Roswell Fanatics

38

“I’m scared.”

“You’re scared?”

Liz nodded solemnly. She clung to Max’s arm, her jaw clenched, crossing and uncrossing her legs as she often did when she was anxious.

Max shifted in the hard waiting room chair and kissed the top of his wife’s head. “It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”

“More than a year,” Liz confirmed softly. How things had changed in the year since they’d last paid a visit to Dr. Sinclair. She glanced at the matching bands on their linked fingers. A year ago she had been a scared, single teenager. She experienced a miscarriage, a year of college, and a marriage since then. And now, she and her husband were going to have a baby girl.

Max studied Liz, knowing she was deep in thought. “Hey,” he murmured, bringing her hand to his lips. “It’s going to be just fine.”

“Liz Evans?”

The young couple turned toward the door to see the same nurse from Liz’s very first appointment. She smiled. “I thought it might be you. Welcome back.”

“Thanks,” Liz replied self-consciously as she and Max got to their feet.

The nurse cocked an eyebrow. “I don’t suppose you’ll be joining us, will you Mr. Evans?”

Max nodded firmly, giving Liz’s hand a comforting squeeze. Twenty minutes later he was still gripping her hand as Dr. Sinclair prepared the sonogram machine. They were going to hear their daughter’s heartbeat. Their daughter. Max still hadn’t quite gotten over the fact that he was going to have a little girl. He’d grown so accustomed to the idea of two boys, neither of whom he’d been able to meet, that the thought of a daughter was still a bit foreign.

Sometimes it’s hard
You don’t want to look over your shoulder
Cause you don’t want to remember where you’ve been

Yet it was somehow appropriate. Something different; a new beginning. This child symbolized so much – their love, their strength, their hope. Things were different this time. They had to be.

There’ll come a time you’d die
If you could only hold her
I know that’s where I am…

Liz jumped as the cool gel hit her bare skin, jolting Max from his thoughts. He smiled down at her, his grin broadening as a gentle whirring sound filled the room.

So listen with all your heart
Hold it inside forever
You may find all your dreams have already come true

Almost immediately, Liz’s eyes flooded with tears. She knew without even looking at the doctor for reassurance that the baby’s heartbeat was strong, healthy…beautiful.

Look inside and find the part that’s leading you
Cause that’s the beat of a heart…

She was reminded of the exhilaration that accompanied the precious sound. Nothing, not even the magical rumble of Max’s laughter or the way he breathed her name when they made love, nothing could compare to the sound of their child living and growing within her womb.

For a long time, she feared it. The memories were too harsh, too raw. The loss of Gabriel shook her to the very core.

Sometimes you drown it out with all your rage and thunder
Sometimes you drown it out with all your old tears

It was something she still dealt with, every day. And, in fact, the fears had nearly consumed her when they realized she was pregnant. She wasn’t ready…was she? She was still dealing with the loss of her son, how would she be able to give herself to this new little person?

There’ll come a time when you’ll hear it and you’ll wonder
Where in the world have I been…

But it was the gentle glow that appeared beneath Max’s hands that had soothed her. And when they saw the vision of their unborn child for the first time, Liz felt a renewed sense of strength and hope. Now, hearing the evidence of her life, Liz was no longer afraid.

No one can tell you how to get there
It’s a road you take all by yourself…

Max’s hand tightened around hers, and Liz knew he was picturing the precious face of their daughter, memorizing her first sounds.

So listen with all your heart
Hold it inside forever
You may find all your dreams have already come true

They would always cherish their memories of Gabriel, of the time his tiny, perfect presence surrounded them. He was a part of them, and now, so was his sister.

Look inside and find the part that’s leading you
Cause that’s the beat of a heart
Oh, it’s the sweetest sound…
That’s the beat of a heart

*****

“…So then he comes skidding into the kitchen with just a towel around his waist, grabs it away from me, and tells me to go sit down and put my feet up.”

Isabel chuckled as she listened to Liz and lifted Evan against her shoulder. “That’s my brother for you. Can’t have you lifting heavy objects.”

“It was a bag of groceries.” Liz rolled her eyes, grinning. “I don’t know if I can humor him for another seven months. Honestly, was Jesse this bad?”

“Oh, it’ll get worse,” Isabel assured, patting Evan’s back. “If he’s anything like Jesse, you won’t even be able to do the dishes by the time you hit your eighth month.” She paused. “Then again, that wasn’t so bad.”

Liz grinned, pushing back from the counter. “Do you want another Coke?”

“No thanks, we’ve got to get going pretty quick. He’s due for a nap,” Isabel explained, laughing when Evan let out a healthy burp and gave his mother a toothless grin.

“Good one!” Maria appeared, toting full bottles of ketchup. “Your Uncle Michael would be proud.”

Isabel craned her neck, glancing toward the kitchen. “Where is Michael today?”

“First hockey game of the season,” Maria said dryly. “He took the day off to camp out in front of the tube with a bag of cheese curls and a bottle of Tabasco.” She wrinkled her nose in disgust and then nearly gagged as she noticed Liz pondering the concoction. Still, if a sudden taste for Tabasco was the only side effect accompanying this pregnancy, she could handle it. She just wouldn’t be dining with Liz any time in the near future.

The bell above the Crashdown door jingled and Kyle walked in. His hands were jammed in his coat pockets, and he barely looked up as he quickly sat down at a booth.

“Kyle, over here,” Isabel called, shifting Evan in her arms.

He looked up, seemingly surprised to see his three friends. Giving a quick wave, he turned his attention to a menu.

“That’s strange,” Isabel noted with a frown.

“I’ll go see what he wants to drink,” Liz said, lifting the counter and crossing the café. “What’s up, Kyle?”

Kyle peered over the top of the menu. “Not much.”

“Isabel’s leaving soon, but there’s room at the counter if you want-“

“I’m meeting someone here, actually,” he explained quickly.

“Oh.” Liz paused. “Really, who?”

Kyle cleared his throat. “Serena.”

Liz nodded slowly. “Well…that’s fun. Um, can I get you something to drink?”

“Coke, please. And an iced tea for her, she’ll be here any time.”

Nodding again, Liz turned and headed back behind the counter.

Seeing the puzzled look on her friend’s face, Maria leaned over the counter. “What’s his deal?”

“Apparently he and Serena are meeting for a late lunch,” Liz informed them as she set to work preparing the drinks.

“Serena?” Isabel repeated. “I haven’t seen her since we went to that club. That was months ago-“

“Two months on Wednesday,” Liz confirmed with a smile.

“Since when do they have lunch dates?” Isabel continued.

Maria shrugged. “Good for Kyle. Has he seen anyone since that Denise girl? That was, like, before finals last spring.”

Isabel sighed, struggling to get her squirming son into his coat. “I don’t trust her,” she admitted. “Too much has happened around her, she’s got to be suspicious. That time she stayed at our house, I’m positive she overheard us talking, and-“

“She’s here,” Liz announced under her breath as Serena stepped into the café. She shook back her windblown hair and smiled as she noticed Kyle at the nearby booth.

“Look at how happy he looks!” Maria grinned, clapping her hands together. “I wonder if she realizes he’s only a sophomore in college.”

“I would comment on that, but it would make me a hypocrite,” Isabel said, kissing her son’s nose. “Alright, sweetie, let’s go home and take a nap.” After saying goodbye to the girls, she gathered up Evan and his diaper bag, left her change on the counter, and headed toward the door.

“He’s gotten so big!”

Isabel turned toward the booth Serena and Kyle were occupying and forced a smile. “He’ll be five months next week.”

Serena grinned at the baby as Isabel reluctantly made her way to their table. “You’re finally growing back some of that hair, aren’t you, Evan?”

Evan grinned and showed off the fact that he could also blow bubbles. Wiping the drool from his chin, Isabel smiled tightly. “Well, it’s almost time for his nap. It was good to see you again.”

“You too,” Serena said brightly. “Say hello to Jesse.”

“Definitely. See you later, Kyle,” Isabel added pointedly before she headed for the door. As she stepped outside, she nearly plowed into Max.

“Hey, Iz. Hey buddy,” Max grinned at his nephew.

“What are you doing here, Max?” Isabel asked.

“It’s good to see you too,” he muttered. “I’m just stopping in to visit my wife and have a late lunch.”

“Let Liz place your order this time,” Isabel reminded. “I don’t think you’re allowed in the kitchen.”

Max shrugged innocently. “I was just trying to help.”

*****

Maria quietly let herself into Michael’s apartment, setting her bags on the kitchen counter. The television was blaring from the next room, and she could make out the back of Michael’s baseball cap-clad head. In the dim light she could see the outline of a blue maple leaf. Hm. She thought that cap was still sitting on her dresser from the time he’d forgotten it after…oh well.

She lifted the takeout containers from the bag, containing two Will Smith burgers and an order of Orbit Rings. Tiptoeing toward the living room, preparing the surprise him, she nearly jumped out of her skin when the television suddenly muted.

Michael got to his feet, turning to face her. “I saw your reflection in the screen,” he explained, his voice low.

“Oh.” Maria paused, grinning at him. “I brought your favorite,” she informed him, holding out the Styrofoam container.

“I’m not hungry.”

Maria began to grow nervous at the way Michael was standing there, looming over her. He looked…really pissed. “Did Toronto lose?” she asked carefully.

“They’re up by six.” He paused, his jaw tight. “Maria, I stopped by your house earlier. Your mom let me in.”

“Okay…”

“I knew I left this somewhere in your room,” he indicated his backward cap.

“It looks like you found it,” she agreed, shifting her weight. Where was this going?

“Yeah, I found it. I found something else, too.” Reaching into his shirt pocket, he retrieved a small object. Maria squinted in the dim light. A thin, flat piece of…what was it, metal? No…she suddenly recognized it.

“Maria, where the hell did you find this?”


*lyrics by the Warren Brothers & Sara Evans, That's the Beat of a Heart

39

“Where the hell did you get this?” Michael repeated.

Maria stepped back a little as Michael’s fist closed around the object. His hand opened again, and the material unfurled itself from a crumpled ball back to its original flatness.

“Answer me!”

“Arizona,” Maria answered finally, her cheeks flushed with anger. “And stop yelling at me!”

“Arizona?!” Michael paused, taking a deep breath to calm himself. “You’ve had this since Arizona and you didn’t say anything?”

“Things were hectic,” Maria defended herself. “I didn’t think much of it, I just thought it was kind of cool. I put it in my drawer and just kind of forgot about it.” She planted her hands on her hips. “Why do you care, anyway?”

“Maria, this is exactly like what we found a couple years ago,” Michael reminded impatiently. "Here. Near the crash site. It might be related, and now you find the same thing in Arizona?” Abruptly, he pushed past Maria to the phone.

She turned and stared at him. “What are you doing?”

“Calling Max. We have to figure out what this means.”

“He’s not home. They’re having dinner at Liz’s parents’ tonight,” Maria informed him.

“Fine, I’ll call his cell.”

“God, Michael, can you just not?” Maria exclaimed. “Why do we have to start something right now?”

“Don’t you realize how serious this is –“

“Yes, Michael, and that’s why I want you to think about this,” she insisted, pressing the hold button on the phone. “You can’t just drop everything and go chasing after something that wasn’t even there!”

Michael froze, as if he’d been punched. “I thought you were behind me in all of this,” he said, his voice low, hurt.

Maria sighed, sinking onto a kitchen stool. “You know I am. But Michael, think about what you’re saying. It’s been quiet on the alien front for two years now. Why make trouble for yourself – and Max and Isabel? Michael, Isabel has a baby now. She can’t just go running off into the desert on a whim. And Max…god, you can’t expect him to just leave Liz right now. They don’t need the stress, or the worry…not now, Michael. If something happened to that baby…I don’t think they could take it,” she trailed off, her voice dropping to a whisper.

Michael was clearly deep in thought as he crumpled the object and watched it reshape, almost as if he expected to find the answer in its shiny surface.

“At least…wait until after Christmas,” Maria continued quietly. “A few weeks won’t change anything. Michael…please.”

He studied the object in his hand for a long moment before finally raising his eyes to Maria. “I hope you’re right.”

*****

“We really appreciate this.” Jesse passed his son over to Liz and straightened his tie.

Isabel inspected her lipstick in the living room mirror. “There’s no way he’d make it through the dinner and speeches,” she remarked.

“It’s no problem,” Liz insisted, bouncing Evan on her hip. “We were going to stay in and study and decorate the tree tonight anyway.”

“Besides, we could use the practice,” Max added, taking the large diaper bag from Jesse.

Isabel turned from the mirror and made a face at her son, smiling when he giggled. “I hope he won’t be any trouble, but you’ve got Jesse’s cell number if something comes up,” she said, adjusting her black shawl. “Bye sweetie, be good for your Aunt Liz and Uncle Max,” she cooed to the baby, planting a kiss on his forehead.

Jesse burst out laughing at the bright red lipstick mark now adorning his son’s head. “So much for your lipstick, honey.”

“We’ll take care of it,” Liz assured, ushering them toward the door. “It wouldn’t be any good for the coordinator to be late.”

Max helped Evan wave goodbye as Isabel and Jesse hurried out the door, and then turned to Liz. “Here we go.”

“Do you think there’ll be a test on this at the end of the night?” Liz asked, studying her nephew as he blew bubbles.

“I don’t know about a test," Max quipped slyly, a wicked gleam in his eye.

“You’re going to have to learn how to control that libido, mister,” Liz teased, waltzing toward the kitchen and leaving Max to pout.

*****

“Kyle, I really appreciate you coming with me tonight.”

Kyle glanced over to the passenger’s side and smiled at Serena. “I’m flattered,” he said honestly. Sure, he had finals in two days and he’d had to rent a tux and bum a pair of shoes that were a size too small off his dad, but it was well worth it to spend an evening with Serena. Serena, who was breathtaking in a deep green form-fitting gown, her blond hair upswept in tiny ringlets.

He tore his eyes off of her long enough to park the car, and then hurried around to open the door for her. Serena smiled as he offered his arm and led her through the cool December night to the banquet hall.

Once their invitation and Serena’s coat had been checked, they made their way to the extravagant ballroom. It was decorated in an elegant Christmas theme, with lush holly berry arrangements adorning each table. “I’ve heard we’re seated at the same table as one of the charity coordinators,” Serena whispered. “It’s a real honor. They’ve done so much for the postnatal ICU in the last year, and especially with the holiday season…it can be a rough time for the new parents.”

Kyle nodded dumbly as he followed Serena. Spotting their place markers, they sat down and watched as other members of the Roswell Memorial Hospital staff, volunteers, and others who would hopefully be donating money, began taking seats as well.

“Jesse, do you have the invitation?” Isabel asked anxiously as they stepped into the lobby.

He pulled an envelope from the inside of his tux jacket and smiled reassuringly. “Honey, I don’t think they’d turn away one of the speakers.”

Isabel took a deep breath and nodded, feeling in her handbag for the notecards she’d made up. They checked in and headed for the banquet hall, but Isabel was certain she wouldn’t be able to eat a thing. Usually speaking in public wasn’t a problem for her, but she’d never spoken about such an important cause in front of so many important people before.

“I think we’re over here, honey,” Jesse spoke up, guiding her toward a table near the front of the large room. Several people were already seated, including a couple with their back to them. “Isn’t she wearing your dress, Isabel?”

Isabel eyed the blonde woman. Sure enough, she had the same evergreen gown, complete with spaghetti straps and a plunging back. Wonderful. “Jesse, I can’t sit next to her,” she hissed. “It would look silly.”

“Isabel, you’re being ridiculous.”

Kyle glanced around. He could swear he heard Jesse’s voice. And the name Isabel. Who else would be-

“Oh wow, hello!” Serena spoke up suddenly. Kyle turned again, and sure enough, there stood Isabel and Jesse.

*****

“A little to the left. Right…about…there! Perfect!”

Max stepped back from the tree and studied the angel at the top. It had been a gift from Liz’s parents the previous Christmas, and Liz just loved it. “Looks good to me.”

Liz shifted Evan in her arms and cocked her head. “You know what? I think it’s still a little lopsided.”

“But you said it was perfect,” Max protested.

“But then I looked at it from this angle,” Liz countered. “Maybe if you’d let me get up there and do it-“

He shook his head. “Liz, I don’t want you climbing up so high.”

