*Max*
I get Liz’s silent message and I nod. It’s completely reasonable for her to work and maybe it’s a mistake to stay. I just need to see her and hear her and know how she’s feeling now. I watch as Liz leads the new customers to the table just vacated by Michael. She doesn’t look happy. I don’t know if it’s the customers -- they look a little swarmy but maybe I’m being hyper-critical. It could very well be me she’s unhappy with. Afterall, when you come right down to it, it’s still true that I promised not to contact her until she contacted me, and I'm here, anyway.
Well, she did contact me, but she didn't do it on purpose.
Although in the end, it was what she wanted. Some help to get rid of Michael. I hope that we were actually some help in that. He hadn’t really responded to me well and in the end – I’m not even sure exactly what prompted him to leave.
With a silent sigh, I slide onto a chair at the end of the counter, the one closest to the door. It probably doesn’t matter, but I feel like I’m being a bit less intrusive here.
It looks like she’s waiting on one of her new customers to decide, so I risk a quick silent comment to her. *I won’t be long. I promise. When you have a chance, I just need to talk to you for a few minutes about what happened. Then I’ll go. … For as long as you want me to.*
With Isabel’s help, I hope we can keep Michael away from her for whatever time-frame she needs. I’m guessing it’s going to be longer now than it would have been before. I just hope she’s not planning on asking me to stay away forever. Although I think I'd understand it if she did...
.
The Missing Piece (CC, MATURE/ADULT accepted)
Moderators: Anniepoo98, ISLANDGIRL5, Forum Moderators
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KatnotKath
- Roswell Fanatic
- Posts: 1130
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2003 5:54 am
- Location: UK
- Contact:
OOC: dramatic yes, but they're real jerks 
- hope it works for you Isabelle
~Liz~
As Max promises he won’t be long, I look over in his direction slightly and nod, choosing not in this case to us telepathy to show him I understood. I walk back over to the counter, clearing away a few empty plates from tables on the way and depositing them at the serving hatch.
As I slip behind the counter, I see that Kyle’s still there, chatting to some of the guys in the team while he fixes them another drink. I walk up to him and smile. “Hey…you couldn’t get me a cherry-coke too could you…Zack offered to buy us both a drink earlier, and I was going to wait until my break, but I have a feeling I’m going to need something to cool down once I’ve dealt with this group…” I request softly, moving off quickly and taking another quick order for a coffee which I fill before heading back over to the table of guys I left a few minutes before.
Something about them just tells me that these are going to be trouble… Still, there’s always the chance that I’ll be wrong – and on this case I’m hoping for it… I walk up, pasting a smile on my face. “Have you guys decided what you want to order…?” I ask politely, pulling out my order pad and pen.
“Yeah, We’ll have three portions of space fries and three ‘Will smiths’, along with three colas…” One of them reels off.
Well that was simple enough… It’s pretty much a standard of course, being some of the cheapest things on the menu, but I’m not complaining right now, it means I don’t have to hang around their table any longer than necessary. Of course I still have to ask one more thing… “Anything else…?”
“Oh yeah…” He gives me a funny look, and it’s then that I realise the reason they’ve been so quiet is that they’re doing their best to look up my skirt, well as much as they can sat down anyway…
“I’ll have a side order of this…” One of them grabs my bum, squeezing it, and I give a little cry of horror and disgust. I can’t believe this is happening…I knew they were going to be trouble, but this… “Get your hand off me!” I tell them, fighting very hard not to let my voice shake.
They seem amused, and the one I was talking to certainly doesn’t comply. He grabs my arm, not hard, but still firmly. “Is that anyway to speak to your customers…” He jokes, continuing to leer at me.
“I said, get your hands off me!” I repeat in a tight voice, looking over now to where Kyle is and hoping to get his attention.
- hope it works for you Isabelle~Liz~
As Max promises he won’t be long, I look over in his direction slightly and nod, choosing not in this case to us telepathy to show him I understood. I walk back over to the counter, clearing away a few empty plates from tables on the way and depositing them at the serving hatch.
As I slip behind the counter, I see that Kyle’s still there, chatting to some of the guys in the team while he fixes them another drink. I walk up to him and smile. “Hey…you couldn’t get me a cherry-coke too could you…Zack offered to buy us both a drink earlier, and I was going to wait until my break, but I have a feeling I’m going to need something to cool down once I’ve dealt with this group…” I request softly, moving off quickly and taking another quick order for a coffee which I fill before heading back over to the table of guys I left a few minutes before.
Something about them just tells me that these are going to be trouble… Still, there’s always the chance that I’ll be wrong – and on this case I’m hoping for it… I walk up, pasting a smile on my face. “Have you guys decided what you want to order…?” I ask politely, pulling out my order pad and pen.
“Yeah, We’ll have three portions of space fries and three ‘Will smiths’, along with three colas…” One of them reels off.
Well that was simple enough… It’s pretty much a standard of course, being some of the cheapest things on the menu, but I’m not complaining right now, it means I don’t have to hang around their table any longer than necessary. Of course I still have to ask one more thing… “Anything else…?”
“Oh yeah…” He gives me a funny look, and it’s then that I realise the reason they’ve been so quiet is that they’re doing their best to look up my skirt, well as much as they can sat down anyway…
“I’ll have a side order of this…” One of them grabs my bum, squeezing it, and I give a little cry of horror and disgust. I can’t believe this is happening…I knew they were going to be trouble, but this… “Get your hand off me!” I tell them, fighting very hard not to let my voice shake.
They seem amused, and the one I was talking to certainly doesn’t comply. He grabs my arm, not hard, but still firmly. “Is that anyway to speak to your customers…” He jokes, continuing to leer at me.
“I said, get your hands off me!” I repeat in a tight voice, looking over now to where Kyle is and hoping to get his attention.
My fics:
Dreams and Reality
Reality Revealed
Family Connections
When Love and Loss Collide
When Friendship and Love Combine - New!
If Only...
The Important Thing
Home for Christmas
I Knew Him Before (PB fic)
Love Always...
The First Time Around - New!
Dreams and Reality
Reality Revealed
Family Connections
When Love and Loss Collide
When Friendship and Love Combine - New!
If Only...
The Important Thing
Home for Christmas
I Knew Him Before (PB fic)
Love Always...
The First Time Around - New!
*Kyle*
I’m almost relaxed now, glad that the trouble with Michael is passed. I’m not completely sure what Max still being here means, but I’m a lot less worried about him than I was with Michael. Why? Well, I guess it’s just because Liz is. She’s more comfortable and that’s all to the good.
I can finally actually give some of my customers something much closer to the kind of attention I’m usually able to give. I still keep something of a weather-eye over both Max and Liz, ‘though. Liz is dealing with a group of wannabe-jocks – or more precisely – jerks. But this is something she and I are both accustomed to and I’m sure she can handle them.
“Get your hand off me!” I hear and I look over to see that Liz seems very tense. I don’t hear what her customers say but I can see that one of the cads has his hand on her butt and the other grabbing her arm. My legs are already moving when in the next moment her voice rises. “I said, get your hands off me.”
In a moment, I’m pulling Liz back and stepping between her and the unruly customers. “Excuse me. Is there a problem here?”
“No problem at all,” the one says with a lusty sneer at Liz. “We’re just looking for some proper service.”
“If you’re unsatisfied with your server, I will be happy to take over and make sure your dining needs are met to your complete approval.”
“Buddy,” the guys says, sounding completely annoyed and a treating me as an idiot. “We ain’t in here looking for the food.”
“Then you’re in the wrong place,” I tell him. The tactics I used with Michael won’t work here. This group won’t be leaving with just a few free meals. And the problem is more than Liz being uncomfortable or flustered. They touched her. That’s assault, even if she wasn’t hurt. I’m so glad I called my dad earlier. He should be arriving any minute now. “You’ll need to find your entertainment elsewhere. Please leave here immediately.”
“Oh we got the right place,” the second jerk says, reaching towards Liz. She steps back with an expression of disgust.
The door opens and I look up to see my dad walking in. He’s in uniform, of course, as he’s still on duty. I don’t let my expression change, although inside I’m as happy to see him as I’ve ever been. He pauses at the door, giving a slight nod in my direction.
“Looks like it’s time for you to be on your way,” I say, with a falsely pleasant voice. The thugs, noting the presence of the uniform, wisely cease their comment.
*Max*
I’m still a bit pre-occupied with my own thoughts, wondering if being here is a mistake. But I need to know what she thinks of all this now. I know she understands that Michael wasn’t here by my design but is that enough? Is it too late to make amends? Is this completely over before it’s begun?
Suddenly, I notice a commotion. Kyle rushes over to intercept himself between Liz and some customers, one of whom had his hand on her behind before he interfered. I rise to my feet, wanting to stop it, but she hasn’t called for my help, but Kyle seems to have the thugs in hand. Liz is not even looking in my direction. She’s staring at Kyle with something like admiration and maybe more…
When the Sheriff comes in, I quickly sit down again. I know it’s Kyle’s dad, but I still don’t want to attract any attention. Still, I don’t have to look away from Liz and Kyle. The whole diner is watching and there’s no reason for me to pretend disinterest…
I’m almost relaxed now, glad that the trouble with Michael is passed. I’m not completely sure what Max still being here means, but I’m a lot less worried about him than I was with Michael. Why? Well, I guess it’s just because Liz is. She’s more comfortable and that’s all to the good.
