Author's Note: For those of you who were reading my Roswell/Stargate SG-1 crossover story, I'm sorry I haven't updated that one lately. I've kind of run into a block on where to go with that story, but I promise I will get back to it. In the meantime, I've outlined out this whole other story from beginning to end, and I decided to go ahead and write it and put it out there. I'll be posting it in installments, as I write it, but this one is pre-planned, so I promise there won't be any sudden freezes on this story's release.
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We Belong Together
By: Ian K.
Summary: This is an alternative universe story. It starts with what would have been the episode "Cry Your Name", but the events change from there. The main event that changes-Alex doesn't die, and he and Isabel get the chance to be together. Many of the events on the show besides that still do occur, with changes here and there to accommodate the fact Alex lives. But don't worry-this won't be just a show re-write. This story will include wholly new events, especially for Isabel and Alex, and don't think there won't be ups and downs for them along the way. The story is mostly A/I, but expect some of the other relationships to be explored along the way.
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CHAPTER ONE:
"Yeah, I had a great time to," said Alex, speaking on the phone to Isabel.
"So what are you doing tonight?" asked Isabel on the other end of the line.
"Tonight," said Alex tentatively, looking up at his two friends, Liz and Maria, who were sitting in on the conversation to coach Alex through playing hard to get. The two young woman gave silent gestures telling him to say no.
"I...can't," said Alex.
"Why?" asked Isabel.
"I have to..." began Alex. Liz and Maria silently mouthed the word "study."
"...study," he finished.
"Alex," said Isabel, with a slight hint of frustration, "an A is the best that you can get."
"I know, but I have this monstrous final in..." began Alex. Maria and Liz held up his Robert Frost poetry book. "Robert Frost." Liz and Maria bothed mouthed "ENGLISH" in a slightly frustrated manner. "English. Yeah, our class is really getting the screws put to us."
"Well," said Isabel, "if you would rather stay home and study, and not come out to play with me."
Alex silently put his fist to his mouth to squelch his scream of pained temptation. Maria and Liz both made gestures telling him to stand his ground and be strong.
"I'd like to, but I can't," said Alex. Maria and Liz looked at each other and grinned.
"Okay," said Isabel, "I will be at the Crashdown if you change your mind."
"Okay," said Alex. "Bye."
"Bye," said Isabel, hanging up the phone.
Alex hung up then fell back on the bed.
"I'm so proud of you," said Maria, as she and Liz came over and sat with him on the bed.
"This blows," said Alex.
"Yeah, but just think, you've got her chasing YOU," said Liz. "Who would have thought?"
"She's thinking about me," said Alex. "She's on her bed, and she's thinking about me."
The three friends talked for a little while longer, touching on what to do about the situation with Liz and her love interest, Max. Ever since the latter had been seen kissing Tess at the prom by Liz, she has been confused about what to do. After a few minutes, Maria and Liz said goodbye, having to go in to work at the Crashdown diner.
Alex bade them goodbye, then went into his room and began plucking at his guitar. As he did, he looked at the picture of the girl he had met in Sweeden and had spent so much time with. Being with her, even though they both knew it was just a fling, had given Alex the confidence to come home a new man. Isabel Evans, the girl he had been in love with for so long, finally started to recognize him as something besides a love sick puppy. He had actually turned her down at first when she had hinted to him that she would like him to take her to the prom. It was only after she had come to his bedroom window the evening before the prom, and told him she was going to be graduating early and this would probably be the last chance she would ever have a prom that he finally caved in.
And it had proven to be the right decision. Alex and Isabel became closer at the prom, dancing the night away. Then, Isabel kissed him, and he kissed her back. They kept kissing for a long time, not able to break away from each other, feeling a strong connection of passion between them. Now, Alex was having to turn down a chance to spend the evening with his dream girl, so as not to appear too desperate and make HER work at landing HIM for a change.
"This SERIOUSLY blows," thought Alex to himself. He munched down on a cold dinner delivered to him just before, and had to fight every instinct in him to run down to the Crashdown and be with Isabel.
He picked up his poetry book, and opened it up. "Well, I said I was going to study, so I will just have to study," he thought. "For a while, at least."
