Maria and Liz were at the Crashdown alone

The days after Christmas were weird for both Liz and Michael. Both were confused on where they stood in the others' eyes. They had agreed they'd go back to being friends but after the day they'd had at the Christmas Village and at her parent's house, it didn't seem right for them.

Liz at the moment was cleaning a table at the Crashdown and looked up to search for Michael; he in turn looked up to meet her eyes and they smiled. I have to tell him how I feel. But the very thought scared her. There was a big chance that if she spoke her true feelings, Michael would alienate himself from her.

"What're you doing for New Years?" Michael asked Liz after their shift. They were sitting in her room and he was trying to be nonchalant about the whole thing. He was supposed to be doing homework as she read.

Liz shrugged. "Probably stay in. My dad and I always do Crashdown New Years, it's for all the seniors in town to come and celebrate. It's a father-daughter thing we do and then after, I help him clean."

Michael tried to hide his disappointment.

"Why? What's up? What're you doing that night?" She turned to look at him, prying her eyes away from her book.

It was Michael's turn to shrug. "Don't know yet. I usually stay in and watch some TV. But Kyle mentioned some party that you have to look for. I forget what he called it."

"Enigma?! You guys are going to look for Enigma?!" Liz was jealous. She wasn't a party kind of girl but she had heard about Enigma growing up and she'd always wanted to go.

"Yeah that's it. I don't have anything else going on and Kyle says he really needs this. He's been good about doing things lately and he's talking to everyone about the whole Tess thing. This will be good for him."

Liz nodded. "He's progressed a lot since he told us. I can't imagine what he went through all those months. He was so alone. I don't think I could live if I saw my best friend die, day after day." Liz shook her head trying to shake the thought and decided to change the subject back to Enigma. "I hope you guys find Enigma. Tell me all about it if you find it. Ok? Gosh…Enigma."

Michael smiled; he wanted to laugh at how Liz was getting about Enigma. She looked cute as she went on to tell him stories she'd heard about the parties.

2 hours later, Michael sat across a table with Jeff Parker.

"What's up, Michael?"

"Mr. Parker, I wanted to ask for a favor."

Mr. Parker nodded. "Ok. How can I help you?"

"Well, you see Sir, Liz told me about Crashdown New Year's and I was wondering if I can come over and help with everything. I could help setting everything up, activities and I can help you clean up afterwards." Michael scratched his eye brow not knowing if Mr. Parker would go along with the second part of his idea.

"Well, Michael that sounds like you'd be doing ME a favor not the other way around. Where does a favor for YOU come into this?"

"Well, Sir, I wanted to help out in hope that you would give me permission to take your daughter out to find Enigma that night. I was telling her about it before and she looked real excited about it."

Michael saw Mr. Parker hesitate and quickly added, "Kyle would be there too Sir. And I promise that if we found it we would have her home before—"

"Michael, I'm not worried who'll be with you or Liz or what time you'd bring her home. I trust you with my daughter. I know you'll keep her safe. It's just that it's tradition for us to spend New Years together."

Michael knew this might happen, but he was still very disappointed. "I understand Mr. Parker. I'm sorry but I had to ask."

Mr. Parker watched Michael's defeated expression and shook his head. "Michael, if you can help me that night and we get finished cleaning early, you can take Liz to find Enigma." Mr. Parker smiled at the excitement in Michael's face.

"Thank you so much." Michael went over and shook Mr. Parker's hands. "I will be here early and I promise that I will come in whenever you need me to work."

Mr. Parker laughed. "You already do that."

"Anything you need Mr. Parker, just ask."

"All I ask is for you to take good care of my daughter."

"Of course, always."

Mr. Parker nodded.

"One more thing Mr. Parker, can you please not tell Liz about that night? I want her to be surprised."

"Sure. I'll see you tomorrow, Michael. Good night."

Michael could not believe his luck. He for sure thought Mr. Parker wouldn't let Liz go out that night.

Now, what am I gonna do that night? How am I going to bring up how I feel? Michael scratched his eyebrow. He didn't want Liz to hate him but he knew he had to let her know.

New Years Eve, Michael surprised Liz by showing up early to help our like he'd promised he'd do.

"What're you doing here, Michael?" Liz frowned but then smiled.

"Change of plans. Jesse is working in Houston and he won't make it back. Kyle and Isabel said they'd meet us here later."

Liz nodded, "But that still doesn't explain why you're here?"

