*****************************
CHAPTER THREE:
"I still can't believe you decked Max," said Liz to Alex. They, along with Isabel and Maria, were in the back room of the Crashdown. Alex had just gotten there, and was told that Isabel had informed Liz and Maria about Max's threat. Both were shocked, but not as much as they were when Alex had told them where he had been.
"If you ask me, Max deserved it," said Maria. "I can't believe he would threaten Isabel. Give him a cheesy mustache, and lately he could be like Adolf Hitler."
Meanwhile, Alex was sitting on the couch, rubbing his hand that he had used to deck Max, which still smarted from rendering the blow to Max's jaw. Isabel was sitting next to him, snuggled up against him and resting her head on his shoulder.
"You know," said Isabel, taking Alex's hand and kissing it gently. "I would normally be upset about someone hitting my brother, but I actually find myself hoping you knocked some sense into him." She then kissed him on the neck, and rubbed his chest. "My protector."
"Um, should we leave while you feel each other up or something?" asked Maria.
"Actually, we should be discussing what to do about Max," said Alex.
"You know, somehow I don't believe Alex decking him is going to get through to him," said Liz.
"I agree," said Isabel. "He needs to be taught a lesson."
"I've got an idea about that, actually," said Alex. "We should teach him about just how much freedom you have, Isabel."
"What's the plan?" asked Maria.
"I take Isabel away from Roswell for a couple of days," said Alex. "We don't tell Max where we are going, or when we are coming back. He can stew back here and learn a valuable lesson about control."
"I like it," said Isabel. "But where will we go?"
"How about the Grand Canyon?" asked Alex.
Isabel smiled. "I've never been there," she said. "I hear its beautiful, though. And romantic."
"So, are we going then?" asked Alex.
"We are," said Isabel.
**
Several days later, Isabel and Alex were on the road in Arizona, heading for the Grand Canyon in Alex's Toyota. The back was loaded up with camping equipment and supplies for several days of camping out.
"I still can't believe we're doing this," said Isabel. "I mean, when did we become such rebels?"
"Um, Isabel, we've taken on FBI agents, alien organisms, and the Sheriff," said Alex. "When have we NOT had to be rebels?"
"Yeah, but I mean...I didn't even tell my parents about this."
"Liz and Maria are covering," said Alex. "Your parents think you are staying with them on a sort of girls weekend. As for my parents, my oldest brother is covering for me. If my parents ask, he's going to tell them I'm staying with him."
"I haven't even seen Max very much," said Isabel. "I saw him once since you hit him at Michael's. He just gave me a weird look, then walked away. God, Alex, I wish I knew if we were doing the right thing."
"He has to learn that you have a right to live your own life," said Alex. "And you will do it on your terms. Anyhow, let's not talk about Max right now. Let's just talk about anything else."
They drove on through the Arizona desert, talking about anything and everything BUT Max Evans. After several hours on the road, they got to the Grand Canyon. Alex had called ahead and reserved a camp site at the South Rim's campground. They set up camp, then went to see the canyon. They watched the sun set together, Isabel leaning back into Alex's embrace, his arms wrapped around her waist from behind.
"That's the second most beautiful thing I have ever seen," said Alex, referring to the sun set.
"What's the first?" asked Isabel.
Alex kissed her neck. "You have to ask?"
That night, after eating and sitting around the campfire for a while, they piled into their tent for a good night's sleep. Isabel slipped into a pair of shorts and a tank top, while Alex put on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Alex lay down on their sleeping bag first, pulling Isabel down into his arms. She rested her head on Alex's chest, as he pulled the blanket around the two of them.
"Alex," said Isabel. "I was wondering, just....how far you think...do you expect us to..."
"I will do whatever you feel comfortable with, Izzy," said Alex. "I'm not going into this trip with any pre-conceived expectations regarding, well....consummation of our relationship."
"Good," said Isabel. "Alex, I love you dearly, but...I'm just not ready..."
"Shh," said Alex, kissing the top of her head and gently running his hands through her long, blonde hair. "Its okay, I understand. I'm not sure I'm ready either. We'll take that part slow, and do what feels right."
