Title: When The Worst Happens
Author: Jenn
Disclaimer: If I owned Roswell, would I really be writing this? I didn�t
think so. Roswell and all its characters belong to Melinda Metz and the
United Paramount Network. Brendan and Jason are another story. I�m still
working on that. LOL.
Category: Mi/L mostly.
Rating: R for now.
Author�s Note: This is Post-Departure with a few twists.
Dedication: I want to dedicate this to DMartinez, SilverSky,
Peachez4MaxEvans and MoonBaby19 who have written some of the most
awesome Polar fics out there. It�s because of them that I am now a definite
Polarist. I want to thank them for inspiring me to write this.
Summary: Just when Liz thought she had gotten her life back
together, a tragedy strikes that could prove to ultimately be her breaking
point. Who will save her from herself before it�s too late?
********
Part 2: Just Remember To Breathe
Valenti Residence
Isabel and Kyle were involved in an intense game of tonsil hockey, when
Isabel�s cell phone started ringing.
Isabel sat up in an attempt to get it. But Kyle quickly pulled her back down
with him.
�Let who ever it is leave you a message. We�re busy.�
�But what if it�s important?� She asked mockingly.
�What�s more important than your Kyle time?� He asked with a mischievous
gleam in his eye.
�Ummm...Plenty of things.� She replied dreamily as his mouth latched onto
her neck again. I�ve died and gone to heaven.
�Like what?� He snorted. �What could possibly be so important at this time
of night? Let�s think about this for a moment. My father�s out on patrol. My
mother and baby sister are at my aunt�s house for the night. No one�s home
but you and me. The only thing that I think is important right now is getting
you out of those clothes.� He said while gesturing to her purposely skin-tight
tank top and jeans.
She looked up at him in mock disgust. �So you only want me for my body? Eh?
I see how it is.�
�Oh you know it, Ms. Evans.�
�Well I�m only with you for your body so let�s see what we can do about
getting you out of that T-shirt, Mr. Valenti.�
�Well than what are we waiting for?� He asked as he started kissing a path
down her chest with every button of her shirt he unfastened.
Isabel in turn grabbed a fistful of his shirt and pulled in an effort to get it
off of him. He sat up long enough for her to yank it all the way off him. They
quickly resumed their previous position.
Suddenly the Livingroom phone started ringing. Kyle jumped up, but Isabel
quickly stopped him.
�Let the machine get it. We have more important things going on.�
�That we do my love. That we do.� He said as he settled back into his
girlfriend�s awaiting arms.
All that could be heard were the sounds of Isabel and Kyle kissing
passionately and Amy Valenti�s voice on the answering machine.
�You�ve reached the Valenti�s. Leave a message after the tone.�
*BEEP*
�Kyle this is your father. Get off of Isabel and pick up the phone now.
I know you two are making out on the couch. Put your shirt on and get your
butt over to the phone ASAP.�
Kyle hastily did as his father said and made a mad dash for the phone, and
picked it up. �Dad? What�s wrong?�
�Kyle I want you and Isabel to get your asses over to the Crashdown, right
now.�
�Why what�s wrong. Is everyone all right?� He asked worried by his father�s
tone.
�There�s been an accident.�
�What do you mean by �accident�.� He questioned.
�Nancy and Jeff Parker were in a car accident on Highway 80.�
�Shit. Are they all right?�
�No. The car was hit by a semi. They were killed on impact.�
It took him a few minutes to regain the ability to speak. He felt like the
wind had been knocked out of him. Jeff and Nancy not only were Liz�s
parents, and good people, but they were his god parents. He felt like could
cry but he didn�t want to scare Isabel. Gotta stay strong. Can�t scare
Izzy.
The look on Kyle�s face worried Isabel. What the hell is going on? She
got up and stood next to him in an effort to hear what his father was
saying.
Kyle ran a hand through his hair in disbelief and finally spoke. �Oh god. Do
Liz and Ava know?� He asked while motioning for Isabel to get her stuff
together.
