Part 1

I'm Liz Parker, I'm "sweet sixteen" and boy was I kissed last night!! I can almost say I've never been kissed until last night. No other kiss could compare. The few pecks and kisses I've experienced this last year, since I was allowed to start dating, can't even be considered kisses compared to Max Evans' kiss. Max Evans. My Max..... I love the sound of that.

But is he mine? Will he ever really be mine? Max is no ordinary guy. He's extra-ordinary in every way. And he kissed ME last night! His first kiss, and it was with ME! Liz Parker, who lives in a small town and up until a few months ago, lived a very boring, dull life.

Max's kiss was...magic. It was like when two chemicals come together and cause instantaneous combustion, an explosion, but then simmer and continue to boil together in compatibility. I think that's what we do.. we sizzle and boil when we are together, and if we get too close, we explode.

Max told me he had been saving up for his first kiss for forever, and he had been saving it for me! I feel hot and cold goose bumps when I think of that. Max Evans says the sweetest things. He's sensitive, loving and a born leader who has to take care of everyone around him. He's my hero, in more ways than one.

But now, as I get ready for school this morning, I wonder what the day will bring. For although Max came to me last night and finally let his guard down and kissed me, I still wonder how he will act today. For the characteristics of Max that I love, are also the same ones that can keep us apart.

Max's sense of responsibility, and the need to be the one to take care of everyone for "their own good" can easily backfire on our chance together. Will he go back to the "I have to protect you, and keep away from you" Max, or will he be the sweet, romantic, open, happy guy he was at the dance the other night? The one who told me he had been waiting all his life for that night together. I guess I won't know until I am actually face to face with him again. Am I scared? I'm terrified! And yet, my stomach feels like it's riding a roller coaster when I think of that kiss, and how Max looked right before he kissed me. How his strong, warm arms wrapped around me, made me feel safe and yet on fire at the same time.

Liz walked into school the morning after she and Max had kissed, with excitement and worry. How was Max going to act?

But the first person she saw was her best friend Maria, and that took her mind off of everything else when she saw her. Maria looked terrible! Liz had not had a chance to talk to Maria after they had first talked at the dance. Maria had gone off with Michael, and then Liz had been with Max, and then in jail with Alex. They had a lot of catching up to do, and from the look of her best friend, not all of it was going to be good.

"Maria? What's wrong?" Liz asked as she came up to the small pixy-ish blond who was just closing her locker.

"Hey Liz," Maria stated, in a falsely bright voice with her smile pasted on.

"Maria? No... no way... come on, we've got to talk," Liz said and started pulling Maria out of the school and toward the parking lot.

Maria knew it was useless to argue with Liz when she set her mind to something, and she really wanted to talk to Liz anyway. So she followed along docilely.

The two petite girls did not go un-noticed. Several pairs of eyes watched them walk toward the lunch area benches and trees that were spread out for the kids to enjoy while relaxing during lunch.

Max Evans' eyes followed Liz with an intensity that Max was now known for when looking at Liz. He had waited for her, hoping to catch her before her first class, and maybe even kiss her once to start the day, and to let her know he wanted to continue to kiss her and be with her. But he could tell from the miserable look on Maria's face, and the determined look on Liz's, that he would have to wait. He knew all about responsibility, and wanting to take care of the ones you loved. Liz was a lot more like him then she realized. He sighed and headed to his first class. He'd catch up with her later.

Another pair of eyes watched the girls as they went off. These eyes were filled with pain, and were particularly focused on the small blond. "I knew I'd hurt you, Maria, " whispered Michael Guerin as he too turned and walked toward the art room. He needed to paint, to let out his emotions. He had come to school today to see Maria first thing this morning, just from a distance, to see how she was doing. Now he was sorry he had. She looked as bad as he felt. Thank God she had Liz. Liz was the female version of Max. And he always thanked God he had Max. Sure Max could be bossy, and try to tell him and Isabel what to do at times, but that was only because he was so used to them looking up to him for advice and support while they had been growing up scared and vulnerable after they had realized they were different.

He sighed. You deserve to feel miserable Michael, you really screwed up this time. You hurt the only decent thing that ever happened to you, he thought, as, shoulders down, hands in his pockets of his jacket, he headed toward the art room.

One more pair of eyes followed the girls before he too turned away.
 

Part 2

Liz led Maria to a shady spot under a tree, and sat down, watching Maria worriedly. "Okay, what happened?" Liz demanded.

"Just what you said would happen... Michael... he realized that he didn't want me.. didn't want to get ... involved." Maria whispered, wiping a tear that slipped silently down her cheek.

"Oh, Maria... I didn't really want that to happen. I just know that with our... Czechoslovakians friends, they are very hard to pin down and get 'involved' with." Liz sighed, taking her friend's hand and holding it tightly in support.

Maria wiped another tear with her other hand, and squeezed Liz's hand back. "I... I think it's just me. He thinks I'm too serious and demanding, and then he seems me as this total air head at the same time. I... I'm just not his type." Maria swallowed, trying to resign herself to the fact.

Liz searched Maria's face quietly, then smiled. "I don't believe that for a minute," she stated.

Maria met her eyes in surprise. "What...?"

"You are EXACTLY Michael's type. That's why he ran. Maria, he is scared to death. He's just like Max when it comes to wanting to protect those he cares about, and to protect himself, as well," Liz explained.

Maria wanted to believe her friend. She tried to smile. "You think?" she asked.

"I know," Liz stated firmly. Then she smiled again, slowly. "I never told you what really happened to my diary," Liz started.

"Someone returned it, you left it at the Crashdown, right?" Maria took a deep breath, trying to calm down from her earlier bout of misery.

"Well, sort of..." Liz smiled a secret smile that Maria knew meant she had a good secret to tell her.

"Okay, what?" Maria asked, her interest peaking up.

Liz told Maria about the night Michael visited her at the Crashdown and returned her diary. Then she told her what Michael said right before he left.

"He likes YOU?" Maria gasped.

Liz couldn't help but look shocked and then burst out with a laugh. The thought was so ridiculous. "No! Maria, if you weren't so upset right now you'd know how ridiculous that sounds! He meant he envied Max a girl who feels that way about him! Maria, Michael WANTS to be loved, loved for EXACTLY who he is. But he's...he's scared! And it's you that has him scared. And why do you scare him? "Liz prodded.

Maria's face brightened as she took in the logic behind what Liz was saying. Then she slowly smiled. "So... he DOES like me?" Maria asked wanting to actually hear it.

Liz nodded. "Ummmhummm... and you know what else... I think he more than LIKES you... he's CRAZY about you, Maria," Liz blurted out happily. Really warming to this thought. She was realizing it more herself as she talked it out with Maria.

"So... what should I do?" Maria asked with a half laugh, half sob of relief. She wiped at her face again.

"Well, you certainly don't let him run away!" Liz laughed.

Maria laughed, too. Liz could always do that to her. Liz was so bubbly at times, and yet at others she was so serious and grounded. But for Maria, she was always there for her, always cheering her up. "Don't let him run away, huh?" Maria started thinking.

"That's right. You have to show up everywhere! Never give him time to get used to you NOT being around."

The two laughed again as they made plans for the unsuspecting Michael.

"So how about you? Are you going to start taking your own advice? "Maria finally asked, leaning back against the tree now, feeling more content.

"Well...." Liz smiled her secretive smile.

"What? ....What? What haven't you told me! Out with it Liz!" Maria asked excitedly, sitting forward again.

Liz laughed and the sound was one of pure joy and excitement.

"Oh my... what did Max do at the dance???" Maria started guessing.

"Well, he tried... tried to kiss me. But then I got arrested and thrown in jail with Alex," Liz stated calmly, licking her lip, and waiting for her friend's reaction.

"Wait...WHAT!... You... Alex... JAIL?" Maria freaked and then jumped to her feet. She started pacing.

Liz smiled, this was the Maria she needed to see. She explained what happened and the two talked some more. As they walked back toward the school building, Maria smiled and looked at Liz. "Thanks, Liz."

Liz stopped and turned, looking serious again. Maria stopped and met her look. "Don't give up on him, Maria. He needs you. They need us. They just don't realize how much."
 

Part 3

Liz took a deep breath and tried to calm her racing heart as she opened the door to her biology class. This would be the first time, since the kiss last night, that she would see Max. All her fear and excitement came rushing back as she had run down the hall to class, just as the bell rang.

Max's head spun around when the door opened. Their eyes met. And locked.

"Miss Parker," their biology teacher remarked, "Glad you can make it today. We aren't keeping you from anything, are we?"

A chorus of low laughing was heard through the room as Liz pulled her eyes away from Max's and she slid into her seat trying to become inconspicuous. She didn't want all eyes on her when she wanted to just have a staring contest with Max. But now that would have to wait. Miss Hardy was waiting for her to open her book. She glanced over at Max's book where he already had it
turned toward her so she could see the page.

Liz gave a quick smile and met his eyes briefly as she flipped to the page, all the while knowing all eyes were on her while she got to her place in the book. When Liz found the page and looked up at her teacher, Miss Hardy turned around and started writing on the board again.

With all the eyes back on the teacher, or most of them, she took a deep breath, and sneaked a sideways glance at Max who hadn't said a word yet. He was looking back at her, smiling. The humor in his eyes was obvious, but so was the beautiful smile that curved his lips.

"Hey." Liz smiled back, again, caught in his mesmerizing, intense gaze.

"Hey," Max whispered, his eyes caressing her face as they studied it.

Liz's stomach dropped at that look, and she swallowed. Max Evans could make her lose total control right in the middle of her favorite class! Liz watched as Max's eyes finally stopped roaming her face, when they landed on her lips. She felt her lips start to tingle and heat when his caressing
glance suddenly blazed with passion. Liz couldn't help the small gasp that came out as she saw Max's look go from loving, to passionate, like he could take her and kiss her right then, right in the middle of biology!

Max's gaze was pulled from Liz's mouth at her gasp. He shook his head, realizing how completely he had lost control there, and how it had affected Liz. He blushed at his own body's reaction, cleared his throat, pushed his chair in further, and then grinned again at Liz. Her face was a bright red too, and she was trying to look back down at her book as if that would help her to concentrate on the subject being discussed.

"Boy it sure is hot back here," came a comment from behind Liz. It was said so that only the few people around them would hear.

Liz and Max turned to see Pam Troy staring right at them with a smirk on her beautiful, smug face.
She laughed along with her small group of friends, when both Max and Liz blushed again, and turned back toward the front.

"Well, Max Evans, if you ever get tired of looking at Liz here, you're welcome to look at me like a snack ANYTIME," one of Pam's friends whispered seductively.

The popular, beautiful girls always loved to flirt and tease, and Max was a great subject, since he was usually so quiet and in control.

Once again Max turned bright red and squirmed a little, keeping his eyes fixed on the blackboard.
Liz couldn't help but giggle herself, at how cute Max looked when he got caught. And the description of how he had looked at her had been very accurate.

Max threw an "I can't believe you laughed" look at her and then warned her with his eyes, and a small curving of his lips, that he would get her back. Liz's heart suddenly leaped at the playful smile that hovered around Max's eyes and mouth. He was flirting! She could hardly wait until class was over.

She turned back toward the lecture and smiled through the whole thing, not hearing a word that was said. Just enjoying the warm presence of Max beside her. She was so in-tuned to him she could hear his breathing, and every little movement he made. Her body tingled. She wanted to burst out laughing from shear happiness, and at how crazy it was that Max Evans had just seduced her in the middle of class, surrounded by their peers, and with just a look!

When the bell rang, Liz's heart leaped and almost caused her a heart attack. FINALLY! She didn't know how much more she could have taken. The tension that had been building between her and Max the whole hour was painful. As they all started out of the classroom, Max didn't even look back as he reached behind him and found her hand. Then giving it a little squeeze, he lead them out of the class and down the hall.

Liz's heart was pounding. The look she had seen in Max's eyes as the bell had rung, had almost melted her. The blood was pounding in her ears, as well. Liz gasped when she saw Max heading for the second floor "Eraser Room."

She hardly had time to let out her startled breath, when she was pulled in behind Max and suddenly found herself up against the already closed door. "Max!" Liz managed to say finally, as she watched him now standing, leaning over her, and resting his hands on either side of her shoulders gently.

His gaze was still intense, yet amusement lurked in his eyes as well. "Liz," Max said back.

Liz laughed from pure happiness, realizing that Max was really enjoying this, and was acting care-free and just the way she had always dreamed he would act. Max grinned fully now, watching Liz's own happiness burst out. "You make me crazy, Max Evans!" Liz accused with a large smile.

"Ditto," Max said, using Michael's favorite phrase. Then his face turned serious.

Liz's heart dropped and she couldn't breath. Was Max now coming to his senses, realizing that he had just dragged her up a flight of stairs and into the small "make-out" room?

"I wanted to kiss you sooo much in biology. I thought I was going to, and the heck with Pam Troy and her friends, and even Miss Hardy." Max admitted.

Liz breathed again, realizing the serious look wasn't Max having second thoughts, only being his normal sweet self, and sharing his feelings. Liz looked up at him her own eyes hot and dreamy. "Yeah, well, I think everyone could tell that. You certainly seduced me right then and there, Max
Evans."

Max blushed again and laughed. The thought of being able to seduce Liz Parker in the middle of biology was intoxicating. He felt great. "God, Liz, I've got to kiss you. I can't wait another second," Max admitted as he leaned in slowly toward Liz.

Liz held her breath, slowly released it and her own eyes slowly went to half mast, as Max's lips came closer to hers. That first touch set off a spark. The instant combustion thing, Liz thought as Max suddenly shifted and opened his mouth fully over hers, deepening the kiss.

Max was on fire! All night long, after he had left Liz on her roof, he had tossed and turned in his bed grinning like a fool while his body burned. He had pictured doing just this today. He had pictured grabbing her and taking her hand in front of everyone, letting everyone know that she was now his. He pictured leading her up the stairs to the "Eraser Room" to do just this. Ever ever since he had found out what the "Eraser Room" meant, Max had had many dreams of Liz and himself here.

Liz, too, was burning. Max was taking her mouth with a passion he had never shown before. Last night, the kisses had been full of sparks and heat, but today, today Max was totally out of control, and letting the two of them burn, not just simmer.

