Snowmass (Part 11)

"Isabel, slow down and tell us what happened," Max said, putting his arm around his sister and guiding her over to the sofa.

Liz followed them, sitting next to Isabel so that she sat between Max and Liz. Max's arm around her shoulders seemed to calm Isabel a little. She took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling briefly. Liz noticed that Isabel's eyes were full of tears that threatened to spill over. She tried to suppress her own worry over Alex; it had to be bad whatever had happened. Liz had never seen Isabel cry before and she had a feeling it wasn't something she did very often.

"I guess it was about an hour or two ago that I sat down next to the front doors that lead out to the ski slopes. I thought that whenever Alex came back he would come through those doors and I would be the first thing he'd see. I fell asleep before it was dark and when I woke up a few minutes ago I looked outside and saw how dark and stormy it's gotten. He's not back yet, and he's in trouble! " Isabel said, her voice raising as she started to panic.

Liz reached for her hand and gripped it tightly. "Isabel, he could be back at the rooms. What if he didn't see you when he came in?" Liz asked, trying to reassure Isabel.

She shook her head. "No, I called upstairs and Maria and Michael were up there. They've been
up there the whole time and he hasn't come up or called. I even checked with some of the people coming in from the slopes, nobody has seen him for hours. Max, what are we going to do?" Isabel asked, looking to her brother for advice.

Max thought for a minute and both girls waited patiently. Liz had learned very quickly how Max was the one Isabel and Michael turned to for advice and guidance. She knew that was also why he was used to being in control and making most of the decisions. Finally, Max sighed and looked at Isabel. "We'd better go to the resort administration and report Alex missing. They'll probably call the police or search and rescue to try and find him. Come on," Max said, standing and reaching out for Isabel's hand.

Isabel stood and Liz walked with her since Isabel hadn't let her hand go. Liz studied her carefully and noted how pale and nervous she looked. Liz felt the growing pit of worry in her own stomach but tried to ignore it. With Isabel so worried for Alex, she didn't need to have Liz panicking too.

They walked to the front desk and the clerk quickly came over. "Can I help you?" he asked.

"Our friend was out cross-country skiing earlier today. He should have been back a long time ago and he hasn't returned. We're a little worried because of the storm and how dark it's gotten," Max said.

The clerk frowned and then picked up the phone. "Let me give the police a call and have someone come over. Why don't you three wait over there?" he said, gesturing to a pair of sofas across the room. They nodded and walked to the couches, which also provided a view of the ski slopes.

Max sat down next to Liz and Isabel sat down for a minute before she sprang up again, walking to the window. Her eyes searched the snow outside for any sign of Alex and she barely managed not to cry out when she saw nothing. She couldn't believe this was happening.

Finally, she'd become comfortable with the people around her. Finally, she'd become accepted for who she was by people who knew her secret. And finally, someone had made her forget that she was any different from the normal teenage girl. Now that person was gone and she couldn't fight the fear that pressed on her heart.

Max glanced at Isabel and sighed. He looked back at Liz and reached for her hand, recognizing her face set in worry. "Hey, are you ok?" he asked, squeezing her hand gently.

Liz looked at him and nodded a little. "I'm ok, I'm just worried about Alex," Liz said, her eyes moving back to where Isabel stood at the window.

Max nodded and put his arm around her shoulders, bringing her against his chest. Liz closed her eyes and tried to think of all the possibilities of where Alex could be. Maybe he went shopping or for a walk in the town. Liz dismissed the thought quickly, knowing that Alex would have told one of them first and that he would have come back for Isabel before leaving again.

Liz wondered if Isabel was so fearful for Alex because she sensed something was wrong. Liz was only just beginning to realize the depth of the connection she had with Max. She knew when something was wrong with him without even being near. Liz worried that Isabel was feeling her fear because something was telling her Alex was in trouble.

"Any news on Alex?" Maria asked, rushing up to the group with Michael following close behind.

Liz noticed Michael rubbing his eyes like he'd just woken up and Maria's mussed hair, but she decided to ask about that later."No, he's still missing," Liz replied.

A uniformed police officer entered the resort and they all stood as the clerk pointed him in their direction. The officer came over to greet them, his face serious. Liz found herself standing next to Isabel, Maria flanking the blond girl on the other side."Evening folks. I'm Officer Dean James. What can you tell me about your missing friend?" he asked, taking out a notepad.

Max spoke first. "I think I was the last one to see him, about two this afternoon. We were done downhill skiing and Alex wanted to go out cross-country skiing. I was going to go with him, but a man at the ski shop was heading out on the Aspen trail and Alex decided to go with him," Max said.

"So he didn't go alone?" Officer James asked.

"No, Alex is an experienced skier, he wouldn't have gone out by himself," Liz replied.

James finally noticed the large group of teenagers around him."Are you kids here by yourselves? What about Alex's parents?" he asked.

Liz explained that they were on vacation together and that their parents were in Aspen for the day. She also explained that Alex's parents were in Europe but that her parents were his guardians for the trip.

The officer continued to write the information down and then he looked up at Isabel, noticing her agitation was more profound than everyone else's was. "Do you have a picture of Alex so we have a description of him?" James asked.

Isabel's face crumpled at the question, tears spilling down her face as she brought her hand up to cover her eyes. She turned away and Liz followed her over to the window, away from the group. Behind them, Liz heard the conversation continue. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset her-"

"It's ok, she's just really worried about him. I have a picture of Alex in my wallet," Maria replied, reaching into her purse.

Liz stood next to Isabel, silently waiting for her to speak. Isabel cried softly for a few minutes before she looked out the window, her eyes catching her own reflection in the glass. "I don't even have a picture of him. What does that say about me? This wonderful person cared about me for so long and I virtually ignored him for years. Then, when I finally do realize what's right in front of me, it's snatched away," Isabel said quietly, her voice wavering.

Liz put ahand on her arm, bringing Isabel's attention back to her. "Alex knows how you feel. And he'll be back soon so you can tell him in person," Liz said firmly.

