Title: Secrets
Author: Gaudicia
E-mail: acussing_crane@hotmail.com
ICQ: 101624726
IM: Gaudy831
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Roswell character except David.
Category: Liz/Max
Rating: PG
Summary: Liz has a secret no one knows. Its short, but I don't want to give much away.
Distribution: Just ask. This is so I know where to send the other chapters.
Author notes: You all have to thank Julie and Lacy, my beta reader. Lacy does a wonderful job and most important puts up with me.
Authors note 2: The time line will be a bit different I will be changing something like when Nasedo show up and Liz meet Maria and Alex when she was 8 years old and Max first saw her at that age also. (I wanted to clear this up)
Authors note 3: Please bear with me if I take long with sending out the chapters. This is my first fic, so I'm new at this. I hope you enjoy.
Authors note 4: I also want to thank everyone who sent feedback for the previous chapters. I really appreciate it.
Feedback: You know the drill. Please, send your comments good or bad.


Chapter 9

Recap:
When Liz stepped inside her room a light was turned on. She saw her mother by the switch and hands on hip. Her father was sitting on her bed, and from his place there he asked, "Where were you?"
---

"I'm going to ask again. Where were you? We told you to come home straight from school, young lady! You have to obey your parents' commands!"

The phone range before Liz could answer their questions.

Mr. Evans got up from the bed, and picked the phone up. "Hello. Parker's residence."
---
David stopped at the first payphone he saw. He knew Liz would be in trouble as soon as she stepped into her room. He also knew that Liz needed to be free from any punishment, so they could--explore more. He put a quarter inside the payphone and waited for someone to pick the phone up.

When he heard Mr. Parker say his greeting in his best Mr. Evans voice said, "I'm sorry to be calling this late. This is Phillip Evans." David coughed to try and hide the change in his voice. "Did Liz make it all right?" But he didn't let Mr. Parker answer. "I dropped her off. But she didn't want me to wake you up or to get out of the car this late since I have a cough."

Mr. Parker answered, confused, "Yes, she is here. Why?"

David coughed again. "Liz was with me. I was telling her that I would give her the 500-dollars tomorrow. I'm so grateful. She helped Isabel when she needed it the most. I don't know how I will ever repay her."

"What do you mean Liz helped her?"

"Well, Liz took some money from the Crashdown, and lent it to Isabel."

"Why didn't Liz say anything?" Mr. Parker asked quietly.

"Isabel can be very vain. Iz didn't want anyone to know about her problem. I would appreciate it, if it weren't mention or told to anyone else ever again. Liz was just protecting Isabel like a good friend she is."

"Liz did that? We punished her for taking the money." Mr. Parker said, ashamed.

"Yes, she told me about her punishment. That's why I wanted to clear things up. She is a loyal friend, and she doesn't deserve to be punished for that." David finished. He had been thinking of a way to get Liz off the hook and, as lame as this may seem, it was the only way he could find.

Mrs. Parker and Liz listened attentively, since Liz's name kept being dragged into the conversation.

"I'll talk with Liz. I want to thank you for clearing things up. We won't mention that Isabel was the one that needed help or bring up the subject again." Mr. Parker, during the whole conversation, didn't notice it wasn't Mr. Evans he was talking too.

"I really appreciate it. I'll leave you now. Have a goodnight."

"Thank you." Both hung up the phone.

'I have to talk with Nancy before making any decisions.' Mr. Parker stood silent for a minute, and with a sigh he turned. "Liz, why don't you go to sleep. We'll talk in the morning." Seeing his wife was about to protest, he grabbed her by the arm and whispered, "We have to talk. It's important, and this can wait."

Mrs. Parker dumbly nodded. Mr. Parker seeing her nod turned his attention back to Liz. "Liz, you better get some rest." With that said, he left the room, followed by his wife.

After they left, Liz took a bath and when she was drying her hair, her cell phone rang. 'Who could be calling so late.'

"Hello."

"Hi. Liz, its David." After his introduction he proceeded to inform Liz of his actions.

Liz had sat on her bed. "That's why he left in such a rush?" Liz asked, not expecting an answer.

