Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 45 added 4/21

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 10:25 pm

This is so excellent. you know, if the writers only had half as much creativity as you, we may still be watching.

Post by **roswellkitkat** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 10:19 pm

Those two make me sick being so goody - goody around each other. For goodness sake, just get it on already and get it out of your system. So he's leaving, so what, a good romp will make them both feel better. Heck, it will make ME feel better if they just do it already! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/embarassed.gif ALT=":o">

vecastone · Post by **vecastone** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 10:41 pm

******sigh****** this two are making me crazy !!! I am going to punch both of them. Hurra for Michael and Maria, finally facing their feelings and escaping a week out of this mess- I know its different for them because they don´t have the danger of the bond and if Max sleeps with Liz the bond will be back and she will be a liability again. And this time without Max and Michael to protect her. ******sigh**** please I want the next update sooner than this one <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"> Come on, I am begging here. Its really embarrasing !!! jejejeje

Post by **majiklmoon** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 10:22 pm

great update Angel. Sorry not more in the feedback mode i've got issues you know <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"> <center>It all started with a boy, a girl, and a silver handprint.</center><center><a href=http://pub84.ezboard.com/bmajiklmoonsrealm><img src=http://members.aol.com/majiklmoon/image ... a></center>

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 3:55 pm

Agh! Where have I been? Why did I miss so many updates!? But I'm here now and I read, read and read and I'm speechless...oh the angst and the pain and the tension!! I can't take it anymore...why don't you just ease some of it by letting Max and Liz do what we know they eventually will (as so many of us have pointed out) We're just waiting for some nookie<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/lol.gif ALT=":lol"> Great updates!! <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sra ... f8323d.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>

vecastone · Post by **vecastone** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 9:41 pm

Bump Bump

Post by **Angel13** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 11:45 am

