Thanks to Tess Harding for a beea...utiful banner.
Title: The Many Changes of Love
Author: Ms. Anonymous a.k.a Bdjamilah
Rating: Teen/ Mild Adult
Category: Max and Liz (Minor UC/Minor AU/ FF)
Disclaimer: The plot and characters of Roswell are not mine. They belong to imaginations far greater
Summary: This fic starts off at the beginning of 'Departure'. Tess will live through the fanfic and she will be pregnant. The gang will not find out who killed Alex and Tess's baby will be able to survive on earth. And you'll see why later on. Ok back to 'Departure', Max and Liz never left Liz's bedroom... read people and you'll see why.
*Author’s Note: Hello everyone, I’m back. I’ve decided to repost this fic for the simple purpose of editing and making changes. As a writer, I hope those of you who have not read this fic will take a chance on it.
WARNING: This Fic is full of angst and at times the characters will make uncharacteristic decisions that may anger the reader. You are reading this fic at your own risk. I’m asking that if you have any opinions that are not constructive criticism…please keep them to yourself. Thank you
Forward:
Max: You were right, about Alex. He was killed by an alien. I prayed that that wasn't the case but it was. We're responsible.
Liz: I never blamed you, Max. I never blamed any of you.
Max: I know. I know you didn't.
Liz: I never wanted to lose you.
Max: Me either. Liz there's something I need to tell you. It's about Tess and me...
Liz: You're together now, I know.
Max: It more than that. Our relationship is... uh, we spent the night together.
Liz: Oh...
Max: Liz... Tess is pregnant.
Liz: (mouth agape, pain and betrayal evident in her eyes) She's...
Max: I know you're upset.
A few moments, of which seem almost like an eternity, goes by as Liz blankly stares into Max's eyes. As tears suddenly fall, she lets out a short bitter laugh, of which never reaches her eyes. Anger suddenly explodes within as it finally dawns on her of what Max just said.
Liz: (whispers calmly) Upset? Upset? (her voice raising as her calm explodes) God I-I trusted you, I gave you everything. I jumped off bridges for you..., I broke laws for you. I risked getting shot for you. I trusted you! And you go off-god, with Tess- God I saved myself for you!
Max: Saved your self? You slept with Kyle!
Liz: (deflated) Get out (turning away from him)
A few moments go by in silence as Max takes everything in.
Max: Liz, you never slept with Kyle, did you?
Liz: (turning to face him, her eyes fill with tears once again) No
Max: Liz...
Liz: Leave Max... This is it. It's been over for a while now. Me denying having slept with Kyle isn't going to change that.
Max: No (breaking down) Liz, I can't
Liz: Yes you can. (sobbed) Let... me...go
Max: I can't...
Max slowly, determined not to lose her, walks over to Liz. Cupping her face gently, his lips slowly descend upon hers. They spend long moments giving each other open mouth kisses. Slowly descending upon the bed, Max and Liz's kisses grew longer and heated. "We can't do this Max..." Liz gasped between kisses. Liz didn't know whether to go with her mind, which was telling her to push him, or go with her heart, which was telling her to move forward with being with the man she loved because this would be the last time.
She went with her heart. Max was Tess's forever but this was the one moment in time where Max belonged to her. "Liz... I can't let go..." Max whispered in anguish as he looked into her somber brown eyes. "But... if you want me to..." Max stated slowly, hoping that she wouldn't tell him yes to stop, took her mouth again. "No don't go...just- just for tonight..."Liz breathed. Receiving flashes of their past, Max and Liz slowly strip away each other's clothes. Max began kissing Liz from head to toe.
They met each other in a fever, flesh upon flesh. They gloried in one another's love, stroking. Max slowly eased into Liz's entrance before coming to her barrier. "Liz... are you sure?" "Yes... now Max now..." He moved then thrusting into her. Max groaned in pleasure as Liz cried out in pain, arching her back, her nails leaving crescents in his broad shoulders. "Don't cry Liz, please" Max whispered, kissing her tears away as they became accustom to one another. Max kissed Liz, then, slowly showing her how much she meant to him. His intoxicating kisses, slowly, put Liz into a fervor for more.
Clinching around his member, Max started to move. Losing control, he thrust in desperation. Liz moaned, panting out Max's name. Their sweat mingled together as the temperature of their mating rose to alarming degrees. Max couldn't get enough of her. Liz, then again met the center of the universe for the second time, as Max moved into her, crying. She lay boneless under Max as he cried out her name, eyes clenched shut. Seconds later, Max fell upon her panting, jolting her back into reality. What had she done?! She had just had sex with the love of her life, who not days ago made love to someone else.
"Oh god..." she gasped in pain and horror.” Liz..." Max asked, lifting his head to have found her gone pale, tears springing from her dark brown eyes. "Liz..." "Get up, get up, Max." Liz cried urgently pushing at his shoulders, feeling the bile and nausea rise within her. "Liz..." "Not now, Max" Liz shouted as she ran into the adjoining bathroom, slamming the door. Max sat there in shock. Standing up, he heard Liz vomiting. He knocked on the door. "Go away, Max" Liz sobbed as she leaned over the toilet. Max slowly backed away from the door. 'What had he done?'
Lying naked on the cold bathroom tile, Liz had a new out look on how screwed up her life really was. She hadn't actually realized it until the exact moment when she lay spent under Max's body. Stiff and sore, Liz groaned as she stood in front of her bathroom mirror. Looking into the mirror, she inwardly groaned some more. Her appearance would scare the small town of Roswell, if they could catch a glimpse of her now. Hair in limp tangles, puffy bloodshot eyes, a swollen mouth and a body that ached from lost innocence, she looked and felt like she was just dragged out of the gutter.
Slowly donning her silk robe, Liz cautiously opened the door to see that Max had indeed left. She gave a sigh of relief as she made her way to the bed only to clench her eyes shut at the bloodstains upon her sheets. Hoping against hope that they would disappear and this would be just a very bad dream. She looked away in shame. Liz didn't know whether to laugh or cry at her antics. She was indeed going insane. Liz quickly removed the sheets, replacing them with clean ones, keeping her eyes away from the evidence of her lost innocence.
What had she become? She was supposed to be the perfect Liz Parker. But when had she ever been perfect. She like everyone else had always put the label upon herself as being perfect, of being the one who thought rationally through a moment of crisis. Until this very last moment when she had found out that the love of her life had just carelessly given his virginity away to another. And then she had foolishly given her virginity to him, not a week later.
Crawling into bed, Liz burrowed herself under the covers not caring the least that it was still daylight outside. She was never coming out again. "Chica, you ready to shop till we drop? Oh… how did it go with Don Juan?" Liz sighed as Maria burst into the room in her usual Maria 'Hurricane' Deluca way. 'God, what have I done to deserve this?' Liz thought as she burrowed further under the covers. "Lizzie...?" "What?" Liz muffled under the covers, trying not to cry at her stupidity. "Liz...?" Maria asked again this time in concern before pulling back the covers.
