Healing the Broken Heart (AU,CC,MATURE] Pt 7 - 09/28 [WIP]

[Kimmie]

Title: Healing The Broken Heart

Rating: MATURE for language and abusive situations.

Category: AU. No Aliens - M/L, M/M & A/I

Disclaimer: I don't own anything Roswell related. (Except the Season 1 dvd. Yay!)

Summary: Liz moves to L.A. to escape a bad past in Roswell, New Mexico.

A/N: Liz, Maria, and Isabel are 21. Max, Michael, and Alex are 22. btw, this will be switching back and forth from Liz's to Max's pov.


*Prologue*
-Liz-

I walk into my apartment after a very long shift at the Crashdown. The lights are all off which means that Sean hasn't gotten back yet, so I still have time to relax. This doesn't happen very often. At least not since we got married. When we were dating, Sean was a great guy. He brought flowers and gifts every time we went out and he chose romantic spots to spend the evenings. Then when we we're married everything changed. It was like I was seeing this whole other side of him. He would come home from work completely smashed. It started out as him just yelling at me and calling me names but then it progressed into him hitting and pushing me around. I just live with it though. I mean what else can I do?

After changing out of my uniform and into some pj's I pick up the phone to order pizza. I just don't have the energy to cook dinner. After placing the order I hear the front door open.

"Liz!" Sean yells as he stumbles into the room. "You better have dinner cooked!"

"I thought I would just order pizza." I say quietly and try to keep my distance.

"You thought?" Sean laughs. "Lizzie, Lizzie, Lizzie. Haven't I told you that thinking isn't one of your best qualities?"

"Well, I...I..." Stuttering obviously is a good quality of mine.

"You what Liz?" Sean cocks his head to the side like he's waiting for an answer.

"I was just tired and thought that you would like pizza." I say it hesistantly because I know whats coming. I don't know why I am even delaying the inevitable.

"You're tired? I work my ass off every damn day and you say that you're tired?" Sean walks over to me so that we are just an inch apart.

"I work too Sean and when I got back I didn't feel like cooking dinner so I ordered pizza. Deal with it!" As soon as the words come out of my mouth I know whats going to happen. I see his hand, coming into contact with my jaw, in slow motion. I spit blood out on the carpet but before I can look back up at Sean, he pushes me down on the floor.

"Don't you EVER raise your voice to me you bitch!" He shouts at me and then kicks me in the stomach. I grimace because I can almost see the bruise forming.

"I'm sorry." I whisper.

"Ohhh, She's sorry." Sean says like he's talking to someone else. "Well guess what Liz? Sorry isn't good enough."

I feel his foot make contact with my stomach again and then he leans down and pulls me up by my hair. I have my eyes closed through all of this because I can't bear to look at him while he is beating me. He pulls my face up close to his to where I can feel his hot breath burning my skin and the smell of alcohol is so strong I want to gag.

"I'm going out. When I get back there better be a fresh home cooked meal on that table or I am going to kill you Liz." He whispers directly into my ear and his last words send chills down my spine. "Don't think I wont." He looks me directly in my now open eyes and then drops me on the floor and walks back out of the apartment.

I curl up into a ball and take deep breaths to try and calm myself down. After I pull myself together I slowly stand up feeling every ache and pain as I do so. I go into the bedroom and change into jeans and a t-shirt and I start packing a bag. I just can't do it anymore. I can't live with this man any longer.

After packing my bag quickly I walk to the front door and open it. I pause and look back at the dark, empty apartment. "You've ruined my life for 2 years Sean, but I wont let you ruin anymore of it. Go to hell you asshole!" I yell into the empy room and then slam the door.

TBC...Feedback Please!

[Kimmie]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I loved all the wonderful feedback soo much.

lovalien

Crashdown2006

sweetbrowneyes

snoopie13

Behrsgirl77

WarGirl

roswellluver

Elf

Thanks again! Here's the next part:

*Part 1*
-Liz-

I'm now on a bus headed towards Los Angeles, California. I picked it because it was the next bus out of town and also because I have heard that L.A. is the city for new beginings and thats just what I need right now. A new begining.

The older lady sitting next to me keeps glancing over. I know that look in her eyes. It's pity. She's thinking, 'Look at that poor, pitiful girl who let her husband beat her for two fucking years without doing anything.' Okay, so maybe thats not what she's thinking. Thats what I'm thinking though.

"So why are you headed to L.A." She asks me. "If you don't mind me asking."

"No, its okay." Really it isn't. I just dont want to sound rude. "It's just time for a change of scenery."

"Oh, well that sounds nice." Oh yea, really nice. "I'm visiting my daughter and my grandchildren."

I don't say anything back I just smile and nod my head because I really don't want to talk to anyone. I just want to get there. I don't even know why I am so anxious to be in L.A. It's not like I have a place to stay or enough cash to even get an apartment. I sit back in my seat and close my eyes. I should just get some sleep and figure out what I am going to do when I get there.

~~~~~~~~~
-Max-

"Max buddy! You gotta get out and have some fun." Alex tells me for the hundreth time.

"I told you Alex, I have a paper to write for History. It's due on Monday." Alex just doesn't understand the pressure of being a college student because he, like Michael, chose to skip out on college. All they ever do is party.

"I thought you were going to be a Biology teacher Max." Alex looks confused. "Why the hell are you writing History papers?"

I swear sometimes Alex is not all there. "Just because I am going to teach Biology doesn't mean I don't need History." I explain to him. "Besides, I could change my mind before I graduate and decide to become a History teacher."

"Please don't Max. Your boring enough as it is." Thats Maria throwing her two cents in. None of my friends are in college. Maria and Isabel went to a two year community college together and now own a small coffee shop in the city. Michael is a security gaurd at the local mall and Alex changes his job so often I'm not even sure what he is right now.

"You guys go out and have fun. It can be a double date." I say, hoping that they will listen this time and I wont get pushed out the door like I did last weekend. "You know I will only ruin the fun for you anyway."

"He's right guys." Thank you Isabel. "Max doesn't know how to have fun and I want to have a good time."

"Yea Alex, give it up." Michael finally decides to say something. "If we bring Max he will be unhappy and intolerable the whole time causing Maria and Isabel to get angry that we invited him in the first place which would lead to us sleeping alone tonight."

"Okay, that settles it then." Alex says, grabbing his coat and Isabel's hand. "Cya Max!" And just like that they all leave.

"Wow, that was easier than I thought" I smile and then get started on my paper.
~~~~~~~~~
-Liz-

I wake up to the sound of everyone exiting the bus. So I grab my bag and get off as well. I walk into the bus station and the first thing I see is a clock. Great, not only am I in a huge city, alone, with no place to stay but it's 11:00 pm on a Friday night. What the hell am I going to do?

I walk out of the bus station and on to the sidewalk. I have to find a place to sleep tonight. Luckily there is a cheap motel right near the station. I wouldn't normally stay in a dump like this but it's not like I have a choice. It's either use the measly amount of cash I have to get a room for the night or I sleep on the sidewalk.

"Can I help you?" The middle aged woman at the front desk asks when I enter.

"Uhh, yea. I need a room for the night. The cheapest you got." I reply and shove my hands into my pockets.

"Singles are fifteen." She tells me and I pull the money out of my pocket. I had thirty dollars cash with me after buying the bus ticket with the money I had been saving up. Sean didn't know about it. He would have taken it. I hand her the money and she places a key in my hand. "Room 5B, hun."

