The Devil Inside (AU M&L CC ADULT) (Complete)

[WR]

Winner Round 12


Tess and Liz


The Devil Inside

Disclaimer: Characters that appeared in the series, the books are not mine. Belong to Melinda Metz, UPN, etc, etc. 'One Of These Nights' is owned by The Eagles.

Category: AU. No Aliens. M&L. Any other parings will be CC.

Rating: ADULT

Author's note: As always, a big thank you to my Beta team. BelevnDreamsToo and Smac. They give me the confidence to write and more importantly, to post. Thank you girls. I hope fate smiles on me one day and allows me to treat you both to dinner. A special thank you to RosDude for his help with the manip for my Banner.

Summary: She was the High School sweetheart. The Perfect Parker. Little did they know...


CAUTION: Like "Parisienne Walkways", this will contain scenes of an ADULT Nature. If you do not like this sort of thing, or you are under 18, or you are not allowed to read this where you live, then please stop here.






One of these nights
One of these crazy old nights
We're gonna find out
Pretty mama
What turns on your lights
The full moon is calling
The fever is high
And the wicked wind whispers
And moans

You got your demons
You got desires
Well, I got a few of my own

Oo, someone to be kind to in
Between the dark and the light
Oo, coming right behind you
Swear I'm gonna find you
One of these nights

One of these dreams
One of these lost and lonely dreams
We're gonna find one
One that really screams

I've been searching for the daughter
Of the devil himself
I've been searching for an angel in white
I've been waiting for a woman who's a little
Of both
And I can feel her but she's nowhere
In sight

Oo, loneliness will blind you
In between the wrong and the right
Oo, coming right behind you
Swear I'm gonna find you
One of these nights

One of these nights
In between the dark and the light
Coming right behind you
Swear I'm gonna find you
Get 'ya baby one of these nights
One of these nights
One of these nights
I can feel it
I can feel it
One of these nights
Coming right behind you
Swear I'm gonna find you now
One of these nights...

Eagles,
One of These Nights



Chapter 1

With a smile on her face and a spring in her step, Elizabeth Parker, 'Liz' to her friends, walked confidently along the hallways of West Roswell High School. Known to the school body as "Perfect Parker", she would smile sweetly at everyone and return any greeting made to her, even when she did not actually know the greeter.

"Hello," she smiled, almost non-stop. "Hiya. Hey, how are you?"

Liz was one of the most popular people at West Roswell and a sweeter girl a person could not wish to meet. She was the girl that every parent wanted their daughters to be like and their sons to date. She was West Roswell High's sweetheart.


Liz walked along the bank of lockers and stopped at the very end, in front of the last one with half of a huge red heart pasted to the doorway. She fed her combination to the dial and popped her locker open, adding the books she did not need for the next few lessons. When she swung the door closed, she nearly jumped in shock when a face appeared almost in front of her.

"Tess!" she squeaked.

"Hey, girl," Tess grinned. "D'ja miss me?"

"Of course I did," Liz grinned. "No one trying to get me into trouble with my parents. What's not to miss? So, how was your Spring Break?"

"It was..." Tess's eyes went faraway. "Liz, you really should have come. Wall to wall guys. Hot as you like. Not that I was looking, of course. Me and Reggie must have spent most of the time in the hotel room having the hottest sex. I wish you were there."

"I hope you don't mean that literally," Liz smirked. "I don't think I would be into three ways."

"Might be fun," Tess grinned with a shrug of her shoulders.


Blonde hair, blue eyes and big breasted, Tess was almost the physical opposite to Liz's long dark locks pulled back into a ponytail, big brown eyes and comparatively smaller breasts. They were both, however, short. Tess was five feet two to Liz's five feet three and one half. Liz had often commented that this was the only place she had any advantage over her best friend.

Their polar opposite attributes didn't end on the physical level, either. Where Liz would say hello and smile at anyone who greeted her, where Liz would treat everyone like a friend, Tess tended to just ignore them. She could play the Ice Princess with the best of them. And while Tess struggled somewhat with her lessons, Liz was on the honor roll, an attendee of many AP classes and a shoe-in for valedictorian.

As Tess had often commented, "With a body like mine, who needs brains?"


And it certainly worked for her. Tess was never without a boyfriend; in fact her current beau was a member of probably the third wealthiest family in Chaves County. She really thought that this was 'the one', but then, she had thought the same about the one prior to this.

Tess was confident in every way. She knew how to wear the latest fashions to their best advantage, and she always did. She moved almost sensuously, with little effort. The guys of West Roswell High could only turn and stare at her, their tongues hanging out. Liz knew that her friend had been sexually active since she had turned fifteen. Liz didn't think that Tess slept around, though. She hoped that Tess only had sex with her boyfriends, and she had only had three of those since she had given up her virginity.


While Liz certainly dated, occasionally - very occasionally - she had not yet given her virginity to anyone. This was in spite of Tess's best efforts, who claimed that sex was the best thing she had discovered since she had given up her Bratz dolls. Tess regularly tried to set Liz up with guys she felt sure would make Liz take that last step into her growing sexuality.

"Just find a guy who's fit and hot and experienced and let him take care of the rest," Tess had winked as they shared a tub of Ben and Jerry's Karamel Sutra Ice Cream the night before she departed on her Spring Break adventure with her boyfriend. Tess had thought the flavor appropriate. "That's what I did. Oliver James, Pam Troy's fifteenth birthday party."


* * *


"That explains why you're still as pale as me," Liz shook her head. "If you spent the whole Spring Break in bed, banging like bunnies."

"As pale as you?" Tess widened her eyes. "You look like you have a tan all year round. I would sell my soul to have your coloring. You are 'sooo' pretty, babe! But you know, if you had come on break with me, you could have persuaded me to come sunbathing with you. I could have helped you pull." She thought for a moment. "Or maybe not. Maybe you would have spent as much time on your back as I did."

"Well, you know that Dad would never have let me go," Liz shook her head. "Especially since I'm not eighteen yet."

"Which you are tomorrow," Tess's eyes sparkled dangerously. "Tomorrow, you are no longer a minor."

"Can you not say that so loudly?" Liz pressed her hand over Tess's mouth. "I so do not want the jocks trying to give me the bumps. I have gone through twelve years of school keeping my birthday a secret."

"The guys giving you the bumps might be fun," Tess winked. "Make sure you wear a short skirt with that hot thong I bought you."

"I am wearing jeans!" Liz exclaimed. "And if so much as one person finds out..."

"Relax," Tess held her hands up. "Not a word." She moved her hand across her mouth as though closing a zip fastener. "Oh! You know what? I had a totally awesome idea last night," she grinned. "And it was so totally awesome, I really can't believe I didn't think of it before because we both know I always have the totally awesomist ideas ever."

"Awesomist?" Liz raised a single eyebrow. "I doubt that I would find that word in any dictionary."

"It's in mine," Tess shrugged. "So do you want to hear my idea or not?"

"Is this anything like the time you thought it would be so cool for us to sneak into that Chippendales dancers show thing?" Liz's eyes narrowed. "Cause if you will remember, my Dad grounded me for a whole month after that fiasco."

"Oh, Liz," Tess rolled her eyes. "But that was how I met Vaughn. And he was the one who got us the fake ID's so we could get our navel's pierced. And if you hadn't chickened out, you could have had a killer tat, just like mine."

"The piercing was enough, Tess," Liz shook her head as she turned away from her lockers. "And that hurt for freaking weeks! And I am so not into marking my body permanently."

"What about temporarily?" Tess chuckled as she hurried to join Liz at her side.

"How do you mean?" She looked sideways. "Temporary tattoo, you mean?"

"Do hickeys count as tattoos?" Tess wondered out loud. "'Cause I was thinking, Friday night, we can use those fake ID's to get us into..."

"No, no, no, no, no," Liz shook her head fiercely. "As much as I might... 'might' like to loose my virginity, I am not going to some pickup dive with you. I am not going to let some random stranger maul me like I'm some kind of piece of meat. And I most definitely am not going to let said stranger have sex with me!"

"I never said any of that," Tess blinked. "I'm not suggesting..."

"No?" Liz stopped at the intersection in the hall that would take them separate directions: Liz to her AP Biology and Tess to her History.

"Well... the bar, yes. And he's not so much a stranger as Reggie's best friend. He saw a pic of you and thinks you're a total babe. And he's, like, totally hot and if you like him, then..."

"You're setting me up with your boyfriend's friends again?" Liz gaped.

"It's up to you if you want to get up to anything, Liz," Tess just shrugged. "Just come out Friday night and have a drink. You'll be eighteen then. Just 'cause you 'look' like you're fifteen doesn't mean you have to 'act' like you're fifteen." She turned up the hallway. "See you later in Gym."

"I do not look fifteen!" Liz called to Tess as she hurried up the half-deserted hallway.


* * *


"I 'do' look fifteen," Liz Parker pouted.

She was standing in front of one of the long mirrors in the girl's locker room, examining her reflection. Having just emerged from the shower, she was wet and naked. Catching sight of herself in the mirror, she stopped to examine herself. Although firm, her breasts were only the size of small oranges. Her figure, was slender, trim and curvy, but was no way voluptuous like those of her friends. The hair on her pubic mound was soft and very fine, the only visible evidence that it was there at all was a thin light brown line of down that ran for about an inch and a half from the soft and plump lips of her labia. A silver, cubic zircona studded pin protruded from her navel. At least that made her 'appear' older.

"What's up, babe?" Pam Troy, another of her friends asked in passing.

Liz was not normally one to preen in front of a mirror, so when her friend spotted her contemplating her own reflection, she knew it was not for the sake of vanity.

"How old do I look to you?" Liz wrapped her towel around her and turned to face her friend.

"Seventeen," Pam narrowed her eyes. "Eighteen, maybe. At a pinch."

"No," Liz shook her head and returned to her reflection. "If you didn't know me, how old would you say I was?"

"Why?" Pam blinked in confusion. "What's brought this on?"

"Cause I teased her this morning," Tess chuckled as she stepped from the shower, wrapping a towel around her more fulsome figure. "Relax, Liz. You're gorgeous. Any guy would love to rub hiw body up and down against that. All you got to do is decide who and when. If not Reggie's friend, Friday night, then someone else. Some when else. Heck, I hear Kyle is after you, still. But hopefully you'll get laid before we graduate. Who wants to graduate while still a virgin?"

"Maybe I do," Liz whispered, heading for her clothes.

"Anyway, gotta dash!" Tess called as she hurriedly dressed. "See ya tomorrow, Liz."

"She not coming to cheerleading practice tonight?" Liz frowned as she turned to Pam getting dressed next to her.

"No," Pam shook her head with a wry grin. "Detention. Again."

"What did she do this time?" Liz dropped her shoulders and rolled her eyes.

"She was caught teasing a group of jocks," Pam shrugged. "You know, pretending that she had no idea that they could see up her skirt while she paraded herself around the library. Another detention and another letter for her folks."

"Damn," Liz shook her head. "She really knows how to tease the guys."


* * *


"Hey, Liz," someone called to her as she made her way from her US Government class to her Spanish.

"Oh, hey, Kyle," she looked up and smiled at Roswell High's star pitcher. "How are you? Looking forward to the game?"

Roswell had an important game coming up. They were one win away from qualifying for the State Championships for the first time in over twenty-five years.

"Always," his eyes sparkled. "And just so you know? I look forward to watching the cheerleaders, too. When I'm not pitching... or batting, I'm watching you. Watching your every move when you go through your cheer routines."

"Oh," Liz blushed. "You know, that just makes me feel so..."

"Special?" the jock waggled his eyebrows.

"Yeah," Liz giggled. "That's what it makes me feel. Well, that, and stalked."

"I'm not stalking you," Kyle chuckled. "And just so you know... you make me feel special, too. Special horny."

"T. M. I., Valenti," Liz shook her head. "I so did not want to know that. But I have to wonder if all the guys in the showers afterwards think that your reaction is for their benefit, huh?"

"Nah," he shook his head. "They all watch you, too. They all sport woodies of their own."

"Eeeew," Liz wrinkled her nose. "That's just... sick."

"Well, I know how to make them stop."

"Uh, huh," Liz raised a quizzical eyebrow. "And how's that?"

"Agree to come out with me Friday night," he shrugged. "As my girl, no one else is allowed to have thoughts like that about you."

"You mean like on a date?" she widened her eyes.

"You know I mean like on a date," Kyle nodded. "Like I've been asking you every week since Christmas."

"Uh, not every week," Liz shook her head. "I recall you missed a week around Valentines."

"In my defense," Kyle shrugged. "I wasn't feeling well that Friday. So how about it?"

"Not feeling well?" Liz 's eyebrows arched together. "I could have sworn you were caught screwing Vicky Delany in the flatbed of her pickup during the party at the soap factory."

"Yeah," Kyle nodded. "I must have been real sick to have been caught like that. I normally hear people approaching."

"Oh, you know what?" Liz hoped she sounded mournful "I already agreed to do something with Tess."

"Figures," Kyle sighed. "But one day, you and me will get it together and you are so gonna regret all this wasted time."

"Looking forward to the day," Liz grinned back. "I go this way."

"What about Prom?" Kyle called to her, just as she vanished into her classroom.

He shook his head while watching the empty hallway.

"Damn," he cursed. "I bet she's a fucking dynamo in bed. It's always the quiet ones you gotta watch."


* * *


For the second time that day, Liz found herself in the girl's locker room, changing this time into her cheerleading outfit of black and gold.

"Come on, Parker!" Isabel Evans called to her as she was leaving. "It's bad enough that we're missing Harding. Get your butt in to gear!"

Head cheerleader of West Roswell, Isabel Evans out ice-princessed them all. In fact, compared to every other ice-princess, Isabel was the Ice-Queen. She had the disdainful look that could wither the male student population with just once glance. The most confident of womanizers would slither away after she had given him her 'look'. Even Kyle Valenti avoided her. She was tall and blonde with a full bodied figure. If she had put her mind to it, Isabel could easily have become a top model. Every male at West Roswell wanted to date her. Many did, although only once. She was, in Liz's eyes, the epitome of female perfection. And Liz was so jealous of her.

In spite of calling her by her surname, Parker, Isabel and Liz were actually good friends. They had grown up together but where Liz's path took her deeper into academia, Isabel seemed to get involved in almost every non-academic extra curricular activity going. They still maintained their friendship, especially as they both shared the joy of cheerleading, but they did not hang out around one another's houses any more.

"Coming, Isabel," Liz finished tying her sneakers and hurried out to the quad to join her fellow cheerleaders where Isabel would torture them incessantly until they got the latest routine into some semblance of organization.


* * *


"Oh, Liz," Isabel called to her just before she left the locker room, heading for home and her shift at her father's diner, the Crashdown Café. "I need to ask you something."

"Isabel," Liz rolled her eyes. "The answer is still no, I haven't found a date to bring to your eighteenth birthday party, yet. You know I..."

"That wasn't what I was going to ask you," Isabel giggled. "But since you brought it up... why not?"

"It's your day, Iz," Liz shook her head. "And it's only a pool party. I will probably dance a little with some of the single guys... but I don't want to bring someone who might get the wrong idea... and..."

"If you wear a one piece, Liz," Isabel waggled her finger, "I'm making you wear one of my old bikinis. And I think your own bikinis might be preferable because I use to get a kick out of shocking my brother's friends."

"TMI," Liz shook her head. "And okay. I'll wear a bikini. Now if it wasn't about that, what did you want to ask me?"

"I was wondering if you could help me out of a crisis?"

"Sure, Isabel," Liz nodded as she fixed her damp hair into a ponytail. "What's up?"

"Well, you know Alex Whitman asked me out Friday night, right?"

"Oh!" Liz's eyes lit up with a huge smile. "I didn't know that. When did this happen and why wasn't I told about it?"

"Oh, well, he asked me on Sunday, I said yes right away," Isabel grinned. "But I bet it's killing him now, having to wait until Friday."

"Yeah," Liz nodded. "He probably thought you were going to say no, or that maybe you would think about it. He's had the biggest thing for you since forever," Liz giggled.

"Well, I was only aware of it since Christmas," Isabel smirked. "Anyway... the thing is, I had already agreed to baby-sit that night, and I can't let him down and neither do I want to let Alex down... so I was wondering..."

"If I would go on your date with Alex for you?" Liz's eyes danced with mirth.

"No," Isabel rolled her eyes and slapped Liz on her shoulder. A friendly slap. "I was wondering if you could cover me for babysitting?"

"Sure," Liz nodded. "Who, where and when?"

"Friday night, like I said," Isabel broke into a huge grin. "You need to be there at seven. The house is up on Roswell Heights."

"Aren't those the big houses up in the hills," Liz looked toward the east with wide eyes. "The expensive ones?"

"Overlooking Roswell, right," Isabel nodded.

"Big tipper?" Liz grinned.

"He certainly gives me big tips," Isabel grinned. "If he knows what's good for him. I expect he will give you fifty bucks minimum. It's for my brother, and no way would I entrust the safety of my four year old nephew to just anyone."

"Your brother?" Liz's eyes flew wide. "I didn't even know he was back in Roswell."

"Yeah," Isabel nodded. "He moved back a month ago. I guess I just forgot to tell you. I forgot that you had a huge crush on him."

"I did not have a crush on him," Liz blushed. "And anyway, I was like, eight years old when he went to College and never saw him again."

"Yeah," Isabel nodded. "You always seemed to be in Florida when he came home for the holidays. So will you do it?"

"Sure," Liz nodded.

"Thank you so much," Isabel grabbed both her wrists and smiled. "I'll call him and let him know the change of plans."


* * *

"Hey, Alex," Liz waved at Alex Whitman, one of her oldest friends.

They were both walking across the school parking lot.

"Liz Parker," Alex smiled. "How did cheerleading go?"

"It went well," she smiled. "And Baseball? Did you practice your scoring?"

"Hey," he pouted. "Someone has to keep score. And it's no easy job. And how would Kyle 'The Babe Magnet' Valenti like it if I put an error on his number by accident when it should have gone against first base?"

"Yeah," Liz nodded. "I can see how getting something like that wrong could affect the whole outcome of the game."

"And speaking of babe magnets, I heard he asked you out early in the week for a change."

"How did you know?" Liz narrowed her eyes.

"Guys talk in the locker room," Alex shrugged. "I listen. According to Kyle, it's a done deal."

"Is it?" Liz laughed. "Good job I already had a great excuse lined up, then. Tess wants me to go on a blind date with her boyfriend's best friend."

"A college guy?" Alex narrowed his eyes. "You know he's going to expect a little something-something, right? You should steer clear of older guys, Liz."

"Well, as it happens, I am going to have to stand Tess up, too," Liz gave Alex a sideways glance. "On account of a certain person not able to baby-sit for her brother because someone finally asked her out on a date."

"God, yeah," Alex looked surprised. "I never even dreamed she would say yes."

"How come I had to find out from her?" Liz tried to look offended. "She said you asked her on Sunday."

"Maybe 'cause I still can't believe it?" Alex grinned.

"It's about time," Liz shook her head. "I'm starting to think that you and I are the only virgins in the senior year.

"Well," Alex blushed. "Actually..."

"Alex!" Liz exclaimed. "How come I do not know this? How come you have kept something this important from me? When? With whom?"

"Uh... Peter Reid's Christmas Party, Jennifer Detweiller. And if you tell a living soul, I will excommunicate you from our friendship. Anyway," he caught sight of Isabel. "Catch you later, okay?"

"God!" Liz pouted as he hurried away. "Maybe Tess is right. Maybe I should just pick a guy and go for it."


* * *


"So, Isabel's brother is back in town, huh?" Tess did not sound too excited as she sat in the booth at the diner. Liz had just told her that she would not be going to the bar after all. "And with a wife and kid, if you can believe that."

"Yeah," Liz nodded. "I mean, we're talking ten years. Plenty of time to get married and start a family."

"Remember when you used to have that crush on him?" Tess giggled.

"I was eight years old!" Liz rolled her eyes. "And he was like, seventeen or eighteen and about to go off to college."

"You know, even then, he was like, the nerdiest nerd going," Tess grinned. "Skinny, glasses... those hair cuts of his! I wonder how he managed to bag himself a wife? She's probably as big a nerd as he is."

"Tess," Liz started to laugh. "I always thought he was sweet. He was always nice to me."

"Everyone is always nice to you, Liz," Tess rolled her eyes. "And of course you thought he was sweet. You had a crush on him. But he was still a nerd."

"Well," she huffed. "You mustn't say mean things like that."

"Mean things like what?" Stacey Scheinen, another friend slid into the booth with Tess.

"We were talking about Isabel's brother," Tess smirked. "You remember him? Nerd?"

"Who could forget," Stacey nodded. "Even when we were eight, we all knew he was a nerd. Talk about your stereotypical... How can someone looking like that come from the same gene pool as Frosty herself? Didn't you use to have a thing for him, Liz?"

"I. Was. Eight. Years. Old." Liz bit through her teeth.

"And you were kind of a nerd yourself," Stacy nodded, laughing at Liz's antics. "I mean, technically, you are a nerd still. What do you call a female nerd?"

"No," Tess shook her head. "Liz is way too pretty to be a nerd."

"What is up with everyone today?" Liz gasped. "Why is everyone discussing what I do and do not look like?"

"Just want to see you live up to your potential, babe," Tess shrugged. "If you don't get your skates on... or your panties off..." she started to giggle, "you're going to be the only virgin on that podium come graduation. And Liz? If Donna Gruntz and Hilda Pratt can get laid, what does that say for you?"

"That she's frigid?" Stacey laughed.


* * *


"So what did you want to do that for?" Tess shook her head. "Agreeing to baby-sit for the nerd. I was so looking forward to doubling with you. Reggie's friend will be so disappointed."

"He'll live," Liz shook her head. "And it's not like he was ever going to get any. As for why I am doing this? Easy. Mas dinero. Isabel said he would pay me a minimum of fifty bucks."

"But you are a cinch to get a full scholarship, Liz," Tess shook her head. "And your parents are loaded. I mean, you can only spend so much, you know?"

"Do you really think I want to be dependent on my parents?" Liz shook her head. "No chance. I so do not need to live with the threat of them cutting off my allowance."

"Well, okay," Tess huffed. "But remember that you owe me, okay? I'll see if I can arrange something for Saturday night."


* * *

[WR]

Oh, wow!

4 pages of feedback!!!

I think that I am going to forego my normal individual responses and try to make general responses to comments that are similar to each others. I want to thank you all, individually, but I will just list your names with the single response, but will try to be more 'wordy' with specific questions and comments. Okay? Sound okay?


clueless -
Alien614 -
flyawayraven -
RosAngBuf -
Natalie36 -
raemac -
dreamerbabylioness -
pookie76 -
ILuvMaxEvans -
Dreamer4Ever -
ShatteredDreamer - Thank you. Glad you liked it.

LairaBehr4 - Lol - her friends are not supposed to sound like they are bad friends, just typically vaporish airhead. lol. I needed to differentiate between Liz, a typical good girl, and Tess, a good time girl, with 'some' morals

behrlyliz - LOL - Are you suggesting that Max will seduce his babysitter?

pandas2001 -
ShadolynxbehrLOL -
condusedfool - yeah. I think so too

hazz - carefull what you say arounf "this" older man :twisted:

Gaby7tvm - Yeah, TMI. But thanks for sharing I hope you meet your 25 year old Max soon.

sprayadhesive - Yeah, pretty much telegraphing the plot, what what the heck

frenchkiss70 - Depends who you hope Isabel's brother is - the one who has a child that needs babysitting and ipso facto, a signifigant other... hmmmm.....

Emz80m - Actually, Em. I can't believe you haven't written a story like this lol.

Cocogurl 'twould appear so.

begonia9508 - Maybe she needs the right motivation.

Erina - Wow. I post a new story and it takes you 2 days to find out? Shame!

aussietrueblue - seems quite a few people do not like the idea of Liz being a home wrecker.

L-J-L 67 - Well, clearly, "IF" it is Max she is going to babysit for, then he has a son, and therefore, there must be a partner involved... What will happen whrn they see each other? What do you think might happen? Oh, and why would Liz go to Isabel's house to babysit Isabel's nephew? Surely she would go to said nephew's house???

Ms_Capeside - Always try to be different. If it isn;t something new, then I won;t write it.

smokie - At leasy I won;t have to write to you, begging you to read this one, huh? What's that? Not going to let you live that one down? Me?? Yes, I needed Tess to play the corrupting influence. LOL.

There is a recurring joke appearing through the next few chapters. I hope my younger readers understand it. See the link at the end if you miss it (the joke).

The Devil Inside


Chapter 2


"'Morning, munchkin," Jeff Parker greeted his only daughter as she breezed into the kitchen.

The week had rolled by and Friday morning had arrived.

"Dad," she rolled her eyes. "How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that anymore? Especially since I have been eighteen for almost a week now."

"Three whole days, you mean," Jeff grinned. "But I'll get back to you on that one. Might need a bigger calculator. What do you want for breakfast?"

"The usual," she smiled.

"Cornflakes and milk it is," he chuckled. "Your tastes sure are simple. Coffee?"

"Sure," she nodded. "And some juice. Did you get someone to cover my shift tonight?"

"I did," Jeff nodded, placing a cup of coffee and a glass of OJ in front of her. "And someone to cover mine, too."

"You have a date?" Liz's eyes widened.

Her parents had divorced a few years ago when Liz's mom had decided to take up with one of the town's resident Rock and Roll singers. The court had agreed with Jeff when it came to custody and decided that the disruption of moving across town and having a stepfather coming home in the small hours of the morning was not what Liz or her education needed. In fact, it had been Isabel's father who had represented her father.

"Nope," Jeff grinned. "Training for the big game."

"What big game is that?" she narrowed her eyes.

As far as Roswell was concerned, there was only one big game. The one Kyle would be pitching while Liz cheered from the sidelines.

"The Alumni's Game," Jeff shrugged. "We might have a chance this year."

To help raise money for the high school, it had become a tradition to hold celebration of the graduating class by organizing a picnic on the Saturday after graduation. Part of this picnic event was a baseball game held between the Varsity Team, and a team made up of West Roswell's ex-students. Of course, as most of the young people had left for college, or had taken jobs elsewhere, this tended to leave only the older generation, fathers of the current students. Inevitably, there was only one team that ever stood a chance of winning.


"Dad, that's not a game," Liz rolled her eyes. "That's a humiliation. Every year the Alumni's lose by a basketball score and every year they say they'll get them next year."

"Well," Jeff smirked. "Next year is here. Didn't know your old man played a mean catcher in his day, huh?"

"Who else is playing?" Liz sighed, continuing with her breakfast.

She loved her father dearly and hated that Kyle would crow and crow all summer long after the jock handed her father this latest defeat. In fact, she just knew that Kyle would try to make use of the fact that her father was playing. He had never shown an interest in playing before. She wondered what had made him decide to play this year.

"Well, we persuaded Philip Evans to play center field. Martin Troy is at third."

