| Secrets In The Past |
| Chapter 42 Other than the girls foray into the world of inebriation, the weekend was pretty dull. Liz spent most of it catching up on the things she had missed during her adventure in mentally unstable land. Isabel and Tess had to spend a lot of time getting Michael�s room and clothes back to their original state and not the �fun� colors that matched the make over he had been given. Max unfortunately didn�t get to spend much time with Liz because he got in trouble for not coming home on Friday night. Occasionally his mom would go through these phases where she freaked out about where her kids were and what they were doing. Max supposed it was a bit of a backlash to the amount of freedom he and his sister usually had. Although, Diane�s bouts of paranoia generally coincided with one of those public service campaigns on tv. The ones that ran the adds saying �Its ten o�clock. Do you know where your kids are?� or something to that affect. So Max had to spend the weekend cleaning out the garage and weeding the flower bed. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Late Sunday night/ early Monday morning... Liz was standing out on her balcony. It was night time and the stars were twinkling in symphony to the slow song wafting through air. Pulling her eyes from the sky, she caught sight of a little girl over by her window. She looked maybe five or six. Her hair was long, a glossy chocolate color, framed her round little face as it fanned out in the air. She was giggling blithely as she spun �round and �round to the melody, her teddy her partner. Her eyes seemed to dance in the moonlight as nimbly as her feet. They were so expressive. The girl looked so happy and carefree. Liz could not help but smile, her happiness becoming infectious. With every spin the girl made, a piece of the balcony faded away. The wall shifted into a great white cliff, the flowers along it, a distant moor dotted with heather. The street below became a vast ocean, the cement under her feet, a rolling bluff. The stars turned to the approaching lights of ships making their way to port. The night became day, the moon into the sun. The light breeze became a soft, rolling mist that obscured the distant points of the landscape. Apparently the little girl was as prepared for the shift in scene as she was. Her spinning stopped as she took in her surroundings in confusion. Liz lost sight of the little girl in the rolling mist for a moment. It was odd for fog to be this thick during the day. While it grew denser in that portion of the scape, one of the hills began to clear. Two brown dots began to roam over the bluff toward the little girl. As they came closer they filled out into the shapes of men. They were very strangely attired, reminding Liz of plays and movies she had seen of Shakespeare�s works. They wore leather hose (pants), white poets shirts with starched lace collars, and laced up doublets. Their boots went to mid calf, meeting their hose, to keep out the mud from the frequent rain of the spring season. Their hair though, it should have been longer. Their cuts were too short. As they got closer to where Liz was overlooking the white cliffs, the mist cleared, laying a clear path for them. After a moment, Liz was able to see the little girl again. She had moved to the side of the cliff, watching the waves crash violently against the rocks below, clutching her bear. In the time she had been out of sight, her clothes had been changed to match the period of the men who were almost at her side. As if she felt them coming, the girl turned around, happy to see them. Liz noticed the girl studying the men, like she was looking for something. Then that something seemed to dawn on her and the smile disappeared to reveal a look of pure dread and fear. She looked around franticly for a means off escape but the men were too close now. The only place to go was over the edge of the cliff but she didn�t want to do that. Without a word the men closed in on the little girl, one coming up behind, the other in front. Strangely, they went for the bear before they went for the girl. The first man grabbed his head fiercely, struggling to pry it from her little arms. �He�s mine!!!� she yelled tugging back as hard as she could. Then the other man wrapped his arms around her waist lifting her up along his body. She wiggled and squirmed, keeping a tight hold on the bear, the three feet of air between her kicking feet and the ground not making an ounce of difference. But as the struggle went on, the man found his footing and finally yanked the bear away from the little girl eliciting a mournful cry. Tauntingly, he dangled it just out of her reach before turning to the sea. �Noooooo! Magnuuuuuss!� The little girl kicked and whaled as she watched the other man throw her teddy over the white cliff face to the raging ocean below. Try as she might, her captor was stronger, keeping a firm grip on her waist as he dragged her over the bluff. Feeling it was a futile battle, she stopped struggling and let herself be carried as tears coursed down her pink cheeks. �The goat king is gonna be so mad at you. You�re bad, bad men and he�s gonna come *hiccup* get me and when he finds out he�s gonna *hiccup* chop you up into tinny, tinny bits and you�re gonna be real sorries.� That was the last thing Liz could hear the little girl say as the men disappeared over the next rise. As the mist clouded around her she could make out the final strains of the song from the balcony swirling through the air. Please say honestly You won�t give up on me And I shall believe I Shall believe I Shall believe ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The next morning... �You�re sure you�re ok?� �Michael, would you give it a rest?� Liz walked through the door he was holding open for her and into the teaming chaos that was morning at West Roswell High. �I had a weird dream, so what? I have lots of weird dreams. I had them before I knew you guys. I don�t think there is anything to worry about. I wasn�t bleeding when I woke up, so I�m thinking that�s a good sign.� �You know you�re a really bad liar, right?� Liz shook her head, that sounded really familiar. Huh. �Alright,� she huffed and pulled him into an empty class room. Glancing around, she made sure no one was listening before she spoke, �I suppose it could have meant something, but at this point I have nothing to go on except my old bear. That�s not enough to start jumping to conclusions, Michael� �but when you woke up last night...� There was something more to this, there had to be. Liz had been talking in her sleep, yelling some name he didn�t know. When he got to her room she was just waking up. He could tell the dream had shaken her, but her fear of the dark took over and the dream was temporarily forgotten while he replaced the bulb in her night light. This morning as they were getting ready she was preoccupied. When asked, she tried to pass it off as being worried about a history test. He asked her about the dream and she went into instant denial mode. Now whether she was trying to keep him out or was trying to convince herself as well, he didn�t know. �Liz will you just consider the possibility that this could mean something? After all the weird dreams we�ve been having we should not ignore any of them.� Liz sighed in defeat, she knew this was a battle she wasn�t going to win. Especially since she knew he was right, their dreams shouldn�t be discounted. Still, she didn�t really want this to say anything. Although she couldn�t remember much, the dream had been very unsettling, not bad, but strange. It only enforced the feelings she had been getting since that day at the petting zoo, that something was going to happen. Damn her intuitive nature. �Ok, I�ll consider the possibility that it was prophetic, if you will consider that it wasn�t. Deal?� �Deal.� At least she was going to think about it. �Good, come on. I need to get my books and meet Alex.� ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ �Hey Evans,� Kyle called down the hall when Max came into view. �I need to talk to you.� �Sure, what�s up?� He closed his locker, pulling his back pack up on his shoulder. �I�ll see you around Kyle, Max. I�m going to go see if Liz needs an escort to class.� Max had not even seen Colin standing next to Kyle until he spoke. For being a tall guy that apparently girls found attractive, he blended into the background incredibly well. Max watched him with mixed feelings as he went off towards Liz�s locker. �Hey, don�t worry about it. He�s checking out ok and Alex and Michael should be with Liz. We�ve got more important things to worry about right now.� Max snapped his attention back to Kyle. �What?� �I saw McClain this morning.� �What? You did? Where?� Max was instantly on alert. Alien or not the guy was a raving loony who the last time they saw him assaulted his girlfriend and almost killed another of his friends. The last thing they needed right now was him popping back up. �Driving in. I went to pick up Tess and I have to drive down Main, its the fastest route. Anyway, I saw his car and it was going just a little too slow for my taste when he went past the Crash and the UFO Center.� �I suppose it was too much to hope that the guy had fallen off the face of the planet or at least been shipped off to military school. Come on,� he motioned for Kyle to follow as he jumped into the moving mass of students. �We better go find Michael and fill him in before he goes to class.� ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Monday afternoon... �Hello?� Liz picked up the phone by her bed as she gathered her books to go downstairs. Michael had the dinner shift so she was going to study in the break room with Maria and Alex. �Is Liz there?� The voice was male, a little nervous, and very familiar. �Max?� She stood straight from her spot. They talked on the phone all the time, why didn�t he recognize her voice? �What�s going on?� �Wow,� she heard him exhale through the lines. �You know who I am?