Roswell Fanatics

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Part 11

“Liz are you sure?” I ask.

Liz nods. “I want my first time to be special, with someone that means something to me and that’s you Max,” she whispers honestly.

“But Liz, I’m leaving tomorrow. Is that really want you want, to be with me tonight and then for tomorrow for me to be gone?” I ask her. Although I would love to continue a relationship with her, I’m being realistic. We can’t have a relationship while she is in Roswell and I’m in New York. It just wouldn’t work and I know the right thing to do for Liz is to let her go so she can continue to find her own place in this world.

I see tears fill her eyes at the mention of my leaving the next day. “We’re going to stay in contact though aren’t we?” she asks as she bites down on her bottom lip.

I reach forward and caress her face, “Of course we are” I assure her. “We can email and talk on the phone when we can”

“Just promise you won’t disappear out of my life completely?” she asks me.

“I promise,” I tell her before I lean in and kiss her.

The kiss quickly turns heated again when Liz slips her tongue inside my mouth and before I know it; her hand is once again grasping my dick and squeezing it.

I allow her to push the jeans down my hips and I help her kick them off leaving me in only a pair of black boxer briefs.

“Take them off too” Liz orders me.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea Liz. I’m not sure I could control myself”

“That’s’ the point” she whispers as her hands move inside my boxers and touch my cock skin to skin for the first time.

“Oh” She gasps.

“What’s wrong?” I ask. I don’t consider that my cock is the first one that Liz has ever touched, it just didn’t occur to me.

“You’re so big,” she says with wide eyes.

I smirk; every guy loves to hear their girl tell them they have the biggest cock.

“I’m not that big,” I tell her. I’m average at best I figure. Although as far as I’m concerned it’s not how big the equipment is, it’s how well you use it and I’ve been told I use mine particularly well.

“Have you got protection?” she whispers in my ear as she begins to stroke my cock.

“Y-Yes” I hiss.

Liz tugs my boxers completely off now leaving my cock standing proud for her.

She licks her lips as she studies it and I groan. “Fuck Beauty stop looking at me like that,” I warn her.

“Or what?” she asks.

“Or I’m going to do exactly what you ask” I warn her.

Her small hand encloses around me again and she begins to stroke me again. “That’s what I was hoping you would say,” she tells me. I meet her eyes and all I can see is certainty and I know in that instant that I’m about to make love to her.

I reach over to the bedside table for my wallet and pull a condom out. I always make it a point to carry some with me, you never know when your going to need it and I thank god that I have one on me now.

Out mouths come together as I remove the condom fro the packet and slide it on my cock. Liz tries to help but I quickly remove her hands, “if you keep touching me this isn’t going to last long,” I warn her.

She lays down then pulling me with her and I settle between her open thighs, my cock resting against her entrance. Liz moans at the contact.

I reach between us and I sink a few fingers inside of her and thrust them a couple of times to ensure that Liz is ready then I line my cock up at her opening and begin to slowly inch inside of her.

I close my eyes as her extremely tight pussy takes me in. “Are you ok?” I ask her just as I reach her barrier.

“Yes” she pants.

“This is going to hurt” I warn her as I pull back.

“Its ok” she assures me just before I surge back into her breaking her virginity.

“Ahh” Liz cries out and tears instantly fill her eyes.

“I’m sorry beauty” I apologise as I kiss every part of her face that I can touch.

I stay still to give her plenty of time to get used to me.

“I’m alright now,” she whispers.

“Are you sure?” I ask.

“Yeah don’t stop Max,” she pleads.

I feel her hips begin to move against me slightly so I pull back and gently thrust in. This time Liz moans and I can tell it from enjoyment and not pain so I continue this steady rhythm.

It isn’t long until I can feel my balls tighten and know I’m not going to be able to hold out too much longer. I look down at Liz, her eyes closed, her face flushed as she whimpers over and over again at how good it feels and I know that she isn’t even close yet.

I reach between us and rub her clit hoping to bring her over the edge before I do but it doesn’t work quickly enough and with a savage cry of her name, I come deep inside of Liz.

I fall on top of her exhausted, “I’m sorry,” I pant.

“What for?” she asks.

“You didn’t come” I say as I pull out of her and roll onto my back so that I can remove the condom. I flinch when I see the blood on the latex; I must have hurt Liz a lot more than she let on.

“I came before so it’s ok,” she tells me.

I discard of the condom in the trash can next to the bed before rolling over to my side and pulling her small frame against me. ‘but I wanted you to come around me” I whisper and she shivers at me words.

“I want that too,” she says. “So maybe we should try this again,” she says as she kisses me.

“Are you sure your up to that?” I ask worried.

“I want to” she tells me.

We caress each others body slowly. I tease Liz’s breasts until her breasts are aching before I gently rub her between her legs. At first, she whimpers but soon she’s weeping juices down her thighs.

“Do you have another condom?’ she asks as her hands plays with my cock which is hard again.

“Yeah” I reply, “But I have to get up because it’s in my suitcase,” I tell her.

I feel her eyes on my naked body as I walk to where I placed my suitcase. I remove a couple of condoms from the pack inside and placed them on the bedside table. A quick glance at the clock tells me its past eleven.

‘What time do you have to leave?” I ask her.

“Don’t worry about that right now,” she says reaching for me. “Just come back to bed and make me come”

I grin at her words. The Liz in my bed has definetely grown from the shy girl I met in a café two weeks ago.

This time I let her roll the condom on me and when she’s finished she straddles my lap.

“Can we try a few different positions?” she asks.

My eyes go wide and my cock twitches. “You want to? Sure” I tell her.

As soon as the words leave my mouth, she’s sinking down on my cock slowly. She winces when I first enter her body and she sit stills as she tries to get used to me. “It feels so different,” she tells me.

“It’s the angle, I’m inside of you a lot deeper,” I explain. “Do you feel ok?”

“Yeah” she nods.

She lets out a small giggle then, “What?” I ask. I don’t see what she would find so funny right now.

“I just never thought that I, Liz Parker, would be riding cock,” she says.

My eyes go wide at her expression. “Why not?” I ask.

“It just seems such a sexy thing to do and I’ve never really considered myself sexy” she shrugs.

I grasp her hips, lift her up my cock, and then guide her back down. We both moan.

“Well your riding my cock Beauty and believe me your sexy as hell doing it,” I whisper huskily as I cup her breasts.

Liz takes over then lowering herself up and down me over and over again. It feels so good. “You feel so good Liz, so hot and tight” I tell her.

“Oh Max” she moans.

When the rhythm isn’t enough anymore I help Liz move up and down me faster and all too soon she is throwing her head back as her walls contract about and she comes, hard, around my cock.

“Yes, Yes, Yes………MAX!!!” she screams.

I grin, male pride taking over. I roll us over then and rise to my knees between Liz’s thighs and pound in and out of her until my own orgasm hits me.

“Wow” Liz cries out as we collapse onto the bed together.

I chuckle as I tiredly remove the condom again.

“Is it always that good?” she asks me.

“Yes” I grin.

“Can we do it again?” she asks.

My eyes go wide. “Not yet beauty, I think little Max has had enough for the moment” I say gesturing to my flaccid cock, “and you must be really sore,” I say.

“It only hurts for a while then it just feels so good” she replies.

“I know but it will hurt like hell tomorrow and when you go to the toilet,” I tell her.

“Oh” she frowns.

We lay talking then about my departure. Liz agrees that a long distance relationship is stupid, especially at our age, so we agree that we’ll keep in contact as friends until Liz hopefully graduates and moves to New York for uni.

“I should get you home,” I say reluctantly. Its past 12 and I’m sure Liz is already in trouble for skipping out when grounded. “I don’t want you to get in trouble” I frown.

“It will be worth it,” she tells me. I grin at that.

I walk her the ten minute walk home then. “Come up?” she asks.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I tell her.

“Just to sleep” she says but I know as well as she does that neither of us will get any sleep if I come up with her. Luckily, I packed another condom in my wallet.

“You have to quiet,” I tell her. “No screaming out when you come,” I whisper huskily in her ear.

I feel her shiver again and I smile. “You’ll just have to find a creative way to keep me quiet” she replies with a devious smile.

“Hmm I can think of a few things to put in that hot little mouth,” I tease.

Liz’s eyes go wide. “You’d like that?” she asks assuming what I’m referring to.

I nod, “I’d like anything you would do to me” I say honestly.

She frowns a little then. “I wish we had more time”

“Me too” I agree.

She sneaks into the apartment then and I wait in the alley for her signal to climb up. It takes her five minutes and she assures me the coast is clear.

We lock her door before stripping of our clothes and after that, I proceed to make love to her all over again. We experiment with a few more positions during our third time and I know that Liz will barely be able to walk tomorrow. But she’s so turned on by what we’re doing to stop.

When the sun rises, I get out of her bed and re-dress. She’s fast asleep and I don’t want to wake her but I do because I can’t bear not to say good bye to her in person.

I write down my numbers and email address and leave them on her desk, and she promises to email me first thing with all her details too.

“I love you,” she admits as I kiss her for the final time.

I smile. “I love you too,” I admit.

I see a single tear fall down her cheek as I climb out her window; I know there are a few in my own eyes.

I’m sad as I make my way back to the hotel. I hate the thought of getting there because then I will shower and I will wash away the last parts of our night together.

When the car picks me up a few hours later to drive me to the airport, I feel sad. I came to Roswell New Mexico for one reason only and as I leave they’re seem like a million reasons to stay.

Thank you so much everyone. I hope you enjoy this new part

Part 13

“So they gave me a job on the spot after hearing about my experience, and apparently once a month they have an open mic night and usually get at least one rep there. This could be my big chance Max,” Maria rambles.

She lost my attention a few minutes ago. Its not that I’m not happy for her. She just got a new job working at café. It’s just that my thoughts have been occupied with Liz’s impending arrival in New York.

“Max are you listening to me?” Maria ask as she reaches over and taps me on the shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” I apologise. “I am I just spaced out for a minute.”

“That’s ok. Is everything ok because you’ve been a little preoccupied lately?” she asks then.

I don’t blame her. I have. I have been trying to work out how to tell Maria about Liz. I’m trying to work out where I stand with Maria, since our night together we’ve been affectionate around each other but I’m not sure if that means we’re dating, or a couple? I guess I am trying to work out a lot.

“I have a lot of my mind,” I admit.

“Anything I can help with?” she asks easily.

“Actually I wanted to talk to about something, or rather someone,” I start hesitantly.

She nods and smiles for me to continue.

“I heard from Liz a few weeks ago,” I explain.

Her smile falters slightly but Maria is an excellent actor and she does a good job at hiding it from me, “The girl from Roswell?”

“Yeah that’s her.”

“Oh well that’s nice. I know that two of you stayed in contact,” she replies.

“Yeah we sort of did,” I agree. “She’s actually coming to New York for school.”