Michael shrugged. "You're dad mentioned yesterday he needed more hands around here and since I had no plans, I said I'd come and do what I could."

"Oh." Liz nodded, not really believing her father had asked for Michael's help on such an important and personal night.

The time passed quickly. Michael and Liz had the best time.

At Crashdown New Years, their personal wish for the next year was similar. Both placed their folded note on the fake cactus and watched it burn.

Liz helped everyone out of the Crashdown and talked to a few people outside as they said how much they enjoyed the night.

When Liz was getting ready to go back inside, her cell phone rang. "Hello?"

"Hey, Liz."

"What's up, Kyle? Michael said you and Isabel were supposed to come meet us? What happened?"

"Well, I'm actually calling to cancel on Michael. Will you let him know Isabel has a horrible headache and I finally got her to go to bed?"

"Sure. You want him to go over and hang out with you?"

"No, no. I'm gonna watch over her. Just tell him I can't help him find Enigma."

Liz was upset for Michael. "Ok, I'll let him know. Happy Early New Years."

"Ditto. Talk to you later."

Liz walked back into the Crashdown and was shocked to see her father and Michael were cleaning at an incredible speed. All the dirty plates were already in the back ready to wash. Her father was sweeping as Michael cleaned off the tables.

"Liz, can you take out the trash please." Her father asked not looking up from what he was doing.

"Sure, dad. Oh, Michael?"

"Yeah?" Michael looked up and pulled his hair out of his face.

"Kyle just called. Apparently Isabel has a horrible headache and Kyle is going to stay with her. He said he wouldn't be able to make it to Enigma."

Michael swallowed and tried to look like he was upset with Liz's news. "Ok."

While Liz went to go throw out the trash, Michael dreaded that Mr. Parker would tell him he couldn't take Liz anymore.

"Mr. Parker?"

"You can still take her Michael. Like I said, I trust you, son."

Michael nodded, relieved.

It only took them 15 minutes to get everything cleaned up.

"Well, that was fun." Liz said a little dead pan.

Michael and her dad smiled.

"I think it's time you tell her, Michael."

Liz looked at her dad confused. "Tell me what, Michael?"

"Good night, guys. Have fun." Her dad went over to her and kissed her on the top of her head. "I want to hear all about it tomorrow."

Liz turned to Michael as her father went upstairs.

"Michael?"

"Go change, Liz. I'm taking you to go find Enigma."

Liz's heart stopped. "Enigma?! Me?!"

Michael laughed as he nodded.

Liz couldn't control herself. She flung herself at Michael saying, "Ohmygodohmygod." She pulled away, kissed him and then said, "thank you," before disappearing up the stairs.

Both ignored the quick kiss and got themselves ready for their big night.

An hour later, Michael and Liz stood in a room in Roswell High, looking up at a chalk board with Enigma's next clue.

"0-24-7-0? What do you think that means?" Michael turned to Liz and then went back to the board.

Liz repeated the numbers in her head. "Maybe this is math? I mean we are in a math room?" She thought out loud. "What if the 0's were place holders? 24-7? But what does that mean?"

Michael looked at it and thought about it, unconsciously scratching his eyebrow. "They don't mean Buds 24-7? Do they?"

"You're a freaking GENIOUS?!" She turned to leave, "Come on."

Liz and Michael looked around Bud's 24-7 Restaurant.

Finally, after 20 minutes, Michael pulled Liz over to a board full of flyers. "The lettering is different."

He said simply and Liz's eyes went straight for the Crashdown Flyer. She'd seen it when they'd first got here but she hadn't paid attention to it. Now though, she could see that Michael was right. They both had made flyers for the Crashdown not too long ago. Her eyes scanned the flyer.

Both Liz and Michael found the other problem with the flyer at the same time. They looked at each other, not wanting to anybody to know that they had found a clue.

"Bike." Michael said under his breath and she nodded.

They hopped on his bike and put their helmets on.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Michael asked turning around on his bike to look at her.

Liz nodded.

Michael turned his bike on and they drove off to Blue Moon Canyon.

Both were excited as hell. As they drove in silence, they both knew that this night would change their world.

When Michael reached the party, Liz couldn't breathe. The moment of truth had come. She'd have to tell Michael tonight. She wouldn't start a New Year knowing she hadn't been truthful with Michael. She couldn't have another year of being FRIENDS.

Michael turned off his bike and they both got off. They looked at the party and turned to look at each other. Michael reached for Liz's hand, "Ready for everything to change?"

Liz nodded. "You have no idea."