Roswell Fanatics

Banner by Behrsgirl77



Title: By Your Side
Author: Lazza
Disclaimer: The characters of "Roswell" belong to Jason Katims, Melinda Metz, WB, and UPN. They are not mine and no infringement is intended. Title is from the song By Your Side by Sade, I don’t own this either. I don’t own much at all really.
Pairings/Couples/Category: M/L, CC
Rating: Adult
Summary: When a gun goes off in the Crashdown Café Max does the only thing he can think of, save the girl of his dreams. Tragedy strikes Max on his perfect Saturday morning, and now he has to learn to live his life again.
Author's Note: Thanks to Behrsgirl77 for making the amazing banner. Thanks to all the NaNo writers who both directly and indirectly helped me reach the 50,000 words, especially KatnotKath, Evelynn and Hopeless Romantic.
And lastly a very BIG thanks to mmcherron/Lissalou72 for her support in getting me to actually post this.
The fic will have a fare bit of medical terminology, I’m not a doctor or a nurse and although I’ve done some research it may not be completely accurate. For things to happen like I want them to I’ve had to kinda make a few things up, so if you’re thinking ‘That’ll never happen’, well it does in my land!!!


By Your Side


You think I'd leave your side baby?
You know me better than that
You think I'd leave down when you’re down on your knees?
I wouldn't do that

I'll do you right when you’re wrong
I-----ohhh, ohhh

If only you could see into me

oh, when you’re cold
I'll be there to hold you tight to me
When you’re on the outside baby and you can't get in
I will show you, your so much better than you know
When you’re lost, when you’re alone and you can't get back again
I will find you darling I'll bring you home

If you want to cry
I am here to dry your eyes
and in no time you'll be fine

You think I'd leave your side baby
You know me better than that
You think I'd leave you down when you’re down on your knees
I wouldn't do that

I'll do you right when you’re wrong
I-----I, ohhhh, ohhh

If only you could see into me

Oh when you’re cold
I'll be there
To hold you tight to me
Oh when you’re alone
I'll be there by your side baby
I'll be there by your side baby

Chapter One

Time, it was constant. Time never varied, so why was it that when you want to move faster, it slows, and when you wish time would travel faster than light it crawls?

Max rolled over and looked at the clock, 5.18am. It had been 5.18am for at least an hour he thought. All Max wanted to do was sleep, fall into deep sleep, dream about her and then wake up at 7am. Why? Because today was the day, Max had been thinking about this day for years, 7 long years to be exact. All he had to do was make it to 10am, then he could ask her and no matter what she answered he’d at least be able to get on with his life. Sure Max wanted her to say yes, but even he she said no and laughed in his face he’d know, he’d know there was no chance.

That’s what he wanted more than anything, he wanted to know what she felt, if she felt the same. And if she didn’t well that was fine, sure he’d have a broken heart for the rest of his life, but at least he would know the truth. At least he wouldn’t be living in this constant limbo.

Sighing again, Max got out of bed. If he wasn’t going to sleep at least he could do something productive with this time. A run, he thought. Just what I need to do to get rid of some of these nerves rolling through my body. Pulling on a pair of shorts and a pair of well-worn running shoes, he opened his door and walked towards the kitchen grapping a bottle of water on the way. Opening the door and stepping outside Max took a deep cool breath, school might have let out yesterday for spring break but the mornings were still cool.

He started off slowing, slipping the water as he picked up speed. By the time the bottle was empty he was running at a decent pace. The faster he ran the more he thought, and the more he thought the faster he ran. Liz, she was the only thing on his mind. The very thought of Liz was a distraction; the thought of talking to her was almost the death of him. Running, faster and faster until he couldn’t breath without his lungs burning like fire. Max started to slow down when he realized that he was running just a few blocks from the Crashdown, did he mean to run here, or was his subconscious telling him something?

He slowly jogged down Main St, eerily quiet at 6am. The normal hustle and bustle of Roswell’s main road was absent at this early hour. It was almost as if someone had come along and made everyone vanish from the town. Smiling at the thought of everyone in the town vanishing Max picked up his pace again as he rounded the corner, missing the person rounding the corner from the other direction, knocking them both into on to there feet.

Max lay on his back, panting, trying to remember how to breathe properly. In and out, in and out, ok so he could remember. Moving up into a sitting position Max leaned on his knees as he continued taking deep breaths, trying to get the stars dancing in his eyes to leave.

“Are you ok?” Max closed his eyes and shook his head slightly, he swore he had just heard her voice, he thought he heard her ask him if his was ok.

“Sorry?” Max said as he brought his eyes up to face the person kneeing down in front of him. Oh god, it was her, he’d just run into Liz, where were the aliens? Why couldn’t he get abducted now? Where was the black hole? Or….

“Max? Are you ok? Did you hurt yourself?” Liz couldn’t believe it, the one person in this town, in this world she wouldn’t want to hurt, and she’d knocked him on his feet.

“I’m umm…yea fine” Max was having trouble forming words, and he knew he sounded like an idiot, a real idiot. This was his chance to make an impression, and so far it was a bad one. He’d knocked her down; he knocked Liz to her feet. Shit, he’d knocked Liz down.

“Are you ok? I’m so so so sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going.” I want to die, please let me die right now, Max thought as he watched Liz slowly stand up in front of him. She brushed her skirt, oh gee she was wearing that uniform. Why did she have to be wearing that? Didn’t she know what it did to him? He wondered if she knew how many nights he’d had to take cold showers because of that uniform?

“I’m fine, didn’t even fall down. But you look a little out of it. You didn’t hit your head did you?” Please say no, please, I don’t want to be known as the girl who gave Max Evans a concussion. Liz sighed and looked down at Max who was still resting his head on his knees as he took deep breaths. Liz wanted to die, fall into a black hole, get beamed up by Scotty, anything. Just not be here, standing over Max Evans at 6am after she’d knocked him down. Now he’s going to think I’m an idiot, a clumsy stupid idiot who can’t even walk without knocking people down.

“No I’m fine. Just a little out of breath is all. I was running for awhile.” Max slowly lifted his head and smiled up at Liz, oh she’s a goddess. And she thinks I’m a fool, brilliant.

“Really, running at 6am on the first day of spring break. I’m impressed.” Liz said as she smiled down at Max, extending out her hand to help him up.

Oh sweet Mary mother of God, she’s helping me stand up. She’s offering her hand to me; she actually wants to touch my hand. Max didn’t know what to do, what was he supposed to do? Take her hand and stand up, ok I can do that he thought. Brushing his hands against his shorts he reached up towards Liz’s hand and took it and his life ended.

Heaven, that’s what her hand felt like. It felt like he was holding heaven and he wanted to keep it. Would she miss her hand? Do you think she mind living with him so he wouldn’t have to let go of his hand? Oh somebody help me, Liz Parker, the one person in the universe I want to touch is holding my hand, could life really get any better, Max thought.

“I umm, I had some things on my mind” Max

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

RosAngBuf16
Earth2Mama
Michelle17
clueless
begonia9508
Heavenli24
mmcherron AKA Lissalou72
KatnotKath
Natz



Chapter Two

Max walked into the Crashdown Café three hours later. He’d spent the past few hours having a shower and talking to himself in the mirror. He’d asked himself to the prom more than fifty times before he decided that maybe practicing wasn’t a good way to elevate stress anymore. Especially since he found himself saying no, to himself, once or twice. He knew that if he didn’t just go to the Crashdown right then and there, he would chicken out and regret the decision for many sleepless nights to come.

Pushing open the door Max looked around the café, good not too busy. The breakfast rush had finished up and it’s too early for lunch. Liz was serving coffee to a couple sitting at a table while Maria DeLuca stood at the back waiters station doing something. Max walked towards a booth near the back, he knew that Liz and Maria didn’t have sections when it was just the two of them working, so it didn’t matter where he sat. Should he ask her before he ordered? Or wait until he had his food? Or maybe he should wait until he was about to leave? That way if she said no he could run and hide behind a tree.

“Hey Max, how you going” Max jumped at the sound of Liz’s voice behind him, should he ask her now…

“Good I was umm, just going to sit down” Liz smiled at Max, poor guy he properly doesn’t want anything to do with me. I mean I knock him down at 6am; will I ever live that down? Liz once again kicked herself for what had happened that morning.

“Ok, can I get you a drink to start then?” Max looked her Liz, could she look any sexier? Her hair was in a cute ponytail and on top of her head were those antennas, the way the bobbled when she moved her head…

“A cherry Coke thanks” Max watched as Liz smiled and walked towards the counter leaning over and talking to Maria. A second later Maria handed a glass over and Liz walked back towards Max.

“Here you go. One Cherry coke, do you know what you want to order yet?” Why did Max look nervous Liz wondered? Was deciding what to eat for lunch really that stressful?

“I’ll have a umm, Galaxy sub thanks.”

“No problem, it’ll be about 10 minutes. José’s taken a quick break”

“I’m not in a hurry, take his time, I mean take your time, I mean…I’m in no hurry.” Ask her now Max’s brain was screaming out to hi, ‘Come on before you sound even more stupid, this is your chance’. Liz turned to walk away and before he knew what he was doing Max stuck his arm out and grabbed her elbow effectively stopping her from leaving.

“Before you go I wanted to ask you something” Max dropped her arm but noticed that Liz stepped closer to him and give him one of her perfect smiles.

“Sure” What? Was he going to ask her to stay away? To never mention the fact he was knocked down by a girl? Liz prayed that Max would just get it over and done with so she could go out the back and hide.

“Well, umm, you see well prom…” Max stuttered, unable to get what he wanted to say come out of his lips.

“Prom?” Did he want advice on what to wear? Who to ask? Whether or not he should take her out for dinner? Who was he asking? Sure all the girls were after him but the only one he’d really seen him ever talk to out of class was his sister Isabel…he wouldn’t take her would he?

“Yea, well prom. I was wondering, I know we don’t know each other very well. But I was wondering if you don’t already have a date if you’d like to come with me? To porn, I mean prom.” Oh God, please tell me I didn’t just say porn in front of Liz, please please please tell me I didn’t say that.

“Me? Prom? We barely talk” Liz thought she would either die, or do a happy dance. Maybe die while doing a happy dance. Max Evans just asked her to the prom, even if it was a mistake, she’d always have those words in her mind, she’d always know what it sounds like to be asked to prom by Max Evans and for Liz that was enough.

“I know, I like you Liz and I think you should let me take you out some time during Spring Break and then maybe once we get to know each other you’ll say yes.” Max sat back in the booth with a smile on his face, take that self-doubt. Not only did he ask Liz to the prom but threw in another date in as well, maybe he should just ask her to marry him and get it all over and done with. Max had no idea where his sudden courage came from, but while it was around he’d use and abuse it.

“Me? You want to go what, on a date with me? And take me to prom?”

“Yes”

“Um, ok.” Liz looked at Max with a smile, this was it. She knew that this moment would be a defining moment in time, something she would remember for days, years to come. It was a time that almost needed something more than a memory to capture it. A photo, an ad in the paper, a movie of the week, something, anything.

“Really?” Max couldn’t believe his ears, she said yes. Liz said yes.

“Sure, I mean why not?” Liz’s eyes shifted to the right as a customer signaled her with his coffee. “I better get back to work, I’ll bring out your sub when it’s ready.”

“Thanks Liz” Max watched her as she walked to the counter and grabbed a coffee pot and walked towards the two men. Turing back towards the counter Max noticed the smile that graced her lips, god she was amazing, and she’d just said yes to him.

Maria stood at the back of the café watching Max and Liz. She knew that Max had a thing for Liz, and she knew Liz had a thing for Max. The only people that didn’t seem to know were Max and Liz. Liz walked towards Maria and placed the coffee pot under the machine.

“Well little miss you have to tell me what that was all about…” Maria jumped onto Liz the second the pot was out of her hand.

“Nothing Maria, well…” Liz couldn’t get to drop from her lips.

“Well…????”

“He asked me to prom” Liz glanced a small look towards Max and noticed he was watching her, smiling Liz turned back towards Maria who for once seemed to be speechless.

“Prom? As in prom at school?” Maria couldn’t believe it, sure he knew Max liked her but he was also so quiet and reserved. She never thought he’d have the guts to just ask Liz.

“Yep and he asked me out on a date as well” Liz did a mental countdown in her head, five, four, three, two, o……

“WHAT?” Maria turned her head towards Max then whipped it back to Liz. No she didn’t just hear that not only did Max ask Liz to prom, but the most sort after guy at West Roswell High also asked her out on a date.

“Shush Maria”

“Oh.My.God” And Maria was off. She grabbed Liz’s hands and jumped up and down. Liz couldn’t believe Maria was doing this here, she knew she should have told her in private. Shrugging her arms away from Maria who was still jumping up and down like a bouncing castle, she looked towards Max. Liz couldn’t help but go red with the look Max was giving her. She knew he knew what was going on, and from the looks of things he thought it was the funniest thing.

Liz was mortified, why was Maria her friend? Why? Sure she was loyal, fun to be around, like a sister, but times like this made Liz wonder why she still told her things. Looking around Liz noticed half the café was now looking in there direction.

“Sniff some cedar oil Maria, and calm down, please.” Liz pleaded with Maria who stopped jumping and pulled a small bottle out of her apron pocket.

“Ok, I’m calm.” Maria took a few deep breathes of the oil before replacing it in her apron. Looking at Liz she noticed she was flushed and smiling towards Max. “Great, I’ve lost you to looks across the room now haven’t I?” When Liz didn’t reply Maria sighed and moved to the kitchen window, retrieving an order and delivering it to a customer.

After checking on the rest of the customers she returned to Liz, who was now filling up sugar holders while glancing at Max every few seconds.

“Oh please, just go and take your break and sit with him for a while would you? The sweet looks between you both are making me feel ill.” Maria spoke and once again Liz didn’t seem to be hearing her. Taking matters into her hand she grabbed Liz’s face and turned it towards her. “Liz, please for me, for the other customers, either go and talk to him or stop looking.”

“What? Sorry, I was just umm.” Liz wondered how long she’d been looking at Max. She was surprised how easily it came to her. She’d always managed a few looks whenever he was in the café, but now it was almost like she was allowed to look, like she had permission.

“I know what you were doing, and hey do it. But not while pouring sugar all over the counter ok?” Maria motioned down to the small mountain of sugar Liz had made after missing the holder.

“Ok, sorry. I’ll stop.” Liz shook her head slightly giving Maria a smile, looking back quickly she noticed Max was looking at her, again and before she could stop herself she caught herself smiling back. The look between them was cut short when a shout was heard through the quiet café.

“I said give me my money” All heads in the café turned towards the two men sitting near the front.

“And I said no.” The two men jumped out the booth, and before anyone knew what was happening one them whipped a gun out of his pocket, aiming it straight at the head of the man opposite.

Time stood still.

Once again, thanks everyone for your feedback. Be warned that this part has a bit of violence, but it’s over soon. Also, I thought I’d mention I’m a 100% dreamer; so don’t worry about that


Clueless – Max slipping porn into the sentence is something I would do. I seem to always say the wrong thing at the wrong time!!
POM – You asked, so here it is.
begonia9508 - I think Max got a sudden burst of self confidence and was milking it for all it’s worth!!
Cocopucks – Thank you…
ISLANDGIRL5 – You know what’s happening next? I barely know what’s happening next
Michelle17 – Thanks
Heavenli24 – How did you guess Max’s day would only go down hill from here?
Natz – Yes men are stupid…oh you meant these two men right? Well they’re stupid as well.
Gater101 – I’m glad you wont allow Liz to get shot, either will I.
Dmartinez – Good, and not to worry about the parts. I have about 10 already ready to post.
KatnotKath – I’m making you look bad? Doubtful. Yes please sleep, then you can post for me!!
Anonymousarfan – Thanks, and here is more
Bri+Jason2830 – It’s fun to think and write Liz and Max as just two people who really like each other and that’s it. This is a AU no alien fic, so if someone gets shot, they wont be healed my magical powers.
Dreamon – Is this soon enough??


Chapter Three


The next few minutes seemed to both fly by and go at a snails pace. Max watched in horror as the two men faced off at the front of the café shouting at each other. Slowly Max stood up, not wanting to startle the men, standing at the end of the booth, Max took his eyes off the men when he heard a noise behind him, Liz he thought. Moving his head he noticed the look of total shock of both of the girls faces. They hadn’t moved at all, the shock of what was happening cementing them to the spot. He started to slowly back up towards them, wanting to keep them both safe more than anything.

In the flash of an eye his world stopped.

The man with the gun sensed a change in the room and his eyes scanned the room for the movement. Noticing the tall boy move towards the back he cocked the gun in his direction, no kid was going to stop him from getting his money.

Max looked back at Liz but turned his head as a sound echoed through the now silent café. Max’s heart stopped, the gun was now pointed at him. Before Max even had a chance to blink the café’s phone rang startling the man, and Max knew this was the time to move. Max jumped into action and turned towards Liz and started to run, and within a second the bang of the gun could be heard. Max felt something bite his neck and before he knew what was happening, he found himself looking back ten years, to the day his life started.

