A/N: I originally planned for this story to be about twenty chapters long. I was wrong. Shock of all shocks, this is the last chapter. Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to read and review this story. Your input has been invaluable.

Disclaimer: The usual.

Chapter: 16 Feels Like Home To Me

"I thought you were prepared for this?" Liz teased Max as they stood outside the Crashdown Café. He had a dazed look on his face that was just too cute to resist.

"I was…I mean…I am," he said with less certainty, and then shrugged.

"C'mon," Liz grabbed him by the arm as they stepped through the doors. "I'll protect you from the wee aliens." She snorted.

"Cute." Max muttered as he took in his surroundings with fascinated eyes. The place had more neon colors than he knew existed. There were little green aliens hanging from the ceilings, and silver Martians on the walls. Even the waitress's wore silver antenna, along with their green uniforms. If Max were an alien, this would definitely be the hangout spot. He wondered if he could get Liz to put on one of those cute little uniforms. Maybe she would even be agreeable to playing mission to Mars—

"Max!" Liz snapped her fingers in front of his face to get his attention.

"Huh?" he asked stupidly, flushing slightly.

"What were you…?" Liz began then shook her head, "I don't even want to know." In fact, she was sure she didn't, as she watched Max's color deepen.

"Have a seat," she pointed towards the counter where two empty seats remained. It was lunch time, and the Crashdown was full to near capacity. "I'm gonna go look for my Mom and Dad. Order the men-in-blackberry pie," she suggested before heading for the double doors that led to the grill area, as well as the backstairs to her parent's apartment.

Finding only Jose manning the grill, Liz went upstairs to look for her mother. She had already been told by Ida; one of the Crashdown waitresses, that her dad had gone to Taos for supplies.

Liz smiled as she thought about Max struggling to order from the alien themed menu. Naturally, he was used to finer cuisine. Never mind the fact that he could be adorably clueless sometimes, when he wasn't being a complete pain in the ass.

Three weeks had gone by, since they'd made the decision to give their relationship another try, and things had been great. Ok, so it hadn't all been smooth sailing. But experiencing highs and lows were part of any real relationship. The trick was to navigate the waters carefully.

Or so Liz had been told, or read, or something like that.

It wasn't like she'd had a prior relationship to draw from. Still, her confidence grew daily. So when Max had suggested coming home with her for Christmas, Liz had agreed with no hesitation. Well, not exactly, but it hadn't taken Max long to change her mind.

A few heated kisses and she had been too dazed to refuse him anything. Whatever, she mentally shrugged. At least she felt safe in knowledge that her family was nowhere near as dysfunctional as his.

"Mom? You home?" Liz called as she entered the apartment.

Nancy Parker, who was in the middle of rubbing dough for a homemade pie, spun around to face her daughter, and Liz flew into her arms.

"I missed you baby-girl," the redhead said as she hugged her daughter.

"I missed you too Mom," Liz said coddled in her mother's warm embrace. Nancy Parker smelled of apples and brown sugar, and the familiarity of it all both comforted Liz, and brought tears to her eyes.

Later that evening, they sat down to a meal of grilled chicken and salad. It was Christmas Eve, and Liz's mother thought a lighter dinner would be best. Max had been introduced to her parents earlier that afternoon, and he had formed an instant rapport with her father. He found Jeff Parker to be extremely likable and down to earth.

The jury was still out on Liz's mom, however. She'd greeted Max with a quiet reserve that hadn't changed much over the last few hours, though Max refused to be offended. He knew from personal experience that Mother's could become lioness when it came to protecting their children. Fathers were—a pain in the ass. Or at least Max's father was. They'd had the final confrontation about his future just two days prior.


-Flashback-

Max deliberately waited until finals were over before confronting his father again. When he walked into his dad's office to fight the final battle over his future, he was surprised to see Charlie there.

He shouldn't have been.

When it came to Max's future, Charlie and his dad were thick as thieves. It didn't really matter though. Because as Max was about to explain to them, it was just that, his future. And after today it would never be in question again.