I can finally actually give some of my customers something much closer to the kind of attention I’m usually able to give. I still keep something of a weather-eye over both Max and Liz, ‘though. Liz is dealing with a group of wannabe-jocks – or more precisely – jerks. But this is something she and I are both accustomed to and I’m sure she can handle them.
“Get your hand off me!” I hear and I look over to see that Liz seems very tense. I don’t hear what her customers say but I can see that one of the cads has his hand on her butt and the other grabbing her arm. My legs are already moving when in the next moment her voice rises. “I said, get your hands off me.”
In a moment, I’m pulling Liz back and stepping between her and the unruly customers. “Excuse me. Is there a problem here?”
“No problem at all,” the one says with a lusty sneer at Liz. “We’re just looking for some proper service.”
“If you’re unsatisfied with your server, I will be happy to take over and make sure your dining needs are met to your complete approval.”
“Buddy,” the guys says, sounding completely annoyed and a treating me as an idiot. “We ain’t in here looking for the food.”
“Then you’re in the wrong place,” I tell him. The tactics I used with Michael won’t work here. This group won’t be leaving with just a few free meals. And the problem is more than Liz being uncomfortable or flustered. They touched her. That’s assault, even if she wasn’t hurt. I’m so glad I called my dad earlier. He should be arriving any minute now. “You’ll need to find your entertainment elsewhere. Please leave here immediately.”
“Oh we got the right place,” the second jerk says, reaching towards Liz. She steps back with an expression of disgust.
The door opens and I look up to see my dad walking in. He’s in uniform, of course, as he’s still on duty. I don’t let my expression change, although inside I’m as happy to see him as I’ve ever been. He pauses at the door, giving a slight nod in my direction.
“Looks like it’s time for you to be on your way,” I say, with a falsely pleasant voice. The thugs, noting the presence of the uniform, wisely cease their comment.
*Max*
I’m still a bit pre-occupied with my own thoughts, wondering if being here is a mistake. But I need to know what she thinks of all this now. I know she understands that Michael wasn’t here by my design but is that enough? Is it too late to make amends? Is this completely over before it’s begun?
Suddenly, I notice a commotion. Kyle rushes over to intercept himself between Liz and some customers, one of whom had his hand on her behind before he interfered. I rise to my feet, wanting to stop it, but she hasn’t called for my help, but Kyle seems to have the thugs in hand. Liz is not even looking in my direction. She’s staring at Kyle with something like admiration and maybe more…
When the Sheriff comes in, I quickly sit down again. I know it’s Kyle’s dad, but I still don’t want to attract any attention. Still, I don’t have to look away from Liz and Kyle. The whole diner is watching and there’s no reason for me to pretend disinterest…
-
KatnotKath
- Roswell Fanatic
- Posts: 1130
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2003 5:54 am
- Location: UK
- Contact:
OOC: have to get to bed and sleep, but was going to put this up before I went out and ran out of time. Hope you like it, tell me if you want me to change anything Isabelle . I'll format tomorrow after I get back from work
~Liz~
How did this day get so majorly bad…? Despite my powers, guys like this definitely still get to me. I mean when all’s said and done, I’m a sixteen year old girl…and someone groping my behind is definitely not a nice thing to have happen…
It’s taking all my effort to remain even remotely calm. The firm hand on my arm isn’t helping either…
I look at them, about to make a third request – perhaps not quite so politely this time – Mr Brook did say I didn’t have to stand for this stuff, when I feel a second hand on my other arm.
This one is gentle, warm, familiar…and is pulling me gently away from the jerks at the table. I look round, smiling in relief when I see Kyle.
I stand a little to one side as he addresses my ‘customers’. The responses he gets are hardly surprising, given the way they were acting, but the fact that one of them reaches for me again does rather and I step back, putting even more distance between myself and the table. Looking down, I see that my hand is shaking again – much as it did with Michael – but of course it’s for different reasons this time…
Michael didn’t do anything…these guys most certainly did…
Kyle tries to instruct them to leave, but they don’t seem to want to co-operate…
“Just leave please…?” I request softly, disturbed to find my voice shaking again. Just when I seemed to have managed to gather myself together after Michael, something else happens that makes me fall to pieces it seems…
“Look, we’re sorry, we didn’t know she was involved…nice chic you’ve got there…she good in bed…?” One of them asks, showing that as usual they’re jumping to the conclusion, which I’m not so upset about in this case, that Kyle’s my boyfriend. Of course the comment about bed I could do without…but then I could do without this whole afternoon so I don’t suppose that really effects…
Before Kyle or I have a chance to respond to this, the bell above the door chimes again, and when I look round, I see Jim – otherwise known as Sheriff Valenti, or Kyle’s dad – walking into the diner.
I’m presuming that he’s here because of Michael…although I didn’t know that Kyle had called him. I can’t say I’m sorry to see him though, even if I have always had to be very careful about how much I open up to him, Jim’s always been very good to me, and he’s a welcome friendly face right at this moment in time.
The sight of his uniform seems to have the desired effect, and I have to fight to keep a straight face as I notice them looking over at him nervously.
Jim gives a nod in our direction, and I ‘answer’ with a smile.
“Looks like it’s time for you to be on your way…” Kyle comments pointedly in a tone that makes no secret of his real thoughts about these guys.
One of them mutters something about ‘leading on’ – I think he’s talking about my uniform although he couldn’t be further from the truth – but the others shake their heads silently, warning him to drop it.
“M-maybe we’ll just try somewhere else afterall…” The one sat at the open side of the booth comments, standing up.
The other two seem to quickly follow suit, and a couple of minutes it’s all over as they walk out past Jim and back onto the street.
As their backs disappear through the door, I let out a breath I don’t think I even realised I was holding in. Stepping back up to the table now they’re gone, I look up at Kyle. “Thanks…” I say softly, rising up onto my tip-toes, to brush my lips against his cheek. “My hero…” I try to give a small smile, providing him with confirmation that I’m alright now…
Suddenly, my gaze drifts over for a split second to Max. He’s looking in our direction - but then again who isn’t… - and he has an expression on his face that I don’t quite understand… I see him looking from me to Kyle though, and suddenly I think I do… Immediately, although in fact I have done nothing wrong, I feel a little awkward. *We’re just friends – Kyle and I…you don’t have anything to wonder about…* I send to him carefully.
It don’t know why, but I feel as though I need to tell him that…
Just then Jim walks over to join us, so any thought I have about Max are put on the backburner for a moment.
“Are you two okay… Kyle said something about a bit of trouble…”
I smile and nod. “I’m fine thanks Jim…well, I am thanks to your gentleman of a son…” I grin and laugh softly, I’m certainly feeling more relaxed now than I have since Michael came in and everything kicked off.
. I'll format tomorrow after I get back from work~Liz~
How did this day get so majorly bad…? Despite my powers, guys like this definitely still get to me. I mean when all’s said and done, I’m a sixteen year old girl…and someone groping my behind is definitely not a nice thing to have happen…
It’s taking all my effort to remain even remotely calm. The firm hand on my arm isn’t helping either…
I look at them, about to make a third request – perhaps not quite so politely this time – Mr Brook did say I didn’t have to stand for this stuff, when I feel a second hand on my other arm.
This one is gentle, warm, familiar…and is pulling me gently away from the jerks at the table. I look round, smiling in relief when I see Kyle.
I stand a little to one side as he addresses my ‘customers’. The responses he gets are hardly surprising, given the way they were acting, but the fact that one of them reaches for me again does rather and I step back, putting even more distance between myself and the table. Looking down, I see that my hand is shaking again – much as it did with Michael – but of course it’s for different reasons this time…
Michael didn’t do anything…these guys most certainly did…
Kyle tries to instruct them to leave, but they don’t seem to want to co-operate…
“Just leave please…?” I request softly, disturbed to find my voice shaking again. Just when I seemed to have managed to gather myself together after Michael, something else happens that makes me fall to pieces it seems…
“Look, we’re sorry, we didn’t know she was involved…nice chic you’ve got there…she good in bed…?” One of them asks, showing that as usual they’re jumping to the conclusion, which I’m not so upset about in this case, that Kyle’s my boyfriend. Of course the comment about bed I could do without…but then I could do without this whole afternoon so I don’t suppose that really effects…
Before Kyle or I have a chance to respond to this, the bell above the door chimes again, and when I look round, I see Jim – otherwise known as Sheriff Valenti, or Kyle’s dad – walking into the diner.
I’m presuming that he’s here because of Michael…although I didn’t know that Kyle had called him. I can’t say I’m sorry to see him though, even if I have always had to be very careful about how much I open up to him, Jim’s always been very good to me, and he’s a welcome friendly face right at this moment in time.
The sight of his uniform seems to have the desired effect, and I have to fight to keep a straight face as I notice them looking over at him nervously.
Jim gives a nod in our direction, and I ‘answer’ with a smile.
“Looks like it’s time for you to be on your way…” Kyle comments pointedly in a tone that makes no secret of his real thoughts about these guys.
One of them mutters something about ‘leading on’ – I think he’s talking about my uniform although he couldn’t be further from the truth – but the others shake their heads silently, warning him to drop it.
“M-maybe we’ll just try somewhere else afterall…” The one sat at the open side of the booth comments, standing up.
The other two seem to quickly follow suit, and a couple of minutes it’s all over as they walk out past Jim and back onto the street.
