Take me to your leader (and be my Valentine)

Tess POV

�It is sort of cute,� Liz Parker said.

�This is offensive,� replied Michael Guerin.

�I know that you four aren�t partial to alien cupids, but these are my moms biggest sellers this time of year,� said Maria DeLuca, picking a small green plush alien with wings, a bow and an arrow out of the cardboard box on the top of the table.

I took it off Maria, and grinned.

�It is sort of cute,� I agreed.

I looked around the table. My friends. Maria, Michael, Liz, Max Evans, Isabel Evans, Alex Whitman and my boyfriend Kyle Valenti. Just your average 8 highschool teenagers. Bar one minor detail.

Max, Isabel, Michael and I are aliens. The alleged Roswell Incident in 1947? True. I�m a survivor, just like the other three. I�ll spare you the details. The point is that in, oh, about a week, it�s Valentines Day. And I have no clue what to get Kyle. I mean, I�m trying to find out the point of my existence here, all this alien stuff. And I have to get him a present? What am I gonna get?

Buddha Beads?

�So, are you up for shopping?� Liz asked Maria, Isabel and I. I nodded. �I�m broke,� Isabel said with a sigh.

�I have a bit of a headache,� Maria said quietly. I shifted my attention to her. Yeah, she looked a little off colour. Michael obviously noticed too.

�You okay?� he asked her. I grinned inwardly. Too cute.

�Yeah, I just need to take it easy.�

�Well Tess, I guess its just you and me,� Liz said. I tensed a little.

Okay, so Liz and I are never gonna win any best friend prizes, due to the whole �I�m destined to jump your boyfriends bones� deal. But we can handle an afternoon shopping, right? Of course. If it gets too bad, I can slag her with my death ray eyes.

I�m kidding.

�Anyway, I really should get to geometry,� Alex said as he and Isabel got up and left.

�We have science,� Liz said seriously as she and Max did the same. I looked at Kyle. He looked at me. I grinned.

�First one to the Eraser Room is a rotten egg!� I singsonged. Chasing me down the hall, all I could think was that this could be the reason humans got so wrapped up with Valentines Day. It rocked.

Michael POV

�You think I can sell all these to the teachers?� Maria asked. I shrugged.

�Dunno. But you could sell them to the other students. You know, as a way to spread the alien love around.�

�Lets get one thing straight right now. Your so called alien love is staying right here with me,� she joked. But her heart wasn�t really in it. The Maria radar I�ve carefully cultivated over the time I�ve dated/made-out-in-the-Eraser-room with her kicked in.

I�m actually very smart when I want to be. Or have to be. I counted back in my head. Nope, that wasn�t it. I had 2 weeks until that became an issue. I�m getting good at this whole figuring out females thing though. I think I deserve a medal.

�You sure you�re okay?�

�I told you, just a headache,� she said, obviously irritated. Right Guerin, don�t push it. V Day is in a week. Not a good time to have your girlfriend very mad at you. I still get the creeps every time I see that alien doll and Maria armed with toothpicks �

Not that I actually care about any of that stuff.

�Okay then,� I said. I looked around the empty quad. Class had already started, and I sure as hell wasn�t gonna get anywhere near Math class, due to the stupid test I�d been informed was going to take place right about now. But Maria wasn�t making any moves to get to class.

�Could you drive me home?� she finally asked.

�Sure.�

I took her keys off her and she followed me to her car. I opened the car door and turned the key in the ignition. As we drove off, I couldn�t help but notice how quiet it was. As in actual silence. This cannot be good.

I turned into her street and parked outside her house. Turning to face her, I got a bit of a shock.

She was asleep.

That�s weird. It�s 1pm and it�s a Monday. She didn�t look too good. But I didn�t have the heart to wake her up. Sighing, I picked her up and carried her back into the house and put her on the couch. Sitting on the floor next to her, I flicked the TV on.

Just a little quality time, that�s all.

Maria POV

�And if you call within the next 15 minutes ��

I woke up groggily to see my alien boyfriend sitting on the floor in front of me, watching infomercials. My headache was still there. Ouch.

�What am I doing here?� I asked.

�You fell asleep in the car,� he informed me. �I couldn�t be bothered going back to school, so I thought I�d wait until you woke up.�

�Oh.� I paused. �Thanks.�

�Not a problem.�

That was weird. It was like, 2 oclock now. I�ve been asleep for an hour? In the middle of the day? Maybe I�d better see a doctor. Actually, I can�t be bothered.

�So, you actually waited for me to wake up?�

�Don�t sound so surprised. It makes me nervous.�

I sat up on the couch, and Michael took the oppurtunity to come and sit down next to me.

