Roswell Fanatics

Just Max by Lana

Summary: Max wanted Liz's advice on something and she was only too happy to give it
Rating: Max and Liz rated YTEEN and it's from her pov.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, the characters belong to Jason Katims not that he knew what to do with them!




The amazing banner was made by the wonderful Ria


Part 1

Looking back, we were a very good crowd right from the very beginning, we always were - always had been and we thought nothing would ever change that. But times do change mores the pity. We had such a giggle through the good and the bad.

There was Isabel Evans and Alex Whitman (as thick as thieves) and Michael Guerin and Maria Deluca (at each other’s throats all the time) and then ...there was Maxwell Evans.

Oh and there's me too, and I'm Liz Parker but only Max calls me that. My name's Elizabeth to anyone else; and that's us, all good friends, best friends who hang out together whenever we could. We all worked in very different jobs and come from very different backgrounds. We fitted together you know, like peas in a pod. We found each other one by one by pure chance then stuck together through choice and I couldn’t imagine it being any other way.

However our lives together were all about to change because Maria suddenly handed in her notice at work. There were no signs, no prior warnings she just up and did it one day. The club she worked at, ‘A night on the town’ was going to miss their biggest draw. She was a fantastic waitress, singer and friend.

Apparently she's leaving to join some charity aboard, to go do her bit for the course which took us all by surprise. A steamroller would have had less of an effect. It was a shock to all of us, totally out of the blue because Maria hated to even walk anywhere, let alone rough it out in the middle of no where. It was an impossible concept to picture her out there and doing a job like that. Maria mucking in, she turned her nose up if she had to un block the sink. Bless her, she was a material girl at heart and we'll all miss big - hearted, fun loving Maria very, very much.

Something was up with her; it must be to make her do something of that magnitude. We used to be so close and share everything. We were more like sisters than very best friends. She seemed so distant these days and she's not telling me anything. She's not even calling me any more and I feel so sad. I wish I could figure out what was wrong with her? I hate change, why must things change when life is complicated enough? Why can’t my friends be happy with the comfortable and the safe like I am?

Things are changing for all of us. Isabel and Alex moved in together which wasn't such a shock but none of us thought that soft- hearted Alex would ever melt the ice princess so quickly. Just shows you how wrong people can be huh? And Michael's interested in a girl at his gym, his next conquest (nothing new there, he's our local playboy and heartbreaker. I swear that man was on the prowl 24/7) so we don't see as much of him as we used to. I feel so sad. I miss things being the way that they were. So that just leaves Max and me. I've known Max for years and years, so long now he's feels like part of the furniture to me - my favourite armchair ever since his parents moved in across the road from us when we were little and living in Roswell New mexico. We were the first to meet and get together as friends - then the others came.

So that's us, take it or leave it and there's where the real story begins -

Last week, Max and I found ourselves sitting alone at the café bar where all of us used meet on a Friday night; our little weekly ritual and we always dropped everything going on in our lives with out fail in order to meet. We had the very best of times when the Six dwindled down to two and my heart is heavy.

"Where the hell are they all Max?" I asked, tapping my nails impatiently on the tabletop whilst looked about us wildly. I was angry, this was happening more and more often. I felt like I wasn’t enjoying myself quite as much. No need to be so jumpy. Why so concerned all of a sudden? I am with Max after all.

Max shrugged at me while stuffing another doughnut into his mouth. Did he hear me? Does he even care what’s happening to us? The jam squirts out all over face as I instinctively wipe his chin with my fingers. "Have you learned nothing I've taught you Evans? Bite where the hole is, bite where the hole is!" I say as my thumb innocently brushes back against his sugar coated lips.

"Of course Jedi master but I love how you mother me." And he smiles at me. I smile back, instinctively licking my thumb clean without even thinking, loving that sugar rush feeling it's giving me.

"Watch it or I'll smack you silly Evans." I joke while he continues smiling at me. My tummy feels warm inside obviously I’ve neglected my sweet tooth for too long. Look what it's doing to me.

"Yum, can’t wait for that day Lizzie" was does he mind by that? "And in answer to your question, I was listening to you because surprisingly enough I do care,” I give him a side wards look. Did I say those things out loud? Or does he know what I’m thinking? Boy I’m spending too much time with Max. “There’s no need to try and lay a quick comeback on me Parker, I *know* you,” Shit, does he? Of course he does. God this is freaking me out; maybe I should cut down on my Max time? “Maria's filling in her application form to god knows where? Michael's pounding the treadmill tongiht - or is that his new ‘girlfriend’ I forget, and Isabel and Alex have an appointment somewhere or another from the garbled phone message she left me,"

I sigh and my smile fades. "God! It's all falling apart. What's happened to us Max? I thought we'd stay close forever. All be friends together forever." I stare away from him and into the passing crowd.

I saw a group sitting in the corner. They looked so fresh faced and happy in each other's company. They remind me of the six of us. My heart is heavy for those days are obviously gone.

I feel Max lightly brush his hand on mine. I awaken from my sad thoughts instantly as a bolt shocks through me. What the hell was that? Must be the sugar rush, I gotta stop eating junk.

"Aw don't feel bad old Mom I'm sure they won't forget to write.” My eyes narrow. He's trying to cheer me up but his wonderful way with words and sarcasm are not helping, “I'll make it all better and get you a drink, how about that?" Max offered as he smiled back at me. He patted my hand a few times. He was making it all better. Damn the boy was good. I taught him well.

He called me ‘old mom’ because I was always clucking round all of them like old mother hen, right from the beginning and they'd always came to me with their problems. I loved that so much. It made me feel honoured they felt they could come to me with their problems. I felt so needed so special... but now ‘my babies’ have all but gone. Flying the coup. Who's left to make me feel special and needed? "Don't worry Liz. I'll always be here to mother, no need to worry about that."

Shit he can read my mind? We are definitely spending too much time together that can’t be healthly can it? I smiled back at him unable to resist. He's so infectious, and that smile of his always makes me happy.

