Author: The orginal Carebehr (Carrie- the Carebehr from these boards a LONG time ago but I lost my log in since I have not been here for awhile) I have gotten many emails asking me to repost this or to finish it- just thought I would repost to see if there is still interest in this fic. PM me and let me know what you think or just post feedback!
Category: Max/Liz/ others-future fic
Rating: TEEN for now-MATURE later on
Disclaimer: I own no parts of Rowell
Summary: This is about 10 years after Departure (so none of that season three junk). Max, Isabel, and Michael disappeared without telling Liz, Maria and Kyle where they went shortly after Tess left. Liz becomes and FBI agent and is unwillingly pulled into the special unit and directed to track them down.
Part 1
Memo
To: Agent Parker Date: January 3, 2011
From: Special Unit
Re: Case Name: ROS #234
Status: Highly CONFIDENTIAL-DESTROY AFTER READING
Agent Parker,
This has been an ongoing case started by Agent Smith a decade ago. This is highly classified and on a need to know basis. Your orders are to go to Los Angeles California and track down the suspects and observe them undercover. Their whereabouts, jobs and addresses are listed below. We will inform you of when the task is completed. Report all information gathered via secure server. Be on the lookout for any strange behavior. The unit believes one of them might be the same suspect from Roswell New Mexico that escaped during observation in the year 2000. If so, they are responsible for the deaths of many agents in the special unit and are considered dangerous. Use force if necessary. All past reports are included with this memo. Briefing will be held at eighteen hundred hours in the black room to inform you of your flight information and other orders. Welcome to the Special Unit.
Suspects:
Maxwell Evans: Employment: UCLA College Professor -Physics
SS#: 526-89-6332
Marital Status: single
Address: 52655 Lido Dr.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Isabel Evans: Employment: Buyer at “Bloomingdales” Sherman Oakes
SS# 589-85-7411
Marital Status: Single
Address: 52655 Lido Dr.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Michael Guerin: Employment: Artist- work shown at “Concepts” gallery- Bev hills
SS# none found
Marital Status: unknown
Address: 715 South Normandie Street #414
Los Angeles, CA 90005
Regards,
Agent Linton
Special Unit
Special Directions: Shred after reading
*********************************************************************
“Shit!” Liz said to herself as she put the memo down. “What the hell am I going to do now?” She muttered as she entered all of their information into her palm pilot. She walked over to the shredder and fed the paper through it. She walked back over to her desk and picked up the phone.
The other side of the line rang once when her boss picked up the line. “Agent Roberts.” He said crisply as he answered.
“Sir, it’s me Parker” Liz said in a serious tone. “No disrespect sir, but why am I being sent on this assignment for the SU?” she tapped her fingers on her desk.
“Come to my office Parker and I’ll fill you in.” he said and hung up.
Liz grabbed her briefcase and put her files into it along with her palm pilot and her glasses. She didn’t need to read the files. She pretty much knew what they said. She was there for almost all of it, up until the time they all disappeared. She put her coat on and stepped out of her office, turning to lock the door behind her. She looked at her watch before sticking her key in. It was already 5:10. She would only have forty- five minutes or so to discuss this with Agent Roberts, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to get out of it. They never assigned an agent to a case and then pulled them off of it after giving them the information. She could only hope that she would be able to do her job, without becoming personally involved again.
She walked down the hall to her boss’s office and remembered the last day she and Maria had seen all of them. It still seemed like it was just yesterday, so clear it was in her mind. Unfortunately it still wore just as heavy on her heart as it did then as well. She stopped in the hallway right outside her boss' office and looked out the small window, remembering that rainy night. It was two days after Tess had left. They had come into the Crashdown after closing and they had Kyle with them. Max had asked her and Maria to sit down, and then he told them they were leaving. Michael said they had to go, that even though they loved them, they had to figure out a way to save Max’s son, and they had to do it alone. They thought it wouldn’t be safe for them anymore, since Tess had returned to their planet without the Royals. They thought she would want revenge and it would never be over until they confronted it. Michael had kissed Maria goodbye, and promised her he’d come back for her, though he never did. Max had given her one last kiss and said,” I love you Liz-always” and then they turned and left leaving her and Maria crying on Kyle’s shoulder.
She quicklycreached up to wipe away a tear before anyone saw her and turned away from the window. “Get it together Parker, FBI agents don’t cry.” She berated herself under her breath. She walked swiftly to her boss's door, lifted her hand and knocked three times.
“Enter” she heard her boss call from the other side.
Liz walked in and set her briefcase down on the seat of a chair.
“Ahh, Parker, have a seat.” Agent Robert’s said to her seriously.
Liz picked up her briefcase and sat down, placing it on her lap.
“What’s on your mind?” Agent Robert’s said as he clasped his hands together and looked across the desk at her.
“Well sir,” she began, not sure where to start. “I guess the first thing I’d like to know is how the hell I got assigned to the Special Unit.”
Agent Robert’s looked at her surprised by her anger. “Well Parker, they asked me for the best undercover agent I had, and I told them it was you.” He smiled gently at her. “It’s quite a promotion Liz.” He said gently. She was his favorite agent on the team, and the only one he ever referred to by her first name. Of course, the fact that they’d had an affair years prior mede him a bit more than biased when it came to Agent Elizabeth Parker.
Liz looked at him and smiled. She had met him as a rookie on the force, and even though he was married, she couldn’t help but become involved. He was handsome. With dark hair and dark serious eyes. He was only 5 years older than her, but he was one of the most respected agents on the force. She felt safe with him, like she had with Max, but she also liked the fact that he was married. It helped to know that things couldn’t get serious between the two of them. That way she never let herself get attached the way she had with Max. She knew he still cared for her, and giving her this assignment was done as a favor to her. It wasn’t his fault. He didn’t know about her past.