**
Everyone was gathered down at the Crashdown just before closing time, though they knew they would be hanging out there long after that happened. Since Liz's family owned the diner, and it wasn't a school night, they could hang out there as long as they wanted. Max and Michael were arguing about movies, Liz and Maria were finishing up their waitressing shifts, and Kyle, Tess, and Isabel, were all sitting around one of the tables talking.
"So he actually turned you down for tonight," said Kyle.
"Yeah, he did," said Isabel. "I mean, he said he has to study, but I would never have thought that he..."
"Would turn down a date with you," said Tess.
"Face it, Isabel," said Kyle, "he is not the same whipped boy you knew last year. He has put the ball in your court, and isn't afraid to let you decide what to do with it."
"I know," said Isabel. "Which just makes him all the more attractive and...frustratingly desirable."
Another twenty minutes went by of just hanging out and talking when a familiar face showed up at the door to the diner, knocking on the glass. Liz ran over to open up the door.
"Alex," whispered Liz. "What are you doing here? You said you weren't going to show up, remember."
"I said I had to study," said Alex. "I did, now I'm showing up. Trust me, I know what I'm doing. I'm going to stay for about twenty minutes, ask her out nonchalantly, and then go back to 'studying'."
"Alex, hi!" said Isabel, getting up from the booth and coming over. "You showed!"
"Well, I decided to take a break, get my head out of that poetry book for a while," said Alex.
"I'm glad," said Isabel. "So, you want to sit down."
"Sure," said Alex.
The two of them made their way over to a booth, and sat down together. They didn't say anything at first, until Isabel decided to break the silence.
"So, are you confident you are going to do well on the final?" said Isabel.
"Final?" asked Alex.
"For English," said Isabel.
"Oh, yeah," said Alex. "I'll do fine, I just wanted to make sure. So, how about you? You going to finish okay to graduate?"
"Yeah," she said. "But, you know, I don't know if I made the right decision. I mean...I hate graduating and leaving you all behind."
"Hey, just because you graduate doesn't mean you loose membership in our little group," said Alex. "Hey, you're the King's sister, remember. That gives you an in. Kyle, on the other hand, would be in trouble."
Isabel laughed. "Okay, I get your point, but...I just don't know what to do now. Should I go away to college, or should I got to college locally? I just...it has all happened so fast, and I just haven't had the opportunity to put much thought into it."
"Isabel, I know that whatever you decide to do, you are going to be great at it," said Alex. "Now, speaking from my personal point of view, and I'm sure it goes for all of us...it'd be great if you went to school locally. We would...I would...miss you."
Isabel took his hand in hers, and gently rubbed the top of it with her thumb. "Thanks," she said. "For everything. For taking me to the prom, for being such a good listener, for not blabbing my secret before I'm ready for Max and the others to know. And most of all...for being you."
"Anything for you, you know that," said Alex. He leaned over and kissed Isabel on the cheek. As he pulled away after the kiss, she moved her head to follow his and captured his lips in a passionate kiss.
They broke the kiss when they heard a whistle from nearby. The source was Kyle, who was watching their liplock with a big smirk on his face. Max and Michael were also watching them, Michael with a smile on his face and Max with a more passive expression. Behind the counter, Maria and Liz gave each other hi-fives.
"I think we've attracted an audience," said Isabel.
"Peeping toms, all of them," said Alex, in mock disgust. "Speaking of audience, how would you like to be in the audience for a concert this weekend, with me as your escort?"
Isabel smiled. "By escort, you mean date, I hope."
"What do you say?" asked Alex.
"Sounds great," said Isabel. "I look forward to it."
"Good," said Alex. "Well, I'd better get back to hitting the books, so I can take you to that concert."
"You sure you have to go now?" asked Isabel. "I was enjoying this...spending time together, just talking."
"There will be plently of time for this, Isabel, if you want it," he said. "But, for now, to quote Robert Frost, 'I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.'"
He kissed Isabel one more time, before getting up and waving goodbye to everyone. Isabel watched him go, and smiled to herself, happy that she and Alex were becoming so close. She felt so comfortable with him, and knew how much he cared for her. The road they were about to travel was going to be interesting, and she was looking forward to traveling down that road with Alex by her side.
