Roswell Fanatics

Title: Best Friends and Bedrooms
Genre: AU Sans Aliens
Pairings: CC
Rating: Adult
Disclaimer:
The Roswell characters belong to Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and the relevant TV companies.

Chapter 1

“Maria, be honest, have I in any way been leading Max on?” Maria turned away and pretended to be suddenly interested in Liz’s calculus text book. The last thing she wanted to do now was make things worse. But Liz would not let her away with anything, she grasped the book from Maria’s hands and glared at her.

“I don’t know Liz, guys get different ideas from different things. I mean, you didn’t jump into his lap and yell, kiss me studly, that’s for sure, but guys, they get weird ideas.”

“You bet it’s weird. I mean, me and Max?! Could you even imagine it?” Liz looked at her fingernails and realized every one was chewed down to her finger. Just great she thought, she had lost one of her best friends and her fingernails in one day.

“No, never.” replied Maria, carefully hiding the smirk on her face from Liz. She generally felt bad for Liz but when she had come in that afternoon and announced that Maxwell Philip Evans asked her out, Maria had almost expected a huge grin to appear on her face and that Liz would finally admit she was just in love with Max as he was with her.

“Did you see this coming?”
“No” lied Maria. She had seen the way Max, a mutual friend, would always sit by Liz, offer to get anything she wanted when they went out to movies or restaurants as a group and to be brutally honest she and Alex had a secret wager on when they two happy kids would get together.

“I just, we’ve always been such good friends. And they way he looked at me…”
L
iz was suddenly very quiet. It was too painful to even think about. Max had joked about them going out on a date together before but she had never dreamed he was anywhere near serious. But that afternoon they had been walking back from a class together when Max had stopped to ask her if she would go out with him that Friday. At first she replied that they would probably all do something together like usual, then he stammered back that he wanted it to be just the two of them. She had just starred at him, like a deer stuck in the headlights before muttering, ‘I… I … Max, we’re just friends.’ He had looked so crushed, but then he looked up at her and said, ‘I don’t want to be your friend’ and she could still see the hope in his eyes, a hope she could not encourage. ‘Well, it’s that or nothing.’ Liz silently berated herself for the 7th time that day for saying that, because Max had just nodded his head and walked away.

“Chica… come on, I can tell your moping, this is no good. You’re supposed to at least date the guy first before you mope. Come on, I’m dragging you out of here and we are going to have some fun.”

~Meanwhile, in the apartment downstairs~

“Woah Max, you look like hell.” commented Michael. Alex couldn’t help but cringe at Michael’s forwardness but he was none-the-less glad that Michael brought it up. He had been curious about why Max was lying on the sofa, staring at the TV screen that wasn’t on and listening to Counting Crows blaring from his stereo in his bedroom.

Max barely looked up at Michael when he replied. He might as well tell them, there was no way they would not all find out from Maria later on anyhow. “I asked out Liz.”

“Oh?” asked Alex, suddenly perking up… he had dibs on this month and that meant Maria owed him $20. But was that just if they actually went out? They had never been completely clear on the wager, they just had both supposed Max would ask and Liz would have an epiphany and date the guy. This certainly was a monkey wrench. Oh well, he and Maria could talk about it later.

“You asked her out? Hmm… that took guts. I always assumed you’d just end up in bed together someday.”

Max glared at Michael…. “I think you have us confused with you and Maria.” retorted Max.

“Hey, just because you got shot down is no reason to take it out on me. And me and Maria are never and will never be a couple, you both know I think she’s hot but she’s just too weird.”

“That doesn’t mean you can’t end up in bed together.” pointed out Alex, and suddenly both guys looked at him. They had a weird way of treating him as a spy because he had a way of becoming “one of the girls” with Maria and Liz, and they expected he learned things about woman that they would never know.

“Anyway, she wants to be just friends. Heck I guess we’re not that anymore.” grumbled Max.

“At least you know.” replied Michael, pulling out all the stops to be the comforting friend. Well, at least for Michael.

“I’m sorry man.” supplied Alex, “maybe she’ll come around.”

“She’s had 10 years to fall for him. I think that’s enough time for anyone,” countered Michael. “Anyway it’s best if Max just gets her out of his head. Then maybe he’ll finally get out and date one of the lovely available ladies who would gladly throw themselves at him. What do you say Maxwell? A little bit of liquor and fluzzy ladies sounds like it might hit the spot tonight?”

“Maybe you just need to give her a little time.” replied Alex, but the two guys were already getting ready to leave. Max didn’t feel too excited about his prospects for the night, but it was better than staying at home moping.

Hi, thanks everyone for your feedback! It's great. I think I will reward you with Chapters 2 and 3. Enjoy!


