Note: Sorry for it being nearly a year since I last updated. This chapter was giving me a lot of grief. It's a 'touch base with a lot of our characters' chapter. Hope you all enjoy this latest chapter.

Chapter 35

Two Weeks Later

Manticore; Washington Branch

Renfro paced back and forth behind her desk. An X5 stood at attention three feet away on the other side. "It's been two weeks and all 494 has been able to give me is he's working on it." The X5 remained silent waiting for the orders that were sure to come. "I want you to go to Roswell. Find out what's really going on in that tourist trap."

"Yes ma'am. Anything specific you want me to do to accomplish your order?"

"Surveillance, get into the school, his office there and his classroom and put cameras in. I want to know firsthand what's really going on. Try to get a few cameras in his hotel room as well and a few listening devices. He's hiding something and that is very unfortunate."

The X5 in front of her wouldn't be known to 494. 494 had never seen him, he was from a different base and the two had never crossed paths. She'd get those two X5's if it was the last thing did. She already had 452, which was an amazing feat all by itself but getting the other two would be icing on the cake.

"I'll get it done ma'am." The X5 nodded once and when Renfro dismissed him he left the room to get ready.

"You should have been more on the ball 494." Renfro spoke to the empty room. She walked over to her desk and pulled out a file folder. Time to go have a talk with her other little transgenic problem, 452.

Morning; Roswell High Hallway

"Are you almost packed?" Liz smiled at Maria who was practically bouncing at her locker.

Maria rolled her eyes, "I don't have to leave for another two weeks." Her mother had finally given her the 'okay' to go to New York and have her songs worked on. Amy would be going with her of course but despite that slight snag nothing could wipe the smile off Maria's face.

"Again I ask…" Knowing Maria as well as she did, she probably had her entire wardrobe that she'd wear in the Big Apple set aside ready to put in her suitcase.

Maria hesitated for a second before nodding quickly. "Not completely packed, I still need an outfit for the last party I'm going to on the final Friday of the trip." She received the schedule and at the end of the two weeks the studio that's footing the bill for half the trip is having a party, not specifically for her but she and Mom were invited.

"We should go to April's; they're having a sale on half their stock." Liz suggested.

"Can't go tonight, I have work till ten but what about tomorrow?" The two started down the hallway toward their separate classes.

"Sounds good. I only have to work at Whitaker's office till five tomorrow, after that I'm free."

Maria smirked. "No secret rendezvous?" She whispered.

Liz rolled her eyes with slightly embarrassed grin. "Not that I know of. Besides I need to keep him on his toes, can't be available every time he calls."

"True. Nothing screams desperate more." Maria agreed and went down the hall toward choir class while Liz continued straight toward Spanish class. "See you in Math." She called out.

Child Care Class

"Isabel." Alex tried to catch his girlfriend's attention. Although they hit a rocky patch they hadn't officially broken up but any time he and Isabel hung out now it was awkward and strained.

Isabel, even though she heard his whisper, continued her stare at the white board. The teacher had her back turned and was writing key points on the board. Shortly before class she saw Alex handing Tess some papers, she assumed new translations of the Destiny Book but she didn't bother to ask. Witnessing them smiling, their heads close together as he pointed out certain lines only made her hurt, which made her ignore him now. She missed Alex these last couple weeks. Their dates had been long silences and strained glances. They didn't really talk a lot anymore, just kind of sat or walked. It hurt her heart.

Now on top of their relationship issues there had been a new hiccup. She heard earlier their Congresswoman on the news talking about Cadmium X again, trying to save some face after Nasedo's public embarrassment of her a couple weeks ago. A short time after that in waltzed a handsome older man while she and Alex were having lunch. To say she wasn't attracted to him would be a blatant lie. When he asked for the Sheriff's office her curiosity peaked, she could tell he was attracted her too, so she flirted with him for moment, and managed to get the very vague explanation that he found something that needed some looking into.

It might have been childish, she could admit that, but a part of her wanted Alex to feel the pain she felt when she saw him and Tess spending time together. She didn't mind that Alex and Tess hung out but when she thought he was keeping secrets from her she hated it and reacted. Seeing her flirt and be open and kind to a complete stranger bothered Alex a lot.

