Title: Own Me
Author: Jasper711
Disclaimer: I own nada.
Category: M/L
Rating: PG (R/NC-17 parts will be labeled accordingly.)
Summary: Max is a teenaged father. His parents decide to move the family to Roswell for a new beginning.
Spoilers: None

Part 1


******************

Max gently lifted his 14 month old son up in the air, while making faces at him.

�How�s daddy�s little man?�

Noah Evans looked down into his fathers face a gave a childish giggle. Max couldn�t wipe the goofy grin off of his face.

�Wanna play airplane?�

As Max asked the question, he started twisting in circles. Laughs filled the air as Max continued to play with his son.

Outside the door, Isabel Evans watched as her brother played with her nephew. It was amazing to see the two of them together. It was as if Max was a different person. He was so alive, so carefree. He wasn�t always like this. Noah brought out the best in him.

After giving them a few more minutes, Isabel made her presence known by knocking on the frame of the door.

�Hey Max. Are you guys done packing?�

Max turned to the sound of his sister�s voice. He stopped turning and gently placed Noah on his left hip.

�Just about. I just have to pack the last of Noah�s stuff.�

Isabel walked into the room and sat on his unmade bed.

�Do you need any help? I�m already done packing.�

Max gently bounced Noah on his hip and gestured towards the open box on the floor.

�If you insist. Could you just put all of that stuff into the box?�

Isabel walked towards the box and started packing it. As she grabbed a handful of Noah�s things, a picture frame fell. She stooped down next to it and picked up.

It was a picture of Tess Harding. Isabel looked into her smiling face and sadness overcame her.

�So Iz, I was thinking, you know, maybe I could get Noah one of those toy cars that he could sit in and pretend he was driving-

Max stopped in mid-sentence when he saw Isabel sitting next to the box, a picture in her hand. He walked towards her to see what she was looking at.

He froze when he realized what she was looking at. When he came back to his senses, he grabbed the photo from her hands.

�Thanks for all of your help, but I think I�ve got it from here.�

Isabel sat up and wiped the tears that had fallen onto her cheeks.

�Max, you know, it�s ok to talk about it. You don�t have to keep all of this inside.�

Max turned to his sister with an icy glare.

�Just stop it Iz. I don�t want to hear it.�

Isabel tried to suppress the sobs that threatened to wrack her body.

�Max, it�s been over a year. You can�t keep this bottled up inside.�

�I said I don�t want to hear it. I get it enough from mom and dad. Besides, I already have a therapist for this, I don�t need another one.�

Isabel opened her mouth to say something, but nothing would come out.

Max chose to look anywhere but her. He knew that he was being harsh, but he just couldn�t talk about it. Not now.

Noah started whimpering against Max�s chest. Max cradled his son�s body closer to his own, and began cooing reassuring words to his son.

Without taking his eye�s off of Noah, Max started speaking again.

�You better go. I have to get Noah ready for bed.�

Isabel only nodded before exiting. She closed the door behind her and captured her sobs into her hand. She had no idea what to do. She wanted to help Max, but how were you supposed to help someone that refused to be helped?

She walked away when she heard Max sing softly to Noah.

Inside his room, Max sat on his bed. He held his son in his arms and began to sing him his favorite song.

When Noah seemed to finally settle down, Max sat him on his lap so that they were looking at each other.

�Hey buddy. I�m sorry, I didn�t mean to get you upset back there. It�s just, daddy has some stuff to deal with right now, and he�s confused.�

He gently ran his fingers through his son�s soft hair.

�We�re moving tomorrow. To Roswell, New Mexico. Can you believe it? Gramma and Grampa say they want to move us to a small town so you could grow up in a nice environment. But I know that�s not true. We�re moving because of me. They can�t take it anymore. All the whispering, the staring. I guess it�s a good thing. It wouldn�t be a healthy environment for you to grow up in. I don�t want to take you away from here, but I have to. I have no choice. I mean what�s a seventeen year old guy supposed to do? How am I supposed to raise you all by myself?�

Max watched as his son looked at him with great interest. At times like these, Max felt like he could really understand him.

�I love you pal, nothing�s going to change that. Ever.�

Max held Noah up so that their noses were touching. He stared into Noah�s piercing blue eyes. a single tear slipped down Max�s cheek.

�Did I ever tell you that you and mommy have the same eyes?�

Noah�s head bobbed against Max�s. Max wiped the lone tear from his cheek then placed Noah in his crib. He leaned down and gave him a kiss on his forehead.

