Roswell Fanatics

~Max~

My heart is practically thundering in my chest. I can hear everything their asking Jesse. All the numerous times my name's been mentioned...and Liz's. I'm starting to second guess having her somewhere that isn't beside me. She's around, somewhere close....I can feel her. We're just waiting for the perfect timing. It's like Nasedo's always said, timing is everything. This is our only chance to stop Liz's premonition from happening, and safeguarding our futures. Ten minutes until it all goes down.

"Do you know who Everett Hubble is Mr. Ramirez?" Agent Stevens ask.

"Everett Hubble?"

"Yes. He was an alien hunter. One of the few who actually made direct contact with these beings."

"What happened to him?" Jesse asks.

"He was killed. Three years ago at the Roswell Convention. Do you know why?"

"I don't have a clue." Jesse says shaking his head.

"He was on to something....or rather someone. Before that could be determined, he was murdered. Killed by the sheriff at the time, Jim Valenti."

"What does this have to do with me?"

"It doesn't. Just wanted to inform you. Give you a history lesson. You seem to be the only one that don't have the facts. Why is that?"

"What do you mean?" Jesse asks confused.

"Let's cut to the chase shall we. I know you know Max Evans...infact, we're aware that your familiar with atleast more of them. You did marry Isabel Evans didn't you?"

"What does she have to do with this?"

"You killed Agent Burns Jesse. The entire Special Unit knows it. You did it for her. For that creature masquerading as a human. You murdered your own for an alien. Do you know what the penalty for that is Mr. Ramirez? Topolsky knew...it's why she isn't here."

"You don't have any proof. Even if you were to kill me, there's people that would know the truth. You'd never get away with it."

"Now we're getting to the core...Where are they Jesse?"

"Who?"

"Max Evans and the others. I know you know where they are. Tell me."

"I don't know anything. It's why I'm here. I moved away from Roswell and her...This place is my life now."

"Your lying. You tell me and I won't hurt her when I do find them. And believe me, I will."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Fine. Have it your way then." Agent Stevens says with a shrug. "Boys, move in and search the entire area. They're here...I can smell them." He says disgustedly over his intercom.

"No." Jesse protest standing up from his seat. "That wasn't the agreement."

"You didn't leave me any choice."

"You said you were going to ask a few questions and that's it. You can't do this." Jesse screams.

"I don't see why not Mr. Ramirez. We're the Special Unit...we've been doing what we wanted for the past fifty years now and we'll continue to do it. Not God, the Pope or the freakin' President could stop us and you sure as hell won't. So move outta the way before we remove you."

"I don't think so Agent Stevens." I say coming out of hiding. "You can be stopped. And you will."

Not surprised by my appearance, he sneers evilly before addressing me. "Max Evans, so nice of you to drop by, pardon the pun. I was starting to think we'd have to come find you again."

"No, no more hiding." I say calmly facing him head on. "Your time's up."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Oh God. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. What if something happens to him?"

"Liz, relax. Max knows what he's doing. He is the one that came up with the plan in the first place." Micheal says tiredly. "We just have to wait a few more minutes before we move out to disable the other agents and then deal with Stevens."

"I know, but this is still shaky territory here. You can't tell me you aren't worried?" Liz exclaims pacing the length of the floor.

"Are you doubting your husband?" Micheal says with a raised eyebrow.

"No. Never. That's not even what I mean." She says shaking her head.

"Max is talking to him." Isabel says from her spot peaking through a creak in the back room.

"What about?" Micheal says moving over to her.

"I don't know. I can't hear them too clearly."

"And where's Jesse?" Liz asks.

"He's there. They have him tied up to something." Isabel says turning away from the scene as Micheal takes her place. "He's scared."

"He'll be okay Isabel. We all will be." Liz says trying to reassure her.

"Time's up." Micheal announces. "Let's go."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Did you get everything you needed?" Maria asks Eric as he rewinds the tape.

"Yep. I'm just rechecking to make sure there isn't anything that could endanger you guys."

"What are you gonna do with it?" Kyle motions to the recorder in his hand.

"Write a full report about conspiracies in the government, mainly The Special Unit and sell it to the editors of The Roswell Tribune. It should be front page by tomorrow morning." Eric explains.

"What if they don't believe you?" Maria says.

"That's why we have this." Eric says holding up the recorder. "It's all the proof they need."

"God, will this work?" Kyle says sighing loudly. "No offense to you Eric and all that you're doing to help us, but this just seems so unlikely. I mean we have a town that's spent it's entire essence covering up the truth. Do you really think they'll put as much effort in uncovering it as well?"

"The government's done the covering up Kyle. Not the public. They want nothing more than to know all the answers to the questions they've had since 1947. I understand your doubts, but I really believe this'll work." Eric says sincerely.

"So if everything's going according to plan, Max is out there right now?" Maria asks.

"Yeah, he is."

"So what's he gonna do?" Kyle snorts. "Take on the entire FBI by himself?"

"Kyle...." Maria sighs.

"Yeah I get it. Max is the king of the world. Spare me the lesson." Kyle says annoyed. "When do we get outta here?"

"I'm guessing now." Eric says standing up. "Let's move."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Are you here alone Max?" Agent Stevens ask.

"Doesn't matter." I say with a shake of my head watching his every movement.

"Oh it does Max. We've been looking for you ever since May. Where did you go?"

"That doesn't matter." I repeat again more fiercely.

"So what does Mr. Evans? Are you going to kill me like you did Pierce?" He says with a chuckle looking at my expression.

With a penetrating gaze, I hold out my hand towards him and take a step closer hoping to god that everyone else is doing their parts and doing it safely.

I remember the last thing Liz and I talked about and I'm filled with an all new purpose. Her words gave me the courage I needed to do this. The thought of her....to see her beautiful face everyday and to be able to hear her voice is what I live for. I'm gonna do everything in my power to ensure that happens.

With that in mind, I face Agent Stevens again and say, "Yes, I am." It's the last thing I say before blasting him to kingdom come.


TBC...

Crystal




"Doesn't matter.

~Liz~

"I can't hold out for much longer you guys...." I yell out to Micheal and Isabel. "It's weakening....I can feel it."

Holding out this shield for more than twenty minutes is really taking it's toll on me. I'm trying my best to not give up but it's so hard and I'm so tired.

"Just a little bit more Liz." Micheal yells back. "There isn't much of them left. Just hold on."

"It's too many." I say shaking my head and gritting my teeth.

"Please Liz." Isabel begs breathing heavily. "We need you."

Hearing the plea in her tone, it gives me renewed strength to hold out...to keep going. Not only for them, but for Max too. I know he's depending on me...on all of us.

Nodding my head, I force out just enough more energy to hold the rest of the Agents at bay while Micheal and Isabel take care of the others. I just hope we can do this. There isn't that much time left.

And Max....please let him be okay. I can't feel him with all the energy I'm using up. I'd give anything to know that he's okay...to feel him right now and reassure myself that he's still alive. It's why I have to do this...I need to get back to him. It's all I'm counting on.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"God, this is taking entirely too long." Maria mutters pacing back and forth. "What if something went wrong and we're just sitting here like idiots?"

"Orders from the King if I remember correctly." Kyle says sarcastically while twisting a key ring round and round his finger repeatedly.

"Kyle, would you just stop it?" Maria says annoyed. "It's basically war going on right now and your making jokes. It isn't funny."

"Who's making jokes?" Kyle cries out incredulously. "I'm just telling you the truth. Max said for us to stay here and staying here is what we're doing in such a horrendous time of warfare. Big job we have." He says with a fake smile.

"Kyle, it's not even like that." Maria says on a sigh.

"Then what is it like Maria?" Kyle exclaims pitching the key ring in the far corner of the room. "Why are we here like invalids while they're out there fighting the real battle? Why do I feel so damn insufficient while everyone else is out there actually doing something? I mean look at us...what the hell are we doing here? It's so pathetic.... I could've stayed in Roswell if I wanted to do nothing." He says waving his hands frantically.

"I thought Buddhists didn't believe in fighting?" Maria asks curiously.

"Needless fighting." He says correcting her. "Not when it's for a purpose. Not when it's so damn important."

"Max didn't tell us to stay behind to make us feel unimportant Kyle." Maria says walking up to him. "He did it for our safety. You know Max...If anything were to happen to anyone, he'd take it upon himself. It's his M.O."

"So what?" Kyle says with a blank look. "We're paying for Max's own lack of confidence in himself?"

"How exactly are you paying?" Maria says confused. "We're in here. Away from harm and danger." She states gesturing to their surroundings.

