I broke from canon a bit with this chapter and the timing of Nasedo's death's and the skins. Please review!
Chapter 10
September 2
It has been months since I have written in this journal and this is the only entry I will make about the summer. I have just returned to Roswell from being held at Eagle Ridge instead of being at Harvard like everyone believes. The events of the summer did not happen. I have sealed them off in a corner of my mind. I have to pretend as if nothing happened or it may destroy me. I avoid looking at myself in the mirror without my clothes on and I have to wear sweaters and hoodies to cover up the scars and avoid questions. I am working to discipline my mind to keep this hidden so Max never sees. That first day back we touched and I know he sensed something but luckily he didn't pursue it. I have to avoid touching him as much as possible. It's really hard. As long as I stay calm and keep my focus, I should be able to avoid sending anything to him if we accidently touch. I just need to avoid him when things are emotional and chaotic.
I have been sleeping as little as possible. It's the only way to avoid the nightmares. I dream about Agent Lewis and his parting words haunt me.
I was hardly back in Roswell when the alien bad news started. Nasedo has been killed. Congresswomen Whittaker was a skin and had survived the incident at Copper Canyon. I worry for Max, Isabel, Michael and Tess that their protector is gone and worry what will happen with the FBI now that he no longer will be posing as Pierce. Will Agent Lewis be able to bring the FBI to get us, get Max? I only hope Nasedo was able to convince everyone that Max is human and prevent anyone from pursing him again and finding out the truth of his alien side.
Liz tried to put her life back together acting as if everything was fine in her life. She went back to school shopping with Maria. They gossiped about what happened over the summer. Liz learned that Maia and Michael had broken up twice. There were no major Czechoslovakian activities over the summer. Liz asked about Max, fearful of what she might learn. Maria had told her that Max and Tess were spending a lot of time together, the majority of which was focused on retrieving memories of Antar. Maria said it seemed like Max was fulfilling an obligation instead of enjoying spending time with Tess.
As school started, Liz did her best to stay busy so as to minimize time with everyone. She took on extra shifts at the Crashdown and volunteered for every after school activity she could. She was trying to avoid questions about the summer and the weird looks for the extra clothes she was forced to wear to hide the scars from the white room. She seemed to run into Max over and over again, making her act of being happy very difficult.
Liz was heading to history and she was half running through the halls. Her biology teacher had held her after class asking questions about the Harvard program and now she had to hurry otherwise she would be late. Liz realized she was getting good at telling lies and the story about how wonderful the Harvard program was just rolled off her tongue without a second thought. She moving through the sea of people in the hall, head down when she felt she ran into a brick wall and she was knocked back on her butt her books falling on the floor. Liz looked up and saw Max standing before her.
"Max, I'm sorry, I didn't see you."
"Liz, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to knock you down. Did I hurt you?" He said looking concerned and reaching down his hand outstretched. "Let me help you up."
"No!" Liz said a little too loudly. "I'm okay, but thanks." Liz moved to her knees to collect her books. Max bent down and picked up a book and handed it to her. Both of them stood up and awkwardly shuffled their feet.
"How are you holding up with Nasedo gone?" Liz said concern in her voice.
"Fine, thanks for asking, Liz. We haven't really talked since you have been back. I would like us to be friends. Maybe we can hang out sometime? Are you working anytime soon?"
"Yeah, I'm, um, working Saturday." The bell started to ring.
""I better get to class, so I'll see later." Max said giving her a smile.
"See you later Max" Liz said. Her heart skipped a beat as she watched him disappear down the hall. He looked back over his shoulder and she looked down embarrassed that he caught her watching and raced to class. Liz didn't see Max's smile that she had been watching him. Did he dare hope Max thought?
On Saturday, Liz was leaning against the counter at the Crashdown having just finished the dinner rush. She was exhausted as she was working a double shift.
"Max Evens, at 3 o'clock," Maria said motioning to the door of the Crashdown as Max walked in. Max caught Liz's eye as he walked across the dining room and he smiled at her giving her a slight wave. Max slid into his usual booth next to Isabel who had already been sitting across from Alex.
Maria chuckled as she could see Max and Liz sneaking glances at each other. Maria leaned over and whispered to Liz "When are you going to tell him the truth and confess how much you love him."
Liz glared at Maria. "I just can't Maria. It's safer for him to have nothing to do with me."
"What do you mean safer?" Maria asked but the question was never answered as both Maria and Liz saw the door of the Crashdown and Tess walked in. She walked to the booth and slide in across from Max.
Liz groaned. "Maria, can you…"
"You don't even need to ask" Maria said heading over to wait on them.
"Thanks, you are the best friend ever" Liz said with a smile at Maria's retreating figure.