�Goodnight little man. We have a big day tomorrow.�

Part 2

*******************

The sun filtered into the room, casting warm hues across the furniture.

Max tossed in his bed. Throwing an arm over his eyes, he groaned.

The alarm clock beside his bed started beeping. Dropping a heavy hand against it, it turned off. Max sat up and looked around his room. It was practically empty, save the furniture that had yet to be packed. Boxes were scattered across the room along with miscellaneous items.

He rubbed his palm over his face and threw the covers off. He bent down to pick up some of Noah�s toys and threw them into an empty box. Turning around to look for the masking tape, Max stopped to the sound of childish gibberish coming from Noah�s crib.

With a smile on his face, Max stopped beside his son�s crib and watched as Noah sat there having a conversation with his toes.

Max gave a slight chuckle before picking up his son.

�Mornin� pal. Who you talkin� to? Are you talkin� to your toes?�

Max gently tweaked each one of Noah�s tiny toes as he cooed his questions. Noah began giggling uncontrollably as his father tickled the pads of his feet.

Max plastered Noah with kisses. He sat him down on the bed as he continued tickling him.

When it seemed like Noah had had enough, Max began to smooth down his soft blonde curls.

�You ready to move today? Huh, pal?�

Noah rolled onto his stomach and grabbed onto the tip of Max�s pillow. He placed the tip of the pillow into his mouth and began to suck.

Upon seeing this, Max gently pulled the pillow away from his son.

�No. No putting that in your mouth ok?�

Max propped Noah against his pillows as he started a conversation with him.

�Ok, so we have lots to do today. We gotta finish packing and then later this afternoon, we�re gonna fly to Roswell. You like the sound of that big guy? You�ll actually get to ride in a real plane. It�ll be just as fun as when we play. First, we have stop by your grandparents� place. Let them say goodbye to you before we leave. But before we do any of those things, we have to get you out of that dirty diaper.�

Max lifted Noah into the air and pretended that he was smelling his bottom.

�Pee-yoo! You�re a stinky little boy aren�t you?�

As Max went about changing Noah�s diaper, a knock came from the door. Turning around slightly, Max yelled out.

�Come in!�

Diane Evans peeked into her son�s bedroom, or what was left of it. The place he grew up in was no more. Diane�s eyes landed on Max and Noah. Seeing Max with him made her heart swell. Knowing that her son was taking responsibility for his actions made her feel proud, but sometimes she couldn�t help but be disappointed. It wasn�t that she didn�t love Noah, because she did. She just wished Max would have waited. As if being a teenager wasn�t tough enough, he was a single father too. She hoped that the move to Roswell would do the whole family good. But especially Max. She hated the way people would look at him and talk about him. It broke her heart to see her son in pain.

Quietly shuffling into his room, Diane stood next to Max and watched as he continued to change Noah.

�Morning son.� Diane stood on her tip-toes and gave Max a small kiss on his temple.

Max returned the favor.

�Mornin� mom.�

Diane looked around the room.

�Well, it looks like you�re all set. Say, why don�t we spend the day together, you know, the whole family. One last time before we take off tonight?�

Max picked up Noah and turned to his mom.

�That sounds great mom, but I have some stuff to care of before we leave.�

Diane took Noah into her arms and began rocking him.

�Ok, then. You go and do what you have to do and I�ll keep an eye on Noah.�

Max gave his mom a look before reaching for his son again.

�As much as I appreciate that mom, I kinda have to take Noah with me.�

Max went about getting his clothes out, along with Noah�s.

�I�m taking him to see the Hardings before we leave.�

Max continued to move around the room, afraid to stop and have to look into his mother�s eyes.

Diane saw right through him and placed her hand on his arm to stop him from moving.

�The Hardings?� Diane practically had to choke out the words. If there were people in this town that she wanted to get away from Max and Noah, the Hardings were definitely on top of that list.

�Honey, are you sure that�s such a good idea?�

Max took a deep breath before finally locking gazes with his mother.

�I have to do this mom. They............. they haven�t seen him since he was born. I thought it would be polite to say goodbye before we left.�

Max turned away from his mother.

�Max, you don�t have to do this. If they wanted to say goodbye they would have. Don�t put yourself through this unnecessary pain.�

Max shrugged his shoulders.

�I have to at least try mom. I don�t want to be the reason why Noah doesn�t know his m-mother�s side of the family.�

Diane noticed how Max had stuttered the word mother. Her heart broke that much more, hearing her son�s dejected tone.

