Roswell Fanatics

Title: Epiphany

Author: Tanya7496

Category: M/L and M/M

Genre: CC

Rating: Teen/Adult

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the Roswell characters. They belong to Melinda Metz and Jason Katims. I just like to borrow them for my stories. Song lyrics used are not mine as well. The artists will be named at the beginning of each chapter.

Summary: This story picks up right after Departure in the desert right after Tess leaves and shows what it took for Liz to open her heart to Max and agree to their date on the pier in Busted as well as goes into detail on how everyone dealt with the mess she left behind.
This story will answer (in my opinion) some questions that have bugged a lot of people during S3>

Author’s Notes: Any feedback is welcomed. When flashback lines are used they will be in different colors depending the characters and will specified before each chapter. Also this fiction isn’t going to be a very long one because of the time period between Departure and their date on the dock.

Epiphany- an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure.



**I would like to thank Roslover39 for helping me with my first fanfiction. Her feedback and Betaship has made writing this painless. Thanks GF!!! **




Chapter One



On a Highway Back to Roswell~

Liz stared out the window of Valenti’s SUV. Desert and rock formations filled the panoramic view, but she saw none of the rugged beauty New Mexico had to offer. There were enough scenes playing in her mind for her not to notice. Scenes of betrayal, murder, and regret stole the beauty from what was offered outside the vehicle.

Liz was seated in the back next to Isabel, who was taking turns glancing from Liz on her left and to Max on her right, She was eager for one of them to speak and break the uncomfortable silence that had filled the car since they got in. Liz was beginning to regret not taking Michael up on his offer to ride with him and Maria in the Jetta. But she would have felt uncomfortable because she knew they needed some time alone together. That fact was pretty clear to Liz by the way they were looking longingly into each others eyes while they waited for Valenti to show up and give them a ride. After being in the same car with Max for 10 minutes, riding with Michael and Maria seemed a more appealing alternative.

It seemed like a lifetime ago when Max used to look at me in a loving way, Liz thought to herself. All those sweet words he spoke after they watched Tess blast through the morning sky came flooding back into her mind…

“I’ve been really wrong about a lot. But I was right about one thing; to get you into my life, to be around you, to love you.”

Those words she desperately needed to hear for so long now seemed meaningless and cold-comfort. No sooner did they come out of his mouth, she was reminded that Tess didn’t leave the Earth alone. She was carrying Max’s unborn son. He slept with Alex’s murder and got her pregnant.

Tess fooled them all, making them think she was just trying to fit in. Before Valenti picked them up Max told them of her intention to offer him, Michael, and Isabel to their enemies on Antar. Which would have been a death sentence.

Thinking about all of this was making Liz boil inside. She looked at Kyle who was in the passenger seat. His eyes were staring at the yellow lines that stretched out for miles. He looked as if he were going through his own personal hell. Liz felt sorry for him. It must be awful to realize he unknowingly played a part in Alex’s death. He had thought of Tess as part of his family…as a sister.

Liz began to shake with pain and rage. She couldn’t control it anymore. She had spent all this time holding it in; all the pain, frustration, and regret since she walked away from Max in the desert over a year ago. All this time she felt she had to be strong and on top of everything, from denying herself happiness for the sake of planet Earth to finding Alex’s killer on her own and at any cost. It was too much, too much for one person to handle.

Max sat in the back seat trying to understand what just happened and how was he going to get past it. Liz had barely made eye contact with him since Valenti picked them up. She looked just as shut down as she did right after Alex’s death…keeping it all inside as usual. He wanted to reach out and pull her into his arms and make all this go away. But how could he? Max wondered to himself. He didn’t even know where to begin. He had more questions than answers. He was so angry with Tess, with Nasedo, and with himself. He was confused about Liz’s confession that she never slept with Kyle. He needed answers as to why she would lie about such a thing for so long. At first he didn’t believe what he saw that night…her in bed with Kyle with her bare leg uncovered with a guilty look on her face. It wasn't until he returned from New York City; and asked her for the last time, that he was forced to face the fact she did lose her virginity to Kyle. He tightened his fist into a ball as those painful memories flooded back. It was all a lie. I will get answers. He swore to himself.

He looked over at Liz. He could see her hands start to shake and her eyes begin to well-up with tears. If only they were alone, he wished. Then they could talk and he’d comfort her and reassure her that he never stopped loving her…not once. He reached over Isabel and placed his hand on Liz’s to try to steady them from shaking.

Just then Liz let out the most heart wrenching scream. Valenti swerved and pulled to the side of the road to keep from wrecking the SUV. Before he came to a complete stop; Liz bolted out of the vehicle. She took off running toward the opened field of boulders, cacti, and dirt. She had no idea where she was headed; all she knew was she needed as much distance from everyone as she could get, especially Max. The last thing she wanted was for him to touch her and replay images and feelings of Tess and him having sex. The very thought made her nauseous.

Max jumped out to go after her but Isabel stopped him. “Max I think she needs some space.”

“But it’s my fault.” He looked out towards the field.

“Whether it is or not, you can’t help her right now.” Max and Isabel turned quickly after hearing one of the doors slam shut.


“Liz, wait up!” Liz looked over her shoulder and saw Kyle running towards her.

“Kyle I need to be by myself right now!” Liz shouted. But ever the athlete, he caught up to her.

Out of breath, she stopped and noticed Kyle sitting on a boulder. “Didn’t you hear me? I want to be alone.” She walked over to him. She noticed he was slummed over, laboring for breath. “A lot came down on me all at once and I had to get away. You didn’t need to follow me out here.”

He put his head in his hands. She could see his shoulders shake as he sobbed. Liz had never seen Kyle like this. He was always making wise-crack remarks and quoting Buddha whenever they were in a crisis situation. He was never one to be too serious or brooding when the time called for it. She knew that he had changed a great deal after Max healed him from that fatal gun shot wound. She had grown to enjoy his company and considered him as one of her close friends. Seeing him like this, it hit home that she was not alone in her pain. Liz put her hand on his shoulder.

He looked up at her and rubbed his eyes.
“Sorry about that", He sniffled looking a little embarrassed. Liz thought he resembled a little boy who just lost his best friend.

“It’s alright, if I had anymore tears left I would be making a puddle right along with you.” She replied with a strained smile. He moved over on the boulder and motioned for her to sit down beside him. With some reluctance she did. She had to admit she was exhausted physically and emotionally.

“I just keep seeing Alex’s face and the terror in his eyes. I-I did nothing to stop her from killing him.” He wiped his nose on the back of his hand and stared blankly out toward the desert.

“Kyle she is an alien. There probably wasn’t much you could do. We don’t know what she was capable of doing. You can’t beat yourself up over this. You weren’t in control of your actions.” Liz’s stomach turned just thinking about the death of her best friend. Did he suffer much? Stupid question, she thought. Of course he did. He suffered for months before being killed also. He was alone and away from the people who loved him most just so she could have that damn book translated. She hated Tess so much for what she did to Alex and Kyle and his dad.

“Someday she’ll pay for what she did.”

“Yeah her karma will get her.” He replied with a devious grin.

She looked over at Max where he was standing. He had his long lean body propped-up against the SUV, with his arms folded across his chest. She could feel his eyes burning a hole through her.

She took a deep breath. “He’s going to want answers that I am not yet ready to give.”

“About what didn't happen between us? He inquired.
Liz nodded.

“I still don’t know why you did it and why you’ve waited so long to tell him what really happened. But I respect your need for privacy.”

“And I am grateful for that.” She replied “You’ve been a great friend to me.”

He stood up from the boulder and held out his hand to help her up. “We make an attractive pair don’t we…The Screaming Banshee and The Blubbering Idiot.” He chuckled pitifully. “Come on banshee woman our chariot awaits.”

“Home does sound good right now.” They started walking back to where Max, Isabel, and Valenti were standing, anxiously waiting for them to return. Liz knew she had a lot of decisions to make and answers to give, but now she just wanted to go home.

TBC.............

Here is chapter 2. I promise I will return with chapter 3 sooner because it is almost finished. All the internal dialoge took longer than I thought it would. I am a HUGE music fan. With that said, I hope you can bear with the music I placed in the scenes. Feedback is encouraged.

*Note* Max’s Flash back dialogue will be inGreen and Liz’s will be in indigo.
Song used in Liz’s bedroom is “For You” by Smile Empty Soul. In Max’s bedroom it’s “Please”by Staind




Chapter 2

The Jetta~

“Michael, are you okay?” Maria asked. “You’ve been so quiet since we left the desert.”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just thinking about what I almost left behind.” Michael placed his hand on top of hers. “I’m never leaving you, Maria.”
“Well that’s a good thing because I don’t think I could handle it.” She brought his hand up to her lips and kissed it.
“You don’t have to worry. I realize now that my place is on earth with you.” He looked over at her and smiled. He never thought he could love someone so much. He let her see into his soul, with all the abuse and humiliation he endured when he was in the foster care system. She felt his fears, and she still looked at him with complete love and acceptance, something he never knew he would have in his life.
No more searching for where he belongs. No more looking for a place to call home.
He had found it with her.

“Hey Spaceboy, you’d better keep your eyes on the road.” She said as he started to swerve in to the other lane.
“Oh man,” he started to laugh as he veered the Jetta back in the right lane “You have a distracting affect on me.”

Maria never thought she would ever break through the rough and tough exterior that Michael hid behind. She always assumed that if she wanted to be his girlfriend there were sides to him she would never see…never touch. It always made her unsure of where she stood in his life. As much as she loved him, she really hadn’t known him. Not until he let her see and feel the inner most part him, did she feel secure enough in how he felt about her. Seeing what Michael had to endure…feeling what it was like to be little Michael and never feeling like he was wanted and being hurt by people who were supposed to protect him. It broke her heart.

“Where are we going to first?” He asked.

“I thought maybe we could check on Liz. Did you see how she looked before we left the desert…like she was going to hurl or something? I'm kinda worried about her.”

“Sure we’ll stop by…afterwards.” Michael looked over at her and gave her a sneaky look.
“Crazy alien, what do you have planned?” She asked pushing him playfully.

“You’ll just have to wait and see.” He faced the road grinning from ear to ear.

*************************************************

Liz’s Bedroom~

The ride home was uncomfortable, to say the least. No one spoke a word. Something Liz was extremely grateful for. Exchanging pleasantries would have been impossible for her. Occasionally, Liz sensed Max looking at her. His stare felt like one of those ultra-bright lights that are used in interrogations…blinding and hot.

Now safe at home and in the sanctuary of her bedroom Liz’s mind began to torment her with unyielding visions of Max and Tess together; Max kissing her full lips, her blonde wavy hair caressing his face. Did she nibble his ears the way he likes? Did she run her perfectly manicured fingernails across his chest making him to tremble the way he did when I used to do it? Did he scream out her name when he came?

I waited for you
I died inside my own head
And I’d die again for you

“Liz there’s something I need to tell you. It’s about Tess and me…

“You’re together now, I know.”

“It’s more than that. Our relationship is…uh, we spent the night together.”

I’m faded and tired
Completely uninspired
And I’d die again for you

Why? Why would he do this to me? She cried out to the emptiness of her room. He once asked her to have faith in him. Where was his faith? When did he stop believing in me? She wanted to understand. She wanted not to feel this tight constricting pain in her chest. She couldn’t breathe the air her lungs needed. She didn’t want to eat the food her body craved. She desperately needed to get the images of Max out of her head. But she found his words were just as painful.

“Tess is pregnant.”

So kill me with the love that you won’t give to me
And pack the wound with salt. I want to feel it bleed.

“Tess is pregnant.” Liz mouthed the words but could not seem to make her brain comprehend. “Tess is pregnant with Max’s baby.” It sounded so far away and yet blaringly loud at the same time. Where was Max the Saint with that condom in his back pocket then? In the back of her mind she always wanted to give Max a son or daughter, with his eyes and his smile. She even had names picked out that are now long forgotten. Another dream lost to destiny. She hated that word. Destiny, what the hell is that? She asked herself. Some unknown being out there writing the book to peoples lives for them to follow. They have no choice and no say in what happens to them. She thought she had to preserve Max’s destiny, along with Michael and Isabel’s; denying herself the love of her life. And it was all for nothing. The bitch left anyway and Alex died. Poor Alex, she missed him so much. She needed him right now to make her laugh.

Liz curled up in her bed and held her favorite teddy bear close to her. She bit down on her lower lip to keep her mom from hearing her cry. She heard the phone ring and her mom telling Max that she wasn’t taking phone calls, just like she ask her to do. She wanted peace for her heart and soul. But she got sleep instead.

*******************************************

Max’s Bedroom~ *A/N: Tess’s flashback dialogue is in red *

Max stepped out of the shower and began drying himself off with a towel. He had hoped a hot shower could dissolve the dirt and disgust that was all over his body. He couldn’t seem to get it off no matter how hard he scrubbed. What had he become?
He wiped the steam off the full length mirror and took a good look at himself. He almost didn’t recognize the man staring back at him. Whose eyes were those that were shadowed in grief? Whose mouth was that that never smile anymore? Whose hands were those that were willing to take a life…two lives this morning? God, how he wanted to wrap his hands around her milky-white throat and squeeze until she lay lifeless on the pod chamber floor. What kind a person has those kinds of thoughts?
Her words and betrayal were still fresh in his mind.

“This was all some kind of plan to get pregnant and go home, wasn’t it? Home to
what, Tess? To Kivar? To our enemies?

“They’re not my enemies, Max.

“You made a deal with them, with Kivar.
I didn’t think you’d sell me out
Now I know what you’re all about
“No Nasedo made the deal, 40 years ago.

