Roswell Fanatics

KYLE

I watch Tess' butt as she walks toward the house and am all set when I hear Max rustle behind me and suddenly am torn. It's either helping Max carrying everything inside or watching Tess for a few more seconds and then following her.

I bet you all know what I want to do but ... I guess it would be the "nice" thing to help Evans. Sometimes, it really sucks to be a nice guy.

With one last wishful glance at Tess, I turn towards the car and also take stuff out from the car. I quickly catch up with Max and together we walk towards the house in silence which for some reason really annoys me. Not that I really know what to talk about. Hm, well there's ...

"So, you and Tess? Is that a steady thing yet?"

*Max*

I look up as Kyle asks about Tess, first glancing at his face and then checking to be sure Tess is no longer in earshot. She's not, but I'm still not really sure what to say about that to Kyle... I mean, I hardly know the guy.

I manage to avoid answering for a few more steps as we move into the kitchen. I can't quite read Kyle's expression. I don't know if it's simple curiousity or what. Then again, what else do we have in common to talk about? I suppose I should just be glad he's no longer interested in talking about the pornography in the car.

That thought reminds me that I have unfinished business with Michael. Not yet sure what to do about that.

The kitchen door swings shut behind me and I figure I've delayed for as long as I reasonably can. Longer, probably.

"Tess, well, I don't know. Probably," I shrug, setting the box on the counter. I only met the girl two days ago and I certainly am not thinking 'rest of my life' yet. I could never be that serious so quickly -- um, well maybe I could, if it were Liz... Frowning inwardly, I push that thought from my head. But a 'steady thing?' Yeah, that sounds about right for Tess, even if it's only for the duration of the show. She's a great girl, really. Pretty, perky, fun. Not a thing wrong with her that I can determine so far -- the only problem is me, constantly thinking about Liz...

"Yeah," I say more firmly as I open the dishwasher.. I did already call her my girlfriend, didn't I? "I think so. A steady 'thing'. Why?" I ask, suddenly concerned. Alex slugged me while under the mistaken impression that I was 'betraying' Isabel by being nice to Maria. What if Kyle has some similar notion? "Are you interested in any of the girls in particular?"

.

KYLE

Damn, they are steady! That's too bad, I really was hoping to have a chance with Tess. Well, just because Max things they are steady doesn't mean that they are, does it? Maybe Tess has a different opinion on this topic.

Why I asked? Uh ... good question but what to answer?

"Oh well, I didn't like the silence that much and that is better than talking about the weather I guess." I tell him with a shrug. I know that doesn't make much sense, but what was I supposed to say? I wanted to know how high the chances are to get it on with Tess? I don't think so.

But if Tess really is taken, who else is there? Not Isabel, that girl needs help. I know that what Jake did was really low but just kneeing him. No, I'm so not getting close to that one!

Liz? Sure, she's cute, nice and really fun to hang out with but really appears quite prudent right now. Probably waiting till marriage to get some action in the bedroom. She's better put into the "female friends" section, Iguess.

That leaves Maria, I guess. Yeah ... could work. Great smile, huge eyes, niiiiice body and I'm pretty sure that she has a killer bedroom look which
makes every guy swoon.

Maria it is! I guess ... not that I really know her and I still don't know one hundred percent about Tess and ...

"Kyle!" Max suddenly says next to me, making me jump.

"What?" I mutter back, still a bit shocked.

"I asked if you wanted to hold this forever or if you wanna put it down." Max says, motioning to the boxes I'm still holding. Oops.

"Sorry." I mumble, really feeling stupid now.

*Max*

Kyle really seemed to be lost in his own world there. I'm not sure what was on his mind, and I doubt he'd tell me if I asked him. He seems a bit closed-mouthed. Come to think of it, didn't Alex say that Michael was trying to recruit Kyle, too? Is he trying to --

No. I refuse to surrender to paranoia. Michael has a problem but I'm not going to let it be mine.

I've put all the pots and dishes from the box I've carried into the dishwasher but there's still some other things. "Any more stuff to be washed in there?" I ask.

"Yeah, maybe," he says.

I start sorting through the box and find a few utensils. I load them into the dishwasher while Kyle pretty much just stands there. "Do you know where the soap is?" I ask when I'm pretty sure I've got it all.

"Detergent," Kyle corrects. "It's probably under the sink."

