinned playfully.

"Or maybe I should call you pixie", he continued.

"Do I look like a pixie?" she demanded with a raised eyebrow.

"No, but you have the alluring, refreshing and magical spirit of one," he grinned.

His charming smile disarmed her, "Good answer," she murmured as their lips met in a deliciously, painful, slow, sweet kiss which left Maria blissfully light headed and giddy.

"By the way, about the bed," he began," I'm not thinking-okay we're not going to-not that I wouldn't like to sometime in the future but-". Maria grinned as he stumbled to come up with a noble explanation,"...will you just trust me?"he finally asked.

"Okay," she replied and allowed herself to be led to the bed. To Michael, she would have said heck no, because it was obvious what he wanted, but with Max...he was different. "What now?" she asked.

"Now we do what feels natural," he replied expectantly.

Maria raised her eyebrow....

****

"I'm with Christina, the girl has lungs".

"True but Britney's prettier," he argued back.

"She's too blonde, bordering on Albino blonde, which wouldn't be a bad thing except she's not Albino".

Resting comfortably on his chest and enveloped lovingly in his arms, Maria felt Max chuckle and she smiled. With time meaningless, she had snuggled into his arms and they had talked about life, mainly his and then they had progressed onto trivial things which somehow didn't seem too pointless to talk about.

A comfortable silence took over in which Maria spent her time playing with his fingers, savoring his scent and his steady breathing.

"You know what I love about you?" he asked.

She turned her head to look up at him, "Well I have so many good points, it could be anyone of them" she grinned.

"Well there's that for starters," he said.

"What?" she asked.

"Your humour, your confidence...".

She smiled.

"...your smile". Max followed her lead as she turned on her side and faced him propping her head up with her elbow for support.

"What else?" she demanded playfully.

Max lifted his free hand and gently trailed it through her hair," there's your hair, which I love to touch..." he stared into her pure eyes"...your eyes because they are so expressive that I can read your mood". He drew closer to her and could feel her warm breath on his lips"...your ability to forgive, your big heart...you're honesty...you're outspoken and vibrant...truly one of a kind..."

The remainder of his words faded as their lips met, fusing their bodies together until with their lips never leaving each other, Max gently rolled on top of her. Coming up for air, he looked into her sparkling green eyes and marveled at the ability of one person to make his body feel so much... his body felt like a mixture of fire and ice, she was the cool breeze to his hot summer's day. His lips tingled from the sensation of kissing her, Max closed his eyes as her fingers gently touched his lips. He closed his hand around hers, enjoying her touch.

"Want to know what I love about you?" she asked quietly.

Max opened his eyes and grinned. "There's so much, where do you start?" he asked playfully.

He rolled back into his previous position as she playfully hit him in the shoulder.

"Well there's your modesty for instance..." she began on propped elbow.

"Of course," he grinned.

Maria smiled, something she hadn't been able to stop doing since Max told her he loved, since he had kissed her, heck it was something she did everytime she had considered the prospect of them being together and now they finally were.

"...Well," she continued, her eyes twinkled," there's also the fact that you saved my life with your alien powers."

"Really?" he said as he caught her fingers which had been making imaginary circles on his bedspread.

"Oh yeah," she nodded suppressing a smile," that scores some major points I can tell you." Unable to have just his hand in contact with hers, she closed the gap between them and kissed him.

Amused amber eyes stared back at her,"So you're with me because I saved your life?".

"Oh yeah," she grinned as she rolled on top of him," there's also the fact that you're incredibly hot..." she kissed him on the lips," I mean the body and those eyes". Maria gazed at him once again astonished that they were together, that she had been given this gift.

If I die now, I'd be happy. If aliens came and killed us right here and now, I'd die smiling.

"So I'm just a toy huh, to be used for your pleasure?" he asked with feigned offence.

"Well there's that..." placing her elbows on either side of his head, she pushed herself up till their heads were parallel,"...and then there's the cute way you smile...," she kissed him on the cheek, contact with his skin creating blissful sensations throughout her body, she continued, "...and the fact that when I'm rambling on you gently tell me I'm babbling or listen and smile anyway...that you were there to help through the rough parts of the Michael and Liz thing when I thought I was over it, which of course now I officially am...there's your quiet humour...the way you can silence me with a kiss or a look...Max, just being you makes me love you".

****
Tess knocked lightly on the door, it sounded as if they were talking.

I hope they've got it together, if anyone deserves happiness, it's those two.

Tess knocked louder, "hey guys, it's time to eat!".

****

"So you don't just love me for my body?" he asked.

She kissed her before sitting up, straddling him, "Nope, I'm pretty sure it goes deeper than that." She yelped as Max suddenly sat up, supporting her back with his hand.

"That's too bad 'cause I don't mind being used as toy," he said huskily.

"Really?" she breathed, intoxicated by his scent, his lips drew her closer.

"Really," he replied. Their lips met once more and once again Maria was drowning, losing herself, freeing herself into the capable arms of Max Evans. She barely noticed that she was moving, that their positions were shifting, their lips never leaving each other, Maria's head supported by Max's firm hand gently rested on the bed, her arms encircled around his neck.

****
Tess sighed impatiently. "Okay," she said aloud as she twisted the knob, "I'm coming in!".

She stepped in, expecting to find Max and Maria...not the in the position they were in... Max was on top of Maria, they were making out with capital M on Max's bed!
Her hands quickly shot up to cover her eyes, "Whoa! now okay, should have knocked a lot louder!" she called as she backed out of the room. "Um dinner's ready by the way," she added before shutting the door behind her.

****

Behind the closed door, Tess finally removed her hands from her shining eyes and closed her open mouth.

Oh my...hmm, I guess they did sort out their baggage.

Suppressing a grin, she headed back downstairs.

****

Max looked down at Maria's grinning face, "that was very embarrassing," she said.

"Didn't you lock the door?" he asked sitting up.

"Well I didn't exactly think we'd end up here," she replied grinning as she sat up beside him.

They sat side by side, unable to stop smiling "So I guess we should go eat," said Maria.

Max grinned offering her his hand, "I guess we should."

****

They were sat ready for dinner when a very flustered Max and Maria made their entrance hand in hand. The table was silent as Philip and Diane Evans stared at the couple.

"Um is there something we should know?" asked Diane.

Max beamed. She watched him in stunned suprise. She couldn't remember the last time she had seen him look so happy.

"Um, Maria and I are together, officially as a couple," he announced.
"Well it's about time," she said.

At their surprised expressions, Philip Evans continued, "We thought we'd have to sit you two down and make you go out," he said.

"Welcome to the family officially Maria," she beamed at her.

"Thank you," she smiled.

Diane Evans shared a look with her husband as she watched their son draw out a chair for his girlfriend. They had been worried about Max, he was too reserved, he never went to parties or take part in group activities, but since meeting Maria, he had opened up, seemed more carefree and now had a good group of friends.

As she watched them interact, she realised just how much her son had fallen for Maria, a girl both her and Philip approved of.

"Since we are on the relationship topic, I guess I should announce that Kyle and I are together officially and so are Iz and Alex," said Tess.

"That's great honey" they said in unison. Beaming with the pleasure of knowing that their children were dating people they had come to consider as part of the family and approved of.

****

Dinner went by quickly in an atmosphere of happiness and casual conversation. As they began to clear up, the door bell rang.

Her mother, or rather the woman who had come to be her adopted mother, volunteered and in a few minutes returned. "Alex is here," she said.

"Great, I'll go keep him company," volunteered her father.

"I'll go tell Isabel he's here," said Diane Evans.

Max began clearing up the dishes and Maria joined in.

"That's okay," he said, "I'll do it."

Tess rolled her eyes. He was sooo whipped.

Maria held on firmly to the plate he was taking away from her. "Max, I'll help. I eat here almost once a week, it's about time I earned by keep," she insisted.

Tess watched as they stared each other into submission and rolled her eyes in amusement. She grabbed the plate from both of them. "Sorry to interrupt kids but I think I better do the dishes instead of Max and you can help me 'Ria".

In response to their questioning glances she explained. "Dad's in there giving Alex the total full parental interview since Izzy is serious about him...I think he'll need a friendly face."

Max nodded, "Gotcha".

****

Diane Evans knocked on her daughter's door louder. "Isabel honey, Alex is here."

At the sound of a rather exasperated "Okay", Diane asked, "Can I come in?".

"Sure Mum," came the reply.

Diane Evans walked into the room and was struck dumb by the chaos. It seemed like everything Isabel owned was strewn across the room, clothing was everywhere with Isabel in the centre, taking off a red top and putting on a blue one.

"Um Izzy is everything okay?" she asked tentatively.

Her occupied daughter vaguely looked at her before putting on a jeans jacket and then promptly taking it off again.

"Yeah Mum, everything..." she walked past her to grab a floral skirt," everything's fine".

Diane eyed her oblivious daughter with open incredulity. "Okay...well Alex is downstairs".

"Tell him I'll be there in five minutes," she said as she tossed off the skirt.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Uh, yeah, five minutes," she insisted.

Diane Evans cast her a look of disbelief before closing the door.

****

"What's wrong?" asked Tess.

Her mother had walked into the kitchen with a troubled expression.

"I think Isabel is a little nervous about her date with Alex...crisis nervous," she replied.

"How bad is it?" she asked. A Isabel crisises which were very rare, were either very violent or messy.

"Her room looks like a bomb exploded in her closet, she keeps jumping in and out of outfits," she explained.

"Okay," she nodded. Messy was manageable. She slammed the dish towel decisively on the kitchen table," let's go help her then."

Dragging Maria with her, they headed up stairs.

"What about the dishes?" asked Maria.

They met Max along the way, "Don't worry," she grabbed Maria's dish cloth and thrust it into Max's chest, "Max will finish up won't you?"

Without waiting for a reply, they continued on up the stairs.

****

****

Maria's jaw dropped as she took in the state of the room. Diane Evans had been right, it looked like a bomb had gone off, it looked like her room on her freaking out days. Isabel was usually so organised, so in control, the mess obviously reflected her frame of mind.

"Honey?" began Diane.

Totally oblivious to their looks of concern, Isabel responded," Huh?"

"Are you really okay?".

"Oh yeah," she replied as she struggled to peel off a top she was wearing, "I'm just-just-" she struggled with it.

Diane made a move to help her but took a step back as Isabel victoriously and roughly pulled it off her arm..."fine," she finished triumphant.

"Isabel," began her mother in a more authoritative voice.

Isabel sighed and turned to face them. "Okay fine. I'm not fine, I'm freaking! I'm flipping out, I'm a mess!", she slumped onto her bed, "someone help me" she sighed.

"It's not like you've never been on dates before, right?" asked Maria.

"Yeah, but not on an official boyfriend and girlfriend serious date!" she exclaimed.

Did they not understand anything?! Alex was no ordinary guy, he was different, with him everything was different.

"I mean what am I supposed to wear? What are we supposed to talk about? What if it's awkward or-"

She was calmed by her mother's comforting hand on her shoulder. "Sssh Iz, it's going to be fine. There isn't a guide for this honey, it just all works itself out okay?".

"Really?" she asked earnestly.

Maria suppressed a grin as she experienced a sense of deja vu. These aliens really were virgins in the realm of deep serious dating.

"Trust me, it just happens naturally. Okay?".

"Okay," nodded Isabel.

"Good," said Diane. "I'll tell Alex you'll be down soon."

****

As the door closed on the trio, Maria and Tess looked at Isabel.

"You okay now?" asked Maria.

Isabel nodded, "More or less," she replied. Her mother was right, it would all somehow work itself out, a lot of people she knew had serious boyfriends and that seemed to go okay.

