Chapter 7
Author's Note: Back again! Dun-dun-dun! Alrighty, so I hope this chapter turns out a lot better than the other two. Overall, I wasn't totally pleased with the other two, but whatever, that's what I got, lol. SO sorry for taking so long! First I had a writer's block, then I got busy outlining my new Dreamer fic, then I made an 'uh-oh' and sorta broke my computer, not to mention being oober busy with school work… Siigh I tell you! But everything seems to be up and running now, so J I really really really hope y'all like this chapter J
Thank You's: Thank you everyone for taking the time to give comments, feedback, etc, letting me know that this story doesn't suck! A special thanks to ParkerEvanss, who gives honest and very helpful suggestions! (Not that no one else does!) Okay, to answer some of her questions (these may be questions other may have): Max went back and told Liz what was going on cause she ran after Maria when Maria left. Granted, she was there for the most part and basically knew what was going down.. I needed, Max as well, a reason for them to see one another before he left I suppose. Why'd Ava go back with them? I wrote that she went back with them because if she had stayed, I would have been tempted to write it like on the show. And I didn't wanna do that, lol. So I changed it a bit. Plus, I wanted to see a bit of Max/Ava interaction. I know I didn't add important things like the Granilith, again, I didn't want it to be just like on the show. I dunno, doesn't seem like a big deal, but if ppl think so, I can always go back and add Liz mentioning sthing to Max before he leaves.
The next day, Liz was busy serving the customers in the diner. After a good night's rest, the after affects of dream walking Max had pretty much worn off. Isabel had called that morning, making sure she was okay.
"Order up!" the cook said. Liz walked over to the window, picked up the plate of food and headed over to the table that ordered it. It was late afternoon and the restaurant was pretty quiet. Not even a week after Thanksgiving, she didn't expect it to be packed; everyone had leftovers to eat at home.
"Now you sure your feeing better?" Maria asked, walking over to Liz.
"Maria, I'm fine," she assured her friend once more. "Isabel said it was probably because it was the first time I had ever done anything like that." The two talked by the counter, not having anything else to do.
"Sorta like a side effect?"
"Exactly." They stood there for a few moments in silence.
"I just wish they'd get back," Maria said.
"Me too," Liz said, writing something down on her order pad. Since she had spent the night over at Isabel's, she had come to realize how much she was hurting Max, and herself, pushing him away from her. The threat of the end of the world was no longer there; she and Tess were friends, hanging out every so often, not to mention she and Kyle were officially a couple. Tess was happier than she had ever been. So why wasn't Liz just as happy?
"I'll be right back, I'm going to go get something from the back," she told Maria. She sighed, walking over to the fridge, scanning the inside for something; she didn't even know what she was looking for. Anything to get her mind off of things. Just then she heard a knock behind her.
"No one's allowed back-" she began turning around then stopped in mid sentence seeing Max standing in the doorway.
"Max!" she said, her voice filled with surprise and happiness.
"Hey Liz," he said.
"W-when'd you get back?" she asked as she walked towards him, forcing herself not to throw herself into his arms…or kiss him…
He smiled. "A little while ago." he paused. "Can we talk?" he asked.
"Uh, yeah sure. C'mon," she said, heading towards the stairs.
Upon instinct, once they were in her room, Liz went to shut the door before remembering her parents weren't even home. She smiled faintly, turning to face Max.
"I wanted to thank you for uh, what you did," Max said, getting to the point.
"Hey it's only fair," Liz said, smiling. Max looked at her, unsure of how to even begin to explain what he had learned in New York to her.
Looking at him, Liz sensed there was something else. Something he wasn't telling her. "Max, what is it? Is everything okay?" she asked.
"No. I mean, yes." He paused. "Actually, there's something I need to tell you," he began, his tone turning serious.
"Okay. Max, should I sit down for this?" she asked, trying to keep the worry from her voice.
"No," Max assured her. "It's just… while I was in New York…" he paused, trying to gather his thoughts. He had thought about whether or not to have everyone there for what he had found out or tell Liz first; in the end, he had decided to tell her first. "Ava, Lonnie and Rath told me that since I healed you… it sorta changed you," he said. "Which, you probably gathered from last night…." he trailed off.
Liz paused for a second, letting it sink in. True, since she had dream walked Max the night before, she had a feeling something was…different. No normal human would have been able to do that. But what did that means for her now? Was she turning into an alien? Half alien?
"So uh, what does this mean, Max?" she asked, staying calm. "I mean, am I one of you now? And… what powers will I have?"