“You’re beyond help Evans,” I shout back playfully, raising my eyebrows to the roof while watching his tall figure move towards the bar. Dear old Maxwell. He'd stay around come what may, probably because he didn't have anybody else to hang out with just like me.

Moments later he came back with the drinks and sat down facing me. "I have got a bit of a problem as it goes, Liz," he said bluntly. Suddenly.

'He needs me, someone actually still needs me thank god.!’ I can’t believe it. I want to jump up and down. I’m making noises. I'm squealing I think? At 24 I am three years younger than Max. I felt like his older sister at times and for some reason ‘old mom’ didn't fit when talking about Max and me. The reason to why escapes me. I lean in pulling him closer to me, "Oh really?" I perk up immediately, "So what's up Girlfriend?"

His eyes twinkle, while his face remained serious. He's frowning; even then he's so sweet. What am I talking about? "I want you to tell me what attracts a woman to a man?"

I blink, almost coughing my drink all over him. "What? Where the hell is that coming from Max?," I'm all hot and flustered, "What? Why? God you sure know how to drop a whammy on me don’t you Max." It was a daft question, and I was a bit taken aback by it that's all. I'd never heard him talk like that before. Max was- well, Max. Nice, sweet, comfortable and reliable Max. Just plain old Max. Oh and not forgetting kind, thoughtful, selfless, funny, understanding... god am I the 'Maxwell Evans fan club founder or what?' What the hell am I waffling on about? I’m shocked beyond words. I hadn't ever considered him a helpless romantic in desperate need. Of a man in need of help to get a date. I never really considered Max on anything at all.

"Funny question huh? I...I...just want to settle down with someone special. Life’s passing me by that’s all and I think I should consider my future which includes getting married," he said boldly, simply. Like it was the most natural thing in the world. "It's about time I started to look and really settle down with someone,”

“Oh!” Oh what kind of an answer is that?

“Yeah, oh, is that such a shocking thing?"

“Oh no!”

“We’re getting a no now, must be a good thing huh?” he joked.

I suddenly think of that film 'My best friends wedding' and wonder what's coming next? Where the hell is this all coming from? I never would have expecting this from Max. Just like his first step, his first word, his first shave, his first kiss - Pam Troy yuck, I want to barf. How could he? I hate that trollop with a vengeance. She was his first date, his first everything. Now I really do want to vomit. He could have do so much better than her. Not that he ever told me what happened between them, guess we aren’t that close after all. Not that I really need to know about anything he does with girl’s. I can’t seem to breathe. Best leave that alone; I have a vivid imagination plus it's so weird thinking of Max in his boyfriend mode. To me he’ll only ever be Max. Then he comes straight out with something like that. I’m getting goose bumps, is it cold in here? He'd always been straight and to the point, no messing but you can be too direct and give out too much information sometimes. I choke on my coke again. My tummy suddenly feels funny, fluttery "Okay, I hear what you’re saying but I don’t understand why you’re asking me? You've had girlfriends;" I ignore it, reminding him of the obvious. "You don’t need my help. I’m sure you’re quite capable in all departments' Max,“ I feel my cheeks glowing, “Why didn't you ask one of those girls?" I feel a chill from the way he’s continuing to look at me. It's like 80 degrees of something. Why’s he looking at me like at?

"The time wasn’t right then. It wasn’t what I wanted or needed then. It is now what more can I say? Besides they were all great, they all had something about them or else I wouldn't have asked them out. I'm not a tart like G-man," His name for Michael. Max had pet names for everyone except me. Funny that.

"Thank god, the women of this world wouldn't stand a chance with two tarts like Mickael around would we." We both laugh. ‘We?’ What am I saying? I don't get flustered and gooey eyed around Max.

"You know it," and his smiles beamed at me. I’m shaking just. I’m sure it’s getting colder in here, why else would I be shaking? "But there was nothing *really* special about them and I never felt ‘that’ moment with any of them,"

“What moment?”

“You know that moment when you know in an instant you're with that special someone,” I’m stuck dumb, I’ve never heard him talk like this before. I’m a little scared by it. His smile fades, “Guess you don’t, anyway I got bored in the end," he confessed unashamedly. “And you know the rest. They dumped me in the end because I wasn't interested in anything more permanent with any of them." He shrugged.

I did know that as I now looked at him with a practised eye. I’m looking at him differently. I tilt my head slightly to the right. I’m beginning to see him a little differently.

He was likable in a strong- jawed sort of way. I'd never thought of him in the ‘do I fancy this man’ kind of way before. It was so weird, not normal even, I mean he was just Max after all.

I look again. His eyes' were a dark trusty brown with flecks of gold in them I think. Strange I've never noticed the gold before, my tummy is fluttering again - now they look amber to me. He has incredible eyes. I’ve never noticed that before. And thinking about it he always dressed pretty cool even if it drifted towards conservative at times. He’d wear a lot of suits and ties being a lawyer and I have to admit he did look like a honey in them or so all my girlfriends said, with his shirt open at the neck, tie hanging askew...I’m feeling all hot and very strange. Actually, come to think of it, I loved him in anything or out of anything- God what the hell are you talking about Parker? Get a grip girl, what do you care what he dresses like? God is it hot in here or is that me?

Those eyes hit me again. I look down into my drink. What am I doing? I'm changing the subject that's what I'm doing as those eyes begin to burn me. Funny that.

I’m thinking about Max in depth more now. His voice was deep and rich; that had to be a plus if he wanted to find himself a mate for life? Then it hits me, oh dear this was Max, my Max. Trouble was, he was the silent type and very shy, with a laugh that melts you and a body to die for - 'Yum, now stop thinking like that right now missy'. Never shy and silent with me though, never with me. Funny that.

"Okay Max if you really want to know," I question.

"Yes, I do," he’s sitting so close to me now.