� �Of course I know who you are. Are you all right Max?� Why did he sound like this was their first conversation? �Oh yeah,� he answered quickly, �I just didn�t think you knew who I was, let alone would know my voice. Anyway,� he rushed on before she could question his statement. �I was wondering, and I know this is kinda sudden since we don�t know each other all that well, but I thought that maybe, if you were free this weekend... you- you might like to go out with me.� There was a long pause as Liz tried to figure out what was going on and why Max was acting so strangely. He didn�t sound hurt, just shy. But why didn�t he know her voice? And why did it sound like he had never spoken to her before. He heart started to speed up and constrict at the same time as countless scenarios, all of them bad, began pouring into her mind �Liz, come on. We gotta go.� Michael came into her room then and began gathering up the rest of her books. �Are you ok?� He finely saw that she was standing with the phone to her ear, her brows knit together. Her mouth was working but no sound was coming out. �Is that your brother? Do you need to go?� She heard Max say over the phone. That�s when she figured it out. If Max had some form of amnesia where he still knew who she was but not their history, he would not know that Michael was her brother. A slow grin spread across her face at how adorably sweet Max was. She said they had to start over so that�s what he was doing, literally. Asking her out on a first date. �Liz?� �Sorry, uh, yeah,� she snapped out of her daze, deciding to go along with his little game. �I would really like that Max. You�re in my trig class right?� �Yup, that's the one.� She could practically see his smile through the phone when he realized that she had caught on to his plan and was going with it. �Liz what�s wrong with you?� Michael was suddenly in front of her. His face was etched with panic. All he had heard was �Max and aren't you in my trig class?�. Something she definitely should not have to ask. Liz rolled her eyes, Michael was becoming worse than Max when it came to overreacting. �Hold on Max, my brother is having some kind of seizure.� She put her hand over the mouth piece and lowered from her face. �Michael, there is nothing wrong. I�m just making plans with Max.� When he narrowed his eyes in speculation, she explained further, �we�re just pretending, ok?� Michael wrinkled his nose in a very Maria like way and snorted. Choosing to ignore the depraved thoughts she knew were running through his mind, she went back to her call. �Sorry �bout that Max.� �Its ok, my sister is always interrupting me on the phone too. That�s assuming I can pry it off her ear for, like, ten minutes.� Liz laughed. �So I was thinking, how about Friday, I know this really great place. I think we could have fun together.� �Yeah, I think we would have fun too,� her voice took on a soft, dreamy quality. Hearing an odd sucking and smacking sound, she was distracted once again from her call. Turning around she let out and indignant huff. Growling, she threw the nearest pillow at Michael. Max heard her agitated noises and something hitting a wall, �what was that? Are you ok over there?� �My brother is standing in the door way making kissing sounds at me.� He tried not to, really he did, he just couldn�t help but laugh at that. �Michael, stop it! God, you are so annoying.� Liz stopped for a second listening to the phone. �Are you laughing?� there was a sudden silence through the receiver only to be broken by another burst of laughter Max couldn�t contain. �Oh my gosh, you are. You are laughing. Well then, maybe I should reconsider your offer Mr. Evans.� That shut him up quick. In his mind�s eye, Max could see her standing in the middle of her room with her hands on her hips glaring at Michael and pursing her lips into the phone. �No! Liz I�m sorry, ok? Please don�t take it back.� Liz giggled. �I�m just teasing you Max, don�t worry. I wouldn�t take it back for anything.� �Oh,� he sighed with relief. �Ok. Do you think I could talk to Michael for a minute?� �Umm, sure. Hold on.� She held out the phone to him, �Max wants to talk to you.� He stopped making the obscene noises Liz was ignoring to take it from her. �Maxwell?� �Hey Michael. I won�t keep you, I just wanted to ask you how she�s doing.� Michael turned to watch Liz straightening her desk while humming a little tune. He stepped into the hall a ways so she wouldn�t over hear them. �You realize that she�d be really mad if she knew you were asking me and not her?� �Yeah, but she�s not going to give me an honest answer.� �True. She�s doing ok. I thought she did ok in school today, didn�t you?� �Yeah, she was a little edgy, but no more than recently.� �I�m thinking that dream may have had a little something to do with it but I�m not going to say anymore about it for a while. She hasn�t been too receptive when I brought it up and I don�t want to upset her. She�s been doing really well since the weekend. If it starts bothering her she�ll either tell one of us or have another nightmare. Either way she won�t be able to get out of it.� �Maybe I should ask her about it.� �Umm, I don�t think that�s such a hot idea Max. Not to be be mean or anything, but you guys still have some other stuff to deal with. Wait until she starts to open up to you more before you ask her anything like that. She loves you and you make her happy but she still has something telling her that she�s going to hurt you again. I don�t think asking her to bring something else she�s unsure about into the mix is a good idea. She might feel cornered.� �She told you that? She thinks that she�s going to hurt me?� �Yeah, kinda. She umm, look there�s a lot of stuff she�s dealing with and you are only a part of it, granted a big part, but there is other stuff. I think she�s afraid she won�t be able to handle it all in the long run and end up disappointing you. Of course, I could be wrong, I�m going on brother�s intuition on part of that.� �She couldn�t disappoint me. Are you sure it isn�t the other way around? Maybe... maybe she thinks I�m going to hurt her again. I don�t exactly have the best track record.� �That could be it but I really don�t think so. It was more that she thought something was going to come between you. I just inferred, that being Liz, she meant something from her side of things. I don�t think she�s scared so much as nervous or ummm intimidated maybe. I don�t know, this is going way beyond my psych class from freshman year.� �Hey, no. I appreciate all the help I can get. I just don�t want to do anything to push her. I- I miss her, but I�m not going to do anything she isn�t ready for.� �I know Maxwell. It�s not me you have to convince, actually you don�t really have to convince anyone. Just give her some time and be there when she needs you. That dream, I know there is something about it that spooked her, but she won�t say anything. I could feel the wall going up in our connection before we even had breakfast this morning. Her parents are going to be back soon, that�s going to be a big adjustment, too.� �Has she said anything about what she�s going to do. Is she going to tell them she knows?� �I don�t know, we haven't talked about it. There has been so much stuff going on I didn�t want to overwhelm her.� �Right, I understand. So, besides the one dream, things seem to be ok?� �Other than that... Yeah, she�s doing better than I would be. She has her moments sometimes, at night mostly. She�s still afraid of the dark, Maria�s not sure if that�s something that�s ever going to go away. Occasionally, if there is a lull in activity or she runs out of things to do, she gets a little upset, lets her imagination get away from her and stuff. But all in all she�s holding it together pretty well. I think you made her pretty happy with whatever you just told her.� �Good, I just... I want to make sure I don�t miss something that�s in front of my face. Not where she�s concerned.� �Yeah, well, that�s not going to happen this time. Not again. Anyway, did you talk to Valenti? I haven't said anything to Liz about it yet. I thought it would be better to wait �till we knew more.� �Kyle and I went to see him after school. He�s going to do some checking, see if everything about him is legit. We�ll go from there then.� �Good. We gotta go, so I�ll talk to you later.� �Ok, let me say good bye to Liz first.� �Liz,� Michael came back into the room and handed the phone back to her. �Make it quick, I need to get downstairs.� �Ok, I�ll be out in a sec,� she brought the phone back to her ear. �Max I have to go, but I�ll see you in school tomorrow, right?� �You can count on it.� �Ok then,� she chewed on her lip, searching for something else to prolong the conversation. �Yeah,� he did the same, except he scratched his ear. If Liz could have seen it she would have thought he was adorable. Not coming up with anything, she sighed regretfully, �I have to go now.� �Ok,� there was no missing the disappointment in his voice. �Ok... good night Max.� �Goodnight My Liz,� he responded softly. He was rewarded by her equally soft intake of breath. She loved it when he called her that. There was another long pause as they listened to each other�s breath, waiting to see who would be the first to let go. Finally, by silent agreement, there were two, simultaneous clicks. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The next morning (Tuesday)... He watched the scene intently from the safety of his car. The sweet, highly eatable, little brunette and the smarmy, overbearing, conceited, jerk who fancied himself her boyfriend. Her overprotective brother was standing on the sidelines with his own little pixie. The scene should not have surprised him, but it did. The almighty king, ha-ha, had been waiting on the steps like a love sick puppy with a single white rose. She liked white roses, something to remember. Maybe he should be writing this down? No, he could remember. The pixie, the brother, and the beauty had strolled up to the school together. She was smiling. It made him smile. She had a beautiful, light up the room, out shine the stars kind of smile. Maxie-boy, boy being the key word, stood and gave her the rose. They smiled shyly at each other and shared a few quiet words. He leaned forward and brushed her hair behind her ears and she looked up adoringly through her long lashes. The scene made his hands itch. The bell rang and the group went happily into the school. This constituted a development so he better make a report. Pulling out the cell, he punched in the privet number. �What?