* * * * Chapter 5 * * * *

After the startling revelation made by Liz Maria decided to get away for a few days by going on a buying trip with her mother. She really wasn't in the mood to talk to Max or see Liz trying to get him back. Liz was her oldest and dearest friend and she didn't want to see that friendship destroyed over something that might not even be a true love.

As they headed back home to Roswell Amy was wondering about the new found quietness that has settled over her daughter. "Maria?" No answer. "Maria?" she called a little louder.

"Yes? I'm sorry mom I was in my own lil world." Maria answered.

"That's what I wanted to ask you about. I've noticed that you've been more quiet then usual. Is there anything wrong?"

Maria sighed and said, "Nothing that I can't handle myself mom."

"Are you sure? `Cause you know you can always come to me for help."

"I'm sure mom. Just have to figure things out on my own." She flashed a small smile of confidence.

When they reached their home Maria immediately spotted Max's jeep in the driveway. Reclining against the Jeep was Max. "Hey Maria, Ms. Delucca."

"Max! What are you doing here? How did you know that I would be back today?"

Max chose to ignore Maria's questions for the moment. "Do you need any help with your luggage Ms. Delucca?"

"Yes. Thanks a lot Max. You can get the bags out of the trunk."

Once he finished carrying the bags in the house Amy offered him something to drink. Maria was trying to get his attention but he continued to concentrate on what he was doing, not yet ready to talk about why he was here.

Finally when Amy excused herself to go upstairs to rest, Max spoke. "Maria is there somewhere private where we can go to talk?"

"What is there to talk about?"

"Maria just answer me."

She sighed. "Okay. Well we can go to the park about two blocks from here. There's no one there around this time of day."

"Good let's go. Do you want to walk or drive?"

"Let's walk. I'm a little tired of cars right about now." She slipped back into her tennis shoes that she took off earlier and walked over to the end of the stairwell. "Mom?"

"Yes Maria?"

"Max and I are walking to the park. I won't be gone long."

"Okay hunny. Don't be too long." Maria rolled her eyes at Max and said "Didn't I just say that?"

Max only laughed.

Their walk to the park was uneventful and quiet. Both were lost in their own thoughts. When they reached the park Maria immediately headed over to the swings. Ever since she was little she's loved swinging as high as she could get. She sat down in the first swing she came to and instead of sitting next to her Max stood behind her and began to push her.

After a few minutes of complete silence Maria decided to be the first to speak. "So Max. You didn't answer my question? How did you know I would be back today and what do you want?"

"Alex told me you were due back to day and I'm here because on the night that Liz returned I told you that we needed to talk." He stopped the swing then walked around to face her. "So what were you doing Maria? Running?"

"What do you mean? I wasn't running." She looked away from his piercing eyes.

"Then what would you call it Maria? All of a sudden you just up and decide to go with your mom on a buying trip? That looked like running to me?" He gently gripped her chin guiding her gaze back towards him. "Look at me Maria."

Maria shook her head. "I wasn't running. I just needed some time alone to think things through. Lately things have been getting a little too hectic, you having that fight with Michael and then Liz's return. I mean come on Max is this really a relationship between us or just a summer fling?"

"Maria..." he started.

"Shhh. Let me finish." She pushed him back and then stood up to pace. "Last year you were so in love with Liz and I was hung up on Michael. I'm just wondering if what is happening between us is worth hurting your best friend and mine."

"Yes." He interrupted with that soft reply however she kept on talking.

"And besides there's still this..." Pause. She stopped pacing and turned to look into his eyes. "What did you just say?"

He laughed and pulled Maria into his arms. "I said yes. It's definitely worth it. Maria, I like you. Heck I more than like you. I think... No! I know that I'm falling in love with you."

Maria managed to blush and frown at the same time. She looked deeply into his eyes and asked. "What about Liz?"

Max sighed and pulled her closer to him. "I'm gonna say this once and one time only. I loved Liz. She will always be my first love. I can't change that but Maria, Liz and I are through. From this moment on you're the one who I want to be with."

"Oh Max." She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his mouth down to hers. They shared a very beautiful and passionate kiss that signified new beginnings.

"Bravo. Bravo." They parted when they heard the applause coming from the background. "That kiss deserves an academy award. What do you think Michael?"

"Oh yes. It definitely deserves an Oscar." Michael replied sarcastically.

" My dear Max, It's nice to know that you could get over me so easily. And with my best friend no less."

"Liz!" Both Max and Maria cried out at the same time.