"That's not the point." He exclaims. "It isn't fair that we're locked up in here like we're liabilities while they're out there fighting the good fight. It just isn't right."

"Just get over this already Kyle cos there's no way in hell your convincing me to go out there." Maria says pointedly.

"Not you obviously." He says rolling his eyes. "But I could go."

"Are you crazy?" Maria says turning around to face him. "You'll get yourself killed."

"No, I won't." He says looking closely at her.

Finding the look very odd, Maria says, "What Kyle? What are you trying to tell me?"

Shaking his head, he looks down and exclaims, "Just stay put alright. If Eric was able to go out there, then so can I."

"He left on a private plane to Roswell Kyle and we all know why he's gone there. And he's not on the FBI's suspicion list either." She reminds him.

"I can take care of myself." He persists.

"Kyle, no you can't do this." Maria says desperately with tears forming in her eyes. "I'll never forgive myself if I let you go out there and something happens to you. Max said to stay here."

"Max isn't here." He says nonchalantly. "I'm going."

"Kyle please...."

"Stay in here and don't come out no matter what." He interrupts her and gently grabs her shoulders so she could focus. "I just want to help Maria. I need to."

"Kyle..." She tries again.

"Remember what I said." He murmurs before slipping out through the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Is he dead?" Jesse asks bending over Agent Stevens lifeless looking body before coming over to Max.

Lowering his hand, Max takes a deep breathe and stumbles to the floor in exhaustion.

"I...I don't know." He says shaking his head with labored breathes.

"What's wrong Max?" Jesse asks concerned. "Your looking kind of pale?"

"The blast." He says gesturing to his hand. "It took so much out of me. My energy level is seriously low now."

"It can be fixed right? Can't you rejuvenate yourself?"

"I can. But it would take a while. Hours maybe." He shrugs lazily.

"Here, let me help you up. We've gotta get to the others." Jesse offers bending down to place Max's arm around his shoulder.
"Can you stand?"

"Yeah." Max says trying to balance his weight. "I just need...... Jesse?"

A loud thump is made as Jesse's body hits the floor with a bloody gash at the side of his head.

Looking up to see Agent Smith with a pistol in his hand pointed at him, he raises his hand prepared to blast him again when a shot is fired and Max falls to the floor holding his wounded arm.

Limping as much as he could, Agent Stevens stands over Max's body and points the gun down at him with his finger on the trigger.

"I'm not dead yet Max. But you're about to be."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Still holding out the blast, it's getting impossibly harder for me to keep it going now.

"Please hurry." I scream out to them. "I can't hold out anymore."

"It's okay Liz." Micheal says running over to me. "We're done."

Nodding my head, I ask, "Where's Isabel?"

"She's coming." He replies lining up next to me with his hand outstrecthed for the next batch of Agents. "Give her one minute."

Hearing footsteps approaching me, I look over to see Isabel running over stopping on the opposite side.

"You guys ready?" I say prepared to drop the shield and fire when I need to.

"Yes." Micheal says gravely. "Let go."

Dropping the shield, Isabel blasts first and takes down two at a time. To my right, Micheal kills atleast four more before moving on.

Blasting my power as well, I shoot one down and roll out of the way before the other Agent fires at me.

Getting up in lightning speed, I blast another one and run to Micheal's aid who's currently cornered and on the ground.

"Thanks." He breathes out in relief.

"No problem." I respond while helping him up.

Preparing to finish the rest off, I look around to see them all dead and scattered around the ground.

Running over to Isabel, she's got a deep gash on her thigh and a similar one on her upper arm.

"You okay?" Micheal asks gently lifting her up.

"Yeah. Just some cuts. Nothing too serious." She says while standing.

"It looks pretty serious to me." I say inspecting them.

"I'm fine." She reassures us. "Let's just get to Max and Jesse."

Making our way back inside the house, I feel a sharp overbearing pain wrack my body and I collapse to the floor.

"Liz...What the hell?" Micheal says bending down to me.

"What's wrong?" Isabel cries out. "Did you get hurt?"

Scanning my body for injuries, Micheal says, "Nothing. She's not hurt."

Clenching my teeth through the pain, I say, "It's...It's not me."

"Liz...." Isabel says with a panicked expression marring her features.

"It's Max." I gasp out. "He's in trouble."


TBC...

Crystal

~Max~

So this is what being shot at feels like. This mind numbing pain shooting through every part of my body. A faint metallic taste on the tip of my tongue while everything around me seems to be getting less coherent and more blurrier by the second.

Liz....I know she can feel this. All the pain I'm feeling. It's as if we're one person. When she hurts, I hurt and vice versa. As much as a blessing our connection is and that I'm able to feel her emotions and know if she's in any harm, I'm wishing right now that I could spare her the worry and panic she's most likely dealing with. All she needs to know is how much I love her...how much I always will...

Agent Stevens is currently standing over me with a gun pointed at my head and I can barely hear what he's saying. Between trying to see if Jesse's okay and desperately fighting to keep my eyes open, my concentration is pretty much shot.

He's going to pull the trigger and I know he won't hesistate. I don't know how that blast I gave him didn't kill him...it should have. It drained the living shit out of me. Something isn't right...I need to stay awake.

"I bet your wondering why I'm not dead right?" Agent Stevens says with a slight smirk.

Looking up at him with my teeth gritted in frustration and pain, he kicks my shoulder embedded with the bullet.

Screaming out in agony, I grab my arm and lay still trying to lessen the sharp pain...it isn't working.

Pulling something out of his pocket that's shaped like a pentagon, he holds it up and through my glassy vision, I see exactly what it is.

"It's a pentagram. An alien device. Is it not?" He says looking down at me with satisfaction glowering in his eyes. "I disabled your powers. Turned down the velocity of them....lessen the impact. So you see, that blast had no affect. It was pointless."

"How...how did you know how to do that?" I stumble out in painful gasping.

"It wasn't as hard as you think." He says with a grin. "And besides, that nut owner of the UFO center wasn't that hard to convince...after the first shot, he was pretty much eager to share any information he knew regarding the damn thing."

Feeling a fresh new wave of disgust and terror seize my body at the mention of Brody, I stare up at him in disbelief.

"You killed him?"

"I might've of.... I didn't stop to check. This was too important." He says casually.

"You fucking bastard." I grit out. "You won't get away with this. I swear to it." I growl trying to sit up.

Kicking me in my stomach this time, he bends down to my level and brushes the bangs away from my forehead.

Flinching at his touch on my face, I spit on his hand.

"Did you really think that was wise to do?" He murmurs wiping the spit off onto the carpet.

"Do what you fucking have to." I say spitting in his face this time. "You'll still be a dead man regardless."

Wiping his face off, he stands back up and aims the gun once again at my temple. "Very well then."

Closing my eyes in preparation for the inevitable, it somehow doesn't happen.

But something else does.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What do you mean it's Max? What the hell are you talking about Liz?" Micheal asks urgently.

"Our connection...." She gasps out. "He's in some kind of pain. I can feel it."

"Oh God Micheal." Isabel says turning her frightened gaze to his. "If something's wrong with Max then that means Jesse's in trouble too. We've gottta get to them."

"I know but what about Liz? She's practically doubling over in pain...I don't think she could walk right now." He says raking his fingers through his hair.

"Go...please." Liz says in a strained voice. "Just go and help them."

"No Liz. We are not leaving you here." Isabel retorts shaking her head.

"Please Isabel. It's getting worse. He's in so much pain." She pleads closing her eyes tightly.

"That's not an option Liz." Micheal says firmly. "Max will never forgive us if we let something happen to you. We'll think of something else."

"Micheal...." Isabel whispers bringing her gaze back to his. "What do we do?"

"I'm gonna carry her." He says bending down to retrieve her small body in his arms. "You get the door."

The ringing of his cellphone halts his movement in picking Liz up fully. Placing her gently back on the ground, he digs through his pocket for the insistent ringing.

"Who the fuck would be calling me at a time like this?" He mutters while retrieving the phone and glancing at the caller id.

'Maria Calling'

"Of course it's her." He mumbles with a roll of his eyes before pressing the answer button and placing the phone to his ear.

"Maria, this isn't the time to talk okay." He barks out. "We've got a crisis on her hands."

"No shit Micheal." She barks out just as loudly. "Kyle is gone."

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Kyle is gone." She repeats again. "He was still pretty ticked off about Max asking him and I to stay back and he just up and left. I don't know where he is." She says in a rush.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Micheal yells over the phone. "Can things get any more fucked up?"

"Micheal, what happened?" Isabel asks worriedly next to him.

"Why, what else happened Micheal?" Maria asks fearfully over the phone. "Is it Liz?"

