Roswell Fanatics

KYLE

Tess is such a chicken! I was just grinning a little evilly and she already runs away with Maria. Not that I complain! I mean, it is a nice view that I have of them - tanned backs, skimpy bikinis, long nice legs, great butts. It's like I'm on my way to heaven.

Jackpot! The girls are already starting to undress - each other! Yes! Oh damn, Tess just opened and closed Maria's top because ... well, I have no clue why but I surely hope she'll do it again. Taking the whole thing off wouldn't be bad either. I'll see, the night is still young after all.

I'm pretty sure that Tess said something about me, the challenging look on her face gives it away but I swear that I didn't hear a word because I concentrated too much on the picture of Tess unhooking Maria's bra. That was surely a sight to be seen! I can't understand how Whitman can act all unaffected by that.

I plop down on my towel, shaking my head to get the water out of my hair and ignore Isabel's offended "Hey" when some droplets hit her. Come on, we're on the beach!



ALEX

Kyle looks a bit dazed when we get back to Isabel and Jake, I wonder what's up with him. Isabel on the other hand looks ... hm, I'm not sure, she doesn't look really happy but not unhappy either.

I guess she didn't enjoy staying all alone with Jake on the beach and is now happy that we are back. Or she did enjoy her stay with Jake (yuck) and is unhappy because we came back and interrupted them. Or she is not happy because I'm back because she never wants to see me again or she is happy because I'm back and doesn't want to show it because she long realized what a stud I am?

Maybe Lonnie was right when she said that I have some issues.

“It went great. The water was really refreshing but you have to watch out for scoundrels who would have you permanently sitting on the ocean floor.” Tess told Isabel when she asked how the water fun went. She doesn#t sound too impressed so I guess we didn't make a very cool picture from where she and Jake saw us.

Kyle doesnt react to Tess' challenge and I shrug at her when she looks a bit confused. Maybe the sun got to Kyle's head. Would explain Kyle's wild water activities. At least I have been a role model of good behavior.

"That was fun, wasn't it?" Tess asks me and Maria (Kyle too Iguess, if he is already with us again, that is).

"Yeah." Kyle pipes up. Guess he joined our conversation again. "We should do it again. If you are up to it, Harding?"

*Michael*

As Liz protests that she's fine, I we continue walking to shallower water. I maneuver myself so I'm between her and Max and then turn my back on him. The guy's pretty dense but just maybe he'll get the hint.

"Sorry I left you alone out her, Liz," I say gently. "I know I promised to help you with your swimming. It's a bit different out here in the ocean than it is in a pool." I know she's aware of that already, but it give me something to say that excludes our 'friend,' Max.

She looks up at me and also around me as if trying to see Max but I make sure he's out of the picture. "So I noticed," she says with a twinkle in her eye.

She looks so sweet with her hair a bit out of place and her face still flushed. She's the one girl who's never given me an angry word or glance. So why am I still so hung up on Maria and Isabel? I do my best not to turn and watch either of them, instead, focusing on the girl in my arms.

"So, if you've caught your breath, do you wanna have a little lesson or are you done for the moment?" I ask.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

*Max*

I frown as Michael starts to steer Liz away from me. It's quite clear he's excluding me deliberately. Hell, I wasn't meaning anything by it, I was only concerned about her. Although, given what Alex has told me, I guess it's not surprising to get this treatment from Michael.

"Well, I'm glad you're okay," I tell Liz, lamely. I didn't do anything to help. I'm just standing here like a fifth wheel anyway. Maybe she really likes Michael. I want her to be happy with someone, at least, that's what I keep telling myself. But seeing those two together is almost painful. Then again, would it be any better if it were Kyle or Alex? I really don't know.

"So, um. See ya later," I say.

I know I need to talk to Liz about a few things, but this is clearly not the time. Besides, I'm dating Tess. I turn to see where she is and find that almost everyone's out of the water and heading for the towels. I hurry up the sand and move to sit next to Tess.

TESS

"We should do it again. If you are up to it, Harding?"

“Anytime, Valenti.” I counter. I guess maybe he did hear me. Or he finally came back down to earth from wherever he was spacing out.