Maria gasped as she saw the defeated look in Liz's swollen eyes. Maria looked her friend over in her disheveled state and almost cried out the pain that was evident. "Liz, what happened?" I don't want to talk about it Maria." Before pulling the cover back over her head. "Tough sh--t, talk Chica" Maria demanded firmly pulling the covers back. Liz looked her friend in the eye and knew Maria wouldn't judge her. Because she really didn't need that right now. "I slept with Max" Liz whispered, ashamed.
"As in snoring sleeping" Maria asked dreading the answer. "No Maria, as in sex!" "Liz, come on stop you were only gone..." "Yes Maria" Liz sighed, tears rolling down her cheeks, as she clenched her sheet. "Oh…" Maria stated suddenly deflated before hopping off of the bed. "Ohmigod, Liz" Maria screeched rubbing her hands roughly down her behind. "Ewww, sorry Chica wouldn't want to get Don Juan's little green alien men on my jeans. What? They’re new." Maria replied sheepishly before crouching down in front of Liz's bed.
"That's not all..." Liz's face went blank of emotions. "Well, what else could there be?" Maria grimaced dreading what was coming up next. "He had sex with Tess and she's pregnant." "What?" Maria screeched, standing abruptly in shock. "What did you just say?" "He had sex with Tess..." Maria starts pacing at this, hands waving. "I heard you. I heard you, Liz. Let me get this straight, you had sex with him..." "Not so loud, Maria." Liz hissed sitting up in bed watching Maria rant and rave.
"Not so loud? Liz have you lost it? Max has sex with Tess and gets her pregnant and you have sex with him?" "I know. I know..." "You know, you know. I don't think you do know Liz. Did you guys like use protection?" Maria asked standing rigidly in front of the bed, her fists balled. Liz went white with shame, embarrassment, and fear answering Maria's question in the process. "Oh my god, I guess that's a no. So tell me Liz what do you think about the possibility of alien herpes, alien Aids, oh yeah let's not forget alien pregnancies?" Maria asked sarcastically, so mad she could spit.
Liz breaks down in tears then covering her face with her hands, hating Maria for what she was saying but knowing full well she was right. She hadn't even thought of the possibility of getting pregnant or of contracting some alien STD. The only thought that ran through her mind from the time she lay in bed with Max to this very moment was the fact of how stupid she was to sleep with Max in the first place, and after he had already moved on and slept with Tess. The thought hadn't even crossed her mind of the consequences of having slept with him.
'What was she going to do if she was pregnant? What would happen if she became sick and never survived past next week? How would that affect her parents? How was she going to tell her parents that she was pregnant at the age of seventeen? How could she afford a baby? She wasn't even finished high school yet. Oh god...' "Liz babe, I'm sorry" Maria whispered climbing on the bed beside her friend, hugging as she cried. "I'm sorry...so sorry..."
Sitting up, Liz wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. "What am I going to do, Maria?" Maria sat cross-legged examining her defeated friend and made up her mind. "Get up." "What?" "Get up, your going to go take a shower" Maria demanded pushing Liz off the bed. "We're going out." Maria said while shoving Liz into the bathroom. "But Maria..." "No buts. We're going shopping. The way I see it is we can't think of plans for our problems if the problems haven't even arrived yet. We'll take it one day at a time and for now the best cure for your suicidal state is to go shopping and get some fresh air." Maria ranted before reaching for the door. "Maria?" "Yeah, Chica." Maria stopped expectantly. "I love you" Liz smiled, somberly turning on the shower. "I love you too. Now hop to it, shopping a-waits."
A Few Days Later
"Hey... ummm Max can I talk to you for a second?" Liz asked finding Max, Isabel, Tess seated outside in the squad during lunch. "Yeah sure." Ignoring Isabel and Tess's quizzical looks Max grabbed up his books. Liz couldn't even look at Tess without losing her composure, so she watched Max grab his things before following him towards the bleachers. Liz had a lot to think about these last few days. A possible pregnancy, Max, Tess, parents, school, the whole shebang. And with Maria's help, she came to a conclusion.
Liz felt a lot better than she had a few days a go, the only telling sign saying she was going through something bad was the shadows under her eyes from lack of sleep. Too many things to think about, to worry about. Liz wanted to be free again and the only way to accomplish that feet would be to let Max go. He looked as bad as she felt: five o'clock shadow, bags under his eyes which at the moment were bloodshot red.
"Liz listen I just wanted to apologize for the other day. I took advantage of you and I'm sorry..." Turning to meet his eyes with angry eyes of her own, Liz tried to control her emotions enough not to snap. "That's bull Max. I had just as much a choice in what we did as you did. Do you honestly think I would have let you go that far if I didn't want you? But that's beside the point, isn't it? The point being, I can't have you." Max nodded, his gaze centered toward the field. "It's time to let go, Max. To make a clean break."
"Do you think it'll work...?" "It has to work or else I won't survive. I'm tired, Max. Really tired" Liz sighed rolling her eyes towards the sky before rolling them back to wards him. "So what about the other day, do we just throw that away?" Max whispered turning his gaze toward her. Liz sat there for a couple of moments weighing her words before answering," Yes... we're not meant to be, Max."
Sighing, "We never were. You have your path to follow and I have mine. I need to follow my own path, Max. We're both suffocating, as much as we want to deny it we are. So it's either continue our relationship in the process suffocating the life out of one another or move on." Liz replied swallowing her tears back. "Then I guess... we move on." Max answered his face devoid of expression.
"Ok..., there can be no friendship between us, Max. If you see me... walk the other way or plainly ignore me and vice versa. If you need me in a life or death crisis, I'll always be there. But other than that we have no reason to converse at all." Liz whispered, holding her emotions in check. "What if you need me?" "I won't need you!" "Yes you will" he answered in anger. "Alright then I'll call you...but don't count on it!" Liz replied coldly before calmly standing up and walking away, leaving Max to watch her leave once again.
That Night
Liz lay tangled in her sheets, tossing and turning, as she dreamt of Max and Tess. No... No Liz whispered in her sleep as she witnessed the nuptials. 'Do you Max Evans take Tess Harding to be your lawfully wedded wife....? I do.... Now you may kiss the bride.' Max kisses Tess tenderly' Then people applauded happily as Max and Tess walked down the isle. Another scene came up in which an older Liz is seen running down a dark street near the Crash Down after a black van screaming Alex's name at the top of her lungs.
Liz woke up in a cold sweat, breathing hard. Fear clouding her mind. 'Oh god what was that?' Liz breathed as her heart slowed its pace. She, shivering, couldn't help but feel that something wasn't right. She had the exact same feeling after Alex's death. Something just wasn't right.
Two Weeks Later:
It was fifth period and Liz was starving for food. Rushing across the squad to a quiet area, she ignored the suspicious looks from Max, Isabel, Michael, and Tess. She was hungry. Just this morning her breakfast had consisted of a leftover ice cream Sundae loaded down with chocolate syrup and tons of Tabasco sauce. If Liz didn't know this morning then she knew now that she was indeed pregnant. No pregnancy tests, no morning sickness just a really big urge for that ice cream Sundae, from the night before, and Tabasco sauce. Luckily, her parents had driven out early this morning to a restaurant convention in Albuquerque or she would've had some serious questions to answer. Mainly from her mother. Nancy Parker was a suspicious mother by nature and seeing her only daughter greedily gobble down a large ice cream Sundae would've looked very suspicious.
