GET CAUGHT DAY DREAMING...

Made By: max and liz believer

Title: Unreachable
Author:POM & Drogyn( <---My BETA!! You Rock!! )
Disclaimer: I owe nothing of Roswell or it's characters...just having some fun!
Rating:Mature
Pairing:
CC/UC<---only in the begining > Max & Liz Mainly

---

Authors Note: Hello all readers!! just wanted to take this time to say that this is my first trip down the NON aliens fanfic section. so it's really exciting for me to send out my newest story! It's mainly of Max and Liz's POV but everyone else will venture in there POV's as well. This story was inspiried by as song. Ashlee Simpsons: Unreachable, and I just wanted to point out that this song will be used two times in this story so if you see it in two different chapters, it's not a mis print. All readers and Lurkers are welcome!! Enjoy!

Summary:

After high school everyone spilt to do there own things... Liz and Maria became Registered Nurses at the local hospital in Roswell, While still helping her parents out at the crashdown from time to time, Kyle joined the Marines. and has been with Liz off and on for the past 9 yrs., Alex and Isabel eloped and got married right after high school. Alex is a Lawyer, and they live in New York. Michael also lives in New York, and is also a lawyer and works with Alex. Max and Tess have been serious since High School, Sweethearts actually. Max is a Doctor in Boston, and lives with Tess... but ten years later they all come back to the town that they abandond for there 10 year Renioun of the class of 2002. When they all come back everything turns upside down...some more than others

Chapter one: Just another Day

[Hope Memorial Hospital, Roswell New Mexico....August 23, 2012]
Liz POV

“Liz Parker, when are you gonna go out with me?”, Tom asks, and not for the first time. I look at him and I can't help but roll my eyes.

“Do we have to go through this every time we have a shift together, Tom?”, I ask. It was flattering the first fifty times he asked… now it's more annoying.

He simply nods… kind of like he did the last twenty times I turned him down. “One of these days you’re going to give in to the luring of Tom Brady... you just wait and see miss Parker...one day when you’re least expecting it...”, he says so seriously that I have to cover my mouth with my hand just to keep me from laughing out loud.

“Well, that day is definitely not today, Tom", I say with a smirk; a smirk that hides my laughs and which took me years to perfect. I suppose I can just tell him to piss off, but even though he can be annoying from time to time, he's still funny enough to keep around.

I quickly exit the room before he can come up with a new counterargument, and I head out to find Dr. Thomas. One of the patients asked specifically for him. Well, I don't have to look long, I already see him just twenty feet in front of me.

“Hey Dougie, Mrs. Johnson is asking for you. She keeps saying that you’re her favorite doctor, and she doesn't want to see anyone but you”, I tell him with another one of my famous smirks as he turned around to face me.

“I thought I asked you to stop calling me that”, he says, trying to sound serious but failing miserably as I can already see a grin form on his face. I couldn’t keep a smile off my face either.

“Yes. I remember you saying something of that sort, but doesn’t mean I will, Dougie”, I laugh as he just looks at me, and doesn’t join in. Doesn't he have any sense of humor? Well, in a way, that just makes it even funnier.

“Real mature Liz, really. How old are you again?”, he asks as he looks at me seriously again. Honestly Dougie, a smile a day keeps the wrinkles away. I just smirk at him.

“I refuse to answer that question, Dougie. Anyway, back to Mrs. Johnson… she’s been complaining of back problems. I gave her 200 grams of morphine, like dr. Sierra said, but she still wants to see you so can you do a whole exam on her to make sure she is alright?” I tried my best not to laugh.

“Okay Liz, first of all, I honest to God hope that you meant 200 milligrams of morphine… and second of all… with all the doctors here, why does she insist on seeing me? Every single time she comes in, she asks for me and refuses to cooperate with anyone else. Why on Earth is that?” He sighed as he grabbed the chart.

“Well, it seems like she has a bit of a crush on you", I giggle as he looks disgusted. He may not have a sense of humor but he's still funny.

“Liz! She’s like, 80 years old!”, he exclaimed.

“I don't know what to say", I say, "I’m telling you the truth, she even told me... but don’t tell her that I told you, she wants to play hard to get”, I say with a laugh as he started walking away to the examination room.

“You're evil, Liz...every time she comes in, you and Maria are encouraging her. It doesn't matter why she keeps coming back, you keep doing it”, he shouted out.

“Yeah, whatever Dougie”, I yell back before he steps into the elevator..

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. Maria is looking for you. She looked nervous… even more nervous than usual”, he says

“Thanks. Now you go see mrs Johnson. I’ll be back to check up on you two lovebirds shortly”, I laugh as he waved his hand at me to indicate that he doesn't think this is funny, just before the elevator doors close.

~~

“So Maria... what is on your mind today?”, I ask as I breeze into the break room. Oh great, it's one of those days again. You see, one thing you need to understand about Maria is that she tends to overreact from time to time. And seeing her nervously pacing around the room is definitely sign number one.

“Where have you been?”, she asks nervously. Did you notice the forceful attitude? That's sign number two. The third step will be her trying to act calm and finally, step four will consist of incoherent babbling. Don't tell me I don't know my best friend.

“Um...let me see...well, I think; I think I was working Maria. Something you should be doing as well", I say. I know it makes her even more nervous but I can't resist. "But really, what is the pressing emergency?”, I ask as she hands me a piece of paper.

Okay, now I start to freak out too. I have no idea why. “What is it?”, I ask her almost afraid to look at the piece of paper

“Just read it.” she says calmly. For some reason, I'm expecting the absolute worst but when my eyes quickly scan through the piece of paper, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. I suddenly feel like strangling my best friend. After my dad passed away, I know I'm easy to freak out; something that's definitely not always a good thing when hanging out with Maria

“Maria, it’s an invitation.” I sigh. Is that all she was worried about?

“Not just any invitation. It’s for our ten year high school reunion!”, she exclaims loudly. I'm used to her doing that; it's almost a second nature for her to shout… my poor ears.

“Yeah… so?”, I question her. I don't get why she's being so nervous about it.

“Liz, this is the time where everyone comes back home to that crappy little town that they left behind to remember how things were, back went they were young! I’m not young anymore...I’m an old maid...trying to be young. I am aren’t I? Look at us...we are practically thirty years old and we have nothing to show for it. We’re single, we ha—“, she rambled before I cut her off mid-sentence.

“I have Kyle, remember?”, I say, shooting a fake smile at Maria as she rolled her eyes.

“Liz, I don’t think it counts if the guy isn’t with you for more than a day. Yeah... maybe you love him, but even if you do, you don’t even know if he loves you back”, she says. Did I mention I hate it when she's right?

“Maria”, I sigh heavily.

“What? I’m just saying that you should just keep your options open. Yeah, Kyle claims that he loves you. But that’s what he says now, because he’s stationed here now. But what happens when he gets sent to another state?”, she asks with a pitying look. Great! Now I'm depressed. Thanks

“I don’t know Ria”, I say sternly, looking her in the eye.

“I’m going to be picking up the pieces of your heart for the rest of your life”, she says. Did she just say that Kyle is gonna break my heart and that I'll be heartbroken for the rest of my life? What a way to kick me when I'm down.

“Then what do you suggest?”, I say, "Just tell me, Maria"

Did you ever say something that you regretted the second the word left your mouth? I do now. The second the words left my mouth, I knew I was in for it. That crooked smile on her face spoke volumes. “Maxwell Evans”, she just says

Wait a minute… did she just say… Max Evans? God, just those two words were enough to send my heart plunging into the deep blue sea. “M-Max Evans?”, I stutter and she smiled at that notion. Sometimes, I wish I wasn't so transparent.

“The one and only mr Quarterback himself”, she said with a smirk. I think I'm getting why Dougie hates it when I do that.

“Wait. I thought he was taken by that blonde girl… what's her name? Tessina Harding”, I say.

“That’s not what our good friend Whitman says”, she says and there's that smirk again. She's really loving this.

“Maria didn't I tell you to stop gossiping. It’s not good for the soul”, I laugh, trying to lighten the mood. I just receive an eye roll for that.

“Look at us Maria. We're like twenty eight years old and we are talking like we're still in high school, waiting for Mr. Seligman's class to start. It’s ridiculous”, I say.

A few seconds later, one of the doctors enters the room. “Elizabeth, dr Sierra is asking for you", he said.

“Yeah, I’m coming. Maria, I suggest you get back to work yourself before Dr. Carter comes in here and finds out that this is your secret hiding place”, I say calmly

“Like he’s ever going to find out”, she laughs off.

“He will if I tell him”, I say with a smirk. Yes, that's right ladies and gentlemen, Liz is back in the offensive!

“Don't you dare Parker... Liz, if you do that you’re gonna pay for it!”, she shouts as I leave the room. I drown out her screams as I start to walk to the front desk to see who needs my help.

I look at the clock. 2:30 AM… I sigh heavily. This is gonna be a long shift.

___________________________________________________

[Boston....August 23, 2012]
Max POV

Sometimes, I have these rare moments of reflection where I take a look at myself and where I stand at this moment. Now is such a time. As I step out of my car and breathe in the humid air, I’m having such a moment. I can't deny that everything seems to be going great for me here in Boston. I'm in good health, I have a wonderful girlfriend who I'm hoping to marry and I have my family and a fine circle of friends. Life is good, I really can’t deny that. Still… and I don’t really know why… I can’t stop to think about what my life would have been like if I had gone a different way in life.

I can still remember the soft ness of her hair, the scent of her perfume and that captive smile. She was my high school crush, and she was and will always be in my mind. But when the time came to make a choice, I didn’t choose her. Instead I choose the girl who was most the most popular at the time; Tessina Harding. Right out of high school, I had gotten her pregnant. We never got married though; we just wanted to raise the baby together. But five months into her term, something terrible happened. I came home and found her crying on the bathroom floor, holding her slightly engorged belly and whimpering softly. We had lost our baby. We got through it together and we came even closer in those next months to come. I began to really love her and several years later, I knew for sure that I loved her with all my heart.

But I have a feeling deep down inside me, asking me if I chose the right girl on that fateful moment in high school. Only time will tell... right?

Suddenly, the sound of one of my favorite songs echoes in my ears. I take a few seconds to appreciate the sound before I snap out of it and realize that it’s my phone ringing. I take the phone out of my pocket and read the caller ID. It says Guerin. I’m not expecting a call from him today so I quickly answer the call. I hope nothing’s wrong.

“Hey man...what’s up?”, I say

“Hey I just got an invitation. Guess for what”, he says and I can hear the excitement in his voice. What is it with people when they want to say something but they want someone else to guess it first.

“The queen of France invited you for breakfast”, I say without any hesitation

"Don’t be stupid Max. France doesn’t have a queen. No, it’s the invitation for the reunion of the Roswell class of 2002. That’s what!”, he says excitedly

“Come on Michael, it’s been ten years already!”, I say with a loud sigh.

“Maxwell, that’s why they call it a reunion. And I was just wondering if you were going”, he asks casually

“I don’t know...I mean being back in Roswell, It’s going to be pretty strange don’t you think?”, I say

“Yeah, I guess. If you think of it that way, I suppose. I thought you’d like to see Parker again”, he says.

Hey, no fair bringing her into the mix. “Why would you think that?”, I ask trying to sound like I don’t care, but meanwhile, my heart is pounding in my chest... just by the mere mention of her name.

“Oh, please Maxwell… remember I know your little secret? You loved her all your life. You’re the one who told me on graduation day or did you forget?” He says. Well, I actually did forget that I told him. I can just picture that annoying grin that must be on his face right this second.

“Michael!”, I just shout. Okay, lousy comeback.

“What? I didn’t tell anyone”, he says indignantly”, “…You forgot didn’t you?” He laughs out. Guess I’m more transparent than I thought; even through the phone. “Talk about a bad memory Maxwell”, he continues. Yeah, rub some more salt in the wound, Michael.

“Shut up”, I say sternly, or at least as stern as I can be, “So maybe I did. That really doesn’t matter anymore”

“Yes it does! What if she loves you too?”, Michael says. This is exactly what I should be hearing right about now.

“Did you forget that I’m still with Tess?”, I ask him curiously.

“Really? I thought you’d have broken it off by now”, he says. He never liked Tess and he never made a secret of it either. He was always saying that it felt like she was out to get something… something she didn’t have. And he must have told me to watch my back about a million times.

“No... I’m really happy with her. She makes me happy, Michael”, I say with what I know is a goofy grin on my face.

“Hey, I just hope that she’s good to you Maxwell. That’s all. You’re my best friend; I’m just trying to look out for you”, he says. He knows exactly what to say to butter me up before bringing up the reunion thing again.

“I know you are man, but that’s what Isabel is for”, I say with a knowing look.

“You know what I mean”, he sighs into the phone.

“Yeah I do Mikey...but don’t worry...I love her and she loves me and I think we are going to be really happy together”, I say

“I hope you are Max, but just take the reunion thing into consideration, okay? I talked to Alex and Isabel about it and we are going to fly out on Thursday”, he says.

“So… have you heard anything from Maria… or Liz?” I curiously ask him.

“No... and if Whitman did he didn't say anything... Hell, I don’t even know if they live in Roswell or what? I guess you’ll know if you come back”, he says.

See how he’s edging me towards Roswell? I need to hang up now before I say something stupid. “Yeah yeah... I have a meeting to set up for Mikey. I'll talk to you later”, I say

"Don't work too hard", I say and I smirk as I can hear him sigh through the phone.

"That is an understatement! See ya Max and remember: Roswell. Thursday", he answers

When I hang up, my thoughts immediately drift back to the summer of 2001; back to Liz.

*~*~*~*~*~
It was in the summer going into our senior year. The coach wasn’t in that day, meaning we got a day off from practice, so I took this opportunity to go to the local café; the one that Liz worked at. She was everything I wanted in a girl, she was sweet, funny, cute, smart, and every other little thing I could name. I loved everything about her, but she wasn’t exactly popular and our friends didn’t mix very well so we had never gotten together. I had valued popularity over personality so to speak. I walked into the Crashdown and there she was in all her glory; taking an order, laughing and helping the customers decide on what they should have. I took my seat at my usual booth, and just looked at her and revelled in her beauty.

“Welcome to the Crashdown, can I take your order?”, she casually asked me. When she looked up, she was definitely surprised to see it was me.

“Max... hey... I thought you had practice?”, she stammered

“Yeah...umm coach Rightman was sick, so they decided to give the defending champs a day off”, I smirked as she smiled and I felt something electric travel through my body in a rapid motion.

“Okay, so will this defending champion have his usual then?”, she said with a smile and when I nodded, she started to write down my order. Soon enough she was back with my drink.

“Here you go...one Cherry Coke”, she said as she passed me an alien straw. As I took it from her I grabbed a hold of her hand.

“Thanks Liz. Do you wa—“, I started to say, but then I heard several familiar voices from behind me.

I turned to see who it was and it was none other than Tessina and her best friend Pam Troy and her gang of girly, popular, stuck up friends.

“Max! What are you doing here, baby?...I thought you were at practice...What a pleasant surprise!”, she squealed as she came over and kissed me on the lips while her friends just stood there and glared at us. I noticed that Liz was still standing there, looking at me. She couldn’t hide her disappointment at that moment; I noticed the look on her face when my girlfriend walked in, she looked upset; hurt. I admit that I felt the same way but Tessina was my girlfriend and I couldn’t let her see my love for Liz. I just couldn't.

“God Liz, can't you drool over some other guy? Can’t you see Max is taken?” Pam Troy snapped to Liz since she was just standing there looking at me for I don’t know how long now.

I didn’t understand why Tess and Pam hated Liz so much, but they just did. Liz on the other hand had always tried to get along with them, but the more friendly she got, the more they would tease and make fun of her.

“Yeah Parker! Why don’t you go scrub something, and in the mean time, get your eyes off my boyfriend. I don’t think Kyle would like the situation you are in right now, don’t you think so Max?”, she asked me but I couldn’t bring my eyes to meet Liz’s.

“Tess, Pam... get the thorn out of your asses and leave Liz alone”, I gritted through my teeth. I was angry… no… furious, that they would speak that way to Liz.

Tess was obviously in the process of ignoring me as she continued to attack Liz.

“So… where is that boyfriend of yours, Lizzie Parker? You know that you don’t deserve him...he’s too good for you. He’s good-looking… you’re not… he’s cool.. you’re not… he’s popular...you're not... and that’s all there really is to it. One of these days, he’s going to see what a mistake you were and dump your sorry ass", Tess sneered. The girls at the table all started laughing at her. I couldn’t believe what just happened... what they hell was wrong with them? I could see that Liz was close to tears now. She tried to say something but the words just weren’t coming out of her mouth. I had to do something... I had to step up...be a strong man... or maybe just a regular man…

“TESS, JUST SHUT UP... WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!”, I nearly shouted in the crowded restaurant, causing the girls to jump and that definitely shut her up, but it did leave a devilish smile on her face that I couldn’t place.

“I’ll be back with your order, Max...” Liz said as she left to the back room.

I couldn’t even face Tess right now, but Pam did make a comment as Liz left the room.
“Aaaaw... Poor Lizzy... She’s crying...Poor baby” she teased until I sent her a look that made her stiffen up for a few seconds. She regained her composure a lot faster than I hoped though.

“Evans, you're no fun", Pam said, "C’mon ladies...we don’t need this; we have to get ready for the big party at Valenti's place tonight. Tess… aren’t you coming?", she added when Tess was still staring at me. "She snapped out of it and nodded to Pam and followed her lead, but before Tess could leave, I took her arm and pulled her close to me. “This isn’t over Tess. We need to talk”, I said sternly. She didn’t say anything, not that I expected her to… she just pulled her arm from my grasp and made her way out of the restaurant.

My thoughts immediately went back to Liz. I carefully peaked my head through the back door and I could see Liz crying on the stairs leading up to her house.

“Liz?” I asked compassionately as I approached her

“Max?...”, she said. Her voice was barely audible, she looked and I could see that her nose was red as well as her eyes, and my heart broke in that instant.

“You shouldn’t be back here”, she told me.

“Liz, don’t let them get to you...you are better than this; better than them. They just don’t see that; they just don’t want to see it”, I said. She looked up to me and smiled… and that meant the world for me.

“Max, you don’t have to say that—really..”, she sniffed

“No...I’m not saying it because you got attacked for no reason... I’m telling you because it’s the truth Liz. You are so much better than you realize, you are ten times the person Tessina Harding will ever be", I said

“Max...”, she sighed heavily and then looked up at me, realizing that I wasn’t just saying that to earn points with her; she knew I meant it… she knew that was how I saw her. I went and sat down besides her.

“Liz, I’m telling you the truth...because everything I’m telling you is how I really feel”, I said as I reached up, gently wiped away her tears and looked into her eyes.

“You're perfect... Liz Parker...”, I heard myself say

“No, I’m not”, Liz defended

“Yes.. you are..”, I insisted and at that moment our eyes were locked and we shared a moment unlike anything I ever felt. My breathing increased as my face was only inches away from hers... I could sense the smell of violets and lilies emanating from her soft, sweet skin.

“You are perfect to me, Liz... you’ve always been perfect”, I said; our lips inching closer and closer to each other, and—

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

*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*

I nearly jumped out of skin. Being forced back into reality really bites... I look at my pager and it was the hospital. Of course… why did I even bother checking? A nurse ran out of the hospital shortly after.

“Dr. Evans...one of your patients is crashing; Ben Tomson...”, she says in a frantic tone. And yet she’s here outside talking to me. Good help is so hard to find.

“What?...Shit!...”, I mumble under my breath and run in after the nurse as I think to myself... Liz Parker will just have to wait...for another day.


__________________________________________________________

[Hope Memorial Hospital, Roswell New Mexico....August 24, 2012]
Maria's POV

I hoped that the day would pass by quickly. Liz called me last night to tell me that she had to cover her mom's shift at the Crashdown so I'm stuck with a double shift. It's 7PM at the moment; that means I've been here for thirteen hours already… but that also means I still have three hours to go. God, will this day never end? Why can't time hurry… just for me… just this one time?

"Sleep! I need sleep!", I exclaim as I throw myself on the front desk in the nurse's quarters. I can hear a few doctors and nurses giggle around me. And they call themselves my friends…

"Well, you know DeLuca...you can come and sleep with me. I don't mind really", one of the doctors barks out. Admittedly, he's definitely tall, dark and handsome, but still… no way in hell! I know it's been years since I've gotten laid but I'm not that desperate. Don't get me wrong; I'm desperate, I'm just not that desperate. Part of the reason I'm not interested is because deep down inside, I really miss my ex-boyfriend; yes, that's right… mr. Guerin himself. God, I hate that.

Still, I'd better let him know just how what I'm feeling towards him. I look at him, take a deep breath, and walk up close to him until I can feel his heavy breathing on my forehead. I see him struggle for air as I stand so close in front of him

"Is that a promise, Gomez… or a guarantee?" I tease. Nothing like turning a guy like this on… before shooting him down like the rabid dog he is.

He smiles at me. "It's whatever you want it to be, DeLuca", he says and I can see both the doctors and the nurses giving us those perplexed kinds of looks.

I lean in even closer and whisper in his ear, a little more huskily than usual. It's just enough to send him over the edge and I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. "Not if you were the last scumbag on the face of this planet", I say with an equally husky voice and with that I walk away trying to look as serious as possible in doing so. And that's not easy, you know.

As I walked away, I can hear doctors and nurses laughing at him. "She told you...", one of the doctors says. "Gomez got told!", another one laughs. Apparently, me and Liz aren't the only ones who act like we're in high school.

"Just you wait, DeLuca… I'll get you sooner or later", he shouts after me as I roll my eyes and leave the room. I suppose I better continue working. Just two hours and fifty eight minutes to go.

For some reason, I keep thinking about Michael at this moment... I keep thinking about why it didn't work out between us. If me and Liz would go to this reunion, would he be there? I don't know. All I really know is that I miss him. It's been years and still… I miss him. "Why can't I get over you Michael...why?", I softly ask myself. I better go back to work and pray this day will end soon.

Chapter Two: Two Faced [Boston….August 24, 2012] Max POV “I don’t think that jumping off the roof was a very smart thing to do, Jimmy”, I tell my nine year old patient as he tries to tell me how he got into the mess that he’s in. I really try not to laugh. “Hey, you weren’t there! If I hadn’t jump off, I would have been the laughing stock of the entire class. I was dared… I had to do it! I didn’t want to be known as a chicken for the rest of my life”, the young boy says. I’m really impressed by his courage, but by doing what he did, he had broken his arm and both of his legs. “Well, Jimmy as much as I can give you props for jumping off a three story house and survive, you had better remember that you’re lucky that a few broken bones is all you have; you could have cracked open your head. If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?”, I ask him. I have to admit I’m kinda curious what he’s gonna answer. “To be popular? Yeah definitely, without a doubt!”, he exclaims. For some reason, I’m not surprised by his answer. “Being popular isn’t what it cracks out to be...just be glad for what you have”, I say, looking back and forth between the clock and my patient. “Just promise me you’ll think before you jump off anything… or better yet, just don't jump off anything anymore“, I say, looking at him and waited for his response. “Jimmy Aaron Carter, what the hell did you do?", I hear someone yell. One second later, his parents come rushing into the room. "My baby… Oh… my…God! You are so grounded, young man. What happened? Are you alright?”, his mom rambles. She's clearly freaked, and wouldn't you be if you found your child lying in a hospital bed. “I’m fine mom, just some broken bones”, he says, trying to pull away from his mom, but she has that motherly death grip on him and he knows as well as I do, there is no breaking her away from him anytime soon. “I’ll be back...in a minute..”, I say and I walk out of the room and closed the door behind me, only to hear loud shouting coming from inside of the room. Now I’m even gladder that I got out of the room. I laugh softly as I walk down to the break room; kids these days… When I enter the break room, I find my boss; the ER director Mark Hanson. “Max, I didn’t know you were still here… long shift?”, he asks as I pour myself a cup of coffee and sit down across the table. “You can say that again. This is my tenth cup of coffee tonight, I gotta keep going”, I say with a smile as he smirks. I set the cup to my lips and I start pouring the contents of the cup in my mouth, and as I drink the caffeinated beverage, I find myself getting more awake with each sip. “I actually wanted to talk to you Maxwell”, he says. Did he say Maxwell? He did, didn't he? That can't be good… he only calls me Maxwell when he's really serious and really important. “About what, Mark?”, I say, trying not to sound impatient. I really want him to just get to the point. “Well I have good news and then some bad news... Good news is that you got the job as Resident in Chief of The Emergency Room that you applied for, congratulations are in order. But the thing is that we are a bit crowded right now, and instead of holding the position for you and holding you back, another hospital has agreed to take you; Hope Memorial. They are willing to pay you two times as much as we ever could. It’s not like we don’t want you, but there are just a lot of layoffs ever since the new management took over last spring. I wouldn’t want you to be left with nothing so I pulled some strings and got you a job there", he says. Is it me or did he just… fire me? As I go through his words in my head, something else strikes me. Okay I got the job... but I had to relocate? Hope Memorial...why does that sound so familiar. Oh shit! “Hope Memorial...isn’t that in Roswell, New Mexico?” I asked trying to sound shocked. “Yeah, well...I thought you’d be happier there seeing as though you grew up there, and you’re family is there. I had to place you somewhere, and I thought that was the proper place for you right now. If you don’t like it, I’m sure they will agree with another transfer in an additional six months”, he says Is he really saying this? I’ve been working at this hospital for the past five years. They can’t just sack me! No wait, this is a joke. Am I on candid camera or something? “Are you bullshitting me?”, I calmly say as I wait for everyone to run out an yell, “APRIL FOOLS!!’ but very much doubt that was the deal seeing as through it isn’t April, but August. “No bullshit, Max. I’m sorry but it’s a done deal. You start there in four days, sorry for the short notice but the hospital just got back to me this morning. I’m sorry Maxwell, but tonight is your final shift here. I only hope there are no hard feelings; I tried really hard to keep you apart of the Boston team. But, there is just no room for you right now”, he says. I can’t say I like the guy very much at this moment. If this is still a joke, I’m not amused. I’m just sitting here, looking down at my cup of coffee, not saying anything. I try to say something but no words come out of my mouth. “You will be paid for the rest of the week, and I hope you do understand”, he says and with a heavy sigh, as if he was the one that got dumped, he walks out the door and into the hall towards his office. I on the other hand continue to just sit here for a few minutes more before getting up and starting to pack my stuff from my locker. I then finish the remaining hours of my shift. God, could this day get any worse? *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* [Roswell, New Mexico… August 24. 2012] Liz POV Ever tried to find the perfect outfit in a closet full of clothes? I’m trying it now, and I gotta say, digging in my closet was not fun. I have mounds of clothes on my bed… okay; well I’m exaggerating a little bit… I had all my clothes thrown around my room until I finally found my very sexy little black dress that makes every guy turn. Every girl has one...and I was proud to show mine off every time whenever I got the chance… and tonight was another one of those chances. Now that I fixed my hair... and my dress, I start to put on what little make up I use. “Oh..La...La... Where are you going?” Maria asks as she barges into the room with her Crashdown uniform on. She’s never been one for knocking. She was covering my shift for me, mainly because my mom still wasn’t feeling well… for like, the second week in a row. I’ve missed almost all my shifts at the hospital because I had to run the restaurant. Thankfully, Maria covered all my shifts at the hospital to make up the time. I turn around at the doorway, where she’s standing. “What do you think?”, I spin around for her as she laughs at me. “Again...where are you going?”, she demands to know. I swear, that woman couldn’t wait two seconds if her life depended on it. “Kyle is taking me out to a new club...I haven’t seen him since he got back from Massachusetts last week. This long distant relationship is really starting to get to him I guess”, I shrug off as I look at a very quiet Maria. This is far more unsettling than a rambling Maria, you know. “What?”, I cautiously ask her as I wait for my comment to sink in. “Well, I just thought you guys agreed to break it off a while ago? Well, at least that’s what you wanted—didn’t you?”, she says and I roll my eyes as I try my best to defend myself and my relationship with Kyle. “Maria, yeah...I was going to but he told me that he missed me and loved me and wanted to give us a second chance. Besides, I think he’s going to take the next step and pop—you know...”, I say. “Pop—Pop what?”, she ask, totally clueless of what I was going to say. “You know…” “No...I don’t...” “Maria...” “Liz... Just tell me!”, she impatiently exclaims. “I think Kyle Valenti is going to pop the big question!”, I grin happily. “What do you mean? Big question?”, she says. I swear sometimes she can be a real dope. “Marriage, Maria. I think he’s going to ask me to marry him.”, I say loudly. It doesn’t take long for her to react this time...she bursts out laughing and a fit of giggles erupted from her body. I so much want to slap her right now. She can still work with a black eye, right? “Stop...’Ria...What the hell is so funny?”, I demand to know. “You... y-you actually t-think he—he is going t-to Purpose??!!!?”, she asks; her face bright red right now and she’s actually almost crying. “Why is that such a shock to you? We’ve only been going out for like 6 years. Off and on of course, if that even counts”, I shout indignantly. I’m becoming very irritated with her behaviour right now; even more than before. “Liz, it’s not that I don’t have faith in you...and that everything in your future, it’s just that he’s not the committed kind of guy. He’s cheated on you before...every time he gets stationed in another state for his military duty, you don’t see the guy for a year at a time. You two have been on this roller coaster since junior year. How long are you gonna keep doing this?”, she asks, suddenly seeming completely serious, more serious than I’ve ever seen her...even at work she’s not this serious. “Parker are you ready?” a voice shouts from downstairs. He’s still in his car… I must say he isn’t the most romantic guy out there but I love him and he makes me happier than anything else in the world. “I promise Maria, I’ll be careful and cautious and everything...”, I try to assure her before going back to getting ready. “Parker, HURRY UP!!!”, Kyle shouts from his car. Maria sends me a look before turning back downstairs to start her shift. I look at myself once more before heading downstairs to see if my Kyle has really changed this time around. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~ [Boston….August 24, 2012] Max POV On the way home I look at everything around me and everything I’ve grown accustomed to over the years that I’ve lived here. Besides Roswell, it is the only place I ever called home. Well, at least it feels that way to me. It’s still light outside when I pull up to my house, I decided to leave work early and get a head start on packing… not to mention telling Tess that we had to move. I had been planning a quiet weekend with her, but I guess that plan was out the window. I take a small square box that I had placed in my glove department of my car for safe keeping. I was planning on popping the question to her tonight, but now I don’t think that it’s such a great idea. All of a sudden, I’m having another deep-thoughts moment and I think back to Liz, and the day in the backroom of the Crashdown. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~ “Max...I...don’t...think...”, she started to say in protest but I just smiled and pulled her closer to me. “Liz? Are you back here?” We both jumped at the loud voice that broke the moment, we looked up to see her best friend Maria DeLuca standing there with a shocked look on her face identical to ours. “I should really get going...I gotta...go...and...m-meet Michael. Liz I’ll catch you later. Always, nice seeing you Maria”, I waved at Liz and walked right past Maria, paid for my food that I haven’t touched and left only to see a very annoyed Tessina Harding waiting for me down the street. “How’s Parker?”, she said coldly, I tried to shake off the iciness in her tone. “Why do you guys always have to put her down? What did she ever do to you?”, I asked. I seriously wanted to know… just from her perspective... “Because”, she said. That’s all...that’s the best she got. “Because… why?”, I asked as I stood in front of her with my arms crossed. “Because she wants to take you away from me, I see the way you look at her... I see how she looks at you. I guess I’m just so afraid of losing you that I let my nerves get the best of me. I’m sorry if I upset you, Max; I just love you so much”, she said. “Tess, you’re not going to lose me...I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere”, I said as I brushed away a strand of hair from her face. “I promise you”. I kissed her quickly and pulled her in a tight embrace... but just as I hugged her I really wanted to break loose and tell her that I loved Liz parker and that I wanted to be with Liz, and leave her behind...but I wanted to get closer to Liz before doing that. I knew it would only hurt both her and Liz, but I wanted to be sure before I went any further. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* “Tess honey...I’m home...”, I call out as I enter our home and place my keys and my jacket in the appropriate places and check the mail that was lying on the coffee table as I walked into the kitchen to get something to drink. "You won't believe the day I had...", I tell her as I walk through out the household that we've shared ever since I graduated from Yale, and we moved here for my internship. I walk all the way through the house in search of her. Where is she? “Tess?", I shout. I wondered where she was, but suddenly, I notice something strange. It’s almost like some things are missing. Some little things. The little nicks and knacks that were usually everywhere… they’re now gone. Strange… I’m sure they were there this morning. Walking into our room, I can hear music playing full blast, and I can hear her singing along. She’s singing to one of her favorite CDs from a very long time ago, she always listens to when she’s cleaning. I just watch her from afar before I make my way into the room. One more kiss could be the best thing But one more lie could be the worst And all these thoughts are never resting And you're not something I deserve She looks so cute swaying to the music and singing along. I continue to watch her as she gets more and more into the song. In my head there's only you now This world falls on me In this world there's real and make believe And this seems real to me “Wow...Tess I think you’re the next William Hung!”, I laugh as she quickly turns around in a surprised motion and jumps up at the same time. She then rushes to turn down the music. “Max... what are you doing here...? I thought you didn’t get off until much later on tonight?”, she asks as she just stares at me with those ocean blue eyes and milky skin that just makes me fuzzy all over. "Aww...you're not happy to see me, baby?", I ask playfully, pretending to be hurt by her remark. She doesn't say anything in return. Something is definitely wrong. Why do I have the feeling I’m not going to like this? "Baby?", I ask her as I walk towards her to pull her into my arms but she just pulls away. "Tess? What's wrong?", I ask You love me but you don't know who I am I'm torn between this life I lead and where I stand And you love me but you don't know who I am So let me go Let me go I admit it took me a while to realize what she’s doing... but as I look around at the room that we’ve shared, it seemed empty...and I see several boxes standing near the door. “Tess, what are you doing? What’s with all the boxes?”, I ask. I seriously don’t know what was happening here... and I want a clear answer now. “Max...I-I didn’t expect to tell you this until tonight...but since you’re here now, I don’t have choice”, she says ominously. I don’t know what the hell she’s talking about or what she’s trying to get at. I dream ahead to what I hope for And I turn my back on loving you How can this love be a good thing? When I know what I'm goin through “Max...” “Tess?”, I ask. I see that she’s trying to say something but she can’t get the words out...it’s like they’re stuck there on her tongue...and don’t want to come out...” “Max...I- I don’t know how to say this exactly”, she starts out, which makes me worry even more. In my head there's only you now This world falls on me In this world there's real and make believe And this seems real to me * Max...I’m moving out...”, she blurts out. “What?”, I ask. I was literally shocked... yes, bolts of electricity just seem to course through my body. My mouth opens and closes like a fish that was taken out of its water... and left there to die. “I’m leaving you Max...I just don’t feel like we are getting anywhere… and I don’t think it’s fair to you or to me to keep living this lie”, she says it with no emotion at all. “But I love you, Tess”, I say. What else can I say? “I love you, Max… but only as a friend... I haven’t felt anything for you romantically for a long time now, and it’s not fair to you to keep you in this sorry excuse for a relationship that we have”, she says You love me but you don't know who I am I'm torn between this life I lead and where I stand You love me but you don't know who I am So let me go Just Let me go... Let me go I suddenly feel angry. Not sad; but angry. “Tess, you are not leaving this house!” I shout at her. I don’t mean to sound this way... but it’s just that her revelation surprised the hell out of me. And that’s the understatement of the century. “Excuse me...”, was all Tess could come back with. "Tess… yes you heard me right. I am a part of this too...you are not leaving me...not now, not ever", I shout at her letting my anger take over. “Yes I am, Maxwell Phillip Evans...and there is nothing you can say to stop me...”, she says as she gets up from her seat and continues to pack her things. “Tess... you are 20 weeks pregnant with my baby... I’m not letting you out of this house, I’m sorry...but I’m not going to let you take my own baby away from me!!” I sneer through my clutched jaw. Maybe I’m being a jerk here but it’s my baby. I can’t just let her take him away from me. She was just silent. “It’s my baby too...”, I shout again. “NO...IT’S NOT MAX...YOU’RE NOT THE FATHER NOW... AND YOU WEREN'T THE FATHER THEN EITHER!!!”, she screams. And no matter how hard I try I can't escape these things inside I know I know... When all the pieces fall apart You will be the only one who knows Who knows Did she just say that…. “What?!”, I say as I take a step back, away from her. I can already feel the fury taking over me... better take another two steps back. “What the hell, Tess... what do you mean I’m not the father… and what on God’s green Earth do you mean I wasn’t the father then either?”, I demand to know. My tone obviously scares her as she almost jumped in fright as I stood over her. I thought I took a few steps back but I’m already back within striking distance. You love me but you don't know who I am I'm torn between this life I lead and where I stand And you love me but you don't know who I am So let me go Just let me go She sighs and looks down at her hands as she begins to explain to me, “Max...back in high school, when I told you I was pregnant...I lied to you...”, she says and took another deep breath before continuing. I’m holding my breath as well as she explains. “I really was pregnant...but the thing was that it was never yours.I saw you getting closer to Liz,and I couldn’t stand of the idea of you getting close to anyone but me. I never meant to hurt you… at the time it seemed like a good idea”, she said with a shrug. She suddenly seemed like such a cold person. “How long has this been going on?”, I ask. Call me crazy, call me masochistic, but I really want to know what she was doing behind my back and how long. “What?”, she asked with a confused look “HOW LONG TESSINA?”, I demanded loudly. And you love me but you don't You love me but you don't You love me but you don't know who I am And you love me but you don't You love me but you don't You love me but you don't know me “After our graduation, I broke it off with him, but I saw him again and we started to see eachother again." She started to ramble. "Just get to the point." I sneered through my teeth. I saw her face hold with almost no emotion at all. "Off and on for the past 7 years, ever since we moved from New York to Boston...”, she said so casually I almost couldn’t believe my ears. “I don’t love you Max...I’m afraid I never did. You were just my security net, because back then he didn’t want anything to do with---“I cut her off...I had heard enough... “Stop...just stop...get out of my house...”, I say quietly to her. I’ve heard enough. I just want her to go. “But Max, I’m not done packing...”, she protests. That’s it! I’ve had it. ”Oh...you’re not done are you? Well here...let me help you...”, I say and with that I take a box in each hand, barge downstairs and throw them out the front door and onto the front yard, not caring the least what’s inside of them. I storm back inside the house, and throw the remaining of her belongings inside the box that’s closest to her, and hand it to her. “Here... I think this is everything...”, I scowl as she grabs it away from me. “Don’t bother coming back... because I’m not going to be here!”, I shout as I hear the door slam shut and I punch my fist against the wall in fury. Whoever said you don’t feel anything when you’re angry is an idiot. I quickly grab my cell phone and dial a number. “C’mon...answer your damn phone...C’mon...”, I say impatiently as the voice mail kicks in... “Michael...I’ll meet you in Roswell, give me a call when you get this...and I’ll fill you in...Bye.”, I say before I throw my cell phone at the wall and sink down to ground in a fury of tears and rage. This just isn’t fair… I have to get out of here. And I quickly grab my coat and head out the front door. TBC.... ~The song used was Let Me Go by 3 Doors Down

