Hi everyone! I'm on a roll… ;) I think I'll make Sundays my "update-day", so I'll really really try to update every Sunday.

Also, a very important note… When I first started to write this story I rated it PG-13. Now I find myself moving into the R-rated territory, so I've changed the rating of this fic to R. I realize that some of you would not have begun reading this story if it had been rated R, and some of you might be too young to read R. So, this is what I'm gonna do. Most of the story will remain PG-13, but the chapters which are more leaning towards R (due to sexual content), I will specifically warn you about, so you know which those are. If you decide not to read those chapters, e-mail me and I'll either give you a summary of the chapter or send you a censored one (depending on how much I can take away without changing the content of the chapter…)

I hope this is okay with you.

And thank you so much for the feedback!! :D

Now, two chapters as per usual… ;)

Chapter 30 (R-rated, due to sexual content)


He hit the brakes. It felt like the car couldn't stop fast enough. His heart was slamming against his ribs. No, oh no. Those were the only words running through his head. Over and over again. He could see her in the dark alley. She was all alone, he had left her and they had taken her from him. He ran to her, and kneeled beside her. No, she couldn't be dead! She couldn't be dead. But she was so cold. So cold. He turned her around and looked into her face. Her eyes were open, but they held no soul any longer. They were vacant - doors to emptiness. Liz had left her body.


He came out of the dream with a gasp, his body bolting upwards. It took him awhile to orient himself. It was all dark around him - the light of the moon shining through one of the high small windows, but then he realized where he was and he heard her soft breathing and his daughter's gently, peaceful breathing and he closed his eyes and started to take deep breaths to calm his racing heart. It was only a dream. It was only a dream. He laid down beside her, his eyes mesmerized by how her skin glowed in the moonlight. He gently traced her bare arm with his fingers. She's alive, she's alive. He told himself over and over again. He had been living a nightmare for years. He had been so lost without her, and everyday since he had found her again, he was amazed that she actually was with him. That he could once again see her smile, hear her laughter, experience her soft caresses...hold her in his arms. Her skin was so soft, so smooth. Flawless. She had always been perfect to him. Ever since the first time he had laid his eyes on her - stepping out of the schoolbus in third grade.

The memory of that day was still vivid in his mind. Isabel had been all excited to meet new people - to meet kids her own age. She always was so social. He had been terrified. He hadn't wanted to leave his protected haven, which he had started to consider his home. He didn't want to socialize. He didn't want to go out in the real world. The real world scared him. Isabel and he had always known they were different. They had also known that it would be dangerous to tell people that. Isabel dealt with everything through getting as much attention as possible. If she could be liked by other people, she wouldn't feel rejected - she wouldn't feel different. And she got what she wanted. She was always one of the most popular girls in school. There were girls admiring her. But she never really let anyone in. Because they both had human feelings. They were both afraid of being rejected - of being looked upon as a horrible disgusting creatures. So Max did the opposite to Isabel. He hid. He became known as a loner. A mystery to most people. Of course, that backfired a bit, since most girls found that so much more interesting - intriguing. However, there was always only one girl that mattered to Max. It was the girl who had calmed him down as he had nervously stepped off that yellow schoolbus that day. It was the girl who had taken his hand during the break, as he stood lonely in a corner of the school-yard - watching. It was the girl who had understood enough not to drag him out on the school-yard to all the people, but instead had sat down with him under a tree, and taught him how to blow bubbles with chewing gums.


Max planted a soft kiss on her shoulder, and Liz stirred. Max held his hand still, waiting to see if he had awakened her.
"Max...?" she murmured, still in her dreamless sleep.
"Shhh, go back to sleep," he whispered.
She sighed lightly and her breathing evened out, signifying that she had gone back to sleep. Max positioned himself next to her. She was laying on her side, her back towards him. He snuggled as close to her as he could and wrapped one of his arms around her, holding her close to him. Liz, still asleep, took his hand and laced her fingers with his, pressing their clasped hands to her stomach - sighing in content. Max laid his head in the crook of her shoulder and breathed in the scent of her hair. He kissed the side of her throat gently.
"I love you," he whispered. Feeling like his was truly home, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

---------------------------------------------------------------------.

A week later

"Is everything set for tonight?" Max asked Kira. Kira nodded.
"Yes."
"And they can be completely trusted?"
"They've been loyal to me since we arrived on Earth, thirty years ago. Don't worry, I've put my best men on it."
"Be sure not to leave Emma out of your sight for even one second."
Kira smiled at him. Max was really a true leader, and when it came to his small family he was the king he should have been even in his former life. However, then he had been married to Ava, and in the absence of Liz's support he had made bad decisions which had resulted in the fall of his kingdom and his own death.
"You can count on me," Kira said. "I would rather die than let anything happen to your girl."
Max nodded, raking his hand through his hair.
"Am I doing the right thing here, Kira?" he asked, letting his insecurities shine through. "Everything has been cool for a week, but what if something happens... perhaps we should just call this off. Emma is safer with us-"
"Max," Kira interrupted. "You've been planning this for two days. And as you have been saying, Liz needs this."