As their backs disappear through the door, I let out a breath I don’t think I even realised I was holding in. Stepping back up to the table now they’re gone, I look up at Kyle. “Thanks…” I say softly, rising up onto my tip-toes, to brush my lips against his cheek. “My hero…” I try to give a small smile, providing him with confirmation that I’m alright now…
Suddenly, my gaze drifts over for a split second to Max. He’s looking in our direction - but then again who isn’t… - and he has an expression on his face that I don’t quite understand… I see him looking from me to Kyle though, and suddenly I think I do… Immediately, although in fact I have done nothing wrong, I feel a little awkward. *We’re just friends – Kyle and I…you don’t have anything to wonder about…* I send to him carefully.
It don’t know why, but I feel as though I need to tell him that…
Just then Jim walks over to join us, so any thought I have about Max are put on the backburner for a moment.
“Are you two okay… Kyle said something about a bit of trouble…”
I smile and nod. “I’m fine thanks Jim…well, I am thanks to your gentleman of a son…” I grin and laugh softly, I’m certainly feeling more relaxed now than I have since Michael came in and everything kicked off.
My fics:
Dreams and Reality
Reality Revealed
Family Connections
When Love and Loss Collide
When Friendship and Love Combine - New!
If Only...
The Important Thing
Home for Christmas
I Knew Him Before (PB fic)
Love Always...
The First Time Around - New!
Dreams and Reality
Reality Revealed
Family Connections
When Love and Loss Collide
When Friendship and Love Combine - New!
If Only...
The Important Thing
Home for Christmas
I Knew Him Before (PB fic)
Love Always...
The First Time Around - New!
*Kyle*
Liz gives me a kiss on the cheek making me feel quite gallant and heroic. “All in a day’s work,” I drawl, smiling broadly. I know that my dad’s appearance had as much to do with my ‘success’ as anything I’d actually said or did, but I don’t think he’s minding me taking the credit. “But now this hero has two orders up to deliver so I must be on my way.” Still before I go, I turn to my father. “I’ll bring you some coffee. You want it to go or can you stay for a little?”
“Well, I'm not sure. Why don’t you just refill my thermos, anyway, Kyle?” he suggests. “That way we don’t have to transfer it when I have to go.”
“Sure thing,” I tell him, taking the container. Liz smiles and I head off. I should probably grab my orders but I fill the thermos first. I go back and hand it to dad before grabbing two platters for table four. I put them in front of two girls who I recognize as seniors. They’re both smiling at me, knowingly.
“You two make a nice couple, you know,” says Helena, who then indicates her near-empty soda glass. “and I need a refill.”
“It’s not like that and you know it,” I say. “I’ll be happy to get you more diet cola.”
“Aww, you know she’s sweet on you. And she’s really cute,” Lisa insists. “And I’ll have some, too.”
“We’re just friends,” I tell them again, although I agree that Liz is very cute. “I’ll have your drinks in a minute.”
*Max*
Between Kyle’s intervention and the appearance of the Sheriff, Liz’s troublesome customers are easily sorted. I don’t know why I feel like I should have been the one to help her.
No, that’s a lie. I do know why. It’s because I’m supposed to be her husband. She’s supposed to be my queen. I should be protecting her. Instead, I’m the one providing the trouble when Michael comes to disturb her and then I watch Kyle come to her aid when these louts put their hands on her. Some protector!
As I watch, Liz rises onto her toes and kisses Kyle on the cheek. “My hero,” she says.
Yes, I think. He did what I should have done. She said that she and Kyle weren’t together, but it seems that there definitely is something going on there. They may not be officially a ‘couple,’ but what I’m seeing is definitely more than friends.
*We’re just friends – Kyle and I…you don’t have anything to wonder about…* she says, silently, but her words do nothing to re-assure me. She may not see it, but I do.
The sheriff goes over to make sure all is under control and I turn my face away. The show’s over, after all. The other patrons are also returning to their own meals, their own conversations. I hear at least one girl admiring Kyle for it. “He’s so sweet. I wish Jeremy were like that,” she says to her girlfriend.
I should leave, I think. I should get out of here. She’s already been rocked by Michael and those oafs. She doesn’t need me here forcing more unwanted attention on her. I shift on my stool, turning not just my head, but most of my body away from Liz. I don’t need to see her face now. I don’t need to see how she looks at Kyle.
Fortunately, I never got a chance to order any food or drink so there’s nothing there holding me back. I pull out some cash and put it on the counter anyway. After all, I guess I might have displaced a paying customer.
As much as I want to stay and talk to Liz and see where she stands with all this now, I can see that she's busy -- and probably more involved with Kyle than she knows. I promised her space and I really should let her have that. It might be all over now, anyway -- because of Michael or because of Kyle or maybe both. This incident might just be what makes her see Kyle differently than before -- destroying any chance I might have had of actually getting together with her.
Still without looking at Liz, I speak to her telepathically. *I should go. I'm sorry about Michael. I hope that you’re still interested in talking later. If you do want to talk, you know how to find me – or Isabel, if you prefer. Or even Alex or Maria. They'll all be happy to answer any of your questions. No strings attached.* I leave out Michael for now, thinking it’s unlikely she’s about to turn to him, but I don’t want her to feel compelled to come to me after all this. I might not be the one she wants to see, either. After all, I had promised her time and instead I'm here waiting, putting pressure on her to talk to me.
I get up from the counter and head for the door, not waiting for a response. What I really want to know is if she has any intention of contacting us ever after all this. And if she does, I’d like to have some idea of how much time she thinks she’ll need. Not that I need a guarantee. But it would be nice to know if she thinks it’ll be a couple days, a couple weeks, months, or maybe never... Trouble is, I’m just not at all sure how to ask her that. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
Liz gives me a kiss on the cheek making me feel quite gallant and heroic. “All in a day’s work,” I drawl, smiling broadly. I know that my dad’s appearance had as much to do with my ‘success’ as anything I’d actually said or did, but I don’t think he’s minding me taking the credit. “But now this hero has two orders up to deliver so I must be on my way.” Still before I go, I turn to my father. “I’ll bring you some coffee. You want it to go or can you stay for a little?”
“Well, I'm not sure. Why don’t you just refill my thermos, anyway, Kyle?” he suggests. “That way we don’t have to transfer it when I have to go.”
“Sure thing,” I tell him, taking the container. Liz smiles and I head off. I should probably grab my orders but I fill the thermos first. I go back and hand it to dad before grabbing two platters for table four. I put them in front of two girls who I recognize as seniors. They’re both smiling at me, knowingly.
“You two make a nice couple, you know,” says Helena, who then indicates her near-empty soda glass. “and I need a refill.”
“It’s not like that and you know it,” I say. “I’ll be happy to get you more diet cola.”
“Aww, you know she’s sweet on you. And she’s really cute,” Lisa insists. “And I’ll have some, too.”
“We’re just friends,” I tell them again, although I agree that Liz is very cute. “I’ll have your drinks in a minute.”
*Max*
Between Kyle’s intervention and the appearance of the Sheriff, Liz’s troublesome customers are easily sorted. I don’t know why I feel like I should have been the one to help her.
No, that’s a lie. I do know why. It’s because I’m supposed to be her husband. She’s supposed to be my queen. I should be protecting her. Instead, I’m the one providing the trouble when Michael comes to disturb her and then I watch Kyle come to her aid when these louts put their hands on her. Some protector!
As I watch, Liz rises onto her toes and kisses Kyle on the cheek. “My hero,” she says.
Yes, I think. He did what I should have done. She said that she and Kyle weren’t together, but it seems that there definitely is something going on there. They may not be officially a ‘couple,’ but what I’m seeing is definitely more than friends.
*We’re just friends – Kyle and I…you don’t have anything to wonder about…* she says, silently, but her words do nothing to re-assure me. She may not see it, but I do.
The sheriff goes over to make sure all is under control and I turn my face away. The show’s over, after all. The other patrons are also returning to their own meals, their own conversations. I hear at least one girl admiring Kyle for it. “He’s so sweet. I wish Jeremy were like that,” she says to her girlfriend.
I should leave, I think. I should get out of here. She’s already been rocked by Michael and those oafs. She doesn’t need me here forcing more unwanted attention on her. I shift on my stool, turning not just my head, but most of my body away from Liz. I don’t need to see her face now. I don’t need to see how she looks at Kyle.
Fortunately, I never got a chance to order any food or drink so there’s nothing there holding me back. I pull out some cash and put it on the counter anyway. After all, I guess I might have displaced a paying customer.
As much as I want to stay and talk to Liz and see where she stands with all this now, I can see that she's busy -- and probably more involved with Kyle than she knows. I promised her space and I really should let her have that. It might be all over now, anyway -- because of Michael or because of Kyle or maybe both. This incident might just be what makes her see Kyle differently than before -- destroying any chance I might have had of actually getting together with her.
Still without looking at Liz, I speak to her telepathically. *I should go. I'm sorry about Michael. I hope that you’re still interested in talking later. If you do want to talk, you know how to find me – or Isabel, if you prefer. Or even Alex or Maria. They'll all be happy to answer any of your questions. No strings attached.* I leave out Michael for now, thinking it’s unlikely she’s about to turn to him, but I don’t want her to feel compelled to come to me after all this. I might not be the one she wants to see, either. After all, I had promised her time and instead I'm here waiting, putting pressure on her to talk to me.
I get up from the counter and head for the door, not waiting for a response. What I really want to know is if she has any intention of contacting us ever after all this. And if she does, I’d like to have some idea of how much time she thinks she’ll need. Not that I need a guarantee. But it would be nice to know if she thinks it’ll be a couple days, a couple weeks, months, or maybe never... Trouble is, I’m just not at all sure how to ask her that. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
-
KatnotKath
- Roswell Fanatic
- Posts: 1130
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2003 5:54 am
- Location: UK
- Contact:
~Liz~
I laugh and shake my head in amusement at Kyle's response. He heads off to dish out his orders, and I busy myself tidying this table a little, making it ready for whoever might want it next.
