AUTHOR: Marcela Vega a.k.a. vitality@yours.com
DISCLAIMER: Yo no soy dueña.
SPOILERS: None really.
RATING: R wìth an eventual NC-17
CATEGORY: Way AU, CC (Max/Liz)
DISTRIBUTION: Please ask.
FEEDBACK: If you're going to criticize my work, go right on ahead!-just so long as you give me some tips on how to improve what I'm doing wrong.
SUMMARY:
This fanfic is in answer to a challenge proposed by Chepi a.k.a. Linea. The challenge called for a twisted mind and I was more than happy to oblige.
The rules are as follows:
1. It can be any rating.
2. Max is a hired murderer and is hired to kill Liz and those who hired him believe "she knows too much." (What it is she knows is up to me!)
3. They fall in love. "Surprise, surprise!"
4. Max and Liz have to hide so nobody will find them.
5. They get involved in a lot of different dangerous situations while they try to find out the truth (about whatever I think fits in.) Also, Max has to teach Liz how to handle a gun.
6. The "evil boss" is very powerful and has many contacts with many powerful people who are all after them.
7. Liz shall be kidnapped and her knight in shining armor, Max, of course, has to save her!
8. And bless Chepi's kind good heart to give our little action thriller with a "happy"… "dreamy"… "ending".
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story is way alternate universe and to accomplish it I had to write a few of the characters much darker than they really are. Sorry guys! I also, (god I hope Chepi doesn't mind,) included a little sci-fi twist in the action piece being as this is Roswell and all of that alien stuff is just branded in my brain. I'd like to thank Chepi for supplying such an exciting topic to write about being as my mind is perpetually blank and even though I'm not really dreamer I'd like to think I know what I'm doing when it comes to anything Roswell related. So… without further ado…
Chapter 1: The Deal's Set
What is it with this place and aliens? Max groaned at the cheesy décor and even cheesier menu. Now I do not think I'll be able to make it through an entire meal here, he thought. But Max's attention was easily averted by an attractive blonde waitress with great legs waltzing past him. Although she wasn't what he was usually attracted to she was undeniably an eye pleaser. Apparently he wasn't the only one who thought so.
"So, Maria? You been missing me?" a flirtatious masculine voice rose from behind the girl's back.
"In your dreams, Guerin!" was the feisty reply.
Guerin? Max smiled to himself before tentatively taking a step forward.
"So, how was the honeymoon?"
"Hasn't happened yet."
"Don't tell me she came to her senses?"
"Very funny. Y'know what I think?"
"I wasn't aware that you could, Michael," she leaned over to set his plate in front of him and Max caught just a glimpse of the corner of Guerin's forehead.
"I think you're jealous."
"Jealous?" She was upset, all right.
"That's right."
"Oh, come on! Jealous of that smug brat and her oh-so-wonderful fiancée who not only hits on me constantly behind her back but also takes advantage of poor, defenseless, inebriated girls on the rebound and feels absolutely no remorse about it!" Her tone had risen with every word and people were beginning to stare.
"Dammit, Maria!"
At the mention of that name Max noticed a few people nod in acknowledgement. He figured this sort of thing must've happened often.
"You know full well that she wasn't the only one drunk that night!"
"Oh, and is that supposed to make it any better, Michael? You know ever since that night my best friend has been struggling to make sense of everything that happened and the worst part is she can't remember a thing! Not a goddamn thing, Michael! She was going through so much shit already and you just had to make it worse by doing what you-"
Suddenly some guy's hand was on Maria's shoulder and he was whispering something into her ear that seemed to sedate her somewhat. Max struggled to figure out why his very keen and observant senses hadn't even seen the guy coming! Then he watched Maria being led out of the room and into the kitchen held in tight embrace with her… boyfriend? Friend? Brother? Hey, why the hell would that matter anyway? God, I never figured myself to be distracted to easily by this Melrose Place bullshit. Max realized now that the basketcase had gone he had a clear view of Guerin and some little friend beside him. Hmmm… Max thought as he analyzed him. He's young. Surprisingly young. About my age, I think. That was unusual. The guy looked understandably frustrated and was scratching his eyebrow and muttering smothered obscenities underneath his breath. The woman beside him was young too; another blonde this time petite with bright blue eyes as wide as saucers. She also looked uncomfortable and stared at the wall as she slurped her drink like a five year old.
Once Max was sure the other customers were no longer gawking at the pair he approached them. "Mr. Guerin?"
They both looked up at once. The girl couldn't mask her admiration and smiled shyly. However, Michael Guerin eyed him wearily before replying, "Yeah?"
"I believe we have business to discuss."
He sighed and gave a small nod. "That we do. Sit down."
"Okay…" Max sat across from them and spoke in a low tone. "Listen man, not that I don't appreciate the lunch bonus or anything but shouldn't we be doing this somewhere a little more… private?"