Pulling out and opening her neatly wrapped tuna sandwich, Liz didn't notice Maria coming up behind her as she neatly mixed yogurt with Tabasco sauce into the sandwich. Taking a huge bite, Liz moaned in delight. "Liz... Chica what the hell is that?" Maria asked fearfully, eyes bulging, mouth agape. Liz looked up startled in the process of taking another bite when she heard Maria. Looking as guilty as a sin, Liz slowly put down the sandwich. 'Damn these cravings' Liz thought.
"Hey, Maria" Liz greeted nervously wiping the corners of her mouth before meeting Maria's eyes. "Lizzie answer my question." "What question?" Liz asked innocently knowing full well what Maria just asked. "You know what question. What are you eating?" "Oh just a sandwich." Maria not believing that for a second snatches up the sandwich with Liz grabbing for it, desperately, in the process. Maria sniffs at it examining its contents. "Is this yogurt and tuna fish...with Tabasco sauce?"
Snatching it back, Liz frowned indignantly at Maria before answering her. "Yes it is if you don't mind?" Taking another bite Liz moaned, not embarrassed in the least, as Maria shuddered. "I'm telling Max." Maria started. Liz's head snapped up, eyes deadly intent blazing with fire, meeting Maria's gaze head on. Maria took a step back. "No-o, you... will not tell Max a thing!" Liz grounded out angrily, just as puzzled as Maria at her response.
For the past two weeks, she had been feeling these uncontrollable emotions run through her in a whirlwind. As if one thing went wrong she would just snap into a rage. Controlling her feelings and thoughts had been work but she had survived through it until now when Maria mentioned Max, as if some instinct was telling her to protect as well as do harm if threatened, she had indeed snapped. Liz felt so confused.
"I'm sorry for snapping, Maria. Please don't tell Max!" She sighed pleadingly to her friend. "He needs to know, Liz.” "I know and I'm going to tell him. I just need the time to adjust first to becoming a mom. I'll tell him...just not right now." Liz breathed combing her hands through her hair in a sigh of stress. Understanding, Maria nodded. "Ok but promise me you'll tell him soon." "I promise..." Liz smiled.
"Now can I eat my sandwich... in peace?" "Sure, go right ahead." Maria replied, watching Liz in horror as she took another bite of her sandwich, while trying not to gag. After lunch, Liz and Maria went there separate ways. Maria to English Literature and Liz to Calculus. Walking down the crowded hall, Liz came upon Max and Tess holding hands just before he kissed her fore head.
Liz tried not to look, pushing her hair nervously behind her ear, as she past them walking the opposite way. Max didn't give away anything in his expression that he saw her but kept on walking. Liz didn't know why it hurt seeing him with Tess being as though she came up with the whole idea of moving on from the beginning. Liz tried throughout the day to shake off her depression but it wouldn't leave.
Later that night as Liz tossed and turned in her bed, she dreamt again for the third time this week of Max and Tess getting married. But that wasn't the worst of what she dreamt about. Liz dreamt again of running down the street after a dark van wailing Alex's name. In the end she always woke up in a cold sweat. Alex was dead she thought as a cold chill of fear ran done her spine. She really needed someone to hold her.
Early On that Night:
"Max, where are we going?" Tess asked excitedly, as they drove through the open desert. "Someplace special." Max smiled, squeezing her hand gently as he drove out into the night. He couldn't help but think he was making another huge mistake. That once he said what he had to say there would be no turning back. Max had a tremendous urge to turn the jeep around and say never mind but he owed this to Tess and the baby to be a man and step up to his responsibilities.
Driving up to the rock formation where the pods lay, Max parked. This is where he had first met her, where he had first laid eyes on her, so this was just as good as any other place to seal his fate. "Max...?" Tess asked her voice filled with concern as she realized where they were. Hopping out of the jeep, Max helped Tess out before leading her up the rocky path. Laying his palm upon the cold, rocky surface of the wall leading to the pod chamber, Max met Tess's gaze. Shaking inside with dread and nervousness, Max pulled Tess through the opening. This was supposed to be Liz. Their fate was supposed to be together. So then why was he proposing to Tess? 'Because she's having your baby and you owe it to her to make sure she's happy and well taken care of. Seeing as though this was your fault in the first place. That's why. Oh yeah and one more reason, Liz doesn't want you anymore.' He thought as he glanced at the pods before turning towards Tess.
Taking both of her hands into his, "Tess, do you remember when I said I was ready to wake up?" Tess looked up at Max confused before answering, "Yeah..." "And do you remember telling me that you would be here for 'eternity'? Nodding, her curls shook as she stared up into his eyes. "Did you mean it when you said that?" "Of course, Max. What is all this about?" Tess asked nervously. "Well first, I want to apologize for taking advantage of you. You've always been there for me and I guess I've expected that. I just never thought of the fact that one day you might get tired of waiting and leave." "Max...?" "I don't want you to leave, Tess. In fact, I would really need for you to stay and become my wife..." Surprised would be an understatement to what Tess was feeling right now, she couldn't move. Grinning, Max kneeled down, taking out an engagement ring with an alien symbol embedded into it out of his pocket. Max took a deep breath, "Tess will you marry me?"
A few Days later
Max knocked on Sheriff Valenti's door Saturday morning with a bouquet of daisies, Tess's favorite, a stuffed spaceship, for the baby, and a newspaper. He had a lot to think about these last few days after proposing to Tess. And Max again came to the same conclusion, he had made his bed and now he was prepared to sleep in it but... he couldn't do this if he was still living under his parents' roof. "Max? What can I do for ya?" Jim Valenti greeted upon answering the door. "Uh... hey I'm here to see Tess." Max greeted in discomfort knowing full well Valenti knew what happened three weeks ago. "Come on in. She's in her room." Valenti replied, stepping back as Max entered.
"So Max... I'm just going to get to the point. I'm not going to pretend to be your parent and tell you what's right from wrong. I just want to let you know that I'm here if you need to talk or anything." Valenti finished in concern, uncomfortable at the situation all together but also realizing he couldn't do a damn thing about. All Jim could do was step in when needed. Max nodded his head in understanding, "Thanks Sheriff". "No problem. So, I'm just gonna take a walk." Max nodded once again as he watched the Sheriff leave, before walking into Tess’s room. Tess looked up from painting her toe nails as Max entered. Startled, she uttered a curse as she spilled the red fingernail polish on her bed.