�You totally sure you�re okay?� he asked, with a bit of hesitation. He had asked that question before. Probably afraid he�d get Deluca-fried. I was in no condition to Deluca-fry anyone, but he didn�t have to know that.

Guys are so predictible.

�I�m just tired, I guess,� I said. Might actually be fair to the poor idiot for a little while. Just to scare him a little.

�Yeah, well then you�d better get some sleep.�

�I just did. I�m in the mood for icecream now,� I said. Hopping off the couch, I ran into the kitchen to get some mint choc chip from the freezer. He looked a little wary.

�Are you sure you�re okay?� he asked.

�Relax, I am fine! Now, are you actually gonna eat some icecream or do I have to scoff the lot myself?�

Liz POV

Shopping. With Tess Harding. If you�d asked me last September if I�d ever go Valentines Day shopping with Tess, I would have laughed in your face. Then probably gone back to emotional stewing about how she wanted to steal my boyfriend.

But Tess has Kyle. And I have Max. And I�m actually starting to like Tess.

Shock Horror.

�What are you getting Max?� she asked.

�Not a clue.�

�Join the club.�

�How about a tie?�

�Does he wear ties?�

�No, but if I bought it, he�d wear it at least once.�

�Is that good?�

�I dunno.�

�How about chocolates?�

�Textbook.�

�Flowers?�

�What�s he gonna do with flowers?�

�I know!�

�Huh?�

�A goldfish,� said Tess seriously.

�What?�

�I think you should buy Max a goldfish for Valentines Day.�

I burst out laughing.

�May I ask why?�

�Go ahead.�

�Why?�

�Because he doesn�t have a goldfish, and maybe he wants one. Besides, if he doesn�t like it, he could always eat it.�

�Ewwwww!�

�What?�

�You don�t eat goldfish!�

�You don�t? But why not? I mean, they�re fish, like every other fish.�

�They�re pets.�

�True.�

We walked towards the small novelty shop and Tess immediately spotted a little nodding dog. She grinned.

�I�m getting this for Kyle.�

�Okay,� I said cautiously. It was kind of cute � in a weird way. Lets just say that Tess is a complex person. An individual. A friend?

I could be friends with Tess Harding. Maybe I already am.

Max POV

�So, what do you think of the whole Tess and Liz shopping?� Kyle asked me. I shook my head.

�If it comes down to a catfight, I�m placing my bets on Liz,� I joked. �Shes dangerous when provoked.�

�How much money ya gonna put on that?� he joked back.

�If we do that, they�ll forget that catfight and kill us.�

Liz and Tess walked into the Crashdown, carrying bags and laughing. Kyle and I exchanged a look.

�So no ones dead.�

�That is a good thing.�

Liz sat down next to me, and Tess sat next to Kyle. Both girls were laughing. An astonishingly pale Maria walked up to us.

�Okay, what do you want?� she asked, pen poised.

�Tess wants a goldfish,� Liz said in all seriousness, and Tess shot her a dirty look. That wasn�t death ray eyes, was it?

�Very funny, Liz. I haven�t actually eaten a goldfish. I just thought, you know, because they�re fish ��

�What?� Kyle asked.

�Yeah, spill,� I commanded.

�Nuh uh,� Liz and Tess said in unision.

�We promised not to explain,� Liz said.

�We swore on the sacred goldfish.�

Maria rolled her eyes in good natured mocking. Liz and Tess laughed again.

I want them to get along. But this was getting a bit ridiculous. I mean, who would�ve thought? But they are good as friends. And it�s so much better than a crazy cat fight. Not that I�m not worth fighting over, of course. I mean, I know I�m great.

I think I�ll shut up now.

�So, you want a cherry cola?� Maria asked me.

�Yeah.�

�Can we get a plate of fries?� Liz asked Maria. �Extra Tabasco for Max and Tess.�

So now Liz knows Tess�s favourite condiment? It�s not hard, genius, I told myself. I really have to get a grip.

Just then, Michael gestured for me to come over from where he was cooking in the kitchen. I walked over.

�Hey.�

�Maxwell, do you think theres anything weird with Maria?�

�She is a little pale ��

�She fell asleep at 1 oclock this afternoon, and she keeps insisting she�s fine. But I reckon shes sick. Maybe you could check it out?�

�I�ll try. Not promising anything, though.�

�Fine. Just � I�d like to keep her in one piece.�

�I know.�

Michael was so protective of Girlfriend. It was actually sort of cute, in a way. She�d definitely had an affect on my friend, and a change for the better.

And I have to say I do approve of the Tess/Liz friendship. Of course, as long as it doesn�t get in the way of my relationship with Liz. But that won�t happen, right?

Kyle POV

Tess and Liz are getting along. This is good. This is very good. I have but one problem.

Liz has to have some ammo against me that shes gonna refer to Tess. That is not good. If they�re friends, that will happen. I can guarantee it.

