Title: Out of the Blue
Author: Ashton
Email: maxpert88@hotmail.com
Rating: PG...the most it'll probably get is PG-13...I think.
Category: Max/Liz, although all Roswell couples will be/are involved
Disclaimer: I don't own anything Roswell, etc.
Summary: Again, I've kinda change the storyline a little on this. Max and Isabel were only in Roswell for a short time during high school. So, M/L do know each other but not to the extent on the show. She doesn't know he's an alien. I've taken the basic 'Pilot' plot though and applied to two other people. Instead of Liz being shot and Max saving her, it'll be another girl who was shot and another teen that heals her. M/L are actually are much older and are both FBI agents. The aliens on the show are still aliens in this story so now of that has changed. Kyle is the sheriff of Roswell while his dad is a director with the FBI and Max's supervisor. I HOPE that explains the basics so ya don't get too confused. Let me know if you have any questions.

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~ chapter 1 ~

His dark eyes scanned the crowded street. He didn't know what he hoped to gain. Each year it had been the same. Countless hours of waiting and watching. Wading through a sea of faces eager to experience an alien encounter in a small town famous for its UFO sightings and government conspiracy theories. Feeling hope spring alive in his heart each time he saw long dark hair swinging in the desert breeze. Hearing his heart break each time the woman turned around and chiseled away at the belief he'd ever see her beautiful face again.

Not that she would recognize him if he did see her. Sometimes he didn't even recognize himself any more. The time away from her had changed him. No. The time with her had changed him. The time apart was destroying him. Even more than how they parted. Even more than the void in her eyes when she told him to leave. That she was going to marry another.

What was he doing here anyway? Every logical thought in his mind told him it was dangerous. And futile. That she had a life now. A life without him. Maybe a family.

Yet he couldn't stop the doubts and questions floating in his mind. It had all happened so strangely. One moment they were promising forever to each other. The next, she was leaving him for someone else. Maybe he just needed closure. Maybe he just needed to look in her eyes once more. To read in their dark depths that she didn't love him. Maybe then he could find a way to move on.

Laughter echoed around him and his head snapped up. He'd know that sound anywhere. It wasn't as carefree as it once had been. And a note of sadness accompanied it's melodic sound, but it was her. No question about it.

He slowly turned, his eyes scanning every face before his gaze finally settled on the playground behind him. His heart stopped at the sight of her. Her dark hair was pulled back away from her face and her still small and wispy frame was bent forward. She looked tired. But happy. At least she was smiling. And the smile lit her eyes just like he remembered.

She let out a laugh and Max felt his chest constrict then expand. How he'd missed her laugh. Her hair. Her smile. How he missed every little thing she did. It was then that she moved to the side and his gaze lowered to the object of her joy.

Max blinked. Closed his eyes. Opened them. Then blinked again. No. It couldn't be. His eyes shifted between the two and he swallowed the sudden lump that lodge itself in his throat.

"Oh God." He whispered as his eyes once more focused on the little girl she had been playing with. The little girl with big dark eyes that looked vaguely familiar, a smile that mirrored her mother's and cute pointed ears that belonged to her father alone.

"Liz…"

As if hearing him whisper her name, she turned and locked eyes with him. "Max…"

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Three years earlier:

He knocked on the solid cherry door then waited for the customary grunt of invitation. Slipping through the door and closing it behind him, he stepped up to the desk, stood at attention and waited to be addressed by his superior.

It didn't take long. Director Jim Valenti said a few parting words to his party on the line. "I understand you're upset, Kyle. I'll look into it, alright?" The director motioned for him to relax and have a seat. "I said I'd look into it. Until then stay focused on your job." He paused then nodded. "Alright. I'll talk to you later."

Hanging up the phone, Valenti smiled and nodded once toward the phone. "Forgive me. That was my son. He's a bit concerned about recent events back home."

The dark head nodded in understanding but the lips remained silent. His ebony eyes patiently waited for the moment he'd learn his reason for being here. Sensing his desire for instruction, Valenti pulled a file from the pile of papers in front of him and slid it across the desk. "Actually, that's why I've called you here."

He leaned forward and took the file. "What's this?"

"Your next assignment. If you want it." Valenti proceeded to explain as he watched the agent before him intently. "The case is really quite simple. The rumor is that a girl in the local diner was shot. That a teenage boy went up to her and did something to her. Touched her somehow. There's no bullet. No blood. But there are witnesses that swear she was shot. And there's rumor of a dress with a bullet hole in it."

