A/N- this is my first Rosswell fanfiction. it takes place 8 years after Alex is killed, but from there it is mostly my imagination at work. i've been working on this for a while now. i hope you like it.

Disclaimer- i do not own Rosswell or any of the characters of Rosswell, my only claim is the story line and Maria's kids and some other random OC's

Now on to the story...

New York Madness:

Chapter 1: Just another day

"Lizzy, Matt, please get your shoes on. We have to get going. The bus is leaving in 2 minutes." Maria DeLuca indicated herself to her giggling children. The twins looked up and giggled some more then jumped up and zoomed off to their room. At age 7 they were still willing to share a room.

As they left the room Maria's face softened and she smiles a mother's smile. Glancing at her mantel clock she snapped back to reality and ran after her kids, hoping they actually did what she asked.

Miracle of miracles, they hadn't. With a resigned, yet happy sigh Maria rolled up her sleeved and dove in. Reality could wait a few moments.

"Michael, Liz, we'll be there in a moment, will you both stop fidgeting?" Max asked, frustrated by their constant shifting. They'd come to New York to see Isabel perform. She got over her fears that things would go wrong after Tess left. Now she had made it to Broadway. Now if only his two friends would stop their restless fidgeting.

Michael had been restless since we got to New York, even just in the airport. Now that was starting to bug Liz, who was anxious and excited about being in New York. It was driving Max nuts.

"Max breath, you're starting to turn red." Liz exclaimed grabbing his shoulder. Letting out a breath he hadn't been aware that he was holding he released some of his stress.

"If you two don't calm down and stop fidgeting and mumbling I think Eric, our very nice cab driver will throw us out." Max explained slowly through gritted teeth.

"Oh, I'm sorry Max, I'm just so excited. Maria always wanted to come here." Liz gasped, clapping her hand over her mouth and looked over at the silent and now motionless Michael.

Max rested his hand on Michael's arm, offering silent comfort. Michael shrugged it off.

"I'm so sorry Michael. I know it's been 7 years, but it still seems like she's here. I forgot. Oh that sounded dumb."

"Don't worry about it," Michael said quietly, then tapped the cab driver on the shoulder. With a nod the driver pulled over to the right, Michael stepped out, leaving Max and Liz alone in the cab, looking after him.

"Does he have his phone?" Max asked the air.

"I think so. Honey, don't feel guilty. I messed it up. I think we should give him some space. He knows where our hotel is." Liz rubbed comforting circles across Max's tense back. Her wedding ring flashed in the sun light filtering through the back windows.

"Where to?" the cab driver, 'Eric' Liz remembered, asked.

"Lion's Den please." Liz said, still looking at her husband of 4 years.

"Yeah." Was all he said, looking for Michael's beat up jacket and jeans in the crowd of business suits and fashion gurus. "That sounds good." He turned and faced front, slipping his arm around Liz's waist. Michael knew where they were staying and would get back after he cooled off, and could remember.

Maria looked at the clock for the 10th time in the last two minutes. She got off in 18 minutes, no sooner, no later. Unless she ran out now, of course. No, can't think like that, focus. 18 minutes. Then she had to run to get a taxi, get to her kids' school, take then to the doctor, and then get home and start working on her current project from work, while helping her kids with their 2nd grade homework and making dinner because she hated going out to eat. Only on special occasions did this change. Nothing strange here except she wanted to get out of here before her in office "stalker" got out of work.

"Maria, I'll cover if you want to get out of here before Carl get's off." Maria's co-worker and close friend Amber whispered, glaring at Carl's unoffending office door.

"Oh, thank you so much, but I couldn't ask you to do that," Maria waited a beat then shook her head, "What am I saying, thank you so much Amber! I'm getting out of here. I just need to pack this all up and shut down for the weekend."

"I'll do it. You really need to report him you know. This is harassment. Maybe if you get a restraining order on him we can throw a party. He is so creepy." Amber winked and handed Maria her already packed portfolio and her purse out of the locked cabinet.

"Honestly he hasn't really done anything really horrible. Just asked me out on dates, everyday for the past month, and that isn't really harassment, just thick headed pride, maybe. He hasn't like assaulted me or anything… just kinda corners me. Okay, that is harassment; I'll report it first thing Monday morning, okay? Is that alright with you?"

