When Liz arrived at the Crashdown she was disappointed that Max wasn’t behind the counter. She knew he was supposed to work that night but he was nowhere in sight. She took a seat in her, Isabel’s and Michael’s regular booth. She had no sooner sat down than Maria appeared “Hey Liz. What can I get for you?”
“Just an order of Space Fries and a Cherry Coke.” Liz answered with a small smile. Her and Maria had a few classes and Liz thought she was great. She was just the type of girl that Liz could see being friends with if the three of them ever made close friends. Because they never made close friends, Liz had always watched Maria, Alex, and Max from a far, envying their friendship.
The café was virtually empty so it didn’t take long before Maria was back with her order. Liz noticed that even after she delivered her food, Maria stayed behind. “Is there something you want to ask Maria?”
“I noticed that you and Max have been getting kind of close and all. Which I think is good because Tess is just so wrong for him, and I was wondering if you know what is going on with him?” Maria asked.
“Max and I just talk at school.” Liz reasoned but stopped when Maria gave her a look that said she wasn’t fooling her. Instead she asked, “Why do you think something is wrong with him?”
“He just acts really distant sometimes. I mean I’ve known the guy and Alex since we were six but I’ve never felt like a third wheel despite being the only girl in our trio. And now suddenly I do.” Maria stated. Then she suddenly she realized she was spilling her guts to a girl that was practically a stranger. “I’m sorry for dumping this on you. You must think I’m completely nuts just sitting here rambling on and on.”
“No, it’s okay. You’re just concerned for him.” Liz said reassuring her. She watched as Maria pulled out a small vial of some weird looking fluid and sniffed it. Maria caught her watching her and said, “It’s cypress oil, supposed to relieve stress.”
“Oh.” Liz said.
“Well I better get back to my tables.” Maria said as she walked away, not even realizing that Liz had never answered her questions.
When Maria was gone Liz grabbed the bottle of Tabasco Sauce and dumped it over to of her fries and some into her drink. She knew if she had done it when Maria was there, it would have gotten her attention. As it was, it didn’t go unnoticed. “Is our food that bad that you have to drown it in hot sauce?”
Liz looked up to see that Max had entered the café and had come up to her booth. She smiled shyly at him and said, “No the foods good. It’s just…our taste buds are a little off and unless it’s really spicy or really sweet or even mixed the two mixed together, we can’t taste it.”
“Oh…” Max said. Liz’s explanation made him realize how much he didn’t know about her alieness. He hadn’t even heard about all of their powers, not after he had interrupted her description of them when his mind had gotten stuck on her manipulating matter abilities. But she always seemed to not want to spend long enough periods of time around him that they could talk about it. He knew it was probably her way of keeping their distance since she thought they shouldn’t be together but it was frustrating. “Do you mind if I sit?”
“Sure.” Liz spoke before thinking. Max plopped down in the seat across from her and tried to think of a safe conversation that wouldn’t have her running off.
(*(*(*(*(*(**)*)*)*)*)*)
From his hiding place, Michael had a good view of the Sheriff’s office. Both the front door, so that he could watch how many people could come and go as well as the side that lined the alley where he could see the second story window that looked in on the actual office that Valenti occupied. He knew that Liz said they shouldn’t break into the office but Michael’s curiosity and the need for answers was too great. He had to find a way to get those files. Those files could contain all the answers they were looking for or at least lead them to someone who could.
He saw one of the deputies leave for the night and knew that there was only one left on duty. The Sheriff had left an hour ago so now was his chance. He skirted the shadows as he headed for the drainpipe that ran along next to the window. Years of climbing up to Liz and Isabel’s balcony made the climbing the drainpipe a cinch. It was the bars that covered the window that was the tricky part. He placed his hand over the lock and concentrated his energies on it. He wasn’t as good as the girls were with their powers but he could do simple things. The lock popped open and Michael made his way inside.
(*(*(*(*(*(**)*)*)*)*)*)
No matter what she did, Liz couldn’t talk Max out of walking her out to her jeep. Especially after he had heard her say that she parked a little ways down the street. They had talked about a lot of inconsequential things, such as school and things and they kept talking as they walked down the street. But a strange sound pulled Max’s attention away from Liz, “What’s that sound?”
Liz was about to ask what he was talking about when she too heard it. It sounded like creaking metal and it was coming from above them. She glanced down the alley and looked up. That’s when she saw the open gate. She realized what window it would have been covering and said, “I’m going to kill him, I swear.”
“What are you talking about?” Max said glancing at the bars with confusion.
“Michael.” Liz answered. “I told him it was too risky but he didn’t listen. He wants those files Valenti has and those photos he showed you.”
“So what are you going to do?” Max asked.
“I’ve got to go up and get him before he gets himself caught. Michael…doesn’t have the best control of his powers and if he gets into a bad situation, I don’t know what might happen.” Liz said. “I hate to ask you this but could you keep an eye out?”
“Of course, do you need a boast?” Max asked.
