The Missing Piece (CC, MATURE/ADULT accepted)

[isabelle]

*Max*

"Don't mess up, Maxwell," he says. If I weren't already trying very hard to stay calm about all this, I'd be sorely tempted to throw something at him. Michael was the one who nearly messed everything up with his heavy-handed poorly-timed 'surviellance' of Kyle a few weeks ago. He nearly destroyed everything back then, but now he's the one cautioning me not to mess it up.

While I'm trying to keep myself in check, Isabel's words convey much the same thing I was feeling. "Michael, why don't you go get Maria and go on an outing or something before I feed you your own boot. My brother will be just fine as long as he remembers to be himself and relax." She sounds calm and assured, with certainly helps.

"Thanks, Izzy," I tell her quietly. The childhood nickname seeming to be needed now, when I'm starting this new stage with Liz.

Grudgingly, Michael looks at me, "Good luck, Maxwell." He says, but no more. I'm almost surprised he doesn't have something to say about 'boffing' Liz before the end of the night, or some other such comment. But apparently he's heard me enough when I've told her that this isn't going to be that sort of first date. I have no intention of 'bonding' with her tonight. Not that way. The bonding I'm hoping for is more emotional and intellectual. If I'm going to spend the rest of my life with her, I have to know that we can be a partnership that will last that long.

Without another word, he turns on his heels and heads upstairs. Maybe he's taking Isabel's advice and is looking for Maria.

"Well," I say with a soft sigh. "That could have been worse, I'm sure." I see Isabel's smile that seems half amusement and half annoyance at Michael. Glancing at my watch, I see that I'm already running late if I'm going to have time to pick up the flowers. "Gotta run, then. See ya later," I tell her stepping towards the door. I pause there, turning back to add, "And please don't be waiting up for me, okay?"

I don't expect to be out really late but I definately don't want to be greeted by four anxious faces waiting for a step-by-step description of the evening.

[KatnotKath]

~Liz~

Kyle asks me if I want a soda too, and although in truth I know I shouldn’t really have time, I nod, because it’s a normal thing, and that’s what I need right now… “Sure…thanks…” I chew on the inside of my lip nervously, my gaze drifting over first to the clock, and then to the door. Less than ten minutes until Max is due…

Am I ready for this? I ask myself internally. The answer is that I don’t know, but then I don’t know if I’ll ever be completely ready for this…for what it means…

Max and I have been stalling for nearly three weeks, seeing Michael becoming more and more frustrated, and fully aware of his attitude. I’ve got to know Maria and Isabel, coming to look on them a little like big sisters, as well as friends… Michael is Michael, and Max is…well Max… I’ve come to know him as a friend thus far, but now it’s time to take it further…

I honestly don’t know whether this is going to work, but I know that we have to try… Max was bought up to know his ‘duty’, and although a month ago I knew nothing about it, I can’t help feeling a responsibility too…

I swallow and take a breath. I’m trying very hard to just think about this as being about Max and I, but right at this moment in time I’m not finding that very easy… Michael certainly hasn’t helped with his pushing… He probably thinks he’s trying to ‘encourage’ us, but in truth, I think he’s pushing us further apart… Because everytime we think about this, or at least every time I do, I don’t think about Max and myself, I think about the expectations and ‘duty’…and that really doesn’t make it any easier…

I look over at Kyle, forcing a smile and trying to concentrate on anything but my impending date with Max. “So…have you got any plans for tonight?” I ask, directing the focus of the conversation in his direction now.

[KatnotKath]

~Alex~

Well, we’ve been in Roswell three weeks now… It’s practically the longest we’ve stayed anywhere in over a year… The first year we were travelling it was different of course. The urgency wasn’t there, and although we wanted to find Liz, the practicality of making the most of the rent we were paying meant we used to be staying for whatever the length of lease we had signed for…

After the message that changed though… We used to try and sign for as little as possible, and even if it meant we forfeit some of the rent, as soon as we confirmed whether or not this was it was the place, we up sticks and left.