� the annoying voice come across the static. �It�s me.� �Where have you been? Why haven�t I heard from you?� �Uhh, I had a little incident, had to lay low for a while.� �Why? What happened? Did you blow your cover you imbecile?� �No! No, I took care of it. Eveything�s under control.� �Fine, just don�t do anything too stupid. What do you have for me?� �It looks like they�re are getting back together. Its still early yet, but he is definitely headed in that direction. He�s following her around all over the place and this morning he brought her a rose. White are her favorite, by the way.� �I know that. What makes you think I didn�t know that? Because I know that,� he responded defensively. �I didn�t say you did sir, I didn�t know that so... I guess I was just trying to remember for future reference. You know, like with names, they say you should repeat them three times when you meet someone so you remember them-� �Shut up. Stop babbling, your giving me a head ache. And I did know that.� �I know sir.� �So you think he about to make his move?� �Looks like, and Liz seems pretty receptive.� He wasn�t sure but it sounded distinctly like there was a growl coming through the lines. �Her... Name... Is... LILLYAH!� He jerked the phone away from his ear but it was too late, they would be ringing for days. He could still hear a colorful string of Jannarian obscenities echoing through the lines as he brought the receiver back to the other ear. �Fine then, we�re just about ready here. Put the plan in motion.� �I�ll need the two others we discussed.� �Fine, I�ll give them instructions personaly, just don�t screw this up or- �I�ll be living in an ash tray. I got it. I have to go, I�m expected somewhere. I�ll call you when the others get here,� this time he hung up the phone first. Chapter 43 Max, Michael, Gwyn, and much to the boys chagrin, Colin were situated in the usual booth at the back of the Crashdown. The school day had been fairly uneventful. The boys were a little on edge keeping a lookout for Rob, but none of the group had seen him since Kyle did the morning before. Maria was working now and Gwyn was on break. They were actually waiting on the sheriff but Colin had popped over and made himself comfortable in the seat next to Michael. He had been mildly accepted into the group. He was really more of a Liz groupie than anything else, but there seemed to be a lot of those these days. Operating under Max�s directive of �keep your friends close and your enemies closer� the boys kept a constant eye on him while he was around, but had not seen anything to warrant his dismissal from Liz�s entourage. He hung around the cafe and chatted with her at school, everyone treated him hospitably but made no attempt to include him in their normal rituals of staying late at the Crashdown and the like. The sheriff had run a basic check on him and he checked out ok. And, of course, he wasn�t privy to any otherworldly situations. He seemed a little too straight laced to handle that kind of thing anyway. Kyle had been the one designated to get to know him a little better. Being captain of three of the varsity sports teams gave him an instant and covert reason for starting a conversation. To Kyle, he seemed like an ok guy. A little formal and shy, but he didn�t really seem like the killer, stalker type. He was obviously way gone on Liz but Kyle thought Colin knew he didn�t have a chance with her and was resigned to be her friend and worshiping from afar. Not something he was altogether unfamiliar with. There was still an undercurrent of tension between him and Max, but he had proven he would do his best to make sure Liz did not get hurt and that was really the main goal right now. The occupants of the table sat stiffly as Gwyn tried to start some small talk about a history test to ease the tension. Colin was beginning to think this had been a bad idea. He was waiting to talk to Liz, Michael was in the cafe so he assumed Liz would be down shortly. He had been getting to know Kyle better, and for a jock he was a nice guy. When he saw the vacant place in the booth he decided to take a chance and wait for Liz with her other friends. He was well aware of how important they were to her and there for how important it was for him to be friends with them as well. Really he only wanted to be friends with her, but he knew for her to really be his friend and trust him, he would have to earn that right through the rest of them. Unfortunately that also involved being around Max. He put up a good facade but it was pretty obvious he didn�t want Colin anywhere Liz. However, he did give him a few points for letting Liz choose her own friends. Anyway, he was beginning to think coming over here was a bad idea. Without Liz or Kyle to ease the tension in the group things were exceedingly uncomfortable. The Gwyn girl, who was also new but had somehow been instantly accepted into the group, tried to do the small talk thing but it wasn�t going well. His attention was caught by the ringing bells on the door and he was immeasurable glad to see Kyle striding over the the table with a guy he thought was his father. �Colin, great. Just the guy I wanted to see.� Kyle clasped him on the shoulder when he arrived at the table. �I have something I want to talk to you about. Come on,� he motioned for him to follow to the counter where he ordered a alien blast for himself. Colin followed gratefully with barely a �see ya,� to the rest of the table. Jim watched until Colin and Kyle were settled at the counter and he could hear the talk of the open spot on the baseball team for the spring season. His son had insisted on coming when he talked to Max and Michael because he suspected the new boy would be there and he could distract him. Slipping into Colin�s seat, he looked around before addressing Max, Michael, and Gwyn. �Thanks for waiting for me, I got tied up waiting for a fax to come in.� �No problem, we�d be here anyway. So, did you find something?� Michael got right to the heart of the matter. Jim looked around the cafe again, making sure there was no one lurking that could overhear them. �Nothing. I can�t find a single, miniscule speck on him. Not even a traffic ticket. I know I don�t need to say this, but I want you to continue to stick close to Liz. I don�t like this McClain fellow.� �You�re right, you don�t have to tell us that.� Michael told him defensively. He didn�t need anyone to tell him to stick close to Liz and Max felt the same way. �Michael, the sheriff is trying to help here. Be nice,� Gwyn admonished. �Did you find anything that could give us some kind of clues?� �It depends on how you look at it. The the thing is, his record is just a little too clean for someone with his reputation. Not even a traffic violation for someone with his demonstrated temper? I was of course suspicious, so I looked into his parents background. They�re both pretty young to have a kid his age but that�s not all that unusual. What is, is that Rob�s father is pretty high up in the plastics industry. There�s a big plant over in Clovis, he�s in the exec branch that�s based here in town. Also, Mrs. McClain�s father is some hot shot lawyer in Arizona. He�s about to run for congress or the state senate or something. It looks like between the two of them they have been able to keep Rob�s record clean. I put a tail on him when you talked to me Monday. He�s been going by here on a pretty regular basis.� He took off his Stetson, placing it on the table, and ran his hand through his hair. Looking around he saw the varying looks of fear and anger. Max had yet to speak. He was usual in charge of these things, while he was always quiet, he was quick with the plans and inquiries. Jim watched the young man�s features contort subtly as he processed the information. He hated to deliver news like this to him. The poor kid had already been through so much and to have Liz be threatened or in danger... he knew it was Max�s worst nightmare. He felt so helpless in these kind of situations and when the victims where those you cared about it made it all the more difficult. �I- boys... I wish there was something more I could do. We could try to get a restraining order on him siting the assault at the school, but the action the school took would make it hard for us to make a case for a harsher punishment. It would also involve bringing in Liz�s parents. She�s a minor and can�t file a petition like that without consent. When are they going to be back anyway?� �In about two weeks. Liz is trying to persuade them to take off one more week to spend in Italy, where the ship is going to dock, but they�re not taking the bait.� �There�s nothing we can do sheriff? Not even with him following her?� �Unfortunately no, Gwyn. At least not through legal channels anyway. The way the stalking laws are set up, they don�t always protect the victim as much as the assailant. If the following pursists we might be able to get him on harassment but that is only a fine. For me to really be able to do anything he needs to threaten her, to constitute stalking it needs to be several different times. �I don�t know if you kids are planning on uhh- taking care of this, but just a word of advice. Be very careful. His parents and grandparents are influential people. It could turn very badly for- everyone if...� �Thank you sheriff,� Max cut of his warning. He knew that he was right, to go after Rob in anyway until they ruled out all possibilities that he was human could bring lots of unwanted attention on the group. That didn�t mean he wouldn't consider the possibility of eliminating the threat if if he got too close to his Liz. �We really appreciate you looking into it for us.