When they finally came up for air, Max leaned his head against hers, and they both waited to catch their breaths. Then their eyes met, humor matched humor, and they laughed softly.

"I can't believe I did that!" Max said in pleased astonishment, remembering how he had practically dragged her out of biology and up here.

Liz just laughed again and hugged Max to her. His arms came around her naturally and they just stood like that, Liz drinking in all that was Max. His smell, his warmth, the sound of his still slightly unsteady heartbeat against her ear. She was the most content she could ever remember in her life. She was so happy her heart felt like it would burst. She was exactly where she had always wanted to be... and one of her fantasies had actually come true!

Max felt Liz smiling against his shirt, and he too smiled, closed his eyes and just enjoyed feeling Liz against him, around him. The connection was there. They could feel each others feelings and thoughts.

Liz sat in a daze at lunch, not eating, just holding her orange, and smiling. She heard a throat clear finally, and focused her gaze on the person who had taken a seat across from her at the outside table.

The knowing look in Isabel's eyes made Liz blush and Isabel laugh. "So it's true!" Isabel said in astonishment, with the look of a friend waiting to hear the juicy details. "My brother really pulled you out of biology and practically dragged you up the stairs to the Eraser Room? Max!?"

Liz giggled at the image and nodded. "Yeah, I guess that's what happened. It all happened so fast." Liz laughed again out of shear happiness.

Isabel watched the excited glow in Liz's eyes and smiled. She knew that if Liz was this happy, so was Max. And that made her happy. Liz really was good for Max. If Isabel had to share a part of Max with anyone, she was glad it was Liz. Liz was honest, loyal, a good friend and was just really sweet. Of course, Isabel would die before admitting those drippy words out loud, but she could think them. She smiled to herself.

Liz focused on Isabel and saw that Isabel was not upset at all by this new development, in fact she looked happy for them. Liz thought Isabel had definitely started to trust her, that they were starting to become friends. Could her day get any better?

Then she saw Isabel's eye focus past her and fix on something, or someone...

Liz turned to see Alex talking to some friends. Liz smiled... Isabel and Alex? When Liz turned back around to smile at Isabel, Isabel cleared her throat and pushed her hair back casually. "So, how did Alex take the truth about us? Max told me last night that you had to tell him in the jail. Was he freaked?" Isabel asked, trying to look and sound like she didn't care, only Liz could tell the answer was very important to her.

Liz met her eyes and smiled. "Well, at first he didn't believe me. He did want the drugs I was on, though."

Isabel laughed, picturing Alex saying just that. Seeing the relaxed look on Liz's face made Isabel think Alex couldn't have taken it too hard. Not like Maria had at first. "And now?" Isabel asked.

Liz laughed, "I don't know if he believes it any more now, but he has been looking at Maria and I as friends again." Liz got an idea. "Hey, why don't we have a get together, just the six of us? You know, to get Alex used to you guys, so that he doesn't freak like Maria did," she suggested.

Isabel's face brightened and then she tried to look nonchalant again. "Sure, sounds like a good plan," she said looking at her nails.

Liz smiled and when Isabel looked up to see Liz's knowing look, she too smiled and gave in. "Okay... so I think he's a nice guy."

Liz just nodded, still smiling.

Isabel tried to look disgusted. "You know, Max has got to stop dragging you to the 'Eraser Room' if you are going to just look so sappy and happy all day long." Isabel smiled as she said it. Liz blushed which made Isabel laugh. "Hey! I know what we can do," Isabel said with a twinkle in her eye. "You know, to make Alex feel more... comfortable.. how about a pool party at our house this weekend? We have a hot tub, too," Isabel said really starting to like this idea. Her mind was thinking and planning ahead.

"A hot tub?" Liz smiled wickedly.

Isabel surprised Liz by blushing. Then they both smiled.

"I don't know if Maria will go for this though, considering how Michael dumped her." Liz frowned, worried they wouldn't get Maria to go along.

Isabel frowned, too. "That jerk! Tell me he didn't! I should have known, the way he was talking about being able to leave anyone at anytime." She rolled her eyes... then another thought came to her and she smiled a sneaky smile.

"What?" Liz asked, knowing Isabel had a plan.

"I know a way we can get Maria and the chump to make up..." Isabel grinned.
 

Part 4

Pam Troy flipped back her hair, laughed, waved good-bye to her group of friends in front of the movie theater, and started home.

It was a clear, chilly night. The stars showed bright with the absence of the moon. Pam walked down the quiet, dark street without a care. This was Roswell, after all, a small town that had always been a safe place.

Her thoughts were on the movie she had just seen. She never heard someone approach from behind. She didn't have time to scream. She never saw a thing. One minute she was walking along the street, and the next she felt a sharp pain in her head, and then everything went black...

Max slipped his gray sweater over his head as his bedroom door opened. Peeking out from the top he knew who it was, because only Isabel didn't knock. He pulled his sweater down the rest of the way over his gray T-shirt and waited for Isabel to say what she had come in to say.

He grabbed his books and put them in his backpack, as Isabel paced. "Max, I need your help." She finally sighed. She was already dressed and ready for school, but was fretting about something and the day had hardly begun.

"Yeah?" he tossed his backpack over one shoulder and waited.

"Max, I want to get Michael to come to the pool party tonight. Only he says he won't. He tells me he's just not into it tonight, but I know it's cause of Maria." Isabel continued to pace, then stopped in front of her brother. "Max, he'll listen to you. I've got an idea on..."

"Is, if he doesn't want to see Maria, I don't know how you expect me to change his mind," Max answered with a raised eyebrow.

Isabel threw up her hands. "But he DOES want to see her. He just doesn't know how to take back what he said to her," she tried to explain to her dense brother.

Max sighed. "Okay, and how do you know he really wants to get back with Maria?" Max asked, knowing he shouldn't, but until she had her say, they would not be able to leave for school.

"Max, he's as crazy about Maria as you are about Liz. It's obvious! But he will need a push to get back with her. So here's my plan...." Isabel put her hands on her hips and explained what she wanted Max to do to help out.

The bell for lunch period rang and Michael headed to the tables to wait for Max and Isabel. He went to most of his classes today, only because Hank was home, and on a rampage from drinking. He was running out of places to hide, between Hank and now Maria. I should just go live in a cave, he thought. But then, Maria was ignoring him now. He sighed, pursed his lips and squinted
into the sun. Maybe he should just get out of Roswell.

"Hey, Michael," Max said as he slid onto the bench across the table from his friend.

"Max," Michael answered.

"What's up?" Max asked, casually taking his sandwich out of his pack, and popping the top on the soda can he had bought.

"Not much. You?" Michael asked, knowing his friend was going to try to talk him into going to the party tonight. He had been waiting for Max's turn to try to get him to go. When Isabel had failed, he knew she would go right to Max. Michael smiled a knowing smile, and tilting his head sideways, he waited.

Isabel flew up to the table at that point and stood above them. "This is really weird guys... but have you noticed anything different about Alex lately? And the way he is with Maria?"

Michael had been basically looking around, used to Isabel's tirades about some girl or other who had done something to piss her off. But when he heard Maria's name mentioned, his head came around. Then when he saw they both turned to him, he turned away again. "I wouldn't know. Maria and I are not talking. My decision," Michael stated, just to make sure they remembered who broke up with whom.

"How about you, Max?" Isabel demanded with her hands on her hips.

Max looked surprised. "No, I haven't noticed anything... I mean, they always hang out a lot. And they usually laugh and joke around." he said, putting hot sauce on his sandwich and taking a bite.

"Hump!" Isabel commented. "Well, to me it's different. I mean, usually Alex notices me when I go by, even when he is talking with Liz or Maria, but now... I mean I said hi as I passed and he didn't even hear me, he was listening to something Maria was whispering in his ear... and his face looked too interested and flushed even!" Isabel stamped her foot and continued, "Oh well, who cares? I don't care about Alex, I was just getting used to his puppy dog eyes always following me, but this will just make it easier not to have to worry about him trying to make more out of our new friendship." And with that, Isabel walked away.

"Aren't you going to eat?" Max asked as his sister walked away.

She looked back and flipped her hair. "I'm not hungry all of a sudden. Later!" And she walked off.

"This will be interesting tonight then. Watching Isabel pretend she doesn't care that Alex now is making puppy eyes at Maria." Max sighed. "Maybe I'll hang out with you instead," Max stated casually.

Michael frowned. "She did not say Alex was making any kind of eyes at Maria! She said he just didn't look at her with those type of eyes. I did not hear her say Alex is looking at Maria all sappy," Michael told Max, trying to convince himself, too.

Max shrugged and continued eating. "Well, I'm sure if he is or isn't, it's no big deal. As long as Isabel doesn't make a fuss tonight. I guess as long as Liz and I can spend some time alone in the hot tub it will work out." He smiled at the thought. "Hmm... maybe if Is gets upset enough, she will leave, and then Liz and I won't have to share the hot tub with her." He continued thinking and smiling.

Michael stared hard at his friend. "What about Maria and Alex?! Where will they be?" he demanded.

"Oh, either too involved with each other, especially if Is walks off, or they will have gone somewhere together by then any way. So Liz and I will have time alone." Max smiled, warming to the plan he was mapping out for him and Liz.

"Who says I'm not going tonight? I never said that," Michael stated with an impatient look, and shifted uneasily on the seat, not liking the thoughts and images of Maria and Alex going through his mind.

"Huh? I don't know, Is said you didn't want to cause of Maria, which I can understand. You don't want to hang around her and torture yourself with not being with her. And now... well, especially now, I'm sure you wouldn't want to hang around watching them moon over each other," Max stated casually, taking a sip of soda.

"I never said I wasn't going to the party. I said I would think about it. But Maria has nothing to do with it. Whether she is there or not does not make any difference to me. None at all. I couldn't care less what she does or who she does it with," Michael stated defensively.

"Oh," Max stated, and hid a smile behind his soda as he took another sip. Isabel had been right again. "Well, guess I'll see you later then?" Max stated as he gathered up his empty trash and the bell rang.

"Yep. I have no intention of missing a party because of Maria. She doesn't tell me where I can go or who I can hang around," Michael stated, standing too.

"Good. See you later then. Come anytime after school, my parents are away for the weekend," Max stated in a casual tone, and walked away.

Michael nodded and frowned. How could Isabel think he was going to run and hide every time Maria was around? No way! He'd show them... besides, why should he let Alex upset Isabel by hanging all over Maria tonight? He would make sure that Alex did not upset Isabel. After all, an unhappy Isabel was not something anyone wanted to be around all weekend.

He'd do it for Isabel.

"Liz!" Maria called to her friend as she caught up with her as she was heading to their last class.

Liz turned to see Maria rushing toward the class. She smiled. "Hey, Maria."

"So what time do you want me to pick you up tonight?" Maria asked.

"What? I thought you weren't sure if you wanted to go or not," Liz said with
surprise in her eyes.

"Oh, that. Well, why should I let Michael Guerin ruin my social life? Why should I stay away from a fun party because he might or might not be there? He will not run my life! And besides, Alex mentioned something to me that was disturbing to say the least. I mean, for Alex it was upsetting," Maria corrected quickly.

"What are you talking about?" Liz asked.

"Well, get this!" Maria started, looking around and then leaning in closer to her best friend to tell her the latest juicy gossip in a lower voice.

"Alex is like the most grounded person next to you right? So he has t o be telling the truth about this, cause he doesn't easily jump to conclusions like I do. He said that he saw Isabel laughing and what really looked like flirting with Michael to him. Flirting! Can you believe it? Isabel is now after Michael?! And poor Alex! I mean, she knows how he feels, and if she decides to flirt with Michael tonight, why, she will just ruin Alex's night. No way is that going to happen. I'll go just so I can protect Alex," Maria nodded in determination.

"Isabel and Michael? Really? Well I guess that explains this morning...." Liz said fading off as if remembering something she had seen earlier.

"What? What!" Maria demanded and pulled Liz back to meet her eyes.

"Huh? Oh, nothing... something I thought I saw this morning. Forget it, it's nothing important, at least now that we know, you can keep it from happening so Alex isn't upset. Good." Liz nodded and smiled.

"Right. Right!" Maria smiled warming up to the excuse it gave her to go.

They headed into class as the bell rang, and Liz smiled and gave a slight nod to Isabel as she entered the class and met Isabel's questioning eyes. They shared a fast, satisfied smile, and then Isabel pretended she didn't see Maria's glare as she came in behind Liz and passed by Isabel's seat.

This was going to be fun! Isabel smiled again. She couldn't wait for tonight.

No one noticed the other pair of eyes that smiled too brightly at them from the back of the room.

And so far... no one noticed that Pam Troy had not shown up for school that day.
 

Part 5

Louisa Marquez walked up to Isabel Evans' house. She looked behind her, having a feeling she was being watched.

She shivered and then rang the bell. She was looking for her friend, Pam Troy. They had all gone to the movies last night, but when Pam had left, she'd said something about stopping by Isabel's for some notes on the homework project they were working on together. When Pam hadn't shown up for school this morning, Louisa hadn't thought anything of it, and neither had any of their other friends.

Pam was known to ditch school often, and with a drunk mother who didn't care, Pam could not show up at home for a few days and no one would miss her.

But Louisa was worried. Pam was supposed to sleep over her house tonight, and when she had gone by this evening to see where Pam was, Pam's mother had said she hadn't seen Pam since before the movies the night before. She could understand that, but not that Pam hadn't shown up at Louisa's house and with no word. Pam loved coming over to Louisa's house and looked forward to it whenever she could.

Louisa hoped Isabel, probably being the last person to see her, would be able to tell her where Pam might have headed after having gotten the notes from Isabel last night. As Louisa waited for someone to answer the door, she shivered again and looked behind her. She was imagining things. She felt as if someone was watching her. Like eyes were boring holes in her back. She shrugged it off, thinking she was just paranoid because Pam had taken off somewhere without telling her.

He stood in the bushes across from the Evans' home and watched the nervous girl look around again. A twisted smiled appeared on the handsome face at the obvious scent of fear that could be sensed from across the street. Not long now and he would be content again for a little while.

Louisa felt relief when Isabel answered the door.

"Louisa?" Isabel questioned. They were not friends so she couldn't imagine what she was doing here.