Waving her hand over the mess, she smiled. "Max..." Tess greeted hopping off the bed. "Hey... I don't think I've ever heard you speak such language before." Max greeted before meeting her lips for a brief kiss. "Well, it's a lot of things you don't know about me, Max." Tess teased. Smiling, not really getting the indication of that statement, Max shook his head before saying, "These are for you and this is for the baby." Holding out the daisies and stuffed toy. "So how are you feeling?" Max asked staring at her belly in concern. "As good as can be expected considering the morning sickness and dizziness. Thanks Max, this is so sweet." Tess beamed, taking the gifts before giving him another kiss, this time showing him her appreciation. Pulling back, Max smiled. "No alien side effects." "No I'm fine, Max. I read up on morning sickness. I've got it just about covered." Tess smiled over Max's concern while pointing to a box of saltine crackers, a jar of peanut butter, Tabasco sauce, and a bottle of ginger ale on her nightstand.
"So Max, what are you doing here?" "I just wanted to see you. And I thought we could try looking for an apartment." Max answered, indicating the newspaper in his hand. "Are you sure, Max?" Tess asked, uneasily trying not to get her hopes up to high to crash and burn. "Yeah. Why not? We're going to be a family right? We can't live my parents forever." "I know that, Max. Speaking of your parents… When and what are you planning on telling them?" Tess asked, sitting upon her bed Indian style. "Tonight... and the truth." He shrugged, not wanting to give a thought as to how his parents would react to becoming grandparents. "The truth being..." Tess prodded. "That I was irresponsible and… I love you and wanna make things right." Appeased, Tess grinned. "Ok... let's look at those apartments, then." Tess replied pulling Max down beside her.
An hour earlier:
"One hundred, twenty-three pounds." Liz uttered, stepping off her scale. She had read this was going to happen. But not so soon, she was only almost three weeks and already she was gaining weight. 'Vain' she thought. 'I am not vain.' she muttered to herself quietly. Wiping the steam off the mirror with her towel, Liz looked at her reflection. Who was she? She wasn't Liz Parker. Liz Parker didn't get knocked up. So, who was she, then? Sighing, she brushed her teeth, wiping her mouth with the towel, after toward. Liz stood up meeting her reflection again in the mirror, only this time to find her reflection no longer had eyes, a nose, or lips.
Gasping in disbelief, she stumbled back before moving forward again to examine her missing features in the mirror. Liz tried to stay calm, then, but to her horror it wasn't working. Waving her hand in front of the mirror, Liz's features once again resurfaced to a terrified expression. The scientist in her wanted to know what exactly was going with her body but the human inside was too afraid to find out. Then the memory resurfaced in her mind of Max healing her and bringing her back to life. So, she was indeed changing now but... this could also be the cause of being pregnant by an alien. Looking at herself once again, Liz chalked it up to just losing it. She was bound to be a certifiable nutcase anyway. So why shouldn't it be happening now... in the mist of her pregnancy.
Getting dressed in jeans and a short sleeved t-shirt, Liz planned on going to the park to get some much needed air, reading about 'Pregnancy' in the process, before heading over to Maria's. She had a whole stack load of information on being pregnant, hidden of course, from giant textbooks to articles off the Internet. Liz wanted as much information on having a baby as humanly possible before going into labor. Because there was no way she could go to an obstetrician and still believe she'd last a week before ending up in the FBI'S claws. So she had only herself to rely upon now. The way Liz saw it, she had until the end of February, next year, to go into labor that is if things went normal and there weren't any alien side effects. Liz had to face the fact that she was in deed alone and couldn't count on Maria, Max, or her parents to keep her and her child alive. She had to do that herself.
Liz still had yet to tell Max or her parents that she was pregnant. She didn't know how she felt about it besides the overwhelming fear that something bad was going to happen. How was she going to tell Max? How was she going to tell her mom and dad? How would they react? Liz was almost too terrified to find out. Dressed, Liz grabbed her book, 'The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Jovine that Maria had bought her, and left by closing her bedroom door behind her. Downstairs, she grabbed an orange, banana, Tabasco sauce, and orange juice before stuffing the items into her tote bag, heading out into the diner.
Waving to her dad at the grill, Liz walked the three blocks to the public playground. She couldn't resist but go in. She was drawn instantly to the squeals of laughter. Sitting on a bench, Liz watched as toddlers and children of all ages ran around the jungle gym. There were mothers and fathers pushing their young ones in swings. There sitting on the benches were young parents feeding and playing with their babies. This made Liz smile a real smile of wonder, knowing that one day she would be experiencing that exact same joy. This was the first time in weeks that she actually felt optimistic about being pregnant. She was still terrified, though, of what was to come but the excitement and relief, Liz felt, was quickly replacing the fear and apprehension of having a child. She knew then... that everything would be all right.
That Evening after Dinner
"Max... honey is everything ok?" Diane Evans asked sitting across from her son in the living room. "Yeah son, what is it that you needed to speak to us about?" Phillip Evans asked, sitting beside his wife as they both gazed at Max with worried expressions. Sighing, Max glanced at his parents and sister with a mixture of both shame and fear before speaking, "I don't know how to say this but to just say it..." "Oh Max, get on with it. My date will arrive in any minute." Isabel breathed impatiently not the least bit ashamed to let her agitation show. Ignoring Isabel, Max went on. "I just want to let you know that I never meant to cause you any of this pain and disappointment. I simply wasn't thinking..." "Max..." Diane interrupted. "Let me just finish mom..." Sucking in a deep breath, Max blurted out his unorganized thoughts," I'm getting married."
Silence met with silence as the sound of the grandfather clock ticked away in the background. Phillip Evans started howling then in laughter as Diane looked to her husband with a disapproving frown before looking to Max to explain. Isabel was too dazed and confused to say anything. "Max, don't you think you're a little too young to be getting married?" Phillip asked, extremely amused after having calm down. "I mean you've only just turn eighteen and your still in high school." Phillip Evans stated, uneasily at Max's expression of guilt. "That isn't all..." "Then... what is it, Max?" Diane breathed sharply, dreading the news. "You’re going to be grandparents."
Silence yet again filled the neatly furnished room, only this time Phillip Evans didn't laugh but bellowed in rage. "What?" Shock, anger, and disappointment filled out Diane Evans features. "Please Phillip... How could you do this, Max? Who... who is she?" "Her name's Tess Harding…"Max stated, his face yet again devoid of emotion.”You mean that nice girl Isabel hangs out with? That Tess? What happened to Liz Parker?" "Yes... and it didn't work out." Max answered clenching his jaw.
"It doesn't really matter who she is. The problem can be rectified by tomorrow afternoon... with an abortion!" Phillip Evans stated bluntly, deadly calm as he met the gaze of his only son.
"Phillip..." Diane gasped, turning toward her husband. "Sorry dad, the decision has already been made. We're having the baby." Max replied enraged. His usual calm hazel-brown eyes were turbulent with rage at his father's coldness. "Not under my roof your not. You can either terminate it or move out. Your choice, Max?" Phillip stated calmly, moving to leave the room. "Then..., I'll just have to move out then." Max whispered quietly, tears clouding his eyes, stopping Phillip cold. Both Isabel and Diane silently looked on crying as they took in the two most important men in their lives. One standing in the doorway to the kitchen… the other exiting the premises.