It�s the Girl code.

�Maria, Liz, you two have to help me tomorrow night,� Tess said.

�What with?�

�Well, I discovered that Kyle here can�t dance.�

�I knew that,� Liz said with a grin. �And how can you bear to be seen with him at the Valentines Dance on Valentines Day?�

�Exactly!� Tess agreed. �So, are you gonna help me teach Buddha boy to shake his bonbon?�

�Of course,� Maria said with a weak smile.

My heart stopped. Tess was plotting against me. Evil.

�Tess �,�

�Kyle, if you knew how to dance, none of this would have happened,� Liz jumped in.

I prefered when they weren�t friends, thankyou very much.

�Exactly,� Maria agreed. I looked at her. My step sister to be was not looking good. I mean it in the nicest possible way, of course. She looked a little sick. Michael noticed it too. He looked worried.

He cares about her. I know that. Amy thinks hes a bad influence. But he makes her happy, and that�s good enough for me.

Alex POV

I sat next to everyone in the quad at lunch the next day, watching everyone being themselves. I�m still amazed we all managed to put all mutual crap behind us and just been teenagers for awhile. I mean, granted, they�re aliens, but everyone needs some normalacy.

�Alien cupid fever has taken over the school,� I announced, looking around the quad to see a whole bunch of kids with the little cupids on their tables. Maria looked pleased with herself. Although none too healthy, I had to admit.

�Yeah, I am making soooo much money!� she said enthusiasticly.

�You get enough, ever since you hemmed your waitress uniform,� Tess said innocently. Liz sniggered.

�The uniforms are so bad, we need to make our own little improvements,� Maria defended. �And I had the best hemmer in Roswell fixing it up.� Max grinned.

�So Liz, could I get a job as a waitress?� Tess asked. �I could get tips.� �That you could,� Kyle agreed.

�I remember when you tried that,� I told Isabel. �Those little skirts are the ultimate in turn ons.�

�You really think that?� Isabel murmured seductively.

�Uh huh.�

�Well, it aint happening again.�

�Point taken.�

Tess turned to Isabel.

�Did you know that Kyle can�t dance?�

�He can�t. Neither can Alex. I mean, you saw my birthday party.� Pause. �Oh right, you didn�t. Missed quite a show.�

�Actually, Max can�t dance either,� Liz piped up with a smile.

�I�ve never seen Michael even try,� said Maria thoughtfully. I groaned.

�Well, all 8 of us will have to attend our dance class tonight,� Liz said decidedly.

�NO!� Michael, Max and I said in unision. Kyle smirked.

�If I�m going down, I�m taking you with me,� he said in smug satisfaction.

�You have to,� Tess informed us guys. �And if you don�t � well, we just have one word, don�t we girls?�

Isabel, Liz and Maria grinned.

�Halter Top.�

The nightmare has officially begun.

Isabel POV

Being the fashion queen of Roswell carrys its responsiblities. I know this. So, on Tuesday afternoon, before our little dance party, I was in the mall, looking for a killer dress for the Valentines Day Dance.

I�m thinking low cut, low back, maybe red. I look so good in red. Alex thinks so. A red dress. And I have dads credit card. Although I learnt a little trick. Changing a 1 dollar bill into an 100. But I�m only using that in an emergency.

I do have ethics.

I walked into a store, eyes set on the short red number in the window. Shopping alond really sucks. I was gonna ask Tess and Liz, but they went yesterday and aren�t in the mood for more. They managed to get some bonding done. And they keep talking about some kind of goldfish.

I don�t really think I want to know.

And Maria? She is not looking good, and I mean that in the nicest possible way. Michaels been doing his protective paranoia thing and she hasn�t kicked his butt. Sure sign. I�m actually kind of worried. Pale skin. Rings under her eyes. And she�s always so tired. Max told me that she fell asleep in the middle of the day.

Tonight, after the so called dance classes, I�m gonna do a little of my own investigating. I just won�t tell Max until after the mission is complete.

That would be too easy.

Tess POV

I sat in my room � well, Kyles room � wrapping Kyles V Day present. And all the others. We decided to get everyone a gift. I�d bought them all when I went shopping with Liz.

Who knew shopping with Liz would be so much fun? It was good to bond, and the goldfish �

I did not eat the goldfish. I just figured you could. Liz better remember one thing � I was raised by an alien. Human terms are not my forte.

But you could eat a goldfish, right? I mean, if you were starving. It could be more of a question of ethics � should you eat a goldfish? No. But you could. I guess.

Enough with the goldfish.

Spreading all presents on the bed, I looked around. I had bought Kyle a nodding dog. I bought Michael a new do rag. I bought Max a blow up baseball bat, so he can be fearless leader. I bought Isabel a new halter top. I got Alex DOS for Dummies. And I got Maria the Craig David single, since we discovered our mutual adoration.

