Chapter Twenty Four

" You know for a while I thought we'd be attacked every day, " said Kyle.
" I don't know if we could have handled it " said Liz. She looked at Max sitting next to her.
" But we have to " said Michael. " We have to be ready for everything "
" How have you guys gone through all this? " asked Serena. " And you did it by yourselves "
" Just another day in our lives " said Maria shrugging.
" I tell you what though " said Isabel. " I'm glad to be home "
The seven of them were in Serena's car driving towards Roswell. Valenti and Thaman rode in Valenti's car. Serena had a Range Rover and they all loved to ride in it. Isabel looked out at the desert and the approach the city of Roswell. She had missed this crazy and quiet town. Now she could finally sleep in her own bed.
" I thought I was going to die from training " said Kyle " Thaman's a tough teacher " It was Kyle's turn to drive. Serena sat next to him in front with Michael and Maria just behind them with Isabel. Max and Liz were in the way back. It was really tight but nobody wanted to ride with Valenti and Thaman.
" You think he was tough with you? " asked Michael. " He had us on double duty "
" I don't think this soreness will ever go away " said Max as he stretched holding Liz.
" I don't think I've been in better shape in my whole life " said Maria looking at the muscle she had developed.
" Speak for yourself. I was in great shape " said Michael.
" Yeah right Space Boy. I heard how much you were panting during the warm ups " said Maria pinching his side.
" Hey watch it. That's sensitive "
" Thaman says we have to keep at it " said Serena. " I thought the training was great "
" Because you're in great shape " said Liz
" I never thought that I'd be so happy to be back here " said Isabel
" It's home " said Max
" It also feels like coming back to battle " said Michael " At least we're more ready than we've ever been. But there were some things that Thaman trained us on that doesn't seem to relate to us "

" I think Thaman would know better than we do about how we should learn to fight and with what " said Max.

" When has Thaman been wrong? " asked Maria looking at Michael. " I bet one day Space Boy, you're going to be so thankful for the things he taught you "

" I hate to get all sappy right now, " said Liz. " But these past three weeks have been fun. I'm going to miss it just being the nine of us "
" God " said Michael. " It not like we're moving away "
" Stop the act Michael " said Isabel. " You know you'll miss it the most "
" Yeah " said Maria punching him.
" Yeah you know I'll miss your snoring " said Kyle.
" I do not snore " said Michael sternly
" Says who Michael " said Max. Michael turned around and looked at him. Max hid his lips behind Liz's hair.
" I do not snore " said Michael hearing the girls giggle. He turned towards Kyle. " Well at least I don't talk in my sleep "
" What are you talking about? " asked Kyle
" I hear you late at night, talking to yourself "
" What does he say? " asked Maria
" Oh Serena... "
" Hey that was way below the belt Guerin " said Kyle turning red.
" I'm just getting started "
" Don't make me pull over "
" What are you going to do? Talk Buddha to me 'til I die? "
" Very funny Michael " he said looked at him through the mirror. Everyone else was laughing. " I love you man! " he shrieked in a high pitched voice.
" That sounded so gay " said Michael.
" Come on Michael. Be a man " said Isabel hitting him on the shoulder.
" I don't care about Kyle "
" Well I love you Kyle " said Maria tapping Kyle on the shoulder.
" So do I " said Isabel
" Thank you girls "
" Yeah that goes for me too Kyle " said Liz
" Me too " said Max
" That goes for me too " said Serena punching his arm
" You're ok I guess " said Michael after everyone hit him.
" That's as good as you're going to get " said Maria
" It'll have to do " said Kyle smirking.
" What's going on? " asked Isabel as they pulled in front of the Crashdown.
" What the hell? " asked Maria as he got out of the car.
" It's closed? " asked Michael. It's never closed at this time. It was still afternoon on a Friday.
" Oh God " said Liz as she ran towards the entrance. She put her key in the door and walked through.
" You guys get home " said Max as he looked at Thaman. " Make sure everyone gets home " he said as he ran after Liz.
" What's going on? " asked Serena
" Whatever it is, it can't be good " said Kyle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
" Mom, dad? " called Liz as she ran up the stairs. Her parents were both sitting in the living room.
" Liz honey " said Nancy. Her face looked a little depressed as she stood and hugged her daughter. " How was your trip? "
" Hey dad " said Liz as her dad joined the hug.
" Hey Lizzie " he said. " Hey there Max " said Jeff Parker. " Was the trip good? "
" Great " answered Max. " I hope you don't mind me being here. The gang wanted to eat here "
" Why is the Crashdown closed dad? " asked Liz
" Max " said Nancy. " We need to speak to our daughter if you don't mind "
" Ok " he said nodding. A sudden fear took over his body as he watched Liz's reaction. She looked just as uncomfortable as he was. But he climbed down the stairs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
" What's going on? " asked Liz
" Honey " started Jeff. " This is going to be very hard to tell you "

" Tell me what dad? "

" I think you should sit down a second here " said Nancy.