Isabel nodded vacantly and returned to staring out the window as Officer James called in the report over his walkie-talkie. "Base, this is Officer James. I have a missing skier at the Chalet
resort. White male, sixteen years of age. Name is Alex Whitman from Roswell, New Mexico. He was last seen on the Aspen cross-country ski trail with another skier, it is unknown who. Call search and rescue and have them meet me and some officers at the resort. This is a priority with night falling and the heavy storm coming in."

Liz overheard the report and her eyes found Max, who lookedstricken but was trying to hide it, standing off to the side with Michael. Maria came up to stand next to Isabel and she put her arm around her. Their quiet Christmas vacation had turned into a nightmare.

Max closed the door to the rooms as the parents left to check in with the police. He turned and bumped into Liz, who had snuck up behind him quietly to hear what he said to his parents and hers.

Instead of backing away, he opened his arms and engulfed her in a hug. He felt her shaking in his arms and he heard her start to cry, her face buried in his neck. He knew he had to try and be strong for Liz and for his sister. He also knew that Liz was trying so hard to put on a brave face for Isabel despite her own worry over Alex.

It was now after midnight and the search had been in earnest for over five hours.

Liz clutched at his shoulders, her fingers digging into his sweater. He didn't mind her tight grip; it reminded him that she was still with him. The past two days in Snowmass had left the group with an overwhelming sense of comfort.

Alex's disappearance had served to remind them that bad things could happen to them. He felt utterly helpless to help the situation and he realized he'd voiced the thought when Liz stepped back and dried her tears with her hand.

"I know. I wish there was something we could do," she whispered.

He took her face in his hands and rubbed her remaining tears away with his thumbs. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead before tucking her head underneath his chin. He moved his hands in slow circles over her back, trying to comfort her. "All this time, we've worried about something happening to me, Isabel or Michael as a result of who we are. That fear seemed some much more imminent than any accident. The possibility that some government agency or the police coming after us always seemed more likely," Max said.

Liz could hear the rumble of his voice deep in his chest where her ear was pressed against him. "That day at the Crashdown, and now Alex missing. It seems like some dangers can never be avoided," Max continued, his voice trailing off.

Liz looked up to meet his eyes. "They'll find him, soon. I can't believe that Alex would be taken away from us, taken away from Isabel, so cruelly," Liz said firmly.

Max smiled sadly at the stubborn expression in her eyes and he touched her hair briefly. "I don't want to worry you more, but cruelty is amazingly blunt. You would have been taken away from me that day in the Crashdown if I hadn't been there, if I hadn't ignored every instinct we've drilled into one another over the years and healed you," Max replied, trying to keep his voice gentle.

She nodded once. "I know," she replied. She leaned up and kissed him softly before stepping back. "I'm going to see how Maria and Isabel are doing."

Max nodded and watched her walk back towards the master bedroom on the girl's side of the rooms. Isabel and Maria had retired to the bedrooms after their mothers had insisted they get some sleep. He doubted either girl was actually following instructions.

Liz walked softly, trying not to awaken Isabel or Maria if they were sleeping. A dim light cast shadows over the room and Liz saw that both girls lay on the bed. Isabel was on her back with Maria facing her on her side.

Liz came closer and noticed that Isabel clutched something in her hands. She leaned over and saw that it was a picture of Alex that she'd given Isabel a few hours earlier. Maria had given the police a photo of Alex from her wallet and Liz had handed Isabel the one from her own purse when Isabel had asked before trying to go to sleep. It suddenly hit Liz why Isabel would want the picture of Alex.

She was trying to locate him by walking into his dreams.

Liz came closer to the bed and kneeled down, resting her arms on the bed as she sat on the floor. She closed her eyes and listened to the even sound of her friend's breathing. She was so tired, but she didn't know that she would actually be able to sleep that night.

Isabel stirred and sat upright suddenly, her breath catching in hr throat and her eyes flying open. Her movement woke Maria and she sat up, immediately awake. "What? Liz, did Alex-" Maria started, then stopped as she saw Liz's negative expression.

Isabel looked down at the picture in her hands and sighed. "He's not asleep. Wherever he is, he's not sleeping so I can enter his dreams. I was hoping that I might be able to talk to him, get him to tell me where he is," Isabel said, trying to keep her voice from cracking.

Liz moved to sit on the bed so that they formed a circle, facing each other. "I know we all want to help, and we all want to find Alex, but I think the best thing we can do right now is try to sleep. We can't help search at night, but maybe when it gets light out we can help, so we need to be alert when that time comes," Liz said, trying to use reason.

Maria and Isabel both nodded and instead of moving off the bed, they shifted to make room for Liz. Despite everything that had gone wrong, Liz smiled a little at the gesture. She knew what her friends were feeling. They didn't want to be separated from each other. Having one another close was such a comfort, to know that the people they cared for were safe. Liz leaned her back against Maria's and closed her eyes, trying to sleep.

Isabel's eyes flew open at the sound of the front door slamming shut. For just a second she couldn't remember what had happened the night before, but suddenly she recalled and she shut her eyes painfully. Once she opened them again she realized that light streamed into the room from the window.

It was morning. She heard Michael and Max talking excitedly and she quickly sat up, her movements waking Maria and Liz who had been sleeping beside her. They blinked rapidly but sat up quickly as they heard the guys talking.

"What is it?" Maria asked.

Isabel threw back the blankets and stood. "I don't know," she replied as she quickly walked out to the main room, followed closely by Liz and Maria.

Michael and Max looked up as the girls approached and Isabel searched their faces, looking for any sign of hope. When Michael smiled at her she suddenly felt her fear lifting a little. "Did they find Alex?" she asked hopefully.

"Not yet, but they did find the other skier he went out with," Michael replied.

Isabel's heart dropped and she unconsciously reached next to her for Maria and Liz's hands. They clutched at her hands and she closed her eyes, trying to draw strength from the pressure.