"I don't know," he told her honestly. "They just said that you've been 'changed'… because I healed you that day…" Liz felt the need to sit down on her bed. How was she supposed to react to the news? Yeah she was a bit worried, but was this a bad thing? Max was part human. So wasn't Isabel, Michael and Tess. Then again, how many people find out they've been 'changed' because they were brought back to life by an alien…
Max watched as Liz sat down, knowing her mind was going a million miles an hour. It was a lot for someone to hear, that because they were brought back by an alien, they had been 'changed'. Changed. He didn't even know what that entailed. He stood there, waiting for her to say something or do something.
"Liz, say something please," he said, walking over closer to her. The silence was killing him.
"Sorry, I'm just thinking," Liz said, a small smile on her face as Max sat down next to her on the bed. "I-I sorta had a feeling there was something different." she said. "That I was different somehow."
Max's expression grew to concern. "Howso?"
"Max, before I dream walked you, I got this feeling that you were in danger." Max looked at her. "Tess felt it too. We both did."
Max's mind was still going a mile a minute later that night, as he unpacked the few things he had brought with him to New York. He looked around his room, smiling, glad he was back home. In Roswell. With his family, friends. Liz. He had been so eager to see her earlier he practically ran to the Crashdown. As soon as she turned around and looked at him in the kitchen, he knew. He was home. He was glad to see Isabel, his parents, and his friends, but seeing Liz… He then thought back to the conversation they had had and a frown fell upon his face once more. He still was unsure of how Liz was able to sense he was in danger along with Tess. What did this mean? Had she been changed when he had healed her the year before without any of them realizing?
"Unpacking?"
Max turned around to find Isabel in his doorway, her hands folded over her chest, watching Max unpack.
"Hey Iz," he said as he took out the last of what was in the suitcase before taking a seat on his neatly made bed. He was glad he was going to be sleeping in his bed tonight and not on the streets of New York.
Isabel moved from the doorway into his room, shutting the door behind her. "So how was the summit meeting?" she asked. Max hadn't told her a thing about his trip since he had been home; he'd gone straight to the café to see Liz.
"I told them there was no deal," he said. "Not if it meant handing over the Granilith, and not if it meant leaving you and Liz and Tess…. Everyone, behind." He paused. "Plus, we don't even know what we'd be going back to…" he trailed off.
"I understand," Isabel said, sitting down beside her brother. There was a pause, as the two sat there in silence. "So other than the summit meeting… how was New York? Was Lonnie and Rath and Ava good to you guys?" she asked.
Max paused, thinking about her question for a moment. "They were…. Interesting," he said. "Yeah they treated us fine. It was just weird seeing Lonnie and Rath…" he trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence. Isabel caught on to what he meant and crinkled her nose.
"Okay, eww!" she said, putting her hands out on the air, trying hard to get rid of the picture that just popped into her head. Max chuckled along with her.
"I still can't believe they were our duplicates…" he said. Isabel thought back to her duplicate, Lonnie. How different she was from Isabel and yet not… Isabel then thought of Vilandra, and all the things she had learned about Vilandra…herself.. She looked up at Max and forced a smile. She had wanted to tell him so badly about Vilandra. Who she was, who she had been in their planet. She hadn't though. She knew she had to tell him soon.
"So what did everyone do here while we were gone?" Max asked. Isabel snapped out of her thoughts, pushing all thought of 'Vilandra' far from her.
"Uh, let's see…. Nothing really. Mom and Dad were missing you like crazy, Liz and I hung out…" she said quickly, naming off the few things.
"Wait a sec, you and Liz hung out?" Max asked, knowing he must have heard wrong. Isabel nodded. "As in, the two of you-"
Isabel sighed. "I ran into her the other night. We talked, then I invited here back here to crash for the night. Ya know, to take a break," she said. This came as a surprise to Max; Isabel had never made an attempt before to befriend Liz.
Max smiled. "I'm glad." He got up and walked over to his desk. Looking down, playing with a random object on there he asked, "Did she, you know, say anything about me?"
Isabel smiled, standing up from the bed. "Oh no. I'm not going to be designated the interpreter between the two of you." She headed towards the door, giving Max a smile. She stopped and turned back around.
"I will say this… she missed you, Max."
As soon as Max woke up the following morning, the thought of breakfast at the Crashdown entered his mind, making his stomach grumble with hunger. His thoughts instantly sprang to ones of Liz; god how he had missed her. He wasn't awake even five minutes and he was already thinking of her!
After a shower and a change of clothes, Max was ready to head out. Eager to see Liz as soon as possible, he headed out into the living room.
"Hey mom, hey dad," he said quickly, grabbing his jacket as he headed for the door. Diane and Phillip were already at the table, along with Isabel, eating breakfast.
"Honey, where are you going in such a hurry?" Diane asked her son as she watched him tug his jacket on by the front door.
"Aren't you going to have a bit to eat with us before leaving for the day?" Phillip asked, setting the newspaper down. Max paused, straightening the collar out on his jacket, his family looking at him expectantly.
