A/N: Late night post means there may be a few errors that slipped through. Sorry, but it was either post now with the possibility of minor errors or don't post at all since I'm back to school this week! I can't beleive I'm saying this, but after the summer I've had, I'm LOOKING FORWARD to going back to college! (Insane, yes?)

I DON'T OWN ROSWELL, SO DON'T SUE!

Chapter 10

Liz made coffee while Maria took a hot shower. They'd only slept a few hours but Liz knew she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, so at 6am they had begun their morning.

Liz poured the steaming liquid into a mug just as Maria was emerging from the bathroom. She grinned widely at Liz, grabbed the mug, and took a sip. She then handed the mug back to Liz and poured her own.

"Feel better?" Liz asked after she had taken a few sips from her own cup.

Maria let out a dry chuckle. "I tell ya; this alien abyss is getting deeper by the minute. I'd almost forgotten what it was like." She grimaced. "How are you feeling this morning?"

Liz shrugged. "Numb I guess. In the past week I've had so many things happen… I'm not quite sure what I should feel."

"I can relate to that," Maria sympathized. "With our resident Czechs showing up, along with you coming back to town and telling me you're engaged, and finals all hitting at about the same time I'm feeling a bit steamrolled myself."

"Sorry," Liz sighed. "We haven't really had a chance to talk. What's happening with you and Michael?" She asked as she headed into the living room.

Maria sighed dramatically. "Where do I even begin?"

Liz grinned and sat down on the couch, "how about the beginning?"

"Well, it took a few days for the shock to wear off. For both of us, think." Maria paused to take a sip of coffee, savoring the warmth it gave her. "I think Michael was really shocked by the Evans' asking him to live with them." Maria chuckled. "I came home from school to find him pacing in my living room. He was ranting about them setting house rules. How he was a big boy who'd managed to traverse the universe, so why in the hell would he need a curfew?"

Liz snickered and Maria shook her head in bemusement.

"I was ready to kill him for just barging into my home, until he kissed me." Maria paused as she searched for the words to describe the indescribable. Shaking her head she continued:

"I saw Antar, and stars, then Michael, and the night we spent together," she rattled off. "And that's when I knew…exactly how he felt about me."

"You shared a flash?" Liz whispered.

Maria nodded. "Yeah, we did. It was the most indescribable thing Liz. In that moment, I knew just how much he had missed me, and that his hell had been just as bad as mine. It was a moment of perfect understanding. After that, there were more questions. Neither of us is running this time."

Liz grinned widely. "That's just perfect Maria. I always knew Michael loved you. I'm so happy for you both."

Maria rolled her eyes. "Well don't start ringing wedding bells just yet. Not unless they're your own, because Spaceboy still hasn't changed that much."

"I noticed. It's oddly comforting though considering how different Isabel and Max are." Liz said, becoming serious again.

Maria frowned as she thought about Max then and now. "I don't think Max is that different. He's still cautious and in control. I mean I know things took a toll on him, but I think he's back to being himself again."

"What do you mean back to himself again?" Liz asked guardedly. Did Maria know what Isabel had told her?

"Well um…" Maria knew she was caught. Lying was pointless. She sucked at lying. "Max had like a mental breakdown while he was on Antar. Michael wouldn't tell me the details, but apparently he really scared them." Maria watched as Liz simply nodded. "No, really it's true." She added wanting Liz to fully grasp the gravity of what Max had been through.

"I believe you Maria," Liz sighed tiredly. "I've noticed something off about him. Did you notice how he reacted to Jeremy?"

Maria looked clueless.

"That's the point. He didn't react. Isabel told me a little about what happened."

Maria shook her head. "I'm surprised she wants us to talk about it then."

"I know," Liz sighed and then took a sip from her coffee cup. "I guess she figures we don't have a choice anymore."

Maria grimaced as she tossed her long hair behind her. "I don't know babe, I wondering if it's because she wants to score points with Kyle." She almost managed to keep a straight face…

Liz blushed slightly before she giggled. "That's just wrong on so many levels, Maria!" Maria simply smirked and took another long draught from her mug.

