The
Promise
Disclaimer: Characters don't belong to me. They belong to whoever has rights to the show 'Roswell'. No copyright infringement intended.
Summary:
Max/Maria
Category:
Unconventional Pairings
Rating:
PG
Max
had been surprised by Michael's decision to stay in Roswell after graduation.
But ever since the incident years earlier in the cave, Michael and Maria had
grown closer. Michael had put aside his determination to find home, and instead
concentrated on his relationship with Maria. She was his life now.
Max
knew how he felt. His relationship with Liz had also gotten more serious,
although they still hadn't gotten as close as Michael and Maria had. Max was
still reluctant to commit to Liz. He knew he loved her, but there was just
something that made him keep a distance.
Life
had settled into a routine for the four of them, and it lulled them into a false
sense of security. Maybe if they'd been more cautious, they'd realized that they
were in danger. But as it was, their first warning of danger was fatal.
Max
and Liz had been at his apartment watching television when they'd gotten a
worried phone call from Maria. Michael hadn't come home yet, and she was worried
about him. Liz tried to convince her friend that he was just late, but Maria had
been adamant. It was a special night, Michael wouldn't have been late. She was
convinced something was wrong. Max agreed
Max
drove around the city, praying that Maria was just being paranoid.
But,
a feeling he had in his gut told him that something wasn't right. He knew he had
to find Michael, and find him quickly. Max drove around for over an hour before
he was drawn to a section just outside of town. He stopped the car and began
searching......and it was there that he found Michael. Max rushed to his
friend’s side.
"Michael?
What happened?" Michael's eyes opened slowly, and he gripped Max's hand.
"Max.....you......came."
"Of
course I came. Now I'm going to get you home, and you'll be fine...."
Max
stopped as he saw Michael shake his head. "I'm.....dying....Max.
You....can't.....stop...it."
"Michael,
don't talk like that. I can heal you...."
"No,
you....can't. It's...too...late for me." Max looked down at his friend's
broken body, and knew the damage was more then just physical. Whoever had
attacked Michael, had known what he was.....knew how to kill him.
"Max.....they
know about us......you have to leave." Michael warned.
"Who,
Michael? Tell me who did this to you."
"Our
people....Max....we weren't meant to survive the crash."
Max
stared at his friend in disbelief. Their own people were trying to kill them?
Why?
"Max.....warn
Isabelle. She must hide."
"I
will. Just try to relax, I'm going to get you help."
<BR>
Michael
shook his head sadly. "You can't fix this, Max. You....have to
leave....Roswell. They know...who you are."
Max
held Michael's shaking body tightly in his arms. He couldn't accept that his
best friend was dying.....killed by the very people they'd been searching for.
"Max.....I
need you to promise me something." Michael coughed out.
"What?"
"Maria.....must
protect her.....they're after her too." ax nodded, as his mind flashed to
Liz. If they were after Maria because of her connection to Michael, they'd be
after Liz too."
"You...don't
understand...Max. They know....don't let them.....hurt her. Don't
let...them...experiment on her!"
"What
are you talking about, Michael?"
Michael
closed his eyes as tears fell down his cheeks. He opened them to look at Max.
"She's pregnant, Max.....They want the baby....want to examine Maria.”
Max sat back shocked. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Max....promise
me......promise you'll protect Maria....and our baby. Promise you'll get.....her
away."
"Michael,
I......"
"Damnit
Max.....promise me!"
"I
promise. I'll protect Maria and your child." Max said. ichael relaxed, and
nodded his head. Max knew his friend was dying. There was something he needed to
know. "Michael, is anyone else in danger?” Michael looked confused for a
moment, then shook his head.
"Liz
doesn't matter to them....they want Maria....because of the baby.....they have
no reason....to go after Liz...unless....."
"Unless
what?" Max asked worriedly.
"They
think.....she can bring...them you." Michael said. Max closed his eyes.
"Michael,
what are we going to do?"
"I
can't help....not anymore....Max, tell Maria.....tell her how much.....I love
her....and our baby....and tell her...I'm sorry."
"Sorry
for what, Michael?"
"Sorry
I failed....I failed her....I failed our child.....I failed you and
Isabelle.....I'm
sorry, Max."
Michael
clutched at Max's jacket, and Max gripped his hand. "You didn't fail,
Michael."