Later Valenti called Max and told him, who told her after he picked her up from the Crashdown, that Grant Sorensen found the grave site of Agent Pierce. He brought the bone he found to the Sheriff. Valenti also let him know that Hanson was there and got investigation under way, he couldn't object without casting suspicion. Now they were in a holding pattern.

Seeing that Isabel wouldn't acknowledge him, Alex stopped trying to get her attention. This whole situation was getting on his last nerve. Isabel had blown up over nothing, all he wanted to do was help Tess find out something about her heritage, her past life, something small or big about her home planet. He knew a little something about that subject. After all he had no idea who his mother or father were.

The only information he'd ever been able to find on his and Liz's parents were the designations Manticore gave them; Subject 14 and Subject 22. That was it and he looked, a lot. All he wanted was to help a friend out and the translation of the Destiny Book also helped Isabel, Max, and Michael. All Isabel saw however was that he went behind her back to help Tess on a project that none of them knew about.

He had to make some changes. He couldn't continue to seek Isabel out. It was in that moment that Alex decided if Isabel wanted to put this wall between them and keep it up, she could damn well tear it down on her own. He wouldn't go after her to change her mind. If she wanted to be with him she'd fix this, he was done trying.

Mid-day; Quarry

"Alec." Liz's mouth fell open in a desire filled, delighted gasp. The man whose name she spoke with want was currently sliding slow kisses down her bared stomach.

"Patience." He rumbled before returning to his task.

The heavy petting of two weeks ago had quickly escalated to full on romps in bed and out. On the second night of their renewed relationship Alec called her, telling her he needed to see her as soon as possible and if she could come over. Liz immediately left her balcony and hurried to the address he gave her.

The address was to a hotel, a quaint somewhat Psycho'y single level kind of hotel. At first she was irritated but when she knocked on the door one of Alec's first sentences to her explained that he was living there until he found a house or apartment. Any anger she felt at being asked to a hotel room had evaporated.

That first night was frantic and rough. Both desperate for each other after their last few make out sessions that left them both straining for release. Their second night together brought a more leisurely pace as they explored and learned each other bodies better.

Now nearly a week and a half later they were in the bed of her father's truck, Liz having driven it to school that morning, laying on a blanket Alec brought with him and heavily making out for the few precious minutes they had until they had to go back to Roswell High. All day the two of them had sent lustful glances toward each other. Secret smiles and barely there touches as they passed through the hallways got their engines revving, eager for their lunch period when they could take off for a little while and be together.

Both knew the way to the Quarry by heart but Alec followed Liz toward their destination. When they arrived Liz watched Alec swing his leg over his motorcycle, yea he owned and rode a motorcycle, she licked her lips, and began to fantasize about riding him as he rode the bike. Imagining the wind blowing passed, the vibrations beneath her, oh yea that was an idea she'd pursue in the future. Seeing how he handled the curves and uneven terrain, it only got her hotter than she was earlier that morning. After Alec rode up next to Dad's truck in the quarry she grabbed him and pulled him into bed of the truck with her.

Her shirt had been pulled over the tops of her breasts, her black bra with white polka dots exposed to Alec's gaze as he traced achingly slow kisses across her tanned stomach.

Needing his lips back on hers she grabbed his tie wrapping it around her hand and pulled his face up to hers. As she kissed him, almost desperately, Liz pulled the bottom of Alec's shirt out of his black slacks, she'd been wanting to get her hands beneath that starched blue shirt all day. That morning when they had another scheduled early morning make out session she almost got to this point but was interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming down the hall. The principal barged in right when she sat down at one of the desks, her school book already opened to the story their English class was currently reading, and Alec had started talking mid-sentence about the short story 'Barbie-Q' by Sandra Cisneros.

The principal stopped short at a student being there so early but didn't think much of it. After all Liz was one of the top students at West Roswell High and it was clear Mr. Spencer was explaining a passage from the story and explaining its meaning. Unfortunately the principal needed to speak with Alec and Liz decided to leave, there would be no more making out that morning, the school doors would officially open in ten minutes anyway.

Now, in the back of her father's pickup truck she had her opportunity to get what tempted her. Delving her hands under the pressed shirt she came in contact with his undershirt. Ribbed fabric caught against her nails as she scraped them down his stomach.

