Fate?

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay guys, a really dear friend of mine brought it to my attention that I'm spending time editing this old piece when I should be progressing with my many other projects. That being the case, I have decided to post the remainder of this story unedited! God forbid, but I'm going to.

Please keep in mind that I wrote this several years ago and with the intent for it to be purely fun fan fiction that would only be shared with a post board I'd joined dedicated to the TV show, Roswell. I never intended (at least at that point) to seek out a professional writing career. I hope that the story is as fun to read for you as it was for me to write. Enjoy!

ANOTHER NOTE: I do not own any rights to the characters or songs used herein! Just the story idea. :-)

Chapters:
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 |
Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 |

The Beginning...

She sits alone in the airport waiting area. She had arrived the suggested hour and a half prior to her departure time. What a nut! She thought to herself. Now she would sit forever - waiting. She grabbed her backpack and pulled out her trusty journal and pen. If she must wait, she would spend the time doing something useful, expressing her thoughts of going back to Roswell after nearly a year.

It's February 8th and I'm Elizabeth Parker. It's been a while since I last wrote. I've been so busy trying to prepare for the upcoming trip to Paris, France. Wow! To be chosen to represent Harvard at an international science and medical conference is a great honor (especially as a Freshman), but also a big responsibility. Although all of my instructors have given me their words of wisdom, I'm still a little frightened by the trip itself.

Not that I don't feel confident that I'm ready to discuss the intricate subject of molecular biology. After all, I have been studying for this subject forever, but the flight and being in a strange land alone is going to be scary.

Anyway, back to Roswell. This short trip home is a "just in case" measure that my mom insisted on. She didn't want me going off to another country (I believe it's the flying over the ocean that gets her.) without coming home first. Especially since I'd missed Thanksgiving and Christmas - it's the least I can do. I guess things are just a lot harder at college than they had been in high school. Even without a job there is no time for anything. That is if I want to graduate the top of my class.

So here I am in the airport waiting on the call for the passengers to start loading. Silently praying before I sit on this bird with truly no natural wings. Only one stop over and then I'll be home.

~~~~~~~

As soon as the cab drove up to the airport unloading zone, he quickly ran to the gate hoping he'd not missed his flight. But, he did.

As he stepped to the customer service desk to check on another flight, he realized he'd left his bag in the cab.

Great Evans! He thought to himself as he ran out and found that the cab had not left yet, but was in fact waiting for another customer. He quickly retrieved his bag, and went back to the counter to find they did have another flight. It wasn't a direct one, though. But on the bright side, he only had one stop over then he would be home.

As he sat waiting for the plane, he couldn't help but remembering the only female that meant something to him. Besides his mother and sister, of course.

First, his memories were of Liz and he as lab partners throughout all of their science classes in high school. Always working so well together. Next, how Liz had broken up with Kyle during the first semester of their Sophomore year, and how she turned down every other guy throughout the remainder of their high school years. He wondered to himself if that was one of the reasons he had never asked her out. No, he admitted now. It had been fear. Fear for himself, Isabelle and Michael. Fear of letting himself get lost in the girl he had loved his entire life.

He hadn't dated through school either. Was it a sign? He didn't think so.

It was just that she was set on being the valedictorian and had focused on her "plan." The one she'd told him about during one of their side conversations while doing their labs. Her "plan" was to go to college and become what she always knew she'd be. A scientist.

The next memory he had was about a year ago when they had graduated. She gave the most wonderful speech that he felt was directed to his soul. She had talked about the past years of high school and the feeling of not knowing what to expect each day; then on to the present and how everyone was responsible for their own destinies; and then on to the future and how college was only the next step to finding out who we really are. The next day, he'd watched, hidden around a corner, as she had gotten on the bus to leave for the airport. She was on her way to Harvard. At that time, he couldn't help but feel as though he may never see her again.

That feeling was only reinforced while he was home at Thanksgiving. He'd heard, while eating at the Crashdown, that Liz hadn't made it in. Then at Christmas when she hadn't come home then either, he wondered why? Was she avoiding coming back for some reason?

He had often thought of her...Oh was he kidding himself?...he thought of her ever day. No girl at college compared in any shape or form to her. The smartest, most beautiful girl in the world and he had let her get away without even taking the chance to ask for so much as a date.

The call came for him to get onto the airplane. As he did he sighed at his memories wondering if he was doomed to a life without true happiness.

Chapter 2

As she quickly changed planes and found her seat, the reality of needing to use the little girls' room became imperative. Quickly, she threw her stuff in her assigned seat and headed to the airplanes tiny bathroom.

~~~~~~~

He was relieved he hadn't missed the change over. Frankly, he didn't know if he could take another delay which would only end up giving him more time to think about the past. He was already about as depressed as he could be --- thinking of going home and knowing she wouldn't be there to even spy on from his usual booth at her father's cafe.

He quickly found his seat, only to realize someone had already placed their belongings in the one next to his. However, the person was no where around.

On the last plane, the seat next to him was vacant, so this would be nice. Maybe he could make conversation and get his mind off of her. He took his seat and waited to see who would be next to him.

He didn't have long to wait because, just then a small woman came out of the tiny bathroom at the front of the plane. She headed straight to her seat with her eyes averted to the floor. As she reached what was apparently her destination, she didn't even look as she quietly said, "excuse me" and slid past the man in the first seat of the row.

As she gathered her things and sat down, the woman felt as though someone was staring at her. Just as Max Evans had done in high school. A voice in her brain whispered. She always had wondered why he'd never asked her out. It was obvious he had wanted to or at least so she had hoped as she stole glances at him. He never did, and she just waited not dating anyone until finally deciding to focus on her "plan."

As she realized the man was still staring, she pushed her hair behind her ears and looked over.

"Max? Max Evans! Is that you?" she said knowing it was him. He hadn't changed in the year since she had last seen him peaking around the corner of the bus station wall as she climbed on the bus and headed to the airport.

"Liz? Liz Parker! Wow!" he said hoping not to sound overly excited although he was. He hadn't expected to see her at all this trip, little on be on a plane in the seat beside her.

"Max, it is so great to see you. I take it your heading home?"

"Yeah, you too?"

"Yeah. You know you miss a few holidays and they give you up for dead." She said laughing.

"Yeah, when I was home for Thanksgiving and Christmas I heard you hadn't made it in. Your parents appeared to be a little worried about you." Max said realizing he sounded as though he'd been keeping track of her every move. Why did he always do that? He was trying to act cool but it only came out as stalker alert.

"Oh. Well they didn't say anything. I didn't know they were. It's just that college is a lot harder and more time consuming than high school. I've just been so wrapped up in my classes that I didn't realize they were worried." Liz had the look of concern in her eyes as she said those sincere words.

"I'm sorry. It's none of my business. I shouldn't have said anything." Max hoped that she wouldn't hate him for sticking his nose in where it obviously didn't belong. Who did he think he was, her boyfriend?

"No, it's okay. I'm kind of glad someone looked in on them." Was she not wrong in high school? Did Max like her? Why had he not asked her out?

"So, why are you heading home now? I mean it isn't really a break or anything?" Max was trying not to sound nosey but he really was wondering.

"Oh. Um...I'm going home for a couple of days before heading to Paris. You know, my mom has this fear of me dying while over seas and her not having seen me in a year. I promised to make it home before leaving." She wondered if he was just being polite in asking or if he was really interested in what she was doing.

"Paris? Paris, France?" Max asked wondering if this was a coincidence or just fate giving them a little push. Isabelle had tried to explain to Max that fate put little obstacles in peoples paths trying to push them together. Was this a little push for Liz and Max?

"Yeah. I'm representing Harvard at the International Science and Medical conference there." She hoped she didn't seem to snooty.

"Wow! That is a great honor. You must be doing well." Max said wondering if he should tell her.....

"Yeah. I will be the first freshman from Harvard to ever go. What about you? Um...why are you heading home?" Trying to get off the subject of her intelligence.

