Page 1 of 11

Shadows ( CC / Mature) (Complete)

Posted: Sat May 31, 2003 11:46 pm
by FallenMagic
Winner Round 3

Image

Image

http://photo.starblvd.net/~sarah_helen/ ... 1057673046
Thanks to Sarah_Helen for my beautiful banner!

Disclaimer: I Don't own any rights to either the charcters or the idea of the show. The belong to Jason Katims and the people who created them.
Author: FallenMagic
summary: Starts of from when Liz is about to get on the plane to Sweden and she get's that call. At the airport she meets someone she least expected to see and she is told by her that Alex is alive! Liz must go with her if she wants to save her friends. Later the plane Liz almost got in crashes and she is believed dead. Now Alex and Liz together have to help thier friends from danger but can never reveal their identities...Can they do it? and can thier lives ever be thier's again?
Note: Based on a challenge
Rating: MATURE(for language)

Here's a link to the Repost of Shadows

Shadows


Part 1

As Liz raced towards the tiny plane in the middle of the night, her heart hammered with fear and anticipation. Anticipation of her finally getting her answers and fear of maybe finally having to accept that her best friend was dead. Maybe this was why she was going on this wild goose chase – because the reality of the events that had taken place hadn’t sunk in yet. Maybe she needed some piece of evidence except seeing his dead body to realize that he was really gone, that he was not coming back.

Or maybe she wanted to believe in something, something that would help her deal with this once it finally dawned on her that Alex hadn’t been killed but had died in a normal car accident.

I guess that’s why I have been acting the way I have, because I don’t want to accept it. Liz thought. She needed something or someone to blame and found that to blame the aliens would be the most convenient and rational way to do so.

Liz had to laugh at herself as she thought about this. If believing that aliens had killed Alex was the only way she could make sense of this, then her life was really screwed up. Her laugh turned bitter when she contemplated all that they had had to go through.

We didn’t ask for any of this. None of us wanted to have such crazy, mixed up lives, not even Max, Michael or Isabel. She thought angrily.

Over the course of a year they had had to deal with distrust, the FBI, the Skins, Kivar, the dupes and now Alex’s death. It all seems too much to take in at times. At times she wondered how they’d made it through the year unscathed. But then as Liz looked up at the plane she realized that they didn’t come out unscathed. They’d all gotten scars that wouldn’t heal easily, and maybe they didn’t want them to either.

Maybe proving that Alex’s death wasn’t an accident wasn’t the only reason she was going to Sweden. Maybe it was one way of healing her scars. Maybe it’s the only way she could finally accept the truth.

Liz’s cell phone began to ring, jarring her out of her thoughts. She quickly pulled it out, expecting it to be Maria trying to reason with her once Max told her about her plan. But what she heard on the phone left her stunned. Liz had to focus her thoughts to be able to realize what the new information all meant.

Alex was really killed by an alien. She might not have believed it totally before but now she had no doubt about it. If the building never existed, then Alex didn’t really go to Sweden, which meant he was here all this time.

Liz shut off her phone in a daze after thanking the man. She turned around and headed back into the airport. It won’t do any good to go to Sweden now. Now she had to figure out what she had to do next and for the first time in the weeks, she had no idea what she should do.

Shadows -- Part 2

Posted: Sat May 31, 2003 11:47 pm
by FallenMagic
Part 2

She had been waiting for the perfect moment to reveal herself to the others. She had also been unsure about whom to trust this with. That’s why she had waited and watched. And as she watched Liz Parker standing there stunned after getting that phone call, she knew she could trust her with this secret.

She watched Liz head back to the terminal, her eyes glazed and in shock. There was also some underlying pain that she could see even from here. As she slipped past the guards and headed towards Liz, she was almost sorry she had to do this to her. Those kids, especially Liz, had been through so much already that to place on Liz’s shoulders one more burden hurt her but she knew there was no other way.

She slowed down her pace when she finally saw her. Her heart went out to her when she saw the state she was in. She was disheveled and she was crying uncontrollably, not even noticing the curious stares she was getting from the people milling about.

She was getting closer to her and she watched with concern as Liz hugged her backpack to herself, staring at the floor as she sobbed and cried. She wished she could try and soothe her but right now she had a job to complete. She could not offer the solace she needed…not yet anyway. Liz had to learn to trust her first. And at this point she didn’t think it would be an easy task.