Liz stood a moment later. "I think I'm gonna take my shower and then call Kyle." It's reckoning day, she thought as she bathroom. How was she going to tell Max? She sighed, knowing so much would never be said.

Liz yawned as Maria pulled into the Evans' driveway. The sleepless nights of the last few days were starting to catch up with her and she desperately wanted a nap. Unfortunately, it would have to wait. Kyle was already there, which probably meant everyone else was too. "Here it goes," she muttered to Maria as they exited the car and rang the door bell.

Liz was shocked to see Diane Evans open the door. "Hello girls," she said brightly offering Maria a hug. "Nice to see you again Liz," she said as she ushered them inside.

Liz was at a loss what to do. Should she hug Diane or just smile and nod? She was saved from having to make a decision when Isabel rushed into the foyer.

"I swear Michael's having an aneurysm," she smiled apologetically at her mother who merely nodded. "He's been pacing for almost an hour. Let's get this over with."

"So she knows everything now?" Liz nodded towards Diane Evans who had calmly headed for the stairs.

"Almost everything," Isabel shot a meaningful look at Liz. "Mom and Dad both have been really fantastic."

The trio entered the den where Max, Michael, and Kyle were all waiting. Michael stopped pacing.

"Hey," Liz gave an awkward wave. She took a seat on the couch and Kyle sat beside her. "So I guess we have something to tell you," she began.

"It's about time," Michael said impatiently. Perching on the arm of a chair he glared at Liz and Maria.

Max, who sat near the hearth, glanced first at Isabel, then Kyle and finally Liz. Holding her gaze he asked, "So what's this about?"

It was Maria who answered. "We know who killed Alex."

Michael and Max exchanged angry glances. "Who was it?" Michael demanded.

Max said nothing. Instead, he glanced worriedly at the humans. Were they in danger? His protective instincts went on high alert.

Liz returned his gaze but said nothing. Kyle looked back and forth between the two and finally answered. "It was Tess."

Max flinched. "Tess killed Alex?"

Liz nodded. "She mind-warped him into going to Las Cruces to decode the book. When he broke out of the warp, she killed him. I guess she couldn't risk him telling us."

"How do you know this for sure?" Michael cut in sharply.

"Because I saw it," Kyle said challengingly. Liz squeezed his hand reassuringly.

"Then why in the hell didn't you tell us before?" Michael stood up and began pacing again.

Kyle looked down at his hands and said, "Because she mind-warped me too. She made me think his body was a duffel bag. I actually carried it out to the car," his voice broke and Maria was instantly at his side. She laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. Both she and Liz knew how much guilt Kyle still carried with him.

Kyle shook his head to clear it and began again. "I guess when you guys got ready leave she didn't bother with keeping up the mind-warps. I wasn't the only one who started to remember things." He glanced at Maria and everyone's attention shifted from him.

"Oh God, I forgot about that," she exclaimed. "Poor Body," Maria shook her head. "I managed to convince my mom that the whole hostage thing was just a bad nightmare. But she won't go near the UFO center anymore. She told me not to go there either."

"It took us like three months to calm her down," Liz added.

The three humans shared a sad smile of reminiscence. The three aliens silently tried to digest what they'd been told.

"When did you learn all this?" Max asked in a harsh, grating tone.

"The day you left," Liz answered for the others. She prayed Max would understand the implication.

"Then why didn't you stop us?" He asked, though he almost certainly knew the answer.

"We tried," Maria said to him. "But we couldn't open the cave."

Max staggered to his feet and said, "Thank you for telling us," before exiting the room.

The room was absolutely silent after he left.

Kyle looked confused, Maria's mouth hung open like a fish, and Michael and Isabel shared a worried look. They were remembering the last time Max reacted that way.

Liz knew something was wrong and she was going to make Max tell her what it was. She climbed to her feet and made her way out of the den. She was headed for Max's room. She hesitated when she reached his door. Then she remembered who was on the other side. It was Max. Even after four years, he was still the same person. She knocked softly before pushing the door open.

Max was lying on his bed with his hands clasped behind his head and his eyes closed. "Not now Iz," He muttered. Liz sat next to him on the bed and waited for him to open his eyes.

