Chapter 20
"So, what's up?" Max asked as he arrived at his locker and saw Michael leaning against the lockers next to it.
"I had a nightmare," he informed and Max nodded as he opened his locker.
"And?" Max prodded.
"And I think we need a vacation," he informed and Max looked at him.
"Where and how do you think you are going to pay for it?" Max asked.
"I will use the money I got from the Dupree's," he told Max and Max looked at him.
"Michael, you could use that money to pay for rent and your future," Max pointed out but Michael shook his head.
"No way Maxwell, it's blood money," Michael told him. "I want rid of it as fast as we can," he told him and Max arched an eyebrow.
"Where do you propose we go?" Max asked.
"You're gonna love it. It's a place without rules, without responsibilities, a place where we can forget about our troubles, it's a city of dreams," Michael tempted and Max threw him 'what the hell' look.
"And that is where?" Max asked.
"Vegas Max, Las Vegas," Michael stated.
"Las Vegas?" Liz asked and Maria nodded and Liz sighed. "Fine, count me in but if we get busted, I'm saying you guys dragged me there," she warned them and found herself enveloped in hugs, causing her to laugh. "And just how did you guys hear about Las Vegas?" Liz asked.
"Oh, Max told Isabel, who went to Michael and demanded to be let in then she went and told Kyle, who let it slip to Tess. Tess went to Michael and asked him about it and got her cut in, Max went up to Michael once more and asked if you could come so you got your cut only for Max to say that you wouldn't come unless I came so I got my cut then he told Michael that none of us would come unless Alex came so he got his cut. Michael went to Spanish class where Kyle asked Michael to put a bet on for him and got into trouble with the Spanish teacher and got detention, after that he asked if he could come and got his cut. I'm inviting James and Alex is going invite Sarah," Maria explained and Liz shook her head.
"Gotcha," Liz stated and Maria squealed as she hugged Liz once more before running out of class, leaving Liz alone with Alex and Liz rolled her eyes. "Go and find Sarah, I'm pretty sure she's waiting for you," Liz teased and Alex hugged her before running out and Liz shook her head.
Michael rounded the corner only to see Tess, Maria, Alex, Sarah, Kyle and Isabel standing behind a limo driver, who was carrying the sign 'Guerin's Party'.
"This is low-profile?" Michael asked in disbelief.
"Going somewhere, Mr. Gurien?" a deep voice stated, causing Michael to jump and turn around only to see Max standing there with a smirk on his face. "Pretty good Principal Forrester, huh?" Max asked.
"Yeah, you're a riot. What's the plan?" Michael asked and Max nodded.
"At this very moment, the debate team is leaving for a two-day meet in Santa Fe. According to this piece of paper, we're going with them. If anybody asks, our original oral topic was "Space Travel: Wave of the Future or Misbegotten Dream?" Max told them and Alex nodded.
"Catchy," Alex stated.
"Okay, let's get out of here," Michael stated as Liz and James walked up, causing Michael to scowl.
"What's is he doing here?" Michael asked.
"He's coming with us," Maria told him as she grabbed James' hand and set off, Max looked at Liz, who just smiled.
"I'm going with you," she told him and he laughed as he wrapped an arm around her waist and they all left.
They made their way over to the airport when Michael stopped them and held out his hand.
"I want everyone to give me their licences, I will exchange them for fake ones and you will get your real ones when we hit Roswell," he told them and everyone handed their licence over to him.
"How are you going to get them exchanged in a short time?" Sarah asked.
"I have a friend who is meeting me up here, he has everything ready, just needs your pictures," Michael lied as he placed the licences in his pocket.
Everyone headed over to the small shop to gather some stuff while Michael made his way over to the male toilet.
He entered a stall and locked it before grabbing the licences and used his powers to change the date of their birth and their names. He exited the toilets and headed over to where the rest of the gang were waiting for plane, he nodded to them just as their plane number was called out and they moved over to their line.
"Here we are ... the presidential suites. You've got 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, state-of-the-art entertainment system, 6 people Jacuzzi heated to a toasty 102. Is there anything else I could get you folks," the bellboy stated and Maria gave him his tip. "Thanks. I'll go get you some ice," he informed them before leaving the room. Maria let out a squeal as she looked around while Tess ran off to the bathroom.
"I bet they have towel warmer," she told them; Kyle just slapped his hands together and rubbed them.
"Let's see about some in-house porno," Kyle stated as he moved toward the TV only to be stopped as Michael clapped his hands.
"Hold up everyone," Michael called out and they all lined up in front of him as Michael pulled out the licences and threw each person their own licence before grabbing his bag and pulling out the money and threw a bundle of money to each person. "Since I'm sponsoring this operation, you will follow my rules. Your bank is three grand. This cash is to be spent here. There is no hoarding it," he warned them and nodded. "Sound off."