Now if I can only decide on something to wear.

As if reading her mind, Tess clapped her hands decisively. "Great, now that the freakout is over, lets get you dressed to go. What have you got so far?".

Isabel referred them to a black leather jacket lying on her bed. "So far that...but I can't exactly go out dressed in underwear and a leather jacket," she said dryly.

Maria smirked. "Where is Alex taking you?".

"I don't know," she replied. "He said it was a surprise but that there would be stars, so I figure we're gonna end up outside looking at the stars."

Maria nodded. "So that rules out dresses, it's warmer with trousers."

She picked up a pair of black trousers and tossed them to Isabel who promptly put them on.

"Okay, top wise," began Tess. "Nothing too showy..." her eyes roamed the room"...so how about..." she picked up a baby blue top. "This. Long sleeves, you won't be too cold, simple v-neck, sexy but not too much."

Isabel obediently put it on, followed by her jacket and stood in front of the girls for inspection.

"Well?" she asked.

Eyes scrutinized her.

"It needs something..." began Tess.

"The neck is too plain," said Maria.

Isabel watched as she rummaged through her jewelry case and presented her with a silver pendant. "There you go."

With the final touch added to her outfit, Isabel was almost ready.

"What about the hair?" she asked.

Tess waved her hand over her hair and transformed it into loose curls. "I was thinking loose."

"No," objected Maria," that'll take the effect away from the neckline. How about putting it in a...mid pony tail and then take a few strands out at the front and sides? Sophisticated but simple."

Isabel followed instructions and stepped back from the mirror to see the full effect.

"Perfect," they said in unison.

Isabel turned to them. "Thanks guys."

"You look great," said Tess.

"Ready to go?" asked Maria.

Isabel took a deep breath. "Uh huh."

****

The descent to the living room ended far too quickly for Isabel. She came to a halt when she saw Alex.

Rising up from the chair, he stood in front of her wearing a black leather jacket complete with a black shirt unbuttoned at the top. Isabel was caught between closing the distance between them with a kiss or bolting from the room before her knees gave out.

The miracle which kept her rooted to the spot was the support of Maria and Tess standing right behind her.

"Isabel" whispered Maria.

"What?" she whispered back.

"Breathe."

Isabel grinned, nervousness melted away, she accepted the beautiful bouquet of red roses he shyly presented her with.

"Thank you, they're beautiful."

"So are you," he said.

The compliment filled her with a burst of pleasant joy and Isabel was surprised to realise that a compliment from Alex was to her worth more than any given to her by her play dates.

"So do you...look very handsome I mean."

He flashed her a smile.

Suddenly realise that they had an amused audience staring at them, she blushed, "We um better get going."

****

After being waved off by the family and her father telling Alex to bring her back at the right time, Isabel and Alex stood in front of his car.

Isabel smiled as he opened the door for her. "Why thank you sir," she grinned.

"Anything for my lady," he playfully retorted as he closed her door.

Isabel's attention as she fastened her seat belt was pulled towards the living room window where beaming smiles and laughing eyes peered from each side of the curtains.

She shook her head at the thumbs up from Tess and smiled content as she was washed over by the feeling that their date was actually going to be just fine.

****

The last of the window peepers rested into their chairs as the car's lights disappeared.

Maria squeezed Max's hand on the sofa, "It's getting pretty late, I better get going."

"I'll walk you to your car," he said as she rose with her.

Maria beamed at him. "Thanks for dinner Mrs Evans."

"It's a pleasure Maria, I suppose we'll be seeing you more often than before huh ?" she asked.

Maria grinned, "Um it's a definite possibility," she called laughing as Max led her into the hallway.

Once there, he kissed her, silencing any further talk.

"I've been wanting to do that since we left my room," he grinned.

"Well I'm glad you did," she grinned as they walked into the cool night air.

When they reached her car, Maria turned to him. "Well this is me," she said shyly.

"Uh huh," he said as he stuffed his hands into his pockets.

Maria watched as he looked down and shuffled his feet as if debating over to tell her something.

"Max?".

"Yeah?"

"Do you want to say something?" she asked.

"No," he hesitated, "it's nothing."

"You sure?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied.

Maria nodded her head slowly, knowing that he was lying.

Well he's told me enough today and as long as this doesn't involve an immediate alien threat, this can wait.

"Okay, so I'll see you tomorrow. I'll be working practically all day, I start in the afternoon-"

"I'll stop by," he said.

"Max, Christmas is in like six days I'm sure you need to do some shopping...You don't have to..." she began.

He held her hand and gently stroked her cheek, "I'll be there."

Maria nodded amazed at how he could control her emotions, how with one touch he could calm her frantic or insecure mind.

Reluctantly she entered the car and started the engine.

" I take my break at half three...'Nite Max."

He leaned in gave her a long sweet goodnight kiss. " Half three it is... 'Nite Earth girl," he grinned.

****

Maria drove home but she felt like she was flying.

Max entered his house, his brow creased in thought.

AN: Thanks for all the bumps people, I know I sound like a broken record but it's true, you guys are the best. I was going to post next week but it's a pretty long part which I am still working on, so I thought I would post what I can at this moment.

A little note about the next few parts, the heatwave officially starts. Roswell doesn't exactly get hit by a heatwave but I figured it's taken them a while to get together and now they should have some fun...enjoy *winks*

Chapter 10 B

"Are we there yet?" she asked like an impatient child for the thirtieth time.

With the good-natured patience of a loved one, Alex replied, "Almost" . Buzzing with feelings of nervous excited anticipation, Alex pulled into the parking lot and turned off the ignition.

"Okay, we're here." He moved to take off the blindfold he had made her wear half-way during their drive up.

He watched as her eyes peered out through the window into the dark night searching for the surprise.

Obviously not finding it she turned to him. "The Observatory?" she asked dubiously.

"Well not the Observatory itself..." he replied. He opened the door to get out of the car and turned to her with a secret smile "...but it's part of my surprise."

He held Isabel's curious eyes as he rounded to her side of the car and opened the door for her. He took her offered hand and led her up the steps not to the entrance but to the side, where the large balcony housed the large telescope and his other surprise.

"So the surprise is we get a closer look at the stars through a telescope?" she asked.

He grinned as he noted her disappointment and looked forward to her reaction to the rest of it.

"Well, there's that...", he stepped back to reveal the rest of his surprise and beamed with satisfaction at her gasp, "...then there's this".

Bright, shining brown eyes met his, "Alex....this is..beautiful" she breathed.

Alex watched not the beautiful romantic dinner setting he had created, but at the breathtaking sight of his girlfriend soaking it in with her eyes. A few feet away from the telescope was a large black picnic blanket, in the centre was a single candle held up by a silver candle holder. The blanket was surrounded by food, with two cream plates and sparkling glasses on either side to indicate their seating. On her plate, lay a single red rose and around the balcony, candles were arranged on the ledge.

Alex nodded his head to a spot in the corner and beautiful soft jazz music floated through the air and Dr Tim LaHaye, his fairy Godfather for the night, stepped out from the shadows. He caught Isabel's look of confusion and proceeded to explain.

"Iz, this is Dr Tim LaHaye, I met him out while stargazing. Tim, meet the reason for this favour." He presented her proudly,"this is my girlfriend Isabel. Isabel, this is Tom, the guy who is letting me use this place".

Stunned to hear her name in relation to girlfriend status, Isabel was suddenly overcome with shyness. "Hi," she greeted him.

She blushed as he took her hand and kissed it. "Nice to meet you Isabel, it's great to finally see the girl Alex has been talking about...and I must say, everything he said was absolutely right."

"Thank you," she beamed. Tonight was unbelievable and it hadn't even fully started yet. Alex had left her speechless. Never in her life had anyone done anything so romantic for her.

"Well, my job is done," he said, " I'll leave you two alone, enjoy your night."

After the footsteps disappeared, Isabel finally spoke. "This is, this is, amazing...how did you get him to do this?"

"Well, I explained the situation...".

She raised an incredulous eyebrow.

"...and also promised to work for him for a month," he finished.

Laughing, Isabel closed the space between them, filled the empty space in his hands with hers and kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Thank you."

"My pleasure..." he grinned.
She mirrored his expression, she loved to make him smile.

"...this is our night. So what do you want to do first? Dance? Watch the stars? Eat?"he suggested.

"Yes," she responded instantly. His last suggestion cued Isabel to the fact that she had missed dinner and anxiety gone, she was now famished. Conscious of the fact that Alex was looking at her in confused amusement, she elaborated. "Um...I mean, let's eat!".

****

The ball bounced off the wall and rebounded straight into his hands and Max began the rhythmic process again. Doing this gave him something active to do while he wrestled with the dilemma in his mind.

To tell Maria or not.

If he told her that when he had healed her, he had seen and felt her entire life...then with what she had been told today...she would freak out. But if he didn't tell her then it would be lying and wrong to know so much about her and her knowing less about him. Or maybe he could tell her in a few days so that she had time to process.

The next time the ball returned to his hands, Max dunked it into the basket. This couldn't wait, maybe it was selfish but he couldn't just leave it, not even for a night. His heart wouldn't let him. But first, he had to get something.

****

Tess looked up as Max entered her room wearing his leather coat. "Hey" she greeted him.

Why is he wearing a coat? She wondered. And why is he looking nervous?

"Hey...you know that necklace you have..the one Nasedo gave us?"

"Uh huh" she responded cautiously.

"Can I have it?...to give to Maria."

That was a statement heavily loaded with subtext which fortunately Tess quickly unraveled.

It was all about trust and love.

"Iz should be okay with it" she said as she crossed her room to her jewelry box"...so am I,"she finished as she handed it over to him.

"Thanks."

She nodded and sat back on her bed. As he opened the door to leave, she could help but say, "Sneaking out?"

"Going for a walk," he grinned.

****

Max knocked lightly on the open window, called out her name like he usually did and waited for a reply but none came. Instead, he was greeted with a powerful voice singing along to Justin Timberlake. Grinning, he tentatively pushed the curtains back and peered in. His jaw dropped at the sight in front of him.

Maria dancing. Wet hair. Wearing nothing but a towel!

Max's eyes shot down to the floor, the ceiling, the window sill, anywhere but her.

"Um Maria" he called louder.

Startled at the sound of her name, Maria whirled around to find Max standing in front of her window. Her heart stopped.

Her mind processed the situation in a second: Max was standing outside her window looking into her room. She was-had been freely-guards-down dancing and singing, in her towel!

One question rang out loud and clear: How long had he been standing there?!

Her cheeks burned with embarrassment, her arms folded around her body self-consciously as her embarrassment fused with furious indignation. "Hellllooo! Did you miss the lecture on privacy, knocking-"

"I'm sorry, I-"

"I could have been naked!-"

Max looked away flushed and flustered. "I-I'm sorry-I shouldn't have-I should go..."

He turned to leave but Maria reached out and pulled him back. "Oh no buddy, you don't come to my window late at night, scare the crap out of me and then expect to leave me empty handed".

****

Max gingerly climbed into her room, careful not to let his eyes wander, he fixed them on the floor. Jamming his hand in his pockets, his eyes betrayed him traveling a little up her legs, a little higher up the towel and slowly all thought and speech leaked out of his conscious mind.

"Um, Max?". Her voice sounded faraway muffled by the whiteness of the towel.

"Hmm?"

"How about looking at the shoulders up huh? Let's focus on the face."

Her remark broke him out of his trance and meet her twinkling eyes. Looking at her face only lulled him back to the place he had been moments before. Completely captivated by her. Her eyes were vibrant, her lips pink and drawing him to them, her skin fresh and flushed called to be touched and her wet hair begged to be played with with his fingers.