“No, I can do it. I climb out my window and balcony all of the time.” Liz said as she started to climb. She moved quickly and it wasn’t long before she swung her body in to the window. As she stood up straight she glanced around the darkened room, Michael was sitting in the desk chair in front of the filing cabinet with a small flashlight clutched between his teeth. “Michael…you’re crazy to come up here. Come on.”
“In just a minute.” Michael said not glancing towards her. He had spent the last ten minutes going through all of the cabinets and had just found exactly what they were looking for in a bottom locked drawer.
“No, Michael. Now!” Liz hissed. She shut and relocked the filing cabinet drawer that Michael had been snooping through. She didn’t even notice the fact that Michael had slipped one of the file folders into the back of his pants.
“Fine, let’s go.” Michael said simply.
“You go first, I’ll lock up the bars back up.” Liz instructed. She knew that Michael had given up too easily so either he had found what he was looking for or there was nothing to find. It wouldn’t surprise her if the Sheriff kept files in other parts of the office like in the dispatch room. He climbed out the window with Liz following him. She closed locked the gate and descended quickly. She wasn’t far from the ground when she felt a pair of large hands on her waist and she knew they weren’t Michael’s. They were Max’s. They felt hot even through the layers of clothes she had on and she briefly wondered how hot they would feel against her bare skin. She banished the thought quickly as her feet touched the ground. “Thanks for the help Max. But I think Michael and I better head for home.”
“Sure thing.” Max said not missing the cold glare that Michael was giving him.
“Bye Max.” Michael grumbled.
Max headed back for the Crashdown as Liz and Michael headed for her jeep. Once they were on their way, Liz said, “I thought you were going to be nicer to him.”
“And you said that you were staying away from him.” Michael threw back at her.
“I was just be friendly.” Liz said.
“Sure you were.” Michael said. “Besides I’m not all too concerned about him at the moment. This is my main focus.”
Liz watched as Michael pulled out two manila file folders out of the back of his waistband and showed them to her. The edges of some photos could be seen so Liz knew what that one contained, but the other one surprised her. It was a folder that contained all of the sightings of the area.
PART 11
When her sister left her room she finished putting away her new clothes as well as say good night to her parents before she grabbed her yearbook and laid down. She knew it was kind of early but she had to try. She wanted to get done before Liz got home. She knew that Liz didn’t approve of her going in and out of people’s dreams but Isabel found it could be very useful in finding out things. After all she had been given this power and she might as well use it to find out who was against them and who was with them.
She decided to try Max first. She was curious to know what his intentions towards Liz were but when she touched his picture she saw that he wasn’t asleep yet so she moved on. She found the picture of Alex Whitman and studied it for a minute. She had seen him around school and although she’d never admit it, he was kind of cute, in a funny way. She touched his picture and then laid back to go to sleep.
Isabel looked around to take in her surroundings and noticed she was in one of the busiest hallways in the middle of school. It seemed to be between classes and the hallway was packed. As she walked she noticed a crowd gathering. She walked up behind them and was surprised to see her and Liz in the middle of a group looking quite panicked. The crowd was shouting something and it took a few minutes before Isabel could make out what they were saying. They were chanting, something over and over again, “Monsters.”
Isabel stepped back in shock as she saw her own worst nightmare coming true in front of her. She lived in constant fear that the people she spent her life around, ordinary people of Roswell would find out the truth about them. About what they really were and would turn away from them just like this. So if that was her nightmare why was Alex dreaming about it? Her answers then came as the tall lanky human made his appearance. He pushed his way through the crowd and stepped in between the girls and the masses.
“Stop it! All of you! You don’t know what you’re talking about. They’re not monsters! They wouldn’t hurt anyone.” Alex shouted.
Amazingly the group started to break up then and left the girls alone. The hate left their eyes and soon the only ones left for Liz, the dream version of herself and Alex. Liz walked up to Alex and said, “Thank you for that Alex. None of them would listen to us.”
“You’re welcome.” Alex said smiling to her before he motioned behind Liz. “I think someone is waiting for you.”
Max suddenly appeared behind her and led Liz away. When they were gone dream Isabel and Alex stared at each other for a few minutes before Isabel said, “I’m sure you know that I’m not really good at the whole thank you thing but I do appreciate what you just did for us.”
“It was nothing big.” Alex said shrugging nonchalantly and smiling at her. “It was the least I could do since your sister saved my best friend.”
“Can I ask you something?” Isabel asked, only to have Alex nod. “Do you believe what you said? That we aren’t monsters or like the aliens in the horror movies? And that you’re not afraid of us?”
“I meant what I said, I don’t think you guys are monsters and I certainly don’t think you’d hurt anyone. If that was your plan, you would have done it a long time ago. As for any of you scaring me, Michael intimidates the hell out of me, but he did that before I knew he had those handy alien powers.” Alex explained causing Isabel to laugh a little. “You have a beautiful smile and laugh, you don’t do either enough.”