“I know Steve, and thank you for the thought, but I don’t know if this is such a good idea.” Liz stammered trying to come up with a good excuse to why she didn’t want the assignment. It didn’t matter though because she knew she had no choice.
“You’ll be fine Liz. You always are.” Agent Roberts said as he stood up. He walked around to her side of the desk and reached up to take her by the shoulders. “ You know I still love you Liz.” He said to her as he leaned in for a kiss.
“I told you, it’s over Steve. I need to keep work separate from my personal life.” She said as she released herself from his powerful grip. Suddenly she was glad she was being sent to Los Angeles tonight. Even though the case was not what she would call “ideal”, getting out of here was definitely looking like a good plan. “I have a meeting to get to in the black room. I’ll keep in touch from L.A.” she said as she walked towards the door.
“Please do Li..I mean Parker.” Agent Roberts cleared his throat and walked to open the door for her. “Let me know how things are going out there for you. Come right back if anything gets too dangerous. From what the SU tells me they’re pretty dangerous. I don’t want anything to happen to my best agent.”
Liz smiled at him and said, “Ok sir.” And as the door shut behind her she rolled her eyes and said to herself, “I think I can handle it.”
Part 2
Liz sat back and rested her ahead against the headrest. She hated to fly, but was used to it by now. Since she was FBI, she didn’t travel on commercial airlines, she flew by Air Force carrier. It was loud and uncomfortable, and she always brought her own pillow, blanket and Walkman.
She picked her briefcase up off of the floor next to her and pulled out the files on Max, Isabel and Michael. They had given her the more recent information in the meeting she had in the Black Room, along with an in depth slide show on the group and what they’ve been up to lately. Michael had grown a mustache, and was a well know artist in LA, specializing in Contemporary Art. Isabel had cut her hair shorter, and trendy, and was very successful in the fashion industry. According to her file, she was launching her own designs soon. Max, well, he had looked exactly the same as the day he walked out of her life. He was a respected professor of physics, and liked to sail his own boat on the weekends. All of them appeeared to be single though there were plenty of surveillence photos of those with various members of the opposite sex. Liz wondered if they ever thought about the past, and the people they left behind.
Liz’s mind wandered off again, and she recalled how upset she had been after they left. They left because they wanted too, not because they had to. She had cried herself to sleep every night for months because of it. Maria and her had walked around like zombies.
After a long time, her tears turned into anger for Max deserting her and she vowed that she would never fall in love like that again. She only dated guys that she could use and then throw away, taking out her revenge on Max on all of the unsuspecting men that she went out with. They all promised her the stars, but she knew they could never give her what Max had, and she hated what he turned her into. After she graduated college on the east coast, and got her degree in molecular biology, she didn’t know what to do with her life. She had no relationship to speak of, and was still bitter in her heart. She wanted to do something that made her feel empowered. Made her feel in control. She decided she wanted to be a police officer, never imagining she’d end up in the FBI. After she graduated the academy, she went to work for the Washington D.C. Police Department. One day, she saved the President’s daughter from a rapist outside of a dance club after she’d snuck out of the White House. That was how she ended up in the FBI, and she thought the irony of the whole thing was hysterical. She was now one of the people she had hated so much when she was a teenager. Now here she was, part of the special unit, and she was on her way to try to observe Max Evans. She wondered how she was going to get away with it. She looked the same, just slightly older, but she could easily pass for a college student. She closed her eyes and started to put together her plan.
The plane touched down and Liz snapped her head up. She reached in her purse for her hairbrush and started to fix her tousled long brown hair. She looked down at the files on her lap and at Isabel’s picture. She wondered if maybe she should cut her hair short like Isabel had. After all she was nearly twenty -seven years old. She laughed to herself at how ridiculous she sounded. Like twenty- seven was old! She threw her blanket, pillow and Walkman into her shoulder bag and reached up to get her suitcase. She walked off the plane and over to the Colonel that was waiting for her in an Army Jeep.
“Are you Colonel Drake?” she asked as he nodded.
“Hop in agent Parker. It’s nice to have you here.” He smiled as they drove off.
“Just take me to the closest place I can grab a cab please, I’m dying to get checked into my hotel.” Liz smiled back with weary eyes.
“No problem, there’s some cabs on the other side of the runway, it’ll just be a minute.” He said as stepped on the gas more, making Liz’s neck whip back.
They drove across the field and he pulled up along side three or four taxis. He got her stuff out of the back and hailed one for her. She smiled appreciatively and said, “Thanks for the lift Colonel.” And she stepped into the cab. He waved back at her and yelled, “Anytime little lady, anytime!”
Liz hated being called “little lady”, or “honey” or any of those sickening names men always used to refer to women they thought were cute. She thought it was such bullshit. She rolled her eyes as she settled into the cab and thought for the tenth time that day how much she hated men.
“Where to sweetie pie?” the cab driver asked.
Liz rolled her eyes again and gave him the address to her hotel.
Liz checked into her hotel in Santa Monica and immediately went to take a shower to wash off the Colonel and the gross pine scent from the cab. When she got out, she wrapped herself in a towel and walked over to the phone. She dialed the operator and asked to make a collect call. It was the safest way to make calls- harder to trace. She waited for the voice to come on the line and she smiled. It had been too long.