”Class I’d like you to meet Max and Isabel Evans. They’ve just moved here from Seattle.” Mrs. Anderson stood at the front of her year 4 class. “Since we have a sick student today Max, why don’t you go and sit next to Liz, and Isabel you can take the empty seat next to Michael. Liz and Michael raise your hands. Now you’re only joining us a few days late, so you haven’t missed much at all.”

Max looked around the room until his eyes landed on a petite brunette with her hand raised. Walking shyly towards the middle of the room he sat next to her.

“Hi, I’m Liz and that’s Maria and Alex.” Liz pointed to the pair sitting in front of her. Maria and Alex waved their hands at Max before turning to the front of the class again.

“Max, my name is Max,” Max couldn’t help but look into her eyes, her beautiful brown eyes. He wasn’t sure what was happening but he decided that the move to Roswell, New Mexico wasn’t such a bad thing after all. Looking over at his sister he noticed she was sitting next to a boy with spiky hair, a scowl on both of their faces.

“Nice to meet you Max.” Liz said before looking back towards the front of the room. The next 15 minutes was spent listening to Mrs. Anderson who was explaining a project they were about to start.

“Ok so everyone, since you all have table buddies, I’d like you to work with them. So take out your book and feel free to use any of the art supplies in the back. Any questions? No? Ok great then. Lets start.”

“So I guess we have to choose something to make then.” Liz looked at Max; she wondered why he had moved to Roswell, a town where people seemed to move out of not into. He looked so shy and scared and she wondered if he would want to be friends with Maria, Alex and her.

“We could make a space ship? I saw one on top of a café in town, I forget the name but it looked cool, we could do that.” Max wondered why she was looking at him. Did she not want to sit next to the new boy? Was she embarrassed about sitting with him?

“Oh that’s the Crashdown Café I own it, well my parents own it and one day I’ll be allowed to work there as well.” Liz was proud of her parent’s café.

“Wow, that’s cool.” Max had always hated that fact his parents were lawyers, they never did anything fun and because of them he had to leave all his friends in Seattle and move here, but right now he was thanking his lucky stars his parents were lawyers.

“Thanks, umm so a spaceship then? Ok so we’ll need….” Liz rattled off what they’d need to start and Max listened doing what ever she told him.

The next day Max couldn’t wait to come to school, but when he arrived Liz wasn’t there and Isabel took the chance to get away from Michael, who she’d spent the whole night complaining that he smelt and didn’t do any work. Liz didn’t return to school all week and when she came back on Monday Max noticed she was sad, since the sick boy Kyle was back, class now had a odd number of students Mrs. Anderson sat her with Maria and Alex. For the rest of the year she sat with them, Max found out later her Grandma had died. He wasn’t sure what he felt for Liz, but from the moment he first saw her he knew this was it for him. He didn’t know what love was, but if he had he would have realized that he was in fact in love with Liz Parker.

It all happened in a second, and before he realized he was falling to the ground, black enveloping him like night sky.

No one in the café moved, they just stared at the boy on the floor, his life draining from his body, blood pooling beneath him.

For Liz that moment will forever be etched in her brain. The second Max was shot not more than a foot in front of her. Liz had watched, frozen as Max turned towards her and ran and the look of utter shock as the bullet sliced through him. That one split second before he fell, she could see the absolute horror and fear in his eyes and it was the most terrifying thing she had ever seen.

“Max” Liz screamed as he fell to the ground, the force of the bullet turning his body so he now lay on his back. In front of her blood starting to seep out from under him, Liz dropped to the floor next to him and grabbed his hand feeling for a pulse, after a few seconds of searching she found one and let out a little sigh.

Her eyes flew around the café, searching for someone, anyone to help. The two men involved with the altercation with the gun, took one look at Max and Liz, picked something up from the table and bolted from the café. Everyone else seemed to be frozen on the spot.

Whipping her eyes back towards Maria she started to yell.

“Maria call 911 damn it. Maria!” Liz watched as Maria quickly shook her head and moved towards the phone. Liz reached up behind her and pulled a towel off the bench, holding it tightly over the bullet wound behind Max’s ear, watching as the white towel turned red before her eyes.

“Hello? Yes there’s been a shooting at the Crashdown Café” Maria could barely get the words out as the tears and tremors started to shake her body.

Within seconds Liz heard the pounding of feet coming down the stairs behind her.

“Lizzie” Jeff Parker was upstairs reading the Saturday paper, when he heard a bang coming form downstairs. Standing up he started walking towards he stairs, but it was the voice of his daughter screaming Max’s name that got home running down in hast.

Pushing through the break room door he was shocked at the site before him. His daughter was knelling on the floor holding the hand on a young man; blood covered her dress and the floor around them.

He faintly heard Maria on the phone and he dropped onto the floor next to his daughter.

“Lizzie, baby are you hurt? What happened?” Jeff tried to take in the scene before him.

“They shot him daddy, they shot Max” Liz just sat there, holding Max's hand pushing her fingers into his wrist as if just by feeling his pulse made his heart beat.

“Max?” Jeff looked closer at the boy lying in front of him and realized he was the same boy Liz had run into that morning. Oh god, that means he’s Lizzie’s age Jeff thought.

Jeff looked at Liz who seemed to be in shock, she knelt there holding Max's hand rocking slightly as she lent forward and whispered in his ear. In the distance Jeff could hear sirens nearing the café, he stood up and ran towards the door meeting the incoming police and paramedics.

“What happened Jeff? We had a report about a gun shot?” Jim Valenti looked around the café. It was chaos, people were standing and sitting down, some crying and others seemed to be in shock with looks of stone on their faces.

“I have no idea, I was upstairs and I heard a noise then Liz started screaming so I came downstairs.” Jeff looked towards his daughter who was being pulled away from Max by Maria, the paramedics working on the young boy. He winced at all the blood on the ground as Max was rolled over onto his side.

“Any idea who that is?” The Sheriff said pointing his hat towards Max.

“Max somebody, he goes to school with the kids” Jeff turned his head quickly as the paramedics rushed passed while still working on the boy. School with Liz that meant school with Kyle. Oh gee, he was 18 at most, and from the looks of it wasn’t going to reach 19.

Liz and Maria were following the stretcher carrying Max when the Sheriff stopped them gently with his arm. Liz couldn’t take her eyes off Max, he was going to die and no one would be holding his hand. He would die not know how she felt about him, he would die because of her. Because she was unable to move, unable to duck at the right time, Max would die before she could tell him how she felt.

“Liz what’s Max’s last name? We need to get his parents to the hospital.” The sheriff asked gently as Liz watched as the paramedics lifted Max’s stretcher into the ambulance and before she could blink took off down Main St sirens blaring.

Liz didn’t feel her father taking her in his arms gently rocking her as she continued to stare down the street. People were standing outside the café looking in, trying to catch a glimpse of what made an ambulance speed off in such a hurry. With the police lights flashing through the window, red...blue, red…blue, red…blue, it almost made Liz want to throw up.

“Daddy I have to go with him, he can’t be alone now” Liz realized with a start that Max had left without her. That he was lying in an ambulance dying because of her, all alone. She wouldn’t allow that, she wouldn’t allow him to be alone when she could be there. Who would hold his hand if she wasn’t there?

“I’ll drive you there in a minute honey, but what’s Max’s last name? The sheriff needs to know” Jeff Parker looked at his little girl, trying to keep the tears out of his eyes, trying to be strong for her. He could have lost her; she could be the one on the way to Roswell Memorial Hospital right now. She could be the one covered in blood being worked on by the paramedics as it speed through the streets. She could be the one dying in that ambulance.

“Umm Evans, Max Evans. He lives on Murray Street, I think; I don’t know the street number though. I have his phone number upstairs, he gave it to me when we were working on a project last year.” And without a second thought Liz took off running past the puddle of blood on the floor, past shocked café patrons, past confused sheriff deputies and through the break room door. She reached the stairs and took them two at a time, a feat in itself for such a short person. Reaching the top she pushed open the apartment door, slamming it against the wall behind it, and bolted down the hallway into her room. Opening the door she stopped and looked around, his number…where would she have put it?

Going to her desk she threw her textbooks onto her bed, knowing they wouldn’t contain the number and searched through the random papers scattering the workspace. Unknown to Liz, her father, the Sheriff and Maria had followed her up the stairs, watching as she franticly searched through her desk.

“Liz it’s ok, the sheriff can get the number” Jeff said, heartbroken at the site of his daughter covered in someone else’s blood trying to find a phone number.

“No I have it, damn it where is the fucking thing” Liz threw her arms in the air as she looked towards her drawers. Had she put the piece of paper in there? Pulling the drawer all the way out she turned it upside down and dumped the contents onto the floor. Kneeing down next to she started throwing things all over the floor, desperate to find the number, almost if it could safe his life.

“Liz I’ve already called it in. Someone’s on their way to get his parents right now.” The sheriff looked down at Liz, she looked so lost, so confused, so lost. Reaching out to Jeff he whispered he was going back downstairs and when they needed a lift to the hospital he was more than happy to drive them. Nodding Jeff watched as he walked down the hall and back downstairs. Jeff turned towards his daughter and saw her best friend kneeling down next to her helping her search through the papers on the floor. He knew Maria was just humoring her, but he knew Liz had to find that number, so he bent down he started searching as well.

5 minutes, and 4 drawers later Maria picked up last years student diary and flicked through it, and out dropped a piece of paper. Picking it up from the group she looked at it

Call me if you get stuck, not that you will though

Home 214-555-4858
Cell 214-555-1104

Max

“I found it Lizzie” Maria screeched waving the paper around as she stood up from the floor. Liz snatched the piece of paper and scanned the writing.

“Thanks Maria, I have to show the sheriff” and without waiting for Maria or her father took off down the hallway. They could hear her steps bounding the stairs and a loud thump as she jumped down the last few and landed on the break room floor.

“Sheriff, I found the number.” Liz called as she ran through the café, eyes scanning the deputies looking for the man who needed this information. Waking up to the man she shoved the piece of paper into his hands.

“Thanks Liz, I’ll get right onto this.” He smiled at her as she gave him the paper, a look of triumph on her face. He’d seen this kind of behavior before, the need to feel in control of a situation that was out of control. A situation that you didn’t want to think was real, and for some that meant focusing on the simple things, building them up in your mind until they were more important than breathing. He’d seen it before and he’d see it again, but the look on Liz’s face as she searched for the number he now held in his hand was heart wrenching. The lost look, the scared look was something no 17 year old should never have to deal with.

He looked up and noticed that Jeff and Maria had followed Liz down the stairs. Jeff looked tired, tired and scared and he understood why. Today Jeff had almost lost his daughter, from what bystanders had told him, it should’ve been Liz lying on the stretcher, if it wasn’t for Max jumping in front of her. Maria looked scared as well but in a different way; he knew she was scared for her friend. She’d been here when the shot was fired; she’d seen the destruction first hand and right now the only thing holding her together was wanting to make sure her friend was ok. The second she wasn’t around Liz, the second Liz realized what happened, Maria herself would breakdown and let herself register what had happened today.

Jeff reached Liz and once again took her into his arms, pulling Maria in and adding her to the hug. Jim Valenti knew what Jeff took on a father figure in Maria’s life and was shaken up with almost loosing both of them.

“Lizzie, Jim’s got the number now. Why don’t you go upstairs and have a shower. You need to have a rest.” Jeff looked down at his daughter as he said that and felt her tense up in his arms.

“No Daddy, you promised to take me to the hospital. I have to…I need to see Max dad. Please?” Liz looked up at her father with her pleading brown eyes flashing with unshed tears. She had to go to Max; it was up to her to make sure he was ok. This was all her fault and now she had to fix it.

“Liz I really…” Jeff started; Liz knew what he was going to say. He was going to say no, he was going to say she had to stay here and rest. But Liz could just stay in the apartment without knowing the fate of Max. If her father wasn’t willing to drive her to Roswell Memorial then she’d find someone who was. Liz looked over toward Maria, Maria had a car, Maria would drive her.

“Maria, can you drive me?” Maria looked at Liz, she was covered in blood and really should change her clothes and sleep, but she was her best friend and if Liz needed to go to the hospital, then Maria would take her.

“Umm, sure thing.” Maria looked towards Jeff with a questioning look.

“No it’s fine Maria I’ll drive you both. But Liz you have to change first. Please.” Jeff knew she couldn’t sit in a hospital waiting room in what she was wearing.

“Ok, one second.” And once again Liz took off towards the back of the café, two seconds later she was back, her uniform covered by a brown jacket. Her father knew that underneath that was her blood splattered uniform, but he also knew he’d have to physically drag her upstairs and change her himself if he wanted more. Sighing he looked towards the sheriff with a questioning glace.

“Is it ok if I take these two over to the hospital? José is here he can lock up when you’re done.” Jeff looked towards the back of the café where his cook was standing talking on the phone. Waving his keys at him and pointing towards the girls and the door, José nodded and waved him away.

“Sure, I’ll be down there in a few myself. Liz, Maria take care.” Jim watched as Jeff steered the two girls out the door and around the corner to the car.

Liz sat in the front seat, watching the world pass by, her legs bouncing up and down, unable to keep still. Why did they live in such a big town? She’d always thought Roswell was small, but today it felt as big as New York City, would they ever get to the hospital?

Liz didn’t know what would be inside the hospital, would they tell her that Max was dead? Would she be able to cry for him? Would she ever be able to get over him, but more importantly did she even want to?

Once again thanks for all your feedback guys. I was surprised to see that no one picked up that Max was the one to get shot, I guess it’s good that I can surprise you though, because they’ll keep coming.

On another note, I'm looking for a beta for this story. I have a lot already written and I've been going over them and I think I'm missing mistakes. So if anyone is interested in reading them and helping out with the new parts either email or PM me. I have so many ideas for this story, but it would still be great to be able to brainstorm things with someone else.

Behrsgirl1230 – Yes poor Max!!
POM – I hope he’s ok, but then again there are many degrees of okayness (is okayness even a word?)
Alien614 – Welcome, I’m glad your enjoying this!!!
Cocopucks – So many tears, here is more, but I wouldn’t bring out the just yet….
Begonia9508 – Yes, no fear Max isn’t dead…yet, because yes the story would be finished and my head is so far away from that happening it’s not funny.
Heavenli24 – Thank you, but yes this Max has the pesky none alien status, damn humans!!!
ISLANDGIRL5 – See I thought everyone would pick it was Max getting shot…after all it was his day that was wrecked…
Earth2Mama – Oh no you missed a part, well I’m glad you found it again!!!
Clueless – Here you go
Natz – Again with all the sad faces…
RosAngBuf16 – Glad you’re loving it, happy to hear that this is the first fic you went to read
paper – Well it was a pretty good day in the beginning right?
Erina258 – Hi right back at ya!!! Glad to hear you think it’s a great story, it is sad, but don’t worry it will get better, eventually!!!
anonymousarfan – Thanks and here is more…and more will be coming again soon…
Dreamer 4 Ever – Well since the story is about Max and Liz he will be ok, but like I mentioned above, ok can mean so many different things!!!


Chapter Four

Ten minutes later Jeff was at Roswell Memorial pulling into the parking lot. Before he’d even stopped the car fully Liz was out and running towards emergency. He knew she’d do this, and he cursed himself for not locking the doors.

“Go after her Maria, I’ll be right in.” Jeff sighed as Maria looked at him from the back seat. Nodding, Maria was out of the car and after her best friend in a second. Jeff watched as Maria caught up to Liz and took her hand, no matter what happened today, Jeff knew it was the beginning of a new chapter in his daughter’s life. Parking the car he jogged towards the emergency room doors. As they opened up in front of him he could hear his daughters voice rising above the noises of the busy hospital.

“Max Evans, where is he? Is he ok?” Liz couldn’t believe how incompetent the staff in the emergency room were. All she wanted was to know how Max was, where he was. But they kept asking her is she was ok, is she was hurt. Liz opened her mouth to once again yell at the staff when she felt a hand rest on her shoulder.

“Liz calm down.” Jeff spoke to his daughter quietly as the staff at the desk gave him a grateful look. Looking towards the desk Jeff spoke.

“We’re enquiring after Max Evans, he was shot in the Crashdown about 30 minutes ago.” Jeff saw the nurse nod her head and put her finger up indicating she would be one minute. He watched as she walked towards a man in white coat who was on the phone. Tapping him on the shoulder she whispered something in his ear, the Dr. turned towards the desk and nodded. Speaking into the phone for a few more seconds he placed in down and walked towards them.

“I’m Dr. Williams, are you relatives of Max Evans?” The doctor looked over the group in front of him. He recognised the uniform on the young blond, he’d eaten at the café once or twice. The other young girl was covered in a large jacket, but he could see blood on her legs and face.

“Miss are you alright? You’ve got blood on you”

“She’s ok, Max was shot in my restaurant today, the girls were with him and Liz tried to stop the bleeding. How is he doing?” Jeff said looking at the doctor in front of him.