“Max, it’s a stepstool.”

Max sighed. She sure wasn’t making his job any easier. Didn’t she understand he was just trying to protect her? “Let me try this.” He raised his hand and concentrated, and the angel shifted just slightly. “How’s that?”

"Now it’s perfect,” Liz grinned. “What do you think, Evan? Did we do a good job?” She looked down at the baby, who had been happily entertained by the lights on the tree. Now, he gummed impatiently on his fingers. “Are you hungry, kiddo?”

Max’s nose wrinkled. “I think maybe he needs a new diaper, too.”

“I’ll do the honors,” Liz offered. “Why don’t you mix up some of his dry cereal, the box is in his bag.”

Dry cereal. That sounded simple enough. Max headed for the kitchen. Opening the box, he peered inside at the white flakes. Hmm. Retrieving a bowl from the cabinet, he dumped some of the contents out and eyed them. Somehow, it didn’t seem quite right. Sure enough, he turned the box over and studied the picture of the smiling baby being spoon-fed some soupy gunk. “That’s disgusting,” he muttered. However, the baby seemed to approve, so he figured there must be some way to get the flakes to look like that. Milk, maybe? Babies drank milk. He reached into the fridge for the skim milk that Liz always bought and dumped a generous amount into the bowl. Studying the mess of floating flakes, he frowned. That looked even more disgusting than what was on the box. Maybe-

“Max, how’s his cereal coming?” Liz asked, walking into the kitchen with a freshly changed Evan. She peered over his shoulder and made a face. “What did you do?”

“I don’t know,” Max shrugged helplessly. Great. Just great. He was going to be a father in less than seven months, and what did that make him if he couldn’t even make cereal?

Liz handed Evan over to him. “Here, let me do it.”

Max watched as Liz busied herself pouring another bowl of flakes, just a little this time, and measured out some water before adding it to the mixture. She placed it in the microwave for a few moments before retrieving it and stirring it into soupy gunk. Just like the picture on the box. How in the world did Liz know how to do all this stuff?

She stifled a smile, noticing the baffled look on her husband’s face. “It’s called reading the directions, babe,” she said, patting him on the behind before settling the bowl on the table. “Here, put him in his carrier.”

Max nodded dumbly and did as he was told. Evan kicked his feet happily as Liz fastened a bib around his neck and scooped up a spoonful of the goopy cereal.

“Yum,” she cooed, coaxing his mouth open and spooning in the contents.

As he watched his wife interact with their nephew, Max couldn’t help but smile. She was going to be an amazing mother. He pulled up a chair beside Liz and pulled her thick hair over her shoulder. “Iz said he likes to spit it out sometimes,” he explained.

“Thanks,” Liz smiled. She was silent for a moment, spooning another mouthful into Evan’s waiting mouth, and then giggled. “This is ridiculous. His food is actually making me hungry.”

Max resisted the urge to gag at the mere sight of Evan’s cereal, but he didn’t argue. “Good. You need to eat more. I’ll get something for you.” He pushed back his chair and peered into the refrigerator. Just as he thought. Pudding cups. He knew how much she loved them, and he loved them because of the calcium. Pulling the top off a cup, he grabbed a spoon and a half-empty bottle of Tabasco and returned to the table.

Sprinkling a generous amount of the spicy sauce onto a spoonful of pudding, he scooted closer to Liz. “Open up.”

Liz turned and burst into laughter as Max proceeded to mimic an airplane and “fly” the spoon toward her mouth. “You’re such a dork,” she giggled before closing her mouth over the chocolate. Closing her eyes, she sighed at the delicious taste. “Mmmm.”

Max felt his skin flush at the sight of his wife’s tongue poking out and sweeping a dab of chocolate from her lip. He scooped up another spoonful of pudding and repeated his airplane maneuver, much to the delight of Evan. It was his shriek of laughter that distracted Liz from her husband, who was eyeing her every move and making her body heat up under his gaze. “Um…I have to finish…” she stammered, turning her attention back to the baby.

“You still have a little…” Max trailed off, tilting her face back toward his. He lowered his lips to hers, nibbling at the corner of her mouth and removing any extra chocolate. Sweet and spicy…just what he liked on Liz.

A soft whimper escaped Liz’s throat and she sighed. “Max…we can’t…”

“I know,” he whispered, nuzzling her neck. “Later.”

“Mmm-hmm.” She opened her eyes and pecked his lips again before glancing at Evan, who was watching his aunt and uncle impatiently. What did a baby have to do to get some food around here?

*****

Isabel returned to her seat with a sigh of relief, the applause still thundering throughout the room.

“You were great, sweetheart,” Jesse whispered, kissing her cheek.

Serena grinned at her from the other side of Jesse. “If that doesn’t convince them to donate to the ICU, I don’t know what will.”

“Thanks,” she said, a smile returning to her face as her heart began to slow. Her smile widened as Kyle flashed her a thumbs up.

Serena turned to Kyle. “I’m going to run to the ladies room before the next speaker,” she told him.

Kyle nodded, helping her to her feet and watching as she made her way toward the hall. He turned back to Isabel and leaned over the seat. “If I wasn’t a poor college kid, you’d totally have my money.”

“Thanks, Kyle,” Isabel chuckled. As surprised as she had been to see Kyle there tonight, she had to admit it was nice to have another friend for support. And as much as she hated to admit it, especially considering the dress incident, she’d also enjoyed talking with Serena. She should have known she might be there, what with her working at the hospital, but Serena had no idea Isabel had such a hand in planning the charity drive. Kyle, however, should have known. Though Isabel’s Christmas Nazi tendencies had been uncharacteristically low-key this year, there was no way she would let the season go by without some kind of volunteer work.

Isabel glanced at her watch. “Honey, I want to check on Evan real quick.”

Jesse nodded and pulled his cell phone from his pocket. Isabel took it and headed back toward the bathrooms, where she could speak on the phone without looking tacky. Just as she was about to turn the corner, a voice stopped her. She peered around the wall and saw Serena at a payphone.

“I know, Jay. I’ll be home soon, I promise. Okay. Okay, honey, I love you too.” Serena hung up the phone and turned to head back into the banquet hall, not even noticing Isabel on the other side of the wall.

Isabel stared after her for a moment. Jay?

*****

“I had a really good time tonight.”

Kyle turned onto Serena’s street and smiled. “I did too.” Who knew he could have so much fun at a charity dinner? He supposed it was Serena’s bubbly personality. It seemed almost infectious…even for Isabel, which surprised him. She’d been a bit chillier later in the evening, but he supposed it was because she was tired and wanted to get home to the baby.

He jumped as Serena’s hand suddenly came to rest on his knee. “Thanks again, Kyle. Really…it meant a lot to me that you came with me.”

Swallowing hard, Kyle squinted at the houses. “Um, I was glad to,” he managed, finding her house and slowing down. “Who’s car is that?” he asked, noticing a small black car parked out front.

Serena waved her hand. “Must be a neighbor,” she said as he pulled to a stop.

Kyle nodded, turning to face her. “Well…I hope you have a Merry-“ He was cut off abruptly as she cupped his face in her hands and kissed him. A real kiss this time. Their lips slanted over one another, and he gently reached up to touch her cheek.

She broke away breathlessly, her eyes wide. “I…Kyle…”

“Shh,” he urged, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Why don’t I…walk you in…” he suggested quietly. He watched her hesitate, and then sigh.

“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,” she whispered. “Merry Christmas, Kyle.” And with that, she quickly kissed him again and got out of the car.

Kyle watched as she hurried up her front walk. It was only then, as he watched her fumble for her keys, that he noticed a light on in the front room. A room that had been dark when he picked her up just hours before.

*****

“I don’t know, Jesse, it just seemed a little strange,” Isabel was saying to her husband as they walked down the hall toward Max and Liz’s apartment.

“I wouldn’t worry too much about it,” Jesse answered. “It’s not as if they’re dating or anything.”

“Thank god,” Isabel muttered. That was the last thing they needed. It was bad enough that Kyle was spending time with someone who was so close to knowing their secret, but…

“Isabel. Stop,” Jesse urged gently. “Tonight went wonderfully. Don’t dwell on this, okay?”

She closed her eyes and nodded. “Okay. You’re right.”

He smiled and kissed her cheek before ringing the apartment doorbell. After a few moments, Max came to the door in his pajamas.

“Did we wake you up?” Isabel asked in surprise. “It’s only 10 o’clock.”

“Nah, we were studying in our room,” Max answered, ushering them inside. “Evan fell asleep in his carrier right after you called, so we just let him sleep in the living room.”

Isabel smiled down at her sleeping son. “So he was okay for you tonight?” she asked, gathering his bag as Jesse lifted the carrier.

“Yeah. He even finished a bowlful of that disgusting stuff you call cereal.”

Once they were on their way, Max closed and locked the front door and headed back to the bedroom. Liz was paging idly through her statistics book, which was balanced on her stomach. Her large, very round stomach. Max blinked and did a double take. He blinked again. She didn’t look like that when he left her, not five minutes ago! “Liz?” he managed.

She looked up and saw the panicked expression on her husband’s face. “Relax, Max, it’s a pillow.”

Swallowing hard, Max slowly moved toward the bed. “Yeah, I…I knew that.” This pregnancy had been perfectly normal, he knew that, yet he still found himself braced for some kind of alien complication. “Um, can I ask why you have a pillow under your pajamas?” he ventured.

Liz rubbed her hands over her belly, studying the roundness. She looked up at him again and bit her lip. “It’s silly,” she sighed. When Max still stood silent, waiting for an answer, Liz’s eyes dropped back down to her abdomen. “When I’m this big, will you…will you still be attracted to me?” she asked quietly.

Max continued to stare at her. How could she even ask something like that? “Liz,” he sighed, sinking onto the bed beside her and taking her hands in his. “Love, you take my breath away. Every time I look at you. You know that, don’t you?”

Liz hesitated. “Even though I’m going to be huge?”

“Listen to me,” Max began, kissing her fingertips. “Liz, our daughter is living inside of you. Do you know how amazing that is?” When Liz nodded, he continued. “It’s the most beautiful thing I can imagine. So if you think I’m not attracted to you, you’re wrong. Now more than ever, Liz…you take my breath away.”

By the time he finished, Liz’s eyes were shimmering with tears. Max smiled and curled up against her, resting his head on her belly. “This is very comfortable,” he informed her.

Liz brushed the tears away and giggled, watching as Max reached under her nightshirt and pulled out the pillow. His hand sought out her soft flesh, and he grinned at the soft glow from their child. “Even better.”

40

“Max, baby, I need you!”

Seconds later Max skidded into the bedroom. “What? What’s the matter?”

Liz burst out laughing at the look of panic on her towel-clad husband’s face. “Why would something be the matter?”

“I don’t know, Liz, maybe the fact that you were just screaming for me?”

Liz snorted. “I did not scream for you.”

Max sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing with his hormonal wife. He didn’t want to make her cry. But really, did she have to keep doing that? It scared him to death when she yelled for him. Even though Liz had entered her second trimester with no complications, Max was still on his toes. All the time. No matter how crazy it made Liz. And what was Liz yelling about, anyway?

“These are the roomiest pants I could find and they’re not fitting. I think I need you to do it for me again,” Liz’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

Max smiled in spite of himself. Their daughter was growing, and Liz, in turn, was growing out of her clothes. He glanced down at the drawstring pants Liz was struggling to fit into, and placed his hands over the slight curve of her belly. Beneath his palms, the fabric of the pants extended until Liz could comfortably wear them.

“Thank you, baby,” Liz smiled down at Max as he knelt before her, tying the drawstring and placing a kiss on her stomach. Having a husband with magic hands sure would cut down on the cost of maternity clothes. Her grin broadened as those magic hands slid to her hips, caressing her. “Max?” she ventured, running her fingers through his damp hair.

“Hmm?” he mumbled, his hands moving up her body as he straightened.

“As much as I would love to start something…” She paused, capturing his lips in hers. “…I have class in twenty minutes…”

“I know,” Max groaned at the loss of her heat as she pulled away, and then jumped in surprise as her hand whipped the towel from around his waist.

She gave his manhood a good, solid tug, smirked, and said, “Later.”

Max gaped at her as she headed for the door. “I’m holding you to that, Liz Evans!” he called after her. He sighed, reaching for the towel puddled at his feet. Maybe he should have waited for that shower…

*****

“How much do you want to bet that I won’t fit behind this desk by midterm,” Liz said to Isabel as they took their seats in the lecture hall.

“Liz, you’re barely showing,” Isabel informed her, waving to Kyle as he appeared in the doorway.

Liz grinned to herself as she glanced down and touched her stomach. Sure, things would probably get a little awkward and uncomfortable, but she didn’t mind. Her mother was constantly commenting on the “glow” about her, and Liz had to smile at the irony. Having a part of Max inside her again left her feeling so full of hope.

“Liz, are you gonna cry or something?” Kyle asked warily as he took a seat on the other side of Isabel. She had that look in her eyes, the one she’d get over the littlest things these days. Hormones. They confused the hell out of him.

With an exaggerated sniffle, Liz turned and stuck her tongue out at him. “I might if you don’t stop picking on me.”

Kyle raised his hands in surrender and then turned to Isabel. “I need some advice.”

“Look, I already told you how I feel about that stupid goatee. If you grow it back, I’m not going to-“

“It’s not about the goatee,” Kyle interrupted witheringly. “Serena’s birthday is this Friday, and I want to take her out to dinner.”

“How about Cow Pie’s,” Isabel suggested dryly.

He gave her a look. “Listen, I know you’re not Serena’s biggest fan. And it’s up to you whether or not you’re going to accept her. But I care a lot about her, and I’d appreciate it if you’d respect my decisions.”

Liz stared at her friends in surprise. Good for Kyle. And judging by the look on Isabel’s face, she was a bit taken aback by Kyle’s response as well.

Clearing her throat, Isabel tucked a strand of chin-length hair behind her ear. “You could take her to The Rosebud,” she said finally. “That’s where Jesse took me for my birthday, and it’s really nice. A little pricey, but-“

Kyle nodded firmly. “The Rosebud it is,” he decided as their professor stepped into the lecture hall and prepared to begin class.

*****

“Do you remember what tomorrow is?” Liz’s eyes slid over to Max as she flipped through her day planner.

Max rolled onto his side, pretending to think hard. “Well, I don’t have class tomorrow. So it can’t be a test-“ He laughed as Liz hit him across the chest with a pillow and pulled her into his arms. “Of course I remember,” he said, hugging her close so she couldn’t attack him any more.

“Are you excited?” she asked, snuggling against him and listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

“I am,” he replied, kissing her forehead. “And I’m pretty sure you are too.”

Liz nodded, running her fingers over Max’s bare chest. She looked up at him, a coy smile crossing her face, and her hands slowly trailed lower. They ran over the elastic of his boxers, and Liz felt him beginning to stir against her thigh. “Just how excited are you?” she teased, her voice growing husky.

Max’s lips moved down her jaw line. “Definitely…excited…” he managed between kisses.

Smiling against his lips, Liz shifted her body up onto his. She straddled him between her thighs, pushed him back onto the bed, and proceeded to kiss him senseless.

His body swelled to life beneath hers, pulsing against her core until the pressure was almost unbearable. Though their intimate moments had never been lacking, over the last month his wife had become a regular vixen in bed. He supposed it could be attributed to those raging pregnancy hormones, but whatever the case was, he was a happy man. “God…Liz,” he groaned raggedly as she rocked against him.

“Touch me,” she breathed, her straining nipples drilling into his chest through the thin material of her nightshirt. The low moan she emitted when his fingers sought out the sensitive flesh of her breasts set Max on fire. He cupped her firmly, almost so that he was afraid it would cause her discomfort, but she only ground her body closer to his.

“Liz…oh god, Liz…” It seemed to be the only words, the only thoughts he could form as his hands strayed from her breasts and moved down her body. He was surprised and extremely aroused to discover that his wife was not wearing panties. She’d planned this, the little minx.

Liz gasped as she felt two of his fingers invade her body, stroking her and coating themselves in her wetness. She shivered, her sounds of pleasure escaping from deep in her throat.

“Is this what you wanted, baby?” Max purred into her ear, his fingers driving in and out as his thumb began to circle her clit.