“You've got to put all the goods on display Max," I suddenly say, urged to look back up at him. His eyes no longer seem to burn me. He leans away from me.

"Oh," he’s now gulping down his drink. "When what?" I feel sad, god knows why?

"Get a few chat - up lines like, 'Pass me the shades your beauty's dazzling me', or ' Get your coat you've pulled' stuff like that and you’re made." He looks at me funny, eyebrows raised.

"Oh yeah I can really see those going down a treat with the ladies Lizzie, I’m not Michael you know," My heart dips like it always does when he calls me that. "I say those lines and I end up wearing her drink on my head or her foot wear buried in my crown jewels.” I giggle at his put on pained expression. "No- thank- you, besides that would never work. I mean would those feeble attempts work on you?" He laughs loudly. I join him. Damn why does his laugh have to be so infectious all the time?

"In your dreams." My comeback is as quick as ever. I chose not to answer the posed question properly, chose not to think about it at all, the reason being failing to come to me.

"All the time." He voice is low, sweet coming from behind a wide toothed smile as bright as the stars. He looked unconvinced and I didn't blame him. What a stupid script to say. I bit my lip. He had a lot going for him when I really thought about it. Wait, why am I even thinking about it? So if he needed my help it had to be location. Yes that's it location, oh and props. We need lots and lots of props.

"Okay Max you’ve got my attention and I’d love to help. That goes without saying, how about this? You've got to be in the right place at the right time." I'm inspiration struck. "And you have to have a carrot!" My eyes feel wide and bulging as I lean closer to him. My heart won’t stop pounding.

He looked bemused, cute even. Cute? Where’s that coming from? Anyway I carry on my train of thought, "A carrot? Wait you've lost me." I did that to him a lot, must be the scientist in me.

"Carrot you know, the donkey and the carrot?" He looks so adorable when he's utterly confused. "Wanting a desired reaction from waving something under someone's nose?" He's looking cuter by the second. I lean back. I must be coming down with something? " Never mind Max, you say you need something to attract a woman, something to bring them to you, something to dangle under their noses that will get them going aw I want this man."

'Just dangle yourself Max and you'll do great.' Tell me I didn't just say that what am I like? This is Max for Christ sake he's like a brother to me. What a yummy- I mean yucky thing to even think.

"Ok now you’ve got my attention, what kind of prop?"

"Like a, like a I know a dog- chicks love dogs or what about a baby, yes a cute baby on the knee of a cute guy is such a turn on- or wait, hold the phone, a flash car, women love spanking bright fast cars." I lean back, triumphant not giving him a chance to speak. I'm on a roll! "Sorted. We'll start tomorrow. Look out world there's a new horn dog in town."

We both burst out laughing, suddenly make howling noises. We were getting such filthy looks but I didn't care. I was having too much fun with Max to give a damn. Nothing new there.


Part Two

Our day started early and was all ready planned.

Oh that's right I forgot to mention about Kyle before. Kyle Parker, he's such a sweetheart and he means well. Max is more like a brother to me than Kyle, what with his football life style. He might be a complete jerk, god he displays's that he is enough times but he’s heart in the right place, eventually. Not matter what he's done or not getting his head in gear before his mouth open, he's still my brother and I love the guy to death.

Kyle hated being parted from Tess. She was his life, probably because she never answered him back. I had my ways of getting round him. He told me to be careful with her and with Max what ever that meant? Kyle’s so weird sometimes.

So here we are as I hand Tess over to Max and gave him my instructions. "You got that, now get your butt over to the park and walk Tess around it a few times. Do something, do anything. Pretend to get a thorn out of her paw or something, chicks dig a caring side in a man and it's bound to get sympathy." I added encouragingly.

"Liz that's quite possibly the dumbest thing I've ever heard, I mean would it work for you?" His voice sounds sweeter than ever before while my tummy feels worse.

"Look, do you want my help or not?" I snap at him. Why am I snapping at him? I've never done that before.

"Always." He whispers, his smile filling his face. He's forgiven me. There is goes again my tummy feeling like it’s filled with butterflies and I want to snap at him again for some reason? He won't mind if I did, he never does because he's just Max after all. Why am I taking things out on him? It's not his fault that I woke in a bad mood today. Don’t know why I did though? He'll understand though. He always does even if I don't. Why am I so crappy this morning when I'm doing my two most favourite things in the whole world, friend in need problem solving and being with my best buddy, Max.

I can't help but smile back at him; it's his eyes you see they look different today somehow and they’re amber not gold. There's no denying that fact.

'Stop looking at me like that it's making my tummy feel worse.

No I was wrong, they’re just plain old brown, not spec of amber let alone gold in sight, nothing more special than that. Grandma Claudia always told me you could only see a person’s true eye colour when you’re looking into their soul. So Max’s are just plain brown because why would I want to look into his soul? I mean its Max. I think I feel sick? Yes that's it maybe I'm ill? Maybe that's the reason for me acting this way?

"Are you okay, Liz?"

He's doing it again, reading my mind, looking at me fuuny so I send them both off into the park with a harsh look.

*~*

I decided to keep watch. I can't keep away. You never know what might happen do you and my tummy is suddenly feeling so much better. It was funny how much I hoped Max would find the right girl. He deserved someone really, really special. Was there such a girl who was good enough for Maxwell Evans? Gooenough for me?

It wasn't long before a keen female was stopped in her tracks.

I hovered by the main gate while Max and 'friend' made their way back along the path. The back view made me notice just how portly Tess was getting; Kyle treated that bitch too well. Then I notice how slim his new friend is and how tall and board shouldered Max was. I’ve never noticed that before. Other dog walkers stop to talk to them, all female of course. One with curly blonde hair ruffed Tess' coat. She was there for quite a while. A bit pushy I thought as I crept up for a closer look. Thank god the trollop has had the sense to walk away. He was too good for her anyway.