Maria seems to think about what I’ve told her before she speaks again. This is unusual for her and I find it a little unsettling.

“Well that’s nice I guess,” she finally says when she does speak.

I frown in confusion, “Yeah it is,” I agree.

“Does she know about me?” she asks then.

I fidget in my seat slight. “I told her about you not long after we met,” I answer.

“So she’s thinks your single?” she asks.

“Am I single?” I ask back.

“I-I don’t know, are you?” she stutters.

I sigh. We could go around in circles all day with this conversation. “To tell you the truth I’m not sure. I know that we went out and that we had a wonderful night together but then after that we didn’t talk about it.”

“I just assumed that we were,” she admits.

“’We’re together?" I ask still confused.

Maria shrugs then, “Yeah I guess. Isn’t it what we’ve been working up to?” she asks.

I almost laugh at the statement. If this is what we’ve working up to then in some way, it’s been very anti-climatic. Since our one night together, there hasn’t been another.

“Obviously not,” she assumed with my silence.

“It’s not that,” I tell her. “I guess I’m just a little confused right now,” I admit.

“Because you’re not sure you want to be with me or because of Liz?” she asks. I have been honest with my feelings for Liz since I met Maria so I’m not surprised that Maria is asking me this.

“I’ve been attracted to you, and wanted you since I first met you,” I tell her honestly. “The other night was wonderful but I am wondering if that’s all we’re supposed to be. I have feelings for you but I’m not sure if they’re strong enough to build a relationship on that isn’t going to ruin our friendship later on down the track, and at the end of the day I can’t loose you as my best friend Ria, I would be lost.”

I mean every word I’m telling her and it’s a relief to finally speak them to her.

“So does Liz want to have a relationship with you?” she asks me ignoring everything that I have just said to her.

“I’m not sure if that’s on the cards for Liz and me either,” I admit.

Maria doesn’t need to know what Liz said to me. It’s not pertinent to what’s going on between us because I already decided that I wasn’t going to jump back into a relationship with Liz either. We haven’t seen each other in 18 months and I think it’s obvious that we’re not the same people that fell in love in Roswell all those months ago.

Maria smiles sadly at me then. “So where does this leave us?” she asks.

I smile back hopefully, “I was hoping it was where we were a month ago. Maria and Max, best buddies who love hanging out together?”

It only takes a few seconds for a grin to break out on her face. “For the record, you’re my best friend too and I don’t want to loose that but I’m not so sure that you’re right about us not working out,” she tells me.

“You could be right so let’s not rule it out in the future either,” I tell her as I reach over and take her hand.

“This really does put us back to where we were a month ago,” she chuckles.

I guess she’s right, we’re friends but we’re bordering on something more.

“Maybe, but I’m pretty comfortable with that,” I tell her.

“Me too,” she tells me, “for now, but I think I will have to prove to you Max that you and I can be so much more.” She grins and I can tell from the look on her face that she has just issued me with a warning.

***

Its two weeks before the fall semester begins and Liz is due to arrive any day now. Since we talked on the phone, we’ve been in more regular contact and she promised to call me when she arrived.

I can’t wait to see her but at the same time I’m also dreading it. We haven’t discussed her words in the email about wanting more with me, I think we both realised it was something that we needed to discuss when we came face to face again. I do know that I want to be upfront with her from the beginning. So I plan to tell her that I think we should just be friends.

Just as I’m about to head out to pick up some text books that I need for some classes the sound of TV Rock’s ‘Flaunt It’ floats out from the pocket of my worn blue jeans.

I don’t recognise the local number but I decide to pick it up anyway.

“Hello?”

“Max hi!” Liz’s voice greets me.

I smile as I immediately recognise her beautiful voice and it occurs to me then that if she’s calling from a local number than she must be in New York.

“You’re here?” I ask.

“Yeah I got in yesterday. Just spent most of yesterday unpacking and getting used to my surroundings.” She explains.

“So how is it?” I ask her as I make my way out of my apartment and down to my parking spot to jump in my black jeep.

“Oh my God Max, this place is huge! How am I supposed to find my way around?” she exclaims.

I chuckle at her. “Well I guess that’s why you’ll need my expertise to show you around,” I tease her.

“Oh that sounds fabulous, can you spare me the time?” she asks.

“For you, definitely,” I smile. “I’m just heading out to grab some texts so I’ll be on campus soon anyway. Which building are you in?”

She gives me the name of the building that she’ll be housed in and luckily, I know where it is. It just so happens it’s the same building that one of Maria’s friends lived in last semester.

I go to the book shop first before grabbing a couple of coffees and heading over to Liz’s dorm.

Not surprisingly, the place is swarming with people who are moving in.

A whole heap of girls wink and smile at me as I make my way towards Liz’s room and I roll my eyes as I smile at them. It’s the same thing every year with the freshman.

When I reach the room number Liz gave me, the door is open and I can hear chatter.

“Hello?” I call out as I hesitantly walk into the room.

Instead of finding Liz however I find a blonde with bobbed hair and pink highlights.

“Oh hey you must be Max right?” she asks.

“Yeah,” I nod.

“Liz is just seeing our RA about some things,” she explains. “I’m Ava by the way,” she smiles.

There is something terribly familiar about this girl in front of me; she almost reminds me of a younger version of Tess who I worked on the film in Roswell with.

“Nice to meet you,” I tell her.

“So are you and Liz rooming together?” I ask her.

“Yeah, Liz is so cool. I can tell we’re going to get a long like a house on fire,” she grins.

I’m immediately surprised by her comment because by the looks of her punk hair, piercing, and very revealing clothing she appears to be the complete opposite of Liz Parker.

I’m about to respond when I hear a squeal from behind me and a fuzz of brown launches itself into my arms. I quickly react and catch her petite body crushing her against me.

“Oh God it’s so good to see you,” she says.

I wind a hand in her long hair and kiss her temple. “You too beauty,” I reply.

After hugging for a few more seconds, I reluctantly release her from my grip and she slides down my body. Its then that I get my first look at her and I’m positive my mouth falls open in shock.

Standing before me is not longer the quiet, low self esteemed girl who had no idea how beautiful she is. Instead, I’m look at a woman who is now very aware of how beautiful she is and dresses to emphasise it.

“Close your mouth Max,” Liz giggles and rolls her eyes at me.

“What happened to you?” I blurt out.

Liz looks down at herself and then back to me. Her very tight, low rising jeans and stomach baring shirt leave nothing to the imagination.

“Don’t you like it?” she asks hesitantly.

“It’s not that,” I quickly assure her. “It’s just different to what I’m used to. It’s just a lot of skin,” I try to explain.

“Well that’s how girls dress these days Max so you better get used to it,” she tells me as she reaches for my hand.

“So you met Ava?” she asks.

“Yeah we did.”

“So you still going to give me that tour?” she asks hopefully.

“Yep and we should get going because we have a lot of ground to cover,” I nod and smile.

I wonder if she’s going to invite Ava but instead she grabs a jacket, bids Ava goodbye before taking my hand and leading me out of the room.

“She seems nice,” I tell her as we walk down the hallway hand in hand.

“Yeah so far she’s ok,” Liz agrees.

Once we’re outside the dorm I turn to Liz, “So where do you want to start?” I ask her. I don’t really have this tour thing worked out.

She rolls her eyes, “Max I haven’t seen you in 18 months, the last thing I want is to spend my first day with you touring NYU.”

“Oh ok,” I smile. “So what do you want to do instead?” I ask.

“How about you show me where you live instead,” she asks.

I feel my mouth go dry. Is Liz Parker flirting with me?

Thanks everyone

Part 14

I take a deep breath as I close the door of my apartment, closing both Liz and I inside alone.

I watch as she looks around my apartment, studying my possessions before she turns back to me.

Her lips are turned up in a smile. “Why are you all the way over there?” she asks me, her smile flirtatious.

I’m still standing by the door.

“No reason,” I smile and move away but I don’t move towards her, I don’t trust either of us in that close contact.

“So this is where I live,” I tell her.

“It’s cool,” she says. “It must be nice to have your own place,” she adds.

“It is,” I agree. “It isn’t much but its home for now,” I add with a smile.

She moves towards me then until she’s standing right in front of me. I feel like life goes into slow motion then as she reaches up and kisses me gently. Apart from our night of love making Liz had never initiated intimacy with me like this, which is why it takes me by surprise.

I find myself responding for a few seconds before I realise what I’m doing and I gently push her away. It isn’t fair to send her mixed signals.

“What’s wrong?” she asks.

“We can’t do this,” I tell her.

A frown appears on her beautiful features. “Why not?” she asks. I get the feeling from the unfamiliar look on her face that she isn’t used to being told no by guys any more. Another thing that has changed about her.

I sigh then and collapse down onto my bed. “Liz we haven’t seen each other in 18 months,” I point out. “You can’t just expect to pick up where we left off,” I add.

I watch her as she seems to consider my words for a few seconds before she speaks. “Well I’m single and you’re single so I don’t see why we can’t,” she says surprising me.

My eyes go wide and she instantly notices it. “You are single aren’t you?” she asks me then a little unsurely. I watch as she bites down on her bottom lip as she waits for me to respond and I smile because that very action is a tell tail sign that the Liz Parker I met and fell in love with still exists.

“I am single at the moment yes,” I tell her.

Liz visibly sighs in relief, “Then what’s the problem?” she immediately asks all traces of the uncertain girl I caught a small glimpse of once again gone, and the new Liz is back full force.

“What happened to you Liz?” I find myself asking. “Who are you now?”

My words stop her advance towards me and she stops and looks at me in confusion.

“Nothing happened to me Max,” she responds.

“Ok,” I throw my hands up in defeat. “I think its great that you’ve found the confidence to come out of your shell a little bit but right now I’m missing the girl that I fell for in Roswell and I’m wondering what happened to her?”

“I’m still here,” she whispers finally taking a seat on my computer chair.

“You are?” I ask hopefully.

She turns away from me for a few seconds as she fingers some papers on my desk. “You changed me Max,” she admits. “All of a sudden I saw myself as the girl that you loved and made love to, and I liked that person.”

I smile at her words. “You should because she’s beautiful,” I tell her honestly.

“But after you were gone I felt like that girl Max but I didn’t see her when I looked in the mirror, and either did anyone else, so that was when I realised that if I wanted the world to see me for the person I was then I needed to make some changes.” She explains to me

“There was never anything wrong with you Liz,” I whisper my heart breaking as she explains herself to me. Did I really turn her world upside down like that and just leave.

She nods, “Maybe there was, and maybe there wasn’t but I can’t be that girl anymore Max.” she tells me. “I had to grow up and you helped me do that,” she adds.

I nod in acknowledgement. “I can understand that,” I tell her, “but just don’t try too hard to be someone you’re not and loose you, because I for one happen to love that girl,” I admit.

Liz smiles shyly at me then, “So does that mean we can stop all this talking now and you can let me show you how much I really missed you?” she whispers as she leans in.

