Author: Ashley
Email: [email protected]
Rated PG-13 for violence
Disclaimer: I donıt own any of the Roswell characters, although
Gabriel is mine!!!
Spoilers: everything up to and including the episode ³Leaving
Normal², refers back to my first script, ³Blood is Thicker Than
Water²
Category: mainly M/L
Feedback: Oh yeah!
Format: script (INT. means interior, EXT. means exterior)
After Effects (Part Two)
INT. LIZıS BEDROOM (NIGHT)
Maria is lounging on Lizıs bed, flipping through a fashion mag.
Liz enters, still talking to her Dad.
LIZ
The Sheriff just wants to go over the whole thing again, Dad.
Itıs no big deal. Iıll go in tomorrow
and thatıll be that. Okay?
Lizıs Dad hesitates in the doorway.
DAD
You sure you donıt want me to come with you?
Liz sits on the bed beside Maria.
LIZ
Iım sure.
He glances at them both, and they smile back innocently.
DAD
Alright. Iıll leave you girls to your gossip.
He closes the door behind him.
LIZ
(sighs) How many times have I lied to them now?
MARIA
Iım losing count. But thatıs okay. Youıre doing it because
itıs best for everyone, not because youıre a sociopath or
something. (pauses)I guess they donıt know about Max being
arrested
yet, huh?
LIZ
No. I canıt tell them. Oh, this is bad, Maria.
MARIA
What do you think Valentiıs going to ask?
LIZ
I donıt know. Heıs obviously trying to frame Max. or at least
put enough pressure on him to make him crack. (buries her face in
her hands momentarily) The only way to clear Max is to tell the
truth about Gabriel. But, Iıve been thinking... if I tell
Valenti about Gabriel, then theyıll drag Michael into this.
Maria is stunned.
MARIA
Oh my god, youıre right.
LIZ
They look so much alike. Even my Dad mentioned that after Gabriel
came in the diner that last time. Valenti could say in the dark
that it could have been Michael. And, of course, we have no idea
where Gabriel is, anyway. This is bad, Maria. Really bad.
Their eyes remain locked.
INT. CRASHDOWN CAFE (LATER)
Liz is letting Maria out the front door.
LIZ
Good night.
Maria grabs her hand.
MARIA
Youıll figure it out, Liz. I know you will.
Liz gives her a half smile.
LIZ
Night.
MARIA
Night.
Liz shuts the door behind her and turns the key in the lock.
INT. CRASHDOWN CAFE (LATER)
Liz is drinking a Coke and studying at the bar when a KNOCK at
the door makes her look up. When she sees that it is Michael, she
immediately crosses to the door.
LIZ
Michael?
She opens the door. He hesitates.
MICHAEL
Mind if I come in?
LIZ
No, but Mariaıs already gone. Whatıs going on?
Liz shuts the door behind him and, after a momentıs hesitation,
pulls down the shades in the door
windows.
MICHAEL
Iz and Mrs. Evans went to see Max and they said to tell you he
was doing fine.
LIZ
Really? (she looks down) I want to see him, but I donıt want to
talk to Valenti until I get my story straight. He wants me to
come in tomorrow and answer some questions.
MICHAEL
About that night?
Liz nods miserably.
LIZ
This is so hopeless.
MICHAEL
Hey, Max has an airtight alibi. He was working. Thereıs no way
they can pin this on him. He just has to hold out, thatıs all.
LIZ
Yeah, I guess. Do you want a burger or something? We had a few
left over.
Michael looks uncomfortable.
MICHAEL
Yeah, would you mind? I-I donıt think Iıll be eating dinner at
home tonight.
Liz crosses to the counter to fix his burger.
LIZ
Did something happen?
Michael crosses and sits at the bar.
MICHAEL
Nah. Thereıs this...Well, Hankıs got this girl staying at the
trailer a lot. Sheıs nice, but-- (leaning in) she keeps coming
on to me.
Liz makes a face.
LIZ
Oh! Thatıs so gross.
Michael shakes his head.
MICHAEL
Anyway, sheıs sortaı taking over. (looking up at Liz)So, I
heard that Valenti is going home tonight at 8:00. Only the deputy
will be there at the jail.
Liz looks up at him in surprise.
MICHAEL
So you can either sweet talk your way past the guard, or Iıll
just help you get in the old- fashioned way.
LIZ
No! You stay away from there, Michael. Thatıs the last thing we
need is for Valenti to get his hands on you, too. (thinking a
moment) Maybe I will-
A KNOCK at the door.
LIZ
(calling to door) Weıre closed!
MICHAEL
That might be Iz. Do you mind if I get a drink?
He stands.
LIZ
No, thatıs fine.
Michael goes behind the counter to hunt a cup. Liz crosses to the
door and pulls up the shade. She immediately freezes in horror.