“Collect call from a Ms. Elizabeth Parker-do you except the charges?” the operator asked.
“Oh my god-of course I do!” the female voice said on the other line. “Hello? Hello?” she said waiting for the connection to go through.
“Hi Maria!” Liz squealed into the phone. “How are you sweeite?”
“Liz, I’m so happy you called! Where are you?” Maria asked excitedly.
“Well, you’re not going to believe it but I’m in LA!” Liz said laughing at how excited Maria sounded.
“You’re here? Where? Where are you staying?” Maria asked.
“Ria, you know I can’t tell you. Not yet anyway. I’m here in Santa Monica and I’m on assignment.” Liz said quietly.
“Anything juicy? I mean I know you can’t tell me, but could you give me a hint?” Maria asked hopefully. Liz had such an exciting life, always doing something new.
“Well I would think nothing was exciting to you Maria! By the way I bought your album, it’s great! Congratulations!” Liz exclaimed, happy for her friend and her blossoming singing career.
“Thanks! Let’s get together, can we meet for dinner?” Maria asked.
“ Yeah, are you sure you’re not too famous to go out in public?” Liz asked laughing.
“Totally! Can we go tonight? I’m dying to see you!” Maria laughed back. “Can you meet me at “The House Of Blues” on Sunset? We’ll get some drinks and munchies and catch up!”
Liz was exhausted, but she wanted to see Maria badly and fill her in on what she was working on, she knew she could trust her oldest and dearext friend with her life if necessary, so even though it was against regulations, she had every intention of asking mara for help. Without her, she wasn't sure if she would be able to get through this assignment. “Sounds great, see you at nine thirty?” Liz asked as she gave in.
“Yes-oh I’m so excited!” Maria yelled into the phone.
“Ok, great see you then! And Maria, you’re gonna die when you hear what I’m working on!” Liz said whispering into the phone.
“OOOOHH I knew it was juicy-better make it nine o’clock! Bye Liz!” Maria said as she heard Liz laughing.
“Ok nine then-see you later!” Liz said as she hung up.
**********************************************************8
Part 3
Liz sat at the table and looked around the dark noisy club. It wasn’t exactly what she had in mind when she agreed to meet Maria. But it looked like a fun place. She stood up again and looked around just in time to see Maria and three large bodyguards walking up to her.
“LIZ!!” Maria yelled as she ran towards her and jumped into her arms.
“Maria-it’s so good to see you-finally!” Liz said as she hugged her best friend.
Liz looked at Maria. She looked great. Her hair was long and blond, and she was wearing low cut jeans and a halter top. Liz felt overdressed in her business slacks and blazer. She knew she was going to need Maria’s help with her plan. She just hoped the Special Unit wouldn’t find out that she’d involved a civilian in her assignment, though she couldn’t figure how they would. She was supposed to be undercover after all.
“You look great!” Liz said as Maria sat down in her chair smiling.
“So do you! You look so professional!” Maria laughed as she leaned in closer so they could hear each other.
“What do you want to drink? I’ll go get it” Liz offered as she stood up.
“Sit down Chica! I’ve got it covered!” Maria smiled as she snapped and one of her giant bodyguards came over.
Maria looked up at him and said, “I’ll have a gin and tonic, and Liz will have a vodka on the rocks, right Liz?” Maria asked with her eyebrows raised.
“You got it!” Liz smiled at Maria’s memory. They hadn’t had a drink together in years. Liz thought back. It had to have been at least six since Maria and Kyle’s divorce. That was the last time they had gone out together. The night her divorce was final Maria had called Liz and asked her to come to Phoenix, where her and Kyle had been living. She was bummed out that things didn’t work out between them but wasn’t surprised. They had gone to some seedy little bar, and Maria had gotten trashed and Liz had to drag her out of the place.
“Geez Liz, do you remember the last time we had a drink together?” Maria yelled over the noise.
Liz nodded. “Of course I remember, the question is do you remember?” Liz laughed.
“Yeah-that was a shitty time in my life.” Maria said looking down at the table and pretending to scratch something off of it.
“Do you ever hear from Kyle?” Liz asked gently, not wanting Maria to get upset.
“Yeah, we’re still friends actually. He moved back to Roswell to take over for Jim when he retired.” Maria looked up at Liz and laughed. “Can you even believe he went back to that place after all we went through there?” Maria asked her eyes welling up with tears.
Liz shook her head. She couldn’t imagine going back to Roswell, and told her parents that every year when they wanted her to come home for Christmas. She saw to it that wherever she was, she could fly them out to see her. There was no way in hell she would go back to that town. There were too many bad memories.
“You know, for a time, after Kyle and I got married, I thought I was over Michael.” Maria said taking a tissue out of her halter top.
“I know you did. Hell, Maria, we’ve been telling ourselves we're over them for ten years now.” Liz said reaching to take her friends hand.
Maria nodded, “Did you know that Kyle and I tried to have a baby?”
Liz shook her head. She had no idea Maria wanted to have a baby back then.
“Yep, we tried every month from the time we got married until we just decided it wasn’t going to happen. Two years. The night I told Kyle that I didn’t want to try anymore, he accused me of not wanting it bad enough.” Maria laughed as she shook her head.
“What? Why would he say that?” Liz asked amazed at Kyle would say such a thing.
“ He said that the only person I ever wanted to be with was Michael and that my mind and body were not in sync. He said my mind was telling me I wanted him, but my body was telling me I wanted Michael. Can you believe that mind, body, spirit, bullshit?” Maria asked as the bodyguard put their drinks down.