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CHAPTER TWO:
Alex was walking out of the main entrance to the High School and heading for his car. He had a huge smile on his face as he moved through the throngs of students racing to get out of school. Alex was not paying any of them much attention because he was totally focused on one thought-he was about to see Isabel Evans. Alex and she rode to and from school together every day in Alex's new car that his Father had bought for him. The black Toyota Corolla was nothing fancy, but it was a new car and he loved driving around in it with Isabel.
The past month since the prom had been the fullfillment of all of Alex's hopes and dreams involving Isabel, well almost all of them. Isabel and he were officially going steady, and were inseparable it seemed in their spare time. They went to the movies, ate together at the Crashdown, went on drives to just talk, studied together. And, of course, some of Alex's favorite moments-their makeout sessions in his car and in other places. They went everywhere holding hands, or even arm in arm, including around school. The rest of the student body couldn't stop talking about how Isabel Evans, the prom queen of West Roswell High, was going out with Alex Whitman, Mr. Nobody special in the eyes of many. But perhaps the moments that meant the most to Alex were the times they would sit on her parent's front porch, Isabel in his arms, just looking at the stars and listening to each other talk.
As Alex got close to his car, he saw Isabel was already there. His smile grew bigger until he saw the look on Isabel's face as he got closer. She looked upset, like a little girl who's dog had died, and was on the verge of tears. Alex quickened his pace to see what was wrong.
"Izzy, sweetie, are you alright?" he asked, walking up and taking her hands in his.
She just looked at him with a sad, hurt expression in her eyes, and tried to talk. But no words came out. Instead she just started to cry openly, and Alex took her into his arms. Isabel quietly sobbed on his shoulder, while he rubbed her back gently, kissed the top of her head, and whispered sweetly to her that everything would be okay, to talk to him and tell him what was wrong.
"Not here," she said in between sobs. "Let's go somewhere private."
"Come on," said Alex, walking her to the passenger side of the car and helping her in. He got behind the wheel and drove them to a secluded spot outside of town in Frasier Woods. He stopped the car, turned off the ignition, then focused his attentions entirely on Isabel. He reached up and gently rubbed a tear away from her cheek.
"Now, what's got my Isabel so upset?" he asked. "What happened?"
"Max," said Isabel.
The one word, the name, spoke volumes to Alex. One reason why they had so much time together lately was because Max, usually Isabel's attentive brother, was acting very odd and very moody lately. Isabel had told everyone else about her graduating early, and her consideration of going to college somewhere away from Roswell. She wasn't sure what she was going to do, but was considering going to college in California just to experience something new. Isabel promised Alex that if she decided to go away to school that it wouldn't change how she felt about him, and that it was only something she was considering at this point.
Alex wasn't exactly happy at the prospect of Isabel going away to school, and promised to follow her in another year when he graduated and go to the same school. But Max's reaction was much stronger. He told Isabel that it was out of the question, that she could not leave Roswell. He acted like her leader, not her brother, and had practically forbidden her to consider it.
"What's he done now?" asked Alex.
"Well, I...decided I was going to go ahead and apply to that college in San Francisco, just to show him and myself that I could get in," said Isabel. "I was able to get all my references together-my teachers gave me great ones. I filled out the application, put in all of my volunteer work on it, and got my transcripts ready to go. I told Michael what I was doing, and he seemed hesistant about the idea. He must have told Max."
"Was Max angry?" asked Alex.
"God, Alex, I don't know what's come over him," she said. "Max, my brother that I knew, would have never..." She stopped talking and started sobbing again.
Alex pulled her to him and kissed her on the cheek. "What happened?" he asked. "Please, tell me."
"Alex, he threatened me."
Alex pulled away from Isabel slightly, and looked into her eyes. Then, in a low, serious tone, he said, "He did what."
"He told me that if I...tried to apply to that school that he would tell my teachers that he had been keeping a secret about me, that I cheated on tests in their classes. He threatened to tell my parents that I was on drugs, to get them all to go against my getting into this school."