"No way in hell. I want to go in there and start beating him with a baseball bat, doesn't mean I will. It's what's alright with you that count." Amber went on in a very wise and all knowing tone, then hugged Maria, "Now get out 'a here and good luck with the doctor."

"Maria smiled gratefully and turned to leave the front desk area where she worked at Broker & Dean, the Real-estate company. "It isn't the doctor that is a nightmare, it's Matt and Lizzy's need to scare the be-jesus out of the nurses. See you Sunday Amber. We need to have another movie night and thanks again."

"Get going Cheeka," Amber told her with a shooing motion.

"I'm gone!" Maria waved back and stepped into the empty elevator. Now to get a cab and get to the school before it got out.

Pushing her short bangs out of her face she hailed a cab, making a mental note to get another hair cut, she hated her hair in her face.

When a cab pulled up in front of the hotel next to her building, a dark-haired couple stepping out holding hands with their heads close together talking Maria rushed up to make sure the driver saw her. When she got a good look at the couple she froze and watched them walk to the Lion's Den Suites Hotel, still talking.

Shaking it off she slipped into the cab and told the man where to go. Absently she noted that his name was Eric.

Pressing her hand to her temple she tried to stop the headache brewing there. Glancing briefly back at the couple Maria focused on her schedule, firmly pushing away the sense of de já vu. Kids, doctor, home, okay. It was just another day in New York.

Max froze briefly right as he moved to exit their cab. He could have sworn he sensed Maria. Liz pushed lightly from behind to get him moving and he slipped out of the left side of the cab.

Max helped Liz out of the cab and continued holding her hand. Turning they headed towards the revolving doors of the Lion's Den. As he turned Max caught a flash of blond hair and a green suit with tennies.

'Maria' he asked silently turning to Liz to ask her then thought better of it, 'No, she's dead, don't bring it up. It will only cause pain.' As Max and Liz walked away it felt like something big was going to happen. Something involving that lady Max just glimpsed.

"MOM!" the high pitched voice of Maria's daughter broke her reverie.

"Yes Lizzy, don't yell when you want someone's attention. What did you want to say?"

"The lady just called our names. Me and Matt's. I'm sorry for yelling."

Matt and Lizzy were behaving mostly. They liked the idea of a puppy. They needed a year of good behavior and so far they had 2 weeks with no major mishaps. They said it felt like forever to wait, but to her two a 5 minute wait for the bathroom felt like forever.

Maria just wanted to get used to the idea of taking care of a dog, because her kids sure wouldn't, not without reminding.

"Deluca." The nurse called again, looking right at the trio.

"Yep, we're coming." Gathering her kids and pulling Matt away from the poor abused chalk board he was currently attacking with his "master piece" they got into the hall and down into the exam room.

"The doctor will be right with you." The too perky nurse recited, the universal cover for, 'You have waited for a half hour in the waiting room, now you get to wait another half hour in here, have fun.' Just great.

To her surprise Doctor Carson came in 4 minutes later and greeted Matt and Lizzy. He was a nice older gentleman that had 6 grandchildren of his own, but he still though of Matt and Lizzy as two more adopted or borrowed grandkids. They were one of his jobs fringe benefits, free grandchildren. He would laugh as he said this, his entire face lightening up. He only saw his family on holidays because they lived in California, but he and Violet, his wife of 42 years, saw Lizzy and Matt almost every other weekend. The Carsons were like Maria's parents here in New York.

"So, how are my favorite trouble makers doing?" he asked, crouching down to their level, making eye contact.

"Papa Car, I got an A on my test. The one you helped me on, and mommy said we get a dog." Lizzy gushed, flaunting all the charisma in her little body unwittingly. All of Dr. Carson's grandchildren called him Papa Car, and he said that Matt and Lizzy should too. Now it was like the law for them. He was Papa Car and Violet was Nana Let.

Matt was grown-up and needed to act manly and not hug anyone but mom. Dr. Carson resolved the problem by ruffling Matt's hair and running a finger down his nose in a grandfather-ish gesture. Matt giggled and opened up after that. He told him about his new car which he had with him. Its doors opened and everything.

Maria didn't spoil the kids and when they got a new toy it was a big deal, usually a reward.

"Well kiddos, it's nice to see you all again," Dr. Carson said, smiling at all of them in the room, "Now, why are you here?" he asked innocently.

Giggling like mad her kids fought to be heard telling him, "Check-up, Check-up!"