Part 43 Max sits in the driver’s seat staring at the house he grew up in. Isabel is sitting beside him, her hands twisting nervously in her lap. The house looks almost the same. The trees are bigger and some of the landscaping looks different, but it’s still the same. White exterior paint with a red tile roof…the small balcony outside of his parent’s second story bedroom. He can remember when his parents first brought him and Isabel home after adopting them and thinking it looked huge, and thinking that he didn’t belong there. “Maybe they’re not home.” Isabel says from next to him as she searches for signs of life inside. Taking a deep breath, Max opens his door and says, “There’s only one way to find out.” As he walks across the front lawn and waits for Isabel to join him, Max feels his heart hammering in his chest painfully. He’s pretty sure his parents will be overjoyed to see them, but he’s mortified at facing their reaction to learning their long-lost kids are aliens. They stand at the front door a moment, both of them lost in nervous thoughts for a moment. Finally, Max reaches down and presses the doorbell and they hold their breath, waiting for the door to open. And they wait. Neither of them is prepared for what they see when the door finally does open. The first thing Max notices is that it’s a woman who’s not his mom. The second…that it’s Liz’s mom. She gasps, surprised, as her hand flies to her mouth and she takes a step back. The third thing Max notices is that her hands are covered in flour and some doughy-type substance. Taking a moment to recover, Nancy Parker’s eyes widen as she studies the two people on the front porch. She finally lowers her hand and whispers, “Oh my God.” before she turns her head slightly, not taking her eyes off of them, and yells, “Diane! You have uh…Diane!” Her voice gets progressively louder as she calls for their mom. She then turns her full attention to them and finally smiles as she shakes her head and steps to the side. “I’m sorry…come in. You…you caught me by surprise. It’s…it’s so good to see you…I just…oh my God!” She continues to babble, disbelieving of the sight in front of her until Diane Evans emerges from the kitchen into the front hallway. “Nancy, what is…it…” Her voice drops off when she sees who’s standing at her door. “Hi mom.” Isabel offers with a weak smile. Diane drops the towel she was wiping her hands with and rushes forward, tears forming in her eyes and questions written all over her face. When she reaches them, she reaches shaky hands to both Max and Isabel’s faces and asks, “Is it really you?” Both of them nod and she immediately throws her arms around both of them as the tears start falling. “Oh God…I thought…I thought you were…” She shakes her head and pulls away to get a closer look…her hands traveling all over their faces, heads, arms. “Look at you…you’re so…” “Old?” Isabel finishes as she wipes the tears from her eyes. “Look at us…come on in the house.” She finally realizes they’re making a scene on the front porch. Nancy watches the reunion with her own teary eyes as they all walk in. She’s beyond happy for her dear friend…knowing how much her kids’ disappearance has haunted her over the years. As Diane leads them into the living room, she’s unable to stop touching them and Nancy says, “Diane…do you want me to call Phillip for you…tell him he should come home?” Diane suddenly realizes that Nancy has been standing there…and she also realizes that Nancy is right. Phillip needs to get here right away. She dazedly nods her head, feeling totally overwhelmed and Nancy walks over to her friend, giving her a quick hug. “Isn’t this wonderful? I’m so, so happy for you…I’ll go call him now.” Nancy pulls away and they both grin crazily at each other before Nancy walks back to the kitchen to the phone. “I…I don’t even know what to say.” Diane turns back to her children…her grown children…and laughs nervously as she wipes the tears from her eyes. “It’s been so long…where…what…I don’t have any idea where to start.” Tears flood her eyes again and she feels Isabel hug her closely. “I’m so sorry, mom. We’re sorry…we never meant to hurt you by leaving.” Isabel strokes her mother’s hair. Max watches the mother and daughter reunion, knowing how much this means to Isabel. He can faintly hear Mrs. Parker in the kitchen telling his dad that he needs to come home…reassuring him that nothing is wrong, that he just needs to get there as soon as possible. When she walks back in the living room, she’s taking off the apron she was wearing and rolls it up, setting it down on a nearby chair. “I’m gonna head on back home, Diane.” Diane turns back toward Nancy briefly, but unable keep her eyes off her children for very long. “Oh…ok. Thank you, Nancy…I’ll um…I’ll…” She doesn’t know what to say at the recent turn of events and Nancy pulls her in for a hug again, understanding. “I’m so happy for you, Diane. I’ll call you later.” She smiles at Diane and turns toward Max and Isabel. “It’s really good to see you.” Max nods and says, “You, too. Thanks.” He thinks about Liz and wonders again why she doesn’t seem to want to see her parents while she’s here. After she leaves, Diane says, “Sit down. Do you want anything to drink…eat? We were just making cookies for the Christmas bake sale at the church. I can get…” “Mom, we’re ok. Please, sit down.” Isabel says as she grabs her mom’s arm and leads her to the sofa. Diane laughs nervously and says, “I just can’t believe it. You’re father’s going to be so surprised. When did you get in town? Where have you been? What have you been doing? God, I just…I don’t know where to start.” Max smiles and sits down in a nearby chair. “We just got here.” He says, not wanting to tell her they were there last night. When everyone is sitting, he says, “Maybe we should wait until dad gets here. Why don’t you tell us about you…how are you guys?” “Oh…well, your dad…he still has the firm downtown. Let me think…he brought on another partner several years ago so he doesn’t work as much as he used to.” She tries not to break down in tears again and can’t help but ask, “Why…why did you leave so suddenly? Where did you go? We were so worried about you.” Isabel grasps her mother’s hand tightly and Max says, “I know you have a lot of questions and we’ll explain everything.” He glances around the familiar living room…except the furniture is different and the walls are a different color. “It’s really good to see you, mom. You look good.” That’s when they hear the sound of a car pulling up in the driveway and Diane stands up, followed by Max and Isabel…all eyes on the front door. The door bursts opens and Phillip Evans rushes through it yelling, “Diane…honey, what’s going on? I got a call…” He freezes when his eyes land on the sight in the living room. His eyes widen in shock as the to-go cup in his hand slips out and drops to the floor…coffee splashing all over the tiles in the entryway. “What the…” “Honey, they just got here.” Diane beams at her husband, knowing first hand the shock and surprise he’s feeling. His eyes travel slowly from Max to Isabel and back to Diane before repeating the whole cycle. His gaze settles on Max and he can’t believe it. It’s really them. Slowly, he steps into the room and the haze clouding his head finally clears and he happily hugs his kids. “I can’t believe it.” He gushes, not knowing what else to say. “Isn’t it wonderful?” Diane exclaims as she stands to the side, letting her husband feel for himself that they’re really here. “Dad, mom…why don’t you sit down.” Max breaks away from his father and takes a step back. “I know you guys have questions.” Diane walks to her husband’s side…his arm naturally pulling her in close to him. Phillip nods and takes a deep breath, unable to get rid of the smile on his face as they sit down on the sofa. “I just…it’s been so long, son.” Max smiles and says, “I know. We missed you.” He watches as Isabel sits on the corner of the coffee table, wanting to be close to her mother…unable to let go of her hand. Max is left standing in front of this unlikely audience and he pulls in a shaky breath. Looks like it’s up to him. “Where have you been, Max?” His father asks the most pressing question that’s been flying around his head. “A lot of places. But for the last several years, New York City.” Max tells them and watches them trade shocked expressions. “New York?!” Diane exclaims. “That’s where Liz Parker lives…and Alex. Did they ever know…” Her voice fades, knowing that it couldn’t be the case. If Nancy or Jeff had ever heard Liz say anything about Max or Isabel, they would have said something immediately. “I know. And no, they didn’t know we were there.” Max says. “They didn’t know…as in, they know now?” Phillip picks up on Max’s wording, the lawyer in him coming out. “Yes. They’re here as well…Liz, Alex and Maria.” Max says, hoping that they’ll keep that news to themselves and not share it with the Parkers. “How long? How long have they known where you were?” Diane can’t get past the idea that her best friends’ daughter knew where her children have been. Max hesitates, knowing why she’s fixated on this one fact. Instead of answering, though, he says, “It’s not important. We have…we have a lot to tell you, so…it would probably be best if you let me just say what I have to say and save your questions until the end.” Phillip grabs his wife’s hand and says, “Alright, Max. We’ll wait until you’re done…go ahead.” Max smiles his thanks and glances quickly at Isabel, getting last minute reassurance from her…and not really finding it. She looks as scared as he feels. Looking back at his parents, he says, “Well, you remember…a few days before we left…there was a shooting…” He tells them everything, then. About how he healed Liz and about how he told her the truth about himself…that he, Isabel and Michael are aliens. He tells them about the sheriff and he tells them about a future version of himself traveling back in time to convince Isabel that they needed to leave town. As he talks, he watches the expressions on their faces go from total disbelief…thinking that he must be joking…to confusion, and finally understanding. He’s not sure if they believe him, but they think that he believes what he’s saying. And for now, that’s good enough. They can give visual aids later. At some point during his telling, his mother goes to get him a glass of water when his voice starts to get raspy. He takes it gratefully, aware that this is probably the most he’s ever spoken at once. And through it all, his parents thankfully keep quiet. The occasional surprised look or gasp from his mother the only things that interrupt his tale. By the time he’s done, he looks at his watch and sees that almost two hours have passed. Two hours was all it took to tell the story of three different lifetimes. Suddenly, there’s a heavy silence in the room…the absence of Max’s voice lies heavily in the air. After a long two minute silence where Diane and Phillip sit frozen, trying to decide if they should believe any of this fantastic story they’ve just heard, Isabel finally speaks up. “Maybe you should show them.” Her voice stabs through the silence, startling them all. Max looks toward her and Isabel brings her hand up, wiggling her fingers. “You know…I think they need proof.” Max nods in understanding and looks at his parents. Here’s the moment of truth. He could easily laugh off what he’s just told them and let them think he’s crazy. But when he shows them solid proof of his powers, there’ll be no denying it. He looks around the room for something to use and walks over to the fireplace. He picks up the iron fireplace poker and holds it in his hands. Concentrating for a moment, he runs one hand over the metal, changing the long thin iron tool into a statue of a dog…one that looks just like Bailey. He sets it down on the coffee table in front of his parents and raises his hand, turning the lights in the room green before placing his palm on the coffee table and turning the light wood mahogany. When he looks back up at his parents he sees the shock on their faces…their eyes wide as they stare at the table and statue in front of them. “Oh my God.” Diane whispers as she turns her gaze to her son. It’s true…everything he just told them is true. Once he’s sure his parents have let it sink in, he changes the light back to normal as well as the table and the iron poker. Deciding not to leave her brother helplessly flapping the breeze, Isabel says, “We can all do that. But Max can also heal and I can…I can go into people’s dreams when they sleep.” “Dreams?” Diane says, her voice filled with awe. “But…you’ve aged…you look just like…” Phillip doesn’t know what to say. Are these the same kids they adopted? He suddenly feels very stupid. “Is this your…natural form?” His voice sounds weak, feeling a little dense at having to ask that question. Max smiles sadly at his father’s confusion. He’s wondering if they’re really three feet tall and green, walking around in human body suits. “We’re almost completely human, dad. Our blood is a little different…but other than some advanced brain utilization, we’re just like everyone else. We can’t change shape like our protectors. We feel what you feel, we can get hurt like you can, we put our pants on one leg at a time…just like you.” Phillip Evans is, for once in his life, speechless. Aliens. His kids are aliens. “I…I don’t know what to say.” He drags his hand through his hair. Diane looks at Max, his face a mask that she can’t read. She always did have a hard time figuring out what her son was thinking as he was growing up. He was so good at hiding his emotions…and it looks like not much has changed. But when she looks at Isabel and sees the naked anticipation on her face, she realizes that they’re waiting for a reaction. They’re waiting to see if their parents are going to accept them or not, and she cringes inside that they’ve ever had to worry about it. “Oh Isabel, I’m so sorry you had to go through this alone.” She immediately draws her daughter into a hug. “You should have told us long ago…we could have helped, or tried to. Nothing could ever make us stop loving you or caring about you.” Phillip sees the way his daughter breaks down in her mother’s arms and immediately realizes what his wife already has. He looks at Max and is overcome with such sorrow that they haven’t been able to help their children for all these years…that they felt they had no one to turn to. “Your mother’s right, Max. You could have come to us.” He steps closer to Max and puts his hand on his son’s shoulder. “Maybe we couldn’t have helped much, but we love you.” He sees an immense relief settle over Max’s face and Phillip pulls him in for a hug. Diane pulls away from Isabel and turns to Max. “So is this why Liz and the others are back? Is she telling her parents about what’s happened?” One of the biggest shocks to her during this story was finding out that her best friends’ daughter and her friends were entangled in all this as well. “I just can’t believe it. About Liz, I mean…that she kept this secret of yours for so long.” Max shakes his head and says, “Mom, no. She’s not telling her parents…and you can’t either. You have to understand that no one can know. Our lives depend on you keeping this to yourselves.” “Now Max, I think the Parkers have a right to know what Liz has been through. They should know that you…that you changed her and gave her these powers.” Phillip says. Max scratches the back of his head as he sees the look of panic on Isabel’s face. Did his parents just listen to him tell them what happens when people find out about them? Instead of getting angry, though, he sighs in frustration. “What Liz tells them or doesn’t tell them is her decision. I guess if she decides to, I have to respect that and trust her. But I highly doubt that’s what she has in mind…I’m not even sure she plans on seeing them while she’s here. She hasn’t said anything to me yet, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell the Parkers that she was here. She understands what could happen if this information got to the wrong people…and I’m hoping that you can understand that, too.” Phillip studies his son for moment, sadly realizing that he’s forgotten that his kids are adults now. “I’m sorry, Max. Of course, you’re right. I just…it’s so much to accept. You showing up suddenly…telling us you’re aliens…and you’re all grown up. I’m going to have to get used to the fact that you’re not kids anymore.” “It’s alright…I understand how overwhelming this must be.” Max says, feeling bad for dumping all of this on them like this. And for asking them to lie to their best friends. Especially knowing that they’ll be leaving in a few hours to go back to New York. Once they get past the fear, they all relax and spend the next hour just talking. About life in New York…and life in Roswell. Phillip shows them all the changes he’s made to the house, including the kitchen that Max and Isabel already knew they were redoing. Isabel helps her mom finish the Christmas cookies while Phillip and Max sit in the backyard admiring the new pool and hot tub that’s been added. “So why now, Max? What made you decide to tell us now?” Phillip asks as they sit around the patio table sipping coffee. “It was time.” Max says mysteriously with a shrug. “So how long do you think you’ll stay?” Phillip asks. This is a tricky question and Max answers with trepidation. “I’m going back to New York this afternoon. But I’m coming back in a week.” He turns to look at his dad and continues, “I’m going back, dad. To our planet. With Michael. We’re going to stay in Roswell for a few months and train, but we have to go back.” “What?! Wait…you…how would you even get there?” Phillip is totally caught off guard by Max’s announcement. “The Granolith. We have to go. We have to defeat Khivar and prevent him from coming here and destroying this planet.” Max turns back to the yard and sighs. “I’ve asked Isabel to stay here…with you. In case we’re not successful, she can at least be here to protect you as much as possible.” Phillip studies his son’s profile for a few moments and sees the lines of age on his face…the strands of gray in his hair…and he’s once again hit with the fact that his son is a man. “Is that why you finally decided to come to us…to tell us the truth?” “There were a lot of reasons. But yes, that’s one of them.” Max tells him the truth. Maybe he’s being selfish in wanting his parents to know who he really is before he leaves this planet forever. They deserved to know the truth years ago, but this latest turn of events was the final push he needed to tell them. Phillip lets out a rush of air and sits back further in his chair. “Will Isabel being staying here in Roswell while you’re…gone?” “We haven’t gone over the details, but yes, I think she will.” Max says before turning back to him. “I wanted to ask…could I stay here, with you, when I come back from New York. I’ll be here for two…three months at the most…and I’d like to be here with you guys if that’s ok.” “Of course, Max. Of course you’ll stay here.” Phillip exclaims. “Isabel, too. We’ve missed so much of your lives…we’ve missed you.” Max smiles sadly and says, “We missed you, too.” ~~~~~~~~~~ The Crashdown Café seems so different to Liz. It’s where she grew up, where she spent her afternoons after school serving greasy hamburgers for meager tips, where she experienced her first kiss with Kyle Valenti outside the side door on the fire escape, and it’s where she fell in love with an alien. But looking at it now from outside, she sees flashes in her mind of other events that happened there…events that she didn’t live. Serena finally turns the engine off, sensing that Liz isn’t ready to go anywhere just yet. She only knows bits and pieces of what the Granolith showed them from the last couple of hours talking to Liz, but she knows it was enough to throw Liz off her axis. Either that, or the fact that Max is leaving the planet has her acting so strangely. Serena hasn’t quite pinned her down yet. But when Liz said she felt like going for a drive and told Serena to stop in front of the Crashdown, Serena couldn’t refuse her. “Are you sure you don’t wanna go inside?” Liz nods her head and takes a deep breath. “I can’t.” She can see the waitresses inside scurrying around to serve their food to tables crowded with customers. Liz didn’t realize it was lunchtime already. She called Serena early this morning and asked if she could come over and talk…and the hours just flew by. “What is it, Liz? When are you gonna tell me what happened between you and your parents?” Serena has always been curious, but Liz has never been forthcoming. She and Kyle go to the Crashdown often and the Parkers always brag about Liz, but they always seem sad…especially when they find out news about Liz from one of them. They don’t go to New York very often and Serena knows that something happened to cause a small rift between daughter and parents…she just wishes they could work it out. Liz sighs from the passenger seat and leans her head back on the headrest. “I don’t know. Nothing…everything. It’s my fault.” “It’s ok if you don’t wanna talk about it. It’s just that I can tell that you really want to go in there right now. And I know that they both miss you like crazy.” Serena looks at her friend in sympathy. “I know.” Liz opens her eyes and looks into the Crashdown once more. She can see her dad standing near the back, talking to whoever is working the grill. “We can go now. Thanks for…stopping here for me.” Liz listens as Serena starts the car back up. She’s grateful that Serena’s not pushing her about her parents because she doesn’t really have the energy for any more emotional turmoil today. She called Max earlier to tell him the plane would be ready to go back at 4pm and asked him if that gave him enough time for he and Isabel to talk to their parents. Then she called Alex, surprised that he was at the hotel, and told him when they were leaving. Obviously, he spent the night with Isabel again and she wonders what’s gonna happen between the two of them now. Will Isabel go back to New York? Will Alex move to Roswell? What will she do if he does? Sighing and trying not to think about things she can’t do anything about, she leans her head back on the seat and sees Serena out of the corner of her eye…glancing over at her in concern. Serena still hasn’t told her anything about the baby even though they spent the morning together. Instead, they talked about Liz’s powers and what happened to her three years ago when she was kidnapped. They talked about the Granolith and Liz told her bits and pieces of what they saw. And they talked about Max and Michael’s plan to go to Antar. It felt weird to be talking freely about Max with Serena and even weirder hearing the respect and pride in Serena’s voice when she spoke of him. Obviously, Max’s decision to return to Antar is one that Serena wholeheartedly agrees with. Liz glances at her watch and sees that it’s almost 1pm. She thinks about going back home and she thinks about the last time she’ll see Max. Will he say goodbye before he leaves? Serena drops Liz off at the hotel so she can pack her things and promises to come see her off at the airport. “Thanks. For this morning.” Liz tells her before getting out of the car. “Liz, you can talk to me anytime. It’s so incredible…I know we’ve been friends for years. But…I just feel so much closer to you now. And I hope you feel you can still talk to me about anything.” “Nothing’s changed, Serena. You’re still one of my best friends.” Liz reassures her and gives her a hug before getting out. As she rides the elevator up to her floor, she starts to get anxious about going home…going back to normal. She doesn’t think she can take many more life altering revelations right now. ~TBC~