She reached into his boxers in response, retrieving his swollen erection. “This is what I wanted,” she breathed, running her hand over the pulsing flesh. Her excitement pooled around his fingers when he jumped at her touch, and she kissed him again. “You’re so hard,” she murmured, guiding him toward her center.

Max nodded, his jaw tight as he slid his fingers from her body. “You’re…perfect…” he managed as his head explored her slick folds. He entered her quickly, filling her with a strangled groan as she immediately began to move over him.

Their pace was hungry but languid, intent on giving and receiving as much of one another as they were capable. Max knew he was ready – heck, he’d been ready practically from the moment Liz began her little seduction – but he held on, waiting for the moment when they could explode together. He could see it in her eyes, knew she was close, and when she pressed her hand to his chest, they were there.

Crying out his name as her own name was echoed through the room, Liz closed her eyes. She was there, just as they knew she would be, a shimmering vision of hope and strength and beauty. Waiting for them, guiding them…the ever-present reminder of their love.

*****

“You’re certainly looking chipper this afternoon.”

Max glanced up at his boss and smiled. “Yeah, I guess I am.”

Brody watched as his young employee continued filing, whistling to himself as he went. “It wouldn’t by any chance have something to do with your leaving early today?”

Sliding the filing cabinet shut, Max straightened. His smile broadened as he turned to Brody. “Liz has a doctor’s appointment,” he confided. “It’s her first sonogram.”

Brody clapped his hand on Max’s shoulder. “How exciting,” he declared.

Max nodded, grinning. In all honesty, he was bordering on giddy. Sure, they’d seen their baby in visions many times – the night before, actually - but there was something so…comforting about the thought of today’s procedure. It was normal, and human, and something they wouldn’t have to be so secretive about. Brody, for example, was thrilled for them. He’d been wonderful when they lost Gabriel, telling Max to take off as much time as he needed. The most important thing for Max to do, he’d said, was to take care of himself and Liz. And now, with this new baby, Brody had been just as supportive. He’d already decided to line up extra summer help so that Max could take plenty of time off with Liz and the baby.

“I remember when Alena was pregnant with Sydney,” Brody was saying wistfully. “That was the happiest we ever were together. And when you hold your child in your arms for the first time…” he trailed off with a sigh as the phone in his office began to ring. “Be sure to bring in a sonogram picture tomorrow, will you?”

Max nodded, watching as Brody hurried to answer the phone. He was happy he could share some of this with him, just as Liz was thrilled her parents could be let in on this aspect of her pregnancy. It was difficult for her, not being about to tell them about Max, or share with them that they would be having a granddaughter, but she knew it was better this way.

Brody reappeared moments later, pulling on his jacket. “I have to go down to Artesia,” he began, searching his pockets for his keys. “Sydney’s school just called. She has a fever, but Alena’s in a meeting and can’t be reached.” He glanced at his watch. “I shouldn’t be much more than an hour. I just have to wait until Alena can come home.” Seeing the look on Max’s face, he added, “Don’t worry. I’ll be back in plenty of time for you to get to the appointment.”

*****

Liz fished through her purse for her house keys. She wondered why the door would be locked – Max should be home by now, shouldn’t he? Pushing open the front door, she set her backpack on the floor and glanced around the quiet living room. “Max?”

There was no answer. Maybe he was taking a nap. He’d been working some extra hours again lately, and between that, classes, and his constant desire to take care of her, she worried he hadn’t been getting enough sleep. “Max, babe, are you home?”

Just then her cell phone rang. She reached into her purse to retrieve it, answering with a quick, “Hello?”

“Hi baby, it’s me.”

“Max? Where are you? The appointment’s in a half hour.”

Max sighed, rubbing his eyes. “I know, Liz. I’m stuck at work,” he said regretfully before explaining the situation. It had been over an hour and a half, and Brody still hadn’t returned.

“Oh,” came Liz’s quiet voice.

Max could picture the look on her face, and it broke his heart. He hated to disappoint her. “You know what, I’ll just close early. Okay? I know Brody would understand, and-“

“No, Max,” Liz cut in. “The center needs the business, and I – I’ll be okay. Just…even if it’s a little late…you’ll come, right?”

“Of course I will,” Max promised. “I’ll get there as soon as I can. I love you.”

“We love you too,” Liz answered quietly before placing the phone back in her bag. She sighed, fighting back tears as she touched her stomach. “Looks like it’s just you and me, kid.”

Max hung up the phone in the center’s office, cursing under his breath. He couldn’t do this to Liz. Grabbing a set of keys from Brody’s desk, Max marched toward the door. Just as he was about to tell the few occupants of the museum that they were closing, the front doors swung open and Brody rushed inside, accompanied by a young girl with a box of tissue in hand.

“Max, I’m so sorry I’m late,” Brody apologized, ushering Sydney inside. “Alena’s meeting ran late, so I brought Sydney home with me.” He paused, squeezing his daughter’s shoulder. “She’s going to be furious with me, but Sydney enjoys the museum. Don’t you, sweetheart?”

Sydney nodded drowsily. “When I’m feeling good.”

Max couldn’t help but smile as he watched Brody with his daughter. He’d seen her on several occasions since he’d healed her, but he could hardly believe how much she’d grown since then. “If there’s one thing that will make you feel better, it’s an Alien Blast,” he said, chuckling at the irony as he nodded in the direction of the Crashdown across the street.

“But Max has to be going now, don’t you Max?” Brody continued. “Sydney, remember what I told you in the car? Max and his wife are going to have a little baby soon, and he has to go be with her.”

“Okay,” she nodded. “Bye, Max.”

“Bye, Sydney, feel better soon,” he replied before turning to Brody with a grin. “See you tomorrow.” And then Max was off. He had an appointment to make.

*****

“I’m glad you made it,” Liz whispered, linking fingers with Max as they followed the nurse through the waiting room door.

“I wouldn’t have missed it,” Max answered with a smile. He noted that there wasn’t even any question this time about whether or not he would accompany Liz to the exam room. They were probably used to him by now.

Liz’s exam was completed quickly, and before they knew it Dr. Sinclair was preparing the sonogram machine. Max scooted closer to Liz’s side, his thumb running soothing circles over her knuckles. His eyes searched hers, reassuring, as the doctor squirted the cool gel onto the slight curve of her belly.

A smile broke onto Liz’s face as the familiar whirring of their baby’s heartbeat filled the room. “I love that sound,” she murmured, squeezing Max’s hand.

He nodded his agreement, grinning down at her, before his eyes shifted to Dr. Sinclair.

“Everything sounds good,” he was saying as he flipped on the monitor’s screen. “Let’s take a look.”

Liz’s grip on Max’s hand tightened as she turned her head to the screen. It was dark and blurry, and she squinted in an attempt to make out anything.

Max, too, was studying the screen with great concentration. Dr. Sinclair chuckled as he watched the young couple and said, “A fetus of this size can still be a little difficult to detect,” he assured. Reaching over, he pointed out an area near the center of the screen. “Right there.”

Both Max and Liz leaned a little closer. “That’s…she looks like a little peanut,” Max said finally, his voice filled with awe.

“’She,’ huh?” Dr. Sinclair smiled. “Well, it’s a little early to determine the sex, but we can zoom in so you can get a better look at the baby.”

They watched, mesmerized, as the little shape began to take form. Her arms and legs were apparent, with tiny fingers and toes that were just barely visible. Max tore his eyes from the screen when he heard a soft sniffle, and looked up at Liz. The silent tears that slid down her cheeks nearly triggered his own, and he cupped her face in his hands, kissing her forehead.

Sensing that they needed a few minutes to themselves, Dr. Sinclair got to his feet. “I’ll have a sonogram picture printed for you to take home,” he said on his way out of the exam room.

“That’s her,” Liz murmured, her voice thick with emotion as Max smoothed her hair off her forehead and kissed her again. She could hardly believe that the tiny shape on the monitor was the same little girl they had seen again in the flash the night before. She would grow and change and be born and she was their daughter. Liz didn’t know whether to laugh or cry from the intensity of her emotion.

Max chuckled softly, gazing in wonder at the screen. “Our little peanut.”

*****

“Oh, don’t look like that. It was really nice to meet your dad.”

Kyle glanced at Serena and made a face. “I honestly didn’t plan that.” Boy, was that the truth. When Serena commented on the “sweet couple” sitting a few tables over, he was shocked beyond belief to discover his father and Amy DeLuca giving one another goo-goo eyes over a candlelight dinner. Amy, of course, noticed Kyle and proceeded to wave until she got his attention, and from there the round of introductions ensued. Apparently, his dad had decided to step it up a notch in the dinner-and-a-movie department, because The Rosebud was the last place he expected to see those two. Just the same, his father had been hinting that he’d like to meet the “young woman you’ve been spending so much time with,” and it seemed inevitable. Kyle had never really thought about it much, but they’d never just spent an evening in. In fact, he realized as he pulled into Serena’s driveway, he’d never seen the inside of her house.

“Well,” he began, “I hope you had a good birthday.” He was pretty sure she’d had a nice time, but then he was thrown off when she got so quiet during the ride home. She was thinking about something, and it made him a little nervous.

“I did, Kyle,” she said softly. “I had a wonderful birthday.” Serena studied him for a long moment. “Kyle…would you like to come in?”

“I…sure,” he answered finally. Kyle wasn’t sure what to make of this now. One minute he thought he’d done something wrong, and now she was inviting him in? Maybe that’s what she was thinking about. Maybe tonight he’d be getting lucky-

He managed to shut those thoughts up as he and Serena walked hand-in-hand up the front walk. There were lights on, he noticed, as she unlocked the front door and stepped inside. Kyle took in little details as he crossed into the front hall. Her house was warm…it was decorated in soft colors, comfortable. He noticed a few other things, too. Something was baking. The sweet aroma wafted into the hall, making his stomach grumble despite the dinner they’d just finished. A television was on in the next room; the volume was up a little too high. And then a little blonde head appeared around the corner.

“Mommy!”

41

Kyle froze at the sound of the young voice. Mommy? That wasn’t Serena…was it? But sure enough, the blonde child hurtled down the hall and into Serena’s arms.

“Hi sweetheart.” Serena balanced the toddler on her hip and smiled. “Have you been good for Grandma?”

The child nodded firmly. “We have a s’prise for you.”

An older woman came around the corner then. “Serena, is that...” She trailed off, noticing Kyle standing rather awkwardly in the doorway. “Hi there.”

Serena shared a look with her mother. “Mom, this is Kyle Valenti. Kyle, this is my mom, Carol Dodd.” She turned to face Kyle, biting her lower lip. “And this is my daughter, Jaycee.”

Finding his voice, Kyle finally spoke up. “It’s…it’s really nice to meet you both,” he managed, stepping forward a bit.

“Jaycee, Mommy has a surprise for you too,” Serena continued, brushing the child’s hair out of her face. “This is my friend Kyle, and I wanted you to meet each other.”

Peering around her mother’s neck, the little girl studied him with her deep blue eyes. “Hi.”

“Hi Jaycee,” Kyle answered, swallowing hard. “Um, how old are you?”

“I’m this many.” She awkwardly held up three little fingers.

Serena smiled. “And how old will you be on St. Patrick’s Day?” she prompted gently.

“This many!” she exclaimed, adding a pinkie finger.

“Wow, that’s…that’s really neat,” Kyle responded, managing a smile for the little girl. Serena’s little girl. . She had a three-and-a-half year old daughter, and he’d had no idea.

Carol smiled warmly. “Kyle, I’m glad you could join us. Jaycee, do you want to show your mommy her surprise?”

Jaycee nodded eagerly. “Come look!” she crowed, squirming out of Serena’s arms and taking her hand. “Happy birthday, Mommy!”

Kyle followed mother and daughter a bit more slowly. He jumped when Carol touched his arm. “Thank you for being so good to my daughter,” she said quietly.

Later, as the four finished slices of the cake that Jaycee had painstakingly frosted, the little girl tugged on Kyle’s sleeve. “Are you my momma’s friend?”

He smiled at the blonde child. “Yeah. Yeah, I am.”

Jaycee nodded thoughtfully, and then peered up at him again. “Do you kiss her?”

“Uh…” Glancing over to Serena for help, he saw her blush and try not to laugh. “Jay, that’s not very polite.”

“Jaycee, I really like your name,” Kyle said quickly, hoping to change the subject. “It’s much more fun than Kyle. Lots of people have my name.”

Jaycee nodded seriously. “A girl in daycare is Kyle too.”

“Exactly,” Kyle said with a chuckle.

“But my real name is Jacqueline Carol Dodd.” She covered her mouth with a high giggle. “Do ya get it? My ‘nitials are J and C!”

The adults chuckled right along with her, and then Carol pushed back her chair. “Miss Jaycee, I think we need to get you to bed. I have to get home, and Mommy and Kyle have a lot to talk about.” She offered her daughter a smile as Jaycee scurried to hug her goodnight.

“Night Momma,” she said, kissing her cheek. Suddenly turning shy, she peered at Kyle from her mother’s arms. “Night Kyle.”

Kyle smiled. “Goodnight, Jaycee. It was nice to meet you.”

“Only one story tonight. Grandma has to go home soon,” Serena warned, kissing her forehead and then wiggling her nose. “Eskimo kisses?”

Jaycee giggled with delight as they rubbed noses and then scampered after her grandmother.

When they were alone, Serena began toying with her napkin. “So…”

“So you have a daughter,” Kyle said softly.

She nodded, her eyes serious. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

Kyle thought about this. “Why didn’t you?” he asked finally.

Serena was quiet for a long moment. “Let me make one thing perfectly clear. I love my daughter, and I am in no way ashamed of her. She is my life, and you’ve got to understand that.” She paused. “I didn’t tell you because I was protecting her. Both of us, really.”

“Protecting her from what?” he asked incredulously.

“From getting hurt,” Serena admitted. “I don’t care how clichéd it sounds. Fact is, there are a lot of clichéd guys out there. They don’t want baggage, all that.” She laughed bitterly.

“Like your last boyfriend,” Kyle said softly, beginning to understand. He remembered that night clearly; Serena, in her drunken state, telling him about the guy that had called her up and broken it off out of nowhere. Or maybe not… “Did he meet Jaycee?”

“Hell no,” she spat out. “I told him about her, though. That was enough to scare him off.”

Kyle nodded, not really sure what to say. He wasn’t exactly sure what he was feeling either. She hadn’t exactly lied to him, but she hadn’t been completely truthful either. Then again, neither had he. Either way, the look on her face told him that right now she thought he was about to pull the same move as her ex.

“Listen, Kyle. I know this isn’t what you were expecting, but it’s part of who I am. A really major part. So if you don’t feel comfortable just tell me.”

“Why did you let me meet her?” Kyle asked suddenly.

Serena fiddled with the handle of her coffee cup. “Because I feel like I can trust you,” she answered finally. “I…I really like you, Kyle. And I felt bad enough for not telling you about Jaycee after so long that I…I thought you should know. And if…if that means things being over between us, I understand.”

Kyle reached over and touched her hand. “Serena, I am not going to end things with us because you have a child,” he said. “I…I’d like to get to know her a little better. If that’s alright.”

A smile spread across Serena’s face. “I think that could be arranged,” she said, squeezing his hand.

Kyle returned her grin, despite his pounding heart. What was he getting into?

*****

Liz slowly faded into consciousness, her mind awakening after a deep night’s sleep. As her senses adjusted, she became aware of a quiet rumble. A voice singing. Max.

Her eyes opened, and as they adjusted to the morning sunlight she saw Max lying across the bed, dressed and ready for class. His hand was splayed over her belly, his face hovering near the growing bulge.

“…But the dawn is breaking, it’s early morn, The taxi’s waiting and he’s blowing his horn, Already I’m so lonesome, I could die…”

Liz’s stifled giggle caught his attention, and he lifted his face to meet hers. “Morning, sleepyhead.”

“Are you singing Peter, Paul and Mary to our child?” she asked, running her fingers through his hair.