“What was the deal? Tell me!

“To return home with your child, and deliver the three of you to Kivar.”

“And what would happen to us once you delivered us?”

She didn’t have to say anything; the look on her face spoke volumes. They would have been executed.

“How did I ever fall in love with someone like you? How could I ever marry you?”

“You were different…you were a king! Now you’re just a boy.”

He was supposed to be a king but that title never did feel right to him. It felt like he was wearing someone else’s skin that didn’t fit. His former self, Zan was the king in another lifetime on a planet not even in their solar system.

Can’t you see that I’m sick of this?
Chances are you’re oblivious to how I feel
Sitting on your throne


I have screwed up so many times, ruin lives, put the people I cared about most in danger and yet I am still the king. He thought to himself. He pushed everyone away, by treating them like one of his subjects. Poor Isabel, she was grieving Alex’s death and he discarded her feelings and blackmailed her into staying in Roswell for his own selfish reasons. What kind of brother does that?
“Who the hell are you?” He spoke coldly to his reflection. Was he Zan, an alien species who ruled armies and a planet somewhere up there or was he Max, a human who bleeds, cries, loves Liz and his family? Max wondered. The dual roles had him torn in half.
Tell me please,
Who the fuck did you want me to be?
Was it something that I couldn’t see?
And please, I’m still wearing this miserable skin
And it’s starting to tear from within.

His memories of Antar, what little there were of them, never made him feel the urge to go back there. He wasn’t even sure those were even his real memories. They could’ve been planted there by suggestion from Tess. He did see Lareck’s memories of Tess and himself together on Antar but they were not his own. He just needed to believe they were real because he wanted to stop feeling that there was something wrong about being with Tess. He did care for her and felt obligated to protect her. But he didn’t love her like she wanted him to. Having sex with her was disturbing to him. But he was also curious about the alien side that he kept hidden and he knew that being with her seemed the only way he could shake off the human skin that he wore…the one that loved Liz. And why the hell not she abandoned him along with everyone else in his life.

I’ve swallowed all your answers
I’ve swallowed all my pride.
You’ve used up all your chances
Can’t keep it all inside

He remembered waking up and seeing her blonde curls across his chest and feeling like he was headed towards a dark and lonely place and couldn’t turn back…the point of no return. Now he had a second chance. Tess left with my son inside her and I may never see him or touch him. He got a lump in his throat thinking about him. He’d never know how he turned out or even if they made it to Antar in one piece. The images of his son were still clear in his mind. He never thought that he would be some ones father at eighteen or that the mother of his firstborn would be anybody other than Liz.

So please don’t keep telling me that it’s okay.
I don’t buy all the shit that you say
And quite honestly I’m fucking sick of it
So please if I cut off this nose from my face
Then I wouldn’t feel so out of place
But it still wouldn’t be quite enough for you,
So please.

Max took one more look in the mirror, raised his hand up, and sent a blast of energy through his reflection. Leaving thousands of shards to land in the sink. He walked into his room and proceeded to get dressed. If Liz wouldn’t take his calls, he was going to her.

I want to thank everyone who commented on my writing and those of you that are lurking around. It helps so much as most of you know. There really isn't a point to writing without an audience. And we have such a great group on this forum. A few of you are wondering when Max and Liz will have their big showdown. Have patience, I promise they will very soon. I just wanted to tie up some loose ends and plot points in my story. It adds a bit of drama as well . But it is coming up real soon.

*I would also like to thank my BETA Roslover39 for all her help and support. And giving me an hilarious fiction to read when I am not writing Max and Liz. *

Here is chapter 3. Enjoy.

Chapter 3



The Whitman's Residence~

Isabel walked away from the house several times before she even knocked on the front door. She wasn’t actually sure what possessed her to go over Alex’s house but she drove there anyway. Maybe she needed to know that his parents were alright, maybe it was, for her, some sort of closure , if that was possible, or maybe she just needed to go someplace that made her feel closer to Alex in someway. All she did know was that she felt responsible for his death and she couldn’t seem to shake the feeling. She had visited his grave again earlier that day and placed fresh flower on his headstone. She sat down on the soft grass and just talked to him about everything that had happened. She had hoped he would appear to her again but to her sadness he didn’t. Isabel couldn’t believe how everything had turned out. She was so happy dancing with Alex at the prom. He had seemed more mature and confident that night. When they kissed she made a connection with him. It was the first time she had let that happen. She remembered seeing Alex as a little boy, Alex playing dress-up with Liz and Maria; he was the groom and Liz was the bride, seeing herself at the Mall and she felt how much he wanted to come up and talk to her but he was too afraid to. She also saw him and her kissing in the Eraser Room. But after that her connection was cut-off. She just felt a wave of love from him.
She stood at the Whitman’s front door trembling. She knocked on the door. Thirty seconds later a very tall man with a caring face opened the door.
“Hello Mr. Whitman.” She spoke timidly as she craned her head to look at him. He was a tall man even for Isabel. Now she saw where Alex got his height from.

“Isabel, how are you?” He asked as he motioned for her to come in. She followed him into the living room. “Honey, its Alex’s friend Isabel.” He yelled to his wife who was in the kitchen. Isabel walked inside and immediately remembered when she was here the last time…at Alex’s wake.

“I’m good Mr. Whitman.” She answered trying not to sound as sad as she was. Mrs. Whitman walked into the room from the kitchen.

“It’s good to see you Isabel. Alex was very fond of you and spoke of you often.” His mother smiled but Isabel could tell she was trying to keep from crying. Isabel reached into her purse and grabbed a bunch of photos.

“I just stopped by to drop off these…they are of Alex at the prom.” She handed his mom the photos.

“Can I-I get you something to drink? Tea, soda, water; whatever you want?’

“No I’m good. Thank you.”

“Why don’t you have a seat and we can look at these together.” His mom asked with a pleading tone.

Isabel and Mr. and Mrs. Whitman sat on the long couch pouring over and laughing at all the prom moments caught on camera. It felt kind of nice to be sitting with his parents. Isabel could feel Alex all around the house. When they were finished looking at the pictures, Mrs. Whitman asked if she wanted to stay for dinner.
“I’d love to.” She didn’t want to hurt his mother’s feelings. Besides her parents were in Santa Fe until tomorrow evening and Max was going through his own drama to notice her. The smell of the food was making her stomach growl. She remembered she hadn’t eaten all day.

“So Isabel, have you decided what college you want to attend this fall? Alex told us you were graduating early.” Mr. Whitman inquired as he poured beef gravy over his mashed potatoes.

“Well at first I was eager to move away from Roswell…far away. But I kind of want to stay close to home now.” She took a bit of her roast beef.

“I am or was a computer science professor at Halbrooke College right here in Roswell. It is a great school. You should apply for fall before the deadline.”

“What do you mean was the professor?” Isabel asked Mr. Whitman

“Since Alex’s death there has been speculation that it was a suicide. Anyone who knew Alex, knew that he would never do that. So when Sheriff Hanson finally declared it a vehicular accident a couple of days ago, his father and I decided that Roswell held too many painful memories.” Mrs. Whitman answered sadly.

“So you’re moving away?” Isabel really couldn’t blame them. She wanted to shout “It wasn’t an accident” like Liz did. But how would she explain it.

“Yes. I accepted a job at a university in Oklahoma, where Alex’s mother is from. We will be moving there before fall semester starts.”

She was at a lose for words. When they finished eating dinner they walked her to the door. She wanted to say so much to them.

“You two created a funny, loving and loyal son. He loved life like no one I’ve ever known, and was loved by everyone. Please, never forget that." She looked at his father and could see tears form in his eyes. Isabel could feel her eye well up as well

“Thank you Isabel. I know he loved you as well.” She hugged them goodbye. And as she was walking away she turned around and saw Mr. and Mrs. Whitman holding each other and beside them stood Alex holding up his thumb, letting her know that they would be alright…they would survive losing him. Somehow she knew that she would too.


***********************************************************

Michael Apartment~


“Maria, even aliens need to rest.” Michael replied with a tired grin. “Plus I’m starving”
Maria stopped kissing his neck. She rested her forearms and chin on his chest.

“I am too. I guess we’ve worked up an appetite.” She giggled.
They had spent all evening exploring and worshipping each others bodies that they forgot about anyone and everything, including food. The only hunger that sustained them was for each other. Maria gathered the sheet around her leaving Michael naked on his back.

“Where are you going, gorgeous?” He sat up and watched her walk towards his kitchen.

“I’m looking for food.” She opened the refrigerator door and peered into the emptiness that was in front of her. She peeked inside the vegetable drawer and shrieked at was inside causing her to drop the sheet making a puddle of cotton and synthetic material at her feet.

He ran into the kitchen to find out why she screamed. He had to catch his breath when he saw Maria standing there naked. He had seen her naked all day, since before dawn when they lost their virginity to each other. But there she was standing there looking more beautiful to him then he had seen her. She was back-lit by the light from the refrigerator. Her long honey-colored hair was cascading down her back. Her round ass was sticking out slightly as she looked once again at something in the vegetable drawer that had caught her attention.

“Damn, woman you’ve put a spell on me.” Michael said under his breath as he looked down at the massive erection he was getting while looking at her. He closed the distance between them and grabbed he hips.

“You know, you have absolutely nothing in here. Just some old Chinese food and something that’s growing teeth and hair in the drawer there.” She shivered a little thinking about it. She felt Michael’s hands move up from her hips to her waist and then rested on both of her breasts, gently cupping them.

“I thought you needed your rest?” She turned around and saw that he was no longer tired or hungry for food. She smiled; realizing she wasn’t neither of those anymore either. She wrapped her arms around his neck. She could feel the stiffness of him on her stomach.

“Well I was leaving this planet. Grocery shopping was not a high priority for me. Besides I made you a beautiful spaghetti dinner that went to waste.” He replied hoarsely, feeling her grab his manhood with her small warm hands and began slowly massaging it. “Not…that I-I’m complaining.”

“Suddenly I’ve lost my appetite…for food that is.” She stopped massaging him and walked into the bedroom, knowing he’d follow.

“We can always eat later.”

********************************************************



Outside the Crashdown Café~

“Damn it” Max swore breathlessly as he reached the Crashdown’s entrance. It was locked and the inside was dark. He looked at his watch. It was 9:30. Where had the time gone? He had ran all the way from his house, about a 2 mile run if you take the short cuts, just to talk and air things out with Liz. He was tempted to climb up the railing that led to her balcony like he always did. But he was afraid she would call the Roswell police on him for trespassing and harassment. The way she looked at him in the desert before they left, he wouldn’t put it past her. No, he would have to wait until tomorrow at school.

“I’ve gotta hand it to you, Evans.” Max quickly turned around to see Sean Deluca leaning on his VW Bug. He put his hands together and began clapping in Max’s direction. “How do you do it?” Sean asked sarcastically.

“Sean what are you talking about?” Having a conversation with Sean was the last thing Max wanted to do in his state of mind. He didn’t know what he was capable of doing. This wasn’t going to be pretty. He thought to himself.

“We’ll you have Tess following you around like a bitch in heat and Liz waiting patiently on standby. You’ve got it made.”
Max's jaw muscles tightened as he tried to keep his cool. He wouldn’t let this jerk get to him.

“You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

“I know what I see and something’s not right about the hold you have on Liz. The babe acts like she’s brainwashed or something.”

“Don’t you have a school to break into or something?” Max asked coldly. That was low but Max didn’t care. He was not one of Sean biggest fans and didn’t have any qualms about telling him to go to hell.

“I would, but my partner in crime isn’t taking calls or visitors. And I’m figuring it’s got something to do with you.” Sean walked to the drivers side of his car, paused a second and then looked at Max. “I care about Liz so what ever voodoo you’re working on her…stop. Give the girl a break.” Sean got into his car and drove away.

Max stood on the sidewalk debating whether or not he should go to her window. He did need to talk to her. But as much a hated to admit it, Sean was right, he should give her a break for a little while. She had been through a lot in the past couple of months, and finding out about Tess and the baby must be a lot to swallow. There’s always tomorrow. It isn’t like I’m leaving the planet. He thought to himself.

*********************************************************



Valenti Home~

“Are you alright son?” Valenti asked Kyle through his closed door. He had heard some loud banging and rustling sounds coming from the room and began to get worried. Kyle hadn’t said much since they returned home from the desert. He watched TV, ate dinner, and then headed to the bedroom that Tess used to occupy. He had been in there for three hours.

“I’m fine dad.” Kyle peeked his head through the door.

“What’s with all the noise? It sounds like you’re turning the place upside down.”

“Close.” Kyle opened the door all the way and pointed to the five large boxes in the middle of the room. “I boxed up all of Tess’s crap. I want it out of here. I don’t want anything belonging to that lying bitch in this house.”
Valenti knew how painful this was for Kyle because it was for him as well. She was like the daughter he never had. She brought out the softer side of both men. He began to grow to like the smell and feminine touches she added to the bachelor pad. But all of it had been an illusion…a lie that she created.

“Do you need some help?”

They spent an hour moving Tess’s things into the garage. When they were finished they both collapsed on to the couch.

“For such a little things, she sure did have a lot of crap. What are we gonna do with all of it. I don’t think she’ll be coming back for it anytime soon. Buddha help her if she does.” Kyle looked blankly at the TV. He felt a pang of sadness for Tess. He missed having her around. The house seemed lonesome without her there. No matter how much he hated her for what she did to Alex and to him, it still felt like a member of his family just died.

“Son, we’re gonna get past this.” Valenti put his arm around Kyle.