"I stayed downstairs at the headquarters search and rescue set up and waited for any news of Alex. About an hour ago they found the other skier a few miles away from the resort. I thought it might be Alex, but I realized by his description that it wasn't him. They brought him in, he was pretty torn up from the night out in the storm. He did tell search and rescue what he knew about Alex though, before they took him to the hospital," Michael replied to the hushed group, listening intently.

"What? What about Alex? Where is he?" Isabel asked frantically.

Michael turned to look at her. "Alex broke his leg yesterday on the trails and on their way back to the resort they got caught in the storm. He's still out there, Is."

Snowmass (Part 12)

Liz carefully picked up the tray of steaming cups, carefully balancing it with one hand as she exited the small café in the resort lobby. The doorbell rang as she exited and the girl behind the counter looked up with a smile."Merry Christmas!" she said cheerfully.

Liz mustered a small smile as she left. It was Christmas Eve, but it didn't feel like it. She wove her
way through the ground floor level of the resort, passing families and couples laughing as they enjoyed the holiday. She felt like she was in a cement tunnel and those sounds were far away.

She approached the main desk and pushed the doors open with her free hand. Suddenly she entered a world where the sights and sounds were much louder and much more real. Folding chairs and card tables littered the lobby with maps and papers covering every inch of space on the table surfaces. The crackle of static was a strong sound in the air as reports came in over radios.

Liz watched as men and women entered the lobby, gave reports on the area they had searched and after receiving new assignments, returned to the snowy outdoors.

Stepping off to the side, Liz walked across the room and through another set of doors to the fireplace and couches in the next room. It was the same room where she'd spent the afternoon before with Max.

She gulped as the door shut behind her and Isabel looked up from her spot on the couch, her eyes hopeful. Liz didn't take it personally when disappointment flittered across her face and her gaze returned to the fire. Isabel's mother sat next to her on one side, her father on the other. Maria and Amy occupied the other couch while Max and Michael had positioned themselves at the window, carefully watching the search outside for any sign of Alex.

Liz thought her parents might be trying to reach Alex's parents in Europe, they hadn't had any luck earlier in the morning. It was afternoon and Alex had been missing for almost twenty-four hours.

"Here, I got some hot chocolate," Liz said, setting the tray on the table in front of the couches. She checked the cups carefully before handing Isabel one of the specific three cups marked with a black "X".

Isabel took it numbly and sipped at the hot liquid. Her attention immediately snapped to Liz as she turned her eyes to her. She smiled at Liz gently and Liz smiled back. Liz hadn't known how much tabasco sauce to put in the cups for Isabel, Max and Michael, but apparently she'd gotten her estimate close. She took the remaining two marked cups to Max and Michael and handed them to the guys.

As she'd approached she noticed an abrupt end to the conversation and Michael shooting Max a stormy look. Michael nodded his thanks to Liz before crossing to the other side of the room and exiting towards the headquarters in the lobby.

Liz stood in front of Max and waited as he drank his hot chocolate. She patiently waited for him to talk, which he finally did after a few minutes. "Michael wants to go out and look for Alex," Max said, his voice low so the others wouldn't hear him.

Liz leaned closer, her eyes wide. "You don't think he'll go out there by himself, do you?" Liz asked,
glancing towards the next room where Michael had just gone.

Max shook his head. "He won't now," Max said, his mouth set in a firm line.

"How do you know?" Liz asked, more than a little puzzled.

He caught her eyes with his and held her gaze, his jaw set in a hard line. "Because I asked him if he wanted to cause Maria as much pain as Isabel is going through," Max replied.

Liz's eyes softened at his words. She knew Michael had a tendency to sometimes be a little headstrong and that Max was just trying to protect his friend.

Max turned away from the window and put his arm around Liz, pulling her against him. His hand reached up to stroke her hair and she closed her eyes at the welcome weight. She encircled her arms around his waist, hugging him tight. She didn't know how long they stood there, holding one another.

They both looked up as the door clattered open and Michael burst through, out of breath. "They found him! He's coming in right now," Michael said between breaths.

Isabel was out of her seat in an instant, rushing to push Michael aside to get outside. Maria, Max and Liz quickly followed her, with their parents behind them.

Officer James saw them coming and held up his hands to stop them from barreling outside. "Hold on, they found him, but he's still a few minutes away," he said, looking at each person in the group.

"Is he ok? Where was he?" Maria asked.

"We don't know too much about his condition, just that he's in fair health. He was about five miles away from the resort, a ways off the path. From what the other skier told us, Alex lost control on the trail yesterday afternoon and they were slowly heading back to the resort together when the storm hit. They agreed that the other skier would be able to make it a lot quicker and bring back help for Alex. We found Alex in a makeshift shelter and search and rescue is bringing him here before they take him to the hospital," James replied.

A collective sigh of relief came from the group and Max put a hand on Isabel's shoulder, squeezing gently. She felt her knees shaking a little as the news finally hit her. They had found Alex.

Twenty minutes later it wasn't enough that they had found Alex. Isabel paced quickly, her eyes darting outside every few seconds. She bit her lip nervously and Liz walked up next to her, stopping her movement. "Isabel, he'll be here soon and you'll see for yourself that he's fine," Liz reassured her, putting both hands on Isabel's shoulders.

Isabel nodded emphatically. The doors that burst open interrupted the relative silence of the lobby. Members of search and rescue entered, carrying a stretcher that was bundled and covered with blankets. Liz felt her heart lurch as she turned to look.

"Alex! " Isabel's worried voice carried across the lobby. She ran over to the stretcher and put her hands on the cold blankets, still covered with snow from the outside.

The people carrying the stretcher had set it down on the floor and a paramedic carefully peeled away some of the layers of blankets and protection over Alex.

Isabel kneeled over the stretcher and waited anxiously until she finally saw his face, mustering a smile as he looked at her. She took in his tired eyes and how cold he looked and she felt her eyes well with tears. His grin widened and she returned the smile, laughing a little as her tears fell. Somehow he freed his hand and reached up to touch the side of her face. His hand was cold, but Isabel didn't care.