"Something's happened to Max and she's feeling every single second of it." Micheal sighs frustratedly. "She's in a lot of pain."

"Oh my god." Maria cries out. "Is she gonna be okay?"

"I don't know. Look Maria, I gotta go alright. Stay in that room and don't leave until we come and get you. We don't need something happening to you next."

"I'm not going anywhere." She promises.

"We're on our way." Micheals says and then clicks off the phone pushing it back in his pocket before picking Liz up once again from the ground.

"Micheal..." Isabel says in question.

"Kyle's gone. Fucking left cause he's still in a mood from earlier." Micheal says angrily standing up with Liz in his arms.

"Are you serious?" Isabel says running to get the door.

"Dead serious." He replies. "If he isn't dead wherever the hell he is, I'm gonna kill him when I find him."

"He could be anywhere." Liz breathes out.

"Don't worry about it Liz. One thing at a time." Micheal says walking as swiftly as he could with Isabel beside him.

"We're gonna save him Liz. I promise."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Watching Agent Stevens body fly across the room and hit a wall with a powerful thud, I can barely believe what I'm seeing.

I didn't do it....not only am I too weak, but the pentagram completely knocked out my powers.

Lifting my head to see who's responsible for the blast, I'm amazed at who my eyes land on.

"Kyle?" I whisper out in shock. "How in the hell?....you did that?"

"I told you I could help but do you ever listen?" Kyle says bringing his hand back down to his side.

"You got your powers didn't you?" I say with understanding.

"I did." He says walking over to me and kneeling down. "I've had them for a while now."

"Why didn't you...why didn't you ever say anything before now?"

"I wanted to adjust to them before I told anyone." Kyle responds staring at his hands. "I needed to learn how to control them on my own."

Shaking my head, I say, "Kyle, making you feel...feel useless wasn't what I was trying to do. I don't want to control you. I'm just trying to keep everyone safe."

"That's the thing Max...you can't always protect everyone." Kyle says matter of factly. "There's things that even you, king alien and all from Antar can't prevent. It's how things function on this inferior little planet we call Earth." He jokes good naturedly.

Chuckling despite myself, I immediately seize the action as the pain in my shoulder intensifies.

"Damn, that's a pretty raw shot you got there." Kyle comments with a grimace on his face.

"You think?" I say sarcastically. "You wanna help me up?"

"Oh crap." He exclaims apologetically while bending over me and placing my arm over his shoulder and easing me up gently trying not to jar my injury.

Making our way over to the couch, I slump down heavily onto it and rest my head on the cushion.

"Thanks." I mumble out tiredly.

"Don't mention it."

"Jesse, Kyle." I say remembering him knocked out on the floor. "He's injured too."

Going over to him, Kyle rolls him over and sees the gash on the side of his head. "Jesus, what the hell happened to him?"

"He was pistol whipped. Pretty damn hard too."

"He's unconscious. Isabel is gonna flip out." He says on a sigh. "What should I do with him?"

"Get him on the couch and keep his head elevated." I say holding onto my arm tightly. "He lost a lot of blood...the higher his head is, the less blood he'll lose."

Following my orders, he sits back and says, "Now what?"

"We wait for the others." I exclaim in a weak tone.

"Kyle Valenti...I'm going to fucking kill you."

Lifting up my head to see what's the intrusion, Micheal barges into the house with Maria and Isabel hot on his heels and Liz in his arms.

"Jesse...." Isabel cries running over to him upon her entrance.

"What...what did I do?" Kyle says innocently.

"Liz..." I breathe out seeing the panicked expression on her face as Micheal places her on the couch next to me with her head in my lap.

"Are you okay?" She says trying to sit up.

Gently forcing her to remain laying down, I sift my hands through her hair and say, "I should be asking you that question."

"I wasn't the one that got shot Max." She says bringing her hand up to my shoulder and lightly touching it. "God, it looks really bad."

"I'll be okay." I assure her. "I'm more concerned about you. I know you were feeling everything I was. I'm sorry." I say placing a kiss in the palm of her hand.

"It wasn't your fault." She exclaims with concern marred on her beautiful face. "I was so worried for you."

"I know." I whisper. "But it's...."

"Over?" Micheal interrupts with a raised eyebrow in my direction. "It's far from that Maxwell."

As if I didn't know it....it's never over.


TBC...

Crystal

Thought I'd answer some questions. Here it goes.....


Roswellian504~ The pentagram is an alien device that when activated, it's capable of two things...shutting off their powers completely, or lowering the effect of them. That's what it did to Max hence his blast not affecting Agent Stevens like Max thought it would. The mention of the pentagram is found all over Season two...they talk about it a lot.

Roswellfiend~ The Agent Stevens in my fic is in no way related or relevant to the Agent Stevens from Season One. It's just a coincidence that I used that name. I hadn't even looked at the irony of that until your post! As for Eric, he's on his way to Roswell on a private plane in order to get there in time to write his story and have it printed in 'The Roswell Tribune' by the morning....the sooner the better!

Frenchkiss70
Roswellluver
Temptation_K
Sylvia37
Roswellfiend
OmegaRam1
Lizard Queen
Behrsgirl77
Emz80m
Roswell_Dreamer
Icequeen
Dreamer_4_Ever
Roswellian504
FSUMSW94....Thanks for all the tremendous feedback! It's boiling down to the end...about seven more parts and then kaput...for anyone else I forgot to mention, forgive me...they pruned my fic and I can't quite remember everyone's names, but your still thanked!



~Liz~

"What do you mean it's not over?" Maria says looking up at Micheal from her seat beside me. "Agent Stevens is dead. He is right?" She turns to Max for confirmation.

"He is now." He murmurs with a glance in Kyle's direction.

"Okay, what's with the strange comment and the weird look?" Maria says with narrowed eyes. "And you...." She says pointing her finger at Kyle, "How could you just leave me? And where the hell did you go?"

"You left her?" I say glaring at Kyle with accusing eyes.

"Guys, give him a break alright." Max interjects as gently as he could. "If it wasn't for Kyle, I wouldn't even be here right now. Furthermore, we all might've been dead."

"What are you talking about Max?" Isabel says looking up from Jesse's unconscious form to Max's face.

"Kyle was the one that killed Agent Stevens. I..I couldn't." He mutters.

"You couldn't?" I say in confusion.

"He had the pentagram." He elaborates. "Fucking weakend my powers or something cause my blast didn't kill him."

"How did he get that?" Isabel asks. "The only person that had it was...Oh God, Brody." She says finally understanding. "He didn't kill him for it did he?"

"I don't know." Max responds. "I wouldn't be surprised if he did."

Walking over to Agent Steven's dead body, Micheal picks up the pentagram from his hands and turns it off. "This thing is the real fucking killer right here." He mumbles observing it before pushing it into his pocket.

"So back to Kyle..." Maria says with determination set on her face. "How did you manage to kill Stevens if Max couldn't?"

"My powers." He says with a shrug. "I got them...finally."

"And your now telling us this?" Micheal says deadpanned.

"There were bigger things going on at the time. We had just decided to go back to Roswell and then the whole thing with Liz's premonition...I didn't feel like putting it on display just yet...I wanted to learn how to control them before telling any of you." He explains thoroughly.

"So what can you do?" I ask with interest.

"Everything that you can with the exception of this one kick ass power that I always wanted." He says excitedly rubbing his hands together.

"What's that?" Max asks.

"To plant myself into's people's subconscious and do anything I want with them. Like what Isabel did for me that time with that playmate. Remember?" He says looking over at Isabel.

"As if you'd ever let me forget." She says rolling her eyes.

"Which playmate?" Micheal asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Jody Ann Paterson." Kyle says with a dreamy sigh. "Playmate of 2001."

"Nice." Micheal nods approvingly.

"Yes. I'm sure it is." Maria says glaring at Micheal.

Clearing his throat, Micheal says, "Okay back to what we do next. I'm thinking we start with these Agents."

"What about them?" Maria says confused. "They're already dead."

"Yes, they are, but how do we hide thirty dead bodies?" Micheal says pointedly. "It's not like we could haul their asses to the local Boston sanitation department."

"God, I hadn't even thought about that." I say worriedly glancing at Max pensively. "What are we gonna do?"

Concentration etched on his features, Max sighs loudly. "We could start a fire." He says remotely. "Set this entire house on fire with the bodies in it."

"You mean our house?" Isabel says referring to herself and Jesse. "You can't do that Max. We haven't even decided if we're going back to Roswell furthermore assuming Jesse wants to come with us. It's more his decision than any of ours."

