Whiter Shade of Pale: Max and Liz Story

author: anne

e-mail: annemccartney@juno.com

Rating: PG-13 for now

Category: M/L

disclaimer: I do not own Roswell or any of the characters. I don't have

any affiliation with the WB television network or the author Melinda

Metz.

Author's note: immediately following Blind Date ep.

PART 1-3

Liz is impatiently waiting for her shift to be over at the Crashdown, so

she can go upstairs and shut her door, and lose herself in memories of

last night. She hadn't seen Max or heard from him, since he walked out

at the concert. She was dreading the moment when she would actually come

face to face with him. What in the world would she say? How could she

just pretend like nothing had happened? In the next instant, she was

going to have to answer these questions and more.

Maria: "Liz." (looking toward the front door)

(Liz looks up and sees Max walking in alone.)

(He sits down at a booth.)

Maria: "Do you want me to . . . ?

Liz: "No. It's o.k. I'll go."

Maria: "Are you sure, Liz?"

Liz: "Yeah. Thanks."

Maria: "You know I want to kill him right now for doing this to you."

Liz: "I know how you feel, but try to resist. They just really aren't

like us, Maria."

Maria: "You can say that again, babe."

(Liz walks over to Max's table.)

Liz: "Hi. What can I get for you?"

Max: "Just a cherry coke, please, and could I talk to you when you have

a minute?"

Liz: "Yeah . . . I don't think . . .

Max: "Please."

(Liz looks extremely reluctant.)

Max: "I know I really messed up your date last night, and I am so

sorry." "Can't we at least talk about it?"

Liz: "Max, the thing is that you can't remember a thing that happened

last night, but I will probably never forget." "It's . . . awkward."

Max: "Maybe, you should tell me exactly what happened."

Liz: (very sad) "I can't do that, Max." "You don't know what you are

asking."

Max: "Liz?" "You are really causing my imagination to hyperdrive."

"How bad could it have been?"

Liz: "I never said that it was bad."

Max: "Then why do you look so sad?" "Why can't you talk about it?"

Liz: "Because, it wasn't bad at all." "Don't you understand?" "It was

. . . (under her breath) all my dreams come true."

Max: "No, I don't understand." "That's why I want you to tell me what

happened."

Liz: "I'll think about it, Max, but not tonight." "Besides, here comes

your drinking buddy." "Maybe he can shed some light on the whole thing

for you." (Max turns to see Kyle striding toward him like a heat-seeking

missile.) (Liz leaves to get his order.)

Kyle: "Mind if I join you?"

Max: "What are you doing here, Kyle?"

Kyle: "Isn't it obvious?" "I came to find out how Liz is reacting to

our . . . entertainments of last evening."

"How mad is she?"

Max: "Not mad, exactly, but something."

Kyle: "That sounds bad."

Max: "Yeah, I know."

Kyle: "Well, what are you going to do."

Max: "Try very hard to remember what happened last night, and see if I

can repair the damage."

Kyle: "You mean to tell me that you don't remember anything from last

night?"

(Max just looks at him.)

Kyle: (sympathetic) "Oh man." "You're in trouble deep, my friend."

Max: "What do you know about it?" (threatening)

Kyle: "Hey, man, take it easy." "All I know is what you told me." "I

don't know what happened while you and LIz went running off into the

night."

Max: "Liz and I went somewhere alone last night?"

Kyle: "Yeah. You were gone for quite a while."

(Liz approaches with Max's drink.)

Liz: "Here you go."

Kyle: "Hey, Liz."

(Liz gives him a frosty stare.)

Kyle: "What did I do?"

(Liz walks a way without even taking his order.)

Kyle: "I see what you mean. It's worse than mad."

Max: "Yeah."

Kyle: "Well, that's my cue." "See you man!" "Good Luck."

Max: "Thanks." (totally perplexed as to how he and Kyle got to be so

friendly all of a sudden)

(Max leaves and goes home.)

Liz is in her room and getting ready for bed and . . . remembering . . .

"What happens tomorrow when all your fantasies go away . . .?"

"I'll still have you."

Max kissing her on the stage . . .

Max leaving . . .

She goes out onto the roof and sits down under the big red heart Max left

behind and remembers . . .

Max is at home in bed racking his brain, but coming up with very little.

Isabel walks in.

Isabel: "Why don't you do a little dream walking tonight and find out

the easy way what happened."

"I hate to see you torturing yourself like this." "If you don't do it, I

might just do it for you."

Max: "No, Isabel."

Isabel: "Max, this is ridiculous." "Find out what you need to know and

get out." "What's the big deal?"

Max: "It's Liz and I respect her." "I can't just invade her privacy

like that."

Isabel: "Seems to me that you already have." "The only hope you have of

salvaging this situation is to find out what happened." "Not, that I'm

endorsing the idea of you and Liz together, but you can't go on like

this." "Just think about it." "Good night, Max."

Max: "Good night, Is."

Later that night, Max makes his decision and enters Liz's dream only to

find out he can't. She's not asleep. Where in the world is she at 3

a.m.? He gets up and gets dressed and heads for LIz's house.

Max arrives at Liz's house and climbs up to the roof. He sees Liz

sitting there just staring at this huge red heart on the wall.

Max: Liz?

Liz: (startled to see him) Max? What are you doing here?

Max: I really need to know what happened between us, Liz. (He looks at

the heart and smiles.) Redecorating?

(Liz just looks away almost in tears.) (Max doesn't understand, but

wishes he could take back whatever he said that was wrong.)

Max: Liz, we can't go on like this. You have to tell me what happened.

Liz: I can't.

Max: Would you let me make a connection with you, since you don't want

to tell me?

(Liz hesitates for a moment, but finally agrees.)

Liz: "Alright."

(Max sits down beside her and touches her hair and then her cheek before

he puts both of his hands on either side of her face.)

Max: "Just breathe slowly and try not to think about anything."

(staring into her eyes)

He sees himself showing Liz a glowing red heart on the wall outside her

bedroom. Their initials are in the center. "As long as we're together

nothing else matters." (musicbox plays) "What if I believe you tonight?"

"Then we live happily everafter." "And then, what about tomorrow, when

you go back to realizing who you really are and all your fantasies go

away?" "I'd still have you." "This could never be normal." (showers of

sparks fly through the air) "What's so great about normal?" He sees

himself on a stage kissing Liz. He sees himself walk away. He sees Liz

run after him and understanding rips through his heart. What had he

done? He never meant to hurt her this way. She didn't deserve this.

Max lets go of her face and closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

Max: "I remember what happened last night."

Liz: "You do?"

Max: "Yes."

Liz: "Oh." (very uncomfortable)

Max: "I never wanted to hurt you, Liz."

Liz: "I know."

Max: "All the things I said . . ."

Liz: "You were drunk, Max. People say things they don't mean when they

are drunk."

Max: "But that's just it. I meant every word."

Liz: "Max . . .

Max: "I know what I said and it was all true." "I never told you before

because I thought it would just cause us both to suffer more." "I am

tired of trying to pretend like I don't love you, and hiding."

Liz: "Max, I'd really like to believe you, but how do I know you're not

drunk right now and in a few minutes you won't walk away without a

backward glance?"

Max: "Liz, I swear I am not drunk. I am not going to walk away."

Liz: "Yes, you will." "You have."

Max: "I am so sorry for everything . . . for hurting you. Please, don't

give up. We can make it work."

Liz: "Why?"

Max: "What do you mean?"

Liz: "What makes you think that we can make it work now, when you didn't

even want to try before?"

Max: "What else can I do, Liz?" "I can't make myself not love you."

"The more I stay away from you, the worse it gets." "I thought I could

force myself to move on, but I was wrong."

Liz: "I don't know if I can trust you, Max." "I can't think logically

about this."

Max: "Don't."

(Liz looks up at him and realizes for the first time how completely

vulnerable he was.)

(He looked so lost sitting there and pleading with her to give him

another chance.)

She reaches up and touches his cheek with her fingertips. She closes her

eyes and the tears start seeping out through her lashes. Max is watching

her intently and feeling like his heart is breaking. It was an eternity

before she finally opened her eyes again.

Liz: "I love you, Max." (she throws her arms around him and holds him

like he might disappear any second.) (It would be a long time before she

completely trusted him again, he thought to himself, but he had time.)

And although my eyes were open, they might just as well been closed.

And so it was, later, as the mirror told it's tale,

that her face, at first, just ghostly, turned a whiter, shade of pale.

At school, the next day, Liz is at her locker and wondering what new

bumps in the road today will bring in her relationship with Max. After

last night, she could almost believe they had a chance. But still, so

much had gone wrong and still could. What would she do if he got scared

and decided they weren't meant to be . . . again. When had she become so

insecure? She had always known exactly what she wanted and how to get

it. She had to get a grip. This weakness where Max Evans was concerned

was becoming frightening.

Maria approaches Liz.

Maria: "How ya doing?" (very concerned)

Liz: "O.k."

Maria: "O.k.?" "Really?" "I mean after last night, I gotta be honest,

I didn't expect to see you here today." "It really looked like you

couldn't stand to even be in the same room with Max."

Liz: "Max came to see me last night and we came to an understanding."

Maria: (looking deeply suspicious) "What kind of an understanding?"

Liz: "We're gonna try to make things work."

Maria: "You can't be serious!" "Liz, how can you trust him?"

Liz: "I don't know . . . I just . . . do."

Maria: "or you just want to."

Liz: "O.k."

Maria: "Don't go overboard there trying to convince me."

Liz: "Well, I'm trying to trust him."

Maria: "Why?"

Liz: "Because . . .

Maria: "you love him."

Liz: "Yeah."

(Liz opens her locker and finds a red rose inside with a card that says,

"I love You." She looks around quickly, but Max is no where to be found.

Disappointed, she puts it back insider her locker and looks for the

books she needs.)

Maria: "O.k. Maybe . . . and I stress the maybe . . . it's worth

another shot." "Better hurry or you'll be late."

Liz: "I know. I'll meet you after class."

(The hall empties as everyone goes to their classes. Liz closes her

locker and turns around. Max is standing right in front of her.)

Liz: "Max!" "You scared me to death."

Max: (smiling) "Did you get my surprise?"

Liz: (smiling, too.) "Yes, I did. You are very sweet."

Max: (leans down and kisses her lightly) "You are the one that's

sweet."

Liz: (staring at him intently) "I don't know what you have done to me,

but don't stop."

Max: "We're going to be late . . . "

Liz: "I don't care."

Max kisses her again. Liz wraps her arms around his neck and he deepens

the kiss. Liz leans into him and the kiss becomes a connection between

them that joins their thoughts. Liz sees Max in ways, she never has

before. She seems him trying to cope with all the things that come with

being an alien. It's almost too much. She feels a little dizzy and

pulls away.

Max: "What's wrong?"

Liz: (laughing at herself) "I'm just . . . a little dizzy."

Max: (smiling) "Well, maybe we better get to class and save this for

later."

"I'll see you at the Crashdown after school."

Liz: "O.k. (feeling a little disoriented)

Max: "Are you sure you're o.k.?"

Liz: "Yeah. We better go."

At the Crashdown, after school, Max and Michael and Isabel are discussing

the previous evening's events. Max is trying to think of way to tell

them that he got drunk in the presence of the sheriff's son, and, oh

yeah, by the way, Liz and I are back together, too. They were not going

to be happy. They weren't happy anyway. Michael's plan to signal Nasedo

had apparently failed.

Isabel: "Max, you look like you have something to say." "What is it?"

Max: "Well, I had a little trouble a couple of nights ago."

Michael: "What kind of trouble?"

Max: "Kyle Valenti dropped by."

Michael: "And?"

Max: "And, he was drunk and asked me to drive."

Michael: "What?!?!"

Max: "Before, you say anything, let me finish. He was going to the

concert, and for some reason wanted me to come. I guess he thought we

had something in common. (looking at Liz) Anyway, he got me to drink

with him, and I got extremely intoxicated. Also, Liz and I are getting

back together.

(Isabel's face turns as white as a sheet.)

Michael: "My, you've been busy." (uncharacteristically calm)

Isabel: "Are you crazy?!?!"

Max: "Not last time I checked."

Isabel: "You are getting back with Liz?"

Michael: "What's the damage with Valenti?"

Max: "I don't think he knows anything except how I feel about Liz, and

he already knew that anyway."

Michael: "You don't think?"

Max: "Well, I couldn't remember a damn thing about any of it until I

connected with Liz."

Isabel: "Connected?" (looking horrified) "What are you saying?"

Max: "Mentally not physically." "I saw Kyle yesterday and he didn't say

anything to imply that he knows about us."

Isabel: "I don't like this."

Michael: "That's quite an evening's work, Maxwell. Any other news to

report?"

Max: "Isn't that enought?"

(Michael and Isabel are quiet, and Max feels really guilty about taking

risks with their safety becaue of his lack of control around Liz.)

Isabel: "What changed your mind about Liz?"

Max: (pleading with them to understand) "I can't help it, Is." "I

tried to stop."

Michael: "Be careful, Max." "You can't get in too deep."

Isabel: "Max, I'm afraid you're already in way over your head where

she's concerned."

Max: "I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I've got it all

figured out, because I don't." " I just know that I have to try."

Isabel: (seeing how hard this is on her brother) "We love you, Max, you

know that."

Max: (relieved) "I know." "Thanks, Is."

Isabel smiles at him.

Michael: "Well, I'm outta here."

Max: (looking up) "Where you going?"

Michael: "Just a few more details I want to clear up on the Nasedo

thing." "See you."

Isabel: (to Max) "He hasn't been the same since night before last when

we tried and failed to contact Nasedo.

Max: "I know he's disappointed, Is, but I'm relieved that nothing

happened."

Isabel: "I think it's a little worse than disappointed. He's completely

out of character. I'm worried about him, Max."

CRASHDOWN -

Liz has just finished her shift and is in the back changing her clothes.

Max said he was taking her somewhere so they could "talk." Liz didn't

know whether to be happy or sad about this. What did he want to talk

about? Was he going to tell her again that he needed "space." Liz

really didn't think she could handle it if he did that again. She might

actually lose her temper. She devoutly wished that he didn't really have

any intention of talking to her at all tonight, but that would be a leap

into the realm of improbability. Well, all she could do was wait and see

. . . and hope . . .

Max: "Are you ready to go?"

Liz: "Ready as I'm going to get. Where are we going?"

Max: (smiles) "It's a secret."

Liz: (smiling, too . . . that sounded promising) "Oh . . . yeah . . .

hint?"

Max: "Nope."

They walk out of the Crashdown together and get into the jeep. They ride

beside each other just listening to the radio and content just to be

together.

AND ALL I CAN TASTE IS THIS MOMENT

AND ALL I CAN BREATHE IS YOUR LIFE

AND SOONER OR LATER IT'S OVER.

I JUST DON'T WANT TO MISS YOU TONIGHT.

They are headed out into the desert as far as Liz can tell, and she

wonders what in the world Max is up to. The night is clear and cool and

the sky is so beautiful . . . all those stars shining . . .

Liz: "Well it certainly is beauitful out here tonight."

Max: (turning to look at her) "It certainly is." He grabs her hand and

Liz gives him a supremely rewarding look. He swallows hard and

accelerates.

For the first time in weeks, Liz starts to relax and let herself enjoy

this time with Max without worrying about the past or the future. Just

this moment was so perfect. With a mischievious glint in her eye, Liz

makes up her mind to see if she can get Max to forget all about talking

to her. Liz casually leans over and rests her head on Max's shoulder.

He puts his arm around her, and Liz lets her hand rest on his knee. She

could've sworn she heard him say something under his breath, but decides

not to pursue it. She starts drawing little circles on his leg just

above his knee, seemingly without noticing she was even doing it. Max is

doing an admirable job of acting like Liz's closeness hasn't affected

him, but Liz thinks his breathing sounds a little different. Max is

thinking that if she doesn't stop that soon, he's never going to make it

to the place he wanted to take her tonight. He shifts a little in his

seat, trying to get comfortable, but finally gives up, realizing how

ridiculous it was to even try in his present condition.

Liz: (dreamily) "Max . . .

Max: "What?"

Liz: "Where did you say we were going . . .?"

Max: "I didn't say . . . besides, we're almost there."

Liz: (surprised) "We're in the middle of nowhere . . . "

Max: (completely serious) "Exactly." (returns his attention to driving

as fast as he can and still be safe)

Liz is smiling to herself now and just about to laugh because Max sounds

so . . . strained. His physical condition has not escaped her notice

either. Liz is pretending to just be resting and she's having an awful

time not laughing out loud at Max. When she's sure she has herself back

under control and won't bust out laughing, she slides her hand a little

higher up on Max's leg. She can feel his whole body tense beside her.

She starts dragging her fingernails around in circles again and is

delighted to feel him shift a bit forward in his seat . . . again! Well,

well, well, it was better to give than receive. She was actually make

him squirm for a change. Liz is fighting hard to keep a straight face,

but she takes a deep breath and presses on. Her hand slides higher still

up Max's leg dragging her fingernails the whole way. Max takes a deep

breath and Liz risks a peek at his face. He doesn't give much away in

his expression, but she can tell he's very much aware of her at this

moment.

Liz: "Max?" (still sounding a little sleepy)

Max: (strangled) "Yes?"

Liz: (pulling her hand up to the top of his thigh and resting it there)

"I just want you to know that I'm not going to make it easy for you . . .

"

Max: (completely misunderstanding and having a hard time thinking

straight anyway) "What?!?!"

Liz: "I'm not going to make it easy for you to keep secrets from me."