“Hey, Frank Sinatra did it too,” he defended, turning his attention back to her glowing stomach and continuing to sing softly in his soothing voice. “So kiss me and smile for me, tell me that you’ll wait for me, hold me like you’ll never let me go, Because I’m leaving on a jet plane, don’t know when I’ll be back again…”

Liz settled back against the pillows with a smile, listening to her husband serenade their unborn daughter. He really did have a good voice. “Hey Max?” she ventured, a teasing lilt in her voice. “How come you don’t sing for me anymore?”

Max paused, again glancing up at his wife with pinkening cheeks. “I do…you’ve just never woken up before,” he said simply.

Her mouth opened a little as she studied him in surprise, and was again overwhelmed by the wave of love surging through her.

“…Oh babe, I hate to go.” Max finished his tune and placed a long, sweet kiss on the curve of her belly. “I love you,” he whispered. He turned back to Liz, scooting up to give her lips a kiss of their own. “And you, too,” he added.

*****

“Spaceboy! Where the hell are my Orbit Rings?”

Michael wiped his arm over his brow, yanking the basket from the hot oil. “Gimme two seconds!” He turned around to see Maria with her hands on her hips. “Does the ‘no waitresses in the kitchen’ rule no longer apply?”

“Not when it takes you fifteen minutes to make an order of Orbit Rings,” she shot back. “My tables are gonna start getting violent.”

“Sorry,” he muttered, dumping the rings into a basket. “I’ve just been really distracted lately.”

Maria narrowed her eyes, studying him. “What about?”

“I can’t stop thinking about that metal. Maria, it’s been months-“

“Maria, your table is getting really pissed,” Liz announced, appearing in the window. “How about those Orbit Rings?”

Maria glanced at Michael. “Later,” she said, grabbing the basket and hurrying out into the café. Maybe if she waited long enough he’d just forget about it.

After delivering the order to some very hungry patrons, Maria returned to the counter where Liz was refilling ketchup and Tabasco bottles. Isabel sat with Evan, who was experimenting with his first taste of Red Planet Tomato soup. She sank down in a stool beside Isabel and said, “Lucky for Michael’s ass we’re not very busy today.”

“No kidding. It took him twenty minutes to make my Galaxy Sub,” Isabel added, offering a spoonful of soup to Evan.

Liz watched as her nephew happily accepted the new concoction. “Does he like Tabasco?” she asked, offering a bottle to Isabel.

“You know, I’m really not sure,” Isabel admitted. “He’s never seemed to have a problem eating without it, and I’m not sure I want to try it until he can tell us if he wants it or not.”

“Good point,” Liz agreed. “I guess it’s an acquired taste.” She grinned, swiping a bit of sauce that had spilled over on the Tabasco bottle and popping it in her mouth.

“God Lizzie, that’s so gross,” Maria groaned. She noticed Liz rubbing the small of her back. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, just a little sore,” Liz assured. “I think I’m going to go on my break, if you don’t mind.”

Maria waved her hand. “Go for it. It’s not like we’re teeming with customers.”

“Hey Liz, how far along are you going to work?” Isabel asked with concern.

“Just until spring break,” Liz answered. “Max would like me to quit today, of course, but the doctor says it’s fine to be on my feet through the second trimester.” She rolled her eyes good-naturedly and turned toward the back room just as the bell above the door jingled.

“Oh look, it’s Kyle and Serena,” Isabel announced.

“And…a little kid…?” Maria trailed off as a young girl appeared behind Serena.

“I didn’t know Serena had a daughter,” Liz whispered as she watched the three come toward them.

“Something tells me Kyle didn’t either,” Isabel muttered, forcing a smile as Kyle and Serena waved.

“Hey guys,” Maria spoke up. “Can I get you a booth or something?”

“No, we’ll just sit at the counter,” Kyle replied. “Uh, guys, I’d like you to meet Serena’s daughter, Jaycee.” He turned to the little girl. “These are my friends Maria, Liz, and Isabel. And that’s Isabel’s little boy Evan.”

“Hi,” Jaycee spoke up shyly from where she clung to her mother’s leg.

“I told Jaycee she had to try one of the world famous Starry Night sundaes,” Kyle continued, ignoring the bewildered looks from his friends.

“Yeah, I’ll get right on it,” Maria said, turning and mouthing, “Holy shit!” to Liz before getting to work on the sundae.

Isabel eyed the three for a moment before clearing her throat. “Kyle, can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Uh…yeah, okay.” He slid off the stool. “I’ll be right back,” he said to Serena and Jaycee.

“Could you hold Evan?” Isabel asked her sister-in-law.

Liz glanced from Kyle to Isabel. “Yeah, no problem,” she said, accepting her nephew and balancing him on her hip as she watched Isabel and Kyle head to the back room. She turned back to Serena with a shrug and then smiled at the little girl. “How old are you, Jaycee?”

As soon as the door swung shut behind them, Isabel exploded. “So she lied to you?” she demanded.

“Isabel, don’t start-“

“Kyle, she has a child and she didn't tell you about her. Doesn’t that seem a little strange?”

Kyle groaned. “Not considering the circumstances,” he answered. “And besides, Isabel…it’s really not any of your business.”

“What’s not any of her business?” Michael asked, leaning in from the kitchen.

“That Serena has a kid,” Isabel answered dryly.

Michael’s eyes widened. “No shit. That’s her kid out there?”

“Yes.” Kyle glared at Isabel. “I’m serious, Iz. Don’t make a big deal out of this. We’re just hanging out, and-“

“Kyle, she has a child,” Isabel broke in. “I don’t think you understand what a big deal that is.”

“Is she just looking to give the kid a father?” Michael spoke up. “Cause maybe you should tell her that you’re twenty and you’re broke.”

“A child is a huge responsibility,” Isabel added. “She’s just trying to use you to-“

“Isabel.” Liz appeared in the doorway. “Don’t, okay? We know you don’t like her, but…I mean, this is Kyle’s decision.” She turned to him. “Just…be careful.”

“I appreciate your concern,” Kyle said wryly, “but I think I can handle this myself.”

42

“Honey, I’m home!”

Liz turned from the pot of spaghetti on the stove to see her husband shut the front door behind him. “You’re so cheesy,” she said with a grin.

“You love it,” he shot back, tossing his work vest onto the couch and heading toward the kitchen. “Something smells fantastic.”

She smiled as he wrapped his arms around her from behind, and then wrinkled her nose. “It’s definitely not you.”

“Hey!” Max nuzzled against her neck. “I was moving things around in the autopsy display. That gurney is heavy.”

“Well, at least it puts food on the table,” Liz sighed in mock resignation as she nodded toward the pot of sauce.

Max placed a lingering kiss on the underside of her jaw. “If you’re done mocking me now, I’m going to get cleaned up before dinner.”

“Go.” Liz swatted him on the behind with her wooden spoon before reaching for a can of chili powder. It would taste fantastic in the sauce, she thought happily. Her stomach grumbled, and she cupped her hand over her belly with a smile. “You’re hungry, aren’t you?” As if in response, she felt a flutter against her palm.

“Oh my god,” Liz gasped, dropping her spoon with a loud clatter.

Max, who had only made it halfway down the hall with his shirt unbuttoned, heard this and felt his stomach twist in panic. “Liz?” He spun around, racing back to the kitchen. “Liz, what’s the matter?”

She turned to him, her eyes wide, hands spread over her belly. “Come feel,” she whispered in awe.

“What happened?” he repeated, approaching her cautiously.

Reaching for his hand, Liz placed it where hers had been. “At first I thought it was just my stomach grumbling, but then…there!” She looked up at him, a radiant smile spreading over her face.

Max’s heart nearly leapt from his chest as he felt the tiny movements from inside Liz’s womb. His eyes were filled with wonder as he looked up at Liz and murmured, “She’s really in there!”

“I think we already knew that, babe,” Liz laughed gently, her eyes shimmering with tears.

Grinning, Max entwined his fingers with Liz’s as they waited for any more movement from their child. “It's Daddy, Peanut. Hi,” he whispered before turning back to his wife. The unspoken love and joy radiated through him, and with a whoop, he lifted her up and spun in a circle. He kissed her soundly on the lips before setting her back on her feet, and Liz laughed out loud as she felt another flutter. “I think she’s excited, too.”

*****

Max capped his highlighter and set his marketing book aside. He turned toward Liz, who was engrossed in a reading of her own. The book was balanced on the ever-growing bulge of her tummy, rising and falling with each breath Liz took. Max couldn’t help the grin that spread over his face. He loved moments like this, when they relaxed in bed together, not needing to speak but simply enjoying the comfort of one another’s presence. He never got tired of watching her.

Liz, still oblivious to this fact, absently moved her hand to her stomach. Max noticed immediately and rolled onto his side. “Is she kicking?” he asked.

She glanced up in surprise, a smile crossing her face. “Yeah.” Taking his hand in hers, she placed it on the side of her stomach. “Feel that?”

Max nodded, the grin on his face widening. That was his little girl in there. “Hi Peanut,” he said softly, marveling at her movement. She’d become quite active in the last couple of weeks, and Max wanted to feel every little poke and flutter.

Liz almost had to laugh – the last few weeks it seemed as if Max’s hands were permanently glued to her stomach, drawn back again and again like he was. But she could understand it, his need for contact. It was one of the many things she marveled over, the constant link she had with her unborn daughter. It made her feel special, like she was part of some kind of secret that no one else was privy to. Max was close, of course, considering his intense connection with them both, but…this was different. Her maternal instincts had long since been anchored.

“She was moving like crazy during my philosophy class this afternoon,” Liz noted then. “She’s going to be smart, don’t you think?”

“Just like her mother,” Max answered, his hand moving lower on her belly.

“And I bet she’ll have her father’s charm,” Liz added in amusement.

Max grinned. “If she’s lucky.” With that, his fingers slowly continued their descent.

Liz arched an eyebrow. “Where are you going, mister?”

“Crazy,” he murmured. “Wanna come?”

Liz closed her eyes and nodded as a rush of heat flooded her body. Did she ever. She leaned back against the pillows, her breath hitching as his fingers inched toward her inner thigh.

Max’s breathing grew shallower as his hand moved under the silkiness of her nightgown. He could feel the heat radiating from her core, realizing that she was once again without panties. She’d been doing that lately, and it made him wild with desire. “You’re insatiable, you know that?” he mumbled.

Liz giggled as she felt his hardness brush against her leg. “Me?”

“Mmm.” His fingers danced over her hip before creeping into her curls. He grinned when she bent her knees, spreading her legs and inviting him in. He heard her breath catch as he propped himself on one elbow and slowly extended a finger out to touch her.

Letting out a soft whimper, Liz arched her back as she felt his gentle exploration. His finger ran up and down the length of her before carefully parting her swollen lips. “God…Max,” she gasped as he stroked over her slick walls.

Max lowered his head, inhaling his wife’s sweet arousal. He touched her reverently, basking in the sound of her soft moans, and allowed his fingers to penetrate her just once before he raised his eyes to meet hers. Slowly, his hands slid back to her hips, tracing up her body as his face drew close to hers. One hand cupped the side of her round belly as he whispered, “Do you know how incredibly sexy you are?”

Liz stared up at him, her eyes filling with tears. “Do you mean that?” she managed.

Max smiled gently, pressing a sweet kiss to her lips. “I am so unbelievably attracted to you,” he breathed, rubbing his hand over her belly.

She giggled a little then, blinking hard. “Hormones,” she groaned, touching the side of Max’s face when he stuck his tongue out at her. “Mine, not yours, you dork.”

“Hey!” He grabbed Liz’s wrists and pinned them above her head with one hand, tickling her sides with the other.

Liz shrieked with laughter, rolling onto her side in an attempt to escape him. “I’m sorry! I give!”

“That’s better,” Max huffed, slowing his fingers as she rolled onto her back again. Raising his hands in surrender, he added, “I’m done, I swear.” To prove his compliance, his hand slid back to her body, this time cupping her breast.

“You’re done, huh?” Liz asked, arching an eyebrow as his hand caressed her.

“Do you want me to be?” He ceased his movements.

“No…” A chill of pleasure ran down Liz’s spine as he urged first one nipple, and then the other, into fine peaks beneath the silk of her nightgown. She began to writhe beneath his ministrations, urging him on.

Max didn’t need much coercion as he rolled closer, lowering his face to her slightly swollen breasts. His tongue laved around her nipple over the thin fabric, and Liz thrust her breasts toward him.

His body was humming with anticipation, the ache in his groin steadily intensifying with each breathy moan Liz uttered. He knew what they both wanted, needed, and he groaned in appreciation as Liz’s hands set to work. She tugged his sweats over his hips, urging his body to find completion in the cradle of her thighs.

Bracing his body with his arms, he gazed down at his wife. “Are you okay?” he asked softly, urgently. “Am I hurting you?”

Liz shook her head. “No, Max, I feel amazing,” she assured. She wanted him to take her like this, blanketed in his warmth, knowing that any day now it would be impossible around the bulge of her belly. “Please,” she whispered, running her hands over the backs of his thighs.

He agreed silently, shifting so that his swollen head could find her. Together they sucked in their breaths as he began to enter her, slow and steady, until he was fully sheathed. “God, Liz,” he breathed, using his muscular arms to raise and lower himself into her burning center.

“Max…yes…” she gasped again and again as her body thrust up to meet his. She felt his hands move to her hips, lifting her into him and giving her extra support. His shaft drilled into her at just the right angle, making her cry out with pleasure.

Max grunted as he pounded in and out of her, building them up into a shared release. They cried out together as the precious flashes filled their consciousness, visions of life they had created from their love.

“Liz…oh god,” Max gasped, leaning over her on his elbows as the emotion clogged his throat. “She’s beautiful, Liz. So beautiful…”

Nodding silently, Liz rolled onto her side and drew a trembling Max into her arms. The images of their daughter were so fresh, her sweet face and expressive eyes…the miracle that they could see her and know her before she’d taken her first breath…it was overwhelming. Rubbing her hand over his bare back, Liz could only hold him as he clung to her, clung to the precious life she carried.

*****

“…Happy Birthday dear Jaycee, Happy Birthday to you!”

The little girl grinned as she leaned over her candles, taking a deep breath in an attempt to puff out all four at once. The small gathering of family and friends clapped and cheered as the last candle flickered and then went out.

Kyle sat at the end of the table, watching the scene before him. He was pleased that Serena had invited him to Jaycee’s birthday party, but a bit anxious at the same time. Although he’d gotten to know Jaycee a bit better the past few weeks, he knew that he must be pretty special if he was able to be a part of the celebration. That in itself caused him to put pressure on himself. The rest of the guests – Serena’s sister, her husband and two kids, and a couple of friends – seemed interested in Kyle, but no one was asking too many questions. Really, he was making the situation more stressful than it needed to be.

“So…how’re you feeling?” Serena asked a while later as they stood in the empty living room. Empty of people, anyway. The floor was still littered with wrapping paper and gifts that Jaycee hadn’t managed to wrestle into her room on her way to bed.

“Um…pretty good,” he answered, bending over to scoop up a stray ribbon. “It seemed like Jaycee had a good birthday.”

Serena nodded with a smile. “I hope so. I just…I think it’s probably going to get more difficult each year. You know, as Jaycee gets older.”

Kyle nodded wordlessly. That made sense, considering Serena had told him that Jaycee never met her father. “Does she ask about him much?”

“Not really,” Serena replied, brushing aside a scrap of wrapping paper and sinking onto the couch. “Of course, I don’t offer much anyway. The fact is, I barely knew him myself. I met him my freshman year at UCLA, and he disappeared before I even knew I was pregnant.” She sighed. “We moved here to Roswell when Jaycee was six months old so I could start up classes again somewhere new…and the rest is history.” She struggled to smile, but her lip was quivering.

“Hey…” Kyle whispered, sitting down beside her. “I don’t know much about kids, but Jaycee is a great one.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “You’ve done a great job with her.”

Serena looked up with shining eyes. “Thank you, Kyle.”

He nodded again, this time tilting her chin up and moving in for a sweet kiss.

*****

“They’re not gonna make me, like, touch her stomach or anything, are they?”

Maria shifted her eyes from the road to Michael. “What?”

“I don’t know, Max keeps talking about the baby moving and how amazing it is and how I’ve just got to feel it, and-“

“Michael Guerin, does the miracle of life make you uncomfortable?” Maria teased.

“When I think about how it has to come out it does,” he answered with a groan.

