2006

His tuxedo itched. He hated the starch in the shirt, it made him itch. The things he did for a friend.

For the thousandth time since the ceremony began, he wished that he would have taken an entire jar full of antacids.

His stomach churned.

He should be happy.

Life was wonderful.

Alex had a good job, a wonderful family, no more aliens to fight or FBI to run from.

Today, one of his best friends was getting married. He should be happy. But he wasn't.

It was one more step, one more step that assured that Jill Diane Valenti would never exist in this world.

Kyle and Tess exchanged their vows, neither conscious of another reality where a totally different timeline had taken place.

He'd been sad when Liz and Max eloped to Vegas- he couldn't help but compare it to the other wedding he'd been a witness too. No chance for Rob.

He'd actually cried when Maria gave birth to a boy, instead of the firstborn baby girl named Casey.

And a part of him was saddened when he saw his ring on Isabel's finger.

He missed Jill. He loved Isabel, but there was a hole in his heart, a place in his heart that Isabel couldn't touch. No matter how hard she tried.

And sometimes, he almost swore that he saw Jill's sweet face when he was talking to Isabel.

He applauded and joined in the cheer the wedding party let out as Mr. And Mrs. Kyle Valenti kissed for the first time.

***

He sat at the reception, not really wanting to dance.

Alex played with his piece of wedding cake, pushing it up and down his plate.

He felt someone plunk down beside him, and looked up into the face of a very pregnant Liz Evans.

"How's the little one?" He said, placing his hand on her stomach.

"Doing good. Alex, what's wrong?"

"Wrong? Oh, nothing?"

She rolled her eyes. "Don't even tell me that. I've known you for too long."

Alex shrugged, and then remembered the other Liz's story about Future Max.

Could it hurt?

"Did you ever wonder.." he said, summoning all his courage, "What would have happened if this timeline progressed differently?"


THE END