Max turned and gave me a smile. I wave my hand for him to pay attention. He winks at me, throwing a stick for Tess. Swear that man was only born to wind me up. Tess had to waddle quickly to retrieve it. Poor thing. Then the blonde haired trollop reappeared from somewhere with a packet of something in her hand, which she proceeded to feed to Tess. She should be watching the dog, more to the point watching her fingers but she can’t seem to take her eyes off of Max for some reason? Nice, the plan seemed to be working like a charm. Trollop or not I love it when a plan comes together. At the same time, she kept Max in deep conversation as she then handed him a slip of paper.

It was her phone number, I discovered later. Knew it would be because I told Max to wear blues jeans and his black tee that showed off his body in all the right places. When did he get muscles like that? Not that I told him that part or the part where I thought that he had a fit body. I'd only noticed that recently. Today in fact. Funny that. I need glasses. All those endless hours working out in his garage must have paid off? I stared at a grinning Max. I take the piece of paper from him. "A total babe she might be, but do you want to go out with a girl who's cruel to animals?"

"What?" There was laughter in his voice.

"Well, she could see Tess was a fatso and yet she deliberately fed her treats for Christ sake. No- thank- you." And I threw the piece of paper away. "Okay not a problem. We’ll just move onto plan B."

"Plan B?" He quizzes me not even trying to retrieve the trollop’s number.

"We need to get a baby." I punched out.

"Excuse me?" I don't believe what I seeing is Max Evans' blushing?

"We'll borrow Molly," I say confidently.

"Liz, no, wait I'm not..." he buts in.

I shake my head. "It's okay Max, trust me I have it all figured out. We'll borrow, Molly, the baby next door to me." My smile grows, “Yeah that will work, just walk the buggy down the street and see what happens. Cool!" I say excitably.

"As you wish." Was the answer I got from him as the sudden ache inside. My tummy rages on.

I think I've heard those words from somewhere before, from a film maybe? I can't remember for sure. Damn that Chilli dog last night for making me feel so dreadful.

*~*

We wake early as my good friend Millie, Molly's mother, welcomed us into her home. She’s such a laugh that woman. We stay a while then take Molly out walking. Millie was going to get her hair done, treat herself for change by having the works. My treat. She’d done so much for me over the years, always there to talk to when Max wasn’t there. He lived across town. Millie whispered the strangest thing to me as we left, "Go for it girlfriend!" Go for what? There wasn't time to ask her.

Max and I pushed the sleeping Molly along the street. It felt quite nice. Strange even. "We're like a proper family," I said a loud without thinking. The gang would have had a laugh if they’d had heard that. Max didn't say a word I guessed he was too busy thinking up his next mega mind-blowing chat up line.

"Feeling better today?" He suddenly asked. "You looked a bit peaky after I dropped you off yesterday."

"Feeling much better thanks." I lied, my tummy was getting worse. "I spoke to Frankie and there were no other complaints so I guess it wasn't that chilli dog I ate after all." Funny that. So what was making me feel so ill?

"Oh, not that time of the month again huh?" He winked knowingly. I wanted a fast comeback but nothing would come. I begin to feel giddy. Here we go again what the hells wrong with me today? The sooner this was over the better so I could get home.

"Don’t even go there Evans, now we'll go in the coffee shop over there and see what happens okay?" I ordered, changing the subject yet again. "Then you're on your own,"

"You’ll be there too won’t you?" He looked worried, why so worried? He can handle himself because there are some things that I can’t do.

"Don’t worry I'll be watching you." And with that just I stomp off.

*~*

I watched from the table across from him as Molly suddenly wakes up as Max was about to tuck into his slice of Cherry pie. Cherry pie, cherry coke this guys got a real hard on for Cherries.

I feel myself pinking up as I think of Max with a hard on. I can't breathe. My chest feels so tight because Max doesn't get those does he? Not my big brother Max. Now I can’t stop thinking about Max with a boner. God I just want to go home. I gulp my drink down fast as he picked Molly out of the buggy, sitting her on his lap to give her a bottle. I told him what to do when she cries and there he is doing it. She settled into him quickly as she drank on the bottle. I openly gasp. They did look a picture. A darling and adorable picture. Holding a little baby in his arms suited him really well and he was good at it. A natural. My tummy felt like butterflies were using it as a flight path. Who could resist not coming over to him after seeing a picture like that?

1..

2..

3..

4...

A woman has noticed him. She has very, very red lips and very, very, very white teeth- like a shark. I don't like her. She’s definitely not the one.

Max is fighting to put a forkful of the pie in to his mouth whilst holding the bottle and Molly with his other. God was there nothing this man couldn’t do? I’m resting my elbows in the table across from him, with my face cupped in my palms. I don’t want this bubble to burst. I feel my eyes glazing over. He looks so cute. What the devil is wrong with me?

"Here, let me help." And the woman slowly bends down towards them, thrusting her ample clevage into Max's face. What’s she doing? I'm getting all hot and bothered.

I thought she'd take Molly. Instead she sat down beside them and proceeded to feed Max! I nearly fell off my chair. She'd got a nerve. I was out raged, especially when I heard her tell him that she was here at the same time everyday and that maybe they could meet up tomorrow for a drink or something?

*~*

Or something? I'm fuming. Why am I fuming? "Home wrecker!" I spluttered as we walked back to Millie's.

"Who?"

"Who? Jaws back there. Who else?" I spat out fiercely.

"What are you talking about? You’ve been acting funny ever since you heard me tell her that Molly wasn't mine and that I was single and -," I glared at him, cutting him off mid sentence. Why am I glaring at him? He's done nothing wrong it's just that I wasn't expecting our little plan to take off so quickly.

"You said a lot in such a short time Max. Interested were we?" I didn't let him finish. Am I afraid of what he might say? "Never mind she's no good anyway, too protective. She'll smother you Max." I tapped my heels annoyingly along the road. I feel his eyes burning me again.

"Liz-,"

I cut him off, "Just one thing left to try then Max. It'll have to be the car then!" I know he wants to say something to me. I’m not letting him. “Alex's got that new red sports car he brought to impress Isabel with,"

"It worked,"Max smiled.

