Roswell Fanatics

*Kyle*

"Hey Liz. You look really nice," I say as she answers the door in some tight jeans that look crisp and new, and a short red top. I've always thought she looked particularly cute in red. I don't usually pay too much attention to her clothes but that top is great. I think I would have remembered it if I'd seen it before. "New shirt?" I ask.

~Liz~

I smile at the way Kyle greets me, although I do feel my cheeks grow a little hot and I’m guessing I’m flushing a little… What can I say, I struggle with compliements… I laugh inwardly at myself and nod at Kyle. “Thanks…” Again I gesture to him. “Do you want to come in…?”

Max is due in a little while, but given that Kyle’s here I’m not going to turn him away… Besides, I’ve told him over and over that there’s nothing going on between Kyle and I, we’re just good friends… It’s Max I’m getting ready to go on a date with isn’t it…?

I smile again as Kyle asks about my top and nod. “Kinda… Does it look okay…? I’ve got this date with Max of course and I wanted to look nice but I don’t know, maybe it looks too young…?” I swallow and wait to see what he’ll think. Max is twenty…maybe I shouldn’t be looking like a schoolgirl…even if that’s what I am really…

A date… Why does that sound so scary…? Well, maybe not scary, but certainly not normal… I’ve been on dates before, I might not have had a proper boyfriend, but I’ve been out to movies, for pizza… This isn’t anything new, except for one thing…who it’s with…

*Kyle*

Oh right. Max.

Funny how I managed to just completely forget that. Wasn't that supposed to be tomorrow night?

It's not that I really have anything against Max. Not any more, I mean. He came on so suddenly and there was so much dumped on Liz at one time, it made me all feel very protective of her. Especially as he's so much older than her. But after the last few weeks, it's different. I mean, for a guy who came charging in with talk about alien kings, he's really pretty normal. Kinda quiet, secretive, I guess, but mostly, normal...

Except for the part where he expects Liz to be his wife just because of some arrangements made before either of them were born.

Or maybe that's not fair. He hasn't really insisted, but it's still there...

I mentally shrug. Isabel and Maria and Alex are all pretty cool, too. It's only Michael who still annoys me just by breathing. Even when he's not saying anything, you know he's thinking about Max and Liz being together, fulfilling the 'plan.'

But wait. Liz asked a question.

"It looks great, Liz," I tell her, 'cause it's the truth. "And you are what you are. It's not your fault he's so much older. And you're only going bowling, not to the Senior Prom or something."

I'd actually been there whan Max finally explained that. Afterall, his mom and her mom were supposed to be pregnant at the same time and they also had only 9 or 10 months of pregnancy. But something had gone wrong with the pods and the technician was dead. Nacedo didn't have the technical savy to open the pods correctly in their damaged condition. Only Michael's could still be discharged correctly. Nacedo had been stuck with waiting for someone to come and help but that couldn't happen until after Khivar was overthrown, or it would draw attention to their hiding place. Years later, Khivar was still in power when Max and Isabel reached the maximum age and the pods automatically discharged their 'passengers.' At that time, Nacedo decanted Michael, too, although he was still a few months younger. Liz was still only about five months younger than Max and Isabel, but she couldn't be decanted safely. The pod slowed maturation by ten to one, so she was born only when she was too old to remain in the pod -- almost four years later -- still six years old when the others were already ten...

"Say," I say, my eyebrows rising as another thought crosses my mind. "Do you, uh, need a ride to his place? I'll be happy to give you a lift."

The first time we went up there, we ran into Max's neighbors, Terry and Sarah. I'd chatted with Sarah while the others were discussing the best way to get to the place for horse-back riding and I thought she was really nice. Since then, I've run into her at school a few times and once at the development. Maybe she'll be around today, too. It's not the prom, but we do have the Sophmore Dance coming up. Maybe I should ask her...

