Alex sighed deeply as he rubbed a hand over his tired eyes. Today had been the longest in his entire life. He was so tired, so worn out, emotionally and physically, but there was no way that he was going to let himself sleep. With Max and Michael gone, it was now his job to watch out for Liz and Maria.
He wasn't sure who was taking it the hardest, or even if they could even begin to compare the levels of hurt, but today was just the beginning of a very long, hard road for them.
Liz hadn't said anything since her frantic questioning that morning. He suspected something beyond Max's leaving was bothering her, but he knew that she would tell him when she was ready. She always did. And he had always been there for her.
Maria…well, he had finally pried the near empty bottle from her hands…when she had started sobbing uncontrollably. Alex had never seen her drink, much less drunk before. She had always avoided alcohol because of Michael. Now Alex didn't know what to do with her. She was a different person.
His two best friends were in pain and because of his own, he couldn't even help them.
It was now almost midnight and Alex wished for nothing more than yesterday.
Yesterday, life had been good. Isabel had been there and they had been happy…together. But yesterday was an eternity ago. Things would never be the same.
"I can't wait to see Max and Liz again. I can't believe it's been a year since we've seen them." Isabel was practically bouncing around the house as she cleaned.
Alex couldn't help but smile at his wife. Ten years ago, if someone had told him that he would end up married to Isabel Evans, Ice Queen of West Roswell High, and that she would be open and happy…well, yeah, ok…he would have believed it. But he would have been the only one.
Isabel was one of those rare types of people. After she had let him into her heart, she had changed. The ice barrier had melted and the real Isabel came through.
Topolsky had been right. She craved security and stability. She had even gotten over the "dream" of becoming a supermodel and was working on the care-giving field part.
Just a month ago, she had completed medical school and she and Alex had returned to Roswell. And if anyone asked him, Dr. Isabel Whitman was the best pediatrician on staff at Roswell General.
The wondrous doctor was fidgety from the prospect of seeing her brother again. Alex understood the feeling though. Liz had been like a sister to him and he had missed her while she had been busy playing scientist at Harvard.
"Iz…you're going to break something if you don't calm down," he teased, looking up from the laptop that sat before him.
She paused and flashed him a brilliant smile, "Not like I can't fix it."
He laughed. "True." He closed the laptop and slid his work to one side, "Come here."
She came so she was standing beside him and smiled, "Yes?"
Alex grabbed her by the arm, pulling her onto his lap. His hands framed her face and their lips were pressed together before she knew what was happening. She opened her mouth slightly, allowing his tongue to find hers.
He could never get enough of her. It was the faint scent of cinnamon. It was the way her soft golden hair shone in the light. It was the love that he saw in her rich brown eyes. It was the way she sighed when they touched.
No matter where he was or what he was doing, part of her was always there, haunting him. But he didn't mind. He never had. It had been his one dream, to be with her.
Alex shook the memories away. It was true though. Even if she had left, she was still there. It was the little things that reminded him and that hurt the most. Her note was still in his pocket where he had shoved it this morning.
He pulled the crumpled paper out and felt the familiar tug at the sight of her delicate print.
Alex,
We found a way home. I'm sorry. I have to go.
-Isabel
He stayed like that for a few moments before returning the note and looking around the room.
Maria was sleeping on the couch, her arm curled around a pillow for comfort. Liz was still in the chair. The occasional tremor that went through her told him that she was still crying.
Alex walked over to the window and looked up at the night sky. His gaze went directly to the familiar V-shaped constellation and he sent up a whispered prayer. "Please find what you're looking for and come home to us…" He sighed and leaned his forehead against the cool glass, feeling alone and haunted at the same time.