"You can use that, I'm sure he wouldn't mind us borrowing it. I bet he'd loan it to you." I say with conviction.

*~*

He did and we drove it out to the beach that weekend.

Max and I had hardly spoken since ‘the shark attack’. I wondered if he did ever go back to meet her the next day? I didn't see him much the rest of the week. I never asked and he never said. Maybe he had found the perfect girl for him all ready?

I shudder. Not her, not if I had anything to do with it. She reminded me too much of Pam Troy and he was not going to end up with her, not on your nelly. This car thingy had to work and if it didn't then we would try something else. Try again, and again, and again until I...I mean till he found his perfect someone.

So here we are at the beach, planning to make a day of it in Michael rented pad over looking the water. Just me and Max.

Part 3

"Damn it, we're going to have to make a run for it Liz!" Max said excitedly, and I hug the towel tight around me. I dare to peer through the open door into the rain. I can’t believe it’s raining when it was forecasting warm, sunny sunshine all weekend. This is madness, crazy stuff. It’s dull and we can‘t go 'babe hunting' (as Max calls it) in weather like this. We're at the beach mega early and we had to do something to occupy our selves. Things were still froshy between us and I hate it when it's like that.

So Max comes up with this. A crazy notion yet I've never felt so alive in my entire life. Funny that? Why is that? I'm just hanging out with Max. Nothing special and we've swum here together a million times before.

"Ready?" Max's dark eyes flash with amusement. "When I say go we’ll make a run for it okay?" I nod, dropping my towel as he suddenly grabs my hand. "GO!" And we leave the shelter of the changing hut, tearing across the grass towards the pool. I scream as I feel the rain stinging at my bare shoulders. I grab onto his hand tighter with my other hand holding onto his arm. His body feels so warm and hard. I’m getting dizzy. It must be from the rain that is pounding at us. The grass under foot disappears suddenly; the cool smoothness of the tiles around the pool area now beneath my feet. The pool is in front of us. A blue rectangle of shiny water, pitted with raindrops all over it. It looks so inviting. I’m so glad we came out here, as our troubles seem to be long behind us. Max is pulling me along with him, holding onto me so tightly as we jump in together, screaming with excitement.

‘SPLASH!’

The heated water is warmer than the rain, yet cold enough to take my breath away as we sink under it’s surface. Or is the breath taken from me because of Max being so close to me? I can't tell. I don’t even want to. In the next second I feel him let go of my hand. I miss his closeness all ready. Where is he? I rise to the surface quickly and start to swim fast.

I see him swimming beside me. He’s an amazing sight to see in the water. He overtakes me easily and waits, grinning; one elbow tucked in the ledge at the far end of the pool. "Come on slow coach!" He shouts as I reach him, breathless and exhilarated. His bangs are all wet and stuck to his forehead. Yummy! Yum! Yums! I'm thinking such wicked things. ‘Down, girl, down!’ "So," he flicks his head round us as if to look for something?

"What?" I giggle.

"Just looking for my dream girl?" he jokes.

My tummy does its butterfly thing. I'm lost in those eyes again. "All tucked up in bed if she's got any sense," I answer, smiling wildly, "Swimming in the blistering rain isn't everyone's idea of having a good time Max." I'm treading water, ducking my head back in the ripples, refreshing raindrops splatter my face.

"Are you having a good time Liz?"

"Yes, you?"

Max nods, laughing, "Besides it was your idea to head on out early missy,"

"I know, I know - the early worm catches the bird and all that please don't remind me." I smile. Remembering the speech I gave him about this trip. It's the first time I've *really* smiled all week. I love how it’s making me feel. I’ve missed feeling happy.

He laughs louder. "That's what I love about you Liz." I catch my breath. What did he say? What does he mean 'love' about me?

"What? The fact that I'm a complete crackpot?" I'm trembling.

"Yes!" Grabbing my hand, he pulls me close; not touching, beneath the water. Suddenly I can't breathe at the closeness of him and my chest feels tight.

"Do you really think that?" Think what? The crackpot part or the love part? What question am I asking him?

I look into his eyes and he says quietly, "Yes, Liz, I do. On both counts. You amaze me Liz Parker and you always make me laugh, besides who'd want to miss out on this?" There is something in his expression that both shocks and thrills me. He reaches out and strokes my cheek with the tips of his fingers. Such a fleeting touch, such a gentle touch, yet his fingers leave pinpricks of fire on my skin. How can that be? He is just my Max after all. My Max. If so why I can't breathe?

The rain is getting harder, stinging our faces and soaking into our skin. Above our heads, the sun has begun to streak the sky with yellow and beyond the changing huts and Michael's apartment, the tops of the trees move gently in the breeze. The rain is falling harder.

"Looks like there's a storm on the way, bang goes the hunt for Miss right." Max says but is that a smile I see on his face, it can't be? Why does that seem to please him so? Hang on, why am I smiling?

"Better not stay in here too long then. We'll get pruny fingers and toes besides water's a good conductor for lightning isn't it?" I'm talking gibberish and I’ve never done that before.

"I believe it is." He smiles and I feel a little frisson of electricity go through my body that has nothing to do with the pending storm that's suddenly building up around us.

Max lightly brushes against me and it happens again. Nah, can't be, just my imagination. "Race you!" He shouts suddenly, letting go of my hand. I feel a definite spark shoot between us and I’m left dazed and confused.

He's cutting through the water, moving away from me fast and the spark has now gone. I have no chance of catching up with him. 'Damn My Max...no wait he's not my Max at all. He’s just Max, no more no less. My head is as cloudy as the sky.