“Lightweight,” Maria muttered as she put the Jetta into park outside of Max and Liz’s apartment building.

Michael made a face at her, but compliantly retrieved the Alien Green Lime Pie from beneath his seat and followed Maria inside.

“Maria, you are a goddess!” Liz declared as she threw open the front door and caught sight of the pie.

After giving her best friend a hug, Maria placed her hands on Liz’s belly and grinned. “And you-“

“-are getting bigger every day,” Liz groaned. “I saw you two days ago and I’ve probably put on as many inches since then.”

“No, no, no, bonita chica!” Maria laughed, giving Liz another hug as Max came in from the kitchen.

“That’s what I keep telling her,” he grinned. “It’s good to see you guys. You know, outside of the café and all.”

Maria took the box from Michael and headed for the kitchen. “Hey, a whole pie at the end of the night is cause for celebration."

“Something like that,” Michael muttered, his fingers digging into the pocket of his work jeans and touching the cool metal material he had hidden there.

*****

The soft sounds of Kyle and Serena’s sighs as they kissed were interrupted by the harsh ringing of Kyle’s cell phone.

“Shit,” he muttered, shifting his body off of hers and straightening his shirt before reaching into his back pocket. “It’ll be just a second.”

Serena nodded, her face flushed, gazing up at Kyle as he answered his phone.

“Hello?”

“Kyle? It’s Dad.”

Kyle sucked in a breath, trying to slow his heart and sound casual. “Oh hey Dad, what’s up?”

“The nursing home just called,” Jim said slowly.

He rubbed his eyes. Grandpa must have been throwing food again. “Why? Is something wrong?”

“Your grandfather died in his sleep tonight.”

43

“Mmm…god, this is amazing,” Liz groaned

Max swallowed, nearly choking, as his wife voiced her pleasure for the Green Lime Pie. Just the look on her face nearly made him hard, her eyes closed, tongue snaking out over her lips to catch a few stray crumbs. He jumped when someone kicked his leg.

“Maxwell?” Michael tapped the tabletop. “Maxwell, did you hear me?”

“Hm?” Max turned to see the determined look on Michael’s face. “What’s up?”

Michael glanced at the girls, who were chatting animatedly across the table. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Out there?” Michael nodded toward the living room.

Max shot him a confused look. “Whatever,” he shrugged.

Once they were out of the girls’ earshot, Michael started right in. “Max, there’s something I gotta show you.”

Again, Michael sent him a puzzled look. “Is everything okay? You’re not sick or anything, are-“

“No, it’s not that,” Michael interrupted. “Everything’s fine, I – I think.” He hastily reached in and dug through his pocket. “But I think you should-“

“Max! Come here, hurry!”

Max leapt to his feet at the sound of Liz’s urgent voice, cursing under his breath and leaving Michael without a second glance. “Liz? Liz, what’s wrong?”

And there she sat, hands pressed to her belly. “She’s got hiccups, Max,” she said with a giggle.

His panic faded away as he approached her, but he still felt bewildered. “Hiccups? How do you know-“

Liz took his hand and firmly planted it on the side of her protruding abdomen. “Tell me that’s not hiccups.”

Max grinned as he felt the exuberant life under her skin. “I didn’t know babies got those…already,” he said dumbly.

Maria watched on with a smile, knowing that Liz and Max had as good as forgotten she and Michael were even there. Michael stood in the doorway awkwardly, his fingers running over the smooth surface of the material in his pocket. He knew Maria would be angry, but he had to do this. It was now or never.

Riiing!

“I’ll get it,” Max spoke up, reluctantly straightening and sending Liz another grin. He lifted the receiver with a bright ‘hello,’ his fingers still tingling from the sensation of his daughter moving beneath his hand

Liz watched the silly grin on Max’s face fade, until his mouth was set in a firm line. “Is there anything we can do?” he asked finally. “Are you sure? Okay. Okay. I’m sorry, Kyle. And tell your dad we send our condolences. Right…we’ll be in touch.” He set the receiver down and turned to face a curious Liz, Maria, and Michael.

“What happened?” Liz asked softly.

“Jim’s dad died tonight.”

“Oh my god.” Liz’s hand rushed to her mouth

“How are Kyle and Jim doing?” Maria asked.

Max shrugged. “Trying to stay busy, I think. Making arrangements and things.”

Maria nodded thoughtfully, squeezing Liz’s shoulder. “Do they need anything?”

“Kyle mentioned they might need us to try and reach some of his old department buddies for the funeral.”

Michael nodded his agreement. “Definitely.” He sighed then. So much for now or never.

*****

“Thank you again for coming, Don,” Jim said, offering the elderly man a firm handshake. “It would have meant a lot to my father.”

“I tell you what, Jimmy, in spite of all that nonsense that got him into trouble, your father was a damn good cop. Damn good.”

Jim nodded somewhat uncomfortably. “You take care, Don.” He sighed deeply, turning back to the door of the funeral home as the slow trickle of people made their way to the casket.

“How’re you doing, Dad?”

Turning to his son, Jim accepted the styrofoam cup of coffee. “Thanks. I’m doing alright, I guess. Wondering how many of these people are here to pay their respects or just gawk at a crazy old man.”

Kyle touched his father’s shoulder. “But we know the truth, Dad.”

Jim nodded, sipping his coffee. “Max and Liz just walked in,” he noted with a short nod toward the door.

Liz gripped Max’s hand tightly as they stepped into the funeral home. Her eyes darted around the foyer, searching for any of their friends. She knew Amy and Maria would be here, and Michael, too, before his shift.

“You okay?” Max asked quietly, knowing it was a shallow question. The last time Liz had been here was for Alex’s wake. It may have been nearly three years, but the pain was still fresh when they thought of their friend, of the young life that had been ended so cruelly.

Taking a deep breath, Liz nodded. She could feel the flutter of her baby inside, and the presence of both her daughter and husband was comforting. “We should sign the book,” she suggested.

Max led her to the small leather-bound book provided by the funeral home and reached for the pen to scribble their names. As his fingers wrapped around it, his thoughts were bombarded. “Oh my god,” he muttered, his eyes quickly scanning the list of names.

“Max? What’s the matter?” Liz asked in alarm.

“Hubble’s partner.”

“What?” He’d spoken so softly she’d hardly heard him. “His partner?”

“His former partner,” Max repeated. “Paul Faulkner. Years ago, when they worked for the Santa Cruz P.D.”

Liz studied her husband. “How do you know all this?” she asked. “I didn’t know he’d ever been a cop.”

“I did my research,” Max answered simply.

“Oh my god, Max.” Liz’s eyes had grown wide. “You don’t think he knows who you-“

“No,” he assured quickly. “He left the department twelve years ago, even before Hubble did. The chances of him having spoken to Hubble in the days before he died-“

“But we can’t be too careful,” Liz broke in. “Do you think he’s still here?”

“We’ll talk to Jim,” Max replied, his voice soothing. “Please don’t worry, Liz, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Liz nodded as he wound his arm around her, guiding her to the Valenti’s. He had to be right. One of them would have warned them if it was dangerous, if this man thought the same thing about Max as Hubble did.

“Hey guys, thanks for coming,” Kyle spoke up, giving Liz a hug as Max shook Jim’s hand. After breaking from the hug, Kyle noticed the door opening over Liz’s shoulder. Serena. “Excuse me for a minute.”

After a few moments of small talk, Max regarded Jim seriously. “So about Paul Faulkner-“

“You saw his name,” Jim said knowingly. "It's okay, Max, we're on good terms. He just wanted to send his regards to the family."

“He’s not going to try and hurt Max, is he?” Liz spoke up anxiously.

“He doesn’t even know who Max is,” Jim assured. “There’s no way he could.”

Max exchanged a look with Liz before kissing her forehead. “There, you see? It’s fine.”

Liz nodded slowly. “I – I guess. There’s Maria, I’m going to say hi.”

Watching as his wife walked away, Max took a deep breath. “It’s not that simple, is it?”

“Max-“

“I read an article about him, Jim. Both him and Hubble…they did their alien research. He’s got to know as much about the shape-shifters as Hubble did.”

Jim sighed. “In all honesty, Max…besides his partnership with Hubble, which was rocky in and of itself many times, he always backed my father. Looked at him as a standout sheriff. He didn’t know who was responsible for the Silo murder, he just thought Sheriff Valenti was doing his job.”

Max nodded, considering this. Just the same, he wasn’t eager to have a run-in with the man. “Is he still here?”

“No, he left a good hour ago.”

This made Max feel a bit better. He scanned the small crowd across the room, watching Liz as she talked with Maria, Kyle, and Serena. He wanted to keep a close eye on her tonight. Perhaps it was just the funeral home, but something wasn’t sitting well with him.

*****

“You really don’t have to stay.”

“Kyle, I want to,” Serena assured, squeezing his hand.

“But Jaycee-“

“-is with my mom tonight,” she reminded. “Unless you really want me to leave-“

“Of course I don’t want you to leave,” Kyle sighed. “I just…thank you.”

Serena offered him a smile. “You’re welcome.” She paused, studying him. “You haven’t been sleeping at all, have you?”

“Not much,” he admitted, sinking into a folding chair at the back of the room. He’d been thinking about too much. The things his grandfather had seen but no one else would believe, things that cost him his job. History had repeated itself with his own father, although he did manage to earn his job back. And yet, despite all of this, they never told him they believed him. They never let on to what they knew, and it was something Kyle continued to struggle with. He hated keeping things from those he loved – like his grandfather, like Serena – but he was protecting them, wasn’t he? It was questions like those that put him in amazement of Max Evans, of the lives he saved and the life he tried to protect.

Just before the visitation ended, Isabel and Jesse, who was fresh from work, arrived. While the final visitors paid their last respects to Jim Valenti, Sr., everyone began to regroup at the back of the room.

“I’m bringing food by the house. Lots of it,” Amy informed them. “Michael’s bringing some leftovers from the Crashdown after his shift, too. Jim said you all are welcome to come over for a late supper.”

Liz didn’t needed to ponder that one for long before meeting Max’s eyes and nodding. She was starving – eating for two and all – but the look on Max’s face made her pause. Taking him by the arm, she led him across the room. “What’s wrong, Max?” she asked quietly.

“Nothing,” was his quick reply. “Everything fine, okay?”

“Okay,” she agreed, returning his gentle kiss before groaning and rubbing her hand over her belly.

“Liz, do you feel alright?” Max’s eyes widened as he gripped her arm.

“Max, yes, I’m fine!” she assured, giving him a strange look. “I’m just hungry, that’s all. I’m going to ask Amy if she needs any help with the food.”

She was hungry. Of course that’s all it was, he scolded himself. He shouldn’t be worrying Liz, acting so strange around her, not now.

“Max?”

He looked up to see Isabel before him. “Yeah?” he muttered.

“Sorry,” Isabel replied, insulted. “I just wanted to ask about this Faulkner guy.”

“Who told you about him?” Max demanded.

“Liz did,” she answered. “Is that why you’ve been so distracted all night?”

“It might have something to do with the fact that we’re in a funeral home-“

“Oh Max, get off it,” Isabel hissed. “That’s not what it’s about and you know it. Do you really think Faulkner will be a problem?”

Max was silent for a moment, watching Liz as she spoke with Amy across the room. “I – I don’t know,” he answered honestly. “Jim doesn’t seem to think so, but…”

“But what, Max?” she asked gently.

He hesitated, as if voicing his strange feeling would make it come true. “Something doesn’t feel right,” he admitted finally. “I wish I could say I knew what it is, but I don’t.”

Isabel studied her brother in concern. “Max, I’m sure it’s just…just being here, you know? It feels strange for me, too.” She shivered. “Really strange.”

Max squeezed his sister’s hand. “Maybe that’s it,” he agreed, knowing that deep down he didn’t really believe it.

“Well, I think things are finishing up here,” Kyle announced then. “Why don’t you all head over to the house? Amy and Maria are going to pick up the food, and there’ll be plenty for everybody. Serena’s going to stay here with my dad and I while we talk to the director, and then we’ll just meet you there.”

Max nodded, glancing over to where his wife and friends were. “We’ll get everything set up-“ He trailed off. Where was Liz? “Oh my god,” he muttered, his heart pounding. “Maria?” he called, brushing past Isabel. “Maria, where’s Liz?”

“She said she was going to the bathroom,” Maria answered with a shrug.

His blood froze. No...

Maria and Amy watched, bewildered, as Max pushed past them and bolted down the hall. He never should have let her out of his sight, not tonight. He searched blindly, his heart racing as he scanned the long, dark hallway. Liz, where are you?

A dimly lit restroom sign caught his eye, and he reached for the handle. Locked. He cursed under his breath, jiggling the knob and then sending a flash of light over it. Bursting into the bathroom, his body sagged against the doorframe.

“Liz!”

44

“Max?” Liz spun around from the sink with a gasp. “You scared me!” She stared at him, his body sagged against the door, breath coming in strangled gasps. “Oh my god, what’s wrong?”

And then he was surrounding her, crushing her to his body, embracing his wife and child like he would never let go. “I thought something…happened,” he breathed into her hair, his voice barely audible.

“No…no, baby, we’re fine,” Liz assured, her eyes wide as he continued to cling to her. Threading her fingers through the hair that curled at the back of his neck, she pressed a kiss to his jaw. His body shook uncontrollably, and it scared her. “Max…talk to me.”

He pulled away slightly, holding her out at arms’ length. “I need to see her,” he whispered.

Liz nodded silently, knowing it was more important than talking right now. She guided his trembling hands to her belly, letting his fingers explore its fullness, slowly unfastening two of the buttons on her dress. “Can you feel her, Max?” she asked.

Max’s jaw clenched, and he nodded. His hands spread over the smooth skin stretched over their growing child. Some of the terror dissipated as her sweet glow seeped between his fingers, and his heart soared at her sudden movement.

“You know Daddy’s with us, don’t you?” Liz spoke softly to her child, her small hand covering Max’s larger one.

“I’m here,” Max repeated, caressing the place where their daughter lay. “I’ll never let anything happen to you…” He trailed off, his voice choked with emotion. “Oh god, Liz, I was so scared,” he managed as his arms engulfed her once again.

“I know,” Liz whispered, her voice soothing. She could feel it, rolling off of him in waves. “Max, tell me what scared you,” she encouraged again.

Max took a deep breath, sucking the needed air into his lungs. “I had this – this feeling,” he said, voice muffled where his face hid in her neck. “I thought I was too late.”

As she stood, crushed in Max’s embrace, Liz remembered a time months and months ago. Clinging to one another on the bathroom floor of the Crashdown. Max’s concern for her and their unborn baby. And then, just weeks later, as she bled on the cold tile, his despair as he tried to save them both. He wouldn’t let it happen again. His rush of guilt hit her, and Liz held him tight. “No, Max,” she whispered over and over.

“I won’t let it happen again,” he breathed into Liz’s ear. “Not to her.”

“Max, listen to me.” Liz’s voice was firm as she wrenched herself from his grip and looked him straight in the eye. “Nothing is going to happen to her. She is going to be born and take her first breath and we are going to hear her cry and we’re going to hold her and love her and…Max, nothing is taking her away. Do you hear me?” She paused. “Trust me, Max. I feel it.”

Max swallowed hard, gazing into the eyes of his love. His amazingly strong wife…his very soul. And slowly, he nodded. “I trust you,” he whispered reverently, his forehead pressed to hers. “With everything I have, I trust you.”

*****

“Where the hell are Max and Liz?” Maria demanded of Isabel. “The way Max ran out of here…” She trailed off with a shiver. “Sorry. This place gives me the creeps, and I think it’s messing with me.”

“I know.” Isabel squeezed Maria’s shoulder. “I’m sure everything’s fine, he’s just…a little jumpy.”

Amy approached them then, keys in hand. “Maria, honey, let’s get going. We can pick up Michael on our way back.”

“Tell Liz I’ll see her over there, okay?” Maria requested of Isabel before waving to the Valenti’s and following her mother to the door.

Jim returned the wave, catching Amy’s eye for a moment. Kyle, on the other hand, barely noticed. His heart grew heavier with each passing moment as they waited to meet with the director to finalize his grandfather’s private internment the next morning.

“How’re you doing, Kyle?” Serena murmured from where she stood beside him.