"Hi, Isabel, um I know this is weird, but did Pam come over here last night to get some history notes?" she asked.

Isabel shook her head and watched the worry come into Louisa Marquez's eyes. "Something wrong?" Isabel asked, tilting her head a little.

"Oh, no. I'm sure it's nothing. Pam often does a disappearing act when her mother goes on one of her drinking binges. She's probably just hiding out, " Louisa said and then smiled to reassure the now frowning Isabel.

"You sure?" Isabel asked, having seen the concern bright in Louisa's eyes a minute ago.

"Yeah, sure. Thanks anyway. Sorry to have bothered you."

"Sure, no problem. Hope you find her!" Isabel called out to Louisa as she watched the girl head back down the walkway.

Then, with a deep breath, Isabel closed the door, preparing for her flirting performance. Louisa and Pam were forgotten.

Louisa was more worried than ever now, and was so preoccupied that she didn't even sense the shadow that came out of the bushes as she passed. It was over quickly.

Liz watched the scene before her with amusement twinkling in her eyes. Max had a hard time watching the show going on across the pool, when Liz was this close, in a bikini, and had the beautiful smile on her face that he loved so much.

Max squirmed a little on the side of the pool where they sat, and then pulled his towel over his lap. He had to try to concentrate on the humorous scene across the pool if he wanted to be able to stand up in the near future without embarrassing himself.

He glanced to where Liz's eyes were glued. He saw Isabel practically all over Michael. Isabel was laughing at something Michael had said, and was leaning over him as he sat on a chair by the pool, across from Max and Liz.

The look on Michael's face was comical. He looked uncomfortable with Isabel's obvious flirting, but seemed to allow it as a favor to Isabel. She had asked him earlier that if Alex started hanging all over Maria, could she flirt with him to show she didn't care. Michael had been surprised, but then shrugged.

In the pool, at the far end, Alex was doing his best to keep his eyes glued to Maria. It wasn't easy when Isabel's display was so noticeable. Isabel was wearing a bright red bikini, and looked breath-taking to Alex. He tried really hard to keep his eyes off of her, knowing she was just playing a part as she leaned all over Michael.

Maria was frowning and glaring at Isabel and Michael. She was not even trying to hide her anger and disgust. (If she had been calmer, she would have seen how Michael couldn't keep his eyes off of Maria even with Isabel hanging all over him). Then she turned back to Alex, feeling sorry for him with that she devil all over Michael, and tried to do her best to keep him entertained.

Liz laughed softly so only Max heard. "This is really good. I think we should charge admission." She smiled and glanced at Max.

But she sucked in a breath as she saw Max. He was looking at her, not the couples across the way. His eyes were at half-mast, and were dark and blazing with passion. He just continued to look at her, and Liz was lost. His eyes could pull her in so easily, even when he wasn't trying, but now, with that intense look in his eyes, she was gone.

"Max," Liz whispered as he started to lean in closer to her. She could tell from his look, that he was going to kiss her, even before he started leaning in. That look in his eyes was the same look she had seen right before they had left biology yesterday.

Max's eyes went from Liz's eyes, to her lips as he started to open his own mouth to capture her soft, willing one. Liz closed her eyes and sighed into Max's mouth as he finally closed his over hers. Instant heat and fire boiled through her veins and into his. They could feel each other's reactions, and this only fueled their heat more.

When Max's big strong hands slid up her sides and his arms wrapped around Liz, she melted into him. Her own arms went around his strong shoulders to caress the back of his neck, where it met his soft, sexy hair. Liz didn't have time to enjoy that before Max lifted her and sat her on his lap facing him, her legs straddling his hips. The look of surprise on Liz's face was quickly erased as Max moved in for another deep kiss. Liz's head was spinning. She couldn't breath, and didn't really care if she ever did again.

Max's mouth was devouring hers and causing sparks to fly through her body and her veins to boil. She was so hot, but at the same time, she had goose bumps all up and down her body. What was he doing to her?

What was she doing to him?! He wondered as he again took her sweet, warm, soft mouth and devoured every inch of it. He was burning up. He had no control and didn't want any. Liz, in a flour sack, could turn him on, but Liz in her yellow bikini drove him over the edge. He loved the taste of her. She had a unique taste that was just her. Sweet, warm and Liz. He could kiss her forever.

Liz was just swimming in sensations. Max had totally seduced her right there at the side of the pool with everyone around. "Max, oh, Max," Liz whispered against his mouth when he let them come up for air momentarily, but kept his mouth against hers. Their heads were together and both were trying to breathe.

Max could actually feel her excitement as she felt him beneath her. This connection thing was going to kill them. Feeling their own bodies' needs was bad enough, but to feel each other's needs was down right explosive.

Max groaned and kissed Liz again. She was beautiful all flushed and aroused. A shriek and a splash pulled them around. They had both forgotten that they weren't alone. Max and Liz both stiffened, but their bodies still burned. Max gently eased Liz off of him and sat her next to him again. He groaned and pulled the towel back across his lap.

Liz looked flushed, but couldn't take her eyes off of his lap that was now covered under the towel. "Liz, God, don't look at me that way," he pleaded.

Liz met his eyes and saw that they still burned for her. Then she flushed again, nodded and turned away to try to concentrate on what was going on around them. Her body was still humming, and she could feel the heat still coming off of Max.

Michael and Isabel were now in the water and not too far from Maria and Alex. The show was heating up around them too. Liz took a deep breath, heard Max do the same thing, trying to clear his head, then their eyes met again and they shared a private laugh.

Max tore his eyes away from Liz's once more as he heard a shout.

"What the hell!" Alex yelled as Michael dove at him. Isabel swam across the pool to Max and Liz with a laugh.

"What happened?" Liz asked, almost sorry she had missed it. Obviously something had set Michael off.

Isabel laughed again and looked back over at the two guys now wrestling in the water. "Alex was great! He saw that Michael needed more of a push, so he made another move. All he did was put an arm around Maria and moved in closer and Michael lost it." Isabel smiled pleased.

All three of them watched the scene across the pool. Maria frowned in disgust at the stupidity of the two guys and started hitting Michael. "Hey! Stop it, both of you!" she yelled.

The slap on his bare back and her yelling, stopped Michael. He let go of Alex, and turned his anger on her.

Maria was just as angry. "What the hell is wrong with you? You're supposed to make Alex feel comfortable around you guys! That was the whole purpose of this get-together!"

Michael glared back at her. "Well I think you were making him comfortable enough for all of us!" Michael threw at her.

"Me? What? I'm not the one who was all over Isabel!" Maria accused.

"No, you were the one all over Alex!" Michael returned.

"I was not!!" Maria exclaimed, infuriated now.

Michael didn't let her continue, as she started to. He grabbed her around the waist and pushed her up against the side of the pool. Maria had to grab his shoulders or go under. She glared back at him. "NO ONE puts their hands on you but me!" Michael finally bit out.

Maria looked stunned, then slowly melted against Michael and her own eyes lowered, as she smiled up at him. Michael saw her acceptance of this and smiled his famous half smile. Then he
did what he had been dying to do since he had seen Maria yesterday morning talking to Liz. He leaned forward, pulled her tighter against him, and kissed her.

Alex swam across to join the other three who were still staring in shock at Michael's open display of jealousy.

"Well, I think that worked out well." Isabel finally said and then laughed.

Alex grinned, looking a little water logged, but pleased they had pulled it off.

Then all four of the conspirators looked at one another and burst out laughing. It had worked all right!

Michael and Maria pulled apart as they heard the rest of the group laughing across the way. Michael turned, keeping Maria in his arms and glared over at the rest of the group. Maria frowned at the laughter and smiles on Isabel's and Alex's face. Then it hit her.

Michael was a little slower, his brain was still fuzzy from kissing Maria.

But when Maria left his arms, swam across the pool and hit Alex and splashed Isabel, he started to understand. "You two are terrible! All four of you are! You were all in on this weren't you?" she accused.
 

Michael swam over to Maria and took her back into his arms, smiling at the four conspirators.
 

Maria looked at his smile and hit him on the arm next. "Don't tell me you were in on this too!" She accused.
 

Michael laughed at Maria's cute anger, and pulled her hand away and held it as she tried to hit him again. "No, but I can't say I'm sorry that they did it," Michael admitted, still smiling.

Maria saw the humor of it. Her friends cared enough to set up the whole show, and all it had done was exactly what she had wanted it to do, get Michael back in her arms. Then all six of them laughed.
 

"Hey! Let's have a chicken fight!" Liz announced suddenly.
 

Immediately Michael lifted Maria onto his shoulders, while Max slid into the warm water and reached for Liz. He lifted her up, their eyes sharing the remembered passion of moments ago, and then she was on his shoulders.
 

Isabel looked uncomfortable.

Alex swallowed and turned to her. "You don't have to if you don't want to, Isabel. I understand," Alex said in a small voice.
 

Isabel could tell that Alex was disappointed, but would not force her to get on his shoulders. After all, they barely knew each other. But then Isabel remembered Alex's dream and she realized she did know him. She smiled at Alex then. "Well, I don't mind if you don't. You're the one who has to hold me up," she commented.
 

Alex swallowed and his eyes were round and large. The thought did things to him. "I-I don't mind," he managed to get out, as he lifted Isabel.
 

Isabel was surprised at how easily Alex lifted her. She felt his wiry muscles as he swung her onto his shoulders. He was lanky, but had strength beneath his wiry build. Isabel didn't have any more time to think about Alex, because Liz and Maria were heading right for her.
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later the six of them sat in the hot tub and just talked. They talked about school, the teachers they had in common, and the classes they hated and liked. For a few hours the six forgot there were any differences between them.
 

Then, Michael and Maria started bantering and Maria jumped up, splashed Michael and leaped out of the hot tub and into the pool. Michael was right behind her. They started a game of chase as Maria laughed and Michael dove for her. Isabel smiled and then noticed the looks exchanged between Max and Liz.
 

She had noticed their earlier, spontaneous making out, and had been surprised at first, but then she was happy for Max and Liz. She turned to Alex who was relaxing with his head back against the hot tub, with his eyes closed, and a content smile on his face. She was glad they had eased his worries about them. He seemed okay with them now.
 

"Come on Alex, let's go get something to eat. I'm starved," Isabel exclaimed as she started out of the hot tub.
 

Alex scrambled up with her and glanced over at Max and Liz. Then he saw the reason for his and Isabel's quick departure. Max and Liz only had eyes for each other. They both looked ready to devour each other. Alex smiled as he followed Isabel into the house. His friends had managed to help him get time alone with Isabel. He couldn't complain about the way this get together was turning out.
 

Maria and Michael were chasing each other and laughing in the pool, but Max and Liz didn't hear anything. They were staring into the other's eyes, remembering their earlier loss of control.
 

"Max," Liz started. Her heart felt as if it would jump out of her body. Max looked so sexy. His bare, muscular chest, strong arms and neck all glistening with the water, only added to the sexiness that normally surrounded him every time she saw him. His hair curled a little over his forehead, as the heat from the hot tub plastered it to his head, and a sheen of sweat covered his sexy face.

Then she found herself back on Max's lap, facing him, and his mouth closing over hers once again. Liz signed and wrapped her arms around his strong sexy neck and just enjoyed the sensations that Max created throughout her whole system.

Liz loved the smell of Max, the taste of him. He was unique in so many ways. And he was hers!
Max pulled her closer, devouring her mouth. He was lost in the burning fire that they were caught in. And neither cared.
 

Max slipped his tongue into Liz's mouth and found hers. They both gasped and moaned at the first contact of tongues. "Yes," Max whispered into her mouth.

"Max," Liz whimpered.

He knew he should stop them. He tried to concentrate long enough to pull them apart, but couldn't. Then another shriek and laugh from across the pool finally broke them apart. They looked at each other in surprise again, at their lack of control, and then Liz giggled and buried her head against Max's strong neck and chest. She was so happy just to be held by him.

He looked around and saw Isabel and Alex through the window into the kitchen where the light was streaming out into the darkness. Then he heard the laugh again and saw the blurred shapes in a corner of the pool. The two shapes looked like one as they were lost in their own world.

Max sighed, closed his eyes in contentment, and laughed softly in relief and pure joy. He felt great! Here he was with the only girl he'd ever loved, completely wrapped around him, cuddled in his strong arms. Could life get any better?
 

Part 6

Sheriff Valenti sighed, raked a hand through his hair and lowered his head, a frown covering his face.

He paced his office and looked out again past his door, to the couple that sat in the outer office. The woman was crying, and the man was trying to comfort her. Mr. & Mrs. Marquez had just finished telling him that their daughter was missing, and had last been seen last night when she had gone out to visit a friend.

When they had called Pam Troy's house, Pam's mother had told them the same thing that she had told Louisa last night. She hadn't seen Pam since Thursday night. It was now Saturday morning, and both girls were still missing.

He hoped that they had just gone off somewhere for the weekend, maybe camping or to get away from their parents. But he couldn't wait for them to come back on their own, if they were going to. He would have to do a full-scale investigation. Pam was known to disappear for days at a time, according to his son Kyle, but not Louisa. Louisa was very level headed and Kyle did not see her as the type to put her parents though this scare.
 

Both his son Kyle, and Kyle's friend Tommy Morris were also sitting in the outer room. Both were worried and feeling uncomfortable with Mrs. Marquez's sobbing. Tommy was Louisa's boyfriend, and had been brought in when Louisa had turned up missing. He and Kyle had been together the night before, with a bunch of their other football buddies, and Tommy hadn't seen Louisa since earlier yesterday in school.
 

Kyle was there to lend his friend support. He was in a daze, as was his friend, for things like this didn't happen in the usually small, quiet town of Roswell. The last time something unusual had happened in Roswell, it had been at the Crashdown, the day of the shooting. But in that case, no one had been hurt. But now, two of Roswell's teens were missing, and both were friends of Kyle's and Tommy.
 

Sheriff Valenti sighed again, threw himself down in his chair and picked up the phone. He would have to call in more help. He would have to interview all the residence of Roswell to see if anyone had seen Pam or Louisa, or knew where they were.