"It's pretty obvious we aren't staying here Iz." Max exclaims. "And I'm surprised you'd even wanna live in this house after what took place."

"Even if Jesse did agree for you to basically committ arson, there's thirty Agents Max. I'm sure when they do a thorough investigation, they'll discover the bones just like Grant did with Pierce and they'll find that alien substance Cadmium-X on them. How do we explain that?" She retorts.

"She's got a point." Kyle adds in. "We'll become suspects all over again."

"No, we won't." I interject. "Max erraticated that substance from Pierce's bones the last time. He can do it again."

"And the multiple bodies?" Micheal asks.

"Victims of a horrendous freak accident." I continue. "The craziest fire to hit Boston yet."

"But the house Liz?" Max says with doubt still on his face. "It's licensed in Jesse's name. They'll come looking for him."

"They won't." Isabel says quietly looking down at her husbands battered face. "Jesse used an alias when he purchased the house.... he didn't want anyone knowing who he was. He hadn't even filled out any official papers yet. Only the money was given."

"Even better." I say with a smile. "There's no official claim to this property. No one's suspected of anything."

"I'm sensing a plan." Kyle says triumphantly.

"Guys..." Isabel says still with resistance.

"We'll ask Jesse." I say reassuring her. "If he isn't fine with it, we'll think of something else."

"Is there anything else?" Maria mutters sarcastically. "What?" She says when we all glare at her.

"Now that that's settled...." Micheal says moving on. "What about Eric? When will we hear from him?"

"Probably in the morning." Max says sitting up as best as he could with his injured arm. "He'll call to let us know if his story made it to the front page and if things calmed down a little. Only then do we call home and speak to our parents to let them know where we are. They've gotta be worried out their minds by now."

"Are we going back Max?" I say looking in his eyes. "Is that what we're doing?"

Returning my gaze, he raises my fingers to his lips and places a kiss on my knuckles. "I don't think it would be wise if we did." He says regrettably. "I mean, I won't stop anyone here if they did want to go home, but it's pretty clear that the obvious faces can't ever return. Atleast not now."

"So some of us could go if we wanted to?" Kyle says perking up with the notion. "I mean, that's an option right?"

"It is." Max nods. "Do you...want to go home Kyle?"

"I might." He says looking down. "I'm thinking about it."

"You don't have to feel guilty Kyle if that's what you wanna do." I say observing his torn expression. "No one's holding it against you. It's your decision. We'll always keep in touch...someway, somehow." I say sincerely.

"I know." He says looking up at us all. "It's just...it's just hard. I've spent the majority of knowing what you guys were despising you and loathing that I was ever included into this secret...."

"Please Kyle, don't be so grateful." Micheal interrupts him with a sarcastic jab.

"But..." He continues. "It's become so much of my life that I guess...it'll be hard to let go if it. Damn, you aliens really worked a number on me." He finishes with a deep chuckle.

"Apparently." Isabel mutters with a sad smile. "Are you sure this is what you wanna do?"

Looking at her intently, he nods his head. "I'm sure."

The silence following his statement is deafening. His decision more than heard.

"Does anyone else feel that way?" Max says breaking the silence.

"You already know where I'm going." I say turning my gaze to meet his. "Where I'll always be." With him of course...wherever that takes me.

"I know." He grins widely at me before pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"What about you guys?" I ask, glancing at Micheal, Maria and Isabel.

"I figure I'm doomed with spaceboy so why put up a fight." Maria says shrugging her shoulders dismissively. "But I have to be with you guys." She continues looking directly at me with a smile. "I need my Lizzie."

Smiling brightly, I wrap an arm around her and squeeze her gently. "Ditto."

"Yeah, what she said." Micheal motions to Maria while scratching the back of his head uncomfortably. "I can't leave you guys either. I mean, who will Max argue about movies with?" He says with a slight grin.

"True." Max smiles. "And you Isabel?"

Looking as if the weight of the world is on her shoulders, Isabel says, "I don't know. I mean, I have to talk to Jesse about it but god, I don't wanna abandon you guys. I wish none of this was happening." She exclaims tearily.

"We all do Iz." Max says quietly. "But it is."

"Where do we go from here?" Micheal sighs tiredly echoing everyone's sentiment.

"In the morning." Max replies. "In the morning we'll know what to do."

It's a weird feeling...but I already knew that this would be one of the last times we're all together like this. The last time for a real long time to come when we'll have group discussions like these again.

As much as the present danger may be over and we might have a chance to live normal lives after all...something else is ending as well.

We're already drifting apart.


TBC...

Crystal

~Max~

God, I feel like crap. After healing both myself and Jesse and erasing any traces of cadmium-x from the agent's dead bodies, I am totally wiped. Even after the few hours of sleep I just had, I'm still exhausted wanting nothing more then to fall back into an oblivion.

Sitting up in the bed, I glance out the window to see the tell tale signs of the sun rising. I don't remember the last time I've had the luxury of just watching the sun rise. It seems like such a life time ago.

Hearing light snoring beside me, I look down and my heart never fails to jump at the sight of her. Liz...she's sleeping on her side facing me with her hands bunched up under her chest and her mouth slightly ajar. She's just as beautiful asleep as she is awake.

I can't believe I'll be spending the rest of my life doing just this...waking up before dawn just to watch her sleep. It's what made all of this bearable... all the danger and uncertainty. To have the oppurtunity to see her like this for the rest of my days is worth everything. And maybe, just maybe we can all live the lives we've been dreaming of for an eternity.

Laying back down beside her, I wrap an arm around her waist and pull her in closer to my body. Kissing her forehead, I feel her hand roam my chest before resting over my heart. Hearing her take a deep breathe, I know she isn't sleeping anymore.

"Sorry if I woke you." I whisper turning over to face her.

"You didn't." She murmurs, her voice husky from sleep. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired still...but better than I was a few hours ago." I reply curving my other arm around her waist.

"What time is it?"

"A little after six." I say while running my fingers up and down the smooth expanse of her exposed hip. "Eric should be calling soon."

Shifting her position so she's laying on top of me with her head resting on my chest, I wrap my arms around her as tightly as I could.

"It's almost over Max." She whispers into the semi light room. "When Eric calls, and we leave this place, things won't ever be the same."

"I know." I say looking up at the ceiling. "It's all I could think about."

"Is that what you want?" She asks.

"All I want is to be with you Liz." I say quietly. "To give you all those things I promised I would. That's all I want."

"And your family Max?" She says raising her head to look down at me. "What about them?"

"They're better off without me in their lives." I say regretfully. "I mean, I think on some level they already know we won't be coming home...but it doesn't make it any easier."

"Max..."

"Shh Liz." I say bringing a finger up to her lips already knowing what she's going to say. "Yes, I'm sad that I'll be leaving behind the only family and life that I've ever known, but I don't regret it. Not when the outcome means having you with me...not when I love you so much." I murmur looking into her eyes.

"I guess I'm just feeling a little weird about it all." She admits with tears in her eyes. "I mean, we're all going our separate ways and it's going to be so hard to adjust when everyone's gone." She says with her breathe catching.

"Not everyone Liz." I remind her gently. "I'll still be here with you. As long as we're together there's nothing in this world we can't overcome. This amazing woman once told me that." I say wiping away her tears.

Smiling with my words, she climbs up my body and kisses my lips firmly before pulling away and meeting my gaze. "I love you." She whispers.

"I love you too." I whisper back before sealing my lips to hers once again. Deepening the kiss, I open my mouth wider as her tongue seeks mine to tangle with.

Roaming my hands down her body, I place her leg high on my hip and roll us over so I'm on top. Pressing her down into the mattress, I follow an upward path from her leg around my waist past her thighs until my fingers touch the underside of her breast.

Groaning with the physical closeness we haven't experienced in almost a month, I palm her breast in my hand and travel my kisses towards her neck.

"Max...." She moans arching into my hand. "I missed this."

"Me too." I reply tracing a path with my tongue to her collar bone. "God, did I miss this." I growl when her fingers stroke me through my jeans.

Sitting up and stripping my shirt off, I cover her body with mine and kiss her hungrily. Her hands explore my chest until she reaches down to unbutton my jeans.

Lifting up slightly so she could finish her task, I manage to rid her of her shirt and shift myself between her legs pulling her skirt up to bunch around her waist.

Just when she's about to push my jeans and boxers down my thighs with her feet, there's a loud banging on the door.

"Ignore it." I tell her swiftly before claiming her lips fiercely with mine.

"Come on Max. Open up." Micheal's voice reverberates through the door. "Eric's on the phone."

