Author

Author: Laura

Type: Max and Liz

Setting: 3 months after "Balance" Spoilers: Heatwave and Balance

Disclaimer: I, in no way, own the Roswell, it's characters, or anything do to with the WB. They are the property of The WB and whoever else owns the show. This is just for fun. No money is being made.

Summary: After their break up, Liz and Max are friends once again, but they still care for each other. Someone new comes to town. Will he steal Liz's heart?

Stolen Hearts Part One

It was a slow day at the Crashdown Cafe. Liz Parker and Maria Deluca were filling sugars and chatting. "So how are things with Max?" asked Maria.

"What things?" answered Liz. "Nothing has happened. He's keeping his distance, like he did before. It's really frustrating, Maria. I don't know what to do. I mean, I care so much for him, but lately, I just think that maybe he doesn't feel the same way about me."

"What are you talking about?" said Maria, surprised. "Max Evans is like, completely, head-over-heels in love with you. You can tell just by the way he looks at you."

"I know, Maria, but lately all he wants from me is friendship. I mean, I keep waiting for him to make a move, but he hasn't. Maybe he doesn't want to be with me. Maybe he just wants to be my friend."

"Liz, maybe he's just scared. That's what I think happened with Michael and me. They don't want to open up to us, Liz, because they're scared of what they might feel or that they would have to leave someday," said Maria.

"Maybe you're right. But I just can't keep waiting around, hoping that Max will overcome his fear, can I? I mean I'm a sixteen year old girl and all I do is work and school. I'm waiting around for an alien to deal with alien-human issues, while the best years in my life are passing me by. I should get out and meet new people, dont' you think?" said Liz.

Just at that moment, the bell on the door rang and someone entered the cafe. He was 5'10" blonde hair and sea-blue eyes. He went to a table and sat down and looked at a menu.

"Well there's someone new and someone very cute, Liz. Just what you wanted," said Maria, eyeing the stranger.

"Maria..... that's not what I meant," said Liz.

"Yea, but it's what you need. Go take his order. If you don't want him, I'll take him. You're not the only one who has an alien ex to get over."

"NO. I'll do it." Liz smoothed her ponytail and walked over to the cute stranger's table. "Welcome to the Crashdown. Can I take your order?" said Liz with a big smile on her face.

"Hi there..." said the stranger, looking at Liz's nametage. "...Liz. How are you today?"

"I'm fine and you?"

"Well I'm famished. How about a...." he looks at his menu. "AVenus special with a Milky Way Milkshake." He smiles up at her.

"Great choice. Coming right up." Liz smiles back at the stranger and goes to put in the order. When his order is ready, Liz brings him his food. "There you go."

"Well thank you, Liz. Would you like to join me?"

"Ummm, well I really should get back to work..." stammered Liz.

The stranger eyes the empty restaurant. "Well I wouldn't want to take you away from all your customers." He smiles again at Liz.

Liz laughs, and says, "Okay, only for a few minute though. My customers might get angry." She sits down across from the stranger.

"So do you have a last name, Liz or are you like Cher and all those people with no last name?" the guy asks, munching on his food.

"It's Parker, Liz Parker." Liz responds. "What about you? Do you have a name?"

"Why of course I do. I'm no Prince. My name is Josh Lambert." He stretches his hand over the table. "Nice to meet you Liz Parker."

She shakes his hand. "Nice to meet you Josh Lambert." She laughs.

"So do you go to school, Liz Parker?"

"Ah... yea. I'm a sophomore at West Roswell High. Do you go to school, Josh Lambert?"
"Why yes I do. Or more accurately I will, on Monday. I just moved out here to live with my mom. She and my father are divorced. He lives in New York, where I'm from."

"Oh I'm sorry to hear that," says Liz.

"It's okay. They've been divorced since I was six. I've been living with my dad ever since. But he's married a young tramp who I can't stand, so that's why I'm out here," Josh says.

They both look at each other and laugh nervously. "Wow. I can't believe I just told you all of that. I'm usually not this forward," Josh says, glancing down at the table.

"You mean you don't always tell strangers your life story?" Lizsays.

