“Thank you so much for this Max. Really I should have never doubted you.”

“No problem. So you ready?”

“I have been thinking about this my whole life. I am so ready.”

Max takes Maria’s hand and they start up the hell to enter the biggest party of the year. A party they will never forget as long as they live.

When they reach the top of the hill they stare in amazement at the party in full swing below, both speechless. What they saw far exceeded any of their previous expectations.

The music was blasting, crowds of people were everywhere. Both Maria and Max were amazed by the light show going off in front of them. It had just turned Midnight and the 2002 sign was lighted with sparklers. Small fireworks were going off everywhere around them.

Maria could barely conceal her excitement. She couldn’t believe she was finally here. She had dreamed about coming to Enigma as soon as she found out what it was and now she was here and Maria owed it all to Max. He had insisted they go back to the classroom and take a second look and the first clue. They were finally able to find the final clue at the 24/7. Now here they were.

Max also couldn’t believe that he was at this party. If someone would have told him twelve hours before that he would be at Enigma he would have called them crazy. As much as he hates to admit it this is not his sort of thing but the more people kept laughing at the idea of him at a Party or saying he was just there as a chaperone the more he had wanted to go for himself. He believed he needed, no deserved, to enjoy himself. To just have a good time and not think about his complicated life.

“I can’t believe we are here Max.” Maria practically jumps up and down in front of him. “This is so unbelievable.”

Being with Maria, watching her excitement was intoxicating. He couldn’t help but laugh and feel genuinely happy and relaxed for the first time in a very long time.

“Yeah this is pretty amazing.”

“I can’t wait to tell everyone that we did it. We found Enigma.”

The music got louder and people started dancing all around them.

“Come on let’s dance.”

“Maria.” Max shakes his head and tries to protest but Maria interrupts him.

“Come on Max. We’re here to let go and enjoy ourselves.”

They danced for hours, laughing and having more fun then they have had in a very long time. Maria was so glad that Michael has given her the night off. She really needed this break from their alien soap opera and to think she was having this much fun with Max Evans of all people. Max is one of her best friends, her best friends’ boyfriend, but she has never associated real fun with him. Angst and drama yes but fun no.

The summer they had spent hanging out together they mostly moaned and groaned about their failed love lives. Michael had pushed Maria away after he had killed Pierce and Liz has run away to Florida because she felt she had to let Max go. So Max and Maria had become close but that all changed after Alex died. Liz had said an alien was responsible and Max turned to Tess for comfort. The friendship they had once shared all but faded away. Maria was glad that changed tonight and they were once again real friends. It felt good.

“Thank you again Max. I really needed this.”

Max smiled at Maria. “I think I did to Maria.”

The party started to die down as the sun was rising. The band announced that there would be one last song. It was a slow song.

Max held out his hand to Maria and they danced one last song together. He held her close smiling into her hair.

“Hey you never did get your midnight kiss.”

“Yeah well Michael wasn’t really up to it and anyhow we agreed we wouldn’t do that.”

Max looks at Maria and smiles. “I wasn’t talking about Michael. Happy New Year Maria.” Max leans towards Maria and they share a very sweet and gentle kiss.

They look at each other for a moment after the kiss and smile. Max takes Maria’s hand once again and they walk back to his car. They sit in silence most of they way back to town until Maria finally speaks.

“You won’t tell Michael will you?”

Max smiles. “What that we shared a midnight kiss? No. Not as long as you don’t tell Liz.” Max winks at her.

“Deal.”

Maria turns on the radio and starts singing along with the song. Again Maria’s happiness rubs off on him and he soon finds himself singing right along with her. They are still singing when they pull up in front of the Crashdown and walk through the doors where their friends are.

“You found it. I don’t believe it.” Kyle shouts

“Oh Yes, we found it, closed it, did it.”

“That is unbelievable.”

“Tell us everything.”


!! THE END !!