[b]Part 17 - Another Time, Another Place - Section F[/b]

"God Liz. How can you bear it?" Maria asked quietly, breaking the silence that had sprung up in Alex's room after Liz had told Maria and Alex what was going on.

It was the Saturday morning after Liz and Max had found out the truth about Tess's baby. She knew that Max was with Michael and Isabel somewhere, explaining to [i]them[/i] about Tess. They had agreed that splitting up, humans and Czechs, might be the best idea, mainly because they really weren't in the mood for a giant blow-up. Which was always entirely too likely when the six of them were together.

And so, Maria lay with her head on Liz's shoulder. Liz had her own cheek pressed against Alex's chest, her eyes staring blankly at the television screen where [I]Spaceballs[/I] played, Alex's vain attempt to take Liz's mind off of her problems, if only for a little while, although he hadn't been quite sure what those [I]problems[/I] were when he had started it.

But when Liz had finally told them exactly what had happened, that Max [I]had[/I] slept with Tess, even if only by accident, that the baby [I]was[/I] his, and that he was desperately searching for a way to get his former life bride back to their home planet to save the child, they had both just sat in stunned silence for close to fifteen minutes, the silly antics of the movie seeming even more ludicrous playing into the horrible stillness.

"I am so sorry Lizzie." This was from Alex, who's breath was still coming in short puffs, even after his shock had begun to fade. Liz could feel how tense he was under her cheek. He was barely managing to keep his rage in check.
Liz remembered the story Maria had told her about the time Alex had punched Michael for hurting her. It made Liz worry that he was going to blame Max for all of this, even if it wasn't his fault. In Alex's mind, hurting either Liz or Maria, whether by accident or not, was unacceptable.

Alex's first loyalty was to Liz and Maria, always had been, always would be. Even his relationship with Isabel was too new and fragile to change that fact. Liz knew, with certainty, that if Alex had to choose between his two "girls" and any of the Czechs, even Isabel, he would choose Liz and Maria.

Which made Liz feel even worse. Because she knew that she could not say the same. Ever since Max had healed her that day in the Crashdown, she had always chosen [I]him[/I], even over Alex and Maria. She had almost lost Alex over it in fact. She still sighed with relief knowing that their friendship had survived the whole secret that had almost torn them apart. But she knew, deep down, that she would do it all over again if she had to.

Max was her entire world. And keeping Alex aware of this fact was essential. Because Liz knew that Alex was presently right on the precipice. If he couldn't deal with it, with the fact that Max [I]had[/I] technically cheated on her, it was going to tear their group apart.

He might never forgive Max for it but he was going to have to [I]deal[/I] with it. Even the thought of a rift between her boyfriend and her best friend made Liz feel weak. They could not turn on each other now, not when they most needed each other. All of them.

But Liz knew that Alex would make the right choice. He always did.

It had been a long time since Liz had just spent an evening alone with her two best friends. It was cathartic, comforting, reinvigorating. For once, [I]she[/I] didn't have to be the strong one. She was allowed to wallow, allowed to cry, allowed to voice her fear with Alex and Maria.

She needed this more than she needed anything at the moment.

"I love him." Liz replied simply. "And it wasn't his fault. He needs me."

There was another long silence, and then Alex spoke urgently, in a low voice. "But Liz, what about what [I]you[/I] need? A baby? It's going to be around forever."

"And I'll be his mother."

Maria sat up with a gasp. "Liz! You're only eighteen years old! And were you [I]not[/I] the one who told me that I wasn't ready to be a mother when I wanted to marry Brody for Sydney's sake?"

"Maria, there is a difference." Liz retorted patiently. "You weren't in love with Sydney's father. I love Max. And I'll love anything that is a part of him too. It's not the baby's fault that Tess is a lying skank."

Maria brought her hands up around her mouth, clearly trying to hold in hysterical giggles. "Liz, I can't believe you just said that!" She paused, then added. "Well, I can actually. Because it's what [I]I've[/I] always said."

"Well, it's true and you were right." Liz smiled weakly. Calling Tess names was not making her feel better though.

"I still don't like this - not a bit." Liz could feel Alex tapping his fingers lightly against her back. She frowned slightly, wondered why he seemed so impatient. Was he planning to go confront Max about this? Because Max had enough to deal with. He and Michael were presently attempting to translate the book that Tess had found in the Roswell Library the year before, in a vain attempt to figure out if they could get home.

If all else failed, Max was ready to go to Larek, through Brody. But that was only going to be as a last resort. Liz knew that Max still had not forgiven himself for all Brody had had to go through because of him.

But if he had to, Max would do it. Now that he knew that Liz was behind him, now that he had accepted his son, he was [I]not[/I] going to stop until he found a way to save him.

"Alex, please. I need your support on this." Liz pleaded quietly. "I need you guys. I have to be strong for Max, but I can't do it alone."

Liz felt Maria take her hand, accepting her role readily. But then Maria was much more bonded to the whole situation than Alex was, even now, with the Isabel situation. Maria's relationship with Michael was solid now, gave her what she needed.

It was different for Alex though. Alex had managed to build something of a life for himself outside of the alien abyss, what with Sweden and his brief interlude with Leanna. He had shown that it [I]was[/I] possible - at least for him.

Liz knew it was impossible for [I]her[/I]. She had been without Max, had seen how wrong it was on every level, and she was unwilling to let anything stand between them again.

But Alex could still save himself.

And, yet, Liz knew that Alex's hesitation had [I]nothing[/I] to do with himself. It was all about her and what he was willing to watch her do, give up.

Liz could almost hear the wheels of indecision turning in his brain as he wrestled with his anger about the whole situation, wrestled with the question of whether he could continue to support something that he clearly thought was so dangerous and hurtful to Liz.