"Okay, Harvey Wallbanger," Kyle stated.
"Piña Colada," Tess called out, looking at the name.
"Tom Collins," Alex stated.
"Jessica Ashworth," Sarah called.
"Brandy Alexander," Isabel told them.
"Margarita Salt," Maria stated with a roll of her eyes.
"Brandon Evans," James stated.
"Shirley Temple," Liz called out and smirked as she looked over Max's shoulder and saw what his name was, Max held his licence up to his face in amusement.
"Rob Roy," Max called out and Michael nodded.
"And I'm your host, Dr. Love," he informed them and looked at them when giggles started up. "Rule number 2 - and this is the biggie. Rob Roy and Dr. Love run alone. You see us at a table; you find another one. If there are no other questions ... then go out and clobber the house," he informed them with a nod. "Okay, Rob Roy and I are rolling together," Michael stated.
"Er, sorry, Liz and I have plans that don't involve you lot," Max piped up.
"Us girls have shopping to do," Maria jumped in.
"I'm hanging with Kyle to make sure he doesn't blow all of his money," Alex explained.
"I'll hang with you," James suggested.
"Oh, good idea honey," Maria, stated as she turned to Michael with a 'behave or die' glare, which caused Michael to roll his eyes.
"Okay, let's go and I don't want to see a cent left over from those money!" Michael ordered and everyone left the apartment except Michael, James, Max and Liz. Michael raised an eyebrow at them.
"Like I said, we have plans that don't involve you," Max told them as he pushed the boys out and locked the door behind them then turned to his amused girlfriend. "Hot tub?" he asked and she smirked.
"Race you there," she told him and ran toward the hot tub, Max just grinned as he grabbed the bowl of strawberries, bowl of cream, the ice bucket that had chilled fizzy drink in it and two glasses before following his girlfriend.
He reached the hot tub only to arch an eyebrow when he saw that Liz's clothes were on the floor and she was sitting in the tub, naked. Liz smiled. "Come on in Max, the water is hot and wet," she teased him, he growled as he placed the bucket, glasses and the bowls on the side of the hot tub before stripping off in front of Liz.
Liz just licked her lips as she watched Max strip before he was fully naked and he climbed into the hot tub with her.
"You're right, it is hot and wet," he teased as he reached over and captured her mouth in his, causing her to moan as she arched her head backward, arching her body into his. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on when Max dipped his fingers into the cream before lifting it. He pulled away from Liz and smeared it across her neck, causing Liz to giggle as the coolness met the hot skin.
Liz moaned as Max licked the cream from her neck, she turned to face him and kissed him fully on the mouth, licking his bottom lip before sliding her tongue along his as he opened his mouth.
Max groaned as he gripped Liz's waist and pulled her to straddle his lap. Liz reached down and cupped him gently before lifting her so he could slide into her, causing Liz to throw her head back in pleasure as she sunk down on him.
"I love you," Liz whispered against his lips as she kissed him. Max tightened his hold on her hips and helped her move up and down on him.
"I love you too," Max, whispered back as they both lost themselves in their loving, ignoring the world around them.
Alex and Kyle were sitting at the blackjacks table when Maria all of a sudden showed up.
"You will never believe what I've found in the spa locker room!" Maria exclaimed only to see Alex lose his money all in the one go.
"Oh God. My heart hurts," Alex, exclaimed.
"A booking agent is holding auditions. Alex, Alex I need the hugest favour from you. I need an accompanist," Maria told him and Alex shot her a look.
"I play the bass guitar," Alex reminded.
"No, no. You could fake it in the piano. It's just some simple chorus change. It first starts off with an E and then in the bridge it goes..." Maria was interrupted.
"-- I just lost $3000, all right!" Alex shouted at her as he grabbed her arms and she grabbed his arms.
"Alex, I'll, I'll give you $3000, if you help me get this gig. Please," Maria pleaded and Alex wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"The key was E, right?" he asked.
"Right," Maria agreed and Alex led her away.
"All right. What's the tune?" he asked.
They found themselves in the audition room; Alex was sitting behind the piano while Maria was standing next to him.
"Ok, blondie. You're up," The man started and Maria took a deep breath and started singing 'you've got world on a string' while Alex played the piano. "Honey. You've got some set of pipes," the man told her when she was finished and Maria grinned.
"Well, I..." Maria started and the man shook his head.
"No, I was... I was truly moved," the man told her and she smiled, showing her pleasure in being praised.
"Thank you," she told him and he shook his head.
"No, no. