Say You'll Be Mine (AU,M/L,TEEN/MATURE) AN 1/8/05 [WIP]

[foreverdreamer15]

Title: Say You’ll Be Mine

Author: foreverdreamer15

Category: AU with Aliens

Couples: M/L (mainly), M/M, K/I and A/T but UC in the beginning.

Rating: TEEN-MATURE

Disclaimer: I do not own anything that has to do with Roswell. The title belongs to a song by Hollies. I do not own it.

Summary: Aliens are aliens and humans are humans as in the show but Nacedo never found Tess when she came out of her pod. Max, Michael and Isabel grow up in Roswell unaware about themselves till Nacedo finds them when they are 13.
Kyle Valenti and Maria DeLuca are stepbrother and stepsister since they were 6.
Alexander Whitman, the son of a multi-millionaire, has never been to Roswell in his life.
Elizabeth Parker, adopted by her grandmother after her parent’s death when she’s 6, has never set foot in Roswell since then. Best Friends, they grow up in Boston blissfully ignorant of the pod-squad in Roswell until fate drastically intervenes…

Hmm…who else? Oh yeah Tess is good in this fic and if you wanna find out who she is read the prologue

Feedback: Very much appreciated.

A.N: Let’s assume the aliens came out in 1987 as 6 year olds. The characters of both Max and Alex will be slightly different from that on the show. Though basically Alex is the same funny, cute guy and Max is the kind, gorgeous soul that we all love, they have both been changed by circumstances in their life, in this fic.

*****
Say You'll Be Mine by Hollies (Album: Unknown)

Thinking about you
How it would be
If I could live without you
Something I just can’t seem to visualise
When I look into your eyes
I only hear the words I want to hear

Say that you’ll be mine
For ever and ever
You don’t have to tell the truth
But I want you to
Say that you’re mine
Say that you’ll be mine
For ever and ever
Let me live a fantasy
Gotta lie to me won’t you please
Say that you’re mine

Deep inside me
I hear a warning voice
Speak softly to me
Asking how I could ever be so blind
I’ve been trying to read your mind
Why don’t you say the words I want to hear

Why don’t you

Say that you’ll be mine
For ever and ever
You don’t have to tell the truth
But I want you to
Say that you’re mine
Say that you’ll be mine
For ever and ever
Let me live a fantasy
Gotta lie to me won’t you please
Say that you’re mine

Doing all I can to make you see
Ooh, baby what you do to me
Don’t you know my heart’s in jeopardy
The effect you havin’ over me

Say that you’ll be mine
For ever and ever
You don’t have to tell the truth
But I want you to
Say that you’re mine
Say that you’ll be mine
For ever and ever
Let me live a fantasy
Gotta lie to me won’t you please
Say that you’re mine


Prologue:

Oxford University, London – December 2002

Liz Parker stood outside in the porch looking around her uninterestedly and smoking casually. She was completely bored. Loud music, noise and laughter drifted out from the inside shattering the calmness of the night. This was the last party before the Christmas break and almost the whole of the student body had come and gathered inside because of the biting cold outside. But Liz didn’t feel it as she stared off in the distance thinking of the day when she would be graduating. Only 6 more months of school and she already had great job offers lined up. But Alex wanted to go on a road trip as a last hurrah to their childhood before they officially began their career and ventured into the world of business. He would also be graduating in 6 months from MIT and joining his father, Charles Whitman, a multi-millionaire with his own computer company that mainly dealt with security.

Liz smiled thinking of the last road trip her best friend Alex, Tess and she had taken together just after completing their high school. After that summer they had all gone their separate ways. Liz had always wanted to get out and explore the world and she had gone to Oxford, Alex to MIT and Tess to UNM but they had kept in constant touch over the years and their summers were spent in London and Europe. It had been nearly 4 years since she went to United States and she wasn’t sure she would go there again. She loved London and had come to regard it as her home now. Other than Tess and Alex she really had no one else and after Tess found her real family about a year back, Liz had felt them drifting apart. But Liz couldn’t begrudge Tess her happiness.

Though Liz loved her very much, she knew that Tess always felt as if she didn’t belong. Even after they had met Alex Whitman in their 5th grade and all three had become inseparable, Tess had still felt like an outsider. So Liz was very happy for her that she had found others like her and felt accepted among them. In fact, Liz had a nagging suspicion from their last phone conversation that Tess has fallen in love. She had sounded so joyful in high spirits, giggly even and at that moment Liz knew that Tess was finally home and would never leave New Mexico now.

Liz dragged another puff and then threw the cigarette on the ground and squashed it with her 6-inch heels. She then pulled her jacket tighter around her body, looked at the time and decided to call it a night. She entered the house to find the party still going on in full swing and the stench of alcohol hit her nose. She searched for her friend and roommate Melinda and finally found her in the living room couch in a tight lip lock with her boyfriend.

Liz tried calling Melinda but her voice couldn’t be heard over the din of the noise. With a grimace, Liz shook Melinda’s shoulder hard.

“Liz? Is that you?” Melinda peered at her trying to see through her drunken haze.

“Yeah. I am heading back to the dorm. You need a ride?” though Liz was pretty sure that she wouldn’t be coming back home tonight.

“Nah. You go on. Will catch up with you later.”

“Ok then Mel” Liz said but Mel had already turned back to her boyfriend.

Liz made a disgusted face and turned back. Its not that she didn’t date, but she focused more on her studies. After her parents’ and later her grandmother’s death when she was 13, Liz had learned to not depend on anyone and so finishing her education; getting a job and making something of herself had become her priority. She had never let anyone close to her other than Alex and Tess. They had all come together by their loneliness and had learnt early on never to trust others.

Liz wearily trudged into her room and removing her jacket, heels, her mini-skirt and the flashy tube top quickly changed into her thin nightdress. She then tumbled down on her bed and was out in a minute.

********

Two hours later, the shrill ringing of the telephone forced her to open her eyes. Liz winced against the continuous sound hoping that it would go away.

Liz looked at the digital clock to see the dial glow 5.00 A.M.

“Who in the hell is calling now?” she said a bit loudly and then immediately groaned clutching at her head and closed her eyes. Still lying on the bed, she put her hand on the nightstand searching for the phone in the darkness.

Finally grabbing the phone, Liz muttered a sleepy “ ’ello! ”

“Liz…”

Liz squinted her eyes open, “Tess?” and wondered why she was calling at this time.

“Lizzie…I …”and then she heard crying on the phone.

Scared now Liz sat up rubbing her eyes, “Tess is that you?”

More sobbing now.

“Tess what happened?” Liz asked convinced that it was her on the phone.

“I am really scared…I think they are going to kill me…”

“What? Who? Where are you now?” Liz asked frantic with worry her entire body strumming with adrenaline, the sleep completely gone now.

“I… They…they are watching me …”Tess whispered fearfully. “Lizzie…help me…”

“Tess who are they?”

“Its all confusing…what’s real or illusion…I don’t know…” Tess stuttered terrified and sobbing.

“Tess, please honey,” Liz tried to speak calmly though her heart was thudding miles per minute.

“I…I don’t know anymore…”

“Listen, you have to calm down. Okay, where are you now?”

“UNM, no…Roswell…yeah Roswell…” she said confused.

“Okay sweetie, who are they…”

“Liz…Liz…”Tess seemed hysterical now, “Someone’s coming…help me…please…”

Liz then heard a heart-wrenching scream followed by the dial tone

“Tess. Tess” Liz shouted into the phone. “Answer me! Answer me Damn it!”

There was only silence on the other end and the apartment seemed eerily quiet.

Liz switched on the light quickly and started searching through her things hastily and finally found the latest number Tess had last given her. She quickly dialed it only to hear the operator’s voice, “This number has temporarily been disconnected.” Liz tried the number a few more times, then threw the phone away cursing in anger with tears streaming down her face.

Liz then once again picked up the phone and dialed a familiar number in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

*********
Two days later:

Alex rushed into Liz’s room to see her lying in her bed in the fetal position with her eyes closed. He could see the dry tear tracks on her face and his heart clenched on seeing her like this. She was always the strongest among them three and to see her lying broken…

“Alex, hi” Melinda said softly seeing he looked exactly like Liz, pale and tired as if he hadn’t slept nor eaten anything in the past couple of days and then only Alex saw Liz’s roommate sitting quietly beside Liz.

“She hasn’t eaten anything for the past two days. I tried my best but she didn’t listen to me at all. I finally forced her to drink juice and put her to sleep.” Melinda explained.

“Thanks Mel.” Alex said softly sitting near Liz and running his hands through her hair.

“ I…I will leave now,” and Melinda left the room.

“Alex?” Liz mumbled opening her eyes, then immediately sat up looking behind him expectantly, “Where is she?”

Alex’s own eyes filled with tears for both his best friend and his love and he desperately tried to control them, “I am sorry Liz…”

“No!” Liz interrupted wide-eyed at him.

“Listen to me Liz. There was a lab explosion in UNM and Tess…”Alex’s throat hitched.

“No” Liz said shaking her head, “She is not there. She said she was in Roswell. We have to go there…”

“Liz…”

“NO! Damn it Alex. My sister is alive and scared. We just have to go and …”

“LIZ, listen,” Alex held her firmly by her shoulders and looked straight into her eyes, “I was at UNM for the past two days, she was working in the lab when it exploded,” Liz was still shaking her head wildly, “she…she is Dead Liz...” Alex whispered brokenly no longer able to hold his tears.

Liz looked at him blankly for a second and then her entire world went black.

*********

A.N: So how is it? Should I continue?

[foreverdreamer15]

Wow Thank you everyone for the awesome feedback. I am so glad many of you liked the starting. I will post the next part this weekend and after that will try for atleast once a week.

Thank you for your feedback,

rainbow_watcher
Lullaby
g7silvers
roswellluver
FSUMSW94
LTL
OmegaRam1
purpleant
kay_b
dreamer19
I am a dreamer: Hey Liz and Alex both know that Tess is an alien. More about her death will be explained in the next chapter.

and tess said that she couldn't tell what was an elusion or what was real and she couldn't be certain if she was in roswell or at unm. so was she being mindwarped or something?

yeah, something like that As for your other questions they will be answered eventually.

Hope you all like this part also.

Disclaimer: The song used in this chapter is I Shall Believe by Sheryl Crow. I do not own it.

*******
Part 1:

1-½ years later, Roswell:

“What do you mean the daisies haven’t arrived yet?” Isabel Evans nearly shouted into her cell phone. “I specifically ordered them to be delivered today exactly by 3.30 pm and its already 4.00 now. Roses?” Isabel hissed in anger. “Roses? The bride doesn’t like roses. Look buddy, I don’t care about your problems. The reception is in 2 hours and trust me, you don’t want to know what is going to happen if I don’t get the floral arrangements I ordered within an hour …”she cut the phone off threateningly and looked around at the guests self-consciously and then smoothed her dress sighing.

She grimaced once more looking at the dress she was wearing but Maria had firmly put her foot down and chosen the dresses herself. The dress was a shiny blue strapless one and the top fit Isabel snugly with the gown slightly billowing out after her knees. The only part that Isabel hated about it apart from the color was the frills it had towards the end. But as the maid of honor, she had had no choice but to go along with it especially as Maria had reluctantly left her in charge of the other aspects of the wedding.

“Isabel, you look lovely,” Diane Evans began but became concerned seeing her. “Honey, is everything all right? You have to relax. I know this is your first big event but the wedding is in 30 minutes and …”

“30 minutes,” Isabel looked at her watch worried. “Oh my god! Excuse me mom, but I really need to go and see about the band for the reception.”

“Isabel, one minute dear,” her father began, “Do you know where your brother is? I want to have a father-son talk before the wedding begins,” he finished grinning.

“The guys are in the second room on the left. And dad, please don’t make him even more nervous than he already is.”

Isabel then turned around and dashed against a petite blonde-haired girl wearing a knee length purple sleeveless dress.

“Wow! Izzy, watch out,” the blonde replied her blue eyes twinkling.

“Sorry Ava. Listen, do you know whether Uncle Ed went to pick the band up from the airport?”

All the three, Max, Michael and Isabel had been calling Nacedo, their protector, as uncle for a long time that it became a habit for her to refer to him as one. When they were children it was cause they could spend time with him without causing any suspicion from their parents and now it was to keep up the appearance that he was family.

“Oh Yeah, see change of plans. Your brother has him watching this whole place like a hawk coz of the,” she lowered her voice, “skins, so I just sent the limousine to pick the band up.”

“Skins?” Isabel asked frantically fearing the worst.

“They aren’t here,” Ava reassured her, “but you know Max and his stupid motto, Better Safe than Sorry,” she said rolling her eyes. “And you better hurry over to Maria. She is freaking out, more than usual and sniffing the oil like crazy with the pre-wedding jitters and frankly I don’t think the pep talk Amy’s giving is helping her.”

Isabel groaned silently praying to get through this successfully. “Okay. Let me know as soon as the band arrives or you know what, call the limo and get the status. And find my useless assistants and tell one of them to go to the flower shop and update me. I will be with Maria if any of you need to find me.”

She then hurried towards the bridal chamber checking her list. Food - check, band – arriving, flowers – called, guests – arrived and seated, rings - check, bouquet …the RINGS? Isabel stopped suddenly her eyes widening. Where are the rings?

