Roswell Fanatics

Title: The Princess and the Politican
Disclaimer: I stole...er borrowed... the characters from the tv show (and books) Roswell, and all my ideas from a collective of every book I've ever read and every movie and tv show I've ever seen.
Summary: This is a story set on Antar about the effects of the royal revolution on one girl and how it changes her life. And of course, a scheming young politican who makes things interesting. Couples are conventional... give or take! Ha ha, enjoy!

Chapter 1: The Princess of Antar

“Power to the people of Antar!” roared the crowd, as confetti and champagne bottles littered the palace court yard. It was a huge party, the likes of which had never before been seen on Anter. The Royal family had finally agreed to step down and allow democracy to fully prevail in their star system. For years steps had been taken to take power away from the hands of the royals, and today it was finally being fully given to the people. The family’s three castles, one on each of the three habitable planets of the system, had been turned over to serve as courts for the people. This was a momentous day, each of the three planets finally having the authority to work towards their own interests, no longer always forced to consider the others. In the last century the planet’s had steadily grown apart from each other in culture and idealism.

The people were all watching in anticipation for the Royal family’s final descent from the castle on Antar. Already they had watched several carriages full of belongings leave the castle and head to the country estate that the people had graciously bestowed on their departing royalty. Indeed, the royal family was not viewed on unfavourably by the people, but more as a grown child that should have left home long ago.

“There they are!” screamed the crowd as the King and Queen, and their only daughter slowly walked out of the castle and down the steps to the royal carriage that was waiting for them. The young princess, only 10 years old looked at the crowd and trailed behind her parents, not wishing to go to her new home, a home that was only meant for a few weeks stay, not the rest of her lifetime. No more would be the traveling from planet to planet in order to spend time at one of her different homes. This upset the young princess, for she had dear friends in each one of her homes and loved each one in its own way. But the days of playing spazzle with her dog on the castle on Fiara, or playing hopscotch with her friends in the courtyard on Castle Jionna were gone forever.

~7 Years Later~

“Elizabeth? Where are you? Get down here right away.” yelled her father, as Liz rolled her eyes at her dog and ran down the steps to greet him. He hadn’t been crown royalty for a decade now, but he still demanded the royal treatment.

“I’m coming Dad” she yelled, wondering what it was that had him in a tizzy now. It was always something bothering him, but mostly it was that he didn’t have the power to stop it.

“Look at this! What the parliament is doing! They’re going to hell in a hand basket.” muttered Jeff Ortecho to his wife as Liz finally joined them at the table for breakfast. Breakfast was at 7 a.m sharp every morning, never a minute later. Indeed that had been good protocol when they were all expected to go out and rule the star system, but now that the lived in a house in the woods and had only the garden to worry about it was a little ridiculous.

“Lizzie, why are you still in your pajama’s? Today is a school day.” remarked her father when his eyes were finally pulled from his newspaper. “No Dad, I have today off.”

“Oh… well, that’s odd? Why?”

“It’s go with your parents to work day.” Liz answered quietly, wishing she didn’t have to say it. It was a very sore point with her father, who since the un-coronation had sat at home, muttering about the doings of the new government and occasionally being called for consultations. But the consultations had long since dwindled to nothing and Jeff Ortecho had found himself a relic of the past before his 50th birthday. Indeed, the only work he had now was a small weekly article in the local newspaper, his outlet to rant at the world about what he thought was exactly wrong with it.

“Well, honey, it’s important for me to stay informed for my article.” and he sheepishly handed Liz the newspaper to peruse. Liz smiled at the gesture, but made sure her father did not see. She felt bad for him, he had been a good leader, but in a time when his leadership skills meant nothing because of his outdated title. She looked at the newspaper for a few minutes in order to appease her father before running out to the garden.

Liz loved her garden here more than anything in all the stars. Indeed the castles on Fiara and Jionna had nothing worth comparing with her garden here in the countryside of Antar. Although she had to admit that the garden at their castle on Antar had been perhaps more gorgeous, but it had been maintained by a bushel of gardeners while here there was only herself and her parents to care for this one. But this caring for it herself was truly what endeared it to Liz.

“Skipping school Ms. Ortecho?” came a teasing voice from behind her.

“Michael? What are you doing here?” Liz asked, shocked to see him.

“Well, it’s go to work with your parents day.” he explained simply.