"Dad, Charlie," he acknowledged the two men. "Please, don't leave on my account," he said as Charlie rose to his feet with a guilty expression. "I needed to speak with you anyway, this makes it easier." Max smiled cynically, "I get to kill two birds with one stone."

Max laughed humorlessly at the guarded expressions marring both men's faces. That same never let them see you sweat attitude that irritated the shit out of Max, because as hard as he tried he could never cultivate it.

"I'll make this quick," he continued on. "Just to clarify things for-everyone," he stared pointedly at his father, "I won't be going into politics EVER. I'm sorry dad but I'm not you. I'll never be you, so maybe you should try focusing your ambitions somewhere else. Because if you continue to push me the way you have been…" Max shook his head sadly, "all you'll succeed in doing is making me hate you. And at this point—it wouldn't be that huge a leap."

Max stared gravely at the stunned look on his father's face. He'd never seen him at a loss for words before. Then again, it wasn't everyday that your own child told you he hated you. Or was close to it. Max nearly reached out to him, but he knew his father would see this as a sign of weakness. Then, he'd find some way to exploit it. So instead he turned his attention to Charlie.

It was his turn.

"As much as it pains me to say this Charlie, it needs to be said. For several years now you've been my teacher, my confidante, and I thought my best friend. But I've come to the conclusion that we don't see things the same way. And that's fine when it comes to discussions or debates, but not my future. That will never be up for debate. So I'll still compete against Harvard in a few weeks, but win or lose it will be my last competition."

Max waited while seconds ticked by and neither man said anything. Instead, they both stared off into space, as if caught up in their own individual hells. Max hadn't wanted this, but they had pushed him too far.

Spinning on his heels to leave, he paused when he made it to the door. "Dad," he called to the despondent Phillip Evans. "When I said you should focus your ambitions elsewhere I wasn't being facetious. I was talking about Isabel. You have a born politician right under your nose and you totally ignore her. It's time you got your priorities straight," Max said before exiting the door. Maybe now he and his sister would be able to have some semblance of a relationship.


-End of Flashback-

"Would you like some coffee Max?" Nancy Parker asked as she began clearing the table.

"No thank you Mrs. Parker," he answered politely after wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Though everything was quite delicious."

"We don't stand on ceremony here son," Jeff Parker said affably, "she's Nancy and I'm Jeff."

"I'll try to remember that Sir—I mean Jeff," Max said.

Liz, who'd been inwardly snickering the entire night, kicked Max under the table to get his attention. When Max glanced frowningly at her, she mouthed suck up. He smiled smugly and Liz stuck out her tongue.

The Parker apartment only had two bedrooms, so Max was offered the pullout couch in the living room, when it was time to go to bed. Max didn't mind, but he had a hard time convincing Jeff Parker of this fact. If Nancy Parker had her suspicions she kept them to herself, and Max was both grateful and relieved. He was almost certain she knew he would be sneaking into Liz's room after they'd gone to bed. This gave Max pause, but Max being Max, would not allow such a little thing deter him.


At around one a.m. in the morning, Max found himself navigating the Parker's pitch black apartment. Knowing his luck, he'd end up in Jeff and Nancy's room. Max shuddered at the thought. Easing open Liz's bedroom door, he quietly closed it behind him before calling her name.

"Lizzz," Max whispered and then cursed as he stubbed his toe.

"Out here," she said softly.

Max followed her voice threw the bedroom and out to a balcony. "This is nice," he said after climbing out the window.

"Glad you approve," Liz smiled up from her lounge chair. Her legs were covered by a blanket showcasing various Native designs and symbols. Although there was no snow on the ground in Roswell, it was still December, and the air was brisk.

"Nice pajamas," she laughed at Max's Kenmont hoody and sweatpants.

"Right back at you," he smirked because she was wearing the same thing. "Seems like great minds think alike. You gonna share?" he gestured at the lounge chair.

Liz climbed to her feet with a rueful smile. She let Max settle into the chair, then she sat between his legs and covered both of them with the blanket

"This is cozy." Max whispered into her ear.

Liz shivered though it wasn't from being cold.

Max wrapped his arms around her as the two settled in comfortably. "So this is your place." Max said softly.

Liz covered up her laugh by clearing her throat. "My place?"