(laughing, now)

Max: "Hasn't anyone ever told you that it's dangerous to tease?"

(looking at her with a completely unreadable expression on his face)

Liz sits back in her own seat, thoroughly disgusted and more than a

little insecure. She just knew she had been getting to him, darn it!

How did he do that? It just wasn't natural for a guy to have all that .

. . control. While Liz is busy being disappointed that her machinations

hadn't pushed Max over the edge of his control, he's busy breathing a

sigh of relief for the reprieve. If she hadn't sat back when she did, he

didn't know what he would've done. She was making him crazy, and he had

a sneaking suspicion that she had done it on purpose. This only made it

more difficult to control himself, knowing that she wanted him that way

was just too much to ask of a guy. Finally, Max pulls off the highway

and drives a short distance from the road. He practically leaps out of

the jeep and reaches in back for a bundle that was tied up behind his

seat.

Max: "We're here." (walking around to Liz's side of the jeep)

Liz: "I see" (watching Max and trying to figure out what in the world

is going on)

Max: (holding out his hand to help her out of the jeep) "Are you

coming?"

Liz: (puts her hand in his and feels an overwhelming wave of desire

crash through her) (She just stares at their hands for a minute before

she realizes that she's supposed to be doing something) (She slowly

brings her eyes up to meet his and sees that Max is not impervious to her

after all.) (He almost looks like he really could maybe be dangerous.)

"Oh . . . my . . .

(Max pulls her out of the jeep gently but steadily toward him but he

doesn't kiss her.)

Max: "Let's go."

I DON'T WANT THE WORLD TO SEE ME,

'CAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT THEY'D UNDERSTAND.

WHEN EVERYTHING'S MEANT TO BE BROKEN . . .

I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW WHO I AM . . .

He leads her out into a beautiful clearing and unties the bundle. He

spreads out a blanket and Liz sits down on it while he builds a fire

quickly with the wood that was inside the blanket. Max sits down beside

her and grabs her hand. He is more prepared this time for the onslaught

of emotion that comes from touching her, but still . . .

Max: "I think there's something I should tell you . . ."

Liz groans to herself thinking, "Oh no, here it comes."

Liz: (searching his eyes for some clue as to what he's going to say)

"What?"

Max: "I wasn't going to bring you here tonight."

Liz: "You weren't?"

Max: "No . . . but I couldn't drive another 15 miles to the place I

really wanted to take you."

Liz: "Why not?"

Max: (kisses her gently and rests his forehead against hers) "Because

someone was doing her best to drive me completely insane all the way

here."

Liz: (swatting him lightly) "You jerk!" "I was getting to you!"

Max: (serious) "Liz, you get to me if you're anywhere in my immediate

vicinity and sometimes that's not even necessary."

Liz: "Well, I'm glad we had this little chat. I was having some serious

concerns . . ."

Max: (pulling her astride his lap facing him) (Liz gasps in surprise. )

"Let's just put those to rest right now . . ."

(kisses her again, this time with all the passion she could've hoped for

. . . and then some."

TBC

Title: Whiter Shade of Pale, Pt. 5

Author: Anne M.

e-mail address: annemccartney@jjuno.com

category: M/L

rating: NC17

disclaimer: I don't own Roswell or any of the characters. I have no

affiliation with the WB television network or the author, Melinda Metz.

Liz did not feel well this morning. The reflection in the mirror agreed

with her physical findings. She and Max had taken their relationship to

the next level last night . . . as far as she was concerned, this new

level stunk. She was pale and a little dizzy this morning after a

sleepless night. She understood his concerns; she really did. He was so

worried about what could happen if they actually made love. Liz was

worried, too, but not for herself the way Max was. She was worried about

him, as usual. What if something happened as a result that she couldn't

hide, and he was discovered. Nothing was worth that risk . . . was it?

The way she felt this morning, she was no longer sure. This was awful.

She ducked out of the bathroom and out into the hall. She saw him

standing there at the end of the hall, and the plan began forming in her

mind. Without even thinking about it, she gravitated toward him with a

dazed look on her face as her brain sorted through various ideas

discarding some and keeping others. She came to a halt in front of him,

and looked up into his face, which was now focused on her with a puzzled

expression. Michael Guerin had a really bad feeling about this.

Liz: "Michael, I need to talk to you."

Michael: "To me? Why?"

Liz: "I need a favor . . . and I don't want you to ask me a lot of

questions about it."

Michael (looking cornered): "I'm not making any committments until I

know what this is about."

Liz: (taking a deep breath and embracing the plan) "I need to borrow

your apartment . . . without you in it."

Michael (eyes widening and mouth open just a bit): "I, uh, . . . why?"

Liz: "I can't tell you why, . . . please, Michael."

Michael: (pretty much having guessed the reason now that he'd gotten

over the shock) "When?"

Liz: "This afternoon . . . and maybe even this evening." "Can you be

gone that long?"

Michael (smiling a little now): "Yeah . . . I can manage. I've been

meaning to take Maria out anyway."

Liz: "Thank you. I appreciate you not asking me a lot of questions."

Michael: "Liz, I hate to tell you this, but a lot of questions aren't

necessary. I'm not stupid."

Liz (blushing): "Oh . . . "

Michael: (thinking to himself that Max Evans led a charmed life) "Don't

worry, I won't say anything."

Liz: "Wait. There's one more thing . . ."

Michael (frowning): "What?"

Liz: "I need you to ask Max to meet you there after school today."

Michael (confused) "Me? Why?"

Liz: "Just do it, please."

Michael: "O.k., but just remember this if I ever need your help."

Liz: "Absolutely." (feeling so relieved, and probably the lack of sleep

muddying her brain, she reached up and kissed him on the cheek) Liz

walked out the doors to go meet Maria for lunch.

Michael smiled at her a little bemused, and wondered what Max Evans had

ever done to deserve this kind of devotion. But, then again, he'd only

saved her life and risked his own. Heading down the hallway, he paused

when he saw Max staring at him. He almost laughed out loud at the

expression on his face. He was mad as hell, and understandably so. He'd

probably just witnessed that whole scene at the other end of the hallway.

Michael: "Max, glad I ran into you. I need you to stop by my place

after school today. Can you make it?"

Max: (struggling to tamp down on his emotions) "Uh, sure, I guess so.

Why?"

Michael: "I'll tell you when you get there. Don't be late." (slapping

Max on the back, he goes off down the hall, grinning like an idiot at

Max's predicament)

Max, on the other hand, was not grinning. In spite of the fact that he

knew he'd had very little sleep, and there had to be a reasonable

explanation for Liz being with Michael, he could not shake off the anger

that was still slamming around inside of him. Maybe sexual frustration

deteriorated the brain's ability to be reasonable. That had to be it.

He felt like hell today. After the second trip through a cold shower

last night, he had finally given up and accepted the inevitable. He

didn't know how, but he was going to have to think of something. This

just could not go on. Liz hadn't looked any better this morning than he

felt. He could tell she hand't slept much last night either. Maybe they

should stop seeing each other. Man, he really must be tired, because

that was the stupidest thing he'd ever come up with. Not seeing her was

the only thing more torturous than not making love to her. He headed

outside to find Liz.

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

Liz skipped her last period that day, and headed over to Michael's

apartment. She wanted to shower and change her clothes before Max got

there. She found the key under the mat, and made a mental note to tell

Michael that it was a terrible habit to leave it there. She felt

nervous and excited and a little afraid. What if she couldn't convince

him that this was best for both of them? At least, she felt better than

she had earlier in the day. Hope was a powerful thing. She closed the

bathroom door behind her and set to work.

Michael couldn't believe he had forgotten his wallet at home. He

couldn't very well take Maria out with no money. She would just love

that! He'd asked her earlier in the day if she'd like to do something

after school today. When she'd recovered from the shock, she finally

said she'd love to. He liked to keep her off balance a little. It made

him feel a little more in control, even though he knew darn good and well

that he wasn't. She had wrapped him around her little finger a long time

ago in a motel room a long way from Roswell. Now, where was his wallet?

He stepped inside the apartment, and heard the water running in the

bathroom. He needed to get out of here quick. He went to the bedroom

after a cursory inspection revealed nothing in the outer room. He

finally located it behind the nightstand. Opening it up to see how much

money he had, he began to make his way out of the bedroom. Leaning

against the doorframe, he paused for a moment to get a better look at the

too small contents of the wallet. Just then, Max stepped inside the

apartment and Liz stepped out of the bathroom, wearing very little.

Michael's mouth fell open and so did Max's. Liz's expression was purely

horrified.

Liz: "Michael, what are you doing here?!?!"

Michael: "Liz, I'm sorry, I forgot my wallet . . . "

Max's ears were ringing . . . he couldn't even hear what they were saying

to each other. He wanted to kill MIchael. He backed out the door he

had just come through and headed for the jeep. He had almost gotten

there, when he felt a hand on his shoulder pulling him around. When he

saw that it was Michael, he almost lost his temper and hit him. Barely,

restraining himself, he spit the words at him, "What do you want?"

Michael: "Max, have you lost your mind?" "Think about this. Liz is so

in love with you, and she asked to borrow my apartment today, so she

could be alone with you." "I wasn't supposed to be here, but I forgot my

wallet."

Max: (hearing the words but struggling to accept them) "I saw you with

her earlier today . . . she kissed you . . . "

Michael: "She was asking me for the apartment and thanking me when I

said yes . . . that's it." "I should've told you earlier when I knew

you'd seen us, but I didn't want to ruin her surprise, and I was sort of

enjoying your discomfort."

Max just stared at him and tried to sort out what Michael was telling

him, but he was so tired and angry, and it was difficult to face the

logic of what he was saying.

Michael: "Max, Liz is really upset. If you have any sense at all, you

will get your butt back in there . . . NOW!"

This last comment finally made it through the red haze that had been

clouding Max's mind. She had only tried to surprise him, and now she was

probably scared to death wondering what he was thinking. He was an

idiot. He knew better than this. If he hadn't been operating all day

with no sleep, he would've known immediately that there was nothing going

on between Liz and Michael.

Max: "Michael, I'm sorry . . . . . "

Michael: "Understandable . . . now GO!" "You can apologize to me later

when I can enjoy it." "Right now I'm concerned for my life."

Max (smiling for the first time all day): "I'm going."

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

Max stepped back inside the apartment, and stopped in his tracks when he

saw Liz sitting on the couch with her face in her hands, crying. He

couldn't believe he had hurt her like this. As punishments go, this was

pretty horrible. He deserved it, though. He sat down on the couch and

pulled Liz onto his lap. She stopped crying abruptly and looked at him

and threw her arms around his neck.

Max: "I'm sorry, Liz. I don't know what came over me . . . I saw you

with Michael earlier today, and . . . there's just no excuse. I'm

sorry."

Liz: "It's o.k. I can't imagine how I would've reacted under similar

circumstances. Well, yes, I can, but I'd rather not think about it."

Max: "So, what was this all about, Liz?"

Liz: (chuckling but looking like she might cry again any second) "A

fairly spectacular failure at trying to seduce you."

Max: "Seduce me?" "I hate to tell you this after you've gone to all

this trouble, but all you have to do is be in the room."

Liz: (embarassed) "I know, but after last night . . . "

Max: (comprehension dawning) "Oh . . . you mean you wanted to . . ."

Liz: (blush becoming magenta) "Yeah. I had a really miserable night

last night, and got no sleep whatsoever, and it seemed like a good idea

at the time . . ." (She finished weakly.)

Max: "Do you still think it's a good idea?"

Liz (head snapping up and eyes wide): "Do you?"

Max (laughing): "No, I absolutely do not, but I can't help myself."

(eyes falling to her pretty mouth)

Liz: (anticipating the kiss) "Max . . . "

Max closed his mouth over hers and sighed inwardly as his emotions

settled into place, finally. She was warm and soft and smelled heavenly,

and what was this thing she had on? She looked sexy as hell on a bad

day, but this . . . . .

Max squirmed underneath Liz's bottom in an effort to get more

comfortable. It didn't work. Liz brought her hand up to Max's face and

delighted in the feeling of his rough skin against her hand. For the

first time today, she felt content. Abruptly, Max tightened his arms

around her and stood up. The constricted space in his jeans had become

distinctly unpleasant in a sitting position. Liz didn't even think about

where they were going. She was too busy being kissed. Even the

smallest details were perfect. Maybe it was just that he was perfect.

Some awareness did register in her foggy brain when she felt the cool

sheets from the bed against her skin, but the next sensation drove out

all thought of the last, when Max followed her down and stretched out

full length on top of her. He was heavy, and he seemed so much larger

than her normal perception of him. She didn't think she'd ever get

enough of kissing him. It was a form of making love all by itself.

She opened her mouth a little wider and Max didn't hesitate to take

advantage of the invitation. Liz kept getting that funny falling feeling

in the pit of her stomach every time he kissed her this way. She ran her

hands inside his jacket and started to push it off his shoulders.

Understanding what she wanted, Max sat up and finished taking off the

jacket. Liz sat up, too, and started to work on the buttons on his

shirt. Max watched her hands move from one button to the next, and

fought against the rising tide of desire that was threatening to consume

him. She pushed the shirt off his shoulders and it slid down his arms

and pooled on the bed. Liz placed the palm of her hand flat against his

chest and felt the heat of his skin under her fingers. She slid her hand

down to his stomach, exploring as she went. She was fascinated with

his body and the way the muscles shifted under his skin. She moved on to

the waistband of his pants and stopped to look at him, almost as if she

were asking for permission. He swallowed hard, and tried to breathe, and

Liz realized how much he was struggling. She said, "Tell me what to do

for you." He picked up her hand and placed a kiss in the center of her

palm, and unfastened his pants with his other hand. He stood up and

pushed them down and off quickly along with the shorts. For one peaceful

moment, he was distracted by the problem of her outfit and how to remove

it. Having no such distraction, Liz poured all of her concentration into

the pleasure of seeing this part of Max that she had only felt before.

Max sat back down on the bed and pushed her backwards gently by placing

his hands on her shoulders. He leaned over her and brought his lips

close to hers but didn't kiss her. He held his face just above hers and

looked into her eyes, and shifted until he was lying on top of her again.

Liz gasped at the new sensations that were coursing across her nerve

endings. He slid his knee between her legs separating them, and rocked

his hips forward pressing against her. Max was still watching her face,

and gauging her reaction closely for any sign that she may have changed

her mind. Finding none, he kissed her again slowly rubbing his lips

across hers. He left a trail of kisses down her chin and throat before

moving out across her collarbone. He pushed the spaghetti strap off her

shoulder and continued leaving hot, wet open mouth kisses all the way

across her chest to the other strap. Without concious thought, Liz

arched her lower body, blending her movements with the rhythm of Max's.

Max slid down her body and slipped one hand under her back pressing

upward until her head fell back, and then he opened his mouth over her

breast and teased her with his tongue right through the lacey material

that still covered her. Max lifted his head and found the material

covering Liz to be quite transparent now that it was wet. That destroyed

what was left of his resolve to slow down. He sat up and reached for the

snaps that held the teddy together between her legs. Finding the

material soaking wet did nothing to help him regain his control. His

body ached for release. Liz sat up a little as Max pulled the teddy the

rest of the way off of her. She was even more beautiful than he had

imagined and his imagination had been darn good. He pressed her back

down again and once more fitted his body to hers. Liz found that every

nerve she had responded to the places where Max's body touched hers.

She felt like she was drowning under these new sensations. Her body was

drawn tight . . . waiting. Max, looking into her eyes, silently asked

her if she still wanted this. Without speaking, she communicated that

she did. Max kissed her again, this time with a ferocious intensity that

stole her breath. Now she was aware of how much he had been holding

back. She kissed him back, and he slid his hand between their bodies to

find her wet, swollen passage with his fingers. He caressed her until

she was writhing against his hand, and he couldn't wait another second.

Positioning himself at the entrance of her body, he slowly began pushing

inside her. He paused for just a moment, until Liz opened her eyes and

looked into his. He could see a little fear in her face, but no pain.

He pushed again, and stopped when he heard her suck in her breath. She

felt stretched and unbearably full, but not really in any pain. He

waited and then rocked forward a little more, and her body yielded,

relaxing and then contracting all around him. Liz felt her mind open up

right along with her body, as she adjusted to having Max inside her. She

felt his heartbeat merge with hers as it changed pace to fall in line.

She felt her breathing change to match his, so that it was as if they

were one person. He heard her thoughts in his mind and knew everything

she was thinking at this moment. The thought that hit him the hardest

was the overwhelming knowledge of how much she loved him. She felt his

emotions as if they were her own, and the certainty of his feelings for

her almost brought her to tears. She felt the control he was exerting

over his body, because now she could feel the sharp, insistent need in

him. She pulled her legs up just a little, but it was enough to press

him deeper into her. Max desperately did not want to hurt her. He

wavered for a moment, and Liz tentatively moved her hips, silently

telling him that she was fine. He took over then, slowly at first, but

building quickly into a much faster pace. The violence of orgasm was a

shock to Liz, as it raged through her and left her completely spent. Max

was just as surprised as Liz at the intensity of the bond that been

forged between them. If he had thought to put an end to being frustrated

by making love to her, he had made a serious tactical error, because now

he needed her in a way that defied description. Liz wondered, too, at

this new direction her life had taken. She felt different inside . . .

like somehow old things were missing and new things had taken their

place. She would never be a whole person again without Max. He would

never be a whole person again without her. They didn't know it yet, but

soon they would find out just how true that was . . .

TBC

Title: Whiter Shade of Pale, Pt. 6

Author: Anne M.