"Thanks," I tell him. He still doesn't move so I go fetch it myself, setting up the machine to run and then turning back to the remaining stuff - extra bread, condiments and the like. I guess I can figure this out on my own and frankly, Kyle doesn't really seem to be in much of a helpful mood. "I'll finish up then," I tell him. "It won't be long."

I start putting stuff on the refrigerator shelves and don't actually see which way Kyle goes as he leaves the room, but I figure he's heading back towards the front of the house.

I had no idea what to post so this is really just well...I can't think of any words for it.

Isabel

I sigh in relief as I get out of the car, thankful to be back at the house. Today has been too long and way too stressful. I wouldn’t be surprised if I end with a wrinkle or something equally horrible.

I narrow my eyes at Alex as he begins to walk towards the house, hogging all the bags. “Hey Whitman! Don’t be thinking you can lock yourself in the bathroom with our chocolate!”

“Damn, there goes that idea!” Alex says with a boyish grin, which instantly brings a smile to my own lips. I never notice how infection Alex’s smile was before, actually I don’t think I’ve ever actually notice Alex’s smile before or way that his eyes light up when he does smile.

I roll my eyes at him and turn to Liz who is still holding her bag of surprises. I wonder what it is. “So are you going to tell me what’s in the bag now?”

Liz shakes her head slyly, “You’re going to have to wait and see. Don’t worry you are going to love,” she pauses and a look of uncertain crosses her face “At least I hope that you are going to like it.”

“I’m sure I will,” I say quickly hoping to reassure Liz. I smile brightly at her as we walk into the house. As we are entering the house, Kyle is leaving the kitchen. He looks warily at me before smiling at Liz and Alex.

I shrug almost to myself before walking into the kitchen. Honestly, the way Kyle looked at me, you would think that he was scared of me.

As I enter the kitchen, I notice that Max is putting things away in the refrigerator. Wow, housework looks so boring. Thank God that Daddy employs a full army of maids. I shudder. I would so die if I had to do that sort of thing myself. Actually makes me feel slightly sorry for those poor people who can’t afford to have staff and actually have to do everything themselves.

“Hey Max!” I greet with a smile.

*Max*

I'm just finishing up when I hear a familiar and somewhat cheerful voice say 'Hey Max.'

I turn around, looking first to verify that Isabel is actually smiling before offering a grin in return. "Hi Isabel," I tell her, happily. "I'm glad you're back."

I walk a little closer, ready to put my arm around her if she looks like she'd welcome it, or just to have a more close conversation if that's what seems to be appropriate. "I heard about what happened with Jake," I say softly. "Are you okay? I kinda thought you would be the first ones back instead of the last...."

Isabel

"I heard about what happened with Jake. Are you okay? I kinda thought you would be the first ones back instead of the last...."

Oh crap, I can’t stand the way he is looking at me. He’s being so nice and he really looks like he is concerned. And I was so horrible to him that night I met ‘him that shall remain nameless’, and God, I was such a bitch to everyone just so that I could be with ‘him that shall remain nameless’

I feel tears begin to sting my eyes. I’m self-centred and mean. I’m so pathetic.

“Shush, its okay,” Max says wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

“I just feel so stupid,” I sniff, allowing self-pity to finally completely embrace me.

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

Isabel reassures me with a gentle smile as we make our way into the house. She moves with ease into the kitchen even after Kyle gave her an odd look that I don’t even know if I’ve seen him make before.

“Hey,” he says with a nod as he sidles up to me, probably trying to see what Alex and I are carrying in our bags. I keep my hand closed tightly around the mouth of the bag even with his light prying. “C’mon,” he goads with a grin.

“Nope! It’s a surprise for Isabel, and even the rest of you by extension, I guess.”

“She’s serious about the surprise too,” Alex adds. “She wouldn’t even say what it was when Isabel asked again just now.”

I simply smile at him in answer to that comment. “I’m headed to the kitchen. Want me to take that?” I point to the bag in his hand. He gives me a wary look, but I just wait for reason to strike. If he doesn’t want it to melt, he’ll give it to me to put in the freezer until we’re ready to eat it.

He hands me the bag and as I walk over to the kitchen I can hear him call back to me, “I’ll know if you took any, Parker, so you better not try anything!”