Finally, he just sighed heavily and said, "Okay. If it's what you want Liz, then okay."

She felt tears prickle her eyes, her relief so great, it felt as though a great weight had been lifted off of her heart.

"Thank you. You two are my best friends. I will always be grateful that I've been blessed with you."

"Stuck with us is more like it." Alex joked, grabbing Maria and hauling her down on top of both of them, as they both she and Liz started to giggle. "You're never going to get rid of us now Parker. Uncle Alex is about to be born. I'm telling you, you and Max are going to regret it when I begin to take the little alien under my tutelage. I will mold him to my very image." He cackled wickedly.

"Oh Lord help us. He's going to want to be in a band when he grows up, isn't he?" Maria laughed.

Liz just closed her eyes, enjoying the warm glow of acceptance and love that being with true friends could create.

*****************************************

The crash of the tray falling from Maria's hands resounded through the Crashdown, making Michael jump to his feet, bringing Liz's heart into her throat. They had all been meeting, Max and Michael filling them in on their progress regarding the journey back to Antar. Liz had been quietly wiping down the tables while she listened to the cadence of Max's voice rising and falling, wondering if she would forget what he sounded like when he was gone.

She knew she wouldn't, but as the decision was made that they were going to have to go to Larek, she knew it was only a matter of time until she was going to find out first hand. Tess was getting weaker by the day. Max was getting more desperate by the day.

The baby was dying. They needed to get him off the planet as soon as possible.

Which meant that every minute passing was a minute closer to Max leaving.

But the sooner he left, the sooner he could come back to her.

All of this had been whirling through her mind. And so Liz could not even register what was happening as Maria came crashing through the swinging door, the Sheriff on her heels. She launched herself at Liz, nearly sending them both to the floor in her hysteria.

They had all been meeting. All but Alex, who had had an appointment with someone from the Swedish exchange program that he couldn't get out of.

All but Alex...

"There's...there's been an accident." Liz could barely hear the Sheriff's soft words over Maria's sobs.

Oh my God.

It was Liz's last coherent thought before the cold finally took complete possession of her heart. She was completely unaware of Isabel's shrieks, of Michael grabbing her, shaking her, having to slap her across the face to pull her back from wherever it was she had gone. She was unaware of Maria grasping at her like a lifeline, looking for some sort of comfort, where none existed.

And then, her eyes very briefly met Max's over Maria's shoulder. And she returned from the cold place. Somehow she came back.

He could fix this.

He looked lost, like he didn't even know where to begin comforting her.

But Liz knew. There was one chance to save this. There was one chance to stop the cold permanently.

Her eyes locked with Max's.

He closed his own briefly, seemed to know what she was asking of him. A shudder passed through his body, but he swallowed, hard, and stood.

"Take me to him."

*****************************************

Liz wasn't sure how she just stood with her arm around Maria, supporting her, as she watched Max walk towards the ambulance where Alex lay. All she felt like doing was running after him, ordering him to fix it, fix what they had broken when she and the future version of him had messed with the timeline.

Fix it Max. Fix it.

But his gait was tentative, unsure. He didn't think he could save Alex. Liz knew Max well enough to know this.

Anger. At Max. At Present Max and Future Max. She knew it was irrational, but she felt it anyway. And it was better than the cold. Anything was better than the cold.

He owed her this at least. He owed her her best friend. He had to be able to [I]fix[/I] something!

But he was back too soon. Much too soon. Liz had never seen his face so white, even when he had had to tell her about what had happened between he and Tess.

He looked like his entire world had ended. And he and Alex weren't even that close.

Liz felt bile beginning to rise in her throat.

Oh God.

He came to her first, his hand outstretched, his gaze begging her to absolve him of the fact that he could not fix it. But suddenly Isabel had turned, was running, her sobs filtering back through the still night. Max's gaze followed her, torn.

"Go Max." Liz ordered. She didn't want him. He could not help her. Let him go after Isabel, where he could do some good. Maybe.

"Liz, are you sure?" Max asked, his tone low, afraid.

"It's okay Max." Valenti stepped forward. Liz felt the Sheriff put his arm around she and Maria, turn them away. "Go after Isabel. I'll take care of the girls."

But Max could not take his gaze from Liz's. "Liz..."

"GO!"

He blinked. And he went.

*****************************************

It was when the report came back that Alex had committed suicide that Liz finally managed to come in from the cold.

She had allowed herself to remain numb for two days. She had seen no one except Maria. And Michael. She had let Michael come in, because Maria wanted him.

She knew that Max wanted to see her. Michael had even tentatively suggested it, but she rejected the idea out of hand.

She could not handle Max right now - could not handle Max with his monumental problems, his immense guilt and his inability to fix anything.

But when Michael told them about the report, the outrage that burned through her veins thawed them, temporarily anyway.

"It's not true. It's impossible."

And so she began to investigate. She found the picture of Alex with Leanna, with Alex's face cut out. She found the receipt with the strange numbers on it.

She knew that Michael was following her around while she did it all, knew that Max had ordered him to, that he was worried about her.

He did not try to follow her himself.

Max had gotten the picture. Max did not try to talk to her anymore - had not tried for a couple of days, at least since the funeral, where Liz had sat motionless and frozen.

She ignored the tortured expression on his face, the despair in his eyes.

He could have fixed it and he didn't. She had stood with him through thick and thin, through betrayal, had even lied, betrayed her own heart for a future version of him and when she asked him to do one little thing for her, he failed.

He had done this - that future version. By changing the timeline, they had killed Alex. Alex was supposed to live. He had been at Max and Liz's wedding.

And this Max could not even save him.

And she would never forgive him for it.