� �Its no trouble. I only wish there was more I could do.� He stood, putting back on his hat. �I have to get back to work but you know where I am if you need me.� He turned and nodded to Kyle who was continuing to keep Colin occupied before heading back out to the cruiser. The three sat in silence for a moment. No one knowing quite what to say. It was a no win situation. They were the only things standing between Liz and a guy who was obviously obsessed with her and he could possibly be an alien. To say nothing of what he might do to the rest of them to get to her. Why again were they still in Roswell? �Where is she?� Max asked Michael without looking up from the table. �Upstairs with Tess.� �Have you told her yet?� �No, I didn�t know what to say. I don�t like giving her another reason to be scared.� Max nodded in understanding. He didn�t like the thought of Liz being scared either but she needed to know. He knew Michael was trying to protect her, but Liz needed to know there was another threat to her safety as much as she needed to know he would always protect her. More than that, he needed to know she was safe. �I need to see her.� Gwyn scooted out of the booth for Max, not having spoken since Valenti left. She could see the conflicting emotions playing in his eyes and knew Liz was exactly the one he needed to see right now. While she had not had the opportunity to see them together much, there was a visible calming effect they had on one another. Everyone put so much emphasis on how Liz was handling everything they ignored that Liz was not the only one being effected by this. Max and Michael were as afraid, if not more so, than Liz. It was their overprotective, fragile egos that kept them from admitting it and seeking out the comfort and reassurance that they were so willing to give to the others. Michael stood to follow. He didn�t know what Max was going to do, but he needed to check on Liz as well. And he should be the one to tell her about Rob. Gwyn reached out a hand to Michael�s arm stopping his retreat form the table. �Let him go this time. He needs her.� �I have-� She cut him off before he could voice his protest. �He�s really upset Michael. If I can feel it Liz most certainly can. He needs her too. Let him have some time with her, she�s still going to be there later.� �I know that. I think Liz is good for Max, I think they�re good together. I just don�t want him to upset her.� �Michael, it doesn�t matter how much you like Max or how much you know that he loves her. She is still your sister and you will never be able to convince me you aren�t glad that she�s been keeping him at arms length. You�ve been the first person to tell her she�s in danger and the first person she goes to when she�s scared. You get to be with her almost every hour of the day to protect her. Let Max in for once. He�s just as afraid for her as you are.� He looked down sheepishly, then slid back into his seat, his hands suddenly fascinating. �You know, it might be good to let her get upset once in a while. She�s a person Michael. She needs to feel her emotions, all of them. She�s scared and lost and out of control but she puts on a happy face for all of us half the time so we won�t worry about her. That�s who she is and that�s ok, as long as she eventually lets this stuff out. Max is going to have to be there when she does it. She�s trying to protect him and she�s got to understand that it doesn�t work that way. She can�t do that if you are running interference for her.� He sighed heavily, taking the chance to look up at Gwyn. He was surprised she didn�t look angry. �I�m still new to this sibling thing, I guess. I keep screwing up though.� He ran a hand over his face tiredly. �You�re not screwing up Michael. You are acting the way all normal big brothers do, or at least the way I imagine they would. I wasn�t saying that to be mean, or tell you you were wrong. I just think you need to take a few steps back and let Max in a little more. Max really needs her right now and she needs him too. When was the last time they were even aloud a private conversation? Let them be alone, they�re not little kids, they don�t need a chaperone.� Michael hadn�t consciously realized it, but Gwyn was right. He had been running interference. Like the conversation the night before on the phone. He should have told Max to ask Liz, not told him all that mushy stuff himself. Although that letting them be alone thing didn�t should like something he was willing to go with. He smirked then cringed as her remembered some advice he had given Max last spring. Yeah, the alone for long periods of time thing didn�t sound good at all. Chapter 44 �You�re sure you don�t mind helping me with this?� Liz asked one last time. �You�re not trying to blow me up or anything, right?� Liz laughed, �nope, no pyrotechnics tonight. Here, I want you to hold this pencil and when I�m on the other side of the room put your shield up. Ok?� �Sure. What are you going to do?� �I�m going to try to change the pencil while your shield is up.� �Oh,� Max nodded his head. That was something he couldn�t even imagine Tess being able to do, his shield had gotten even stronger since they were in Copper Summit. But then again, he had also seen Liz�s shield. He had a feeling they had only gotten a taste of how powerful she was. Liz watched him carefully to make sure he was ok with this. She and Tess had been up here practicing when the idea jumped into her head. Tess hadn�t been able to do a warp on her through Liz�s shield but she wanted to see if maybe she could do some reconfiguration through Max�s. She was beginning to suspect that she was a lot more capable of things than anybody thought. She didn�t talk to Michael about it because he would flip out and tell her they were dangerous. Also, she suspected he was a little threatened by the possibility that she might be more powerful than he, the warrior of the group, was. She had a theory as to why some of her strengths were greater than the pod squad�s, but she was going to talk to Gwyn about it first. Liz knew Max wouldn�t feel threatened by her ability. It would probably make him feel better that she wasn�t completely defenseless. There was something bothering him, though. He and Michael had been downstairs when she felt the definitive change in their emotions. They were upset about something, but that wasn�t the only thing, he had been a little out of sorts at school today too. He was his usual sweet self, he even brought her a rose. It made her smile just to think about that, but in the corner of her mind she could feel something was troubling him all day. She caught him stealing a couple glances at her but they weren�t the the usual �I love her, isn�t she great� looks. They were speculative, probing, as if he was looking for an answer that should be in front of his face, but he just couldn�t see it. By the end of the day he was quiet and almost clingy, insisting on giving her and Michael a ride home. He kept looking at her and reaching for her hand like she was going to run away from him and when Max had came up to see her just now, she thought he almost looked lost. She wanted to ask him but things were still so tentative and sometimes awkward with them she decided to do the experiment first. He seemed to be relaxing some, grateful for the distraction from his thoughts for the time being. If things went well, then she would ask him what was wrong. It had been awhile, but she thought she was ready to be that person again. That person Max could tell everything to. She wanted to be that person, if there just wasn�t that one nagging doubt in the back of her mind, taunting her. After that dream it was becoming even harder to ignore. That bitter tasting thought that she was going to hurt him again. Finding her spot on the other side of the room she smiled brightly at him to cover her rapid thoughts he was no doubt feeling. He seemed to be much more in tune with her emotions than she was his. She could still read him and Michael but not as strongly as they could her. He faltered for a moment, that dark, slightly pained expression passing over his face an instant before he gave her a smile of equal warmth and devotion. �Ready?� she asked. He nodded in the affirmative, holding the pencil out a little ways with one hand and extending the other to put up his shield. A second later the green swirling wall of light was emitted from his hand, separating them and throwing a green cast around the room. Max watched as Liz evened her breathing and focused. He could see the wheels in her head turning and feel her reluctant excitement that whatever it was she was going to do might work. He hadn�t had the opportunity to observe Liz using this power much and she had obviously become a pro. She didn�t even have to close her eyes anymore. He watched them darken in concentration, the way their color was changing was incredible. Going from their warm chocolate to a dark, but very bright midnight. If he wasn�t positive she meant him no harm, it would have been terrifying to the point of fascination. Somehow, if it were possible, it added to her immeasurable beauty. Giving her an air of mystery and a provocative sensuality that would not usually be associated with Liz Parker. Suddenly there was a brief flash of light in her eyes, like the reflection of a camera bulb only ten times brighter. If Liz were the enemy, he would be fleeing for his life at this point. He expected a sudden wind to kick up any moment to ruffle her hair, revealing exactly the exotic temptress that lay beneath the school girl exterior. The combination of who he knew Liz to be, and this new element of danger and power was wickedly arousing. He hadn�t known exactly what her goal was until he felt the pencil in his hand multiply in weight so quickly he couldn�t hold it up. Caught off guard not only by the the pencil, but his unexpected attraction to Liz using her powers, he dropped his shield. Liz was beaming in triumph. The seductive command gone from her demeanor, replaced with and innocent giddiness that was just as alluring. Finally tearing his eyes away from the goddess in front of him to the suddenly twenty five pound pencil in his hand, his brows raised in shock as he glanced back and forth between Liz and his hand. His hand that was now wrapped around the hilt of a ornately scrolled, silver sword. �Oh! I can�t believe it really worked.