"Protect
her....Max......Please!"
"You
know I will, Michael. Whatever it takes, I'll keep them safe."
Michael smiled, then closed his eyes. "Damnit Michael....NO!!!!"
Part
2
In
the days after Michael died, Max had been fighting with his own fear.
He'd
contacted Isabelle and warned her to stop looking for their people.
Once
he told her about Michael, she wanted to come back, but he'd convinced her to
stay gone. As far as they knew, no one knew exactly where
Isabelle
was. Max warned his sister to stay away. There was nothing she could do. They
could keep in touch by cell phones, not regular phone lines.
And
Max had kept the news of Maria's pregnancy a secret, not even telling
Liz.
Before saying goodbye, Alex had promised to look after Isabelle.
As
Max hung up, Alex's words echoed in his ears, and he was reminded of his promise
to Michael. As if he could've forgotten. Every time he saw
Max
turned as he heard Liz behind him. She dropped into the chair. "How is
she?"
"I'm
scared for her, Max. She's not eating, not sleeping.....she doesn't want to live
without Michael."
Max
turned and looked back out the window. He hadn't talked to Maria since he'd had
to tell her about Michael. She had no idea about the promise he'd made to
Michael, she didn't even know that he knew about the baby. And from Liz's
attitude, he knew Maria hadn't told her friend yet.
"Max,
I have to go home for a couple hours. Can you stay with Maria?"
Max
looked at Liz's tired face and nodded. "Go ahead. Try to get some
rest." Liz nodded and walked over to give him a hug. "I'll be back
soon."
Max
stood for a long time after Liz left, just staring at nothing. His mind replayed
his conversation with Michael, and it suddenly became clear to him. Max knew
what he had to do. And even though he knew it would be difficult for everyone,
it was the only way to fulfill his promise.....and keep Liz safe.Max opened the
door to Maria's room. She was curled up in a chair, Michael's jacket clutched
tightly to her chest. Max walked over and sat on the bed. Maria didn't
acknowledge his presence.
"Maria,
we need to talk."
"There's
nothing to talk about, Max."
"We
need to talk about Michael." Max said. Maria looked at him with tears in
her eyes. "Michael's dead!"
Max
watched Maria pull the jacket closer, then turn away from him. "Maria,
the
people who killed Michael are going to come after you. "Maria remained
silent. "Michael was afraid that they'd capture you.....and take your
baby."
Maria's
head turned towards him. "You know?"
"Michael
told me. Maria, you know how much Michael loved you, don't you? He was so afraid
that these people were going to hurt you and the baby. Michael had me promise to
protect you, to keep you and your child safe.
"I
can take care of my baby." Max knelt in front of her. "Maria, Michael
thought that by dying, he was failing you...failing all of us."
"That's
not true!"
"I
know that. The only thing he wanted was to make sure you and the baby you are
carrying are kept safe. Let me help you do that."
Maria
laid her head back against the chair. "How? We don't know who these people
are? Or why they wanted Michael dead? They're your people, for God's sake!"
"I
don't know the answers, Maria. That's why we need to leave Roswell.
Isabelle
and Alex are safe for now, but I need to get you out of town.
Michael
believed they wanted you the most. They can always kill Isabelle and I, but they
want you before the baby is born." Maria crossed her arms protectively
around her stomach. "I'll kill myself first. There's no way in hell I'll
let them touch my baby!"
"Then
let me help you, Maria. Let me fulfill the promise I made to
Michael."
Maria
closed her eyes, the tears flowing down her cheek. "What do we do?"
Max
let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding. "The first thing is
Part
3
Max
stood in the living room. He knew that he was taking the coward's way out, but
there was no choice. This was the way things had to work out. He looked up as he
saw Maria come out. She was dressed in faded jeans, a t-shirt, and Michael's
jacket. In her hand, she carried a single bag.
"Do
you have everything you need?"
"I
guess. Some clothes, some personal items, some pictures. God, how pathetic. All
I have left of Michael are some pictures."
Max
walked over and gripped Maria's shoulders. "You have alot more then that,
Maria. In your mind you'll always have your memories, in your heart you'll
always have the love, and you carry the proof of his love. That baby is a part
of Michael, Maria."
Maria
leaned against Max. "God, I miss him so much, Max."