"Who's on first?" Liz could not help it.

"Yuk it up," Jeff laughed. "So far we have five of the last Championship team from West Roswell."

"So, who's pitching?" she asked.

"No, who's on first," Jeff roared with laughter. "Remember?"

"I can see I'm not going to get any sense from you this morning," she rose from her seat and kissed her father before she grabbed her book bag and headed for the door.

"Hey," he called. "You never told me who the lucky guy was."

"Huh?" Liz paused at the door and looked back. "What do you mean?"

"Who's taking you out on a date?"

"Oh. Won't he be at practice with you? First base?" Liz hooted.

"Okay, smartass," Jeff shook his head, still chuckling. "What lucky guy is taking you out on a date tonight? And if you say what's on second, just remember that you are not too big to be put over my knee."

"Well, that would be a first," Liz smirked. "But I'm not going on a date. I'm babysitting. See you later."

"How late do you think you'll be?"

"I really don't know, Dad," she shook her head. "Isabel didn't tell me much. And I forgot to ask. But I have my own key and I have my cell and if it gets too late I'll call you."


* * *


"Can't you find someone else to cover for you, Liz?" Tess sounded even less than pleased than she had on Monday when Liz had first cancelled on her. "It's just that poor old Brad has to stay at home now. And on a Friday night, too."

Liz blinked.

"Tess," she narrowed her eyes. "I told you on Monday that I couldn't make it. What kind of guy is this Brad if he can't find himself a date for a Friday night with a week's notice?"

"Aw, c'mon, Liz," Tess's shoulders slumped. "It's not like you owe Isabel anything. And it's not like you even need the money. Just bail and come out and have some fun. Please?

Liz rolled her eyes and shook her head. It promised to be a long day.


* * *


"So," Kyle stepped next to her in the hallway and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "You managed to ditch the sitting job, right? You're going to come out with me after all, right?"

"Wrong, and wrong," Liz shook her head, dipping her shoulder and rolling herself out from under his arm. "Even if I did 'ditch' the sitting job, Kyle, I have Tess on my back, wanting me to date her boyfriend's friend."

"I bet you'd prefer me to have you on your back, right?"

"Oh, god!" Liz threw her hands up in the air. "Can this day get any worse?"

"Well, how about going as my date to Isabel's party next week?"

"Yup," Liz shook her head in disbelief. "It can."


Liz sat at her AP Bio classroom desk while she started to put together the equipment for her next experiment. Kyle was easily one of the hottest guys at West Roswell High, and because he was the captain of most of the sports teams, he was a popular date. Had it not been for his reputation - Kyle had probably had sex with one third of the girls in the senior year - Liz might have considered letting him be her first. He had what Tess considered to be the important attributes, hotness and experience. But Liz wanted her first time to be memorable, if nothing else. To Kyle, Liz would be simply another notch on his bedpost, another pair of panties to hang on his wall... if he did either of those things. But, from some of the things she had heard from Kyle's previous conquests, memorable was one adjective that was never used. Kyle, it seems, was a 'wham, bam, thank you ma'am' kind of guy. Tess had once commented that Kyle was a ten second wonder, and nine of those were foreplay.


* * *


She was highly relieved when Liz finally crawled under the shower in her private en-suite bathroom, preparing for her babysitting session. While she washed her hair, her mind wandered to her good friend, who was preparing for his date with Frosty the Ice Queen. She wondered if Alex was in a high state of nervousness yet. She also wondered if Isabel would put out for him on their first date. Liz was almost certain that Isabel had given her virginity to that college student she dated last year, Jesse something or other, but she wondered if it was something that Alex might experience with her. She didn't want him to get hurt.

"Get a grip, Liz," she shook her head. "At least he has a love life."

Wrapped in a bath towel, Liz set about drying her hair and then pinned it up in a pony tail. After stepping into her white cotton briefs and her white brassier, she pulled on her neon pink T-shirt with a picture of Lisa Simpson on it. Underneath the yellow face was one of her quotes: 'Romance is dead - it was acquired in a hostile takeover by Hallmark and Disney, homogenized, and sold off piece by piece.' Through the shirt, the shape of her navel jewelry could be made out.

Liz then stepped into a pair of hip hugger jeans and did them up before sliding her feet into a pair of running shoes. She couldn't help laughing when she checked herself in the mirror. She still looked like a fifteen-year-old and wondered if the Sheriff might arrest her, thinking she was driving under age. Seeing as he was Kyle's father and had known her all her life, she doubted that.


* * *


Jumping into her old Volkswagen Beetle, she followed the directions Isabel had given her.

"Turn north up South Main street," the tall blonde had told her. "Until the intersection with Highway 380. Turn east and follow 380, over the railroad tracks, past Hondo Park and keep on going until you reach the hills. Turn left onto Arlene Road, and after about two hundred yards, there's a small turning called Vista Calle. That runs back toward Roswell and into a handful of Mexican style villas. My brother's house is the third one you drive past, called "Esperanzador".

Liz promised herself to look that word up.


Her eyes widened when Liz saw the house that Isabel had given her directions to. She pulled up in a wide driveway, careful not to block the large garage door in case Isabel's brother needed to get his car out. Although there were other houses nearby, the villa was almost totally isolated. From the front, the Mexican style villa looked huge. The front yard was mostly brick paved, but large circles of cultivated gardens, including a border that ran around the front of the property, hosted a whole list of what Liz recognized as native New Mexico flora. She recognized the Banana Yucca - the state flower, of course, and some Soap Yucca plants. Texan Mescalbean plants, Calliandra Eriophylla - more commonly known as Fairy Dusters, Rheas Glabra's and Peyote Cacti also filled the borders. They all leant a rich aroma to the warm desert night air.

Liz turned off the ignition and placed her keys in her purse. Reaching for her book bag, she climbed from the car and slammed the door shut behind her. Her eyes were everywhere as she approached the ornate, carved doors that held a large brass knocker. She used this to rap out three beats. She heard it echo inside. While she waited for someone to answer, she wondered what Isabel's brother looked like now. She wondered what his wife looked like. And their child? She could not help wondering what either person might look like. Liz couldn't help thinking about that web site they had all looked at a while ago that was full of what could only be described as 'mingers'. And what was his name? Matt? Mark? Martin?

The door opened, revealing a... A god would be the only word that Liz's mind could come up with at the moment. He was a tall, fit man with dark, dark hair and a pair of bottomless eyes the color of the many terracotta pots that laced the garden. He had either not bothered to shave that day, or he was cultivating one of those fashionable five o'clock shadows, and on him, it looked so good. He was wearing a faded pair of jeans and a rather worn Houston Astro's baseball shirt. He was the farthest thing from a 'minger' that Liz had ever seen. And quite suddenly, dressed as she was, Liz felt every bit as fifteen as she thought she looked.


"Max..." Liz breathed, her heart pounding in her chest.

He had certainly grown since the last time she had seen him. And he was incredibly handsome. Nerd? Geek? Nouns like this had no place anywhere near this man. Her mouth dried up at once. Her moisture was needed elsewhere, preparing her for what she would dearly love to do with this man. Minger? He was hot! He was beyond hot. He was freaking sizzling.

"Liz, right?" Max asked her with a bright smile.

Breathe, Parker! She commanded. Breathe!

"Uh... yeah. That's me. Liz. I'm Liz." Babbling?

"I remember when you used to wear pig tails," he chuckled, nodding at her pony tail.

She wanted the ground to open up and swallow her right now.

"Well, come on in Liz," Max stepped back from the door to allow her in.

If he noticed anything strange about her behavior, he said nothing about it. Perhaps he thought she was just a giddy fifteen year old schoolgirl. Liz bitterly regretted her choice of clothing, right now.

"Thank you," her voice sounded hoarse: far away.

She stepped into the cool interior of the villa and found herself in a small foyer. Dimly, she was aware of three doors that lead from the foyer while a flight of stairs rose to a balcony. She could see another four doors up there. Here eyes, however, were fixed on Max. She wondered if she might be drooling.

"Thanks for doing this, Liz," Max used his hand to point toward an open door. "And on such short notice. Isabel was meant to baby-sit for me but I think something came up."

"Yeah," she nodded, thankful that her vocal chords were working, even if her brain wasn't. "Uhm... something did. Come up I mean. Something came up. A date. A date came up and so she can't come and she asked me if I could come and so I said yes. 'Cause you know... something came up."

Stop your babbling you miserable wretch, she berated herself.

"Well, I have to get going," he looked at his watch. "How about I take you up to Toby and introduce you."

"Uh, yeah," she nodded, wishing she could just bash her head against the stout wooden door he had closed while she had blabbered on and on. "That would be fine. So, uh... Toby."

"This way," Max indicated the stairs.

He turned and started to climb, unaware that behind him - or perhaps he was - Liz could not take her eyes off of his jeans clad backside. The guy just oozed sexual appeal. It was blatantly obvious that Max kept himself fit. He opened one of the middle of the four doors and stepped into a child's bedroom. Sitting on the edge of a bed decorated in a space motif bed spread was a small boy, the spitting image of the man who had led her upstairs. The young boy looked up from what he was doing, his small amber eyes narrowing at the sight of a stranger.

"Toby," Max said. "This is Liz. Liz is going to look after you while I am out tonight. Is that okay?"

Toby turned his eyes - miniature copies of his father's, to study her.

"Where Aunty Izzie?" he asked.

"Aunty Izzie is busy," Max chuckled at his own joke. "So she asked her best friend, Liz, to come and play with you for her. She said that Liz is a really nice girl and that you will like her."

"Do you know how to play 'Guess Who'?" Toby turned to her again.

Liz knew that her relationship with Toby would be defined by her answer.

"It's a game," Max nodded at a plastic square with a number of hinged flaps, some standing, some laying down. "You have to..."

"Yes, I know how to play," Liz smiled at Toby. If she looked only at the young child, it was easier to control her feelings. "And when I was your age, it was my favorite game, too."

"Do you cheat?" Toby narrowed his eyes.

"How can you cheat?" Liz wondered.

It was, after all, really just a game of pure luck.

"Daddy does," Toby then turned to stare at his father who was trying to pull the most innocent of looks, and failing. "He doesn't put down all his flaps when he makes his guess."

"Doesn't he?" she looked at the man and grinned at his momentary embarrassment.

"Sometimes, Toby," Max ruffled his hair, "you are too smart for your own good."

"That's lucky for you, Toby," Liz grinned. "'Cause I like smart little boys."

"Well," Max sighed. "On that note, I'll leave you two alone. Good night sport. See you in the morning. Remember that your bed time is 8 and you are not to keep pestering Liz all night. Okay?"

"Yeah," the small boy's eyes narrowed as he tried to figure out a loophole. "Night night, Daddy."

The father embraced his son and kissed him, making him squeal and beg him to stop.

"My cell number's on the table in the kitchen," Max looked at Liz. "Help yourself to anything in the fridge. There's ice cream in the freezer. Mi casa es su casa. I shouldn't be later than eleven. Bye, Liz."

He gave her a wink and then he was gone, leaving Liz to try and pull herself together. Men like him should be outlawed, she decided.


* * *


"Does he got brown eyes?" Toby asked.

No, Liz shook her head. More like cinnamon. Oh... he meant this guy here.

"Nope," she smiled. The picture was blue eyed.

Toby gave a theatrical sigh and pulled down only one flap. He was clearly not used to losing, and Liz had only let him win half of the time.

"Does he have dark brown hair?" Liz asked.

'Cause your Dad's hair is so dark. So very dark. Liz could not get that man out of her mind no matter how hard she tried.

"No," Toby squealed. "Does he got glasses?"

"No," Liz smiled. "He's not wearing glasses.

"It's James!" Toby exclaimed flipping down two of his remaining flaps, leaving only one standing. "I win, I win!"

"That's right, Toby," Liz laughed at his antics. "You won that game which means you won eleven games to ten. You are so the champion."

"Can we play again?" he grinned.

"Again?" Liz smiled softly. "I don't think so. It's already half an hour past the time your Dad said you had to get to bed."

"Aunty Izzie lets me stay up till twenty o'clock," he stated as a matter of fact.

"Well, as this is the first time I have looked after you, I think maybe I better do what your Dad says, okay? Because otherwise, he might not let me come again."

"Okay," Toby pouted. "You will read me a story, though, won't you?"

"Of course I will," Liz stood up and walked toward the bookcase. "What kind of a babysitter would I be if I never read you a bed time story? Lets get you ready for bed and you can choose a story."

Thirty minutes later, Toby was fast asleep.


* * *


Liz had brought her book bag so that she could study. Finals were coming up and although she wasn't particularly worried, she still wanted to maintain her perfect scores. Studying was the farthest thing from her mind that night, however. Instead, she could not get the vision of Max, the nerd she had once had a crush on, from her mind. What she had now was not a mere crush. She was more affected by that one glimpse of him than she ever had been from any one else. To say that she had fallen in lust with Max was an understatement. There was nothing Liz would have liked more than to surrender herself to him.

Had he been available, and had she been the sort of girl who could walk up to a man and seduce him, she might have seriously considered throwing herself at him. But she was not a home-wrecker, and being a married man, and a father as well, Max was totally off limits. Which was probably just as well because Liz had no idea how she would go about seducing an older man in any case.

So instead, she allowed her mind to run free and wild in fantasy mode. And in her fantasy world, she and Max were making love in the hallway where she had just met him a little over an hour ago. She would have to wait until she was at home before she could act upon those fantasies and relieve herself, of course. The possibility of Max returning early and catching her, red handed, so to speak, or worse! Toby waking up and wanting a glass of water. No, Liz would rather die than get caught out by either one of those situations. Her self-pleasuring could wait.

Liz explored the house, instead, allowing herself to take a good look at the amazing property. She started downstairs, in the living room. There was a three-seater sofa facing a large plasma TV, mounted on the wall. A DVD home theatre kit sat on a small shelf beneath the TV. There were also a few wooden units and a reclining easy chair. In the room's corners, and spaced out on the side units, a few potted plants leant some color to the interior. There were a lot of pictures hanging around the walls. Most were of Max and Toby, but a few contained Isabel. There were also some with Mr. and Mrs. Evans, too.


The dining room held a table big enough for four, with four chairs surrounding it. Another two chairs against the wall suggested that the table could pull out to accommodate six people. A china cabinet stood along one of the walls, with decorated plates standing on their ends. Again, the room was punctuated with some plants and although there were fewer pictures in here, they were all of the same five people.


The kitchen was amazing. Fully fitted and lined with wall and floor units. An island in the middle doubled up as a breakfast bar. It was quite large and very well laid out. There was only one plant in here, a fern on top of the huge fridge, which Liz opened and removed a cola. The only picture in this room was of Max and Toby standing in front of a swimming pool. She could hardley draw her eyes away from this picture. Max was not wearing a shirt.

Stepping out into the night air through the patio doors from the kitchen, Liz found the pool in the picture. It was in Max's back yard. To one side stood a small building, with two doors and large windows over which lace curtains had been hung. A patio surrounded the pool and one end of it looked over the edge of the hill, to the dark valley below. In the distance, the lights of Roswell winked at her. She could see moving lights along Highway 380.

"Wow," was all Liz could say.


Upstairs, one doorway led to Toby's bedroom. Another door led into what was clearly an office. A large table, raised at an angle dominated the middle of the room. Liz recognized this as a draftsman's table. The wall was decorated with plans. She surmised that Max was an architect. On a huge desk on one side of the room was a computer setup that would have had Alex drooling as much as seeing Isabel naked would have. A pin board on the wall behind the computer desk held a number of bulletins. Reminders for the most part, telephone numbers and one or two emails reminding to add this feature or that detail to a drawing. There was even a picture of a crudely drawn crayon stick man with the word "Daddy" written beneath it.

The next door was an exit to a rooftop balcony, that over looked the patio and pool, and in the distance, Roswell. A table and half a dozen chairs sat close to the edge, against a metal railing. The last room was the master bedroom. The bed was covered in a white spread and lacked any kind of head board. Mahogany furniture lined the walls. The few pictures in this room, like the rest of the house, were only of Max, Toby, Mr. and Mrs. Evans, and Isabel.


* * *


Safe in her own bedroom, Liz laid back on her bed and stared at the ceiling. She had stripped herself naked and had collapsed onto her bed within seconds of returning home. She found herself wet, and ready as her fingers reached out to touch herself. She had also lost count of the number of times she had brought herself to climax, each time lost in the haze that was Max. Her crush had clearly flared back to life and this time, she was no eight-year-old little girl and he was no nerd. She was a woman and had a woman's body now. With a woman's desires to match. And he had the equipment to help her sate those desires. If only in her fantasy world.

She thought back to when Max had returned home, looking a little tired and with a sheen of sweat still forming on his brow. Liz had fervently hoped he had not exerted himself in some act of sexual passion in the car before he and his wife came indoors.

He had found her curled up on his sofa, watching some late film that she had already seen a dozen times or more. Max had thanked her for looking after Toby for him and as he counted out six ten-dollar bills for her, and asked if that was enough. Her speech gone again, she just nodded. When he asked if she had had any problems, she just shook her head. And all the time, she was aware of two things. Her panties were soaking wet and her mouth was hanging open.


Liz had followed Max to the front door, which like a gentleman, he opened for her, stepping to one side to let her pass. He stayed in the porch light while she climbed into her car and fired up the Beetle's engine. As she reversed back out onto the road, he gave her a wave before he turned back indoors. In her rear view mirror. Liz saw the light go out. In a few moments time, he would be making love to his wife while Liz returned home and made love to herself. Life could be so unfair, sometimes. The green-eyed monster hit her hard and her tears started to flow.

In the stillness of the night, just as her fingers sought out her hard little button for yet another time, something dawned on her. Something that had nagged at her all night yet she had never fully examined it.

Why hadn't Max's wife introduced herself to Liz when she had turned up to baby-sit her son? Why had she not said goodnight to Toby? Why was she not with Max when he was saying goodnight to her? And most of all, where were all the pictures of her? Not a single photograph contained a picture of another woman other than his mother, or his sister.

Liz couldn't help thinking of one of her favorite childhood story characters as she pondered this.

"Curiouser and curiouser," she gasped as she added another finger to her pleasuring.

As she brought herself to another amazing orgasm, Liz started to wonder if maybe, just maybe, there was no wife on the scene, after all. And maybe, just maybe, Max Evans would like to be the one who took the perfect Liz Parker's virginity.


* * *

Abbot and Costello: Who's on First? Classic vintage comedy!

[WR]

Heh heh - I haven;t reached the hot stuff yet and I still get 4 pages of feedback Thank you all so very much! Don't worry... it soon picks up.

clueless -
Alien 614 -
raemac -
Blue*Soul -
Shadowlybzbehr -
IluvMaxEvans -
dreamsatnight -
moon_sprite - Thank you

Cocogurl - but I thought my loyal readers LOVED my torture

hazz - Yeah, it seems the lack of a partner's pictures etc was missed by Liz until she started to 'think' lol.

smokie - And good to see you around here it is! Areyou sure Max is not married? Yes indeed. Why no picture of Toby's mother? Hmm... Yes, pretty obvious that Max will be playing ball. Just who with?

frenchkiss70 - Heh heh heh. Yup, Isabel babysat for Max's little boy. And I don;t suppose Liz "expected" a Mrs Evans. Just never realised she never saw one till later...

Alien_Friend - Good to see you here. Hope you stay a while

Ms_Capeside - Max's pov comes later... Yeah, Max is porbably in the alumni team, and as for Toby's mom... At least you know it's not Tess. lol

begonia9508 - LOL - Max's wife is in Paris being seduced by a phoney Frenchman! Hahahahahahaha! Sorry

Emz80m - Yes, it sure looks like Max grew, a little.

pookie76 - Sorry, but I am only able to update 1/week. Tradition says I have to post Friday nights So unless you can add another Friday into the week.

MichelleinYonkers -
LairaBehr4 - Remember that Liz was 8 years old at the time of her crush with Max. Hardly something she wanted to advertise (in spite of the fact that everyone seems to know, anyway) so no questions about him. Liz and Isabel followed different paths, anyway, so not many chances to ask. Now, ten years on, I would think her interest had waned somewhat. Until she sees him again. Ten years seemed a LONG time to me when I was 8 -> 18. IN those 10 years I moved from Ottawa to Winnipeg and then to England, I travelled half of Europe and learned 2 languages...
Now, due to peer pressure, Liz is considering losing her virginity. She wants it to be memorable. When she sees Max, how hot he has become, he becomes her fantasy figure. Fanatsy being the operative word. She is NOT a homewrecker. So, why would she look for clues as to what type of woman Max likes, when she has no desire to replaces her? She has fallen in lust, not love (so far ). THEN she realizes the lack of a partner and THEN she starts to consider that Max might make a good candidate for her first. Older, experienced, HOT, and no locker room bragging.
The most intelligent person in the world will know that smoking is bad for them but that does not mean they will not be a smoker.
Because I am a father of 2 daughters (with my finger very much on the pulse!) one thing I understand about women... how ONE thinks and behaves, another will do completely the opposit. Vive la difference!

ShatteredDreamer - Yup! Liz is in lust with a hottie! lol As for Liz;s rush, yes. Peer pressure. She is resisting, but after seeing Max...

Erina - !!! Now you really went and did it! ( lol ) Thank you for leaving it, even if I was an afterthought

VeronicB - Huh? How did you miss it? lol. Glad you are aboard now, though.

BehrObsession - Yes, I agree with your no cheating clause, but you know, sometimes...

kittens - There are lots of women here who like the idea of toasted Max! LOL

behralicious87 - Well, so far, we 'assume' Max is oblivious. And methinks Liz might want to change that...




The Devil Inside

Chapter 3



"Okay," Liz started placing the orders in front of her customers, a couple of X-Files fanatics from out of town. "I have got one Sigourney Weaver, that's for you. And one Will Smith. Can I get you guys anything else? Green Martian Shake? Blood of Alien smoothie?"

"Uh, Miss?" the man pulled a face. "These aren't our orders."

Liz blinked, staring at the plates she had just set down on the table as though they might magically change to the correct order.

"I think they're for us," the couple in the next booth called. "And uh... we already ordered a couple of coffees to go with our lunch."

"Oh my god," Liz shook her head. She moved the two plates to the next table. "I am so sorry. I'm so sorry. Uh, the coffees will be complimentary."

She walked over to the waitress stations and filled two coffee cups, placed then on saucers before she carried them to her customers, placing them beside the plates of food. Berating herself for her lapse in concentration, she started to return to the station.

"Miss?" the man's partner called out. "Could we have some cream and sugar?"

"Oh, god," Liz shook her head. "Somebody just shoot me now."


"Liz," her father looked at her from the cash register. "Is everything okay? You've been messing up your orders all morning. And at the rate you're giving away free coffee, I might have to think about going out of business."

"I'm sorry, Dad," she stifled a yawn. "I didn't get much sleep last night."

"Bad dreams?" he raised his eyebrows. "Or something weighing on your mind?"

Dreams, yes, she smiled. But bad? No way. And something was definitely weighing on her mind. One hundred and sixty pounds of hot masculinity.

"I guess it's the stress of my finals coming up," she just nodded at her father. "Oh, hey. How did practice go last night?"

"It went well," Jeff grinned. "Our pitcher is really starting to shape up. And our short stop is a revelation. I tell you Liz, the seniors won't know what hit 'em."

"Yeah? Who's the pitcher?" She regretted her question right away.

"No, who's on first," Jeff smirked. "I thought we had that covered."

"Oh god," Liz shook her head. "Can this day get any worse? I'm going to take a break."

"We have plenty of staff, Munchkin," Jeff smiled at her. Because Liz would be leaving for college in the fall, they had decided that she would not work as often during the summer. They had already hired her replacement but Liz liked to help out when she could. The extra tips always came in handy. "Agnes can cover for you. Why don't you go ahead and take a break?"

"Thanks, Dad," Liz rolled her eyes. "I think I will."


* * *


"Good morning, and welcome to the Crashdown," Liz was soon back into the swing of things. She caught a short nap in the back room, and then decided that she would not think of Max Evans for the rest of that day. He was a married man, after all. With a four year old son. Even if the current status of his wife was unclear, there was still the matter of the age difference. "My name is Liz and I'll be your waitress today. How can I help you?"

She waited patiently for her customers to make their choices. She placed their orders on the carousel, and served their meals when they came up.

"That break must have done you the world of good," Jeff told her. "You're the model of efficiency."

"Except now I'm looking forward to my lunch break," Liz smiled. "Speaking of which, here's Tess. Mind if I take my break now?"

Tess walked into the diner, giving her friend a small wave. She slid into one of the corner booths, by the doorway to the staff room.

"Can you wait half an hour?" Jeff looked around the diner. The lunchtime rush was dying out. "We still have some of the lunch time crowd in, but as soon as they're gone...."

"Hey, Tess," Liz went to her friend. "You want a coke or anything while you wait for me?"

"Sure," Tess nodded. "How long till the slave driver let's you off?"

"He says half an hour but if no other customers come in, then..."

The doorbell chimed.

"Like now," Liz groaned.

"Oh. My. God!" Tess drooled, her eyes glued to the door. "Check this out."

Liz turned to the doorway and a sudden wave of emotions hit her. Max had just entered the diner. She had never seen him in here before, since he had returned to Roswell. Her heart rate soared. Her body reacted. Holding his right hand was little Toby, his eyes everywhere at once. He looked too cute, a miniature version of his father, down to the denim jeans and San Diego Padres baseball shirt. But holding Max's left hand was a tall, lovely blonde woman who just oozed sex appeal. And she was laughing, a rich, tingling sound. Liz's heart broke and her stomach felt as though she was on the high seas. Max had come in with his family, with his... wife. And they slid into a booth in her section.

"Liz?" Tess frowned up at her. "Are you okay?"

"No," Liz shook her head. "I feel... uh..." Liz clasped her hands over her stomach. "Cramps!" she blurted before bolting through the back door. "Agnes, can you cover me?"

She could not stand to watch the loving couple, let alone serve them.

"Cramps?" Tess was right behind her. Her voice was filled with concern. "You're getting them again?"

"Apparently," Liz nodded.

"But I thought they stopped when your doctor put you on the birth control pill."

"Yeah," Liz started to cry. "They did."


* * *


"Hey Liz," Kyle entered the diner a little after three thirty and slid onto one of the stools at the counter.

Liz glanced up at the clock and knew that she had only another hour and a half to go.

"Hey Kyle," she mumbled.

"You okay?" he narrowed his eyes. "You don't sound your usual self."

"Women's troubles," Liz barked.

She knew that Kyle would back off. He, like most other guys had run foul of PMS too many times. As this also gave her a good excuse to be miserable all afternoon, Liz had decided to play upon it. She knew that it was a ridiculous state to be in. After all, she had known he was a married man. She had known he had a wife. She had just hoped that everything she had calculated would add up to a single man. It hadn't, and anyway, he 'was' way too old for her. Not only would her father have a cow, so too would her friends. And besides, he had probably not even noticed her.