“I’m glad I don’t frighten you.” Isabel said.
“Oh, you scare me but not in the way you think. What scares me is that I’ll never get to know you. The real you that I know not a lot of people get the privilege to see. That you would never trust me enough to let your guard down around me because I want you to. I want to know you Isabel.”
Alex’s confession and the sincerity behind his words staggered both dream Isabel and real Isabel. What surprised them both more was the boldness behind his next move. He was leaning forward to kiss her. But before anything could happen Isabel felt herself being ripped out of the dream.
(*(*(*(*(*(**)*)*)*)*)*)
As he finished closing the Crashdown Max’s mind was still on Liz. They had had a good time together earlier when she had been in the café although it was short. And then things had not ended well when they had caught Michael at the Sheriff’s office. It was a rarity for him to see Liz as upset as she had been with Michael. It was then that he realized that Liz was the person in charge of the small group of aliens. He didn’t know why he hadn’t seen it before because now that he thought about it, it was fairly obvious. He wondered how that had came about; it was one of many questions he still had for Liz. He needed to think of a way to get some more time alone with her.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t hear his dad come up behind him until he spoke. “Hey son, everything done down here?”
“Uh, yeah Dad. I told Maria that she could go since the only thing left to do was to mop the floor and I said I’d do it.” Max said as he wrung the mop out one last time. He had let Maria go early to try and lift his guilt from keeping things from her.
Jeff Parker studied his son. He and Max had always been close even when he had hit his teen years and kids were supposed to become difficult. He felt that he and Nancy were lucky to have such a good son. Max was a good student, was a member of the wrestling team and always tried to help out as much as he could around the family café. He had quite a few friends at school but only Alex and Maria were his close ones. But it appeared to him in the past week that Max had grown somewhat distant from himself and his wife. And he was going to try and find out why. “So how are things? You haven’t really talked much about what is going on with you lately.”
“There’s not much to tell, Dad.” Max lied. What else could he say? ‘Remember the shooting last week? Well I was shot and the girl I have a crush on, the one that comes in here all of time healed me with her powers. She’s an alien and me and Alex helped her and some others like her fool the Sheriff.’ No, he couldn’t tell his dad that.
“Are you still seeing Tess?” Jeff asked. “Because I couldn’t help but notice that the last couple of times she’s called, you put her off.”
“Dad, Tess and I are just this a casual thing. We spend time here and there but that’s it.” Max said uncomfortably. “Nothing serious.”
“Oh I see.” Jeff said understanding. His son hadn’t dated much, actually Tess was the only girl that Max had dated. And he knew that Max wasn’t the type of guy that would date around a lot. He was too quiet for that. He had always been a very soft-spoken child who cared a lot for other people. “Why don’t we go upstairs so you can get some sleep? I feel horrible for keeping you up on a school night.”
The two Parker men headed upstairs and Max went directly to his room. When he got there he saw his mom dropping off a laundry basket of clean clothes. It was then he decided to ask some advice, “Mom? Can I ask you something?”
“Sure honey, what?” Nancy asked happy that her little boy had come to her for guidance.
“If for example I liked a girl who I knew liked me back what should I do to completely win her over so that she would go out with me?” Max asked.
“This isn’t about Tess is it?” Nancy asked, Max shook his head. Nancy tried to hold back a smile, she didn’t think that Tess was a good match for Max, they were just too different. “Well if you know this girl likes you, why would you have to win her over?”
“Say she thinks that there might be too much that could break us apart. That while we are alike, we have too many differences that would keep them apart.” Max explained.
“It sounds like she’s scared to let anyone into her heart. There are two things you could do, you could be patient until she is ready to drop her guard. Or you could prove to her that the differences don’t matter and you want to date her no matter what. But you have to be careful Max. Remember you’re still young.” Nancy advised.
“I know Mom. Thanks.” Max said as he started thinking about what to do next regarding Liz. He thought of incorporating both sides of his mom’s advice.
“You’re welcome honey, now get some sleep.” Nancy said before kissing her son on the cheek. Max quickly stripped down to his boxers before collapsing in a heap on his bed and falling fast asleep.
PART 12
But before anything could happen Isabel felt herself being ripped out of the dream.
Isabel blinked a couple of times before she could focus on the form of Michael hovering over her, shaking her awake, “Isabel come on wake up!”
“I’m awake, I’m awake.” Isabel hissed out. She wasn’t happy to be disturbed in the middle of the dream.
“And you guys say I’m grumpy.” Michael muttered as he lay down on the foot of Isabel’s bed. It was then that she noticed that Liz was with him.
“Michael leave her alone. She was asleep, I told you to wait until morning.” Liz chastised. “I mean we’ve wait this long for answers, what’s one more night?”
“Answers? What are you guys talking about?” Isabel asked confused. She hoped that they hadn’t seen the blush that she was sure was on her face. The dream had brought up a lot of interesting developments that she was going to have to check on.