�Ok, you do what you have to do. But our flight is at 7.�

Diane ruffled Max�s hair before leaving.

Max took in a deep breath before attempting to get ready.

***********************

Max stood outside the Harding�s door, carrying Noah in one arm and a diaper bag slung over the other.

He turned to his son. �Here goes nothing pal.� He raised his hand to knock, but before his fist could come into contact with the wood door, it opened to reveal a very menacing looking Ed Harding.

�What are you doing here Max?�

Max shifted Noah against his hip.

�Uh, my family and I are leaving today. I thought that maybe you and Mrs. Harding would like to say goodbye to Noah.�

Ed Harding took on a tone of indifference.

�So you�re finally leaving? All I can say is good riddance. Stay away from us Max. You�ve taken so much from us already. Don�t you think you should leave us in peace?�

Max felt the bile rise up in his throat, and the tears burn his eyes. As much as he wanted to run and take Noah as far away as he could, he couldn�t. He felt responsible for everything that happened. He had to at least try.

�Look Mr. Harding, I know you and Mrs. Harding don�t like me. In fact, I know you hate me. I know you hold me to blame for a lot of things. But I don�t think this is fair to Noah. Hate me as much as you want, but Noah is your family. He needs-

Ed cut him off before he could continue. �Is this about money? Do you need money?�

Max stood there shocked, unable to move. Did Ed Harding honestly believe that he was here for money?

Ed started to turn back to the house. �I�ll go get my check book. It�s a small price to pay to get you out of our lives.�

Max�s voice stopped Ed in his tracks.

�Stop! This isn�t about money, and you know it. I came here today in good faith-

Ed turned to Max with a sarcastic smile on his face.

�Good faith? GOOD FAITH? Is that what you call this?�

Max hugged Noah closer to his chest.

�I�m here to make amends, but you obviously don�t want that.�

Max turned to leave but stopped to whisper something.

�You can�t even look at him because he reminds you of her.�

He turned to face him, tears welling up in his eyes.

�I know. I know because I see her in him everyday.�

Max turned towards his jeep. He drove away without a second look.

It was better this way, right? Noah didn�t need all of this negativity. Before returning home, he made one last stop to make one last goodbye.

Part 3

******************

Max sat in his jeep, hands still gripping the steering wheel. He had been sitting that way for half an hour.

�Buh buh?�

Max turned to look at his son still strapped to his car seat in the back. Max expelled a heavy sigh before unbuckling his seat belt.

He held Noah and walked through the heavy iron gates of Pine Crest Cemetery.

Walking slowly, he stopped at one particular headstone.
Own Me
Teresa Harding

Beloved daughter of Edward and McKenzie Harding.

June 1983 - May 2000
Max knelt down on the soft grass and gently traced the engraving on the headstone.

�Hi Tess. It�s been a while. I�ve come with someone.�

He perched Noah on his knee and faced him toward the headstone.

�It�s Noah. I brought him to........to say goodbye.�

The tears slowly began to trickle down his cheeks.

�I know it�s sudden, but it�s for the best. I don�t want to take him away from you, but I have to.�

�I stopped by to see your parents. But they didn�t want to see him, or me. They still blame me. I do too. I think the reason why they don�t want to see him is because he looks exactly like you. He has your eyes, and your hair. Everyday I look at him................I see you.�

Max gave Noah a kiss on the crown of his head.

�Another reason why I came was to apologize. I�m sorry that you�re not here with us now, or that you never even got a chance to see our son. I know how much you wanted to. I�m sorry that we have to go away, and I�m sorry that Noah will never know you. But I promise, I�ll tell him about you when he�s old enough to understand.�

Max gave a little laugh. �You should see him Tess. Every time I talk to him, I swear, it�s like he can understand me.�

Max�s watch began beeping. He twisted his wrist to get a look at the time. 4:00pm. Max sighed heavily. He didn�t want to leave. Not yet when he had so much to say. The drive home would take at least another hour and a half, then he had to make sure all of his things were ready before their flight.

Max stood up and rubbed remnants of grass off of his jeans.

�I don�t wanna leave you.�

He gently kissed his fingers before placing them across her engraved name.

�I love you Tess. Goodbye.�

**********************

Roswell, New Mexico.

They had arrived in Roswell without a hitch. Max sat in the back seat with Noah and Isabel. He looked out of the window and watched as the houses zoomed past them.

