Title: What Goes Around, Comes Back Around
Disclaimer: I do not own or have any affiliation with the TV show Roswell or the characters. They belong to Jason Katims, Melina Metz, WB and UPN. No infringement is intended.
Genre: UC, CC
Pairings/Couple(s): Mi/L, M/L, M/M
Rating: Mature
Summary: After all the destruction that passed through their lives in Season two. Two unlikely souls, Michael & Liz find comfort in each other's arms. Knowing no one would understand and they would only hurt those they loved more, they kept their relationship secret. Until someone gets suspicious and they get caught. Hearts are broken, lives rocked and one unlucky soul learns… what goes around, comes back around.
Authors Note: This is a story involving cheating, if that topic makes you uncomfortable, this is not the story for you. Finally, there are no villains in this story, just people making hurtful choices.
What Goes Around Comes Back Around
*Hey girl, is he everything you wanted in a man. You know I gave you the world.
You had me in the palm of your hand.*
A chilly wind danced threw the dark, empty Roswell streets. Silently Max walked. Steady steps of a driven man making his way to a destination. Not an hour earlier he had been in his lonely room, torn apart when he decided to pay his girlfriend a late night visit, his favorite way to see her.
Now he walked the quiet streets making his way to her diner to surprise her on what he felt must be a lonely night for her as well.
His heart was heavy with guilt over loosing his son to Tess, letting Alex die, and betraying Liz. It had been a hard year. He felt driven to find her and let her lick his wounds, tell him it would be ok. They would fix it together, like they always did.
Approaching the diner Max was surprised to see the lights still on. Quiet as not to disturb the night Max crept to the window, steadying his eyes on the freshly cleaned pane of glass. A strange image shined back, one that baffled and twisted.
*So why your love went away. I just can't seem to understand. Thought it was me and you babe. Me and you until the end But I guess I was wrong.*
Squinting in disbelief Max's eyes gazed into the diner while the night cloaked him in darkness unbeknownst to those inside.
There before him was Liz but she wasn't alone. Michael kept her company at the bar, inhaling another spoonful of ice cream just before Liz did the same.
An innocent drop of that chilled cream missed Liz's lips and slipped onto her chest in the opening of her uniform.
Max watched in horror as Michael without hesitation slipped his fingers in the crevasse and smoothly scooped the mistake onto his fingers before bringing it to his eager lips.
Max's eyes shot to Liz for response, who instead of smacking Michael away like Max thought she would, only laughed with excitement and squirmed under his touch.
*Don't want to think about it. Don't want to talk about it. I'm just so sick about it.
Can't believe it's ending this way.*
A hollow feeling filled Max and his heart told him to run away but his eyes stayed glued as Liz's lips spoke inaudible words before scooping her own piece of ice cream onto bare fingers and placing it on Michael's nose.
Frozen Max stood, confused and unbelieving; he didn't make a sound, barely breathing as he watched them continue what they thought no one was watching.
Another huge smile crept over Liz's lips as Michael's towering and unfamiliar laugh reached Max's ears. A laugh so rarely heard it sounded foreign to him.
Just when Max thought he couldn't take anymore he watched in disbelief as Liz's gaze turned dark and wanting before she slowly leaned in toward Michael.
Max knew what Liz was going to retrieve. His mind screamed it wasn't what it looked like. This was some sort of game between friends but his heart commanded him to stop it.
*Just so confused about it. Feeling the blues about it. I just can't do without ya. Tell me is this fair?*
Without a seconds thought Max banged on the glass with his fist, alerting them to his presence.
Like oil and water, Michael and Liz shot apart with the noise. Liz's startled eyes flew to the window where she spotted Max.
Like a moment of light through the fog, Max's brain made a permanent memory of the way Liz's eyes filled with sadness when they locked with his before being quickly replaced by a big smile as she ran to open the door for him.
Slowly Max walked to the door greeting Liz with a kiss on the cheek as he watched Michael quickly thank Liz for the ice cream, tell her he'd see her tomorrow at work then casually greet Max before making a quick exit.
Wrapping his arms around his Liz, Max felt her love for him but somewhere deep inside he shuttered, something told him this was a lie and that sadness in her eyes was the only truth left to them.
**Is this the way it's really going down? Is this how we say goodbye?**
"And for you?" Liz asked Max with a phony smile and doe eyes as her gaze lifted from her order pad trying to hear him over the rush in the café.
"Cherry coke with lime." Max said with his eyes stuck on her and a dopey smile as he stared at his Liz in her cute little green uniform.
Weight filled Liz's chest from deceit but an old familiar bell ring drew her attention from her heavy guilt. She turned to the calming noise as her eyes lit up.
There stood Michael behind the grill in all his glory; bandana and hair covered in sweat, apron full of grease.
"Order up." Michael barked impatiently at Maria in his usual grumpy work mood. Manuel labor never one to put him in a good space.