“Michael decided to pay the Sheriff’s office a visit tonight and go through the files.” Liz informed her. “And although it was foolish, he did get some stuff that might be useful.”
“Like what?”
Michael dropped the files onto the bed so Isabel could see the somewhat thick folders. “Well I got the photos that Max saw as well as some other ones of strange events. I got another file that lists all of the sightings in the area. I know most of them are crackpots but some of them might be legit, we should check them out.” Michael said. “It’ll be slow but it might lead to something or whoever left the handprint on that body.”
“Sounds like a good plan.” Liz said encouraging. “The Sheriff seems to have a more than passing interest in aliens so I’m sure that he checked out the reports. It’ll probably say in the reports, which ones were from complete whack jobs and which ones we might be able to tell if there is any truth to it.”
“So if we split them up, it shouldn’t take us long to go through them. Then we can figure out where to go from there.” Isabel stated.
“Right.” Liz said before looking over at Isabel’s clock. It was almost eleven o’clock. “We can work for a few hours and if we don’t find anything then we’ll start again fresh tomorrow.”
Isabel and Michael nodded and got to work. But despite their enthusiasm over their search, it was slow work. The reports of the sightings went all the way back to 1947, just after the crash and each one was very thorough. So far none of the pictures aside from the one from 1959 matched up with any of the reports. Some of them were of other bodies; some were pictures taken in the woods. According to the labels, all of them were taken years later. Liz knew that if the sightings had happened anywhere but New Mexico, the people writing them would not have been so detailed. That meticulousness both aided and hindered them. It slowed them down but it also seemed to help narrow their search down. At one o’clock in the morning they had only made it to the mid fifties. Liz saw that the others were still working hard but were clearly exhausted.
“Okay, guys. Time to pack up for the night. And Michael before you fight me on this just remember, if we look over these when we’re exhausted then we might miss something.”
Michael grumbled what both girls took as an agreement before leaving. Isabel then took all of the files and hid them in the wall in her closet. Thanks to some alien magic and lots of clothes, no one would suspect they were there. The girls said good night to each other before crashing in their separate beds.
(*(*(*(*(*(**)*)*)*)*)*)
Sheriff Valenti woke at his normal time of the morning and after dressing for work headed to the kitchen for coffee. But when he reached the kitchen he was surprised to see Tess already eating her customary bagel, “Morning Dad.”
“Morning sweetheart, you’re ready early.” Valenti commented. Tess was usually still in her bedroom getting ready for school at this time, not already dressed and set to go.
“I just wanted to take some extra time getting ready.” Tess stated.
“What’s wrong? Problems at school, one of your after activities?” Valenti asked when he noticed the waver in his daughter’s mood, and then something occurred to him, “Are you having problems with Max?”
“Nothing to worry about and nothing you'd understand.”
“I’m always here to try and help so why don’t you lay it on me?” The Sheriff said. He wanted his daughter to feel like they had a good relationship. Raising her on his own had not been easy and he knew that his long hours and not exactly understanding the workings of the female mind had put a wedge between them but he always tried to be a good father. As hard a task that was when it involved a teenage girl.
“Alright, did you ever feel when you were with someone else, whether it was Mom or another, that you didn't know what was going on with them? Or like there was something else on her mind all the time?” Tess asked.
“Is that how Max is acting? Like something is on his mind?”
“No, just like someone else, maybe.” Tess answered. “You know what just forget I said anything. I don’t know why I’m talking to you about this?”
“What do you mean by someone else on his mind?” The Sheriff asked suddenly getting very curious.
“It’s just I’ve seen him talking with people he doesn’t normally or talking a lot more with certain people. Listen to me, I’m not even making sense.” Tess stated.
“Does this have anything to do with that Liz girl?”
“How would you know about that?” Tess asked but didn’t get an answer. Instead her dad said, “Listen Tess. I don’t want you hanging around that girl.”
“Dad, she’s just some bookworm…”
“I mean it Tess. Stay away from her.” Valenti warned. When he saw her shake her head he gathered his things to head out to his office. He dropped a quick kiss on the top of her head before heading out to his cruiser.
Liz Evans was still in his thoughts as he drove to the station. He knew there was something off about her and that she had done something to Max Parker that day in the café. But he didn’t have any proof, well he had Max’s shirt with the bullet hole in it that he had sent to the FBI lab, but there was also proof that Liz had been in a different place at the time of the shooting. He had asked Tess several times and each time she had swore that she had not seen Liz in the park. But she had also mentioned that there were quite a few people there so she could have been lost in the crowd.
The first thing that the Sheriff noticed when he entered his private office was his desk chair. He always pushed as far under his desk as it would go when he left for the day. And now it was pulled out, like someone had been sitting in it. Who had been in his office?
He knew it hadn’t been one of his deputies, they all knew not to go in there. So that meant that someone had broken in. And he had a feeling he knew what they were looking for. He hurried over to his filing cabinet and quickly unlocked it. He yanked it open and was not surprised when he saw less folders then there should have been. The files that documented different alien incidents that had happened in the county over the last several decades. Files that his father had started long ago.