Isabel, on the other hand, doesn’t seem too impressed with my answer because I receive none in return, so I just walk back over to my towel at the opposite end of the fire and sit down, running my fingers through my hair to get out some of the tangles.

Max comes up and sits down next to me with a sigh. I ask him if everything’s okay, and he mumbles, “Yeah, I’m fine,” as he looks down at his feet in the sand.

“How’s Liz? Did she get sucked under by a wave or something earlier?”

He looks up at my question and turns toward the ocean where Michael is out there pointing to his right and his left and gesturing to Liz. I presume he’s telling her about the riptide, how you’re supposed to swim to the side until you get away from it before swimming to shore. Then Max turns back to me and says, “She’s okay. She just swallowed a bit of water when she got knocked over by a wave she didn’t see coming… Michael was there and helped her up. I, I didn’t do much. Just wanted to help, but he got there first.” He turned back to look at Liz, and I could see this pained expression on his face.

I know he’s been looking at Liz differently since about the second day after we got here. Nothing in the way how Michael looks at us women, rather, a quick glance here or a prolonged look there, most of the time when Liz is conversing with Kyle or Alex and isn’t aware of Max’s presence. Although I’m a little bummed that he doesn’t look at me that way anymore, I want him to be happy; he’s really a stand-up guy.

“I know what you can get Liz for her birthday.” I tell him quietly, waiting for him face me again before continuing. He turns but doesn’t say anything. “A moonlit walk on the beach, just the two of you.”


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Isabelle, let me know if you don't want Tess to know yet and/or acknowledge to Max that she knows he likes Liz, and I'll change it.

<center>~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ Liz ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~</center>

“Sorry I left you alone out here, Liz. I know I promised to help you with your swimming. It’s a bit different out here in the ocean than it is in a pool.” I’m able to make out what Michael explains through the water that’s in one of my ears as he slides into step beside me.

I look up at him and smile. I blink as I try to figure out where Max went. He was on my left, and then Michael was there. Did he move between us, pushing Max aside? I try to look to the other side of Michael to see if he was there, but Michael’s so close that I can’t see anything. Maybe Max left without saying anything? He could have gone to spend some time with Tess. That makes sense.

“So I noticed,” I finally answer with a light, dry smile. In a pool you don’t have to worry about things like a riptide and undertow and huge waves crashing down on you and around you.

I’m barely listening to what Michael’s saying. My thoughts keep going back to Max and as much as I like Michael, part of me would like to be talking to Max. Even though just a look from him gives me butterflies and makes me lose my train of thought.

“Well, I’m glad you’re okay. So, um. See you later.”

Max? I open my mouth to speak but see that he’s already heading up the beach to where the others are gathered around the fire. He was gone before I could even say anything. I bite my lip lightly as I watch him run.

Why do I feel so bad when I didn’t do anything? That’s why, though. The fact that I didn’t do anything and just gave Michael all my attention and didn’t look for Max was the cause for my guilt. Max was probably hurt by Michael’s brush off and I didn’t do anything about it. Not that I really could. Max ran away so fast that there wasn’t any time for me to say anything let alone do anything.

I suppose I could go after him, but the way he left makes me think he doesn’t really want me around at the moment. And the way he sits beside Tess further proves that he doesn’t want to talk to me. Not that I blame him. He probably thinks that I ignored him. But I didn’t mean to.

“Liz, are you okay? Did you want to have a lesson, or do you want to go rest by the fire with everyone else?”

Huh? I look up at Michael, and he looks at me questioningly. I smile brighter and shake my head to try and clear it of thoughts of Max and guilt and blame. The way that Max just ran away, I don’t think I’m a person he wants to be around at the moment.

“I’m okay. Let’s have a lesson,” I tell him, carefully choosing my words. “After the one, we can join the others.” I smile up at him, hoping to hide some of the thoughts I can’t escape behind it.

Ruby, whenever you have time is fine by me
Sugar, morpheus, Isabelle - great posts!


KYLE

I really could get used to see Tess all wet. Right now, she's talking with Max (still wet!) giving me the opportunity to watch her secretly. Hm, I could try waking her with splashing water on her face tomorrow. Since she's shorter than me, the chances of getting locked in a closet again are not very high. I'm pretty sure she won't be too pissed at me and it would be fun to have a little challenge between us about who can annoy/trick the other more.