Post by **majiklmoon** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 11:11 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>But when she looks at Isabel and sees the naked anticipation on her face, she realizes that they’re waiting for a reaction. They’re waiting to see if their parents are going to accept them or not, and she cringes inside that they’ve ever had to worry about it.<hr></blockquote> Oh man, Angel...that was perfect...you really really caught Is' angst there. It was the one true thing they (the writers) wrote well, was Isabel longing to tell her parents the truth, and you so captured it here as well. I find it interesting too, how many fics have Serena playing an intergral part, when you figure she was barely mentioned in that Episode that never really happened <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/lol.gif ALT=":lol"> <center>It all started with a boy, a girl, and a silver handprint.</center><center><a href=http://pub84.ezboard.com/bmajiklmoonsrealm><img src=http://members.aol.com/majiklmoon/image ... a></center>

vecastone · Post by **vecastone** » Fri Apr 16, 2004 11:18 am

I am glad that Max and Isabel finally told the truth to their parents. It was time. I had forgotten Max was going to return to Roswell and at some point I get mad at him, though now I understand his need to spend his last days with them on earth. Because that´s the thought he has in mind. Despite I agree with the idea of Max and Michael going to Antar, what about “they are stronger together” , or that is another fanfic story? Jeje I don´t like the fact that they are going alone, no , no , no <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/nono.gif ALT=":nono"> : Well great update, what else could it be <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"> I can´t wait for the next update. Feel free to put it in the NC-17 thread jejejeje .. you know the way, just click at the bottom of the page.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Apr 17, 2004 6:38 am

It's quite sad that they had to wait so long to tell their parents. But I'm glad they told them now and they were accepted by them. I don't like the idea of Max and Michael going alone to Antar. I also don't like the idea of Maria and Liz being away from their respect others. That said, I'm very curious to see how Isabel will try to handle her relationship with Alex if she plans on staying in Roswell. <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sra ... f8323d.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>

Post by **splatty** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 9:47 pm

I'm so happy to see an update! Wonderfully written scene between Max, Michael and parents. But, what's with Max and Michael going back alone? What's with Liz and Max? What's with Liz and her parents? Will Serena help guide our favorite characters down the right path? Ack, can't wait for the next update. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"> <div style="text-align:center"> I used to have the longing to hear what was in your heart. But now it seems I'm over the fear of this falling apart.</div>

Post by **Angel13** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 11:08 am