E-mail: annemccartney@juno.com

Category: M/L

Rating: NC17

Disclaimer: I don't own Roswell or any of the characters. I have no

affiliation with the WB television network or the author, Melinda Metz.

Liz came awake slowly, somewhat groggy and disoriented. Where was she?

Consciousness returned with a flood of awareness. Max. How long had she

been sleeping? She took a moment to savor the weight of Max's arm around

her waist and the feel of him pressed all along the back of her body.

She could feel his breath on her skin. Oh, but this was glorious. And,

they absolutely had to get out of here. Long shadows were falling inside

the apartment and she knew it had to be getting late. Once in this

lifetime was quite enough to be discovered unclothed by Michael. She

turned over to face Max and he opened his eyes. Liz watched his face and

thought that those were the most amazing eyes. She could feel him waking

up and putting things into place in his mind. She held her breath a

little waiting to see if he was going to regret what they had done. She

really didn't know how she would deal with that. In all of her planning

this morning, she had left out that teensy, weensy detail. Now all of a

sudden, it seemed the size of the Grand Canyon. What if he resented her

for . . .

He kissed her then. A slow, deliberate sort of a kiss, and in her mind,

she heard him reassuring her. He wasn't having second thoughts. Only

concerns about the possible consequences for her. As he continued to

kiss her, she also felt the tremendous love he had for her, and she felt

completely undone. It was humbling, and overwhelming, and a little

frightening to be in love like this. She would literally cease to exist

without him now. She could never go back to being just Liz Parker.

Herself. She knew with absolute certainty that somehow they had made a

deep and abiding committment to each other that superceded any sort of

legal or moral obligation. It was as if the bonds were made up of

invisible, physiological changes in her body and altered chemical

reactions in her brain. Finally, he pulled back and looked into her

eyes once more, pushing her hair back behind her ear. She didn't want

this moment to ever end. Right now, right here, her life was perfect.

Who knows what tomorrow would bring?

Liz: (quietly) "We had better go soon. I would really hate for Michael

to come home and catch us."

Max: (expression serious and intent) "Are you o.k.? I mean,

physically, how do you feel?"

Liz: (laying her hand along his jaw) "I'm fine."

Max: (searching her face and feeling satisfied that she was telling the

truth) "O.k. I guess I better get you home."

Liz: (feeling a little disturbed inside at the thought of him dropping

her off at her house) "Max? . . ."

Max: "I know. I feel the same way. We're just going to have to deal

with it the best we can, though."

Liz: "Do you suppose it's just normal to feel this way?"

Max: "I'm not sure. It doesn't really matter. It's normal for us, and

that's all that counts."

Liz: "You're right." (sliding off the bed and dragging her clothes on

as quickly as possible)

As soon as they finished dressing, Liz picked up her bag and headed for

the door. Max was right behind her. He put one hand on the door knob,

but before twisting it, he held out his other hand to Liz. She slid her

fingers in between his and watched in amazement, as their hands began to

glow. Max stared at their fingers and felt everything inside him respond

to the sight. More than just wanting to take her to bed again, although

that was enough, he just wanted her beside him. Always.

The front door opened, and Michael and Maria almost ran over top of them.

Michael stared at their glowing hands, and found he couldn't find his

voice. Maria had no such problem.

Maria: "Oh my God." "What the hell is that?"

Liz (breaking out of the spell) "I don't know."

Maria: "You don't know. What do you mean you don't know?"

Michael: (recovering marginally) "Max, I'm sorry. I thought you'd be

gone by now . . . " (unable to take his eyes off their hands)

Max: (prying his gaze away and looking at Michael) "It's o.k. We were

just leaving."

Maria: "Maybe you should like, let go now, before you short out the

power or something."

Michael: "Maybe you should stay here a little while longer and see if

anything else happens." (worried)

Max: (looking at Liz) "Maybe we should . . . "

Liz: "Yeah . . . "

Maria: (suspicious now that the shock is beginning to wear off) "What

did you do . . . . . . ?"

Liz: (blushing) "Maria, just don't freak out, okay? It's fine. Just .

. . "

Maria: (looking at Liz like she'd lost her mind) "It's fine. Liz,

glowing hands? You call that fine. Who knows what else might happen to

you? Oh God. I think I need to sit down." (she slumps into the nearest

chair)

Max (pulling Liz over to the sofa): "We'll just stay for a little while

and see." (let's go of her hand and puts his arm around her shoulders

pulling her close to his side) (whispering to Liz) "Tell me if you feel

anything strange."

Liz nodded her agreement to Max, but inside she was thinking, "Boy!

Howdy! I haven't felt anything but strange! Wonderful, but strange

nonetheless." He smiled at this, because, of course, he heard her

thoughts as clearly as if she had said it out loud. Liz looked at him in

consternation, because she realized with some alarm that her private

thoughts were not private any time she was touching Max. She wasn't sure

how she felt about this, but it was certainly disconcerting. Not bad .

. . just different.

Michael was sitting on the arm of Maria's chair and watching her with

concern. She looked like she was in shock. No telling what was running

around in that mind. He was actually glad at this moment that he didn't

know. They had been having a wonderful time on their "date." It was the

first time they had ever really relaxed with each other and just enjoyed

being together. Michael found that when he was with Maria, the past and

all those answers that so eluded him didn't matter as much and didn't

hurt nearly as bad. Ever since the night when she had let him stay with

her, he had started to feel different inside. He still wanted to find

Nasedo, and he was darn close to figuring something out with that map,

but the urgency was gone. Now, he was just worried about Maria's

reaction to Max and Liz's apparent decision to move forward. She looked

like she'd just witnessed a train wreck.

Max: (to Liz) "Are you hungry?"

Liz: (looking a little startled at hearing his audible voice) "Uh, yeah

. . . a little."

Max (smiled at her again and thought how cute she looked when she was off

balance) "Maybe we should order a pizza. Does that sound good to you?"

Liz: "Pizza's good."

Max: (to Michael) "We're gonna order a pizza. You guys wanna join us?"

Michael nodded his agreement, but just then Maria broke out of her

reverie.

Maria: (aghast) "Food? How can you even think about food right now?"

Michael (trying to be soothing) "C'mon Maria. It's not like we didn't

know it was coming." "Had to happen sooner or later."

Maria: (looking at him with an expression of utter disbelief) "Have you

lost your mind?" "What if something happens like that . . . that hand

thing . . . what if someone sees . . . what if they find out about . . .

(swallowing and finishing weakly) you?"

Liz blanched as Maria uttered her worst fears. Max felt the sadness and

regret from Liz wash over him in a wave and it made him angry inspite of

the legitimacy of Maria's concerns. Michael, on the other hand, was

catching a glimpse of what the real problem was with Maria. She wasn't

nearly as worried about Liz as she was about he and Max and Isabel being

discovered. This was very interesting and unexpected. Unless he missed

his guess, she was terrified of his identity being revealed. He

reached down and picked up one of her tiny hands and held it in his until

she looked at him again. She finally did look him in the eye, but it

took a minute.

Michael: (staring into her wide, frightened eyes) "Don't worry. We'll

handle it. Whatever happens . . . we'll deal with it."

Maria (whispering and looking unconvinced) "What if we can't . . . ?"

Michael (giving her hand a reassuring squeeze): "We will."

Maria finally took a deep breath and accepted the inevitable. There was

no going back now and no amount of worry would change things. She looked

at Liz and felt a pang of guilt at her friends tormented expression.

Maria: "Liz, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just . . . I'm

sorry."

Liz: (smiling a little) "I know. It's o.k."

Max knew this was far from over. Liz appeared to relax a little on the

outside, but he could see the shadows in her eyes and feel the emotions

she couldn't hide. He got up and went to the phone and ordered the

pizza. Maria got up and went over to sit beside Liz giving her a quick

hug.

Maria (pulling back from the embrace) "You and I have a lot of talking

to do."

Liz (blushing and grinning at the same time) "I don't know, Maria. It

was . . . personal. Intensely personal. I'm not sure I even could . .

."

Maria (smiling): "Try!"

Liz (trying not to laugh and hissing) "Not now!"

Maria (backing off slightly) "O.k., but SOON!" (grinning

mischieviously)

Max and Michael are talking quietly with one another across the room.

Michael: "Has she forgiven me, yet?"

Max: (confused) "Huh? . . . Oh, yeah, I, uh, I don't know. We didn't

talk about it . . . "

Michael (smiling) "Big surprise there."

Max: (smiling, too, but keeping a watchful eye on Liz): "Yeah, we

didn't exactly spend a lot of time talking . . ."

Michael: "I figured that out. I suppose it goes without saying, but you

did take precautions, right?"

Max: (blushing) "Yeah, we did. Well, actually Liz did. She told me

the other night that she was on birth control pills."

Michael: "Bet that was hell on your, er, willpower."

Max (rueful): "You have no idea."

Michael: "That why you looked so grizzly today?"

Max: "Yeah."

Michael: "Well, I don't know, but you certainly couldn't go around like

that indefinitely."

Max: "I know." . . . . "I'm worried about her, Michael."

Michael: "I know." "I'll be here if there's anything I can do."

Max: (in a rare moment of letting himself lean on someone else)

"Thanks."

Michael thought to himself how nice it was, for once , to be the one

helping someone else who had done something totally out of control. For

one shining moment in time, Max Evans, had let go and done something

irresponsible. Michael couldn't help smiling at the thought, even

though, he too, was worried about the consequences. A knock on the

door brought the four of them out of their individual thoughts. They all

looked at each other. It was too soon for the pizza to be here. Michael

went to the door and peeked out. It was Isabel and Alex. He opened the

door.

Michael: "Hey. What's up?"

Isabel: "We just thought we'd stop by. Alex wanted to see your place.

Is this a bad time?"

Michael (rolling his eyes): "Like you'd care."

Isabel (smiling): "Well, can we come in?"

Michael stands asides to let them in and says, "Sure. Everybody else is

here. Why not?"

Max: "Hey, Is."

Isabel: (surprised) "Max. Hey. What are you doing here?"

Max: (glancing at Liz as if to tell her not to worry) "We're going to

have dinner with Michael and Maria. You guys want to have pizza with

us?"

Isabel: (wondering what was up) "Sure. Alex?"

Alex: "I love pizza."

Max: "Good."

Max goes to sit back down beside Liz, but he's careful not to touch her

this time. If and when he told Isabel about the current state of his

relationship with Liz, he wanted it to be at a time of his choosing and

not here in front of everyone. Liz seemed to understand and gave him a

sympathetic look. So far nothing else strange had happened. Maybe . . .

Just then there was another knock on the door. Michael went to answer it

and Max also got up to pay for the pizza. The six of them went to work

on the pizza and soon everyone was situated with a plate in hand. Liz

picked up her pizza and took a bite out of it. She chewed it for just a

second before turning pale and looking like she might head for the

bathroom any minute. Maria noticed her expression right away.

Maria: "Liz! What's wrong?"

Liz couldn't answer because her mouth was still full of the offensive

pizza. Max stopped eating to look at her and was alarmed to notice the

green tinge to her skin. Not an unusual green, but just a sea sick sort

of green.

Max: "Are you o.k.?"

Liz (finally managing to swallow and reaching for her drink): "Yeah.

I'm sorry. That just didn't taste right."

Liz brings her drink to her lips and takes a sip and notices that it,

too, tastes terrible. She sets her glass down and wonders how she's

going to get through this meal. She doesn't want to call any attention

to herself, but how was she supposed to eat this stuff? It was

terrible. No wait. Everyone else was eating and seemed fine. It must

just be her. Maybe she was coming down with a cold. No. That wasn't

it. She sat there puzzled and glaring at the pizza on her plate as if

she might be able to make it disappear by sheer force of will.

Isabel: "Are you o.k., Liz?" "You're not eating."

Liz: "I, uh, I'm just not very hungry."

Isabel (grinning): "What's the matter? Did you get in a fight with my

knucklehead brother?"

Liz: (too stunned to speak properly) "Uh . . . "

Max: (disgusted) "No. We did not have a fight."

Isabel: (vaguely suspicious) "Sorry. I was just kidding."

Liz: (finding her voice) "No big deal. You know, he ticks me off on a

regular basis, so it's no wonder you'd think that."

Max (snapping his head around to look at Liz and almost blowing it before

he realizes what she's doing) "I, uh, yeah."

Isabel: "Well, you shouldn't let it interfere with your appetite. He's

not worth it."

Liz: (laughing now at the look on Max's face) "I would have to disagree

with you there."

Max (somewhat mollified): "Thank you. I think."

The six of them finish their dinner, all except for Liz who simply cannot

handle it. Max and Liz get up to leave and Max, once again, is careful

not to touch her until they get in the jeep. Once safely inside, he

reaches for her hand and is deeply relieved to see that everything is

normal. Liz lets out her breath on a long sigh.

Max: "Well, maybe it was just because it was so soon after . . ."

Liz: "Yeah . . . maybe." (smiling at him and melting inside at the

memory)

Max didn't even have to be touching her to know what she was thinking

this time. The thought had an immediate and pronounced affect on his

body. He leaned over and kissed her then and Liz almost moaned in

delight at the taste of him. He pulled away and she ran her tongue

across her lips trying to figure out what tasted so good. Eyes widening

in surprise, she sat back in her seat, and stared at the road.

Max: "What's wrong?"

Liz: "You are not going to believe this."

Max: (alarmed) "What?"

Liz: "It's the tabasco sauce."

Max: (confused) "What is?"

Liz: "What tasted so good when you kissed me, besides you, of course.

It's the tabasco sauce."

Max: "You're kidding. I didn't think you liked it."

Liz: "I don't. Didn't. (she amended) But, I'm definitely going to

find some when I get home. I'm hungry."

Max: (perplexed) "Is that why you didn't eat your dinner tonight?"

Liz: "I think so. Nothing tasted . . . . right." (shrugging)

Max: "If that's true, then . . . "

Liz: (following his train of thought) "Yeah, what other things have

changed?"

Max: (shaking his head and feeling really helpless) "I don't know, Liz.

I'm sorry."

Liz: (reaching out and grabbing hold of his hand) "Don't be. I wanted

this. It was my choice. No regrets."

Max: (brightening a little but still worried) "Are you sure?"

Liz (smiling) "Positive."

Max: "We better get going."

Liz: "O.k."

They reach Liz's house quickly, and Max walks her to the door. He pulls

her into a quick hug and kisses her lightly. When he pulls back, Liz can

see that his eyes are filled with longing to stay with her and regret

that he can't. She touches his face and kisses him one more time before

heading inside. It was one of the hardest things she'd ever had to do.

Walking away. Even if it was just for tonight. She knew she would see

him tomorrow, but still . . .

She goes up to her room and turns on the shower. Stripping off her

clothes she steps into the shower. That was odd. The water felt so

cold. Looking at the handles she wondered if something had happened to

their hot water heater. She'd ask her parents when she got out, which

would be soon darn it. The water was just barely warm. Turning the hot

water on as far as it would go seemed to help and she made it through the

shower in relative comfort. Dressing for bed quickly, she turned toward

her bedroom door to head for the kitchen but the phone rang. Turning

back to answer it, she sat down on the bed and smiled. It had to be Max.

Liz: "Hey."

Max: (thrown off by the way she answered) "Liz? How'd you know it was

me?"

Liz: "I don't know. I just did."

Max: "How are you doing?" "Everything o.k.?"

Liz: (feeling better just for hearing his voice) "Stop worrying. I'm

fine." "How are you?"

Max: (laughing) "Now who's worrying?"

Liz: "Well I can't help it."

Max: "Did you get something to eat?"

Liz: "No, not yet. I decided to take a shower first. Wish I hadn't."

Max: "Why?"

Liz: "I think something's wrong with out hot water. I'm going to talk

to Dad about it in a minute."

Max: "Don't do that."

Liz: "Why not?"

Max: "It's not the water. It's you."

Liz: "What?"

Max: "I have to turn the hot water on full blast when I take a shower

and that's usually still not as warm as I would like it." (feeling

exasperated) "God, Liz." "This is getting strange."

Liz: "You're telling me! I'm glad you called when you did. I can't

imagine trying to explain to my Dad."

Max: "Why don't you go eat and call me before you go to sleep and let me

know what's going on."

Liz: "Max, I'll be fine. You didn't get any sleep last night. Go to

bed. I'll see you in the morning."

Max: (reluctantly) "Are you sure?"

Liz: "Yeah. What can happen while I'm sleeping?"

Max: (groaning) "I wouldn't even hazard a guess."

Liz (laughing): "Thank you, Max."

Max: "What for?"

Liz: (quietly) "For making my first time perfect."

Max: (swallowing hard and closing his eyes) "Perfect, huh?"

Liz: "Yes. But, I hope this doesn't go to your head."

Max: (glancing at his lap) "Too late."

Liz: "What?"

Max: "Nevermind. . . . . Liz, I love you."

Liz: (blinking back tears) "I love you, too, Max."

Max: "Good night."

Liz: "Night, Max."

Max drifted off to sleep with the sound of her voice telling him she

loved him still echoing in his mind. He was so tired he didn't even

worry about what would happen tomorrow.

Liz snuck downstairs to the Crashdown and grabbed a bottle of tabasco

sauce off one of the tables. Slipping it into her pocket, she went back

to her room with her dinner. Her Mom had been a little concerned that

she hadn't already eaten, but Liz just explained that she'd been busy

studying and forgot. When had she become such a good liar? Must've been

when Max's life began to depend on her ability to prevaricate. For him,

she'd do anything that was necessary--gladly, and without remorse. She

sat down on her bed and uncapped the bottle. Just the smell had her

mouth watering. After finishing her snack, she sat back on her bed and

realized how exhausted she felt. Atleast, the food had tasted right this

time. She was just so very sleepy . . .