�Yea. I don�t think that they took it too well. Just get over there cause as
far as I know only Micheal is there with them.�
�All right I�ll be there in five minutes.� He hurriedly hung up the
phone.
�What�s wrong?� Isabel asked worriedly.
�I�ll tell you in the car. Just get the keys and start the car. I�ll be out in a
sec.�
�Okay.� She said as she squeezed his hand and grabbed the keys. She
disappeared out the door.
Kyle simply stood there for a second. He shook his head in an effort to clear
his thoughts. And ran out to the car where his girlfriend was
waiting.
She noticed the lost look in his eyes. �Kyle?�
�Yea?�
�What happened?� What did his father tell him? She questioned as
they pulled out of his driveway.
�There was an accident on Highway 80. A semi hit the Parker�s car. Nancy
and Jeff are dead.�
Isabel felt like she was just punched in the stomach. Nancy and Jeff were
good people. They were always there for the group when they needed
anything. She had spent many a night at their house with Ava and Liz. �Ava?
Liz?�
�They�re okay. They just found out though. Dad wants us to go over there
because Micheal is the only one with them. At least as far as he knows.�
They were just a block away from the Crashdown when Isabel decided to
see where everyone else was in relation to the Parker�s apartment. Since Ava
had started working with Liz and Kyle on their then thought to be limited
powers, they had learned that Kyle and Liz could basically do everything they
could. Her, Micheal, Kyle, Max, Liz and Ava had all discovered that they
could tell where the others were if they just concentrated hard enough. It
came in handy every now and then. Plus she could sleep easier at night
knowing where her family was at all times.
Isabel closed her eyes and concentrated. �No he�s not. I feel Max there
too.�
�Still we need to get over there. I can feel the pain flowing off of Liz, can�t
you?� And loneliness, anguish, and fear. Kyle replied. His connection
with Liz was strong since they had learned how to use their powers
together. He could sometimes read her emotions from miles away. That was
something that only he, Liz and occasionally Micheal were capable
of.
Isabel closed her eyes again. �I feel pain. I just can tell whose it is.�
They pulled up in front of the Crashdown and raced towards the back
entrance which they both knew would be unlocked. Kyle dashed up the stairs
but stopped short at the sight in front of him. He saw a head of blonde and
pink hair laying on the couch. Even though he didn�t see Max, he knew he was
laying next to her. He motioned for Isabel to be quiet.
�Ava�s asleep.� He mouthed to her. She nodded in understanding and they
both made their way in the apartment. They crept past Ava and Max. It was
obvious that Ava had been crying by the tear stains on her cheeks. Max had
a protective arm draped over her.
Isabel snuck past Kyle and made her way towards Liz�s room.
Micheal had heard the Mustang pull up and knew that Sheriff Valenti must
have called Kyle which also meant that Isabel was with him. One never
goes anywhere without the other. He heard the creaking floor boards
which meant that they were coming near Liz�s room. He carefully unhooked
Liz�s arms from around himself and got up.
�Shh..� He told them when they were face to face. �I finally got Liz to
sleep.�
�How is she?� Isabel asked with concern written all over her face.
Micheal shook his head, a look of defeat on his face. �Not good at all.� He
said solemnly.
�How long has she been sleeping?� Kyle questioned.
�About ten minutes.� Micheal said while glancing at the clock. �She cried
herself to sleep earlier when she first found out. I picked her off the floor
and put her in bed. She woke up about twenty minutes later.�
�How was she then?�
�She asked me if it was all a dream. I�ll tell you, I never wished for anything
so hard in my life. Not even going home. I wished right then that I could tell
her it was.� Micheal said tears silently streaming down his cheeks at the
memory of their talk no more than twenty minutes prior.
He was sitting by her bed when Liz had begun to stir. He was lost in his
thoughts and she must have noticed him sitting there. "Micheal?"