Part 44 Three years. That’s a long time when all you can do is think. About the past. About the future. And most of all, about getting what you deserve. Of course, the not so mighty king will be getting what he deserves, too. The queen certainly has. The news was confirmed for her and she knew the plan was moving forward…just as he said it would. There were times…long nights…when she took his words as nothing more than empty promises drifting in with the moonlight through the security mesh on her lone window. A smile tugs at her lips as she thinks how his visits to her dreams have become more frequent…tinged with desperate promises of reunion. Zan is nothing but a fool, and Ava even more so. They have no idea what’s happening. And Ava, of all people, should be able to see it. She never was very bright. It was shocking, however, to learn that she’d kept Zan a secret for so many years. No matter…Zan’s usefulness has expired. Max Evans will, no doubt, make sure that Zan stays very far away. Zan has served his purpose…Liz Parker is dead. Closing her eyes to await sleep…to wait for her lover to visit her dreams and discuss the next phase of their plans…Tess Harding lets her mind drift to the future. Her planet…her throne…will be hers. Soon. ~~~~~~~~~~ It’s a much smaller group going back to New York that afternoon than the one that came to Roswell. As they file onto the plane, Liz isn’t really surprised to see Isabel and Alex sit close together toward the back…talking quietly with their hands intertwined. Liz takes a seat near the front to give them privacy and watches Max walk onto the plane as she sits down. He’s on the phone talking to Cal and she sees his gaze flicker toward his sister and Alex before he glances around quickly for a place in the front…wanting, like Liz, to give them some privacy. He debates for a moment about whether to sit across from Liz or to sit further away from her, he decides to take advantage of any chance to be close to her and sits in the seat facing her. “Alright, I’ll let you know when I’m back in Roswell.” Max says to Cal before turning the phone off and stuffing it into his jacket pocket. “Is he gonna help you?” Liz asks, knowing the answer already. “Yah. He’s bringing Zan and Ava back with him…he thinks they’ll be able to help since their powers are more developed than ours.” “Oh. That’s…good.” Liz tries to force a smile on her face and she shrugs. She searches the pocket on the wall next to her for a magazine to read, not trusting herself to talk about Max leaving without becoming emotional. “So…are you going back to work when we get back?” Max tries to change the subject, knowing this one is making her uncomfortable. “Greg gave me the next two weeks off to recuperate.” Liz grimaces and shrugs her shoulders. “It would probably look strange if I showed up at the lab this soon.” “Oh. Right.” Max remembers now that she told him about her time off. Trying to lighten the mood, he asks, “So what are you gonna do with all this free time on your hands?” Liz looks up, and stares at Max blankly. “You know…I haven’t really thought about it.” And she hadn’t. Realizing now that she does, indeed, have two weeks of free time to spend doing whatever she wants…she has no idea what she’ll do. She laughs nervously and says, “I’ve never had this much time off. I don’t know. What do people do when they get this much time off work?” Max shrugs and says, “Go on vacation?” “Yah, um…I think I’d rather stay home.” Liz’s mouth turns up in a small smile. After the last few days, she doesn’t think a vacation would do her any good. Plus, going away by herself doesn’t really sound appealing. “I’ll figure something out. Maybe I’ll just get a few books and catch up on some reading.” She shrugs and flips open her magazine, not wanting to dwell on the fact that what she would like most of all is to go away with Max. Maybe an island somewhere…they could lie on the beach and listen to the waves… Just then, the sound of Isabel laughing drifts up to them from the rear of the plane and Liz turns around to see Alex holding a magazine up and pointing to something while Isabel leans back in her seat, her head thrown back in laughter. She watches wistfully as Isabel leans close to Alex and kisses him on the cheek and says something softly into his ear. But when she turns forward, Isabel looks at Max and her face falls with sadness. Liz turns to look at Max and sees him looking back at Isabel with a small smile on his face. A smile that says he’s happy for her. A smile that also says he’s envious. And a smile that tells her not to worry about him…that he’ll be ok. Liz knows that it’s painful for Max to think about leaving Isabel. They’ve been together their entire lives…more than brother and sister, really. Confidants. Friends. They’re closer than most brothers and sisters because they shared this huge secret. They protected each other from everyone and every thing around them. Liz envies that type of relationship. When she was younger, she always wanted a sibling. But Maria and Alex became the closest she would ever know. She can’t imagine the loss Isabel will feel losing not just one brother, but essentially two. But maybe Alex can help ease her pain when they’re gone. She has a feeling that she’ll be seeing a lot more of Isabel in the future. “What is it?” Her thoughts are broken when she hears Max ask her a question. She looks up at him in confusion and he says, “Sorry…it just looked like you were really worried about something.” She shakes her head and says, “Oh. I…I was just thinking about Isabel. About how hard it’ll be for her…when you…” She nods her head to the side and gives a little shrug, not wanting to actually voice the words. Max looks at her, slammed with one more reason that he loves her. She’s worried about Isabel? Of course she would be. She worries about everyone around her…everyone but herself. He nods in understanding before turning away from her, thinking she’ll see his love for her practically beaming from his eyes. He smiles as his eyes land on Isabel again and quirks up one corner of his mouth. “Yah. She seems pretty broken up about it.” Liz furrows her brow in confusion before turning to see what he finds so amusing. She whips back around, having caught an eyeful of Isabel and Alex lip-locked in the back…and getting a little too passionate if the location of Alex’s hand tells her anything. “That’s not funny.” She scolds Max. “Now I’ll have to bleach my eyeballs.” Max smiles at her and she can’t help but smile back. “Totally worth it to see the look on your face.” He says. She rolls her eyes at him and says, “Yah, well…it’s your sister he’s groping back there.” And she feels a little internal satisfaction when she sees that fact register as the smile fades from his face. Turning away from the love fest going on in the back of the plane, Max says, “So Christmas is coming soon. What are your plans? Are your parents coming to visit you?” She doesn’t answer him right away and he sees her face cloud briefly with something…regret? His curiosity finally gets the better of him and he can’t help but ask. “What happened, Liz? You were always so close to them.” Not only does he remember the closeness he saw between Liz and her parents when they were young, but the other timelines showed that she had good relationships with them then, also. Liz sighs and folds the magazine in her lap closed, her attempt at distracting herself with it obviously failing. Without looking up at Max, she says, “A few years after I left Roswell, they came to visit me at school. They wanted to surprise me for Thanksgiving and didn’t call to let me know they were coming. I thought I was alone…everyone on the floor of my dorm had already left for the holiday.” She struggles with what to tell him, knowing he’ll somehow blame himself when it’s all her fault. “I had the stereo on in my room and didn’t hear them walk in.” Max looks at her, confused…wondering what she’s trying to say. Did they…did they catch her in bed with someone? The thought horrifies him…and he feels knives of jealousy stab his gut. “I was just screwing around…bored.” She shrugs and looks up at him. Seeing the look on his face, she realizes what he’s thinking and quickly says, “I was using my powers.” His eyes widen in understanding…then fear. “They saw me changing the color of my clothes.” “Oh.” He says, relieved for one reason…and suddenly scared for another reason. “What…what did you tell them?” “Nothing.” She says. “I acted like nothing happened and that they were seeing things. I didn’t know what to do, so I did nothing.” “And they didn’t believe you.” He guesses. “Of course not.” She scoffs. “They saw me…I’m sure of it. But I had no idea what to do or what to say. And they were looking at me…they were looking at me like I was some kind of…monster. I saw the fear in their eyes and I heard it in their voices. And I knew…I knew then that I could never tell them.” She shakes her head sadly before continuing. “They dropped their questions over the years. But they don’t trust me. I always see their questions on their faces whenever I see them and I…I just can’t face it. They know I’m hiding something and every time I see them, everything is just tinged with fear and mistrust…and disappointment.” Max feels the crushing weight of guilt on his chest and he says, “Liz…I’m so sorry.” “No! Max…don’t.” Liz’s head snaps up. “This is completely not your fault. It’s mine…all mine. I should have been more careful. And thank goodness it was only my parents and not someone else!” She shakes her head and takes a deep breath. “Besides, it’s not like we don’t talk or anything. I still see them and time has helped a little.” “Why don’t you tell them?” Max asks. Liz jerks her head back in surprise. “Are you kidding? That would be like, the last thing I would ever wanna do.” “Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing.” Max says. “I wouldn’t mind…if you wanted to tell them.” He thinks it might be good if Liz could be closer to her parents. He knows how hard it is to keep this secret from the people you care about. Liz laughs bitterly, surprising him. “Of course you wouldn’t mind. You’re leaving the planet!” Her voice comes out louder than she intended and she sees Max glance back toward Alex and Isabel and she’s sure they heard her. “Liz…” Max says calmly, wondering if this is how every conversation they have will turn out before he leaves. She buries her face in her hands briefly before taking a deep, shuddering breath and looking back up at him. “God, I’m so sorry. I don’t know why I…you must think I’m the biggest fucking shrew.” She grimaces and feels her face heat up, knowing it’s turned a brilliant shade of red. “So who does that make me? Petruchio?” He smiles at her, hoping to ease her embarrassment at her outburst, and clears his throat before lowering his voice. “Come, come, you wasp. I faith, you are too angry.” She blinks, realizing that he’s making fun of her and she smirks back. “If I be waspish, best beware my sting.” “My remedy is then, to pluck it out.” He wonders how long she’ll play this out because he could recite the entire play from memory…a convenient alien ability that got him through many English courses in school. “Alright. I give up.” She throws her hands up and rolls her eyes. “You probably have the whole damn thing memorized anyway.” Picking the magazine back up, she flips it open before looking back up at him and seeing him smiling at her. ~~~~~~~~~~ “Here are your keys, Mr. and Mrs…Smith.” The desk clerk eyes the couple across the counter from him, knowing perfectly well who Mrs. Smith is. “If you need anything at all, please call us and we’ll take care of it.” Michael gathers the keys and brochures and mutters a thank you before guiding Maria away from the reception desk and toward the elevators. The sounds of slot machines fill the air as they walk past the casino and once they enter the elevator, he sees that he has to enter one of the keys into a slot on the panel to gain access to their penthouse suite. They ride up in silence, watching the digital numbers climb until they finally stop and the brass doors slide open. When they enter their room, he’s taken aback at its size. The large living area contains two sofas, four chairs, a big screen TV suspended on one wall, and a bank of floor to ceiling windows on the far wall which reveals a view of the Las Vegas strip. “Holy crap.” He mutters, stepping into the room slowly…feeling extremely out of place in such garish luxury. He sees several open doors leading from the living room on both sides and assumes they lead to bedrooms. He’s never seen a hotel room so large. The carpet is cream colored, as well as the furniture. And the curtains are golden, matching the pattern on the wallpaper. He moves toward the TV and notices a cabinet next to it which is filled with movies, alcohol, glasses, cans of soda, wine, and a large digital remote control. He eyes the remote curiously before picking it up and touching the display screen. It lights up with the slightest touch and he jumps slightly when he sees the curtains draw closed. He touches another area of the screen and sees the fireplace to his left light up and he grins. This is the coolest thing he’s ever seen. “Having fun?” He glances up and sees Maria leaning in the doorway to one of the bedrooms and smiling at him. “I think this thing controls everything in the room.” His voice is filled with wonder as he studies the touch screen display, seeing virtual buttons that say ‘TV’, ‘Stereo’, ‘Lights’, ‘Fireplace’, ‘Drapes’, ‘Video’, and at least ten others that he hasn’t deciphered yet. “Drapes. Open.” Maria says loudly, and Michael’s shocked to see them do just that and he looks at her with wide eyes. “It’s all voice controlled, too.” “Wow.” He sets the remote down now…thinking the voice thing is much cooler. He turns back to Maria and says, “You’ve been here before.” She shakes her head and says, “No. But I’ve been in a hundred hotel rooms just like this. I’ve learned all the secrets along the way.” He nods and walks over to the wall of windows and looks out over the night view of Las Vegas and the busy strip. He can see cars lined up and crawling down the 8-laned street and he can also see the walkways criss-crossing over the strip. “I’ve never been here before.” He muses, thinking about that other life…that other time when he had. Maria joins him at the window and looks out on the city with him. They can see Paris, New York, and the MGM…along with countless other tacky hotels with their millions of lights making the night seem like day. “It’s a little overwhelming.” She’s been here countless times. Usually touring…sometimes vacationing. “See that light coming out of the Luxor?” She points to the brilliant beam of light coming from the pyramid hotel next to theirs. He nods, wondering how much the electric bills are for these places. “They say that you can see it from space.” She says. “I’ve always wondered if that’s true.” He turns to look at her and sees her gazing up at the sky where the beam of light disappears. He can’t see any starts…the lights from the city are too bright for that. It reminds him of New York. “Are you hungry?” She asks, turning away from the window and walking over to the desk behind one of the sofas. He looks at his watch and sees that it’s 1am. “A little. You wanna order room service?” She nods and picks up the phone. “What do you want?” He shrugs, not really craving anything in particular. “You think they have a decent hamburger in this joint?” Smiling, she starts speaking to whoever picked up on the other end. “Yes, we’d like a few things sent up. A hamburger, fries, chicken salad with honey mustard dressing on the side. Any kind of fruit you have…make sure there’s kiwi, strawberries and apples. Cheesecake with cherries on the side.” She looks up at him a moment before adding, “And a large bottle of Tabasco.” He smiles, thankful that she remembered and sits down on one of the sofas and listens to her continue. “Yes. We also need some clothes. Could you send up a rack? Yes, everything. Size 4 misses, 7 shoes.” She glances over at Michael and studies him for a moment before saying, “Size 42. Shoes?” She looks from his feet, up to his face in question. “13.” He says. “Size 13. 36 waist. Exactly. We’ll need toiletries also…everything. Yes, thank you.” She hangs the phone up and smiles at him triumphantly. “The food will be up in about 20 minutes. I’m gonna go take a shower.” “You can just do that? Order clothes over the phone?” He asks, amazed. She walks toward the bedroom and turns her head to look at him. “It’s Las Vegas. You can do anything here.” Smiling she turns back around and continues on to the bathroom. Shaking his head, Michael looks at the TV and decides to try out this voice activated thing. “TV. On.” He smiles when the flat screen immediately glows to life. “ESPN.” His smile gets even bigger when the channel, in fact, changes to ESPN and he sees a hockey game on. He could seriously get used to this. ~~~~~~~~~~ “He’s really doin’ it, ain’t he?” Zan reclines out by the pool behind Cal’s mansion in Beverly Hills and sips his iced tea as he admires Ava swimming the length of the pool underwater. Cal raises his eyebrows and shakes his head, not understanding why Max is insisting on doing this. “Appears so.” He shifts his laptop closer to him and fires off another email to his office. “Why’d you tell us we couldn’t go back?” Zan asks, knowing Max wouldn’t be planning this if he thought they wouldn’t survive there. “Why do you keep asking me all these fuckin’ questions?” Cal shoots back angrily. This guy. He’s been bugging the crap out of him for the last two days with his questions. Zan just rolls his eyes and mumbles, “Cuz you never answer them, you schmuck.” Cal ignores the comment and continues to work…wishing Zan would just go back inside and leave him alone. He’s got enough problems to deal with without having to deal with him. His household has grown by two and he’s feeling suffocated with them here already. He’s so busy getting his business in order that he doesn’t notice when Ava gets out of the pool and dries off before going inside…Zan following her. His ringing cell phone gets his attention, though. Especially when he sees who’s calling. “Serena. I wasn’t expecting to hear from you until tomorrow.” He says with a smile. When he found out she was alive, he couldn’t believe it. He still wants to talk to her about what happened to her after the crash…how she survived. “I’m gonna be tied up at the hospital tomorrow and thought we should talk about what’s gonna happen when Max and Michael get back here.” She tells him. He saves the file he’s been working on and sits back in his chair. “Max said he’d be back in Roswell in a week. You should probably find a safe place for us to go for them to work on their powers.” “I have a place in mind. You’re bringing Zan and Ava with you, right?” “Yah. They’ll be able to help…if they’re willing. I think Ava will be, but Zan might be resistant.” He says, finally noticing that he’s alone outside. She’s quiet for a moment before she asks, “Cal, why did you tell them they couldn’t survive if they went back?” He closes his eyes and sighs. “Serena…you know they can’t face Khivar and his army. They’re half human for Christ’s sake. They can barely blast themselves out of a wood box.” “It’s not their power that’s needed and you know it. If our people know that their King is alive…they’ll have something to fight for.” “You’re being naïve. You don’t even know that he has any people left. They’ll be walking into a trap.” Cal says. “They can make a life here. They already have…what’s the point in going back?” “To free our people!” She exclaims passionately. “To free them from a murdering tyrant!” “So let’s say they’re successful. Let’s say they can defeat Khivar. Then what? Max sits on the throne again and rules and everyone lives happily ever after? One man won’t make a difference…not even the King.” “You’re wrong. It’s why they were recreated. It’s why they were sent here. This is their purpose…even it it’s not yours anymore.” Serena says angrily. “You can’t stand in the way of their destiny.” “I’m not.” Cal tells her. “He’s already made the decision to go and I’ll do whatever I have to. But it doesn’t mean that I’ll ever agree with that decision.” Serena is quiet for a moment before asking, “When will you be here?” “Next week. I’ll call you when I leave.” After saying goodbye, he sets his phone down and looks out over the hills and the city. Why is he the only one who can see how foolish this quest is? ~~~~~~~~~~ “So.” The car has come to a stop in front of Liz and Alex’s apartment building and no one has said anything since they got in it at the airport. Liz looks from Alex and Isabel sitting across from her, to Max. “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?” Alex asks her. He’s going back to Isabel’s apartment and they were planning on going out for a late dinner but he doesn’t feel right leaving Liz alone tonight. Liz nods and says, “Yah…go. I’ll be ok…I’m probably just gonna go right to sleep once I get up there.” She gives him her best smile, encouraging him to go ahead. “So um…I guess…I guess I’ll just go.” She grabs her bag from the floor and opens the door before turning back. “Bye.” She looks at Isabel, then Max…her gaze lingering on him for a moment, then steps out of the car and shuts the door. “Bye.” Max finally gets out, but it’s too late…the door is already closed. When he looks up, he sees his sister looking at him in irritation. “That’s it? Bye? Don’t you think she deserves more than that, Max?” Isabel says as she rolls her eyes. Max looks out the window and sees Liz digging around in her bag for her keys to the front door and he says, “Wait for me.” quickly before he opens the door and hops out of the car. “Liz, wait.” He calls out to her as he runs up the front stairs. She turns around, keys in hand, and looks at Max in confusion. “I…uh…I…” He can’t seem to figure out what to say. “I don’t want this to be goodbye.” “What are you saying, Max?” Is he saying he’s changed his mind? Will he tell her he wants her to go back to Roswell with him? Or is he saying he wants her to go to his planet with him? She feels hope surge inside of her. “Can I see you this week…before I leave?” He asks and sees her entire face fall in disappointment. The light that had suddenly appeared in her eyes when he ran up here suddenly fades and he wonders why. Does she not want to see him again? Does she want this to be their goodbye? “Oh. Yah…um…sure.” She shrugs, trying to appear normal and feeling anything but. “Ok, well…I’ll call you?” He shoves his hands in his front pockets and watches as she nods in agreement and turns to unlock her front door…leaving him alone on the front stoop feeling suddenly lost. ~TBC~