Itıs Gabriel...
Liz begins to back away from the door slowly.
Gabriel glances around, then tries the locked doorknob, waves his
hand over it and enters easily.
LIZ
Oh...god...
Michael looks up from behind the counter and his eyes grow wide.
Gabrielıs face, so much like his own, is expressionless as he
advances on Liz slowly.
Michael shakes his head to clear his mind, then jumps over the
counter.
In two seconds, heıs in front of Liz.
MICHAEL
Well, if it isnıt my long-lost brother.
Gabriel smiles slightly.
GABRIEL
Well met, Mikey. This is a surprise. I thought Iıd have to
deliver my message second-hand again.
Liz is still afraid to move.
MICHAEL
Not this time.
Michael rears back and smashes his fist into Gabrielıs face.
Gabriel hits the floor, dazed, but still smiling.
MICHAEL
I donıt appreciate you trying to kill one of the only friends I
have in this town. I donıt care if you are family, Iıll kill
you if you ever come near her again. Got it?
Gabriel picks himself up slowly and brushes off his jeans.
GABRIEL
I believe you really mean that, little bro.
MICHAEL
Damn straight.
Gabriel nods.
GABRIEL
I just hope you know what youıre doing.
Their eyes lock.
MICHAEL
Liz, get upstairs.
Liz looks at him for a moment, then slowly backs away to the
stairs. She hesitates.
LIZ
Should I call Isabel?...Valenti?
Michael, still staring at Gabriel, smiles briefly.
MICHAEL
No, I can handle this. Go upstairs.
Liz, eyes fearful, takes one last look and then heads upstairs.
Michael and Gabriel eye each other.
MICHAEL
So, whatıd you come back for? To finish the job?
GABRIEL
If it needed finishing, yes. But I have another task this time.
It seems I have caused some complications for your friend that I
didnıt intend. And...I need you to be sure that you have an
alibi
for tomorrow night. Got it?
Michael shakes his head.
MICHAEL
Right. Then what? Will you take me with?
GABRIEL
No. (firmly) You are exactly where you need to be.
MICHAEL
What? Living in that god-forsaken trailer with Hank?
Gabriel gives him with a knowing look.
GABRIEL
Youıre different than the others. Believe it or not, this is
what you need.
Gabriel turns to go.
Michael absently runs his hand through his hair.
MICHAEL
So thatıs it? I finally meet my brother and he says, ³Youıre
doinı great. Keep it up.² Thatıs it?
GABRIEL
For now, yes. Youıre not as alone as you think, Michael. Be
patient.
Michael glances off in disgust.
MICHAEL
Look, if you leave, Iım going with.
GABRIEL
No, youıre not.
He holds his hand out and a shockwave of energy pulses through
the air and slams Michael back into a table.
Michael and the table flip over and he hits the ground,
motionless. Gabriel studies him a moment, and then walks out of
the cafe.
Liz comes careening down the stairs, a knife in her hands.
LIZ
Michael??
She sees the open door, looks around frantically and finally
finds Michael on the floor. She crosses and kneels beside him.
LIZ
Michael, are you okay?...Michael?
Michael stirs and sits up, his head still ringing. He looks over
at Liz, grimacing.
MICHAEL
Did you say something?
LIZ
Are you okay? What happened?
MICHAEL
Yeah, yeah. He just didnıt want me to follow him. He...tossed me
like rag doll. Iıve got to get better at this stuff.
LIZ
Why did he come back?
MICHAEL
Itıs okay. I think heıs here to help Max.
Liz tries to help him to his feet, but sheıs not much help.
LIZ
Sorry. (she touches his arm) Thanks...Iım glad you were here.
Michael gives her a sideways glance.
MICHAEL
Yeah. Me, too. Figures I wouldnıt have a normal family, doesnıt
it?
Liz smiles.
INT. JAIL CELL (LATER)
Max is pacing, his thoughts miles away. uddenly, the outer door
opens with a quiet creak, letting in a stream of dull light from
the hallway. Max looks up in surprise.
MAX
Hello?
The door closes, and the dark shadows remain still. Max crosses
to the bars.
MAX
Anyone there?
He hears a quiet movement, and a dark figure walks forward. He is
tall, thin and has his head down.
MAX
What do you want?
The man reaches the door of the cell and passes his hand over it.
It unlocks and swings open.
Max takes a few steps back, and tenses, ready for anything.
Finally, the man looks up.
MAX
Gabriel. (his gaze piercing) You almost killed Liz. Give me one
good reason why I shouldnıt return the favor.
Gabriel shakes his head.
GABRIEL
You endangered your entire race by doing what you did. What I did
was damage control.
MAX
(flounders for a minute) No, what you did was attempted murder.
Which, by the way, Iım being framed for.