***********

“I know that you are nervous about this but its’ okay to be nervous. I mean this is a huge decision and you are going to be with one woman for the rest of your life. You will have to make a lot of adjustments and will have lots of responsibilities…” Philip Evans continued on to his son not noticing the increasing green pallor of his skin while Kyle Valenti watched the whole scene amused from his chair nearby.

“Dad…” he began nervously when Isabel burst into the room suddenly.

He immediately got up relieved to see his sister and also annoyed that she sent their Dad to talk with him. “Isabel…” he began.

“Where is your best man?” Isabel asked angrily searching the room urgently.

“Here,” Kyle got up quietly his eyes on Isabel a multitude of emotions going through him at that moment. She had grown more beautiful than the last time he saw her if that was even possible. He had successfully avoided seeing her for the past one week since he came back but he need not have bothered. His feelings for her hadn’t changed one bit. He still loved her as much as before and in fact the ache in his heart had grown more over the yearlong absence. His mouth went dry when he saw Isabel in her dress. She was looking really gorgeous.

Isabel turned, her heart skipping a beat hearing the familiar voice and then her heart literally stopped for a moment as she saw him only to start beating faster a minute later. She was surprised, though she knew she would be meeting him today. He was the best man for Christ’s sake except that she hadn’t wanted to meet him looking all tired and flustered while he looked as dashing as ever. He was looking really mouth-watering in the black tux. “It shows off his muscles nicely,” Isabel thought.

Their eyes met for a moment and Isabel turned away from his penetrating stare muttering, “No. Not you, the other useless one.”

“What do you mean?” the groom asked worried. “He went off about 20 minutes ago to meet you.”

Isabel had a sinking feeling in her heart. “Oh, I must have missed him then,” she said nonchalantly. “I will just go now. Continue dad.”

“Isabel…” the groom pleaded but she had already gone off.

Kyle looked at the door suspiciously. He knew her too well for his own good. She was worried about something. What did he do now? He then frowned fiercely thinking, “If he does anything to mess up my sister’s wedding, alien powers or not this time I will kill him.”

**********

“Okay, Isabel. Calm down. He has got to be here somewhere with the rings. Just find him and you will find the rings. Oh God,” she smacked herself on her forehead and mumbled, “Why did I ever give him the responsibility of getting the rings?”

**********

Meanwhile, in a small hallway closet:

“Ooh…yeah…you are so good…” the girl moaned as the guy sucked on her neck and his hands crept under her dress.

“Yeah baby…you taste so sweet…”

“We should…aah..go…yeah….go to the...ooh….wedding…Maria’s wedding…”

The guy just groaned in response and continued kissing, his mouth trailing lower.

*********

Isabel stopped suddenly in the corridor hearing moans coming from the closet. She stopped and glared at in horror. Then angry beyond belief she yanked the door open applying her powers and then…

“Oh My God!” Isabel said shocked and disgusted to see one of the best men and the bridesmaid.

“Isabel,” the guy shouted just as shocked.

Immediately the guy and the girl scrambled away from each other and started adjusting their clothes. Isabel glared daggers at both of them.

“I…I got to go…” the girl said and before Isabel could say anything else she ran away from the place.

“Isabel, can’t you knock? What do you…” he began unrepentantly.

“Unbelievable,” Isabel interrupted in anger. “The wedding is in 20 minutes and you are fucking the bridesmaid?”

“Not exactly. You interrupted it,” he replied coolly waving his hand and arranging his clothes.

“How dare you?” Isabel actually growled with rage. “I know you aren’t exactly happy with this wedding and don’t trust humans,” she hissed in fury, “but how dare you disrespect Maria by fucking her cousin during her wedding? This is also your brother’s wedding for god’s sake. Didn’t you even think about that?”

Though they weren’t actually siblings, Isabel, Max and Michael had all grown up, as they were brothers and sisters.

“Isabel…”

“Save it. I don’t have time for this. Give me the rings.”

“Rings?” he bleated.

“Yes, the rings,” Isabel said dangerously. “Tell me you brought them from the shop yesterday.”

“Of course,” he lied. “It’s in the room. I will get it just now.”

“Meet me at the aisle,” she said impatiently and went off.

As soon as she did, he rushed away from the place looking at his watch and cursing himself for forgetting to get the rings. He hurriedly got into his car just as the limo arrived with the band. He started the car only to hear a shout behind him.

Ava hurried towards him and asked breathlessly, “Where are you going? The wedding’s about to start.”

“Ava, I didn’t get the rings. You have to stall the wedding till I get back.”

“I…what?” Ava asked shocked. “The wedding cannot start without the rings."

“I know. I will be back soon and stall.”

“But it will take you at least 40 minutes…”she began but he had already driven off leaving behind only dust. “He is so screwed,” she thought, “Isabel’s going to kill him.”

***********

“Must we listen to that god awful station?” Alex asked, glancing at Liz who was bobbing her head to the song.

“Alex,” Liz feigned shock and said, “It’s Sheryl Crow,” as if that explained everything.

“I still say that’s crap,” Alex said as I Shall Believe began. He groaned, “If I have to listen to that song one more time, I am throwing you out of the car,” Alex said seriously, cruising down 285 in his brand new expensive red sports car.

Come to me now
And lay your hands over me
Even if it's a lie
Say it will be alright
And I shall believe

“Right as if…” Liz giggled continuing to mouth the words to irritate him.

I'm broken in two
And I know you're on to me
That I only come home
When I'm so all alone
But I do believe

“You think I wouldn’t do it?” Alex challenged.

“Nope,” she said grinning and leaned up kissing him on the cheek, “You wouldn’t dare to. Who will marry your sorry ass then?” she asked playfully as a beautiful half-heart shaped ring with a single diamond sparkled off her left hand in the sunlight.

“I will have you know Miss. Parker,” Alex drawled superiorly, “that there are thousands of girls out there willing to marry me. I mean why not? I am after all The Alexander Charles Whitman, one of the richest, handsomest and brilliant men on this planet.” When Liz started laughing, he continued, “You don’t get us now in that combination.”

“On the contrary Mr. Whitman, I am more smart and beautiful than you are,” Liz said flirting. “But the richness factor does work out in your favor.”

Alex narrowed his eyes in mock suspicion, “Elizabeth Claudia Parker, you mean to say you are only marrying me for my money?” he asked grasping his heart with his right hand where a matching ring with the other half of the heart with the diamond can be seen.

“What did you think?” Liz asked teasingly pinching his right cheek.

Alex gave his characteristic pout then and Liz laughed. “You are a great guy Alex,” she said and when Alex smirked, she continued, “Though you are abnormally tall, a bit skinny, a snob, act like a child sometimes, clumsy, cannot cook, throw your shoes and socks on the floor, never put down the toilet seat…”

“Thanks Liz,” Alex said sarcastically, “that makes me feel so loved.”

Liz continued on as if she didn’t hear him, “And generally a pain in the ass to live with,” then she said softly, “I still love you Alex Whitman.”

Alex’s own face transformed when he smiled and said just as softly, “And I love you too Liz Parker.”

Please say honestly
You won't give up on me
And I shall believe
I shall believe
And I shall believe

**********

[foreverdreamer15]

A.N: Thank you purpleant, Coley452, roswellluver, WildSphinx for your feedback

Alex and Liz are best friends and they love each other but they are NOT in love with each other and yeah, they both know it. It will be explained in a few chapters why then they got engaged.

who was in the closet, was it Max or was it Michael??

You will find out in this chapter who is getting married and who was in the closet

*******

Part 2:

“Isabel I cannot do this,” Maria said once again wringing her hands nervously and pacing the room. “I mean we haven’t even lived together. What if he decides that he doesn’t like the way I keep house or brush my teeth and leaves me? I can’t even cook properly,” Maria suddenly wailed and started sniffing a vial vigorously. “And we are like only 23. Oh god! What am I thinking marrying at this age? We are young and… Are you even listening to me?” She abruptly asked Isabel looking at her accusingly.

“Of course I am listening,” Isabel lied quickly switching her cell off and folding the paper with details she was looking at. Seeing the disbelieving look on Maria’s face, she took a firm hold of Maria’s shoulder, looked at her directly in the eyes and said confidently.

“Maria, my brother loves you and you love him. You honestly think that he cares whether you brush properly or know how to cook?” She rolled her eyes and said, “He shouted from our roof top when you said yes and danced like a lunatic for all the neighborhood to see…”

“He was drunk Izzy,” Maria interrupted dryly though there was a small smile on her face.

“And we say exactly what we feel when we are drunk,” Isabel continued on, “He has been in love with you even before he realized what it meant and you think he will leave you because he doesn’t like the way you keep house? Maria all he has wanted for a long time is for you to be his family, our family. And don’t even get me started on the one time I accidentally went to his dreams,” Isabel shuddered dramatically causing Maria to look down and blush furiously.

Isabel lifted Maria’s chin and waved her hands over Maria’s face making the make up perfect, “Trust me when I say, you are the one for him.”

“Maria, honey,” Amy came in stopping as soon as she saw Maria. Her eyes filled with tears and she lifted a trembling hand to her mouth, “Oh my baby. You look so beautiful.”

Isabel smiled and said, “My brother is not even going to know what hit him.”

********

“The wedding’s late. Why is it late? Shouldn’t the wedding have started 10 minutes ago? Does she not want to marry me? I knew it. She doesn’t…”

“Wow! You really are perfect for Maria,” Kyle said grinning then grew alarmed when he saw his palm slightly glowing. “Stop, stop it Man.” If he blew up something here, Kyle would be the one facing Isabel’s wrath not him and Kyle hurriedly continued. “Look. I know my sis and she loves you. So stop acting like a crazy woman.”

“I am not a woman,” he said crossly. “And I am not crazy. I am going to see what the god damned delay is for,” he said moving towards the door.

“Its your wedding. Stop cursing and if you want to marry stay right here.” Kyle ordered stopping him before he opened the door. “You are not supposed to see the bride before the wedding.”

“Who believes in that ridiculous shit anyways?”

“Your to-be-bride does,” Kyle said smirking at him. “And she also considers cursing as a sign that the married life will go to hell.”

He turned biting off another curse from his mouth. Damn Valenti! He knew for sure that Valenti would tell it to Maria or Isabel. If Kyle weren’t the brother of the bride, he sure as hell wouldn’t have made him one of the best men. But the other best man, his own kind, was also not that thrilled about this wedding. Come to think of it, besides him and Isabel no one in his real family seemed to think this was a good idea.

Of course, Isabel is a freaking control-Nazi and loved anything to do with organizing. She had recently started her own business in Roswell to arrange all kinds of parties and get-togethers. The minute he and Maria had announced their engagement, Isabel had declared herself their official wedding planner. He still wasn’t sure what she was happier for most. That he and Maria are finally getting married or that she gets to plan and organize this wedding. Naturally his mom and dad were over the moon at this wedding but he desperately wanted his best friend, his brother, to be pleased with this news. It was bad enough that Nacedo is ranting about destiny and causing disquiet among their followers. And he was also sure that Ava’s in it too though she acts as if she is really glad about this. He didn’t need any more things going wrong with this wedding.

“Well, what are you standing there for?” he suddenly turned and growled at a still smirking Kyle. “Get our there and find out what the hel…heaven is going on?”

“Yes Sir,” Kyle said saluting with his hand and mocking him. And then quickly fled out the door when he saw the groom lifting his hand at him.

*********

“Gone?” Isabel asked gaping her mouth open and her eyes disbelieving.

“Yeah.” Ava replied hesitantly seeing the look on Isabel’s face. She looked as if she might either pass out the next minute or start blasting whoever gets in her way. Ava stepped back a cautious distance. “He will be back really soon with the rings.”

“He will be back?” Isabel asked clenching her fingers together. She then repeated grinding her teeth together “He will be back,” and advancing on Ava. “Why the heck did you allow him to go?”

Ava held her hands up, “What did you want me to do? Tie him up and hope the rings magically arrive here?”

“I don’t know,” Isabel snapped back. “Get back out there and do something.”

“What? Mind-warp all the guests into believing the wedding is after 30 minutes?” Ava asked sarcastically then sighed seeing the miserable look on Isabel’s face. “Look just go out and give a speech or sing a song or something while I try to get hold of the asshole.”

*********
Kyle hurried to the corner where Isabel and Ava seemed to be arguing about something and he had pretty good idea about what or rather whom they were fighting about. He suddenly realized that he couldn’t see the other best man anywhere. “He better not fuck up this wedding,” Kyle thought furiously as he saw Ava going outside leaving Isabel.

He strode towards her and angrily demanded, “Where the fuck is …” but stopped shocked as soon as a teary-eyed Isabel turned towards him.

“Are…are you okay?” he asked hesitatingly cringing at himself, “Of course she is not okay Valenti, she is crying for God’s sake.”

Isabel stiffened slightly and brushed away at the tears lingering on her eyes discreetly. “Yes. I am fine.”

“No, you are not,” Kyle said easily recognizing the icy wall she had put up. He touched her hand and said softly, “Izzy, tell me. Don’t worry. It’s going to be okay. I will help you.”