"Whoa," Kyle held his hands up. "Okay. Just making a point."

"What can I get you?"

"Just a cola," Kyle smiled, trying to take the edge off of the mood.

Liz picked up a tall glass and held it under the machine while it dispensed the correct measure of the fizzy drink. She placed it in front of him.

"On the house, Kyle" she gave him a weak smile. "Sorry I snapped at you."

"No probs," he nodded his thanks. "Hey, I just heard your old man is playing in the Alumni game."

Here we go, Liz shook her head.

"Yeah," she nodded. "He's playing catcher. Today."

"Today?" Kyle frowned. "What about tomorrow?"

"Pitcher."

Kyle looked at her blankly.

"I didn't even know your dad could pitch..." light dawned in his eyes. "Oh yeah, I get it. Who's on first, what's on second."

Liz gave him a blank look.

"Yeah," his head bobbed. "So I was thinking. This is kind of a momentous event. We can't let that pass."

"I don't give a damn," Liz sighed. "And no, I don't mean the shortstop."

"You're acting pretty weird today, Liz," Kyle frowned. "Listen, how about we make a bet. If the Varsity Team beats the Alumni, then you gotta go out on a date with me."

What?" her jaw dropped. "Get real, Kyle. Why do you think I would be stupid enough to make a bet against what I know is a certainty?"

"Because then our date would be a certainty," he gave her a wide grin.

"Get lost, Kyle," she growled.

"Jeez, Parker," he looked annoyed. "What's crawled up your ass?" He slid from the stool and headed for the door, leaving his unfinished cola. "Oh, that would be nothing!" He started to laugh as he walked through the door.


* * *


"You're sure about this?" Tess sounded sympathetic. She had come in a half hour after Kyle, to check on her friend. Yes, she wanted Liz to experience life a little more, but when her friend was hurting, she hurt with her. "You're still going to come out tonight? I mean, if you have cramps, then..."

"Oh, you know what?" Liz placed her hand on Tess's. "It wasn't those kind of cramps. It was because I was just so hungry. I felt fine after I had eaten."

"So..." Tess looked hopeful. "You're okay for tonight? You're still gonna come on that double date with me?"

"Sure," Liz nodded. "Why not. But you know... This Brad guy... he understands, right?"

"Liz," Tess sighed. "It's all well and good wanting to lose your cherry to the man you're going to spend the rest of your life with, but you are always going to wonder... that maybe you missed out on something, you know? Or what if it doesn't work out? What if you split up? I mean, it's like going your whole life eating only Ben and Jerry's Phish Food, and suddenly, they stop making it."

"Tess," Liz released a deep breath. "I'll see, okay? I won't make any promises... I mean, if he's hot, like you say, and if the date goes well, and I feel good about it... we'll see okay?"

Maybe getting laid would help. Maybe she would stop lusting after guys she can't have and turn to the ones she can.

"We are gonna have such a great time!" Tess squealed.


* * *


Liz checked the clock again. This last half-hour was going far too slowly. She wanted to have another nap before she took her shower and prepared herself for what might prove to be the biggest night of her life so far. She wanted to cry, as well. How could one man have become so important to her, after only seeing him so briefly like that? Yes, he was hot. But Liz had seen hot men before. Film stars, pop singers... But none of them lived locally, she reminded herself.

The bell rang out again and Liz looked up to see Isabel coming in.

"Hey, Iz," she smiled at her friend. "So how did your big date go?"

"We had a great time," Isabel grinned. "I'm surprised Alex hasn't told you himself."

"Alex seems to be holding out on me a lot, lately," Liz gave a wry smile. "But I'm happy for you. Alex really is a nice guy. You are seeing him again, right?"

"Well," she smiled. "He did ask me out tonight, so I think that's an affirmative. Anyway, I came in to make sure that my bro paid you a good tip."

"Oh," Liz nodded, trying to hide the pain the thought of Max brought. "Yeah. He paid me sixty bucks."

"Thanks for helping me out, Liz," Isabel nodded. "I haven't seen him today, but the fact that he didn't call to chew my ass off means that he must have been impressed with you."

"Great," she gave a nod. "He came in earlier, actually. For lunch."

"Really?" Isabel looked surprised. "That's really good. He's finally getting out and about. So he brought Toby here, huh?"

"And his wife," she hoped Isabel could not hear the ice in her tone.

"Excuse me?" Isabel blinked.

"Max," Liz repeated. "He brought Toby and his wife in at lunchtime. I never saw her last night."

"Uh, Liz?" Isabel frowned. "Are you sure?"

"Sure I'm sure," she gave a nod. "Blonde hair, green eyes. Really, really pretty."

"Bee sting lips?" Isabel narrowed her eyes. "Talked a lot?"

"I think she did," Liz nodded again. "Agnes said she never once stopped making comments about the diner's décor. She kept calling it 'quaint'."

"Liz," Isabel started to laugh. "That's Maria."

"Oh," Liz looked blank. "That's her name, is it? Maria Evans?"

"No, Maria DeLuca," Isabel chuckled. "Girlfriend of his best, best friend, Michael. Maria is like an honorary sister to him. She helps keep him in line when I'm not around."

"Oh," hope started to dawn in Liz's heart. She could feel the pieces of her heart slotting back together. "So... so he's single? You mean, like widowed or something?"

Because Liz could not imagine any women wanting to leave a man like that. Or maybe he left her... Oh, god! Had she just let Isabel know about her infatuation with her brother?

"I wish he was a widower," Isabel spat in disgust. "Divorced. Bitch took off with a richer man and still tried to fleece him for everything he's got."

This woman must be seriously deranged, Liz thought. Leaving Max for money? Ay caramba!

"Uh," Liz realized that now she was talking about things that perhaps she should not discuss. After all, Max was only someone who she babysat for. "Oh."

"Max went to UCSD, as you know," Isabel continued. Maybe the fact that Liz had once had a crush on him made her an honorary sister, too. "That was where he met Stephanie. Toby's mother. They never started dating seriously until their senior year. Toby was a pre graduation accident, although we don't think of him as an accident at all."

"He's gorgeous," Liz meant plural.

"Anyway, after graduation, they moved close to her parents, in Albuquerque. Toby was born six months into their marriage. Max took the first job he could, to make sure that they had money coming in while Stephanie stayed at home to look after Toby. Or so we all thought. About two ago, Max was plodding along with his job when she announces that she's leaving him for this other guy. Some high flying merchant banker or something. She said he could bring her and Toby up in the manner to which they would be accustomed. Meaning, he had money and Max didn't. She also said that Max was just too boring, never coming home anymore. She'd been seeing this guy since they moved to Albuquerque, while Max had been working his ass off in a job he hated..."

"The bitch!" Liz gasped, secretly thanking that woman for leaving Max.

"Dad handled the divorce," Isabel grinned. "He showed how Max had acted honorably, trying to do his best for his family while his supposed wife basically prostituted herself to the highest bidder. The judge agreed and while he granted the divorce, Max didn't have to give up half the house or anything. Anyway, the company where he worked, most of them knew, apparently, and Max found it harder and harder to work there. But then he was offered this new job with this really prestigious firm. Now, instead of designing town houses, Max is involved with all this high tech, high profile stuff and making an absolute fortune. A while ago, he sold up in Albuquerque and moved here, to be closer to us. He's allowed to work from home and he only needs to go into the office every now and then. The only down side is that we couldn't get custody of Toby."

"But..." Liz blinked. "Toby lives with Max, doesn't he?"

"Only for every second weekend, Liz," Isabel shook her head sadly. "Two days in fourteen. And they have to take turns to have him over Christmas, Easter and his Birthdays. He has to pay for Toby's child support, but the judge made them pay everything into a trust fund for Toby."

"So he's single," Liz's eyes were brighter than they had been all day.

She hoped Isabel did not notice her change of mood.

"Yeah," Isabel nodded. "And I so want to change that. But there are two problems."

"Oh?" Liz was wondering where Isabel was going with this. Would Isabel try to set him up with a friend?

"Getting Max to take notice of girls is like trying to swim in molasses. Do you know how long it took me and Maria to get him to lose that nerd look thing?"

"And, uhm..." Liz was eager. She so wanted to volunteer her services. "What's the second problem?"

"Do you know how many suitable single girls there are in town that are his own age?"

Liz was crushed.

"Oh, by the way, Liz," Isabel gave a big smile. "Why don't you come and have dinner with us on Saturday night? You know, to thank you for doing me this favor. It's been ages since we got together like that, and you can give me the inside scoop on Alex."

Only if you give me the inside scoop on Max, Liz wanted to say.


* * *


Inside her room, her shift finished at last, Liz closed her door behind her and leaned against it. So, Max was single. Liz untied her alien face apron and dropped it to one side. Her alien antennae came next. She then pulled apart the stud poppers of her teal colored waitress uniform and allowed it to drop to the floor. She stood in front of her mirror and sighed at what she saw.

"As if he could want someone like me," she sighed. "Sensible bra, sensible panties... That's me. Sensible. God, I am 'so' boring."

Liz turned and looked at herself from every angle she could reach.

"Kyle wants me," she reminded herself. "And so does this Brad guy, and he's only seen my picture. So why wouldn't Max like what he saw?"

Because you are still a child, a little voice reminded her.

"Shut up."

Heading for her shower, Liz started to get herself ready for a date that she was no longer enthused about. Not that she ever was, really. But she 'had' promised Tess that she would go with her. But now that Max was no longer such an impossibility as she had previously thought, he would be the ideal person to surrender herself to. If she could only think of a way to make him notice her.


* * *


"So I said to the Professor," Brad droned on, "either he changes my mark or I'm going to see the Dean. And he's a family friend!"

"Oh," Liz stifled her yawn. Did this guy ever shut up? "So, did he?"

"Did he what?" Brad seemed a little annoyed at the interruption.

"Change the mark."

"Oh, yeah," Brad nodded. "He had to, because he knew that I knew more about it than he did. He was just trying to save face is all."

"So, you're top of the class, then?" she rolled her eyes at Tess.

Tess hid her smile with her hand.

"Of course," he nodded. "Hey! Did I tell you that I made a mint on the stock exchange just last week?"

"No," Liz answered before she could think.

She squeezed her eyes shut with a 'me and my big mouth' sigh.

"Oh, yeah," Brad nodded. "My portfolio always does well, but last week, I had this inkling that..."

"Hey Brad," Reggie called from beside Tess. "Pool tables free. We're up, buddy."

"We'll continue this later," he lifted Liz's hand and kissed it.

"Can't hardly wait," Liz groaned.

"So," Tess slid in to the seat next to Liz.

"Yeah," Liz nodded with a roll of her eyes. "So."


* * *


"Look at her," Tess pointed at the woman on the dance floor. Reggie and Brad were still playing a game of pool. "She is such a slut. I wonder which guy she is trying to pull?"

The woman wore a flared, sleeveless mini dress. The armholes were quite large, so every time she turned, she exposed a large expanse of the side of her breast. When she leaned forward, her cleavage was on plain view. And when she twirled, she showed everyone in the bar her black lace thong. When she wasn't bending or twirling, she was lifting her hemline with her hands - a sort of mockery of the can-can. Hers was a show of pure exhibitionism.

"Some girls are just desperate," Tess laughed.

"She seems to have their attention though," Liz observed. "And you can talk. I heard about you exposing yourself to the guys the other day."

"Jeez, Liz," Tess shook her head. "If you're going to do it, be subtle. Make it look like an accident. You have to tease them, not smack them in the face with it. She just makes herself look like a desperate slut."

Liz turned and watched the woman for a while before she turned away and looked around the room.

The guys had chosen this table in the corner because even though the girls both had fake ID cards stating they were twenty one, they were both a little on the small side and didn't really look twenty one. Liz had wondered why that was so important until she tasted her first drink. Having asked for an orange juice, she could taste the alcohol in it. They were obviously using poor quality vodka. Most of it was ending up in the nearby potted plant.

She found her mind wandering too many times to the couples in the bar, checking out their partners, trying to see if there was something noticeable about them. Something that she could emulate, make herself appear older and therefore more desirable to Max.

By the standards of the room, she was conservatively dressed. Against her better judgment, Liz had worn a mini skirt and a button through top. With high heels on, she had to admit that she did look good. And older, too. She actually felt that she belonged in this bar. But these other girls... they were all dressed for show. They all wore clothes that just screamed 'look at me.' She watched how the women interacted with the men. It was rather strange seeing how they were a lot bolder than her friends. Obviously, their age and experience gave them an edge, a confidence she lacked.

"Liz!" Tess called, snapping her fingers in front of Liz's face.

"Huh?" Liz blinked, looking at the three of them. When had the guys returned? "Sorry, what was that?"

"Brad asked where you were going to college."

"Oh," Liz nodded. "Not sure yet. I have a couple of offers but I want to see what my grades are like."

"Liar," Tess giggled. "She already replied but she won't tell anyone."

"I don't want to jinx it," Liz shook her head.

"Is UNM one of your options?" Brad grinned at her. "'Cause, you know, you and me..."

"Uh," Liz gave a slow shake of her head. "Sorry. Not even in the running. I so want to get out of New Mexico."

Unless maybe, she and Max...

"Dance?" Reggie held his hand out to Tess.

"Sure," Tess nodded, rising with Reggie and heading to the floor.

Liz watched them for a while, while Brad watched her. Under any other circumstances, Brad might be a nice date. If you could get past his ego. But right from the start, he had been too self centered, telling her all about himself, his accomplishments, rather than waiting for her to ask. And his entire attitude towards her suggested that his having sex with her tonight was a done deal. He reminded her of Kyle.

"Dance?" he nodded toward Tess and Reggie.

"Uh, okay," Liz agreed only because it was more crowded on the dance floor than it was here in the shadows.

They danced to a couple of the fast tracks that the resident DJ had been playing. Liz had to work hard to contain her laughter. Brad was a very poor dancer, uncoordinated, almost robot like as he jerked to a different beat that was actually playing.

"We're going to slow it down for a while," Mr. DJ called over the speaker systems, "for all you lovers out there. Hey, be good. And if you can't be good, be..." his voice dropped, "bad."

Before she could move away, Brad had already pulled her into an embrace. It wasn't a dance so much as Brad pushing himself against her, almost dry humping her on the dance floor. It made her feel uncomfortable and Liz tried to lean away from the erection that Brad was pushing against her. This was way more painful than the time she had those teeth pulled before they put those braces on her.

"Do I make you as feel as hot as you make me?" he breathed in her ear.

Unable to think of a safe answer, Liz chose to remain silent. She hoped he didn't have an accident against her.


* * *


"So," Reggie leaned back in his chair, his arm draped around Tess's shoulder. Tess was watching something at the bar. "What do you say we ditch this Popsicle stand and continue the party back at our place?"

"Oh," Liz shook her head and looked at her watch. "You know what? I'm on the early shift tomorrow, so I guess I should get back home now, anyway."

"Ah, loosen up, Liz," Brad placed his hand on Liz's thigh. "Live a little."

"No, really," Liz shook her head, removing his hand. "I have to get home."

"What?" Brad's face flooded with anger. "That's it? I spend all that money and that's it?"

"Come on, Liz," Reggie looked at her. "Fair's fair."

Liz's eyes grew wide. She looked to Tess for support.


"What's this?" Tess seemed to be aware that the others were talking.

"You told me I didn't have to do anything I didn't want," Liz accused.

"Yeah," Tess agreed. "I did. You don't."

"Well, does Brad know that part of the deal?" Liz demanded.

"I was promised a sure thing!" Brad spat at Tess.

"Not from me, you weren't," Tess shook her head.

"Reggie told me you were bringing a hot little slut."

"None of my friends are 'sluts'," Tess glared at Reggie. "And especially not Liz. I told you! I told you he had to take it slow with her."

"Jeez, Tess," Reggie threw his hands in the air. "What is your problem? We all know you high school sluts never mean no when you say no. You just love it."

Liz gasped. Was that how they were viewed?

"I'm out of here," she stood up and started to leave.

"Well," Tess stood up. "This is one 'no' that you'll have no problem understanding. Good riddance. Wait up, Liz. Let's go find some real men who know how to treat a lady."


* * *


"I'm so sorry, Liz," Tess apologized for the hundredth time.

They were sitting on Liz's balcony, sharing a tub of Ben and Jerry's Half Baked flavor ice cream. Tess had decided upon that flavor as being, once again, appropriate.

"Maybe we should stock up on Cherry Garcia," Tess had laughed.

"It's not your fault," Liz shook her head. "You weren't to know that Reggie's friend was an asshole. What are you going to say to Reggie?"

"Nothing," Tess shrugged. "He is so dumped."

"Oh," Liz felt small.

"Hey," Tess objected. "Don't worry about it, okay? It's not your fault that he chose to show himself for the prick he was. And you know me. Plenty more fish in the sea. But you know... if there's anything I can do to make this up to you, Liz. Anything at all, you just tell me, okay?"

"Okay, Tess," Liz nodded.

"No, I mean it, Liz," Tess wanted her to understand. "Anything."

"Actually," Liz broke into a big grin. "There is something you can help me with."

"Oh?" Tess's eyebrow rose. "Really? What do you need?"

"I think I've decided who I'm going to give my virginity to," she started with a huge smile.

And she needed Tess's help with making her look more... desirable to an older man. Not that she would tell Tess that.

"Really?" Tess squealed as she started to bounce up and down. "Who is it? Is it Kyle? No, not Kyle. Who?"

"I'm not telling, Tess," Liz giggled. "But I know that I need to be less like me and more like you or I'm not going to succeed."

"Oooo," Tess's blue eyes sparkled as they narrowed. "This sounds so mysterious. Who the hell wouldn't love you the way you are now? One of the jocks? Paulie?"

"I need to look hot, Tess. Hot, but not cheap, okay?"

"And not slutty either, right?" Tess added.

"Right," Liz agreed, nodding her head. Then, she shook her head with a smile. "Well, maybe just a little slutty when it's called for."

"Oh?" Tess blinked with the beginning of a sly grin. "And how often will 'slutty' be called for?"

"We'll have to see, Tess," Liz grinned. "We will have to see."


* * *

[WR]

Hi everyone!

So glad that you are still with me. I do apologise that we haven't got to the steamy bits yet, but as you can see, I can;t simply throw them together. But soon. No worries.

MAny of you commented on Max's wife. One thing that was demanded was that it not be Tess. And I decided NOT to give Max any residual feelings because if a woman treated me like that, no way would I still cling to her memory. I did not want to pile up much angst in this story.


clueless -
Alien_Friend -
dreamerbabylioness -
behralicious87 -
dreamsatnight -
Cocogurl -
IluvMaxEvans -
dreamer19 -
VeronicaB -
LairaBehr4 -
clueless - Thank you

begonia9508 - Yes we would But we also have to bear things like our families and our peers in mind. Some people care what others think of them. I am sure these two can work it out, though

hazz - well, I shall bear that in mind!

raemac - well, Tess did think to question how much she wanted to change, so I think it bodes well...

MichelleinYonkers - Yes, Max is on the market, and Liz see's him now as a good choice to lose her virginity to. "Memorable" is what she is after, remember.

frenchkiss70 - He he - yes. Knew that would set a few hearts racing. Oh my god! Max is married to Maria! And you might be surprised at just how Liz does get his attention.

pookie76 - Well, 'normally' you get an update every Friday! lol.

BehrObsession - Probabl;y a good thing that Toby isn;t around much because then Liz will have to behave but with no Toby, what excuse will Liz hav to go see Max?

Emz80m - Nope. I don't think you did.

smokie - And what a fun way to introduce Maria to the story, huh? Nope. No pining Max. Hence the lack of photos.

ShatteredDreamer - There is something else against these two rather than just the age difference. As will become clear. Not that it will stop them, you understand...



The Devil Inside

Chapter 4


"Have you seen my book bag, Dad?" Liz called through to the family room where her father was taking his time over breakfast. "I need to finish up some homework."

Jose had already opened the café for the breakfast crowd and Sunday was the one morning a week that Jeff liked to take his time and read the newspaper over his own meal. When she was younger, it was his time to catch up with the happenings in Liz's life. But now that she was a teenager...

"Homework?" Jeff looked up from the paper with a look of surprise. "Eleven o'clock on a Sunday? You normally have it all complete Friday night."

"I know," Liz nodded, looking around the room. "But with me baby-sitting on Friday and my night out with Tess last night..."

"How did that go, by the way?" Jeff had the amazing ability of being able to read and talk at the same time. He had often joked that it was nature's way of letting men cope with women. "Your night out, I mean."

"Oh, it was..." Liz shuddered. "It was okay. Just a night out, you know? And right now, I need my book bag."

"Well, where did you have it last?"

Liz stopped searching under the sofa and looked up.

"I had it in the car when I went to Ma... Mr. Evans' on Friday. Only I never had the chance to do anything with it, so I... Damn."

"What?" Jeff looked up from the paper.

"I think I left it there," her fallen face belied her excitement at having to drive over to see him again. Or rather, collect it. "I better go..."

"You should call him first, Liz," Jeff advised. "He might have gone somewhere. Maybe he never came home last night. Or maybe he has company. He is a single guy, after all."

Liz wondered how he knew that.

"Okay," Liz nodded. Seeing a half-naked woman at Max's house was so not what she needed right now. "I'll call him."

The problem with that was that Liz did not copy down his telephone number.

"Hello, Isabel?" Liz called someone who could help her. "Hi, it's Liz. I think I left my book bag at Max's the other night. I want to call him, only I don't know his number."

Liz entered Max's cell number directly into her own cell phone as Isabel recited it to her. She even allocated it a speed dial button. Now she could call him any time she wanted. He answered after seven rings.

"Hello?" Max's voice sent shivers down her spine.

"Hello. Is this Mr. Evans?" she spoke in such a way that she hoped her voice sounded older, more mature.

"Speaking..." Max sounded wary.

"Hi, Mr. Evans," she smiled into the phone. "This is Liz. Liz Parker. You know, I babysat for you on Friday night?"

"Hi, Liz," Max responded, sounding more upbeat. "How are you?"

"Oh," Liz was surprised that he asked after her. "Uhm, I'm good actually. Thanks. Uh, and you? And how's Toby?"

"We're both fine," Max laughed. "What can I do for you?"

Apart from the obvious, Liz wondered?

"Uh, yeah," she nodded, even though he could not see her. "I think I left my book bag at your house. I was wondering if I could come over and collect it? I need it for my, uh... homework."

"Oh, right. Of course. Uh, Listen. Toby and I aren't home right now."

Liz's stomach fell away. Was he at some other woman's house? Had he spent the night with her?

"I've brought Toby to the Bottomless Lakes. We're actually on the beach, making a sand castle."

"Oh," Liz started to fan herself. She was turning quite warm at the thought of Max in a pair of Speedo's, crawling around in the wet sand. "Well, when you get home, maybe I could come then?"

"Liz," he sounded apologetic. "I have to take Toby home to his Mom's later. He lives in Albuquerque. I won't be home until late. But listen. Isabel has a key. If you call her, I'm sure she would let you in to find your book bag.""

"Oh," she nodded. She would have preferred to see Max over Isabel any time. "I'll do that. Thanks, Mr. Evans."

"And, Liz?" she could hear teasing in his voice. "Mr. Evans is my Dad. You can call me, Max. You've known me long enough."

"Okay," she nodded with a huge smile. Did this mean that he considered her an equal? A grown up? "Thanks, Max."

She felt quite giddy when she phoned Isabel back.

"I'm going to have lunch with Alex," Isabel could not hide how pleased she sounded. "I'll drop by on my way and lend you the key. You can let yourself in and return the key to me on Monday, okay?"


* * *


Alone in his house, Liz's imagination ran wild. She could strip naked and walk around the whole house, touching herself, wishing that he was there, touching her. She could go out to his pool and skinny dip. After, she could lay on his patio and bring herself to a crashing orgasm, calling his name out across the valley.

She did neither of those things. The thought that maybe his friends might turn up, expecting to find Max at home made her think again. Besides, Liz was far more brave in her own imagination. It was safe there. She went through to the dining room where she found her book bag, underneath the wall mounted telephone. As she stood up, book bag in hand, something very familiar caught her eye. Three tickets to a game. But not just any game. The big game that would determine if West Roswell High went to the State Championships. Max was going to come and watch her cheer! Okay, so he was technically coming to watch a the game, but Liz would be there. Dressed in her cheerleader uniform. And he would be bound to look over at them, just like all the other guys did. And she would have to make sure that he noticed her. Liz took a note of the seat numbers, promising that she would know exactly where he would be sitting. There was no point in showing off to the wrong person, was there?


* * *


"Hey, Liz," someone called to her as she made her way from her US Government class to her Spanish.

"This is just so déjà vu," Liz stopped and shook her head. "Sorry, Kyle. But I'm kind of busy this weekend. I'm already going out to dinner with someone on Saturday night. Sunday is Isabel's party and so that just leaves me Friday night to get all my homework done."

"Liz," Kyle blinked. "Finals are coming up. No one is going to give out any more homework."

"You know what, Kyle," Liz widened her eyes. "Not once have I seen you in any of my AP classes. You must really hide yourself well."

"Funny," Kyle growled. "How about you go as my date to Isabel's party?"

"Kyle," Liz tired to let him down gently. "Isabel is my oldest friend. I would rather spend time with her at her party than have you try to monopolize me."

"Who says I'm gonna monopolize you?"

"Everyone, Kyle," Liz sighed. "Besides, when you take someone on a date, you're like a freaking octopus. And if I'm only wearing a swimsuit, then I am not swimming with any cephalopods. I'm late for Spanish."

Kyle watched her go, shaking his head.

"You!" Kyle grabbed a passing freshman. "What's a safely-pod? That's a good thing, right?"

"Uh, yeah," the startled freshman just nodded.

"That's what I thought," Kyle grinned. "She so wants me."


* * *


"You have no idea how long I have wanted to do this with you Liz," Tess called over her shoulder as she eased her way through a rack of mini skirts. Belts might be a more accurate description.

Behind her, Liz was sorting through a rack with mini-dresses. Or perhaps they were lampshades, depending upon your point of view.

"Well, I never really had the motivation before," Liz grinned.

"Later, I'll take you to this other store I know. Talk about hot! And slutty, in a good way, if you know what I mean. What are you going to wear to Iz's pool party?"

"Uh," Liz looked like she was making a hard decision. "Swim suit?"

"I know just the place for those," Tess turned around and winked. "You can buy an itsy bitsy, teensy weensy, sexy yellow bikini there. I don't think polka dots will suit you."

Both girls started to giggle.

"I don't think I'll be displaying the new me at Isabel's party," Liz shook her head. "Not yet. Although, Iz did warn me that if I turn up wearing a one piece swimsuit, she's going to make me wear one of her old ones."

"Damn!" Tess widened her eyes. "She had some pretty hot bikinis when she was younger."

"Good thing I have something else to wear, then," Liz laughed.

