This was written in response to the Departure Debacle contest/challenge at Majik's World of Fan Fic. My submission is just for fun, since I couldn't pass up the chance to make it all better lol.

Disclaimer: You know the drill…the characters aren't mine. A lot of stuff in the beginning is taken from End of the World. God knows THAT'S not mine. Anything that makes sense and makes it all better, now that's mine. Seriously, Roswell and all characters belong to Jason Katims, 20th Century Fox etc. I'm just borrowing them.

Rating: PG-13 – possibly to R

Love Changes Everything

Chapter Four – Plans, Plans and More Plans

Kyle and Liz arrived at Maria's mother's shop, and Kyle came around to the passenger side of the car, helped Liz out, and escorted her inside, his hand firmly on her back.
"Oh God," said Maria, opening the door to let them in. "You told him, didn't you?"
"What gave it away," said Liz, rolling her eyes.
"Because he's hovering over you the same way Max, Michael and Alex want to. Girlfriend, when I start complaining about Michael's lack of boyfriend skills, remind me of this day. I am so glad that you got a visit from Future Max, instead of me getting a visit from a Future Michael."

The two girls laughed, and Kyle scowled at them as they walked into the storage part of the store. After everyone got settled with snacks and drinks, Max quickly reviewed everything they knew, and the group began to toss ideas back and forth.
"What if you just knock him out the next time he shows up?" asked Michael.
"That's my boyfriend, the master of stealth," said Maria.
"Michael, get serious," said Isabelle. Can you honestly see tiny little Liz knocking someone the size of Max unconscious?"
"She's right," said Liz. "I don't know if I'd have the strength to do that."
"No, she can't," said Kyle, "But we can. We can take turns sleeping on Liz's bathroom floor. That way whoever it is won't see us, but we can be there to protect Liz. Michael or I could probably take the first night," Kyle added.
"Why you or Michael?" asked Max, jealously.
"Think Max, use that kingly brain of yours. Michael doesn't have any parents to answer to. I have my dad, but he's already in on the secret. You and Alex need time to come up with a cover story."

"Excuse me," said Liz. "But did anybody thing about clearing this plan with ME?."
"Well, do you have a better plan?" Maria asked in a reasonable voice.
"No."
"Well, there you go then."
"Okay, I'll take the first shift," said Michael. "I'm supposed to close at the CrashDown tonight, so it will be easiest for me to slip upstairs."
"Fine," said Alex. "Now that we have that settled, does anybody have any theories about who is behind all of this?
"Tess," said Maria and Liz at the same time."
"Tess," said Michael.
"Tess," said Kyle.
"Yeah, me too," said Alex. "Max, Isabelle, what about you?"
"I don't know," said Isabelle. "I'm having a hard time accepting the fact that it could be Tess. I mean, she is supposed to be my," she paused.
"She was supposed to be your friend," continued Liz. "Another girl who know exactly what you've been going through all these years."
"Exactly," said Isabelle. "But I have to admit, I think it's her as well. Max, what about you?"
"I'm not sure. I guess I just don't want to believe that she'd betray us that way."
"Well believe it Maxwell," said Michael. "Because it looks like she is."

"Okay, now that we've got the who, let's move onto the how," said Kyle, looking at his friends. They all responded by looking at him blankly.
"Well, that was helpful," said Alex.
"Can any of you change your appearance in such a drastic way?" asked Liz.
"No," said Max. "But she has been learning how to use her powers all her life. Damn! If we only knew what was in that book we found last year. I know I should be able to read our language, but I can't. It's like it's right there, on the edge of my memory, but then it slips away again."

"Would you be willing to let me have a look at it?" asked Alex. "Maybe I can work some sort of program up on the computer to help us."
At Max's skeptical look, he continued. "Come on Max, it's worth a shot."
"He's right Max, said Isabelle. "He can't do any worse than we have."
"Fine," said Max. "When we leave here, Alex, come back to my house and I'll show you what we have.
"Well, I have to stay here and start inventory," said Maria. "Does anybody want to help?" she added hopefully.
"I'll help," said Isabelle, unexpectedly. "What?" she said to the stunned room. "It's better than the time I helped her wait tables."
"Fine," said Max, a bit resentful at having everybody else making decisions. "Alex, can you give me a ride back to my house, so I can leave the Jeep with Isabelle? And would you mind if we dropped Liz home too?"

"It's okay Max," said Liz. "Kyle can give me a ride home. It won't look as if I'm trying to convince you to fall out of love with me if you drive me home. That's what I'm supposed to be doing, remember?"
"Well, yeah, but,"
"No buts Maxwell," said Michael. "Liz is right. But it wouldn't be a bad idea if you and Alex took a swing by the CrashDown and caught them."
"I suppose," said Max, ungratefully.
"Kyle," said Alex quickly, hoping to head off anymore potential problems. What's your game plan for tonight?"
"Nothing big," said Kyle, casually. "Drop Liz off, swing home, and then stick to Tess, like glue if I have to."
"Do you think that's wise, Kyle?" asked Max.
"No, but do we have a choice? We all think she's behind this, this just seems like the best way to find out for sure."
"I don't like it," said Max.
"That's okay, since I don't recall asking if you did," snapped Kyle.

"Look, as much as I'm enjoying the testosterone fest," said Maria, stepping between them. "It's got to stop, now! You two need to chill out. Max, Kyle is right, we need to know what the witch is up too."
Kyle looked at Max and smirked.
"And Kyle, Max is right, it's too dangerous for you to stick close to her," Maria continued as Max smirked right back at Kyle. "Oh God! Will you two cut it out before you resort to sticking your tongues out at each other."
"Maria's right, you two are acting about as mature as kindergarteners. We don't have time for that crap. I have an idea anyhow. Kyle, instead of sticking to her, why don't you tail her."
"Tail her?" Kyle asked incredulously. "Who do you think I am? My father?"
"Kyle!"
"Alright, I'll do it, but if I'm going to play stakeout, I need to swing by the store and pick up some Ho Ho's first."