"I guess so."

"Thanks for warning me, David."

"Hey, you got punished because of me. It was the least I could do. By the way, we have to meet Mr. Evans at his office tomorrow in the afternoon."

"Why?"

"There are some things I have to ask him. This is so I can tell you what's going on."

At the reminder of what they were doing in the cemetery Liz got silent. David knew it was not the best thing he could have said.

"David, please tell me something."

David sighed, "Liz, two month ago, I found her. But when I got to her apartment she was dead. She was killed."

Liz was startled by the knowledge. "Who--why--how?"

"Liz, we shouldn't talk about this over the phone. I'll pick you up, tomorrow in the afternoon, when you get out of school. Liz, I have to hang up, and try to get some sleep. You should also try to get some sleep Lizzie, okay?"

"I'll try."

"Bye."

"Bye." Liz put the battery to recharge and drifted into a trouble sleep. This time the nightmare was different. Liz was falling. When she finally made it to the ground everything was bright. She saw her birth mother and ran towards her to hug her. Liz felt at peace and safe in her arms. Suddenly, it all turned gray and her mother seem to be farther and farther away, and loneliness and cold seem to surround her. The only thing that could be heard was whisper chanting, "Liz you must remember your gift. There are still secrets to uncover--things to discover. Be careful who you trust." Then her dream changed again. It still was dark, but it seemed darker and colder somehow. When she looked ahead of her she saw a familiar man, but couldn't place where she had seen him. He looked evil and Liz knew he was going to hurt her mother. She began to run towards them, but the faster and harder she ran, the farther they seemed to be. When she was getting closer to them she heard a sound making her stop and she was falling again.

Liz fell out of bed. Her heart was racing; she was sweaty and slightly trembling. With trembling hands she reached for her alarm clock and switched the alarm off. She remembered her parents wanted to talk. She took a bath and put some make-up on, trying to hide the traces of her restless night. She didn't want them to make a big deal out of it like they did last time.
---
Mr. Parker explained everything to his wife. He wanted to lift Liz's punishment, but she didn't. It took a lot of persuasion on his part for her to budge, so when they finished, it was really late or rather morning.
---
Liz grabbed her backpack and books and went to the living room. When she didn't find them she checked the kitchen. Her father was making breakfast and her mother was leaning on the counter.

Mrs. Parker straightened up. "Liz, you finally decided to join us."

The greeting surprised Liz; she had expected them to be harsh in some way. "I was tired."

"Next time come home earlier," was her mother only reply.

Mr. Parker gave Liz a plate filled with scramble eggs and toast. "Liz, the call I got last night was from Mr. Evans and he told me you got the money to help a friend. I've been talking with your mother and we agreed that even though we don't approve the course of your actions, you did nothing to deserve to be punished."

Liz, during his speech, maintained a blank face, occasionally picking on her food. "So my punishment is lifted?"

Mrs. Parker was the one to answer, "Yes, but next time something like this happens let us know, okay?"

"Okay. I have to go or I'll be late for school."

Mr. Parker noticed she hadn't even taken a bit out of her food. "Aren't you going to eat?"

Liz was already by the door so she yelled, "No, I'm not hungry!"

When Liz got to school, they were still giving her weird looks. Liz spotted Maria and the others so she decided to go. They seemed troubled. When Maria saw Liz, she ran towards her. "Where have you been? We were worried sick about you. Don't ever do that again!" Maria said, all in one breath.

The others got closer to them also wanting to hear an answer to Maria's question. Liz looked from Maria to the others. "I was with David. We had to take care of some things."

Alex, scolded gently. "Liz, next time tell us if you are going to be out so long."

"God, you guys sound like my parents."

Max, not wanting Liz to be upset said, the worst thing possible. "Liz, we were just worried. We don't know if we can trust David. What if he had done something to hurt you? We wouldn't have known where you were, and we wouldn't be able help you."

Liz was infuriated. "He would never do any thing to hurt me. He cares for me, like I care for him. I trust him with my life." Liz stomped and headed to class leaving the group speechless.