“Okay.” He was grateful to have her there, holding his hand, even though she’d never met his grandfather. While the pain was still quite fresh from her own father’s death a year and half before, she’d insisted she could handle it – a chance to give someone else the strength she’d needed.

He heard footsteps echoing down the hall, but instead of the director, Max and Liz walked in hand-in-hand. “We’ll meet you at the house,” Max said quietly. “I don’t know how long we’ll stay, but…” He trailed off with a shrug.

Kyle watched Liz squeeze his hand and murmur something to him, and Max’s body seemed to relax a bit. “Sounds good,” he said. “Save some food for us.”

Liz patted her belly and smiled. “I’ll try.”

Guiding Liz toward the door, Max glanced at his sister and brother-in-law. “Ready?”

“Yeah, but…Max? You okay?” Isabel studied her brother, whose color seemed to be returning. He still didn’t look completely well, but she couldn’t figure out why.

Max glanced at Liz and then nodded firmly. “We’re fine.”

The couples got into their respective cars, Isabel and Jesse following Max and Liz through town and to the Valenti’s. It was dark and closed up, and Max knew they hadn’t been spending much time there the past few days except to unload some of Jim Sr.’s things from the nursing home. He walked around the car, opening the door for Liz as Jesse and Isabel approached.

The four headed to the front door in silence, Max running his palm over the doorknob to unlock it. As they stepped into the house, he stopped.

“Max?” Liz glanced at him in confusion.

“Stay back,” he ordered. His eyes swept over the dark living room, searching.

“What the hell is going on?” Isabel demanded, her grip on Jesse’s arm tightening.

And then they heard it.

“Max?” Liz clutched her husband’s arm. “Max, what was that?”

“Stay back,” Max repeated, bracing his free arm against the doorframe as another loud shuffle came from deep inside the house.

“Someone’s inside,” Isabel murmured. “Max, we have to go look.”

Jesse grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “Isabel, no, it’s not safe. We’ll go back out and call the cops.”

But Max was already in the door, determined. “Liz, go back to the cars with Jesse,” he ordered. “Iz, stay right behind me.”

“I don’t want my wife going inside!” Jesse argued. “I’ll go in with you, they should stay here-“

Isabel shook her head, looking at her husband seriously. “It’s safer for me to go in,” she reminded. She waited until Jesse reluctantly loosened his grip and said, “We’re just going to check it out.”

“Max, be careful,” Liz spoke up fearfully as Jesse wrapped his arm around her shoulders. They watched, unmoving, as Max and Isabel proceeded into the house.

Moving silently through the living room, Max’s eyes swept over each corner. “Be prepared to move quick,” he hissed over his shoulder.

Isabel nodded, her mind racing as the adrenaline pumped through her veins. What were they going to find? A robber? Someone who randomly found the house and decided to see what he could score? Or someone…else?

Both jumped when another rustling sound came from one of the bedrooms. Kyle’s room. Max glanced at his sister, and they nodded in unison. “One,” Max mouthed, “Two…”

*****

“Michael! Let’s go!” Maria stood in the Crashdown’s back doorway, tapping her foot impatiently.

“Chill out, Blondie,” Michael shot back, pulling off his bandana and mopping it over his face. “Give me a second so I can grab the pies.”

Maria nodded, leaning her head out the door. “Mom, it’ll be just a minute!” she called. “Make sure you take any leftover Alien Lime,” she added to Michael, “or Liz is gonna kills us both.”

“Yes ma’am,” he replied, rooting around in the fridge. Last thing he wanted was a pissed off pregnant woman on his hands. He’d dealt with that more than once with Isabel.

“I’m gonna give them a call real quick,” Maria decided then, reaching for the phone on the wall. “Let em know we’ll be there soon.”

*****

“Liz,” Jesse murmured from where they anxiously stood on the porch steps. “Call the cops. Or Jim at least, let them know what’s going on.”

Liz started to nod, reaching into her purse, and then sighed. “Max has the phone,” she whispered back. “Maybe we should use yours-“

“And Isabel has mine,” Jesse finished. He cursed under his breath. “I really don’t like this.”

“I know,” Liz answered, her eyes trained to the house. “But it’s – it’s gonna be okay. Because Max knows what he’s doing. Isabel too, and…and they can take care of whatever’s going on. It’s probably nothing. An open window or something.” She trailed off, knowing how unconvincing she sounded. But she had to keep telling herself it was nothing, that Max could take care of it, because otherwise she’d panic. She was amazed her hormones were allowing her to do this well.


*****

“…three.” Max was just about to burst into Kyle’s room when the silence was broken by the shrill ring of his cell phone.

“Fuck,” Max hissed. “Go!” With Isabel right behind him, he threw the door open. There, in the middle of the dark room, illuminated by only the dim glow of a flashlight, was Paul Faulkner.

*****

“No answer,” Maria announced, hanging up the phone and turning to Michael. “Must have left it in the car.”

Michael shrugged, stacking three pie tins in his arms. “We’ll be there in a few minutes anyway.”

*****

“Kyle, why don’t you drive with Serena to the house?” Jim suggested as they got their things together.

“Are you gonna be okay, Dad?” Kyle asked quietly.

Jim nodded firmly. “I’ll be fine, Kyle. Really. I could probably a little time to myself, anyway, you know?”

“Yeah, Dad, I do,” Kyle replied. And he did. He’d needed some alone time the past few days, too, but now that Serena was here…well, he decided he’d rather spend that time with her. She helped him to take his mind off it all, even if just for a little while.

“You two go on ahead, I’m going to stop and get some coffee on the way,” Jim was saying.

“Don’t we have some at home?”

“Nah. Haven’t had time to go to the store. And Amy doesn’t drink the stuff, so I doubt she’ll be bringing any with her.”

Kyle shrugged. “Okay. We’ll meet you back at the house.”

*****

“What the hell are you doing here?” Max demanded, hand raised and ready to strike.

Faulkner slowly got to his feet, the beam of the flashlight crossing the wall and settling on Max. “You.”

“Why are you here?” Max repeated, his hand still outstretched as he blinked against the bright light.

The man rubbed his hand through his dark, thinning hair and studied Max. “That’s a silly question, isn’t it.”

“You tell me,” Max shot back, his voice steady.

“Why the fuck do you think I’m here?” Faulkner spat, the beam of light hovering over Max’s face and then shifting slightly to Isabel. “Brought your sister too, huh? She's still a pretty one.”

“What does that have to do with you breaking into someone else’s house?”

Faulkner sniffed. “You apparently have a talent for that yourself.”

“The Valenti’s are friends of ours,” Max answered evenly. “We had a key.” He shifted his hand to the wall, flipping a switch and shrouding the room in light. His eyes dropped the ground, scanning the boxes upon boxes cluttering the floor.

“You already know everything that’s in these, don’t you Max?” Faulkner prodded. “Everything that happened to my partner. The shit that went down, got him killed.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His eyes adjusted to the light, noticing the stacks of newspaper articles spilling from several of the cartons. Jim Sr.’s things, no doubt.

“The hell you don’t!” Faulkner dropped to his knees, grabbing one of the clippings. “’Young woman dead, mysterious attacker on the loose,’” he read. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

Max studied the aging man evenly. “I had nothing to do with that.”

“Exactly what you told Everett, isn’t it?” Faulkner dropped the clipping, letting it flutter back into the box. “But we both know it’s a bit more complicated than that, don’t we?”

“Look, Jim is going to be here any minute. He’s going to have your ass arrested for breaking and entering,” Max informed him.

Faulkner chuckled. “I think Jim’s a bit smarter than that. He always was a better cop than his father. Got himself back on the squad, didn’t he?” He paused, reaching into his back pocket. “Besides, I’ve got a better aim than Everett did.”

The last thing Max heard was Isabel gasp as Faulkner retrieved a shiny semi-automatic and pulled the trigger.

*****

“The house looks awfully dark. Shouldn’t they be there by now?” Amy turned onto the Valenti’s quiet street, squinting through the windshield into the darkness.

“Their cars are there,” Maria noted, drumming her fingers on the edge of the window as they approached the long side driveway. “See, look, there’s Jesse and Liz.”

“How come they’re out-“ Michael’s question was cut off as the sound of a gunshot pierced the night air.

45

“No!” Liz gasped, bolting away from Jesse as the sound of a gunshot echoed through the desert night.

“Liz, wait!” Jesse reached for her, grabbing her arm before she could break away completely. “You can’t-“

Whirling around, Liz choked back a sob. “He might be hurt! He can’t heal himself if he’s-“

“What the hell is going on?” Michael demanded, jumping out of the car even before Amy could put it into park. “Where are Max and Isabel?”

“Inside!” Liz answered tearfully. “Michael, we have to go to them!”

“Why do they have a gun?” Amy asked, her face full of confusion as she and Maria hurried from the car.

Jesse shook his head, his entire body trembling. “They don’t. But – but someone in the house apparently does.”

“Someone in the-“ Maria clapped her hand over her mouth before reaching for Liz as she collapsed in her arms.

“Someone broke into the house?” Amy repeated, her voice rising an octave. “Why did they go in? Why didn’t anyone call the police? Or – or Jim-“

“Neither of us had a phone,” Jesse answered numbly, his face ashen.

Michael squared his shoulders. “I’m going in there.”

“Michael!” Maria reached for him, one arm still wound tightly around a shaking Liz.

“Stay here,” Michael ordered, moving quickly toward the house before anyone could stop him. He crossed into the living room, heading down the hall toward the sound of muffled voices. A mirror was shattered into thousands of tiny pieces across the hall from Kyle’s room, and a large bullet hole marred the wall behind it. Praying that accounted for the only shot he’d heard, Michael turned into Kyle’s room.

*****

“…And though it’s part of the Lone Star state people don’t seem to care,” Kyle sang along with the radio blasting away as they sped toward home.

“…they’ll just keep on lookin to the east,” Serena continued, laughing as the spring breeze ruffled her hair.

“This is such a great song,” Kyle spoke up over the radio, one hand drumming against the window.

Serena grinned, brushing her hair back from her face. “I’m proud to say Jaycee was a fan of the Doobie Brothers even in utero.”

“I knew there was a reason I like her,” Kyle chuckled. He watched as Serena turned off the main road onto his quiet street. “I hope they’ve got the food ready. I’m starving.” And it was true, the last time he’d even been able to think about food was before noon – that in itself was amazing.

“Uh-oh. Did anyone have a key?” Serena spoke up, squinting into the night. She could see three cars and several of their friends crowded around them.

“Uh, I think so,” he answered, knowing that shouldn’t have mattered. Neither Max nor Isabel should have had any trouble getting into the house. And that would have been before Amy got there, so they shouldn’t have had to answer any questions – “What the hell?” Kyle muttered, switching down the radio as Serena pulled into the driveway alongside the other cars.

“Kyle, where’s your father?” Amy demanded, anxiously crossing over to Serena’s car.

“My – he’s getting coffee. Why are you out here? What’s going on?” Kyle paused as Liz slowly looked up from Maria’s embrace, her eyes wet with tears.

“Someone’s in your house,” she answered hoarsely. “Max and Isabel went in…and a gun…went off, and…” She trailed off, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks as Maria’s hold on her tightened.

Realizing Maria’s ‘embrace’ was more of a means of keeping Liz from chasing after Max, Kyle nodded blankly. “Who – who’s inside?”

“Michael went in after Isabel and Max,” Jesse supplied, his jaw clenched. “We heard something in the house and they went to check it out. We – we haven’t seen them since.”

Kyle vaguely registered the sound of Serena’s gasp and then said, “It’s my house. I better go in.”

“Kyle, don’t!” Serena grabbed his arm. “I’ll call the police. Has anyone called the police?” She glanced around at the shaking heads and felt her confusion build. “Why not?”

Reaching for her hands, Kyle led her to his friends. “Stay here with them, Serena, please. I’m sure everything’s okay, I just-“

“I’m going with you,” Liz spoke up firmly, pulling away from Maria.

“Liz! Liz, you can’t-“

Liz spun around, squaring her shoulders. “If Kyle can go in, so can I.” Screw the aliens-only stuff. She was going to Max.

“But Liz, the baby-“ Amy began.

Maria caught her mother’s eye and shook her head. She agreed, but she also knew Liz’s thinking. If anyone else was going into that house, there was no way in hell Liz would stay behind. Reluctantly, she dropped her arm and Liz hurried to Kyle.

The others watched anxiously as the two disappeared into the house. In a voice too soft for anyone else to hear, Serena murmured, “This isn’t safe. Why are they doing this?”

Kyle led Liz through the front door, flipping on a lamp on the table in the living room.

“What are you doing?” Liz hissed.

“It’s not like whoever broke in doesn’t know we’re here,” Kyle muttered, scanning the hallway. “Down there. I hear them.”

“Max?” Liz breathed. “Oh god, I hear him!” She shot down the hall as fast as her changing center of balance would allow, stepping over the shattered glass on the floor. “Max?”

Max whirled around from where he stood in Kyle’s room. “Liz? You shouldn’t be in here,” he warned, his eyes filled with worry.

“What do you know. It’s a party,” Faulkner announced, his hand still wrapped around the gun. “Who’s this little lady?”

“My wife,” Max ground out, slowly moving toward her and wrapping his arm around her protectively. “Don’t come near her.”

“I’m not here for her, Max,” Faulkner said in exasperation, waving his gun around for emphasis. “But it does complicate matters a bit now that we’ve got such an audience.” He turned to Kyle and his eyes hardened. “You. You’re the sheriff’s boy.”

“Kyle Valenti,” he agreed, swallowing hard. “What are you doing here, Mr. Faulkner?”

Faulkner chuckled darkly. “Seems your grandfather was quite the collector,” he said, gesturing to the cartons with his gun. “He left a lot questions unanswered, and I’m here to find them.”

“These are just newspaper clippings,” Kyle pointed out. “There’s no answers. It’s exactly what the rest of the world read.”

“You don’t really believe that, do you?” Faulkner sneered. “Your grandfather has seen more than he let on. Your father has, too. Which can only mean-“

“Stop!” Max ordered, raising his hand again as Faulkner stepped closer to Kyle. “Kyle has nothing to do with this. He’s just trying to defend his family.”

Faulkner turned to face Max. “And I’m just trying to defend my partner,” he shot back coldly.

Liz shivered, knowing he was just as obsessed as Hubble was. And that whatever Hubble had set out to find, Faulkner was here to finish. No matter what it took.

*****

“Can someone tell me again why we haven’t called the police?” Amy demanded, pacing back and forth in front of the cars.

Maria and Jesse exchanged a look. “Jim will be here any minute, Mom, faster than a squad car could get here,” she explained. “Look, we haven’t heard any more gunshots, and no one’s come out to tell us anything’s wrong, so-“

“That’s just the thing, no one has come out,” Serena pointed out. “Why did Max and Isabel think they could stop someone with a gun?”

Jesse shoved his hands in his pockets. “No one knew the person had a gun.”

“This is getting ridiculous,” Amy continued. “What if they’re being held hostage, or-“

“That’s exactly why we need to call the cops!” Serena agreed.

Maria bit back the urge to respond, knowing that Serena and her mother didn’t understand the entire situation. They didn’t understand why Max and Isabel and Michael might be able to control the situation – or even be the reason for it – or why it was so essential to wait until Jim arrived.

*****

“So, Kyle Valenti,” Faulkner ventured. “What kind of stories did your grandfather tell you about his alien encounters?”

“He hardly talked about it,” Kyle answered, lifting his chin. And it was true. For as long as he could remember his grandfather would mumble things about them being ‘among us,’ but he never offered much more. And Kyle never asked.

Faulkner stepped a little closer, peering into Kyle’s face. “He never told you about shapeshifters?”

Kyle fought the urge to flinch. “No.”

“Bullshit!” Faulkner shoved the barrel of the gun under Kyle’s chin. “One of those monsters was here, in Roswell. Your grandfather knew it.” He paused, tightening his finger on the trigger. “And so do you. So why don’t you cut the crap and tell me what you know.”

Liz gripped Max’s arm, her heart pounding. You’ve got to do something, Max! she cried out through their connection.

Max’s eyes were trained to the gun in Faulkner’s hand. I’ll do whatever I can, he assured. But we have to be careful, or he’ll know. We can’t prove he’s right.

