* * 1 * *


"Maria?" Max Evans called out to his friend Maria Delucca, a waitress at the crash down café where his ex-girlfriend, Maria's best friend Elizabeth Parker, worked. "Maria?"

"Yeah Max? What's up?" Maria guided him towards his usual booth and they both sat down.

"Have you heard from Liz at all? She hasn't been returning any of my calls."

"She didn't tell you?" Maria asked with a slight frown, "Gee, she said she would."

"Tell me what? What's going on?" Max cried out.

"Gosh, Max calm down. She decided to go visit her aunt in Florida. She said she wouldn't be able to deal with the stress of this destiny stuff between you, Tess, Isabel, and Michael."

Max let out a sigh of pure pain and frustration. "What about you Maria? How are you handling it?" Max asked in a very concerned voice. "Tell me the truth."

Maria did a little sighing of her own, "Not right now Max. I can't deal right now. Have to get back to work my break is over." She looked up in time to see Michael slowly walking in as if he was looking for someone. She stood up to leave.

"Maria?" Max asked, "Could we maybe talk later?"

Maria shook her head no. "I don't think there's anything for us to discuss. You guys know the reason you were sent here. So you don't need us anymore. We're just distractions. Remember?"

"That's not true Maria." Max started to say but she walked off.

"What's not true? What were you two talking about?" Michael asked when he was directly behind Max.

"Nothing. I was just asking about Liz." Max stood up and he and Michael headed out towards the jeep.

Later on back at Michael's apartment Max was coaching Michael on how to control his powers. Michael was trying to reform broken glass back into a figurine of a swan. So far he was doing pretty good but in some areas, mainly the area of healing, he was still a little rusty. Michael sighed in frustration and looked up at Max. He suddenly remembered the conversation he interrupted between Maria and Max earlier that day.

"You know Max you should really stop moping over Liz and just concentrate more on our cause. I mean you are supposed to be our fearless leader and all."

Max became very angry, "Excuse me for not being able to turn my emotions on and off like you Michael. But, unlike you I actually care about the humans who've saved our lives on more than one occasion. Didn't you care at all for Maria?"

"I cared but there are more important things out there than human emotions." The figure finally came together for Michael so he smashed it and started again.

"Damn Michael. When did you become so cold. You know what? Maybe it was good that you dumped Maria. Now she can go find someone who's a whole hell of a lot smarter than you are." Max grabbed his keys and headed towards the door. With his hands on the knob he paused and turned back to Michael. "Someone who knows a good thing when it's staring them in the face. From now on you can take lessons from your emotionless sibling Tess."

* * * * * * * *

Max avoided Michael for two straight weeks. In those weeks he reflected on his relationship with Liz. He also spent time with his sister Isabel, her boyfriend Alex Whittman, and Maria. They went to the movies, the Crashdown, and an amusement park right outside of Roswell. They did any and everything that would keep their minds off of the threat that was soon coming for the four aliens or Czechoslovakians as Maria and Liz called them.

During all of their fun Max realized that he was spending more time with Maria than any one else. He was always at the Crashdown during her shift, he would always take her home at night, and he was always at her house. They talked about any and everything. Liz, Michael, their destiny, and future plans.

One Saturday they both sat outside on Maria's porch drinking ice tea and playing checkers. Max had been staring at Maria for the past 15 minutes deep in thought. Maria looked up at him and said, "Yo, Earth to Max. Come in laddie."

Max came out of his stupor, "Damn, I'm sorry. Was I out long?"

"Yep. For about two hours." She laughed. "What had you so engrossed?"

"I was just thinking about Liz." He sighed. "I really miss her Maria. Do you think she'll take me back?"

Maria closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. She really didn't know what to tell Max. She could understand how Liz's mind was working since the learning of Max's purpose here on Earth. She opened her eyes only to stare deeply into Max's. "Do you want my honest opinion, Max?"

Max paused before answering. He really didn't want to hear an answer that would greatly disappoint him. He wanted to be told that things would work out between him and Liz. "Yes. I do."

"Well then my answer would have to be no." She scooted closer to Max and took his hands in hers. "For months you and Liz had this great romance going on. And then along comes this new girl, Tess. Then Liz finds out that Tess is your actual mate. Your wife in a pass life and you both need to save your home planet from destruction." Maria took a deep breath and continued, "Liz is not the one to stand in the way of someone's destiny. No matter how much she loves that person."

Max let out the breath he didn't even realize he was holding. "Yeah that's what I pretty much figured out for myself. It just sticks when it's coming from someone else." Max released her hands and stood up. "So, what about you Maria?" Max helped her up to stand. "How are you handling things with Michael. Will you try to get back with him?"