Alex was getting angry. Isabel could see the rage boiling up into Alex's expression. "That son of a bitch," he said in a low, furious tone. "He has no RIGHT to do that! He's your brother, and he's...he's THREATENING YOU!"
"I don't know what to do, Alex," said Isabel, more tears falling down her cheeks. "I feel like I don't know him anymore."
"Neither does Liz," said Alex. "She told me that she feels like SHE can't even reach him anymore. And I think its all because of Tess."
"They've been getting closer," said Isabel. "Tess and Max. It seems half the time I see him lately, he's with Tess. But how...is it really her doing it?"
"I just get a bad feeling about her," said Alex. "I have been a lot lately. But she's not the problem now. Max is. Isabel, do you know where Max is now?"
"I think he's at Michael's," said Isabel. "They were going to talk about something. God, I don't even know if Michael knows that Max threatened me."
"Isabel, I want you to do me a favor," said Alex.
"What?" she asked.
"I want you to let me take you to the Crashdown," said Alex. "Hang out with Liz and Maria there for a while. I need to take care of something."
"Take care of something," said Isabel. "What?"
"Its important," said Alex. "I'm sorry, I hate leaving you right now, but I won't be gone long." Then, he thought to himself, "I'm just going to have a little talk with you brother."
**
"What do you mean you've got the situation taken care of?" asked Michael of Max. "You were able to convince her to drop the whole idead."
"Yes," said Max. "I don't think she'll consider leaving."
"Wow, how'd you manage that?" asked Michael.
"I had to use extreme measures," said Max. "I hated doing it, but its for the good of all of us that we stick together."
"Extreme measures?" asked Michael. "Like what?"
Just then, they heard the booming sound of someone pounding on the apartment door. "You expecting anyone?" asked Max.
"It might be Maria," said Michael. "But she must be pissed about something if she's pounding on the door like that. I'd better let her in or she'll be even more pissed."
Michael went to the door and looked through the peep hole. "Its Alex," said Michael with a tone of surprise. He opened the door, and Alex came storming into the room. He made a direct beeline for Max. Before the latter could react, Alex brought his fist up and punched Max in the jaw with all of his might. Max fell to the floor with a thud, partly from the force of the blow and partly from the surprise that his friend, the normally docile and good natured Alex, had just decked him.
"What the HELL are you doing?" asked Michael, running up and grabbing Alex from behind.
Alex shoved Michael off of him, and turned around to face him. "BACK OFF! This is between me and Max!"
"Alex," said Max, as he was picking himself up off the floor. "Have you gone insane?"
"I was going to ask you the same question!" said Alex, his voice full of fury. "How could you threaten your own SISTER?!"
"She told you," said Max.
"Yeah, she told me!" said Alex. "As she was crying in my arms! She is scared, Max. Scared of YOU, her own BROTHER! She doesn't understand how you could THREATEN HER!"
"You threatened Isabel?!" asked Michael in shock. "What the hell did you threaten to do?"
"He threatened to tell the principal at school that Isabel has been cheating on tests!" said Alex. "And threatened to tell his parents that Isabel was on drugs, just so they wouldn't approve of her going away to school!"
"Alex, this isn't your concern," said Max.
"It IS my concerns!" said Alex. "Isabel's well being is most DEFINITELY my concern!"
"I would think you would be grateful for me finding a way to keep her in Roswell," said Max.
"Don't...you...DARE!" said Alex. "Don't you try and put this back on me! Isabel's happiness is my concern! Her well being is my concern! Why the HELL isn't it yours?"
"We are safer if we stick together," said Max. "She will have to learn that!"
"It is HER LIFE!" yelled Alex. "She is going to live it ANY WAY SHE CHOOSES! Let me tell you something, Max! If you ever, EVER, threaten her again, so help me God I will find you, and alien powers or not, I will do everything I can to beat the living SHIT out of you!! Do you understand me?!"
Before Max could respond, Alex stormed out of the apartment, leaving a stunned Max and Michael behind him. After a few moments, Michael broke the silence.
"Packs quite a punch, doesn't he?" asked Michael.
"Who would have thought," said Max, rubbing his jaw.