"Thanks." I smile and then walk back out to find my room. After little searching I come to room 5B. I unlock the door and go inside to find a twin bed, a night stand that has clearly seen better days and a lamp in the corner. I flip the switch next to the door and light illuminates the grungy room. I throw my bag on the floor and fall on to the bed. "You wanted a new life." I say to myself. "Well guess what? You got one."
~~~~~~~~~
-Max-

After writing my History paper I decide that I should relax. It's 1:30 in the morning so Alex and Isabel or Michael and Maria should be getting here soon. The couple that doesn't come here goes to the girls apartment just down the hall. When they get here I will have to lock myself in my bedroom for the rest of the night and pray that I dont hear any noises. Especially if its Alex and Isabel who come here. I fall down onto the couch and turn the television on. Before I can flip through the first few channels the phone rings, so I get up to go answer it.

"Hello." I say to the person on the other end of the line.

"Max! Thank God you answered. Michael is drunk." Maria informs me. I hear Alex laughing in the background. He's probably drunk too.

"So? Wasn't that the point of going out. Partying and getting drunk." If it seems like I'm being rude, it's because I am. There whole lifestyle is so crazy though.

"No! We were just going to party, but Michael is like not just regular drunk...he's like nasty drunk. You know puking and delirious." She pauses. "And Alex is partially drunk so he can't help us. He just keeps laughing at Michael."

"Why don't you just get a cab?" I ask her. This isn't brain surgery people.

"Thats another problem. Isabel and I didn't bring any cash, Michael spent all of his on drinks, and Alex thought it would be hilarious to spend his last little bit on a filthly little motel room next to the club. So that's where we are at." Maria pauses and she lets out an annoyed sigh. "Max are you going to come pick us up or not?"

"Fine, where's this motel at?" I ask her, even though I have a pretty good idea.

"It's the one next to the bus station. It sticks out like a sore thumb, you can't miss it." She says and then gets distracted by something else. "Ewww nasty! Isabel, you should get some towels, cause Michael just puked all over Alex's new coat."

I struggle to hold back a laugh when I hear Alex in the background, "You stupid dipshit! You're paying for that. 350 dollars, right now buddy!"

"What room number Maria?" I ask her.

"Umm, 6B and you better hurry up Max." She says and then hangs up on me. All I can think is, Its going to be a long night.
~~~~~~~~~
-Liz-

I'm laying here on the bed staring at the ceiling, trying to go to sleep, but the people in the next room over are so loud that I can't. I look over at the clock. It's almost 2:00 a.m. I feel my stomach growl so I decide to go in search of some snack machines and hope that they aren't rat infested or something.

As soon as I open my door the door to 6B opens to and Maria DeLuca comes out. I completely forgot that she lived in L.A. Maria is Sean's cousin and the only other person I know that hates him. She doesn't know how bad he is though. No one does. We use to be really close in high school and then about a month after Sean and I got married she moved to L.A.

"Liz?" She looks at me with wide eyes. "Oh my God! Liz Parker, oh excuse me, DeLuca now."

"Actually its Liz Parker again." I tell her. I know its not finalized or anything. I mean technically we are still married but I don't want to go into all the awful details with her.

"Oh, I'm sorry Liz. Was Sean a complete jerk?" She asks and then gets a good look at my face. "What happened Liz?"

"Fell down the stairs." I blurt out quickly and she seems to buy it. "You know me. Really clumsy."

"Are you staying here?" She points to the room and I nod my head slowly. "Oh, well we cant have that. You should come stay with me. My apartment has an extra room and Isabel and I were just looking for a roommate."

"I dont want to be any trouble." I say quietly and look down at my feet.

"No trouble at all. If you are planning on staying in L.A. for awhile you could even help me out at the coffee shop I own." She seems excited to see me. I know I'm excited to see her.

"Really? That would be so great!" Looks like my luck has just gotten better.

"Good." She says and then turns around when a gorgeous man with amber eyes and dark raven colored hair comes up on the sidewalk. "Max! Finally you're here!"

"Sorry." He seems a little frustrated. "Friday night traffic in L.A. is awful."

"Well, if you just give me the cash for a cab then I will pay you back. Michael and Alex can go with you in the Jeep and then Isabel, Liz, and I can get a cab." Maria says and holds her hand out to him.

"Of course, I get the drunk ones." He mumbles and then looks up at me. "Hi, I'm Max."

"Hi." I reply while looking into his eyes. You could get lost in those eyes. "I'm Liz."

"Oh! This is my friend from high school. She married my deadbeat cousin, but they aren't together anymore." She turns to me. "You are so better off without him Liz."

"Thanks." I say and then mumble under my breath, "I guess."

The door to 6B opens again and out comes a tall, blonde woman. "Can we get going guys. Alex is about to beat the shit out of Michael for throwing up on his leather coat."

"She's right." Maria looks at Max and then points to her still open hand to get the point across that she needs money. Max pulls out some cash and lays it in her hand.

"I better get this back." he says and then goes inside the motel room. When he comes back out he is followed by two other guys. Michael and Alex.

"We are going to go." Max tells Maria and Isabel. "You guys get the next cab."

I walk back into my room to retrieve my bag and coat and come back out to find that Isabel and Maria already have a cab waiting. I get in and we head to their apartments.
~~~~~~~~~
-Max-

I'm driving a drunken Michael and Alex home and all I can think about is Maria's friend Liz. Her long silky hair, her big chocolate colored eyes. She was beautiful. Then something registered in my mind. She had a huge bruise across her jaw and cheek. I wonder what happened to her. I was pulled out of my thoughts by Michael and Alex.

"I swear Michael, you are so paying me 350 dollars. I love that jacket." Alex told Michael. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to put them together in the backseat.

"Would you just get off it already!" Michael half yelled, half slurred in reply. "You are such a baby when it comes to that damn jacket."

"You would be too if you spent almost a whole weeks paycheck on it!" Alex shouts back.

"For shit's sake, it's not my fault your a fucking idiot and go spending all your money on gay clothes." Michael is now leaning back in the seat with his eyes closed tightly. Obviously he has a pounding headache. Maybe that will teach him not to drink himself into oblivion.

"I can't believe that you just said that I have gay clothes!" Alex looks at him in complete shock. "If anyone has gay clothes its you!"

"Shut the hell up already!" I yell at Alex. They are really annoying the shit out of me.

"You wouldn't be happy either if someone puked all over your 350 dollar coat." Alex mumbles and sits back in his seat.

"I don't have a 350 dollar coat Alex, in fact, I don't own any clothes that cost that much." I tell him.

"Whatever." he says under his breath and flips me off. I don't pay any attention to it though because once again my thoughts drift back to Liz. Before I can get deep in thought we arrive at the apartments and I practically push both Michael and Alex out of the car and into the building.
~~~~~~~~~
-Liz-

Max just shoved Michael and Alex into their apartment and now he is walking with Isabel, Maria and I to ours. No one has said anything since we got out of the cab except for Max who just told Michael and Alex to behave themselves, before he closed the door.

"It has been a long night." Maria finally breaks the silence and begins digging in her jacket pockets trying to find keys.

"Yes it has." Isabel nods her head in agreement and lets out a yawn.

"Liz, I would give you a grand tour but I am completely exhausted so we are going to have to save it for in the morning." Maria says as she stops in front of a door and finally pulls out her keys. She then looks up at Max and says, "I hope you aren't planning on staying for long because you're not going to have a very friendly hostess."

"Do I ever have a friendly hostess at your place?" Max asks sarcastically and recieves a slap on the arm from Isabel. "The only reason I am coming with you is to get my money back anyway."

"Oh yea." Maria opens the door and we walk into a pretty good sized room. "Liz, this place has your basic stuff. Living room, kitchen, 3 bedrooms, and one bathroom. Tomorrow we will talk about rent and groceries. Unlike the boys, we go grocery shopping together and split up the cost. Maxy boy here does all the grocery shopping and Alex and Michael eat all his food...when they aren't eating ours."

"I tried putting my name on stuff but it didn't work. They still ate it." Max outwardly sighs and waits while Maria rumages through her purse.

"As for the shower...its first come first serve. If you aren't an earlier riser you should consider taking your shower at night cause Isabel here gets up with the sun and uses all the hot water." Maria says as she glares at Isabel. She pulls out some cash and hands it to Max. "Here ya go buddy."

"Thanks well, I'm gonna go. I'll see you ladies in the morning for our Saturday breakfast." Max smiles. And it is one sexy smile.

"Okay, thanks for the help Max." Maria says and waves. Max turns and walks back out of the apartment.

"Oh, every Saturday morning the gang has breakfast at the coffee shop before opening." Maria tells me. "You should come with us. I can show you around."

"That sounds great." I say as she directs me down a small hallway towards my room.

"I'm going to bed guys. See you in the morning" Isabel says as she opens the door to her room.

"Goodnight." Maria and I say in unison and then Maria stops infront of the last door in the hall.

"This is yours." She opens the door as she says it. Inside is a bed with a bare mattress, a night stand, a small dresser, and a closet. "Our last roommate left the furniture. She married some rich guy and said that we could just keep it for our next roommate. There are blankets and pillows in the closet that you can use. I think that about covers it."