She brushed off her shorts giving herself a few minutes to think about his questions. Then she replied, "No. I don't think I will. Michael took the choice completely out of my hands. At least Liz and Alex had a choice. I didn't. So I was forced to have to move on."

Max pulled Maria into a hug. He kissed the top of her short blonde hair that she was allowing to grow out. She hugged him back hard. Max said, "That still doesn't explain to me why you don't patch things up with him."

She pulled out of his arms and began to gather up the checker pieces. Then she paused and said, "I don't want to make up with him because he has hurt me one too many times. And I REFUSE to give him any more chances to break my heart. Enough is enough."

"WOW, Maria. How did you become so strong?"

She smiled, "Like I always tell Liz `I'm Teflon babe!' Now come on let's go in and watch some movies.

* * * * * * * *

Maria was having another harrowing day at the Crashdown when the bell rung over the door and in walked Michael and Tess. She let out a soft sigh of displeasure when she saw that they were heading for seats in her section. `Gosh,' she thought, `I so don't need this today.' She put on a fake smile and headed over to their table.

"Hello. What are you having today?" she asked cheerfully.

Michael looked up at Maria and frowned. Then he looked towards Tess and asked what she wanted. Tess replied, "I'll have an Alien Head and a MIB smoothie."

"And you sir?" Maria asked as if she didn't even know him.

"I'll have the same. Maria? Is it?" He made a point of asking.

Maria rolled her eyes at him and walked off to place her order.

"Whoa." Said Tess. "Somebody is experiencing a little PMS. What do you think Michael?"

"I agree Tess. These humans and their weak emotions."

Maria heard what they said but chose to ignore it. Her shift was would be over before their order would be complete anyway. She informed the next waitress about their order and went in the back room to change out of her uniform. Once she finished changing she headed back out front to wait on Max. When she got up front she noticed he was already waiting for her with Isabel and Alex. They were standing at the table with Tess and Michael talking. Well Isabel was talking to Michael. Alex and Max were just looking around wishing Maria would hurry. Tess was trying to sink her claws into Max and he was trying to dodge her.

"Hey you guys. Sorry it took me so long." Maria said when she walked up to them. "So what's on the agenda for today?"

Alex held up a bag full of videos and said, "Movie night at the Evans. Isabel invited Michael and Michael invited Tess. Tess agreed. Isn't that great?" the last question he said with sarcasm.

"Yeah just wonderful." Maria said meaning exactly the opposite. "The jeep isn't big enough for all of us" Maria stated.

"I just got a new car so, Michael, Isabel, and Max could drive in my car with me." Tess replied, "and you too could ride in Max's jeep."

"We can't drive stick!" Maria and Alex stated at the same time.

"How about Isabel, Alex, and Maria drive with me in the jeep and you and Michael can drive in your car." Max said.

"Fine whatever." Tess said with a sexy pout that Max completely failed to notice.

* * * * * * * *

At the Evans...

"Alright everybody what do you wanna watch first?" Alex asked waiving the movies around in the air. "I have Romeo Must Die, Superstar, and Shangai Noon."

"OOOOO!" Maria cried out. "Let's watch Superstar. I absolutely love that movie."

"This is the Evans house." Said Tess snobbishly. "They should decide which movie to watch."

Isabel and Max could tell that Maria was about to go off on Tess so, Isabel quickly jumped in. "I say we should watch Superstar first. That is one of my favorite movies. Alex you start the movie while Maria and I make the popcorn."

Isabel grabbed Maria's hand dragging her into the kitchen away from Tess. Once in the kitchen Maria let out a soft frustrated shriek. "Ooooo. I could just kill that girl. Damn, if she wasn't Max's intended she'd be dead already."

Isabel laughed, "Yeah I know what you mean. She does kind of grate on one's nerves. Anyway, that's not what I brought you in here for. I have something to ask you."

Maria looked up from watching the popping popcorn in the microwave. She noticed the serious look on Isabel's face. "What do you need to know?"

Isabel sighed, "I wanna know how do you feel about Max?"

"What do you mean how do I feel about him? Max and I are just friends. Why would you ask something like that?" Maria was feeling very confused and also a little guilty. Lately she had been feeling more than friendly towards Max.

"Well what if you found out that Max like you as more than a friend? What would you do if you started liking him as more than a friend?" Maria laughed. She thought Isabel was joking. "I'm asking a serious question here Maria. I think Max is starting to like you."