"I
know, so do I."
They
stood silently for a few moments before Maria pulled away. She wiped away the
tears and picked up her bag. "Guess we better get going. Is Liz meeting us
here or are we picking her up?"
This
was the part Max had been dreading. "Neither. Liz isn't coming with
us."
"What?"
"Maria,
right now, Liz isn't in danger. It's you they're after. To protect Liz, we need
to get as far away from here as possible."
"What
if they go after her?"
"They
won't. They'll be too busy looking for you. This is the only way, Maria."
Maria couldn't believe she'd be leaving her best friend behind. But if Max
was
right, she didn't want Liz put into any danger because of her.
"Does
she know?"
Max
grabbed his jacket. "She will." Max led Maria out of the apartment.
They hopped into the jeep, stopping only so that Max could grab some clothes.
Then Max and Maria drove out of Roswell.
"Max,
I'm back." No answer. Liz threw her coat on the chair, then walked into the
bedroom. There was no sign of Max or Maria anywhere. Where were they? As Liz
walked back into the living room, she saw the envelope with her name
on....written by Max. With shaking hands, she reached out for it. She sat down
on the chair as she pulled out the letter and started reading it.
Liz~
I'm
sorry to do this, but there were no choices. I know I should've been man enough
to face you and tell you these things, but I can't. I don't think I could stand
watching your beautiful face, when I told you that I had to leave Roswell.
Love,
Max
The
tears streamed down her face as she laid the letter on the table. She'd been so
happy lately, and now all of that had been destroyed in less then a week.
Michael was dead....Isabelle and Alex were in hiding......and Maria and Max. Her
heart broke as she thought about them. Maria had lost the man she loved, and now
was forced to run to protect her unborn child. And Max......she knew Max would
do whatever he had to do in order to keep his promise to Michael. And as much as
it killed her to lose Max, she prayed for his safety and hoped that someday, it
would be safe for him to come back to her.
Max
drove down the deserted highway, every once in a while glancing at
Maria.
Thankfully, she had fallen asleep. He knew that she needed to keep her strength
up in order to make it through this. But, Maria was tough.
She
would do what she had to in order to survive. To make sure her child grew up
safe.
Max
knew that he and Maria would have to work together. Eventually, they'd probably
meet up with Isabelle and Alex, but until then, they were on their own. As he
glanced at the sleeping woman, Max realized that he really didn't know Maria all
that well. Yes, he'd known her for years, and trusted her to keep their secret,
but he'd never really sat down to talk to her. Liz and Michael were always
there, but now they weren't. Michael was lost to them forever, and Max knew that
Liz was too. His heart told him he'd never see Liz again.
Part
4
Max
sat in the hotel room, staring out the window. He knew they'd only be safe there
for a few hours. In the two months since they'd left Roswell, he and Maria had
been on the run. Twice they'd nearly been caught. The first time they'd escaped
fairly easily, and had gotten a look at those who were hunting them. His
people.....Max still couldn't believe that their own people wanted them dead.
For what possible reason? The second time had happened just days ago. And Max
knew it had been his fault. He'd been thinking about his phone conversation with
Liz, and wasn't paying attention to the car following them. They'd pulled off to
get gas, and he'd gone inside, leaving a sleeping Maria in the jeep. As he was
paying for the gas, he heard Maria's scream and ran outside. The sight chilled
him. He saw Maria being pulled towards another car, tears were running down her
face, and she was screaming at them to leave her alone.
Luckily
for them, a couple truck drivers came out to help. As Max rushed to Maria and
pulled her into his arms, he caught the attention of one of the men who'd tried
to take her. The look the man gave Max confused him, but he didn't worry about
it then. The only thing that mattered to Max was getting Maria somewhere safe.
After thanking the truckers, Max had driven off.
They'd
found this out of the way motel, and pulled in for a few hours. Max knew the
experience had scared Maria, and at three months pregnant, she needed to rest.
He looked over at the bed, and was thankful she was sleeping. As he watched her
sleep, Max realized how close he'd come to messing up. He'd let his mind wander,
and it had nearly proven fatal. Max knew then that, no matter how hard it was,
he'd have to let go of Liz completely. He couldn't risk having anymore contact
with her. It was too dangerous. So, he'd have to say goodbye.