They lay there silently for a few moments, before Isabel said what was on her mind. "I wonder if Max is out looking for me."
"I'd bet he is pretty pissed right now," said Alex.
"I hate being at odds with Max," said Isabel. "Ever since the day we came out of those pods, Max and I have had each other. Now, even with you holding me....I feel somehow...alone."
"Isabel, it will be okay," said Alex. "Deep down, I know Max still loves you. I love you. Michael loves you. Liz and Maria care about you. Even Kyle Valenti is part of your circle of friends now."
"I noticed you left Tess out of that circle just now," said Isabel.
"Damned right," said Alex.
"Look, I'm not exactly pleased with Tess either," said Isabel. "I think she is somehow having an effect on Max in terms of his foul moods lately. But, you...Alex, you seem to hate her with a passion."
"I don't know what it is, Isabel," said Alex. "But for the past month, every time I look at her, or think about her, I sense that there is something dangerous about her. I can't put my finger on it. Its like...there is an answer. I know its there, but its somehow out of my grasp."
"But Tess has become a friend to all of us, really," said Isabel. "Think about that trip we all took to Las Vegas. She even got along pretty well with Liz..."
"And then, I didn't have these feelings of anxiety about her that I do now," said Alex. "Just, for me...do me a favor. Give Tess Harding a wide berth. Please."
"Okay, I will," said Isabel. "If it will make you feel better."
Alex kissed the top of her head. "Thank you. Now, let's get some sleep. We've got more fun lined up for tomorrow."
The next day was fun indeed for the happy couple. Isabel had never really been the outdoorsy type, but as she walked along the trails near the Grand Canyon with Alex, she had never felt more alive. She was in a beautiful place, with the man she loved, and all of her problems and anxieties melted away. Then, the following day, they packed up their camp, and headed back to Roswell, and to whatever they would find waiting for them when they got there.
End of Chapter Three. Chapter Four coming soon.
Yes, I know, this was a mushy chapter, but big things are coming up in the next chapter, so be sure to stay tuned in for the next installment. In the meantime, please keep those reviews coming. Let me know what you think of the story so far, any comments you may have.
CHAPTER THREE:
"I still can't believe you decked Max," said Liz to Alex. They, along with Isabel and Maria, were in the back room of the Crashdown. Alex had just gotten there, and was told that Isabel had informed Liz and Maria about Max's threat. Both were shocked, but not as much as they were when Alex had told them where he had been.
"If you ask me, Max deserved it," said Maria. "I can't believe he would threaten Isabel. Give him a cheesy mustache, and lately he could be like Adolf Hitler."
Meanwhile, Alex was sitting on the couch, rubbing his hand that he had used to deck Max, which still smarted from rendering the blow to Max's jaw. Isabel was sitting next to him, snuggled up against him and resting her head on his shoulder.
"You know," said Isabel, taking Alex's hand and kissing it gently. "I would normally be upset about someone hitting my brother, but I actually find myself hoping you knocked some sense into him." She then kissed him on the neck, and rubbed his chest. "My protector."
"Um, should we leave while you feel each other up or something?" asked Maria.
"Actually, we should be discussing what to do about Max," said Alex.
"You know, somehow I don't believe Alex decking him is going to get through to him," said Liz.
"I agree," said Isabel. "He needs to be taught a lesson."
"I've got an idea about that, actually," said Alex. "We should teach him about just how much freedom you have, Isabel."
"What's the plan?" asked Maria.
"I take Isabel away from Roswell for a couple of days," said Alex. "We don't tell Max where we are going, or when we are coming back. He can stew back here and learn a valuable lesson about control."
"I like it," said Isabel. "But where will we go?"
"How about the Grand Canyon?" asked Alex.
Isabel smiled. "I've never been there," she said. "I hear its beautiful, though. And romantic."
"So, are we going then?" asked Alex.
"We are," said Isabel.
**
Several days later, Isabel and Alex were on the road in Arizona, heading for the Grand Canyon in Alex's Toyota. The back was loaded up with camping equipment and supplies for several days of camping out.
"I still can't believe we're doing this," said Isabel. "I mean, when did we become such rebels?"