"Well, that would've my first precaution but our boss thought it would be best if we were to avoid seeming suspicious."
"Our boss?" Max questioned, trying not to be distracted by the little game of footsie the girl had initiated underneath the table.
"Yeah, well," Michael cleared his voice and spoke louder, "this is Tess Harding. She's my partner… associate… whatever. My fiancée will be here shortly. She works with us too."
"Oh, does she? How sweet," Max replied sardonically. "Well, I'm not going to be waiting around so how about we just cut to the chase?" Leaning over he hissed, "You know the price is ten grand in unmarked bills to be provided immediately after the job is completed. Now all you have to tell me the job's name, location and a minimum of background just so I can be sure you're legit'. Deal?"
A little overwhelmed at what had just transpired it took Michael a moment to stick out his hand and shake Max's. "Deal but first I need a few things from you."
Max drew his hand back quickly, "And what would those be?"
"She's coming!" Tess whispered loudly, the first words she'd spoken since Max had arrived.
Both men shut up and looked up to see Maria the waitress glaring at them intensely. "Who are you?" she said immediately, giving Max the once-over.
"I'm Brian," Max told her, his tone and body language nonchalant. "And you are?"
"How do you know Michael?" she asked, ignoring his question.
"We're old friends."
"Michael has a friend?" Maria's eyebrows rose in amusement. "Well, wonder of wonders! Spaceboy has a social life. It won't be long before hell freezes over."
"Maria why don't you just shut up and go? Isn't it clear you're not wanted?"
The hostility in Michael's voice was cold enough for anyone to be taken aback. Which was why Max was so surprised to see Maria calmly roll her eyes and reach for Tess's empty salad bowl. "Crystal."
Watching her retreating back Max was thankful that Tess answered his unspoken question. "Maria was Michael's high school sweetheart. They still have issues."
"No, we don't! And Tess please explain to me why you thought that was any of his business?"
"Christ, Michael! If you wake up one more day on the wrong side of the bed I swear I am going to just-"
Max was fed up. "Hello! Would you two please-"
"Shut up."
All three of them looked up to see who'd finished Max's statement. To say that Max was shocked would be an understatement once he learned who it was. "Isabel!"
"That's right, bro. How have you been?" Her cool-confident air proved that she hadn't changed a bit.
"How have I been?! Where the hell have you been?"
"I've been around. Obviously," the picture-perfect ice queen took a seat in Michael's lap and grasped his hand. "We've been around."
"Wait you and… Isabel! You're engaged!"
"What? No congratulations?"
But Max wasn't the only one who was confused. "Hey! Could either of you please tell me what the hell is going on here?" Michael had let go of Isabel's hand and begun scowling at Max.
"I'll second that!" Tess added eagerly.
"Michael, relax," Isabel began.
"Don't tell me to relax! I thought his name was Brian. And you told me you two didn't even know eachother and he was just recommended through a friend!"
"Michael," Tess hissed. "Could you keep your voice down?"
"No! No, not until I get some answers!"
"I could use a few too, Isabel," Max said, his teeth clenched.
Isabel's eyes went to Max's face and then to Michael's and she rolled her eyes. "Okay, okay. He is my brother and-"
"Your brother?" Michael repeated, dumbfounded for a second. "That's Max your brother? One of us?"
The word 'us' made Max's blood run cold.
"Yes he's my brother. My stubborn, self-righteous, and very arrogant brother. First of all I wanted to get you here, Max. I told you I'd find them even if you didn't help me. And I found them, didn't I? And I also found another who's our…" Isabel leaned over excitedly and began to talk in hushed whispers. "He's one of us, Max! And he knows everything. He knows Michael and I are destined to be together and Tess over there is your soulmate. And we're royalty on our planet, Max. Royalty!"
Max was getting more and more nauseous with every word. Soulmate? Destined? Royalty?
Looking across the table he found his "soulmate" looked just as stunned but also excited. Excited for what? For him? No way in hell.
"And now that she's found you I'm sure she'll be so-"
"Okay, Isabel, hold on a second!" Max pleaded. Once she'd quieted he decided he had to take care of this once and for all. "For the last time, Isabel. I am not different. And neither are you. And in case you haven't noticed I'm not the same seventeen year old boy you left five years ago. I've grown up. And I don't take shit from nobody especially not my insane sister whom I haven't spoken to in so long. Now I don't know how you found me but I'm telling you to forget me because I've forgotten you. And now… I'm done." Max stood up and was all set to go when he felt their irrefutable bond tug at him, literally preventing him from taking one more step. Damn Isabel! Why can't she just let go?
"Do you feel that, Max?" Isabel's booming voice echoed within his head. Is that normal or is that different? You can't deny this anymore, Max. Tess and Michael aren't, you shouldn't either."