"Ah, a Check-up, I see, ah yes, it all makes sense now. The question now is which of you wants to go first and prove you are healthy as can be?" he asked, looking over the two giggling children.

"I'll go!" they both exclaimed. Then Matt stepped back and said as gravely as a ruffle haired 7 year old can, "Ladies first" Lizzy laughed and hugged her brother, then lifted her arms to be lifted to the bench.

30 minutes later Maria was glad to hear that no one had any cavities, but Lizzy might be looking forward to braces if her teeth continued to grow in as they were now.

Currently talking to the scheduling secretary, Maria was planning their nest visit. Now Maria had a cavity to get fixed up personally, nothing big, and the twins had to come back to look at the teeth that were falling out and coming in at this age. Glancing at her watch she noted the time, 4:41, pretty late. The kids would be getting hungry.

"Now Maria, don't be a stranger, I haven't seen you around the store." The secretary, Audrey, commented, referring to her other job at a mom and pop grocery store.

"Yeah, I've been so busy I end up shopping during my lunch break." Maria admitted apologetically.

"Oh, just tell me what you need and I'll have my lazy son bring it right over." Audrey told her, saying the 'lazy' like an endearment as she described her 17 year old son, 'who didn't have a lick of sense,' or 'just lazes about the store all day, checking out girls he is.' Yeah, like Maria would complain if her son graduated high school almost 2 year early and was waiting on a scholarship to Yale.

"I'll do that, thank you Audrey. I'll see you," Here Maria glanced down at her phonebook planner searching for Audrey or Dr. Carson's name, "in three weeks." Maria smiled and ushered her 2 bouncing kids into the hall and over to the elevators.

"So, what would you guys say to some good old lasagna?" Maria asked, already knowing the answer.

"With meat ball stuff?" Matt asked, his eyes lighting happily. Lizzy and Matt's favorite foods, grilled cheese and mom's lasagna.

"Oh yes, lots and lots." Maria exclaimed, tickling both the kids as the elevator doors opened.

"Ya!" they both exclaimed through their breathless giggles and squirms.

Hugging them close briefly Maria stepped into the elevator holding their hands.

The music in the elevator was good stuff, not the boring clichéd music. "It's Raining Men" started playing as the door closed and Maria pressed L1.

By the time they reached the bottom. 3 good songs had played and all three occupants were dancing around.

"R-E-S-P-E-C-T, I know what it means to me!" Maria and her daughter sang while Matt motioned with an air guitar.

Just as they were getting into it the door opened and 2 very somber looking older ladies patting their pink and purple hair looked on to utter chaos. Maria stopped dancing and smiled as she did to most people and started to drag her kids out with her. Lizzy hung back to tell the older women that dancing and singing in the elevator is really fun and she hoped it would make them smile.

The ladies were surprised, but didn't crack any smiles. Maria nabbed Lizzy before she started "teaching" them to smile. It had proven to be a hands on lesson in the past.

The little family pushed out the lobby doors into the open. The other door led to the parking lot under ground but in the New York you don't use a car unless you are suicidal.

"So, you guys wanna get a cab or walk?" Maria asked, scanning around for a possible cab.

"Can we take the subway mommy?" Lizzy asked pulling lightly on one of her slightly curled pigtails.

"No baby, the subway is only when we have Alex with us." Both her kids looked disappointed but they bounced back fast, "Let's walk, and shop for windows!" Lizzy exclaimed getting her brother excited too. They were contagious.

"Walking it is." Having mentioned Alex Maria now thought about the only family she had. Maria didn't remembered life outside of being picked up off the side of the road by Alex. He'd said they were on the outskirts of New Mexico, but he was leaving so we ended up in New York. Maria hadn't talked to Alex in over a week, which was unusual. She'd have to call him when she got home. All she knew about Alex's past is he was in a really bad accident and now he has powers like her kids.

Maria was so immersed in thought she didn't see the man in a beat up leather jacket and ripped jeans coming towards her. Her kids saw but ignored it, thinking nothing of him.

Bumping arms in passing, Maria mumbled, "excuse me" as she continued, until she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up she felt a stab of pain at her temple.

The tired looking guy started to lift his head too, but got distracted by something, and paused, head cocked slightly to the side. With a shrug he looked back over his shoulder and saw a dark haired man trying to get to him. Releasing a breath he turned and dropped his hand.

Michael let his hand drop from the small woman's shoulder when he felt Max approaching.