He was stunned to see her suddenly burst out crying and immediately hugged her close to him walking her to a nearby room. Hearing the concern in his voice after all that had happened was the last straw for Isabel and she was unable to control her tears. It felt too good to be in his arms again. She had been stressed about this wedding for weeks now, what with Max and Michael fighting about it along with Nacedo, Ava and Maria. Of course, they all couldn’t forget the constant fear of Nichols or the skins. So having her brother and Maria’s wedding in spite of all the obstacles made her want to believe in love once again, that just maybe she could also one day have her own.

Isabel was genuinely happy for her brother. No one deserved this than him and Maria especially after all the crap they had gone through. Maria was the first human to know about them and though at that time she had resented Maria and consequently Kyle knowing about them, now she wouldn’t change whatever happened for anything in the world. Maria, Max, Michael, Kyle and her had all become very close like a family; Maria had started dating her brother and had soon become her friend. Now years later, Maria and her brother were inseparable and her best friend was soon going to be her sister-in-law. Just when finally everything seemed to be going fine, the idiot goes and forgets to get the rings.

Kyle murmured soothingly rubbing her back softly with his hands. Her cries gradually stopped and they stayed like that, reveling in each other’s embrace and reluctant to move away.

*********

“You know Alex, you have a lot of things common with Maria Valenti. Who knows, under different circumstances, you two would have also become best friends,” Liz said glancing at a bright smiling picture of Maria in her hand.

“Yeah. Who knows?” Alex repeated, steadily driving, his thoughts on their destination.

“No seriously Alex. She is funny, interested in music, plays the guitar, was in a band in high school, likes orange soda with the rocks…”

Alex snorted, “Liz many people like orange soda with the rocks.”

But Liz went on ignoring him, “is into weird things like you, and,” she continued softly, “she is also in love with an alien.”

Alex’s back went rigid and his grip on the steering wheel tightened. He began curtly, “Tess is…”then stopped, noticing his tense and continued painfully “was more human than those bastards.”

“Alex, I didn’t mean…”

“Stop. Don’t talk…I can’t…just don’t,” he finished pleadingly.

Liz sighed setting the picture in her hand on fire and watched as the ashes fell onto the ashtray.

It had been 1 and a half years and Alex still wouldn’t talk about her sister. Alex had always loved Tess but Tess was scared of putting him in danger and had never reciprocated it. They had both been a wreck following the months after Tess’s demise. Or rather Liz had been a wreck while Alex had constantly taken care of her even taking a break from his studies. He had consoled her, had comforted her when she woke up screaming Tess’s name from nightmares, had sat with her patiently when she ranted and cried about Tess at all odd hours during the night but he had never once spoken about her. He had shut all his feelings and had concentrated only on Liz’s well being. It was as if speaking about it would make it more real in his head. By the time Liz had gained a sense of normalcy, nearly 2 months had passed and then…then they had received Tess’s journal.

Tess had sent it a week before her death, as if she knew what was going to happen to her, through various sources to make it untraceable and to avoid falling it into the wrong hands. After that, both their lives had taken a dramatic turn. Alex used his father’s resources to check on Tess’s findings and had started a close watch on the Roswell group using state-of-the-art surveillance equipments even as Liz delved deeper into Tess’ notes to know about each alien’s powers and the mystery of Tess’s death. Their real break came in New York when they were able to find the dupes, Rath and Lonnie that Tess had written about. For the first time after Tess’s death they both had a sense of purpose – revenge for her murder.

Alex had thrown himself into the task of eliminating all records of Tess associated with them and acquiring all kinds of alien gadgets to use against the aliens while Liz had started studying Rath and Lonnie to arm her and Alex against Isabel’s and Michael’s powers. Initially she had been horrified at the thought of treating them as lab rats but as she began to read in Tess’s journal how they had ruthlessly killed not only humans but also their own kind, Zan and also attempted to kill Tess, she had hardened herself knowing she was doing humankind a favor.

By the time Alex and Liz were ready to face the Roswell gang nearly 1 and half years had passed and at the end of it, Alex had made sure that neither Tess Nancy Parker nor Elizabeth Claudia Harding ever existed. And Alex had never allowed himself to grieve for Tess, never could believe fully that she was gone from his life and wasn’t coming back. He knew that if he even thought of her smiling face or beautiful eyes for a second he would lose it completely.

And he didn’t want that. “No, Not yet Alex,” he thought gripping the wheel tightly thinking of what had to be done, “not yet.”

***********

“So…uhm…thanks,” Isabel said to Kyle both of them standing awkwardly near each other.

“You okay now?” Kyle asked and when Isabel nodded, he said, “You better…your face…”

Isabel waved her hand over her face and dress feeling embarrassed. Kyle scratched his eyebrow standing there feeling uncomfortable. Then remembering what he wanted to ask, he began, “Where is…”

“He will be here in a couple of minutes Isabel,” Ava burst into the room interrupting Kyle.

“Thank God,” Isabel mumbled as Kyle looked at her sharply. And then he took a step back seeing the now dangerous and enraged look on Isabel’s face. “You are dead Evans,” Kyle thought suddenly smirking.

**********

Liz looked at the bright amber eyes, the sharp nose, the strong angular jaw, the cute big ears and the cocky smile adorning the handsome face of the man in the photo. A small lock of hair fell over his forehead giving him a boyish and a charming appearance but only she knew the ugly truth behind the beautiful facade. This was the man who had pretended to be a friend to her sister, pretended to love her and then had ruthlessly killed her.

“Maxwell Philip Evans, you and your family will pay for killing my sister,” Liz thought viciously watching as Max’s smiling picture burnt.

*******

He watched entranced as she walked up the aisle with her father James Valenti, ex-sheriff of Roswell. She looked enthralling in the long white strapless gown, billowing from around her middle, clutching a bouquet of flowers in her hand. Her long blonde hair was twisted in some intricate style over her head with a few fringes framing her beautiful face and a string of pearls adorned her neck. And then their eyes met and he literally sucked in a breath at the glowing look and radiance reflected on her face. This is it, he thought his heart pounding nervously.

Maria DeLuca-Valenti walked on the aisle in the beautifully decorated hallway but her eyes were only on one person standing at the end, the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with, her friend, fiancée and unbelievably her soul mate. His eyes were shining with love and she had never seen him look more handsome before.

“You look beautiful,” he said awe-struck.

Maria blushed and softly said, “So do you.”

At this both the best men snickered that abruptly stopped when Isabel shot a glare at them but the groom had eyes only for Maria. Everything seemed to pass through in a blur as the wedding vows were exchanged and it was time to exchange the rings. And then Maria began softly…

“I, Maria Anne DeLuca-Valenti, take thee Michael Philip Evans, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to cherish in sickness and in health, till death do us part.”

“I, Michael Philip Evans, take thee Maria Anne DeLuca-Valenti, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to cherish in sickness and in health, till death do us part.”

“I now pronounce you man and wife,” and before the priest could say, “You may kiss the bride,” Michael’s lips were on his wife’s.

*******

A.N: Hope you all liked this chapter. Feedback is much appreciated guys

[foreverdreamer15]

A Huge Thanks to my Beta lil_innocent

Here's the new part. Hope you all like it and feedback is always appreciated

Part 3:

“Wow! If it were to get any hotter in here we might have to hose down the whole room,” Max said, grinning wolfishly at the dancing couple as Maria blushed and Michael scowled at him. “And to avoid that, I would like a dance with my beautiful sister-in-law,” he said, twirling away a laughing Maria from a protesting Michael.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Evans,” Max said teasingly. “Although I still don’t understand how you fell in love with stone-wall Michael, of all people.”

“Hey!” Maria exclaimed as if affronted, as he started to laugh. “Laugh all you want Mr. Sleep-With-Them-And-Leave-Them. You will know when you meet the right person.”

For a second, a shadow passed through Max’s face and Maria cursed herself for her slip and threw in Tess Harding for good measure. If that bitch hadn’t died, she would gladly kill Tess herself.

But Max quickly recovered with a grin, “Who? Me? Not in this lifetime. I mean why would I want to sleep with only one person for the rest of my life when I can have anyone I want with a snap of my fingers?” he said arrogantly and then grimaced when Maria smacked him upside his head.

“Jerk,” she shot back good-naturedly.

“Maria,” Max began awkwardly, “off the record, I’m happy for you and Michael. And I do trust you, Maria. It’s just that... I am scared for you coz… ”

“I know,” Maria said, gently placing her hand on his heart. After all, she had seen his soul and she knew, no matter what Isabel or the others said, that the Max Evans they all once knew and loved still lived in there somewhere, just waiting for the right person to bring him out. She only hoped that it happened before it was too late.

“But you should know that my life has been in danger since the moment I chose this life, Max and yes, I made the choice,” she said, before he could interrupt. “I have never regretted it nor will I ever.”

“Okay, now you better remove your hand before your husband burns me with his death-rays,” Max joked, seeing Michael glaring at him from across the room.

“Mark my words, Max Evans. You will meet the girl of your dreams and fall head over heels in love with her and before you know it be married to her.”

“Yes, Madame Vivian,” Max said mocking her, his eyes twinkling.

“Mind if I cut in?” Michael asked, quickly kissing his wife. Without waiting for an answer he disposed his previous dance partner onto Max.

Max groaned when he saw Isabel glowering at him. He knew it was too much to wish that he could successfully avoid his sister for the rest of the evening. Apparently his luck had run out now. His quick thought of running away was thwarted when Isabel grabbed his hand and started dancing. He glumly followed her.

“How could you do this Max? How dare you do this? You cannot even handle the simple task of getting the rings and you are the King of a planet? No wonder we all died. This is…”

Max tuned her out, knowing it would end in her threatening to give him nightmares for the rest of his life. He didn’t care. He could always push her out or dream something gross when she did enter his dream. He looked around bored and catching Casey’s eye, Maria’s cousin and the bridesmaid, he winked at her causing her to blush. Petite with green eyes and red hair she was cute plus she really was a good kisser and had huge...

“MAX!” Isabel yelled in his ear, putting an end to his thoughts and causing nearby dancing couples to frown at them.

“What?” Max asked irritated.

“You asshole, son-of-a…Do you know this is my first big event? Now everyone will remember that the wedding started late and no one will request my services ever again. I swear Max…”

“Isabel,” Max interrupted her, annoyed. “If it’s that important to you, I will just go and tell all the humans here to forget about it.”

“What?” Isabel gasped in surprise.

“You know.” Max pointed to his head. “Give everyone a slight push to forget that the wedding started late.”

“God!” Isabel looked at Max in horror. “When did you become so cold-hearted, so non-human?” she whispered in agony.

Max rolled his eyes, “Stop being dramatic, Isabel. If you must know, you, Michael, and I have always been aliens. Pretending to be humans doesn’t make us human, hasn’t made you one,” Max said pointedly. “Our enemies are still after us, after you and the FBI is still hunting us.”

“You are wrong,” Isabel declared stonily. “Michael and I are more human than you ever will be.” She stormed away from him.

******

Diane Evans gazed at Michael and Isabel, and Max and Maria dancing, with pride and love in her eyes. Isabel had scheduled the reception in the ballroom of the new Ritz that had opened up near Roswell and she had done a wonderful job.

Diane would never forget the night she and Philip had found their children. It had been the worst and the best night of her entire life. It was the night when she and Philip had received the news that they could never have children and the same night, as they were driving home from Albuquerque, they had found three little angels in the desert. For Diane and Philip, it was love at first sight and an answer to their prayers when they saw the three six year olds.

Isabel had immediately become attached to them and started calling them Mummy and Daddy but it was a long time before either Max or Michael accepted them. Michael had been very aloof and distant with them at first and though Max seemed to be friendly they could hear his sobs every night for the first week, which always ended with both Michael and Isabel sleeping in Max’s bed with him. Diane had finally given him a toy house and told him that it was a magic house that would take him to his home. Gradually after that things had improved as the kids became closer to their parents.

Though Max, Michael and Isabel were very close to one another, they were as different as day and night. Isabel was very outgoing and popular at school even at a young age; Michael was gruff with everyone except his family, while Max was calm and shy and hung out only with Michael. Even then it had surprised Diane how both Michael and Isabel unconsciously looked up to Max for everything they did. All that had changed when Edward Johnson arrived claiming to be the kids’ long lost uncle.

Edward had told a bizarre story of how his sister and her husband died in a car crash when he was abroad. He had thought that his nephews and niece had also died, only to hear recently, that a couple had adopted three kids abandoned in the desert some seven years ago. The fact that his sister had mentioned Roswell, New Mexico before her death had led him to come there and then he had found his sister’s kids. Philip and Diane never would have believed his story even with the proof he had if their kids hadn’t recognized their uncle. It was the first time Diane had ever seen her kids remember anything about their past. Fortunately, Edward didn’t want custody of the kids, as he had to go away frequently on business. He only wanted visiting rights, which Philip and Diane had reluctantly given.

Diane had been slightly hurt as well as surprised when Michael had immediately accepted Edward, though both Max and Isabel seemed wary of him. It was then that she had gradually noted the change in her kids, especially Isabel and Michael. Both of them had started dating and Michael had even joined the school basketball team and Isabel the cheerleading team. He had become as popular as Isabel, a typical jock. But Max seemed to become even more introverted than before and this worried Diane. She had always had a soft spot in her heart for Max and seeing him distancing himself from even his own brother and sister troubled her.

