Part 4

Max swung over the brick edge of Liz’s balcony, standing in front of her. His eyes drank the sight of her in, the blanket wrapped around her shoulders, the way her hair was tousled and fell past her shoulders. He still remembered what it felt like to run his hands through the silky strands. The moon was full and is cast a glow over everything that illuminated in an almost sublime way. His breath caught at how Liz’s face reflected the cool gray tones, mingled with dancing yellow candlelight. And then he chided himself.

He couldn’t think about Liz that way anymore. She’d made it abundantly clear in her actions that she wanted nothing beyond friendship with him. But her eyes, they told him a different story. They told him she still loved him and hated being away from him, which was what he held onto. He didn’t understand everything that had happened with Liz and Kyle, but he would hold out that Liz would tell him eventually. The thought that grated the most was that Kyle knew a secret about Liz that he didn’t.

Max realized that Liz was gazing at him, her eyes concerned, waiting for him to tell her why he was there. He sat down, leaning his elbows against his knees and running his hands through his hair, trying to collect his thoughts as he stared down at his shoes. Without seeing her, he sensed her sitting close to him. He breathed deep, taking the strawberry scent of her into his lungs, and holding onto the heady smell as long as he could, until he was forced to draw more breath. And she was so warm, sitting so close to him. The heat radiated off of her was practically calling to him, to hold her close in his arms.

"Max, what’s wrong?" Liz asked. He looked up into her huge doe eyes and caught himself smiling slightly. No matter what happened, he knew he’d always share a connection with Liz. She always knew how he was feeling. And no matter how she tried to mask it, he knew how she felt too. And he could tell she was unhappy, he’d noticed it for a long time. But no amount of his asking, prodding and gentle questions would allow her to confide in him.

"It’s kind of complicated. And a long story," he confessed. Liz gave him a wry smile.

"I don’t have anything better to do," Liz replied. Max caught her eyes with his and tried to look deep into her soul, seeing that she wasn’t lying to him. The only time she ever had was back in October. He shook his head, trying to concentrate on one problem at a time.

"The Sheriff is going to ask Mrs. DeLuca to marry him," Max said. He glanced up at Liz and almost laughed at the way her mouth gaped open and then she laughed.

"Oh my gosh! That’s amazing, that’s wonderful! Max? Isn’t it?" she asked, realizing he wasn’t sharing in her joy. Max nodded quickly.

"No, it’s great, really. We just had a meeting where Michael, Isabel, Tess and I decided to let the Sheriff tell Mrs. DeLuca about us," Max said, his voice low. Liz touched his arm and Max had to force himself not to shiver at the feeling of her fingers on his arm.

"Max, if you’re worried about Amy, don’t be. She won’t reveal you or the others. Not when she finds out. In fact, she’ll probably be your most fierce protector. Especially when she finds out all our crazy disappearances have been to save the world," Liz said. Max shook his head.

"No, it’s not that. I’m fine with her knowing, and I trust the Sheriff and Maria’s judgement. I know she won’t reveal us," Max replied. Liz ducked her head to look him in the eye.

"Then what is it?" she asked. Max took a deep breath, realizing she was really the only one he could tell. He was the leader, showing any kind of weakness was not something he could do in front of the others. Only Liz could see his weaknesses because he knew she would keep them safe. By telling her his fears he knew he was stronger.

"I listened to everyone’s arguments and then Michael mentioned that we never told my mom and I heard myself saying we hadn’t told her because it wasn’t necessary. Then I couldn’t help but wonder why we can’t tell her. I mean, really, why can’t we? She deserves to know, and she’s been so understanding since I asked her to just accept that I couldn’t tell her last year. And Isabel has always wanted to tell her. And I want to tell her. I wish my mother knew the truth about us," Max confessed. Liz was silent for a minute.

"Then why don’t you tell her?" she asked softly. Max looked at her, surprised once again. Liz was constantly amazing him. She didn’t try to contradict him, she didn’t try to talk him out of it. She knew the things he longed for in his heart.

"Because the others would never go for it. Because it would put her in danger. Because I’m scared of how she would react," Max replied. Liz finally nodded, full of understanding.