Max nodded. He wanted to do this for Liz. He knew that she was feeling worse. She was slowly deteriorating, and he didn't want to just stand by and passively watch. He had done everything he could. He had eased every ailment by healing, or feeding her with energy. But as long as she was blocking him, he couldn't heal her properly. On the outside she was being strong - putting on an optimistic face - but Max knew her too well to know that the outside didn't reflect the inside. They needed some time alone. Even though Max and Kira tried to take some responsibility and pressure off Liz's shoulders by taking care of Emma, she was always in some way guarding her daughter - unable to cut loose too much from years of being the only one there for her. Max just hoped that Liz was able to see what he was trying to do and not have her mind on Emma the whole night.
"Okay," Max said, and with a nod gave Kira the green flag to stick to the plan.

----------------------------------------------.

Liz came out from the bathroom, having enjoyed a long hot bath. She stopped, her hand pausing in the movement of pulling her hair into a pony-tail on her head. The big storage room, which was furnished with a dining table, some chairs, a TV, and a couch - together with the small kitchen area of course, was illuminated in the soft and warm light of candle lights. Max was sitting on the couch, eyes locked on her and a small anticipating smile on his face.
"Max...." Liz said slowly, moving towards him. "What's going on?"
"I have a surprise for you," Max said. "And it's still not too late."
"What are you talking about?" Liz asked confused. Although she couldn't help but smile at him. He was different. Excitement was coming off him in waves. He rose from the couch and took her hand, tugging her towards the front door.
"Max...I'm only wearing a robe," Liz giggled, as she tried to keep up with Max.
"Oh, that doesn't matter," Max said.
"Maybe not to you," Liz mumbled. The cool air hit her in the face, feeling even cooler as her hair was still wet from the bath.
"I have a blanket for you," Max said, and came to a stop in front of a ladder pushed up against the house wall.
Liz looked at him with amusement.
"Max, where are we going?" she asked, trying to sound irritated, but her amusement at Max's behavior shone through in her voice.
"We're going up on the roof," Max said. Liz looked at him, trying to figure out who he was and what he had done with her Max.

"Is that so wise, Max?" Liz asked. "What if someone sees us?"
"I have everything taken care of," Max said, as he searched her face. His eyes locked with hers. "Please, Liz. I want you to see something. Besides, the roof is lowered in a hollow, no one will be able to see us once we're up on the roof."
Liz felt herself drowning in his deep warm eyes once again.
With a nod she turned and started climbing the ladder. Max was right behind her, ready to catch her if she fell. Even how much Liz tried to put on a charade that she was fine, Max knew better and he wasn't gonna let her fall if she couldn't climb. They reached the roof, and Max's suspicions about Liz's weak condition were confirmed by her labored breathing. She had climbed a four meter high ladder, and she was almost completely out of breath.
"Liz..you're okay?" Max asked, his excitement over the surprise he had planned for her momentarily forgotten.
"Max..." Liz breathed, her voice filled with astonishment and admiration. The otherwise not so attractive roof surface had been transformed into the most romantic place Liz had ever seen. A blanket had been spread out, and candle lights were casting their soft light over the blanket. The roof was covered in the soft red color coming from the descending sun, illuminating the white rose petals which were spread out on the roof making them appear slightly pink.

"It's beautiful," Liz said breathlessly.
Max felt his heart swam over with his love for her.
"I thought we could watch the sunset," Max said.
"I can't believe you did this," Liz whispered stunned. Max took her hand and guided her to the blanket. She sat down on the blanket and Max took another blanket laying close by and wrapped it around her body. Liz's eyes followed his every movement. Max sat down beside her, and noticed that she was looking at him.
"What?" he asked, smiling.
"Do you know how amazing you are?" she asked. The red sun was wrapping them up in a warm color, but even with the red light shining on his face Liz could see that he was blushing lightly at her statement.
Liz's eyes was so full of admiration for him, that he found it difficult to meet her intense gaze. He had always been sort of modest, and he never really knew what to do with compliments.