"A-actually I sorta had this…craving for pancakes over at the uh, CrashDown," he explained. He did have a craving, but it wasn't for pancakes so much as it was for a certain waitress that worked there…
Phillip and Diane looked at one another, as if silent asking themselves whether or not to let him go or make him have breakfast with them.
Diane sighed. "Alright son. See you later."
"Bye guys. Thanks!" Max said before heading out the front door.
Liz smiled, promising the occupants at the table she'd be back with their drink, before walking over to the window and handing Michael her order.
"Here you go," she said.
"Thanks," Michael said, unenthusiastically before turning back to the stove. Liz shrugged, being more than used to Michael's moods. She smiled as Kyle and Tess walked through the front doors of the CrashDown café, hand in hand.
"I wonder what Mr. Valenti thinks about the two of them dating and sleeping under the same roof," Maria said, walking over to Liz. Liz shrugged. She had wondered the same thing herself, but never gave it much thought. He must not have minded much; it was obvious the two were more than friends.
"I'll be back," she said, taking out her order book as she walked over to Kyle and Tess's booth.
"Hey guys, how's it going?" she asked.
"Great," the two of them said at the same time.
"Noted," Liz chuckled. "Can I get you anything this morning?" she asked.
"Mercury Eggs with a side of Heavenly Hash sounds pretty good to me," Kyle said, glancing at the breakfast menu.
"Me too. Can we get two of those?" Tess asked.
"Sure." She scribbled the orders down. She then heard a familiar bell behind her, announcing Michael had an order ready to be served.
"I'll be right back," she said, slipping her order book back into her pocket as she walked back to the window to pick up the order. Just then, the bell on the door rang. Out of curiously, Liz turned around to see who just came in….Max. Things seemed to go into slow motion all around Liz as she watched Max take a seat, his gaze never leaving hers.
Michael sighed as he watched the looks pass between Max and Liz. Finally he said, "Food's getting cold." Liz jumped in surprise as Michael's voice cut through her thoughts. She turned back around, her cheeks red, and grabbed her order before disappearing over to the table that ordered the alien themed food she held in her hands….
"Isn't that cute?" Maria said as she walked up to the window where Michael was leaning out of.
"Oh yeah, real cute," he said sarcastically. Maria shot him a look before returning her gaze to Liz and Max…
"So how does it feel being back home?" Liz asked, trying to make conversation with Max after taking his order. Today she practically had to force herself not to stare his body up and down; she had to keep reminding herself to look up at his eyes. Must have to do with him being gone so long, she rationalized to herself. Although he did look good this morning wearing black jeans and a black long sleeved shirt…
"Great, actually. I have to admit, I was getting a bit home sick; missing my family, friends and…" he trailed off, looking up at Liz. She gave him a nervous chuckle, looking back down at the order pad.
"I should really, uh, get back to work. I'll make sure Michael hurries up with your pancakes," she said, with a smile on her face for the last part.
Max smiled back. "Thanks."
"I saaww thhhaat," Maria said in a sing-song voice as she followed Liz from Max's table.
"What?" Liz asked.
"The looks the two of you were giving one another," Maria said. "Okay, girlfriend, need I remind you the way you acted the entire time he was away? You were like a little puppy dog waiting for her master to get home," Maria said bluntly.
"Mar-"
"But he's home now, Liz. Get on with it already! The two of you aren't fooling anyone." She looked over at Max's both -Liz's gaze fooling Maria's- catching Max staring at Liz. Maria chuckled, looking back at Liz.
"Look-" she pulled Liz to the side, towards the counter where no one was sitting, "-There is no threat of the world coming to an end; I mean look over there," she pointed over at Tess and Kyle, who were, at the moment, kissing, "she has no interest in Max whatsoever. I mean, maybe you should tell Max about the whole Future Max thing."
"No," Liz said quickly. "I can't tell him about that." As much as she wanted to, she knew she couldn't tell Max about that.
Maria glanced over at Max once more. "Either way, the two of you are just hurting yourselves by doing this." A group of people then walked into the diner. "Great, loks like it's going to be crammed this morning," Maria said before walking away to tend to the town of Roswell.
Later that night, unable to put it off any longer, Max pulled out the sheet of Trig homework he had been given to do over the Thanksgiving vacation and was due the following day. He groaned, not looking forward to doing the math, as he walked back over to his bed. Better than sitting on his back, staring up at the ceiling thinking about Liz, right? He hadn't finished the second problem on the sheet when he heard a knock on his window. Feeling as if he had been saved, he sprang up from his bed, over to the window.
"Michael. Hey. What's up?" he asked as Michael crawled into the bedroom.
"Not much, just got out of work and figured I'd drop by," he explained.
"Oh," Max said simply, walking back over to his bed.