I’m so tempted but I remember my promise to myself and I shake my head.

“Is there someone else?” she asks sadly. “Or do you just not have feelings for me anymore?” she asks.

“It’s not that,” I immediately respond her as I take her hand in my own and caress it gently.

“Remember how I told you about Maria?” I begin to explain.

“Yeah,” she nods, “I didn’t think there was anything going on with you guys though?”

“There wasn’t and there isn’t now but there was,” I ramble.

I can tell from the look on Liz’s face I’ve confused her.

“Maria and I did give it a go,” I try again, “then I got your email and it kind of just turned everything upside down, so I told her that I wanted to call things off.”

“Because of me?” she asks hopefully.

“Partly,” I admit. “Things were just spinning out of control and to tell you the truth I wasn’t sure of anything anymore.”

“So you and Maria are just friends now?” she asks me.

“Yes.” I nod.

“And what about me and you?” she asks.
I smile, “Friends too?” I ask hopefully.

“That’s not exactly what I had in mind,” she tells me.

“I know but I think it would be good for us to spend time getting to know each other again. We’re different people now Liz, 18 months is a long time,” I reply.

“True,” she agrees.

“Great,” I grin happy that I have gotten that conversation out of the way.

“But you’re not ruling out the possibility of there being something between us in the future?” she asks then.

“No I’m not,” I admit.

“Good,” she grins then, “because somehow I don’t think it’s going to take me long to convince you Max Evans that I’m the girl for you.”

I gulp. Those words sound very familiar.

***

“Max!”

I turn when I hear the familiar voice. I’m on my way to my first class of my last semester of law school and I’ve got to be honest and tell you I’m excited. I past all my summer classes and after this semester I’ll be a lawyer. My internship has also started and so far it’s also going very well.

I smile at Maria as she approaches looking like her usual hippy chick self.

“Max!”

I turn the other way when I hear my voice again and smile again when I see Liz approaching me.

Its then that I realise what was about to happen and that I was hopeless to stop it. Maria and Liz were about to come face to face. I don’t think I’m ready for this. I was doing a good job juggling the two of them over the past week.

“Shit,” I curse as I come to a stop.

“Hey babe,” Maria smiles as she throws her arms around me.

“Hey Maria,” I reply back

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Liz stop and frown in confusion.

When Maria pulls away, I turn to her and smile.

“Hey Liz.”

I know Maria is staring at Liz as she takes the final couple of steps and also wraps her arms around me.

“Hey,” she whispers against my chest.

Liz pulls back then and immediately she and Maria begin staring at each other, kind of sizing each other up in a way.

“So,” I say scratching my ear nervously.

“So you’re Liz?” Maria asks.

“Yeah,” Liz nods. “You must be Maria,” she adds.

“Yeah,” Maria replies. “So Max told you about me and us then?” she adds.

I watch Liz frown. “He’s mentioned you in passing,” she replies before shooting me a look to which I turn and glare at Maria.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Liz says then.

“You too,” Maria agrees albeit reluctantly.

“So now that we’ve all met,” I smile happily, “why don’t we get a coffee or something?” I suggest.

“Actually I can’t,” Maria speaks up. “My first class starts in about five minutes,” she explains.

“Oh,” I frown.

“I’m free,” Liz smiles, “I don’t have a class for an hour.”

“Great,” I reply. I already knew that which is why I agreed to meet Liz so that I could help her find her first couple of classes for the day.

“We’re still on for tonight though aren’t we Max?” Maria asks then.

“Oh yeah sure,” I nod forgetting about the dinner we planned last week momentarily.

I pretend not to notice the smug smile Maria is wearing, or the frown on Liz’s face. Why do I feel like a man who has two girls vying for his attention suddenly?

“Ok great,” she says before leaning in to kiss my cheek. “Bye,” she says before she begins to walk off.

I watch her for a few second before I turn back to Liz. “Should we go get that coffee?” I ask.

“I thought you said there wasn’t anything going on between you anymore?” Liz accuses.

“There isn’t, except friendship,” I quickly assure her.

“Then why all the hugging and kissing?”

I grin a little then; Liz is actually quite cute when she’s jealous. “Don’t you grin at me Max,” she tries to scold me but she ends up laughing instead.

“Maria is like my best friend,” I tell her. “The hugging and kissing things are normal, ok? I wouldn’t lie to you Liz. I would tell you the truth if I had something going on with anyone, ok?” I assure her.

“Ok,” she agrees.

I wrap an arm around her shoulder then as we head to the café for a coffee. It’s a natural gesture for me when I’m around Liz and I assume it’s because she’s so small that I feel this need to protect her, and that I love the fact that she fits perfectly into my side.

I sigh as the thought comes to mind. My old feelings for Liz are quickly rising to the surface as more of the girl I knew appears from the new shell I see. What makes it worse is that I still feel the same attraction to Maria as well when I’m with her.

“So are you excited about your first day?” I ask her trying to get my thoughts back to business.

Her eyes light up then, “God yes. I have English literature first up and I can’t wait,” she goes on to explain excitedly and I just sit there and take it all in, drink her all up because its moments like these with Liz that I cherish.

Thanks everyone

I actually forgot to update the title so Part 14 is on page 14 if you missed it. I've almost finished writing this fic so i'll update twice a week from now on.

Enjoy

Part 15

“So have you seen much of Liz since she arrived?” Maria asks me.

I look up curiously at her question. It’s been two months since Liz arrived and we went back to school. I’ve been fairly busy with my course load and my new job that I haven’t had much of an opportunity to hang out with Maria lately; something that I know has upset her. Somehow, I think she’s managed to get it in her head though that since I’m not spending my time with her I’m spending it with Liz.

Not true because Liz has been hassling me about the same thing.

“I had lunch with her yesterday,” I answer.

“Oh,” she frowns.

I sigh loudly; she hears me and gives me a questioning look.

“Maria, Liz and I are friends so I am going to have lunch with her and spend time with her.”

“I know that,” she replies.

“Then why do you insist on making me feel guilty about it? You wouldn’t care if I was having lunch with Andrew or Jay?” I point out.

“I would if you were picking them over me,” she argues, “and besides you’re not friends with Liz in the same way you are with Andrew and Jay.”

I open my mouth to reply but she just continues to talk over me.

“I see the way she looks at you Max. It’s not in a friend’s only way. And she’s been here two months. Why does she not have a boyfriend yet?”

I shake me head. “Why don’t you have a boyfriend?” I ask her.

She’s speechless. “Despite what you think about Liz, Maria, I think if you took the time to get to know that the two of you could be great friends.”

“I don’t see that happening anytime soon,” she replies.

“Why’s that?” I ask sadly. It would be so much easier if they could just get along.

I’m so glad that Isabel hasn’t involved herself in this little equation yet but I know it’s only a matter of time and then I’ll have three unhappy women in my life, something I’m not quite sure I can handle.

“Because we’re two girls who are after the same guy,” she replies bluntly.

“Funny that said guy has told both of you he just wants to be friends,” I point out.

“Maybe it’s not so much your words that we don’t believe but your actions,” she tells me.

I frown as I try to think about what she means. Her words imply that my actions are in some way making her think that I want to be more than friends but I’ve been careful to make sure that I don’t do that.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask her.

Maria sighs and pretends to be interested in her book to avoid looking at me.

“Maria?” I ask gently.

When she looks up, I can see the vulnerability in her eyes. “Nothing, don’t worry about it,” she tries to smile.

I reach over and grab her hand. “You can talk to me about anything ok? Anything.”

“I know,” she smiles before turning back to her books again.

I know that nothing is settled between us and that I should push her to finish the conversation but it’s obvious that she isn’t ready too and I don’t know how to help her with that.

***

“So when do I get to meet Liz?” Isabel asks me as we stand side by side and wash dishes.

I look up at her like a deer caught in the headlights.

“I ran into Maria the other day,” she smiles at me. “Someone isn’t a fan,” she adds jokingly.

I roll my eyes at her teasing. “It’s not funny, it’s awkward and hard.”

Isabel shrugs, “Didn’t you expect it to be?”

“No. I just didn’t think it would be this hard,” I sigh.

“What’s the problem?” she asks.

I look at her stupidly. “Oh they both want you,” she giggles.

I shake my head at her. “It’s not funny Iz. I want them both in my life but it’s so hard when I constantly feel like I’m being pushed to choose between them.”

Isabel’s smile turns into a sympathetic one then.

The other day I ran into Liz after classes. She wanted to hang out with me since we hadn’t caught up in a few days and I had to make excuses to get away from her because I already had plans to meet Maria. I couldn’t just tell her the truth either because then she would get jealous and upset with me. It’s exactly the same with Maria; even the mention of Liz’s name in conversation turns things frosty quickly.

“I thought you told them both that you just wanted to be friends?” she asks.

“I did, but they both seem determined that they can change my mind,” I explain.

“Can they?” she asks me.

I think about her question and I know the answer immediately. They could, which is part of my problem.

“You have feelings for both of them don’t you?” she asks.

“Yeah,” I nod slowly.

“Max…” she sighs.

“I know Isabel. This is exactly why I told both of them that we couldn’t be anything more than friends. I have to work out my own feelings before I can even deal with having a relationship with one of them.”

“It doesn’t matter which one you choose. You need to prepare yourself for the reality that you might loose one of them as a friend,” she points out to me then.

“I know,” I tell her. Its one of the things that makes it all the more harder. Maria is such an important part of my life and has been for the past 18 months and I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have her in my life. Then there is Liz, our relationship was never based on friendship but we’ve certainly managed to build a solid one in the few weeks she’s been in New York and I can’t imagine not having her in my life in some capacity.

“Just make sure that your 100% positive before you do anything,” she adds then.

“I will,” I smile at her.

For a sister, Isabel is great. It’s not very often that an older brother needs to go to his littler sister for advice but I find myself doing it a bit lately when it comes to matters of the heart.

“Thanks Izzy,” I smile.

“You’re welcome.”

***

I knock on Liz’s dorm room and wait for an answer.

Ava opens it a few seconds later and smiles at me. “Hey Maxie boy,” she greets me.

“Hi Ava,” I nod.

I can’t help but stare at her features and wonder about Tess but before I get the chance to ask her she steps aside and invites me inside. “She’s in bed,” she explains.

“How is she feeling?” I ask concerned.

I got concerned earlier that day when I hadn’t seen or heard from Liz in a few days. It has become second nature to at least talk to her in passing between classes.

So I called her cell that morning and when she picked it up, I could barely hear her, her voice was scratchy and her nose completely stuffed.

Ava shrugs at my question, “She ok. She’ll be happy now that you’re here.”

I smile slight at her words. “I’s headin out so I’ll catch ya's later.”

“Bye,” I call out as I make my way towards Liz’s room.

Inside she’s wrapped up in bed and staring at the television. She looks up when I walk in and she smiles.

“Hi,” her nose is red but she’s looks absolutely adorable.

