Part 4

The next morning, Liz and Maria were working a busy shift at the Crashdown, as the café was stuffed full of people for the breakfast rush. Liz was rushing from one table to the next, taking orders and delivering meals so quickly that she barely even had a chance to stop and breathe,

Max had been sitting in a booth by the window for an hour, his eyes following Liz as she rushed around caring for the multitudes of people who came in and out all morning. Liz threw him an occasional smile, but she hadn’t had the time to go over and talk to him yet. She didn’t even get to serve him. He was sitting in Maria’s section.

Max watched as Liz glided gracefully from one table to the next, filling orders, and talking to the customers. He could tell that she was tired; she had gotten home late the night before, but she was hiding it, as usual, behind a bright, beautiful smile.

The rush finally began to slow, and the café emptied out a bit. Liz glanced towards Max, who was still patiently waiting for her.

"Take a break, girl!" Maria called to her with a smirk. She threw a towel at her best friend. "Either that or wipe that lovesick look off your face. Don’t forget that we still have to work the lunch rush."

"Thanks, Maria." Liz grinned at her, and finally headed towards her boyfriend. She slid into the booth next to him.

"Hi." She warmly greeted him, as he slid his arm over her shoulder, pulling her up against him. He leaned down and gently captured her lips with his own.

"Hey," He gently whispered as they broke apart. "I’ve missed you."

"Missed me, huh?" Liz laughed. "In the past few hours? Well, I missed you too."

"It seemed like a lot longer to me. Any time without you seems like an eternity."

"Yeah, I know what you mean." Liz whispered, her mind reaching back to the night before. She had tossed and turned for hours after getting home. She missed Max’s arms around her, wanted him there beside her. It had been driving her crazy. She truly didn’t know if she had slept at all the night before. All she could remember was her body aching for his.

"Hey, you okay?" Max asked her softly. "You seem tired."

"I’m fine. I didn’t sleep well last night, and it’s been a tough shift to top it off. I’m a little sore, but it’s okay. I’m used to it."

"Here…" Max helped Liz to slide around and lean back against him, as he slowly began to massage her shoulders. "Just relax a bit."

"Mmmm…that feels good." Liz mumbled, as she concentrated on his hands as they roamed gently over her shoulders and neck, squeezing and kneading her tight muscles. Slowly Liz felt the tension ease out of her shoulders…and her legs and her feet too.

"Cheater." Liz mumbled as she playfully shoved her boyfriend.

Max grinned. "Well, no one can say that there aren’t benefits to being loved by an alien."

Liz smiled and reached up to stroke the line of his jaw. "Thank you."

"You’re welcome."

"I hate to do this, but I need to get back to work. The lunch rush is going to start any time."

"Of course. Go ahead." Liz stood to leave.

"Wait, Liz!" She turned back to Max. "Can I take you out tonight? Nothing special, just you, me, Chinese, and pool?"

Liz grinned. "Any time I spend with you is special. Pick me up around 7?"

"Okay, I’ll see you then."

Max watched as Liz tied her little silver apron back around her waist and headed back to the kitchen, and he smiled. He had a date with Liz tonight. The entire night it would be just him and Liz, alone together, for the first time in two months. He whistled a little tune to himself as he threw some money on the table for Maria, and then headed out the door. Tonight was going to be great.

The lunchtime rush was just as busy as the morning rush had been, but Liz’s energy had been revived by Max, thanks to his healing, and the time passed very quickly. Two hours later, the café had emptied out again, and Liz was left alone with Maria and a few stray customers.

Maria and Liz had settled down at the counter for a little girl talk, when the bell from the door dinged again.

"Hm…lover boy’s back." Maria teased. "I’ll just leave you two alone."

Liz turned towards the door to see that Max had indeed just entered the café again, and was making his way towards her.

"Hey beautiful." Max greeted her as he leaned down for a quick kiss.

"Hey! Back so soon?" Liz asked him.

"Well, it seemed like an eternity to me. I couldn’t sleep last night. All I could think about was you, lying up here in your bed, with that ring on your finger. I’ll tell you, it was a really nice thought."

Liz blushed. "Can I get you a cherry coke?"

"No, I probably shouldn’t. I just wanted to drop in and see you now, since it’ll be my only chance."

"Your only chance? What about tonight?" Liz asked in confusion.

"Tonight? Oh God, Liz? Did I forget to tell you? Today’s my dad’s birthday. I’m spending the whole evening with my family. I meant to say something last night, but, uh, well, my mind was kind of focused on something else."

Liz’s face dropped. She was really looking forward to their date tonight.

"Hey, don’t be upset. I’m sorry. How about this, I’ll pick you up before school on Monday, and we’ll catch up then, okay?"

"Sounds great. Have a really good night, Max. And wish your dad Happy Birthday for me."

"I will. I’ll call you later, Liz."

"Bye Max."