"You know, your place. Like how Superman has his fortress of solitude. This is yours."

Liz had never thought of it that way. But in a way it was true. This balcony had always been her safe haven from the world. Only now, she didn't want to be alone. Not anymore.

"Now it's our place," Liz said meaningfully, gazing at Max.

He responded by hugging her tighter as the music from Liz's old radio washed over them.

Something in your eyes makes me want

to lose myself

Makes me want to lose myself

In your arms

There's something in your voice makes my

heart beat fast

Hope this feeling last

The rest of m life

"I love this song," Liz whispered.

If you knew how lonely my life has been

And how long I've felt so low

If you knew how I wanted someone to

come along

And change my life the way that you've done

"And I'm glad I finally have someone to share it with," she turned to stare intensively into his eyes. "I'm in love with you Max Evans."

"I'm in love with you too Liz Parker," Max whispered before lowering his mouth to hers.

Feels like home to me

Feels like home to me

Feels like I'm all the way back where

I come from

Feels like home to me

Feels like home to me

Feels like I'm all the way back where I belong…


Christmas morning went off smoothly, as did the rest of Max and Liz's vacation. Liz played tour guide and showed Max some of the more infamous Roswell dwellings. They'd eaten at Senior Chows and even gone ice skating. On their last day in town, they were exiting Roswell's alien museum when a voice from Liz's past had her freezing mid step.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't tutor girl," said a malicious female voice.

Not now Liz silently pleaded. She'd nearly been home free.

"And who is this?" the blonde continued , eyeing Max.

Liz rolled her eyes though remained silent. Maybe if she ignored the bitch she would go away. Not likely. Her inner voice mocked. She wanted to scream when she heard Max introducing himself.

"Max Evans," he said to the brown-eyed blonde. "And you are?"

"Pamela Troy. Pam to my friends," she cooed, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

She failed to notice Max's hardening expression, Liz didn't. "I would say it was nice to meet you, but then I'd be lying."

Pam's sexy smile vanished. She glanced back and forth between Max and Liz, and she noticed his hand soothing Liz's back.

"How interesting," she mused aloud. "So little Lizzie finally has a boyfriend. Though I see you still haven't learned your lesson," her eyes ran over Max from head to toe and she arched her brow, "still chasing waterfalls are we?"

Until that moment Liz had planned to play it cool. But where did that bulimic bitch get off…eyeing Max like he was steak and she hadn't eaten in weeks? And Liz totally got the TLC song reference too.

Enough was enough.

"How's Tommy?" she asked casually though she already knew. Small towns were gossip central.

"How the fuck would I know?" Pam said angrily. "I haven't seen that bastard since he left for school. Probably off screwing some little college nerd like you."

"Your lack of whit never fells to amaze me." Liz snorted. "And the way you dress…" She eyed Pam's waist length jacket, low rise jeans, and showing thong with disgust. "The less said about that subject the better. No wonder Tommy dumped you for some college nerd. Maybe it's you who should stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to."

Pam paled visibly. "So the little mouse can roar," she said bitterly. "But I'll always have the last laugh," she said referring to the video tape.

This time it was Liz who paled, and Max had heard enough. "You need to go," he said quietly, angrily.

"Or what?" Pam mocked. "Little Lizzie gonna cry."

"No," Liz answered. "But I might take my best friends advice and kick the skank out of your ass."

Liz took several threatening steps towards her. "I think it's long overdo."

"Whatever," Pam tossed bravely over her shoulder, already beating a hasty retreat.

Max stared at Liz deeply concerned. "You alright?" he asked.

"I'm fine," she said watching Pam run away.

"Liz…" Max turned her to face him.

"Honestly," Liz said stepping into his arms. "She can't hurt me anymore." And surprisingly enough it was true. She'd been through the fire, gotten a little singed, but in the end she was surprisingly ok. Because the past had become just that, the past. And Thomas Wolf was wrong, you could go home again.

Because home wasn't just some place on a map where you grew up, or a childhood bed where you used to lay your head. Home was that place where you felt loved, where you sought comfort, and where you felt safe. And finally, Liz had come full circle, and found her home in Max's arms.