He practically lept from the chair to the bed. He put his hand on the side of
her face affectionately. "How are you? Do you need anything?" He asked
sincerely. And a very dumb question that was. Of course she needs
something. Her parents back home safe and sound.
She shook her head. "It wasn't a dream, was it? �She asked as tears welled
up in her eyes.
"I'm afraid not sweetie." He wanted nothing more than for his powers to
allow him to bring her parents back and at least make her
semi-happy.
"Oh okay." She said as her bottom lip quivered. She began crying. "Why me,
Micheal? Why them?"
"I honestly don't know Liz." He said. His own eyes were filling with tears at
this point.
He remembered laying down next to her to keep her calm. She clung to him
for dear life.
They laid there in silence, holding each other for a while. He felt his heart
shatter with ever sob that escaped from her lips. They formed an emotional
connection and he felt all her pain.
Liz suddenly looked him dead in the eyes. "Thank you." She sniffled.
"For what?"
"For being here with me. I can't be alone Micheal."
"I know. You're not alone Liz. You have all of us especially me. I won't ever
leave you alone. Not as long as you need me." You've been here for me and
I intend to do the same.
"It hurts so much." She sobbed.
He held her closer. "I know."
"It hurts so much here." She said indicating to her heart.
Isabel had tears in her eyes. Seeing Micheal so upset was a rarity. She knew
he was heartbroken at Maria leaving but he never shared that with anyone
but Liz. This was definitely a rare occasion. But who could blame him. The
Parkers were like parents to everyone. Everybody loved them.
Isabel leaned back against Kyle who held her tightly. They all stared at Liz�s
restlessly sleeping form. One thought crossed everyone�s mind. What are
we gonna do?
�What happened then?� Kyle asked knowing there was more.
�She stopped crying and started cleaning her already perfectly neat
room.�
They nodded in unison.
�She starts acting like nothing was going on and when I asked her why, she
started screaming at me. She asked me why I was bothering her. She had
things to do. I basically told her to cut the shit. It took a little pushing but
she finally gave in. She laid back down and I held her. She asked me to stay
with her at least until she was asleep.�
�Okay. One sister down. What happened with Ava?�
�After I put Liz into bed the first time, Ava started pacing the room
babbling about all the stuff she had to do and then she broke down crying.
That�s when Max and your parents walked in. Max calmed Ava down and
Diane asked if they needed anything. Ava said no. And they left. Cept Max.
How�d you guys get here so fast?�
That must have been my parents calling my cell. I�ve gotta learn to answer
it more often.
�Well my Dad just called and told me and Izzy to get our butts over here. So
we did. Are you guys okay for the moment?�
Micheal nodded. �For tonight at least.�
�I really hate to ask this question in front of you Micheal but, does Maria
know what happened?�
Micheal cringed at the mention of Maria�s name. He knew however, that she
would come up soon enough. Especially now with every that just happened.
She would have to be told. It was either one of them call her or she�d find
out from her parents.
�I�ll call her. She�s my sister after all.� Kyle and Maria had become closer
since their parents had gotten married the previous year. They bonded
further when their little sister Tasha was born. They had spent many a night
baby-sitting her together.
He pulled out his cell phone and dialed the number from memory.
New York City: The Apartment Of Maria DeLuca and Ashley
Grimaldi...
�Ash? Have you seen my brush?� Maria yelled to her boyfriend as she
searched the bathroom in effort to find it.
�Yea. I cleaned the bathroom while you were at work. Try the second drawer
on the right.�
Sure enough, it was there. �Thanks baby.�
�You found it hun?� He yelled as she snuck up on him.
She tapped his shoulder with the brush. �But of course.� She said as she
kissed him on the lips when he turned around to face her.
It had been almost six months since Maria and Ashley had moved in
together. They were perfect for each other. It really was love at first
sight. Maria met him when she had taken a tour of the Columbia University
campus. The college she was now attending. He just happened to be her
guide. Ashley was completely in awe of her and had asked her out to dinner
that very night. She agreed. And they had been together ever
since.
