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 Fifty-Five Back in the Saddle Again

Right on cue, Jim Valenti walked into the suite and smiled apologetically at Kyle. "Son, I'm sorry," he said. "I just got a call from Hanson, and I'm needed back in Roswell, right away. "

"No problem, Dad," said Kyle. "We know things like that come up. You can head out now, and we'll follow in the limo later on."

"Well, see, the thing is, Amy and I were out really late last night. Actually, we didn't get in until this morning, and I'm really tired. Too tired to drive in fact. I was hoping maybe you wouldn't mind driving us back."

"Oh, yeah, sure, Dad. No problem. After all, you were good enough to do this for us, it's the least I can do for you," Kyle answered.

"Tess? I was hoping you'd come along with us, and spell Kyle on some of the driving. I mean, since we're all going back to the same house and all," he let his voice trail off, but the subtle reminder that she was a guest in his house hung in the air.

"Oh, uh, yeah, sure," Tess answered grudgingly. "Glad to do it."

Tess and Kyle made quick work of gathering their belongings, and Kyle and Jim wheeled the bags out into the hall, while Amy and Tess made a last minute survey to make sure they hadn't forgotten anything."

"Great job, Dad," said Kyle. "You were fantastic in there."

"Why are we doing this again?" asked Jim.

"We just are Dad," said Kyle. "I can't explain it right now, but it's complicated. Just know that we all really needed this trip. Thanks for going along with our plan to get away."

The door to the suite opened, and Amy walked out, smiling romantically at Jim, while Tess trailed along behind her, with a scowl on her face."

"Tell you what," said Jim, as they stepped into the elevator. "I'll get us out of Vegas proper, and then you two kids can take over."

"Great," said Tess, as the elevator door slid shut, shutting her effectively out of Max and Liz's life for several hours.

The door to the suite clicked open softly, and Michael looked into the empty hallway.

"Their gone," he said unnecessarily, to Ava, who stood next to him. "Are you sure you want to do this. I mean, you can ride back with us."

"I'll be fine, Michael. Don't worry. Mind warping Tess is no big deal. She wants to believe that she and Max have this perfect life, so it's not that hard to convince her it's happening."

"I just worry about you,' Michael said, with uncharacteristic emotion in his voice. "I kind of like having you around. You're a great sister."

"And you're a great brother," Ava answered, hugging him briefly. "But my place is with my husband. I'd better get down there before they leave."

"You've got your cell, right?" Michael asked. "If you need me, need anything, you call, right away."

"Yes, Big Brother," she giggled.

Michael walked her to the elevator and waited until she was safely ensconced inside the steel cage. After the elevator began its descent, he turned and walked back into the room.


"They're gone," he said. "Ava decided to go with them at the last minute. She didn't want to be separated from Kyle. We've got two hours before the limo picks us up. I say we hit the casinos, and do some serious gambling. I'm still a little short of my goal."

"Sounds like a plan," said Max, while the others nodded their agreement. "Just remember to stick to the plan.

They made their way down to the casino, and split up. Each of them used their powers carefully to win money, but not too much at any table or machine at any one time. At the end of two hours, the group reassembled and waited in the hotel lobby for their limo to arrive.

"We have to do something huge for Kyle and Ava when we get back," said Liz. "Their taking Tess back and giving us some alone time is way above and beyond."

"Oh, and I suppose the hundred grand I just won for them doesn't count?" said Michael.

"I think Liz was talking about something a little more romantic, Space Boy," said Maria, slipping her arm in his. "But the cash is good too," she added, practically.

"Hey, I hate to break this up," said Alex. "But our carriage has arrived."

"Yeah, it's time to leave the bright lights and excitement of beautiful Las Vegas, and head back to boring old Roswell," said Isabelle.

They gathered up their bags, and slipped out of the hotel, and into the hot Nevada sun. The driver helped the guys stow the luggage in the trunk, and one by one, they climbed into the limo, until only Max and Liz were left standing in the desert heat.

"Happy?" asked Max.

"As I'll ever be," said Liz, leaning against him. "Being married to you, and starting our family is a dream come true."

"We'll make it work, Liz," said Max. "Going to school, and having a baby will be hard, but we can do it. We can do anything. I love you Liz Parker Evans, and I always will."

"Paging Mr. and Mrs. Evans," Maria called from the limo. "Mr. and Mrs. Max Evans, get your married asses back into the car with the rest of the newlyweds so we can head back to Roswell!"

Liz pulled herself reluctantly from Max's grasp. "Keep your shirt on, Mrs. Guerin," she joked. "We're coming."

"Are you kidding? I want to get home, so my husband can take it off," came Maria's unexpected ribald comment.

Liz and Max climbed into the limo after one last look around. The driver started the car, and pulled out onto the busy Las Vegas Strip. Two people stepped out from behind a parked shuttle bus, and watched as the limo stopped at a light, before it turned out of sight.

"Well, ain't that just the sweetest thing," said Lonnie, her voice rich with sarcasm.

"Yeah," said Rath. "Queenie may think she's all that, but she ain't nothin but all wrong. We better get ourselves to Roswell fast, before this blows up in our faces."