Hide and Seek Parts 1-3

By Ashton

Summary: Liz is pressured into spying on Max to save Michael from the FBI
Author's note: I've really taken liberty with the history of the characters. In this story, Michael was adopted by the Parkers and Max and Isabel didn't spend their whole lives in Roswell. This story is a few years after graduation and both Max and Liz go to Harvard, although they don't even know each other...yet. Michael ran away from home when he was 17 and has recently be caught by the FBI for reasons that will be explained later...like a lot of other things! PLEASE PLEASE let me know if I should continue or not

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~ Chapter 1~

Max Evans bolted upright in his bed.  His breathing was quick and labored while his heart raced with the wind.  The dark hair that naturally fell across his forehead in little half-moons was matted down with dampness and beads of perspiration were beginning to roll down the side of his face.

Max allowed his deep brown eyes to grow accustomed to the darkness to determine his location.  Letting out a sigh, he ran his fingers over his face before reaching over and flicking on the lamp by his bed.  He squinted momentarily then blinked to take in his surroundings.  His room.  His haven.  Here he knew he was safe….except at night when the nightmares came…

Flipping the covers off him, Max jumped out of bed and headed for the bathroom.  Once he ran a cool cloth over his face he felt much better and headed back into his room.  Taking a detour from his final destination, Max headed toward the large picture window and pulled back the sheer curtain to gaze up at the stars contemplating his dreams…and his existence.

They were vague but always the same, his dreams.  Full of laughter he couldn't join in.  Tears only he knew how to cry.  A young girl that touched his soul with her deep brown eyes and connected with him in a touch.  Then came pain.  Incredible pain and loneliness and the guilt and fear that went along with knowing he was the reason she'd been taken away. That he was the reason her laughter had suddenly turned to tears.  That the strong hands that pulled her from his grasp wrenched from him the only chance he had at finding all the answers he was looking for…a real home.

Max sighed as his eyes sought the light of the stars through his window.  Was she someone he once met since arriving in this place?  Or was she someone waiting for him somewhere out there?  Someone trying to reach him.  To tell him she needed to be rescued...or wanted to rescue him.  Or was she simply a figment of his imagination?  

He'd probably never know.  The necessities of his life wouldn't allow for it.

