Author's Note: So after I promised myself i would never again watch another Julie Plec show I have found myself obsessed with the Roswell reboot. I love all the characters but, for me, the chemistry between Max and Liz is off the charts. I'm sad there aren't more fics out there about them...so here is me helping up that total. This is unbeta'd. Please read and review!

As Liz looked at herself in the mirror...makeup streaked down her cheeks...hair a crazy mess...she couldn't believe the turns the night had taken. Even with the looming question of who killed Rosa and all those other people Liz had been looking forward an actual date with Max. She found a great dress for the gala and Max had already promised that, this time, he would dance with her.

And all of it had started off great. Max picked her up, told her she looked beautiful, and they walked hand in hand into the UFO Emporium. But in the span of an hour it had all turned upside down. Max had only left her side to get them drinks but after fifteen minutes he still hadn't returned. Liz assumed there was a long line at the bar and headed towards it to wait with her date. It turned out she was right about the line but Max was no where to be seen. Still thinking nothing if it Ali's began to head back to their table when Michael came towards her,

"Liz have you seen Max?"

"He went to get us drinks but I think he may have stopped off at the restroom first."

Micheal looked frazzled...Liz had never seen him look anything but calm before and the hairs on her arm suddenly were at attention.

"He us not in the no bathroom, Liz. I just checked. When was the last time you saw him?"

"I don't know fifteen minutes maybe. Micheal what's wrong?"

Micheal touched Liz's arm and walked them out of the building.

"I got a txt from Max...maybe ten minutes ago...he could feel Isabel was in trouble."

"Isabel...she is inside..."

"Are you sure? When I walked in I couldn't find her."

Liz tried to think about the last time she saw her. It was only a short time ago. She was talking to Maria.

"Last I saw her she was talking to Maria. Let's ask her."

Liz turned to walk back into the emporium...Micheal right behind her.

"I don't see Maria either...are you sure you saw them together?"

"Yes. I'm positive. I'll try to call her."

It rang twice before Maria picked up.

"Hey Maria it's Liz. Where are you? Have you seen Max or Isabel?"

There was no answer on the other end.

"Maria, hey, can you hear me? Maria! MARIA!"

When Liz did finally hear something it wasn't Maria talking to her...it was Max talking to someone. He sounded far away. She couldn't make out exactly what he was saying but she knew he sounded scared. Liz looked up at Micheal...confusion etched in his face...and she handed him the phone. His eyes widened as he listened and he grabbed Liz's arm again...but this time with force. They all but ran back outside.

"Micheal what's going on? I couldn't make out what he was saying. Could you? Micheal you're scaring me. Micheal!"

When Micheal finally turned around, he grabbed her by the shoulders.

"I think Isabel has Max and Maria and I think Isabel has a gun."

"What?! Oh my god! What are we going to do?!"

"I need you to go home...l"

"NO!"

"Yes. Max would never forgive me if I got you hurt and I can't promise u can protect you."

Liz was shaking her head violently.

"Liz the best thing you can do is go home. Call Kyle...We May need another doctor later..."

"I want to go with you. Maria is my best friend and Max is...Max and I...I..."

"You love Max...I know...we all know...which is why I need to keep you safe. I'm going to need Max's help with Isabel...I can't have him worrying about you. Do you understand? I promise I'll call you as soon as I know what's going on. Please just call Kyle and go home."

Liz just nodded her head. Micheal gave her shoulders one last squeeze before jumping in his truck and speeding off. For a moment Liz stood, frozen in the middle of the street. What was happening? Max was in trouble...she could feel it in her bones ...and she was just standing there...doing nothing. She had to do something so she stated running. Running towards the direction Micheal's truck had just headed. Running towards her best friend. Running towards Max.

She was so consumed with getting to them that she barely registered Alex's truck tailing her.

"Liz! LIZ! Stop running. LIZ!"

He sped past her, turned the car to cut her off, and trolled down the passenger window.

"Liz get in the car!"

"Micheal just went...Alex Maria and Max are in trouble."

"I know. Micheal called me that's why I'm here. Get in the car."

Liz did as she was told.

"Micheal went that way."

"I know but we aren't going that way."

"What?! No Alex we have to help them!"

"How?! We are two humans with only three legs and from what Micheal said Isabel, an alien who is being controlled by a murderous unknown alien, is holding Maria, another human and Max...your alien boyfriend...by gunpoint. Exactly how are we going to help them?!"

"I don't know but we have to do something."

"We are. Micheal wants us and Kyle to wait at the bunker. I called Cameron too. They are both meeting us there. We have to trust that between Micheal and Max they can break Isabel out of this other alien's hold."

Liz tried to take in what he was saying. She knew he was right...what could they do? She simply nodded her head.

"They are going to be alright Liz. They have to be. There is still so much for us to do...so much to figure out."