"No. Maybe it's just the person who I'm telling it to. So tell me about this exciting town of Roswell, New Mexico. A lot of aliens live here?" asks Josh, jokingly.

Liz almost chokes on a french fry. "Umm... nope. Just us humans." She laughs nervously.

"What do you do for fun around here?" Asks Josh

"Umm. go to parties, hang out at the movies. Those kind of things."

"Well maybe you could show me around sometime. You know show me what Roswell has to offer a city boy like me. I bet a pretty girl like you knows all the great hang out spots. What do you say?" Josh eyes Liz.

"Ummm. sure." Liz turns beet red. "I .. um ... should get back to work." Liz stands up.
"Oh right... all those customers waiting for you. Well I haveto get going to. I'll see you at school, Liz Parker."

Josh goes to the counter to pay for his lunch.

"Thanks a lot. And remember, we got a date. I'll talk to you at school. Bye, Liz Parker." He smiles at her.

"I'll remember. Bye, Josh Lambert." She smiles at him as he leaves.

Maria comes rushing out from the back where she has been watching the whole time. "So what's he like?"

"He's great. I Think we have a date," says Liz, still smiling.
"Wow, you work fast, Liz. He's sooooooo cute. When is your date?" says Maria.

"I don't know. He said he'll see me at school."

"He must be a Junior or a Senior or something. I've never seen him before."

"He's new in town. Probably doesn't know anyone. He wants me to show him around."

"Well I'll guess you'll just have to help him out. I mean, it's the only thing to do, as a good citizen and all," Maria laughs.

"Oh yes, it's the charitable thing to do," Liz laughs. She smiles to herself as she wipes the counter.

Stolen Hearts Part Two (Three days after Stolen Hearts Part 1)

Liz Parker walked down the hallway to her locker when she spotted her best friend, Maria Deluca. "Maria!" Liz called out.

"Hey, Liz. How's it going? Did you do the English assignment?"asked Maria.

"Yea, I did. Took me forever to finish it," answered Liz.

"Do you think I could copy it? I had to close last night and I just didn't have time," asked Maria.

"Maarrrriiiiaaa....." sighed Liz.

"Please... I'll be forever in debt to you. I'll owe a huge favour. Anything. Just ask. I'll do anything." said Maria.

"Fine. Here you go." Liz handed the assignment to Maria.

"Thank you so much, Liz. You're the best." said Maria, clutching the assignment. The girls both laugh. Liz's laughter dies on her lips when she spots Max Evans walking down the hallway. When he makes eye contact with her, she smiles timidly and then turns to talk to Maria.

Maria sees this and asks: "What's up with you two?"

"Nothing, absolutely nothing," Liz slams her locker shut in frustration. The girls head toward their homeroom class. "I mean it's been three months since we broke up, but I still feel so awkward around him. He's so .... controlled." said Liz.

"Controlled?" asked Maria, confused.

"Yea. He's acting the way he did right after he saved me. You know, cold, distant, always keeping me at arms length. It's as if nothing ever happened between us." said Liz, frustrated.

"Well don't dwell on him, Liz. Move on with your life. Oh hey, speaking of moving on. Have you heard anything from that Josh guy?"asked Maria.

"No. I haven't seen him since that day at the Crashdown. I thought I would see him at school, but I haven't. Who was I kidding anyway? Why would a cute guy like that wanna go out with me?" said Liz as she and Maria walked into homeroom. The bell rang and class began.

Later that day, Liz was sitting at the lunch table. The six friends were so close now, that they all sat together at lunch. Liz was the first to arrive today, so she waited around for everyone else to show up.Suddenly someone slid into the spot next to Liz. She turned and said, almost automatically: "That seat is sav... Josh."

Josh gave Liz a big smile. "Hello cutie. How are you today?"

"Great and you?"

"Great, now that I've seen you. I've been looking around for you these past three days. I haven't been able to find you. I didn't want you to forget about our deal," said Josh, smiling at Liz.

"Our deal?" asked Liz.

"Yea, remember you're gonna take me out and show me the sights."

"Oh yea. We're still on that for that. So how do you like West Roswell High?"

"It's okay. My classes kind of suck."

"What grade are you in?"

"I'm a senior." answers Josh.

"Oh cool." said Liz, smiling at him.