"Are you sure you're okay Liz...?"
I look over at Jim who's still stood there and nod slightly. "Honestly, I'm fine...thanks..."
I trail off somwhat distracted as Max's voice comes through in my head again. *I should go. I hope that you’re still interested in talking later. If you do want to talk, you know how to find me – or Isabel, if you prefer. Or even Alex or Maria. They'll all be happy to answer any of your questions. No strings attached.*
Jim's looking at me strangely, but I can't help looking round, my eyes widening as I see Max heading out the door. I feel like I should stop him, tell him to stay, but I don't know how much longer it's going to be until I'm free to do that... Besides, maybe his words are suggesting that he doesn't want to talk tonight anyway...? I'm confused enough about the whole situation, and when it comes down to it, I just don't know what I want right now... Part of me feels like I should talk to Max, and yet another just wants to forget all about this for one evening... I feel almost as though I'm being torn apart, and in the end, I guess my need for a bit of normality wins out. *I'm sorry Max...maybe you're right...I guess I'll see you later...* I will contact them, I will see them again...I need the answers they offer, and I need to talk about this all more, but right at this moment in time, I'm not sure if that is the best thing for either of us...
Closing my eyes a moment, I take another deep breath and try to concentrate again on Jim. He looks at me strangely again, his eyes questioning once more, but as I remain silent, he nods his head, apparently accepting my earlier answer. As Kyle returns, he takes his thermos, then, although he said he might stay, motions that he's going to get back to work after all. He looks back at me for a moment. "How about you come over for dinner tonight...it'll be like old times..."
I swallow and shake my head softly. "Thanks for the offer Jim...another night it would be great, but tonight I really do have to get back and do some work..." Not to mention that I'm not sure I would be much company, and I guess I have a lot to think about...again...
He nods. "Suit yourself...but just rememeber that we've always got space for you..."
I give a weak smile and nod. "Thanks..."
He nods and then heads out of the diner. I turn back to what I'm doing, collecting some napkins the guys were messing around with, and wiping the table down with a cloth. I'm just about finished, when suddenly I feel a hand on my shoulder.
Past events this afternoon have made me a little jumpy, that cannot be denied, and I turn sharply, letting out a sigh of relief when I recognise Mr Brook.
He eyes me carefully, and I guess it's obvious that I'm a little tense. "Liz, why don't you get a drink and sit down for a few minutes...take a break - after those guys you really deserve it, and I think it'd do you good..." There's a look in his eyes of concern, and I can see that although he's not actually saying it, he knows they were something a little more than roudy customers...
I smile softly, shaking my head. "I'm alright Mr Brook...honestly..." I try to assure him.
He looks at me. "Liz...humour me, please... You work really hard...now I'm not going to dock your wages or anything, but will you please got get yourself a drink and sit down for a little while..."
As he repeats his request, I can see that I'm not going convince him otherwise and give a small nod. "Okay...thanks..." I check over the table once more to see that everything is in its place, and then head back over to the counter. "This mine...?" I ask Kyle, my eyes falling on a glass of cherry coke that doesn't seem to have any owner.
A quick nod from Kyle confirms this, and I smile, picking it up and taking a seat on one of the stools. I close my eyes, trying to relax and forget about everything, but all too soon my peace and quiet is interrupted by Rebecca, one of the girlfriends of the guys in the team as she slips into the seat next to me.
"So...you and Kyle...you make a nice couple you know...real cute..." She grins.
I sigh and shake my head. I know she means well, but I really don't need this at the moment. "No, it's not like that Becca... Kyle and I are just friends..."
"Looked like something more than that when you kissed him just now..." She persists in a teasing tone. Of course this is nothing like Pam, who's comments would be snooty and rude, this is from a friend who just wants the two of us to be happy... It doesn't change the fact that she's wrong though...
Again I shake my head, cursing myself for having done that. I didn't even think about it...it was just a bit of fun, instinctive... I laugh softly. "It was just a bit of fun, Kyle knows that...we're just good friend..." And it's not as though Max is anything more either...so why do I suddenly feel so awkward...as though I did something wrong...
She nods, making it clear she doesn't believe me. "Whatever you say..."
I swallow and reach for my drink, taking a sip and swallowing before setting it back on the table as a new crowd of customers come in. To say that Roswell is a small place, we never seem to have a shortage of cliental at this sort of time...
Despite Mr Brook's instructions to sit down and take a break, I head over to seat those I can and take some orders. It's another half hour later when I finally get back to my drink - which is now of course flat, and as I take a sip, I scruntch up my nose in disgust before tipping the remainder away.
I look over at the clock, seeing that it's about time for my normal break now anyway, come to a decision. Declining the offer of another drink which is made, I slip down off the stool and head into the back. There's a pay phone in the staff room which Mr Brook doesn't mind us making occassional use of, and in this case I think it's neccessary... Getting my bag out of my locker, I pull out the small piece of paper Max gave me yesterday. I could call telepathically of course, but I think I need the other way right now...
Picking up the handset, I dial the number I want quickly, waiting for it to be picked up and speaking immediately. "Max...? I'm sorry about before...would you maybe like to come over to my apartment this evening...say around ten...if you still want to talk...?" I still have school work I should be doing yeah, but maybe there are some things that just won't wait...
I laugh and shake my head in amusement at Kyle's response. He heads off to dish out his orders, and I busy myself tidying this table a little, making it ready for whoever might want it next.
"Are you sure you're okay Liz...?"
I look over at Jim who's still stood there and nod slightly. "Honestly, I'm fine...thanks..."
I trail off somwhat distracted as Max's voice comes through in my head again. *I should go. I hope that you’re still interested in talking later. If you do want to talk, you know how to find me – or Isabel, if you prefer. Or even Alex or Maria. They'll all be happy to answer any of your questions. No strings attached.*
Jim's looking at me strangely, but I can't help looking round, my eyes widening as I see Max heading out the door. I feel like I should stop him, tell him to stay, but I don't know how much longer it's going to be until I'm free to do that... Besides, maybe his words are suggesting that he doesn't want to talk tonight anyway...? I'm confused enough about the whole situation, and when it comes down to it, I just don't know what I want right now... Part of me feels like I should talk to Max, and yet another just wants to forget all about this for one evening... I feel almost as though I'm being torn apart, and in the end, I guess my need for a bit of normality wins out. *I'm sorry Max...maybe you're right...I guess I'll see you later...* I will contact them, I will see them again...I need the answers they offer, and I need to talk about this all more, but right at this moment in time, I'm not sure if that is the best thing for either of us...
Closing my eyes a moment, I take another deep breath and try to concentrate again on Jim. He looks at me strangely again, his eyes questioning once more, but as I remain silent, he nods his head, apparently accepting my earlier answer. As Kyle returns, he takes his thermos, then, although he said he might stay, motions that he's going to get back to work after all. He looks back at me for a moment. "How about you come over for dinner tonight...it'll be like old times..."
I swallow and shake my head softly. "Thanks for the offer Jim...another night it would be great, but tonight I really do have to get back and do some work..." Not to mention that I'm not sure I would be much company, and I guess I have a lot to think about...again...
He nods. "Suit yourself...but just rememeber that we've always got space for you..."
I give a weak smile and nod. "Thanks..."
He nods and then heads out of the diner. I turn back to what I'm doing, collecting some napkins the guys were messing around with, and wiping the table down with a cloth. I'm just about finished, when suddenly I feel a hand on my shoulder.
Past events this afternoon have made me a little jumpy, that cannot be denied, and I turn sharply, letting out a sigh of relief when I recognise Mr Brook.
He eyes me carefully, and I guess it's obvious that I'm a little tense. "Liz, why don't you get a drink and sit down for a few minutes...take a break - after those guys you really deserve it, and I think it'd do you good..." There's a look in his eyes of concern, and I can see that although he's not actually saying it, he knows they were something a little more than roudy customers...
I smile softly, shaking my head. "I'm alright Mr Brook...honestly..." I try to assure him.
He looks at me. "Liz...humour me, please... You work really hard...now I'm not going to dock your wages or anything, but will you please got get yourself a drink and sit down for a little while..."
As he repeats his request, I can see that I'm not going convince him otherwise and give a small nod. "Okay...thanks..." I check over the table once more to see that everything is in its place, and then head back over to the counter. "This mine...?" I ask Kyle, my eyes falling on a glass of cherry coke that doesn't seem to have any owner.
A quick nod from Kyle confirms this, and I smile, picking it up and taking a seat on one of the stools. I close my eyes, trying to relax and forget about everything, but all too soon my peace and quiet is interrupted by Rebecca, one of the girlfriends of the guys in the team as she slips into the seat next to me.
"So...you and Kyle...you make a nice couple you know...real cute..." She grins.
I sigh and shake my head. I know she means well, but I really don't need this at the moment. "No, it's not like that Becca... Kyle and I are just friends..."
"Looked like something more than that when you kissed him just now..." She persists in a teasing tone. Of course this is nothing like Pam, who's comments would be snooty and rude, this is from a friend who just wants the two of us to be happy... It doesn't change the fact that she's wrong though...
Again I shake my head, cursing myself for having done that. I didn't even think about it...it was just a bit of fun, instinctive... I laugh softly. "It was just a bit of fun, Kyle knows that...we're just good friend..." And it's not as though Max is anything more either...so why do I suddenly feel so awkward...as though I did something wrong...