Chapter 3: Breaking Up Is Hard To Do *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* [Roswell, New Mexico… August 24, 2012 10:45PM] Liz POV I’m still amazed at the fact that we actually got into the Red Signal. Now before you ask me what the hell the Red Signal is… it’s the hottest club in all of New Mexico. And we got in! Knowing Kyle, I initially figured he would suggest sneaking in, but I was shocked to find out that we didn’t even have to wait in line—he gave his name and the bouncer just let us in. We danced for a few hours, until Kyle finally relented and escorted me upstairs; to the three star restaurant they have there. “Food. I need food”, I say as me and Kyle walk up two flights of stairs, in stiletto heels I might add; I’m impressed with myself. Okay, I admit, that may have sounded a little whining but I don’t care; I’m starving. “You should really stop hanging out with Maria twentyfour-seven”, he laughs as he smiles at the hostess who’s showing us to our table. “Why would you say that?”, I ask. Seriously, what was up with that; he never said anything bad about Maria before. He’s really acting a little weird tonight. “I just mean...you spend all your free time with her. You guys work together, live together and now...I hate to say it, but you’re starting to sound like her”, he says. I suppose he’s not completely wrong; it is kind of strange… maybe he’s hinting that he can take me away from all of this drama I surround myself with everyday. Oh my god, maybe he really wants to get married. I have to admit that I want that; getting married and settling down, and maybe even have children… and I think Kyle is my best, scratch that… only, chance to do just that. As the waitress brings our drinks and me and Kyle place our orders, I look intently at his eyes. We talk about all sorts of things but when I concentrate on his eyes, I can see that the spark in his eyes that was so apparent before, isn’t there anymore. So I’ve made a decision”, he proclaims after we finish our meal. This is it. This is the moment; me and Kyle, together forever. I know it’s very fantasy-like; very happily-ever-after and foolish of me to think. But it’s my dream, and eventually I want to fulfil it. “Yeah. What’s that?”, I nervously reply to his statement as I play with my apple martini that I ordered from the bar. “I’m not going to reenlist next year. I think 10 years of my life is all I’m willing to give of myself to my government and my country”, he says with a smile and I did the same, albeit a little less enthusiastic. Well, it’s not what I was expecting, but I suppose it’s a step in the right direction. Yeah, I’m happy for him… okay, I feel like screaming. Who am I kidding? “That’s… that’s great, Kyle”, I say, using a fake-smile at this point. I’m sorry, but that was the perfect moment for him to make the perfect gesture of his love and devotion to me; for him to be a man and beg me to marry him...and it was wasted on a work-related remark. I can feel me roll my eyes as he continues to drink his beer. I don’t think he saw it. After that I suggest we go back downstairs so we could dance some more. I don’t have to go to work the next day, so I’m going to take advantage of this night. “Wow, I still can’t believe you got us into here tonight. What did you have to do to get that to happen?”, I ask him as we sway to the music. “Um... I have my connections”, He smirks as his body communicates with mine. “Connections? Really?”, I say as I give him a questionable glance and raised my eyebrows at him. “Should I be worried how you got these connections?”, I ask him, but he doesn’t reply to that one. Not the way I want him to anyway. “Don’t you worry that pretty little head about that... c’mon let’s dance”, he says. I give him a puzzled look. That sounded almost condescending. Oh well, I’m probably seeing things. I get like that sometimes. Four songs later, I’m getting the feeling that needs to get something off his chest. I’m not sure if it’s good or bad, but I know something is coming. As if on cue, a slow song starts to echo through the room. Just like an angel, you’re gonna make me fly into your arms, you’re wrapping me up so tight You got me crawling so bad Got me heels over head As we begin to sway to the music I can see his attitude change, he’s not the same guy that I was dancing with an hour ago. He’s tense and his stare is… I’ve never seen that look before. So, don’t make me cry Cause this love don’t feel so right You can’t push a river you can’t make me fall but you can make me unreachable “Kyle are you alright?”, I finally ask, “It looks like you have to say something?” He pulls away from me slightly, and my smile turns serious when he can’t even look me in the eyes. “Kyle?”, I ask I may be sweet but I’m still on the vine You couldn’t wait no; You had to take your bite You had me crawling so badly had me hells over head You had me easy, you had me easy to late to go back to realize what we had We were already beautiful “Well, I...I don’t really know how to say this Liz. I don’t want to talk about this right now. It can wait”, he says. I know he’s trying to push me away and forget about the problem that’s obviously on his chest, but that is just unacceptable. Call it a side-effect from hanging with Maria, but I want to know and I just know that this is something important, and I can’t just excuse it. Of course, I don’t tell him that. Instead I just look at him intensely. And I’ll keep doing that until he tells me what’s wrong. “Don’t look at me like that”, he says in an annoyed voice. See it’s already working. “Like what?”, I defend myself, “We need to talk about this Kyle”. He knows I’m right but it looks like he just doesn’t know when to begin. So don’t make me cry cause this love don’t feel so right you can’t push a river you can’t make me fall But you can make me unreachable “Kyle?”, I ask as I look at him more closely, waiting for him to say something... anything at this moment. Sometimes love is addiction sometimes it hurts like hell and sometimes you just can’t get enough “Liz, we’ve been together a long time...and you know that I love you, right?”, he says in a nervous, soft voice. “Right”, I say softly. Oh. My. God. This is it... he’s going to ask me. Granted, this isn’t the exact spot I’d wished it would be, but I’m sure he’ll make up for it later. He probably couldn’t stand to wait until the end of the night or something. “Kyle what are you trying to get at?”, I ask him trying to get him to finally get to what he is saying. I can feel a smile creep on my face. You can’t make me love you anymore than I do But you can make me unreachable. “Maybe we’ve been together a little too long...”, he finally says…… wait a minute, WHAT? I can’t believe my ears. Wait, maybe I heard him wrong…… Okay, the look on his face indicates that I didn’t misunderstand. Don’t make me cry Cause this love don’t feel right You can’t push a river You can’t make me fall But you can make me unreachable... “What is that supposed to mean? Don’t you love me?”, I demand to know and I can already feel a tear sliding down my face. “Liz...I wish...there...was an easier way to say this...but...”, he stammers “But what? For God’s sake Kyle, just say it. What do you have to lose… besides your testicles?”, I demand, adding touch of venom at the end, something he doesný’t seem at all impressed by. So don’t make me cry Cause this love don’t feel so right You can’t push a river you can’t make me fall but you can make me unreachable ”I think we should see other people”, he says. Okay, I know I’m giving him my blank-stare now but I just don’t know how to look away. Is he serious? I guess he is. “Oh my god, I’m such a fool”, is all I can get out before I run off the dance floor “Liz, wait... Liz!”, I can hear him shouting after me as I run to our table to get my purse. “What do you want? Do you want to try making my night even worse than it already is?” I sneer through my teeth and look at him bluntly and probably angry. “To tell you the truth Liz, I don’t love you...I never have...I’ve been unfaithful to you ever since High School. I know it was wrong, but I was the most popular guy at Roswell High, and scoring you was the best thing that ever happened to my rep”, he says smugly as I look at him in astonishment. I just had to ask. Sometimes, I shouldn’t be allowed to speak. But here I go again… “Scoring me...what the hell is that suppose to mean?”, I demand to know. “C’mon Liz, you were a sweet piece of ass; perfect for show and tell at school… why do you think I never took you out after school... I honestly thought that was enough to indicate what you meant to me”, he says and his words start to almost literally hurt. I wonder how many people knew about this… and yet I keep talking. I just can’t stop myself. “I gave myself to you intimately; we made a promise that night that we would take things more seriously, that if we gave into each other that way that you be mine forever”, I say but I might as well have been quiet. I know now that he was full of shit. He just lied to me. “Well, although I got what I wanted, I never promised anything...you did”, he smirks. I never noticed how incredibly annoying that smile of his is and as I can feel myself getting angrier and angrier, I suddenly find myself with a glass in my hand and I throw it in his face. “You sick bastard! You told me all those lovely dovey things just so you could get laid! What the hell is wrong with you?”, I shout. At this point I won’t be able to hold anything back. I see we have an audience around us at this point. I’m louder than I thought. “I loved you... and I thought that maybe after seven years of this crap you call a relationship, that you would finally make the gesture, propose to me and settle down”, I shout. I don’t give a rat’s ass about the audience. He’s… he’s laughing at me…… “God, Liz you are the last person I would ever marry!”, he shouts as his face becomes red when a fit of giggles take over his body. Is he, like, eight years old or something? I feel my anger rise above the humiliation and grief I feel now. “I can’t believe I wasted all this time on you. I was so foolish, and naïve; I can’t believe I didn’t see it before”, I say as I shake my head, “So, who is this mystery woman? How long has this been going on behind my back? C’mon just tell me, I’m a big girl”, I ask him as calmly as I can without turning pale. “About seven years, as long as we’ve been doing our off and on relationship”, he says proudly. He looks so satisfied with himself; I’d do anything to get that fucking smile off his face. “Asshole”, I hiss out as I slap him in the face as hard as I can. The sharp sound can be heard across the room as quite a few people from around the club look at us. With that I start to walk away; I’ve heard enough… but before I know it, he pulls my arm halting me to a stop. “Liz... wait...I was hoping...we could be friends...you know...friends”, he asks with a hopeful smile. Is he kidding, delusional or just plain stupid? Or maybe all of the above. He wants to be friends… he has to be kidding. “Friends? Are you delusional or something?”, I ask And there’s that fucking cocky smile again. I could probably slap my hand against his face until my hand bleeds before I can knock that smile off his face. “You know friends with benefits, to be exact”, he clarifies. “Hmm, I need to think about that for a second… No… wait, make that HELL NO!”, I shout. I pull myself away from his grasp and quickly walk outside, along the line of people still waiting to get in. “Wait. Liz c’mon...”, he whines. I don’t know what I ever saw in him, “It’s just that you’re such a great fuck… I can’t give that up. You ease me when I’m not with her and besides… it’s not like you’re getting any from anybody else”, he laughs coldly. I know he’s just trying to get me back for turning him down but his words still sting. I walk up to him, and smile at him sweetly before I slap him across the face again, this time even harder than before. “How dare you... you fucking coincided egomaniac son of a bitch!”, I hissed and smirked as a few people in the line gasped while several others laughed. “You know what the difference is between us Kyle, you can brag but so can I and it’s not the kind of bragging that you’d like. I’m a great actress; seeing that I had to fake every orgasm that I ever got from you”, I mock. A low blow but more true than he realizes. “Stop lying Liz, you’re just trying to make me look bad in front of everyone”, he says as he rolls his eyes. He thinks he’s so smart. “Don’t flatter yourself, Kyle. I can get a damn Oscar for every one of my performances… over and over again. You know what; I don’t know why I’m even talking about your pathetic love making. You can’t even stack up”, I sneer “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”, he asks, his eyes wide. Oh yeah, I hit a nerve. “It means that your equipment is short… too short to be exact. Nothing to be happy about. You need a magnifying glass to even see it”, I say and smile as the ladies in the line start to laugh. God, even the bouncer can’t suppress a smile from forming on his face. I start to walk away, leaving him there. “Where are you going?”, he calls after me. “HOME!” I shout without turning back to him. “Liz, home is an hour away. Let me drive you”, he says. Did I understand him correctly; after everything that just happened, he actually wants me to sit with him, in a car, for an entire hour, and still be able to hold onto the small sliver of sanity left within my mind. Not in a million years! “No! I’ll find my own transportation. If you come any closer to me Kyle Valenti you will be sorry”, I hiss and with that I walk as far as I can before my tired legs get the best of me. Thank God, there’s a pay phone; at times like this, I wish I had a cell. I dialled the familiar number. ”Please pick up...c’mon”, I quietly pleaded before I heard a familiar voice answer. “Hey… can you pick me up?” *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* [Boston... August 24, 2012] Max POV I spent the entire day loading up the U-Haul truck I rented, and I'm currently busy packing up the very last of my belongings. I’ve hired someone to drive the truck down to Roswell as I would be driving my car and I’ve already bought a condo in Roswell that is ready and waiting for me. My thoughts are interrupted by the sharp ring of my cell phone. "Hello?", I answer without even glancing at the caller ID. “Max, I’ve been trying to calling you all day! What’s the deal?”, Michael shouted on the other end. I want to tell him, but then again I don’t. Does that make any sense? I know the words I told you so, would come out of his mouth eventually. Oh fuck it, it’s not like he’s not gonna find out anyway. “Max? Hello? You know if I wanted to talk to myself, I wouldn’t be paying two dollars a minute for long distance”, Michael complains. Weird… he has all the money he could ever want, and yet he’s complaining about a fifty dollar bill. Typical. “Doesn’t matter Mikey, you can afford it”, I laugh as I can hear his voice sharpen. See he hates it went anyone calls him that, but it doesn’t stop me. “Max, I told you not to call me that. You know that I absolutely hate that fucking nickname. Do you like getting on my nerves?”, he asks. I’m sure glad he can’t see my expression right now. I smirk mockingly. I know it gets on his nerves, but that’s what makes it funny, I suppose I could stop… but what would be the fun in that? “Fine, have it your way”, I relent, “...I’ll stop calling you that and go back to calling you Mikey G“, I answer. I couldn’t help it...I had to go for the punch, I try to hold in my laughter but I’m failing terribly. “Real mature Maxwell...”, he sighs before he continues, “…just go back to calling me Mikey” He sounded like he was defeated; he hates that nickname even more than the name Mikey. Some girl back in college called him that. She worshiped the ground he walked on… a lot more to be funny. She was really weird if you asked me; she even had a shrine of him. It got so bad at one point that he actually had to go to the police and tell them that she was stalking him. She was forced away with a restraining order and that was the end of that. Wow, Michael really knows how to pick them. Oh, who am I to talk? “Don’t cry about it Michael”, I laugh out. “Okay, I didn’t call you back so you could mock me. Seriously, what’s up?”, he asks. I take a moment before I speak up… gathering nerves and all. “I’m coming back to Roswell”, I blurt out in one quick breath. There. It’s out. “Oh, I see you finally given into the lure of Liz Parker huh?”, he laughs. You know, ten seconds ago, I was laughing at him… those were the good old times. I totally forgot about Liz for a moment. She’s not the reason why I’m going back though, besides...I don’t even know if she’s even gonna be there. “What? No. I’m going for t—“,I try to tell him but he cut me off. “The reunion...”, he says knowingly “Michael, will you let me finish?”, I loudly exclaim “Fine. Go ahead”, he patiently says “Thank you. First off let me say that I got my promotion… you’re looking at the new director of the Emergency Room”, I say proudly “Wow, man congrats! I know you were really hoping you’d get that position so I’m happy for you”, he says. Coming from him, that really means something; we’ve been friends for, like, forever and he never said anything he didn’t mean. Okay enough mushy stuff... back to the point. “Yeah, well… it turns that if I want the promotion I have to go to Roswell”, I say. The line suddenly goes quiet. “Michael?”, I call out... I can hear him breathing... but no words are coming out of his mouth, which is a first. “Wow man...”, he says. Seriously that’s all he has to say. No, that’s great. It’s gonna be so good to see you again… just, wow man. “Yeah, in one day...I got fired, transferred and Tess walked out on me”, I say, adding the Tess thing really quick, but I should have known better than to even try. “Tess… what?”, he exclaims. As I tell him about everything she said… and my entire day’s events, he was shocked to say the least. You and me both, Mickey G. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* [Roswell, New Mexico… August 25, 2012 01:15AM] Liz POV Looking at the jetta pulling up in front of me, I quickly climb in try to avoid the eyes of my best friend before starts to bombard me with questions. I really don’t want to relive this entire night… but an hour of Maria is long and she’ll pull it out of me anyway. “Thanks for picking me up, Maria”, I tell her once we get onto the main highway. “So, what happened with Kyle?”, she asks, “I’m assuming that it didn’t go well”. I look out the window. I can’t see her but I know she’s looking at me. “Um...you can say that… we broke up”, I sigh heavily, trying to let the hurt sink in. “What?”, she practically screamed, causing me to jump up and hit my head on the roof. Thank you Maria. “Maria, I really don’t feel like talking about it right now. Can you just drive a—“, I say but she cuts me off in her usual fashion. “No, you need to tell me what happened, Liz”, she pushes. Did I mention she’s a bit nosy from time to time? “Why?”, I ask “Well, I’m gonna find him and kick his ass… and I’d like to know why I’m doing it”, she says. I couldn’t hide the smile that swept across my face. Thanks Ria. “Fine. The short version“, I say. She nods in approval so I continue. “He’s been cheating on me since high school... that’s ten years down the drain... all this time he considered our relationship to be friends with benefits… and he still wanted to get some tonight… so I threw wine in his face and slapped him in the face twice”, I say surprised when I found myself gasping for breath. Guess I forgot to breathe there. I smirked remembering how he looked after I slapped him; at least one good memory from this night. “What an asshole!”, she muttered under her breath, but I still heard her. “Tell me about it... in fact, asshole was my exact phrase”, I sigh as I can feel tears welling up in my eyes again. Jesus Christ, not again. “Aw... Liz don’t cry. He’s not worth it”, she says as she tries to calm me down. “No, Maria... I’m so mad at myself. I should’ve seen it coming—all this time, ten fucking years, and I didn’t pick up on it once. I was so naïve; I wanted to believe something that wasn’t even there. You know… when I told him about him popping the question... he laughed at me. He actually said I was the last person on Earth he’d marry”, I cry out. “Get over him. He doesn’t deserve you... he’s scum; the dirt on the bottom of the sink… no wait, the mucus that grows on the dirt on the bottom of the sink. You deserve so much better than him. Trust me, there are plenty of guys out there that would love to go out with you”, she says. You know, somehow, Maria’s rambling always calms me down. “It’s not that easy, I’m not sure if I loved him for him or for the person I wanted him to be”, I sigh heavily. “Okay, do you want some advice?”, she asks It’s not like she would keep it to herself if I told her no so I might as well indulge her. “Sure. I’ll take anything at this point”, I say. She sends me a look before continuing. “Okay here it goes....”, she says. ”The trouble with love is It can tear you up inside Make your heart believe a lie It's stronger than your pride The trouble with love is It doesn't care how fast you fall And you can't refuse the call See, you got no say at all Now I was once a fool, it's true I played the game by all the rules But now my world's a deeper blue I'm sadder, but I'm wiser too I swore I'd never love again I swore my heart would never mend Said love wasn't worth the pain But then I hear it call my name” That’s it?... That’s her big advice speech... singing a song?! I think she’s been sniffing too much of that Cypress oil again. “Sweetie, isn’t that a song?”, I ask. I mean, I don’t know how to react to this. “Yeah… so?”, she asks blankly. “Maria, you don’t listen that that kind of music. I’ve know you for, like, forever and you are not exactly the type to listen to pop music, Kelly Clarkson being one of those”, I say “I don’t know what you are talking about, Liz. I heard it on the radio the other day, and I haven’t been able to get it out of my head. That’s all”, she defends herself. Just then I see something sticking out under my seat, I pick it up and see the Kelly Clarkson cover and can’t hide my smirk, I quickly covered it with my hand… the smirk that is. “Yeah...okay, I was just saying, you were suppose to be this world worn dark soul, and you’re now listening to pop music, what next? You’re going to tell me that you’re a fan of American Idol”, I say with glee, but when I look at her she keeps her eyes on the road, and her expression is blank. “Maria...tell me it isn’t so...”, I sigh. “What?”, she asks innocently. Oh, we’re doing the denial thing again. Okay fine, I’ll drag it out of her. “I personally loved Season two”, I say and was all I had to say before she crashed and burned. She’s so easy to trap. “NO WAY, Ruben didn’t deserve to win, it was all fixed... Clay should have won! He had the better voice!”, she shouted and then quickly covered her mouth. “Not a fan huh? Then what’s this?”, I say as I hold up the Kelly Clarkson CD. “Damn!”, she exclaims, “It started out as a guilty pleasure... and now I’m sad to say... I’m a little obsessed now that they’re on their tenth season of the show.” “You should go on it”, I say in a serious tone. I’m not kidding she has an amazing voice. “No… Liz that ship has come and gone”, she insists and I decide to drop the matter. “Fine, whatever......”, I say, “I can’t believe that you’re a Clay-Mate...”, I start to laugh at the thought of her as a wannabe American Idol. “Shut up!”, she shrieked and she was quite the rest of the way home. Victory! TBC................ Songs used: * Unreachable~ By: Ashlee Simpson <--- Inspired this story *The trouble with love is by: Kelly Clarkson

Chapter 4: Since you’ve been gone

[Roswell New Mexico….August 26 2012 - 8:23AM]
Max POV

Well I arrived in Roswell late last night, which was a lot later than I had planned. The driver of the U Haul truck got lost, and I had to go navigate him back on right road. That itself took an extra three hours. Being back in Roswell has its up- and downsides. An upside is that I already know everyone… a downside would be that I only live ten minutes away from my parents. Well, I guess that’s a general downside of living in a small town. I’ve already gotten two calls from my mom, one from my dad, one from Isabel, and, luckily, none from Michael… but the day is still early so who know who the hell is going to call next. Even though it’s only 8:30AM; with my parents you never really. The one thing I’m most glad for though is that tomorrow will be my first day on the job at Hope Memorial as one of Roswell newest and finest doctors. …I’m kidding, jeez! I can’t even make a small joke without coming across as conceited. When I hear a familiar song starting to echo though my ears, I quickly reach in my pocket, dig out my cell and groan just before I answer it. I hate being right.

“Hello Dear, I wanted to know if you’re settling in okay?”, Diane asked on the other end. Yep, you guess it: my mother...again… for the third time, this morning alone.

“Mom, you do realize this is the third time you called me today, right? It’s still the same”, I say as I roll my eyes and continue to unpack my clothes, and starting to put them away.

“Don’t you dare mock me, mister!”, she says warningly, “You never know… something might have happened, causing things to change” I roll my eyes again as she continues to ramble on and on. The only positive point of a conversation like this is the overwhelming relief when she hangs up again. I swear I am eternally thankful for the days I am away from her, otherwise I swear my head id gonna explode. Okay, so maybe it won’t actually explode...but you get the idea.

“Okay, Mom...can you skip ahead to the reason why I’m getting your call?”, I say. She always trails off into this cloud of nowhere after she starts to ramble. I know she’s getting older… it must be affecting her memory.

“Right, well, I was just talking to your sister. Do you know she’s flying in tomorrow?”, she asks. Maybe she should get something checked up by her doctor because I swear that we had this conversation an hour ago.

“Yes mom, I know...I’m picking her up from the airport. Remember?”, I say. What was the point of this conversation again?

“Oh yes, now I remember. She sounded happy. Did she sound happy when you talked to her? I think she had something on her mind when I called, and I---“, she continues. Is it just me, or did my mom’s rambling just seem to extend even more since I’ve come home.

“Mom...Mom! The point! Remember?”, I say loudly. Sorry, I know she’s my mother and all but this is the third time I’ve had this conversation with her today. God, it’s like this conversation is never going to end; like I’m doomed to repeat the same conversation with my mother for all eternity.

“Well, we just wanted to throw everyone a welcome home party. After all, in a way you all are coming home and everything is set for this Friday night. I was just wondering if there was someone you wanted to bring...you know someone special. Like a girl. I know you just broke up with someone... but that doesn’t mean that you have to spend the night alone”, she says. Did I mention my mother is not exactly a big fan of Tess. She always thought that something was going on. She never really said anything about it, but it has always been crystal clear to me.

“Mom...”, I sigh heavily before continuing, “I don’t particularly feel like asking anyone out to go to a family function right now. I just broke up with Tess. I told you that and I can’t believe you’re already trying to set me up with someone else. It hasn’t even been a week”, I say. I know what her response is going to be though...it’s always been the same whenever I would go through a break-up, hence that was only one time before.

“Max dear, but it’s time to move on...she did...why can’t you?”, she says. She’s so predictable, but I really don’t feel like sitting here for a lecture, hang up...hang up. Wait, I can’t just hang up on my mom...she’ll kill me. Think fast, Evans.

“I’m not brining home a girl Mom, that’s the end of this discussion. I have to go“, I quickly say but before I could hang up she says something really quick that has me regretting my words.

“Fine, if you aren’t going to bring anyone, I’ll just have to find a girl for you...see you Friday night...oh, and don’t wear those college t-shirts you usually wear; it might turn the girl off”, she says. I can honestly hear her giggle on the other end. Great! What kind of bullshit did I just get myself into?

“Wait... mom, who are you inviting?”, I ask but she didn’t answer me; the only answer I got was the dial tone.

I hang up the phone. Great... this is just what I need; a blind date, from my mother of all people. And in case you didn’t get it, that was me being sarcastic. My mother sure knows how to get her way. When she really wants something, you’d better get out of her way.

I look around the house at all the boxes and drop myself on the couch, escaping in thoughts for awhile before I pick myself back up and start to get everything organized, preferably before the day is over.

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

[Arizona/New Mexico border line….same day - 0:30PM]
Tess POV

“Hello?”, I ask as I pick up the phone. Hearing his voice on the other end sends butterflies through my stomach and makes my heart race.

“Yeah, I’m almost there...I was just caught in traffic...yep...see you in a bit. Love you too. Bye”, I say as I hang up my cell phone and head to the hotel room that I arranged us to meet at. As I continue driving, my mind wonders years back.

I was just about to talk to Kyle when he pulled Pam Troy out to the hallway, and started what looked like a lover’s quarrel. I couldn’t help but eavesdrop... she was my best friend after all… oh who am I kidding, she would do the same with me if she had the chance. Besides, I kinda liked Kyle; liked as in, we had fun together after school that is. I mean, he had a girlfriend, and I had a boyfriend so we never really admitted our feeling for one another, but I cared for him and I know he cared for me. Yes, let’s just put it that way, it sounds friendlier.

“What are you doing Kyle? I can’t talk right now...they are going to call the king and queen right now. I’m sorry but I can’t do this right now. It’s the highlight of the entire prom” Pam said as she started to walk back into the dance hall when Kyle pulled her back

“No Pam, stay! You have to tell me what you told Tess… I mean about us”, Kyle whispered fiercely.

“What do you care?...I thought you were with cute little Parker. Don’t you love her?”, she said in a sarcastic tone. “Besides, I know what happened between us was just sex—nothing more. Besides how do you think my boyfriend would feel that we slept together after the victory dance last week”, she rambled on as I felt my face drop… but then again, I wasn’t exactly one to talk... I slept with a college guy at the after party. Someone definitely not my boyfriend.

“Will you shut up...I told you never to bring that up again. As far as I know it never happened. I don’t want you to spread anything around school okay, it’ s bad enough it got this far, but if Liz finds out I’m...I—“, he said with a worried look, like his ass was on the line if Liz found out... or maybe he meant me, I wasn’t sure exactly.

“What? Like Liz even cares...she’s so lost in a world that’s so far shoved up her ass that she doesn’t even know what is real and what she wants to believe is real. Believe me, I don’t want to brag about this even more that you do“, she said, rolling her eyes. I choose that moment to reveal myself.

“Pam...there you are...I’ve been looking all over for you. They are just about to call the King and Queen”, I said as excitedly as I could.

The look on Kyle’s face was just as priceless as Pam’s. “What’s wrong? It’ looks like the two of you just seen a ghost?”, I said, looking at them more closely now.

“Oh, nothing...Kyle and I were just talking, but where finished now...C’mon girlie...I just know that you and Max are going to be named King and Queen I can feel it inside of me”, Pam told me as she grabbed my hand and we rushed back inside, leaving Kyle standing there looking like the dope I know he must have felt like.

So, yeah...of course me and Max were named king and queen of Prom 2002. Things were looking up… the only thing was that I was late, and hadn’t slept with Max or Kyle in weeks. That meant I had a serious problem on my hands. And to top that all of, I did the stupidest thing I could have done in that situation… I talked to Pam about it.

Big mistake.

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

[Roswell New Mexico….same day - 5:30 PM ]
Liz POV

It’s been a total of forty-eight hours, thirty minutes and God knows how many seconds since I walked away from Kyle Valenti. At first I was fine; I didn't say anything except good riddance and I tried to just move on. But now it's really sinking in that I just got dumped by a coward who lied to me for ten years, never telling me that he didn’t love me, and didn't even care about me. It's all those things that keep racing through my head. God, how could I have been so stupid? I know it's silly to be pining over him… but I haven’t been out of this house since that evening. Maria's gonna to be really pissed when she comes home tonight and finds me in the same position than when she left… but I just can't get myself to stand up.

“Lizzie? Where are you?”, she shouts through the apartment. I know she's not really looking for me. Let me explain Maria's usual routine; come home, read her mail, get comfortable, and then come and look for me. But this time, I hear footsteps coming up the stairs; it looks like Maria is breaking her habit. Not wanting to deal with an angry Maria, I quickly throw the blanket over my head and pretend to be asleep… not that that will fool her.

“Liz Parker, you’re still in bed!”, she shouts. Notice the rise of her voice, that tells me she's mad, in fact she just shouted with such a force that I'm actually startled by her... okay no use to use a euphemism, she scares the crap out of me right now. Maybe if I don't say anything, pretend to be asleep and keep my head under the covers

“I know you’re not asleep. Get out of there this instant”, she shouts. Well, there goes that plan. She's really annoying me right now; she's acting like she’s my mother or something. Whoa! She's pulling the blanket off me and throws it on the floor.

“What did you do that for?”, I say in an upset tone. Well sorry, but I'm upset... not because I'm lazy and don’t wanna get up, but I look like crap, the day i9s already gone, and I have to go bed in a few hours again anyways.

“Because Liz, this is not you. You never wallow over a man for more than a day. Why is this so different? You didn’t even love him”, she says. I look at her and roll my eyes. I can’t believe she would bring up the word LOVE and the whole can of worms it will bring up.

“Okay, so you did love him, but how can you now; knowing that he never really loved you back in the first place?”, she says. Someone kill me now. I know Maria... and I’m screaming inside my head. Do I really need to hear this? Well, maybe I do. Maybe it’s just what I need to snap my butt back into shape. But instead, I try to reach for the blanket that she tossed on the floor and I fall right on my ass. It hurts.

“Ow”, I laugh as I try to get up.

“What?”, I ask. She’s looking at me in a funny way; there’s something going through that eager little brain of hers.

“I know what you need Liz...”, she says as she smiles devilishly as she yanks me out of the room and forces me into the restroom.

“Take a shower Liz, we are going to have a girls night out...we are going to take revenge on every guy in Roswell, New Mexico”, she sternly tells me as she throws a towel at me, and continued to push me further into the restroom before she closes the door behind me.

“Who’s we?”, I yell from inside the enclosed room.

“Don’t worry Parker... would I ever steer you wrong? Just freshen up and I’ll take it from here”, she just says. What the hell is she up to, and why do I have the feeling that I’m in the middle of it? Damn I knew I should’ve gone to work today! I sigh as I step under the shower and turn on the water.

“Hello? Serena, what are you doing tonight?”, I hear Maria on the phone in the other room.

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

[Roswell New Mexico, across town….same day - 7:30 PM ]
Max POV

I didn’t feel like cooking so what would make more sense than go to the Crashdown Café? It's really amazing how everything still looks the same, right down to the last fixture.
When the waitress comes and takes my order, I notice the uniforms haven’t changed either. It's not Liz, but just seeing everything just brings back memories… one in particular. You see we had a tradition that every year before the next school year began, we would come here and just hang out. We would have our own party to help celebrate a new school year… but the last time I was here we were having a farewell party because the gang was splitting up; everybody was going to various colleges across the country.

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

I remember that everyone else had gone, and I was helping Liz clean up but at some point, I just stood there and watched her. I felt the pull she had on me and I knew that this would be my last moment with her. All the while, I kept thinking to myself, ‘make your move Evans!’. I pulled away from my stare and continued to help her clear some more dishes, she told me to stop countless times, but I never listened. I didn’t know just how I was going to say good-bye to her, but then a familiar song started to play on the radio—and much to her amazement as to mine I took her in my arms.

“Max, what are doing? I have to clean—this place is a mess!” The way she shrieked out, brought a smile to my face.

“Dance with me...one dance, and I’ll let you do what you must”, I laughed a little as she gave in and wrapped her arms around my neck and we started to dance.

I've been searching for you
I heard a cry within my soul
I never had a yearning quite like this before
Now that you are walking right through my door

As we danced, I pressed my body against her. She smelled so sweet like heaven. I wanted to hold her like this forever, I knew I loved her, but she was still with Kyle. But I stopped my thoughts of that I put them back in this moment.

All of my life
Where have you been
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
And if that day comes
I know we could win
I wonder if I'll ever see you again

The awkward silence was getting the best of both of us and she was the first to break the silence.
“Max...so are you ready for college?”, she said, smiling up at me, and I could swear that my heart skipped a beat.
“It’s going to be strange...not being able to see you everyday. So, you’re going to California with Maria?”, I asked. I know I could have come up with a better question than that, but my words were stuck in my mind and I let out all the stupid ones first.

A sacred gift of heaven
For better worse wherever
And I would never let somebody break you down
Or take your crown, never

I saw that she smiled before replying, “Yep...She’s going to Los Angeles, while I’m going further North. I got accepted to Berkley, they have a good Science department. It’s not Harvard, but it’s cool. At least I get to out of here”, she laughed as we continued to dance; our bodies moving as one.

All of my life
Where have you been
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
And if that day comes
I know we could win
I wonder if I'll ever see you again

“I’m going to miss you Parker... we’ve gotten really close over the years… I just wanted you to know that”, I smiled as she blushed slightly.
“I am also sorry for everything as well”, I said but I didn’t quite look at her when I said that.

I've searched through time, I've always known
That you where there, upon your throne
A lonely queen, without her king
I've longed for you, my love forever

“Eh, what do you mean? Max?” The more she looked at me with those beautiful brown eyes the more I wanted to make her mine. I wanted to claim her but she was taken, and I was as well. I just wished I had more time.

All of my life
Where have you been
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
And if that day comes
I know we could win
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
All of my life
Where have you been
I wonder if I'll ever see you again

“You know, for everything...for the way I treated you in fifth grade, the way I let Tess and Pam get away with mocking you and the for never telling you that... I-I love you”, I said, so softly that I thought that maybe she wouldn’t hear me.

And if that day comes
I know we could win
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
All of my life
Where have you been
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
And if that day comes
I know we could win
I wonder if I'll ever see you again

”What? Y-You love me?”, she said in shock. Still, I was as shocked as she was... and I was the one who said it.

“W-when did this happen?”, she asked as she started her interrogation on me. I nervously scratched behind my ear and started to answer her.

I wonder if I'll ever see you again
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
I wonder if I'll ever see you again

”Oh, about in the fifth grade...when I learned that girls didn’t really have cooties”, I said stifling a laugh. I then looked into her eyes and smiled. I cupped her face in my hands.

“The thing is Liz, I have always loved you... and I always will. It’s just taken me up until now to figure it out, and now that we’re leaving...I don’t know when I’m going to see you again”, I said softly. Having said that, I kissed her. It was the mother of all kisses; I felt it all the way down to my toes and I never ever wanted it to end, the magic was all there, but then reality settled in… this could never be.

I wonder if I'll ever see you again
I wonder if I'll ever see you again
I wonder if I'll ever see you again

We both pulled away breathless.

“I’m sorry Liz...for everything...”, I repeated breathlessly

Just then my cell phone rang, and it read Tess. I didn’t want to pick it up, but just then, Kyle walked into the room. “Liz, there you are...I’ve been trying to call you”, he said. I looked at him and smiled at Liz as she tried to open her mouth to say something

I wouldn’t let her. “It’s okay, I was about to go anyway... gotta pack up my stuff... nice seeing you Kyle... good luck with the military. I’ll be seeing you Liz, keep in touch”, I quickly said and after I smiled at her once more, I walked out and drove away.

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

Sad to say, that was the last time I saw her or even talked to her for that matter. Ten years have past and I never really got over her. I drowned in the lies of Tessina Harding.

I pay for my food and the service, leaving a generous tip and I start heading home. I hope there’s more to Roswell than in the past.

[Roswell New Mexico….same day - 9:00 PM ]
Liz POV

“Maria, I don’t wanna go... why can’t I just wallow on my own?”, I plead. I seriously don’t want to go out in the club scene. Of all places to be after a break-up, that would be the last place I want to go. We’re not alone though… Maria has perused our closest friend from work to come with us. So now, both Serena and Maria are dressing me up for a night on the town at Roswell’s hottest club: the Eraser Room. I feel like I’m some friggin dress-up Barbie.

“No, Liz. Your way doesn’t work. This way we can ogle guys and still get our kicks doing it. C’mon it’ll be fun! We can even sing karaoke; you have a great voice Liz... even if I’m the only one who knows it”, she says. I don’t like to brag about it, but I do know how to sing. I even tried out for the school choir in junior high, but chickened out for my solo and never sang in public after that. Okay, that’s not making me feel better.

“So what? You’re the one that had the record deal… besides, that wasn’t your secret to tell”, I say as I roll my eyes. She just shrugs.

“Wow. Ria I didn’t know you had a record deal”, Serena voices out. To tell you the truth… with all our bickering I almost forgot that she was here.

“Yes I did, but tonight is not about me... it’s about Liz. So, shall we ladies?”, she asks as we made our way to a table. While Maria is at the bar ordering drinks, Serena keeps asking questions about the other night with Kyle and the more I tell her, the more she hates him. Now if I repeat that about fifty times, she might be where I am now.

When Maria comes back at the table, she immediately corners me. “Okay, Liz you have to sing a song... it’s Karaoke, how cans you not?”, she says. I knew this was coming... just because I can sing doesn’t mean I have to flaunt it.