Diane turned from her seat in the front.

�We�re almost there kids. You kids are going love it.�

The car slowed in front of a house. It was a modest house, but certainly larger than their old house.

�We�re here!�

Max turned to Isabel. The two of them shared a look before they piled out of the car.

�What do you think kids? Isn�t wonderful?� Diane ushered everyone into the house.

Phillip stood back and watched his family before following.

�....... and there�s plenty of room for Noah to play, and there�s a huge yard. Your dad and I were thinking we could set up a swing set-

Max interrupted his mom. �That sounds great mom, but you really don�t have to. Noah�s my son. I�m doing my best to provide for him. You don�t have to feel like you have to do this. You�ve already done enough as it is. Letting us live with you, and watching Noah while I�m in school and at work.�

Phillip placed his hand on his son�s shoulder.

�Max, stop right there. Your mother and I aren�t doing anything we don�t want to. You�re doing a great job of being a father. We�re only being grandparents Max. It�s our job to spoil our grandchild.�

Phillip leaned in closer to Noah and grabbed his tiny nose. �Got your nose.�

Max allowed himself to laugh a little. He was glad to have his family�s support.

Part 4

********************

It had been a few days since they had arrived in Roswell. All of their things had come via trucks. The house was still a mess, but at least everything had arrived.

Max sat in the kitchen feeding Noah some bananas.

It was a week before school officially started. Max and Isabel would be starting their senior year.

Isabel stumbled into the kitchen and headed straight for the fridge to grab a glass of orange juice.

She sank down beside Noah. Giving him a kiss on his cheek, Isabel went about reading the want ads.

�So, how you holding up Iz? You liking this place?�

Isabel lifted her eyes from the paper in her hands.

�I don�t know, it�s certainly not California, but it seems ok.�

She took a sip of her juice before continuing.

�How about you? How do you like it?�

Max just shrugged his shoulders. He grabbed his dirty dishes and began washing them.

�I�m not really sure. It seems like a nice place. It�s great for Noah. He�s definitely enjoying the yard. And I definitely love the bigger room. That way me and Noah aren�t so cramped with all of his things.�

Isabel smiled. �I know what you mean. Gotta love that extra closet space.�

Max just laughed and threw the dish rag at her.

�So you comin�? I�m going job hunting.�

�Sure, just let me grab a bagel and I�ll be set.�

************

Max and Isabel began to drive around the local establishments looking for part time jobs. They had just about given up when they drove down Main Street.

On one side was a cafe called the Crashdown Cafe. On the other was a UFO Center.

Max pulled up into a parking space.

�Ok, so I�m gonna head into the UFO Center. You go to the Crashdown and I�ll meet you there.�

Max was about to open his door before Isabel grabbed his arm.

�Excuse me, what makes you think I�m going to apply at a fast food service? Why don�t you go in there and I�ll apply at the UFO Center.�

Max sat in his seat and tried to hide the smirk on his lips.

�Ok, if you think you can handle being around plastic alien dolls all day. You know, with their big heads and those black beady eyes and those elongated fingers-

Max was about to go on but Isabel slapped him across the shoulder.

�Just stop. I don�t want to hear anymore.� Isabel visibly shivered at the thought of being in an environment like that for hours on end. She had always been creeped out at stuff like that.

Isabel tugged on her seatbelt. �Fine, you win. But know this Max Evans, I know where you live.�

Max just laughed as he watched his sister make his way towards the cafe. He got out of the jeep and crossed the street to the UFO Center.

****************

Isabel entered the Cafe and looked around her. Wasn�t there anything in this city that wasn�t alien themed? Before she could contemplate her thoughts any further, she was greeted by a pixie-ish blonde wearing a turquiose uniform and silver antennaes.

Isabel bit back the laugh that wanted to come out. Instead, she listened as the blonde introduced herself.

�Hi, welcome to the Crashdown. I�m Maria, I�ll be your server. Would you like to take a seat?� Maria motioned to the empty tables around her.

�Actually, I was hoping to speak to the manager.�

Maria eyed her for a moment before yelling out to Liz in the back room.

�Liz, there�s someone who wants to talk to you.�

Liz walked through the swinging doors, her hair in a lose ponytail. She was also wearing the same uniform, minus the antenna.

She walked towards them with a smile on her face.

Reaching out her hand, she introduced herself.

�Hi, I�m Liz.�

Isabel gladly shook her hand.