Rewinding... to that morning:
After having walked the six blocks to Maria's house, Liz knocked on the door. She waited two more minutes before knocking again. Glaring at the door a few minutes later, Liz felt her agitation rise to worry. Banging on the door, she finally heard muffled noises before hearing Maria scream, "I'm coming. Can't a girl make...Liz?" Maria greeted, flushing in embarrassment. Liz was immediately suspicious. "Was I interrupting...something?" Liz asked while trying to see into the kitchen over Maria's head before taking in Maria's state of dress. "Oh no...not at all." "Ok...so why don't you invite me in Maria?" Liz asked, not the least bit phased by Maria's 'innocence'. A few seconds pass, as Maria adjusted her thoughts under Liz's scrutiny.
Sighing dejectedly, Maria admitted a bit annoyed, “Because, Michael isn't...dressed." Liz pointed to Maria's jeans unzipped for the world to see. Horridly zipping her jeans, Maria flushed once more in embarrassment. At that moment, Michael chose to step into the kitchen. And he was just as disheveled as Maria, maybe more so. Liz tried to keep from smiling as she noticed Michael's shirt was on backwards, showing the tag. "Hey." Michael grunted, opening the refrigerator. Liz rolled her eyes towards the sky before meeting Maria's gaze. "I guess this isn't a good time after all...seeing as though I'm still outside. I'll call you later." Liz sighed, mood swings kicking in, before turning to leave.
"Liz...wait. Michael was just leaving." Maria called out abruptly at her friend's departure. Liz turned, frowning. She should of known her good mood wasn't going to last. "What?" Michael asked sharply with annoyance before grabbing a chocolate chip cookie and the milk. "Michael, right?" Michael then looked between Maria and Liz, carton midway to his mouth, before putting the carton of milk back, disappointment. "Yeah, right." Michael mumbled, moving to leave before Maria grabbed him for a kiss. Liz once again rolled her eyes toward the bright blue sky, happy that at least one of her friends was happy. Leaving, Michael passed Liz without so much as word of goodbye.
The usual Michael 'I'm a brick wall's motto’, which she had learned early on to have patience with, had now escaped her grasp. Liz seriously desired to go after him and smack him one. Looking to Maria, Liz followed her inside, closing the door behind her. In Maria's room, they sat in an awkward silence which Liz couldn't resist breaking. "So... I would've thought you had learned from my mistakes by now. I guess not." Liz stated, teasing ling baiting Maria. "I did. I didn't lose my virginity. If I had though, you could bet you a-- that Michael would've been wearing a condom and I'd still be on my big batch of birth control pills. Unlike you and Max." Maria replied in defense. "Well then I guess that's why you’re still a virgin. I wouldn't have taken you for hypocrite, Maria. Don't judge me, one minute and then five minutes later, do the exact same thing." Liz retorted, eyes blazing.
Blowing out a breath, Maria really looked at Liz and realized the girl was finally shedding her claws. Don't get Maria wrong, Liz did have claws but she never used them. Maria couldn't help but grin, which took Liz back even more. "Listen, Liz. Michael knows that this chic isn't going any further than kissing, ok and maybe a little bit of foreplay, without a ring on her finger. I just…I never meant to judge you, Lizzie. You're my best friend and... I trust that if I needed a reality check you wouldn't hesitate in dishing it out to me. I'm the same way. I don't want to cause you anymore pain then you have to deal with but neither am I going to sugar coat the truth either." Maria stated, walking over to her closet. Liz sat there puzzled at her outburst while nodding somberly in agreement to Maria's statement. Finally finding the gift bag, Maria smiled. 'This might cheer her up', Maria thought.
Sighing in exhaustion, Liz finally glanced up to find Maria standing stock still with her hands behind her back, trying not to smile. "Don't cry, Liz. Because then, I'll start crying and you know how that goes." Liz certainly knew how it went. If Maria started crying she would never stop and then it would be a bawl fiesta between the both of them crying. Maria, then, pulled out a gift bag from behind her back. "Ok? What's in the bag?" Liz asked beyond curious as to what it was. "Nothing really, just this and that." Maria replied nonchalantly, all but bursting inside. "For me? Can I see?" Liz grinned. Handing over the gift bag, Maria plopped down next to her on the bed, anxiously. Liz gasped in surprise as she looked into the bag, "Oh my gosh, Maria?" Liz exclaimed, trying to hold in her tears.
She examined the contents meticulously, each one bringing tears to her eyes. Baby clothes. They were so tiny. There were two infant bodysuits: One white and one red with spaceships printed in the center, a pack of coveralls in: yellow, green, and blue, a white and yellow knit blanket, a washcloth set, another pack of striped caps matching the coveralls. And last but not least was a rectangular blue gift box tied in a blue ribbon. Finally, Liz glanced upon from examining the clothes to see Maria hovering over shoulder, expectantly.
"It finally hit home, Maria. I mean it really hit home. Before I was just basically going through the motions. Yes, I knew I was going to have a baby in my mind and I was prepared... But it never truly hit home in my heart. You know... not until now... that I'm going to be a mother. That, this beautiful... human being will belong to me. Will look up to me for protection. Will love and depend on me. And all long I was thinking about myself, about how Max hurt me..." Liz whispered, tears leaking down her face, as she picked up each piece of clothing once again. Wiping her tears away, Maria waited. "About how this was affecting me... about how this would ruin my life... about how everyone was going to react to me being pregnant. But... I never really looked at the big picture, Maria. It isn't about me anymore." Picking up the box, Liz slid the bow free before opening the box to see a green rattle. Picking it up, she rattled it smiling. Placing the rattle on the bed, Liz, then started going through the box, again quiet. There was another Bib, another bodysuit without sleeves, soft cargo pants, a reversible cardigan, and another soft knit blanket, this time green.
Glancing up, Liz met Maria’s eyes. "Thanks Maria... for being my friend." "Oh, you’re welcome Chica. You better get use to it though." "What?" "Me spoiling my niece or nephew rotten, of course." Maria teased, trying to lighten the mood and succeeding. Liz laughed her first real laugh in months. Maria grinned before going stern, "Now go wash your face and get yourself together." "Why?" Liz asked curiously, in the doorway. "Why? Because... we have hot dates with our favorite men tonight... Ben & Jerry." Maria replied indignantly before grinning. Liz laughed, helplessly, before leaving toward the bathroom. Closing the door behind her, Liz went to wet the washcloth, she had found in the hallway closet, but immediately gripped the sink as dizziness struck her blind. The last thing Liz remembered, before fainting away, was hitting the floor.
Walking outside of the bathroom door, Maria heard a thump. Calling out Liz's name, Maria became instantly worried when she knocked once again but no answer came. "Lizzie...Liz?" Maria called out; pushing the door open to find Liz sprawled out unconscious on the bathroom floor as the water ran. "Oh god..." She cried out, panicking. Running into her room, Maria found a vile of Cyprus oil that could wake the dead. Crouching over Liz in the bathroom, Maria waves the odor under Liz's nose, desperately. She did this for a few moments with success. Liz moaned grimacing in pain, as she tried to touch the back of her head. Opening her eyes a few times, Liz's eyes focused Maria's whose eyes were filled with concern.
