KaraGail's Stories

[KaraGail]

Open Arms

By: KaraGail

"Disclaimer: The characters of "Roswell" belong to Jason Katims, Melinda Metz, WB, and UPN. They are not mine and no infringement is intended."

Category: Alex and Isabel

Rating: Teen – Mature (in later chapter)

Setting: After departure and before Season 3

A/N: This is my first fanfic posting. I just wanted to give thanks to Trude who has been encouraging me to go for it. Hope it’s worth it!!


There was nothing special about the small room that was used as a cell for the sole occupant. There was no natural light and nothing on the bare white walls. The only thing that occupied the room was the small cot pushed up against the far wall and the bare light bulb in the ceiling.

The inhabitant of the room was currently pacing as his tall lanky frame ate up the distance from one side of the room to the other. He had spent the last three months within these four walls and it had been the worst months of his life. Since he had arrived here at the compound he had to endure constant questioning from his captures. He knew if he didn’t escape soon then he would definitely crack under the pressure.

Currently he was going over his plan for the hundredth time in his head. There could be no mistakes. Just one small glitch would not only endanger his life but also those lives he had sworn to protect. He could not let that happen.

Over the last month, since his mind had cleared, he had watched anything and everything that might help him. Finally he saw the small gap in his captivity. His eyes strayed to the panel beside the door. It was a key pad that when the correct numbers were punched into it the door would unlock. Each number that was pressed had a certain tone to differentiate the number. After weeks of intense listening he believed he knew what the numbers were.

He knew that night time was coming soon since they had already given him dinner. The night guard would arrive in a couple of hours to replace the day guard and he knew he had to be ready. Lying down on the cot he hoped to get in a nap before his escape that night.

Alex Whitman had to get back to his friends and let them know that they had an enemy among them. He still was unable to comprehend how his life had been flipped upside down all because of a book that he had been mentally manipulated to translate. Then when he had finally figured it out and confronted the little witch, she had faked his death and handed him over to Nicholas and the Skins.

Shutting his eyes his last thought was of Roswell and the girl who he loved. He knew he would protect her and his friends and their secret and he would do anything to get back to them.


Part 2

Isabel Evans stormed into her room slamming her door behind her and tossing her leather jacket on to her bed. She was so angry with her life that she wished she could slam the door just as easily on her current problems. Seemed her life was never going to be easy and the last couple of weeks proved that.

Not only were they now stuck here on earth but they had found out that one of the alien four had betrayed them. She wanted to scream her anger to the world but instead she found herself quietly sobbing as she picked up the framed picture that had a prominent spot on her nightstand.

She lay down on her bed staring at the grinning picture of Alex. Nothing angered her more than the fact that their betrayer had murdered the guy she had fallen so deeply in love with and left her alone. There were no words to describe the loss she felt in her heart when she saw Max come out of the van with that expression on his face. She had just known that her world would never be right again.

Isabel touched his face with her fingers as she thought about the night of the prom and how special it had been for both of them. She had finally let him in and they were going to start over. It had been magical when she had pressed her lips to his on the dance floor and the world just seemed to stop just for them. They were the only ones on the planet that night and nothing could have ruined the moment.

As she continued to stroke his face with her fingers exhaustion over took her and she shut her eyes only to find herself on the very familiar dream plane.

‘That’s odd.’ She thought to herself as she found that she was being pulled into a specific direction. ‘What is going on?’

Looking around she found herself in a small room that had a cot with a body stretched along it facing the opposite direction of her. She knew somehow not to be scared as she stepped closer curious to find out who had pulled her in. Her heart almost stopped when the body turned over to reveal the most beautiful sight she had ever seen.

Isabel could not control the gasp that passed through her lips. Alex was lying there before her sleeping. His dark hair was sticking up in all directions and his soft lips were open just a crack as he exhaled softly.

‘Was this another dream?’ she wondered as she again stepped closer only to abruptly stop when his eyes flew open and landed on her.

He seemed confused as he focused on her “Isabel?”

Unable to say anything with her heart lodged in her throat she found herself nodding in response as the tears formed in her eyes. She knew she had dreamed many times of being with Alex but this one seemed to be so powerful and felt like nothing she had ever experienced before.

Alex sat up quickly, “How did you find me? Are the others with you?” he fired off questions as he frowned, “did the guard see you?’

At his questions she found herself frowning as well and thought, ‘guard? What guard?’

Suddenly his eyes narrowed as something seemed to dawn on him, “I’m dreaming right? You’re not really here.”

Finally she found her voice, “I don’t know.” She whispered as she came closer drawn by the thought of him being only a few feet away even in her dreams.

Alex rose from the bed and reached for her “If this is a dream then I never want it to end.”

With those words she found herself enveloped in his strong arms as his lips came crashing onto hers. The kiss surpassed even Prom night when he had held her as if she would break. This dream kiss was passionate and desperate as if they were making up for lost time. In his arms she finally felt the peace that had been missing since he died so many months ago.

He was the first to pull back with a grin on his lips “I miss you, Isabel.”

She felt the tears escape as she looked into those beautiful green eyes of his. She tightened her hold on him hoping that this wasn’t the end of the dream. She decided to say the words that she had denied him so many times in life “I love you, Alex.”

His eyes widened at her admission before his lips met hers again in another soul searching kiss. This time when he pulled back he stared into her face as if memorizing every curve with the love shining in his own eyes.

“There is so much I want to tell you.” He started “First I need you to know that Tess isn’t who she appears to be.”

Isabel nodded “Liz figured it out. Tess killed you and made it look like a suicide.”

Alex grinned again “Liz figured it out? I always knew that she was the smartest of us all.” He gently ran a finger down her nose. “I should have come to one of you before going off to face her alone.”

His dream began to fade as they continued to hold each other. Isabel felt her heart race at the thought that he would be leaving her again “Don’t go!”

As she watched him and the room vanish she could have sworn she heard “I will come for you, Isabel! I love you!”

Isabel gasped as she was sucked out of the dream and sat up straight in bed. Her cheeks were wet with the tears she had been crying and she could barely see as she looked down at the picture in her hands. Only one thought kept running through her head, ‘Had that really been a dream?’

Part 3

Alex was more than ready when the guard made his check on him. He had pretended to be asleep as he waited for the door to shut then counted to a hundred knowing that the guard was most likely checking the rest of the small compound next.

He said a silent prayer as he walked over to the keypad hoping that he wasn’t wrong about the number combination. His years of music had prepared him for this moment and he mentally crossed his fingers. Pressing in the code that he believed was correct he waited holding his breath until he heard the click of the door unlocking.

Wanting to shout out his joy he made himself remain calm as he paused for a few seconds before slowly opening the door. Peering out he checked the hall way and was relieved to see that his guard was no where to be seen. Quietly he shut the door behind him hearing the lock click back into place.

Hoping he wasn’t walking into a trap he made his way to the entrance that he had seen so many times as he was taken from room to room in the compound. Every so often he would catch a glimpse of the outside when someone would walk in or out and he longed to see the sky again.

Coming to a stop near the door he looked around again to make sure he was still alone. Holding his breath again he gently turned the knob only then let out a long sigh when no alarm went off. Satisfied that the only security measures that his capturers had taken was his room and the guard he opened the door and slipped out into the night.

Knowing he only had a limited time before his guard noticed he was missing, Alex crawled behind some bushes near the building and took a moment to orientate himself to his surroundings. As far as he could see there were no other buildings nearby that he could run to for help and the only other thing visible was a small truck parked near the side of the building.

The truck was his only option as he looked around hoping the night would conceal him. He continued to crawl as he made his way to the passenger side of the truck and opened the door.

“Please have left the keys inside.” He whispered softly to himself hoping luck was on his side again.

Alex was disappointed that after a thorough search the only thing he came up with was the guard’s jacket. No keys were inside but he did leave his wallet that contained a few hundred dollars. He would certainly find some use for it if he got away in one piece.

Putting the truck into neutral he silently pushed it away from the building and down the road until it was out of hearing range of the compound. Running over to the driver’s side he ducked under the dashboard and grabbed the two wires he needed to hot wire the truck. He was grateful that his older brothers had been into their cars and had taken the time to show him a thing or two especially when the truck came to life.

With a chuckle at his cleverness, he put the truck into gear and flew from the compound. Alex knew he would have to ditch the truck in the first town he came to but right now he was just happy to be finally free!!

Part 4

“It was just a dream, Isabel.” Max sighed as he sat on the edge of her bed. “Alex is gone.”

Isabel sat there with a pillow tightly held to her chest trying to come to terms with the night before, “Then why did it seem so real, Max?”

“Because you want to believe he is alive. We both heard Tess admit to killing him and even Kyle remembers his part.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” Tears were in her eyes as she whispered, “I know what she did.”

“It wasn’t a dream walk, Isabel. You just fell asleep and imagined that you were dream walking. The stuff he told you were things you already knew and the dream was your subconscious way of dealing with everything.” He looked at his upset sister as he rose from the bed, “Just let it go, Isabel.”

He walked to her door and opened it before turning to look at her again “Let Alex go.”

Isabel watched as her brother shut the door behind him before picking up the picture as the tears fell down on Alex’s face, “How can I let go? How can I let go of my heart?”



Alex couldn’t stop the yawn that overcame him as he tiredly ran a hand through his hair. It had been a long and stressful 10 hours since his successful escape from the compound. He was almost certain that there were no signs of the Skins although he couldn’t be a hundred percent sure since he was extremely exhausted and could have made a mistake somewhere.

He tried to review everything he had done that got him to this point just to make sure. The truck was ditched as he planned, and since he had nothing but a few hundred dollars he hitched a ride with a semi-truck driver. During the drive he found out that he had been in Arizona all these months and that the furthest the driver would be able to take him was Phoenix.

Alex took that time to decide what he was going to do about getting home. He knew that the Skins were probably expecting him to head straight home but there were a few things he needed to take care of before he stepped foot into Roswell. Now that his mind was clear of the warp he had to go back to Las Cruces and find the girl who he thought was ‘Leanna.’ She had something of his and he hoped he could get it back.

Looking at his reflection in the gas station bathroom mirror he knew the first thing he needed to do was to alter his appearance. Picking up the box that he had sat on the sink, Alex began to read the instructions on how to bleach his dark hair to blonde.

Alex Whitman would be going home soon but this time with a new look and a new name.



Three Weeks Later…

“Come on, Isabel!” Max yelled to her through her closed bedroom door “It’s the first day of school and I don’t want to be late!”

Isabel sat in front of her vanity mirror and brushed her hair off her shoulder. She wasn’t in any rush no matter how much Max tried to prod her along. She still couldn’t believe that he had the nerve to try to get her to do anything after forcing her into taking another year of high school.

“Senior year,” she shook her head in annoyance, “what a joke.”

It had been Prom night when she had decided to stay and finish out her final year with Alex. When he died, though, she couldn’t get out of Roswell fast enough but Max had pulled his ’I’m your KING’ crap and now she was stuck in this town.

Arriving at school she allowed her ‘Ice Princess’ persona to come out and keep everyone at arms length. She had decided to ignore all of her old ‘so-called’ friends and just coast through the year. There was no one here that would ever get to her the way Alex had and she continued to blame herself for everything that happened.

‘Maybe if I hadn’t fallen in love with him, he would still be here.’ She sighed and shook her head as she found a back seat in her first period class ‘I would have fallen for him no matter what.’

Looking around the class she decided that the back of the room would be her home for the rest of the year. There was no need to take anything seriously since she had basically all the credits she needed to graduate and was just another name in the teachers roll book.

Pulling out a notebook she began to doodle as the other students poured into the class room at the sound of the bell. After a few moments of idle drawing she noticed that on her notebook she had written ‘his’ name over and over again. Even subconsciously she always had him on her mind.

‘God I miss him so much.’ She thought to herself as she continued to doodle ‘There is nothing I wouldn’t do for him to be alive and by my side again.”



Alex stepped out of the office looking down at the paper in his hand. He had finally arrived in Roswell the day before and it had taken all of his will power not to find his friends and let them know everything. Instead he had decided to wait and check out the area and make sure everything was safe before going to them. He had to make sure that Tess wasn’t a threat to him or his friends before he came out of hiding.

Today he found himself at East Roswell again after finding how easy it was for him to register as a student. No one in the school’s office seemed to recognize him which was a relief. He didn’t want anyone to identify him as the guy who everyone thought was dead but now was walking the hallways. He just hoped his disguise was just good enough to keep him hidden, even from his friends and loved ones.

He made his way to his first period class even though it had already started. Taking a deep breath he opened the door and walked into the room causing the English teacher to stop in the middle of his lecture.

“Yes, may I help you?” Mr. Russell raised an eyebrow above the rim of his glasses.

Alex nodded and walked over to the older gentleman, “I’m a new transfer.”

“Let me see your schedule then.” He looked over the paper as Alex waited quietly, “Your name is Xander Man?”

Again Alex nodded and Mr. Russell turned to the other students and introduced him to the class. He felt his face blush lightly at the attention but kept his face lowered afraid to make eye contact with anyone. Even though this was his first test of his disguise he was pretty sure that no one would recognize him.

He had allowed his hair to get much longer than he had ever let it get before and was now almost a white blond. It had taken him a few washes with the dye to get all of his dark hair but now there was no color left. His emerald green eyes were diluted to a dull brown with the contacts he had been able to purchase along with the glasses that seemed to conceal half of his face.

Alex even had made himself look a lot heavier by wearing bulky clothes with many layers on his slim frame. He knew he looked like the ultimate geek but hoped it would make him invisible to his old class mates.

“Well Mr. Man, since you are new I’m going to assign someone to take you around and show you to your classes.”

“Oh…” Alex shook his head quickly, “That’s not necessary. I’m sure I will be fine.”

“Nonsense, Xander. You are new and you don’t yet know your way around the school.” Mr. Russell looked down at his attendance book and let his finger trail down the list of name until he came across the perfect person for the job.

Looking up from the book and into the sea of students he called, “Miss Evans?”

At the sound of that name, Alex’s head snapped up in surprise as his eyes scanned the students. When his eyes fell on the young blonde beauty in the back row he seemed to forget how to breathe. She was still as gorgeous as the last time he had seen her so many months before.

Isabel had been tuning out the teacher since the beginning of class but when her name was called she looked up at him, “Yes sir?”

“Would you mind showing Mr. Man around to his classes today?” Mr. Russell motioned to the tall boy beside him.

She frowned and shook her head .“Well Mr. Russell, I really don’t think…”

“I’m sure you and the Sunshine Committee wouldn’t mind.” He smiled cutting her off in mid sentence knowing that she could not refuse him.

Isabel put on her fake Ice Princess smile and nodded “Sure. Why not?”

Alex couldn’t help but watch the brief exchange as his eyes never wandered from Isabel. His heart was beating hard in his chest as he watched her glance his way before looking back to her notebook. When she didn’t acknowledge him he could feel the disappointment flow through him but he quickly brushed it off. He couldn’t fault her for not recognizing him. He certainly hadn’t expected for her to stand up, open her arms and welcome him home.

“Okay Mr. Man. The seat beside Miss Evans is empty. Please take your seat.”

Part 5

Alex moved toward the empty desk unable to take his eyes off Isabel. He was still in awe that she was currently a few feet away from him and he could reach out a touch her if he wanted. Even though it only took him a minute to get to the desk beside her it felt like years to him.

Isabel had returned to doodling after agreeing to be tour guide not noticing that he was gazing at her. She was slightly irked at being roped into taking him around, but since it was only one day she decided to just grin and bare it.

He couldn’t seem to stop himself from looking at the love of his life. Alex could feel the emotions rolling off of her in waves as she sat there quietly doodling. Over the years he had become attuned to her moods and knew that she was not happy at being volunteered to show him around. Even as he was certain of this he also knew there was something else upsetting her.

Sighing he pulled his eyes from her and pulled out his own notebook. Now that he knew Isabel was okay it was time that he checked on the others as well as Tess. He was worried that he had not been the only one she had mind warped to do her bidding so he needed to take it slow and to figure out who to approach first.


30 minutes later the bell rang ended class and he began packing his books back into his bag. He had been watching Isabel out of the corner of his eye for most of class but was still surprised when he felt her presence standing over him.

Isabel looked down at him and once again felt that there was something about this guy. Somewhere in the middle of class she had begun to get a sense of something familiar but had brushed it off as just her imagination, “I’m Isabel Evans. I guess I will be showing you around today.”

Alex had to work to find his voice and luckily he remembered to lower it “I’m Xander”

“Well, Xander, what is your next class?” She lifted her own book bag to her shoulder “I need to know where I am taking you.”

“That’s okay” he grabbed his own bag “I’m sure I can find my own way around.”

Isabel saw the schedule on his desk and picked it up before he could stop her, “It’s no problem. In fact it looks like we have four classes out of six together.”

She handed him back the schedule and their hands accidentally brushed causing her eyes to jump up to his as she experienced a flash. What she saw surprised her as it was the same image that she got the first time she kissed Alex on his front porch.

Confused from what she saw she stepped away from him. “Um…We better get to our next class.”

Alex knew that she had seen something as he watched her walk away before following her deep in thought. He was a little frustrated that she didn’t see what was right in front of her. Of course that had been the way of their relationship from almost the very beginning.



The morning seemed to go by fast as Isabel found herself in the quad at lunch. She had seen the new guy, Xander; vanish at the sound of the lunch bell and had been unable to catch up with him. Knowing they were not in the next class together she worried that he wouldn’t be able to find his way.

“Hey Isabel” Liz Parker smiled at her as she arrived at their table which she was currently sharing with her best friend Maria.

“Hi girls” she sat down across from them and opened her bag and pulled out her food and bottle of Tabasco sauce that she didn’t go anywhere without.

“How’s your morning going so far?” Maria asked as she sipped her juice and watched as her alien friend opened her sandwich and poured the Tabasco on. She still got shudders every time she saw one of them do that to their food.
Isabel shrugged in a noncommittal way, “I’m helping a new guy around today.”

Liz raised an eyebrow “Really? What’s his name?”

“Xander Man.” Isabel said taking a bite into her sandwich hoping her friends didn’t see how the guy had affected her in such a short amount of time. Since they had touched and she got the flash, Isabel found herself looking at him more closely and trying to figure out why. She knew there had to be something about this guy that was causing her to take a second look at him. Normally not even the most good looking guy at school could turn her head.

“Xander?” Maria repeated “Like the guy in Buffy?”

She nodded and swallowed, “I guess so.”

“So where is he?” Liz asked looking around the quad, “If it’s his first day then I’m sure he doesn’t know anyone. It would have been nice of you to ask him to join us.”

Isabel sighed. She should have known her two human friends would want her to do the polite thing, “He ran off as soon as the lunch bell rang and I haven’t seen him since.”

“Seen who?” Michael appeared before them causing all three girls to look up at him.

“Isabel is showing a new guy around campus today.” Maria answered as he sat down beside her. She pressed a kiss to his cheek and slipped her hand on to his jean clad thigh in a comforting gesture. They had become much closer since his almost departure and now were rarely see without the other one some where nearby.

“New guy?” His eyes narrowed at his sister across the table, “Anything we need to be worried about?”

She shook her head at him “I don’t get any bad vines off him. Nothing saying “I’m a Skin.” She paused a moment as she once again remembered her earlier encounter with him, “Though something does seem familiar.”

Michael saw the confusion in her eyes, “I’ll check him out.”

“NO!” she cried dropping her sandwich. Realizing her outburst she took a second to calm down trying to figure out why she was keeping her brother for checking this guy out. “I’ll take care of it, Michael.”

He watched his sister for a moment as she looked back down at her sandwich. Michael knew she was stressed especially since Max told him about the dreams she was having. Maybe this is something she needed to help her take her mind off Alex for awhile.

“Okay but you have to keep us informed.” He wrapped an arm around Maria, “We can not be too careful anymore. No one is without suspicion. I think we learned that lesson with Tess.”

All the girls nodded in agreement and then changed the subject to talking about the first day of school. Isabel tuned the rest of the conversation out as she thought of Xander. How was she going to find out if he was really who he said he was?

[KaraGail]

Part 6

Alex found himself in the boys restroom during lunch splashing water on his face. He had just seen Liz and Maria walking down the hall and his heart had leaped in joy at the sight o them. When neither one glanced his way he felt that same heart fall to the pit of his stomach in disappointment.

“Okay, Xander “ He reminded himself who he was as he slipped the glasses back onto his nose, “You can do this. It’s only for one more day and then you can go to them. You have to make sure it’s safe before putting them in more danger.”

He thought back to his trip to Las Cruces a few weeks ago. Although he had been able to retrace his steps he had been unable to locate Leanna. All he found was a burned down house that she owned and a series of dead ends. He worried that Tess had been on to them and had taken care of Leanne and she had done to him.

Sighing he picked up his book bag and realized he hadn’t eaten anything. Lunch was almost over and he had spent the time in here reassuring himself that he was still Alex. ‘Tonight I will stake out the Valenti house to watch Tess since she was no where to be found at school. Tomorrow I will be back in the loving arms of my friends.’


Isabel sat in the last class of the day letting her eyes travel to Xander who sat a couple rows over from her and two desks in front. She found it hard to keep her attention on the teacher as she continued to replay the flash in her head.

She still recalled that day when she had gone up to Alex’s steps, so early in the morning, and rang his door bell. When he had opened the door looking sleep tousled she thought she had never seen anything more adorable than him in his pajamas. It had taken all her will power not to crash into his arms and take the kiss that she so desperately wanted instead of asking for it.

His kiss had been like nothing she had experienced before or since then. It was just the right amount of pressure of lips and the controlled passion that he exhibited was almost more than she could handle. Isabel had slipped her hands into the hair on the back of his neck and held on as he took her breath away with his kiss.

The connection came quickly and she was able to see the image flash before her eyes. The sight she saw would leave the most hard hearted girl breathless at how he saw her from the inside. It wasn't the image of her as the beautiful Ice Queen of East Roswell that all the guys fantasized about. It simply was her in the gawky preteen age with a mouth full of braces and her hair still being styled by her mother.

She had never been so awkward as she had then, but Alex had still looked on her with the same awe in his eyes that he had always exhibited with her. This definitely was a guy above all the others who looked within her and saw the real beauty. When she had left him standing on his porch she had felt like she was floating on air at the realization that someone out there truly cared for her.

In the present, Isabel was still stunned as to why she had gotten the same response when she had touched Xander. There had to be an explanation and she was bound and determined to find out why. This afternoon she would follow him and find out where he lived at least that would be a start in her investigation.


When the last school bell rang she watched him pack up his books and she quickly did the same. As he stood up from his desk he looked over at her and their eyes met and held for a brief second. In that second, though, Isabel felt so much and was even more confused every second more. He gave her a slight smile and then left the class room.

It took a minute for Isabel to recover and to follow him out. With no sign of him in the hallway she fought through the throng of students and toward the closest exit where she spotted him walking out of the parking lot on foot. Making a quick decision she ran to the jeep and threw her bag in the back. Max would just have to get a ride with Maria and Liz.

She stayed as far behind him as possible as he continued his pace through the subdivision that surrounded the high school. Occasionally he would stop and look around him as if checking out his surrounding. During these times she made sure she was a safe distance away making out his figure in the distance.

When he resumed his walk she took a second to look around herself and her heart began to race as she saw what direction he was heading in. It was a path she had taken many times the last couple of months while she was jogging or driving. It was Alex’s street and when she spotted Xander again he was standing on the side walk right in front of the Whitman’s house.

Anger flowed through her body as she slammed her foot on the break and put it in park. She would not let anyone, not even some possible alien, mess with his memory. Jumping out of the jeep she came around to stand on the side walk herself and moved quickly toward him.

“HEY ” she yelled causing him to jump and spin around in her direction.
He looked ready to bolt but when he saw who it was he relaxed, “Um....Isabel? What are you doing here?”

“NO ” she shook her head as she kept her eyes trained on him . “What are YOU doing here, Xander Man? Who are you?”

He sighed and let his book bag drop to the ground in between them, “You won’t believe me.”

“Try me.” she stood there her body tightly coiled in case she had to use her powers and attack.

He looked at her and saw the girl he loved and couldn’t decided on the best way to tell her so he tried straight forward, “Who am I, Isabel? I’m Alexander Charles Whitman.”

“WHAT?” She didn’t think she coud get any angrier than what she felt right then, “Is this some kind of joke? You heard my boyfriend had died and you thought it would be funny?”

“NO, ISABEL ” He held up his hand while shaking his head. How could he explain that this was not a joke? “I’m really Alex.”

Isabel shook her head in disbelief , “No Alex is gone he died four months ago.” she stepped closer and repeated her question from earlier, “Who are you?”

Alex pulled off his glasses and allowed her to see his face and eyes more clearly, “What do I have to do to prove that I’m Alex?”

She let out a small gasp as she took in the sight of the shape of his eyes and his facial features. He and Alex could have been twins except for the hair and eye color. Still she continued to doubt thinking he could be a shapeshifter trying to get to her.

“Okay” he nodded and then pointed to the Whitman house, “The first time we kissed was right there one early morning.”

Isabel gasped again but her brain continued to tell her it wasn’t possible even though her heart wanted to believe it was true, “That could be easy to find out.”

He raised an eyebrow at her, “Okay, something only you and Alex would know?”

Alex waited for her nod in agreement before starting, “Alright. Is it common knowledge that you were the one to ask me to prom even after I turned you down? Then that night we drove out to Frazier Woods where we sat on our rock and stargazed for hours while in each others arms?” he decided to continue, “ And does anyone know that when I left you at your front door I told you what an amazing night I had and that if you were 100 % human I couldn’t have loved you more.”

Isabel felt the tears stream down her cheeks as she realized with every word he spoke that he was telling the truth and that Alex Whitman was alive and standing in front of her. She reached out a hand to his face “Alex?”

He nodded as tears formed in his own eyes. Reaching up with his own hand he took hers in his and placed it against his cheek. She let out a small cry as she threw her arms tightly around him and burrowed her face into his neck inhaling his special scent that she always associated with Alex. There was no denying that this was the guy she loved as he held her securely in his embrace.

Alex was just so happy and relieved that she finally believed him, “It’s okay Isabel” he whispered as he pressed his lips to the top of her head as he continued to comfort her.

“I’ve prayed so many nights for you to return to me” She pulled back slightly to look at him again “It was all I dreamed about.”

“Me too, Isabel.” he pressed a kiss again to her temple before coming to his senses and realizing they were still out on the street where anyone could see them, “We need to find a secluded place to talk.”

She couldn’t help but smile at his suggestion “I know the exact spot.”



Isabel couldn’t help that her eyes continued to stray from the road and to Alex’s figure beside her in the passenger seat. Each time she did Alex would look over at her and give her a reassuring smile and she wondered how she had not noticed that smile earlier today. It was the one she dreamed about and saw when she thought of him.

It didn’t take them long to get to their destination as she pulled into the clearing in Frazier Woods and she parked the jeep. She had not been back here since the night of prom but she knew that not only would it afford them so privacy but it held great meaning for them both.

Alex got out of the jeep leaving his glasses behind and turned to watch Isabel also get out while never taking her eyes off of him. They walked silently through the woods until they came upon the large rock that they had declared as theirs after prom.

“So...” he smiled at her again “I guess I will start with my story and then you can tell me what has been happening here in Roswell.”

Isabel nodded in agreement as she sat on the rock and watched him. She took in his disguise and shook her head at how foolish she had been in not seeing right through it. “Come here.” she motioned to him.

Alex moved over to her with a frown of confusion on his face “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head, “Nothing. But if I am going to believe any of this we have to get rid of the blonde hair and contacts.”

Knowing that she need more reassurance that it was truly him, Alex sat beside her as she ran her hands through his hair turning the blonde back into his natural dark hair color. When she was finished he reached up and popped the contact out and placed them into a small container in his pocket. Finally she was looking at the real Alex and once again her breath was taken away with the knowledge that he was truly alive.

Isabel wanted badly to press her lips to his and welcome him home properly but knew if she started she would never stop and they really needed to talk. So she wrapped her arms tightly around her own waist to keep from wrapping around his.

Alex was having the same urges as he took in her beauty. He ran his hands through his now familiar hair and tried to think of where to start this discussion, “I guess I should tell you that I never went to Sweden.”

Isabel nodded, “Liz figured that out. She figured it out from some pictures that you had brought back and then some how also found out that you had been in Las Cruces at the University.”

He was surprised, “Liz figured that all out?” Then he smiled, “I always knew she was the smartest of us all.”

She frowned having heard him say that before during her dream a few weeks before. Now that she knew he was alive could that actually been a dream walk? She decided to wait and ask him later after their talk but Isabel had a feeling that was exactly what had happened.

“Did Liz find anything else out?” Alex asked curiously wondering if his best friend had put herself in danger to find out the truth.

“The Sheriffs’s department had ruled the accident as a suicide when the driver told them what had happened. Liz, though, did not accept that explanation and went on to investigate what really happen.”

Isabel frowned to herself before whispering “I’m so sorry Alex. Liz came to us to get our help in finding out what had caused your death but we wouldn’t believe her. I was so upset about your death that I wouldn’t listen to the truth even when it was screamed into my ears.”

Alex felt her sadness again for the second time of the day and this time reached out and took her hand in his. “Hind sight is 20/20, Isabel. You didn’t know what you know now so I don’t blame you, okay?”

She nodded and brushed at the tear that escaped her eye with her other hand. “Thank you, Alex.”

He frowned and looked at her in confusion ‘For what?”

Isabel shrugged, ‘I guess for being you”
Alex smiled “Well that’s who I am.”

They remained silent for a few minutes just starring into each others eyes before Alex decided it was his turn to fill in the gaps. “I didn’t realize until I got back to Roswell after my so-called trip to ‘Sweden’ that there was something wrong. There were blank spots in my memory and I couldn’t figure out why. It took the day after prom for me to figure it out.”

He let her hand go and stood up from the rock and paced in front of her clearly agitated over his memories, “I had gotten off the phone with you and had just said good bye to Liz and Maria when Tess called me over to the Valenti’s to help her with some last minute exam that she had. When I got there she tried to mind warp me and I finally remembered my time in Las Cruces and her manipulating me to translate that damn destiny book.” He ran his hand thorough his hair again before stopping and looking at her, “I think some how the warp was broken and I began to yell at her about what she was doing. I don’t know if she even knew what she was doing but I think it happened quickly and the next thing I knew I was flying through the air and hitting my head before losing consciousness.”

Isabel could feel the tears start to blur her vision again as she was able to see through his description of what Tess had done to him. It hurt to know that if he hadn’t been involved with them then this would never have happened and he would be safe.

“You were dead, Alex. Max tried to heal you but he couldn’t.” Isabel said looking up at him. “How are you here now?”

He saw the distress in her eyes and sat back down beside her, “All I know is that when I woke up I was no longer in Roswell and that Tess had handed me over to Nicholas.”