It was just before their junior year that Max, Michael and Isabel had started hanging out with the Valenti kids, Maria and Kyle. Diane was ecstatic when she had come home one day to find Max and Maria laughing over something and Kyle and Michael playing video games. Sure, both Michael and Isabel had many friends, but this was the first time that they had invited anyone home. Diane secretly thought that Maria might be good for Max but was really surprised when Michael and Maria had become a couple at the end of junior year. And she had also seen the looks passing between her daughter and Kyle. Diane was once again concerned that Max might feel left out but he had become good friends with Maria and eventually hung out with her more than his brother or sister.

*****

“May I have this dance Ma’am?” Philip asked Diane, bringing her back from her thoughts.

“Yes, you may, kind sir,” Diane teased as she and Philip started moving to the music.

Diane smiled when she saw Michael whisking Maria away from Max. She never thought that she would see the day when Michael would settle down but she needn’t have worried with Maria as his girlfriend and now as his wife. She laughed when she saw Maria smacking him playfully. Maria was Michael’s match in every way.

“They are perfect for each other,” Philip said, following Diane’s line of thought. Then he continued, “So all ready and set for the two-month cruise, Mrs. Evans?”

“Yeah, but I really don’t want to leave Max and Isabel alone in the house, what with Michael also going on his honeymoon.”

“Diane, we deserve this time. Besides, Max and Isabel aren’t kids. I am sure they will be safe.”

“If they do not kill each other first,” Diane said, frowning when she saw Isabel arguing with Max and then leaving him with a huff. It was no secret that her kids were not as close as they had all been in the past and in fact sometimes Isabel was downright hostile to Max. She thought of following her daughter but stopped when she saw Kyle Valenti going after her. She once again smiled, thinking that it wouldn’t be long before there would be another wedding. Though Kyle and Isabel had separated, according to Isabel, anyone with eyes could see that her daughter still loved Kyle and vice versa.

“Diane, everything will work out fine. Moreover I heard Kyle got an offer to work here as Deputy Sheriff. And I have a feeling he will be keeping Isabel safe,” Philip said grinning.

“Yeah,” Diane sighed. “If only Max could also find someone,” she said, seeing him flirting with the pretty bridesmaid.

“You worry too much Diane. Max is just a kid and he is still in medical school. He has a lot of time. Do you want a drink?”

“Sure, thanks.”

Philip gave her a peck on her lips and went to get her a drink.

Diane’s thoughts once again went to her son Max. He had changed so much from the sweet shy boy he used to be that even she couldn’t recognize him now. A girl every week: that was his modus operandi now. And what was even more unbelievable was his change into Roswell’s biggest player had happened overnight. Diane shook her head pensively, still remembering the summer before the kids’ senior year when everything had changed. Even Michael wasn’t this bad when he was dating. She had thought Max would change once he started college but if at all he seemed even wilder than before. Where had she gone wrong in raising him?

She suddenly stood straight, shocked when she saw him taking the bridesmaid towards the elevators. Surely he wouldn’t? The reception wasn’t even half over yet.

“You sure no one will notice?” Casey asked, blushing when Max looked at her.

Max grinned and kissed her deeply. “No one, I promise. Come on, let’s take a tour of the suite in this place,” he invited, dangling an access card and pulling her along towards the elevators.

Feeling someone look at him intently he searched for the person and found his mother glaring at him fiercely. Max waved and smiled innocently at her and then quickly turned back, wishing the elevator would hurry up. A quick glance behind him showed his mother approaching him, causing him to groan.

“What?” Casey asked shyly. She was only 19 and she hadn’t even thought that the handsome best man would glance at her. But he had not only noticed her, he had also flirted with her all evening.

“Nothing, babe. But I think it would be better if we continue this later.”

“Are you sure?” she asked, uncertain. She knew this had been too good to be true.

“Absolutely,” Max promised with another kiss, quickly taking her back to the dance floor.

*******

1987, Roswell Highway:

“Our princess finally fell asleep?” Jeffrey Parker asked, looking in the rearview mirror. He was driving back to Roswell after he and his family had attended the wedding of their friends in Albuquerque. It was late at night and way past their little girl’s bedtime.

Nancy looked back at the little sleeping girl and smiled. “Yeah. You know, she told me today that she wants to be a big sister.”

“Did she? Let us get home and we can make her a little brother or sister,” Jeff said, winking at his wife.

Nancy laughed. “Our Lizzie wants only a sister. No brothers. Her exact words were, ‘Boys are yucky and don’t play with Barbie’s.’” When Jeff looked puzzled Nancy continued, “I think it may have something to do with the fight she and Maria had with Kyle today at the wedding.”

“Okay. We will make her a sister then,” Jeff agreed.

“Oh no,” Nancy said, her eyes twinkling. “She wants a sister so she can play with her tomorrow and go to school with her next week. In fact Liz has even picked a name for her sister: Teresa Parker.”

Jeff turned to Nancy puzzled. “From where did she…”

“Jeff! Look Out!” Nancy screamed in horror.

Jeff quickly turned, only to see a huge truck without any lights speeding towards him. He tried to swerve his car to the other side of the road but it struck a tree and then the truck rammed the small car. The car flipped backwards a couple of times before it came to a complete stop.

******

Everything was silent for a full minute then suddenly a long wail split the air.

Nancy jerked awake to someone crying and then she screamed at the pain in her legs. The front of the car was demolished and her legs seemed to be pinned down by the twisted metal. She couldn’t move but the continuous sound of crying in the dark helped her ignore her own pain. Her baby.

“Lizzie… honey… are you… okay?” she asked stuttering painfully.

“Mommy?” a small voice said. “My head hurts.” She started crying again.

Nancy lifted one hand slowly and switched on the light inside the car. It was then she noticed that her husband wasn’t beside her. A glance in front of her showed the windshield of the car broken and a body lying a few feet away in the harsh glare of the headlights. Looking at the unnatural way he was laying, Nancy knew her husband was dead and it took all she had to suppress her sobs. She had to get her daughter out of danger before she could mourn.

“Lizzie…can…you move?”

“Yes, but Mommy, head hurts,” Liz said, still crying softly.

“I know, sweetheart. But…first let’s get you out of the car and then look at the booboo, okay?” Not waiting for her daughter’s reply, Nancy stretched her hand backward and bit back a cry of pain. “Lizzie, hold my hand and come to Mommy.”

“Okay,” she readily agreed. A few seconds later Liz was sitting on her mother’s lap facing her. Nancy’s legs had gone numb by this time and she was thankful for that.

Nancy’s eyes filled with tears seeing the huge gash on her daughter’s forehead from which blood was flowing now. She knew that if her daughter didn’t go to a hospital soon, she might die.

“Don’t cry, Mommy,” Liz said, gently wiping Nancy’s tears and then hugging her, laid her head under Nancy’s neck. “I am tired,” she said closing her eyes just as the light inside the car flickered and went off.

“Lizzie, no,” Nancy screamed. “Lizzie, get up honey. You have to go out of the car. Oh God! Please help my baby, please.” She tried opening the car door but it seemed to be stuck and Nancy started sobbing.

Suddenly a bluish light came from her side of the window, showing her the pale face of her daughter. Nancy turned to her window hoping someone had come to help them only to see a small girl with blonde hair and blue eyes holding something in her hand from which the light came.

“Can you go and get your parents or someone please?” Nancy pleaded.

The girl simply stared at her.

It was then only Nancy noticed that the girl was naked. Oh God, what had happened here? But before she could wonder more the smell of gasoline hit her and she once again panicked and shook her daughter awake.

“Mommy?”

“Lizzie, you have to go out of the window, okay sweetheart? And look, there is a girl waiting for you. Okay honey? Now climb through the window. I will hold you, okay?”

Liz shyly looked towards the window at the little girl who was staring at them and smiled at her. She then nodded to her mother and climbed through the window with Nancy holding her. A couple of minutes later Liz was standing near the girl with the glowing arms who was now looking at the blood on Liz’s forehead. Liz smiled at her and then suddenly fell down, crying, “Mommy!”

Nancy cried out as her daughter fainted. Suddenly thinking of her cell phone, Nancy searched for her bag and found it under Jeff’s seat. Sobbing she opened it and hastily dialed 911.

She frantically began, “Hello? There’s been an accident on the highway 15 miles away from Roswell. My 6-year-old daughter is wounded on her head and I am stuck in the car and I can smell gasoline. Please help…” she suddenly stopped, breathless and wide-eyed at the sight of the bluish glow emanating from the girl’s palms which were resting on her daughter’s forehead.

A few seconds later the girl sat back up and Liz stirred, opening her eyes to see the blonde haired girl smiling at her.

“Oh God! What did you do?” Nancy asked, terrified of what had just happened. But when she saw her Lizzie smile, stand up and then walk towards her completely fine, Nancy smiled gratefully at the little blonde girl. “Whoever you are, thank you. Thank you very much for saving my daughter,” Nancy said sobbing, hugging her daughter tightly.

The girl just smiled at her. Nancy then told her daughter, “Liz, listen carefully. Can you see the big rock in the distance? I want you to take this girl with you and go there and wait. Mommy has called for help.”

“What about you, Mommy? And Daddy?” she asked, looking around for her daddy.

“Mommy will come later, honey. And Daddy…Daddy will also come,” she said, her throat hitching. She hated lying to her daughter. “Wait a sec.” Nancy stretched her hand back behind her and touching her soft sweater she pulled it out. “Put this on the little girl, Liz. And go to the big rock.”

“Okay,” Liz nodded. Her mother smiled at her and cupped her face gently. “Mommy and Daddy will always love you very much. Remember that.”

“I love you too, Mommy.”

Liz then took hold of the other girl’s hand and they both walked towards the rock that was away from the car. The girl shivered when they reached the rock.

“You’re cold. Here, wear this,” Liz said, giving the girl her mother’s sweater. The girl took the cloth and simply stared at Liz.

“No, you put it on. Like this.” Liz then held the girl’s hands out and slid the big sweater onto her and started fastening the buttons. Finishing it, Liz sat down on the rock and the girl also sat beside her, staring at her.

“I’m Liz. What’s your name?” Liz asked, tilting her head to the side. The girl also tilted her head and smiled at Liz. “You don’t know what I speak?” Liz suddenly asked, surprised.

At the girl’s silence, Liz spoke slowly, pointing to herself with her fingers. “Me Liz.” Then she pointed to the girl and asked, “You?”

“Lizzz,” the girl said touching Liz’s face and then her hair.

“No silly. I am Liz. You are?”

“Lizzz.”

Liz shook her head and the other girl also shook her head. After a second, Liz said excitedly, “Okay, you be my sister. Then you can have the name Teresa.” The girl just looked at her and then shook her head. “Me Liz, you Teresa.”

“Lizzz.”

“No.” Liz scrunched her face and then smiled brightly. “Okay. Me Liz, you Tess.”

“Tess,” the girl said scrunching her face like Liz.

“Yes, Tess,” Liz said and then laughed.

“Yes,” the girl said and also laughed.

Suddenly there was an explosion and both the girls turned to see the car burst into flames.

******

[foreverdreamer15]

A.N: Hey Everyone thanks for your great feedback.

Okay, many of you asked why Liz and Alex believed Rath and Lonnie's words about Max killing Tess. Remember, Liz was studying and doing experiments on Rath and Lonnie and she had the resources, money and help to do that too. I don't want to give too much away but one of her experiments forced them to tell only the truth. These will come later in flashbacks.

Thank you

FSUMSW94
purpleant: You will have an idea of what caused Max to change in the next chapter
lil_innocent
Earth Angel
xmag: Hey I missed your feedback and I am glad you like this fic too. Wow you have a lot of questions ! Hope these clears them:
You will have an idea of why Max changed in the next chapter and as for Maria being furious against Tess, you just have to be patient and continue reading
Ava was found by Nacedo and brought to Roswell 6 months after Tess' death. More about this will be explained later and she is really Ava not Tess. And yup, Liz and Alex both know that Ava is in Roswell.
Nope, Michael and Maria will be absent only for a few parts but they will be in this fic. In fact, things will start to snowball when Michael finally meets Alex

roswellluver
I am a dreamer: Basically Maria and the others hate Tess for what she did. This will be explained later and as for Max, you will know about it in the next chapter. Max considers himself superior to the humans and the others, he is the King after all and he doesn't give a care to them. Isabel hates this fact and plus something also happened which you will know in a couple of chapters. Your theory is good and maybe or may not be true

and Lurkers

And of course thanks to my Beta lil_innocent, here's the new part:

Part 4:
1987, 2 days after the accident, Roswell Memorial Hospital:

“What do you mean my granddaughter has amnesia?” Claudia Parker asked the doctor angrily. “I just met with her and she knows exactly who I am to her. She…she,” Claudia’s throat hitched, “keeps asking for her mommy and daddy. So she damn well knows them too,” Claudia finished furiously.