She nods, making it clear she doesn't believe me. "Whatever you say..."
I swallow and reach for my drink, taking a sip and swallowing before setting it back on the table as a new crowd of customers come in. To say that Roswell is a small place, we never seem to have a shortage of cliental at this sort of time...
Despite Mr Brook's instructions to sit down and take a break, I head over to seat those I can and take some orders. It's another half hour later when I finally get back to my drink - which is now of course flat, and as I take a sip, I scruntch up my nose in disgust before tipping the remainder away.
I look over at the clock, seeing that it's about time for my normal break now anyway, come to a decision. Declining the offer of another drink which is made, I slip down off the stool and head into the back. There's a pay phone in the staff room which Mr Brook doesn't mind us making occassional use of, and in this case I think it's neccessary... Getting my bag out of my locker, I pull out the small piece of paper Max gave me yesterday. I could call telepathically of course, but I think I need the other way right now...
Picking up the handset, I dial the number I want quickly, waiting for it to be picked up and speaking immediately. "Max...? I'm sorry about before...would you maybe like to come over to my apartment this evening...say around ten...if you still want to talk...?" I still have school work I should be doing yeah, but maybe there are some things that just won't wait...
My fics:
Dreams and Reality
Reality Revealed
Family Connections
When Love and Loss Collide
When Friendship and Love Combine - New!
If Only...
The Important Thing
Home for Christmas
I Knew Him Before (PB fic)
Love Always...
The First Time Around - New!
Dreams and Reality
Reality Revealed
Family Connections
When Love and Loss Collide
When Friendship and Love Combine - New!
If Only...
The Important Thing
Home for Christmas
I Knew Him Before (PB fic)
Love Always...
The First Time Around - New!
*Max*
Even as I left the Crashdown, I kept hoping Liz would call me back. I wanted so much to talk to her, for her to want to talk to me, in spite of everything. But that didn’t happen. Instead, her mental voice came to me, still hesitant and unsure. *I'm sorry Max...maybe you're right...I guess I'll see you later...*
I tried to hide my disappointment even from myself. Afterall, this was exactly what I was expecting to happen. She had ever reason to not want to be involved right now. She’d told us she didn’t want to talk yet, and Michael came anyway. Then, of course, there was Kyle’s ‘rescue,’ too. I knew she’d feel that way. Why should I be disappointed? I should probably be glad. After all, she did say she’d see me/us later.
*All right,* I tell her, resisting the urge to apologize again. *Whenever you’re ready.*
I climb into the jeep and start it up, although for a moment, I don’t shift it into gear. I’m not sure where I’m going. Home to the townhouse to face everyone there? Or maybe, I think, out to the desert to start the search for the Granolith.
I know it would be close to pointless. There’s tens of thousands of acres of desert out there and I don’t even know where the supposed crash site is. I don’t have the first clue where to look and I don’t even have a bottle of water in the jeep. I could stop and buy some water. The library’s closed but I could start with one of those tourists’ maps. I could pick one up and start with the fiction. It may be very unlikely to yield any real results but I could get lucky. If nothing else, it can keep us busy for a while. I’ll pick the one that’s closest to the road where Liz was found.
It doesn’t take long to find a place that sells what I’m looking for. The woman at the counter tries to flatter me, telling me I look more grounded than most of her customers. I wonder what she would think if she knew she was talking to a real live alien. I buy her map and a video tour of Roswell. She even provides me with the names of two people she claims can give me the most accurate information on the crash-sites. They’re probably just friends but I suppose it won’t hurt to talk to them. She bags it up and I head back ‘home.’
Walking into the townhouse, it’s clear that my arrival has interrupted a still-intense ‘discussion’ between Michael and Isabel. Maria is there, too, silent between them, as ‘though undecided about being furious or supportive of her boyfriend. As I enter the room, they all stop, staring at me.
“How did it go?” Isabel asks, sounding worried.
“I don’t know,” I tell them. “She doesn’t want to talk. At least, not yet.” I look at Michael, almost surprised to see the concern in his face. I bite my tongue, resisting the urge to go off on him. He’s the one who started all this. Thanks to him, I think we can forget any chance of this ‘bonding’ taking place. Well, okay, maybe not just him. Kyle has part of it, too.
Not wanting to crush their hopes, I try to change the subject. “I think we need to concentrate on finding the Granolith right now. Liz already told me she doesn’t remember the pod chamber at all, so I don’t think we need to wait on her, afterall.”
“Sure,” Isabel says, sounding falsely cheerful now. I’m sure she recognizes a diversion when she hears it. Something to keep me busy so I won’t be obsessing over Liz. Something to keep Michael occupied so he won’t be bothering her and Kyle again.
“We still have a few hours of daylight,” I say to Isabel. “Why don’t you fill up some water containers? I’ll get Alex and we can start on something.”
Without waiting for her answer, I head upstairs to find Alex. I give him the same lack-of-progress report and ask if he has any more specific information on where Liz was found so I can compare them to the locations of the various ‘sightings’ in the area. He looks at me oddly as he gets his copies of what he could collect from her files. “These places are miles out of town,” he reminds me, gently. “Even if they’re anything like right, we’ll have less than an hour to look before we’d have to turn back.”
“I know,” I admit. “But an hour is still an hour even if it’s not good.”
Before I can come up with any better argument, my phone rings. With deliberate slowness, I retrieve the phone from my pocket and check the number. It’s local. Could be one of my potential jobs calling back although I wasn’t expecting news from them until day after tomorrow.
Or it could be Liz.
“One second,” I tell Alex, trying not to show any emotion as I step from the room. I put the phone to my ear and say hello just as I cross the threshold into my bedroom. The voice on the line is one I wasn’t expecting to hear again today, or maybe even this week.
"Max...? I'm sorry about before...would you maybe like to come over to my apartment this evening...say around ten...if you still want to talk...?"
I can’t believe she’s actually apologizing to me. She has nothing to be sorry for. But I can’t even think about that in light of her invitation. “Of course, Liz. I’d be happy to see you if you’re sure you’re not too busy…”
Even as I left the Crashdown, I kept hoping Liz would call me back. I wanted so much to talk to her, for her to want to talk to me, in spite of everything. But that didn’t happen. Instead, her mental voice came to me, still hesitant and unsure. *I'm sorry Max...maybe you're right...I guess I'll see you later...*
I tried to hide my disappointment even from myself. Afterall, this was exactly what I was expecting to happen. She had ever reason to not want to be involved right now. She’d told us she didn’t want to talk yet, and Michael came anyway. Then, of course, there was Kyle’s ‘rescue,’ too. I knew she’d feel that way. Why should I be disappointed? I should probably be glad. After all, she did say she’d see me/us later.
*All right,* I tell her, resisting the urge to apologize again. *Whenever you’re ready.*
I climb into the jeep and start it up, although for a moment, I don’t shift it into gear. I’m not sure where I’m going. Home to the townhouse to face everyone there? Or maybe, I think, out to the desert to start the search for the Granolith.
I know it would be close to pointless. There’s tens of thousands of acres of desert out there and I don’t even know where the supposed crash site is. I don’t have the first clue where to look and I don’t even have a bottle of water in the jeep. I could stop and buy some water. The library’s closed but I could start with one of those tourists’ maps. I could pick one up and start with the fiction. It may be very unlikely to yield any real results but I could get lucky. If nothing else, it can keep us busy for a while. I’ll pick the one that’s closest to the road where Liz was found.
It doesn’t take long to find a place that sells what I’m looking for. The woman at the counter tries to flatter me, telling me I look more grounded than most of her customers. I wonder what she would think if she knew she was talking to a real live alien. I buy her map and a video tour of Roswell. She even provides me with the names of two people she claims can give me the most accurate information on the crash-sites. They’re probably just friends but I suppose it won’t hurt to talk to them. She bags it up and I head back ‘home.’
Walking into the townhouse, it’s clear that my arrival has interrupted a still-intense ‘discussion’ between Michael and Isabel. Maria is there, too, silent between them, as ‘though undecided about being furious or supportive of her boyfriend. As I enter the room, they all stop, staring at me.
“How did it go?” Isabel asks, sounding worried.
“I don’t know,” I tell them. “She doesn’t want to talk. At least, not yet.” I look at Michael, almost surprised to see the concern in his face. I bite my tongue, resisting the urge to go off on him. He’s the one who started all this. Thanks to him, I think we can forget any chance of this ‘bonding’ taking place. Well, okay, maybe not just him. Kyle has part of it, too.
Not wanting to crush their hopes, I try to change the subject. “I think we need to concentrate on finding the Granolith right now. Liz already told me she doesn’t remember the pod chamber at all, so I don’t think we need to wait on her, afterall.”
“Sure,” Isabel says, sounding falsely cheerful now. I’m sure she recognizes a diversion when she hears it. Something to keep me busy so I won’t be obsessing over Liz. Something to keep Michael occupied so he won’t be bothering her and Kyle again.
“We still have a few hours of daylight,” I say to Isabel. “Why don’t you fill up some water containers? I’ll get Alex and we can start on something.”
Without waiting for her answer, I head upstairs to find Alex. I give him the same lack-of-progress report and ask if he has any more specific information on where Liz was found so I can compare them to the locations of the various ‘sightings’ in the area. He looks at me oddly as he gets his copies of what he could collect from her files. “These places are miles out of town,” he reminds me, gently. “Even if they’re anything like right, we’ll have less than an hour to look before we’d have to turn back.”