"Liz...chica, are you ok? I heard this loud thump. Did you hurt anything?" Maria asked holding out a hand. "I don't know...not really." Liz replied, drawing in a deep breath, before standing up. "God, Liz don't ever scare me like that again." Maria's voice trembled at the thought of losing her best friend. Liz smiled, "I'll try not to... Maria I need to sit down." Liz stated, urgently, feeling the dizziness coming on again. "Oh no you don't. C'mon, I'll help you." Maria grabbed Liz by the arm, before slowly pulling her into her room before sitting her down on the side of the bed. "Liz, when are you going to tell Max?" "I don't know..." "You don't know?" "Monday, Maria." Liz interrupted, exhausted, lying back on the bed. "I'm just so tired." Liz yawned. "No Liz, you could a have a concussion." Maria warned, grabbing the cartons of ice cream off her dresser. "Yes, mother" Liz teased, grabbing the carton of Vanilla with Caramel swirl. The one thing she couldn't resist, even if it was a matter of life and death, during her pregnancy was ice cream, with extra sugar and Tabasco sauce. Looking into the container, "Maria, you have any Tabasco sauce?" Maria, in answer to that rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. "Yeah, sit here. I'll get it." "Oh yeah and Maria 'sugar'" Liz called out of the room. Maria wanted to vomit.
Monday:
"Moon doggie is staring at you again. And very closely, I might say." Maria observed. Liz stopped midway, a spoon of applesauce mixed with sugar halfway to her mouth. Glaring at Maria, Liz refused to turn around and see. She had enough problems, as it was, that was not including Max Evans. "I, so, do not need this right now, Maria." "It's time babe, now or never." "Never would be just fine with me." Liz muttered, clearly in a bad mood, not caring in the least how she sounded. She had been through too much on the account of Max Evans and she just wanted to be left alone. But Maria wasn't going for it, "Either you do it or I do it. Either way he will know." "Have a seat Maria. If you weren't my best friend, I would do you some serious harm right now." Liz muttered furious, standing up before giving Maria a dirty look. She strode over toward the aliens' table of choice.
Upon arriving at the table, Max glanced up to find Liz standing before him. She was so incredibly beautiful. Glowing actually but not 'he thought' with happiness. He missed seeing her, talking to her, but most of all he missed her smile. Knowing that he was the one who snatched the way the light in her eyes and the smile that he had come to love, made Max want to throw himself off a cliff, any cliff, just so he couldn't do the one thing that he had always succeeded in doing, hurting Liz. Max missed her. Plain and simple. He hadn't actually realized this until just a few moments ago. When he wasn't thinking about the baby, Tess, or his parents, Max was wondering if she was okay. If his stupidity hadn't actually cause yet another pregnancy.
He wasn't a total idiot; he couldn't just go up to Liz and ask if she was she pregnant with his child. Especially with the way things were between them now. They weren't even on speaking terms. She'd probably kick him in the balls if he so much as breathed in her direction. So, Max had decided to wait for her to come to him if anything was wrong. And here she was, "Max, I need to speak to you for a second in 'private'. Liz stated, while trying to ignore Isabel, Tess, and Michael's intense stares. "Alright..." Max, then, followed Liz across the squad to an empty table. Sitting in silence, Liz glanced at everything but Max before coming to meet his eyes. Max had no such difficulty. Nowadays, he craved for just the sight of her, seeing as though that was the only thing he could have.
It hit him suddenly that this was the time to bring up three weeks ago and the fact that he hadn't used a condom. But he was suddenly interrupted from his thoughts by Liz's voice. "Max..." Liz finished, nervously, unsure of how she was going to tell him, without getting hurt in the process. Suddenly alert to the fear he saw in her eyes, "What is it, Liz? Is something wrong?" He prodded after a few moments of silence. 'Well, obviously', Max thought, 'She wouldn't be speaking to you otherwise, idiot.' "No...Yes..." Right there, Liz was interrupted by the noise of the crowd surrounding Max's table. Leaping up, panicked, Max ran over to the crowd, shoving his way through, his heart lodged in his throat, as he saw Tess sprawled out unconsciously on the ground. Liz was left sitting there, somberly, as she watched Max carry an unconscious Tess to his jeep, Michael and Isabel not far behind, before driving away. Liz sat there, quietly; the pain overwhelming, as she vowed this would be the last time Max Evans ever had the chance of hurting her...again.
That Night:
Liz once again, tossed and turned in her sleep. Her dreams leaving her gasping for air. Dreaming, Liz picked up a small dark-haired little girl, maybe three or four, out of a sandbox. They were both laughing hysterically. The little girl looked as Liz's exact twin at that age. Her dream then went on to... tucking in a dark-haired little boy, also maybe three or four. She kissed him on the forehead as he slept. Liz's dreams went then from a dream to a nightmare in a matter of seconds. An older version of the little boy's face burned its way into her mind, smiling. Suddenly his face disappeared, to an older version of Liz running down a dark familiar street..., in anguish, wailing Alex's name over and over again as the dark van disappeared into the night. Collapsing into the ground, sobbing, Liz repeatedly cried Alex's name, over and over again, as she hugged herself. Sitting up, gasping for air, Liz looked down to her abdomen... before laying both of her palms on it in comfort. She, then, whispered one word that would explain everything. "Twins"
A few Days Later
Liz stood outside of Max's apartment building Wednesday afternoon, tense with anxiety. She really just wanted to go home, finish the leftover carton of ice cream from the night before and climb into bed for some much needed sleep. For the last few nights her dreams had become more disturbing, possibly more sinister than she could ever imagine. Since Monday, Liz had been avoiding Max with success. But now... it was time to tell him. Blowing out a breath, Liz quickly climbed the three staircases to the third floor. To say she was nervous was an understatement, Liz was terrified. Knocking on the door to apartment 305, Liz waited, hoping upon hope that Max answered the door instead of Tess. Evidently, her hopes were in vain because Tess answered the door. "Liz...?" Tess greeted, shocked, evidently not expecting her. "Hello, Tess. Is Max in?" "Uh no, he's at work." "Ok...thanks." Liz replied, ready to walk away, ending this little chat with Tess immediately. "Liz...wait. Why don't you come in. So, we can talk." Tess asked, voice filled with false gaiety that had always grated Liz's nerves. "No thanks, Tess." Liz replied, smiling a smile of which never reached her usually animated brown eyes.
She really, really did not need this extra drama, right now. "Please, it'll only be a second. I just want to talk, clear the air." Tess pleaded, opening the door wider for Liz to step through. Feeling threatened to the fullest but curious as to what Tess had up her sleeve, Liz stepped in, closing the door behind her. Taking in her surroundings, Liz studied the neatly furnished apartment. There was an old navy blue couch, two tables with lamps, a few posters plastered to the wall, two book shelves filled with books, and cream and sky blue curtains that blocked out the sunshine, all in all the living room was very cozy. Liz came to the conclusion quickly that the apartment must of come already furnished upon moving in. Jealous of their apparent happiness, she followed Tess into the kitchen. Liz didn't why she would be jealous. She was happy for them. Liz immediately nixed that thought because it wasn’t true. She hoped they lived miserably… with not a drop of happiness. Liz wanted them to suffer... slowly.