Hiding.  Concealing one's self.  Keeping to the safety of the shadows, never really living but taking some comfort in the knowledge that he was still alive.  Masking his loneliness with studious quietness, while watching others dance in the sun with unabashed freedom.  Squelching any secret hope that one day he might be able to step out from behind the shadow of the tree and join in the music of their laughter.  Such had been the life of Max Evans…until now.  Until he was forced into a game of hide and seek…

~~~~~~~~~

Eyes met eyes across the table.  Both  brown, but each bearing a different emotion.  Hers were full of concern.  His, full of barriers.  Barriers she was able to penetrate with a look.  Barriers that held back the fear and anger.  She started to reach her hand out to him but was stopped by a steely look from the guard at the door.

He looked away unsure of how to respond.  God, how he hated this.  He hated not being alone with her.  Not being able to tell her he was alright…and mean it.  Not being able to share his secret and the reason every cell in his body ached to be out of this place.

Somehow she understood.  By looking in her eyes he could see that she did.  That she always had…even when he didn't.  His jaw tightened and he leaned forward, attempting a smile.  She took that as her cue to begin.  "How are you?  Are you ok?  They're…they're treating you alright, aren't they?"

He nodded once his eyes sliding in the direction of the guard.  Her eyes followed then she leaned forward and lowered her voice.  "How did this happen?  How did you get mixed up…"

The guilt flickered in his eyes before he looked away.  "Look, Lizzie.  I really don't need a lecture right now."

"I'm not trying to lecture you…"  Her voice raised in defense before she let out a sigh.  "Look.  I'm just trying to understand.  Mom and Dad are going to want some answers and I'm not really going to know what to say to them."

"Don't say anything."  His even, emotionless statement was offered with a shrug of his shoulders and a plea in his eyes. 

Liz shook her head.  "I won't.  Yet."  She ran her slender fingers through her long dark hair.  "We're far enough away from home right now.  That'll buy us some time.  But, you know, we won't be able to keep this a secret forever."

"I know."  He glanced once more at the guard and leaned across the table as far as the handcuffs would allow.  "So, what's the deal?  What are they offering to get me out of this hell hole?"

Liz looked down and took a shaky breath.  "They want information on someone.  Some guy and girl…I don't even know who yet.  If I get them what they want, you walk free.  No strings.  No record."

"Sounds simple."  His eyes narrowed in thought.

"Yeah."  Liz stated with uncertainty.  "It's just…well, it doesn't feel simple, you know?  The story they've told me…I don't think…I don't think I can believe them."

"Don't.  Something tells me these people are bad.  Really bad."  His command was cold but his eyes betrayed his fear.  "You're one of the most trusting people I know, Lizzie, but you have good instincts too. If this doesn't feel right to you…"

A slender eyebrow raised.  "Are you saying I should turn them down and let you rot in here?"

He shook his head.  "I'm saying don't do anything to get yourself hurt…or killed.  Please, Lizzie. Don't put yourself in danger because of me.  I'm not worth it."

"Don't you dare say that!"  Liz forgot all protocol and reached for his hand.  "You're worth something to a lot of people.  Mom and Dad…me.  I love you.  We all do."

Sudden tears sprung to his eyes at her heartfelt confession.  It wasn't that she had never said it before…it had just been so long since he'd heard it.  Still, would she feel the same way if she knew the truth about him?  "Look, Lizzie, I didn't mean it that way.  I just meant…"  He looked back up into her eyes begging with her to understand.  "…I can take anything as long as I know you're ok.  You and the folks…you're the only good thing that's ever happened to me.  Whatever you do, you've got to watch your back first."

A slight smile touched her lips at his final statement.  It conjured up so many feelings and memories.  Times when he'd done just what he was asking her to do…watch her back.  Like the time in 4^th grade when he beat up Todd Conners because Todd wouldn't leave her alone and tried to force a kiss from her.  Or the time he'd covered for her with Mom and Dad when she had dented the fender of their car.  Most of their lives he'd been watching her back.  Now, it was time for her to do the same.     

"And who's going to watch yours if not me?"  She asked simply, both of them knowing there was no one else.

Silence hung in the air between them as they stared at each other reaching a silent agreement.  Smiling once more, Liz patted his hand lovingly when she saw the obvious worry flash into his eyes.  "It'll be ok, Michael.  I promise."

Slipping from her seat, Liz paused at the door when she heard his voice.  "Lizzie.  What you said…you know, about me mattering and how you feel…well, thanks.  And ditto."

Liz turned to look at him one last time and whispered.  "I know."

~~~~~~~~~~~

The moment she stepped out of the room she was face to face with the woman who started this nightmare of hers.  "Agent Topolsky."

"Liz."  The attractive blonde smiled sweetly and Liz instantly felt that sudden twinge of uncertainty in the pit of her stomach.  "I hope you found Michael to be well."

Liz nodded once while eyeing her brother's jailer.

"Good.  Have you made your decision?"  Topolsy's blue eyes took on a hint of anxiousness and for the first time Liz realized the agent wanted this deal more than even she or Michael.  If she played her cards right, she might be able to gain more than her brother's freedom.

"Yes, I have."  Liz stated after pulling a piece of paper from her pocket and squaring her shoulders.  She handed the paper to Agent Topolsky with an explanation.  "If and when these conditions are met, I'll do as you ask."

Topolsky glanced over the list with a slight smile then looked back up at Liz.  "These are all very reasonable requests.  I'll have them done by the end of the day."  She handed Liz a file folder.  "Now for your assignment.  The subject's name is Max Evans.  In that folder is all the information we have on him.  We need you to find out more."

"How much more?"  Liz asked never taking her eyes from Topolsky.

"Everything."

"And how exactly do I do this?" 

"Any way you can."

"But…how do you know he'll even respond to me?"