"That's just what I was thinking," said Michael. "Who would have thought that Alex would have to stand up for Isabel like that, against YOU. That should tell you something, Maxwell."
End of Chapters One and Two. Chapter Three coming soon.
Well, what did you think? Story off to a good start? Let me know with some reviews, please. I love to hear from my readers, any comments you may have.
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We Belong Together
By: Ian K.
Summary: This is an alternative universe story. It starts with what would have been the episode "Cry Your Name", but the events change from there. The main event that changes-Alex doesn't die, and he and Isabel get the chance to be together. Many of the events on the show besides that still do occur, with changes here and there to accommodate the fact Alex lives. But don't worry-this won't be just a show re-write. This story will include wholly new events, especially for Isabel and Alex, and don't think there won't be ups and downs for them along the way. The story is mostly A/I, but expect some of the other relationships to be explored along the way.
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CHAPTER ONE:
"Yeah, I had a great time to," said Alex, speaking on the phone to Isabel.
"So what are you doing tonight?" asked Isabel on the other end of the line.
"Tonight," said Alex tentatively, looking up at his two friends, Liz and Maria, who were sitting in on the conversation to coach Alex through playing hard to get. The two young woman gave silent gestures telling him to say no.
"I...can't," said Alex.
"Why?" asked Isabel.
"I have to..." began Alex. Liz and Maria silently mouthed the word "study."
"...study," he finished.
"Alex," said Isabel, with a slight hint of frustration, "an A is the best that you can get."
"I know, but I have this monstrous final in..." began Alex. Maria and Liz held up his Robert Frost poetry book. "Robert Frost." Liz and Maria bothed mouthed "ENGLISH" in a slightly frustrated manner. "English. Yeah, our class is really getting the screws put to us."
"Well," said Isabel, "if you would rather stay home and study, and not come out to play with me."
Alex silently put his fist to his mouth to squelch his scream of pained temptation. Maria and Liz both made gestures telling him to stand his ground and be strong.
"I'd like to, but I can't," said Alex. Maria and Liz looked at each other and grinned.
"Okay," said Isabel, "I will be at the Crashdown if you change your mind."
"Okay," said Alex. "Bye."
"Bye," said Isabel, hanging up the phone.
Alex hung up then fell back on the bed.
"I'm so proud of you," said Maria, as she and Liz came over and sat with him on the bed.
"This blows," said Alex.
"Yeah, but just think, you've got her chasing YOU," said Liz. "Who would have thought?"
"She's thinking about me," said Alex. "She's on her bed, and she's thinking about me."
The three friends talked for a little while longer, touching on what to do about the situation with Liz and her love interest, Max. Ever since the latter had been seen kissing Tess at the prom by Liz, she has been confused about what to do. After a few minutes, Maria and Liz said goodbye, having to go in to work at the Crashdown diner.
Alex bade them goodbye, then went into his room and began plucking at his guitar. As he did, he looked at the picture of the girl he had met in Sweeden and had spent so much time with. Being with her, even though they both knew it was just a fling, had given Alex the confidence to come home a new man. Isabel Evans, the girl he had been in love with for so long, finally started to recognize him as something besides a love sick puppy. He had actually turned her down at first when she had hinted to him that she would like him to take her to the prom. It was only after she had come to his bedroom window the evening before the prom, and told him she was going to be graduating early and this would probably be the last chance she would ever have a prom that he finally caved in.
And it had proven to be the right decision. Alex and Isabel became closer at the prom, dancing the night away. Then, Isabel kissed him, and he kissed her back. They kept kissing for a long time, not able to break away from each other, feeling a strong connection of passion between them. Now, Alex was having to turn down a chance to spend the evening with his dream girl, so as not to appear too desperate and make HER work at landing HIM for a change.
"This SERIOUSLY blows," thought Alex to himself. He munched down on a cold dinner delivered to him just before, and had to fight every instinct in him to run down to the Crashdown and be with Isabel.
He picked up his poetry book, and opened it up. "Well, I said I was going to study, so I will just have to study," he thought. "For a while, at least."