Valenti looked around his office trying to figure out how the person had gotten in the office. He knew that they couldn’t have snuck in from the outer office. The deputy who had been on duty wouldn’t have let that happen and there wasn’t a way to sneak past him without being seen. So that meant they must have come through the window despite the bars. He walked over to the window and gave the bars a tug. They didn’t so much as rattle.
Valenti couldn’t help but think that this whole thing was getting odder by the minute.
PART 13
Liz had free period her third period so she decided to spend it in the library. The school library was surprisingly well equipped including an area set-aside for the region. That was where she found what she was looking for. She was looking for detailed maps of Roswell and the surrounding area. She had gotten the idea the night before when they were going through the files. She thought it would be a good idea to use it to compare to the list of sightings.
She found what she was looking for and started fingering through the different ones she found. There were quite a few that she needed to make copies of to take home. She back up to head to the copier machine. On her way back she didn’t look where she was going and bumped right into someone. She looked up to see a pair of the most beautiful amber eyes looking down on her. She had been so distracted that she hadn’t even picked up that he was near. “Max?!”
“Hey.” Max greeted her quietly.
“What are you doing here?” Liz asked.
“Picking up some books for a History paper. I saw you over here and thought I’d say hi. What are you doing here?” Max asked. He couldn’t believe his luck that he had run into Liz. Sure he had seen her in first period Bio and they had English together next hour but now he got to see her a class period earlier than usual. And he was going to take advantage of it.
“Um, maps.” Liz stuttered finding herself suddenly tongue-tied. She felt that way a lot around Max. That plus a fluttering in her stomach.
“Maps?” Max asked with a raised eyebrow.
Liz looked around to see if there was anyone close before pulling Max further into the alcove she was already occupying. In a whisper she started to explain, “The other night, Michael got some information about the different sightings in the area. We thought some of them might be real so I wanted to get some maps to get an idea of the area. I mean, I’ve lived here for years but there’s still places I’ve not been, like Frasier Woods.”
“But why look into the sightings?”
“That picture you saw of the murder victim is proof that at least one more of us is out there. If he was out in the world when we were still in our pods then he might have been awake during the crash. He could tell us who or what we are.” Liz explained to him.
“But what if those sightings weren’t him?” Max asked.
“Then it could be someone who came down after us, who knew about the crash and was looking for the survivors. Either way it’s the only lead we’ve ever gotten that could lead us to some answers.” Liz stated.
“How can we help?” Max asked.
“We?”
“Yeah, Alex and I.”
“Nuh uh, Max. I don’t want to involve you in this. We don’t know where it could lead.” Liz said ardently. While she wouldn’t mind Max helping them, she didn’t think it would be a good idea if she intended for them to be nothing more than friends. Not to mention Isabel and Michael wouldn’t be too keen on the situation.
“But I am a part of this, maybe not as much as you guys but still a part. If I hadn’t told you about the photo than Michael wouldn’t have gotten them.” Max argued. “I can’t talk for Alex for sure but I can’t sit back and not help you. Not when I see how important this is for you.”
“I…” Liz stammered not knowing how to respond to his statement. It was so sweet of him to what to help them even more than he already had.. But she didn’t have to come up with anything to say because a whirlwind of blonde curls walked up then and broke the moment.
“Max,” Tess said cheerfully before seeing that he was talking to someone, Liz Evans. Why was it every time she saw him, he was talking to her? She knew that they were lab partners but she was beginning to suspect there was more to it then that. She had seen the way that Liz looked at him when she didn’t think anyone was looking, and that was not how she wanted another girl to be looking at Max.
“Uh, hey Tess.” Max said uncomfortably. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and shuffled back and forth uneasily from one foot to the other. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Well we have the same History class and the same assignment. Why do you think I’m in the library?” Tess said not meaning to sound so snippy but couldn’t help allowing it to come out in her voice. “I thought you might be able to help but I see that you are a little busy right now.”
The meaning nor the maliciousness in Tess’s words were not lost on Liz and decided to make herself scarce. She gathered up the materials and started to put them away. She grabbed up her copies and her other stuff. “Well I got what I needed so I’m going to leave. See you in English Max.”
Tess watched with pleasure as Liz scurried away from them. But the smile was wiped off of her face when she saw the way Max’s eyes followed her exit. He looked very disappointed that she was leaving. She wished that he’d look at her that way more often. “Max. MAX!”
Max snapped his head back to glance down at Tess. He realized what he had been doing and tried to cover up. “Sorry, I kind of spaced out for a minute trying to think if I had everything for my history paper.”
“Sure you were.” Tess said spitefully. “How stupid do you think I am? I saw the way you were just watching her, history was the last thing on your mind.”
“Tess…”
“Don’t lie to me Max.” Tess pleaded. “When we first started talking over the summer I thought things were good. All the guys here at school always act like they’re out for one thing, but not you. You seemed different from other guys. Only now, you’re starting to act like them. Going from one girl to the next.”
