Roswell Fanatics

*Max*

Michael and Maria get up and leave with some flimsy excuse about studying. I know Maria doesn't need help to fetch a book. It's pretty clear that they're just ditching us to get some private time. I'm almost wishing that I'd thought of it first, but I'm still eating my lunch here.

Well, Michael was, too, but he tossed his meal in the trash on his way out. I shake my head in amazement. Why they think they have to pretend, is beyond me.

"I'm guessing that those two aren't going to get any studying done any time soon," I say, rolling my eyes as I lean next to Liz. We really should have ducked out of here first. I look over at Kyle and the new kid. I can't help but notice that they're both glancing over this way as they talk. Yup. I bet Kyle's giving him the negative spin about us. I guess I did make a mistake in not inviting him to join us.

Then I feel a sudden breeze, coming from nowhere. When I look down at my plate, I see that my sandwich has been cut into four pieces and placed slightly apart. It looks just like one of the symbols that we saw in the cave.

My eyes widen but I don't speak. Quickly, I take up one piece and shove the other three together. I'm almost shaking and I try to convince myself that nobody would see it as a symbol. It's just a sandwich. But how the hell did it happen? I didn't do that, did I? Is this related somehow with what was going on with me and Liz? What's going on?

I glance up, trying to catch Isabel's eye, wondering if she noticed, if she recognised it, too.

.

OOC: Sorry that its taken me so long to get my post up. My Aunt gave birth this weekend so the whole family has been going crazy.

Also, I probably won't be able to post again until tomorrow since I am staying at my aunt's tonight and she doesn't have the internet.

Hope that this post is okay.

-Ruby

LIZ

While the others are discussing the new member of our school, I look over my shoulder at the new kid but turn around as soon as I see him looking in my direction. Woah. Can you say hostile? I don’t think that I did anything in those brief seconds that he was here to offend him enough to justify that evil glare.

I pick at my fries while the others talk, unnerved slightly by the hatred that had been in his eyes. For some reason, I have the unexplainable urge to move away from Max.

“I think I need to go get some study notes for my American Literature final.” Maria says, causing me to look up in disbelief. Maria? Study notes? Hmm, there is something very wrong with that sentence. “If we aren’t needed here I’m going to have Space boy to escort me to get it.”

Ah, now it makes so much sense.

"See you all later." Michael says in his usual abrupt manner.

"I'm guessing that those two aren't going to get any studying done any time soon," Max says, rolling his eyes.

I smile back in response. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out where Michael and Maria have disappeared to. I think that its nice. I’m glad that Maria is so happy. I hope it stays that way and that Michael doesn’t do anything to hurt her. Just like I hope that Max will never do anything to hurt me.

Things between Max and I lately have been… intense. Normal girls might see fireworks when their boyfriend kisses them, I get to see alien related visions. Sometimes I worry that Max is only spending time with me because of these visions. I also worry what might happen if I see something that will help him go home to his planet. Now that Max is such a big part of my life, I don’t even want to let him go. But could I really expect him to give up his planet for me?

Stop! I shouldn’t be thinking about what ifs. Who knows whether Max and the others will ever find a way home? Its been over 40 years since the crash and it doesn’t look as if anyone is looking for them. Call me selfish but I don't want anything to come in between Max and me.

"Maybe we should go study as well, Max." I say with a grin. My grin quickly fades though when Max fails to answer me. He is staring Isabel intently. "Max? Is everything okay?"

*Max*

"Max? Is everything okay?" Liz asks.

"Yeah, fine," I say, quickly recovering. Was it that obvious? Was I staring? I can't do anything to draw attention to myself and that includes acting weird. I think Liz was saying something before, but I guess I missed it. My heart is still going fast. Did I do that without realizing it? What does it all mean?

"Did you see that?" I whisper. I don't move my hands from where they are, but I wiggle one finger in the direction of where my sandwich had just cut itself into pieces.

.

~Isabel~

I have got to figure out what I’m going to wear on my date with Denny this evening. Normally, I take hours getting ready for dates, but in this case it was a little different. This was going to be the break up date, so I liked to plan ahead. After all, having checked out his dreams last night… gross. There were times that I’d still go into Alex’s dreams though. I couldn’t help it. He was just… his dreams made me hope. I just didn’t want to get too close to him. I didn’t want him brought even further into the alien drama. Not to mention, he was always around. It was driving me batty.