"You know," Tess looked at what they had selected so far. "You have some hot stuff here. And some hotter stuff lined up. We need to check out the lingerie, next. Do you want to go to Victoria's Secret, next? Or the Adult Bookstore over on Perry Street?"

"Victoria's Secret," Liz shook her head. "I don't think I'll ever be ready for that other place. Now, is there anything else I need?"

"Shoes!" Tess exclaimed. "You so have to wear the right shoes. And by the right shoes, I mean heels! 'High' heels."

"'Fuck me' pumps," Liz blushed, remembering a conversation she had once overheard.

"Right," Tess grinned. "You are so bad, girl. I am so liking this new you. You really have to tell me who all this is for."

"Sorry," Liz shook her head. "The devil inside might be coming out, but I am so not going to kiss and tell. Well, not tell, anyway. Even when the kissing starts. 'If' it starts."

"If?" Tess gaped. "There isn't a straight teenaged male alive who will be able to resist you in any of this."

That's not what worries me, Liz considered.

"Come on," Liz spoke out loud. "I want to go to a jewelry store. I think a dangling playboy bunny for my navel would be cool."


* * *


"Yes, Mom," Max sighed as he held his cell phone to his ear with his shoulder. His hands were using his mouse and his keyboard to insert a spiral staircase on the newly designed room displayed on his computer monitor. "I'm eating well. I know you don't believe me, but I am."

Life had been strange to Max Evans. He had never been one for social occasions, and being the... studious teenager that he was, he was considered to be a geek. A nerd. He had even heard Deputy Valenti, now a Sheriff, once pass a comment about 'that geeky Evans kid.' He had never mixed well with the other kids, had never mixed at all with the girls.

So when he chose to go the UCSD to study Architecture, it had come as quite a surprise to his family. His peers would be attending UNM, and would have old friendships to fall back on for support. Except that for Max, there were no friendships. He had been bullied all the way through school. He believed that if he was going to feel alone at UNM, he might as well feel alone somewhere different. Somewhere he might make a new start.

Once he had settled into UCSD, he once again attracted the attention of the bullies. Just because they were older now, and better educated did not mean they did not want to push kids like Max around. Most of them had probably been pushed around themselves and found Max too easy a target that allowed them to vent their own frustration. But Max had one thing going for him that first year. A no-nonsense room mate by the name of Michael Guerin, who had actually befriended him.

It was Michael, a child of the foster system that pushed him from pillar to post who had dragged Max, kicking and screaming to the gym, and started him on a regimen of calisthenics designed to build his physique and his strength. Coupled with martial arts lessons, it was only two months later that Max put the first bully on his back. It took two more of those and a black eye to finally get the message out. Max was no longer a victim. After the gym, getting Max to participate in sports on the weekends was a breeze. Max was seriously talented. In fact, it had been speculated among the gang that met up every Saturday that if Max had played sports in High School, he might have found himself on a sports scholarship.

It was a two way street of friendship, however, as Max helped Michael with his studies, helping him to not only remain in college when he was in danger of being kicked out but also raised his grades quite significantly. Theirs was a strange friendship and probably one of the strongest either had ever had.

Another bonus was that Michael had a girlfriend. A veritable spitfire that went by the name of Maria DeLuca, or 'Blondie' if you were feeling suicidal. It was Maria, assisted by Max's sister, Isabel, who had insisted upon a total and complete makeover one weekend when no one had anything better to do. With his new body, and his looks uncovered by Maria and Isabel's skills, Max was soon a man in demand among the single - and often not so single girls of San Diego. That was how he had met Stephanie. That, and Maria setting them up on a blind date.

Stephanie had sandy colored hair and hazel eyes, and Max was drawn to her almost at once. He did not care that she had the killer figure of a super model, or the beauty of a Greek goddess, she had something else. An exciting personality. She helped bring Max out of his shell. Their relationship had started slowly: Max had never been a ladies man, and by their senior year, they were finally a solid item, and had finally taken the next step in their relationship only a few months before Graduation.

It only takes once, the old saying goes. And once was enough. Two months later, having made love only a few times, Stephanie discovered that she was pregnant with Max's child. They both managed to graduate, however, as well as getting married, and a few months later, Toby was born.

Max and Stephanie moved to Albuquerque, where her parents came from. He had accepted a job with a small firm, where he helped design the new affordable housing estates that were springing up all over the state. It was hard work, and a far cry from the exciting, cutting edge stuff that Max wanted to do, but it paid well. With a wife, a new home and a young baby, 'pay' was what he needed right now. In spite of the long, hard hours, he felt happy that he was providing for his family. Things were going well. The future looked very bright.

Or so Max thought.

While he was working hard, Stephanie was playing hard. One afternoon, while taking baby Toby to a swimming pool, Stephanie had met, allowed herself to be seduced by, and had fallen in love with a rich man. A playboy, by all accounts, but Stephanie had been smitten. He was an investment banker for one of the large international banks that had come to New Mexico for the tax concessions. Stephanie's excuse was that her life had become tedious and boring, that Max no longer paid her any attention.

Only the fact that Max's father was a lawyer, and a damned good one, prevented Max from being fleeced by his ex-wife. It was decreed that the last thing Stephanie needed was more money, when she had left her husband for a more wealthy man, and Max was working so hard to earn what little he did. However, the judge had also stipulated that Toby would be better off with his mother, who was planning to marry again, thus providing a stable environment for Toby. Max had not even considered dating again and there was no way he could find a new girlfriend, and marry her at such short notice, even though Isabel and Maria had tried hard to get him to do just that. His heart had been badly burned and he seriously doubted he would ever trust another woman, outside his Mom, Isabel and Maria, again.

Then, one day, out of the blue, a woman called him on his home phone. She said that she was a representative of a prestigious firm of architects and they were interested in hiring him. A few interviews later, Max was being offered a new job. A job which not only paid him more money but which allowed him to work from home, if he wished. When the prestigious company of McCarthy and Kale sent the head-hunters after him, they not only offered him a better job and a better salary, they offered him a chance to begin again. So, not needing to be in Albuquerque any more, amid the innuendo that followed him everywhere, he returned home to the bosom of his family, home to Roswell, even if it was in an exclusive property overlooking the city. Things could have been a lot worse. At least, this close to home, the phone calls from his mother were fewer in number and shorter in length.


"You know I just worry about you, is all," his mother sounded concerned. "Why don't you come to dinner with us on Saturday night?"

"So you can check out what I eat?" Max smirked. "Okay, Mom. I'll be there. Want me to bring anything?"

"Just yourself," she informed him. There was a slight pause. "Unless you want to bring a date?"

"Fourth of September?" he chuckled. "That date good enough? I'll bring a bottle of wine, too. I know you and dad like a little wine."

"How are you doing," she asked softly. "You know, without..."

"It's not so bad," Max shrugged. "As long as I keep working. He's only been gone four days and I really miss him."

"Of course you do," his mother reassured him. "And you always will. But try not to let work become your lifestyle."

"I won't, Mom," Max shook his head.

"Have you been out on any dates?"

"Mom!" Max groaned, rolling his eyes.

"What?" her voice sounded very motherly. "Can't I worry about you? Just because she wasn't the one for you, Max, doesn't mean that no one else is. And she's not going to come knocking on your door, Max. You're going to have to go out and find her.""

"I know, Mom," Max lifted a hand up and ran it through his hair, sweeping the bangs from his forehead. "Just let me get a little settled first, okay? I'll start to date when I feel ready. I better go now, Mom. Speak to you later. See you on Sat. Love you. Bye."


Max returned to work, using the features within his AutoCAD software tool to continue with his latest project. Even though he was slightly ahead of schedule with it, he could not afford any slip-ups. This was important. This was going to make his mark within his new company. The success, or failure would determine just how far he was going to go within it. While failure would not result in anything more than maybe a slowing down of his rise, success might mean a major promotion. The phone started to ring again. Max picked it up, opened it, and pressed it between his shoulder and his ear.

"What now, Mom?" he started to chuckle.

There was a moment of silence from the other end.

"Actually, I'm not your mom," the woman's voice chuckled.

Max went white.

"Stephanie," he spoke, a little coldly. "What do you want?"

"What makes you think I want anything?" she sounded disappointed.

"Because why else would you be calling me?"

"Maybe I'm just phoning to see how you are getting on?"

"Oh god," something dawned on Max. "It's not Toby, is it? Is Toby okay? He's not sick or anything?"

"No. It's not Toby," she sighed. "Well, maybe in a way, it is."

"What?" Max gasped, standing up in full panic mode.

"Max, relax," Stephanie urged. "It's nothing like that. Nothing like that at all. It's just... Look, I was wondering if you might be able to look after him for the whole of next week. I mean, I'm sorry it's such short notice..."

"What do you mean, Steph?" Max's eyes narrowed but he did not sit down. "Is this some kind of trick? 'Cause if it is..."

"No, Max," she denied. "It's just that James has to visit a really important client in Texas next week and he wants me to go with him. We thought we might do a little sight seeing while we're there, attend a few parties. You know. The high life. Only, it's not something we can take Toby to, is it? So, I figured that instead of driving over a week from Friday to pick him up for your weekend, you could come over this Sunday evening instead, take him home and bring him back as normal a week later."

"No tricks?"

"You sound like you don't want to have your son."

"Okay, Steph," Max nodded. "You know I will look after him. But you have to call my lawyer first and let him know what's going on."

There was a momentary silence.

"Is that really necessary?" she asked. "Don't you trust me anymore?"

"Now that you come to mention it," Max's eyes grew hard. "No."

"Can't you do it, Max? I know your father hates me."

"That's not my problem, Steph," Max shook his head. "My problem is making sure that everything I do, I do with my lawyer's say so, and ipso facto, my Dad's. I am not going to lose what little time I get with Toby because you manage to trick me into breaking some order you might have taken against me without me knowing."

"I liked you better when you trusted me," she huffed.

"Yeah," Max nodded. "I wonder why that is?"


Max closed his phone and placed it on his desk. He turned to his computer screen and stared at the image in front of him. He reached across his desk and picked up a letter, quickly scanning the contents. Max then turned to a calendar, and ran his fingers along the large black numbers that represented next week. He opened his phone again and pressed the speed dial for his parent's number.

"Hi, Mom," he grinned. "It's me. Max."

"Max," his mom sounded like she was grinning. "Don't tell me. You want to cancel Saturday because you have a hot date."

"Sorry, Mom," he chuckled. "I'm not canceling."

"Oh. So this call is...?"

"For Isabel, actually. Is she there?"

"Sure," his mother confirmed. "Hang on, I'll go get her."


* * *


It wasn't really that far to Isabel's from the apartment she shared with her father above the Crashdown Café and the evening was a very pleasant one, so Liz decided to walk. She knew that her father would come and pick her up when the evening was done, if Mrs. Evans didn't run her home, herself. Liz's father was a huge fan of the Evans'. Even though his divorce had been an unhappy experience, Philip Evans had helped him through it with a minimum of pain. And, Liz suspected he charged nowhere near as much as he should have.


Liz had not spent much time deciding what she was going to wear. This was, after all, only Isabel and her parents. She had pulled on a pair of pale blue Capri pants with little daisies embroidered around the bottoms of the legs, as well as around her pockets. Her white T-shirt had a small cartoon alien on it, pointing a laser gun and saying 'Take me to your leader.' Her ensemble was finished with a pair of white 'flip flops'. Her hair was pulled back in her usual pony tail and she wore, as normal, no make up.

As she turned the corner and onto Isabel's driveway, Liz momentarily stopped when she came face to face with an absolutely amazing car. It was without a doubt, the coolest car that she had ever seen. It was clearly a Chevy Trailblazer, silver with a black trim, except that it had been customized. It had been turned into a convertible. The whole roof section had been removed, leaving a large roll bar that ran across the car, just behind the leather upholstered front seats. The back compartment had been converted into a trunk with a section that Liz supposed held the soft-top. It looked totally awesome and Liz had never seen a car like it.

"Mr. Evans must be making some mega bucks, now," she considered.

And why not? He always was an awesome lawyer.


* * *


"Hi, Liz," Isabel smiled when she opened the door. "Come on in."

"Hi, Iz," Liz smiled stepping through the open door. "Hi, Mrs. Evans."

"Oh, hello Liz," Diane Evans emerged from the kitchen, on her way to the dining room. "How are you, dear? We haven't seen you around here in ages. My, haven't you grown?"

"Mom," Isabel rolled her eyes, noticing her friend's embarrassment. "Come on Liz. We'll go through to the dining room while we wait. Dinner's nearly ready."

"Sure," Liz nodded.

She liked the Evans. They were a cool family. She always liked coming here, especially when Max used to be home. It was a shame that her visits had stopped when she and Isabel had drifted apart. It might have been nice seeing Max as he grew into that incredibly handsome man.

"Afterwards, we can go up to my room and lock ourselves in with Ben and Jerry while we talk about Alex."


The two girls entered the dining room, where they were alone, discussing the latest goings on at school, their heads huddled as close together as they could, given their height difference.

"And you know that Melissa Collins lost her bet and has to dance with Earl Zemeckis at Prom, right?" Isabel confided.

"If you tell me he isn't a virgin," Liz started to smirk.

"Well, there is that rumor about him and Paula Embleton..." Iz chuckled. "But personally, I think it's just that. A rumor. Who would want to let 'Lard Boy' lay on top of them?"

"Eeeew! Shut up!"

Together, the two girls started a fit of giggles. At that moment, Philip Evans and Max... 'the' Max... 'her' Max, entered the room. Liz quite suddenly wished that she was anywhere but here right now. Here she was, in front of Max, and once again, she looked like a schoolgirl. And what was worse, she was behaving like one, too. Could her life get any worse?

"Hi, kids," Max gave an indulgent smile.

Yes, it could, she decided. How was she ever going to get him to notice her, and to treat her like an adult if he only ever saw her dressed and acting like a kid? Although, on the up side, he did remember her.

"Hello, Liz," Philip chuckled. "I forgot that Diane said we were having one of Iz's little friends 'round to diner."

Liz wondered if there was a nearby cave that she could crawl into.

"So anyway, Max, I told her that although you were delighted with the extra time, and would always be only too pleased to look after him more often, we had to keep her requests on a professional standing. I'm sending her some papers that she has to sign, acknowledging that she asked you for this and that you willingly agreed."

"Was it really necessary to go that far?" Max frowned.

Liz never wanted to take someone's hand and offer comfort more than she had right then. Whatever was bothering Max was clearly causing him distress.

"I mean, I don't want her to do something drastic like leaving him with her parents when she can leave him with me."

"We have done the right thing, Max," Philip. "We learned a long time ago that this woman is capable of anything. I know he's your son - he's our grandson, too, remember. Relax. Now she knows the score, it will be easier next time."


Liz was very quiet during dinner, talking only when asked a direct question, most of which had come from Diane or Isabel. It wasn't that she did not wish to join the conversation. She was just trying to listen to Max. She was trying to learn as much as she could about him. She had remembered something from a history lesson. 'Know your enemy.' Not that she considered Max an enemy, but she 'would' rather like to be invaded and conquered by him.

"Oh, Max!" Isabel suddenly spoke up, interrupting the conversation between him and her father. "You know what you asked me to do, earlier?"

"I know, Isabel," Max nodded. "You already told me you can't do it because of all the extra things you do. Like the Prom Committee..."

"The Graduation Ceremony Committee..." her father added.

"The Cheerleader Committee..." Max smirked.

"Fashion Committee..." Philip added with a grin.

"Committee's Committee," Max laughed.

She couldn't help it. Liz started to laugh too, earning herself a reproving glare from Isabel. Even Philip and Diane were laughing. Isabel did get herself involved in a lot of committees.

"It's okay, Iz," Max smiled apologetically. "I'll figure something out. A professional child carer or something."

"Why not ask Liz?" Isabel spouted.

Liz's eyes widened and the spun to Isabel. Did she suspect something?

"But won't she...?" Max turned to look at Liz.

"No," Isabel shook her head. "The only thing Liz is involved in is cheerleader practice after school but that never takes long. And she's so far ahead in her studies, she's already looking at stuff for next year's midterms."

Liz blushed.

"Liz," Isabel turned to her friend. "Max is looking after Toby for the whole of next week. He's picking him up tomorrow afternoon and won't be taking him home until next Sunday. Only, the thing is... he has to get some work done this week. He has this deadline to meet. Okay? So he needs someone to baby-sit for a few hours a day for him so that he can concentrate on his work. Maybe you could watch Toby for him after school? Say, four till seven?" Isabel looked at Max with raised eyebrows.

"Three hours should be enough," Max nodded. "Toby's bedtime during the week is between 6:30 and 7:00, so I can work when he's gone to bed, too. You can even stay to dinner, if you want. It would be great if you could stay a little longer in case he doesn't settle and wakes up. But you probably have other things to do, right?"

"Well," Liz started to blush. She could hardly believe it. She would be in Max's environment, one on one. Well, along with Toby. But he would eventually go to sleep and she would be able to put her plan, 'Operation Seduce Max' into action. If she was still a virgin by this time next week, she would... she would... Liz wished she had as active an imagination as Tess. "If you really think it's okay. I mean, I like Toby and we got along okay... and if you're sure I could do it and you think it's o..." Liz realized that she was starting to babble.

"As long as it doesn't inconvenience you," Max nodded. "Then it's okay. How much for your services?"

"Excuse me?" Liz choked. He wanted to pay her to seduce him?

"How much should I pay you? For babysitting."

"Oh, uh..." Liz was burning bright red. She was so glad that Max could not read minds.

"What about three hundred?" Isabel suggested. "You paid her sixty for Saturday night. Five more nights at sixty a night... that's three hundred."

"Oh, no," Liz shook her head. She did not want to price herself out of this job. She couldn't care less how much money she made. It was all about getting Max to notice her. "You don't have to..."

"Sounds fair to me, Max," Philip nodded.

"And her dinner, too," Diane reminded him. "You did offer to feed her. And no ordering fast food. You feed Liz and my grandson real food. I can always cook you some things and send them over."

"Yes, Ma'am," Max agreed. He turned to Liz. "Will three hundred be enough?"

Aware that everyone was looking at her, Liz could not speak. With her red face burning hotly, she simply nodded. She wondered how eager Mr. and Mrs. Evans would be if they had the slightest inkling what she had planned for their son.


* * *


"Well, goodnight, Mrs. Evans. Mr. Evans," Liz stood by the door with Isabel. "Thank you for having me to dinner. I have to go now. I'm working the early shift tomorrow."

"You're welcome, Liz," Diane smiled. "We don't see enough of you around here."

"Max," Isabel called. "Can you move your car so I can drive Liz home?"

"Just coming," Max called.

"You're still working?" Isabel raised an eyebrow at Liz. "I thought you finished. Didn't your Dad already employ some new girls?"

"I have finished, technically," Liz smirked. "But I think I might work occasionally through the summer. Earn some extra cash." Because buying hot clothes to make myself look older so I can flirt with Max is expensive. But think what she could buy with three hundred dollars!

Max stepped into the hallway with some keys in his hand.

"Would you like me to drive Liz home, Iz?" Max raised an eyebrow.

Please say yes, Liz looked at Isabel. Please say yes.

"Are you sure?" Isabel looked surprised.

"Yeah," Max nodded. "I should get home, too. I have to make sure everything is ready, you know..."

"Right," Isabel nodded. "Well, okay. If you're sure."

Yes! Liz pumped the imaginary air with an imaginary first.

"Bye, Mom," Max called. "Bye Dad. See you tomorrow, I expect," he pulled Isabel into a hug and kissed her cheek.

Liz knew it was only a brotherly mark of affection but she still could not help feeling a tinge of jealousy.

"See you tomorrow, Liz," Isabel called. "My party."


"So," Max held open the car door for Liz. "Where do you live?"

"Above the Crashdown," Liz told him, climbing up into the seat.

"Oh, that's right," Max nodded as he closed her door. He started to walk around to the other side. "I remember, now."

"Nice car." Liz nodded as they both fastened their seat belts. "Is it yours?"

"Yeah," Max nodded. "Do you like it? I designed the new building for that Chevy Showroom over in Albuquerque. Do you know 'Chevy's Chevies'?"

"You designed that?" Liz's jaw dropped.

"Uh huh," Max nodded with a hint of pride. "That was my first piece of work with McCarthy and Kale. Well, Chevy, the owner, he was so impressed that he gave me this as a thank you."

"It's awesome," Liz nodded, her eyes fixed on Max.

When they arrived at the Crashdown, Liz wished with all her heart that Max would lean across and kiss her. And quite suddenly, he was leaning across. Stunned, Liz closed her eyes and started to pucker her lips. She heard the door open.

"Well, good night, Liz," he smiled. "See you Monday night then. Huh?"

"Yeah," Liz fought to keep her disappointment hidden as she climbed down from the huge Chevy. "Monday."


* * *

[WR]

Hi everyone!

Thanks for your awesome feedback. As always, I really enjoy reading what you have to say.

Thank for all you well wishes for my Father in Law. He is doing great, now.

clueless -
dreamer19 -
Cocogurl -
Alien_Friend -
hazz -
IluvMaxEvans -
Natz - Thank you

begonia9508 - Well, I had to come up with a realistic reasom why someone would leave Max, because clearly, none of you ladies would. lol
ShatteredDreamer - Yes. in reality, there would be so many obstacles to Max and Liz at this point. But fortunatley, this is Fiction, so anything goes! Haha!

Alien614 - I am sure Liz will think of something. Or maybe Max will?

Smokie - I guess that depends on what impression she wants to give Max. She does want him to take her virginity, after all.

Emz80m - All it takes is one moment!

pookie76 - Well, Liz "IS" way too young for Max. But maybe thats okay because she can always grow. Just needs the right kind of care.

kay_b - I kow someone this happened to. Not quite the same situation, but... lol.

BehrObsession - Yes, Max does seem to think of Liz as that little girl. I wonder what Liz could do that would make him change his mind?

Michelle in Yonkers - There is an 18 year old girl working with me, and she HAS a Playboy Bunny dangling from her navel. So far, Liz has always been herself around Max and she "believes" that he considers her a kid, still. And she is only looking at Max as the 'slayer of her virginity'. If she was looking for more, then maybe she would approach this differently. Remember, who is her role model?


The Devil Inside


Chapter 5


Liz's dreams were plagued that night with images of her and Max, on her bed... in the diner... in his pool... over his desk... in the back of his car... She dreamed all night long of her seductive plans working. Over and over again. When she finally woke up on Sunday morning, she felt as exhausted as if she had physically taken part in all of her dream activities. Her limbs even ached and she could not remember a time she had ever felt more aroused in her life. She was soaking wet, externally as well. Liz was not sure whether she wanted to take a hot shower... or a cold one.

"You okay, Munchkin?" Jeff Parker called from over the top of his morning paper as Liz drifted into the kitchen.

"Yeah," Liz stifled a yawn. "Trouble sleeping again."

"You're not worried about anything, are you?" He put his paper down. "I mean, so many things are changing in your life... High School, College... Your Mom."

"It's nothing like that, Dad," Liz shook her head. "It's just..." she waved her arms in frustration. "All my life, I've felt like I've been in control, you know?"

"And now?"

"Dad," Liz shook her head. "I really can't talk to you about this stuff, okay?"

"Ah," Jeff nodded. "Boys, huh? Well, you know I have always trusted your judgment, and I really don't think you're going to do anything that would jeopardize your future... so I will continue to trust your judgement. Until you give me reason not to."

"Thanks Dad," she nodded. "But it's nothing to worry about. He doesn't even know I exist."

"Well," Jeff gave her a look of sympathy. "Maybe you should take steps to remedy that. If you really think he's worth it."

I think he is," Liz smiled.

"Just be careful," Jeff sighed. Why did little girls have to grow into young ladies? "Just make sure he deserves your affection and don't ever let me know the details. That's all I ask."


* * *


"Hi, Liz," Tess peered over the top of her sunglasses from the front seat of her tiny sports car.

It was a little after twelve noon.

"Hey," Liz threw her bag into the back which although had seats, required the passengers be pygmies. Very short pygmies, with their legs removed.

She opened the door and slid in to the passenger seat, next to Tess. Liz flipped out a pair of sunglasses and put them on.

"I thought you might choose today to reveal the new you," Tess had only a trace of disappointment. Liz was wearing a simple cotton sundress with flower prints. "You know, wow them all."

"So I see," Liz smirked at Tess's attire.

Tess was wearing a micro mini skirt over her neon pink bikini. Because of the way she was sitting, even the skirt was extraneous: Liz could see the pink bikini bottoms from beneath it. The bra portion of her bikini was quite small, allowing her ample cleavage to receive all the rays of the sun they decently could.

"Nah, this is just me," Tess shrugged.

Tess pulled away from the front of the diner just as Liz gave a smile and a wave to her father, standing at the window. When Tess continued to drive north, up South Main Street, and not turn left where they normally would have, Liz looked confused.

"Are we picking up anyone else?" Liz asked when Tess turned east onto Highway 380.

"No," Tess snorted. "As if I could get anyone else in this car."

"So... we are going where?" she turned to look over her shoulder. "Isabel's is back that way."

"We're not going to Isabel's" Tess shook her head. "You know as well as I do that Isabel does not have a pool."

"Yeah," Liz straightened herself. "I knew that. I just figured that maybe she rented one of those above ground ones, like Sheriff Valenti rented for Kyle's sixteenth.

Tess turned and gave Liz a calculating look.

"Well," she shrugged and turned to face the road again. "Why rent a lame-o above ground pool when your older bro owns a huge house with a huge real pool."

Once more, Liz experienced the feeling of wishing the ground would open up and swallow her. Again, she was dressed in what could only be described as something a little girl would wear. And the two piece swim suit under her dress - it could not really be called a bikini - was even more so. It certainly would do little to attract the attention of Isabel's older brother, not when every other girl there would be dressed to kill, like Tess. But then, they all had bodies that could attract a man's attention. Where the other's had mountains, Liz had mole-hills.

God! If only she had thought to pack one of the bikinis she had bought during the week with Tess. Not once had she considered the possibility that she might have seen Max today, and she certainly had not wanted to send any signals to any of the guys from school. . She turned away from her friend and groaned. Her life really did suck. Her only saving grace was the fact that she knew Max had to go to Albuquerque later, to pick up Toby. Perhaps he had already gone, leaving the house to Isabel and her friends. She certainly hoped so.


"So, I called for you last night," Tess informed her. "Only you weren't there."

"Oh," Liz nodded. "Yeah. Sorry. I went to dinner at Isabel's last night. I thought I told you about that."

"Oh, yeah," Tess nodded. "I vaguely remember you saying something about that. Did you have a good time?"

"Yeah," she smiled. "It was great."

Liz decided not to tell Tess who was there. Tess might not have been academically brilliant but she was very shrewd.

"Did you get up to anything much?" Liz continued.

"Yeah," Tess grinned. "I uh, went to Dave O'Hanlon's party."