"You cheated!" I say when I finally reach him. He laughs and swims away from me, teasing me with the age-old thrill of the chase. We hadn't played chase me games in years and years, notably when 'kiss chase' became the in game to play at school. When that happened neither of us used to play anymore. I've really missed the relaxed air which surrounds us now. What do I care, my job here is to help him on his quest to find his dream girl, his lover, his wife, his best friend, the mother of his children. I starting to feel sick again. Who is that? Is there such a girl good enough for Max, hell good enough for me?

We haven’t spoke for a few brief moments. I look at him while he looks back at me. A distant fork of lightening splits the sky and a few seconds later a rumble of thunder follows."We'd better get out now, " Max calls, his laughter infectious. "I don't know about you but I sure don't fancy being frazzled." He laughs again as my tummy dips. "Then that really would be a hot date wouldn't it?"

I don’t answer him. He giggles, gesturing to me to go ahead of him up the metal ladder and all I can think about is not whether this was a date or not? Then I was consumed with getting out a fast as I could from thinking that my butt big. Thinking about how my big, butt as in his face. Had I got a big butt? I didn’t know? I’d never seen it close up. I’m fretting while I wiggled out of the pool.

*~*

Precious seconds ticked past and now we're sitting opposite each other inside the changing hut, which smells of mustiness and wet wood from where we've dripped water all over seats. Outside the rain is pounding on the roof and the thunder sounds as though it's directly overhead or is that my heart I‘m hearing? God what's happening to me? I pull my towel up higher around me. I can feel my teeth chattering.

"You're not worried about storms are you?" He asks concerned. Max is sweet like that. I shake my head, but he comes across to me anyway, sitting beside me on the wooden bench with one warm, muscled leg close to mine. I shake my head. "You're trembling."

"I'm freezing that's all." 'God when did you get that body? I've never noticed just how hot you are Max and I never thought in a million years that black Speedo's could ever look that good on a guy. On you. I never thought about guys period. I was too interested in my work, besides I'd never found the right one for me. Te one that measured up. My eyes travel downwards slowly. I can’t stop them. Lower, lower down Max's hard body...

I blink. 'Oh god, oh god, oh god did I just look where I know I‘ve just looked?'

I look at there again.

'God I did! God good things do come in massive packages.'

I can't breathe. I quickly shut my eyes, the only way to stop myself from looking at the bulge in his trucks again.

"Well we'd better get these wet things off before we catch our death," My eyes flash open. His hair is plastered to his head, as I know mine must be. I must look a fright. When he looks so gorgeous. Good enough to eat. What am I saying? Who wouldn’t want to eat Max? Love does strange things to a person and makes them think and say crazy things. 'What the hell was that? Love? Who said anything about love? I feel dizzy as his hot breath hits my face; both cooling and setting it alight. Why's he looking at me like that? There's plenty of room around us for him to sit somewhere yet he's almost on my lap.

So close, I can't breathe. Stop looking at me like that Max!

Please.

He's getting closer, not talking just staring at me and his smile has gone. There's something else now. He leans into me. I've lost the ability for words, for anything. I can’t function. What's he doing? God, he's not going to. No he can’t be. God he’s not going to kiss me is he - then the miracle comes. A message from the gods. The thundering rain stops in an instant. I look up, still feeling his eyes on me.

"Listen, the rain- it's stopped. You‘ve got work to do," Stupid Parker, real stupid. I get up, stumbling forward.

"Liz-, " I feel him move with me.

"We better go... and get started." I'm trembling. I mumble something about meeting him out front as I run out, not looking back.


Part 4


I finally stopped running when I realized that my clothes were still in the hut. In the hut with Max.

Max!

I'm shaking at the thought of him. How can I go in there now? How can I even talk to him? I feel so embarrassed. I can't go round for the rest of the day in just a Bikini now can I. I have to go back in there and that's why I stopped running. I feel like an idiot for thinking he was going to kiss me. Why on earth would he be reaching to kiss me? Don't think like that it's ridiculous. Max wanting to kiss me. Max and me? It’s not going to happen. I would put my sudden crazy thoughts down to 'having a blonde moment' but I'm not blonde so I can't. What the hell was going on with me? All I can think about is that I need Max- that I need to go back and see Max. I need to get my clothes and help Max.

I swallow hard, turning back just as Max brushes past me, now dressed, saying that he'll meet me in the car. His tone is harsh and he didn't even look at me. I don't like it. I've fessed up royally this time but for the life of me I can't think why?

*~*

The day turned out so beautiful, but I was touchy. We'd hardly spoken as Max parked the car and I went off for a walk without a word.

Suddenly I couldn't be around him, besides the plan was for him to just stand there, looking gorgeous and just wait for an opportunity. Wait for a woman to walk by and notice him; to stop and talk so he can see whether she was the one or not? To find out if she was his dream girl and me being there would only have cramped his style. Max could cope without me. He didn’t need me why ever did he ask for my help? I’m not helping. Why did it hurt so much? Then the faithful moment came. I knew it would, how could any woman not notice my Max?

I saw her as I came wandering back. I'd only been a little when I saw a girl emerged from under the bonnet of Alex's car. My heart skipped a beat, approaching a starry- eyed looking Max. There was oil on her nose, which only accentuated her loveliness then more because she was beautiful and Max couldn’t take his eyes off her.

Her name was Lucy or something. I forget and she lived in the apartments opposite with her dog, Katy. This was beginning to freak me out. She had a dog, obviously liked fast cars. I immediately looked about for a baby lurking about somewhere just in case. I was finding it increasing difficult to breathe. Must be the heat. Everything was a blur as I then heard her say that she worked in a local children's home.

Bingo!

The baby angle could this get any worse? She spoke again, as they only seemed to have eyes for each other. Max hadn't even looked at me once. Like he didn’t even know I was there. I didn't like it. This was what he wanted, what I wanted for him too wasn't it? She was more beautiful with every passing moment as I visage them standing side by side at the altar. I can't breathe. He's found his dream girl. Blah, blah, blah she’s annoying me now... and of course it was the car that caught her eye and not the Adonis standing beside it?

Yeah I really believe you hun, thousands wouldn't.