~Liz~

As I mention Max, I see a certain look pass over Kyle’s face. I guess he’d forgotten that was today…

To be fair both he and Max do get on a lot better than they did when they first met though… It’s Michael Kyle still has a problem with, and I can’t say I’d be comfortable being with him alone as yet…

See the difference between Michael and Max, is that Max knows what is expected, but he doesn’t push it… Whereas Michael, even when he isn’t talking about it, I know he’s thinking it…

Not once has Max tried to push me…we agreed to give this a go – to try going out on a few dates, but we’re taking it slow…which is what I need…I can’t deal with anything more at the moment, and I don’t really know whether I ever will be able to…

Certainly the age difference is still a big thing… I know that it wasn’t intended…that I was supposed to be only a few months younger than the others, but it doesn’t change the fact that it didn’t happen… We were meant to have grown up on Antar, together… Max and I were both supposed to have grown up knowing what was expected, just as Nacedo made sure Max did, and I’m sure that if that had happened it would be a whole lot different from now. It didn’t though…we’ve grown up on earth, apart…me not even knowing about the others, and they’re four years older than me… It’s just complicated…

“It looks great, Liz”

As Kyle responds to my question, drawing me out of my thoughts and back to the present… “Thanks…”

“And you are what you are. It’s not your fault he’s so much older. And you’re only going bowling, not to the Senior Prom or something…”

I give a small smile of thanks for his reassurance, although his mention of the Senior Prom does make me think… Am I even going to get a Senior Prom…am I going to be here to go…? The plain answer is that I really don’t know… Even if Max and I decide we can made a go of this, we still have to find the Granolith to go back, so we might still be searching I guess… I sigh and push such thoughts to the back of my head. That’s a long way in the future, and for now the present is about all I can handle…

Turning my attention back to Kyle, I can almost see that he’s considering something. I wait, and after a moment he offers to give me a lift to Max’s place if I need one. I shake my head in amusement. “This offer wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain blond we know lives on the complex would it…?” I theorise in a slightly teasing manner. Kyle certainly seems to get on well with Sarah from everything that I’ve seen, and certainly they’d make a cute couple. She’s a nice girl…

I watch the expression on his face for a moment and then shake my head, giving an apologetic look back. “Sorry Kyle…Max is picking me up from here in…” I check the clock. Argh! I now have about ten minutes if that! “…about ten minutes…” I give an awkward smile. “I’m afraid I don’t really have time to play hostess…I have to finish getting ready, but if you want a soda there’s a pack in the fridge…” I offer quickly as I head back through into my bedroom to fix my hair.

First of all I put it up in a twist…certainly it’s a more mature style, but somehow I don’t know, maybe it’s too severe…? Deciding to take advantage of the fact that Kyle is here, I walk out and stop in front of him. “What do you think, hair up…or…” I release the pins holding it and allow my hair to fall down over my shoulders. “…down…?” I ask him expectantly. Given that I don’t exactly have any ‘close’ girlfriends’, I’ve asked him things like this plenty of times before and I’m sure Kyle’s used to it by now…

*Kyle*

“This offer wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain blond we know lives on the complex would it…?” Liz teases me.

"Who? Isabel?" I ask feigning innocence, but I realize at once that it didn't work so I give it up. "She may not be Queen of Antar, but I think Sarah's a nice girl."

Liz's seems to be distracted by the clock and suddenly her mind is on something else as she moves on to asking about her appearance again.“What do you think, hair up…or …down…?”

I resist the urge to shrug and tell her I don't know. She really wants me to offer an opinion, I know, but I don't want to tell her something that goes counter to her thoughts. Tilting my head to one side, I think about it. Up does seem a bit formal for bowling -- wouldn't it fall down? Nah, maybe not since she has her powers going for her. But I'm guessing she thinks 'down' is too 'young.'

"How about half up?" I suggest. "You know, where you do that thing with taking the top part of your hair, above your ears, and pull that into a small braid that falls back over the rest of your hair that is still loose?"

I turn to open the fridge and see about that soda Liz offered and try to be casual as I ask. "Do you think Sarah likes me?"

~Liz~

I smile and nod as Kyle gives me his suggestion. It’s a good compromise, and I know that everyone says that I suit my hair down… “Thanks…” Without bothering to go back into the bedroom this time, I step back slightly and then proceed to fix my hair in the way suggested. I run my hand over the back once I’m done to make sure it’s neat and tidy, and then think a moment before using my powers again to put on a little clear mascara and lip gloss. Nothing major, because like Kyle says, it’s only bowling, but I think that something was needed…

As Kyle asks about Sarah, I smile and laugh. “Well, I for one think she’d be crazy if she didn’t…” I tell him lightly. His mention of Sarah has brought back his earlier words though, his attempt at a joke… Queen of Antar…that’s really not so funny… I swallow and bite my lip, forcing another smile as I tell myself he really didn’t mean anything by it.