"You have no idea how much this means to me Maria." I turn to her and say. "Thank you so much."

"It's no problem babe! We go way back." Maria says. "Besides I know I can use your help at the coffee shop. I remember how good you were with the costumers at the Crashdown."

"What kind of uniform is there?" I ask a little hesitantly.

"I know what you are thinking, but don't worry there are no alien head aprons or antenna headbands." Maria lets out a little laugh. "We have a strict. 'No uniforms policy.' You just where a little name tag."

"Okay, thats good." I say and walk into my room. "Well, I guess I will see you in the morning."

"Yea, goodnight." Maria yawns and then walks back down the hall. I close the door and lean against it. Things sure turned out better than I ever thought they would.

TBC...

[Kimmie]

wow! thank you sooo much for all the wonderful feedback!

mlover25: I can tell you that Maria hates Sean almost as much as Liz does, so she wont be talking to him - thanks for reading!

SweetieTeeny: I'm soo glad you like it!

snoopie13: Thanks for the feedback! Glad you like it so far.

roswullluver: lol. The antennae headband was pretty funny, but I think Liz is happier without it. Thanks for the wonderful feedback!

Behrsgirl77: I'm happy you are enjoying this! Thanks for the great FB!

AznGurl87: Thank you for reading! I'm glad you like it!

Crashdown2006: Thank you! Im so happy you like it.

sweetbrowneyes: I'm glad you like Alex and Michael...I have fun writing them this way. - Max and Liz interaction is soon to come. Thanks for the FB!

out of this world: So glad you like it so far! Thanks for the feedback.

Okay, Now you can have the next Part!

*Part 2*
-Max-

I wake up to the high pitched beeping of my alarm. Every saturday I get up at 7:30, get ready and make it to the coffee shop by 8:00. We all have breakfast there and talk about our week. Then at 9:00 Maria and Isabel open the place to the public and we all go our seperate ways. I usually come back to the apartment and either relax or do homework. All week long I go from school to work and I look foward to the weekend, when I can actually catch up on my rest. Michael has to get to work by 9:00 but he usually doesn't make it till fifteen after, even though the mall is only a few blocks away. You never know with Alex. Sometimes he goes to work, sometimes he goes back to the apartment, and sometimes he just goes out and goofs off.

After getting dressed I walk into the living room to find Alex up and ready, sitting on the couch, watching television. This is a strange sight, early on a saturday. Most the time Alex doesn't even make it to breakfast until half past 9:00.

"Why are you up so early?" I ask him. He doesn't look happy.

"I got a wake up call this morning from Isabel, saying that if I didn't get my ass out of bed and to breakfast on time that I would be spending my nights alone for a very long time." He tells me and rolls his eyes.

"She's mad about lastnight." I say and pick up the remote. Alex has Saturday morning cartoons on. Not really my thing.

"No shit, Sherlock." He says and then takes the remote away from me. "I am not letting you turn it to the freaking news. I don't need to know about all the fucked up shit in the world."

"Whatever. I'm heading out. Are you coming?" I stand up and ask him.

"Yea, one second I gotta do something." He stands up and walks down the hall and stops infront of Michael's door. He starts beating on the door like crazy. "Michael! Fire!!! Get out! The apartment is going to burn down!"

I stay back and watch. I'm not at all suprised. Alex and Michael are constantly pulling stuff like this on each other. Alex steps back and the door to Michael's room flies open and he runs out looking like a crazy person. Alex clutches his stomach he is laughing so hard. I bite the inside of my mouth to keep from laughing because I most definitely do not want Michael pissed off at me.

"What the hell is your problem?!" Michael yells at Alex.

"Paybacks a bitch." Alex says and then walks out of the apartment. Michael looks at me and all I can do is shrug and follow Alex.
~~~~~~~~~
-Liz-

It's almost 8:00 and Isabel, Maria, and I are walking across the street from the apartment to their coffee shop. We come to a stop infront of it so Isabel can unlock the door. Above the door there is a big sign that say's 'Isabel's Coffee Shop.'

"I thought both of you owned this place." I say to Maria and she looks at me funny.

"We do. Why?" She asks.

"It just says Isabel's coffee shop." I point to the sign above the door.

"That's because I started it out on my own." Isabel informs me. "Then It got to hard for me to handle by myself, so I decided to get a co-owner. Maria was already my roommate and she was looking for a job so she happily agreed to it. I offered to change the name but she said that it didn't matter and that it would be to much trouble anyway."

"Oh, Okay." I say as we walk in and Isabel flips on the lights. Maria immediately begins pulling chairs off the tables so I help her. Isabel walks into the backroom and a few minutes later comes out with a pitcher of orange juice and a tray filled with bagels and muffins. I turn my gaze to the door when I hear the bells on it ring.

"Hey guys." Alex says as he walks in followed by Max. Maria sits the last chair on the floor, looks at her watch and then sends a questioning look towards Alex.

"Alex, did you know that it's 8:00 on the dot?" She asks him.

"Yes." He replies. "So what?"

"Isn't it like breaking your own rules being here on time?" She still seems totally perplexed.

"Ask Isabel why I'm here so early." Alex grunts and sits down. Maria and I both look back at Isabel and she just shrugs, but she has a huge grin on her face.

"Isabel gave Alex a wake up call." Max tells us and laughs. Even his laugh is sexy.

"Oh, I see." Maria says and then smiles wide. "So she threatened to hold out on you, huh?"

Alex just glares at Maria and then crosses his arms over his chest. I walk over to the table Alex is sitting at and Max pulls out a chair for me. That is so sweet. I smile my thanks and then he sits down next to me.

"I don't believe we've met." Alex holds his hand out to me. "The name's Alex."

"I know who you are." I tell him as I shake his hand.

"You do? How?" He asks.

"I met you lastnight." I reply and grin. "I was in room 5B."

"Ohh, well I'm not usually like that." He says and leans back in his seat. "I'm actually very responsible."

Max starts laughing, along with Maria and Isabel. "On what planet?" Max asks.

"Don't push me Max." Alex warns and glares at him. "I'm not in the mood."

Max just rolls his eyes. Maria and Isabel walk back over to the table with the bagels, muffins, orange juice, and coffee.

"Where is Michael?" Maria asks as she sits down.

"He should be here soon. He was waking up when we were leaving and it only takes him like ten minutes to get ready." Max tells her and then makes an awful face. "I just hope he takes a shower because he smells like vomit."

Just then Michael walks through the door and over to Alex. He then proceeds to smack Alex in the back of his head.

"Ouch!" Alex shouts and brings his hand up to rub the sore spot.

"You are such a shithead." Michael says and then sits down next to Maria.

"What did you do this time Alex?" Isabel asks and looks Alex dead in the eye.

"Nothing." He replies quickly. Too quickly.

"Nothing my ass!" Michael shouts and then answers Isabel's question. "He beat on my door and screamed 'Fire' like a freaking lunatic."

Everyone at the table starts laughing except for Michael. "I don't see what the hell is so funny about it."

"I can't believe you fell for that." Maria pats him on the arm "Next time listen for a fire alarm, Sweetie."

Michael glares at her and then grabs a muffin and some coffee. Everyone else gets some food too and we sit in silence and eat for a few minutes until Isabel speaks up.

"So how was everyone's week?" She asks and takes a sip of her orange juice.

"Mine sucked." Michael is the first to answer.

"Mine was great until Michael ruined my jacket." Alex says and sends a cold stare to Michael. Maria covers Michael's mouth with her hand so he can't reply.

"I guess mine was pretty good. Same old stuff." Max tells us and leans back in his seat holding his coffee mug.

"Well, mine went great. Lastnight was the worst of it." Maria says and then looks at me. "Well, except for finding Liz. That was definitely a good thing." I smile back at her. "By the way, for those of you I didn't introduce her too, this is Liz Parker and she just moved to L.A. from my hometown. Roswell, New Mexico." Maria then turns to me. "Liz, this is Isabel, Alex, Michael, and Max." She points to each person. They all wave or nod their heads in response.

"What happened to your cheek?" Max asks me.

"I fell down some stairs. It hurt like hell too." Well, the hurting like hell part wasn't a lie. "I will wear high heels no more, or at least not when I have to walk up or down stairs" I add that in for affect just in case someone didn't believe me at first. You get use to making up pretty good stories when you do it so much.

"I know what you mean." Isabel says. "I don't wear heels to much either."

"I don't mean to be nosey or anything but what happened with Sean?" Maria asks me. I was dreading that question.

"Well, we just decided to break it off. Things weren't working out." I tell her.

"He was a jackass wasn't he?" Maria never liked Sean. Back in high school when we started dating she always told me I was crazy. I wish I would have believed her then.

"Kinda." Is my short reply. I hope that she changes the subject now.

"When did you get in L.A.?" Isabel asks.

"Just lastnight. I took the bus here and I was planning on looking for a place and job today, but I was just so tired lastnight that I went to the first motel I could find" I tell her.

"Well, I have to go guys." Michael kisses Maria on the cheek and stands up. "I'm going to try and make it on time today."

Everyone says goodbye and he walks out. "So Alex, what do you have planned for the day?" Isabel asks him.

"Work." He replies "I just got a new job."

"Flipping burgers?" Max asks with a smirk.

"No, Mr. Smarty Pants. For your information I am the newest shopping cart wrangler at Wal-Mart." Alex says with a proud smile.

"Ohhh, wow Alex!" Maria gives him sarcastic praise. "Maybe you will even get promoted to be the guy at the front who gives the smiley face stickers to little kids!"

"Very funny." Alex remarks and then stands up. "I don't have to take this. I'm going to work."

"Have fun." Maria waves. We all laugh.

"What are you up to today Max?" Isabel asks her brother.

"I am going to relax. I finished my paper lastnight so I can just hang around the house and do nothing. I may stop by here later on today." Max says and sits his cup down on the table.

"Okay well, we better get this cleaned up before our regulars start arriving." Maria says and begins to stack the dirty dishes on a tray.

"Yea, I'm going to go start another pot of coffee and get things ready in the back." Isabel gets up and walks to the backroom. Maria follows her back there with the tray of dishes, leaving Max and I alone.

"Liz, do you have anything planned for lunch today?" He asks me. I smile wide and shake my head.

"Well, would you like to join me?" He's smiling now too. "I usually go to this small diner just down the street."

"That sounds nice, Max." I tell him. "I'd love too."

Maria walks back through the swinging door. "Maria, when is my lunch break?" I ask her.

"How does 1:00 sound?" She walks over and starts wiping down the table we are at.

"Great." I tell her and then look at Max and he smiles.

"Well, I better be going ladies. My day of doing nothing awaits me." He says and then starts towards the door.

"Stop bragging." Maria rolls her eyes and Max laughs.

"See you at 1:00, Liz." He says and then walks out of the coffee shop. Maria looks at me with a questioning gaze.

"Did Max ask you out?" She asks, sounding fairly suprised.

"Yea, just to lunch though. Why?" I ask and walk back to the counter with her.

"Max hasn't asked a girl out in awhile. Not even to lunch. He must really like you." She says, causing me to blush slightly.

"He barely knows me." I say as we head into the back.

"Yea, but Max can tell if he like's someone just by spending a few minutes with them." She tells me and I just smile to myself.

"Okay, so this is the back. It's a lot like the Crashdown only we don't have a cook because all we sell are bagels, muffins, coffee, orange juice, milk. You know the basic coffee shop stuff." Maria begins to explain everything to me. "Out there on the counter we have three toaster ovens for the bagels and four coffee pots that will be going non-stop most of the morning. At around 1:00 everything slows down and we only have a few costumers who come in every now and then. We close at 4:00."

"Okay." I say trying to take it all in but all I can think about is Max and our lunch date. Then Sean comes to mind and I get nervous. How am I going to let another guy into my life after what happened with Sean. I know that Max would never hurt me or anyone for that matter, but It's been so long since I went out on a date that I don't know how to act around a normal guy. Plus, I am still married to Sean legally and the only way I can get a divorce is to see him again and go to court. I try to clear my mind of everything Sean. The whole reason I left was so that he couldn't control me anymore. So why does it seem like he still is?
~~~~~~~~~
-Max-