**
Everyone was gathered down at the Crashdown just before closing time, though they knew they would be hanging out there long after that happened. Since Liz's family owned the diner, and it wasn't a school night, they could hang out there as long as they wanted. Max and Michael were arguing about movies, Liz and Maria were finishing up their waitressing shifts, and Kyle, Tess, and Isabel, were all sitting around one of the tables talking.
"So he actually turned you down for tonight," said Kyle.
"Yeah, he did," said Isabel. "I mean, he said he has to study, but I would never have thought that he..."
"Would turn down a date with you," said Tess.
"Face it, Isabel," said Kyle, "he is not the same whipped boy you knew last year. He has put the ball in your court, and isn't afraid to let you decide what to do with it."
"I know," said Isabel. "Which just makes him all the more attractive and...frustratingly desirable."
Another twenty minutes went by of just hanging out and talking when a familiar face showed up at the door to the diner, knocking on the glass. Liz ran over to open up the door.
"Alex," whispered Liz. "What are you doing here? You said you weren't going to show up, remember."
"I said I had to study," said Alex. "I did, now I'm showing up. Trust me, I know what I'm doing. I'm going to stay for about twenty minutes, ask her out nonchalantly, and then go back to 'studying'."
"Alex, hi!" said Isabel, getting up from the booth and coming over. "You showed!"
"Well, I decided to take a break, get my head out of that poetry book for a while," said Alex.
"I'm glad," said Isabel. "So, you want to sit down."
"Sure," said Alex.
The two of them made their way over to a booth, and sat down together. They didn't say anything at first, until Isabel decided to break the silence.
"So, are you confident you are going to do well on the final?" said Isabel.
"Final?" asked Alex.
"For English," said Isabel.
"Oh, yeah," said Alex. "I'll do fine, I just wanted to make sure. So, how about you? You going to finish okay to graduate?"
"Yeah," she said. "But, you know, I don't know if I made the right decision. I mean...I hate graduating and leaving you all behind."
"Hey, just because you graduate doesn't mean you loose membership in our little group," said Alex. "Hey, you're the King's sister, remember. That gives you an in. Kyle, on the other hand, would be in trouble."
Isabel laughed. "Okay, I get your point, but...I just don't know what to do now. Should I go away to college, or should I got to college locally? I just...it has all happened so fast, and I just haven't had the opportunity to put much thought into it."
"Isabel, I know that whatever you decide to do, you are going to be great at it," said Alex. "Now, speaking from my personal point of view, and I'm sure it goes for all of us...it'd be great if you went to school locally. We would...I would...miss you."
Isabel took his hand in hers, and gently rubbed the top of it with her thumb. "Thanks," she said. "For everything. For taking me to the prom, for being such a good listener, for not blabbing my secret before I'm ready for Max and the others to know. And most of all...for being you."
"Anything for you, you know that," said Alex. He leaned over and kissed Isabel on the cheek. As he pulled away after the kiss, she moved her head to follow his and captured his lips in a passionate kiss.
They broke the kiss when they heard a whistle from nearby. The source was Kyle, who was watching their liplock with a big smirk on his face. Max and Michael were also watching them, Michael with a smile on his face and Max with a more passive expression. Behind the counter, Maria and Liz gave each other hi-fives.
"I think we've attracted an audience," said Isabel.
"Peeping toms, all of them," said Alex, in mock disgust. "Speaking of audience, how would you like to be in the audience for a concert this weekend, with me as your escort?"
Isabel smiled. "By escort, you mean date, I hope."
"What do you say?" asked Alex.
"Sounds great," said Isabel. "I look forward to it."
"Good," said Alex. "Well, I'd better get back to hitting the books, so I can take you to that concert."
"You sure you have to go now?" asked Isabel. "I was enjoying this...spending time together, just talking."
"There will be plently of time for this, Isabel, if you want it," he said. "But, for now, to quote Robert Frost, 'I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.'"
He kissed Isabel one more time, before getting up and waving goodbye to everyone. Isabel watched him go, and smiled to herself, happy that she and Alex were becoming so close. She felt so comfortable with him, and knew how much he cared for her. The road they were about to travel was going to be interesting, and she was looking forward to traveling down that road with Alex by her side.