“Tess there is nothing going on between Liz and I. We’re just…”
“Friends. Yeah, you’ve told me before.” Tess stated matter of factly. “But friends don’t stare at friends when she thinks he’s not looking. Now normally I wouldn’t mind, you’re a good looking guy and I’m happy to be with you, but it’s just gotten to be too much.”
“What do you mean too much?” Max asked.
“I mean it’s too much. I feel like I’m sharing you.” Tess explained.
“Tess, you act like we’re married or something.” Max said.
“No, I don’t mean to make it appear that way. But if we are going to keep seeing each other, I can’t feel like you’re somewhere else and that I’m pulling you away from it.” Tess clarified.
“You’re right, you shouldn’t.” Max said realizing how much he had indeed been neglecting Tess since Liz had healed him. He had been so single minded in his pursuit of Liz that he hadn’t even thought about how Tess would feel about it. It was wrong of him, she was a great person, but now he realized that she wasn’t the one for him. “That’s why I think we shouldn’t see each other any more.”
Tess’s mouth dropped almost to the floor. “Max…wait a minute. I didn’t say that so that we’d break up, I just…don’t want to feel like you’re drifting away anymore.”
“And I can’t guarantee that I won’t do that Tess.” Max said truthfully. “This is what is best if I don’t want you to end up hating me. Good bye Tess.”
Tess watched as Max picked up his books and left the library. She sunk down into one of the chairs and thought about what had just happened. That was not what she thought would happen when she finally confronted Max. Him picking Liz over her had never crossed her mind. She felt her anger flare up at that thought and it was directed to one person, Liz Evans. She was the reason for Max breaking up with her. Her thoughts went to the warning her Dad had given her. If she could find out what it was, maybe Max would stay the hell away from her.
**Disclaimer: the next part includes some lines from various episodes of Roswell, I do not own them nor did I write them.**
PART 14
Alex made his way through the crowded hallways of school and headed for the band room. The teacher for his next class was a sub and he had gotten permission to work out side of the classroom since they weren’t going to be doing anything that day. So he was headed to practice his guitar now that he had retrieved it from his car.
As he neared the classroom his attention was pulled away from his guitar and set on the form of a tall beautiful girl. A tall beautiful girl alien to be more precise. Not that finding out that Isabel was an alien matter much to him once he had gotten over the shock. He had always known there was something more to her, and now he knew. The more he thought about it, the more he figured that her icy exterior was just a front. A way to keep herself protected from the world that would probably turn away from her if they knew the truth.
Alex shook himself from the deep thoughts and concentrated on not openly staring at Isabel. But he couldn’t help it when she suddenly popped up in front of him, smiling. “Hey Alex.”
“Uh, hey Isabel. How’s it going?” Alex asked surprised by the friendliness. Ever since the night of the Crash festival, Isabel and Michael always seemed to be looking at him like they were worried he would spill the beans.
“Not bad, wish I wasn’t stuck in school but you know.” She answered back. She looked down and saw his instrument case. “Off to practice?”
“Yeah, where you headed?” Alex asked.
“Well I usually go to the guidance office this period and help out but I’ve already been there and they told me they don’t need me for today so I’m on my own.” Isabel explained. “Do you mind if I join you? Not play an instrument or anything but listen to you?”
“Uh, sure.” Alex said wandering if he was in the Twilight Zone or some other strange universe. But he wasn’t going to complain if Isabel Evans wanted to spend time with him. He led her into the band room and over to a comfortable spot. Once they were settled Alex pulled out his guitar and started to fiddle with it. He wasn’t sure what to do; he didn’t usually have company when he did this. So he just started playing.
Isabel just sat back and studied him as he played. She could tell it was something that he loved. She wished she had something that she was that passionate about. The only thing she had that could remotely be considered a hobby was the volunteer work she did at Christmas. But it was just that, a hobby, something to help her create the most normal Christmas that she could. But she wouldn’t consider Alex’s music as just a hobby but something he loved. When he finished the last note, she couldn’t help but applaud quietly.
Alex couldn’t stop the blush that he felt creeping up his neck and hoped that she wouldn’t notice. “Thanks, Isabel, I’m glad you enjoyed it ”
From there the two started chatting, not about much just the little things. Isabel was to surprise at how comfortable she was talking to him. Maybe it was because he knew her secret but she thought it was more that that. “You're a really, really good guy, Alex. I mean, if most guys had been alone with me in a darkened room for this long they would have tried to maul me. But not you, you're different.”
“I am?” Alex said surprised by her words. He realized he had come close to squeaking and cleared his throat. “I mean, of course I am. I just...Maybe it’s because one of my best friends is a girl and she’s rubbed off on me but I don't see you that way, Isabel. Not that I wouldn't want to...you know.”
“I think I know what you mean.” Isabel said smiling. “And it makes me feel better, to know that I can trust you. That we can trust you.”