“Max was shot in the head, well neck really as I guess you are aware. There was no exit wound, which means the bullet most properly is lodged in the brain. He lost a lot of blood and we had to revive him when he first arrived. Now he was only down here in the emergency room for a short time, he was taken upstairs to the OR pretty much straight away. At this stage I can’t say much else unfortunately.” Dr. Williams hated days like this. A young kid not that much younger than himself brought in with an injury that should have killed him. Sure it might be good in the short run that he survived, but there was no way he’d lead a normal life after. At best he’d have major brain damage, at worst he’d never wake up again.

“Thank you. See Lizzie, he’s being operated on right now. There is nothing that we can do. Why don’t we go home.” Jeff looked at his daughter and noticed she was slowly turning white on him.

“You…you mean he has a bullet in his brain somewhere?” Liz knew it was bad, she’d seen the blood seeping from the wound on Max’s neck, but she had hoped it was a simple injury, one that just bleed a lot.

“That we can tell yes, there really is much more I can say I’m sorry. Are you sure you’re ok?” Dr. Williams looked at the girl, sure she was about to faint on him. He noticed as she stretched her back and a small about of colour graced her cheeks again.

“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you Dr. Williams, upstairs to the operating rooms?” She didn’t even wait for his nod of confirmation.

Liz was already walking towards the elevators at the end of the corridor, at least Max was alive still, at least it seemed he had a chance. And she was going to be next to him very single step of the way. No one was going to stop her, she knew she wanted to do this; she knew she had to do this.

“Liz wait, you should go home now. There is nothing you can do now.” Maria and Jeff walked after Liz, trying to reason with her. But they knew Liz, once her mind was set on something; nothing would get in her way, nothing.

“No I have to be here, please just let me sit in the waiting room. I need to do this.” Liz turned back towards Maria and her father, she knew they wanted her to go home, she knew they thought she was crazy, but she wasn’t she wasn’t crazy, she was determined to do this, for Max, it was the least she could do.

Jeff looked Liz over, he knew physically she was fine, but he also knew that she would wake up soon. Once she had the chance to breathe she would wake up and take in what happened to today, and maybe the hospital was the best place for that to happen. But Maria, oh Maria, she shouldn’t be here, if her mother Amy heard about the shooting without Maria first calling her, who knows what would happen. He thanked god his wife Nancy was away in Florida and not due back for a few days. One less person to watch over, he knew he had to call her, but at least he had a few hours respite before it was needed.

“Ok, Liz we’ll go sit upstairs for a little bit. Maria you should call your mom, she’ll be frantic if she’s heard about the shooting. If she can’t come and pick you up, I’ll give you cab fare home.” He said as he pushed the button for the third floor as they stepped into the lift. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a handful of change and passed them to Maria with a small smile.

“Ta Mr. P, yea she’ll be out of her mind. I didn’t even think of that.” Maria said as she took the coins and looked over at Liz. She just stood there, watching the numbers lit up as the lift passed the first and second floors, as if she was willing the lift not to stop. When they reached the third floor she was out before the doors had fully opened and walking bristly towards the nurses desk. Maria sighed and turned around, spotting some pay phones she went to call her mother, a call she was dreading.

Liz and Jeff reached the nurses station and he was surprised to see one of Nancy’s old friends standing there, he knew she worked at the hospital but had no idea where.

“Jeff, Liz what are you doing here?” Laurie said as she looked up and saw her friend’s husband and daughter.

“A friend of Lizzie’s was shot in the café and brought up here, Max Evans” Jeff said when he realized Liz wasn’t talking. He looked down at her and noticed she was looking at a chart on the table in front her, Evans, M. He knew she just wanted to grab the chart and read it, even if she didn’t understand a word of what was written, she wanted to know what it said.

“Oh my god, are you ok sweetie?” Laurie looked closer at the girl and noticed how pale she looked, how the brown jacket covering her small form made her look even smaller, vulnerable.

“Fine, how is he please?” Liz needed more information, she wanted to be a scientist, and scientist found answers, and she wanted answers and couldn’t wait for them.

“Let me check honey, why don’t you go and sit down the waiting room over there. I’ll come in and talk to you in a few minutes.” Laurie knew the condition of the boy, brought up not more than twenty minutes ago, a gunshot wound to the neck he was unconscious and had lost so much blood before the emergency room was able to start a transfusion that his heart had stopped. His heart had already stopped once downstairs and even with the four units of blood that they had pumped into his body, she doubted it would be enough to sustain him for very long. Laurie looked towards the waiting room and sighed, poor Liz having to loose a friend so early in life, and in such a tragic way.

Before Laurie could get think about what she would tell the poor girl a commotion by the lifts took her attention. Coming towards her were a couple and a teenage girl. Following behind them was the town sheriff, Jim Valenti. The parents, they had to be Max’s parents, Roswell wasn’t a tiny town, but rarely did it have more than one emergency a day that required the sheriff’s personal attention. Knowing he would have been at the Crashdown within minutes of the 911 call, Laurie deduced that he must had brought Max’s parents in the hospital.

“Sheriff” Laurie said in a way of greeting.

“These are Max Evans’s parents, they’ve just spoken to the doctor in the emergency room and I so I brought them up here.” Jim spoke to the nurse who face already looked sad, although not surprised at them coming in.

“Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Evans, my name’s Laurie, Max is in surgery right now so the doctors handling his case are unavailable at this moment. But I can try and answer any questions you may have.” She looked at the parents of the young boy fighting for his life a few feet away.

“How is he? Downstairs they said his heart stopped? That he was shot in the head? I don’t understand what happened?” Phillip Evans spoke, he was in shock. Twenty-five minutes ago he and his wife were about to leave and go out for Saturday brunch, but were stopped before they even left their house by a sheriff’s deputy. The deputy said Max had been shot and he would drive them to the hospital, and before he knew what was happening, Phillip, his wife Diane and daughter Isabel were bundled up in the car and driving to Roswell Memorial at lightening speed.

“Like I said Max is in surgery, I don’t have a update on his condition at this time, he was in the emergency room and they brought him up here only a few minutes ago. What Dr. Williams advised you is the most up-to date information at this stage I’m afraid. As soon as they can the surgeons will come and talk to you. I’m not 100% sure what happened, I’m sure the sheriff can fill you in more on that topic.”

“What…what are his chances?” Diane’s voice came out in a scared whisper. Her son, her baby was shot today, someone shot her baby and she couldn’t help him.

“I can’t speculate on anything right now. He had lost a lot of blood when he arrived, but we’re doing everything we can I can assure you of that. Would you like to wait in the waiting room until the doctors are able to talk to you?” Laurie said as she watched Mr. Evans take his wife and daughter and envelop then in a hug.

Coming out from behind the desk she gently wrapped her arms around the three and guided them towards the waiting room, opening the door she was surprised to see Liz Parker jump and bombard her with questions.

“Did you find out? How is he?” Before she could go any further in her questioning, Jeff came up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder and guided her away. He’d seen Laurie talking to the people outside and the fact Jim was with them, he assumed they were Max’s parents.

“Honey, she’s with other people right now. Just sit down and wait until she has some free time” Jeff glanced over his shoulder and Laurie gave him a small smile thanking him.

But Liz couldn’t sit down, so she started to pace the same room, looking at the floor as if it had the answers to everything. Feeling someone standing next to her she lifted her eyes and saw the concern look on the sheriff’s face.

“Liz, I know you’re worried about Max but I need to know what happened in the café. Do you think you can tell me what happened today?” Liz looked at him, really looked at him. She knew who he was, he was Kyle’s father a guy she dated for a second over a year ago, he was a friend of her parents, but she didn’t know him. But that second, that brief second she felt like she was starring straight into his soul. She could feel the grief, the pain of his life, his job, the fact he didn’t want to ask her these questions, but he had to. Liz wondered if this was new for him, this feeling of not being able to keep everyone safe?

“Sure, we can do it here right?” she’d talk to him, but until she knew how Max was she wasn’t willing to leave here, wasn’t willing to leave the place she felt closest to him.

“If you want, how about we got sit down next to your dad?” Jim said as he put his hand on her shoulder and guided her towards Jeff. Liz sat down next to her father while Jim sat on the chair opposite her.

“Wait…where’s Maria?” Liz looked around and noticed for the first time her best friend wasn’t in the room with her.

“I saw her outside on the phone” Jim said as he pulled a notebook out of his jacket pocket and a pen from shirt. Flipping the notebook open until he found the page he was looking for it looked up at Liz and Jeff.

“Ok so I’ve spoken to a few people, and it seems you were closest to Max when it happened. So just tell me about the morning, and what led up to all this ok? Take your time.” Jim said quietly, looking towards the door he noticed the nurse who brought the Evans's in had just left, leaving the three huddled in the corner. Liz’s quiet voice brought his eyes back opposite him.

“Umm, well it was a normal morning, pretty busy I guess for a Saturday. By ten there were only about five groups of people in the café left. The two….the two guys that shot Max, some regulars and Max who was sitting in a booth at the back.” Liz stopped as her voice hitched, and she took a deep breathe in.

“You ok Lizzie?” Jeff asked looking at his daughter; she shouldn’t have to be doing this at all. She shouldn’t have to relive the shooting of a friend.

“I’m fine, really” Liz said brushing off the hand he placed on her knee.

“They seemed normal, you know nothing stood out really. Anyway I’d taken Max’s order and was standing at the back with Maria when we heard them start to shout and then one of them, the taller one pulled out a gun and pointed it at the other guy. They were going on about money, I guess the shorter one owed the other one money. I didn’t see it happen but Max must have stood up, I saw him move towards the back, I guess to go out the back door. The guy with the gun saw him move, and pointed the gun at him…” Liz couldn’t stop the tears now, up until now it all seemed a little fake, like she was watching a movie, a bad movie, but a movie none the less.

“Max just froze, but then the phone rang and the guy with the gun looked towards the phone and suddenly Max was running towards me, god his eyes, daddy he looked so scared.” And with that Liz couldn’t hold anything in anymore, with a loud sob she buried herself in her fathers arms and let the tears fall down. The look on Max’s face as he turned towards her was etched in her brain, the scared look on his face. She wanted the image to go away, she wanted the day to start over again. How she wished Max Evans had never walked into the café that morning.

Thanks for all your feedback…I had a ultra crappy morning and it’s great to see people are enjoying this as much as I enjoy writing it. This part is pathetically short, Sorry!!! But I’ll update again tomorrow with a much longer part.

begonia9508 – Thanks
Heavenli24 – Thanks and yep it will be awhile before Max is up and about.
KatnotKath - Like Superman baby!!! I think fantastic is a bit of a stretch though.
Erina258 – You’ll have to wait a little longer to find out what happens to Max…
Cocopucks – Your wish is my command.
Anonymousarfan – Thank you, here is more and I’ll post again tomorrow.
Natz - Thanks
Earth2Mama – Max survives, that’s the only bone you’ll get right now!!!
Clueless – I don’t want Max to have brain damage either, but I have no control, silly bullet
POM – Soon is here.
ISLANDGIRL5 – Her day isn’t about to get much better either.
Clueless - Ta


Chapter Five

At the other end of the room the Evans family sat wrapped in each other’s arms, totally oblivious to the rooms’ other occupants. That was until they heard the almost primal cry coming from behind them. Turning around Phillip noticed a young girl curled up in what he assumed was her father’s arms. He wondered what she was doing her, what loved one of hers was being operated on right now. Phillip’s eyes moved to the man sitting opposite the crying girl, it was the sheriff. The man who was in charge of finding the bastard that shot his son. Had someone she loved gotten shot at the café as well?

Isabel Evan’s felt her father move and followed his line of vision, Liz Parker what was she doing here? Max was shot at the Crashdown…Liz’s parents owned the Crashdown, was someone else shot today? Isabel thought the sheriff said Max was the only victim, but then again she wasn’t listening very well.

“Izzy, do you know them?” Phillip asked as he noticed his daughter looking towards the couple at the other end of the room.

“That’s the Liz Parker and her dad, they own the Crashdown.” Isabel didn’t really know the Parkers. Although Liz was part of the smart geeky science crowd, she was well liked by everyone. By briefly dating Kyle Valenti a few years ago, and by willing to tutor the jocks, she was never picked on and always invited to parties, although she never went. Isabel however was popular, pretty, and smart enough not to cause teachers to worry, but not smart enough to be noticed. She was also well liked by everyone, but more because she was deemed the person to know, the person to be nice to. She was invited to all the parties and went to them all, never dating seriously, she was the most popular girl at West Roswell High.

“The Crashdown?” Diane Evans head lifted up off her husbands shoulder and looked towards the couple and noticed that the girl looked as scared and worried as she felt.

“I’m going to go and talk to the sheriff again, will you be ok for a second?” Phillip stood up and looked down at his family, his family that was missing a very important member. Before he could move from the spot the waiting room swung open and a small blond girl flew through and went up to the Parkers.

“Liz, I gotta go down and meet my mom. She’s going crazy about this whole thing, not that I blame her. She made me stay on the phone the whole time she drove here. Call me anytime, day or night ok?” Maria said as she crouched down in front of her best friend, she was so intent on talking to her she missed the other occupants in the room.

Liz looked towards her friend and noticed that although she seemed to be ok, she was holding on by a thin thread. Knowing that she wasn’t in the condition to comfort her she simply nodded her head at Maria.

“Ok, thanks Maria.” Liz said as Maria leaned in for to give her a hug. Pulling back she looked towards Jeff Parker and gave him a small smile and the universal ‘call me’ signal.

“Ok, I’m going.” Maria stood up and walked towards the door, as she opened it she called out to her friend again.

“He’ll be fine honey. Max is a tough cookie ok?” and with that Maria walked out of the waiting room and towards the lift, dreading meeting up with her mother downstairs. Being an only child of a single mother she was used to being smothered, but with what happened today, she knew that it was only going to get worse, and for once she wasn’t sure she minded.

Maria caught the elevator down the lobby, walking slowly towards the entrance. She could see her mother red Jetta waiting outside, her mom sitting at the steering wheel, fingers tapping in impatience. When she’d called her mother Maria could barely get a word in, Amy DeLuca was frantic. She’d seen the ambulance and Sheriff’s car fly down the streets earlier, but assumed they must have been an accident out on the highway. But when a customer had come in a few minutes later and said that something had happened at the Crashdown Café, her heart stopped. Her daughter, her beautiful daughter, the one person she would die for was working at the Crashdown that morning. Amy had sat on the phone for 15 minutes trying to contact her, she’d tried to go to Crashdown, but the street was blocked off. So when the phone call came through from Maria, letting her know she was ok, that she wasn’t hurt at all, she’d never been so relived.

“Mom?” Maria tapped on the window, and before she could straighten up her mother was out of the car and pulling her into a bear hug.

“My baby, are you sure you’re ok?” Amy was trying to figure out a way to never allow Maria to leave her side again; there wasn’t anything wrong with that was there?

“Like I said on the phone, a hundred time. I’m fine, 100% fine. But mom…” Maria’s voice hitched as she started to tell her mom what happened. Even though she has spoken to her for nearly 10 minutes Maria hadn’t really had a chance to tell her mother what really happened at the Crashdown Café.

“What baby?”

“Max, a guy from school was shot in front of me mom. They just shot him as if he was nothing.” And with that the tears started to fall, she didn’t have to be strong for Liz anymore, and thinking about what had happened that day was almost too much.

“Oh Maria, come on lets get in the car and home and you can tell me all about it.” Amy led her daughter to the car and into the passenger seat. Running around she jumped in and drove the whole way home with the hand holding Maria’s.

-----

As the door shut behind Maria, three heads turned towards Liz, Max? Liz was here because of a Max? Their Max?

Liz looked up as she heard a noise from the other end of the room, oh god, the Evans’s were here. When did they get here? Liz buried her head back in her fathers shoulder and started to cry again, berating herself at the same time. What right did she have to cry over Max? They were his family, they were everything to him and she was merely a girl he asked out on a whim this morning.

Sheriff Valenti saw Liz look towards the Evans’s and the questioning look in their eyes. He stood up and walked towards Phillip and pulled him aside.

“She was with Max when he was shot in the café, everyone else was in shock, but Liz jumped right into action. She yelled for someone to call 911, and tried to steam the bleeding with a towel, I think it’s all finally catching up on her now.” Diane was listening to what the sheriff was saying; Liz was there when Max was shot, poor girl. She stood up with Isabel and they walked towards the Parkers. As much pain as Diane was going through, she knew this girl was going through her own personal hell. She’d been there when Max was shot, heard the echo of the gun going off, she’d seen the blood, and she was so young.

“Liz?” Diane whispered to the girl, when she didn’t respond her father nudged her slightly and Liz lifted her head towards him.

“Honey someone wants to talk to you.” He said as he slowly removed her from his arms, he knew that these were the Evans family now, the look on their faces when Maria mentioned Max’s name gave it away.

Liz turned her head and saw that it was Diane and Isabel Evans, oh god they wanted to know whey she didn’t stop Max from running, why she allowed him to get shot.