As I walk back to my apartment I barely register anything around me. My mind is focused on Liz and lunch today. There is just something about her. I walk into the building grinning from ear to ear.

"Hello Max." Mrs. Myers, my landlady waves to me from the front desk where she is sitting.

"Hey, Mrs. Myers, How are you today?" I ask.

"Just fine, Max. How are you?" She asks me back.

"I'm wonderful." I smile broadly at her as I walk by and she returns the gesture.

As I step on to the elevator my smile grows wider if thats even possible. This is going to be a great day.

TBC.

[Kimmie]

Hey everyone. Sorry It took me a week to post again. I went out of town and was planning on leaving a note to let you know but I completely forgot. Sorry! But I did come back with a new part! Does that make up for it??

Thanks for all the feedback, I really love it!

Behrsgirl77
out of this world
SweetieTeeny
Crashdown2006
roswellluver
Ms Yu

*Part 3*
-Liz-

I wipe my forhead with the back of my hand and rush into the backroom to retrieve another pitcher of orange juice. It seems like everytime I bring more out it run out immediately. Maria wasn't lying when she said the morning rush on Saturday was rough. But I can handle it. If I can handle Sean DeLuca for two years then I can handle pretty much anything. 'Shut up, Liz!' I tell myself. I keep thinking about that bastard. He is going to keep ruining my life, even though he's not here. 'It's not him, Liz, it's you. You're the one stopping yourself from getting over it.' 'Great, now I am trying to rationalize my thoughts by thinking more. That can't be good.'

"Liz, good news, it's half past 12:00. Things should be calming down soon and you get your lunch break." Maria comes up next to me and pulls me out of my thoughts. "You have been a really huge help! I knew you would be though."

"Well, it's the least I can do after you helped me so much." I tell her. If it wasn't for Maria I would still be back in that crummy little hotel.

"This evening you should come hang out with the gang." Isabel says after handing a costumer a bag of bagels and a cup of coffee. "Maybe if you come, Max will come. I think he has a thing for you."

"And she would know too." Maria tells me. "There siblings and have been tight since they were kids. She can practically read his emotions."

"Where do you go on Saturday nights?" I ask her.

"Well are weeks are busy and since we don't spend much time together then we spend the whole weekend together." Maria says as she pours some orange juice into a plastic cup. "Friday nights we party and let loose, Saturday morning we have breakfast together, Saturday evening is movie night, and Sunday is sleep in and do nothing all day time, unless something comes up."

"Oh! Maria its our turn to pick the movies!" Isabel squeals unexpectedly. "Chick flicks!"

"Yay!!" Maria gives Isabel a high five. "We rent like three movies and alternate between the guys choosing and us choosing. The guys always pick gore or action movies though."

"We always pick romantic comedies." Isabel says and hands the last costumer their change and order. "We should all go to the movie store right after work."

"Max will just have to drag himself away from his studies for a few minutes to come to our place and watch the movies." Maria says and starts cleaning things up. "Sound good Liz?"