Hang on where the hell did Adonis come from? Max was no Adonis.

Was he?

She was very sweet, too sweet as she invited us in for coffee, which I refused. God even her house was frigging perfection but that's not what started off the alarm bell in my head. Oh no it was that she was looking at Max as though a bolt of lightening had suddenly stuck her, especially when he introduced me to her as "just a friend of his."

It was true we were friends- the very best of friends but it still hurt hearing it. I felt a bit annoyed by it actually. I just wanted to go home, leave so I wouldn’t have to see them dribbling over each other any longer.

I knew she was perfect for him the moment I saw her and god help me I hated her all ready.

*~*

Max was quiet on the way home. "What's wrong?" He asks, is he concerned? Does he even care?

"Headache." I snapped.

I hear him sigh. "With Lisa, I mean. You were rude to her."

"I was not and there's nothing wrong with her Max." I lie as I feel his eyes on me. Everything wrong with her because she's perfect for him. " God I need a drink." My answer to everything rather than face up to the truth.

"Me too...," he stops as I catch a wicked smile drift over his mouth. He's got such a gorgeous mouth, a so kissable mouth. Now tell me that I didn't just say that. "Actually she's invited me back down tomorrow." I can't seem to function probably. "She's going to show me around the place,”

"That's original even when you know the place all ready but it least it's better then the old 'show you my etching's line'."

"Liz-," I cut him off.

"I hope you have fun. Good luck with your dream girl Max," and that was the extent of the conversation home.

*~*

When I got home, I felt sick. It must have been the sea air. Why am I making more excuses?

The phone saved me for asking any questions I know I couldn‘t answer.

It was Alex. "Hi girlfriend so give me details. Max looks pleased with himself I've just seen him."

I mumble the extent of the damage as I begin to shake. Must be the ice cream making me cold.

"Okay but why the hell did you go to all that trouble Elizabeth?"

"What do you mean? I was trying to find him a girlfriend, didn‘t he tell you that part?"

"Max?" Alex sounded puzzled. “No he neglected to tell me that,”

"Yes Max, he asked me what he should do to attract a woman so I thought of a plan. It worked. End of story." I added miserably.

I can hear Alex chuckling, "Max doesn't need any help. He's quite capable of attracting females for himself. I mean have you seen him in action haven’t you? Besides you’re miles better than all the girl’s in all the world,"

I’m not really thinking about what he’s saying, "Now Alex you know if Isabel hadn't have already snapped you up then you'd be mine! You’re gorgeous and I love you to bits chica, " And he was the most kind, thoughtful, generous, understanding, loving and funny guy in this whole wide world, right after Max of course. Isabel was a lucky lady to have bagged a catch like Alex. I’m suddenly wondering who was left out there for me?

My heart is heavy because there's no one out there for me.

"Don't let Isabel hear you saying that she'll girlie fight you for me." He chuckled proudly.

"I know and she scares the crap out of me so we won‘t tell her will we," And I laugh for the first time since jumping into the pool with Max. Now that I will never forget. it will stay with me always no matter what comes to. Alex always makes me laugh.

"Scares you well she petrifies me now did you hear what I said or were you ignoring me on purpose?"

"You‘ve lost me now Alex,"

"Why would Max need to look when you’re... miles... better... than... all... the... girl’s... in... all... the... world?"

"What are you going on about Alex?" I’m laughing because it’s an absurd notion.

"I'm being serious Elizabeth. Don't you realize why Maria's leaving? The real reason why she‘s leaving?"

"No? What are you talking about? Besides she hasn't talked to me properly in weeks." I flop down heavy onto the sofa, beginning to tuck into my Ben & Jerry's cookie dough. It's my second tub as I hear Alex laugh out loud.

"She's always had a thing for him silly, for Max but she knows she doesn't stand a chance with him."

I choke. Maria and Max? No way.

"Elizabeth," Alex continued laughing in that infectious way of his "You're a clever girl do the numbers. Why do you think he's only ever on his own when you're around? Why are we never all together anymore? What do the rest of us know that you don't? I love you dearly but you can be so dense sometimes." I stand up, sending the ice cream flying. "Because Max asked us to give you guys some time alone together." This is serious; I never waste a drop of that 'heaven in a tub'. What’s he saying?

"I...what?...I..."I'm hyperventilating.

"Bless his heart he didn’t know how to tell you and he felt like he needed to time to work up to telling you, god has the guy looked in the mirror lately? You two belong together, you're as dense as each other," he giggles.

I can’t believe what Alex is telling me but I know it was true. All this time I was being too clever for my own good. I suddenly knew why I'd taken a dislike to all of the dream girl wannabe’s, why they wasn't a man alive suitable for me, because all the one's we had encountered weren't me. I say it again, slowly.

’because...they....weren’t...me...

I can't breathe. Max likes me, my Max really likes me. My eyes are wide.

Oh my god it's all such a mess. He was trying to tell me all along, he was even trying to kiss me and I ran away. Now I'm really going to be sick, I can't breathe. How can I have been so blind and so stupid? I’m such a dense cow and now it was too late isn't it?

I've lost him haven't I?

....Unless.

*~*

So, here I am, waiting outside Max's house not having a clue what I'm doing only knowing that I have to do it. I resisted the temptation to call him, to let him know I'm outside waiting for him. What ever was I going to say to him? I knew that I wasn't going to tell him what Alex had told me. I knew Max would be embarrassed by me knowing the truth. I would tell him later but not now.

I was finally there, about to have the most important conversation in my life. I can't stop shaking as I wait. And I wait. And I wait.

When eventually he comes out he looks gorgeous and totally in control. This guy doesn't need any help to get himself a woman. He's sex on legs. Was I blind? YES!because out of everyone he was he only one of our group of friends that was really going to break my heart if he ever left. I knew that for sure and not miss him in the brotherly sense. It was in the crazy, can’t live without you sense because was in love with Max Evans, always had been- always would be!