Shadows -- Part 3

Posted: Sat May 31, 2003 11:49 pm
by FallenMagic
Part 3

It didn’t strike Liz what all of this meant until she had made it to the terminal and sat down on one of the chairs in the departure lounge. Once she had managed to sit down it finally came slamming down that Alex was killed by an alien. He had died because of the secrets he was keeping to protect them all.

It was with this thought that the tears had begun to flow. She didn’t care if she broke down in the middle of the airport with hundreds of people around her; she just needed to finally let it all out. Even though Liz was the one pressing to find evidence that aliens had killed Alex, she couldn’t believe how much she had been secretly hoping that she would be wrong. And to find out that she had been right all along…well it made her question whether all of this had been worth it. Whether it wouldn’t have been better to have died herself that day at the Crash Down than to have to go through this.

Liz knew she was being selfish, wanting to put her friends and family what she was going through now, while she escaped with death, but right now she didn’t want to think about anyone but herself. She felt responsible for all of this. She felt responsible for exposing the alien, for bringing the FBI on their tail…for Alex’s death.

What was she to do now? Who does she track down now? How does she get her mind off the truth now? Those were the questions to which Liz had no answer. She was basically lost. She couldn’t go back to her friends, as they didn’t believe her in the first place. Liz rocked herself back and forth, clutching her backpack in front of her, as if it would ward off all her pain. She was so deep in thought that she didn’t notice the woman when she came and stood before her.

“Liz Parker?” she asked softly.

Liz looked up slowly at the sound of her voice, wondering whom it was that knew her name. She looked up into the face of a pretty girl, a few years older than her. Her platinum blond hair fell sleekly past her shoulders and her eyes shone a brilliant green, that reminded Liz so much of Maria. Liz gasped slightly when she recognized her. Liz stood up, anger and confusion coursing through her.

“You!” Liz yelled, attracting a few people’s stares her way. “What are you doing here?”

“Liz, I have come to take you.” Leanna said softly. She held out her hand to her but Liz ignored it as she jumped back.

“How do you know who I am?” she asked sharply. “Did you get it out of Alex before you killed him?”

“Liz, you have to listen…” she began but Liz cut her off.

“Why?” she asked snidely. “So you can lure me into a trap and kill me too?”

“I did not kill Alex.” Leanna replied pleadingly.

“You expect me to believe you?” Liz asked, but she was a little taken aback by her pleading manner.

“Liz, I know I am the last person you think you should trust, but believe me I am here to help you.” Leanna replied. She held out her hand again. “Take my hand, Liz. We have to leave.”

Liz looked unsurely at her and then at her hand. She was confused. She didn’t know whether she should go with her or not. The only thing Liz knew for sure was that she didn’t trust her, not one bit. But if she had wanted to kill her she could have done so at any time.

Maybe she wants to go someplace where no one can find us. Liz thought. Liz bit her lip, sucking it. It was a nervous habit she had developed and which she I promised herself she would try and get rid off.

“Why are you here?” Liz asked finally.

Leanna looked distraught. She looked about the place and ran her hands through her hair. She looked back at Liz hesitantly.

“I can’t tell you…not yet anyway.” She replied.

“You really expect me to follow you to- to-wherever it is you want to take me?” Liz asked angrily. “How dumb do you think I am? I know what you did and what you want!”

Leanna looked at her with resignment, as if she knew that this would be the only way. “Alex is alive.” She whispered.

Liz grabbed on to hold on to something when she heard that. The room began to spin and her head felt as if it would explode. It couldn’t be! I saw him dead! I saw that car crash. I was there when they buried him. It could just not be true! Liz shook her head in silent denial.

“I saw him. I saw his coffin; I saw his body…” she whispered to Leanna, her eyes wide with denial and fright. “You’re lying! You’ll do anything to get me to come with you!” she spat out but tears were streaming down her face as she said that.

“I’m not lying. Alex is alive. He isn’t dead.” Leanna answered softly.

“How do you expect me to believe that?” Liz asked shakily. “Why should I believe that?”

“Because it’s the truth.” She replied with such conviction that Liz paused. She hurried on. “Please Liz… I know you don’t trust me but I am here to help you. You must come with me.” Leanna told her.