Max
walked outside, and pulled out his cell phone. He closed his eyes as he waited
for her to answer.
"Hello?"
"Liz...it's
me."
"Max,
thank God, I was so worried about you. Are you okay?"
"I'm
fine. But, something did happen. Liz, I can't call you anymore."
"Why
not? Max, please, you can't do this." Liz begged.
"I
have to, Liz. Hanging onto the past isn't good for either of us."
"It
isn't the past, Max. We love each other, and as soon as this is over, you can
come home." Max leaned back against the building. How could he tell her it
would never be over?
"Max,
are you there? Say something."
"Liz,
I won't be coming back. Ever."
"WHAT!?
Max, don't say that."
"I'm
sorry, Liz, but you need to accept this. I don't know if this will ever be over.
None of us will be able to return." Max said.
"Then
tell me where you are. I'll come with you. Max, I don't want to lose you.” Max
closed his eyes as he leaned his head back. A part of him wanted to have Liz
with him, but he knew that wasn't the right thing to do. He couldn't drag her
into this. Besides, he knew that it couldn't work. He wouldn't be able to
protect both Maria and Liz. And his priority had to be Maria.
"I
can't do that, Liz." Liz was speechless. She'd been sure Max would agree.
"Why
not?"
"Because
of Maria." Max replied.
"Maria?
What does she have to with it? Max, I don't understand."
"Liz,
Maria is in a lot of danger, and I need to do everything in my power to keep her
safe. I wouldn't be able to do that if I was worrying about you too."
"But
once you meet up with Isabelle and Alex........."
"That's
not going to happen either. At least not for quite a while. We've decided its
safer for all of us if we stay apart for now. We don't want these people to have
an easy time finding us."
"Then
I could help you."
"No
Liz, it would give them just one more target. We need to make a clean
break.
You have a bright future ahead of you, but you need to forget about
me."
"What
about your future? *Our* future?" Liz asked. Max hated hearing the pain in
her voice, but this was the way it had to be. "We don't have a future
together, Liz. And my future," Max pictured the woman lying in the room
behind him, "my future is Maria and her baby."
"Max,
don't do this! You belong with me, not Maria!"
"But
Maria's the one I need to be with."
Max
could hear her crying. "I hate Michael for doing this! Send Maria to
Isabelle
and Alex, they can take care of her."
"Don't
say that! Michael did what he had to do in order to protect those he loved. And
I won't let him down! Maria's my responsibility, and I take that seriously. I
won't let anyone hurt her!" Max yelled angrily.
Max
listened to the silence on the phone. "You love her, don't you?"
"Of
course not, but I do care about her." Max replied.
"There's
more to it then that, Max. I can hear it in your voice. How long have you felt
this way?"
"Liz,
I told you......."
"You
can deny it all you want, Max. Is she the reason you kept your distance from me?
Why we never got as close as I wanted?"
Max
didn't respond. Liz's words were sinking in, and he realized that she was right.
A part of him had probably loved Maria for a long time, but he'd buried it
beneath friendship. He knew how happy she and Michael were together, and he
loved Liz. But, it was probably his feelings for Maria that kept him from
completely committing to Liz.
"I
guess that's my answer. Have you told her yet?" Liz asked.
"No.
It's too soon. She just lost Michael."
He could hear Liz taking deep breaths. "Don't wait, Max. You don't know when you could lose her. Goodbye, Max." Max heard the click as Liz hung up the phone. He went back into the room, and laid down on the bed. His gaze rested on Maria. Max couldn't tell her now, there was too much going on. And he wasn't ready to face it himself. He didn't want to think about betraying his best friend. Later in the night, Maria began thrashing about on the bed. Max reached out and pulled Maria into his arms, soothing her as the nightmare subsided. As her breathing slowed, Max continued to hold her. Holding her felt right, and he wasn't ready to let her go. As Max drifted back to sleep, his arms securely wrapped around Maria, neither of them were aware of the solitary figure standing outside.
Part
5
Max
and Maria were getting ready to leave when they heard someone knock on the door.
"Who is it?"
"Someone
who can help you."