Post by **majiklmoon** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 9:25 pm

<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/boldyellow.gif ALT=":yellow"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/hotgreen.gif ALT=":hotgreen"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/boldblue.gif ALT=":blue"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/boldyellow.gif ALT=":yellow"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/green.gif ALT=":green"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/boldblue.gif ALT=":blue"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/hotgreen.gif ALT=":hotgreen"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/ufo.gif ALT=":ufo"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <center>It all started with a boy, a girl, and a silver handprint.</center><center><a href=http://pub84.ezboard.com/bmajiklmoonsrealm><img src=http://members.aol.com/majiklmoon/image ... a></center>

vecastone · Post by **vecastone** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 11:05 am

Max, Maaaaaax , when are you going to learn something about women? Well, so Maria and Michael are in Vegas, See Max, why don´t you learn something from your second in command? I agree they should go to Antar , however a war does not end in a month. Lots of time will pass and I think all of them have been apart too much. *****sigh***** Te**y, Te**y, mmmmmm so you´re Khivar´s lover mmmmmmmm ;( I don´t like her appereance again Can´t wait for your next update <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap">

Post by **roswellkitkat** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 6:55 pm

Please, hit Max with a stick or something...the guy is killing me!! Great update! I am eagerly anticipating the next update.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 10:18 pm

<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love">

Post by **Angel13** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 10:37 am