Agent Topolsky smiled indulgently as she gently touched Liz's arm.  "Every man has a dreamgirl, Liz.  You just happen to be his."

Liz looked down uncomfortably then raised her eyes with Topolsky's warning.  "Bring my superiors information they need on Max Evans and your brother goes free.  Fail them and…"  Despite the sweetness of her voice, the steely coldness in her eyes gave Liz a shiver down her spine then spread throughout her body when the agent's sympathetic smile turned her lips upward.  "…well, let's just say I sincerely hope you don't fail…"

Tbc

~ Chapter 2 ~

Liz hadn't expected the impact the face inside the folder would make on her. The deep soulful eyes staring up at her from the 5x7 glossy reached out and touched her deep inside somehow. The feeling that gripped her heart was familiar. That vague sensation of belonging…of being home. It was a feeling she'd really only felt once in her life. Perhaps that's why the dreams had begun again…

Childish laughter split the crisp morning air. It was a startling sound in a place usually resounding with tears. Tears of sadness, loneliness and rejection. Unaccustomed to the oppressive atmosphere of the old stone structure, she linked her arm through her friend's and pulled her out into the sun. The large courtyard was absent of life but afforded many hiding places for just what they needed. A game of hide and seek.

The patter of her own feet followed her as the sound of a girlish voice counted out the numbers from somewhere in the middle of the courtyard. "Six. Seven. Eight…"

Two more counts and she still hadn't found a place to hide. Suddenly her brown eyes lit up. The trees at the edge of the courtyard. She could hide behind the trees. She managed to slip behind one just as she heard the final count. "…ten. Ready or not…here I come."

Holding her breath, her back to the tree, she listened carefully for the squeaking sound that those red sneakers always made. They were heading toward the large boxes near the building. She put her hands to her mouth to stop the giggle that wanted to escape and for the first time looked at her surroundings here at the edge of the woods.

It was then that she saw him. A boy her age sitting at the foot of a tree, his knees pulled up to his chest. He was peeking out at her from behind the safety of his arms as they rested on top of his knees. Something about his eyes captured her and pulled her to him. Forgetting the game, she took a step forward.

Standing in front of him she put her hands behind her back and whispered quietly with a smile. "Are you playin' hide 'n seek too?"

He just stared at her, his sad eyes never leaving hers. It was then she noticed the tears. They were sitting on the edge of his long dark eyelashes as if trying to keep a delicate balance before falling down his tan cheeks. Her eyes became the windows of compassion as she kneeled in front of him and slowly reached out her hand to wipe away the tears that had already tilted out of control to roll down his face.

The moment her fingers touched the wetness of his tears, her heart felt his fear. Her soul felt his loneliness. Her body felt electricity. Her whole being felt complete. Alive. Home…

The ringing of the phone shattered the dream. Liz groaned when the phone rang the third time then reached out in a state of semi-sleep to grab the handset. "Hello…"

"Liz, babe! What's up? You sound sleepy."

Liz managed a slight smile as she began to rub her eyes. "Imagine that at…" she glanced at her clock and groaned again. "…one thirty in the morning."

"Oh, my! Is it really that time?" Maria asked innocently. "Oh, well. Since you're up…"

Liz sighed and propped herself up on her elbows. "What is it, Maria?"

"Oh, you know me. When I get a brilliant idea, which is quite often I might add, I just have to share. And well, tonight my mind was just racing a million miles a minute and I did, in fact, come up with this incredibly brilliant idea so…I thought I'd give ya a call and see what you think."

Liz chuckled at her best friend's description of herself. "Alright, Maria. Hit me with it."

"Well…I was thinking how about if I come for a visit?"

"A…a visit?" Liz sat up in bed fully awake now. She loved Maria like a sister and hadn't seen her for 3 months when she'd moved to go to college at Harvard. Still…having her here in Boston when she was just embarking on this assignment of hers to get Michael out of hot water and keep him safe…well, it could get a bit dicey. Especially since Maria had been in love with Michael ever since the day they brought him home from the orphanage. Not to mention her penchant for dramatics.