Max
looked back at Maria who shrugged her shoulders. Max motioned for Maria to go
into the bathroom, then he cautiously opened the door. Standing in front of him
was the man he'd seen earlier....the one who tried to take Maria. Max tried to
slam the door closed, but the other man pushed the door open. He entered the
room, then closed the door behind him. Then he leaned casually back against the
door. Max backed up, eyeing the man.
"Who
are you? What do you want?" Max asked.
"You
already know who I am.....and what our people want."
"Well,
it's not going to happen. I won't let you hurt her!" Max yelled.
"You
really think you can stop us? You don't have a clue what's going on."
"I
don't care! I know you killed Michael, and I know you want Maria and the baby.
And it's not going to happen!" Max yelled.
The
man was silent for a moment. "Michael chose well."
"What?"
Max asked. Max watched as the man walked over to sit down. "You can have
Maria come out. I'm not going to hurt her."
"And
you expect me to believe that after I saw you try to kidnap her?"
"What
difference does it make if she stays in the bathroom or comes out here? If I was
going to do something, it wouldn't matter." Max called Maria out, and heard
her gasp as she saw the man. Maria stood behind Max, holding onto his back.
"What's
going on, Max?"
"I
have no idea."
The
man motioned them to sit down. They sat on the bed, keeping a distance from the
stranger. "Why don't you quit playing games and tell us what you're doing
here?"
"I
already told you. I'm here to help."
"Excuse
me if I find that hard to believe." Maria said.
"Sorry
about the other day. But you were never in any danger."
"Didn't
seem that way to me." Maria replied.
"Look,
I knew those truckers were there. And I knew they wouldn't just stand by and
watch a pregnant woman be kidnapped. Our people tend to be a little full of
them, not believing anyone can stop us. It was easy to manipulate the
situation."
"Why
would you want to do that?" Max asked. The man leaned forward slightly.
"Because,
I don't want to see Maria or her baby hurt. And, I don't want to see you and
Isabelle killed. It's my job to make sure that doesn't happen."
Max
and Maria shared a skeptical look. "But why? Michael said it was our
"It
is. They got to Michael before I could."
Max
felt Maria shaking as they talked about Michael, and reached over to pull her
into his arms. "I don't understand any of this. Why would you want to help
us when the others want us dead? And why do they want us dead? What did we ever
do to them?"
The
man stood and looked out the window. "Our race isn't any different then
others. We have those in power who decide what we can and can't do. And we have
those who oppose our leaders. People who don't believe in what's happening. The
ship that crashed in Roswell was carrying people who opposed our leaders. They
thought they'd find a better life on Earth. However, there was no way our
leaders would allow that to happen, so they sabotaged the ship. No one was
supposed to survive the crash."
"But
we did survive. Why come after us now?" Max asked.
"Because
the three of you were the last of the survivors. We knew where you were, so you
were last on the list. The others needed to be destroyed first. When they were
eliminated, we came back to Roswell."
"And
you murdered Michael!" Maria yelled.
"Our
people did, but I didn't. There is still a group opposed to those in power, and
I happen to belong to that group. I was given the job of keeping the three of
you safe. But, I was delayed, and Michael had already been killed. And I learned
the rest of you had split up. I've already sent someone to protect Isabelle and
Alex, while I came after you two."
"Why
is it so important to you that we survive?" Max asked.
"You
and Isabelle are proof that we can live among the humans. That our people can
live normal lives here on Earth. And Maria is proof that our two races can
coexist, and reproduce. You are the hope for our people to live free. That's why
those in power want you dead......and the reason you must survive!"
"Wh....why
do they want my baby?" Maria asked.
"Your
baby is a half-breed. They want to study it."
Maria
wrapped her arms protectively around her stomach. "They can go to
"She's
a brave woman."
"Yes,
she is. What did you mean when you said Michael chose well?"
"He
chose you to protect Maria and the baby. I've seen how you are with her. You'll
protect her with your life. Maria would die to protect her child, and you'd die
to protect Maria. That kind of devotion is foreign to our people. You learned to
trust humans, to love them. That's something our leaders claim is impossible.
They tell us that to come to Earth would mean our death. We were told the crash
was caused by humans, but most of our people don't believe it. Earth isn't
advanced enough to destroy one of our ships. But we had no proof that we could
survive on this planet. You are that proof."
"So
what does that mean?" Max asked.