Her eyes widened at the mention of one of their enemies “Nicholas?”

Alex nodded and took her hand once more in his, “He was under orders to find out exactly what I had translated from Khivar. That’s when I realized Tess had been working with Khivar by helping him bring down the Royal family of Antar.”

Isabel nodded, “Liz figured that out as well but we were too late. Tess used your translation to get the Granolith working and she got Max, Michael and I to go with her. But at the last minute Michael and I decided to stay on earth because we couldn’t leave those we loved here behind. That’s when Liz found us and told us what she found out making our choice even easier.” she shook her head, “ Tess left alone in the Granolith while we stayed behind to live the rest of our lives here on earth.”

‘And your fine with that?” he questioned quietly wondering if now that he found her again that one day he would have to let her go again.

“Yeah.” she smiled at him reassuringly, “This is home now.”

Alex smiled at her as he reached up with his free hand and brushed a lock of her blonde hair away from her face, “After all these months I never really believed that one day I would be back here with you.”

Her smile dropped as she looked into his familiar green eyes, “What happened to you? Where were you?”

His own smile dropped as he thought of those months that Nicholas tried to get the information from him, “ When I awoke I was unable to form a complete sentence or even think clearly. Tess’ mind warp had really messed up my mind in a way that I could not answer their questions. Finally about a month ago my mind began to clear and if I concentrated I could allow myself to remember everything that had happened.” he shook his head and smiled “By that time Nicholas thought I was useless and vanished from the compound I was being held at. I don’t know why they kept me alive but I finally escaped knowing I needed to get here and warn you about the danger you were in.”

Alex then recounted his escape and his trip to Las Cruces to look for Leanna. Isabel filled him in on what Liz and Maria found when they had gone there and that they had the Destiny book that he had translated. They also spoke of the best way to tell the others in their group that he was alive and they agreed to wait until the next day when Isabel would call a meeting after the Crashdown closed.

By the time they were finished talking the sun was going down and they were both exhausted from the emotional conversation they had been having.

“It’s getting late. You need to get home.” Alex stated as he stood up from the rock this time pulling her up with him.

Their bodies brushed against each other and they stood there just enjoying the moment. Finally Isabel reached up and brushed her fingers through his hair again “I prefer it dark.”

Alex smiled at her comment and nodded “Me too but you better turn me back to a blonde. It’s too dangerous for anyone to spot me like this.”

“I will, but in a minute. I kind of prefer to know the face of the person I’m about to kiss.” she grinned at him

He blushed but found that his desire over powered his embarrassment and he wrapped his arms around her, “I’ve missed you so much, Isabel.”

“I’ve missed you too.” she whispered just before his lips swooped down onto hers in a kiss that nearly consumed her. There was a fierceness that had never been there before as she felt him demand more from her with passion that seemed to have been ignited in them both. The connection they had together was so strong and intense that neither were surprised when the flashes began.

Isabel was able to see what Alex had gone through the last couple of months and also the room that he had been held in making her certain that she had dream walked him. She also was able to feel his desire in getting back to her and his friends and worrying that he would crack if Nicholas questioned him again.

Alex saw how lonely and sad Isabel had been since his ‘death.’ There was images of her sitting by his grave side talking to him and tracing her fingers lovingly along the engraved tombstone with his name across it. He also got that their was some type of tension between Isabel and her brother that had never been there before and it was keeping her in a constant state of depression.

Finally they both pulled back only far enough for their foreheads to rest together. They were both struggling to catch their breaths and find their way back to earth after touching the stars with that one mind blowing kiss. A few minutes later Isabel finally found the strength to change his hair abck but this time adding touches to his eyebrows.

They headed for the jeep holding hands and leaving their rock behind. Half way to the car she stopped and looked at him with a frown, “Where have you been staying in Roswell, Alex? I know you can’t have much money.”

He shrugged and looked down at the ground ashamed of what he had been reduced to, “I slept at the abandoned Soap Factory last night. I just got into town yesterday and it was the first place I thought would be safe.”

Isabel looked at him critically this time and noticed that he needed clean clothes , a soft comfortable bed and a full nights sleep. She made a decision, “Well since you have no where else to go you’ll just have to stay with me.”

“What?” He frowned, “I can’t do that, Iz. What would your parents and Max say?”

Again she smiled, “ They won’t know. Besides no boyfriend of mine is going to be sleeping in an abandoned warehouse and looking like what the cat drug in.”

He looked down at her with a million questions in his eyes but only one was vocalized, “Boyfriend?”

Isabel came closer to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, “Just because you are supposedly dead does not mean that you stop being my boyfriend and from working at this relationship.”

Alex grinned, “Yes, Ma’am.”



Alex sat at Isabel’s desk playing on her computer and getting updates on what had been going on in the world since his abduction. He was killing time as Isabel went down to dinner with her parents promising him a plate of food and something extra special when she returned. Looking around her room he got up and headed to her bed stand when he noticed a picture there.

It was of the two of them at prom and neither one had lever looked happier than they did that night. So much had changed since then that he didn’t know if they ever could go back to those days. There was now way that Alex Whitman could all of a sudden come back to life after being declared dead. They would be unable to keep the secret any longer if that were to happen.

Sighing loudly Alex laid back on the bed holding the picture close to him. There was no doubt in his mind that soon he would have to leave again to protect the ones he loved. He knew they wouldn’t be happy with it but in the end it would be his decision and he would make the smart one.

Closing his eyes he fell into the first deep sleep since his escapes weeks ago. Since then he had barely shut his eyes in worry of what would happen if he did. It didn’t take long for sleep to over take him and he was dreaming of living the rest of his life with Isabel Evans.



Isabel sighed as her mother and father continued to ask questions regarding their kids first day of school. She was forcing herself to remain where she was even though her whole being wanted to be upstairs with Alex and reassuring herself again that he was really alive.

When they arrived at her house, Alex had gone to the side to wait for her to open the window. Luckily her mothers rose trellis ran alongside her bedroom and he was able to climb in with out too much trouble. She wondered what he was doing as Max droned on about his classes and teachers.

After helping her mother clear away the and put the dishes in the dishwasher she discretely made another plate and snuck it out of the kitchen yelling out, “I’m going to my room to study and then to bed. Please don’t disturb me.”

“Okay Sweetheart.” her father waved at he as she passed Max and he in the living room, “Good night.”

Isabel told them all good night and then practically ran up the stairs and into her room. Shutting the door behind her she locked it with her alien powers to keep everyone out then turned “Sorry it took me so long but....”

She didn’t finish her sentence as she found Alex stretched out on her bed and sleeping so soundly that he didn’t hear her enter the room. Setting the plate of food onto her desk she sat and watched him for a while thinking what a miracle it was for him to be back into her life. Isabel had a second chance with him and she was determined not to blow it this time.

Rising from her desk chair she kicked off her high heeled leather boots and watched as he mumbled and then flipped over on to his side. She smiled and walked over to the side that had more room glad that her parents had gotten her a double size bed a few years ago. Gently she laid down beside him wanting to be near him and hold him even in sleep so she wrapped her arms from behind him and pressed up close to his back enjoying the warmth that radiated off of him.

Placing her head near his on the pillow she inhaled his scent again before shutting her own eyes and following him into a deep restful sleep. Something both of them had not experienced in a long time.

Part 7

Alex slowly opened his eyes and tried to figure out where he was. There was something familiar about the room and he knew that he had been here before. Feeling a weight pressed on his stomach he looked down to find a feminine arm slung over him which caused him to follow the arm to the body snuggled up close beside him.

He smiled as he found her sleeping peacefully on her own stomach with her arm draped over him as If he was her favorite teddy bear. Slowly he recalled the day before and everything that had taken place. He also remembered his decision from the night before as he took her hand in his and wished he never had to let go.

Looking over at her alarm clock he found that it was already 6:30 in the morning. Soon they would have to get up for school and then later tonight he would have to face his friends and tell them of his decision. He knew that they would all take it hard but he knew what he had to do.

Slipping from under her arm he got up from the bed and watched as Isabel curled into his spot seeking his warmth. Sighing he brushed his fingers through his hair and turned to find his school bag that he had stored a clean shirt in. After changing he noticed the cold plate of food on the desk and with a shrug grabbed up the piece of chicken and bit into it hungrily.

Walking to her window he opened it and threw his bag out to the ground then he turned to gaze at Isabel for a moment trying to imprint her vision on his memory. Slipping out the window he decided to take a walk to clear his head and to come up with the best plan of action to take with his friends and the girl he loved.



Isabel heard her alarm go off and wanted just to ignore it as she reached out for Alex to snuggle close with. When she came up with just bed sheets in her hand she popped up in bed and looked around her room as he heart raced with the knowledge that he was no longer there.

She slapped the alarm off and called his name getting no answer. Jumping out of the bed she ran to the window and noticed it was unlocked with no sign of him anywhere. The chicken that she had brought up last night was gone and his shirt that he had been wearing hung over the back of her desk chair. Picking it up she held it close to her trying to reassure herself that the day before had not been a dream.

“Isabel It’s time to get up. You have school in an hour.” Her mom called through her door as she continued to stand there. Slowly she began to dress hoping that she would see him at school and he would have a good explanation for leaving her this morning.




Alex looked at his watch and then back up at the Crashdown that housed one of his best friends and her parents. He had found himself here after walking through town and he had decided to wait and make sure that his girls were truly okay.

Right on time Maria’s Jetta screamed to a stop in front of the restaurant and honked her horn. He was surprised when Michael jumped out of the passenger seat and into the back to make room for Liz. The sight of such a gentlemanly act from ‘Stonewall’ Guerin made him wonder just how close Maria and he had gotten since he last saw them. Just looking at them together now he knew something had definitely changed.

A few minutes later Liz ran out and smiled at her friends before getting in the Jetta. The sight of the three of them laughing and riding to school made Alex sad as he thought of all the times that it had been just him and his girls. Tears came to his eyes as he realized he would never have that with them ever again. He moved from the shadows of the building he was hiding in and began the walk to school alone.



Isabel slammed her locker shut as she looked around at the milling students in the hall way. At that moment there was only one that she wanted to see but even being as tall as she was and high healed leather boots she couldn’t spot him. With a sigh she made her way to her first class wondering if it was legal to strangle a dead man. Shaking her head at that thought she decided that after missing him these last months that she would be unable to physically hurt him in any way.

Walking into the class room she stopped suddenly when she saw Alex sitting in the back room with a slight smile on his face. Quickly she bypassed all the students to get to him.

“You left.” Was all she was able to get out as she looked down at him.

Alex looked up at her and gave a short nod then whispered, “I needed to clear my head and went for a walk. I didn’t want to wake you.”

She took the seat beside him never taking her eyes from him, “Where did you go?”

“I just needed to think about what was going to happen today. I had to figure out what I was going to have to do.” he ran a hand through his hair and Isabel realized that when he was stressed or agitated in any way that he did this.

“You mean what WE have to do, right?” She whispered letting him know that they were in this together, “I’ll tell the gang at lunch to meet at the Crashdown after closing tonight.”

He nodded his agreement but before he could say anything more she looked him in the eyes, “ One more thing.” she leaned over so that she was only a hair breadth apart form him, “Never, ever leave me again without saying goodbye.”

Alex felt the air leave his body as he realized what he had done. He had brought back the memory of those days right after his death when she had lost him without ever getting to say goodbye to him. “I’m sorry, Isabel”

“Don’t do it again.” was all she said before class started and she turned away from him. Letting him know with that the she was angry and hurt at the same time at what he had done to her.



Throughout the morning Alex had followed Isabel from class to class and during that time she had barely said one word or looked his way. He knew she was still angry at him for leaving her but he couldn’t take this much longer.

Seeing that they were about to pass the eraser room, he grabbed her arm and pulled her quickly inside. She was slightly irritates at having been manhandled into the small room.

“What are you doing?” she asked as he locked the door behind him.

Alex sighed as he looked at her, “Please talk to me, Isabel.” he pleaded, “You are the only person who knows who I am and your making me feel invisible by ignoring me.”

“What do you want me to say?”

He dropped his head and ran a hand through his hair, “I don’t know, Iz.”

Isabel really looked at him then and saw his frustration. Dropping her bag in the floor by her feet she stepped forward and placed her hand on his cheek forcing him, with gentle pressure, to look at her, “ You’re right, Alex. We can’t afford to not talk to each other. I don’t want to waste another moment upset with you.”

Alex dropped his own bag and pulled Isabel into an embrace holding on to her tightly. As his hand caressed her back she felt her heart quicken at his touch. She lifted her head and found his lips with her own and the world outside of the eraser room ceased to exist for them.

Her lips parted in invitation as he sought entrance by sliding his tongue over them. Isabel moaned as they sunk deeper into the kiss exploring hungrily what the other one had to offer. Alex sank his hands into the tresses of her thick blonde hair that hung down her back trying to pull her closer wanting more of her incredible taste.

Needing air, Alex pulled back only a breath apart from her and looked into Isabel’s eyes, “I love you, Isabel Evans.”

She felt herself begin to glow at his words and she broke out in a huge smile, “ I love you too, Alex Whitman.” she paused for a second, “or is it Xander Man?”

Alex chuckled as he ran a finger across her cheeks with a light caress, “Both of them love you madly.”

Isabel pulled him back to her and their lips found each other again. Only the sound of the bell was able to pull them apart both breathless and both groaning at the interruption.

“We better go.”

She nodded as she ran her finger over his lips using her powers to erase the lipstick traces and then touched up her own. Alex watched fascinated by her abilities as if it had been the first time he had seen her do something. Isabel realized he would always in some way be in awe of her and it made her love him even more.

“So you will tell the others to meet at the Crashdown during lunch?” he asked as he picked up their bags from the floor.

Isabel took her bag from him and then frowned, “Where are you going to be?”

“In the Computer Lab.” He replied slipping his bag on his shoulder, “I have some things I need to take care of.”

‘Alex is keeping something from me.’ Isabel thought to herself as they continued to stand there. She wanted to ask him what was bothering him but knew that when he was ready then he would tell her.

“We better get to class.”




At lunch Isabel went looking for her friends and instead found Michael and Maria, in the quad, wrapped in each others arms. The memory of Alex holding her a few hours ago resurfaced and she felt a tinge of jealousy toward her friends who were showing their love for each other in public while she and Alex had to remain in the shadows.

“Hey Isabel” Michael smiled up at her and not for the first time did she notice how relaxed and happy her brother was. Maria was definitely a good influence on the guy who two years ago barely spoke.

“Hey.” She smiled back and sat down across from them, “Where’s Max and Liz?”

“Right behind you.” She heard Max say and she turned to find Liz with him. She took in how close they stood to each other and she wondered what had been going on with them. For the last couple of months she had been in her own world and had not made any connections with the others so she really was out of the loop. She hoped to rectify that soon though.

After everyone sat down and began to eat their lunch it was Michael who brought up the subject that was weighing on her mind.

“So, Isabel, what have you found out about the new guy?”

Looking around at all of her friends who returned her stare she took a deep breath to steady herself, “Actually that is why I wanted to talk with you. Can we all meet at the Crashdown after it closes tonight?”

“A meeting?” Max ever the leader asked with a frown, “What’s going on, Is?”

Isabel shook her head letting them know she would not be answering any questions now, “I’ll explain tonight. Just make sure that Kyle and the Sheriff are there as well.”

The 2 male aliens and the 2 human girls then watched Isabel get up from the table, after making them promise to be there tonight. All were puzzled and slightly afraid of what she had to tell them.

“What’s going on with, Isabel?” Michael voiced their thoughts with a frown at his sisters back.

“I don’t know,” Max shook his head at the other, “but I guess we will found out tonight.”



Alex sat back in his chair in front of the computer terminal and shook his head. He hadn’t really thought it would be that easy to get the information he needed. Grabbing a pen and paper he quickly jotted the name and phone number down and shoved it into his pocket for safe keeping. Then he began to delete the files he had been viewing wanting to make it hard for anyone to trace any evidence back to him.

Quickly he search one more sight and satisfied with what he found he began to shut the computer down. Alex knew that every second that he stayed in Roswell he was in danger of being spotted by either a skin or some one who had known him. Starring at the blank screen of the computer he began to think of his decision that he had made the night before.

Alex had realized that all those months that he had been held captive he had held on to the dreams of one day returning home to his loved ones. Now that he was here he understood that it had just been a fantasy. It was too dangerous for them if he stayed so the only choice was for him to leave in order to protect them and himself.

He shook his head in order to keep the tears away as he realized the helplessness of the situation. There was no way around the situation so he had searched the internet hoping to find someone who could help him start over with a new name. He had used all of his computer skills but was able to come up with some one near the Mexican border which worked out well since he planned to cross over into Mexico at the first chance he got. He figured he would then be able to disappear into the crowds

Sighing he pushed back the chair preparing to get up and get some lunch. While stacking his books and papers two hands came around to cover his eyes causing his vision to go into a black void. All of a sudden the memories of Nicholas and his interrogation techniques came rushing back to him and he pulled away quickly with a shout of horror. His only thought was that he had brought the Skins right to Isabel and the others.

“Calm down, Alex.” said a familiar feminine voice and he spun around to find Isabel standing before him with worry in her eyes. “Are you alright?”

Alex couldn’t find his voice to speak so he just nodded and turned around to pick up the books and papers he had dropped.

“No your not, Alex.” she frowned taking his hand in hers, “Your shaking.”

He saw the love and anxiety in her eyes and it made him feel even worse so he tried to reassure her, “I’m fine.”

Isabel didn’t believe him but knew she would not get anything else from him. Instead she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him wanting to give him some sense of comfort. She rested her head on his shoulder and gave a silent sigh when she felt his own arms engulf her.

Knowing what Nicholas was capable of, Isabel had an idea of why Alex reacted to her hands over his eyes. There was nothing she could do to erase the memory of those painful months but she hoped that maybe she would make his future so happy that he wouldn’t think about those days.

Part 8

After school, Alex and Isabel headed over to her house where she found a message that her parents would not be back until late. Since Max had went to work at the UFO Museum they had the house to themselves. Realizing that Alex had not eaten a good meal in quite a while, she had microwaved yesterday’s left overs which he was thankful for after missing another lunch hour.

Once they had finished eating they had gone up to her room to try and rest before having to leave for the meeting. Instead of resting, though, Isabel had begun to pace the length of her room while Alex laid back on her bed watching her. It was only 5:30 and they still had hours to go before the Crashdown would be closed. He realized that now was the time for him to tell her his decision especially after her reaction from him leaving her this morning. He had promised to tell her goodbye and he intended to keep that promise.

“Isabel?” he called to her softly causing her to stop to look at him. He patted the bed beside him, “Come Lay down beside me.”

Unable to deny him anything and wanting to be in his arms she smiled and did as he asked. Her head rested against his chest as she snuggled against his side certain that she could happily spend the next couple of hours right there.

Alex ran his fingers gently through the strands of blonde hair and allowed his words to come straight from his heart, “The first time I ever saw you was on the school playground and at that moment I knew my life had changed forrever.” he smiled at the memory, “I thought you were the most beautiful girl I had ever seen and without you knowing who I was I gave you my heart.”

Isabel looked up at him tears in her eyes and started to reply. Alex stopped her with a finger to her lips, “Let me finish, Iz.”

Once she nodded her agreement he continued, “As the years past I came to believe that I would never have a chance to be with you, so I was content just to be near.” He touched her cheek, “I felt honored when I was told your secret and even then my feelings for you never changed. In fact I think I fell even harder when you revealed how special you truly were.”

As the tears fell down her cheeks and blurred her eyes she could still see the love in his green ones. She remained silent as she turned her head pressing her lips to the center of his palm wanting to let him know in some way how his words moved her.

“Even then I was happy to be your friend when you needed me.”

Isabel thought back to all those moments when she had pushed Alex away. She had thought she was protecting them both by not becoming involved with this human but in the end she had wound up hurting them both. She had been stupid to waste all that time and keeping him at arms length.

“Then when you kissed me on prom night,” he caressed her lips with his thumb, “I felt that all my dreams had come true.”

Alex pulled her closer to him resting his forehahead against hers hoping that she wouldn’t see his own tears, “I would do anything for you, Isabel. I would protect you and our friends with my life.”

Isabel reached up and brushed the tear that trailed down his cheek. There was so much emotion in his voice that she knew that he was having a hard time letting her know how much she meant to him.

She softly whispered his name as they sat there in silence for a minute. Finally Alex took a deep breath to steady himself and then said to her, “I’m leaving tonight, Isabel.”

Not knowing how she would react to this he braced himself for the onslaught of emotions that he was sure to come. He felt her withdraw from his embrace and finally he looked up into her confused eyes.

“Leaving?” she shook her head, “Where are you going?”

He sighed and shook his head, “Far from Roswell.”

Isabel felt the tears return as she saw in his eyes that he had made up his mind. One word came out of her mouth even though she had a million things to say, “Why?”

Alex sat up in the bed so that they were facing each other, “It’s just not safe for me here, Isabel.”

“Max, Michael and I can protect you, Alex. It’s safer for you to stay here with us.”

He shook his head and told here earnestly, “I don’t need protection. I’m already dead so they can’t do much worse than that.” Alex took her hand in his, “ But I can protect my family and friends even if it means never seeing them again.”

“Don’t leave, Alex.” she sobbed as the tears ran down her cheeks breaking his heart at the hurt he was causing her.

Taking her chin in his hand he whispered, “I have to, Isabel.”

Isabel heard the resolve in his voice and brushed her tears from her cheeks roughly. She had to try something else, “Then I am going with you. I’m 18 and basically finished with school so there shouldn’t be any problems.”

Alex smiled gently and again shook his head no, “I wish you could, Isabel. God knows that. But you need to stay here with your family. Max and Michael are going to need you here.” he brushed her hair back from her face, “You are stronger together than apart.”

Isabel did not want to hear his response but she knew it was true. She could not leave Roswell and her brothers but she also knew that with Alex out there somewhere she would never be home. He was her home, not some Planet she didn’t remember and not some town that they had happend to crash in over 40 years ago. But in his arms and his eyes she had found a love and acceptance that no one would ever be able to replace.

Slipping her hands through his hair she once again began to change the blonde back into his dark hair color looking for the Alex that she had fallen in love with. He remained silent not questioning the transformation as he sat before her. Finally she looked him in his eyes, “If all we have is a few hours more then let’s make them worthwhile.”

Alex frowned not knowing what she was asking, ‘What do you want to do?”

She could see the questions in his eyes and needing to reassure him as well as herself, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her. Alex wrapped his arms around her waist and continued to stare into her eyes wondering what she was thinking. What she whispered almost made his heart stop,

“Make love to me, Alex”

Every nerve in his body tighten in response to her bold request as he sat there stunned. Before he could say anything she stopped him by pressing her lips firmly to his letting him know with that kiss that she wanted him and what he could give her in their final hours together.

Slowly he pulled back from her lips and looked at her, “Are you sure?”

She nodded, ‘I love you, Alex. I want to experience this with you.”

His heart was so full of love as he looked at her seeing the desire in her eyes. There was nothing he wanted more than to be one with her and if all they had was now then he planned to take advantage and worry about the consequences later. Except for one thing that held him back.

"What about protection?" he asked worriedly knowing he certainly did not have anything.

Isabel smile at this and held up a finger for him to wait and reached for the drawer of her bed stand. It took her a minute to find what she was looking for but then revealed a box.

Noticing his frown and seeing the questions held in his eyes, Isabel sighed," My mom was very nervous about me dating Grant and, even though I gave her no reason, she bought me this just in case." she shrugged, "It's been sitting in that drawer since then."

He nodded and then removed the box from her hand setting it back on the stand within reaching distance. Taking her hands back in his he placed his lips on each of her trembling hands. There was no denying that they both wanted each other but were nervous over the anticipation of their actions.

Alex knew that weeks or even days from now he would be reliving every detail of this encounter in his memory so he was determined to remember every second. Their lips crashed together both feeling the sweet urgency and hunger that their desire for each other demanded. Sensations exploded within them as their hands caressed each other swiftly removing the obstacle of clothes in order to reach flesh.

He leaned over her pressing kisses along her throat as his body fitted against her. They were aligned perfectly as if the other was created specifically for the other to love. Tears formed in her eyes as he gently filled her and took them higher and higher with passion, drawing them nearer toward complete fulfillment.

Isabel cried out against his mouth and Alex swallowed the sound before giving his own muffled shout.They collapsed together in a tangle of arms and legs neither able to move or talk after such an experience. Thinking he was to heavy for her he slid to lay beside her wrapping his arms around her.

“Are you okay, Isabel?” Alex asked worriedly

“Hmm” she hummed with a smile and pressed her lips to his bare chest, “I’m better than fine.”

He couldn’t help the smug smile that came across his face as he realized that even for his first time he had been able to satisfy the girl he loved. Slowly the smile was erased when he thought that one day another man would be doing this with Isabel and he would have no right to feel jealous. Wrapping his arms more securely around her he wondered how he was going to be able to let her go.

Needing to feel her love again he brought her face up to his and pressed his lips once more to hers. Then with a gentle tenderness they made love again both hoping that time would stop so that they could have forever in each others arms.



“It’s time to get ready,” he whispered in her ear a few hours later.

They had drifted off to sleep after both of them had exhausted themselves with their activities. Alex had woken to look at the clock to see that the Crashdown would be closing in an hour. Isabel had tightened her arms around him not wanting lo leave Alex’s embrace, her bed or her room. She had never felt so safe or loved than she had the last 3 hours with him.

“Come on, Isabel.” he said again as he ran a comforting hand across her back, “We have to meet the gang soon.”

Isabel sighed in frustration and sat up as he slid out of the bed grabbing his boxers from the floor. She watched as he pulled them on still not leaving the bed or the warmth that they had created.

“There has to be some other way, Alex” she whispered

Alex turned and looked down at her as she remained entangled in her sheets. His heart raced at the sight of her and he knew if he lived to be 100 he would never forget the vision of her beauty.

“Isabel,” he whispered as he sat back down on her bed and pressed a palm to her cheek, “This is the only way that I know that you will be safe. When I deciphered your destiny book I not only endangered myself but you as well,. I couldn’t live with myself if I caused you or the others pain.”

“But there is no way home now, Alex. That’s what you had deciphered so there should be no more danger.”

Alex frowned at her as he realized something, “I deciphered more than that Isabel.”

She frowned and shook her head, “We had your translation, Alex. We read it. What else could there be?”

“I thought you knew?” he said almost to himself, “I just figured that since you got my translation that you got everything.”

Isabel shook her head again in confusion, “What are you talking about, Alex?”

This time he shook his head and with renewed determination got up from the bed and resumed dressing, “This is something I need to tell everyone. Get dress it’s almost time we left.”

He saw her get up and begin to dress but his mind was on what he had just heard. Did they really think that all that was in the book was about the Granolith and how to get home? There was much more to it than that and he hoped he could clear up a few other things before the night was over. At least before he left he would be able to give his friends one more thing to help them in their future endeavors.

Part 9

Isabel and Alex made their way to the center of town on foot. She had his hand tightly in hers as they walked side by side while every so often glancing over at him still surprised that he had not asked her to change his hair color back before they left. Instead she had found a baseball cap which was now pulled down low over his green eyes.

Soon they reached the exact spot where just that morning Alex had spied on his two best friends. From their vantage they were able to see that all of the group was already there.

“So how are we going to do this?” Isabel whispered, “Do we just walk in?”

Alex shook his head at that, “No. It would be too much of a shock if we did that. I think it would be better if you went in first to prepare them. I will come through the back and wait for your word before coming out.”

Isabel nodded her head thinking that it was probably their best solution. There was no telling what would happen if he just walked in especially with her two very overprotective alien brothers.

He squeezed her hand in his and gave her a reassuring smile, “Everything is going to be alright, Isabel.”

She felt the tears well up in her eyes but she was determined not give in to them. Besides she would have plenty of time for crying after he left on the last bus out of Roswell.

“I know.”

Seeming to be satisfied with her response Alex leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss on her lips. Then with his patented thumbs up he turned and disappeared into the alley beside the café.

Watching him vanish from her sight she took a deep breath and then let it out. She began her walk across the street and entered through the front doors the sound of the bell causing everyone to turn and look at her.

Once the door shut behind her, Isabel made her way to them and was immediately assaulted with their questions.

“What’s going on , Isabel?”

“What is this about?”

“How long is this going to take?”

The last question came from Kyle who sat grumpily beside his dad. He had not wanted to come tonight and get involved with another alien related mess but his dad had forced him with a reminder that those aliens had saved his life not so long ago.

“Okay. Give me a minute.” Isabel requested as she moved to the center of the group as they all starred at her expectantly. She was a little uncomfortable under their gaze but knew she had to do this. With a sigh she asked aloud to herself, “Where do I start?”

Max stepped closer to his sister seeing her distress, “Just start from the beginning, Isabel.”

She looked over at her brother wondering when the beginning had started? Was it the day Alex died? Before when Tess first started to mind warp him? Or was it yesterday when Xander Man came into her life?

Isabel inwardly frowned at that thought, ‘Had it really only been two days since her love had returned to her?’

“Does this have to do with the new guy?” Michael asked hoping to help his sister and speed this whole thing along.

Isabel gave her brother a grateful smile, “Actually it does.” seeing Kyle and the Sheriffs’s confusion she went on to explain for their benefit, “Yesterday, at school, I was asked to show a new student around campus for the day. There didn’t seem to be anything overly suspicious about him and yet something seemed familiar to me.”

She thought about the vision when their hands had brushed. ‘ Why hadn’t I realized then that he was Alex?’

Brushing that thought aside she continued, “That feeling led me wanting to find out about him so I headed to the school office only to find out that his records had not shown up yet and what they did have on him was very slim.”

“I knew I should have gotten involved.” Michael mumbled but was quieted by the look Isabel threw his way.

“So I decided to follow him after school and to at least find out where he lived.”

Max nodded for her to continue as he recalled how his jeep went missing from the school parking lot yesterday. ‘Why hadn’t Isabel said anything to him last night about what had been going on?’

“When I caught up with him I found him in the last place I would ever have imagined.” she shook her head remembering how Alex stood there staring despondently at his parents house.”I found him in front of the Whitman’s.”

Both of the human girls gasped at her revelation wondering what danger they had brought to their best friends parents. It was Maria who voiced her concerns as she turned to Michael.

“We need to do something.”

Before Michael could respond Isabel held up her hand to stop them, “Let me finish.”

She paused a moment as Max and Michael took each girl into their arms to comfort them, “When I saw him standing there I don’t know what came over me. I was just so angry and hysterical all at once that the next thing I know I was on the side walk yelling at him.”

“That was very dangerous, Isabel.” the Sheriff said as he looked over at the tall blonde,. “You should have waited for one of us before confronting him.”

Isabel nodded knowing that he was right, “I was just so angry that I wasn’t thinking straight. I just went up to him and demanded to know who he was.”

