Longing
by Love Of My Life
Rating: PG-13
Category: Max/? Sorry but you will have to read it to find out.
Disclaimer: Nothing Roswell is mine. If only...
Summary: No spoilers. All of season 2 up to and incl. Viva Las Vegas. What we wish for is in our grasp if only we would have the courage to reach out for it.
Distribution: You can always ask, who knows I might say yes.
Part 3
'Liz.'
As he finally says her name tears start running down her face, she can no longer hold them back. How she had longed to be with him like this, but after all that had happened, it didn't seem possible. Even after she told him everything that had happened that faithful day he had caught her in bed with Kyle. He had closed himself of from her; unable to forgive her for the pain she had caused him. Although he said he understood why she had done it, even agreed with her that she had to do it. There was a rift between them that seemed to grow greater each day.
Being in the same room together became almost unbearable, both unable to hold back the longing glances. But every time she had made a move in his direction he would turn and walk away. Eventually she couldn't take it any longer and began to avoid him wherever she could. She didn't understand what was going on with Max. She thought that once he knew the truth things between them would change for the better but she was wrong. It wasn't as if she had had a choice. It was almost worse than before.
At least now also the others knew, once she had told Max she decided the others might as well know. They were amazed by the story she told them but they believed her. They were humbled by what she had done for them, had been willing to sacrifice so that they could live. They thanked her for what she had done, done for them. They also didn't understand Max's behavior. He didn't even want to talk to Isabel or Michael about it. He closed himself off from everyone.
This went on for three weeks until by some unforeseen circumstances they were forced to drive to Marathon, Texas. They needed to retrieve some documents they believed belonged to Atherton. Sheriff Valenti received information that these documents were at the Marathon Library. So after a meeting it was decided that Max and Liz would go and get them, because none of the others seemed to be able to go. As if they didn't know what their friends were trying to do, they were put in a situation where they couldn't avoid each other any longer. They would finally have to talk to each other to resolve this mess.
b They didn't know how uncharacteristically stubborn Max could be. He hadn't spoken to her all the way to Marathon beyond what was necessary, that is. After a grueling nerve-wracking ride to Marathon they found out that the information was false. There were no papers from Atherton at the Library. Their moods darkened. When they got caught in a storm on the way back to Roswell they were forced to stop at a motel for the night. Everything that had happened up until now is just too much for Liz to bear. After hearing Max whispering her name with such emotion she finally lets go of all the pent-up feelings. She can no longer hold back her tears. She cries for herself for all that she had to suffer over the last few months and for Max for the pain she had put him through no matter how valid the reason. It is just too much.
'Sssh Love, it's okay, everything is going to be alright.'
But Liz keeps on crying. Max moved from Liz to sit with his back against the headboard. He draws Liz on his lap so he could hold her tightly against his chest as she cries. He draws the blankets over their legs pulling her in even closer. He puts his right arm around her. His other hand is in her beautiful auburn hair. He pulls her face against his chest.
'I'm here and I'm never going to let you go again, just let it all out. I'm here.'
He softly kisses the crown of her head and as he leans his head against the wall tears are streaming down his own face. Finally she was in his arms where she belonged. He vowed then and there that no matter what, no one would ever separate him again from his soul mate. For he was finally where he wanted to be. Holding the woman he loves beyond anything in the world, close to his heart. He is finally home.
He hears her crying dying down, as the final tears almost subside. He hears her sigh as if the weight of the world has dropped from her shoulders. She brakes away from his firm grasp on her tiny body and she looks at him.
'I'm sorry I cried all over you but I just couldn't hold it back anymore.'
Her eyes clear up from her tears and she can focus them again: she sees that she wasn't the only one who was crying. She reaches out and wipes away his tears. He isn't embarrassed for these are honest emotions they share and when there is true love there is no need to hide what you really feel. She reaches out one final time to wipe away the last of his tears. He catches her hand before she can reach his cheeks. He turns her hand and kisses it.
'What did you do that for?'
He looks down at her with glowing eyes. 'For being here with me, for being who you are. For allowing me to love you even after what I did to you.'
Now she is confused. 'Did to me? Max you didn't do anything. I was the one who hurt you. I rejected you time after time, turned my back on you when you reached out to me.'
'Only because I asked you to.'
Then the realization hits her. He feels guilty for what his future self had asked her to do. For the pain this had caused her. Her eyes overflow with tears once again.
'Oh you wonderful, wonderful man. Don't you see? I would do anything for you. I would do everything in my power to keep you safe. I would die for you.'
Max closes his eyes in sheer happiness realizing what she just said. It touches him deep inside of his soul the depth of her love for him: the alien, the hybrid, the freak. He draws her back in his arms and they sit like that for a long time. They are safe once again in each other's arms. For they know that as long as they are together they can handle anything fate throws at them. The impossible longing has ended, for once again they are one.
THE END