TBC

Max awoke the next morning feeling considerably better than he had the

previous one. He sat up and scrubbed at his face and looked at the

clock. If he didn't get moving right now, he'd be late. He definitely

did not want to be late today. He wanted . . . no, he needed to see Liz

before school this morning for at least two reasons. First, he needed to

reassure himself that she was o.k. today and that nothing else strange

had happened to her. Second, he just had to get his hands on her . . .

soon. He wasn't sure which one was most important, but he was vaguely

suspicious that it was probably the second. Although, Liz's strange

reactions yesterday were enough to off-set some of his unruly hormones.

Some, but certainly not all. He smiled to himself as he got out of bed.

Well, she certainly had managed to surprise him. Surprise hell! It was

more like an ambush. And, he hoped she did it again in the very near

future. He had always thought it would be simply impossible for him to

actually have sex. He had even accepted it to some degree, hanging all

of his hope on the possibility of finding out where they were from and

returning home. But, now what was done was done. They would just have

to handle the consequences as they arose. He realized something else

this morning. The empty place inside of him that usually ached all day

long every day, was gone. In it's place, was the sweetest knowledge that

he was not only not alone, but loved with such an intensity that it

made him feel complete for the first time in his life.

AT SCHOOL --------------

Maria and Liz are sitting in the parking lot, getting ready to go inside.

They are a few minutes early, so Maria is taking advantage of the

opportunity to "talk" to Liz about last night.

Maria: "Are you sure nothing else weird has happened since last night?

Besides, the tabasco sauce thing, and may I just add, that is totally

weird."

Liz (laughing a little): "No, nothing else. I just can't wait to see

Max, but that's normal."

Maria: "Uh-huh. O.k. So . . . . "

Liz: "So . . . . what?"

Maria: (exasperated) "Details, girl. I want details."

Liz (blushing) "Maria, I don't think I can even begin . . . "

Maria: "I'll help you. You asked Michael for the apartment. He

consented. Max came in while Michael was there. Got jealous. Came

back. Your turn."

Liz: (reeling from the lightning synopsis) "Uh, . . . o.k., Max came in

and I was sitting on the couch. He apologized for getting so angry, and

one thing led to another, and . . ."

Maria: "Wait. Wait. What thing led to what other thing?"

Liz: (flushed but not from embarassment) "We kissed, and Maria,

(turning to look at her squarely) it was indescribable. I can't even

think of any words that would be right. Incredible, wonderful, amazing,

too good to be true--None of this even comes close."

Maria (sitting back and exhaling) "Oh my God." (thoughts turning to

Michael without conscious provocation)

Liz: "I know. I'm sorry, Maria. I just don't know how to tell you . .

. "

Maria: (very distracted now thinking about her own relationship) "It's

o.k. I think I'm beginning to get the picture."

Liz: "We better get inside. Max is looking for me."

Maria (losing her train of thought completely): "What did you say?"

Liz: "I said, Max is looking for . . . . me."

Maria: "Liz! How do you know that?"

Liz: "I don't know, Maria. I just do."

Maria: "Oh my God. Be careful, Liz. You know it doesn't matter with

me, but anyone else who heard that . . . . "

Liz: (solemn) "I know." "Let's go. I need to find Max and talk to

him."

Maria: "Just be sure that's all you do."

Liz: "It's a little late for that now."

Maria: "I know. I'd just hate for you to get hauled to the principal's

office for being caught with your . . . well, you know."

Liz: "Yeah. I get the point. Let's hurry, we're almost out of time."

Maria: "O.k."

Liz practically ran through the hall to her locker and as predicted, Max

was anxiously waiting for her arrival. He smiled when he saw her, but

she could tell he had been getting worried.

Liz: (walking straight into his arms) "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to

worry you. Everything's fine, but I do need to talk to you."

Max (relieved to see her and concerned about what she needed to talk

about): "O.k. Let's go."

They slip unnoticed into the eraser room. Max locks the door and turns

around. Liz is standing there looking at him with an expression on her

face that sends a wave of lust crashing through him. He reaches out and

grabs her around the waist and pulls her close, setting his mouth down on

hers and sliding his tongue inside. Liz forgot everything she had

wanted to say in an instant. Fire flew through her body as it melted

against his. Max groaned into her mouth, and deepened the kiss. Liz

felt her body changing. She felt the wetness and heat between her legs.

She whimpered in the back of her throat, and silently begged him not to

stop. Max heard her thoughts as if she'd said them, and raging need

exploded in his stomach and sent shock waves out through his chest and

then down low into his belly, finally settling in his already straining

erection. He lifted her up against him, carrying her with him to the

counter. Setting her down, he ran his hands up her outer thighs, pushing

her skirt up as he went. Liz shoved her shaking hands into his hair,

cradling his skull as she began to suck on his tongue. Max lifted her

slightly and pulled her underwear down and off. He slipped his hand

between her legs sliding one of his fingers inside her. He felt how

ready she was and it nearly cost him any semblance of control. Liz was

frantic now. Her body arched and she shivered from her head to her toes

in one long convulsive motion. Max tore at his jeans and in less than a

second, he was buried inside her. It was a good thing she was right

with him, because he didn't have it in him to slow down. He moved back

just slightly before rocking his hips forward again thrusting harder each

time. He felt the tightening of Liz's muscles around him just as he let

go in a mind-bending release. He could hear Liz screaming out his name

in his head, as she went over, as well. He could hear himself telling

her how much he loved her. Her body shuddered as the narrow muscles that

held him contracted endlessly. He held her close and tried to

understand what had just happened. He hadn't meant to do this. He had

only intended to kiss her, but he couldn't stop. He was still pulsing

inside her, as he kissed her tenderly on the forehead. She nuzzled her

nose just under his jaw and kissed the side of his throat. He smelled

so good. Tasted good, too.

Max: (humbled by his lack of control) "I'm sorry, Liz." "Did I hurt

you?"

Liz: (smiling) "No, you didn't." (looking at him with so much love on

her face that it took his breath away)

Max: "I think we're late." (He reluctantly pulled back from her picked

her underwear up off the floor and held them out for her to slide in her

feet.)

Liz: "I was going to tell you something before we . . . "

Max: (amused) " . . . lost our reason . . ."

Liz: (glad for the rescue) "Yeah. The thing is, I was talking to

Maria this morning, and . . ."

Max: "A-ha. That explains why you were so late."

Liz: (giving him a mock frown) " . . . and, I could feel that you were

waiting for me. I told Maria that I needed to go because you were

looking for me. I didn't even think about it. I just knew that you

were."

Max (finishing his own clothes after having set Liz's to rights but

pausing as her comments sunk in): "Like, you read my mind?"

Liz: "No. I can only do that when we're touching." (meeting his gaze

steadily)

Max: (taking a deep breath as the return of desire made itself felt):

"So you just somehow knew that I was looking for you, sort of intuitive."

Liz: "Yeah. That's a good word for it."

Max: "Liz . . . I think maybe we should check some things out in the lab

this afternoon. We've been needing to work on that project for bio

anyway. Maybe we can make a few slides and see if anything shows up."

Liz: (frowning in concentration as the point of the exercise sinks in):

"What exactly are we looking for, Max?"

Max: (tucking her hair back behind her ear and looking in her eyes) "I

don't know, Liz. I'm sorry. I just don't know."

Liz: "You think something's changed, though, in my body, I mean."

Max: "I think it seems possible with all the things you've described."

Liz: "So, we'll have to do some slides from you as well, so we can

compare."

Max: "Yeah."

Liz: "O.k." "I guess we better get out of here and get to class."

Max: "Probably. . . . . "Liz, . . .."

Liz: "What?"

Max: "You know something has changed, don't you?"

Liz: "Yes. I can feel it. I felt it yesterday. It was like I wasn't

an individual anymore. I couldn't explain it then so I didn't try. I

can't really explain it now. It was just like . . ."

Max: ". . . . becoming half of a whole."

Liz: (nodding her head, relieved that he had felt it, too.): "Yeah, in

a very permanent sort of way." "Not even like marriage, but something

else . . ."

Max: "Marriages can be dissolved."

Liz: "I don't think this can, Max." "I don't know what I'm saying; it's

just a feeling."

Max: "It's not just a feeling if I feel it, too."

Liz: "What does it mean, Max?"

Max: "I don't know. The only thing I can tell you for sure is I will

never let you go willingly."

Liz: (nodding) "That's good, because I think I would die . . . . not

just of a broken heart, but physically."

Max: (smiling) "We'll just have to make sure it never comes to that."

"Let's go."

Searching around quickly and checking each other to make sure everything

was in place they hurried out the door and to their respective classes.

LUNCH TIME --

The six of them are having lunch together today outside. It's a

beautiful, cool, day, and they're all enjoying a chance to just be

together as friends. Isabel hasn't said anything, but she's secretly

delighted with this group of people knowing who she is and being able to

just "be" without fear of exposure. It was so . . . . refreshing, after

so many years of hiding and keeping herself apart emotionally. She was

just a tad suspicious of Max and Liz right now, though. Something was

not quite right. They looked even more besotted with each other than

usual. Isabel wondered how that could even be possible.

Alex: "So, Maria, are you up for singing with us Friday night?"

Maria: "Sure. I'm always up for that. I'll even try to make it onto

the stage without hyper-ventilating this time."

Alex: "You were terrific. There's no reason for you to be so nervous."

Liz: (remembering that night and eyes darkening in pain) "You were so

good, Maria." "Can we come, too?"

Isabel didn't miss the way Liz said we without even asking Max first.

Like she wouldn't even think of going by herself. And, like there was

no possible way that Max would have anything else to do on Friday night.

Strange. Max didn't miss the look of pain that flashed across her face

at the reminder of that night. He tightened his arm around her and

leaned close so he could whisper in her ear.

Max: (to Liz) "You don't ever have to worry about me walking away from

you again. I'm sorry I hurt you."

Liz: "The funny thing about that night was that it was the most

wonderful and the most horrible all at the same time." "Knowing how you

felt about me and still watching you walk away was really hard."

Max: "I know. I'm sorry."

Liz (smiling): "Well, I'll let you make it up to me later."

Max (chuckling): "Sounds . . . . intriguing."

Liz: "Just you wait."

Michael: (to Maria) "Can I come, too?"

Maria (struggling with the idea and then reaching a decision) "Of

course. Yes."

Michael (wondering why she hesitated): "I'll be there."

Maria (distracted with her own thoughts): "Good." "Alex, do you think

the band would be up for something a little different?"

Alex: (feigning exasperation) "Why not? We just love complete

departures from our original composition and style."

Maria: (throwing a french fry at him) "I promise this won't hurt a bit.

Just relax and enjoy it."

Alex: (cocking one eyebrow at her) "That sounds dangerously close to

something you would say to someone right before fu . . . . ."

Maria: (holding up her hands) "Don't say it. Don't you dare say it.

Alex Whitman! I can't believe you were going to say that!"

Isabel: "Yeah, Alex. Where's your mind?"

Alex (blushing): "O.k. fine. Whatever it is just bring it with you to

rehearsal and we'll try it."

Isabel: "Would you mind if I came to see you play?"

Alex: (rocking back on the bench and staring at her): "Mind? . . . .

"I'd be . . . honored, yeah, that's what I'd be, honored."

Isabel (smiling) "O.k. Looks like we'll all be there."

Maria: (sarcastic) "Oh goody." (wondering how she would ever survive

the nerves)

Liz: (quietly) "You'll be spectacular and you know it."

Maria (smiling, too): "Thanks." (deep breath) "Well, I think I'll just

go start practicing right now."

Alex: "Maria, it's only Tuesday." "First rehearsal isn't until tomorrow

night."

Maria: "That's easy for you to say. I need all the help I can get."

Everyone gets up to leave since it's time to head back to classes and

various and sundry other activities.

BIOLOGY CLASS -----------

Max and Liz are setting up their project and all the while running test

slides under the guise of getting their class work done. They had each

made slides from skin cells and were just about to compare them. Liz

opened her text book to a picture of what normal, healthy, not to mention

human skin cells looked like. She slid Max's slide under the microscope

and sure enough, it was pretty different from the picture. Her hands

were shaking just slightly as she removed the slide, creating a mental

image in her mind of what the slide had looked like. It was way too

risky to draw it. She'd just have to remember. She passed the slide to

Max and he erased all traces of the cells from the slide leaving it

completely blank. Next came hers. She slid the slide underneath the

lens and brought her eye down to focus. She almost gasped out loud when

she saw the pattern of cells on the slide. She quietly removed the slide

and handed it to Max as well. He did a quick check to see where their

teacher was before erasing this slide, too.

Liz: (whispering) "How do we get the blood?"

Max: "Give me your hand."

He held the slide under her index finger and concentrated. Painlessly, a

drop of blood fell from Liz's finger to the slide. She gave him a

grateful look as she took the slide from him. He made his own slide the

same way, and passed it to her, as well. Liz sat hers down and placed

Max's under the lens. Flipping the text book to the right page, she

turned her attention back to the microscope. She drew another picture in

her mind of what his blood looked like, and removed the slide. Max took

care of it the same way as the others. She placed her own slide under

the lens and took a deep breath. A million thoughts raced through her

brain as she brought her eye down to the focus, and then just one thought

emerged. Her blood and skin cells were identical to Max's. She

withdrew the slide and handed it to him, unable to even look at him in

that moment for fear of losing control right there in the classroom with

25 other people staring at them. They completed their assignment and

the bell rang signalling the change of classes. Liz gathered her books

and made her way silently to the door. Max was pretty sure by the way

she was acting what the slides had shown, but he still wanted to know for

certain. He put his arm around her as they walked down the hall and for

the second time that day, they ducked into the eraser room.

TBC

Max locked the door of the eraser room for the second time that day and

turned to face Liz. Her expression was significantly different from the

one she had worn that morning. Her eyes were wide and a little shocky.

Her lips trembled, and his heart ached for her. What had he done to her?

Would she be able to accept it?

Liz: (shaking) "M-max. My c-cells and blood, look j-just like yours."

(swallowing around the lump in her throat)

Max: (wrapping his arms around her and holding her close) "I know,

baby. I'm sorry." "I shouldn't have let myself . . . . "

Liz (brittle laugh): "Like I left you a whole lot of choice there, Max."

"I practically begged you."

Max: (mind racing over all the implications): "Are you sorry now Liz?"

Liz: (forcing herself to think about his feelings and putting her fear

aside) "No. I'm not. I guess maybe I should be, but I'm not." "Please

don't ever think that."

Max: (relieved more than he cared to admit) "I'm glad. I am so glad.

Liz, everything will be all right."

He could feel the tremors coursing through her body. He wished there was

some way he could make it all better for her, but . . . .

Liz: (choking back more tears) "You know what's funny?"

Max: (wiping tears off her face) "What?"

Liz: "I used to try to put myself in your place and understand how you

feel, and I really thought that I had. Now, I can see that I didn't

have any idea."

Max: "Liz, don't worry. You're not alone. You have me. You have

Michael and Isabel, too. I know that may not seem like a lot right now,

but . . . "

Liz: "You're wrong. Just you is more than enough. I'm sorry I got so

upset. It's just a little shocking."

Max: "I'm going to need to tell Isabel and Michael what we found out.

Do you want to be there when I do?" (hoping she said yes, because she

needed to accept the fact that she was one of them now)

Liz: (feeling the reality settle in all around her) "Yeah. I think I

should be there."

Max: "Good. I'll get them to meet us at Michael's later tonight."

Liz: "O.k."

Max: "Do you think you can finish your last class, or do you want me to

take you home?"

Liz: "I can do it."

Max (very proud of her): "O.k. We better get going then." (starting to

pull away from her)

Liz: "Max . . . wait."

Max: "What?"

Liz: "I love you."

Max (hugging her again): "I love you, too, babe.

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

That evening, six people sat together staggered by what they had just

been told.

Isabel: "I knew something was up with you two." "I just knew it!"

Alex: "What are you saying? Liz is an alien now. Just like that."

Max: (dryly) "Not exactly, just like that."

Alex: "Yeah . . . I, uh, gathered that."

Liz: (coping better now than she had earlier in the day) "We ran some

tests. It's more than just the tabasco sauce and temperature change. We

checked some skin and blood cells, and mine are identical to Max's now."

Michael: "Well, I guess that explains the glowing hands thing."

Liz: "Yeah, I guess. When Maria and I were talking this morning, I had

a feeling that Max was looking for me inside the school. I can't explain

it. I just knew."

Maria: "Oh my God." "Liz." (reeling from shock) "You are one of them

now?"

Michael (biting back a sarcastic remark) (gently): "It's not like a

disease Maria. She'll be o.k." (putting his arm around her)

Isabel: (solemn but completely serious) "Welcome to the family, Liz."

Alex: "Not to be completely indelicate here, but, how could this

actually happen?"

Liz: "I've been thinking about that, and I've come up with a theory . .

. (blushing but pushing bravely forward) . . . I think it had something

to do with the type of birth control we used."

Alex: "I don't follow."

Liz: (throwing embarassment out the door--it was too late for that now

anyway) "We used pills, not condoms. It had to have something to do

with the exchange of fluids."

Alex: "If that were true, then wouldn't it include kissing."

Liz: "I don't think so. First of all, we've all done that and no one

else has experienced anything strange. Secondly, well . . . wrong

fluid." (looking at her hands)

Maria: "What do we do now?"

Max: "Nothing. We just act completely normal."