She smiled, “He told me that I would not believe him if he told me. I continued demand answers and finally he gave in and told me. Who he claimed to be shocked me and at first I did not believe him. Then he began to tell me things that only I would know and quickly I became a believer.”

“Who is he, Isabel?” Liz asked the question that was on everyone’s mind.

Isabel took another deep breath and then said, “It was Alex.”

There was a dead silence as each took in what she had revealed. Isabel watched all of them waiting for a reaction. It wasn’t long before she got one and from the one person she knew it would come from.

“You believed him, Isabel? “ Max said stepping toward her as he shook his head. “ First you think you dreamwalked Alex and now you believe some stranger who tells you that he is your dead boyfriend.” He sighed in frustration trying to not lose his calm, “Alex is dead, Isabel. There is no way he is alive and in Roswell."

At the end of his words he heard a gasp from both Maria and Liz and he looked up to see them starring at something over his shoulder. Spinning around Max came face to face with a dead man.

‘Actually that’s not true, Max.” Alex Whitman said with a smile as he stood in the open doorway.

[KaraGail]

Part 10

Alex had been standing in the back room listening to Isabel to their friends why she had called the meeting. He couldn’t help but smile at the questions and interruptions they kept bombarding her with. There had been nothing for him to do but wait for the right time to enter but then he heard her say his name and he found himself peeking out the door. He saw Max step forward and knew that he needed to get out there and reveal himself to their friends.

After opening the door and making his witty remark the room once again fell into silence as each person took in the sight of the tall dark haired boy that they had thought dead. Eyes and mouths were opened in shock as he stood there letting them have a moment.

Finally Max and Michael both came to their senses and raised their hands in order to protect their group. When Isabel saw what was about to happen she quickly stepped in front of Alex to shield him with her body.

“NO ” She cried throwing up her own hand to defend the man she loved. There was no way she would let her brothers hurt him and she not do anything about it.

“Move aside, Isabel ” Max yelled at her as he kept his eyes trained on the Alex look a like. This had to be a Shapeshifter who had used his sister to get to them.


“No, Max. It’s Alex I swear ” she said as she reached back to take his hand in hers, “Please believe me.” she shook her head knowing that her brothers would not believe anything unless they saw the truth before their own eyes “Let him prove it to you the way he did to me.”

Max finally glanced over at this sister and saw how much she really believed that this was Alex. ‘How can it be true? I saw him myself when I had tried to heal him?’

“Max.” Liz choked voice called from behind him and he was helpless to turn around and look at her knowing she would always have that affect on him.

He saw both Maria and Liz standing there with arms tightly around each other while their eyes were intently locked on ‘Alex’. Max could see the hope in their eyes that this was really their best friend standing before them.

He turned back to his sister, “How is he going to prove it?”

During the short time that it took Max to decided, Alex had been gazing at his girls while his heart beat rapidly at the fact that they were so close to him. He wanted nothing more than to go over to them and wrap his long arms around them both and hold them tightly against his chest as he had done so many times before. He knew that out of all the people here that if he could talk to them for just a few minutes they would know that it was really him.

“Maria? Liz?” he called over to them, “Can I speak with you?”

At hearing his request, Michael stepped forward he would not let anything happen to Maria, “No way.”

Alex sighed in frustration but knew that if it had been him he would be just as protective, “Okay, how about if they came over here near us and you stay where you are ready to blast me at my slightest movement? What I have to say to them is private and only between us three. If by telling them this they still don’t believe then I won’t care if you do blast me.”

“Alex ” Isabel cried turning her head to him and looking at him with worry.

“It’s okay, Iz.” he gave her a reassuring smile as he this time squeezed her hand.

Maria saw that smile and her doubt began to lesson since there was no one who could smile like Alex Whitman, “I want to talk with him.”

Liz had also felt the same thing that Maria had and nodded her agreement, “It will be okay, Max.”

Max looked at the dark haired girl he loved with his whole heart and saw that he could not stop her from doing this. With a deep sigh he said, “Okay but you get only five minutes.”

Both girls moved over to stand in front of Isabel and Alex wondering what he would say to convince them. They had been best friends for a long time and had many secrets between them so they waited with bated breath for him to speak.

Again Alex smiled at them but this time his eyes shined brightly with unshed tears that being near them caused. Seeing this Isabel stepped beside him and wrapped her arm around his waist giving him the comfort that he had needed badly to get through.” I guess you are surprised to see me and probably a little hesitant to believe that it is really me. I hope to change your mind though by telling you something that we swore each other to secrecy a few years ago.”

Isabel’s ears perked up waiting to see what he would reveal wanting to know anything and everything she could about the boy she loved.

“ Remember that summer before we got involved with the alien cause? We were having a sleep over and Maria kept complain how hot it was.” he looked over at his petite blonde friend seeing the slow blush cross her cheeks as she remembered what happened, “You begged us to go with you to jump the fence at the community pool and go swimming”

Liz also began to blush as the memory of how that long hot summer night ended. Seeing that he had gotten their attention Alex continued

“She was insistent, and you know that Maria usually gets her way, so we wound up jumping the locked fence at 1:00 in the morning all scared that the Sheriff would catch us. Once we got to the pool we realized that no one had any bathing suits, so again Maria had the bright idea to go skinny dipping.”

Isabel’s eyes widened at the thought of these three humans having such an experience together.’ Had they really done it?’

The expressions on each of their faces decided the answer for her as each blushed at the memory of seeing the other naked in the glow of the lights from the pool.They were only in the pool for about a half of an hour before the uncomfortable feeling settled in and they hurriedly dressed swearing to each other that it was something they would take to the grave.

Maria came to her senses and her embarrassment gave way to the stunned fact that this indeed was Alex in front of her, “Alex?”

He nodded giving her his smile again and letting Isabel go. He readied himself for the first body to jump into his arms but he was almost unprepared when the second body joined them. Each girl was now currently wrapped in his strong arms and sobbing into his chest as he lowered his head to the spot in between theirs softly murmuring words of comfort.

Isabel looked to her brothers, the Sheriff and Kyle and gave them a look that said ‘Well? Here is your proof’

She then watched Max and Michael lower their guard as they both took a step closer to the three humans that were currently huddled together beside her.

“Alex?” Max asked as his eyes widened in disbelief at what he was seeing.

The tall boy lifted his head slightly from his girls and looked in Max direction giving him a nod. He continued to hold his girls in his arms as he met the gaze of their leader knowing he would have questions.

“How is this possible? I saw you, Alex. I saw you dead and tried to heal you.”

Alex shook his head, “You saw exactly what Tess wanted you to see.”

At his words Kyle stepped forward still unable to believe, “I remember putting your body in your car.”

The tall boy nodded looking sadly over at his friend knowing that he had to have been feeling guilty all this time,” You did put me in the car but I don’t think I was dead.”

Maria finally lifted her head from his chest leaving a wet spot on his shirt where her tears had soaked through, “What happened to you, Alex?”

He looked down at her then over at Isabel who continued to hover near his side, “Let’s sit down and I will tell you everything.”

Once everyone had gotten settle in their booth, with Maria and Liz on either side of Alex, he began to retell the accounts of everything from the moment he had visited Tess and gotten in over his head with the alien girl. Both of his girls had been constantly wrapping an arm around him or taking his hand not wanting him far away from either one of them.

Isabel was currently sitting on a stool near the counter watching the obvious love the friends had for each other. She tried to keep herself from feeling jealous but the fact was that she wished it was her sitting beside him and taking comfort by his nearness. She could still remember the feel and taste of him as they had made love just hours ago and she craved more from him, more time from him.

Alex had just recounted how he had awoken in a room surrounded by medical equipment, “At first I thought I was in a hospital and kept demanding to see a doctor. It took me forever to come out of my daze of waking up to only fall asleep a few minutes later but by the time I woke up fully and able to understand what had happened I was transported to another room. When I was fully alert I tried to remember how I got this way but I could not seem to recall anything after I got the letter to study abroad in Sweden. It took a few months before I was able to remember the time I was warped and everything leading up to Tess "killing" me."

He sighed and shook his head remembering how disorientated he had been for a long time, “I think that was what pissed him off the most when he tried interrogating me. That I could not remember anything"

“Who?” Max asked as he leaned over the table between them.

“It was Nicholas.” Alex chuckled, “I know you guys told me he looked like a little kid but I didn’t realize how young he was or even how sinister he could be. He would try to get into my head but could not get passed the mess that Tess had left behind.”

Isabel frowned as she heard the sarcasm in his voice ‘What had Nicholas done to him?’

“What did he ask you? Tess was here when we got the translation. I’m sure she told him what it said.” Max continued questioning needing to know everything.

Alex raised his eyebrows and said, “Isabel told me that Liz and Maria got the translation from Las Cruces and how you came upon the book. What exactly did it say?”

It was Liz who shook her head, “It just gave us basic knowledge. Backed up everything Tess had been saying about the Royal Four since she got here and also that the Granolith was their ticket home.”

He shook his head and chuckled again, “If that’s all you got then you didn’t get the right translation. Jennifer must have realized some one was on our trail and gave the wrong information to get you off her back.”

“Then where’s the real translation?” Maria asked

Alex smiled at everyone then pointed his finger to his head, "Right here.”

Part 11

Isabel looked at Alex in shock not having expected him to tell them that there was another translation. He glanced over at her to give her some reassurance that he would clear everything up as soon as he could.

“By now you probably know that Leanna is actually Jennifer Coleman from Las Cruces University. When Tess wasn’t able to be near by to make sure I was doing her bidding Jennifer was.” He shook his head again, “Once in a while the warp would slip when, I think, Tess would weaken and I was able to beg Jennifer for help. But Tess had scared her and threatened to kill her if she revealed who and why I was there.”

Alex felt Liz squeeze his hand and he turned his head to give her a smile, “By the time I finally got the destiny book decoded she decided to help me. We knew that once Tess got the information she needed that there would no longer be any need for us. That’s when Jennifer vanished with the destiny book and we planned for me to send her an e-mail of the translation so that she could bring it back to you when she thought it was safe.”

“How did she wind up with the wrong translation?” Michael asked still trying to figure out how Tess had pulled off such a complex scheme.

This time Alex turned his eyes to the wild haired alien, “Actually I sent her both and I really don’t know what has happened to Jennifer to find out why. I went to Las Cruces a couple of weeks ago hoping to get the book and translations but she seems to have vanished off the face of the earth. Something must have scared her to go into hiding.” At least he hoped she had ran and not been caught by their enemies.

Liz nodded remembering how she had seen Jennifer that first night in Las Cruces and by the next day she was gone. All that had been left was an abandoned house, a computer, the crystal and a bomb. Jennifer had gone to great lengths to try and remove the evidence as well as those who threatened her.

“What exactly did the real translation say?” Max asked hoping they would finally get answers.

Isabel was curious herself but she kept quiet and just waited knowing that Alex would tell them. Every time someone interrupted him with a question it just made it drawn out even longer and she already felt like she was sitting on her hands to keep from asking her own questions.

“Well the destiny book is somewhat of a history of Antar as well as an instruction manual.” Alex looked over at Isabel again, “One of the most interesting things I was able to decipher was that it was Ava, not Vilandra, who betrayed Zan.”

Isabel’s eyes widened at his revelation. From the time that Whitaker had informed her of the betrayal she had felt nothing but guilt and fear that one day she would make the same mistake. Now Alex was telling them that it had all been a lie.

“Seems that Zan and Ava’s marriage had been arranged and only she was happy about their fate. The King never returned her love and in a fit of anger she joined forces with Khivar to overthrow her husband. Knowing how dangerous his enemy was, Zan asked his best friend, Rath, to guard over his sister while he tried to squash the insurgence. The destiny book says that there was no love between Vilandra and Rath only friendship, unlike what Tess led us to believe when she first got here.”

This time Isabel looked over at Michael and let out a huge sigh of relief. She had always felt uneasy at the idea that at one time she had been married to someone she thought of as a brother.

“Somehow, one night, Ava was able to let into the palace a few of Khivar’s soldiers who murdered all three of you in your sleep.” Even though Alex had known for months how they had died it still made his blood run cold at the horror of it all. He inwardly shook his head at his thoughts and continued, “After your death the royal family decided to use their Antarian technology to create from your genetic material and those of humans a chance for you to one day take back your rightful place on the throne. Somehow Khivar must have found out and made sure that Ava and Nacedo were on board to ensure that when you did come back he would be able to capture you.”

“My God.” Maria said shaking her head at all the information he had just given them, ‘She waited 40 years tp put her plan in motion.”

“Was ther anything else the book said? Is there a way home?” Michael asked unaware of the hurt that flashed in Maria’s eyes.

“The Granolith is your spaceship but it only has enough power for a one way trip back to Antar.”

Max nodded, “At least that was true in the other translation.” he looked down at his hands on the table, “And I let Tess use it to take her and our baby back to Antar.”

“Your baby?” Alex frowned looking over at Isabel wondering what he had missed. He turned his head back to Max noticing that although he nodded his response to Alex his eyes were fixed on Liz who sat there looking heartbroken. He wished that he could turn back time to before Tess ever entered Roswell and ruined their lives.

“She has the next heir to Antar with Khivar?” Alex continued again letting his eyes travel back to Isabel demanding some answers of his own.

She nodded and told him how Max had slept with Tess days after his suppose death since her brother had become silent as he continued to stare at Liz, “Tess came to Max and told him she was pregnant and that alien babies only take a month before the birth unlike human pregnancies. He was able to connect and see that the baby was a boy and then all of a sudden Tess became sick with fever and pain. That’s when we found out that the baby could not live in the earth’s atmosphere and the only way he could survive was if we went back to Antar.”

Alex turned back to Max with a frown on his face causing the "would be king" to become tense under his green gaze. Whatever Alex had to say to him Max knew he deserved but what he said surprised him. “The baby is not yours.”

“What? ” Every seemed to say all at once in shocked tones.

“Well think about it.” he pointed to Max, “Tess and your DNA were altered so that, among other things that make you more human, you can breath on earth. It would be sufficient to say that any baby you had together would carry those same traits.” he turned his head to Liz, “Simple Biology.”

Liz was able to catch on then and finished his train of thought, “So then for the baby to not be able to breath our oxygen means that his father was not from earth.”

Alex nodded with a smile seeing his best friend work out the solution that he had already came up with, “There is only one person that we know that would have something to gain by the Queen becoming pregnant and returning to Antar.”

“Khivar?” Max said in almost a whisper, “Tess is carrying Khivar’s baby?”

Alex nodded, “It’s the only explanation that fits. I’m sure with the technology your people seemed to have it would be possible for Tess to be artificially inseminated by your enemy. He wouldn’t even have to come to earth and then all he would need to do would be to pass his child off as yours and so that they can rule Antar with Khivar pulling the strings.”

“I can’t believe that was a guest in our house.” Kyle mumbled aloud still in shock over the actions of the girl he had considered a sister. Both he and his father were angry that they had been taken for fools by the petite blonde alien who had lived with them for months.

“So now what, Max?” Michael asked their leader.

He shook his head, “I don’t know. Somehow we need to warn the people of Antar of Khivar’s intentions.”

Michael’s gaze strayed out the front window to the UFO Museum across the street, “Larek?:

‘I think he is our best hope.” Max answered his eyes also moving to the place he worked. They would just have to find Brody and get a message to Larek who had been using the Australian as a link between Antar and Earth.

Alex sat there as everyone began to make plans for contacting their planet the following day and he realized that his part in the story had come to an end. Glancing at his watch he was surprised to see that he only had an hour before the last bus left out of Roswell and he had every intentions of being one of it’s passengers. Looking up his eyes once again met Isabel’s and his resolve almost melted at the look of love that she sent his way.

Maria was smiling and laughing, “This has turned out to be a great day. First we discover that Alex is alive and then we find out that Max didn’t knock Tess up ”

“We have to celebrate ” Grinned Liz as she finally let go of Alex and stood up to fix them all some drinks. Everyone was laughing and smiling at the relief and joy that they had not felt in such a long time. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of them and they were able to appreciate their friendship even more.

They were all having a good time except for Alex and Isabel who knew the worst was about to come, “umm..guys?”

Isabel’s heart sank because she knew what he was about to say and the sob that she had been trying to hold back slipped from between her lips. Realizing she was about to become an emotional wreck, the tall blonde got up quickly from her stool and ran to the bathroom shutting the door behind her so no one would hear her cries of heartache.

The room became quiet again as they watched her hurry away. No one had seen Isabel that upset since the days after Alex’s “death” and no one knew what had happened to cause her to get that way.

“What’s wrong with, Isabel?” Maria asked from her spot behind the counter where she had been helping Liz get the drinks.

Alex took that as his cue even though he wanted so bad to get up and follow the girl he loved and comfort her, “I’m the reason she is upset.”

All eyes turned to him wondering what he could have possibly done to get Isabel that way. She should be ecstatic that she had him back and was gettig that second chance she had been dreaming of for all these months.

“Why is that?” Liz asked the question on everyone’s mind.

Alex cleared his suddenly dry throat as he forced the words out, “Because she knows that I will be leaving soon.”

“Leaving?” Maria gasped as she sat the drink she was holding down on the counter.

He nodded hoping they would understand, “I have to go. Alex Whitman no longer exist and it’s just to dangerous for me to stay here in Roswell.”

“You can’t leave. You just got here.” Liz said through her tears.

Alex rose from his seat and went over to his girls wanting to comfort them while also wanting to be with Isabel and hold her. “I can’t stay and risk that Nicholas or his followers will be searching for me here. It’s not only about protecting you guys but also my family who could be hurt or worse.”

Michael stood up as well, “ We will protect you, Alex.”

He sighed and shook his head, “Your protection did not help me the first time, Michael.” he ran his hand through his hair not looking at anyone when he said, “The best thing for you to do now is to just go on believing that I’m dead and get on with your life.”

“How can you say that?” Liz cried out before running to the bathroom followed closely by Maria who was also sobbing leaving Alex alone with Max, Michael, Kyle and the Sheriff.

Part 12

Isabel found herself alone in the girls bathroom trying to conquer the tears that flowed freely down her cheeks. She had hidden in here hoping to avoid hearing Alex tell their friends that he was leaving but instead found herself replaying the afternoon that they had shared in each others arms.

The outer door opened and Isabel hoped for a moment that Alex had come to tell her that he had changed his mind and was staying with her. The sound of weeping had her opening the door to the stall only to find Liz and Maria standing there before her. Just by looking at them she knew that they had the same reaction to Alex’s announcement as she had.

“I can’t believe that we get him back just to lose him again.” Maria blubbered aloud trying to understand, “Why can’t he stay a little longer and let us spend some time with him? I’ve missed him so much!”

Liz shook her head as she swiped away her tears, ‘You know how Alex is, Maria. If he feels that we are in danger he would go to the ends of the earth to protect us.”

“Yeah, but does he have to literally go to the ends of the earth?” her friend asked before turning to Isabel, “Have you asked him to stay? I’m sure he will if you ask him. He would do anything for you.”

Isabel looked at Maria with her eyes swimming in unshed tears, “I begged and pleaded. He won’t change his mind.” she paused as the next words came out behind a loud sob, “He’s leaving. The man I love is leaving and there is nothing I can do to stop him.”

Seeing her in such misery, Maria and Liz came to her wrapping their arms around Isabel. They knew that in the next few days and even months that they would need to be there for each other. They would be each others strength as once again they mourned the loss of their best friend.


Alex paced near the bathroom torn between going in there and hoping they would come out soon. He looked at his watch again, Alex had less than an hour and he still needed to get his bus ticket. His time with his friends had come to an end and now he had to leave as soon as possible.

Knocking on the door he softly called out to them, “ Liz? Maria? Isabel? Are you alright?”

After a few minutes, that seemed to be the longest of his life, the door finally opened to reveal a red eyed Maria who said, “We’re coming out.”

Suddenly all three stood in front of him and his heart broke as he saw the pain on each of their faces. Alex had to brace himself mentally and physically from going to them and telling them that he would stay just to put a smile back on their faces. He had to keep telling himself that he was doing the right thing by leaving Roswell.

“It’s time for me to go.” Alex said holding back his tears.

“Now? You’re leaving now?” Liz questioned with wide eyes.

Alex nodded, “The sooner I do is better for all of us. Let’s say our goodbyes here since it would look to suspicious if we all went to the bus station.”

The girls began to sob harder and Alex turned to the guys with pleading eyes. Both Michael and Max stepped up and wrapped their arms around their girls as their tall friend gazed at them.

“You know you two are my best friends in the entire world and have always been there when I needed you.” a tear that had been blurring his vision finally slid down his cheek, “You are the sisters I never had and I will thank God every day that he brought you into my life.” he looked at the two male aliens, “No matter what has happened or what will happen I will never be sorry for knowing your secret. I don’t want you to ever blame yourselves for what has happened. Okay?”

Max and Michael both nodded and with that Alex turned to Kyle and his father who stood close by. The Sheriff had wanted to tell Alex that as the law here he would protect him and his family but he knew that this was something way out of his control.

“Thank you Kyle for being a friend even when it looked bad to be hanging out with such a geek.” Alex and Kyle both smiled at that and then he continued telling them both, “Don’t feel guilty for liking Tess and treating her like a daughter and sister. She made herself into what we wanted and then used us all.”

Kyle nodded unable to say anything to his friend thinking to himself that he had to remain strong or he would be blubbering like the girls. He watched as Alex turned back to Isabel and he wondered if she would be going to the station with him to see him off. When she stepped beside him and waited as he turned back to his girls Kyle decided that she would not let him go by himself.

Liz let go of Max and threw her arms around Alex and just like always Maria joined them. He held them for a second as he shut his eyes tightly trying to ingrain the feel of them into his mind so that he could recall it years later. He whispered into their ears so that only they could hear him, “I love you.”

“We love you too, Alex” Maria sobbed holding him tighter to her not willing to let him go yet. Somehow Alex got the strength and freed himself from their embrace taking a step back to look at them.

“One day we will meet again.” he looked around the group and gave a shaky smile before reaching out blindly for Isabel’s hand. She grabbed it and held on tightly as she followed him out of the café and onto the streets never looking back on the heart wrenching scene they were leaving behind.

Once they reached the corner of the street, Alex was so overcome with grief that his knees gave out from under him. Could he really do this? Isabel wrapped her arms around his waist and held him up as they walked to the station only stopping once for her to change his hair color so that once again Alex Whitman disappeared leaving behind Xander Man.




The ticket counter was still open when they arrived at the depot so Alex quickly purchased his seat not telling Isabel where he was heading. He had asked her to wait outside while he went in and so she stood agitated at being away from him even for the few minutes it took him to get everything settled.

Walking back Alex stuffed his hands deeply into the pockets of his jeans and wondered how he was going to tell the woman he loved goodbye. There was nothing he could think of that would even begin to be appropriate for this situation so he found himself standing in front of her starring at her quietly.

“Did you get your ticket?” she asked trying to break the silence but unable to look up at him in fear of breaking down.

“Yeah.” he said then sat down his book bag that contained a few clothes and other essentials on the ground at their feet. Alex took her face into his hands and brought it up so he could look at her, “”It will be okay, Isabel.”

“How can you say that?” she choked, “Just when I get you back, tell you I love you, you leave again.”

“I have to.” Alex whispered hating what he was putting her through. His friends had just started to get on with their lives after his funeral and now he put them through it all over again, “Maybe I should have never came back.”

Isabel’s eyes widened and pressed her finger over his lips, “Don’t say that.” she pleaded then wrapped her arms around his waist, “If you had not come back we would have never told each other how we felt and we would have never made love.”

He sighed and pressed his lips to her temple, “I just don’t want you to hurt anymore.”

“I know.” she whispered tightening her arms around Alex, “I just can’t imagine my life without you.”

He nodded, “I know what you mean.” he pulled back to look at her “Promise me that if you ever have a chance at happiness you’ll take it. I will understand if you find someone who will be able to give you what I can’t.”

The tears flowed even faster down her cheeks as she realized what he we asking her to do, “You can’t ask that of me, Alex.” she cried, “I can’t give my heart to another when you are taking it with you.:

Her words were his undoing as he stood their with tears in his own eyes, “You will have my heart. You have always had my heart.”

Isabel pulled his face to hers pressing their lips together tasting the salty tears that made it’s way down their cheeks. Alex wanted to drown in the sweetness of her taste as they got lost in their world forgetting where they were and why they were there. They continued to hold each other until his bus was called and the kiss that they shared slowly broke.

Not able to say anything more without making a blubbering fool of himself he took a step back and picked up his bag. Hearts raced as they both realized that this was the moment that they had been dreading.

“Wait!” Isabel cried out as he moved to turn from her. She began to dig into her pocket and pulled out a shiny quarter and closed her hand over it. After a burst of her powers she opened it to reveal the coin now was divided in half and on further examination Alex realized that one part had an ‘A’ while the other had an ‘I’.

“Take this.” she handed him the quarter with the ‘I’ and gave him a shaky smile, “Keep this with you and anytime you get lonely just look at it and remember that someone here loves you.” She held the other half up between them, “I will keep this half and I will know that there is only one out there that will make it complete.”

Alex was touched by her words and sentiment as he held the quarter tightly in his hand, “I love you, Isabel Diane Evans.”

“I love you, too Alexander Charles Whitman. Always remember that.” she said on a sob.

The last call for the bus came and both of them couldn’t stop the anguish that overcame them at the realization that this was no longer their last minutes together. They only had seconds now and he took the moment to press his lips to hers again before turning and hurrying to the bus before he lost his nerve.

“Alex!” her cry came from behind him as he got to the steps of the bus. Unable to stop himself he turned to find her standing there with her arms wrapped tightly around her waist and tears on her face. Even though she was crying and upset a smile was currently resting on her lips as she gazed at him, “I’ll see you in your dreams!”

He couldn’t help but return her smile and give her his thumbs up before climbing the steps and disappearing inside. Alex made his way to the back of the bus where he could see Isabel through the window as she stood there with her body shuddering with the tears that were finally released.

As the bus pulled away he continued to watch Isabel until he could no longer make out her figure in the distance. His heart beat fast as he realized that he was alone and he had no one to blame but himself. What was he going to do now? He knew where he needed to start but where to from there?

Sighing he turned in his seat to face forward and worried about Isabel and hoping that she was alright. Then he began to smile as he remembered her parting words to him. Alex knew that when he finally went to sleep tonight he could expect a certain visitor to invade his dreams.

Isabel continued to stand on the platform at the station starring out into the distance that his bus had gone. She knew that even though Alex wasn’t physically with her she would always have him by her side. She would never love anyone like she loved Alex and with a little help from her powers she hoped to one day bring him back to her.

“Goodbye for now, Alex, but not forever.”


Conclusion


1 Year Later...


Isabel stood in her almost empty bedroom wondering how she had gotten to this point in her life. She was still stunned that in just a few hours she would be on a plane heading to San Francisco to attend the University there. With her brother’s blessing she had been finally free to follow at least one of her dreams.

The last year had truly been a roller coaster ride with it’s ups and downs that put their lives in danger many times over. Somehow, like every other time, they had come out unscathed and able to face another day with each other. They had stuck beside each other even through disagreements and had become a much stronger force to reckon with.

When Maria and Michael had a terrible falling out, that only they understood, no one took sides or passed blame, instead they had been there for them both. Slowly over a period of time, the fighting duo found their way back to each other knowing that obviously they were meant to be together.

Liz and Max had weathered through the storm and were still giving each other those stares that reached into the other’s soul. When she had finally told him of Future Max they had come to the conclusion that Tess left anyway so there was nothing else to keep them apart. Since then they had rarely been away from the other and were even deeper in love without all the secrets attached.

When Kyle wasn’t helping out the group he had thrown himself further into sports and Buddhism. His spiritual growth and his ability to throw a football got him accepted to a good college where he planned to study Law Enforcement. The Sheriff had never been as proud as when his son had told him that he wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps.

Seemed everyone had moved on with their lives except for Isabel, whose own year had been even bumpier. Her best moments had been when Alex had let her into his dreams and they were able to be together. Even though they never discussed where he was or what he was doing the places he took her in his dreams were of the most beautiful locations and it made her wish that she was really with him enjoying them with him.

Sighing, Isabel looked down at the bracelet on her left arm with half of the quarter attached. She had not removed the bracelet from her wrist since she had used her powers to melt it to the band. So many times had she touched the silver coin with her fingers in comfort and knowing that somewhere Alex had the other half with him.

Isabel felt the tears come to her eyes as she thought back to the event that had had changed her life drastically. It had been something as simple as he parents worrying about their only daughter when they began to notice how anti-social she became after Alex’ “death”. Hoping to help her move on they had set her up with a Jr. Lawyer in their office.

Jesse Ramirez had been a nice and good looking guy, one that she could have chewed up and spit out if she cared to. But when he had taken her home after their date guilt began to eat away at her and she instantly went to bed needing to be with Alex. She needed to reassure herself that he was still out there somewhere and that he worth waiting for.

Entering the dream she found herself standing on a beach as the sun was about to set. It didn’t take her long to find him sitting on a blanket in the sand just starring off into the water. The hair that she loved to run her finger through was back to it’s natural dark brown and she couldn’t help but smile in anticipation.

Coming up behind him she knelt on the blanket and wrapped her arms around him , pressing her lips to his neck. Alex turned his head slightly and smiled not at all surprised to see her there.

“Hey beautiful.”

“Hey yourself.” She said placing another kiss on his cheek, then his jaw line before making her way up to his earlobe. Alex shivered in response to her actions and then he grabbed her and pulled her into his lap where he began to nuzzle her neck.

They sat there quietly for some time just enjoying each other and the sounds of the waves hitting the surf. Alex must have known something was bothering her because he pulled his head up to look at her whispering, “What’s wrong, Iz?”

Isabel sighed and proceeded to tell him about her forced date with Jesse and how guilty she felt about being out with someone else.

Alex smiled sadly at her, “Don’t feel guilty, Isabel. I know it has been rough on you and I won’t hold it against you if you start dating again.”

“But I don’t want to date anyone.” She sat up in his arms, “I want to be with you, Alex. I’m happier here in your dreams than on any date I could go on.” Isabel slipped her hands through his hair as she brushed a few strands from his face.

He looked at her with a small frown seeming to think about something for a moment before pulling Isabel back into his arms, “It will be alright. Everything will work out.”

With his reassurance Isabel relaxed and they resumed snuggling for a little longer. Finally Alex whispered, “It’s time for me to go.”

Isabel held him tighter wishing the night never had to end. He pressed a kiss to her lips gently and with another sad smile he whispered, “Remember I will always love you.”

Her heart knew that something was wrong. His words had a ring of finality to them, “Alex?”

Suddenly he vanished leaving her alone on the beach and she felt like her world had come to an end.