Part 46 will be up either today or tomorrow, so enjoy! I'm going on vacation and won't be back until May 3rd. Part 45 Four days after getting back from Roswell, Max finally feels that he has everything taken care of. After arranging for most of his money and investments to be transferred to his parents, he transferred the ownership of the loft to them as well. He also broke the news to his boss that he was leaving, moving across the country to be closer to his family. They’d come up with a carefully crafted story to tell everyone why they’re leaving. His boss wasn’t happy, but wished Max well and threw him a lavish going away dinner party at the Tavern on the Green, inviting most of the company to bid Max farewell. He and Isabel also decided to throw a small party for their friends and acquaintances to let them know that both of them were moving out west to stay with their parents for a few months. Their father is ill and they want to spend this time with him. And although most of their friends can say they’d never even heard Isabel or Max talk about their parents, they all wished both of them well and told them they hoped they’d be back soon. As the small group mingles late into the night in the loft, Max catches a glimpse of Alex and Isabel off to the side. If possible, they’ve grown even closer over the last few days and Max is starting to wonder if Alex will be coming back to Roswell with them. And if he does, what will that do to Liz? “Penny for your thoughts.” Max is startled and turns to see Amy standing next to him with a small smile on her face. “Oh hey…sorry. I just have a lot on my mind…a lot of things that still need taking care of.” He says, offering her a smile in return. “I’m sorry to hear about your dad. But I’m sure your parents will be really glad to have you home for a while.” She says, a little confused about the sudden news. “Yah. Thanks.” He says, looking out over the living room again. Most of the people here are Isabel’s friends from work…some are casual friends he’s made over the years. None of them know the slightest thing about Isabel or Max, but they can’t just disappear without a reason. Comfortable with Max’s usually taciturn behavior, Amy pushes on. “So I noticed Liz isn’t here tonight.” She watches him for a reaction and is disappointed when she doesn’t get one. After a few moments of silence, Max glances over and notices that she’s waiting for some kind of response. “We realized it wouldn’t work out.” Amy’s eyebrows shoot up to her forehead and she exclaims, “Really? Wow…I’m sorry. I thought for sure there was something there.” Max doesn’t answer. How can he? Well, yah, Amy. There is something there. We love each other…completely. But see, I’m leaving the planet in three months and you know those long distance things never work out. Right. So instead, he remains silent. The less said about Liz, the better. Taking the hint that Max wants to change the subject, she looks toward Alex and Isabel and says, “Looks like they found something.” He nods, thinking about the last few days. Alex has been a constant fixture at the loft; having taken this week off work to be with Isabel. He’s never seen Isabel like this before…with anyone. She laughs. A lot. And when she doesn’t know he can hear them, she speaks more openly and animatedly than she’s ever spoken to anyone. It’s like a flip has been switched with her and this different…this real Isabel has finally emerged. Watching her now reminds him of when they were kids. Before they became afraid of everything and everyone around them. Before they had to form shells of protection around themselves. Amy’s voice knocks him out of his reverie. “Alex seems like a great guy.” “The best.” Max agrees. “He’ll make her happy.” Amy looks up at Max in confusion. She studies the way he’s watching his sister and Alex and it seems…wistful. That, and the tone of his voice makes her think that he knows he won’t see her for much longer. She goes back to people watching and shrugs it off. Max has always been an enigma to her. She could spend years analyzing his expressions…analyzing the small bits and pieces he reveals to her…and she has. But she’s no closer now than she was when she met him to figuring anything out about him. He’s a locked book and she’ll never get the key. But she doubts anyone will get the key, and that makes her feel nothing but sadness for her friend. ~~~~~~~~~~ It’s a little after two in the morning before Alex makes it home. He tries to be as quiet as possible, thinking that Liz is probably asleep. But when he steps into the apartment, he can see light coming from the crack in Liz’s door. Setting his keys down on the coffee table and throwing his coat off, he knocks lightly on her door before pushing it in. “Hey, you still up?” He asks, seeing her leaning back against her headboard reading a book. “Yah, just reading.” Liz says, marking her page and closing the book in her lap. “How was the party?” “Weird…but ok, I guess. You should have come.” Isabel had asked her to come the last time she was here, but Liz said she couldn’t make it. Liz smiles sadly and says, “Yah…that probably wouldn’t have been a good idea.” Alex walks into her room and sits on the bed next to her. He can see the emotional pain Liz is in…the depression…and he hopes that she’ll be able to pull herself out of it. “Talk to me, Liz.” She shakes her head and says, “There’s nothing to say, really. I’ll be ok.” She forces another smile on her face and asks, “So tell me about you and Isabel. You’ve been with her every day this week.” Accepting her change of subject, his face lights up and he says, “I think I’m falling in love with her.” He glances at Liz from the corner of his eye and sees that she doesn’t seem surprised. “Everything’s great. We can talk about anything, and I get the feeling that this is the first time she’s ever really been able to be open and honest with someone about herself. And I really think she might feel the same way about me.” “Wow…that’s…that’s great, Alex!” Liz leans forward and rests her head on his shoulder, throwing her arm across his back. “I’m so happy for you.” He turns and kisses the top of her head. “I wish I could say the same for you, Liz.” “Me, too.” She whispers back to him, closing her eyes when she feels that familiar sting of tears in her eyes. ~~~~~~~~~~ Isabel finishes tying off a trash bag as she watches Max carry more glasses into the kitchen. He was quiet all night…not that that isn’t normal for him in a crowd, but she’s felt his sadness all week and she doesn’t understand why he’s doing this to himself. “When are you gonna see Liz?” She asks him on his next trip into the kitchen. He looks up, startled at her question. “Soon.” He says simply before turning to leave. “We’re leaving in two days, Max. Soon better get here pretty quickly.” She calls after him before pulling another garbage bag from its box. “Why don’t you call her now?” “It’s two in the morning.” He says in annoyance as he brings in the last of the glasses and turns the kitchen faucet on. “She might be up. I’ll call Alex and ask.” Isabel quickly picks up the phone to dial, but Max stops her. “I’ll call tomorrow. Put the phone down.” He starts to grab the phone from her but she spins away from him. “I’m doing this for your own good.” She quickly dials Alex’s cell phone as she dashes across the living room with Max running after her. ~~~~~~~~~~ ZZZ ZZZ ZZZ Liz looks down from Alex’s shoulder and says, “Your ass is vibrating.” Alex smiles and reaches back to pull out his phone and looks down to see Isabel’s number on the ID. “It’s Isabel.” Liz leans back and rolls her eyes with a smile. “She just can’t stay away from you…you big stud.” He rolls his eyes back at her and answers the phone. “Hey, you.” “Hey, Alex. Are you home yet?” Alex wonders if she’s calling to ask him to come back over and he feels his heart pound a little bit faster at the prospect. “Just got here. Why?” “Liz wouldn’t still be up, would she?” It sounds like she’s out of breath…and…running? “What are you doing? Is everything ok?” “Is Liz awake?” This time she almost shouts her question and he hears her give a little squeal. He recognizes that squeal. He’s supposed to be the only one that makes her squeal like that. But now he realizes that she’s almost laughing and he can hear Max yelling at her in the background. Ah. Now he understands. “As a matter of fact, she is. She’s right here.” He answers, looking over at Liz. “Let me put her on.” He passes the phone to Liz and walks quickly out of the room after winking at her. Liz looks from her now empty doorway to the phone in her hand in confusion and she slowly raises it to her ear. “Isabel?” Silence. “Isabel? Is everything ok?” More silence. She’s just about to call for Alex to come back when she hears Max on the other end. “It’s me.” He says, sounding out of breath. “You weren’t asleep were you?” “No. I was reading…Alex just got home.” She says, feeling butterflies in her stomach at the sound of his voice. “What’s going on?” She thinks it’s strange that Isabel called Alex’s phone looking for her…only to hand the phone off to Max. Did he ask her to call and see if she was awake? Or did Isabel force him to talk to her? “Can I see you tomorrow?” He asks after a long silence. “Oh. Um, sure. Tomorrow would be ok.” She feels her heart sink and she can’t help but ask. “Are you…are you leaving tomorrow?” “The day after.” He answers quietly. She bites her lip and says, “Ok. What time? Tomorrow, I mean.” “I’ll pick you up at nine. Is that ok?” She nods before realizing he can’t see her. “Yah.” “Alright. I’ll see in the morning, then.” He says. “Ok. Bye, Max.” “Good night, Liz.” He hangs up the phone and stalks back to his room, not missing the knowing smirk on his sister’s face. For that, he’ll let her clean the dishes tonight. ~~~~~~~~~~ They’ve spent the whole day walking the strip and Maria feels like her feet are gonna fall off. They just left Caesar’s Palace where they walked through the Forums, shopped a little, gambled a little, and watched all the animatronic shows…which she has to admit, were pretty cool. She’s noticed that Michael’s been a little quiet for the last few hours, but she just chalks it up to the crowds. She looks up at him now as they ride down to the strip on the moving walkway and she leans in close to him and puts her hand on his chest to get his attention. “I’m in the mood for some ice cream. How about you?” She smiles seductively up at him, remembering what they did with the ice cream they ordered from room service last night. He’s looking at her strangely, as if he’s memorizing her face…as if he hasn’t just spent the last five days with her…and her smile fades. “What’s wrong?” He shakes his head slightly and a small smile forms on his lips. “Nothing. Ice cream sounds good.” He leans down and gives her small kiss. After getting two sundaes, they sit on a bench in front of Bally’s and watch the water show at the Bellagio. As the water dances to the sounds of Christmas music, Maria sees Michael toss his empty ice cream cup in a nearby trashcan and walk over to stand in front of her. She raises her eyes at him questioningly…he’s blocking her view of the show across the street. “Let’s get married.” He blurts out, and she chokes on the spoonful of ice cream she just put in her mouth. Maria coughs and drops the spoon she was holding. “What?” He doesn’t say anything as he kneels down in front of her on the sidewalk and plucks her sundae from her hands…setting it on the bench beside her. Grabbing her hands, he looks intently into her eyes and says, “Marry me. Today.” Her eyes are wide in shock and she’s completely unaware of the people walking around them, some ignoring the couple, some looking on curiously…thinking they recognize her from somewhere. “Are you serious?” His gaze doesn’t waver. “As a heart attack.” “But…you…you’re leaving.” She says stupidly, not understanding what brought this on. “And I want to be married…to you…before I go.” Her eyes soften as she looks at him sadly. “You might not come back.” “I probably won’t be back.” He agrees. She furrows her brow and searches his face. She can see that he’s completely serious about this. He wants to marry her even though he’ll only be here for a few months. There’s no logical reason why she should do this. But she knows him…she knows the overwhelming desire he’s always had to have a family of his own. And he thinks this is his last chance at that. He thinks he’s going to his death with Max and he wants this one thing that he’s always craved before he dies. How can she say no? Swallowing