So we’ve been doing that for a year now, and finally we’ve found her… I don’t think Liz is exactly what we all expected, but she’s a nice enough girl… We all seem to get on – well apart from Michael, pretty well which is a definite plus…

Kyle’s not bad either… I’ve seen the way that Michael looks at him, but I just think that Liz got very lucky to find such a good friend… There’s nothing remotely romantic about them – not least because I think Kyle might just have his eye on Sarah - but they’re very close, in a platonic manner, and I know that’s probably been very important for Liz.

She hasn’t had an easy life, I get the feeling there’s something more under the surface about that than there first appears, but so far she hasn’t opened up, and I’m certainly not going to push…

Anyway, so it’s been three weeks, and today is the day that Max and Liz are going out on their first ‘date’… They’ve spent time round each other when with the group of course, Kyle usually being present too, but tonight it’s just the two of them…

I know that Michael thinks this should have been happening weeks ago, but my personal thoughts are I’m surprised it’s happening so fast… It’s a big step, and I know they’re both nervous… Maybe it’s too soon, or maybe it isn’t… I guess only they can decide that… I just hope this is for them, an not for Michael or anyone else…

Realising that I’ve let my thoughts drift again, I try to concentrate back on the programme I’m dealing with for work… I came up here about an hour ago, realising that Max probably didn’t need another person fussing around while he got ready, and knowing I should probably try and get something done…

I have to admit that since we got here I have slipped a little… Some of my deadlines are getting close, and I need to get the stuff in… The problem is that Isabel is always top of my concerns…and she’s worried about Max, so…

I shake my head. I NEED to concentrate… Forcing myself to focus on the screen, I begin to work again, and once I get started, away from all the distractions, I actually make pretty good progress… Not only do I get the part I was starting on finished, but I actually deal with the last little bit too, meaning that this one’s all ready to submit… It’s only one of many, but it sure feels good to know it’s done…

I stretch and take a look at the clock, checking the time. It’s later than I thought…Max has probably gone by now… I have to admit I’m getting a bit peckish too…I wonder if Isabel might want to go out for a bit…?

It’s been a while since we’ve spent some couple time, and it doesn’t have to be anything major… We could pick up some takeaway, go out like we used to back in Buffalo, talk and look at the stars…

I smile at the thought of something so simple, something which already holds so many memories, and pack up my stuff quickly, shutting down the computer and closing the lid before heading downstairs to see if the idea appeals…

“Isabel…?” I call down and am surprised as I get to the foot of the steps to see Max with her, obviously all ready to go out. I want to back up, but I know that’s probably not going to be a good idea. Instead, I push forward, offering Max a bit of a smile. “Hey Max…” I walk up to Isabel and dip my head to kiss the back of her neck. “Hey beautiful…”

[isabelle]

*Max*

Just as I'm about to go, Alex appears, greeting me and sweettalking my sister. I wonder when or if it will seem natural to do that with Liz.

"Hey Alex. Bye. Bye Isabel," I say quickly, giving him a slight wave as I turn and go out the door.

Traffic is pretty light tonight, so I should be in good shape. I stop by the florist on the way and pick up the half dozen white roses I'd ordered. They look really good. I hope Liz likes 'em. Will she think it's too much? It is supposed to be a date.

Arggh! I've got to stop that. Maybe it is a little soon, but I can't be second-guessing everything I do. I need to just do what seems right. By myself, like Isabel said. If Liz doesn't like it, I just hope she'll be comfortable enough to say so. There's too much going on with this. Somewhere in the center we have to find a way to make a honest connection between us. Or if we can't, then maybe we'll know something-else...

I pull the jeep into the lot outside of Liz's building, reminding myself to breathe. There's a space only 20 yards from her door that looks perfect.