Waking up in tears she had spent the rest of the night wondering exactly what he meant and hoping that he would explain himself when she went back in the next night. However no matter how or when she tried, Isabel had been unable to dream walk Alex again.
Soon after that night Isabel had gone into a depression that caused her to become very emotional. She was convinced that something had happened to Alex and was filled with fear at the thought of him being hurt or worse. For self preservation sake she returned to her “Ice Princess” mode to deal with the pain.

No one seemed to know how to handle Isabel and had even started to walk on egg shells around her hoping that it was just a phase and she would snap out of it. It was Liz, though, who could no longer watch her friend suffer and got everyone, including Max, to agree that a change would be good for the tall blonde. Isabel had jumped at the chance to finally flee Roswell and within weeks was packed and ready to start her new life.

Now as she was about to say goodbye to her family and friends she took a moment for herself. Looking around her eyes settled on the bed and recalled those last hours with Alex. The bed had come to mean so much to her that out of almost all of her possessions it would be the one she missed the most. The bed had been there after Alex had left and she took refuge in the sheets that carried his scent. Then it became the place that she would spend hours dream walking the guy she loved and finally the place where she would cry herself to sleep worrying over him.

Grabbing up her last suitcase she brushed at the single tear that made a path down her cheek. ‘ There is nothing more here for me.’ she told herself as she left the room to start the next chapter in her life.


*********


It was a beautiful fall day, but Isabel didn’t take any notice, as she sat under a tree outside of her dorm complex reading over her notes for one of her classes. She had come down here hoping to get away from the pictures of her family and friends that surrounded her in her single room. There was no doubt that she missed them even though she had met plenty of new people on campus. None of them compared to her friends back home who knew her secret and loved her anyway.

Taking a break, from the notes, Isabel shut her eyes and leaned against the tree for a minute finally taking notice of the sun that was beating down on her as well as the sounds of students talking and laughing around her. Even after being here for a few months she was still trying to get used to being away from home and living on her own.

As she continued to sit there with her eyes shut she heard the sound of someone walking up to her and the loss of the sun’s rays on her skin. Isabel figured it was more than likely another guy that was going to hit on her so she decided to ignore them and keep her eyes shut hoping they would just go away and take the hint.

“Have I told you how much I love you in red?” a familiar voice asked making Isabel’s heart race and her eyes pop open. She took in the male figure who squatted down in front of her with eyes glowing with joy and a grin on his lips.

“Alex?” she was barely able to get out on a strangled choke.

He nodded and ran a hand through his hair causing Isabel to give him a cursory glance to notice his hair was a little longer and a lot more darker from the color she had given him a year ago. The huge glasses that he had on when he got on the bus out of Roswell were now gone and in their place were fashionable frames with slightly tinted lenses to make the green eyes that she loved turn hazel.

Finally after a minute of just starring she realized that he was really there and this was not a dream. Isabel crossed the small distance and threw herself into his arms deciding that there was no way that she was losing him again. If she had to tie him down she was not letting hm leave her sight again.

Alex wrapped his long arms around Isabel tightly reveling in the feel of her warmth as he wondered how he had lived without this for so long. The past year he had been traveling around with an empty place in his heart and arms that only she could fill and he didn’t think he could go any longer without.

Suddenly Isabel pulled back from their embrace and with a flash of anger in her eyes asked, “Where the hell have you been?”

He sighed knowing that she was referring to their dream walks and his ability to block her from entering . Thinking back to the last time they had been together on the dream plane Alex remembered just how miserable she had seemed to be and it had caused him think long and hard on their situation. Knowing it was not healthy for either one of them to hold on to hope and continue to live through their dreams Alex had found some tricks to keep his mind from entering the dream world that she ruled.

“I’m sorry. I thought I was making it easier on the both of us.”

“What are you talking about? Do you know how miserable and worried I have been?”

He nodded looking into her eyes, “I have been just as miserable.”

They sat their for a few minutes, not saying anything, just looking at the other noticing how much they had changed. She was much thinner than the last time he saw her and although she was still gorgeous Alex thought she was almost too thin. He knew that he was the reason for her obvious lack of desire for keeping healthy and he hoped he would be able to change that in the future.

Isabel was also eyeing him and noticing that a year had only improved his tall frame. Alex had filled out in all the right places causing her to drool out how yummy he was. His face even though it had filled out quite nicely was still the same one of the boy she had fell in love with but now had returned back to her a man. Even his shoulders were much broader perfect for leaning on or crying into and she knew she would be doing a lot of both soon.

“How did you find me?” She asked and broke the silence.

He finally smiled again at her, “I guess you could say that I had reached a breaking point and had to see you. I found myself in Roswell last week staking out your house just to get a glimpse of you.”

“You went home?” Isabel raised one of her eyebrows in surprise. He had been so adamant that he could not return but one year later he had done just that.

“Yeah. Like I said I was outside your house for hours waiting for you and after awhile of no sign from you I began to worry.” He ran his hand through his hair , “I finally went to the Crashdown and found Liz who told me you had gone away to school here. The next thing I know I was back on the road and heading this way.”

“How long have you been here?” She asked a little in awe that he had tracked her down.

Alex sighed and looked down not meeting her eyes, “Just a few days.”

“What?” she cried angrily, ‘You have been here for a couple of days and you are just now coming to me?

“I was planning to leave if I found out you were happy.” He looked back up into her eyes to find the tears pooling there, “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“What made you change your mind?”

Alex gave her another one of his sad smiles and pulled out the chain that was around his neck. His half of the quarter was hanging on the end as a pendant, “I have been so lost these last few months and when I finally saw you again I knew that I would rather die fighting the devil himself for just an hour or minute spent with you.” he lifted his hand and brushed a tear from her cheek, ‘I’m only half a man without you, Isabel.”
After a moment of silence he started to fear that she no longer wanted him back. He dropped his hand from her face and felt the pain straight to his heart as he said, “I’ll understand if you want me to leave.”

Isabel shook her head and grabbed his hand quickly pulling it back to her face where she placed a kiss on his open palm. “No. Don’t leave” she whispered “Don’t ever leave.”

The grin that overcame his face at her words lit up her own soul and she couldn’t help but return his smile. Then as if she couldn’t wait for him an longer, Isabel covered his mouth with hers, scooping her fingers into his hair, urging him to her so that she could get a more complete taste of him and give him a proper welcome home. They became lost in each others arms as they explored what they had thought they had lost a year ago.

The sound of catcalls pulled them apart as they slowly became aware that they were putting on quite a show in the middle of the campus causing both to blush in embarrassment.

‘Maybe we should get out of here.” Alex whispered looking into her love filled eyes as he brushed a lock of hair from Isabel’s face.

She smiled widely, “Sounds good to me but there is just one more thing.” He frowned at her wondering what else could keep them apart, “Before I go anywhere, I would like to know just who exactly I’m going with.”

Alex chuckled and sat a little back from Isabel and held out his hand to her, “Hello, I’m Charles Manes”

Her eyes twinkled in happiness as she took the offered hand, “Charlie..huh?”

At his nod she raised her eyebrow again as she questioned, “Well Charlie do you have a place to stay?”

Alex nodded, ‘I’ve been staying at a motel not too far from here.”

Isabel tsked at that and shook her head, “Not close enough. Well,” she said on a suffering sigh, “I guess we can go up to my room since it’s right here.”

Alex grinned again as he chuckled at her play acting and started to pull her back into his arms. She stopped him though when a serious look came across her face.

“You have to promise me something before we get out of here.”

“Anythng.”

Isabel reached up and caressed his cheek with her fingers while starring into his eyes, “Promise me that you will never leave me again.”

Alex took her hand in his and pressed her palm to his cheek, ‘I’ll never leave you again, Isabel. I would never survive again.”

Isabel nodded, knowing exactly how he felt, and then pressed her lips back to his brushing them with her own lightly, “I love you Alex Whitman, Xander Man and Charles Manes.”

With her decleration they ignored everything around them and brought their lips back to each other. With this kiss they knew that no matter what the future held they would face every day together. They would find some way to make their love work and God help any person who tried to keep them apart.

The End

[KaraGail]

Disclaimer: The characters of Roswell belong to Jason Katims, Melinda Metz, WB, and UPN. They are not mine and no infringement is intended.

Category: Alex and Isabel

Rating: Teen

Part 1/1

Madly, Truly and Deeply

By: KaraGail

Isabel stepped out of the jeep and inhaled the scent of salt in the air as she starred out into the ocean. As luck would have it, the beach was nearly deserted from the sunbathers and surfers who spent the day along the shore. Shutting the car door she walked out over the white sand and closer to the crystal blue water getting lost in the vastness that was before her.

After a night of terrible dreams Isabel had awoken, thrown on some clothes, grabbed her keys to the jeep and left the house before any one else had woken. She had needed this time to get away from everyone and think about her life and what she had recently learned about herself.

Isabel had no idea where she was going just that she needed to keep going. Over 10 hours later and many stops at convenient stores and gas stations, she had found herself on the coast of Texas. She knew no one here and for now that was exactly what she wanted. There was no one to question who or what she was and she didn’t have to hide.

Finding a place to sit on the sand, Isabel continued to look out at the peaceful water as the sun began to descend. Closing her eyes, she tried to breath in her surroundings and listen to the sea gulls screeching above her. So intent on them she almost missed the sound of muted foot steps as they stopped right behind her.

She turned her head and looked over her shoulder, her eyes widening in surprise who stood above her, “Alex ”

The tall dark haired boy grinned down at her as he stood there with his hands propped on his waist. She was surprised to see that he was wearing a pair of knee length khaki shorts, a t-shirt with a bands name she never heard of, and tennis shoes. “Hey Isabel.”

“What are you doing here?” She asked with a frown wondering how he had found her so quickly and why her heart beat kicked up at the sight of him standing there.

Alex sat down on the sand beside her and looked out into the ocean, “I was heading to the Crashdown this morning when I saw you in the jeep. You looked upset so I thought I would follow you and make sure you were alright.” He looked over and grinned again at her, “Didn’t know I would have to travel this far to ask.”

Isabel let out a sigh and then chuckled. She was actually glad that somehow he was with her because Alex was the one person who could make her smile anytime.

“So I’m now going to ask,” Alex continued with a raised eyebrow, ‘Isabel, is everything okay?”

Seeing the eagerness and desire to help her in his eyes, Isabel finally broke and cried, “Oh Alex ” while wrapping her arms around his neck and sobbing into his shoulder.

Alex ran a calming hand over her hair and down her back while whispering reassuring words into her ear. He had no idea what happened to get her into this state but he pledged to protect her and let her lean on him for support.

Finally when she was all cried out she pulled back from her and wiped her eyes with the palm of her hands not even bothering with her powers. Alex didn’t seem to care what she looked because he always viewed her as one of the most beautiful women in the world.

“Now tell me.” He whispered as he took her hand in his and continuing to hold it as she poured out her heart over all that had happened in the last couple of months.

When she finally told him of her betrayal to her brother, Alex shook his head and pulled her back into his arms, “That’s not you, Izzy. You are a good person.”

“I’m not a good person.”She settled into his shoulder, “Would a good person treat you the way I’ve treated you? I’m so sorry, Alex.”

“Shhh, Isabel. There is nothing to be sorry for. I always knew that you hid behind a cold exterior but I also knew from the moment I first saw you that you had a heart of gold.”

Isabel sniffled again before pulling back to look into his green eyes, “Really?”

“Really.” he nodded and gave her a small smile while wiping a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb.

She smiled back and leaned forward wanting to give him a chaste kiss in thanks. But the moment their lips met everything seemed to change and a spark was lit between them. His arms came around her as her hands slipped into the short hairs on his neck, both wanting to draw the other nearer. The kiss was like none that either experienced. It was full of love, desire and tenderness as their lips and tongues met in a passionate dance.

Finally they had to pull apart in order to take in much needed oxygen but they were unable to tear their eyes off each other. Alex broke into another grin that spoke volumes as he continued to hold her in his arms.

At that moment, Isabel understood the torrent of emotions that she always felt when he was near. She loved Alex Whitman. She loved everything about him. From the was he made her smile to the way he looked at her like she was the only other person in the world. There was no more doubts in her mind because she finally knew the truth.

Reaching up she ran a hand across his cheek wanting to tell him what she was feeling, “Thank you, Alex.”

He frowned slightly wondering just what she was thanking him for. After that kiss he felt like he should be the one thanking her. She smiled at his confused look but continued,

“Thank you for always being there and for listening to my problems.” She ran her thumb over his bottom lip feeling her heart leap at the small quiver that went through his body at her touch, “Thank you for loving me as I am.”

Alex smiled and gave a slight shrug, “I would love you no matter what, Izzy.”

She nodded knowing that his deceleration was true. Alex would always love her. Leaning forward again she pressed a gentle kiss to his lips before whispering, “I love you too.”

His eyes widened at her statement looking into her eyes and hoping that it was the truth. It only took him a second to see the love shining back at him and he couldn’t help the goofy smile that spread across his face, “You love me?”

Isabel smiled and nodded, “Madly, Truly and Deeply.”

Before she could say anything else Alex pulled her back to him kissing her until all thought left her head. Isabel imagined that she was melting into him as his lips traveled along her jaw and neck while her hands ran through the softness of his hair. Slowly he made his way back to her lips as his own hands crept under the back of her shirt to settle on the exposed skin of her bare back.

Isabel had never experienced the desire that she felt with Alex and she wanted to show her love for him in the most elemental way she knew. Pulling back slightly from his kiss she whispered, “It’s getting late.”

Alex opened his eyes his mind cloudy from arousal, “Huh?”

“It’s getting to late to drive back to Roswell tonight.” She pressed another kiss to his lips, “I think we need to find a room.”

“A room?” he asked still a little dazed before realizing what she had said. She had said ‘room’ not room’s in plural.

She nodded not taking her eyes from his and letting him know in her look just exactly what she wanted and what she expected.

“I saw a vacancy sign just down the road here.” Alex swallowed the large lump in his throat.

“Okay. I’ll follow you in the jeep.” She raised to her feet and waited for him to stand beside her. Reaching out her hand she took his and they made their ways back to their waiting cars both a little nervous over what would happen that evening.

Tomorrow they would go back to Roswell and face all of their problems. Isabel, with the support of Alex, would finally talk with her brothers and maybe start to look for answers. Tonight, though, they planned to make the most of the stolen time that they were able to get and spend every second loving each other.

The End

[KaraGail]

A/N: This is something I wrote after Alex returned from Sweden (and I feel that this should have been the way the writers handled it)

Disclaimer: The characters of Roswell belong to Jason Katims, Melinda Metz, WB, and UPN. They are not mine and no infringement is intended.

Category: Alex and Isabel

Rating: Teen

Part 1/1


Can't We Try

By: KaraGail


Alex stepped off the plane and groaned as he finally came to grips that he was back in Roswell and no longer in Sweden. He had spent the last 2 months as am exchange student and it had been great to get away from all the problems he faced in his home town. Now, as he stepped into the airport, he knew he would have to face them again.

One problem that he definitely needed to work on was Isabel Evans, the love of his life. He had dated her for what seemed like ten seconds earlier that year. But that had been before DESTINY had reared it’s ugly head and tore the group apart.

Alex had tried to get close to her again but she had pushed him away. He had understood up until she had taken up with Grant Sorenson right after telling him that she couldn’t get involved with anyone. Alex had been hurt for days after her birthday party when he had surprised her with a strip tease and she had surprised him with bringing her date.

A few weeks later when he had told her he was going out of town, Isabel hadn’t seemed to care. She had wished him well and was sure she would see him when he returned.

“Oh well” he ran a hand through his hair that he had let get longer in the last few months. “It’s time to move on.”

Hitching his book bag higher on his shoulder he made his way to the baggage claim where he knew his parents would be waiting. He just hoped that the time apart from Isabel would dull the constant need for her that he had developed over the years.

*****

Isabel Evans continued to push herself as she jogged through the town hoping to out run the demon of her past life. She was still feeling guilty over the whole Vilandra episode even after she and Max had come to terms with everything.

Running had become a necessity when she realized she had no one to talk to and listen to her. It seemed to help her clear her mind of all the problems her alien half brought her.

As she continued to run, Isabel was not really paying attention to her surroundings until she was near the Crashdown. Out of the corner of her eye something caught her attention and she looked up to see a tall lanky guy walk into the café. The sight of the familiar boy made her come to a dead stop as her heart raced when she realized who it was.

“Alex” she said aloud to herself in wonder of seeing him again.

Automatically she began to remember how loving he had been to her before she had finally pushed him away. He had been her best friend. Someone she could talk to when she had a problem and was the only guy who saw her beauty on the inside as well as the outside.

Isabel had given that up when her mother’s hologram had informed her that she belonged with Michael. Alex had tried to stand by her as long as he could but somewhere after her birthday she had lost him.

Unable to help herself, she looked into the windows of the Crashdown and watched as Liz enveloped Alex in a hug. A few seconds later, Maria joined in as he held his two best friends.

Sighing Isabel turned away from the sight and ran back the way she had come. This time she was hoping to out run the image of Alex as he held her.

*****

“How was Sweden?” Maria asked as she placed a drink in front of Alex

He smiled at his quirky friend, “It was great. I’m really glad I went.”

“Well I’m glad your back. It just hasn’t been the same without you. We really need to start rehearsing soon.”

Alex chuckled, “I do believe that you have been bitten by the bug.”

“Bug?” Maria frowned as she leaned across the counter toward him.

“The stage bug.”

She laughed, “You know me. I want to be a star.”

“So how is everyone?” Alex began to sip his soda realizing that he hadn’t had an orange soda since he left a few months ago.

“Well let’s see.” she held up a finger counting everyone off, “Michael and I are currently ON. So I am both happy and miserable. Liz and Max are still starring into each others eyes and Tess is now living with the Valenti’s.”

Without thinking about it he heard himself ask, “How’s Isabel?”

“Oh, the Ice Princess? She is the same but lately she has gone back to her old self. Very standoffish.”

Alex nodded and set his glass down, “I better get home. I still have a lot of unpacking left to do.”

Maria ran around the counter and wrapped her arms around him, “Don’t leave ever again, okay?”

He smiled down at her knowing that he could never promise her that. One day he hoped to get far away from Roswell and to get on with his life.

*****

That night, Isabel crawled into bed, her body aching from the stress she had put it through while she ran. She could have healed herself and eased the pain but decided that she needed to feel human tonight.

She had pushed herself even harder after seeing Alex that afternoon. Isabel had realized that if she hadn’t ran away from him then she would have ran to him. There was nothing like Alex Whitman’s hugs and right now she could really use one.

Sliding her hand under her pillow she pulled out the worn picture that was constantly there. Isabel’s finger tips itched to touch the familiar lines of Alex’s face and after an internal war gave in and touched it.

“Let me in.” she whispered before shutting her eyes and finding herself in Alex’s dream.

They were surrounded by snow and he was bundled up in a snow suit pacing in front of her. Isabel couldn’t help but admire how the blue of the suit brought out the color of his eyes. She had always thought his eyes were so beautiful and pure. She could always tell what he was thinking just by looking into those orbs.

Pulling her attention away from him she realized he must be dreaming of Sweden. Just as it dawned on her, Isabel’s eyes went back to Alex and once again was struck by how handsome he looked. Her heart quickened and she wanted nothing more but to go to him and reveal herself to him.

She saw him stop pacing and a grin spread across his face. Isabel started to smile back wondering when her dream self would appear as she had done in many of Alex’s dreams. There had been many times that she had needed reassurance that someone cared for her that she had gone to him while he slept.

Isabel’s smile faded away when Alex wrapped his arms around someone that wasn’t her.

‘I thought you would never make it, Leanne.” he led the petite blonde to a bench where they both sat.

“I couldn’t let you leave without saying goodbye.” she smiled up at him while taking his hand in hers.

Isabel was unable to stop the jealousy that clenched in her stomach as she realized that Alex had met someone while he had been away in Sweden.

“I wish I didn’t have to go back.” He sighed.

Leanne nodded, “But you must, Alex. You are needed.”

He shook his head, “They don’t need me. Believe me.”

Isabel felt her heart break at his words. She wanted to tell him that he was important to everyone of them in the group.

“I’m sorry, Alex” Leanne got up from the bench, ‘Thanks for the fun times.”

Alex sat there and watched her go before dropping his head into his hands, “Why does it seem like all my relationships last less than a minute?”

Isabel saw the misery and knew she couldn’t watch anymore. Quickly she tore herself from his dream with a cry, she began sobbing for the heart she had broken and for the love she could have had.

*****

“Alex should be here any minute.” Liz said excitedly as the crowd got ready to surprise him in the Crashdown. Both Maria and she had put together the surprise welcome home party for their male friend and now were just waiting for the guest of honor to arrive.

Not only the Pod Squad was there but also Alex’s band mates and others who wanted to see him. It was spur of the moment planned but the girls had everything from food to music as well as the huge banner that read “WELCOME HOME ALEX!”

Isabel took it all in from her corner wondering what she would say when she finally saw him again. She was still shaken up over the dream and had been unable to think of nothing else but him for the past few days.

“Where is he?” Asked a frantic Maria about twenty minutes later.

Liz looked at her watch for the millionth time, “Maybe I should call and see if he is okay. He told me yesterday when I called that he would come in tonight to visit.”

Isabel frowned wondering where he was. This wasn’t like him to not show up at the Crashdown so she watched as Liz picked up the phone and dialed.

“Hi, Mr Whitman it’s Liz. IS Alex there” She paused and at that moment Isabel wished she had super hearing to know what was being said.

“No he didn’t tell me.” Liz frowned

Isabel arose from her seat and walked closer to the counter wondering what was going on.

“Okay.” Liz sighed and looked over the crowd in the café and gave a shake of her head, “Have him give me a call when he gets back.”

As she hung up the phone, Maria quickly jumped on her friend wanting answers, “Where is he?”

“It seems Alex has gone to California for the weekend. He had an opportunity come up at last minute for him to visit one of the colleges there and he left early this morning. He should be back Sunday evening.”

Maria frowned, “California? He didn’t say anything about going away again.”

Isabel felt her heart trip at hearing that Alex was gone once again.

“That’s not like him.” Max also frowned.

Michael on the other hand shrugged, “Sp what now? We have all this food and people.”

Liz looked around decided to go ahead with the party since everyone was already there. Isabel didn’t stick around to hear the announcement or the party. The only reason she had come was no longer a reason to stay.

Instead she walked home thinking about Alex and the fact that he was planning to go far away at the end of the school year.

*****

Monday morning Alex woke up still groggy from the late night he had . The flight back from California had been later than what he had been expecting and now he had to get up for school.

He was still somewhat surprised that he had been asked to come up for a visit at the last minute. One day he was getting off the plane from Sweden and two days later he was getting back on the plane and heading to the West coast.

Deciding to jump in the shower in hope that it would wake up some more brain cells, Alex thought more about his recent trip.

The weekend away had definitely reaffirmed to him that there was life outside of Roswell and it was so much different. No spying, no running and definitely no aliens or heartache. He had a decision to make and he had a feeling that he had already made it.

*****

Isabel pretended to look through her locker for something when in fact she kept glancing over at Alex’s locker. She had yet to see him all day and she wanted nothing more than just to get a glimpse of him just to make sure he was okay.

She knew he was there at school since Liz and Maria had told the group at lunch that they had spoken to him in their math class. Once Alex had learned about the party he had been very apologetic but had been tight lipped when it came to his trip to California.

Maria had been upset and wanted to go find Alex and make him tell her what was going on. Max and Michael had stopped her by reassuring her that this was Alex. Loyal and trustworthy Alex who would always be there.

Isabel though knew the truth. Yes, he was loyal and trustworthy but so was a dog. Alex was not a dog and he was tired of being treated like one by his friends. Plus, he had been hurt one too many times by her and she knew that one day he would no longer be there.

Finally she saw him at his locker Isabel view some what blocked from all the students leaving the school for the day. Even with the crowd she could see his tall frame above the rest as he opened his locker.

She watched as he paused looking at the pictures on the door. Isabel knew that they were candid pictures of her and it made her smile that he was looking them over. Her smile quickly vanished when he began removing those same pictures and shoving them into the bottom of his book bag.

Isabel realized that he was systematically removing her from his life as well as any mementos he had. Not able to bare seeing him do this she turned and quickly fled the school.

*****

It was days later that Alex and Isabel finally were in the same room together. Sheriff Valenti had called a meeting at his house to warn the teenagers about some government officials that were doing some test near the cave that held the alien’s pods.

Max was fairly certain that no one beside the four of them could find the entrance of the cave but everyone still felt uneasy with the possibility. Michael threw out the idea of going out there and keeping an eye on the situation for a few days.

They had all readily agreed except for Alex who remained quiet and allowed the group to speak. No one noticed except for Isabel who was also quiet.

“If we are going to do this we need to do it in shifts and partner up.” Max said looking over the group.

“We also need a cover story in case we are caught,” Liz pointed out, “So let’s do what we always do and pair off the Alien’s with the humans.”

Alex frowned knowing who exactly he would get paired off with and knew it meant trouble for him.

“Sounds good. Liz is with me. Michael and Maria.” Max looked at the remaining four, “Tess with Kyle and Isabel you are with Alex.”

Isabel nodded but her eyes were on Alex wondering if he would protest or leave. It took him a moment but finally he nodded as well once again proving how loyal he was to the group.

“Let’s draw numbers to see who goes first.” Maria said grabbing a pen and paper. After tearing up four strips and writing the numbers on the she grabbed the sheriffs hat, ‘Humans draw”

Liz drew and read out the number 4 then Maria drew the number 2. Kyle drew the 3 leaving Alex with the number 1.

“Okay let’s get you two some camping equipment.” The Sheriff said before disappearing to the garage.

Alex couldn’t believe his luck tonight. He would be doing two things that he had hoped never to do again. Spy and be alone with Isabel Evans.

After a quick planning session they packed up the jeep with a tent, sleeping bags and cooler of food and drinks before driving away from the Valenti house.

*****

Isabel and Alex did not say a word as they headed into the desert. The silence was due to the fact that neither one of them knew what to say to the other. Once they did arrive at the spot that they could see the cave they only spoke when they needed to. Things such as:

“Let’s put the tent here” “Where are the binoculars?” “Would you like something from the cooler?”

Then they sat by the small fire that Isabel started hoping to keep warm in the cool desert night air. After 10 minutes of quiet she couldn’t take anymore.

“So Alex how was Sweden?”

“It was good.”

“That’s good.” although he answered her his focus was on the night sky, “I’m sorry I didn’t write back. I did get all of your letters and post cards up until about 3 weeks before you returned. Then they just stopped.”

Alex nodded and looked over at her, “That’s because I quit sending them.”

Isabel’s stomach clenched at his words but she nodded in understanding, “I would have responded but so much was happening that I never got around to it.” Even to her it sounded like a flimsy excuse.

Once again Alex nodded and returned to stargazing. He was so quiet for so long that she thought he had forgotten that she was there until he started to speak again.

“I remember the first time I saw you on the school play ground. We were eight years old and I thought you were the prettiest girl I had ever seen. Just being near you made me happy.” he sighed loudly lost in the memory, “Over the years your beauty kept growing and with it so did my feelings for you. But it wasn’t just your outside beauty I saw. I knew there was more to you than what everyone else saw. More than the Ice Princess persona you put on.”

Isabel could feel the tears form in her eyes at his words and she wished she could wrap her arms around him and let him comfort her but she remained there listening to him.

“I was happy to be your friend and then for those 24 hours I was over joyed at being your boyfriend.” Alex ran a hand across the back of his neck massaging the muscles there as he continued looking up, “My trip to Sweden helped me realize something, Isabel.”

His eyes turned to her then, “I now know that we will never be together and that you will always be the unattainable woman that I could have loved.”

She could no longer hold the tears back as they streamed silently down her cheeks. At that moment Isabel realized that she had lost Alex, the only man who knew her totally on the inside and out. She had brought this on herself and she had no one else to blame for her own heartache.

It took her a few moments but finally she said, “Okay. If that’s what you want, Alex.”

He looked her over and almost let himself give in to his real desire. He decided to remain strong and steal himself from her, “What I want and what is best are two different things, Isabel.”

“So you are leaving Roswell when you graduate?”

Alex almost didn’t answer her but decided to let her know, “I’ve been looking at Berkley in California”

“Berkley is a very good school.” she said as she brushed her tears from her cheeks.

“What about you? Where will you be going after graduation?”

Isabel shrugged, “I have looked at a few schools. I have the chance of graduating early but Max has put his foot down on that.”

‘What do you mean?” Alex frowned wondering why she hadn’t jumped at the chance to leave Roswell.

“I mean he put up a fight when he found out and told me that I could not leave. He was adamant that we remain together.”

Alex couldn’t believe Max would be so demanding over his sister and that she would allow him to do so, “Is it really his decision?”

She let out a dry chuckle, “Since he found out that he was the king there hadn’t been much democracy about it.”
Alex looked at her and realized that she had been going through her own personal hell recently. He wished he could draw her into his arms and erase the pain but knew that it would be him who would wind up hurt in the end.

As they sat there starring at each other both heard the sound of something coming toward them. Alex’s eyes met Isabel’s and silently communicated their course of action. He stood up and waved Isabel over to the open sleeping bag for her to slide in and then he followed her.

“Who is it, Alex?” Isabel whispered against his ear as he wrapped his arms around her. Noticing that she was where she wanted to be Isabel wasn’t sure if her heart was pounding so hard because of the footsteps or because she was in his arms.

“Sh.” Alex said before doing what he said he would never do and pressed his lips to hers.

The kiss was supposed to be fake so that the trespasser would think they were just a couple of kids making out in the desert, but soon as their lips touched something seemed to snap inside and they both were drawn in deeper.

Soon they forgot about the sound of footsteps and just concentrated on the sounds that arose from the passions that they were stirring in each other. Thought fled from them as Alex’s hands found the hem of her shirt and slipped under to caress the bare skin of her back. Isabel sighed as his lips wandered down her throat but before they could make contact to her collarbone they both became aware pf the sound of a throat being cleared.

Alex looked up to find a man dressed in army fatigues standing by their camp fire. Both he and Isabel sat up in the sleeping bag, her arms still wrapped tightly around him.

“What are you kids doing out here?” the soldier asked but by the look in his eye Alex knew he already had a pretty good idea.

“My girlfriend and I were looking for some place to be alone.” Alex said glancing around to make sure the guy was alone.

Isabel felt her heart speed up at his words. She really liked it when he called her his girlfriend and right then she decided that she was determined to really be that for him.

“How long you two staying?” The man asked taking in the situation.

“Just tonight.” Alex frowned, “Is something wrong? Why is the military out here?”

Seeing nothing wrong in telling the two high school students the soldier informed them, “Just doing a few maneuvers here in the desert. Since the war in the Middle East the government thought it would be good if we had some desert training.” he shrugged, “We will be out of here in a few days.”

The couple nodded both a lot relieved to find out that the government still had no idea where their pods were. Finally the soldier told them good night and vanished into the desert.