“So that's what this is about.” Alex said started to get upset. “You were just testing the Alex waters to see if the lowly human could be trusted. That why you came with me in here.”
“What?” Isabel asked in surprise. “That’s not it at all.”
“How could I be so stupid to think that you might want to be my friend, or even more?!” Alex said more to himself then for Isabel’s ears to hear.
“Alex listen to me please.” Isabel said grasping his arm before he could leave. “I brought you in here to get to know you better. I don’t really know a lot of people and since I already had a feeling that I could trust you, I wanted to talk to you. It wasn’t about trying to see if we could trust you. And I don’t think of you as a lowly human.”
Alex heard the honesty in her words and knew she wasn’t trying to scam him. And if he wasn’t seeing things, her eyes even looked a little warmer to him. Like she had dropped her block. “Isabel I’m sorry. I just thought that if you were going to hang out with me that…”
“I’d have ulterior motives.” Isabel said finishing up for him.
“Yeah.” Alex said.
“It’s understandable. I mean if I didn’t act like such a bitch to everyone, you might not have come to that conclusion. But I promise, it’s not like that.” Isabel said.
.
“So, um, why is that? Why do you act that way? I mean I’ve seen you with guys but you always seem to keep it platonic.” Alex asked.
“Have you been stalking me or something?” Isabel joked.
“No, it’s just hard not to notice you. But you didn’t answer my question. Is it because of the fact that...” Alex couldn’t finish his sentence before Isabel interrupted.
“Does it scare you?” She asked. When he looked at her confused, she explained. “I mean, to let someone in? To let someone see who you really are?”
“Of course, isn’t everyone?”
“Well, multiply that by about a million and you understand our lives.” Isabel stated seriously. She didn’t know why but she felt like she should explain how things were. “We don’t even trust our parents with our secret so I don’t usually go blurting it out on a date.”
“I think I’m starting to get it.” Alex said. “But why not your parents?”
“Because we don’t trust anyone. Liz, Michael, and me made a pact a long time ago when we realized that us being different put us in danger. That if the wrong people found out, something really terrible could happen. That’s why we reacted the way we did after Liz healed Max.” Isabel explained.
“But they’re your parents. Don’t you think they’d stand by you? Protect you?” Alex asked. But although he had asked it, he wasn’t sure what he’d do if he was in the same situation.
“I like to think they would, and I would love to. But we can’t risk it. What if they looked at us like we were monsters and pushed us away or turned us in? Liz and I would lose the only family we’ve ever known.” Isabel stated.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell anyone.” Alex said. “You can trust Max and I, we’re not going to tell anyone. Hell we helped with that whole Sheriff thing.”
“I know we can trust you.” Isabel assured him. “It’s nice to know we have a few friends.”
“Well since we’re friends…would you consider going out for a night friendly fun this weekend?” Alex asked suddenly feeling bold. He didn’t know if it was temporary insanity or just felt like they had accomplished some kind of closeness after their talk. He hoped he sounded casual enough.
Isabel studied him for a minute, surprised by his courage. And she had to admit that she was intrigued. “What did you have in mind?”
“Grab something to eat at the Crashdown, then whatever.” Alex said wanting to sound like he knew what he was doing but still give her a say in the matter.
“Well Alex, how do you feel about stargazing?”
PART 15
After breaking up with Tess, Max felt compelled to tell Liz but the opportunity didn’t present itself over the next few days. They didn’t work together in Biology since the teacher was reviewing for a big test, they didn’t sit close in English and she seemed to be avoiding him outside of the classes they shared. He couldn’t find her in the hallways or anywhere else in school. She stopped her regular visits to the Crashdown so he didn’t find any time to talk to her and it was getting frustrating.
When he finally did catch up with her, it was only because he ran into her outside of the video store when she had gone to see Michael. He walked up beside her jeep and hopped in just as she was about to pull away. She slammed on the brakes, and even though she’d been going under five miles per hour, it threw them forward. “Max! You shouldn’t have done that, I could have ran over you.”
“Sorry but I didn’t know of any other way to get your attention. You would just keep avoiding me.” Max said in apology.
“What are you talking about? I haven’t been avoiding you.” Liz said nervously.
“Yes, you have. Ever since Tess walked up to us during our talk in the library, you’ve been avoiding me. So now I’ve had to resort to drastic measures.” He said smiling.
“Okay, I admit it. I’ve been sidestepping you for the last few days. I just thought that Tess didn’t look too happy when she saw us talking and I don’t want her getting upset. Then people might talk and it’ll bring up all the stuff about the café up again.” Liz explained.
“And I thought Maria was the only who could ramble like that.” Max said jokingly. “And Liz, you don’t have to worry about Tess…”
“She’s your girlfriend Max. I can understand if she’s upset that you were talking to someone else. After all, we were sitting awfully close to each other and I can’t imagine how that looked.” Liz said.
“I broke up with Tess.” Max blurted out before she could say more.
Liz’s eyes enlarged to the size of softballs before she said, “What? Why?”