"Well, ironically pretty much the same reason you are." Max left it at that but was still pondering whether or not to tell her....

"Your going to Paris, too?" Liz said with a big smile on her face. Oh, great Liz! She thought to herself. You sound desperate.

"Yeah. I guess we might see each other there." Max said wondering what she would say to this sudden coincidence. Would she be just as excited as he was? He pondered at the thought that they might be staying at the same hotel. Shake those thoughts off, he ordered himself.

"Wow! Oh, I guess we keep saying that. So, why are you going to the conference?" Liz was beginning to fantasize about the two of them in Paris - the city of Love.

"I decided to study medicine and so my professors chose me to represent the University of Chicago at the conference. I think I'll be the first Freshman to represent them too. It's almost amazing that our favorite subject has thrown us back together for another type of lab, huh?" Max was wondering if she was interested and he had just opened the door.

"Yeah." That is all she said as she was interrupted by the stewardess asking if they wanted something to drink before the plane took off.

"Yes, please. Something really strong." Liz said with a straight face while Max looked at her surprised. Was this the Liz he had known in high school - no it was definitely a more grown up version.

"I'm just kidding. Gingerale, please." Liz said as she looked at Max who had a very strange but intriguing look on his face.

"Nothing for me thanks." Max said as he looked at the stewardess who was giving Liz her drink. Liz's hand was shaking just a bit. Max looked at her wondering if she was nervous or if something was wrong or if it was just him bothering her.

Liz must have seen him looking at her and decided to explain because she suddenly said, "Your wondering why I'm shaking, aren't you?"

"No." he said defensively.

"Yes, you are. You never were good at lying Max." she said as she shook her head. Oh if she only knew, he thought. "I'm just nervous about the flight. I always seem to get just a bit shaky right at take off. I'll be fine once we're in the air."

He just smiled at her as she quickly drank the Gingerale in the little plastic cup. The stewardess came through for the trash, then went to the front and began the departure procedure.

As the plane lifted off, Liz grasped her hands firmly on the seat arms and closed her eyes. As the plane lifted off she felt a warm hand on hers. It was Max. Did he really care about her or was he just being nice? God this wondering was killing her. It had been years. She was tired of it. She had to find a way to find out how he felt. When the plane had leveled off and the seatbelt sign said it was okay to remove them, she relaxed and opened her eyes.

He couldn't believe he had touched her hand, but God she was so beautiful and so cute when she was nervous like that, and he just had to comfort her somehow. What had she thought? Was he being too forward? This was killing him. He had felt this way forever and he needed to find someway of finding out if she had any feelings toward him. He smiled at her as she opened her eyes. And she smiled back.

Chapter 3

They sat in silence a few minutes both trying to figure out how to start when they both simultaneously said "SO."

They laughed. "Why is it so hard to talk to someone you've known your whole life?" Liz asked before thinking.

"I don't know." He said wondering if she was thinking the same thing he was about wanting to know. She was starting the conversation off just as he thought about doing.

"I don't either. I just realized that all the time that we spent discussing science back in high school, we really never got to know each other outside the lab." There it was out there and now it was up to him.

"Me neither. I mean, I just didn't think you were interested in discussing other stuff with me. I mean, I just thought ...." He trailed off thinking to himself what did he want to say. He knew what he had always dreamed of saying...you are the only girl I've ever loved...run away with me...I'm an Alien.

"Max? Are you there?" Liz wondered why he stopped. He had just stopped talking and started thinking to himself.

"Oh, yeah. I'm sorry. I do that sometimes when I get lost in what I'm saying." Oh great Max, you sound stupid. She definitely won't like you now.

"I know what you mean. I have a tendency to do that too. It can get you into trouble in the middle of class, though. As I found out the hard way. I was asked to do a presentation to the class on molecular structure of the eel. Oh, you probably don't want to hear this." Great Liz bore him with more school junk.

"No, I don't mind. I kind of would like to know how you've been."

"I've been busy. Lost actually. I had this "plan" that is sort of falling into place but at what cost. My family, as you noticed, is being neglected and I haven't taken a break since we left high school. I just don't know if my "plan" is working for me anymore. This trip is going to be like my get away from it all for two weeks, kind of break. Um....how have you been?" Asking sincerely and hoping that he wouldn't think she was weak or begging for sympathy for her perfect grades and free trip to Paris.

"I've been busy too. Trying to keep my mind set on the prize, you know. I just want to become a doctor and help people but you go through a lot to get there. And this is just the beginning after this is graduate school." Max hoped he hadn't sounded too lost in himself.

"I know what you mean. Where are you going to graduate school?" She secretly hoped he'd say Harvard.

"Harvard. You?" He said hoping she wouldn't think he was following her.

"Same. Why move since I'm already here. Um...if you were accepted for graduate studies, why not undergrad?" Liz said wondering if that was too personal.

"I was but decided to hold off until graduate school." Max responded solemnly.

Who would give up going to Harvard for both undergrad and grad school? Why didn't he go? Was it her? She couldn't help but wonder these things. She wanted more personal information. She thought hard and quickly responded "So, do you have a girlfriend to help you get your mind off school sometimes?" WOW! She couldn't believe she bellowed that out like that.

"No. You?" Hoping she would say the same.

"Oh, Max. I'm sorry that was personal and how chauvinistic of me. I know this is an open society but I sometimes forget." She had a sincere look on her face.

"What? Oh, you don't mean. No, I'm not....gay." What was she thinking? Did he seem that way to her? He hoped not.

"I'm sorry - seems like I'm saying that a lot, huh? It's just in high school you never dated and people had a tendency to interpret that and talk about that as being that way." Good going Liz. What were you thinking? Oh, well. I was being honest. This will probably end the conversation.

"I just never got the courage up to ask the one who had my heart." He said shyly as he looked away from her eyes.

"Ditto." She murmured as she turned to the window.

"So that is why you didn't date any of those guys who asked you out after you broke up with Kyle Valenti?" Max said as he thought of how that must have sounded - stalkerish.

"Right. You remember all that stuff?" She said with a puzzled look.

"I just remember you saying stuff about guys being jerks and stuff." He said hoping he had covered good enough.

"Oh. Anyway, when are you flying out for Paris?" Liz hoped this would open up the future and somewhat close the past which was obviously not going as openly as she had hoped. She had hoped for the truth but now wasn't sure she could handle it. What if he said he just thought of her as a friend?

"I have my ticket here - I leave in two days. What about yourself?"

"I leave in two days also. Wonder if we're on the same flight. I would really love it if we were. I hate the getting up into the air part - as you now know. I'm on Flight 5661 leaving at 2:30 pm." Liz babbled silently praying he would say the same.

"Ditto." Max said slyly.

"Great. Maybe we can just meet at the airport. Oh, we probably won't be sitting next to each other, so it won't really make that big of a difference, I guess." Liz said disappointed.

"Don't be so sure. I think fate is on our side." What had he just said? Everything Isabelle had pounded into his brain must be warping it.

"Fate, huh? I'm in seat...(looking at her ticket) 4B. You?" Liz said coyly.

"4A. See I told you." Max was so surprised himself but at the same time very excited.

"Great. Oh, is that great? Do you mind being my air support?" Liz said with a shy smile.

"Not at all. It will be great to know someone at this conference. I have a feeling we will be the youngest people there." Max replied.

"You' re probably right." After a few minutes of intense staring, Liz broke the silence. "Is someone coming to meet you at the airport to take you to Roswell?" Liz hoped he said no so she could have a little more time with him before they were back to real life, and not living in her dreams.

"Probably not. Isabelle is still in LA and mom and dad had a big trial that was going to be still going today. I was just going to grab a taxi." Max replied with a almost disappointed face.

"No. I mean, my dad is coming to pick me up and you can ride back with us." Yes! Maybe this praying thing worked, Liz thought.