Chapter 2

“He’s throwing himself at that fluzzy!” declared Liz, just starring at Max in total shock. “I guess I couldn’t have meant very much to him.” Liz sat down in a corner of the university bar and scowled up at Maria. Maria merely rolled her eyes.

“Liz, when have you ever seen Max Evans throw himself at anyone?” asked Maria, hoping to reassure Liz somewhat.

“Never.”

“Exactly, so you’ve obviously had some effect on him. You don’t have to worry about that.” ‘And he obviously is effecting you now’ thought Maria. She had also noticed that Michael had been bringing Max drink after drink for the last hour, encouraging his behavior. She was going to have to put a stop to that. If Liz wasn’t smart enough to know her own heart well enough to protect it, she was going to have to do it for her.

“Umm… honey, I’m going to get us some drinks, you stay here and see if you can find a man in this bar that you do want.” Liz merely glared at Maria. 'There is nothing wrong with being picky.' her head mimed. But she did not want to argue with Maria about that tonight, and to be honest, Max was the only one who had ever not made fun of her about her high standards.

Maria walked over to the bartender and quickly ordered two drinks while Michael glared at her. “What’s that for?” she asked him. “I’ve been waiting here for 5 minutes and you get served the moment you show up. It’s hardly fair, I guess I’ll be calling on you to do my ordering the rest of the night.” replied Michael, smiling at Maria.

“Like hell I will, I’ll have you know I don’t approve of what you’re doing at all.”

“What I’m doing? Getting drinks for my friend? What are you doing?”

“Getting a drink for me and Liz.”

“Oh I see how the two things are completely different.” replied Michael. Maria sure was a piece of work. He generally liked her, but getting into anything more with her would be like getting on a train with no clue where it was going.

“Oh, you’re purposely trying to get him drunk. Just like a guy, no working through emotions, just drunken sex to the rescue. If you can name me one incident where that made things better.”

“Well, Maxwell’s happier than he’s been all night.” countered Michael.

“But you’re ruining their relationship.” replied Maria, hoping to somehow get through to Michael's thick skull that not all good things were instant.

“Oh, you mean the relationship they don’t have? I’m so sorry. I’m such a bastard.”

“The relationship they will never have if you keep feeding him drinks and encouraging him.” snapped Maria.

“Oh so Max is supposed to remain celibate while Liz shuts him down. Jeez, the guy has been pining after her for so freaking long, he’s not gotten any action.”

“Well it’s not like Liz has been out spreading it around town.”

“Oh no, that’s your job.” replied Michael, before he was able to bite his tongue. There was something about Maria that made him talk without thinking.

“Do you guys mind not talking about my sex life?” replied Liz, walking up behind them. As much as Michael had groaned when he had first realized she was in the bar, he was glad she was there now to save him from Maria’s response.

“You mean lack thereof?” Liz looked at Maria shocked; she had expected such talk from Michael, but from Maria?

“Sorry, been hanging around Michael too long.” She looked at Michael and stuck her tongue out at him. Their friendship had been rocky until they had both accepted that any fight could be diffused by Maria sticking her tongue out at him.

“Either way. I rather you guys not talk about it.” added Liz, looking at both of them like they were about two years old. So she hadn’t had a serious boyfriend since freshman year and they were seniors. But that didn’t mean anything.

“Ain’t nothing to talk about.” replied Michael, smiling at Liz. At that moment Maria noticed that Max and that blonde fluzzy were heading up to the loft of the bar. You didn’t need to be a senior to know what kind of thing went on up there. She knew Michael had noticed it too, because he was smirking at her, almost challenging her to do something about it. Maria glared back at him, downed one of her drinks and handed the other to Liz. “If you two will excuse me for a moment, I need a bathroom break.”

Maria made her way upstairs to the loft, quickly pushing through the throng of people dancing at the base of the stairs. 'I'm doing this for a friend' Maria repeated to herself as she played the part of a pervert and scanned all of the couples doing questionable things. Finally she spotted Max over in the corner. All she could see was his head because he was sitting in a chair and the blonde thing was straddling his lap. Maria didn’t know who or what overcame her but she marched straight over to them and pulled the little blonde girl off of Max’s lap, so that she fell ass first on to the floor with a plop and a screech.

Max took a second to process what had happened, he had thought the girl, what was her name anyway, had fallen off until she had jumped back up and started accusing some other girl of attacking her. That’s when Max recognized Maria, “Maria what the hell?”

To Maria's annoyance the thing was just ignoring her and trying to get back on Max’s lap, all the while favoring her badly bruised tail bone. Well, drastic times called for drastic measures. She pulled one of the rings off her finger and starting shaking it, “Does this mean nothing to you?” she wailed, and almost every couple in sight started starring at Max. “Maria” he groaned.

