Title: A friend in need
Author: Cee
Rating: PG 13 and R later on
Author's Disclaimer: I don't own anything
Author's Note: This takes place at the beginning of season 2. Liz went to California over the summer. Please, I love feedback so enjoy

Max, Isabel, and Tess were sitting at the same booth at the Crashdown when Maria came up to them
"So do you know when Liz's coming back?" Max asked for the 100th time that day, "Cuz I heard you talking on the phone, and I thought you were talking to her."
"That was a customer placing an order." Maria said sympathizing with him because she felt the same way about Michael. It was like talking to a brick wall, "And for the 100th time, I haven't talked to her in weeks."
"Oh." Max said shyly at the way he demanded the question
"So what are you guys going to order?" Maria asked
"3 Will Smith burgers with space fries, and cherry cokes all around." Isabel ordered, "And could your make them slow, we're sort of waiting for Michael."
"I'll tell Michael to make them slow, but I don't know what good that will do, but I'll try." Maria said going to the front
"So what did Max, Isabel, and Tess want?" Michael asked while flipping a hamburger
"They came to eat space boy." Maria said giving him the order, "Don't worry evil aliens aren't taking over."
"Can you give me some breathing room, your in my hair. I think table 5 is waiting on you." Michael said coldly not even looking at her
"They said make it slow because they're waiting for you." Maria said slamming down her notebook and heading for another table
"Welcome to the Crashdown, may I take your order?" Maria asked getting ready to breakdown in tears
"Hey." The young man said. The guy was really cute with deep green eyes, bright orange hair, and a killer smile, "By any chance do you know if a guy named Alex is here right now."
"Sorry no." Maria said while looking around for Alex
"Thanks anyways." The man said
"Well I'll give your some time to think about your order." Maria said going to the back
'Wait. Who is he? How does he know Alex? Could he be a new enemy'
Maria rushed back in the dining area, but the guy disappeared. Maria quickly ran out the front door and looked around for the mysterious guy, but she didn't find him anywhere.
"Are you okay?" Isabel asked Maria who was going hysterically
"Did you just see the guy that left?" Maria asked
"Yeah." Isabel stated, "Did he leave without paying?"
"No." Maria said.
'I shouldn't get everyone wired on this' Maria thought
"It's nothing." Maria stated, "I thought he looked familiar."
"Oh." Isabel said as they headed inside
"Did that guy not pay?" Michael asked concerned why Maria ran out the door
"No. He didn't even order." Maria stated, "I thought I knew him."
"Oh." Michael said going back to the kitchen
1 hour later
"Hey Maria." Alex said coming into the Crashdown
"Hey buddy what's up?" Maria asked
"Have you been working here all lunch?" Alex asked
"Yeah why?" Maria asked
"There was this guy that I was suppose to meet." Alex said, "He's filling in for the lead bassist in my band."
"There was a guy looking for you, but he left when you weren't here." Maria said
"Oh." Alex said about to leave
"Where you going?" Maria asked as Alex was at the door
"To see if I can reach him again." Alex said running out
"Ready." Michael asked as he came to the table
"Yeah." They aliens said getting ready to leave
"So where we going?" Michael asked
"Grenolith Chamber." Tess whispered
"To talk about some of our new found powers." Max whispered
"Let's go." Michael said
5 minutes after they left Liz came through the Crashdown doors
"Liz!" Maria screamed as she ran to her best friends
"Maria!" Liz screamed as they were hugging each other
"Oh my god it's so good to see you again." Maria stated
"You too." Liz said, "Oh my god, your hair."
"Yeah." Maria said holding her long hair, "Isabel used her thing and made my hair longer."
"It looks good." Liz said complimenting her best friends
"It's so good to have you back." Maria said missing her best friend, "And shall I say, California agrees with you. I love your tan."
"Thanks." Liz smiled
Just then the two girls noticed that everyone in the diner was staring at them
"Hey Liz lets catch up in your room." Maria said
"Okay." Liz said heading to the back, "Where's my mom and dad?"
"They went to Vegas, but if you called once and a while to let everyone know when you were coming back then they probably be here." Maria sarcastically said
"Sorry." Liz said opening her door to her room, "So how long are they staying down there?"
"They said 2 weeks." Maria said, "And they left yesterday."
"Oh." Liz said smiling, "I guess I got this place for myself for a while."
"Have you seen any Chec sightings yet?" Maria asked helping her unpack
"Yeah." Liz stated, "I saw all of them here right now, but I waited until they left."
"You know there is nothing going on with Max and Tess?" Maria asked
"Give it time." Liz said
"Elizabeth Parker!" Maria exclaimed
"What Maria?" Liz asked
"You're not a quitter are you?" Maria asked
"No." Liz stated, "I'm not quitting, I'm letting go."
"Oh." Maria said seeing how hurt Liz was, "Are you okay?"
"I'll live." Liz said, "Because.."
"You're Liz Parker." Maria smiled
"Yeah." Liz smiled, "And because I have too."
"So how was your trip?" Maria asked changing the subject because she saw how hurt Liz was getting
"It was great." Liz smiled
Liz and Maria chatted for 2 hours about what each other did over the summer. Around 10:00 at night Maria left to go home
"Have I told you that I'm glad you're back." Maria said heading out the door
"And I'm glad to be back." Liz said as Maria left
"On some level I guess." Liz said to herself as she closed the light to the Crashdown and went to her room
"Oh god what if I see Max with Tess together." Liz said
'Stop doing this to yourself. You made that decision.' Liz thought
Liz went out on her balcony to look at the stars, and get lost in her thought about Max and Tess.Just then cans dropping from the alley below brought Liz out of her thought
"Who's there?" Liz asked while looking down, but no one answered
"I think it's getting cold out here." Liz said going inside
"Real cold." Liz said as she locked the door to her balcony