Isabel finally let out the breath she hadn’t known she was holding in, “Do you think he’s gone?” she whispered to him.

Alex held up his hand before crawling out of the sleeping bag and picking up the binoculars. Isabel missed his warmth the minute he left her side, but she stayed in the bag as he used the glasses.

“He is heading back to his camp. I don’t think we’ll be bothered again tonight.”

Isabel nodded and watched him gather more wood and placed it on the fire all the while not looking at her. Before she could say anything he started to speak.

“Um...I’m sorry that the kiss got out of hand, Isabel.” Alex kept his back to her as he stoked the fire.

“I’m not.’ she whispered starring at him.

Alex turned and looked at her with a confused look, “Your not?”

Isabel shook her head and decided to take the plunge knowing that Alex was worth any risk, ‘There are a lot of things I’m sorry for, Alex. The way I have treated you is one of them but I am not sorry for that kiss. It was the most beautiful experience because I could feel how much you still loved me in that kiss.”

Alex didn’t deny her words knowing his love foor her would always be there, ‘I do love you, Isabel. But my love is not enough.”

Isabel climbed out of the sleeping bag, “Don’t I have any say in your decision?”

He watched as she walked over to him and then kneeled on the ground in front on him so that they were eye to eye, “Don’t I get to tell you how I feel? I have been so afraid to say it but I know I can’t let you go without you knowing.”

Isabel took a breath and went for broke, “I love you, Alex Charles Whitman. I have known since that morning I came to your house and kissed you.”

Alex frowned again, ‘You love me?”

She nodded and touched his chin, “I was so afraid to tell you how I felt and let you in. I didn’t want to make any ties with you or the others in case we ever went back home. But somehow you slid beneath my defenses and took my heart.”

“Why now?” he asked quietly.

‘Because I couldn’t stand to lose you and not tell you how I really felt.”

Alex took Isabel’s hand and looked into her eyes seeing the truth there and knowing he could never deny her anything even his love. He pulled her to him and wrapped her in his arms for a long hug.

‘I guess then there is nothing else we can do.” he sighed against her ear.

Isabel pulled back to look at him worriedly. She didn’t understand what he meant so he explained.

‘We are going to love each other for the rest of our lives.” he stated before pressing his lips to her to seal their fate.

Isabel wrapped her arms around him and sighed his name against his lips. She was finally happy. Her home was in the arms of Alex Whitman and she planned to stay there for the next 60 years.


The End

[KaraGail]

A/N Another little short story I wrote. Thanks as always to Trude for her constant encouragement I'm not sure if I will continue this story but who knows?

Guiding Cupid

By: Kara Gail

"Disclaimer: The characters of "Roswell" belong to Jason Katims, Melinda Metz, WB, and UPN. They are not mine and no infringement is intended."

Category: Alex and Isabel

Rating: Teen

Summary: Alex and Isabel work to get the other couples back together. Sorry no Kyle and Tess this time.

Part 1/1

Isabel Evans was currently sitting in one of the back boothsin crowded Crashdown with her brothers, Max and Michael. It was her custom, along with her brothers and many other students from their highschool, to hang out here after school. Most of the sudents came to socialize with others and have a good time, while the three aliens had their own agendas.

Max and Michael were sereptiously watching the two young waitress', Maria and Liz, as they took orders and delivered them. The girls had once been their girlfriends but were torn apart by circumstance. Both boys were effected differently from the break ups. Max went into a state of gloom and constantly wondering what he had done to push Liz away and into the arms of another man. Michael had just learned to avoid Maria when he could just so he would not have to hear another tirade on how he had been a poor excuse for a boyfriend. But even with their feelings all a jumble, and their love lives in shambles, they still came everyday to the diner to watch their girls.

Isabel also came to the Crashdown to watch someone and be near them. But unlike her brothers, her desire was a secret , that no one would have suspected. No one but she knew who exactly filled her thoughts and heart. Even now, while sitting with her brothers, her attention was currently focused on the tall, dark haired boy, that sat at the counter with his back toward them drinking his usual Orange Soda. Alex Whitman.

She still recalled that late night two months ago when she crawled through his window only to spend most of the evening pouring her heart to him. She had felt like she would burst if she didn’t talk to someone and she had known that he would always be there for her as he had been so many times before.Alex had pulled her into his arms and held her to him and offered comforting words to reassure her that everything would work out.

His words of encouragement and his constant love had made her heart swell with joy and, not knowing what possessed her, Isabel lifted her head from his shoulder and pressed her lips to his. Instantly they both seemed to experienced the connection that Max and Liz had described so many times from their own forms of intamacy.

Isabel had been able to see through his eyes the first time he saw her in elementary school as well as a few other flashes of herself over the years. In those few moments, she had come to realize how much Alex had truly loved her.

Pulling back she looked him in the eyes and said, “I want to try.”

Alex frowned in confusion, “Try what, Isabel?”

“Us” she smiled and caressed his cheek with her finger tips, “I’m ready to give us a try and let you in.”

It took a moment for Alex to process her words as he sat their stunned but then a grin split his face. Quickly he had pulled her back to him for a more thorough and passionate kiss. They had spent the rest of the night just holding each other and coming to terms with the idea of "them."

Isabel was brought back from the memory of that amazing night but could not seem to drag her eyes from Alex. A small sigh escaped her as she recalled the reason why he was over there and she was at the table with her brothers pretending he didn't exist.

At the start of their relationship they had decided to keep it a secret in order for the others not to interfere and for them to come to terms with their feeling for each other. But even as they grew more and more sure of those feeling the other 2 couples seemed to fall apart in front of their eyes.

So instead of flaunting their relationship in front of their miserable friends they had decided to keep it hidden and hope that they would find their way back to each other. After three months, Isabel was starting to worry that maybe her friends would never get back together.

With another inaudible sigh she turned back to her brothers and pretended to be interested in their conversation. All the while she physically aware of her boyfriend only a few feet away.


Alex had felt Isabel’s eyes on him and he knew that her thoughts were echoing his own. During the last two months it had crept up quite frequently in their conversations with each other. But then they would see one of their friends and it would reaffirm their need for secrecy.

He hated that they were sneaking around to be with each other. Going out on dates outside of town and accidently meeting each other at the movies or library was getting old fast for them both. All though he had to admit he did enjoy the time they spent in the eraser room at school.

Looking over his shoulder at her, Alex was once again struck, as he always was, by her beauty. He still could not believe that she had chosen him to trust and let in pass her defenses.

Since that night she had opened up so much to him, they had been able to talk about anything and everything. They had grown comfortable with each other and life was going great for them. Except for the fact that he was unable to shout it from the roofs that he was in love with Isabel Evans.

Glancing down at his watch he realized it was getting late so he looked up and called out to Liz and Maria, “I got to get home and do some homework. See you at school tomorrow.”

With a wave of his hand at them he stood from his stool, turning he caught Isabel’s eye and gave her a small nod before he left the diner to begin the walk home.

Seeing his nod Isabel knew that she couldn’t go any longer without being with Alex, if only for a few minutes. She quickly slipped from the booth and told her brother’s goodbye before following the object of her affection out the door.

It didn’t take long for her to catch up with his long stride and to fall into an easy pace beside him. Alex didn’t seem surprised that she was there but instead he just smiled at her and continued to walk.

Soon they found themselves walking through the park only to stop when they came upon a grove of trees that concealed them from prying eyes. Without a word they fell into each others arms as their lips met in a kiss that left them both breathless.

Finally, when they were in need of oxygen, both pulled back to look at each other with huge smiles on their faces.

“Missed me?” Alex joked as he pulled her tighter against him.

Isabel nodded before pressing kisses along his neck, “It’s getting harder to sneak around.”

He agreed with her, “So do we tell everyone?”

She sighed and leaned back in his brace to look him in the eyes. Isabel never got tired of looking into those gorgeous twinkling green eyes, “I want to so badly, Alex.”

He nodded as he rubbed a hand in a comforting caress across her back, “I just hate seeing them so unhappy. I wish there was something we could do to bring them back together again.”

Isabel frowned and then cried out as an idea hit her, “That’s it, Alex! That’s our solution!”

It was his turn to frown at her in confusion, “What is?”

“We need to get them back together, “She jumped up and down with excitement.

Alex couldn’t help himself and chuckled at her antics. She was just so cute in her excitement.”How do we accomplish that?”

“Easy.” she smiled at him and he almost melted into a puddle right at her feet. He often felt this way when she would turn those pearly whites in his direction, “We are going to play cupid.”

“Hmmm. I don’t know how I would look in my underwear while toting a bow and arrow.” Alex joked and laughed.

Isabel reached out and caressed his chest with her hand. She could actually feel when his heart raced at her gentle touch, “I would think you would look adorable.”

He blushed at her remark, not knowing how to respond back to it. She chuckled at Alex before continuing, “All we need is a plan and then we get them back together. Once that’s accomplished then we will finally go public.”

“Okay.” he finally managed to say to her, “Let’s get them back together. I can’t wait to be able to hold your hand in public.”

Isabel smiled whiled wrapping her arm around his neck and pulling him closer, “As long as we are still doing this in private I will be one happy girl.”

Their lips found their way back to each other and this time it was a long time before they came up for air.

*****


Alex waited at his locker knowing that both Maria and Liz would soon meet him. Prom was only a week away and he and Isabel were still trying to get the others back together and happy but so far no opportunity seemed to present itself.

In the meantime he had gotten his tux and Isabel had hinted that he would absolutely love the dress that she had picked for the special occasion. They both had come to the agreement that if the others were not back together before the dance then they would just go ahead and reveal their secret to everyone and worry about the consequences later.

‘Hey Alex” Liz smiled as she headed toward him, “You coming to the Crashdown tonight?”

He nodded and shut his locker door, “Aren’t we all their after school?”

Liz sighed and closed her eyes, “It wouldn’t be so bad if Max didn't show up everyday.”

“So what’s going on with you two? One minute you are starring into each others eyes and then the next your avoiding each other like the plague.”

She shrugged.

“You still love him don’t you?” he prompted her.

Liz nodded and whispered so that he had to strain to hear her, “I’ve never stopped and I don’t think I ever will.”

“Then you need to talk with him and work whatever this is out.”

She looked down not meeting his eyes, ‘It’s not that easy, Alex. We just can’t be together.”

He frowned at the sadness that he heard in her voice and he realized that their was something more than what she was saying . There was something that was keeping Max and Liz from being together.

“What’s going on, Liz? What secret are you keeping now?”

Liz looked up at him surprised that he had guessed that there was something that she was keeping from them. Although she should have known that Alex knew her so well that sooner or later he would have realized that something was up.

Glancing around the crowded hallway she sighed, “Let’s not talk here, okay?”

Alex nodded, “let’s go out to the bleachers.”


An hour later, Alex knew the whole story about Future Max and the reason behind her sudden break up with the present Max, “So you are giving up your happiness because of this?”

Liz nodded, ‘I can’t be the reason for the destruction of so many lives, Alex.”

“And so you had Max catch you in bed with Kyle?” Alex asked incredulously.

“It was the only way to get him to give up on the idea of us.” Liz brushed her dark hair from her face, “Don’t you see that I had no choice?”

Alex remained quiet for a moment before speaking, “you know you may have changed the future, Liz, but what kind of future will it be? I mean with your decision you could have sped up the process or created something even more unthinkable.” he took her hand in his, “No one knows the future, Liz. I believe that we change our future every day by the choices we make so whose to say that because of the knowledge you now possess that you would make the same ones?” Alex shook his head, “I don’t think you have to give up Max because of this, Liz. If you talk to him and tell him the future changes again.”

Liz nodded knowing her friend made sense but she was also scared to find out, “I just don’t think I can take that chance, Alex.”

He sighed and ran a hand frustratingly through his hair, “I never thought of you as a coward, Liz. So go fight for what you want.”

*****

Isabel looked longingly at the prom poster wondering what would happen when she entered the dance on the arm of her boyfriend. She smiled as she remembered the dream she had entered a few nights before of Alex’s and found him dreaming about that very thing. He was just as anxious as she was to finally come out about their relationship.

“What are you smiling about?” Michael frowned as he walked up to her before noticing what she was looking at, “So who is the lucky guy who is taking you to that shinding?”

She shrugged her shoulders making no comment then asking him, “Are you going to ask Maria?”

“Hell no!’ he barked at her before looking contrite and running a hand through his messy hair.

“Why not Michael? I know you really care for Maria and for some reason she cares for you too.”

“You know we said we would not get involved with the humans.” he whispered to her in the crowded hallway.

“Forget about that, Michael.” she shook her head trying not to think how she had broken that rule months ago, “They are already involved. We can’t go back and change that day in the Crashdown. I don’t think I would want to because that incident brought us three of the most loyal friends who would protect our secret.”

Michael gave a short nod, “Yeah and what have we given them in return? Nothing but heartache.”

“That’s what relationships are, Michael. Every couple has their ups and downs and especially you and Maria. But just think about all those good times that you do spend together. The bad times are worth it just to get to the good stuff.” Isabel hoped she got through to her big lunk headed brother.

Michael looked at the prom picture again before letting out a sigh, “Even if I wanted to ask her I couldn’t.”

“Why not?” she asked frustrated. Isabel had really thought she had convinced him to go for it with her feisty petite friend.

He mumbled something as he turned away from her causing her to frown, “What did you say?”

“I said I don’t know how to dance.” he whispered again to her.

Isabel felt her face light up as she realized that this was something she could definitely fix, “No problem we can take care of that.”

Michael turned and looked at her, “Your serious?”

She nodded, “You ask Maria to the prom and I will teach you some basic dance steps to get you through the night.”

He looked up at the poster before coming to a decision, “You got a deal.”

*****

Alex stood in the flower shop trying to decided on the right flower for Isabel’s corsage. It took him awhile to settle on the three roses with baby breaths as well as the boutonniere for himself. He had a feeling that whatever Isabel was wearing when he picked her up would knock him off his feet so he knew he needed to make the right choices in the one task he was provided.

As he was waiting for his purchase to be arranged, Alex looked up to see Max walk in and for the usual somber Alien he was unbelievably happy. It didn’t take long for Isabel’s brother to spot him and come up to the register.

“Hey Alex. What are you doing here?”

“Last minute things for the prom.” Alex said vaguely not wanting his girlfriends boyfriend to ask anymore questions, ‘How about you?”

Max smiled again, “I asked Liz to the prom and she said yes.”

Alex returned the smile thinking that maybe his pep talk had worked, “That’s great, Max!”

The alien king nodded as he glanced at the flowers, “I still can’t believe that she agreed.”

“So you talked?”

Again he nodded as Max picked up an orchid and took in it’s exotic scent, “Yes and we talked for a long time which ended with me asking her to the dance.”

Alex smiled, “Well that’s great news for you both.”

He just couldn’t wait to tell Isabel the news. Two down, Two to go.

*****

Isabel met Alex at the park in their spot and after a brief but passionate kiss he told her about running into Max at the flower shop.

She hugged him in happiness, ‘We did it!”

Alex grinned at her enthusiasm, “Now all we have to do is get Michael and Maria together.”

“Done.” she smiled coyly at him.

‘Done? What do you mean?”

“Exactly that.” Isabel wrapped her arms around him just loving the feeling of being so close to him, “I spoke with Michael. Made a deal. Now he is asking Maria to the prom.”

Alex frowned, “What deal?”

“It wasn’t a bribe, sweetie. I just agreed to teach him how to dance so that he could ask her.”

Alex couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “You are teaching Michael?”

Isabel nodded, “Just some basic steps. We are meeting this afternoon at his apartment.”

“This afternoon?” at her nod he looked down at his watch, “I guess that doesn’t leave us much time together.”

She shook her head in disappointment but held on to the hope that after tomorrow they could be together anytime with none of the sneaking around.

Alex nodded before wrapping his arms back around her, “Then I say we make the most of the time we do have.”

Isabel couldn’t help but agree as he pulled her into one of his mind altering kisses that left her clinging to him for support.

*****

Liz and Maria were at the mall later that evening looking for last minute prom dresses. They were both excited since just a few days ago they had been planning to stay in that night watching movies and stuffing their faces with ice cream.

“Can you believe that Michael Guerin asked me to the prom?”Maria giggled

“I know and Max and I are going together.” Liz smiled at her best friend still surprised with how everything was turning out, ‘I am so glad that Alex talked me into speaking to Max.”

Maria nodded, “You were holding a lot in, Chica.”

For the next half hour they went through rack after rack of dresses until they finally found the perfect ones to compliment their perfect night with their guys.

“So how did you get Michael to ask you?” Liz wondered as they headed back to Maria’s car their arms loaded down with their purchases.

“Actually it was Isabel.”

“Isabel?” Liz frowned as she looked over at Maria.

“Seems they had a talk and she convinced him that he was being a jerk.”

The brunette laughed, “She’s good if she convinced him of that.”

Maria nodded thoughtfully, “Remind me to ask her how she did it for future reference.”

“So Alex and Isabel both had a hand in our happiness?”

“Yep” Maria opened the car for them and after putting their bags in the back seat they drove from the mall.

Liz sat quietly for a few minutes deep in thought, “Do you know who Alex and Isabel are going to the prom with?”

Maria looked over at Liz and shook her head, “I really haven’t seen either one too much lately.”

“Well I hate to think that they are unhappy while we reap the benefits of their match making."

“I guess we will see tomorrow at the prom.”


*****

Isabel sat at her vanity in her room as she finished pulling her hair into the up sweep style that she knew Alex would love. He had a fondness for her neck and tonight she planned to give him plenty opportunity for placing his lips there.

“So what do you think?” Max called from her open door and she turned to find him standing there in his tux.

“You look very nice, Max” She smiled at him so happy to see him excited about the coming night, “Liz will love you.”

Max blushed hoping his sister was right. He truly wanted to make the night memorable for the girl he loved, “So....I never asked who you were going with?”

Isabel smiled again but this time mysteriously as she returned to her vanity, “You will see at prom.”

Max stood there for a moment debating whether he should press his sister for more information. Finally he gave a short nod letting her have this secret. He just hoped that Isabel hadn’t agreed to go with some brainless jock, “Well I’m off to pick up Liz and do the picture thing with her parents.”

Isabel laughed knowing that in less than an hour she would be going through the same torture with her own parents, “See you later then.”

He gave a wave of his hand before leaving her to finish primping in the mirror. He knew his sister and it would take her hours to get everything perfect before she would step outside of the house.

Once her brother left Isabel got up from her chair and made her way to her bedside. Opening the drawer to her night stand she found one of her most treasured items. A picture of Alex and herself that they had taken a few months ago on a spur of the moment picnic in the desert. He had set the camera on a timer and they had wrapped their arms around each other while gazing into each others eyes.

She had hidden the picture only pulling it out on occasion and before bed each night. Now after tonight and the prom she would keep it by her bedside for always.

Half an hour later she was finished dressing and just about to step into her satin heels when the door bell rang. Her heart raced with the knowledge that Alex had finally arrived and this was the moment they had been waiting for. Once the door opened and her parents saw who her date was their secret would no longer be hidden in the shadows.

She gave herself one more check in the mirror before grabbing her small purse and walked down the stairs. Nearly half way down she over heard Alex in the living room making small talk with her parents but once he sensed her presence he turned toward her.

Alex was blown away by her beauty as he saw her standing on the last step. She was wearing a strapless red dress that hugged every curve of her body, “Wow!”

Isabel chuckled at his response before moving toward him and pressing a kiss to his lips as he stood their still stunned. At that exact moment she heard the camera flash and pulled back to look at her smiling parents, “MOM!”

Seeing her expression caused Alex to chuckle as he wrapped his arm around her. For the next ten minutes they spent in every pose imaginable for the camera before he slipped the corsage onto her wrist. He knew he had picked the right flowers when she began to gush about how pretty they were.

Finally they were allowed to leave as he took her hand, wrapped it in the crook of his elbow, and escorted her outside. There sitting on the curb was a white stretch limo waiting just for them.

“Your chariot awaits, my lady.” He whispered as he guided the stunned Isabel down the steps and to the open door of the car where the chauffeur waited.

Isabel giggled with happiness as she climbed in followed by Alex. When the door shut they were finally alone and he brought her hand to his lips.

“You look so beautiful.”

She reached up and straightened his tie, “You look quit dashing yourself in that tux.”

Alex leaned over and placed his lips over hers for a slow lingering kiss. When he pulled back he smiled at her, “Are you ready for this?”

Isabel leaned her forehead against his knowing what he was referring too, “”I am so ready.”

He lifted her head and looked into her eyes, ‘I love you, Isabel Evans.”

She let out a small gasp at his heartfelt words. Many times over the last few months they had hinted at their feeling for each other but neither had come out and admitted it. Slowly she smiled and caressed her fingers across his cheek.

“I love you too, Alex Whitman.”

He hadn’t realized he had been holding his breath until he released a long sigh and smiled with happiness. Isabel Evans loved him. Right then he could have jumped for joy.

Instead he watched her reach over to the consol and press the button to raise the divider between them and the driver. It would be some time before they would say anything else to each other.

*****

A few hours later after a dinner at one of the nicest restaurants in Roswell and a make out session in the back of the limo, Isabel and Alex finally arrived at the school gymnasium. They were both excited but a little nervous about their public “coming out”.

Inside, Liz and Maria sat talking with their dates both smiling with happiness over being with the one they cared for. Both of them had arrived at the same time and had instantly congregated at a empty table to talk about each other’s dress’ and the guys tuxes while Michael and Max went to get them all punch.

Returning Max set his dates drink in front of her and glanced around the crowded room, “Has anyone seen Isabel?”

Michael frowned as he sat down beside Maria, “Who is bringing her?”

The other 3 shrugged as he looked at each of them. None of them had heard who the tall bloonde would be with tonight. They all just hoped it wasn’t some guy who would just use her for arm candy.

A murmur arose above the music and all four of them turned to see what was causing the commotion. From what they could tell someone was causing quite a stir at the entrance to the gymnasium.

“Who is it?” Liz asked as she rose from her chair hoping to catch a glimpse through the throng of people.

“Oh My God!” Maria cried loudly, her eyes widening at the sight before her.

Standing together just inside the entrance, with huge smiles plastered on their faces and holding hands, was Alex and Isabel.

Max couldn’t help the chuckle that passed through his lips, “I guess we now know who they are going to the prom with.”

*****

Alex and Isabel felt everyone’s eyes on them as they entered the room. Their hearts raced in anticipation as they stood their glorying in their “coming out.”

Isabel scanned the crowd finally spotting their friends who also were watching them, “Over there.”

Alex smiled as she gripped his hand tighter and pulled him alongside of her as they made their way through the crowd. He was a little nervous about what their friends reaction would be but knew in the end they would be happy for them.

“Hey” Isabel smiled as she came up to the table happy to see that Alex and her matchmaking attempts had actually worked and they were all together again.

“Hi” Maria grinned up at the standing couple almost bursting with questions that she wanted to ask. Instead she, along with the other three, continued to sit there in silence waiting for an explanation.

Alex hadn’t seemed to notice the stares from everyone when they had walked in a few minutes earlier, but now with their friends eyes on them, Alex had never felt more uncomfortable. Sensing his distress, Isabel leaned closer to him and wrapped a protective arm around his waist. He couldn’t help the smile that spilt his face when he felt her give him a small comforting squeeze.

“Sooo.” Liz started as she watched the couples interplay with each other, “When did this happen?”

Isabel’s face lit up once again as her heart filled with pride over being Alex’s girlfriend, “A few months ago.”

Max frowned, “A few months ago? You mean you have kept your relationship with Alex a secret for the last few months?”

She stiffened at the harshness of her brother’s tone causing Alex to wrap his own arm protectively across her shoulders. She knew that there would be questions and that she and Alex would have to answer but Isabel was hoping that maybe she could put it off for the night and just enjoy being with her friends and boyfriend. “Alex and I have been dating secretly for about three months.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Maria finally questioned looking at her male friend for answers.

Alex sighed, “At first it was because we wanted to see if a relationship would actually work between us. We didn’t want outside influences to come between us when everything was still new and fragile.”

Isabel looked over at him and gave a secretive smile as she thought of those first few weeks together. They had talked about anything and everything for hours while they spent any free moment they had together.

“Then you guys broke up and became all miserable that we didn’t feel like it was right to flaunt our happiness in front of you.” she smiled, “so we schemed and got you back together.”

They were all surprised to hear Michael laugh out loud, “That sounds just like you, Iz. You can’t be happy until everyone else is.”

Alex also chuckled, “For awhile there we were afraid getting you four together was near impossible. But we had decided if you weren’t together by tonight we would tell you anyway.”

Liz arose from her chair and place a kiss on Alex’s cheek, “I’m so happy for you.” she turned and gave Isabel a hug as well.

It didn’t take long for Maria to also jump up and give the couple her congratulations in hugs and gave a jab to Michael’s shoulder to get him to do the same. Max was the only one who stood their quietly seeming upset still over the whole episode. Alex was the one who broke the silence.

“Listen let’s not get into this anymore tonight. Let’s just enjoy the prom and our time together. There is enough time later for questions.”

Max looked at his sister and Alex noticing how they both seemed protective of the other. There was no way he would be able to say or do anything to them tonight, “Okay, but this doesn’t let you off the hook.”

Isabel smiled at her friends before taking Alex’s hand back in hers and looking him in the eyes, “Let’s dance”

Alex nodded, gave a wave goodbye to the others, and followed Isabel to the center of the dance floor where they fell effortlessly into each others arms. She rested her chin on his shoulder as they held each other tight in the middle of the crowded floor, swaying to the soft romantic music playing.

“Well that went well.” Alex murmured against her ear a few minutes later.

Isabel gave a slight nod as she looked over his shoulder at their friends who were still at the table, “I am just happy to finally let everyone know we are together.”

“You know...” he started as he pulled her closer, “now that we are in a crowd, I just want to be alone with you.”

She chuckled and rubbed a hand down his back in a caress, “I feel the same”

Alex pulled back slightly to look into her eyes, “So what do you say we get our picture take, dance to a few more songs and then get out of here?”

“I say that sounds perfect” Isabel whispered before leaning in to him and pressing her lips to his. As the kiss deepened the crowd around them seemed to disappear until it was just the two of them.

The End?

[KaraGail]

Just The Way You Are

By: KaraGail

"Disclaimer: The characters of "Roswell" belong to Jason Katims, Melinda Metz, WB, and UPN. They are not mine and no infringement is intended."

Category: Alex and Isabel

Rating: Teen

Setting: This is an AU fic. The idea came from a late night viewing of Grease 2. I liked the idea of this girl falling for a guy behind these dark shades and not really knowing who he was. So out of that came this story. Hope you enjoy!!

Part 1

The bell over the Crashdown door sounded, causing Liz Parker to look up from where she was wiping down the counter to find her best friend, Alex Whitman, entering. He was wearing a smile that split his face wide and caused her own smile to appear and wonder what had gotten him all excited.

“Hi Alex” Liz watched her tall lanky friend make his way to the counter and sit down on his favorite stool. “What can I get for you?”

“Orange soda on the rocks, my dear lady.” He slapped his palm against the counter.

Liz chuckled at his antics and quickly got him his drink. “Okay, tell me what has you in this great mood.”

Alex wasn’t surprised that his friend knew he had something to say. They had known each other forever and there were no secrets between them, “Is Maria here?”

Liz nodded and rolled her eyes “She’s in the kitchen with Michael.” She turned and yelled into the window “Maria Get out here ”

Soon after, Maria came through the swinging door straightening her apron over her alien theme uniform. “What’s the problem? I was a little busy” She pouted as she stopped beside Liz. Her boyfriend, Michael Guerin, happened to be the cook and she often spent her free time with him in the kitchen.

“Alex has something he wants to tell us.”

Maria looked at her male friend and could see the excitement in his face making her curious. “What is it?”

“Well you know how we thought The Whits would disband after everyone but me graduated last year?” he waited for both the girls to nod. “Dave, the drummer, met this guy who owns a club over near the University campus and wants us to play this Friday night.”

“What? ” Both girls screamed and ran around the counter. They all three jumped for joy and hugged each other before settling in a nearby empty booth to discuss the news.

“So your first gig is Friday?” Liz quizzed with a frown, ”Not a lot of time to prepare.”

Alex grimaced at the thought “I am a little scared. I haven’t been on stage in a long time and plus the manager of the club doesn’t know that I’m only 18. Dave lied to the owner and told him that we were all College students.” he shook his head, “Do you think I pass for a 21 year old?”

Maria looked at him critically before shaking her head, “You dress like you are still in high school with those baggy shorts and button up shirts.” she began to smile, “This means we need to take you shopping for some decent clothes ”

Alex groaned. Maria and Liz had always nagged him about his choice of clothes but he thought they were comfortable and liked them. Then he saw their eager faces and knew he wouldn’t be able to get out of this. Somehow he had just got roped into spending hours at the mall getting a make over by his two best friends.

He tried one more stalling tactic before he gave in, “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

“Nothing is wrong with them, Sweetie. We just need to make you look older instead of the teenager that you are. You are going to be playing in a college club, Alex. You need to dress a little differently.”

Liz nodded in agreement “Don’t worry, Alex. After we are done with you no one will even ask how old you are.”

Alex sighed, “Okay if we are going to do this then we have to keep it a secret.” He raised an eyebrow at the girls “we can’t let anyone else know that I’m doing this. You know how this town can get with the gossip. If one person finds out then everyone will know in a matter of days. It will be safer if this stays between us and the guys in the band.”

Maria groaned knowing how hard keeping a secret was for her “I can’t tell Michael?”

Alex shook his head “We need to keep it between the three.” He held up his pinky “Let’s pinky swear that it will not go any further than this table.”

Both girls reluctantly put there pinky around each others and made their childhood pact knowing that nothing would break there pledge and this would become just another of their secrets that they would keep for life. It may have been childish but it was something none of them would ever break.

Alex went to get out of the booth “I’ll go home and get some money and meet you back here in an hour.”

Liz and Maria got out of the booth as well and hugged their tall friend “We are so happy for you, Alex. This is so exciting.”

Alex smiled and enjoyed the hug that he was receiving from his best girls. He could always depend on them to support him in any endeavor he took on. Finally he let them go and headed for the exit with a smile on his face at the thought of the hell he would be going through that night at the mall. As he pushed the door he was greeted by Liz’s boyfriend, Max Evans, and his sister, Isabel, who were entering.

“Hi, Alex” Max smiled at him as Alex held open the door for the siblings.

“Hi Max. Hi Isabel.” He watched as they both went through, his eyes could not help but rest on the gorgeous tall blonde as she walked in just ahead of her brother without even giving him a second look. He sighed as he watched them both slide in the booth he and his friends had just vacated. This was nothing new. Isabel Evan’s had been ignoring him since the first day he saw her in 4th grade. She was part of the popular crowd while he was a known geek who’s best friends happen to be girls.