“I hope so dad.”

Here is Ch 4. Sorry for the long wait on a new chapter. Thank you to everyone still reading and giving me feedback. I will post Ch 5 in a few days. Enjoy....

Chapter 4


West Roswell High~


Max and Isabel stood waiting at Michael’s locker after 2nd period.

“You know you’re going to have to fix the bathroom mirror before mom and dad get home tonight. Are we going to see a repeat performance of Distructo Max from last summer?” Isabel asked instantly regretting it after she did. Last summer was still a sore subject, now he was going through hell because of what Tess did. She could see the dark shadows under his eyes and the pained look on his face. Liz must still be avoiding him. Isabel wondered to herself. She didn’t know what she would do if she was put into Liz’s shoes. So much of Max and Liz’s relationship was a mystery to Isabel. She liked it that way. She knew something last fall had made him stop trying to win her back. And then he got closer to Tess. Isabel thought it was strange and unnerving seeing him walk down the halls hand in hand with Tess, and seeing Tess’s sticky-sweet smile of accomplishment rubbed Isabel the wrong way. She had grown to think of Tess as a friend but Isabel always felt like she needed to keep her at arms length. Now she knew why.

“Don’t worry it’ll be fixed before they get home. Where the hell is Michael?” Max asked as he looked at his watch. “The bell is about to ring.”

“Here he comes.” She exclaimed seeing a smiling Michael walking hurriedly toward them.

“Hey guys. You two look like you’ve just come from a funeral.” Michael opened up his locker and put his books inside. “What’s up?”

“I called you several times last night. Where were you?” Isabel asked

“I was at home. I unplugged the phone because we didn’t want to be disturbed.” Michael ignored Isabel look of shock.

“Oh my God, you spent the night with Maria?”

“Sh…keep your voice down. I don’t want the whole school to know what goes down with me and Maria. And no I didn’t. I took her home around midnight so her mom wouldn’t freak.” Michael looked over at Max who was staring down the hall like he was waiting for someone to walk down it any minute.

“Has any of you seen Liz today?” Max asked them.

“No. But to be honest I wasn’t really looking for her.” Michael grabbed his notebook and history text from his locker. It wasn’t a shot at Liz. Michael had grown to tolerate Liz. He even respected her for her courage and determination in finding out who murdered Alex. No matter who was against her theory she still plugged away until she figured it out. And damn it, she was right. But he had so many other pressing matters to take care of. Like Maria tonight. He smiled just thinking about it.

“We need to go out to pod chamber and check out the damages and see what can be salvaged.” Max dreaded the idea of going out there again.

“Michael, what are you smiling about?” Isabel asked.

“Nothing…okay we’ll meet out there after school tomorrow. I have a date with Maria tonight.”

The bell rang to signal 3rd period to begin.

“Gotta go guys.” Michael walked off to class. They begin walking to their classroom. Max and Isabel shared 3rd period English together.

“Iz, can you drive me somewhere after school?” Max asked as they were walking into the classroom.

“Yeah, as long as we get back to clean up the house before mom and dad get back.”
Max nodded as he sat down in his seat. He was getting kind of anxious to see Liz. Would she talk to him or would she be still closed off? God help me I still love her more than ever. I never meant to hurt her like this. He thought to himself. He just needed to know why she would hurt him the way she did.

*************************************************************

4th period Government~

“Liz, are you alright? I called your cell phone like four times last night. I called your house and you mom tells me you are not taking phone calls.” Maria asked as she sat down in the desk next to Liz. Class was getting ready to start. Mr. Lafeber was late as usual. Maria was relieved. It gave her some time to talk to Liz. She had been worried about her since they left the desert. Michael did his very best to take her mind off of it. Maria smiled as she got a visual of all the ways he accomplished his task. Think about Liz, you horn-dog. She told herself.

“I’m fine. I just didn’t feel like talking to anyone.” Liz said in a low voice.

“Michael told me what happened…Tess and the baby. I can’t believe Max would do that to you.” Maria whispered to Liz. Hearing his name made Liz’s stomach do somersault. He always has that effect on her. That hadn’t changed just because of the hurtful words and betrayal between them.

“Have you seen him today?” She asked

“I caught a glimpse of him before I went to history class. He was talking to Isabel and Michael. He looks pretty bad.” Maria answered. “I wanted to walk up to him and put my pointy-toed boot up his ass for what he did to you but the bell rang. I still owe him one for the way he has been treating you.”

“No, don’t say anything to him okay. He probably is going through a lot right now. He may never see his son, Maria.” …his son. That stung.

“How can you sit there and make what he did sound okay?” Maria felt like grabbing Liz and shake some sense into her. But Mr. Lafeber walked in before Maria got a chance to get her hands on her.

“Can you skip 5th and 6th period? I don’t want to run into Max later. We can go somewhere to talk.” Liz whispered so no one would hear.

“Sure I’m always looking for a reason to get out school. Why don’t we go to my house since my mom is in Albuquerque till tomorrow?”

“Okay.”

**************************************************************

Deluca Residence~

“So, Max knocked up Tess?” Maria asked in a disgusted tone after Liz told Maria what had happened. Maria was never one to beat around the bush.

“Apparently.” Liz replied matter-of-factly.

“What a jerk. How are you handling all of this?”

“I’m not doing so hot. I’ve been avoiding my parents, refusing phone calls from my friends, and now I’m skipping school.” Liz was having a hard time holding back the tears she felt stinging her eyes. Maria stood up from the bed, walked over to where Liz was standing, and put her arms around her. She could feel her body shake as Liz sobbed in her arms.

Liz finished crying and looked at Maria. “He knows that I didn’t sleep with Kyle.” Her voice was low and monotone.

“So you finally told him about his future version stopping by for a visit?”

“Not exactly. He just knows that I lied to him, and as soon as he can get me alone, he’s going to demand I tell him everything.”

“What are you waiting for Liz? He needs to know the truth once and for all. You’ve held onto this enormous secret that has affected both your lives. You both hurt each other.”

“But I did it for the sake of planet Earth; he did it because he wanted to get laid. There’s a HUGE difference, Maria.”

“But you still kept the secret from him. He thought you moved on.”

“Maria, you’re supposed to be my friend and side with me. Where is the boot you were going to put up Max’s ass on my behalf?” Liz walked over to the bed and sat down. She was hearing what Maria was saying and deep down she new it was a rational argument. But someone needed to inform her heart.
Max gave up the part of himself that was supposed to be hers and was irresponsible doing it. No amount of arguing could fix what was broken in her.

Maria put her hand on Liz’s shoulder. “Listen sweetie, I love you and Max both. He made a terrible mistake. But you chose to not tell him the whole truth out of some bizarre loyalty to a man that no longer exists.” Maria took a seat next to Liz on the edge of her bed.

“He still exists for me.”

Maria looked at her best friend. She couldn’t believe she just said that, and then it donned on her…Liz was still holding onto Future Max as crazy as that sounded. “You’ve gotta be joking. You can’t be in love with Future Max?”

Liz was taken aback by what Maria asked her. “No, I’m not but I made a promise to the Max that didn’t betray me and had enough faith in me to keep a secret like this. The Max now lost faith in me somewhere down the line and turned his back on me when I needed him most.” Liz remembered bitterly.

In a strange way, Liz made sense to Maria. From what Maria was told; Future Max came to Liz as her future husband. He believed in her before anyone else, where as the present version sided against her after Alex died and treated her like one of his enemies whenever they crossed paths.

“Alright, enough about me. I’m getting a headache from my own insanity.” Liz placed her left leg under her right leg and turned and faced Maria.

“For now. But you’d better tell him all of it soon or I’m never speaking to you again, Liz Parker.”

Liz giggled, not seeing the determined look on her friends face.

“No, I’m serious. You think I’m joking?” Maria tried to remain serious with her ultimatum but it was no use. She started laughing.

“So tell me all about you and Michael. And don’t leave out anything.” Liz needed to hear that at least Maria had found some happiness. That it was possible.
“Well, where do I start?” Surprisingly Maria was a little embarrassed and hesitant about discussing her and Michael. Part of her wanted to shout to everyone about how happy he made her but the other part wanted to keep it close to her and treasure it. She knew she wouldn’t be able to contain it much longer. “Everything is wonderful. It’s perfect.”

Liz could see that Maria was glowing. When she spoke about making love to Michael and how they had spent all day yesterday in bed, her face lit up. Liz felt the familiar ache of longing for what she once had with Max. Could it be possible to start again with him? She asked herself. She knew the answer was no. Even if she told Max everything and he forgave her, she couldn’t move past the thought that somewhere out there would be a living, breathing reminder of his infidelity.

*************************************************************

Conway’s Car Salvage~


“Do you know what you’re lookin for, son?” Mr. Conway asked. He was the seventy year old owner of the only junk yard in Roswell. It was located on the outskirts of town. Max was used to doing business with him because of all the problems he had with the jeep since his father bought it for him. When pieces would fall off, Max went straight to Mr. Conway. If he couldn’t find the part for Max in his junk yard he would always find it somewhere else and at a fair price.

“Not really but I’ll know when I find it.” Max replied. “Thanks for your help Mr. Conway.”

“Just come and get me when you’ve picked out what you want and I’ll tell you the price of it.” Mr. Conway started to walk over to his office but stopped, turned around. “Jeep finally broke down for good?”

“Yeah, something like that.” Max watched as Mr. Conway walked away shaking his head and laughing.

“Max this is going to take forever. There must be close to a thousand cars out here.” Searching through cars in the hot New Mexico sun was not Isabel’s idea of how she wanted to begin her new life. But here she was helping Max find a new car. She needed to apply to school and get ready for her graduation. Her mom was already planning a party to celebrate it. There was so much to do.

“The jeep was my only transportation. You can just borrow mom’s car anytime you want to. But mom and dad are going to ask what happened to the jeep.” Max began looking inside one of the cars.

“It was your idea, dear brother, to send the jeep rolling down the hill in a blaze of glory, not mine.”

“I thought we’d be on Antar by now, so sue me.” Max turned around and gave Isabel a look that let her know to back off the subject. It was too painful for both of them to rehash and point fingers.

“Alright I’ll help.” She scanned the cars that were close to her and pointed to a rusty Toyota Corolla. Max wrinkled up his nose and shook his head. He started searching again. He didn’t want to mention this to Isabel but he was looking for a car that he could picture taking Liz on dates in. He still held out hope that one day Liz would forgive him for everything he did to her and open her heart to him again.

Isabel was getting hot and frustrated looking through all the filthy cars. Then when she was about to leave Max to fend for himself, she spotted a car that looked very familiar. It was positioned off to the side and sandwiched between a Chrysler New Yorker and a Ford Bronco.
“Max, come quick!” She shouted. “I think I found your dream car.” Literally. She thought to herself. It was almost the exact make and model of the car Max used to dream he was driving when she would dream-walk him when he was younger. She remembered her dad bought him a Hot Wheel car that looked just like it.

Max ran over to Isabel and saw which one she was talking about. It was a blue convertible Chevy Chevelle with a broken head light and some body damage that would be was easy for them to handle. Max opened to hood and found a rusty warn out engine.

“Iz, this is your specialty.” He pointed to the engine. She was always so much better at using her powers on mechanical items; from radios to toaster ovens. She was responsible for keeping the jeep running.
Isabel walked over to the Chevelle and with an annoyed huff, she moved her hand over engine once.

“It should purr like a kitten now. We can work on the other problems when we get it home. Now can you just pay for it so we can leave?’’

Mr. Conway was surprised when Max put the key in the ignition and it started right up. He was going to sell it to Max for just the body alone. But Max had insisted on paying $300 above the asking price. Seeing Max drive off in it, he was glad he took the extra money for the running car.

I would like to thank all the reader who have been so patience and more than wonderful with their comments.
Roslover39
Elizabeth Kivana
XRosWooIX
FrenchKisses70
jbehrfan0305
tequathisy

Here is Chapter 5. Chapter 6 will follow very soon. Just adding the finishing touches. Hope you enjoy.

A/N: Flash back dialoge: Liz is Indigo and Max is Green
*Lyrics in Liz’s Bedroom are from Breathe No More by Evanescence.
*Lyrics in Max’s Bedroom are from A Different Kind of Pain by Cold


Chapter 5


Pod Chamber ~ Next Day



Max, Michael, and Isabel stood in amazement and sadness at what was left of their birthplace. The entrance was almost sealed shut but they were able to pry it open with their combined powers. Rocks and debris fell at their feet, and smoke and dirt blew out causing them to cough.

Once inside, they noticed the pods were crushed in by rocks and the granolith chamber was no where to be seen.

“Looks at this place!” Michael exclaimed as he picked up a rock and hurled it angrily at the rubble. This place had been the most tangible link they had to their home planet. It was where they were all born, and now it was destroyed…one more part of them taken away by Tess. “Well that’s that. There is no way back even if we wanted to.” Not that Michael did, he just didn’t like the option taken away from him.

“Good.” Isabel said. “I just keep thinking about what we almost left behind.” She looked at Max who appeared as lost as she felt. She knew his son was on his mind. He had to be. The only connection he had with his son is now in ruins.

“Maxwell, I know you’re worried about your kid and all but our lives are here.” Michael sensed the tension coming from Max. “Look, our only way home is gone. Maybe an opportunity might present itself in the future but as of now we’ve got to live for what we have here.” That was easy for him to say. He had everything he ever wanted…he’d found his purpose for being on Earth and had Maria to share his life with him. Liz won’t even give me the time a day. He thought. He saw her in the hall today and she walked past him without even a glance his direction. He smelled the jasmine shampoo she always used as she walked by and his knees turned to Jell-O. Maybe she didn’t see me. He hoped to himself.
Michael could never understand what it was like to have a child out there and not know what would become of him.