"It sounds really good." I smile and help them refill the napkin despensers.
~~~~~~~~~
-Max-

I've practically been bouncing around since I left the coffee shop this morning. Anxiously awaiting lunchtime. I swear it's been the longest day ever. I finally am on my way across the street, a little on the early side just because I couldn't wait any longer. I've been ready to go for the past two hours. God, I sound desperate. I'm not really though. I mean I'm not desperate to get a girl. Not just any girl, this girl. Liz Parker. Man is she beautiful. For some reason though, she seems so closed off, which only makes me want to get to know her even better.

I casually swing open the front door, not wanting to seem to anxious. I hear the bell jingle as I do so. I also hear Maria who is talking to Liz but obviously loud enough so I can hear.

"Liz! Loverboy is here!" She grins at me as she yells. I glare at her and then blush when Liz walks out from the backroom. 'Have they been talking about me? And if they have...Is that a good thing?' I see Liz smile at me. 'Yea, it's a good thing.'

"Oh, hey Max!" Liz says. "Just give me a second to clean up and I will be ready to go."

"Sure." I smile back and walk over to the counter. "Hey Maria, Isabel."

"Hey Max." They both reply at the same time.

After making sure that Liz was safely out of earshot I turn to face Maria. "So how much do you know about Liz?" I ask her.

"Well we were best friends in high school, Max." She tells me. "Why? What do you need to know?"

"I was just wandering why she seems so closed off?" I just want to find out more about her.

"It probably has something to do with Sean. She seems to be avoiding the subject altogether though. I can only imagine what he was like. I mean seriously the guy was a complete jerk." Maria says as she works. If this Sean guy was anything like Maria says then he probably has turned Liz away from a relationship. That just means I have to work harder and be extra careful.

"Ok Max, I'm ready." Liz says as she walks up beside me.

"Well then, shall we?" I hold out my hand and Liz takes it and smiles. We then head out of the coffee shop together.

We walk to the diner and when we get there we help ourselves to the closest booth. "The food here is really good." I tell her, trying to make conversation.

"Yea, it looks good." She's looking down at the menu in front of her. "As long as none of the food has an alien themed name." Liz laughs. She is so beautiful when she laughs.

"Maria has told me plenty of stories about working at the Crashdown Cafe." I say and smile. "Your parents own it right?"

"Yea, Maria and I both worked there from like age 14 up." She looks up from her menu and smiles. "It was fun doing it together. We both knew that we would never be stuck there alone."

"I bet it was hard when Maria left." I blurt out. I don't even know why.

"Yea, I really missed her and I tried to keep in contact with her. It was just hard to." She pauses like she's afraid to tell me everything. "I was just really busy, I had work and I was a newlywed." She adds quickly. We both get silent because I'm not sure how to respond to that and she seems to have closed off even more than she was before.

"Can I take your order?" A young waitress breaks through the uncomfortable silence.

"Uh, Liz are you ready?" She nods her head so I continue, "I'd like a cherry coke and a cheese burger and fries."

"And you ma'm?" The waitress asks Liz.

"The chicken sandwich and fries." Liz tells her. "And an Ice Tea."

"Ok, I will be right back with your drinks." The waitress says before walking off. After a few minutes of silence I decide to say something.

"So Liz, how was life in Roswell, New Mexico?" I ask her. I can't think of anything better.

"Umm, it was ok." She says quickly and turns her head to glance out the window, when she does I see the bruise on her cheek and for some reason I get this bad vibe. Like the reason why she is avoiding all my questions has something to do with that damn mark. I don't know why I have this feeling but I can't seem to make it go away.

"So how is life in L.A.?" She asks.

"Well, for Alex, Maria, Isabel, and Michael I think its a constant party, but for me..." I trail off, trying to find the right words. "It's mostly about school work I guess. I moved here to go to UCLA and become a Biology teacher. Isabel and I are originally from Phoenix, Arizona."

"That's really great Max." She says and smiles at me. "It's good to have a goal in life. I'm sure you will make a wonderful Biology teacher."

"Thanks." I smile back and our drinks and food then arrive at the table. We eat in silence except for the occasional small talk. After finishing up I walk Liz back to the coffee shop and then head back to my apartment. This day couldn't get any better.
~~~~~~~~~
-Liz-

After the most amazing lunch of my entire life I walk into the back of the coffee shop to find Maria and Isabel sitting at a table finishing up there lunches. I guess the full out smile on my face is contagious because Isabel and Maria break into smiles when they see me.

"Oh Liz! You're back!" Maria pulls out a chair. "Sit your butt down and spill. I want every detail!"

"Please keep it PG though. I mean this is my brother were talking about." Isabel says as she throws away her trash.

"It was only G rated guys!" I tell them. Not that I didn't want it to be more than G rated, but it was just our first date. Oh yea, and I'm still married! But, of course they don't know that.

"Ok, sooooo...." Maria trails off and looks at me with anticipation. Max must really not date that much if they are freaking out this much over it.

"We just talked and had lunch. It was nothing." I say but they both catch my slight smile and continue to wait for more information. "Ok! IT was everything!"

"I knew it!" Maria squeals just like we are back in high school sharing juicy gossip.

"He is so cute guys." I outwardly sigh and lean back in my seat.

"He will be so much better for you than Sean could ever be." Maria says. There goes the happiness...she just had to bring up Sean. Ugh, its not her fault though. She just doesn't know. Maybe if I just ignore the fact that I have a drunken wife-beating husband, then it will just go away. Maybe?
~~~~~~~~~
-Max-

I hang up my phone and walk back to the couch. I have just been informed that I am going to a movie fest tonight at the girls place or I am going to be castrated as punishment if I don't. Ouch. I don't even want to think about that. I do want to think about Liz though, because she is the whole reason why I am even going tonight. That and the fact that my manhood was threatened by Maria. Mostly the former though.

I sigh as I sit back down on the couch and relax. I reach for the remote, planning to turn the channel to the news or CNN or something. As I am flipping through the channels though, I can't resist stopping on Cartoon Network. Looney Toons are on and I haven't watched that since I was a kid. I lean back into the couch and laugh inwardly at myself, because just this morning I was annoyed by the fact that Alex had Saturday morning cartoons on, and now...now I am watching road runner out smart the coyote over and over and I am laughing out loud.
~~~~~~~~~

(Disclaimer: I do not own Looney Toons or road runner or the coyote...I was just using them for Max's benefit, b/c they are my favorite cartoon characters funny.)

TBC!

[Kimmie]

Hey guys! I'm sorry I didn't get this part out till now, after I got better I just couldn't write. Everytime I sat down to work on it I went completely blank. But here it is and thank you sooo much for all the feedback, it really means a lot to me.

*Part 4*
-Liz-

Dear Journal,
I'm Liz Parker and things in my life are changing so fast that I don't know if I can keep up...

I sit up in bed and look out the window that is next to it. I have been doing this for the past thirty minutes because Maria told me that Max and the guys went to get pizza and junk food, or 'snackage' as Alex calls it, and they would be back shortly. Isabel, Maria, and I went to the movie rental store after work to pick up 'How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days,' 'Sixteen Candles,' and 'The Matrix.' We decided on one new chick flick, one classic chick flick, and a movie the boys can watch after we fall asleep. I look up when I hear a light tap on my door.

"Liz?" Maria appears in the doorframe, with a smile. "Michael just called and said that they got held up at the market, because Alex threw a fit over them not having any twinkies left."

"Seriously?" I ask. I know Alex is a little immature but I mean...twinkies?

"Oh yea, Alex gets cranky when he doesn't have his twinkies. They had to stop by another store to get them, but now they are on their way here." Maria says. "I'm gonna go set up the DVD player."

"Ok, I will be out in a minute." I tell her.

...and I keep remembering what Sean use to tell me about change...

*flashback*

"Change is bad, Liz and if you dont shut the hell up about it, I will make you think twice before you want to 'change' again." Sean scolded her. "Things are just fine the way they are."

*end flashback*

...now I know how wrong Sean was. Change isn't bad, infact I don't think I have ever been happier than I am right this moment.

With a slight smile on my face I close my journal and place it back in my bag. I lift myself off the bed and make my way into the living room.
~~~~~~~~~
-Max-

Sometimes I wonder why I always end up driving the guys around and then I glance to the passenger seat and see Michael shaking his head and drumming his fingers to the music in his headphones and I look in the back seat and see Alex stuffing his face with twinkies. Ah, yes...thats why I always drive. My friends are complete morons. No offense to them or anything.

If it wasn't for Liz being at this little get together than I would have probably just stayed at home and either studied or watched some television before going to sleep. I know that everyone thinks I am boring and act like an old man but it's just the way I am and I can't help that. There is something about Liz though. She brings out the little boy in me. I grin at that thought.

"Maxie boy, did you get laid?" Alex asks through a mouthful of twinkie.

"What? No. What the hell made you even ask that?" I ask glancing at him through the mirror.

"You're grinning from ear to ear. I mean it's worse than when you get an A plus on one of those school assignments of yours." He says, waving his hands around dramatically.

"You are so simple minded Alex, I swear." I tell him. Its okay for me to be mean to him. It's just a thing we do.

"So what? You're a grumpy old man. At least I have a sense of humor." He says matter-of-factly.

"Whatever. We're here." I say as I pull into my usual parking space. I tap Michael on the shoulder but he doesn't even flinch. His eyes are closed and he is still banging his head to the music he's listening to.

"Here, let me do it." Alex grins and then opens a twinkie. The next thing I know Alex has shoved a whole twinkie in Michael's face and took off running towards the apartment building. Michael looks at me and I can't hold in the laughter any longer because twinkie creme is smeared all over his face. I just step out of the jeep and head in Alex's direction. Alex is going to be getting major payback for this. Especially after what happened this morning.