"Do you want something to drink, Liz?" "No, thanks." "Ok Liz... I know this must be difficult for you and all, seeing Max and I together..." "Not at all, I'm fine." Liz stated, unconvincingly, in resentment and anger. Tess smiled, immediately, seeing through her facade. "I know how you feel Liz, considering the fact that Max and I are getting married Friday." Tess taunted, smiling sweetly at Liz's stunned expression. "Married? You and Max are getting married?" Liz choked out stunned, her heart logging in her throat. "Of course, he proposed, not a week ago. And I have to tell you, Liz, it was so romantic." Tess giggled, holding out her left hand's ring finger. "I'm surprised, he didn't tell you. Seeing as though how close you two were at one time." Tess beamed, noticing Liz's eyes tearing up. "Well so am I." Liz responded hoarsley.' Surprise' wouldn't even be the word for it.
Backing up, Liz turned leaving, while trying not to pass out. The pain was too overwhelming, spreading in alarming speed. As she realized yet again that Max Evans still had the power to break her heart. Rage consumed the pain, making it that much easier to hate Max and wish him to the lowest circles of hell. She hated him. She loved him. She hated him. Sighing dramatically at Liz's devastated expression, Tess smiled inside. "You should move on, Liz. This is not healthy, you pining for Max. He's over you. I'm sorry to say. We're having a family. Do you really want to ruin that? In the process making Max hate you." Liz's head snapped up stunned once again. Only this time at Tess's extent of winning Max. Turning, Liz strode to the door only to have Tess block her exit, slapping her hand up against the door. "Tess, move out of the way." Liz warned, turning to face Tess head on. "No Liz, you need to realize that Max doesn't love you anymore. He loves me..."
Snapping, Liz exploded throwing Tess across the room into the book shelves. Hormones raging, Liz's face contorted into rage, her eyes black with fury. Electricity circulated throughout the apartment, as she stormed over to pick Tess up by the neck, repeatedly slamming her into the wall. "I hate you. I hate you…!" Liz screamed in rage. She didn't hear Max’s arrival. "Liz...? No stop!" Max roared, startling Liz into dropping Tess's unconscious body to the floor. Running over to Tess, Max ran a hand over Tess, healing the wounds Liz inflicted, before looking up. Regaining her composure, Liz strode over to the door, as if nothing had happened, before stopping to look back at Max with a serene smile, eyes snapping in rage.
"Congratulations Max. You’ve succeeded in making me hate you!" Slamming the door, Liz cried. Walking down the street, after a good cry, Liz felt invigorated and free. Something, she hadn't felt in over two years. Kicking Tess's a-- felt so good. Liz wondered why she hadn't done it sooner. It had relieved a load of stress that she had been holding onto for the last three months. No not three weeks...two years. It had all been worth it at the time.... because she had Max. But she no longer had Max. So, would it be worth it to go through all this again.... the FBI, Max, Tess, Kivar...everything... if she no longer had him? No, it wouldn't be worth it. Liz wanted out and she guessed the only way to achieve this... would be to leave Roswell.
Liz wasn't a coward and running away wasn't apart of her programming. 'But think about it, Liz, A new life, a new identity, a new setting...freedom. And let's not forget about your children, Liz. They would grow up with childhoods, deprived childhoods... but childhoods just the same. Where they wouldn't have to worry about looking over their shoulders, of saying the wrong thing, or of being hunted. They could be normal. 'But how normal, Liz, could they be? Their father's an alien 'King', not to mention you’re newly found gifts.' Liz thought, thinking back to this morning to the revelation of realizing she had in deed changed. The alarm had gone off, repeatedly, setting off her anger while sleeping. Before Liz knew it, she had become so enraged that she had blown up the alarm clock. Resulting in her falling off the bed, luckily, her parents were downstairs and hadn't heard the explosion. Or she would've had some explaining to do.
All day, she had had to walk around with long sleeves, seeing as though her arms were covered with green electricity. That's when Liz realized, she had to talk to Max, telling him everything. But then Tess opened the door. And it all went down hill from there. Closing her bedroom door, Liz had much to think about. Should she leave Roswell and all the pain, starting out fresh? Or should she stay and risk becoming insane? Walking to her closet, Liz pulled out a shoebox. In the box was everything she owned of her Grandma Claudia's. Pictures, letters, treasures from expeditions, post cards, and her journal. In Grandma Claudia's journal, she had found just what she had been looking for, a copy of Grandma Claudia's Will.
Liz had never had the courage to read it. It had always been too much for her but Liz forced herself to read every word of it. Basically, Claudia Parker had left everything to her only granddaughter, Elizabeth Parker. Her five bedroom home in Nevada, a stylish, well taken care of 98' Ford Taurus, and $50,000 in stock and savings. Liz neatly folded the Will back into the box before sitting down. With her face in her palms, Liz cried like a baby in relief. "Thank you, Grandma." Liz whispered, thinking that this was a sign that she really could leave Roswell. That she could really start over. Liz's eighteenth birthday was at the end of the month of June. With the money she had saved up, Liz could have her bags packed and be on the next bus out of Roswell by tomorrow morning. But she wasn't going to make this decision lightly without thinking it through first.
Thursday Night:
The dreams always started off the same. Max standing beside Tess at the alter, saying their vows, as everyone applauded their union. But like all the others this dream ended all together differently. Liz dreamt she sat in a cozy living room with an older boy, who she recognized as her son, and an older girl, who looked vaguely like Liz's twin as a child. It was almost uncanny their similar characteristics, this was her little girl. They all sat around a coffee table eating pizza and playing games while laughing at each others' jokes. Then, Liz watched flabbergasted as Tess walked into the room, laughing as well, affectionately ruffling the boy's dark hair. Only it wasn't Tess, she realized, but Tess's dupe, Ava. Liz, again, watched as they laughed and watched movies.
Liz felt true happiness watching the scenes roll through her mind. Birthday parties, dinners, movie nights, the twins first steps... everything. Suddenly, within a blink of an eye, the dream became sinisterly dark. This time she didn't watch as an older Liz ran down the street in desperation but something much more heart wrenching and terrifying. It was the boy, her son, being dragged into 'a dark van', wailing desperately while trying unsuccessfully to escape. "Mommy... help me... no let me go!" Someone, then out of the shadows of the van, yank her son in before slamming the door shut, silencing his screams. "Mommy... Mommy... please help me!"