GABRIEL
Thatıs why Iım here, Max. You kill me and your chances of
getting out of here are wiped out. And
the Sheriff will finally have what he wants. A dead alien to pick
apart piece by piece. I donıt think
you want that, do you?
MAX
Maybe then heıd leave us alone.
GABRIEL
And maybe, heıd try ethnic cleansing instead. How stupid do you
think he is?
MAX
Okay, then let me just say this. You go near Liz again, and I
will kill you.
Gabriel just smiles and crosses to the small, high window.
GABRIEL
She seems to be very popular around here. Two men willing to kill
for her.
MAX
What?
GABRIEL
At any rate, letıs go.
Max looks at him suspiciously.
MAX
Where?
GABRIEL
To free you, incarcerate me. All the same thing.
He gestures for Max to exit the jail cell. Max hesitates and then
walks out.
INT. RECEPTION DESK (SAME)
The Deputy is watching t.v., eating a chocolate frosted doughnut.
He doesnıt see Max and Gabriel approaching from behind.
Gabriel reaches in his pocket and pulls out an old rag. He
carefully unwraps a knife with dried blood on it and reaches
toward the deputy. Max grabs Gabrielıs wrist and pulls him up
short.
Gabriel looks at Max patiently and blinks a few times.
Hesitantly, Max lets go. Gabriel lays the knife down on the
counter with a dull thud.
The deputy jumps a foot in the air and then tosses down the
doughnut and grabs for his gun. Gabriel and Max hold up their
hands.
GABRIEL
Just turning myself in, Sheriff.
The deputy glances from one to the other as they put on their
best ³harmless² looks.
INT. VALENTIıS HOUSE (SAME)
Kyle and his Dad are eating pizza, watching COPS.
KYLE
So, weıre done. I donıt know. Maybe Liz does need to be alone
to deal with this stuff.
Sheriff Valenti looks at him with a grin.
VALENTI
Thatıs one of the wisest things Iıve heard you say yet, Kyle.
The PHONE rings. Valenti reaches over and answers it.
VALENTI
Yeah? (his eyes widen) Iıll be right there. (hangs up) Gottaı
go, Kyle. Iıll be home late.
Kyle watches his Dad with interest, then goes back to the pizza.
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM (LATER)
Valenti is standing, staring at a deposition report. Gabriel sits
at a metal table, his hands cuffed. His expression is one of
slight amusement.
VALENTI
Let me get this straight. You met Liz at the diner when she
served you as your waitress. She pissed you off, so you found out
where she lived, broke in and tried to kill her.
GABRIEL
Yeah....thatıs about it.
VALENTI
She pissed you off...so you tried to kill her. Any particular
reason why you slit her wrists instead
of just stabbing her?
GABRIEL
Well, you and everyone else in this town called it a suicide for
a week. Plenty of reason there. You
werenıt even looking for me yet.
VALENTI
Thatıs another thing I find curious. A lot of criminals would be
perfectly willing to have someone
else do their time. Why did you turn yourself in? Why not let
Evans take the rap?
GABRIEL
Sheriff, what do you take me for? The case you had against Max
Evans was full of holes and you know it...Iıd let him go if I
were you, before his parents sue you for false imprisonment. You
know he had nothing to do with it.
SHERIFF
Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe there are extenuating circumstances that
would have eventually been
brought to light.
GABRIEL
Like me? (eyes dangerous) Where I come from, we have a saying
about a cat who was too curious. You know the one I mean?
VALENTI
(with a characteristic grin) Yeah, yeah I do.
GABRIEL
(leaning back, putting his feet up) Youıre a very curious man,
Sheriff. Very curious.
VALENTI
Is that a threat, son?
GABRIEL
Iıve said my peace.
VALENTI
Alright. Weıll do a background check on you, scare up some files
and get back to you. You just sit
tight and think about that mandatory 10 year sentence. Maybe that
will loosen your tongue.
Gabriel just smiles.
INT. HALLWAY (SAME)
Sheriff shuts the interrogation room door behind him and motions
for his deputy to follow him down the hall.
SHERIFF
Let Evans go. And bring me my file on Michael Guerin.
DEPUTY
Yes, sir.
EXT. JAIL
Max, Isabel and Mrs. Evans climb into their sedan.
MRS. EVANS
Thank God thatıs over.
Max allows himself a small smile.
Isabel, relieved, reaches up from the back seat and tugs on his
ear.
MRS. EVANS
That Sheriff is going to be in big trouble if he ever bothers you
again, Max.
She backs the car out. Max nods.
MRS. EVANS
Now, Max, you still havenıt explained to me how you know this
Gabriel. Or how he just turned up in the nick of time.
Max starts to answer, but his Mom chatters on.
MRS. EVANS
Poor Liz Parker. She must have been terrified when he showed up
in her room like that. I canıt believe she kept it a secret. Her
parents are going to be so shocked. You didnıt know about that,
did you? I mean, that it wasnıt a suicide attempt, did you?