“That’s easy, because I don’t want to, that’s how”, I say with a smirk. But I don’t even get a chance to forget that Maria knows my weakness; she starts begging and pleading and when Serena starts to follow her lead I know I’m not gonna last long.

“FINE”, I shriek, just to get them to shut up. God, they can be so annoying when they want to be… and tonight, they obviously want to.

“…but you have two have to sing one with me”, I quickly add, pointing at them just to give the effect that I was serious, and I wasn’t playing around.

“I’m in”, Serena states first and I smile in approval and turn back towards Maria to hear what she has to say.

“Parker, here’s the deal. You have to sing one by yourself and we’ll sing one together”, she says. That fiery spunk is in her eyes again, and I know that means she has something up her sleeve.

“Only if I get to pick the song”, I add to the deal. She looks disappointed; she must have wanted to pick the song.

“Deal, DeLuca?”, I say, calling her by her last name like she did with me and I hold out my hand to her. She looks at it for a moment before taking it.

“It’s a deal, Parker”, she says in defeat.

I smile at her. “Cool, now I think I should say something...”, I say, holding up my glass to say a toast or something like that. “Okay, here is to all the men we loved...and don’t need them now, nor will we ever need them again”, I say as I raise my glass. “Cheers!”

We all drink up... this is already my second glass and I’m still not the slightest bit buzzed.

“Maria what kind of drink is this?”, I ask. It tastes good, what is wrong with that picture?

“It’s called, ‘You have to go to work tomorrow.’”, she answers and I rolled my eyes… my eyes are getting a lot of training lately, I realize… there was no alcohol in it. I hate it when she does that. Now, that I have to sing in front of everyone sober. Oh well, I figure I’ll get the solo-singing out of the way first.

“I’m going to sing...so excuse me ladies”, I say as I move towards the stage and they smile at me. Looking through the catalogue of songs, I tell the person in charge and say a few words before I start the song.

“I’d like to thank my dear friend Maria for introducing me to this artist I’m going to be singing a song of, and I’d like to thank my ex-fucking boyfriend for making me feel every word of it!”, I told them as the women in the club cheered on. The music started to play and every started to clap to the very familiar tune.

Here's the thing we started off friends
It was cool but it was all pretend
Yeah yeah
Since U Been Gone

The ladies really seem to get into the song; singing and laughing along. To tell you the truth I’m a little surprised at that. But I keep my emotions tuned to the lyrics of the song. The more I get into it the more they love it.

You dedicated you took the time
Wasn't long till I called you mine
Yeah Yeah
Since U Been Gone

And all you'd ever hear me say
Is how I pictured me with you
That's all you'd ever hear me say

But Since U Been Gone
I can breathe for the first time
I'm so movin on
Yeah yeah
Thanks to you
Now I get
What I want
Since U Been Gone

I look over to Serena and Maria at one point and they are in the same state as everyone else. They didn’t know I had that kind of power inside of me. I didn’t know either; I’m more surprised of myself than anything else. I don’t know if it had something to do about believing in myself or some crap but I just know that for the first time, the real Liz Parker was coming out of her shell. And I like it.

How can I put it? you put me on
I even fell for that stupid love song
Yeah yeah
Since U Been Gone

How come I'd never hear you say
I just wanna be with you
I guess you never felt that way

But Since U Been Gone
I can breathe for the first time
Im so movin on
Yeah yeah
Thanks to you
Now I get
I get what I want
Since U Been Gone

”Yeah! You go Liz!!” Maria shrieks out in a loud voice as she continues to dance to the beat. I look around the room and notice that even the bartenders seemed to be into it. That was not common; usually they ignored the singers and went to there daily job like nothing was happening.

You had your chance you blew it
Out of sight, out of mind
Shut your mouth I just can't take it
Again and again and again and again

I really belt out this part, but only because Kelly Clarkson did in her version. I want to keep to the original, mainly because I don’t know how my voice is supposed to be represented as. I haven’t sung out loud in front of people for decades; singing in front of Maria not counting.

Since U Been Gone
I can breathe for the first time
I’m so movin on
Yeah yeah
Thanks to you (thanks to you)
Now I get
I get what I want
I can breathe for the first time
I’m so movin on
Yeah yeah

It’s amazing to see just how many people are out of their seats, and dancing. I never knew that I could attract such a crowd. I try to keep my mind off of it, because the more I think, the more I lose the words of the song.

Thanks to you (thanks to you)
Now I get (I get)
You should know (you should know)
That I get
I get what I want
Since U Been Gone
Since U Been Gone
Since U Been Gone

Once I finished the last line, everyone was on there feet cheering me on. Some where yelling for me to sing another, but instead I said my thank-yous and depart from the stage. I can’t believe I actually feel better after that, like something has been lifted off my shoulders and I can actually breathe again. The real Liz Parker is back; there is no turning back.

“You rocked the house Chica!!”, Maria exclaims as I reach our table.

“You had fun, didn’t you? I know you did, it’s written all over your face”, she says and for once I have to admit something to her, something that doesn’t happen very often.

“You’re right Maria... I actually did have fun”, I smile as I had another, ‘going to work’ drinks.

For the next hour or so, we talk about everything... guys, normal crushes, high school crushes... and then, the topic of Max is brought up by Maria.

“Kyle was the only guy I was serious about... but I did have crushes... c’mon every girl did”, I say, I smiling because the image of Max pops into my mind.

“Who’s Max?”, Serena asks as Maria rolls her eyes, but I ignore her and keep to my day dream.

“Oh god, don’t get me started on Maxwell Evans, Mr. Popularity of West Roswell High School. Quarterback of the football team, Captain of Baseball, Football, Basketball, the debate team... for goodness sake. Oh, and the most handsome guy on Earth, according to Parker”, Maria says, smirking at me as Serena’s eyes jerk back towards me.

This is when I snap out of my daydream. “What?”, I ask them. Yes, I know, I should’ve been paying attention.

“Don’t give us that...spill, will you”, Serena urges. At this moment I decide to tell them what I’ve been holding near and dear to my heart up until I found out that Tess was pregnant a little bit after graduation. I’m going to tell them. I really am… maybe.

“It’s nothing, Serena... Max and Liz were just friends nothing else... right Liz”, Maria says casually and I automatically let my mind wander as I look down at my drink. You know, I wonder if this drink in front of me is pink or orange. I can’t tell with this lighting.

“Right Liz?”, Maria urge for me to answer.

“Does this drink look more pinkish than orange?”, I ask them and I can see Maria’s eyes physically widen. Her mouth falls open to say something but I cut her off before she can say anything.

“Okay, Okay...there may have been a tiny situation where we kissed and he told me he loved me”, I say in one quick breath... so fast that I’m barely understandable, and I quickly try to change the subject.

“So, Serena...what about you?”, I cautiously ask but immediately, I can tell that my trick wasn’t good enough. I should have known Maria wouldn’t fall for it.

“Why didn’t you tell me? ME, your best friend! Liz?”, she asked, visibly hurt that I never told her. I honestly don’t know why I kept it a secret all these years.

“I don’t know... it was the night of our farewell party. We danced to that Lenny Kravitz song; Again”, I say

“Oh... I love that song”, Maria sighs out, and I silently agree.

“He kissed me and said that he loved me...always have, always will”, I explain as I play with the straw in my drink, pushing around the cherries.

“Aw, that’s so sweet”, Serena answers.

“So, what did you say to him, Liz?”, Maria asks. I don’t know what to say here.

“I was about to tell him that I loved him too, but Kyle walked in and he left and I went by his house after graduation to find he’d already left and that’s when I found out that Tess was pregnant with his child and I kind of let go of my feeling for him since then, but a part of me still loves him”, I say as I sigh heavily. I wonder what his reaction would have been if I told him that I loved him before he left to NYU.

“That asshole”, Maria hisses out, and I can’t resist a giggle, just by looking at her face... you would too.

“Yeah, well I haven’t heard or seen Max since... I wonder if he’s going to the reunion?”, I wonder out loud. I know that if he comes, Tess will come also, and I definitely don’t want to face that hoe.

“Excuse me miss”, a cocktail waitress interrupts our conversation.

“A chocolate martini, compliments of the gentleman”, she says and I look over to where she points it out. I thank her and without turning back I walked over to where... yep you guessed it… my ex-boyfriend is sitting with some redhead I’ve never seen before. I’m currently counting all the ways he could die right there on the spot, every one of them equally unlikely.

“Hello Liz, Well, I’d like to say that I’m honored that you sang a song in my honor. I didn’t know you could sing like that”, he says. From any other person, I would have taken that as a compliment but not with Kyle. I can’t believe this fucker; he’s really starting to get on my nerves.

“How long have you been here?”, I demand for him to answer, I’m sick and tired of his bullshit.

“Since before you ladies walked in the door. Did you miss me? Is that why you’re here... because if you’re still open to that friends with benefits thing… the offer is still open”, he says with that fucking annoying grin on his face. That’s it...that’s it!!!

“Shut up, you stupid imbecile! I just came over here to tell you to go to hell. I. Fucking. Hate. You!”, I hiss and with that I throw the contents of my drink in his face. Too bad he didn’t order me hot coffee.

“And I hope you rot in it, you bastard!”, his date screamed. Well, just be lucky you’re seeing the real Kyle Valenti this soon instead of ten years later. He quickly storms off after her, but I ‘accidentally’ trip him and his face slams into the ground.

“You’re worthless, you know that?...just worthless”, I quietly tell him just so he could hear. I then go back to my table with a huge grin on my face.

“Bring on the drinks. Keep mine Virgin!”, I add. The bartender laughs and nods and I turn back to the girls. “Tonight is about living it up and I intend to do just that”

All the way home that night we keep singing the song we sang before we left the bar, ‘I will survive’; yeah the one by Diana Ross. With all that laughing and singing... I have to admit I did have fun tonight, and I’m glad that the real me is back and here to stay.

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

Songs used:
Since You’ve Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson
Again by Lenny Kravitz

Chapter 5: Vulnerable

[Roswell New Mexico… August 28 2012 - 7:30AM]
Max POV

“Good morning Max. Welcome to the team. I'm Dave and I'm the general manager. It's my job to make sure the doctors and nurses can do their jobs… mostly finance and logistics. If you have any questions, go to the head of the nursing staff. She’s going to be like, your number two on the floors and she works almost as much as you will. If you have any questions about anything... she’s the person to go to”, he says. He really has a lot of faith in one nurse… well, either that or a terrible lack of faith in all the other nurses. I wonder what he thinks about the other doctors… or this doctor. I can’t help but stifle a small laugh.

“You’re free to wander around until the staff meeting. Let’s just hope that she’s on time today…”, he says. "…I wouldn't hold my breath though", I hear him mumble as he turns and walks out. Wow, talk about getting straight to the point. No, 'how was your trip' or anything. Oh well, I'm not much for small talk anyway. I don't wanna just stand here in the middle of the ER, just watching people rush around me though so I walked outside to the courtyard, took my cell phone and dialled a number.

“Hey, how are you?”, I say

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

[Roswell New Mexico… August 28 2012 - 7:45AM]
Liz POV

“Elizabeth Claudia Parker… for the fiftieth time… get up, get up, get up!!", Maria hollers, "You know that we can’t be late for this employee meeting. Dave has been on all our asses for the past week about it. We cannot be late”

Ungh… since when does she care if we're late? Most of the times we were late, admittedly often, it's her fault. I wouldn’t be like this if we hadn’t come home at two in the morning last night. Wait a minute… how come she's not lying in a semi-coma like me? She's not that much of a morning person, believe me… I know.

“Wait, why are you up before me? Normally, I’m the one trying to get you up”, I say as I sit up in my bed.

“I took one of those Chaser pills… you know the ones that we saw on that commercial the other day and that we laughed and said that it was a sham? Well, I decided to test them out yesterday… who would have thought they would actually work?”, she says calmly, shrugging it off like it's nothing. The woman discovers the holy medicine to a hangover and she’s being casual about it. Me, I have a headache from drinking juice all night... that sweet stuff goes straight to my head.

“So you’re saying that you had alcohol and you made me drink virgin all night? …And don’t even think about pulling the work-card… you have the same shift as me”, I say, quickly adding what I’m sure she would have said. I wonder what excuse she has to say for herself.

“Liz, I have a higher tolerance for alcohol. You enter silly your drunken stage after three drinks… maybe four”, she says. I roll my eyes at this comment, but I can’t really argue with her… *sigh* she does have a point.

I look around and… no Maria. Where the hell did she go? “Come on Liz, get out of bed and get dressed before I drag you to the car in your underwear… and don’t think I won’t. “Come on, Liz! We only have fifteen minutes to get to work, and today they’re going to announce the new nurses’ manager”, she hollers. I actually applied for that position… too bad a dozen other people had done the same thing. I can’t begin to tell how much I want that position. Yeah, maybe I should get out of bed. I jump out of bed and run towards the shower. That should take care of my headache. After that, I quickly get dressed, fix my hair and walk downstairs. Somehow, I have the feeling we’re gonna be late.

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

[Roswell New Mexico… August 28 2012 - 7:50AM]
Max POV

“Max, you’ve gotta help me out here, man... I know we’re supposed to care for each other but your sister is driving me insane. I’ve had to pack her clothes four times. First, she said that her clothes weren’t in the right order, then she complained that the whites and the colored were mixed and then she started bitching about the wrinkles in her clothes so they had to be ironed again before she would agree to go. I’ve had to deal with a lot in my life, but this takes the cake and I’ve only been here for a few hours. I have to endure an entire plane ride with her… I swear I don’t know how Alex does it”, rambled. Only through years of training can I hold back my laughs. He had a point; Isabel had her ways at making people go crazy.

“Michael, calm down man! She can smell your fear”, I laugh out. Sorry, but that one was so obvious, I just couldn’t hold it in.

“That’s not funny, man… if there’s anyone who knows what I’m going through right now, it’s you”, he says. Yeah, I guess I do.

“Which means that I’m used to it… more or less”, I say, mumbling that last part, “Look, I gotta go; there’s an important staff meeting before I start my shift and since it’s about me, I don’t think I should be late”.

Just as I’m about to hang up, I hear my sister yell into the phone. “Maxwell, Maxwell!”, she squeals.

Come on, Max hang up! Hang up, before it’s too late. I can’t hang up… she knows I heard her and if I hang up now, it would only piss her off… and in case you didn’t get it, she can be one scary woman, and the only thing more challenging than sharing a house with Isabel for a week is sharing a house with an angry Isabel for a week.

“Iz… what’s up?”, I ask as causally as I can before she could start barking her orders into the phone. You know, the usual stuff… what time I should be at the airport, what I should bring, what color shirt I should wear… you know, the usual. I swear she missed her calling as a drill sergeant.

“So, who are you bringing to the party? I’m sure Mom has brought it up”, she asks. Pfff, she’s even worse than my mom. I should have known that she would be incapable of letting this opportunity pass her by.

Shit, it’s eight am… the meeting is gonna start any moment now. I really don’t have time for this.
“Isabel, I know about the party, and you should really talk to Mom for details. I really have to go, but I’ll see all of you guys at the airport promptly at 7PM. Love you, bye”, I quickly say before she can protest against me hanging up on her.

I run back into the hospital and into the meeting room where Dave was already waiting for me. “There you are! I thought you ran back to Boston or something“, he said with a smirk on his face. Now there’s an idea. I try to laugh at his joke but since a part of me wishes I had stayed in Boston...it’s not easy. I think I’m gonna keep quiet during the meeting.

~*~*~*~*~*~

[Roswell New Mexico… August 28 2012 – 8:15AM]
Liz POV

“Liz, we are fifteen minutes late… now if you would have gotten up when I told you to, we wouldn’t be this late”, she says as she hurries through the hallway towards the meeting room. She’s acting as if we’ve never been late before, when the truth is, we’ve been late so many times, our boss Dave would actually be suspicious if we were on time. It’s expected it from us to be late… wait a minute, that’s not good.

“Will you calm down, we’ll just sneak in...”, I say, smiling at Maria’s expression. “You don’t have to go all Chicken Little… the world is not going to fall on your head if you’re late”, I try to reassure her. As we walk into the meeting room, it’s completely packed with doctors, nurses and other hospital staff members… basically everyone who’s not in dire need elsewhere. I immediately curse myself for nor wearing heels today, everyone in the room is so tall that I can’t see squat of what’s happening. As a voice fills the room, I wonder who it is and why on earth it’s causing such frenzy.

“As the new chief of the ER, I will not only be your boss, but also your friend and mentor. I am a hands on doctor, and will be checking up on each and everyone one of you”, I hear. I know that I know that voice from somewhere but I haven’t got a clue who it is. I’ll never see anything with all those people here, so me and Maria just lean back against the back-wall.

“Who is he?”, I whisper to Ryan Devon; one of the ER doctors, who was leaning against the wall next to us, but who was significantly taller so he could look over the massive crowd… not to mention he could fill us in about the fifteen minutes we missed.

“He is the new hotshot doctor replacing Dave Johnsons, he’s like, half his age. I wonder how the hell he could get a ranking this high so fast”, he says. I know he wanted this job too but he doesn’t have to be so obviously jealous. Least he can do is be a good sport about it.

“What happened to Johnsons?” Maria asks him. Funny, I was thinking the exact same thing.

“Oh, He’s retired and this guy was transferred from another hospital. I heard he’s getting paid almost twice as much as Dave did”, Ryan says. Wow, I wonder who this great doctor is… for that much money, he must be a genius.

“He thinks he’s such a charmer”, Ryan continues the jealousy-train. He rolls his eyes and stifles a laugh.

“Why do you say that?”, I whisper, curious to know what dirt he has on him. And don’t call me a gossip; I’m still in denial about that one.

“I mean this guy walks into the room, and all the women just stop what they are doing and rush to the front of the room”, he says. Funny… wait a minute, it’s true! I glance around and, true enough, besides Maria and me, I didn’t see a single female. We were surrounded by all the male doctors and nurses.

“And this concludes the meeting”, I hear someone say and I quickly try to pull Maria out of the room with me in. If Dave caught us, he’d know we were late and we’d never hear the end of it. Not to my surprise, Dave catches us trying to leave and practically drags us back into the room. There were still countless women flocking around him asking him all kinds of questions so I still couldn’t get a good look at him. He really is quite the charmer.

“Liz. Maria. How many times have I told you not to be late for these meetings? You’d better be glad it wasn’t something of real importance”, Dave hollers, “I mean Liz, as the new manager of the nursing staff you are supposed to set an example for everyone now. You can’t just come in and out of your shift whenever you feel like it”. Shit, I knew he wasn’t gonna let it go; he’s…… oh my god! Did he just say that I was the new manager? I look at Maria who wasn’t paying any attention to the conversation, she was just glad that we didn’t get in trouble. I then look at Dave and he confirms what I heard with a small smile.

“I’m the new manager?! Oh my god!! Thank you so much!!”, I exclaim jumping up and down. I can’t believe that I actually got the promotion. Okay, calming down now… “Thank you so much Dave, I promise I will try my best not to be late anymore”, I grin as he tries to calm me down.

“Well, since I’m sure you missed your new boss’ introduction, I’ll introduce you guys”, Dave says. I smile but and I hear Maria say that she was gonna get ready for her shift. I tell her I would just be a few minutes. I look back over towards my new boss and I see the women around him leave one by one… don’t I know him?

“Parker, Meet your new boss”, Dave says. That’s… that’s… no, it can’t be! Why here? Why now? Why?”

I always imagined he was living the life I had wanted since I was eight years old. And he would be living it with the perfect all-American girl that I could never compare to. Is it possible for me to dissolve in the air or make the ground swallow me or something? I want to say something… anything… but I just can’t. I can almost feel the color drain away from my cheeks like I just saw a ghost. I did in a way. A ghost of my past.

“Liz, are you alright?”, Dave asked me with a comforting pat on the back, I nodded.

“Dr. Evans, this is Elizabeth Parker... the new manager of the nurses’ staff”, I can’t help it and I just smile at him like some idiot as I try to push the words through my mouth.

“H-Hi Max”, I whisper as he looks at me with equal surprise.

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

Chapter 6: Hello Again [Roswell New Mexico… August 28 2012 – 8:20AM] Max POV Parker? Parker! He can't be serious. I look at him and he can immediately tell he has my attention. I shift my attention from him to the women standing next to him, only a few feet away from me. It's… it's her. Damn, I'm even stuttering in my thoughts. I still find myself getting lost in those beautiful brown eyes of her. Those eyes are exactly as I remember, and yet her eyes show that she's more mature at the same time. I quickly glance over her features and she definitely matured well… not that she wasn't always beautiful. I know it must have hurt her that I didn't keep in touch after I kissed her and told her that I loved her. I know it must have hurt her that I never came back, never called… never looked back. I'm well aware that the rumor that Tessina was pregnant had gotten around and I'm sure that hurt her too. God, I hope she doesn't hate me. Then again, she never contacted me as well. I can’t help but wonder why the smartest girl I ever knew and the valedictorian of West Roswell High was working as a nurse. I always pictured her as a well-respected scientist doing something important like curing cancer or something. How did a girl like Liz Parker end up here? As soon as I get a chance, I have to ask her that. Oh right… she said something to me. I know I need to say something back… why is it so hard to say something? It takes a few seconds but I can finally feel my ability to speak come back to me. “Hey Liz”, I just say. Come on Max, pull yourself together and say something intelligent. I can't. I want to but I can’t get any other words out of my mouth so I instead I just stare at this beautiful woman in front of me. God, I love her… okay, where'd that come from? I haven't seen her in years… but I still do. Does she feel the same for me? “You two already know each other?”, Dave asks, snapping me a out of it… just a little. I can see Liz is trying to get the words out, but she's having no better luck with it than me. Alright Max, time to take the heat off Liz and answer his question. “Yeah, we went to highschool together”, I say, quickly pushing the words out of my mouth. Since when am I this pathetic? I see a pretty girl and I can barely say a single sentence. “So, let me guess… you two were highschool sweethearts?”, he asks with a satisfied grin. For about a second there I had actual hope that he wasn’t going to ask questions about it. For heaven’s sake, just let me stare. I don't need a mirror to tell me that my cheeks are red from blushing… much like Liz’ actually. I, almost subconsciously, scratch behind my left ear. I do that when I’m nervous. When I notice myself doing it, I’m very nervous. Wait a minute, did he just ask if me and Liz were sweethearts? I wish I could say yes. “No”, Liz and I say in unison. I actually sounded pretty funny, the two of us talking like one. I can see Dave thinks it’s funny too. “What ever you guys say”, he says, grinning widely as he starts to walk away. Just before he walked out the door, he suddenly stops. “Max you’re going to be making your rounds with Elizabeth today, so I guess it’s good that you know at least one person on your first day”, he says. What?! Liz and me, together all day long… are you kidding me? I can’t handle this; the tension is just… it’s too much. Okay Max, you’re gonna have to pull yourself together. “Moving from a big city like Boston to a small town like Roswell is a big change Max… don’t think I don’t get that. It’s gonna take time to fully adjust. Liz can help you; she’s the most qualified nurse we have at this moment. You two work together and you’ll be caught up in no time. We’re glad to have you on the team, Maxwell”, he says. Wow, quite the welcome. “Oh, and Liz… keep an eye on him”, he adds and I can already feel my ego deflate. And with that he left the room, and I was left alone… alone with Liz. Damn, my heart is beating like crazy. As a doctor, I can say that’s generally not a good thing. We stand he, looking to each other for several minutes. This is almost surreal. “So... what are you doing here?”, I finally manage to say, “I thought you’d be in some laboratory, battling cancer or something” She smiles at me. Such a small action but it’s enough to take my breath away yet again. It’s like her smile literally lights up the room… her smiles have always lighted up the room, even when we were still in highschool. “Well um, that was the plan”, she says softly before she sits down in one of the chairs. She’s no longer smiling. On her face is a look of pain and anguish. Max, you idiot, you upset her. “What happened, Liz?”, I find myself asking her. I really don’t mean to pry and I certainly don’t want to make her upset… but I have to know what kept Liz in Roswell when she had been itching to get out of this town that she called suffocating. “My dad”. That’s all she says and I can see her beautiful brown eyes watering. She’s trying to fight it but I obviously hit a sore spot. Damn me for pushing this! I should have known to shut up sooner. “Liz?”, I say in a calm and caring voice as I sit down next to her and lean towards her so she’s looking straight in my eyes. God, she’s so beautiful… even when she’s hurting. “Maria left to Los Angles without me so she could get a jumpstart and look for an apartment. I was going to leave three days after that. Meanwhile I helped out in the café and I hired a few extra people so my parents wouldn’t be swamped”, she tells, trying desperately not to break down in front of me, “The day that I was going to leave for Berkeley… my dad had heart-failure and he died in the emergency room”. She’s still been able to keep her composure, and I can feel a tear stickling down my own face; she’s so much stronger than me. As she’s gathering the strength to continue, I can’t help but notice her eyes, it’s almost like the sparkle that was so apparent in her eyes has vanished and a cold wind passed over her… and that scares me more than anything ever did. “Liz. I’m sorry. I-I should have been there for you. I didn’t mean to desert you”, I say in an almost begging tone. She gives me a small sympatethic smile before continuing. “I had to stay here and take care of mom. A few days later, I found out that dad left me complete ownership of the Crashdown and I realized I couldn’t just pack up and leave. So, I gave up the dream I had about becoming a scientist and started taking over my father’s business. I couldn’t let my father’s life work go to ruin”, she says, ending in nothing more than a whisper. Well damn, she’s working as much hours as me here and then she’s got another job. Me, I can barely stand the amount of hours I’m making now “So, how did you get to become a nurse?”, I say. I figure that I better ask all my questions now because I don’t think I’ll ever have the strength to bring this subject up again. I know that there’s a pretty big chance she’ll be annoyed with my prying and leave… but she doesn’t. “Well, I went to nursing school. My mom didn’t want me to just work at the café for the rest of my life so she convinced me to go to school. Instead of going to a four year university, I chose something closer to home. I attended a nursing school just out side of Las Cruces… that way I commuted back and forth”, she explained and I can already see her expression getting a little better, “I decided that I wanted to help people. I couldn’t help my dad but, but I can help others now. And there’s something about that that fills me with a joy that science never did”. I watch with amazement as all the sadness wiped away from her face like a veil being removed, and she was left with a strange smile… not joy but something that I can’t quite place. But it’s a smile nonetheless. “I’m so sorry that you had to go through all of that alone”, I say. I so much want to hold her and let her cry on my shoulder but that isn’t my place. Why can’t I come up with some words that are really going to cheer her up? Here she is, struggling with her past with braveness and determination and all I can say is apologize for not being here. She gave up her dreams and life’s passion for her family... and I can’t even say the same to her. “I wasn’t alone”, she says. She has a boyfriend doesn’t she... a fiancée… a husband? I should have known that a girl like Liz couldn’t be single. How stupid can you be Maxwell? She’s as beautiful as ever… why on earth would she still be on the single? ...Idiot! “No?”, I finally manage to ask. Oh God, please don’t let her say some guy’s name. Please! “Maria came back from LA for the funeral, but she left after a few days while I stayed here. She tried to work with the record label, but she decided that she wasn’t happy and she came back to Roswell. She doesn’t talk about it at all, but she decided to enrol to nursing school with me”, she says. So she meant Maria when she said she wasn’t alone. There is a God! I have so many more questions to ask her, the most important one concerning the men in her life… but I don’t want to upset her even more than I already did. But don’t worry, I’ll find out. I get to work with her all day long. I will find out. I silently watch her as she transforms back into the Liz Parker I knew as she flips her hair, and tucks a strand behind her ear. God I love it when she does that. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Liz POV I can’t believe I just told him that. I haven't seen the guy in years and I told him my life's story within several minutes. God, I almost cried. He must think I'm such a baby. Looks like I still have fifteen minutes until we have to clock in… and since I told him about my life, it's only fair that he tells me the story of his life. Please let him tell me he's not with that horrible bottled blonde anymore. Oh, who are you kidding; she was pregnant and he probably married her years ago. “So… how's everything going with you, Max? How's Tess?”, I say as friendly as I can. Wow, I almost believed myself there. It took great effort to say her name out loud with a straight face. "Well, I followed the plan I had since junior year. I went to Yale to study medicine and you know the story", he says. I let out a small laugh; of course he studied medicine… him being a doctor and all. “What's so funny?”, he asks, flashing me a small smile. God, he has such a gorgeous smile. “Nothing”, I say, flashing a smile back. He doesn't seem satisfied with my answer though. “Come on Parker. If I make you laugh, at least tell me what I said so I can say it again”, he says and I can't help but smile at that. "It's nothing special…", I say as he stares at me intently, "…It's obvious that you studied medicine, Max". Ever noticed how something is not funny anymore when you have to explain it. He gives me an embarrassed laugh and I think he's actually blushing right now. He looks so cute doing that… too bad he's married to Tess. “And as for Tessina…", he says, and for a second, I see his expression harden, "She and I are no longer together”. They… are… not? Oh, thank God! Oh, I think I'm gonna faint. No, don't even think about it Liz! Don't you dare faint! I know I shouldn't be jumping for joy when he tells me he and his long time girlfriend aren't together anymore… but I can't help it. I get promoted, I meet Max again and he's single… am I dreaming? “Oh, I’m sorry Max”, I say in a sympathetic tone. You're way better off without that bimbo… but that's not something I'm gonna be saying out loud. I suddenly find my hand on his back, trying to comfort him. He's not over her… I can see it on his face. “It’s okay, really. It’s not like it’s big news or anything”, he rationalizes but I don't buy it. He has this sad expression on his face… one you get from a bad break-up. I'm guessing they split up not so long ago… actually a lot like me and Kyle. Oh God, don't let him bring up Kyle. “So what about you? Are you still with Kyle?”, he asks after a few seconds of silence. Damn! That is something I really don't wanna talk about. Well, I suppose I have to tell him. As I'm about to answer, my cell phone starts ringing. Talk about being saved by the bell. “Sorry”, I mutter to Max and I check who's calling. “Sorry... I have to take this. Excuse me”, I say. I want to avoid the question about Kyle but that's not the main reason I'm taking this call. You see, it's my mother. I quickly glance at the clock; looks like I have about five minutes until my shift starts. “I’ll meet you at the front desk in seven minutes, okay?”, I say as I wink at him… huh, why am I winking at him? Well, let's just say my body has been taken over by a higher cosmic force because I'm never this weird. I quickly jump into the next room and answer my phone. “Mom, what’s wrong? Are you alright?”, I shout into the phone. My mother's health is not what it used to be, and I'm a little bit worried every time she calls… add to that the fact that I'm already hyper because of Max and you get this kind of answer from me when I pick up the phone. “Liz honey, please calm down. I haven’t really been feeling well lately but I'll be fine, really. Honey, I need you to do the inventory tonight”, she says and even though I'm not exactly looking forward to I sigh in a quick relief that nothing serious happened. Still, she said she wasn't feeling well lately… “Do you have a cold or something? You know, I can set up an appointment for you if you’d like?”, I offered. I know she's going to say no but I have to ask. Maybe someday she'll get wiser. “Elizabeth, there is no need for that really. And please don’t set one up behind my back”, she says. See? Don't tell me I don't know my mother. “Fine, but if it gets any worse, please promise to tell me”, I pleaded "Fine honey, I promise. Now, will you be able to make it tonight?", she asks. “Of course. I’ll be there around seven when my shift is over, okay?”, I say. “Alright honey. I’ll see you tonight. Don’t work too hard, okay?”, she says. Funny, she always says that and I never listen. Well, working two jobs does that with you. “Bye”, I say before hanging up the phone. I better go to the front desk to pick up Max. God, that sounds so weird. I’m going to pick up Max… hmm, I can get used to that. Okay, I’m at the front desk now and I’m thinking that Max is buried somewhere deep inside that group of nurses. Jeez, I can’t leave him alone for a few minutes. Is there a Max Evans fanclub or something? Oh great, he’s talking to Maria. If she tells him about Kyle I’m gonna… I’m gonna… well, I’m gonna look very sternly at her. Time to break up this little party. “Come on ladies, stop bugging dr Evans. He’s with me”, I say with a smile. I can get used to this management position. “Ready?” I ask him as the nurses scatter and go to their jobs. He smiles… ungh, he’s so cute when he does that. “Ready when you are”, he says. Well, I suppose I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. This is one day I’m hoping goes by slow. Well, time to check up on our first patient of the day. TBC.....