"Max, I said I'd get back." He told the man that was pushing through the crowd towards him.

"I know, but I saw something that you might find… weren't you just talking to someone?" Max looked around and saw no one.

Whipping around Michael's eyes searched the crowded sidewalks but couldn't locate the slim woman he had been trying to talk to. He couldn't see anyone with short blonde hair and two kids. They'd been cute kids. He took another beep breath and let it out in a steady stream.

"She smelled like Maria." Michael said to himself, then shook it off.

"What? Who smelled like Maria?" Max asked, then shrugging he continued. "I've been seeing things and sensing things all day that are weird, so I guess some one smelling like Maria isn't too crazy."

"She had kids." Michael thought aloud. She was probably happily married and lived in a little house with a lab puppy and a while picket fence.

"Well back to what I came to tell you. Liz got a call that Alex's grave robbed a few nights back," Michael went ramrod stiff at this news, "But that isn't the best part," Max slowly steered Michael in the direction of their hotel, "The detective said there was nothing to steal. He said was an empty grave and always had been. All that there was was one of our alien stones, and it had been used up. Liz is going crazy about this news insisting that he is alive, and I'm wondering if that's possible. Do you think it is?" Max finished in the lobby of the Lions Den Hotel.

"Wait, wait, wait, did you just say Alex is alive? We were all there when he died."

"No, Liz thinks he may be alive, not that he is, but we think he might. Do you know anything about it?" Max asked. Since Maria and Michael disappeared 7 years ago, and Maria's death Michael's powers had gotten a lot stronger, especially intuition and defense powers.

Michael shrugged and nodded towards the elevator. Max understood, Michael's check when they got upstairs.

When the elevator arrived the door opened to reveal 2 older women dancing to "At the Car Wash."

Michael showed no emotion or surprise but Max's jaw dropped.

"Oh, are we in the lobby already, we will have to do this another time than." The taller of the women said readjusting her purple hair. "That littler girl was correct, that was fun." Both ladies smiled and nodded at Michael and Max as the politely stepped aside to give them room to exit the elevator.

As the elevator door closed they heard the pink haired lady tell the concierge to, "Thank the chef, as the food was superb as usual."

Shrugging, Max pressed the button for their level and started rocking from heel to toe as they waited to reach the top. Michael just leaned against the mirrored wall looking into space.

After dodging into the Macy's next to where she bumped into that man, Michael, Maria continued full speed for the escalator to the bedding section. Her kids thought it was a great game and followed happily, when Maria got to the pillows and plopped on the floor. Her kids followed suit and they all started cuddling a pillow.

She'd had another flash, but this on was so strong she had almost collapsed right there on the sidewalk.

"Mommy, are you okay?" Lizzy asked. Both Lizzy and Matt had given Maria their pillows and were leaning against her side giving what comfort they could.

"Yes sweetie, just a headache." Maria said, dredging up a smile. Yeah a really bad headache, that felt like a drill was pressed to her temple. Taking a deep breath and tried to focus on the flashes of memory that had spurred this god awful headache.

She saw Michael, and knew who he was. He was in a white room that had a table and two chairs. He was pounding on the one was glass yelling, "Bring back Maria! What have you done with her!" Then it flashed to her and Michael kissing on a couch that she recognized. Then it flashed again, and she was looking at a positive pregnancy test, with tears running down her face. Then a final flash of men in suits leaving her on the side of the road to live or die, they didn't really care. She heard them saying "We could get fired for this." Then another voice, "or killed, but this girl has been used, just let her live, her children wont." Then a door slamming, and then nothing. Shaking her head she hugged her kids close. Was that man, Michael? The Michael who she remembered in the flashes? The Michael who is the father of her children? Whose name is on their birth certificates? Her mind and heart said yes. The question was, would she ever see him again? And if she did what would she say? What could she say? 'Hi, I'm the mother of your children, and I don't remember anything of you or my past. Oh yeah my name is Maria and I think I'm insane.' Right, how about not.

Standing up slowly she began putting away the pillows and took a deep breath. All she could do was keep on living her life and love her kids, and just stop worrying about it. Easier said than done, but she would go on as usual. What was needed now was come of that lasagna.

Hand in hand their little family walked to the front of the store and down the escalator, heading home. Tomorrow was another day and she needed to talk to Alex

A/N- well, this is the first chapter, hope you enjoy, and please, R&R, i know everyone says that, but it really does make us want to write more...