"If it wouldn't be too much trouble, okay." Max was shocked that it appeared she wanted to be around him just as much as he did her.

"No trouble, after all your going to be my air support remember. Just think of it as a pre-payment kind of thing." Liz said with a bright smile.

They laughed a little before returning to silence and long glances at each other with small grins.

The flight was nearly over and it had flown by with all their long glances and conversation.

Chapter 4

As they departed the plane, Liz saw Kyle Valenti waiting at the gate. "Kyle?" Liz said wondering what he was doing there. "Liz!" he said as he walked up to her smiling. "What are you doing here, Kyle?" Liz wondered what someone she had not talked to in so long was doing waiting at the airport. Was he waiting for her?

"Your dad had something come up so he asked if I'd mind coming to get you. I, of course said no. I thought it would give us a chance to catch up."

"Well, I sort of already asked if Max would ride back with me and my dad. You don't mind, do you?" Liz looked at him with a half smile.

"No, not at all. The more the merrier." Kyle said as he looked at Max who was now standing by Liz. Kyle hadn't seen him earlier but now there he was. The one he had warned so many years ago to stay away from his girl. Even though they weren't going out at the time he had told Max - hands off, and Kyle still felt that Liz was his.

"Great. We'll just get our luggage and meet you out front. Right Max?" she said as she turned to him with a big smile which she was trying to use to mask the terror in her eyes. However, this look did not go unnoticed by Max.

As they walked toward the luggage pick up area, Liz looked at Max and said, "I'm sorry again. I didn't know he would be picking me up. But, I'm glad your going to be riding back with us. I just really don't want to be alone with Kyle." Liz had a strangely sad look on her face which seemed to show a hint of fear.

Seeing her facial expressions, Max had to know so he asked, "Why?"

"Well, I guess it started in high school when he didn't want to take no for an answer." Seeing Max's face, she quickly responded. "No, I don't mean "no" as in the sex thing. I mean "no" as in I'm not your possession. I want nothing more to do with you as anything other than a friend." Max's look changed to a half relieved expression and Liz continued. "Then after I left for college he started writing me every week and phoning 2-3 times a week. I finally just started letting the answering machine get it. Eventually he stopped both when I didn't give him a response to either one."

"Wow. He's really caught up on you, isn't he?" Max said wondering how she would react to knowing that he had loved her since third grade, and had often stared at her through the window at the Crashdown, and all the times he had sat in 'his' booth and stole glances at her while she was working.

"Obsessed in a bad way. If he had been the one, I wouldn't have probably been so freaked by all his attention. He just isn't." She left it at that as they walked out the front of the airport and got into Kyle's sports car.

~~~~~~~

Little was said on the long drive to Roswell. Then Kyle broke the silence with "So, Max. How did you and Liz end up on the same plane?" Kyle was looking into the rearview mirror with a hint of jealousy in his eyes.

"Well, I'm not really sure. I guess it was just fate." Max said with a sheepish grin on his face. "Yeah, I guess it was fate." Liz said turning to smile at Max.

Then silence. As they finally drove into town, Kyle turned to Max and said he would drop him off first but Liz interrupted with a quick look back at Max and saying "No, we were actually going to go to the Crashdown first and get something to eat." Her eyes pleaded with Max to not leave her alone with Kyle and as if he could read her mind, he said "Yeah, I definitely would be up for some food seeing as how mom and dad will probably be late tonight."

Kyle quickly turned the corner and headed toward the Crashdown. He really didn't like the coziness that appeared to be growing between Max and Liz. As he stopped in front of the Crashdown and said he would stay but he had to go meet his dad, he looked at Liz as she exited his car and said "I'll see you tonight." Liz quickly said, "No. I mean, I have to spend some time with my family." She was hoping he would leave it at that, and he did as he just nodded and drove off.

She quickly turned to Max and said "Oh God. Thank you. I don't think I would have made it all the way back here alone with him. Now, you have to come in and let me get you something to eat for all your trouble." Max looked at her and simply said, "No trouble." They smiled and walked into the Crashdown.

Chapter 5

As they entered, they both looked at each other and then at the restaurant. It didn't look any different. Nothing had changed in the year since she had last been home. Suddenly, Liz quickly turned to see Maria racing toward her. "LIZ!" Maria screamed as she ran up to her friend with a big smile. "I am so glad you made it. Who is this you've got here? Where did you find him?" Maria knew it was Max Evans but wanted to see what Liz said.

"Who Max? Oh, we met on the plane and he was sort of my knight-in-shining armor when Kyle was there to pick me up. What gives? Where is everyone? Where are my parents? WHY did they send Kyle to pick me up? You know how I feel....." Liz asked with a serious look on her face but quickly caught herself rambling and stopped before going into a fit of other feelings she had about Kyle. Liz noted that the place was kind of empty with the exception of one new waitress and an older couple sitting in the front corner booth. Then she glanced back seeing a tall dark man sitting in the back booth where Max used to sit when he came every afternoon after school. She quickly realized it was Michael Guerin and that had been where Maria had ran from.

"Oh, your parents. Yeah, they wanted me to tell you that they were sorry they weren't going to be here to see you but they will be back Sunday. I'm sorry Lizzy. I know you flew all the way here to see them before you left for Paris." Maria said sympathetically. She knew her best friend well and knew that this was going to hurt her. After all, she hadn't been home to see them in a year. How could they do that to her?

"Where did they go?" Liz asked with a hint of hurt in her voice. She knew it would be something like a stargazing or something her parents were always doing those type of getaways.

"Yeah, um...they went to Albuquerque to some convention type thing that was for the restaurant and....." Maria stopped trying to find the words to make it seem like why they left was really important without just saying there was a comet siting or something they just had to see.

"I know Maria, don't worry. I'm not upset or hurt or anything. We all have our own lives. I had just thought they were worried about me since I hadn't been home in awhile." Liz said turning her eyes to Max who was looking kinda shocked by the whole ordeal. As Maria led them to the back booth Liz quickly turned her head to Max and said "Worried, huh?" He just smiled. She smiled back shaking her head. Had he been the one worried she wondered?

When they reached the back booth Max realized that it was Michael sitting there with Maria. "Michael?" Max said with a hint of surprise in his voice. Michael just looked up from his soda and the doodles he had made on his napkin and then said "Maxwell! When did you get back to town?"

As Max sat down he said "Just now. Flew in before heading to Paris. You?" The last Max had heard from Michael (back at Christmas), he was heading out of town to who knows where but would keep in touch. Michael was going to pursue his artistic abilities that were limited by the constraints of this small town. Maria quickly looked at Liz who had taken a seat beside Max (when Maria had cut Max off from sitting by Michael and slid herself next to him). Liz just grinned back at Maria. Then tried to focus on the conversation again.

When Max and Michael had finished their hellos and brief catch up session, Liz turned to Maria and smiled simply asking, "What are you two doing here?"

"Oh, us...yeah, we came in for some lunch?" Maria said with a hint of mischievousness. She knew Liz would know immediately that her and Michael had become more than friends. Max on the other hand didn't catch on so quickly. "You guys?" Maria added quickly.

"Same." Max added without thinking. "So, Max what do you want to eat? Remember, its on the house so order anything you want." Liz asked smiling. Max just looked at the menu then at her and said "What are you getting?" She said, "the usual." "Oh, um... sounds good." Max said not remembering what her usual was. She laughed. "You probably don't want mint oreo ice cream with sundae toppings." He said confidently "No, I do. That is my favorite." She smiled and looked at Michael and Maria as she got up saying, "You guys want anything?"

"I'll go help you. They may have forgotten who you are around here." Maria said as she got up looking at Michael and saying "You two behave. No talking about us while we are gone." Michael looked up at her grinning saying "Ditto."

As the girls walked off Max looked at Michael and asked "What was that about? Are you and Maria...?" Max's voice was trailing off as he looked over seeing a man come running from the kitchen and sweeping Liz into his arms and whirling her around screaming "My Lizzy! You came home." Max realized it was the cook who had been here forever and relaxed. Why had he gotten so tense? Was he jealous? What was going on with them?

After saying her hellos to the gang and being introduced to the new people Liz headed over to the juke box and leaned behind it pushing the continuous button (that only those who worked there would have known about) and pushed in several of her favorites. It was just like old times she thought. Max sitting in the back booth. Her behind the counter getting food and playing her favorites on the juke box. Or was it? Something was different. They had actually talked more than ever on the plane and then there was this whole [i] I want more [/i] thing going on between them now. She sneaked a peak at the booth where he and Michael sat and caught Max looking at her like the old days. Max quickly turned his head away grinning. She had caught him again. She always seemed to know when he was looking at her.

Liz returned to the kitchen where Maria was still waiting on their food. "So, girl what is going on?" Maria looked at her best friend and saw the glow of warmth that she always had. Liz was the nicest, good hearted, most gentle person she knew. Maria could tell Liz was happy and wanted to know more.

"Nothing." Liz said grinning. Maria slapped her on her arm urging her to tell more. "Oh, you know, we met on the plane by coincidence and talked the whole way back. It was great. It is exactly what I've dreamed of forever but I'm not sure where it is going. I still don't get the feeling like he wants it to be more than 'just friends', you know?" Liz looked at Maria with a disappointed face. "Leave it to me and we'll find out." Maria said grabbing her and Michael's plates and heading out of the kitchen as Liz gasped and said "Maria, no." She knew it was too late. When Maria made her mind up to do something it was done. Maria had a good heart and wanted to help everyone. It was just one of those times when Liz would just have to hang on for the ride.

As the girls sat down the plates, Liz jumped up and said "Wait, I'll be back." She ran behind the counter and grabbed a bottle of Tabasco sauce and brought it back to the table. "You guys want this right?" Liz asked looking at Max and Michael. They looked at each other and then just nodded. Did she know Michael thought? Had Max told her? As if Max was reading his mind, he looked at Michael and just shook his head lightly and Michael knew Max hadn't told her.

"So, we were planning on going out tonight. Weren't we honey?" Maria said looking at Michael. "Yeah." Is all Michael managed before Maria started back in. "We would love it if you guys would join us."

"I'm sure Max is tired and wants to spend time with his family, right Max?" Liz asked hoping he would say no. "Um...well really they may not be home until really late due to their trial being out of town and everything. Where are you guys going?" Max asked looking at Maria.

"Well, I thought we would start with dinner and dancing and see where that leads us." Maria grinned at Liz.

"I'm up for it if you are Liz." Max asked looking at her hoping she would say yes. "Um... well....sure why not. I mean, I haven't been out dancing in forever. I'm not sure I still know how." They all laughed and agreed to meet back at the Crashdown before heading to the new Chinese restaurant for dinner. After finishing their food Liz asked Max if he was ready to go home. When he agreed, she told him she would just go get the keys to the car and would be right back.

