Author: Ash
email: [email protected]
Disclaimer: I donıt own Roswell or the characters, Iım just borrowing them because theyıre sooooo much better than what I could come up with!!
Rated R for violence, intensity and language
Summary: Thriller all the way; part three of a trilogy (³Blood is Thicker than Water² and ³After Effects²); takes place after ³Balance²; everyoneıs involved
Spoilers: possible shows up to ³Balance²
Script format: INT. means interior set, EXT. meansexterior set
Feedback: Please!
"I like a look of Agony,
Because I know itıs true-"
-Emily Dickinson
Look of Agony (Part Five)
EXT. HIGHWAY
The Parkersı twisted car is sitting straight up, the crushed roof and sides giving evidence to its rolldown the hill. The windows are broken, glass spread all around. A dark figure is pulling Liz out of the driverıs side door. She is almost unconscious, bleeding from cuts and gashes all over her body, one leg bent at an oddangle.
As the figure bends to lay her down, he notices a large chunk of glass sticking out of her abdomen. The blood is gathering there quickly.Liz mumbles incoherently.
He slowly squats beside her, his face dark in the shadows.
MAN
Donıt worry, itıll be over soon.
He pulls out a gun and begins to assemble the silencer over it.
MAN
See? Nice and easy... (pausing to contemplate her bruised face)
or would you rather make it long and painful?
He smiles in the darkness. Liz groans.
MAN
They would probably sense your death anyway. Letıs leave them
a little life force to follow, just in
case they do that sort of thing.
He puts his gun away and reaches down over Lizıs body.
MAN
But...just a little bit...
He gently rests his hand on the piece of glass jutting out of her side...and shoves it in farther.
EXT. QUARRY
Max shakes his head and sits up slowly. He reaches out for
Isabel next to him. She is lying on
her back, legs tucked up under her, completely unconscious.
Glancing around, Max sees Michael and Alex passed outin front of
Alexıs car. He suddenly jumps up, remembering.
MAX
Liz!
He pulls Isabel into a sitting position, trying to wake her.
MAX
Isabel! Iz?
Isabel finally begins to stir and Max is relieved. Across the
clearing, Alex is now standing up and
reaching out to give Michael a hand. Isabel opens her eyes as she
leans back on Maxısshoulder.
ISABEL
Max? What happened?
Max glances over at Michael and Alex approaching.
MAX
I think Gabriel took off after Liz. Weıd better hurry.
He helps Isabel up.
MICHAEL
Max, heıs not here to hurt Liz.
Max stops and stares at Michael.
MAX
Michael, we donıt have time to talk about this now.Letıs just
go!
He jogs to the jeep and climbs in the driverıs seat. Isabel climbs in beside him, Alex and Michael close behind. Max puts the keys in, turns the ignition....and nothing happens. His head falls back in frustration, eyes closed.
MAX
He zapped the car, Michael.
ALEX
Let me go try my car.
He jumps out and hurries to his car, already fishing for his keys. As Max jumps out and raises the hood on the jeep, Alex turns the keys and...nothing happens.
ALEX
Crap! (out the window) He got mine, too.
Michael climbs out and stands beside Max.
MICHAEL
Think you can fix it?
MAX (tense)
I have no idea what he did to it. How am I supposed to fix it?
Isabel grabs her purse and pulls out her cell phone.She dials a number.
INT. CRASHDOWN
MARIA
The Crashdown. This is Maria.
Isabel is relieved.
ISABEL
Maria? Oh great, youıre still there. We need you tocome pick us
up.
Maria stops short when she hears Isabelıs voice.
MARIA
Have you found Liz? Is she okay?
ISABEL (hesitating)
We think so. But you have to get us there. Have you got your
Momıs car?
MARIA
Have car, will travel. Where are you?
ISABEL
At the old quarry. Hurry.
She hangs up.
ISABEL
Maria is on her way.
Max slams the hood down on his jeep and paces to theedge of the quarry.
MICHAEL
Heıs not going to hurt her, Max. He said heıs here to help.
Max turns to him, eyes fierce.
MAX
He said Liz was dead, Michael. That if she wasnıt, she would be
by the time we got there. Then he takes off without us. What else
am I supposed to think? (turns back around) Heıs tried to kill
her before. God, why didnıt I figure this out? I should have
known it was him.
Michael turns and stalks away.
EXT. DARK HIGHWAY
In the shadows, Gabriel is running. His speed is incredible, probably 45-50 mph. He is keeping his eyes on the road, looking for skid marks or any sign of trouble.He begins to slow and turns to slide down the hill beside the road.A grimy old pickup putters by. Gabriel walks along the ditch, muttering to himself.