“Michael, you just can’t expect me to forget about my son. If there is any way to make contact with him I’ll do it.” Max glanced over at Isabel. She looked pleadingly at him. She deserved to experience a normal human existence with college, family, friends, and love. He wasn’t going to be the tyrannical dictator in her life anymore. “But I agree with what you’re saying. We need to put Antar and Tess out of our minds and move on the best way we can.”

“I still can’t get over how that bitch had us fooled.” The mere mention of her name made Michael’s blood boil. “And don’t get me started on Nasado. He was supposed to be our protector but he was only keeping us safe long enough to send us to our slaughter. To think I wanted him to be our father.”

“You know I heard that Sheriff Hansen officially declared Alex’s death an accident,” Isabel wanted to change the subject before Michael exploded, “and the Whitman’s are moving to Oklahoma.”

“An accident? If they only knew. But that’s better than suicide.” Michael replied.

“I don’t blame the Whitman’s for leaving. We bring pain and death to everyone who knows us. The further away, the better.” Max felt do bad for the Whitman’s’ loss and all of it could have been prevented.

“What’s done is done, guys. We can’t change the past. But we have the promise of a wonderful future ahead of us. Why don’t we try to enjoy it?” Isabel asked.

“So we all agree here?” Michael surveyed Max’s face for an answer. He could see that he was struggling to give in…give up.

“Yeah I agree. Earth is home. Antar is a distant memory.” Max stood up and shook Michael’s waiting hand.

Isabel watched her brothers, who were always at odds, come together in this moment. For the first time in a long time she felt like she didn’t need to be in the middle or the referee for them. They were men now and they can handle their differences on their own.
They sealed the pod chamber opening permanently so no one could ever stumble across it whereabouts’. When they were finished they stood out in the desert and held each other and watched the sun set across the peak of their former birthplace.

***********************************************************


Toby’s Garage~

“Kyle, what kind of experience do you have? I mean you’re still in high school aren’t you?” Toby McGrath asked. He was the owner of an auto repair shop and kind of an old family friend.

“We’ll to be perfectly honest, sir, not much. But I learn fast and I’m a hard worker. I have done my share of oil changes, a spark plug here and there, and I have fixed a flat tire…once.” Kyle noticed that Toby was losing interest in what he had to offer. He had to get this job. Yesterday he opened one of the letters that his dad threw in the letter holder opened; it was a letter from the Roswell Bank and Trust. They were going to foreclose on the house if they didn’t get a payment within thirty days from the date of the letter. Since his dad had set up shop in that dark place, Kyle knew it was up to him to step up and save their home. He had tried all day, even skipping school to job hunt. Toby was his last chance. Kyle estimated that Toby paid enough to keep them out of hot water for a little while. He prayed every night that his dad would get out of his funk and find a decent job.

“Listen, you can start me out on a trial basis. If I don’t catch on and meet or exceed your expectations in thirty days, you can fire me.” Kyle paused for a couple of seconds and then looked Toby in the eyes. “Since my dad lost his job as sheriff, we’ve been struggling to keep our heads above water. I really need this job.”

Toby looked at Kyle and then sucked something out of his teeth. Must be his lunch. Kyle guessed to himself.

“If I do hire you, it is only because I like your dad. I voted for him as sheriff and stood behind him when others wouldn’t. Not to mention all the business your dad brought me over the years.”

“If you hire me?” Kyle asked; not quite sure what Toby meant.

“Is tomorrow too soon for you?”

“I will have to come directly after school this week and then I’m free all summer long.”

“Yeah kid, that’s fine but be prepared for long hours and back-breaking work.” Toby shook Kyle outstretched hand.

“Sure thing. Thank you. I will make sure you won’t regret hiring me.”

Kyle left Toby’s office feeling excited and scared at the same time. He knew he was going to have to give up a lot. But there was no one else to be the man of the house. He had been unofficially elected, whether he was ready for it or not.


**********************************************************




Liz’s Bedroom~


“Listen girlfriend, as much as I love to watch you clean. I have to meet Michael in an hour and I want to look my best.” Maria pointed out. She had been sitting in Liz’s room for thirty minutes watching her go through her closet, taking out everything that Max ever gave her.

“Don’t want this anymore.” Liz said from inside the closet before she threw a stuffed teddy bear holding a red heart towards Maria’s direction.

“Hey, you almost hit me!” Maria whined. “I’m gonna go before your little tirade gets someone hurt. I left the tea I told you about on the dresser. Why don’t you make yourself a cup or two and relax. It always works for my mom. Call me later.” Maria started to walk out the door but Mrs. Parker stopped her.

“Ah, why are you leaving so soon? I was just about to order a pizza for you two and I have stuff to make sundaes.” Mrs. Parker sounded a little disappointed.

“As tempting as that sounds, I think Liz would prefer to be company free at the moment. She’s on a mission. Better stay out of strike range.” Maria said with a giggle.

Mrs. Parker gently grabbed Maria’s arm and pulled her into the hallway.
“What’s going on with Liz? I know you know something.” She asked Maria.

“She’s just going through something right now. But in time I think she’ll be fine…if she takes my advice. I got a date so see you later.” Maria left down the stairs.

“Liz, sweetheart…where is you?” Liz’s mom walked into her room but didn’t see Liz anywhere. Then she heard rustling coming from her closet.

“I’m in here.” Liz’s voice was weary and small coming from the closet. “I was missing one of my favorite shoes. I went to look for it in here and everything came crashing down on top of me.”

“It’s been forever since you cleaned it out.” Mrs. Parker added. She walked over to Liz and grabbed both her busy hands. “Look at me Liz.” She did as her mom asked her to do. “What is going on with you? Ever since Alex died you’ve shut us out…no actually you’ve been slowly shutting us out for two years now, and I need to know why. We used to talk so easily. We still can.” She let go of Liz’s hands and wiped a tear away from her own cheek. She saw a stranger standing in front of her. Where did her happy little girl go? She asked herself.

Liz felt so bad for her mother. She didn’t want to keep pushing her parents away. But what choice has she been given. Knowing would only make them targets and they could end up like Alex. She couldn’t bear loosing them as well. No...No one else was going to die.

“Mom, Max broke my heart and I’m just trying to put the pieces back together.” She felt her mother’s arms go around her and something in her let go, and a fresh batch of tears started to fall down her cheek. She needed this. She needed her mother’s love and comfort. And she soaked it in like an arid sponge. That was all she had to tell her mother and she got the support she craved.


Mrs. Parker had Liz propped up in bed, with the biggest chocolate sundae Liz had ever seen, and the old Wuthering Heights classic, one of Liz’s favorite movies, showing on her TV.

“Save the closet for another day. I’ll help you with it.” Her mom tenderly kissed her on the forehead. “Trust me, as cliché as it sounds, time does heal all wounds. I am always here if you just want to talk.”

“I love you, mom.” Liz said before her mom walked out of her room.

“I love you too, sweetheart.”


Liz sat in her room by herself again. She tried to eat the sundae but she wasn’t hungry. So she made a cup of Maria’s tea. She hated being in her room alone. That’s when her thoughts seem to make their way back to Max. How was she going to be strong and stay away from him when every cell in her body was fighting her? Keep reminding yourself that he slept with Tess. Liz urged herself.

Liz reached into her night table, pulled out the ornate Native American jewelry box that Grandma Claudia sent to her, and she grabbed the pendent that Max gave her. His words were so clear and painful.


“I always thought when we graduated I would give you my ring.”

He handed the pendent to her with shaky hands. Their goodbye hurt him as well.

“It looks like I won’t graduate, so this is something from where I’ll be.”

You’ll be with Tess…Tess and your son. She wanted to throw the pendent back at him.

“I can’t believe that this is what I have of you. Believe that after everything…

All the little pieces falling, shatter.

She wanted to plead with him to stay. All of it had to be some twisted joke that the Universe was playing on them. But she knew it would have been for nothing. He was going somewhere she couldn’t follow.

Shards of me,
To sharp to put back together,
To small to matter.

Then he asked her.

“Liz, you never slept with Kyle, did you?”

But big enough to cut me into so many pieces.

Liz remembered that the words wouldn’t come out. She fought so hard against the urge to tell him everything. But what difference would it have made. Tess was still pregnant and he was still never coming back. No amount of true confessions was going to change anything.

“I wish, I wish this all could have been could have been different. I wish that so much.”

Lie to me,
Convince me that I’ve been sick forever.
And all of this
Will make sense when I get better

She could still taste the regret and despair from his kiss.

“I guess this is our goodbye. Just tell me one thing, do you love her?

So I bleed
I bleed.

She had to know.

“Not like I love you.”

I breathe
I breathe-
I breathe no more.

Why can’t I let go? She asked herself. Liz had been avoiding Max not only because she was afraid of his reaction to hearing about Future Max but because she knew if he got her alone. There would be no turning back. She could grab the door knob, she could turn it and she could even open the damn door but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t make herself walk through it. Because she knew that on the other side was a life without Max. Was she ready for that possibility? She asked herself. She’d spent all year without him and slowly died inside everyday since. It was like trying to exist without a soul. Hiding from him was useless, unless she left town again but she knew that her problems would still be waiting for her when she got back. That was not an option. I’m going to have to face the fact that there was no way around a confrontation with Max. She reasoned with herself.


**********************************************************


Max’s Bedroom~


Max laid quietly on his back staring blankly at the ceiling with his hands clasped behind his head. He couldn’t get over what he just witnessed. Out of desperation, Max went to Liz’s window to talk and to tell her about Sheriff Hansen’s report on Alex, and the Whitmans plans. Plus it had been a long three days since they left the desert in Valenti’s SUV. He was prepared to find an angry Liz ready to push him away. But instead he saw her sobbing in her mother’s arms, her small body shaking uncontrollably as she cried. The sight tore at his heart. He had never seen Liz like that. It broke his heart to watch and to know that he was to blame. How could he confront her? Max just softly walked back down the ladder and drove home.

A different kind of pain
Is some there to hold you


He hated what he put her through. She didn’t deserve any of this. She tried to tell him how much she was hurting that night at the prom. He had been so excited as he dressed in his tuxedo. That night was going to be the beginning of starting over for them. But once they started dancing he could tell something was wrong with Liz.
He remembered the pain in her words.

“I feel like my whole life for the past year has been waiting for some really bad news. Oh, you know, by the way, I remember Tess, and I love her. It’s really paralyzing… “

“I know it’s not easy”

“No, Max, it can be. It can be really, really easy. You know, we both just stop pretending.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know, maybe we’re both holding on to something that’ll never be. Max, maybe we should let go. I have been in so much pain this whole year, and it’s like I’m suffocating.”


She had been right about him remembering Tess but he didn’t love her. Liz was the only one he loved even when he didn’t like her or trust her, he still loved her. He tried so hard not to, especially when she disregarded their friendship to go to Sweden. He had lost the only person that mattered to him enough to wake up every morning and soldier on. When she got in the cab it brought him right back to the place he was when she left him in the desert last summer.

I tried to let you go
I wish I could turn back time
And show you just how I feel.


I still love her. Even with her lies and secrets. He admitted to himself. She’d been a part of him ever since he healed her. Like a piece of her soul was joined with his that day. Sometimes he swore that he was going through withdraws when she wasn’t around him; a chemical bond of some sorts and he needed his fix.

I needed you to know
If it takes my whole damn life
I’ll make this up to you.

“Max”

He heard Isabel calling his name. He knew she unlocked his door, like always.

“Are you awake?” Isabel peeked her head through Max’s bedroom door.

“You know Iz, when some one locks their door; it usually means they want to be alone.” He didn’t even bother to sit up and look at her.

“I know, but when have I ever knocked? Besides you’ve been in here since you got back and I was getting worried.” She walked in and sat on his bed beside of him.

Max sat up and gave her a questioning look. “You didn’t come in to see if I’m okay. What’s up?” He knew her too well.

“No, I’m honestly worried about you…and…um mom is driving me crazy. She has my party planned completely. She wants it at the house.”

“Let her enjoy this, plus it gets you out of having to worry about it.” He knew Isabel had some control issues that she was trying to deal with. “This will help you to relax and not feel the need to be the General of your own party.”

“Good idea. You’re right.”

“I know. Now get out.” He playfully pushed her off his bed.

“I am really worried about you. Have you spoken to Liz yet?” She asked. He shook his head no and then laid back down in defeat, putting a pillow over his face. “Max, she loves you. That much I know.” She just needed a little push. Isabel spoke under her breath so he couldn’t hear her. She’d find out what was up with little Ms. Parker.

“She may love me but I don’t think she’ll forgive me.” He removed the pillow from his face and put it under his head.

“Don’t worry too much. Like you always said you and Liz are meant to be together and that kind of love just doesn’t fade away.”

“I hope you’re right. We have a lot to work through and talk about. I just wish she’d stop avoiding me.” He felt uneasy about talking to Isabel about his troubles with Liz. He tried a couple times in the beginning but after a while he got the impression that it made her nauseous.

“We’ll dear brother; I’m going to leave you alone to sulk. Mom has me picking out dresses for my party. Pray for me.”

“I will. Now would you please lock the door back when you leave?”

“Goodnight.” Isabel said shyly.

“Yeah, yeah, now get out.”

***********************************************************
* Chapter 6 teaser *:

"Liz, your destiny is still to be determined." Liz looked into the warm and loving eyes of Future Max. She tried to believe what he was telling her as they danced on her balcony under a sky glittered with stars. She felt safe in his arms and with each turn and twirl she knew he would be there to catch her.