Until his eyes drifted over to Liz's all too obvious glance his way over her shoulder. A slow smirk formed on his lips with naughty pride as he handed Maria the hot plate.
Liz's face came to life as her eyes locked with Michael's. A warm smile crossed her face to the connection but his cocky smirk sent her face turning away as her cheeks burned crimson and belly fluttered.
"I'm taking ten." He ordered, nonchalantly removing his bandana and apron before carelessly tossing them on the counter next to the grill.
**Should've known better when you came around. That you were gonna make me cry**
"If there's nothing else I'll just go put your order in." Liz spoke quickly to everyone in the booth, regaining her professionalism.
Liz looked them over quickly seeing if there were any last wishes.
"Good. That's great." Liz responded with glee, pleased she was almost free.
She flashed them all a famous, wholesome Parker smile before dashing towards the back of the diner with excitement and an "I'm taking out the trash," to Maria.
Max fidgeted in his seat for a moment as the hair on the back of his neck stood. Her interactions with Michael hadn't gone unnoticed lately, sending chills through him, coupled with the fact that he had noticed her distance from him lately sent his worrying mind into hyper drive.
"I'll be right back." Max informed Isabel and Kyle before abruptly standing from the booth and departing toward the back.
** It's breaking my heart to watch you run around. 'Cause I know that you're living a lie. That's okay baby 'cause in time you will find...**
"It's killing me to do this to Maria and Max. I don't know how much longer I can do it." Liz panted, as her heart pounded and her hands danced through his slick hair.
* What goes around, goes around, goes around. Comes all the way back around**
"Not much longer." Michael mumbled in between heated kisses down her neck. His pulse racing as his hands slipped inside her uniform and began to roam her warm skin.
**What goes around, goes around, goes around. Comes all the way back around**
Liz's knees buckled and breath caught in her throat as Michael sucked on her pulse point and her legs went limp.
Michael's strong arms wrapped firmly around her tiny waist as he held her close to him with satisfaction and pushed her further against the brick wall. His lips crashed upon hers with a vengeance. Their moments so fleeting they were reduced to backseats and alleyways, whenever a moment could go unquestioned.
** What goes around, goes around, goes around. Comes all the way back around**
Max quietly opened the backdoor to the deserted alley and stepped out. Noise filled his ears as he crept to the side of the trash bin following the muffled sounds coming from that way only to stop dead in his tracks.
His heart began to race as his eyes watched in shock and disbelief as Michael casually devoured his Liz in a way he only had in their most intimate moments. The look of extreme ecstasy on Liz's face enough to make him vomit.
Face dropped, he felt sucker punched in the gut before his adrenaline began to pump with rage and vengeance.
**What goes around, goes around, goes around. Comes all the way back around**
Strong hands grasped Michael's shoulders before yanking him free from Liz with force.
Michael stumbled away, taken off guard only to quickly regain his composure with the realization they had just been caught… again
His eyes found Max's angry, hurt ones and Michael's heart dropped as his guilt pummeled him. All the lies they had been leading just came crashing at their feet.
** Now girl, I remember everything that you claimed. You said that you were moving on now And maybe I should do the same**
"You asshole!" Max hollered as a blinding rage and strangling pain rushed through his veins just before his fist connected with Michael's lip, squirting blood everywhere as it split open and sent him crashing to the ground with a thud.
"Max? …No, Stop!" Liz screamed in shock as she dove to Michael's side and rapidly removed her apron to place on his bleeding lip.
Wrapping a sturdy arm around Michael's waist they rose to their feet on shaken, unsteady legs, full of jitters by their unexpected surprise.
Max charged toward Michael again once he got on his feet and Michael started to charge back but Liz shielded Michael with her own body. Determined if they were going to hit each other again they'd have to go threw her first. "Just stop, wasn't once bad enough, leave!" Liz yelled with strength that even she was surprised at. Her heart broke to the pain in Max's eyes but she wouldn't let that melt her into letting him attack Michael again.
** Funny thing about that is. I was ready to give you my name**
Max stopped mid-stride and finally staring in her eyes and he felt himself crumble. "How could you? I love you! What did I do? Did I hurt you? Did I disappoint you? What did I do to deserve this?!" Max ranted at Liz, bordering on hysterics just in time for the party; Maria, Kyle, and Isabel to come walking out the backdoor and watch the grand finale.
"You don't love me! You're in love with the idea of me and only when that's convenient for you! You don't even know me and that ideal girl you force me to be, I can't be her anymore!" Liz yelled at him, furious he would make himself look so innocent, the victim until the end. Had he forgotten about sleeping with Tess and getting her pregnant, because she sure hadn't?
** Thought it was me and you, babe. And now, it's all just a shame. And I guess I was wrong**
"Whoa, what's going on?" Kyle spoke up confused as the voice of reason, asking the obvious question.