“Hey,” I say and make my way towards her.

“I brought you some soup,” I say holding up the take out bag that I have. I also made a pit stop at the pharmacy and bought her some lozenges and cold and flu tablets.

“Thank you,” she whispers.

I move closer to her then but she puts her hand out to stop me. “Don’t. I don’t want you to get sick,” she tells me

“Thank you but I honestly don’t mind. Besides I have a pretty good immune system and I don’t get sick very often,” I reply as I take a place next to her on the bed.

I settle beside her and she instantly moves so that she can lie on my chest.

“How are you feeling?” I ask her.

“I feel miserable,” she confesses.

I chuckle a little. “Well do you feel like some soup? I bought chicken noodle,” I tell her.

“My favourite,” she’s whispers.

“That’s good,” I say happy. “I also bought you some cold and flu tablets so after you have something to eat I’ll get you a couple,” I add as I run a hand through her hair.

“Thank you Max, I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she whispers.

I look down at her and smile and my heart literally aches because I’m starting to wonder what I’d do with out her too.

A few hours later, I’m curled up with Liz in her bed and she’s fast asleep with her head resting on my chest when my cell phone vibrates on the bedside table next to us.

After eating soup, I made Liz take some cold tablets before we settled in to watch a DVD. Liz fell asleep half way through it and I was content to just lay and watch the end of the DVD.

I reach for my phone, doing my best to not move too much and wake Liz. I check the caller ID and see that its Maria calling.

I hesitate for a few seconds before I hit the hang up button sending the call to voice mail. Its not that I don’t want to talk to Maria, it’s just that right now isn’t the time. Liz is sick and she needs me. She’s in a strange city and I’m one of the few people that she has. I can’t deal with Maria’s or Liz’s jealousy issues right now.

Liz stirs in my arms then. “Hmm Max,” she sighs.

“I’m here,” I assure her and run a hand gently through her hair.

“Stay?” she asks.

“Of course,” I tell her. “Just go back to sleep, I’ll be here when you wake up.”

***

“Max!” I stop and look around as I hear my name. I’m walking through campus, a million thoughts in my head when I see Liz heading towards me.

She looked a lot better than when I saw her a couple of days earlier. “Hey,” I smile when she reaches me.

“Hey,” she replies before we exchange a hug.

“You look better.”

“Yeah I feel much better, I think those tablets did the trick,” she replies.

“I’m glad.”

“Me too. I couldn’t really afford to miss too many more classes,” she adds.

“Max! Max!” I look up to see Maria rushing towards me a hundred miles an hour and when she reaches me she launches herself into my arms only giving me seconds to recover and catch her.

“Oh my God Max you’re never going to guess what happened!” she says excitedly.

“What?” I ask still in a state of shock.

“I’m singing on Friday night at the restaurant,” she explains.

I smile, “Maria that’s great,” I tell her.

Its then that she notices Liz standing awkwardly at my side. “You’ll come won’t you?” she asks me.

“Of course,” I assure her. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

What she does next though surprises the hell out of me though. “You should come too Liz,” she says.

“Um ok, thanks,” Liz says sounding just as surprised.

“Bring some friends,” she adds. “Your brother moved here too didn’t he?”

“Yeah,” Liz replies.

“Great, well I’ll see you both Friday night,” she smiles before rushing off as quickly as she arrives.

Once she’s gone, Liz turns to me. “Was that weird?” she asks.

I chuckle. “Yeah, that was weird,” I agree.

Thanks everyone I've finished writing this fic now so i'll post more often i promise

Part 16

When Friday night came around Max made sure that he got to the café early so that he could secure a table for everyone. Max had mixed emotions about the night, Isabel was coming and so was Liz who was bringing Michael with her.

So it would be the first time that Liz and Isabel would meet, and it would also be the first time Max had seen Michael since he had left Roswell. He wasn’t quite sure what to expect when he saw the other man and he was hoping that the addition of Liz’s roommate Ava would prompt every one to behave better.

Max got a seat close to the front and sat down. He knew that Maria would most likely be out the back, getting ready to for her turn on stage. Max has spoke to her earlier that day and he knew that she was extremely nervous but at the same time excited. He had no doubt that once she got on stage she would blow everyone away.

Isabel was the first person to arrive and Max was thankful when she sat down beside him so he wasn’t sitting on his own any longer.

“This place is filling up,” she commented as she looked around.

“Yeah. Maria will be excited,” Max replied.

“So Liz is coming tonight?” Isabel asked.

“Yes.”

“That’s a little strange isn’t it?”

Max shrugged, “Maria invited her, even told her to bring her brother.”

“Leave it up to Maria to put her issues aside with someone so she could drum up a crowd,” Isabel chuckled.

Max rolled her eyes, “I prefer to think about it as her way of extending an olive branch to Liz.”

“Ok.”

Shortly after Isabel’s arrival Liz, Michael and Ava walked into the café too. Liz looked around for a few seconds before spotting Max and then she made her way through the crowd.

“Hi,” she smiled.

Max stood and offered Liz a quick hug. “Hey,” he replied.

“Liz I’d like you to meet my sister Isabel. Isabel this is Liz,” he introduced.

“It’s nice to meet you Liz,” Isabel smiled politely and offered her hand to shake.

“You too, Max talks about you all the time,” Liz replied and accepted the hand.

Liz turned then to the two people beside her. Michael as usual was standing with a frown on his face as he studied the people before him. He hadn’t been over the moon when he found out that Liz was back in contact with Max, but one thing he had learnt about Liz in the past 18 months was that she was big enough to take care of herself. She didn’t need him and she made sure that he knew it.

“Max you remember Michael right?” she said.

“Yeah, hi Michael,” Max greeted and held his hand out to him.

“Hey,” Michael grunted and quickly shook his hand.

“Isabel, this is my brother Michael and my room mate Ava,” Liz introduced to Isabel.

The five sat down around the smallish table then and Isabel and Liz did their best to make small talk over the awkward silence that had fallen over the table immediately after the introductions.

“So Michael how’s school?” Max asked trying to make conversation.

“It’s ok for school,” Michael grunted.

Liz rolled her eyes at her brother, he certainly wasn’t well known for his conversation skills.

“How are you finding New York Liz?” Isabel asked then.

“I love it,” Liz confessed. “I love the fact that you can get lost in this place and you’re not constantly running into people you know,” she grinned.

Next to Liz, Ava chuckled. “Your’s such a cornball.”

“Are you from New York originally Ava?” Isabel asked.

“Yeps born and bread, but I’s was living in LA with my fam for the past five years,” she replied.

“LA wow, that must be great,” Isabel gushes.

“It’s alright, no place like the big apple though,” she shrugged.

They were saved from more conversation when the lights dimmed slightly and someone stood on the middle of the stage and welcomed them before introducing the first act.

Five mediocre acts later and it was Maria’s turn.

“So is this Maria chick any good?” Michael asked. The last five acts had been crap and Michael was on the verge of walking out. He hadn’t even wanted to come but Liz had pleaded with him and he was hopeless once she started on him.

“Yeah she’s got a pretty good voice,” Max replied.

“So she should win this thing then?” he asked Max.

Liz giggled. “Michael it isn’t a talent show or anything, it’s an open night microphone and apparently there might be some agents here to impress,” Liz explained.

“Oh,” he frowned.

“Here she is,” Isabel said excitedly when Maria walked on the stage.

“That’s her?” Michael asked surprised.

“Yep,” Isabel replied.

“Well at least she’s hot,” Michael said.

“Michael,” Liz hissed.

“What?”

“Hi everyone, I’m Maria Deluca and tonight I’d like to sing to you an original piece that I wrote called Looking For Love,” Maria spoke quietly through the microphone.

She was sitting in front of a keyboard in the middle of the stage and the room was silent as the first keys sounded out.

Did I bother you again?
Did I interrupt?
I only know how to pretend
With a small talk and such

Could you taste my nervousness?
Could you sense my fear?
My mouth feels dry and I confess
I don't think that I've been clear

Everyone at the table and in the restaurant was captivated by Maria’s angelic voice. Max and Isabel had heard her beautiful voice before but for Liz it was genuine surprise.

'Cause I'm looking for love
I'm looking for love
I'm looking for love and love
Love
Love
I thought it was you

I think I should apologize 'cause I have made a big mistake
I think I misunderstood and there's too much now at stake

Max couldn’t help but smile as he watched Maria on stage. He had not doubt that she was born to be a performer and he really hoped that she would get her chance to be up in lights.

'Cause I'm looking for love
Yes
I'm looking for love
I'm looking for love and love
Love
Love
I thought it was you

Maria stared Max in the eye as she sung the chorus wanting him to know without a doubt that she was singing it to him.

She immediately saw him squirm and she smiled.

Yes
I'm looking for love
Yes
I'm looking for love
I'm looking for love and love
I thought it was you

Liz looked from Max to Maria and back again. She cold see clearly that Maria was staring at him, she could also tell that Max had definetely caught on to the fact that the song was for him too.

Yes
Love
I thought it was you

Love
I thought it was you

Everyone rose to their feet in applause as Maria finished the final notes of the song.

“Thank you so much everyone,” Maria spoke. Her face was glowing because she knew that she had just nailed her performance.

The mc walked to the middle of the stage then. “Ladies and gentleman how about another round of applause for Maria Deluca, wasn’t she great?”

The crowd erupted again and Maria took a little bow before disappearing from the stage.

“We’re going to take a short break but we’ll be back with the rest of the night’s acts soon,” he announced.

“She was great,” Isabel was the first to voice.

“Yeah she was,” Ava agreed.

“Yeah,” Max nodded.

“I can’t believe she wrote that song,” Isabel said then.

“Yeah it was great, it is new?” Liz asked looking at Max.

“I’ve never heard it before,” Max answered her.

Ten minutes later Maria joined the group out the front.

“Maria you were fabulous,” Isabel hugged her.

“Yeah you were great Ria,” Max agreed and gave her a hug.

“Oh thank you so much, do you really think it was good?” she asked.

“Definetely,” Max smiled at her.

Maria turned to Liz then. “Hi Liz,” she said politely. “Thanks for coming,” she added.

“No problem. You were really good by the way,” she replied.

“Thank you.”

“Maria this is my older brother Michael and my room mate Ava. Guys this is Maria.”

Maria turned her attention to the short punked blonde and smile. “Hi,” her eyes drifted to the guy sitting next to her then and just when she was about to speak she stopped.

Michael started intently at Maria. “Hi,” he said.

“Um hi,” Maria replied shocked at guy in front of her. He didn’t seem like Liz’s brother, he was almost twice her height and size and he certainly was a lot rougher around the edges but at the same time, she found him very appealing.

“It’s nice to meet you,” she said with a small smile.

Michael offered a grin of his own then. “You were hot up there,” he told her.

Maria blushed. “Thank you.”

“No prob.”