Then, if that didn't turn up anything, he would have to call on the state for more help to start a search for the two girls. He hated that. That brought the media into it, and tons of people from all over coming to see and possibly destroy evidence. The dogs and cameras would make it a field day, and it would only make matters worse for him to do his job. But he couldn't wait until the girls showed up either. He had no choice. He would start with the interviewing of the townspeople.
Liz and Maria exchanged solemn glances as they served an equally solemn, if small, crowd at the Crashdown that afternoon.

By now the word had spread about the missing girls, and the investigation was on. No one knew anything so far, and everyone was becoming more and more concerned.

Maria was sniffing her oils more and more frequently, and trying not to freak out about the thought of the two missing teens from their small town.

Liz was equally worried and a little afraid with every hour that the two girls were still missing.

When the door opened again, Liz glanced over and saw Max and Michael heading their way. Liz sighed with relief. Just Max's presence was a comfort.

Max walked up to Liz, and took her hands. "You okay?" he asked in a gentle, low voice. Liz nodded and saw Michael pull the oil away from Maria and hug her.

Max saw the strain in Liz's eyes and pulled her up against him as well. When he and Michael had heard what had happened, they had both come straight to their girls. The thought that it could have been either of them was sobering for the two boys.

The door opened again and Isabel and Alex came in. Both looking distraught, as well. Isabel came up to Max and Liz and her hands were twisting in fear.

"Is? What is it?" Max asked and turned to her.

"Max! Oh God, Max. I saw Louisa last night," Isabel said as she started to shake and Max put his arms around his sister.

"What? How?" Max asked, knowing they had all been together last night.

Isabel explained the quick odd visit from Louisa, and then she choked on a sob. "I could have been the last person to have seen her and the sheriff will question me and maybe if I would have let her come in she wouldn't be missing and--"

Max stopped her from rambling by sighing and holding her tighter. "Is, you couldn't have known. We still don't know for sure anything has happened to either of them. Maybe Pam ran away and Louisa is helping her. They are probably fine." Max tried to comfort her.

Isabel pulled out of Max's comforting embrace and took a deep breath. Then she began to pace.
"No, I have a bad feeling about this. I can't explain it but it's there." Isabel swallowed and held herself tightly.

Alex had been standing by, wishing he had been the one to take Isabel in his arms and comfort her. Now as he saw her hug herself, he realized, that as a friend, he could. He gently put a hand on her arm and she turned to him. Then, to his surprise, she went into his arms herself. He held her tight and closed his eyes. God, what if it had been Isabel!

Max watched his sister's reaction to Alex and was stunned. Then he turned to Liz, who smiled slightly, glad for her two friends, but even more worried after Isabel's words of imminent doom.

Isabel, still in Alex's embrace, turned back around to her brother. "Max, what should I tell Valenti?" she asked in a terrified voice.

Max understood Isabel's overwhelming fear of the sheriff, but knew, as did Isabel, that she had to tell what she knew, if it could be of some help.

"I'll go with you, Is," Alex said, rubbing her arm in comfort. She was shaking with fear. He too knew of her fear of the law, and understood where it came from now.

"I'll go, too," Max stated.
 

"No, Max. If you go then it will just make Valenti think again about all his suspicions about you and Isabel and everything. Let me go with her. With his mind on this problem, he probably won't even think of his suspicions about Isabel. But if you went with her--" Alex didn't finish. He hated to tell Max that his presence could be dangerous for his own sister.

The look on Max's face was filled with pain, but he nodded in agreement. Liz put a hand on Max's arm, and he wrapped an arm around her. He was in need of some comfort himself. He was a danger to everyone he loved.

"Max, don't," Liz said softly.

He looked down into her understanding eyes that were also filled with pain, and he knew she felt what he was feeling and thinking. "This connection can be annoying. I can't even feel sorry for myself." Max smiled slightly, trying to make light of the tense situation.

Liz squeezed his arm, again in understanding. "It works both ways, Evans," Liz bantered back, trying to help him lighten the situation. "Besides you were the one who invaded my thoughts first," she said in a teasing voice.

Max loved her for trying to lighten the mood. Then Liz turned to Isabel. "Would you like me to go with you, Is?" She asked. Sometimes another female friend could help.

Isabel was surprised, but then remembered how much closer Liz, Maria and she had gotten, and realized that this is what friends did for one another. She smiled shyly and nodded. "You wouldn't mind?" she asked.

Liz shook her head. "Of course not. Let's go."

Max, Michael and Maria watched their three friends leave and then exchanged looks of their own fear. "Do you think the sheriff will start investigating Isabel?" Maria asked, grabbing her oil out of Michael's hand and sniffing it again.

This time, neither Michael nor Max could assure her, since they were wondering the same thing. How could things have gone from so perfect last night, to so terrifying today? Max thought as he met his friends' equally worried eyes, and knew they were asking themselves the same thing.

And what could have happened to the two missing girls!?
 

Part 7

January 24. I'm Liz Parker, and something really strange has been happening the last few weeks here in Roswell. For once, it has nothing to do with our Czechoslovakian friends.

I'm really scared. This seems more threatening to the town of Roswell than the thought of aliens ever could. Two of our high school classmates are missing. They are like, totally gone. Not one sign of them anywhere.

Tomorrow morning, Sheriff Valenti is going to start the massive search through the town and into the desert beyond, with dogs and volunteers. That thought alone is frightening. And the students of Roswell were told to go back to school tomorrow like it was any other Monday. Yeah right, like we could pretend nothing was going on right outside the walls of our school.

How could we pretend nothing was wrong? Two of our classmates had just disappeared, and, with a wide spread search going on for them, all around us, they expected the rest of the student to like, conjugate verbs!

Part of me just wants to stay home tomorrow and hide in my bed. To stay safe. But the other part of me wants to help, even if it's just being strong for my friends and classmates. I know Maria and Isabel are terrified, too. For different reasons, and yet for the same ones, as well.

Isabel told the sheriff what she and Louisa had briefly talked about Friday night and the sheriff had actually been sorta okay about talking to Isabel, and had even made her feel a little less afraid of him.

And Max, Michael and Alex, like even all of the guys, seemed more protective of the girls lately. Like one of us could be next. It gives me the shivers.

The guys really think that it's us females that are being targeted. Is that true? Is there really someone out there waiting for another female to slip up and then they too will just vanish?! I wonder just what tomorrow will bring.

Fear. He could smell it all around him. He tried not to smile, since it would not be appropriate today. Everyone in school was solemn and quiet. He did not want to act any different, so he, too, kept his face straight.

But inside. Inside he was jumping up and down wanting to shout, "I know where they are! And I can take the next one just as easily." It excited him, the looks of terror, the smell of fear, all around him.

He hid his smile inside his textbook as he pretended to read along with the class.

Liz entered her history class at the end of the day with a sigh of relief. The day was almost over. It had been unbearable for all of them. In biology, it had been so difficult with Pam and Louisa's chairs empty, right behind her and Max.

Everyone in the whole school was feeling the tension and fear. Fear that their classmates might never be found, or fear that they would be found.

Everyone waited to hear a shout from outside if the two girls were found. They could hear dogs barking and people talking in the distance.

The students and faculty were all on edge and no one was really getting anything done in school. Liz figured it was just a safe place for all the students to be right now, so the parents wouldn't have to worry about them, too.

She took her seat next to Isabel and in front of Max. On her other side was Michael, and ahead of him was Maria. Alex was on the other side of Isabel. This was the only class they all had together and they all exchanged looks of relief that they were all together finally, after the long day of tension and waiting.

Liz glanced over at Kyle and Vicky. They were sitting one behind the other, and were holding hands. She was glad to see they had found each other. She hadn't wanted to hurt Kyle. He had really been sweet and good to her when they had dated over the summer.

But after connecting with Max, nothing else compared. She just hoped that Kyle found that kind of soul mate love someday. Who knows, maybe it was to be Vicky Delaney.

She glanced back at Max and saw his understanding smile. He, too, was happy that Kyle was not upset over him and Liz anymore. And he knew that Liz was relieved that Kyle was happy again, too.

Liz leaned her arm back onto Max's desk, and he took his big strong hand and gently drew a caress down her arm and then took her hand. He could watch their joined hands forever. Her small, soft one enveloped in his larger, callused one.

He was so glad he had Liz. He had been so alone until he had saved her. And she in turn had saved him. He lifted her hand up to his lips and gently rubbed his lightly parted ones over her knuckles, just enjoying the feel and taste of Liz. Her baby powder and strawberry shampoo smell was there, combined with the smell that was just Liz.

He knew he should be thinking about their classmates, but he couldn't stop thinking about Liz and how it could have been her, the town was looking for.

It made him just want to swallow her up in his arms and never let her go.

Liz turned to Max as he brushed his mouth gently across her knuckles. Their eyes met and there was a twinkle of love in Max's intense look.

Liz curved her hand around Max's strong cheekbone and mouthed that she loved him.

She saw and felt the curve of Max's smile at her words, and she turned back around to try to concentrate on what Mr. Browning was saying.

She noticed that Michael was leaning forward and caressing the back of Maria's neck lightly, while Maria had her hand behind her, under Michael's desk, and was holding Michael's thigh, caressing it every once in a while, as well.

It seemed as if the horrible situation had brought out all the emotions between the couples more. Even Isabel and Alex were giving each other looks.

When the bell rang they all sighed as one class and got up slowly. They had waited for this moment all day, and yet now they were almost afraid to go outside and face the reality. What if the girls had been found? What if they hadn't?

The six of them walked out of the building together and stood around Max and Maria's cars.

"So, um should we go to the Crashdown?" Alex asked, not sure what they should do. He did not want to leave Isabel yet. He did not want to spend the rest of the day at home, waiting and wondering what was happening, and if Isabel was okay.

Max and Michael seemed to feel the same way, because they all agreed to go hang out together at the Crashdown, to wait.

That night, as she was getting ready for bed, Liz looked up at the stars. The moon was only a sliver in the sky, so the stars seemed extra bright.

She sighed. There was still no word from the search parties. Finally, everyone had gone back to their homes to wait and try to sleep.

Liz looked from the stars, back down and out into the desert stretched beyond. She could see flickers of lights in the desert, and knew it was the search parties' flashlights. She could hear the sound of dogs off in the distance as well.

She wondered if she would get any sleep tonight. She thought about calling Maria, but she was hoping that if Maria had been lucky enough to fall asleep, she wouldn't want to wake her.

Liz shivered, closed her window and locked it, padded across her floor and crawled into bed. She pulled the covers up over her head and tried to stop shaking.

Maria tossed and turned and looked at the clock. 1:30. She, too, could hear the dogs in the distance, and was too tense and terrified to sleep.

Maria finally sat up, and with a sigh, she flipped on her little bedside light and reached for one of her oils, to calm her down.

A noise at the window made her gasp, and she dropped the bottle. She grabbed the shovel that she had taken in the garage earlier, and had set by her bed.

Her heart was pounding, and she thought whoever was out there must hear it as well.

Maria just wanted to scream, or reach for her phone to call someone, but couldn't move. She was frozen with fright.

Then, she heard and saw her window lift slowly. She held her breath. She had locked that window!

"Maria?" came a familiar voice as the window opened more.

Maria let out a long breath and dropped the shovel. She raced to the window to help Michael climb through, and then she was in his arms.

He held her trembling form tightly. Then Maria pulled away suddenly and hit him on the shoulder and arms several times. Michael sighed.

"You scared me to death, Michael! What the hell are you doing out there creeping around my window?"

"I wasn't creeping. I was worried. I had to make sure you were okay. I was only going to keep watch from outside, but then I saw your light come on. So I figured I'd see how you were," Michael admitted.

Maria smiled. Her bad boy was so cute when he was being nice and caring. Maria took his hand and led him to her bed. Michael followed. Maria climbed into her bed, and made room for Michael. When they were both snuggled together, Michael turned off the bedside light, and reached
for and held Maria. She sighed against his chest, and he too was content.

This beats the floor in Max's room any day, Michael thought as he held Maria tighter.

Alex felt stupid sitting under a tree outside Isabel's bedroom window. He knew she had special powers and could probably protect herself, but it made him feel better knowing if she did need him, he would be there for her.

Max sat on one of Liz's lounge chairs outside her window and looked up at the stars. He hadn't been able to sleep at home, and knew that only making sure Liz was okay would make him feel better. It wasn't too cold out considering it was the middle of winter. And Max didn't feel the cold the same way the humans did.

He heard the window slide up and glanced over. Liz climbed out of the window and shuffled over to him, wrapped in a blanket. He guessed she had sensed his presence the way he had known hers.

As Liz came closer, Max held open his arms and Liz crawled up onto the chair and wrapped the blanket around them both.

Without words, Liz lifted her face to Max's and he gently placed his lips on hers and just rubbed against them. They kissed lightly, just for the contact, and then Liz sighed and snuggled into Max's neck, hugging him tighter.

Max sighed, too, content with Liz safe in his arms, and kissed her forehead, then leaned his head against hers. Now he could sleep.

The shadow across the street from the Crashdown Cafe drifted off into the night, realizing he would have to wait for another time. But it would come, he knew.
 

Part 8

February 9th. I'm Liz Parker, and sometimes what scares people the most is the "not knowing." It's been almost three weeks since our two classmates disappeared. They have vanished. Even with all the different law enforcement agencies, hundred's of volunteers, and the dogs, not a trace of them has turned up.

The volunteers are gone, and so are the dogs. Only a few state police and Sheriff Valenti have not given up completely. I feel so bad for Pam and Louisa's parents. They don't know where the girls are or if they will ever see them again. What did happen to them? Is it like the FBI was saying, that they probably ran away? Since there has been no proof of foul play, many were starting to believe they'd just ran away. But I know Sheriff Valenti doesn't believe that, and I know that The Troy's and
Marquez's don't believe it either.

And neither does Kyle. Kyle knew both girls pretty well, for the girls had been close friends of his and his group of football players. Louisa was even the girlfriend of one of Kyle's best friends. He knew them both, and said there was no way that Louisa would have run away, even for Pam.

And I believe him.

But, because there has not been another disappearance in the past three weeks, many people are shrugging it off, starting to believe that they'd just ran away. Many have gone back to their normal every day routines, and are not being as careful like they used to be. But there were many who still believe that something bad happened to the two girls.

So I sit and wonder, like a lot of people in Roswell, if there will be another disappearance, and if so, who will be next?