The desire in his eyes made Maria wish that she hadn't made that suggestion because she suddenly felt like taking him in her arms and passionately kiss him, the look in his eyes made her want to drop the towel-

"Maria!". The knock on the door thankfully jolted her from her train of thought.

"Um who is it?" she asked.

"Your mother" came the amused reply.

Great, just what I need.

"I'm changing," she called.

"Okay, can you open the door so that I can at least see you?".

Maria rolled her eyes in frustration. Ever since the shooting, her had stepped up the parental affection.

It wasn't like I was actually shot!-oh wait, I was.

Mentally shaking herself to focus on the task at hand, Maria scanned the room for somewhere to hide Max. Her eyes landed on her closet and without hesitation, she grabbed him and shoved him in closing the door behind her.

Slowly exhaling to calm herself down, she casually opened the door, just enough to seem welcoming.

"Hi, what's up?"

****

Max listened from the darkness of Maria's closet as her mother told her that dessert would be served in half an hour. That's all he had, half an hour to tell Maria everything and make sure that she was okay.

"Oh and here's your share of the bet," he heard her say.

"Thanks and mum and next time can we not bet on my love life please?" asked Maria.

"Maybe," came the amused reply.

What aspect of Maria's love life had they bet on exactly? He wondered. Was she with someone else? He instantly discarded the paranoid thought. Maria would explain.

The closet door opened and Max was about to step out when Maria slammed the door in his face.

"Could you stay in here till I get changed?" she called.

Maria changing? That meant towel off, soft flesh..."Um sure," he managed.

He stood in the darkness, his ears sensitive to every movement, the opening of a drawer, clothing on skin. He shook his head clearing away misleading thoughts, he had to focus on what he needed to do, but when Maria opened the door to let him out dressed in grey trousers and a grey vest top, he was once again reaching for words.

"So, Max, what's up?"

"What bet did you have about a relationship?" he asked instead.

"Oh, my mum, dad and kyle bet on how long it would take us to get together...my mum won $100, so I told her that since I was a victim I should be awarded compensation. So she gave me half...." She gave him $25, "...and as my partner, you deserve some too."

He grinned and took it.

"But I'm pretty sure, that isn't why you're here Max, so let's get to it", she told him.

So much for stalling, he thought wryly.

"Okay...there's something, I haven't told you...about the day you got shot," he began.

"What about it?" asked Maria. She noted the way he stuffed his hands in his pockets and braced herself for whatever he had to say.

Although I can't imagine what else there is to tell me.

"What I healed you, um, I saw things" he said.

"What kind of things?" she asked suspiciously.

"I saw your life...the major events up till then," he answered.

Maria stood still and after several attempts to speak, she asked, "Excuse me, come again?"

Max took a step forward. "I saw you, Maria..."

"Saw me?" she asked confused.

"I saw your red sneakers" he said.

What is he talking about?

"My red..." she trailed off as the memory surfaced. "Oh my gosh...I loved those...".

Wait, that doesn't make any sense, how would Max know that?

"I was like 6 Max, we never met..." Maria was gripped with panic"...what did you just like read my mind-"

She took a step back away from him.

"No,no-"

"I mean that's like private, that's my life, you had no right-"

"It's never happened before," he pleaded, " I couldn't control it-"

"Well how dare your alien powers invade my privacy!" she shouted.

He reached for hand. "Look Maria-"

She pulled away. "Don't even try to tell me to calm down Max, I've been pretty calm considering all the czech stuff you've thrown at me today, so I think I've earned the right to flip out and be angry!".

"I know you do-"

Maria ran her fingers through her hair as memories of her childhood painful and joyous flashed through her mind. "This is like extremely embarrassing and-and.."

"I know" he said quietly.

Maria sighed.

Max stood helplessly.

Justified played in the background.

"I wanna try something" he said suddenly.

"What?" she asked tiredly.

"Show you me," he said,"...I mean, I've seen you, so you should see me."

A sense of justice filled her, energizing her. That seemed fair only..."How exactly?"she asked. She didn't want anything which could potentially harm her.

But Max would never do that, she rationalized.

She let him fill the space between them. If he leaned down, their lips would touch.

"I'd have to touch your face..." he said. She nodded her head slightly giving him permission to cup her cheeks,"...now just like before, let your mind relax..."

Maria looked into the deep amber pools and let herself drown.

****

Alex wondered for the millionth time since Eddie’s party whether he was dreaming or not but the beautiful blonde breathing softly on his chest told him that yes, this was reality.

Life was good.

Isabel broke away from his grasp.

“Mind if I change the song?” she asked.

“Not at all,” he replied automatically turning to follow her departure to the CD player. He stood astonished as the very familiar chords floated to his ears.

“Save Ferris,” she met his eyes, “I found out that you played it for me the night I went out with Grant. I heard that you were really good…and I missed it”.

“You didn’t know,” he shrugged. It didn’t matter anyway because they were together now.

She crossed the space between them and entwined her fingers in hid. “I should have been there,” she said softly.

Alex wanted to pull her in his arms and kiss her, but this was their first date, he wanted to take it slow and make it special. To make it a night she would remember, so instead he pulled her in his arms and they danced below the starlit sky.

****

****

A soft gasp brought Maria back to reality and into the eyes of a very concerned Max.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

She wordlessly nodded.

"Did it work?"

"Uh huh" she nodded.

His hands slowly dropped by to side. "Oh".

Maria grinned as he stood there blushing, he probably felt as naked as she had when he had told her, she concluded.

I think it's time for some payback, she thought mischievously

"So,...barbies huh?" she teased.

His momentary confusion gave way to embarrassment as the memory surfaced. "They were Isabel's" he protested.

"Of course," she nodded, "and she forced you to play with them and have them as one of your favourite toys," she laughed.

This was too good.

"Oh are we playing it like that then?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

"I believe we are," she retorted levelly.

Max had no idea that letting someone in would be scary of course but also be this much fun.

"Then I seem to remember a certain ketchup incident-" he began.

"Oh no! you did not see that!" she grimaced covering her face with her hands.

"Every last hurl," he said, "...and it wasn't pretty."
Maria had been a ketchup addict till, an overdose ended it with a very public hurlathon.

Maria admitted defeat. "Fine, I'll stop if you will."

"Agreed," he smirked.

There was a single loud knock on the door.

"'Ria..."

Max was shocked to see the speed at which Maria bolted to the door just in time to prevent it from opening.

"Kyle! I thought we had solved this by now. Privacy, no barging in, knock!" she shouted.

"Sorry," came the reply, "just telling you that desert is ready, so come down ASAP if you want any".

"Will do," she called. Turning back to him she gave him an apologetic smile. "Sorry but you gotta go Spaceboy."

"Okay," he agreed as she led him to the window.

After climbing out, he turned to her with an intense look.

"What?" she asked.

He reached into his pockets and pulled out a native American looking necklace.

"I want you to have this," he said.

Maria scrutinized the actual pendant attached to the string, it was a piece of marble with a silver almost circular pattern. It looked old.

"What is it?" she asked.

"It's from Antar...Nasedo gave it to us and now I'm giving it to you," he said.

The enormity of the occasion left her momentarily speechless.

"Okay." She lowered her head so that he could put it around her neck.

Her fingers ran across the marble. "I'll keep it safe," she said.

He kissed her softly. "I know you will. See you tomorrow."

"Later Spaceboy," she grinned.

"Don't forget to close your window," he said.

"I won't" she said.

She immediately closed it after making sure he was gone. Maria lifted the stone from under her top and looked it it, an amazed grin spread across her face.

****

Isabel sighed with constrained frustration. They had talked, eaten, danced, looked at the stars in the amazing telescope and not once had Alex kissed her and when she tried, he moved away!

The night was almost over, they were seated on the blanket and Alex was looking through the telescope raving about the planets.

Ya ya, why the heck are you focusing on the stars and not me? She wondered. Is there something wrong? Crap did I break some unspoken date rule? She wondered.

"Alex" she said in an unamused tone.

He turned to her, completely unaware of her frustrations. "Yeah?"

"Why haven't you kissed me?" she demanded.

"Excuse me?" he asked taken aback.

"We're on a date, we made out yesterday, so it's not like we haven't done it before, aren't we supposed to kiss on the lips?"

"W-w-well, I wanted to make it special sans kissing, I didn't want it to be like all the other dates you've been on where you're wondering if the guy wanted to just kiss you. I wanted to take it slow," he explained flushed.

Isabel suppressed a smile, she was flattered at his thoughtfulness but at the same time eager to quicken the pace. She had finally found a guy to be serious with and with all the things she had been through taking it slow was not an option.

"Not that I'm not touched my your sweet effort Alex, but I know you're not like the other guys I've dated."

In a blink of an eye, she jumped him.

She grinned at his surprised expression. Straddling him, she continued, "I'm done with taking it slow".

"I-I-I'm okay with that," he stammered as her mouth covered his.

****

Chapter 11 a


Tess knocked on the door and grinned as Kyle opened it.

"This is a dangerous game you're playing Buddha boy," she said as she walked past him resisting the urge to touch him. Never in her life had she imagined being in a relationship would be as satisfying as it was. She dreamt about Kyle, she thought about him and when she was in his presence all rational flew out of the window in the best possible way.

The only thing that kept it from becoming even better was the fact that she couldn't tell him who she really was. She envied Maria and Max because of that, Maria knew everything and she was still with him. That gave Tess hope that maybe someday, Kyle would do the same.

"I know," he replied. Closing the door, he turned to her, "...but you're up for it."

"Of course," she enthused. She looked at her watch, "So we have two hours till Maria gets back with your mum, what do you want to do?."

"Well, I was just fixing up some breakfast...."he said.

Tess raised an eyebrow, her eyes twinkled. "I could eat."

****

Amy Deluca walked unsuspectingly into her kitchen, her vision obstructed by large brown bags and her voice drowning out the sounds of moaning which became evident as her voice died down.

Her bags dropped onto the floor as her eyes were drawn to the kitchen countertop where her son and Tess were...groping and kissing each other. On her kitchen table!

"Oh my gosh!".

"Mum!" managed Kyle before he fell to the floor with a thud. The shock numbing the pain, he quickly got up.

"Mrs Deluca" gasped Tess, who had by now hopped off the table.

This cannot be happening, he thought, as he and Tess hastily smoothed down their clothes.

It was a teenager's worst nightmare, your mother walking in on you and your girlfriend involved in a heavy make out session on the kitchen table add that with the fact that Maria was with her and it made for his most embarrassing moment ever.

"It's not what you think," he stammered.

"Oh really! So you weren't making out on the table with Tess?!".

"Well, um..." he stammered as his face burned. Maria standing behind her, was not helping with her amused looks of disapproval, imaginary guns to the head and wagging silent tuts.

"You two in the living room now!" she ordered.

"Yes ma'am", they mumbled shuffling out of the kitchen.

****

"I guess we'll do the shopping thing tomorrow," Maria mumbled as they went through the door.

"And don't let me find you holding hands!" Amy shouted.

Maria stifled a giggle. This had just made her day, the situation was too hilarious for words. As if sensing her amusement, her mother turned her anger on her.

"You upstairs now!".

"But I didn't do anything!" she protested.

"I'll talk to you later, go now!", she ordered.

"Fine," she retorted and trudged up the stairs.

Why did she have to get punished just because Kyle and Tess let their hormones go rampant and get caught?.

****

Tess jerked her head in the direction of the nearing footsteps. As Amy Deluca stepped into the living room, she inwardly groaned.