“I’m so sorry, he, he just run towards the back and they shot him. I didn't even try to stop him, he…oh god” Liz couldn’t take the guilt anymore, she couldn’t take the fact Max might be dying because she was unable to stop the people with the gun, stop Max from running, stop this from all happening. Liz couldn’t breathe, she started taking in short breaths, but they weren’t filling her lungs like she needed and before she knew what was happening she saw stars and then nothing.

Thanks again for the feedback, and I’d like to thank Heavenli24 for agreeing to beta this for me!!! I know it’s a sad story, it will get better I promise, but it might not be for awhile.

POM – I’ve only fainted once and it was more of a major dizzy spell, so I have no idea if you really see stars!!!
Begonia9508 – Thanks
KatnotKath – Yes, well we can’t all be overachievers can we?
ISLANDGIRL5 – I hope she gets over her guilt soon as well, it’s not healthy thinking like that.
clueless – Here is all the news about Max you want, but you might not like it….
anonymousarfan – Thanks!!
Natz – Sorry it’s been sad the last few parts, I hope to change that..soon.
Kittens - Conundrum is one of my fav words!!! And isn’t life really all about What If’s anyway? I know mine is.


Chapter Six

Liz could hear noises, low mumblings around her; she recognized her father’s voice, as well as at least one older man and woman. She could feel something soft under her head but the rest of her body was lying on something hard making her back ache. She wanted to open her eyes to find out where she was, where was she?

“Are you sure you don’t want to take her home Jeff? I’ll call you with any updates” Liz knew that voice; it was Kyle’s dad. Was she the she he was talking about?

“No, the doctor said she just hyperventilated and that’s why she fainted. As much as I think she needs to go home, if I do take her home she’ll never forgive me, and I’ll be on my way back here the second she woke up.”

She fainted, why did she faint? Ok, so she was in a hospital and someone was hurt…Maria? No, she’d hear Amy’s voice, her mom? No, her dad would be more upset. Alex? Her other best friend, no, his parents and brothers would be here and she’d surely hear the Whitman’s. Who else would she be this upset about being here? …Oh god. Max he’d been shot. She lay there, eyes shut as she replayed the scene in the Crashdown through her head.

Max standing up and looking towards her and Maria, the look of horror on his beautiful face, his eyes brimming with fear. The phone ringing in the background, and Max running towards her, his eyes never leaving hers, he was running towards her…her, not the back door. Oh no, he wasn’t trying to get away, he was trying to get to her, he was trying to save her.

Although Liz wanted to stay in the dark, she couldn’t stop the tears from flowing down her already tear stained cheeks. Her body started to tremble with the knowledge that Max had been shot trying to get to her, to save her. She’d thought it was hard, knowing that he was shot trying to get to the back door, but the fact he was shot trying to save her, how could she live with that knowledge?

Jeff Parker sat next to Sheriff Valenti, watching his sleeping daughter lying on the chairs opposite him. When she’d fainted his heart stopped for a second, and although Laurie called a doctor to check on her right away he was still shaken at the sight of his daughter lying there so helpless. He knew it was all too much for her, and more than anything, he wanted to take her home and have her sleep in her own bed. But Jeff knew his daughter, he knew that she would only want to come back the second she woke, he knew how much she wanted, and needed to know how this boy Max was doing. And for him, letting her stay, being with her, was the least he could do.

Jim Valenti sat next to Jeff and read over his notes, according to witnesses Max was shot running towards the back, but not the door like Liz had said. More than one person had said he looked like he was running towards Liz and Maria. He’d have to confirm it with both the girls but if that was the case he’d be up for a bravery award and Jim knew he sure deserved it. Sitting a few seats away were the Evans’s they just sat there looking ahead, holding each other’s hands. He’d seen it before; the initial shock of their son being shot had worn off and although they still didn’t want to believe what had happened, they knew it had. They knew that their son was lying on a table just beyond those doors, fighting for his life. He knew that soon they’d be angry, they’d be scared, confused, lost and they’d grief for there son weather he lived or not. But right now all they could do was sit in the quiet waiting room and wait. Wait to find out how their lives had changed.

Diane Evans sat next to her husband, her hand resting on his lap along with her daughter’s. The three hands, holding each other; holding and praying that their son, their brother would be fine. Diane sat and waited for the doctors to open the door and talk to them. To tell her that the bullet had done less damage than they first thought. That he’d have a scar, but no permanent damage from this ordeal. She sat and waited for someone to tell her that her baby would be ok, that he was fine and just needed to rest, Diane sat and waited.

Phillip Evans sat between his daughter and wife, their hands resting on his lap, holding on to each other for dear life. He knew the second he saw the sheriff’s deputy a few hours ago (was it only a few hours ago?), that something was wrong; that this was the moment that every person, every parent dreaded. Isabel had been inside, so she was safe, but Max, he hadn’t seen Max for a few hours. He’d come home from his run with a smile on his face and a bandage on his arm. Max had told him that a girl had knocked him down, why he’d be happy about a girl knocking him down Phillip would never know. But Max had gone upstairs in such a giddy mood that Phillip could only smile at his son. He’d showered and left soon after, saying he was going to the Crashdown to either make the biggest mistake or the most wonderful step towards happiness he’d ever made. He walked out the kitchen and Phillip had looked at Diane and asked if Max was on drugs, she’d smiled and replied and said no he was in love. Max, his son, was in love 3 hours ago and now he was lying on a table trying to survive. Had he ever gotten to make his step before he was shot? Had if even gotten a glimpse of the happiness he’s so been hoping for?

Isabel Evans sat next to her father in a daze. Max her brother; her twin brother had been shot. Not only had he been shot, which in it’s self, was unbelievable, but he’d been shot in the Crashdown, a place she’d been headed to. A place where they’d sat in a booth together more times than she could count. Her brother had been shot. She knew he had a crush on Liz Parker; he’d been the butt of her jokes for years because of it. His best friend, Michael and herself had on more than one occasion made Max so embarrassed in the Crashdown he’d left, red covering his face and ears. Isabel turned her head slightly and looked at Liz lying on the couch sleeping. One day she’d have to thank her for helping Max today, for helping Max have at least a chance of survival.

Jeff saw tears start to fall from his daughter eyes and a second later her body start to shake in silent sobs. Kneeling in front of her, he sat her up and once again took her in his arms.

“It’s my fault, Daddy, its all my fault,” she cried into his chest as the rest of the room once again looked in her direction.

“What’s your fault, baby?” Jeff asked quietly.

“Max, it was my fault. He wasn’t trying to get to the back door; he was coming to push me down. He got shot because of me,” Liz cried out loudly pushing her father away and standing up. She couldn’t sit still and started the pace the room, her jacket swinging open for the first time. The Evans family watched Liz stand up after declaring that it was her fault Max was shot, they watched her stand and start to pace the small room. As she turned around to face them her jacket swung open and showed off her Crashdown uniform, they all gasped in shock a the site of it. The once alien green uniform was now a horrible red colour, and they new straight away it was Max’s blood covering her uniform.

Liz’s head whipped up at the sound of the gasp and her eyes met Diane Evans’; she was looking at her, but not her face. Following Diane’s eyes Liz looked down at herself and her hand flew up to her mouth. Oh god, how stupid could she be? She was standing here covered in there sons blood.

“I’m so sorry, I…” Liz cried as she ran to from the waiting room and into the hallway. Seeing Laurie at the desk she looked at her with pleading eyes, Laurie saw straight away what was about to happened and rushed Liz into the nearby bathrooms and held her head as she reached into the toilet. A second later the door opened and Jeff Parker walked in.

“Lizzie, are you ok?” He knew he wasn’t supposed to be in the female bathrooms, but his daughter was in here throwing up and he wasn’t going to let a little thing like that stop him.

“She’s fine, Jeff. Tell you what, why don’t you ask Martin at the desk for a small set of scrubs and a washing kit and we can get Liz out of these clothes.” Laurie had noticed the blood soaked clothes the second Liz had stepped in the hallway and knew it was only a matter of time before the smell would make itself known. Jeff nodded his head and walked out the door and towards the desk. A few moments later he was headed back into the bathroom holding the green clothes and a bag containing a towel and some simple toiletries when Diane Evans stopped him.

“Why don’t you let me take those in?” She said gently as she took the items from Jeff and walked into the bathroom.

Liz and Laurie looked up from the sinks where Liz was washing her mouth out when Diane stepped into the bathroom. Immediately Liz stood up straight and tried to pull her jacket around her body.

“It’s ok, honey. Your dad gave me these to give to you,” Diane said as she noticed the fear in Liz eyes.

“Come on, Liz, there is a shower in here and here is a towel, shampoo and soap. Freshen up and then put on these clean clothes, ok?” Laurie said as she took the items from Diane and pushed Liz gently towards the shower at the end of the room.

“When you’re done come out and I’ll get some food brought up ok sweetie?” Laurie said as Liz went into the shower and closed the door. Sending Diane a smile and placing her hand on her shoulder as she walked out Laurie ran into Jeff in the hallway.

“She’s having a shower Jeff. It had to hit her sometime, better here than at home alone, right? Max’s mother is in there, so why don’t you give them some time alone and go can call Nancy while you have the chance.”

“Yeah, ok. I should; if she heard it from anyone else she’d kill me,” Jeff said with a tired smile as he walked towards the phones down the hall.

Liz took a quick shower, washing the dried blood off her body with the harsh soap she’d been given. She reached for the shampoo and stood fully under the water, watching once again as the water turned red around her. Letting the silent tears fall down she scrubbed her hair with first the shampoo, then the conditioner, before once again taking the soap and cleaning her body. The look on Max’s face ran through her head like a scratched DVD, him turning and looking at her with such scared eyes, he was so scared when he turned towards her. How could she breathe knowing he was shot because of her?

Turning the water off Liz looked at her skin and noticed how red and raw it was, good she thought, I deserve at least a little pain. Wrapping the towel around her hair Liz quickly stepped into the scrubs she had been given. Pulling her damp hair back into a ponytail she wrapped her uniform in the towel and opened the shower door. Startled when she noticed Diane Evans still standing there she took a small step backwards.

“I’m sorry, I umm…” Liz didn’t know what to say, should she apologize for getting their son shot? Were words really enough to help them?

“Liz, it’s not your fault; nothing that happened today is your fault. If it wasn’t for you Max might not have even made it to the hospital, I don’t think I can ever thank you enough for giving him a chance,” Diane said, as she started crying.

Without thinking, Liz stepped forward and hugged Mrs. Evans, Diane was shocked by this, but soon wrapped her arms around the small girl and they both stood there and cried together. A few minutes later Liz stepped back and once again apologized.

“I’m sorry, the last thing you need is me crying,” she said as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

“It’s ok, Liz.” Diane said as they walked towards the bathroom exit, they stepped into the hallway and Diane pulled Liz closer, her arm draping around Liz in a protective manner.

Liz noticed her dad on the phone near the bathrooms, he smiled at her and she nodded back.

Diane and Liz entered the waiting room and the rooms occupants all looked up at them. Without saying a word Diane and Liz sat down next to the rest of the Evans family and waited for news on Max.

More than an hour later they were still waiting, Jeff had come back into the room and was now sitting with the small group. Nancy Parker had been worried about her daughter and was trying to get on the next plane back to Roswell to be with her. Jim had left with Liz’s uniform and advised he would be back later. Laurie had brought in food, but it was still sitting largely untouched in the corner. The silence was broken by chuckle from Phillip.

“What?” Diane asked looking at her husband with a curious look, how could he smile at a time like this?

“This morning, the look on Max’s face when he came in from his run. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so well, giddy. He looked like he’d swallowed a canary or something. And all because he’d been knocked down by a girl,” Phillip smiled at the memory of his son’s smile.

Liz was looking at the floor but her head flew up when she heard that. He was smiling because she’d knocked him down? He’d been giddy because of her?

“It was me,” Liz said quietly, causing all eyes to turn from Phillip to Liz.

“I knocked him down this morning when I was setting the tables up outside the café. I thought he was embarrassed about being knocked over by me, I mean I’m kinda small and he’s well…Max isn’t,” Liz said and before she knew it Phillip was laughing fully. Diane, Isabel and her father all had smiles on their faces and before she knew it, so did she.

“By any chance did Max ask you something this morning, Liz? When he came back to the café?” Phillip asked as his head began to work, everything was starting to make sense now. It was Liz, she was the one he’d been happy about knocking him over and if he was correct she was the one he’d gone and asked the ‘life changing question’ to as well.

“Yeah he did, he asked to prom,” Liz said as she smiled at the memory. It felt like it had happened years ago, had it only been hours?

“Really? He actually asked you this time? Did you say yes?” Isabel was in shock, Max had always said he was going to ask Liz Parker out, ask her to prom. But he never had, for two years she’d watched as he battled himself, fighting with his shyness in asking her, but wanting to more than anything. She told him only yesterday that he had to either ask her or forget about her. It wasn’t healthy to have the obsession and that you never know; Liz might feel the same way.

“Yeah,” Liz said blushing slightly.

“So you are the reason for his happy mood today?” Phillip asked.

“Umm yeah, I guess.” Liz replied feeling like her face was burning.

“Thank you then, Liz. I’ve never seen him so happy, really,” Phillip said reaching out and taking one of Liz’s for a brief second. Before she had time to say anything, the waiting room door opened and two doctors walked in looking grave faced and exhausted.

The five all jumped up with the Evans’s stepping forward and Jeff and Liz standing a few steps back.

“Mr. And Mrs. Evans?” One of the doctors said as he closed the door behind him.

“Yes, how is he?” Diane asked.

“Maybe we should talk in private?” The other doctor said as she looked back at Liz and Jeff.

“No it’s fine,” Phillip said as he noticed she was referring to the Parkers.

“Ok, why don’t we sit down?” She said as the group all took there seats again “I’m Dr. Tolposki and this is Dr. Pierce. As you know Max was brought in with a gunshot wound to the neck. He was shot at the base of the skull here,” she said as she turned her head slightly and pointed to a spot below the ear. “The bullet didn’t exit, but stopped behind his optic nerve. It’s more or less right between the eyes and above the nose. There was a lot of blood loss and we did loose his heart beat on two occasions.” Everyone gasped at that revelation and Diane’s grip in Phillip’s hand got tighter.

“We managed to bring him back and we’ve transfused more blood and stabilized his condition. We went in to repair the damage from the bullet. He was lucky. If his head was turned at a slightly different angle, it would have severed his spinal cord, but that’s fully intact. He also seems to have little, if any damage to his brain, which is a miracle considering where the bullet ended up. There was a lot of blood and swelling so until that goes down we wont know for sure, but it looks hopeful at this stage.”

“So he’s going to be ok?” Phillip asked; could it be true? Could Max really be ok?

“Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.” Dr. Pierce said taking over from Dr. Tolposki. “Although it seems that Max hasn’t suffered from any major brain injury we were unable to remove the bullet. It’s lodged in such a way that if we tried, we would cause more trauma and damage than is already there. This means that the bullet will need to stay where it is and this is where it gets hard.” Every one just sat and listened to the Dr. talk, Max was alive and seemed to be ok, but he still had a bullet in his head?

“Because the bullet is sitting on the optic nerve we’re unsure if this has been damaged or not. We weren’t willing to move it to look, if the bullet has damaged the nerve there is a chance Max could loose his sight from this,” Dr. Pierce hated days like this, sure they’d managed to save the boys life. But now he had to tell the teen’s parents that their son was most probably blind and would be for life. According to the charge nurse, all he’d been doing was sitting in a café eating, when he was shot, what kind of country was this? You couldn’t even eat in a café in a small town now, without violence taking over.

“Loose his sight? As in blind?” Diane asked as the tears started to flow down her cheeks.

“I’m sorry, but yes. We wont know for sure until he wakes up which could be a few days. Even though his brain wasn’t damaged, it did suffer trauma and as such (this doesn’t sound quite right, but I’m not really sure what should go here instead – maybe ‘right now’) there is a lot of swelling. To help it recover, we’ve placed Max in a chemical-induced coma to allow him to heal.” Dr. Tolposki said as she looked over the group in front of her, this was the worst part of her job, telling loved ones that she wasn’t able to fully fix their child or parent; that they were alive, but would never have a normal life again.

“Is there, is there any danger of him not making it though all this?” Phillip asked, all he wanted was his son to be alive, the rest they could deal with when it arose.

“He’s stable at this stage. We’re pumping him full off antibiotics to strive off infection. Although leaving the bullet in was the best solution, it could cause serious infections so we’re trying to stop that before it happens. As with all major surgery there are risks, but so far he’s pulling through so we have hope that he will continue to do well. But time to recover is what he needs now, as hard as it is there is not much we can do. It’s up to Max now.” Dr. Tolposki said as she and Dr. Pierce stood up.

“He’ll be moved to ICU in a little while, they’ll come in and tell you when you can see him. If you have any questions, feel free to ask for either of us. We’ll be checking up on Max regularly so we’ll see you soon.” And with that the doctors left the room. The five just sat in their seats in shock, Max was alive, but in a coma and most probably blind. After a few minutes Jeff stood up.

“Liz, we should leave now. Phillip, Diane our prayers are with you and Max and you if you need anything please don’t hesitate to call us at anytime.” He said as he pulled Liz up. Diane noticed the look on Liz’s face and stood and gave her a hug.