And Liz? I bought her a goldfish. And a bottle of tartare sauce.

That time when I told Liz I wasn�t into bonding?

I lied.

Michael POV

The infamous dance lesson at the Valentis. Oh joy, how lucky can one person be. My girlfriend isn�t telling me what�s wrong, and I have to dance. I don�t dance.

�Come on Michael, you�re here to dance!� Tess said with a smile. Maria grabbed my arms with a surprising weak grasp and pulled me up. Actually, I stood up. She wasn�t in any condition to be dancing. But may as well humour the girl.

�Having fun?� she asked over the blaring music.

�I don�t dance,� I told her.

�Then what exactly do you call what you�re doing right now?�

�Shuffling my feet from side to side.�

�Oh, classy.�

�Time to switch partners!� Tess called out. She cut in on Maria and I, and Maria headed off to where Kyle stood. Tess grinned at me.

�Hey.�

�Hey. What�s up with Maria?�

�Wish I knew. What�s up with the goldfish thing you and Liz have?� I asked. She grinned.

�I can�t tell. I swore on the sacred goldfish.�

I rolled my eyes. Liz cut in, and Maria moved over to Max. I kept a close eye on her. Nothing was going to happen to her as long as she was within an 100 mile radius. I wasn�t going to let anything happen to her.

She stood dancing with Max, then she slowed and held her head. I started to walk over as Max grabbed her shoulder to steady her. I reached her a few seconds later �

- just in time to see her collapse on the floor.

Liz POV

Michael ran over to where Maria was lying on the floor and sat down next to her, shaking her gently and calling her name. Then shaking her not so gently.

Why can�t we people ever have a nice simple dance party without something bad happening? Last time it was Nacedo dying. This time, Maria. Not that she�s gonna die, of course. It�s nearly Valentines Day, that kind of stuff doesn�t happen then.

She moved slightly, and Michael helped her up. After a few minutes of I�m-checking-to-see-if-you�re-alive kissing, she acknowledged the presence of the others in the room. About time, actually.

�Are you okay?� Michael asked her.

�It�s these stupid shoes,� she said with a weak smile. �Memo to self: Don�t try and dance in shoes that are the reason why the Spice Girls split up.�

�You sure? You were holding her head before you passed out,� Max protested.

�NO, it was the shoes.�

�But �,�

�It was the shoes, okay? I believe I do know what�s going on with my own shoes!� she said, a little more of her signature attitude in her voice. But something about this wasn�t right.

I exchanged a look with Max. He always knows exactly what I�m thinking. And right now it was what�s she hiding?

Maria POV

I�m fine. Really. I�m sitting at home in my room, trying to ignore the killer headache and the fact that I�m more tired than I�ve ever been in my life.

I don�t think they bought my excuse somehow.

That could be because it was the lamest excuse I�ve come up with since 3rd Grade.

But I am not going to a doctor. Doctors scare me, up to a point where I�m near phobic. Partially coz my moms doctor boyfriend when I was 8 seemed to think I was part of the deal. He didn�t actually do anything, but I�ve been terrified of male doctors ever since.

I got into bed and turned out the light.

Isabel POV

I grabbed the highschool yearbook out of my bookshelf and placed in on my bed. The last time I did this, the girl was dead terrified of me. Hopefully I will change that.

Its amazing how we all managed to bond in such a short amount of time. I mean, theres Tess � former so called alien temptress whos now so gaga over Kyle she can�t see straight. Theres Liz � Ms Scientist and overall good girl until you really get to know the wild and crazy side. Theres Maria � flaky, flighty and the most loyal, stubborn and terrific person I�ve met. And theres me � Ice Princess. At least I have 7 people I can trust now. Then I can drop the act and just be me.

I like me better when I�m me.

I touched the photo and allowed myself to enter my friends dream.

Maria sat on a beach. I remember this beach. The same beach I found when I dreamwalked her in 5th grade. I always loved this beach.

�Maria?�

�Isabel. What are you doing here?�

�Looking for you. What the hell is going on?�

�My shoes �,�

�Uh uh. I do not buy that for one second, Maria. You tell me the truth, or I will be the one doing the butt kicking.�

�Fine then, I passed out. But I am not going to see a doctor.�

�Why not?�

�Because I�m scared of doctors,� she whispered.

�What?�

�I�m scared of doctors. And if you laugh I�ll kick your butt.�

�Okay, fine. But will you let Max check you out?�

�Yeah,� she said.

�Good.�

She looked along the beach.

�You wanna swim?� I asked.

�Sure,� she smiled.

Max POV

Izzy burst into my room a few hours later.