Chapter 7: The Doctor Will See You Now [New York, August 28 2012... 12:15pm] Alex POV “Alex, did you pack everything? I want to get there early; you know that I don’t like to be rushed when it comes to flying. We have to leave here a quarter to three, and make sure that you’re on time. Oh, did you pack you good slacks, and not the ones that have the stain on the side?”, Isabel rants. Honestly, that woman never ceases to amaze me… how the hell did she manage to say so many things in one sentence. She didn't even stop to breathe. I always wondered how she was able to do that until I met her parents and then I finally understood; Diane Evans was the exact same way… maybe even more so. “Alexander Charles Whitman, did you hear me or am I just talking to myself?”, she asks. Well, I guess a little of both but I’d better answer before I piss her off... and the plane ride is too long to be stuck with a pissed-off Isabel. “Yes dear”, I say. Way to suck up, Alex “Okay, just make sure you're ready to leave when Michael gets here. I really hope he didn't pack his college shirts. I mean what is with all of you guys... it’s like you, Michael and Max have been triplets separated at birth or something. You all act so alike, it's just freaky… and what's the thing with wearing those stupid college shirts anyway?”, she asks, poking her head into the room and waiting for me to answer. Is she serious? Yeah, I guess she is. “Because, sweetie... they're comfortable and make us feel young again… like there's nothing we can't do”, I say. Yes, of course it's bull but I'm sure she'll buy it… uhm… is she laughing at me? “That's gotta be the largest piece of bull I have ever heard", she laughs. Okay, what is that supposed to mean? “Honey... in case you didn't notice, the only time you ever even wear those stupid clothes is when everything else is dirty and you’re too lazy to wash anything on your own”, she notes. Okay, did she just make fun of me and call me lazy in one sentence? Well… maybe she does have a point. “But if you already knew... why did you ask me?”, I ask… does she enjoy making me look like an idiot? “To see what your excuse would be”, she says with a smile and a shrug. Apparently, she does. I sigh deeply and as expected, she changes the subject before I can get upset… an art she mastered to perfection. “So, I went to the doctor's today for my check up… and I wanted to talk to you before we left; before Michael gets here”, she says. When I look at her I can see this spark in her eyes; a spark that's only there if she's really excited or happy about something. I take her hand in mine and pull her against me. “And what did he say, Iz?”, I ask eagerly. Yeah, I know I'm whipped but I really wanna know. But just as she's about to say something, the doorbell rings. I fight back the six curses that immediately pop in my mind and instead, I just let out a sigh. I don't want to wait hearing this news that's undoubtedly big… but I guess I have no choice but to wait. “Don’t worry, Alex. It can wait until we get to Roswell”, she assures me but that doesn’t really comfort me. I want to ask if she could at least give me a hint but she already went back to triple-check our luggage, so instead, I just answer the door. I wasn't surprised to see Michael, ready and waiting. “Great timing Michael!”, I say sarcastically as I close the door behind him. Well, maybe I shouldn't be so hard on him; he'll have plenty to deal with soon. It's only a matter of time before Isabel gets on his nerves… she's good at that, you know… and he'll be pleading with me to find an escape route. “What? It’s not enough that I was here this morning... and that I had to go back to my apartment to pack in a hurry just because you two wanted me to be on the same flight as us. You know, I already had a ticket for tomorrow… it took me almost half an hour to change it. And besides, there's a a reason to why I don’t travel with Isabel… well, you should know... you married her”, he hisses in a hushed tone. You know, with my luck, Isabel heard that. I swear that woman has ears like a dog. And when she hears this, it's not gonna be pretty… she's gonna get all emotional and me and Michael are gonna feel all guilty. “What was that?”, Isabel asks, peeking through the partially opened door into the living room me and Michael just stepped in. Remember… ears like a dog. “Nothing Dear... just getting Michaels things together that’s all”, I say, hoping against all odds that maybe she didn't hear what Michael said and she would buy what I said… but who am I kidding… I'm like, the most transparent person in the world. But still, one can hope. “Right... just remember... there is a good chance neither one of you will have any fun on this trip”, she says with a serious expression before pulling her head back through the door. Damn, she heard it. On instinct, I shove Michael into the wall. ”Thanks a lot, you dork!”, I whisper fiercely to him. Damn him, why did he have to do this... every time... it's always the same thing. “Whatever”, is all he ever says before he drops his bags and plops on the couch, starting to watch the baseball game. That son of a bitch doesn't even care… he's so lucky [Roswell New Mexico, August 28th 2012… 10:19 AM] Max POV It's already been two hours that me and Liz started doing our rounds. I try to concentrate on the charts, the patients, and on the information that Liz was feeding me prior to me making the important decisions. I really tried my best... I don’t want to look like a love-sick idiot while I listen to the girl that I loved since I was about ten years old. Every time, I had to pry my eyes away from her an actually pay attention to my patient. Now that is something that never happened to me, not even when Tessina was in the room.. “Okay, everything looks fine... just keep the ice package on your eye and we’ll be back when the swelling goes down”, I smile at a young girl; she's about thirteen years of age. And as we walk out the room, she bursts out in a fit of giggles. I glance at Liz and she's shaking her head and tries not to laugh at what just happened. But what happened? “What?”, I ask. “Nothing”, she says, biting back another response she was about to give, almost like she didn't want me to hear what she really wanted to say. Am I childish when I say that I definitely want to know it now? Don't answer that! “C’mon Liz, what was that about?”, I say, flashing a smile at her now as we come to a stop next to the nurses’ station. I turn towards her so I could see entire expression when she answers me again. “I guess, after all this time, you haven’t lost your charm. Even after all these years, you can still make any girl blush and giggle with only a wink and a smile”, she says. I look as she smiles briefly and she looks squarely into my eyes. “You’ve haven’t yet”, I say, nervously scratching behind my ear as she nods and flushes a little before she started to gather some stuff and head into the main office to collect some data where I quickly follow. “Well, the days not over yet”, she says. Maybe there still is something between us… or am I totally misreading her? Oh God, don't let it be a misreading. My eyes follow her as she went into another office and starts talking to another doctor… that lucky bastard. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ I'm checking up on a few patients while Liz is away and I can suddenly feel someone else there. He's looking at me, maybe even studying me. Why does that make me feel really uneasy? I now see a dark-haired guy come around the corner, walking towards me. He's about my age, dark haired, tall and lanky… almost like Alex, but his nametag reads dr. Tom Brady. “So you’re the new boss?”, he asks as he comes closer to me, and extends his hand for a friendly handshake. “Yeah”, is all I can really say as I reach out and shake his hand. He seems like a nice guy. “Oh sorry, I’m Tom Brady”, he introduces himself. “Evans, Max Evans”, I say and for a second or two, we don't say anything. It's that awkward stage when two guys just meet. As we stand here in silence, Liz and Maria walk past us. Liz is talking to Maria and she immediately captures my attention… and I can sense that she captured Brady's attention as well. “So, I see you’re making the rounds with Elizabeth”, he says with a smirk as I bring my attention back to him, which was hard, I can tell you that much. “She is a real number isn’t she? The word is buzzing around that she just got out of a rocky relationship. Thank God, I tell you. I’d give anything to tap that little piece of ass, because God knows that I’ve tried. If you know what I’m saying”, he says as he smiles devilishly. I'm trying not to look too disgusted but that's really hard. “Excuse me?”, I ask, probably with a little more venom than intended… no wait, exactly enough venom. Who the fuck does this guy think he is, talking about Liz like that?! Wait a minute… did he just say rocky relationship? I look towards Liz again and a smile creeps on my face as I see all the little things she did so many years ago, that she still does now. God, she's perfect. “Yeah, I asked her out numerous times, and every time, I get shot down", Brady answers my question, obviously missing my apparent anger. "She is a hard one to break in, but trust me—it’s worth it once you do”, he says before walking off in the other direction. I do not like that guy and I don't like the way he looks at Liz… nope, not a bit. ~*~*~*~*~*~ [Roswell New Mexico, August 28th, 2012.... 10:23AM] Liz POV Maria pulls me aside… well, actually she more like jerked me away. I know she can’t wait to get the latest gossip on Max and I haven’t been able to talk to her all day long. I keep sneaking peeks at Max while we talk, and I just can't wipe off this stupid grin as Maria keeps trying to pry information out of me, like I had some dish to spill. “Maria, I was actually close to literally jumping for joy when he said that he wasn’t with Tess anymore. What kind of person am I? I mean Kyle and I just broke up”, I say without thinking. I can already see her taking a breath and I know what she's gonna say so I interrupt her. "Don't! I know… I don't love Kyle anymore…but you forget that he was a huge part of my life for all these years, even though I didn’t know that he was screwing every girl in every state he was in. I thought he was someone; I thought we had something. And even though I was obviously wrong, I shouldn’t be jumping for joy for his misfortune”, I rant. Maria takes me by both arms and vigorously shake me. “Babe, stop rambling...and listen to me...”, she says as she still holds my shoulders in a tight grasp. Damn, she's got some grip. “I'm going to say this one more time… it is time to close the Kyle-chapter and move on. Kyle did that a long time ago. He's like a Rotweiler; don’t show him your weakness because he'll take advantage of it. I won’t let him hurt you anymore, don’t worry about it anymore Liz. I’ve got you’re back no matter what”, she says. I smile at her as I gently hug her. Thank God that I still have my best friend; a person to cling to when I want to give up and call it quits or when I freak out. Yeah, she's always the one to get me back to reality. “Liz, Kyle is a jerk and will always be a jerk", she continues. "Nothing is going to stop that. But it’s time to move on, spread your wings, and learn how to fly“, she says. I hate to break up this little moment but no way… I won't let her do this again. “Maria, can you please stop with the Kelly Clarkson lyrical advice”, I say as I roll my eyes. "Shut up!", she squeals as I start to walk towards Max, ready to continue our rounds. Well, Maria does have a point; I really should forget about Kyle. “Are you ready Max? Max?”, I shout to Max. He doesn't answer; talk about being in deep thought, "Max!" ~*~*~*~*~ Max POV “Max...Max?”, I hear a faint voice calling just before I snap back to reality, and out of the dream state I was in. When I turn slightly, I find Liz staring up at me with at smile on her face. I can see she's trying not to laugh… she was never very good at pretending. “Are you alright?”, she asks in a concerned and somewhat curious voice. Gosh, how long was I standing there? You're embarrassing yourself, Evans? “Y-Yeah. Why? Did you say something?”, I attempt, somehow succeeding in saying something when all I want I want to be at this moment is be invisible. “It’s just that I’ve been trying to get your attention for the past two minutes", she says. Why am I still visible?, "Where were you just then?” I feel my face redden; okay... if someone can actually die from embarrassment, it's a good thing I'm already in a hospital. “Sorry, It was nothing... I was just… thinking that’s all”, I say with an undoubtedly sheepish smile. Please Liz, just let that one rest “Thinking... hmmm... well, whatever you say, Evans”, she says with a smile. When she looks away, I sigh in relief as she looks at the next chart and motions me to follow her. “Mrs. Johnson, she is a regular here. We keep checking up on her after her husband passed away. She's been complaining about several aches and pains. Just be gentle, like I know you can be… doctor” she smirks at me as we make our way to ward D-5. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Liz POV “Good morning mrs Johnson”, I say as me and Max both enter the room. There is something about the way she's looking at me and Max… like she was inspecting us, instead of the other way around. “What brings you back so soon?”, she asks, a little confused. As the elderly woman is getting situated, I look at Max who's looking through her chart. “Oh...Elizabeth, dear how are you?”, she says. She just recognized me… she's a little slow on things like that but she's a sweet woman, sometimes even reminding me somewhat of my grandma, something that gives me peace on certain days. “I’m just fine Mrs. Johnson”, I say as I smile at her reassuringly. “Now mrs Johnsson… what is disturbing you today? Are you feeling well?”, I ask “Oh no dear, I have a terrible pain in my side. It hurts when I stretch or take a deep breath. I feel a rather sharp pain at times”, she says, carefully explaining her aches. I look at Max as he listens to her first before checking her over. He's in his serious mode right now… I can tell. “Can you take a deep breath. mrs Johnson?”, Max asks as he checks her heart. “Who’s the looker?”, she asks, much to my surprise. I'm actually kind of surprised that she would be so bold as to ask me who Max is when he's standing only a few inches away. I know he heard it because he's turning as pink as… well, something pink… in an instant. It's really cute how his ears perk up as he tries to hide this little fact. “Miss... I’m doctor Evans. I'll make some X-rays of your side to make sure everything is in tip top shape”, he says, winking at me causing me to jump slightly. Oh hell, I can’t take it anymore. I suddenly drop all the papers I have in my hands. I don't care about mrs Johnsson right about now. “Take me, Max... take me now. I’ve been holding this in for far too long”, I plead as I grab his shirt and push him against the door, jumping up and wrapping my legs around his waist. A second later, I can feel the warmth of his lips on mine. “I missed you so much Max...”, I hiss as I continue to kiss him, and continue to feel his warm tongue wrestle with mine. “I’ve always loved you Max... I’m sorry, I never got to tell you that... I always have”, I sigh as he leaves a trail of kisses on my neck and back up to my lips. “Excuse me Liz. LIZ?!”, Max says, causing me to break out of my daydream… and a damn good daydream it was. Max asked me something… I wonder what. I quickly duck my head, remembering what my daydream was just about... and I literally feel like I'm going to pop with embarrassment. Thank God he's not a mind reader. “Could you call to get one of the machines down here asap… no need to keep mrs Johnson waiting all day long. Are you alright? You look flushed, like you're blushing”, he smirks as I bend down to collect the papers I dropped. When he goes to check up on a patient we saw earlier, I finally have a chance to get a hold of myself. “He’s really handsome don’t you think?”, mrs Johnsson asks. She almost scared me to death; I totally forgot that she was here. “Don’t you agree?”, she asks. I smile at her and nod. I then call upstairs, ask for the machine and wait for them to come with it… which took way too long by the way. Once it's wheeled down, Max makes his way back inside the room. But the visions I had in my day dream are just way too real for me. Geez, I need a cold shower. Please don't let me say something stupid. TBC......

Chapter 8: There's always room for seconds...

[Roswell, New Mexico… September 9th, 1998]
Max POV

If I think back to the time that I considered Liz Parker just a friend, I have to go way back in the day when she was scrawny and it was the last day of junior high. I was pretty nice to her in school and we only lived five minutes away from each other. When we were younger, I found that to be a downside, especially since anyone could tell that she was in love with me. But as I got older, I could see things starting to change... or at least I thought it did. She always used to bug me, but as I got more and more popular and she didn’t, I felt kind of bad for her in some way. I was still being nice to her; not only because my mom told me to do so, but also because she was what I considered an old friend. Hell, I’ve known her ever since kindergarten. In the fifth grade I was convinced I loved her, but that quickly changed in the sixth grade when Pam Troy came into the picture and took the attention away from most of girls in our grade. So when Liz and I lost touch over the summer of 98’, the last person I thought would talk to me was Liz. But she proved me wrong once again.

“Wow...dude look at the hottie that just walked in the classroom”, Kyle Valenti, the jock that just moved here earlier in the summer, said. His dad was Roswell's new sheriff. They just moved from Minnesota and lived down the street from me, so being the friendly guy that I was... no coughing please… we became friends and hit it off instantly.

Eager to see who this hottie was I turned around to see a petite brunette talking with a group of girls. From the backside she was cute... dressed in a short denim skirt with a red tank top, and white tennis shoe sandals.

When she turned around, I could swear that time stopped because I felt everything around me slow down until it was almost motionless. As she walked towards the table Kyle and I were at I looked into her eyes, and she smiled.

“Hi Max”, she said, with a shy smile as I tried to find my voice and get back into reality. I can tell you that wasn't easy.

“Liz hey... how was your summer?”, I asked. I remember exactly what I was thinking: 'Stupid question Evans... come on, you haven’t seen her all summer and that’s the question you ask. Man did she grow into her own or what? She has curves... I’ve never noticed that before. Maybe I wasn’t really looking... or she had a damn fine summer'.

“Oh, it was okay... the usual science camp... the girls were really sweet, as always. How did you hold up in Roswell?”, she asked. Now that I think of it, Roswell had been the same boring place as it's always been and I had been stuck there just like every year, while every year she went off to sunny California to either stay with her Aunt or go to camp.

“Good. Good. Just trying to keep from suffocating. I got a job at the UFO Museum”, I told her. I still don't know why did I told her that… she could have thought I was trying to stalk, her since she worked at the Crashdown which was located across the street from there.

“Good to hear...wow, so um...you got a job, so I can go bug you since you’re in close range of where I work huh? Tempting”, she said. Yes, that's right… she said tempting. I couldn’t wipe a stupid grin off my face. I could hear someone clearing his throat to get my attention but I was so captivated by Liz that I didn’t want to pay attention to anyone but her.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me?”, Kyle asked as he pushed me to get my attention. I swear I forgot he was even next to me. Again... Liz... I still couldn’t believe how grownup she looked.

“Oh, right... Kyle, this is Liz Parker. Liz this is Kyle Valenti”, I said and right when I said this, Kyle got up and ran around the desk to stand in front of her and shake her hand. She blushed at the motion and right at that moment I regretted ever introducing them, and I just knew I would kick myself later that he would be the one to make her blush. I felt this strange feeling… this anger boiling up inside of me, and all I wanted to do was push him away from her. I was the only one who was allowed make her feel that way, but I didn’t because she wasn’t mine; she was my friend nothing more. Stupid me.

Right then the teacher walked in the room.

“Welcome to your homeroom... everyone please stand so you can be assigned your seats. Pam Troy... Kyle Valenti... Tessina Harding…”, he said and as the list went on... he came to the last row.

“…Liz Parker…”, he said and as she walked to her seat all the guys' diverted their attention to her and some jocks whistled while I on the other hand wanted to punch in the face them for even looking at her that way.

“Max Evans”, the teacher said and I looked around to see if I heard him correctly; some guys sneered at me so I probably heard correctly and I smiled as I took the seat next to Liz. I looked at her schedule and it turned out that we had almost every class together. Except p.e. I had football.

“So, can I walk you to class?”, I asked. I was hoping that she didn’t take a liking to Kyle and would let me, but I didn’t want to sound desperate or something if she said no. I still had some pride then.

“Sure I’d like that”, she smiled and brushed a piece of hair behind her ear. Before that moment, I never noticed all the small things she did before… and it looked incredibly cute and hot now.

While I put my books into my locker, Kyle came up behind me and patted me on the back.

“You lucky son of a bitch. I’ll give you a hundred dollars to trade seats with me”, he said and I smirked at how desperate he seemed to be.

“Not a chance in hell”, I answered with a smile. He looked really disappointed as he tried calling a higher price, but I didn’t listen to him. I walked over to Liz’s locker and she was just getting her books out.

“Ready?”, I asked her as she flashed me a bright smile.

“Sure”, I said, practically beaming with happiness. I knew then that it was going to be one hell of a year.

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

[Roswell, New Mexico… August 28th 2012]
Liz POV

“Max, Mrs Johnson’s lab results came back”, I say as I find him in the break room pouring himself a cup of coffee. He looks very professional. And to think that it took me all day to pry Maria off me and stop asking questions about him, more specifically me and him. Actually, after that day dream I had earlier, I'm surprised that he's not asking the exact same questions.

“Cool, what do we got?”, he asks eagerly. I can see he’s been waiting to see what the results would be... he cares for his patients; it's really great to see that in a doctor. Let's just say not all doctors are like that. It's refreshing to work with a doctor like him.

“Well, nothing seems to be broken... but I think she might be experiencing from some slight tenderness; maybe too much activity in her garden or something”, I suggest. Oh shit, maybe I'm overstepping my boundaries here; I’m not the doctor and I should let him to his job. On the other hand, she has been in here for the same reason several times and it’s his first day here, and I’d just thought I’d let him know my thoughts.

If follow him as he takes the X-rays to one of the empty exam rooms, and puts it against he light box. Funny how doctor's always assume you follow them when they walk away without saying something. He then turns it of again. ”I think you might be right. How many times has this been reported with her?”, he asks.

“She came in about three times before, always complaining about almost the exact same problem...do you think that they might be linked?”, I asked, almost doubtful for her. After all, linked mostly means bad and I didn’t want anything to happen to her. I hate seeing death, and even though it’s a hospital and it happens a lot more often than we would like; I still hate that part of my job.

He's not reacting. “Are you okay? You seem distant?”, I say and I can’t help but notice the glass glaze he's giving me.

“Yeah, I was just remembering our first day at Roswell high... do you remember?”, he says, giving me this sly glance as we make our way back to the exam room.

“Yeah… wow, that was a really long time ago... I was so nervous... I mean to see you again... it was the first time I ever felt that way”, I smile and I'm sure I'm blushing. I can’t believe I actually told him that, why am I being so straightforward?

“Yeah well, I realize my mistake after all this time...”, he says. Okay Liz, don't ask him what the mistake was. Don't ask him; you don't wanna know.

“Asking you out... I still regret that to this day... did you like me?”, he asks. Does he really have to ask? I’ve been in love with him since kindergarten… I mean who could resist those soulful eyes, dark hair...mysterious...what’s not to love?

“Max... you have no idea”, I say, giving him a confident smirk as we make our way into the examination room.

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

[At the same time in the air]
Isabel POV

“Michael if that pager beeps one more time I’m going to flush it down the toilet.” I exclaim... does he really have to work on a flight. All the cell phones in the world I can handle but not something that started beeping every ten seconds from the second we sat down... for goodness sake, I don’t know how people can have those and not be tormented by them.

“Isabel, if you don’t like it, just plug your ears. I’m not going to stop my work because you’re getting annoyed; I can’t just ignore every one of my clients just because I’m going home for the week", he says

“If you don’t turn that stupid thing on vibrate you are going to be sorry Michael”, I say. A little threat goes a long way, trust me… but I swear if he doesn’t listen to me he will regret it. Why do I have to sit next to him anyway? I know the stupid airline mixed up the tickets and placed him on the opposite side of the plane, but Alex and I always sit next to each other on flights. Oh my freaking God, there's that pager again. Okay, that's it!

“Hey what are you doing?", Michael shouts, "Isabel give that back… you can’t destroy it, that’s a violation of personal property. I can have you arrested for that”, Michael shouts as I grab the unholy pager from his hands and threaten to smash it. I automatically roll my eyes; there he goes again with that stupid lawyer crap. Did he forget that I’m married to a lawyer?

“You can have it back when we get to Roswell, but until then it’s mine”, I simply tell him as I drop it in my purse and quickly secure it before he can take it away from me again. Ah, finally, some quiet… finally, I can hear myself think again.

“Ahh...”, he shouts and I laugh. I'm sorry but at this point, I'm just amused by his actions

“Why are you like this?”, he demands to know in a stern tone

“Like what?”, I ask him in an innocent girlish tone. That tone works wonders on Alex too.

“Like you own the entire goddamn world… you know the whole world does not revolve around you”, he exclaims

"No, it revolves around the sun", I say back with a grin. Okay, no quick comeback? Okay, look at him, he's all hyper. He’s definitely nervous about something... he only gets this way when he’s nervous.

“Why are you nervous?”, I question him. I see him tense up… guess I was right… and I'm guessing he really doesn't wanna talk about it… well too bad for him.

“Nervous? I’m not nervous... what are you talking about?”, he says, trying to play the calm and collective part. Someone who doesn't know him might believe him, but I see right through that act.

“Michael, I’ve known you my entire life...I know how you get when you’re nervous. All high, paranoid and tense. Something is bothering you...what is it?”, I push. Okay sue me; I really wanna know... at this point I have to know. I'll find out one way or another… but I wanna know now… and he better tell me. Yes, that's another small threat.

“Isabel, what on earth are you talking about?”, he demands to know in that same stern tone. He doesn’t even admit he's nervous… it's gonna take me hours to get the information from him. What is it with guys and their so-called pride? I just don’t get it.

“Whatever. Don’t answer the question...”, I say as I sit back and pretend to let it go.

“Can I have my pager back?”, he asks cautiously.

No way on earth; my ears are just starting to adjust to hearing something other than just those annoying beeps. “No”, I simply say. He then gets and got up and makes his way to the back of the plane, towards Alex.

Blast! Now I'll never find out

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

[Roswell, New Mexico… August 28th 2012]
Liz POV

One hour to go until I have to start my shift at the Crashdown, and I'm really not looking forward to it… but I'm also a little worried about my mom. She didn't sound very well and she's all the family I have left and I don’t want to lose her. With a huff, me and Max started to make our way out of the exam room until I stopped Max.

“What?”, he asks. As I look back at Mrs. Johnson, I see she’s still sitting there. She hasn’t moved to put on her clothes to leave.

I can’t help but smirk as I pull him aside. This even funnier with Max than with Dougie.

“I forgot to tell you... she always has a physical when she comes in... and while you were seeing the other patients... she asked for you upon special request. So, you’d better get going, doctor”, I say with a smile as he rolls his eyes and makes his way back into the exam room.

I can’t help but laugh at his reaction. Looks like she has a new favorite; Dougie will be so happy. But I can’t say the same for Max. I shrug it off and make my way to the nurse’s station to mark off the patients we've already visited. Seems like everything was pretty much finished... some patients were waiting for their results, so nothing could really be done.

“Where are you going?”, I ask as Maria and Serena try to speed past the front desk. Nice try ladies.

“We’re going to go Jason Behr's new movie and drool over him… he’s supposed to look extra cute in this one… very promising”, Serena explains. I smile widely; that’s what she says about all his movies... the girl is obsessed, I tell you.

“You should come with us... you know you like him too”, Maria offers with a smile. Very crafty; trying to get on my non-boss side.

“Tempting...", I say honestly, "…but I can’t. After this I have to go to the Crashdown and do the monthly inventory. I promised my mom. But I know you’ll give me the reviews… over… and over…”, I say with a smirk. She knows what I'm getting at.

“You bet your ass I will. Maybe I’ll stop by to help you later”, Maria promises. I just smiled because I know for a fact that this is never going to happen. Maria plus Jason Behr does not exactly equal work.

“Yeah yeah”, I laugh as they make their way out of the hospital, leaving me alone... yet again.

“Help, I need help!”, someone comes in through the front door, his voice echoing through the hallway. It looks like someone has just been stabbed. I can already see Dougie rushing towards the man's side.

“Parker, some help here!”, He yells out and I quickly come to his aid.

We work for a good forty five minutes before the patient's pulse drops. It's like time stops at this moment. I can slowly see the life drain away from his face. Doug is determined not to let him die, and tries everything he can to bring the man back. For a second there, I could have sword I saw my father lying there for a moment before I blinked and saw the young man on the table. I literally have to shake the image from my head.

“Time of death, 17:30pm”, Dough sighs in frustration. I record the time I wonder if I should say something, but I don’t know what I should say... I can’t really get the right words out… even after several years, I still can't.

As we start to prepare the body for the family, if he had any, I finally find some words. “So young”, is all I say. And it's true; he looks about my age, maybe even younger. Images of my dad come flooding back to my mind. It's not your dad Liz! It's not! God, I hate days like this.

“You’re not gonna cry on me are you?”, Dougie asks and with some effort, I manage to roll my eyes at him, pretending like everything was fine as I start to pull the tubes out of the deceased patient's lifeless body and tend the cuts.

“No… why? Are you?”, I say and I actually manage to smirk… before he suddenly starts to laugh

“Well… it’s just that you always phase out when a patient dies… so what are you thinking about?”, he asks. That's kind of personal, so I just lie. I like to keep my personal life, well, personal.

“Nothing... I don’t think about anything... you know, I’m going to take off... I’ll see you later Dougie”, I say and I actually feel a little better when I see him cringe.

“I thought I asked you to stop calling me that”, he yelled at me.

“Sorry Dougie!”, I yell back and I softly laughed as I made my way to the nurse’s station to gather my things.

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

[Roswell, New Mexico… August 28th 2012]
Max POV

I stealthily peek my head into the exam room where one of the nurses saw Liz going in, but when I do, Liz is nowhere in sight. All I see is a doctor who seems to be rambling to himself. It’s actually a pretty funny sight.

“Oh... sure... you go on ahead... I’ve got this... what the hell did I say?”, he rambled, obviously to himself. I try not to laugh. I fail.

“Talking to yourself, are you?”, I say with a wide smile as I walk into the room. He makes it even funnier by half-jumping at my entrance.

“Um... yeah. I was”, he says with a nervous laugh as I scratch behind my ear with a smirk on my face that I can’t wipe off right away.

“I was looking for Parker... I was told she was assisting you... do you know where she went?”, I ask curiously, mainly because our shift wasn’t over for another eight minutes.

“Yeah, well she was here... but then she got all freaked out by something and she practically ran out of here… said something about leaving early...I think”, he says obviously a little confused. I wonder what upset her… and suddenly I’m very concerned about her.

“Thanks”, I nod as I head out and continue to look for her.

“No problem. That’s what I’m here for... I’m helpful Doug”, he shouts after me. I laughed at the gesture but then I see Liz walking out of the hospital and I run to catch up with her.

“Liz... wait up!”, I shout. Thankfully, she stops and allows me to catch up with her.\

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

[At the same time in the air]
Alex POV

“Alex, trades places with me now!”, Michael shouts in my face. He was really pissed off and for just a second I wonder why… stupid question, Alex. Only one person can drive Michael this crazy and I’m married to her; Isabel.

“Michael it’s like, fifteen minutes, before we arrive in Roswell”, I say. I know what he’s going through. I really love my wife, trust me… but she can bring out the devil in people if she wants to, and she doesn’t even have to try hard. It’s like her second nature.

“Dammit, Alex! That Nazi is driving me crazy... she think I’m nervous about something”, he says and at this point, he’s looking quite desperate. I know he tries not to shout, but all the stares coming in our direction indicate he’s failing

“Well… you are”, I point out the blunt fact.

“Shut up... we talked about that in private”, he hisses.

“Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me”, I laugh

“Just trade spaces with me”, he tries again, looking even more desperate. Well alright then!

“Fine”, I say and I stand up and make my way to 34C, which is right besides 35C; Isabel’s seat.

“Hey honey...”, I say as I sit down. “…what did you say to him?” Now I know she won’t tell me… I know Isabel well enough for that, but a husband has the right to at least ask

“He’s mad because I took away his pager”, she says, smiling brightly. I wonder if it’s about seeing me or about what she did to. Before I can get settled, she leans over and kisses me. Wow, I never get tired of that.

“I missed you”, she beams at me.

“I missed you too Izzy”, I say, smiling at her. Hey, maybe this is a good time to find out the big news she didn’t want to tell yet. She’s in a good mood now.

“So, what’s the big news?”, I ask hopefully

She kissed again and then replied, “Nice try... I’ll tell you when we get settled in Roswell”. I knew it wasn’t gonna work.

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

[Roswell, New Mexico… August 28th 2012, 5:45 PM]
Liz POV

“Oh hey Max. How did the examination go?”, she asks as she tries to hide her sudden amusement regarding the situation I just had to go through. She looks kinda cute as she hides a grin with her hand, trying express sympathy for me.

“Um, the exam went well but it was really uncomfortable. She grabbed my ass like three times and then claimed it was my imagination”, I say and I just know I’m turning a bright shade of pink as she bursts out in a fit of giggles.

“I… I’m sorry Max...I should’ve told you… she gets these crushes on her doctors”, she says, close to tears right about now. Does she not care that I was just hit on by a seventy year old woman? That’s like my grandma feeling me up… brr, I never want that thought to enter my head ever again. I shudder at the mere thought.

“Forgive me?”, she asks with one of those girlish pouts, and shows her cute bottom lip in hope that I will say yes, and how can I not if she looks so hot and adorable right now.

“Don’t worry about it”, I wave off, and flash her a smile, which turned wide she blushed at the gesture. I can still make her blush. “Well, it’s a typical first day at work; you know, meet up with a friend, and then get hit on by a seventy year old widow. I think my day is now complete”, I laugh and scratch behind my ear as she chuckles.

Once the awkward silence kicks in, I figure this is my chance before she’s able to get away. “I was just going to pick up Isabel, Alex, and Michael from the airport. The guys and I were going to go to The Eraser Room after they get settled in. I was wondering if maybe you would consider joining us for a drink”, I ask. Okay, why is my heart suddenly racing? I know I like Liz but it’s not like I never asked a girl out before.

“Can I take a rain check?”, she asks. Ouch, that hurt. I think I actually winced as if she hit me in the face; I hope she didn’t catch that. Oh Max, who were you kidding? Why should she come out for drinks… we just got off a very busy shift… she might even have a date.

“Not a drinker, huh?”, I say cautiously. To tell you the truth, I’ve never really pictured Liz Parker in the bar scene.

“No, it’s not that... I wish I could go and catch up with you and the guys, but I promised my mom I would go to the Crashdown and do the monthly inventory, and I don’t want her to be left with something else to worry about”, she apologizes. Wow, it’s not often that you see a girl who’s that devoted to her family; God knows, it would take me a great deal to even consider doing half of the things she’s already done. I admire her for that.

I smile and nod as she starts to walk towards her car and then stops, and called me. She got my attention, well actually it never left. I know I’m glowing inside when she called my name.

“Hey. Um, maybe you could stay for dinner. You know Blue Moon Burger, Saturn Rings, and a Mercury Milkshake for $3.99”, she says with a smile. She really sounds a lot like she did in high school. She would always tempt me with their food, even though I was over there at all hours of the day, even on my breaks at the museum. Nothing could really keep me away from her… almost nothing.

“Sounds tempting but Isabel is going to have a fit if I’m late. Rain check?”, I suggest

“I’m going to hold you to that Mr. Evans”, she beams as she gets into her car, and with a wave she drives away.

“You have no idea, Liz... you have no idea”, I sigh as I watch her drive away, and for the first time in a long time I feel that I had this second chance to change things and make everything right. For a second I imagine Liz and me together and…

I’m looking at my watch… and I’m late. “Shit! Isabel is going to kill me!”, I exclaim to no one in particular as I run back into the hospital, gather my belongings and make my way to the airport. I really hope their flight was delayed… please let it be delayed. Ever noticed how flights are only delayed are only delayed when you’re in a hurry?

Yeah, I know… flat chance in hell. “I’m so dead…”, I whisper

TBC

Chapter Nine: What Could Have Been

Max POV

The drive to the airport couldn't possibly have taken any longer than it did. A freeway filled with tired people trying to get home from work slowed my halted my efforts to get to the airport as fast as I could. It took me more than twenty-five minutes more than normal. I knew I should’ve taken the old highway, but I stupidly took the new freeway they built a few years back. Isabel is gonna flip and it's not like she will accept any excuses I make anyway. I'm forty five minutes late… I am so dead.

Pulling up to the side of the airport visitor’s parking lot; I quickly jump out of my car, almost forgetting to put the car in park. I quickly reach inside and pull the parking brake, already bracing myself to slam the door and sprint towards where Isabel is undoubtedly having an aneurism... metaphorically speaking, of course… hopefully… but just as I do, a security guard taps me on my shoulder, causing me to mumble a curse under my breath.

“Sir, you can’t park here”, he says sternly. I look around for a second. Damn, it's the pickup zone. Well, I am here to pick someone up so what is he stressing about? Doesn't that rent-a-cop realize that I'm risking the wrath of Isabel here? This calls for extreme measures.

I reach into my pocket and deposit a crisp fifty dollar bill into his hands. “Now can I park here?”, I ask hopefully. He's gonna take the bribe, after all, what security guard can refuse a bribe?

“Rules are rules, sir”, he says firmly. I can’t friggin believe this. Did he see how much I gave him? "But for another Benjamin Franklin you can stay as long as you’d like”, he adds with a sly smile.

I can’t believe this… I’m a well-respected doctor, or at least a doctor, and I'm being hassled by a wannabe-cop. Oh well, knowing how my sister is going to react if I'm any later, it's worth the extra fifty bucks.

“You're a hard man to buy”, I say glancing at his name tag, “…Ernie”, I tell him as I slap another fifty-dollar bill into his hand.

“Yeah, that’s what they all say”, he yells as I run into the building, hoping… no praying, that Izzy won’t kill me on the spot, and that she would at least have the decency to wait till we got to my house.

But now that I turn around the corner and see Isabel pacing back and forth, I know she's having a panic attack. I look at the scene in front of me and while I know I should be scared shitless, I can't help but smile at the sight in front of me. Iz is pacing back and forth like a crazywoman, Alex is trying to calm her, something that's not having the desired effect, and Michael is busy ranting on his cell phone. I’m seriously surprised they all came on the same plane and no one died.

Looks like I’ve stayed in the same spot for too long because my dear baby sister just spotted me, and is marching towards me with a not-so-pleased look on her face. Oh god here it comes... HELP!

I don't move; every step in her direction would speed my impending doom. Besides, she already looks pissed off as it is, and there's nothing I can do to change that.

“Where the hell have you been?”, she shouts and I'm actually amazed by the volume she gets on this one. Usually, she would wait until we were in a closed off location to shout out whatever is on her mind… but this time she didn’t. That can't be good.

“You’d better have a tremendous reason for being…”, she starts and stops to glance at her watch, “…almost an hour late to pick us up! Very well Maxwell, if it was a matter of live and death I will understand… and you had better not make up some bullshit excuse or so help me god...”

God, she's even more pissed off than I thought she would be. In the back of my head, I had thought of the possibility that she was gonna go easy on me because I’m a doctor and possibly saving lives while they were waiting. And no, I wasn’t busy saving lives, but she doesn’t know that!

“Izzy… baby”, Alex says as he comfortly puts his arms around her waist. Wow, I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am right now that Alex stepped into the picture. I love her, she’s my twin sister and all, but she’s downright scary when she’s like this and I’m ashamed to say that while she’s in this state, I’m no match for her.

“I need you to take some deep long breaths, okay?”, Alex says softly. To my surprise, she nods her head and I watch as she follows his instructions. I never knew that Alex had such a power over her; I’m impressed… and also grateful, I don’t think I mentioned that.

“Now Izzy, I’m sure that Max didn’t mean to be late. The last thing he probably wanted was for you to worry and have a panic attack”, he says soothingly.

“Iz, I’m sorry”, I say softly, “I really tried to be on time and I never intended to be late. Will you forgive me?”

Okay, I just gave her the most puppy dog-like smile I have. If this doesn’t work… I can always run. I hold my breath and watch closely as she looks back and forth between Alex and me and it’s not before her frown transforms to a smile that I relax and start breathing again.

“Okay, mister you’re off the hook just this once. I missed you so much”, Isabel says as she gives me a hug. I give a big thumbs-up to Alex as she continues to hug me.

You're welcome, he mouthed back at me. I am so thankful for having such an understanding brother-in-law. Lord knows, I would have been getting the silent treatment all day just for being late if it weren't for him.

We then quickly get their luggage together and haul it over to my car, and in case you're wondering, when I said we, I meant me and Alex. Now that we're done, I notice that Michael is still rambling on his cell phone. It’s been fifteen minutes and God knows how long before I got here… and he’s still at it.

“No sir, I didn’t get your page”, he says with a stern look to Isabel. Is it me or is something weird going on with the two of them. Oh well, she doesn’t seem to notice as she continues to talk to Alex like there's nothing wrong… or she noticed and just doesn't care… it's one of those two.

“I didn’t forget it, it was taken from me”, Michael said in a more stern voice. I'm getting the feeling that the person who took it was Isabel… I wonder what happened on the plane, they seem so distant. He hasn’t said one word to her.

“Are you crazy? No, I can’t come into work", Michael says. He looks a little frustrated. "I’m not in New York at the moment sir. I’m on vacation, remember?”, he continues as we drive away in my car. I look in the rear-view mirror and I catch his eye. He looks stressed and I guess I can relate. "No, I can’t come back. Look I asked for this time off four months in advance… look, if you don’t like it, then you can go to hell!”, he shouts into the phone. “Fine!”, he shouts again as he shuts his phone off and, literally, throws it out the window. You know, I think… I think that was not what he wanted to hear.

“What the hell was that about?”, Alex dares to ask. Michael is huffing and puffing with anger. I swear I almost see steam coming out of his nose and ears.

"That was mister Shallow; that stupid boss of ours. The bastard demanded that I fly right back because one of our biggest clients has an important case for me to work on… and when I told him to stick it, he fired me", Michael vented. Okay, I thought my old boss was a pain but he pales in comparison to Michael's.

“Sorry man...”, I say. I can relate to what it feels like to loose your job just like that. At least I got offered another job. What’s he gonna do… go back to New York… or stay here?

The rest of the way to Roswell was quiet; no one dared looked at Michael who calmed down a bit but was obviously still fuming. But once we pull in front of my two story house, the silence breaks.

“Nice house Maxwell, but don’t you think it’s kind of big? I mean there’s only you staying here”, Michael says with a small smirk. Way to be subtle, Michael

A few minutes later, me and Michael are busy hauling the bags out of the car and into my place. With Isabel and Alex already inside, he takes this opportunity to talk.

“So how was work?”, Michael asks as he slaps me on the back.

“Good… and surprising”, I say as I smirk at him. I quickly lock up the car and start to head towards the house carrying suitcases that feel like they’ve been filled with lead.

“Surprising? Why’s that?”, he asks, obviously intrigued by the smirk I had on my face. And of course, with Michael being… well, Michael… he just has to know.

“I work with Liz Parker”, I say and from the corner of my eye, I can see him stopping dead in his tracks, staring at me.

“You mean... mousy Liz Parker that you had a thing for and still do?”, he asks. That’s Michael; straightforward as always. Sometimes, I admire that about him… and there’s sometimes I wish he could have just that little bit of tact. I don’t say a word and walk right past him.

“She works at the hospital? As what… the cafeteria lady?”, he says as he runs after me and then softly chuckles at his own joke.

“Very funny Mike. No, she’s a nurse… the head-nurse to be exact”, I say. I suppose I sound a little proud there but it’s a lot that she has accomplished especially after all she’s been through.

“Well, look at her making a name for herself. But what about Harvard? I thought that was her dream”, he says. Yeah, that was her dream but life can be cruel… and dreams don’t always come true.

“Actually, it was Berkeley. I know that during the last four years in Roswell High, that’s all we ever heard about… but she didn’t go”, I say, leaving it open ended and I look at Michael with the silent plea for him not to prod any further, but he obviously has the same thoughts running through his head now as I did the moment I was standing right in front of her and she told me she stayed in Roswell.

“Why? She had everything sent out for her... why would she stay here?”, Michael asks.

“I know... I know...”, I say. I can see in his eyes that he’s already forming three or four weird scenarios as to why Liz would stay here. I guess he’s gonna find out sooner or later anyway. “Two days after we left for New York, Liz was supposed to head off to California… but her dad…”, I start

“What happened, man?”, Michael interrupts me.

I take a deep breath. “Her dad suffered from a heart attack… and that night, he had another heart failure and he died. She felt that she had to stay and help her mom, and since the café was left to her, she worked there. With college out the window, she went to nursing school and I think you get the picture from there”, I say in one breath. Now that’s a lot of information to obtain in a few minutes… imagine actually living it.

“Wow”, he mutters. I nod and lead the way into the house, where I toss him his bags and lead the way upstairs where I find Isabel and Alex already unpacking a few of their things.

Now that everyone is settled, I really need a drink. It’s been a long day… a very long day. “I was going to get a drink. Wanna come with?”, I ask aloud, looking at Michael who’s finishing putting his clothes away in the dresser. I know if anyone needs a drink right now, it’s him.

“Sure. But where? Roswell isn’t exactly stocked up with places to go”, he replies. I know what he means; Roswell is a lot, but a party town it isn’t.

“Well, I heard that they just opened a new bar last month. I think they called it the Eraser room. It’s supposed to be the new hotspot in town”, I say with a laugh, remembering how excited the nurse who told me about it this morning was when she told me.

“Yeah? Well, that makes it the only hotspot”, Michael laughs as he turns to make his way out of the room, “But you’re paying...I lost my job and you still have one. It’s only fair”.

Well, at least he kept his sense of humor. I walk after him and slap him on the back. “Whatever you say, man”, I smirk at him. Now all we have to do is tell Isabel and then get the hell out before she can object.

~*~*~*~*~*~

[Crashdown Café: 7:30 PM]
Liz POV

Do you ever have this feeling of déjà vu? I have one now because I swear I have at least twenty memories of my mother walking back and forth through the Crashdown, telling me where everything is and how much we need for this week of inventory. I swear it’s like she first met me and I don’t know what I’m doing.