Turning he left the restaurant trying to forget that, even though she was way out of his league, Alex had been in love with her since that very first day. He knew his feelings would never be returned so he tried his best to stay out of her way and hope that she would one day find someone who would make her happy.

****

Isabel Evans knew that everyone wanted a piece of her. The guys wanted her and the girls wanted to be like her. The attention had hardened her to the point where she was known as the “Ice Queen” of Roswell High. In reality she was the opposite of what she put out for everyone to see and she made sure to keep it that way. If her popular friends only knew that she spent many hours at the local orphanage and homeless shelter donating her time and energy, they would think she was crazy. She was revered as a goddess by many people in Roswell but Isabel knew that she had flaws and tried to make up for them by helping others.

It was Friday and the tall blonde found herself heading to lunch surrounded by her crowd that consisted of Stacey Richards, Vicky Delaney and Brittany Daniels. They were not always the best of friends and would stab each other in the back at the first opportunity, but they needed each other to remain popular. Isabel chuckled at that thought, ‘They need me to remain popular.’

She continued into the quad walking pass the table that her brother and his best friend, Michael, sat with their girlfriends heading toward the popular table. She was almost there when she heard a commotion behind her which caused her to turn to see what was going on. Isabel saw that it was Stacey starring down at a dark haired boy who was sitting at the same table as her brother.

“Hey Alice.” She said toward the boy who was sitting there eating a sandwich. “How is that computer dating going for you?”

He seemed to ignore her and continued to eat but the small blonde girl, Maria, stood up and got in Stacey’s face “His name is Alex, so why don’t you go eat your lunch so that you can barf it up later.”

Isabel couldn’t help but smile at the spunk that Michael’s girlfriend showed toward the other girl. With a shake of her head she turned back and headed toward her table again already forgetting about the scene that just broke out.

“So what are your plans tonight, Isabel?” Vicky Delaney asked as she sat down across from the tall girl.

She shrugged, “Nothing exciting. I think I’m tired of the high school boys I’ve been dating,”

Vicky leaned across the table with a smile, “Great then you can come with us tonight. We are going to try to meet some college guys”

‘Where are you going?”

“My older sister told me about a club near the University that has live bands on Friday night. I asked the others to go earlier.” She raised an eyebrow at the tall blonde, “So how about it?”

Isabel gave it only a second thought before nodding her assent. She was bored of Roswell and the highschool scene and she was ready for a night out. Hopefully she would be lucky enough to find someone who was more mature than the jocks she had been dating.
The song in this part is "Bad Day" by Fuel. If you have any song ideas that can be used in future parts please let me know. I am open to suggestions.

Part 2

Alex looked down at the black leather pants and wondered, once again, how Maria and Liz had gotten him to wear them. They were not his usual style, preferring baggy jeans. But he had to admit they weren’t as uncomfortable as he would have thought they would be.

Glancing back up into the mirror that he stood in front of, he took in his whole new look. The girls had gone completely overboard while shopping for him a few days ago.

Alex had complained loudly but they had insisted that if he wanted to be a star then he would have to look like one. Hence, the leather pants and the new t-shirts that showed off more of his chest and arms than he was used to in his baggy clothes and button up.

He chuckled at the memory of Maria barging into his changing room to give him another shirt to try on. She had stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes wide and mouth hanging open as she gazed at his bare chest. After a few a moments she had spun on her heal and quickly left the room only to reappear a few minutes later with a smaller size shirt.

“Show it if you got it.” Maria had declared when he had quizzed her on her choice.

The final torture of the evening had been when they had taken him back to Liz’s room above the Crashdown and spent hours finding the right style for his hair. Somehow, they had managed to have the strands sticking up all over his head with some type of gel that made his brown hair stiffer and even darker.

Despite all of their hard work, Liz and Maria had deemed that something was missing.

They had found him at school this morning wanting to apologize since neither one could get off from the Crashdown and make the show. He had smiled and told them it was alright and that he would probably freeze up on the first song and they wouldn’t miss much. Liz had admonished him for saying such a pessimistic thing and then told him they had bought him one more thing.

“We were worried that even with the new clothes and hairstyle you would be recognized.” Liz smiled widely as Maria fished into her book bag, “So we got you these.”

Maria pulled out a pair of dark sunglasses and handed them to him, “These are also for good luck.”

Alex took them and frowned, ‘You sure it won’t look weird for me to wear these in a dark club?”

Maria shook her head, “You’re a star, Alex. Besides people will just think you are on drugs or coming down from a hangover.”

Both girls hugged and kissed him wishing him luck and making him promise to call them both first thing in the morning to let them know how it went.

Taking a deep breath, Alex slipped the glasses on his nose before leaving the small bathroom of the Club where he had brought his clothes to change into. He did not need for his parents to catch him walking out the door in the new clothes and wondering where their son was going.

The guys were already on stage getting their instruments tuned up so Alex quickly climbed up the small steps and picked up his own guitar.

“Looking sharp, man ” Dave said with a smile in his direction, “But I think the rest of us are underdress if we are planning to go to the MTV music awards.”

Alex shook his head and chuckled with the others, while pulling the strap of his bass over his shoulder, “Cut it out. The girls did this so that I can get away with working at a bar.”

Mark, the keyboard player, looked him over, “Maybe we should get Maria and Liz to help us all out.”

‘I wouldn’t tell them that or you will be spending 4 hours out of your life at the mall shopping.”

All the guys seemed to wince at the thought of shopping, “Well your secret is safe with us.” Mark said just happy that they had gotten a paying gig.

Alex nodded and looked at his watch, “ Well we better get started and try to liven this place up a bit. How about we start off with a few crowd pleasers before hitting them with our own stuff?”

The guys readily agreed and soon had the crowd dancing and singing along with them. All of Alex’ fears had flown out the window as he began to play the music that he loved. He was on a high as the crowd rocked to the band and he just hoped no one would bring them down.

*******

Isabel couldn’t believe the crowd that packed the small club as she made her way through the doors. It had been too easy for her to get pass the bouncer outside. All she really had to do was flash a little skin and bat her eyes at him and soon she and all of her friends had been admitted into the dark smoky club that was already jumping with the loud music playing.

She followed Vicky and the others to a table that was miraculously unoccupied at the moment. Not long after they had sat down, drinks had been sent to the table of beautiful girls. Isabel pushed her drink away from her, not being a big drinker herself, and started to scan the club looking for someone who would hold her interest.

“This band rocks ” Stacey shouted over the music.

Isabel had to agree that they were pretty good as she finally glanced over at the stage. Her eyes automatically landed on the bass player who was singing into the microphone. The song no longer held any importance to her, it was the singer who grabbed her attention as he stood there looking like he had just walked out of one of her dreams. Even the fact that he was head to toe dressed in black, which was a fashion faux pas in her book, made him more appealing.

“Man that guy is hot ” Vicky said dreamily as she strained to see the stage over the heads of the crowd, ‘And his voice is amazing.”

Isabel began to hear the words again and was surprised that it was one of her favorite songs by Fuel. She tuned in and noticed that even though she was a fan of the original, this band did the song justice.

Had a bad day again.
She said I would not understand,
Left a note and said I'm sorry I
Had a bad day again.
She spilled her coffee, broke her shoe lace,
Smeared the lipstick on her face,
Slammed the door and said, I'm sorry I
Had a bad day again.
And she swears there's nothing wrong.
I hear her playing that same old song.
She puts me up and puts me on.
And had a bad day again.
She said I would not understand.
Left a note and said, I'm sorry I
Had a bad day again.
And she swears there's nothing wrong.
I hear her playing that same old song.
She puts me up and puts me on.
Oh and I had a bad day again.
She said I would not understand.
She left a note and said, I'm sorry I
Had a bad day again. She left a note and said, I'm sorry I had a bad day.
Alright, ooooo, ooohhhhh.

Over the next hour Isabel danced with her friends and talked to a few cute guys who came up to her, but her eyes never strayed for long from the tall musician on stage. When she heard him tell the crowd they were going on a break her heart began to race as she realized this was her opportunity to talk with him especially when she saw him head over to the bar.

She wondered why she felt territorial when she saw some girls checking him out since she had yet to even talk to him. She knew, though, that because she had taken hours preparing tonight in her best low cut red dress there was no way that she wouldn’t be able to make him forget the other girls in the bar.

Seeing the stool beside him free she quickly slid on to it as she heard him ask the bartender for 5 bottles of water and waited for him to take notice her. She sat there with a smile on her lips as he continued watching the bartender while beating a tune, with his index fingers, on the counter in front of him.

Deciding she needed to take the plunge she commented over the music that was now blaring from a music system, “You guys sound great !”

He turned toward her and all she could see was her reflection in the dark lenses of his sunglasses. For a minute he just sat there starring at her and she wasn’t sure if he was at a loss of words or if he was deciding if she was another one of his groupies. “Thanks. I was a little worried that we wouldn’t do well especially since this is our first gig in a long time.”

“Well you wouldn’t have known it because you guys are really good.” She smiled at him turning on the Evans charm that usually got her anything she wanted.

The bartender chose that moment to return with the bottles of water and said, “These are on the house.” he smiled at them, “You guys are awesome. Do you think the boss will get you back next week?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe if we are good enough” the guy beside her said with a shrug of his broad shoulders.

“Well if you want... I know some of the staff would talk to him for you.”

Isabel watched as her mystery guy smiled, causing her heart to flip in her chest. His smile was a killer one that spilt his whole face and made her want to smile along with him.

“Thanks.’ He grabbed the bottles “I better get these back to the band. We get dehydrated up there pretty quickly.”

“Let me help.” She stood up with him and grabbed a couple of bottles not wanting to leave his company just yet.

He stood there for a second again just seeming to assess her, as she stood there beside him, before turning and walking away. She followed him through the throng of people not losing site of him as they approached the side of the stage where there were a small set of steps leading to the top.

Turning he took the bottles from her and set them all down on the stage, “Thanks”

“Not a problem” she smiled and then held out her hand, “I’m Isabel Evans.”

Again he seemed to take a second before reaching up and shaking her hand, “A.C.”

“A.C.? Does it stand for anything?” she wondered allowed

***

Alex could not believe that he was in this situation with the girl of his dreams standing right in front of him and her hand in his. He still recalled the moment when he had turned and saw her sitting beside him looking right at him. After all the times she had passed him by without even a glance the moment had felt surreal. And now she was introducing herself and he had almost told her who he really was but then remembered where he was and had somehow come up with his initials. It wasn’t a total lie.

Their hands were still in the others and Alex quickly took his back wondering if she had thought it was creepy that he had held it for so long. He on the other hand had enjoyed the sensation of her smooth skin against his and he wondered if he had ever felt anything so wonderful.

Noticing that the guys from the band were starring at them he finally spoke, “Well I better go. Our break is almost over. It was nice meeting you, Isabel.”

He turned and climbed up the steps not noticing the frown on Isabel face as he walked away from her. She had expected him to make some kind of move on her or even ask her out but there had been nothing. Shaking her head she turned and went back to the table that her friends were gathered at wondering if she had done something to turn him off.

“That was Isabel Evans wasn’t it?” Dave asked Alex in awe as they watched her lovely figure make her way through the crowd.

Alex nodded as he saw that the table that she went to was occupied by Vicky Delaney and Stacey Richards along with a few College guys. He was definitely glad that he was in disguise. If those girls had gotten the slightest hint that he was up here they would have made his life miserable.

“You know her?” Mark asked, “She was like the hottest girl in school even when I was there. Man look at her now. I think she even got hotter.”

Alex couldn’t help but look at her. It was an affliction he had since the fourth grade. Anytime he knew she was near his eyes would automatically seek her out just to bask in her beauty. Letting out a sigh he watched as a college guy came up to her and they began to talk.

Deciding to put her out of his mind, Alex picked up his guitar again. For the thousandth time he told himself to get over Isabel Evans there was no way she would ever be interested in a geek like him. He would just have to live the rest of his life with the memory that one time she had spoken to him and made him feel important. There was no way he would ever feel that way again.

******

“Come on , Max, Pick up.” Isabel growled into the cell phone listening to the continuos ring in her ear.

How had everything gone to hell so quickly? She still could not believe that Vicky and Stacey had ditched her while she had been in the restroom refreshing her make up. When she had called them on their cell phone Isabel was informed that they had gotten a better offer from some college guys and had gone off with them. They were both sure that Isabel would have no problems getting a ride home.

‘The nerve of them leaving me stranded here’ she thought as she paced the front of the club, her phone still clutched in her hand. She had hoped to call her brother to rescue her, but she had to concede, after the fourth try, that he wasn’t going to answer. “Wonder how much taxi fare is going to cost me?’

“Is everything alright, Isabel?” a male voice asked from behind her causing Isabel to turn around to find out who here knew her.

Standing there was a tall dark haired boy with worry in his eyes and a slight frown on his face as he took in her agitated state. Isabel looked him over trying to figure out where she had seen him before. Then a flash of memory hit her as she saw Stacey taunt this same boy at lunch earlier that week. He was friends with her brother’s girlfriend.

Isabel gave him a slight nod as she recalled that he had asked her a question. Hitting redial on her phone she hoped that Max would finally answer, “I’m just calling my brother to see if he can come pick me up.”

Alex looked around the almost deserted parking lot and wondered what had happened to her friends. He knew that she had been with Stacey and Vicky most of the evening but, somewhere in the middle of the last set, they had vanished. Not seeing Isabel, he had figured that they had all left.

It was almost 2 in the morning and the band had just finished their last set so the crowd had thinned out considerably. He had quickly changed back into his regular clothes and was now helping the band load their equipment into Dave’s van. When he had spotted Isabel over near the entrance looking furious, he couldn’t stop himself from going over and making sure she was alright.

“I think Liz told me that Max and she were going to a late movie with Maria and Michael after work tonight. No telling if he even has his phone with him.”

Isabel frowned at that and shook her head, “That’s just great. Now what am I going to do?”

Alex looked at the agitated blond and then over to his Volvo that sat a few parking spots over, “If you don’t mind waiting for a few minutes I would be glad to take you home. I think you only live a few streets over from me.”

She glance over at his car and then back to the boy in baggy jeans. He was definitely not someone from her crowd and Isabel wondered if she should try to call someone else. It only took her a moment to nix that idea and to trust this non threatening guy. If Liz and Maria could trust him then she would just go on blind faith and do the same.

“Okay that would be great.”

Alex was surprised that she agreed to let him help her. He had figured that she would have gone to other lengths to avoid being seen with him driving her home, but she had agreed, “Let me finish helping the band and I’ll be right back.”

Hearing this Isabel eyes widened, ‘You know the band?”

He nodded slowly wondering if she had guessed that it had been him on the stage and talking with her earlier.
Alex deciding he would worry about it later and pulled his keys from his pocket, “Why don’t you go ahead and get into my car while I finish up.”

She wasn’t looking at him though, instead her eyes were on the van and the other band members, “Is A.C. still here?”

She wondered if maybe she could get a ride with the singer and maybe get his number.

Alex frowned slightly, ‘Guess she doesn’t suspect anything.’ “No he took off right after the last song.”
Isabel sighed in disappointment turning back to the guy beside her who was still holding his keys out for her.

Taking them she headed toward the car and settled herself into the passenger seat. She shut her eyes for a few minutes all of a sudden realizing how tired she really was and she longed for her bed.

A few minutes later a tap on the drivers window had her opening her eyes to him standing there pointing toward the lock. Isabel leaned over and unlocked it and watched as he opened the door and folded his tall frame into the small space.

Alex felt his palms sweating on the steering wheel as he maneuvered the car out of the parking lot. He was even more nervous than he had been on stage in front of the crowd. Isabel Evans always had this affect on him and he was still amazed that he had been able to talk with her without stuttering.

They drove silently for awhile as the radio played softly between them until Alex found his courage, “Did you have fun at the club?”

She turned her head toward him and away from the passing darkness of the night that she had been watching outside of the passenger window, “It was great up to the point where I went to the restroom and my friends ditched me.”

‘So that’s what happen.’ he thought.’ Her friends are a bunch of morons anyway ‘

“I don’t mind giving you a ride.”

“I appreciate it.” Isabel smiled softly leaning her head against the head rest.

Alex looked over at her and smiled when he saw Isabel’s eyes droop and fighting it, “Why don’t you shut your eyes and rest? I’ll wake you when we get there.”

Isabel couldn’t fight the yawn that escaped as she set the seat back and shut her eyes taking his suggestion. Any other guy would have made a move on her if she dropped her defenses like this but something about him made her trust him to get her home safely.

He sat there in the silence of the car unable to believe that the beautiful blonde was beside him asleep. This had to have been one of the best nights of his short young life. So far, not only had he rocked the club with his music and singing but he had also talked to the girl of his dreams without passing out.

Alex still recalled how, as he stood on stage singing, he had looked out into the crowd where his eyes would automatically search her out. She was a knock out in her red dress and high heel shoes that had every man in the club drooling with desire for the tall curvy blonde. He had seen her many times laughing, dancing and having a good time with the guys who had the courage to come up to the stunning goddess that he thought she was.

Sighing he ran a hand through his hair and turned back to the road knowing that she would never be his. Isabel was a princess and a princess would never have anything to do with a lowly frog.

****

“Isabel?” Alex called to her wondering if he should shake her awake, “Your home.”

She turned her head with a groan and opened her eyes slowly looking at him, her eyes slowly adjusting, before realizing what he said. With a small stretch she looked out the window to see that they were parked outside of her house, not at all surprised to see that her brothers jeep was the only car there.

Isabel sat up and opened the passenger door “Thanks for the ride.” She reached back and grabbed her purse, “ I really appreciate it, Allen.”

Hearing the wrong name slip from her lips, Alex’ heart sank as he realized that she didn’t even know his name. Deciding not to correct her he nodded and watched her head up the small walk and into her house.

He folded his arms over the steering wheel and rested his forehead wondering how stupid he had been. Alex was still, and always will be, invisible to the Ice Queen Of Roswell.

Taking a deep breath he sat up and headed his car for his home while making another vow to forget about, Isabel. Shaking his head and chuckling, he wondered how long he would be able to keep to it this time.
Part 3

Sunday evening Isabel was eating dinner at the Crashdown with her brother and Michael. Her parents were still out of town and the three of them had decided to go out rather to cook anything at home that would cause them to have to clean up later..

“So, Isabel, how was the club on Friday?” Michael mumbled around a fry that he had just stuffed into his mouth. It was his day off and somehow he still found himself in the café.

“It was really great.” She smiled ignoring Michael’s bad manners and thinking about those moments with A.C. at the bar, “There was this great band playing that really had the place hopping.”

Max frowned in thought, “I think that’s the same band that the girls wanted to go see but had to work instead.”

“They really missed a good show.”

“Yeah, well maybe they will be just as good this Friday.” Michael said before biting into his hamburger.

“This Friday? They will be at the club again?” Isabel quizzed them excitedly. Could it be that she may have another shot at getting A.C. to ask her out?

“What about Friday?” Maria came up to their table and refilled each of their drinks.

“That band you want to see this Friday.” Her boyfriend smiled up at her. Maria was the only person that could get Michael to stop stuffing his face with food and to speak clearly.

“The Whits?” Maria smiled thinking of her tall friend and how proud she was of his accomplishment, “I hate that we missed last Friday but we will definitely be there this Friday.”

Liz joined Maria at the end of the table both wearing the exact same smile. Isabel wondered for a minute if they knew something that she did not.

With a mental shrug she told them, “I went and they were great. Which reminds me,” she looked over at her brother, “I tried to call you to come get me when the girls ditched me. Your phone just rang and rang.”

Max looked at his sister with a sheepish smile, “I left it in the car when we went to the movies. I guess I forgot about it.”

“How did you get home, Isabel?” Michael asked a little worried over the girl he had known for years and thought of as a sister.

“Their friend Allen gave me a lift.” Isabel nodded toward the two girls.

“Allen?” Liz frowned, “We don’t know an Allen.”

Isabel looked at her confused, “That tall guy who is always around you?”

“Alex? Your talking about Alex?” Maria asked also frowning at the girl in the booth.

“Alex?” Isabel could have sworn that his name was Allen.

“His name is Alex Whitman.” Liz stated “He is our best friend.”

“What was Alex doing at the Club?” Max asked looking up at his girlfriend who he thought look cute in her waitress uniform.

“I think he helps with the band.” Isabel answered before his girlfriend had the chance.

Maria looked over at Liz silently communicating with her that they had to remain quiet. They had promised Alex and only in a dire situation would they reveal their secret.

“Maybe he can get us into the club.” Michael smiled thinking that Alex could get them in for free.

His girlfriend quickly saw through him and slapped him lightly on the back of his head, “I will not use my friend that way.”
Liz grinned at her best friend as she argued with her boyfriend, “Uh...Maria? We better get back to work.”

They both said goodbye to the three in the booth and headed back behind the counter. Maria was the first to say what she was thinking, “Can you believe the princess? We’ve gone to school together for the last 8 years and she didn’t even know his name. For God’s sake, he is currently in her science class.”

Liz nodded sadly as she glanced over at the stunning blonde, “ Out of all the girls at East Roswell. Why did Alex have to fall for her?”


********

Monday morning Alex walked into the one class he had with Isabel. Science. He found his seat but couldn’t stop himself from looking over at her sitting in her usual spot far across the room surrounded by her friends and admirers.

“Attention class” Mr. Drummond held up his hands waiting for the noise to die down to a bearable pitch, “I am going to try something a little different for the next two weeks. We will be discussing Astronomy and I want to pair you off for a report which will be due a week from this Friday.”

At the mention of Astronomy, Isabel stopped doodling in her notebook and looked up at the teacher with eagerness. They were finally getting to a subject that she really cared about. In fact not many people knew that she was a closet stargazer.

“I know you have been in certain pairs all year, but I have decided to switch you up a bit.” he smiled at them and picked up his list of names, “For the next two weeks you will be assigned a new partner, and for some, a new seat.”

Alex inwardly groaned at the thought of giving up his current partner who just happened to be one of the smartest in the class. He just had to hope that he didn’t get stuck with one of the jocks or cheerleaders who would expect him to do all the work.

For the next few minutes the teacher called out names and had students moving around. Alex let out a sigh of relief when Stacey and a few other jocks were paired off together. He knew he could handle anyone else Mr. Drummond put him with.

“Evans.” The science teacher looked to the girl in the back, “You will be with Mr. Whitman.”

Hearing the name of her new partner, Isabel looked around the class until her eyes landed on the tall boy who had rescued her last Friday night. ‘Had he been in this class all this time?’ Grabbing her books she made her way through the maze of desk and students to the empty seat beside him.

“Hi” she flashed him one of her best smiles.

“Hi” he returned her greeting while watching her get settled. He was surprised to see her turn to him and start talking.

“Thanks again for taking me home Friday.”

Alex shrugged, “Like I said, it was no problem.”

“So.... I hear that the band will be at the club again this Friday.”

He nodded and smiled, “The manager booked them again. Seems they had a lot of calls and demands for us to return.”

“I guess I will see you again Friday night.” Isabel returned his smile thinking that there was no way she would miss another chance with A.C.

Before he could respond, Mr. Drummond began class by telling them what he expected of the assignment. Isabel flipped open her day planner to the due date and made a note before realizing what day it landed on. Her 18th birthday was the following Saturday and even though her parents were throwing her a party, it would be Isabel who would plan it. Her family were used to her taking over any events that they planned and even went so far as to call her the “Christmas Nazi.”

Close to the end of class they were given a few minutes to discuss ideas with their partners. Isabel turned back to Alex wanting to schedule a time when they could get together.

“How about we meet at my house after dinner to brainstorm some ideas.”

Alex grimaced and shook his head, “I can’t tonight but we could meet after school at the Crashdown. I usually go spend some time with Maria and Liz since they work most weekdays. We can get some preliminary things taken care of before I need to leave at 5.”

Isabel nodded her agreement just as the bell rang for the end of class. She put her books away and stood from her seat, “I’ll see you there about 4:00?”

“I will try to come up with some ideas before then so we can have something to start with.” he began to put his own books away.

Hearing this from him made her mentally sigh in relief. Her new partner would actually hold his weight on this report. Isabel’s usual partner, Stacey, barely even knew where the library was. Thinking of her friend she looked up to see them waiting for her near the door.

As she moved toward them she looked over her shoulder at him still sitting in his desk, “See you later, Alex.”

********

Alex looked at his watch again and sighed loudly. Isabel was late. He had been sitting at the counter of the diner for the last hour nursing his second Orange soda and telling himself to be patient and that she would show up. He himself was already late and he had to leave soon.

“I’m sure she will be here soon.” Liz commented as she stopped in front of Alex but knew that she was lying to her best friend.

He glanced at her and then back at his watch shaking his head, “Will you do me a favor? Would you make sure Isabel gets my notes?” Alex handed her some sheets of paper, “Tell her that we will get together before class tomorrow.”

Liz nodded and watched as he got up from his stool and slipped his book bag on his shoulder, “Bye, Alex. See you tomorrow.”

He gave her a small smile and waved over at Maria before leaving the diner. Slipping the papers under the counter she continued to watch him walk away not noticing when Maria stepped up beside her.

“The Ice Queen strikes again?” Maria asked as her eyes also followed their tall friend, “I can’t believe Mr. Drummond paired the up.”

The dark haired girl turned to her best friend and gave her a small smile “ We better get back to work.”
10 minutes later the bell above the door signaled a new arrival which caused both waitress’ to look up. The smiles froze on their faces as they saw Isabel entered and glanced around the room. ‘So she finally shows up.’

Isabel stood there for a moment looking for Alex and was surprised not to find him. ‘Must be in the bathroom’ she thought and found an empty booth deciding to go ahead and start on the work.

Maria looked over at Liz with an evil grin as she realized Isabel was in her section. When her friend mouthed ‘Behave’ to her she sighed and tried to reign in her anger at the tall girl, “What can I get for you?”

“Hey Maria. How about a Cherry Coke?” Isabel smiled at the petite blonde.

Deciding she better leave before she said anything Maria nodded and tried to escape. She was stopped by Isabel who was oblivious to the animosity that was in the waitress’ eyes.

“Have you seen Alex? We were to meet here and go over our project.”

She turned back to the taller girl, “It’s 5:20, Isabel. He just left a few minutes ago after sitting here for an hour. Alex has other obligations that he has to attend, so he had to leave.”

Isabel finally noticed the flash of anger in Maria’s eyes before she left her table and she wondered what she had done to upset her. She had gotten a little side track after school and let the time slip away from her. She really hadn’t thought it would be a problem since they had 2 weeks to do the project and it was one of her favorite subjects.

With a small sigh she pulled out some paper and a pen deciding to do the project by herself. It wouldn’t be th first time that she had done all the work on her own and it probably won’t be the last time. She wasn’t surprised that Liz brought her drink to her instead of Maria.

“Here you go, Isabel.” Liz said placing her drink on the table and then some sheets of paper, “Alex left these for you.”

Isabel picked up the pages and quickly scanned over the contents surprised to see that they were ideas for their project. He had kept his word to her and had come up with some topics that would be interesting to do as a report.

“I’m sure Alex would have stayed longer if he hadn’t had his shift at the hospital tonight.” Liz smiled slightly, “He said he would see you before class tomorrow.”

Isabel nodded as she continued to read through his notes but her head popped up as she took in what Liz had said, “Alex works at the hospital?”

Liz’ smile deepened at the thought of her friend, “Alex volunteers in the pediatric ward of the hospital every Monday and Wednesday night. His mother is a nurse there and she got him working with the children when he was 12. He actually loves spending time with those kids”

Isabel was all to familiar with volunteer work but had never met another teenager who enjoyed helping others. “What exactly does he do at the hospital?”

Liz slid into the other side of the booth happy to discuss one of her favorite people, “Sometimes he takes cares of the babies in the nursery and other times he spends time with the children in the cancer ward.”

“You said his mom got him involved?” Isabel asked curiously.

“Yeah, he has been doing it for so long that just recently he was promoted to be the leader of the volunteers.” Liz said proudly, “You should see him with those tiny babies. They wrap their tiny little fingers around him and he becomes a puddle of mush.”

Isabel returned her smile as she imagined Alex holding and rocking an infant to sleep. She knew that her brother and his friends wouldn’t even have the slightest clue on what to do if one cried. “I’ll apologize to him tomorrow for being late.”

Liz nodded ans slid out of the booth needing to return to her tables. She had one more thing to say before she left, “Alex is a great guy, Isabel. He sees the good in everyone and everything even when he shouldn’t. But don’t make the mistake that he doesn’t feel anything when he gets hurt.”

Isabel watched Liz walk away and she wondered just what she had meant. With a shake of her head she slipped all of her papers back into her bag and threw some change on the table. Since Alex wasn’t here there was no use of staying in the noisy restaurant so she decided that she would head home and work on the project.

********

“Hi Alex” Isabel smiled as she took her seat the next day in class.

He looked up to see that dazzling smile and his heart leaped in his chest, “Hey Isabel”

“I’m sorry I missed you yesterday at the Crashdown. I got a little sidetracked after school” She shrugged not going into anymore detail, “I got your notes from Liz and all of them are great.”

Alex felt himself blush slightly over her praise of his work, “Thanks”

They fell into a comfortable conversation over the next few moments as they decided which idea they were going with and how they were going to split up the work. Isabel pulled out her day planner and opened it to the next two weeks and putting it on the table between them.

“Here is my schedule. Why don’t you fill yours in so we can kind of get an idea of the best times to meet?” she handed him a pencil and watched as he filled in the times he would be unavailable.

Alex noticed in her book that she had many days scheduled to go to either the Orphanage or the homeless shelter. She had them marked as a priority and he couldn’t help but wonder about it, “Do you volunteer?”

Usually Isabel did not talk to others about her charitable nature, but after finding out about his own volunteer work she decided to open up to him. “I volunteer at the Orphanage and the Homeless shelter at least once a week.”

He couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face as she unknowingly confirmed what he had known all along. Isabel had a good heart and not everyone got to see it. “I volunteer over at the hospital.”

She nodded, “Liz told me last night. Sounds very interesting. Maybe I will stop by one evening to see what it’s all about.”

Alex nodded a little excited over the prospect that Isabel wanted to see what he did there, “You’re welcome anytime.”

“Okay, since class is about to start, let’s get together in the library at lunch today. We can get a jump on this report since it looks like we will be busy most night to get any work done.”

‘Sounds like a plan.” he nodded wondering how he had gotten so lucky to have a partner like Isabel Evans beside him. He knew she would never want to have anything to do with him but that would not stop him from enjoying any moment they did spend together over the next few weeks.

[KaraGail]

Part 4


Alex slipped his sunglasses on his nose and gave himself a cursory glance in the mirror before stepping out of the men’s bathroom. The adrenaline was coursing it’s way through his blood as he made his way to the stage where his fellow band mates stood around setting up their instruments.