Maria: "You're kidding, right?"

Max: "No, I'm not."

Maria: "Right . . . . normal." (eyes focusing across the room on the

wall)

Max: "We just wanted you guys to know, in case anything else happens,

and so you can be careful yourselves."

Max took Liz home, and Alex and Isabel left at the same time. Michael

sat close beside Maria, but neither one had much to say. They were each

lost in their own thoughts. Michael wasn't even sure what he was

feeling, but somewhere underneath it all he was worried about Maria. She

was not taking this well. Maria was thinking about the plans she had

made, and how close she had come to walking a mile in Liz's shoes. What

concerned her most right now, was that in some weird way, even knowing

what she did, she still wanted him. She was more than a little surprised

at herself. The risk was incredible. How could she even consider a

sexual relationship with Michael now? Ludicrous. Well, maybe, but still

. . . .

Michael: (turning to look at her) "Are you going to be o.k.?"

Maria: "Me? Of course. Liz is the one who . . . "

Michael: "Maria, I know it's freaking you out right now, but she really

will be o.k. Different, but o.k."

Maria: "Are you sure? I mean, how can you know that?"

Michael: "I just do. I can feel it."

Maria (feeling so on the outside now): "It must be nice to have all

these 'feelings'."

Michael: "Sometimes it is. Sometimes it isn't."

Maria: "What do you mean?"

Michael: "In this case it's good to know that Liz will be alright, but

it's those same feelings that drive us crazy trying to find out where

we're from and drive us to find a way home."

Maria: (taking a deep breath) "I think I understand."

Michael: "Good."

Maria: "I think I'm just gonna go home now."

Michael: "See you, tomorrow?"

Maria: "Yeah. Lunch?"

Michael: "Why don't we go somewhere . . . "

Maria: "O.k."

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

Max and Liz are sitting outside the Crashdown in the jeep.

Max: "Are you sure you're o.k.?"

Liz: "Yeah. I'm fine, Max. No problem."

Max: "Call me if anything at all happens."

Liz: "I will. I promise."

Max: "I'll call you after I get home anyway."

Liz: (smiling) "O.k."

Max leaned over then and placed his lips on her forehead, closing his

eyes and breathing in her scent. It was going to be a long night. He

placed tiny little kisses over both of her eyes and the tip of her nose,

before closing his mouth over hers. She tasted so sweet. Liz parted her

lips underneath Max's and sighed as their tongues met. She hated being

apart from him at night. It felt so wrong. The only time she really

felt at peace was when they were touching, even in the smallest way, it

was enough to banish her unease. Liz leaned in closer to Max, pulling

him toward her with her hands grasping his shirt. Max wanted to lay down

with her so badly, but this wasn't the time. It was getting really late,

and the last thing they needed at this point was suspicious parents. He

pulled back slightly, and whispered into her mouth, "Liz. We have to

stop. You need to get inside." Liz practically groaned out loud, but

she knew he was right. Max grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze,

saying "C'mon, I'll walk you inside." They said a very quick good night

at her door in order to keep from torturing themselves any more than they

already were, and Max left to go home.

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

Friday night finally arrived amidst a flurry of activity for Alex and

Maria. Even though she had practiced until the wee hours of the

morning, Maria still felt nervous. It was bad enough, but tonight, would

be even worse, because Michael would be there . . . watching . . . and

hearing the words in a song that she wished she could say to him. Some

of her nervousness stemmed from the song she had chosen. It had taken a

great deal of whining on her part to get the band to accept it, but in

the end, they had. Even more, though, she was nervous about the decision

she had made. She loved Michael and she wanted him. Somewhere over the

past few days, she had come to the conclusion that no price was too high

to pay. Who knows? Maybe condoms were the answer. She didn't know, but

she was ready to find out.

Max picked Liz up and they headed to the club. Max was glad they were

doing something normal for a change. Their lives always seemed to be so

frenetic. He wanted to just relax and enjoy being with Liz tonight. She

looked incredible. His body responded to the sight of her in the usual

way. He was actually getting used to it. Sort of. She was beautiful,

of course, but it was something more than that. He couldn't quite put

his finger on what it was, but something was different. Her hair seemed

shinier than usual and her eyes were deeper. Her skin fairly glowed,

but not in a weird way. His eyes ran over her taking in every detail of

her appearance. He frowned a little as he tried to figure out what it

was . . .

Liz: (wondering what he was staring at) "What?"

Max: "I don't know. You look . . . different."

Liz: (laughing a little) "Different bad or different good?"

Max: (puzzled) "It's good . . . I just can't . . . "

Liz: (cutting him off with a kiss) "You can figure it out on the way.

We're late."

Max: "O.k. Let's go."

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

At the club, Max and Liz joined Michael and Isabel who were already

there. The band had already started the set, and everyone in the club

seemed to be thoroughly impressed with them so far. Maria was doing o.k.

so far, once she was singing the nervousness fell away. It was just the

time right before getting on stage that almost did her in. Right now

she was totally absorbed in the music and almost unaware of the audience.

It felt wonderful.

Liz (whispering to Max): "Did you figure out what it was?"

Max: (shrugging) "Not really. "You were already the most beautiful

girl I've ever seen. Now, you're just more so."

Liz: (smiling) "Thank you." (quietly) "Watch."

She turned Max's hand over where she had been holding it, and she slid

her other hand over the back of it. At first, he couldn't really see

any difference, but then she pulled his other hand up and placed them

side by side on the table, and he was astonished at the change. If he

hand't seen them together he never would've known. The skin on the hand

that she had touched was completely flawless and the color was perfect.

It even felt different . . . softer. He looked at her, and realized

what she was saying. She could change molecular structure now, too. He

silently communicated to her to change it back, and she did. Then he

intertwined their fingers again and stared at her tiny hand in his. Liz

leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. It felt warm and soft and he

wanted so much more. Just then, Maria's voice broke the spell, and they

both looked toward the stage.

Maria (surprised that she wasn't about to faint) "Our last song tonight

is a little different and it's dedicated to . . . well, he'll know."

Maria steps back and the music starts. She closes her eyes and begins to

sing . . .

Saying I love you is not the words I want to hear

from you. It's not that I want you not to say, but

if you only knew how easy it would be to show me

how you feel, more than words is all you have to

do to make it real. Then you wouldn't have to say

that you love me 'cause I'd already know . . . .

Max and Liz got up to dance and Liz thought that she had never felt so

wonderful in her life. It was surreal. She whispered to Max, "What are

we doing after this?" Max looked down at her and smiled, "We're going to

be alone if that's what you're asking." Liz smiled and nodded and

relaxed into the dance once more.

What would you do, if my heart was torn into?

Then you couldn't make things new, just by

saying, I love you.

Michael sat forward in his seat and stared at Maria, as the words to the

song sank into his heart. Her eyes were open now and she was staring at

him, too. He could hardly believe what he was hearing.

What would you say, if I took those words away?

More than words to show you feel that your love

for me is real . . .

Isabel had been watching Alex all night, and she was proud of him. A

couple of times he had met her eyes and smiled at her, and it made her

feel like the only girl in the room. He was someone so special, and deep

down she knew she was falling in love with him.

Now that I've tried to talk to you and make you

understand. All you have to do is close your eyes

and just reach out your hand, and touch me, hold

me close don't ever let me go . . .

More than words, is all I ever needed you to show,

then you wouldn't have to say that you love me,

'cause I'd already know . . .

The song ended and Maria thanked everyone in the audience and said

goodnight. She turned to walk backstage with the band and then she

changed her mind. She turned back around and walked across the stage and

down the steps. Michael was on his feet and met her half way. She

walked straight into his arms and knew she was home. Even if home was on

another planet.

Michael: "Are you sure you want this, Maria?"

Maria: "You ask me that after I serenaded you in a public place?"

Michael: "I see what you mean."

Maria: "I can leave now if you're ready."

Michael: "Let's go home."

Alex comes out a few minutes later and sits down at the table across from

Isabel. She smiles at him, and he can't remember the last time he was so

glad to see someone.

Alex: "So, what did you think?"

Isabel: "You guys were fantastic, Alex."

Alex: "Thanks. Maria really made a good choice with that song and we

fought her every step of the way." (shaking his head)

Isabel: "Maybe, next time you should listen to her."

Alex: "Yeah . . . maybe." "Where are you off to now?" (resigned)

Isabel: "No where. I don't . . . have any plans tonight."

Alex (brightening): "You don't?"

Isabel: "No."

Alex: "Wanna hang out with me . . . rent a movie . . . ?"

Isabel: "That sounds really great."

Alex: "Let me grab my stuff and we'll go."

Isabel: "I'll wait here."

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

Michael opens the door to his apartment, without breaking the kiss he was

currently engaged in. He put his hand over the lock and breathed a sigh

of relief when it actually opened instead of exploding. He shoved the

door open and pulled Maria inside walking backwards. They only made it

as far as the couch. Michael pulled Maria down beside him and then

quickly under him. Maria opened her mouth and pulled his tongue deeper

inside her mouth. He struggled out of his jacket and threw it on the

floor. Maria wriggled underneath him trying to get closer and ease the

aching in her body. In a rare flash of awareness, Michael slowed down ,

running his hands down the sides of her face and kissing her gently now.

Maria looked at him with wide confused eyes. He stood up then, and held

his hand down for her to help her up. She took it and Michael pulled her

into the bedroom and shut the door.

On the other side of that door, Michael slowly pulled Maria's sweater up

and over her head. She was so beautiful, perfect. He stared at her and

didn't miss the way her body changed as he looked at her. In a hoarse

whisper he said, "I know I asked you before, but if you have any doubts,

Maria, now would be the time to tell me." She looked up at him and the

certainty reflected in her eyes was all that he had been waiting for.

He stepped forward and kissed her again, pushing her down on the bed and

following her there pulling her underneath him once again.

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

Max and Liz have been driving for quite a while now, and she leans over

and rests her head on his shoulder. Max puts his arm around her

shoulders and holds her close to him.

Liz: "You never did tell me where we were going, Max."

Max: "It's a surprise."

Liz: "I seem to remember you telling me something like that before."

Max: "Yes, I did." "And, you did your level best to torture it out of

me before we got there sabatoging the whole project as best I remember."

Liz: (laughed) "I am so happy, Max." "It's strange.

Max: "I know what you mean. Everything's been so crazy. I feel it,

too, though. Happy, I mean."

Liz: "Max, I think you should hurry and get whereever it is we're

going."

Max: (concerned) "Why?"

Liz: (looking at his lap) "Do you really want me to elaborate?"

Max (swallowing hard and fighting down the reaction she had cauesd) "No.

I do not want you to elaborate." "I will personally turn you over my

knee if you start this again before we get there."

Liz: "Really? Wow. That sounds . . . exciting." (grinning

mischieviously)

Max: (a little shocked) "Liz!" "I can't believe you said that."

Liz: (laughing) "Neither can I." (laughing harder)

Max: (a little desperate) "Behave yourself. Please!!!"

Liz: (sitting back) "O.k. I wouldn't want to mess up your surprise . .

. . " (still grinning)

Max: (teasing) "Liar."

Liz: (chuckling) "Well, what can I say? Priorities are priorities . .

. "

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

Alex and Isabel have settled in for the evening with a movie, popcorn,

soda, and even some candy. They sat down on the floor of the living room

in front of the t.v. and pulled the coffee table in front of them with

all their snacks spread out on top of it. It was a remarkably intimate

experience to sit here together this way. Contributing to the sense of

intimacy was the fact that Alex's Dad was away on business and the house

was empty except for the two of them. The movie started and Isabel

absently reached up to get the popcorn. She stopped abruptly as her hand

collided with Alex's. He looked from the screen to their hands and

blushed a little, mumbling an apology. Isabel smiled to herself and

decided she could have a whole lot more fun than watching this stupid

movie.

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

TBC

Quotes from Crazy:

Liz: "I've never seen anyone so scared before."

Alex: "Have you taken a look at me lately?"

Michael: "What I want to know is, if I'm such a loser, why do you want

to be with me?"

Max: "There are five people in this world that I trust, and they're all

standing right here."

Alex: (to Isabel) "I'd do anything."

Michael stared into Maria's eyes where she lay trapped underneath him.

Her eyes were intent and filled with so much desire that it took his

breath away. He pulled her legs up a little as he slid forward trying to

ease some of the tension in his overly eager body. Maria felt his hands

burning right through her pants on the backs of her legs. She pushed her

hips up to meet him and sighed in pleasure and relief.

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

Isabel stared at Alex and contemplated her next move. She just needed a

way to let him know that she wanted their relationship to . . .

progress. He was so careful around her that she wasn't sure how she was

going to accomplish this. The movie continued to drone on and on, and

Isabel absently watched as she planned Alex Whitman's seduction. Would

he be afraid of her now? He may not want to take the risk now that they

had seen what had happened to Liz. She finally decided that the only

thing she could do was talk to him and find out. She took a deep

breath and held it for a second before letting it out.

Isabel: (turning toward him) "Alex, I need to ask you something."

Alex (not looking at her but at the movie and eating popcorn): "Sure.

What?"

Isabel: "How do you feel about me, Alex?"

Alex: (choking on his popcorn and gasping for air) "What . . . (dragging

air into his lungs) do you mean?"

Isabel: "I mean, are you afraid of me now?"

Alex (sufficiently recovered to speak properly now): "Uh, Isabel, I know

you can do some pretty amazing things, but fear is not the emotion I

would use to describe the way I feel about you."

Isabel: (rolling her eyes) "I know you're not afraid of me right now,

but that's not what I mean."

Alex: (confused) "What do you mean?"

Isabel: "God, Alex! . . . (trying to find the words) What I mean is,

now that we know about what happened to Liz as a result of . . . . .

well, you know . . . would you be afraid to . . . . "

Alex (finally getting a clue and shocked at what she was saying)

"Isabel, I may not be the most macho guy you know, but I can assure you

of one thing. Fear is still not the underlying emotion I would use to

describe this situation."

Isabel: (concerned) "You wouldn't be afraid that you would have the

same problems as Liz."

Alex: "First of all, I'm not so sure that Liz sees her current situation

as a problem. Secondly, they told us they didn't use condoms and if

Liz's theory is correct, and I happen to think that it is, then there's

really no risk at all."

Isabel: "Oh."

Alex: "Wait. (shaking his head) "I don't think I'm going to be able to

live with that 'Oh.' What brought all this on?"

Isabel: "I was just wondering . . ."

Alex: "About . . . ?"

Isabel: (staring at his mouth now) "About us and . . . . "

Alex: (leaning forward) "I think I get the point." (pressing his lips

firmly against hers)

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

Max and Liz finally arrived at a cabin on a lake just outside the city.

Liz (looking over at Max) "Where are we?"

Max: (smugly) "This cabin belongs to my parents. We come up here

sometimes in the summer for vacations."

Liz: (smiling) "How . . . convenient."

Max (smiling, too): "Yeah." (getting out of the jeep and walking around

to open her door)

Liz: (stepping out of the jeep) "It's beautiful out here."

Max (staring at her) "Yeah. It is."

A million stars glowed in the sky tonight and the moon was full and

brilliant. They had no trouble seeing their way to the front door, where

Max unlocked the door with the key he found hidden nearby. He opened

the door and they stepped inside. Max put the key down on the counter by

the door and turned to look at Liz. She was looking around at her

surroundings with a curious aire that made him smile. She was ever the

investigator, and he loved it when she turned the force of her

inquisitive nature in his direction. She made her way around the room

and came to a stop in front of him. Placing her hands on his shoulders

she waited for him. He stared down at her for a moment, trying to

capture the way she looked in his mind. He wanted to always remember

this night and how good it felt to be with her. She leaned in closer to

him and he kissed her after what seemed like an eternity to Liz. She

brought her hands together behind his head and stepped closer to him.

She could feel his response to her pressed against her tummy.

She smiled to herself and stepped back staring at him. He started to

follow her but she held out her hand to keep him where he was. She

reached up into her hair and slid the pin out that was anchoring it in

place. It fell, swinging across her shoulders and cascading down her

back like a waterfall. Without taking her eyes off of his face, she slid

the zipper down on the side of the dress from just under her arm to her

waist. Max felt his breath shorten as he watched her undressing. She

slid the straps off her shoulders and peeled the material away from her

body, letting it drop to the floor. Stepping out of the dress. She

straightened and faced him again. She stepped toward him wearing nothing

but her underwear and bra and her high heeled shoes. Max smiled at her

as she ran her hands under his sweater bringing it up with her as she

went and slipping it off over his head. She made another sweep with her

hands and the t-shirt went the same way of the sweater. She exhaled

softly, as finally, she could put her hands on his bare chest. She

leaned a little closer fascinated with every little detail of his body.

She brought her hands down in a slow carress all the way from his

shoulders to his waist. It felt so good to touch him and she'd been

aching to do this all night. She wound her hands around his waist and

pressed her lips against his skin. Max felt that kiss all over his body.

His brain exploded in sensation, his heart raced, and his blood slowed

down to a crawl through veins that were much too constricted. He could

smell the perfume she had worn tonight, and something else that was just

her own scent. She left a trail of kisses across his collarbone and out

to his shoulder. Her hands were splayed across his back and occasionally

she flexed her fingers and he felt the hint of her fingernails pricking

his skin. She retreated again, this time removing her shoes by sliding

the straps off the back of her heel and letting each fall to the floor.