Flipping open the front of the folder, his brown eyes widened as they scanned the first page. "They're calling it possible alien contact?"

Valenti nodded and steepled his hands in front of him. "The operative word being 'possible'. I want this suspicion crushed. I want you to go there and prove it isn't true."

"I don’t understand. Why me?" His quiet voice echoed the questions in his eyes.

"Because you're my best." Valenti stated as he leaned forward. "Because my son is the sheriff of the town and he's involved. I want this handled in the delicate manner I think you are capable of. Because you've been there before."

Looking back down at the file, his mind raced with possibilities. If, by chance, there had been real alien contact, he really would be the best to contain this. The last thing they needed was for the rumors to become fact. That could prove dangerous for more people than anyone knew. Than he even knew.

Nodding slightly he moved to stand. "Alright. I'll do it. I'll leave immediately."

Valenti smiled then raised his hand. "Before you agree…there is one small detail you need to know about."

His eyebrows furrowed. "What's that?"

Valenti almost visibly winced. "A partner. You'll need to take a partner."

He shook his head. "No. Absolutely not. You know I work with no one."

"I know. But…this is a special case." The director stood so he was face to face with his agent. "Believe me, you're going to want this back up. Please. I'm begging you. This is my son. I really need you on this one."

Seeing a flash of desperation shoot through his director's eyes, he nodded slowly. "Fine. But this is the one and only time. Have him meet me at the airport in…" He glanced down at his watch. "…an hour."

Valenti extended his hand hiding the smirk on his face at his agent's use of the word 'him'. "We'll do and all the particulars are in the file. Thank you, Max."

One more nod and he turned to stride out of the office. Once the door was closed behind him, Max Evans closed his eyes and let out a sigh. A partner. The one thing he'd always fought against. What in the world had possessed him to agree? Shaking his head he let out another sigh. There had been something in Valenti's eyes he couldn't ignore. That's why. Not to mention his own very important personal reasons for taking this case.

Besides, it was just this one time. He could handle it. He hoped.

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An hour and 14 minutes later:

"This is the last call for Flight 285 going to Roswell, New Mexico. Last call for flight 285."

Agitation was clearly written over Agent Max Evan's face as he glanced back down at his watch. Where the hell was he? One more minute and he'd forget Valenti even mentioned a partner and hop on the plane without him. Last call being given he would be justified.

A mischievous smile curved Max's lips slightly before he grabbed his bag and headed around the corner toward the gate. Well, that would be one way to get out of having a partner this trip. Before he knew what hit him…something did. Literally. Something soft and warm with a head full of dark hair that flew in his face and a smell that filled his senses.

"Oh my God! I’m so sorry!" She tripped trying to straighten up and would have fallen backwards over the suitcases that dropped to the floor on impact if Max hadn't wrapped his arm around her waist to steady her. He looked down in to her face, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Liz? Liz Parker?" His voice was strangely strangled as he spoke her name.

Her eyes raised to meet his and a slow smile captured her lips turning the corners up. "Hi…Max. I didn't think you'd remember me."

Max blinked at her statement not able to form any coherent thought. Well, none that he could say out loud. Not remember her? She'd been the only girl he'd ever dreamed about. The one he compared every other woman in the world to. If they could do a casting call for the lead in all of his fantasies, Liz Parker wouldn't even have to audition. The role was made for her. She was his…dreamgirl.

Not receiving a verbal response, Liz pushed her hair nervously behind her ears. "You don't, do you? I mean, it…it has been a while. And it was only for such a short time. But…"

"Sophmore year." Max breathed lightly bringing a smile back to her face that was now flushed with embarrassment.

Liz nodded. "Yeah. West Roswell High."

"Mrs. Hardy's biology class." They both stated before starting to chuckle. Liz let out a sweet laugh. "Yeah. Small world isn't it?"

Max nodded and swallowed, his eyes drinking in the sight of her. "Small but pleasant." Max's face broke into a smile. "My God, Liz. It is so great to see you. What…what are you doing here?"

Liz's smile faded and her long lashes blinked in surprise. "Why…didn't you know? Didn't Director Valenti tell you? Max…I'm…I'm your new partner."