Under the shirt she felt his rippled abs contract. A delighted groan escaped him, although they didn't need to worry about noise level, she muffled the sound with their next kiss.

Alec ran his hand down her hips and to her thigh. The rough feel of denim beneath his palm did nothing to stop the need building inside him. All she was supposed to be was a means to get his mission accomplished, he knew he shouldn't be enjoying her this much but he couldn't stop it.

He trailed kisses along her neck, licking at the bead of sweat falling down. Alec lifted her leg up and around his waist. He loved her little mewl of pleasure as he ground his crotch against her.

"Alec." She panted.

The two of them wouldn't have time for sex, not this late into the lunch hour. But that didn't mean they couldn't get some kind of relief. With how hot they were it didn't take long for them to reach their crescendo. Breathing heavily and kissing softly they lay there catching their breath.

"Well, this was a good lunch." Liz teased.

Alec smiled and chuckled. "It certainly was. Got my hunger satisfied." He volleyed back.

Liz reached checked her watch. "We still have three minutes to clean up. Then we have to get back."

"Good thing, it wouldn't be a good idea to return to class like this." He gestured to his pants which weren't public appropriate anymore. Slowly he slid off her and the two began to set their clothes to rights. Both thankfully brought extra clothes. The same style of clothes they left the school with, it paid to plan ahead.

Within five minutes they were put together again. Alec just had a small lipstick smudge on his jaw line, while Liz sported more mussed hair and a bit of whisker burn from Alec's stubble. He normally was close shaven but he had been in a rush to get to the school that morning and skipped shaving. Liz didn't mind, she thought it made him look wilder, rougher, sexier. Although he didn't need any more help on that last one.

"Better?" Alec held his hands out and had her give him the once over.

"Almost." She gently brushed the lipstick smudge away. "There. Perfect." She kissed his lips. "And me?"

"Beautiful, as always."

She laughed softly. "Good answer."

Suddenly a familiar sounding alarm cut through the desert. She set her watch to go off when they had fifteen minutes to get to the school before being late.

"Shit." Alec so eloquently stated. "We gotta go."

"Yea." With one more kiss the two darted to their transportation and broke some speed laws getting back to West Roswell High. Liz barely made it to her science class before the bell rang. She took her seat beside Alex and gave a relieved exhale right as the bell buzzed through school.

French Class; Roswell High

Max leaned over his French book, reading over the previous words and sentences the teacher taught them last class. While his eyes took in the words, his mind wasn't on the page in front of him. A couple days ago a man named Grant Sorenson came to town, hired by some company to test the land, on the search he found something that no one was meant to find. He didn't want to believe this was happening, it was. Now investigators were searching the area for clues of how the bone and the remaining bones that were buried, came to be there.

The bone was Agent Pierce's, Grant described to Valenti the exact place they buried the body. Max hadn't been able to concentrate on anything since. It was a matter of time before they found the rest and saw it was a whole skeleton.

Not to mention last week's issues that kept creeping back into his mind. First he and Michael went to the UFO center to look around. He had to admit Michael had been right about going in afterhours just to search and not have a face to face with Brody. Although it was odd that Milton suddenly sold the UFO Center it wasn't the smoking gun that implicated Brody in anything other than buying property under slightly suspicious circumstances. The guy was weird, absolutely, but he'd been so desperate for something to do that he jumped without thinking and Michael had to be the voice of reason for once.

With this search hopefully they'd find something that Brody had that was alien that would confirm what he assumed but honestly, what would be even better, finding absolutely nothing and confirm Brody didn't know anything real about aliens. Unfortunately luck was not on their side, they found something, he and Michael opened Brody's locked office, a computer screen was open and the date May 14th with the time of when they activated the orbs in the Pod Chamber with an arrow pointing to Roswell, New Mexico was prominently displayed.

The most damning piece of evidence, however, was the alien object Brody had to the left of the computer. Both he and Michael felt familiarity with the device. It called to them, like they should know what it was but neither could remember. Brody walked in on them as they were investigating. After a brief argument he was fired and told in no uncertain terms to clean out his locker and get out.