Liz watched Maria take their order as she filled napkin dispensers. Maria came bouncing back throwing the order at Michael in the kitchen. "Here is an order for your supreme leader" Maria said winking at Michael.
Maria turned to look at Liz noticing the dark circles and the way the counter seemed to be holding her from collapsing in sheer exhaustion.
"Chica, you look wiped. It's slow right now. Why don't you go take a break and I will call if I need help."
Liz started to say no, but she was really tired and getting off her feet sounded like a great idea.
"Thanks, I'll take you up on that. Call if you need me" Liz said as she headed into the back. She sat on the couch in the breakroom and stretched her legs out taking a large breath trying to relax. Liz wanted to just sit for 15 minutes, then go back and help Maria. Maybe she would would even tolerate Tess and wander out and talk to Max. Just 15 minutes, Liz thought as she briefly closed her eyes trying to relax and unknowingly drifted off to sleep.
The dream started immediately. She was in the white room and Agent Lewis had her strapped to a table questioning her. Then she saw Max was strapped to a table next to her. She started begging Agent Lewis to let them go telling him they knew nothing.
"Hey Maria" Max said as he wandered off to the counter and sat down on a stool. "Uh, where did Liz go? I thought she was closing with you."
"She just went in the back for a quick break. She should be back out soon." Maria said with a slight smile. "I have to go grab some more Tabasco sauce from the back since you guys suck it back like water. I'll let her know you are looking for her."
"You don' have to Maria." But it was too late. Maria was already heading to the back and just as she pushed open the door there was a loud cry and shouts of "I don't know anything. Let him go!"
Max bolted off the stool and was only a half step behind Maria when they reached the back room and saw Liz asleep thrashing on the couch.
Maria ran over to Liz and starting shaking her. "Liz, Liz wake up. LIZ!" She yelled. Liz bolted upright eyes snapping open. She looked around and saw Maria sitting on the couch her hand still on her shoulder where she had been shaking her awake. Max was standing in front of her and Michael had wandered to the breakroom from the kitchen.
"Liz, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I guess I was more tired than I thought." Liz said trying to get her breathing under control. "I must have fallen asleep."
"Sounded like one nasty nightmare, Parker" Michael said heading back to the kitchen.
"I, uh, have, uh, was, uh watching a horror movie last night and it must have bothered me more than I thought" Liz said quickly before anyone could ask about the dream.
"Are you sure you're okay" Max said stepping towards her.
Liz jumped up quickly and plastered a smile on her face. "Just a stupid dream."
"No more horror movies for you" Maria laughed hip checking Liz and heading back to the dining room.
Liz started heading to the dining room with Max a step behind. Liz went behind the counter and Max sat on a stool. "Do you want to talk about the dream?"
"No, thanks Max. Like I, uh, said, it was just from a stupid movie. It's kinda of embarrassing" Liz said sheepishly.
"At least it didn't happen in class" Max said chuckling. "Now, that would be embarrassing." Liz laughed at seeing him laugh and smile. The two talked for a couple of minutes about classes and teacher gossip when Tess suddenly appeared and sat next to Max.
"Max, can you give me a ride home?" Tess asked.
"Um, can't Alex?" Max asked trying not to look at Liz.
"No, he and Isabel are getting ready to go to a movie."
"I wasn't planning to leave yet." Max said sneaking a look at Liz.
Tess placed her arm on Max's and said "I guess I could call Kyle to see if he can come get me." Max's body instantly got rigid as if angry. Liz noticed the change right away.
"Are you sure you want to stay?" Tess asked. "If you really want to stay I will call Kyle."
"No, I guess I'm ready to leave." Max said quietly and got up, heading to the booth to grab his jacket.
"Bye, Max." Liz said quietly as he walked by.
"Yeah, uh, bye Liz." He said never looking up. Max was trying to understand how his feelings how just flared up badly. It was nice finally talking to Liz again, but then just the mention of Kyle's name made him get so angry. Irrationally angry he thought climbing into the jeep.
That's weird, Liz thought as started wiping counters and restocking sugars to prepare for closing.
Liz fell onto her bed later that night exhausted but scared to go to sleep. The dream had felt so real earlier. She could almost feel Agent Lewis's breath on her face. The parting words of Agent Lewis plagued Liz and her apprehension grew that he may someday make good on his word. Liz needed a plan.
A few days later, Liz went to visit Alex at his house.
"Alex, how would one spy on people, ya know, set secret recordings, video and stuff?" Liz asked innocently wandering around his room looking at nothing in particular.
"And who might Liz Parker be spying on?" Alex asked with a laugh.