"Did you have a good time?"

"I met this guy," Tess smirked. "He was older than me, too. At least twenty."

"Oh," Liz shook her head. "Tell me you didn't..."

"Can't," Tess gave a smile.

Liz waited for Tess to continue. Tess, it seemed, like to regale Liz with stories of her activities. She would describe everything down to the last detail. Liz probably knew how to perform any act of sex ever thought about, all courtesy of Tess and her active sex life. Liz probably knew the Kama Sutra backwards, in theory. So the fact that Tess fell silent rather than give the details told Liz all she needed to know. It had not been good.

"So, are you seeing him again?" Liz raised her eyebrows.

"Doubt it," Tess shook her head. "Take a tip, Liz. Once you have done the deed, if he can't wait to get rid of you, it's already over. If he won't touch you, or look at you, it's hasta la vista, okay? How he acts after the fact is as important as how he acts before."

"Tess, I'm sorry."

"Hey," the blonde shrugged with a smile. "Like I said, babe. Plenty more fish in the sea. So. Did you bring one of your new little hot suits today?"

Liz could not bring herself to reply. She felt like she might just burst into tears. Besides which, she really did not know what to say. Maybe she should suddenly realize that she had forgotten her swimsuit. Tess could drive her home and she could get changed.

"Wait!" Tess misinterpreted her silence. "Please tell me you did not bring your one piece."

"Well..." Liz felt a small glimmer of triumph. A way out!

"Shit, Liz," Tess shook her head as they rattled over the railroad crossing. "Isabel really is going to make you wear one of her old suits, you know. She wasn't kidding. And what she has is going to make what you bought seem tame."

"Oh," Liz spoke softly. Good, she added silently. Now hopefully, Max 'will' be there.


Tess raced along Highway 380, with the wind blowing in their hair. She soon slowed and turned onto Arlene Road.

"Can you believe it?" Tess finally broke the silence that had descended upon them as they passed Hondo Park. "The nerd owns a house with a pool."

"Uh, yeah," Liz nodded. "I can, actually. I already saw it when I babysat for him last week."

"Oh, yeah," Tess nodded. "I forgot. So is his house as totally awesome as Iz says it is?"

"Absolutely," Liz nodded with a grin. "It's the awesomeist."

"And does he still look like a nerd?" she smirked as they entered Vista Calle.

"You already saw him," Liz reminded her. "He came into the Crashdown last Saturday. You said, and I quote, 'Oh. My. God!'"

"That was him?" Tess's jaw dropped. "Wow. I wonder if he'll be around today? I so would not mind getting a better look at him. Or letting him getting a better look at me. Damn, he was hot. I'm so glad I dumped Reggie. Oh, wait. His wife was like, a totally hot babe, too. And kind of scary looking. She is so bound to be hanging all over him today, keeping us hotties offa her man."

Liz chose not to correct her.

"Still," Tess winked. "She can't watch him 'all' of the time, right? And who knows who he will be looking at?"


* * *


"Happy birthday, Izzie!" the two girls chorused as they entered the foyer of Max's house.

"Liz! Tess!" Isabel grinned. "I am so glad you could make it. Thank you so much."

"Here," Liz took a small gift-wrapped package and pink envelope from her bag. "Your card and present."

"Liz," Isabel scolded as she pulled first Tess and then Liz into a hug. "I told you, no cards, no presents. Just yourselves."

"I couldn't let your eighteenth birthday go by without a little something," Liz blushed, hugging her friend in return.

Some girls, like the ice queen herself, had nothing to fear from the dreaded bumps. There was not a guy at Roswell brave enough to face Isabel Evans. Even in a gang.

"Okay, ground rules," Isabel broke away from the hugs and rolled her eyes a little dramatically. "I know I don't have to worry about you two, but Max made me promise I would give everyone this little speech. You are only allowed in the kitchen. The rest of the house is off limits. Bathroom is in the cabana. We also change out there. No drink, no drugs. Max catches you with it on his property, you're out of here 'and' he's reporting it to the sheriff. He can't afford any trouble because it might jeopardize his visitation rights with Toby. And I have one final rule to add."

"What's that?" Tess wondered.

"If I catch you not having fun, you are so gonna hear about it from me," she grinned.

"Has anyone tried to smuggle in any drink?" Liz asked.

Liz doubted that a party went by at which the guys did not get drunk. Someone was bound to try to smuggle some in.

"Kyle," Isabel shrugged. "And some of the other jocks. The beer is all out front, hidden in the Yucca plants. I've told them, anyone leaves, they stay left. I'm like an exclusive club. No re-admittance. Any one spoils my party is going to regret it for the rest of their lives. Come on; let's get out to where the fun is. On the patio."


"Whoa!" Tess stepped through the doors out onto the patio. Her mind took it all in. The pool, the view, everything. "Your brother must be loaded, Isabel!"

"Yeah," Isabel laughed. "He must be."

To one side of the patio, a DJ had set up his system under a huge sunshade. There were a couple of huge iceboxes that were filled with ice and soft drinks. A long table ran along the wall of the house, shaded from the sun by an awning, in which finger food sat on paper plates. There were teenagers everywhere. Some were dancing, others were sitting in rented plastic chairs, talking while more still splashed in the pool. It looked like everyone was having fun, even though no one was drunk.

"So are you going to get changed, or what?" Isabel laughed at them.

"Oh, we'll get changed," Tess nodded. "Where?"

"The cabana," Isabel pointed at the small building.

There were doors at either end. Above one door, a pink circle with a cross below it indicated the girl's half. The other had a blue circle with an angled arrow. Someone had already defaced it, rounding off the arrow, making it look like it really was a male. Teenaged boys were universal in their humor. Tess headed for the pink end with no hesitation, even though she only had a skirt to remove.

"Liz," Isabel frowned at her reluctance. "Tell me you have brought a bikini. And I mean a real bikini and not something you would have worn at grade school."

From the moment Liz had arrived, she had been looking for Max. She had not seen him anywhere. And if Max was not here, then she did not want to wear something that Isabel wore to tease a group of older boys. She was about to own up to the two piece tankini she was wearing, hoping it would satisfy Isabel. Liz doubted it.

"I so knew you would chicken out," Isabel smirked. "Here."

She handed Liz a small bag labeled 'The Bikini Hut.' It was a very small bag. When Isabel opened the door to the girl's half of the cabana, she could see that it was full. Reprieve.

"I'll change later," Liz grinned.

"Nuh uh," Isabel shook her head and took Liz's hand in hers.

She dragged her to the other end of the cabana; the one with the blue symbol.

"All the guys wore their Board shorts's here anyway," Isabel shrugged. "It's not like any one will want to come in here. You get changed and I'll keep watch."


Isabel ushered Liz into the empty room and closed the door. She then stood in front of the door, with her arms crossed. She would not allow her friend to be walked in on by one of those brain dead jocks!

But then fate intervened. Isabel saw Alex. He had arrived at last and she wanted to greet him. As much as she was desperate to run over to him, she did not want to leave Liz un-guarded. Like an answer to her prayers, Max walked out from the kitchen, making his tour of inspection, looking for any signs of alcohol or substance abuse. Although she wondered why he carried a rolled up towel under his arm.

"Ah, Max!" she called. "Just in time. Stay here, okay? Don't let anyone else in."

Isabel rushed across the patio to say hello to her boyfriend, leaving a rather baffled older brother behind her. Max shrugged his shoulders and turned to the door.


Inside the cabana, Liz peeled off her dress and folded it up, placing it inside her bag. She then pulled off her cropped top and her high hipped bottoms. These joined her dress in her bag. Naked, she then reached into the small 'Bikini Hut' bag that Isabel had given her and pulled out a small, white bikini. Fearing the worst, Liz was rather surprised to find that it was nowhere near as bad as she had thought. She stepped into the bottoms, pleased that Isabel had not purchased a thong. Maybe, if she was alone with Max, she might wear one of those; but not in front of her High School peers. She stepped into them and pulled them up her legs. The fit her like a second skin. The bra part was a little tricky and she was standing there, trying to straighten it out by holding it up in front of her, when Max stepped into the cabana.

The both froze, staring at one another. Liz was staring at Max's face while Max, who started to stare at her face, allowed his eyes to roam a little bit. A lot, actually. His eyes, unintentionally, lingered on her small, firm breasts and her tiny, puckering nipples. Max was blinking, his jaw opening and closing. His face was bright red. He even moved his eyes down her legs and back up again, to her naked breasts. How long they stood motionless, Liz could not say. But it was rather a long time.

"Sorry," Max finally managed to whisper in a hoarse voice and he slowly backed out, his eyes constantly glued to Liz.

When the door closed, Liz stared at it, motionless for a while longer. Only then did she start to blink. She looked down at her body, at her exposed breasts and the hard nipples that had formed when he started looking at her. She started to grin. Her body had affected Max. Really affected. With a huge, happy smile on her face, Liz started to put her top on.


Max closed the door to the cabana behind him, realizing that when Iz had said to stay there, she meant it, literally. He stared at the closed door for a moment before he turned and spotted Isabel. He waved her over to look after the door for Liz. Assured that no one else would walk in on the poor girl, Max headed for his house. He would change upstairs after all. He had always changed in the cabana. One thing Max hated was walking in the house when he was wet. His mind went back to that cabana.

"Liz Parker," he said to himself. "All grown up." He shook his head with a smirk. "I like it."


* * *


Having changed into a pair of Board shorts, Max then decided that he should avoid Liz. God knows how much he had embarrassed the poor girl. Not to mention, himself. Instead, he stayed up on the roof top patio that overlooked the pool area. He opened his towel and laid it over the rail, off to one side. He then leaned against the railing and looked down upon the kids below. They all looked like they were having a good time. And he wasn't really looking for Liz.

As far as Max could tell, no one was breaking his rules. No one had tried to enter the house. Why should they when there was a pool available? But then, there was usually one who would decide that the TV was preferable and try to watch the sports or the cartoons or something. The threat of being kicked out of what Isabel had assured him was 'the' most important party of the year seemed to be keeping everyone in line. No one even tried to sneak out to the kegs of beer Isabel didn't know that Max knew about. And he had not seen any of the telltale signs he had learned about in college that advertised substance abuse. Yes, this party was turning out to be rather interesting.


* * *


Now wearing the bikini Isabel had bought her, Liz stepped out into the hot, bright sunshine. With her sunglasses in place, her first task was to find Max. She wanted him to be very aware of her, just like she was only too aware of him. But he was elusive and she could not see him anywhere. He wasn't in the kitchen, he wasn't in the pool and he wasn't on the dance floor. Neither was he by the sun beds working on his tan.

Where the hell are you, Max Evans?

"Damn," Tess appeared at her side, looking back toward the house. "Look at him. He is just too hot."

Liz knew who Tess was talking about and followed her line of sight to the rooftop patio. Max was leaning against the railing, looking down at the crowd below. Unlike Liz, he was not wearing sunglasses so she knew at once when he caught sight of her. Liz smiled to herself, wondering if he was remembering what she looked like, in the cabana.

"Can't see any sign of his wife," Tess glanced around. "I wonder how you get up there?"

"Not sure," Liz lied as she shook her head. "Maybe there's a staircase at the side of the house."

"I'll go check," Tess slipped away, leaving Liz alone with the gaze of Max Evans upon her.

She liked this feeling. She felt empowered, in control... She reached for a bottle of suntan oil that someone had left on one of the chaise lounges. Normally, Liz used a sun block when the sun's rays were so strong, but these were exceptional circumstances.

Liz picked up her bottle of suntan oil and turned around so that she was facing the direction Max was standing. She put her right foot on an empty chair next to her. Pouring some oil onto her hand, and putting the bottle down, Liz rubbed her hands together, and began to apply the oil to her right calf, slowly, and as sensuously as she could. She poured more oil into her hand and applied it to her right knee. Her hands slowly traveled up her thigh. Her hand brushed her bikini gusset as she made sure that all of her exposed skin was coated with a sheen of oil. She wondered if Max was breathing as heavily as she was? She wondered if his eyes followed her hands as they stroked and caressed her thigh, even dipping beneath the edge of her bikini bottoms. After a quick glance at Max, she repeated her actions on her left leg. He was there, his eyes riveted to her. Liz was liking this.

Facing Max, with both feet on the floor, Liz poured more oil into her hand. She began to apply the oil to her arms, running her hands slowly along their full length, stretching them. As soon as her arms were done, more oil was applied to her hips, her waist, her stomach. Her own breathing was starting to labor. She hoped that Max was feeling the pressure because she was starting to burn up. Slowly, Liz made sure that an exposed part of her cleavage was covered in oil. Again, her fingers dipped slightly into the material. She even pulled the covering away slightly, not exposing her nipples, but almost. Liz was sizzling. She hoped that she was having the same effect on Max. A quick glance showed that he had moved. He had taken a few steps to the side, now standing behind the towel he had lain over the railing. He was still watching her, however. Liz hoped that this was a good thing.


* * *


"Damn," Max shook his head. "Is Liz even aware what she is doing?"

He had been watching her, but when she started to apply that oil to herself, his body had reacted so badly that he had to step behind the towel so that the teens below would not see his... discomfort.

"Yes," he nodded. "She knows damn well what she is doing. Teenage girls these days are way more... relaxed about their sexuality than they were when I was as old as them."

He couldn't help wondering who the lucky recipient was. A quick glance over the railing to the patio below, the direction Liz had been watching, checking to see if her arrow had hit it's mark, showed a small group of rather fit looking young men. Obviously athletes, the jocks. The bane of Max's life. They were watching her every move.

"Back off," he heard one of jocks growl. Max thought it was the Sheriff's son, Kyle. "She's mine. Damn. Look at her, she wants me so bad."

"Lucky guy," Max shook his head.


"Hey, Max," a tall, blonde woman appeared beside him.

"Hey, Maria," Max coughed nervously, remaining facing toward the towel.

Maria approached him, standing next to him at the rail. Max knew that she had seen his 'condition'. Nothing like that ever escaped the 'Maria Radar'.

"Is that a rocket in your pocket?" she smirked. "Or are you just really happy to see me?"

She then looked out at the scene below; the half naked girls dancing, swimming or just baking in the sun.

"You pervert, Max Evans," Maria smirked.

"Leave the guy alone, Maria," Michael arrived to lend Max his moral support. "Poor guy hasn't been getting any since... since... How long has it been since you got laid, Evans?"

"Stephanie," Max sighed, his erection fading fast.

"Shit!" Michael exclaimed. "As long as that? You haven't got laid in nearly two years? That's not right for a twenty eight year old man, Maxwell."

"Hey," Max rolled his eyes. "Twenty seven. I'm not twenty eight until December."

"Whatever," Michael shook his head. "Hey, why not go downstairs and help yourself to a little something from the table? It's a regular smorgasbord down there."

Max wouldn't mind helping himself to a little brunette vixen who went by the name of Liz Parker. He noticed from the corner of his eyes that Kyle was on his way around the pool toward her.

"Michael!" Maria slapped his arm. "Max, if you had said, I could have brought a friend. One who isn't a piece of jail-bait."

"Isabel's eighteen," Michael objected. "Stands to reason that most of the girls down there are, too."

"What's your point?" Maria demanded. "Max is so not going to resort to seducing little girls."

"There's some beers in the fridge in my office," Max shook his head. "Where the jail-bait can't get at it. Bring me one, too, will you buddy?"

Max and Maria started to move toward a table and chairs just as Kyle started to talk to Liz. He did not need to see this.


* * *


From the corner of her eye, Liz saw Max move away from the rail with that Maria woman. She knew that they would sit at the table and chairs Max had up there and would not be able to see her. There would be no reason to continue with her... teasing.

"Don't stop on my account," Kyle smirked as he approached her.

"Oh, hey Kyle," Liz suddenly felt mortified.

She had not considered that anyone else might have been watching her. Had she really done that in a public place? All around her, people were looking at her. More than a few of the guys showed large bulges in their swim shorts, Kyle included.

"Damn, Parker," Kyle was leering. "That was one hell of a show you put on for me."

"One, it wasn't a show," Liz shook her head. "Two, it wasn't for your benefit. I was just putting on some oil."

"Yeah," Kyle nodded. "But it was the 'way' you put it on. Remember what I said about all the guys watching you? There ain't a red blooded male who wasn't turned on by your little show. We all got woodies now. What do you say we slip into the cabana and you can continue with a more private viewing. Where I can show you my, uh, appreciation."

"You know what, Kyle?" Liz stepped up to him with a seductive smile, placing her hand on the middle of his chest. "What do you say you cool off?"

Liz gave a firm push and Kyle, taken my surprise, fell backwards into the pool. Everyone erupted into gales of laughter.


* * *


"You know what, Max?" Maria sipped at the bottle of Mexican beer. "There's this girl at work. She's really cute, okay? And she's divorced, like you. And I just know that the two of you would..."

"Maria," Max rolled his eyes before taking a gulp of his own beer. "The last girl you set me up with didn't work out too well, as I recall."

"Max," Maria looked hurt. "I am so sorry about that. I never knew Stephanie would turn out like that. She always seemed so..."

"I'm sorry, Maria," Max felt bad that he had hurt his friend. "It wasn't your fault. It was mine. I'm the one who couldn't keep her... satisfied."

"Don't you dare, Max Evans!" Maria's mood swung to anger. "Don't you even dare think that! It's not your fault. It's not mine, either. It's hers. She could have talked to you, Max. She could have tried to let you know how she was feeling. She could have taken steps to make it interesting between you."

"Max," Michael finally spoke. "Don't judge the other girls by her standards. Not all of them are like Stephanie. There are some great girls out there."

"Yeah," Max nodded. "One is my mom, one is my sister and the other is going to marry my best friend."

"You know," Maria smirked. "After saying something as sweet as that, I might just consider dumping Michael's ass and taking up with you. I could handle living in a place like this."

"Max would never do that," Michael rolled his eyes. "He knows you too well."

Maria poked her tongue out at Michael.

"She's out there," Maria waved her hand toward Roswell in the distance. "But you're never going to find her, hiding up in these hills. You gotta find her, Max. And never let her go. Stephanie wasn't the one. Otherwise she wouldn't have let 'you' go."


* * *


"Liz, Liz!" Tess called as she approached her friend. The crowds of teens had been declining as some of them said their farewells and made their way home. "I have to split, now. My parents want me home for some family thing." Tess faked a yawn, waving her hand back and forth in front of her mouth. "Do you want a ride?"

"Oh," Liz shook her head. "You know what, Tess? I'll see if I can catch a ride with Isabel."

She was not ready to leave yet. And with fewer people around, maybe she would get a chance to talk to Max. The two friends exchanged a hug, just as Max walked out through the kitchen, still in his board shorts.

"So 'now' he makes an appearance," Tess drooled, shaking her head. She released a heavy sigh. "God, I wish I could stay. Tell you what, babe." Tess started to smirk. "He's all yours."


* * *


Liz was walking along the side of the pool, moving toward the sunning area, and the incredible view of Roswell. She knew that Max was walking behind her. Beside her, in the pool, Isabel, Alex, Michael and Maria were horsing around. Everyone else had gone. Stopping suddenly, Liz bent over, keeping her legs straight, and brushed something imaginary from between her toes. She noticed that Max had stopped dead in his tracks. With a smile of triumph, Liz straightened up and jumped into the pool. To cool herself down, more than for any other reason.


A hand pressed against her shoulder.

"Tag, you're it," Alex laughed, leaping backwards, away from her.

Liz nodded and started to swim at the nearest person.

"Come on, Max," Isabel called. "We're playing tag. Jump in and act like a teenager for a while."

If only, Liz wished. Maybe then, he would give in to his hormones. Hormones that she had been stoking with innocent exposures when she could.

Max leapt into the pool, and unable to resist, Liz raced in his direction, reaching out, hoping to touch him. She pressed against something firm and covered in cloth. His ass.

"You're it," she squealed, swimming away from him.


The game was hectic, chaotic and a lot of fun. Liz made sure that she pressed up against Max at every opportunity. She often found herself being touched by him, too. Once, he had accidentally grabbed a handful of her breast, right after she had placed her hand over his rather impressive feeling woody. She had even managed, completely by genuine accident - or so she told herself - to find herself straddled over his thigh, pressing her sex against him.

The game ended when Michael and Maria climbed from the pool, announcing that it was time for them to make a move. Soon after, Isabel announced that she was feeling water logged and announced that she was getting out now. Alex, of course, followed her, leaving Liz alone in the pool with Max. She swam to the side, and she slowly climbed out, hoping that Max's eyes were glued to her and hoping that her bikini was more transparent that she thought it was.


* * *


Max watched as Liz climbed from the pool, groaning silently to himself. The girl just oozed sexuality. She might not be as drop dead gorgeous as some; she might not have the figure to compete with others, but what she lacked, she made up for in pure... charisma. The girl had magnetism. Whether she was dressed... or undressed like now, or when she wore those cute Capri pants... She was just too cute.

He remembered how she looked when he surprised her in the cabana. He thought of every time she had done something to arouse him. Sometimes, he was positive that she was doing it deliberately. At other times, he was convinced it was an accident. Who else did she do this to, he wondered? Was she a natural exhibitionist? Was she just one of the infamous teases?

"I wonder if it's such a good idea to have her around for the whole week?" he asked himself.

God! If he said something inappropriate, he could end up in jail. Maria said it so succinctly. The girl was jail-bait, wasn't she?

"Mental note to self," he whispered. "Ask Isabel how old she is. For insurance purposes or something."


Another downside to having Liz here today was that now, he could hardly wait for everyone to leave. There was no way that Max was going to relieve himself while anyone was around to catch him. His rep would take a serious dent. Not that he had much of a rep to start with.

He hoped that the sweet and innocent Liz Parker would be the one who showed up for the next few evenings. Max doubted he would survive the one with the devil inside.


* * *

[WR]

Please accept my apologies for the lack of updates in recent weeks, but as you are aware, I was without an internet connection foa all this time. So, I'm going to leap straight in with the story tonight, and restart my personal comments next week. Okay?

Thanks.

Wayne




The Devil Inside


Chapter 6



"So, did you have a good time?" Isabel called from her seat behind the steering wheel.

Driving both Alex and Liz home, Isabel looked briefly over her shoulder at Liz, sitting in the seat behind Alex who was dozing in the passenger seat next to Isabel.

"Yeah, I did," Liz grinned. "I had a real blast. Thanks for inviting me."

"So, who was your show for?"

"Excuse me?" Liz blinked, turning several shades of red. She was glad that Isabel had to keep her eyes on the road and not on her. "What show?"

"I have seen you applying suntan lotion before, Liz Parker," Isabel threw her a grin. "And you always do it methodically, almost robot like, section by section. You have never done it like that, before. You were so showing off to someone. Was it Kyle?" She turned to look at Liz. "I'm right, aren't I."

"In his dreams," Alex snorted, sleepily.

Isabel just rolled her eyes.

"So, who then?" she demanded.

"I'm so not saying anything," Liz shook her head.

"Okay, Parker," Alex turned around and looked at her. "At first, I thought maybe you didn't know what was going on. I thought maybe you just forgot where you were, you know? But now I know you were doing it was for someone's benefit."

"I plead the fifth," Liz shook her head.

"Spill, Parker," Alex tried to growl.

"I have the right to remain silent," Liz smirked. "Anything I say will be used against me in a court of friendship. I have the right to an attorney. If I cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for me at interrogation and at court. Do you understand my rights I have just explained to you?"

"Funny, ha ha," Alex turned to face forward again. "I liked you better when you were a sweetheart."


"You know what I liked the best about my party?" Isabel changed the subject.

"The present I gave you?" Liz was glad to escape their cross-examination. If Isabel knew what thoughts she was having about her brother...

"No," Isabel laughed. "The fact that Max warmed up to Alex. He's never liked any of my boyfriends before."

"What can I say?" Alex shrugged. "Once I fixed up his computer for maximum performance..."

"No way!" Isabel's jaw dropped. "He let you touch his computer?"

"No," Alex sighed with a shake of his head. "He told me that he would break my fingers if I so much as 'thought' about touching it."

"He probably didn't mean it," Isabel rolled her eyes.

"Have you seen the size of that guy's muscles?" Alex demanded. "I kind of figured it wasn't worth staking the health of my appendages on a 'probably',"

"Speaking of Max," Liz leaned forward. "I thought he was going to collect Toby today. Isn't he coming any more?"

"Change of plan," Isabel shook her head. "The rodent said she would drop Toby off themselves, tomorrow, 'cause apparently they decided to drive to Dallas."

"So Toby is still coming?"

"Oh, yeah," Isabel nodded. "Max still needs you."

Words to warm any girl's heart, Liz considered. And dampen her panties.


* * *


Max had been driving for a little over three and a half hours that Monday morning, when, at ten thirty, he pulled his car into the reserved space in the portion of the parking lot allocated to McCarthy and Kale. Not a large company, McCarthy and Kale shared a large building with a dozen others. Max had left the house at seven that morning, so that he could come into the office for his weekly meeting, touch base with his colleagues and then get home to collect Toby from his grandparents where Stephanie would drop him off, around lunch time.

"Good morning, Mr. Evans," an attractive, well built red head greeted him with a seductive smile. "How was your weekend?"

"Good morning, Donna," Max grinned at her. "It was great, thanks. And yours?"

"Lonely," she pouted as he walked through to the offices behind her.


As far as the female employees of McCarthy and Kale were concerned, Max was highly desirable property. None of the girls would have been surprised to discover that one or two males considered him so, as well. But so far, no one had managed more than a polite conversation with him.

Max entered his office, and dropped his briefcase onto his station.

"Hey, Max," a busty blonde followed him in and sat on the corner of his desk. She wore a mini skirt and exposed a huge expanse of creamy thigh to him. Her blouse was one size too small and her makeup was a little bit over the top.

"Ava," Max nodded. "What can I do for you?"

"Barbecue," she smiled. "My place. Weekend. Be there or be... without."

"Can't make it," Max shook his head. "It's my weekend with my son."

"Bring him along, too," she licked her red lips.

"Can I get a rain check on that?" he raised his eyebrows.

"If I thought you would really make good on it, yeah," she nodded. "Want a coffee?"

"Please," he nodded, arranging his papers on his desk.


"Hey, Max," a man entered the office as Ava left.

"Hey, Steve," Max nodded. "How's it going?"

"Pretty good."

Steve Gagnolli was a little shorter than Max, but they were both the same age. If Steve held any animosity toward the new rising star of McCarthy and Kale, he did not show it. The two men worked well together. Steve kept his hair cut really short and with his nose broken as a child, the result of a golfing accident that had never healed properly, it made him look like a little thug. Max had found out that he was quite the opposite.

"How about you?"

"Oh, really great!" Max grinned. "I have my son staying with me all week. His mom is going to some thing down in Texas."

"Awesome!" Steve grinned. "You and Toby will have a great time. Where is he now? You didn't leave him in the car, did you?"