She stepped toward him again, and this time her hands settled on the

fastening of his pants. Max tried to breathe but it was getting

difficult to get enough air. She slid the zipper down slowly and watched

his face as the pants loosened their hold on him. His eyes narrowed

slightly as he waited to see what she was going to do next. She pushed

the pants the rest of the way down and he stepped out of his shoes and

pants legs in one motion. He stood up and waited. She stepped toward

him, dragging her hands across his chest as she walked around him to face

his back. She traced his spine with her index finger from his neck to

the waistband of his shorts and back up again. He shivered a little and

she opened her mouth and slid her tongue down the same path her finger

had just taken. Max felt his chin fall down on his chest without

realizing that he had let his head drop. She slid her hands around his

waist and pressed them flat against his stomach, while she continued

exploring the muscles in his back with her mouth. Max felt his control

slipping away like a fading memory, as he reached up to push her hands

down from his stomach to where he so desperately needed her to touch him.

As Liz's fingers came into contact with his shorts, she sighed in

impatience and slipped her fingers over the edges and pushed them down.

They fell to the ground and Liz brought her hands back up to his hips,

dragging her fingernails the whole way, and then sliding across his

stomach and finally . . .

Liz: (very low and sultry) "Max . . . . do you ever think about having

children . . . . ?"

Max: (clenching his fists and trying hard to concentrate on what she was

saying) " . . . children? . . . yeah, . . . sometimes . . . . why?"

Liz: (sliding around to face him again and putting her arms around his

neck) "I've been thinking about it."

Max: (looking into her eyes and running his hand down the back of her

head) "You have?"

Liz: "Well, maybe that's not exactly the right word for it. It's more

like an obsession."

Max tried to think, but it was so difficult with her hands on him and her

mouth sliding down his chest. She was going to torture him to death if

he didn't get inside her . . . soon.

Max: "Liz? . . . (fighting against the demands of his body) . . . What

do you mean by an obsession?"

Liz: (practically purring and dipping her fingers lower exploring his

body) "I can't stop thinking about it. I want to have a baby."

Max: (almost torn in two by the emotions that raged inside him at her

words) " Liz . . . (closing his eyes and struggling to get control) .

. . . "

Liz: (bringing her hands up to either side of his face) "I'm sorry,

Max. I didn't mean to upset you." (trying hard to hide the hurt she

felt at his reaction)

If she hadn't been in so much pain, she would've been able to feel Max's

emotions, but . . . .

Max's mind grappled with what she had said, and logic warred with

instinct, as rational thought died a quick, painless death in the face of

blinding need. He had never felt anything like this before in his life.

He had never even imagined this kind of lust. He opened his eyes and

looked at her after what had seemed like an eternity to Liz. His eyes

looked so strange to her that she took a step back, and whispered, "I'm

sorry."

Max knew that he had hurt her and he could feel her confusion, but he

couldn't gently tell her what he was feeling right now or how her words

had incited a riot inside his body. He took a step toward her and

wrapping his arms around her waist, lifted her effortlessly closing his

mouth over hers. This kiss was different. Liz could feel the intensity

behind it as well as the force of the pressure against her lips. She was

crushed against him as he held her tightly, walking toward the back of

the cabin. As he carried her, Liz's mind settled and one thing became

perfectly clear. Max wasn't repulsed by what she had said at all, nor

was he angry, or any of the other things she had imagined. As his

emotions crashed across her nerve endings, she realized the full extent

of the affect that her words had had on him. He was just about a breath

away from violence. The tenuous hold he had on himself was shocking,

but he was beyond caring. He came to a stop beside the bed and let her

slide down his body, without breaking the kiss. He brought his hands up

to unfasten her bra and removed it quickly. Stepping back, he pulled her

underwear down and off. He straightened and looked down at her. Her

body pushed him to the brink of sanity when she had clothes on. Like

this, he couldn't even think . . .

He propelled her back down onto the bed and came down on top of her. He

couldn't stop or even slow down. He brought his mouth down over hers

again, and this time Liz responded by opening her mouth wide and dragging

his tongue inside and holding it captive there. Somewhere in the back

of his mind, he realized that she felt as out of control as he did. She

wanted this. From the moment he had come down on the bed and Liz had

felt him stretched out over her, she had lost all desire to be in control

or even safe for that matter. Liz's thoughts had set up a litany in his

brain, and every single one of them told him what she wanted from him in

graphic detail. He clenched his hands on either side of her head and

closed his eyes, but he couldn't stop his body's reaction to her

thoughts. Liz pulled her foot up the back of his leg from his ankle to

his knee. Max reached down and pulled her leg up even higher bringing

her foot almost in line with his hips. Her other foot crept up

seemingly of it's own free will, as Max pushed inside her body with a

force that matched the need they were both feeling. Oh God, Liz thought,

. . . finally. Max heard the roaring in his ears as his heart

threatened to explode. It wasn't enough. Liz tangled her legs around

his waist and forced her hips up as he drove into her. Then, she arched

her back and shuddered at the sensitivity of her breasts pressed up

against his chest. Almost there. Max pushed forward harder and deeper,

no longer able to have the slightest restraint. He could hear her

begging him not to stop, as he rocked her up a little higher, holding her

hips. Using all of his breath, he plunged into her body one last time.

He felt her release and he was pulled into the void with her.

He felt a wave of tenderness wash over him as he watched the world come

crashing down all around her face. She cried, but he knew it was in

reaction and not pain. His heart continued to slam against his ribs

refusing to stop now even though the demand was gone. Liz opened her

eyes and looked at him then. The moonlight across her face made her look

surreal. She looked into his eyes as if she were searching for

something. He could feel the questions in her mind and the uncertainty

that came from not knowing her own body anymore. She didn't understand

why, at the age of sixteen, she suddenly wanted a baby. It wasn't

logical. It was instinctive and very, very strong.

Max: "Liz, I understand how you feel."

Liz: (quietly) "I don't think you can." . . . . "Wrong gender."

Max: "That's not true. I feel it, too."

Liz: "You do?"

Max: "Yeah . . . (closing his eyes as the thought wreaked havoc in his

body, again) . . . Maybe this is just the way we are, and it's natural

for us."

Liz: (smiling at the way he said us, including her as if she had always

been one of them) "I don't think I'll ever get over it."

Max: "What?"

Liz: "Feeling more like I belong . . . like I fit somewhere, than I

ever did when I was human."

Max (smiling down at her): "I can vouch for where you fit."

Liz: (smiling, too) "What do we do now, Max?"

Max: (feeling his body responding to her again) "One idea comes to mind

. . . "

Liz: (serious) "That's not what I mean."

Max: "I know. I can't help it. This conversation is having a

pronounced affect on me. "

Liz: "What do you mean?"

Max: "I mean that, imagining having children with you is powerfully

erotic."

Liz: "Oh." . . . . .

Max: "Let's hope we can make it out of high school before it gets any

worse."

Liz: (starting to relax) "Surely we can manage that. It's only two

years away.

They both looked at each other, as Liz's 2 year pronouncement rang in

their ears. Max groaned knowing there was no way they were going to be

able to suppress these feelings for 2 years.

Liz: "Maybe they'll go away, Max. Maybe it's just seasonal or something

. . ."

Max: (very skeptical) "I don't think so, Liz."

Liz: "O.k. Well, I'm on the pill, so we'll just agree that I'm going to

stay on it. Right? That should take care of it. We'll just decide . .

. (fading at the look in his eyes)

Max was beyond conversation at this point. These feelings were

overwhelming. The very idea of Liz being pregnant was setting off small

charges all over his body. He could feel the tremors course along

muscles that ached to be freed into action. He kissed her again and felt

her body responding to him in a hundred different ways. God, she was

amazing. It was like she had been created just for him. And, in a way,

she had been. The first time he made love to her, her body had changed

to become half of his and she had become his mate for life. Right now,

he just needed this time with her. They would just have to stick with

the pills, because condoms were completely out of the question. They'd

never make it. Neither one of them had the fortitude for that. But,

they had to wait. They had to wait until after high school.

TBC . . . soon!

Maria wiggled around just a little in her sleep before settling down and

drifting back off. Michael knew this because he was wide awake and

watching her intently. He couldn't believe the way she affected him.

His ability to maintain distance had been shattered the day he'd hauled

her to Marathon. Since, then, she had slowly but surely permeated every

waking thought he had, and almost all of his dreams, too. What in the

world had she done to him? She opened her eyes and looked at him first

in question and then, realizing that he had been watching her, in

adoration.

Maria (serious): "I hope you're not disappointed."

Michael: (confused) "Disappointed about what?"

Maria: (blushing) "You know . . . the condoms . . . "

Michael: (understanding) "No. I'm not disappointed. To be honest,

Maria, I'm not sure I'm ready to live at the same level of stress that

Max and Liz seem to enjoy so much."

Maria: (relieved) "I'm not sure I could handle it either, Michael.

It's just so weird, the way she's changed. I don't know . . . "

Michael: (kissing her forehead) "Hopefully, we won't have to worry

about that . . . unless we want to."

Maria: (wistful) "Do you think we ever might . . . want to, I mean?"

Michael: (staring intently into her eyes) "You never know . . . "

Maria: (getting lost in that stare) "No . . . I guess not . . . .

Michael . . . . "

Michael closed his mouth over hers, pulling her underneath him again, and

hoping she would be o.k. and not too sore for this, because he couldn't

help himself . . .

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

Isabel stretched and yawned daintily, and then stared at her reflection

in the bathroom mirror. The lighting in here was awful. She looked

"green." Not a comforting color at this point in her life, for a

multitude of reasons. Not the least of which being, that it was usually

the color most often associated with alien beings. Damn fluorescent

lighting anyway! Who's stupid idea was this? She killed the switch and

headed back out of the bathroom with a scowl on her beautiful face.

Alex watched her approach with mounting anxiety. What in the world was

wrong? She looked really upset.

Alex: "Isabel?"

Isabel (snapping out of her thoughts and focusing on him) "What?"

Alex: (obviously concerned) "Are you all right?"

Isabel (smiling at his expression) "No. I'm not all right. . . . I'm

wonderful, Alex."

Alex: (visibly relieved) "You looked so sad . . . "

Isabel: (shrugging) "Just a little insecurity . . . sorry. The

lighting in the bathroom gave me the creeps."

Alex: "Why?"

Isabel: "You know . . . fluorescent lights . . . "

Alex (following as best he could): "Green tinge . . . oh, I see.

Isabel, don't be ridiculous. You can't seriously be having doubts about

yourself, and certainly not about myself either, at this point."

Isabel: (smiling at the memory of how sweet it was to be loved by Alex

Whitman) "No . . . not really . . . I guess the whole idea of how

different we basically are just makes me afraid."

Alex: (smirking) "I think it's a very good thing how different we are .

.. . "

Isabel (rolling her eyes) "You know that's not what I'm talking about .

.. ."

Alex: "I know . . . but, the fact is, I don't care about anything else .

.. . don't you understand . . . I love you, just you and whatever that

entails."

Isabel: (letting go of her doubts and fears) "I love you, too, Alex."

Alex: "I mean this, Isabel. I don't care what you are or who you are or

how different we are . . . none of it matters to me."

Isabel (closing her eyes briefly and taking those words into her heart)

"I'm so glad, Alex. Thank you."

Alex: "Thank you? You must be joking. Thank you, for trusting me . . .

for letting me in . . . for everything."

Isabel: (smiling) "I guess I should probably be getting home soon . . .

(looking at him pointedly)

Alex (not missing the intent in her eyes) "Then I guess we'd better

hurry . . . (kissing her deeply)

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

Max stole a glance at Liz as he drove back to Roswell. It had been one

of the most singularly difficult experiences of his life to get up and

prepare to take her home. He needed her . . . not just once in a while,

but all the time . . . not just to be inside her . . . but to just be

beside her . . . . . all the time . . .

Liz: "What?"

Max: "Nothing . . . . "

Liz: (frowning) "What is it?"

Max: "I was just thinking how hard it is to take you home . . . I wish

.. . . "

Liz: (nodding) "I know." (reaching out and grabbing his hand and

holding it tight)

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

Two months later, the six of them had become inseparable. After all, who

else could they really hang out with. They all knew each other in a

fundamental way that no one else could even begin to understand. They

needed each other. Michael and Maria's relationship had undergone a sea

change. They were never seen without each other, unless it was

absolutely mandatory. Alex and Isabel seemed to have developed an

intolerance to separation from each other, as well. They all spent a

great deal of time at the Crashdown, since Michael and Maria and Liz all

worked there. Max and Alex and Isabel occupied a booth most of the time,

but today they were spread out all over the place. Alex was in the back

trying to repair one of the appliances for Liz, with Isabel closeby. Max

was sitting in a booth studying . . . or rather trying to. He never

seemed to be able to concentrate when Liz was in the room, and that was

most of the time. He almost couldn't bear to be away from her now. It

had only grown worse over the past couple of months. Sometimes, at

night, he would sneak out and go to her house just so he could hold her

for a little while. He didn't even notice the lack of sleep, because the

alternative was not seeing her and that was just not acceptable. This

week had been difficult for both of them. They both had big projects

due at school and between her work schedule and his, they just hadn't had

very much time together. He hadn't made love to her in a week. As he

watched her go about her shift, he noted for the third or fourth time

that day, that something wasn't right with her. She was tense . . .

nervous . . . she smiled, but her eyes remained wary . . .

Tonight, he would ask her what was going on. He watched her disappear

into the back and frowned wondering what it could be . . .

Isabel: "Hey, Liz." "I think Alex is almost done."

Liz: "Oh, yeah, that's great. . . . "Listen, can I talk to you for a

minute."

Isabel: (a little worried) "Of course."

Liz: "Not here."

Isabel: (definitely worried) "O.k. where?"

Liz: "Let's go up to my room."

Isabel: "Alright." "Be back in a minute, Alex."

Alex: "Oh sure you will . . . . "

Isabel rolled her eyes, but smiled at him just the same as she followed

Liz up the stairs. They made their way inside the room and Liz shut the

door. Stripping off her headband and sitting down on the edge of the

bed, she looked at Isabel steadily.

Isabel: (starting to overreact) "O.k. Stop that, and tell me what's

wrong."

Liz: (sighing) "I skipped my last two periods, Isabel."

Isabel: (paling) "You did?"

Liz: "Yes . . . I did."

Isabel: "Oh my God."

The two sat in silence for a few moments as Isabel tried to come to terms

with what Liz was saying. After a few moments, she looked up.

Isabel: "Wait. How long ago did you and Max first . . .?"

Liz: (understanding) "About two and a half months ago. Why?"

Isabel: "And that's when you started changing right?"

Liz: (a little lost) "Yes. It was pretty much instantaneous."

Isabel: (taking a deep breath) "I don't think you need to worry about

this, Liz."

Liz: (very confused) "Why not?"

Isabel: (smiling and feeling not so alone in a new way that Alex

couldn't provide) "I don't menustrate."

Liz: (absorbing the information) "You don't? . . ."

Isabel: "No. Never. . . . So, you don't need to worry."

Isabel watched as Liz's face fell and she almost looked like she might

burst into tears. Suddenly, she understood the problem. Reaching out

to put her arm around Liz, Isabel held her as she cried.

Isabel: "You and Max . . . I just don't know what it is about you two,

but I understand Liz. I really do. I'm so sorry . . . " Liz cried

uncontrollably for several minutes before getting a hold of herself.

Wiping her eyes, she gave Isabel a watery smile and picked up her

headband replacing it behind her ears.

Liz: (embarassed) "I'm sorry, Isabel. I don't know what came over me.

Of course, that was the best possible news."

Isabel: (gently) "Not for you. I mean it when I say that I understand

Liz. It's o.k."

Liz (relaxing): "Yeah. I guess if anyone would understand it would be

you. Thanks."

Isabel (smiling): "Anytime."

Liz: "I better get back downstairs before someone misses me."

Max shut the door behind him quietly and looked at the two girls sitting

on the bed.

Max: "Somebody already did. What's going on Liz?"

Liz (looking up startled) "Max . . . "

Isabel: (getting up and heading for the door) "I was just leaving."

(giving Max a sympathetic look that really worried him)

Max walked over beside the bed and knelt down in front of Liz grabbing

her hands and holding them in his. He looked at her face and the

evidence of recent tears and wondered why she hadn't come to him with

whatever it was. Liz drew in a shaky breath and willed herself not to

cry anymore.

Liz: "I'm sorry, Max. This is ridiculous . . . "

Max: (gently) "What is?"

Liz: (taking a deep breath) "I missed a couple of periods, and I was

concerned about it, so I asked Isabel, and she said that she doesn't have

them, so don't worry . . . "

Max: (silently watching her face) " . . . . . . . You thought you were

pregnant . . . . . "

Liz: (feeling her control slipping again) "Yeah, but I'm not so

everything's . . . (tears spilling over and sliding down her face) f-fine

now."

Max: "You're sad, Liz. It's not fine."

Liz: (wiping tears away as fast as she can) "I'm sorry, Max. I'm being

irrational. . . . I should get back to work . . . . "

Max: (understanding) "You're disappointed that you're not pregnant,

aren't you?" (knowing how she feels and feeling it, too)

Liz: (quietly) "It's just that . . . I really thought I was pregnant,

and I've never felt anything like that before. And now, I just feel so

sad . . . . and completely stupid."

Max: "You're not stupid. You've been through so much in the past few

months, Liz. If you want to be sad because you're not pregnant, then I

think you're entitled. The truth is, I understand how you feel, and I've

only known about it for a few minutes. You had a lot longer to think

about it, so it was more real for you. Do you think you could take the

rest of the night off?"

Liz: (wishing she could--she needed to be with Max) "I can't, Max."

Max: "If I can get someone to cover for you, would it be all right?"