“You’re married?” drawled the girl, giving Max a quizzical look. “No, this, she’s just a friend.” hissed Max, trying to process what had gotten into Maria. “Max how can you say that? You better come with me right now, if you ever want the chance to say goodbye to your daughter.” Everyone just starred at Max, like he was the worst person in the world. He couldn’t defend himself from that. He got up and sheepishly followed Maria back downstairs. He would have asked why Maria did it, but sadly this was typical Maria behaviour. If she thought you were going to do something stupid she would do something twice as stupid to prevent it.

~ Meanwhile~

“Maria’s taking an awful long time in the bathroom” observed Liz, far from enjoying the awkward small talk with Michael. Michael had been nice enough not to bring up her and Max’s situation but she could tell he was annoyed with her about it. “That’s because she didn’t go to the bathroom she went up to the loft.”

“Up to the loft? With whom?” asked Liz, shocked that Maria would leave her on their girls night out. “By herself.” replied Michael, enjoying the confusion on Liz’s face.

“What, why would she do that?”

“To make sure Max didn’t sleep with the girl he was dancing with.” confirmed Michael. He watched Liz’s face for a response. She merely frowned to herself before responding.

“He wouldn’t do that.” argued Liz, sure maybe his pride was hurt that she didn’t go out with him, but that was no reason to sleep with another girl he didn’t even know. And certainly no reason to lose a friendship that had started 10 years earlier. She still couldn’t believe he had risked such a great friendship for a date. “He’s not that kind of person.”

“Oh yeah? You think you know Max that well?” challenged Michael.

“I know him as well as you do.”

“Then how come you didn’t know he was in love with you?” Liz looked at Michael, startled. She was about to say something but just then Max and Maria joined them. Max was looking down to keep from meeting Liz’s gaze, but she walked close enough to him so he could see her when she asked him, “Are you really in love with me?”



Chapter 3

Liz looked at the time on her clock, 4 a.m., and yet she still couldn’t get to sleep. Max had not answered her question, he had only looked at her as Michael had butted in saying that it didn’t matter, Liz didn’t want him anyway. Then the two guys had headed out of the bar. But did it matter? Liz sat in her bedroom wondering. If Max had said yes? Would it change the way she felt? Liz looked at the time on the clock. She thought about waking up Maria to talk but she doubt that she would receive a warm welcome. And besides she wouldn’t get any closure unless she knew for sure.

All of a sudden an idea flashed through her mind and she knew what she had to do and right now, before morning would come and the moment would pass. She got up, pulled some flannel pajama’s over her more skimpy ones and snuck out of her apartment. She silently hoped she would meet no one on the stairs as she ran down one flight and right to the guys’ apartment. The two groups visited each other so often that both knew the code to get into each other’s apartments. She punched it in and slowly pulled the door open.

Liz looked at Max’s bedroom door, it was firmly closed. She knocked very lightly, not wanting to explain herself to Michael or Alex. But it wasn’t loud enough to wake up Max either. She timidly opened the door, and walked inside, closing the door behind her. All of a sudden a wave of panic enveloped her, what was she doing? Sneaking into Max’s bedroom this time of night to demand whether or not he loved her? Was she crazy? She couldn’t head back downstairs now, but she couldn’t do what she planned too. And she didn’t even know what her response if he did love her. It probably wouldn’t even change anything.

“Liz, what are you doing?” came Max’s voice from the bed and Liz looked up nervously. Damn it, all her fidgeting had woken him up.

“I, um…” stammered Liz. “I couldn’t sleep.” she finished, avoiding Max’s glance.

“And you want me to help you with that how?” asked Max, looking up at Liz.

Knowing she might as well do it now, Liz cleared her throat and started, “I just, I needed to know, if you did, you know?” she asked hoping Max would take pity on her and not make her say it. He could just deny it, they could go back to being friends and she could catch up on her sleep. But of course he didn’t take pity on her.

“If I what Liz?” he asked.

“If you are in love with me.” replied Liz, unable to look at Max when she said it.

“Does it matter?” he asked, looking at her. “I mean, you can’t just come in here and put me through this again Liz. Even if you don’t love me, you should at least respect me as a friend.”

“It might matter.” replied Liz, “I mean, I don’t know. Max, I just, I never thought of you as anymore than a friend, you just sprung this date thing on me."

“You don’t know? Liz, how can you not know? You either love someome or you don’t, you either are attracted to someone or not. There’s no maybes.”