Just then, Maria, Alex, Michael and Isabelle walk up to the table and take their usual seats. Isabelle eyes Josh.

"Hi guys. This is Josh Lambert. He's new in town. Josh this is everybody," Liz points around the table. "This is Isabelle, Micheal, Alex and Maria."

"Hi Josh," said Alex. "Welcome to our messed up little town." Alex offers his hand across the table. Josh shakes it.

"So where are you from, Josh?" asked Michael, taking a carrot from Isabelle's lunch.

"New York. I came out here to live with my Mom." answered Josh.

Isabelle has been watching Liz and Josh the entire time. She catches the smiles and glances they give each other. "How did you two meet?" asked Isabelle, pointing to Liz and Josh.

"Uh, Josh came into the Crashdown the other day and we got to talking," answered Liz.

"Yea. Liz was most helpful. She even agreed to take me out and show me what Roswell has to offer." said Josh, smiling at Liz.

"Oh really? Fascinating story." said Isabelle, sarcastically. She is obviously upset over what's going on between Liz and Josh. "Liz, have you seen Max? He's late for lunch today." asked Isabelle,
eyeing Liz.

Liz looks down at the table. "Um.. no." answers Liz, awkwardly.

"Oh there he is." says Alex, pointing to an approaching Max.

Max walks up to the table and stands behind Josh. Josh is obviously in his seat. Max always sits next to Isabelle and Michael. Max eyes Josh.

"Hi Max. This is Josh, Liz's friend." said Isabelle, sarcastically.

Max looks over at Liz, who is avoiding making eye contact."Uh.. Hi, Josh. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you Max." They shake hands.

Liz, still avoiding Max's glances, leans over and whispers to Josh. "Can you move over one seat. You're in Max's usual spot."

"Oh I'm sorry." said Josh. He moves over a seat, closer to Liz. Now he and Liz are right next to each other, so close that their arms are against each other. Max is disturbed by this but only sits down quietly and eats his lunch. Liz glances over at Max and notices a pained look on his face.

The others begin asking Josh questions about his life in NewYork. Max and Liz spend the entire lunch period glancing at each other. Isabelle watches her brother with a concerned look on her face.

After school, Isabelle walks into Max's room, at the Evans' house. She sees him lying on his bed, looking up at the ceiling. "Max are you okay?" she asks concerned.

"Yea I'm fine, Is. Why wouldn't I be okay?" asks Max, sitting up.

"Maybe because of what happened today. The whole Liz and Josh thing."

"I'm fine, Is," said Max, avoiding Isabelle's concerned looks.

"Max, they were all over each other. I mean did you see the way he kept looking at her, and the smiles she was giving him? She obviously likes him," says Isabelle, trying to rile Max so he will talk to her.

"So?" says Max, still avoiding making eye contact.

"So.. aren't you upset? I mean Liz and you are so..."

"Is, there is no Liz and me. Liz is free to see whoever she wants. We broke up remember?"

"I know Max, but Liz and you belong together. I mean it's so obvious that you guys are in love with each other."

"Yea but we don't belong together. Isabelle, remember when I told you that Liz had broken it off with me because she didn't want to see me sick like Michael? That she couldn't handle it? Remember?" said Max, sitting on the bed with Isabelle.

"Yea. I was so mad." said Isabelle

"Well I lied. I ended things with Liz." said Max, looking down.

"What? Why?" said Isabelle incredulously.

"Because I couldn't handle being with her. All I could think about was her and nothing else. It threw me off balance. I wasn't thinking about being careful. All I wanted to do was be with her. It wasn't safe, Isabelle." said Max, soulfully. He gets up from the bed and walks to his dresser.He
watches Isabelle's reaction in the mirror.

"How stupid are you, Max?" says Isabelle after a few momentsof silence.

Max turns around sharply and says: "What?"

"Max, you and Liz belong together. Being with her won't announce to the world that we're aliens. You're throwing away any real happiness that you could have. I mean you love her don't you?"

Max looks down at the ground and answers yes quietly.

"Then tell her, damn it. She loves you. It's so obvious." says Isabelle.

"How do you know?" asks Max.

"You can see it in every look, every touch, every word that you guys share. You guys should be together, Max."