Liz knew this was true, but her legs were shaking so badly they threatened to give out on her. She couldn’t watch her friend die. If Faulkner pulled the trigger right now, Kyle would die instantly. No chance for Max to heal him. But if Max used his powers to get the gun away from him, Faulkner would know about him. They would all be in danger.

Outside, the others were growing restless. “I need to know what’s going on in there,” Jesse spoke up. “I’m not waiting until Jim gets here.”

The three women exchanged wide eyed looks as Jesse strode toward the house.

Kyle continued to stare at the man who held his fate in his hands. Quite literally. “I wish I could help you, but-“

“Does the name Cal Langley ring a bell?” Faulkner broke in suddenly. “And don’t give me any bullshit about him being a hot-shot director, because I know the truth. He’s another one of those freaks. And he’s still alive.” He pressed the barrel into Kyle’s throat, hard. “I want you to tell me where.”

“I don’t-“

“Tell me!” he boomed. “I was tracking that son of a bitch for two years, and I’m not gonna lose him now!”

“We don’t know what you’re talking about,” Max spoke up, willing his voice to be steady.

Faulkner growled and spun back to Max. “The hell you don’t!” His eyes wild with rage, he drew the gun from Kyle and waved it in the air. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. And you’ll tell me everything I want to know.” His finger tightened again on the trigger. “Or you’ll be sorry.”

The ring of a gunshot pierced the air, followed by a woman’s scream, and then there was silence.

The next moments were but a blur. Max had thrown himself in front of Liz, shielding her from the bullet as it whizzed past them. Michael dove for Faulkner, tackling him and knocking the gun from his hands and using his powers to slide it across the floor. Isabel simply stood in disbelief as Kyle turned toward the source of the scream.

No. Oh god, no.

Serena lay crumpled in the hall just outside his bedroom. A steady flow of blood poured from her ribcage area. Oh god, was she…

No. He saw her fingers clench weakly at her sides just before Jesse dropped to his knees beside her.

Maria’s shriek came next as she and Amy rounded the corner. “Is she dead?”

Max turned then, one arm still sheltering Liz. His face filled with horror at the sight of Serena. Giving Liz a quick squeeze, he moved past a paralyzed Kyle to kneel beside the dying woman.

“I didn’t see her!” Faulkner was shouting from where Michael had him pinned to the floor. “I didn’t mean to hit her, she just appeared-“

Tuning out the commotion around him, Max’s eyes focused on Serena’s fluttering ones. He was vaguely aware of Isabel saying his name and Amy sobbing, but he couldn’t think about that right now. He had to help this woman who had taken care of Liz, and protected his nephew, and who had a little girl of her own.

Placing his fingers at her temples, Max said, “Serena. Serena, open your eyes and look at me.”

Serena’s eyes rolled toward him, already beginning to fade out of consciousness. “Tell Jaycee…I love her…” she slurred.

“Listen to me,” Max continued firmly. “I’m going to help you, but you need to focus on me.” He felt the moment he was in, and then his hands set to work repairing the damage from the bullet tearing into her. A series of images passed through his mind. Serena and a handsome man, walking hand in hand along the beach; Serena’s triumphant tears as her baby girl was lifted from her body; giving Jaycee eskimo kisses at her graduation from nursing school…

And then Serena was gasping, her eyes widening as Max finished his repair. She stared straight up at him in pure disbelief. “Wh-“

“Shh. You’ll be okay,” Max murmured. He glanced up to see Kyle hovering over them, almost as if he were afraid to look too close. Slowly easing to his feet, he patted Kyle’s shoulder. “She’s going to be fine,” he assured.

The others watched as Kyle dropped to his knees and cradled her head in his lap, and then Max turned with blazing eyes.

“Where the fuck is that gun?” he demanded.

“Under the bed,” Isabel gestured with the shaky hand that wasn’t clinging to Jesse.

Max kicked it out onto the open ground, and then raised his hand and blasted it to oblivion.

Faulkner, who had been watching as much as Michael’s weight on top of him would allow, let his jaw drop in realization. “You – you are one of them!” he hissed. “You’re a fucking freak!”

Liz had to grab hold of Max’s shirtsleeve then, trying to restrain Max from blasting him to oblivion as well. But his body was drained, and it was doubtful he’d have the energy to do so even if he really wanted to. Max was not a violent man, but when it came to protecting his loved ones – Liz in particular – he was willing to destroy.

“I know all about you!” Faulkner continued. “About what a fucking monster you and your kind are. I’ll tell all about you, and-“

“That’s gonna be a little difficult from a jail cell,” a new voice spoke up. Jim Valenti stood in the doorway, just past Serena and Kyle on the floor. “The Roswell PD igenerally isn't entertained by super-natural stories. Paul Faulkner, you are under arrest for breaking and entering and attempted murder. Michael, let him up nice and slow. Faulkner, I want your hands in the air.”

The others watched on in stunned silence as Jim read Faulkner his rights and then handcuffed him before he called in for backup. Kyle and Jesse helped Serena to her feet and into the living room so she could lie on the couch, and the others trickled in behind them.

Maria reached over and squeezed her mother’s hand. Amy had been completely silent as she witnessed the events, and even now her eyes seemed to be tricking her. Because Serena had been as good as dead before Max placed his hands on her ribs. And now she lay before her, obviously not completely well, but certainly alive and breathing. There was still a large dark splotch on her black blouse, undoubtedly blood, but it had been contained. She wasn’t bleeding anymore.

How was that possible?

Down the hall, Max and Liz still stood, clinging to one another. Liz’s face was buried in his neck as he leaned against the wall, holding her as close as possible. For several long minutes no words passed between them, the relief and love simply flowed through their connection.

After a time, Liz lifted her face and rested her forehead against his. His breathing was still ragged, but was beginning to slow, and she gently placed her hands on the sides of his face. “You’re okay,” she whispered, as if she needed to say it aloud to convince herself.

Max nodded, swallowing thickly. “Are you?” he murmured, running his hands over her sides. She shouldn’t have been through that, not in her condition.

“I am now,” she answered, caressing the nape of his neck. “I was so scared, Max. So scared I might lose you-“

“Never,” he whispered fiercely, pulling her against him. “I won’t let that happen, Liz,” he breathed into her hair. “I’ll never leave you.”

Their moment of peace was interrupted as Deputy Hanson and several other members of the Roswell police department barreled down the hall. When the Sheriff gave an order, they put their asses in gear. Max held Liz close to him as Faulkner was led from the bedroom, refusing to look at him as he went past.

“You kids okay?” Jim asked quietly, pausing beside them.

Max peered up at him, his hand cupping the back of Liz’s head. “Keep him locked up,” he answered fiercely.

“No question,” was Jim’s confirmation. “Listen, I’ve got to go down to the station for a while and take care of some things. Just know that Faulkner won’t be bothering any of us again.”

He strode down the hall, stopping in the living room where the rest of the group had assembled. Pausing beside Amy, he reached up and touched her cheek. “I have to go for a little while. I understand if you need to get on home, but I promise I won’t be there too late.”

“I’ll be here,” Amy answered, her voice trembling.

“Good.” He placed a soft kiss on her lips before nodding to Maria and then turning to his son.

Kyle sat beside Serena’s frail form on the couch, clutching her hand between his and murmuring quietly to her. He wasn’t sure what Kyle was saying, but he doubted it was giving much of an explanation to the understandably confused young woman. There was an awful lot that needed to be said, but right now it seemed best to just appreciate the fact that they were all safe and alive.

46

“Let’s go home.”

Jesse glanced at Isabel in surprise. “Now?”

Isabel nodded firmly, getting to her feet. “Let’s get Evan from my parents’ place and go home,” she repeated.

Casting a glance toward Serena and Kyle on the couch, Jesse considered this. “You don’t want to wait-“

“No. I want to go now.” Isabel’s tone was final, and Jesse obliged. “We have to get home to the baby, it’s getting late,” she continued, speaking up to the rest of the room. “We’ll talk to you all tomorrow.”

Michael and Maria exchanged a look, but neither said anything. Kyle’s nod was barely discernable. Isabel glanced down the hall just as Max and Liz appeared.

“Where are you going?” Max asked, his arm wound tightly around Liz.

“Home,” Isabel answered shortly. “It’s way past Evan’s bedtime, and-“

“Isabel, we have to talk to Serena and Amy,” Max interrupted, his voice low. “You know that.”

“You and Michael can do that, can’t you?” Isabel asked pointedly, toying with the silver chain around her neck.

Max sighed. “Isabel, you know we have to do this-“

“I’m aware of that, Max,” Isabel responded shortly. “I just don’t see what difference it makes if I’m here or not.”

Liz touched her husband’s arm. “They have to get home to Evan,” she spoke up gently before turning to Isabel and Jesse. “Go. We’ll talk to you in the morning and let you know what happened.”

Isabel couldn’t hide the slight relief that crossed her face. “Thanks,” she said sincerely.

Liz and Max watched as Isabel and Jesse headed out the front door and then turned to one another. “We have to tell them,” Max said softly. “There’s no way around it. I healed Serena and Amy saw it-“

“You saved her life,” Liz cut in, touching his face. “You’re a good, caring man, and you did what you had to do.”

“Isabel doesn’t think so,” Max countered. “She never wanted Serena to get involved, and-“

“But she did,” Liz pointed out. “She did get involved. Let’s face it, Max, she’s been involved and it was only a matter of time before she found out the truth.”

Max knew she was right. There had been so many close calls, and it was amazing that it took something as severe as a gunshot wound for the truth to come out. But then, it had never been an easy thing to explain, and it seemed somehow appropriate that this was how they’d induct two more members to the “I-know-an-alien” club.

“Guys?” Maria appeared in the hallway then. “Uh, we’ve got to decide what’s going on here. My mom has been way too quiet and if we don’t say something, or come up with a story-“

“We’ll tell the truth,” Max interrupted, looking to Liz.

“Are you sure?” she asked quietly.

Max sighed. “I think we have to. And I – I don’t have to tell them about Michael and Isabel. I’m the one that healed Serena, they don’t have to get involved.”

“Yes we do.” Michael appeared beside Maria then, nodding. “We tell them the whole truth.”

Maria looked toward Michael, her eyes shining with tears. “Do you really want to do that?” she whispered. She couldn’t believe her mother would actually know the truth about Michael – about the past four and a half years.

Michael nodded again and then glanced at Max. “We’re in this together. We always have been.” With that, the four friends made their way into the Valenti’s living room, knowing that their lives were about to change – thought not nearly as much as Serena’s and Amy’s were.

*****

Kyle still wasn’t sure how he felt about any of this. The whole night seemed too surreal. The events, the words, the exchanges. He vaguely registered Max saying, “Michael, Isabel and me – we’re human/alien hybrids.” The truth finally being told to Amy, who sat ramrod straight with one hand gripping Maria’s, and Serena, who was propped up on the couch and listened expressionlessly.

“You’ve got to be kidding,” Amy scoffed finally. “There’s no such thing as aliens.”

Maria didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the expression on her mother’s face when Max and Michael did indeed prove their alien abilities by changing the color of the couch they sat on. For a split second she thought her mother might up and run from the house screaming – much like Maria herself when she learned the truth. But she didn’t. Instead, she turned to Maria with the same bewildered looks she’d been wearing for the past hour and said, “I need to lie down.”

Maria turned to Kyle helplessly, guiding her mother to her feet. “Your dad’s room?”

Kyle nodded, watching as Maria and Amy headed slowly toward the bedroom, and then turned his attention back to Serena. Her expressionless face scared him, but he was quickly reminded that she had just nearly died. As if that wasn’t enough for her to deal with. He glanced up at Max, who sat on the floor before Liz in a recliner and seemed to be deep in his own thoughts now that he’d once again exposed his identity.

“Liz?” Serena suddenly spoke up. “You were shot too?”

Liz jumped to attention. “I was,” she confirmed. “At the Crashdown when I was sixteen, like Max said.”

Serena thought about this. “And you almost died?”

Glancing down at Max, she bit her lip. “Yeah, I…I almost died,” she murmured. “If Max hadn’t healed me when he did, I wouldn’t have made it until the paramedics got there.” Liz paused and took a deep breath. “I…I could feel my life just…draining away. Like I wasn’t even there anymore. But Max…he brought me back.”

Max could hear the tremble in his wife’s voice. He got to his feet and gathered her into his arms, kissing the top of her head. She didn’t talk about the experience very much – it had been one of the most terrifying moments of her life, and also the most life altering. But if Serena needed someone to relate, she would talk.

Kyle watched Serena as she pondered all of this, and wondered when she would ask about his experience. But she didn’t. His thoughts were interrupted by Maria as she came back into the living room and settled herself beside Michael on the arm of the recliner.

“How’s your mom?” Liz asked.

Maria shrugged. “In shock, I think. Hell, I figured she’d act just like I did, freaking out and running away.” Her eyes met Michael’s and she trailed off. “Anyway, I know she’s going to have a million questions, but I think right now she’s too exhausted to even ask.” She paused and turned to Kyle. “Um, Kyle? Do you think it would be okay if my mom and I crashed here tonight? I hate to ask, but-“

“Absolutely,” Kyle cut her off. “Maria, you can take my bed. I’ll just…I’m staying out here with Serena.” He saw her preparing to object, but quickly continued. “You’re too shaken up to drive home. Jaycee’s with your mom for the night anyway, so you’re staying here.”

Serena closed her mouth, knowing it was useless to protest. Besides, she really couldn’t imagine driving home, or worse yet, being alone once she got there. Tonight, especially, she didn’t want to be alone.

Max got to his feet then, offering his hands to Liz. “Let’s all call it a night. We all need sleep, and we can talk more tomorrow if you want, Serena. Same with your mom, Maria. Maybe it will help her to talk to Jim, too.” He didn’t know what else to say, how else to close such an awkward moment for Serena. She hadn’t said much this whole time, but then again, what could she say? She hadn’t screamed and called them freaks, which in his mind was a good thing. And he was fairly certain their secret would be safe because he had, after all, saved her life – but there was no guarantee. Three more people now knew their secret, and while he was quite sure Faulkner’s knowledge wouldn’t count by means of insanity, it always posed a threat.

“Max.” Liz could practically see the wheels turning in his mind, and she could feel his strain through their connection. “Max,” she murmured again. “Let’s go home.”

*****

The living room was dark, the only sounds the steady tick of the grandfather clock in the corner. Kyle shifted in the recliner, trying his best to get comfortable.

Maria had retreated to his bedroom with Michael, who said he was only staying until Maria fell asleep. Kyle knew better. His father had yet to return home, but he’d figured on that. He trusted him to cover their tracks, though, to paint Faulkner as the lunatic he really was.

He heard Serena shift beneath the afghan on the couch, and then heard a whisper.

“Kyle?”

Sitting up, Kyle squinted into the darkness to see Serena’s silhouette framed by the faint moonlight. “Serena, are you okay?”

Inside my skin
There is this space

“Yeah, I just…I didn’t know if you were still here.”

It twists and turns
It bleeds and aches

Kyle was on his feet instantly, crossing the floor to kneel before the couch. “I wouldn’t leave you,” he assured, reaching up to touch her cheek. “I’m staying right here with you.”

Serena nodded, leaning back against the pillows. “Thank you.” She closed her eyes again, and Kyle thought she might go back to sleep. But then she turned to him and studied him with a serious gaze. “I almost died tonight, Kyle.”

Inside my heart
There’s an empty room

Kyle swallowed hard. “I – I know you did,” he whispered. “I thank whatever god is up there that Max was able to heal you.” Because I couldn’t live without you, he added to himself.

It’s waiting for lightening
It’s waiting for you

“Me too,” Serena agreed softly. “Kyle, I’m not going to turn them in. Not Max, or Michael or Isabel. If it wasn’t for them I would have died. And I would have never met you.”

“But then you would never have gotten shot,” Kyle pointed out, his eyes full of sorrow.

Serena gently placed a finger to his lips. “I love you, Kyle.”

I am wanting
And I am needing you here

Kyle stared at her for a long moment, his heart thundering in his chest. “I – I love you too.”

She smiled then, allowing her eyes to close. Kyle reached up and stroked her hair, the smile slowly spreading over his face as he settled in to keep watch of her through the night.