"Thank God," she whispered, and closed her eyes silently. When she opened them again, Alex's eyes were trained on hers, tired as he looked. His face was still very pale, but Isabel noticed some color was starting to return.

She leaned over him and kissed him briefly, not caring who was watching or what anyone might think. Just as she leaned back, more paramedics entered the lobby with a gurney to put Alex in the ambulance. He looked up as they lifted him and Isabel nearly cried out when she lost his hand as they pulled him away.

"Hey, guys, I'm fine, really. I appreciate all the trouble, but broken legs heal," Alex started to protest.

"Alex," a stern voice cut through his objections, causing him to cease all movement.

"Parker," he replied, his tone surprised.

Liz and Maria walked forward, with Michael and Max following close behind. "No arguments. If they say you go to the hospital, you go to the hospital, understand?" Liz asked.

Alex finally nodded and grinned at the girls. Maria reached forward and gripped his hand. "Besides, the sooner you leave, the sooner you come back," she said, gracing him with a broad smile.

Alex's eyes glanced at the group of people around him and saw all the concern focused on him. He could read Maria and Liz easier than anyone could, and he saw the tears that still hadn't dried from Isabel's face. He read the carefully concealed relief on Michael's face and the way that Mrs. Parker clenched at her husband's hand. Max shared a pointed look with Alex and he nodded, realizing how much everyone had been scared by his disappearance.

The paramedics started the wheel Alex out to the waiting ambulance and Officer James approached the group. "Mr. and Mrs. Parker, if you could follow the ambulance to the hospital, they'll have some forms for you to fill out," he said.

Liz's parents nodded and began to walk out to the parking lot.

"Can I ride with him? Please," Isabel's voice stopped the officer and he turned to look. Her eyes were hopeful and he smiled.

"Sure, hurry up," he replied, waving her over.

Isabel turned to her parents and they nodded. She hugged Liz and Maria quickly before stepping back. "Thank you," Isabel whispered.

Liz nodded, knowing without words that Isabel was thanking them for how they'd been there for her when she needed them. "Just bring him back soon," Liz said. Isabel nodded before walking quickly outside. Liz felt Max's arms come around her from behind as he pulled her against his chest. She sighed at the comforting warmth against her back and closed her eyes.

The siren of the ambulance sounded once as it pulled away from the resort and her eyes popped open. Mr. and Mrs.Evans turned to the group. "You kids look exhausted," Diane said, sympathetically looking at her son and his friends. They all looked as though they considered arguing with her but then realized how right she was. They nodded and Michael couldn't even manage to hide a yawn. Diane started to herd them towards the elevators. "Go. Go get some rest and when Alex gets back you kids can get back to your vacation, just no more skiing in the storm," she advised.

Inside the elevator they rode in silence until Maria spoke up. "God, it feels like the last twenty hours have been a nightmare," she whispered. Michael found her hand hanging at her side and laced his fingers with hers, getting a surprised but pleased smile from her.

"At least it's over. Alex is fine," Liz said the words, trying to remind herself that he really was. The remaining four smiled at one another but they all felt like something was missing without Alex and Isabel to share in their relief.

Half stumbling, they entered the rooms and without even speaking Liz followed Max to his room and Michael trailed behind Maria to hers. Liz kicked off her shoes and shed her jacket on the floor before crawling into the bed, curling up against Max as he settled down next to her.

She released a heavy sigh and tried to move as closely to him as she could. She was aware of every movement that he made and the experience was incredibly intimate as he tried to get comfortable.

His head rolled a little as he tried to find a better spot on the pillow and she loved the feeling of his gentle hands on her waist, unconsciously pulling her closer. Her hand on his arm felt the twitch of his muscles as he put his arm around her and she looked up at his face, catching him gazing down at her. He smiled sheepishly and caught her lips with hers. She was immediately warm, feeling the insistent pressure of his lips on hers a she reminded her of what surprises Max Evans could give her.

When he pulled back she licked her lips, tasting him on her mouth. He touched her face, tracing
her jawline with his forefinger and smiling. "I love you," she whispered, knowing she'd caught him by surprise by the startled look on his face. She felt like she should remind him of how she felt every chance she got.

The grin on his face took her breath away and was answer enough in itself. "I love you, too," he replied.

Without another word Liz cuddled up against Max's chest and closed her eyes, finding that sleep came much easier with Alex safe and Max beside her.

Isabel stiffly raised her head from the flat pillow she'd been sleeping on. She raised her head to look at the bed across the room and saw that Alex still slept quietly, his breathing steady and even.

Alex had been checked over and admitted for his broken leg and the hospital just wanted tokeep him under observation for a few hours before releasing him. Jeff and Nancy were probably down at the cafeteria, she thought as she sat up.

She had lain down on the unoccupied hospital bed next to Alex after he'd been wheeled in. He'd
been asleep at the time and she'd promised that she would just wait until he woke up, but her own fatigue finally caught up with her. She looked outside and noticed that the sun was starting to set in the clear sky. She shook her head; the raging storm had cleared up in less than a day.

Isabel heard Alex moving and walked over quietly. She noticed him blinking his eyes and she smiled at him brightly before bringing a chair close to his bed. He caught her looking and smiled back. "Hey," he said, clearing his throat.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Isabel asked.

He shrugged. "Like I broke my leg, I guess. I feel ok, but much better with you here," he said.

Isabel's smile widened as she reached forward and clasped one of his hands with hers. "I was so worried about you," she admitted, her voice low.

He looked stricken at the thought of her agonizing over him. "I'm sorry, Isabel, I'm so sorry for all the trouble I caused," he started until she interrupted him.

"You don't have to apologize, accidents happen. I just thought you should know that I was worried about you," Isabel said, her voice stumbling over the words.

Alex fell silent; realizing what Isabel was trying to say. He'd observed how hard for her it was to reveal how she was feeling to those she cared for and he knew she was telling him how much she cared about him.

He also knew that Isabel had more than a general idea about how he felt about her, but she needed and deserved to hear the words. "I knew that when they found me and brought me back to the resort, yours would be the first face I would see. And I knew I couldn't miss out on that," Alex said his voice serious.