When she didn’t move Leanna touched her shoulder gently. She paused to see if Liz would jerk away but she didn’t. Her head was swimming with all the possibilities that Leanna’s news opened.

“I promise you that I am not lying. Alex is alive. At this moment there is only one thing you can do: trust me and come with me.”

Liz finally looked up into her eyes, her own eyes hard and unflinching. She looked at Leanna searchingly but coldly. Liz removed Leanna’s hand from her shoulder and stepped back. She picked up her backpack from the floor, having made up her mind.

“I see no other way to find out what happened than to go with you.” she replied stonily. Leanna began to smile but her next words put a stop to it. “But that doesn’t mean I trust you.”

Leanna nodded sadly before leading Liz out of the airport.

TBC...

Shadows -- Part 4

Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2003 6:32 am
by FallenMagic
AN: Thank you! :D

Part 4

It had been more than twenty-four hours since they had left the airport and Liz still hasn’t spoken a word. She just looked out the window, occasionally getting lost in her thoughts before she realizes that Leanna was still here.

She’s still suspicious of me and I don’t blame her for that. Leanna thought sadly.

Leanna hadn’t wanted to reveal the truth about Alex so soon, she had wanted to wait until they were alone and she had managed to gain Liz’s trust but she knew once they had begun talking that there would be no other way to get Liz to come with her. She had expected Liz to be full of questions but she was so silent that Leanna wondered if she even understood what she had been told.

Leanna knew that once she broke out of this trance she would want answers and if she knew anything about Liz Parker it is that she will not rest until she had them all. To be truthful she was nervous about the questions Liz would ask. Leanna was not sure she would be able to answer them all. There were still some secrets, which she could not reveal. If she did then all her work would have been for nothing.

She felt Liz stirring again and briefly looked up from the road to find her looking at her curiously.

“What?” Leanna asked, a little uneasy by her staring.

“Why are you trying to help?” Liz asked. “You have nothing to do with this.”

“I thought you held me responsible.” Leanna reminded her with a small smile.

Liz shook her head thoughtfully. “But you aren’t now at least.” She replied. “I think.” She added unsurely after a pause.

Leanna laughed wryly at that. There was so much Liz didn’t know; so much she had to explain that she didn’t know where to begin. “That’s what you think…” she answered softly.

“What do you mean?” Liz asked confused.

Leanna shook her head. They couldn’t get into that conversation just yet. “Nothing.” Leanna replied, staring straight ahead as she continued to drive.

Liz looked at her for a second before nodding slightly and letting it pass. She sat quietly for a while before she turned back to her.

“Why didn’t you tell us before?” she asked. “About Alex, I mean.”

“It wasn’t safe.” Leanna told her.

“What do you mean?” she asked, now sitting straight up.

Leanna paused, not sure whether she should tell her or not. There was so much she couldn’t tell her just yet that she had begun to wonder how she could help her understand some things. Liz noticed her hesitation and spoke up.

“If I’m going to have to trust you I need to know everything.”

Leanna looked at her, thinking through what Liz had just said and knowing she was right. She turned her attention back to the road. She wondered how to tell her.

“I didn’t want to approach you earlier because I wasn’t sure whom to trust.” she finally admitted.

“Stop talking in riddles!” Liz exclaimed in frustration.

“There-there is a spy in your midst.” Leanna replied.

“What?” Liz asked stunned. “Who?”

“I’m not sure. I have my suspicion but I’m not going to say anything until I’m sure.” she told Liz. “I don’t want to point fingers until I’m absolutely sure, so don’t ask me again.”

Liz nodded then asked, “How do you know there is a spy? And who is he or she working for?” she asked.

Leanna glanced at Liz and noticed that she was actually scared by this piece of news. Knowing Liz she knew it wasn’t fear for herself but for her friends and she touched her knee comfortingly.

“Don’t worry about your friends. They are safe for now,” she told her gently. “And I don’t know who the spy is working for…yet.”

“How do you know about this?” Liz asked, apprehension creeping into her voice. “How did you know about Alex and me going to Sweden? No one except Max knew about that! Not even Maria!”

“I know more about you than you can imagine Liz.” Leanna responded, not ready to reveal her secrets yet. But she knew the time would come when she would have to tell her all.