"I don't know, Maria," Liz said hesitantly, as she picked up another order of food from the shelf between the kitchen and outer area.

Maria sighed and stood in front of Liz, hands on her hips, not letting her pass until she had convinced her. "Okay, look, I'm not saying that Pam and Louisa didn't meet with foul play, but we do have to get on with our lives! I mean, staying around here just waiting for who knows what, is not going to help!

"A lot of kids are talking about the winter break in Mexico. Mexico, Liz! I've never even been out of New Mexico before, except for the time I was abducted by space boy," she rolled her eyes but smiled remembering how that turned out. "My mom says since I've been saving my own money, that I can go. Please Liz! We need some fun. We all need to get away!" Maria pleaded

Liz looked at her best friend and smiled. Maria was right. They, the six of them, needed to get away. Since the shooting at the Crashdown last September, none of their lives had been normal or just fun, without worry or fear being always just one step behind them.

"You've talked with the others? They want to go?" Liz asked.

"Yes! Even Max said it sounded good. Liz, we can all use the time away from here. Can you imagine being with Max and Michael away from here, where they won't constantly be worrying about being caught? How much fun we could all have away from Roswell for a while?" Maria explained as she followed Liz across the room to one of the booths.

Liz served her customers, then walked back toward the counter with Maria right behind her, waiting.

Max and her away from Roswell. On a sunny warm beach in Mexico? All six of them with no worries or cares for a whole five days! She smiled, imagining Max in just a pair of swim trunks, all tan and gorgeous and hers for five days!

"All right. What do we have to do?" Liz asked.

Maria squealed and ran behind the counter, and dug out some brochures and flyers.

"A whole bunch of kids from school are planing on going. The more people who go, the less the package rate!" Maria exclaimed excitedly and spread the papers out on the counter in between them. "But we have to hurry. Vicky Delaney is the one organizing this for us, and she needs to get a full head count of people going, by tomorrow!"

"But Winter break is next week!" Liz frowned.

"Yes, it is," Maria said calmly.

"Next week? Maria how can we get a good price on this if we're just booking now?"

"Vicky had started setting this up in December. She just told the travel agent that it would be a big group and they would get the final numbers in the week before. She put down like a group of 20, but a lot of kids have backed out," Maria explained. She didn't need to state why. Liz nodded in understanding, then started to catch the fever of it.

"Next week! Wow ... it's going to take Isabel that long to pack!" Liz laughed.

Maria laughed and hugged Liz. She was finally going to get out of Roswell, even if it was just for a little while.

When the plane landed in Puerto Vuerta, Maria turned to Michael with a smile. They were both out of Roswell, finally. Even if it was just for a little while. Michael met Maria's eyes and smiled, then took her hand and squeezed it in silent understanding as they taxied to the gate.

The large group of students moved through the airport with little trouble, collecting their bags, going through customs, and out to waiting taxi's with ease. Even Isabel had to admit that Vicky had done a great job planning this with the travel agent.

As the group checked in and split up to go to their rooms, Vicky turned to Liz and handed her two room keys. "Here, Liz. I made sure you six had adjoining rooms. So you could be next to the guys," Vicky smiled.

Liz returned the smile and thanks and realized that for Vicky it worked well, too, as she could keep Max close to Liz and Kyle far away. Vicky had been keeping her and Kyle at opposite ends from Liz, and making sure Max was always paired up or seated next to Liz. She was just grateful that she got to be with Max. She wanted to reassure Vicky that she was not the least bit interested in getting back with Kyle, but figured Vicky would have to learn to trust Kyle on her own.

Alex, Michael and Max carried their own bags up the elevator, while a hotel helper brought up Isabel's 5 suitcases, and Liz and Maria's one each.

Liz handed Max one key and kept the other, and they led the way down the hall. When they found the right doors, and inserted the keys, the doors opened to beautiful airy rooms, with huge sliding glass doors that led to a balcony, and beyond was white sand and blue water.

Maria sucked in her breath and slowly walked toward the sliding glass doors, in awe. The ocean. It pulled her.

Isabel tipped the hotel helper then closed the door behind him.

Liz followed Maria out onto the balcony and side by side they just leaned on the railing and stared out at the beautiful view before them.

Isabel joined them and the three exchanged looks. "Well girls, are we going to have fun here or what?" Isabel smiled.

Maria and Liz nodded, also smiling crazily. The three felt high, they were so excited and happy.

They heard the sliding door to their left open and realized that they shared the same balcony with the guys as the three joined them.

"Ladies. I'd say we've all come up in the world." Alex grinned and stood next to Isabel to just look out at the sparkling water.

Isabel smiled back at Alex, and clasped his hand as he came up beside her. Isabel wanted to tell Alex that she knew he had stayed outside her window those many nights a while back, but she wasn't sure if she would embarrass him or not. And what would she say? Isabel Evans couldn't say he was her knight-in-shining-armor. That would not be something Isabel would say. Oh, but she wanted to, she thought as her eyes smiled back into Alex's surprised ones, and watched them go from surprise to contentment, as he gripped her hand tighter and held her eyes.

Liz noticed how much more relaxed they all looked, but especially Max, Isabel and Michael. She hadn't realized how tense they must have always been, until she saw the difference in them now.

Liz smiled at Max and his eyes went to half mass as he approached her. The twinkle of happiness mixed with love and passion in his eyes made Liz's breath catch as he approached.

But Max just gave her a little grin, as if he knew she was feeling it too, and he put his arms around her and stood behind her, his head leaning on hers, as they silently just view of the ocean stretched out below.

Michael had his arms around Maria in the same way, and the six of them just stood in silent companionship, enjoying their new surroundings.

Later that night, as the students gathered for a bonfire party on the beach, one person leaning against the rocks sat back with a crooked smile on his face. He pretended he, too, was having fun, and was like all the others. But on the inside he was gloating.

Stupid fools, he thought. They thought they were safe here. That nothing could ruin their perfect little lives. No one noticed the extra bright look in his eyes as he watched and waited.

Waited for the perfect moment to make his move.
 

Part 9

Liz sat leaning back against Max's warm body, snuggled between his legs, on a blanket, just watching the bonfire. Max was leaning against a rock, and enjoying the feel of Liz so close to him. In his arms, where it felt so right.

He looked over and noticed that Michael and Maria were also cuddled up on a blanket together watching the fire. They were lying side by side, holding hands while Maria leaned on Michael's chest, and he played with her hair, gently twisting a soft strand around his finger.

Then Max smiled brighter as he saw Isabel and Alex. There wasn't anyone better for Isabel. He was glad that Alex was the one to have gotten through his sister's tough outer layer, and found the softness inside. Isabel was leaning her head on Alex's shoulder and they, too, were on a blanket
holding hands. Isabel was smiling, and looked at peace.

Both Michael and Isabel looked perfectly content. Max had never seen Isabel or Michael look so completely relaxed and open before. He wondered if he looked the same way, and guessed he did. He couldn't imagine being anymore content. He closed his eyes and smiled, just enjoying the moment.

Who would have thought that the three of them would find happiness, contentment and yes, love, with these three earthlings? Max knew he would feel this way if he ever let himself be with Liz, but to see Isabel and Michael also so happy only made Max even more at peace.

A gasp from both Liz and Maria made Max open his eyes with a questioning look at Liz. Then he heard the song and smiled. One of Liz's favorites was playing. Ginny Owen's song, "If You Want Me To" had just started.

Max pushed up against the rock, stood up and held out his hand to Liz. He smiled softly at her when she beamed up at him with happiness. As Max took Liz into his arms and slowly led her in a small circle to the song, he saw Maria pull Michael up, and Isabel pull Alex up. He chucked, wondering if the guys were going to kill him later for starting this. Then he saw the expressions on both Michael and Alex's face as they held the girls, and he knew they wouldn't say anything.

Smiling, Max concentrated on the small bundle of warmth and love in his arms and looked down into her eyes. "Hi." She smiled.

Max gave a half smile that was so Max. "Hi yourself."

Liz snuggled closer to him and just enjoyed leaning against his warm, bare chest and watching the flickering of the firelight play across his muscles as he turned with her in the slow dance. She sighed. They hadn't done anything since that night of the pool party in the hot tub. With all the events that had followed that night, neither had felt it would be right, and Liz knew Max
had also been so tired from worrying about her, and watching over her at night.

But here they were free for a few days. Free to enjoy just being together without the worry of the sheriff, or the FBI, or whatever had happened to their classmates. Just for a little while Liz wanted to forget all that and just enjoy being with Max.

As they glided to the music, Liz slowly started to realize that there was an ever-growing need against her tummy. She drew in a breath and looked up into Max's eyes.

His eyes were burning intently into hers, and there was a knowing smile on his face, as he watched Liz become aware of what he had been feeling for the last half hour.

He too was remembering their spontaneous passion in the hot tub that night that now seemed so long ago.

Liz swallowed as she continued to feel that need against her as they danced. She felt warm all over and her own body's response startled her. Max felt Liz's own response where she was pressed up against his chest, and sucked in his breath. He wondered how cold the temperature was in the ocean. Maybe they could make out just a little in the water.

Max looked around desperately, suddenly wanting to be alone with Liz, to kiss her, to touch her. Finally Max stopped dancing and took Liz's hand. "Come on," he said quietly as he led them away from the party.

"Was it something we said?" called Michael's amused voice as Max led Liz away.

Maria smiled and hit his arm playfully. Then she suddenly shuddered.

Michael frowned down at her. "Cold?" he asked. The fire was warm, and so was the balmy night air. And with Maria this close, he couldn't have been any hotter.

"No, not really. I just--I don't know--it felt as if someone was watching me or something, forget it," Maria shrugged.

"Maybe someone is watching you. You look awfully cute in that little bikini," Michael lowered his voice and teased her.

Maria laughed and forgot about the uncomfortable feeling she had had a few minutes ago.

Alex and Isabel were in their own world. They swayed to the soft music, just enjoying being together, and not having to worry about anything else.

Max led Liz to a quiet secluded spot up the beach from the bonfire. They could still see the fire roaring in the distance, but here in the shadows no one could see them.

Liz's heart was pounding loudly in her ears as she watched Max set up the blanket he had grabbed at the last minute. Then she watched as he straightened up and just looked at her. Liz felt her legs turn to Jell-O.

He was so sexy! Her Max. He was standing there in just his swim trunks, the moonlight caressing his strong, well-built body. And his eyes, as usual, pulled her in.

When Max held out his hand, Liz reached for it and he drew her down onto the blanket with him. Liz sighed as Max leaned on an elbow and pulled her closer against him while his other hand caressed the sensitive skin of her back.

Liz again felt the passion of Max against her stomach and couldn't help but move closer to him. "Max," she sighed and looked up into his eyes, waiting.

Max gave her his cute half smile. Liz loved that look, even his eyes smiled. It was a look he reserved only for her. Without a word Max took his hand from Liz's back, and gently slid his hand into her soft silky hair and cupped her cheek. Then he lowered his eyes to her lips. Liz sucked in a deep breath, her lips tingling from his heated gaze.

She watched as Max's soulful eyes went to half-mast as he slowly came closer to her lips with his own. She felt his breath on her lips right before he opened his mouth over hers in a sweet, but intense kiss.

She remembered the first kiss a few months ago, the sweet gentle probing and tasting of each other. Then she remembered the loss of control kiss in the eraser room the next day, and the passionate kiss in the hot tub. Each kiss with Max was different, yet equally as stimulating, as exciting, and as new as the first one.

Liz sighed into his mouth as he opened his wider over hers, as if he couldn't get enough of her. When she felt his tongue slip between her teeth and search out her own she moaned and grabbed his shoulders, then slid her hands around his neck and just held on. Just a kiss from Max Evans, and Liz's head spun.

She tentatively touched her tongue to his and tasted him.

Max's whole body was burning. He had Liz all wrapped around him, kissing him back with all the passion he could feel from her, and they were barely wearing anything. Max didn't know if he could hold out. Maybe he shouldn't have brought her so far from everyone else. He had to stop this.

Then Liz's hand wandered around to his chest and started caressing his muscles and he knew she was trying to memorize every muscle and ridge she caressed on his chest. Max groaned and kissed her deeper. Just another minute and he would stop them, just one more kiss.

Liz ached. Max knew he should stop them, but he couldn't. He had been in love with Liz since he'd first laid eyes on her, and here with her, all hot and soft in his arms, and wanting him as much as he wanted her, Max lost what little control he had left.

Max took her mouth in a deep kiss. Giving her all of his passion and love in that kiss. He took his tongue to the farthest reaches of her throat, and caressed her mouth completely, not leaving an inch of it un-tasted.

When Liz arched up into him, to get closer, he jerked up. God, what were they doing?! Max started to clear his head, his love for Liz and protecting her, foremost in his mind.

Liz felt him start to pull away, and she whimpered. "Max, no, please. I need you!"

"Liz! God, Liz," Max said and put his forehead to hers, and just stayed frozen where he was. "We can't, love." He groaned. It killed him to stop. He shouldn't have brought her out here. Knowing that their special connection gave them no control.

"Max, I'm on the pill. I've been on the pill for a year. I have an irregular cycle," she explained, knowing his biggest concern.

Max sucked in his breath. God he didn't want to hear that. The last of his willpower fell away. He was too inexperienced, too in love, and too far-gone, to not give them both what they needed more than anything right then.

Slowly Max gave up the fight and did what his body was screaming at him to do. Liz, too, was beyond control. She just wanted Max. All of her logic disappeared when she was with Max. When they connected.

Liz caressed his chest and neck and face. Her eyes never left his, and she could feel what he was feeling, their connection so intense. Max leaned down and kissed a trail of light kisses up her chest, and buried his face in her neck for a minute, breathe in the scents of Liz, and then with his mouth open, he dragged it up her neck, over her jaw and cheek bone, and to her own, waiting, trembling mouth.

Max took her mouth as he did her body, deeply and lovingly. He caressed every inch of her mouth, and ran his tongue around her parted lips, and then tickled the very corners of her mouth with his tongue. He felt Liz smile and he smiled. Then he again covered her mouth completely and started deep lazy strokes into her mouth with his tongue.

Liz moved first. She followed the rhythm that Max tongue had taken, and started to move her body.