Realizing her silence had been too long, Liz attempted to come up with a reason to let Maria down easy. "Um, you know, Maria, a…a visit would be absolutely great, but…"

"I knew you'd feel that way!" Maria interrupted excitedly. "That's why I…"

A knock on the door made Liz jump. What was this tonight? Grand Central Station? "Uh, Maria. Can you hang on a sec? There's someone at the door…" Liz hopped out of bed and made her way to the door. Throwing it open, her mouth dropped open. "Oh my God."

"Oh my God's right, babe!" Maria exclaimed as she stepped forward and threw her arms around Liz. "Happy to see me?"

Liz forced a smile as she pulled back from Maria's embrace. "Yeah. Of course. I…I couldn't…be happier." Oh, boy. Liz thought. How am I ever going to get Max Evans to notice me now?
~~~~~~~~~~~
"What are you doing?" Isabel's voice broke through Max's reverie as he sat on the couch staring into the darkness of the room.

"I couldn't sleep." Max answered without moving a muscle. "You're getting in late. Out studying?"

Isabel tossed her keys on the counter and walked over to the table to turn on the lamp. Shrugging she slipped into the chair sitting opposite the couch where Max was planted as firmly as an oak tree. "Nope. Had a date."

"Which one was it? Tom, Chad or Peter?" Max asked with a grin as his eyes shifted to Isabel's beautiful face.

Isabel grinned back. "I don't know what you mean…"

"Yeah, right. Like you don't know you have half the guys in the freshman class trying to date you, Iz. I think I've taken at least 10 phone messages for you tonight alone."

"Me?" She placed her feet up on the table in front of her and leaned back in the chair. "What about you? Every day I have at least 2 girls who strike up conversations with me just to find out if you're dating anyone. Oh, and you wouldn't believe how many times I have to endure the line 'Your brother is such a babe. What kind of girl does he go for?' There are tons of girls in this school who would jump at the chance to go out with you, Max…if you'd just take the initiative to ask them."

Letting out a sigh, his eyes turned serious again. "I don't see how you do it."

"Do what?" Isabel asked as she swept her hand over her fingernail polish changing the color from one shade of red to another.

"Not get close to anyone."

Isabel shrugged and tilted her head to the side in thought. "It's all in how these humans perceive you. Take me for instance. I set myself apart from every one else by being involved with only the elite. I'm like a goddess on Mount Olympus. We have many parties and invite the masses, but when the sun sets they all know they have to go home. I'm approachable, but not conquerable because I'm revered."

She pointed a long slender finger at Max. "You, on the other hand…well, let's just say you put up a wall of silence around you that very few people can get through. Which means when those people do make it through that wall it's pretty obvious they mean something to you. You hand them the key to the kingdom and they can reach you any time they want. But only a chosen few get that key. You're the classic strong, silent type, Max. The unattainable heart. Which happens to be very appealing to many girls. They all want to be that one you turn to."

Max stared at Isabel for a long while in silence. Suddenly, his laughter filled the room and took Isabel by surprise. "Please never repeat that to mom and dad."

"Why?" Isabel's voice took on an offended air.

"Because they'll figure out that their money is going to waste on you taking those psych classes." Max answered with a grin.

Isabel grabbed a pillow from the chair and pretended that she was going to toss it at Max, but used her powers instead to fling another pillow at him from the couch. His defenses being set to ward off the pillow in her hand, he wasn't expecting the one from the side and was hit square in the nose. "Hey! No fair…"

"All's fair in pillow fights between alien siblings." Isabel shot back with a grin. Placing the pillow in her hand back on the chair she glanced back up at Max. "So. Who is she?"

"Who's who?"

Isabel rolled her eyes at his obvious attempt at ignorance. "The one you're so worried about getting close to."

Max's eyes once more took on a distant look as a slight smile played on his lips and Isabel's casual curiosity was suddenly piqued and heightened. "Oh, this is going to be good." She predicted. "So is she a Freshie or are you going for older women now, Max?"

Continuing to stare straight ahead of him, Max didn't say a word.