Liz jerked awake in a cold sweat, her heart slamming up against her ribs. These dreams weren't just any dreams but premonitions... warnings. Something bad was going to happen... unless there was something done. 'Motherly' instincts kicking in hard, Liz jumped from the bed, pacing the floor in agitation. Stopping mid-stride, Liz looked back to the clock to see it was a little after 2am. Pacing yet again, she came to the question that had been nagging her since yesterday upon discovering her new found powers. Should she leave Roswell? Lying palms upon her flat stomach. Liz came to an answer, immediately. 'Yes'
Making a list of things to do, Liz read the first line, 'money'. 'How much do you have' she asked herself, sitting down at her desk. Liz pulled out her most recent bank statement before scanning it. Liz's hopes began sinking, then, as she read the statement again. She had exactly $578.35. "Damn you, Maria, and you’re shopping sprees." Liz muttered. It was enough to get her away from Roswell but was it enough for food and a place to stay on the way? Yes, it was enough. Liz would make enough. She had decided she wouldn't be traveling to Grandma Claudia's, convenient as it was, because that would be the next place her parents, mainly her father, would search before dragging her back to Roswell. Liz wanted to cut all ties from Roswell, from Max, from the alien abyss. Not only for her babies safety, Liz thought, but for her own peace of mind.
Liz wanted a fresh start and that was exactly what she planned on achieving. She chose to 'postpone' telling Max about the babies until she knew it was safe. He couldn't help her least of all with another baby on the way and Tess as his wife. Not to mention she got the distinct impression that her son's abduction wasn't just a mere a kidnapping but... alien related. Her instincts, as crazy as they might sound, had never failed her before and they weren't going fail to her now. Liz decided she had to do this on her own. Selfish, she knew. But when it came to her peace of mind and heart, Max Evans' feelings no longer held any weight in her decisions. Liz loved Max, warts and all, and that would never change. But her babies' safety and happiness came first, then Liz, Max last, and that would never change either. It was time to let go of the fairytales. Max had his life and she had her own.
Packing, Liz glanced at the clock, again. It was 3:36 am. The bus to Nevada left in an hour. Liz wasn't actually going to Nevada but if anyone ever decided to investigate her whereabouts. It would lead them to a dead end. If she were to ever get discovered, it would be on her terms, no one else’s. She had no destination in mind except to get as far away from Roswell as she possibly could, fast. Finally packed, Liz placed two small luggage bags and her book bag near the door before moving toward the desk. Sitting down, she tore tow pieces of paper from her journal before writing:
'Dear. Mom and Dad,
Pain would be an understatement to what I've caused you for the last two years, to what I'm causing you now. You’re probably wondering what has happened to me, your daughter, to cause her to leave her home so abruptly. I wish I could give you an answer to that, to all the questions that are left unanswered. But I can't. All that I can say is that I'm alive and well. I love you both very much; that at this moment I'm missing you already and I haven't even left yet. I'm so sorry to leave without at least one more moment with the people I love most in this world. Again, I'm safe and one day, maybe in the near by future, you'll find me, once again, in your arms. In the meantime, I'll promise to get in touch with you whenever possible.
With love and regret, your daughter,
Liz Parker
P.S: Your car is parked in the bus depot. The keys are under the mat.
'Dear. Maria,
Don't panic. I'm fine. For the past twelve thirteen year you've been my best friend. I can't love you enough for you being you, Maria. For your tough love and your uncanny ability to be there whenever I needed you, and most of all for your wackiness and loyalty. You are my best friend and I'm sorry, more than you'll ever know, for not being there for you as you've been for me. I know I have a lot of nerve asking you for anything. But could you do a few things for me, Maria, please. The first being: be happy no matter what. Go after your dreams and don't make the same mistakes I have. Don't settle for anything less than what you deserve. The second being: there are a lot of reasons why I left Roswell but Max isn't one of them. Please don't blame him for any of my decisions. He doesn't know about my pregnancy and I would prefer, please, if you didn't tell him at all. The third being, take care of my parents, Maria. I love you, be happy, and thank you for being not only a friend to me but a sister. In the meantime, I promise to be in touch.
With love and regret, your sister,
Liz Parker
Three Hours Later:
Liz stared pensively out the window as the bus left Roswell, New Mexico. Feeling defeated, she lay back against the seat rest thinking about all the good and bad times she was leaving behind. This was it. This was the end to Liz's old life and the beginning to a new one. Liz wasn't naive. She knew this journey into the unknown would be tough, especially pregnant and alone. Guzzling her second bottle of orange juice, with sugar, in the last hour, Liz pulled out her most recent book 'What to Expect when Your Expecting' by Arlene Eisenberg. She was reading exactly that when she felt herself drift into a sound sleep. Close to an hour later, Liz awakened well rested with an urge to pee, badly. Luckily, the bus was pulling into a rest stop in... Where were they? Liz glanced around trying to see where exactly they were.
Parking, the old weary bus driver stood, receiving everyone's attention. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, please be back, note the time, at this bus 162 by 10:30. The bus will leave with or without you by 10:35. Now just in case you do not get back in time, I suggest everyone to take their luggage with them. Have a nice day." 'Unusual', she thought, valiantly holding her bladder as an old couple slowly proceeded to walk in front of her. Sighing, Liz patiently waited before climbing off the bus. Grabbing her bags 'just in case’, she quickly walked across the large sweltering parking lot. It was at least ninety-two degrees outside with not a breeze in sight. Liz's jeans stuck to her thighs and sweat ran down her spine as she traveled the distance through hell. Entering the air-conditioned rest area, she, sighing in relief, went about finding a bathroom. Two minutes later, there was a line. Liz really had a huge urge to stomp her feet and wail, like a baby, but instead she patiently waited, pacing. Finally, it was her turn. Running over to a stall, Liz, silently cursed, while struggling to get both luggage bags and her book bag through the door. She was going to pee on herself. She just knew it.
Finally, Liz found a way to get both herself and the luggage through the door. Now there was the problem of getting the door to shut. Sh-- Liz thought desperately, before... solving the problem by putting the bags on the floor. Liz calmly closed the door as others gawked while trying to hold in their laughter. She had a real tremendous urge to show them something really hilarious, like her finger. But the bathroom won out. At least three minutes later, coming out of the bathroom stall, Liz sighed in relief. Washing her hands before pulling out a washcloth from her book bag, Liz wiped her face before brushing the tangles from her hair.
Exiting the restroom, Liz went to straight to a fast food restaurant, built inside the rest stop, called 'Fast Food'. 'Hmmmm, very imaginative' Liz thought. Ordering a medium sized pizza with everything, two large lemonades, and two side orders of cheese fries to stay, Liz sat down at a small table, where she had stash her bags upon entering. Eating leisurely, Liz didn't notice the time go past. She was too caught up in her cheese fries and thoughts. She had already finished off the pizza, one container of cheese fries, and a container of lemonade. Liz wasn't even trying to think about gaining weight. She was eating for three now, so she had an excuse. Finishing off the rest of her fries, Liz cleaned up her mess before grabbing her lemonade in one hand and the luggage in the other. Glancing at her wristwatch, Liz gasped before running as fast as she could with her luggage and lemonade to the parking lot. But by the time she had arrived it was too late. The bus was long gone. Panting for air, Liz dropped her bags in defeat. She was stuck... at a rest stop... in, reading the welcome sign, Liz rolled her eyes toward the mocking blue sky.... before reading the sign again. 'Clovis, New Mexico'
Stay tuned for Chapter 2