"But we're not meant to be. I mean somewhere down the line, we're gonna get hurt." said Max, trying to convince himself more than Isabelle.

"How the hell do you know what's gonna happen in the future? No one does, Max. It's stupid of you to be so concerned with what's gonna happen. You should be concerned with what's happening now. And what's happening now is that Liz loves you and you love her and you two should be together.You have to tell her, Max, before you lose her." says Isabelle. She getsoff the
bed and walks out of the room, leaving Max with his thoughts.

Max sits and thinks for a moment. He gets up suddenly and grabs his coat and keys and rushes out of his room. A few minutes later, Max arrives outside the Crashdown. It is closed. He looks inside and sees Liz wiping down the counter. He smiles and goes to open the door. He stops when he sees Josh come from the back. He watches them smiling and chatting together. He sees the look in Liz's eyes and watches her touch Josh's hand. He is upset. He knows that he is too late.

He’s lost her. Josh notices Max in the window. He sees the pained look on his face. Max turns and leaves. Josh watches him go and turns back and laughs at something Liz just said.

Stolen Hearts Part Three

Max Evans walked down the halls of West Roswell High with his head down and bags under his eyes. He was really upset over what he'd seen at the Crashdown cafe the previous night. He'd gone to pour his heart out to the woman he loved, only to see her flirting with another guy.

He didn't blame Liz for what had happened. It's not like she knew that he wanted her back. It was his own fault really. He shouldn't have waited so long. He loved her all this time, it's just that he was scared. He wasn't as scared of hurting Liz as much as he was scared of what he would feel for her. He already was in love with her, but he knew that if they got together, that love would grow into something deeper and deeper. He wanted to be with her now. He had overcome that fear. He welcomed the new emotions that he knew he would feel for her. But he was too late.

Max spotted Liz coming down the hallway, alone. She hadn't seen him yet, so he tried to duck into an empty classroom.

Liz Parker walked down the hallways of West Roswell High, thinking of what had happened last night. Josh had come by the cafe right before closing. He had hung and talked with her while she cleaned up. He seemed to be really interested in her and she found herself liking him. After she had
finished cleaning up, he walked her upstairs. Before he left, he kissed her gently on the lips.

Liz blushed when she remembered the kiss. It was a nice, sweet kiss. But Liz couldn't help comparing it to the kisses she and Max had shared. Josh's kiss just didn't have the electricity and the passion that Max's had. But then again, she wasn't in love with Josh.

Liz knew that no one would kiss her like Max Evans could kiss her. Liz really didn't want to kiss anyone else. But Max Evans didn't want to kiss her. She sighed. She knew she should move on with her life, and maybe Josh was a good start. But she couldn't help the way she felt.... She looked down the hallway and spotted Max entering a classroom. She wanted to talk to him, wanted to look into those deep soulful eyes, to feel his warm touch. She followed him into the classroom.

Max thought Liz hadn't spotted him but then she came into the classroom. Damn, thought Max, this is just what I need.

"Hey Max," said Liz, timidly.

"Hey Liz. How are you?" said Max.

"I'm good and you?"

"Okay I guess." answered Max.

"Well that's good." said Liz, plainly trying to make conversation.

"Uh... so what's up?" asked Max.

"Nothing much. Just working and school. You know, the usual,"answered Liz.

"How's that Josh guy?" asked Max, avoiding eye contact.

"Josh? Uh... he's good," answered Liz, slightly blushing.

"Are you two...." asked Max, looking directly at Liz now. It was driving him crazy. He had to know if he still had a chance with her.

"Um... I'm not really sure," said Liz, avoiding Max's stare.

"Oh... well I have to get going, Liz. I've got a trig test. Um..I hope things work out for you and Josh." It pained Max to say that, but he lost his nerve to say anything about his feelings for her. "Bye Liz," he said as he rushed out of the classroom.

"Bye Max." said Liz, standing alone in the classroom. A tearslid down her cheek. Max didn't want to be with her. That was clear enough .He said that he hoped that things would work out between her and Josh. She had lost him. She wiped the tear from her cheek and plastered a fake smile on
her face before joining the bustle of students in the hallway.

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