This is not how I planned to spend my day, if only Kyle was in on the secret, then I could have mindwarped her to save us from this excruciating torture.

"Tess..." she began.

Tess gulped, bracing herself for a Deluca beating. Maria was bad enough, she dreaded what the wrath of her mother would feel like.

"I just called your parents, they're expecting you home," she said.

"Okay," she mumbled timidly.

Tess wasn't sure what was worse, being here or going home to face her parents and no doubt the lecture that would take place.

Amy Deluca looked at her expectantly. "Now" she insisted.

Tess jumped off the sofa, casting a comforting glance at Kyle she said, "See you later."

"Try in about a week," said Amy.

"A week!" protested Kyle.

"Or maybe two if you keep talking," she threatened instantly silencing any further protest.

"Um..." Tess grasped for something to say.

What were you supposed to say to a mother who just caught you in a heated makeout session with her son? At least we didn't have sex?

Tess concluded that that wouldn't work in this case.

"...Okay," she finally said escaping into the hallway.

Turning on the ignition, Tess sighed, the only thing about having adopted parents was that she was now accountable to someone, she hoped that they would just give a lecture or if they grounded her, she hoped to keep her stereo.

****

"My little boy is having sex," muttered Amy Deluca.

Kyle rolled his eyes in exasperation as he watched her pace in front of him. "Mum, I am not having sex."

Ignoring his comment she turned to him, "Did you at least use protection."

"Oh my-Mum! I am not having sex with Tess okay?!" he shouted.

"Are you sure?" she asked hopeful.

Kyle shook his head in frustrated amusement, he understood why she was over-reacting, she didn't want history to repeat itself. "Positive...we were in the kitchen and things got out of hand but we're not having sex. I've watched the teen soaps...I know from your experience, I'm not going to turn into Maria's dead beat Dad so don't worry," he finished.

He relaxed as he saw her smile.

"Okay," she nodded.

Great, the storm is over.

"I'm still grounded aren't I?" he asked.

"Yep," she replied.

"How long's my sentence?" he asked.

"We'll decide that when your father gets home," she grinned.

****

****

Liz looked up at the opening door and smiled shyly as a grinning Maria burst in.

"Hi," she greeted her as she closed her locker shut.

"Hi," replied Maria as she slipped into her uniform.

Liz took a deep breath, it was now or never.

"I was wondering if you wanted to go catch a movie at the cinema tonight after work...or or maybe tomorrow."

She held her breath as Maria slowly met her eyes. "Not meaning to sound rude or anything Liz, but I don't think we're at that stage in rebuilding our friendship yet, you know public trips and things, it's too soon."

"Oh, " she nodded. She had at least tried. "Okay".

"How about a movie at mine instead? We could hang and...talk," she said.

"Okay, that would be great," she replied.

"Great,I'll pick up the movie, see you at mine at 9," she sang disappearing thorough the door.

Liz stood dazed, she had forgotten how much energy Maria had. Experiencing whirlwind Deluca brought back a piece of her heart that she had been missing.

****

Michael watched as Maria clutched her sides from laughter. Whatever she was telling Alex must have been hilarious because pretty soon he too was clutching his sides and had to slide into a booth to support his chuckling body.

"I wonder what they're laughing about?" said a voice beside him.

Michael glanced at her in surprise, he had been too taken up in watching Maria glow to notice her approach.

"Something they wouldn't share with us," he responded despondently.

"Speaking of that, Maria and I are watching a movie and talking tonight at her house," she said. The excitement and joy in her voice was palpable.

"That's great," he said, "once she's done with you, then maybe she'll get to me too," he said wistfully. Because he missed her so much that it now physically hurt.

She was with Max, he was a nice guy and he made her happy. Michael wasn't about to win her back from him, what he wanted was to be the focus of her smiles and affectionate anger again.

"Maybe," she said, "but it won't be the same you know," she continued.

"What won't?" he asked.

"You and her and me and her. I was her best friend, you were her boyfriend. Same issues but different roles. Extra issues," she finished.

"Right. Extra issues," he sighed.

Well, whatever he had to do, he would do it just for to have Maria back in his life again.

****

At 3pm exactly, the door to the Crashdown swung open and Max stepped in. At exactly that moment, Maria ripped off her antenna and slapped them down on the table.

"I'm taking a break," she told Liz.

"See you later," she called.

"Later", called Maria vaguely. Her focus and complete attention was on one Max Evans. His eyes pulled her towards him and before she knew it, they were holding hands.

"Are you hungry?" he asked, "'cause I just ate."

"No, I'm not," she replied. "Why?"

"Because I want to take you somewhere," he said mysteriously.

"Where?" she asked enjoying their playful banter.

"It'll sound boring if I just tell you, it's better if I show you," he said playfully.

"Then let's go," she grinned.

****

"This is really beautiful Max," she breathed. Max's surprise had been a drive through an old highway Nasedo had shown him. The road stretched out before them surrounded by the beauty of the desert. Maria glanced at the man beside her. How in the world had she gotten so lucky?

****
Max glanced over at the beauty beside him and smiled. If anyone had told him a year ago that he would be driving down an old highway with the girl he loved, who knew everything about him and still wanted him, he would have nodded to humor them but secretly be filled with disbelief.

He cast another glance at her, but I am here and loving every minute.

"So did you hear about the Kyle and Tess incident this morning?" she asked.

Max grimaced at the memory, "Unfortunately yes," he replied. "Isabel rang me and gave me the details missing out the graphic parts of course because, I really don't want to picture Tess and Kyle.."

"Unfortunately, the image is imbedded in my memory," she quipped.

"Better you than me," he retorted relieved that it had not been on their kitchen table.

Max felt her fingers first gently running along his hand, lightly teasing him, everywhere they touched came alive and suddenly he was finding it very difficult to talk or even to drive.

"So why did Isabel call?..."

Her whole hand was now intertwined with his, her fingers gently rubbing his skin. Max gulped.

"... Couldn't she have waited till you got back home?".

She turned over his hand, he felt her fingers lightly tracing his lines leaving behind them sensations which left Max in a state of blissful hunger for more.

"I um, mum and dad gave her a talk about safe sex, having sex, the whole agonizing drill and she was just giving me the heads up."

The sensations heated up his palm and started traveling up his arm.

"Mine gave me the talk too..." she began.

His breathing became shallow, his eyes closed to enjoy savor the sensations as they spread through his whole body...

"... she said-"

"That's it," he said pulling the car abruptly to a halt at the side of the road.

"Max what are you doing?" she asked as he unfastened his seatbelt.

Max turned to face her, "I'm getting you and me out of the front and into the back so I can show you how you make me feel right now" he said.

She looked at him for a moment before unbuckling her seatbelt. "I have a better idea".

And before Max could ask what, Maria moved from her seat and straddled him.

His surprised eyes met hers. "This works better for me," she grinned before covering her mouth with his.

****

Maria trailed urgent kisses down his neck and groaned as his mouth found hers and they once again danced with passionate fervor. Her body was on fire. This was what had been missing in her day, she hadn't been able to keep her hands off him during the car ride so she had played with his hand and then that turned into wanting far more than his hands, she wanted his lips.

Her body craved his touch, everywhere Max's hands traveled another burst of ecstasy was created.

"Do you," she said between kisses, "want to know what my mum lectured me about?" she asked breathlessly.

"Uh huh" he replied as his hands ran up her back. Max groaned as her fingers gently massaged the back of his neck. He was intoxicated by her, her smell, her touch, the sweet taste of her lips, he wanted more.

Maria yelped as Max shifted the balance between them causing her back to rest against against the steering wheel. The rapture of being with Max, of his burning kisses along her neck made her forget that it was digging into her back.

"She told me that I was at that age, where hormones..." Her mouth welcomed his arrival granting him immediate access to her tongue.

"...ran rampant and that self-control was an issue," she said breathlessly.

"Uh huh," he said.

Self-control was a word alien to Max as his hands ran through her soft hair, passion feeding off each other as her fingers ran through his. When his hands reached her thighs and flesh heated against flesh, Max wasn't sure whether to be glad that the Crashdown had such short uniforms or not because the temptation was all to great to open her buttons.

"So I told her, that I had self-control..." she whispered.

She gasped as she surrendered her throat to his kisses, "....Except when it comes to you..."

Maria closed her eyes as she felt his kisses travel down her chest, "...Which of course I didn't tell her."

"Of course," he replied as his hungry mouth returned to hers.

When he felt her hands on the flesh on his back Max thought he was going to explode, his mouth urgently sought her neck as her hands rubbed his heating back.

Maria surrendered herself to the bliss Max created within her with his mouth, his hot tongue against her skin, her earlobes and finally home to her mouth.

Max didn't feel the shift of balance between them as she adjusted positions pushing him back into his seat. He welcomed her assault of kisses. He was out of control, they were out of control, he knew that but he didn't want it to stop, he craved her touch.

Maria moaned as their tongues danced furiously.

In a second I would make love you.

The thought, accompanied with the realization that her fingers were indeed unbuttoning his shirt was like bucket of ice cold water had been poured over her.

Max noticed the change instantly, he felt her tense and then pull away from him.

"Maria what's wrong?".

"This, this whole thing is wrong" she mumbled as she moved off him and back into her seat.

"What are you talking about?" he asked confused.

"This was a bad idea, I can't do this" she mumbled to herself.

"Do what?" he asked. What was going on? One minute they were in kissing and next she was acting very strange. Had they gone to far? Had he made her uncomfortable?

"Us, you and me" she replied.

"What? Maria-"

"Max just drive me back" she demanded.

"But-"

"Please," she said.

Max nodded unsure of what was going on, he started the car and they drove back in silence.

****

Once the pulled up to the Crackdown, Maria opened the door to get out but he covered her hand to stop her.

He wasn't going to leave it at that. Nothing she said made sense.

"Maria," he began, "What happened back there? I mean did you get uncomfortable-because I know it got pretty heated bu-.

"No," she replied," Everything back there was great, it was fine".

Max looked at her cluelessly.

"Then what was the problem?".

"That's the problem!" she shouted.

"What?".

Max was officially lost, the problem was that she was completely fine with their relationship?

"Look Max, this isn't going to work...I...I'm sorry," she said.

With that she opened the door and hurried into the Crashdown.

Max was stunned to the point of immoblisation. He sat there in his jeep watching her disappear into the backroom, taking with her his heart.

****

AN: First and foremost, the bumpage? extremely appreciated!!

Secondly...
Yes!! yes! yes!, the nxt part is done! and yes I managed to get it up for Sunday weekend . I am soo happy because I really want to move to the nxt part of this fic, Christmas Dinner, which I gave aptly titled, "Guess who's coming for dinner".

Wondering what the heck I'm talking about? read on, find out and as usual, enjoy

CHAPTER 11B...


Isabel and Tess were both puzzled to hear the Counting Crows playing from Max's room. They were even more puzzled when they found him lying on his back staring at the ceiling above his bed.

"Max" said Tess tentatively as Isabel lowered the volume, "What's going on?".

Max sighed and sat up, "Maria broke up with me this afternoon," he said despondently.

Standing at the foot of his bed, both were bowled over by surprise.

"What?!" exclaimed Isabel. It didn't make any sense, Maria and Max were perfect for each other and from what she had heard from Tess about finding them in a compromising position on his bed last night, things between them seemed fine. Maria had also promised that she wouldn't break his heart and Isabel had believed her, she knew how much she cared for him.

So there has to be an explanation, she decided.

"What happened?" asked Tess.

"I don't know," he shrugged helplessly, "We went for a drive down the old highway, then I pulled over and things kind of got...intense...physically between us and then she just froze, asked me to drive her back and then told me that she was sorry but things between us weren't going to work out."