I can understand when the others are around… but coming up to me in the halls, looking for me, coming by my house, it was wearing on my nerves. Okay, so I knew how he felt about me… and maybe it would get him off my case if I gave him a chance. Give him a date, he’ll find that he doesn’t like going out with me after all and poof, problem solved… right? Wrong… what if he does like it and things are worse? What if I find I like it and things are more then worse? That’s what holds me back.

“Excuse me, do you mind if I sit here?” I hear someone say and am pulled out of my thoughts, looking up at a rather attractive looking man. Well, hello there new boy. Okay, so I’m staring some.

"I don't think we have any spare seats," I look towards my brother who’d just responded and see him and then Michael also moving to be possessive. I can’t help but lift a brow at that and smirk.

“Oh...” The stranger pauses and then mutters, “Kay...sorry.” I can’t help but feel a bit bad for him for some reason, part of me wanting to speak up and stop him. Like there is something about him.

“Why out of all the tables around here did he come over here and ask to sit with us?” Michael ends up questioning, and he’s got a point, but I still can’t keep from wondering. “It’s painstakingly obvious that he is new and was looking for someone to sit with.” Maria comments, frowning as I see when I turn to look at her. “I know you guys don’t want to draw any unwanted attention to the group but being snobbish is only going to create negative energy between us and them.”

“You of all people know what it feels like to be an outsider.” Maria then adds, yeah we do. But, we also know what its like to be looked at like freaks. I can’t help but think. I don’t say it out loud, but I know that Maria should remember that she once looked at us like freaks. That even when she knew our secrets she looked at us even worse.

"You do have a point, Maria." Max begins and I can’t help but sigh, looking across at the guy again. "I would go invite him over, but it looks like he has a lunch partner now," My brother continues.

Even as I watch Kyle Valenti join him, I’m still finding myself tempted to go talk with him. Why do I feel like I should go talk to him, myself?

“Yep, Valenti got a hold of him. He’s lost to the dark side now.” Maria comments, “Which is rather appealing seeing as how the dark side has cookies.” I shake my head at her humor and simply try to focus on eating. It’s a bit hard when I’m still thinking about the symbol we’d located and then how Michael and I tried to make contact. I still couldn’t get over how I came to realize that night just how much learning where we came from really means to him, or how much more afraid I am that he’ll learn and leave.

I sigh and find myself getting lost in thought when Michael and Maria leave giving some excuse, I didn’t really hear what with where my thoughts were going. Looking at Max, I could see that he wasn’t really focusing much at the moment either. It’s almost as though I miss something that’s right before my eyes as I see a blur of some form and then Max’s sandwich is different. I glance up at him and see him looking at me and then back down at the sight. Max picks up a fourth of it and I can’t help but wonder just what happened.

Something strange is definitely going on, I know Max wouldn’t have done that. That… that symbol… Was that some sort of… sign? Was the fourth actually here? I couldn’t keep myself from looking around, feeling suddenly very tense. Where was Alex? He always managed to be able to help me relax… at least to an extent.

“Max…” I begin, but find that I can’t even think of what to say. What do you say when something like that happens? “I think… maybe we should go.” Go? Go where? I didn’t know… but at the moment I didn’t want to sit still. At this rate, I might not make my date tonight.

Alex

I feel like patting myself on the back today.My mission to not go near Isabel Evans has had it's first success.Well partial success at any rate.I am still staring at her but I haven't been anywhere near her even though I had a good enough excuse to join them at lunch since Liz and Maria were sitting with Max,Michael and her.

Ever since that kiss on my front door step I find that she's on my mind even more and it just isn't healthy.I mean I was so close to being termed a 'stalker' that I decided I needed to take a hold of myself and stop being such a puppy dog.It's not like she was showing me any increased interest after that kiss.She's the same old Isabel...insecure,confused and icy.

I watch their table from the opposite end of the quad,where I have chosen a spot under the tree to have my lunch in peace.Not many kids at this end.A tall good looking guy...must be new because I have never seen him around here...went up to them,said something,now's the time I wish I had super-human hearing,Max replied and the guy walked away to another table.

I couldn't help but notice the way Isabel was checking him out.Ppffffttttt!!!So are all the other girls.Just what us average guys need...another jock!Maria and Michael disappear...to make out I am guessing and the new guy strikes up a conversation with...Kyle Valenti of all people!Okay so Kyle isn't all that bad.I tolerated him when he was Liz's boyfriend.The funny thing is Kyle went to the new guy first.He must have seen Max tell him to move along.I guess Kyle is still sore after losing Liz to Max.