I pause for a moment, checking my hair in the rear-view mirror. It looks okay. I pick up the flowers and pause -- but there's nothing more to do. It's time to get this started. I get out of the jeep, walk down to her door and ring the bell.


*Kyle*

"Plans?" I repeat as I process the question. "Not really. I'm not on at the Crashdown so I guess I was just going to hang out. I forgot you had plans."

I wonder what I should be doing instead. I could go hang out with some of the guys from the team. I wonder if it would be too weird to call Sarah? I mean, we don't really know each other that well for a last minute thing. I should have stopped by there a couple days ago and made plans... Oh well, I guess it'll be the guys.

Just then, the doorbell rings. "Looks like it's Prince Charming," I say and suddenly want to bite my lip. I only meant it as 'your date' but the 'prince' thing is probably not the right thing to say when your date is a King.... "Sorry," I add.

[KatnotKath]

~Liz~

Kyle says that he was just going to hang, admitting that he had forgotten about my date and I nod slightly. “Yeah…sorry…”

Before I can say anymore, or I have a chance to get that soda Kyle offered, the doorbell rings and I feel as though time stops for a moment. I hold my breath, and bite my lip.

“Looks like it’s Prince Charming…”

Prince Charming… King Zanelroi… Lareina, Liz…Max…

I stand up, my legs feeling something like jelly, and look down to see my hands shaking. I am so nervous about this…

“Sorry…”

I guess my feeling are pretty obvious, and I swallow, shaking my head and forcing a small smile. “It’s okay…I know what you meant…” I assure him softly as I walk towards the door.

Three paces, now two, and one… I reach out, closing my and over the handle and turning the key. I look down self consciously, giving my appearance one last once over. Do I look okay…?

I take in once more breath, and then step back as I open the door, offering a small smile as Max comes into view. “Hey Max…”

I feel like I should be saying something more, but right now I don’t know what…except… I suddenly realise he’s still standing outside the door and motion inside awkwardly. “D-do you want to come in…?”

[isabelle]

This didn't come out quite the way I wanted it to. Hope it's okay...


*Max*

Liz answers the door and I conciously remember to smile. I think it even looks natural. I can't believe I'm so nervous about this.

Well, okay. Maybe it is understandable. I mean, the future of a whole planet and all that, but I'm really more concerned about Liz. Does she really like me at all or is she just doing this for form?

"Hey, Max," she says. "Liz," I answer, softly. She stands there for just a second and then steps back, motioning inside. "D-do you want to come in?"

"Sure," I say as I move through the doorway. I notice that Kyle is there, just getting to his feet, a soda in his hand. I'm not sure what to think of that, so I ignore him for now.

My gaze returns to Liz and all I can think is that she looks absolutely stunning. "You look great," I tell her. Then, remembering what's in my hands, I thrust the flowers forward. I catch myself in that split second and manage to transform the motion into something more graceful, presenting the half-dozen roses in a semi-gallant fashion. "These are for you."


.

[KatnotKath]

~Liz~

“Sure…” Max steps inside and I wait to close the door behind him. He’s smiling and appears pretty calm, I wonder if he has any idea how nervous I feel right at this moment in time…?

I can’t help looking over at Kyle briefly as I turn back from the door. He offers me a reassuring smile and I can’t begin to explain how much that means.

I don’t miss Max’s glance over at him too though… Not that he would think there was anything going on, I think we got that sorted a while ago, but I know perhaps he might not be too happy that Kyle’s here when we’re due to go out on our first date… It is supposed to be just the two of us, and it will be shortly, but I wasn’t about to tell Kyle to get lost… He’s a good friend, and in all honesty, had he not turned up, I’m not completely sure I would have been able to make it through the last half hour…

“You look great…”

Max’s voice brings me back from my reflections and I chew my lip nervously as I notice him looking at me. “Thanks…I’m glad you approve…I wasn’t sure if you would think it was too…young I guess…” I murmur softly, feeling my cheeks flush.