After he, Michael, and Isabel talked for a couple hours about what their find and what their next step would be he left Michael's apartment. So far they hadn't come up with much of anything except keep an eye on Brody, which would be more difficult now that Max didn't work there anymore. They agreed to have another meeting tonight, hopefully they'd decide then.

Isabel, after that initial meeting, offered to give him a ride home, seeing as he hadn't taken his jeep to the UFO Center and therefore didn't have it at Michael's, but he had declined and said he'd walk. As he strolled by the Crashdown he heard a motorcycle engine rev, coming out of the alley where the ladder up to Liz's balcony hung a motorcycle with two people on it zoomed out. One had long brunette hair, she had her arms tight around the waist of the man driving the bike, and her laugh was unmistakably Liz's. He didn't get a good look at all at the guy however but whoever it was had dirty blonde hair and wore a black leather jacket and blue jeans.

Maria told him that Liz was moving on but he hadn't truly believed her. Now how could he deny what he saw with his own two eyes? Liz hadn't been pining or sitting at home contemplating the ending of their relationship; instead she was riding motorcycles and sneaking out with some other guy.

The next day in school he watched Liz closely. Isabel smacked him upside the head when she thought he had been staring far too long but he couldn't help it. He wanted to see if he could figure out who she was seeing. There were a few guys in school who rode motorcycles, none had dirty blond hair though…except Michael. For a moment he considered his best friend and brother, he did see them talking more often and there was that rumor he had dragged Liz into Eraser Room.

However in order to save his sanity and not freak out on Michael he quickly pushed that idea aside. Michael would never go after Liz, she was Max's ex-girlfriend and his ex-girlfriend's best friend. But that didn't stop him from glaring at Michael occasionally.

"No way." A female voice behind Max exclaimed. "Not possible." She denied.

"Please, I told you all along that she was too perfect. Perfect grades, perfect parents, never gets in trouble, teachers are always giving her the benefit of the doubt. Ever wonder why?" The other girl scoffed at her friend.

"There's no way Madison. She's massively annoying with all the time she raises her hand and knows all the answers even when she's not paying attention but this? Dating a teacher? Get real."

"I am getting real Delia. When my family and I went out of town last week to see that play, Liz was there and Mr. Spencer was in the seat right next to her." Madison hissed out.

Max nearly dropped his pencil when Madison dropped that bomb shell. Liz and Mr. Spencer? No. Max thought. There was no way Liz, his Liz would ever get involved with a teacher. She broke out into hives when even a hint of a suggestion was made to do something wrong, morally, legally or otherwise. She balked at cutting class. Dating a teacher was a much bigger deal.

He kept his head down staring at the page in front of him. If the two girls talking behind him realized he could hear everything they whispered they'd give him pity looks. Like his ex-girlfriend dumped him for a teacher. He could live without that image.

As his mind started to race with multiple thoughts Delia lobbied back. "You admitted yourself that it was dark and you couldn't clearly make out the guy she was with. It just looked like Mr. Spencer, doesn't mean it was."

"Doesn't mean it wasn't either." She argued.

Finally the class began but Max couldn't keep his mind off the whispered rumor. Should he confront Liz? Immediately he tossed that idea aside. She'd only tell him to mind his own business. Plus that'd be what she expect him to do, jump to conclusions and get in her face about what he heard. Instead of getting her back he'd be pushing her further away.

No, he had to play this differently. He'd observe, see how Liz reacted Mr. Spencer and the other way around. Max was no stranger to keeping to the background then, as stalker-ish as it sounded, watch Liz.

He already made a note about how Mr. Spencer acted a couple weeks ago. He'd been staring at Liz a little longer than was deemed appropriate and Mr. Spencer called him on it. If he hadn't been so embarrassed about being caught he would have thought Mr. Spencer was being hostile toward him.

Whatever the case might be he'd find out if the rumor was the truth or a lie. After that, who knew what he'd do, maybe look into a mental hospital or something. Clearly if this rumor turned out to be true he was going insane and everything he thought was right and correct in the world was wrong and it would be time for a brain scan.

TBC

Coming Up in Ch 36: Michael, Isabel, and Max decide what they'll do about Brody. Tess confronts them when she finds out about their meetings. Liz, unbeknownst to the Pod Squad, keeps Michael out of jail.