� She nearly danced across the room to examine her handy work. �Oooff,� she tried to pick it up to get a closer look and dropped the point back to the floor. �Its heavy too.� Eventually receiving the ability of speech, Max�s voice dripped with awe. �Liz, how did you do that?� �It wasn�t as difficult as I thought it would be.� She stood back up from where she was kneeling. �It was only a matter of finding a way to send the energy around the shield as opposed to through it. I think that�s why Tess couldn�t do a warp through mine. Her power would have to penetrate the shield to actually get into my head, where my energy only has to get around it to manipulate a physical object.� Max nodded, processing her theory. �That makes sense.� He gave her a half smile, �why a sword?� It was an interesting choice to say the least. �Well,� they playful twinkly retuned to her eyes, �you never know when you might need a good sword.� �Right, �cause alien power blasts can be so unpredictable.� �Exactly, and you know, when rescuing damsels in distress, you want to have the latest in chivalrous weaponry.� �The heaver the better.� Liz shrugged, �hey, a knight in shining armor�s gotta do, what a knight in shining armor�s gotta do.� Max leaned the weapon against her desk, in the time it took for their laughter to dissipate from the room and him to turn around, Liz was surprised to see the solemn, distressed look shroud his face once again. She thought she had done a decent job of lightening his mood and relaxing the atmosphere but apparently she hadn�t been thorough enough. She watched as he unconsciously paced a few times in front of the door before sitting on the edge of her bed. He seemed to be debating something. It was obviously effecting him a great deal to upset him this much. She could feel his agitation and uncertainty doubling with each passing moment. Coming to sit next to him, he didn�t even realize she was there until she ran a hand down his arm in a light caress. He jerked his head up at the sudden movement, he smiled ruefully in apology but didn�t say anything. Liz couldn�t take it anymore. She had to say something, he had never actually forgotten that she was in the room before. �Max I have to ask, are you ok? You seem, I don�t know, anxious or upset today. Did- did I do something I shouldn�t have?� �What? No!� He sighed, she was so perceptive, it wasn�t any use to try to keep this from her. �I-� he shifted on the bed to meet her eyes. �I have to tell you something.� �Ok,� she worried her lip seeing his somber expression. This couldn�t be good. �Yesterday, on his way to school, Kyle saw Rob McClain driving past here.� She thought about that for a moment, running it over in her mind. �That�s it?� Liz couldn�t believe this was what Max was so stressed over. She could practically see the muscles knotting in his shoulders out of tension. �You guys saw him driving around, that�s what has you so upset?� �We just talked to Valenti, he did a background check on him. Liz, he�s really well connected. His grampa is running for some kind of office in Arizona and we all know how well we do with anything related to Arizona. They�ve got it so he�s clean as a whistle, we can�t even get a restraining order on him.� �Its ok Max,� he was so agitated. She tried to say something to lighten the mood and calm him, �the only time I�m ever alone is when I�m in the bathroom. I don�t think he�ll be waiting under the stall for me. I can�t tell you that he won�t try anything else, but I don�t think he�ll actually hurt me. He�s not that bright Max, he is going to get board and move on to something else.� �I don�t know Liz. I don�t like him being out there. He isn�t in school, his parents have money so he doesn�t have a job. I can�t get it out of my head that all his time is going to be spent building some sick shrine in his basement crawl space with the final souvenir being your lifeless body.� �Max, no! That is not going to happen.� She grabbed on to his hands willing her reassurance and faith in him to find their way into his soul. �I can�t help it Liz, I think about someone wanting to do something to you and my mind just goes crazy. I just can�t turn off all the bad things that could possibly, in the farthest reaches of reality, happen to you.� �I know,� she said quietly, stroking the backs of his hands with her thumbs. There wasn�t anything she could say to work this out of his head, so she wasn�t even going to try. She felt the same way when she thought about him. Its just what happened when you loved someone to distraction, you worried whether it was warranted or not. �We�ll figure something out Max. It may take awhile and it might have to go farther than we want, but we will figure something out.� �You really believe that?� He asked her, his uncertainty tinged by something else she couldn�t quite make out. It felt almost like doubt, but not in their ability to straighten this out, but in her belief... in him. �Yes, I do,� her tone left no room for argument. Her assured statement almost seemed to cause him pain. She didn't know what was going on. Liz watched as his gaze dropped from her forehead to their joined hands. He seemed to be studying them, looking for some kind of secret truth. �Max, what is it?� She asked when he unknowingly let out a long, sad sigh. �Nothing, nothing at all.� He plastered on a conciliatory smile that was very unMax like, almost plastic. �You�re right. I just can�t let it get to me.� He squeezed her hands lightly before letting them drop. She managed to catch his eye for a flash and knew he wasn�t telling her everything. �No Max, there�s something else.� She pushed him for an answer. He was being too unMax like, she couldn�t let him leave until she was convinced he would be alright. He had a ways to go before then. �You�ve been off all day. You can tell me, I mean, I want you to tell me. Like... like we used to.� She looked up at him from under her lashes. He was smiling softly, but she could still see his turmoil under the surface. �Its nothing Liz really. Noting for you to be worried about.� He reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind an ear. He wouldn�t look her in the eye. Now she was getting worried for real, Max was a very genuine person, he always looked people in the eye. �Max,� she reached up to stop his hand. �Please,� she softly implored. �There�s something bothering you, there may not be anything I can do but at least let me be you�re friend.� He sighed and looked to where the window would have been. Getting an idea, Liz stood and walked to the wall. �What are you doing?� He asked as he followed her across the room. Even as he asked the wall shifted, becoming transparent. The outlines of the window came into focus and in a matter of seconds the window was restored. She lifted the heavy pane and climbed through on to the balcony. Max scrambled though after her, not wanting her to be alone out there. He followed her out to the lounge chair where she instructed him to sit. Noting the determined glint in her eye, he didn�t argue. Situating himself in the chair, he scooted to the right, moving his legs to the far edge hoping she would join him. To his pleasure, Liz settled her little body next to him. Her right leg pressed the length of his left, her back and head leaning intimately against his strong chest. Max�s arms instinctively went around her waist to keep her close. Once they were both comfortable, watching the stars brighten in the rapidly darkening sky, Liz broached the subject again. �Now can you tell me?� She kept her voice soft and unassuming so he wouldn�t feel cornered. Max stiffened behind her and had to force himself to relax. It was stupid to think he could hide this from her but he didn�t want her to feel bad. Ever since that phone call with Michael there was a thought plaguing him. He remembered bits of a conversation almost a month ago and it only served to further his paranoia. How do I say that it kills me that you don�t trust me? He thought, trying to come up with something as close to the truth that would not widen the gap between them. �What?� Liz shifted her body abruptly, looking up at him with concern and shock. �I didn�t say anything,� he shook his head. Max knew he wouldn�t be so careless as to say something like that out loud. �Yes you did. You said �How do I say that it kills me that you don�t trust me?� Why don�t you think I trust you Max.� She didn�t look hurt, just concerned that he would think that. Max caught his breath, his eyes widened as he realized exactly what this meant. �No Liz, I didn�t say that... out loud.� Her eyes clouded in confusion before she gasped in comprehension, she had heard what Max was thinking. Letting that sink in for a moment, the actual thing Max had been thinking came back to the front of her mind. �Ok, umm, that�s probably not going anywhere so we can talk about that later.� Max looked at her like she was crazy, but she pressed on. �Max, why don�t you think I trust you?� she asked again. He looked away and sighed. This was going to be harder than he thought, apparently not even the new found ability to read his mind was going to deter her from needling this out of him. �Liz, its not important.� She captured his chin with her small hand, forcing him to look at her. �Max, this is very important. I trust you completely Max, I know you would never let anything happen to me if you could help it. What ever gave you the idea that it would be otherwise?� He closed his eyes not being able to say the words, you did. Once again, she heard him but it didn�t seem to phase her. �I did what?