‘Am I attracted to Max?’ thought Liz. She had never really thought about that. She supposed in a way she still saw him as the lanky 11 year old kid he was when they had first met. She looked at the guy lying in the bed in front of her. He certainly didn’t have the body of an 11 year old anymore....... Though the sheet covering Max’s body was preventing her from a more thorough inspection.

“Liz?” asked Max, started to get freaked out and slightly aroused by the way she was looking at him.

“I think you’re attractive.” confirmed Liz, almost more shocked by the verdict than Max was. “I mean, I never thought about it before, but you are.”

Max smiled at Liz, he couldn’t believe she had ‘never though about it’, some days she was the only thing on his mind. But he couldn’t help forgiving her. She seemed so innocent and pure standing there, blushing at what she was saying. He couldn’t help but want to make her blush more. “But do you want me?” he asked her, sitting up in bed to catch her response.

“I don’t know. I mean, I do think you’re attractive and I do love you, at least as a friend. I just, Max, this is us.”

“I know.” he said, getting up out of bed and walking over to her. She silently cursed herself for not anticipating that Max wore only boxers to bed. “But maybe we can find out exactly how Elizabeth Parker responds to me.”

“Max” Liz responded breathlessly.

All of a sudden a load noise pierced the quiet room, it shocked Liz so much that she inadvertently grabbed Max’s arm. “It’s just the fire alarm.” he replied, laughing at the frightened look on Liz’s face. The apartment complex was full of students and it was not uncommon for someone to burn popcorn or go out the fire escape at any hour of the night.

“Just?” asked Liz, looking at Max totally spooked. “Max… I didn’t even bring shoes, I have to go outside in slippers.”

“I’m sure lots of people will be too.” he replied, grabbing a pair of pants from his drawer and pulling them on quickly. He grabbed a t-shirt and started to push Liz out the door.

“Max, we can’t go out there.”

“And if we stay in here we could be evicted.”

“But what will..."

Just then Alex pulled the door open. He had expected that Max, a little hungover from the night before, was sleeping through the alarm. The last thing he had expected to see was to see Max up, half-dressed, and trying to push Liz, who was still in her pajama’s, out the door.

“Wow, I guess I will be making my $20.”

End Chapter 3

Hey guys! Thanks so much for all your feedback, hope you all had a wonderful holiday!


Chapter 4…

“What’s taking you guys so long? If this was a real fire we’d be burning to death right now.” came Michael’s voice from the other room. “Oh.” he said, stopping in his tracks as he came around the corner. ‘And Maria didn’t like my idea.’ he thought to himself before breaking out in a huge grin.

“It’s not what you’re thinking.” said Liz, in a vain attempt to defend herself. “We were just talking.” It didn’t help that as she said it her whole face was burning an uncomfortable shade of red. She merely followed them out of the building silently. There was no reason to continue protesting, as no one believed her, hell she didn’t even believe herself. They walked to their designated meeting spot and just stood in awkward silence. “Liz, it’s a nice night, you want to go for a walk around while they clear this up?” asked Max suddenly.

“I guess so.” replied Liz, it didn’t help that Michael was giving her the thumbs up signal, and whispering something she couldn’t discern in Max’s ear. But she might as well go and talk things out now, instead of risk leaving things unsaid. “But Maria is going to be worried about me. Umm… do me a favour and let Maria know I’m okay?” Michael just grinned and told Liz he would do it. He was going to enjoy telling Maria this one. In fact, Alex was eager to procure his winnings from Maria as well.

“So, where do you want to go?” asked Max as they walked away from the group huddled outside the building. “Why not around the gardens?” asked Liz. The campus had a beautifully kept garden full of different kinds of trees and habitats and Liz had spent hours walking through it. She felt comfortable there.

“Sure, but you do realize they are closed this time of day?”

“You’re going to let a little fence keep you out?” Liz teased back. They walked to the edge of the gardens in complete silence. The little fence was a bit more challenging than Liz had counted on. She ended up doing more of a fall then a jump off the other side and now Max was offering his hand to help her up.

“Were you really going to sleep with that girl today?” Liz asked once she was back on her feet. Max let go of her hand, obviously a little shocked by her forwardness.

“Honestly, I don’t know. I was pretty broken up, and pretty drunk.” he felt suddenly ashamed of himself, but then he remembered that it was Liz’s rejection that had driven him to the bar, and it was Liz who should be on trial now, “Why are you glad that I didn’t?”

“Maybe I would have been a little jealous and hurt if you did. But Max, it takes time to fall in love. It takes time to build a friendship. I just don’t want to ruin what we do have on a maybe.”