Shadows -- Part 5

Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2003 6:34 am
by FallenMagic
Part 5

“Max, open this door right now!” Maria yelled as she rang the doorbell insistently.

“Calm down Deluca!” Max answered as he opened the door. Maria didn’t even wait for him to invite her before she had pushed open the door and stormed into the den. “Why don’t you come in?” Max said sarcastically when he was left standing in the doorway. He shut the door with a sigh and made his way to the den.

Maria was pacing to and fro mumbling to herself. “What’s wrong Maria?” Max asked, a bit worried by her behavior.

Maria paused for only a second to look at him before resuming her pacing. “I know you two aren’t on talking terms and all but you must know something!” Maria cried. “I mean she just wasn’t there when I got to her house! And-and it isn’t like her. She doesn’t just get up and leave! And she knows better than to do that without telling anyone-”

“Maria!” Max yelled at her, breaking her ramble. Maria stopped in her tracks and looked at him, as if finally realizing he was standing there. Max bit back the grin that was threatening to emerge. “Who are you talking about?”

“Liz!” Maria stated as if it was obvious. “When I went to see her today she wasn’t there. And when I asked her parents they told me that Liz had told them she was staying at my place.”

Maria looked at Max worriedly. “You don’t think the skins captured her, do you?” she asked. “Or God what if some aliens killed her too?”

“She went through with it after all.” Max groaned to himself as he sat down and ran his hands through his hair.

Maria turned to stare at him. She looked at him suspiciously. “What do you mean ‘she went through with it after all’?”

When Max didn’t answer her she glared at him, hands on her hips. “Max, what aren’t you telling me?” she asked.

Max looked wearily at Maria, having no intention of fighting her, which he knew she would do if he didn’t tell her. “Liz went to Sweden yesterday.” He told her with a sigh.

“Sweden!” Maria cried in disbelief. “When? Why?”

“She went to find Leanna. She thought maybe she could answer some questions about Alex.”

“Why didn’t she tell me?” Maria shouted. “I’m her best friend! And Sweden? Did she even consider how dangerous it might be if Leanna is some murderous alien?”

“She knew all the risks.” Max told her wearily.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Maria asked accusingly. “I could have knocked some sense into her. I mean she can’t go to Sweden and knock on Leanna’s door saying: Hi, I’m Alex’s best friend. Oh and by the way, did you kill him?”

“She didn’t want anyone to know until she got there.” Max replied.

“You knew about this and didn’t try to stop her?” Maria asked incredulous, smacking him on the arm.

Max stood up abruptly. “In case you haven’t noticed, Liz and I aren’t exactly the best of friends at the moment.” He replied angrily. He lowered his voice a little and gave Maria a resigned look. “Besides, it’s not like I didn’t try to reason with her. She wouldn’t listen to me. You know how she can get.”

Maria plunked down on the sofa Max had just vacated, worried by Liz’s erratic behavior. “She’s intent on doing this, isn’t she?” Maria asked.

“Looks like it.” Max sighed. “I wish she’d just accept Alex’s death.”

“He was her best friend since kinder garden Max.” Maria replied sharply. “What do you expect?”

“I know, I know.” Max said apologetically. “It’s just…I don’t know. She makes me feel responsible.”

“I don’t think she really meant what she said that day…”Maria replied quietly, thinking about what Liz had said at Alex’s wake.

“I’m not so sure about that…”Max replied. He sat down next to Maria and they sat in silence for a few minutes before Isabel’s shriek made them bolt up.

“Max! Oh my God!” Isabel yelled, nearly hysterical. “Come quick!”

Max and Maria ran to where Isabel was standing in the kitchen, staring at the images on the TV.

“What’s wrong Isabel?” Max asked worriedly.

Isabel silently pointed to the TV. She then raised the volume as they listened with growing horror to the newscaster.

“…The plane lost function of one of its engine, resulting in the crash. The plane was heading to Sweden. All passengers are presumed dead. Excavation for bodies is being carried out but it seems unlikely to find any remains…”

“Oh my God!” Maria whispered. She turned to look at Max who was still staring at the screen in shock and horror.

“Max?” Isabel asked tearfully. “Didn’t you tell me that Liz left for Sweden yesterday…?”


TBC...