�Isabel. It�s nice to meet you.�

Liz gave her a genuine smile.

�So, Isabel, what can I do for you today?�

Isabel�s brow knotted in confusion.

�Are you the manager?�

Liz gave a little laugh.

�Just part-time, that is, when my parents aren�t here.�

Isabel nodded.

�You see, I�ve been driving around all morning looking for a part time job. Something to keep me busy when I�m not in school.�

Liz studied her for a moment before offering her a seat in one of the booths.

�Well, we could use a part-timer. Have you ever had any experience waitressing?�

Isabel shook her head. �No, but I have had other jobs. I�m willing to learn and I�m a really hard worker.�

Liz�s smile got wider. �Well, you�ve convinced me. How about you stop by tomorrow so you can meet my dad and we can train you?�

�That sounds great. You have no idea how grateful I am for this job.�

�You should remember that when we start training you.�

The two girls continued to laugh before they were joined by Maria.

�Is this a private laughing party, or can anyone join?�

Liz looked up at her best friend and pulled her down into the seat next to her.

�Isabel, this is my best friend Maria.�

Isabel held out her hand.

�It�s nice to meet you.�

Liz motioned to Isabel. �She�s our newest waitress.�

Maria gave her a smile.

�Nice to have you on board. Although, I have to warn you about two of our busboys. They can be a little obnoxious at times, but it�d do you best if you just ignored them.�

Liz playfully hit Maria on the arm. �Come on Maria, Alex and Kyle aren�t that bad. Besides, Alex is our best friend, and Kyle happens to be your brother.�

�That�s step brother, but you�re right, they�re not that bad. The person you really have to watch for is Michael. He�s the cook. He can gets cranky very easily, but what can I say? He�s my boyfriend and I love him.�

Isabel enjoyed the exchange between the two girls. She missed having a best friend of her own.

Liz interrupted Maria and began asking Isabel some questions.

�So Isabel, I have to say, I haven�t seen you around before. Are you new in town?�

�Yeah, my family and I just moved here from California.�

Maria sat up in her seat.

�That�s right. You�re the Evans� right?�

Isabel gave her a weird look.

�Yeah, how did you know?�

Maria threw her hands up in the air.

�It�s a small time, news travels fast.�

Isabel felt her throat tightening. If news traveled that fast, how would they react when they found out about Max and Noah, that is if they already didn�t know.

�So, are you going to West Roswell?� Liz decided to change the subject. Isabel had seemed a little uncomfortable. Liz wanted her to feel welcome. There was something about her that just screamed they were going to be good friends.

Isabel cleared her throat. �Yeah, my brother and I are starting our senior year.�

Maria�s eyes got wide. �Brother? So you guys are like twins?�

Isabel just nodded.

Maria kept smiling but gently nudged Liz with her elbow. Liz turned to Maria and gave her a smile before kicking her under the table.

Liz cleared her throat. �We�re gonna be seniors too. Maybe we�ll have some classes together.�

�Yeah, that would be nice.�

The jingling of the front door signaled a customer.

Everyone turned to see who it was.

Max strode in, eyes searching for his sister. He stopped when his eyes landed on a brunette sitting in a booth.

She had long dark hair and these piercing brown eyes. It was as if the world had faded away. He was mesmerized by her.

Liz sat in the booth and stared at the guy that had walked through the door. He was tall, dark, and handsome. It sounded like a cliche, but that was the best way to describe him. He had these amazing amber colored eyes that made her feel like she was drowning.

They continued to stare at each other until Isabel broke the spell.

�Max!�

Max�s eyes lingered on Liz�s a moment longer before he reluctantly walked towards Isabel.

He stood next to her and jammed his hands into his pockets.

Isabel noticed the difference in Max. He was usually a very quiet person, but he was even quieter than usual. It was as if he nervous.

She cleared her throat to get everyone�s attention.

�Max, this is Liz and Maria.�

Max gave a little wave. �Hi.�

Liz felt a shiver run down her spine at his deep velvety voice.

Isabel turned to the girls.

�Maria and Liz, this is my brother Max.�

Before either one of them could respond, Max�s pager went off.

He reached around his waist and unclipped it from his waist.

His home phone number flashed across the tiny screen along with the numbers 911. His mother only ever used 911 when it was an emergency. He felt his heart drop to the pit of his stomach.

Isabel watched as the color drained from her brother�s face.

�Max? Is everything ok? What�s wrong?�

Max clipped his pager back onto his belt.