~~~~~~~~~
-Liz-

I walk into the living room in just enough time to see Alex run through the door and disappear into Isabel's room. Max then comes through with a huge grin on his face. I glance over to the television where Isabel and Maria are hooking up the new dvd player to see that I am not the only one who is curious as to what's going on. After a few seconds Michael comes through the door, almost running into Max, with his face covered in whipped cream which I can only guess came from one of Alex's twinkies. Oh great, more drama.

"Where is he?" Michael asks. Everyone points to Isabel's room and Michael walks over to the door pulls two twinkies from his pocket and proceeds into the room. After hearing a scream of terror come from Alex, Michael walks back out of Isabel's room with a satisfied smile on his face. Alex walks out next, his hair has smashed twinkies in it and the cream is slowly dripping down his face. Ewwww.

Maria walks over to Michael and licks the cream off his lips and grins at him. Double Ewww. Isabel hands Alex a towel and then continues to work on the dvd player.

"Hey! No fair! Michael gets licked and all I get is a towel thrown at me!" Alex states as he plops down on the sofa and begins scrubbing his head.

"Sorry babe, I don't like twinkies." Isabel says as she pulls some cords out from the dvd box. "Ugh, you have got to be kidding me. I thought we already used all the cords. Where do these go?"

"Here let me do it." Max takes the cords from Isabel and has the dvd player set up in a matter of minutes.

"How did you do that so fast Max?" Maria asks as she sits down in the middle of the floor with a pillow and blanket.

"He goes to college Maria, remember? They teach you like everything there." Alex says as he shoves a handful of popcorn in his mouth.

"No they don't you idiot. I just read the instructions." Max tells Alex and then walks over to me.

"Do you want something to drink, Liz?" He asks. I am not use to being treated this way by men. Usually I am told to go get the drinks.

"Uh, yea sure." I say and follow him into the kitchen. "I'll help though."

"You don't have to." Max smiles. God, that smile.

"I want to." I smile back and grab a few cups out of the cabinet and fill them with ice as Max gets the drinks out.

"Gosh! Could you two stop flirting!" Isabel shouts in here. "Its getting a little freaky."

Max and I both blush and then silently prepare the drinks. After pouring the glasses of coke we carefully carry them into the living room where the begining of 'Sixteen Candles' has already started. I hear Alex and Michael groan, they both recieve quick replies from Maria and Isabel, in the form of slaps.

"If I have to hear you complaining the entire time, then I'm going to complain and talk throughout the whole movie you pick out next weekend." Maria says directly to Michael, with a glare.

"What's new? You always complain and talk anyway." Alex chimes in.

"Thanks man." Michael pats his friend on the back.

"Both of you shut up! I'm missing the movie!" Isabel shouts at both Alex and Michael.

"We wouldn't want that." Alex turns to Michael and says. Then he recieves a death stare from Isabel and quickly gets quiet.

"Is it always like this?" I whisper to Max. He looks at me and smiles. It's a little unnerving. Why is he doing that?

"Do I have something on my face?" I ask lamely.

"No, ummm, yea they're always like this. You get use to it though." He says and we both go sit on the empty love seat. God, how ironic is this?

~~~~~~~~~
-Max-

I don't think life has ever been so good. I'm not exactly sure what movie is playing or what time it is, but I do know that Liz Parkers head is resting on my shoulder and we are both underneath a blanket. Every once in awhile Liz laughs a little and it is the cutest thing I have ever seen. Who needs a movie when you have her? She looks up at me and I quickly shift my gaze to the television. Hopefully I was fast enough.

"So do you like the movie Max?" She asks quietly. Shit, I don't even know what the movie is. I look back at her and just nod my head and smile. Then I return my focus back on the movie. Several minutes go by without her speaking so I turn my head to look back at her only to find that she's leaned farther into me and her eyes are shut. Keep calm Max. It's just a beautiful girl asleep on you. Oh God, no it's not. It's Liz Parker asleep on me. The most beautiful girl I have ever seen. I look down to the floor to see Maria and Isabel laying, sprawled out and asleep on the floor. Michael pushes himself off the couch to put a new movie in.

"Okay guys, now it's time for the good stuff." Michael says quietly as he puts the dvd in. After the movie has been in for awhile Liz starts to squirm on top of me. I hesitantly wrap my arms around her and she trembles slightly.

"Max what's wrong with her?" Alex asks me. Liz whimpers and continues to squirm.

"I don't know. I guess a nightmare." I say nervously. I don't know what I'm suppose to do, she just keeps shaking.

"Stop it, Sean." She cries out and pushes against me with her fists. Sean? That's her ex-husband.

"Is she okay?" Michael leans over, as he asks.

"She's shaking really bad. Should I wake her up?" Michael nods so I gently tap her shoulder and say her name. That only seems to make matters worse. Then she shoots straight up and screams.

"Liz its okay! It was just a nightmare." I say and hold her tighter. Tears slip down her cheeks and she wipes at them quickly. I release my hold on her and she stands up.

"What's wrong Liz?" Maria asks as she yawns and sits up.

"Nothing. It's nothing. I'm just going to go sleep in my room." She says and practically runs out of the room. Leaving me feeling empty and helpless, and wondering once again, what Liz Parker is hiding.
~~~~~~~~~

TBC

(Another Disclaimer- I don't own any of the movies mentioned in the previous part...)

*A/N* I'll try to get the next part out sooner if I can. I just want to let you know that it's going to start getting a little angsty. I promise that no matter what happens, this is going to have a happy little dreamer ending.

[Kimmie]

Hey guys, I'm finally back with a new part...and I have to say it's pretty short, but it's the part leading up to a whole lot more Liz angst. I just hope writing it doesn't tear my little, dreamer heart out. lol. Well at least I have Alex and Michael as the comic relief. I would probably go crazy if I didn't.

Okay, enough of my ramblings...here's the next part.


*Part 5*
-Liz-

"I'm never going to get back to sleep so I might as well stop trying." I say to myself as I sit up in bed. I don't know how I am going to face Max again, he probably thinks I am some kind of freak. God, and what if I said something out loud while I was dreaming. No one can know about Sean. They just can't. The nightmares aren't that bad really. I just can't shake the feeling that Sean is going to find me and do what he was planning on doing that night.

*flashback*

"I'm going out. When I get back there better be a fresh home cooked meal on that table or I am going to kill you Liz." He whispers directly into my ear and his last words send chills down my spine. "Don't think I wont." He looks me directly in my now open eyes and then drops me on the floor and walks back out of the apartment.

*end flashback*

I shiver and pull the covers up around me. Are things ever going to go back to normal? Will Sean always be in my head? Just thinking that causes me to choke out a sob. I quickly place my hand over my mouth. I can't let them hear me cry. They can't know.