Shadows -- Part 6

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2003 4:54 am
by FallenMagic
Author's note: Thank you guys! And starlight you must be ahead a few chapters if you saw this on FF :D

Part 6

Max, Isabel, Michael, Maria, Tess, Kyle, the sheriff and the Parkers were all crammed into the small room behind the café later that day. They all watched the news tensely for any news for survivors. Max watched the Parkers hold each other closely, terrified of what they knew was possible.

Their daughter had gotten on that plane without telling anyone but him and Max felt responsible. He should have stopped her.

You did try. A small voice at the back of his head reminded him but he pushed it away. He should have forced her to stay.

Max heard a quiet sob and turned to find Maria being comforted by Michael. He turned his head to find Isabel being consoled by Kyle. Tess sat near him, holding his hand and he had to use all his will power not to pull away. They didn’t even know yet whether Liz had been on the plane and already Tess was making her move. It made him sick. But right now he had more important matters to worry about.

“Max are you sure she was going to Sweden?” Nancy Parker asked with a sob.

Max looked at her apologetically as he nodded. Nancy gave a stifled cry as she buried her head against her husband’s shoulder and cried. Jeff Parker was looking pale himself as he comforted his wife.

Sheriff Valenti looked at Max questioningly. “I know this isn’t a time to ask Max, but do you have any idea why she was going to Sweden? Without telling anyone?” he asked.

Max looked at the sheriff and nodded slightly. “She was going to investigate Alex’s death.” He replied quietly so that only the sheriff could hear him.

Valenti looked at him in disbelief. “But Alex died here, in Roswell…”

“She was convinced that Alex had been murdered. She was intent on finding him. She had her lead in Sweden.” Max told him.

“Yeah, she came to me too with that.” He replied quietly.

“Quick, raise the volume.” Isabel yelled when the newscaster appeared.

They all held their breaths as the names of the passengers scrolled on the TV screen. Then, they saw what they had dreaded the most. Liz’s name.

“Elizabeth Parker…”Kyle murmured in shock. “She was on that damn plane!”

“My baby…”Jeff Parker whispered as his wife clung harder and cried uncontrollably. He was eventually forced to lead her upstairs after looking in anguish at his daughter’s friends.

“Liz…oh God! Not again…”Kyle yelled, punching the wall in anger.

“This-this can’t be happening…”Maria cried hysterically. “I mean I just lost Alex…and-and Liz…”

She began to cry as she clung on to Michael.

“L-Liz can’t be…she just can’t…”Isabel whispered to herself over and over again until Max pulled her into a hug and both siblings held on tightly to each other as they tried to let it sink in.

“Please, please, someone tell me this is some sick joke or a bad dream!” Maria cried. She turned pleading eyes upwards. “I don’t think I could handle losing another friend and so soon!” she sobbed.

“Accept it.” Tess said sharply. “She’s gone. Liz Parker is dead.”

“How can you say that?” Isabel yelled. “How can you be so cold about it? She was our friend! Do you know what friends are Tess? Huh?” she asked.

“All I’m saying is that you have to accept it sooner or later. I mean her name was on the list. The sooner you accept that Liz is dead the better.” Tess cried.

Maria pulled away from Michael and marched up to Tess. She glared at Tess with fury blazing in her teary eyes.

“Take that back Tess or you’ll regret it.” Maria growled.

“What? Liz was just troublesome! You know it’s true. None of this would ever have happened if Max hadn’t saved her! I mean it all started when she came into the picture, isn’t it.”

“Tess!” Max yelled in warning, can not believing what he was hearing.

“What? It’s true. Maybe we would have been better off. And maybe with her gone you’ll realize who you belong with.” Tess said bitterly.

Without a second thought Maria raised her hand and slapped Tess across the face.

Tess looked at Maria in surprise.

“Don’t you ever talk about Liz like that!” Maria said in a low growl. “Don’t you ever tell us to get over this, because we can’t! We have lost two friends in the past two weeks…don’t you dare tell us to forget either of them! And Liz has saved your sorry alien ass more times than you can count. You have no right to say those things.”

Tess glared back at Maria, her cheek stinging from the slap. “All I’m saying is that you can’t bring someone back from the dead and the sooner you will accept that the better for all of us.” She replied coldly before storming out the café.


TBC...