� She quietly implored him to tell her where this came from. She couldn�t imagine what she had done to cause him this much doubt in their renewed bond, but she had to put these ideas of his to rest. She pushed it to the back of her mind again, that persistent idea that something would inevitably come between them and his broken heart would once again be at her hands. She couldn�t think about that now, this was about Max. Liz could feel that he was worried about hurting her but she didn�t really care, he was the one who was obviously hurting. �Max, please. Tell me. It hurts more that you think you can�t.� Her tone was bordering on desperate and Max couldn�t keep it in any longer. It was the lesser of two evils to hurt her with his words than to do it by not telling her at all. But he couldn�t look at her when he said it, he just couldn�t. �When I was talking to Michael the other night, he... he said something about you being reluctant because you were unsure of yourself and I asked him if he was sure. That that didn�t sound right, that maybe you thought it- it was me. He said he didn�t think so, but the more I thought about it the more plausible it sounded. I mean what have I done to give you a reason to trust me.� He was beginning to babble now, he just couldn�t stop himself. �Max-� Liz tried to interrupt him before he got carried away, but he never even heard her. �And then I kept remembering what you said that morning. When... when we talked, and you said it. You said you didn�t trust me, and now I can�t get it out of my head and I don�t know what to do and I can�t ever make it up to you...� �Max stop!� Liz gripped his face, looking deep into his eyes and forcing him to do the same. �I don�t know where Michael got that idea but I certainly never gave it to him. He and I don�t even talk about you unless I�m telling him he has to be civil or he�ll be sleeping in the cafe.� She took a breath to gage if any of this was sinking in. His eye were a little glassy with wetness but at least he seemed to be hearing her. �As for the other thing. Max I didn�t say that, if I did although I don�t know why I would, that�s not what I meant.� Before she could go on she felt him unintentionally sending her a flash as the conversation played back in his own head. �Max this is not a question of whether or not you love me. This is not about love at all. This is about trust. I�m not sure I can continue to trust you with my heart or that you can trust me with yours. We can�t continue to do this to each other Max, hurting ourselves like this....� �...I told you this is not about love, its about trust. I�m not sure if we can trust each other anymore.� ...�I would never let anything happen to you Liz, you know that. I would die first.� �Its not my life I�m worried about Max, its my heart.� A look of pure horror crossed her face as the flash came to an end. This was nearly a moth ago, had this been festering in his mind since then, causing him the anguish she felt along with the flash? God, what had she done? �Oh my gosh, Max,� tears began to brim in her eyes. �I did say it. Oh Max, I�m so sorry. That�s not what I meant, though. I swear its not. Everything was just so confusing and I didn�t know what I was doing or saying. I know I didn�t mean it like you think.� �Its ok Liz,� his choked voice tried to console. His hands gently removed hers from his cheeks. �You can�t help how you feel.� �But that�s not how I feel,� she insisted, trying to think over the waves of pain and regret radiating off the both of them. She rubbed a hand over her forehead trying to regain her focus. �How do I explain this?� she asked rhetorically. �You don�t have to explain anything Liz. You don�t own me any explanations.� That was what he said but every ounce of emotion and fiber in his being were begging her to make this all better, to put these demons behind them. �Just stop being so selfless for one second and let me think,� she ground out, angry with herself for not knowing this was what had been bothering him all along, especially when it was a problem that began and ended within herself. �We, I�ve, already done so much to hurt each other I just didn�t- don�t want it to happen you, I mean us, again. This isn�t coming out very well,� she sighed, forging on. �I don�t think I could take it again, that look, it haunts me. That devastated l-look in your eyes, it just keeps playing over and over again, like a warning.� She turned away from him, settling back down into the chair, understanding why he hadn�t met her eyes earlier. Somethings were easier said when you couldn�t see the reaction. �That, what I said, it was never really about you Max. I suppose I included you in the statement to give you another way out. I don�t know, maybe I meant it as a warning that you didn�t hear. I wasn�t thinking about how what I was saying sounded, only what I was feeling. I was feeling- I was hurt, but I couldn�t get past the fact, and I still can�t, that what I did drove you to that point. Things only deteriorated because I let them. You only got hurt because I had the power to do it. I�m not sure I want all that power Max.� �Liz, no...� Max squeezed her around the middle, burring his face in her hair and whispering in to her ear. �I trust you Max, I do. With everything I am. Its... its, I guess sometimes its harder to trust yourself than it is someone else. Do you understand?� �Yeah,� came his soft reply as he nuzzled his cheek against her silky strands. Liz still didn�t think it was enough. She had undermine his confidence once again, there had to be something she could say or do to further convince him. This was turning out to be a lot more about her than she had intended, but if it would help Max to see the truth she would purge these painful demons. �What if I told you something I�ve never told anyone, not even Michael or Maria? Then would you believe me?� �Liz, you don�t need to prove anything to me. I believe you because you say it.� �Yeah, but sometimes its better to have proof, something to hold onto.� �No, Liz. You don�t have to tell me anything. You don�t have to prove yourself to me. � �Do you know why I�m afraid of the dark?� Sinking farther down on the chair and rubbing her cheek lightly against his clothed chest, she began as if she hadn�t heard his protests. �Michael and Maria think its because there could be someone waiting there to grab me. That I�m afraid someone could be waiting for me. But that�s not the reason. Its because I remember.� The way she was already so engrossed in what she was saying, Max could tell she needed to get this out, if she realized it or not. �Remember what?� �The dark. I- I remember slipping into, having it surround me, pull me deeper until that�s all there was. I remember... dying.� �Oh Liz,� he shifted her around and pulled her closer until she was all the way in his lap, her legs dangling over the other side of the chair, and their foreheads touched. He stroked her hair tenderly, trying to help ward off her demons. �In the... when its dark-� a few tears spilled over and her voice caught in her throat. She hadn�t realized saying this out loud was going to be so hard. �Shhh,� he cupped her cheek, wiping away her tears with his thumb. �You don�t have to say any more.� She took a deep breath and nodded slightly, �I need to.� �Ok.� He continued to stroke her cheeks in encouragement and reassurance. �The umm, the only thing that was in the dark, the last thing I remember was the knife. Being stabbed... and all that was in the dark was the pain, and I was so scared Max.� Her shaky, horse voice skittered up his spine and gripped his heart with an icy hand. She closed her eyes against the onslaught of emotions she hadn�t realized she would be releasing, but it was too late to go back now. She had to get the rest of this out. �In that dark place that�s all there was Max. It was only the pain and it hurt so much. Pain and hurt seem too small and short to describe what it really felt like. I couldn�t scream and I couldn�t move and it lasted forever but it was over in an instant.� She let him pull her flush with his body and guide her head to rest in the crook of his neck. A few more tears escaped and her throat burned from the attempt to keep the rest at bay. �T-that�s what the dark is to me. I can reason with my s-self all I want, but when push comes to shove dark equals,� she swallowed and the last words escaped on a sob, �pain, suffering, and death.� Max stroked her back and hair, letting her cry for all she was worth. It broke his heart that she had to feel like that. It wasn�t fair that someone so perfect and good should be afraid of anything. �I�m here now my Liz,� he hugged her closely, whispering in her ear as she cried softly into his neck. �It will never be dark as long as I�m here.� Chapter 45 Wednesday, noon... Max pulled out the baggy in his lunch sack that was supposed to be green grapes, one of the few fruits he could stand without adding something to, only to discover it was not longer filled with grapes. Staring at the bag now filled with bright red strawberries he heard a muffled giggle from the stool next to him. It was lunchtime and for the first time in quite a while it was pouring outside. Spring in New Mexico was prone to the occasional down pour but it usual didn�t last all day like this. If it didn�t let up soon there could be flooding. That was the reason his friends were currently crowded around a lab table in the biology room. Drawing his attention from the mystery strawberries he sought out the owner of the giggle. He already knew who it was though, he would always be able to identify it. Looking over at Liz with a small smile he raised his brows in question. She bit her lip as a slight blush tinted her cheeks. He watched as her eyes dropped from his to the fruit in his hand. Remembering her little display yesterday, his mouth dropped open. �Did you do this?