The rest of the group looked on with a mix of curiosity and surprise as Michael and Maria clearly flirted with each other in front of them.

On Liz’s part, she was excited to see Maria interested in someone other than Max and immediately looked over at him to see his reaction.

Max was surprised by Maria’s flirting, especially after the song that she had just sung for him and in the back of his mind he realised that he made the right decision in pursuing things with her.

The rest of the night went off without a hitch after that. Maria and Michael involved themselves in an interesting conversation about music which ended up getting heated at times, while Isabel drilled Ava about all the wonderful things she had experienced whilst in LA, mainly the shopping. That left Max and Liz to sit and talk quietly about Liz’s latest paper and Max’s job.

In a strange sort of way, they all formed a friendship that night, and maybe, just maybe they could all be friends.

Song is Looking for Love by Michelle Featherstone

Part 17

Liz scowled as she looked at her brother. “Tell me you’re joking?” she asked.

Michael grinned. “Nope, tonight 7pm.”

“But, but I thought she wanted Max!” Liz exclaimed.

Michael shrugged. “She told me that they had a thing but that Max had told her he didn’t want anything else. Maybe she’s sick of waiting for him to change his mind, who knows, who cares.”

“So you’re going to take her out knowing that she has the hots for someone else?” Liz asked shocked.

“She’s hot and I like her,” he said. “Why are you worried anyway? I though you’d be happy that she was out of your way. You’ve got Max all to yourself now,” he pointed out.

Liz continued to frown. “Probably won’t make a difference. I really don’t think he’s interested.” She sighed.

“Has he told you that?” Michael asked.

“He said he just wants us to be friends,” Liz replied.

“Well then there you go.” Michael said. “He hasn’t ruled out anything between the two of you in the future.”
Liz thought about what Max was saying. “True.”

Liz could hardly believe that her brother was about to take Maria Deluca out on a date.

Sure, they had seemed to hit it off the night they had been introduced at the café but Liz had never expected it to become something more. But apparently, she had been wrong. Michael had somehow gotten Maria’s number without her knowing and for the past two weeks, they had been getting to know each other. The next step, according to Michael, was a date.

“Does Max know?” Liz asked then.

“I didn’t tell him,” Michael replied. “Maria probably will though.”

“Did you guys talk about him?” Liz asked suspiciously.

“Like I said, she mentioned their small fling, she said it was over and I believe it,” Michael answered her.

“Ok,” Liz sighed.

The truth was Liz thought Maria was ok so if Michael wanted to date her that was ok with her. Besides Michael was certainly right about one thing. If Maria was out of the running for Max then that left only her.

Suddenly Liz was smiling.

***

“Haven’t heard from you all week. I was starting to wonder if I’d done something,” Max commented as he and Maria picked up the coffees they had ordered and went to find a seat in the small campus cafe.

“Not that I know of,” Maria smiled in reply. “I’ve just been busy with some things that’s all.”

“Anything good?” Max asked. He knew that Maria had been hoping that someone might have heard her sing and that something may have come from it but so far, she hadn’t heard anything.

“Actually,” Maria started before taking a sip of coffee. “I’m going out on a date,” she informed him.

Max’s eyes widened. “Really?” he asked. He was reluctant to make a comment right away; he really wasn’t sure what Maria wanted him to say to it. Maria took his silence as meaning something anyway.

Maria eyed him suspiciously. “Are you jealous?” she asked.

Max sighed. “I want you to be happy you know,” he told her sincerely. Her initial words had stung slightly but when he had noticed how her face glowed with a smile before it faded quickly. Maria looked happy and Max was happy about that.

“I know,” she nodded.

“So who’s the lucky guy?” he asked.

One day Max knew there was the possibility that he could regret letting Maria go but he knew that his feelings for her weren’t strong enough to stop her.

“Actually it’s Michael Parker,” she confessed.

“As in Liz’s brother Michael Parker?” Max clarified.

“Yes,” Maria nodded.

Well Max hadn’t seen that one coming. It was silly really. Maria had been openly flirting with him the other night in front of everyone, Max just hadn’t realised that they had gone the next step.

Maria studied Max’s reactions with a hint of disappointment in her heart. She wasn’t using Michael to make Max jealous. She genuinely liked him and that was a good thing because there hadn’t been too many of those since meeting Max. But in her heart, she guessed she had hoped that he would at least show some signs of being jealous.

Maria had really thought that things would work out with her and Max but the more and more she saw him with Liz the more she realised that it was hopeless. Max and Liz had something together that was special. She wasn’t sure if they really realised it yet but eventually she knew they would and then she would be left out in the cold. When they were together there was this aura surrounding them and it illuminated them. So Maria has resolved to protect herself and her heart and move on with someone else eventually, she just hadn’t bargained on Michael Parker coming along so quickly.

“I gave you time Max,” she said then, “I waited for you to realise how good we could be together,” she added.

Max began to open his mouth.

“But then I saw you with Liz and I knew it was never going to happen,” she smiled sadly.

“Maria….”

“It’s alright Max,” she patted his hand.

“You were right about us trying and it not working out. I would hate to loose you as a best friend and I see now that eventually we would have ended and that there was a possibility that it could have ruined things between us,” she told him.

“I do love you,” Max whispered.

“I know,” she smiled. “Just not the way that I wanted you to.”

They were quiet for a few minutes as they were both lost in their thoughts and drinking their coffee.

“So you and Michael? Wouldn’t have picked that” Max commented.

“At first glance me either but he’s actually quite funny when you get through the gruff brick wall,” Maria replied.

“I’ll have to take your word for that,” Max chuckled. “To him I’ll always be the guy who came to town and corrupted his little sister.”

“You did, didn’t you,” Maria laughed then, “because Liz is nothing like I expected. She even looks different.”

“Yeah but deep down the sweet, innocent small town girl is still there,” Max smiled wistfully.

“You should give things a go with her,” Maria suggested to him then. “Life is short Max and if you’re not careful she might just give up you and find someone else,” she added a warning.

“Like you?” Max teased.

“Yep,” Maria smiled.

When Max didn’t reply Maria became more curious, “What’s holding you back Max?” she asked him.

“From Liz?” Max asked.

“Yeah.”

Max hesitated, “Fear. I’m scared that we’re too different from the people we were when we met but mostly I’m afraid that eventually she’ll realise that she can do so much better than me,” he finally replied.

“Max you have so much going for you,” Maria pointed out. “Liz would be lucky to have you.”

“I wasn’t always like this Maria, there are things in my past that I’m not proud of that could come back to haunt me,” he admitted. It was the first time he had even gotten close to broaching the subject of his history in the porno industry with anyone.

“I’m sure it can’t be that bad. Tell her the truth, if she’s worth of your love then she’ll accept whatever it is,” Maria argued with him.

Max smiled at her words. “When did you become Liz’s cheer leader? You could barely tolerate her before.”

Maria smiled. “I just want you to be happy too Max,” she repeated his words.

Max smiled at her then. “And now you think that’s Liz?” he asked.

“I guess only you can make that call,” Maria shrugged.

***

When Liz walked back into the dorm room she shared with Ava she found her roommate lounging around.

“Hey,” she greeted.

“Hey cornball,” Ava replied.

Liz sighed as she fell down on the lounge next to Ava.

“What up?” she asked her.

“Michael’s going out with Maria,” she replied.

Ava thought about what Liz was telling her before responding, “I thought that would be a good thing, now you get GQ all to yourself.”

Ava had taken to calling Max GQ because she claimed he looked like he had stepped off the cover of a magazine, this amused Liz to no end.

“That’s what Michael said but I don’t think it’s going to make much of a difference,” Liz shrugged.

“Don’t give up yet,” Ava told her.

“Not yet,” Liz agreed.

“So what’s going on with you?” Liz asked Ava then.

“Not much,” Ava shrugged. “My sister called to brag about her latest movie.”

“You have a sister?” Liz asked curiously.

“Yah,” she nodded, she pulled out a photo then from her wallet.

“Oh my God you two could be twins,” Liz exclaimed.

“Yeah lucky me,” Ava rolled her eyes.

“You said she does movies? Do you get people confusing you for her?” Liz asked.

“Unfortunately yeah.”

“Has she been in anything big, I don’t think I’ve seen her?”

Ava laughed. “Trust me cornball you definitely ain't seen any of the movies my sisters been in.”

“Oh,” Liz frowned, she wasn't quite sure she knew what Ava was implying. “Well maybe you could show me one day.”

“Yeah, ok,” Ava grinned. “She got a new one out. I haven’t seen yet I’ll get us a copy.”

Ava couldn’t wait to see Liz squirm when she realised the type of movie her sister was the star in.

“Great,” Liz agreed.

Part 18

Liz eyed Max curiously as they sat across from each other at the restaurant they were eating dinner at.

So far Max hadn’t said anything about Maria’s date with Michael and Liz was wondering if he knew about it. Surely, Maria would have told him beforehand wouldn’t she?

Max was thinking about his conversation with Maria about his feelings for Liz. He knew that Maria had been right about telling Liz about his feelings, and coming clean about the things in his past. It was one of the reasons he had asked her to dinner that night, but now that he was here, sitting across from her he knew he just couldn’t do it.

He also didn’t want Liz to think that she was a consolation prize after he lost Maria to Michael.

“So how’s Maria?” Liz asked trying to work her into their conversation. “Did she get any interest after the café?” she wondered.

“She’s good and so far no contact that I know of,” Max replied. “Actually I’m not sure if you heard but Maria has started dating Michael,” he added on.

Liz smiled, “Yeah, Michael told me. How do you feel about that?” she asked.

Max smiled, “Its fine Liz. Maria and I are just friends and I’m the one that wanted it that way.”

Liz nodded and did her best to hide her relieved smile. “If it makes you feel better Michael really seems to like her.” She told him.

“I’m glad. Maria seems to be really into him too which surprised me because she hasn’t really shown an interested in anyone since I’ve known her,” he replied.

“That’s probably because she was interested in you,” Liz rolled her eyes.

Max chuckled. “True.”

They finished dinner and Max insisted on paying the bill.

“Can I take you for ice cream?” he asked.

“Sure,” Liz agreed with a smile. If she didn’t know better this was starting to feel an awful lot like a date.

They walked to a gelato bar just around the corner and once inside Max suggested that they get a few of their favourite flavours in to go containers.

“Maybe we could go back to my apartment,” he suggested. “There are a few things that I would like to talk to you about,” he added.

“Sounds good,” Liz agreed.

Five minutes later equipped with three to go containers, Max and Liz were on their way back to Max’s jeep to make the ten minute trip to his apartment.

It was only the second time that Liz had been there, and after her last visit she had never expected to be invited back.

“I like your place,” she told him.

“Thanks,” Max replied as he pulled out two spoons for them to eat their gelato from.

They took a seat together on Max’s couch and dug into the ice cream for the next few minutes without speaking.

Eventually though Max placed his container down and looked at Liz.