I laugh and shake my head lightly as I walk through the door to see Max’s arm around Isabel’s shoulders. She looks to be near tears, and if I know Isabel, she definitely doesn’t want to lose her composure in front of anyone.

“Hi, Max,” I say from the doorway with a natural smile. “Iz?” I question. And after it’s out I realized how easy it was to slip into calling her Iz or Izzy instead of Isabel. “Did you want to go upstairs and take a shower first?” I figured I would give her the option to leave if she wanted it. And it was a good excuse, I think. I want to take a shower myself, and who better to ask if she wanted to use the bathroom first than her roommate? And not to mention that if she takes it, I can get started on the cookies while she’s away and busy in an entirely different part of the house.

KYLE

Max seems satisfied with my answer and starts filling the dishwasher while I just stand there and watch. There's not really that much room for two people to work in that section of our kitchen anyway.

When Max suggest finishing up alone, I gratefully make my exit. For a moment, I ponder looking for Tess or Michael and maria but then decide against it.

Taking a shower to get rid of the sand and changing seem like a good thing to do.

I hope the others are okay with our selection of dvds and everyone has a movie he/she'll enjoy. Maybe I can find a way to sit next to Tess or Maria
during the movies.

Ah, the last ones are coming home too. Well, Isabel looks ... well, her knee is down but you never know. I better stay out of her reach. Whitman is loaded with bags, looks like the girls did a shopping tour with the guy. And I wander what Liz is carrying so protectively.

Oh well, my shower's calling.




ALEX

Grabbing the few shopping bags, I start heading towards the house, assuming that the girls are following me.

“Hey Whitman! Don’t be thinking you can lock yourself in the bathroom with our chocolate!” Isabel yells after me. I hadn't even thought of it but now that she mentions it ... nah, that would be a bit too obvious now.

“Damn, there goes that idea!” I tell her grinning. I'm reliefed when she smiles back, maybe what happened with Jake didn't hurt her that much.

We continue walking and I can hear Isabel asking Liz what she's hiding and again, she isn't telling a thing. Must be damn important I guess. Kyle passes us on our way, looking a bit curious at the bags but not saying much after taking some sneek peeks.. Max is in the kitchen, being a 21st century man and doing some housework.

Liz offers to take some bags from me and probably wants to put the ice cream into the fridge. Probably. I certaintly don't trust that twinkle in her eyes.

But then, the ice needs to be put into the fridge and I reculantly hand it over to her. “I’ll know if you took any, Parker, so you better not try anything!” I tell her when she leaves but I guess that didn't sound threatening enough if her laughing is any indication.

I catch a glance at Max with an arm around Isabel and out of reflex, my jaw tightens a bit before reality kicks back and I realize that Max is probably just trying to comfort the girls since she appears very down.

I guess she isn'T over the bastard yet.

Besides, Max is not interested in Isabel (which i certainly don't understand) so I have nothing to worry about. I better not interrupt them though and bring Liz's and Isabel's stuff directly up to their room instead of going into the kitchen too. Better to give Isabel a few minutes to compose herself and ... she gets along with Max, maybe he can help her.


*****
sorry that my Kyle parts are always so short and the Alex ones so big ... Alex is just easier to write for me

*Max*

Isabel starts to breakdown and I put my arm around her. "I feel so stupid," she says.

"It's not your fault," I tell her soothingly. "Jake was a jerk. There are other guys who aren't like that. You'll find someone who'll treat you right." I wipe her tears away with a finger. I can't help but think what a shame it is that Alex can't be here to comfort her, although at the moment, I don't know that she'd let him... She and I seem to have a 'friendship' thing going that allows this sort of thing...

I give her a little squeeze and a smile. "It'll be all right."

Then I hear Liz comes in and I can feel Isabel stiffen under my arm. I'm guessing she doesn't want anyone-else to see her so vulerable. I actually feel myself stiffening a bit, too, because it's Liz. She knows I'm working with Alex to help get Isabel to notice him. I certainly hopes she won't mis-understand this...

Liz doesn't seem to care, 'though, as she instead merely asks if Isabel wants a shower. That could be a good way for Isabel to hide her tears, and collect herself, if she's ready.

I look at Isabel, wondering what she'll say and I offer another option, "Or we could go take a little walk in the garden if you like." That might calm her down a bit more, and give Isabel a little privacy. The kitchen is likely to get very busy now that everyone's home again...