"Did things get out of hand when you were out there?" asked Tess.

"No, she said that wasn't the problem. That the fact that it was fine was the problem, which I just don't understand!."

Max sighed, the female species alien or human were a mystery to him. All he knew was that he needed Maria-and why was Isabel smiling, did she not realise that his world felt empty, that his heart was broken?!

"I'm glad you find my pain amusing," he said.

Her smile grew wider, "Sorry Max, just a sense of deja vu," she replied.

"Care to share?" asked Tess.

"Maybe she's scared," she replied.

"Scared of what?" he asked, "Of me, of what we told her? You think it's a delayed reaction to-"

Isabel held up her hands. "Max, stop okay?. Your paranoia is taking over. It's not about where we're from, I think it's about her. She probably got scared of something so she ran and pushed you away."

That seemed to make sense. "Any idea what that is?"

"That's something you're going to have to find out from her," she said mystically.

"Thanks guys, I wasn't going to let her go that easily but at least now I have some idea of what I'm dealing with," he said.

"Advantages of having sisters," grinned Tess.

"Speaking of advantages," began Isabel, "I, who am not grounded, have a date tonight"

Tess pursed her lips together. The parents must have collaborated punishments because both her and Kyle were grounded for a week. "Rub it in why don't you".

Isabel laughed as they left Max's room. "Only because I can," she grinned.

****

When Kyle opened the door that evening, Liz was the last person he expected to find standing behind it.

"Liz!" he exclaimed surprised, "What are you doing here?".

"Um, Maria invited me over for a movie," she explained.

"Oh," he nodded. The shock still present, he stood in her path preventing her entry.

"Liz! , hey come in!".

Maria's appearance beside him roused him from his stunned state. She pulled him away from the door to let Liz in.

Kyle looked at her shocked as she told Liz where to put her coat. She was all smiles and candy! What the heck was going on?!

"Um Maria."

"Yeah?"

"Could I talk to you?"

"Yeah."

"Now...in the kitchen please," he said.

Maria got his message. "Sure," she turned to Liz, "I'll be right back, I'll meet you up in my room. You remember the way."

"Yeah sure," replied Liz.

****

Liz watched them disappear into the kitchen and sighed. It looked like Maria had omitted to tell her family that she was coming, which meant that hostility would be the dominant emotion tonight. This was only confirmed for Liz when she met Amy Deluca on her way to Maria's room.

"Liz?! What are you doing here?" she asked in the same surprised tone as Kyle.

"Maria invited me over for a movie" she repeated her explanation.

"Oh."

They stood awkwardly in the hallway before Liz added, "She's in the kitchen with Kyle".

"Right," nodded Amy who no doubt went in search of Maria.

****

"Are you insane?!" Kyle hissed, "what are you doing inviting the single white ex-best friend to this house!".

"Because-"

"Have you lost your mind?!".

Maria sighed with frustration as her mother burst through the kitchen door.

"Exactly my point" agreed Kyle.

"Could you let me explain?," not waiting for an answer, Maria continued. "Yes Liz stabbed me in the back and no I haven't forgotten that very pertinent fact but I'm past it. I'm happy...we were best friends and that's why I'm giving her another chance."

Amy Deluca was caught between praising her daughter on her level of maturity and telling her to politely tell Liz to leave. She had been shocked and disappointed by both Liz and Michael's betrayal and all she wanted to was protect her daughter from anymore pain those two would be likely to cause. Yet while her concerns were valid, it was Maria's decision to give Liz another chance and all she could do was stand in the wings to make sure she was there when needed. "I'm not happy about this-"

"Mum!," exclaimed Kyle, "She-"

"I know what she did Kyle but let Maria do this...but be careful," she conceded.

"I will," she answered," can I go now?".

Amy nodded and Maria thankfully exited the family intervention.

****

Liz stood in the room curiously looking around. It hadn't changed much save for the replacement of pictures of her and Michael with pictures of Max, Isabel and Tess. However, the slight change made the room very different, Maria had a life she wasn't part of.

And now I'm being given a chance, I just hope I don't mess it up.

Her attention drifted to the videos they were watching. Cruel Intentions and Scream.
Two of their favourite films.

Cruel Intentions.

The irony of the title was not lost on her, she realised now that it would have more meaning considering what she and Michael had done.

"Do you approve?".

Startled, she turned to find Maria leaning against the door frame watching her.

"Um yeah, of course," she smiled nervously.

****

It was awkward to say the least, as they settled down to watch the first film. Cruel Intentions. However as the movie progressed, they moved from sitting on the bed with space between them to laying with their heads at the foot of the bed sharing a popcorn bowl and talking about the characters. This meant that as usual, there was a lot of rewinding. And when Sebastian died, the tears as usual flowed.

As the credits rolled, Maria stopped and ejected the tape. " That was so sad," she said as she put the video back into its cover.

"I know," said Liz, "but the escalator scene was..."

"magic," she finished.

It struck her how for the past three hours, she and Liz had talked like before, with no deception between them. It had felt great and even though the twinge of hurt and anger erupted sometimes, she was glad that she had done this.

"I'm gonna grab some more popcorn and Doritos," she said. She was also taking a break to tell her over protective family that it was going okay.

Maria's exit gave Liz some time to assess the night's progress. It was going smoothly. They had progressed from the cradle to baby steps despite the family animosity. It felt good to be watching a film and talking to the screen with her best friend, a trivial activity she had missed.

Maria's phone rang. Liz waited a few more rings till she was confident that she had a right to answer it.

"Hello?".

"Maria?".

Her heart pounded against her chest, a smile automatically spread across her face.

Max. I would know that voice anywhere.

"No it's Liz, Max, Maria's just refilling on popcorn," she replied.

"Liz? You're at Maria's?" he asked surprised.

Amused at his reaction, she grin grew. "Yeah, we're hanging out."

"Wow, that's great," she imagined him with a warm smile on the other end of the phone, " I'm happy for you."

"Me too". The smile wouldn't leave her face.

Why does he have this effect on me?

"Um, Maria should be back in like ten minutes you could call back then," she suggested and then immediately regretted it. Calling aback meant hanging up, that meant bye bye Max. Liz chided her brain for it's faulty move.

"Uh, okay I will."

Liz inwardly sighed. "See you later."

"Goodnight Liz."

Liz waited till she heard the dialing tone before slowly putting the phone back on its cradle. Her eyes glazed over as she remembered her dreams about Max,their passionate kisses, things that only happened in her imagination, yet she remembered them as fondly as actual memories.

****


Maria came back in five minutes and when Liz told her Max had called and would be calling her again, she promptly took the phone off the hook and put the next film into the video.

"Is everything okay between you and Max?" she asked.

"Liz, I know that we've had a good time tonight, but that does not give you the right to inquire about my personal life okay?" .

"Okay," Liz replied softly. She could read the pain behind her words and hoped that maybe, she could help take it away.

About 20 minutes into the film, the screen stilled.

"We kind of sort of broke up today," said Maria.

"What do you mean, you kind of sort of broke up?" she asked.

Maria turned off the television and sat up cross-legged on the bed.
"Well you know how we went out?"

Liz nodded. The almost visible electricity between them at the Crashdown this afternoon, how could she forget?.

"Well, he took me for a drive down this old high way and it was beautiful and we were having fun..." she slide off the bed and stood, in typical Maria fashion, in front of Liz using her hands to express herself, "...and then- he looked so hot just sitting there and I was thinking how the heck did he happen to me- and then we pull over the road and we're making out which was great- and then..."

"And then..."

Maria sighed, her shoulders slumped, "I freaked out."

"Why?" she asked.

"I don't kno- well yeah I do know...it got pretty hot and for a second, I realised that I right there if he had asked me, I would have made love to him and that scared me because hormones aside, with Michael, we had this history, we grew up together but with Max...I've only known him for not even a year and I feel that strongly about him-"

"So you thought you'd save yourself the inevitable heart break and-"

"Got out while I could and remain stable at the same time," finished Maria.

Shrugging helplessly, she sat down next to her.

Liz sat quietly for a moment in conflict. She couldn't deny that she had felt joy at hearing about the breakup but she also couldn't deny the fact that Maria was her friend. Max and Maria didn't break up because of differences, she and Michael were the reason for the break up...so she had to fix it.

" 'Ria...this is Max we're talking about, he'd never cheat on you, he's a great guy, a good person-"

"Are you saying that you and Michael aren't?" challenged Maria.

Liz wanted to explain that their whole relationship had been linked by a secret shared and that they were in a dangerous situation, but she couldn't. "That's a different," she said instead," it's a different situation"

"Really, how so?" she asked.

Liz purposely ignored her question. "Maria, the bottom line is, life is about relationships and love. Life is nothing without love and you cannot cut yourself out from something that could be possibly great because of one bad past experience. Don't let yourself become a bitter old lady with cats because you're scared of getting hurt. You deserve love and you deserve Max" she finished passionately.

"Is that all you've got?" she asked.

"Depends, is it enough?"

"Yeah," she grinned.

Liz sighed with relief. "Good, then drive me home and then stop by his house and fix this mess."

"What about the movie?" asked Maria.

"We can do it another time" she said heading for the door", you and Max are more important."

"Liz?" she called.

"Huh?" she asked turning to face her.

"We're having a Christmas party dinner on Christmas day...your parents are coming, so um, you can come too if you like."

Liz contained the joy she felt that made her want to hug Maria and jump around the room but instead, she thanked her with a beaming smile, "Thanks, I will."

****

The disturbance progressed from a small soft sound in his sub-conscious but then turned into loud intruding taps jolting him from his sleep. Max advanced on the window tentatively his senses alert, ready to react against an alien threat or human intruder.

It turned out to be neither.

"Maria!," he said surprised as he helped her into his bedroom, " what are you doing here?".

"Sorry about using the window but it's 1am so I didn't think your parents would appreciate me ringing the door bell," she said avoiding the question.

"No probably not," he said slowly.

Silence descended, Max was ecstatic that she was here. He wanted to swing her in his arms and kiss her, but he wasn't going to push her, so he waited instead.

His silence however increased Maria's anxiousness. "I guess I should explain myself." she began. She paused as he turned on his bedside lamp and then continued," I don't know where to start now that I'm actually in here, so I'll just say it...Max, I care about you, a lot and I didn't realise just how much till we were out there on the highway..." she trailed off unnerved by his silence.

Why isn't he saying anything? she thought panicking. He's just sitting on his bed watching and listening to me, is it over? Am I too late? - Whatever happens, I'm just gonna say this, whatever happens, happens.

Clearing her throat, she continued, "I say again because I'm hoping there will be an again- Anyway I just got scared because the last time I really put myself out there, with Michael, I didn't just get burnt badly, it was a bonfire...and I'm sorry, I should give us a chance before dooming us and and," she shrugged drained of words, "that's it, I'm sorry."

Max stood silent. The silence to Maria was now officially torture.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" she asked.

He replied with a soft gentle kiss which washed away all her anxieties.

"Apology accepted," he said softly.

"Thank you," she smiled.

His arms wrapped protectively around her, he just had one more thing to say.

"Maria, I can't promise that I won't hurt you because we're imperfect beings. I'm not perfect and neither are you and we won't always agree on some things," Maria watched as his eyes darkened with passion and conviction," but I can promise you that I will never intentionally hurt you."

"I could live with that," she grinned.

He kissed her lightly on the forehead. "Good to know," he grinned.

They stayed enveloped in each other's arms, secure in each other's heartbeat.

Her head resting on his chest, Maria sighed regretfully. "Okay, well I better get going."

"Stay here," Max suggested.