"I've
sent transmissions back to the ship. Proof that you survived the crash, and have
lived among the humans since. Evidence that you existed
peacefully
with humans. That you found love and acceptance with humans. As
soon as my group receives the information, it will be passed on. The
truth will be exposed and there will be an uprising. Things will change."
"And
what about us? Isabelle....Maria....me? Do we run forever?" Max asked.
"No.
Once our people learn the truth, those who ordered your death will have more to
worry about then you. It would accomplish nothing to kill you then, and they'll
be worrying about their own lives."
"How
long will that take?"
"A
month, maybe a little longer. You and Maria just need to stay hidden until then.
Find someplace away from here, and stay put. I'll produce evidence to show you
went in the opposite direction. That will you keep you safe until the uprising
has started. After that, you'll be able to live in peace. Return to Roswell if
you want."
Max
watched the man walk out of the hotel. He didn't know why, but he trusted the
stranger. "Is he gone?"
Max
turned to Maria. "For now."
Maria
walked over to Max, and he held her tightly as he told her everything he'd
learned. She was skeptical, but also hopeful that their life on the run would
end before her baby was born. As Max held her in his arms, he wondered about
what the man said. Did Max want to return to Roswell.....to Liz?
Part
6
It
was two months before they heard from their visitor again. But true to his word,
Max and Maria had been safe. They'd never caught sight of anyone coming after
them. When he came and told them they were free to return home, neither Maria
nor Max knew what to do. With the uprising throwing Max's people into a civil
war, they were assured they were safe. The truth was out.
Max
had immediately called Isabelle. She was thrilled, but she'd made it clear that
she and Alex weren't going to return to Roswell. The problems with their people
may be solved, but there was still Sheriff Valenti and the FBI to worry about.
She and Alex were happy where they were. After he hung up, Max went for a walk.
When he got back, he found Maria waiting for him. She begged him to let her say
what she had to say without interrupting her. Max listened as Maria told him
that she had feelings for him, and that she couldn't return to Roswell with him.
If she had to start over, it couldn't be in Roswell. There were too many
memories there, and she couldn't move forward if she had to watch him with Liz
everyday.
As
he thought about life without Maria in it, the future seemed bleak. He pictured
a life where he'd never see Maria again, never see the baby she carried. In the
months they'd been together, he knew a bond had developed between them, and he
already loved that baby. And it was then that he realized this is what Michael
would've wanted. Michael knew he wouldn't be able to be there for Maria and
their baby, but Max could be. Maybe Michael had known of Max's hidden feelings
all along.
Max
pulled Maria into his arms, kissing her. Her arms wrapped around him, and she
knew she was where she belonged. She had loved Michael with all her heart, and
she'd never forget him. But, he had given her Max. She believed that this is
what Michael wanted.
Maria
hadn't been sure of Max's feelings, and was afraid he'd decide to return to
Roswell....to Liz. But his actions were telling a different story. He was
staying with her. {But is it because he cares for me.....or because he feels
obligated because of his promise?} Maria pulled back slightly. "Max, is
this what you want? I don't want you staying with me because you think you have
to. You've fulfilled your promise."
Max
pressed his fingers against her lips. "This has nothing to do with the
promise. I want you in my life, Maria. You and the baby are the most important
things in my life." Maria's tears ran down her cheeks as she was pulled
into Max's arms. The two of them stood for a long time, content just to hold
each other.
Liz
sat in her apartment, reading the announcement. Tears threatened to fall as she
looked at the photo. The photo was of Max and Maria, holding their baby
daughter. Alex and Isabelle stood next to them as godparents.
The announcement read:
Max
and Maria Evans proudly announce the birth of their daughter, Michaela Guerin
Evans.
Liz
lovingly traced Max's face in the picture. She still loved him, but she knew
they'd never be together. Liz had wanted to blame it all on Michael, but she
knew that wasn't fair. She knew he'd done what he felt was right for the woman
he loved. Liz hoped Maria knew how lucky she was......she'd been loved by two
very special men. But looking at the photo, Liz believed that Maria knew exactly
how lucky she was.despite the pain of losing Max and having him and Maria live
so far away, Liz knew this was probably how it had always been meant to be. Even
River
Dog, years earlier, had said she'd have to find her own path. While the others
had to leave to follow their paths, Liz had to stay to find hers.
THE
END!
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