Dinner, Dancing & Football

Author: Sunnycouger (foolofatook_@hotmail.com)

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: You all don't honestly think that I own any of this do you? Roswell and all its characters are property of Melinda Metz and Jason Katims..I just take them out to play sometimes...The song is by Tracy Lawrence and I don't own that either...very pretty song, very country though...

Category: Kyle/Tess, Alex/Isabel, therapy, friendship, CC's

Summary: When Kyle and Tess realise that they may have feelings for each other there really is only one thing they can do. Call their friends...

Authors Notes: This fic is set in the episodes that would have followed the prom. CYN did not happen!!! This is my first attempt at anything remotely foofy so if its bad blame it on a lack of practice:)

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Kyle was sitting on the Whitman's steps...hoping the fresh air would give him a new perspective on the situation. Alex had went inside to call Liz about not meeting her later and he was left alone...alone to think.

Hmmm, French restaurant is way too fancy for a night out with someone on the rebound. It will have to be something “safe”. Whitman is wrong about the whole “make it big” theory. I will not pounce on her straight away...give the girl a break. Just make her feel better. Make her feel good...good enough to want to give Evan's another shot. Dammit Kyle, you are in a no-win situation!!!

With that he leant back on the steps so his head rested against the top step and he lifted it up...ready to bang it against the step again. Before he had a chance to he saw Alex looking down at him with a bemused expression on his face.

“Kyle? You aren’t about to start banging your head against the step are you? Did you not do that enough last night? Any and all residual brain content you’ve salvaged from playing football will disappear if you keep that up.”

“Dammit Alex!! As I said to Tess. I was LOOKING for something last night. Besides, why the hell were you looking in my window?”

“Oh, I don’t know...something to do with Tess saying “Oh My God! He’s breaking his head on the table!” That kind of caught my attention...”

“Great...so what did Lizzie say? Am I going to get yelled at for making you break your Saturday thing?”

“Probably... So what have we still got to plan? Have you decided on what you are doing?”

“I um, I actually did give it some thought when you were talking on the phone and I have decided that...its better to leave things alone just now. Keep it casual. I will not be the rebound guy who makes her feel better so she can run straight back to Max to get trampled over again...I mean, I will do that...just not the way that maybe I thought I would. She’ll get treated right by me...not pursued like a prize. I care too much about her to let her get hurt...or to lose her because I end up saying something that makes her feel uncomfortable. So...what do you think?”

Alex looked hard at Kyle...he was so confused it was actually visible. He could almost see the wheels in his head turning a mile a minute trying to envision every possible eventuality. He felt for him...he’d been there before. But...you never got anything sitting back and waiting for it to fall into your lap...well, he did but that was after a long time actually trying to get her to notice him...

“I think that’s very noble of you in theory. But you were so sure that she felt more for you than as a rebound thing. Are you sure that, and please don’t forget that I am only thinking out loud here before you whack me over the head, that you aren’t maybe a little bit...scared? Don’t look at me like I just said the most stupid thing ever...are you certain that the only reason you are pulling out isn’t because you are terrified that she might feel something for you but that it won’t be enough...and she’ll go back to Max out of duty?”

“I don’t know. I really don’t. I just don’t think I could take losing another girl to him...he treats her like crap...he treated Lizzie like crap and she kept running back for more. Hell, he took her to the Prom and then proceeded to kiss Tess in the middle of the school. I just wish I knew why women found him so irresistible. And before you open your mouth about his “special qualities” I mean beside those. For someone that everyone considers a nice guy...how can he be so...reckless with peoples feelings? I mean, I treat both Liz and Tess better than he does yet I’m the designated brother figure for both of them. How is that fair?”

Kyle stood and began to clench and unclench his fists in an effort to control his anger.