Michael was the son of Liz’s father’s oldest friend Rath. Indeed her father had discussed with Rath all matters of state in the good old days, and given him the coveted position of head of the royal guard. When the monarchy was abolished Liz’s father had only agreed to sign the papers if Rath could remain as his guard with royal salary as long as he wished. Indeed the people had felt it was reasonable to leave the king with one guard, for it was much less than the hundreds that normally served him.

“So you’re bored too?” Liz asked, smiling at Michael.

“Yeah, you can say that again. I mean, the day off is nice and all, but it’s hardly helping me find a good life path.”

Liz smiled at Michael, knowing exactly what he meant. She had no idea what she would do with her life. Her parents were provided for as long as they lived, but Liz was only provided with an educational allowance from the royal treasury of old. Then the provisions from the states ended, and she would have to find a life of her own.

“I have no idea what I’m going to do.” Liz whispered quietly, trying to push the worries away from her. She had lived such a sheltered life, in the castles, and now on this excluded estate, and the day was coming when none of this would be hers anymore. She knew her father wanted her to be self sufficient, successful, be able to show the world what their royalty had been made of. People just like them, smart hardworking people who knew how to make it in the world. But Liz just didn't know if she had that inside herself.

“No openings for a princess?” joked Michael.

“No.” said Liz, sticking her tongue out at him, acting like they had when they were 5 years old and had both thought they were the only kids in the world. Indeed they had been the only ones they had seen, among the royal nobility and the private tutors that had crowded their early life.

“Well, that’s okay, you can just marry some hotshot young upstart politician and just go on living like royalty. Afterall, it’s what you were meant for.”

Liz gave Michael the ugliest glare she could muster. After the many years listening to her fathers rants, a young hotshot politician was considered the most vile of things in her household.

“Never.” Liz avowed and Michael smiled at her. “Even if I was one.” he added, his smirk growing. Liz turned scarlet and slapped Michael playfully on the arm. When she was 9 years old, she had told Michael that when she grew up she was going to marry him. And even though 8 years had passed, he still wasn’t letting her live it down.

“Oh, and she still blushes. Must mean she has the hots for me.” added Michael, not content to let it go. “What would Maria say if she could hear you?” chided Liz in self defense. “She would agree with me. Why do you think you too became friends? Maria’s a smart one, knows to keep her friends close, and her rivals closer.”

Liz rolled her eyes. It was no sense arguing with Michael when he was in this mood. Michael was Liz’s best friend in the world, and when he had found Maria, Liz had hated her. Hated her more than she thought she could. Liz didn’t feel romantically for Michael, those feelings had left her completely shortly after her 14th birthday, but the fact that Maria had stepped in and taken him from her, the only person who really understood her, had hurt. Liz was content hating Maria, but the girl would not be hated! She was nothing but sweet to Liz when Liz treated her like dirt. Indeed, it was a miracle Maria hadn’t told her to go to hell in there first few encounters. Things probably would have gone like that for the rest of their lives, Liz being ice cold, and Maria being distantly sweet, but one day Liz had found Maria hanging from the wall of the garden after spying on her and Michael. Liz hadn’t been able to contain herself and burst into giggles at the sight.

“Well, at least I know you can laugh now.” Maria had commented sarcastically as Liz had helped her down. Afterwards Maria had confessed that she was jealous and suspicious Michael and Liz relationship, and Liz had confessed the same to Maria, and her fears of losing her only confident. Ever since that day she had a new and trusted confident. Afterall, if Maria gave away any of her secrets it was certain that Michael would be wiser about his fair lady’s climbing exploits.

End Chapter 1
~Stay tuned for Chapter 2: The Hotshot Politican~

Hi,
Thanks to:
stargrl678
Lizza
kittens
POM,
RhondaAnn
begonia9508
Your comments are greatly appreciated.
To answer a question the couple pairings for this story will be mostly conventional.

Sorry this part is a bit short... hope you enjoy!

Chapter 2: The Hotshot Politican

“So Maxwell what are you going to do now?” asked Kyle as he handed Max’s law school diploma back to him after looking at it enviously. At 20 years of age Max was the youngest man to earn the right to practice law on Antar. It was an impressive feat, which had many people interested in what the young prodigy would attempt to take on next.

“You know my plans Kyle.”

Indeed Kyle did, ever since they had started playing baseball together when they were both 14, Max had one aspiration in life, to be the first minister of Antar’s ruling council before his 30th birthday.