Isabel's face searched his and her eyes twinkled. "I know exactly what you mean," she replied, realizing she did.

Since he couldn't move closer to her from where he laid, she leaned forward and gently kissed him, just to remind herself that she could do just that whenever she wanted and that he was finally safe back with her.

Snowmass Part 13

Somewhere in the background Max heard the faint sound of knocking. He tried to ignore it, he was much too comfortable with the blankets around him and Liz wrapped up next to his side. The sound grew more and more insistent until it finally halted.

Max smiled and turned his head, burying his face in Liz's hair and returning to a welcome sleep.

Only Maria's loud voice broke through the haze. "Mrs. Evans!! What a surprise," Maria practically yelled, her voice putting extra emphasis on each individual word.

Max's eyes popped open and he cursed silently. He racked his brain and could come up with no easy answer as to why Liz Parker, his girlfriend, was sleeping with him in his bed. No easy answer that his own mother would accept anyway. Max sat up quietly and listened to their voices, just down the hall.

"Maria, I told you, please call me Diane. I just wanted to come up and let you kids know that Jeff and Nancy are bringing Isabel and Alex upstairs right now. I also wanted to check on Max and see how he's doing," Diane started.

Max's eyes grew wide as he looked at Liz, still oblivious to the world. He leaned over and started to gently shake her shoulder.

"NO!! I mean, um, Max is still sleeping Mrs.-Diane. We probably shouldn't wake him," Maria suggested, trying to make her suggestion sound casual.

Max finally succeeded in rousing Liz, who looked at him curiously until she heard his mother's voice in the next room. Her eyes widened and she covered her mouth with surprise. He looked into her eyes and knew that she understood how bad things would look if they were discovered together. She slipped out of bed quietly and followed him to the adjoining bathroom.

Liz stepped into the bathroom and switched off the light, pulling the door closed with a soft click. She bit her bottom lip nervously as she pressed her ear up against the wood door. She could just barely make out the muffled sounds of Maria's and Diane's voices.

"I think I'll just poke my head in and-Max! Maria said you were still sleeping," Diane said as Max came around the corner from the room.

He resisted the urge to look behind him and make sure Liz was not noticeable in the bathroom. Maria's eyebrows shot up in surprise as she looked around Max and her eyes met his, questioning him about Liz's whereabouts.

Max merely nodded at his mother and she came closer, enveloping him in a hug. He stiffened a little; suddenly realizing she might be able to smell Liz's perfume on his clothes. He didn't mind her lingering smell on his shirt, but he thought his mother might be curious why he smelled faintly of roses. When she pulled back he looked at her carefully and her soft smile reassured him that she didn't suspect anything.

"Did you sleep well, honey?" Diane asked brightly.

Max nodded, trying to steer his mother further away from the bedroom. "Yeah, it felt good to rest. Did I hear you say Isabel and Alex are coming back?" he asked.

"Yes, the hospital released Alex with strict instructions to rest. So you kids need to keep it low key. It's after nine now, but I imagine with all the resting you've been doing, the six of you will be up until Christmas morning! " Diane commented.

Maria grinned from where she stood next to Diane. "We might be," Max admitted with a smile.

Diane patted her son's arm. "That's fine, you all deserve a little fun after the past day. Your parents, on the other hand, are going to retire for the night. Honey, where is Liz?" Diane asked, suddenly realizing that she was no where to be found.

Max froze for a second. "Liz, well, she uh, went downstairs to see if any restaurants would be open to get some food," Max said, hoping his mother would buy the story.

He knew that she probably would, he never lied to his mother and she had no reason to be suspicious or doubt him. And, strangely enough, he didn't really feel too guilty about lying to her at that moment. He just knew that his and Liz's parents wouldn't understand that them sleeping together was merely that.

They would jump to conclusions that any normal teenager's parents would. Max smiled to himself, knowing that he, Liz and their friends were not normal teenagers.

Diane was nodding as the door to the suite swung open and Jeff walked in, holding the door open for Alex and Isabel. Alex came through first, making his way slowly on a pair of crutches. Isabel followed closely behind, watching him carefully with concern etched on her face.

Max was pleased with Isabel's concern over Alex, it was about time she directed her attention to him, he thought. She'd been enough of a mother hen over him and Michael for the past ten years and it was nice not to be the object of her scrutiny.

Nancy followed the group, holding a bag of food and prescriptions. When Alex finally got inside the doorway he stopped and held up a hand. "I'm back! Anyone miss me?" he asked.

When no response came right away, his face fell, looking slightly wounded until Maria laughed and came forward, ruffling his hair affectionately. "Of course we missed you Alex! We were completely lost without you! The sun stopped shining, the earth halted in its rotation and the moon fell out of the sky! " Maria said, her eyes shining.

Alex shot her a tired look. "Ok, that's enough DeLuca. At least Isabel came to the hospital with me," Alex said, turning to look at her. Isabel's smile shined at him and he reached out for her hand, which she eagerly took.

Diane took note of this, her eyebrow raised in surprise.

"Alex, why don't we get you comfortable on the couch?" Nancy suggested.

Isabel moved quickly, gathering up the pillows on the couch to make it more comfortable and Alex hobbled over, carefully sitting down. Nancy gave Maria the bags and instructions for Alex's medication while Michael finally appeared, bringing some extra pillows and blankets from the room on the other side.

"Will you six be ok tonight?" Nancy asked, still a little concerned after all that had happened.

The five of them nodded emphatically, which seemed to reassure Liz's mom. Finally the parents left and Max let out a sigh of relief.

He turned to open the door so Liz could come out and heard Isabel's voice in the background.

"Where's Liz?" she asked.

Maria gave a short laugh. "You know Max and Liz, they were sleeping when your mom came in and Max had to hide her," Maria replied.

Isabel laughed out loud as Max returned, Liz standing next to him, a sheepish grin on her face. "I knew this could get to be a problem," Isabel warned.