“Mrs. Parker,” the doctor said patiently, “we are sorry for you and your granddaughter’s loss, and we know she remembers you and her parents. It is a miracle that she even escaped from the accident without any serious injury. But we did find a mild concussion in her head and think she might have selective amnesia due to that. She doesn’t remember any of her friends in Roswell or any other names other than those pertaining to her immediate family. That is mainly the reason we placed her temporarily in the Home instead of with one of the family friends. Also, she says that Tess is her sister.”

“The little blonde girl with her?” Claudia asked, surprised, remembering the girl she had seen following Liz around everywhere when she had gone to visit her granddaughter. Both of them had been attached to each other’s hips. “Isn’t she one of the girls at the orphanage?”

“Yes she is, Mrs. Parker, but like your granddaughter she was found at the scene of the accident wearing only your daughter-in-law’s sweater, I presume. I thought you might know her,” he mused, and then continued, “That girl didn’t answer any of our questions nor has she talked with anyone except your granddaughter. It is only through your granddaughter that we even came to know that her name is Tess. But again, the deputy sheriff who has frequented your café said that the Parkers only had one daughter. So we are not really sure who this Tess is or where she came from. For all we know, she could have also been with your son and daughter-in-law in their car. No one in or near Roswell has reported any missing child.”

“Is Tess also hurt?”

“No, Mrs. Parker. She doesn’t appear to be, though we haven’t been able to run many tests as she screams and cries whenever one of us comes near her. But we did scan her physically and she seems to be fine.”

“What about Liz? Will she regain her memories?”

“Liz is perfectly fine other than the slight concussion. As for her memories, it might take a few days, or even months or years. Also, she might remember some things if she sees one of her old friends.”

Claudia’s mind was still reeling with the conversation she had had with the doctor when she later went to the Home to see her granddaughter. She had gone to the hospital to identify her son’s body and what was left of her daughter-in-law and hadn’t wanted to take Liz with her for that. Her eyes filled with tears when she saw her granddaughter, thinking of Jeff and Nancy. Seeing her Lizzie giggling and playing with Tess in a sandbox, Claudia unconsciously smiled through the tears.

“Grandma!” Liz flew into her grandmother’s arms when she came near and Claudia hugged her hard in return.

“So what is my honeybear doing?”

“Me and Tess are building a sand castle,” Liz said excitedly, pointing to the lump of clay in the sandbox.

Tess shyly stood nearby and Claudia hugged her also, feeling the little girl’s arms come around her eagerly.

“So Tess, do you want to go out with us to have lunch?”

Tess smiled and then went to stand near Liz, clinging to her.

“She doesn’t know what we talk Grandma,” Liz whispered to Claudia.

“You mean she doesn’t understand what we speak?” Claudia frowned at her, as Liz nodded her head. She noticed that Tess copied Liz and also nodded her head.

“Okay sweetie. We can go inside and talk,” Claudia said, planning to ask someone inside about Tess. She stood up, leaning her hand in the sand and then suddenly flinched as she felt a sharp pain in her hand. She saw blood coming from a long scratch on her palm and a pointed stone in the sandbox. Picking the stone up and throwing it away she muttered about the sandbox being unsafe for children.

“Grandma, you’re hurt,” Liz said, pointing at her hand.

“Yes sweetie. But it is a small wound and I can put on a band-aid when we get inside.”

“But Grandma, Tess can make the wo...wou…booboo better,” Liz said, giving up pronouncing the other word.

“Sure honey.” Claudia didn’t take the words of the six year old seriously as she turned to go inside.

“But Grandma, the other day I had a big booboo on my head and Tess made it better.”

“What?” Claudia turned back slightly cautious.

“Tess, my grandma has booboo.” She then pointed to Claudia’s hand.

Looking at Liz and then at Claudia’s palm where the bright color was seen, Tess went towards her and then gently placed her hand on Claudia’s palm, much to Claudia’s confusion. And then to her utter shock, Tess’ hand glowed slightly and a few seconds later Tess smiled at her shyly and once again went to stand near Liz, holding her arm tightly.

Claudia looked at her now completely healed hand in astonishment mixed with a slight fear.

“I had lotsa blood here on my head,” Liz said, pointing to her forehead, “and I fell down. But Tess made it all better.”

Claudia’s eyes suddenly filled with tears as she realized she could have lost her granddaughter as well in the accident. Tess was the miracle that had saved her little Lizzie’s life. Looking at the two six year olds bent together in the sandbox laughing and playing, one blonde and one brunette, so much alike yet different, Claudia’s fear vanished. Something so naïve and innocent could never harm others and it was then she made a solemn vow to herself.

This little girl was also human like her granddaughter, just as special, but if the wrong people ever found out about her special talent, her life would be in danger. And Claudia Amelia Parker would never allow that as long as she was alive. She would love and protect both her granddaughters from anything human or otherwise.

A few days later, Elizabeth Claudia Parker and Tess Nancy Parker were officially adopted by Claudia Parker.

*******
“Mommy!” Liz cried out, as she suddenly woke up breathing heavily and looking around frantically.

“Hey, you okay?” Alex’s concerned face suddenly loomed beside her window, as he gently brushed her hair away from her forehead.

Liz nodded and then noticed the long forgotten twinkling lights of a large spaceship half jutting out beside the name Crashdown on the billboard. She suppressed the sudden urge to cry seeing that and got out of the car, stretching, to see Alex pulling a couple of their bags from the car.

“When did we get here?”

“A couple of minutes ago. I was just about to wake you up,” Alex replied and then frowned at her. “You didn’t take the pill?”

Liz looked away guiltily but before he could say anything she hurriedly began, “It won’t happen again Alex. Anyways, she doesn’t even know about us yet.”

“That’s not the point, Liz, and you know it,” Alex grimly replied and then sighed as he went inside the café, too tired to argue. Besides, he needed to be alert for the upcoming meeting with Isabel Evans.

Liz followed him wearily, knowing he was right. The pill made their sleep dreamless, thus preventing anyone from getting inside their subconscious mind while they were asleep. But the side effect of taking the pill every night was if they missed it even a single time their sleep was plagued with all the long suppressed memories and nightmares the pill had been helping them avoid.

Liz faltered upon entering the Crashdown, unprepared for the sudden rush of memories that met her.

“Daddy, please.” Liz looked at him with puppy dog eyes. “I can do this. I wanna take their food.”

“Sweetheart, you cannot carry all the food. Maybe you can when you grow up,” Jeff replied, smiling at her.

“But I am a big girl now and I know the lines. See.” Liz then smiled cheerfully and began, “Hi! Welcome to Crashdown. I am Liz and I will be your wat…wait…” she frowned and then finished brightly, “waitess.”

Jeff’s laughter rang throughout the café as Nancy ruffled Liz’s hair, smiling. “You are our own special big waitress, honey.”

“Liz, come on.” Alex looked at her with worry and led her towards a table.

Liz blinked back her tears as her eyes fell on the counter seat.

“Fast, fast!” Tess cried out, sitting on the twirling stool as she laughed loudly.

Liz shook her head. “Nuh…You’ll fall down, Tess. I’m hungry.” She then ran to her grandmother who was standing near the shake machine.

Tess immediately stopped the stool and followed Liz saying, “Me too, me too.”

“So what do you girls want to drink?” a waitress who was speaking with their grandmother asked, looking at the two cute little girls.

“Vanilla milkshake,” Liz said solemnly and Tess shyly hid herself behind Liz when the waitress looked at her. “Tess likes that too,” Liz replied for Tess. Suddenly Tess tugged her hand. Liz looked at her for a moment then turned back and added, “With lotsa sugar.”

“Liz!” Alex called her urgently, “Isabel Evans is here.”

Liz quickly composed herself just as Isabel reached their booth.

“Hi, I’m Isabel Evans. You must be Mr. Whitman.” She smiled charmingly as she shook hands with Alex.

“Please call me Alex,” Alex said and then gestured to Liz. “This is my fiancée, Elizabeth Parker.”

“Hi. Please call me Liz.” Liz smiled as she shook Isabel’s hand.

“Only if you both call me Isabel,” Isabel said, laughing and sitting opposite them in the booth. “I am sorry I am late but my brother’s wedding ran a little bit longer than I expected.”

“Sure, it’s no problem. We were just about to have dinner,” Alex said as he shrugged.

“Here are the documents.” Isabel took a cluster of papers from her bag and placed them on the table. “You just need to sign here for the apartment…are you alright?” she asked, concerned and a little uncomfortable seeing Liz, pale and staring at her.

“Yeah, fine. It’s just…” Liz stopped, not knowing what to say.

“Her parents owned the café before,” Alex said softly, putting his hand on Liz’s, comforting her. “Seeing all this just brought back memories to her.”

“Oh. The Parkers?” Isabel asked curiously. She had heard Amy DeLuca speaking about the former owners, who had tragically died in an accident. Amy had then bought the café from someone named Claudia Parker. Of course Isabel had never met the Parkers nor had she come into the Crashdown when they were the owners.

“Yeah. We lived in the apartment upstairs…”Liz trailed off softly.

“I’m sorry,” Isabel said sympathetically. As far as she knew, once the Parkers had sold the café they had never come back. This explained why Alex and Liz had come all the way from Boston for a visit to Roswell. But that still didn’t explain why they wanted to modify the basement if they were only planning to stay for the summer.

“So the work in the basement is completed?” Isabel asked hesitatingly, as Alex started filling in the lease to the apartment.

“Yeah. It’s just six months since I started work. So I wanted to work from home during my stay here and the basement is perfect to set up my computer stuff.” He finished signing the papers, giving Isabel the lease.

Her eyes widened when she read where he was working and realized who he was. “You are the Whitman? CEO of Whitman Securities?”

Whitman Securities was widely known throughout the U.S. and internationally for their exceptional security services and devices. In fact, they were the number one manufacturer of all high tech and secret devices used by the U.S. Air Force, CIA, FBI, and many other leading agencies.

“Actually, that’s my father,” Alex replied sheepishly, as Liz stared at the awed look on Isabel’s face. “I am only a junior engineer in the company and I have yet to prove myself to him.”

Isabel nodded simply. One of the richest men in the entire U.S. was going to stay in the three- bedroom apartment above a cheesy restaurant in an alien-themed godforsaken town? Maybe her brothers were right to be paranoid about them. She then caught the worried look Alex was throwing Liz and then the soothing motion of his thumb on her hand. Liz looked up at him, smiling, and leaned against his chest with a content smile on her face. Isabel sighed, seeing their obvious love and concern for each other. There was her reason. Alex left everything to stay in this crazy town for the sake of his fiancée.

Isabel coughed slightly. “Um…so do you have any questions?”

“I heard that one Miss. Maria Valenti is the owner of the café,” Alex began, as if curious.

“Oh yeah. She is my best friend and it was Maria who married my brother today,” Isabel said as she beamed. “I am in charge for the next couple of weeks till they come back from their honeymoon. This is my card.” Isabel handed her card to Alex. “I actually arrange get-togethers, parties, and weddings as well.”

She smiled when she saw Liz look up, interested upon hearing the word wedding. “Enjoy your stay here and let me know if you need any help in settling down, ” Isabel said as she got up.

“Thanks for your help,” Alex said and both Liz and Alex smiled.

“You’re welcome.” Isabel smiled back and walked away, thinking it would be great if she could plan the wedding of the Whitmans. They were a nice couple, plus the media coverage wouldn’t hurt her business.

*****
“I need a drink,” Liz said, opening one of their bags and taking out one of the beers. She opened it and took a long gulp.

“Liz…” Alex began cautiously.

“I am trying my best here, Alex,” she snapped back, instantly regretting it. Having memories of Tess and then seeing Isabel immediately afterwards had just made her want to shake the blonde and demand why they had done it, why they had killed Tess. She wasn’t even able to talk to Isabel without thinking about Tess.

“Liz, its only Isabel,” Alex said gently. Unlike Liz, he had greater control in blocking his emotions. It wasn’t new to him; he had been doing it since Tess’ death.

Liz just nodded, knowing he was right. If she couldn’t even face Isabel, then how would she be able to face the exact duplicate of her sister or the man who had killed her sister?

******

[foreverdreamer15]

A.N.: Hi! Its me guys (looks around nervously). Okay, first of all I promise I haven't forgotten you all or this fic and I know I am a terrible writer for not updating for a long time. I am really sorry guys. But RL has been really hectic what with exams and papers to be submitted in school. I promise to update atleast once in 2 weeks if not once a week.
I thank you all for your wonderful feedback and support. BTW, for those of you reading Believing in Destiny, I am almost done with the next chapter and will update it real soon...