“I know,” I admit. “But an hour is still an hour even if it’s not good.”
Before I can come up with any better argument, my phone rings. With deliberate slowness, I retrieve the phone from my pocket and check the number. It’s local. Could be one of my potential jobs calling back although I wasn’t expecting news from them until day after tomorrow.
Or it could be Liz.
“One second,” I tell Alex, trying not to show any emotion as I step from the room. I put the phone to my ear and say hello just as I cross the threshold into my bedroom. The voice on the line is one I wasn’t expecting to hear again today, or maybe even this week.
"Max...? I'm sorry about before...would you maybe like to come over to my apartment this evening...say around ten...if you still want to talk...?"
I can’t believe she’s actually apologizing to me. She has nothing to be sorry for. But I can’t even think about that in light of her invitation. “Of course, Liz. I’d be happy to see you if you’re sure you’re not too busy…”
-
StormWolfstone
- Roswell Fanatic
- Posts: 1597
- Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2004 11:20 am
- Location: In my mind
~Michael~
After walking out of the Crashdown, I was determined to slowly make my way back to the house where we were staying. I knew that I'd ended up probably making a mess of things but I also felt a bit better about the kid, Kyle. I don't quite know how I could explain this to the others and part of me is positive that there shouldn't be a need for me to say anything other then the fact that I was doing my job, making certain we were truly safe.
Still, I know better then that. I haven't made it that far when I hear the horn on the car Isabel had been driving and turn to see that she and Alex are following slowly. "Get in Michael. We need to talk." She says and I can see that she's in one of her no nonsense moods.
Rather then cause more of a scene, I walk over to the car and climb in the back. "Don't start on me right now." I say stoicly.
"Don't start on you? Don't start on you? Michael, I'm not going to simply leave this alone. You could have made a big mess of things. I can't believe that you could be so stupid. How could you go behind our backs and do something to counteract any good progress Max has made?" Her tone reveals the tension she feels and I can feel my anger building in response to her words.
"How can all of you assume that just because she trusts someone they are safe? How can you ask me not to do one of the things I am meant to do? I'm responsible for keeping everyone safe and protected. If I didn't check him out I would have been shirking my duties! Don't presume to tell me that just because Maxwell feels that it's important to not pressure Liz that I can't check out the possible danger that could be posed by her friend." I countered and for a moment we both fell silent.
In fact, the silence lasted until we made it home and Isabel asked Alex softly, "Can you give me some time with Michael?"
Alex agreed and made his way into the room he shared with Iz before Iz turned to look at me. Maria walked in just at that moment and sat down, obviously feeling the tension in the air, she hadn't said a word.
"Michael, you can't go around deciding when to listen to Max and when not too. It doesn't work this way. You upset Liz by going there, made it look like Max doesn't have control and isn't the leader he's supposed to be. Liz will probably start doubting his word constantly now. You really screwed up."
I start pacing, not really wanting to get into this because I felt that I hadn't done anything wrong, though I did feel guilt at the thought that I might have caused Max problems with Liz. Still, I wouldn't say that I shouldn't have gone. The protectiveness the boy had did ease my mind a little about his having knowledge of who and what we were. "Look, fine. I'll just.... I'll keep watch at times when Liz isnt' around, okay?
"That's a better idea then trying to.." Isabel pauses, "What are you talking about? Were you in there mainly to spy on Kyle?"
"That's pretty much what I was saying, Isabel. I had to make sure we could trust him." I respond.
I have no idea how much time has passed but obviously long enough for Max to come home. I watch him look between me and Isabel and even at Maria.
I'm determined not to say anything and glad when it's Isabel who asks,
“How did it go?” Of course, I know she is worried.
“I don’t know,” Max tells us. “She doesn’t want to talk. At least, not yet.” I feel myself grow concerned and though I hate it, I'm sure it shows in my expression.
“I think we need to concentrate on finding the Granolith right now. Liz already told me she doesn’t remember the pod chamber at all, so I don’t think we need to wait on her, afterall.” Max changes the subject.
Isabel's response is cheerful, though it's obvious that she doesn't really feel it. “Sure,” I can't help but roll my eyes as I wonder just why it seemed as though they were hoping to keep me busy yet again.
“We still have a few hours of daylight,” Max speaks, directing it toward Isabel. “Why don’t you fill up some water containers? I’ll get Alex and we can start on something.”
He walks away before Isabel responds, but I watch her stand and nod. She looks at me, "This isn't over, Michael. Not by a long shot. You'd better start thinking of the group as a whole instead of just what you want to do." She says before she walks out to go to the kitchen and I sigh.
I catch the look on Maria's face and shake my head, "Not you too."
"I didn't say anything." Maria responds and I shrug.
After walking out of the Crashdown, I was determined to slowly make my way back to the house where we were staying. I knew that I'd ended up probably making a mess of things but I also felt a bit better about the kid, Kyle. I don't quite know how I could explain this to the others and part of me is positive that there shouldn't be a need for me to say anything other then the fact that I was doing my job, making certain we were truly safe.
Still, I know better then that. I haven't made it that far when I hear the horn on the car Isabel had been driving and turn to see that she and Alex are following slowly. "Get in Michael. We need to talk." She says and I can see that she's in one of her no nonsense moods.
Rather then cause more of a scene, I walk over to the car and climb in the back. "Don't start on me right now." I say stoicly.
"Don't start on you? Don't start on you? Michael, I'm not going to simply leave this alone. You could have made a big mess of things. I can't believe that you could be so stupid. How could you go behind our backs and do something to counteract any good progress Max has made?" Her tone reveals the tension she feels and I can feel my anger building in response to her words.
"How can all of you assume that just because she trusts someone they are safe? How can you ask me not to do one of the things I am meant to do? I'm responsible for keeping everyone safe and protected. If I didn't check him out I would have been shirking my duties! Don't presume to tell me that just because Maxwell feels that it's important to not pressure Liz that I can't check out the possible danger that could be posed by her friend." I countered and for a moment we both fell silent.
In fact, the silence lasted until we made it home and Isabel asked Alex softly, "Can you give me some time with Michael?"
Alex agreed and made his way into the room he shared with Iz before Iz turned to look at me. Maria walked in just at that moment and sat down, obviously feeling the tension in the air, she hadn't said a word.
"Michael, you can't go around deciding when to listen to Max and when not too. It doesn't work this way. You upset Liz by going there, made it look like Max doesn't have control and isn't the leader he's supposed to be. Liz will probably start doubting his word constantly now. You really screwed up."
I start pacing, not really wanting to get into this because I felt that I hadn't done anything wrong, though I did feel guilt at the thought that I might have caused Max problems with Liz. Still, I wouldn't say that I shouldn't have gone. The protectiveness the boy had did ease my mind a little about his having knowledge of who and what we were. "Look, fine. I'll just.... I'll keep watch at times when Liz isnt' around, okay?
"That's a better idea then trying to.." Isabel pauses, "What are you talking about? Were you in there mainly to spy on Kyle?"
"That's pretty much what I was saying, Isabel. I had to make sure we could trust him." I respond.
I have no idea how much time has passed but obviously long enough for Max to come home. I watch him look between me and Isabel and even at Maria.
I'm determined not to say anything and glad when it's Isabel who asks,
“How did it go?” Of course, I know she is worried.
“I don’t know,” Max tells us. “She doesn’t want to talk. At least, not yet.” I feel myself grow concerned and though I hate it, I'm sure it shows in my expression.
“I think we need to concentrate on finding the Granolith right now. Liz already told me she doesn’t remember the pod chamber at all, so I don’t think we need to wait on her, afterall.” Max changes the subject.
Isabel's response is cheerful, though it's obvious that she doesn't really feel it. “Sure,” I can't help but roll my eyes as I wonder just why it seemed as though they were hoping to keep me busy yet again.
“We still have a few hours of daylight,” Max speaks, directing it toward Isabel. “Why don’t you fill up some water containers? I’ll get Alex and we can start on something.”
He walks away before Isabel responds, but I watch her stand and nod. She looks at me, "This isn't over, Michael. Not by a long shot. You'd better start thinking of the group as a whole instead of just what you want to do." She says before she walks out to go to the kitchen and I sigh.
I catch the look on Maria's face and shake my head, "Not you too."
"I didn't say anything." Maria responds and I shrug.
A List of All My Fics
My Avatar is an amazing Thai actor named Earth, he also goes by Cooheart and the BL's he acts in inspire writing.
My Avatar is an amazing Thai actor named Earth, he also goes by Cooheart and the BL's he acts in inspire writing.
Okay...Kat wants to skip ahead, so I hope this works for everyone...
*Max*
Three weeks in Roswell today. Funny how much things have changed. I could hardly believe it when Liz actually did call back shortly after the Michael incident. Michael explained that he only wanted to check out Kyle and he seemed to be genuinely sorry about disturbing Liz, which, given how much he was pushing the whole ‘bonding’ issue, I believe. I just wish he could have realized the impact of his actions before he went plowing ahead with his odd plan.
When she did call, Liz used the phone. I remember trying so hard to be casual about it, while being scared to death that she’d take my friendly words as some kind of pushing. As soon as she’d mentioned Isabel, I pushed her off on my sister and let her handle the questions that Liz had. We kept Michael off the phone and away from Liz, never letting him talk to her without ‘supervision’ for almost two weeks.
The next day, I’d gotten word about landing a job so all-in-all it was a real turning point for me.