�Uh, we have to get out of here. Mom just paged.�

Isabel heard the slight tremor in his voice. She slid out of the booth and stood next to her brother.

�Let�s go then.�

Max nodded and fished his keys from his pocket. He was about to walk towards the door when Liz�s voice stopped him.

�I hope everything�s ok.�

He turned to look into her angelic face. His stomach did a flip flop, but it confused him as to why it did.

�Thanks. I�m sure it is.�

Liz graced him with a beautiful smile that showed her perfect white teeth.

�It was nice meeting you.�

Max stumbled through the double doors with a half smile on his lips.

Part 5

********************

Max pulled the jeep into the drive way and jumped out. He ran into the house and searched for his mother.

�Mom? Noah?�

Isabel ran in behind Max.

Diane Evans walked into the room carrying a fitful Noah, who refused to stop crying.

�Max, thank God you�re here. He�s been crying for the past half hour and he won�t stop. I�ve tried everything.�

Max took Noah from his mother�s arms and gave him a gentle kiss.

�Hey little man. What�s the matter? Why won�t you stop crying for gramma?�

Noah looked into his father�s eyes and immediately calmed down. It was as if by being in his father�s arms, solved all of his little problems.

Max gently rocked him back and forth.

�Let�s take you upstairs and give gramma a break.�

Max stopped beside his mother and placed a hand on her cheek.

�Thanks ma, I appreciate you watching him. I�m sorry if he was a handful.�

Diane brushed the hair off of Max�s forehead.

�It�s ok honey. I think he just missed you, being in a new place and all.�

Max just nodded and headed up the stairs to his and Noah�s bedroom.

Once he got there, he kicked the door closed behind him.

He sat down on his bed and watched his son.

�What�s wrong little man? Why wouldn�t you stop crying for gramma?�

Noah just hiccupped before turning his attention to Max�s shirt button.

Max sighed and stroked his little back.

�You can�t make this a habit. I wish I could spend every waking moment with you, but I can�t. You have to start getting used to this. I start school in a couple of days and I have to go back to work. I can�t be with you all of the time. You have to be a good little boy.�

Noah continued to tug on Max�s shirt button.

�What am I going to do with you?�

*********************

Crashdown Cafe

Liz continued to wipe down the counter, unaware that she had a dreamy smile on her face, or the fact that she was humming.

Alex stood across the room and watched his best friend, oblivious to the whole world.

He walked up to her and tapped her on the shoulder.

�Spill it Parker. What�s up with all of the smiling and the humming?�

Liz gave him a confused look as she wiped her hands on her apron.

�Alex, what are you talking about?�

Alex placed a hand on his chin and studied his friend.

�Don�t play that game with me. I�ve known you for too long.� He paused for effect. �You�ve got that look.�

�What look?�

�The look that makes you look like you swallowed a light bulb.�

Liz didn�t know how to respond.

Maria made her way over to her two best friends. She linked her arm with Alex�s while giving Liz a ribald grin.

�That�s cos she�s finally in love, Alex.�

�What?!?� Both Liz and Alex yelled at the same time.

Maria just laughed.

When Liz finally composed herself, she stepped closer to Maria.

�I have no idea what you�re talking about Maria. And besides, what would give you an idea like that?�

Maria rocked back and forth on her heels.

�Oh I don�t know, maybe a certain tall, dark, and handsome guy who goes by the name Max Evans.�

Liz�s jaw dropped to the floor. She tried to give her most menacing glare, but failed miserably.

�Whatever, Maria.�

�Oh come on Lizzie. I saw the way you were looking at him. Doesn�t take a scientist to see all of the sparks flying.�

Before Maria could further taunt Liz, Alex turned to her with a questioning glance.

�Ok, maybe I missed something on the Deluca express, but who the hell is Max Evans?�

Maria gave him an exasperated look.

�You know, the Evans family that moved into the Delanie�s old place?�

Maria gave a dramatic sigh.

�You know, the family from California?�

Alex�s eyes grew wide with coherence.

�That�s right. So you�re saying our little Lizzie has a crush on this guy?�

Maria flashed him her patented Deluca smirk.

�Yep. She definitely wants him.�

Liz looked at her two friends incredulously.

�You guys, I do not!�

Maria and Alex looked at each other before bursting into laughter. They held their stomachs as they headed toward the break room.

�I told you so Alex.�

As the swinging door closed behind them, Liz�s voice permeated through.

�You guys, I don�t! Guys?�

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