He took her hand and raised it to his lips and softly placed a kiss on the back of it.
Liz shook her head, still trying to grasp how lucky she was.
"You are always there for me, Max. Taking care of me. You heal me everyday. And am not only talking about your powers - you heal my mind. My heart. But I need to know, Max. Do you ever regret it?"
Max looked at her in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
Liz took both his hands in hers.
"I don't want you to waste your life away, looking after me...and Emma."
Max looked at her as if she had just grown a third eye.
"Liz, are you kidding me?" he asked.
Liz shook her head firmly, completely serious.
"Your enemies can use us against you. I know you Max, and you would drop everything - sacrifice everything - if we were in danger-"
"Yes, Liz. I would," Max said. "Liz, I love you. I love you more than life itself. Without you..I was as good as dead. And I love Emma. Don't ever think that you are a burden. You light up my life, Liz." From anyone else that would probably sound cheesy, but Max spoke from his heart - tried putting words to feelings that no words could really describe. "Without you I'm nothing."
Tears were shimmering in Liz's eyes as she leaned into him, and put her lips on his. His lips were warm, soft and he tasted so good. So much Max.
"I love you," Liz said against his lips.
"I love you," Max said and put his arms around her waist - pulling her closer. They were soon lost in each other, the sunset forgotten. They were only feeling. Feeling the texture of the other's lips, feeling the scent, feeling the bodies under their touching hands.

"Liz...," Max murmured against her lips.
"Mmm," Liz said, before she caught his lips again.
"You..."
kiss
"...wanna..."
kiss
"...uhm..."
kiss
"....see..."
kiss
"...the sunset?"
"Mmmm," Liz murmured again, not having any thoughts at all on a sunset. She could feel Max's mouth turn up into a grin, and she slowly pulled away - smiling back at him.
"What?" she asked.
Max looked at her. Her lips were swollen, her cheeks were rosy and her eyes were vibrant. She looked more alive than he had seen her since they had moved into the warehouse.
"You want to see the sunset?" he asked again, tucking a loose strand of her dark hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering on the silky skin of her cheek.
Liz turned her head and looked out at the sky, as if suddenly noticing that there was actually a sun out there, about to go down in a cascade of colors. She nodded slowly as she turned her head back to him.
"Sure, we can do that," she said.
Max laid down on his stomach, pulling Liz along with him. He pulled her close to his side, correcting the blanket over her, so that she wouldn't get cold. Liz snuggled under the arm he had put around her, positioning her head on her hands as she looked out at the beautiful sunset. They watched the sun go down during the next ten minutes, then the darkness started to spread around them - stopped only by the wall of light spread from the candle lights that were surrounding them.

"Max, where's Emma," Liz asked softly.
Max was actually surprised that she hadn't asked earlier.
"She's at Maria and Michael's," Max said.
"Is it safe?" Liz asked.
"Kira is with them, and some of his men are keeping watch outside the apartment complex," Max answered reassuringly. "Actually, some of his men are keeping watch here as well."
Liz wiggled under him and finally managed to turn on her back, Max following her movements with an amused grin. Liz looked him straight in the eye. With a smile on her lips, she arched one of her eyebrows.
"Really?"

"Uh huh," Max answered, suddenly having a strong urge to feel the texture of the glowing skin of her neck against his lips.
"You have really planned this, haven't you?" Liz asked amused.
Max gave into the temptation and lowered his mouth to her neck, raining small kisses over her neck. Liz tilted her head backwards, giving him more access and Max moved his body more on top of hers.
"I wanted you..." Max said and then nibbled at the sensitive skin in the crook of her shoulder with his lips, "....to have a night off."
Liz cradled his face with her fingers, lifting his face from what he was doing and met his eyes - craving the taste of his lips on hers.
"I love how your mind works," she said before she attacked his lips with a passion that took Max's breath away. Their mouths made love to each other, as their hands went on their own discoveries. Liz started to unbutton Max shirt, which went him totally unnoticed in the heat of the moment, and put her hands inside his shirt. As he felt her small, cool hands on his warm chest he buried his hand in her hair, pulling her lips even closer to his. Liz hands traced the firm and hard muscles of his chest. She still remembered every single detail of his chest, even though it had been five years since she last had been able to feel him. She moved her hands up and down his chest, as her lips were locked on his. His hands left her hair, and moved downwards, slowly followed the curves of her body to come to rest on her hips. His hands found their way inside her robe and started moving upwards again - now without the clothes hindering him from feeling her bare soft skin under his hands - as his lips left hers and he started kissing a trail down her jawline. Max's gentle caresses over her stomach and ribs were doing havoc to her body. His hands heated up her skin and the chilly evening air didn't bother her any longer. He was setting her body on fire with his touches. The need for him was so intense, she wanted to curl up inside of him, in that warm and protective place inside of him that was the essence of Max Evans. Max's hands came into contact with her breast and she instinctively arched her body against his hands.