"I think I get it. You’re worried that if you tell her, she’ll turn away from you," Liz observed. Max felt a tightening in his chest at the words and nodded. Liz gripped his hand in hers tightly, forcing him to look up at her.

"Max, that will never happen. Your mother loves you, not your DNA. She would never turn away from you. I know the reaction quota of us humans hasn’t been great since we all found out. I freaked and ran away, Maria freaked and sprinted away, Alex didn’t even believe me and then went into hiding and denial for a week," Liz joked. Max smiled slightly, listening carefully to every word she said. It was even harder to do with her fingers twined with his.

"But Max, I knew that nothing had changed about how I felt about you. You were still the same guy, just a little more exotic. You were still the same Max Evans. And just like me, your mother wouldn’t change her opinion or her love for you," Liz said. Max looked up at her quickly, wondering if she realized she’d just said she loved him. Disappointed, he saw she hadn’t noticed and he realized that she probably didn’t even know what she’d said and meant.

He nodded and they sat quietly, holding hands. He marveled at the softness of her hand and he found himself lightly tracing the back of her hand with his thumb. And he could feel her pulse quicken as his fingers moved. It made him wonder if it wasn’t too late for them. But then he always came back to the fact that she’d lied to him, she was still keeping something from him. Whether it was the truth, that she’d slept with Kyle, or something else, he’d never know until she told him.

"Max?" she hesitantly asked.

"Yeah?"

"Why did you tell me? Back then, I mean, after you saved me. Really, I mean, how did you know you could trust me?" Liz asked. Max studied her face, knowing she was honestly curious why he had told her the truth.

"It was you."

Liz smiled at the memory of when he’d first uttered those words to her. It was simple, and yet so complicated, what he meant by those words. But she knew what he meant. Everything about her had compelled him to tell her. Because he could trust her. And Liz felt instantly sad, wishing she could tell him everything about what had happened in October, but knowing she couldn’t. Because she knew if she told him, there’d be no going back. Max would never leave her, and she knew that one day he would have to. And she dreaded that day more than anything in the world.

"You know that day, back in third grade? When Isabel and I first showed up at school? We got off the bus, and I remember Isabel pulling me along. I saw you across the grass, playing with Maria and I just stopped. I’d never seen you before, I had no idea who you were. The only humans I knew were safe were my parents. But somehow, I knew you were safe. I knew it, and telling you last year was just an excuse to do something I’d wanted to for a long time," Max admitted. Liz met his eyes and felt her heart begin to hammer. There was something about what he was telling her, she could feel her defenses weakening.

"Max."

"Hmm?"

"Max . . . Max . . . I have to tell you something."

"Liz, you can tell me anything," Max promised, squeezing her hand gently. He knew it was true, after all they’d been through, there was literally nothing she could say that would make him turn away from her.

"Max—"

"Lizzie!"

Liz’s head shot up at the sound of her father’s voice. She knew he would not be happy to see Max on her balcony so late on a school night. Liz pushed Max towards the fire escape quickly. He took her heed and started to climb down, stopping just before he was about to disappear over the edge. He sensed she wanted to tell him something big, something he needed to hear.

"Liz, what did you want to tell me?" he asked. Liz looked at him desperately.

"Max, you have to go, my dad’s coming!"

"Liz, I don’t care. If it’s important, tell me!" he implored her. Liz paused for a few precious seconds, wondering if he could sense how important it was. Then she shook her head, her eyes shining with tears.

"No, it’s nothing."

Max nodded, unable to hide his disappointment, before he disappeared over the edge. She’d been about to tell him, he was sure of it. And yet, she’d stopped. The moment had vanished and Max was wondering again what she’d wanted to say. And he felt a flash of anger that Liz hadn’t told him yet again. There had been so many chances, so many missed opportunities. It had only been a few months, but Max didn’t know if he could hold out much longer.

Climbing into his jeep, Max sighed. He was being foolish and he knew it. He would wait until the end of the world for Liz. After everything they’d been through, after everything they’d meant to each other, there was no way he could give it any less consideration.