“Thank you for being here today, honey. I know Max would have appreciated it. You come and see him anytime you want, ok?” she said looking to towards Jeff with a nod, she wanted him to know she meant it and she did. Liz was welcome to visit Max whenever she wanted to.

“Thank you. I’ll come back tomorrow, if that’s ok?” Liz said as she pulled back and stood by her father.

“Of course. We’ll see you then,” Phillip said as he watched the pair walk out the hall and to the left.

The rest of the day went by in a slow blur for the Evans family, they were informed of Max being moved down the hall to the ICU and so they moved to that waiting room. After a few hours they were allowed to see him briefly and were shocked at the sight of their son and brother lying in bed. Max had a large white bandage covering his head and neck and various tubes and cords ran over his body. He had a tube down his throat and his eyes were taped shut. The slow and steady beeping of the heart monitor was the only noise in the small room. Back in the waiting room, Dr. Pierce informed them that Max was doing well and that the swelling in his brain was already starting to go down. Hours passed and it wasn’t until Michael Guerin ran into the waiting room did they all realize how much time had passed.

Hi folks!!! Thanks as usual for the feedback, gald you're enjoying the story. I'm hoping to update once more before Christmas, but not sure. I live in Australia so it's already tomorrow here, so Christmas Day is coming upon me quickly!!! Also thanks again for Heavenli24 for being my beta!!!

Earth2Mama - I know, a bullet in your head?? Weird, but it does happen. Glad you found your way back...
behrluv32 - Sorry it was so sad, it will get better I promise!!
anonymousarfan - Yes, he might be blind, and here is more.
begonia9508 - I'm trying hard to not have any bad people in this, it wasn't Liz's fault and I don't want anyone to blame her (although it might not stop her from blaming herself)
KatnotKath - I know you didn't..thanks, you're making my blush
ISLANDGIRL5 - You're welcome!!
clueless - Is there a chance he might see again...hmm...well umm...not really. I'm glad you enjoyed Phillip's comments.
roswell3053 - He does have a date with Liz doesn't he? I hope me makes it...
Natz - Yep, terrible, but at least he's alive right?


Chapter Seven


Michael had been heading to the Crashdown for dinner when someone from school had stopped him to ask how Max was. It was well known around West Roswell High School, that where Max went Michael went. Best friends as long as anyone could remember, they was as different as night and day. Max was a gentleman, cute, shy and every girl at school’s dream boy. Michael was the opposite, rude, gruff and unwilling to care what he wore; he was every girl’s bad boy fantasy. But today Michael and Max had spent apart, Michael knew Max was going to ask Liz to the prom and knew the last person he needed around was him. So Michael had spent the day working on his bike, it was a labour of love trying to fix it up, but one he was going to finish. So when he was stopped that evening and asked how Max was, Michael was unsure how to take it. And when he heard the reasoning behind the question dread filled him and Michael was headed to the hospital without a second thought. Images of the last time he was here haunted him; both of his parents had been killed in a car crash nearly two years. And although he wasn’t close to them, suddenly being alone in the world was a horrible and life changing experience. From that moment Michael studied and tried hard in school, he became closer to Mr. and Mrs. Evans and now felt closer to them then he ever had to his biological parents.

Rushing into the waiting room Michael noticed the Evans’ in the corner talking quietly.

“What the fuck happened?” He asked as he walked up to them, Diane took his hand and gave him quick hug, whispering in his ear that he shouldn’t swear.

“He was shot in the Crashdown…”

“Shot? What…how?” Michael said as he sat down in shock, shot?

“There were two guys at the Crashdown and one of them had a gun, Max was shot in the head….”

“Oh god,” Michael couldn’t believe his best friend had been shot, in the Crashdown no less.

“He was operated on and they say there is no brain damage and that he should make it. He’s in a chemical induced coma right now, to help him recover from the trauma. Michael?” Diane noticed Michael wasn’t really paying attention to her anymore. Such a sweet boy who’d had a hard life, Diane had a soft spot to Michael and knew that beneath his hard exterior he was really quiet emotional.

“Yea? Sorry, so he’s in a coma? For how long?”

“A few days they think, then they’ll reduce the drugs and see how he goes. There is one thing though Michael, the bullet might have damaged his optic nerve, and he might loose his sight,” Diane whispered the last part and watched as Michael who was already pale, go a ghostly white.

“Blind? He might be blind?” Michael couldn’t stop the tears from flowing down his face; his best friend might be blind. Damn it, he should have been there today, he should have been in the café and maybe Max wouldn’t be here. Damn it!!!

“We don’t know, but the doctors think so,” Phillip said as he watched Isabel sit next to Michael and take him in into her arms, together they would get through this, he knew. The three of them were as close as any brother and sisters.

--------

“Mr. Evans?” Liz stood at the door to Max’s room the next day. She’d barely slept all night, between calls from Maria, Alex and her mother, and her father hovering over her, Liz barely had a minute’s peace. And when she did, all she could do was replay the shooting over and over in her head, so what little sleep she did have was restless. When Liz had gotten up this morning her father had forced food into her and wouldn’t let her leave for the hospital until she’d at least had toast. So it was after 10 am when Liz finally left, promising to be home by early afternoon when her mother was due home. She arrived at the hospital and was advised that Max had been moved from ICU to a critical care bed, which apparently was a positive thing.

On her way to the room she’d spoken briefly to Diane Evans who was heading to the cafeteria for some coffee with Michael, Max’s best friend. He’d shocked Liz by pulling her into a hug and thanking her for helping Max yesterday. Standing outside the room, Mr. Evans watched his son through the slightly open door, his daughter holding his hand at his bedside.

“Hi Liz, how are you doing?” Phillip said as he turned towards the girl beside him. How different she looked today in jeans and a sweater, as apposed to the scrubs of yesterday.

“Fine, I spoke to Mrs. Evans and she said Max was doing a little better?”

“Yea he is, the swelling is already going down and as yet no infection has set in which is great news. Do you want to sit with him for awhile?” Phillip knew that Liz was only here for one reason, to see Max.

“Would that be ok? I can come back later if…”

“No no, it’s fine. Izzy’s in there with him and I might go and join Diane and Michael for some coffee,” Phillip interrupted Liz.

“Ok, thanks,” Liz replied as Phillip put his hand on her shoulder as he walked down the hall. Liz pushed open the door to the room and gasped at the sight before her.

Isabel’s head rose from watching over Max at a noise by the door she saw Liz standing there, with tears starting to form in her eyes.

“Hey Liz,” Isabel said as she stood up and walked towards her. Before Liz could blink Isabel had Liz in a hug and they both stood the for a few minutes, silent tears flowing down there cheeks.

“I never thanked you yesterday. The doctors and the sheriff said Max wouldn’t have had a chance if you hadn’t jumped into action so quickly,” Isabel led Liz over to the bed and they sat down next to each other, watching the rise and fall of Max’s chest.

“I really didn’t do anything. I mean anyone would have done the same thing,” Liz didn’t want people think she’d done something special, because she hadn’t.

“No Liz, everyone wouldn’t. I doubt I would, but you did and I’ll forever be thankful for that. No matter what happens, you gave Max a second chance,” Isabel took Liz’s hand and the two spent the next half an hour talking. Liz talked about Max asking her to prom and how she’d never thought he liked her. Isabel laughed lightly and replied that Liz didn’t know the half of what Max thought about her.

They were both so rapt up talking to each other they didn’t notice a doctor come in the room.

“Hi ladies, I just need to check a few things. Would you mind waiting outside for a minute?” Dr. Pierce said, remembering seeing both of the girls yesterday.

“Is everything ok?” Isabel was worried, was something wrong?

“No, just routine, but I should have a update on his condition after this. Do you want to find your parents?”

“Ok, sure, great,” Isabel said as she and Liz left the room.

“Liz, you stay here, and if my parents come back, tell them to wait. I’ll go to the cafeteria and try and find them, ok? Good.” Isabel walked off before Liz was even able to answer. Liz stood with her back to the wall, watching the hospital hall buzz with people. Why did she think hospitals were quiet? This hallway was nothing but; nurse and doctors walked by at a hurried pace talking to each other. Family and friends stood in groups, talking to hospital staff or each other, and every few seconds a name was called over the intercom system. She was sure it wasn’t like this yesterday. Before Liz had time to contemplate it anymore, the doctor walked out of Max’s room.

“Umm, Isabel went to find her parents,” Liz informed the doctor who nodded and smiled at her.

“That’s fine, I’ll come back in a little bit. You can go back in if you want to,” and with that he walked off towards the nurses’ station as he wrote n the chart in his hand.

Liz walked back into the room and suddenly it was quiet again. Walking towards the bed she sat down on the chair, tentatively she took his hand and was shocked by it’s heat. Liz wasn’t sure why, but she thought he’d be cold, but he wasn’t; he felt so, so alive. Before she lost her nerve she bent her head and brushed her lips over the back of his hand, relishing the warmth on her lips for the briefest of seconds. This was where she wanted to be, this was what she needed to get through the pain in her heart. Max was the answer to every question, every doubt Liz had. Smiling she opened her mouth and started to talk.

“Hi Max, it’s Liz, Liz Parker. I read somewhere that people can hear when they are in comas, so I guess I hope you can hear me. Well not to hear me, but so you feel less alone. Do you feel alone where you are? Isabel and I were talking, I never realized what a nice person your sister was. I mean once you get under that ice persona, she’s really nice. She loves you so much, you know? I always knew you two were close, I was always jealous of the two of you. I’m an only child and sometimes I just wanted someone to talk to you know? Maria and Alex were great, but there’s a difference, I’m sure. Umm, I was talking to Isabel today and she said that you kinda like me, and you have for a while. I just want you to know that I kinda like you too, Max and I have for a long while. But you’ve always seemed unreachable, if you get what I mean, and if you don’t well argh, it’s hard to explain. See, I’m the science geek, sure I have friends that aren’t, but my day-to-day life is spent trying ensure I get in Harvard. And you, you’re this enigma, this perfect guy that all the girls talk about. Do you know that?” Liz hadn’t realized but by this time she was gently stroking Max’s hand with her own, making small circular patterns as she looked at his face baring her feelings. Why she was telling him all this she didn’t know. But somehow it just felt right to do it.

“I mean I think the only girl who doesn’t want to go out with you is Isabel!! Many a locker room conversation has been had about you and your ass, oh god. Did I really just say that? I hope you didn’t hear that part.” Liz blushed and looked closer at Max’s face, no movement was made, and she sighed. She reached up and gently trailed a finger down his cheek, relishing the fact she was able to do this. Before she lost her nerve she stood up and leaned over the bed and placed a feather light kiss on his cheek. A second later the room’s door was opened and Liz turned around as the Evans’s and Michael walked into the room.

“Oh, I hope we didn’t startle you dear?” Diane Evans said at the flushed look on Liz’s face.

“Oh no it’s fine Mrs. Evans.”

“Diane dear, call us Diane and Phillip, non of this Mrs. business.” Diane said as she went and placed a kiss on her son’s cheek, and sat down taking his hand, rubbing it in the same way Liz had been moments ago.

“Thank you, Diane. Did you see the doctor? He said he’d be back in a minute,” Liz watched as Phillip and Isabel took seats at Max’s bedside, while Michael stood by the door, almost as if he was watching over the family.

“We just saw Dr. Pierce in the hall and he said that Max is doing really well. They’re taking him off the drugs that have induced the coma later today. So he might be awake by later tonight or tomorrow sometime.” Diane said looking at Liz with a smile. Liz’s face lit up like a Christmas tree with that news, he was doing well. Max was doing well and would be awake soon.

“That’s fantastic news,” Liz reached down and grabbed her bag from the floor by Isabel’s feet.

“I really better go, my mom is coming back today and she’s a little stressed about this whole thing,” Liz winced at the words, what right did she have to say that her mother was stressed about this? Their son had been shot, he was the one in hospital; he was the one that was going to be blind.

“I’m sorry I didn’t…”

“Liz, it’s ok, your mother has every right to be stressed and upset about this. Everyone does and everyone should it was a horrible thing that happened,” Phillip said as he watched Liz look embarrassed at her statement.

“I know, but it’s just I’m a wreck and you seem so calm and I wish I was less…less emotional about all this.” Liz couldn’t stop the tears from flowing down her cheeks for what felt like the hundredth time.

“Oh honey, we’re not calm. Trust me inside I’m just holding on, but I have to be strong for Max, right now he’s more important to me than myself. So I’m hanging on for him. Do you understand?” Diane stood up and walked to Liz taking her in her arms as huge sobs wracked the small girls body.

“I’m sorry, you don’t need to deal with me. I have to go anyway,” Liz pulled away and ran her arm over her eyes, trying to stop the tears.

“Don’t ever be sorry about this, Liz, from what we’ve heard you meant something to Max and he wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. You’re allowed to cry and feel horrible about this ok? Don’t hold it in because of me, because of us, promise me that,” Diane lifted Liz’s chin slightly and made Liz look in her eyes.

“Ok, thank you. But I really should go. I’ll come back tomorrow if that’s ok?”

“Anytime Liz, we’ll see you tomorrow then.” Phillip said as he stood and hugged Liz, a second later Isabel also hugged her and whispered a ‘thank you’ into Liz’s ear.

With a small wave, Liz left the room, taking one last look at Max lying there and before the tears returned she walked down the hall. Standing at the lift, she felt a presence next to her and looked over and noticed Michael standing there with his usual stonewall look. Maria had on more than one occasion called him Stonewall Guerin mainly because the guy seemed to show no emotions and if he did it was always anger or annoyance.

“Michael,” Liz said as the lift doors opened and they both walked in.

“Liz,” Michael turned as he stood by her. For some reason he wanted to follow her, to make sure she go to her car ok, he knew how much Max liked her, gee the guy had even mentioned the ‘L’ word to him. And today, she was upset and he wanted to make sure she was ok to drive home, and if not he’d do it for her. Hey it was the least he could do for saving his best friend life.

“Did you want something?” Liz couldn’t help but smile at the way he stood there, trying to appear casual but failing miserably.

“Me? Nope all’s good, just going out to get some fresh air, you know. Hospitals are full of germs, wouldn’t want to get sick,” Michael followed Liz out of the lift and out towards the car park.

“Ok then. See ya, Michael.” Liz reached into her bag and found her keys. She started to walk to her car when she noticed that Michael was still following her, turning her head slightly she raised her eyebrows but kept on walking.

“Max would kill me if I didn’t make sure you got to your car ok, so lets just pretend I’m not here and this never happened ok?” Michael said with a sigh and a raised brow of his own. Liz didn’t bother to reply just smiled and continued to her car, a few seconds later she was getting in and with a smile wave to Michael she was out of the car park and headed back home.

For the rest of the afternoon, Liz was fussed over by her mother. Nancy Parker couldn’t believe how close her daughter came to being shot yesterday, and refused to let her out of her sight. Liz took the hovering for the afternoon, she allowed her mother to bring her tea and just sit on her bed and watch as Liz wrote in her journal. Liz gave her one afternoon, her mother could do what she wanted for one afternoon but from tomorrow she had to go back to being normal.

Diane Evans walked into her house and threw her bag and keys on the table next to the door. Phillip and Isabel had already been home for a few hours earlier in the day to shower and have a quick nap and now it was her turn. Walking down the hall she went into Max’s room and sat on the bed, lifting up the pillow that had fallen onto the floor she brought it to her face and let the tears that had been threatening to fall all day come out. The past 36 hours had been the worst of her life. Someone had shot her son. That should have been bad enough but it seemed that each time the doctors spoke to them the news got worse. Firstly he’d stopped breathing more than once, then he’d lost a lot of blood, then they couldn’t remove the bullet and then he’d have to be put in a coma. But the worst news was that her baby might lose his sight; according to Dr. Pierce it wasn’t a maybe either, he’d told them this afternoon it was very, very unlikely he’d ever see again. He was only 17 and had so much to do in this life. Diane knew Max had been thinking about studying medicine at college, she knew now he’d never be able to do that. Would he even be able to go onto college? So many questions flowed thought Diane’s head but before she knew what was happening she had fallen asleep on Max’s bed, surrounded by the scent of her son.

Well I’ve spent the morning cooking for tomorrow, thank goodness it’s a coolish day and I can make shortbread without them melting…damn summer.

Anyway as a Christmas present to all of you here is the next part, I hope you all enjoy it!!!

anonymousarfan – Sorry it was sad, I hope this part is a little better.
Clueless – Again, sorry for the sadness, I think that they are done with for now anyway!!
Behrsgirl77 – Sorry you’re all depressed, yes many a sweet dream has been had over JB’s ass!!!
Natz – Thanks
roswell3053 – Thanks, and well maybe on the other two things.
Earth2Mama – Poor Max indeed!!!
Erina258 – There is always hope Erina!!
POM – Ditto!
begonia9508 – Well writing it is kinda like a drug too, so we can go into rehab together!!!
ISLANDGIRL5 – And I keep saying sorry!!! Yes, Isabel will be thawing a bit.
KatnotKath – Let’s agree to be angsty together ok Kat?? And that’s for you Christmas present, L&L and FC were great, here is MY present to you. We’re cheap this year aren’t we?
Alien614 – Well I’m glad you found your way here, and when did I say it had a happy ending???
abbs007 – Your wish is my command!!