"You still believe in me don't you?" She asked him.

"Of course, Liz, you're the one...the only one." He smiled and gently kissed her head.

Readers thank you for all your patience and comments. I really appreciated them.

Here is chapter 6. Enjoy and remember any feedback is welcome.


Chapter 6



Liz’s Dream~


“Liz your destiny is still to be determined." Liz looked into the warm and loving eyes of Future Max. She tried to believe what he was telling her as they danced on her balcony under a sky glittered with stars. She felt safe in his arms and with each turn and twirl she knew he would be there to catch her.

"You still believe in me don't you?" She asked him.

"Of course, Liz, you're the one...the only one." He smiled and gently kissed her head.

“He’s your soulmate, Honeybear. You can’t fight it.” Future Max spun her around until she was face to face with her Grandma Claudia. She was smiling knowingly at Liz and then grabbed both of her hands. “The sooner you come to terms with it, the better you’ll feel about the decision you ultimately will have to make.” Liz didn’t understand. She pulled her hands away.

“Grandma, what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be dead.”

Suddenly, Maria ran to Grandma Claudia side. “Listen to her, girlfriend. She may be dead but she’s right on the money. Aren’t you Grandma?”

“What’s going on here? This is insane.” Liz was getting more and more confused. She wanted to be dancing with Future Max instead, but he wasn’t around anymore. She felt the proverbial emptiness that had become part of her daily existence.

“You’re dreaming, Liz.”

The voice was familiar but she wasn’t able to see where it was coming from because the whole balcony was engulfed in a cloud of thick fog. Liz couldn’t see anything around her.

“Over here, Liz.” The voice directed. Then she felt a pair of hands grab her arm. The fog lifted enough to see that it was Isabel. She was seated on a lounge chair looking annoyed and bored as always. Everyone else was gone.
No Maria, No Grandma Claudia, and No Future Max, just her and Isabel.

“Why are you dream walking me?” Liz asked. Was this the first time she had done this. Liz wandered in horror. What a major invasion of privacy.

“Because this is the only way we can talk to you without distractions.” Isabel answered

“What do you want?”

“Just to talk and find some peace because God knows we both need some in our lives.” Isabel pointed to the chair next to her and Liz sat down.

“As you know, I have no control over what happens in your dreams, so I can’t make you listen to me. But out of courtesy and friendship, I hope you pay attention.” Isabel stood up from the lounge chair and began wringing her hands.

“I’d rather not if this is about Max.” Liz didn’t want to discuss Max asleep or awake with Isabel.

“It sort of is about him but it’s more about you.” Isabel paused for a minute.
“Okay…At first I didn’t want to be your friend.”

“That’s great way to get me to listen.” Liz said sarcastically

Ignoring Liz’s remark, she went on. “As I was saying, I didn’t want to be your friend. You were a threat…a human who knew too much and could expose us. I also viewed you as a threat to my relationship with Max. You see, Max and Michael were all I had in the world, and you and Maria were taking them away from me. So I treated you badly and got in between you and Max.”

“Does this have a point?”

“Yes. I wanted to apologize for my behavior in the past. Apologize for not believing you about Alex’s death. I loved Alex. I couldn’t bear to think that just knowing me led to his death.”

Liz stood up and walked over to Isabel. “I know you loved Alex. I could see that at the prom.”

“That was a great night.” Isabel looked up at the twinkling stars in Liz’s dream sky. They reminded her of stargazing with Alex so long ago.

“Yeah, for some it was a great night but it wasn’t for me.” The image of Max kissing Tess flashed in her mind and took her breath for a second.

“Yes, I heard you saw Max kissing Tess at the prom. Which leads me to why I dream walked you. It was not only to apologize but to tell you what a hypocrite you are.”

Liz walked up close to Isabel and looked her straight in the eyes. “A hypocrite…is that what you called me?”

“Damn right!” Isabel exclaimed as she looked down at the much shorter Liz.
“You only think about your own pain and grief, and never bother to realize that your actions have a profound affect on everyone around you. You of all people knew first hand what Max went through at the hands of Agent Pierce. All the torture he was subjected to, and yet you walked away from him when he needed you most.”

Liz backed away from Isabel. The truth in her words stung too much for Liz.

“His destiny wasn’t with me. I couldn’t stay… couldn’t stay and get in the way of it.” Even to Liz, the words she spoke seemed flimsy and insubstantial.

“That is complete bullshit and you know it! Do you know what Max went through that summer while you were gone? Pure hell, with nightmares, paranoid delusions, and anxiety attacks. He would wake up the whole house screaming out your name in his sleep.”

“Oh my God.” Liz folded onto the balcony floor holding her chest. The pain was constricting and tight around her heart. What had she done? She remembered the flashes of Max in the white room, and she felt his fear and pain with each brutal tactic Pierce used on him. It was as if she had experienced it first hand. And it terrified her.

“My parents didn’t know what to make of his behavior, so they put us both through therapy. I guess they assumed I would spill what I knew about Max. But what could we really say, you know. So it was left up to me and Michael to help Max. At the time Michael was on this ‘I’m a soldier’ kick, so he was useless.” Isabel frowned.

“What about the little wife…Tess?” Liz asked practically spitting her words out.

“Max didn’t trust her. But he and Maria became close and kind of hung out last summer. I think it was because she was his only link to you.”

“I had no idea.” Why hadn’t anyone told her? She wondered to herself.

“How could you, when you ran off to Florida without even a backward glance? Really, I don’t blame you. It’s just not fair that for you to avoid Max now and pass judgment on him when you practically pushed him into Tess’s arms.”

Liz had to admit that Isabel was right. She did make it way too easy for Tess to take her destined place by Max’s side. But it didn’t hurt any less. She had done it to secure the future for the planet and everyone she cared about. But Liz couldn’t tell Isabel that. Max is the one that needed to know.

“Max and I have a lot to talk about and we will.”

“How can you, when you keep avoiding him? He deserves more than from you.”

“Like I said, Max and I will sit down and talk.” Liz was beginning to lose her patience.

“It better be soon because Max isn’t doing very well right now and it seem like you aren’t fairing any better. Do you always dream about Commando Max?” Isabel started to giggle but was cut off by Liz.

“Okay, you got your point across; now get out of my dream please. And don’t dream walk me again.”

A loud crack of thunder crashed and a bolt of bright white lightening streaked across the dream sky, startling both of them.

“Alright, alright, I’m going. And I promise this is the last time.” Isabel threw up her hands in a gesture of truce. “Liz, my brother isn’t perfect. He can be bossy, overbearing, and stubborn. And so many times I have wanted to strangle him. But I love him and I want what’s best for him. And that’s you.” Isabel spoke softly and sincerely.

“Thank you, Isabel. I know that must have been really hard for you to say.”

“Not really.”


Liz woke up to the light from the morning sun streaming through her bedroom windows. She remembered everything from her dream. Isabel’s visit had made Liz really uncomfortable but it ultimately brought her a small amount of peace. It was a start.

********************************************************

Michael’s Apartment~


Isabel stood in front of Michael’s apartment door waiting for him to answer. It was ten after six in the morning. Isabel knew that it was a little too early for Michael to be awake but she didn’t care. How many times had he come to their window with some “crisis” during the wee hours of the night? Isabel remembered. Besides she hadn’t slept all night. Dream walking Liz proved to be very interesting. She had never been able to sit down and have a heart to heart for that long a period of time with anyone else she had visited. When she dream walked Maria it was only for a short amount of time and Maria let her dream and fear take over. She tried once with Max when they were at odds. But he just kicked her out. He had always been able to do that. It was the same with Michael.

Humans didn’t appear to have that much control and the unconscious ability to maintain their surroundings in their dream state. Isabel had come to that conclusion through a lot of trial and error. It was so different with Liz. There was an element of the bizarre about her dream. Like the older, tougher Max with long hair and leather pants. Maybe it was a sexual fantasy. Eeew, that’s gross. Isabel shivered just thinking about it.

Ava mentioned Liz being different now because Max brought her back from the dead. And Isabel witnessed her ability to send Max a warning in his mind when he was in New York City. Maybe this was all part of Liz’s change.

Michael’s door was jerked open roughly. She saw a very angry Michael in his boxer shorts and oversized Metallica t-shirt standing in the doorway.

“Isabel, this better be really important.” He said wiping his eyes.

“It is. Just let me in.” He moved aside and let her through.

“Just keep your voice down. Maria’s still asleep.” He sat down on the couch and wrapped a blanket around him.

“Maria spent the night? What will her mom say?”

“Her mom stayed in Albuquerque all night dealing with Sean’s dad. Maria didn’t want to stay home alone…why am I even explaining this to you? Get to talking.”

“Well for starters, I dream walked Liz last night,” Isabel paced slowly back and forth in front of Michael. “And it was unusual.”

“YOU DID WHAT!?”

Michael and Isabel quickly turned around to see a very pissed off Maria standing just outside the bedroom. She had a look on her face that Michael knew too well. He knew she was about to go off and things were going to get pretty nasty if he didn’t step in to referee.

“You dream walked Liz last night? Are you heartless as well as cold?” Maria asked looking at Isabel with contempt. “She’s been through enough. She doesn’t need Max’s sister turning her dreams to nightmares. She experiences the nightmare of what Max did when she’s awake. That’s plenty.”

Michael ran in front of Maria when he noticed she was about to charge Isabel. “Calm down Maria and let her explain.” He had seen Isabel brace herself like she was getting ready to raise her hand and blast Maria. Michael put his arms around Maria, and picked her up and put her on the couch. “Let her talk. And you keep you’re hands to yourself.” He pointed at Isabel.

“As I was saying, I dream walked Liz so I could have chat with her about Max. They both are hurting and I wanted her to know Max’s side and hopefully get her to talk to him.” Isabel relaxed a little when she saw that Maria had appeared more in control. “Liz seemed to listen to me and agreed to talk to Max. It was just strange that I was able to have such a lengthy conversation with her while she was asleep. It’s not happened to me before when I have visited other people in their dreams.”

“Maybe your powers are growing.” Michael asked her.

“That could be it too. I didn’t think about that. But Liz was controlling her dream I wasn’t.” Isabel answered.

“Ava did say that Liz was different now. Well this might be part of it. I wouldn’t worry too much about, Iz. If she starts turning green and grows antennae from her head, then I’ll be worrying along with you.” Michael sat down beside Maria and snuggled in under the blanket.

“It was a one time thing? You won’t do it again, right?” Maria asked still giving Isabel daggers with her eyes. What right did she have to do that to Liz? Maria was fuming. She maybe an alien with deadly powers but that still wouldn’t keep me from bitch-slapping her. She thought to herself. Smiling from the visual she got from it.

“No. I promised Liz that I would stay out of her dreams from now on.”

“Besides the weirdness of dream walking Liz, is there anything else that you wanted. I could get another thirty minutes of sleep before school starts.” Michael said as he looked at the time on the DVD player.

“We’ll as you know I am having my graduation party at my house on Saturday and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to try to get Max and Liz back together.” Isabel suggested. She looked at both Maria and Michael, who were looking at each other in surprise.

“We were just talking about that last night. Do you have a plan?” Maria was stunned that they all wanted the same thing. Michael surprised her the most when he told her that he felt bad for Max and Liz not being able to be as happy as they were and he thought maybe they could try to help bring them back together. Now with Isabel, of all the people to be her brother’s matchmaker, Maria never expected her. She had been such an obstacle for them in the past.

They sat amicably together for forty-five minutes going over their plan to reunite the two people they loved and knew belonged together.


********************************************************


The Crashdown Café~ Later that evening

“Sean, we are just about to close up for the night.” Liz said as she poked her head out of the entrance door. Sean was known for coming by the cafe to eat right before closing. He knew she wouldn’t be busy at that time and they could talk. But he hadn’t been around since the last time they had spoken. She didn’t blame him for not speaking to her again. She had practically thrown herself at him to get rid of the pain that she felt from Max’s infidelity and she was going to use him in a vain attempt to get back at Max. But it didn’t feel right. She liked Sean a lot but she knew he could never play second to Max. He knew that that’s what he would always be. He had too much pride for that and she knew it. She admired him for that.

“Liz, I didn’t come over here to eat. I just wanted to talk to you. Can I come in?” Sean asked. Liz could tell there was something serious on his mind.

“Sure come on in. My parents are figuring up today’s total so they won’t be disturbing us.” She grabbed his hand and led him to the counter. She sat down on one of the stools. He remained standing. “What’s wrong?”

“I just got back from Albuquerque with Aunt Amy. We went there to talk to my old man. Well to make a long story short, my dad is really bad off…Liz he has lung cancer.” Sean’s eyes began to well-up with tears and his voice began to crack as he explained to Liz about his fathers’ condition. “They say he has, at the most, six months to live.”

“Oh Sean, I am so sorry.” She put her arms around him. This was second time this week that she was letting one of her semi-boyfriends cry on her shoulder. When he was finished crying he stepped away from her.

“I’m leaving tomorrow to move back in with my dad so I can take care of him and spend the remaining time that I have with him alone. We used to fight all the time after my mom died.” He paused and then took a breath. “I feel so bad about all the time we’ve lost on petty arguing and stupid bullshit that means nothing to me now. Hell, I don’t even remember what started most of the arguments that we had. Now, I kinda just want to make it up to him.” He touched a strand of loose hair that had fallen from her bun. “I will miss you. You have been the only light in my life since I got out of Juvie and I just wanted to come by and tell you that before I left.”