“So you got the fancy schooling through with.” added Kyle, trying to support his friend in his dream. Kyle and Max were good friends despite the fact that they were from very different worlds, Kyle a lowly mechanic’s apprentice and Max the ‘Gem of Antar’ as one of his professors had dubbed him. But sometimes Kyle couldn’t help the nagging feeling that Max used everyone in his world as merely a stepping stone to his dream. Indeed Kyle wondered if Max stayed in touch with him all these years just so he could show that he was still in touch with the common working class.

“Yea, that’s one step out of the way. I’ve decided I’m going to practice law for a few years, earn the people’s trust by working with them. Show them that all lawyers are not evil. Then when I’m 23 I can run for my first political office, and give the people 3 years as a local representative. That will set me up perfectly to run for a planetary position when I’m 26, spend 3 years impressing the people, and then run for full leadership when I’m 29.”

“Max, I think you’ve spent way too much time thinking about this.” replied Kyle, trying not to roll his eyes at his over ambitious friend. Max just smiled back, lost in his own thoughts and his excessive planning of how he was going to make his dream a reality.

“Well, it is my future Kyle.” Max responded a few minutes later, when he finally came away from his own thoughts long enough to reregister Kyle’s presence.

“I know it’s your future. But Max, most guys think about getting a job and buying that first car so they can cruise around with the ladies when they get outta school. Not how they are going to improve the economical situation of their home planet.”

“Well, I’m not most guys. You should know that by now.” replied Max, laughing at Kyle’s total inability to understand his drive, his ambition.

“But why Max? I mean, you don’t seem to ever stop and just enjoy your life.” argued Kyle. He had long ago accepted that Max would never be the kind of friend that he could drag to the bar with him on a Friday night, and spend Saturday with trying to piece together the occurrences of the last night. Not that Kyle overly minded this, Max would inevitably drag the ladies away from him. It’s not that he wasn’t just as good looking as Max, but he was no law school graduate.

“I have my reasons.” replied Max, and Kyle looked at his friend, trying to figure out what it possibly could be. In all the years Kyle had known Max he had learned a lot about the guy, but he had the feeling there was so much more he didn’t know, and likely never would. He was such a guarded person and Kyle was half interested in what information the world would pull up about him when he ran for office.

“Hey Ky, stop bugging the man and get his car fixed.” came the voice of a small petite blonde who had just came out of the main office of the mechanic shop and Max couldn’t help shuddering at the sound. Indeed, this was the reason Kyle had remained friends with Max, he was one of the few guys who wasn’t interested in getting into his sister’s pants and Kyle found that a refreshing quality in a friend.

“Max, how are you today?” asked Tess, shinning him one of her sweetest smiles. She couldn’t understand why the tactics that worked on most of her male prey didn’t seem to faze him at all.

“I’m fine Tess.” replied Max, wishing Tess would just wander away. He found her particularly vile for a reason he couldn’t quite place, he had to admit that she was beautiful, but besides this she seemed a waste of a person. She merely sat around all day flirting with men, she didn’t even have enough spark of ambition to help out her family, or even herself for that matter. She spent her days waiting for a man to come and take care of her. That was what repulsed him most. Indeed, since graduating from law school, he had ran into many such woman and had just as quickly ran away.

Finally Tess wondered back into the shop, obviously not getting the looked for reaction from Max. Kyle silently prayed she would stay there until Max left so he didn’t have to witness her pathetic attempts at throwing herself at Max. It was something he just didn’t need to see. “You know Maxwell, I get that you aren’t into Tess, but what kind of woman are you waiting for?”

In the four years they had been friends, Kyle had not once witnessed Max go out on a date, or even get rejected asking a girl on a date. He figured it was merely because Max was too ambitious to waste his time on woman, but sometimes he wondered. Maybe this was the secret he kept locked up all the time.

“I don’t think about them at all.” replied Max, offhand, not registering that Kyle took that comment to be a stepping stone to an affirmation of homosexuality.

“Not at all?” asked Kyle, suddenly concerned by the way he was bending over to tighten the bolt on Max’s tires.

“Kyle, I’m not ‘that way’ if that’s what you’re hinting at. The truth of the matter is, most of the girls I went to school with were at least 3 years older than me and treated me as their little brother, and all the girls my own age just seem so immature. There’s nothing worldy about them. If I can’t find a woman who can actually hold a reasonable conversation that doesn’t lead to how much she always wanted to date a lawyer I won’t bother. I mean, what would the point be?”

“Oh Maxwell, you’re a smart guy, but you sure have a lot to learn.”

End Chapter 2

~Stay tuned for Chapter 3: What Are Friends For? (If Not Drunken Karaoke)~
And I promise, Max and Liz will finally meet, I just wanted to give a good background of both characters first.