Max just shrugged, he really didn't care that his friends knew and nobody, not even his parents, was going to keep him away from Liz.

Everyone fell silent for a minute before Michael spoke up. "Is anyone actually tired?" he asked. Heads shook all around, they had all been sleeping or resting all afternoon after the lack of sleep from the night before.

Liz's eyes lit up as she thought of an idea. "It's Christmas Eve, we should bring all the pillows and blankets from the rooms and have a party in here, a nice quiet party. Don't get any ideas, Alex, you aren't moving from that couch. I'm sure there are some great Christmas movies on TV," she suggested.

Maria looked through the bags Nancy had left. "Liz, your mom sure knew what we would want. Dinner, candy, and lots of chocolate!" Maria exclaimed.

For just a few minutes the group scattered until they met back in the large living room. Max and Michael pushed the coffee table off to the side and they piled all the blankets and pillows into a pile on the floor in front of the couch where Alex was situated.

For awhile they all talked over the TV, animated and thrilled to be back together in a group. Alex entertained them with stories of his short stay in the hospital and all the fuss he'd gotten over a simple broken leg.

When the chocolate ran out, Liz stood and walked to the kitchen, looking through the grocery bag for more food. After a few minutes she returned with a plate of nachos, and a bottle of tabasco sauce.

"You read my mind," Isabel murmured, reaching for the bottle.

Liz grinned; pleased at the friendship she and Maria had managed to build with Isabel. Liz sat down cross-legged next to Max on some of the makeshift sleeping bags on the floor. He was stretched out behind her and she barely resisted the urge not to lean back into his arms. Although they were a couple in every way, they were both still feeling out the way to act with each other in public.

Liz smiled to herself, they had no trouble with one another when they were alone, but Liz didn't want to make Max uncomfortable. She just knew that every time she saw him she felt like she needed to touch him, needed to have him nearby in at least some little way. Liz moved around and leaned back against the couch, still close enough to Max that they were touching, but farther away than she would have liked.

Maria returned from the room next door, holding a few bottles of perfume in each hand. She held them out for Isabel's inspection. "Ok, our choices are Guava Berry, Ruby Red, Apple Green or Cranberry Grape," Maria listed off.

Alex looked slightly confused. "Are you talking about fruit punches or something else?" he asked,
genuinely perplexed.

Maria rolled her eyes and sat next to Isabel, who chose the Cranberry Grape shade. She shook the bottle in her right hand until Alex stopped her and took it into his own hand.

Before Isabel could say a word, he took her hand and carefully began to paint her fingernails. Michael literally stopped chewing in mid-bite at the sight. "Alex, man, you, me and Max need to spend some serious quality time together," he said wryly.

Liz and Maria smiled knowingly at each other. "Alex is the best at nail polish. You should see him with makeup," Liz said.

"Hopefully not on," Max replied in a low voice.

Alex just pointed the small brush at the guys. "Don't knock it until you reap the benefits. This kind of stuff makes you very popular with the ladies," he said.

Isabel started to giggle and soon Liz and Maria joined in, followed by Max and Michael continuing to shake their heads. Liz examined her own nails and decided not to paint them. She drew her knees up under her chin and focused her attention on the TV, where How the Grinch Stole Christmas was playing. So involved in the movie was she that she didn't notice Max moving closer until he had settled against her.

She relaxed as she felt his warmth against her and caught her breath as he moved to lean back against her, sitting between her legs. She started to breathe normally again as he slouched down, the back of his head resting against her stomach. She stretched her legs out and when his hand came to rest on her knee her skin practically tingled.

Liz couldn't stop the silly grin from spreading over her face. Max had come to her; he was making the boundaries and the rules. She knew that was what he needed to make things work between him and she had been so careful about trying to give him that. It just turned out that he wanted the exact same things that she did. And he'd moved without a question or a word. It was like he knew her every thought and he knew exactly what she wanted because it was what she did too.

One of her hands lay loosely on his shoulder while the other came to rest on his head, playing with his hair absentmindedly. It was so soft, and very short. She couldn't even wrap a strand around her finger because it was cut so close to his head. Liz was so involved with the feeling of Max's hair that she didn't even realize what her hands were doing to him.

Max shifted a little against Liz, not wanting his weight to be uncomfortable. She didn't seem to mind and he loved the soft feel of her behind him. Like the most perfect pillow he could ever dream of. Her hand in his hair became very distracting as her fingers played against his scalp and stroked gently at his hair. Her hand finally stilled and Max turned his head to look at her. She looked back at him hesitantly.

"What is it, Liz?" he asked.

She reached next to her and he saw a hardbound book in her hand. He was confused until she opened it and he saw pages and pages of writing, all in her handwriting. He knew, even though he'd never examined the book closely before, that it was her journal.

He couldn't keep the curiosity off his face. Ever since Liz had admitted to him that she kept a journal containing all the events that had happened to her, he'd wondered what part he played in the book. And ever since she'd revealed that it held her innermost thoughts, including how she saw him, he had wanted to read it.

But he also knew that her journal was just for Liz to read and he respected that, hoping that one day she would at least share with him some of the thoughts she'd had while she wrote it. She cleared her throat before concentrating back on him.

"I know we never really decided on any gift giving ideas for Christmas, but I've wanted to give you something for the longest time and this seems like a good time. I want you to read my journal," she said, holding it out to him.

He took it carefully, feeling the ridges of the leather on the outside and the curve of the bind. It was with a reverent touch that he examined the cover, which was dark, and without any markings.

"Are you sure? I don't want you to feel like you have to share this with me," he replied.

Liz smiled at him gently. "Max, I know probably the biggest secret about you. And I know exactly how you see me. I want you to know how I see you and I want you to know my secrets. Granted they aren't as big as yours was, but they make for good reading," she joked lightly.

Max nodded and opened the cover of her journal, the spine crackling a little as he turned to the first page. He was about to start reading when he stopped."Could you read it to me? They're your words and they should be spoken in your voice," he said.