~~~~~~~

Liz dropped him off in front of his house and looked into his soulful eyes and said "You know you don't have to do this. I mean, you don't have to go out .... with me tonight. If you had something .... or someone else you wanted to...." Max stopped her in mid-sentence saying "Same here. I mean, if you'd rather not I'll call Michael and...." It was Liz's turn to stop him and she just smiled saying "I don't want to be with anyone else tonight." "Good. I mean, we'll have fun. You look like you could definitely use some fun to get your mind off things." Max said with a sincere half-grin look on his face. "Yeah. So, I'll see you back at the Crashdown. Um..., if you get there early, you can come on up to the apartment. [thinking of how that sounded she quickly added] Maria said she would be there early and I'd say so will Michael."

Liz left with a HUGE smile on her face thinking of what the night holds. What she didn't know was that Max had one too.

Chapter 6

Everyone arrived just as Liz finished getting ready upstairs. Max and Michael sat patiently talking about hockey and other "guy" stuff while Maria was upstairs helping Liz. Maria had let them in telling them to be patient, her and Liz had been catching up and lost track of time, but they would be ready soon. Finally, Michael yelled upstairs because he felt himself getting very hungry, "Honey, we are going to be late for our reservations." This was just too much for Max and he couldn't help but laugh. "What?" Michael said grinning. "How long have you two been....so close?" Max asked with a grin. "For a little over a month. It just kinda happened." Michael hoped he could leave it at that. Max knew his friend well and didn't push for the details, but he still couldn't get over how much Michael had changed. Michael was a loner who didn't need anyone (except for Isabelle and Max) and didn't show emotions.

As if she knew Michael was about ready to upstairs after them, Maria came down the stairs with Liz right behind her. All Max could think was that she was so beautiful. Liz was wearing a tight red sweater with a black skirt that came just above her knees. Her hair was pulled up on the sides with flowing curls and her makeup was well done. It just slightly accented her angelic features. Liz just smiled when she noticed Max hadn't taken his eyes off her. "I have to grab my jacket and then we can go." Liz added squeezing past Max who didn't move to let her by. They touched briefly sending a shock into both of them. She looked at him smiling but with a brief look of concern on her face. He quickly responded "Static!" He knew it wasn't but that was the closest explanation he could give her.

Dinner had gone well. They all talked and laughed. They played pool and of course Maria and Liz beat them. Liz could play like a pool shark. Even with their "secret powers" Max and Michael still couldn't beat them. They decided to head out to a new club that had just opened within the last month. When they arrived, the place was packed but they went on in anyway. They found an empty table and sat down. Max and Michael went to get them all drinks while the girls waited. "So?" Maria asked quietly as the guys walked away. "What?" Liz asked smiling. She knew what Maria wanted. She wanted to know what Liz thought of how the night was going, but Liz was just going to make her friend wonder for awhile. Suddenly, Kyle Valenti grabbed her by the shoulder. Liz quickly turned to see who it was.

"Kyle." Liz said with a hint of surprise in her voice. "Liz. Want to dance?" Kyle had been drinking and you could smell the alcohol on him as if he had bathed in it. "No.... um, I'm here with someone." Liz quickly added. "Who?" Kyle asked angrily as Max and Michael walked up with their drinks. "Me." Max said sharply. Kyle quickly turned to face Max then turned back to Liz. "I thought you were staying home with your parents." Kyle said to Liz in a hurtful but sarcastic manner. "They went out of town on business at the last minute." Liz looked scared that she had just admitted to Kyle that she would be at home alone tonight. Great Liz just invite the lunatic over. "Liz, I thought you were staying with me tonight?" Maria added saving her friend from her own thoughts of doom. "Yeah, I forgot. I'm sorry." Liz gave a grateful look to Maria who was nudged by Michael. Maria gave Michael that be cool look and he realized what she had just done for her friend. "Well, then I don't guess it will hurt if you just dance with me." Kyle said grabbing Liz by the arm. Liz jerked it back and said "I don't want to. Kyle leave me alone. I don't want to bring your father into this again."

Again? What did she mean by that Max thought to himself. "We were just going to leave." Max added looking at Michael and Maria. "No we weren't." Liz added looking at them all sharply and they just sat back down. "We were going to dance." Liz said as she grabbed Max's hand and led him to the dance floor. When they were out of Kyle's earshot Liz smiled at Max and said "You saved me again. I'm going to owe you my life." Max just smiled then asked "What did you mean by again? Have you had to get his father involved before?" "Yeah. [Liz took in a deep breath before finishing] Kyle wouldn't take no for an answer. I told you he was obsessed. He decided to get drunk back when we were in high school, and just showed up on my balcony. I asked him to leave and he wouldn't. My parents weren't home and he took that as an invitation to come in. Let's just say I am the reason he has the scar over his eye. Then his dad just dismissed it as a once in a lifetime thing and my dad agreed not to press charges." "Are you okay?" Max asked with a face full of concern. "Yeah, ....as long as you're here." she mumbled as she settled her head on his shoulder for the remainder of the dance. He just held her. How could anyone think of hurting this fragile creature?