Shadows -- Part 7

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2003 5:30 am
by FallenMagic
AN: Thanks so much!

Part 7

“What do you mean they think I’m dead?” Liz demanded.

“Your plane crashed and there were no survivors. Since you had taken your boarding pass you are presumed dead too.” Leanna replied calmly.

They were in a small motel room where Leanna had just informed Liz that the news reported that the plane she was going to Sweden on had crashed.

“Then I must go back to Roswell and tell them! God, my parents must be so worried!” Liz cried frantically.

“You can’t go back Liz.” Leanna told her.

Liz looked at her in disbelief. “They think I’m dead, okay? Dead! Not hurt but dead! I have to at least call them.” She yelled as she rushed to the phone. She had barely managed to punch in the first two numbers when Leanna cut the line.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Liz screamed at her, now getting scared of the woman.

Leanna gently guided Liz to the bed and made her sit down. She kneeled down so that she was looking straight into her eyes. “Liz, I know you’re worried but you can not go back to Roswell or let anyone know you’re alive.” Leanna told her.

“Why?” Liz asked her eyes teary. “What do you mean I can not go back?”

“Liz, listen to me rationally for a minute, okay?” Leanna said soothingly. “Can you do that?”

Liz nodded hesitantly; waiting to hear what Leanna was trying to say.

“This plane crash has given us the opportunity we were looking for.” Leanna explained. “Now that you’re believed dead, I think the spy will be more at ease and will make that crucial mistake sooner.”

“I don’t understand…” Liz replied faintly.

“You were the only one who believed that Alex’s death wasn’t an accident. You were out to catch the killer and that made him wary. Now, with you presumed dead, he can take more chances. We can keep a closer watch on them and eventually catch him off guard.” Leanna explained.

“You mean I can never go back to Roswell?” Liz asked in a choked voice.

Leanna gave her an apologetic look. She patted Liz’s hand and replied, “At least not for a long while…I’m sorry.”

Leanna then got up and started to head out the door.

“Where are you going?” Liz asked, alarmed. “You’re not leaving me are you?”

Leanna smiled. “No, of course not. I just have some work to do. I’ll be back soon.”

Liz nodded unsurely as she settled back down. She sat quietly for a while, not knowing what to think. She had just been forbidden to ever contact her friends and family, she didn’t know where she was or where she was being taken. All she knew was that she was being taken to Alex.

Alex! God, how is this possible? Liz wondered. He was dead! She had seen his body. Max had seen him, touched him. It couldn’t be possible. But here she was anyway, going on this crazy road trip with a possible enemy to god knows where!

She wasn’t even sure is Leanna was telling the truth, but right now Liz needed to believe in something, anything to keep her from breaking down and just letting go. She hadn’t allowed herself to let go when she had found out about Alex’s accident and she had no intention of doing so now. Right now, she wasn’t sure if she was going on faith or on pure curiosity. All she knew was that Leanna had given her an option to finally get all the answers she had been searching for these two weeks and she wasn’t about to let that opportunity go.

Liz sighed as she picked up the remote and turned on the TV. As she glanced up at the TV screen which was showing images of the crash Liz realized that she basically didn’t exist to the world anymore.

TBC...

Shadows -- Part 8

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2003 11:25 am
by FallenMagic
Part 8

Max stood quietly in front of Liz’s grave, arms folded in front of him. People were already heading back to the Parker’s house but he didn’t want to leave yet. He wanted to spend as much time as he could close to Liz…or what was left of her.

He couldn’t believe this was happening, couldn’t begin to even acknowledge that Liz, his beautiful, sweet Liz was dead. He hated himself for ever having pulled her into his life, for ever having loved her. But he knew that that was a lie. No matter what he told himself he was not sorry he had saved her life that day, he was not sorry that he had loved her.

His vision blurred as silent tears fell slowly down his face but he didn’t wipe them away as he stared at the coffin now being covered up. He wanted to push aside the men who were shoveling the dirt. He wanted to rip open her coffin and see her face, serene in death. He wanted to lay his hand on her and heal her, bring her back to life, back into his life. But he could not do that. Even if it was possible he could not do that. Why? Because they could not find her body in the incinerated wreckage, only dust…just dust. Now all he could do was stand there and feel his heart constrict with pain as he thought about her.