Dropping my head on to her breast, I sigh heavily before pushing myself off of her. Looking down at Liz to see how ravished she looks, I want nothing more to than to finish what I started. She must've seen my expression cause she grins widely while putting her shirt back on and lowering her skirt.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure you fuck me later." She says with a smile.

Shocked and extremely turned on by her words, I lower my head and kiss her passionately once more before pulling away. "You promise?" I ask breathlessly.

"Maxwell, come get the fucking phone already." Micheal says louder through the door.

"Alright, I'm coming." I yell back annoyed.

"You better get dressed." She says sliding out from under me.

Nodding my head, I get up from the bed and pull my jeans back up my hips while she tosses my shirt to me.

Putting it on as quickly as I could, I walk over to the door and swing it open only to see no one there. Looking down, I roll my eyes as I see the phone on the floor.

Picking it up, I walk into the living room to see everyone waiting impatiently for Liz and I.

Blushing slightly, I place the phone to my ear. "Hey Eric. Sorry about that." I apologize just as Liz walks out taking a seat near to Maria.

"It's okay." He replies. "I can only imagine the wait you guys had to endure waiting for my call so we're even."

"So what's going on?" I ask apprehensively. I'm almost scared to know the answer.

"The entire town is in an uproar." He says wasting no time. "They can't believe something so sinister was allowed to happen within the government. It's all over the news."

"And the Roswell Tribune?" I ask hopefully.

"Front page." He says triumphantly. "Just like we were hoping for."

Releasing the breathe I was holding, I close my eyes and for the first time in a long while, I actually believe that everything was going to work out.

"Eric, I can't thank you enough for what you did for us." I begin honestly. "I'll always appreciate it."

"It's the least I could've done." He replies. "I'm just glad that I could help."

"Thanks." I say again.

"Your welcome. Could I maybe speak to Jesse? I won't be long." He asks.

"Sure." I reply. "Head's up Jesse." I say before tossing him the phone. Taking a seat near Liz, I grab her hand in mine and bring it to my lips for a light kiss.

"So what did he say?" Micheal asks immediately.

"Everything's fine." I say with a smile plastered on my face. "The government's taking a huge beating as we speak."

"Glad it's them for a change." Kyle murmurs rubbing his hand across his face.

"So we can call home now?" Isabel asks excitedly.

"Yeah, we can." I reply.

"Hey guys..." Jesse interjects. "Eric says everything's under control. All we have to worry about is getting those dead bodies out of here." He says pointing in the room where we have them all piled up in. "Like really fast man, they're starting to smell."

"Thank you." Maria speaks up. "I thought I was the only one all this time."

"Actually honey, we kind of came up with a plan about that...well sorta." Isabel says skeptically.

"What is it?"

"We were um, thinking of leaving them here." She says watching his face.

"Here?" He says in disbelief. "Isabel, they really smell."

"She means we're burning down the house with the bodies in it." Micheal elaborates rolling his eyes.

"My house?" Jesse asks pointing to himself. "You mean this big beautiful place that I spent so much money on?"

"I know this sounds crazy..." I say.

"Crazy? Try insane Max. That's a more fitting word for what your suggestion." Jesse retorts.

"We didn't have any other choice." I continue.

"So you came up with destroying my home?" He says.

"Look Jesse..." Micheal exclaims. "It's thirty fucking bodies man. Unless you wanna help us load them into a cab or something, this is your only alternative. If you go down, we all do." He explains.

"Okay, so after we committ a felony, where the hell do we go?" Jesse retorts.

"Wherever we want." I answer him.

"What are you talking about?" He says in confusion.

"We go our separate ways from here." Liz says quietly. "No one's going home...well, except for Kyle."

"What?" He says in shock. "Isabel's going with me though right?"

"Of course I am." She assures him.

"Have any of you decided where your going exactly?" Jesse asks.

"I was saying California from the very beginning..." Maria says with a shrug.

"We are not living in L.A. for the last freakin' time Maria." Micheal says annoyed. "Get over it."

"Shut up." She growls.

"Apparently, this is gonna be a hard decision to make." I say glaring at them both.

"Let's just call home okay." Isabel suggests. "We'll move on from there."

Picking up the phone, Liz dials the number I'm sure she remembers from heart and places the reciever to her ear.

"Hey, it's Liz." She says hesistantly. "Yeah, we're all fine...who?...okay."

"What happened?" I ask seeing the frown appear on her face.

"Your mom said someone wants to speak to me." She says looking worried.

"Who is it?" I ask in alarm trying to listen to see if I could recognize the voice.

"I don't...Oh my god, Mom?"


TBC...

Crystal

~Liz~

“Mom?” I ask in disbelief. “What are you doing there?”

“I came home honey.” She says melancholy. “Something terrible happened to your father. He’s dead.”

Little does she know that I was the one that killed him. Dropping my head so that Max doesn’t notice my tears, I compose myself before responding.

“Who…who would do something like that?” I ask with my breathe hitching at the forced question.

“They're calling it a suicide but I just don't know.” She responds tearily. “It’s all still so shocking to me. I don’t know what I’m going to do without him.”

“I’m so sorry mom.” I reply quietly. “I wish I could be there for you.”

“So do I.” She responds. “Where are you Liz? With Max?”

“Yes, I am with him.” I reply. “In Boston.”

“Boston?” She says in shock. “What are you doing across the country Liz?”

“I can’t say.” I exclaim nodding my head. “Just know that I’m safe…we all are.”

“Will you come home?”

“I don’t think so.” I murmur. “Only Kyle’s coming home. He’ll explain everything once he gets there.”

“I already know Liz.” She says candidly. “I know everything.”

Feeling my heart rate accelerate with her words, I ask, “Everything like what?”

“The truth Liz.” She sighs heavily. “About the shooting and Max…all of them. I know it all.”

“Who-who told you?” I stutter out in nervousness.

“The Evans’s did.” She answers. “I won’t say a word Liz. All I want is for you to come home.”

“That’s not an option.” I mumble. “It’s too dangerous.”

“For whom Liz?” She asks in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

Apparently she doesn’t know everything. I feel oddly relieved that she doesn’t. I’m sure they only told her what she needed to know at the time. It’s all she can know at this point.

“Mom…” I say firmly. “I…I can’t tell you what you wanna know okay? Just tell the others what I said. We’re safe and Kyle’s coming home. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Liz…please” She cries. “Please come home. You don’t have to do this.”

“Bye mom.” I murmur before clicking off the phone.

“What did she say?” Max asks me immediately after I remove the phone from my ear.

“She knows the truth.” I say looking up at him.

“Why doesn’t that sound like a good thing?” Micheal says standing up from his seat. “Who told her?”

“Max and Isabel’s parents did.” I reply.

“What?” Micheal cries.

“If they did, it must’ve been for a reason.” Max says standing up slowly. “Something had to happen.”

“I’ll tell you what happened…” Micheal says enraged. “We’re fucking screwed all over again. Liz’s mother knows about us. Who knows who she’ll tell.”

“She won’t tell anyone.” I say with certainty.

“Let me remind you Liz that you also believed your dad wouldn’t squeal the last time either.” Micheal induces. “It almost got us all killed.”

“Micheal, stop it.” Max says sternly. “Don’t blame her. This is not what this is about.”

“We have to go back.” Isabel says with fear. “If they went as far as telling Liz’s mother about us, then they must be in some kind of trouble.”

“We can’t go back.” Micheal yells.

“Why not?” Jesse asks with confusion. “The special unit is disabled. No one’s after you anymore. Why can’t you go home?”

“The special unit may be gone but the FBI is still out there.” Max answers calmly. “We’ll never be able to know who’s on our side anymore. We may be safe now, but that can’t be guaranteed if we go back to Roswell. It’s best if we stay as far away as possible from there. Well, Liz, Micheal, Isabel and I.”

“So what are you suggesting?” Isabel exclaims. “We stay here while our parents are in potential danger?”

“Of course not.” Max replies.

“Then what Max?” She retorts. “What the hell do we do?”

“Why don’t we just tell them to meet us somewhere?” I suggest.

“What do you mean?” Maria asks.

“We meet them half way.” I elaborate. “Some place close enough for them to drive yet still far away so we aren’t in Roswell.”

“Like Texas?” Kyle asks with a raised eyebrow.

“Exactly.”

“Sounds logical enough.” Maria says with a shrug.

“I guess.” Isabel agrees. “When would we leave?”

“Now would be good.” I say.

“Wait a minute…” Micheal interrupts. “Texas is a big freakin place…what part do we tell them to meet us at?”

“Marathon perhaps?” Kyle suggests again. “I didn’t enjoy it the last time we were there. Maybe this time it’ll be different.” He says with a grin.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Micheal mutters out.