"Where are they?" Maria asked, pacing around behind the Crashdown counter. Liz looked up from where she was wiping down the booths and grinned at her friend. It was just after closing and they were waiting for the rest of the gang to show up, then they would all wait for the Sheriff and Amy to stop by. The Sheriff was supposed to propose to Amy that night. And then they would all tell her the truth about Max and the others.

"Ok, I finished mopping the back room, anything else?" Alex asked, coming through the kitchen doors. Liz gave him a grateful smile and shook her head.

"No, thanks Alex, for doing the mopping," Liz said. Michael poked his head through the partition between the kitchen and dining area.

"You can help me take out the trash," he said abruptly. Alex shook his head.

"Nope, I’m off duty. Do what you’re paid to do Guerin," Alex replied, lacing his hands behind his head and leaning back in the booth. Maria continued to pace and she started to chew on her nails as Liz went to answer the slight tapping on the front doors. She turned the key, opening the door and allowing Max and Isabel in. Max immediately looked at Liz.

"They haven’t come yet, have they?" he asked. Liz noticed the tense look on Isabel’s face and shook her head. Max slid into the booth opposite Alex and Isabel sat next to Alex. Alex gave her a reassuring smile and squeezed her shoulder gently. She gave him a grateful smile and tried not to fidget in the booth. Max was watching Liz and stood up, walking over to her. She looked up as he approached, pushing a few errant stands of hair behind her ear.

"Hey Max," she said.

"Hey. Um, listen, last night, it seemed like you wanted to tell me something," Max said, not wanting to just let it go. She’d been so close to telling him, he was sure of it. Maybe all she needed was a little pushing from him. He’d promised to never ask her directly again, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t bring it up. Liz paused and seemed to struggle with her thoughts before she finally spoke.

"I can’t," she whispered. Max closed his eyes painfully, and then nodded.

"Ok," he replied softly. Their eyes met and Max felt the pull of her again, drawing him in. The moment was broken when another tap on the door caught Liz’s attention. She went over and opened the door, allowing Kyle and Tess in.

"Still in a holding pattern?" Kyle asked. Liz nodded before turning back to her cleaning. Max took notice of how Kyle guided Tess into the café and then took a seat in the booth with Alex and Isabel. Tess sat at the counter and leaned over to talk to Maria.

"Maria, any thoughts on Operation Alien Love?" she whispered. Maria stopped her pacing for a minute and looked at Tess, an eyebrow raised.

"’Operation Alien Love’? Where did that come from?" Maria asked, trying not to laugh. Tess leaned back defensively.

"Well, I thought it would be a little easier to say covertly than ‘the plan to bring Max and Liz back together and restore their love and soulmate status’," Tess replied, giving Maria a sweet smile. Maria smiled back and then leaned on the counter.

"It’s not bad. I haven’t had a chance to think about it. I’ve been so busy trying not to act suspicious around my mom that I’ve barely had a chance to do anything else," Maria replied. Tess giggled.

"I know what you mean. I spent the better part of the afternoon helping Jim pick out the perfect shirt and tie. And then he wanted to rehearse how he would ask her, it was so adorable!" Tess replied. Maria grinned.

"I almost wish we could be there, but I think that might have looked suspicious. So, how was it supposed to go?" Maria asked, eager for details. Tess cleared her throat and looked seriously at Maria, though her eyes danced with humor.

"Amy, I know we didn’t meet under the best of circumstances . . ."

Liz looked up at Maria and Tess and nearly dropped her sponge. She never would have thought that she would see the day when Tess and Maria would be chatting like pals. And yet, there they were, heads bent towards one another, smiles on their faces. And she felt a twinge of jealousy. Maria was her best friend, not Tess’. And after Tess had upset her entire life, Liz couldn’t quite let go of how it upset her, even though Tess had shown no interest in taking her position as Max’s destiny in the last few months. Liz dropped her sponge in the sink and sighed, then froze when she heard the knocking on the front door.