GABRIEL
Risking exposure for a human.
Suddenly, he drops down to the ground. Ahead, he sees a wrecked car. As he creeps forward, he sees a dark figure bending over something on the ground. Gabriel smiles.
GABRIEL
Bingo.
He crosses over to the line of trees farther over and begins
to creep nearer to the car. The dark figure leaves and heads
across the road. Gabriel watches him go and follows him over to
theroad.
His eyes narrow and he begins to climb to the shoulderof the
road. Then he stops and looks back.
GABRIEL (sighing)
No...save the human. Crap!
As the man climbs into the white truck, Gabriel jogs back to the car. He immediately spots Liz and kneels down beside her. He reaches out and turns her face to the side, feeling for a pulse. The bruises stand in sharp relief to the paleness of her skin.Gabriel sighs.
GABRIEL
Yep, youıre still in there. Donıt suppose you can open your eyes a bit, huh?
He lifts up her eyelids and lets them fall back in place.
GABRIEL
Okay, weıll do this the hard way.
He bends over her and pulls on the shard of glass in her side, easing it out. Dark blood fills up the gash slowly.
GABRIEL
Whoa. Not have much time left. Wouldnıt Max have a conniption?
Gabriel smiles as he runs his hands casually over her body, feeling for more glass. Then he sits back on his heels and glances around. He takes a deep breath and focuses his attention back on Liz. He moves across her, straddling her body on his knees. Trying to be careful, he leans forward, their chests touching.
He holds his weight up by his arms, and stretches his legs out top of hers. Finally, he rests his face against hers, closing his eyes and taking deep breaths.He makes the connection between them and-FLASH
He sees an image of Liz working in the Bio lab at school.
FLASH
Then Liz waitressing at the Crashdown.
FLASH
The shot that threw her to the ground.
FLASH
Max looking down at her as he healed her.
FLASH
Valentiıs face as he questioned her.
FLASHMaxıs face as they lean in to kiss.
FLASH
Lizıs tear-stained face as she looks at herself in the mirror.
Gabriel opens his eyes and shakes his head, breakingthe connection momentarily.
GABRIEL
Whoa.
He takes a deep breath, blinking several times. Liz groans and
turns her head to the side, a small
stream of blood blazing a trail down her cheek. He gazes down at
her for a moment and wipes the bloodoff of her cheek. He leans
down until he is close enough to kiss her, then closes his eyes
and makes the connection again.
EXT. WHITE PICK-UP
The pick-up is now parked across the road and a dark figure
begins to take the long walk back.
In the moonlight, shadows move over his pock-marked face and
slide across his wide, flat nose. His beady eyes move constantly,
never resting. He amuses himself by attaching the silencer to his
gunand aiming in the dark. As an old pick-up truck comes over the
hill, he jumps and slides down the other side of the road,
staying out of sight. He picks himself up and dusts off his
pants, cursing under his breath. Then he resumes his walk back to
the car.
EXT. QUARRY
Maria pulls up in her car, skidding to a stop. Max jumps forward to open her car door.
MAX
Maria? Do you mind?
She stares at him for a moment.
MARIA
If anything happens to this car...
MAX
I know.
She climbs out and Max pulls the seat forward. Michael pushes
past Maria and climbs in back first,
patting his lap for Maria to sit.
MARIA
Oh, yeah, right.
Max pushes her head down as he propels her into theback seat.
MAX
Maria, this is the only way to do it.
Isabel hops in the other back seat and Alex in the passenger seat. Maria sits down on Michaelıs lap looking supremely uncomfortable. She puts her arm around his head, then takes it off....then settles it down in her lap.Max jumps in and shuts the door. The car jumps forward and Maria falls back against Michael, suddenly finding her face right next to his. She hesitantly puts her arm around him and smiles.
MARIA
How did you engineer this situation? Well, enjoy it while it
lasts, buddy. Iım only doing this for Liz.
Michael just rolls his eyes.
EXT. HIGHWAY
Gabriel breaks the connection and starts to pull back. He
stops after a moment and reaches out for Lizıs face, touching
the bruises on her cheek. He grimaces and begins to bend over her
again.
Her eyes begin to flutter and Gabriel looks mildly panicked for a
moment. He moves to get off of her, but doesnıt have the
strength. He blinks at the feeling of weakness.
He hears a gasp and looks down at Lizıs frightened face. She opens her mouth to scream, but Gabriel leans back over her, his hand covering her mouth.Their eyes meet and Liz freezes.
GABRIEL
Unless you want that psycho to come back over her and finish his
job on you, be quiet. Iım not here to hurt you, Liz. (somewhat
sardonic smile) I just saved your life.