“It is an area we’re quite familiar with.” Max says pondering the option. “It would be easier.”

“The last time I went to Marathon I had to sleep in a cheap grimy looking motel.” Maria says in rememberance. “I really don’t want a repeat of that.”

“Ditto.” Micheal mumbles to himself.

“We’re not going to stay and camp out guys.” I remind them. “We’re meeting our folks and then we’re off to wherever the hell it is we’re going.”

“Let’s do it.” Isabel says with conviction. “Let’s go to Marathon.”

“Well we need to get moving now.” Max says looking at his watch. “But first, we have to get rid of the bodies. We need to burn this house down.” He says looking to Jesse for permission. “Can we?”

“Go ahead.” Jesse says, throwing things into a duffel bag for he and Isabel. “I don’t care anymore.”

“Thank you honey.” Isabel says kissing his cheek.

“Kyle..” Max calls out. “Call your dad and tell him about the new plan.” He says tossing him the phone.

Pulling me to the side, Max frames my face in his hands and kisses my lips gently. “Your quiet Liz.” He comments pulling away to look in my eyes. “Too quiet. What’s wrong?”

Shaking my head, I murmur, “Nothing.”

“Liz…” He says, knowing that I’m not telling him the truth. “Tell me what’s wrong? Is it your mother?”

Nodding my head, I try to stop the tears from falling but they do anyway. “She came home because of my dad Max. She knows about his death.” I exclaim.

“What did she say?” He asks wiping my tears with his thumbs.

“It doesn’t matter.” I say looking up at him. “She’s so heartbroken and lonely. I don’t know how I’ll face her knowing what I did. She’s miserable because of me.”

“Liz, don’t do this to yourself.” He says pleadingly. “I know that you feel guilty but you can’t let it eat you alive. You can’t let it consume you.”

“I’ve told myself all those things Max.” I say looking down. “It’s not helping.”

“I’ll help you.” He says fiercely, bringing my gaze back up to his. “When everything else seems to be lacking, then I’ll be there for you Liz. That’s what I’m here for. I’ll never let you face anything on your own…not while I’m around.”

Pulling me into a tight hug, I return his embrace and wrap my arms around his waist just as tightly. I thank god every day that he’s here with me…that he’s my husband, my partner for life. I don’t know what I’d do without him.

“You know how much I love you right?” He whispers above me.

“I know.” I smile faintly. “I always know.”

“Good.” He replies before kissing my head.

“Let’s go guys.” Isabel says to us. “We’ve gotta go.”

Pulling away from the embrace, he takes my hand in his and holds it tightly. “Everyone ready?” He asks.

“Yup. Let’s burn the damn thing.” Micheal says with eagerness. “No offense Jesse.” He apologizes glancing over at him.

“None taken.” He replies standing by with a grim expression.

Holding their hands out, Max, Micheal and Isabel create just enough energy to start a quick fire from the power heater of the house. Flames erupt faster than we can blink.

“Let’s go.” Max says quickly grabbing my hand. “It’s spreading rapidly.”

Hustling out the back entrance, we run a few good blocks before stopping to watch the flames destroy the house.

“There goes a hundred and fifty thousand dollars down the drain.” Jesse mutters watching the scene.

“I’ll pay you back.” Max says distractedly.

“With what?” Jesse asks incredulously. “Money doesn’t exactly grow on trees.”

“Okay, why does he sound like my mom?” Maria says with a snort.

“We’re aliens Jesse.” Micheal says clapping his back. “Money isn’t really an issue.”

“True.” Jesse replies with the knowledge.

“Speaking of money….” Kyle continues. “I’d like some before I basically detach myself from you guys. You know, a few hundreds…nothing major. Kind of like a going away gift.”

“Keep on dreaming Kyle.” Isabel mutters.

“What?” He exclaims in affront. “I deserve some type of fee for all my dedication to this group don’t you think?”

“Later.” Max answers him curtly as we begin to walk away when police sirens and ambulances are heard in the far distance. “We’ve got a plane to catch.”

“Yay, the desert.” Maria says with dry sarcasm. “Why can’t we go to Hawaii or something?”

I wish.


TBC…

Crystal

Happy Halloween!....

Hey all, I know you've been waiting for this part, so here it is. I'm sorry I took so long with it. Anyway, there's one chapter left and then it's over. So enjoy this one...it's got something you've all been dying for!


~Max~

“Thank god you two are alright.” My mom says in a relieved sigh as she literally squeezes the air out of Isabel and I.

“Mom…,” I manage to say in a struggled breathe. “Your crushing me.”

“You?” Isabel wheezes out. “I think I’m flat chested now.”

Pulling away, she palms our faces in her hands and kisses us both on the cheek. “I’m so glad to see you both. Even if you aren’t here to stay.”

With her words, I stand up straighter and attempt to smile. “Where’s dad?” I ask looking around for him.

“He’s in the motel sweety.” She says pointing towards the door. “Everyone’s in there. They’re waiting for you all.”

Taking Liz’s hand in mine, I nod my head and motion for the rest of the group to follow us. I can tell they’re all expecting the worse from Liz’s mom. And honestly, I am as well. After the ordeal that went down with her dad, I can’t help it. I hope for Liz’s sake that Mrs. Parker is way more receptive than her husband…Or things could end really bad tonight.

Walking in the room, Nancy’s eyes light up and she walks right over and pulls Liz into a tight hug. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her mother hug her like that…like she would vanish right before her eyes if she let her go. I guess I can identify with that. I’ve felt that way many times over when Liz is concerned. She does that to people pretty often.

“God, Liz…” She exclaims pulling away to gaze into her daughter’s face. “Where have you been Lizzie? Look at you? Your all grown up.”

“Mom…,” She groans with a slight blush tinting her cheeks.

“Let me look at you.” Nancy gushes running her eyes all over Liz’s form. “Your hair is so much longer than I remember…and you look a bit thinner. And what’s this on your finger?” She murmurs with a glance at Liz’s hand. “Is that a ring? On your…your wedding ---”

“Finger?” Liz supplies with a slight smile. “Yeah, it is.” She grins looking at me. “That’s my wedding band.”

“Wedding band?” She says in surprise. “Your married Liz?”

“We’re married.” I interject softly, coming up to Liz’s side and twining our hands together. “A little over a month now.”

“Well…, wow.” She says sitting down on the bed slowly. “That’s a surprise.”

“It is.” Liz says sitting down beside her with her hand lightly touching her shoulder. “But we love each other. We always have.”

Nodding her head, she looks up at me and smiles faintly. I guess that’s her way of showing her acceptance of our marriage. It’s better than nothing.

After everyone greets their loved ones, we all take a seat around the room and explain where we’ve been for the past few days. It surprises them less to none. Even Nancy doesn’t seem to be that affected. However, that doesn’t mean she could be trusted.

“Mrs. Parker…,” I begin tentatively. “I know that you know the truth now. About us…where we’re from. It’s imperative that it stays only between the people that are in this room. No one else can know.”

“I won’t say anything Max.” She says firmly. “My daughter’s involved. I wouldn’t ever bring harm her way.”

“I know.” I say watching her expression intently. “I just had to make sure.”

“I promise you.” She says reassuringly. “I just wish my husband could’ve shared in this too. He loved Liz so much.”

Feeling Liz tense automatically beside me, I tighten my hold on her hand and whisper softly in her hair. This has got to be killing her.

“I’m sorry for your loss.” Maria speaks up quietly. “Mr. Parker was like a father to me.”

“He really was.” Nancy says with tears in her eyes. “The memorial is tomorrow morning.” She announces looking towards Liz. “I was going to bury him in Roswell, but you won’t be there. So, it’s here in Marathon at the church up the road. I’d like it if you all could be there.”

“Of course we will.” My dad says sympathetically.

Silence ensues until Jim clears his throat and begins speaking. “I know that Kyle is staying with us.” He says garnering our attention. I don’t miss the elation in his tone at the fact. I wish I could do the same for my own parents. “But what about the rest of you? Where are you guys all going?”

“We don’t know yet.” Isabel says with a shrug.

“You don’t know yet?” My mom asks in disbelief.

“It’s not that simple.” I say quietly. “I guess we’ll know when we get there.”

“And what about now?” Amy asks. “Surely we all can’t stay in this room for the night.”

“She’s right.” Jim says.

“We’ll get three more rooms then.” Micheal says on a yawn. “ I’m dead tired right now. All I want to do is sleep.”

“You can say that again.” Kyle murmurs already dozing off.