A few days after her call, Alex arranged that horseback riding trip he’d mentioned. Kyle came along, too, of course. I tried to keep my distance from both of them but naturally the rest of the group had other ideas. Before I knew it, Alex and Isabel had Kyle isolated, involving him in some animated topic, while Maria continued to keep Michael at a distance, leaving Liz and I riding together for most of the second half of the trip. And in the end, we both had rather a nice time talking to each other.
By that time, Liz had explained about Sheriff Valenti and we had shared a lot more information about where Liz came from and what that meant. It got easier all the time as she became more and more familiar with the things we’d grown up knowing. I also assured her that returning to Antar wasn’t contingent on ‘bonding’ with me. The two were independent and it was her world whether she was a Queen or not. Although, I do feel it might be hard for her. The pressure that Michael puts on us is nothing compared to what we’ll likely to face there, if we arrive together, but not married…
Since then, we’ve had a group trip rollerblading, practice sessions for her powers, and a few hikes in the desert. The pod chamber location is as elusive as ever. The location where Liz was found is so removed from the reported crash sites, I often wonder if Nacedo moved her, deliberately placing her where she’d be found. I haven’t voiced this concern to anyone because of the duplicity implied: that more than simply not re-uniting us when he could, he may have deliberately separated us from the start. I haven’t been able to come up with any good reason for that and Nacedo is no longer here to question…
But tonight, tonight we’re going out together. Just the two of us for the first time since the day we arrived here and I first rang her doorbell. Pizza and bowling, nothing special, but it’s a first that I’m looking forward to.
Why the hell can’t I get my hair to lie straight? I’m about to use my powers when Isabel appears in the mirror, grinning so wide I know she’s about to laugh. “Yes, it’s very funny,” I say sarcastically. “Are you planning to help me or just watch?”
“Turn around,” she said, the amusement in her voice was more than evident. In a moment, she’d sorted my hair and had me turn around to inspect her handiwork in the mirror. “Nice,” I tell her, and then put on my jacket.
“You look as nervous as a 14-year-old on his first date,” she laughs.
“This is my first real date,” I remind her. Those few times I went out with one of the girls from New York, I always knew it was practice. I knew it wasn’t real. Not like this. Even all the times we’ve gone out as a group with Liz made me nervous, but this will be a real test. As much as I always want to show her my best side, I don’t want to lie to her. I need to be honest. Let her see the real me, just as I’m hoping I’m seeing the real Liz. It’s the only way to know if this is really going to have any chance of working. “I guess I’m ready to go.”
.
*Max*
Three weeks in Roswell today. Funny how much things have changed. I could hardly believe it when Liz actually did call back shortly after the Michael incident. Michael explained that he only wanted to check out Kyle and he seemed to be genuinely sorry about disturbing Liz, which, given how much he was pushing the whole ‘bonding’ issue, I believe. I just wish he could have realized the impact of his actions before he went plowing ahead with his odd plan.
When she did call, Liz used the phone. I remember trying so hard to be casual about it, while being scared to death that she’d take my friendly words as some kind of pushing. As soon as she’d mentioned Isabel, I pushed her off on my sister and let her handle the questions that Liz had. We kept Michael off the phone and away from Liz, never letting him talk to her without ‘supervision’ for almost two weeks.
The next day, I’d gotten word about landing a job so all-in-all it was a real turning point for me.
A few days after her call, Alex arranged that horseback riding trip he’d mentioned. Kyle came along, too, of course. I tried to keep my distance from both of them but naturally the rest of the group had other ideas. Before I knew it, Alex and Isabel had Kyle isolated, involving him in some animated topic, while Maria continued to keep Michael at a distance, leaving Liz and I riding together for most of the second half of the trip. And in the end, we both had rather a nice time talking to each other.
By that time, Liz had explained about Sheriff Valenti and we had shared a lot more information about where Liz came from and what that meant. It got easier all the time as she became more and more familiar with the things we’d grown up knowing. I also assured her that returning to Antar wasn’t contingent on ‘bonding’ with me. The two were independent and it was her world whether she was a Queen or not. Although, I do feel it might be hard for her. The pressure that Michael puts on us is nothing compared to what we’ll likely to face there, if we arrive together, but not married…
Since then, we’ve had a group trip rollerblading, practice sessions for her powers, and a few hikes in the desert. The pod chamber location is as elusive as ever. The location where Liz was found is so removed from the reported crash sites, I often wonder if Nacedo moved her, deliberately placing her where she’d be found. I haven’t voiced this concern to anyone because of the duplicity implied: that more than simply not re-uniting us when he could, he may have deliberately separated us from the start. I haven’t been able to come up with any good reason for that and Nacedo is no longer here to question…
But tonight, tonight we’re going out together. Just the two of us for the first time since the day we arrived here and I first rang her doorbell. Pizza and bowling, nothing special, but it’s a first that I’m looking forward to.
Why the hell can’t I get my hair to lie straight? I’m about to use my powers when Isabel appears in the mirror, grinning so wide I know she’s about to laugh. “Yes, it’s very funny,” I say sarcastically. “Are you planning to help me or just watch?”
“Turn around,” she said, the amusement in her voice was more than evident. In a moment, she’d sorted my hair and had me turn around to inspect her handiwork in the mirror. “Nice,” I tell her, and then put on my jacket.
“You look as nervous as a 14-year-old on his first date,” she laughs.
“This is my first real date,” I remind her. Those few times I went out with one of the girls from New York, I always knew it was practice. I knew it wasn’t real. Not like this. Even all the times we’ve gone out as a group with Liz made me nervous, but this will be a real test. As much as I always want to show her my best side, I don’t want to lie to her. I need to be honest. Let her see the real me, just as I’m hoping I’m seeing the real Liz. It’s the only way to know if this is really going to have any chance of working. “I guess I’m ready to go.”
.
-
KatnotKath
- Roswell Fanatic
- Posts: 1130
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2003 5:54 am
- Location: UK
- Contact:
~Liz~
Is it really only three weeks ago that Max first knocked on my door...? Three weeks since I found out that everything that I had always believed was false...? I wonder to myself as I sit on the bed in my room, some books spread out in front of me that I've been trying to work from.
It's not easy though... I've got so many thoughts, so many things to talk about...to think about...to consider and maybe even to decide... Part of me just wants to go back to the life I used to have...where my biggest worry or concern, depending on who I was talking to would be paying my rent, or keeping my grades up at school... That's not going to happen though...I've been thrown head first into a world with aliens, kings and princesses, betrothals... I shake my head even at the thought of it and push away the book I was trying to read. There's just too much going on in my head right now...
I don't really know why I called Max when I did that night... I wasn't really ready, I know that... I was still completely shaken from everything that had happened that night - from Michael's unexpected visit, to the two jerks who tried feeling me up... I was in pieces, and all I really wanted to be doing at the end of my shift was going back to my apartment and going to bed.
Somehow I just felt that I had to phone him though... After everything that had happened, I guess I realised it was important...
Oh boy...I am so nervous... It's not that I haven't been on a date before, of course I have...but somehow this is just so much more serious... When Max asked me out, I wasn't really sure if I was ready... I'm not sure I am now really, but I am looking forward to it...
So far, there have only been two occassions when it was just the two of us...that first night, and the night I called him back after the incident at the Crashdown...
Max came over that night, after my shift. I knew that I had work to do, but yet I also knew that this was too important to ignore... I put off the work I had by one night, and Max came over to talk... I offered him something to eat, given that I was hungry anyway, but he refused so I only made for myself...
We didn't really talk about anything major that night... I think that Max realised Michael had really upset me and didn't want to push... In fact, when I called up, he passed me over to Isabel almost straight away. But you see the thing was, Isabel is perfectly nice an all, but I had called him...I needed to speak to him...
We talked a little more about ourselves, each of us letting the other get to know Liz and Max respectively as opposed to Lareina and Zanelroi... We just about touched on the aspect of powers, but that was as far as it went... It was as much as I could manage, but it was a start...
I didn't see any of them again for a few days... School was hectic and I had a heavy work-load. Combine that with my shifts at the Crashdown, and I needed my time in the evening to get my homework done. Much as I know they wanted to, the simple fact was I just didn't have time for Max, Isabel, Alex or Maria...
The day after we met was both the first, and last time Max appeared at school uninvited... Kyle continued to give me a lift to and from school, and things pretty much went back to normal for a few days...
When it came to the weekend, Alex arranged that horseriding he had suggested earlier... I have to admit I was a bit hesitant given that it included Michael, but since Kyle was invited too, I did accept in the end.
It was strange at first... The idea of going out with them surely was to get to know them, and yet Max seemed reluctant to come anywhere close to me. Kyle was with me though of course, and we had a good morning... The afternoon went a little differently, and I ended up spending most of it with Max. When he started talkng, I realised once more than he still wasnt completely convinced about Kyle... I don't know why, because even if there was something going on, it's not like I would be doing anything wrong, but that made me feel guilty... I wanted to tell him again that there was nothing going on, but I guess I was scared of him thinking I meant something by that which I didn't...
Instead, we simply talked... Again, like before, we didn't really touch on the major stuff, just concentrated on getting to know each other a little better... He told me about being on the running team at school, and I told him about the time Kyle had convinced me to try out for the cheerleading squad - another huge mistake there, but it's over and done now, and at least I can smile about it...
Since then there have been other group activities...most of which Kyle's been included in too. Basically we've been getting to know each other - Max, Isabel, Maria, even Michael, Kyle and I in particular. I found it was surprising what I actually have in common with them, other than the obvious of course. You might think that the age difference would wipe out most things, but you'd be surprised...