When everyone got back to Liz's place and they sat and talked for awhile, Michael stood up quickly grabbing Maria's hand. "It's time to go." Michael said looking at Maria with a grin. Liz looked at Maria with a hint of fear. Fear of being left alone tonight. What if Kyle decided to check up on her? "I can't go. I have to stay with Liz." Maria snarled at Michael. "Max will stay with her. We r*e*a*l* l*y need to go." Michael said with some urgency as he looked at Max. Maria also turned her gaze to Max. Max then looked at Liz and asked "Liz? Do you want me to stay?" She then turned to Maria with a 'you set me up' look. Then she smiled at Max and asked "Do you mind? I mean, we have a guest room. If you wouldn't mind staying." "No, um...I wouldn't mind." Max added as Michael pulled Maria out the door. Maria turned back saying "Tomorrow night?" Liz just smiled saying "We'll see."

~~~~~~~

Max sat alone on the couch while Liz sat in a chair across the room. They were in silence. Max looked very uncomfortable. "Max, you don't have to stay. I'll be fine. I'm not a little kid anymore and sometimes you have to face your fears, you know." Max looked straight at her and wondered if that was his sign to tell her. He had wanted to tell her everything so many times when they were in high school but just couldn't. "If you don't want me to...." Max had a semi-disappointed look on his face as he was interrupted by "No. It's just that I've asked so much of you in one day. You've been more than great and I just don't want to put you out." "Well then it's settled. I'll stay but only if you fulfill your offer of mint Oreo ice cream." She just smiled at him and said "We have to get comfortable first. You wear boxers?" Took by surprise he laughed and said "Yeah." "Good. Strip and get comfortable, I'll be right back. Oh, the guest room is upstairs to the right. My room's on the left across the hall." Was that too forward? She thought to herself, Nah! He needed a push.

They met back downstairs looked at each other in their Pjs and laughed. "What? I used to have Alex over all the time and he wore his boxers?" Liz hadn't fantasized about Alex, though. Would she be able to handle being in the same room with Max, especially with him in just his boxers and t-shirt?

"It's just I never pictured you in toaster pants." Max said smiling at Liz. She was wearing a t-shirt and cotton tie pants that had flying toasters all over them. She just smiled and headed toward the kitchen.

They ate ice cream and watched a scary movie on television before calling it a night. They walked upstairs and as Liz entered her room she said, "Night, Max." He turned into the guest room and said, "Night, Liz."

Chapter 7

"HELP! Stay away. NO!" Liz screamed as she struggled with the covers. Max awoke to the scream and ran to her door "Liz are you okay? Liz?" When she didn't answer he quickly opened the door and found her struggling with the covers. She was just having a nightmare. He let out a sigh of relief then ran to her bed and shook her gently saying, "Liz, its just a dream. Liz, wake up."

As her eyes flew open she was breathing very hard and before even thinking she grabbed Max and held him tight. She had tears in her eyes as she said "Max, thank God."

"Are you okay?" he asked as he stroked her hair thinking of how he had wanted to do this for so long. Just hold her this way. But it was different he hadn't wanted to see the fear that was in her eyes. "What were you dreaming about?" Max wondered if it was Kyle. Realizing what she was doing Liz backed away from Max's warm embrace and looked like she was so embarrassed.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have watched that scary movie." She hoped he believed her. "Don't be. They can get to the best of us. Do you think you can go back to sleep?" Max had an overwhelming look of concern in his eyes. It was as if he was reading her thoughts and knew she needed him to protect her. "Maybe. Um.. I know this is above and beyond friendship, but would you mind staying with me? I mean, it would just make it easier to sleep knowing that you were here." She looked up at him with pleading eyes and he felt his heart skip a beat.

"Not a problem." He said with his voice cracking as he turned around and climbed on top of the covers. She looked at him and nudged the covers down a little and he followed her lead slipping under the covers. She snuggled up against him with her back and he placed his arm around her thin waist hoping she couldn't feel how fast his heart was beating. He was careful to make sure she didn't feel any other parts of him that had been stimulated by just being in her bedroom little on in bed with her with her in just her pjs.

They both slept through until noon the next day before waking up to the phone ringing. Liz answered knowing it was Maria. "So, what happened after we left?" Maria wasn't wasting time. She wanted details and now. "Nothing." Liz said with a sheepish grin as she looked over at Max who was still sleeping beside her. "We'll get together for lunch." Liz said quickly trying to get Maria off the phone. "Hon, it is nearly 12:30." Maria laughed. "Oh, well then we'll just have an early dinner." Liz laughed and her giggles jarred Max awake. Noticing his eyes opening Liz stopped laughing and told Maria she would call her back. "Morning." Liz said as Max finished opening his eyes. "Morning." Max said watching how beautiful Liz looked in the morning with no makeup and her hair just a little messy, but the sun was shining behind her making her look like an angel sitting next to him.

"I guess we slept a little too good. It is already nearly afternoon." Liz said smiling. "Oh. Well, I should get out of your hair then." Max said getting up. "You don't have to hurry." Liz said quickly. He just smiled at her and continued getting up and putting on his pants. Liz turned her head to give him some privacy and he couldn't help but grin inward at how funny that seemed. They had spent the night together wrapped up in each other's arms (well her in his) and then for her to turn away shyly, well it just seemed adorable to him.

"You'll have to let me make all of this up to you when we get to Paris." Liz said with a sideways grin. Thinking to herself how tomorrow they would be headed to the most romantic city where they would be alone for two weeks, well sort of alone and maybe they would be able to get adjoining rooms at the hotel. Wait, would he want that? Am I being pushy? Oh, great. You seem needy. No guy wants such a needy girl.

"Yeah. I mean, no. What I'm trying to say is that you don't owe me anything. I didn't mind any of this. Actually, I'm just glad that I was here to help you." Max had finished putting on his shirt as he was saying this so it sounded a bit muffled but she got the gist.

"I'm not sure what got into me last night. I'm usually not that freaked over ...a scary movie." she said reminding herself that she didn't need him to know that she was actually having the same nightmare about Kyle as she had for so many years. Her daydreams were filled with Max but in her sleep for some reason Kyle seemed to take over.

"Well, I'm going to go if your alright. I should check to see if mom and dad made it back last night. They are probably wondering what happened to me. Maybe we can....if you want maybe we can get together later and go do something. I'd hate to know that you were alone tonight." Max said as he was secretly wishing Liz would just reach up and grab him forcing him back to the bed kissing him passionately.

She didn't. She just said "I'm supposed to do something with Maria but ...." "Oh, as long as your not alone." Max said disappointed and he quickly turned to leave. "Max, wait. Maria will probably want to include Michael and I wouldn't want to be the third wheel, you know. So, if you really don't have other plans maybe we could all go do something again." Liz hoped he would agree. She really needed to spend time with Maria but wanted more time with him.

"Yeah, I'll check with Michael and see but if they do want to, I would love ...[stopping himself mid thought and trying to cover] I would like to do something." Max hoped he'd caught himself before she realized how close he'd come to saying to spend the night here again with you in my arms.

"Great. I'll see you later then." Liz got up and made her way to her closet pulling out her bag trying to figure out what to wear.

~~~~~~~

Liz and Maria spent the afternoon talking and laughing. Liz told Maria all about the plane ride, the coincidences, the car ride back with Kyle and then last night - how Max had agreed to sleep with her just holding her so she would feel safe. He was wonderful. She caught herself wondering if it was him just being his normal sweet self and a good friend or if he might want more like she did. Maria told Liz about how her and Michael came to be a couple and how things were going for her. They agreed not to let so much time lapse before getting together. Sure they talked at least once a week, but here lately with the trip coming up and getting ready for her presentation Liz hadn't been able to return all of Maria's calls. Maria understood and that is why it wasn't until now that she had mentioned her and Michael. She was afraid that would make Liz feel even more alone than Maria knew she had felt since leaving Roswell. Soon the afternoon was gone and the girls realized they hadn't called the guys. So, Maria called Michael and told him that they all should go out again like last night. Michael agreed and said he and Max would make the plans this time. He warned them to wear comfortable clothes.