� He whispered to her. Liz only nodded in response. After their talk yesterday they were in considerably better spirits. Max had stayed over at Liz�s until an hour after his curfew, just to be sure she was sleeping soundly. After a revelation like that he didn�t want to leave her at all, but they weren�t quite that far along yet. Besides, he was pushing Michael to the brotherly breaking point as it was. Max had been impressed at the restraint he had shown. When Liz had been crying some part in the back of his mind fully expected Michael to come charging up the back steps to rescue her from his evil clutches, but it never happened. Later, when he and Liz went down stairs and ordered dinner, intending to bring it back upstairs, Michael had only asked how she was feeling and if she wanted him to make anything special. Of course everyone had their breaking point and finding him asleep in Liz�s bed, for the second time that week, at one am, had not gone over too well. At least there was no yelling, just a rough shake and a finger pointed to the digital clock on the night stand. That brought him back to the present, where Liz had just transformed his grapes into a bag of ripe, red, juicy strawberries. Remembering exactly why he tried not to be around strawberries in public, and knowing they had a similar effect on Liz, he was very glad their date was only two days away. He was working really hard to make it special and different than anything they had done before. He�d even enlisted Isabel and Maria for advice on a few of the surprises he had planned. Max had learned not to expect perfect because with the way things went for him, he would inevitably be disappointed. So, he was shooting for romantic and unforgettable. You didn�t need perfect to get those things, he only needed Liz. Anyway, everything was almost set. He only had a few more things to finish, but Liz�s little trick gave him one last thing he would need to add to his check list. He spread out his napkin on the table between then and dumped the berries on to it. �Share?� he asked. She did that thing where she tilted her head a little and looked at him through her lashes as a smile bloomed on her lips. It totally drove him crazy, but she didn�t know that which made it all the more appealing. Max watched as she picked one up and turned it in her hand like a specimen. �What? Is there something wrong with it?� he leaned over so he could see the berry better. �No, at least I don�t think so.� �What do you mean you don�t think so?� �Well...� she bit her lip again. �I�ve never actually changed food before. Do you think its safe to eat?� He made an incredulous sound, trying to sound deeply offended, �you mean you changed my lunch without knowing what it could do to me? You know, I�m sure somewhere you could get in trouble for trying to poison the king.� Liz straightened her back, �I couldn�t get in too much trouble now could I?� �Oh really? And why�s that?� He picked up a strawberry, pinching the stem between his fingers. �You can�t do much to the queen now, can you?� Max made a face like he was thinking, �you may be right. Just to be on the safe side, I think you should eat one first.� �You do?� �Just in case, preservation of the monarchy and all.� �There isn�t going to be much preservation if I�m dead you know.� She leaned toward him some, her voice growing a husky at the implications of her statement. Max�s eyes darkened at the prospect as well, �then we�ll just have to make sure I bring you back then, won�t we?� His voice was a near whisper as he leaned in farther, bringing his hand closer to her lips. �Mmmhmm,� Liz�s eyes began to flutter closed as she anticipated the berry on her lips. Just as they were about to meet a squeal erupted from somewhere in the room and something hard bumped into Max. Startled, he was forced forward, bumping Liz�s head with his, and smushing the berry into her shoulder. Quickly gaining his balance, he grabbed onto her just before she toppled backwards off the stool. �Michael! Look what you made me do.� Came the voice of the offender. Paying more attention to Liz, Max didn�t hear her. �I�m so sorry. Are you ok?� He ran light fingers over her forehead. Liz smiled indulgently at him, �I�m fine, I wouldn�t say so much for the strawberry though.� She waved a hand over the mashed fruit, taking the stan away. �What happened?� �I�m not-� Max turned around to see Maria standing there waving a vial under her nose and glaring at Michael. He shook his head and turned back to Liz, �please tell me she�s working on Friday.� �If not, she is now. I guarantee it.� �Thank God,� Max sighed. He didn�t know how many more of Maria�s interruptions he could take and stay sane. He was about to ask Liz again if she was alright when movement at the door caught his eye. He looked up to see some guy he had never seen before watching them. Subtly, he gestured to Michael who turned around when he saw Max stiffen. Sure enough, there was a guy he had never seen before leaning against the door jam. Michael stood, his arms crossing over his chest, legs shoulder width apart, in a defensive stance. Everyone turned to see what had put Michael into protector mode so quickly. The rest of the guys stood up, ready for battle, while the girls appraised their visitor covetously. He was tall, probably taller than Michael, maybe 6 foot 3. His sandy brown hair was slightly disheveled, in a charming little boy way. He was well built, lean and muscular but not over done. The basketball peeking out of his bag, a giveaway to his regimen. He wore loose fitting, khaki cargo pants and a dark green tee shirt. It wasn�t too tight, but snug enough to know that he would look just as yummy without it. His gray blue eyes were soft and sparkling at the same time as he watched one particular member of the group. An almost nostalgic smile tugged at his lips. Maria thought, with the exception of his light eyes, he looked a lot like Josh Heartnet, while Isabel thought he bore a striking resemblance to Buffy�s last boyfriend. What�s his name? The one they shipped off to South America. �Are you looking for something?� Michael addressed the stranger when it was obvious he wasn�t going to introduce himself. �Oh I think I�ve found her,� his voice as warm and smooth as honey, while he kept his eyes trained on his reason for being there. As soon as the words left his lips the object of his fascination slid slowly off her stool and walked toward him. Their gaze never broke as she was seemingly pulled across the room. When she stopped in front of him they stared at one another for a moment. �Hi,� she greeted him with a small smile. �Hi yourself,� he replied with a hint of amusement. Reaching out he tugged lightly at her hair, enthralled with it�s texture. He leaned in closer so her face was the only thing filling his vision. �God I�ve missed you,� he told her fervently so that only she could hear. Tears pricked at her eyes as she wound her arms around his neck. Letting her forehead rest on his, she breathed in his woodsy scent that told her she was home. After a long, torturous moment, he finally molded her body to his, circling his strong arms around her small form. His hand coming up to cup her neck, he pulled back just enough to angle his head and capture her lips with his own. The kiss was slow and sweet, but full of passion and longing. Speaking of all the lonely days and sleepless nights spent apart. �Ahem,� Michael cleared his throat in an attempt to break the near make out session. �Ahh Gwyn you want to introduce your �friend� to the group?� Her attention diverted by someone calling her name, she reluctantly broke off the kiss. She turned in the mystery man�s arms, blushing at having forgotten the existence of other terrestrial beings. Before she could respond with a coherent explanation, she felt her hair being lifted off her neck and gentle fingers exploring the crest of her skull. �I�m so sorry I wasn�t here,� he told her, feeling for any marks or signs of trauma. �Hey,� she turned back around. Taking his hand, she kissed the pad of each digit sweetly. �There was no way you could have known. Max was here, and he fixed me up good as new. There�s nothing to even think about now.� �I still should have been there and you shouldn�t have been anywhere near here.� �I am not having this discussion again. You just got here, don�t go picking fights you know you can�t win.� She smiled cockily at him, he shook his head and brought her back into his arms. �What am I going to do with you?� he laughed. �That we can discuss later,� she whispered seductively in his ear and was rewarded with a muffled groan as he lightly bit her neck. �There are still other people in the room here,� came the second rather unwelcome intrusion from Michael. They reluctantly disentangled themselves from one another but let their hands stay firmly laced together, not willing to give up some form of contact. �Sorry.� She blushed again as she led him closer to the group. All the girls were smiling because they knew who the mystery man was. The boys weren�t quite sure what to think. Gwyn didn�t seem like the type of person to just maul a guy like that. �Guys,� she addressed the table, �this is Justin.� Justin had to smile to himself. Who would have thought that his first official meeting with the Antarian Royal Court would have been in a school in a small New Mexico town? For some reason he had always thought there would have been a little more pomp and circumstance, but then that was before they found out so many things had gone wrong. He took a cursory glance around the room, taking in its eight occupants plus the beautiful little thing at his side. He had missed her so much. Security prevented them from speaking on a regular basis and it was literally killing him. Everyday he was away from her he could feel himself withering. When the attack happened he didn�t think he had ever been so scared in his life. He could feel her slipping out of this existence like water through a sieve. The feeling of the connection weakening was like someone yanking all the hair on his body out one by one until every part of him burned and cried out for relief. Like someone dimming the lights on your ability to reason so slowly you didn�t realize it until it was too late. Like wishing you could follow someone off a cliff but not knowing how to get there. The only thing that came a close second was that day so long ago when he couldn�t get to Lilly, but he didn�t like to think about that. Prying his eyes off her again, they came into contact with the rather defensive form in front of him. What was up with this guy�s hair? Gwyn would never let him do his hair like that. Forget the couch, he�d be sleeping in the garage. Judging from his expression, his placement a bit in front of the group, and battle ready stance, there was only one person this could be. He had come into contact with that �you do anything to them/her and you�ll regret it look� more than a few times. Again memories of meeting Eirya and Lillyah for the first time assaulted him, at least they were good ones this time. �Let me guess, you�re Rath?