Shaking my head I stand up and dust my jeans,might as well head back in to the building.Nothing new happening here.Max is being all over-protective from the looks of things,Michael and Maria are all over each other as usual,or at least I am guessing they are doing just that in the eraser room,Kyle must be wishing looks could kill and Isabel is still interested in the muscular jock type.

ooc: edited to add what she's wearing lol
if anyone wants to see the actual top... here's a basic idea..
http://leathercatalog.net/images/v525vlz.jpg
and this is the skirt but longer...
http://leathercatalog.net/images/sk716l.jpg

~Tia~

A week before


I can’t believe this, what idiot in the brass decided to make me become a damned teenager again? Okay, so in reality I’m only eighteen and technically still a teen, but God Damn It! I am the perfect operative within the FBI, why send me for a stupid surveillance gig? It isn’t as though I haven’t had time to prove myself to them. Normally I wouldn’t even think about questioning an assignment, but most of the time my assignments have been secret operations that included some nice violence. Violence is something I can handle, something I enjoy. I just pretend that each person I hit or shoot… or kill is my lame ass father who sold me into basic slavery within the FBI when I was barely eight years old.

Was it my fault that I was reading at a college level when I was seven or a quick study in the martial arts? No. So why did he decide to let the FBI have me? Because he was a drunken lout that lived an Officer’s Life within the military with an equally drunken officer wife. My mother and father had been military all their lives practically, so its only natural they wanted something befitting their legacy for me, right?

Sure, that’s why I’ve just been told I’m going to Roswell, New Mexico with a couple of other operatives who are to stay out of my way and simply pretend to be my father, with me giving orders? Ha! That’s simply laughable. Not that I mind the giving orders part. Six teens require my attention, whoopee! The brass must have had their balls trimmed to think sending a highly trained government assassin into a rural environment. I was trained well, emotions are worthless, though anger is my favorite. Friends? Who the hell needs them? Certainly not me. When I work with others, it’s a team that has recently been under my command.

Yet, here I am sitting in with my superior, Agent Pierce who is giving me my orders. “Now, Agent Monroe, let’s just go over this one more time? Repeat your cover to me.”

“Yes, Sir. When I enter Roswell with Agent Stevens who will be acting as my father Richard Monroe and Agent Harrison who will be my mother, Renee Monroe, I am simply Letitia Monroe, Tia for short. My mother is a design exec that travels regularly while my father is an antiques collector who also travels regularly. They both decided to settle in Roswell because my mother’s family came from there five generations ago and also because I got kicked out of my last school for causing trouble. My school transcripts will show that I am an excellent academic student, just that I have problems with authority. If I am in a fight, I am not to use training. If I can get close to the target’s I am to plant as many devices as I can to use for surveillance purposes.”

I paused a moment to take a breath, “If I can get physical proof in some manner that these six students are a threat to national security I am to send that proof to you through either my ‘mother’ or ‘father’ and then sit tight and be ready for capture procedures.” When I finished I looked at him and waited, watching the smile that lifted his lips.

“Very good, Agent. Now I see why brass sent you to my department. Now, go meet the other agents and get to work.”

Standing, I nod, “Yes, Sir. I’ll keep you informed of my progress.”



present

So, here I am, walking into the school, late. The principle informed me that it was my lunch hour so I made my way to the quad where I figured it would be a good time to catch view of my targets. I'd chosen to wear a knee length leather skirt so that I could at least hide my small pistol in the holster on my thigh since I can't wear my normal guns on me. The top I'd chosen was a vented lace front leather vest. I figured if I was going to have to pretend to be a bit younger then I was and be back in school... I'd do it with a little heat. After all, sometimes it's the sensuality that catches the attention.

Some preppy appearing girl comes up to me just as I’m getting set to sit down at an empty table, “Hi, I’m Amber… Amber Hartford. The girls and I saw you when you were coming in and we couldn’t help but wonder if you were considering for trying out to be a cheerleader?”

I laughed, “No thanks, Amber. I’m not a peppy type.” I watch as she seems deflated and sit down, ignoring her. Why must I be amongst airheads when I haven’t even been in the school for more then half an hour? I shake my head as I reach into my bag, removing a book. I’ve been reading Shakespeare since I was six, but I’ve always loved reading Romeo and Juliet which I was now reading for the sixty-sixth time. Holding the book just right, I used it to aid in my scan where I found them, well three of them anyhow. Interesting. What the hell could Pierce be thinking? Did they really believe these kids were aliens? Obviously they did, especially with old recordings that were done many years ago, black and white at that. I now had copies of those available for me to watch whenever I was in my new place having to pretend to be a normal teen.