He hated his life, he hated it that he was different and couldn’t have a normal life. He couldn’t give Liz the life she had wanted. He couldn’t even say goodbye to her. He wished she could have had a proper funeral, with her finally resting in peace in her beloved town. But instead all that was in the ground was an empty coffin full of memories.

Had he known that day when she was leaving that it would be the last time he ever saw her, he would have grabbed her and refused to let her leave. He still remembered her clearly, so clearly in fact that at times he thought that if he reached out he could touch her. He remembered how she laughed, her doe eyes twinkling with happiness, how she had cried in his arms, how she had smelled and felt. He remembered how her silky hair felt in his hands.

I wish I could touch her again, hold her close and just hear her voice. Max thought in agony.

The sadness he felt could not be put in words. It ripped at his soul, making him want to rip his heart out just to end the agony he felt. How did he ever think he could live without her? How could he have ever let her go?

“Max?” A soft voice called from behind him. He felt a hand rest lightly, comfortingly on his shoulder.

He followed the hand up to Isabel’s tear stained face. Max managed a weak smile.

“It doesn’t seem real.” He whispered to his sister, his eyes radiating his pain. “I don’t think I can live without her.”

“I know.” She replied softly. She let her hand fall and she held his hand, patting it. “But you’ll make it. We all will.”

Isabel looked down at Liz’s now covered grave. “She was such a beautiful person.” Isabel said softly, more to herself than Max. “I never realized how much I depended on her to just be there. I thought losing Alex was heart wrenching but losing Liz is just worse.”

Liz had been the first human she ever had trusted. Liz was the first human who accepted who she really was—no questions asked. Isabel looked at Max; her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She gave him a watery smile.

“But we’ll make it through this. You will too. We’re all here for you.” She told him.

“I know.” Max answered quietly.

Both brother and sister stood there for a while in silence before Isabel let go of his hand and moved back. “I think I’ll head to the Parkers’. The others are already there. You coming?” she asked.

“You go on ahead.” Max replied. “I’ll be there later.”

Isabel paused for a minute, not wanting to leave him when he was so sad and alone. But then she nodded, knowing he needed his space. She turned around once she was at the cemetery gates and looked back at her brother. Max was still standing there in front of Liz’s grave, just as she had left him, silent in his grief.


TBC...

Shadows -- Part 9

Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 6:07 am
by FallenMagic
Part 9

“How far is this place?” Liz asked Leanna as they continued their trip.

“Just a few more miles.” Leanna promised. She sighed as Liz turned her attention back to the passing dessert.

Although it had taken them more than a day to get to her place, it wasn’t that far away from Roswell. But Leanna knew she had to be careful and had taken a longer route, to shake off anyone tailing them.

“Leanna, can I ask you something?” Liz asked her voice hesitant.

“Sure, go ahead. I think I owe you some explanation.” Leanna answered.

Liz bit her lip and pushed back her hair as she contemplated phrasing her question. It had been bugging her since they had left the motel and Liz was bursting to know.

“If-if Alex wasn’t really dead, and that wasn’t his body…then who was that in his coffin and car?” Liz asked finally.

Leanna’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. She glanced at Liz and asked slowly, “Are you sure you want to know?” she asked.

Liz nodded slowly, wanting to get her facts straight.

“Do you remember Copper Summit?” Leanna asked.

“How did you-?”Liz asked startled.

Leanna shrugged nonchalantly. “Like I said, I know a lot of things…” She waved it off. “Anyway, do you remember how Congresswoman Whitaker’s body was incinerated?”

She waited for Liz to nod before continuing. “Well, there was a body in the coffin anyway, right? Well, that’s what Alex’s body was like. Just an empty shell made to look like him.” Leanna explained.

“But, after the accident…Max touched him-to heal him…how…?” Liz asked confused.

Leanna hesitated. “I’m not entirely sure about that part myself because I made sure I got Alex out of the car before the police arrived.” She replied.

“Then what happened?” Liz asked, getting more confused.

“My guess is that it was a mind warp…”Leanna finally admitted.

“A mind warp?” Liz asked incredulously. “That means Tess!”

“No,” Leanna answered frowning. “I don’t think it was Tess.”

Liz couldn’t understand why Leanna thought so. Tess was the only one who had powers such as that. Liz explained all of this to Leanna but Leanna was still not convinced.