� There was a twinkle of amusement in his eye as he held his hand out to the protector of the group. Seeing how Michael bristled and stared at his hand he looked to Gwyn for an explanation. Had he already done something wrong? He hadn�t realized how nervous he was until this very moment. Up until ten seconds ago his only thought for the last two weeks had been to get to Gwyn. He felt her squeeze his hand in reassurance, �actually this is Michael.� �Oh, right.� He looked up apologetically, Gwyn had mentioned how much it bothered them to be called by their old names. �I�m sorry. I�m having trouble remembering your names, but I�m sure it will be easier now that I have faces to go with the names.� He watched as Ra- Michael eyed his hand only taking it when the feisty blond next to him slapped his arm. She then promptly introduced herself as his girlfriend Maria, adding that Michael was grumpy today because the vending machine was out of his favorite chips, and that he would get used to it. The introductions moved through Isabel and her boyfriend Alex. Isabel apologized again for being rude over the phone, while he apologized for freaking out on her. He unconsciously put an arm around Gwyn as he did so. Alex seemed a little weird, kind of spacy and jumpy, but with all that had been happening to them that was probably to be expected. Then he met Gwyn�s sister Tess, her boyfriend Kyle, and learned Tess was going to be living with them. He was a little disappointed, he liked having her all to himself. But he knew how much getting to know her sister this time around meant to Gwyn, so he smiled and welcomed Tess, assuring her it was no problem at all. He would just have to learn to adjust. Finally, Gwyn turned him to the last couple. Justin would have known them anywhere. While they looked different, they still had this aura about them, that defined who they were. How any one could see them together and not know that they were both royalty and meant to be together was beyond him. He watched as the dark hared young man stood behind the petite brunette�s stool, his hand lightly resting on the small of her back. The other hand was loosely resting on the table in front of them, to a bystander it looked like nothing, but Justin knew it was placed just far enough in front of the Queen to throw up his shield if the new member should prove a threat. Yes, he would know them anywhere, it didn�t matter what they called themselves now. However, it was this line of thinking that had his instincts as official guard to the Queen making his second uncomfortable mistake of the day. �Last, but certainly not least, this is Max and Liz,� Gwyn gestured to them, watching Justin carefully. He was seeing it too. What she saw when they were together and how it kind of knocked you back to those memories the others wished you would keep buried. Before she could stop him he was bowing reverently. �Your highness�� he greeted, his eyes still trained on the ground. The reaction from the room was interesting to say the least. Isabel and Tess� jaws hit the floor. Michael, Maria, and Kyle were rolling in the isles. Alex stood there with a smirk. And poor Max and Liz, he was blushing so hard his ears were going to catch on fire if he scratch a hole in his head first. While Liz was going to chew off her bottom lip if she wasn�t careful. �Honey,� Gwyn pulled on Justin�s shoulder trying to get him to stand. �You don�t have to do that,� came Liz�s quiet voice when Gwyn was unsuccessful. Justin straightened, his line of vision opening to Liz�s outstretched hand. He looked at it for a moment not sure what to do. �We�re not very formal around here, Liz and Max will be fine.� He finally realized just how much he had embarrassed his monarchs and felt doubly bad about it. He didn�t know what to say. Should he apologize and explain that they had such a regal aura he couldn�t help himself or ignore the whole incident. What was wrong with him? He hadn�t felt this unsure of himself since he asked Eirya to marry him. Apparently he had taken longer to debate with himself than he thought because it was Gwyn�s voice that finally relieved the situation. �You guys will have to excuse him. Meeting you all at once is a little intimidating. For some of us it causes a little regression.� �Don�t worry about it, meeting Michael does that to a lot of people.� Liz joked to lighten the mood. There was an indignant huff from behind Justin, followed by a �Oh, you know its true Space Boy.� You sure couldn�t say they weren�t an interesting group. �We�re glad to finally meet you Justin. I know Gwyn missed you very much,� Liz smiled at the reunited couple as Max took his seat again. �Huh?� Gwyn was distracting him the way she was running her free hand up and down his arm. �Oh, yeah. I�m glad to finally be here. I was beginning to wonder if things would ever come together.� �Are you staying for a while then?� �I�m staying for good. I left some people I trust to over see moving to corporate office to Albuquerque. We�re working on setting up a satellite head quarters in a vacant store down on Main but we still need to have access to a major city. If anything, it will keep attention off Roswell. I can oversee things from town and make a trip once or twice a month up north to check on things.� �By up north you mean?� Kyle was shifting impatiently on his stool, he wanted to get the clear definition of �up north�. For some reason all the dealings Justin seemed to have his hand in really intrigued him. �To Albuquerque. What else would it mean?� �Its a long story,� Max answered for him. �Are you going to take some time off from- whatever,� Max suddenly realized he knew almost nothing about what Kyle and Justin were talking about, that would have to be remedied sometime soon. But not until after Friday. �I�m going to cut back considerably. I�m not as hands on in the business dealings as you might think. For the past year or so most of my attentions have been devoted to finding you and organizing the infiltration of the Skins. Now that both those things are under control and the only urgent mater is keeping Liz safe, I can devote my attentions to other more uhh...,� he glanced at the red head plastered to his side, �important things.� Gwyn rolled her eyes, �you mean you can spend more time playing basketball in the drive way.� �Well that too,� he laughed. �Grab a stool Justin, we still have another half hour before class. Sorry there�s no ball today because of the rain. Maybe tomorrow,� Kyle offered. He really wanted to know more about what Justin did and that would be the best way to do it without it sounding weird. �That would be great, I haven�t had a good game in months.� �Cool.� �So, what�s happening with Durton?� Michael wasn�t really in the mood to mince words... He was having a hard time following Gwyn�s advice about Max and this guy was just rubbing him the wrong way. Although, pretty much everyone was getting on his nerves today. He�d been up �till two making sure Liz stayed asleep after Max left and he was very cranky when he didn�t get a good nights sleep. And the vending machine was out of his favorite chips, stupid machine. �Michael! The guy just got here. At least let him unpack before you probe him for information,� Maria admonished. �Actually,� his voice turned serious, �there are a few things I need to tell you about.� His gazed lingered on Liz a moment and no one missed the look of apprehension that passed over his face. Max moved closer to her, wrapping a protective arm around her waist as if to ward off whatever bad news Justin had for them. �Not here though, we should meet someplace more private.� �Do we need to go now or can it wait until later?� Max asked. �It can wait awhile, there�s no immediate threat. Just some things I thought you should be aware of.� �Ok, I have to work tonight but it will probably be pretty dead because of the rain. Why don�t we meet at the UFO center around seven?� �Yeah, that sounds fine.� Justin felt bad about squelching everyone�s good mood but they did need to talk about this stuff and the quicker the better. He didn�t like the implications of what it all meant. �Have you been by the house yet?� Gwyn, sensing his building agitation, came around in front of him and began running her hands lightly over his chest. �Nope, I came straight to where I thought you would be.� He pulled her a little closer, letting their body heat mingle. He saw the corners of her lips turn up and her blue eyes darken a bit. She turned her head, talking to the group over her shoulder. They had all returned to their own conversations seeing that Justin�s thoughts were occupied. �If you guys don�t need us until then, I�m going to take Justin home, show him around, get him umm... settled.� Justin perked up immediately at the prospect of getting her alone. �Sure, we�ll see you later tonight,� Liz waved them off as she tried to distract Max from his thoughts of tonight's meeting with a strawberry. �Great!� Justin all but shouted as he grabbed Gwyn�s hand and drug her out to his car. He couldn�t wait to get a �tour� of their new home. Back Next |