"Um, Isabel, we've taken on FBI agents, alien organisms, and the Sheriff," said Alex. "When have we NOT had to be rebels?"
"Yeah, but I mean...I didn't even tell my parents about this."
"Liz and Maria are covering," said Alex. "Your parents think you are staying with them on a sort of girls weekend. As for my parents, my oldest brother is covering for me. If my parents ask, he's going to tell them I'm staying with him."
"I haven't even seen Max very much," said Isabel. "I saw him once since you hit him at Michael's. He just gave me a weird look, then walked away. God, Alex, I wish I knew if we were doing the right thing."
"He has to learn that you have a right to live your own life," said Alex. "And you will do it on your terms. Anyhow, let's not talk about Max right now. Let's just talk about anything else."
They drove on through the Arizona desert, talking about anything and everything BUT Max Evans. After several hours on the road, they got to the Grand Canyon. Alex had called ahead and reserved a camp site at the South Rim's campground. They set up camp, then went to see the canyon. They watched the sun set together, Isabel leaning back into Alex's embrace, his arms wrapped around her waist from behind.
"That's the second most beautiful thing I have ever seen," said Alex, referring to the sun set.
"What's the first?" asked Isabel.
Alex kissed her neck. "You have to ask?"
That night, after eating and sitting around the campfire for a while, they piled into their tent for a good night's sleep. Isabel slipped into a pair of shorts and a tank top, while Alex put on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Alex lay down on their sleeping bag first, pulling Isabel down into his arms. She rested her head on Alex's chest, as he pulled the blanket around the two of them.
"Alex," said Isabel. "I was wondering, just....how far you think...do you expect us to..."
"I will do whatever you feel comfortable with, Izzy," said Alex. "I'm not going into this trip with any pre-conceived expectations regarding, well....consummation of our relationship."
"Good," said Isabel. "Alex, I love you dearly, but...I'm just not ready..."
"Shh," said Alex, kissing the top of her head and gently running his hands through her long, blonde hair. "Its okay, I understand. I'm not sure I'm ready either. We'll take that part slow, and do what feels right."
They lay there silently for a few moments, before Isabel said what was on her mind. "I wonder if Max is out looking for me."
"I'd bet he is pretty pissed right now," said Alex.
"I hate being at odds with Max," said Isabel. "Ever since the day we came out of those pods, Max and I have had each other. Now, even with you holding me....I feel somehow...alone."
"Isabel, it will be okay," said Alex. "Deep down, I know Max still loves you. I love you. Michael loves you. Liz and Maria care about you. Even Kyle Valenti is part of your circle of friends now."
"I noticed you left Tess out of that circle just now," said Isabel.
"Damned right," said Alex.
"Look, I'm not exactly pleased with Tess either," said Isabel. "I think she is somehow having an effect on Max in terms of his foul moods lately. But, you...Alex, you seem to hate her with a passion."
"I don't know what it is, Isabel," said Alex. "But for the past month, every time I look at her, or think about her, I sense that there is something dangerous about her. I can't put my finger on it. Its like...there is an answer. I know its there, but its somehow out of my grasp."
"But Tess has become a friend to all of us, really," said Isabel. "Think about that trip we all took to Las Vegas. She even got along pretty well with Liz..."
"And then, I didn't have these feelings of anxiety about her that I do now," said Alex. "Just, for me...do me a favor. Give Tess Harding a wide berth. Please."
"Okay, I will," said Isabel. "If it will make you feel better."
Alex kissed the top of her head. "Thank you. Now, let's get some sleep. We've got more fun lined up for tomorrow."
The next day was fun indeed for the happy couple. Isabel had never really been the outdoorsy type, but as she walked along the trails near the Grand Canyon with Alex, she had never felt more alive. She was in a beautiful place, with the man she loved, and all of her problems and anxieties melted away. Then, the following day, they packed up their camp, and headed back to Roswell, and to whatever they would find waiting for them when they got there.
End of Chapter Three. Chapter Four coming soon.
Yes, I know, this was a mushy chapter, but big things are coming up in the next chapter, so be sure to stay tuned in for the next installment. In the meantime, please keep those reviews coming. Let me know what you think of the story so far, any comments you may have.