Isabel continued her assault of questions. "So…let me guess. Myra Clemmons." Seeing no visible reaction from Max she added name upon name trying to draw him out. "Stacy Stevens? Heidi Baker! Oh, I know…" Isabel put up her hands, palms out, as if she'd just been hit with a revelation. "…Tess Harding. Now there's one that really has the hots for you."

Silence filled the room and as usual Isabel recognized the classic signs that her brother's lips were sealed for good. Knowing by the look on his face that she would get nothing out of him, she let out a sigh and stood up. "Must be pretty special if 'Mr. Chatty's' suddenly lost all power of speech. Don't worry. I'll get it out of you soon...when you least expect it." She teased as she tossed a pillow at him and headed toward her room.

Stopping before she went through the door, Isabel turned back around and issued a gentle warning. "Max. Whoever she is…make sure she's worth it. Because with you…once you fall…it'll be forever." With that, she turned and headed into her room closing the door behind her.

Max hugged the pillow to his chest and let out a sigh as he leaned his head back. "Oh, she's worth it, Iz. Liz Parker is worth every risk known to alien. The question is…could she ever feel the same about me?"

Tbc…

~ Chapter 3 ~

Michael paced back and forth in his cell, his head bent in thought, his hands rubbing the back of his neck. The sound of a key turning in the door put an end to his pacing and he spun to face the door.

Agent Topolsky entered the room and smiled at Michael sweetly. "Good afternoon, Michael." She plopped a few magazines on a table. "I brought you reading material."

"How hospitable of you." Michael commented coldly before turning to stare out the window.

Topolsky watched his back a moment before advancing into the room a few more paces. "You know, Michael. I'm not your enemy. I really am here to help you."

"Yeah? Well, then why don't you help me out the door to this place?"

"You know I can't do that, Michael." The agent sighed and softened her voice appropriately. "Not unless you help me first."

Michael's scoffing chuckle was the only sound in the room. He turned to face her. "You're kidding right? You have my sister out there doing God only knows what and you want me to help you?" He shook his head. "I think you've had enough help from the Parker family already."

"Don't you even want to know what I want your help on?"

"I really don't see the need..."

"Because it could ensure your sister's safety." Topolsky stated bluntly her eyes locked on him for his reaction. The moment his eyes wavered and she knew she'd get what she wanted.

Michael eyed her carefully. It was killing him that Liz was already involved especially since he still couldn't figure out their game. Maybe this would be how. As long as he remembered not to trust her. Maybe he should listen and see where it took him. Who knows? It might mean his freedom. It might mean Liz's life...

Swallowing his pride and fear Michael nodded. "Alright. What is it you need my help on?"

Topolsky smiled and pulled out a chair. "Have a seat Michael. It's going to be a long afternoon..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Did I like wrong you in another life or something?" Max's muffled voice called out from behind the closed door.

Isabel smiled to herself and yelled back. "Who knows? Maybe on our home planet I was a beautiful princess and you were the evil wizard that banished me to the dark dungeon."

"Yeah? Well from the looks of this get-up I should have banished you to the crazy farm." A pause then a chuckle. "Or maybe that's what did happen. Maybe you went stark raving mad back home and they sent you here for punishment or something. You know, like they did to prisoners when they sent them to Australia…"

"Oh, yeah? Then how do you explain *your* presence here, dear brother?"

Isabel heard a loud sigh. "I'd really rather have you explain to me why I'm doing this again."

"School spirit, Max! Getting involved! Helping a friend. Not to mention saving your sister's butt." Isabel clapped her hands together and began to gather her things. "You can't tell me you're not excited about the prospect…"

"Actually…no, I'm not." Max answered back through the door once more. "Face it, Iz. What you're asking me to do…well, it's…well, it's just wrong. Borderline criminal, in fact."

"Criminal?" Isabel's brown eyes danced with laughter. "Come on, Max. Don't you think you're going a bit overboard?"

Another pause. "Ask that question again when you see me."