Hi, thanks to:
begonia9508
L-J-L 76
RhondaAnn
Erina258
Liz86000
POM
Lizza
Your comments as always are greatly appreciated! Just for a heads up this next part is set 4 years ahead of the chapter 2. I'm not really satisfied with this part, it seems just like filler to get me from chapter 2-4 but I want to get on with the story. Your comments as usual, good or bad are wanted... needed even. :>


Chapter 3: What Are Friends For? (If Not Drunken Karaoke)

“Liz, there you are!” yelled Maria, out of breath running up to Liz, her eye’s full of deviousness. “Happy birthday!” Maria squealed as she attacked Liz with a massive bear hug before handing her a small present. Liz slowly opened the present, carefully pulling off the tape so the wrapping wouldn’t tear, while Maria waited impatiently.

“Maria?” asked Liz, wondering what kind of plan Maria must have concocted since the last time they had spoken as she pulled the small plastic tiara out of the box. “What?” asked Maria, responding to the shocked and slightly confused look on Liz’s face, “It’s a tiara for your 21st birthday, I thought since you won’t be getting coronated today, that you should at least receive an initiation like the rest of us.”

“An initiation?” asked Liz, fearful of what was going to come out of Maria’s lips next.

“Yeah, you know, we’ll head down to the university bar, have a few, you’ll sing karaoke wearing a tiara. It’ll be fun for all.” said Maria, beeming happily, sure that today was finally the day she would pull Liz out of her dorm room where she regularly spent her hours studying like a drone, and they would have some fun.

“Maria, I couldn’t.” Liz knew that in theory she was a normal person, just like everyone else now, but that just wasn’t true these days. The new democracy was still struggling and had ran into many snares, and people liked to watch her actions, trying to find some fatal flaw in her that would justify to them that their decision to abolish the monarchy had been for the best. Indeed, Liz didn’t care about this herself, but she knew her father would be crushed if he saw her in the newspaper disgracing his name.

“Liz, I don’t think you understand, I didn’t ask you if you wanted to go, I’m insisting you go. And if you don’t agree, I’ll just have Michael carry you there.”

“So you and Michael are what now?” asked Liz, partly to try and sidetrack Maria, partly because she really was curious about what exactly was going on between the two of them. “We’re just friends.” replied Maria, taking the tiara out of Liz’s hands, and carefully placing it on her head before Liz could protest.

“Just friends?” asked Liz, rolling her eyes at Maria. Maria and Michael had broken up almost three years ago, and since then had proceeded to get back together at least once every four months. Inevitably the back-together periods only lasted for a few weeks, but Maria always seemed happier during those times.

“Yes Liz honey, I’ve officially cut myself off from that boy, we’re just friends from here on in. I called him and invited him to this party mostly for your benefit, cuz that’s what friends do.”

“Either way, I don’t have a beneficial friend quite like you do.” said Liz, earning her a hurt and then guilty look from Maria.

~

Max didn’t really feel like celebrating, he would have preferred just to go home to his bachelor apartment and enjoy the moment by himself. But indeed, the people who had spent months working for and with him, would not be denied their celebration. He had just won the position for local representation for his region, and at 23 years of age was by far the youngest counselor.

He looked around the bar, watching everyone else, trying to remember to go and mingle every now and then, and make sure he thanked everyone for all of their help. “Well Max, you’ve proven me wrong.” babbled one of his fellow counselors who had told Max he was too young to expect a win. “Well, age doesn’t mean anything if you have what it takes. I look forward to working with you though, and learning from your experience.” Max replied, trying for a good mix of confidence and humility.

“Congrats,” came a voice from behind Max, and he turned around ready to repeat his song and dance, when he saw that it was Kyle. “Hey Kyle, didn’t expect you to actually come out tonight. Tess said you were trying to get an old beater up and running.”

“Yeah, I was. Then she told me that Max Evans was out celebrating, and I had to see it for myself.” Kyle looked around the room and was sadly disappointed, he was hoping for Coyote Ugly, and all he got was Cheers.

“Yes, well, here it is, my big campaign win party. Drinks are on the house. I wouldn’t be here but…”

“Let me guess, it’s good for the image.” finished Kyle. Oh well, at least it was a small step forward into the realm of normalcy for Max to even be there. “You know, when this is done we should go out and party for real.”

“This is enough party for me for a night Kyle. But thanks.”