Liz: "I guess so . . . but, . . . "

Max: "Stay here. I'll be right back."

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

Isabel and Alex watch Max as he descends the last few steps into the

room. Isabel looks at him with worry etched into her features.

Max: (coming to a halt in front of her) "Is, I need a favor."

Isabel (concerned): "What is it?"

Max: (solicitous) "Can you cover for Liz tonight?"

Isabel: (stifiling a groan) "Yes, of course. Is she o.k. Max?"

Max: (expression solemn) "Not really, but I think she will be."

Isabel: (feeling an unprecedented connection to Liz) "Take care of her

Max."

Max: (surprised) "You know I will, Is."

Isabel: "It's just . . . it's weird . . . all of a sudden, I don't feel

so alone now that she's like us. I want her to be all right."

Max (understanding): "We'll make it . . . don't worry."

.. . . . "Uh, Is, I need to ask you something . . . " (blushing)

Isabel: (mildly concerned about what was coming) "What?"

Max: (really uncomfortable) "You don't . . . I mean, you haven't . . .

(deep breath) have you felt like Liz does?"

Isabel (not even pretending to misunderstand) "No. I haven't felt

anything like that, Max. It's like she's just devastated that she's not

pregnant."

Alex (snapping his head up): "Whoa. Pregnant? Liz?"

Isabel (turning towards him): "No. I'll explain later. It's

complicated."

Alex (shaking his head and going back to work) "Is it ever anything

else?" (teasing)

Isabel (smiling at him inspite of her concern for Liz) (turning her

attention back to Max): "Tell, Liz, I'll take over for her and not to

worry."

Max: "I'm sorry to ask you to do this."

Isabel: "It's o.k." "You know, Max, maybe, it's just normal for her

to feel that way. She's so in love with you it's scary. Maybe . . . "

(The words fell away at the look on Max's face.)

Max: "I don't think it's that simple, Is. I feel it, too. It's not

just Liz." "It's like this consuming drive that just gets stronger

everyday."

Isabel: (a little panicked) "Max . . . you can't. You just can't."

Max: (shaking his head) "I know. Don't worry. I should get back

upstairs. Thanks, Is."

Isabel: "No problem."

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

Max climbs the stairs once again and let's himself back into Liz's

bedroom, quietly closing the door behind him. She looks up into the

mirror where she's sitting brushing her hair. She hadn't changed

clothes, but she had taken her hair down. He was glad to see that she

had stopped crying. Maybe she was feeling better . . .

As he got closer to her reflection in the mirror, that hope died quickly.

Her eyes were so solemn, and he had no idea how to help her through

this. He didn't even know exactly what was happening to her . . . or to

him for that matter. Why didn't Isabel feel this way, and what about

Michael and Maria? Of course, they're relationships were different from

his with Liz. They were all still human/alien relationships. He and

Liz were the same now . . . .

Max: "Are you ready?"

Liz: "Are we going somewhere?"

Max: "Yes . . . unless, you don't . . . ."

Liz: "I want to go. Should I change?"

Max: "No. Let's just go . . . "

Liz: (putting down her brush) "O.k."

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

Max drove away from town and truth be told he had no idea where he was

heading exactly. He just knew that he needed to get Liz away for a

little while and he needed to be with her. He glanced at her and noticed

that she was sitting perfectly still with her hands folded in her lap

staring straight ahead, deep in thought. He hated the way she'd

withdrawn, and tried to deal with the hurt all by herself. He wanted to

help her.

Max: "How long did you think you were pregnant?"

Liz (pulling out of her reverie): "Oh, uh, just this week." "I know it

seems like I should've known sooner, but I wasn't paying attention."

Max: (a little hurt) "Why didn't you tell me, Liz?"

Liz: (focus sharpening at the pain in his voice) "Max . . . I wasn't

sure, and I didn't want to worry you. I knew you'd do what you always

do. You'd take care of me and make sure that I was o.k., and you'd

suffer in silence. This time, I just wanted to look out for you for

once. I didn't want to put you through any of this, if it wasn't

necessary. Do you undersand?"

Max (a little taken aback) "I think so. . . . But, next time, if there

is one, please come to me, Liz." "I want to know . . . I want to take

care of you . . ."

Liz: (smiling a little) "I don't think there's any doubt about a next

time, do you?"

Max (so relieved to see a smile even if it was a small one) "No . . .

probably not."

Liz: "Where are we going?"

Max (shaking his head) "I have no idea."

Liz: (smiling a little more now) "I think you should pull over . . . "

Max: (turning his head to look at her) "Why? . . . Oh, . . . . "

(pulling off the highway)

As the jeep came to a stop, Liz unbuckled her seat belt and threw her

arms around Max, who caught her as she came to rest practically astride

his lap. He leaned his head back as their lips met and fire flew between

them in tiny little sparks bouncing from one to the other and back again.

Kissing her this way always reminded Max of making love to her. Being

inside of her . . . deep inside of her . . . The snaps on her uniform

came apart with laughable ease and Max pushed it off her shoulders and

down until it caught around her elbows. There were only two scraps of

underwear beneath that uniform. Liz reached for the edge of his shirt to

pull it off, but he caught her hands and held them behind her back. Liz

pulled away and looked at him in question. His eyes reflected all the

passion she'd felt in his kiss. She started to reach for his shirt

again, but he pulled her uniform the rest of the way off, drawing her

arms back and then freeing them. Before she could move again, he leaned

forward and pushed her toward him at the same time with a hand pressed

flat on the small of her back. His breath was warm as it came into

contact with her skin. Liz's head fell back, arching her back, and Max

brought his free hand up to her chin, dragging his fingers down the

column of her throat and stopping at the fastening of her bra. He'd

become quite good at opening lingerie in the past two months. Liz's

hands moved out across his shoulders in a restless motion, as he peeled

the material away from her breasts. He closed his eyes for just a second

and willed himself back under control. He loved her body. Everything

about her . . . every single detail. If he'd special ordered a woman,

she couldn't have been any more perfect for him than Liz Parker. He

opened his eyes again and immediately felt his hard-won self control slip

away once more. Liz seized the hem of his shirt and pulled it up in a

jerky motion that told him exactly how she was feeling. She let it fly

towards the back of the jeep, having no idea where it landed and not

caring at all. She settled down onto his lap and opened her mouth along

his jaw, slipping her hand down to the fastening on his pants. Max let

his hands drift to her waist as she opened his pants and pushed the

material aside. She wrapped her hand around him sliding her fingers up

and down in a rhythm that could only lead to a rapid end. Max whispered

hoarsely, "Baby, please stop. I don't want it to be over yet." Liz

forced herself to let go, but it was an effort of will that she didn't

know she possessed. She put her hands back on his shoulders, as Max

pressed his forehead to hers. He opened his eyes after a moment and

looked into hers. He lifted her up and she brought her hands up to

either side of his face and pulled him toward her until his mouth opened

over her breast and pulled her inside. Liz wasn't sure which one of them

enjoyed this more, but it was amazing how quickly it set fire to her

blood. Her head fell back and she could feel her hair sweep across the

bare skin on her back. Max was still holding her around her waist, as

his mouth continued to push her steadily toward madness. He had been

gentle at first, but somewhere along the way, lust had taken over, and

the pressure of his mouth had increased almost to the point of pain. Liz

waited as long as she could before reaching for him again. Max released

her tender flesh and the cool air across her skin made her gasp in shock.

Max brought one of his hands down between them and slid her underwear to

the side, as Liz brought him to the entrance of her body. Max moved his

hands to her hips and brought her down steadily, feeling the muscles in

her body stretch and give way all around him. He thought again about how

perfect she was for him. He closed his mouth over hers in a hot, wet

kiss that pushed Liz even closer toward release. Max pulled away and

began to move her up again, shuddering at the sensation of her body

sliding along his. He tried to go slow, but he'd waited as long as he

could. He pulled her down hard against him, thrusting up into her at the

same time. Liz's breath rushed out and her eyes widened in surprise, as

Max lifted her again, faster this time, and brought her body down harder

than before. Liz dug her fingernails into his shoulders, and tried to

watch his face, but her vision was blurring as she got closer and closer

.. . . Finally, her eyes drifted shut and she whispered his name. In the

very next instant she would have screamed but her breath was gone once

more, forced out by the impact. As her body let go, Liz found the first

peace that she'd felt in a week. All of a sudden, it didn't matter that

she wasn't pregnant. The only thing that mattered was that Max was with

her and they belonged together. A week had been much too long to go

without this. Max felt not only Liz's physical release, but also the

incredible sense of contentment and peace that flooded her mind, and he

knew she would be alright. He came inside of her just as her eyes opened

again, and she watched his face in fascination. His breathing was ragged

and his chest rose and fell as he tried to adjust. As she looked on, he

slowly opened his eyes and took in the expression on her face. He'd

never have believed it was possible to love or be loved at this level.

Her name sounded hoarse in his own ears as he whispered it. She lifted

one hand to his face and pressed her lips lightly against his. She

whispered, "I love you," against his mouth. They knew then that they'd

be able to withstand anything as long as they were together . . .

TBC

Last Day of School before Summer Break --

Liz Parker stood at her locker shuffling her two remaining books around,

so she could pull out some of the more personal items she kept stored in

there. Her backpack was ridiculously light now that most of the day

was over. Two more classes, and her sophomore year would be over. With

a sigh, she decided to just go ahead and clean out the whole locker now,

rather than have to come back and do it later. There wasn't much left

anyway . . .

Closing the door on the empty compartment, she stood still staring at the

lock for a moment. The frown on her face concerned Max as he walked up

to her slowly, wondering what was going on. She looked like she was a

million miles away.

But she was actually only a few feet away. Her mind had wandered to

yesterday afternoon and a small locked room just down the hall from where

she was now. Max had grabbed her hand after lunch and told her to meet

him there. She had barely closed the door, when she felt his hands and

his mouth everywhere . . . .

She closed her eyes . . . . remembering . . .

Max: (wrapping his arms around her waist and whispering in her ear)

"Better be careful. The way things are going with you, it might melt."

(staring pointedly at the locker)

Liz (relaxing into his embrace): "I know. . . . "

Max: (turning her around to face him) "What's wrong?"

Liz: (sighing) "I'm going to miss you this summer."

Max (startled): "Why? (now concerned) "Are you going somewhere?"

Liz: (quickly reassuring him) "No. It's not that."

Max: (swamped with relief and then searching her face) "What is it,

then?"

Liz: (blushing a little) "We just won't have as much time together . .

.. "

Max: (smiling) "I think I see the problem."

Liz silently wonders how to take Max's attitude. Maybe he didn't feel

the same way that she did. Maybe he didn't . . . .

Max: (sensing the direction of her thoughts) "Stop. You know I can't

stand to be away from you." (putting his hands on her face and kissing

her)

Liz's eyes drifted shut as she felt the pressure of Max's lips on hers

and the incredible feeling of contentment and peace that always came with

his kiss. She almost cried thinking how long it would be in between

kisses for the next couple of months. Reluctantly, Max pulled away.

He needed to reassure her that they wouldn't spend that much time apart,

but they were dangerously close to being late now. Problems with

teachers at this point did not fit into his plans at all.

Max: (putting his arm around her shoulders and walking towards their

class) "Don't worry, Liz. We'll talk about this tonight. Right now, we

better go."

Liz: (smiling at him in spite of her concerns) "You're right. Let's

go."

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

Maria glanced over at Liz, while they changed into their uniforms, and

wondered what was wrong with her best friend. She whistled quietly to

herself, knowing it would irritate Liz to no end, and she'd finally tell

her what was wrong. As she thought over the plans she and Michael had

made right after school, she noticed the scowl on Liz's face. She had

to work hard to keep from grinning, but when she finished dressing, Liz

still had not opened up.

Maria: (unable to stand it anymore) "What?"

Liz: "You are whistling."

Maria: "Yeah . . . so?"

Liz: (under her breath) "Why is everybody in such a good mood today."

Maria: "What?" "Look, Liz. I have no idea what is going on, but you

should be in a fantastic mood right now."

Liz: (confused) "I should?"

Maria (suspicious): "Didn't Max talk to you after school today?"

Liz: (sadly) "No. He got tied up and couldn't meet me. He said he'd

be here later, though." (consoling herself)

Maria: (smiling) "Ah, so, you don't know yet . . . "

Liz: (frowning) "Don't know what?"

Maria: "Nevermind. Thank God. I was beginning to really worry about

you. I mean, who is ever unhappy on the last day of school before summer

break? I'm sure Max will have something to say to cheer you up when you

see him."

Liz: (threatening) "Maria!"

Maria: (groaning) "Ooohhh, Liz. I can't tell you. They'll kill me.

Please? . . . "

Liz: (putting her headband in place and backing out the door) "Oh

alright. I'll wait. But, you owe me."

Maria: (mouthing silently an exaggerated "thank you")

Liz: "What are you doing tomorrow on our first day of freedom?"

Maria: (grinning) "I can't tell you."

Liz: (exasperated) "O.k. What can we talk about?"

Maria: (frowning a little in concentration) "Maybe we shouldn't talk

until after you talk to Max . . . "

Liz: (laughing in spite of her mood) "You're kidding!"

Maria: (smiling) "No . . . no, I'm not." "You'll know soon enough."

"Here comes Max, now." "See ya, babe."

Max: (to Liz) "Hey."

Liz: "Hey. What are you doing here, Max? You said tonight."

Max: "I know, but there's something I need to talk to you about, and I'm

really sorry about after school today."

Liz: "It's o.k. I understand."

Max: "No. It wasn't o.k. I'm sorry."

Liz (smiling at his attitude): "You're forgiven. What's up?"

Max: "Can we talk for a minute?"

Liz: (looking around the restaurant) "Well, I just started my shift . .

.. "

Max: "Please?"

Liz (taking in his anxious expression and wondering what this was all

about) "Well, I guess it would be all right, just for a minute."

Max grabbed Liz's hand and pulled her back into the back room. Once the

door closed behind them, he opened his mouth to say something, but

suddenly stopped. Liz looked at him expectantly and waited, but he still

didn't speak. Finally, he stepped towards her and kissed her

passionately. Liz returned the kiss and immediately saw flashes of Max

after school that day, meeting with someone and exchanging money for a

key. As her mind dealt with the images, her heart embraced the kiss and

for right now, she didn't care that she was supposed to be working and

that it was completely irresponsible for her to be doing this. Right

this minute the only thing that mattered was getting closer to the most

precious person in the world to her. Finally, Max pulled away, albeit

reluctantly. He stared in wonder at Liz's closed eyes and parted lips.

She constantly amazed him with how much she loved him. Her eyes

fluttered open and were filled with love and longing that she reserved

only for him.

Max: "I love you."

Liz: (smiling) "I love you, too."

Max: "Can you get away for a couple of days?"

Liz: (surprised) "I'm not sure. Why?"

Max: (mildly irritated) "Well, it was supposed to be a surprise, but

Michael and Alex blabbed. I got a place big enough for all of us to stay

for a few days."

Liz: (mentally putting the pieces in place) "You did? Wow. That

explains a lot."

Max: (confused) "It does?"

Liz (chuckling): "Yeah . . . everyone was in such a good mood today . .

.. and, the key . . . "

Max: (still lost) "The key?"

Liz: "I saw you getting a key after school."

Max: "You saw me? I thought you'd already left."

Liz: "I did. I saw it just now."

Max: (smiling) "Oh. I guess if I want to surprise you, next time I'll

have to remember not to touch you."

Liz: (grinning) "Surprises are overrated."

Max: (barely restraining himself from kissing her again) "So, can you

go?"

Liz: "When?"

Max: (wincing) "Tomorrow morning?"

Liz: (smiling again as she realized how reluctant he was to be without

her, too) "I should be able to arrange it."

Max: (relieved to have at least the next few days taken care of . . .

now all he had to worry about was the rest of the summer . . . sigh)

"Isabel will pick you and Maria up in the morning."

Liz: "Sounds good." "I better get back to work."

Max: "See you tonight?"

iz: (leaning towards him for a quick kiss) "Yes, but only for a little

while. I'm going to have to convince my parents to let me go."

Max: (kissing her quickly) "O.k. Just for a little while then."

Liz: "Right."

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

Very early the next morning, Isabel and Maria and Liz headed away from

Roswell, as quickly as possible, before their parents had a chance to

change their minds. The guys had gotten away much easier than the girls

under the guise of going camping. Isabel had stopped by Max's room late

last night to give him one final glare. He had hatched this plot after

all. True, they all benefited from it, but he sure did leave her in a

bind with their mom and dad. She closed her eyes at the very thought of

how close she had come to blowing it with them. It was just a little bit

too much coincidence that all three guys were going away at the same time

she was asking to be gone. She had finally convinced her parents that

she just really needed some "girl" time. Quality female companionship.

And, she did, too. The 45 minutes in the car should more than cover it,

she thought, grinning to herself. Four days. They had four days. Four

wonderful days to spend with Alex . . . alone. Well, sort of, she

thought, as she factored in the other two couples.

Liz was daydreaming, too. And, what a sweet dream it was. Her time with

Max last night had been short, but no less passionate for lack of time.

Her parents had even welcomed the sight of him at their front door, as

they delighted in the fact that their daughter was taking off for a few

days to spend some time away from him. Liz almost felt guilty about the

lie, but, at the same time, what choice did she have? She needed Max

like she needed to breathe. Lying to her parents about needing a few

days away from him to spend with just the girls had saved the day. They

were not about to let her go anywhere, until she convinced them that she

just needed some time to be herself without Max. They had been so happy

to see her making what they felt was a mature decision to seek out some

"balance" in her life. Hah! Keeping Max's visit to a minimum last night

had helped to convince them that she was serious about it. The thing

was, she didn't even exist anymore without Max. How could she possibly

explain that to her parents . . .

