Author Name: Liz
Email: [email protected]
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I don't own anything
Summary: Future fic. The aliens never came to Roswell, and Liz
was never shot.
Category: M/L
Wrong Turns (Chapter 5)
The hollow ringing of the phone buzzed in her ear, droning on
and on until she felt like she would scream. Sighing, she placed
the received gently down on the cradle. Tried to ignore the
disappointment that was slowly seeping into her heart. "Not
home."
Maria frowned, shaking her blonde head vigorously. "We'll
get him later, then."
Liz propped her elbows onto her crossed legs, focusing on the
floor and desperately avoiding Maria's seeking gaze. "We
will."
It was the day after the accident, and Maria was staying with Liz
above the Crashdown. Her dad's death had left her the café and
all of his money. It was enough to keep her comfortable for the
rest of her life. Sometimes, comfortable just wasn't enough.
His memory still haunted her sometimes when she walked the empty hallways, or roamed the kitchens late at night. There were times when she remembered him so vividly, sitting at the bar and listening to Oldies, doing the books.
Most of all, she remembered how much she'd wanted him to give her more privacy. She would give anything to have him with her right now. Maria was all she had left now, and she had almost lost her too. It just taught her to hold on with a firmer grasp.
She gazed fondly at Maria, who was absentmindedly playing with
a strand of her hair.
"I'm sorry, Maria," she whispered softly.
Her best friend only smiled at her. "You've said that
already, silly. You know I love you. And love is
forgiveness."
She smiled at her friend's simple words. "Thank
you."
The phone was ringing again, and she held it nervously in her
right hand. She was beginning to think that he was purposely
ignoring her. She was about to hang up when he answered. Finally.
That same deep, gravelly voice that'd been taunting her over the
past week was playing in her ear, making her smile.
"Hello?"
"Hey."
He paused, and she pulled in a breath. "It's Liz."
He still didn't answer.
"Liz Parker. From the…."
"Hospital. I knew who it was."
She was hurt by his tone, but tried not to dwell on something so
little.
"How's your friend?"
She frowned again. Not exactly the thing she wanted to talk
about. "She's good. Perfect, in fact. Same old Maria."
"That's good."
Another awkward silence left her searching for the purpose she'd
actually called. "Oh, yeah….umm…I was wondering…"
Maria made a little hand signal to her.
"Do you want to have dinner sometime?"
She could hear his breath come out in a whoosh, which worried
her.
"I…don't think that would be such a good idea."
She shrugged at Maria, who made another signal.
"Coffee then?"
"No…really, I'm just so busy.."
She could hear his resolve melting away, and smiled a little.
"C'mon. Just a cup of coffee couldn't hurt. I'd just like
to..talk with you."
"Well…n.."
"I won't take no for an answer."
This time, she could hear his smile. "I was going to say
nine o'clock okay with you?"