“Maybe it wasn’t bullshit Maria.” Liz said tenderly as she scooted her chair closer to her friend.
“What? You mean you think he was right?” Maria asked surprised.
“I don’t know. I mean look at me. I haven’t been in a serious relationship since I was seventeen years old Maria. I hate men. On one hand I hate Max and Michael for what they did to us, and on the other hand I miss Max, and I still can't help but think about him every day. Tell me you don’t feel the same?” Liz asked finally admitting it out loud. She looked at Maria as her eyes filled up with tears again.
“God Liz, I’ve been pushing it down inside of myself for so long, I didn’t even realize how much it still hurts until you just said it. Maybe we should both admit we’re not over them and we never will be. God I hate Michael.” Maria said, taking a big gulp of her drink.
“Wow, we’re a couple of pathetic losers aren’t we?” Liz laughed. “Here we are with these amazing careers, and no one to share our lives with but each other.” Liz tried to laugh, but it came out more of a choke.
“Yep" Maria nodded. " Oh well at least we went through all of that crap together Liz. We have a link that will never divide us. Weird that it's actually their secret and not ours.” Maria laughed at the strangeness of it all.
"They made it our secret too Maria" Liz said sadly, "We are the only other souls alive on Earth that know their secret besides Kyle and Jim. No matter where they go, or who they are with, they know that we know. That forces them to remember us forever." Liz winked at her best friend as she picked her glass up and took a big gulp.
“You know Liz, now that you’re FBI, you could really get them in some deep shit if you wanted too.” Maria laughed as she snapped her fingers at her bodyguard and pointed to their glasses.
Liz smiled weakly and said, “Girl, you have no idea!”
Maria stopped, looked at her closely and said, “Liz what’s up? I know you-spill it.”
“Ok, well I’m not sure how to say this, and you can’t tell anyone. My job depends on it Maria okay?” Liz asked her wanting to make sure she agreed before telling her.
“Sure, sure you know I won’t blab about any cases your working on.” Maria agreed, glad that it had to do with Liz’s job and not her personal life.
“Well this morning I was given a promotion.” Liz stopped and looked at Maria.
“Liz, that’s great, congratulations girlfriend! Let’s toast!” Maria held up her glass and Liz stopped her.
“What’s wrong? I take it this isn’t good news?” Maria said when she saw that Liz was not happy about it.
“Maria, I got promoted to the Special Unit.” Maria looked at her with a confused expression on her face. “You know the SPECIAL UNIT??? “ Liz said emphasizing the last words. “I’m supposed to track down Max, Isabel and Michael and observe them undercover, then report back to my superiors on their behavior.” Liz said as she downed the fresh drink that Maria’s guard had brought her.
“WHAT?” Maria yelled at her. “Are you saying that they're here? In L.A.?” Maria couldn’t believe it. She was shocked at what Liz had told her and her mouth dropped open momentarily. “Liz, what the hell are you going to do? Are you going to turn them in?” Maria said desperately fearing for the aliens that used to be their friends. “I mean, I hate Max and Michael as much as you, but you can’t! Not after everything!” Maria started to cry and she pulled another tissue out of her halter. "And what about Isabel? It's not fair to blame her for what Max and Michael decided!" She dabbed her eyes then fixed them on Liz with a cold stare. Lowering her voice she leaned in closer so Liz could hear her. "Oh my god Liz, you guys are gonna attatch little probes to them and do all sorts of weird stuff like when Max was in the White Room!"
Liz looked into Maria's eyes and took her hand in hers to calm her. “Maria, it’s my job to observe them, not experiment on them. It IS my job though, and if I don’t do it my career is over. Do you understand OVER!” Liz said sternly as she raised her voice. "Everything I’ve worked so hard for will be gone, and it will be because of them again.” Liz said sadly. “Look, I need your help. Max is a professor at UCLA, and I need to observe one of his classes as a student. I need you to go shopping with me so I can get some younger looking clothes, a wig- whatever will stop him from recognizing me. Will you help me?” Liz asked Maria practically begging.
Maria looked at her best friend. She knew how hard Liz worked, and how important her job was to her. She noticed the look of fear in her friends eyes, and it wasn't because she was afraid for her safety. The fear in her eyes was because she was being forced to see Max Evans again- it was fear for her heart. She took a deep breath and made her decision. “Yes. I’ll help you. I won’t say anything, and whatever you decide to do I’m behind you Liz. Just promise me I don’t have to see Michael okay?” Maria agreed and Liz nodded her head.
“I don’t want you to get involved like that, just be there for me okay? I think I’m probably really going to need a friend.” Liz confessed, knowing this was going to be tough for both of them, but happy to have Maria there for her.
“Ok, I’m there for you. I just have a couple of questions and if you can’t tell me I’ll understand.” Maria said thoughtfully.
“Ok shoot.” Liz said ready to tell Maria whatever she wanted to know.
“First of all, what’s Michael doing?” Maria looked at Liz with expectant eyes.
“Do you mean is he single, or what’s his line of work?” Liz answered knowing exactly what Maria really wanted to know.
“Both I guess” Maria blushed.
“Well, he’s an artist, he lives over off of Wilshire Blvd and his art is shown at a gallery named “Concepts.” Liz answered, purposely leaving some stuff out.
“AND?” Maria asked desperately.
“AND he’s single. Never been married, at least the agency has never been able to tie him to any women for a extended period of time, let alone marriage. Oh yeah and he has a mustache.” Liz giggled.
“Eww!” Maria said and laughed too. “What about Isabel and Max?”