With that last thought I lie back down, curl up under the covers and silently cry myself to sleep.
~~~~~~~~~
-Max-

The first thing I wake up to is Isabel's voice. She is yelling at Alex to get up. There are little bits and pieces of Michael's voice thrown in too.

"Alex! Get the hell off my couch!" Isabel shouts and pushes Alex on the floor. I can now see why she is so upset. The snacks that Alex and Michael were eating lastnight are now smeared into her couch. I see Alex open his eyes and his gaze shifts from Isabel to the couch. His expression turns to one of terror.

"Popcorn, Chips, and Twinkies! Oh My!" He laughs out loud and Michael rolls over and grumbles something that sounds like 'shut up.'

"You dumbass! Clean it up now!" Isabel throws a rag at him and he begins cleaning off the couch.

Everything around me suddenly blurs as my mind goes back to lastnight. Liz. I need to go check on Liz. I slowly stand up without being noticed and make my way back to her bedroom. I gently tap on the door.

"Liz, it's me. How are you doing?" I wait for her response.

"I'm fine, Max." She says.

"Do you want to come out and get something for breakfast?" I ask, hopefully.

"Actually Max, I'm feeling like I might be coming down with something so it's probably best that I stay in bed. I wouldn't want to get any of you sick." She says weakly. She sounds so sad.

"Okay, well I guess I will talk to you later." I say through the door, all my previous hope leaving me. I wish I knew how I could help her, but I don't even know whats wrong.

"Hey, how's Liz?" Maria asks as I walk back into the living room.

"She thinks she's getting sick. I can't get her to come out." I tell her, not hiding my dissapointment.

"Cheer up Max. As soon as she get's better you can kiss her senseless and confess your undying love." Maria says dramatically.

"What are you talking about?" I ask. Can everyone tell?

"Come on Max! Did you really think you could keep your feelings a secret from me?" Maria says as she starts to pick up the blankets and pillows on the floor. "I've seen the way you act around her and to tell you the truth it's kind of disturbing...like a little, lovesick puppy."

"Maria!" I shout. I'm completely shocked that she didn't say anything to me before.

"What? It's true." She says it like it's no big deal. It's a very big deal, though.

"What are you guys talking about?" Isabel asks as she comes into the living room.

"Nothing." I say quickly. I hope it didn't come out to quick. She eyes me for another second before turning to Maria.

"Is this about Liz?" Isabel asks. Oh great.

"Is what about Liz?" Alex asks as he walks out of Isabel's room in a new, clean shirt.

"Why are ya'll talking about Liz?" Michael says as he walks out of the kitchen, holding a mug of coffee.

"Max is in looove with her." Maria tells everyone. Shit.

"Thanks a lot Maria! You might as well put it in the newspaper!" I yell. I'm starting to get a little pissed off.

"Max, you like Liz?" Michael asks.

"Why is this so important?! " I say and get a few looks from the goup. "That's it. I'm out." I open the door and then slam it behind me. No way am I going to stay here.
~~~~~~~~~
-Liz-

I hear voices coming from the living room and my mind automatically assumes that they are talking about me, so I walk up to my door and put my ear up next to it, as close as I can get.

"Is this about Liz?" I hear Isabel ask. I knew it. They are talking about me.

"Is what about Liz?" Alex is the next to join the conversation. Jeez, can't they find something better to talk about?

"Why are ya'll talking about Liz?" Michael asks. Okay, now this is just going a little overboard.

"Max is in looove with her." Maria says, jokingly. Wait. Did I just hear that right? No way.

"Thanks a lot Maria! You might as well put it in the newspaper!" Max yells. Oh my God! It's true. I back away from the door not caring to hear anything else. I know all I need to know. Max loves me. But how can he? We just met. He doesn't even know me and I don't know him either. All I know is that he has a sexy smile and gorgeous amber eyes and that body...

"Shut up Liz." I whisper to myself. I don't know what I was thinking. Nothing can ever happen between Max and I. He just can't get involved with me because he deserves so much better. Plus, I'm still married. I can't just pretend that I'm not. The only way to get a divorce is to be in contact with Sean again and I can't. He'll kill me, especially now that I ran off. In fact, he's probably hunting me down right this minute. I can't get close to anyone. That way it will be easier for me to run again if I have to.
~~~~~~~~~
-Max-

As soon as I walk to my apartment I regret leaving. After all Liz is still locked up in that bedroom. She claims that she'll be okay, but she's so secretive I don't even know if that's true. I wish she would just open up to me. I just want to be able to hold her and take care of her. But, something tells me that Liz Parker has a dark past. One that she doesn't want anyone to know about. One that she just wants to forget. And I have a feeling that it involves Sean, her ex-husband. But why the hell would she be so terrified of her ex? He's also Maria's cousin, the one that she always calls a deadbeat loser. Then, just like that the light bulb turns on and my mind begins to connect all the pieces, and now I know what I have to do.

[Kimmie]

Sorry it took so long. Here is the next part!

*Part 6*
-Liz-

"Are you sure your going to be okay, Liz?" Maria asks me as she stands up from my bed. She came in a few minutes ago to check on me and tell me that everyone except for her and Isabel had left.

"I'll be fine, Maria. I'm sure it's just some virus." I reassure her for about the fifth time.

"Okay, well Isabel and I are just going to be lounging around the apartment for most of the day. We might head over to the guys place later, but if you need something just tell me and I can get it for you." She continues.

"I will. Don't worry." I tell her, and she nods her head while smiling and heads out of my room, closing the door behind her.

Finally I can be alone for a little while. I just need some time to think. To process everything that is happening. When I came to L.A. I never meant to meet great friends and fall in love with a guy. I just wanted to get away from Sean, to have my life back. How did I let things go so far? I shouldn't have been so stupid.
~~~~~~~~~
-Max-

As soon as I make my way back to the girls apartment I start banging on the door. I have to get in there. I have to talk to Liz.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" I hear Maria shout. "Jeez, what the hell is so important that you have to bang on the freaking...Max what's wrong?" She looks at me with concerned eyes after pulling open the door.

"I need to talk to Liz." I say quickly. No messing around. I need to get to her.

"I don't think so mister. She isn't feeling well and she needs rest." Maria shakes her finger in my face.

"You don't understand, Maria. I have to talk to her." I hope she hears the urgency in my voice.

"Max, I know that you love her, but the least you could do is give her a day to recover before you go throwing yourself at her!"

"This isn't about that, Maria!" I shout. I know I'm being rude and obnoxious, but this can't wait.

"I'm like your best friend Max, next to those heathen boys you hang around, so listen to my advice. You are coming off as a desperate, little, puppy dog. Just stop and think about this for a minute." She really thinks shes helping me. I don't care if I seem desperate. I grab her by the shoulders.

"Maria! This is not about me, it's about Liz." I say each word slowly hoping she will understand this time. Then I don't wait for her reply I gently move her to the side and walk into the apartment and to Liz's bedroom. I calm myself down and knock on the door.

"Maria, I told you I'm fine." Liz says, sounding almost frustrated.

"It's me." I say simply.

"Max? What are you doing here?" She sounds a little nervous.

"We need to talk, Liz. Can I come in?"

"You know I don't think that such a good idea, with me being..." Liz begins but I don't even give her the time to finish.

"I don't care if I get sick." There's a hesitation and then I hear movement in the room. Finally the door opens and Liz steps back so I can come in.

"What do you want, Max?" What scares me most about that question, is the fact that her voice trembled when she asked it.

"Did Sean ever hit you?" I know I shouldn't be so blunt. I just couldn't hold it in any longer.

"What?!" She looks at me wide eyed. "Why are you even bringing this up?"

"It's just the way Maria talks about him and then after your nightmare lastnight...I just assumed that..."

"Oh, you assumed?" She asks sarcastically. "The great Max assumed! Well, then it must be true."

"Liz..." I try to calm her down, because I can see now that I was crazy in trying to bring this up. I should have known she would react this way.

"Oh, don't even!" She looks me directly in the eyes and I can barely see tears forming in hers, but she blinks and there gone like they were never there to begin with.

"You have absolutely know idea what you are talking about, Max! How dare you ask questions about things that you can't even begin to understand!" I can see anger and fear practically radiating off of her. "You barely know me and already you're making assumptions about my past. Why don't you just do me a favor and stay the hell out of my life!"

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I never expected this. What did I think she was just going run to me and tell me everything? I was such an idiot. So I do the only thing I can do. I turn slowly and walk out of the room, passing a curious and concerned Maria on the way to the door.
~~~~~~~~~
-Liz-

No, no no! Why did he have to bring that up? Becuase he loves you. I answer myself without the slightest hesitation. He can't love me though. This is for the best. Now I wont have to worry about him getting hurt worse in the end. Now I can go on with my life.

"Liz." Maria asks, standing in my doorway. "What happened? I heard the yelling. I'm pretty sure every neighbor did to."

"I'm sorry, Maria." I tell her. I never meant for this to happen. "It was nothing. Just me overreacting."

"Okay, well if you need to talk to me. You know where I am." She tells me and starts to turn around.

"What's going on?" Isabel asks, coming to stand next to Maria. "I was in the shower and I heard shouting. Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine." Maria smiles at me and closes my door. At least she understands that I want to be alone.

"I wish everything was fine." I say to myself as I sit down on my bed and pull out my journal.

Dear Journal,

I'm Liz Parker, and I was wrong about change.

When I was with Sean, that's all I ever wanted. A change. A new house, a new scenery, a new life. I always thought that if things would just change that I could be happy. I never completely understood the implication of that small word.
change: To cause to be different; To give a completely different form or appearance to; The act, process, or result of altering or modifying

The replacing of one thing for another

That's what it is. Replacing one thing with another. I replaced my lonely life in Roswell, with another lonely life in L.A. What I never knew about change was, that it's not always good.
~~~~~~~~~
-Max-

"Cheer up, buddy." Alex says to me after scarfing down yet another pre-packaged snack. "Things could be worse."