Max is staring out the window.
MRS. EVANS
Max?...Max?
ISABEL
Mom, heıs been through a lot. Letıs just let him enjoy being
out for a while, okay? (she glances at Max, and then continues) I
saw this dress in Rosieıs that I am just dying to buy, Mom.
Itıs this fab creamy yellow color...
MRS. EVANS
Yellow? With your coloring? I donıt know, honey...
Max watches the dark terrain go by outside, his thoughts lost out
there somewhere.
FADE TO BLACK
FADE IN
INT. CRASHDOWN (NIGHT)
Max, Michael and Isabel enter.
Liz jumps up from where she was studying in a booth with Maria.
She crosses to Max, smiling at Michael and Isabel as they pass
by.
LIZ
Hi, Max. I missed you at school. Are you okay?
MAX
Yeah. I just havenıt been sleeping well lately, and it kind of
caught up with me.
LIZ
Too much late night jogging?
At Maxıs stunned look, Liz steers him to a private booth and
sits across from him. She reaches out tentatively and takes his
hand.
LIZ
Isabel told me.
Max looks down and shakes his head.
MAX
I cannot believe I let him get to you again.
LIZ
Max...(he finally looks up) You were in jail or you wouldıve
been here. And if you hadnıt been in jail, I donıt think
Gabriel wouldıve even come.
MAX
I just canıt stand the thought that something might have
happened to you again. If Michael hadnıt been here...
She reaches out and touches his lips gently with her hand,
silencing him.
LIZ
Well, thereıs only way to stop this from happening again, you
know.
MAX
Whatıs that?
Liz folds her hands under her chin and gives him a mischievous
smile.
LIZ
We are going to have to spend a lot more time together.
Max smiles.
MAX
Darn.
INT. SHERIFFıS OFFICE
The deputy walks in, papers in hand.
DEPUTY
Iım sorry, Sheriff. Iıve talked to everyone in every higher
office I can think of. I canıt even get
a last name on him.
SHERIFF
Impossible. There is a man sitting in my jail cell. He exists. He
has to have records somewhere.
DEPUTY
No one has anything on this guy. No birth certificate, no finger
prints, no i.d. of any kind.
SHERIFF
(flipping through Michaelıs file) Guerin...Michael Guerin is the
key somehow.... (standing) Weıve let Gabriel sweat it out long
enough. Letıs go see if heıs ready to do some more talking.
INT. CRASHDOWN (LATER-AFTER CLOSING)
Liz has fixed banana splits for everyone.
Max is putting Tabasco sauce on his. He eyes Liz watching him.
MAX
Care for a bite?
LIZ
Uh...no. Thatıs why you guys each have your own.
Isabel and Michael look up and smile. Michael puts more Tabasco
on with relish.
MARIA
You do that just because you know it grosses us out, donıt you?
Iıll bet at home, you never even eat this stuff.
MICHAEL
Maybe you should come over and see sometime.
MARIA
No, thank you. I get disgusted enough just being around you at
school. I canıt imagine how you are at home.
Michael grins and takes a large bite.
Sheriff Valenti enters in a rush.
VALENTI
Where is he?
Everyone freezes.
MAX
Where is who?
VALENTI
Gabriel. I assume you helped him escape.
MAX
No, actually weıve all been here all night.
Liz stands up.
LIZ
We just closed about fifteen minutes ago. The other customers can
vouch for us. Actually, my father can, too.
VALENTI
(frustrated) Well, Iım glad to hear you kept your noses
clean...this time. (focusing on Liz) But really, I guess this
isnıt good news for you, is it, Miss Parker? Your attempted
murderer on the loose? Iıd lock your doors...
Liz looks shaken. Max stands and puts his arm around her.
MAX
Sheıll be fine. But it looks like youıre going to have some
explaining to do to her parents. I donıt
think theyıll be too pleased that your jail wasnıt able to hold
a dangerous criminal like that.
Valenti smiles and turns to leave.
VALENTI
Weıll catch him. And do whatever it takes to hold him. (pauses
and turns back) And anyone else like him. Good night, folks.
Michael and Isabel exchange glances.
Max pulls Liz in and holds her quietly.
Valenti exits.
MICHAEL
At least now we know why Gabriel said I needed an alibi tonight.
Man, I didnıt get to ask him anything.
ISABEL
Iım sure youıll see him again, Michael. Heıs your brother and
it sounds like heıs watching out for
you.
Liz looks up at Max.
LIZ
Actually, it sounded like heıs watching out for all of you.
MICHAEL
Yeah, but from where?
They all exchange glances.
Max rests his chin on Lizıs head.
MAX
Not from around here, thatıs for sure.
To be continued to the third story of this triology, titled, "Look of Agony"