As soon as she sat down, he knew who it was. He could feel the air tingle with a feeling that was purely Liz. He slowly opened his eyes and found her watching him. He felt his stomach rumble as he looked into her dark eyes. They were silent for a moment, simply content to be with each other.

Finally Liz spoke, "It's not your fault Max. You didn't know."

Max wasn't so sure. He could see the pain shining in her eyes. Pain he had put there. "I'm so sorry Liz, for everything. When you told me your suspicions, I just ignored them," he croaked as he felt a wave of nausea creep over him. He saw Liz's eyes flash with remembered pain as she wrapped her arms around herself. He was overcome with memories too.

He winced and closed his eyes. They sat like that for a moment before Liz pulled him into her arms. She rocked him gently and whispered "I know you're sorry. I know..."

The sound of her voice, and the feel of her arms around him broke Max's tenuous control and he began to sob like a child.

Liz held him tighter as he shuddered against her. She could feel his sense of loss, his fear, and his hopelessness. These were the first real emotions she'd felt from him since he returned from Antar. She was overwhelmed with her own anguish. Taking a deep breath, she pushed her feelings aside. She knew she'd have time to deal with them later. Right now it was about Max, and the comfort he obviously needed. "It' ok," she whispered in his ear as his tears trailed down her neck. "We're okay." Tears threatened to flood her own.

Maybe now Max could heal. Maybe they both could.

"I'm so sorry," Max repeated in mantra as his sobs began to subside. His poor choices had cost too many lives. He didn't know if he could ever forgive himself. He gave a last shuddering breath as Liz released him. He was surprised to see a small smile on her face.

"Feeling better?" she asked.

Max nodded. "I do. Thanks."

She took one of his large hands in hers. "I'm guessing you haven't done that in a long time."

He nodded and squeezed her hand. "That wasn't in the job description. I had to be strong for Michael and Isabel and for you." He sent her a quick flash of Antar. He was sitting in his throne room. Alone. Liz gasped and Max knew she understood his despair, his anger.

She shook her head as she drew her hand away. Max's anger was inwardly directed. He blamed himself for everything. Liz shook her head. Not all of it was his fault, she thought guiltily.

"You can't bury those feelings Max. All they'll end up doing is killing you. They almost did." Liz wanted to alleviate some of his guilt.

She was about to begin her story when Max asked, "Did Isabel tell you that?"

Liz pulled herself out of her thoughts as she struggled to remember what she'd just said. She nodded. "I knew there was something wrong. She just confirmed it." Decisively, Liz reached out a hand and gently caressed his cheek. "You don't always have to be the strong one. We all love you, and it's alright to lean on us sometimes. We've been through the unimaginable, and we need each other. Don't shut us out Max."

They stared at each other for a moment, until embarrassed; Liz dropped her hand from his face and crossed the room to stare out the window.

Max came up behind her and rested a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Thank you Liz. Thank you for never giving up on me."

Liz felt a pang of guilt. But I did give up on you… Even though you told me goodbye and left the planet, I still feel—wrong for getting on with my life. Liz thought bitterly. If she'd believed for an instant that Max might come back, she would have never dated Jeremy. She would have never gotten engaged to him. No matter how persistent he had been.

For Gods sake, he was about to join the FBI. What was wrong with her? At the time, she told herself it didn't matter. None of the aliens would ever be back. She was wrong. She had given up on Max. She had given up on all of them.

Liz let out shaky breath, "You have too much faith in me," she said to Max.

Before Max could reply, there was a knock on the door and Isabel walked in. "Sorry to interrupt but Kyle's getting ready to leave."

Liz nodded and quickly left the room.

Max tried to follow but Isabel grabbed him by the arm. "Are you ok?" she asked.

He nodded. "I'm fine Iz. Better than I've been in a long time."

For the first time since she could remember Isabel believed him. She threw her arms around her brother and hugged him to her chest. She held on to him for a few seconds before saying, "I'm glad."

Max casually draped an arm around his sister's shoulders as they headed

down the stairs to say goodbye to Kyle.