Without a word Max stepped back to the booth and sat down again. After groaning and rubbing his temples he asked, "What do I have to do to get you to let me go?"
"Well, you could take the job for one thing."
"Job? But I thought this was all just a scam to get me here?"
"Oh, there's a job. You coming here for it was just the added bonus."
Max tried not to let her irritating comments get the best of him and cleared his throat. "And what job would that be?"
"Liz Parker," Michael mumbled uncertainly and slid a manilla envelope across the table.
"Well, a few weeks ago Michael here got himself into a little trouble. He accidentally drank something with alcohol in it," she paused to see if Max still remembered his first and only beer. Seeing Max avert his eyes she figured he must've and continued, "and the next morning found Liz Parker in his bed. She claims she was drunk also and doesn't remember anything but we all know Michael must've told her something. Getting him drunk was the way I found out about them also."
"And we also know Liz has been avoiding the three of us like a plague ever since," Tess chirped up. "I went to the supermarket the other day and we met along the aisle and she practically sprinted to the cash register."
"It's obvious she knows too much," Michael finished.
Max gaped at them, open-mouthed. "So you want me to kill this woman just because you think she 'knows' you guys are from Mars or whatever fucked-up shit you've got running through your brain? Come on, Isabel!" Max whispered exasperatedly.
"Hey! You get rid of people for a living and do you ever care about the reasons?"
"No, but this is ridiculous!"
"No, you are ridiculous! You're in denial and-" Isabel took a deep breath and calmed down. "Look, Max. I didn't want us to fight. The bottom line is we need Liz Parker dead for assurance. We've got the money and you can deliver, alright?"
"Why don't you just do it yourself? God knows you've got the equipment."
"We would. Nasedo-"
"Nasedo?" Max interrupted. "What the hell is 'Nasedo'?"
"It's our and your watcher's name, thank you very much," Tess spoke up in a huffy voice. Max supposed she wasn't so excited about him anymore.
"Nasedo would," Isabel continued, "more than happily do the deed but this is a very critical time right now. We've got the Feds on our back twenty-four seven and-"
"The feds!" Max snickered beneath his breath. "Now that's a good one."
Michael, Tess and Isabel's unrelenting glares were enough to shut him up and she continued. "-and we can't risk any evidence lying about."
"Fine. Whatever, just so long as I can get the fuck out of here I'm content. I'm assuming the information's in here?" Max shook the envelope.
"Yes, it's all there," Isabel confirmed.
Max was ready to leave before he suddenly remembered something. Looking directly at Michael he asked, "So what were those few things you were going to say earlier?"
"Huh? Oh, those! Well, I was going to ask you full name or your real one if you were using an alias, although I guess that's pointless now, and I was going to ask for your word."
"My word?"
"Your word that you wouldn't screw us over."
"Hmmph," Max could barely restrain his laughter. "Shouldn't you know that my kind of people aren't really known for their honesty?"
"Well your word, truthful about it or not comes with a catch," Michael said seriously.
"And what would that be?" Max smirked.
"That if you break it you're dead."
Michael's cold words slapped Max's smile off his face. "And you're expecting that to scare me?"
"It should."
"Me scared of you who can't even take care of his own shit? Now, that's funny."
"Well you're not laughing," Michael said, the grin on his face agitating Max beyond words.
"Who the hell-"
"Boys, boys," Isabel intervened. "Let's break off the testosterone here, shall we?"
"Having trouble controlling the puppies, Isabel?" Maria interrupted. "I guess it's been a while since Alex learned about independence, eh? You must be pretty frustrated."
The expression on his sister's face at that moment seemed absolutely livid. "Alex was never my puppy, Maria but judging from your little brainwashing ventures I can tell he sure as hell is yours! Where is he now? In the back over there waiting for you to return so he can console you and make you feel all better? And then you can pretend he's Michael and maybe act out what you never got to finish?"
The words must've stung because tears rolled down the Maria's cheeks right away and she didn't bother to wipe them. Max could see Isabel was regretful but Maria didn't and despite her humility she continued to fire back. "Hah! Pretend Alex is Michael? There is no comparison because Michael turned out to be the piece of trailer trash I'd always defended that he wasn't! And the fact that he ended up with you only further proves my point! And I bet I know who he's fantasizing about when he's with you, Isabel! And you're obviously not the hot shit that you think you are if he has to go and get it from my best friend Liz, huh?" After setting their tab in front of them, she pivoted and headed toward the kitchen.
Max waited until everything had settled down once more before the asked his next question. "So what you're saying is the woman I'm supposed to, well, that woman is that Maria girl's best friend?" Max hissed, not being able to hide all of the outrage from his voice.
"Yes," Isabel leaned back with a sigh. Then, smirking, she asked, "Don't tell me you find something morally wrong with this?"
At her harsh taunt Max snapped out of it and recomposed himself. "I'm a hitman, ma'am, I have no morals."