Liz looked at her parents with dread and sat down slowly. She could feel her world falling apart again. Something was really wrong.

" You know that business hasn't been so good lately " started Jeff.
" Since the two incidences that have happened here, within the last two years, people here are talking. They're scared to come anymore. People are starting to think your father and I are up to something " said Nancy
" Rumors are going around that we're part of some conspiracy " finished Jeff.
" But that's not true " said Liz
" But everyone thinks it Liz. While you were gone, customers just stopped coming. We had to close the Crashdown "
" So what are we going to do? Are you going to open a new restaurant? "
" We're leaving Roswell Liz " said Jeff
" What? " asked Liz. This is some sick dream. Her parents loved Roswell. They would never even think about leaving. She couldn't leave Roswell, this was her home. This was her life. The Crashdown was the main hang out for the group. This couldn't happen. She couldn't leave Max. To leave Max would be to kill herself. " I don't get how us being behind some conspiracy would be a bad thing. Wouldn't that attract more people? "

" Not when it involves murder Liz " said Jeff
" We're going to Florida to live near your aunt " said Nancy
" We can't leave Roswell " said Liz as tears came to her eyes. " Everything we know is in Roswell. We can't just leave "
" Liz your mother and I don't have any choice. We're going to go bankrupt if we stay here. I went on an interview when we went out there. I got a job as a restaurant manager "
" This is insane " cried Liz. " I can't leave Roswell "
" Honey I know this is going to be hard for you but you'll adjust fine " said Jeff
" It's going to be more than hard. My life is here " said Liz raising her voice.
" Is this because of that Max kid? " asked Nancy
" I love him "
" Honey, you don't know what love is. You'll see, you'll find someone else "
" Someone else? Someone else? There is no one else " cried Liz.
" Honey, there's a whole world out there with so many boys to meet "
" I don't want any other boys " cried Liz. God how adolescent she must sound to them. If only they knew this wasn't ordinary. But there was no way to explain it to them.
" Liz we're going to Florida. None of us have a choice here. We have to leave. We don't have any money " said Jeff firmly. He knew her feelings for Max, but she would soon forget about him. She had to, there was no way around it. Leaving Roswell would be the best thing to do. Liz looked at her dad. Heartbreak was etched across her face. She stood up as she bit her lip and ran to her room. She slammed the door behind her and sobbed. She sat on the floor with her back against the door. This couldn't be happening now. Her parents couldn't be serious. But it was true, her parents had to leave. The logical side of her mind knew this. But her heart was breaking. She couldn't live without Max. This would've been so much easier if they wanted to move two months ago. All the training that she had gone through the past three weeks would be useless. The group had to stay together now, things were too dangerous to be separated. Maria would be crushed and she couldn't leave her either. But how could she stay behind? She loved her parents and didn't want to disagree with them. She knew they had no choice. What am I going to do? She sat there on the floor and looked up at her ceiling. Why couldn't things just be easy for once? Things had been hard enough.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
" I'm worried " said Max as he and Isabel walked into her room. They had just spent the last hour and a half telling their parents about their trip. Their mom had made a special dinner for them and they had to eat it. Isabel seemed
in a better mood than Max but that was always the case.
" What's going on Max? " asked Isabel
" I don't know. But her parents looked serious " he said as he paced her room. " Something is wrong "
" It's probably nothing Max " said Isabel putting her clothes back into the closet. " What? The Crashdown is closed for one day and we're over reacting "
" I'm not over reacting Iz " he said
" What do you think is going on? " she asked sighing.
" I don't know. But I have to find out now " he said as he reached for the door. They both looked when they heard a tap at the door. Max looked at Isabel and walked over to the window. It opened and closed. " Thaman watch Isabel " he said closing the door.
" Yes My King " he said as he saw Thaman materialize.
" I don't need to be watched Max " said Isabel matter-of-factly.