Isabel giggled as the boyish pout she could hear in Max's voice. "Oh, come on, Max. It'll be good for you. Besides it's only one afternoon."

"You promise?" His voice sounded hopeful yet scared.

"I promise. Go long enough to take the pictures and help a little with practice then you're free to go." Isabel turned toward the door. "Now. Get your butt out here, Evans. I want to see what the girls have been buzzing about since the moment I told them you'd do this for us."

A minute went by without movement from the other side of the door. Isabel began to tap her foot impatiently and glanced at her watch. "Photos start in fifteen minutes, by the way."

Silence greeted her impatient reminder. "Any time this millennium, Max…"

Still another minute went by. "Maxwell Evans, if you don't get out here I'm going to call Tess Harding to come over and…" Isabel's voice died in her throat the moment the door flew open and Max stood in plain view. Her hand flew to her mouth and she tried to bite back a sudden fit of laughter and succeeded in stopping all but a giggle. "Oh…my…God…"

Max nodded, his face flushing with embarrassment as he threw out his arms. "See what I mean?"

Another giggled escaped as Isabel's eyes swept over her brother taking in every detail from head to foot. On his head sat a black Pilgrim hat that was a little too big for his head and kept falling down over one eye. Around his neck was a white collar tied together at his neck by a thin black ribbon. Next, a black Pilgrim coat that buttoned up the front and fell to his middle thigh….

Isabel's eyes widened. "Didn't this come with pants?"

"One would think so." Max responded dryly. "Apparently our school mascot enjoyed wearing tights instead."

Isabel's laughter filled the room and Max just put his hands on his hips in annoyance, which brought Isabel's focus to his waist where a black belt with a large buckle completed the outfit. "*Now* I see why the girls are so excited."

"What?" Max's confused look as he glanced down at his clothes then back up at her only spurred Isabel's taunting. "Why?"

"Half of them are flipped over you anyway." She stopped laughing long enough to grin at him with a suggestive wiggle of her eyebrows. "And you do know what they say about big buckles don't you? And those tights must make certain things appear really..."

Max groaned then threw up his hands. "That's it! I'm not going…" He turned back into his room, but was stopped from closing the door when Isabel rushed to him and grabbed his arm.

"Oh, come on, Max. I'm sorry. I just had to tease you a little…" Her eyes swept over him once again. "You look…"

"Like a frickin' sissy." Max finished for her.

"No, Max. I don't think anyone could ever accuse you of being a sissy." She shrugged her shoulders and turned to grab her bag of supplies. "Besides if you were so worried about giving the wrong impression you shouldn't have announced to the whole lunch table that you weren't interested in spending the afternoon watching a bunch of girls dance around in mini-skirts. Not a very guy-like thing to say. If I didn't know you so well, I'd start to wonder..."

"Well, I'm *not* interested in this!" Max stated defensively. "Especially when one of the said mini-skirts belongs to Tess Harding."

Isabel turned a smile on him as she flitted across the room to grab a book. "What's wrong with Tess? She's pretty. She's outgoing. She's..."

"Pushy. Obnoxious. Full of herself." Max continued the list for Isabel as he pushed the hat back up to its rightful place on the top of his head and not the side. "Not to mention...does she have any thought in her head that isn't Tess-related? Seems like nothing else but air to me. I swear if she tries to come on to me one more time I'll..."

Isabel turned on him with a teasing glint in her eyes. "You'll what?"

Max looked down uncomfortably when the image of *what* he'd like to do popped into his mind. Knowing he shouldn't reveal those violent thoughts he fudged his answer. "I may do something very...ungentlemanly."

Isabel laughed and headed for the door. "Knowing Tess, she'd probably like that."

Max rolled his eyes and groaned. "See? This is precisely why I don't want to do this."

Isabel walked up to Max and put her hand on his shoulder and grew serious. "Max. Listen to me. I know Tess has been a bit pushy lately and that you're not into this, but I am. It's really important to me to make a good impression on the squad. When Brad fell through on me and I couldn't get any of the other guys, well..." She looked up at him with pleading eyes. "...you're my brother, Max. You've always come through for me."

