Story Title: Lie to Me
Author's Email:
Beta Name: Angela – my BFF even though she really doesn't understand this fanfic stuff

Spoilers: Well seeing that the show is no longer on the air, no real spoilers. But this is up to the end of the first season.
Category: Cannon up until end of season 1 after that Polar
Rating: M
Summary: Nothing is coincidence and if there's anyone who should know this best it's Liz Parker. After a life altering awakening she comes to see that the Pod Squad has always been a part of her destiny.
Warnings: Gee none that I can think of, but if this changes you will be the second to know.
Disclaimer: Roswell doesn't belong to me in any way – shape – or form.

~~*~~

She's seen the impossible happen. Events that in normal circumstances should never have transpired. Aliens, Federal Agents, death and resurrection. She'd seen it, touched it, lived it. Nothing should have surprised Liz Parker, especially not after the last twenty four hours. So when Max Evens had released her hand to join Tess with their half of the orbs, Liz should have listened to her gut. Should have known the kernel of dread forming in the pit of her stomach shouldn't be ignored.

The strong feeling of doubt she'd been stubbornly ignoring over the last few months instantly turned to ice and flowed through her veins. She wasn't sure if it was the numbness that immobilized her from running across the pod chamber and snatching the smooth object from their hands or something else. Another emotion that had started to warm herself from inside. A sense of rightness.

So instead she took a step back and watched from the sidelines. Knowing with certainty when the dust settled this time, nothing could remain the same.

Nothing.

~ Three Months Later ~

"You can't be serious!" Disbelief made it impossible for her to allow the the tears welled in her eyes to fall. Watching as the only man to possess her heart walk past her, his handsome face set in stone. "Will you please tell me what's going on?"

"Didn't you hear?" He finally spoke after what seemed an eternity. "I have the distinct honor of marrying the Princess."

"I-." Collapsing into a nearby chair, she let his words penetrate the shield protecting her heart. "You can't. I – You – We were supposed to be -."

"We were." Regret, just a sliver laced in his words filled the room they had shared over the last two years. It had been her home. Their secret place away from the horrible tragedy festering on their planet. The chambers had served as a sanctuary. Rooms which had witnessed so many emotions, promises and now heartache. "I can have one of my men accompany you to your Father's camp."

"You have to be kidding." Anger numbed some of the pain, allowing her to feel at last. Something other than the terrifying numbness. "This isn't what you want."

He turned then. His eyes flashing, his fists balled at his side. "I am betrothed to the Princess. My Mother pledged me. I am honor bound to fulfill my family's promise. I won't ask again. Should I have one of my men escort you to your Father's camp?"

She could hear the finality in his words. Pulling herself up, hoping to regain a shred of dignity, she glared at him from across the room. "I don't want, or need your men's assistance."

Turning her back on him, heading toward the door before she did something foolish, she momentarily paused when he called out. ""Your stuff . . ."

His words where a slap in the face. As though her possessions meant anything to her after his betrayal. "Burn it. Give it to the poor. At his point I can't bring myself to care."

"You don't mean that." He had the nerve to step toward her. Anger replaced any trace of agony and she welcomed it gladly. Reaching up to where the pendant he'd given to her years ago as a sign of his eternal love, she let her fingers trace the engraving as a last goodbye before snapping the chain from her neck.

"I wish you and your Princess all the happiness." Throwing what had been her most valued possession at his startled face, she turned her back on him and prayed to make it off the royal grounds before falling to pieces.

Jerking awake with a disgruntled groan, Liz felt the residual pain when her hand came in contact with her tear dampened pillow. Squeezing her eyes shut against the lingering emotions from the haunting dream, she choked back the sob stuck in her throat.

She didn't know which haunted her more. The dreams at night, or the unraveling nightmare her life had become during the day. Nothing was the same since the day at the Pod Chamber. The events had triggered the most hellish summer she'd ever lived through.

For the most part the dreams this far hadn't been as heart wrenching as the one she'd just escaped from. There was something liberating about the previous dreams, giving her a feeling of self discovery. Helping her make sense of the chaos engulfing her life. This had been until the most recent dream. The recurring torture of it since her first night back from her summer exile in Florida was almost more than she could bare.

When she'd awoken that first morning it had felt as if she were dying. Her heart had been broken into a million pieces. Nothing in her life had come close to the pain she'd felt. Every night since the dream had been the same. Over and over again she was forced to relive the torture. She'd gone as far as trying not to sleep.

If the dreams themselves were the only thing wrong in her life, Liz may have not felt as she did. Instead she was terrified of what had been triggered inside her the moment Max and Isabelle's mother's vision had appeared.

She should have known all along things weren't as they seemed. Foolish to believe it had been a coincidence when Max had saved her life that day in her father's dinner. Nothing just happened. That fate really did exist and the Bitch had some really sharp teeth.

"Rise and shine Sunshine." Maria's voice broke through her fog, forcing her to abandon her thoughts, and quickly construct the facade she'd faked since returning to Roswell. Pretending drained her, but she had no other choice until she had more answers.

Bursting into the room with a force of nature only Maria contained, her best friend gave her the look that meant business. She'd reached her limit on friendly understanding and was well past listening to any vague excuses. Liz knew she'd be forced out of the safety of her solitude and into the world she'd been avoiding sooner or later, she'd really been crossing her fingers on later.

"I will give you twenty minutes to shower and primp. I refuse to work another day alone with that poor excuse of a quasi boyfriend and that-that she thing you father was forced to employee due to your abrupt and uncalled for departure."

"Maria I'm not back on the schedual until next week" It was a futile attempt and Liz knew she'd be following Maria's dictate in the end. But she at least had to try.

"Not anymore." Her life long friend grinned wickedly back at her. "Your name magically appeared on this weeks schedule. I guess Santa really does exist."

"You didn't"

"How long have we been friends?" Maria scoffed. "I can't believe you even had to ask." Batting her eyes innocently from across the room, Liz grudgingly felt a twinge of humor evaporate the bleakness that had been swallowing her whole. "By the way you have eighteen minutes."

"How about tomorrow?"

"Fifteen minutes."

"Hey!"

"Three minute penalty for asking unnecessary questions." The first real smile turned the corner of Liz's lips. The simple act felt odd, almost unnatural. Realistically she knew the good feeling warming her would soon fade. It was nice to feel normal, even if it wouldn't last.