"I love you, Liz. I always have," he whispered hoarsely, and then started to move with her. Then he was kissing her again. Kissing her with love and gentle caresses. Letting her know how special she was to him.

Liz sighed and met his kisses. Her slender arms encircled his strong neck, and her fingers gently caressed his strong muscular back.

Later, Max slowly eased out of Liz's arms. They had to get back. How long had they been gone? How had he let this happen?

Liz saw the little frown start between Max's eyes and she lifted her hand and eased the tiny worry line between his brow. "Max, I love you. You are the only one for me. Please don't have misgivings now. I couldn't stand it," she whispered.

"No, Liz, not misgivings. I'm not sorry that I loved you. I just feel like I should have been more responsible. Liz, we don't know that this can work. The two of us are so different," he started to explain, not sure himself what he was trying to say.

Liz smiled. "I don't know. I think it worked very well myself," she teased.

Max grinned at her and then kissed her hand that had once again cupped his face. He knew what she was trying to tell him. That it was too late to worry. And maybe she was right. They were meant.

Max knew that over the last few months, his feelings for her had intensified. The danger all around them in Roswell, and the thought that it could be Liz that had disappeared, was never far from Max's mind. The fact that he might never have seen her again had only made him need her more. And he knew she had felt the same way.

They had bonded even more, all those nights that Max had slept on the chair outside Liz's window, with her wrapped in his arms. He sighed, knowing this had been inevitable. And no, he wasn't sorry. He could never be sorry for loving Liz. Giving her what they both needed so much. They had bonded in every way up until now, and this had just been inevitable for the final part of their bonding.

When Max left Liz's arms, she shivered. She felt empty and chilled. Max's hot body had been like a  warm blanket over her protecting her from the breeze from the ocean. Max knew what Liz was feeling, for he felt it too, the loss of connection.

He helped her dress, and let her help him. These little personal things they did for each other after their intense loving, was needed as much as the loving had been.

The shadow crept away, his fury building. How dare Max make love to Liz Parker! And here he had thought that maybe, just maybe, Liz had been pure enough for him. Good enough for him. For he had believed that her heart had been good and pure, and that maybe he had finally found a girl that he would keep. Instead of angrily tossing them away in disappointment when they betrayed him.

Max Evans had everything. He hated Max. He had always hated Max. And now, it was going to be Max's turn to pay. But not tonight. Tonight they were safe from his plans. He would not betray himself yet. Not let the people of Roswell realize how close among them their hell was. For if he did take someone from Roswell here, they would know it was someone on this trip. And he was not about to get caught.

He had gone years out-witting them. He would not ruin it now in a moment of anger. All the plans he had been making over the years.

But he needed to vent his anger somewhere. He turned toward the quiet end of the boardwalk ahead, looking for just the right prey. Someone local, so as not to be connected with Roswell.
 

Part 10

Max didn't know what time it was when he and Liz got to the long wooden stairs leading from the beach to the hotel, but he guessed it was late. There were only a few stray people around, on the beach and on the street above, that Max could see. He motioned for Liz to go ahead of him up the stairs, but when she raised a foot to put it on the first steep step, Max saw her
wince.

"Liz?" he asked, touching her arm and turning her around gently.

Liz smiled brightly and lightly caressed his strong muscular arm. " I'm okay, Max. Just a little sore." She blushed and looked down.

Max sucked in his breath. He had hurt Liz! He didn't like knowing that Liz had to be in pain because of him.

Liz saw the regret flash through Max's eyes and then he pulled her close to him, looked down into her face, and slid a hand between her legs.

Liz gasped from Max's touch. It would always be electric. She melted against him for a minute and then realized what he was trying to do.

"Max! Not here. We could be seen!" Max had wanted to heal her! Liz's heart swelled even more for the gentle soul Max possessed.

Max pulled back realizing where they were and sighed. Then shook his head to clear it. "You're right. Sorry. I wasn't thinking of anything but-"

"My comfort." Liz finished gently and cupped Max's face with her hand. "I love you, Max. And I'm fine. This is a normal thing for a woman to go through. It won't last long. And besides, I like the reminder." Liz smiled up into his eyes. "It reminds me of WHY it's a bit uncomfortable." She whispered.

Now Max blushed, and grinned. He still didn't like the idea of her hurting though. For any reason! Making a decision, he lifted her up in his arms and cradled her against him.

"Max!" Liz exclaimed and met his smiling eyes.

"You gonna argue about this too, Liz Parker?" He asked with a teasing glint.

Liz shook her head and laughed. Max was holding her, with no effort whatsoever, to him, and she could feel his muscles ripple all around her. She was warm and safe in Max's arms. If it made him happy to do this for her, she wasn't going to say no to such a chivalrous, romantic act.

She snuggled her face into Max's chest and let him carry her up the steep stairs. She just smiled as she inhaled the scents of Max's warm body and felt the play of each muscle as he moved, and the ease with which he carried her.

Max put Liz down as the reached the front of the hotel, and took her hand as they walked across the quiet lobby, and to the deserted elevators.

Max unlocked the door to his room quietly, knowing the two rooms the gang shared, were open to each other. The three girls had the adjoining room, and they had all silently agreed to leave the door open between the two rooms.

They heard the TV and saw the glow from the other room as they entered through the door in the boys' room.

They walked to the entrance between the doors and looked in.

The two double beds in the girls' room were occupied. Isabel and Alex were cuddled up on one bed, and Michael and Maria
were on the other. All four looked like they had fallen asleep watching TV together.

Max smiled even wider and headed back into the adjoining room, leaving the door open still between the rooms. He just wanted to hold Liz the rest of the night himself.

Liz grabbed her bag she still hadn't completely unpacked, and followed Max into the other room.

Liz went into the bathroom, showered off the sand, smiling and blushing at the crazy places she found it. Then with a towel wrapped around her, she came out of the bathroom, grabbed her T-shirt and shorts that she slept in, and her toothbrush.

Max gave her a hot look as she came back into the room. He was leaning back on one of the beds in the guys' room, flipping channels, waiting for his turn in the bathroom. He hadn't expected to see Liz come out in just a towel, but then, he had seen her in less, just an hour ago.

He knew if he had gone to her then, to kiss her soft smelling clean skin like he wanted to, they'd end up doing more than sleeping in his bed. So he stayed where he was, and his eyes followed Liz as she walked back into the bathroom leaving the door open, to let the steam out so it would clear the mirrors.

Liz brushed her teeth, washed her face and then looked up. She could see Max standing in the doorway of the open bathroom just watching in fascination.

Liz looked in the mirror to see if she had something on her face, then back at Max. "What?" she asked.

Max grinned and blushed at having been caught watching Liz do her nightly routine. But it just amazed him to watch her do the little intimate things like getting ready for bed.

Liz realized this without Max having to say anything. She too realized that they were seeing sides of each other than most couples didn't see for many years. She smiled and moved aside for him to come in.

Max reached for his toothbrush and then paused as he met her gaze in the mirror.

Liz raised an eyebrow. "I'm not leaving either." She smiled.

Max grinned and nodded. He didn't mind. He liked having Liz close. He watched Liz reach for some kind of cream and she smoothed it onto her face as he brushed his teeth.

He enjoyed watching Liz smooth on lotion all over her, and swallowed when she lifted a leg onto the closed toilet seat, and ran the lotion up her leg.

Liz was sneaking glances at Max as he brushed his teeth, as well. She couldn't help but find it sexy to watch him just leaning over the sink and spitting toothpaste into it. She knew she was loosing it big time!

When she looked over again, Max just had the toothbrush sticking out of his mouth, forgotten, as his eyes followed the path her hands were taking up her leg.

Liz put her leg down and blushed. She didn't know why she felt shy, considering what they had done on the beach, but this just seemed more private, this intimate routine of getting ready for bed.

Max saw her blush, and shook his head and concentrated on finishing brushing his teeth. It had never taken him so long before. He grinned as he reminded himself, he had never had Liz smoothing lotion all over herself two feet from him in nothing but a towel before either.

Liz walked around Max and gave him a smile, knowing that the two of them were really enjoying this simple time together.

Liz left the room as Max turned on the shower. He had given her a look like he wanted to ask her to join him, but then he hadn't. She knew without him saying it, that he was worried about her being sore, and the others right on the other side of the open door. She smiled as she took off the towel and slipped into her sleep clothes. She pulled the covers down on the bed Max had been sitting on, and slide between the sheets, and just relaxed, listening to the sound of the shower, and imagined Max in the shower washing that sexy body of his. She sighed and started to get up. So what if everyone was only right next-door.

But as she threw her leg over the bed, she winced. Okay. So maybe she was a little too sore, she smiled ruefully at herself and got back under the covers and sighed.

A minute later, Max came out of the bathroom, surrounded by steam, and in nothing but a towel, himself.

Liz couldn't help but follow him with her eyes, as he crossed the room and reached for his boxers to sleep in.

Max started to go back into the bathroom, but saw the disappointment in Liz's eyes, and realized there wasn't anything she hadn't seen. He grinned, and dropped the towel.

Liz's eyes wandered over him in total approval and when she finally reached his eyes, she saw the returned passion in Max's own eyes.

"Max," Liz whispered.

Max slid his boxers on and came over to Liz. He sat on the bed and cupped her face in his hand.
"I love you Liz, but I'm just going to hold you the rest of the night," he told her, and himself.

Liz sighed but nodded. He was right. The others were right next-door, and she was sore. Besides, just being in Max's arms the rest of the night was enough for her. She smiled and moved over, making room for Max.

He snapped off the light by the bed, and lifting the covers, he slid in with her. The light from the TV in the other room let him see enough of Liz to see she was on her side facing him. He reached for her and she sighed again in contentment, and snuggled to get closer to him and lean her head on his chest. She winced again and smiled. At least she had a reminder of the fact that Max had been a part of her.

Then she felt Max's hand sliding down between them, until he found the center of her. Liz gave him access, and looked up into his eyes. She knew he would not sleep until he knew she was not hurting. She met his eyes; hers filled with love, and let him do the healing he had to do.

She missed his hand, when he removed it from between her legs, and pulled her closer, wrapping both his arms around her.

But then the comfort of Max's heat and arms around her made her sleepy and she fell asleep smiling at how right it felt just being in Max Evans' arms.

He stood outside their hotel door with his fists clenched at his sides. He had followed them up here, and it had taken every ounce of control he had, not to make them pay now. But as soon as they were back in Roswell he would make his move. He would finally get rid of Max Evans, and now he would make Liz pay too, for her wicked ways.
 

Part 11

As the girls were getting ready in their room later that morning, and the guys were getting ready in theirs, the six of them bantered back and forth, trying to decide which tour of the area they wanted to take. Vicky had listed the activities that were available, and they had all agreed they wanted to see more of the place.

Maria and Isabel waited until the guys were done in their room, and had gone down to sign them up and wait for them in the lobby, then the two girls looked at each other and cornered Liz in the bathroom.

"Well? What time did you get in last night?" Maria smiled.

Isabel looked closer at Liz and her eyes narrowed. Liz had the same look on her face that Max had had that morning. A kind of secret smile in their eyes, and a kind of glow they couldn't hide. Her eyes widened as she realized what she was thinking.

"It wasn't that late," Liz said and tried not to meet their eyes in the mirror as she put on her makeup.

"Oh my God!" Isabel said when she met Liz's eyes for a second, before Liz looked down.

Isabel grabbed Liz's arm and dragged her back into the other room and sat her on the bed. Maria was starting to get an idea of what Isabel was thinking and she too waited to see what Liz had to say. "Liz, did you and my brother actually make love last night?!" Isabel just came out and asked.

Liz couldn't tell if Isabel was angry or what, but she couldn't lie. She didn't want to lie. She was the happiest she had ever been, and wanted to share it with the people she cared about. And that now was starting to include Isabel as well. "We didn't exactly plan on it, but, yeah. We did," Liz smiled, and a sparkle in her eyes had the other two envious.

"Liz! NO WAY! Like, what was it like!? Did it work? I mean, you know since Max is-"

Isabel interrupted Maria, since they all knew what she was going to say, and then sat down next to Liz, who was quiet and not sure how her friends were going to take all this.

Isabel looked into Liz's eyes with concern. "Are you okay? Did anything, you know, strange happen?"

Liz realized that Isabel was just concerned for her, and also wanting to know if the alien/human bonding could work. Liz never realized how much of a strain it must be on the three, to not know if it was possible to live any kind of a normal life with or among the humans.

Liz smiled and nodded. "Oh yeah, totally! You don't have to worry,Isabel. I feel fine. I mean great! Nothing, you know, weird happened, at least nothing other than what we know is supposed to happen," she teased.

Then Isabel and Maria burst out laughing and the three starting girl-talking about sex and boys in general. "Oh my, so it really IS possible," Isabel said again.

"Isabel? You and Alex looked really cozy last night," Liz smiled,wondering if it had crossed Isabel's mind that her and Alex could work.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, well, he's great." Isabel smiled and blushed.

Maria almost choked when she saw Isabel blush. Now there was something you didn't see every day.

"Not that Alex or I are a thing or anything, we're just good friends," Isabel stated firmly, and stood up and reached for her purse.

"Well, I wonder what Michael will think? I know he's thought about it," Maria smiled as she met the eyes of her friends. "Do you think Max told him?" Maria asked.

Isabel shook her head. "No way!" and she laughed. "Mr. Reserved and to himself, Max!"

Liz smiled and laughed at Isabel's accurate description of Max. However, Liz had seen the other side of Max. The open, playful, unreserved side. She liked knowing that she was able to see that side of Max, that he feltc omfortable enough with her to let her see inside him.

"I still can't believe you guys did it!" Isabel remarked as the other two also rose and grabbed their purses.

"I still can't believe it sometimes." Liz smiled shyly.

"Did--did it hurt?" Maria had to ask. These were the things that young girls often wondered when it came to sex and first times.

Liz blushed again and smiled. "Well, at first, yeah, but--you know how Max can heal and how he is-"

"So totally in love with you that your pain is his," Isabel finished with a teasing smile.

"Oh my God! So he like took the pain away!?" Maria sighed. Every girl liked romance. And Max Evans definitely was romantic when it came to Liz.

Liz nodded and then headed for the door. She wanted to see Max again. And the talk was embarrassing her, even though she trusted these two friends of hers with anything.