“Hey ” He called to them as he stepped up onto the stage.

“Hey dude ” Dave looked up from his drums as Alex picked up his guitar, “So what’s the plan for tonight? Same line up as last week?”

Alex shook his head, “Let’s mix the songs up a bit.”

They began to discuss what songs worked best until Alex looked up and spotted Maria and Liz as they made their way to the table he had reserved for them. He couldn’t stop the grin that spread across his face and noticed that both girls had the same expression as they looked up at him while their boyfriends followed them with scowls on their faces.

As they were being seated, Alex noticed the fifth person in their group. Isabel was sitting down in between her brother and Michael but her attention was directed at him as their eyes connected for a brief moment. Alex didn’t think he would ever move from that spot as long as she was looking at him.

“Hey Dude. Is that Isabel Evans again?” Dave asked following Alex’ gaze.

He nodded finally able to break his gaze and turn his back on the crowd that was filling the club. Somehow he had to block her from his vision tonight so he could focus on the music, but knew that would be next to impossible.

*****

“They really sound great ” Maria yelled over the music to Liz.

Her friend grinned, “He looks good too.”

Maria nodded and grinned back at her both thinking that they had a hand in Alex’ transformation.

“Hey ” Max yelled “Your boyfriends are right beside you ”

Hearing him Liz leaned over and kissed Max on the cheek, “Sorry sweetie”

Maria went to glance at her own boyfriend when her gaze landed on Isabel who was totally absorbed in the band. Her eyes never once left the stage and specifically the tall lead singer. She kicked Liz lightly under the table to get her attention and motioned her head toward the tall blonde who was transfixed on their friend.

A few minutes later the band called for a break and both girls watched as Isabel excused herself and made her way to the bar where Alex already was talking to the bartender. They were curious at what was being said so they told their boyfriends they would be right back and headed over to their friend.

*****

“Hi” Isabel smiled sliding onto the stool beside A.C. as he stood there waiting for his bottles of water.

“Hey” he returned turning toward her and took in her beauty. She was wearing her black leather pants that always left him drooling whenever she wore them and a dark blue button up shirt that was almost indecent if she head left one more button undone. Checking out her outfit made him glad that he had left his own leathers at home and settle for the designer blue jeans the girls had talked him into. Otherwise they would have looked like they were a couple with a leather fetish.

“I bet you are surprised to see me back here tonight.”

Before he could respond, Liz and Maria came hurrying over, “You guys sound great ”

Alex grinned hearing the love and pride in their compliment, “Thanks. How is the table?”

“Perfect.” Liz said as Isabel watched quietly. She knew she had nothing to be jealous of from these two girls but at the same time she wanted his attention on her and not on any one else.

“Isabel told us how great you sounded last week.” Liz turned to include the tall girl.

She nodded, “I was just about to tell A.C how much I enjoyed last week. When I heard you were playing again this week I knew I had to come back.”

Maria frowned slightly at the name Isabel called Alex and turned to Liz in confusion. Being the smart one that she was, Liz shook her head gently and mouthed “later” to her knowing that they would be having a long talk with Alex later on.

“I did get some good news. The manger has booked us for the next month. We will be playing every Friday night for the next 6 weeks.” He flashed them his patent smile, “Seems the crowd like us.”

Isabel was tempted to flirt with A.C and say something like ‘I know I like you” but after looking at Maria and Liz she knew she couldn’t say that line in front of them and not live it down.

Just then the bartender brought him back his waters and Alex took them, “Well I better get back on stage. I’ll see you girls later.”

Alex thought he had managed to escape until he heard Maria yell, “Talk to you soon, A.C. ”

*****

There was a sense of deja vu as Alex changed his clothes quickly before going out to help load up the equipment. He had just placed his guitar in the trunk of his Volvo when he heard Maria yell his name across the parking lot. Turning he smiled as she and Liz came rushing over to him, both pulling him into a three way hug.

“You were wonderful ” Maria gushed into his left shoulder and Liz agreed into his right, “Fantastic ”

“I’m glad you girls got to see the show.” he pulled back to look at them both of their eyes shining with affection for their tall friend. “So what did the guys think?”

Liz chuckled, “They thought you were good but they were also a little jealous of how Maria and I kept talking about the hot singer.”

Alex felt heat rise to his face over Liz’ comment,”So they had no clue it was me?”

Maria shook her head, “No clue. Which reminds me...What’s up with you and a certain Ice Princess.....A.C.?”

He slipped his hands through his gel free hair and shrugged not able to explain what he didn’t understand himself. Alex was about to ask them their opinion, when he looked up and saw Michael, Max and Isabel heading their way, “Hey guys Hey Isabel ”

“Hey Alex ” Max smiled coming up to them and wrapping an arm around his girlfriend, “I thought we would see you earlier. Where have you been?”

“Working actually” wanting to change the subject he asked, “Did you guys enjoy your table? I made sure you had a great view of the stage.”

Michael growled , “A little distance would have been nice. Then maybe I wouldn’t have heard how hot the lead singer looked all night.”

Hearing this, Liz and Maria looked at each other before bursting out with laughter, “He was quite yummy wasn’t he Isabel?”

All eyes turned on the tall blonde who had remained quiet as her eyes scanned the parking lot. At the sound of her name she turned back to the group, “What?”

“The lead singer, A.C. was gorgeous, wasn’t her?” Maria grinned as her eyes traveled from Isabel to Alex hoping for some type of reaction.

“Hmmm” Isabel nodded as she returned to her search before turning to Alex, “Did he already leave?”

Alex sighed inwardly sighed knowing that A.C. had been the only reason she had come tonight, “He takes off right after the show.” not wanting to discuss his other persona anymore he turned back to his best friends, “I better go finish loading up our gear.”

“We are going to see if there is any place open for a late night snack. Want to join us?” Maria asked knowing that Alex was a bottomless pit when it came to food and he was always hungry.

Glancing down at his watch he shook his head, “I can’t. It’s already 1:30 and I have to go into the hospital this morning so I better not.”

Isabel stood back and watched as each girl kissed Alex on the cheek and gave him a hug. Those three had a very close relationship with each other. and she wished she had someone like that. She watched Alex walk away and head back toward a side entrance then glanced over at the two couples beside her. There was no way she was going to continue to be the fifth wheel tonight.

“Alex ”

He turned, surprised to hear his name from Isabel’s lips as well as seeing her jog toward him. For a second he absently wondered how she was able to run in those high heeled boots., “Yeah?”

“Do you mind if I catch a ride with you?” she motioned behind her to their friends, “I don’t think I could take anymore of their kissing and cooing at each other.”

He laughed with a grin and shook his head, “No I don’t mind but you will need to give me a few minutes to finish up here.” Once again he pulled his keys from his pocket and handed them to her, “It will be safer waiting in the car.”

Isabel accepted the keys, her fingers brushing his palm and for an instant she noticed how soft and warm his hand was against her finger tips. She thought about how he took care of those children at the hospital and knew that his hands would be gentle. “Thanks” she murmured confused at her thoughts and stepped away.

Alex set his hands on his hips and watched her walk away and back to their friends, a frown slightly on his lips. His body felt like he had touched a live wire at the feel of her and he was still pulsing with the energy that shot through him. After a moment he shook his head and went back inside to continue removing the instruments.

Thirty minutes later, Alex and Isabel were just hitting the outskirts of Roswell’s city limits. They had lapsed into a comfortable silence as they listened to the music coming from the radio. Noticing that they were near one of his favorite spots, Alex had the urge to show her.

“Do you need to get home right away?”

Isabel turned to him with a slight frown, “Why?”

Alex gave a shrug, “There was something I wanted to show you, but if you need to get home I won’t stop.”

She raised an eyebrow questioning what he wanted to show her. Should she be worried about him trying to take advantage of her? Looking at him her mind and heart both told her that this guy would never hurt her, “Sure.”

He couldn’t help the smile that split across his face, “Great. I won’t keep you long.”

Isabel’s heart skipped at his smile seeing how his whole face seemed to light up with pleasure that she had agreed to do something with him. There was just something about Alex Whitman that made her all warm and safe inside when she was with him.

A few minutes later Alex turned the car into the parking lot at the edge of Frazier Woods and parked the car in the empty lot, “We’re here” he turned the engine off.

She looked around, “Frazier Woods? What could you possibly want me to see here?”

Alex reached across her and opened the glove compartment to find the small flashlight he kept there, “You’ll see”

“You expect me to go tromping around the woods at 2:00 in the morning? I don’t think so.” She grumbled as she wrapped her arms around herself and sat back in her seat not planning to budge.

Alex sighed and glanced over at her. What had made him think she would enjoy seeing his special place?, “Okay, never mind.” He set the flashlight down and placed the keys back into the ignition, “It wasn’t that special anyway.”

Isabel saw the disappointment that crossed his face knowing that just a few minutes ago he had been excited. But then she had to pull her princess routine and spoil his mood. Reaching over she place her hand on top of his to stop him from starting the car, “I’m sorry. Can we go see your surprise? I promise no more complaining.” She held two fingers up in a Boy Scouts Salute.

He couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped him, “I have the feeling you wee never a Boy Scout, Miss Evans.”

She responded with her own laugh, “My brother was. Does that count?”

Alex saw her eyes shine with the laughter they were sharing and he nodded. Taking the keys from the ignition he picked the flashlight up again, “Come on. It’s only a short walk from here.”

Isabel followed him to a dirt trail that led them into the woods. Worried that she may trip on the uneven path, Alex reached back and took her hand not at all surprised by how perfect her hand felt in his. He had always imagined that their fingers would entwine and he would look down and not know where hers started and his ended.

Soon they reached a small clearing that was occupied only by a huge rock that was nestled near the woods. He motioned for her to sit there and let go of her hand. Isabel looked at him wondering if she had misjudged him and he was crazy, “What are you going to show me?”

Alex smiled and sat down beside her before pointing up towards the sky with one finger causing her eyes to follow. She gasped out loud unable to believe what she was seeing.

“Oh my God ” she cried as she took in all the starts that were twinkling against the night sky, ‘It’s beautiful.”

He murmured an agreement although his eyes were looking at her rather than the sky. Alex had wanted to se her expression and wasn’t disappointment when she saw the vastness above her. She quickly began to point out certain constellation that she knew and also let him find a few of his own.

Finally she turned and asked him, “How did you find this place?”

Alex chuckled, “About 2 years ago my dad decided we needed to do some manly bonding rituals so he brought me to Frazier Woods for camping.” he opened his arms wide inviting her to look at him, “As you can see, me and macho manly adventures don’t exactly mix well. I happen to enjoy music and computer not sports and other things that my father does.”

He ran his hand through his hair and gave a sheepish smile, “It was late at night when I realized that if I wanted to use the restroom then I would have to find a private spot. After taking a short walk, I wound up here and when I saw the stars I just sat here until my dad came looking for me.”

Alex looked back at the stars, “Now every time I have a problem, I come out here and stare in awe up into the sky and I remember that I am just a small dot on this earth and that my problems are just as small and insignificant .”

Isabel sat listening to him explain his connection to this place and she wondered what problems he could possibly have. She had never needed a place for silent meditation, but if she did then this would be the perfect place for it.

They sat for a few minutes more before Alex looked down at his watch, “I better take you home. It’s almost 3 a.m.”

She nodded and reluctantly rose from the rock that had been surprisingly comfortable. Without thinking about it she reached out and took his hand in hers causing him to glance down at their hands for a moment before looking up at her with a smile, “Come on”

*****

Almost half an hour later he pulled up at the Evan’s house and Isabel turned to him, “Thanks for the ride and the stargazing.”

He nodded with a slight smile, “Anytime.”

Isabel returned his smile and then leaned over and pressed her lips to his cheek in a chaste kiss, “Goodnight Alex. See you in class Monday.”

Alex was frozen in place at the feel of her lips against his skin but finally he said, “Goodnight Isabel.”

As he watched her make her way up the walk and steps, Alex couldn’t help but smile. He raised his hand and let his fingers brush against the spot that still tingled from her kiss. With a shake of his head and a loud sigh he cranked up his car and went home where he knew he would be dreaming of the beautiful Isabel Evans.


(The line about them holding hands and Alex not knowing where his ended and hers began came from the movie Sleepless in Seattle. I figured if Tom can say it then so can Alex )

Part 5

“So what’s going on with you and Isabel?” Maria asked on Sunday afternoon over lunch of pizza at the Flying Pepperoni.

Alex shrugged as he swallowed the bite of pizza he had just taken, “Nothing. We are just assigned partners on this astronomy project.”
Liz raised one eyebrow in question, “Didn’t look that way to me Friday night. It looked like she was flirting with A.C.”

He gave an exasperated sigh. Alex had known that the girls had invited him to lunch to get the details out of him but they were going to be sadly mistaken. He was as clueless as they were, “That was A.C. not me.”

Maria frowned at his comment, “You are A.C., Alex”

Alex shook his head, “A.C. is the guy who wears leather pants and sunglasses and that’s not who I really am.”

He set his slice of pizza back on the plate and leaned back in the booth looking at both girls, “Isabel doesn’t want the real me and if she ever did find out who it was behind those glasses she would be very disappointed.”

Liz reached over and placed her hand on top of Alex’s hand. She always hated when he put himself down, but at this he had a point, “I’m sorry, Alex”

Seeing the sadness in Liz and Maria’s eyes for him, he gave them his most charming grin, “It’s okay, girls. I know the truth and maybe one day I will wake up and realize that I am no longer in love with Isabel Evans. Then maybe I will find someone who will love the real Alex Whitman.”

The two girls looked at each other as he went back to eating but a little slower than he had before their conversation. They just wanted Alex to be happy as they were in their relationships with Max and Michael. There had to be a way for them to help him get over the Ice Queen.

******

Monday evening, Alex walked into the hospital room of one of his favorite patients, Ben Roland a 8 year old with cancer. He had been in and out of the hospital for a couple of years now and Alex had come to care for the little guy who always had a smile for him.

“Hey Buster ” Alex said as he noticed that he was awake. The first thing he noticed was that Ben was back on oxygen and that the little boy was looking tired as he laid there. He made a promise to himself to speak with his nurse before he left the hospital that night to find out what was going on with him.

“Hey Alex ” he smiled up at the tall boy as Alex sat down in the chair by the bed, “Did you bring me anything today?”

Alex chuckled at the eagerness in the little guys voice and eyes. Although he had it approved by Ben’s doctor and parents, Alex would pretend to sneak presents into the room for Ben. The sick boy thought it was the greatest thing that he was able to keep something between the two of them.

Slipping his hand into his coat he pulled out a deck of Yugi-oh cards, “I tried to get the ones you didn’t already have.”

For the next half hour they talked about the cards that he had helped the boy collect over the last 6 months. Noticing that the boy was getting even more tired the longer they talked, Alex grew worried that the cancer was taking over the small little body.

“How was your show?” Buster asked finally putting the cards away in his hiding space under his pillow.

“It was great. They invited us back for the rest of the month.”

Ben nodded his head slowly but his eyes shined with pride over the teenager that he thought of as an older brother, “How about school?”

Alex smiled knowing that the boy wanted to know all he could about life outside of the hospital walls, “I have been working on this astronomy project.”He then began to go into detail of what he and Isabel were working on as the boy listened with rapt attention.

*****

Alex couldn’t believe that they had finally given their Astronomy presentation and that his partnership with Isabel Evans was over. A smile spread across his face as he looked over at her and saw the exact same smile on her lips. They had aced the assignment and both felt a little giddy with happiness.

They had spent most of the week getting together when they could to work on the project. Many times they would be found in the library at lunch with their heads bowed over a pile of books and whispering to each other and at other times they met after school at the Crashdown in the back booth. Their conversations were not always about the report. Once Isabel found out about Alex’s volunteer nature she opened up to him about her own to find out that they had many things in common.

At the end of class when all the other students were filing out the door Alex stopped Isabel, “I just wanted to thank you for being a great partner. I had imagined myself taking up all the slack and it was nice to see how wrong I was.”

Isabel chuckled “I kind of thought the same about you.”

Alex grabbed a book that was sitting on his desk and held it out to her. She looked a little confused as she accepted it, “What’s this?”

He blushed slightly and gave a shrug, “Just a thank you.”

Looking down at the book she smiled when she saw that it was on Astronomy, “This is great, Alex.”

“It was something that I saw at the museum and thought you would enjoy it.” He stood from his seat and grabbed his book bag.

Alex remembered how he had gone purposefully into the center to look for a book in hopes of giving something to Isabel to remember their time together. He knew that come Monday she would be back at her own desk and they would no longer have any reason to talk. Though there had been times when he thought maybe they could be friends but then one of her popular friends would say or do something to make him realize that it was impossible.

Alex stepped away from his desk and was about to step into the crowded hallway when Isabel stopped him, “Alex, tomorrow is my birthday and my parents are throwing me a party. I know Maria and Liz are coming. Will you come also?”

He was taken aback by her offer unable to believe that she had invited him. He had figured that she would have wanted to go back to the status quo before the assignment. Maybe they could be friends?

“Alex?” he raised an eyebrow waiting for his answer, “It’s at 7:00 tomorrow at my house. I hope you can make it.”

Alex watched as she left the room unable to say anything but then finally he broke out in a grin. The girl of his dreams had just invited him to her party and he couldn’t do anything but stand there with a goofy look on his face. He hoped that Liz and Maria would not be working in the morning because he would need them to help him shop for the perfect present.

*****

He saw her the minute she entered the club. The band was halfway through a set and about to take their break when he spotted her in the crowd. Alex couldn’t help the smile that lit his face as she waved at him still on a high from her earlier invitation to her birthday party.

Isabel motioned to the bar and as if in a trance Alex nodded his head and watched her slide on to a stool. He was amazed that she was here. This was the third show in a row that she had shown up for and he wondered who she was with tonight. It could not be Liz and Maria who had to work tonight in order to get Saturday night off for Isabel’s party.

As the song ended he made the announcement that they would be taking a short break and heard the DJ start up some music. Alex made his way down the steps and through the crowd until her reached her, “Hi.”

Isabel had watched his approach and gave him her most alluring smile, “Hi. You guys sound great again tonight.”

He slipped on to the empty stool beside her still surprised that it had been vacant. There was no doubt in his mind that Miss Evans had men lining up at the door for her, “Are you here with someone tonight?”

She wondered for a moment if her would be jealous if she told him she was with some other guy. It had never taken her this long to get a guy to asked her out before, “No. I just wanted to stop by and invite you to my party tomorrow night. I’ll be turning 18.”

Alex was glad that the dark glasses were on so that she couldn’t see his eyes. She would have seen the surprise that she had asked both him and his alter ego to her party, “Tomorrow?”

Isabel nodded, “If you need direction I invited Alex so you can get them from him.”

“Alex?” he asked as he drummed his fingers on the bar nervously. There was no way both A.C. and Alex could be there at the same time, “I’m not sure.”

“Please?” she simply requested taking his hand in hers, “I want you to be there.”

At that moment Alex knew that he would have to tell Isabel who he was. She deserved to know the truth even if everyone found out, “Uh...Isabel?”

Isabel was distracted by the feel of his hand in hers. His finger tips were a little rough from the guitar strings but at the same time she felt a gentleness there, “Yeah?”

Alex opened his mouth to tell her but was stopped by Dave coming up to them, “Dude, come on. We got to get back on stage.”

Nodding, Alex rose from his seat to follow his band mate back. He stopped at the sound of her voice, “Will you try to be there?”

Looking into her eyes he saw the hopefulness there, “I’ll try.”

Part 6


Alex was nervous as he checked his hair one more time in the rearview mirror before finally getting out of his car. He was still amazed that Isabel had invited him to her birthday party. The word around school was that it would be the party of the year.

He started up the street from where he had to park his car noticing all the cars that lined up along the side of the road and in the drive way of the Evans. Once he got up the steps Alex took a nervous breath, pulled the small present from his pocket and rang the door bell.

Inside he could hear the music playing loudly as he waited for someone to open the door. When it did open he was disappointed to see Stacey Richards standing there a sneer on her face at the sight of him standing there.

“What do you want, Alice?”

Alex wanted to groan aloud at the nickname she had always called him but he was determined not to let her get to him, “I’m here for Isabel’s party.”

Stacey let out a boisterous laugh and then called over her shoulder to one of the jocks that stood nearby, “Hey Brad Alice thinks he is here for Isabel’s party.”

The jock lumbered over and blocked the door way with his massive body, “I don’t think so, Whitman.”

Alex sighed wishing he didn’t have to deal with this today, “Isabel invited me.”

Stacey brushed Brad aside so she could talk, “Listen, Alice. I’m sure that Isabel was only being polite since you helped her ace the Astronomy project. Now that it’s over you can leave her alone. This party is not for geeks, so why don’t you go back home and play on your computer. Maybe you can find you an on-line girlfriend who will at least pretend to like you.”

Brad and Stacey both laughed at her joke and Alex gave another mental sigh knowing that he shouldn’t have even tried to cross over and make friends with the popular crowd. They would always treat him like the dirt on the bottom of their fancy and expensive shoes.

“Could you at least make sure she gets this present?” He held up the small present that had taken him almost half an hour to wrap in the red paper and bow.

Stacey rolled her eyes but took the present thinking that any present, even from the geek Alice, was a good thing. She would just have to advise Isabel to exchange it for something else once she had opened it.

“Bye Alice ” She said before slamming the door shut in his face and returning to the party after tossing the present on top of the others that sat on the coffee table for the Birthday girl to open later on.

Alex turned and walked down the porch steps dejectedly as he stuffed his hands into the pockets of the new pair of khakis that Maria and Isabel had talked him into buying. As he reached his car door the sound of running footsteps caused him to spin around and see Liz and Maria barreling down the side walk toward him.

“Alex Where are you going? ”

“We saw you leaving from the living room window.” Maria said as they stopped in front of him both trying to catch their breath from the short sprint.

He tried to smile at his two favorite girls but failed, ‘Every things fine. I just don’t feel like going to a party.”

Maria frowned knowing that something happened since just that morning Alex had been bouncing off the walls in excitement, “What’s going on Alex?”

Alex sighed and told his friends what had transpired at the door between Stacey and himself. Both girls were furious and ready to go back into the party and defend their best friend but Alex stopped them with his next words.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. Let’s not ruin Isabel’s birthday over something so small,” he touched each girls cheek tenderly, ‘I just have to learn that Isabel and I are different and never the twain shall meet.”

“How about if Maria and I come with you and we can go out like the old days?” Liz asked worried over her male friend.

“No.” he shook his head, “Go back and have fun. Don’t tell anyone what happened, especially not Isabel.” Alex opened his car door, “I’m going to the hospital to spend some time with Buster. I’ll see you soon.”

Both girls watched as he left them standing in the street. Liz turned to Maria and wrapped her arms around the blonde, “How can anyone be so cruel to such a wonderful guy?”

[KaraGail]

Part 7

Alex did not go directly to the hospital but instead he stopped off at the Crashdown for a soda. He knew that he shouldn’t go see Buster in the frame of mind he was in since it would only bring the little boys mood down with him.

“Hey Alex!” Mr. Parker called out from behind the counter as he walked in. With both of his best waitress’ off at the same time, Jeff had to roll up his sleeves and help out in the diner.

“Hey Mr. P!” Alex attempted to smile as he sat down at one of the stools at the counter, “Can I get an Orange soda?”

“Sure.” The older man frowned at the him aware of his despondent mood. After placing the drink down in front of Alex, he leaned against the counter, “Must be a girl.”

“Excuse me?” Alex looked up still lost in his thoughts.

“Must be a girl that brings you here for a lonely drink.” Jeff Parker smiled knowingly, “Want to talk about it?”

Alex looked away and shook his head, “There is nothing really to talk about, Mr. Parker. It’s one of the oldest stories. Boy loves girl while girl doesn’t even know boy exist.”

“Ahhh.” Mr. Parker nodded, “Well if that’s the case then maybe you are better off without her.”

Alex gave another attempt at a smile before returning to his drink and the disappointment he felt at always being on the outside looking in when it came to Isabel.

Mr. Parker wandered off to clear the tables and to give the boy some room. He had known Alex for a long time and knew that he was a great kid. And he wanted nothing but the best for him and his daughter’s other friend, Maria.

Twenty minutes later, Mr. Parker was back behind the counter searching for a supply of straws when his hand landed on a flat and hard object, “I can’t believe I forgot!”

Alex looked up from his brooding, “What is it, Mr. P?”

Jeff pulled out the object and showed it to Alex, “Isabel Evans left this here in her booth yesterday after school and I meant to give it to Liz to give back to her today.”

Alex frowned as he recognized the book that was in the older man’s hand. It was the Astronomy book he had given to Isabel yesterday after class. He had hoped she had liked the book but now it seemed that she had carelessly left it behind at the Crashdown.

With a sigh he held out his hand, “I have class with her. I will make sure she gets it.”

“Thanks Alex” Jeff smiled and handed the book over, “I better go make sure Jose is manning the grill and not on another break.”

Alex nodded as his fingers caressed the book that he had painstakingly picked out a few days prior. With another audible sigh he stood from his stool and headed for the door. He only stopped at the garbage can to deposit the unwanted item before exiting the café with his head held high and another affirmation that it was time that he got over the tall blonde.

*****

Isabel shut the door behind her last departing guest and looked at the time. 2:00 A.M. She sighed and shook her head in frustration and confusion.

“He didn’t come.” she thought to herself as she glanced at her reflection in the hallway mirror. Earlier that afternoon when she was getting ready for her party he mind had been only on one person who she wanted to impress. A.C. would have loved the short skirt and sweater that showed off more cleavage than her mother would have liked.

Isabel had been so sure that he would come and she would finally get that date she so desperately wanted from him. He was all of her fantasies wrapped up into one tall, dark haired mysterious man. AS the evening had progressed with no sight of him her mood had worsened until she got a migraine and just prayed for the night to be over. Unfortunately for her, Stacey and Vicky had other plans and the party continued into the wee hours of the morning.

Walking through the downstairs she picked up a few cups and plates that were scattered around the living room and took them into the kitchen. She didn’t want her parents to come down stairs in the morning and find the mess that would no doubt be waiting for them.

After straightening the kitchen, somewhat she cut off the lights and headed back into the living room where she spotted the pile of presents that she had unwrapped during her party. She had sat there in the center of attention as Stacey had handed her one present after another to open.

Isabel walked over to them thinking she would go ahead and take a few up to her room then and get the rest in the morning. Trying to pick through what she had she was surprised to see an unwrapped gift pushed to the back of all the others.

With a frown she picked it up and not finding a card she wondered aloud, “Hmmmmm...Wonder who this one is from?”

Slipping the bow off she began to remove the paper from around the present. By the black velvet square box Isabel could definitely tell that it was a jewelry box and her excitement level increased as she opened it to reveal a beautiful small ruby heart pendant hanging from a silver necklace.

“It’s beautiful.” She whispered in awe as she quickly put it around her neck and went to admire herself in the hallway mirror, “Perfect.”

Isabel ran her fingers along the heart and tried to figure out who the giver of such a beautiful gift could be. As a yawn over took her she decided she would start asking around tomorrow to see who she should thank for the necklace. For now she needed to get to bed she had a feeling her parents would enlist her and Max to finish cleaning the house from the party.
Part 8

Monday at school, Alex found himself sitting back with his old partner as he tried to focus on the teacher and his lesson. His mind, though, kept drifting back to the weekend wondering how it could have started so great only to end so badly.

After leaving The crasdown, his heart still hurting, he had headed to the hospital to see Buster only to find out that his condition had worsened. So for the rest of the weekend he had spent it in the hospital with the little boy and his parents. He hadn’t allowed himself to cry but to be strong for the older couple who was so close to losing their child to this dreadful disease.

Alex decided to focus his thoughts on Buster and not on the blonde who was now sitting back in her old seat. When he had walked into the class late he had over heard her talking and laughing with her friends over her party Saturday night. There was no point in continuing to agonize over the disappointment and rejection he had been forced to feel by her friends.

But trying to put it out of his mind became hard when for the rest of the day he had been harassed by those so-called friends of Isabel’s. Brad, the jock, had cornered him in the hallway and demanded that he stay away from Isabel and if he caught him even looking in her direction Brad would give him a pummeling. Then to prove his point, the jock pushed Alex forcefully into the rows of metal lockers and walked away with a laugh just as the bell ended lunch.

Then to top the whole day off, as Alex was hurrying to his car hoping to end the miserable day, he heard a commotion coming from the parking lot. Looking up he saw Brad and a few of his football cohorts standing near the side of the building laughing and pointing at him and then at the direction of the parking lot. Alex gazed over the rows of cars until his eyes landed on his car.

Alex gasped at what was done to his car. Graffiti had been sprayed in multiple colors all over the hood, roof, trunk and doors. Words such as ‘GEEK,’ ‘NERD,’ ‘WHITLESS’ and even the hated nickname ‘ALICE’ stood out on the automobile.

Alex shook his head and with a deep sigh he continued to walk to his car and unlock the door. Just as he went to get in his eyes landed on Isabel as she stood with the jocks and her entourage as they continued to laugh and shout names at him. He knew she would never stop them from their attack because of her reputation that she had to protect.

So with a sad smile in her direction, Alex got in his car and left the parking lot and the laughing teens behind. He would get over the prank that was pulled on him, but he didn’t think he would ever get over the fact that she had stood there and said nothing.

*****

As Isabel sat down to dinner with her parents and Max she couldn’t help but think about Monday. She was disgusted with herself and her friends. She still couldn’t believe what they had done to Alex only a few days ago.

Her heart had gone out to the tall boy when he had looked in her direction with the hurt reflecting in his eyes. She had wanted to go to him but being the ‘Ice Princess’ that she was Isabel had held herself back. She had not seen him since and wondered if he had been off licking his wounds.

“How is Liz?” Her mother asked Max as the began to eat.

Max frowned, “I haven’t seen her too much this week. She and Maria have been with Alex.” He shook his head, “ He has had a pretty bad week. First his car was vandalized at school and then his friend at the hospital passed away.”

Hearing this Isabel sat up quickly in her seat, “What?”

He nodded at his sister, “Alex volunteers at the hospital most evenings and according to Liz he had formed a special bond with him. When he went over to visit him Monday night he was told that the boy had died right before Alex had arrived.”

Mrs. Evans brushed a tear from her cheek at the thought of such a little boy dying, “ I hope Alex is alright. Seems life has been throwing him some curve balls lately.”

Isabel felt her own tears form in her eyes as she realized that Alex was hurting. She recalled the times when he described his work at the hospital and he was always smiling at the joy it seemed to bring him. But now he was going through a hard time and Isabel knew she had made it twice as hard when she did not stop those jocks from spraying his car or even laughing at him.

‘What kind of person are you Isabel?’ She thought with a sigh wondering if her popularity really was worth hurting someone as special as Alex Whitman.

*****

“I’m sorry to hear about your friend.”