Inside the absence of fear...

Across town, Max was still unable to sleep. He could feel Liz shifting in bed beside him, and he rolled onto his side. “Liz?” he whispered into the darkness.

Muscle and sinew
Velvet and stone

She turned her head toward him. “Hmm?”

“You can’t sleep either?”

This vessel is haunted
It creaks and moans

Liz smiled, her eyes shifting to the bulge under the sheets. “She’s doing backflips in here. I think she’s trying to break her old record.”

Max’s mouth curved into a grin that matched Liz’s. He cupped his hand over her belly and chuckled at the insistent movement. “She’s certainly busy this evening.”

“Since we got home,” Liz informed him, snuggling closer. “She was really quiet earlier tonight. Like she knew…”

My bones call to you
In their separate skin

Max could hear the smile fading from Liz’s face, and he gathered her into his arms. “I’m sorry I scared you tonight, going into the house like that.”

Liz shook her head faintly. “I just…I hate thinking something could happen to you. I know you do what you have to do-”

“What I have to do is be here for you and our baby,” Max insisted.

Make myself translucent
To let you in

“And tonight you also prevented Faulkner from getting away with breaking into the Valenti’s house, kept him from finding god only knows what…and Max, you saved Serena’s life.”

“Just call me Superman,” Max muttered.

Liz leaned over and pecked him on the lips. “You’re my Superman.”

“Faster than a speeding bullet…” he chuckled against her lips.

She smacked his shoulder. “That’s not funny,” she admonished, but the smile crept onto her face anyway. “But I guess it’s kind of true, isn’t it?”

“Mmm,” Max mumbled, capturing her mouth again. His tongue demanded entrance, which she granted immediately. He wiggled closer, pressing his body to hers, and slid his hands over her back.

I am wanting
And I am needing you here
Inside the absence of fear

“Max…” Liz sighed against his lips, shifting and nestling his leg between hers. His hands were touching her with such reverence, heating her flesh and at the same time spreading goosebumps all over her body.

There is this hunger
This restlessness inside of me

He felt her hand drift down over his hip, groaning as she urged her center closer to his. It was then that he felt it. A swift kick in the ribs. “Liz?” he gasped, pulling away from her and staring at her with wide eyes.

Liz burst out laughing at the look on her husband’s face. “I think our daughter has other plans,” she giggled. Sure enough, her strong kicks began to die down into flutters.

And it knows that you’re no stranger
You’re my gravity

“Not even born yet and she’s already dominating our sex life,” Max muttered, his hand fanning out over Liz’s belly. “Time to go to sleep, Peanut. Daddy and Mommy want to play,” he whispered.

Erupting into giggles again, Liz managed, “I don’t know if it works like that.” She paused, concentrating on the faint movement in her womb. “But maybe she is going to sleep.”

My hands will adore you
Through all darkness aim

“That’s because Daddy’s got the magic touch,” Max grinned, pushing Liz’s nightshirt up and exposing her round belly. He cupped his hand over her again, the glow from their child shining through his fingers. “Sweet dreams, Peanut.”

They will lay you out in the moonlight
And reinvent your name

Liz smiled down at her husband as he placed a soft kiss on her belly button and pulled her nightshirt down. She watched as he leaned back against his pillows, gazing deep into her eyes. “What?” she asked with a smile.

“I don’t want to wake her up,” he admitted, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Are you mad?”

“Mm-mm.” Liz shook her head, kissing Max’s palm. “Maybe she’s got the right idea,” she admitted with a deep yawn.

I am wanting you
And I am needing you here

Max smiled, kissing the tip of Liz’s nose before pulling her into his arms. “I love you.”

Liz snuggled deep into his embrace, burying her face in his bare chest and closing her eyes. “Love you too.”

I need you near
Inside the absence of fear

46

“Let’s go home.”

Jesse glanced at Isabel in surprise. “Now?”

Isabel nodded firmly, getting to her feet. “Let’s get Evan from my parents’ place and go home,” she repeated.

Casting a glance toward Serena and Kyle on the couch, Jesse considered this. “You don’t want to wait-“

“No. I want to go now.” Isabel’s tone was final, and Jesse obliged. “We have to get home to the baby, it’s getting late,” she continued, speaking up to the rest of the room. “We’ll talk to you all tomorrow.”

Michael and Maria exchanged a look, but neither said anything. Kyle’s nod was barely discernable. Isabel glanced down the hall just as Max and Liz appeared.

“Where are you going?” Max asked, his arm wound tightly around Liz.

“Home,” Isabel answered shortly. “It’s way past Evan’s bedtime, and-“

“Isabel, we have to talk to Serena and Amy,” Max interrupted, his voice low. “You know that.”

“You and Michael can do that, can’t you?” Isabel asked pointedly, toying with the silver chain around her neck.

Max sighed. “Isabel, you know we have to do this-“

“I’m aware of that, Max,” Isabel responded shortly. “I just don’t see what difference it makes if I’m here or not.”

Liz touched her husband’s arm. “They have to get home to Evan,” she spoke up gently before turning to Isabel and Jesse. “Go. We’ll talk to you in the morning and let you know what happened.”

Isabel couldn’t hide the slight relief that crossed her face. “Thanks,” she said sincerely.

Liz and Max watched as Isabel and Jesse headed out the front door and then turned to one another. “We have to tell them,” Max said softly. “There’s no way around it. I healed Serena and Amy saw it-“

“You saved her life,” Liz cut in, touching his face. “You’re a good, caring man, and you did what you had to do.”

“Isabel doesn’t think so,” Max countered. “She never wanted Serena to get involved, and-“

“But she did,” Liz pointed out. “She did get involved. Let’s face it, Max, she’s been involved and it was only a matter of time before she found out the truth.”

Max knew she was right. There had been so many close calls, and it was amazing that it took something as severe as a gunshot wound for the truth to come out. But then, it had never been an easy thing to explain, and it seemed somehow appropriate that this was how they’d induct two more members to the “I-know-an-alien” club.

“Guys?” Maria appeared in the hallway then. “Uh, we’ve got to decide what’s going on here. My mom has been way too quiet and if we don’t say something, or come up with a story-“

“We’ll tell the truth,” Max interrupted, looking to Liz.

“Are you sure?” she asked quietly.

Max sighed. “I think we have to. And I – I don’t have to tell them about Michael and Isabel. I’m the one that healed Serena, they don’t have to get involved.”

“Yes we do.” Michael appeared beside Maria then, nodding. “We tell them the whole truth.”

Maria looked toward Michael, her eyes shining with tears. “Do you really want to do that?” she whispered. She couldn’t believe her mother would actually know the truth about Michael – about the past four and a half years.

Michael nodded again and then glanced at Max. “We’re in this together. We always have been.” With that, the four friends made their way into the Valenti’s living room, knowing that their lives were about to change – thought not nearly as much as Serena’s and Amy’s were.

*****

Kyle still wasn’t sure how he felt about any of this. The whole night seemed too surreal. The events, the words, the exchanges. He vaguely registered Max saying, “Michael, Isabel and me – we’re human/alien hybrids.” The truth finally being told to Amy, who say ramrod straight with one hand gripping Maria’s, and Serena, propped up on the couch and listened expressionlessly.

“You’ve got to be kidding,” Amy scoffed finally. “There’s no such thing as aliens.”

Maria didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the expression on her mother’s face when Max and Michael did indeed prove their alien abilities by changing the color of the couch they sat on. For a split second she thought her mother might up and run from the house screaming – much like Maria herself when she learned the truth. But she didn’t. Instead, she turned to Maria with the same bewildered looks she’d been wearing for the past hour and said, “I need to lie down.”

Maria turned to Kyle helplessly, guiding her mother to her feet. “Your dad’s room?”

Kyle nodded, watching as Maria and Amy headed slowly toward the bedroom, and then turned his attention back to Serena. Her expressionless face scared him, but he was quickly reminded that she had just nearly died. As if that wasn’t enough for her to deal with. He glanced up at Max, who sat on the floor before Liz in a recliner and seemed to be deep in his own thoughts now that he’d once again exposed his identity.

“Liz?” Serena suddenly spoke up. “You were shot too?”

Liz jumped to attention. “I was,” she confirmed. “At the Crashdown when I was sixteen, like Max said.”

Serena thought about this. “And you almost died?”

Glancing down at Max, she bit her lip. “Yeah, I…I almost died,” she murmured. “If Max hadn’t healed me when he did, I wouldn’t have made it until the paramedics got there.” Liz paused and took a deep breath. “I…I could feel my life just…draining away. Like I wasn’t even there anymore. But Max…he brought me back.”

Max could hear the tremble in his wife’s voice. He got to his feet and gathered her into his arms, kissing the top of her head. She didn’t talk about the experience very much – it had been one of the most terrifying moments of her life, and also the most life altering. But if Serena needed someone to relate, she would talk.

Kyle watched Serena as she pondered all of this, and wondered when she would ask about his experience. But she didn’t. His thoughts were interrupted by Maria as she came back into the living room and settled herself beside Michael on the arm of the recliner.

“How’s your mom?” Liz asked.

Maria shrugged. “In shock, I think. Hell, I figured she’d act just like I did, freaking out and running away.” Her eyes met Michael’s and she trailed off. “Anyway, I know she’s going to have a million questions, but I think right now she’s too exhausted to even ask.” She paused and turned to Kyle. “Um, Kyle? Do you think it would be okay if my mom and I crashed here tonight? I hate to ask, but-“

“Absolutely,” Kyle cut her off. “Maria, you can take my bed. I’ll just…I’m staying out here with Serena.” He saw her preparing to object, but quickly continued. “You’re too shaken up to drive home. Jaycee’s with your mom for the night anyway, so you’re staying here.”

Serena closed her mouth, knowing it was useless to protest. Besides, she really couldn’t imagine driving home, or worse yet, being alone once she got there. Tonight, especially, she didn’t want to be alone.

Max got to his feet then, offering his hands to Liz. “Let’s all call it a night. We all need sleep, and we can talk more tomorrow if you want, Serena. Same with your mom, Maria. Maybe it will help her to talk to Jim, too.” He didn’t know what else to say, how else to close such an awkward moment for Serena. She hadn’t said much this whole time, but then again, what could she say? She hadn’t screamed and called them freaks, which in his mind was a good thing. And he was fairly certain their secret would be safe because he had, after all, saved her life – but there was no guarantee. Three more people now knew their secret, and while he was quite sure Faulkner’s knowledge wouldn’t count by means of insanity, it always posed a threat.

“Max.” Liz could practically see the wheels turning in his mind, and she could feel his strain through their connection. “Max,” she murmured again. “Let’s go home.”

*****

The living room was dark, the only sounds the steady tick of the grandfather clock in the corner. Kyle shifted in the recliner, trying his best to get comfortable.

Maria had retreated to his bedroom with Michael, who said he was only staying until Maria fell asleep. Kyle knew better. His father had yet to return home, but he’d figured on that. He trusted him to cover their tracks, though, to paint Faulkner as the lunatic he really was.

He heard Serena shift beneath the afghan on the couch, and then heard a whisper.

“Kyle?”

Sitting up, Kyle squinted into the darkness to see Serena’s silhouette framed by the faint moonlight. “Serena, are you okay?”

Inside my skin
There is this space

“Yeah, I just…I didn’t know if you were still here.”

It twists and turns
It bleeds and aches

Kyle was on his feet instantly, crossing the floor to kneel before the couch. “I wouldn’t leave you,” he assured, reaching up to touch her cheek. “I’m staying right here with you.”

Serena nodded, leaning back against the pillows. “Thank you.” She closed her eyes again, and Kyle thought she might go back to sleep. But then she turned to him and studied him with a serious gaze. “I almost died tonight, Kyle.”

Inside my heart
There’s an empty room

Kyle swallowed hard. “I – I know you did,” he whispered. “I thank whatever god is up there that Max was able to heal you.” Because I couldn’t live without you, he added to himself.

It’s waiting for lightening
It’s waiting for you

“Me too,” Serena agreed softly. “Kyle, I’m not going to turn them in. Not Max, or Michael or Isabel. If it wasn’t for them I would have died. And I would have never met you.”

“But then you would never have gotten shot,” Kyle pointed out, his eyes full of sorrow.

Serena gently placed a finger to his lips. “I love you, Kyle.”

I am wanting
And I am needing you here

Kyle stared at her for a long moment, his heart thundering in his chest. “I – I love you too.”

She smiled then, allowing her eyes to close. Kyle reached up and stroked her hair, the smile slowly spreading over his face as he settled in to keep watch of her through the night.

Inside the absence of fear...

Across town, Max was still unable to sleep. He could feel Liz shifting in bed beside him, and he rolled onto his side. “Liz?” he whispered into the darkness.

Muscle and sinew
Velvet and stone

She turned her head toward him. “Hmm?”

“You can’t sleep either?”

This vessel is haunted
It creaks and moans

Liz smiled, her eyes shifting to the bulge under the sheets. “She’s doing backflips in here. I think she’s trying to break her old record.”

Max’s mouth curved into a grin that matched Liz’s. He cupped his hand over her belly and chuckled at the insistent movement. “She’s certainly busy this evening.”

“Since we got home,” Liz informed him, snuggling closer. “She was really quiet earlier tonight. Like she knew…”

My bones call to you
In their separate skin

Max could hear the smile fading from Liz’s face, and he gathered her into his arms. “I’m sorry I scared you tonight, going into the house like that.”

Liz shook her head faintly. “I just…I hate thinking something could happen to you. I know you do what you have to do-”

“What I have to do is be here for you and our baby,” Max insisted.

Make myself translucent
To let you in

“And tonight you also prevented Faulkner from getting away with breaking into the Valenti’s house, kept him from finding god only knows what…and Max, you saved Serena’s life.”

“Just call me Superman,” Max muttered.

Liz leaned over and pecked him on the lips. “You’re my Superman.”

“Faster than a speeding bullet…” he chuckled against her lips.

She smacked his shoulder. “That’s not funny,” she admonished, but the smile crept onto her face anyway. “But I guess it’s kind of true, isn’t it?”

“Mmm,” Max mumbled, capturing her mouth again. His tongue demanded entrance, which she granted immediately. He wiggled closer, pressing his body to hers, and slid his hands over her back.

I am wanting
And I am needing you here
Inside the absence of fear

“Max…” Liz sighed against his lips, shifting and nestling his leg between hers. His hands were touching her with such reverence, heating her flesh and at the same time spreading goosebumps all over her body.

There is this hunger
This restlessness inside of me

He felt her hand drift down over his hip, groaning as she urged her center closer to his. It was then that he felt it. A swift kick in the ribs. “Liz?” he gasped, pulling away from her and staring at her with wide eyes.

Liz burst out laughing at the look on her husband’s face. “I think our daughter has other plans,” she giggled. Sure enough, her strong kicks began to die down into flutters.

And it knows that you’re no stranger
You’re my gravity

“Not even born yet and she’s already dominating our sex life,” Max muttered, his hand fanning out over Liz’s belly. “Time to go to sleep, Peanut. Daddy and Mommy want to play,” he whispered.

Erupting into giggles again, Liz managed, “I don’t know if it works like that.” She paused, concentrating on the faint movement in her womb. “But maybe she is going to sleep.”

My hands will adore you
Through all darkness aim

“That’s because Daddy’s got the magic touch,” Max grinned, pushing Liz’s nightshirt up and exposing her round belly. He cupped his hand over her again, the glow from their child shining through his fingers. “Sweet dreams, Peanut.”

They will lay you out in the moonlight
And reinvent your name

Liz smiled down at her husband as he placed a soft kiss on her belly button and pulled her nightshirt down. She watched as he leaned back against his pillows, gazing deep into her eyes. “What?” she asked with a smile.

“I don’t want to wake her up,” he admitted, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Are you mad?”

“Mm-mm.” Liz shook her head, kissing Max’s palm. “Maybe she’s got the right idea,” she admitted with a deep yawn.

I am wanting you
And I am needing you here

Max smiled, kissing the tip of Liz’s nose before pulling her into his arms. “I love you.”

Liz snuggled deep into his embrace, burying her face in his bare chest and closing her eyes. “Love you too.”

I need you near
Inside the absence of fear


*lyrics by Jewel, Absence of Fear