“Than you aren’t going to give us a chance?” asked Max, again damning the fire alarm. He was sure the look in Liz’s eyes during those moments was going to haunt him forever. The huskiness he had detected in her voice when she said his name. It was going to make it almost impossible for him to go back to just being friends with her.

“Want to climb a tree?” offered Liz, not wanting to say anything definite for the moment. If Max could just let them remain friends for a few moments while she tried to process everything that had happened. And tree climbing was familiar territory for them, they had climbed so many trees together when they were little kids.

“Way to dodge the subject EP.” joked Max, as he watched her tackle the tree in front of her. Liz looked down at Max from the height of the tree, and he couldn’t help pulling himself up on the branch beside her.

“So, me and Mikey had a few words with Kyle. He took back what he said, right in front of everyone.” said Max, hoping Liz would remember. He knew he wouldn’t forget, it was the first time Liz had looked at him like he was her hero. That’s when he had first fallen in love with her. Or at least something like it.

Liz turned to Max and smiled. She had forgotten about the last conversation they had sitting in a tree together. They had been in 8th grade and Kyle Valenti had told everyone that she let him get to third base on their date. Liz had found out and ran up a tree during recess to cry. Max and Michael had taken care of the situation for her and then Max climbed up the tree to tell her those exact words.

“I remember that.” Liz said, but looking down instead of meeting Max’s eyes.

“You didn’t let him did you?” asked Max.

“Max” reproached Liz, as she hit him playfully on the arm. “How could you say that? You would never thought that of me then!”

“There’s lots of things I didn’t think about then.”

“I didn’t let him. I was sweet and innocent.” answered Liz, quickly steering the subject away from what those thoughts included. Not wanting to acknowledge similar thoughts that wanted to creep into her own mind now.

Max smiled at Liz, “And you aren’t still?” He and Liz told each other everything, but there were those things that were strictly reserved for the ears of Maria and Isabel.

Liz coloured slightly, “I guess I am.” she replied, feeling her cheeks burning slightly. They all assumed she had slept with Sean when she was dating him freshman year, and while she had done everything but, that was a line she had never crossed. And that was the reason their relationship had ended. He probably could of have had her, if only he hadn’t pressured her.

“Really?”

“Yes, I’m the big V.” admitted Liz, wondering what was possessing her to tell him this.

“Good for you.” Max managed, not exactly sure what else he should say. He couldn’t help thrilling internally at the thought. Oh how he had hated Sean.

“So, I guess I’m the inexperienced one. Not you.” joked Liz, laughing slightly out of nerves. The gang had always teased Max for being, ‘the one time wonder’ but no one seemed to know just how things had gone down for him.

“Yeah, well.” replied Max. “Sex only messed things up for me.”

“Yeah, I never really understood why you and Tess broke up anyway. You guys seemed like such a cute couple.” They had even been voted cutest couple in their grade 12 yearbook, unfortunately they were given the award post breakup.

It was Max’s turn to feel his cheeks burn. “Well, like I said, sex complicates things.”

“Oh come on Max, spill.” said Liz, forgetting for the moment they were in a tree discussing the status of their relationship, reverting to the comfortable friendship where they told each other everything.

“I forgot her name.”

“You forgot her name? What do you mean?”

“Well, let’s just say, Tess was beautiful, cute, and sweet, everything I thought could make me forget somebody else, but I remembered who I wanted to be with at the worst moment.”

“So what? You…?”

“I pulled a Ross.” admitted Max. He could still see the hurt look on Tess’ face. She had stormed out and never spoken to him again. He knew she didn’t deserve that, but he also knew that Kyle had helped her get over him pretty quickly.

~Meanwhile~

“Michael? Have you seen Liz? Isabel and I couldn’t find her, she wasn’t in her room.” Maria came tearing over to Michael, obviously seriously worried about her friend.

Michael signaled to Alex not to say anything. “Oh yeah, she hooked up with a guy from the bar.”

“What? What are you talking about? Me and Liz headed back shortly after you and Max did.”

“Yeah, well, she met up with a guy later.” Michael was grinning at the look of confusion on Maria’s face.

“Stop messing with me.” said Maria, giving Michael a questioning glare. “I’m really worried about her.”

“Like I said, she hooked up with a guy. She told me to tell you she’s fine.”

“What?” asked Maria, finally Alex took some pity on her.

“She was with Max. Like, with him.” explained Alex.

“What? You guys are pulling my leg.” said Maria. Liz had come home and gone straight to bed. Or at least that’s what Maria had thought.

“When the fire alarm went off I caught her and Max leaving his room.”

“Well, it’s Max & Liz, unless you see them naked ripping off each other clothes who knows what they were doing. Remember the time we thought they were going at it and they were only watching all the Lord of the Rings movies and eating suckers.”