"You love him...you're in love with Michael."

Alex looked over at Liz as if he was going to protest but as he looked back into the road he just shrugged his shoulders.

"Yeah...since high school...we are still figuring it out."

There was just too much to process at the moment for Liz to really talk to Alex about his love life. Liz settled for putting her hand on his shoulder.

"Look at us...still hung up on our high school loves..."

"Except on your case your high school love was a dick who was captain of the football team..."

"Yeah and you and that dick are now friends who have a secret bunker?"

They both...finally...let out small laughs.

"That's a whole other story. Maybe Kyle can tell you while we wait to hear from Micheal...we are here and it looks like so are he and Cameron."

Alex pointed towards the two cars already outside the bunker as he parked.

As they walked in they could see Kyle and Cameron sitting at the table...pouring over files.

"There has to be some kind of clue in here as to who the other alien is."

"I've looked over the autopsy a million times. Other than the hand prints and the made up doctor there is nothing."

The sound of Alex closing the door caused both of them to look up.

"Hey. Did Micheal call you back yet?"

"No. Not since I called you and Cameron and went to get Liz. Any luck with the files?"

"No. The killer left no forensics behind. There is nothing in these...not a single clue. They tell you in the academy that there is no such thing as a perfect crime..."

"That probably only applies to humans."

For a tense second after Kyle's comment there was utter silence. It was only broken by the sound of Alex's phone.

The four humans all froze. Alex turned his back on them as he answered his phone.

"Micheal. Yes we are all here. Ok. Hold on...Kyle you brought your medical bag right?..."

Kyle nodded.

"Yes he has it. How bad? Ok. Ok. Yeah. I'll make sure. Are you ok? Good. Yeah. See you soon."

Alex turned around to find the others staring at him. Liz spoke first.

"What did he say? Is everyone ok?"

"Max and Micheal are fine. Isabel passed out but Maria...Isabel shit her. She is in bad shape...Kyle I need you to get ready to examine her..."

"Here?! I need a hospital! Where was she shot? Is she conscious?"

"Yes here...there is a lab another level down...it as made to dissect and test aliens...that should be good enough to double as a hospital room. It's the back of her head Kyle...it's bad. She's not conscious but Micheal said she is breathing and Max was able to get the bullet out but she us not waking up."

"Ok. Ok. I'll get down there now. Liz come with me. We need to see what kind of supplies are here."

Liz silently nodded and followed Kyle to the elevator.

"What do you think we will even need?"

"I don't know. When a max saved you he not only got the bullet out but he completely healed the wound. Do you know how long you were out?"

"I don't know two maybe three minutes? But that was a chest wound this...Alex said it was the back of her head. Max is powerful but the brain..."

"Let's see if there are any X-ray, MRI, or cat scan machines in here...it will be good if we can actually look at her brain."

They set about looking thru the room. Liz tried hard not to think about the original purpose of the area...tried not to imagine the probes and knives being used on Max. Alex had said he was fine and the dread that had settled itself inside he had lifted some so she knew he was telling the truth but she needed to see him...feel him and then, as if God was answering her prayers, the elevator door opened again.

Liz wanted to run to Max...wanted to wrap he arms around him and never let her go...but as she turned towards the open elevator she saw him carrying an unconscious Maria.

"I kept trying to heal her in the car...the bullet came out but she won't wake up."

Liz simply stared. He really was ok. She was scared for Maria, of course she was, but Max...when she knew he was in danger it felt like she was going to loose a part of her...like if he died she could too. Was that how he felt that night at the Crashdown?

Kyle starting barking out orders b

"Ok. Put her on the table. How long has she been out?"

"Ten maybe fifteen minuets."

"From the two me she was shot or from when you got the bullet out?"

"The bullet out."

"His much to me passed between he getting shit and you healing her?

"Um Isabel pulled the trigger and that's when Michael tackled her...I ran right over to Maria...so no more than a minute."

"Ok. That's good. I'm gonna run some tests. Liz can you take her vitals for me?"

The sound of her name snapped her out of her trance.

"Yeah."

As she moved towards Maria Max finally touched her...placing both hands on her face.

"Are you ok?"

"Yes. Now that you are here I'm ok.

Max moved his forehead to rest on hers for a beat and then turned to Kyle.

"Do you need me for anything else?"

"No."

"Ok. I'm going to go back upstairs and check on Isabel."

When Max got upstairs he could hear the others arguing.

"She should be in jail..."

"Cameron it wasn't he...you know it want her."

"Yes I know that Micheal but she is obviously a danger we can't just let her roam free."

"There are cells here. We could put her in one..."

Before Micheal could protest Alex's suggestion a Max yelled.

"We are not putting my sister in a cell here or at a prison."

"I'm sorry Max I'm not suggesting we put her here to test her or anything but Cameron has a point. She is obviously dangerous and has no control over this other alien."