Liz grunts in disbelief.
GABRIEL
Do you remember the accident?
Liz nods slowly.
GABRIEL
Then, get up and come with me. I can take that guy, but not while
Iım dragging you along.
He eases himself off of her, watching her carefully. She is a little shaky, but manages to stand up on her own. She gasps as she sees her parentsı car.
LIZ
Oh my god...
The twisted metal more closely resembles a junk yard heap than the car she was driving over an hour ago.
LIZ
I remember the truck...and- (she shakes her head and looks at
Gabriel) Why did you help me?
Gabriel averts his eyes and dismisses the question with a wave.
GABRIEL
We have to get you out of here.
He grabs her arm and turns to run.
MAN (O.C.)
Lookee here. Two of my targets practically gift-wrapped for me.
They turn to see the pock-marked man holding his gun on them.
MAN
What a night! Of course, this time, Iıll definitely have to stay
and watch and make sure that
you donıt...do whatever it is that you people keep doing to stay
alive. Itıs getting ridiculous, you know.
He moves closer, training his gun high on Gabriel.
MAN
Iım definitely going to have to up the pay. I know Iıve killed
both of you at least once.
His eyes move to Liz. Gabrielıs jaw clenches.
MAN
I think youıre first, little lady. Definitely the most engaging target Iıve had.
Gabriel ducks under the gunıs aim and throws himself at the man. The gun FIRES into the air.Liz flinches, then looks around for a weapon to help Gabriel.Gabriel pushes him down and places his hand over the manıs heart. As he makes the connection, the manıs eyes grow widewith fear.
MAN
No!
Liz finally finds a thick branch to wield and turns, frightened by the manıs voice.She watches, stunned, as the man convulses several times under Gabrielıs outstretched hand. He tries to bring the gun around to point it at Gabriel. Gabriel intensifies his hold on the manıs heart. His face is hard, his eyes focused and intense. With a sudden jerk, the gun is in Gabrielıs stomach and the man squeezes the trigger.The gun FIRES again. Gabrielıs eyes grow wide with shock as the bullet ripsthrough him.
He falls back, leaving the man to writhe in pain. Liz drops the branch, and runs to Gabrielıs side.
LIZ
Just lay still. Iıll call for an ambulance...please...
Gabriel stares at her.
LIZ
Oh, I canıt call an ambulance. Iıll call Max and Michael. They can help you.
Liz grows still as he reaches his hand toward her face.She begins to pull back, but something in his eyes makes her stay still. His hand gently caresses her cheek and he gives her a soft smile.Liz is stunned.
Gabriel suddenly pulls himself up and pushes her out of the way. He launches himself at the man again and places his hand on the manıs chest. The man jerks as the connection is made again and then slowly fades away, his limbs splayed out helplessly.
His eyes are wide open, his mouth set in a grimace.The gun drops to the ground. Gabriel reaches for the gun and shoves it a few feet away from the man, then collapses.
LIZ
Iıll be right back.
Liz helps him turn over on his back quickly and heads to the car, limping slightly. She crawls in the driverıs side and looks around forher phone. In the near dark, it is impossible to find it. The moonlight casts deep shadows all over the interior.
She reaches down into the floorboards, but there is nothing there. Looking back in the rear of the car quickly, she pulls herself out and runs back to Gabriel.His eyes are closed and he is so still....
She kneels beside him, grimacing in pain.
LIZ
Gabriel?
He doesnıt move.
She reaches out her trembling hand and feels for a pulse. After pausing a moment, she falls back and pulls her knees up. She is shivering and tears begin to fall. Looking at the two dead bodies beside her, she finally buries her head in her knees and sobs.
EXT. HIGHWAY (LATER)
Liz is limping very slowly down the side of the road. Her face is bruised and has small cuts all over it. Her clothes are torn and bloodied, especially where the one severe gash in her abdomen had been.Her eyes are lifeless and tearless.
Suddenly, twin beams of light appear over the next hill. She doesnıt even look up. Not as the car SCREECHES to a halt, her name is called and she is almost immediately wrapped up in strong, safe arms. She doesnıt look up; she just faints.
EXT. HIGHWAY (MINUTES LATER)
Max is frantic. Lizıs body is cradled in his lap andhe is whispering to her.
MAX
Liz? Liz? Please wake up.
Maria reaches over to Liz and smoothes the hair away from her face.
MARIA
Oh my god, look at her. What happened? Is she okay?
MICHAEL (O.C.)
Dammit!
Max looks up, for the first time, aware that Michael and Isabel arenıt beside them.