“Wow, you two have issues.” laughed Michael. “But I’m going with Alex here. They looked just way too guilty, and they way they sneaked off together. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re going for the sequel.”

End Chapter 4

Hi everyone. Thank you for all of your feedback!! I had a lot of fun writing this chapter so I hope you all enjoy it as well.

Chapter 5

Liz sat in the tree silent except for the swinging of her legs. “It was my name wasn’t it?” she finally ventured to say. Max merey nodded in reply, and they continued to sit in the tree, in complete silence.

“Well, that must have been awkward for you.” Liz added. She didn’t even know how to go about changing the subject now. But it did explain something, shortly after Max and Tess had broken up Tess had asked her how she was enjoying her benefits. Tess must have assumed they were sleeping together. This also might explain why Tess rushed into a physical relationship with Liz’s ex, Kyle. Yes, she had actually gone on to date him for several months in grade 12 despite his screw up in the 8th grade.

“Yeah, really awkward, kind of like right now.” replied Max. He cursed himself for telling Liz, it was fine to tell her he had recently developed feelings for her, but knowing he had harbored these feelings for years, he didn’t know how she would take that. But then Liz surprised him.

“So, you’ve really never slept with anyone since?” she asked, looking at him fully with her brown eyes.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Well, the first time wasn’t so spectacular I wanted to run and do it again.”

“Too scared you would say my name again?” she said, and Max couldn’t quite discern whether her tone was flirty or threatening. But she was playing hardball, instead of backing down in her usual matter.

“Well, if you would sleep with me I wouldn’t have that problem.” ‘I call you yours, and raise you one’ a little voice mimicked in Max’s head. He might as well put it all on the line now.

Liz merely looked at him, studying his face and he couldn’t help hoping she was liking what she found. “Then I’d be taking Tess’ rejects. I could never stoop that low.”

“I was never Tess’ in the first place.”

“Oh big man now. You used to follow her around like a puppy dog.”

“What about you and Sean? You’d jump on his back when your little legs got too tired.”

And then Liz did something unexpected. She burst out laughing, unfortunately her first instinct was to cover her mouth, and she ended up losing her balance on the tree branch. The branch was sloped downward, so her petite body went crashing into Max. Max was so shocked, he let go of the branch to catch Liz and they both ended up rolling down the tree trunk unto the ground. Max ended up sprawled on the ground and Liz was face down sprawled on top of him. Liz tried to get off him but she was finding it a difficult task to do while battling a laughing fit. Max quickly put his arm around her to prevent her from pulling herself up and away from him, when she looked at him questioningly he used his other hand to tuck the hair in her face behind her ear.

“Are you going to let me up?”

“Well, the way I see it I just broke your fall. So I think you owe me.”

“Oh do I?” asked Liz, her eyes challenging Max.

“Yes. I mean, I have roots digging into my back, there’s not way I can let you get away without paying your toll.”

“But I don’t have any money.” said Liz, playing along with the game much to Max’s delight.

“Then I guess you’ll have to supply me with services instead.”

“I’m sorry Mr. Evans, I’m just not that kind of girl.” replied Liz, in her best Victorian manner.

“Well, desperate times call for desperate measures Miss Parker.”

“Yeah, I might just have to knee you in the groin.” said Liz, trying to raise her legs threateningly.

“Ouch, and I know you’ll do it too.” replied Max. The group of friends had been playing baseball one day and Liz had been up to bat. Unfortunately she was so excited when she had actually hit a ball out of the in field that she threw her bat quickly, hitting Michael unexpectedly in the groin. He had refused to play pitcher for them ever again.

“Then I would recommend you let me go if you want to keep your privates.”

“Is that what you really want?”

“Max, stop trying to seduce me.” replied Liz, unsure if Max was asking if she wanted away from him or his privates.

“Is it working?”

“No.” replied Liz, while her head screamed ‘yes’. It had been a long time since she was this close to a guy. She couldn’t help warming up to his body, he certainly was toned in all the right places.

“Then you might as well just kiss me and I’ll let you go.” Damn, he was calling her bluff.

“There they are, I told you they were in here.” came a voice all of a sudden from behind the tree.

Liz was startled by the voice but Max stood firm, holding her in his arms. “Max.” she hissed, but he only smiled at the look on her face. “What if it’s a security guard?” she pleaded.

Suddenly Alex and Maria were upon them, but Max still held Liz firmly in his arms. “See, I do win.” Alex replied, but Maria merely looked at them in front of her.

“They’re still dressed.” she asserted. “So, you know, friends hug.”

“When they are lying down?” asked Alex, gesturing to the two friends on the ground.

“Sometimes.”