Max knew they were right. It was clear this other alien had the upper hand and if they had any hope of catching him or her no one could be watching over Isabel 24/7. They had to keep her somewhere safe...fir her and everybody else.

"What if we put her back in the pod. Nothing happened when she was in there before."

The other three seemed to mull over Max's idea...it was Michael who finally spoke.

"I'll agree to that but only if Isabel agrees to. We wait for her to wake up and ask her."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"We still need to find this alien. Did Isabel say anything Max? Any clues or leads we could follow?

"I don't know Cameron. I get theses feelings when she is in trouble. They help me find her. By the time I got there she had the gun pointed at Maria. When she saw me...it wasn't Isabel. The way she spoke, the way she over...it wasn't my sister."

Max went on to recount what had happened. Cameron took notes while Alex and Micheal starting punching away in the computer. By the time he had told the whole story Kyle and Liz were walking out of the elevator. Max was out of his seat and wrapping Liz up in his arms before the elevator doors fully closed.

"You really ok?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry I ran out of the gala. I just...I knew something was wrong and I...I just..."

"Hey, Hey. It's ok. If you hadn't left who knows what would have happened to Maria."

"Is she going to be ok...there was so much blood."

It was Kyle's turn to chime in.

"You saved her life Max. I didn't have to most up to date equipment down there but from what I could scan her brain seems fully intact, she us breathing normal, blood pressures good..."

"So is she in a coma or something?"

"I don't think so Micheal. I think she's asleep...a very deep sleep...but I see no reason why she shouldn't wake up in the next few hours."

"We are going to have a lot of explaining to do when she wakes up."

Micheal's comment was followed by a chorus of acknowledgements.

Liz, who hasn't left the cradle of Max's arms, looked up at him as she asked...

"Is Isabel awake yet?"

Max shook his head.

"When she wakes up Max and I are going to ask he if she is willing to get back in the pod. We think it's the safest place for now."

Liz nodded and buried he head in Max's chest.

"I'm going to sit with Maria for awhile."

"I'll come with you Alex."

"I'm going to head over to the hospital, run some tests on Maria's blood and see if I can scrounge up any other supplies."

"I'll head over to the station and see if anyone else has reported anything suspicious."

As everyone filtered out in their separate missions. Liz looked back up at Max.

"I'll keep you company as you sit with Isabel."

"How did you know that's what I was going to do?"

"Because I know you a Max Evans."

"I love that you do."

It was about an hour later that Isabel woke up.

"Ugh where am I?"

"Isabel? Hey...you ok...you feel ok?"

"Yeah...oh God. Where are we? It happened again didn't it? I blacked out. What did I do? Did I hurt anyone? Did you catch the other alien? Did I kill..."

"Hey. Hey. Hey. You are ok. Everyone is ok. Yes you blacked out again. You held Maria and I at gun point. But we didn't catch em...whoever it is is still out there."

Isabel gasped and slapped her hand over her mouth.

"Isabel...listen to me...Maria is fine now but...but you shot her. I was there and was able to heal her. She is sleeping now but Kyle and Liz examined her and they think she is going to be ok."

"Think?!"

"Isabel we don't have the most up to date machines here but every test we ran came back fine and Kyle's been at the hospital and everything us still coming back good. We have no reason to think she won't be totally fine."

"Can I see her? I need to apologize...except how do you apologize for shooting someone?"

"Hey we all know it wasn't you. I was there...you walked different, talked different...you even looked a little different. It wasn't you Isabel."

Isabel let Max's words set in.

"I need to go back in the pod...at least until you find this one alien. It's the only way."

"That's what Micheal and I were thinking but we wanted to ask you first. Are you sure? It may take us time to catch the other alien."

"I know but I can't live like this...not knowing when or if I will be taken over again...worrying I could hurt people. Where's Noah? He wasn't with me at the gala...he got sick this afternoon so he stayed home...does he know what happened? I want to say goodbye to him this time."

"I've been trying to call him but it goes directly to voice mail."

""He was so sick before...he is probably sleeping."

"Ok. How about this. I'll ask Cameron to go over to your house and check on him. If he is well enough I'll have her bring him to the lids if he's not I'll have her put him on the phone. That work?"

'Yeah. Did I hurt you Max? You have blood on you?"

"It's Maria's."

At that Isabel broke down in tears. Max moved closer to pull her into a hug. Liz looked over at the siblings.

"I'll let Alex and Michael know you are up."

Max nodded.

The minute Isabel saw Alex and Micheal she asked how Maria was doing.

"She seems fine. Just sleeping. Kyle is on his way back here we are thinking we are going to move her to my cabin. It will be less jarring then waking up in here."

"I told Max and Liz I want to go back in the pod until you guys catch this guy."