“Nope, they don’t have mustaches.” Liz laughed. The alcohol was getting to her and she was feeling silly.
“Duh! Maria said, obviously inebriated as well. “I meant what are they doing? Are they single too?”
“Yep. Isabel is a buyer at Bloomingdale’s in Sherman Oakes and she is launching her own designs soon, and I told you about Max.” Liz trailed off.
“Liz, does he have a son?” Maria couldn’t help but ask.
She shrugged. “The file didn’t mention one, but I’ll see what I can find out.” Liz replied, her laughter gone.
Maria nodded her head and then asked, “Wouldn’t it be easier to just be you? I mean you know, like bump into him on campus and say you’re a new professor or something. I’m sure the Unit could set you up like they did Topolsky at our school.” Maria wondered why Liz hadn’t thought of this.
“Yes, it would be.” Liz said as she looked right into Maria’s eyes, “but if I don’t disguise myself, then I’m in danger of blowing the case. Max knows he can use his powers around me freely, and if he does, then I have to report it. I was kind of hoping I wouldn’t have to report anything out of the ordinary unless they did something careless. I may hate Max and what he did to me, but I don’t wish them harm, not the kind of harm that they would invoke on them Maria.” Maria nodded. “I was there when Max came out of the White Room, and I saw how terrified he was and I felt how terrified he felt. I don’t want him to go through that again. If he forces me to though, I will do what I have to do. Like I said it’s my job. I’m not the same person I used to be.”
“ I know you’re not. Sometimes I miss the old Liz though.” Maria said as she put her arm around her best friend and gave her a squeeze. Hell, sometimes I miss the old Maria too.”
Liz looked down and nodded sadly.
Maria looked at Liz and knew there was no way she was going to be able to remain unbiased in this case. She knew she didn’t really hate Max, no matter how much she tried to convince herself she did, but she was one angry woman, and one tough bitch now. Even if Max bumped directly into her she doubted he would recognize Liz if she was disguised. There used to be a time when Max would know Liz just by the sound of the way she walked, but Liz was a different person now because of what Max had done to her. She knew that if Liz was really over Max, then his life would be over. Maria looked back up at Liz and said, “Well girlfriend, what time do you want to go shopping?”
Part 4
Maria arrived at Liz’s hotel at nine thirty the next morning, accompanied by her giant bodyguards and a limousine. Liz was waiting for her in the lobby and laughed as she walked out to meet her.
“I swear Maria, does the word “covert” mean anything to you at all?” Liz giggled as she stepped into the long vehicle.
“Nope, it just isn’t traveling unless it’s in one of these babies!” Maria smiled back at her.
“You look cute as usual.” Liz smiled as she eyed Maria’s red sundress and platform sandals.
“Thanks sweetie, you look old as usual!” Maria said glancing at Liz’s navy blue suit and giggling.
“Thus the reason for our journey right?” Liz asked as the driver lowered the privacy glass.
“Where to Ms. Deluca?” he asked.
“The Beverly Center of course Nigel!” she told him, and then she raised the glass back up. “I thought we could check out Bloomingdale’s while were there.” Maria winked as Liz rolled her eyes.
“I told you Maria, I’m undercover. UNDERCOVER! That means I can’t just walk into these places and ask to see them. I don’t want them to recognize me okay?” Liz said seriously.
“ I know, I was just kidding. I was thinking though, if we’re both in disguise, we could go into that art gallery together and look at some of Michael’s paintings right?” Maria asked hopefully.
Liz took a deep breath and said, “Actually Maria, I was going to go by there this afternoon, so if you want to, you can come.” Maria’s eyes lit up. “If you behave, and you are in a disguise too.”
Maria looked at Liz like a little girl and clasped her hands together. “Yippiee! I really want to see some of his work. Who knows, I might even buy one!” Maria laughed.
“I take it you’ve moved past the denial, and are now accepting the fact that you love Michael still?” Liz asked her smiling.
“Well, I don’t know about love, but at least I’m not going to turn them over to the government!” Maria said glaring at Liz.
“Maria, we went over this a hundred times last night. It’s my damn job. I worked too hard to get where I am, and I’m not going to allow some school girl crush get in the way of it.” Liz said looking out the window and avoiding Maria’s glare.
“Crush? Liz, you and Max were like soulmates!” Maria yelled at her.
“Obviously we weren’t Maria or he would’ve come back.” Liz whispered.
“Liz, we don’t know why they didn’t come back. You can’t keep living with this hatred inside of you. It’s making you bitter and rotten, and you’re going to end up as an old spinster!” Maria said as the car slowly stopped and they heard Nigel exit.
“Hey, I don't exactly see you tearing up the dating scene either" Liz quipped. "At least if I end up as an old spinster my heart will be intact.” Liz said as she got out of the car and began to walk towards the entrance to the Mall.
“Yeah it’ll be intact alright,” Maria said to herself sadly. “Because it will be a stone.”
Four hours and sixteen shopping bags later, Liz and Maria decided to don their disguises and head to Wilshire Blvd for lunch and a visit to the “Concepts” gallery.
Liz had put on a golden brown wig that was long and wavy, a pair of army green cargo pants, a cropped black sleeveless t-shirt and a UCLA Bruins baseball hat. She wore a pair of Sketchers and carried a black messenger bag. She looked at Maria. “Well how do I look?” she asked casually and turned around.
“You look hot! I mean seriously Liz, whatever work out regimen you’re on, I want it! Look at you ab’s! You are buff!” Maria said poking at Liz’s stomach with her mouth hanging open.