Checking the clock, I see that I still have another five minutes or so. Clothes, hair, make-up…I think I’m just about done… My jacket is on the back of the sofa, and I don’t think I really need a bag… I nod, satisfied that I am ready now, and sit down on the sofa, patting the seat to the side of me as I look over at Kyle. “Going to sit with me for a little bit…?” I ask hopefully.

I know I don’t have long, but I just need a few minutes… A few minutes of normal… As much as I tell myself there’s no reason to be, I can’t deny I’m nervous about this… It isn’t just another date like when I’ve been out with a new guy on the team in the past…it’s so much more… Am I ready for it…? Honestly…? – I don’t really know… I enjoy spending time with Max and the others, and I am looking forward to spending some time with him, but this crosses a line… Tonight we’re going from being friends spending time with each other, to going out on a date…to giving ‘us’ a go…

It’s nothing major of course, bowling and a pizza, simple…fun…but still, it changes everything…

I swallow and chew the inside of my lip, fiddling a little with the braid in my hair as I look back at Kyle. I don’t know if I’m ready for this…

OOC: hope this works. Michael's is short at the moment cause I moved the original file and can't remember where (I kind of didn't name it properly) but as soon as I find it, I'll be posting Michael again.

~Isabel~

I just couldn't resist checking on my brother, after all I knew he was nervous and I found it rather funny. Walking in, I seem him looking in the mirror, obviously frustrated with his hair and move closer grinning even as I try not to bust out laughing. “Yes, it’s very funny,” he says sarcastically and I fight the urge to laugh even more. “Are you planning to help me or just watch?”

“Turn around,” I tell him, not trying to hide the tone of amusement. In a moment, with only a light use of power, I'd managed to settle his hair and had him turn so he could inspect it even as I knew it would be good.

“Nice,” Max says and I watch as he puts his jacket on.

“You look as nervous as a 14-year-old on his first date,” I laughed, finally not holding it back. He was so tense and nerved up that it was funny to me.

“This is my first real date,” Max reminds me and I know what he means. The New York girls were practice, that's it. He'd always known that there would come a day when he might need to have the knowledge one gained from a date. “I guess I’m ready to go.”

Putting my hand on his shoulder, I smile. "Max, you'll be fine. Just relax and remember, no matter how things seem, you and Liz are friends first. I'm proud of you, proud of how well you've been doing. You've made progress without rushing. Now, take a deep breath and smile. You are charming and look impressive, she'll be taken with you." I reach up to fix
the collar of his jacket, suddenly feeling as though there was something really changing. Looking at my brother, I feel sad. This is a step in the positive, but I feel as though we've stepped over a line and I'm uncertain about how it will effect us.

With a sigh, I smiled. "Don't forget the flowers you ordered." I reminded him, knowing he probably wouldn't like the fact that I'd been listening into that conversation.




~Michael~


I paced the floor waiting for Max to show himself. I knew he was going out with Liz, finally. I just wish that things could be moving a bit faster. This is frustrating and I am already sick of this damned tourist town. Not to mention, Maria has been nagging me a great deal lately. I love her, I do... it's just sometimes I think she'd be better off without me. I'm worried I'll end up hurting her in the end.

How Isabel can not have the same reservations about Alex is beyond me. I shook my head as I watched Isabel get up and head towards Max's room. Maybe she would be able to get Max moving. The sooner this night was over, the sooner we could get things situated. The sooner we could go Home and take care of things.

*Max*

I listen to Isabel as she gives me some last minute support and advice. I can hear the love in her voice and I know she's as pleased and proud as she says. "Thanks, Isabel," I say, quietly.

I can't believe the butterflies that have suddenly appeared in my stomach. As I've gotten to know Liz a little, I've tried to imagine what it would be like to be married to her, to share my life with her. But all that was about just being together, friends, partners. But now I'm on a date. A date means romance. Kissing. Maybe not tonight, but soon. If this is going to work I have to start thinking that way.

