Story Title: Dark Places
Rating: T
Summary: Post Graduation-Liz and Michael are the only ones left after 5 years on the run. Just when they are about to go their separate ways, they are asked to do something that will bond them forever.
Disclaimer: I don't own Roswell. Period.
Chapter One: Family
Three years ago
"Let's name him Jeffrey," Max suggested. He and Liz were lying in bed, her leg curled under his as he rubbed her barely showing baby bump. Liz beamed up at him, brushed his long hair from his eyes, and kissed him. Liz thought it was ironic that he had grown his hair out. He looked like Future Max now.
"You two need to shut the hell up. I'm trying to sleep," Michael grumbled from the bed next to theirs. Max tossed him a glare over Liz's shoulder and Michael just smirked at him.
"You have a problem, Michael?" Max growled. Liz stiffened and readied herself for the third argument between the two of them today.
"Leave it alone," Liz begged but Max sat up next to her. "Max, please."
"Fine," he conceded.
When Michael crept out of the hotel room later that night, he felt Max follow him out. Neither of slept really slept at night nowadays. Michael leaned over the railing of the second floor and waited for Max to do the same.
"You shouldn't be doing this."
Max looked sad for a moment. "It's not my choice. We can't keep fighting like this. Liz is going to pick up that its more than your usual grumpiness."
"She's doing this for you," Michael declared. He laughed when Max didn't deny it. "This isn't a solution to anything."
"I failed as a father before. I'm not even sure if my son is alive out there. If they haven't found him," Max choked out.
Michael was surprised. They never mentioned his first son-even as a group.
"Michael," Max said sternly. "I will protect my family. I know I've relied on you to protect us for a while now. It's my turn now."
Michael was quiet for a moment. "Liz is my family too. But not if you guys pick out pansy baby names. I like Dylan or Isabel."
Max patted him on the shoulder, blinking back tears. "If something happens to me, Michael-"
"No," Michael growled. "Don't say it."
"Ok," Max said frowning. "But you know what to do."
Michael woke up with a start. He rolled over to find Liz sleeping next to him. They had slept in the same bed shortly after Max was taken. She was nightmares and Michael needed to be sure she was safe.
And Dylan-
Max had never even gotten to see his son. Maybe it had taken Michael and Max a while to get there, they had put most of their issues aside after Isabel died. Michael used to envy Max for many reasons. But some of the decisions that Max had to make-that only Max could make-he wasn't envious of.
"Michael?"
Liz was staring at him, worried, and he felt the warm presence of her probing in his head.
"Don't do that," he warned.
Then the warmth was gone and she looked at him sheepishly. "Sorry. Sometimes it just kind of happens when I try to figure out what you're thinking."
"I still don't know how you do that."
Michael sat up, distancing himself from Liz a little. He rubbed his eyes and tried to stop seeing Max's face.
"You were an amazing father, Michael. Max would have been so grateful."
Michael averted his gaze. He could feel tears welling up but Liz gently grabbed his face and made him face her.
"Michael, I'm so grateful."
His first instinct was to put more distance between them but Liz pulled him down into a laying position, her arms wrapping around him and her face buried in his neck. The physical closeness was something they were used to but Michael felt that feeling again. The one that made his chest feel tight and want to pull her closer.
"Would you want more kids?" he asked. He didn't know where the question came from.
"I'm not human anymore, Michael. Dylan's powers may have been from Max and myself. I don't think I can have a human child."
"You deserve a family."
Liz withdrew from him slightly, her lips tight and her eyes flickered angrily. "I have a family, Michael."
Michael wanted to kiss her. He was immediately slammed with guilt. Would he be taking advantage of her? Dishonoring Max's memory? He could feel every inch of her body on his and his skin was starting to ignite. He closed his eyes, trying to make it go away and when he looked at her again she was blushing profusely. Her eyes were shining with an emotion he couldn't place. Desire, fear, happiness?
She knew.
Michael tried to disentangle himself. "I told you not to do that," he breathed out. Liz clenched her hands at his t-shirt pulling him closer and laying her thigh in between his. He couldn't hide his reaction now.
"Stop hiding," she whispered. His thoughts were racing and Liz could hear all of them. Part of him wanted her to because he wasn't sure the words could come out of his mouth. He could feel everything she was feeling when she opened up the connection.
"Liz," he started to protest. He wasn't sure which was more dangerous-that when he put his hand on the bare skin of her lower back that she moaned and rubbed her hips against his or the realization that right now Liz had no doubts whatsoever. She genuinely wanted him. All of him.
Liz leaned forward and pressed her lips against his. Their connection imploded immediately. This didn't feel wrong. In fact, with one brief kiss Michael realized he had never felt this way about anyone and no one had ever felt this way about him either.
Then he was on top on her. Liz's breath hitched expecting him to kiss her or lose control. Instead he cupped her head, threading his fingers through her hair, and buried his face in her chest. He held her so tightly she thought she'd suffocate. She felt his crippling fear through the connection and severed it.
Michael was so conflicted and she didn't want to push him too far. "If I lose you-" he began.
"You won't. Let's get some sleep."
Michael kissed her forehead and rolled over, tucking Liz into him.
He knew this was what they both needed. He wanted to make Liz happy again. He wanted to be happy with her. Michael fell asleep with that on his mind without noticing the figure outside their window who had watched this play out with interest.
"It's like a frickin' soap opera," the figure said.
"If you had just dreamed walked her, we could have avoided watching this lil' love story. We needs their help. Before he finds them."
Ava sighed and lit her cigarette. "If we found them, it's only a matter of time. We'll keep an eye on the two lovebirds until tomorrow night."
Rath turned to leave. "You take tonight and I'll come back tomorrow morning. Max can't be that far behind us."
"He never is."