“Why not? You don’t even start your position until two weeks from now. I think you can go out on the town for one night. Besides, you got better things to do?” challenged Kyle. “And if you dare tell me you have to read about the history of Antar in order to better understand the faults of the past and learn from them, I will write you off as my friend for good.”

~

“Maria this place is so skuzzy.” complained Liz as she tried to squeeze through the throng of people in order to catch up with Michael and Maria.

“Well, the university bar would have been nicer, but no, little Ms. Lizzy couldn’t be seen there, someone might actually know her.” mocked Maria, enjoying her attempt at corrupting the incorruptible Ms. Ortecho. “Well, isn’t there a better alternative?” asked Liz, looking around at the people who were shamelessly trying to show off all they had.

“Not really. The only other bar in town is too high class for the likes of us ‘normals’, besides, it was reserved for some kind of campaign celebration. I highly doubt you want to walk around with a bunch of suits talking politics.”

Liz had to agree with that. The last thing she needed was to be quizzed by a bunch of people who thought they knew how to rule the world, and who would tell her exactly what her father had done wrong. Not that she thought anyone would recognize her tonight. Maria had done her hair and make up, and Liz barely recognized herself. Maria had also wanted to pick out her wardrobe, but Liz just didn’t have the guts to wear what Maria would have wanted her to.

“Hey bartender, can we get some drinks.” asked Maria, walking over to the bar and quickly being served before the dozen or so men who had been waiting. Maria sure did attract attention in a small white mini skirt and matching knee-high boots with 6-inch-heals.

~

Max sat in the back of the bar and just watched the interactions of the people around him, as Kyle had trotted off to try his luck with the ladies. He had tried to pull Max along with him, but Max had refused. None of the girls in this place looked like his type.

“Hey Maxwell, I want you to meet Maria, and her friend Liz.” declared Kyle, when he had finally made his way back to him, looking like a successful hunter must. Kyle had decided that it would be much easier to bring the women to Max, then Max to the women.

“Hi Max.” greeted Maria in a friendly matter as she leaned against Kyle. That must leave me with the brunette he thought to himself. He looked her quickly from head to toe. She was a very attractive girl, but the tiara on her head quickly lead Max to the wrong conclusions.

“So, you’re a princess eh?” asked Max, trying, but not quite succeeding, at keeping the bitterness out of his voice. He just didn’t feel like dealing with another girl whose greatest ambition in life was to be a trophy wife.

Maria couldn’t help giggling at Max’s comment, too drunk to register his tone of voice. “Yeah, and tonight just might be her coronation night.” joked Maria, getting back at Liz for her earlier comment, while winking devilishly at Max.

Liz starred at Max stunned for a few minutes, thinking he had recognized her, before realizing that the tiara was still on her head. She reached up to touch the tiara carefully; making sure it was indeed still there. “The tiara?” she asked him, just to confirm this was the reason he was calling her princess. She was used to people being bitter towards the monarchy for one reason or another, but never straight to her face.

“Yeah, the tiara” replied Max condescendingly thinking that Liz wasn’t exactly the brightest tool in the shed either, and she didn’t even seem drunk enough to blame it on the booze.

Liz looked at Max confused, wondering whether he knew who she was or not. And either way, how dare he judge her without even talking to her. Well, she would at least be the bigger person and be nice to him, even if he didn’t show her the same consideration.

“Well, me and Kevin here are hitting the dance floor.” declared Maria, not at all registering the animosity that was brewing between Max and Liz. “I suggest you too crazy kids join us. No ifs ands or buts. Well, maybe some butts.”

Liz smiled at Max with the nicest, fakest smile she could muster for him, and asked him to join her. “I guess I have to.” replied Max, following her onto the dance floor. “So, princess, you waiting for prince charming to sweep you away?” he asked Liz, breaking the silence of their awkward dancing. He waited for the characteristic smile, followed by, “What do you do for a living?” that he was used to.

“Every princess wants a prince charming.” replied Liz, deciding just to play along with whatever Max said, and try to play ignorant to the sarcasm in his voice. Finally the dance ended and Liz went to find Michael. The fun of the night somehow seemed spoiled now and she just wanted to go home.

~End Chapter 3~

Stay tuned for Chapter 4: A Deal with the Devil

Hey thanks to all my readers, especially to my commenters:
Erina258
begonia9508
POM
RhondaAnn
OmegaRam1

I had a ton of fun writing this part, so hope you all enjoy!