"Oh no. You're joking right. I mean Max would never willingly cheat on Liz. How do you know for sure?" Maria was shocked. She didn't know if she should believe Isabel or what. She felt that it was too much to ask for that Max would have the same feelings as she was.

"Well last night I was practicing my new abilities for dream walking. So I decided to use Max as my test subject. Without his knowledge or else it wouldn't have worked. Well in his dream I saw him standing at the airport. He was saying goodbye to Liz and she got on the plane and her plane flew off. Then a few seconds later another plane touched down and you stepped off that plane. Max pulled you into his arms and you two were kissing quite passionately. Max was telling you how much he loved you and how he finally said goodbye to his first love so now he could get back with his one true love. And the rest of the dream was NC 17 rated."

"What?" Maria was stunned to say the least. She didn't know what else to say.

Isabel nodded. "Let's just say that I didn't know your body could contort in such ways."

"Oh my God. He can't have feelings for me. What about Liz and Michael? Oh no. He can't hurt my best friend like that. He can't put me in that type of position. What is wrong with him?" Maria held on to the counter as if it was her lifeline. "Oh God what am I gonna do?"

"Maria, calm down." Isabel pulled her away from the counter and pulled the popcorn out of the microwave and set it in a bowl. "I didn't tell you this so you could start getting upset. It's not like you share those feelings. Right? ... Right? ...."

Pause. No answer from Maria.

"Oh no Maria." Isabel cried. "You do have feelings for Max."

"Please, Isabel. You can't tell anyone. Not even Max."

"Don't worry this could hurt a lot of people. You and Max included. Though I do wish that it was possible for you two to move on."

Just then Max poked his head in the doorway. "Hey you two slow pokes the movie is about to start. Hurry up with our snacks."

"Coming! Maria you grab the drinks and I'll carry the popcorn and chips."

In the living room Alex grabbed the love seat for him and Isabel. Max sat on the floor next to the love seat. He refused to sit on the big couch with Tess and Michael. Maria knew she definitely did not want to sit next to Michael or Tess so she chose the floor next to Max.

"Hey!" He said to her as she handed him his cherry coke.

"Hey!" was her reply. She made herself comfortable next too him and they turned to enjoy the movie.

By the end of the second movie Shangai Noon Maria, was curled up, asleep in Max's arms. Tess looked at them with daggers in her eyes. Michael and Alex looked at them and thought nothing of it. Isabel looked at them with a smile on her face. Not that she was against Liz, but she felt that Maria and Max needed to move on away from the people who hurt them. She loved her brother and was happy about anything that made him happy.

* * * * * * * *

Maria woke up the next day in her own bed. She remembered Max carrying her to the car and driving her home. On the drive home they just sat in silence. Left alone with their thoughts. She was debating on whether Isabel's revelation was true or not and he was thinking about how nice it felt to have Maria sleeping in his arms. When they got to her house the said there good nights and when she turned to go into the house he stopped her and did something very unexpected.

"Maria?"

"Yes Max?"

He paused. He didn't know if he should continue or not. "Go on Max what is it?"

"Maria I was wondering if you would like to go to the movies with me tomorrow? Just me. No Isabel or Alex. Just me."

"You mean like in a date?" Maria didn't know what to say. She knew she should be saying no because this was her best friends guy. But then again they were no longer together and neither was she and Michael. It's been a month since they broke up. It was time for them to move on. But still this was Liz's love. She would be considered shady for even thinking such a thing. Maria opened her mouth and was about to turn him down but the words that fell from her mouth were far from a refusal. "O.k. Max that sounds like a great idea. When do you want to pick me up?"

"How about six?" He asked with a big grin.

"O.k. I'll be ready at six. You can pick me up from the Crashdown."

"k. Until tomorrow then?" She went inside. Once the door was closed Max let out a shout of pleasure. Then he drove off in a happy state of bliss.

* * * * * * * *

That morning before work Maria had debated heavily on what she was going to wear for her date with Max. She finally settled on a pair of reddish orange Capri pants and a reddish orange and pale yellow baby doll shirt. The shirt was a halter that had the back out with crisscross ties in the back. Her blonde hair grew past her shoulders over the past months so she decided to wear it loose with a slight curl. She put two containers of orange and gold glitter in her purse to apply later with her make up.

All through work Maria was floating on clouds in anticipation for her date with Max. Any guilt she felt about Liz and Michael were carefully stored away. She was not going to let anything ruin her time with Max. Just then Isabel walked into the Crashdown and spotted Maria bouncing around the place with a huge grin on her face.

"Wow girl! What's got into you? Your feet aren't even touching the ground."

"Oh, hello Isabel. I'm on cloud nine." Maria laughed.