“I’ve really enjoyed having you back in my life,” he told her.

Liz stopped eating and looked towards him surprised. “Me too.”

“I know that I told you I didn’t want us to be anything more than friends when you first arrived, what I didn’t tell you though was there are other reasons why I chose to keep my distance from you.”

Liz seemed surprised yet curious by Max’s worked. ”Ok.” she nodded.

Max took a deep breath. “When we met in Roswell we didn’t really take the time to get to know each other that well,” he said.

“There wasn’t really time I guess,” Liz agreed.

Liz reached for Max’s hand then, “I don’t regret it though,” she told him.

Max smiled. “Me either,” he agreed. “I guess I just wish that I had told you some things before I had gotten involved with you back then.”

“Ok.” Liz agreed.

“And some of those things are still present in my life and they’re part of the reasons why I’ve been afraid to admit my feelings for you and to give us another go,” he admitted.

“You have feelings for me?” Liz asked hopefully.

Max caressed her hand gently as he stared into her beautiful brown eyes. “Of course I do,” he whispered.

“I don’t want you to think I’m only telling you this now though because Maria has moved on with Michael,” he quickly rushed to assure her then.

“Well a girl could start to think that since you’re timing coincides with it,” she pointed out.

“I know and maybe in some ways it is easier for me to admit how I feel now because I know she has moved on and I’m not going to hurt her.”

“I can understand that,” Liz nodded.

“It was actually Maria who convinced me to talk to you, to tell you how I feel,” he told her then.

“And how is that?” Liz asked.

“I still love you,” Max smiled. “But this time I think what we share could be so much more. We’re older and wiser and I can think we can really make a go of this if we’re committed.”

Liz grinned. “I love you too,” she whispered.

She couldn’t’ believe that they were really having this conversation. Liz was honestly starting to believe that her and Max were never going to be anything more than friends ever again.

Liz knew that it had nothing to do with Maria either. She had never truly believed that Max had been more interested in Maria than her; she could simply tell when Max was with her that it wasn’t the same as when he was with her. Liz remembered every moment they had spent when they had been together in Roswell and she knew that none of those moments had been lies.

“In some ways I think you were right though. We definetely needed to get to know each other all over again. We are different people. I know I am,” Liz told him then.

“You certainly are and now I see how some of those changes are so good for you.” he smiled at her.

“Thank you.” Liz blushed knowing he was talking about her new stylish look. She had seen him enjoying the view on more than one occasion including tonight when she was wearing a tight, short black dress

“So where does that leave us now?” she asked.

“Well I think we should start slow, and there are still some things that I need to tell you,” he replied.

Liz picked up her ice cream then and began eating all over again.

“Go for it,” she told him.

Max began talking then. He told Liz everything he could think about starting with his fears of failing at having a real meaningful relationship with her, and he kept talking until he had revealed everything about his father’s death and the money problems that he and his family experienced afterwards.

He was just gearing up to tell her about what he did to get the money when Liz’s phone interrupted them.

“I’m sorry,” she apologised.

In some ways, Max was relieved. He was scared to finally admit everything to Liz, afraid to see the look of disgust in her eyes that he was sure he would see once she realised what he had done.

After talking briefly on the phone, Liz turned her attention back to him.

“I’m sorry keep going,” she said.

Max took a deep breath.

“Growing up I never knew what it was like to not have things,” he told her. “All of a sudden though that was what it was like. It didn’t matter how many hours I put in at the bar, or how many hours my mum worked at her job, with my uni bills mounting up I couldn’t help out too much with the mortgage. Then there was my sister…”

“I can’t even begin to understand how hard it must have been,” Liz said sadly.

“Until you’re in the situation you can’t know what you’d do,” he said then and waited for Liz’s reaction.

“Things are better now though, aren’t they?” she asked. She assumed they must be if Max had his own apartment.

“They are,” Max nodded. “I managed to pay off my mother’s mortgage as well as my uni bills,” he admitted.

Liz’s eyes widened. “Max that’s great,” she told him.

“My mum and sister don’t know,” he told her then. “In fact you’re the first person, other than my bank manager, that I’ve told.”

“Why?” Liz asked confused.

“Because if I told them what I had done they would want to know where I got the money from,” He said.

Liz froze, “Where did you get the money from?” she asked him.

“I did some things that I’m not proud of Liz,” he whispered, his grip on her hand tightening in an effort to hold on to her just in case she decided to run before she heard him out.

“You didn’t do anything illegal did you?” she asked worried.

Max shook his head. “No.”

“Then what?” Liz wondered.

“One night when I was working at the bar when a guy approached me and gave me a card,” he began to explain. “He told me a good looking guy like me could make a lot of money if I want to.”

Liz gulped, “Max you weren’t a prostitute were you?”

Max felt his vision cloud. “I might as well have been,” he whispered.

Liz sat shocked.

“The man that approached me was a director in the porn industry,” he admitted. “At first I didn’t call him but then I got desperate. They were going to foreclose on my mother’s mortgage and I couldn’t let that happen. My mum and sister had nowhere else to go.”

“Oh Max,” Liz cried.

“So I called him and now there are two movies floating around the world that Zan the Man aka Max Evans is the star of.”

Max waited for Liz to say something. He thought it was a good sign that she hadn’t fled from him so far.

“Just two?” she asked.

“Only two,” he promised.

It didn’t occur to Liz in that moment to ask him about the movies or the timing involved. Looking back on it later, she knew it was mainly due to shock.

Max watched as a million thoughts ticked over in Liz’s head.

“Can you be ok about this?” he asked.

“Can I?”

“Yeah?” he asked hopefully and his hope was clearly conveyed to Liz on his face.

“I think so,” she agreed.

Max sighed in relief. “Thank you,” he whispered.

“You just have to give me some time to absorb this. I wasn’t exactly expecting this,” she told him.

“I know and thank you for being understanding,” he told her.

“What you did Max, doing this for your family, that was really nice of you. I know your sister and mother probably have no idea but they’re lucky that they have you,” she told him honestly.

Liz knew that Max must have been desperate to do the movies.

“Thank you,” he told her.

Liz nodded.

“Liz?” he asked then.

“Yeah?”

“Do you think I could hold you now?” he whispered like a frightened child.

Liz moved into his arms and wrapped her arms around him. “I think that’s a perfect idea,” she whispered.

Hey everyone, thanks to those of you still reading and leaving feedback. Enjoy the new part

Part 19

Liz was sitting at her desk studying when Ava walked into their dorm room.

It had been over a week since Max had revealed his secret to Liz, and so far, things were ok. True to Liz’s word, they had started off slow. So far, nothing apart from some short, shy kisses had been exchanged and Liz was glad for that.

“Hey cornball,” Ava greeted her.

“Hey,” Liz replied distractedly.

“What’s up?” Ava asked.

She knew that Liz and Max had begun dating so she couldn’t understand why Liz didn’t seem to be happy.

“Just studying,” Liz replied.

“Feel like taking a break and watching a movie?” Ava grinned.

Ava had received a package from her sister just that day and it had contained the latest movie she had released. Ava couldn’t wait to see it. Tess had told all about the guy that starred opposite her. According to Tess, he was not only the hottest man she had ever laid eyes on; he also had a big dick and knew how to use it. Ava was nothing like her sister but she certainly didn’t mind a round of hot sex on occasion.

Liz looked up and considered the question. She had been studying for hours and she had no plans to see Max that night.

“Why not,” she agreed.

“I’ll set everything up, you go microwave us some popcorn,” Ava instructed.

Five minutes later, popcorn and soda in laps, both girls were sitting on Ava’s bed waiting for the movie to start.

“Hey, you’re from Roswell right?” Ava asked.

“Yeah why?”

“Oh I think this might have been filmed there, some of it anyway,” Ava shrugged.

“Really?” Liz seemed surprised. “Who would want to film a movie in Roswell?”

It didn’t take long for Liz to realise who, and why.

“Oh my God, is this a porno?” she cried.

Ava snickered. “Yep. You ever seen one before?” she asked.

Liz looked at Ava then back to the TV. “No,” she shook her head.

“Oh my God,” Ava cried then.

The main character had just walked into the picture, he was a camper and he was in the woods.

Liz felt her world stop.

“Is that Max?” Ava asked.

Liz remained quiet, her eyes transfixed on the screen where Max was just being approached by a camper.

Ava picked up the cover of the DVD. “Its not Max, its some guy named Zan but it sure as hell looks like him. It could be his twin,” she explained to Liz.

When Liz didn’t reply Ava looked over at her.

“You all right?” she asked.

Liz swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded.

“It’s not Max,” Ava said again. “Well according to the credits on the back anyway.”

“Right,” Liz finally found her voice and replied.

Ava could tell that Liz was upset and she figured it was because the guy in the movie did look an awful lot like Max. If she didn’t know what a straight-laced type of a guy Max was, then Ava would have said it was him for sure.

“We don’t have to watch it,” she pointed out.

Ava couldn’t imagine anything worse than watching a guy who looked like the twin of your boyfriend getting his cock sucked by some porno slut. She knew it would also be worse when later on her own sister, an almost twin, would be fucking this Zan guy too.

“Oh um, why don’t you just forward it until a scene your sister is in or something,” Liz replied vaguely. Surely Max wasn’t in too much of this movie right.

“Ok,” Ava shrugged and picked up the remote like Liz asked.

Liz recognised the UFO centre the minute she saw the scene and she literally felt sick to her stomach. So this was the so-called independent film Max was making? This was his reason for being in Roswell.

“Oh God,” she said.

Max was walking around it the centre looking at the exhibits when all of a sudden a hand reached out and dragged him behind a curtain.

Liz gasped when the camera zoomed in on the girl.

“Oh my God, she looks exactly like you,” she turned to Ava.

“I know. Freaky aint it?” Ava laughed.

“You must get all types of freaks hitting on you,” Liz said then.

“Pretty much. It was kind of why I changed my look,” she shrugged.

“Wow, that must suck.”

“Sometimes it aint bad to be some guys fantasy cornball,” Ava giggled.

Liz turned her eyes back to the screen briefly then and watched as Ava’s sister began to fuck Max wildly.
“Turn it off please,” she whispered.

She couldn’t look at Max’s face as someone else rode him for a second longer. It was unbearable.

Liz stood up.

“You ok?” Ava asked.

“Yeah just a little shocked to see that guy look so much like Max,” she lied.

“Yeah sorry about that. I didn’t realise.”

“It’s ok,” Liz nodded.

“Wait till you tell Max,” Ava laughed then.

Liz did her best to laugh too. “Yeah.”

“I’m going to go for a walk,” Liz said then as she grabbed her jacket and keys.

“You sure you’re ok?” Ava frowned.

“Yeah I’m fine.” Liz smiled.

It wasn’t until knew she was safe and clear from her dorm room and Ava that she allowed the tears to fall.

Although she knew that Max had been in those types of film, it was different thing altogether too actually see it. That and the fact that she felt as though he had lied to her by not telling her that the movie was the reason he had been in Roswell.