“Sean if you need anything, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone. I’m always here for you.” She didn’t know what to say. She knew that anything she said would come out sounding trite. When her grandma died she found little comfort in peoples words of condolences. It was the same after Alex died. There wasn’t anything that could be said to make the pain go away.

“I could use a piece of astroid pie about now, if you’ve got any left.” He asked.

“I have two pieces left. Do you want me to join you?”

“That would be great.” He watched her walk to the back.

They talked briefly while they ate their slices. No heavy topics just small talk between friends.

When they were finished she hugged him goodbye and watched him drive away.
So many changes were happening. So many friends lost. Life was so fleeting and nothing was for certain. Just then, Liz had this overwhelming need to see Max. She wanted to be in his arms again and feel safe. She remembered what Grandma Claudia said to her in her dream: ‘He’s your soulmate, Honeybear. You can’t fight it. The sooner you come to terms with it, the better you’ll feel about the decision you ultimately will have to make.’ What decision? She asked herself. But she knew instinctively that she was going to have to either close the door shut for good or walk through it. Either way, she was going to lose.


CHAPTER 7 TEASER!!!!


Liz caught a glimpse of Max in the mirror just as she was about to unbutton her uniform. What was he doing here? She wondered. That’s a stupid question…he was here for answers. With a frustrated huff, she turned around, walked to the window and opened it.

“Max, it’s late and I’m tired. Can we do this tomorrow?” She pleaded. But he wasn’t going to anywhere.

“No. I’ve waited long enough.”

Reader, I'm sorry for the delay and the length of the chapter.

Here is Chapter 7. Enjoy!

A/N: Flash back for Liz is in indigo


Chapter 7


Liz’s Balcony~


“This Time, This Place, Misused, Mistakes, Too Long, Too Late…” From “Far Away” by Nickelback



Max had come for answers and he wasn’t leaving until he got them. He waited on her balcony until her shift ended at nine. Max knew her work schedule so well. Even before she was shot, he knew when she was working. He had always made a point to eat at the Crashdown when he knew she would be there. He remembered how his hands would shake and his stomach would do flip flops every time she’d take his order. She would smile that beautiful exuberant smile of hers that seemed to come from some bright happy place inside of her, and it would just melt him in his seat.

It had been a long time since he had seen her smile like that. It’s mostly my fault. He admitted. Just knowing me has robbed her of her once happy normal life. He wished he could go back and change the mistakes they made. But what’s done is done. It still hurt him like hell remembering her speech.

Max you can’t stop what’s happening to you. I mean your life will always be dangerous, but my life, it doesn’t have to be. My life is only in danger if I am with you. I…I want be in love with boys…normal boys. I…I want to see my twenty-first birthday. I…I want to have a wedding day. I…I want to have children…and I want me children to be safe. You know, Max, if you truly love me, you’ll let me go. I may love you, but I…I don’t want to die for you.

Her words crumbled him. But part of him didn’t quite believe her. It was way too rehearsed and cold. He knew Liz. Those words were used to hurt him so he would stop trying to win her back because she thought he needed to fulfill his destiny. She had tried setting him up with Tess the night before. Even go so far as to coach her on what to wear, what to read and say to make her more appealing to Max. He saw through all that and it made him love her even more for it.

None of that mattered to him now. He just wanted to salvage what little bit they had left. But he couldn’t move forward until he knew why she lied to him about Kyle.

He stood up from the lawn chair when he saw the light turn on in Liz’s bedroom. God, she was beautiful even in her waitress uniform. He thought as he looked down into her room. Liz walked to the mirror and proceeded to take the clasp out of her hair. Her hair fell down her back like shiny, chocolate colored silk. He loved her hair. He used to get so much pleasure from just touching it. He remembered it always smelled like jasmine and honeysuckles.


Liz caught a glimpse of Max in the mirror just as she was about to unbutton her uniform. Surprisingly, she felt a little giddy and excited to see him but then she remembered what he did and why he was there. With an irritated huff, she turned around, walked to the window, and opened it.

“Max, it’s late and I’m exhausted. Can we do this later?” He looked tired she accessed. Dark circles had formed under his eyes and a weeks worth stubble shadowed his face. He looked older and more vulnerable somehow.

“No. I’ve waited long enough.” He said impatiently. He moved aside to let her climb through the window. They stood there looking at one another. Thirty seconds of awkward and uncomfortable silence went by before one of them spoke.

“Before I answer any of your questions, I have a few of my own that I want answered.” She wasn’t going to let him call all the shots no matter how tired and emotionally drain she was.

Max let out a hesitant breath, bracing himself for a cross-examination. She deserved that much. He thought to himself. “Alright. Fair enough.”

“Did I ever cross your mind when you were with Tess? Did you ever once have a moments pause to consider what you did and how it would effect me?” Liz was on the brink of tears but quickly squelched them when she realized that she was about to cry in front of him. That pissed her off. “Or were you too busy knocking up your queen to care. Tell me Max, was it because she was so easy or because she was one of your own kind? I guess I wasn’t alien enough for you.” She was livid. She could feel her face getting hot and her hands were shaking slightly.

“Liz, it wasn’t like that. The one and only time we were together, I was at my lowest point. I felt like I didn’t have a soul on Earth. Everyone had turned their backs on me. Isabel wasn’t speaking to me, you once again left me and forsaken our friendship. Hell, even Michael treated me like a stranger when he saw me. And this person, who knew what I was feeling because she was someone like me, seemed to be always there when I needed comfort.” He answered. His mouth thinned and the muscles in his jaw began to twitch as he remembered his loneliness and feelings of abandonment that drove him to seek solace from a girl he didn’t love. “Where were you, Liz? Where was the girl who wanted to always be my friends? Oh yeah, you were staging phony love scenes and running off to Sweden.”

He saw in her eyes that his words hit their mark. But he continued. “Did you and Kyle have a good laugh at my expense?” He noticed Liz’s eyes fill with tears. “I never really got over you sleeping with Kyle. I tried. Oh God, how I tried. The thought of you with him invaded my everyday existence. I didn’t understand it. It was too painful to deal with. And I come to find out, it was all a lie.” He slowly walked up to her and looked her in the eyes. The usual warmth in his eyes was now cold as he yelled. “Tell me WHY!”

She took a couple steps back, not knowing what he was going to do.

“Max…” She tried to explain but he cut her off.

“Why Liz…why would you want to hurt me like that?” His voice softened to a whisper when he noticed she was backing away from him. Liz felt the cold brick wall behind her as she stumbled backwards. She felt like a cage animal.
Max expression changed from stern to pleading. “Why?”

“Because you told me to.”

*******************************************************

CHAPTER 8 TEASER !!!!


"Calm down, Max. You're not making any sense." Maria demanded.

I would like to thank all of the readers out there who are still reading this and giving me such supportive feedback. I hope you all like this next chapter because it took me a while. I didn't want it to sound too cliche for my benefit as well as the readers.

A special thanks goes out to Roslover39. Once again her Betaship helped me out in a crunch. Thank you so much. GF you rock as always.

A/N: Liz’s dialogue is in Indigo. Lyrics from “Have You Got It In You” By Imogen Heap.



Chapter 8


Been one of those days...
Safety first, don't push...what's the hurry?
One nerve remaining, waiting on one look....have you got it?
Have you got it in you?
Have you got it in you?

All at once, not a whisper, nor word.
Then all at once...
Let me have it all, let me have a battle on,
Easy target,
Look can we just...just get it over with.
It's getting worse, against all the odds...
It's getting worse.
(Guard down, floor's yours, last man standing can we, just get it over
with.)
One more, one more, one more, one more

Been one of those days...
Safety first, don't push...what's the hurry?
One nerve remaining, waiting on one look...have you got it?
Have you got it in you?
Have you got it in you?
Have you got it in you?
Have you got it in you?



Liz’s Balcony~



“Because you told me to”. Liz hadn’t intended to blurt it out quite like that. She watched as Max backed away from her with a look of confusion on his face.

“What? What are you talking, Liz? I never told you do that” He replied very aggravated and confused.

“You didn’t, but the future version of you did.” She answered. “Okay…you want the truth; well you’re going to get it. I think you might want to sit down for this.” She pointed to the lawn chair that was behind Max. He sat down all the while keeping his eyes on Liz.

“Liz…” He tried to speak but she was on a roll. If she didn’t get it all out now she might not have the courage to later. She nervously paced in front of him trying to find a starting point to such a deeply kept secret.

“This is going to sound strange and far out there but just listen to me because it’s all true.”

Max impatiently shifted in his chair. He had his arms folded across his chest and gave Liz a look that told her to go ahead.

“The night that you serenaded me, the future version of you came to ask me for my help. He…you came to me from fourteen years into the future. A future of death and war, and you asked me to help change that future.” She paused to decipher his reaction. He was void of any expression at first then he sat up straighter in the lawn chair.

“Liz, that’s ridiculous. You and I both went to Mr. Seligman’s lecture on physics. There’s no such thing as time travel. It’s impossible.”

“Yeah I didn’t believe in aliens either but now I can’t remember my life before knowing you….um and Isabel and Michael.” It was true. It was as if the other Liz died in the Crashdown that day she got shot and Max created a new one when he healed her. “I know all of this sounds crazy but somehow you were able to use the granolith to create a tear in time/space continuum.”

“Liz, come on…” He didn’t believe her. Then he remembered what she told him before he left for the summit.

“Wait, um, Max...um...when...when you're at the summit, the granolith, ok? It's powerful, and it could be really dangerous if the wrong people get their hands on it.”

It always seemed strange to him that she knew something about the granolith when she had never even seen it. But so much was going on at the time. He just put it out of his mind…until now.

“That’s why you warned me about the granolith before I left for the summit.” He said.

“I knew it would be catastrophic if it ended up in your enemies hands. There was no telling what else it could be used for.” She nodded.

“Alright, let’s say I believe you. What the hell does this have to do with your lying about Kyle?” He was getting beyond irritated trying to put this new information into perspective and having the sinking feeling that what ever else Liz was hiding was not good.

“Your sole purpose for returning at that particular time was to keep the present you from pushing Tess away. And the only way to do that was to get you to fall out of love with me.” Liz spoke hesitantly as she remembered that he did indeed fall out of love with her.

“Liz, I’d never do that.” He replied confidently.

“If it meant preventing the end of the world for everyone, you would. And you did.”

“What does my love for you have to do with the world ending? What happened?” He wanted her to finally tell him.

“You and I became…um” She was trying to be delicate about the subject. “We became lovers the night you picked me up for the Gomez concert.” She knew she was blushing, so she walked to the other side of the balcony and looked down at the street below. Talking about the fact that they were lovers in a future that no longer existed and having him so close to her was a little unnerving. She felt more at ease in her own space.

When she turned around she saw that Max was standing close to her with his hands in his pockets, looking bewildered and conflicted. She needed to explain everything.

“Okay, so we became lovers.” He urged her to continue.

“It seems the closer you and I became, the less tolerant you were with Tess and her insistence on following your destiny. So she left town, leaving us vulnerable when your enemies attacked. Tess, Michael, Isabel, and you were a complete unit. Together you could’ve defeated them when the war broke out. But your love for me drove her away.” She took a deep breath in and then continued. “I tried everything that I could think of to push you towards Tess and away from me. But you were too stubborn to take the hint.”

Max began to understand and he was more pissed off then ever. He remembered all the tactics she tried but he didn’t fully understand why. He thought that she was still was trying to get him to follow his destiny. He didn’t give a shit about his destiny and told her time and time again that much.

“So let me get this straight. You tried to set me up with Tess, you came to my room and ripped me to shreds with your Romeo and Juliet speech and then if that wasn’t bad enough, you make me think that you randomly slept with Kyle out of the blue.” He walked up closer to her using every ounce of strength that he had just to keep his composure.

“Max, I did what I had to do to save everyone.” Liz noticed the change in Max. His eyes were narrowed and his mouth was hard along the edges. He looked like a wild animal about to attack.

Max's tone started to get more abrasive as he responded. “Who the hell gave you the right to play God? You once told me when I healed all those terminally ill kids, that I wasn’t God. I healed dying children so they could live a healthy life but you played God with all of our lives and ruined everything that was precious to me. You were everything to me…everything that made me human.” He softened his voice. “All I ever wanted to do was love you and you took that away from me. You should have come to me, Liz. Why didn’t you?” He started pacing with his hands firmly on his hips while trying to make sense of everything he's heard tonight.

“I wanted to so many times. But I promised him…you that I wouldn’t.” He moved closer to her and grabbed her hand.

“So the promises that you made to me…” With unshed tears in his eyes he placed her hand on his chest. “this me, meant nothing to you.” He let her hand fall to her side and turned away to wipe away his tears.

“They meant everything to me. But you were no longer mine. Your destiny was with Tess, not me and…”

“FUCK DESTINY!” He yelled loud enough to make her step a few feet away from him. “I have heard that word used over and over and I am sick to death of it. Was it destiny for Alex to die or for me to get Tess pregnant. You changed all of our lives to keep Tess from leaving. Well guess what, she left anyway. So don’t talk to me about destiny. Because I believed that you were my destiny and look at us now”

Liz wiped away what seemed like the thousandth she cried in front of Max tonight. She wanted to tell him about Las Vegas and their wedding so he could see that they were happy once. But that would be like poring salt on a festering wound.

“LIZ!!!” Max and Liz quickly looked towards the window and saw Mr. Parker with his head out the window. He looked pissed off. “It’s almost midnight. Max you need to go home. I could hear the shouting from all the way in my bedroom.”

Max began to walk down the ladder but stopped when he saw that Liz was still watching him.