"Hmm. Could this be because a certain sibling of mine asked a certain someone out on a date?" Isabel pulled Maria into an empty booth. "O.k. Spill. I need details here."

Maria let out another giggle and leaned in closer to Isabel. "There's not much to tell actually. The ride home was pretty much silent. Then when I was about to go into the house he stopped me and asked me to go to the movies with him. Without you or Alex. I was shocked at first. To say the least."

"But you said yes. Right?" Isabel asked with a big dopey grin on her face.

"You know I did." Maria paused and let out a sad little sigh. "I just thought about Liz and Michael. I mean my head was telling me to say no because of them. However, my heart was saying `Girl you had better say yes.' What's a girl to do?"

Isabel patted Maria hands and said, "Tough choice but you know the heart knows best. So anyway, what are you wearing?"

Maria spent the rest of her break telling Isabel about the outfit she was wearing and about how she was going to act and everything. Finally break was over and Isabel had to leave. Maria went back to work and back to her bouncy ways before Isabel came. Two hours later found Maria in the back changing into her date clothes and fixing her hair. To say she was excited would be an understatement. She couldn't keep still. She walked up front to wait on Max and as soon as she walked out the door she ran into Michael.

"Whoa, Michael what are you doing here? You're not on schedule for today." Maria asked nervously.

"I wasn't but the Parkers needed extra help today and I needed the extra cash. So, here I am." Michael looked down appreciatively at what Maria was wearing. "Where are you going dressed like that?"

"I am going to the movies." She said evasively.

Michael raised one eyebrow inquiringly. "Oh, as in on a date? With someone?"

"I'm going with Max, Isabel, and Alex. As if it was any of your business whom I go with." Maria tried to push past him but he blocked her way.

"You and Max have been a little too close lately. Is there anything I should know about that?"

"What I do no longer concerns you. We no longer date. Remember?" Maria finally pushed him out the way. "And I seem to recall that the choice was yours. So I'm moving on Michael. Just like you wanted me to." Max was entering the café so Maria headed towards him. "Bye Michael. Enjoy your choices and I'll enjoy mine."

Max guided Maria out to the car and helped her in. "Wow Maria! You look great."

"Thank you Max. You look great also." They smiled at each other as he drove off.

"I'm not trying to be nosy or anything Maria, but what were you and Michael talking about? You seemed upset." Maria looked up at Max and she could see the concern in his face and here it in his voice. He continued, "I know the path we're heading down can lead to a lot of heartbreak but this is something that has been building up in me for the past month. I don't want to see anyone getting hurt just yet."

"Yeah I know what you mean." Maria said. "Michael asked what I was so dressed up for. So I lied and said that I was going to the movies with you, Isabel, and Alex. I didn't want him to know that we were going out on a date. Then he questioned me about how you and I were getting a little too close. So I totally went off on him. He just makes me so mad sometimes."

"Do you still love him?" Max asked softly.

"You know two weeks ago I probably would have said yes. Now, I just don't know anymore. I don't like the person he's become since this whole destiny thing. It's like he's totally forgotten all that the six of us meant to each other before Nacedo and Tess came into the picture. So I don't think I would ever want Michael back and I do mean ever.

They finally pulled up to the movie theater. Max once again helped Maria out the car. "So, what do you want to see?"

"Let's go see What Lies Beneath. We already saw Scary Movie with Alex and Isabel." Was her reply.

"O.k. What Lies Beneath it is. Michelle Pfeifer is hott."

Maria punched Max in the arm and said, "Not hotter than me though. Right?"

"Never. She doesn't hold a candle to you." They made small talk as Max paid for the tickets and the snacks at the concession stand. They found seats in the very back row of the movie theater and the settled down to enjoy the movie.

Throughout the movie Maria found herself scooting closer and closer to Max. And at one point during a very scary scene she found herself jumping in his arms and burying her face in his chest. Max liked the feel of Maria in his arms. So he kept his arm around her throughout the rest of the movie. Afterwards they walked back to the jeep hand in hand. They didn't know when their hands joined. Nor did they care. The feeling was nice and they were enjoying it to the fullest.

* * * * * * * *

After the movie Max took Maria to dinner at a new restaurant that just opened called STARLIGHT. It was a family style place that catered to all ages. It had a game room for the kids (or kids at heart) as well as a dance room for the teenagers on certain nights.

Max guided Maria to the restaurant portion but she stopped him and said, "I'm not really hungry. I ate enough to last me at the movies. Let's go dance. O.k.?"

"Sure. I'm all for it." They walked into the dance room.