“Mom, it’s okay. I have done this before, you know? Are you sure you’re alright, you look kind of pale. Maybe you just need to get some sleep”, I say. Truthfully, I think she just misses my dad. When he died, a part of her died as well. It’s been hard for me; not being able to say goodbye and all, but I think it’s even worse for her. She doesn’t smile as much as she used to and when she does, it’s not the way it was before. But still, it could be more than just that.

“I know Lizzie, but I don’t want you to have to do on your own. It’s too much. You should be out having fun with Maria and the rest of your friends, I don’t like to put you in this situation, an…“, she says and here’s that déjà vu feeling again. When is she going to realize that I want to be here with her; I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. I’m much more worried about her.

I decide that the only way to stop her speech is to cut right through it. A little rude, I know, but necessary. “Mom. Mom. Look at me, I’m going to be okay. I’m going to be alright. I have everything under control so why don’t you go lay down. You look exhausted, you know what; I’m going to set up an appointment with your doctor. You don’t have a cold Mom, you’ve been sick for months and it’s not going away”, I say.

“Liz, I don’t need a doctor. I’m perfectly fine”, she says, just like the last ten times I said she has to see a doctor. Well, she’s going to see a doctor this time whether she wants to or not. I know that something is wrong I can see it in her eyes… and I just wanna be sure it’s nothing life-threatening.

“Please Mom… for me”, I ask using my sad-eye look. Ever since I was little, this look made my parents give in to everything I wanted… and I really want her to see that doctor right now. I’m not taking no for an answer. She’s always so stubborn… I really learned from the master there.

She looked at me once more before sighing. “ Okay, fine. If it will make you happy, I’ll go to the doctors”, she says. Sad-eyes does it again! She smiles at me as I hug her, relieved that she finally gave in. With that she excuses herself and I was left to finish the task at hand feeling just a little bit better. That’s one less thing to worry about.

~*~*~*~*~*~

[Roswell 8:30 PM]
Tess POV

Okay, this is it; the moment of truth… but how am I going to tell him? How do you tell a man you love, the man you gave up everything for, that you’re pregnant and you’re not even sure that the baby is his? Will he still want me after I tell him what I did? God, I hope so... I love him so much. But I’ll never know if I just stand here. Be bold Tess… you’ll never know unless you try. If he really loves you, he’ll see through anything. Maybe he’ll look past everything and stay with me. Then again, it’s almost as if trouble is following me in my footsteps and that’s always a pain in the ass. Here’s the moment of truth... don’t freeze up now.

I knock softly on the door. A few second’s later, I’m greeted by a familiar voice that always sends shivers down my spine and my heart bursting with emotion. Every time that happens, it still surprises me that I feel this much in just one beat of my heart. Not to mention that I haven’t seen him in nearly three months.

“Tess?”, he asks with a smile, which I copy with my own signature smile. I know he’s probably shocked to see me… but he seems just as happy to see me as I was to see him. If I’m not mistaken, his eyes reflected the same love that I had in mine.

How am I going to do this? Maybe I should have thought of what I was gonna say before I knocked. Well too late, say something! Don’t just stand there! Say something!

“Hey Sean”, is all that I can get out of my mouth at the moment. He quickly ushers me in but not without a light kiss on my lips, a sensation that I missed more than anything.

“I left Max. I love you so much“, I say as pull him in a tight embrace. He hugs me back and nozzles his face in my hair. I wanted to stay like this forever; I never want this to change.

“I love you too”, he says

I know, I know… I should have told him. It can wait.

~*~*~*~*~*~

[Roswell 9:00 PM]
Maria POV

“I don’t know Serena, I should really be getting back, I feel bad leaving Liz like that. I should be helping her; I always help her”, I say. Since the day that Liz dad died, she's been taking so much responsibility and even though it's not really my responsibility, I always feel bad when she's working extra shifts while I'm having fun or just hanging out at the house.

But Serena was quick to protest… as usual.

“Maria, It’s only nine o’clock. What are you, forty years old? My grandma goes to bed later than this. The night is still young, don’t quit on me now... we can go dancing, pick up a few guys, let them buy us some drinks… what do you say?”, she says, giving me that sad look. Damn Liz for teaching her that look! Oh, I’m such a sucker! No, Maria be strong… remember that you're older, more mature… just stand strong.

“ I promise once you're bored, you can leave and I won’t put up an argument”, she says. I glance at my watch and then back at her. I can practically feel myself giving in.

“Promise?”, I ask, needing to hear the golden word from her mouth. You might find it a childish thing to ask but knowing Serena, she'll use the 'I didn't promise'-argument if I don't make her promise. And that is the one thing that I don’t want, to be stuck in a situation that I don’t want to be in.

“Scouts honor”, she says with a smile holding up two fingers, and I roll my eyes in that action.

“You're not a scout. You can't say that”, I joke, trying to hide my laughter when an extremely puzzled look appears on her face.

“Why not?”, she asks puzzled.

“Everyone knows only scouts or people who were scouts can say that", I say as we head out towards the club, laughing together the entire way.

As me and Serena enter the Eraser Room, I stop dead in my tracks. There, at that table in the back… is that…? He's staring at me too. In the background, I hear Serena asking me something but I don’t hear a word she's saying, I only feel her as she's trying to pull me in the opposite direction.

“What are you looking at?”, she asks as snap out of it. Serena, curious as she is, follows my gaze to the table. She then giggles and tugs on my arm. “Let’s go say hi... they're total hotties!”, she says. I smirk and lead the way to this very familiar guy. This is going to be interesting.

“Hey spaceboy, looking good", I say casually. "Maxie, nice to see you again. Mind if we sit?”, I ask quickly, not waiting for an answer as I sit down next to Max and Serena sits down next to none other than Michael Guerin himself.

I call over the waitress, order another round and look at the boys. They look stunned.

“So, what were we talking about?”, I ask. Truthfully, I'm curious to know if maybe he was talking about me after all this time.

Ow! What the hell! Did Serena just kick me under the table? Oh… right. “Where are my manners?”, I say as I roll my eyes causing Michael and Max to smile, “Serena Twilight, these are good friends of Liz and me from High School. This is Michael Guerin and that is Maxwell Evans”. I smile at the uncomfortable expression Max makes when I use his full name.

“It's Max. No one calls me Maxwell except my parents or if I’m in some kind trouble”, he says with a sheepish smile. He then looks down at his drink as if it’s the most interesting thing in the world.

“You might know Max, Ser. He’s the new general at the E.R.”, I say, smiling as he seems to be a bit uncomfortable..

“Oh right… I thought I’d seen you before. You were making the rounds with Liz today”, Serena says. Max simply nods his head.

“So Mike… anything new happening with you?”, I ask as he leans back in his chair. A strange smirk then appears on his face and he takes a swipe of his beer.

“Reality is real bitch sometimes, but it’s not like you know anything about that… right, Princess?”, he sneers, that same annoying smirk on his face. Wait… did he just…

“What is that supposed to mean?”, I say in a somewhat angry voice. I know that I'm sounding icy right now but it's the best I can do without shouting and raising attention to ourselves.

He takes another swipe of his beer and I can tell that he is almost mocking me. I want to cry, I want to slap him, I want to run away… anything but this. But I won’t be the girl that can’t even handle her ex-boyfriend's ranting… I won't.

“I think you know exactly what it means”, he finally says. I can feel Serena and Max staring at us like we have some sort of unfinished business.

“No, why don’t you tell me!”, I demand from him, speaking a lot louder this time.

He finally puts down his bottle of beer. “ Listen, miss Hollywood. I don’t know how life is like for you in sunny California… but no one is going to bend over backward for you here. You’re probably always getting what you want, when you want, whether that includes the people you chose to have in your life, or even who you fuck. I don’t want to hear your drama stories… it’s not reality”, he bites out.

… That son of a bitch! He's lucky I can't kill him with my thoughts right now. I stand up and slam my fist on the table, hot with anger.

“Shut up, you stupid son of a bitch! You know nothing about my life! You think I don’t know about reality… you don’t know shit!”, I shout and I can feel a few tears running down my face. Dammit, I promised myself I wasn't gonna cry. “Fuck you Michael!”, I shout and I don’t care one rat's ass who heard it, and with that I run out of the club, heading… I don't know. I just have to get away from him. I don't care where.

[Back inside the club...]
Max POV

Whoa, I don’t know how things ended all those years ago... but there was obviously something that they didn’t cement down. Why is he still sitting here? Maria just ran out of here crying and he’s just drinking his beer like nothing happened. What the fuck is wrong with him? Hello!!? Earth to Michael! He needs me to knock some sense into him.

“Ow!", Michael shouts as he darted his glance at me. No, I wasn't talking metaphorically when I talked about knocking some sense into him.

“What the fuck is wrong with you? Go after her!”, I say loudly, emphasising my words with another kick against his leg, causing him to jump to his feet.

“Okay, okay… I’m going!”, he shouts as he heads towards the exit; after Maria. I look up to see a very confused… Serena, I believe it is. With all honesty, I totally forgot she was here.

“What was that all about?”, she asks, sounding very confused. Now, what can I say that will make her understand this entire situation without going into a two hour conversation?

“They have a history... a history that was forced closed a long time ago, and looks like it’s reopened again”, I say with a smile and a shrug. She sends me a small smile back indicating that she understood.

“Well, it looks like coming here was a really bad idea…“, she says with a small laugh as I dig in my wallet, pull out some cash and place it on the table. We both get up, intending to leave when we both notice that Maria left her bag.

“I’ll take it to her”, I say… maybe a little too much desperately while I grab it. Serena’s eyes have a hint of laughter in them. She's onto me.

“Are you sure?”, she questions with a grin on her face. You see, it's just my only excuse to see Liz tonight. I know I just saw her today… I can’t help the way I’m drawn to her.

“I insist… besides it’s on my way”, I say with a smile as she nods. We then both leave the club and go our separate ways from there.

I then make a small and silent plea that Michael doesn’t do anything else tonight. Anything stupid... but that's probably just wishful thinking.

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

[Max's house]
Alex POV

It’s been awhile since the guys left. I didn’t even consider coming with them, mainly because I didn't want to leave Isabel alone… and partially because Isabel would never stand for it. But even though Isabel has her scary moments, there's nowhere I'd rather be. Everything was going smoothly for awhile with Isabel unpacking and me watching some TV in the living room until she decided to not only unpack her own things, but mine as well. It’s like she's psychic or something; she never unpacks my suitcases.

she really freaks me out sometimes—and I mean that in the best possible way.

“Honey, why do you have like ten college shirts in here?”, she asks with a hot and definitely slightly angry look. Sometimes she really freaks me out, and I mean that in the best possible way. Best thing to do is ignore that question so I just continue to read the newspaper. I mean, I'm and adult and I can wear what I want… right? I don't need her consent, do I? Oh, who am I kidding? Oh damn, she's looking around the corner with a questioning look. Fine, I'll answer her… but I won’t look at her.

She then continues to unpack my clothes. Damn, she looks pissed… and she doesn't even know…

“These are the only shirts you brought! What about for the reunion?! You can’t go in just a pair of jeans and a shirt!", she shouts. Okay, now she knows. Speak. Speak man, before she bursts in anger or has another attack.

“No silly, my suit is hanging in the closet”, I say in the most convincing voice I have. She rolls her eyes and obviously wants more of an explanation. Oh shit, this is never gonna work. Why do I even try?

“Well, and um... all my other shirts were dirty and I… uh…“, I say and like I thought, this is not going well, “And I didn’t want you to be stressed about having to wash more clothes when it was so close to leaving. So if you think about it, I was really thinking of you, dear”. This is such a bunch of crap and she knows it… oh God, she knows it.

Dear god... don’t look at her... don't look at the evil eye… don’t look at her, man!

“Since when do I get stressed from doing laundry?”, she asks, lifting an eyebrow. Good question… I honestly don’t know how to defend myself any more.

“Luckily for you mister...”, she says as she smiles brightly, “…I had a feeling you would do this, so I came prepared”. She then takes out her small carrying bag and takes out a stack of regular shirts. What is she… psychic? I already said that, didn’t I?

I can’t suppress rolling my eyes behind her back as she replaces all my shirts and puts the ones I brought in her bag. I won’t be seeing those shirts again any time soon; not before we get back home at least.

“Thank you dear”, I mumble as she puts away the bag. At my words, she turns towards me and gives me a coy smile. She then walks into the restroom to get ready for bed. I’m pathetic, I know.

I sigh and mumbled to myself, “I knew I should’ve gone with the guys”

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

[Crashdown]
Liz POV

At this moment, I’m busy trying to make the best of my work while still trying to get it done as fast as possible. If I hurry, I can spend the rest of the night curled up in front of the television and maybe catch the new Hallmark movie. Oh hell, I didn’t just think that! I’m not an eighty-year-old, am I?

I walk towards the stereo in the back and I take a cd from one of the cases. It’s a mixed cd that Maria made for me to kind of make time go faster for me. Well, at the moment I’m really thankful for it as I skip ahead a few songs, put my favorite song on and start to softly sing along.

When I made up my mind
And my heart along with that
To live not for myself
But yet for God, somebody said
Do you know what you are getting yourself into

Slowly moving to the songs beats and rhythm, I sink further into the melody and start singing above the music, but working all the while. I totally love this song.

When I finally ironed out
All of my priorities
And asked God to remove the doubt
That makes me so unsure of these
Things I ask myself, I ask myself
Do you know what you are getting yourself into

Suddenly I hear that weird throat-noise you hear when someone is trying to make himself known. Oh shit! I think I just literally jumped a few feet up. I quickly press pause on the CD-player, thinking that it’s just my mom coming down to see how things are going, but when I turn around… I see someone I really didn’t expect.

“Max?”, I ask. He’s about the last person I expected to see tonight. Wait a minute, that means he heard… Oh god! I just know my face just got as crimson as a tomato.

~*~*~*~*~~*

[Roswell]
Michael POV

I walk slowly as I remember the last time I saw Maria before today. Every time we used to have a fight, I knew what I could say and I knew that even though we had our differences, she would be there. There was no doubt in my mind about it… until that fatal day

*flashback*

“Do you know what a great opportunity this is for me? It’s what I’ve always dreamed of, Michael. They want to sign me to their label, can you believe that? Me, of all people! This is my one big shot, Michael. Don’t you want me to be happy?”, she said excitedly as I stood there staring at the ground listening to her rambling on and on about her big chance to make it.

“Yes, I do Ria. I want you to be happy more than anything else in the world, but I don’t understand why it can’t be with me. I want to marry you and I can give you a good life… don’t you want that for us?”, I pleaded. I then looked at her and realized she was crying. I hated to see her cry, but only then did I realize I was crying too.

“Don’t, please don’t make me chose, it’s not fair. I don’t want to loose you, but this is something I have to see through. I don’t want to spend my entire life thinking of what could’ve been. I can’t live my life like that… I won’t. Please don’t be mad at me, but I have to”, she said as I continued to look at the ground. She then came closer to me and forced me to look at her.

She kissed me with as much passion and love that she could muster… but when she let go, I couldn’t. “Maria, please don’t... I love you”, I tried again. She looked at me, the plea in my voice more than just a little obvious, and struggled to reply.

“I love you more than you’ll ever know”, she said and with that, she gave me a weak smile and turned to walk away.

“Then why are you leaving me?”, I ask with tears in my eyes. My voice cracked as she stopped dead in her tracks and turned back towards me.

“Michael”, she sighed before taking my face in her hands. “I have to do this... besides, you won’t even have time for me with your college life in New York and Law school. That’s something I can’t compete with”, she said. Was she kidding me... she was never supposed to compete! I know she only wanted the best for me, but broke my heart into a thousand pieces there.

“You’re going to be busy with everything... I’m just trying to save us the heartbreak of a long distance relationship. It won’t work”, she said and I could tell that she struggled to get that last part out. I didn’t want it to end... I had planned to propose to her and ask her to come with me to NYU. They had record companies in New York, didn’t they?

“Bullshit!”, I shouted as I ran a frustrated hand over my face.

“Excuse me?”, she questioned as I stood my ground. This time I was angry.

“You’re just scared… scared of being loved… scared that I’m going to be everything you never thought you could imagine for yourself. Whenever things get too serious, you run! Why is that? When are you going to grow up Maria? I love you, but I’m not going to wait for you if you’re still acting like an immature little brat. Selfish... that’s what you are here, and you don’t care about anyone but yourself. If you want to run, then go... I don’t give a shit!”, I shout out as I turned and started to walk away. But within seconds, I could hear her footsteps closing in behind me.

“No, I’m not running away from anything. I am going to California and you are going to New York to make something of yourself, and I couldn’t be happier for you. You’re going to be the best lawyer in New York, just watch...”, she said. As I turn back towards her, I see she’s standing right in front of me again. She’s trying to be strong; trying not to cry, but she’s failing miserably at it.

She then hugged me and pulled me into a tight embrace as I breathed in her perfume. And at that moment I knew there was nothing I could say to her that would make her stay. No matter how many times I had tried, I lost her.

“Goodbye spaceboy”, she whispered as she kissed me and ran to her car, driving off without another word.

I watched as the car drove to the end of the street and turned around the corner, It wasn’t until the car was completely out of sight when I whispered, “Bye Maria”

*end of flashback*

As I walk into the park, I snap out of my daydream of the past. I know I’d never admit it to anyone but all those years, her laughter, her smiles and her beautiful eyed had haunted me. It was her who visited me in my dreams at night.

“What do you want?”, a voice sounds. I look in the direction of the sound and spot Maria sitting on a small bench. I can tell that she was just crying as the moonlight shines off her beautiful face.

“I’m sorry for what I said back there. It wasn’t my place to say those things”, I apologize… but she doesn’t answer; she just sits there looking off into the distance.

“Um... I graduated at the top of my class”, I say. She was the only one who ever really believed in me… ever since junior high. When we first met, she was trip. But I knew she was the one for me.

A small smile breaks through her expression but she doesn’t say anything and looks at her hands in her lap as she continues to sit there in silence.

“So, you came back for the reunion huh?”, I ask.

She slowly shakes her head at this, her smile disappears and looks straight at me. “I live here”, she says softly. Okay, I’m confused.

“What about Hollywood?”, I ask. She smirks at the question but I see a hint of fear flash through her eyes.

“I finished three weeks into the contract. I had a bad experience; they wanted me to be someone that I wasn’t. So, I split”, she says, trying to sound casual. Now, it may have been ten years ago, but I still know here. There’s something she’s not telling me; there’s something else behind this... but I don’t want to push her.

“Mind if I sit?”, I ask and we start to have our first conversation in 10 years.

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

[Crashdown]
Max POV

Wow, what an amazing voice. Is there anything she can’t do? There’s obviously so much I don’t know about her; so many more hidden talents… and more than anything, I want to know about them all.

Now for almost half a minute, I just stand here, staring at her like some stupid idiot. Suddenly, the music stops and she’s staring right at me. “Max?”, she asks softly

“Hey”, I say. That’s right, I just witnessed the most beautiful woman on Earth singing like a siren and all I say is ‘hey’. That’s all I can come up with, or what I allow to leave my mouth. She must think I’m pathetic. Stop thinking...stop talking to yourself, STOP!

“What are you doing here?”, she asks. I can’t find any words to reply. I feel like a fish being plucked from a bowl of water.

“Um...”, I stammer. Oh yeah, that’s the phrase that’s gonna win her over! Oh my god, does she have a hold on me or something? Say something else.

I stare at the purse in my hand. “Um... Michael and I bumped into Maria and Serena tonight, caught up a bit. Maria left it behind, Serena offered to drop it off… but I insisted”, I say and I smile when Liz face flushes a light pink at my last comment.

I watch as she walks back to her cd-player and turns the music back on. She then starts to hum to the familiar tune. She is a Siren! I feel like she’s hypnotising me, both with her beautiful voice and the way her hips were moving at the music at the same time.

I'm getting into you
Because you got to me, in a way words can't describe
I'm getting into you
Because I've got to be
You're essential to survive
I'm going to love you with my life

“Why did you insist?”, she asks with a smile that makes my heart beat two times over the normal heart beat rate. Now, the doctor in me knows that’s not good, but everything else in me likes this feeling.

“I wanted to see you”, I say honestly. I missed her since the moment she drove away, but I don’t think it’s time to be that honest.

“You wanted to see me? Didn’t we just spend the whole day together?”, she asks with a grin.

I simply nod as she her blushing just increased two shades of pink. “Yeah. But that’s work... I wanted to see you and get to know you better; Liz Parker the woman, and not the nurse that has all the doctors chasing after her”

When he looked at me and said
I kind of view you as a son
And for a second our eyes met
And I met that with a question
Do you know what you are getting yourself into

“Now, that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about. I have a rule. I don’t date doctors”, she says. WHAT?! Maybe she doesn’t like me that much after all.

I take a step towards her, minimizing the distance between us. “So I can’t take you out?”, I ask in all seriousness, looking straight into her eyes, making sure that she looks back into mine.

I'm getting into you
Because you got to me, in a way words can't describe
I'm getting into you
Because I've got to be
You're essential to survive
I'm going to love you with my life

“Well, to me you’re more like a good friend that happens to be a doctor. I think I can make an exception for you”, she smirks as I come even closer to her. I like what I’m hearing there. I just want to be near her now; the closer the better.

I've been a liar and I'll never amount to
The kind of person you deserve to worship you
You say you will not dwell on what I did but rather what I do you say
I love you and that's what you are getting yourself into

“A good friend, huh?”, I say, smiling down at her and I steadily close the remaining distance between us. I reach out and tuck a piece of hair behind her ear and looked down at her angelic face.

I'm getting into you
Because you got to me, in a way words can't describe
I'm getting into you
Because I've got to be
You're essential to survive
I'm going to love you with my life

“Maybe more than good friends?”, I suggest and she smiles… she smiles.

“Maybe…”, she says before her sweet soft lips meet mine in a tangling embrace of warm passion, tasting just as good and right as it did all those years ago.

I never want this moment to end but before I can deepen the kiss, Maria’s voice fills the room and the backdoor slams shut… and that alone is enough to send us flying to opposite sides of the room.

He said, I love you and that's what you are getting yourself into

“Liz, you’ll never guess who wants back in my life...”, she says and for a second, she doesn’t even notice me.

When she finally did, she turned towards me. “Max, I didn’t know you made house calls”, she says, standing there with her arms crossed, waiting to hear my excuse.

“Um, you left this at the club”, I say as I raise the purse off the table, and she smiled, finally realizing that she left it behind.

“Thanks”, she nods and I take that as my cue to leave.

“I’d better go. I’ll see you later Maria”, I say to Maria.

I then turn towards Liz. “I’ll see you around, Liz”, I say with as much emotion as possible. I then smile at her and leave as she gave me a small goodbye-wave. It’s not until I’m in my car that I realize that I had kissed her… I kissed Liz!

TBC

Song: Getting into you by: Relient K

Chapter 10: Surprise—I cannot believe you!

[Liz’s House 6:30AM]
LIZ POV

My heart is still buzzing after that kiss. That kiss will go down in history, let me tell you that. It’s been over twenty-four hours and I’m still all excited like it just happened two minutes ago. After Max left last night, Maria spent the better part of the evening begging me to tell her what exactly happened and for once, I didn’t want to tell her; I want this moment to be mine and I really don’t want Maria telling me what she thinks of this whole situation.

Today is going to be a good day. I’m not sure how I know, but I know it will be. The second I open my eyes, I feel great; like every miserable piece of my life has dissolved and my life is finally getting back on track.

“Lizzie?”, a voice sounds. I nearly jump two inches from the mattress when my Mom peeks her head through the door. I really have to stop with the daydreaming. When you’re in deep thought, you’re easily scared.

“Mom, hi”, I say and the guilty expression on her face shows that she knows she startled me quite bad.

“Honey, I know it’s your day off from the hospital… but can you do me a favor and keep an eye on the diner until Agnes comes in later this afternoon? I’m going to run some errands and then I have a doctor’s appointment”, she asks. She’s actually going to the doctor... usually she makes up some lame excuse to try and get out of it. I must have finally gotten through to her.

“Sure Mom, no problem. I think Maria said something about us going out around five, so I’ll be able to keep an eye on things until then”, I say, not failing to notice the sigh of relief my mother lets out. She knows I’d be happy to help her out with anything; she certainly doesn’t need more stress.

“Thank you”, she replies as she bends down and kisses me on the forehead. I guess some old habits never die. When I hear the door closing behind her, I slump back down under the covers. I still have an hour until the café is supposed to open. Thoughts of Max flood back into my mind. Hmmmm.

[Max’s House 6AM]
Isabel’s POV

I awoke promptly at six am like I do every morning. Alex on the other hand is a completely different story; he likes to sleep in. Hell, I would be lucky to get him out of bed before noon.

Well, everyone keeps saying that opposites attract, right? I guess there can’t be a more solid statement than that, right now, at this very moment.

I know that I’ve been hard on him lately; him and everyone who crosses in my path actually, but I honestly don’t mean to be. Yesterday, Michael officially dubbed me ‘The Wrath’ which I think was really uncalled for… and no one seemed to even be offended by it; not even Alex. I can’t really be that bad, can I?

“You’re staring”, Alex says with his eyes still closed. Did I mention he knows it when I do that… but that has never stopped me before.

“Well, I can’t help it; you’re so hot that I can’t help but stare at you. It’s either me staring at you or attacking you”, I half laugh as he smirks at the attacking part and tries to pry his eyes open.

“What time is it?”, he asks. I’m sorry, I know I’m not supposed to be amused by this but when I think of the expression on his face when he finds out what time it is, I can’t help but giggle. He’s not going to like it, I tell you that.

“It’s six”, I say, trying to keep my face in check

“AM?”, he asks incredulously. I laugh at his comment, and nod my head as he moans and tries to hide his face under the pillow. Come on, it’s a bright, clear day. We’re in the desert now; 6am feels like high noon here.

“Max said something about going to the Crashdown for breakfast. Do you want to come with?”, he asks. Should I be surprised that he wants to break the long tradition of me making him breakfast? Well, I guess it wouldn’t hurt to have at a day off from it.

“I’d love to”, he says as he leans over and plants a small kiss on my cheek. He then starts to get up, just as I remember there was something I wanted to tell him.

“Wait, Alex, wait...”, I say as I pull his arm, until he was lying next to me once more.

“Yes, my love”, he says with a smile. I loved it when he called me that.

“I was thinking, that when we go back to New York, that we should start looking for another place”, I say. I know it’s really cryptic but I just love the confused look on his face right now.

“Is what are you were talking about earlier? It’s the perfect size for us... we looked through dozens and dozens of apartments in the area that we wanted and it took us weeks to find that place, and now you want to move? I’m sorry Izzy but I don’t exactly feel the need to move right now”, he reasons. He starts to get up again, but once again, I pull him back down to me. I then give him the saddest look I can until I see his expression softening.

“I know Alex, I know… but it doesn’t have a nursery”, I say, trying to hold back a smile when he looks at me with confusion

“Nursery... why do we need a nursery?”, he asks. I roll my eyes and stare at him; waiting for him to put two and two together. It’s four, genius!

“Isabel, are you…“, he asks, leaving the question half-finished when I simply nod. Then finally, the confused look on his face makes room for a large smile that filled his, and he picks me up off the bed and hugs me with all his might.

“Oh, I’m sorry... am I hurting you?”, he asks. That’s so sweet; he thinks he’s going to break me in half, now that I’m having his child.

“No, honey... I’m not made out of glass. I think I’ll be okay”, I say as I smile brightly before kissing him.

“Baby… we’re having a baby”, he says with an excited looks and he kissed me once more before falling back on the bed, in a tangle of hugs and kisses of the pure joy of the moment.


[Seans House]
Tess POV

“What do you mean; you’re pregnant and you don’t know if it’s mine? Is it Max’s?”, he says loudly. He’s so angry; I don’t think I have ever seen him like this. This isn’t exactly easy for me either; I broke up with someone I’ve been with for ten years to be with him… and now I have to tell him that the child I’m carrying might not be his.

“No, it’s not Max’s”, I say, looking down at the floor. I can’t look at him right now… I can’t believe I’m actually going to say this. I’m actually afraid of what he might do if I tell him.

“Help me out here, Tess. If it’s not Max’s and it’s not mine then whose is it?”, he asks, or more demands to know. I don’t have a choice now; I have to tell him; I need to tell him.

“Well, the night that you went back to the base here in Roswell, I bumped into an old friend and we talked and about twelve drinks later, we went back to his hotel, and I think you get the just from there”, I say softly. My face feels cold and wet; God, I’m not crying, am I? Sean probably doesn’t care at this point and I can’t say I really blame him

“What’s his name? If you can remember”, he says sarcastically. That hurts… even though I probably had it coming.

“Kyle”, I whisper. No sense in beating around the bush now.

“Kyle Valenti?”, he questions as I look up at him.

“You know him?”, I ask. What are the odds of that happening?

“He is in my platoon; same ranking. We never really meet but I heard that he’s a real jackass”, he says. Honestly, I don’t know if he’s just saying this to hurt me or because it’s true. Believe it or not, but it’s not the first time I hear someone say that about him, and it probably won’t be the last. Kyle has a tendency to be a real jerk when he doesn’t get what he wants.

I looked at the man that I love with all my heart, and I know that I’ve just destroyed everything. With a final huff, I slump down back on the bed just as Sean walks towards the door.

“Where are you going?”, I ask, and I’m surprised how desperate I sound.

“Out!”, he yells at me and grabs his coat before storming out the door.

Yeah, I can see now why honesty never really worked for me. Please God, let him forgive me; that is all I really want. Now all I have to do is tell Kyle. He’s not gonna like this. In fact, he’s gonna flip out

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

[Hospital 2:30PM]
Nancy POV

Sitting in this doctor’s office can almost make a person claustrophobic. The white walls, every thing sterile and quiet, and it has this eerie feeling to it which is just unbearable at times. I can’t believe I’ve been here for this long, nurses keep coming in and out checking my pulse, my heart rate, and taking blood tests.

This was just supposed to be a quick checkup, but a quick checkup lead to tests, which in turn lead to even more tests and had me moving from one side of the hospital to the other and back for hours. If I don’t get some answers quick, I’m going to scream.

I called Liz an hour ago and told her not to worry; Liz has a tendency to worry too much and because believe me, she was worried. Whatever results I get, I’m truly afraid to tell her. I’m afraid that it’s really bad; and somehow, I just know that it is. But the last thing Liz needs is more bad news; I don’t know how much more she can take. But maybe I’m wrong about all this and it’s just a silly virus or something.

“Nancy Parker?”, a male voice sounds, interrupting thoughts and sending me back to reality. I look up to see a young man who seems to be in his early thirties. “I’m doctor Shellow, dr. Fickles asked me to take some MRI scans of your entire body to make sure every thing is working as it should be. So, if you’ll follow me”, he says politely. As I start to stand to follow him out of the exam room, I loose my balance and I fall right back on the chair.

It takes me all my might to get back up and stay up and continue to follow him as if nothing has happened.

This is going to be a very long day.


[Sitting in Maria’s Car 2:00PM]
Liz POV

“Where are we going?”, I ask, a little confused. This is so not the way to the restaurant that she told me that we were going to. Actually, come to think of it, she didn’t exactly say where we were going. Oh dear God, she’s up to something again.

“Out”, she says. And that’s all she has to say. I would ask if she was kidding, but I know Maria; she’s up to something again.

“Maria, I’m serious. C’mon just tell me”, I plead. I know I sound like a five-year-old here but I don’t really care. I don’t like really like these kind of surprises.

“I did”, she says and then closes her mouth again. There has to be a reason she won’t tell me; we’ve known each other since we were six years old and she’s never been this distant.

“I thought we were going to lunch?”, I try again.

She keeps her eyes on the road and continued with the one-phrase comebacks. “We are”

“Then why are out in the middle of the suburbs? The city is in the opposite direction, you know the town square with the people, stores, and the food”, I say, putting special emphasis on the food part. I’m starving; I haven’t eaten all day and the call from my mom didn’t help me much either.

“I never told you that we were going to an actual restaurant Liz, it’s not my fault if you assumed it”, she says and an evil smirk. I swear I can almost see horns forming on her forehead.

“Then where are we going?”, I ask again in a calm tone. For a second there, I believed I could get her to talk, but the glares she’s now shooting my way tell me otherwise.

“It’s a surprise”, she simply states as if it’s nothing. I don’t like the sound of this.

“...a surprise?”, I question myself as the car comes to a stop and I take the opportunity to look out the passenger window. Oh My God! Is that…? I glance back at Maria who has that evil grin on her face again. I got in the car with the devil; I’m sure of it.

“No”, I say. No way!

Maria ignores my comment and gets out of the car, walking around it and opens the passenger door. “Yes”, she just says. I cannot believe her.

“Maria”, I say sternly, not that I think it will do any good.

“Liz”, she replies, mimicking my tone.

“C’mon there expecting us...”, she says. I guess I don’t really have a choice here; Maria has put on her I-mean-business look and that’s the look she uses when she doesn’t accept a no.
I roll my eyes and get out of the car.

“I cannot believe you”, I mumble in a feeble attempt to protest as we walk towards the door.

“What did I do? They sent us an invitation... what was I suppose to say, ‘I’m sorry but Liz and I can’t go. Sorry, goodbye.’ I was just being nice—what’s the harm in that?”, she rambles.

“There’s no harm in any of this Maria. I wish you would’ve told me for good—“, I say, abruptly cutting my sentence off when the door opens and a pleasant voice greets us.

“Maria, Liz... I’m glad you could make it”, she says. Maria and I both smile at her, and I’m the first to reply.

“Nice seeing you again Mrs. Evans. Thank you for inviting us”, I say as Maria grabs my arm

-------------------------------------------------------------------

[Roswell Memorial Hospital]
Nancy POV

Now that all those scans and tests are complete, I find myself waiting in my doctor's office. I look around and I can see all his diplomas and special achievements plastered to the walls, but all I can think about at this moment is Lizzie and the day Jeff passed away.

**Flashback to July 2, 2001**

“Jeff will you get that order to table thirty? I have to wake up Liz; she’s leaving today and I want to make sure she’s up and has a good meal before she heads off”, I said as I kissed him before heading up stairs. He was a really great and very devoted husband and I always wondered how I got so lucky.

“Liz. Honey, C’mon wake up... you wanted to get a head start and beat the traffic out there”, I said as I whizzed across the room and opened up the curtains, watching her shrink back underneath the blankets for some more sleep.

“Mom, do I have to? Just five more minutes please”, she said. I smiled at that and almost gave in, when I never did. Mainly because this was the last time I was going to see her like this for almost four years, and by the time that is over who knows, she might be married.

“Elizabeth Claudia Parker—get up this instant, you’re the one that told me to—“, I begun but she cut me off as she tossed the covers off of herself.

“Mom, I’m sorry—I’m up okay, I’m up”, she said as she smiled at me before heading off to take a shower.

It works every time; I smirked at myself before leaving the room. I walked downstairs to continue helping my husband with the morning rush.

*** End flash back***
“Ms. Parker?”, a voice sounded. I look up to see the doctor sitting right in front of me. I shake my head in an attempt to get the memory out of my thoughts.

“Sorry… and it's mrs. Parker actually”, I say. He nods in understanding. I wonder what he wants to discuss with me.

“Okay mrs Parker, I'm just going to get to the point. We found a cancerous tumor growing at a very rapid pace on your liver. Now, your chances are good, but we have to take action now", he says and then takes a short pause, "…I know it’s a lot of information to take in but it recommend you start chemotherapy right away. After a few weeks of treatment we'll see if it’s effective”

Oh my god… “Is this why I haven’t been able to eat and keep losing my balance?”, I ask.

“I’m afraid so, your liver is a very important organ. I’m really sorry to just jump you with this, but I need an answer from you now; time really is not an option we have right now”, he says. What am I supposed to say to that really? There are plenty of words running through my head but none come out.

“What if the Chemo doesn’t work?”, I find myself asking.

“If the Chemo doesn’t kill off the disease then we will have to perform surgery to remove the tumor, but if it spreads much further than it already has by then, we will have to turn to more radical treatment”, he explains

Okay, well that answers that question. I stay seated and look at my wedding band, thinking of my husband Jeff and how he was taken from us far too soon. Maybe this is my time, but I can't just leave Liz.

“Mrs Parker?”, he asks in a comforting tone.

I look up at the doctor. “I um... I want to start out with the Chemo; but I don’t want to worry my daughter, so if you could please not tell her”, I ask. I'll tell her later but right now, I really don't want her to know.

“Of course. What we discuss is completely confidential”, he says. That sounds okay. I hope she won’t kill me herself when she finds out. Well, I'll worry about that then.

“Thank you”, I mutter

[The Evans House 1:00PM]
Max POV

This morning, I awoke bright and early. It's kind of a routine of mine that I did every morning, even when I didn't have to go to work. The only exception is when I'm sick; but that happens almost never. I like the routine in it; wake up, eat, shower, take a run, shower, eat more more, read paper…

But this morning was different I didn’t do half of those things. I couldn’t keep my mind from drifting off to some particular person.

“What are you smiling about?”, a voice sounds. I turn around to find Michael (who else?) staring at me with a smirk on his face as he got a beer out of the cooler.

“Nothing”, I say with a shrug before he can say anything more.

“What’s that?”, I ask, pointing to a piece of paper he's holding in his hands. The second I ask, his face falls into a grimace so I think I already know. You see, we're all already at my parents house and that means that Mom and Isabel are going to be in the same room. I can stand one, but both… there’s no chance of survival.

“It’s a list Isabel just handed to me... it’s all the things I need to get done before the hour is over, because that’s when the ‘Guests’ are coming over”, he says, making a quote-gesture when he says the word 'guest'. But then Isabel comes in and I smile when I see Michael putting up a fake smile.

“Michael, why aren’t you helping Alex? He can’t do everything on his own”, Isabel says.

“Your dad is outside helping him”, Michael explained as he takes another drink of his beer.

“I know, but we have to set up a lot of things; will you please go outside?”, she insists. I can tell he doesn’t feel like arguing with her, something took away the edge that he’s had since we moved away from Roswell. I can’t help but think of a girl named Maria, but I won’t be stupid enough to say anything.

“Max'll help you. Relax”, Isabel says. Yes, Max will… wait, I'm Max! I didn’t sign on to be Isabel's personal assistant today. I have bigger problems to worry about; like who my mother is trying to set me up with.

“You heard the lady... c’mon Maxwell”, Michael says, immediately dragging me outside where I was forced into helping all the men setting up the and the sound system. I see dad is working on the grill so I'll just help out Michael and Alex with the tables. This is gonna be a long day.