***************************
CHAPTER TWO:
Alex was walking out of the main entrance to the High School and heading for his car. He had a huge smile on his face as he moved through the throngs of students racing to get out of school. Alex was not paying any of them much attention because he was totally focused on one thought-he was about to see Isabel Evans. Alex and she rode to and from school together every day in Alex's new car that his Father had bought for him. The black Toyota Corolla was nothing fancy, but it was a new car and he loved driving around in it with Isabel.
The past month since the prom had been the fullfillment of all of Alex's hopes and dreams involving Isabel, well almost all of them. Isabel and he were officially going steady, and were inseparable it seemed in their spare time. They went to the movies, ate together at the Crashdown, went on drives to just talk, studied together. And, of course, some of Alex's favorite moments-their makeout sessions in his car and in other places. They went everywhere holding hands, or even arm in arm, including around school. The rest of the student body couldn't stop talking about how Isabel Evans, the prom queen of West Roswell High, was going out with Alex Whitman, Mr. Nobody special in the eyes of many. But perhaps the moments that meant the most to Alex were the times they would sit on her parent's front porch, Isabel in his arms, just looking at the stars and listening to each other talk.
As Alex got close to his car, he saw Isabel was already there. His smile grew bigger until he saw the look on Isabel's face as he got closer. She looked upset, like a little girl who's dog had died, and was on the verge of tears. Alex quickened his pace to see what was wrong.
"Izzy, sweetie, are you alright?" he asked, walking up and taking her hands in his.
She just looked at him with a sad, hurt expression in her eyes, and tried to talk. But no words came out. Instead she just started to cry openly, and Alex took her into his arms. Isabel quietly sobbed on his shoulder, while he rubbed her back gently, kissed the top of her head, and whispered sweetly to her that everything would be okay, to talk to him and tell him what was wrong.
"Not here," she said in between sobs. "Let's go somewhere private."
"Come on," said Alex, walking her to the passenger side of the car and helping her in. He got behind the wheel and drove them to a secluded spot outside of town in Frasier Woods. He stopped the car, turned off the ignition, then focused his attentions entirely on Isabel. He reached up and gently rubbed a tear away from her cheek.
"Now, what's got my Isabel so upset?" he asked. "What happened?"
"Max," said Isabel.
The one word, the name, spoke volumes to Alex. One reason why they had so much time together lately was because Max, usually Isabel's attentive brother, was acting very odd and very moody lately. Isabel had told everyone else about her graduating early, and her consideration of going to college somewhere away from Roswell. She wasn't sure what she was going to do, but was considering going to college in California just to experience something new. Isabel promised Alex that if she decided to go away to school that it wouldn't change how she felt about him, and that it was only something she was considering at this point.
Alex wasn't exactly happy at the prospect of Isabel going away to school, and promised to follow her in another year when he graduated and go to the same school. But Max's reaction was much stronger. He told Isabel that it was out of the question, that she could not leave Roswell. He acted like her leader, not her brother, and had practically forbidden her to consider it.
"What's he done now?" asked Alex.
"Well, I...decided I was going to go ahead and apply to that college in San Francisco, just to show him and myself that I could get in," said Isabel. "I was able to get all my references together-my teachers gave me great ones. I filled out the application, put in all of my volunteer work on it, and got my transcripts ready to go. I told Michael what I was doing, and he seemed hesistant about the idea. He must have told Max."
"Was Max angry?" asked Alex.
"God, Alex, I don't know what's come over him," she said. "Max, my brother that I knew, would have never..." She stopped talking and started sobbing again.
Alex pulled her to him and kissed her on the cheek. "What happened?" he asked. "Please, tell me."
"Alex, he threatened me."
Alex pulled away from Isabel slightly, and looked into her eyes. Then, in a low, serious tone, he said, "He did what."
"He told me that if I...tried to apply to that school that he would tell my teachers that he had been keeping a secret about me, that I cheated on tests in their classes. He threatened to tell my parents that I was on drugs, to get them all to go against my getting into this school."
Alex was getting angry. Isabel could see the rage boiling up into Alex's expression. "That son of a bitch," he said in a low, furious tone. "He has no RIGHT to do that! He's your brother, and he's...he's THREATENING YOU!"