"No," Max shook his head. "Stephanie is dropping him off at his grandparents later. Though Grandma's bound to spoil him until I can rescue him from her."

"Leave the kid alone," Steve laughed. "How can you deny him that time honored tradition? Didn't your grandparents spoil you?"

"Rotten," Max nodded.

The phone on his desk started to ring.

"Max Evans," Max answered straight away. "Thanks. Be right there." Max hung up the phone and rose, picking up his sorted sheaves of paper. "Better get this over with. Hey, how about we catch lunch before I head for home today?"

"Sure," Steve grinned. "But you're paying!"


* * *


"So, Liz," Pam Troy intercepted her on her way to her next class. "That was an interesting, uhm... display you put on yesterday. Was that something new you want to add to our cheer routines? Cause you know... that was hot."

"Or were you practicing for your audition for that girly club out on the interstate?" Stacey Sheinen smirked.

Pam and Stacey started giggling.

"Stacey!" Liz gasped.

"Take a chill pill, Parker," she rolled her eyes. "Or did I touch a nerve?"

"I was just putting on some suntan oil," Liz shook her head, blushing.

"Is that what you call it?" Pam hooted. "It sure looked like some sex show to me."

"So my mind was on other things," Liz shook her head. "Sue me."

"Other things, Liz?" Stacey raised an eyebrow. "Like what, for instance? Something long, hard and pink?"

The girls giggled again.

"Go on, Liz," Pam urged. "You can tell us. Who was the show for?"

"Ugh!" Liz threw her hands in the air. "This is so not happening!"

She knew that it would be some time before she lived that one down. Note to self, she prompted. In future, only tease Max when he is the only one there to see it.


* * *


The big, black BMW 760Si Sedan pulled to a stop, next to the chain link fence that enclosed the West Roswell High-school playing field. The darkened glass windows opened just a touch, enough for the occupants to look through at the students filing out into the quad for lunch.

"What are we doing here?" the driver, a very handsome man, maybe in his thirties, asked as he watched the young girls with perhaps a little too much interest.

"Max told me he's hired a high school student to look after Toby a couple of hours each evening, to allow him to get some work done," the beautiful sandy haired woman who looked like a model, peered through the gap. "I just wanted to check her out, is all. You know, it's a mother thing."

"Right, right," the man nodded. "So, which one is she?"

"I have no idea," Stephanie shook her head. "I'll go find out."

Immaculately dressed in a power suit, Stephanie climbed from the car and approached a group of teenaged boys who had just sat down at a picnic table, a few yards from the fence.

"Excuse me," she called. "Would you guys happen to know an Elizabeth Parker?"

"Liz?" one of the guys called. "Sure we do."

"What's she like?"

"I guess she's okay," he nodded, looking to his nodding friends for confirmation. "Yeah, Liz is a total sweetheart."

"I don't suppose you can see her right now, can you? Could you point her out to me?"

The gang of boys started to look around the quad.

"There she is," one of the others pointed. "See over there? Those two girls about to sit down at the table? The shorties? Blonde and brunette?"

"I see them," Stephanie nodded.

"Well, Liz is the one in the pony tail. The dark haired one."

"Thank you," she smiled at them.

The woman watched Liz for a while before she finally returned to the car and climbed in.

"Well?" the man asked, looking away from the young girls.

"Yeah," she smiled. "She looks like she's a nice girl. She's a lot younger than I thought, though."

"Well," he shrugged. "You came, you saw, it's time to go."

The car pulled away, turning at the intersection toward 285 South.


* * *


Sitting amid a dozen televisions, all of them showing a different sports channel, Max and Steve sat over two glasses, and a plate of sandwiches. Because Max would be driving home, soon, his was a soft drink, while Steve chose to drink a lite beer topped with Seven-Up.

"Oh, hey," Steve swallowed. "How did your kid sister's birthday party go?"

"It went," Max nodded.

"Man," Steve shook his head. "Your sister is so hot. If I was ten years younger..."

"You'd be too late," Max smirked. "She has a B F now."

"Shit," his face fell in monk disappointment. "She does?"

"Yeah," Max nodded. "And I think she really likes this one. He's not some self-obsessed jock, for a start. Which is a plus in my book. He actually has a brain."

"You really don't like the jock set, do you," Steve shook his head.

"Jocks are the mortal enemy of..." Max struck a super hero pose, "Nerdman!"

"You are no nerd, Max," Steve shook his head. Like Max, Steve would have been a victim of the bullies during school, as he was a rather rotund man, wearing thick spectacles. "Trust me. I'm an expert. I hate to burst your bubble, but you have got that prime attribute that would delineate you as a jock; your physique."

"Why do the girls throw themselves at the jocks?" Max shook his head. "They are usually way too self absorbed to be any good to them?"

"Says the guy who Ava has been throwing herself at for months," Steve shook his head. "Look, man. Teenagers... They are one of life's mysteries. Even when I was one, I could never figure them out. And as for the teens of today? Basically, Max, if you assume that they are all sluts.... Only they don't consider themselves that way. They just have different values than we did. I think they call it being liberated or something. Take your sister's party. I'll bet you anything you like, that there wasn't one girl there who was a virgin. Shit, I bet most of them have had more guys than you have had girls."

"Probably," Max shrugged. "My ex was my only."

"You know what I mean," Steve rolled his eyes. "I'll bet that at this party, they were all acting like they couldn't care less if anyone saw them naked."

Max remembered how Liz had not even flinched when he entered the cabana and saw her topless. But then again, he had been too busy taking in her understated beauty to notice if she was embarrassed or not.

"I bet," Steve continued, "that some of them were even rather forward in their exhibitionism."

Max could only nod as he recalled Liz putting on her suntan oil. It was patently obvious that she was doing that for someone's benefit. He also wondered if Steve had been there, spying.

"It's all about getting laid," Steve sighed. "They're just sluts, really."

"But some of them..." One of them in particular, Max thought, "seemed so... nice."

"I'm not saying that they are bad or anything. They just see sex different to how we did. I guess they look at sex now, the same way most guys do. You know, big deal."

"Right," Max nodded.

He wished that he was ten years younger right now. Maybe, he would not feel so bad about having such deep feelings for his son's babysitter.


* * *


"So, I thought you would be dressed more... I don't know," Tess shrugged. "Different today."

Liz and Tess were taking their lunch together at one of the picnic tables in the quad.

"School's for learning, Tess," Liz shook her head. How could she explain that as Max does not attend High School any more, there was little point in dressing to impress him? "Flirting comes after."

"Huh?" Tess raised her eyebrows. "It's not like your grades are going to go downhill just cause you start to... flirt a little. I mean, you're all set."

"Doesn't change a thing," Liz smirked. "Not in school."

"You want to do anything after school?" Tess changed the subject. "More shopping maybe?"

"Oh, sorry," Liz gave a gentle smile. "Can't. I have a baby-sitting job all week. Looking after... Isabel's nephew."

"More money, huh?" Tess nodded.

"Yeah," Liz marveled. "I'm being paid three hundred for the whole week!"

"Holy shit!" Tess spluttered. "That about pays for the whole wardrobe you shelled out for last week."

"Yeah," Liz conceded. "That's what I thought." And kind of appropriate, too, see as it's all for his benefit, she added silently.

"So, I guess I won't see much of you this week then?"

"No, I guess not," Liz apologized.

"Okay," Tess nodded. "Well, you just be sure to keep me informed if there are any developments in uh, your seduction plans. If you get any time to put it into action."


* * *


At a little after three o'clock, Max parked his car in his garage. His mother pulled up in her car just as he closed the door.

"Hey, Mom," he smiled. "Heya Toby!"

"Daddy!" the little boy ran full tilt at Max. He jumped into the air and Max caught him.

"One day, Tobes," Max nuzzled his nose into the boy's neck, "you're gonna get so big that when you do that, you will knock me over."

"No I won't, Daddy," he shook his head with seriousness. "'Cause when I get big, you'll get bigger."

"Oh," Max nodded with widened eyes. "Is that how it works?"

"Yup," he nodded confidently.

Max's mother stayed for a cup of coffee before she finally left the father and son alone. They waved her off.

"Know who's coming over to look after you for a while, so I get some work done?"

"Auntie Izzie?" he looked up, grinning.

"Nope," Max shook his head. "Liz."

"Yay!" he started to jump up and down, turning in circles. "Lizzie, Lizzie, Lizzie."

"And tomorrow, you know what? We have the whole day, just the two of us, until Liz comes again when she's finished school."

"Liz don't go ta skewel," Toby frowned. "She's a grown up like you."

If only, Max sighed. If only.


* * *


"Liz!" Alex was running across the High School quad. "Liz! Wait up!"

"Hi, Alex," Liz smiled at her friend when he caught her up. "So, hey. You've been dating Isabel for a whole week now, huh?"

"Yeah," he nodded with a grin of surprise. "Amazing huh?"

"I don't think Isabel has ever dated anyone for as long as a week, before, Alex. Well, except for that Jesse guy."

"What can I say," he shrugged smugly. "She finds me irresistible."

"Absolutely," Liz nodded. "And not at all big headed like all the other guys chasing after her."

"Oooo..." Alex shook his head. "And there goes my ego, deflating rapidly."

"Did you have a good time, yesterday?" Liz angled her friend toward the parking lot.

"I did," Alex smiled. "Hey, Max is so cool, isn't he?"

"I guess," Liz was suddenly cagey.

"I thought he would get all big brother on me, you know? Break her heart, I break your skull kind of thing..."

"I think she has a father for that, Alex," Liz rolled her eyes. "And F Y I, her father's a lawyer. I think your finances would be in more danger than your skull."

"You might be right," Alex nodded. "Better make sure I don't break her heart, then."

"Oh, yeah," Liz smirked. "'Cause then Max would break your skull, anyway."

"Ha ha."

The couple remained in silence until they reached Liz's Bug.

"Okay, Alex," she gave him a questioning glance. "I've known you a long time and I know something is on your mind. Spit it out."

"Well," he looked down at the ground and drew a line with his foot. "Isabel is going to this wedding, soon, okay?"

"Yeah," Liz nodded. "And?"

"And she wants me to come with her."

"That's understandable," Liz confirmed. "You are dating, after all."


"And, well, it's just that this wedding is for a really good friend of hers, okay? And she's going to be a bridesmaid for her."

"Alex," Liz frowned, placing her arm on his shoulder. "I really don't see that there's a problem, here. Why would any of this worry you?"

"Well, with all of her bridesmaiding duties and everything, I'm not going to see much of her until after the wedding reception. After all the speeches and stuff."

"Yeah, Liz smiled. "That makes sense, I guess."

"The thing is... she suggested that I bring a friend to keep me company during the day, you know? So I thought..."

"Alexander Whitman," Liz tried to look shocked but she was giggling too much. "Are you asking me out on a date? What ever will Isabel say?"

"What?" Alex's eyes widened. "No, no! Not as my date! I mean, technically, yeah. But you can go after any of the other guys... I mean..."

"Yes, Alex," Liz laughed, placing her hand on her friend's arm. "I would love to accompany you. When is it?"

"Oh, well, it's in two weeks time," Alex relaxed. "On Saturday. Only, the thing is, Liz. We'll need to talk to your dad. Her friend is getting married over in Las Cruces. I'm kind of thinking we could stay overnight. Separate rooms, of course."

"Hoping to get a little one on one with the Ice Queen, huh?" Liz raised an eyebrow.

"Liz!" Alex was outraged.

"I'm sure it will be okay, Alex."

"I was thinking, we could drive over on Saturday morning, check into the hotel and get ready there. Then coming home, we can leave early Sunday morning."

"Want me to look up some cheap motels?" Liz asked.

"No need," Alex shook his head. "The best man has negotiated some reduced rate for guests at the hotel where the wedding is being held. And you know what? I bet there will be some hot unattached guys there to dance with."

"Alex," she gave him a stern look. "Be my friend, okay? Not my matchmaker. I have Tess for that."

"Gotcha," he nodded, pointing his finger at her like it was a gun.


* * *


At the junction of Main Street, which was also designated as Highway 285, and 2nd Street, also known as Highway 380, there is a strip mall. Liz parked her Bug and took her bag to the ladies room of the McDonalds. Inside the small cubicle, Liz found that there were some advantages to being petite. She changed from her normal, school clothes and into her 'hot' clothes. Wearing a pleated pink mini skirt, a white halter-top and white heels, Liz stepped out from McDonalds hoping that Max would not know what hit him. Her small panties were lacy; her bra, too. As she drove the last few miles, she was daydreaming about how Max would react to her.

As soon as she pulled up in front of Max's house, however, she suddenly remembered that she was actually here to baby-sit a four year old boy. Her mind raced as she bitterly regretted her choice of clothing. What had she been thinking? Trying to seduce Max in front of his son? Whatever would he think of her?

When the front door opened, she knew that it was too late now. She would have to make the best of a bad situation, maybe pretend that she had a date afterwards. She climbed out of her car, and when she leaned back in to reach for her book-bag, Liz realized that Max would see all of her legs and possibly, up her skirt, too.

"What are you doing?" she berated herself.

Standing up, she was about to apologize for her behavior when she noticed that Max did not seem at all bothered by her behavior. In fact, judging by the way that his eyes moved from her backside to her face with a look of guilt, she was sure that he liked what he was seeing. With a sensuous sway of her hips that she had seen Tess make so many times, Liz walked up to Max, standing in his doorway. Yes, this had been an excellent idea.

"Hi, Max," she smiled.

"Hi, Liz," his voice sounded a little hoarse. "How... uhm, how are you?"

"Good," she nodded. "And you?"

"Oh, great," he smiled, standing to one side. "Well, come on in."

Liz stepped into the foyer.

"Toby's watching his favorite TV show right now," he told her. "So if you want to, uhm..."

His eyes swept over her again.

What? Liz wondered. Jump your bones first?

"... get any homework out of the way or anything..."

"Sure, Max," she nodded. Bone jumping could come later.

"Anyway, the same deal goes," he pointed to the kitchen. "Help yourself to anything in there."

Liz hoped Max would enter 'there'. But he went upstairs instead.


"Hello, Toby," Liz peeked into the living room to see the little, beautiful boy staring at a cartoon up on the huge TV screen.

"Hi," he called back without looking away from the characters.

"Need anything?"

"No, fank you," his head shook.

"Well, I'm just through here if you do," Liz pointed to the dining room.

Liz could remember the days when she was glued to the TV and beware to anyone who interrupted her. Of course, her programs were educational and not the cartoons the kids get today.


While she did get her books out, Liz couldn't concentrate. She walked into the kitchen and helped herself to a glass of water. As she stood by the opened patio door and looked at the glittering pool, an idea came to her mind. She opened the freezer compartment door, and stood as close to the frozen interior as she could. As expected, her nipples hardened into little buttons. She then hurried upstairs, knocking on the door to Max's office.

"Yeah?" he called.

Opening the door, Liz stepped inside. Max was leaning over his draftsman's board adding a long straight line to the sheet of paper. She saw that his eyes immediately went to her breasts, which helped her to keep her nipples in the condition she had artificially made them.

"I was about to make myself a drink," her voice was low and soft. "I wondered if you wanted... anything?"

She saw his eyes momentarily flicker from her face, to her breasts and back again. Once, they even dropped to her legs.

"I uh, could do with a coffee," he nodded. "If you're sure you can..."

"I work in a diner, Max," she rolled her eyes. "I'm sure I can figure out how to use your coffee maker."

"Yeah," he smiled. He had such a beautiful smile. It made her knees weak, and her panties... well... It made her knees weak. "Actually, I came in the other day. I didn't see you."

He came to the diner again? And he actually looked for her? Liz's smile was electric.

"I do other things you know," she teased.

"Oh?" his eyebrows raised. "Like what? It seems that I know very little about you, Liz."

"What would you like to know?"

"Oh," he shrugged. "Like, do you have an, uhm... boyfriend?"

Liz gave a little secret smile. Why would he want to know that? He was noticing her.

"Not at the moment," she gave a slow shake of her head. "But you know, I get asked out at least once a week."

"Only once?" Max blinked. "That surprises me."

"It does?" Liz wondered. "Why's that?"

"Because you're uhm... you're very pretty."

"Oh," Liz started to blush. "Uhm, thank you." Her nerve failed. "I better go and..." she pointed. "That coffee."

"Okay," Max nodded. Did he really seem unhappy? "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you."

"No, no," she shook her head. "You know what? I'm fine. I'm okay with it."

"I don't mean to pry or anything," Max looked down at his drawing. "You probably get enough of that from your Dad."

"Well, maybe if Toby is okay down there, if you want, when I come back with your coffee..." Liz was burning bright red. "You could, you know, ask me more questions."

"It would be nice to get to know you better," Max smiled at her.

She hurried away before she melted.


* * *

Back downstairs, Liz was standing in front of the freezer again, this time to try and cool her burning passion. She then started to assemble everything she needed to make the coffee. The coffee maker was there. The coffee... in the can marked coffee. Water? Bottled, in the fridge. Yes, this was too easy. Soon, the machine was working, allowing the boiling water to trickle through the coffee.

"Lizzie?" she heard a small voice from the doorway. "Will you play 'Guess Who' with me?"

"Of course I will, Toby," Liz smiled at him, taking him by the hand and leading him into the living room. Max's coffee would have to wait.

On the floor, Toby had already set everything up. All Liz had to do was lay down on the floor across from him so that the two of them could play.


* * *


Max finished the small alterations to the grand entranceway and leaned back on his chair. Looking at the door, he wondered where Liz was with his coffee. He wondered if maybe she had not been able to work out how his machine worked. As he went down to investigate, however, he could smell the aroma from the kitchen. He found the pot filled with coffee, heated by the warming tray. Taking a mug, he filled it to near the top, added some dairy creamer and sauntered to check on Toby.

As he stepped into the living room, he stopped dead in his tracks. Liz and Toby were on the floor, playing 'Guess Who'. Liz was laying on her front, with her feet pointing toward him. Her miniskirt had risen slightly and her legs were parted. Max had an unrestricted view of her legs... her taught, firm thighs, her tight buttocks. The lace of her white panties was pulled up tightly against her, fitting snugly against her skin, cupping her mound. It was so innocent, it was erotic. She looked so godammed sexy and she wasn't consciously trying. Not only is she incredibly good looking, Max decided, Liz Parker is damned hot! His erection was as painful as it was hard.

"I need a cold shower," he whispered.


* * *

[WR]

Hi everyone,

Well, you will all be please to know that "THE" chapter has been written and consigned to the release directory! Not telling when it will be release, though. Could be this week, could be next week... Hehehehe. Aren't I cruel to let you know that.

L-J-L 76
madroswellfan
chanks_girl
Arrianneleigh
Cocogurl
dreamer19 - Thank you

Erina
Stars at Night10
begonia9508
clueless
pookie76
raemac
LairaBehr4 - Ooops. I never meant for Stephani to seem creepy. That part had a reason. see also my reply to frenchkiss70. oh well.

Alien_Friend - Yes, byt she doesn;t know that, does she?

hazz - Hahaha! Do you think I would make it THAT easy?

Emz80m - Thats a good guess, But are you right?

carolina_moon - Yes. Intersting that Max isn;t getting as much work done as he thought

frenchkiss70 - Why would Stephanie suspect anything untoward between Max and some girl he's hired to babysit? Funny thing is, Liz doesn;t even have to try too hard, does she?

kay_b - Well, I don't think Max will make the first move. So it looks like it's going to have to be up to Liz.

Ellie - Like Stephanie, this part had a purpose. Spot on about Stephanie.

Michelle in Yonkers - Abslolute murder! (without my net) If Liz was herself, maybe Max would back off, thinking she was too "good" (as in the behavioural sense) for him. By having that edge of naughtyness about her, he might think...

ShatteredDreamer - see my comments to LairaBehr4 et al, and to Ellie.

VeronicB - No, you missed the point. Max is thinking (thanks to Steve's input) that Liz is NOT naive and innocent. THAT was what Steve's part was about.

BehrObsession - But maybe Max NEEDS to have that idea of Liz. Remeber, HE has issues, too.

smokie - She can 'attract' his attention. But can she attract him enough to make him cross a moral barrier? Yes, I have a few chapters written. And many more specced out. Actiually, I have the plans for almost the rest of the story.



PS - Sorry but it's taking me hours to porst anything right now. I have been trying to update this story AND Red Shift since 9PM this evening. When I press submit, the age sits there, saying "loading" And I wait, and wait, and wait... It's now just gone Midnight.
It's been like this for months now, but never as bad as this.

The Devil Inside



Chapter 7


"How can you be tired?" Tess shook her head as the two girls ate their lunch that Tuesday lunchtime. Liz had been yawning all morning. "Couldn't sleep?"

"Well," Liz blushed. "Sort of. I, uh... I've been having these dreams."

"Oh?" Tess' eyebrows rose. "Hot ones?"

"I think I'm in danger of dissolving, with all of these cold showers I'm having, Tess," Liz confessed.

"That bad, huh?" her friend chuckled. "Your vibrator working overtime is it?"

"Tess!" Liz exclaimed. "I don't even have one of those."

"So it's just your fingers for you, huh?" Tess smirked. "Maybe we should visit Madam Vivian's over on Perry Street after all."

"That Adult Bookstore?" Liz's eyes widened. "No. I am so not going in there."

"Why not?" the blonde shrugged. "Where do you think I got mine?"

"What?" Liz's eyes widened.

"Kidding," Tess rolled her eyes. "Mail order."

"I was gonna say," Liz nodded.

"So... are you going to tell me who it is, yet?"

"Nuh uh," the brunette shook her head.

"I don't see why you won't tell me," Tess pouted. "You know I won't do anything to ruin your chances. Besides, I want to make sure he's good enough for my best friend. Especially after that fiasco the other week."

"Already forgotten, Tess," Liz sighed. "Look. If I strike out. I'll let you know who it was, okay?

"You?" Tess snorted. "Strike out? All you have to do is walk up to him, ask him to fuck you, and presto! God, Liz! A guy would have to be a dead fish not to get turned on by you. Or some old fart who's past it."


* * *


"Hey, ladies," Isabel planted herself in the seat across from the two girls.

"Hey, Iz," they both replied.

"I have a message for you, Liz," Isabel smiled. "From Max."

"You do?" Liz had to fight to keep the excitement from her voice.

What was it? Some secret assignation? A dinner invitation? What?

"Max says he might go out for the day," Isabel continued. "With Toby. He might not be back when you get there tonight. So he asked me to give you this."

Isabel handed Liz a key to Max's front door.

"Just let yourself in and make yourself at home."

"Oh, okay," Liz nodded, taking the key. "Thanks, Isabel."

"Iz," Tess gave Liz a sideways glance. "Do you know who Liz is after?"

"No," Isabel shook her head. "She wouldn't tell me and Alex when we questioned her on the way home from my party. She put on quite a show for whoever it was, but I only saw Kyle make a play for her. And she pushed him in the pool. Man, that was so funny. Have you seen him, today?"

"No," Liz sighed. "But the day is young and I'm sure he'll find me.

The bell rang.

"See you at practice tonight." Liz paused. "Unless... Any detentions, Tess?"

"Not today," she laughed. "But the day is young."

As they headed for the school building, the girls were in fits of laughter.


* * *


"Okay, Parker," Kyle grabbed her by the arm and started to drag her toward the eraser room. "You got me the other day. Got me good."

"Get off me, Kyle," Liz spun her arm like a windmill, breaking Kyle's grip. "Will you stop mauling me!"

"Cut it out, Liz," Kyle tried to grab her again. "You and I both know who you were putting on that show for, don't we."

"I do, Kyle," Liz nodded. "But I don't think you do."

"'Course I do," he nodded. "Me. Already told you."

"No, Kyle," Liz shook her head. "It wasn't for you."

"Yeah. Sure."

"No, really, Kyle," Liz bit back her anger. "It wasn't for you. Okay? It. Was. Not. For. Your. Benefit."

"Then who was it for?" his eyes narrowed.

"I'm not going to tell you that, Kyle," she sighed. "Sorry."

"Uh huh?" Kyle glared. "Well, I'll find out, Liz. I'll find out who it is that you're ditching me for. And when I do, kicking the shit out of him is too good. I'll get something on him. And then? I'll destroy him."

"Kyle?" Liz widened her eyes. "Do you know what stalking is? 'Cause you know? You're showing classic symptoms. I'm not attracted to you, Kyle. Get over it."

"How can I?" Kyle called after her. "Not when you want me!"


* * *


Liz used the ladies room at the McDonalds drive through to change again. It had worked well yesterday so she decided to try again today. There was no physical reason why lightening could not strike twice. She knew that she had gotten to Max yesterday, that he had noticed her, in a good way.

There was no sign of Max when she arrived at his house. She let herself in and placed her book bag by the dining room table. As she stared out through the patio doors, an idea came to her. With a huge grin, Liz ran out to her car and gathered her cheerleading uniform. Standing in his dining room again, Liz stripped to her underwear and dressed in her cheerleader skirt and top. From a vantage point in the shade, up on Max's rooftop patio, Liz kept an eye on the road.

At last, she saw Max's car approaching, kicking up a huge cloud of dust behind him. Liz hurried downstairs and made her way out onto the patio, past the pool and stood at the far end. She started to go through her cheerleading routines; her flips, her leaps... her splits. She made sure that her skirt bounced more than normal, she made sure that she gave Max a good show.


* * *


Max opened the front door and stepped to one side. Toby dashed in past Max's legs, heading at full tilt to the television set and his favorite program. Expecting to find Liz sitting at the dining room table, doing her homework, he walked through to that room. She wasn't there. A flash of black and gold outside caught his eye, drawing his attention to the patio.

"Damn!" he shook his head as his eyes widened.

Liz was at the far end of the pool performing a series of extremely acrobatic moves. She was wearing her cheerleading mini-skirt, and a matching top. Her hair was loose and cascaded over her head and shoulders like a wile waterfall. Max's eyes were glued to her form. He couldn't help thinking back to last Sunday when he had walked in on her in the cabana. His mouth went dry as his hands grew damp. This young lady was so damned sexy.

"Damn," he shook his head as she performed a complicated flip that allowed her short skirt to follow gravity as her legs flew straight up in the air.

"Double damn," he growled when she dropped into the splits. "Damn woman's going to be the death of me."

"Daddy," Toby called from the television room. "'Kin I have a jrink?"

"Coming, Tobs," he called out, adjusting himself. His eyes lingered on Liz even as he headed toward the kitchen. "Coming," he whispered.


* * *


"Oh, hey, Steve," Max answered the phone late Tuesday evening. It was his work colleague. "What's up?"

"Just calling to check the you're still on top of things," Steve informed him. "You know, with your son being with you an' all.."

"Yeah," Max sighed. "I'm on top of it. Toby's in bed now, and I'm whistling through some stuff. I think I'm even ahead of schedule."

"So how come you sound so... frustrated?"

"It's this damn babysitter," Max groaned. "She's really getting to me, you know?"

"Oh?" Steve commented.