"You still with us, Kyle?" Alex asks, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah why?" I ask, cool as cucumber.

"Because you were grinning like an idiot." Isabel says, sounding bored.
"And turst me, the insane look doesn't suit you." Maria adds with a grin.

Chicks! They want me! Both - at the same time .. eh, no, that#s my fantasy.

"You are just not willing to admit that you all dig me." I say confidently. "But yo really should, once you admit it, you'll feel better!"

"I think the sun got to your head." Maria laughs, Isabel just snorts (well, as far as ladies snort) and Alex shakes his head. He is just jealous! I'm sure of it.




ALEX

Well, Kyle is confident, that's for sure. Or living in denial like Michael.

The wind is getting stronger, if I weren't so lazy, I'd probably get dressed again. Well, maybe ...

"Maria?" I ask the girl who's sitting right next to my stuff. "Could ya hand me my shirt?"

"No."

"No?" I ask confused.

"Absolutely no."

"Why?"

"There's no way in hell that one of you guys is getting dressed so we can't stare anymore." Maria explains with a wink.

Yeah right, nerdy Alex with his chicken legs being the object of female lust. In my dreams maybe.

"Oh stop Maria or I'll start blushing." I reply sarcastically, holding my hand out in her direction. "Please!" I pout a bit, using my secret weapon: the green puppy dog eyes of mine. They always work.

Well, I will admit I was a bit stunned by Tess's suggestion, but if you want her to say it then that's what she says...
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*Max*

I turn to Tess in complete shock. What did she say? I blink and try to shake it off with a smile. "Don't be silly, Tess," I tell her. "First off, she's not at all interested in me. And secondly," I let my grin turn into a lear as I wrap one arm around her waist and pull her close. "I wouldn't want my beautiful," *quick kiss on hand,* "blonde," *kiss on her shoulder," "girlfriend," *kiss on the cheek,* "getting jealous, now, would I?"

I grin at her wanting very much to lean in and kiss her soft lips. She is beautiful and sweet and fun. I like being with her a lot and I certainly don't want to mess anything up with her over something as rediculous as another girl who isn't even interested. I've got to control myself a bit better. I can't be staring at Liz. It's not fair and it's not smart. Not when I already have a great girl who I'm really enjoying getting to know.

"Wanna go do something? I think I'd like that stroll on the beach with you," I say softly.

Well I think you/Max handled it beautifully, so I guess it will just be Tess testing Max to see if he still likes her enough to fight for her attentions, you know. I was trying to come up with something for Tess to show that she didn't know where she stood with Max anymore, I just wasn't sure quite how to do it.


TESS

"Don't be silly, Tess," Max quickly replies. "First off, she's not at all interested in me. And secondly, I wouldn't want my beautiful…blonde…girlfriend…getting jealous, now, would I?"

Omg, he’s kissing my hand, and my shoulder, and…my cheek. K, could he be any more romantic? And did he just call me his girlfriend? K, I’m blushing now. “Um, no, no you wouldn’t.” I stammer, trying not to grin too much. Maybe I’ve been reading too much into his glances at Liz. See Tess? This is what happens when you over-analyze stuff.

"Wanna go do something? I think I'd like that stroll on the beach with you," he says softly.

I take his hand in mine and look into his chocolate-brown eyes sparkling in the firelight. “Sure, I’d love that.”

He helps me up and I pick up the blue sarong I brought with me and tie it around my waist before we walk off in the opposite direction of the beach bar and away from the bonfire.

Glad you liked it, MA. Max's excuse didn't include any denial that he liked Liz, 'though, did it? lol.
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*Max*

Tess agrees and I help her to her feet. She looks up the beach away from the bar so we head off to a slightly less occupied area of the beach. I make an extra effort and I manage to not even glance in the direction of the water where Michael and Liz are still engaging in 'swimming lessons.' I don't think I really want to see that, anyway.

Tess and I head off, together, walking in silence at first, with the sounds of the gulls echoing off the waves. The air is warm and pleasant, the sun getting low. It's a lovely night.