"Yea? How?" I look at him waiting for an answer as he chews.

"She could have turned out to be a man." Michael throws in his two cents. I hear Alex gag on his food.

"You sick bastard!" Alex chokes out. "I would most definitely not want to be a fly on the wall in your dreams."

"Michael, you watch to much Jerry Springer." I say as I sit back into the sofa.

"Nope. No such thing as to much Jerry." Alex says as he props his feet up on the coffee table that is now littered with trash.

"I just don't know what to do, guys." I say completely ignoring Alex's last statement. "How do I get her to talk to me?"

"Man, you wont even tell us what happened. How do you expect us to give you advice on something when we don't know what that said something is?" Michael asks.

"How do I expect you to give me advice on anything, period?" I say to myself, but loud enough so they can hear it.

"Hey now, I sense a little hostility." Alex says as he flips through tv channels.

"Frustration, yes. Hostility, no." I start to say more but the ringing phone interrupts me. I, being the only non-lazy ass, get up to answer it.

"Oh, look I found Jerry!" Alex shouts, pointing to the television.

"Hello." I say into the reciever, trying to block out Alex and the T.V.

"Hey Maxie! It's me!!" Her squeaky voice sends chills down my spine and I just want to throw up. I cover the phone with my hand and groan out loud in frustration. Alex and Michael turn around and direct all there attention towards me.

"Tess?" I ask barely above a whisper.

"You bet, sweetie." She answers. Alex and Michael get huge grins on there faces.

"Now things are getting good!" Alex whispers to Michael. Then the torment begins, when they both break into there favorite chant.

"JERRY! JERRY! JERRY!"
~~~~~~~~~

Disclaimer - I do not own anything to do with Jerry Springer...not that there was ever any question about that.

[Kimmie]

Hey guys sorry its been sooo long. When I got the pm that I hadn't posted a new part in 90 days, I knew I had to start writing again...it might not be a consistent every week thing but I'm going to try not to make the parts to spaced out. Anyway...here is the next part...

*Part 7*
-Max-

"Guys, would you shut the fuck up!" I have enough to worry about. I don't need them adding to my pain.

"Man, some people just don't respect quality T.V." Alex says, turning back around on the sofa.

"Max? Are you there honey??" Not willingly. Infact I rather be anywhere but here.

"Yes." I say simply. Could things get any worse??

"Guess what!! I'm back in town!" Well, obviously they can.

"Umm, thats great, Tess." I reply. She better not expect me to go out with her.

"So, I was thinking that since I'm here in L.A. we could get together and do something." She says with a little to much excitement. "I mean it's been so long since I've seen you, Maxie."

"Tess, I thought we decided on a clean break. You have your life, I have mine and we're just going in opposite directions." I explain to her. I know I've said this more that once.

"I just meant as friends, Max. Nothing more."

"I understand, but I just really have a lot of stuff going on right now, with school and work." I tell her. "I don't really have time." I know it's a lie, but I just don't like Tess. Not even a little.

"Well then, I guess I will talk to you later, Max." She says, sounding slightly irritated. "On second thought, I might just drop by sometime."

"Tess, I don't think..." I start to say but she cuts me off.

"Bye Maxie!" And then I hear the dial tone.

"Bitch." I say as I sit the phone back on the charger.

"So, give us details." Alex says.

"She said she might just 'drop by some time'." I tell him, in a high pitched 'Tess voice.'

"Well, if you hate her so much, why don't you just tell her to leave you alone?" Michael asks, without moving his attention from the television.

"It's not that easy, Michael. She's like a leech. She never stops, no matter what I say or do. Besides, you're the one that got me into this shit." I sit back down on the sofa and lean my head back all the way. I'm so exhausted.

"Hey! All I did was introduce her to you at that bar. I thought you needed to get laid."

"Is that all you ever think about?" I ask him. "Getting laid?"

"Max, stop shitting on everyones mood, just because you're having a bad day." Alex tells me with a glare. I just roll my eyes. What the hell am I going to do?
~~~~~~~~~
-Liz-

"Liz, were going shopping and you have to come!" Isabel says as she sits next to me on the sofa. Awhile ago I came out to watch a little television in here. I told Maria and Isabel that I was feeling much better. Big mistake. Now they want me to go out with them.

"Yea Liz." Maria adds. She's standing next to me holding a mirror and applying lip gloss. "It's been a long day and I think you need a little fun time."

"Oh Maria! We can go to that new, little boutique down the street. I've been wanting to go since it first opened." Isabel jumps up and takes the lip gloss and mirror from Maria, so she can use them.

"Thanks for the offer guys, but I think I'm just going to stay here." I tell them. I'm not really in a people person kinda mood.

"Nope. You're coming, chicka." Maria points her finger at me sternly. "No excuses."

"Okay." I give up fighting because I know Maria would win in anyway. Maybe getting out will help me forget everything. Fat chance.

"Good." Isabel hands me the mirror and lip gloss. I feel like I'm back in high school. That's the last time I had actual girl friends to go places with. Sean didn't like me having friends. Now things are different though and I don't have to worry about what Sean thinks.

"I'm thinking about getting a new pair of shoes." Maria says casually.

"You say that everytime we go out and you end up getting like 5 pairs. Why don't you just admit it, Maria, you're a shoe-aholic." Isabel tells here.

"Am not. I just appreciate fine designer shoes."

"Yea, 'fine designer shoes' that you don't have the money to pay for." Isabel looks at her directly.

"Whatever. Let's go." Maria says as she grabs my arm and pulls me out the door. This should be interesting.
~~~~~~~~~

Two hours and three stores later, I am holding one box of shoes and two shopping bags. None of which I could afford, but Maria insisted that she could just charge them. Currently I am sitting on a bench outside of the fitting rooms waiting for Maria to try something on, while Isabel continues to browse through clothing, purses, and more shoes.

"So what do you think?" Maria comes out modeling a black mini skirt and red tank top. "I think it will be perfect for clubbing."

"Oh my God, Maria! That looks hott! Michael will love it." Isabel says as she comes up beside me.

"Yea, it looks really great on you." I say with a little less excitement than Isabel. Give me a break, its been awhile since I did this girly shopping thing.

"I'm so charging this." Maria says as she admires the outfit in a mirror.

"You're going to max out your card if you don't stop." Isabel warns her.

"Yea, I guess you're right. This is the last time. Then we will go straight home."

"Yea, sure. Like I believe that." Isabel rolls her eyes. I just laugh. This is actually fun, its been so long since I actually just had fun with a group of friends.
~~~~~~~~~
-Max-

"You don't think she meant today do you?" Max says out of no where, after a very long silence. After Jerry went off the guys decided to put in Bravehart, even though they've seen it probably a hundred times.

"Are you still talking about that man? Don't worry, Michael and I will take care of it." Alex smirks and then turns back to the television.

"No thanks. You will just piss her off and make her complain to me." I tell him. I know what will happen because it has happened before.

"How about this, you go hide in your room and we tell her that you are out on a date." Michael speaks up even though his face is still glued to the screen.

"She would probably turn stalker and try and find him." Alex says with a laugh. "I most definitely wouldn't put it past her."

"No, thats okay. I can handle this." I sigh out loud. Just then there is a knock at the door. I freeze. Oh my God. You have to be kidding me.

"Sounds like the beast is here." Alex says while trying to hold back a smile.

"I'm hiding!" Michael presses pause on the vcr and runs to his bedroom.

I walk over to the door slowly and then open it to find Liz standing on the other side. I let out a huge sigh of relief and I hear Alex knocking on Michaels door telling him its safe to come out.

"Hey Liz." I say awkwardly. I thought she was mad at me.

"Hey Max." she replies. "I was wondering if we could go somewhere and talk."

"Yea, that sounds good." I tell her. "Did you have a place in mind?"

"Not exactly."

"Well, I think I know a place we could go. Come on, I'll take you." I say and then close the apartment door behind us. Maybe she is finally ready to open up.

TBC (I promise. lol.)

Feedback greatly appreciated!