Chapter Eight

The next few days were passed in much the same way, although the doctors had considered taking Max off the coma inducing drugs, a slight infection had set in and they decided to keep him on them for a few more days.

Liz visited the hospital everyday for as long as she could, sitting by Max’s bed with whoever was with him. During the quiet hours Liz spent in Max’s room she got to know his family as well as she knew her own. Diane loved to talk about her family and the hours with her were spent reminiscing about Max and Isabel’s childhood. Stories about first steps, first words (Dada for Max and Mama for Isabel) were soon complimented with photo’s brought in and by the end of the second day Liz had fallen in love the entire Evans family, Isabel included. While Diane was the queen of reminiscing, Phillip loved talking about the future. He asked Liz all about her college plans, her life plans, where she saw herself in ten years. He spent hours talking about what he saw in his children’s future, and even with this tragedy currently playing out he still managed to be optimistic about everything. Isabel, on the other hand was more than willing to share the dirt on Max, so Liz heard all about teasing of her, the stunts Michael and Max played on her. She also let Liz on the extent of Max’s infatuation with her, something that the more Liz thought about; the more she liked the idea of.

When Liz walked into the hospital room on Thursday morning the only person in the room was Michael. Playing softly in the background was Metallica. Isabel had brought in a small portable cd player a few days ago, saying that Max loved music and as such shouldn’t be deprived of it at anytime.

“Metallica, huh?” Michael looked up from the book he was reading and raised his eyebrows at Liz.

“Hey, I know Metallica’s music, girls don’t just listen to pop music, you realize.” Liz sat down giving Michael raised eyebrow of his own.

“Sure I bet you have Brittney or that Lindsay Lohan chick in your car right now,” he put the bookmark in his book to mark his page and placed it on the table next to him.

“Oh please spare me,” Liz knew Michael didn’t open up, and so she was willing to play along with his little game. She liked Michael, he hadn’t had an easy life, from what both Diane and Phillip had told her, but seemed to take everything in his stride.

“So what is playing in your car, then?” He smiled his half smile and waited for an answer. He knew Liz was still a little uncomfortable around him; hey he prided himself on making people feel uncomfortable around him. But the more time he spent around Liz the more he realized what Max had seen in her. She was sweet, thoughtful and smart and from the many, many hours she had spent in the hospital over the last few days, more than loyal. So he was willing to try to get to know her, for Max’s sake, of course.

“A mix Alex made for me, which before you ask has a little of everything. Counting Crows, Sheryl Crow, Ben Harper, U2, Jason Mraz, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chilli Peppers…” she rattled off some of the artists on the mix Alex had given her just last night a music fiend, Alex made mix CD’s for every occasion. He loved the movie ‘High Fidelity’ and thought he would have a perfect life if he were John Cusack’s character. It didn’t matter that he was a depressed person with no life beyond his mix tapes and mediocre music shop, Alex still wanted to be him and all Liz and Maria could was smile and say ‘yes dear’ when he started ranting about it.

“Ok, ok I get it. Not so much the chick music. You know Max is a big fan of some of those bands…” and with that simple statement the conversation turned from fun to serious.

“How is he doing today? Where are the Evans’?” Liz leaned forward a little and took Max’s hand and began her ritual of gently stroking his soft skin.

“Phillip had to go to the office for a few hours. Isabel is at home, she decided to have to morning off and clean the house for her parents. Diane just left to go and have lunch with a friend, they went to the cafeteria if you want to see her,” Michael watched the fact that although she was listening to him, all her attention was directed at Max, stroking his hand and taking comfort from his warmth.

“No it’s fine. I mean I can come back later, if you want?” Maybe he wanted to be alone? Liz thought as she pushed her chair back a little bit.

“Nah, it’s cool. Anyway, Maxie boy is doing ok. The infection settled down last night so they’ve taken him off the drugs for the coma. They think all things going well he’ll start to wake up tonight.” Liz’s face lit up with that information.

“Really? Tonight?”

“Yea, that’s why the Evans’s are MIA right now, they want to be here later for that.” Liz bent forward and pushed a bit of hair from Max’s forehead. His bandage had been changed and now only covered part of his head and neck, leaving his hair to fall freely. He’d been extubated on Tuesday and was breathing on his own now, if it wasn’t for the large white bandage around his neck, you’d think he was asleep.
Michael knew she needed some time alone with Max. He wasn’t sure what her deal was, if she felt guilty or really had feelings for Max, but right now it didn’t matter. She was here, and Max would love knowing that and that was enough for Michael.

“You know what, I gotta go and do a few things. Can you stay until Diane gets back? She doesn’t want him alone.” Liz looked up at Michael who had stood and grabbed his bag.

“Are you sure? Really I can come again later?” Liz didn’t want to kick Michael out, but the thought of it being just her and Max was tempting. She hadn’t been alone with him since Sunday and was looking forward to being able to spend a few minutes alone with him.

“Totally sure. I have to go and pay a few bills; you know the deal. Tell Di I’ll see her later,” and without letting Liz answer, he was out of the room and walking down the hall.

Liz watched the empty doorway for a few seconds then looked back at Max, pulling her chair a little closer her other hand joined his as she held his hand between her own.

“So it’s just us, I guess. Michael said you’re doing well. That’s great to hear; really it is, Max. The doctors said that you were so lucky; the bullet missed your spinal cord by a few millimeters. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you. I barely know you, Max but I feel like I know you as well as I know myself. Does that even make sense? Your parents and Isabel have told me so much about you, about who you really are, who you want to be. You’re amazing, Max you know that, right? I wish I had spoken to you years ago and found that out. I wished you’d spoken to me years ago. Why didn’t you? Did you think I wouldn’t feel the same way? Because I did, I do Max. Ask Maria or Alex, you’re my secret crush, well I guess it’s no secret anymore. Why did you leave it to Saturday to talk to me? I mean it was fantastic really and for the few minutes after I was so happy, then, then this happened. God why did you stand up? Why didn’t you just sit down and just wait? The look on your face the second you realized you’d been shot, Max that was the worst second on my life. I wanted to die right then, if, if something had happened to you I don’t think I could have been able to breathe,” Liz tired to be strong, she’d managed to not cry in front of anyone since Sunday, leaving her tears to the privacy of her bathroom or the middle of the night. But today sitting in the room with Max, watching his chest rise and fall, Metallica playing in the background and the constant beep of the hospital machinery, she couldn’t hold them in any longer.

“Why’d you have to come towards me, Max? Why? Don’t you know I’ll never get that look out of my mind, that feeling out of my heart? They’re forever with me and I can’t stand it,” Liz lay her head next to there inter joined hands and sobbed. She wanted to sleep without seeing blood, without hearing the bullet and without seeing his face as he feel to the ground in front of her.

Liz didn’t know how long she’d lay there, the tears had stopped but the comfort of her head resting by Max’s thigh and the feeling of her hand in his was too great for her to want to move. She felt her self start to drift off to sleep when she felt her something from beneath her hand move. Jerking her head up she looked at Max’s face and then her hands, there it was again, movement.

“Max…can you hear me?” She whispered and grabbed his hand tighter when she felt it move again. When he didn’t answer she stood up to get a doctor.

“Let me get a doctor,” she started to let go of his hand but he held tight and pulled her back.

“Don’t, don’t leave…” Max said, he voice sounding throaty and scratchy.

“I, I have to get a …” Liz knew she had to get a doctor, and Diane and well…everyone; everyone had to know that Max was awake.

“Please…” Max was scared, the last thing he remembered was sitting in the Crashdown and now he was in a pitch-black room with someone holding his hand. Was he dead? Was this an angel? She sounded like an angel; her voice was so soft, so peaceful. But she wanted to leave, she was trying to leave him alone in the dark, he grabbed her hand and refused to let go.

“Ok, I wont go, Max, ok? I’ll stay right here,” Liz leant forward and pressed the call button next to the bed and without a second thought pressed a kiss on Max’s forehead.

“Thank-y…” He started to say when he felt his angel press her lips to his head, he closed his eyes again and relished in the contact. If this was an angel then he never wanted to wake up.

A second later, he heard a new voice break the silence in the room.

“Is everything ok in here?” the duty nurse was surprised to see the call light for this room, flash up at the desk. Normally, his parents or friend would come out and talk to them, she didn’t think anyone had ever actually been called into the room.

“He’s awake,” the young girl looked at her and she could see the tears in her eyes. All the staff knew what had happened to Max Evans and they all amazed at how well his family and friends were taking it. They weren’t aggressive in wanting to talk to doctors; they waited until they were free and able to talk. They didn’t push for special treatment; they asked if it they were allowed to sleep in his room, if they could play music. As families of patients go, the Evans’s got a gold star.

Poking her head out the door, Nurse Watson looked towards the desk and caught another nurse’s eye. With a simple hand movement the room was soon filled with two nurses taking vitals and gently talking to Max. A second later Liz heard a page for Dr. Pierce to come to Max’s room. Liz didn’t know what to do, should she stay with Max or go and find Diane?

“I’m going to go and find his mother. She’s in the cafeteria, I think.” Liz said to he nurses, “Max, I’m going to go and find you mom, she’ll be here in a minute,” Liz reached down to gently pull Max’s hand out of hers, but for someone who had been in a coma for 5 days he sure had a strong grip.

“No,” Max didn’t know what was happening. At first, it was just his angel and now he could tell there were other people in the room. The voices and movements scared him, the only comfort he had was the angel’s hand holding his. And he wasn’t going to let it go for anything.

“It’s ok, honey, we’ll page her. Karen, go out and page Mrs. Evans,” Liz smiled up at the first nurse, she could see that Max wasn’t going to let her go, she knew that he wanted Liz around.

“It’s ok, Max, I’m not going anywhere ok. I’ll stay right here,” Liz moved toward the head of the bed, allowing the hospital staff to check Max over.

Liz was trying to pay attention to what was happening, what was being said, but all she could concentrate on was Max’s face. He looked confused, lost and confused; wanting to make him feel calm she bent down and started to whisper in his ear.

“It’s all ok, Max, you’re fine the doctors are just checking you out. Your parents and Isabel will be here in a little bit,” Liz was cut off by the nurse asking her a question.

“Excuse me?” the nurse questioned her name.

“Liz, Liz Parker,” Liz said. Max heard her name and couldn’t believe his angel was Liz, his Liz the girl of his dream. She was here? Was she dead as well? What happened?

“Liz?” Max’s whisper brought both the nurses and Liz’s attention to him.

“Yes, Max?”

“Am I dead? Is that why it’s dark here? Are you an angel?” Max didn’t know where he was, but it didn’t matter anymore. Liz was here as well and that was more than enough to keep him happy for eternity.

Liz looked at Dr. Pierce who was writing something in Max’s chart, should she tell him what happened? Liz knew it wasn’t her place to tell him it was his parents or doctor, but he wanted to know. Liz decided to answer some of his questions and leave the harder, more difficult ones to his family. They deserved the right to be here when Max was told he might be blind.

“No, you’re not dead, Max and I’m not an angel. I’m just plain old Liz Parker,” Liz took Max’s hand in both of hers again and gently rubbed her thump over his palm, instinctively Max pulled her a little closer to the bed and gripped his hand in hers.

“Where am I? Why can’t I see anything?” If he wasn’t dead, then where was he? Max started to worry; he couldn’t see a thing. Did they know he couldn’t see them? Before Liz had a chance to say a thing Diane Evans came rushing into the room.

“Oh god, Max, it’s Mom. How are you feeling?” Diane regretted the question the second it came out of her mouth. How was he feeling? He’d been shot, so she guessed not very well. Diane looked at Dr. Pierce as she walked up to Max and grabbed the hand Liz wasn’t holding onto.

“He seems as well as can be expected. I want to go a CT scan as soon as possible. I’d love to do an MRI but with the bullet we can’t so…”

“Bullet? What Bullet, Moms what’s going on? Why can’t I see?” Max was nearing hysteria at this point. He now knew he wasn’t dead, he wasn’t in Heaven and Liz wasn’t an angel. But he was still unable to see and a throbbing pain was starting to radiate from his neck.

“Max honey, calm down. Let the doctor do a few tests and then once we can see what’s happening we can talk,” Diane said as she ran her fingers down his face, looking over at Liz she noticed that the girl was looking a little pale.

“Are you ok Liz?” Diane didn’t want Liz to faint.

“Fine, umm maybe I should go?” Liz felt like she was intruding.

“Actually do you think you could call Phillip for me? I don’t want to leave Max,” Diane reached into her purse and pulled out a business card with Phillip Evans phone numbers on them.

“Sure, I’ll just wait outside after,” Liz pulled her hand away from Max’s and after glancing quickly at Diane bent down and gave Max a kiss on the cheek.


Liz sat in the waiting room, her leg bouncing up and down as she watched the clock on the wall. 3.14…she’d been waiting to hear how Max was for over 3 hours. After calling Phillip and alerting him to Max being awake she also called her parents and Maria and Alex. She’d watched Phillip and Isabel arrive at the hospital a little while later, flashing a smile at her as she waited in the hall. A few minutes later Max was wheeled out of the room and down the hall, his family following behind him. And that was the last she’d seen of any of them. Michael had returned and was now sitting a few seats down from her, the same worried look on his face.

“I can’t stand this, I’m going to find out what the hell is going on,” Liz almost jumped from her seat as Michael stood up and stomped out of the room looking for a nurse, doctor or anyone who could tell him how Max was.

Liz watched him stalk up to the desk and wrap his fingers in the counter, waiting as the nurse hung up the phone and looked at him. A few seconds later she pointed to the waiting room and with that he turned and walked back an angry scowl on his face.

“Apparently she has no idea what the fuck is happening, stupid fregging nurse,” he sat down with only a couple of chairs between them this time, looking at her with a small smile. Although he was worried about his friend, Michael had learned a long, long time ago that certain things were out of his control and the best thing he could do was remain as calm as possible. He was trying but this situation was sure testing his patience.

“He’s probably still waiting for a the CT scan or something,” like Michael, Liz was trying to stay calm and collect, but every time the second hand passed 12 on the clock she got a little more worried. Why was it taking so long? Had they found something else wrong? Did he need more surgery? Before she had time to think about every thing that could be going wrong at that very moment. Isabel walked into the room and sat down between Liz and Michael sighing as she sat.

“Well?” Michael turned in his seat and started asking questions. Liz took Isabel’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“He seems as well as can be expected. Mom and Dad are telling him what happened now. I wanted to be there but they said I should wait outside. God, they have to tell him he’s blind, Michael.” Liz enveloped Isabel in a hug and a second later, Michaels arms wrapped around both girls as all three shed tears for there brother and friend.

After Michael pulled back and resumed his emotionless clock watching Isabel filled them both in on the test Max had had done. Apparently the CT scan showed no blood clots or damage not already known about. However further tests did confirm everyone’s fears; Max Evans, 17-year-old high school junior was now totally blind.


Liz didn’t get back to see Max that day, Diane had come out of his room a little bit later and requested some sedatives for Max. Apparently he didn’t take the news of the shooting and his blindness too well at all, who would? So after waiting another hour and having a quick work with Phillip she left the hospital and drove home. Walking into her living room she was confronted by her best friends and a half a dozen tubs of various flavours of ice cream. The rest of the night Liz went between crying and laughing. She told her friends about Max and how she felt about him, and shared some of what Isabel had told her about his feelings. They of course claimed they always knew that Max felt that way and why wouldn’t he?

Lying in bed that night, after hours of tossing and turning Liz thought about what she had told Max today, she’d told him that she wished he hadn’t come into the Crashdown. God how she wished he hadn’t walked into the Crashdown that morning. Then he’d be safe in his own bed rather than in a hospital room, his entire life turned upside down. How was she supposed to face him now, knowing he was blind because of her? Would he hate her? Would be resent ever having feelings for her, because now he was blind because of them? Looking at the clock, Liz realized she wasn’t going to get any sleep now, the sun would be up in a few hours and once that happened she’d never get back to sleep. Swinging her legs over the bed she grabbed her journal from the hiding place behind her desk and went out onto her balcony. Sitting on her deck chair wrapped in a blanket she realized that she hadn’t written in here for over a week. Sighing she picked up her pen and start to document the biggest week of her life.

My wrist is still not better…they really have no idea what is wrong. It’s not broken according to x-rays, but it really hurts…and I have NO idea what I did to it. I was halfway through Christmas Day and suddenly it started to hurt. Oh well, I’ve been typing one handed and have gotten pretty good, so I decided to post another part.

I hope you all had a great Christmas Day, thanks for all your Christmas wishes.