Liz felt disgusted then. Max had been in Roswell fucking numerous women for the film and then he would come to her at the Crashdown and he would touch her, or kiss her.

She cried harder then. Had he been with one of those woman on the day she had given him her virginity?

In her pocket, her cell phone rang but Liz ignored it.

On the other end Max frowned when he got her voice mail.

“Its me,” he told her answering machine. “Give me a call when you get this.”

After hanging up the phone, Max grabbed his keys and wallet and headed out the door.

For some reason he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Liz was supposed to be home studying so why wouldn’t she pick up her phone.

***

Ava wasn’t surprised when she opened the door to find Max on the other side. Since he and Liz had started dating the week before he had been spending a lot of time together.

“Hey Max,” she greeted.

“Hey Ava,” he replied. “Is Liz here?” he asked.

Ava frowned. “Actually, she went for a walk a while ago.”

“Oh.” Max frowned. “Did she say where she was going?”

“No, she was a little upset I think.”

“What about?” Max asked concerned.

“It was my fault actually,” she said and stepped aside to invite him in. “My sister sent me a copy of her new movie and we decided to watch it.”

Max felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. “Your sister?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Ava nodded and walked to the bed to pick up the DVD.

“I didn’t realise but the guy in it could be your twin, I think it spooked her a little,” she explained.

Max felt his heart stop when he looked down at the cover. “Abducted,” he whispered. On the front of the cover was a picture of him, almost naked. He knew his movie had been released, and had been quite popular, but so far, he had never had to see it.

“Yeah my sister does porn,” Ava rolled her eyes.

“Oh.”

“See the guy could be your twin,” Ava pointed to the covering picture of him. Luckily, Max’s hair and appearance had change enough in the past 18 months that it was easy enough to believe that it wasn’t him. But Max knew that there was no way he would be able to go back to a short hair cut for a very long time. If someone noticed the fact that it was actually him in the movie then he knew a successful career in law would be over.

“You’re right, that’s really weird,” he said to Ava before handing the DVD back to her.

Ava looked at Max strangely. Something didn’t seem right about either Liz’s or Max’s reaction.

“Anyway, I offered to turn it off but she wanted to see my sister.”

“Do you know which way she went?” he asked. “I should go look for her. It’s late and I don’t like the idea of her being out by herself.”

“No, I’m sorry,” she shook her head.

“Ok, well if she comes back can you get her to ring me?” Max asked.

“Of course,” Ava replied.

“Thanks Ava,” Max nodded

***

In the end, it didn’t take Max long to find Liz. She was only a few metres from her dorm building, sitting at a bench.

“Hey,” he whispered as he sat down beside her.

Liz didn’t look up, she just sniffled.

“I’m sorry you had to see that,” he sighed.

“You lied to me,” Liz whispered.

Max reached out to take her hand but Liz pulled it back quickly.

“Liz…” Max replied hurt by her rejection. “I didn’t think it was important where I did the movies.”

Liz turned to look at him then, her red eyes blazing with fury.

Max gulped.

“You didn’t think it was important that you met me while filming a porno? You didn’t think it was important that you touched me after spending all day fucking those women?” she whispered furiously as she rose to her feet.

“Or was it that you didn’t think it was important that you actually fucked me after fucking all of them?” she yelled.

“Liz…” Max reached out for her in desperation.

“Don’t touch me,” she cried.

“Liz please let me explain,” he begged.

“Was it amusing to you to fuck a virgin after spending all day fucking sluts?” she cried.

“Of course not. It wasn’t like that. You were so innocent and pure Liz, that’s what I loved about you from the minute I saw you. You weren’t tainted by life like the rest of us. I never meant for things to escalate between us the way they did, but I fell you for you. I was helpless to stop myself,” he replied.

Liz shook her head at him, tears still falling.

“You should have told me the truth, all of it, the other night,” she told him.

“I know. I’m sorry,” he nodded.

She took a few steps away from him then. “I need some time,” she told him. “Just leave me alone for a while, ok?”

Max wanted to beg her not to shut him out but he knew that he had no right. “Ok,” he whispered.

With one last final look Liz turned and ran back to the dorms leaving Max sitting on the cold bench with tears flowing down his eyes, knowing that all his fears had just come to life. Liz was disgusted in him and he was almost certain that he had just lost the best thing that had ever happened to him.

Part 20

“You look like shit” Maria couldn’t help but comment as she sat down across from Max.

“Thanks” Max tried to smile but it was obvious immediately to Maria that it was completely fake.

“What’s wrong?” she asked worriedly.

It had been a week since Liz had found about the film in Roswell, a week in which she wouldn’t speak to him, return his calls and was even going as far as turning and walking in the other direction when their paths would cross.

Last time Maria had spoke to Max he had been over the moon about he and Liz getting together so she wondered what had caused such an abrupt turn around in his mood.

“Did something happen with Liz?” she asked.

“Let’s just say that I don’t think things with Liz and I are going to work out,” he told her quietly.

“Why what happened? Last week you two were fine,” she asked.

“Yeah well things changed,” he said sadly.

Maria was completely confused. What could change things so drastically in a week?

“Did you tell her your secret?” she asked.

Although Maria didn’t know the secret Max kept hidden, she knew that it must have been serious for him to not confide in her about it. They told each other everything normally, this was the only exception.

“Yeah” he nodded.

“OH Max I’m so sorry,” she said.

Max did his best to shrug it off. “Don’t worry about it,” he said.

Maria felt bad. She had been so wrapped up in her new relationship with Michael that she hadn’t been there for her best friends.

“How’s Michael?” Max asked in an effort to change the subject.

Maria smiled, “He’s good”

“Treating you well?” Max asked.

“The best”

“Good, you deserve it” Max smiled at her.

He stood up then, picked his backpack up, and slung it on his shoulder. “I have a class,” he told her.

“Ok” Maria nodded. “But call me later”

“Ok” he agreed but they both knew it would be unlikely if he did.

Maria watched him as he went and sadness settled over her. She had never seen Max like this in the entire time she had known him and she wondered if Liz Parker even realised what she was missing out on.

***

Liz groaned when she heard the knocking on her dorm door.

“Ava why can’t you remember your key” she yelled out in frustration.

She was lying in bed surrounded by ice cream and empty chocolate wrappers and the last thing she wanted to do was get up.

But the banging continued so eventually, still in her pyjama’s, Liz crawled out of bed and over to the door.

Maria’s eyes narrowed as the door opened and she stood face to face with Liz.

“Maria” Liz stated surprised.

“What are you dong to Max?” Maria immediately asked her as she pushed her way into Liz’s dorm room.

“By all means come in” Liz replied sarcastically.

“Have you see Max lately Liz? Have you actually had a good look?” she asked. “Because if you had you’d see that what you’re doing to him is killing him,” she cried.

Liz immediately felt bad, she had done her best to avoid Max over the past week since she wasn’t ready to deal with him by on the few times she had caught sight of him it had been obvious that he hadn’t been doing any better than her.

“He’s a good guy Liz and if you can’t see that then you don’t deserve him,” Maria continued oblivious to the fact that she had lost Liz’s attention some time ago.

“Did Max tell you what he did?” Liz asked.

Maria stopped and looked at Liz. It was the first time she had taken in her appearance since she had barged in on her.

“No he didn’t” she shook her head. “But I know that whatever his secret is, it took him a lot to tell you. That should mean something”

“You might be singing a different tune if you knew the truth” Liz told her.

Maria was about to deny it but one look at the girl in front her she realised that whatever the secret or issue between Max and Liz it was more serious that she had thought.

“Look I’m sorry for barging in and yelling at you. That was wrong of me,” she said gently. “I can see now that you’re suffering just as much as Max,” she added as she looked around the room and saw the state of Liz’s bed.

Liz walked over to her bed, picked up the pint of chocolate ice cream, and took a spoonful.

“But is thing between you and Max really that bad that you’re going to let it ruin everything between you. It’s obvious that you both love each other. Can’t you work through this?” Maria asked.

It was the first time since Maria had met Liz that she actually regretted not knowing her very well. Sure, she knew things about her from Max and Michael but she had never actually taken the time to get to know Liz and she wished she had in that instance. Maybe then, she’d understand what was going on in the younger girls head and be able to help her best friend.

“Why are you doing this? Don’t you want Max for yourself?” she asked.

“Liz I’m with Michael now and I’m really happy,” Maria told her. “Sure in the past Max and I had something but it was over the day you showed up in New York. It just took me a while to figure it out” she replied.

Liz nodded. “It’s not that bad that it can’t be fixed” Liz said then.

“Then why won’t you talk to him?” Maria asked.

“I wasn’t ready” she shrugged.

“Ok I can understand that” Maria smiled.

“But don’t leave it too long ok because I would hate to see you wait too long and loose him. I know Max better than anyone and take it from me, he’s worth all the crap you have to go through to be with him,” she told her.

“You’re a good friend’ Liz told her.

“I like to think so and I’ll like it if maybe we could be friends” Maria smiled.

“Really?” Liz asked surprised.

“Yeah. I mean I am dating your brother and you’re dating my best friend,” she pointed out.

“Michael’s really lucky to have met you,” Liz said. “I’ve hated every girlfriend he’s ever had but you’re not too bad” she smiled.

Maria laughed, “I so knew that space boy used to date skanks,”

“Space boy?” Liz laughed.

“Yeah” Maria blushed. “You don’t want to know,” she added referring to where his nickname came from.

“You’re right I definetely don’t” Liz agreed.

Maria looked around at Liz’s surroundings then, “you been in here all day?’ she asked.

“Yeah just didn’t feel like facing the world so after my morning lecture I came home, put my pyjamas back on and went back to bed” Liz shrugged.

“Well if it makes you feel any better Max is just as miserable, maybe the two of you could be miserable together?” Maria suggested.

Liz offered Maria a spoonful of ice cream then which she happily accepted.

“Oh nice choice” she smiled.

“Thanks.” Liz said. “I want to talk to Max, I really do. I’m not shutting him out to punish him I just needed some time to get my head around everything”

“I can understand that”

“Yeah but can Max?” Liz asked.

“I’m sure he can, he’s just really worried he’s lost you and that’s hard when you love someone,” Maria explained.

“I know” Liz nodded remembering how she felt when she thought things were hopeless between her and Max.

“I know I don’t know what’s gong but maybe you could give me the run down without giving too much away and I might be able to help?’ Maria suggested.

Liz considered Maria’s suggestion for a second. “Ok” she agreed.

“Max told me his secret and although I was a little shocked I was ok because I appreciated that he’d been truthful with me. But then a week ago I discover that he didn’t’ tell me the whole truth, he left some really important information out which pertained to how we met and the first time we were together” Liz told her. “It really hurt and now I’m finding myself questioning all the time we spent together, the night we made love but most importantly his motives”

“Oh Liz I’m really sorry” Maria said. She could tell there were tears in Liz’s eyes.