Chapter 4: A Deal with the Devil

“Liz, honey, let me up.” instructed her father’s voice on the phone. Liz quickly ran down to let her father into her residence building, all the while wondering what this could be about. In the 2 and a half years she had been attending the university not once had her father actually visited her at school. He usually just waited in the car when he picked her up to go home every other weekend, and it was always Rath and Michael who moved her in and out at the beginning and end of the school year.

“Hey Daddy.” She greated him, hoping to melt away any anger that might be the motive for his visit, but Mr. Ortecho merely took Liz’s arm and practically dragged her back up to her room. He was definitely not going to have this conversation while standing in the hallway of a dormitory. If being a king and then a newspaperman had taught him anything it was that there were ears everywhere.

“Dad?” asked Liz once they were finally safely tucked away in her room. “Explain this.” her father demanded, as he tossed a newspaper into her hands. He had always found that the best way to get the truth out of anyone was to go after it bluntly, pussy footing around just gave them time to come up with a good story.

Oh know, thought Liz, expecting to find pictures of her out on the town, drinking, and generally disgracing her family. Dreading the worst she was surprised to find a picture of her standing in a middle of the dance floor, just dancing innocently with some guy. I mean, she wouldn’t exactly of picked that particular guy, but at least he wasn’t half bad looking, even if his ears did stick out. But then she looked down at the caption.

“Maxwell Evans.” Liz read the name and had to take a double check. “Max Evans?” she said outloud, surprising hersef. “Dad, I had no idea that’s who it was. I never would have danced with him. You have to believe me Daddy, I didn’t even want to, but Maria was into his friend.” Liz rolled the newspaper up in her hands to hide the picture, avoiding her father’s eyes and waited for his rant about the evils of politics.

“Well Liz, that’s too bad, I’ve followed this boy’s career, and even I have to admit he’s brilliant, but he’s young and arrogant. If you two were dating, well, I might be able to give him the advice and guidance he will obviously need. I mean, he’s going to have power, it’s only a local representation now, but that won’t be for long, and he’ll need someone to…”

“What?” asked Liz, totally thrown off by her father’s reaction. He actually had wanted her to be dating Max Evans? “Dad, how could you want this for me? You hate politicians.” And then Liz realized the truth, her father was a king, and he had seen this as his last chance to grasp some influence in the affairs of the planet. I mean, what young man wouldn’t take the advice of his girlfriend’s father in order to win favour with him.

“Indeed, I do, and I would rather you stay far away from them, but in the end, you are your mother’s daughter and men of power…”

“Dad, no!” said Liz, silencing him before he could complete that sentence. “I just met Max the one time, and I don’t plan on seeing him again. So I’m sorry, but I’m not dating ‘the great’ Max Evans.”

“Well then, if things change, let me know. I don’t care to learn the news of my daughter’s life from the tabloids.” said her father, as he headed out, obviously disappointed in this turn of events. “I’ll be around Friday to pick you up, your mother and I want to see you home for a change.” he added as he headed out the door. “And Lizzie, you and Maria shouldn’t be going out to places like that alone. It’s not safe.”

A few minutes later the phone rang again, and Liz expected it to be her father, calling to be let back in, with some more fatherly advice or warnings, but instead it was Maria.
“Hey chica, I just saw your Dad leave the building, he seemed to be muttering about my endangering you, what’s going on?”

Maria followed Liz up to her room in silence and Liz just pointed at the rolled up paper on her bed. Maria picked up the newspaper and starred at it for a few minutes before laughing her head off. “Oh Lizzy! This is great, your father must have been so riled, and Max Evans! And your first night out, that’s impressive.”

“Maria, this isn’t funny.” protested Liz, before breaking out into giggles and lying down on the bed beside Maria. She picked up the newspaper and was prepared to quote it for pleasure when a smaller photo off to the corner caught her eye. It was one of herself when she was 10 years old, leaving the castle grounds. She had wanted so badly to cry, but her father had told her to keep her chin up, and walk out like a princess.

“You want to know what’s really funny?” piped up Maria, realizing that Liz had suddenly reverted to her serious self and that would never do. Liz looked at Maria inquisitively, having the faintest precognitive idea that this wasn’t going to be amusing to her at all.

“I made a date for the four of us this Saturday.”

~

“Kyle? Why did you have to ask us both out?” demanded Max, not at all pleased with this new development. It was bad enough that she actually was the freaking princess of Antar and had gotten his name splashed all over the tabloids, but to have to actually go out with her again was unacceptable.