I reach over and take Tess by the hand as we stroll. "So, it looks like it's gonna be a beautiful sunset."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

*Michael*

It's easy to talk to Liz when everyone's moved away. Without everyone splashing and goofing off, she's actually pretty much under control, anyway. But it's still fun to talk to her and show off what I know.

Liz floats on her back in the lull between the waves, giggling as she realizes that she's just a bit more boyant in the salt water. I keep my attention on the water and on Liz, so she's not caught unaware again. Most of the time, my hands are on her trim waist. She's small and trim and rather nicely built. I wasn't really attracted to her at first. She's too mousy. I like a girl with a little more fire. That's why the others seemed to grab my attention. But I'm beginning to think that Liz has a hidden fire, too.

"You're doing great, Liz," I tell her. "I know you've swum before, but I really think you're a natural."

.

ALEX

Finally, after almost one minute of pouting and puppy dog eyes, I got my shirt back. I guess I'm loosing my touch, it never took so long for my secret weapons" to work.

Max and Tess who were quietly talking suddenly get up and go for a walk after telling us that they'll be back in a few minutes. Kyle looks at them with an unreadable expression for a while before turning back to the fire and glaring at it. Interesting! I don't know what that's about but it is certainly interesting and something I have to think about.

A quick glance towards the ocean confirms that Michael and Liz are still in
the water, obviously getting along fine. I guess Liz is the only one in the
house who gets along really well with Michael. Hm, Maria too maybe.

The rest of us is staring quietly into the flames. I wonder if Isabel is glad
that we joined her and Jake again or pissed. Well, I guess I find out in
which mood she is when we drive back - so far, she hasn't said anything at all.

"How long do you guys want to stay at the beach?" Kyle asks after some
minutes of more or less comfortable silence.

I'll post something for Liz once I figure out what it is that's actually going on. ::laughs::

What's going? ::evil laugh:: How about this?
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*Michael*

The lesson is going fine Liz seems to be enjoying it. She was distracted for a moment, looking at the beach, but there didn't seem to be anything of interest going on there. Isabel is still sitting very close to Jake and Maria... She seems to be teasing Alex. I don't know what it is about that girl. She's a fire-cracker, that's for sure. Max is going off with Tess. Good riddance. Maybe Tess can keep him out of our hair for a little while.

In the meantime, I put my attention back to the girl in my arms. Of course, it's not like Liz is helpless in the water. She gets around quite okay, once she's sorted out the waves, but I manage to come up with plenty of reasons get my hands on her to 'steady' her. This is the most skin contact I've had with any girl here so far, and I have to say it feels really fine. The wet bikini barely covering her. My hands on her waist and arms and legs. Yeah, a guy's gotta love it.

Liz slips from my grip and swims a few yards away. I grin at her. "Nice form!" I tell her, over the noise of the ocean.

"Well, thank you, Michael," she says, sounding pleased and also amused. Suddenly she disappears under the water. I think she's fine, but I try to spot her anyway. While I'm peering through the water, I see a shape just before a slim hand clamps on my ankle and pulls my foot up. I tumble backwards into the surf, spinning underwater to snag my dark-haired 'student.'

In only a moment, I've got my arms around her waist again and bringing her to the surface.

"Michael!" she says, turning in my arms. She's smiling still and her hand snakes out to splash me, but I stop it by grabbing her wrist.

Suddenly, I'm reminded of our many conversations over the last two days. She told me what she thought girls would like about me. 'Quite nice,' she called me. She even asked me to give her swimming lessons. Generally any girl who asks that is interested in more than learning the breast stroke. And I know that Liz is not entirely a mouse. She just attacked me now, didn't she? And not for the first time. Maybe I've been reading her wrong...

I spin her a little closer, wrapping my arm tight around her waist as I press her body against mine.

"Michael?" She asks, as if she's confused about what's going on. After all she's said to me, I know I got her figured out now. I can't believe I missed all her signals. She must be half-wild with desire by now.

"Liz," I say softly. I put my other arm around her shoulders, pulling her even closer. I give her a lusty grin and then kiss her hard on the lips.