Max Evans, according to the last Agent they’d had in place, he was kind of aloof, nervous. She’d thought he was basically the shy leader type. Isabel Evans, social butterfly, the basic ‘I want to be a model’ according to the agents notes. Liz Parker, brain, nervous and kind of introverted, the agent had noted she tries to keep control on her life. Well, as far as I was concerned, Liz was probably going to be losing control once I found a way to get into the thick of things.

I glanced down at the book and simply let myself read, knowing that if they moved at this vantage, I’d be able to see them even while reading.

*Max*

“Max…” Isabel says at last. “I think… maybe we should go.”

Go. Right. Go where? In what direction? This thing happened right in front of my face. I don't know what caused it. I don't know what to look out for. What if it was something inside me and I did it without realizing it -- like that symbol that Isabel and I made in the sand when we were kids. How can I hide from that?

"Yeah," I say, feeling something heavy in my stomach. I've definately lost my appetite. I get to my feet and glance at my tray for a moment. I want to just push it away and leave it here but we're supposed to clean up our places when we're done. Besides, what if it happens again? Okay, that's rediculous. I just don't know what to think right now. Reluctantly, I pick up the tray and walk over to the trash bin, dumping in the trash before putting the tray on the stack.

Turning back, I look at Liz. "Are you coming?" I ask. It's a question, not an instruction. I'm not trying to get her to follow. I don't think she was done eating and she doesn't have to come. I'm just wondering if she is.

LIZ

I quickly glance over my shoulder to see if the new guy is still staring at me but instead notice Alex sat alone, eating his lunch. I wonder why he didn’t choose to sit with us. Actually, I don’t think that I really need to wonder that hard when the answer is sitting across from me. Isabel Evans.

“Max…” Isabel starts but then pauses as if she is at a lost for words. “I think… maybe we should go.”

“Yeah,” Max agrees before he turns to me. "Are you coming?"

“No. I’m going to catch up with Alex.” I say as I watch Alex get up from his table and start to head back into the main school building.

I quickly gather my things together but then hesitate slightly. Should I kiss Max goodbye? Should I ask him to meet me later? Should I ask him if he wants me to come with him and Isabel instead of going with Alex?

“Uh, I’ll see you later, okay?” I say, waving awkwardly before leaving the siblings.

I half run, half walk to catch up with Alex. I hate that he felt that he had to sit by himself. I hate that I don’t think that I’ve been a very good friend to him over the last couple of months.

“Hey! Alex!” I call. “Wait up.”

Alex

Not really bothering about my peers that surround me as they too make their way back in to the school building I saunter along until I hear a familiar voice calling my name,"“Hey! Alex!...Wait up.” Wonders of wonders!

Liz Parker!

I turn around to watch her come up to me,tryng to resist the urge to pass a sarcastic comment I raise one eyebrow at her and smirk,"Wassup Liz?...Max let you go free for a while?"

Okay so I didn't really want to be mean to Liz but those words just came tumbling out of my mouth before I could stop them.It's not her fault that Max Evans decided to heal her the day she was shot,resulting in her being pulled in to his world dramatically and permanently.

Feeling ashamed of myself I reach out and touch her shoulder,"I'm sorry Liz,I didn't mean to sound so bitchy...just in a cranky mood today.How's your day going?" I ask as we start walking side by side

*Max*

Well, this certainly didn't end the way I anticipated. Liz hurries off to catch up with Alex and I feel my fingers itching for want of a good-bye touch with her. She doesn't have to give up her friends just because of what's going on between us.

I also cast a glance back at the new guy -- the one still chatting with Kyle. I'd meant to talk to him after lunch to apologise for shoving him off -- although given what happened with my sandwich, I guess it was a good thing he wasn't there.

I hurry out of the quad with Isabel, wondering if anyone is watching us. Wondering what exactly happened. Then I notice a pair of eyes that are following me. Another new student. This one is a girl wearing a leather outfit that makes her look amazing -- and a little bit intimidating. She locks eyes with me for a moment but I quickly look away, walking quickly to keep up with Isabel. I probably should have smiled and welcomed her, just like I should have with the guy in the leather jacket, but I'm still a bit wrapped up in my own concerns.

Two new kids in one day. They don't seem to be siblings because they're not sitting together. I'm sure it's nothing, but I can't help but wonder...

Isabel and I get safely into the hallway and I ask her in a hushed tone. "What do you think is going on?"