[The Evans House 2:30PM]
Liz POV

“Mrs. Evans it’s very nice to see you as well. Thank you so much for inviting us, really. Isabel hey how are you?”, I ask as she made her way over to us.

“Liz Parker, you haven't changed a bit... it’s so nice to see you”, she says, hugging me as if she really missed me. We were close but never this close.

“It's nice to see you too, Isabel”, I say, smiling when she continues to hug Maria as well; who has an even more shocked expression on her face.

They show us the way outside. Maria is the first one to see Alex, and with a high pitched scream, she runs to him, leaving everyone to cover their ears, including myself.

“Lizzie, you’re looking good. How’s your Mom?”, Alex says as the two of them walk my way. I don’t know if I should answer that question truthfully, because I really don’t know.

“She okay”, I nod with a smile. Time to change the subject.

“But look at you! Married life is treating you good I can see”, I say, watching him blush slightly as we take turns hugging him once more.

“Sorry, we weren’t able to attend your guys wedding... our boss wouldn’t let us have the day off, and I had to keep an eye on the Crashdown. I hope there are no hard feelings”, I say. He nods and shrugs it off as if it's nothing. I'm surprised... I was always kicking myself for missing his wedding, but I knew that Max is going to be there… and while the working part was true, the other half was that I couldn't face Max yet. But I’m definitely not going to tell him that.

“It’s okay, really it is... but we got your guys' present and it was great, just not your run of the mill wedding gift”, he says with an amused expression. I smiled at that; Maria and I pitched in to get him a gift that screamed Alex in every way; a new sound system, amplifier and guitar. He's a very talented singer and we wanted him to give that.

We both laugh, knowing perfectly well what he meant, “We know”, we both said in unison.

“We’re sorry about your dad Liz”, he says as he comes up behind me and pulls me into a tight hug and looks around at Isabel, Alex, Mrs. and Mr. Evans. They all have that ‘I’m so sorry’-look plastered on their faces. I hate that look.

“It’s okay guys; it was a long time ago”, I say, trying to smile but I know Maria can sense my uneasiness a mile away. I hate it when people try to make me feel better about my dad's passing, it’s not like it's going to make him come back or anything.

“Wait a minute; you guys all knew about this... why didn’t anyone tell me?”, a voice shoots out from behind me. He's really upset.

“Max...I—“, Isabel muttered as I looked at him as everyone stayed quiet.

“It’s because I didn’t want them to”, I say. Boy, do I have some explaining to do. This is going to be a really pleasant party, remind me to thank Maria later.

TBC

Chapter 11: When I Talk To You

[The Evans' Home]
Max POV

“I can't believe what I’m hearing… everyone knew?! My own parents knew, Isabel knew, Alex knew, Michael kn—“, I rant before Michael cuts me off.

“Dude, I didn’t know. I would’ve told you if I’d known”, he says. For some reason, I believe him… He would have told me if he knew… which is probably why they didn't tell, him.

I turn back to my family and address them once more in a calm but undoubtedly icy tone. “How could you? All of you know what Liz’ has meant to me over the years. How could you not tell me?” I look at each and every one of them; none of them say anything but all of them have guilt written all over their face. They know I'm right here.

“Can everyone give us a moment? I need to talk to Liz”, I say and I don’t even wait for there answer, but instead I practically drag her away from the group of traitors towards a quieter place.

“Honey, why don’t we worry about this at another time... lunch is almost ready a—“

“Mom… please”, I say in a strained tone. She's trying to make up an excuse, which did she always does when she's trying to avoid something. I let out a sigh and rub the back of my neck; something I always do when I'm frustrated.

She nods in reply and motions everyone to go inside for lunch. As everybody else goes inside without any further objections, Liz and me walk further back into the yard towards the old oak tree that still has the swing that my dad put together when Iz and me were little.

“Liz?” I speak quietly, maybe too quietly, I realize as I turn to face her. I can tell that she's trying to find the words to say, like she's deciding exactly what to say. I want to help her, but then again I know that this is something she has to do on her own.

She doesn't answer so I say her name again, a little louder this time. Only this time, I force her to look into my eyes.

“Max, I-I…”, she says, struggling with her words. I'm not rushing her; she can take her time.

“I’m sorry Max, I-I had my reasons”, she says as she looks down at her hands, breaking eye-contact

“Which were?”, I ask. Yes, I know I said I wouldn't rush her and I don't mean to sound impatient here, but it’s just that I really have to know… after all this time, why would she tell everyone about her Dad, everyone except me.

She stays quiet for awhile and doesn’t speak for some time. She slowly walks over to the swing and start pushing herself back and forth. I know she's trying to work up the courage to tell me something, so I just wait. After a few minutes, when I feel like I should break the silence, she begins talking.

“Ever since we were in elementary school, all you could talk about was getting out of Roswell; becoming a doctor or a lawyer or something. That was your dream. You have no idea how happy I am for you Max”, she says, smiling proudly at me, and I can’t help but smile back.

“Remember in junior high when we had our fallout? One day, you just stopped talking to me. I don’t know why… but it hurt, Max… and for a long time I thought that was just your way of moving on. You made friends with Michael and you basically ignored me for the rest of junior high like I was a leper or something. What did I do wrong Max… what made you hate me so much?”, she says. I wince at her words, look at her and stop dead in my tracks. Apparently, I was nervously walking around.

I don’t really know why I stopped talking to Liz that year, but I do know that I’ve regretted it all my life. All I know is that I never hated Liz; not even a bit.

“Liz, you didn’t do anything wrong... I-I just h-had these... these feelings for you that I didn’t know what to do with them. I guess I got scared, so I bolted. I didn’t want to have to face you all day so, I just ended it. But if it makes you feel any better I’ve been kicking myself for all these years for not realizing how much of an asshole I was back then”

A smiled creeps on her face. "Well, maybe it does a little", she says before that beautiful smile washes away again as she tries her best to go on with her explanation.

“Did you really mean all those things you said that night in the Crashdown? You know before Kyle interrupted us“, she says, looking down at the ground. I notice that I'm pacing again so I stop once more and kneel down in front of her, not caring about the obvious grass stains I would get on my pants.

“Liz, I meant every word, every action that I did that night. I loved you since the first moment I saw you... even though we were little, I knew deep inside that you would always be the one for me”, I say as I reach over and tuck a piece of hair behind her ear.

“I tried to find you a couple days after it happened, but your Mom said you had already left for New York… and a few days after that I found out that Tess had gone with you, and that she was pregnant”, she says. God, she knew about Tess… she must have thought I was the biggest jerk in the world. How did she find out anyway? I know, Roswell is a small town and word spreads fast so I shouldn't be too surprised… but damn!

“Max, I know the kind of boy you were and I knew what kind of man you wanted to be… what you are… so I knew that any hope of ‘us’ was over the day I found out. I knew you would never turn your back on your family and if Tess was pregnant, you would never leave her. I’ve loved you all through out elementary-, middle- and high school. The day I found out was the day where I put my feeling for you aside… as much as I could… and moved on with my life”, she says. I want to say something. I need to say something, but I can’t. I try to say something but she won’t allow it. I guess she really has to get the words out before they betray her and leave her with nothing.

“The day my dad died, I wanted so much to call you... to hear your voice… for you to maybe comfort me in such a way, that I felt ashamed even for thinking in such a way. You were happy in New York; I didn’t want to ruin that for you. I didn’t want you to see me as that girl, that was clingy and couldn’t...”, she says, breaking of her sentence and a small sob escapes her lips. I don’t know what else to do so I pull her out of the swing and take her into my arms.

“I… I’m sorry Max. I couldn’t bring myself to face you. Everyone insisted that I call you... but I couldn’t do it. Every time I picked up the phone, I thought about you and your dream of becoming something other than another townie. I knew that if I had called you, had you seen the state I was in, you most likely wouldn’t have gone back”

I look at her more closely now. She’s a wreck and this outburst is just the beginning… she’s given up so much in these last several years. She gave up everything just to be here with her family… and she loved me so much she didn’t want me to have to do the same thing.

“Liz, you don’t know how incredible you are... giving up on your dreams to look after your family and pursue your fathers dream rather than your own. It takes a lot of heart to do what you have done. I can understand where you were coming from, about not telling me... but I still would’ve liked to know” She pulls away from me as she thinks about the concept of telling me and then giving me a warm smile as her thoughts still raced through her mind.

“But what about Tess? I know that she hated me… it’s not like it was a big secret”, she half-laughs as I look at her more seriously as she brings up Tess. Can you blame me; I’m still furious when I think of Tess and mine’s last conversation.

It was true; Tess hated Liz with every fibre in her being. Rather than trying to be friends with Liz, or at least being civil with Liz, she openly expressed her dislike for Liz. Liz in turn tried to be friends with Tess but it didn’t work. Ultimately, Tess made me choose. At that time, I thought I was the father of her baby so I choose her. But now, I am actually glad that I’m not, because now I can see that I never loved her... that she was only a replacement of Liz.

“Liz, I’m sorry... I knew I should’ve said something to her. You’re the one I wanted; the only one I wanted… and still want”. She looks at me with tears running down her cheeks, I can’t say anything. I only want to comfort her.

“Really?”, she asks with a small tingling in her eyes as if she doesn’t quite believe it. Instead of answering her, I move closer to her and press her lips against mine, like I wanted to do since we started this conversation.

What was supposed to be a quick soft kiss grew into something more, with a swift motion we both press our bodies together in a tangle of hidden love, passion, and lust that I guess we had bottled up all these years.

“Um...Liz?”… Wait a minute, I didn’t say that!

With a sudden movement, me and Liz both pull away. Why does this keep happening? She gives me an apologetic smile, and turned to see Alex standing there. “Alex, what’s up?”, Liz questions, hiding her face from his look. I can’t get over just how cute she looks right now, almost as if we’re still in junior high or something, at least that’s how it feels.

“Um... your cousin is at the door; he says it’s important”, Alex says. At the word cousin my eyes are forced off of Liz and towards Alex, and he was dead-serious. Liz’s cousin and I have never really gotten along. I guess you could say that he was protective of her, like I was. He was like a brother and I was more a best friend… but since I wanted to be more, me and him always used to butt heads in every sense of the word.

This should be interesting.

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

[Liz POV]

After Alex finally leaves us alone again, I turn back to Max. For some reason, I can’t seem to wipe this silly grin off my face. You know the one; it’s the kind a girl gets after talking to her crush in study hall or something. Only this time, we’re not in high school anymore.

“Um... will you excuse me?”, I say to Max. I’m actually kind of wondering why Sean would travel all the way across town, which is at least a thirty minute drive, to tell me something that he can do over the phone as well.

Instead of answering me, Max simply nods and lets go of my hand that he’s been holding from the moment Alex interrupted us.

That makes me think of Alex interrupting. I have to ask, do I have a sign on my back that says, please interrupt me when I’m kissing Max? I could scream; that’s how frustrating this is.

Sean… right, he’s still waiting. I start to walk back inside the house, but as I do I can feel his eyes burning into my back. Believe it or not I still have that silly grin on my face. I’m not gonna fool anyone when they ask what happened.

“Hey Sean what’s up?”, I ask as I walk towards him. The only time he comes over on his own free will is when he wants something. By the look on his face, it doesn’t look like he wants anything in particular… but he coming bearing trouble… a lot of it.

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

[Kyle’s apartment]
Kyle POV

“Pam, it was nothing... I swear”. How the hell am I going to get myself out of this mess?

“Nothing?!”, she screams out in exasperation, which is pretty loud for just a petite woman like her, I might add.

“Baby, she meant nothing to me. You’re the only one I care about”. Okay, that’s not completely true but she’ll believe me; I’m a trustworthy guy, right?

I think she’s already calming down. She probably knows that she can’t live without me. Yes, no matter what, the ladies always come back for more.

“Right, now did you tell yourself that before or after you slept with her?”, she sneers. Okay, maybe I spoke a little too soon and she’s not calmed down quite yet. She doesn’t say anything right away, so I think she’s actually waiting for an answer. I mean, she can’t possibly expect an answer to that. First rule with women, never ever answer a question like that. Maybe if I don’t say anything she’ll take the hint and maybe leave or something.

“Kyle, you slept with my sister and I want an answer right now! I mean, don’t you love me at all?”, she says. Okay, was it just me or did she just say the four letter word… LOVE? Whoa, slow down woman! I never said that I loved her; I mean, I suppose I could have said it in a heat of the moment kind of thing but that doesn’t really count… right? Shit, what do I do now?

“Well, um...”, I stutter. Come on Kyle, say something. Girls see right through an act like this

“You know, I don’t know what I ever saw in you. Do us both a favor and leave me and the rest of my family the hell alone!”, she screams and I stare at her blankly as she storms off to pack some of her clothes and other belongings she has lying around here.

I should say something; you know that would make her think I feel something for her… but I can’t think of anything. Just as I’m opening my mouth, the door bell rings.

Talk about being saved by the bell.

“Don’t worry I’ll get it”, I yell as she walked, or should I say stomped, from one room to another. Still, I know that wouldn’t stop her from coming and seeing who’s at the door. Pam’s got some sort of hostess-complex.

“Tessa, h-how are you?”, I ask. She never looked more beautiful than she does right now. She’s the one that got away from me. She was, and still is, the only one for me. Too bad she’s taken. “Would you like something to drink? Water? Ice Tea?” This is the most polite I’ve been to anyone coming over to visit, aside from my Dad.

“No... no thanks… um… I actually have to talk to you, I don’t really know how to say this“, she says before she’s cut of by Pam.

“Kyle, who was at the do—“, she says, abruptly cutting off her words when she notices Tess standing in the living room. She looks at me then at Tess, and I can see that she’s stunned to see her.

“Tessa? Um... hi. How are you? How’s Max?”, Pam says, suddenly a little nervous. Ah yes, Max... the only guy that Pam couldn’t get. Believe me, she tried and tried... even up until the day of graduation. But she just got shot down every time.

“Hey Pam, I-I’m fine...”, Tess says, looking like she wants to turn around and run out of the building or something.

“You know I really need to speak to Kyle for a moment”, Tess says. I nod and start to walk her back to the patio area… that is, until Pam stops me.

“I’m sure that whatever you can say to him, you can say to me”, Pam claims. Like this is any of her damn business. Wasn’t she leaving a minute ago?

“No, I really just want to tell Kyle if that’s okay”, Tess hisses and sends an evil glance towards Pam.

“Pam this is none of your business”, I say, standing in front of Tess like I have to protect her from whatever evil plan is currently forming in Pam’s twisted mind.

“No I really want to hear this... go ahead Tessina!”, Pam shrieks. I turned to look at Tess and she simply nods, giving into Pam’s rude demands, I still think Pam needs to leave but no one ever listens to me.

“I’m pregnant”, Tess blurts out

“Okay, so...”, I say before she holds her hand up to cut me off. There was more.

“I think... I think you’re the father”, she says and it feels like time stops for a moment.

“WHAT?!!”, both Pam and I shriek in unison, causing Tess to jump with fright.

Oh my god, if I thought I was in a mess before I’m definitely screwed beyond belief now.

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

[Evan’s House]
Sean’s POV

Man, I haven’t been here in ages... not since we were little. Well, I guess that was my own choice. This is the place that Aunt Nancy told me she was at, so I guess I have to face my past sooner or later.

”Here goes nothing”, I softly whisper as I ring the doorbell and a tall attractive blond girl answers the door. She looks incredibly familiar… oh right, Isabel.

“Isabel Evans”, I smile as she looks at me confused for a moment or two while she’s taking in my features.

When she smiles, I feel relieved. “Sean!”, she practically exclaims and rushes out to hug me.

“Wow, it’s been what…?”, she says, standing there, looking at me for a few seconds before I finished the sentence for her.

“…A very long time”, I say and she nods in agreement.

“What are you doing here? I hardly think you came over to talk to Max?”, she says. I smirk and shake my head. We both know that Max and I aren’t on the best of terms, even after all this time. We just don’t get along.

“No, actually I’m looking for Liz... her mom said she was here”, I say and Isabel steps aside to let me in. I have to say I wasn’t looking forward to actually coming in here but when I see Alex, Maria and Michael sitting there, we start talking a bit and I ask Alex to bring Liz in for me. I don’t want to cause any unnecessary trouble.

“So, what are you now? What ranking?”, Michael asks. I forgot how much he was into all this military government stuff.

“I just got re-ranked to Staff Sergeant”, I say with a smile as he nods in approval. It’s not that long after, that Liz entered the house.

“There’s my favorite cousin”, I beam as I get up to hug her.

She rolls her eyes in a way that always makes me laugh, “I’m your only cousin...what’s up?”

“Um... can we talk outside for a minute?”, I ask. She nods and I let her lead the way.

“It was nice seeing you again Mr. and Mrs. Evans, Isabel, Alice, Michael and Maria”, I say, watching Alex give me a fake evil glare as the rest of them waved goodbye. It’s always fun to tease Alex and I’m not in a hurry to grow up just yet.

“Oh, and give my love to Max will you”, I smirk as Liz drags me out the door, which I didn’t know that a very petite woman like her could do with such force.

Once we’re outside, she looks at me, curious to what I was really doing here.

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

[Liz POV]

“Your mom called me and said that she’s going to need some help at the Crashdown for the next few weeks. And me being the very dedicated cousin that I am…”, he grins, completely showing off. That’s what Sean Johnson does best. Sometimes I worry about his over bearing ego.

“I just went over to talk to Aunt Nancy about the things I had to do, and get some stuff for tomorrows shift… but I need the keys to the café and she told me that you have them”, he says. Is he for serious? Since when does he volunteer to work for me? The last time he did this was in his freshman year at UNM and even that didn’t last longer than a day or two; he was always going to all the cool parties on campus.

He obviously notices my scepticism. “So, I’m going to help you take care of the diner... because I know you have that reunion thing next Friday, So... I’m helping out, if that’s okay”, he says. I look at him more closely now. Is he for real? He really seems to wants to help out. Well, if he wants to help, I am in no position to turn him down.

“What about your job?”, I ask

“I need to take up some vacation time and, as of today, I’m officially on vacation for the next two months… that is unless your mom needs me to stay longer”, he says. I sigh, reach into my pocket and retrieve a small key ring with four keys and quickly tell him what each one was for.

“Oh, and Nancy said for me to tell you she’s okay, and that nothing serious happened at the hospital—and that she will talk to you tomorrow. She’s catching up on some sleep while my mom helps looking after the café for the rest of today”, he says. Well thank God she’s okay… although I can’t shake this feeling that she’s not doing as great as she leads me to believe. I guess I’ll find out tomorrow.

“Thanks Sean. Be there ten am sharp… and please, try not to be late”, I half plead as he nods and starts to walk back to his car.

I haven’t seen him since he got back from his leave in Germany last spring, and even when he’s in town, he’s still a stranger, even to his family. The only thing I know about him, is that him and his aunt are the only family besides my mom that I have left.

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

[Alex POV]

“No kidding, yes I’ll be there. Okay see you soon!”, I say, hanging up the phone and walking back into the main living room where everyone was at. Liz had just walked back into the house the exact same time that Max came inside again.

Those two really think nobody notices the lusty stare they give each other. Hell, they couldn’t be more obvious if they started making out right here. On the other hand, with those two, you never know what’s going on.

“Isabel, you will never guess who I just talked to—“, I say. She looks at me blankly as she tries to comprehend for a second to what I’m getting at.

“Justin Bradley from high school. We used to play together in school. Well, he got in contact with me through the school information and he says that The Whit’s are going to be playing at the reunion on Saturday, and he wants me to play with them” She’s beaming now; she knows how much I love music and playing. And when I’m excited, she gets excited. It’s one of the things I love about her.

“Oh, honey I’m so happy for you... looks like a lot of good news is happening today”, she says. Everyone suddenly looks at us with curious and confused expressions. Right, they don’t know about the pregnancy thing yet.

I quickly change the subject. “Maria, Bradley also asked for you. The lead singer isn’t coming to the event and we need someone to fill in his shoes. I suppose I can sing a little but you can sing way better than anyone in this room”

“Well, I wouldn’t say that…“, Maria starts before Liz gives her a small shove in the side. Maria looks at Liz for a second and then turns back at me. “That would be great Alex... can’t wait to get started”, she corrects herself as she smiles and gets up to give me a hug.

“No problem Maria”, I say. Everyone here knows that she went to LA to live her dream of becoming a singer, but no one really knows the real reason to why she came back.

I look at her more closely as she walks back to the couch, but instead of sitting next to Liz once more, she sits next to Michael. I’m happy for them, maybe now they’ll get the ending they finally deserved.

My eyes drift back to my lovely wife who was still glowing, but not to everyone else… only to me as I’m the only one who knows the even-better news so far. I’m going to be a father, and I can’t be happier than I am at this very moment.

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

[Diane POV]

“Phillip I didn’t invite Liz over so she could be interrogated by Max. When we decided to have this get-together, this was the last thing I had expected to happen. I just wanted them to spend more time together—they obviously like each other, and I thought with a motherly push that I might finally get them together”, I say as I sit on the edge on our bed. He comes up behind me and pulled me into his arms.

“I know honey, but they just have to work this out on their own. You just had them in your best interest, everyone knows that”, he says. I smile as I lay against my husband’s chest, I know he’s right. If by chance those two want to get together then so be it, but if not I will not try and force it again.

“I love you”, I whisper.

“I love you too...”, he says as he kiss the top of my head as we kissed once more before returning back downstairs where everyone seems to be laughing and talking about old times. Maybe organizing this little get-together wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

“Is everyone ready to eat?”, I say as I enter the room and all the males rushed to the kitchen while the girls laugh, myself included. Boys will always be boys.

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

[Evans’s Home 10:30PM]
[Max POV]

Today went a lot better than I expected, with the exception of Sean coming to the house. Liz more than made up for everything just by being there. My parent went to bed around nine o’clock, but the rest of us all went outside and talked about everything we’ve been up to.

Maria made her signature ‘Margarita Salt berry-vodka surprise drink’ . In high school, we used to drink these once a year; the night before we were supposed to go back to school. We would all gather at the Crashdown to have one last ‘summer break’-party before going back to school the next morning. I guess you can say it was a tradition in our books.

The girls put on the sound system outside and started to dance. That is, the girls started to dance. The guys just watched. Don’t get me wrong, I can dance… I just like watching Liz dance, but I still have no idea what I’m going to do about the whole Liz situation.

I also notice that Liz is already on her third drink, which is never a good sign in her books; Liz gets drunk extremely fast. After the third song, Maria went back to talk to Michael leaving Liz alone in the middle on the courtyard. That is until she grabbed my hand.

“Max, dance with me?”, she asks. I hesitate at first but when a familiar song picked up the beat, an eager grin flashes over my face.

Switch
Alright ready
Come on man, this is what I do
Yo mic check, mic check, yeah here you go
Nah, he over here
Yeah, I heard he got that hot new thing
It's called "Switch" (switch)
Let's get it going


[chorus]
Hey switch, turn it over and hit it
Turn around, now switch
Turn it over and hit it

Hey, vibe to vibe a second, it's a club girl why you arrived naked
Hear that, how the veteran glide the record
But don't download, go out and buy the record
Hey, something sexy bout her
Girl on the floor, all her friends around her
I mean real clean, ain't gotta touch or nothing
It ain't like I like a chick on chick or something
I'm just a sucker for a hot track
Gimme a drink and a chick to tell 'Stop that'
Dance is a hop and a clap, flip it round
Now bring it on back, break it down
Now switch

The way that her body moves into mine sends everything inside of me on fire. I never want this dance to end. Damn, I always thought Parker couldn't dance, even to this beat. The way her hips are moving, it made me groan with anticipation.

[chorus]

Uh uh uh
I gotta question, I need to ask somebody
Why is it that when y'all see me at the party
Y'all be looking like, "Ooh, he a movie star
He ain't supposed to be out on the floor with everybody"
But oh wait, whoa, y'all forgetting
When I was, amateur spitting before the scripts were written
First one in, last one out the club
Bursting in, passing out in the club
Back at it, this cat is the wit and the charm
Taking you higher, like a syringe hittin' ya arm
Bringing the fire, making your Benz ring the alarm
Let me see you clap, spin baby, come on
Switch

[chorus]

God... she will be the end of me. If this song doesn't end soon she is going to be in for a really 'BIG' surprise if she keeps rubbing into me like that. Damn, it feels so good and yet it's so wrong. I still can't keep a smile off my face though. I can tell she's enjoying it as much as I do.

Oh, you just gonna stand there, huh
What you too cute to dance, or you scared

It ain't really that hard to do and
I aint trying to be in love with you and
All I wanted was a moment or two to
See if you could do that switch-a-roo and
Shut your mouth fool, get your crew and
The thick body and the rear one too and
I'll be right hear waiting on you to
See if y'all can do that switch-a-roo

Hey, hey

That's what I'm talking bout, do that thing mama
That's what I'm talking bout, do that thing mama
That's what I'm talking bout, do that thing mama
That's what I'm talking bout, switch

I wanted to keep repeating the words... 'Do that thing mama' as Liz grinded her hips into me. It definitely seems to fit her in this moment. Now this is definitely a song that’s going on my Ipod!

[chorus]

It’s like I’ve been hypnotized the moment the song ends; I just stand there looking at her, trying to control my breathing. The way her body rubbed unconsciously into mine left a stinging feeling inside my stomach. Who ever knew Liz Parker could dance like that? My eyes quickly go back to Liz and I see her pouring her fifth drink down her throat. Oh crap!

When I walk over to her, she can’t even stand up and she starts to laugh uncontrollably. Oh yeah, she’s wasted. “Maybe I should get her home”, Maria suggests as she frowns at her friend. She offered Michael a sympathetic to indicate that it has nothing to do with him.

“No, Maria—I’ll take her home...its okay”, I offer. Maria knows I would never take advantage of Liz in a state like this and she smiled at me, grateful that I would do this for her. But I have to admit, it’s also a little for me; I want to make sure Liz gets home safely and every minute I could spend with her tonight, I’d take.

“Are you sure?”, she asks. I guess she want to make sure, but if I would tell her no now, she’d probably slap me in the face.

“Yeah, it’s cool. C’mon Liz”, I say as I reach for her and grab… air. I look towards where she was standing and watch her walking to the back of the yard. I have to run to catch up with her.

“No Lizzie, it’s this way”, I say as I take her hand in mine and turn her body to walk the other way.

“Oh Maxie! There you are... I was looking for you!”, she laughs in a drunken voice.

“Good luck with her Max”, Michael shouts as me and Liz walk into the house. I don’t need to look at him to see the smirk that’s on his face right now.

I have to steady her before we walk outside to my truck. She wobbles a bit and I guided her to sit down in the passenger seat.

“Liz which way is your apartment?”, I ask but she doesn’t even seem to hear. She’s not paying any attention to me… at the moment, she’s too fascinated with the radio stations, switching them back and forth.

“Liz?” I question again.

“That way”, she points in front of me where there’s not even a street.

Okay, that was a big help. I reach for her purse and she doesn’t even seem to notice. I pull out her wallet and read the address on her driver’s license. Huh, it’s only a block away from my house.

After strapping her securely unto her seatbelt, we started to drive and she start to sing to the songs on the radio at the top of her lungs and laughs every time she messes up the words.

“Okay, Liz we’re here...”, I say, taking the keys from her purse. She tries to get out of the truck by herself but she failed; she forgot to take off her seatbelt, but that didn’t stop her from trying.
When I released the seatbelt, she falls into my arms and the two of us walk to the door.

“This is a pretty house, Max... pretty”, she laughs as I try to hold her up.

“Yep, it’s pretty Liz. C’mon lets get you inside...”, I say. Deciding that it’d probably be safer if she didn’t walk up the stairs herself, I pick her up and carry her inside the house.

“My room!”, she yells, at the top of her lungs I might add once we arrive upstairs. I gently put her down. I just watch as she kicks off her shoes and throws them across the room, not hitting anything breakable by some miracle, and proceeds to take off her shirt.

“Max, you have pretty eyes”, she says with a smile. I try not to laugh; I’ve never got that comment before.

“Do you want me Max?”, she asks and before I know it her arms are wrapped around my neck, and her lips are pressed on mine. If only she wasn’t so completely drunk … but right now… no, I could never do that to Liz.

“No Liz... not this way”, I pull free of her grasp and she walks around the room a bit before falling onto her bed.

“I’m going to be alone forever. You don’t want me... Kyle doesn’t want me. Maybe he was right. Maybe I’m just a slut”, she says. I wince at the words that came out of her mouth and I sit down next to her and comfortly wrap my arms around her.

“Liz honey, you’re not a slut... you’re a beautiful intelligent woman with everything this world has to offer. Don’t let anyone tell you any different”, I say. I think I’m going to pay a little visit to Kyle Valenti and give him a piece of my mind.

That may be one of the reasons to why she looks so broken. I make sure she’s tucked into bed, and she’s alright before leaving, until her voice stops me.

“Max... don’t go... please...”, she pleads, which stops me dead in my tracks. I turn around, kick off my shoes and get into bed with her... fully clothed of course, and pulled her against me as she mumbles into my chest.

“I love you Max... I always have and I always will”, she mumbles before she goes straight to sleep, leaving me alone with my thoughts about what she just said. All this time, she loved me. Will she remember any of this is the morning? Should I leave?

I have no idea.

TBC

Chapter 12: You’re Beautiful, it’s true

[Liz’ House 8:00AM]

Max’s POV

Waking up this morning was different; I didn’t have a normal night to tell you the truth. I couldn’t sleep knowing that the amazing Liz Parker was asleep in my arms. Her words still rang in my ears. I wonder what a jerk like Kyle Valenti was still doing with Liz for all these years. But then again, I was still with Tess.

I wonder if this was the way things were supposed to happen, we were supposed to believe we were in love with them, so they could break our hearts so we could find each other. Maybe...It does sound reasonable.

I read the clock it read 8AM, I knew I should get up...but I couldn’t bring myself to. Anyways I wasn’t supposed to be at the hospital until 11:30; Liz should be awake by then. There’s no reason why she shouldn’t, she didn’t drink that much.

The phone rings but it doesn’t stir Liz one bit. I wonder how much of a deep sleeper she is? A marching band could probably play beside her and she still wouldn’t wake. Is that a good or a bad thing? I don’t know really, I guess I’ll find out with time.

The machine picks up and it’s Sean, asking where she was. She was supposed to be there an hour ago. Shit. I cursed as I quickly got up from the bed just as he hung up the phone. But wait what am I suppose to do, I would cover for her myself but I can’t. I have to work at the hospital, but I can call in a favor, but whom exactly?

It took me a moment to think then came up with the perfect person, who I knew wouldn’t let Liz or myself down, but I did know for sure that I would be in his debt, a big debt. I wasn’t doing this for Sean but for Liz.

Dialing the familiar number and it only took a couple rings to hear the voice on the other line.
“Morning, Look its Max and I need a really big favor...” I smirked because I had a feeling I was going to be paying for this for a really long time.


[Liz POV--10AM]

If there was ever a day I hated sunlight, today would be the day. It took me a good two minutes just to open my eyes, and boy was I sorry once I did.

“Oh, why are the curtains open?” I whined as I threw the covers over my head. Mainly because I thought I was alone, well that was until the memories of last night came flooding back to me.

“God, why the hell did I have to drink? I should have took those freaking’ chaser pills Maria took last time.” My head was throbbing like someone was hitting a drum.

I looked at the clock it was mid morning, I was supposed to help Sean open. At least I think so. I do know that I was supposed to work today, but the throbbing in my head is not helping me concentrate right now.

“I should get up.” I whispered to myself, because even my own voice hurt my head. As my legs reached the ground, I noticed that I didn’t have a shirt on but still in my jeans from the night before.

I stood up only to fall back on the bed.

“Just how much did I drink last night?” Thinking that I’m alone only to hear a voice that I didn’t somewhat expect to hear in my room.

“Oh, about five of Maria’s Margaritas.” I winced and shielding my eyes from the sunlight that was cascading through the blinds. This is why the curtains should be closed.

“Max?” I wanted to make sure he was really here or if I was dreaming.
He came closer to me carrying a tray.

“I made you breakfast, or should I say brunch?” He laughed as he placed it on the table besides the bed and helped me back in bed.

I was about to question him being here until I remembered that I asked him to stay last night—and that I was all over him, I tried to hide my sudden embarrassment. Which, by the why was really hard.

“Max, you didn’t have to stay—I-I mean, if I-said anything...Damn it! I knew I shouldn’t have drank any of those stupid margaritas.”

He laughed as he came closer to me, and handed me two aspirins and bottled water. He looked so relaxed, almost as if he wanted to be here, and he wasn’t just doing this simply for the fact that I was drunk.

I smiled at him sweetly, as he came and sat down next to me on the bed.

“Thank you Max but you didn’t have to go through all this trouble.” I wanted to make sure he knew that I wasn’t always going to be like this.

He held his fingertips to my lips, just that slight touch made me shiver and I wanted my lips pressed against his, but the throbbing in my head stopped that thought quickly.

“...Don’t worry about it, if there’s anyone worth going through all this for...it’s you Liz.” He is so sweet...who really goes through all this trouble for one girl. Really, does a guy of this nature really exist?

“Really?” I asked as I tried my best to keep that silly little school girl grin off my face.

“Yeah.” He whispered as he swept his thumb against my cheek, we had a small moment. Lost in a world of our own but Max quickly changed the subject before things got a little out of hand, and he knew that I wasn’t up for anything quite yet.

Glancing at the clock again, I quickly stiffened up, and silently cursed to myself in being that stupid.

“Don’t worry about your shift” Max spoke up rather quickly.

“How did you know I was thinking about my shift?” I was curious to figure out if he was psychic or not.

“Earlier Sean called, saying that you were late for your shift today. I knew you wouldn’t be up for it, so I called in a favor. I would’ve gone myself but I have to work at the hospital, and working with Sean probably isn’t the best thing to do.” I smirked knowing what he meant, but wanted to know his reason behind it.

“And if you didn’t have to work would you’ve gone?” I asked eagerly.

“Without a hesitation.”

“Why? You can’t stand Sean.”

“I’d do it for you; I’d do anything for you.” I felt my cheeks blush a crimson red; no one has ever told me that before.

I closed my eyes as his hand cupped my cheek and the smoothness of his fingertips against my skin sent me overboard. I wanted to sink more into his touch, and let his hand reek havoc on me.

But I couldn’t because my head was still pounding like a sledge hammer crashing into my skull.

“You have no idea how bad I want to kiss you right now, but my head won’t allow me to.” I laughed as he motioned towards me and gave me a quick kiss on the lips.

I brushed his bangs out of his eyes and touched the side of his face as my fingers ran slightly down his neck and rested on his chest.

“Thank you, Max. You really didn’t have to go through all this trouble just for me, I could—“ He cut me off as his fingertips rested against my lips, and that quickly shut me up, not because he wanted to talk but because of his touch. I don’t know how else to describe it.
“Liz, don’t worry about it, you’re worth it. You will always be worth it. Now get some rest, and I’ll give you a call later. Don’t worry about work or Sean just go in when you feel better. I really wish I could stay but I can’t, I have to be in the hospital in about an hour or so. I’ll call you. I promise.” And with that he kissed my forehead and then my lips. I wanted him to stay and kiss me forever, but I knew that was impossible.

“Bye Max.” I whispered as he left the room, he didn’t turn back to mainly because my eyes started to drift close again, letting my sleep consume me and I still had a silly foolish grin on my face, and was half glad he didn’t turn to wave to me. That would’ve been embarrassing.


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

[The Crash down 12:30 PM]

Alex POV

Alex c’mon you can do this...only a little while longer...remember you’re doing this for Liz. You’re best friend Liz Parker that’s been through so much, and you haven’t been around for a really long time. This is how you can make it up to her. Just try to ignore Sean as best as you can.

“Hey Alice in Wonderland...Stop day dreaming, these orders aren’t going to serve themselves.” I cringed, hey I can’t help it, that’s like the fifth time he told me that just within the past hour.

I’m going to hit him, I swear...wait, but think about Liz—it’s her cousin. But then again I’m sure she won’t mind. It’s not like they’re really close, and it’s not like I’m going to knock him into next year.

“Hey Alice, do I have to go all Mad Hatter on you to get you over here?” Damn it!! This is going to be a long day.

“Shove it Sean, will ya? This place is packed. I can’t be in five places at once.” He held his hands in surrender and shrugged it off and returned to taking orders.
Great just what I need, I noticed at the door was none other than Michael, Maria, and some girl I’ve never seen before. But I think the heat I would get from Michael and Maria would be enough for one afternoon.

Now, I am really glad that I stuck to my guns and didn’t wear the traditional uniform and settled for just a T-shirt, and Sean trying to bully me into it, which was Liz’s uniform by the way.

“Hi, welcome to the Crashdown. Table or Booth?” I asked with a friendly smile on my face, it was a routine but still tried to make it as genuine as I possibly could.

I watched as they desperately tried to stifle their laughter but failed horribly, and to make matters worse we hadn’t moved an inch, and they didn’t answer my question.

So I had to repeat myself, “I’m sorry, now did you want to be seated in a Table or a Booth?”

“Booth please.” The petite brunette told me as Michael and Maria couldn’t bring their voices to answer, I was glad for it because who knows how long we could’ve been standing there. With Michael and Maria combined it was hard to say.

“Alex, what are you doing here?” I waited until they were seated to answer Maria’s question.

“Well, Liz still has a bit of a hangover from last night, so Max called me this morning and practically begged me to do this favor for him. I don’t know when she’s coming in, the longest I can stay is until three. Which I’ve been meaning to tell you, the band wants to get together with you to go over some material for the performance. It’s going to be at five at Johnny’s house, I’ll give you the address a bit later.”

“That sounds cool.” Maria nodded as she looked at the menu.

“’Ria aren’t you going to introduce us?” I was about to ask the same question. Who was this woman that looked somewhat similar to our Lizzy.
“Oh, I’m sorry guys, where’s my manners?” She quickly straightened up as Michael smirked at her sudden wanting to be formal.

“Miss Serena Twilight, this is my best friend of 17 years. Mr. Alexander Charles Whitman. But we all call him Alex.” Why did she have to use my full name?

“Alex, this is Serena Twilight. She works with Liz and I down at the hospital, we’ve been friends for the past seven years.” She extends her hand to me, and I gladly take it, and smile friendly.

“Nice to meet you, but Maria we’ve actually been friends for 19 years.” I remember it...it was when Max was trying to convince me not to get involved with girls.

“No, you’re wrong Alex. I think I would remember.” Is she kidding me?