Max sighed as he looked down at Isabel. "Oh, alright. But you owe me big time. And remember what you promised. The photos, a little bit of help, then I'm outta there."

Isabel held her fingers up in a Girl Scout salute. "I swear." Heading toward the door once more, Isabel paused when she put her hand on the knob. "Although, I have to admit I'm not sure how long the photos will take. We're using some student photographer."

"A student? Oh, this'll be just great." Max mumbled sarcastically as he followed Isabel to the door. "Probably won't even know how to load the camera."

Isabel chuckled as she turned to lock the door. "Boy, you're Mr. Grumpy today." Letting out a sigh she turned to face Max. "Relax, ok? From what I hear Liz Parker's a really good photographer. It really shouldn't take that long."

Max blinked quickly at Isabel's statement as she turned and headed down the hall with a bounce. He swallowed hard and tried to still the rapid beating of his heart when he heard her name. Suddenly this little adventure of Isabel's didn't seem so bad. A wide smile spread over his face. Not so bad at all.

As the hat on his head fell forward, the smile faded from his lips. His eyes swept over his costume again and he let out a weary sigh. Then again, it could be the worst thing that ever happened to him...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Liz let out a sigh as she busily stuffed her equipment into it's black case. It had been two days since Maria's arrival. Two days that she'd spent showing Maria around campus and the town. Two days she lost in trying to make contact with Max Evans.

This little 'job' of hers to get information on Max and Isabel Evans was becoming more difficult with each passing day. She and Max were in the same English Comp class but he always sat in the back and stayed to himself. In fact, she didn't recall ever hearing his voice in class except when roll call was checked. He never asked questions...or answered them, for that matter.

His status as a back-of-the-class-loner wouldn't be so bad if she was a loner too. But as it stood, Liz had plenty of acquaintances that she chummed with in her classes. Usually the brainiacs and over-achievers of the place that chose to be the front of the room crowd. To just all of a sudden start sitting the back with Max would seem odd. Not only to her friends, but to him too. No, a planned meeting in class wouldn't do.

Then again, she didn't how else to go about hooking up with him. It wasn't like he was that much of a joiner. In fact, except for class and a few times she'd see him walking across campus he was pretty much a recluse. Or at least that's what her friend Tammy had said about him. He was a hottie with an agenda...to stay away from as many people as possible.

Liz slid down onto her bed lost in thought wondering why that would be. He did seem to avoid crowds as much as possible. When he did speak it was in soft tones that could be missed if you weren't listening close enough. Like he was shy or something. Maybe that's all there is to it. Maybe he's just shy. Then again...

Since the first time she'd laid eyes on Max Evans, Liz felt there was something more to him. Something deep and soulful. Something secretive that he desperately tried to hide. The more she studied the file Agent Topolsky had given her, the more she felt her instincts were right.

The direct approach wouldn't work on Max Evans. Liz needed to approach Max in a round about way. She still didn't trust everything that Topolsky told her about the Evans kids and given the fact Max seemed to have his guard up, it would be best to take the indirect route to him...Isabel. Which is exactly why she jumped at the chance for the cheerleading squad's photo shoot.

That way she could innocently make contact with Isabel. On the pretense of school business maybe slip her way into her inner circle, at least for a while. Gather as much information as she could then...

"Liz?" Maria's voice cut through Liz's brainstorming session. "Hey, Lizzie, where are you? You would *not* believe what just happened to me!"

Liz smiled at her friend's enthusiasm as she called out. "I'm in my..."

The door burst open before Liz had a chance to finish her sentence. Maria jumped on her bed and grabbed Liz's hands in hers. "Oh, my God! Liz, you won't believe it! I just got asked out by...oh my God!"

Liz started laughing. "Wait, wait...Maria. Slow down." Liz placed a calming hand on Maria's shoulder as she shook her head. "Calm down ok? Deeeep breaths. See look at me..." Liz began to breathe slowly for Maria to get her to do the same.