“Yeah me too” Liz smiled sadly.

“But I know Max, and I also met him not long after he met you and I know that the feelings he had for you were so strong” Maria told her.

“He used to talk about me?” Liz asked surprised.

“Yeah” Maria smiled. “All the time”

Liz seemed to think about what Maria said. “I don’t know exactly what has you doubting Max’s feelings for you back then, or what you shared but the Max I know wouldn’t have wanted that” she added.

“I know your right” Liz finally sighed, “My head can understand that I just need to get my heart to catch up”

Maria stood then, it was obvious that Liz had a lot to think about, “I’ll leave you too it but if you need anything don’t hesitate to call”

Liz nodded.

“Maria?” she called just as the blonde was about to walk through the door.

“Thanks, and I’d really like it too if we could be friends” she told her.

“Great!” Maria beamed.

“Bye”

“Bye”

Maria felt better as she walked out of the dorm room. Not only because she thought she had done something to help Max without yelling at Liz but also because she had managed to start a tentative friendship with Liz.

Liz watched the door after Maria left until she finally could take it any longer. So she walked to the phone, picked it up and dialled the number she knew by heart. She waited until the answering machine picked up before she started to speak.

“Hi it’s me,” she said. “Do you think we could talk? Come by the apartment tonight at 7” she added.

As soon as she put the phone down, she felt better. Maria had been right, if her and Max were going to be miserable they might as well be miserable together.

Thanks everyone


Part 21

Max sighed tiredly as he walked down the hallway towards his afternoon lecture.

Talking to Maria had certainly helped him but it hadn’t helped things with Liz. It was almost two weeks later and he still hadn’t seen or heard a word from her.

Max was so caught up in his thoughts of Liz that he wasn’t paying attention to where he was going so when he ran straight into someone it sent him flying backwards.

“Shit,” he cursed.

Looking over to where he was standing he realised that he had in fact ran into another person and their books were all over the ground.

“I’m sorry,” he apologised as he got to his feet and begun to gather the books.

“It’s fine,” the soft voice whispered.

Max froze and slowly and raised his eyes until they met her brown ones.

“Hi Max.” she whispered accepting the books he offered her.

“Liz, hi.” he replied surprised.

I think you can do much better than me.
After all the lies that I made you believe.
Guilt kicks in and I start to see,
the edge of the bed
where your nightgown used to be.

Liz had been in just as deep as thought as Max when she had run into him. She had actually been trying to think of a way of approaching him so that they could talk. She knew that it had been almost two weeks and she was reluctant to just show up at his apartment because she wasn’t quite sure he would want to talk to her anymore, after he way she had run out on him.

I told myself I won't miss you,
But I remember
What it feels like beside you
I really miss your hair in my face
And the way your innocence tastes
And I think you should know this
You deserve much better than me.

“How are you?” Liz asked softly.

Max’s heart literally ached as he watched the way she clutched her books to her chest and kept her distance from him. Was this the way it would be between them now? Because he wasn't quite sure he could stand it.

Shifting his bag on his shoulder Max shrugged.

“Yeah, ok I guess.” he replied.

Liz nodded instantly knowing he was lying. Maria had actually been dead on, Max looked miserable.

While looking through your old box of notes
I found those pictures I took
That you were looking for
If there's one memory I don't want to lose
That time at the mall
You and me in the dressing room.

“How about you?” Max asked being polite.

“Oh yeah, you know,” Liz replied looking everywhere but his face.

“Yeah,” he agreed knowing exactly what she meant.

I told myself I won't miss you
But I remember
What it feels like beside you
I really miss your hair in my face
And the way your innocence tastes
And I think you should know this
You deserve much better than me

They continued to stand across from each other awkwardly for a few minutes.

“So I guess I better get to class.” Max finally said knowing he couldn’t put it off any longer. He was standing so close to Liz but he had never felt so far away from her and he hated it.

“Oh ok,” Liz frowned. Why didn’t he say something or at least try to talk to her?

“I guess I’ll see you later,” he said.

“Yeah, I guess.” Liz agreed.

The bed I'm lying in is getting colder
Wish I never would've said it's over.
And I can't pretend.
I won't think about you when I'm older
Cause we never really had our closure.
This can't be the end

Max slowly took a few steps past Liz, his head down, as he did his best to hold on to his emotions. Liz deserved so much better than him anyway.

“Max wait!” Liz cried.

Slowly, Max stopped and turned back until he was facing Liz.

“Yeah?” he asked.

Instantly Liz could see how hard it was for him to be standing in front of her and she instantly felt regret that she had been the one to put such a sad expression on his beautiful face.

Sure, she knew he was far from innocent but she regretted not talking things out with him instead of running off like a school girl.

“Can we talk?” she whispered, tears filling her beautiful eyes.

I really miss your hair in my face
and the way your innocence tastes
And I think you should know this
you deserve much better than me

I really miss your hair in my face
And the way your innocence tastes
And I think you should know this
You deserve much better than me
(And I think you should know this)
(You deserve much better than me)

Max opened his mouth in surprise. That had been the last thing he had expected to hear her say.

“Ok,” he agreed.

“Not here,” she said quickly. They couldn’t talk freely when anyone could stumble upon them and hear them.

“Ok. How about my place tonight?” he suggested.

Liz smiled slightly then. “I’ll see you then.”

“Ok,” he smiled too.

He knew it was silly to hope but at that second, that was exactly what Max Evans was doing. He was hoping somehow that maybe life was going to be kind to him and somehow Liz was going to be able to forgive him.

***

Max was nervous as he waited for Liz to arrive. They hadn’t really agreed on a time but now it was six o’clock and he assumed that she would be there any second.

Liz stood outside of Max’s door just staring at it and willing her hand to reach up and knock. She was nervous about the upcoming conversation she knew she would be having with Max. She had brought Thai take away with her hoping that they could at least eat and overcome their nerves before they talked about the fate of their relationship.

Max jumped when he heard the wrapping on his apartment door. He took a deep breath before he approached and opened it.

“Hi.” Liz greeted him.

“Hi.” he replied relieved that she had actually turned up.

“I brought dinner. I hope you haven’t eaten,” she informed him holding up the take out bag.

Max smiled, “No. I was actually too nervous to even think about food,” he admitted as he stepped aside and let her into the apartment.

Liz walked straight towards the kitchen and began pulling the food out. Max watched her with a smile, happy that she appeared to feel comfortable around him and in his home. After what he had done, he wouldn’t have been surprised if she never wanted to be near him again.

“So I wasn’t exactly sure what you liked so I just got what I did,” she explained

Max walked closer and checked out her selections. “Looks good,” he smiled.

They got through dinner easily, Liz making small talk about classes and Maria and Michael to try to ease the tension that she could feel. But once they had both placed their plates down they knew they couldn’t put it off any longer.

“We should talk.” Max said.

“Yeah.” Liz agreed.

“Liz, I’m so sorry for not telling you the truth about why I was in Roswell. I honestly didn’t even think about how it would upset you. You have to know that I didn’t do it to hurt you.”

“I know you didn’t Max but you did,” she said gently. Liz had spent plenty of time putting her thoughts and feelings into order so that she could make Max understand. She just hoped that now she could get them out.

“It feels like everything we shared in Roswell is now tainted because of what you were doing when you weren’t with me,” she added.

Max nodded. “Those girls, the film meant nothing to me. You do.”

“I know that too,” Liz told him. “And you’re right, you should have told me the entire truth Max, not just the parts you wanted too. Maybe it wouldn’t have made a difference in where we are now, I probably would have been just as upset, just a week earlier but I had a right to know,” she told him.

“You’re right,” he whispered. “I hate the fact that you’re questioning the time we spent together and what it meant to me,” he admitted. “I never wanted that to happen, the time I spent with you in Roswell is so special to me.”

“It was to me too,” Liz agreed. “And I know in my heart that it was true but it’s taking a while for my head to catch up.”

“Ok,” he nodded.

“Am I at risk?” Liz asked then.

Max looked at her confused. “You slept with those girls and then me,” Liz said awkwardly. “Am I at risk of getting something?”

Max looked at her horrified. “No!” he told her. “You have to be tested right before you start filming and if you’re not clean you’re not in the film,” he informed her. “I also used protection every time just like I did when we were together.”

Max was shocked and upset that these were the thoughts that had been obviously plaguing Liz. He hated that he was putting her through this.

“I’ve also been tested since then and I’m clean,” he added not that it really mattered since Liz would never want to touch him again.

“Good,” Liz sighed in relief. She figured it was unlikely but she had to ask him.

“I’m sorry that I’ve put you through this,” Max told her then.

Liz nodded. “I’m sorry I ran off on you,” Liz said. “I should have given you the chance to explain but I was too upset.”

“I can understand that.” Max replied.

“I know when you met me Max I was this weak and lonely girl who had little to no self esteem, but I’m not that girl anymore,” Liz said. “You’ve said it yourself, I’ve changed and so have you,” she continued. “So lying to me to spare my feelings just isn’t acceptable in any situation. It doesn’t help me it just helps you.”

“I know.” Max smiled sadly.

“It’s the worst possible way to start a relationship.”

“I know.” Max said again and he really did know all these things, “If I could take it all back I would,” he told her.

“Don’t say that,” Liz said. “You did what you did for a reason, and that reason was important to you and your family. I know you also had a reason for not telling people, for not telling me the whole story,” she added. “But I do appreciate the fact that you told me the truth at all because I know you haven’t shared it with anyone else, and I do know that you kept the whole filming in Roswell thing from me so it wouldn’t hurt me.”

“I also did it because I couldn’t bare the thought of loosing you Liz, I still can’t,” Max whispered.

“I know,” Liz replied. “I can’t bare the thought of loosing you either,” she admitted choking up a little as she said the words.

The past two weeks had been the most miserable of her life, even worse than when she was in Roswell and forced to be dating Kyle. Liz loved Max and despite how much he had hurt her she didn’t want things to be over between them, that thought just made her even sadder.

“Where do we go from here? Can there be a we?” Max asked her.

“I hope so,” Liz told him.

Max sighed in relief. “Because I kind of love you Max Evans. If I didn’t, this wouldn’t hurt so much.”

Max moved closer to Liz on the lounge then and took her hands in his own.

“You’re right, and believe me this hurts like hell,” he told her leaning forward so his forehead was resting against hers. “I love you so much Liz,” he whispered.

“Then we’ll get through this.” Liz said pulling back to look him in the face. “It may take time and a lot of work but if we’re meant to be together, and if our love is strong enough then we’ll get through this,” she told him truly meaning it with her whole heart.

Max smiled the first real smile had in weeks then. “I’m going to marry you one day Liz Parker,” he told her and then blushed when he realised what he had said.

Liz giggled, “Is that a threat or a promise?” she teased.

“It’s definitely a promise.”

Better Than Me – Hinder