Roswell Fanatics

He could have asked if she needed any help washing her back!

hey, don't give him any ideas LOL

ALEX

“Its okay. I guess this makes us even then. So we can just start a new and put everything else behind us now right?”

She wants a new start! Yeah, that's great. No, that is perfect! Tess will be so proud.

"That sounds fine to me." I smile back at her before extending my hand. "Hi, I'm Alex Whitman. It's nice to meet you."

Isabel giggles a bit before taking my hand and shaking it in return.

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

“So tell me about our star-crossed lovers,” I hear him say as I dry my hands. “What happened on a short car-ride from the beach that’s changed things so much?”

“Well,” I start as I open the drawer Max found the spoons in, looking for a knife to open the package, “It wasn’t the ride from the beach really. Each of us were pretty silent most of the way. Alex was driving, and Izzy was pretty quiet in the backseat with good reason. I asked if we could stop off at the store some time during the drive.”

“For the ice cream and cookies,” he finishes for me, leaning against the counter looking every bit relaxed.

I nod, unable to really find the words to continue. I slide the knife over the package, hoping that the concentration on the task will buy me some time to pull my thoughts together. I’m feeling less uncomfortable around him, which is a good thing. I think part of the reason might be because of Tess. If they are both interested in each other, it takes a good deal of the . . . pressure, I suppose, off me.

“That’s really when Iz started to converse with us. And then when we were actually in the store Alex started teasing her, and she played right along with him. They were arguing over who would get what.” I opened the package and move it between us and take the spoon he offered me. I don’t know when he moved away from the counter, but his movements must have been so fluid because I didn’t even notice. “Thanks,” I say, interrupting my retelling the story. “So I decided, with things going as well as they were, I would let them have some time alone. I went to get the cookie dough, and told them I’d meet them back at the car. When I got to the car they were talking and laughing. I could barely believe it.

“I asked Iz if she wanted to take shotgun as an evaluation of how things went,” I explain as I scoop up a spoonful of cookie dough and drop it next to the one Max had just done. “I figured that she’d sit there for multiple reasons, and she wouldn’t sit there for one—she didn’t want to sit next to Alex. If she sat there, then that would mean that she didn’t not like him.”

“And?” He asked, drawing the word out.

“She took it! She sat in front next to Alex!” I could tell just from the way I said it I sounded every bit as excited as I felt. “And that playfulness and teasing continued the entire way back here,” I finish and drop another cookie on the sheet. I turn to smile at him. The whole plan to get Alex into Izzy’s good graces looks like it just might work out. “Good, huh?”

*Max*

"Good? It's completely amazing," I tell Liz, feeling exactly that, amazed. "There was a moment or two on the way to the beach when I thought our efforts were going to be completely useless." In truth, I wasn't even sure why Alex even wanted her anymore at that point, besides her obvious physical attributes.

"Although it sounds like our planning didn't have much to do with it at all, except to keep Alex in the game." I grin widely, shaking my head. Maybe he actually listened to our coaching on how to talk to her since he apparently didn't put his foot in his mouth too deeply.

Liz and I finish up putting the cookies on the pan. I'm actually very disappointed that the task took such a short time. "Got it," I say, scooping up the trays and putting them in the oven. I'd turned it on a bit earlier while Liz was opening the package, so it should be about right now.

Liz double-checks the temperature and sets the timer. "I guess all we have to do is wait," she says with a smile that does things deep inside my stomach. For a moment, I forget entirely what we were talking about and I fumble about wishing I had something to do with my hands.

I find a grin as my gaze falls on the table. I pick up the two doughy spoons and playfully ask, "Do you want to lick the spoons now?"

Liz giggles as she takes the spoon I offer her. There's not much dough on it, but I'm messmerized as she slowly puts it to her lips and licks it clean before putting the whole thing between her lips and pulling it slowly out. I keep a smile on my face, imitating her actions and we both giggle, presenting our 'clean' spoons to each other before tossing them in the sink.

"So, Liz," I say slowly. "I was wondering what you might like for your birthday. Any particular books you like to read, or music or movies?" I ask, tilting my head slightly, going over all the obvious gift genres, excluding clothing or purses or something. I don't think I could do that. I don't want to give her alcohol, either, although she'll be legal at that point. It just doesn't seem personal enough for a gift to a girl...