�Max, I checked Marias dream,� she informed me.

�Isabel!�

�I talked to her, and she says that you can check her out using your powers. Needless to say, it wasn�t the shoes.�

�We could take her to a doctor.�

�She�s scared of doctors,� Isabel said. I stared in disbelief.

�Maria?�

�Yeah.�

�Wow.�

�Don�t rub it in, now is so not the time.�

�But I�ll check her out?�

�Yup.�

�Cool.�

Isabel sat next to me on the bed. She looked a little nervous.

�Max, I�m really sorry I wasn�t totally honest with the whole Vilandra thing. It just scared me, because I betrayed you and �,�

�Izzy. You are not Vilandra. You�re Isabel, my sister. And I love you.�

�I love you too. But I just thought we needed to clear the air.�

�Like that crackpot therapist is always saying.�

She laughed. �Mom and Dad are so wasting their money. Why don�t they do something useful with it, like buy me a car, since you�re always running off with the Jeep?�

�Parents never think like that,� I joked. �They�re under the impression that our mental well being is more important than a car.�

I love my sister, I really do. And I�m so glad things are finally back to normal. Wait a minute, we left normal ages ago.

Kyle POV

Roswell High has now become a sea of red and pink. In honour of Valentines Day. Tess is really into this: red top, red pants, red underwear �

The girl had got to remember to lock the bathroom door.

I�m wearing a red shirt. She convinced me. I chose red, because there is no way I�m gonna wear a pink shirt.

Even for Tess.

I walked into the quad with Tess, and we sat down next to Max and Liz, who were busy exploring each others throats.

Welcome to the Mills and Boon zone. Which had now become my life. Oh well, when they�re not together they piss everyone else off, so this is a much better arrangement. For everyone.

�Hey,� said Tess. Liz reluctantly seperated herself from Max and greeted us.

�Hi.�

�So, hows everyone?� I asked.

�Good.� �Good.�

Isabel and Alex walked over and sat down.

�Are Michael and Maria here yet?� asked Isabel.

�No.�

�What�s up with Maria?� I asked.

Isabel began. �I dreamwalked last night, and shes agreed to let Max check her out. She had this incredible fear of �,�

�Doctors,� Liz and Alex said in unision.

�Shes really afraid of doctors,� Liz added. �One tried to grope her when she was 8. She�ll never see a male doctor.�

�As long as we can fix this, everything will be fine,� Max said with certainty.

Alex POV

�No.�

�Why not?�

�No. You are not making me wear anything with little pink hearts on it,� Michael informed Maria. She pouted.

�Please?�

�No.�

�Fine then!� she said, rolling her eyes. She held her hand to her head, and Michael and I exchanged worried looks.

�Has Max checked you out yet?� Michael asked.

�Not yet. He�s sort of busy with Liz,� she said, taking a deep breath. She grabbed the order and carried it off to a table.

�Have you got the presents for Valentines Day?� Michael asked me.

�No. And I have no idea what to get,� I told him.

�Shopping sucks.�

�Ditto.�

�I have to, though,� he said, somewhat forlornly. �Just because she�s not feeling well, doesn�t mean she can�t kick my butt.�

�I�ll keep you company.�

�You should. Make sure I don�t blow anything up,� he instructed me. I smiled.

Maria walked over to where we were talking.

�You two plotting?� she asked.

�Us? No,� I said, feigning indignation.

�Yeah right,� she laughed. �And aliens walk this earth.�

The expression on Michaels face as he tried to figure that out was priceless. Maria picked up the baskets of Saturn Rings and walked off.

Now that�s my Hurricane DeLuca.

Liz POV

�Max!� I called, running up to Max in the halls the next day. He smiled, and grabbed me in a hug.

�Hey,� he said. I couldn�t keep the dorky smile off my face. I missed this so much.

�So, have you checked out Maria yet?� I asked.

�No, she�s been busy,� he said, kissing me.

�Make sure you do,� I instructed. He raised his hand in mock salute.

�Aye aye Captain. Any other orders?�

�Shut up and kiss me.�

We kissed again.

�Do we really want to go to Science?� I asked.

�Should we move this to the Eraser room?� he asked.

�Great.�

�Just �� he lowered his tone a little, �try to keep it down.�

We reached the Eraser room. Once inside, Max ran his hand over the door. I noticed it glowing.

�What are you doing?�

�Soundproofing. I have no desire to become the speculation of the entire student body yet again,� he said with a grin.

�Please, every girl in the school probably wished they were me at that point in time,� I laughed.