When the girls got down to the lobby, they saw a large group of their friends milling around waiting for the organized tours to get started.

Liz saw the way Michael and Alex were bantering with each other, and how they were both bantering Max together. Liz smiled and realized that the six of them had really become close over the last few months. Between Alex now knowing, and making it an even six, and Isabel and Alex's own interest in each other, and how they had all pulled together with the scare in Roswell, and just the secret in general, their bond was really forming beyond just her and Max.

Liz realized that the six of them were starting to sense each other as well. More proof of this was when Alex and Michael both turned around as if sensing the girls approaching. She heard Isabel and Maria gasp, and wondered if they were starting to feel that connection across the room the way she and Max did.

From the stunned looks on all four of their faces, Liz gathered they were. She met Max's equally amused gaze, and knew he had seen the same thing she had in their friends. Max held out his hand for her and Liz slipped hers comfortably into his big, warm one.

"Okay everyone, listen up. The three tours are full, so you have to take the one you signed up for this morning. The buses are outside waiting, and the names of the tours are on them. Make sure you get on the right bus," Vicky announced from the middle of the room.

The six of them trekked all over the island that day, and enjoyed sharing the new sights and wonders with each other. On the bus ride home, Liz was looking out the window, in peace, as Max slept beside her.

She knew Alex and Isabel had dozed in the seat behind them, and Liz could see Maria's head fall as she fell asleep, and how Michael leaned her toward him, and took her head onto his chest, leaning back against the window, so he could face Maria and let her stretch out in his arms.

Liz smiled at how Michael did all that without realizing it. Michael had changed a lot, too. He had come to accept the three new friends into their group, and now he actually looked for them to be around. Michael looked back and saw Liz smiling, and noticed she was the only other one awake.

"Thank you," Michael said.

Liz stared at him for a minute, then nodded. She was pretty sure she knew what he was thanking her for, but wanted to make sure. Her connection with Michael was not as strong as hers was with Isabel now, and nowhere near hers with Max's, but she was starting to sense things about Michael too."For?" she whispered, not wanting to wake anyone up.

"Everything." Michael shrugged and looked down at Maria and then back to Liz. As if hoping that was all he needed to say.

Liz smiled again and nodded. Michael relaxed, glad he didn't have to say more, and then he too closed his eyes, just enjoying the feel of Maria in his arms.Liz felt Max squeeze her hand, and she glanced at him.

His eyes were bright and happy. She knew that he was happy that Michael was accepting her, accepting all of them. She knew a lot of it was this time away from Roswell they all had. They were all more relaxed and comfortable with each other. She wished they didn't have to go back to Roswell. And back to all the problems and nightmares that still waited for them there.

Liz didn't know that one of their nightmares was only a few feet away. That a pair of eyes were boring into her back with hatred, and disappointment. He was making plans for her and Max. And couldn't wait to get back to Roswell. It wouldn't be long now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maria carried another load of dirty dishes across the Crashdown, to the pass through counter and turned to Liz who was picking up a large order."And to think yesterday at this time we were in the warm sun lying on the beach!" Maria complained and rolled her eyes.

Liz smiled and nodded. She had been thinking the same thing. They had gotten back last night, and knew since they had been gone for a week, that they would have to work today. It was a Saturday, and it was crowded again.

Liz knew from her parents, that in the week they were gone, nothing had happened, but the crowd today showed how much more at ease people of Roswell were becoming again. All except for the six of them.

They had all felt sudden fear when they had gotten off the bus back at Roswell High last night. They had each sensed the fear in each other and the heightened awareness made them all look at each other with worry. Max had put his arm around Liz and Isabel and reassured them all. And then their parents all started coming forward.

"Did your parents let you out of their sight much last night, Liz? I mean, even with Michael there with us in our apartment, my mom hovered over me, all worried and glad I was home. And she was really good with Michael, too. She let him stay as late as he wanted, watching a movie with us, and I think Michael actually had a good time, too." Maria smiled remembering.

Liz went to the soda fountain to fill some drinks, and glanced over at Maria. "Yeah, my parents and I talked quite a bit last night. They admitted how worried they have been, letting me go on the trip, but then thinking, it was probably safer than being in Roswell. They're feeling much better now, since nothing has happened here in quite a while."

"Yeah, my mom was saying how she was starting to feel better too.Thinking that maybe the town had overreacted."

"Maria, do you think it was nothing? That the girls just--left?" Liz asked.

Maria met her look and shook her head. "No more than you do." She said and grabbed another order.

It was after noon before the girls had their first break of the day.The breakfast rush had gone into the lunch rush. It was now after two, and both Liz and Maria had their feet up and were sitting in one of the now empty booths in the almost empty cafe.

"So, did Prince Charming spend the night on your roof again last night?" Maria teased with a twinkle.

Liz smiled and nodded. "Yeah. I don't think Max is letting his guard down either, you know?"

Maria nodded. "Michael left to go home, then came back through my window again." She grinned.

Liz and Maria looked at each other and laughed. Who would have thought how different their lives would be after the shooting five months ago? Alex came in just then, and seeing them, he smiled and headed over. He leaned against the booth and yawned. "Ladies," he greeted them.

Maria and Liz looked at their tired friend and laughed again. "Alex, did you sit outside Isabel's window again all night?" Maria asked.

Alex straightened and tried to look like he didn't know what they were talking about. "Me? What? What are you talking about?" he tried.

"Nice try Alex, but Is told us you've been camped out at her place for months now." Liz smiled and patted Alex's hand.

"Isabel? Isabel told you? How did Isabel--?"

Maria rolled her eyes. Guys were so dense sometimes! Before they could continue, the bell rang and the three of them knew before they looked, that it was their other three friends. The "other half of their whole," as Liz now liked to tease.

Max and Michael slid into the booths next to their girls, and Alex slid an arm around Isabel and she leaned against him.

"Get any sleep?" Liz asked Max, brushing back a strand of hair that had fallen over his eye. He looked so tired. "Yeah, a little this morning." He smiled and yawned, taking her hand in his.

Michael looked just as tired as he played with the ring on Maria's finger.

Liz looked at Isabel and saw her worry was back, too. She sighed. Liz wondered if she would ever see the three of them as relaxed again as they had been away from here.

"Let's go back to our place tonight and watch a movie or something," Isabel suggested. All of them agreed, just wanting to be together as much as they could. They all felt safer when they were together.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vicky waved to her parents from the doorway, and closed and locked it just like they had suggested. They were going out for the night, but had begged her to keep the doors locked. Kyle wouldn't be over for another hour.Vicky shivered with sudden fear, and closed the drapes around the house.

She knew it was silly to feel as if she was being watched. But for some reason, this was the first time in months that she was all alone.

She heard a knock at the door and stiffened. Then realized, no one dangerous would knock! She laughed at herself and moved to the door. She looked through the peephole, and then laughed and relaxed. She threw open the door and smiled. "I'm so glad you're here! I didn't want to be alone." She said, and walked back toward the living room.

HE closed the door behind him and came up behind Vicky with an evil grin. If she had seen the crazy, wild look in his eyes, she would not have let him in, nor turned her back on him.
 

Part 12

Max picked up the phone as he laughed at something Alex had said. He turned away from the action/adventure movie on the TV, and his laughing friends, and cupped a hand over his ear.

When he hung up the phone, he grabbed his jacket and slipped it on as he came back over to the group. "I'll be right back, I'm going to get us a pizza," Max said hurriedly and turned toward the door before any of them could meet his eyes for too long.

"Want me to go with you?" Michael called out, from where he was tickling Maria in the chair they shared.

"No. No, I've got it, I'll be right back," Max said and slipped out the door.

Liz got up and walked to the window and watched as Max backed out of the Evans' driveway with the jeep. She shivered and crossed her arms over herself. She just had to be imagining fear coming from Max. She was just taking this connection thing too seriously.

A half-hour later Liz looked at the clock and frowned. She got up and walked back to the window. Max still wasn't back.

She felt Isabel come up behind her and then she too sighed. "Where could he be?" Isabel asked a loud, but not really expecting an answer.

Liz just bit her lip and turned to Isabel. "I don't like it, Is. He left here kinda in a rush, you know?"

Isabel nodded. She too had wondered what Max was trying to hide when he had practically bolted out of here. But she hadn't wanted to worry anyone, in case it was just her imagination. Now she knew it wasn't. For Liz had felt it, too. Alex called over to the girls and they exchanged looks and walked back over to the three sprawled out on the couches.

"Where the heck is Max?" Alex asked casually.

Michael sat up as if finally getting the vibes coming from Isabel and even Liz. He had been so absorbed in Maria, that he had missed it earlier. He got up and grabbed his own coat.

"Michael, wait, where are you going?" Isabel stepped in front of him.

"I'm gonna go look for him," Michael said with determination.

"You don't know where to look do you? He might be back any minute, or call needing us. Then how would we know where to find YOU?" Isabel explained.

Michael turned and looked around him at all of them. "Look, I'm not just going to wait around here doing nothing! I gotta do something! I didn't even notice earlier! Damn!" Michael said in frustration.

"Michael, don't blame yourself. You know how good Max is at hiding his emotions so we don't pick up on them right away. Besides, we had no reason to suspect he was in trouble when he left here," Isabel said.

Liz frowned, wishing she had said something earlier. "And don't you start!" Isabel turned to Liz.

Liz raised her eyebrows in surprise, but accepted this strange connection between them all.

"So what are we going to do?" Maria asked with her own frown of worry.

Michael paced the room and swore softly. Alex watched Isabel as she tried to stay calm herself. He held out a hand and taking it, Isabel stood near him, taking a deep breath. Alex had a calming affect on her.

The shrill of the phone ringing made them all jump, and Isabel grabbed it up in one leap.

When she got off the phone a minute later, they all knew it was bad, but Isabel hadn't said much on her end of the phone. She had mostly just listened. All they knew was that it was the sheriff's deputy, calling for her parents. Isabel hung up and grabbed her coat. She met all their waiting eyes and swallowed.

"Vicky Delaney was attacked, and is in a coma. Someone heard her scream and they think it must have scared the guy away before he could do anything more."

"Max?" Liz asked. She knew someone Max was involved.

Isabel nodded numbly. "The sheriff's deputy called for our parents. Seems Max has been arrested for the attack on Vicky."

"NO! That's crazy!" Liz burst out. OH GOD, the sheriff had Max!

Michael looked to Maria and she handed him the keys without a word. The five of them jumped into Maria's car and Michael headed for the station.

The Evans's were out for the night, but Isabel was sure they would hear about it and meet them there.

There was chaos when they got to the station house. The reporter from the local paper was there with his photographer, and the local TV station was there as well.

Isabel and Liz led the way through the gathering crowd, and the deputy let them all in.

"The Sheriff wants to talk to you kids." The deputy told them as they all passed.

Sheriff Valenti watched the five kids come up to the desk, fear written all over them. Liz and Isabel came right up to Valenti.

"Where's my brother, Sheriff? You have nothing to hold him here with," she stated without knowing if he did or didn't. She just knew he hadn't done it.

Sheriff Valenti smiled enjoying the fear of the usually cool Evans' girl. Then he turned to Liz who lifted her head high and waited for the sheriff to tell them what this was about.

"We have enough to hold him with Ms. Evans." He smiled, and looked at all five of the kids waiting.

"I don't believe it! Max wouldn't hurt a fly! We want to see him!" Liz demanded.

Sheriff Valenti looked down at the pint-sized girl who had hurt his son, and gave her a hard look.
"You don't have the right to demand anything Ms. Parker. I am the one who is calling the shots here, and the reason why you were allowed past that crowd out there, is because I have questions to ask all of you. One at a time." The sheriff smiled at their mutinous looks. Finally I've got something on Max Evans. The sheriff nodded. He had always known that Max Evans would screw up somehow, and the sheriff knew he would be there to catch him. He had never liked or trusted the Evans' kid.

But how much did these friends of his know? Were they in on it? The sheriff was determined to find out.

It was after midnight when the Evans' were allowed to post bail and get Max out of the jail. They had come rushing over from their favorite restaurant in the next town over, when they had heard the news, and had demanded their son's release to them.

Since the sheriff only had one eye witnesses' word that Max had been the one running out of Vicky's house, he had to let Max go in his parents care for now.

Liz had run up to Max when he had been released, and hugged him tight. He looked terrible, and scared, and she just needed to hold him.

Max held Liz and tried to convey he was all right. He looked to the others and nodded. "I'm okay guys," he said.

His parents hugged him and so did Isabel. Then his parents rushed him out of there.

"Come by tomorrow and we'll figure out what's happening," Isabel whispered to the others as she followed her parents and Max to their car.

Liz tossed and turned in her bed and then gave up. She could not wait till morning to see Max. She crawled out of her window and found Alex outside on her chair.

She gasped and then looked relieved. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"What do you think?" Alex asked.
 

Part 13

Liz smiled lightly at Alex's question. "Max," she answered softly.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "AND Michael," he added.

Liz was surprised, but then accepted it.

"They both made me promise not to leave you alone tonight. But I think they already knew I was coming here anyways," Alex said and got up from the chair. "And now, I suppose we're heading to Max's." Alex smiled.

Liz sighed with worry and nodded. "You coming?" she asked.

"Of course. I had specific orders from Isabel that came from Max, that if, or rather when you came over in the middle of the night to see him, that you NOT walk the streets alone," Alex replied, amusement in his voice. He was finding this whole connection/bonding/friendship thing amusing too.

Liz nodded and let Alex walk with her to Max's.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Before Liz could knock on Max's window, he opened it and helped pull Liz in. He nodded to Alex who gave him a salute.

Then Alex wandered off to wait for Liz to need a walk back home. He knew Isabel would be waiting for him by the back door, and headed that way.

Max held Liz in his arms and felt her shaking. He put his large comforting hand on her neck, and then ran his hand down her hair and hugged her tighter. They both needed the comfort.

Finally Liz stepped back and sat with Max on the bed. "Oh God Max, what happened?" she whispered. They did not want to wake Max's parents.

"I got a call earlier," he started. "A voice said if I didn't want to see you hurt, I was to meet him at the old soap factory, alone."

Liz looked into Max's eyes with fear and then held his hands. "What happened then?"