“We’re not finished with this.” He informed her.

“Liz, I mean right NOW!” Her father shouted from the inside her bedroom.

“Please, just leave Max.” Feeling defeated and drained, she turned around and walked away.


***********************************************


Deluca Residence~



“Max calm down. You’re not making any sense.” Maria demanded. Max had just shown up at her house a little after midnight ranting about Liz and his future self and wasted time. Maria had just gotten off the phone with a hysterical Liz when Max banged on her door. Luckily her mom was still out of town with Sean or she would have run him off for the way he was yelling.

“What part of it doesn’t make sense to you; the part where Liz along with the future version of me, destroyed my chance to be with the only woman I’ve ever loved or the fact that that woman now hates me?” He asked loudly as he roughly ran his hands through his thick hair.

“You brought the last one on yourself, buddy.” Maria wasn’t going to sugar-coat the facts to spare his feelings this time. “No one told you to screw an alien killer and not use protection. You made that call all on your own pal and you need to live with the fall-out. As far as what Liz did, all I can say is that she saved our asses. From what I heard, we all were toast. Earth was about to be no more. How can you hold that kind of bravery against her? She gave up a happy future with you just to save the world. I agree she should have told you afterwards. But she had her reasons.” She could tell her words were getting through to him a little. She watched as he fell onto her living room couch. Maria remembered how last summer he had spent a few nights on that same couch when he had come over after one of his nightmares. Right now he reminded Maria of that same lost soul.

“I feel like my life this past year has been out of my control. Like Liz and Tess pulled the strings and I just followed along. I know that I was the one who ultimately made some really stupid mistakes that I will have to live with for the rest of my life. I just can’t get the idea out of my head that things could have been so different if Liz would have had faith in me.” He grabbed one of the cushions off of the couch and held it. He looked like he was on the verge of tears, so Maria sat down next to him.

“Listen Max, this relationship that you have with Liz has always been complicated and extremely intense. Even when you two were fighting everyone could still feel the love you had for each other. It’s still there. So if you want Liz in your life again, don’t you dare waste anymore time pointing fingers and assigning blame.”

Max knew she was right. But he still felt betrayed and violated by what Liz kept from him. He needed to get his head around the fact that in doing what she did, Liz sacrificed his happiness as well as her own.

“Do you really think that there is still a chance for me and Liz even after everything that we’ve been through and said to each other?” He wanted her honest opinion and he knew of all people, he’d get it no matter painful the sting it would cause.

Maria paused for a few seconds to think about his earnest question. “Yes, I do. If there is one thing that I have learned from almost losing Michael, is that there is always a chance if you love someone enough.”

That was what plagued his thoughts as he left Maria’s house. What if there wasn’t enough love to fix what was broken in their relationship? He knew there was no way they could just pick up from where they left off. Too much time and pain had past for that. Maybe they could start by being friends. As slight as that sounded to Max, he knew it was better than nothing at all.


**********************************************



West Roswell High~



“Is this seat taken?” Kyle lifted his head from his forearms to see Isabel with her lunch tray in her hands and a curious smile on her face.

“No. Go right ahead. Just kick me if I start snoring.” He answered with a yawn and then laid his head back down. She sat down beside him and began dosing her food with Tabasco sauce.

“The new job wearing you out already?” She had heard about Kyle getting a job at Toby’s Garage. Her dad had taken his car to get the tires rotated and Kyle was the one who waited on him.

“Just a little.” He nodded and then sat up. He knew that he wasn’t going to be able to sleep with Isabel sitting next to him.

“Well, you look like crap.”

“You’re so sweet. Remind me to return the compliment someday.” He was amazed at how she always looked so beautiful even when she was being ‘Isabel, Ice Queen from Hell’. “Okay, what’s up? You didn’t just come over and sit at the losers table so you can find out how I’m handling my new employment status. Spill it.”

“No, I really wanted to see how you’re holding up. Things got pretty intense out in the desert and I was worried about you.” She had been concerned about him but with her party, graduating, and Max being Max, she had very little time to catch up with anyone. Thank God Maria had Michael on a short leash these days, so she didn’t have to worry about what kind of trouble he was getting himself into. She liked Kyle. He brought out the playful side in her and she could tell him things that she knew wouldn’t shock him.

“That’s really touching and all but you and I both know that I helped Tess dispose of Alex’s body. Brainwashed or not. There is still blood on my hands.” He said in a low voice so the other students wouldn’t here.

Isabel quickly caught her breath. She wasn’t prepared to have to deal with the disturbing details of Alex’s death so soon. She began to stand up to leave.

Kyle gently grabbed her hand. “I’m sorry Isabel. I really have a way with words, don’t I? Don’t mind me, please tell me what going on with you.” He put on his best Kyle smile for her sake.

“Kyle, I don’t hold you responsible for what happened to Alex. No one does for that matter. You were just another victim like the rest of us. Now we have to move on. I mean, what would Alex say if he saw us sitting her wallowing in self pity?”

“He’d probably tell us to get off our asses, for starters.” Kyle could picture Alex standing there; tall, lanky, and wearing pants that were three sizes too big for him. He could almost hear Alex telling him to get his ass in gear and make the most out of life. “Then he’d say stop putting the make on my girl.”

Isabel pulled her hand way like she had been touching toxic waste. “Okay, eeew.” Kyle started to laugh, and it felt really good.

“So, you and your dad are coming to my graduation and the party afterward, right?” She wanted them there. They were part of this family that was created through secrets and loyalty.

“Of course we’ll be there.” He knew it meant a lot to her and he felt this need to protect her and be there for her because Alex could no longer do it. It was the least he could do for his fallen friend. “How about dreamwalking another playmate with me?” He started to laugh again until she got up in disgust and walked away. “Oh come on Isabel, don’t leave.”

*****************************************

Sorry no teaser for this chapter. Still working on it.

begonia9580: I am so happy you like it.

Cocogurl: I like your ranting. Max is mixed up. It only his first reaction.

Amanda/Panacea: So you like the chapter? Max was pretty mad. At least you understand why. i always enjoy hearing your feedback girl.


A/N: I wanted to go ahead and post Chapter 9 early because it's kind of just filler before I post the meatier stuff. Although it does fill in the blanks for certain thing and moves the plot along. Only 3 more chapters to go.

*Remember any feedback is encouraged!!!!

Max flashback dialoge from Ch 8 is in Green


Chapter 9



Crashdown Café~

“Who the hell gave you the right to play God? You once told me when I healed all those terminally ill kids, that I wasn’t God. I healed dying children so they could live a healthy life but you played God with all of our lives and ruined everything that was precious to me. You were everything to me…everything that made me human. All I ever wanted to do was love you and you took that away from me. You should have come to me, Liz. Why didn’t you?”


His words haunted her all night. As well as the wounded and angry looks he gave her. She had never heard him speak to her like that. Max was always somewhat composed when he was angry. There was always a level of control when it came to his temper. Last night the control wasn’t there. Part of her at the time, felt frightened but the other part wanted him to get angry…to feel pain; at least she wouldn’t be alone.

“Earth to Liz.”

Liz’s eyes refocused to see a big hand waving in front of her face. It was Michael.

“Your orders up.” He pushed a Will Smith towards her and then walked back to the grill shaking his head.

After giving the customer his order, she walked over to Maria who was filling the napkin holders.

“Got Max on the brain, I see.” Maria said.

“Of course, and it’s making it really hard for me to concentrate.” Liz leaned up against the counter. Luckily it had proved to be a slow evening. The only customers there were an elderly man, a woman with her two small children, and Isabel, who was sitting alone in her usual booth. She seemed to be busy reading college brochures from what Liz could see.

“Do you know what you need?” Maria asked not waiting for Liz to answer. “A little shopping spree. Nothing over board, just spend a little doe on something frivolous and fun. You know, it could be our celebration for the last day of school.”

Liz shook her head. “No, I wouldn’t be much fun.”

“Aw come on, we just got paid today and there’s a skirt at Jensen’s that I’m dying to buy to wear at Isabel’s graduation.” Maria pleaded. “You’re still going aren’t you?”

“Yes, but probably not to the party.” Being around Max after last night would be a disaster waiting to happen.

“You’d better go, girlfriend. Don’t leave alone with Michael at a party. You and I both know he’s socially stunted.” Maria joked. She looked over at Michael, who was standing behind the cook’s counter, listening to their conversation. Maria blew him a kiss and then started talking to Liz again. “It wouldn’t be the same without you there.”

“Alright, I’ll go but I’m not staying long.” Liz knew that she’d regret going, but she looked over at Isabel and a little voice in the back of her mind said, what Alex would want her to do. “We might as well get Isabel’s gift at Jensen’s while we’re there.”

********************************************

Evan’s Residence~


Max put the last bag of trash into the garbage can and placed the lid down. His mom had him pretty busy since he’d gotten home from school. With Isabel’s party tomorrow, Mrs. Evan’s wanted the house spotless. He had to admit, being physically active helped take his mind off his problems. Last night he didn’t sleep very well. His thoughts were on everything; from Liz, to Tess and what she did to everyone, to learning about his future self. But eventually his thoughts focused solely on his son. He dreamt that Kivar was torturing his little body and he was crying for his daddy to help save him. Max hated that dream and it was one that had plagued his nights since they left the desert. He didn’t bring up his son to Michael or Isabel because of who his mother is. Max knew it was still a touchy subject for both of them and besides it’s his burden to bear…his mistake. He thought to himself. He was going to have to live with his decisions. It wasn’t like there was a way to save him anyway. The only way home went with Tess.

He went over and over in his mind last night’s revelation and argument with Liz. As much as he hated the fact that she kept such a secret from him all these months, watching him hurt over seeing her in bed with Kyle, he understood in an absurd kind of way why she did it. She had the best of intentions but he didn’t have to like it.

“Hey Maxwell.” Max saw Michael riding up to him on his dirt bike. He stopped next to Max and took his helmet off.

“What’s up?” Max asked, curious as to why he’d stopped by.

“We need to go and get Iz’s graduation gift. She keeps bugging me about what I got her. Man, I haven’t got a clue what to get her. So why don’t you come with me to Jensen’s before it closes and pick her up something.” Michael climbed off his bike.

“Okay, just give me a minute to clean up and change.” Max wiped his hands on his clothes then started walking toward to house.

“Hurry up; they’re closing in an hour.” Michael insisted as he followed Max into the house.

“I thought you were working tonight.” Max asked as he took off his shirt and grabbed a clean pair of pants out of the closet. He walked into the bathroom and changed.

“I was but it’s my short day today. Jose is minding the grill now.” Michael answered through the closed door.

Max walked out with a towel in his hands, drying his face. “Are you ready?” Max grabbed his keys and they left.

*****************************************************

Jensen’s Department Store~



“I heard about you and Liz. You two must have had been pretty loud. Liz’s old man was really pissed today.” Michael inquired as he opened up a vanilla scented candle and smelled the contents that were inside.

“He was pissed off last night too. He ran me off. What did he say?” Max asked.

“He just grilled Liz about why you were on her balcony so late and why you were yelling at her like that.” Michael answered and then picked up another candle and smelled it.

“What did she say?” Max knew that Liz would have made up something. He just wished she didn’t have to deal with her dad’s interrogation because of him.

“That you and her had a difference of opinion and lost track of time discussing it.”

“That’s good.”

“Maxwell. I’m kind of curious about why just a difference of opinion would lead to a shouting match. I understand why Liz would go off but not you.”

Instinctively, Max knew he couldn’t tell Michael about what Liz told him because he knew Michael, being Michael, would go in soldier-mode and start preparing himself for a battle that may never come. The one thing he agreed on with his future self was the less people knew about the future the better.

“Michael I’d rather keep it between me and Liz, if that’s okay.”

“What ever. Just do me a favor, don’t hurt her again. It makes Maria mad and that makes me mad.”

“I have no intention of ever hurting Liz again.”

Content with that answer, Michael began looking through the picture frames.
“Isabel’s present; any ideas? I know she’ll want something big and expensive and I’m strapped for cash these days.” Max and Michael walked out the home furnishing department and made their way towards the electronics.

“I’ll lend you some money if you need it. Brody gave me a raise before he left on his sabbatical with his daughter, so I have a little bit more cash on hand these days.”

“No. that’s okay. I’ll come up with something.” Michael walked over to the CDs and began looking through them. “Brody left pretty quick. Do you think he remembered anything about what happened last week?”

“No, he seemed to be still under Tess’s mindwarp.” Max’s stomach clinched as he mentioned her name. She used her power to mindwarp Brody so he wouldn’t remember holding all them hostage and Max healing him. It seemed like another lifetime ago and another person had lived it. Like his memories of Antar, the last couple of weeks felt like a bad dream.”

“That’s one good thing that lying bitch did before she left.” Michael was still angry over what Tess did.

“Yeah well, Brody thinks that he was abducted again. He said that this last abduction was enough for him and that he wanted to spend more quality time with Sydney. He did leave a manager in charge. He’s pretty nice. And the best part is he’s not an alien-fanatic.”

“That’s kinda good. Then he won’t be as suspicious.”

………………………………

“So Max almost blew you off the balcony last night.” Maria asked as she began searching through the perfume displays. She sprayed one on her wrist and then smelled it. The scent made her wrinkle up her nose. “Max was acting crazed last night when he came over after the argument you had with him.”

“Let’s just say he wasn’t thrilled about my confession.” Liz really didn’t want to rehash all of this right now but she knew Maria would keep pushing. Luckily the store was about to close pretty soon and her ordeal would be over.