Thanks
martine
FSUMSW94
xmag: Thank you so much for your nomination As for your questions, nope Tess wasn't working on the destiny speech or tried to awaken Zan in Max. What really happened with Tess and the others will be explained later. Alex and Liz doesn't want to hurt either Maria or Kyle if possible. Their only goal is to make the aliens pay for what they did to Tess.
Coley452
roswellluver
cheekyfraggle: I am sorry for the mistake about cell phones. Maybe it is a car phone?
purpleant
lil_innocent
WildSphinx
I am a dreamer: You will find out what Alex plans to do in the basement in this part. Yup, you are right Max is kinda unpredictable but you will know soon his reaction to Liz and Alex arriving in Roswell.

and to Lurkers

I hope you are all still interested in this fic and that you all like this part. For you dreamers out there, Max and Liz will be meeting in the next part

Part 5:

Liz tied her running shoes and after stretching a bit walked towards the basement. Reaching the basement door, she punched in some numbers and the security scanner scanned her fingerprints. After a couple of seconds, the basement door opened and she went inside to see Alex working on setting his entire network of computers. One of the computer screens showed a living room, which she recognized as Michael and Max’s apartment. Another computer screen was divided into four squares with one showing a living room where Isabel was with her parents, one showing a kitchen and the other two bedrooms - The Evans’ house. In another screen, Liz saw an image of Kyle Valenti sleeping. He was a loose cannon but neither Liz nor Alex were that concerned about him. If all went according to plan, he would soon be leaving Roswell to Washington D.C.

“You have been at this the whole night?” Liz asked, concerned.

Alex shrugged not looking up from the computer, “Its almost done anyways; only a few more minutes. Oh yeah, Michael and Maria already left for Paris an hour ago and Mr. & Mrs. Evans’ flight is in a couple of hours.”

Liz nodded expecting it. They now had two weeks before Michael and Maria returned, two weeks to make sure the foursquare doesn’t ever form again. She looked at Alex working furiously and sighed knowing he wouldn’t rest till he had finished completely. She brushed his hair softly and he looked up at her relaxing a bit.

“I am going jogging and will be back in an hour or so. I want you to rest up once you finish it and no excuses. Are we clear?” she asked sternly, her hands on her hips.

“Scout’s honor,” Alex grinned, placing his hand on his heart.

Liz playfully flicked him and then gave a quick peck on his lips before saying goodbye.

“Be careful,” Alex cautioned her.

Liz rolled her eyes as she went out; its not as if she was going to meet anyone at the place where she was headed for now.

Alex stretched his arms looking around. His eyes fell on the basement door made of depleted Uranium. It took a lot of work to have that constructed here without raising a lot of flags. For one it was rare to find depleted uranium and for another normal doors weren’t constructed of depleted uranium. He was lucky that Amy had been busy with the wedding to ask many questions. But it was the only metal that couldn’t be manipulated by the aliens.

Funny, that the FBI knows a lot more about the aliens than they themselves know. Alex continued his train of thought, And on that note, maybe I should also put a couple of Tritium Amplification Generators – TAG’s – near the walls, to make sure they don’t blast their way in here from the outside.

*******

“Isabel honey, don’t eat junk food. I have cooked some of your and your brother’s favorite things and kept it in the fridge.” Diane said opening the fridge. “There’s also more in the garage refrigerator.”

“Mom,” Isabel said exasperated looking at the overflowing refrigerator that looked like it had food to feed an entire army. “I am not a kid and I can take care of myself…” Isabel trailed off, seeing her mother’s eyes fill with tears and threw a helpless look at her father, who just shrugged.

“I know honey. It’s just my babies are all grown up and before I know you will also be married,” Diane said, hugging her daughter. She then saw Philip glancing at his watch impatiently and she asked Isabel, “Where is Max? I haven’t seen him since yesterday night.”

Isabel tightened her lips in anger. He had disappeared yesterday the minute the reception got over and hadn’t returned home yet. She knew exactly what or rather whom he was doing the night before. Pig! He couldn’t even find time to send Michael and Maria off and now he wasn’t here to drive their parents to the airport. And she couldn’t drive them as she had go and open the Crashdown. Just as Isabel opened her mouth to give a sarcastic comment, they all heard the jeep and the next second Max was rushing inside.

“Mom, Dad,” Max exclaimed, ignoring Isabel’s death glare and hugged his mother. “Good you both are still here. I thought you had left.”

“I still don’t understand why Max has to stay here when he has his own apartment,” Isabel whined.

“Isabel I don’t want you to stay alone in this house…”Philip began wearily for the umpteenth time, since they had told Isabel that Max would also be staying here for the summer.

“Michael and I share the apartment Izzy,” Max said deliberately calling her Izzy, knowing that it irritated her. “Anyways once he comes back, he and Maria are going to stay there. And I will be going to school in the fall. Why don’t you get your own apartment?” Max goaded her. “I mean 23 years old and still living with your parents…”

“That’s enough Max,” Philip said sternly. “I will not have you two arguing again.”

Isabel glared at Max, knowing perfectly well that he and Michael were the reason that she was still staying with their parents.

Michael and Maria had started school in California and Max in Texas like Isabel. But when their father had had a stroke and Nacedo had warned them of possible skin activity near Roswell, they had all transferred to UNM in their third year, to protect their family, stating their father’s health as an excuse. Of course, Isabel had an added incentive to transfer; Kyle was studying at UNM. Sure, they had never been a couple but they had become great friends over the past couple of years.

After the disaster at the beginning of their senior year, Kyle had avoided coming to their house and hadn’t wanted anything to do with the aliens. But unfortunately, his sister dating an alien and his own conflicted feelings towards a certain other blonde alien hadn’t allowed him to do that. In the end, he had tolerated Michael for Maria’s sake and managed to maintain the steady friendship with Isabel. Now, Max was altogether another matter. Kyle would have much happier if he hadn’t ever met or heard of Max Evans. But when all the aliens had transferred to UNM and then to his misfortune, it was found that Tess was also one, he had once again been inevitably pulled into the alien abyss.

The sudden appearance of Ava last summer, whom Nacedo had been searching for since Tess’ death for the completion of the foursquare, had made them all even more cautious. None of them had trusted Ava at first, the betrayal of Tess, still too vivid in their minds to even talk to her without hatred. Eventually, though they had become sort of quasi-friendly to her, they had decided not to leave their family unprotected from their enemies. Michael and Max had unanimously chosen Isabel to stay with their parents. Much to her extreme displeasure, they both had promptly moved out into their own apartment. Not wanting Isabel to stay alone or cramp their style by living with them, they had without remorse, guilt-tripped her into staying with their parents. Though Michael had moved into the apartment permanently once he finished school, Max had started Medical School and stayed there only when he came to Roswell.

Diane sighed and ruffled Max’s hair affectionately, “We are about to leave. Take good care of your sister Max,” Isabel snorted at that which Max ignored, “and don’t stay out late night and eat junk food. I have kept a copy of our schedule on your desk and if you have any problem call us…”

“Diane, they know all this. We have to hurry now if we want to make the flight,” Philip said, knowing that if he didn’t stop it would once again end in her crying.

Max shot a grateful look at him and took their bags to his dad’s car as Philip hugged Isabel goodbye.

“Good-bye Izzie. Take care and let us know as soon as Michael comes back,” Diane said, as she sat in the car, where her husband and son were waiting impatiently for her.

“Finally,” Max muttered starting the car. “And I will be surprised if she gets any customers let alone any tips looking like that,” Max said, staring at the fierce frown on Isabel’s face directed at him.

“Max,” Philip warned while Diane looked at him distressed. It was no secret among them that Max’s relationship with both Michael and Isabel had taken a nosedive since Michael announced his engagement.

“Just kidding dad. Jeez.”

Diane looked at her son sighing. One time Max, Michael and Isabel had been closer than any siblings and now…She sighed once again thinking of the summer things had started changing.

The kids had gone for a 4-day camp and when they returned Max was not the same. Isabel and Michael told her that he had a near fatal accident and so wasn’t himself. But it seemed to be worse than that, as Max started having nightmares every night where he woke up the house entire screaming. Philip and Diane had tried speaking with him but he had stopped talking with any of them and Michael had permanently put up residence in Max’s room. One time Diane had even seen her son (Max) crying in Maria’s arms. She had become frantic with worry and when Max hadn’t seemed to improve, Philip and her had sent him to a therapist. But it hadn’t seemed to make much difference.

******
1998 August

Diane Evans watched worried, as Edward angrily walked up to Max’s room and closed the door shut. Half an hour later, he came down, greeted her and went away. Diane looked upstairs for some time hoping her son would come down but nothing. She then resignedly closed her eyes with silent tears trickling down her cheeks. Suddenly she felt a smooth touch on her cheek wiping away her tears. Thinking it was Philip she just sighed and leaned closer.

“Mom?” Max said softly and Diane’s eyes jerked open.

“Max, Oh My God, Max” she immediately stood up and hugged him. This was the first time he had voluntarily come out of his room without Isabel or Michael dragging him. He had lost a lot of weight and looked pale with dark circles under his eyes.

“I am sorry,” he whispered, holding her tightly.

“Oh, Honey! You didn’t do anything. I am always here for you and I love you very much no matter what.”

She cried with her son and then Max slept peacefully for the first time in a long while on the couch with his head on his mother’s lap. Both Isabel and Michael were surprised when they came home and Isabel looked up into her mother’s eyes tearfully. At Diane’s jerky nod and smile, Isabel started crying in Michael’s arms.

“Huh Iz, he is fine. You can stop crying now,” Michael said, awkwardly patting her back.

“These are happy tears you idiot,” she said, smiling through her tears.

The next day Maria rushed into Max’s room nearly knocking him over when he opened the door and squeezed him tightly with tears in her eyes.

“Mar…Maria,” Max said painfully, “Can’t breath…too tight…”

“Oh sorry,” Maria quickly released him but not fully. “But you are alright, you are okay. I missed you girlfriend.”

“Me too,” Max smiled at her and then winced when she smacked him.

“Don’t ever do that again Maxwell Philip Evans. Do you know how worried we all were? How worried I was? Haven’t I told you to always talk with me, never bottle your feelings inside? See, this is what happens when you do that. Look at how thin you have become? Come on, let’s feed you up. My mom has baked your favorite pie just for you…”

Max looked at her amused, “Maria you are babbling.”

“Hey Maria,” Michael greeted her sleepily from his doorway and then saw her tear tracks. “Maxwell what did you do to her?”

“Nothing. These are happy tears dumbo,” Maria answered sniffing.

“Women,” Michael muttered to himself, as he went back to his room.

“So are you coming tonight to the Rave? I am singing.” Maria excitedly asked Max.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Diane watched happily as her kids indulged in their usual banter and left to a party never knowing that it was fleeting and everything was once again going to change.

******

[foreverdreamer15]

Hey guys, I am back with a new part

Thank you

FSUMSW94
roswellluver
xmag: You are right, Alex and Liz don't know everything that happened but they do know about the skins and the role that the royal four are supposed to play. You will know what they plan to do in the two weeks before Michael returns, in the next chapter. And nope, they are not going to let Ava live just because she looks like Tess.

I'm trying to put this in some sort of order, so bare with me please, lol, thank you.

1) You say Max did kill Tess but he was aiming for someone else. So is it his guilt that changed him.

2) So if Tess was really good and was killed accidentaly why is it that the others did not like her.

3) Did they no something and not tell Max.

4) She grew up with Liz and Alex how did she ever turn bad, that is if she did.

5) And I guess it was Tess and Max that was in love, yes?

6) Was that when Max's personality changed, when Tess was killed.

Please hurry back, this is so good. Can't wait for more.

Hope these answers make it more clearer

1) Max changed long before he met Tess. If you recall, in the previous chapter, Diane Evans thinks of the summer before their senior year when Max completely changed.

2)Almost everyone (not all of the Roswell gang ) believe Tess betrayed them or Max especially, and she deserved what she got, though it was an accident. While Alex and Liz believe that the others betrayed Tess. The others mainly hate her as Max believes himself to be a killer and he stopped trusting aliens also because of her.

3)No. Max also believes that Tess betrayed him but he doesn't hate her like the others. There is also one more reason (will be explained later) as to why he NEVER wanted to hurt her.

4) Good question but it will be answered in the later parts.

5)Tess was in love and Liz assumes it was with Max. There was no reference to it in the journal that Tess sent to Liz and Alex. So whether she was in love with Max or someone else will be revealed later. Max cared a lot for Tess but was never in love with her.

6)Nope. But he became worse after Tess' death. It is just Max's way of dealing with his unhappiness and nightmares.

Hope you all like this part too and feedback is much appreciated

Part 6:
1998 August:

The next morning Diane heard sounds of retching coming from the bathroom the kids shared as she passed by it. Deeply concerned she waited outside and her worry only increased when she saw a really pale Max coming out wearing only his sweatpants.

“Honey, are you coming down with something? You never get sick,” Diane said, pressing her hands against Max’s forehead.

Max looked startled for a moment when he saw her and then his eyes shifted anxiously. “I am fine Mom. Really.”

“Do you want some hot chicken soup? Did you have the nightmares again?” Diane asked, though she hadn’t heard any screams from his room last night.

“No I didn’t have any,” Max said uncomfortably and tried to move past her to his room.

Diane narrowed her eyes at him. She knew what every look on each of her kids’ faces meant very well and right now Max was looking downright guilty. And then she smelt something unfamiliar. She looked closely at Max and saw his eyes blood shot and pupils dilated. A nagging suspicion formed.

“Did you drink last night?” she asked him incredulously.

Exactly at that moment Max’s door opened, “Max? What is taking…” the feminine voice abruptly stopped, seeing Max's mother standing beside him.

Diane looked shocked at the blonde-haired girl standing in Max’s doorway her hair tousled and wearing only her son’s shirt. Diane then turned to Max to see him looking at the floor and it was only then she noticed scratches on her son’s torso and arms. She didn’t need to be a genius to know that her son had sex last night. And apparently she wasn’t the only one to figure that out judging by the gasp Diane heard coming from behind her.