“We’ll see you guys in the morning for the service.” I say bidding everyone goodnight. As I make my way outside with the others to rent the other rooms, Nancy puts her hand on my arm and stops me gently.

“Max, could I speak with you please? It’ll only be a minute.”

Nodding my head, I immediately feel Liz’s discomfort with the notion and I try my best to calm her. “I’ll be right in.” I say gently before kissing her forehead. “Go with the others and make sure Micheal and Maria don’t pick the best room.”

Looking at me once more, she walks away and I turn to face her mother. Motioning to a bench in front of the room, I offer her a seat and she accepts. Patiently waiting for her to begin, I sit beside her.

“Max…, I’ve known you for quite a while now.” She begins, staring ahead unseeingly. “ I’ve seen you and Liz happy together. I’ve seen you unhappy…I’ve seen Liz hurt so much more often than she deserves. Now I’m not trying to pry nor do I doubt your love for one another, but…but I need to know that you’ll do everything you can to make sure she’s protected always. I’m not with her anymore, she’s an adult now and…she doesn’t need me. She needs you. Please, just for my own peace of mind ---,”

“Mrs. Parker…,” I interrupt gently. “I love Liz. I can’t erase all the things that I’ve done in the past, but I can promise you, that as long as I’m around, Liz will always be protected. She means the world to me. And now that she’s my wife, I can’t picture myself being anywhere or doing anything if she isn’t with me. I don’t know how else I can convince of you that…how else I can convince you of how much I love her. That I wouldn’t be the person I am sitting here with you if it wasn’t for Liz.” I finish, watching her reaction to my words.

She smiles and picks up my hand in a motherly gesture. “You just did.” She whispers. “You’re a good man Max. I see that now. I couldn’t be more grateful that your in her life.”

Blushing a little with her reply, she smiles wider and kisses my cheek. “Goodnight Max.”

“Goodnight Mrs. Parker.”