Thaman looked at Max questioningly but didn't say anything.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
" Liz " said Nancy as she knocked on the door. She hadn't heard any noise from Liz's room. " Maria's here with your bags "
" Liz babe " said Maria. She looked at Nancy. What was going on? She watched as Nancy walked away sadly, leaving Maria in front of the door." Babe, I'm coming in " said Maria as she opened the door. She found Liz lying on her bed with her back to the door. She heard sniffling as she sat at the edge of the bed. " Liz hon what's wrong? " she said playing with Liz's hair. Liz only sniffled again. " My mom was so jazzed when she saw me. She was shrieking. She made like 50 pies so we should all meet up later tonight to devour them. I didn't realize how much I missed her coconut cream... "
" We're moving to Florida," Liz said in a monotone.
" What are you talking about? We as in the group? "
" My parents are moving to Florida "
" That's nuts. Your parents would never leave Roswell "
" My dad already got a job " she said sitting up, showing Maria her tear streaked face. She bit her lip again. " They said they had to close the Crashdown because it wasn't making enough money "
" That's insane, it's always busy "
" Not lately. People are thinking my parents are part of a conspiracy "
" That's insane " cried Maria.
" What am I going to do Maria? "
" You could live with my mom and me "
" I don't think my parents would let me " she tried to smile at her. " But thanks for the offer "
" What about Max? "
" They said I would find someone else in Florida "
" What is up with your parents? I can't believe they would move. You can't close the Crashdown, it's a monument for goodness sakes " she looked at the painful look on her friend's face. " Come here " she said holding out her arms. Liz crawled to her friend and rested her head on Maria's shoulder.
Maria lightly tapped on her back. " Its going to be ok Liz. We'll think of something "
" They already have a place. It's like all they need now is to just be there. They think that my feelings for Max are so temporary "
" Obviously they've never seen you two together " said Maria jokkingly.
Liz gave a small laugh.
" Don't cry anymore Liz. I know what'll make you feel better " she said looking out at the window. " You have a visitor ". Liz's eyes opened up and her face lit. She looked at Maria and then towards the window. " I should get going now. I've already invited everyone over to eat pie. I'll never forgive you if you guys don't make an appearance " she said as she closed the door behind her.
" How is she Maria? " asked Nancy worried.
" She doesn't want to leave " said Maria trying to sound calm.
" I know. Her father and I don't want to leave either. But we have no choice. Do you think I should go talk to her? "
" No Mrs. Parker " she said quickly. " She sort of kicked me out. She wants to be alone "
" Yeah maybe you're right. Its better if we give her time "
" So, when are you moving? "
" We have a week "
~~~~~~~~~
Liz flung herself into Max's arms. " I don't want to leave Max. I can't leave you or Maria or any of you. I'm going to die " she cried as she buried her face in his jacket. He was stroking her hair gently with a soft expression on his face. His heart was stinging from the news. What could he tell her? The fact that he loved her wouldn't make things better. If he told her he would die without her that wouldn't help either. " Are you sure you wouldn't be better off
going? "
Liz looked at him. " How can you ask me that? " she said pulling away from him. " Are you telling me it's a good chance to start over? " she looked hurt. Her chest was rising and falling drastically with each breath. How could he question her again? " Why are you questioning my devotion again? Why... ? "
" Because you're going to have to choose between me or your parents " he said " I know you love me but that doesn't mean you don't love your parents. Are you willing to leave your parents for me? "
Liz looked at him. His question rang in her ears. " Would you leave your parents for me Max? " she asked him.
" I knew you were going to ask me that " he said. He sighed, his breath falling on her face. He looked into her eyes. " Yes I would leave my parents for you " he said. He searched her face. " But they're not my real parents Liz. Your parents mean more to you than mine do because they are your real parents. I don't want you to stay in Roswell and resent me. I don't want you to regret anything "
" Then you know my answer " she said. " I would choose you "
He looked at her dumbfounded. She had said it with determination. He was beyond happy but he couldn't just have her stay in Roswell with no one to support her.
" Then there's only one thing left to do then " he said
" What? "
Max smiled at her as he got down on his knee. " Marry me Liz Parker "
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
" I guess you didn't eat at the place you were staying " said Amy Deluca as she watched Kyle and Valenti take their third slices.
" Not homemade cooking " said Kyle. He had a satisfied grin on his face.
" Ms. Deluca this is fabulous " said Isabel
" Thanks hon. You should take some home "
" My parents would love that " she said.

Amy turned her head and watched Maria and Michael. They looked so happy. Michael was looking at Maria with a annoyed look on his face as he cleaned Maria's face. She couldn't hear what they were saying exactly but from Maria's face, he wasn't insulting her. Maria was looking at him and laughing.
" Yet another masterpiece Amy " said Valenti kissing her cheek. " You're amazing "
" I know " she said looking at him.
" I've missed you " he said
" Don't leave me like that again Jim. Or else I'll have to break your legs "
" Do you think they'll show? " asked Serena
" I don't know " said Isabel. " It didn't seem too good "
" I hope everything's all right "
" Yeah " breathed Isabel " Me too "
" Does it annoy you that Thaman won't allow himself to be here? Or to eat with us? "
" Yeah it does " said Isabel looking down at her slice. " He sees himself as something low. One day I hope he won't feel that way "
" Are you sure you want to wait until this is all over for him? "
" Yes I am "
" That could take years "
" I know. But he's worth it. He's waited longer than I have. If he can wait then so can I "
~~~~~~~~

