Thanks for the feedback.  I loved it.  It definitely got me writing sooner.  This section isn't completely to my liking, but let me know what you think.  Sorry its so short.

Chapter 2

            Max Evans walked into the Crashdown with his girlfriend on his arm.  Tess seemed to love going to the Crashdown now that she was gone.  However, for Max, it was just another sad reminder.  The restaurant held many memories of happier times.  As they sat down at a booth with the remainder of the gang, the restaurant was quiet.  Each person was lost in his or her own thoughts.  Everyone had a different reaction to Liz and Michael's disappearance. 

At first, Max wondered where it all went wrong.  He and Liz seemed happy.  Okay, they weren't perfect and Tess' presence made things difficult, but he thought they loved each other.  Then he had found her in bed with Kyle.  In his pain, he turned to Tess.  She seemed to understand him and his destiny was with her, but he didn't love her.  She was a means to an end.  Tess was rightfully his and he treated her that way.  Max pushed any emotions aside.  Emotions got him into this mess a long time ago.  He had sworn to himself, no more.  He was a King and a leader.  He needed to stop reacting to problems and start acting.  He had a plant to return to one day and he refused to return with the weaknesses his human emotions brought.

            Tess made sure a smile lit up her face constantly.  She was happy, most of the time.  She did have Max after all.  Yet, he wasn't the same Max anymore.  He was hard and withdrawn.   At times, he was down right cruel.  He ordered her around and expected to be obeyed.  Sometimes Tess wondered if she would have been better off without Max.  It didn't matter.  This was her destiny.  Max was taking his role as king seriously.  She was his queen and had to act like it.

            It wasn't always this way.  At first when the gang discovered that Liz had left, Max had immediately tried to find her.  He needed to talk to her.  Find out why she left and ask her to come home.  He seemed to be willing to forget the past and start a new future.  Max had become obsessed with finding her.  He constantly nagged the Parkers for any information on her whereabouts and her well being.  Each time they explained that it was Liz's decision to leave.  She was fine, but she had no plans to return.  Not satisfied with that, Max had resorted to breaking into the Parkers' home to look for clues.  He searched the apartment and Liz's room extensively.  However, he never found any clues.  The biggest surprise came when Max threatened Alex into hacking his way into the Parkers' phone records.  He had hoped to find Liz's new number.  Alex's search came up empty handed, but wound up with a black eye instead.

            Isabel had understood Max's reaction at first, but he went too far when he hurt Alex.  She cared deeply about him and was forming a lasting relationship with him.  She couldn't believe her own brother hurt him for no good reason.  What angered Isabel even more was the fact that Max didn't seem to care that Michael was gone.  While Max continued his search for Liz, he didn't bother to look for Michael.  Isabel didn't understand how Max could forget about Michael so easily.  Her brother was no longer the guy he used to be.

            Alex and Maria had been devastated when they discovered Liz had left without so much as a good-bye.  A few weeks later, both had received a later.  There was no return address and no postmark.  Inside was a long letter from Liz. She tried to explain that she needed a fresh start.  Somewhere without Max and Tess to constantly remind her of what she no longer had.  Liz had written that she would understand if they hated her, but asked for their forgiveness.  She gave no indication that she planned to return to Roswell.  Both she and Alex were relieved to hear that Liz was being taken care of by Michael.  It was easier knowing she wasn't out there alone.  Liz had one last plea.  She asked Alex and Maria to keep the letters from Max.  She couldn't risk him finding her.  She had also promised to write soon.

            Maria's letter had a second note enclosed.  This time, it was from Michael.  As the tears poured down her face, she read on as Michael explained that he loved her as a friend.  He never wanted to hurt her.  Maria learned that it had been his idea to follow Liz.  He couldn't let Liz alone, not when she was hurting so much.  They were both finishing school and doing well.  He begged her forgiveness and told her to move on with her life.  Although she was hurt, she did just that.  Maria moved on and started seeing other guys.  Currently, she was a guy named Jake.  He seemed perfect for Maria.  They didn't argue like she and Michael and they both loved music.  Although she was still sad that she couldn't share her new experiences with her sister, she understood.  The three musketeers were no longer.  Without Liz, Alex and Maria became closer than ever and each month, they meet over a pint of ice cream to read the newest letter from Liz, still with no return address. 

            "Any news?"  Max's rough voice startled each member from their thoughts. 

            Isabel sighed and shook her head.  "Max, it's been over a year.  Liz isn't coming back.  Michael doesn't want to be found.  Isn't it enough to know that they are okay?"

            "But we don't, do we?  Someone could have taken them.  How do you know they aren't having problems with the FBI?"  Max jumped down her throat immediately and began another tirade. 

            "Look Max, I spoke to him last week.  Everything is fine.  Stop being so stubborn and paranoid and move on!"  By the time Isabel realized what she said, it was too late.  Max had already caught her slip.

            "When did you talk to him?  Where is he?  I demand to know!!"

            Isabel was grateful as Alex wrapped an arm around her waist for support.  He knew about her frequent talks with Michael and he shared any news from Liz's letters.  Together they were both satisfied that their friends were happy and safe.  "Michael and I talk in our dreams occasionally.  He doesn't say much, just that he's safe and things are fine.  He never tells me where he is or how to find him.  Actually, he's more concerned about things here."

            "How long!!"  Max was furious.  Standing up, he pounded his fist on the table. He saw Isabel's news as a betrayal.  She had no right to hide this kind of information from him.

            Alex stood up next, trying to direct some of Max's anger away from Isabel.  "Sit down Max and relax.  Michael asked her not to tell you.  He just wants to make sure if their an emergency.  It's the only way he would come back.  Even then, he wouldn't stay.  It's not Isabel's fault that they left.  You were the one who constantly flaunted your relationship in front of Liz.  You want to blame someone, look in the mirror!"

            Isabel and Maria were shocked and held their breath.  Alex had never raised his voice to Max.  He rarely did it if ever to anyone.  Both wondered how Max would react to Alex's reality check.  Soon they were able to exhale in relief.  Max had grabbed Tess and stormed out of the Crashdown without a word. 

            Maria was the first to speak.  "You know, I'm almost dreading the day he does find Liz.  I don't think he'll handle it too well."  Alex and Isabel silently agreed.  The day Max found Liz could be trouble with a capital 'T'.

TBC…

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