Diane turned back to see Isabel looking at the girl, then Max, then again at the girl stunned. Isabel then looked behind her fearfully and Diane saw a white-faced Kyle, standing at the top of the stairs, staring at the scene his blue eyes unblinking. The girl was now looking at the ground guiltily and Max steadfastly refused to look at anyone in the eyes.

“Relax!” Michael said, coming out of his room looking behind him, “No one is gonna be up at…”

His mouth fell open seeing everyone standing at the landing and then look at him collectively.

“Hi,” he said weakly, immediately guessing what had happened by the look on their faces. “Hmm…I forgot to get something…” and he instantly went back to his room closing his door shut.

“Michael, why did you…” Maria began annoyed, that he pushed her back inside his room. It was his stupid idea that they shower together.

Michael immediately clamped his hand on her mouth. “Shh. My entire freaking family is outside along with your jock of a brother.”

“Just what is going on in here?” they both heard Philip’s bellow from outside the room.

“What’s happening outside?” Maria asked, itching to go out and see for herself.

“Max slept with Vicki Delaney and…”

Maria gasped, “Kyle’s girlfriend?”

“Yeah. Apparently mom, Izzie and Kyle just found out.”

Maria’s eyes became wide open in shock and then she muttered, “Poor Max.”

“Poor Max? Poor Max?” Michael asked incredulously.

“Yeah, to lose your virginity to Vicki. I mean that girl has slept with at least 3 guys before. But it could have been worse.” When Michael looked at her questioningly, she said, “Thank God it’s not Pam Troy.”

Michael nodded and then, “Wait a minute. How did you know that Max was a virgin?” he asked suspiciously.

“Grow up Michael,” Maria rolled her eyes. “This is all my fault. I knew he wasn’t in the right state of mind. She must have somehow taken advantage of him. I should have kept an eye on him yesterday night instead of being with your sorry ass.”

“Hey,” Michael said insulted.

Maria simply ignored him and continued on, “I should have a talk with my girl friend soon. Anyways it’s about time Kyle dumped Vicki.”

“Maria!”

“What? Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed the goo goo eyes Isabel and Kyle make at each other,” she said, her hands on her hips.

Michael rolled his eyes exasperatedly. “Okay. Get out of here.”

“What?” Maria asked angrily.

“Shh…” Michael glanced back at his door fearfully, “Maria, trust me. I don’t think my mom is ready to know that another son of hers is also having sex.”

When Maria still glared at him, he changed directions. “And I don’t think your mom or Jim will be very pleased when they hear about us.”

“Fine,” Maria huffed and then dressed up quickly and reluctantly left through his window but not before giving him a quick kiss.

Michael dressed up hastily before his mother could come in and walked out only to find his parents nowhere in sight and Max and Kyle exchanging blows.

“Michael. Do something,” Isabel hissed at him, looking concerned at Max and Kyle.

“Great,” Michael mumbled, as he tried to separate Max and Kyle without getting hit himself.

That had been the end of the tentative friendship formed between Kyle and Max. And Tess’ death had only put the nail in the coffin.

*****

Liz rubbed her sweaty palms on her shorts nervously and then taking a deep breath, opened the gates of Roswell Cemetery. She knew exactly where her parents were buried, though she had only visited them once, when she was 6. After that her grandmother hadn’t wanted any of them to come back to Roswell again, though she never understood then why.

For four years her grandmother had taken her and Tess around the world on digs –Mexico, Egypt, Africa – and home schooled them never venturing anywhere inside United States. Then she had admitted them both in a private boarding school near Boston when they were 10 years old. And during the summers, her grandmother always took them out of the country. When she was thirteen, her grandmother had died in an accident, when the cavern she was exploring caved in suddenly burying everyone inside. Her grandmother’s closest friend and former student, Frank Harding had adopted Liz and Tess thus officially making them Elizabeth Claudia Harding and Tess Nancy Harding.

Liz, Tess and Alex had taken a road trip in celebration of finishing high school and returned to Boston in high spirits only to learn Frank had been admitted in a hospital due to an accident. Liz and Tess had immediately rushed to see him and he had asked to speak with Tess a few minutes alone.

Soon after Frank had died and Liz had changed her name officially back to Parker while Tess still remained a Harding, which confused Alex, as he knew that Tess had always wanted to be a Parker. The second unexpected thing that Tess did was to change her college plans from Harvard to UNM. This was a great shock to Alex, as he and Tess had grown closer over the summer and he was planning to ask her to be his roommate or even move in with him. Finally growing desperate, Alex had proposed to Tess only to have her reject him with tears in her eyes and run away to New Mexico.

Liz closed her eyes as tears slipped down her cheeks. She had never told Alex the reason for Tess’ behavior. She hadn’t even told Tess initially that she knew; she knew that Claudia Parker was killed by an alien, the same alien who had been searching for Tess since 1987. It had been sheer luck that Liz had accidentally heard the conversation between Frank and Tess. Her grandmother had found out that someone, an alien was searching for Tess but she had also found out that the alien had killed many people and hence had started running with Tess and Liz. When finally he came too close to her, she had separated them from her and admitted them both in a boarding school fearing for their safety. She had confided in Frank the truth about Tess’ origins making him promise to protect Tess and Liz if anything ever happened to her.

Liz knew the reason Tess had run away from her and Alex was to protect them. Tess had wanted to have no contacts with them at all but Liz had confronted her about what she knew and had threatened to tell Alex the truth, finally getting her promise not to cut them off. After that, they had only met during the summers and that too had stopped the last summer, when Tess had met the others.

Liz slowed down when she reached the corner of the cemetery and sat on the grass between two graves.

“Hi Mom, Hi dad,” she began softly tracing the names on the headstones with her finger.

******

Max parked the car and wearily leaned his head on the steering wheel. They all thought he didn’t care about others and that he was a cold-hearted bastard. But he did love his parents, his sister, his brother, and his family. He did notice the disappointment in his father’s eyes and the tears in his mother’s eyes whenever they saw him. He did see the anger in Michael’s eyes and Isabel’s hatred towards him. But he didn’t want to feel, didn’t want to remember except he also couldn’t seem to stop himself from the downward spiral he was headed for.

He never asked to be the King, never wanted the responsibility, never wanted to kill…He just wanted to be normal. Max laughed mirthlessly. Normal. The memory of a guileless smiling blue-eyed blonde suddenly crossed his mind.

What’s so great about Normal, Max?

Max clenched the steering wheel tightly his eyes hard. Lies, everything lies. He wanted to forget but unfortunately his mother’s remark about how nice Ava seemed to be and her ever-persistent question about the summer before senior year brought him back unpleasant memories that he tried his best not to remember. After sending off his parents, he had immediately called Casey to lose himself in her, to forget the horrors and the nightmares for at least a little while. But she couldn’t meet him for at least two hours. Heck any girl would do but unluckily he had left his little black book at home and only had Casey’s number that she had scribbled for him just that morning before he left her. He wasn’t exactly in the mood to go home and have a fight with Isabel in case she was still there.

Max sighed getting down from the jeep. He had finally come to the one place he always came to, whenever he needed some peace and quiet, away from his troubling thoughts and nightmares. The one place no one knew he went to regularly, not even Michael or Isabel. He unconsciously smiled at the peace that came over him as soon as he entered Roswell Cemetery. Picking a few small flowers, he looked around cautiously and waved his hand over them turning them into two beautiful white roses, her favorite. This was the only place he felt close to her.

*******

“I… remember the good times we had, the first time you took me to the carnival, the first time you taught me to ride a bike, the time you let me help you make cookies…” Liz continued on softly, “I wish…I wish that things could have been different, that you both are still with me.”

Liz smiled wistfully at her next words, “And I really wish that you could have seen Tess. She was my best friend, my sister and the daughter you never had. She was the exact opposite of me, blonde, blue-eyed, bold, frank and fiercely protective of me.” Liz gave a little laugh. “She once punched a boy 4 years older than her cause he was teasing me. You should have seen the boy howling with pain caused by an 11 year old. She was all I had after grandma left me.”

Liz paused blinking back a few tears, “I…I miss her. I hope she is with you guys instead of all alone somewhere. She…she loved you both also though she never met you, always considered you both as her parents and her one regret was that she couldn’t save you also when she saved me.”

Liz grew silent and absently twirled her ring with her right hand. “I…I am engaged now,” she gave a short mocking laugh. “And I don’t even love Alex. He is my other best friend and he is still in love with Tess. I can just see grandma frowning at me. She always told Tess and me to follow our hearts, to trust it. I guess Tess did that only she gave it to a totally undeserving person…I…I wish she had believed in Alex. He is really a great guy and I…I guess you know why we are here. Alex and I aren’t even sure whether we will get out of this alive and after Tess’ death we only had each other.”

Liz’s eyes took on a faraway look as she lost herself in her past.

It had been nearly 2 months since Tess’ death and Liz had once again woken up screaming and crying for her. Alex as usual comforted her but that night Liz felt real desperation and actually wanted to join her sister. Alex gently calmed her and kissed her. One thing led to another and before they knew it they were naked and had slept together. Alex immediately went out mumbling a sorry and Liz started retching out in the bathroom. She was disgusted with herself and locked herself in the bathroom. A couple of hours later she heard the front door open and shut and then Alex’s room door opened and shut. After a few seconds she came out of the bathroom only to hear heart-wrenching sobs coming out from Alex’s room. Peeking inside his room she found him crying harshly holding a picture of Tess in one hand and a beer in another. That had been the first and the last time she had ever seen him mourn Tess. Things had been awkward between them for a while but all that was soon forgotten when they received Tess’ journal.

Liz again looked at her parent’s graves. “This engagement…it’s just convenient for us, a reason for us both to come here and to make the others trust us better.” Liz laughed mirthlessly once again, looking at the round midnight-blue sapphires surrounding the single half heart-shaped brilliant diamond with a platinum setting, “Do you even know this isn’t exactly an engagement ring? We just wanted a way to protect us against the mind-warp and this was a perfect reason not to ever remove or give this ring to anyone…”

Liz smiled thinking of the day they had found out how to ward off Tess’ mind warp. Her, Alex and Tess were all goofing off when Tess had mind-warped Alex for fun into kissing Liz. But both Liz and Tess were surprised when he had kissed Tess instead.

“I so knew you liked him Tess,” Liz said squealing. “This just proves it.”

“I do not,” Tess said flushing. “I warped him to kiss you not me.”

“Sure you did Tess,” Alex said, winking at her.

Liz once again burst into laughter as Tess’ face became even redder. Tess then started smacking Alex.

“Ouch… hey, this is no way to treat the guy you are secretly in love with,” Alex said grinning.

Tess glared at him and keeping her hands on her hips began sternly, “Alexander Charles Whitman, you better tell the truth or else…”

“Okay fine, I heard her voice in my head telling me to kiss you Liz,” Alex said hurriedly to avoid her hitting him again.

And they had found, or rather Liz had found after much research, Alex’s resistance to Tess’ warp was due to the unique compositions of Sapphire, Diamond and Platinum with traces of Iridium, in the ring he was wearing.

*****

Max slowed down hearing someone talking behind the bushes. He frowned. No one usually came at this time and this part of the cemetery was especially deserted. There were no other graves here except for the…

Max drew in a sharp breath at the sudden thought of who it might be behind the bushes. It cannot be, he thought stunned but he couldn’t stop his feet from moving forward or his heart from starting to beat faster when he saw a brown-haired girl sitting in front of the graves murmuring something. Something akin to hope, a long forgotten feeling, bloomed in his heart.

A sudden snap of the twig had him cringing and the girl in front to turn back swiftly. Amber eyes clashed with pools of chocolate brown. Max’s heart literally stopped for a second seeing the tears sliding silently from beautiful doe-shaped wide brown eyes, eyes he would know anywhere, eyes he constantly saw in his dream, eyes he had never forgotten…

“Liz…”

*******

[foreverdreamer15]

Hey Everyone! Thank you all for your amazing feedback.
I know many of you want to know how Max knows Liz. You will find out in this chapter and forgive me if it sucks

Thank you

FSUMSW94: Yeah, that was one of the main reasons why Max and Kyle don't get along. But Max wasn't in his right state of mind at that time. He was in deep pain and sorrow and desperately wanted to forget it. He eventually got drunk at the party and didn't even realise what he did next till he woke up in the morning
kay_b
purpleant
xmag: Nope. Tess and Kyle weren't in love with each other.
Roswellchik
roswellluver
g7silvers: Tess saved Liz using her powers, so Liz knew Tess was different. Though they found out only much later that Tess is an alien when Frank Harding told Tess.
And no, Liz hates Max Evans and wants him to die. So she won't help him for now. But who knows about later?
Strawberry88
Lurkers

And welcome to the new readers

From Part 6:
A sudden snap of the twig had him cringing and the girl in front to turn back swiftly. Amber eyes clashed with pools of chocolate brown. Max’s heart literally stopped for a second seeing the tears sliding silently from beautiful doe-shaped wide brown eyes, eyes he would know anywhere, eyes he constantly saw in his dream, eyes he had never forgotten…

“Liz…”

*******

Part 7a:

“Liz…”Max whispered reverently, his heart thudding with joy to see her.