"I don't know what to do, Alex," said Isabel, more tears falling down her cheeks. "I feel like I don't know him anymore."
"Neither does Liz," said Alex. "She told me that she feels like SHE can't even reach him anymore. And I think its all because of Tess."
"They've been getting closer," said Isabel. "Tess and Max. It seems half the time I see him lately, he's with Tess. But how...is it really her doing it?"
"I just get a bad feeling about her," said Alex. "I have been a lot lately. But she's not the problem now. Max is. Isabel, do you know where Max is now?"
"I think he's at Michael's," said Isabel. "They were going to talk about something. God, I don't even know if Michael knows that Max threatened me."
"Isabel, I want you to do me a favor," said Alex.
"What?" she asked.
"I want you to let me take you to the Crashdown," said Alex. "Hang out with Liz and Maria there for a while. I need to take care of something."
"Take care of something," said Isabel. "What?"
"Its important," said Alex. "I'm sorry, I hate leaving you right now, but I won't be gone long." Then, he thought to himself, "I'm just going to have a little talk with you brother."
**
"What do you mean you've got the situation taken care of?" asked Michael of Max. "You were able to convince her to drop the whole idead."
"Yes," said Max. "I don't think she'll consider leaving."
"Wow, how'd you manage that?" asked Michael.
"I had to use extreme measures," said Max. "I hated doing it, but its for the good of all of us that we stick together."
"Extreme measures?" asked Michael. "Like what?"
Just then, they heard the booming sound of someone pounding on the apartment door. "You expecting anyone?" asked Max.
"It might be Maria," said Michael. "But she must be pissed about something if she's pounding on the door like that. I'd better let her in or she'll be even more pissed."
Michael went to the door and looked through the peep hole. "Its Alex," said Michael with a tone of surprise. He opened the door, and Alex came storming into the room. He made a direct beeline for Max. Before the latter could react, Alex brought his fist up and punched Max in the jaw with all of his might. Max fell to the floor with a thud, partly from the force of the blow and partly from the surprise that his friend, the normally docile and good natured Alex, had just decked him.
"What the HELL are you doing?" asked Michael, running up and grabbing Alex from behind.
Alex shoved Michael off of him, and turned around to face him. "BACK OFF! This is between me and Max!"
"Alex," said Max, as he was picking himself up off the floor. "Have you gone insane?"
"I was going to ask you the same question!" said Alex, his voice full of fury. "How could you threaten your own SISTER?!"
"She told you," said Max.
"Yeah, she told me!" said Alex. "As she was crying in my arms! She is scared, Max. Scared of YOU, her own BROTHER! She doesn't understand how you could THREATEN HER!"
"You threatened Isabel?!" asked Michael in shock. "What the hell did you threaten to do?"
"He threatened to tell the principal at school that Isabel has been cheating on tests!" said Alex. "And threatened to tell his parents that Isabel was on drugs, just so they wouldn't approve of her going away to school!"
"Alex, this isn't your concern," said Max.
"It IS my concerns!" said Alex. "Isabel's well being is most DEFINITELY my concern!"
"I would think you would be grateful for me finding a way to keep her in Roswell," said Max.
"Don't...you...DARE!" said Alex. "Don't you try and put this back on me! Isabel's happiness is my concern! Her well being is my concern! Why the HELL isn't it yours?"
"We are safer if we stick together," said Max. "She will have to learn that!"
"It is HER LIFE!" yelled Alex. "She is going to live it ANY WAY SHE CHOOSES! Let me tell you something, Max! If you ever, EVER, threaten her again, so help me God I will find you, and alien powers or not, I will do everything I can to beat the living SHIT out of you!! Do you understand me?!"
Before Max could respond, Alex stormed out of the apartment, leaving a stunned Max and Michael behind him. After a few moments, Michael broke the silence.
"Packs quite a punch, doesn't he?" asked Michael.
"Who would have thought," said Max, rubbing his jaw.
"That's just what I was thinking," said Michael. "Who would have thought that Alex would have to stand up for Isabel like that, against YOU. That should tell you something, Maxwell."
End of Chapters One and Two. Chapter Three coming soon.
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