Once Maria seemed semi-stable, Liz's eyebrow raised. "Ok. Now tell me what happened? Who asked you out?"

A huge grin split Maria's face. "Only the captain of the football team!"

Liz's mouth dropped open. "Todd Sterling? TODD STERLING asked you out? God, Maria! He's like...a Senior!"

"I KNOW!!!" Maria screamed causing Liz to scream with her. The instantaneous release of joy ended as quickly as it began with Maria waving her hands wildly in the air and taking a deep breath. "Ok. Ok. Ok. We need to calm down. Just calm..."

"Right. Right. Calm..." Liz and Maria locked eyes and burst into laughter falling on the bed. Once the raucus had calmed and their laughter had died, Liz propped herself up on the bed and turned to Maria. "Alright. Spill. How in the world did you get Todd Sterling to ask you out?"

"Well..." Maria's lips curled into a smile. "I was just walking around campus you know and I got a little lost...which I don't know if you've noticed, but it's really easy to do here. Anyway, I was busy looking down at my trusty little campus map that you drew for me, but I think I had it upside down because I turned this corner and ended up walking right into the middle of the guys locker room!"

Liz shot up in bed her eyes widening with surprise and mortification. "You what?! God, Maria! What did you do?"

Maria waved her hand in dismissal. "Oh, I just turned about 10 shades of red when all of the guys...clothed, toweled and otherwise *not* toweled stopped and stared at me. I tried to back up *reeeeally* slowly, right? And I ran into something really hard. You know...like flesh kind of hard." Maria wiggled her eyebrows. "And then I turned and..." She let out a sigh. "That's when I saw the most gorgeous blue eyes I've ever seen."

"Todd." Liz filled in the information Maria failed to provide.

Letting out another dreamy sigh Maria fell back on the bed. "Todd. Of course, I had the terrible task of seeing his beautiful, bare, sculpted chest in my face before I got to those gorgeous eyes, but believe me this little wrong turn of mine was well worth it."

Liz sighed as her mind immediately drifted to Max. If only something like that could happen to her. It would make this whole ordeal a lot easier to handle. Then again, Max would actually have to *be* on the football team for it to happen to her...or even a permanent fixture on campus for that matter. She suddenly wondered if Max's chest was as sculpted as it appeared through his layers of clothing. And eyes...Maria may think Todd's were beautiful, but Liz had always been partial to brown. Deep brown. Soulful brown. Like Max's...

Maria's next words pulled Liz back to the present. "If only Michael could see me now..."

Liz swallowed hard. "What?"

Maria sobered quickly and turned to Liz grabbing her hand. "Oh, Liz, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean that. I mean...I know how hard it's been on you not knowing where he is or if he's ok or not."

Liz nodded. "Yeah, but it's been hard on you too." Seeing the famous DeLuca eye roll, Liz patted her hand gently. "Come on, Maria. You know it's true. Michael's the first guy you've ever loved and whether you want to admit it or not, you still care what happens to him."

Sitting up, Maria shrugged. "Yeah, I guess." She slipped off the bed and clapped her hands together. "So. This job you're doing. Can I tag along?"

Liz smiled and got up from the bed glancing around to check that her equipment was properly stored. "Of course you can tag along. In fact, I think I'd die of boredom if you didn't."

"What are you shooting?"

Liz groaned. "The cheerleading squad."

"Eeewwww!" Maria scrunched up her nose. "Tell me they're different in college than high school."

"Nope. The same airheaded, self-important..." Liz sighed. "You should see this one named Tess. She's so annoying. She thinks the universe revolves around her. I swear I'd love for someone to bring her down a few pegs."

Maria smirked. "Well, I know someone who could do it if they wanted to..."

Liz shook her head and hiked her bag onto her shoulder. "Uh-huh. I'm not in the showing people up stage of my life any more. I just want to go take the pictures and get out of there. Besides...Tess really isn't worth the fuss." Especially since I have more important people to concentrate on for a much more important reason. Liz thought to herself.

Smiling at Maria she linked her arm through her best friend's arm. "Come on. Maybe your dream guy, Todd, will be practicing..."

Maria's grin returned. "Yeah...and maybe he'll have a dream guy for you too..."

tbc...