" Uh no, my mum would flip at an empty bed...", reluctantly, she broke out of the embrace,"...and I'm sure your parents would flip at an overly occupied bed".
Max pretended to ponder the situation. "Good point".

Kissing him lightly on the lips, Maria headed for the window. Once there, she turned to find Max standing right behind her, hence making her exit much, much more difficult and his offer very, very tempting.

"You're really not staying over?" he asked.

Gathering her self-control, Maria climbed through the window but couldn't resist giving him a final slow, sweet kiss.

"Good night space boy".

****

Dressed in a red polo neck sweater, Isabel rushed into the bathroom and momentarily froze at the unexpected sight of Tess dressed, suspiciously, in a green polo neck.

Since when did she wake up early?

"Morning" she said brightly.

"Morning," Tess replied equally as perky.

Eyeing each other suspiciously they both turned to the mirror and started combing their hair, each scrutinizing the other in the mirror, pondering the possible causes of their flushed faces and similar clothing.

Finally Isabel decisively placed her hair brush on the sink. "I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours," she said.

"Deal," agreed Tess.

Defenses down, both girls pulled down their polo necks to reveal hickies.

Impressed, Tess said, "Wow, go Alex".

"Could say the same for Kyle," said Isabel.

"You could make them go away you know," she said.

"Yeah, I could," said Isabel.

But she wouldn't. Tess knew the feeling. Keeping the hickey was like a souvenir, a symbol of a somewhat normal life even if they were the only ones who knew it was there.

"Well since you're up, we can get you started early," she said as they exited the room and entered the hallway.

Tess sighed, being grounded meant she had more time and more time meant being recruited into Isabel's Christmas plans and being at her disposal, and even though Kyle had been dragged into it too, they just had enough time for a quick hi and bye before continuing with their designated duties.

"Hail the Christmas Nazi," she muttered.

Isabel whirled around to face her. "What was that?" she demanded.

"It was nothing, I just said oh the joys of Christmas," she covered.

She squirmed under Isabel's narrow eyed scrutiny until she finally relented. "Okay."

****

****

As Maria walked through the UFO center she grinned and shook her head at the irony of it all. An alien working at a UFO center.

Maria followed the sound of voices and found herself in Brody's hi-tech office. He turned and waved her in with a smile. She surveyed his office as he ended his call. Max had not been kidding when he said Brody was all out on the alien contact hunt, personally, she could think of a lot more things to spend millionaire cash on.

"Hey, this is a surprise," he said.

"Actually I'm here to-"

"I'm glad you're here because there's something I've been meaning to ask you".

****
Max grinned as he heard Maria's unforgettable voice from the store room. He moved to enter the office but was stopped by the vulnerability in Brody's voice.

"What is it?" he heard her ask.

"Well, I was wondering if...sometime when you bring my order from the Crashdown, you can bring something for yourself too, on me of course, and maybe we could...eat it together."

Closing his shocked jaw, unable to curb his curiosity, Max moved closer to the door.

"Brody are you asking me out?" asked Maria.

"Well, kind of...okay yes, I am asking you out...Do you think there's a possibility?".

Max and the other two were interrupted by the phone ringing. Max jumped and quickly answered it so that he could get back to eavesdropping.

****

The phone interruption gave Maria time to process current events. Brody Davis, smart, sweet Brody had just asked her out...and she wasn't interested.

"I'm really flattered Brody...but I'm seeing someone already...actually I'm with Max".

"Oh..."

Maria's heart immediately went out to him, she knew the feeling of rejection and it sucked.

"I'm-I feel so embarrassed right now-"

"No, it's okay really, you didn't know-"she said gently.

"But I just hit on one of my friend's girlfriends-"

"Brody", her clear authoritative tone caught his attention," it's fine okay?".

Not waiting for his answer, Maria quickly tried to make the situation less mortifying, humiliating and painful. "Look we can't do the dinner thing, but how about a nice hot breakfast at your local Crashdown cafe?" she suggested.

"You don't have to-"

"Brody," she began resolutely," I am asking you to have breakfast with me, now you can't turn a girl down can you?" she flashed him a smile, " It's very gentlemanly".

"Okay," he surrendered, " but do you want to tell Max that you'll be back soon?"

Maria waved a careless hand, "It doesn't matter, he doesn't know I'm here and we're coming back anyway. Besides," she said as she walked through the door he held open for her, "I'm really hungry".

"But seriously Maria-"

"Brody...let it go."

****

Max slammed down the phone and went back to his eavesdropping station. After minutes of silence, he chanced a peek and found the room empty. Puzzled, he searched the rest of the centre and found that Maria and Brody were no where to be found.

Where did they go?, He wondered, and what was Maria's answer?

I could call and ask where she is, he pondered as insecurity gripped him. Shaking it off he resolved to wait for them to come back. Maria had trusted him with her heart and he would trust her with his.

****

"So what are your Christmas plans?" asked Maria.

"Me and Sydney are going to Chicago to spend Christmas with some family....My ex is going to be there too," replied Brody.

"Are you and her on good terms?" she asked.

"Yeah, I mean I could understand why she left me you know?".

"Right," she nodded, "your abduction".

"Who told you about that? It was Max wasn't it?".

"Oh no!.." she protested.

Way to go Deluca, think before you speak next time.

"...It's just Roswell is a small town and when a handsome, charming millionaire moves in, a girl kind of gets curious, so... I looked you up on the net," she finished shyly.

And the Oscar goes to...

"And found out I was a UFO nut," he said.

"Hi," she began. Brody had no right to think he was a nut because everything that happened to him was true, she realised. "I work at a restaurant whose menu is named after alien themed stuff."

"But do you believe in aliens?" he asked.

"Why not I'm dating one?," she shrugged.

Not the time or the place Maria, she chided herself.

"Wh-what I mean is, what living in Roswell has taught me is that anything is possible."

Brody smiled and then proceeded to tell her his abduction story, the curing of the cancer and Sydney's healing. All of which Maria knew to be true.

"So if ever you come around and I'm not there," he shrugged helplessly," don't worry, I've just been abducted."

"Okay" she said.

"Okay?" he asked incredulous.

"Okay," she nodded decisively.

"Okay," he grinned.

"To break up this riveting dialogue," they chuckled, " apart from your alien history what else is interesting about Brody Davis?" she asked.

"Well..."

As Brody proceeded to tell her his hobbies and college romances, the latter of which she found more interesting, Maria felt the side of her neck become increasingly hot and she began to unconsciously rub it.

"Are you okay?" asked Brody.

"Yeah, I just need to go to the bathroom for a sec," she said as she slid out of the booth. "I'll be right back."

Brody nodded as he watched her leave. Max Evans was definitely a very lucky man.

****

Making sure the toilets were empty, Maria faced the mirror and pulled down her polo neck sweater to examine the cause of her discomfort.

"Oh my..." she breathed as her eyes landed on her hickey. Her glowing hickey!

She quickly covered it back up and then lowered it down again to make sure she had just seen what she had just seen.

"Okay," she said as she took some cover up and rubbed it on, "I can handle this." Her eyes grew wide as the glow penetrated the cream.
"Okay, so I can't handle this," she panicked as she took her cell phone out of her bag. "I sooo cannot handle this" she muttered as she dialed Isabel.

"Hi, what's up?" asked Isabel pleasantly.

"Where are you right now?" she demanded.

"On our way there actually to pick up some pies, actually."

"Good, pull up and come around the back. We have a situation."

"What kind of- oh we're here, we'll meet you in a few".

Maria hang up and made her way to the backroom. A few seconds later, Isabel and Tess entered from the backdoor.

Noting her black poloneck sweater, Tess said, "You got a hickey?"

"Yeah, you guys too?" she asked.

They nodded.

Maria nodded as she pulled down her sweater. "Well-"

"Woah," breathed Tess.

"are yours all doing the radio active glow?!" she whispered harshly.

"No, not really," said Isabel mystified as she studied the hickey.

"When did it start glowing?" asked Tess.

"I don't know," she replied slightly frustrated, " not yesterday or this morning or I would have seen it getting ready, I was having breakfast with Brody-"

"Does Max know?" pounced Isabel.

"We're just friends," Maria replied.

"Does Brody know that?" asked Tess.

Maria felt herself on the verge of flipping out. "Can we please get back to the glowing hickey?! And yes he does know."

"This has never happened before," said Isabel, "I mean Alex isn't glowing."

"Neither is Kyle."

"So what makes me so special?" she asked.

"I have no clue," said Isabel.

"Right... but do you have any cool alien powers to get rid of it?" she asked hopefully, " 'cause I'm starting to get a little freaked."

"I'll try," said Isabel.

Maria drew a deep breath as Isabel waved her hand over her hickey.

"Did it work?" she asked fearfully.

"Yeah," said Isabel.

Maria rushed over to the mirror and sure enough it was gone. Her smile faded however as slowly the glow began to reappear.

"Think again," she said as she turned back to the two.

"Maybe Max can heal it or take it away because he's the person who caused it?" offered Tess.

"Let's hope so," she replied, "because I can't be wearing polo necks during Roswellian summers."

****

Maria went back to the table and tried to act normal. Even though she knew that an alien hickey was on her neck, acting normal, to her surprise went smoothly, mainly because she had convinced herself that a] Max would fix it and b] she was in absolutely no danger, the hickey was not life threatening.

The fact that Brody was charming and funny also helped in making her almost forget, that the hickey was there in the first place.

Her laughter faded as they walked down the UFO centre steps. Max stood at the information booth, their laughter had interrupted his reading of the papers in front of him.

Maria grinned shyly. He looked absolutely handsome and he was all hers.

"Hi Max," said Brody.

"Hi," he replied leaving the booth.

Now standing in front of them, Maria met his anxious eyes and gave him a soft comforting smile.

Sensing that three was definitely a crowd, Brody interrupted the smiling couple. "I better go finish up. See you later."

"Later Brody," she smiled as her eyes followed him to his office. She hoped he would find someone who could make him a very happy man. After making sure that he was gone she pulled Max towards a corner. "We need to talk."

"Sure", he said.

Once in the corner, Maria realised that it was still too public to show him the hickey. "Not here, can we go somewhere private?".

"Okay." She followed Max's searching gaze until it settled on a door. "In there," he said.

****

Softly locking the door behind them, Max told himself to breathe. Just because she had said the four words that Isabel and Tess had frequently used when going to break up with guys, it did not mean that Maria was going to break up with him.

We need to talk could mean a lot of things, he rationalised.

"Are you okay?" asked Maria.

"Yeah why?" he replied.

"You look kind of nervously worried?"

"I'm fine."

"Okay. I guess we should just get to the problem at hand."

Problem, there was a problem?!

As Maria pulled down her polo-neck to reveal a glowing hickey, realization dawned on Max.

Yep, there definitely was a problem.

"Is that?..." he asked reaching his hand out to touch it.

"A hickey? Yes. Glowing? Yes." She rolled her sweater back up. "Isabel and Tess tried to fix it, you know alien style but it was only temporary. We figured that since you made it, then you can fix it."

Max met her hopeful eyes and felt a sense of overwhelming guilt. This was his fault. Maria had trusted herself to him and what did he do? Freak her out by making her hickey glow. "Does it hurt?" he asked finally.

Reading the emotions which swept across his face Maria was quick to readjust his thinking. "Max, you are not going to start blaming yourself and beating yourself up over this," her eyes never leaving his, she continued," you didn't know this was going to happen and I willing got into this. And no, it doesn't hurt," she added with a small smile, "it just feels warm."
Max took her words as truth and was once again in awe of his girlfriend and wholly grateful to have her.