As we kissed, I thought of all the time we�d wasted. How had I survived so long without this? The gods or goddesses of love must have been tearing their hair out, waiting for us to get back together. I could picture it now: all the Greek gods and goddesses watching us on a cloud screen from Mt Olympus. Throwing popcorn as we walked around heartbroken for a few months, like we were some teen drama show. �What are you two doing? You�re made for each other, get off your collective butts and get back together!�

To quote the eternally inspirational words of �Clueless�, as if.

Tess POV

I sat at a table at the Crashdown Caf�, drinking my coke and Tabasco. Alex walked over and sat down in front of me.

�Tess, I need your help,� he said.

�With what?�

�I have no idea what to get Isabel for Valentines Day,� he admitted.

�Flowers?�

�Textbook.�

�Chocolates?�

�Still textbook.�

I inwardly grinned as the conversation began to remind me of the famous golfish scene. D�j� vu is what they called it.

Such a funny phrase.

�Well, you want romantic, right?� I asked. �Jewellery?�

�I can�t afford Isabel jewellery. You know, expensive stuff. Stuff she actually likes.�

�When are you shopping?�

�Tomorrow. With Michael.�

�Michael?�

�He�s afraid that Maria will kick his butt if he doesn�t get anything. Last year, he bought her socks,� Alex confided.

�Socks?�

�Socks.�

�I doubt she has the energy to butt kick anyone at the moment � that so called shoe incident really creeped me out,� I said with a shudder.

�Same here.�

�So, romantic. You play guitar, right?�

�Bass, but I can play ordanary guitar as well,� he said.

I smiled.

�I have an idea.�

Michael POV

Alex pulled out. Deserted me. I�m actually walking through the mall, trying to find a special something for my cheesehead. And everyone else.

7 presents? 7? 7 is a big number. I mean, one I can handle. Even 2. But 7? No. This is so unfair. I�m trying to figure out my crazy alien status, regain a bit of sanity and figure out what�s wrong with Maria, all the time worried why she won�t trust me. I don�t need the added pressure of 7 Valentines Day presents.

I could just buy 7 boxes of chocolates. Real original.

Shoving my hands in my pockets, I walked into a department store to find something for Maria, Liz, Isabel and Tess. I sure hope they�re the most complicated girls on the planet, coz if there are more complicated girls out there, I swear I am not leaving Roswell. Except to go home. Maybe.

�Dorkbutt!�

I turned around to see Maria. She looked a little better, but that could be due to all the makeup she was wearing.

�Hey.�

�You shopping?�

�No kidding.�

�Found anything?�

�No. I need stuff for Tess, Liz and Isabel. Guys are easy to buy presents for.�

�What about me?�

�I have something planned,� I said, crossing my fingers behind my back. Maybe I�d better go talk to Liz sometime in the near future.

�Right. I�ll help you with the others,� she offered.

The next 3 hours were spent walking from store to store, all over the mall. Why do they spread shops out so much? So women can spend as much time as possible at the mall.

I ended up buying 3 bottles of bubble bath � just one of Marias ever so subtle hints about the evils of generic shampoo.

As we were walking out to the car, she stopped and winced, holding her head. I grabbed her arm to steady her, praying that she wouldn�t pass out again.

�Have you seen Max yet?� I asked. The bout passed and she took a deep breath, walking forward and pulling her arm out from under my hand.

�Not yet.�

�It�s been 2 days!�

�Everyones busy �,�

�I�m taking you over there right now.�

�NO! Max and Liz are on a date, and god knows they need a little happiness after all the crap that was going on between them,� she snapped.

�You�re going to see him tomorrow,� I said.

�Fine then!�

�Good.�

Isabel POV

I sat in my room, brushing my long blonde hair. Faintly, I could hear strains of guitar music. I put the brush down to look out the window. There stood Alex and 9 other people, all playning guitars. I rushed downstairs and went outside, glad I hadn�t changed into my pajamas just yet. Alex smiled and began to sing.

�Dance, dance, dance to my ten guitars
And pretty soon you�ll know just where you are
Through the eyes of love you�ll see a million stars
When you dance, dance, dance to my ten guitars.�

I smiled, recognizing the song as a favourite of my parents. Alex put down his guitar, and we began to dance to the guitar music, under the stars, in the driveway of my house.

�This is so sweet,� I whispered into his ear as we slowdanced.

�It was actually Tess�s idea.�

�It was?�

�Yeah.�

�So, is this my Valentines Day present?�

�Yeah. Even though it�s 6 days early.�

�Do I get flowers on the day?� I teased.

�Of course,� he said, kissing me. �Anything for you.�

�Anything?�

�Within reason.�

Just then, headlights shone from the road. My mothers car moved into the driveway, and Alex and I moved to the side, the guitarists following suit. They continued to play, and we continued to dance. Mom got out of the car and gave us a look.

�It�s for Valentines Day, Mom,� I said.

�I see,� she said, walking past us to go inside. But not before I caught her muttered parting comment.