"Maybe some piano music?" I ask as one last suggestion before giving up. "I'm sorry. I hate to spoil a surprise, but I don't really know you all that well, yet." Not as well as I'd like, I think. I really wish I could give her something that she'd think would be 'perfect,' but right now, I really don't know what that would be.

hey, don't give him any ideas LOL

*Makes mental note, must not corrupt Alex. *


Isabel

"Hi, I'm Alex Whitman. It's nice to meet you." Alex says extending his hand to me. I giggle and without hesitation reach for his hand.

“Isabel Anderson but you can call me Izzy,” I say playing along. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Alex!”

“I guess you want to have your shower now.” Alex says as I reluctantly let go of his hand. Its funny how things can change so fast in the space of a few hours. I mean earlier I could bear to be near Alex but now, now I don’t want him to leave. I don’t know what it is about him but he makes me smile and laugh. Hell even when I didn’t like him, I found him amusing. There’s just something about Alex Whitman.

“I guess…” I agree although I just can’t bring myself to move.

*Makes mental note, must not corrupt Alex. *

thanks, I appreciate that


ALEX

“Isabel Anderson but you can call me Izzy, it’s a pleasure to meet you Alex!” Isabel replies with a smile.

Did I already mention that she has a beautiful smile? Yes? Well, it can't hurt to say it again, can it? I knew that she isn't so arrogant as she wanted us to believe at first - she is a total down to Earth person. I'm sure we'll get along well from now on.

There is silence agan after mentioning her shower that is waiting for her. Damn, why did I mention that shower? I don't want her to leave since we get along so well right now.

"So, ..." I say lamely after a moment when Isabel is still standing with me. "... you prefer Izzy to Iz then?"

And I thought asking if she was okay was a stupid question.

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

Max asks me what I want for my birthday, and I can’t really think of anything that I would want. Sure there are things that I’d say to family or friends, but to a new roommate, I don’t know what to say. Isn’t there some sort of etiquette to abide by?

I shrug under his gaze, not sure what to say exactly. “I don’t know.” Smiling, I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear before saying, “I don’t really need anything. And if you get me anything, I’ll be happy.” He gives me a wry look and I elaborate, “anything within reason.”

*Max*

Anything within reason. Well that certainly doesn't help at all. So much for 'why don't you ask her?' Who suggested that anyway? Alex? I'm no better off than I was. I guess I'll have to keep watching and figure it out on my own. Maybe I can call on Isabel and ask her to look around and tell me what sort of books Liz brought along with her and that can give me an idea.

Inwardly, I shake my head. We have Liz and Tess working find out about Isabel and now I'm concidering using Isabel to find out about Liz. This place is turning into a regular house of intrigue. Well, at least it's all intended for fun and to benefit each other, not for malice. ... At least on my part, I correct myself. I'm not so sure about Michael and the pornography....

'Thanks a lot," I grin at Liz, teasing her. "That helps so very much."

She gives me a sheep grin and shrugs. "Sorry..."

"It's okay. I'll think of something," I promise, hoping it'll be true. She didn't react to the idea of piano music, although concidering how sensative she was to that, maybe it's not a good idea.... But there's stll music and books... maybe flowers?

"Oh, I got something-else to tell you, too," I say, feeling sheepish again. I'm suddenly having a bit of a hard time meeting her eyes. "I, um, heard about the confusion yesterday morning about the flower on the piano? It wasn't supposed to be a mystery. I guess it got lost, but I had signed a note and left it there..."

"You left the rose?" She asks.

I nod, slowly, feeling my face getting warm. I still can't quite meet her eye and I'm not really sure how to interpret her tone, but I hasten to explain. "I just wanted to let you know how much I'd enjoyed your piano playing and all. ... I think you're a terriffic person," I finish lamely. I pinch my lips together and raise my chin just a little to see her face, wondering what she's going to say now.

Wow, I am so sorry for just going AWOL on everyone, got a little sidetracked I guess But I totally love where everything is going, I'm really glad Isabel is finally warming up to Alex, and the bit with Max and Liz in the kitchen was great. You could feel the sexual tension simmering in there (yay!).

TESS

Max hands me the bag of videos and I saunter into the living room to place them next to the large, flat-screen TV.

I know everyone’s home now, but I wonder where Michael and Maria went off to. I start turning around in a circle trying to spot them somewhere on the first floor, but don’t see them anywhere. I guess they could be outside, it is still oddly warm for it being pitch black outside. But then I guess that’s Florida in the springtime for ya.