She could still feel his arms around her as they'd sat out on the roof

together. They hadn't even had to talk much. Liz knew exactly what Max

was thinking anytime he was holding her. Both of them had been lost in

thoughts of the upcoming four days that they now had to just be together

with no work or school . . . no interruptions or outside distractions . .

..

Maria: "Earth to Liz . . . Wow, I never thought that would be so

apropos."

Isabel and Liz both turn to Maria with frowns on their faces.

Maria: "What? . . . It was just a joke. Lighten up."

Liz: "Just wait until it's you, Maria."

Maria: (practically squeaking) "Me?!?!" "On no. Huh-uh. Not me.

Besides, Michael and I already talked about it and neither one of us is

in any hurry to follow you and Max off that cliff."

Liz (chuckling while Isabel looks thoroughly disgusted) "It's not like

we're dying here, Maria. Don't you think you're overreacting a little?"

Maria: (shocked but not speechless) "Overreacting?!?! Let's review.

You were a human. Now you're an alien. Nope. No way to possibly

overreact to that."

Isabel: "Come off it, Maria. If you and Michael had been the first ones

to . . . achieve a state of physical intimacy, you'd be the one who

morphed."

Maria: (blushing a little) "Point taken, but still . . . "

Liz: "No buts, Maria, it is what it is. Just be glad we found out, so

you had a choice."

Maria: "You know, Liz, sometimes I think you would've done it even if

you'd known."

Liz: (smiling now) "Don't be ridiculous."

Maria: "No. I mean it. I really think you would have."

Isabel: (interrupting and changing the subject) "So, how did you two

manage to get away?"

Maria: "It was no problem. My mom was thrilled to death for me to be

liberating myself from the male gender for a few days."

Isabel: "In other words, you lied."

Maria grinned but said nothing. Isabel turned to Liz then.

Isabel: "Well, Liz, what did you tell your parents?"

Liz: "Same as Maria. I thought my parents were going to go into orbit,

they were so pleased at the prospect of me spending some time away from

Max."

Maria: "I can't believe they believed you."

Liz: "I was very motivated and very convincing."

Maria: "Better hope they don't find out what you really did, or you and

Max will be the one's in orbit . . . around Saturn."

Liz: (grimacing at the thought) "I know."

Isabel: (teasing now) "One wonders how you two will survive this summer

without a handy eraser room . . . "

Maria: "Yeah. No one else even bothers to try to use it anymore,

because it's always occupied by you two."

Liz: (blushing) "C'mon. We weren't that bad."

Isabel and Maria: (in unison) "Yes you were."

All three girls cracked up laughing and spent the remainder of the drive

planning what they were going to do for the next couple of days . . .

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

Max checked the sky as he pulled up to the cabin, which looked a whole

lot more like a lodge. It was perfect. Plenty of room for all of them.

The weather, on the other hand, was not. He turned to Michael and Alex.

Max: "Did you guys hear anything about a storm?"

Michael: "No, but what difference would that make."

Alex: "I checked the weather before we left and there was nothing worth

mentioning." (glancing up at the sky with a grimace)

Max: "I hope the girls get here soon."

Michael: "Doesn't look that bad. Maybe, it'll pass over."

Alex and Max both look at him in disbelief.

Michael: "O.k. Maybe it won't."

Max: "C'mon, let's get everything inside before it starts raining."

There were five bedrooms inside and three of them had their own

bathrooms. The third bathroom was downstairs with the largest of the

bedrooms. The guys walked all through the house and picked out the rooms

they liked best. In the end, each chose a room with a bathroom and Max

and Liz would be downstairs. Just as they brought in the last of their

things, lightning cracked across the sky and thunder clapped less than

one second behind the flash.

Max stepped up to the window and looked outside. Where in the world had

this storm come from? It was close. Too close. Michael and Alex

joined him, and all three devoutly wished they'd see the girls pulling up

immediately. Waiting for them now was going to be an exercise in worry

and frustration. The worst thing was that they should've already been

there . . .

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

Isabel clutched the steering wheel tighter with every passing mile. The

rain was coming down in sheets now, and the lightning was blinding at

times. Maria and Liz sat quietly and did their best not to cry out

whenever the thunder threatened to deafen them. They were very close to

their destination at this point, if they could just make it a few more

miles, they'd be safe. Liz's mind wandered to Max and in an instant she

knew he was worried sick about her and the others. It wasn't just

intuition. She knew as if she were inside his mind right now. She

wished there was some way to comfort him and let him know that she was

all right, but she had no idea how to do that. Maybe if she just focused

and concentrated really hard . . .

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

Max stood perfectly still by the window, refusing to move away from it

for even a moment. With every passing minute, his fear grew more and

more out of control. They were a half hour late now. That just couldn't

be good. Michael rested his hand on Max's shoulder and tried to convince

him to sit down for a while, but Max felt too restless to sit. Finally,

Alex joined them once again at the window and all three stood, watching

and waiting . . .

Suddenly, Max felt her . . .

He could almost hear her voice inside his head. What was she saying? He

closed his eyes and forced out every other thought from his mind.

Focusing in on only her voice . . . her thoughts . . . She was telling

him that they were o.k. and that they were very close. Max relaxed for

the first time in the past half hour. They were o.k. Wait. She was

trying to tell him something else . . . Once more, he closed his eyes

and knew an overwhelming sense of being loved . . . completely. How was

she doing this? He turned to Michael and Alex and told them that their

girls were o.k. Michael looked first incredulous and then accepting,

while Alex just looked stunned. All three wore expressions of profound

relief. That sense of well-being was short lived, because in the very

next moment Max heard Liz scream out his name in sheer terror . . .

TBC

Blinding rain was all that could be seen through the windshield of the

jeep, as Max fought the steering wheel in an effort to keep on the

roadway. Every few seconds he asked if anyone had seen anything, knowing

that they hadn't or he would've already heard about it. His chest hurt

from the effort it took to breathe right now. Something had happened to

them, and whatever it was, Liz had stopped communicating with him and

hadn't tried since. He knew they couldn't be far, but it was almost

impossible to see through the downpour. Exactly three minutes later, the

searching was over. A tree had fallen across the road and on the other

side of that tree, their car was just barely visible. Obviously, they

had swerved in an effort to avoid hitting the tree, because the car was

completely perpendicular to the highway. They were too far away at this

point to see if anyone was hurt, and without a moment's hesitation Max

and Michael and Alex were racing toward that small car on foot. As they

got closer, the car doors flew open and a frantic Isabel and a hysterical

Maria jumped out.

Isabel: "Oh my God, Max. Liz is unconscious. She must've hit her head

on the windshield when I swerved.

Alex quickly enfolded Isabel in a hug, as Michael dragged Maria to him

and held her as if his life depended on the embrace. The two couples

made their way to the jeep, and once the girls were safely inside, Alex

and Michael ran back to help Max with Liz.

Max was leaning over Liz and the freezing rain was dripping off of him

and all over her, while he checked her for various injuries. There

didn't appear to be any . . . except her head. He put his hands on

either side of her face, and tried to form the connection with her, but

when he did, all he could see or hear or feel was . . . darkness . . .

nothingness. He quickly broke the connection and picked her up, cradling

her against his chest as he carried her to the jeep.

Michael and Alex stayed behind to deal with Isabel's car and clearing the

road. The tree wasn't huge, but it was an obstruction and very, very

heavy. Alex watched in amazement as Michael split the wood apart and

sent it flying across the road. In short order, the road was cleared,

and Michael and Alex were on their way back to the cabin. The rain had

dwindled down to a small monsoon at this point . . .

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

Back at the cabin, Maria and Isabel sat by the fire trying to dry their

clothes and get warm, while Max sat right next to Liz, who still had not

regained consciousness. Max was almost to the panic stage, when the

front door burst open and Michael and Alex walked in.

Alex: "How is she, Max?"

Max: (swallowing hard around the fear that was choking him) "I don't

know."

Michael: (frowning) "What do you mean you don't know? Didn't you try

to connect with her?"

Max: (wearily) "Yeah. I couldn't reach her."

Maria: (standing up and walking over to Max and Liz) "I think, maybe,

you should try to let her reach you . . . "

A startled hush fell over the room as Maria's words left a trail of

shocked expressions in their wake.

Michael: (quietly) "What do you mean?"

Maria: "Right before the accident, Liz was trying to let Max know that

we were all right and on the way. She said she could feel how worried

you were. Maybe, you just need to let her reach out to you . . . "

Michael (suspicious): "How do you know that, Maria?"

Maria: (glancing up but not comprehending the direction of his thoughts)

"I don't know."

Max: (prepared to try anything) "What do I do?"

Maria: "What were you doing before?"

Max: "I was standing by the window, watching for you."

Maria: "Go back over there, and think about what you were thinking about

before. Try to remember what you were feeling."

Max got up and went to the window, while Alex and Isabel and Michael

stared in stunned fascination at Maria. Max closed his eyes in

concentration for a moment and then remembered they had been open until

he'd heard from her. Opening his eyes, he forced himself to remember the

anxiety he'd been feeling. It only took a moment for the pain and fear

he was feeling now to translate into what he'd been feeling then . . .

Liz's whole body levitated off the sofa as she screamed out Max's name

once more, this time from the safety of the cabin instead of from the

inside of a careening car.

Max was almost afraid to turn around . . . afraid that his mind was

teasing him with the possibility that she could be awake. But, turn

around he did, and then she was in his arms. Crying hysterically, but in

his arms and most importantly she was awake. He didn't even remember

crossing from the window to the sofa. It had happened in a blur. He

kissed her eyes and tasted the salty tears as her hands came up on either

side of his face. He wanted to talk to her, to reassure her, but he

couldn't. His throat was so tight, there was no possible way he could

speak, so once again his thoughts went out to her and drifted into her

mind, calming and soothing and ultimately loving. Her tears subsided and

she opened her eyes and looked into his, noting the concern and strain of

the past two hours.

Liz: "I'm all right, Max."

Max: (finally able to move air past his vocal chords) "Are you sure?"

Liz: (smiling shakily) "Yeah. I'm sure. I feel fine."

Alex: (shaking his head) "Shouldn't she at least have a headache?"

Max: (remembering his own experience with a head injury) "No. Probably

not. Once I woke up, I felt fine."

Maria: (face still filled with concern) "You scared me, Lizzie."

Liz: (grabbing Maria's hand and squeezing it) "I'm sorry."

Isabel: "Maybe you should lie down for a while and rest. We'll bring

all the stuff in from the car and make lunch."

Maria: (seeing that she was about to protest) "That's not a bad idea,

Liz. It can't hurt to make sure you're o.k."

Liz finally gave in as the wisdom of the idea sank in. Better to be safe

than sorry, but she really did feel just fine. Max picked her up and

carried her to their bedroom and sat her down gently on the bed, kneeling

beside her.

Liz: "I could've walked, Max. I'm o.k., really."

Max: "Humor me, I've had a rough day."

Liz: (smiling) "I'm sorry. Why don't you take a nap with me?"

Max: (standing abruptly) "Because there is absolutely no way I can get

in bed with you right now and sleep."

He bent down and kissed her lightly on her pretty mouth, before turning

to walk out of the bedroom. He stopped at the door as she spoke.

Liz: "Max, wait. Please don't leave me in here by myself."

Max: (turning to face her with a confused look) "Why? What's wrong?"

Liz: (fear filling her voice) "I don't want to be alone right now, Max

.. . . please."

Max (sensing she was being more sincere than coy): "O.k. sweetheart. I

won't leave."

Pulling the chair over by the bed, he sat down and held her hand in both

of his, and waited for her to tell him what she was so afraid of.

Liz (taking a deep breath): "I couldn't wake up, Max. I tried and

tried. It was like being lost. I knew you were looking for me, but I

couldn't find you anywhere, until I felt that fear from you again just

the same as before. I've never been that scared before. I didn't think

I'd ever get out of that dark place . . ."

Max: (brushing the hair away from her face and smiling) "But you did,

and you're o.k. now."

Liz: (smiling bravely) "I know. At least my head knows, but my heart .

.. . needs a few minutes to catch up."

Max: "Why don't you just try to get some sleep and I'll sit right here

until you wake up."

Liz: (smile slipping) "I'm afraid to go to sleep. . . . Hold me,

Max."

Max stood up without a word and moved around to the other side of the

bed. Grabbing a blanket off the rack beside the bed, he climbed in

beside her and pulled her up close to him spreading the blanket over top

of them both. Liz shivered once, but not from cold. She didn't think

she would ever get used to the feeling of being held like this by Max.

Her head was resting on his arm and his breath was warm in her ear as he

whispered that he loved her. His other arm wrapped around her waist and

his hand rested flat against her tummy causing that familiar flutter.

Surprisingly enough, now that he was here with her, she did feel tired

and her eyes drifted shut almost immediately. Max felt her breathing

even out as she fell asleep and wondered at the ease with which she had

done so after being so afraid. It seemed that all she needed was him.

That was only fair, because all he ever needed was her . . . His

thoughts centered around this extraordinary love as exhaustion claimed

him and he, too, fell asleep . . .

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

Alex and Isabel brought in the last of the girls' things and set

everything down on the floor to sort out later. The rain had finally let

up to a drizzle, but they still made their way over to the fireplace to

warm up and dry off. Isabel rubbed her arms and stared into the flames.

Alex wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back against him.

Isabel: "What a way to start a trip, huh?"

Alex: "Could've been worse . . . "

Isabel: "True."

Alex: "Hey, are you o.k.?"

Isabel (turning to face him and in a moment of rare weakness let the

tears fall): "God, Alex. I was so scared. She wouldn't wake up. There

was nothing we could do."

Alex: "Shh. You did fine, Isabel. Don't cry."

Isabel: (whispering) "I'm sorry."

Alex: "Don't ever be sorry. That's what I'm here for. I want these

tears, and the smiles, and everything else that goes with you. They

belong to me, too."

Isabel: (pulling back to look into his eyes) "Who are you, Alex?"

Alex: "Just the guy who's in love with you."

Isabel: (wide eyed) "I'm in love with you, too, Alex."

Alex: (bending his head to kiss her) "I'm deeply relieved to hear that.

"

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

Out in the kitchen, Maria and Michael were working quietly together, but

the tension that was building between them was palpable. Finally, Maria

slammed the knife down on the counter top and turned toward Michael with

an angry countenance.

Maria: "What?"

Michael: "What do you mean, 'what'?"

Maria: "I mean, what is wrong with you?"

Michael: (going back to chopping) "Nothing."

Maria: "Don't hand me that bull shit, Michael."

Michael: (putting his own knife down and passing his hand quickly over

his forehead in a now very familiar gesture) "Look. Just calm down,

alright? I just don't understand how you knew all that stuff about Max

and Liz and what to do. It was . . . weird."

Maria (fighting hysteria) "Weird?!?! Have you lost your mind, Michael?

What isn't weird?"

Michael: "That's not what I'm saying. I just don't understand why you

would know all that."

Maria (raising her chin as understanding crept in) "You're afraid.

You're afraid that I'm becoming like Liz. No. Like you."

Michael: "I'm not afraid. We just agreed that we wouldn't . . . "

Maria: "And, we didn't or have you forgotten that small detail?"

Michael: "Then, how?"

Maria: "I'm sure I don't know. You're the resident alien in the room."

Michael (quietly): "Would it be so bad, Maria?"

Maria: (nonplussed) "What do you mean?"

Michael (sighing): "Would it be so bad for you to be . . . like us . .

.. like me?"

Maria: (stunned) "No, Michael. It wouldn't."

Michael: "But you said all those things and you seemed so horrified . .

.. "

Maria: "But, I willingly took the chance, didn't I? I'm o.k. no matter

what happens. I signed up, remember?"

Michael: "Are you sure, because it certainly seems like something

strange is going on?"

Maria: "I'm sure, but I think you're worrying over nothing. Liz always

had a connection with Max even when she wasn't an alien. Maybe this is

just something like that. Or, maybe it's just intuition . . . Who

knows?"

Michael: "I want to know for sure, Maria. I need to know."

Maria: (walking up to him and wrapping her arms around his waist) "O.k.

As soon as we can, we'll find out if it means that much to you."

Michael: "It does."

They stood there quietly for a long time and just held each other, both

wondering what the future would bring.

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

Max felt something pulling him from the depths of an extremely sound

sleep. What was it? Something insistent . . . urgent . . . And, then

he heard her. Liz was whimpering in her sleep and starting to get

restless. Her soft cries were becoming louder and more desperate, as Max

quickly made the connection with her. Once inside, he searched through

the darkness that wasn't quite black. Where was she? He had to find her

and let her know that she wasn't alone . . .

He turned another corner in what felt like a huge maze. No wonder she

hadn't wanted to go to sleep, if this was what she had been expecting.

Finally, Max gave up walking. It seemed that the more he moved, the

farther he was from her. He stopped and closed his eyes and listened

with his heart for her presence. Now, he could find her. He sensed her

as he began walking again. The maze fell away and in the space of a

breath he saw her. She looked so scared and so alone. He sat down on

the floor in front of her and let her adjust to his presence here. He

watched as her face revealed her shifting emotions. She reached out her

hand to touch him and with that small contact, they were both instantly

awake. Liz turned towards Max and buried her face in his neck,

breathing in the scent of him and forcing her mind to accept that he was

real. She didn't cry. It was unnecessary. Right this minute, there

were far more pressing needs . . .

TBC