Max spun on his heels to the voice, his face shooting to Maria first, "I just came out here and found them together!" Max seethed as his own words flipped his stomach and stung his eyes.
** Don't want to think about it. Don't want to talk about it. I'm just so sick about it
Can't believe it's ending this way.**
"What?" Questioned Maria, with a startled high pitch voice, as her eyes fell to Michael who wouldn't look at her. Silently he stood beside a fuming Liz whose uniform was disheveled looking, his lips swollen as hers and hair a mess.
"Together how?" Calmly Isabel questioned her brother for clarification; not wanting to believe what he was saying could be true, not wanting to believe Michael could do this, just a simple loss in translation.
** Just so confused about it. Feeling the blues about it. I just can't do without ya. Can you tell me is this fair?**
Max's eyes shot to Isabel as he spoke. "All over each other," Answered Max with thick disgust as he brought his eyes back upon the sinners. "I risked everything for with you." Max shot with spite, like daggers at Liz's heart.
"And I have never been ungrateful for that but that was your choice. I owe you nothing but your secret and I've kept that." Defiantly Liz answered, caught up in the hurt and angered he would still use her life against her, despite her sympathy for him.
** Is this the way it's really going down? Is this how we say goodbye?
Should've known better when you came around, That you were going to make me cry**
Seeing the strength in Liz as she stood against Max, Michael had kept his tongue quiet but he could no longer. Clearing his throat to make sure his dry mouth hadn't ruined his voice Michael spoke up in the middle. "Hey back off! This isn't just on her!" Michael shot protectively to Max.
Eyes finally daring to meet Michael's, Max gave him a look of almost surprise before his eyes returned to rage. "You," He angrily pointed. "Shut up! I don't even want to hear your excuses this time! This goes so far beyond your usual stupid!" Max snarled at Michael.
"You don't get to decide that…" Michael shot back, ready to blow up on Max before a quieter voice cut him off.
"Michael?" Maria spoke up like a mouse, halting the fight. "It isn't true, right? I mean you and Liz…" Maria's heart jumped into her throat and her eyes threatened to break as she surveyed the offenders.
"…No." Dismissing the thought with a shake of her head, Maria's mind was still in denial.
Michael's muscles tightened at the sound of his name. The way her voice begged him to tell her it was a lie felt like a sledgehammer knocking him on his ass, making him cringe. He didn't love her but he'd grown to care for her a great deal and knowing he was about to smash her heart weighed his down.
Guilt filled eyes wandered the ally until they were forced to answer her. His eyes fell to hers in silence but the guilty residue that hung said things words couldn't and a gasp left Maria's breath as tears stung her eyes.
Maria fled for the back door of the diner in escape as the first droplets of her heart breaking fell.
** Now it's breaking my heart to watch you run around. 'Cause I know that you're living a lie. That's okay baby 'cause in time you will find**
"Maria!" Michael called after her with concern. When she didn't even slow her step he dropped the apron from his hand and took off after her. He didn't want to leave Liz alone but at this moment he felt Maria was in worse shape. He had complete confidence in Liz's strength but he felt a heavy burden to make sure Maria would be ok and his protective instincts told him to not leave her alone like this, she had no one now that Alex was gone and Liz had just betrayed her.
Liz stood alone and defenseless against the pack of wolves she use to call friends as they stared at her with startled, questioning, pained eyes, the alley suddenly felt so cold.
"Max… I never wanted you find out this way. I was going to tell you…" Liz spoke quietly, on the verge of her own tears as her heart ached and breath quickened. She had been his rock for so long and now she worried what he would do without her.
Slowly she walked to him as she spoke to explain her actions but he backed away like she was diseased.
** What goes around, goes around, goes around. Comes all the way back around**
"Save it." Max stammered disinterested in her explanations as he wiped a single tear that wrenched from his torn heart and charged out of the alley, wounded.
Isabel offered Liz her famous ice princess eyes for so badly hurting her brother before following suit to make sure Max was ok, herself still dumbstruck by what had just been revealed.
** What goes around, goes around, goes around. Comes all the way back around**
Liz's weary eyes found the only person still remaining as two weak tears slipped from her eyes that she quickly swiped away out of dignity.
"So it's true?" Kyle questioned, feet firmly planted on the ground as everything inside him felt split in two and rocked. Torn between going after Isabel or staying and hearing Liz out.
** What goes around, goes around, goes around. Comes all the way back around**
Liz's eyes rose to meet Kyle's as the pools she fought to hold in broke free and cascaded down her face as she crumbled. "I never meant to hurt them like this. I never wanted to hurt them at all. What have I done?" Liz wept with everything she had been holding inside as she wrapped her arms around herself for security, suddenly feeling so alone in the world.
Despite Kyle's pain for Maria he walked to his other friend and pulled her into his arms as she cried against him, coming undone. He was angry with her for hurting the group the way she had but his heart softened when he saw the pain swimming in her eyes and cry.