“It was nineteen years.”

“No, it wasn’t.”

“Yes. It was.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No, it wasn’t. You didn’t talk to Liz or myself until the Sixth grade—in Mrs. Peacocks Homeroom Class.” What?! No we didn’t, I didn’t even have her.

“What are you talking about it was in Fourth Grade—I remember because I was forced to sit in between both you and Liz and you two wouldn’t shut up about how cute you guys thought that Kirk Cameron was on Growing Pains and was going through your Punky Brewster fazes.”

It took her a moment to think about this...and then it clicks in her head and it’s almost as if a light bulb went off.

“Hey you’re right.”

“Thank you...” I sighed just as Sean was coming over.

“Alice, stops jibber jabbing, and get back to work will ya?” I just looked at him as he walked away from the table causing Michael to start laughing again.

“Shut up will you...” I indicated to Michael and he silently asked what he was doing wrong but I had no intentions of answering him.

“Now, what can I get you guys?”

“Cokes all around.Now do you have any specials today?” I rolled my eyes; she knows the specials she works here.

“Maria, you know what they are—you work here for god’s sake.”

“You never know they would’ve or could’ve changed.”

“Overnight?” I sighed as she didn’t budge.

“Just order, will you?”

Max owes me so big; he’s going to be wishing he never asked me for this favor to begin with. This is not how I pictured spending my vacation.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

[Roswell Hospital 1:00PM]

Max POV

Ahh...intern season, just what I need. Fresh young faces all dying to be doctors, and trying anything to get that accomplished. I’ve done that, and been there and nothing gets past me. I assigned all the Residents a small group of interns, but a couple people called in sick and from what it looks like I got stuck with the Double Mint Triplets that just got out of Barbie Ville. And trying to get them focused on the patients and off of me has been challenging in itself. I’m just glad that whenever I need a break or something, I can just hand them off for a bit.

But that motion never lasts long, this is going to be a very, very long day to tell you the truth.

“Dr. Evans, I don’t mean to get personal but, I noticed that you’re not wearing a ring. So, um...since you’re not married I was wondering if you were seeing someone.” Is she trying to pick up on me? Do I look that desperate?

“If you’re not, I can definitely see us working one on one, if you know what I mean.” Now, she’s trying to seduce me. Where does this girl come off? I’m looking at not only the girl talking to me, but all the girls surrounding me and they all have the same look in their eyes. This has to stop. I’m not even attracted to them, it feels like my sister is trying to hit on me. That alone says a thousand words.

“Baker, I suggest you keep your mind on the patients rather than fantasize on something that will never be.” I made sure to tell her strongly and firmly to let her know that I wasn’t messing around. This was my job and I wasn’t going to lose it just because some Barbie bimbo wants to get laid.

“Listen, all of you. This is not medical school; this is real life and death situations. Real people are going to put their lives in your hands. You all need to get focused on the tasks at hand here. This is not a game, and I shouldn’t have to be telling any of you this. Get your minds out of the clouds, this is reality whether you like or not, this is what it is. It’s either going to make you or break you. Get with it.”

I feel like I’m going to pull out my hair on pure craziness. Is this what my life has become...giving lectures to doctor wannabes?

‘Paging Doctor Evans to floor six, paging Doctor Evans to floor Six’ the intercom rang around the hospital and I felt that someone was finally on my side for once.

When I started to move to the elevator they followed me. I stopped and turned around. “Wait...” I motioned for them to stop.
“Hey Doug, keep an eye on them for me while they continue their rounds.” The smile that beamed on his face was priceless. He looked at the new interns that were surrounding me, and agreed with a quick yes, without another word the girls followed him and quickly forgot about me.

Which I was extremely thankful for, and made my ways to floor six to get the lab results for a patient back in the ER when my phone rang.

Just by the ring tone I was hesitate to pick up mainly because I knew the person on the other line and I knew I would be in for it if I didn’t pick up the phone.

“Hello Isabel.” I wondered what her question would be, but when she answered I noticed that her voice echoed a bit. Speaker…she had me on the speaker.

“Maxi...I’m really glad you picked up I had a feeling you wouldn’t.” I know the feeling and I hate when she calls me that.

And just when I was about to answer another familiar voice popped up.

“Hello honey how’s working going?” This day just keeps getting better.

“Mom, you’re with Isabel. Great.” I muttered the last part, but my mom still caught it.

“What’s that dear?” Shit...c’mon Evans quick.

“It’s great that you two are spending time together did you guys go shopping?” When is this conversation going to end?

“Yes. How did you know that?” They both say in unison.

“It was just a hunch. Look, was there something you wanted to ask me, because I’m kind of busy. You know being a doctor and all.”

“Right, sorry...I was wondering if you were doing anything tonight.”

“Not that I know of.”

“Good.” Okay, I’m not sure where she’s going with this but it’s not like I’m going to know until she continues which she isn’t.

“Okay, what’s good Isabel?” Continue please.

Still nothing...right now I really hope she’s the one driving because I can hear muffled car sounds in the background, at least if she were driving she would have an excuse to this entire conversation.

“Is, I need you to speak in complete sentences.” I gently tell told her as I walked past the front desk and further down the walkway so I wouldn’t disturb anyone.

“Right, sorry. I was just wondering if you could come over to Mom and Dad’s house for dinner tonight. It would really mean a lot to Alex and me.” I could sense the eagerness in her voice, and even though she is my sister and I love her, I honestly couldn’t make any promises.

“I’m not sure is, but I’m going to try.” God please let her accept that answer, and don’t freak.

“That’s good enough Max, but don’t worry if you can’t. Your work is very important, I will understand.” Whoa, where did that come from? Where did my sister go?

...but hey I’m not complaining.

“Max, you should bring that cute Liz Parker by, I’m sure your father and I would like to see her again.”

Great I almost made it to the end of the conversation without bring up Liz. I was to busy thinking...I didn’t answer her.

“Max? Honey? You still there?”

“Yeah Mom...I’ll see. I think she has to work but I’ll get back to you okay?” What?! Don’t tell her that...hang up Max...Hang up...!

“I have to go guys. Love you, bye.” I quickly hung up before they could object. And partly so they couldn’t get the chance to bring up Liz again.

I started to make my way to the front desk when I recognized a familiar voice talking in one of the examination rooms.

I looked at the familiar face as well as voice until we were close enough to speak. I noticed she was talking on the phone.

“Hey Liz, you must be busy—that’s why you’re not picking up your phone but I just wanted to let you know that I’m fine, I’ll be back at the Crashdown in an hour or so. I really hope Sean isn’t wreaking havoc over the place. I love you and I can’t wait to see you tonight. Bye.” I quietly knocked on the door as she snapped the phone shut. This was met with a nervous smile in return.

“Max?” So she does remember me.

“Nancy, you’re a patient here?” I asked in curiosity to what she was doing in the Chemo therapy section of the hospital, but I didn’t ask that.
“I didn’t know you worked here. Liz hasn’t told me anything. But then again...I haven’t talked to her, so I guess I wouldn’t know that either way.” I noticed as she smiled and covered her mouth with her hand, she realized that in a sense I knew what she was doing here it was only a little bit obvious.

Her voice more shaken then before as she started to speak.

“Max, please don’t tell Liz...that I’m here, I haven’t had a chance to talk to her yet. I want her to hear it from me.” There was a silent plea in her eyes, growing up you could always see that sparkle in Mrs. Parker’s eyes and now that I look into them I notice that that same sparkle was gone.

It was heart breaking to see her like this, but then again it wasn’t my secret to tell it was hers.

With a silent nod from myself I knew that this whole experience was getting to her, and even though I didn’t know her diagnosis I thought of her more as a friend, rather than just another patient

“Thank you, Max.”

“Don’t worry Mrs. Parker, I won’t tell Liz.” She smiled and nodded because I had hoped that she trusted me.

In a way, I was glad that she didn’t tell me, partly for when Liz asks me, I can honestly tell her that I didn’t know. Lying to Liz was the last thing I will attempt to do.

“I know Maxwell and thank you.” She offered me a small smile, and I nodded and walked out of the room and back to the front desk, to finish what I came up here to do.

“Hello Ann...I believe you have something for me.” She smiled warmly as she handed me a manila folder.

Only an hour later I saw Nancy leaving the hospital and only hoped the best would happen. Maybe I needed to be there for Liz tonight, rather than with my sister.

I don’t know.

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

[The crash down 3:00PM]

Seans POV

“Oh, look who decided to join us today…if it isn’t Liz Parker. Who was supposed to be here like seven hours ago? How is Maxi doing?” I know I’m immature, but hey I’ve been here since seven in the morning. I’m itching to get out of here.

“Shut up Sean. I’m here aren’t I? Unless you want me to go back home.” That made me shut up.

“No Liz, I’m sorry. I’ll behave. I promise.” Okay now I’m pathetic because I’m begging.

“You really are a jerk, you know that Sean?” She playfully shoves me as I hug her.

“Yeah, but you still love me. Besides I really want to get out of here.” She giggles as we both turn to the door opening.

The loveliest vision of a goddess came into the room, and it was the same girl from this afternoon that was talking to Alex, and was with Maria and Michael during the lunch rush today. But this time she was alone.

“Serena, what are you doing here?” I heard Liz question behind me, but I was glad that at least I knew her name.

‘Serena’. I was almost singing it like in west side story, but instead of using the name of Maria I was singing... ‘Serena’ it was magical even.

I nudged Liz, to get her attention.

“Liz, aren’t you going to introduce us?” She gave me a sharp glance and smiled over to ‘Serena’.

Yes I’m still singing her name in my head.

“Ser, excuse my ill fully rude cousin.” I smiled as she giggled and blushed. This was a good sign.

“Sean this is Serena—Serena, Sean.” She’s even more beautiful up close. Why are my hands sweating? This never happened before...not even with Tess. Oh God, Tess I forgot all about her. Shit.

“Are you alright?” Serena and Liz ask me in unison—double shit!

“Um, sure.” I shrugged. “Everything’s just fine. Actually Liz, I totally forgot that Aunt Nancy is upstairs she wanted to talk to you.”

“Okay, but who’s going to help the customers?” Smart...no wonder why she was a straight A student in school.

“It’s okay, I can help out.” Serena answers before I can reply.

“And I can stay a bit longer.” I answered, well tried my best to get the words out of my mouth before I had a chance to stop myself.

“Didn’t you say like two minutes ago that you wanted to go home?” Does she always have to be this way I’m trying to do her a favor?

“Yeah, but I can change my mind can’t I? I’m not staying all night...just go talk to your Mom we’ll be fine.” I told her and I gave her a helpful shove to the backroom.

Turning back to Serena—“Where do you want to start?” She smiled at me and picked up an apron and started to take orders.

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

Liz POV

I rolled my eyes as Sean pushed me in the backroom, was it just me or did I sense a bit of attraction between them. I started to make my way upstairs when my cell went off, I was hesitating to pick up but I was glad once I did.

“Hello Gorgeous.” I smiled at his tone and felt my cheeks blush. I’ve never had that reaction over the phone.

“Hey yourself, how’s your day going?”

“Oh, it’s intern season. It’s really the best time of the year.” I laughed at his sarcasm.

“But how are you feeling.”

“I-I’m great and my migraine went away, so now I’m wonderful.” But I’m only wonderful when I’m talking or around him. But I can’t tell him that.

“That’s good to hear.” He sounds amazing.

“I’m in between breaks and the double mint Triplets are getting on my nerves.” I can tell he’s a bit stressed.

“Double Mint Triplets? Interns...?” I dared to ask.

“Yep.” was all the answer he gave me, and I didn’t pry to ask more.

“What time do you get off?” What? You’re not his girlfriend, you can’t ask him that...Shit! I cringed to see what his reply would be.
“You want to know what time I get off?” I could sense he was enjoying this.

“I was wondering that’s all.” I smiled knowing that he wasn’t going to freak out.

“Well, if you must know at six and only three hours and counting.” I laughed at his not wanting to be there, I would’ve picked him to be a work-a-holic or something in that sense.

“That’s good, maybe you can come by later?” Liz...Stop leading him on...

“Maybe...but it won’t be until probably ten, I have to have dinner at my parent’s house. You’re invited if you want.” Awe...that’s sweet of him, but I can’t.

“I-I’d really love to Max, but I can’t I have to close tonight.”

“I figured as much, don’t worry they won’t be disappointed, but I can still come by and see you right?”

“Right.” I smiled over the phone.

“I’m looking forward to it Miss Parker. I just called to see how you doing.” I can’t believe he actually remembered to call me, all this time when Kyle said he would call me, but he wouldn’t actually do it until two days later.

“Well, Mr. Evans I’m glad that you did so. See you at ten. Bye.”

“Bye Liz.” When I heard the dial tone I rushed upstairs the happiest I’ve been all week, and once I reached my mom and the look on her face, my bright spirit broke.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” She didn’t look like herself; I haven’t seen her in a couple days—but what a difference a couple days make.

“Lizzy, can you sit down...please.” I didn’t argue her but simply did as she said.

“Mom, tell me what’s wrong.” I almost demanded.

“The other day, when you told me to go to the doctors, I went and they found something.” Okay...what does this mean exactly?

“Found what?”

“They found a tumor in my liver, which explains my reasons to why I don’t eat, my fatigue, and my lack of energy. Over the past few days including today, the tests were returned and I can try Chemo therapy, but for the most part it’s not going to go away.”

“It won’t go away...Mom it has to...do the therapy. Mom you have to do something!! Anything.” I demanded, but I didn’t mean for it to come out so strong.

“It isn’t going to work Elizabeth.” God, she only used my full name when this was really serious.

“Mama Please.” I pleaded in almost a whisper.

“The cancer has grown double its size in the past two days. I’m still a candidate for the therapy, but not surgery. It’s inoperable” I looked into her eyes unable to see what she was really telling me.

“What does this mean?” I asked almost dead inside.

“I’m dieing Liz.” No...This can’t be...not her, not my mom...anyone but her. She’s the only family I have left.

This can’t be happening.

TBC....

Chapter 13: That sinking feeling

[Maria POV]

“Alex, I really think we should go over exactly which songs we are going to be singing. I don’t want to sing anything cheesy or cliché.” I know that this is technically not my thing and they just asked me to be apart of this, but I just have put my two cents in here; the songs have to be decent.

“’Ria, we’ve all been going over the song selection all night. I think we are all tired right now.” I look around the room at all the guys, and they all have the same blank stare on their faces. I mean, I know that I’m pushing all them a little, but if I didn’t know any better I’d almost think they’re not in the mood for this. Well, I like things to be perfect.

“I know, I know, but I’m starting to change my mind.” Everyone groans and grunts at my comment. No, they’re definitely not in the mood.

“Maria, we aren’t changing the song choice. We just spent nearly three hours deciding on these. I’m not going to spent an additional three hours deciding on new ones. I’m sorry, but Isabel has this whole dinner planned and if I miss it, it’s not going to be pretty.”

“But I…“ I start off in my own defense.

“No buts missy!” I can’t believe he cut me off! I huff and fold my arms, act like I’m mad, and pout my bottom lip. That usually works.

“Not going to work Maria; I really have to go, but hey why don’t you stop by the Evans house. I’m guessing mrs. E is gonna to make a big dinner and I’m sure Mikey won’t mind. He never turns down a home cooked meal.” He laughs and playfully punches my arm.

“No, it’s okay. Go have your big family meal. Tell Isabel I said hi.” He nods his head in agreement. Then stops, and turns back to me in a rapid motion.

“Do you need a ride home?” I smile warmly at him. He always worries about me and Liz getting home alright. He hasn’t changed a bit.

“No, It’s fine. Michael’s suppose to pick me up.” I watch as he stands there for a moment longer and stares at me to see if I’m really telling the truth. “Okay, I’ll see you later.” He told me goodbye once more, and gave me a short hug with a kiss on the cheek in the usual Alex fashion. I missed that over the years; it’s comforting.

It’s not that long before I’m the only one in the otherwise empty bar, and I’m getting that eerie feeling. I just know deep down inside that something isn’t right. Oh well, it’s probably nothing.

“DeLuca! Maria DeLuca!” a voice echoes through the bar. I know that voice. Oh, you have got to be kidding me; you have got to be fucking kidding me! This cannot be happening.

“All these years in this small town, right where I found you last time and I thought you’d never pick up a microphone ever again. I could’ve betted my life on that fact; ten years without that happening, and now this. Well, it’s very unexpected to tell you the truth.” the voice says. I shake my head and continue to think of that voice that still haunts my dreams. This is just a dream; it’s just a figment of my ever-growing imagination. I mean, he can’t be here... God, please tell me that he isn’t here.

I finally find my voice to address him, trying desperately not sound weak or have my voice crack to have him notice that he’d affected me. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“My my, you’re still a feisty one, aren’t you?” I can feel him stepping closer to me; almost five steps, until I feel his body heat. I feel a bile rising in my throat, but I force it back.

As he reaches out for my arm, I make sure to step out of his reach, which just makes him smile with satisfaction.

“Are you still scared of me after all these years?” I’m not scared of him… okay maybe I am, but I can’t believe that bastard is still using it against me.

“Why don’t you leave me the hell alone?!” I shout at him as he continues to circle me like a vulture circles his prey.

“DeLuca, you are one hard woman to find.” he smirks as I continue to step out of his reach when he tries to take my arm again.

“I don’t belong to you; I never did. It was a mistake; when are you going to get that? Are you that dense—do you need me to spell it out for you?”

He nods at my words, I know they sting but they don’t wound him; not in the slightest. “That’s what you say now, but soon enough you’ll remember that by this contract you still belong to me.”

“I don’t belong to anyone!” I snarl through my teeth, disgusted with the low life scum bastard in front of me.

“Little Maria… I see that you’re still thinking like the naïve eighteen year old I came in contact with all those years ago.” This time I could see the determination in his eyes, and before I know what happened, he grabs a hold of both of my arms, and starts to shake me.

“Get your fucking hands off me!! Get off!!” I screamed and kicked him in the crotch. When he wails in pain, I try my best to get away and almost managed to do so before he grabs a hold of my ankle and pulls me on the floor in one solid motion.

“Calm down Barbie, calm down you know you want some more of this—you’ve missed it, just admit it.” He coaxes my hair as his body slides on top of mine in one sudden motion.

I wanna scream but I feel like I can’t breath. No, this can’t be happening again. I can feel hot tears starting to stream down my face. He starts to tear at my clothes and that’s when I finally find my voice start to scream. I try to kick him again but he holds down my arms and my legs with his body weight.

“HELP!! SOMEONE HELP!” I scream at the top of my lungs. Where’s the owner of the bar when you needed him? I’m still trying to keep the situation light in my mind so I won’t freak out completely.

“Shut up... shut up!” He shouts in my ear as he gets up and pulls my hair so I would follow him, but my legs are like Jell-O and don’t want to move.

“I said get up bitch! Get up now!” He shouts at me...now far beyond the point of furious.

“Please Billy, leave me alone. Billy please!” I cry uncontrollably, but he’s clearly determined to get what he wants. He still has a fist full of my hair in his hand, and pulls me outside to the parking lot.

“Don’t Billy me; you had your chance. Now you’re going to give me what I want.” He sneers as he slams me against the car that’s parked not that far from the building he just dragged me out of.

I try to get up, but my legs still don’t want to function. I need to get out of here; I need to get out of here now, but how?

[Michael’s POV]

**On the phone, driving in the car**

“Come on Maxwell, how should I know where Liz is? I’m not exactly the first person she contacts in situations like this. I’m like, way at the bottom of the friend list. Now, I’m already ten minutes late picking up Maria.” And if I don’t hurry up, she’s really going to stick it to me; not only for being late but for also talking on the phone.

“She doesn’t even have my cell phone number; I just got this phone today, remember.” He has it so bad for her that it’s almost funny. If you really think about it, he likes her and she obviously likes him too and yet, look at how they’re acting. Ironic, don’t you think?

“Maxwell, do you what to know what I think?” What does he mean no?

“Okay, well I’m going to tell you anyway. Why don’t you go back to the place she was, which was at work, and ask Sean where she is. I know you don’t get along with him, but I don’t see what other choice you have. I’m sure if anyone knows where she is, it’s him.”

“Maxwell, I can’t talk about this now, just go talk to Sean. I’m sure she knows where she’s at. Look I’m late already and if I’m late anymore it’s not going to be pretty.” Why is he laughing?

“Wait, why are you laughing?” I know, stupid question but I couldn’t help it... the question slipped.

“I am NOT whipped; we aren’t even together.” What? We aren’t; we’re friends.

“We aren’t... yeah, well what about you and Liz?” Yeah, that shut him up really quick. What’s that… nothing to say Maxie boy?

“Yeah, yeah... I’ll tell Isabel... Okay bye.” I hang up the phone only to see some guy drag Maria out of the bar and into an empty parking lot behind the building. What the hell? Who is he? Oh God... Maria.

I jump out of the car before I can even put the emergency break on.

“Get off her!” I shout and roughly shove the guy out of the way as I try to wake Maria out of her unconscious state. “Maria, baby can you hear me? Maria?” I try my best not to shout so I won’t startle her, because I just know that once she regains consciousness, she will freak out.

Out of the corner of my eye I see the guy run to his car and speed away. A huge part of me wants to run after him and beat the crap out of him, but I quickly push that thought aside; I have to worry about Maria right now. But there will be a time when I see him again and when I do, he’s not gonna get away so easily.

I carefully pick her up from the asphalt parking lot, wondering if I should take her to the hospital or just take her home.

[Max POV]

If there’s one guy that I really didn’t want to ask for a favor, that guy would be Sean. Seriously, me and him have never gotten along in the past, we don’t get along now and I don’t see us getting along anywhere in the near future. But he’s Liz’ only family, other than her mom and her aunt, so I suppose I’ll have to be able to at least talk to Sean if I ever want a shot with Liz, no matter how much of an ass he can be at times.

Right as I pull up to the restaurant, I notice Sean locking the doors behind him. It’s only seven o’clock, why is he closing now?

I suppose now is as good a time as any to question him. I now notice that he has noticed me and just stands there with his arms folded in front of him while I’m still sitting in my car. He looks surprisingly eager to find out what I have to say. Well, I’m not good at small talk with him, so when I get out of the car, I get straight to the point.

“Where is she?”

He smirks at me. “Why should I tell you? If Liz wanted you to know where she was, she would have called you. ”Well, I can’t dispute that logic. Problem is, when Liz doesn’t want to be found it’s nearly impossible to find her. It’s like a hidden talent of hers. But I need to know if she’s alright, I have this feeling deep down inside that something just isn’t right.

“Sean please, I need to know where she is. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t, believe me.” His thin smile turns into a chuckle, and that turns into a laugh. He never did take anything serious and, apparently, that hasn’t changed. Why I thought he would start now is beyond me.

“You know back when you two were in high school, I knew you liked my weird cousin, but I never thought it would last this long.” Was I that obvious? I mean he was only two years ahead of us. How much did the party animal read into this?

“But you know what, I can see that you really care for Liz, so I’m going to give you three words: ‘old school ground’.” He then gives me a knowing that says more than a thousand words, and I was glad that, for once, he’s able to see that Liz isn’t just another girl to me.

“Treat her good Maxwell.“ Okay, I can’t say that one didn’t come as a surprise, especially combined with the handshake he gave me.

“Okay, who are you and what have you done with Sean?” I question him as he lets go of my hand and I put mine back in my pocket. For the next seconds, we’re both just standing there in awkward silence looking at each other.

“What? I’m in the military; I do have a mature side.” I’m surprised that it still exists without his commanding officer present.

As he starts to walk away, I stop him. “Sean wait... thanks man; it means a lot to me.” With a quick nod and smile he’s off to his car while I run back to my own car and started to head off to the old elementary school. Apparently, they closed it a few years back to make a new and better school, but have yet to close the old school.

[Sean POV]

After closing early with Serena, I can’t seem to get her smile out of my head. I’m accustomed with my hormones going into overdrive but not like this. Still, my thoughts are also with Liz and the way she ran out of the Crashdown this evening. That sadden look on her face concerned me enough to run upstairs and ask aunt Nancy what that was all about. After she told me what was going on with her, I understand why Liz ran out, but I also knew that she needed her space right now.

The Crashdown was nearly empty tonight and since we were short on staff, Nancy allowed us to close early, something I was thankful for after working all day. Before Serena left, I asked her out. Nothing fancy, just a casual dinner and a movie. After she gave me her number (yay me), I started to pack my things and head out the door. I was a bit surprised to see Max there, seemingly waiting for me. He probably wants to know where Liz is. I hope those two lovebirds finally hit it off. Took ‘em long enough.

After telling Max what he wants to hear, I go back to my place, intending to clean off the goo that formed on my entire body from working the grill. I honestly don’t know how Liz does this every single day. Just as I go into my room and pull the Crashdown shirt over my head, the doorbell rings, and again, and again.

“I’m coming! Hold on!” I shout as I quickly put another shirt on and start to make my way back into the living room. All this time, the doorbell keeps ringing. This person is really desperate to talk to me… who the hell could it be?

“Tess?” Well I guess that answers my question.

“Sean, I’ve been calling you all day. Where have you been?” She asks as she walks inside. I roll my eyes and groan inwardly.

“I was helping out my cousin. Why?” I don’t know when this happened but she’s really irritating right now. All those little things in my life… it’s none of her business. I look at her as I sit down on the couch. She still hasn’t said another word yet, but I know she’s going to. It’s in Tess’ nature to talk too much.

“I didn’t know you had a cousin.” Big wow there. Could it be… I don’t know… maybe because she never asked me?.

“Yeah, well there’s a lot you don’t know about me.” I roll my eyes and huff a bit, it very much doubt that it went unnoticed but I think she simply chooses to ignore it. And they say men can’t get a hint.

“We can’t all be perfect, Sean. Maybe someday I’ll get a chance to meet your family.” Okay, I’m at a loss here. Am I not being clear here or is she really that dense?

“Look Tess, why don’t you just go back to Kyle? I’m sure he’s wondering where you are right now.” I can’t be any clearer than this without physically kicking her out and shouting ‘I don’t love you anymore!’.

“But I love you; not Kyle.” She looks lost and for a second, I’m sorry to have to do this to her, but she really needs to hear what I’m about to say.

“Well, I guess you should’ve thought of that before you slept with him!” I shout a lot angrier that I intended to.

“That’s not fair!” She shouts back with as much anger and sadness. Okay, that one came as a surprise.

“What’s not fair? C’mon Tess tell me.” She doesn’t say anything.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Now, I’ve had a really long day. If there’s nothing else I suggest you leave.” I get up from where I’m sitting and open the door for her to leave.

“Leave?” The blank look on her face actually has me questioning if I speak English or some foreign language.

“Yes, as in, can you please leave my house!” This dumb blonde act really isn’t going to work on me, not anymore.

“But I thought we could work this out.” Her voice broke out in a sob. I look away and shut the door; there’s no need for the entire base to hear this.

“You’re wasting your time, Tess; there’s nothing left to work out.” What doesn’t this girl get? Do small words confuse her?

“Why can’t you give me a chance to work things out with you?” She cries with tears rolling freely down her face, but they didn’t affect me one bit… okay, maybe they do, but in no way will it work in her favor.

“Because you’re not who I thought you were. What happened to the vibrant girl that loved life, and I could trust with anything?”

“She’s right here Sean. She’s right here!” This time I look at her. This is over; I just need to make her understand that.

“No, I see a scared shitless girl, that wants to make me believe that this is the Tessina Harding that I fell in love with. For all I know, that woman is gone. Now I’d appreciate it if you left.” I open the door once more, hoping that this time she’ll get the message and walk out the fucking door. But does she do that... no!

“But I love you, with all my heart. W-what if this child is in fact yours? Then what are you going to do? Ignore us both?” She sneers at me with more anger than sadness, now that I said what I needed to say.

“First off, I highly doubt that this child is mine, but by chance that it is mine, believe me, I will step up and be a man; take my responsibilities and make sure that this baby knows his or her father, but I want nothing to do with you.” She didn’t say anything in her defense to my surprise and didn’t say anything until after several moments.

“What am I suppose to do? Where am I suppose to go?” I think I already gave her that answer a minute ago.

“Go to your beloved Kyle.” She walk to the door but pauses in the doorway and turns around.

“I thought we were stronger than this, I thought you said we could get through anything?” I sigh heavily at those words because it was true; I had said that back when things were full of hope instead of sorrow. But it’s all shot to hell now.

“You’re right, but that’s all long gone Tess... long gone.” I manage to say with a straight face. She doesn’t reply and walks out of the door and I quickly close it behind her.

“Goodbye Tess Harding. Forever.” I mutter to myself as I get my things together to jump in the shower.

[Liz POV]

My mind races as I run as fast as I can to the spot where I can always think the clearest. This can’t be happening to me. Why me? Out of all the people in the world, why does God have to pick on me? What did I ever do to him? Or should I ask, did I do enough? What am I talking about? I have no clue but hey, I’m rambling. I think I deserve a right to after tonight.

All I can think over and over again is ‘this can’t be happening to me’. For some strange reason I just can’t get that one phrase out of my head. But I think a part of me wants myself to believe that this is just some bad nightmare that is just going to go away.

At least that’s what I want to believe. I find myself looking up at the stars; watching them sparkle, and a max of anger and sadness courses through my veins.

“Why did you have to leave me?! Why did you have to leave us?! If you were still alive, mom wouldn’t be sick and I wouldn’t be stuck in this sinkhole that is now my life! Why did you have to die?! WHY?!!” I find myself letting out every frustration, every worried thought, every emotion that I held in for the past eight years.

It’s amazing that I haven’t allowed myself to feel anything for that long. Instead, I’ve just grown numb and continued to go through life with a fake smile and a lame determination, and that is just low, even for me.

This disease; this cancer is what finally woke me up, even as I sit here sobbing my heart out and trying to catch my breath, it finally hits me: ‘I’m always going to be alone, and this time it’s forever.’

Getting up carefully and wiping away my tears, I make my way to the jungle gym, climb on top on the monkey bars and hold on as I continue to look at the stars with the same blank look on my face. But as I do, I can sense that someone is looking at me.

I don’t even have to look around to see who it is; I already know. It’s the same feeling I had in high school and I was sad every time Pam Troy picked on me for looking like a boy instead of a girl. He was always there to comfort me. But this time, I’m not in the mood. I want to be alone.

“Max... not now... please.” I plead in a low tone voice, but not once do I look at him.

It’s not that I really don’t want him here; a part of me want him to stay, but can’t get myself to actually voice it. I start to climb down from where I currently am, and I know his eyes are on me the entire time.

“Liz wait, please?” he pleads with me as he holds my arm, preventing me from leaving.

Again, I feel hot tears running down my cheeks. “Max, I can’t... I can’t…” But the words won’t even come out, instead I collapse in a fit of sobs against his chest. I feel secure as he wraps his strong arms around me and holds me. Even with everything that happened in the past hours; here in this moment, it’s the most secure I’ve felt in years.

“Max... don’t leave me...” I cry out in a desperate plea as I hold onto him tighter than before. When he replies it only makes me cry harder.

“Never Liz. I’ll never leave you...” As he soothes my hair and holds onto me, I know he’s speaking the truth and for once, I feel as if I were home; here, in his arms. I don’t want to leave; not now, not ever.

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

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WARNING!!The first part...contains sexual abuse--so If you're not comfortable reading that, go ahead and skip it!!! Just wanted to know before you started to read

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Ch.14: Moving through the rain

Tess POV

I don’t know what it is, but that last talk with Sean changed something; like something deep inside me finally woke up. I let everything spin completely out of control. I had Max and I choose to sleep with both Kyle and Sean behind his back. Am I really such a terrible person? I guess I am. I guess I deserve to be where I am now; pregnant and alone.

When I grew up, I always seemed like the perfect little girl and I managed to keep that illusion intact for a long time. My father was the kind of guy who gave me whatever I asked for as long as it didn’t cost him too much of his time. After my mother went to live with the angels and my father was gone more often than not, my uncle took care of me.

Well, at least that’s what everyone thought. God, I hate everything about that man; I hate him for everything he did to me. So many times I begged him to stop, but he never did. He liked it when I was angry, he liked it when I was in pain. He was the devil himself.

I suppose that sort of thing would leave a mark on anyone, but it’s not an excuse for what I’ve done. And now I’m in the position that I tried so hard to avoid being in: alone. I know it’s stupid and I wouldn’t blame anyone for calling me a slut, a whore or a bitch, but all I want is for somebody to hold me in the middle of the night. I need it to feel safe, because every night, I still fear that my uncle will come back.

I know it’s an irrational thought; my uncle died of a heart attack about three years ago, but I can’t help it. I remember that I wanted to shout out with joy and sing all ten verses of the hallalujah when my dad told me he died. During the funeral, when the priest told us that my uncle was now in heaven and all that other shit, I had to pry my lips together to keep myself from shouting out the truth; that a devil like him would never be allowed in heaven.

Ten years with that man… it’s been years since he died and I still think about it every day. When I was young, I vowed to myself that I would become a better person than him. I guess I failed.

*************************************************************
Flashback –1996—Tess’s House [Mansion]

“No, let go of me; what’s wrong with you? Let go of me!” My screams echoed through the mostly empty house. Usually when uncle Patrick wanted his way with me, he would send out all the servants, so they weren’t suspicious of anything going on. He would simply tell them that my dad gave them the rest of the day off… like that was something that would actually happen.

“Shut up you little bitch! Did I say you could talk?” he sneered at me as he slapped me across the face, almost knocking me out cold. He was never one to hold back when he was like this. I wanted to fight back, but he was two times my size. I knew that if I didn’t do whatever he said, that he would just keep hitting me until I did it.

It seemed like eternity until we reached the third flight of stairs leading to his room. My father gave him his own room in our house where he could stay when my father went out of town. Once inside the room, he quickly pulled off all my clothes and before I knew it, I stood before him completely naked. He looked at my body like some piece of meat that he would soon make his and I wanted to throw up just from that thought. He reached forward, kneeded my breasts and felt down my stomach and around my waist.

It was just a matter of minutes before he was standing naked in front of me, looking at me with such an evil stare that terrified me to the core and I couldn’t help but cry softly, trying to muffle the sound of my cries with my hands. But everytime I tried to do that, he violently pulled my hands down; he loved seeing me cry. The bastard got off on it and when dad was away, he’d make sure he’d see me crying like this at least twice a day.

It was just seconds before he pushed me against the wall and hovered over me. I knew what was coming, but it still hurt like hell. He entered me from behind, thrusting his large penis into my behind. When I think about it, I can still feel how much it hurt.

I cried harder and harder as he grunted into me with rash, massive thrusts that felt like someone was hitting me in the face with a baseball bat. I tried my best to stop crying; I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction, but that just made his hunger more the plenty.

“Bitch... cry... you know you like it... scream my name!” He sneered greedily into my ear as he started ramming inside me harder and harder. I couldn’t surpress my cries of pain anymore and that was enough to get him off, but it wasn’t until after he rammed his dick into me several more times before he cried out and held onto my breasts in a sad gesture to bring me closer to him. Only after that did he let me go from his grasp, reaching forward to kiss me full on the lips and push his tongue in my mouth, like he always did.

But this time I didn’t allow him to, and I spit in his face and tried to run out of the room… but I didn’t succeed. “Where the fuck to you think you’re going? Oh no; we aren’t even close to being done.” he laughed as he twirled me around in his arms and dragged me to the bed and climbed on top of me. I wanted to scream, but I didn’t bother; no one would hear me anyways. No one ever heard me.

He secured my arms and legs to the bed with fabric, so I couldn’t sneak out. He then took the liberty of kissing my lips, my breasts, and he stuck his fingers in my special spot before finally getting off of me, and walking out of the room and towards the rest room. I knew it would only be a matter of minutes before he would have his way with me again, and that thought made me cry softly again.

There wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it.

I mean what was a thirteen year old girl supposed to do? I prepared myself for the worst when I heard footsteps coming from the next room, and before I knew it he was standing besides me again, putting a condom on and getting ready for the next torture lesson of the day.

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

“Harding... Tessina Harding?” a sharp high-pitched female voice screeched, effectively breaking me out of my trance and I shoot my head up. Oh thank God… it was just a memory, it was just a memory. I know I haven’t been in that room in years, but it’s so hard to get back to a calm state of mind. Those flashbacks really take it out of me.

“Miss Harding?” I stand up, noticing that the nursing assistant stepped closer to me. I smile at her to indicate that I’m alright, but she doesn’t seem to buy it.

“Here.” she says with a smile as she hands me a Kleenex. I feel my cheeks and indeed; they’re wet with tears. God, can I get any more pathetic? “

Are you sure you’re alright, Miss Harding?” I nod my head and put on the best smile I can manage at this point, collect my belongings and follow her into the doctor’s office. Oh, and did I mention that I hate hospitals? I hate the way they smell, I hate the way they look, I hate the white color that is plastered everywhere, and I hate those stupid paper hospital gowns they make everyone wear.

My mother would be so proud of me. Here I am; in a scary hospital, alone, in one of those ugly white paper gowns and my legs in the stirrups waiting for the doctor. “God mother, I really fucked things up this time.” I roll my eyes and sink further into the really not so comfortable chair-bed thing that I’m laying on at the moment.

I had hoped to be out of this place about now. Why is it so impossible for doctors to keep up with their appointments? I didn’t make an appointment for nothing. This day is never going to end.

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

Michael POV

It’s been two days since the night I found Maria unconscious in that alley; two whole days and nights since I saw that bastard driving off. I wish I could be at two places at the same time; that way I could stay with Ria, and kick that asshole into the next century at the same time.

She hasn’t woken up, and like I said, it’s been two days. I haven’t slept at all and I’ve called everyone I could to come over. Alex and Isabel were here for a few hours and then packed up to go home. Amy is still here though; she won’t leave Maria’s side. I’ve tried to contact Liz but I got nothing, so I tried to contact Max instead. It turns out that something happened with Max and Liz that night. Of course, it was nothing like what happened with Maria, but it was something important enough to have her ask him to stay with.

Knowing the Maxwell I’ve known all my life, and knowing how he’s always felt about Liz, I knew that Max wasn’t about to turn down that offer. I told him what happened to Maria and asked him to pass on the word to Liz though. I contacted everyone who needs to know that she’s here. Now the only thing I want is for her to wake up. I still don’t know who the mystery guy is or why he was after Maria, but I’ll find out.

“Michael, I’m going to get some coffee. Do you want anything?” I shake my head at Ms. DeLuca and move to Maria side, hold her hand and brush the loose hairs away from her face.