Max shook his head. "I was on my way to the old soap factory, when I heard a scream coming from Vickie's house. I pulled over and ran to the back where the scream seemed to come from, and then the next thing I knew Kyle grabbed me and tackled me to the ground." Max sighed in frustration.

He kissed Liz's hands that were wrapped around his, and then released them and got up to pace. "I don't think Valenti has anything on me other than that I was there, but then, so was Kyle. But Kyle states he was going to visit Vicki, which makes sense," Max tried to sort out.

Liz bit her lip. If Max was rambling, then he really was worried, and so was she. "But you told Valenti that you heard the scream right? So what did he say?"

"That's just it. He kinda just looked at me with his reptilian eyes, like he was gonna find something more to make sure I was blamed."

"But there isn't anything else! So he won't be able to prove anything. What about Vicki? Did she see who it was?" Liz asked, watching Max pace.

"If she did, she's the only one who knows, and she's in a coma according to Valenti. He said he was on his way to the hospital after he let me go, to get more information and do more investigating."

"So he will find out that you didn't do it. That you weren't in the house, and there will be nothing to connect you to this other than that you were outside the house," Liz said hopefully.

Max stopped pacing and sighing, he sat back down next to Liz again. "Yeah, that's what I'm hoping. But you know Valenti, he's determined to get me somehow."

Liz knew that even the short time Max had been in Valenti's custody, it had really scared him. And knowing how relentless the Sheriff was about proving Max was an alien; Liz could imagine how he must have made Max feel.

Liz scooted closer to Max and snuggled into him. She needed to comfort him as much as she needed his comfort.

Max did need Liz. He was scared. He'd never been so scared before. He knew that the sheriff was just looking for any reason to get him and interrogate him. This would be too good an opportunity to miss.

He held Liz in his arms for a second, and then realized that it wasn't close enough, and lifted her onto his lap. He breathed deeply of Liz, snuggled tight against his chest, and closed his eyes, just enjoying the feel of Liz this close.

Liz too, was just absorbing the feel of Max all around her. She concentrated on his heartbeat, his warm, strong arms wrapped around her, and the rise and fall of his chest, as he let the tension of all night, slowly release from his body.

But the calm didn't last long.

"Max! Maxmillian!"

Max turned toward the window with Liz still in his arms. He saw Michael peak in, and seeing them; he climbed in the window, and then reached outside the window again, to pull Maria in.

Max shifted Liz back on the bed and stood up. "Michael?" Max frowned. He had a bad feeling, and the wild look in Michael's eyes confirmed it. Michael looked like a wild animal when it was
cornered.

"Where's Isabel? We need to get Isabel!" Michael said.

The door to the bedroom opened and Isabel and Alex slipped in. "We saw Michael crawling into your window and knew something must be up," Isabel said, her own look turning worried. She too felt something was really wrong.

"Michael, what?" Max asked.

Maria came over and sat next to Liz. She took her hand and squeezed it. Liz's own fear escalated at the look in Maria's eyes, and she saw Isabel reach for Alex's hand, as he put his arm around her.

"Maria and I followed Valenti to the hospital. We wanted to know what he could find out. Either from Vicki if she was awake, or see what Kyle told him. When we got there, Vicki was still unconscious, but the doctors wanted to show Valenti something odd. Max, Vicki had a silver hand print!" Michael rushed all this out, pacing and raking a hand through his hair.

"WHAT?!" Max and Isabel said at the same time.

"Oh my God! Is someone trying to set you up, Max? Only two people knew about the hand print," Isabel stammered and Alex held her tighter.

"So Kyle or his dad is in on this?" Michael asked, his wild look searching the room, looking for enemies in every corner. He looked ready to bolt.

Maria gave Liz's hand another squeeze, and then she got up and gently put a hand on Michael's arm, to calm him before he lost it completely.

The gentle feel of Maria's hand was enough to bring Michael back from the black hole he'd started falling into. But it only strengthened his resolve. "We have to go, Max. It's time," Michael said and stared at Max and Isabel.

Liz gasped and stood up, and Max put an arm around her, but never took his eyes off of Michael's. He knew Michael was right. If Valenti was setting him up, there was no way he would get a fair trial. Valenti would have him at his mercy; to interrogate or probe anyway he wanted. He would find out all of Max's secrets, and then in turn find out Isabel's and Michael's as well.

Max looked from Michael to Isabel and saw the resigned frightened look on her face as well.

None of them wanted to go. They had talked about this possibility before, but things were different now. They weren't alone anymore. It wasn't just the three of them anymore.

But Max knew that the three of them had no choice. He took a deep breath and turned to Liz, taking her fully into his arms.

Liz saw the resigned, desperate look in Max's eyes and whimpered. "Take me with you!" she whispered, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

Max's jaw clenched and he shook his head. "God, Liz, I wish I could. But we're in danger. We're going to be chased. It's not safe."

"I don't care!" Liz said shaking her head and holding tighter to Max as she met his eyes.

"I don't either," Maria said, taking deep breaths to try to stay calm.

Michael looked down at Maria, looking miserable, but determined.

"Max!" Isabel choked out. She knew there was no other choice, but she wanted one. She did not want to leave her life in Roswell. She had parents she loved, and now three friends that she had formed a bond with as well. And with Alex she had been hoping for more.

Max met Isabel's eyes, and knew what she was thinking. "I'm sorry, Is," he said in a sad, deep voice. Then he looked down at Liz and saw that she too knew that the three of them had to go, alone. "Liz, I promise you. I'll find a way to come back. I'll find out who's doing this, why they are trying to frame me, and I'll be back." Max swallowed, his voice hoarse with emotion. "Just as soon as I clear my name."

"Max, where are we going to go?" Isabel asked, holding tighter to Alex, not wanting to let go.

"I can answer that."

All six of them turned toward the voice and saw the figure of a man standing in the shadows, outside the window.
 

Part 14

Michael, Max and Alex reflexively pulled the girls behind them and waited as the shadow easily came through the window. "You don't have to fear me, children." The shadow came closer to the light and they saw it was a man with soft, warm, brown eyes that smiled upon them.

He had white hair, and yet he didn't look older than the late 50's. Max and Isabel automatically relaxed. Somehow they just KNEW this man would not harm them. That he was here to help.

Michael couldn't quite believe what he was sensing yet, and didn't relax his stance. The man turned to Michael and smiled softly. "Child of the sky, you do not trust easily, do you?"

There was a small-shared gasp from the group at the mention of the sky. And the man smiled again, and put out a hand to Isabel. Isabel studied the warm, inviting eyes and held out her hand. She couldn't NOT reach for his big gentle hand.

When Isabel touched the older man's hand he clasped it gently, yet firmly in his own, he sighed and looked deeply at her. Studying her. "God, you look just like your mother!" the man whispered hoarsely.

Isabel gasped and pulled her hand away. "Who--who are you?" she asked. Too much was being said by the man all at once. She didn't know if she wanted to believe what she was starting to suspect.

"We don't have time to talk here. The sheriff is on his way with a few of his men, to take you, Max Evans, into custody."

Liz held tight to Max's arm at hearing that.

Max had been stunned and totally focused on the man before them, until he felt Liz's fear and her grip. He looked down once again, with painful eyes. "Liz. I'm sorry. We have to go," Max said again, in a low hoarse whisper. He didn't want to say goodbye like this. So quickly. Without getting to say all he wanted to say.

"That man, he's one of you isn't he?" Liz asked, but she knew.

"Yeah. We'll be okay, Liz." Max swallowed and cupped her face gently.

Liz smiled around the tears welling up in her eyes. "I know you will. And that really does help, knowing that, Max," she said, taking deep breaths to keep from crying.

Max's own face was filled with pain and regret, and his thumb brushed over one of Liz's silent tears coursing down her soft cheek, and he groaned, feeling the tear like a lash of pain. He pulled Liz to him and kissed her with all the love he felt. Then he pulled Liz tighter to him and kissed her hair and made a promise. "Liz, if there's a way back, from where ever we're going, I PROMISE I will be back. For you, Liz," Max whispered hoarsely near her ear. And he inhaled the scents of Liz one
last time.

"Don't--don't come back unless it's safe, Max. I want you, but I want you safe and alive even more." She bit her lip to keep from crying out for him not to leave her at all.

"I'll be back, and it WILL be safe. I promise." Max kissed her once more, gently on the lips, just to savor the taste of each other, and then gave her one last look and turned to the patiently waiting man.

He saw Maria clinging to Michael, and Michael actually holding on to her as if he couldn't let go. His own eyes were closed and his face was full of pain. Isabel was kissing Alex and Alex was trying to memorize every inch of Isabel's face.

Max knew that they didn't have any more time. The man nodded his silent agreement to Max and Max stepped forward. He reached for Isabel and gently separated her from Alex. Isabel, too was crying, and didn't look away from Alex even as she
followed Max toward the window.

As the three got to the window, they turned once again to look at the ones they were leaving behind. Liz and Maria were holding each others hands tightly, both trying not to cry. Silent tears marked their faces, but they held wobbly smiles on their faces.

Michael and Max both exchanged a look with Alex, and he nodded. He came up behind Maria and Liz and put an arm around each of them. He promised them with a nod, that he would take care of the girls for them. Then he looked to Isabel and back to the guys, and they promised the same thing. No words were necessary.

All of this did not go unnoticed by the man. He raised his eyebrows at the silent communication going on between the six, but said nothing. They heard the sirens and the man knew they had no more time. He turned toward the three and nodded for them to go out the window first. As the last of the three exited the window, Liz came forward a little and the man stopped as he was heading out the window.

"Please," she swallowed. "Please keep them safe," she whispered and then put a hand over her mouth, not able to say anymore, for fear of breaking down completely.

The man looked sad, but nodded. And then he too was gone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Max looked out the window of the cabin, and watched the people of the small community farming. It was just dawn now, and they had been out there since before dawn. These people amazed Max.

He hadn't slept yet, and rubbed his tired eyes, but knew if he tried to get back into that bed behind him, he'd just toss and turn. His mind was spinning from the little they had found out.

Jordan had taken them out of Roswell in a regular pick up truck. Not new, quiet old and well used. If the three of them hadn't been so shaken by the events that had happened so quickly, Michael probably would have made a comment about how it was supposed to be a spaceship that would come for them.

They had driven through the night, and had only just arrived at Jordan's ranch an hour ago. Jordan had explained only a little in the truck on the way up to his ranch. They knew he lived on a small ranch in the Sangre deCristo Mountains, which were part of the Rocky Mountains, and stretched across the Northern part of New Mexico before heading up into Colorado.

The ranch was about 15 or 20 miles out side of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and not far from the Pueblo Indian Reservation. Jordan had explained that a lot of the people found the Native Americans much more open to the concept of visitors from other worlds, and could accept them, unlike most of the rest of the people the visitors had encountered.

Jordan knew they had a lot of questions, but wanted them to rest before he told them all he knew. He wanted them to absorb what he had said so far and then after they had rested, they would talk more.

Max had thought that he would have fallen right to sleep, for his eyes were gritty and burning from being tired and so tense over the last 15 hours. But as he lay there, he just couldn't stop his mind from forming a million questions.

When he had heard the noises outside the cabin, he had padded over to the window and seen a small group of people starting farming chores in the pre-dawn. His bedroom door opened and Michael peeked in. When he saw Max was up, he came over to the window as well.

Max looked at Michael and could tell he hadn't gone to sleep in the last hour either. "Isabel sleeping?" Max asked Michael. He figured Michael would have checked on her as well.

"Yeah, I think so, she didn't look awake when I peeked in there a minute ago. I can't imagine being able to sleep right now," Michael said and started pacing. "I mean, what are we doing here Max? Where's the spaceship to take us home? Where is home? Why is Jordan living among the humans on earth?" Michael wondered out loud.

Max too had been asking himself similar questions, and needed to know the answers as well.

Isabel dispelled Michael's thoughts on her sleeping, when she too came into the room. She sat on the bed and sighed. The three of them were exhausted, but had too many questions to sleep.

As if sensing this, the door opened again, and Jordan stood in the doorway. "Let us go to the kitchen and have something hot to drink. Then we will talk." He smiled as he saw their anxious faces.

Isabel sat with a cup of hot chocolate in front of her, but barely touched it. Her stomach was in knots with all that had happened in last 24 hours. Michael and Max sat intently waiting for Jordan to sit and answer their questions.

Jordan sat with his cup of coffee and took a sip. "Ah, a very human weakness. The need for coffee." He chuckled as he put the cup down and sighed at the first taste.

Then he looked around at the three lost ones and took a deep breath and began. "I know you have a lot of questions. And I too have many. Although over the past few months, I have gathered quite a bit." He started.

The three were intent on his face, so he continued. "Ahhh where to start? First off, if I would have known that there really was a possibility of survivors from the Roswell Crash, I would have come looking for you," he said.

Michael, Isabel and Max exchanged glances but didn't want to interrupt what they had been waiting all their lives to hear.

"Yours was not the only craft to come to earth that night, or in the nights to follow. There were 12 ships in all. Yours was, unfortunately, the only one to crash," he said, looking at the three who were frowning, and then continued.

"Let me start with a year before your crash. Our planet was dying. We had known about it for several years, and some of us had started working on building ships and finding another place to go. Many hadn't wanted to believe it, and they did not plan for the final days." Jordan shook his head sadly, remembering back, then continued.

"Many of my own family stubbornly stayed behind. But my sister and her husband were among some of the people who believed like I did. So we worked with the ones who knew it would happen, and built ships and tried to find a place to go. My sister and her husband were star explorers. They researched and studied the skies and knew a lot about the surrounding
galaxies. My sister had done a paper on a certain planet around a star in a galaxy two over from ours. She tried to convince people that this planet was a lot like ours. That we could possibly live compatibly on this other planet. It had the same mass and density, and the life forms were not unlike us in many ways. There were other theories and explorers as well, who disagreed. When the time came for us to leave, we still hadn't all come to a consensus on where to go. And, not knowing if any of us was right, we split up into two groups of twelve ships, hoping that at least half of us would survive to continue our species. So, myself along with my wife and other friends, followed in our ship, my sister and her husband and her family, trusting in her instincts and scientific data. She was a brilliant scientist and star explorer."  Jordan stopped, and then stood up to walk to the window, deciding how to tell these children the rest.
 

Part 15