Why? Liz wondered. How can she be so sure it isn’t Tess?

“But there is no one else.” Liz argued.

Leanna kept quiet, and Liz got the feeling that she wasn’t telling her something. Liz wanted to know but didn’t say anything as something else caught her attention.

Leanna’s house. Liz gasped and bolted forward when she saw it. She suddenly began to get excited, knowing that Alex would be waiting and can not waiting to meet her supposedly dead friend again.

Well, technically you’re dead too. She reminded herself.

Liz fidgeted, anxious to get there already. Finally, Leanna stopped the car and smiled briefly at Liz.

“Home, sweet home.” She said as they got out of the car. She turned to see Liz, who was standing nervously behind her. She smirked a little. “Nervous?”

Liz shook her head but then nodded. “A little…okay a lot.” She admitted with a small smile. “It’s just-it’s just Alex! You know?”

“He’s waiting for you.” Leanna replied as she threw open the door.

Liz stepped inside and looked around, searching for Alex. Suddenly a familiar voice called.

“Liz?”

Liz turned around to find Alex entering the foyer through a side room.

“Alex!” Liz cried. She rushed to him, her vision blurry with tears and threw her arms around him. When he reached out to hug her in return, Liz finally let herself go and broke down and cried in his arms.

TBC...

Shadows -- Part 10

Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2003 8:13 am
by FallenMagic
AN: Thank you!

Part 10

The rain poured down on Roswell. The night was cold with the chill wind but Max Evans barely noticed any of this as he stood across the street from the Crash Down, staring inside.

It was past closing time but he couldn’t make himself leave. It had been more than a week since Liz’s death but he still couldn’t get his mind around the fact that she was gone. He still expected her to come bounding up to him with that smile on her face, he still looked over his shoulder in school, expecting to see her any second. In biology her seat was hauntingly vacant.

Max let the rain mingle with his tears as he watched Maria wipe the floor, lost in her thoughts while Michael did the register. He knew it was hardest for Maria. She was being so strong for him and the others. She came to the Crash Down everyday to help out the Parkers until they hired someone else. Max himself couldn’t bring himself to enter the alien themed café just yet. It was just too soon.

But that didn’t stop him from standing outside the café every night after it had closed down, watching Maria and Michael close up each night. Every night as he watched them, he remembered how Liz had done the same. How he had always watched her. He remembered the time when she had invited him in once and they had danced, holding each other close.

“It feels different doesn’t it?” he heard Tess’s voice from behind him.

He turned around, startled, not having heard her approach. Tess gave him a small, sad smile as she too watched Maria and Michael.

“It doesn’t seem right.” She said.

“No, it doesn’t.” Max agreed softly, his heart aching with a dull throb.

“You loved her so much…” Tess said. “Just like you once loved me.”

“Tess, please…”Max whispered, not wanting to start an argument.

“Oh, no…I didn’t mean it like that Max.” Tess protested. Seeing the dubious look on his face she lowered her eyes apologetically. “I mean it Max. That day at the Crash Down…I-I don’t know what came over me.”

She looked back at Max who was watching her intently. “I didn’t mean to sound hurtful. I just wanted to help you come to terms with the news, not implicate anything.” She told him.

Max just listened to her talk, not saying anything. He wasn’t sure what to believe from her. She sounded so honest right now…but that day she was so cruel and harsh.

“Max,” Tess said softly. “I’m really sorry about the things I said that day. I really am. I mean Liz was my friend too.”

“So are they.” Max replied, jerking his head towards Michael and Maria. “You didn’t have to put them through that.”

Tess looked at him apologetically. “I’m sorry Max. How can I make you believe that I am sorry for what I said?” Tess asked.

Max turned away from her, staring determinedly ahead. “Please leave Tess.” Max asked quietly.

Tess looked at Max in dismay before she nodded. She backed away from him but then turned around and said. “I’m still here for you. If you—you know want to talk or something.”

She then headed back the way she came. Max stood there for a few minutes, letting the memories wash over him. He watched as Maria sat down in a booth, face in her hands, her shoulders shaking. He saw Michael pull her into a comforting hug. Max turned away and headed back home. He didn’t want to be reminded of how everyone was hurting just as badly as him.

TBC...