"Has this happened before?- I mean you and Tess dated before..."

"We um didn't get to that stage," he replied.

"Oh. So...do you think you can heal me?"

"I'll try," he replied honestly.

Maria held her breath as Max lifted his hand and placed it gently on her neck. The moment skin to skin contact was made, a complete circuit was created, electricity blissfully flowed through her.

Max inhaled sharply as the heat generated by his hand on her neck grew hotter, flowing from his hand to the rest of his body, lulling his eyelids to close.

Whatever he was doing, Maria didn't want him to stop. Intoxicated by the warm energy flowing through her, her whole body vibrated and not only that, she could feel him too. Every cell from his body was vibrating with hers.

Enveloped in an invisible cocoon, the couple were left breathless and wanting when the connection suddenly ended.

Maria slowly opened her eyes. "Did it work?" she whispered. An uncontrollable smile passed across her face when she felt Max gently stroke her neck.

"Yes," he breathed.

Relieved, she tried to take a small step away but found that excess energy was still flowing through her, giving her a pleasant head rush. She found herself unable to break away from Max, she felt him all around her and all she wanted to do was close her eyes and drink him in. "I think that-woah-I think-um- that we should wait to make sure."

"Right," he agreed.

Reluctantly they broke apart and a few minutes later there was still no sign of the hickey.

"You're all right now" said Max.

"Thanks," she smiled.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

"I wish I knew what caused it, I wish I knew a lot of things like this...but I don't. This isn't normal Maria."

"Max," she addressed him with a raised eyebrow," at least half of your DNA isn't normal...and that's not a bad thing," she added softly.

"You deserve normal," Max said sadly.

And I'm anything but normal.

"I follow my heart...". Max was startled when she gently lifted his hands from his sides and entwined them with hers, "...and sometimes that means leaving normal. Besides what's so great about normal anyway?", she shrugged, "I find it highly overrated."

Max grinned. "You're one of a kind, you know that?"

"And don't you forget it," she replied cheerfully.

"What happens now?" he asked.

"Now of course, we'll have to see if the glow was just a one off or if it's a permanent aftermath thing."

"We will?" he asked surprised. She still wanted to be with him after this?!

As if reading his mind, she said, "Max, I'm in this with my eyes wide open okay?"

"Okay."

Their lips met in a gentle kiss and when it was over, doubt about their relationship was the furthest thing from his mind.

"So where did you and Brody go?" he asked as they headed towards the door.

"Breakfast," Maria replied. With her hand on the door knob, she turned, "but don't worry, you're still my one and only, human or otherwise."

"I wasn't worried," Max lied as she walked out of the room.

Her tone filled with incredulous amusement, she nodded,"Right."

"Really!" he laughed following her.

"Of course," she grinned.

****

****

Thursday was a flurry of activity and early morning groans for the Christmas Nazi's happy volunteers. Alex, Max and Kyle were on hamper delivery duty dressed as elves, while Tess was an elf in Santa's grotto.

Maria burst out laughing when the group came into the Crashdown for lunch.

What a perfect way to end a shift, she thought amused as she joined them.

"How goes the work?" she asked.

"I just made my last delivery," said Max.

"A few more to go," said Alex.

"Ditto," confirmed Kyle.

"I'm banished in Santa land trying to restrain hyped up kids, which is to put it kindly, very very trying" said Tess. "We need tranquilizers and tasers for them," she added.

"I'm sure that would go down well with social services," quipped Alex.

"Are you kidding?!".

All eyes focused on Isabel who was now standing in front of their booth talking on her cell phone.

"What do you mean you have the flu?! You were fine yesterday?....fine...get well soon."

"That was filled with sympathy," muttered Kyle.

Tess gave him a warning stare. "Shush".

Maria shook her head amused. She knew that Isabel got a little crazy over Christmas but there was no need for them to be this guarded and fearful around her.

"Maria, my other elf at Santa's grotto just pulled out, so could you fill in for her this afternoon?" she asked.

"Not really." Maria oblivious to the sudden tense quiet which descended on the group as eyes glanced from her to Isabel, continued, "I just got off work, plus the prospect of looking like a munchkin doesn't appeal to me".

Max beside her gently pressed on her foot. Maria looked at him questioningly.

What?

"So let me get this straight". Isabel's sharp voice drew her attention, "You would rather sit at home than help make this a perfect Christmas for a few little kids."

It wasn't so much that she didn't shout, it was the sudden cold dangerous anger that lay underneath from her controlled pleasant tone.

"Um, on second thought, count me in," she said.

Maria was struck by the sudden bright smile on her face.

One minute she's hell fire and the next she's Susie sunshine...okkay.

"Good, see you there at 2...now if you'll excuse me," she grabbed a cookie from Kyle plate, " I have things to do."

"Later", they called.

Isabel merely waved her hand before exiting the cafe.

"Okayyy", began Maria, " you guys said she went kinda crazy at Christmas, but you didn't say she went psycho!."

"Well, we don't call her the Christmas Nazi for nothing," shrugged Tess.

"Yeah, welcome to our world," quipped Kyle.

****

Isabel was seriously considering blowing something up. It was one crisis after another. Now she was on her way to the grotto without a Santa.

What kind of Santa gets drunk when he was supposed to be asking kids what they want for Christmas?!

Kyle and Alex were still busy, she had just sent Max on an errand. Who could she get to play Santa?!

"Ow!". Hands reached out to steady her.

Michael.

She had just bumped into Michael, who was sure to have plenty of free time on his hands what with the having almost zero friends issue.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Not really," she replied honestly. In any other circumstance, she wouldn't have asked, but desperation did things to people.

"Michael, I need a huge favour."

"What?" he asked guardedly.

"My Santa just pulled out and I was wondering if you would play him instead."

"Sorry, I'm not the ho ho-ing type," he said brushing past her.

"But Maria's going to be really disappointed!," she called.

Isabel knew that it was a lower than low move, but it worked because he stopped and slowly turned around. She saw an opening and went for it. "She loves Christmas and she's been looking forward to this all week, she'll be crushed."

She watched him wrestling with the idea in his mind but she had no doubt in hers that this would go her way.

"What do I have to do?" he asked.

Isabel broke into a grin.

****

****

"Excuse me Miss."

Maria turned from stacking candy sticks to face two party hearty guys who had no business using the word Miss. She fought to keep herself from rolling her eyes.

"Yes?" she asked sweetly.

"May we point your attention to the mistletoe above you," said the bottle-blonde chugger.

Maria looked up and sure enough it was there. This time, she didn't fight the eye roll.

"And?".

"I believe according to tradition, we get a kiss," said the sleaze-is-me brunette.

Maria crossed hers arms and gave them a hard fixed stare. "Well, I'm not into tradition".

"I think you should consider this one."

She pretended to consider their suggestion. "I have. I'll allow it for friends but not strangers...sorry."

"I could be your friend."

Alright, that's it!

"Listen buddy-"

A warm hand wrapped around her.

Michael?! What is he doing here? And why is he wearing the Santa suit?

"Is there a problem here?" he asked.

Without any further hesitation Maria followed his lead. Her questions would be answered later but right now, player 1 and 2 had to go.

"Honey, these gentlemen were just asking if they could kiss me," she replied sweetly.

"Did they really?" he asked.

Assessing the situation and coming to the conclusion that the show was over, the two wasted no time in backtracking. "Sorry man, didn't know she was taken."

His face expressionless and tone threatening, Michael said, "I'd suggest you leave now."

Without any hesitation, they disappeared. Maria quickly dropped her hand from his.

"I could have handled that," she said.

"I know you could."

"But thanks anyway."

He nodded.

"What are you doing here anyway?, playing Santa I mean".

"Santa 1 was drunk, so Isabel asked me to cover for him," he replied.

"And you just said yes?" she asked incredulous.

He shrugged. "She can be very persuasive".

Maria nodded in agreement, she was evidence of that.

"Well, I better get finished changing," he said.

As Maria watched him go, she realised that she had just had a conversation with her ex-boyfriend, scum of the planet, Michael Guerin and not once did she want to kill him in anger and pain. There was a slight pang but that was it.

A slow smile spread across her face, she was okay.

****

Maria watched with interest as Michael became less awkward and more relaxed in his Santa role. She even caught him smiling a couple to times, which with Michael was a rarity. He impressed her with how effectively he dealt with wise-ass kids and kids who still believed wholly in Santa.

Now regulating the queue, she turned to the next kid in line to visit the jolly man himself. A girl named Emily, who didn't want anything from Santa but to thank him for giving her the early present she had wished for. Her Dad to come home for Christmas.

A sad smile swept her face as Emily sat on Santa's knee. For reasons inconceivable to her, Maria swapped places with Hannah who was now regulating the queue. She was now by Michael's side.

When she was younger, Emily's wish had been her wish. For her father to come home for Christmas, but he never came. As she grew older and realised that he had forsaken his family to further his career, the wishes had stopped. Instead, she got a better father in Jim Valenti.

"Santa, what are you doing for Christmas?" asked Emily.

She was definitely a talker, but to his surprise, Michael didn't mind. Being Santa wasn't a bad deal, it made him feel like he was doing something important.

"After I deliver all the presents, I'll head back to the north pole and spend it with the Mrs," he replied.

I wish.

"So what do you want for Christmas?" she asked.

Michael paused at the question. He knew exactly what he wanted for Christmas and although she only stood next to him, he could feel her presence all around him, reminding him of all that he had lost.

Aware of her eyes on him, but unaware of the tears that threatened to over flow from them, Michael, his voice thick with emotion finally replied. "I had what I wanted once, but I lost it and can never get it back."

"Never say never, Santa," smiled Emily, before kissing his cheek, hopping off his lap and taking the candy stick Maria gave her.

Michael looked after her as she went back to her mother.

Thanks for the optimism Em, but in my case, it never really is never.

****

"What are you doing for Christmas?" asked Maria.

Hearing Michael/Santa talk about what he was doing for Christmas reminded her that he was going to be alone since Liz was coming over for Christmas dinner. He had no family, his friends were his only family and granted it was his fault, but he had none at the moment to spend Christmas with.

Maybe I'm crazy or just a sap but no one deserves to be alone at Christmas.

"Come again?" he asked. They were in the back room of Gwens, the store who hired the grotto, gathering their possessions.

"Simple question, what are you doing for Christmas?" she responded.

Was he trying to make this difficult?

"T.V," he turned his back to her, "microwave meal, the usual," he replied.

"Well, we're having a Christmas dinner at my house at around 6 and everyone is going to be there, you can stop by if you want".

He stopped what he was doing and slowly turned to face her.

"You're inviting me to your house for Christmas dinner?" he asked slowly.

She nodded.

"Why?".

"Michael," she sighed, " that is one long conversation which frankly, right now I don't have the energy to get into, so I'll summarize: You broke my heart but I'm inviting you for Christmas dinner...you can come if you want but I just thought..." trailing off she waved her hand in the air dismissing the thought, "...never mind-this was just-".

She turned to go but was stopped by his question.

"You just thought what?".

Maria slowly turned to face him. "That no one should be alone at Christmas," she replied softly.

Standing a few feet from each other, they waited in silence. Maria waited for a reply while Michael stood in silence to savor the huge surge of hope the moment had given him.

"If I come do I need to bring anything?" he asked finally.

"Just an empty stomach," she replied before turning to go.

"Maria?" he called.

She glanced at him.

"Thanks."

****

"Liz, Liz!".

The moment their eyes met, a surge of energy slammed into her causing her to stumble back into a wall.

Images instantly filled her mind.