“These are for you…” The next moment I find myself looking at a bunch of flowers – half a dozen white roses, my favourite, to be exact…

I’m surprised, and I’m guessing the look on my face won’t hide that much. Flowers… I know this is a date, but I wasn’t expecting them… Still, it is a nice thought, and they are lovely… Slowly, I offer a small smile of thanks. “Thank you…they’re beautiful…” I tell him softly, taking them from him and bringing them up to my nose.

“I should put these in water…d-do you want a soda or anything while you’re waiting…?” I ask, stumbling a little over my words slightly as I begin to move towards my kitchenette in order to get a vase and some water for these beautiful flowers.

[StormWolfstone]

~Isabel~


"Well," Max says, sighing, "That could have been worse, I'm sure." I smile, part of me annoyed and the other amused, but still I can't stand how tense this makes my brother. "Gotta run, then. See ya later," He steps toward the door then stops a moment, "And please don't be waiting up for me, okay?"

"That's something you won't need to worry about. I'll make certain of it." I assure him, though I'm not certain how well I'll be able to keep Michael from being there.

“Isabel…?” I hear Alex call down but am so intent of trying to keep from laughing at my brothers expression that I don't respond instantly.

“Hey Max…” Alex walks up to me, kissing the back of my neck which simply causes me to sigh softly and close my eyes, all other thoughts nearly vanishing. “Hey beautiful…”

"Hey Alex. Bye. Bye Isabel," Max says and turns to go out the door.

I turn to face Alex with a smile, "How's work going?" I ask, even as my arms thread up around his neck. With everything going on lately, I had a hard time realizing just how little Alex nad I had even had the chance to do together. My working now, his work, our constant outings with the others... we'd had very little time alone. Granted, we have our own room and privacy, but that isn't just what we need.

There was a time, it seems so long ago, that I wouldn't have been caught dead being this way with the genious before me. I'd been one superficial bitch, but then he'd broken through my defenses and drawn me into a life where I was accepted and not seen as what most saw. Now, I couldn't imagine life without him. He doesn't realize it, but his love is what's made me truly live.

"Any chance that we can get out of here for a while? Not stick with being babysitters?" I asked jokingly.

[isabelle]

*Kyle*

I have to admit, Max looks pretty sharp. A bit too much for bowling if you ask me, but I'd probably do the same on a first date. I watch as Liz takes the flowers and awkwardly goes to get something to put them in. I'm about to offer to help, but I realize that's just interferring.

I didn't remember to bring flowers on the one date I had with Liz. I guess Max has that going for him. He is on top of the details -- at least for appearances. I wonder what he's really feeling. Not that I can ask, of course.

Max looks at me but he speaks to Liz. "No thanks. I'm okay," he says, refering to her offer to get him a soda. He doesn't say anything to me, but I can guess what he's thinking.

"I, uh, I was just leaving," I say, suiting actions to words as I move toward the door. "Liz, have a good time," I say, raising my soda can in a half-salute. Max steps back a bit further as I get near the door although he hadn't actually been blocking the way, at all. "Max, well, I'll see ya around," I finish, lamely before bolting through the doorway. None of the things I might say to any of my friends going on a date seemed to apply to him just now.

Once outside, I hear the door close behind me and I take a long sip of soda. That was certainly odd. Maybe I should have hung around to talk. If it was any other two people I knew, I might have. But it just seemed too weird with everything behind all this, especially for a first date.

With a shrug, I head for my car, wondering if Liz is going to tell all about her date when she gets back.

[KatnotKath]

~Liz~

Max declines the offer of a drink as I reach up, opening a cupboard above my head and pulling out a vase. It’s a little small, and I don’t really have anything else, but a few minutes concentration and my powers put that right.

I feel like I should say something…pretty much anything really, but right at this moment I don’t know what… I bite my lip and turn sharply as I hear Kyle say he’s going. Part of me wants to ask him to stay, to tell him I need him… But I have to get past that… This isn’t just another group meeting, this is a date, and the pressing thing about a date is that a couple are alone…

I leave the flowers on the work top for a moment and look back at him. “Okay…I guess I’ll see you later…” I life my hand to offer a small wave as he seems to practically run out of the apartment.