He's not smilng at me. He looks so sad as he stares down at me blankly. "Liz?" Then he grins broadly and the sun comes out again. My heart skips a beat.

Tess tries to run to him but I have her lead so she yelps and flops back down on the ground again. Max puts his hands deep into his pockets. I love how he does that. I hold little Molly on my hip closer to me. God they wiggle so much. I can't wait till we have ours.

God what am I saying?

I let a smile crease over my face and I am so happy. I turn and nod at the car behind me.

"So you like my new car? Pretty neat huh? She goes too." And I'm not talking about the car either as I feel myself pinking up.

"Sure, it's pretty neat." I hope he's not just talking about the car. The look he gives me and his smoky tones tell me otherwise. My heart soars. "A bit small though," he giggles.

'What the toy or me?' my mind wonders.

"Yeah, Alex needed the car today and this is all I could find so there's no need to look anymore Max because I've found the perfect girl for you and as you can see she'll do anything to get your attention."

The corners of his eyes crease with laughter, god I love how he laughs. He takes a step forward. "That’s just it, you've always had it Liz," Another step. My heart pumps harder in my chest. "You don't need anything to get me to see you, to get me to be with you." His smile undoes me. He's the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, My Max. "You're got me." I swear I can see his eyes turn darkest brown-even black as his tongue gently slips across his bottom lip. I can't form the breath the talk. He must be able to see my difficultly, "They do suit you Lizzie."

I suddenly remember reading a trash magazine telling you what the tell tale signs are that a guy is turned on; the darker the eyes the more turned on they are. I see them clearer now, god they’re like the blackest of coal. I'm faltering.

"What, even the car?" I look down at the little barbie car behind me as Molly slurps and giggles with laughter in my arms. It's infectious. We all giggle together.

"Especially the car and it'll come in handy when we have our first girl." His amused whisper teased. He says it so naturally, like it was the most natural thing in the world and I know it is our destiny too.

"Or first boy." I counter, lost in the dreaminess of it all. The thought of me and Max having children melts me.

"Or twins." We both add in unison as he finally holds out his arms to me. I want to run to him so he can lift me up high but I can't so Molly and me snuggle up close. God, he smells so good, he's wearing the aftershave I brought him last Christmas and he's smelling good enough to eat. God this feels so right- so good but I say nothing. I can't, I'm overwhelmed.

What are you thinking Max?" Liz's voice interrupts my thoughts and I pull away to smile down at her.

"Can't you guess?" I say back to her. She’s so beautiful; she’s intoxicating me.

"You're scared that the reality won't match up.” She steps in closer to me. I can’t breathe. She smells so good. “That everything that's been in your head won't be the same."

"Maybe,” she smirks at me, “well, just a little." I rest my chin back down on her head. Her hair feels silky smooth. She feels so good, I can't breathe. It is scary, knowing that something you've dreamed about for so long is actually happening. My Liz finally knows I’m crazy in love with her and she feels the same about me. My heart climbs the wall of my rib cage. At least I think she does? I give her the biggest hug in the world as Molly in her arms wiggles harder.

"Don't be," she says. I close my eyes. My lips dare to kiss her hair. "This feels right so right to me Max."

"I know, me too." She's looking up at me now. Her look undoes me because in that next instant, I lower my head slowly down towards her. I can't help it. I'm drawn to her with all the forewarning of sweet coercion.

"I'm gonna kiss you now Lizzie," I murmur, my warm wisps of words caressing her lips. Our lips lightly brushing against each other teasingly not yet sealed within that magical moment. I know it is our destiny to be together forever as she hesitates. Sudden panic consumes me then twists her head up closer to kiss me. We both giggle playfully. We have to bob around Molly until are lips finally meet in the briefest, gentlest of kisses.

It's electric between us. I can’t explain it but I know in that moment she's right, because it's exactly how I've always imaged it would be as we continue to kiss. Coaxing tenderness with our lips mirroring the love I'd felt for her for so long. I hadn't realized was a shared love till now; and all too quickly passion engulfed. All thought of time and where we were standing until a very loud gurgle startles us back to our senses. It was Molly, we were squishing her.

"Sorry baby,” and I gently rub her back. I’m now looking at Liz and she’s never looked more beautiful. The sunlight catches in her hair. “Was that okay?” I ask nervously.

“Ok so far." She teases and my heart soars. She pulls away and I miss her closeness so much all ready. "You?"

I take Molly from out of her arms. My heart is thundering. I wish she were ours. ‘All in good time Maxwell, all in good time.'

"Yes, except I can't kiss you properly." I say as we begin to walk.

"I'll think of something," She murmurs confidently.

"Oh so will I, I don't need any help on that score and then carry you off somewhere private to persuade an 'I do' out of you." I can't believe I just said that. It's the most natural thing to say. I’ve thought about it ever since I first lay my eyes upon her.

She hasn’t said a word as we reach her car.

"Oh you will, will you? You sound very sure of yourself Evans." But I just smile as she takes Molly from me and straps her into the car seat.

"I am." I put Tess into the back. I see her looking back at me. "That certainly looks like a yes to me."

“Oh it does, does it?”

“Absolutely,” I say confidently. She’s blushing. I love it when she gets embarrassed.

"Guess I better say I do then?” She replied. I can sense she has a heart full of joy just like mine.

Oh, for crying out loud what had just happened that? Did my Max just ask me to marry him and I said yes? This is crazy, we'll forget about this conversation tomorrow. My embarrassment doubled; the hot rush of my blush cursing from toes to nose because I don't want to forget it.

And good to his word, I was lifted up into the arms of the man I loved more than anything in this world. Within seconds I was pulled into the arms of the man of my dreams. He embraces me hard. I'm staring straight into the sexiest amber eyes and the most persuasive mouth I’ve ever seen. I'll never forget the way he looked at me, "Guess you better Parker if you know what’s good for you,” he teased.

And later, I did say I do and he did know what was good for me but that’s another story