hard, she nods her head slowly and says, “Ok.” Michael releases a barely audible sigh of relief and smiles gratefully at her. He squeezes her hand lightly and looks down at it as he runs his thumb across the back. “Thank you.” His voice is so soft that Maria almost doesn’t hear him over the loud finale of the show still going on across the street. By the end of the day, Michael and Maria make their way back to their hotel and he carries her through the door…both laughing…as husband and wife. ~~~~~~~~~~ Promptly at 9am the next morning, Liz hears a knock on her front door. She takes one last look in the mirror over her dresser, making sure everything looks as it should and makes her way to the front door. When she opens the door and sees Max look her over, his blinking eyes and hard swallow the only movements betraying him, she feels satisfied that her appearance elicited the response she wanted. “Let me just grab my coat.” She tells him and walks back into the living room, feeling his eyes on her. Max tries to find his voice…realizing why he’s unconsciously put off this meeting with Liz for as long as he has. Being around her tends to turn him to a pile of goo. As she walks away from him, his eyes automatically fall to her ass…which is encased in a pair of low riding, tight jeans…and he watches, enthralled, as she bends over to pick up her coat. He sees the black tweed jacket she has on ride up and the skin of her back is revealed. Is that jacket supposed to be so short…and so tight? And shouldn’t she be wearing something underneath it? When she turns around, his eyes are once more drawn to her midsection…at the expanse of skin he can see both above and below the two buttons holding the jacket closed. Then he looks up at her hair falling loosely around her shoulders in waves…the way he likes it best…and he sees her lips moving. Is she talking? Liz tugs on her coat and walks back toward Max, asking again, “So where are we going?” As she gets closer, he notices that she’s taller than normal and he looks down to see the tall, pointed black leather boots she’s wearing. And he realizes right then that he’s never going to survive this day. “It’s a surprise.” He finally grabs the reins on his control and looks her in the eye, holding his arm out for her. She smiles and locks the door behind her before walking with Max down the stairs and out into the crisp, cool morning. They make small talk as they walk down the street and turn the corner and Liz realizes they’re going to Starbuck’s. Max opens the door for her and asks, “This is where you usually start your day, right?” Liz smiles and nods, wondering once again what he has planned for the day. When they walk in, Joe looks up from the counter and says, “Liz! Where the heck have you been?” She walks up to the counter and says, “I’ve been around…I went back home for a couple of days…now I’m on vacation for two weeks.” “Two weeks?! I didn’t think you knew the definition of vacation.” He teases her as his gaze falls on Max. “This is Max. Max, this is Joe.” Liz makes the introduction. Joe narrows his eyes and says, “Hey, you’re that guy.” “What guy?” Liz asks, glancing at Max. “The one that dragged you out of here that morning….when Alex was looking for you. Except…you looked a lot younger.” Joe looks at Liz and asks, “What are you doing with him?” Liz and Max both realize what he’s talking about then and Liz says, “Oh…um…” as she frantically searches for an explanation. “That was my younger brother.” Max says suddenly, hoping that will explain the similarities between them. He had been watching from across the street that day and knows that Joe will never believe that it was him who was here. “But you called that guy Max, too.” Joe says suspiciously. “Oh, yah…I was just surprised. I hadn’t seen Max since we were younger. And you can see how much they look alike.” Liz shrugs and tries to act nonchalant about it, hoping Joe will drop it. Joe still looks at Max curiously, but says, “Alright. So, what can I get you?” “The usual.” Liz says with a bright smile, hoping to dispel the tension. “I’ll just have what she’s having.” Max says, still thinking about that day when the shapeshifter took Liz and what happened after that. He was so scared and confused. After getting their lattes and saying goodbye to Joe, they walk out and Liz says, “Sorry about that.” “I saw you that day…I was watching you from across the street.” Max says as he sips his coffee. “You were?” Liz asks in surprise. “I was planning on talking to you when you left your apartment, but I chickened out. Then I saw you walking away with…him…and I followed you.” Max glances over at her and says, “I was so scared, knowing you thought he was me.” “Yah…me too. But I figured out pretty quickly that it wasn’t you, Max.” Liz takes a sip of her coffee and takes a deep breath. “Let’s not talk about that, ok?” Max hesitates, then nods in agreement and they walk toward the nearest subway entrance. When they emerge from the tunnels at 33rd street, Liz looks up at the surrounding skyscrapers and asks once again, “What are we doing here?” Max just smiles and guides her down the street. They walk into the lobby of the Empire State Building and go straight to the elevator for the observation deck. Liz sees him pull two tickets from his pocket and she says, “I’ve never been to the top.” “I know.” He says with a smile. “Me either.” Liz smiles then, and loops her arm through his as they step onto the elevator. She feels the change in pressure as the elevator goes up and when the doors finally open, she rushes out and feels the cold wind sting her face. “Wow. This is incredible.” She reaches the edge and feels Max step to her side and she can see the entire city below her. Max thinks the same thing as they make their way around the observation deck to see the city from all sides. They try to find familiar landmarks…Liz’s lab, Max’s office…and as they come back around toward the elevator, Max sees Liz shivering as she crosses her arms in an effort to warm up. “It’s cold. Do you wanna go back inside?” Liz nods and lets Max wrap his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to his side. She thinks she might be crazy, but she can feel his body heat even through all their layers of clothes and coats. Burrowing into his side, she lets him lead her inside and into the elevator. As they ride back down, she turns her face up to his and says, “Thank you. I’ve always wanted to come up here, but I just never got around to it.” “You’re welcome.” He keeps his arm around her, noticing that she hasn’t pulled away from him even though the elevator is heated…not that he minds. After they leave the Empire State Building and start walking toward Times Square, Liz realizes that Max doesn’t plan on having any kind of serious discussion today. Today is for just the two of them…enjoying New York. Once she figures this out, she relaxes and pays more attention to her surroundings. They stop every once in a while to look at something they see in a store window. They buy hot pretzels from a street vendor and they wander through the giant Toys R Us and Virgin stores along with the rest of the tourists. They have lunch, the best pizza Liz has ever had, and continue walking toward Rockefeller Center. Max leads her toward the ice skating rink and Liz happily follows, laughing. “We’re not really going skating, are we?” “Of course. Don’t tell me you can’t skate, because I’m counting on you to hold me up.” Max says before going to get them some skates. After lacing up their skates, Liz helps Max stand up and leads him toward the ice. “I can’t believe you don’t know how to skate.” She smiles at him as she backs onto the ice holding both of Max’s hands. “I grew up in the desert.” He says in defense as he slowly steps onto the ice, gripping her hands harder. Liz laughs and raises an eyebrow. “That excuse won’t fly with me.” She continues to lead him onto the ice…skating backwards until he can find his balance. When she’s sure he’ll be alright, she lets go and skates a little further away from him. “See…you’re a natural!” Max struggles to stay upright while trying to keep up with Liz and he sees a little kid wiz past him while doing some crazy maneuver with his feet. He grimaces as he watches the kid fly around the ice. “Showoff.” Liz laughs and skates to his side and grabs his hand. “Come on. You’ll be doing that by the time we’re done.” Max laughs with her and says, “Somehow I doubt that.” He lets her lead him slowly around the perimeter of the rink and after one lap he finally feels like he has a handle on this ice skating thing. He makes his way toward a side wall and says, “Go on…I can tell you’re dying to go show off.” He smiles at her and shoos her away with his hand. “I’ll just hang out here and watch.” She rolls her eyes and smiles. “I’ll be right back.” She skates a circle around him before zooming off. He watches in awe as she navigates around the rink, spinning around to skate backwards for a while. She looks so graceful, as if she was born for this and he watches her legs pump as she gathers speed coming around the last turn…crossing over themselves as she leans into the curve. He looks up and sees her hair flowing behind her in the breeze, her nose red from the cold, and a big smile on her face. He’s mesmerized. But when he sees her coming toward him at a speed that looks too fast, he grabs onto the wall bracing for impact. But just a few feet away, she shifts to the side and slides toward him, spraying ice up as she comes to a stop. He’s so shocked by the move that he actually stumbles while standing in place and falls to the ice. He looks up, embarrassed that he can’t even stand in one place without falling, to see her laughing at him. She reaches forward to help him up, but someone skates too close behind her and knocks her off balance and she falls on the ice next to him. He laughs back at her and says, “Serves you right for laughing at me.” She swats him on the arm, a smile on her face, as she rolls her eyes. Popping back up, she reaches down again to help him up. It takes a few tries to get him standing, but once he is, he gets his nerve back and says, “Ok, one more time around. I think I have it now.” For the next hour they skate and play on the ice, laughing when Max tries to do something he’s clearly not ready to try and ends up sprawled out on the ice. By the time they’re done, his pants are soaking wet and he has to find a secluded area to use his powers to dry them. They buy hot chocolate from the vendor and Max convinces her to take a carriage ride with him through Central Park. She tries to say no…saying that the horses smell…that only tourists do it…but in the end, he begs and pleads and she agrees. Covered with a blanket, they sip their hot cocoa as the horse leads them through the park and Liz’s thoughts migrate toward the fact that he’s leaving for Roswell tomorrow. All day they’ve had an unspoken agreement to not talk about it, but she can’t help but ask, “So what are you gonna do with Bailey? You know…when you leave.” “Isabel’s keeping him with her.” He looks off into the distance, not wanting reality to intrude on their day just yet. But he can see the beginnings of twilight and knows that the day is almost over. Cursing the fact that because it’s winter, nightfall comes early, he realizes that he can’t put off the inevitable. This day will end, and he’ll have to say goodbye to Liz. Forever. Sensing his reluctance to talk about it, Liz changes the subject. “So, what’s on the schedule next? I assume you have some other touristy activities planned.” She teases him. He reaches into his pocket for two more tickets and hands them to Liz. “Radio City Music Hall for the Christmas show. Then a late dinner if you’re up for it.” He grins. “Wow. You’ve certainly planned a full day.” She says as she looks at the tickets in her hand. He shrugs and says, “I just wanted to do all the things I’ve never gotten the chance to do before…” His voice trails off before he says, “And who better to do them with than you?” She looks up at him and says, “In case I forget to tell you later…I had a really great time today.” He nods, looking into her eyes and he can’t help but get lost. It’s such a familiar feeling to him and he feels the urge to just lean down and kiss her. But that’s not what today is about. Today is about saying goodbye without actually saying the words. Today is about having that one perfect day with the person he loves. One perfect day that they’ve never had the chance to experience, and that they’ll never experience again. ~TBC~