Behrsgirl1230 – Sorry no Christmas miracle here!! Yes summer...well I’ve never been a fan of it at all, and where I live they are long, hot and dry…yuck
Earth2Mama – Better, well it depends what you mean by that!!
RhondaAnn – Thanks!
Erina – Well Max didn’t want to ‘see’ anyone at all, and Liz knew there was nothing she could do at that moment.
POM – Thanks.
roswell3053 – I don’t think they missed anything, but you never know…actually I do and no they didn’t miss anything!!
begonia9508 – Nope, if someone told me I was blind, I think I’d react in a slightly crazy way!!!
ISLANDGIRL5 – Yep Max is 100% blind, no sight, nada!! A pity party, that sounds like what I do every New Years.
KatnotKath – Well thank you. Yes I am a cheapskate in presents this year, if only my family would read this as there present!
Anonymousarfan – Umm, no. Don’t expect Max regain his sight anytime soon, if at all.
Alien614 – Yes, they both need each other. Liz saw someone being shot about a metre away from her, which alone would be extremely traumatic, let alone the fact she knew the person.
POM – Yes it sucks!!! I’m all drugged up right now so typing while I can.
roswell3053 – Thanks
Earth2Mama – Take care of myself? Silly idea. I was meant to go camping for New Years with my family but couldn’t, so at least the wrist is good for something, a peaceful house for a week!!
Cherie - Thanks for reading!!
Shae – Glad you’re LOVIN the story! No more waiting for you, here is more.



Chapter Nine

A few hours later Liz was sleeping on the chair, her journal and pen laying where they had fallen next to her sometime during the night. Hearing a noise Liz woke with a start, falling off the chair and finding her self sprawled out on the cold balcony floor, staring at the spring sky.

“Lizzie? Are you awake yet?” That noise again, Liz recognized it now as her mother, a second later she felt a hand on her shoulder and jumped up of the ground, turning around in fright.

“Whoo, sorry honey. I heard a noise out here, are you ok? Please tell me you didn’t sleep out here last night?” Nancy rubbed her hands down her daughters cool arms, the spring sun had yet to warm the sky and the shadows of the buildings made the balcony area cool at 8am.

“No, what sorry? No I’m fine I…you just startled me that’s all. I got up early and started to write in my journal and I guess I fell asleep.” Liz shook her head from side to side, trying to clear the cobwebs out of her brain.

“Well I’m about to cook some breakfast, do you want some?” Nancy was just glad Liz was sleeping, in her bed, on the balcony it didn’t really matter. She’d heard the restless nights her daughter had had this week, the endless glasses of water, late night infomercials, the tapping of her computer keyboard. But she knew Liz was going through a hard time, seeing what she’d seen was bad enough, but seeing a friend being shot right in front of you was indescribable. So Nancy and Jeff gave her space, they made sure they were always around if Liz needed to talk but they were yet to push her about her ordeal. They knew the time would come when they had to, when they would have to make her talk, make her feel what happened, but for now, they let Liz do what she needed to do, all under the watchful eye of her parents.

“Breakfast? Sure, let me have a shower and I’ll be out in a little bit. Can I borrow your car later to go to the hospital?” She bent down to pick up her fallen journal, reading the last few lines she closed it with a bang and looked towards her mother.

“Sure honey, but are you sure that it’s a good idea to go in today. Max only woke up yesterday and you said he was pretty upset, maybe he just needs time at the moment.” Nancy watched as her daughters face fell, the thought of not visiting Max obviously not sitting too well.

“I know, but I wont see him if he doesn’t want any visitors, but I just want to know how he is. I promise to stay away if that what he wants, if that’s what he needs.” The two made there way back through the window and into Liz’s bedroom, placing her journal on the bed Liz went to the dresser and picked her clothes for the day.

“Ok, but promise me not to get in the Evans’s way, they are going through a extremely emotional and personal ordeal and they might just need some time alone with Max. So if you feel that, leave, for me?” Watching Liz nod at the request Nancy shut the bedroom door and walked down the hall to start on breakfast. At least she’d make sure her daughter ate well, that was one thing she had a little control about.


Stepping out of the elevator, Liz noticed Sheriff Valenti talking to Diane and Phillip. Walking up slowly so they had time to notice her presence she reached them as they turned to look her.

“Morning Liz.” Diane asked as she lent in and gave the girl a small hug. Liz couldn’t believe the Evans’s, somehow even though they were all in so much pain, that they had so many unanswered questions they still managed to be nice, to make sure she was ok.

“Morning Diane, Phillip, Sheriff. Sorry to interrupt, but how is Max?” Liz looked at each of them as she said their names, and watched as they all smiled.

“A little shook up to tell you the truth. Jim here was just checking in to see if Max would be able to answer some questions.” Phillip took Diane’s hand and turned his attention back to the Sheriff. “As I was saying, I really don’t think Max is up to talking with you today Jim. He said he doesn’t remember what happened and right now the most important thing for him is rest and recovery.”

Liz stood there unsure if she should leave them alone or not before she had a chance to walk away the Sheriff turned to her.

“Liz, what about you? Do you think you have time to come down to the station and look at some mug shots and give a formal statement?” Jim looked at Liz and inwardly sighed, she was the last witness bar Max to give a formal statement. He’s spent the last 4 days talking to everyone that was in the café that morning. He’d spent hours going over mug shots with them, statements; he’d even brought in a sketch artist from Albuquerque yesterday and had a few people talk with her. But he’d yet to speak with Liz, he’d spoken to Jeff and Nancy a few days ago and they’d assured him Liz was doing fine and would be at the station soon. But as the days went by he wasn’t so sure Liz wanted to relive the shooting again, and the look on her face right now confirmed that.

“Umm, I guess. When should I come? Should my parents come down with me?” She didn’t want to go and everyone standing there knew it. Liz wasn’t sure why she was so scared about giving the Sheriff a formal statement, was it because it made it real? Because she’d forever be the girl who’s friend was shot trying to safe her? Because she’d have to admit she froze when she saw the gun and that’s why Max is blind?

“They don’t have to be, but if it makes you more comfortable that’s fine. I’m heading back to the station now, so how about you come by today sometime? Whenever you’re ready I’ll be there all day.” Seeing Liz give a small sigh and look up at him with a small smile, he knew she’d been down sometime today, Liz Parker was anything but irresponsible and if she knew she had to give a statement she would.

Seeing Liz nod her head at the Sheriff, Diane spoke up “Liz why don’t you go and see Max. He’s asleep right now, but you can pop in for a bit. Phillip and I want to go and grab a coffee but don’t want to leave him alone. Will you be ok?” Diane wasn’t sure what it was about Liz Parker, but something drew her to the Evans family and Diane was going to make sure she stayed. The compassion she had shown to everyone over the past few days was amazing for such a young person. She had not only saved Max’s life in the Crashdown but she’d made it her mission to make sure that he and the entire Evans family was ok. Both she and Phillip had seen the way Isabel had opened up to her, and from experience they knew Isabel opened up to very few people. And yesterday when she’d gone to get the nurse, she’d looked in the waiting room and seen the three kids hugging each other; she knew that Michael had broken down a brick or two of his wall because of Liz.

“Are you sure that’s ok? I could grab you some coffee if you’d rather stay.” Liz didn’t want to impose, and after what her mother had said a few hours ago she wanted to make sure she wasn’t an extra burden to the Evans family.

“No it’s fine really. We’ve been here all night anyway and I’d love to get a breath of fresh air. We’ll only be a few minutes and it would be a big help to us.” Diane took Liz’s hand and gave it a small squeeze; nodding Liz said good-bye to the sheriff and walked into Max’s room. Finding his eyes closed and the blinds drawn, Liz wondered if Max saw any light or if this was for his parent’s comfort. Sitting of the chair next to the bed Liz noticed a book on the table “Ulysses” flipping it open she encountered a bookmark which read, ‘I don’t read, I just carry a book to look cool.’ But Liz knew that wasn’t true, this book was well read, with bent pages and a broken spine. Realizing that this was the book Michael was reading yesterday, Liz wondered why someone who not only read James Joyce but also seemed to enjoy it was almost failing school. Turing to the front of the book to start reading she noticed the book had an inscription. Not wanting to spy on Michael but at the same time curious about him she read the words.

Michael,
Another copy of Ulysses for you, try not to read this one to death.
You should really try reading another book every now and then.
Ever thought of Steinbeck or Fitzgerald?

Anyway enjoy and Happy Birthday

Max

Liz traced the letters over the page, not reading them as such but taking in the writing. Max had written this, she’d know his beautiful hand writing anywhere. She’d always watched him write in school and was amazed how neat all his notes were. He wouldn’t be able to write anymore, she’d never see his hand writing write anything to her. No notes in books, birthday cards, nothing. Another thing Max would miss out on.

Liz was paying too much attention to the book and failed to notice that Max was waking. Opening his eyes Max wondered for a second why he couldn’t see, and then before he had time to question it out loud he remembered. He was blind, 100% totally blind, unable to see even the faintest bit of light. Hearing a faint sigh next to the bed, he instinctively moved his head to look towards the noise. His parents, they’d been here all night and he had a feeling he’d never have a moment alone again. Licking his lips slightly he realized he was thirsty and wanted some water knowing he couldn’t find it without his parents help he sighed and asked them.

“Mom, can I have some water.” Liz’s head popped up form the book as she head a sigh come out of Max’s lips, startled she noticed he was looking at her, and when he spoke she realized he thought she was Diane.

“Umm, it’s Liz Max, Liz Parker.” Max was startled by the voice; he’d originally thought he was dreaming yesterday when he’d first woken up. But according to his parents she’d been at the hospital every day, she’d sat by his bedside every day since the shooting. Before he had time to say anything he felt a soft hand pick up his.

Liz stood and picked up the cup of water on the table and lent forward picking up his hand she moved it so he was holding the cup, watching closely so he didn’t spill a drop she moved the hands and the cup up towards his lip until he felt them touch. Letting go of the cup so Max could drink without her, she sat back down on the chair. After a few slips Max noticed that Liz’s hand had left his, and for the first time since he woke up he realised he was drinking without the help of his parents.

“Thanks.” Max held the cup of towards where the voice came from and a moment later felt it being taken from his hand and heard it being placed on the table.

Liz was unsure what to do, should so stay quiet and wait for the Evans’ to come back? Should she talk to Max? Should she leave and go and find his parents? Once again her endless thoughts and questions were stopped when Max’s voice broke through the silence.

“Are you ok? I don’t remember anything but they said you were there when I was shot.” When his parents had told him what had happened last night he couldn’t believe it. Apparently he was eating in the Crashdown when two guys had a fight, one had a gun and somehow he’d been shot in the neck. According to his parents he was standing in front of Liz Parker when it happened and if it wasn’t for her he would have bleed to death.

“Me? I’m fine, really. I should be asking you that.” As she’d done every day previously Liz took Max’s hand and stroked it gently with her thumb. She noticed Max’s eyes close and wondered if he’d fallen back to sleep.

“I don’t know, you know. I mean I wake up and I’m told I was shot and now I’m blind. I don’t know what to think, my parents haven’t really left me alone to process it all.” Max could have died when he felt his hand being stroked by Liz, closing his eyes he relished the feel of her smooth thumb of his skin. The way it sent shivers up his arm and warmed him all over. A few moments later, he felt the movements stop and heard the chair scrape back on the hospital floor. It was funny how he was already starting to signal out simple sounds, was this his life now? Having to hear everything? Having to know what a chair sounded like?

“Sorry, you want to be alone, I’ll head out now. I’m glad you’re ok Max.” Liz grabbed her bag but before she had time to step away Max spoke up.

“No stay, you’re not my parents. I mean they’re treating me like I can’t think. Do you know that when you gave me the cup that was the first time I’ve had a drink without their help?” Max heard her sit down and a second later felt a tiny dip in the bed near his hand. Felling around he touched some fingers and grabbed onto Liz’s hand.

“Oh, I…” Liz didn’t know what to say.

“I love them, but I just need to think you know? To work things out in my head, apparently this is my life and I guess I better get used to it.” Max felt Liz start to stroke his hand again and once again he felt a warm rush flow through his body. He’d never get tired of this feeling.

“Well if you need someone to talk to Max I’m here. I may not be much but I can listen.” She wanted to be there for Max, as much as Liz knew the Evans’s only wanted the best for there son, if he needed to think without them, she’d be there.

“Thanks, but I think it’s more of an internal thing. But you can stay if you want.”

“Ok, I’ll just read if that’s ok.”

“Thanks Liz.”

And that’s how they sat until the Evans’s returned with Michael and Isabel in tow. Max sat his eyes open but had a blank look, his eyes looking out into nothing, thinking about his new life. And Liz, Liz sat next to him, her hand holding his while the other one turned the pages slowly of Michael’s book, she’d never read ‘Ulysses’ and now was a good of time as any to start it. The quiet silence was peaceful for both of them, they’d never spent time alone together but they seemed to understand the needs to each other with few words. Almost half an hour later Liz was so engrossed in the book she jumped a little when the door was opened and the Evans family walked in. Looking at Max, she noticed his eyes were now shut, but when she felt a gentle squeeze of her hand she knew he was awake.

“Hi Liz, did he wake up?” Diane whispered as they all walked into the room. Looking at Max then back at his parents Liz knew what Max wanted.

“No, slept the whole time actually.” Liz said and a second later felt another gentle squeeze of her hand. She knew how suffocating her parents were being and she wasn’t in a hospital bed where she couldn’t get away. If Max wanted to pretend he was asleep then she was more than happy to go alone with the story.

“Really? I guess that’s good. Getting rest and all. I just spoke to the doctors and they think he’ll be able to come home by early next week. Can you believe that? Only a week in hospital after all he went through.” Diane sat down next to Liz as the rest of the group sat elsewhere in the room. Liz noticed that Isabel and Michael were talking quietly together, glancing at Max every now and then, Liz wondered what was up.

“Wow, that’s good then? I mean if they’re letting him go home that must be a good sign right?” If Max went home on Monday that meant he would only be in hospital for 9 days, 9 days was all you got after being shot?

“It is, they’re bringing in a social worker from Albuquerque tomorrow to talk to us about what happens now. It’s only just hit us I guess but everyone’s life is going to change now.” Phillip spoke as he looked up from a handful of pamphlets he was reading. Liz noticed some of the titles ‘Coping with Blindness’, ‘Modifying your home for the Blind’, ‘Guide Dogs of America’. Liz realized what Phillip was saying was true, everything would change and not just for Max, the thought was overwhelming.

They all sat in silence for a few more minutes, although snippets of the whispered conversation going on in the corner could be heard. Although Liz had no idea what exactly they were talking about, it was about Max and leaving. Liz wanted to know what had them both so riled up and upset, were they worried about Max leaving the hospital so early? Liz glanced at the clock on the wall and noticed the time. She had her first shift at the Crashdown since the shooting this evening and she still had to visit the Sheriff’s station.

“I better be off, I didn’t realize it was so late.” Putting the book back on the table Liz stood and although the room was full of people, she lent in and gave Max a kiss on his cheek, as she was about to pull away she heard a faint ‘Thank you’, smiling Liz picked up her purse.

“Ok dear, good luck with Jim today. I’ll tell Max you stopped by, I’m sure he’ll be sorry he missed you.” Diane stood and gave Liz a hug.

“Thanks, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow sometime?” Liz nodded to Phillip who smiled and looking at Michael and Isabel she noticed they were too engrossed in there conversation to notice her leaving, shrugging Liz gave a wave and with a final look at a ‘sleeping’ Max she left.


Max lay there after Liz left, already missing her soft touch. This morning when he’d first woken up he’d been so upset, lonely, angry and scared but waking up with Liz beside seemed to mute those feelings. Although he was still scared, he wasn’t lonely the quiet comfort she offered was more soothing than the hover of his parents. Wishing they would just all leave him to think alone for a few hours, Max kept up his charade, lying still with his eyes closed. It was the first time he had been able to just listen to people talk around him. When he was awake they were always asking how he was, if he was in pain, if he needed anything, but now they were talking to each other and Max decided that it was the easiest way to find out what really was going to happen to him.

“Mom, I don’t like it. I’m sorry but Michael and I have been talking…wait where did Liz go?” Isabel looked up as she started speaking to her mother. She couldn’t keep her thoughts about this to herself anymore.

“She left a few minutes ago, you were too busy to acknowledge her.” Diane turned and gave her daughter a pointed look.

“Sorry, I’ll talk to her later…umm yea I don’t think you can just send Max away mom, it’s not right. He needs his family and friends now.” Isabel moved to the seat Liz had vacated and looked at her mother.

“It’s not decided yet honey, it’s only one option ok?” Phillip dropped the pamphlets and looked at his girls having a heated conversation, glancing at Max briefly he noted he was still asleep and so joined in the conversation.

“But dad, Texas? It’s not like we can pop in to visit for a few hours or anything. What about bringing someone to Roswell for a few months to help him, to teach him?”

“Like we said we’ll look into what’s best for Max, I’m sure there are things we haven’t even thought about. That’s why the social worker is coming down tomorrow. She does this all the time, helps the newly blind start there lives again. Isn’t that what you want for your brother? For him to have a normal a life as possible?” Diane knew it was a low blow, but Isabel had to realize that this was the rest of Max’s life they were dealing with, and it wasn’t going to be made up of easy decisions.