“You and Michael do something we should know about?” asked Alex, glaring at Maria.

Max finally let Liz go and she stood up beside them, with her arms crossed in front of her. “What exactly are you two doing?”

“Trying to figure out if you two are together or not.” answered Maria, “We have a bet on it.” she explained, causing Liz to glare at them.

“So you two go around trying to catch your friends in the act?”

“Hey chica, I didn’t think you were together, so it’s Alex here who wanted to find you and Max ‘in the act’ as you say. Not that I’m not routing for you two kids, but if you could hold off a month or so that would be great.”

Max stood up, visibly annoyed with the interruption. “You guys really don’t need to be here. If we ever get together we’ll tell you. It’s not necessary for there to be witnesses.”

“So you’re not?” asked Alex. “But what about this morning?”

“Liz just came up to talk. Friends talk.” Max almost barked at Alex. Away from the intoxicating effects of Liz his tiredness and hangover were beginning to bear on him.

“You know he wouldn’t be so grumpy if you would just give him some.” suggested Maria, smiling at Liz who wasn’t in the mood to joke with Maria. Sure she could sleep with him tonight, but would it mean anything to her in the morning? Or would it just be a lonely girl taking advantage of a good friend?

“Maria, I think I need some as much as he does.” Liz burst out. “But I’m not just going to sleep with him. It wouldn’t be right.”

“I’d be okay with that.” asserted Max.

“Max, I’m not just going to sleep with you because I want too. You’re in love with me. It’s not right unless I’m sure that I love you back.”

“Oh great, she can’t sleep with me because I love her. And you wonder why I was at the bar this evening.”

“Max, go and find some random girl if that’s what you want. But I don’t sleep with random people.” retorted Liz.

“Am I’m just some random guy to you Liz?” asked Max, his angry righteousness making him suddenly even more attractive to Liz. Alex and Maria watched as Liz walked over to Max and whispered something in his ear.

“Okay then.” he said to Liz, before turning to the others, “Come on, let’s all head back.” and Max quickly shepherded his three friends back to the apartment complex.

End Chapter 5

Thanks again everyone for all of your wonderful feedback! This will be the last part of the story, I hope you all enjoy...

Chapter 6

“Maria and Isabel are going out on a double date tomorrow night.” The words echoed in Max’s mind, well, not so much the words, but the tone Liz had used telling him. If both of her roommates were gone, well, that left Liz all by her lonesome.

Max looked at the clock, he had gone back to his apartment and slept until 4 pm missing all of his classes. Not that he would have been able to focus in class anyway, at least not on the subjects being taught. He wondered what time the girls would be leaving on their date. They would probably go out for supper or something, so that meant 7 pm at the latest. Unless they just went to a movie, then they might not leave till 8 pm or so.

Max managed to wait until 6:15 pm, when his impatience caused him to wander up to the girls’ apartment. He was about to knock on the door when Isabel came out with a guy beside her. “Hey Max, what are you doing here?” asked Isabel, smiling at her brother. “Not much.” he replied, wishing he had waited just a few minutes more. “You guys going out for supper?”

“Well, we were planning on it, but we hit a snag.” replied Isabel, rolling her eyes.

Max was about to ask ‘what kind of snag?’ when he heard a yell coming from inside. “Isabel Evans what in the world possessed you to set me up with Michael? Is this some kind of sick joke?”

“You think I’m happy about this.” grumbled Michael, sitting on the girl’s lazy boy and rocking vehemently. “Isabel told me I was going to get to go out with her hot friend.”

“I am hot.” fumed Maria from her bedroom. “I am plenty hot. Good enough for you anyway.” she said, sticking her head out to glare at Michael. As if he had put Isabel up to it.

“Hey now, I’ve had many a girl complement me on my superior derriere.” retorted Michael, Maria had a lot of nerve getting mad at him for this. It was Isabel who had planned the whole thing. He hoped Maria didn’t think he wanted to date her.

“Isabel?” asked Max, wondering why her sister would attempt such a stunt.

“I thought they would be perfect for each other. They both run so hot and cold.”

“But you actually thought you could set them up on a date together and they would go happily?” asked Max.

“Hey, don’t underestimate me Max, I have a perfect plan to get them to go now. All thanks to you.” she said smiling at him again. This was not a good sign.

Alex had offered Isabel $20 if she could get Michael and Maria to go out on a date and Isabel hated to lose anything. She walked back into the apartment living room, and noticed that Maria had come out of her bedroom, sat down opposite Michael, and was glaring at him from time to time. I hope this works, she thought to herself.

“Well, guys, Max is here now, so you might as well stay here sitting on your asses, hanging out like you do every night, because you wouldn’t want to be rude and leave Max and Liz here all alone to figure out what to do with themselves.”