vecastone · Post by **vecastone** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 1:09 pm

Who who gave you permission to go on vacation in the middle of this amazing story ? Tell me whooooo ? <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)">

Post by **Island Breeze** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 2:17 am

Wow! I so didn't see Michael asking Maria to marry him coming!

That was great!

After getting two sundaes, they sit on a bench in front of Bally’s and watch the water show at the Bellagio. As the water dances to the sounds of Christmas music, Maria sees Michael toss his empty ice cream cup in a nearby trashcan and walk over to stand in front of her. She raises her eyes at him questioningly…he’s blocking her view of the show across the street.

“Let’s get married.” He blurts out, and she chokes on the spoonful of ice cream she just put in her mouth.

Maria coughs and drops the spoon she was holding. “What?”

But now he's planning to leave! I can't believe Maria said yes with him agreeing that he'll probably never come back, but... well, maybe I can.

I loved the dreamer interaction in the last half of this chapter, Max and Liz playing in the snow and all. And just the comfortable way they are interacting. But what's going to happen now? :?:

I can't believe I missed so much! I thought I had already read a lot of that, but my fb's aren't there, so I guess I either didn't finish or got sidetracked and didn't fb. It took a while to catch up, but soooo worth it!

Gerry

Princess Isabel · Post by **Princess Isabel** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:15 am

Girl I just sat here and read the whole thing straight through. We better see the rest of this story soon or at least a new part. Is it because of the switch? Come back and let everyone know!

Fan Fic and More

Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 45 added 4/21

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 21

Arrgghhh...

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 42 added 4/3

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Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 21

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 21

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Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 44 added 4/19

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 44 added 4/19

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 44 added 4/19

Re: Happenstance ~M/L C/C~ Pt. 44 added 4/19