She is cute as anything. I do love talking to her and learning all about her life and how she feels about things -- (even if a lot of what I learn about her life makes me more and more confused about what Nacedo was doing and why.) I like her a lot. She's a great person and I want to be great friends. But I still don't know about 'love.'

"Don't forget the flowers you ordered." Isabel reminds me. I hadn't realized she knew about that. I can't imagine how unless she overheard me on the phone. Still, right now my mind is on other things.

"I'll pick them up on the way," I promise her. A glance at the clock tells me that I'd best be going or I'll be late. "Gotta run. Wish me luck," I tell her, although effectively, she already has.

I hurry down the stairs and find Michael in the living room. His expression isn't nearly as warm as Isabel's was. "Hey Michael. Cheer up," I tell him. "You should be glad."

I know he's not glad. Things are moving in the right direction, but he's still mad that it isn't going faster. In his mind, we should have been on our first date three weeks ago, and be fully bonded by now. As slow as we've gone, I still feel a bit rushed. If this starts to really work out, then we'll soon be gone and everything will be different. I'm excited about that, of course, and I want to see it, but I don't want to lose everything we've known here...

Of course, we still won't be going anywhere until we find the Granolith.

*bumping for Michael.


*Kyle*

“Going to sit with me for a little bit…?” Liz asks, sounding like she needs me to say yes; needs it very badly.

"Of course," I say, although I would have agreed anyway. I have nowhere special to go. And if she needs me here, then I'm more than happy to sit with her. Max is okay, but if she's this nervous about it, I have to wonder if this is really the right choice. I wonder if I should suggest that she cancel. I'm sure Max will understand, and if he doesn't, well, then he's not the guy for her. He had promised he wouldn't push...

I set down the soda I'd started for myself before asking, "Want me to get a soda for you, too?"

ooc: sorry it didn't get up earlier... lots of things happened to cause me to lag behind.... hope this is okay..... as I said once before I think... I felt like something was missing, I still do.... but can't think on what.

~Michael~

While Max was getting ready for his first official date, I couldn't help but wonder why the hell it had taken so long. Of course everyone else was always telling me that I needed to be patient, that I needed to give them time to grow together. Like Hell! As far as I'm concerned they both need to just get it over with and bond so we can get the show on the road. We've spent years trying to learn everything we can.

I've wanted more then anything to go back to where we belong and have a home. Sure, there have been times when I felt like there couldn't be anything better then there was at those moments. Times when simply having Maria laying next to me were feeling like home. But, there was always something that would make me feel like I was missing something.

All these small outings with Liz and her lapdog Kyle were simply annoying and to me a waste of time. Of course, I admit that much of the tension was my fault, how am I supposed to loosen up towards the Sheriff's son, whom if he decided could say something to his father and have my family in a whole world of hell. That's right, even though his protectiveness over Liz impressed me, I still didn't trust him. He might be protective over Liz, but he didn't have the same feelings towards the rest of us.

So, of course pacing was my habit when I was angry, frustrated or thinking... which the entire time I was waiting for Max to make his appearance I was a little of everything. Then, he finally makes his appearance outside the room, Isabel not far behind. I can tell Isabel is amused by this entire situation from her expression even as Max says, "Hey Michael. Cheer up, You should be glad."

I simply stop my pacing and look at him, me expression I'm sure saying it all. "Don't mess up, Maxwell." I simply respond, instantly feeling a twinge of guilt since I'm rather certain that his nervousness already has him feeling as though he was going to do just that.

"Michael, why don't you go get Maria and go on an outing or something before I feed you your own boot." Isabel commented even as she placed a hand on Max's arm and smiled at him, "My brother will be just fine as long as he remembers to be himself and relax." Her voice of course was meant to be calm and assuring which I'm certain works some for Max though never completely.

Grudgingly, I look at Max, "Good luck, Maxwell."

Before anyone can say another word with me there, I walk off towards the room Maria and I share, though she's already been sitting in the living room watching me pace. I know that if I remain out with the others, I'm simply going to be far too negative for their liking and that's something that I will be nice enough to avoid.

Things had better go well, soon. And I'm hoping that soon we'll locate the Granolith so we won't have to keep acting like things are fine. Acting like normal everyday humans... something I definitely am not.