Liz spent the day trying to avoid them; as soon as she saw one of them she would go to the other direction. Trying to avoid them wasn't easy, since she had her mind on other things like David and her nightmare. 'How can I be so calm after what I found out?'

When she got to Bio, Max was already there. 'So much for avoiding them.'

Liz took her seat without a second glance towards Max. She was going to ignore him as much as she could. She wasn't in the mood to explain anything to him or anyone else. She grabbed her pencil and notebook, and tried to concentrate on the class, but like in her other classes, her mind drifted to other things. 'Will David finally explain what's going on?--'

"Miss Parker, if you are not interested in the class you can leave," said her teacher, Mrs. Johnson. Everyone around laughed. Liz just stayed silent and embarrassed. 'Just my luck, yesterday I fell asleep, now I get caught daydreaming.'

Max looked at Liz expressing concerned. He had caught on to her act to try to ignore him so he had let her be--not wanting to get on her bad side again. So they didn't talk unless it was absolutely necessary.

She tried avoiding them; exchanging a few words when needed. During lunchtime, she went to a secluded place wanting to be alone with her thoughts. David got to school just in time to pick her up.

"David, where are we going?"

"To Mr. Evans office. Come on Elizabeth get in already."

Liz looked back. She saw that the gang was together looking at her. She ignored them and got in the car. "So are you going to tell me where you got this car?"

David glanced at Liz and then turned his attention back on the road. "Hector left it to me."

"You miss him, don't you?" Liz asked, quietly.

"Yeah. He was my godparent, but he was more than that--he became my father."

"I wish I could have been there for you."

"Lizzie, you are here now. That's all that matters." David took her hand and squeezed it. Liz smiled at the small gesture. It showed his affection, warmth and love towards her.

"I'm planning to be there for you from now on." Liz said, returning his gesture.
---
Max couldn't believe it when she got in the car with David. 'She chose him over us--me, again? What's so special about him? What does he have that I don't?'

Maria and Alex were hurt that she would avoid them, but they looked at Max sympathetically. 'If he keeps getting jealous I don't think he would get to old age.'

Michael and Isabel saw that they were testing Liz in some way and the game was called, "Who are you going with?" Everyone was aware of the fact that Max's body had gone stiff and rigid when Liz went to David.

When David's car was out of sight Max looked at Michael and Isabel. "Michael, Iz, we have to go to Dad's office, remember?"

Michael groaned, "You should be the one to do the work--not us."

Isabel turned to Alex and Maria. "We'll see you later."
---
David and Liz got to Mr. Evans' office in no time.

"David, did you make an appointment?"

"Yes, I did."

They entered the office and were soon meet by Mr. Evans' secretary. The office had a welcoming air around it, which was rare in lawyers' offices. Liz guess Mrs. Evans had to have helped decorate it, since it was welcoming as their home. The office wasn't too dark but it also wasn't too light. The office was too big, but it wasn't so small either it seemed like a comfortable place to work.

Mr. Evans' secretary announced them and Mr. Evans was soon welcoming them. "David, Liz, get in and take a seat."

They did as told. Liz decided she would let David be the one to answer and ask questions until she could get an idea as to what was going on.

David said, "We are sorry to bother you."

"Nonsense, I'm always glad to help. So what can I help you with?"

"Thanks. We--I wanted to know who was in charge of our mother--Jennifer's burial? We have a right to know." David said, the last part with such conviction that told he knew what he was talking about.

Mr. Evans was debating whether to tell them or not. "Yes, you do have a right to know, because it all was left to the both of you, the insurance money, etc."

"So who was in charge of the burial?" David asked, again.

Liz thought. 'What does that question have to do with anything?'

Mr. Evans sighed at his persistent. "The Parker's were."

After that, they began talking and catching up on things.

At one point David said, "Yeah, I'm going to start looking for a job."

"We have an opening here. It's as an errand guy, but the pay is good."

They continued to talk and make arrangements for David's jobs. They were interrupted by a knock.

"Come in," called out Mr. Evans.

Liz and David heard the door open so they turned to see who it was. Standing there was Max, Michael and Isabel.


To be continued…