MAX (to Maria)
Where are they?
Maria turns around and points vaguely to the roadside.
MARIA
I think theyıre down there somewhere. Iıll go check.
She begins the walk, wrapping her arms around herself and shivering. At the edge of the road, she sees the Parkersı car.
MARIA
Oh my god...
Then she notices two bodies, Isabel crouched over one. Michael is stalking away in the other direction, heading for the highway. Maria gives Isabel and the bodies another look and then heads after Michael.
MARIA
Michael!
He doesnıt stop or turn around. Maria begins to jog after him, concerned.
MARIA
Michael, wait!
Michael finally halts and turns to her. He lashes outwith his voice.
MICHAEL
What?
Maria stops several feet from him.
MARIA
What did you see, Michael? What is it?
MICHAEL
What do you care?
He looks away, fighting for indifference.
MARIA
Donıt get mad at me, buddy. I canıt handle it right now. But
just for the record, I care more about you than just about
anyone.
Michael finally looks at her.
MICHAEL
Gabrielıs dead.
Maria sucks in a breath and stares at his dark eyes. She can
see the very moment he loses control.
He turns away, fighting to hold back tears. Maria runs to him and
puts her arms around his back.
Michael pushes her away and stumbles to the side of the road.
Maria watches him sit down and bury his head in his arms, still
fighting for control.
She walks over and sits beside him, keeping her eyes straight ahead. The quiet miserable sounds he is trying desperately to hide bring tears to her eyes.
Finally, she slips her hand up on his arm tentatively, still not looking at him. Michael grows quiet and then slowly puts his hand over hers. She leans her head on his arm.
MICHAEL
I didnıt get a chance to ask him anything.
MARIA
Iım so sorry, Michael.
Michael nods and looks off into the woods, calmer now.
EXT. HIGHWAY
Liz is stirring finally and Max doesnıt hesitate.
MAX
Liz, look at me.
She opens her eyes and struggles to sit up.
LIZ
Max, wait- whereıs Michael?
Max looks confused.
MAX
Why do you want Michael?
LIZ
I have to tell him something...
She struggles and finally sits up. Max puts his hand on her back to help her.Isabel walks up slowly
ISABEL
He knows, Liz.
Lizıs eyes widen and she falls back against Max. She is quiet a moment, and Max just sits studying her,a pained look on his face.
MAX
Liz, please let me heal you. Your face...
Liz looks at him and then chokes out a sob.
LIZ
Iım sorry, Max. Gabriel is dead. I just know Michael is going to
be...
Isabel and Max exchange a look.
MAX Yeah...Liz?
He looks down at Liz and smiles gratefully as she nods. Then he gently cups his hands around her face, focusing on healing her.
And then comes a FLASH-Lizıs car being stuck from behind by the white truck.
FLASH
The dark man bending over her with his gun, finally shoving the glass farther in her side.
FLASH
Gabrielıs face hovering over her (on top of her?) as Liz
awakens, mostly healed
FLASH
The dark man holding a gun on them
FLASH
Gabrielıs face as he reaches up and caresses Lizıs cheek
Max shakes his head, trying to concentrate on healing Liz, her cuts and bruises, her sore leg, anything hurting her. He finishes, realizing that Liz is smiling up at him.
LIZ
Thank you.
Max hesitates. Liz loses her smile, knowing what he saw.
LIZ
He saved my life, Max. It doesnıt matter; heıs dead.
Max leans over her and kisses her forehead softly.
MAX
Sorry. Iım just glad youıre safe. And if I have to be grateful
to Gabriel for that, Iıll do it gladly.
Iım sorry, Liz. I should have kept you safe-
Liz lets out a playful, but frustrated grunt and pulls his face down over hers. Their kiss prevents anymore wishing for the time being.
EXT. LIZıS BALCONY
Liz is sitting and writing in her journal, wrapped in a blanket.
LIZ (V.O.)
You would think that something as horrible as this would be
difficult to hide. You would think that
someone, maybe your father or mother, would be able to look at
you and know that you just almost died. But no one knows. No one
guessed. The three of them bent over the two bodies and
just...scattered them out of existence. The bodies were there,
and then they...werenıt. And then they reformed my Dadıs car.
It was like nothing ever happened.
Liz looks up and smiles, then continues writing.
LIZ (V.O.)
Except for one thing...
She looks up again, at the sprawled out body of Max asleep in a deck chair across from her.
LIZ (V.O.)
When you know you can lose someone at any time, you tend to
appreciate the time you have together a lot more.
She closes her journal and puts the top back on herpen. She sighs and watches Max sleep, a smile playing about her lips.
The End.