Getting to know them as a group has actually been pretty good, and I like what I've found out about them...
Thing is, this isn't just about 'friendship' is it? Max and I have tried to ignore it to some extent, but there's still this big issue lying there... Michael's tried to bring it up a few times - quickly silenced by one of the others, but keeping silent about it doesn't change the fact that it's there...
Max tells me that going 'home' - back to our planet - isn't conditional on us being together, but in truth, when I see the way Michael is acting about it, I can't imagine what might happen if we did all go back and I wasn't 'with' him.
Of course the idea of leaving Earth is still one I'm trying to get my head around... It would mean leaving Kyle, Mr Valenti...it would mean forgetting college and all that stuff... Do I want that...? Am I ready for it...? I don't know, but I guess it's a pretty academic question right at this moment in time given that we still haven't found the granolith...
Kyle keeps telling me over and over that I don't have to do anything I don't want to...but deep down, now that I know the truth...I have this wierd feeling of obligation to a people I've never even known...
Is obligation enough to commit to spending your whole life with someone though...? I mean this is HUGE - this is talking about my whole life changing forever... I'm not talking about whether I'm a queen or a princess on this other world, I'm talking about me...about my life... Michael's already getting impatient, I'm going to have to give an answer some day...
With all these thoughts going round in my head, I suddenly notice the time, realising it's less than half an hour before Max is supposed to be picking me up. Luckily we're not going anywhere that special, just bowling and a pizza, but still, I do want to look nice... Shooting up from my bed, I dart over to my closet, opening it and pulling out some nice low-rise jeans I have. I think I'll pair it with a red top - Kyle's always said the colour suits me...
Hunting through my small wardrobe, I can't find anything of the type I'm thinking though... I hunt through again, looking for something else but nothing really catches my eye and in the end I decide to modify an existing top a little. Pulling out an old, plain red t-shirt, I pull it on over my head and set to work. Shrink the arms a little, lower the neck, tighten it so that it fits a bit better, and change the weight of the material - when I'm done, I have something completely different to that which I started with.
I peer criticallly in the mirror. Do I look okay? Maybe it rides up too much... I do wear a lot of stuff like this but maybe it makes me look too young...? I'm just debating whether or not to do a little more adjusting, when I hear a knocking at the door. Immediately I look over at the clock, worried that it might be Max given that I know I'm not ready. I still have another fifteen minutes or so before he's due though...
Having established it's probably not Max then, I hurry through into my living/dining/kitchen area and over to the door to see who it is. I peer out the spy hole carefully, and then smile as I recognise the figure stood at my door. I open it quickly and smile, motioning for him to come in. "Hey Kyle..."
Is it really only three weeks ago that Max first knocked on my door...? Three weeks since I found out that everything that I had always believed was false...? I wonder to myself as I sit on the bed in my room, some books spread out in front of me that I've been trying to work from.
It's not easy though... I've got so many thoughts, so many things to talk about...to think about...to consider and maybe even to decide... Part of me just wants to go back to the life I used to have...where my biggest worry or concern, depending on who I was talking to would be paying my rent, or keeping my grades up at school... That's not going to happen though...I've been thrown head first into a world with aliens, kings and princesses, betrothals... I shake my head even at the thought of it and push away the book I was trying to read. There's just too much going on in my head right now...
I don't really know why I called Max when I did that night... I wasn't really ready, I know that... I was still completely shaken from everything that had happened that night - from Michael's unexpected visit, to the two jerks who tried feeling me up... I was in pieces, and all I really wanted to be doing at the end of my shift was going back to my apartment and going to bed.
Somehow I just felt that I had to phone him though... After everything that had happened, I guess I realised it was important...
Oh boy...I am so nervous... It's not that I haven't been on a date before, of course I have...but somehow this is just so much more serious... When Max asked me out, I wasn't really sure if I was ready... I'm not sure I am now really, but I am looking forward to it...
So far, there have only been two occassions when it was just the two of us...that first night, and the night I called him back after the incident at the Crashdown...
Max came over that night, after my shift. I knew that I had work to do, but yet I also knew that this was too important to ignore... I put off the work I had by one night, and Max came over to talk... I offered him something to eat, given that I was hungry anyway, but he refused so I only made for myself...
We didn't really talk about anything major that night... I think that Max realised Michael had really upset me and didn't want to push... In fact, when I called up, he passed me over to Isabel almost straight away. But you see the thing was, Isabel is perfectly nice an all, but I had called him...I needed to speak to him...
We talked a little more about ourselves, each of us letting the other get to know Liz and Max respectively as opposed to Lareina and Zanelroi... We just about touched on the aspect of powers, but that was as far as it went... It was as much as I could manage, but it was a start...
I didn't see any of them again for a few days... School was hectic and I had a heavy work-load. Combine that with my shifts at the Crashdown, and I needed my time in the evening to get my homework done. Much as I know they wanted to, the simple fact was I just didn't have time for Max, Isabel, Alex or Maria...
The day after we met was both the first, and last time Max appeared at school uninvited... Kyle continued to give me a lift to and from school, and things pretty much went back to normal for a few days...
When it came to the weekend, Alex arranged that horseriding he had suggested earlier... I have to admit I was a bit hesitant given that it included Michael, but since Kyle was invited too, I did accept in the end.
It was strange at first... The idea of going out with them surely was to get to know them, and yet Max seemed reluctant to come anywhere close to me. Kyle was with me though of course, and we had a good morning... The afternoon went a little differently, and I ended up spending most of it with Max. When he started talkng, I realised once more than he still wasnt completely convinced about Kyle... I don't know why, because even if there was something going on, it's not like I would be doing anything wrong, but that made me feel guilty... I wanted to tell him again that there was nothing going on, but I guess I was scared of him thinking I meant something by that which I didn't...
Instead, we simply talked... Again, like before, we didn't really touch on the major stuff, just concentrated on getting to know each other a little better... He told me about being on the running team at school, and I told him about the time Kyle had convinced me to try out for the cheerleading squad - another huge mistake there, but it's over and done now, and at least I can smile about it...
Since then there have been other group activities...most of which Kyle's been included in too. Basically we've been getting to know each other - Max, Isabel, Maria, even Michael, Kyle and I in particular. I found it was surprising what I actually have in common with them, other than the obvious of course. You might think that the age difference would wipe out most things, but you'd be surprised...
Getting to know them as a group has actually been pretty good, and I like what I've found out about them...
Thing is, this isn't just about 'friendship' is it? Max and I have tried to ignore it to some extent, but there's still this big issue lying there... Michael's tried to bring it up a few times - quickly silenced by one of the others, but keeping silent about it doesn't change the fact that it's there...
Max tells me that going 'home' - back to our planet - isn't conditional on us being together, but in truth, when I see the way Michael is acting about it, I can't imagine what might happen if we did all go back and I wasn't 'with' him.
Of course the idea of leaving Earth is still one I'm trying to get my head around... It would mean leaving Kyle, Mr Valenti...it would mean forgetting college and all that stuff... Do I want that...? Am I ready for it...? I don't know, but I guess it's a pretty academic question right at this moment in time given that we still haven't found the granolith...
Kyle keeps telling me over and over that I don't have to do anything I don't want to...but deep down, now that I know the truth...I have this wierd feeling of obligation to a people I've never even known...
Is obligation enough to commit to spending your whole life with someone though...? I mean this is HUGE - this is talking about my whole life changing forever... I'm not talking about whether I'm a queen or a princess on this other world, I'm talking about me...about my life... Michael's already getting impatient, I'm going to have to give an answer some day...
With all these thoughts going round in my head, I suddenly notice the time, realising it's less than half an hour before Max is supposed to be picking me up. Luckily we're not going anywhere that special, just bowling and a pizza, but still, I do want to look nice... Shooting up from my bed, I dart over to my closet, opening it and pulling out some nice low-rise jeans I have. I think I'll pair it with a red top - Kyle's always said the colour suits me...
Hunting through my small wardrobe, I can't find anything of the type I'm thinking though... I hunt through again, looking for something else but nothing really catches my eye and in the end I decide to modify an existing top a little. Pulling out an old, plain red t-shirt, I pull it on over my head and set to work. Shrink the arms a little, lower the neck, tighten it so that it fits a bit better, and change the weight of the material - when I'm done, I have something completely different to that which I started with.
I peer criticallly in the mirror. Do I look okay? Maybe it rides up too much... I do wear a lot of stuff like this but maybe it makes me look too young...? I'm just debating whether or not to do a little more adjusting, when I hear a knocking at the door. Immediately I look over at the clock, worried that it might be Max given that I know I'm not ready. I still have another fifteen minutes or so before he's due though...
Having established it's probably not Max then, I hurry through into my living/dining/kitchen area and over to the door to see who it is. I peer out the spy hole carefully, and then smile as I recognise the figure stood at my door. I open it quickly and smile, motioning for him to come in. "Hey Kyle..."
My fics:
Dreams and Reality
Reality Revealed
Family Connections
When Love and Loss Collide
When Friendship and Love Combine - New!
If Only...
The Important Thing
Home for Christmas
I Knew Him Before (PB fic)
Love Always...
The First Time Around - New!
Dreams and Reality
Reality Revealed
Family Connections
When Love and Loss Collide
When Friendship and Love Combine - New!
If Only...
The Important Thing
Home for Christmas
I Knew Him Before (PB fic)
Love Always...
The First Time Around - New!