“She wanted something more serious then I could give her. I looked at it as a casual thing and she didn’t. I didn’t realize it until I saw how upset she got when she saw us talking and said I’d been ignoring her. And she was right, ever since that day in the café I haven’t been paying a lot of attention to her.” Max explained.
“I didn’t know how much I was taking you away from her, I’m sorry.” Liz apologized. While a big part of her was happy that Max was no longer with Tess, she felt bad that it was because of her secret that he had done it. She hadn’t meant to mess with his life like that.
“Don’t be.” Max assured her. “That day in the café changed my life. Not just because I was shot but because it helped me get to know you better, like I’ve wanted to for a long time.”
He brushed a stray piece of hair out of her face then and couldn’t help but notice her blushing slightly at what he said. Liz looked into Max’s eyes and saw hope in them directed at her. “Max, I thought we decided that we weren’t going to be anything more than friends? That it wasn’t safe.”
“I remember you saying that and me saying that I didn’t care.” Max reminded her. “And I still don’t care. I want to be with you Liz.”
Liz looked at him and felt the struggle with in herself. She wanted to give in and be with him but she had to be smart about this and not let her emotions get in the way. “You don’t know how much or how long I’ve wanted to hear you say that. But we can’t. I’m scared.”
“What are you scared of?”
“I’m scared what could happen to you, we don’t even know what we are or if we were to kiss or anything that nothing would happen to you. Not to mention all of the attention that is on me at the moment, I don’t want you to be thrown into it.” She couldn’t help herself as she reached up and brushed his bangs off of his forehead. “But I think that what I'm scared of the most isn't that we attempt this and it ends really badly. But that we try this and it’s perfect. Then someone could come for us and I would have to leave you. I don’t want things to end up with a lot of broken hearts. I would rather us just be friends then to have you hate me.” Liz explained.
Taking a page from Michael’s book, she sat up straight then and turned serious. “I’m sorry if it’s not what you want but it’s how it has to be.”
Max nodded although he still didn’t agree with her. But he’d give her some time. He could see that he was starting to wear her down and he would keep working on it. He knew in his head and his heart that they should be together. He hoped back out of the jeep but before he walked back to the Crashdown, which was only a few storefronts away, he looked at her and said, “Just remember that I’m always here if you need me, okay?”
She smiled one of her small smiles that he loved and said, “Okay.”
“Bye Liz.”
“Bye Max.” Liz said before backing up and driving away.
Max watched her until she turned off of Main Street before he turned towards his home. It was then he noticed that Alex was standing in front of the Crashdown waiting for him. He could tell that he had probably seen the whole scene with Liz and was curious as to what happened. A thought that was confirmed when he reached him, “So what were you and the stunning Miss Evans talking about?”
“I finally caught up with her so that I could tell about my breakup with Tess.” Max said before walking into the café. He saw that Maria was working as well as his Dad and a few of the other waitresses. He waved to Maria before heading back to the break room, Alex following him the whole time.
“And what did she think of that? Glad that you were foot loose and fancy free?” Alex said unable to keep the grin off of his face. He knew how Max felt about Liz and his friend had told him about her feelings toward him. He thought the two would be good together.
“No, not exactly. Well at least not in the way that I wanted her to be.” Max explained as he flopped down on the breakroom couch.
“Am I going to have to get a filter to understand you too?” Alex asked referring to their inside joke about needing a filter to understand Maria’s ramblings.
“Alex, this is a little weird talking about this with you.” Max stated. “I mean it’s usually Maria who I talk about with these things."
“Well at the moment that’s not really an option. And besides, we’ve been friends since we were in diapers, what kind of friend would I be if we couldn’t talk about this?” Alex said. “Now explain what you were trying to say and what you and Liz were talking about.”
“I thought that part of the reason that we weren’t trying to be together was because of my involvement with Tess. I mean I couldn’t really blame her, who would want to start something with a guy who was already seeing someone else who happened to be the Sheriff’s daughter. But when I told her, it was like nothing changed.” Max explained. “I told her I wanted to be with her and she just repeated the whole safe speech. She said she’s scared that things won’t work out or she’ll have to leave me when things are good.”
“Well how do you expect her to act?” Alex asked. “From what Isabel has told me it is scary for them to think of letting someone in.”
“Isabel? Isabel Evans?” Max asked looking at his friend. “Since when have you been having little talks with Isabel? And why didn’t you tell me about this?”
“The first time we talked was yesterday in the music room but we chatted off and on a little at school today as well.” Alex informed him.
“Huh, I’m surprised. I mean don’t get me wrong, you’re a good guy but that was not something I expected at all.” Max said honestly.
“Well my friend you are not the only one who can enjoy the company of the beautiful alien girls we know as Liz and Isabel Evans.” Alex stated.
Both guys heard a gasp and a plate shatter as it hit the ground. Simultaneously they looked up to see Maria standing in the doorway in a way that they had never seen her, completely speechless.
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