Liz and Maria wondered if that meant they were going "riding in the desert" for some reason. Guys seemed to like doing that sort of thing. The girls didn't mind as long as they ended up gazing up at the stars at some point. It was just so romantic to be out in the desert under the stars with someone you really wanted to be with.

The girls decided on what to wear and started getting ready.

Chapter 8

It was nearly 6:45 and the guys hadn't shown up yet. What was taking them so long? Had Max backed out on Michael and now Michael was going to stand Maria up as well? Those thoughts were shaken by a knock at the door. Liz smiled. She hoped that it was them but when she opened the door it was Kyle. "Hey Liz." Kyle said with a shy grin. "Kyle. What do you want?" Liz said sternly as Maria walked up behind her. "I just wanted to stop by and say that I was sorry for last night. When I get drunk I get a little .....aggressive. So, can I come in." Kyle had an innocent smile on his face. "Well, uh....no." Maria said sarcastically. Kyle looked at her with a fierce hatred in his eyes, then said "I didn't ask you." Liz quickly responded with "We're waiting for people, so if you don't mind we need to finish getting ready." She began to shut the door when Kyle stuck his foot inside to stop her. Just then he felt a strong hand on his shoulder. It was Michael. Michael simply asked, "You got a problem?" Kyle turned seeing the two masculine figures standing side by side with serious looks on their faces. "Nope, no problem. I just came by to apologize to Liz and then I was going to be on my way." Michael pushed him to the side and stepped through the door hugging Maria. Max was right behind him and turned to stand directly behind Liz. "Thank you for stopping by Kyle but your apologies would be better suited if you would just stay away from me. Please." Liz said those words as serious and stern but as nice as she could then she shut the door.

Max quickly asked if they were okay and when the girls agreed that they were he smiled. He saw that Liz still hadn't put her shoes on so he laughed and said, "Better wear socks." He had a sheepish grin on his face. "Why?" she said returning the grin. "I wouldn't want you to catch anything from the rented shoes." Max said now almost laughing. Maria realized that the guys had decided on going bowling. She turned to Liz and they smiled. Maria then said "should we get our bowling balls and gloves too?" The guys looked at each other in amazement. Did they really have their own balls? "You two bowl a lot?" Michael asked with hesitation. Max and he had decided that they could bowl well and wanted to be better than the girls at something. They never thought of this. "Well, duh." Maria said. "What do you think we did while we were in high school? It's not like we really dated and this town has very little to do." Liz added smiling. Then the girls ran upstairs and grabbed their bowling bags. Since they had been together most every time they went bowling (and it was usually after working their shifts together at the Crashdown), Maria kept her bag at Liz's house. As they came downstairs the guys shared a glance then started toward the door.

~~~~~~~

The girls whispered something to each other before deciding they would give the guys a fair chance. "If you two want, we wont pair up." Liz said gesturing towards Maria but looking at Max. "No, we've got this one covered." Max said hoping he was right. They couldn't use their powers, or could they? Would they be able to do this without the girls knowing? He quickly looked at Michael who must have been having the same thoughts. Michael nodded slowly trying not to make it noticeable to Maria.

Even with their powers they weren't doing better than the girls. What was up with this picture? Michael thought to himself. He and Max could aim their balls but the pins didn't want to fall without more influence by them. Maybe this is just one of those things your not supposed to fight. Maybe they were supposed to be beaten by girls, earth girls. He didn't want to accept this, but Maria was so cute in her tight pants and short tight sweater. What was he going to do? He realized how stimulated he had become and then realized how he couldn't get up. "Max, you mind taking my shot? I don't think I can get up right yet." Max just smiled knowing what Michael was meaning.

The girls had won the last four games and were getting tired. Maria looked at Michael and whined "You done having us humiliate you yet? We're getting tired and we haven't eaten anything. You know how I get when I'm hungry." Michael looked at Max and they decided with their eyes to surrender.

As the guys turned in their shoes and met back with the girls, Max noticed Kyle in the back of the game room watching them (but trying not to be noticed). Max grabbed Michael's arm and motioned without warning the girls. Michael nodded. What did Max want to do? Michael thought to himself.

"Michael, I'm really tired I think we should just grab something at my house." Maria said looking at him with very tired looking eyes. "But don't you want to just grab something at the Crashdown." he said not wanting to leave Max yet, not knowing what Max wanted to do about the spy they had following them. "Not really." Maria said as she nudged him toward her car. "I'll see you in the morning Lizzy. I'll get there before you leave for the airport, okay." "Sure." Liz said smiling at her friend.

~~~~~~~

"Tired?" Max asked hoping she wasn't. He wanted to spend just a little more time with her tonight before leaving to go home to his empty bed.

"Not really. I think sleeping until noon helped a lot, but we do have a big day tomorrow. You?" Liz wondered if he was wanting what she was. She wanted him to say no so they could spend the night like they did last night - together.

"I'm not really either. Getting a little hungry, though."

"We could {looking at her watch} go back to my house and eat at the Crashdown. It's closed but I think I still remember my way around." Liz said smiling at Max as they got into his old jeep. Man, that jeep. That was part of her attraction to Max. How he looked so manly in that jeep. Snap out of it! Liz thought to herself. There you go daydreaming again. High school is over. Focus on the present.

"I wouldn't want you to do that, we could just grab something." Max said sincerely.

"It is the very least I could do. Look at what I put you through yesterday alone. I'm surprised you still want to be my friend." Oh, no Liz! Why did you have to say friend. Now he is going to think that is all you want. Maybe not. Maybe that is the way it is supposed to be. Errrgh! This was getting frustrating.

"I don't think that a few intense situations clarify as a reason for me not to be .... [he hesitated] your friend." God! Was that what she wanted? Just friends? I don't know how I keep getting my signals crossed. Would friends sleep together like last night? Alex. Yeah, Alex probably would with Liz or Maria either one. But I'm not Alex. Max thought to himself.

"Still, it's the least I could do." Liz said thinking of how much more she would like to do to show him how she feels about him but he had to be the one to make the first move.

~~~~~~~

When they arrived back at Liz's apartment Max parked and they ascended the stairs. They didn't hear or see the car pull up in the alley across the street with its head lights off.

When inside Liz asked "What can get ya?" She wanted to ask what could she do for him but that would probably be too straight forward in this situation.

"Burger, fries and a..." Max began. "Cherry-cola" Liz added smiling. "Yeah." Max replied softly. She went into the back and threw the burgers and fries on then came back out front and fixed their drinks. "You want to sit at a booth or the counter?" Liz asked holding the drinks. "Booth." Max said as he headed toward his favorite booth. It had been his favorite because from anywhere in the room he could see her. He watched her often throughout high school - working, just being Liz with Maria and then her leaving for college. That thought snapped him back to reality.

"Why don't you put some music on and I'll go check our food." Liz said motioning toward the jukebox. "Oh, if you push the button in the back you can get continuous songs - free." Liz added as she slipped into the kitchen.

She returned with the plates and a bottle of Tabasco sauce. They ate and laughed listening to all the music he had played. "I hope these songs are okay?" Max asked inquisitively. "Yeah, their great." Liz said nodding her head. Then Macy Gray's I Try started playing. "This is one of my favorite songs." Liz said smiling at Max. "I know." He said looking up into her eyes. "You do." Liz said wondering again if he was somehow reading her mind. "Yeah, you played it all the time while I was in here." Max smiled. "Oh, yeah." Liz said laughing. Then Max got up.Oh no he's going to leave. Liz thought to herself.

"Would you like to dance?" Max asked as he held out his hand. "This really isn't a good dancing song but yeah. I'd love to." Liz had to add that last part. He needed a push and she was about to give in and just tell him how she felt.