Ashley Grimaldi was by any girl�s standards perfect. He was extremely
smart. He was studying to be a lawyer. He came from a wealthy family. And
he had a good head on his shoulders. He was 6�3 with entrancing blue eyes
and sandy blonde spiky hair. He was totally built, complete with six pack and
had that rebel look. His favorite outfit was a wifebeater that showed off
his incredible muscles and a baggy pair of Tommy Hilfiger jeans. And Maria
loved it. Add in a motorcycle and a New York accent to the mix and he was
absolutely perfect. Plus it helped that he shared in Maria�s love of
music.
Ashley pulled her tightly to him which caused a squeal of surprise to erupt
from Maria�s mouth. �Have I told you how much I you today?� He asked
huskily.
�Yes but it doesn�t hurt to hear it again.� She said with a smirk.
�I love you Maria DeLuca.�
�And I love you Ashley Grimaldi.� She declared as she kissed him
passionately.
Suddenly their moment was interupted by the phone ringing.
�I�ll get it.� Ashley declared as he reached for the phone.
��Ello?�
�Ashley? It�s me Kyle.�
�Kyle bro wassup?� Maria suddenly looked up from her new position on the
couch at Ashley�s mention of her brother�s name. �Is it my brother?� She
mouthed to him.
He nodded. She moved closer to where he was.
�Can I talk to my sister?� He asked with a glum tone in his voice.
Ashley quickly picked up on the hurt and sadness in his voice, even though
Kyle did not sound it. �Bro was wrong?�
As soon as Maria heard Ashley ask Kyle what was wrong, she dashed into
their bedroom and quietly picked up the phone. She was devastated by what
she heard.
�I�ve got bad news. Remember my friend Liz?�
�Ya mean Ria�s best friend?�
�Yeah. Her parents were killed this morning in a car accident.�
�Shit. She and her sister aight?� He asked out of real concern. If Liz and
Ava were dead, Maria would be heartbroken for sure.
�Yeah her and Ava weren�t in the car. The Parkers were coming home early
from their vacation in Vegas. They were hit by a semi and died
instantly.�
�Shit.�
�Yeah. We�re all at Liz and Ava�s now.�
�Well be there on the next flight Kyle.� Maria�s voice suddenly interupted.
Ashley hadn�t realized that Maria had picked up the extension in their
bedroom. Shit. She gotta mad upset now. His thoughts were only
confirmed by the sounds of sniffling on the other line.
�Ria I�ll tell you what. You talk to ya bro and I�ll get da tickets for us.
Aiight?�
�Yeah baby.� She sniffled.
�Kyle, I�ll see ya lata bro.�
�Bye man. Take care of her.�
�Ya know I will.� With that Ashley hung up and reached for his cell phone and
the phone book. He was quickly on the phone with an airline. �Yo. I need two
tickets to Roswell, New Mexico. As fast as possible. Like yestaday....�
Meanwhile....In the bedroom..
�Kyle? Is Liz okay?� I know I wouldn�t if it were me.
�Not really. Would you be if it was Mom and Dad?�
That thought had already crossed her mind. �No. Was anyone with her when
she found out?� She asked as her thoughts drifted to the fact that Kyle was
probably out with Isabel like always. And Max and Ava were practically
attached at the hip. A fact which still hurt Liz. Which except for Micheal,
left her by herself a lot.
�Yeah. Micheal and Ava. Thank god the Crash was closed.� He sighed. �Micheal
said that they both freaked.� At the mention of Micheal, Maria felt a pain of
guilt in her heart. She still felt bad for the way she left Micheal. From what
Liz told her, he was really hurt by how things ended up.``
�I don�t blame them. They�re not even 18 and now their orphans.�
�Ava�s taking it a little better than Liz.�
�What makes you say that?�
�From how Micheal described her, she had a meltdown. And I can feel a
million different emotions coming from her. Mostly confusion.�
Maria was a little bothered by Kyle�s comment about feeling Liz�s emotions.