“We do Diane, we want Max to have a normal life, for him to be able to life his dreams out. But does he have to start so soon?” Michael stepped up and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Well yes, what do you think he should do in the mean time? If he can’t read Braille, can’t use a cane what’s he supposed to do all day? Sleep?”

“No, Michael just means that 3 weeks is so soon mom. We don’t want Max to just lay about all day, we can help him. Take him out to places, help him to do things.” Isabel wanted her brother at home, and nothing her mother said was going to change her mind.

“And what do you think Max would think about that huh? Being reliant of his sister and best friend for everything? He’ll hate it and you know it.” Diane was getting a little agitated with her daughter, she knew Isabel only wanted what was best, but she was tired she’d barely been sleeping since the shooting and everything was almost too much.

“Mom…”

“No Isabel, lets just drop it for now. Max should be apart of this conversation anyway. So let’s just wait until we speak to the social worker tomorrow and go from there ok?” Phillip stood up and walked to his daughter putting his hand on her shoulder as he spoke, he could see a yelling war about to happen and no one needed that right now.

“Fine, look I’m going to go for a little bit…I’ll be back later tonight ok? Let Max know.” Isabel grabbed her bag and walked out of the room, not wanting to cry again.

“I’ll, I’ll go with her.” Michael stood and walked towards the door.

“Michael, we don’t want to send him away either, but he needs to stand on his own two feet and well it might be easier to start off that way.” Diane spoke as Michael opened the door; he paused for a second and nodded.

“Thanks for going with her Michael she shouldn’t be alone when she’s upset, but I doubt she’ll want to speak to either of us right now” Phillip said as Michael walked out the room and after his daughter.


“What are we going to do Phillip? Is sending Max to the school in Texas really a good idea?” Diane leaned in and rested her head on his shoulder.

“I don’t know honey, let’s just wait and talk to Max and the social worker tomorrow ok? There’s no point in over thinking anything at this stage.” Phillip kissed the top of Diane’s head and together they sat and watched their son until Max ‘woke up’ a short time later.

Hi All, I hope everyone’s had a good week. My wrist is almost back to normal, who knows what I did..so I’ve managed to get a few parts written this week. Once again thanks for the feedback. It seems that people are mixed about Max going away to school, the Evans’s wont be sending Max away, they will talk it over with him and he will make the ultimate decision.

It’s nice and hot here, 43’C or for those using the other way, about 105’F…so I’ve locked myself up inside with aircon and my laptop….

Have a fantastic New Years!!!!


Looks like we have some new readers, welcome!!

roswell3053 – Is it really fare to put Max all on Liz’s shoulders? Sure she likes him, but she’s only 17 years old.
Cherie – Everyone only wants what is best for Max, and sometimes you get blinded by that, at least Diane is keeping a level head. Liz is a sweetie.
Alien614 – Max doesn’t want a be a burden, and I know I’d be embarrassed about learning to do seemly simple things around people I know.
Anonymousarfan – They’re not sending him away….thanks and here is more.
Maxsgurl – Welcome, thanks for reading.
Ellie – I agree with you on the one picture aspect, I don’t think it’s hit him yet that Liz is the last person he saw…but it will Thanks for reading
begonia9508 – So one vote for Max making his own decisions on his own life then?
POM – I’d be pissed too, I hate it when people decided what I want to drink when I’m out, let alone where I’ll be spending 6 months!!
Earth2Mama – I did a whole 5000 word assignment one handed this week, so I became quite the expert…I think Max will have the courage, but he might need to work towards it.
ISLANDGIRL5 – Feel free not to feedback until the 1st…I should just give up now right? Texas, yep…I actually did some research and there is a school like this in Texas…
kerri240879 – Welcome my new beta Thanks and thanks
pLANETv33n3ss – Welcome and thanks for reading.

I’ve gotten a beta, kerri240879 a fellow Melbournian. So thanks Kerri…


Chapter Ten


Liz opened the door to the Roswell Sheriff’s station, blinking at the suddenly darker room. Looking around she noticed that her mother was talking to the sheriff and she sighed in relief at the sight of her, she walked up to the pair. These were the times she loved her parents more than words, as suffocating and overprotecting as they were: if Liz needed them they’d come. As she’d left the hospital earlier, Liz had called home, and after briefly explaining that she needed to give a official statement, her mother had jumped in and told that Liz she would be there in 10 minutes.

Nancy watched as Liz entered and gave her daughter an encouraging smile and a wave. It caused Sheriff Valenti to look towards the door and together they walked towards Liz.

“Perfect timing Liz, I was just about to get a coffee, Nancy coffee? Would you prefer a coffee or soda Liz?”

Liz didn’t know how it happened but somehow, without even noticing it, her mother and her were seated in the interview room, with drinks in front of them. Liz blinked, realising why the sheriff was so damn good at his job.

“I have your statement from the other day Liz: it’s all typed up and looking pretty. So what I’d like you to do, is read through it and if you think we need to add things or change things around, we can do that ok? And when that’s done, we can have a look at a few mug shots, to see if you recognize anyone.” Liz nodded as a folder was placed in front of her, and opening it up Liz began to read.

Thirty minutes later Liz had finished talking to the Sheriff, going over the events of the previous Saturday. Her original statement was brief, barely an A4 page, but today she was able to recall so much more. Shutting her eyes each night brought Liz back to the scene: the look on Max’s face as the gun went off was always the first thing that flashed through her mind. But she also replayed the moments leading up to that: serving the men coffee, how one put in 5 sugars and liked it black.

She remembered the cap one of the men had worn, the colour of both of their shirts. And once she started, she couldn’t stop the images flooding her brain. Those few minutes seemed to be looping through her mind, repeating over and over again the events that had changed more than one person’s life. By the time the second statement was finished, it was almost 12 pages long, a length that Liz was proud of.

As the Sheriff sent it off to be typed, he set in front of Liz numerous photo albums, filled with pictures of men who had committed crimes previously. Flipping through the pages, Liz pointed out the similarities between some of the photos and the men in her mind. But after nearly two hours of looking at pictures, she was unable to identify either of the men.

“I’m sorry, but they’re not here Sheriff.” Liz slammed the last book shut and pushed her chair back from the table.

“That’s ok Liz. They might be in there, they might not, but it couldn’t hurt to try right?”

In truth, the Sheriff was desperate for information, all the leads they had worked this week had turned out to be dead ends. They were hopeful of getting fingerprints, but found the cups used by the men missing and the table wiped clean. He’d spoken to Jeff about it, and he’d said that no one had touched the table, so Jim had to think that the men knew what they were doing.

Liz was his last hope; he still had to talk to Max, but knew that he wouldn’t get any new information from the boy, so he was hoping Liz would remember something. He had a few things from her new statement to follow up on, but they were weak at best and he was beginning to think this would remain unsolved.

“I guess, but I still wish there was more I could do you know.”

“I know honey, but you did really well today and I’m sure Jim still has some things to check out right Jim?”

Nancy knew the state of the case: old friends with Jim Valenti he had been informing Nancy of the dead ends they’d been faced with when Liz came to the station. But Nancy knew how hard today was for Liz, reliving the shooting and trying to remember the men was taking a toll on her daughter and she didn’t want Liz to blame herself if the men were never caught.

“Right Nancy, you did great Liz. You remember more than most of our witness. I’ll pop by in a few days and get you to sign today’s statement ok?” and once again Liz blinked and found herself standing in the station lobby. Gee he’s good at this, Liz thought smiling to herself.


Squinting as she walked out of the station into the New Mexico sunshine Liz reached inside her bag for her sunglasses.

“Are you ok to drive home honey? Because daddy and I can always come and pick the car up later.”

“No mom I’m fine, really. I promised Maria I’d pick her up for her shift anyway. I’ll be home soon ok?”

Liz leaned over and gave her mother a kiss on the cheek and a few minutes later pulled up in the drive of her best friends house. Tooting the horn a few times, Liz watched at the front door opened and Amy, Maria’s mother popped her head out, flashing Liz the ‘one moment’ finger the front door closed again. Liz sighed, Maria was not known as being a punctual person. A minute or two later the door was opened again and out came Alex followed by Maria who was hopping down the stairs in her uniform as she tried to tie her hair up and put her shoes on at the same time.

“I swear one day she’s going to fall flat on her face, and I’ll be the first one laughing.” Alex said with a laugh as he jumped in the car. Liz looked at him in the back seat and nodded, somehow Maria managed to not only do ten things at once but managed to do them perfectly.

“Tell me about it, we should sell tickets. But then again she’s seemed to have mastered the hair tie shoe shuffle…” Liz laughed as Maria walked into the car and without breaking her concentration opened the door, put on her apron and lip-gloss.

“Ok people’s I’m ready to go. What are we sitting here for?” Maria put on her seat belt and lent down to tie her shoes up, missing the looks that passed her best friends.

“So Mr. Whitman I see you’re tagging alone to watch us work again?” Liz asked as she backed out of the driveway and headed towards home.

“Yep, it’s spring break and I want to spend it with my ladies, and maybe I’ll get a free milkshake?” Flashing Liz a smile in the rear-view mirror, he almost flew through the windscreen of the car when Liz suddenly stopped the car, and pulled it to the side of the road. A bang was heard as Maria head met the dashboard.

“What the…” Maria sat up and rubbed her head looking at Liz as if she was crazy.

“Sorry, one second.” Liz jumped out of the car and ran up to someone. Maria stuck her head out of the car and a second later pulled it back in turning to Alex with a sad smile.

“It’s Isabel Evans.” She turned back and tried to listen in on the conversation. Alex moved to the side of the car and did the same.

“Isabel!!” Liz called after the girl as she walked down the street. Liz didn’t know why she stopped but for some reason she did. When Isabel turned towards her, she saw tear streaks down her cheeks.

“Oh hey Liz.” Isabel wiped her eyes and stood up a little straighter.

“Hi, umm I saw you walking and I wanted to say… well I’m not sure really. I just wanted to see if you were ok, you seemed a little upset when I saw you earlier.” Liz tried to explain.

“Umm yea I guess I was. I’m sorry I didn’t speak to you but mom kinda shocked me with something. What are you doing here anyway?” Isabel realized that Liz was nowhere near her house or the hospital, the two places she’d thought she’d be.

“Oh Maria, Maria lives around the corner and I picked her up for work.” Liz waved her hand in the general direction of the car. Isabel almost died when she looked at Liz’s car, two heads which were obviously trying to eavesdrop out the window were quickly pulled back in, and a few muttered curses were heard when they both hit there heads on the door of the car.

“Sorry about that, them I mean Maria and Alex they’re…” They’re what? Curious about the sister of the blind boy? What could Liz say?

“That’s ok, I better get used to it I guess. I can’t imagine what school will be like after break.” Isabel had noticed that in the few hours she had been walking the streets, people seemed to be watching her. Max had been in all the local papers and on the news, and everyone seemed to know who she was as well.

“Yea, well I didn’t think about that. Poor Max huh?”

“Yea…so you stopped?” Isabel smiled at Liz, trying to change the subject. She hadn’t thought about it until then, Max was infamous in Roswell now. Everyone knew who he was and what happened. If people were stopping to stare at her what would it be like for Max?

“Oh yea, umm I’m on my way home, to the Crashdown and wondered if you’d like to come and have dinner. On the house of course.”

“I’m not sure if I’m up to being around all those people Liz.”

“Well you could always sit out back, watch some TV or something. I know you’ve only left the hospital at night, how about a little break? I’ll drive you wherever you want to go whenever you want to leave.” Liz looked up hopefully at Isabel.

“Sure, I guess I am a little hungry. Do you have room for Michael as well?”

“Michael?”

“Yea, he’s been following me since I left the hospital. I sat at the park for hours and he hid behind a tree. I guess he wanted to keep an eye on me, I left the hospital a little upset.” Isabel tried to explain why Michael was stalking her.

“Oh ok then. Sure thing, heaps of burgers and a extra seat in the car.”

“Great, MICHAEL you can come out now. Liz is buying us dinner.” Isabel spoke loudly towards into the alley behind them. A few seconds later a sheepish Michael stepped out form behind a dumpster and walked up to the pair.

“You knew I was there? And you made me stand behind a dumpster?” Michael scowled at Isabel.

“Well if you wanted to check up on me you should have walked with me. I’m going to the Crashdown with Liz, do you want to come or not?” Isabel stood the hands on her hips tapping her foot as she stood even straighter looking Michael square in the eye.

“Fine, but I’m not paying.” The three turned towards the car and once again two heads shot back in and tried to look like they hadn’t been listening in. Alex started whistling looking out the front of the car and Maria was looking at her nails as if they were the most interesting thing ever.

“Alex and Maria, Isabel and Michael are coming to the Crashdown for dinner, move over Alex.” Liz jumped in the drivers seat and was amazed at the silence in the car. She pulled up at the Crashdown a few minutes later and the four people got out of the car. Leading everyone in through the back door Maria dumped her bag and clocked in without saying a world.

“Umm, I’ll go and well, sit over…out…in the café.” Alex said as he looked between Michael, Isabel and Liz. A second later he was out the door and sighed in relief.

“Ok then, I have a while before I start work, so do you want to come upstairs? I can order some food if you want to eat now.” Now that they were here Liz felt a little uncomfortable. In the hospital they had this bond that ensured a certain comfort level around each other, but out in the real world it was gone.

“I’ll have a…” An elbow to the stomach stopped Michael mid sentence.

“How about a drink now and some food in a little while?” Isabel said as she stepped away from Michael.

“Sure, what would you like?” Liz walked towards the swinging door.

“Cherry coke for both of us if that’s ok?” Isabel said.

“Sure thing, I’ll be one second.” Liz walked into the café and noticed both of her parents. Quickly letting them know that Michael and Isabel were here, her parents offered to cover her shift if she wanted to spend more time with them. Letting them know she’d let them know she poured three sodas and headed upstairs, Michael and Isabel following behind. The three spent the next hour talking about Max; Isabel told Liz about the possibility of Max going to a school for the blind in Texas and voiced her opinion on the matter. Liz decided to just listen to let them both vent there concerns and frustrations in the whole situation out. She had her own opinions on the matter, but what she thought wasn’t relevant at all. Before they realized Jeff Parker walked in the door, startling the talking teens.

“Sorry guys, I just wanted to see if you wanted some food brought up.” Nancy had poked her head in awhile ago to see if Liz was coming down to work, seeing the three in a deep conversation she went back downstairs and started Liz’s shift for her.

“What’s the time dad?” Liz looked at her wrist but realized she wasn’t wearing her watch today.

“A little after 6.”

“Oh I better call mom and dad, I didn’t think it was that late.” Isabel fumbled around in her bag for her phone, finding it she quickly dialled the number of the hospital.

“Max Evans’s room please.” Isabel said when the hospital operator picked up.

“Mom? Hi sorry I didn’t come back…yea me too…no it’s ok we’re actually at Liz’s place so we’ll eat here…yea…no it’s fine Liz said she’d drop us off…ok…ok…tell Max I’ll see him tomorrow ok…ok…ok…bye mom.” Isabel hung up the phone.

“Sorry, she wanted to thank you for feeding us Mr. Parker and if you can’t drop us home Liz for us to call her.”

“No it’s fine Isabel someone can drop you home, right Liz?” Jeff looked at his daughter who nodded.

“Great, now dinner?” Jeff rattled off some food items and after the trio decided on what they wanted he went back downstairs. A little while later a bang was heard from the door followed by someone muttering. Liz jumped up and opened the door to find Alex standing there with a tray of drinks in one hand, a bag of food in the other and bag of food in his mouth. Liz quickly grabbed the tray and Alex spat out the bag with a sigh.

“And that is why I’m not a waitress Lizzie.” Alex said as he dropped the bags of food on the table in front of the TV. Looking at Isabel and Michael he nodded. “I hope you don’t mind, but I brought my dinner up here as well.”

“No it’s fine right Michael?” Isabel said as she opened the bag and pulled out the food.

“Sure, whatever.” Michael grunted as he picked up what he ordered from the table.

“Umm Isabel, I’m sorry about Max. Tell him I said hi.” Alex almost cried out at the stupid-ness of that comment. Tell him I said hi? Said hi? What kind of social retard was he? Her bother had been shot and was now blind and he said hi?

“Sure Alex.” And that was that, Isabel understood it would be hard for people to approach her and was just glad Alex hadn’t made a big deal of it. The rest of the night went by quickly, Maria joined them on her break, and started to complain about Michael's table manners, or lack there off. The resulting argument between the two had the other three snickering behind their backs. Max was brought up, but only in passing, everyone seemed to understand that tonight everyone needed a break from the heartbreak and chaos of the last week. Before Liz knew it she was dropping Isabel off at home and Michael off at his flat.

Liz slept better that night, the few words she’d spoken with Max today helped to soothe the fear she’d been holding all week. But the talk she’d had with both Isabel and Michael brought up a whole new set of emotions. How would she feel if Max left to go to school elsewhere? The more she thought about it the more she realized it had to happen. But the more she thought about it the more she realized she didn’t want it to happen. Rolling over and punching the pillow, Liz willed Max out of her mind and fell into a deep sleep.