“He said that you went off on him too. Good for you. It’s about time.” She grabbed a gift set of Isabel’s favorite perfume and body lotion. Maria remembered how much Isabel liked to wear Anais Anais and how great it smelled.

“Maria do you really think Isabel is going to like this?” Liz asked as she held up a beautiful lead crystal jewelry box. Liz hated shopping. She never knew what to get people. Isabel was hardly an exception. Her taste was always for the finest things.

“For the hundredth time, yes she’ll love it. Let’s go into electronics and see if I can find something else there for her.” Or someone. Maria said under her breath hoping Liz couldn’t hear.

Maria and Liz turned the corner and walked into the electronics area. Maria spotted Michael right away and gave him a nod.

“Michael, funny meeting you and Max here together, you know, since I’m here with Liz. What a coincidence right.” She was trying to be subtle.

“Um…yeah, what are the odds?” Michael agreed as he tried to go along with Maria’s plan to set up Max and Liz.

Max felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up before he had even noticed that Liz was walking towards him. She always had that kind of magnetizing effect on him. Now she was standing there staring wide eyed at him like any minute she was going to bale.

“Liz.” He decided to speak first.

“Hi Max.” She replied in an irritated voice. Liz wasn’t expecting to see Max here. Damn Maria and Michael for putting her on the spot like this.

“Okay, Michael and I have a date. You can get a ride from Max can’t you?” Maria saw only daggers coming her way from Liz’s eyes. She knew she was going to have to pay for this little set-up. “Okay Spaceboy, lets ring this stuff up and go get something to eat.”

Michael followed behind Maria. “Sorry man.” He muttered to Max over his shoulder as they both walked off together, leaving an uncomfortable Max and Liz alone.


********************************************

CHAPTER 10 TEASER


"We got married in Vegas, Max." Liz could see some kind of recognition in his expression.

"The vision I saw when we were there. It was real?" Max felt like any minute the ground was going to give way.

Sorry for the delay. RL has been hectic.

Luna_Seer: I'm glad you like the story and can see both sides. Thanks for the feedback

frenchkiss70: I'm happy to see that you are still reading and enjoying this. Always greet feedback from you.


Okay this is kind of a short chapter. Chapter 11 has alot going on in it that I didn't want some of the significant details missed in this chapter.
And sorry I misled everyone with the teaser on the last chapter. it was a last minute decision to save that scene for a later Ch. The teaser is for Ch. 11.

***I have to stop and give a huge thank you to my beta Roslover39 who proves her beta worth, time and time again!!!!!***


Enjoy


A/N: Liz’s dialogue from CH 9 is in Indigo. Song lyrics are from Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol and are in regular type.



Chapter 10


The Chevelle~

Max and Liz sat quietly in the tension filled Chevelle. Maria and Michael set them up to be alone and talk out their differences. But so much had been said the night before and the hurt was still fresh in both of their minds. The top was down on the car, so the fresh warm New Mexico breeze was whipping Liz’s hair everywhere. She longed for a clip or hair tie to control her wayward locks. Liz shifted around in her seat. She wasn’t used to the new car. She could ring Maria's neck for placing her in this position.

“Nice car. Where did you get it?” Liz asked, trying to break the silence.

“I bought it at Conway’s right after we came home from the desert.” Max answered in a matter-of-fact sort of way, as he kept his eyes on the road. He was feeling kind of awkward sitting next to Liz. Damn Michael and his meddling.

“For an older car, it seems to run great.” She was trying to make small talk, something she was never really good at.

“I have Isabel to thank for that. She promised that it would purr like a kitten and she was right. She was always so much better at that kind of thing anyway. Next year I might take auto shop so I can do the work on this car by hand…” He looked over at her and gave her a little smile, “you know the normal way.”

A few seconds passed without another word spoken. Is this how things were going to be between them; this feeling of unease around each other? Just spitting out meaningless pleasantries just to be polite? Max wondered to himself. No, he didn’t believe that. There was still a connection. He could feel it even if she didn’t.

“Listen Liz, I want to apologize for yelling at you the way I did last night. You just took me by surprise and I was angry but I should have handled it in a calmer way.”

“I said some things that I’m not proud of, myself. But I was hurt and angry too. I never wanted to keep any of it from you. I swear. There were so many times that I wanted to tell you. So many chances that came and went because I felt I had to do it for everyone's sake. You don’t know how truly sorry I am.” She wiped a stray tear from her cheek as Max parked the car in front of the Crashdown.

“Liz.” He pleaded as she stepped out of the car.

She stopped and looked at him. “Yeah Max?”

“Um….are you going to be there at Isabel’s party tomorrow evening?”

“Yes, I’ll be there.”

“Great…um I mean I’ll see you there.” He was trying to contain his excitement as much as he could. Being this close to her made it really hard to be angry with her.

“Thanks for the ride Max.” She walked toward the entrance of the restaurant and couldn’t help but remember the last time he had dropped her off there. He was leaving the planet and she wasn’t going to see him anymore. It gave her an unsettling feeling to realize how close she had come to living her life without Max in it. No matter what was said or unsaid between them, Liz knew that a life without Max was unthinkable.

………………….

The scent of Liz still lingered in the car as Max pulled up to the front of his house and parked. It was like a reminder, teasing him about a love that might never be his again. The scent was faint but unmistakably Liz. He placed his hand on the passenger seat and felt the warmth that she left behind. He missed her already. They had made some progress tonight. Maria and Michael’s scheme paid off some what. He knew Liz didn’t hate him. That knowledge alone, Max thought, was a great place to start.

Max got out the car and made his way into the house. Thankfully everyone was already in bed, making it easy for him to just sneak into his room without getting the third degree from Isabel and his parents.

He pulled off all of his clothes except for his blue boxer shorts and white undershirt. He turned off the light and slid his tired body into bed. He had an eventful day ahead of him and needed the sleep but his mind, like always overwhelmed him with visions of Liz. This time he was reminded of something she had said last night.

“We became lovers the night you picked me up for the Gomez concert."

Looking back, he remembered how nervous he was before he left to pick her up that night. He had been worried that she would have turned him down again. But the original night had been changed. Liz and his future self changed what would’ve been the most beautiful night of their lives and turned it into a living hell for him.

What would our lives have been like if the future had not been tampered with? Were the other Max and Liz happy together? Did they get married and have children? Max pondered all the what ifs and could have beens until he felt like screaming. It was like he had stepped into the “Twilight Zone” and couldn’t get out.

It wasn’t long before his exhaustion got the best of him and he fell asleep.
……………

“Max, why do you keep coming here, when I’ve told over and over that we don’t belong together?” He had shown up again. This time with tickets to a concert she had already told him that she wasn’t going to. He was making it so hard for Liz to say no to him. Liz could feel her resolve ebbing away each time he came near her.

“Because I have nothing left to lose. Don’t you understand? My life means nothing to me unless you’re in it. It’s that simple.” Max closed the distance between them and grabbed her hand. “I can’t breathe without your touch Liz.” He placed two of her fingers on his full lips. “I can’t eat for the thought of never being able to kiss you again,” He moved her hand so it rested on the hard swell of his chest “and this doesn’t beat when it’s broken.”

“Max…”

“Shh…enough Liz.” He whispered softly, looking tenderly down at her face and then lowered his mouth to hers; a gentle whisper of a kiss at first then his mouth became hungry and seeking. He could feel her relax in his arms as she responded to the warm, electrified sensation of his tongue gliding over hers.

We’ll do it all
Everything
On our own
We don’t need anything or anyone


One hand curved at the nape of her neck and the other under her shirt caressing her back, sending chills all over her body. He broke free from her mouth, only to glide the tip of his tongue along the hollow of her neck. She tilted her head to the side to give him better access. It felt so good to finally be in each others arms. A faint sigh escaped from her lips as his kisses blazed a trail along her throat to her ear lobes. Liz needed to feel all of Max, to feel his skin on hers. She clutched at his shirt, lifting it over his head and then ran her small hands over his expansive pectoral muscles, feeling them tremble under her touch. His mouth claimed hers again, thrusting his tongue ever deeper inside.


Without pulling apart, they moved closer to the bed that was in the middle of Liz’s room. With nervous hands, Max began unbuttoning Liz’s blouse. He let one side fall away to reveal one of her shoulders. He bent down and kissed it, then let the other side drop until the shirt fell to the floor. Desire glazed over his eyes as he unfastened her bra and slid it off her shoulders. The sight of her delicate breasts stirred his desire even more. With a tentative hand, he cupped one her soft mounds and lightly circled her deep rosy nipple with his thumb.

I don’t quite know
How to say
How I feel

Under his touch, Liz felt a yearning inside her. She let out a moan when he took one of her nipples in his searing mouth, rolling his fiery tongue around the hard peak. Her hands reached for the button of his jeans, then unfastened them and slid them down his legs. Max kicked his jeans and Converse sneakers aside. Liz could see his desire jutting out through the boxers he was wearing and a hint of apprehension raced through her. But it was quickly erased by the feel of Max’s mouth on hers again, taking in every inch of his tongue. The feeling of his body pressed into hers, of his erection, hard on her stomach gave Liz a shiver of excitement.

Max lowered Liz down onto the bed and slowly removed her shoes for her, kissing each toe before putting her leg back. With trembling hands, he unzipped her skirt and pulled it down and off. In one smooth motion he pulled her pink cotton panties all the way down. For a few seconds he stood above her admiring her lovely completely naked form.

“I love you so much, Liz.” His voice quaked as he spoke. He looked into Liz’s eyes and saw acceptance and love coming from her.

Those three words
I said too much
Then not enough

“I love you too Max. I never stopped loving you.” She sat up and pulled him closer to her, grabbing his face with both hands and kissed him softly. His hands moved down her body, gliding feather strokes across her breasts, along her flat stomach and ribs and then down between her thighs. He timidly slipped his fingers in between her lower lips and found that she was wet. Noticing how her body responded to his intimate invasion, he began to instinctively stroke the sensitive bud hidden within. As Max slid one of his fingers inside of her, her breathing became faster.
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world

Liz urgently pulled down Max’s boxers and threw them across the room. Her slim inexperienced fingers gently encased his engorged shaft, making him rapidly suck in air. He moaned audibly as she began stroking it up and down with an unpracticed rhythm. It took all he had to keep from taking her right then and there. He could feel how wet and ready she was for him.

Forget what we’re told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden bursting into life.

“L…Liz you’d better stop or I’m gonna cum in your hand.” He grabbed her hand to stop her then and bent down off the bed to get the condom out of his wallet. Liz peered down at Max’s naked body as he rolled the condom down on his long length. He gave her bashful smile.

“You’re so beautiful.” Liz said in awe of the man in front of her. The taut muscles of his physique were bathed in the warm, golden glow of the candle light.

“No, you’re the beautiful one Liz.” He breathed in harshly as his eyes, again scanned over the bare body of the only woman he ever loved.

I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own

He lay down on top of her and positioned himself at her opening. Once again he slid his finger deep inside of her, one finger at first then two. Her silky walls tightened around his fingers as he brushed her clitoris with his thumb. Her hips began to buck under him, as he couldn’t restrain his desire any longer. Max promptly withdrew his fingers and slowly pushed his long hard length inside of her. She was so warm and tight and he began to worry that he would hurt her.

“Are you okay?” He whispered raggedly into her ear.

“Yes…um I think so.” He wasn’t very far inside, but he felt so big and heavy to her. She wanted him to just get it over with…to feel as close as she could possibly get to him. So she gripped his ass with both hands and pushed him on until he filled her completely. They both gasped in pain as he stilled himself deep inside of her. His mouth possessed hers as he moved painfully slow inside of her. He tore his mouth from hers and watched her expression change from discomfort to arousal as he picked up the pace of his thrusts. He kissed her neck, her breasts, and then closed his lips around each nipple, teasing them with his tongue. She felt like hot silk around his shaft, contracting tightly from her building ecstasy.

The feel of Max thrusting in and out of her was intoxicating. When the pain eased her sensations changed dramatically. As she wrapped her legs around him, he plunged deeper, finally filling her. He slipped his finger down in between them and began massaging her engorged clit.

“Max.” She cried out, fueling his need for release. He thrust his tongue into her mouth while speeding up the tempo of his thrusts. Liz glided her hands over his sweat moistened back then down to his ass, gripping it with both hands as she kept up with each powerful thrust. In time she felt like she was falling over the edge of the Earth. He moaned and softly grunted in her hair as he lost all ability to control himself.

All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see

“Oh my God Liz!” He plunged into her climaxing so deep into her that he felt like he would be merged with her forever. Their simultaneous climax was an extraordinary fusion of sensations. Colors were brighter, smells much stronger, hearing more attuned, and their touches felt electrified. Images and emotions from their past, as well as the most recent, came fast and furious, washing away clean the hurt and fears that they were holding on to for so long.

I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things will never change for us at all

After what seemed like an eternity of sheer and all encompassing bliss, Max freed himself from her and gathered her up in his arms.

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

……………


Max quickly opened his eyes to find the room brightened by the morning sun and that he was hard and wet under his boxers. It wasn’t the first time that he dreamt of making love to Liz but this time it felt like a memory. He could still feel how warm and excited she felt beneath him. It was the same feeling of déjà vu that he had in Las Vegas, seeing him and Liz coming out of the taxi after just being married. Was this just a just a wet dream of something he hoped would happen or a glimpse into a future that might have been?

****************************************************

CHAPTER 10 TEASER


"We got married in Vegas, Max." Liz could see some kind of recognition in his expression.

"The vision I saw when we were there, it was real?" Max felt like any minute the ground was going to give way.
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