Max paused and searched her face. Her eyes were closed, her lips slightly parted, her breath leaving it in small and quick puffs.
"Liz..." he managed to say, himself struggling with his breathing. Liz opened her eyes, and the second her eyes met his he knew that she was ready.
"Max...don't stop," she whispered. She didn't have to beg him twice. He lowered his head and captured her lips in a heart-searing kiss, as his hands moved the robe aside - his hands finding her breast. Liz moaned deeply in her throat, as he run his hand over her nipple before he let his mouth follow suite. Liz couldn't think one coherent thought. Her mind was turning into mush under Max's touches. She could only feel. Feel the feelings that were filled with more pleasure than she ever thought imaginable. Her whole body was tingling from the sensations he caused in her - every nerve ending was reacting with full effect. She could feel her body awakening - springing to life. She needed to feel him. Max was taken by surprised as Liz suddenly rolled them over, positioning herself on top of Max. She quickly removed his shirt, and then her hands went to his jeans, starting to tug down his zipper. Her movements were fast - urgent. There was an emptiness building inside of her, and she needed him. She needed him to fill it.
Max looked at her hovering above him, hot blood racing through his veins. He could feel his heart pounding, going one hundred miles a minute. Her face was shimmering in gentle glow of the candle lights, her cheeks flustered, her eyes chocolate dark, her hair fanning out around her face - teasing him as it brushed against his warm naked chest. God, he wanted her. He wanted her so badly.

Then he felt her hands touch him where his desire for her was the greatest and a tremble went through his body, as a low groan vibrated deep down in his throat. He felt Liz remove his pants, pulling them down his thighs and calves - freeing him of the pressure he was experiencing in the too tight jeans. And then she was over him again. Planting kisses on his bare chest. Max reached his hands to her head and cradled her face, pulling her lips to his - fusing them together. His hands went inside her robe again, that was still preventing him from truly feeling her, and pushed it off her from her shoulders. Liz flushed her body against Max's, and Max could finally feel her naked skin against his - flesh to flesh. Her nipples were hard, creating pleasurable friction as they moved slightly against him as they continued devouring each other with their mouths. In the still night the only sound that could be heard was the sound of their lips moving against each other and their soft moans of pleasure. The outside world was lost to them in their heaven of pleasure.
"Max," Liz gasped. Max gently rolled her on her back again, so that he could see her. All of her. He started to untie the band that held her robe together, but finally he tugged the whole robe over her hips, with the knot still tied as he couldn't concentrate enough to get it loose. He paused as she was now laying in front of her, completely vulnerable to him. She looked different. Some bruises covered her body, that not even the growing darkness could hide, and she was so much skinnier. He suddenly got insecure, and started to question what they were doing.

Her breathing heavy, Liz opened her eyes as Max stopped and she searched his eyes. The desire and passion was still evident in his eyes, but now he also looked....sad.
"Max...what?" she whispered. The chilly breeze was touching her skin and she suddenly felt cold without Max's touches.
"Are you okay?" Max asked. "I'm not...I'm not hurting you am I?" She looked so fragile, she looked like she might break.
Liz raised her hand and put it behind his head, drawing him down towards her.
"Never been better," she whispered, her voice husky, and then she kissed him. "Max, please make love to me. I need you."

Max felt her love flow over him, and he basked it in, moving his hands across her body again, caressing it with such gentleness and love that Liz got tears in her eyes.
"Liz...do we- have we?" Max stuttered as he felt Liz tug on his boxers. Liz nodded, with a smile on her face.
"Don't worry, Max. I'm on the pill," Liz said. Max smiled too and helped her take his boxers off. Max stopped and looked into her eyes.
"I love you, Liz Parker."
"I love you," Liz answered, and he slowly entered her. The couple was unaware of the silverish glow that radiated off their bodies, encircling them as they were filled with the greatest pleasure they had ever felt, as they finally completed each other. Two halves coming together, becoming whole. Their bodies were melting together, becoming one. And as their movements brought them closer to their climax the connection was restored, opening up wide between them. Images, feelings, emotions, thoughts, passions, and an indescribable love floated their senses and tears trickled down their cheeks as they could finally feel each other in every way known. Their union not only melting their bodies together, but also their minds, hearts and souls.

------------------------------------------.

The sun had descended and the darkness was spreading like a blanket over New Mexico. On a roof top on a warehouse somewhere outside of the small town Roswell, the darkness was penetrated by the flicker of ten white candle lights. Positioned in between the candles that were positioned in a circle, was a blanket. The modest lightning was illuminating naked skin, partly covered up by another blanket. Under the blanket, limbs were entwined, arms were embracing, fingers were laced. The light kept the darkness at a safe distance from the sleeping couple, that had finally come home.

TBC…