“You know what? It’s not fair. It’s not fair that you are the one that lost out twice to Max. It’s not fair the way Liz treated you when she developed her feelings for Max and it is not fair that you still feel you are in competition with him. But, what really isn’t right is that you think you have to live up to him. Did it ever occur to you that maybe you should stick your neck out and tell him that you aren’t threatened by him? That, no matter what how he’s treating Tess is wrong? That powers or no powers you are as good as he is? Because...until you do that, Max is going to be the route of all of your insecurities regarding your relationship with Tess. I mean you are already blaming him and you haven’t even taken the girl out on a date yet.”

“Wow. You really are getting into the therapy crap aren’t you?”

“Book Amy gave me when I went to Sweden. “Be aware of yourself and Others.””

Seeing Kyle's raised eyebrow and puzzled expression he added.

“She thought I was lacking confidence and that I felt inferior to those around me...mostly Isabel. Long story...”

“Ah...So you agree that Evan's is messing Tess around? And you think I should let him know that King or not on another planet...on this planet he is the same as me and he better stop being such a ...megalomaniac with us all? I like that idea...”

“Oh God...what did I say to him? Alex, mental note...never EVER give jealous Kyle advice to yell at you girlfriends much loved brother. Also, take of the counsellor hat...it was working for a while there but you make a much better rock-star wannabe...”

“Well, I never said that! Max...Max is a great guy and although he is juggling two girls just now lets remember the whole Zan/Ava thing. And...and he did save both yours and Liz’s life. And he is still learning the whole leadership thing so megalomaniac tendencies should mellow out in time...”

“Alex? Are you changing your mind because you spurted out a whole load of crap or because you’re terrified Isabel will find out you made me punch her brother?”

Alex turned horribly pale at Kyle's words and jumped up and stood in front of him.

“Punch? Oh God you cannot...CANNOT punch him. He’ll....he’ll, kill you! You should definitely forget everything I said in the last half hour. And you should definitely not punch him.”

“Pretend he’s not Isabels brother for a second. Would you still take back the advice you gave me?”

“No...I would say go talk to Max and then see what happens then. But I would still say don’t punch him...or call him a megalomaniac.”

Kyle lifted his hand to Alex shoulder and tapped it gently.

“Thanks. And don’t worry, Izzy won’t hear it from me. I better go then...get it over with. Take Doctor Whitman's advice...see where it gets me.”

“You want a ride over there? Or moral support? Someone to distract him while you run and hide when he tries to blast your ass?”

“Hmm, as tempting as it sounds to use you as the decoy, I think I better go alone. Try and talk to him man to....alien type hybrid thingy. I’ll call you later and let you know how it went.”

With that he walked away as Alex yelled goodbye and began walking in the house. He stopped as he heard Kyle yell back at him and rolled his eyes.

“Don’t forget...don’t say any...”

“Don’t say anything to Isabel. I wonder where I've heard that before...oh yeah...it was you...about 50 times today.”

With that Alex used his hand as a phone and pretended to be Kyle.

“No Alex, I don’t love Tess and remember don’t say anything to Isabel!!!”

Kyle looked at him...trying to stop from smiling as he got in his car he opened the door and called out.

“You know Whitman...I doubt Isabels going to be laughing when she finds out her boyfriend sent another guy out to fight with her brother, do you?”

With that he got in and drove off leaving Alex standing looking pale at his front door. He couldn’t help but smile...he had no intention of landing Alex in it. But he also knew that he could have some fun with him...well, some fun messing with his head. It was a good distraction from what he was doing now. Going to try and have a civilised conversation with Max Evan's.

Alex stood looking at Kyle drive off. His first instinct was panic, which was quickly replaced by the desire to get even. A his worried expression changed to one of cunning he ran in the house and went to his room trying to think of a suitable rebuff to Kyle's parting comments.

“Shouldn’t have messed with the master Valenti.“

As he sat on his bed his phone rang and as he lifted the receiver the voice on the other end began to talk fast at him.

“Hey Isabel...hows the prep going on your end? Whoa slow down. They did what? Tess and Liz? And they left you? Ooh My God...”

TBC

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