~~~~~~~

They began to move to the music oblivious to the prying eyes that lingered just outside the Crashdown. No one could see the anger building in his eyes as he watched someone else do what he had only dreamed of doing with Liz. How could she be with Max? He wasn't as popular in school, he wasn't into sports and yet, she looked at him - she always has looked at him - as though he was the only guy on earth. Why couldn't she just love him the way she appeared to be trying to love this guy who wasn't even trying to love her back? I'll show them. I won't be without her. I won't be made out to be a fool. He thought to himself.

~~~~~~~

At the end of I try they stood staring at each other as the next song began. It was as if he had picked all the songs he knew she loved and the songs were able to put into words how she felt inside. Sara McLauchlan's Fumbling Towards Ecstasy began. The words tore through her heart as she stood standing there so close to him, close enough to just reach up and kiss him.

The fear has left me now.

I'm not frightened anymore.

It is my heart that pounds beneath my flesh.

Its my mouth that pushes out this breath.

If I shed a tear I won't cage it. I won't fear love.

If I feel a rage I won't deny it. I won't fear love.

Then as if he again had read her mind they were embraced. It was a deep passionate kiss. The connection was instantaneous. He was taken over by the feelings that she released. She did feel the same as he did. How could he have not known? Then she too felt his feelings for her. She didn't realize it at first but as the kiss deepened she realized that these feelings weren't her own. It surprised her as they shot through her like electricity. He felt the same as she did. How could she have not known? Then she jerked back standing there staring into his eyes with wonder. What had just happened? How did she know how he felt?

She saw the flicker of hurt and disappointment in his eyes as she pulled away. "I'm sorry." she quickly blurted out. "It must be static." Then he realized she thought it was her who had made this happen between them. Just as it did last night when they touched while he was having the raging feelings of just wanting to march her back up to her room and undo everything she had apparently worked so hard to do in getting ready. "No, I'm sorry. It was my fault." He said waiting for her next response. When she gave none just stood their staring at him with all the wonder in the world, he realized if he didn't leave now he would break down and tell her everything. All of his deepest darkest secrets. With one look in her eyes he had always gotten lost. She could have asked him to do anything and with just one look into her eyes he would have forgotten it all and just did whatever she had asked.

"I should go." Max said as he began to walk away. She didn't say anything. She didn't move. She just stood there staring at him as he walked back through the kitchen to leave. It took her a moment to realize he was leaving before she ran toward the back door and blurted out after him "I'll see you on the plane tomorrow." Hoping he heard her she just stood there trying to figure out what had just happened.

Chapter 9

Max made it to the jeep and then realized he wanted to go back. He needed to tell her. He couldn't expect to go on like this with her. She had to know. She loved him. He had felt it but was it an old feeling, one that wasn't as strong now? How would she react to his news? How could he tell her? Then he reached down and started the jeep. It would have to be another day. He wasn't ready to let go of all the feelings he had gotten from their first kiss. Yes, their first kiss. What a kiss! If he had known it was going to be like that then he would have definitely done that a lot sooner.

~~~~~~~

Liz came out of her daze and went back upstairs. She had just come back to the livingroom after putting on her Pjs to watch a little tv when she heard the knock. Max, she thought as she walked toward the door. After their kiss she couldn't help but think of all the feelings that he had for her. She felt them as if they were her own. He loved her. She felt it. He couldn't stay away after that - or at least she hoped he couldn't. As she opened the door she blurted out "Max, I..." then her gaze settled on Kyle. The smile left her face. She didn't think about asking who it was. She didn't think about him bothering her again tonight. Not after her bliss of being with Max. That is when she saw him raise his arm which had a gun.

"Kyle." Liz said with fear in her voice.

~~~~~~~

Max felt a sudden waive of excruciating fear. It was bad enough that he pulled to the side of the road. He realized it wasn't his own. Isabelle? Michael? No, it was Liz's. How could he be feeling her fear? He had only done that with his sister and best friend. What was going on? The fear got stronger and then he had a flash. Liz was standing at the front door of her parent's apartment and Kyle was standing in front of her holding a...gun. Gun? Max thought as he quickly turned the jeep around and headed back to Liz's apartment.

~~~~~~~

"Kyle, what are you doing?" Liz asked angrily.

Kyle just looked at her then raised the gun even with her chest. "If I can't be with you. If I can't have you, then neither can he." That is all he said as he fired a single shot at Liz who stood straight in front of him.