Maria and Michael glared at each other for a few seconds, until Michael burst out into a sly grin. “Well, now that you think about it, I guess Maria is hot.” he conceded.

“Yeah, and Michael does have a nice ass.” chirped in Maria. “At least above average.” she added when she noticed the amused look on his face.

“Well then, we might as well give this a shot. I’m sure we’ve both had worst dates.” agreed Michael. He couldn’t let Max down and it wasn’t like he didn’t enjoy hanging out with Maria as friends.

Isabel winked at Max as their two friends picked themselves off of the couch and headed out the door with her. “There, I worked the impossible, now it’s your turn.” she said as she closed the door.

Max walked over to the door and locked it. Then on second thought he found a door stop and shoved it under the door. Then he walked into the living room and pulled the lazy boy into the kitchen and shoved it in front of the apartment door. No one was getting in unexpectedly now.

“Liz.” he called, suddenly wondering if she was even in the apartment.

“In my bedroom.” he heard Liz call from the other side of the apartment and he quickly walked over to the door, knocking on it softly.

“Yes?” came her inquisitive reply.

“Can I come in?” he asked, his fingers already on the doorknob.

“Not yet.” she replied. “I’ve just got out of the shower a few minutes ago. I didn’t expect you to come up so soon.”

“Sorry, I’m not very patient.” replied Max, as he lightly tapped on Liz’s door, slightly hoping she hadn’t fully latched it as he fought images of Liz fresh from the shower.

“You’ve waited so long though.” Liz pointed out to him, and she quickly pulled a t-shirt on with her skirt. It wasn’t the most elegant outfit, but it would have to do.

“Well, I wasn’t certain of success then.” Max pointed out as Liz opened the door. Her hair was wet and she was wearing a simple black skirt with a cute t-shirt. Max thought she never looked so beautiful.

“What makes you so confident?” asked Liz, grinning at her friend despite herself. Max always could make her smile.

“The girl I’m after thinks I’m sexy.” he pointed out. Liz giggled at Max’s attempts to pose like a muscle man, but suddenly she reverted into her serious face.

“What makes you think that’s enough?” asked Liz. She looked to Max for the simple answer she had failed to see.

“It isn’t, but she’s also my best friend.” he stated, looking at Liz straight in the eye.

Liz held Max’s gaze few moments and suddenly it dawned on her, she wasn’t going to fall in love with Max Evans. She already was.

“You’re my best friend too.” she replied, hugging him. She felt so comfortable in his arms, she laid her head gently beside on his shoulder and hid her face in the crook of his neck so he couldn’t look at her beautiful face.

“You’re shy?” he asked her.

“I feel so complete here.” she answered, surprised at how good this felt. She had to admit she had invited him there that evening in a moment of weakness in order to fulfill her more carnal desires, but now, this was so much more, like she had finally fallen into the place where she really belonged. “But this is sort of overwhelming to me.” she admitted.

“In a good way or a bad way?”

“A good way.”

“Good.” he said, as he gently pecked her on the cheek. “There, I finally did it.” he gloated and Liz giggled at his proclamation.

“Maybe you’ll get to do more than that tonight.” she added, sitting down on her bed, looking up at him like he was something even better than a hero. Hey, just because she had found love was no reason to skimp on those more carnal desires. Certainly not.

“Only if you want to.” he said, smiling at her. “But first I have to know, are you in love with me?”

Liz began to nod in response, but Max wouldn’t even let her get the words out of her mouth before he was covering it with his. He had waited too long for this moment, and he couldn’t wait a second more, and he certainly wasn’t going to give her any time to change her mind.

~ 6 hours later~

“Holy shit, they locked me out!” shrieked Maria, jiggling the handle and trying to get the door to her apartment open. Michael and Maria had ended up going to the university bar, just hanging out, drinking and dancing, while Isabel went on her date as planned. Maria tried to get the door open again, but it wouldn’t budge. She reluctantly headed down stairs.

“Michael?” came Maria’s loud voice as she pounded on the door to the guys’ apartment. “Shush Maria.” came Alex’s voice as he opened the door. “Isabel had the same problem. She’s crashing in Max’s room, so I guess you can have the futon if you want it. What were you guys up too? Michael came back and just fell into his bed.”

~The Next Morning~

“How the hell did I get in your room?” Maria’s voice drifted into the kitchen from Michael’s bedroom.

“You owe me $20.” giggled Isabel from the kitchen, as she and Alex were busy whipping up some hangover food for their friends. Alex reluctantly handed it over to her. ‘Oh well’ he thought, ‘you win some, you lose some.’

THE END