“Thanks I guess!” Liz laughed. “It’s called the FBI training camp. Ever since I was there, I have been sort of a work out nut.” Liz confessed. “Well, that and the fact that I have no social life to speak of.” Liz laughed, as she looked at her reflection in the mirror.
“You won’t have to worry about that anymore! The college guys are going to be all over you!” Maria laughed as she pulled on her short red wig and sunglasses. “How do I look?”
Maria asked looking in the mirror at her short black mini dress.
“Like Orphan Annie grew up and turned into a prostitute!” Liz laughed and sat down on the couch in Maria’s apartment.
“Nice Liz, real nice!” Maria sauntered off and changed into jeans and a tube top, leaving the wig on. She put on her high heels and threw a canvas bag over her shoulder. “Is this better?” Maria stuck her tongue out at Liz.
“Much, come on let’s go, I’m starved!” Liz said as she headed out the door.
They decided to eat at a little café across the street from the gallery where Michael’s work was being shown. They both ordered salads and ice tea and chatted as they finished their meals.
“Would you ladies like some coffee?” the waitress asked.
“Sure” Maria said, looking at a nodding Liz.
As they sipped their coffee, Liz glanced across the street, not for one minute forgetting why she was there. She had purposely chosen a table that had a view of the gallery. She didn’t tell Maria, but her file had told her that Michael had a painting due there at one o’clock today, and that there would be a showing of his work tonight at eight. She hadn’t decided if she was going to take Maria along or not. She was going to see how well she handled the afternoon first.
At twelve fifty- five she saw a black pickup truck pull up outside of the gallery and a young woman got out of the passenger side. Then she saw a man get out of the driver’s side and walk around to the back and pull a painting out of it. They walked inside and were in there for a couple of minutes before Liz said to Maria, “Ok don’t freak out, but Michael just walked into the gallery. He’s with some girl.” Liz said as she looked at the disappointment on Maria’s face.
“Oh my God! He’s in there right now?” Maria hissed across the table through closed lips.
“Relax” Liz laughed,” he can’t hear you! We’ll wait until he leaves, and then we’ll go in and look at his stuff.” Maria nodded calmly. “There’s a showing of his work tonight, you can come if you’re good, and if you pick a better disguise.” Liz laughed as she watched the door to the gallery.
“Ok, I want to come, I promise I’ll be good.” Maria said quietly.
“There he is, don’t turn around.” Liz directed as she watched Michael get back in the truck and speed off without the girl he’d arrived with.
“Is he gone?” Maria asked nervously.
“Yep, let’s go. The girl he arrived with is still in the Gallery, maybe we can talk to her.” Liz looked at Maria who was shaking. “Scratch that, maybe I can talk to her. You keep your big mouth shut ok? Remember this is a case I’m working on.” Maria nodded and followed Liz out of the café.
When they arrived at the gallery Liz took a deep breath and put on her best college student act. The bell rang when they walked through the door and a young brunette walked over to them.
“Hello girls, can I help you today?” a lady in a black dress with a string of pearls asked them in a snooty voice.
“Actually yes, I was planning on coming to the Guerin show tonight. I’m a big fan of his work, and I was wondering if I might get a look at some of the items now, so I could decide on which one’s I want to purchase before I come.” Liz said, as an amazed Maria stood silent next to her. She had never actually seen Liz working before.
“Of course miss. However, you do know that they run upward of fifty thousand dollars a piece.” The snooty lady said and Maria gasped.
Liz shot Maria a look and said to the woman, “Of course I do. I said I was a fan didn’t I?”
“I beg your pardon miss, you just didn’t look like someone that would have that kind of money. I meant no offense.” She said to Liz.
“None taken." Liz smiled a fake sweet grin. "I would explain to you how I have that much money, and why I don’t appear to be a snooty bitch like yourself, but I really don’t think it’s any of your damn business. Now, may I see the work please?” Liz said to the lady whose mouth had dropped open at Liz’s retort.
The salsesowman smiled back the same fake smile. This girl obviously did have money, because no one in this town acted like that unless they did, she hated these rich kid’s! “Of course Miss….? She trailed off waiting for Liz to reveal her name.
“Cassidy. Hillary Cassidy.” Liz filled in quickly. She guessed she now had her cover name.
“Right this way Miss Cassidy. Mr. Guerin’s work is right in here.”
She led them into a room that was blocked off with fancy velvet ropes.
Maria held her breath as they entered the room. The walls were filled with paintings. His paintings. Maria walked away from Liz and began to look at them.
Liz thanked the woman and began to follow Maria around the room. In the corner, there was the young woman who had arrived with Michael in the pick up truck. She was hanging some more of his work on the remaining blank wall.
Liz walked over to Maria and gave her a look that told her to keep looking at the paintings. Maria nodded and continued to look at each of them. They were abstract, but Maria could tell what they were representing. She knew Michael, and his emotions, well enough to read them. Some were representing pain, some loneliness, some hatred. They were dark, but interesting. Maria could tell why he was so well known in the art world. His work had a way of dragging one in, and making them want to figure out what they meant. They were expensive with the highest one she saw going for one hundred and eighty thousand dollars. She glanced over at Liz who was walking up to the girl hanging a painting on the corner.
“Hi there.” Liz said to the girl as she approached.
“Hi. Did you have a question?” the girl asked nicely.
“No. I’m just a fan. I ‘m coming to the show tonight. Thought I’d get a preview. Will Mr. Guerin be here for the show?” Liz asked as casually as she could.
“Of course. He always goes to the shows. I take it this is your first one of his?” the girl asked smiling.