On some level she was very hurt by the fact that her brother and her best
friend shared a bond that she and Liz could never have. And that bond only
brought them closer to Max, Isabel and Micheal. She felt like an outsider
sometimes. And that along with the pain of losing Alex, was one of the
reasons she decided to graduate from school early and went to
Columbia.
Going away to school, gave Maria a newfound independence that she so
desperately needed. All her life, she depended on someone, whether it was
her mother, Liz, or even Micheal. It also gave her a new perspective on
life.
She had stopped looking at the glass as being half empty. It was always half
full now. She was defiantly more positive about everything. She had a great
life. Two very supportive parents. An adorable baby sister and protective
older brother. Awesome friends. Loving boyfriend. What more could she ask
for? The only thing she could think of was a better relationship with Liz.
After the whole Tess-tried-to-kill-us incident, Maria wasn�t exactly trusting
of anyone even resembling Tess which meant Ava. It was nothing personal to
Ava it was just the wounds Tess had created were still healing. That
defiantly caused problems with Liz because Ava was her sister. Liz couldn�t
understand why Maria left her. They had always planned to go to UNM Las
Cruces together. But she just had to get out of Roswell. There were too
many demons there that she didn�t want to face, at least not yet. She just
needed a fresh start.
Which meant cutting all ties that held her down for the moment. And the
only thing holding her down was Micheal. She strung him along for two
months but when school started, the phone calls and letters became few and
far between. At some point she had just fallen out of love with him. She
didn�t want to hurt him, but pretending to still be in love with him would hurt
more in the future. So she wrote him a letter. She told him about
Ashley.
In her mind, she knew that he probably wouldn�t take it well. Liz had later
told her that he in fact didn�t. That he was for now at least a broken man.
Despite how hard he had tried to push her away, he really did love her. He
thought he was doing it for her own good. It was ironic that in the end, he
was the one to get hurt.
It had taken her nearly two years to break down his walls. But she did. And
they fell for each other. Hard. Through all the fighting and the good times.
Through the tears and the smiles. Some was good some was bad. But she
would never ever regret what they had. Just the way they *she*
ended things.
�Ria, you ready baby?� Ashley yelled from the other room.
�Yeah. Just let me get some clothes together for us.� She yelled
back.
He came to stand in the doorway of their bedroom. He watched her pacing
the room with a worried expression on his face. �I�ll get mine. You dun hafta
do it.�
�No it�s okay I will.�
He knew that Hurricane DeLuca was not one to fight with. But he just
wanted to make sure. �You sure baby?� He asked as he wrapped his arms
around her and placed a tender kiss on her forehead.
�I got it. Just get the car.�
�Aiight I�ll be waiting downstairs. I love you.� He reluctantly let go of her,
grabbed his keys off the dresser and made his way downstairs.
�I love you too.�
She quickly ransacked their drawers to find some suitable outfits for
Roswell. She chucked them into a small suitcase and was basically ready to
go. �Roswell here we come.� She mumbled non-enthusiastically.
She ran downstairs suitcase in hand, and jumped in Ashley�s
Navigator.
He was concerned by the lost look on her face. �Ready ta go?� He asked as
her as he rubbed the side of her face.
�As ready as I�ll ever be. What time does the flight leave?�
�3 o�clock.�
�In the morning?�
�Yea. I figured you�d want da next possible flight.�
�I did. Thank you baby.� She said as she interlaced her hand with his and
they drove off.
�Ria?�
�Yeah?�
�Just rememba ta do da one thing I always tell ya.�
�What?�
�Just rememba to breathe.� He always told her that any time she panicked
about anything. And it always helped. He knew she would need that for
Roswell. He couldn�t understand why she dreaded going home so much. She
had it all. But he would soon find out.
**TBC**
[Prologue][1][2][3]