"I don't know if it's deliberate or not, or even if she thinks it's funny if it is deliberate..." Max shook his head. "I think she's teasing me."

"Well, you gotta remember," Steve reminded him. "I doubt there's a girl in High School that's still a virgin. Like I told you. They treat sex like it's nothing. They put out for everybody."

"God," Max scratched his ear. "I wish I could be so free."

He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Liz was no virgin. Especially with that pierced navel that sported a playboy bunny. Hell, she was definitely more experienced that he was. After all, in his entire life, he had only ever been with one woman. And she divorced him because he was so boring.

"Hey, Max!" Steve sounded stern. "No matter how bad it gets, do not, repeat, do not go there."

"Do you think I'm that stupid?" Max narrowed his eyes.

"No, just horny. There's more than one guy who's ended up in prison 'cause he's read the signs wrong."

All Max knew at that moment was that he had never beaten himself off so many times since he left his teenaged years behind.


* * *


"What's all the commotion?" Liz turned to her friend.

"Damned if I know," Tess shrugged.

They had entered the main hallway of West Roswell High to find pandemonium had broken out in front of the notice board.

"I just heard," Isabel arrived and started to push her way through the crowd fighting to see what was there. "They just posted the Alumni team."

"Oh," Liz nodded. "Come on, then. Lets go see who else is going to get humiliated along with our dads."

The three girls, making use of Isabel's frosty reputation and Tess's harsh one made their way to the team roster. Even so, they only managed to reach a few rows away.

"Jim Valenti pitching," Isabel nodded, using her height to peer over the heads of the students in front of her. "He was every bit as good as Kyle, according to my Dad."

"Didn't your dad catch for him the year they won the State Championship, Liz?" Tess asked.

"Yeah," Liz nodded. "And Tess, your dad is on first."

"Tess's dad?" Isabel looked across at her friend.

"Sure," Tess nodded. "He was on the team a few years before the Sheriff pitched. He was good. What about second?"

"Allan Sheinin," Isabel continued. "Stacey's dad. Third is Martin Troy. The outfield is Juan Cortez, Philip Evans and Nathanial Oghulu."

"Wait," Tess frowned. "Who's at short stop?"

"No," Liz smirked. "He's at first."

"Huh?" Tess looked blank.

"Hang on," Isabel peered. "Uhm... oh my god!"

"What?" Tess frowned.

"What, Isabel?" Liz tried to find a space between the many heads. "Who is it?"

"My brother."

"Max is playing?" Liz's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Max is playing," Isabel started to squeal with joy. "He's finally coming out of his shell! Max is playing!"

A loud snort drew everyone's attention to the back of the group. The senior team had gathered to find out their competition.

"Max Evans?" Kyle snorted again. "Remember him? The greatest nerd ever to grace the halls of West Roswell."

"They got a geek playing short stop?" Paulie frowned. "Damn. They 'are' scraping the barrel."

"Didn't you see Max at Isabel's party?" Tess started to push her way through the group toward the team. "Damn, but if he wasn't looking a mighty fine piece of man, now."

"He was a nerd," Kyle rolled is eyes. "So he put on a little weight. What's he going to know about baseball? What's he going to know about playing shortstop?"

"Oh, oh," Paulie raised his hand as though he was in class. "He'll probably try to calculate everything on one of those slidy ruler things."

"Slidy ruler things?" Liz raised an eyebrow, joining Tess along with Isabel. "You mean, a slide rule?"

"If it walks like a duck," Kyle shrugged.


"Come on, ladies," Isabel seemed in a hurry to get away from the guys.

"What's the rush," Tess demanded as they turned down another hallway. "I was just getting going."

"Iz," Liz asked. "Does your brother know how to play?"

"Sure he does," Isabel nodded. "Michael dragged him out every Saturday morning during college. They joined a weekend team. He's really good. Anyway, listen. I was thinking. Your dad, my dad, my brother, Tess's dad, Pam's dad and Stacey's dad are all on the alumni team, right?"

"Yeah," Tess nodded. "So?"

"We should cheerlead for them."

"What?" Tess shrieked. "You mean, just the five of us?"

"Oh, Isabel," Liz grinned. "I think that's a great idea!"

"Yeah," Isabel was nodding. "We can get together and work on a few simple routines. And we can wear the colors the Alumni will play in."

"Awesome!" Tess joined in the enthusiasm. "It will be such a blast cheering for our dads!"

And even more of one cheering Max, Liz considered.


* * *


Toby wanted to go swimming when Liz arrived at Max's house that evening.

"Oh, Toby," she frowned. "You should have said yesterday. I didn't bring a swim suit with me."

"Sorry," Max shook his head. "And there's nothing in the house you could wear, what with there being no women living here. Maybe, uh..." he started to grin. "Maybe you could skinny dip?" He gave her a wink.

Even though her face turned scarlet, she did rather like that idea.

"I suppose you could wear one of my t-shirts..." He paused, thinking about his wet, white T-shirt, clinging to her body like a second skin, the darker color of her nipples visible through the near transparent material, the hardened nubs raised... "One of my darker ones. And a pair of boxers, if you pin them with safety pins."

"You know what, Toby?" Liz started to grin. "That's what I'll do. I'll wear a T-shirt and a pair of shorts of your Dad's."

"Yay!" Toby started to cheer. "We goin' swimmin'."

"I, uh," Max stammered. "I, uh, I'll just go and get you something to wear, and leave you two to get on with it then."

When he gave her a black T-shirt and a dark blue pair of boxers, Liz went in to the cabana to change. She emerged moments later looking only a little ridiculous in Max's oversized clothing. She laid her clothes on top of a towel, which Max had placed for her on one of the chaise lounges. She deliberately left her underwear on top for Max to see.


Up in his office, Max was having a hard time of it. He had looked out over the railing earlier, and had seen Liz in the water with Toby, the sexy young woman wearing only his T-Shirt and shorts. He wondered if he could ever wear those particular items of clothing again, without imagining her body in them. Would he think how his...

"Oh, god!" he slapped himself across his face. "Stop this, Evans!"

But still, he could not concentrate.


"Daddy!" Toby called from the pool. "Daddy!"

Max closed his eyes and swore. Not because Toby had called him, but because he would in all probability, have to look at Liz again. He climbed to his feet and walked out onto the patio to look down at the pool.

"Yes, Toby?" he replied.

They were in the water, Toby on an inflatable dolphin while Liz tread water by his side. His eyes raked her body.

"Come play in da water wid us!"

Regretting his weakness, Max went and changed into some board shorts. No way would he wear anything tighter around Liz. Even the board shorts might prove too... revealing. Even dressed as she was, he was incredibly hard again.


Soon, Toby had had enough of the dolphin and wanted his arm bands. Liz helped him on to the side of the pool and he scurried to the chaise lounge where his armbands were sitting. Water was dripping into his eyes from his hair. He took hold of the towel.

"Toby, no!" Liz shrieked, too late.

Like a magician, Toby gave the towel a hard yank. While Liz's skirt and top simply rolled over, remaining in place, her underwear was not so compliant. It sailed through the air and landed in the pool, only inches away from Max's head. Liz looked at her daring, lacey panties that floated near to Max's face and with a groan, she started to swim towards him. She hoped that he would not see how red her face had become.


* * *


"They're still too wet," Liz shook her head as she laid her bra and panties out in the evening sun to dry.

She had dressed in her mini skirt and her tight top, but she had been unable to put on her underwear. Max had hardly spoken to her and when he had, his voice sounded very dry. Which was in complete contrast to how Liz was feeling. Wet. Very, very wet. Aware that she was naked beneath her clothes, she had never felt like this before. So... wicked. She had seen Max's eyes on her all evening and as she followed a very sleepy Toby upstairs to bed, she was only too aware of Max's eyes watching her go. Liz had no illusions as to where his eyes were. It could only be a matter of time before he would crack, she decided. Perhaps tomorrow, she smiled. Tomorrow she would let him know what she wanted, and would be his.


* * *

[WR]

The Devil Inside


Chapter 8


Max stood in his front yard, watching Liz's Beetle drive away. He knew that he had to get to his bathroom, now. He would either take himself in hand again, or he would have a very cold shower. Probably both. His decision was cut short for him by the arrival of another car. In spite of his frustration, he smiled at the occupants.

"Michael!" he nodded. "Maria!"

"Hey, Max," Maria smiled, approaching her friend for a hug.

She wondered why he leaned in to her, awkwardly, from a distance.

"So, who was that just leaving?"

"Baby sitter," he shrugged. "Come on, let's get upstairs and grab a couple of beers."

"Sounds good to me," Michael grinned. "'Specially since Maria's driving."


They talked about the small things that friends talk about. Their work, their day, the people they both knew. And as it always did when Maria was involved, they talked about Max's sex life, or lack thereof.

"What?" Maria shrugged. "All I'm saying is you need to go out on some dates, is all. Jeez, you don't have to get laid... yet."

"Actually," Max groaned as he crossed to the fridge to retrieve some more beers. "I'm seriously thinking about it. The getting laid part, I mean. Especially since I'm getting blue balls a lot, lately."

"Oh?" Maria raised her eyebrows. This was getting good. "And who might be causing this?"

"Toby's babysitter," Max spoke quietly as he slumped into a chair and handed a beer to Michael. "She is such a show off."

"By show off," Michael twisted the top off. "You mean a tease?"

"And then some," Max nodded before taking a swig of his beer. "She wears these damned cute little mini skirts... she went swimming today... in my T-shirt and shorts... and after..."

"I see," Maria's voice tightened as she nodded slowly.

"Shit," Michael took a long swig of beer. He swallowed and smacked his lips. "Just fuck her. Sounds like she's gagging for it."

"Michael!" Maria slapped her boyfriend's shoulder, hard. "I can't believe you just said that. Do you want Max to get arrested?"

"Huh?" Michael frowned. "Look, if she wants it as bad as he does, what harm can it do?"

"Duh! She's jail bait?" Maria growled. "Ever heard of statutory rape? It doesn't matter how much she's asking for it. The law doesn't take kindly to older guys having sex with minors!"

She turned to Max and her voice dropped to 'friend' level again.

"Want me to have a quiet word with this little temptress of yours, Max?"

"Let her down, gently, Maria," Max nodded. "I don't want to hurt her. She's good with Toby."

"You like her," Maria nodded, knowingly.

"You know what, Maria?" Max closed his eyes and exhaled. "I'll deal with it, okay? I can see you making things worse than they already are."

"Me, Max?" she placed her hand innocently to her chest. "You must have me confused with someone else."


* * *


Liz woke up that Thursday with a feeling of determination. Her drive home last night had been torture beyond belief. Not only did she have to resist the temptation to pull over and touch herself, the car and the roads themselves seemed to conspire against her. The engine seemed to vibrate more than it normally did, sending tingles throughout her body. And when she had driven over the railway tracks!

As soon as she got home the previous evening, she had spent an awfully long time in the shower. Three orgasms worth.

So, here it was, Thursday. Her last night babysitting Toby. As the big championship baseball game was being played tomorrow, and she was going to be cheerleading, this was effectively Liz's last chance to succeed with Max. She had laid all the groundwork, now it was up to him to 'lay' her. Her school day had not even started and already she was just horny with anticipation. This might prove to be a very long day, she decided.


Her day, however, got worse the moment she bumped into Isabel. Circumstances, it seemed, were conspiring against her. Perhaps Max was not destined to be her first time after all.

"Hi, Liz," Isabel greeted her innocently enough.

"Hey, Iz," Liz smiled at her. "What's up?"

"Remember that suggestion, yesterday?" Isabel started. "The one about us cheerleading for the Alumni team?"

"Uh huh," Liz nodded. "Sure I do."

How could she forget? She would be torn between wanting to put on a good show for Max, and worried that her father was probably sitting right next to him.

"Well, tonight, we're all heading out to Max's after school."

"We?" Liz's heart falling to the pit of her stomach forced her to stop.

If by 'we', Isabel meant that Tess, Pam, Stacey and of course, Isabel, then that would mean that they would all be there with her. Which would mean she would not be alone with Max. And that would mean no opportunity to seduce him. She wanted to swear.

"Yeah," Isabel nodded. "You, me, Tess, Stacey and Pam. We're going to work on our routines. That way, you're still there to keep an eye on Toby. It's a win-win situation."

Unless you're me, Liz groaned.

"Can't wait," she said instead.


* * *


The quintet practiced old routines they once used for West Roswell High that they had long since abandoned for more up to date ones. Isabel had said that they did not have enough time to work on new ones, and that it might interfere with their cheerleading for the big game tomorrow night. They wanted to look good for the Alumni game but they did not have to do anything special. It was only a bit of fun, after all.

"How many are normally in your squad?" Max asked from his vantage-point up on the roof-top verandah.

Toby sat on the floor with his face pressed against the bars.

"About twenty," Isabel told him.

"Twenty?" Max frowned. "How come there's only five of you here?"

"This is the special squad, Max," Tess grinned.

Isabel had suggested that they keep their plans as a surprise for the night.

"Oh, Max?" Isabel called. "What colors will the Alumni team be playing in?"

"Oh, we've been designated the home team this year," he grinned. "So we're playing in white. Why do you ask?"

"No reason," everyone shook their heads.

"Okay," he nodded. "Come on, Toby. Let's leave these girls to it."

"Can I stay and watch them dance?" he begged.

"Do you mind an audience?" Max asked the girls.

"Not at all," Liz shook her head with a smile. The only problem she had was that it was the wrong Evans watching her.


"Hey, Iz," Tess called. It was getting close to the point where they had had enough. Toby had long since grown bored and left the verandah to find his father. "You know what? We're supposed to be cheering for the 'adults', right?"

"Yeah," Isabel gave a cautious nod, wondering what Tess was cooking up.

"Maybe we should be more adult in our routines."

"Uh, Tess?" Isabel shook her head. "Did you forget that this was a family event?"

"And did you also forget," Pam rolled her eyes, "that those are our fathers we're going to be cheering for?"

"Oh," Tess giggled. "I was only thinking about Max."

Pam and Stacey looked up to where Max had been standing and started to giggle with Tess. Isabel and Liz rolled their eyes. Both for different reasons.


* * *

Long after the girls had left for their homes, and even longer after Toby had fallen asleep, Max made his way to one of the chase lounges at the end of his patio. In his hands, he held a cold bottle of beer encased in a foam holder to prevent the chilled liquid from warming up. He sat down and stared across the valley towards Roswell. His mind was on only one thing. Or rather, one person.

Just how would a twenty seven year old man ask out an eighteen year old teenager? How did a guy ask out a girl at all?

"Hi, Liz," he said out loud. "Do you want to go out with me? Hi Liz. How about a date? Hey, Liz. Lets get together, you and me. How 'bout dinner? Yo, Liz. You, me, Portofino's. Eight o'clock. Be there." His mind spun into overdrive. "Liz, how do you want your eggs in the morning?"

Had he been a younger man, Max doubted that his cause would have been helped any. In all of his life, he had never successfully asked a girl out on a date. The few he had asked merely laughed in his face. Even his date with Stephanie had been arranged for him by Maria, and Max somehow doubted that Maria would be interested in playing his matchmaker for the current object of his affection. While he knew that logically, he was a man that women found attractive now - the attraction the ladies showed at work being his case-in-point - logic never had a place in matters of the heart. Max doubted his self esteem could survive a rejection from Liz, and if she burst out laughing, like a few had done, then he really feared for his emotionally stability.

And what if she said yes?

It's not like they could go into a local restaurant and have a romantic meal for two. Neither could they stroll along Main Street, holding hands, sharing secretive kisses in the park while kids watched them from bushes and giggled at their antics. They could not publicize their relationship because too many people would have a say in it.

Isabel, for one, would not be terribly impressed that her older... her ten years older brother was dating one of her closest friends. And how would his friends, Michael and Maria, react? Violently, in the case of the latter. His parents, too, would be so disappointed in him. Not to mention the fact that they would then be labeled as the parents of the town pervert. And how would Liz's parents react? God! What if she was still only seventeen? He still hadn't got round to asking Isabel.

Steve had been right. He really should not even be thinking of going there. 'There' was a place that was fraught with danger. 'There' was a place that no normal, sane man would go.

'There' be dragons.

Max had never wanted to howl at the moon in frustration more than he had that night.


* * *


When the day of the big championship game dawned, Liz woke up with a startling realization. She had not yet told Max that she would not be able to look after Toby that night. She knew that he had plans to attend the game, anyway, but she still felt obligated to tell him. Perhaps he was counting on her to baby-sit so he could attend the game. As soon as she was up and dressed, she called Max.

"Hi, Max?" she said in a voice that lacked confidence. What would he think of her? "It's Liz."

"'Morning, Liz," he sounded wide awake. "What's up?"

"Uhm, listen, Max? I forgot to tell you. Tonight is the night of the big game. I, uh..." Liz swallowed. "I'm really sorry to do this to you, Max, but I'm not going to be able to baby-sit Toby."

"Oh," Max gave a soft chuckle. "Don't worry about it, Liz. Isabel already warned me. And I'm going to the game, myself. My Mom is going to have Toby at their house. She says she doesn't often get the chance of some alone time with him, so I figured... But hey, don't worry, okay? I'll still pay you the full amount."

"You don't have to do that, Max," Liz shook her head.

"I don't?" Max teased. "That's good. 'Cause otherwise, I wouldn't be able to afford any beers during the game."

"Max," Liz frowned. "It's a High School game. They won't be serving any beer."

"They won't?" he sounded surprised. "Damn."

"Now you're just teasing me," she giggled.

Liz didn't hear Max murmur 'fair's fair.'

"I'll pay you the agreed amount, Liz," Max stated. "I, uh... I guess I'll see you later? At the game, I mean."

"Sure," Liz nodded. "Will you be coming to the Crashdown? After the game? It's kind of a tradition."

"Right," Max remembered. "But for teenagers, right?"

"No," Liz shook her head. "Everyone comes. Well, the Roswell fans. We celebrate if we win, we commiserate if we lose."

"I'll see, Liz," Max told her. "I'll be with my friends from out of town, Michael and Maria."

"Bring them too," Liz urged. "They 'will' be cheering for Roswell, right?"

"They'd better," Max's laughter echoed down the line. "I'll ask them what they want to do."

"Okay, well I have to go, Max," she informed him. "I don't want to be late for class."

"Oh, Okay."

Did he sound disappointed?

"Oh, Max?"

"Yeah?"

"I... I like talking to you on the phone."

There was a silence from his end. Liz bit her bottom lip.

"Me too, Liz."

Her smile exploded.

"Later, Max."


* * *

[WR]

The Devil Inside


Chapter 9



As baseball games go, especially championship games, this game was not proving to be a classic. With Artesia batting first, their lead off batter managed to jump off to a single in the first inning, and they advanced their runner to third with two sacrifices. However, Kyle struck the fourth batter out bringing the top of the first to an end. During the bottom of the first, Roswell's lead off batter made second with a double. He was on third by the time the next two batters were out. In spite of the fourth batter fouling the pitcher a total of seven times, he finally reached too far and struck out. The game was still scoreless after the first inning.

Both teams were evenly matched, and with much determination on both sides, it was far from the classic three up three down encounter many had expected. Every inning, at least one batter scored a base hit. Once or twice, a runner got on base with a walk. But both teams had a good defense, and the few runners were constantly being left on base. The audience was enthralled, hardly needing the squads of cheerleaders to get them to make more noise. Everyone had their eyes glued to the game.

Everyone, that is, but Max.

He couldn't help it. Max found his attention drawn again and again to the petite dark haired girl on the cheerleading squad. In fact, all the way through the game, Max watched Liz more than he watched the game.

"Taking notes, Max?" Michael asked during the seventh inning stretch. "Did you see how that Artesia shortstop plays closer to second than the second baseman? Really works, huh?"

"Uh," Max nodded, his eyes moving with reluctance away from where Liz had vanished under the throng of the other cheerleaders.

"Yeah," Max nodded. "Really helped on that double play, huh?"

"Double?" Michael frowned. "That was only one out. The runner beat the throw to first."

"Right," Max nodded. "I meant it could have been a great double if the initial throw from the second baseman to the short had been better."

"You okay, Max?" Michael narrowed his eyes. "You seem a little..."

"Yeah," Max nodded. "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be? Uh... Where's Maria?

He just noticed that she was not there.

"She went to get us some hot dogs," he started to shake his head. "She asked and you said yes. Come on, Max, get your head in the game."

"Right," Max nodded again, turning for a quick look at the cheerleaders.


* * *


"Liz," Isabel called to her as they huddled up on the side of the field. "Are you with us?"

"Yeah," Liz nodded. She wasn't really. She had been with Max. At least, in her mind, she had. She had been sitting at his side with his hands... "Yeah, I'm okay."

"You seemed a little distracted," Isabel gave a soft smirk and looked over at the bench. "Someone getting to you?"

Not over there, Liz quickly glanced at the bench where the coach was giving the Roswell players a pep talk. Her eyes flickered over to where Max was sitting, now talking to his friend. She was glad the blonde wasn't there. Even though Liz knew that the blonde was dating the other guy, she couldn't help feeling jealous at the casual way she seemed to keep touching Max.

"Okay, ladies," Isabel started her own pep talk. "Two more innings and it's still anyone's game. Let's give it our best! Let's psyche up our guys so they give one final push and take us to the semi finals."

Everyone reached their hand in to form spokes of a large wheel.

"Who are we?" Isabel yelled out.

"Roswell!" the cheerleaders yelled back.

"Who are we?"

"Roswell" the cheerleaders and most of the stands near them echoed.

"WHO ARE WE?"

"ROSWELL!" every home fan screamed.

With a series of 'whoops', cheers, applause from the crowd and acrobatic tumbles and cartwheels, the girls returned to their positions just as the teams retook the field. The noise was cranked up to new heights.

"Play ball!" the umpire yelled.

Liz pushed Max from her mind and gave her cheerleading her all.


* * *


"So Roswell lost, huh?" Maria shrugged as they watched the stands start to empty.

"Yeah," Max nodded. "Four to one. They fell to pieces in that last two innings."

"I'll say," Michael snorted. "No stamina. Artesia wanted it more."

"So, listen," Max looked at his two friends. "Isabel says that after the game, everyone meets up at the Crashdown. You guys feel like joining them?"

"With all those teens?" Maria pulled a face. "Please."

"Not just the teens," Max shrugged. "All ages, apparently. It's tradition. Might be fun."

"Why not?" Michael nodded. "We can grab a quick coffee before he have to head for home."


There was no celebration at the Crashdown. Instead, groups of teenagers sat in their cliques, bemoaning the fact that the umpire had been biased while adults sat in theirs and complained about the athletic condition of their kids.

Max, Michael and Maria sat in a booth tucked in a corner, away from the main groups. While the trio drank their Latte's, Isabel and Alex joined them for a while, asking if they enjoyed themselves. Jeff Parker stopped by, discussing how they might use what they learned that night to their advantage in the Alumni game. Others stopped by to say hello. All the while, Liz was working, helping the overworked waitresses, casting glances at Max. She was thrilled that he had come, but was too afraid to approach him while his friends were there. His friends made her feel a little intimidated.


* * *


Liz did not believe that she could feel as frustrated as she was feeling right then. She had teased Max for a week, which had worked to a degree, but she had not been able to get him to cross that line. Not once had he even looked like he might take her to his bed and make love to her. And there he was, sitting in her café, surrounded by all those people, and she could not even risk talking to him. As she bussed the table behind him, she couldn't help listening in on his conversation.

"Yeah," Max nodded to Maria who had just said something to him. "It's going to be strange going home tonight and Toby not being there. I got used to having him around, you know?"

"So where is he?" Michael frowned. "Did Stephanie come and get him?"

"No," Max gave a snort. "Mom insisted on having him over for the night."

"So you get to sleep in tomorrow morning, huh?" Maria chuckled.

"Yeah," Max laughed. "I can get up at eight instead of seven."

"Whoa," Maria faked a look of amazement. "You little devil, you. Talk about living on the edge."

"So what time you want to head back?" Max turned to Maria. "You have enough time for another coffee?"

"We can stay..." Maria looked at her watch. "Another hour and a half but then we better make a move."


* * *


Liz stood by the milkshake machine, her mind working on her dilemma. How could she get Max to drop his control and just do what she wanted him to do?

"Take stock," she muttered to herself.

"Sorry, munchkin," Jeff stopped next to her. "What was that?"

"What?" Liz looked up at him and blinked.

"Did you just say you needed to check some stock?"

"Uh..." her mind blurred. Had he been listening to her talking to herself? "Yeah. I'll just..." she pointed at the staff room door.


Standing on the other side of the door, Liz found it easier to think. And away from everyone, she could think out loud, which she always found helped her mental processes.

"He's seen you naked," she reminded herself. "You saw his bulge so you know he was turned on by you. You know he can't keep his eyes off you when you dress up. He likes your body. What's missing?"

Her eyes looked upward, as though looking for divine inspiration. So far, everything she had done to get Max had been sort of on the fly, spur of the moment decisions.

"That's it," she snapped her fingers. "Oh, Liz. That is so not you. You know damn well that you gotta have a plan."

Liz peered through the window of the door, into the café.

"Toby's with his grandma tonight," she told herself. "That means Max is alone. If only I could get into his house."

She glanced to the other side of the café to where Isabel was talking with Mr. Evans and Alex. She wondered if Isabel would have Max's key with her. And then it hit her. Isabel had given her a key to Max's house, and she still had it!

Max was all alone tonight, and Liz had a key to his house. She now had the beginning of a plan.

"Oh yes, Max Evans. You are so mine."


* * *


"Well, it was great to see you both again, " Max shook Michael's hand and hugged Maria. "I guess I won't see you now till next weekend?"

It would have been a manly 'friends' hug with Michael, but not in such a crowded, public place.

"Thursday night, Max," Michael glared. "You miss that and I won't be responsible for what Maria does to you."

"I'll say," Maria glared. "I'm counting on you to look out for him, you know."

"Message received and understood," Max held his hands up in surrender.


The couple slipped from the booth and with a wave, they were gone. Max turned to see if he might get a refill.

"Anyone seen Liz?" one of the cheerleaders was asking.

"Probably out back in the alley," a male voice snorted. "Giving Valenti a commiseration fuck. Haven't seen either of them all night, and he was bragging how tonight was going to be the night he bagged her."

Max couldn't help the feelings of jealousy that rose in him.

"She's just a kid," he berated himself, silently. But what a kid.

With a heavy sigh, Max left the café and headed for home. A home that would seem so much emptier for Toby being at his grandparents. He wished now that he hadn't let his mother have him.


* * *


Her legs felt like jelly as Liz crept through the back door and down the alley, to the waiting taxi cab. She stepped into the taxi, not wanting her car anywhere near Max's house, where the recipient of her surprise might see it and realize that she was waiting for him.

"Calle Vista," Liz told the driver.