As Max and I are now left on our own, I turn back to what I was doing, cutting the stems of the roses quickly and arranging them before adding water. Picking up the vase, I carry it back over and set it down on the small table I have as I turn to Max who is still standing. “Thank you…they’re beautiful…” I repeat my earlier words, searching for something else to say.

It’s strange, because I don’t think I’ve felt this tongue-tied around him since we first met, but then I guess that makes sense to an extent, because this isn’t as relaxed a setting as normal…Kyle’s not there to act as a buffer when I need him, it’s just me…and Max…

Lareina and Zanelroi… I shake my head, banishing that thought as soon as it occurs to me. The names are more familiar than they once were, but I’m still not completely comfortable with them… I know Max as Max Evans, and I’ve grown up as Liz Parker…

I suddenly realise just how quiet I’ve been, hardly saying a word, and I look up at Max awkwardly. “I’m sorry, I guess I’m a little nervous…” I admit softly.

One of the promises we made to each other right at the start, when we agreed to see how this went, was that we wouldn’t try and hide our feelings…we wouldn’t lie to each other… This was never going to be simple, or easy, and we need to be truthful to each other if we’re going to get through it and have any chance of making it work…

I chew on the inside of my lip a moment as I look at him again. Should I invite him to sit down…? He’s already declined a drink, so maybe it’s just time to go… I swallow. “So…are you wanting to sit a while…or should we be going…or…” I trail off, realising that I’m in serious danger of losing it… I sound a little like Maria, and that’s so not me… She’s a great girl…or rather woman, and she’s becoming a friend, but she is a little hyper at times, and I can’t say I go much for her essential oils and such…

“I’m sorry…” I appologise again, looking down and just really not knowing what to say…

~Alex~

I know I probably look stupid, but I really can’t help this ridiculous smile which spreads over my face when Isabel turns around and wraps her arms around my neck. She is just perfect…and the amazing thing is, she chose me… I grin and close my arms around her back, content to simply hold her there for the moment.

She asks me about work, and I give a small nod. “Actually, it’s going pretty well…I finally managed to crack the one due next week, so I think I’m back on track…”

Concentrating on my main reason for coming down, I’m about to ask her about going out, but Isabel actually beats me to it. I grin and laugh, pressing my lips against hers for a moment.

“Well, I was just about to ask exactly the same thing…” I tell her smiling. “We haven’t had a whole lot of time to ourselves lately, and I wondered if you might like to go out for a meal, or maybe get something to eat and take it out with us…” I suggest the second as a new idea forms in my head. “We could go stargazing…just you and me in the desert…” I lean forward to kiss her again. “What do you say…?”

Her comment about babysitting is a good one of course, but Maria can probably handle Michael, and to be honest I think even he might have the sense to realise he needs to stay out of this… Michael very nearly ruined everything with that stunt when he wanted to ‘see’ Kyle… Even now I can see full well that neither Liz nor Kyle is very comfortable around him, to say nothing of the fact that his constant pushing of Max and Liz doesn’t exactly help…

Tonight he’s actually getting what he wanted though…well to an extent, albeit a lot slower than he had wanted… Liz and Max are actually going on a date, and I think Michael understands that going anywhere near them tonight is off-limits…

It’s when Max comes back that might be a problem, but I guess we just have to hope that Maria can keep him quiet and out of the way… If he had any sense he’d take her out for the evening, but unfortunately that does seem unlikely.

As for me and Izzy though…? We’ve been there for the others since we arrived in Roswell and before, we’ve done a lot of damage control, keeping Michael away from Liz at first, and I think it’s time that for once, ‘we’ come first… I smile and look into my girlfriend’s beautiful eyes as I wait for an answer…