“I’m sorry Max, but I didn’t think she would go for it unless it was a package deal. And they were just heading out and this guy kept giving me nasty looks. And remember, I’m not the one with the great negotiation skills.” defended Kyle, wondering why Max was so upset about the whole thing. He had a date with the princess of Antar, how more worldly could you get?

“Well, Kyle you are just going to have to call your little friends back and tell them that I am much to busy to go around wasting my time.” replied Max, suddenly annoyed with himself. Because the truth of the matter was that since the newspaper headline had come out his popularity had seemed to soar. The people actually like the idea of maintaining some ties to a monarchy they had thrown out a decade earlier.

“Okay Max, I’ll call them up and you can be responsible for breaking the heart of the beautiful princess who suddenly everyone seems to adore. I’m sure the media will have a field day with that.”

“I danced with her once Kyle, and that was your idea. They can’t make me responsible for breaking her heart, besides I’m not the one who’s breaking the date, you are. I don’t even know if she liked me, and even with she did, a girl like that probably has about 10 different guys on a string, so I don’t think I need to worry.”

~

Contrary to what he had told Kyle, Max spent the day worrying about what possible repercussions would come from this. In the end he had called up Kyle and told him not to break the date. He would handle it himself. Indeed a phone call hadn’t seemed like the best idea so now, with a little help from Google, Max found himself picking up a telephone outside Liz’s dormitory. But luckily, just before he was about to dial, someone came out of the dormitory and Max discretely snuck inside. He knew Liz was in room 201 and sooner than he had hoped he found the door.

He knocked on the door, half hoping that she wouldn’t be home but two knocks later the door opened to reveal none other than the princess herself. But to Max’s surprise there was no tiara wearing princess, just a girl with a pencil over her ear and a book in her hand in an ordinary small cramped college dorm room.

Liz just looked at Max, trying to figure out what in the world had possessed him to come and find her in her dorm room. Taking a cue from her father, she picked up the newspaper and tossed it to him, “I assume you’re here about this?” she said, folding her arms across her chest and waiting for Max’s explanation.

“I am. I just wanted to…” and suddenly he was at a lose for words, a rare occurrence with him. He had known exactly what he was planning to say to the spoiled princess of the other night who was in love with him. But this girl, who was eyeing him angrily and who possibly seemed annoyed as he did at the whole thing. She was a whole different ball game.

“You wanted to do media control. Make sure I didn’t ruin your reputation with the voters. I understand why you’re here Max, I spent my young childhood around people like you, people who just wanted to associate with the right people. I also know that for some strange reason, the people like you dating me. And that’s why you’re here, to try and let me down easy so I don’t tell the whole world what an arrogant asshole you are.”

Max stood in Liz’s room, just starring at her dumbfounded. This was much worse than he had planned on it being. “So that’s it is it? You’re going to ruin me, after I’ve spent my whole life working towards making Antar a better planet. Just so you can feel better about yourself and your family being tossed out of power.”

“Spent your whole life working towards making Antar a better planet? What exactly have you done Max? You’re a freaking lawyer who hasn’t even started his term. Maybe you have potential on a good day, but you have no idea what it takes.” Liz stopped talking and started scowling to herself. She sounded exactly like her father, her father who had actually seen some potential in this guy. “You know what Max? I think we may be able to come to some sort of agreement afterall.”

End Chapter 4

Stay tuned for Chapter 5: Never Mix Pleasure with Business

Hey! Sorry I've been so slow getting this part out. I've been crazy busy lately. This part is really short, but the next part seems will be a lot of fun for me to write (and hopefully for you guys to read) so hopefully I'll have it out quickly. Thanks to my commenters omwf, Erina258, RhondaAnn, Emz80m, begonia9508, POM and Lizza. You guys rock!

Chapter 5: Never Mix Pleasure with Business

Max gripped the steering wheel angrily as he drove back to his apartment. That wasn’t at all how he had hoped things to turn out. Instead of easily manipulating a silly naïve princess into leaving him alone, he had gotten himself a weekly date with the king of Antar to talk politics. Indeed, he wouldn’t have to do that right away, Liz had ensured him that any such visit would be scorned by her father, that at this point his position wasn’t “good enough” to require her father’s attention. But it would be at least another 2 years before he would start campaigning for a planetary position, and hopefully by then Liz would have long forgotten about him and their agreement. Max calmed himself down at this thought, using it to block out thoughts of having to go crawling to the king of Antar for help. But there was still the distressing thought that he had to make it through his date with Liz on Saturday.