The taxi driver dropped her off at the end of Calle Vista from where she made the short walk to Max's house. Looking around, checking to make sure that no one was watching, she let herself through Max's front door. Liz figured that she had at least an hour to get herself ready. With her bag in hand and her heart pounding, Liz made her way to the bathroom.


She dressed herself in a black miniskirt and a black top with a mesh halter. Underneath, she wore a black push up bra - every little bit helped - and a black, lacey thong. She finished her ensemble with a pair of high-heeled pumps. A little make up and just the right amount of perfume and Liz was ready.

Satisfied with the results, and feeling incredibly aroused, Liz made sure that all of the lights were turned off, except for the one in Max's room. She left his front door open, knowing that when he entered his house, he would see the light upstairs and come to investigate and...

Liz took a deep breath to try and calm the nerves that were racing, almost out of control and then she climbed onto his bed. Her nerves started to fade. One thing that Liz knew for sure was that tonight, Max Evans would fuck her, or she would fuck him. Either way, she was not leaving this house a virgin.


* * *


It was late when Max arrived home. As he stepped up to his front door, his keys in hand, he frowned when he saw his door open. He paused, his mind racing. Had he been burgled? Pushing the door slowly, he quietly stepped into the foyer. He noticed his bedroom light on, at once. He stood motionless, trying to hear any noise. All he could hear was his own beating heart. He quickly made a cursory check downstairs, making sure that there were no intruders to come from behind to surprise him. He crept up the stairs to his door. Max slowly peered around the corner. Then his jaw dropped.

Liz Parker, the lovely young woman who had babysat for him, was lying on his bed, dressed in such a sexy outfit, it left him in no doubt as to why she was here. His body reacted before his mind could.

"Hi, Max," Liz gave him a sexy, seductive smile. "Like what you see?"

A hundred and one things raced through Max's mind. Almost every one of them was rejected out of hand, including the one that told him to get the hell out of there. That particular voice was ganged up on by most of the others and quickly silenced. The one thought that his brain did manage to retain, the loudest one of all, was the voice that warned Max not to let her know how inexperienced he was.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

Then he mentally kicked himself.

"Isn't it obvious?" she raised an eyebrow. Even that move made her seem so damn sexy. "There's a very naughty girl, in your house, on your bed, waiting for you. Do you need a hand written invitation?"

"So," he fought hard to keep control of his voice. This was the game she liked to play, was it? Improvise, Max. Improvise. "A pretty little thing breaks into my house and thinks she can be a naughty girl and get away with a little teasing?"

"Maybe the naughty girl is finished with teasing, Max," Liz's own heart rate was racing. "Maybe she wants a little more. Maybe she wants to sample a little of what you're hiding in your pants."

"I see," Max resisted the urge to just leap on her. "Does she think she can handle it?"

"Why don't you come over here and see?" Liz wondered where she was getting all this from. Thank god for all those talks with Tess. "Big boy."

Max stepped closer to his bed as Liz rolled up onto all fours and crawled like a graceful cat to meet him at the edge.


Max reached down and lifted her to him. Their lips met, pressed against each other, meshed with one another. The kiss was not soft and sensual. It was not the kiss of lovers. This kiss was hard, needy. Although it was filled with passion, this kiss was all about lust and had nothing to do with romance.

Surprised at first by the ferocity of his kiss, Liz responded likewise. She did not want him to know that she was a virgin until it was too late. She did not want him stopping, backing away and asking if she was sure. She did not want him to even think about it. She just wanted him to do it. Liz wanted this and she would play by his rules to get it.

Max's hands were roaming up and down her back, pulling her up to him, their bodies pressing hard against each other. He could feel her nipples drilling into him just as she could feel his hard maleness pressing against her. His hands dipped below the hem of her skirt and then they were on the globes of her cheeks. The first touch was electric. Her whole body was reacting one hundred fold. While he pulled her soft, lower body against his hard one, she started to rock her hips, grinding herself against him.

And all the while, their lips, their tongues and even their teeth waged a war upon each other.


With his hands cupping her backside, Max lifted her clean off the bed as though she were air. They were standing now, still pressed against one another, still kissing. There was a faint metallic tang in her mouth, making Liz wonder if one of them was bleeding. Before she could even process that thought, Max's hands were gone from her cheeks. They reappeared at her waist, taking hold of her top. With a fluid movement, he lifted the top upwards, over her head. They had to break their kiss for a fraction of a second to allow the top to pass.

"Max!" Liz moaned, licking her lip and again tasting blood.

Then their lips locked again. Liz could not believe that Max was being this rough with her and she was responding to it. Her whole body felt supercharged and he had hardly touched her in a sexual manner, yet. She felt his shirt against her bare skin. His hands were at the small of her back, playing with the fastenings there. Her skirt pooled at her feet. She was now locked with Max in a passionate, frenzied kiss wearing only her lacey underwear and her 'fuck me' shoes. Liz had never felt more turned on in her life.


Max broke suddenly from the kiss. Liz felt dazed and sub-consciously searched for his lips again. He still held her tightly.

"Know how we treat naughty little girls who tease, and who break into people's houses around here?"

Liz struggled to regain her senses.

"God," she gasped. "I hope you fuck them."

"Maybe," Max smirked. Where on earth had this behavior come from? He had never acted like this with Stephanie. If he had even thought of treating Stephanie like this, she would have set the cops on him. Yet Liz seemed to love it. Was she experienced with this kind of behavior? "We spank them first."

"Oh," Liz's eyes widened.

If she wanted him to stop, she never had the chance. Max had already turned her and bent her over so that she was leaning against his dressing table. She caught her reflection in the mirror. The fact that she was half naked and Max was fully dressed still, sent a shiver through her body. And just who was that lust filled woman looking back at her? Did she really look like that? Her lips were swollen, her whole body was blushing. Her face was etched with lust and arousal. She seemed so... wanton. Liz could no more stop what was happening to her than she could stop the tide. And she didn't want to stop it. She wanted more.

Oh, god, she thought to herself. I'm a slut!


Max's broad, firm hand landed on the soft flesh of her backside, exposed because she was wearing a thong. It wasn't hard but it wasn't soft, either. It stung but it didn't hurt. She was sure there would be a red handprint where he had slapped her but it had felt oh, so good.

"This is for teasing me," he spanked her three times. "And this is for breaking into my house," he added another three spanks, this time to her other cheek.

Liz was enjoying it. The stinging sensation added to the feelings that were flooding her. It wasn't painful, per se. It was gentle, but in a forcefully dominant way. Just as she was luxuriating in the pleasure that was coursing through her body, she felt something new.

Liz's thong was moved to one side and something warm and wet was caressing her sex. She looked behind her to see Max on his knees, his face between her outspread legs. His tongue was driving her to another world. Every time it snaked around the sides of her rock hard button, she cried out. Liz was so glad that Max had no near neighbors, because with the noise she was making, the police would surely have been called by now. And all the while, Max was driving her towards ecstasy. As Max devoured her wetness, Liz was pressing herself back, rocking against his face, opening herself to him further.

She was nearly there. Liz was about to have her first male induced orgasm. Her whole body felt like it might explode into millions of tiny particles, reform and then explode again. And then he was gone.

"Max!" she cried out. "Don't stop!"


Max pulled her up from the dresser and again he turned her. He moved her backwards until her legs hit the side of the bed. She fell over, with Max controlling her fall. He unsnapped her bra and pulled it from her, exposing her breasts again to him. His fingers found her nipples. So too, did his mouth. He teased them, running his fingers over them. His tongue lashed over them. He then started to pinch them, and bite them. Gently at first but with increasing pressure. He pulled them, pinched them, all the while, driving her close again.

He moved again, this time, so that he was between her thighs. Moving her thong to one side, his tongue dipped into her honey pot. Again, he started to lap at her nectar. He licked up and down and around, making her whole body tense. Surprising her again, he moved once more, this time, bringing his face to hers. An arm snaked under her neck and reached around, the hand finding her nipple. His other hand found her soaking thong and with a quick wrench, ripped it from her body. They started to kiss, surprising Liz with her own taste . His fingers toyed with her nipple, teasing, pinching, twisting. Another finger drew circles around her hard clitoris. Liz was mewing like a cat, whining like a banshee, moaning like a... like a very naughty girl experiencing multiple orgasms.

Max pressed a finger into her core. Then another. Two fingers started to fuck her. All the while, orgasms crashed over Liz like a beach during a tropical storm. At last, he eased himself from her. Kneeling up, Max started to unbutton his shirt.

"Let me," Liz begged, pushing her limp body up to join him.

She felt like a jellyfish, boneless. No wonder Tess was always talking about sex. No wonder she was always urging Liz to try it. How could Tess experience pleasure like this and 'not' tell her best friend? Her shaking hands reached out and started to unbutton Max's shirt. She pushed it off his shoulders and it fell to the floor, joining her skirt and her top.

Her fingers then wrestled with the buttons of Max's jeans. For a moment, she allowed her hands to roam over his chest, caressing his firm chest. As she levered herself to push the waistband down his thighs, Max's erection, caught in his boxers, sprang free, hitting her on the chin. Without even thinking, Liz wrapped her small hand around it and placed a kiss on the dome. Looking up to his eyes with a wicked grin, Liz enveloped Max in her mouth.

"You are such a naughty little girl," he groaned, reveling in the sensation of his first ever blow-job. "Oh, god, Liz. That is so good."

But a blow-job was not what Max wanted right now. He wanted... no, he needed to fuck her. He needed to feel himself surrounded by her hot, wet core. With a great reluctance, he lifted her off of him and kissed her again. Still kissing her, Max pressed her back and downwards. He slowly moved himself so that he was over her. One hand between them still, he teased her clitoris some more. Liz didn't feel it when the tip of his erection pressed against her lips. She did feel it, however, when he pushed himself into her in one smooth movement. Liz screamed out.

Max's ego inflated. Had he really given her an orgasm just by entering her?

Two years of frustration was released at once. Liz had no chance to even think about the split second of pain. That sensation had quickly been replaced with euphoria. She was almost delirious with pleasure as Max pounded into her. She was screaming out his name, her hands all over his back trying to pull him to her. She wrapped her thighs around his torso, allowing him deeper into her body. She came again, and again. And still Max pounded against her until, with a cry as loud as her own, they came together in one final, tumultuous climax. Max erupted, filling her with his seed.

"God damn," he groaned. "I have never experienced anything like that before."

He placed a kiss on her cheek. Still panting, her eyes closed, Liz gave a contented smile.

"Me neither," she murmured.


Liz reached her hand between their bodies, seeking out Max's limp maleness, still pressing against her sex. She could feel it start to rise and she gave a smile of triumph. Max started to tease her nipples again as she eased his hardening erection between her wet lips.

"Oh, god. Fuck me," she gasped as she approached another orgasm. "Fuck me hard, Max."


* * *


It was dark when Liz woke up. For a split second, she wondered where she was. She felt something warm under her neck, an arm, and she could feel the long, warm body snuggled up behind her. And she remembered. With that memory, she felt her aches return. They were good aches, though. Her backside still stung from where he had spanked her. Her nipples felt a little tender when she remembered his torturous fingers. And the way he had thrust himself into her, her whole inside ached. But she had enjoyed every last second of it. Well, apart from the second it ended. She had never dreamed that Max could be such an animal.

She felt something in her hand twitch. Liz realized that she was holding him, gently caressing him. Continuing to manipulate him, he soon grew to erection again. While she gently stroked him, her own fingers teased her sore sex, making herself ready to take him again. She rolled over, so that she was straddling him. Holding his erection upwards, Liz lowered herself onto him, allowing her velvet glove to encompass him. She settled down on him, allowing him to fill her completely. Slowly and very gently, she started to ride him. Liz quickened her pace, getting a little faster and harder with each stroke. Max started to raise his own hips, meeting each of her downward thrusts. She brought herself to orgasm again, collapsing onto his chest just as she felt him filling her again.

"You're insatiable," Max's warm timbre sent chills through her.

He reached out and with the back of his hand, stroked her cheek. His fingers then threaded through her hair before he pulled her body close to him. They fell asleep again, with Max shrinking inside her. Liz's last thought was that she knew that they would be in a mess in the morning, but she couldn't care any less. Max took her virginity in the most memorable of ways possible and she totally loved it. In fact, she wanted more. She wanted very much more of Max.


* * *

[WR]

Sorry, folks!

I have been really ill just lately.

BTW - Liz is on the pill, she faked those cramps and Tess called her on it, remember?

Here you go... The Morning After...

The Devil Inside

Chapter 10


Liz Parker, the ex-virgin, woke up on top of something that was firm, warm and definitely moving. She could see a huge expanse of flesh. And something was moving in her hair. She looked up and saw Max's face smiling at her as he entwined her hair in his fingers.

"Morning," he grinned at her.

He seemed in no hurry to get rid of her. That was a good thing, right?

"Morning," Liz couldn't help blushing at the memory of last night. "Uhm...what time is it?"

"About six."

"Right," she nodded, secretly pleased that he was making no effort to make her leave.

Perhaps... perhaps he wanted her again?

"Ready for round two?" she raised an eyebrow.

"I was right," Max grinned at her. "You 'are' insatiable. Alright then, round two it is."

Liz found herself pinned on her back with Max looming over her.

"Ride 'em, cowboy," she grinned.

And he did.


"I'll go and have my shower and then go make us some coffee while you have yours," Max was panting. "Is that all right?"

"Mmmm..." she closed her eyes and stretched. She felt a little... uhm, too. "Sounds good."

Max maneuvered himself out from beneath her and then stood up. Her eyes followed the hard contours of his body, settling on his flagging erection. Liz realized that she was uncovered and that he was appraising her own body. Quite suddenly, she felt embarrassed. But when Max's erection started to grow again, her mouth dried up as elsewhere started to pulsate. Even her nipples started to harden. With a smirk, Max left the room.

"You're going to be the death of me," she murmured when he was gone. "On my headstone, it will say, Liz Parker, aged eighteen. Cause of Death; Max'd to death."


* * *


Liz couldn't help groaning when she stepped underneath the shower and allowed the hot water to pulse against her skin. She was aching in so many places. Liz wondered if she should have admitted to being a virgin. But then, for all her aches and pains, last night had been totally amazing. He might have been gentle with her had he known. If he hadn't rejected her straight away. And she doubted that Max would have seen or felt any evidence that she had been a virgin. She had torn her hymen years ago, through dance, or gymnastics or cheerleading... And things last night were kind of intense. She certainly could not deny that her first time was memorable. It was awesome, it was... powerful. It was amazing.

Having washed herself thoroughly, she stepped from the shower feeling quite refreshed. She toweled herself dry and walked through to the bedroom. Liz had not brought any slippers so she stepped into her shoes. Spotting Max's shirt on the floor, she picked it up and put it on like a robe, not bothering to button it up. It smelled of Max. She spotted her thong on the floor, the seam torn where Max had ripped it from her last night. There were her other clothes, too. She could tidy up, later. Liz stepped out through Max's doorway onto his rooftop veranda. Leaning against the railing, she watched the water in the pool dance in the early morning sunlight. Looking out across the valley, she saw Roswell in the distance.

"I was a child, there," she whispered to herself. "I grew up there. But I became a woman up here, in the hills. I became a wanton woman for the man I have been lusting after." She started to grin. "From a virgin to a... a slut in one easy move."


She heard some movement behind her. She looked back and saw Max, still naked, placing a tray on the table. He then walked up to her and embraced her from behind, his lips nuzzling the nape of her neck.

"Feeling better?" he asked.

"Mmm hmm," she closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensations his presence caused in her body.

Liz was unsure how to react, now. Certainly, from the way Max was acting, he didn't seem like he regretted their time last night. Were they lovers, now? Was this what lovers did, or was this a 'one off' for him? He slipped his shirt from her shoulders, allowing it to fall to the floor. She now stood as naked as Max, but for her shoes.

His reached around to her front; his fingers seeking and finding her breasts. While he was kissing her neck, causing her to arch back into him, he caressed her sensitive mounds. His fingers found her nipples. Once again, his ministrations brought them to full erection. She didn't even notice any pain. Max's erection grew between her buttocks, pressing against her. Liz leaned forward, allowing the growing rod to slip forwards so that it reached through her legs. She started to run her lips against it, growing wetter by the second. She was incredibly turned on in only a matter of moments.

"What are you?" Max's hot breath singed her ear.

His erection was now poised to enter her.

"A naughty girl," she gasped, pushing herself back against him. "Your naughty girl."

Max slid into her. Releasing her nipples, he held her hips while he made love to Liz, slowly and gently. As she started to build towards her orgasm, Max slapped her backside. She exploded in an orgasm, bringing Max with her. They both cried each other's name across the valley.


"Now I have to shower again," Liz leaned back against Max, panting.

"And this is a problem because...?" he chuckled.

"Will you come and wash my back?" She looked over her shoulder at him.

"I'd rather wash your front," he smirked. "More interesting for me that way."

"Yeah," Liz nodded. "Sounds good to me."

Max paused and looked at Liz for a moment. She felt suddenly insecure.


"How long can you stay?" he asked in a voice that was so tender, it made Liz want to cry.

"Uhm..." His question had surprised her. "Do you want me to?"

"Yes," he nodded. "I do." Then he broke into a big grin. "And I would like to do so many things with you."

"I can probably stay till lunch time," she smiled back at him.

"Lunch time," Max looked over at the clock through his door. And then it's back to reality. "That sounds good because I have to go to Mom and Dad's house to pick up Toby. "Uh, Liz?" something jogged Max's memory. "Where's your car?"

"I took a taxi," she told him.

"Okay," he gave a slow nod. "I'll drive you home when you're ready."

"Sounds good," Liz told him. When 'she' was ready. Not him.

"So, want some breakfast?"

"Sure," Liz nodded.

"Okay, you shower first. I'll go make breakfast. And some more coffee. That's probably gone cold."

"Huh?" Liz pouted. "You mean I have to wash my own front?"

"Oh, well," Max raised his eyebrows. "Not when you ask so nicely."

Max scooped Liz into his arms and carried her to the bathroom.


* * *


Max was in the kitchen, making breakfast. Upstairs, wearing another of Max's shirts, Liz took out her cell phone and pressed a speed dial button.

"What do you want?" Tess's tired voice complained. "It's only freaking seven thirty on a Saturday morning! This had better be good or you are so dead."

"Tess!" Liz hissed. "You cannot go anywhere near the Crash today, okay? Not till I call and tell you it's safe."

"Liz?" Tess sounded more awake. "Liz? Is that you?"

"Yeah," Liz nodded. "Listen, Tess. I stayed with you all night, okay? All night. And all morning, too."

"What?" Tess sounded surprised. "Where are you? What are you doing?"

"Let's just say that I'm not perfect anymore," Liz smirked.

There was a silent pause at the other end.

"Liz," Tess started. "You and me so have a date tonight with Ben and Jerry."

"Yeah, well just so you know," Liz laughed. "Cherry is so off the menu. Big time."

"You are so bad!" Tess squealed.


* * *


"So what plans have you got for me, now, Mr. Evans?" Liz grinned over her breakfast at Max.

"Well, know what I really want to see?"

"What's that?" she couldn't help wonder.

Max lifted up a bottle of suntan oil and gave her a smirk.

"I want to watch you put on a special show. Just for me, this time. And this time, I want to see how it ends."

"I'm pretty sure you have a good idea how it ends, Mr. Evans," Liz gave a wry smile.


* * *


They were both pretty quiet in the car as Max drove Liz home. Finally, as they approached the city limits, Max broke the silence.

"You looked pretty damned cute in your cheerleading outfit, last night," Max told her.

"You noticed me, huh?" Liz grinned. She had been dancing for him alone all night.

"I've been noticing you for a long time now, Ms. Parker." A sudden look of worry crossed his face. "Liz? You uh... I mean..." He swallowed. "You are eighteen, right?"

"Didn't you know that I'm only fifteen, Max?" Liz started to giggle.

For a split second, Max looked horrified. Then realization sank in.

"Uh huh," he nodded. "Okay, I know you are not fifteen, and just for the record, I am going to get you back for that." He looked at her with a look of pleading. "Liz? Please. Are you eighteen?"

"Yes, Max," she nodded. "I turned eighteen about ten days before Isabel did."

"Thank god," Max released his breath.

"So last night, Max," Liz gave him a quizzical look. "You never even considered that you might be breaking the law?"

Max turned beet red.

"I think that last night," he looked out through the window, "I was doing my thinking with the wrong head. I saw you there and..."

"Just so you know," Liz smirked. "You should let that head do your thinking more often. And in case you wondered, it's okay. I'm on the pill. Oh, can you turn left here?"

"But the Crashdown is straight ahead," Max looked up the road.

"Oh, I'm not going to the Crashdown, Max," Liz shook her head. "I don't think my dad is ready to learn that his only daughter spent the night with a divorcee who is ten years older than she is."

"I'm only nine and a half years older," Max felt indignant.

"Oh, and that makes all the difference," Liz rolled her eyes. "You can drop me off here."

Max pulled over to the side of the road.

"Uh, Liz?" Max looked straight ahead. "What... I mean..." he gripped the steering wheel tighter. "Are you doing anything tonight?"

"Yeah," Liz nodded. Max was asking her out on a date and she had already promised to talk to Tess. "Sorry. I have a date with Tess and Ben and Jerry."

"Oh, okay," Max nodded.

He was not surprised. Just because she had an itch that needed scratching did not mean that she wanted to see him again.

"Can I call you, Max?" she asked. "Maybe we could do something some other night?"

"I'd like that," Max nodded with a pleased smile.

Liz leaned across and kissed him. It was a short kiss at first. But both lingered over it and lengthened it. Max was kissing her back and this time, it was soft and sensuous and filled with a tender emotion. As Max drove away, Liz reached up and touched her lips, watching him go. She couldn't be falling in love with him. Could she?


* * *


"Damn," Max hit the steering wheel. "If she already knows how to fool her father by pretending to be at sleepovers, how many other guys has she done this with?"

One thing was clear to Max. Nothing they had done together last night had fazed her in the slightest. She was clearly way more experienced than he was. He was so thankful that he had an active imagination or Liz would be thinking that he was as boring as Stephanie said he was. And what he had done last night with Liz, and this morning, had been a thousand times better than anything he had ever done with his ex-wife. And how he hated that she already had another date lined up.


* * *


"So long sport," Max waved to Toby as Isabel and Alex drove away. They were taking him to see the latest Disney movie. "Have fun!"

"You better get a move on, Max," his mother called. "Your father left ten minutes ago. It won't do to be late to practice, you know. The Alumni team is going to be looking for some payback."

"Just going, Mom," Max finished waving and climbed into his own car.


Ten minutes later, he was just entering the locker rooms where those members of the Alumni team not already out on the diamond were finishing getting changed.

"Hurry it up, Max," Sheriff Valenti called from the doorway. "Show a little hustle huh?"

"Look at him," Philip Evans laughed at Max as he walked in. "He's half our age and he moves like he's an old man."

"Nah," Jeff Parker shook his head. "He moves like he's been up all night banging some bimbo's brains out."

Max couldn't even look at Jeff as he started to change into his sweats.

"Probably was," Martin chuckled.

"Do you guys mind?" Philip called. "That's my son you're talking about."

"Maybe it wasn't some bimbo," Ed Harding laughed. "Maybe Max bats for the other team!"

"And maybe it was your wife," Philip laughed back as he threw his glove at Ed.

"Come on guys!" Jim had come in to see what was taking so long. "Quit acting like you're teenagers and show some hustle."

"Maybe if we act like teenagers, we might play like them," Philip smirked.


Standing at home plate with a Louisville Slugger, and a bag of baseballs at his feet, Jim Valenti looked out at the players on the field.

"First!" Jim shouted, tossing a ball in the air just to his side.

He swung the bat, connecting with the ball and sending it skidding along the ground to Martin Troy at third. Martin scooped the ball with his glove and transferred to his right hand in one easy move. The ball flew through the air to Ed Harding, standing with one foot firmly planted against the bag at first base, his right gloved hand stretching.

"Good arm!" Allan Sheinin called out as Ed threw the ball to Allan. Allan threw it to Max who threw it to Martin. Martin threw the ball to Jeff who handed it back to Jim.

"Double play!" Jim called again, repeating his batting action.

The ball skipped through the gap between second and shortstop, right over the top of second base. As Allan ran to the ball, Max ran to the bag. Allan scooped up the ball and kind of shoveled it to Max. Max caught the ball in full flow, stepped on the base and across his body, threw the ball to Ed at first. It was pin-point accurate and Ed didn't have to stretch this time.

"Way to hustle, Max!" Philip called from the outfield.

The team repeated the circuitous route home for the ball and again, Jim had it.

"The play's at home!" he yelled, hitting a line drive straight over the top of second base, missed by the outstretched gloves of both Max and Allan. Philip ran forward to scoop the ball as Max and Allan lined up between him and home. Philip threw the ball to Max, who pivoted on his right leg, planted his left and threw the ball all the way home. Jeff caught the ball about three inches above the plate and swept it with his glove, tagging out the imaginary runner.

"Damn if I don't think we'll give those boys a surprise," Jim shook his head.


* * *


"That was good hustle out there," Jim complimented them all when they had made their way into the locker room. "Maybe we can restrict them to single figures this year."

"Be good if we can keep them to just a few runs," Jeff nodded. "I know Lizzie's not looking forward to the team coming into the Crashdown, crowing."

"We have a good team, this year," Philip told them. "The infield is looking really good. If we play as a team, play to our strengths, I think we could actually pull off a miracle this year."

"Well," Jim shrugged as he pulled off his 'New Mexico Sheriff's Department' sweat shirt. "I've got at least six good innings in me. Don't know what will happen if someone else has to relieve me."

"If the fielding backs you up," Juan replied, "there's no reason you can't last longer. Don't try to strike them out. Give them the base hits if you have to. But jam them. Pitch inside. Try to make them fly out. Let the fielders get the outs."

"Might work," Jim nodded, flexing his arm. "I sure would like to strike some of them out, though."

"Come on, guys," Philip walked through to the shower room with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. "We only have this place booked for another half hour.

Max pulled off his sweat shirt and tossed it onto his bag.

"Shit, Max," Jeff laughed, looking across at the junior Evans. "I was right. You 'were' up all night fucking some bimbo's brains out."

Max looked over his shoulder at Jeff with a look of confusion. How did he know?

"Damn, Max," Nathanial whistled. "What hit you?"

"Boy," Ed shook his head. "She must have been some wild cat. Where did you meet her?"

"She must be one crazy assed lady," Jeff shook his head. "To have left you with them claw marks all over your back. I've never seen scratches like that before. 'Cept when Nancy and me..." He started to blush.

Standing with his back to the mirror, Max could see that his back had been crisscrossed with huge, red raised welts. Scratch marks.

"Go on, Max," Jim joined with the laughing, pointing at a perfectly formed bite mark on Max's chest. "Tell us who she was. In case I need to get her checked for rabies."

"Guys," Max was burning, not able to even look in Jeff's direction.


* * *