"Look, Maxwell… that's not really why I'm here," Michael admitted as Max sat down on his bed. Max looked at Michael, his expression clearly stating he was confused and a bit worried.
"And… I know this is none of my business but I couldn't help but notice things between you and Liz this morning in the diner."
"What about it?" Max asked, pretending to get back to his Trig homework.
"I just know how much you thought about her while we were in New York, and listening to you talk about her with Ava…. I guess I'm just confused as to why you guys aren't back together is all," Michael said.
Max sighed. "It's complicated, Michael."
Michael chuckled. "Right like I'm not used to that phrase…" He walked over closer to Max. "Look, I came by here in hopes of knocking some sense into your head; if you let her go, you may never get her back, Maxwell. This 'checkmate' the two of you have been at for months now isn't getting either of you anywhere. Take it from me, who is dating thee most difficult girl on this planet and perhaps this entire solar system."
Max smiled. He hated to admit it but Michael had a point. He still loved Liz and he knew she felt the same way, yet why weren't they together? Were both of them waiting for the other to make the first move? He had told her before leaving to New York that he wasn't giving up on them, yet wasn't he doing just the opposite by moping around the house instead of getting her back?
He looked over at his alarm clock quickly. "It's too late, I shouldn't-"
"She's still at the café cleaning up. She was there alone when I left, not more than twenty minutes ago," Michael informed him. Max closed the Trig book shut, standing up form the bed with a huge smile on his face.
"Not more than twenty minutes ago you said?" Max said, tugging his shoes on.
"Correct," Michael said, watching Max.
"And you said she was there alone?" he asked, looking up at Michael. Michael nodded. "Did it looks like she had much more cleaning up to do?" he asked.
"Why are you still here?" Michael asked, putting an end to Max's questions.
"Thanks Michael," Max said, before disappearing out the door, heading towards the CrashDown Café.
Liz hummed along with the song that was playing on the radio as she swept the floor of the café. Realizing it had been a while, she decided to fish out the old radio her family had had since before she could remember, in hopes of bringing a little fun to locking up for the night. Michael had gone home almost a half an hour ago, and Maria wasn't scheduled to work that evening, leaving Liz to clean up by herself. Which normally she didn't mind; it gave her time to think. But lately that seemed to be all she had been doing…. She looked up, satisfied with the sweep job she had done and nearly jumped out of her clothes when her gaze went to the door and someone was on the other side. She quickly calmed down, realizing it was Max. As she walked over to the door, she realized she was getting butterflies in her stomach and her heart was speeding up again (and it wasn't from her being startled only moments beforehand).
"Max? Is everything okay?" Liz asked, letting Max inside the restaurant.
"Yeah, everything's okay," he said. "Actually, that's not entirely true." He paused for a moment. "Liz, before I left to New York, I told you I'm not giving up on us. I was serious about that," he told her, getting right down to it.
Liz looked at him, her heart aching. "Max-" she began weakly.
"Please, just listen," he begged. "I know you think I need to focus on Michael, Tess and Isabel, and…our destinies, but you are my destiny," he said. "I love you Liz. I've loved you since the third grade when I first saw you in Mr. Roger's class." Liz smiled, thinking back to the first day of third grade, when she had first met Max.
"Remember that day I asked for a second time to the concert?" he asked. Her smile fell and she simply nodded. "You said that day in the hall that we needed a break from one another…to see where we were. Liz, we've taken a break, and my feelings for you haven't changed a bit," he said. "And I know from this morning yours haven't either." He also had been able to pry a bit more information out of Isabel about the evening she and Liz spent together, gathering Liz had been a wreck that night over the two of them.
"I-" She began. Before she knew it, Max was pulling her into his arms and his lips were on hers. Suddenly her thoughts were filled with flashes of them; Their first kiss on her balcony…going to the drive-in movies with him, making out in the jeep instead of watching the movie…their intense make out session in Michael's apartment…the feel of Max's bare skin under her fingertips….the feel of him above her as she lay on Michael's couch…. The first time they had said 'I love you' to one another…their first 'date'…the pain and love she felt for him as she walked away from him that day in the desert… all the memories, good and bad, flooded both of their minds.
Being in Max's arms, Liz felt as if the other part of her heart had been brought back to her, like a huge weight on her shoulders had been lifted simply by the feel of Max's lips on hers. Liz draped her arms over his shoulders, her hands resting on the back of his neck as Max's hands took on a mind of their own, getting tangled in her long brown hair. They were both out of breath by the time their intense kiss ended. Max pulled back slightly, only so he could take in the sight of her.
"Give us another chance, Liz," he pleaded. "I love you."
Liz smiled, resting her forehead against his. "I love you," she whispered back, unable to imagine being anywhere else in the world but here.