“Yes, I just love his work, but this is the first time I’ve been able to make it to one of them.” Liz said as she looked at one of Michael’s paintings. It looked familiar, but she couldn’t place it. She was never very good with art, especially abstract. She would have to ask Maria about it to see if it meant anything to her.
“I’m Mr. Guerin’s assistant Tammy Bishop.” The girl stuck her hand out to Liz and smiled.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Hillary Cassidy.” Liz said as she shook her hand.
Maria walked over and said, “Well Hill, have you decided on which one you want yet?” she gave Liz a wink and raised her eyebrow.
“Yes. I think I’d like this one. She pointed it out to Maria who gasped. It was beautiful. It was so much different from the others. It had greens, blues, purples and oranges in it where as the others only had greys, whites, blacks and crimson in them. The strokes were soft and careful while the others were short and rough. The image was familiar, but she couldn’t quite see what it was.
Maria looked at Liz and asked her, “How much?”
Liz shrugged and looked at the girl. “ Well, Tammy how much is this one?”
Tammy took the plaque that she’d been holding in her hands and placed it on the wall. She had just hung the picture up when Liz approached and completely forgot to hang it next to the work of art.
“Well, this is his newest one, and he really didn’t want to sell it, but I convinced him.” Tammy said proudly as she attached the plaque. “He said it was special or something. He just finished it this morning.” She stepped back allowing the girls to see it.
Maria looked at the plaque and noticed the price. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Then she heard Liz gasp and quietly mutter under her breath. “Oh my god, look at what it’s called.”
Maria looked at the painting and the plaque again. It was called “Love” and the familiar image staring back at her was an abstract portrait of herself.
Part 5
Liz looked in the mirror of her hotel room bathroom and didn’t like her reflection very much. She still looked like the Liz Parker she used to be, but the true reflection didn’t lie. She was bitter. Maria was right. She was going to dry up and die an old spinster bitch.
Seeing the painting of Maria that Michael had painted made Liz’s heart clench. Maria bought the painting then and there, under a false name and address, arranging a wire transfer through her bank so the gallery would never have records of her true identity. She spent all of her record deal money on it, and all of her savings plus a credit line the bank gave her. She cried the whole way home, every time she glanced at it, knowing finally that Michael still loved her beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Liz combed through her wet hair, and walked into the bedroom of her suite. Tonight she was going to come face to face with Max Evans. She was going to go as the college student, simply planning on meeting him before she coincidentally ended up in his class at UCLA. She knew Isabel and Max were both on the guest list for the showing at the gallery, so she would see Isabel as well. When her and Maria went shopping, they found one of Isabel’s designs, and Liz snatched it up. It just happed to be a beautiful black cocktail dress. She knew if she wore it, it would be a great conversation piece for her and the unsuspecting Isabel.
Liz thought briefly about her assignment and the irony of it. She still planned on following her assignment through. Max meant a lot to her and their past together would always remain in her heart, but she wasn’t ready to give up her career for him at this point in her life. Her heart was icy now. No, she would just have to follow though and not get personally involved. There were so many things she hated about herself these days. Her lack of compassion was the main thing. She did have a change of heart concerning Maria though. She told Maria not to wear a disguise to the showing, and if she wanted to pursue Michael she could. After all, Maria could have wandered into that gallery all by herself and bought that painting. It really had nothing to do with the case, Michael was a famous artist after all and Maria could have found him easily if she had tried. At least she would be able to find out why they never came back for them, without having to blow her cover. She wondered what she would do if she was in Maria's place. "No use wondering" Liz said to herself as she crossed the room. She had no intention of letting her old feelings get in the way of her assignment. Maria had alsways been more forgiving, always the one who told her that there had to be a reason Max and Michael never came back for them. Maria always allowed her heart to keep beating, keep loving, where as Liz's heart was just numb, simply beating without any real feeling.
Liz put on her black garter belt and stockings, and then poured herself into the skin tight, strapless black dress. She picked the wig up off of the vanity and touched it up, making sure it looked natural, and put it on making sure that none of her hair was showing. She leaned over the vanity and put in her blue contact lenses. She grabbed her wrap off the bed, and picked up her small black purse and walked out the door to her room and down to the lobby to meet Maria. Hillary Cassidy was going to be Maria’s new intern.
***********************************************
“What the hell do you mean someone bought it this afternoon?” Michael screamed at Tammy as he stood in the gallery.
“I’m sorry Mr. Guerin, but this woman came in and fell in love with it. She paid the full asking price for it sir.” Tammy said apologetically.
“I don’t give a shit!” Michael yelled. “I told you I didn’t want to sell it, but you just had to talk me into it.” Michael said as he sat down and put his head in his hands for a moment. Then he stood up and faced Tammy. “Why was someone looking at it to begin with anyway? The showing isn’t until tonight.” Michael said calming down slightly.
“Well, Linda brought these two girls in here and they said they were big fans. I guess they wanted to see what they wanted to buy before the showing tonight.” Tammy said as she silently prayed he wasn’t going to fire her.
“So the woman who bought my painting said she’d be at the showing tonight?” Michael asked hopefully.
“Yes, she’ll be here.” Tammy said confidently.
“Good then I’ll just offer to buy the painting back from her.” Michael said relieved
“Sir, this woman, she LOVED this painting. I don’t know if she’ll sell it back to you.” Tammy said remembering the way the woman had acted.