The room was packed with people. Some they recognized from school, others they didn't know at all. They walked around and chatted with some familiar faces until a popular song they knew began to play. They went out to the dance floor and started to dance.

"Wow Max. You're a pretty good dancer. I didn't know you had it in you."

"Thanks. I knew watching those dance shows on MTV would come in handy." They both laughed. Max pulled her close then released her into a spin. Suddenly the beat slowed down to the Latin groove of Santana's Maria, Maria. They both began to move sensuously to the Latin tempo.

"Mmmm! I totally love this song." Crowed Maria on a sexy purr.

Max smiled down into her shining eyes. "Could it be because it bears the same name as you? Hmm I wonder." He gave her another spin with a salsa twist. "I bet if it was called Sophia, Sophia you wouldn't like it as much."

"Yeah that's true but it doesn't. So whatever." Maria laughed in happiness as Max began to sang the lyrics to her.

Maria, Maria
She reminds me of a West Side Story
Growing up in Spanish Harlem
She living the life just like a movie star

Maria, Maria
She fell in love in East L.A.
To the sounds of the guitar
Played by Carlos Santana

They continued dancing through about six more songs before they had to leave. The ride home was spent talking about any and everything. However, they both strayed away from the subject of Liz and Michael. They didn't want guilt to intrude on their time together. They finally arrived at Maria's house. So Max got out and walked her to her door.

"Well. Max I had a really good time tonight. The movie was great and I especially loved the dancing part." She unlocked her door but then turned back to Max. "We have to do it again soon."

He smiled. "I agree. I enjoyed myself also. Is tomorrow to soon for a second date?"

Laughingly she replied. "Hmm. Someone sounds a little eager but yeah tomorrow is fine we could make a day of it."

"O.k. Tomorrow it is. I'll be over bright and early."

"I'll be ready."

"Well. I guess this is good night then." He began to back up slowly. "See you tomorrow."

"O.k. Bye." She watched as he slowly started to walk off.

"Oh! Wait!" He turned back around and closed the distance between them. "I almost forgot." He then proceeded to pull her in his arms and kissed her.

No thoughts of resisting entered her mind and their kiss was far from chaste. A lot of tongue was involved. This was better than any kiss Max had ever experienced. Even with Liz. More than just their mouths were engaged. Finally it ended and all they could do was stare at one another in shock as they replayed that kiss through their minds.

"Wow. You know Max, I usually don't kiss on the first date but I have to say that that kiss was well worth it." They both gave very big grins.

"Wanna do it again?" He asked eagerly.

"Hell yeah!" They went at it again, and again, and again. Until finally Maria said. "You know Max this has got to end or else we'll never get to bed."

"Yeah you're right. Because the sooner we get to bed then the sooner I can get you tomorrow and then we could maybe kiss some more."

"Yeah. Now for the last time good night Max. I'll be waiting for you."

"O.k. Night `Ria. I won't be late."

The next few weeks Max and Maria spent as much time together as they possibly could without making it to obvious to Michael and Tess that they were dating. Closer and closer towards the end of the summer Maria begin to feel sad. She felt that as soon as Liz came home Max's feelings for her would completely change. In her heart she knew that she was no longer in love with Michael. She wasn't even sure if she was in love with him in the first place. Her heart was concentrating solely on Max. However she didn't know if he felt the same way.

Two weeks before school was to start Maria was lying on her bed looking through her Mickey Mouse photo album that Max had bought for her. In it was all the pictures that she, Max, Alex, and Isabel had taken throughout the summer. There were some pictures of Michael and Tess as well. Maria hovered mainly over the pictures of just her and Max. They looked really good together. The thought of him leaving her for Liz made her really depressed. She decided to go shopping to take her mind off the thoughts. She picked up her phone and dialed Isabel's private line.

"Hello?"

"Hey Isabel. It's me Maria. Do you have any plans for today?"

"No. Not really. Why what'd you have in mind?" Isabel was sitting Indian style on her bedroom floor polishing her toenails.

"Well I was thinking maybe we could go to the Mall and do some school shopping. How does that sound?" Maria flipped the photo album closed and sat up on her bed.

"Sure. You know I love to shop. I'll be over there in about 30 minutes." Pause. "You think we should invite Tess?"

"No. Another reason I want to go is so I can get your advice on some personal stuff." Maria sighed and slung her pillow on the floor. "I really don't want that heifer all up in my business. Ya know?"

"Yeah I know." Isabel let out a laugh and then turned serious. "What's wrong though. Why do you sound so glum? Is this about you and Max?"

"Yeah. I'll tell you about it later after we do some serious shopping. Kay?"

"Okay. Like I said be there in 30 minutes."