�More tasteful than the birthday, I see.�

Maria POV

I woke up Friday morning to the obnoxious beeping of my alarm clock. One look at the clock indicated that it had, in fact, been beeping for a good half hour. I never sleep through that sound.

I stood under the shower, turning it up to really hot. A nice hot shower is just what I need to wake myself up, make me feel better. As if that�s gonna happen.

Clicking off the shower, I dried and got dressed. Walking into my room, towel drying my hair, I found Max sitting on my bed.

�Hey Girlfriend,� he said. �Your mom let me in.�

�Hey.�

�I want to check out what�s wrong now.�

�Umm, could we do it later? I kinda have to finish my history homework, and I�m running late, and I overslept. How about later on today?� I babbled.

He furrowed his eyebrows in concern.

�Okay, I guess,� he said. �But I�m working late at the UFO muesuem.�

�We can always do it tomorrow,� I said, trying to keep the relief out of my voice. �I�m feeling better anyway.�

�You sure?� he asked. �You look sorta pale.�

�Relax,� I laughed.

�You just be careful. I care about you, and I don�t want to see you hurt.�

Maxs friendship is so important to me. Now, he�s so much more than my best friends boyfriend and my boyfriends best friend. And the alien boy. Max is like my honarary big brother. Like Alex. Even like Kyle, whos my stepbrother to be. But Max was there for me all summer. I felt closer to him than I did to Liz then, I have to admit. And now that Liz is with Max (about time) and she�s being more honest with me, it didn�t affect our girlfriendship at all.

I still don�t want him to check me out though. Not because I don�t trust him, I�d trust him with my life.

I�m just afraid of what�s there. And I don�t think I want to know.

�I care about you too, Girlfriend,� I said, giving him a hug.

Max Evans is one of a kind. How many guys would let me call them Girlfriend?

Max POV

I searched through the folders of files concerning sightings in Roswell. I needed more pictures to put up on the walls. The one good thing about confronting Brody Davis was that I got my job back. And I�m still proud of my quick thinking.

******

�So Max, what�s your abduction story?�

Think fast.

�Um, well, I was 15. I was driving along in my Jeep in the desert��

What have I read in those UFO magazines?

�And suddenly, this force took over the car.�

Then what?

�Then what?� asked Brody.

�The car plunged into a ravine,� I said slowly. �And then there was a blinding light.�

I took in a deep breath. This story needed a little more of a wacky quality. I needed to think like an abductee.

Real dignified.

�What happened next?� Brody asked.

�I remember seeing these � beings. They had � scissors.�

I thought a little more. It needed something else.

�I remember being back in my car, on the road. I drove home, and my mom said I�d been missing for a week. I was grounded for 3 months,� I said slowly.

Later, when we all walked out of the UFO centre, Isabel grinned at me.

�So, now we know our powers extend to �creative� story telling,� she said with a laugh.

�Hey, pressure Izzy. Pressure.�

�Think of the headlines: Aliens got me grounded.�

Wouldn�t be the first time

*********

Shaking my head at the memory, I set back to work on my files.

Kyle POV

I woke up to the noise of someone banging around in the kitchen. Had to be Tess. I was about to get up when a voice from the kitchen stopped me.

�Kyle, I�m making you breakfast in bed so park your butt on that couch and it�ll be there in approxinately a minute and a half,� Tess called.

I could smell something nice from the kitchen. Something like pancakes, and maple syrup. Ohhhh yeah.

Tess walked in with a tray of two plates of pancakes and two glasses of orange juice. She set it down of the coffee table and sat down of the couch next to me, pulling the blanket over both of our laps. She passed me a plate of pancakes and grabbed herself a plate, covering it with the little packets of Tabasco sauce. She dug in hungrily, and I dug into mine.

�Hey, these are really good,� I said.

�Thanks.�

�What�s happening?�

�Well, tomorrow night is a girls night, and today I have a job interview.�

�Where?�

�At the Crashdown.�

�I like the skirts.�

�I know.�

Tess sipped her orange juice.

�Has Max checked Maria out?�

�Not as far as I know.�

�God, procrastinating will get her nowhere.�

�I know. Have to admit, I would never had pictured her as being afriad of doctors.�

�I know! I mean, come on!� she said mischeiviously. �ER. George Clooney.�

Grabbing a packet of hot sauce, I squirted it all over her. She squealed and chucked a bit of pancake at my face.

I�ll give her George Clooney.

Alex POV

I sat in my room, presents all over the floor. How had I managed to waste 3 rolls of paper on 7 presents? How had that happened? Marias influence is rubbing off on me, this room looks like it was attacked by a hurricane.