“Tammy, the only reason I allowed that painting in this place was because I thought I would be here to make sure no one actually bought it. Now that you’ve gone and sold it to some anonymous woman, I will do whatever I have to do to get it back. It has sentimental value, and I refuse to allow it to hang in some strange woman’s house. I don’t know why I listened to you in the first place. Obviously you were wrong, the price wasn’t too high for someone!” Michael threw his hands up and stormed out of the room, leaving Tammy to cry silently to herself.
*********************************************
“Hey Liz, you look great!” Maria said as Liz stepped into the limo. Liz looked and smiled at the compliment.
“So do you, you look much better without that ridiculous wig!” Liz laughed.
"How are you doing, are you nervous about seeing Michael?” Liz asked curiously, trying to gauge Maria’s mental state.
“Yes, terrified. But excited too, you know?” Maria giggled. “Thanks for letting me do this Liz. It really means a lot. I really need some answers.” She said more seriously
“I know, I could use some too. I know I act like I don’t care anymore why they never came back, but I do. I really need to know for my own sanity.” Liz said quietly.
The car stopped and Nigel opened the door for them. Liz handed Maria her FBI made invitation to the opening and Maria handed it back to her.
“I spent a quarter of a million dollars here this afternoon “Hillary”. They gave me an invitation!” Maria laughed as she walked ahead of Liz and entered the gallery.
Liz presented her invitation to the man at the door and walked in to the bustling show. There were people wall to wall, and she saw Maria walking around very calmly, pretending to be interested in the work.
She walked over to the paintings and started to look at Michael’s work. They were very good, but not her taste. She liked more traditional paintings. She picked up a glass of champagne and strolled around, making eye contact with a few men that gave her the once over with their eyes the way she hated. She walked to the back of the gallery and past a man in a dark blue suit. She stopped a few people past him and looked around. She had a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach. Max, she knew it was him. He was close by.
Max stood looking at one of Michael’s paintings. It happened to be the one titled “Loneliness”. He laughed at how much the painting reminded him of his own life. He took a sip of his water and nearly choked as he was drinking it. He stopped and looked around. The sound that he had just heard, and that scent. He looked around, but didn’t see anything that looked familiar. His mind must have been playing tricks on him again. He could have sworn it was…no but that was impossible.
Liz spotted Michael and Isabel standing along the back wall. Michael looked like he was upset about something, and he was telling Isabel all about it. Liz’s eyes sought out Maria and noticed she was talking to an elderly gentleman over by the bar. She wondered what she was waiting for, thinking she should just go and tell Michael she bought the painting. She looked around again, still not seeing Max. She began to think he wasn’t coming.
“ I just love your dress!” she heard the all too familiar voice squeal behind her.
Liz spun around to face Isabel Evans.
“Oh thanks, I got it today at Bloomingdale’s!” Liz gushed back, with her best fake smile. “It’s by a new designer named Isabel Evans. Isn’t it fabulous?” she looked down at the dress. Liz figured it was a good idea to get on Isabel’s good side.
“Yes, it certainly is.” Isabel smiled back. She stuck her hand out, “Isabel Evans, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” She said proudly.
Liz stuck her hand out, “Oh my god, you’re Isabel Evans! I don’t know what to say! I’m so embarrassed!” she gushed as she shook Isabel’s hand. “I’m Hillary Cassidy, the pleasure is all mine Ms Evans”
“Please,” Isabel said looking around, “call me Isabel. “Are you a fan of Michael’s work?”
“Actually, my boss is, she’s over there somewhere, I’m her intern so she insisted I come along.’ Liz said trying to act shy.
“Oh, then you’re a student?” Isabel asked as Liz nodded. “What school do you attend?”
“I’m starting mid -semester at UCLA on Monday.” Liz said smiling, knowing this would spark an introduction if Max was actually there.
“You’re kidding!” Isabel exclaimed, “My brother is a physics professor there! You have to meet him, let’s go track him down!” Isabel grabbed Liz’s arm and whisked her off to find Max.
They crossed the room and stopped behind a man in a dark blue suit. Just as Isabel was about to tap him on the shoulder, he spun around, scaring Isabel and Liz to death.
“Geez Max, you scared the crap out of me, what’s wrong with you?” Isabel asked forgetting Liz was standing next to her.
“Oh- nothing Iz. I just thought,… never mind. He looked over at the girl standing next to his sister and couldn’t take his eyes off of her. He looked at her eyes, and was surprised to see that they were blue. He looked at her light brown hair and smiled. She was definitely beautiful, but not his type. She looked younger than him as well, maybe twenty or so. He hoped Isabel wasn’t trying to set him up again.
“Max, this is Hillary Cassidy, she’s a new student at UCLA, starting on Monday.” Isabel smiled as Liz stuck out her hand. She blocked her mind from him, knowing that if she didn’t he would know who she was.
“Hi there. I’m Max Evans. I’m a professor at UCLA.” Max said and he smiled as he took her hand. There was something familiar about her hand and the way she held his. He tried to form a connection but was disappointed when he couldn’t. This girl was interesting, but he wasn’t about to pursue anything.
“Actually, your sister told me. Physics right?” He nodded. “I’m actually going to be taking that this semester. Maybe I’ll end up in one of your classes Professor.” Liz smiled at him trying to control her heart from beating a million beats per minute. Here she was, face to face with Max. She was pretty sure he had no idea who she was, but she had felt him try to connect to her.
“Well, that would be great, I hope to see you in class Miss Cassidy.” He nodded professionally at her.
“Please, call me Hillary.” Liz said as she looked at his eyes. Just as soulful as ever. She knew at that moment that her case and her career were going to go straight down the toilet.
Should I take the time to repost the rest? You tell me!