All activity in the café stopped as she walked over to the front door and peeked out. She saw it was the Sheriff and turned to the others, nodding once. The air in the restaurant seemed still as she reached for the lock, she knew they were all anxiously awaiting what had happened. It would all help shape their futures. Every time another person was let in on the secret, things changed. And change, whether good or bad, always seemed to take an adjustment, especially when alien related.

Liz opened the door and let the Sheriff in, followed closely by Amy DeLuca, who was clutching his hand in hers, a huge grin covering her face. Liz was the first one to see them and she was the first to catch sight of the diamond ring on Amy’s left ring finger. It winked in the light and color bounced off the gold. Liz stood off to the side as Jim and Amy addressed the group. Amy was holding Jim’s hand against her and the smile on her face was the happiest Liz had ever seen her.

"Kids, I asked Amy to marry me, and well, she said—"

"Yes! I said yes!" Amy exploded, unable to allow him to finish. Maria squealed and ran for her mother. Only then did Amy let Jim’s hand go as she hugged her daughter. The others stood to congratulate the Sheriff and his bride to be while Liz stood there, her eyes catching Max’s through the crowd of people. All he did was look at her, staring as if the rest of the world could move around them and he would remain, his eyes locked on her. And she found herself immobile at his gaze.

She couldn’t describe her overwhelming sadness at the thought that she and Max would never be making the announcement that Amy and Jim had just made. She thought nothing could be as heartbreaking as sharing her wedding dance with the husband she’d never have, but living day to day, passing by the love of her life and having to keep her distance, that hurt more than the instant that Future Max had disappeared.

Max watched Liz from across the café. He knew the look on her face. Such longing, such sadness for something that she refused to share with him. Instead of walking up to her and asking her outright what was bothering her, he asked with his eyes. He wanted her to know every second of the day that he would be there whenever she was ready to tell him. It would be a constant reminder. When Maria ran over to hug Liz he saw her face change instantly from the sadness to joy as Maria jumped up and down in front of Liz and then they hugged. Liz went to Amy and hugged the woman, then stepped back to allow the others to relate their congratulations.

After the excitement died down Alex, Isabel, Tess and Kyle took seats in the booth while Michael stood with Maria behind the counter. Liz suddenly found herself standing next to Max in front of the counter. They all knew what was coming next, and despite everything, Liz wanted to be there for Max. So she leaned against the counter, and slightly towards him. So close that she could feel his chest rising and falling with each breath. Amy seemed to finally take in all the serious faces and she turned to Jim expectantly.

"I’m glad you insisted we come here to tell the kids, but why do I get the feeling that there’s more?" she asked. Jim took off his cowboy hat and laid it on the table before he took Amy’s hand in his.

"I know you already said yes, but I want you to know that after you hear what Max and the others have to say, I would understand some reluctance on your part," he said. Amy looked slightly puzzled, but she stroked his face.

"Jim, there’s nothing that would make me change my answer," she reassured him. Jim seemed relieved to hear her words and he took a deep breath, turning to Max. Max cleared his throat and shuffled his feet a little.

"Well, Mrs. DeLuca, I’m sure you’ve realized that the eight of us, and the Sheriff, have been through some odd stuff over the last two years. There really is a simple explanation about why we disappear and even why your car spends a lot of time in the shop. It’s uh-it’s actually kind of funny when you think about where we live. It’s because we, me, Michael, Isabel, and Tess, we’re uh—Maria? Why don’t you tell her?" Max suggested, feeling himself stalling and starting to babble. Maria looked at him blankly before panic seeped across her face and then she gave her mother a sweet smile.

"Well, Mom, it’s like this. You know how we live in Roswell, and how weird stuff always seems to happen around here? Like when Liz was shot, I mean, almost shot, I mean . . . God this is hard. Can’t we just not tell her?" Maria asked the rest of the group.

"NO!" everyone yelled back. Maria sighed and was about to take another try when Liz rolled her eyes. She turned to look at Amy straight in the eye. Amy looked back, mild curiosity and interest on her face. Liz’s words came out in a hurry, as she blurted out what Maria and Max had been trying to say.

"Amy; Max, Michael, Isabel and Tess are aliens."