It was during Christmas and she and Max were walking hand in hand in the mall, looking at things in shop windows, his dancing eyes met hers, a light kiss planted lovingly on her forehead.

Her and Max sat cross-legged on her bedroom exchanging presents. Her fingers eagerly opening hers to reveal-

"Liz, Liz!", the soft urgent voice chased away the images. She was back in the present mall and Max was holding her, peering at her concerned.

"Max?"

"Are you okay?" he asked as he led her to a bench.

Liz considered telling him the truth, that she'd had some kind of what? A flash of the two of them Christmas shopping and exchanging presents as a couple? That was insane, it didn't make sense, plus he would think she was crazy and stay away from her and she couldn't stand that.

The weird energy surge, the images, none of it made sense but she was going to figure this out for herself.

"Liz?"

"I'm fine Max," she lied, " you just kind of startled me and I tripped over myself, which is so embarrassing...anyway, I'm fine."

He nodded his head and noticing her bags, he said, "Doing some last minute Christmas shopping?.

Liz glanced at her open bags and quickly pulled them shut. She didn't want Max to see his present, not that he would know that it was his yet. She hadn't planned on getting him a present but when she saw the poster of the explosion of a star, she knew he would love it. It was a thank you present for tutoring her.

"Um yeah, a few things...how about you?" she asked.

"Just checking in with Isabel, she was helping out at Santa's grotto."

"Right."

He looks really good today, she thought to herself. Somehow a black sweater and jeans make him look a lot less ordinary and a lot more-Okay stop right there. He's taken.
"So how have you been?" he asked, " I haven't talked to you much this week".

"Oh, fine great," she answered brightly.

"How did the rest of last night go with Maria?" he asked.

Yes, Maria his girlfriend and your best friend.

"Oh, it went great," she replied honestly.

"I'm really happy for you," he smiled.

"Me too...and I don't know, I feel like I should thank you for it."

"Me? Why?" he asked.

"It just seems like, none of this would have happened if you hadn't come into our lives."

"That's funny," he said," because I kind of feel the same way about you, Maria, Alex and Kyle."

He glanced at the floor and then back at her, "Do you need a shopping partner?"

Ignoring the neon BAD-IDEA sign raised by her brain, Liz decided to follow her heart. Max was Max, how could she say no to spending time with him?

"Um sure," she replied.

While picking up a few of her bags to carry, their fingers brushed. Liz felt the energy. It was smaller this time but it still resulted in flooding her mind with images.

She was back in her room with Max, sat-cross legged on her bed. She unwrapped the present...

"Liz?"

"I got a pen knife," she said aloud. A pen knife engraved with the message, Max and Liz forever.

"Liz."

Max's voice brought her back to reality. "Huh?"

"I said where do you want to go?" he asked.

"Anywhere" she replied automatically.

"What?" he asked.

Wake up Parker, you're not in dreamland anymore.

"I mean, over there," she covered.

Max studied her for a moment. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine," she assured him.

Except I don't know what's happening to me but I do know that's it's because of you. I maybe losing my mind, but I like it.

****

cameramandc wrote: But I wonder what kind of trouble Michael and Liz are going to run into at the christmas party? Are they going to catch hell from the others?

It's going to be awkward is all I'm gonna say

cameramandc wrote: Liz is getting flashes from Max? What could this possibly mean?
And what ever happened to Grandman Claudia? Will she be showing up soon?

Liz's flashes will be left a mystery for a little while longer, Grandma Claudia passed away, she's not showing up in the flesh.

cameramandc wrote: I know why Michael and Liz were together. Michael, because he finally had somenone he could share his secret with. And Liz, well I guess because she felt she was apart of something bigger than the small town life she grew up in.

That's basically it, you got it spot onJ

cameramandc wrote: But why were Michael and Maria together? How'd they hook up in the first place? Why did Michael feel more at ease with Liz knowing his secret than Maria? Why was he afraid of Maria knowing what he really was?

All that will be explained in later parts, I promise.

makeinup wrote:I have to say though im a HUGE fan of Mi/L fics, it just isnt making either of them as happy as they could be. I really hope you end this as a CC fic cus its obvious how much Michael still feels for Maria and I dont like Liz being left second best.

This fic focuses on Ma/Ma at this point, I'm much of a Mi/L as you can probably tell but I will say that they will be happy in the end.
Hey everyone, long time no see. Thanks so much for the bumpage, it seriously keeps me going. I'm having problems with my hard drive so it's in the shop, everything on my computer is wiped including the update I was supposed to post last week but luckily, I wrote it out first so I was about to type it out at my friend's house. So here it is, a short intro to Christmas dinner…more coming soon.



CHAPTER 12 ( part a)

Liz rang the doorbell for the second time in five seconds. Somehow coming over to his house to give him his present had evolved into something bigger. To say she was nervous was putting it mildly, she was scared out of her mind, had butterflies in her stomach and it was all because of Max.

The flashes she was getting from him were a mystery, a delicious blissful mystery. After the flash at the mall, they had spent more time together but nothing had happened, no flashes, just the frantic pounding of her heart and the inexplicable feeling of safety and warmth she felt in his presence.

In her dreams she saw him, in her dreams they danced and kissed and loved, in reality, he thought of her as a friend, in reality, he was Maria's boyfriend and they were in love. Reality couldn't stop her from feeling the way she did about and around Max, the week had been strange, the flashes, Maria's shooting and the aftermath, it still didn't make sense, Max still had something to do with that…another mystery and Max once again was the key. Which was why she was here, he was the key and had unlocked something in her, she was drawn to him and she didn't know why, it was frightening and unknown but it was where her heart was leading her and why she was standing outside his door on Christmas afternoon.

Just give him the present and go, she coached herself.

The courage inspired by her pep talk faded as the door opened revealing an initially smiling Isabel wearing a Christmas hat.

"Liz," she said coolly.

"Isabel, hi!…I-is Max here?" she asked.

"Yes, why?".

"I…um". To her relief, the person in question appeared in the flesh beside Isabel.

"Liz."

"Hey, Max," she responded softly. Both stood awkwardly waiting for Isabel to leave, she stood there for a moment before reluctantly leaving.

Finally alone with him, Liz struggled for something to say, she would have been perfectly happy to stand there all day and just look at him but that was out of the question.

Instead, she held out the gold wrapped present to him. "Merry Christmas".

"You got me a present?" he asked surprised. She smiled shyly under his gaze. He moved from the door to let him in. " I'm sorry come in…I didn't get you anything," he said apologetically.

She shook her head fervently, "You didn't need to, it's a thank you gift for helping me out…" he smiled and just stood there, "…aren't you going to open it?".

"Oh, um sure," he took the present from her and carefully unwrapped. She held her breath.

"Wow," he breathed as he unrolled it to its full size.

"It's an explosion of a red giant," she explained, "I saw it and thought of you."

She met his eyes and to her surprise they were a darker brown than before and she found herself drowning.

"Thank you" he said.

She nodded wordlessly, dazed by the emotion in his eyes. "I…um thought I'd give it you now instead of at Maria's tonight," she said finally.

"Tonight? You're coming?" he asked.

"Yeah, Maria invited Michael and I…didn't she tell you?" she asked.

"Um, no."

"Oh."

Suddenly it was all perfectly clear to her. Maria hadn't told anyone of her plans, her and Michael were going to walk into unfriendly territory, completely unexpected.

And obviously to Max too, she thought .

"But she's been pretty busy with the preparation and Christmas" he covered, ", Isabel recruited her to the Christmas Nazi camp, she was probably waiting for a…quiet time, when everyone was…calmer," he finished.

She nodded. "Maybe, we shouldn't come."

"Maria wants you there," he said softly, "this is about you, Maria and Michael, we come later, she'll probably gather us all together and tell us…it'll be fine, I'll be there for moral support if that helps."

More than you can imagine, she replied silently.

She gave him a small smile. "Thanks…well I better get back."

Max held the door open for her. "See you tonight."

Liz smiled nervously, " see you tonight."

****

After making sure she was gone, Max pulled out his cell and dialled Maria.

"Hi hon, I'm busy, so make this quick," she said.

"Liz just came over," he said.

"Why?" she asked.

"She just gave me a thank you present for tutoring her- that's not the important thing though, why didn't you tell us that you invited her and Michael over for dinner?" he asked.

"I'm too busy for dancing around so I'll be honest, I didn't want to deal with the reactions so I kinda planned to leave it till late," she replied.

"How late?" he asked.

"Maria!" , the loud demanding voice of Amy Deluca interrupted their conversation.

"Max, I gotta go, mum needs me," she said.

"How late Maria?" he asked again.

"When you get here- look Max, I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I would want you to tell me if you invited an ex to dinner and you have every right to be angry with me, I should have told you and I'm sorry, I just didn't want to go into that with you-"

"Maria I'm not kidding!" came Amy's voice.

"Maria-" he began.

"Max, I really have to go, I will talk to you later, I promise, love you."

Max was left with a dial tone signalling the end of the conversation. He stood in the hallway, dazed and confused. Maria was inviting Michael her ex boyfriend to Christmas dinner. He didn't know how to feel about that.

Was he hurt? Yes, Jealous? Yes but Michael was the reason him and Maria were together, so in a way, he had helped him. Max didn't know how to fell and while he didn't agree with Maria's procrastination, he would respect her decision and be there to help with the damage control.

****
Maria swung open the door and happily greeted their dinner guests: The Evans' and Whitmans along with their children, her friends, who brought along with them the Christmas presents they had decided to exchange that evening. The parents went to the living room, the children made their entrances, the usual small talk and passed swiftly into the game room, all the while Maria tried to avoid Max's insistent silent lecturing by avoiding his eyes. She knew she was leaving it late but she couldn't seem to from the words. So Max formed them for her.

"Everyone, Maria has something to say" he said.

"What's up?" asked Alex.

"Um, I didn't tell you guys something about tonight…I um invited Liz and Michael to dinner," she said.

The storm came crashing over her.

"You what?!" exclaimed Kyle.

"Are you insane?" asked an incredulous Tess.

"These people stabbed you in the back" said Isabel.

"I know, I know…" she sighed, tired and defeated to argue the reasons for her choice she skipped on to the conclusion, "… but I invited them to dinner anyway…so just deal with it please," she pleaded.

The room descended into silence, stone-wall resolution slowly broke down.

"When do they get here?" asked Isabel with a defeated sigh.

The door bell rang.

Maria grinned sheepishly. "Now," she replied.

"You're kidding me," said Tess.

"No and guys be nice please? I know you don't like them on account of what they did to me and I love you for it but please do this for me?" she said.

"Okay," nodded Kyle.

Maria nodded gratefully and hurried to the door, on her way there a thought struck her and she hurried back to the room.

"Oh and Iz and Tess, no Czech related stuff please."

Satisfied from their crestfallen expressions that she had done the right thing, she hurried on to her next challenge.

She found Liz and Michael standing awkwardly in the living room.

"Hi."

"Hey," said Liz.

"Thanks for inviting us," said Michael.

Maria just smiled, her eyes settled on the presents in their hands.

"Oh these are for you," said Liz.

"Yeah, Merry Christmas," said Michael.

"Thanks," she said accepting them, " I wasn't expecting this um, I didn't get you anything…but not like I should really."

"Right," said Liz.

"Um well, everyone's in the game room, so I guess we should go," she said.

Maria led them into the game room, entering first to make sure the coast was clear. Tess, Isabel, Kyle, Alex and Max looked at and around her expectantly. She made room for Liz and Michael and with a nervous smile, she introduced them, "Um guys, Liz and Michael are here."

Her eyes shifted from the two groups and once again she questioned her sanity. She shut the door behind them.

This is gonna be a long night.