Watching her walk back into her room, I sit there a while longer and reflect on our conversation. I’ve never felt any type of bond with Liz’s mom, but after tonight, there’s something that’s more than apparent between she and I. We both love Liz. Unconditionally and forever…it’s always been there, but I’m now realizing it. I guess she wasn’t the only one that needed convincing.

~~~~~~~~

Walking into our hotel room about ten minutes later, I strip down to my boxers and quietly slip in the bed. Turning over to my side facing Liz, I know she’s not sleeping. Wrapping an arm around her waist, I pull her tightly to my side and nuzzle her forehead.

“Your awake.” I state knowingly.

“I can’t sleep if your not next to me.” She replies with her hand moving over my ribs.

“I’m here now.” I whisper tenderly.

Kissing my chest in gratitude, she fixes her eyes on mine in the darkened room. “What did my mom want?”

“Reassurance.” I reply running my fingers through her hair.

“About what?”

“You, me…us.” I answer her quietly. “She wanted to be sure.”

“What did you tell her?”

“The truth.” I say. “That I love you. That I always will.”

With a small smile, she places her head back on my chest. “I can’t go tomorrow Max.” She whispers. “To the church. Maybe the burial, but I can’t see him…I can’t see him ----,”

“I know.” I say soothingly. “We’ll do what you want Liz. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Thank you.” She says tearily.

“I’m here for you Liz.” I exclaim pulling her up my body so I can look into her eyes. “Anything you need, just tell me. Anything.”

“I need you Max.” She breathes out huskily, still locked in my gaze. “I need you to love me.”

Before I could even give her an answer, she fuses her mouth to mine and crawls on top of me. I can’t resist her. I never could…not when I want her so much.

Coiling my hand around her waist, I turn over so she’s on her back and open my mouth wider. Deepening the kiss, I run my hands up her body with her night gown following my movements. Breaking away from the contact so I could take the garment off her, she lifts her arms up and I discard it quickly before covering her mouth back with mine.

Grabbing her legs to lift them around my hips, I kiss a path down her throat until I reach the swell of her breast. Taking a nipple in my mouth, I lave it with my tongue and repeat the same action with the other one.

“Max…,” She moans out, arching her body closer to mine. “Please Max…I need you.”

Rubbing her core into my erection, I groan at the pleasure and run my fingers over her pelvis to remove her panties. Pulling back to complete the task, I stare down at her flushed features and feel my desire increase with the fact that I’m the only one who’ll ever see her this way.

Covering her body with mine after both her panties and my boxers are out of the way, she places her hands around my forearms and reaches up to seal my lips with hers.

Kissing her hungrily, I join my body with hers and the pleasure is mind numbing. Driving into her fiercely, I rest my face in the crook of her neck and bite her shoulder gently. Hearing her moan loudly, I speed up the movement of my hips, thrusting as deeply as I could.

“God, Max…” She moans. “I’m so close…Oh god…,”

“I know…,” I breathe out with my teeth clenched. “You feel so good Liz.”

Lifting her leg to my hip, I thrust hard one last time before we both tumble over into ecstasy. With a low groan, I continue moving until I collapse on top of her body.

“God, I needed that.” I say breathing heavily. Raising my head up from her chest, I look down to her face to see her still with her eyes closed and her mouth opened in pleasure.

“You okay?” I ask in amusement.

“Better than okay.” She finally murmurs opening her eyes. “God, that was amazing Max.”

“I know.” I reply, resting my body back on hers and kissing her softly. “I can’t believe we haven’t done that in almost two weeks. Were we crazy?” I ask jokingly, planting an open mouthed kiss on her bare shoulder.

“We must’ve been.” She chuckles, running her fingers over my back before settling on my hips. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” I whisper, kissing her passionately. Pulling away from the kiss, I roll over onto my back and take Liz with me. Kissing her forehead gently, it’s the last movement I make before falling into a much needed, satisfied sleep.

TBC…

Crystal

So here we are, at the end of my very first fic and I can't believe it. Thank you all so much for your relentless feedbacks and support. It's helped me so much during this entire writing process. It's hard work being an author, but you guys made it all behrable! So without further a due, here's the final part. I hope you all like it!


~Liz~

It wasn’t supposed to be this hard. It wasn’t supposed to feel this gut wrenching. Like a part of me was being buried along with my father’s descent into the ground. I dreamt about how this day would turn out and none of my scenarios ended quite like this. None of them resulted in the endless tears flowing down my face or the impossibly tight grip I have on Max’s hand beside me. He’s been my anchor through it all.

Looking over to my mother’s grief stricken expression, I can’t help but feel the ultimate guilt at my excuse for not showing up at the church this morning. I had told her it was too much to bare. That seeing my father like that…so barely unrecognizable would kill me. And she believed it. She commiserated and comforted my well being when it was plainly obvious she needed the same. I can’t ever tell her the truth. The real reason why she’ll be alone for the rest of her life. I already had one parent decieve me and look at me with an expression so hateful that I wanted to die…I couldn’t endure seeing it in her eyes as well.

As Maria sings out the familiar words of amazing grace, I walk up to the lowering casket and place my rose on top of it. Watching it go lower, a fresh new wave of tears cloud my vision before I walk away.

After the service, everyone returned back to the hotel for some peace and quiet. We all agreed that we’d leave after the burial. There’s no use in sticking around longer than necessary and drawing out the inevitable. Not when it’s so damn hard to do.

Glancing at the people we’d be leaving behind for a second time, my heart sinks at the thought. This experience and everything we’ve been through together, it’s brought us closer. It’s made us a family. As much as I know remaining in their lives could have catastrophic results, the selfish part of me just wants to be with these people I’ve grown so fond of over the years.

Choosing not to dwell on the negatives at this point, I stand up and make my way over to Max who’s in the far corner talking to Micheal.

Upon my entrance, they seize their conversation as Max wraps his arms around me. “How you holding up?” He whispers with a kiss to my temple.

“I’ve been better.” I murmur quietly, tightening my hold around his waist.

“I’m really sorry Liz.” Micheal speaks up, looking for all the world like what he’s about to say may be the most difficult thing he’s ever said to me. “Not only for today, but for everything. Anytime I’ve ever done or said something that pissed you off. It was…it was never about you.” He finishes, looking intently at me for my reaction.

“I know.” I respond with a small smile, knowing that he means the words. “And thanks Micheal.”

With a subtle nod, he excuses himself and goes in search of Kyle. Must be to say goodbye. Kyle did mention something of wanting to speak with us all individually. I’m dreading when it’s my turn.

“How are you really feeling?” Max asks seriously, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“Ashamed.” I reply looking down. “Like the lowest piece of scum that ever walked the planet.”

“Liz…,”

“It’s amazing you know…,” I continue with a dry laugh. “That even on a day like this, I could still find enough courage within me to lie to my mother again. After everything…,” I trail off with an imperceptible shake of my head.

“Liz…,” Max says, returning my gaze back to his. “You can’t blame yourself for the cards you’ve been dealt in life. No one wanted this to happen. You least of all. All you can do is accept them and adjust. It’ll take time but you’ll make it Liz. You always have.” He voices in quiet assurance.

“But what kind of person does that make me?” I ask in self loathe. “I walked into this knowing that I wouldn’t tell her the truth. That she could never know. I didn’t even think twice about reconsidering. After what I’d done, after being the reason why my mother is alone now, and I had the audacity to lie to her? Who do I think I am?”

“You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever known.” Max says fiercely. “No one could have ever been through what you have, seen all that you did and come out unscathed. Don’t you see Liz?” He whispers in gentle reverence, palming my cheek in his hand. “You haven’t broken yet. You’ve seen all that this cruel world has to offer, alien related or not, and you’re still here. Your still Liz…your still my beautiful, level headed, compassionate wife that I love so much. Don’t ever doubt your strengths Liz. It’s what makes you who you are.”

Placing a gentle kiss on my lips, he crushes my body to his in a tight hug. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. As chaotic as life may seem, I’d do it all over again if it means having him in my arms…if it means that he’ll always be with me. I couldn’t ask for more. Pulling away from his embrace reluctantly, I gently remind him my mother asking me to go with her on a walk so we could talk in private. Loosening his grip, he nods and looks into my eyes.

“Are you okay to do this?” He asks in concern. “I can come with you if you can’t do it alone.”

His suggestion brings a smile to my face. I expected him to ask. Infact, I’d be surprised if he didn’t. He knew firsthand that I’d refuse but he still took the chance. I love that I know him so well.

“I’m fine.” I answer him, while brushing his bangs away from his eyes. “I think I need to do this alone.”

Nodding his head in understanding, he kisses my forehead. “I’m here if you need me.”

“I know.” I whisper lovingly. Kissing him briefly, I walk out the door to meet with my mom who’s already waiting outside.


Walking side by side for a good five minutes, she glances over at me before squinting at the bright sunlight that’s beaming through the sky. It’s a contradiction in terms. That the day is so beautiful considering what it beheld. I almost want it to rain in heavy pours and darken the clouds. It sure would match my mood.

“I remember the day you were born so vividly.” She begins staring ahead. “August 26, 1983...On a hot summer night. I’d been in labor for hours. I had almost begin to think that you weren’t coming anymore.”

Listening to her voice, it fills me with an odd sense of comfort. My mother and I had never been close, but now it’s different. We’re both paying attention.

“Your father was so worried.” She continues. “He was hovering and fussing about how much more longer we had to wait. He was just so eager to see you. We both were.”

“After about five more hours of intense pain and coaching, you were finally here.” She smiles in remembrance, reaching over to link my hand with hers. “You were so beautiful. Dark brown hair and matching eyes. You’d looked just like how we pictured you would. It was the happiest day of our lives.”

“We had never loved anything as much as we did you. You were our pride and joy. And your dad…he was just so overwhelmed. You meant everything to him. From that point on, there was nothing more important than his baby girl.” She says, squeezing my hand gently. “He would have loved to seen the wonderful woman you turned out to be.”

“Mom…,” I whisper, with tears logged in my throat. If only she knew the truth…If only she knew how much I wish that were true.

“I’m sorry Liz.”

Snapping my eyes to hers, I croak out, “What for?”

“For always judging you. For not understanding all the changes that were going on in your life. You were dealing with things so much bigger than me and I didn’t see it. I haven’t been the best mother to you. It’s something I’ll always regret, but you have to know how much I love you…how much I always have.” She finishes, looking into my eyes with apology.

“I’m so sorry mom…, “ I sob out. “I’m so sorry that I have to leave you when you need me the most. God, I wish I didn’t have to…I wish I didn’t have to.”

“Oh Liz…,” She exclaims, pulling me into her arms. “Don’t cry sweetie. This isn’t the end. I’ll still be here. Whenever you think it’s safe to come back or to call, you know where I’ll be. And I won’t be alone. There’s so much support here honey. You don’t have to worry.”

Sniffling lightly, I raise my head from her shoulder and look into her face. The face of the only mother I’ve ever known. “I love you mom. Don’t ever forget that.”

“I love you too.” She whispers, pulling me into another hug. “And I know you’ll be in good hands. Max loves you so much. He’ll take care of you.”

“He always does.” I say, pulling back. Giving her a small smile, we make our way back to the hotel to meet up with everyone. It’s getting closer to our departure.

Upon our arrival, I see Maria drying her eyes as she walks out of a room with Kyle behind her. He must’ve said goodbye. Walking up to me, she looks at me expectantly. “Good thing your back. Kyle’s asking for you.”

With a nod, I stroll into the direction I just seen him disappear into. Seeing my approach, he turns around and smiles at me.

“Last but not least.” He drawls, with his trademark grin. It doesn’t seem to light up his face like it once did. “How you feeling?”

“Sad.” I answer truthfully. “And not just about earlier.”

Catching my meaning, he looks down briefly before speaking. “We’ve come a long way Liz. From dating one another, to breaking up, to becoming enemies and then the best of friends. It’s been one hell of a ride.” He says with a nod.

“It has.” I say in agreement.

“But you’ve always had my back. You always stood up for me when everyone else didn’t. Always had my best interest at heart. You’ve been the greatest friend anyone could ask for and I’m just…I’m gonna miss you so damn much Liz.”

“Kyle…,” I murmur tearily.

“Just take care of yourself.” He rushes out with a deep sigh. “You tend to cater to others before you do yourself and I…I’d hate to hear that anything happened to you.”

“I will.” I promise sincerely.

“I know this probably isn’t the last time we’ll be seeing each other, but, in my own special way, I love you Liz.” He says wholeheartedly.

Rushing forward, I hug him tightly and close my eyes at the deep sadness that he’ll no longer be apart of the group. I never thought this day would come.

“I love you too Kyle.” I whisper. “I’ll call whenever I get the chance. I promise.”

With a nod, he moves his hand up into my hair. “Take care of Evans too. Put him in his place every now and then in my absence. Otherwise, he’d get away with murder.” He jokes candidly

Chuckling at his words, I release him and step back. Looking into his eyes, he already knows what I’m getting ready to ask. “I’ll look after your mom Liz. The best way that I can.”

With one last smile, I say, “Bye Kyle.”

“Bye Liz.”

Walking out the room and straight into Max’s arms, I realize in painful certainty that’s it’s time to leave. I’ve never cried so much in my life like I’ve done today. It’s only about to get worse.

Bidding everyone goodbye about half an hour later, there’s one more stop we have to make. Getting out of the van, I walk the path to the cemetery that I was at not more than two hours prior. Kneeling down on his grave, I look at the carved words on his headstone.

Jeffrey Douglas Parker
May 15th, 1962 - June 2nd 2004
Beloved husband, father and friend
He will be greatly missed.

Staring at the words, I didn’t even realize that I’d begin speaking. “It wasn’t supposed to end this way. You weren’t supposed to be there.” I whisper, with a shake of my head.

“Before I had ran off the first time, I was so happy that you were going to know the truth. That I could finally share this huge part of my life with my father. I thought you’d accept it and be thrilled that I was married to this man. This wonderful man who I adore to the ends of the earth. But that was a foolish thing to believe huh? It didn’t turn out that way at all. I guess I’m still that naïve little girl in some sense. Still wanting to hope that everything would be perfect one day.”

“I’ll never be able to understand why you did what you did. Why you deliberately betrayed me and everyone I loved. I might not ever forgive you for it either. Who knows, nothing ever goes the way you want them to. I just hope, that wherever you are, your at peace somehow. Even with everything that you’ve done and I…I’m trying my best to move past my part in all this. I’ve got to realize that I can’t punish myself for who I am. I can’t constantly carry around this baggage of guilt for something you created. And so I’m letting it go, along with you.”

“I don’t know if you ever loved me, but mom seems to think that you have. I’d like to keep her thoughts of you the most alive if possible. Only because she’s so lost now without you. I’m doing it for her sake. So bye dad…I did love you. I wish I could say the same now more than you’ll ever know.”

Drying my tears, I stand up from the grass and brush off my knees. Giving his tombstone one last look, I walk back to the van, into the arms of the only man I know that’ll always be there for me no matter what. As we drive off this time, there’s no more lingering doubts and fear like before. We’re going to make something of this second chance we’ve been given. It’s a journey into a still unknown future, but one I wouldn’t trade for the world. A new life awaits, and I for one, am going to take it.


The End.

Crystal