Liz nodded slowly and leaned a little closer as he held the book pen for her. When she started to read he felt his heart speed up, knowing what gift she was giving him.

"September 23rd. I'm Liz Parker and five days ago I died. After that, things got really interesting. I could feel everything he was feeling. I could feel his loneliness. For the first time I was really seeing Max Evans. I saw me as he saw me. And the amazing thing was, in his eyes I was beautiful.

It's September 24th. I'm Liz Parker and five days ago I died. But then a really amazing thing happened: I came to life."

Max listened as Liz read, he listened to the inflections of her voice, and how it rose and fell and what words she emphasized. He listened as her voice grew soft and then loud again as she traced the path that had brought them to where they were now.

"It's October 19th. I'm Liz Parker and this is what I've been thinking: Can life ever go back to normal? Part of me wants safety, wants to go back to how things were, to a life that I could predict where I know how life is going to be. And the other part of me wants to go somewhere else, into the unknown."

Max realized what time period Liz was reading about and he looked at her carefully. He knew that Liz was writing about when her grandmother had died. Since that day in the hospital he knew that Liz thought of her grandmother often and tried to remember the advice she had given her. And he knew how hard it had been for her.

"The tough thing about following your heart is what people forget to mention. That sometimes your heart takes you to places you shouldn't be, places that are as scary as they are exciting, and as dangerous as they are alluring. And sometimes your heart takes you to places that can never lead to a happy ending.And that's not even the difficult part. The difficult part is when you follow your heart, you leave normal, you go into the unknown. And once you do, you can never go back."

Max squeezed her hand gently and when she returned the pressure he caught her eyes with his. He saw the pain there, but he also saw her strength, the same strength she'd used to get through her grandmother's death and the same strength she used to help him through everything that had happened. As she continued to read, Max heard her words and each one was like a secret. A part of Liz that he had not known, though he suspected was behind her big brown eyes.

"Have you ever had a moment when you're with the one person in the world you want to be with and the wind is blowing through your hair and the song that just describes your entire soul happens to come on, and the person that you happen to want to be with happens to love the same song? And suddenly you realize you're listening to it together? And that no matter how crazy your life has gotten, there's this one moment, this perfect moment where you could say that no matter what happens, nothing can take this moment away from me."

Liz stopped as Max looked up at her expectantly.

"Is that how you see the time we spend together?" he asked.

"Always, Max. Every moment is perfect," she replied, before turning back to her journal for the last entry she'd made since the trip had started.

"There are days when everything seems wrong, when little things just irk you for no good reasons. And then there are days like today. When the whole world just sings to you from the minute you open your eyes in the morning till the minute you shut them again at night. Days when I actually enjoy cleaning the milk shake machine."

Max could hear the smile in her voice as she read her own words. As she kept going, he was suddenly sobered by her last sentences on the page.

"I've always been the one who comes through in the time of crisis. I do what's necessary and I don't panic. But seeing Michael so sick and having no way of knowing what was wrong or how to help made me scared. Scared that one day something could happen to Max and I wouldn't know how to help this person who means so much to me. Who means everything."

Liz stopped at the last word and closed the journal shut. He looked up at her, searching her face for any regret she might have felt about what she'd revealed. When he saw none, he relaxed.

"It's the whole truth," Liz said softly.

"I know, thank you" he replied, realizing he knew now for certain what Liz thought about and for him.

Liz couldn't take her eyes off of his face as he stared at her. She felt as though she'd done the most important thing she'd ever done before. Max deserved to be told every day how much he meant to her.

Max's eyes darted to the clock on the wall and back to her, his smile mischievous. "It's officially Christmas now," he said, which Liz confirmed when she saw it was just after midnight.

Max was moving closer to her lips and she smiled, knowing by the look on his face what he wanted. "But I don't see any mistletoe," she pointed out.

"Then we'll just have to do without," he said as he slid his mouth over hers. His hands came up to cradle her face in his hands and Liz smiled against his lips.

The world faded around them until all she could feel was his lips, firmly parting hers, and his breathing, quickening to meet her own. Her hand on his neck felt the steady pulse of his blood pumping faster as they sank to the floor. Liz stroked his face as he pulled back a little and watched her eyes in the dim light.

At that moment Max knew exactly what Liz had written about perfect moments. And he knew that all of his would be shared with Liz.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Snowmass (Part 14-Epilogue)

"Table 4, order's up!" Jose's voice carried from the kitchen out to the main counter of the Crashdown.

Liz's head snapped up and she hurried around to pick up her order. With practiced ease she balanced the three plates and turned quickly, nearly running into Maria. She gasped and struggled not to drop the food on the floor.

Maria jumped back a little and held up her hands. "Sorry! Didn't mean to sneak up on you!" Maria exclaimed.

Liz shot her a glare, but then smiled. She nodded her head back to the food counter and Maria took the hint, grabbing the last order for Table 4 and two bottles of tabasco sauce. Liz led the way over to the table, Maria following closely and grumbling under her breath. "My game is just totally off. First a two week vacation from waitressing and a whole New Year slash millennium? I'm not sure I can handle it," she said.

"Try lavender oil, and you know, Maria, the new millennium isn't technically until next year," Liz pointed out. Liz heard the sigh of disbelief from Maria and smiled, knowing that Maria expected her to point out the technicalities just as much as Liz had to bring attention to them. They wove their way carefully across the cafe, coming to a stop at the usual table that Max, Michael and Isabel shared. This time Alex had joined the group and Liz and Maria would have too, if they didn't have to work.

Liz sighed. It was their first day back in Roswell after their trip to Snowmass and although the six of them had seen each other that morning when they'd arrived back in town, none of them were surprised when they'd all ended up at the Crashdown that night. Every time the door swung open Liz's head would pop up to see if it was Max. He, Michael and Isabel had snuck in when she'd been in the back to get more sugar and when she'd finally come out, Alex had joined them at the table.