I have a diary for Liz, and an astronomy book for Max. Those two are too alike for their own good. It�s sort of weird. Aren�t you supposed to clash with kindred spirits? That, or become total best of friends. No prizes for guessing their status.

I ended up buying Michael the Metallica CD. I mean, what else am I supposed to get? A couple of bottles of Tabasco sauce? And I made Maria a CD of her favourite songs on my CD writer. It also includes a few bonus tracks we sang together once. I only just found them, and I want her to have a copy.

Kyle ended up with a book on Buddhism. Not for beginners either. I think he�s ready to make it to the average Buddhist. And Tess has a guitar tutor book. I promised I�d teach her. As a thankyou for the terrific idea. What can I say, it worked.

As for Isabel? A pendant. With a star on it, and Tess inscribed this message for me.

�To Isabel, you�ll always be in my heart. Love Alex�

I just hope she likes it.

Liz POV

I placed a Will Smith burger on the table of an elegant looking lady. Wondering what on Earth was posessing her to make her eat this food. She won�t stay as skinny as she is now if she eats this junk. Heck, I work here and I won�t touch it.

The door opened and Michael walked in. He�s not on shift today, not til this afternoon at least. He walked over to me as I headed to an empty table to clear it.

�Hey Liz,� he said.

�Michael, hi.�

�Listen, I sorta need your help.�

�With what?�

�Marias Valentines Day present.�

�Oh.�

�I have no idea what to get her,� he admitted, raking his hands through his hair.

�Any thing would be an improvement on last year.�

�You knew?�

�Michael, we analyse every little detail about our relationships,� I say, watching as Michael turns slightly pale.

�Uhh � any suggestions?�

�Um � lets see � Valentines ��

�I�m a little desperate here,� he said urgently.

�Okay, okay � a gift certificate for a romantic evening.�

�What do I know about romantic?�

�Candles, moonlight, music, a long walk in the desert �� I muse aloud. I let myself slip into a little daydream of the night sky in the desert, candles surrounding Max and I as �

�I could do that,� said Michael thoughtfully. He gave me one of his rare smiles.

�Thanks, Liz.�

�Any time,� I said.

Tess POV

I walked into the Crashdown, and Mr Parker flagged me down.

�Hi.�

�Tess, you�re interested in a job position.�

�Yeah.�

�Do you have any previous experience?�

�Yeah, I waited tables at a theme restaurant in Georgia,� I told him. I handed him the reference paper I�d kept from 15 months ago. �Heres a reference.�

That had sure been some job. The �Love Shack� was a 60s style diner. My uniform consisted of a tiedyed purple dress with a white apron and a matching tiedyed headband. They were short, tight and Nacedo was not impressed. He told me I looked like a desperate human girl. I didn�t need to worry, I had destiny. I had Max. Bah, hooey. I prefer Kyle. No offence to Liz, but he is so her type, not mine. Of course, I didn�t know I had a type til I met Kyle.

�Whats your dress size?� Mr Parker asked.

�Excuse me?�

�For your uniform.�

�Oh.�

Half an hour later, I walked into the Valentis � my house. Kyle sat on the sofa, wrapping presents. He hid them hastily under the blanket as I walked in. �I got the job!� I said.

�I knew you would,� he said, holding up a small polariod photo. I snatched it out of his grasp, and examined it. Me, in my �Love Shack� uniform. My best friend in Georgia, Alyssa, had taken it. Alyssa, the only friend I ever made. We were in Georgia for 2 years.

�Where did you get this?�

�It was in your diary.�

�You read my diary?�

�You read my porn.�

�You are a dead Woozle.�

Michael POV

The next morning, I headed to the Crashdown for my shift. Maria hadn�t spoken to me since Friday, and I still have no clue as to what I did. Now it was Sunday, and I hope that Max checked her out.

She walked over and grabbed the Saturn Rings.

�Maria,� I called.

�What?�

�You�ve been ignoring me.�

�So observant.�

�What the hell did I do?�

�You are being wayyyyyy too overprotective!�

�You passed out that night!�

�NO, I tripped and knocked myself out!�

�Why are you lying to me?�

�Why are you being so overprotective?�

�Why don�t you trust me?� I yelled.

She looked taken aback. I sighed and placed the burger on the plate.

�Have you had Max check you out yet?� I asked.

�Not yet.�

�That�s it,� I said, slamming the spatula down on the counter. �I�m calling Max right now.�

�After my shift I�m going to his place, now could you stop being so damn annoying?�

I looked at her straight in the eye.

�Why can�t you just accept that fact that I care about you and don�t want to see you hurt?� I said in a low voice.

�Why can�t you stop acting like I�m this thing you have to take care of?�

She stormed off, and I threw the spatula across the room. She stormed back, grabbed the Saturn Rings, and left again, not missing a beat.

TBC ...

[ Fanfic ]