"I think that's a good idea Isabel. You know a Max and I won't rest until we get him or her."

"I know."

"Has anyone been able to reach Noah?"

"Cameron is on her way to their house right now. If he is feeling ok they will meet us at the pods."

"Then let's get going. Every minute I'm not in the pod is another minute I can black out."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes Max. I'm sure."

With that Max helped Isabel out of bed and he and Liz headed to his Jeep. The ride to the pods was quiet but as they pulled up to the caves they could see Cameron and Noah waiting for them. Isabel barely waited for the car to stop before running towards Noah.

"Noah. I'm so sorry. I have to do this. It's not safe...you're not safe..."

"I don't know Isabel. Are you sure? I can protect you."

"You can't. You know you can't. I have to do this."

Noah solemnly nodded and leaned in to kiss his wife.

"At least this time I can come to visit you...maybe take some shifts from Michael and Max."

"I would like that."

Max, Liz and Cameron had kept a respectable distance from the couple as thy said their goodbyes but as they turned towards the entrance of the caves the three followed. Knowing it would this time made the whole thing seem to go faster and before thy knew it Isabel was in her pod and the reminding four were getting back into their cars.

"Let's get you home."

Liz turned to grab Max's hand over the center console of his Jeep.

"I don't want to go home...I don't want to be alone...can we just go back to your house?"

Max gave her hand a gentle squeeze and smiled.

"Sure."

The drive to Max's house was quiet but comfortable. Liz was feeling the events of the night weigh her down but Max's hand was working as an anchor...keeping her from drowning in it all. It wasn't until they were standing in Max's living room that Liz finally broke down.

Max had barely closed the door when Liz slammed her body into his. Clutching his shirt and sobbing.

"There was a time tonight that I thought...no I felt...I felt it Max...I could feel you were in danger. I was more terrified than I have ever been in my life that I was going to loose you. I can't loose you. Not now when we finally found each other and not ever..."

Max began rubbing his hands up on down her back and thru her hair. Trying to reassure the women he loved that he was ok...that they were ok.

"Shhhh. It's ok. I'm here. I'm here and you're here. We are together. I promise you I will do everything I can to never leave you."

Max would never know how long they stood there...but at some point Liz's sobs dies down and her death grin on his shirt loosened.

"You can have the bed tonight. I'll take the coach."

Liz lifted her head to look Max in his eyes.

"Please stay with me. I don't want...I need to feel you near me."

"Liz I don't know if tonight's the right night..."

"I don't mean we do that. I just...I know you are safe. I know you are here but I remember how I felt earlier...it was awful...I felt like I was dying...every part of me was screaming to run to you...find you...save you. Hearing your heart beat...being this close to you...it chases away any ghost of that feeling."

"Ok. Yeah. I need that too right now. Come on."

Max grabbed her hand to lead her to his bedroom. Liz, much like that day at the caves...the day they finally kissed...pulled him back towards her. But instead of kissing him she looked deep into his eyes and placed their joint hand over her heart.

"Te amo Max Evans...easily and without question."

Max couldn't help the smile that erupted from his face.

"That was so very worth the wait."

Max leaned down to kiss her...it was tender and sweet and in so many ways was a promise of what their future could and would be. As they slowly pulled apart Liz yawned and Max chuckled.

"Come on let's get to bed."

As they entered Max's room Liz looked down at the baby blue gown that she was still wearing.

"Ummmm...do you have a T-shirt I could wear."

"Yeah of course."

Max went over to his dresser and pulled out a Roswell PD shirt. Liz grabbed it and headed to the bathroom. Which is where she now found herself looking in the mirror at a person who was barely recognizable to the she had looked like before the gala. It had been an awful night hut it was ending on a good...no great note. She loved Max. She had known it for a while but whether it was fear or uncertainty she hadn't been able to say it. Saying it tonight...looking in his eyes and knowing beyond a doubt that she loved him as much as he loved her...it was the most right she had ever felt and she knew no matter what lay ahead for them they were going to face it together. Liz washed her face and before she left the bathroom she looked at herself in the mirror one more time. The makeup streaks were gone and she had managed to get her hair up and out of her face. She knew she looked tired...she was exhausted...but she also knew Max wouldn't care. When she came back in she was proven right as Max couldn't help but smile.

"That shirt looks so much better on you than it ever did on me."

"Good because I'm totally stealing it...at least until it doesn't smell like you...then you can have it back and I'll take another one."

Liz crawled into bed, wrapping her arm around Max's mid section and placing her ear directly over his heart. Max promptly wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"The sound of your heart is quickly becoming my favorite sound."

"Good because I could easily get used to sleeping like this."

And that's how it started. No matter what went on during the day...whether they had date night or they both worked late...Liz always spent the night in Max's bed...his arm around her shoulders and her ear listening to his beating heart.