~

“Lizzy! That dress is gorgeous!” thrilled Maria, looking at Liz in the long black sheer dress, her hair pulled up in silver clips with small curled tendrils hanging down. “But explain to me again why we are going to some fancy restaurant instead of just hanging out and having fun.”

Liz smiled oddly at Maria. “Because, if one is to date a future world leader, one most put forth an appearance of perfection.” mimicked Liz, trying hard to finish the sentence in complete seriousness. It had been all she could do to not to find Max and smack him when he had called her up and instructed her what exactly she should wear for their date, and that she should make sure that ‘Maria-girl’ be dressed appropriately as well.

“Liz, sweetheart, what you just said, and how you said it, scare me greatly.” laughed Maria, eyeing the dress that Liz had picked out for her to wear. It was very un-her, but Maria found the whole situation amusing, and was playing along for Liz’s sake.

“I know, but if I want Max to keep up his end of the agreement I have to play along.” replied Liz, straightening the clips in her hair, and inspecting herself in the mirror for any flaws. “I mean, he’ll probably try to weasel out of it anyway he can, I don’t need to give him any reasons to justify it. Besides, well-dressed people are more intimidating.”

~

Max walked up to the garage and silently prayed that Kyle would be dressed presentably for the double date. He had thought about sending him over a tux to wear for tonight, but he knew that Kyle would only resent him if he did.

Max was about to go up to the house and find him but he heard someone hollering his name from the garage. Max walked towards the voice, and to his horror found Kyle sitting under a car, still wearing his mechanics uniform.

“Max, man, I’m really sorry, I just really have to finish this car for tonight, the guy’s been on me about it for weeks, I thought I would be done of it by now, but there were so many little kinks I didn’t expect.”

“Well how long is it going to be?” asked Max, dreading the next words that Kyle was going to speak. “All night man, I’m really sorry. You understand? Hopefully you and Liz will still have fun. Apologize to Maria for me.”

~

Max looked at the small country house and hoped against hope that Liz would actually answer the door instead of her father. He was just about to knock when a voice surprised him from behind, “So, you must be the infamous Evans.”

“Excuse me?” asked Max, turning around to face a menacing stranger. Just great, Max thought to himself, here was probably one of Liz’s jealous beaus he had expected the existence of. The girl was too great a manipulator not to have had practice. “You heard me.” replied Michael, smiling sarcastically at Max’s discomfort.

“Listen, I’m just here to show Liz a nice time.” said Max, trying to not to let this guy give him a hard time. Afterall, it was Liz who seemed to have wanted him here so badly that she wouldn’t let him out of the date. A girl wouldn’t go to this much trouble just for the sake of her father.

“Nice time eh? Liz is a nice girl, and they’re not too many girls like that around anymore. So if you do anything, and I mean anything to hurt her, or change her, I will make sure you spend the rest of your life paying for it.”

Just then the door opened and both Max and Michael looked at Liz. Michael just smiled at her, while Max looked slightly ashamed. “Michael? What are you doing here?” asked Liz, looking oddly from one to the other. “And Max, where’s Kyle?” Both guys looked at each other, trying to avoid answering her questions.

“He’s busy.” replied Max, after a few moments silence. “He’s sorry, it just got really busy at his work.” he added, hoping Maria’s disappointment wouldn’t be taken out on him.

“Well, that’s too bad for him.” replied Michael, trying not to grin too smugly. “And Maria’s all dressed up so nicely too. She almost makes a lady.”

Maria stuck her tongue out at Michael despite her best efforts to ignore him. “I don’t mind, this type of thing isn’t really for me, you two kids have fun though.” added Maria, trying to push Max and Liz away together, so she could have a chance to tell Michael just exactly how much she was over him.

“But you’re all dressed up Maria. That’s a rare occasion. Plus, I’m sure Max has made reservations at some fancy restaurant for four. And those are hard to get. But I know how you hate to be a third wheel. So, I’ll be the good friend that I am, and accompany you.”

“I rather be a third wheel.” asserted Maria, there was no way she was letting him think she would actually enjoy a date with him.

“Aw, come on. You shouldn’t mind going out with a friend.” replied Michael.

Max watched the dialogue between the couple amusedly. He could sense that both wanted to go together, but both were too stubborn to admit it. “So Michael’s not your ex then.” said Max, suddenly remembering Liz standing next to him.

“Michael? Oh no. We’re practically brother and sister. His father was head of security for my father.” replied Liz, almost amused at how Max had watched Michael and Maria with some interest. She smiled, it made sense though, a good lawyer should know how to read people.

End Chapter 5
Stay tuned for Chapter 6: TBA