His eyes were wide open, frightened that if he even blinked, she would disappear from his life again and he would wake up from another wonderful dream. But some part of him knew that this was real, that she wasn’t a dream, not this time, and Elizabeth Claudia Parker was really standing in the flesh in front of him. And she was even more beautiful than he had imagined. His gaze slid eagerly from her soulful eyes to the cute as a button nose and the luscious lips. His lips curved up unconsciously, seeing her biting her lower lip. She still does it!

A slight movement brought his eyes to her soft and shining hair, which she was nervously tucking behind her ear. It was the same gorgeous chocolate brown except it had been shorter and in pig tails the first and the only time he had ever seen her.

******
August 1987, The Duck Pond, Roswell:

It had been two months since the Evans had adopted Max, Michael and Isabel but this was the first time they had brought their kids to the park. Though Max, Michael and Isabel hadn’t spoken even a single word initially, all three of them had picked up the language pretty quick.

“Stupid ducks,” a scowling 6 year-old Michael came and sat near Max, clutching his finger.

Michael had wanted to play with the ducks and had tried feeding them some bread but most of them had quacked and gone to the other side of the pond. Finally one duck had picked the bread and Michael had immediately picked up the other end. A tug of war ensued and the frustrated duck had at last bit Michael on his finger before waddling away with the bread.

“Whatcha looking at?” Michael asked Max curiously, trying to see what Max was intently staring at.

Max quickly looked down, his ears slightly pink, mumbling “nothing.”

“What’s Isabel doing with them?” Michael grumpily asked, a few seconds later.

Max looked up surprised, to see Isabel playing with the two little girls, he had been staring at. Isabel had been very thrilled and happy to see many kids playing around in the park while Michael had crossed his arms frowning at them all. Max had glanced around fearfully when his gaze fell on the prettiest girl he had ever seen till now. She had long brown hair tied in two cute pigtails and was wearing a pink frock with cupcakes and she was playing with a blonde-haired girl.

“Max, Michael,” Isabel excitedly came running towards them followed by the two little girls. “This is Maria,” she pointed to the blonde girl and then the brunette girl, “and her friend Liz.”

“Best friends forever and ever,” Maria corrected proudly, as she linked her arm with Liz. “Aren’t we Liz?” she asked turning to her friend.

Liz looked entranced at the cute boy standing shyly beside Isabel. He had dark brown hair with some bangs on his forehead and she had never seen ears that red before. She wanted to look into his eyes but he was looking at something interesting on the ground. She didn’t like the other boy beside him who seemed to be glaring at her and Maria.

Hearing Maria ask her a question Liz nodded her head as Maria breathlessly continued, “Wanna play house with us?”

Isabel moved her head up and down eagerly. “I have Barbie in the car. I will get it.” She then ran towards her parents.

“Max, Mickey, you wanna join?”

“It’s Michael,” Michael frowned at Maria. “And no, I don’t play with girls.”

“Why not?” Maria demanded furiously, keeping her hands on her hips.

For a second Michael looked stupefied and then not knowing what to answer, he muttered, "I just don’t.”

“Nuh…that’s not an answer. Tell me why not?” Maria persisted, tapping her foot on the ground.

“It is. Leave me alone.”

“No. Tell me why?”

“Coz…coz you are a girl.”

“What?” Maria looked confused for a second and Michael snickered at that. Annoyed, she began, “You don’t know why yourself.”

“I do.”

“You don’t.”

“I do.”

“Don’t.”

“Do.”

Hearing a soft ‘Hi’, Max looked up and his eyes widened on seeing Liz so close to him.

“You have pretty eyes,” she said, looking at the long lashes on the beautiful eyes that seemed to be a mixture of brown and green with gold sprinkled in them and Max once again blushed.

“And your ears,” Liz continued in awe, “they are so red and big.”

Seeing Max’s smile dim a little, Liz hurriedly said, “but they are cute. I like them.”

Max’s whole face had by now turned pink much to Liz’s amazement.

“So do you wanna play with me?” Liz asked him after a pause.

Max shyly nodded wanting to stay close to her and Liz elatedly took his hand.

“I do and I am not going to stay here,” Michael finally huffed to Maria and then looking at Max said, “Maxwell! Let’s go.”

Seeing Max beginning to waver, Liz hastily replied for Max. “He wants to play.” She gave his hand a little squeeze and then smiled at him brightly.

Max’s tiny heart leapt joyfully and much as he loved his brother, Liz wanted him here. Liz, he thought smiling dreamily, she has a sweet name.

“What?” Michael gasped.

“You heard her,” Maria replied smugly. “Max wants to play.”

Michael gave a disgusted look to Max, who was still holding hands with Liz, and throwing one last glare at Maria, he walked away.

“Your brother is very rude,” Maria told Max, frowning at the back of Michael.

“Michael’s always like that,” Isabel said casually, as she joined them. “So what can we play?”

“Uhm, House. Max is daddy,” Liz began shyly smiling at him. “I am mummy and this is our baby,” she finished holding her Barbie.

“But, my baby don’t have a daddy?” Isabel replied glumly, clutching her Barbie.

“We don’t need them,” Maria patiently explained. “I don’t have a daddy and mum said that she will be both mummy and daddy to me.” Maria’s face then scrunched in distaste, “But I dunno why she wanna make Jim my daddy.”

Max adoringly looked at Liz while playing the game and finally couldn’t contain himself. “Are you an Angel?” he blurted out.

At Liz’s surprised look, he continued shyly, “Coz my mom said that Angels are beautiful. And you are very pretty,” He then quickly looked down, the tips of his ears turning red, not seeing Liz’s face light up in happiness.

Liz immediately put her arms around him and gave him a sound kiss on his cheek much to his shock and extreme delight. “Thank you,” she said sweetly, as they both smiled at each other.

Suddenly peals of laughter and squeals were heard, “Max and Lizzie are Kissing. Max and Lizzie are Kissing.”

Both of their faces burned in embarrassment, as they immediately stood away from each other.

****
Max smiled at the memory. He had never lived that down from Isabel who had ended up teasing him for a week while Michael had scowled at him. But that was the last day he had ever seen Liz Parker. Soon, he had learned from Maria that Liz’s parents had gone to be with God and Liz went to live with her grandmother. His six-year mind couldn’t comprehend why Liz wouldn’t visit her parents and he had visited the cemetery many nights, without the knowledge of his parents, in the hope that he will maybe see her. Max Evans and Maria DeLuca had become good friends the fall Liz went away and Max had learnt every tiny detail he could about Liz from Maria. And then the Evans’ siblings had realized they were different from others and Max had stopped hanging out with Maria, fearing that she may find out about him and call him a monster.

Though he had lost hope of seeing Liz ever again, this was the only place that gave him peace, where he felt somewhat connected to her. And he had visited her parents every chance he got. Now finally, he was meeting her again. After 16 years, 10 months, 20 days, 6 hours and, Max looked at his watch, 37 minutes. And she is Perfect, he thought as his gaze slid over all the right curves and places. Unable to help himself, he once again looked at her angelic face and flinched at the downright terror in her expressive eyes.

****

“Kyle!” Isabel exclaimed surprised to see him so early at the café. “What are you…I mean Hi!” she belatedly covered up her astonishment.

“Hi!” Kyle nervously shifted on his feet near the counter. “I wanted to…breakfast.” He berated himself for chickening out at the last minute.

“Oh. Okay.” She walked towards the order window to place the order when Kyle called her puzzled.

“You didn’t get my order.”

Isabel smiled sadly, “I know. The usual right?” At Kyle’s jerky nod, she quickly turned back to place the order.

Kyle wearily sat on the counter thinking of the many times both he and Isabel had come to eat here. He could in fact tell the exact amount of Tabasco she added in her food and drink. Man, he was pathetic. Hearing a throat being cleared, he turned to see Isabel looking at him questioningly. For a moment, he simply stared. She looked stunning dressed casually in black jeans and purple v-necked shirt.

“I wanted to congratulate you on the success of the wedding. You did a great job,” Kyle praised her for organizing the wedding.

“Thanks,” Isabel smiled at him.

For a moment, there was an awkward pause with both of them trying to avoid looking into the other’s eyes. And then Kyle’s order arrived.

“So…”Kyle began, after eating some burger. He saw Isabel eyeing it with distaste and he smiled to himself. Isabel was health conscious, among other things and she had never approved of his habit of pigging out whenever possible.

“So…how are things going on with you?” Isabel asked.

“Good, going on good.” Tell her Kyle. Tell her for what you really came here.

“I heard you are starting your new job?” Isabel unexpectedly gave him an opening.

“Yeah,” Kyle began nervously. “I start next week in Washington D.C.”

Isabel paled hearing that. “Wash…Washington D.C.?” She hated the stuttering in her voice that clearly showed her emotions. “But I thought…the job in Roswell?”

“I am not taking that. This is a better one and only the training is in D.C. Once it’s completed, the posting can be anywhere.”

“What job is it?” Isabel asked curiously.

Kyle took a deep breath. Here comes the hard part. “F.B.I.”

Isabel gasped in shock, a mixture of emotions on her face - fear, betrayal, hurt, deep sadness and then anger.

“Isabel, let me explain” Kyle began quickly to avoid a confrontation.

“Explain? Explain what Kyle? How you are going to betray us?” Isabel hissed furiously.

“Dammit Isabel!” Kyle exploded. “This is the perfect way for me to get into the unit and look out for each of you, to make sure that we always stay one step ahead of them, to eliminate whatever information they have about aliens and to protect you all. How can you even think that I will betray my friends, betray you?” he finished agonizingly.

“I’m sorry Kyle. I…I didn’t mean it that way,” Isabel whispered thickly, knowing that her words had hurt him.

But the thought of FBI brought back all the painful memories of the summer before their senior year.

“Taken? Taken where? Who took Max?” Michael demanded Nacedo as a tearful Isabel and Maria watched.

“Pierce. He’s from the Special Unit in the FBI that hunts the aliens. He has been after me for a long time and now because of the shooting,” he glared hatefully at Maria and Kyle, “they found Max.”

“Look. Let’s not waste any time. We have to save him,” Kyle said tersely comforting a crying Isabel.

“You both are not going to do anything,” Michael said sharply. “It’s dangerous. Only we three are going.”

They had finally rescued Max from the special unit and Nacedo had destroyed the entire base where Max had been held. But they had been too late. The damage had already been done and Max was never the same again. Isabel could still remember Max’s screams at night when he pleaded in his nightmares with his captors to let him go, that he didn’t know anything, that he was an innocent and human. He cried and begged for her and Michael, in his sleep, to come and save him when he battled with his demons.

Isabel closed her eyes in pain. Max had never told anyone what had really happened to him during the 3 days he had been held captive but the things she had seen the one time she had dream-walked him. Isabel shuddered in fear and anger. It had taken one full day for his body to heal from the wounds they had inflicted on him. He hadn’t even been able to feed himself properly for the first few days. He would start sudden shivering seeing the knives, forks or even food. Isabel had never hated anyone with a passion than the men who did that to her brother, who changed him into the monster he is now. She and Michael would have gladly killed them without any remorse if Nacedo hadn’t done it first.

“Isabel, it’s over now,” Kyle said soothingly, correctly interpreting her silence. “They are gone and I am going to make sure that they stay that way.”

“But it’s not safe Kyle. What if they catch you? Besides, it would take you years before you even reach the level of clearance to access the Special Unit files.”

“I know. But it’s a risk I am willing to take Isabel,” Kyle said firmly. “I have to do this.”

“Then why are you telling me this now?” Isabel’s breath hitched in her throat. “Why when you have already decided?”

Kyle turned away his face from her, already regretting his decision of telling her. What did you expect, Kyle? That she would immediately forget her life, her work, and family in Roswell and come running to be with you? Much as it pained him to admit, that was exactly what he wanted her to do. But hadn’t he already done that, already given her an ultimatum? Cleary she hadn’t chosen him then. She had walked away from him then, choosing her family, choosing her brother, choosing Max over him. Why would this time be any different?

Kyle’s fist clenched in anger at the thought of Max. Why does everyone stand by him even though he is a grade-A asshole and a murderer? Kyle’s eyes burned at the memory of a smiling Tess, his sister in every sense of the way though they weren’t related by blood. He would never forget nor forgive Max for killing Tess.

“Kyle?” Isabel’s soft voice brought him back to his senses and he found that he had been grinding his teeth in anger.

“It’s nothing. Forget it,” Kyle brusquely said, putting a $20 bill on the counter.

“I…Roswell is my home…”

“I know,” Kyle curtly said before leaving the place, knowing that this time he wouldn’t be coming back. He paused a bit when he reached the Crashdown doors and then slightly turning back whispered “Goodbye Isabel.”

There was such finality in his tone that Isabel couldn’t hold back her tears when he finally left.
******

[foreverdreamer15]

A/N: I' m sooo sorry everyone for not updating this fic. I have not abandoned it, I am just facing some writer's block and right now I'm concentrating on my other fic. But I will get back to this fic ASAP.

Thank you so much for your support and feedback !