Alex turned to see Isabel standing behind him as he sat under a tree outside in the quad. He had sought out this nice quiet spot in order to get some of his make up work done for the classes he had missed. The last person he had expect to see was the tall blonde, “Uh...Thanks”

Isabel looked down into his eyes and her heart went out to him as she saw the dark smudges that were a sign of too little sleep.”How have you been?”

He shrugged brushing off her concern in that gesture, “I’m fine. I see we got an A on our presentation.”

Isabel couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face at their accomplishments, “The highest in the class.”

Alex nodded, “I’m glad.”

She frowned at his lack of enthusiasm, “Are you sure you are okay, Alex?”

He opened his mouth to reply but the bell cut him off instead he said, “You better get to class.”

Isabel wrapped her arms around her waist as she watched him gather his books together. She could tell that something was definitely wrong with him but decided to put it down to the bad week he was having, “Okay. I’ll see you later then.”

Slowly she walked away from Alex but found herself glancing back at him. Isabel caught hin watching her as she strolled across the lawn and for a moment she thought about turning around and going back to him. But just as the thought crossed her mind he turned and headed the other eay swinging his book bag onto his shoulder. With a sigh she turned back and headed to her afternoon class.
Part 9

Isabel pulled Max’s jeep into the parking lot of the club and checked herself out in the mirror. She swore to herself that this was the last time she would come and make a fool of herself in hopes of getting a date from A.C. If he continued to show no interest in her then she would give up.

The band was already playing as she pulled open the door and she got the feeling that something was going to happen tonight. That thought brought a smile to her lips as anticipation raced through her veins. She felt like a predator looking for it’s prey as she searched out the tall figure on stage.

He really looked great up on stage as he worked the audience into a frenzy. Tonight he wore jeans and a simple white t-shirt that seemed to conform to his strong chest. She sighed as the thought that even with those glasses that he constantly wore, Isabel knew that he was gorgeous and she definitely wanted him for herself.

Soon she was sitting on her bar stool and nursing a coke as she waited for the band to take a break. During that time she had college guys coming over to her to see if she wanted a drink but Isabel had eyes only for one guy.

Alex finally called for th break and removed his guitar from his shoulder. It had been a really long week and all he really wanted was to go home and crawl into bed but he did not want to disappoint his band mates.

“Hey Alex. Look whose here.” Dave pointed across the room with his drum stick, “Your princess has come to see you again. Isn’t it like the fourth time in a row?”

Alex looked out in the audience, his eyes automatically landing on Isabel as she starred back at him. He knew she was waiting for A.C. to make his usual appearance but he didn’t think he could take being near her.

“Dave why don’t you go get the water this time?” He asked with a plea in his voice.

The drummer shook his head, “No way man. I wouldn’t want to see what happens if I showed up and not you.” He gave the boy a push toward the steps, “Go on and get it over with. You’ll be fine.”

Alex took a deep breath and then sighed, “Okay.”

As he stepped down the stairs he heard Dave call out to him, “Go get her, tiger!’

He shook his head at his friend and then slowly made his way through the crowd a little surprised at the amount of people who had showed up to see them perform tonight. It seemed word had gotten out around town about their band and most had come to see who they were.

“Hi” Isabel put on her best smile as he sat in the stool that she had saved for him.

“Hello” he returned as he waved his hand to the bartender for his waters, “You really must like our music. This is the fourth time you’ve come.”

Isabel reached over and touched his hand that was resting on the table, “It’s not just the music that I come for.”

Even though Alex did not have much experience with girls he did know that at the moment Isabel Evans was flirting with him. Or more to the point, she was flirting with A.C. With that thought he slowly slipped his hand from underneath hers. She really didn’t know the real him and probably wouldn’t want him if she did know.

Isabel was a little put out when he didn’t seem to respond to her advance but she decided to continue her pursuit, ‘You missed a great party Saturday. It would have been a whole lot better if you had come.”

She then watched as a frown appeared on his lips and for the first time since she met him. Isabel cursed the glasses that prohibited her to see his emotions. There had been many times that she had fantasized how she would remove those glasses with kisses and caresses but right then she felt like ripping them from his face.

‘I’m sure you didn’t miss me.” he finally said, “you probably didn’t notice that one person you invited wasn’t there.”

“I did notice.”

A.C. shook his head at that and gave her a wry smile, “I seriously doubt it.”

“What do you mean?” Isabel asked getting a little angry now. Did he think she was self centered?, “I have been coming here for weeks hoping to get you to ask me out. It’s you that hasn’t noticed me.”

He looked at her silently for a moment and once again she cursed those glasses, “I’ve noticed you Isabel.”

“Then what is it?” She asked exasperated over the whole thing, “Why haven’t you asked me out?”

Again he was silent for a second before he shook his head, “Because you will never know the real me. You would never want to be with the guy behind these glasses.”

Isabel frowned wondering what he meant by that. Was he deformed? Was something wrong that he had to wear those glasses. She was about to reply to that comment when he slipped off the stool and stood behind it.

“I better go”

She could do nothing but watch him go still confused over the conversation that they had just had. She kept replaying it over in her head as he picked up his guitar on stage and a few minutes later the music began again. Isabel was frustrated that he seemed to have forgotten all about her the minute he got back up there.

“Can I buy you a drink?” a blonde college guy asked as he sat down in the seat that was recently vacated.

Isabel looked over at him and then back to the stage where A.C. began to sing, “Sure. How about a rum and coke?”

The college guy gave a smile believing he had scored with the beautiful blonde. Isabel knew different though. She would use him and then throw him away like she had done to so many other before A.C. was ever a blip on her radar.

*****

“Dude, I think your friend is drunk.” Dave pointed out as they finished packing up their gear at the end of the night.

His comment had been unnecessary since Alex had been watching her for most of the evening. He had seen her sit down at the table full of men soon after their conversation at the bar. Soon the College guys were ordering her drinks and slowly getting her drunk.

Alex knew he had to go over there and stop them before she got hurt, “Dave, I’m going to take her home so I won’t need that ride.”

“You’re car will be out of the body shop tomorrow, right?” he nodded to the drummer, “I’ll bring your guitar over in the morning then.”

“Thanks” Alex said as he jumped down from the stage glad he had changed back into his street clothes. With a wave goodbye to his band he made his way over to the blonde who sat with her back to him.

“Isabel?”

She turned and looked up at him with a drunken smile, “Hi Alice! Want a drink?”

He frowned at her use of his hated nickname but he decided to shrug it off and put it down to her inebriated state, “Come on. I’ll take you home.”

“I’ll make sure she gets home” the guy beside her said as he placed a hand over hers, “I don’t think the lady is ready to leave.”

Alex looked over at him and was even more convinced that getting her out of here was the best thing, “I think she is.” he grabbed her jacket from the back of here seat, “C’mon, Isabel”

“Your taking me home?” she stood and let him help her with the jacket. He nodded and she turned to the other guys at the table with a grin, “Alice is taking me home.”

They all snickered at her continued use of the female name for him as Alex escorted her outside, “Where’s your car?”

She giggled and pointed to the parking lot, “I took Max’s jeep.”

“Give me the keys.” he demanded as he held out his hand watching her dig into her small purse and pull out the set.

They made their way to the jeep and he helped her into the passenger side then fastened her in with the seatbelt. It had been a difficult task since Isabel kept stumbling and laughing during the entire Five minute process.

“Okay” he sighed as he got into the driver’s side and cranked up the jeep. As he put it into gear, Isabel reached over and cranked up the radio so that it was blaring in the night.

After being on stage all night the volume of the music didn’t bother him too much. But the song that she landed on made him cringe and then laugh when she started singing along.

“I’m a slave for you. I cannot hold it; I cannot control it.
I’m a slave for you. I won’t deny it; I’m not trying to hide it.”

It was something he never thought he would ever see. Here was the Ice Queen of Roswell High and she was singing and doing the hand motions that the dancers in the video had done. He would have laughed if he hadn’t thought she would remember in the morning and blast him for it.

After a couple of miles of this, Alex reached his limit and turned down the radio, “Are you okay, Isabel?”

She grinned and turned to him, “I’m perfect.”

Then without warning she unfastened her seat belt and stood up in the moving jeep holding on to the wind shield. Taking a deep breath she screamed, “I am Isabel Evans and I am beautiful, smart and can get any guy I want!”

“Sit down, Isabel!” Alex yelled as he tugged her arm and slowed the jeep down. Finally she got back in her seat and he sighed heavily in relief.

Isabel turned to him and leaned closer to him with a grin. Her lips were close to his ear when she asked, “I can have any guy right?”

Alex felt a shiver go through his body at the feel of her breath against his skin, “Yeah I guess you can.”

Isabel frowned as he pulled up into the Evan’s driveway, “I could even have you if I wanted. You would go out with me, wouldn’t you?”

He looked over at her and knew he could never resist if she showed him any sign that she was interested in him, “Yeah. I probably would.”

He got out of the jeep and headed to her side to help her get out. She leaned heavily on him as she staggered up the walk.

“Too bad that you are a geek, Alice. I don’t date Geeks.” she said loudly just as the front door opened to reveal Max standing there in his pajamas obviously awaken by their arrival, “Hi Max! You remember Alice the Geek?”

Although he continued to help her up the steps all Alex wanted to do was place her int the arms of her brother and get out of there. He hadn’t realized how badly it could hurt when she had called him those names and basically reject him.

Max took his sister from him, “Thanks for bringing her home. Our parents are out of town tonight or else she would be getting a earful from them.”

“Thanks Alice.” Isabel laughed as she put her head against her brother shoulder. All of a sudden the energy she had just disappeared leaving her exhausted.

Alex looked at the brother and sister then with a nod he handed the keys to Max, “Goodnight.”

He turned around, stuffed his hands into his jean pockets and start the short walk home. Alex just wanted to put tonight and the past week out of his mind and get on with his life .

Max watched as the young man walked away from dejectedly from their home before pulling his sister into the house and up the stairs to her room. The minute her head hit the pillow she was out like a light. Looking down on his snoring twin he decided that he would have to have a talk with her first thing in the morning.


BTW Here is my disclaimer on the lyrics used in this story. "I'm a Slave for you" is sung by Brittany Spears and I don't own it (or want it!) Blame or Thank Trude for that suggestion

[KaraGail]

Part 10- Conclusion

Isabel let a groan slip from between her dry lips as she slowly awoke to the hammering in her head. It took her a minute before she recalled why she was in such pain this morning.

“Good morning, Lush” Max peeked into her room and noticed she was awake.

“Go away” she mumbled and pulled her pillow over her head, “Can’t you see I’m dying here?”

“I brought you something for the headache.” He sat down on the edge of her bed, “I have to leave for work but I wanted to make sure you were okay and to find out what happened last night to put you into this state.”

Isabel pulled the pillow from her face and slowly sat up to take the pills and glass of water from him, ‘I really don’t remember what happened last night.” she frowned slightly, “Did I drive home drunk?”

Max frowned at his sister, ‘You don’t remember Alex driving you home?”

Isabel shook her head and tried to remember but only got a fuzzy feeling of knowing that she had been safe with whoever had driven her home. She wasn’t surprised that it had been Alex Whitman, “I’ll have to thank him the next time I see him.”

Max chuckled, “I don’t think that is such a good idea, Iz. I think it would be best if you avoided him for a little while.”

She frowned again as she sat the water glass on her bedside table, “Why do you say that?”

“You said some thing to him last night that bordered on cruel intentions and it just may take him a while to get over it.”

Isabel couldn’t imagine what she could have said to Alex. Over the last few weeks he had become someone that she could talk to and she would hate to think she had done something to him, “What did I say, Max?”

Max scratched his head, “Well I only know what you were saying as he helped you to the front door. You said that he was a geek and that you would never go out with him because he was one.” he shook his head and looked at her disappointedly, “You kept calling him ‘Alice’ as well”

“Oh my God.” she murmured as she shut her eyes and let her memory clear. Now she remembered and could see the look in Alex’s eyes as she had said those awful things to him.

“Yep.” Max confirmed, “I can’t believe how cruel you were to him. I know your friends call him names and embarrass him constantly at school, but I never thought you would sink that low as well.”

Isabel couldn’t believe what she had done to Alex. He had been nothing but nice to her even when she hadn’t deserved it. She thought back to Monday when he had walked out to his car and seen it destroyed by her friends. She had stood by and said nothing because of her stupid reputation and Alex being the nice kind hearted person he was had walked away without calling the police or reporting them to the school officials.

Quickly she got out of bed, ignoring the pounding in her head, and pulled out clothes from her closet and started for her shower, “I need to go apologize to him.”

Max watched seeing the determination in his twins face, “That’s probably a good idea.” he stood from his spot on her bed and headed for her door, “Mom left you the keys for her car since I will have the jeep today. I think I have Alex’s address and phone number in my room. I’ll look for it and leave I on your bed before I leave.”

“Thanks Max.” Isabel smiled at him as she stepped into the bathroom. Her thoughts automatically returned to Alex and she wondered just what she would say to get him to forgive her for her stupidity.

*****

Isabel pulled up to the Whitman’s with her speech all prepared on how sorry she was for the way she acted the night before. She took in a deep breath and rang the door bell feeling like she was waiting for the hang man to tie the noose around her neck.

When the door finally opened it wasn’t the tall boy that she hoped for but a middle age woman that could be no one other than his mother. “May I help you?”

Isabel returned her smile turning on the Evan’s charm that she had perfected, “Hi Mrs. Whitman. I’m Isabel Evans and I was wondering if I could speak with Alex?”

Mrs. Whitman broke into a smile when the tall blonde introduced herself, “Isabel? You are Isabel Evans?”

She nodded, “Yes ma’am”

“It’s nice to finally meet you and put a face with a name. Alex talks about you all the time.” his mother looked her over, “He wasn’t lying when he said you were beautiful.”

Isabel blushed slightly at the same time as her heart soared at the compliment, “Thanks...uh...Is Alex home? I need to speak with him about something.”

Mr. Whitman shook her short dark hair, “Alex went to the hospital early this morning and he didn’t say when he would be back.”

She sighed in disappointment that she had missed him, “Okay. Thanks Mrs. Whitman.”

Isabel turned to leave but was stopped by the older woman,”Is that the necklace that Alex gave you for your birthday?” she pointed to the pendant around the younger girls neck, “I still can’t believe he dragged the girls from store to store looking for the perfect gift for you.”

She reached up and wrapped her fingers around the necklace feeling a little confused. Isabel had asked every one that she had thought had bought her the gift but none had confessed. Now she found out that the boy she had been hurtful too had bought her the beautiful gift.

‘I have never seen Alex so excited about going to a birthday party as he was for yours. He told me that everyone had a great time. Did you have a nice birthday?”

Isabel was a unable to say anything as she continued to go over in her mind the fact that Alex had bought her a present and had obviously been at her party. She frowned slightly as she tried to remember if she had seen him but was almost positive that she had not.

“I’m so glad he had a nice time since the last week has been so hard for him. First the vandalizing of his car and then little Buster dying.” Mrs. Whitman got teary eyes at the thought of her son hurting so much, “He has been hurt so much lately that I don’t know how much more he can take.”

Isabel felt slightly ill knowing that she had added to the hurt, ‘I better go.”

“Would you like for me to tell Alex you stopped by?”

“No. I will get with him later. Bye, Mrs. Whitman.” Isabel turned and headed back to her mom’s car with a slight frown on her face. She was confused and needed some answers to her questions.

It didn’t take Isabel long to find herself at the Crashdown. She had decided to talk to Alex’s best friends and there was only one place to find them both.

As she entered the café she noticed both Maria and Liz standing behind the counter talking. The breakfast crowd was over and it was yet lunchtime so it was almost empty when the bell chimed over the door.

Both girls looked up at her and although Liz his hers well Maria was frowning at the tall blonde as she came up to sit at the counter.

“It’s okay, Maria. I’ll take care of her.” Liz turned her away and gave her a small shove, “ Go see if those customers need anything else.”

Maria looked like she wanted to say something but stopped when she noticed Liz face, that brooked no arguments, and moved away to do as she was asked.

Liz walked up to Isabel who sat slumped in the stool with her head resting in her hands, ‘What can I get for you, Isabel?”

Isabel looked up at the petite brunette, ‘How about some information.”

Liz frowned, “Information on what?”

The tall blonde sighed, “Alex Whitman.”

“What about Alex?” Liz asked defensively. She had spoken to Max earlier that morning and he had informed her about the night before. Maria and she had been furious over the treatment of their friend and when the object of their anger walked in it had taken all of Liz’s strength to control her temper.

“Was he at my birthday party?”

Liz took a step back a little surprised at the question, “What do you mean?”

Isabel reached up and touched the necklace around her neck again, “Was Alex at my party? I know I invited him but I don’t remember seeing him.”

Liz was torn. She didn’t want to break her promise to Alex that she had given that day but it didn’t seem that Maria had the same problem as she overheard the question.
“Alex was there all of 5 minutes when your friends basically kicked him out by telling him that Geeks weren’t allowed at your party.”

Isabel shut her eyes and inwardly groaned, “Who was it?”

Liz chose that moment to speak up since the damage had already been done, “It was Stacey and some jock. They told Alex to leave and, not wanting to make a scene on your birthday, he left.”

“We tried to leave with him but he told us to stay. He went and spent the rest of the evening at the hospital with Buster.”

Isabel couldn’t believe that her so-called friends had done that to him after she had invited him, “Why didn’t he say anything?”

“Because that’s who Alex Whitman is. He is kind hearted and thinks the best of people even after he is proven wrong time and time again.” Maria had started and now couldn’t stop from her tangent. She was going to let the blonde know the pain and heart break she had caused her friend, “Alex has known rejection ever since the first day he saw you in third grade and you walked right passed him without a glance.”

She shook her head at the memory, “I still remember hearing him, at 8 years old, talk about how you were the prettiest girl he had ever seen. He has watched you over the years from afar and you jave become even more unattainable to him.”

“Maria!” Liz tried to stop her friend.

“No Liz. All these years he has defended her against us. He said that she was different from the cold exterior that she showed most people. After last night and what she did to him I only hope that Alex will finally open his eyes and see what Isabel Evans truly has on the inside. Nothing.”

Isabel had sat there silently through Maria’s tirade listening and taking in the fact that Alex had secretly watched her over the years. While she hadn’t even realized he existed until just recently. Tears stung her eyes and she fought to hold them in not wanting to give in to emotion in front of the girls.

“Alex has had a tough couple of weeks, Isabel.” Liz spoke up, “Maria and I both love him like a brother and hate to see him hurt. So do us a favor and stay away from him. He doesn’t need the reminder that he’ll never be good enough for you and your life.”

Isabel sat there for a moment more wondering when things had become so difficult. Getting up from the stool she headed for the door but was stopped by Mr. Parker who had come out of the back and saw her leaving.

“Isabel? I think this book is yours.” he held up the small book, “I found it in one of the booths a few days ago in the booth you were sitting in. Alex said he would return it to you but then some how I found it in the trash."

She took the book and realized it had been the Astronomy book that he had given her as a gift after their report. Isabel hadn’t even realized she had lost it , but now she felt ashamed that she hadn’t taken care of such a thoughtful gift.

“Thanks Mr. Parker” she took the book and left the café with Liz’s words ringing in her ears. “Stay away from him”

As she sat in her mother’s car she began to remember moments over the last couple of weeks with Alex. Specifically when he had taken her stargazing and working together. Over a small period of time Alex had become important to her and she realized she didn’t want to lose him as a friend.

Looking over at the Crashdown she decided to ignore Liz’s order instead she cranked up the car and went to find the boy who had caused so much turmoil in her normally sedate life.

*****

The pediatrics ward of the hospital had been easy enough to find. The tall lanky guy that she was looking for wasn’t so easy. Finally she stopped a nurse who was walking down the hallway.

‘Have you seen Alex Whitman?”

The woman shook her head, “Not in a few days, but if he is here then he may be over in the pediatric cancer ward.”

“How do I get there?”

The nurse pointed down the hall. “Go through those double doors and take a right.”

Isabel thanked her and headed off in the direction. She passed by the window of newborns and stopped and watched as an old woman sat rocking one of the babies. She couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Alex doing the very same thing.

Pulling herself away from the sight she continued down the hall until she found herself in another section of the hospital. Children were playing in a play area and although they wore masks and other protective gear to keep away germs, they acted like any other child their age. Tears formed in her eyes at knowing what pain these little ones suffered with daily.

“May I help you?”

Isabel turned to find another nurse. This one wore scrubs that had cartoon characters all over and a smile on her face, ‘I’m looking for Alex Whitman and someone told me he may be here.”

“Alex?” The nurse raised an eyebrow at her, “Are you a friend of his?”

A few days ago Isabel would have said yes to that question. But after everything she had learned she wasn’t so sure and so she shook her head at the nurse, “I’m actually wanting to talk with him to change that. I haven’t been a very good friend to him.”

The nurse looked her over and saw the truth in her eyes and gave a short nod, “Alex hasn’t been in since Buster passed away. It was hard on all of us but especially for Alex.”

“His mother said he was coming here this morning.” Isabel frowned starting to worry about him, “I hope he is okay.”

The nurse who badge read ‘Greta Kent’ motioned to the tall blonde, “Come here. I want to show you something.”

Isabel followed her down the hall before coming to a stop in front of a wall of pictures. The first thing she noticed was that the same little boy was in every picture and it dawned on her that this must be a memorable to Alex’s little friend. There were pictures of him with various people and in every one of them he was smiling. But it was the picutres of him with Alex that the smile actually reached his eyes.

“He was so young.”

Greta nodded, “We see these children come in sick every day. Some leave with their parents and some don’t. It is very hard for us nurses and doctors so we deal with it in our own ways. Ben was Alex’s first cancer patient friend that he got to know and it is going to take him awhile to adjust to the loss.”

Isabel brushed the tear away that rolled down her cheek as she continued to look at the pictures, “His name was Ben? Why does everyone call him Buster?”

Greta smiled, “That was Alex. Seems Ben kept threatening to bust out of this place one day so Alex gave him the nickname. It just stuck with all the nurses and the other kids.”

One picture called to her as she stood there looking at the wall. Alex was sitting with Buster on the side of his bed with a bass guitar. Seeing that picture brought back the image of someone else with the same guitar and something just clicked making her gasp.

“Are you okay?” Greta asked worriedly over the young woman who seemed to have gone into some form of shock.

Slowly Isabel nodded, “I need to go. Thanks for all your help.”

“No problem and if you see Alex let him know we miss him around here.”

Isabel headed for the elevators. She had been almost all over town looking for Alex. There was only one more spot that was left and when she found him they were going to have a nice long talk.

*****

The clearing was just ahead and already Isabel’s heart was racing in anticipation. She knew he was here since his car was parked right beside hers but she was still surprised when she heard the strumming of an acoustic guitar.

Isabel came to a dead stop at the sight of Alex bent over an acoustic guitar playing a melody. Then his voice joined in softly,

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?

I must be strong
And carry on,
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven.

She would know that voice from any where and now her suspicions were confirmed. Sitting before her was not only the man she had desired but also the boy who she had hurt repeatedly. Now all she could do is stand their quietly as the tears streamed down from her eyes as she listened to the pain and sadness that was reflected in the song.

Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven?

I'll find my way
Through night and day,
'Cause I know I just can't stay
Here in heaven.

Time can bring you down,
Time can bend your knees.
Time can break your heart,
Have you begging please, begging please.

Beyond the door,
There's peace I'm sure,
And I know there'll be no more
Tears in heaven.

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?

I must be strong
And carry on,
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven.

As the last chords left his fingertips Isabel could no longer hold back the sob that wanted to escape. Alex looked over his shoulder and was surprised to see her there. Quickly he turned back around and dried his own eyes.

“Isabel? What are you doing here?”

“Actually I was looking for you.” she brushed at her wet cheeks as he began to strum his guitar again, ‘I think we need to talk.”

“Don’t worry,” he said quietly, “I won’t bother you anymore. I know we were just partners for that project and that’s all. I don’t plan on embarrassing you.” He didn’t look at her but continued to play the guitar. His music always seemed to sooth his soul and he definitely needed it right then.

“What?” she frowned in confusion, ‘You think I came looking for you to tell you to keep away from me?” Isabel kneeled down on the blanket he was sitting on, “I came here because I owed you and apology, Alex.”

He stopped strumming the strings and looked over at her, ‘You don’t owe me anything, Isabel.”

She took a deep breath, “I do, Alex. Not only for the names I called you last night, but for a million other things.”

Alex sighed and decided to let her say her peace and then maybe he could move on from his unrequited love. Setting the guitar down on the blanket beside him, Alex turned and gave her his undivided attention.

Isabel brushed her hair back from her face as she looked into his eyes. She didn’t think she had ever really looked at them. They were a shade of green that she had never seen before and they seemed to look straight through her and see the real Isabel Evans.

It took her a moment to pull herself from those amazing eyes, “Where do I start?” she shook her head, “I think I will start with last night at the club.”

Alex nodded in encouragement but inside he wanted her to stop before the pain came flooding back. He really didn’t want to re-live one of his most embarrassing moments.

“Last night I got rejected for the first time in my life. I wanted someone who didn’t want me and I did a stupid thing by getting drunk just so he might see what he was missing.”

Alex opened his mouth to tell her the truth but was stopped by her raised hand cutting him off from his confession.

“I know, Alex” she smiled at him, “I figured out today that you and A.C. were one and the same.”

He dropped his eyes from hers feeling ashamed over his masquerade. Alex had never wanted anyone to get her by his pretense.

“I’m sure there is an explanation for why you disguised yourself, but we can go into that later.” she caught his eye again, “ When you rejected me it was one of the worst feelings and I lashed out at the first person I could. I saw how you looked at me and knew that you liked me.” she shook her head, ‘I guess I wanted someone else to feel what I was and you just happened to be the unlucky soul.”

“ This morning when I woke up with a major hangover Max was there to remind me of all I had said to you.” Isabel felt the tears well up into her eyes again but she was determined to go on, ‘I felt so bad that I knew I needed to find you and apologize.”

Alex hated to see her so upset and could feel his resolve to stay unaffected by her words start to slip away. All he wanted to do was pull her into his arms and tell her that everything was alright and that he forgave her, “And you found me here?”

Isabel shook her head and brushed the tears from her cheeeks, “Actually I went to your house and I spoke with your mom. She thought you were at the hospital.”

He nodded as his eyes drifted off into the distance, ‘It had been hard going back since Buster died.”

Seeing the hurt in his eyes Isabel reached out to take his hand in hers, “I know I said this already but I am sorry for your loss, Alex”

Alex looked back at her and saw the sincerity in her eyes, “Thank you”

“Well as I was leaving your house your mom spotted my necklace.” she reached out with her free hand to the pendant and his eyes dropped to it. A light blush came across his cheeks as he realized it was his gift, “She told me of how you dragged Liz and Maria shopping and how excited you were to be invited to my party.”

Isabel shook her head, “I was a little confused because I knew I hadn’t seen you there but somehow you had left me this beautiful gift.”

Alex shifted nervously not wanting to t ell her what had kept him from her party. Seeing his unease she gave him a slight smile.

‘So I went to the only two people who would answer my questions.”

He raised an eyebrow, “Maria and Liz?”

Isabel nodded, “ I went to the Crashdown to get some answers but Liz was not going to tell me anything.”

Alex chuckled, “So let me guess...It was Maria who spilled everything?”

She smiled again, ‘She told me what Stacey and some jock did to you and how you left in order not to make a scene at my party.”

He shook his head, “It’s okay. I should have known better than to have come.”

Isabel frowned, “No, Alex. I wanted you to be there otherwise I would not have invited you. I admit I didn’t notice that you were not there but that was because I only had eyes for A.C. that night. I was hoping he would show up.”

“Then the next week went from bad to worse for you.:” she felt his pain as tears once again formed, “I didn’t help much when I stood by and let my ‘so-called’ friends laugh at you and do damage to your car. I kept telling myself that I had a reputation to protect and so I kept quiet.”

Once again she brushed the tears from her cheeks as they raced down silently, “After Liz and Maria basically told me to stay away from you I found myself at the hospital looking for you. One of the nurses showed me the memorial of Buster and the pictures of you together. I realized what a great guy you were and that I really do want you as my friend.”

Isabel gave his hand a squeeze as she continued to hold it, ‘I know I have made many mistakes, Alex, but I’m willing to change. I just want to know if you can forgive me and be my friend?”

Alex couldn’t believe that the beautiful girl in front of him wanted to be friends. He still could not get over the fact that she had spent most of the morning looking for him, ‘Are you sure, Isabel? Won’t your image be smeared when you are seen with a computer geek?”

Isabel chuckled, ‘I don’t care what anyone else thinks anymore, Alex.” she reached up with her other hand and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. She was able to now see that not only was he the computer geek but that he was also the rock singer who had stirred her longings. Leaning toward him she placed a gentle kiss on his lips and smiled, "I got two for the price of one.”

Alex couldn’t help but chuckle at the same time that his heart was pounding in his chest. Suddenly he felt more bold than he had ever been in his life and fused his lips to hers hoping that maybe, just maybe, he and his princess had a future together.

******

6 months later

The club was rocking with a DJ as the Whits finished setting up for their show. Liz, Max, Maria and Michael were sitting at the table reserved for them. They were watching the couple who stood off to the side and they couldn't help but smile at the dispaly. Their male friend stood there with a willowy blonde wrapped around him holding him close.

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into wearing these again.” Alex groaned as he looked down at the leather pants that he had not worn in a while.

Isabel pressed tiny kisses along his neck and up to his ear as her hand ran down his back to his behind, "I think you look sexy in them.”

Alex groaned again before dropping down to press his lips to hers for a long passionate kiss. Finally the sound of catcalls pulled them apart as they looked up to see his band mates grinning at them, “I better get on stage.”

She nodded as he pressed another kiss to her lips and headed to the stage, She couldn’t help but admire the way the leather hugged his cute behind. There were days like this that she couldn’t believe that he was hers. He gave her a wink and her heart melted all over again as he began to strum his bass.

It hadn’t taken her long to dump her old friends after that day in Frazier Woods with Alex. They had spent most of the afternoon just sitting there and talking to each other and at some point words were no longer required as their mouths and hands were all they needed. She had never been as happy as when she shed her "Ice Queen" reputation and let this self proclaimed "computer geek" melt her inside and out. Her new best friends were Liz and Maria whom she found she had many things in common and didn't expect her to lead them around like sheep as Stacey and the others had.

Isabel smiled up at Alex on stage letting the love for him shine in her eyes. And to think he had been right under her nose the whole time.

The End

Disclaimer: The song used in this part was "Tears In Heaven" by Eric Clapton. (Thanks Trude for the wonderful suggestion!) Also the line that Isabel says "I got 2 for the price of 1" came directly from the movie Grease 2. No infringement inteaded with the use of either

Kara