“I’m here Ria. I’m here.” I coax her as I sit by her side.

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

Max POV

Beep, beep, beep, and beep. The noisy pager rings in my ears, distracting me from my latest daydream involving Liz. I’ve been at work for no longer than two hours and I’m already getting paged all over the place. Normally, I wouldn’t mind, but today my thoughts are somewhere else; with Liz. She doesn’t seem herself lately and she still won’t tell me what’s going on.

All she says is that she has to talk to her mom first, but has she done that? No. What does she do? She works. She got called into doing a shift last night at the hospital, and to what I believe, she’s still here.

But I’ve got to admit seeing her like I did in the old playground that night, it put a deep hole in my heart. I’ve never wanted to see her so broken, so distraught, I just wanted to put my arms around her and protect her from everything and anything I could.

She didn’t want to go home and she didn’t want to go to the Crashdown, so I took her to my house. When we got there, she didn’t say anything; she just cried. I tried my best to calm her down, but I guess she just had to get it out of her system.

I held her in my arms for hours and hours until she finally fell asleep. But that didn’t last long; I got word from Michael that Maria was in the hospital. Right when I got off the phone, she knew it was bad. I could tell she was scared, but I was afraid on how she was going to take it.

I finally told her after a few moments of pondering, and a terrified look completely covered her entire face.

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

Fourteen Hours Earlier:

“Max what’s wrong? Max?”

“That was Michael. Maria’s in the hospital and she has a concussion. Someone attacked her tonight after her rehearsal with Alex.”

“Well, I have to go to her.”

“Liz where are you going? Its one o’clock in the morning; you can go see her tomorrow. I’ll take you first thing in the morning.”

“No, Max I have to go right now. I have to; she needs me.”

“Liz wait; you’re moving a hundred miles a minute and that can’t be healthy. You need to stop and rest and we will go visit Maria in the morning.”

“No, Max I can’t. When I stop moving, I start to feel… and I can’t do that right now.”

“What is that supposed to mean? Liz what’s really going on with your mom? You can trust me; I’m here for you… you don’t have to hide anymore.”

“I’m not hiding... but I really can’t deal with this anymore; at least not right now.” I grabbed her arm when she tried to run to the door and I gave her my best the-doctor-knows-what’s-best-for-you look.

“Max, let me go.” she said half-heartedly.

But before either of us were able to get another word in, Liz cell phone rang breaking the silent shrill that had filled the room.

“Hello? Yeah, I’ve heard... um... yeah, sure that won’t be a problem. I’ll be there as soon as I can,” she spoke into the phone.

“Who was that?” I asked, causing Liz to snap her head towards me in a quick motion. S

“Oh, that was the hospital...I have to go cover Maria’s shift and then do mine as well.”

“No, you can’t. You haven’t slept in God knows how many hours… there’s no way on Earth you can work a double shift!”

“Shh Max...you’ll wake up the entire house.”

“You can’t leave, not when you haven’t gotten any sleep. I’m... I’m concerned about you.”

“I know Max, but don’t be. I’m a big girl and trust me, this isn’t the first time I’ve worked a double shift with a lack of sleep.” She smiled and I about melted, even under these circumstances.

“At least let me drive you to your car.”

She nodded, suddenly realizing that her car was back at the park. It wasn’t more than five minutes away but I didn’t feel comfortable with her walking around in the middle of the night alone. “Alright.”

It didn’t take us long to get there, but it took an eternity to say something after we got there.

“So...” We both said at the exact same time.

“Sorry.” Liz laughed nervously as I timidly scratched behind my ear, like I always did when I didn’t know what to say.

“Thank you Max.” Well, that caught my attention.

“For what?”

“For being here for me. I know I can be stubborn at times, but you were there for me... like you always are. Thank you.” She leaned over and kissed me softly on the lips. If felt like heaven and I never wanted it to stop, but before I could get a single word out in response, she was already driving off to the hospital.
***********************************************************

“Paging doctor Evans to the ER, doctor Evans to the Emergency Room,” a loud voice sounds through the intercom. I sigh loudly as I exit the break room that’s located on the sixth floor. I am so not in the mood for this; all I want to do is get as far away from reality as possible. Then again, I know it’ll only be a matter of time before it’ll bite me in the ass.

The numbers on the elevator ring loudly, and I only have a moments silence before the floors slide open, only to greet me with the hustle and bustle of the emergency room.

Patients arguing with doctors, nurses and doctors constantly running back and forth, wheeling patients out of the trauma rooms, and some go up to the O.R. while some stay down here. It’s just another day in the Emergency Room. I’ve always loved the smell, the environment, and the rustic reality of everything that comes through those doors.

“Hey Doc... where’ve you been?” Doug asked as he runs past me, and grabs what look like blood packages and turns to run back to where he came from but not before replying to his own question. “Sorry... you can pop in and out all you’d like. You’re the boss-man, I mean. You should be allowed to come and go as you plead.” I just nod and smile at what he had to say; I’ve seriously never viewed my position at this hospital in that way.

When a nurse bursts through the double doors, reality suddenly sinks in and I run out to assist the paramedics.

“What do you got?” I ask as I guide them to the nearest trauma room.

“Middle aged woman collapsed in a local restaurant. Her nephew says that she was complaining of chest pains before she passed out.” The paramedics are leaving, and it’s not until this very moment that I see who’s on the table and I suddenly feel sick in my stomach.

“B.P. is 140/80, and her breathing was a little shallow on the drive over here so we bagged her.” I nod in understanding. I’m pretty sure I know what she has, but I need to be sure.

“Hey Doc do you need any help?” Doug asks as he rolls into the room, just as the paramedics stroll out.

I grab the chart and start to write down some medical subscriptions for Doug to give to her. “Do a C.T. scan and give her 50cc of morphine for the pain, and call Rodriguez to see if they have any room for her on the seventh floor.” I’m sure Doug sees my seriousness in this matter and he doesn’t say anything. When I returned the chart to him, he made some quick notes.

“Got it Evans… do you know this woman?” he suddenly asks. I must have been stoaring and I look at him and nod. “Hey Douglas, can you do me a favor?” I see him nod and I’m still very serious, he knows that this isn’t a game that I’m playing.

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

Maria POV

A constant beeping sound keeps buzzing in my eardrums and it’s driving me crazy. As I slowly open my eyes, I look around the room. It takes me a few moments to actually register where I am but I can’t figure out how I got here.
The beeping sound continues, drawing me from my thoughts, and I realize that it’s a heart monitor; and that I’m currently hooked up to it.

Is it alright to panic now? I hate hospitals, ever since I was little. I mean, I don’t mind working in a hospital, but to be a patient here freaks the hell out of me. I have you know I have a good reason to; I’m not one that feels like they suffocated if they are left within the confines of a small white room for too long, but I have a secret that only Liz knows.

The reason why I despise hospitals so much is because when I was four years old I was diagnosed with leukemia, and it wasn’t until after I had undergone three years of cautious radiation and chemotherapy that I conquered the disease. I was only seven years old and the risk of it coming back was very high… but I thankfully, it hasn’t returned.

But even now, twenty-two years later, it still might creep back up again and I still pray every night that it won’t.

I look around the room, and see someone that I’m happy to see, and at the same time a little surprised to see. My Michael is here; sleeping, but still here. His head is lying right next to my hands and I can feel his shallow breathing. On the other hand, I don’t know why I’m surprised. I guess I figured that after ten years apart, he would have moved on. I guess that I thought that he would decide to move on with his life, but that doesn’t seem to be the case here.

But still, never in a billion years did I ever imagine that Michael would be right here, right now, by my side, at a time like this; when I need so much. That’s him though, dependable Michael Guerin. He’s always there when you need him.

I love him, you know. Even after all these years apart, I do. I guess I’ve always loved him. I felt extremely bad the first month after breaking if off with him.

At our junior prom, he promised to marry me. I thought it was sweet and romantic at the time, and it sure helped him to get laid, but I don’t think I took him seriously. I was seventeen; no one takes seventeen-year-olds seriously. A part of me wanted to, but that little immature side of me doubted, and in the end it was that small fraction of me that I based my result in leaving on. But as I watch him sleep now, I realize that he was telling the truth. He would have married me, he would have given me whatever I needed and he would have been happy about it. God, what an idiot I’ve been… I had the fairytale ending, and I completely messed it up.

I have a lot of owning up to do, and I suppose there’s no time like the present. I softly brush the hair out of his eyes, and after a few moments his eyes flutter open.

“Hi.” I whispered as he rubs the sleep out of his eyes and looks at me once more.

“Hi.” A smirk appears on his face; his signature smile that still makes me melt to this day.

“Do you need anything?” Michael immediately ask as he starts to adjust the bed so I can sit up.

I’m actually really thirsty. “Umm... maybe some water.” Before I can say anything else, he jumps up and runs out the door. He left so quickly that he didn’t even hear me calling after him that there was some on the table right behind him. Yep, that’s my Michael. I smiled to myself and waited for him to come back.

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

Alex POV

“I should have stayed with her. How come I didn’t stay with her?” I can’t seem to stop pacing back and forth in the waiting room. I know Isabel’s trying to calm me down, but so far it’s not really helping.

“You couldn’t have known anyone would come and do that to Maria, it’s not your fault; it’s not anyone’s fault.” I listen to her words but still I don’t stop pacing. It’s like my feet have a mind of their own.

“Boy would I like to find that rat bastard that did this and give him a piece of my mind.” That was really a pg version of what I really wanted to do to that son of a bitch. How anyone could hurt Maria like that? Sure she speaks her mind a lot… actually really a lot, but it’s not like that would make anyone want to beat her up.

“Honey, I’m sure you’re not the only one that wants to beat the crap out of that bastard, but we have to think about Maria right now.” She’s right; we have to think about Maria now. I smile at her and take her in my arms, and only then do I stop pacing.

“I’m sorry we didn’t get to tell anyone our news.” I whisper in her ear. She only holds onto me tight for a second and then pulls away.

“That doesn’t matter right now, there will be plenty of time to tell everyone.“ Even after what happened, I can’t help but smile because I realized that the ice princess everyone knows is finally thawing, and Isabel is showing more and more each day.

This is the woman that I fell in love with. This is the Isabel Evans that I’ve always known and I’m proud of her; proud that she finally broke down that wall and is not now letting everyone see it.

“C’mon lets go find Amy... and get something to eat, I’m starving.” I pull her along with me as we start to leave the room.

“Yeah, since I’m eating for two now...” My arms wrap around her more tightly as we enter the elevator. Somehow, I’m not worried anymore. Instead, I have a feeling deep down inside of me that something good is going to come out of all this.

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

Michael POV

“The nurses were taking too long and I didn’t want to leave you waiting for long... so I got you bottled water.” I say as I open it up and give it to her, which she gratefully takes from my hands.

“Thank you Michael.” Her words are softly spoken, and after a few drinks, she put the bottle on the table beside her.

“Better?” I ask. I suppose it’s obvious that I’m concerned, but I still don’t know how to start off the conversation.

“Much... thank you.” I watch her closely and notice that her eyes started to water. It’s enough to make me want to start crying myself. “I need to talk to Liz...”

“She was here earlier but she had to make her rounds. She promised that she’d be back later though.” My eyes follow her and she nods her head and looks at her hands, which were fumbling around.

“What’s wrong Maria? Are you in pain... because if you are, I can call a doctor?” I’m just about to run out the door again, when her soft fragile voice stops me in my tracks.

“No, it’s not that Michael; it’s me. I just wanted to tell you that I’m so sorry...” she says before breaking down in a loud sob. It’s strange and disturbing seeing a woman that is always so sure of herself and so outspoken, break down like this.

“Sorry about what?” I hold her hand in my own. I don’t want to let her go, not now, not ever.

“I’m sorry about everything. I’m sorry that I went to California instead of staying with you, I’m sorry that I broke your heart, I’m sorry Michael... I’m so sorry. I never stopped loving you.. .I never stopped.” She’s crying openly now; it just about breaks my heart in two.

“I love you too Maria.” She starts to smile through her tears and then stopped, but we both know where this conversation is leading to and I need some answers.

“Maria, what happened in Los Angles that you don’t like talking about—why did you come back? And what role does that guy that beat you play in this saga?” I don’t mean to be blunt, I want the answers and I this time I’m not going to take no for an answer.

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

Max POV

“Are you sure?” I ask as both Rodriguez and I check over the scans numerous times.

“Positive.” he answers and he sounds sure. The scans came back and it’s not good; the patient is still unconscious and while I know what I have to do as I doctor, as Max Evans, I’m dreading it. “Do you want me to tell the family?”

I shake my head and he simply nodded. There are no real words that need to be spoken because we both know what has to be done. “Have the nurses send her up to the ICU unit... and page me once they do.” This is the one part of my job that I hate, and that I wish didn’t happen so often.

I take the stairs back down to the first floor. Children are crying, people are arguing, and in the middle of all the chaos, I spot Doug trying to stop Liz from leaving. “Hey Doc, I’ve found her!” he shouts at me from the other side of the room, and to tell you the truth, she looks annoyed.

They both turn to look at me as I walked in their direction. “Max, don’t worry. I was just about to leave, okay? I’m not staying for another shift. Now if only Dougie would move aside and let me leave, we can all be on our way.

“Why do you have to call me Dougie? Why can’t it just be Doug? I don’t go around calling you Lizzie McParker do I? No...” Their bickering starts on what they call each other... but I know this is not the time.

In the middle of it all, my pager goes off and I have to yell at them, just so they could hear my voice over their own arguing. That’s how loud they are. “STOP!” I shout at them both. They jumped and turn back to me.

“How old are you guys? Doug, get back to work… Liz, I need to speak to you.”

They both started to mumble stuff as they went there separate ways, Liz followed me onto the elevator. “What is it Max?” I need to be strong. This is something that has to be done; I just hope she will see it that way too.

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

Liz POV

“Look Max, I’m tired, a little bit cranky, and all I want is to go home and sleep. Can’t we do this some other time?” I ask him, but he doesn’t answer. Instead, he practically drags me towards the elevator and we travel up. I wonder where we’re going.

The bell rings on the eleventh floor, and the look on his face certainly isn’t pleasant. I’m met with a sympathetic look, that sent shivers down my spine.

“Max,what are we doing here?” We stop in front of a room. The door is closed and Max stops in front of it.

“Liz, your mom was brought in here an hour ago. She passed out in her home, she hit her head and she hasn’t woken up yet. We ran some tests and found out that she has a tumor that is spreading rapidly throughout her body. I’m sorry Liz, but it will only be a matter of days before it reaches her major organs.”

No, this cannot be happening. We had more time than this… we had more time. I have to stop my voice from trembling. “How long does she have?” It takes me all my might to look up at him and I see that the distraught look on his face resebles mine.

He didn’t answer my question.

“How long does she have Max?” I start to cry; because I know it isn’t good. I just needed to hear it in order to believe it.

“Three days.” We had more time. She said she had weeks.

“I’m sorry Liz.” Max takes me in his arms and held me there as I start to cry and hang on to him for strength.

“I’m so sorry Elizabeth.” He coaxes my hair and tries to calm me down until I finally manage to pull myself away and wipe away my tears.

“I should call Sean and my aunt.” I start to turn when Max stops me.

“It’s already taken care of. Sean went to California to bring over your aunt. He said he’d call me once they get back.” I smile at him for being so thoughtful, and for taking care of me and my family.

“Thank you Max, you didn’t have to go through all that trouble.” He doesn’t answer me but instead, he kisses me on the forehead and pulls me in a big hug. I feel safe in his arms, like he’s protecting me from the world and all its cruelty.

It didn’t last long before I pull away though. “I should go inside. When she wakes up I’ll tell her.” Max nods, knowing that this was something that I have to do on my own.

“Just call me if you need anything.” I smile, knowing that he was only a call away and I gently kiss him on the lips.

“I know Max, I know...”

Once Max is on the elevator again and the doors close, I take a deep breath and enter the room. “Mama...” I speak quietly as I enter the room, and pray to God for strength that I can do this without breaking down in front of her.

How am I going to get through this?

TBC.......

Chapter 15: Ashes to Ashes

Liz POV

The morning came sooner than I had hoped it would. The sunlight blinded me and as much as I would have loved to roll over, go back to sleep and wish that the past week has been a nightmare, I couldn’t. As soon as I pulled myself up and sat on the side of my bed, I remembered what happened, and all those emotions that were forgotten when my eyes shut last night came rushing back to me like a ton of bricks.

I heard the soft sounds of someone breathing so I turned around and saw that Max was sleeping on the bed as well. Without thinking about it, I layed back down and cuddled into his touch like it was a second nature. Laying my head on his chest, listening to the even breathing sounds—that comforted me beyond belief. I didn’t even notice when he woke up, not even when he started to rub comforting circles on my back. It wasn’t until he sat up that I noticed and I quickly sat up myself as well.

“Liz?” I could hear the strain in his voice—and I snapped out of my daydream land.

I guess my eyes were still blank as I looked at him over my shoulder, but it wasn’t long before I held my hand over mouth and started to sob uncontrollably. “It really happened Max. I thought it was a dream, but it really happened.” I cried out loud, as he held me.

In that instant, my mind wondered again—I didn’t know why I couldn’t keep my thoughts straight, I guess trying to accept it was part of thing to.

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

**FLASHBACK**

[Five days ago]

Roswell Hope Memorial 5:35AM

I’ve officially been at the hospital close to twenty hours now, and my mom has woken up on several occasions, but never longs enough to have decent conversation. There are a lot of things I need to tell her; things that we need to talk about… but I guess it’ll have to wait. The doctors say that she needs her rest right now, and that the only thing I can do for her is to be there. It kills me that I can’t do more than that.

I know deep down inside that the moment she found out that she had cancer, she accepted it. I know this because she’s my mom and she believes that everything happens for a reason. She’s a very religious woman; she’s everything that I’m not, and sometimes I wonder that if I was more like her, in every sense of the word… I wonder if things would’ve been different; not only between us in our earlier years, but in the long run as well. We were close, but not as close as me and my father were. I know that she was always a little jealous of our relationship. She never questioned it, but I could tell that she envied her husband when I’d chose to hang out with him instead of with her. Looking back at those times, I wished I had taken the time to get to know my mom just a little bit more.

Just then the door crept open and Sean appeared. I rushed to his side and was engulfed in a hug... something I was really in need of. “How is she?” my aunt Maggie asked, her voice breaking our embrace, but I quickly hugged her as well as they stepped closer to my mom.

“Stable,” I whispered as my aunt went to her side and held onto her hand.

“The doctors said that she needs her rest, they gave her something to help her sleep more smoothly without her feeling the constant pain.” My voice sounded blank. It’s not like I wanted her to be in pain, but I wanted her to be awake; I wanted her to be better and at home. But that wasn’t going to happen.

“I’ll let your guys have your time with her.” I whispered as I started to back out of the room until Sean’s voice stopped me.

“Liz you don’t have to go.” I just shook my head, and tried to put on a brave smile.

“I need air.”

He simply nodded in understanding and I walked out of the room with one more glance at my mother and quickly shut the door. I felt like I was suffocating, and the walls were closing in on me. I couldn’t use the elevator because there were too many people so instead I took the stairway. I ran up seven flights of stairs, and when I finally open the door to the roof, I was rewarded with the cool desert morning air.

I didn’t stop there and I ran to the edge of the building, taking deep breaths; huffing and puffing as I looked out over the city of Roswell, and started to cry as I sank to the ground and sobbed uncontrollably.

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

Max POV

After talking to Sean, and hearing him tell me that Liz went to get some air, I knew what he was talking about. Whenever things got a little to intense for her, she would always run off because she felt like she couldn’t breath. There was only one place that she could be; it was the only place that we both loved to go if things got a little too hectic while we were. The rooftop; it was her secret hideaway. I was breathless as I ran up the last flight of stairs, opened the door and felt the bright sunlight shine in my eyes. I didn’t care at all about that; my thought were about one thing only. Liz.

She was curled up in a ball, hiding her face with her hands. The look on her face broke my heart. I wanted so much to take all this pain away of her. A kind word, a gentle touch… but that wouldn’t be enough. Still, I couldn’t bare to see her like this anymore. I walked over to her, sat down on the ground next to her and took her in my arms. She didn’t pull away like she had done before and I was grateful for that.

There were no real words spoken for quite awhile; we just held onto each other and that was enough for bothof us. The amber lit sky turned into sky blue, and it was Liz that broke the silence that had begun to engulf us. “I’m sorry.” Her voice was deep and strained, and it torn even deeper in my soul.

“Sorry for what?”

“The way I acted earlier. I shouldn’t have pulled away from you like that; you were only trying to help me and I’m sorry.” She looked down at her hands; she wouldn’t even look at me, even when I asked her to.

“Liz, it’s understandable. I don’t know how I would act if I was in your position.” She nodded, but she still didn’t look up until I tilted her chin to look into my eyes.

“No, it’s not.” She got up and started to pace back and forth in front of me.

“Liz.” I pleaded with her, and that was enough for her to stop and look at me once more.

“Max, I push everyone away… I always have. I’ve always been the strong one, but I just can’t do it anymore.” She looked exhausted; not only emotionally but physically as well.

“Its okay; that’s why I’m here. Liz, I care about you. I’m not going away.”

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

Liz POV

His words were exactly what I needed to hear; I was so tired of always holding everything in and I just wanted to be myself again instead of being this stainless steal Liz Parker that I created to hold in all the emotions that I didn’t want to overtake me. But it was Max that I needed all along, along with some faith in myself. His touches and warm embraces made me feel safe and that was something that I hadn’t felt in a really long time, not even when I was with Kyle.

“Let your emotions show; no one is going to treat you any differently.” He admitted with such ease, and all I could do was sigh a little and give him a small smile. I knew he was right... he knew that he was right, but it was kind of hard to go back to being that Liz Parker again after ten years of ignoring that part of me.

“What you’re going through is hard; it’s really, really hard and it’s a given that you’re going to take it out on someone; everyone has to vent not matter if you want to or not. You can’t keep holding it in; it’s not healthy, and the last thing in world I want is to lose you as well.”

All I could do was nod and look at my hands like they were the most interesting thing in the world. I knew what I had to do; I had to get back to myself and even though it wouldn’t be the easiest thing in the world, I knew that I didn’t really have a choice.

“Thank you Max.” I looked up into his eyes and smiled, I greatly appreciated his moral support, and more than anything for just being there for me. “But I still feel bad.” I pouted and he let out a small chuckle.

“What if I buy you a cup of coffee?”

I still know his favorite kind. I have known since high school. “Only the best; Starbucks' that is. It’s your favorite kind, right?" I smiled at him, and he looked curious to what I was going to say.

“Serena Organic Blend” We both said at the same time causing us to burst out laughing, it really amazed me, that just being around him made me forget my troubles. Only if was just for an hour; that was good enough for me. After we had both gotten up from the concrete ground and walked back down the stairs, we reached the elevator.

“I thought today was your day off.”

“It is.”

“Then what are you doing here?” I was confused. This man loved his time off from this hectic environment.

He looked at me with all seriousness, before taking a step into the elevator. “For you, I’m here for you.” That made me blush ten shades brighter than I would have hoped.

Deep in my soul my heart soared.

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

**Present Day**

Ave Maria!
Maiden mild!
Oh, listen to a maiden's prayer
for thou can't hear amid the wild

Everything leading up to that point had been a blur. Nothing seemed to fit and I wasn’t even sure if it was real… it didn’t feel that way at least. I walked as steadily as I could, as I followed my mother’s lead into the small chapel that I’ve wanted to get married in since the day my grandmother told me the story about her marriage with my grandfather in this very church. It’s a family tradition to get baptized, make your first communion and conformation, as well as take your marital vows.

This thou, this thou can't save amid, despair
we slumbers safely tear the Mother
though we be man outcast relived
Oh, Maiden, hear a maiden's sorrow

But that day caused for different emotions. I never imagined growing up that one month prior to my thirtieth birthday, I would have already lost both my mother and father. Sean and my Aunt Maggie were the only family I had left. There was my grandfather on my dad’s side of the family, but I haven’t seen him since I was eight years old. He was family, but I didn’t consider him that. He never approved of my mother and therefore, he always isolated us. I really didn’t care for him much; I saw it as his loss.

Oh, Mother, hear a suppliant child!
Ave Maria

Ave Maria, gracia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Ave, ave dominus
Dominus tecum

The only things I was certain of was that my mother was dead and there hadn’t been a thing I could have done about it. I shouldn’t have beated myself up about that, but I couldn’t help it. As I walked down the aisle, following Maria’s soft voice as she sang Santa Maria, I clutched tightly to the rosary that was once my mom’s. It’s been in the family for generations and she gave it to me when I made my first communion. I felt numb, close to the point of collapsing until Max took my hand and lead me down the rest of the way.

The murky cavern's air so heavy
Shall breath of balm if thou hast smiled
Oh, Maiden, hear a maiden pleadin'
Oh, Mother, hear a suppliant child

He had been unbelievable the whole time; he gave me the space that I needed but he always knew the right time to show up, it’s like he had emotional-Liz-dar. A funny way of putting it, but it was true.

Ave Maria
Ave Maria

Maria stopped singing, and we all sat down; another thing that I barely noticed.

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

“We are here on this day, not to mourn the tragic loss of Nancy Tate- Parker but to celebrate the life of a woman that graced our presence every day, and never asked anything from anyone in return. We celebrate the life of the beloved mother of Elizabeth Nancy Parker and the wife of the deceased Jeffery Ruben Parker. Nancy was the sister of Maggie Tate-Olsen and older sister of her deceased brother Johnny Tate, and Aunt of Sean Tate. In the name of the father, son, and the holy spirit we pray.”

Hot tears ran down my cheeks and I could feel Max squeeze my hand, letting me know that he was still there… that he was still there for me. It didn’t stop the pain, but it helped to know that someone was there for me.

“Peace be with you.”

“And also with you.” The entire conjuration said at once, like we always did.

“We lift it up to the Lord”

“It’s right to give thanks and praise.” I didn’t know why but it felt strange saying the same things I’ve said since I was six years old. After that, my mind wondered to all kinds of memories that held my family, memories of my mom and dad. My mind wondered so much that I didn’t even notice that people had started to get up and talk about my mother and the life that she lived each and every day to the fullest capacity.

Everyone was here, from her closest friends to the people of local bakery, which my mom visited everyday just to catch up with the baker’s wife. They used to trade gossip but my mother never took the information any further than the bakery. Even her childhood friend showed up; someone that I’ve never even heard about before, but Aunt Maggie took care of the everything; something that I couldn’t have imagined taking on.

I just couldn’t seem to shake off this emotional I’ve been in. I was so out of it that I didn’t even notice that Max had left my side and was making his way to the podium. He never said anything about speaking in front of everyone and I wondered what made him do this? I sat down and waited to hear his voice echo through the room.

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

Max POV

I never told Liz that I was going to say something. But after I talked to her a couple of days ago, I felt like I owed it to her to say something.

“I’m Max Evans.” I cleared my throat and it echoed throughout the church. I was a little nervous, never having done this before.

“Nancy Parker was an amazing person, who cared about everyone and it didn’t matter if she knew you for ten years or ten minutes. She felt it was up to her to show someone a helping hand, and that’s what I loved about her. Even when she was diagnosed with this disease, she never once blamed anyone; she took it in stride. All she simply said was that it was meant to be. She asked me to do something for her, and I accepted with my whole heart and promised I would never let her down.”

And I don’t intend to.

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

**Flashback**
[Two days ago]

I had time to spare, mainly because I was on one of my many breaks during the night shift and the only place that I’ve gone on all my breaks was to visit Liz. She never left her mom’s hospital room, not even to go home and get a good night’s rest, no matter what Sean or I told her. She wouldn’t listen because she knew that her mother could pass on at any moment and she couldn’t bear the thought of letting her mom die alone, it just wasn’t in the cards for Liz to leave the hospital, so we didn’t push her.

When I opened the door and stuck my head through, Liz was already knocked out. Usually, she would be awake, taking naps every few hours. Most of the time, she couldn’t sleep at night. She kept having these nightmares, and it tore me apart when she would wake up crying. I knew that I couldn’t do anything about it, but it seemed that me just being there was enough for her. At least that’s what she told me, and it eased my soul knowing that I could to that for her.

I walked over to the couch where she was sleeping on, took an extra blanket and covered her with it. I was extra careful not to wake her up, but I did kiss her forehead and started to walk out when another meek voice stopped me, causing me to take a step back.

“Max?” I know it wasn’t Liz because I instinctively knew when Liz was coherent around me; it’s like a sixth sense or something.

“Mrs. Parker; you’re awake.” I tried my best to raise my voice but I was happy, because she hadn’t woken up since the day she came to us, and that was four days earlier. Liz hadn’t only been worried sick about her, but she was terrified that she would die without them talking and working things out between them. I know by talking to her that it’s something she’d wished that she could take back, and that it didn’t get as far as it did.

I started to make my way to the couch to wake her up when Nancy’s voice stopped me. “Don’t.” I looked up almost confused. Didn’t she want to talk to her daughter? “She needs her rest, besides. I want to talk to you for a moment if you don’t mind.” I instantly looked between Liz and her mother and started to make my way back to Nancy’s side.

Without another word from me, she started to talk in the meek strained voice that she had...I had to get closer to her to understand her completely. “I see the way you look at my daughter, and I see the way she looks at you. For all these years, ever since you two were little, I could tell that you’ve loved my daughter and that she loves you.” I blushed, of course it was true, but no one wants their friend’s mother pointing it out to them.

My face turned pink and I just nodded, as she continued. “My days are getting shorter and shorter and I know that I don’t have much time.”

“Mrs. Parker don’t say that, there’s still hope that…“ She cut me off with a simple wave of her hand, and started to talk again. I could see tears forming in her eyes.

“Max, don’t…don’t say things that aren’t true. I know that the end is near, I can feel it but the only thing is that I can’t bear to see my little girl all alone. That’s what really breaks my heart. I’m so proud of her, she can do such amazing things if only she let down that steel wall that she’s been hiding behind ever since her father passed away. You know she didn’t even get to say goodbye to him; he died in the ambulance. Sometimes I think that maybe if she would’ve said her final goodbyes that maybe she would’ve still gone away to college. What daughter gives up her dreams to live out her father’s?”

That was true; my dad wanted me to take over the family firm and work for him, but instead I chose to be a doctor. I couldn’t be anymore happier but that dream thing; he taunts me about it from time to time.

“I’ve known that Liz was in love with you the day you first came to Roswell, and she came running home, exclaiming at the top of her lungs that she had found the boy of her dreams and that one day you two were going to get married. I couldn’t tell you how many times she wrote down ‘Mrs. Elizabeth Nancy Parker-Evans’ on every notebook binder we got her every year.

I know that my time is up and even though I wish I had more time, I know it’s useless. This is what God wanted for me, I’m glad that I was able to live as long as I did. But I want you to you take care of my little girl for me, I want you to give her everything... and I want you two to be happy. I wish more than everything in this world that I would be there for her wedding day, and when she has her first child. But I know that my spirit will live on, not only with her but with both of you. Please Maxwell; will you do this for me?”

This was her dying wish; that two foolish kids who weren’t ready to admit how they felt when they were young and who were now filled with pain and regret, get back together. She was giving me permission to marry her daughter. I believed she gave her permission when I was eight. I looked her squarely in the eyes. ”I swear on my life Nancy, I will love, cherish, and adore Elizabeth for all the days of my life.”

At this point we both had tears in our eyes, and I didn’t know what more to say after that. “I know Max...I know you will.” I took her hand in my own and we sat there in comfortable silence until she fell back asleep and I slipped out to endure the rest of my shift.

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

**Present Day**
Liz POV

Everyone’s turn had come and gone. I had something special planned, but I’m sobbing so hard right now that I can’t even talk let alone sing like I was going to. It was my mom’s favorite song, she’s always loved my voice; it sounded a lot like hers. Most of my friends and family didn’t even know that we could sing in that kind of way, but that was just because we never put our talent out there like Maria or even Mrs. DeLuca.

They’ve had somewhat of a contract deal. Some people have approached me about it, but I never took them up on that offer, I’m just happy with not being in the limelight. At the last moment Maria saw just how difficult of a time I was having, and took over for me. She motioned for Alex to start playing and she began to sing.

‘Some say love it is a river
that drowns the tender reed.
Some say love it is a razor
that leaves your soul to bleed.

Some say love it is a hunger
an endless, aching need
I say love it is a flower,
and you its only seed.

Its the heart afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance
Its the dream afraid of waking
That never takes the chance

Its the one who wont be taken,
Who cannot seem to give
And the soul afraid of dying
That never learns to live.

And the night has been too lonely
and the road has been too long.
And you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong.

Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snow
Lies the seed that with the suns love,
in the spring, becomes a rose’

That’s the end. When the poll-barers started to take the coffin back to the hearst, so she could get her proper burial, I was still sobbing uncontrollably. So much that I couldn’t even walk straight and that Max was practically holding me up right now. My wails echoed against the chapel walls and just burdened everyone’s ears with my pain, which all of a sudden hit me like a ten foot wave.

Once inside the black Lincoln, and safely in Max’s arms, I let everything out; everything that I’ve been holding back for the past ten years. I’m not only crying for my mom, but for my dad—and for everything that I’ve let get the best of me when it could’ve been solved just as easy. Rather than just ignoring it, the harder I cried, the safer I felt in his arms.

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

**Flashback**
[One Day Ago]


I’d been on one of my walks when I came to check on my mom and found her talking to Sean and Aunt Maggie—laughing about good times. Once they spotted me coming into the room, they some how always found a way to leave the room, but this time was a given because we really needed to talk, and there were things that I needed to tell her. I had to before it was too late, or I would never forgive myself. Sean gave me a pat on the back before following his mother out.

My mom on the other had didn’t say much to me as I approached her, she always did wait for me to say the first word. “Mama...” That’s as for as I got before tears sprang to my eyes and I rushed across the room, and into her arms.

Like I was seven years old again, and some of the boys from my class were making fun of me, because of my big printed dresses. Pulling my pigtails and nearly making me cry; that was a year before Max and his family came to Roswell. That same comfort was there but I knew this would be the last time that I felt it, so I tried my best to savor it.

“Mama, I’m so sorry… I… I’ve been so caught up with how I feel with everything and that was wrong of me. I just wish that I would have seen it sooner, rather than waiting until the last minute. I’ve been such a jerk; you didn’t ask to have this disease and I’m acting as if you did. It’s just that I don’t want to lose you.”

I began to sob again and she cradled me in her arms, I believe she’s stronger now only because she’s near the end. She wouldn’t go any other way, which I know for sure. “Lizzie, I’m not ashamed of what you did; how you acted. Lord knows we’ve been through a lot over the years. Things finally started looking up for us, and now it just crashed on the ground. No, this isn’t what I wanted for either of us, but it is God’s will; I will get to see my Jeffrey again.”

When she mentioned that last part her eyes light up in such a way that I hadn’t seen since high school. She was looking forward to dying and that was something that surprised me. Every since I could remember, she was afraid of dying but I guess it takes an experience like this to get over it.

“Don’t worry about me Elizabeth; I’m going to a better place. I want you to be happy; allow yourself to be happy now and live your life the way you want to. Go back to college and fulfill your dreams. That’s all your father and I ever wanted for you; to be happy. It doesn’t matter what you do with your life. You don’t have to be strong anymore; it’s okay to let your emotions show. Nothing bad is going to come out of it; you’re like your father more than you think.” That made her laugh but it didn’t last long before she started coughing and had to stop.

I got her some water and she was okay, she continued to talk but her voice wasn’t as strong. “I want you to get married, have kids like you’ve always wanted. Those are my dreams for you. Elizabeth, please...”

I nodded at her words and looked into her eyes once more.

“I will be homesick for you, even in heaven. Elizabeth you are my everything, you’ve lived up to our highest expectation, but everyone knows you can go even higher. That’s what I want, and I know it’s what you’re father would’ve wanted too.”

I smiled and held her hand tighter.

“I love you so much Mama, and I will miss you so much...” Tears were streaming down my face. This was the end; I just knew it.

“I know Elizabeth... I know. Will you sing to me? I’ve always loved your voice...” I wiped away my tears as I nodded and tried my best to clear my throat before started to sing the lullaby that she had sung to me when I was little.

‘Quietly while you were asleep
The moon and I were talking
I asked that she'd always keep you protected

She promised you her light
That you so gracefully carry
You bring your light and shine like morning

And then the wind pulls the clouds across the moon
Your light fills the darkest room
And I can see the miracle
That keeps us from falling

She promised all the sweetest gifts
That only the heavens could bestow
You bring your light and shine like morning

And as you so gracefully give
Her light as long as you live
I'll always remember this moment’

A second after I finished the last line of song, the heart rate monitor dropped to zero… and she was gone. I thought that when my dad passed away that I grew up, but in the split second that I realized that she was not coming back, I realized I didn’t. My emotions over took me and I ran out of the hospital room and into a hard chest, that I realized was Max’s when I looked up. I could barely see through the tears in my eyes and my body sank to the ground.

“She’s gone Max.“ I sobbed and that’s all that got out of my mouth, before he sank to the ground and just held me.

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

**Present Day**


Everyone gathered around the coffin to say one final goodbye. There were looks of sadness and there were whispers amongst the crowd that didn’t surprise me. The priest said his final prayers

“Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust
May you seek home
In God’s gracious love”

Those were some of the words he spoke and it rang in my ears till it was pounding. “Ashes to ashes,” I mumbled under my breath as I reached down into the earths soil and repeated the short prayer, as I threw the dirt onto the casket.

And that act allowed others to do the same. The doves were released, and the sun shone down through the gray black clouds and at that very moment, I knew that they were watching down on me. That eased my soul more than words could ever say; I knew that with time everything would be alright.

“Liz, are you alright?” I could hear Max’s voice laced with concern; it felt good that I didn’t have to lie to get myself out of an emotional situation.

“I’m fine Max... and with time I’ll be great.” I smiled at him.

Giving one last look at the casket as they began to lower it into the ground and back at Max, I took his hand in mine and we started to walk to my friends and family to start the next chapter of my life. With the love and support of my Mom and Dad, and their dreams and hopes along with my own in my heart and soul forever, and ever.

“Haven't you heard that I'm going to be okay.”

TBC....

**Songs used in this chapter:
--Ave Maria

-- The Rose

-- The sweetist gift by: Sade

-- Last line is the last line in the song titled: Yesterday by: Hilary Duff**