I venture outside and hear water splashing softly in the direction of the Jacuzzi and pool area so I head that way, and not surprisingly, find Maria and Michael soaking in the hot tub. That’s probably what I would have done too if I had come home first, with nothing to do but wait for the others to return.

“Hi guys. We’re back. Enjoying the warmer side of water?” I say playfully. What can I say; I’m in a good mood. Must be all the pleasant company on the way back from the beach.

Maria turns her head around to answer. “Hi Tess. Yeah, we decided a dip in the hot tub beat taking a shower to rinse off the sand. At least for the moment anyway. So, where have you guys been? We didn’t think we’d make it back first.”

“Oh, we stopped at Blockbuster on the way back to rent some movies for everyone to watch tonight. And apparently Isabel, Alex, and Liz stopped at a grocery store because they came in loaded with chocolate and ice cream goodies, so that sounds good to me, don’t you think?” I reply. Michael, who has been sitting there, uncharacteristically in silence, speaks up for the first time since I came outside. He almost looks like he’s a little disappointed that I walked in on them. Huh, maybe these two are getting along better than one would have thought. How nice for them.

“What movies did you rent? And they better not all be chick flicks or I’m not sitting through that crap.” Hmmm, yeps, definitely walked in on something, or maybe he’s still upset about the Liz incident? Well whatever, I don’t feel like trying to figure out Michael’s chameleon-like moods right now.

I just smile and reply, “ We got X-Men 2”

“K, decent action flick, next”

“Ice Age, for a little lighthearted animated comedy,” I continue.

“Cartoons?... K, whatever, cartoons are classic. Anything else?”

“And Pirates of the Caribbean with Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp for us women and Keira Knightley for you men,” I finish, leaving the part about the beautiful British actress as the last thing he hears to try and distract him from the two studly men that we’ll be watching for two hours.

“Yes! Gawd I love Orlando Bloom! He is so hot. Good choice Tess, I’m going to take a wild guess and say that was your choice,” Maria suddenly bursts out, her arms gesticulating wildly, sending water everywhere, including right in Michael’s face.

“Haha, yes, that inspired choice was of my own doing. I figured we had to get in some quality time with our favorite pirates,” I say, winking at Maria.

Michael looks slightly less ecstatic about the movie than Maria and I are, but too bad, he can enjoy X-Men 2 just as much. Plenty of manly, mutant action going on that I’m sure he’ll think he relates to.

KYLE

I'm feeling than times better after that shower now. Michael still hasn't shown up in our room so he could be somewhere in the back of the house I guess. Max should be finished with loading the dishwasher by now so it should be safe to go downstairs again.

I wave at Alex and Isabel who are in the girls' room. Sure, Anderson is hot to look at but ... that incident earlier, I still shudder when I think about it. I hope Alex knows what he has gotten himself into ... if he stands a chance that is. So far, it's more likely for Michael to land with her.

Well, not my problem.

Great! No one took care of the bags with the popcorn and dvds. Typical that I have to do that! Well, Liz and the others had some bags of their own but Tess could have done it and ... well, up to me again to fix everything for our night of movie entertainment.

At least this time around, I already know how this dvd-player works and don't have to go with the "try something and look how it works" method like I had to two nights ago.

Grabbing the bags, I head towards the living room, intend on not letting anyone take the remote from me.

Thanks! MorpheusAwakened! It's great to have a chance to post for Michael again. Everytime I get him and Maria alone, Baby_Bre disappears!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

*Michael*

I'm kinda glad to see Tess. Maria's great on the eyes, but I'm not making any headway in terms of having a real conversation with her. The movies are decent 'tho. I mean, I guess I can even handle the pirate movie, but only if the girls cut down on the drooling! Geez, they act like they don't have the hottest guy around right here in the hot-tub with 'em. What more could they want?

"Fine, but I want you girls to keep quiet and let Kyle and me enjoy the action, Okay? I don't need to hear you sighing and ahh-ing through the good parts," I say with an obvious growl.

Tess and Maria only giggle at that and I give them each a glare. Not a good sign in terms of keeping those female urges undercontrol. Why they hell aren't they throwing themselves at me?

I'm about to send Tess on her way, when I get another idea. Afterall, the one-on-one with Maria isn't really going anywhere, anyway, and stealing 'Max's girl' would be just the best, I'm sure. "So, you wanna join us then?" I ask with a smile I've been told is very charming...