The shot was loud. It rang through her ears as she landed on the floor -- hard. The blood began gushing out of her. Her breath was weak and she could barely see anything. She was blacking out.

~~~~~~~

Max sits by her side wondering what to do. Does she really want to know who I am? Could she handle it? Stop! He told himself it was do or die time. She would die if he didn't do something. He couldn't let that happen. How could anyone have done this to her? He could tell he didn't have time to ponder these things but his actions would not only effect his life and Liz's but also Isabelle and Michael's. How would Liz react to her best friend dating someone 'not of this earth'? Then his thoughts were interrupted by his hand being squeezed tightly. He quickly looked down at his hand then at her face. All he could see in her eyes was pain. It seared through his sole. She was in so much pain. Then she whispered something and he came closer to her mouth hoping she would have the strength to say it again. She opened her eyes and whispered "You are the one." Then she closed her eyes and barely took in a quick breath.

He looked at her in shock. What did she mean by the one? He heard her straining for another breath and he just broke out of his frozen stance. He quickly pulled up her blood soaked tank top and placed his hand over the bullet hole. He reached behind her neck and lifted her head slightly. "Liz." he said softly. "Look at me, Liz. You have to look at me for this to work."

She slowly opened her eyes just enough to see his face. "Max," she whispered. "Shhhhh. Don't try to speak. Just look at me and try to clear your mind." Max hoped she was coherent enough to understand what he was saying. He quickly focused his thoughts on her and on healing her.

The connection was immediate. It was like she was a part of him. He could feel her heart beating weakly. He focused on dissolving the bullet and repairing her lung. The bullet had shattered through her rib just barely missing her heart and focusing on her lung. Max focused on healing her from inside out retracing the path of the bullet. He pushed away the images he was receiving from her although the first few and the last ones were too strong to ignore. In the first ones, he saw Liz at age 6 watching him and Isabelle walk hand-in-hand as they walked onto the school grounds. He saw her smile at him as she was talking and giggling with Maria. The next image was her in lab watching him with a smile on her face. He had spilled some iodine on their papers and was quickly trying to clean it up. The next image was his face on the plane as she realized who he was. The last was their kiss and the flood of emotions that came with it. Then there was one more that popped up. She was opening the door thinking it was him and then seeing Kyle, the gun and hearing the shot. Then pain.

The emotions of her and him combined raced through him piercing the darkest parts of his soul. He couldn't hold back the tears that quickly flowed. If he had not ran away from her maybe this wouldn't have happened. Enough. He told himself. She needed him to be strong. But it was hard to be strong watching the woman you love slowly dying especially knowing you can help her. He hadn't let her die, though. He had saved her.

After he was sure he had dissolved the bullet and healed even her smooth, soft skin he let the connection with her go. When he swiped his hand over her shirt clearing away the blood and fixing the bullet hole, he let himself fully realize what had happened. He sighed with relief that she had a pulse that was growing stronger now - where moments ago, she was almost dead. Dead. It rang through his brain causing a piercing pain.

Max looked at all the blood on the floor and he swiftly moved to remove all traces of this horrible nightmare. Then he realized she hadn't moved or even woke up yet. What was wrong? Why didn't she move? Was she scared? Then he looked down at her pale face and wondered if maybe he had missed something while trying to quickly save her? Blood. Oh, no. He had forgotten how much blood she had lost. As he pondered on what he should do, he heard a whisper "Max?" He ran to her side and hesitated as he took her hand. "Liz. Rest. You need to take it easy. I'll try to explain later." "Max, don't leave me please." she said with pleading eyes as she tried to sit up.

He grabbed her by the arm, helping her to the couch. "Max what happened?" She said quickly. He just looked at her wondering how to begin. Suddenly she interrupted his thoughts "The last thing I remember we were dancing, we kissed (she said shyly smiling at him), you left, the knock at the door - I thought it was you coming back (again she smiled) but it was Kyle. He was so angry and he had a gun. Then there was a very loud almost deafening sound, blood and pain - a lot of pain. I think I blacked out but when I came to - you were by my side and then the same feeling that I felt when we kissed. Max, what happened?" Her smile was gone only a strange look of concern was on her face. He didn't know how to tell her. Then he just stared into her eyes and got lost. "Max, I want...I need to know."

"Do you trust me?" he said wondering if that was a smart thing to say.

"Yes." she said with all the confidence she could muster.

Whoa, she didn't hesitate. Now what Max? Do you think this is the best time for this? She was still weak, but one look into her eyes and he knew she wouldn't let it go.

"I have to touch you." Max said softly looking into her eyes. She just nodded. He placed his hands on her face and the connection began as before.

Max focused on showing her his life. He hoped this worked. However, she hadn't seen visions when they kissed just his feelings as he had hers. When they connected for him to heal the wound, he had seen things from her but didn't know whether or not she had until she woke up - and he realized she hadn't. It was only fair for him to show her who he really was.

Liz saw a picture of Max at age 6 walking with Isabelle and seeing her with Maria. She saw the smile on his face and hers. She saw several other visions of him watching her throughout high school then him watching her from behind the corner of the bus stop as she got on to go away to college. Next she saw herself on the plane with him and the joy that he had in finding out it was her. Tonight them dancing. Their first kiss. Him rushing back to the apartment and seeing her lying on the floor in the huge puddle of blood. Liz realized she wasn't just seeing the things he saw but was feeling his feelings as well.

A knock on the door broke their connection just as the door flew open. There stood Sheriff Valenti with his gun aimed out in front of him. "Sheriff!" Liz said very excitedly. Max swallowed hard. This was it. He had scared her and now he was dead. "What are you doing here?" Liz said quickly standing up and walking toward the door. "Liz, I'm sorry. I didn't know if anyone was home. I'm sorry to just barge in but I've gotten several calls of people saying that they had heard a gunshot in this general area." He looked at her questioningly.

"Here?" she said hoping to look and sound surprised. "Well I guess they were wrong." he said looking around before saying, "Are you sure you haven't heard anything tonight?" "No. I don't remember hearing anything strange tonight. You Max?" Liz said looking over at Max who was now standing beside her. He realized she wasn't going to turn him over to Valenti and quickly said "No. I don't remember anything out of the ordinary."

"Well. Sorry for the intrusion. I am here to protect and when I get reports of violence in my nice quiet town, I take them seriously." Valenti said tipping his hat at Liz as he re-holstered his weapon and turned to the door.

"It's nice to know your out there to protect us from the unseen dangers in the world. I hope you have a good evening, Sheriff. And thank you for your concern." She shut the door behind him and locked it. Then she turned to Max who had walked up behind her. "Dangers, like his son." Liz mumbled.

"I should go." Max said looking into Liz's bright eyes and he just smiled at her. He was so relieved to see that light in her face which was now back to it's normal color.

She took his hand in hers and said "You can't. I can't be alone. Not tonight. I know he probably wont come back but I don't think I will be okay if you leave. I'm just asking you to stay tonight, please." Liz pleaded with her eyes and his silence was enough of an answer for her to turn leading him upstairs. Max was shocked that she still wanted to be in the same room as him. Shocked that she had not ran screaming to the Sheriff about what happened. She was still wanting to get to know him, be with him - alone with him. He couldn't restrain himself from allowing her to lead him to her bedroom.

"Liz." he said softly as they walked into her bedroom. He had fantasized about her leading him in here like this (although what happened last night turned into a fantasy of his too, this was different, she had lead him in here) but now he wasn't sure it was right? Here Liz was shot, almost died, he had saved her, connected with her and knew her most personal feelings (and how she had wanted him just as long as he had her) and now she was leading him to her bedroom. Was she doing this out of gratitude for his saving her or did she really want to?

"Max" she said lifting a finger to his lips. "I just need for you to hold me. I'm not expecting anything from you." She led him to the bed and turned down the covers. "Liz, you don't even know who I am." Max said realizing they had connected but he hadn't told her his true secret - that he was 'not of this earth.' "You'll tell me when your ready. All I know is that nothing has changed or will change the way I see you. And I need to be near you to feel safe right now." she climbed into bed and laughed as he started to climb in beside her.

"What?" he said sounding short.

"Um...shoes?" Liz said with a half grin.

"Oh, yeah." Max said smiling and taking off his shoes.

"Don't you want to take off your pants?" realizing how that sounded she quickly added "Don't you have boxers and a t-shirt on?"

"Yeah. Are you sure that your okay with this? I mean, it won't make you uncomfortable will it?" Max wondered to himself if that would make him uncomfortable. Could he control himself now knowing how she felt the same way he did about her?

"Not at all. Max you have never made me uncomfortable. I have always felt safe and at ease around you. Do I make you uncomfortable?" Liz said hoping that wasn't the case.

"No." Max said with a crack in his voice. He took off his over shirt leaving just his t-shirt and then took off his jeans leaving just his boxers. He climbed into bed and just sat there beside Liz who also was still sitting up. They looked at each other and laughed. She went silent looking into his eyes. "Max, I want to thank you for whatever it is you did that saved my life."

"Not a problem." He said as he leaned over kissing her forehead. She took his arm and placed it around her neck as she laid down on her side snuggling her back against him. He twisted around and turned off the light. They were quickly asleep after listening to each other breath slowly and smiling to themselves.

Chapter 10

The sun rose lighting Liz's room like it had a million amber flashlights lit throughout it. He turned over his hand reaching an empty pillow. He raised up quickly. He wondered if she had changed her mind. He hadn't felt her leave but now he began to have things race through his mind that scared him. The events of last night, all the words that were said and their coming to Liz's room. Just then she came in smiling and carrying a tray of food. She sat down on the bed sitting the tray between them. He looked at her, then at the tray. She had brought all kinds of breakfast foods: eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, hashbrowns and Tabasco sauce. Did she know?

"Good morning sleepy head." Liz said laughingly. She continued, "My parents should be here soon and we need to get to the airport early so, I thought we'd have some breakfast and get showers and stuff. Then you will probably need to get home to see your parents and get packed. I realized that I have monopolized all of your time and you haven't gotten to spend any time with them." Liz stopped herself as she realized she had started rambling. She took in a deep breath. He just smiled at her and said "Are you okay?" in a loving and concerned manner.

"Yes. I don't think I've ever slept so peacefully. Thank you again." Liz said with a sigh of relief. "I'm glad. How did you know I would want Tabasco with breakfast?" Max said pointing to the bottle on the tray.

"What? Oh. Well, you had always put it on and in everything in high school and over the past couple of days...even ice cream (she said as she furrowed her brow)...so I thought you might want it for breakfast too." Liz said wondering if she had been wrong.

"You know that means you have been really paying as much attention to me as I have you." Max said with a sheepish grin.

"I guess so." Liz said with a smile as she took a piece of bacon and went to her dresser gathering her clothes for the day and heading to the bathroom to start getting ready.

~~~~~~~

They met at the airport and after the plane took off, Liz snuggled her head on Max's shoulder and quickly fell asleep. Max just breathed in the smell of everything about her and smiled to himself. They were finally "more than friends."

THE END! OR IS IT?

Want to read more of Max & Liz's story?

Read Fate?, The Sequel.

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