"No one special" Liz said as she drifted over to Alex's desk playing with some of the computer equipment that was scattered about and purposely not looking at him. If she looked she might not have the resolve to keep everything to herself.
"Are we planning to go as James Bond for Halloween and want the costume to be authentic" Alex continued his joking. His joke was met with silence from Liz and he noticed she was avoiding looking at him. "Are you serious about this Liz?"
"Yes."
"What's going on?" Alex said grabbing Liz by the shoulders and turning her so they were facing each other.
"I honestly, can't say. I just have a bad feeling and want evidence if anything happens. I just want to turn the tables on our enemies if the opportunity presents itself. I have nothing to back this up. I just have a bad feeling" Liz said fighting back the urge to tell him everything.
"Okay, I'll help you, but someday soon I expect the full story." "Sure" Liz said with a half smile. Alex went on to explain how to set up the camera, use motion detection so it only recorded what was needed. He showed her how to make the camera hidden and how the data could be transferred elsewhere in the event the camera was discovered.
The next day, Liz was sitting in her room trying to write a letter. This was the next part of her plan. She needed to make sure the truth was known when something happened to her. She knew in her heart that whatever was coming was coming for her or Max and she wouldn't let Max get hurt. She would give him a chance at normal even it meant she was killed in the process. Liz finally finished the letter, sealed it and then headed to the Valenti's. She knocked on the door and Kyle answered.
"Hey, what's up?" Kyle asked.
"Hi Kyle, is your dad home?" Liz asked walking inside.
"Yeah, he's out back working on some project." Kyle said rolling his eyes. "You think he could get a job, but nooooo, he is in the garage killing time. Go ahead and head back. I have to go pick up Tess at the library."
Thank goodness, Liz thought. She wasn't up for facing Tess. Liz headed through the house that she knew so well and heard the front door close as Kyle left. Liz made her way to the garage and heard the racket. Wood chips were flying everywhere as Mr. Valenti pushed a piece of wood through a machine to cut it in half.
"Mr. Valenti. Mr. Valenti!" Liz shouted. She shouted a third time and Jim Valenti looked up. He smiled and reached over to turn the noisy machine off. He pushed his safety glasses up on top of his head brushing wood chips from his flannel shirt and jeans.
"Decided to take up wood working. I'm trying to make a book shelf. What brings you by, Liz?"
"Can we talk, Mr. Valenti?" Liz asked.
Valenti smiled. "Sure, let's go in the house." He walked by Liz leading the way into the house toward the kitchen. "Take a seat Liz", Valenti said gesturing to a chair at the kitchen table. "Want anything to drink?" he asked opening the fridge. "No I'm fine," Liz said. Valenti grabbed a beer and joined Liz sitting across from her. He looked at Liz and noticed the dark circles under eyes and that she had lost weight.
"Everything okay, Liz?"
"I need a favor, Mr. Valenti." Liz took the letter from her should bag and starting twirling it between her fingers. "First I need you to swear that this is between you and me. You can't tell anyone what we are about to talk about. Please swear!"
"I swear, of course I swear. What's going on?"
Liz looked at the letter again. "I want to give this to you and you need to put it somewhere safe. If anything happens to me, you need to do two things. Follow the instructions in the letter and, this is the most important, DON"T…LET…MAX…HEAL…ME."
Liz's last instruction hung in the air filling the space between them. Jim's beer started to slip from his hand and he caught it at the last second. "Liz, what's going on?" Liz laid the letter on the table and slid it over to the former sheriff leaving her hand resting on the envelope.
"Mr. Valenti, please it is imperative that you not open this letter or say anything to anyone. All of our lives depend on it." Liz thought to herself, all of your lives depend on it. But she knew her actual wording to Mr. Valenti would rouse the least suspicion so he would help her carry out her plan.
"There is a plan, Mr. Valenti. I always have a plan, right? You are the key to my plan. It won't work if you don't help me and everyone will be doomed." She was crying and pleading now.
"Liz, what are you planning?"
"I can't tell you more than I already have. Just, please, I need you to help."
"Okay, Liz I'll do it," he said as he moved to hug her. Jim hugged the small frail girl. She shuddered with the sobs that were coming freely. "Don't tell. O-Open, the l-l-letter only if something h-happens to m-m-me." Liz stuttered holding her breath to stop the sobs. She stepped back from the hug and looked him dead in the eye.
"Promise me you won't let Max heal me. No matter what happens." Jim was stunned by the resolve in her eyes and promised. He hugged her again.
"If we stick to the plan, we get our lives back. We maybe even get normal." Liz said with a small smile.
"I hope so Liz, because I'm scared that you are taking a big a risk with whatever you have planned. But I'll hold up my end and see it through. Please remember, I'm always here if you want to talk."