They all looked up when they heard the front door open. Max and Liz stood in the doorway. They could've illuminated the entire house with their beaming faces. They walked in hand in hand.
" Is it safe to say everything's all right? " asked Kyle before he was elbowed by Maria.
" Hey! Glad you guys could make it " said Amy as she hugged Liz. " Here hon you have to have some pie "
" Thank you Ms. Deluca " said Liz
" Thank you " said Max as they both grabbed a slice.
" You two look devilishly happy " said Maria walking behind Liz.
Liz turned to her and smiled. There were no traces of the tears she had when Maria had last seen her. " Everything all right? "
" Couldn't be better " she replied
Maria looked at her. " Spill "

" I can't yet. But I will soon, promise " Liz sat with Max on the carpet near Isabel.
" What happened? " asked Isabel. " Why was the Crashdown closed? "
Liz smiled at Isabel. " My parents closed it " she said calmly.
" What? Why? " asked Valenti.
" It wasn't making any money so they decided to close it "
" What are your parents going to do? " asked Amy. She squinted her eyes in worry.
" They want to move to Florida "
" What? " yelled Michael " That can't happen "
" Maria, Michael doesn't that mean you're out of a job? " asked Serena
" That's right " said Michael. " I'm barely making ends meet as it is "
" I'm sorry Michael, " said Liz
" Forget about it " he said. " You can't leave Roswell "
" Yeah you can't " said Amy
" What are you going to do? " asked Isabel
Liz looked at Max. " We're not sure yet "
" This is awful. They can't close the Crashdown " said Kyle. " It's headquarters "
" Are you sure there's no other way to get around it? " asked Valenti.
Liz shook her head sadly.

" Why now of all times? " asked Michael throwing his hands up. " So why do you both look so damn happy? Is Maxwell going with you? "

" Michael this isn't the place to be talking about this, " said Isabel tilting her head towards Amy.

" I agree " said Serena reading Isabel sign. " This is a welcome home party for you guys. You shouldn't be talking about negative stuff here "

" May I have another slice Ms. Deluca? " asked Isabel standing up. " I think I should start getting ready to go. Would you mind if I took some home? "

" Sure Isabel I told you, you could "

Michael kept his stare on Max.

" Not now Michael " said Max looking at Isabel walk away with Maria's mother.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

" Maria I need you to go to the market for me " whispered Amy.

" Mom it's ten. I don't want to go to the market now " she whined.

" Please! " her mother begged.

Maria looked at her mother suspiciously. " Oh all right. But I'll be back in ten minutes "

" Great thanks " her mom said running towards the living room.

Maria rolled her eyes. Her mom wanted her to go get flour to spend ten minutes alone with Valenti. It was a sick thought but she decided she didn't want to think about it. She didn't want to go to the market. Not only was she paranoid to be out by herself, she felt awful about Liz leaving. This was her best friend that was leaving. She had already lost her other best friend a couple months ago. She didn't know how she would be able to handle losing another close friend. She got into her car and drove towards the market. She drove through the quiet streets of Roswell and muttered to herself. " Regular people don't go out at ten at night to get flour ". She pulled in front of the market and walked inside.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

" Maria! " called a familiar voice.

" Brody! " she said smiling to him. He was pushing a cart with his daughter, Sydney, on the seat. Maria managed to smile as Brody brought his cart closer to her.

" Hey there Sydney " said Maria.

" Hello " said Sydney shyly.

" How are you? " he asked. He always looked so happy to see her. It was like she was his sunshine or something.

" Getting through. How about you? "

" Things have been busy. Business has been busy. How are things going at the Crashdown? "

" Not so good " she said looking at the floor.

" What do you mean? "

" It's closed forever "

" You're joking, " said Brody. " I noticed nobody really in there the last couple days but I just assumed that business was slow "

" You haven't been? "

" Not since you left. Things have been busy " he said shyly " What's going to happen with your job? "

" I don't know Brody. Liz's parents are moving to Florida and taking her with them. So I'm losing my job and my best friend all in one disaster. I don't know what to do. Brody I'm so confused and torn " cried Maria. She hadn't expected to be ask dramatic as she was acting. But as the words came out of her mouth she started to really feel what she was saying.

" It's going to be all right Maria, " he said tapping her on the shoulder.

" I don't think so " she said sniffling. " I have to go through Senior year best friendless and jobless. I'm going to be such a loser. Even Michael won't have a job. God this just gets better and better "

Author's Note: I hope you guys like the pace of this story now. Quick note that there is a reason why I didn't elaborate on what kind of training that they had to go through when they were training. That will be shown in later chapters and I hope you like it. If you didn't catch it, they were in training for only three weeks. But since the Pod Squad are quick learners because of their genetic makeup that was plenty of time for their training, according to Thaman. As usual please leave me your feedback. J If you have any questions that were not answered in the story please feel free to email me.