Maria and Liz settled the warm plates on the table and Maria placed the tabasco sauce beside the food, trying to be discreet. The three aliens shot her grateful looks, knowing that it was the little things, like remembering about their taste preferences, that helped make their friendships strong.

Max's eyes never left Liz, despite the huge hamburger right in front of him and his appetite. Liz caught his intense stare and smiled before pulling out her order pad. "Can we get you anything else?" Liz asked professionally.

Michael looked up, holding up his fork to get their attention. "Yeah, there's these two waitresses who really look like they could use a break. Why don't you ask them if they could join us?" he asked.

Liz glanced at Maria and was happy to see her friend's face soften at Michael's words.

Isabel looked up from where she'd been studying Alex's hand wrapped around hers. "Patience, Spaceboy," she said wryly. Max grinned at the words and Michael even smiled.

"Sorry, there's no rest for those of us who have jobs," Maria replied.

Alex looked insulted. "Hey now, that was cold. Some of us are very busy with our extracurricular activities," he said defensively.

Liz and Maria collectively raised an eyebrow each in his direction. "Your band doesn't count," Liz replied.

Alex was left sputtering in his own defense while Liz and Maria returned to the kitchen to pick up more orders. They were pretty busy for a Sunday night, especially a Sunday night right before school was set to begin again.

Every chance she got, Liz looked up at Table 4 and every time she caught Max staring at her, his eyes tracing her body and every move she made. She would have blushed if she'd felt embarrassed, but she didn't. After two weeks of sharing the same bed and sleeping together, Liz felt more comfortable with Max than she did when she was alone. Just the image of him standing at the bathroom counter, brushing his teeth made her smile. Trying to remember that she was still working, Liz turned her attention back to waiting tables.

Almost two hours later, Liz was pushing the mop and bucket out to the dining area. They were closing in a few minutes and she wanted to finish just as soon as possible. She nearly plowed right into Max, but he steadied her, his hand holding the handle of the mop. She looked up at him and wished his arms were around her.

She didn't know how she was going to do without him all night. But they were back in Roswell now, and things had to be different. Her parents weren't a few locked doors down, they were mere feet away with walls thin enough to hear someone breathe.

"Thanks, I seem to be running into people a lot tonight," Liz murmured, taking the wooden handle from him and propping it against the counter.

He shrugged. "No problem. We're getting ready to head out, I just wanted to say goodnight," Max said, bringing his hand up to trace her jaw line.

Her breathing stopped as he leaned down and kissed her gently before pulling back. Liz nearly protested, the kiss had been far too short for the duration she would have to go before she would see him again the next day. Before she could say anything, he pulled away and held up his hand briefly before exiting the Crashdown, following the others outside. Liz watched them go sadly, then turned to pick up the mop.

January 2nd. I'm Liz Parker and nine days ago we almost lost Alex. I haven't had a chance to write since we got back from the trip up to Snowmass, but I keep going back to that 24 hour period when we didn't know where Alex was or if he was ok. Even all the fun we had on Christmas day and for the next week haven't been able to wipe the memory completely away. It brought all of us: me, Max, Isabel, Michael, Maria and Alex closer together, but it could have ended so differently. And I wonder sometimes if it had been Max lost in the snow, would I have known in my heart if he were ok? Or would there be this gaping question mark in the space he used to be? It was like a reminder that my life is so different than normal, so different than what it was before Max saved me.

It's been less than four months since that day and ever since then my life has gone off of the regular rutted path, it's veered off into the unknown. Once I wondered if I would ever want to go back to my normal life and my normal existence. I know now that I would never choose to return to a predictable life. Things might be complicated and convoluted in my life, but it's my life. And my life now includes five unique people who I wouldn't ever shut out.

And Max. Max makes everything worth it. The golden prize, the paradise trip, the million dollars pale in comparison to what Max gives me. When I read this journal to him he finally knew for certain how I felt about him. The happiness that gave him was so important to me. Because I finally gave him something back after all he's given me. And I'll remember the look on his face for the rest of my life. He's the one who led me off of the straight and normal path and I will eagerly follow him wherever he leads.

"Liz?" Max's voice carried up from the street and through her window.

Liz smiled as she stopped writing, her pen finishing at the last period. She closed the journal and set in next to her bed before she climbed outside. She glanced at the clock, the green numbers reading just after midnight.

Liz gathered a blanket around her shoulders and looked over the brick edge of her balcony and the fire escape. Max was at the bottom, his face looking up. The smile that spread across his features was well worth the late hour on a school night.

"Can I come up?" he asked quietly. She nodded and stepped back to allow him up the ladder. When he joined her on the balcony she noticed him shivering a little in the cold night air. She opened her arms and he walked towards her, his arms automatically encircling her body to bring her flush against him. Instantly she was warm as she smiled against his shoulder.

"I thought I wasn't going to see you again until tomorrow," she murmured.

Max stroked her hair gently, his hand coming to rest against her neck. "I couldn't sleep," he admitted.

Liz pulled back and looked up at him. "You realize that Isabel was right?" Liz said wryly.

"About the whole sleeping arrangement issue?" Max asked, to which she nodded.

"Yes," Liz said, wanting her words to serve as a reminder. She knew what she wanted, but Max had to make his own decision about the matter.

He seemed to think about things for a minute before answering. "Do you remember when I said we were too different and that it wasn't safe for us to be anything more?" he asked. Liz nodded, recalling the night at the Crash Festival. "Well, your response was I don't care.'. I know because I remember wishing that I could say the same thing with such confidence, with such ease," Max said.

Liz realized what Max was waiting for, so she complied, her face serious. "But Max, it's not safe. What if my parents catch us, or yours don't find you home one morning? It's not safe," Liz said.

"I don't care," Max replied, his face serious, and Liz nodded, knowing he believed his words as much as she did. They didn't speak another word as she led him over to the window and through, pulling him off his normal life's path as much as he had diverted hers.

Liz smiled as she dimmed the lights and turned to her bed, where Max was already getting comfortable. She finally understood what people meant when they said it was the journey that mattered. Because any journey with Max, with them together, was worth the trip.

The End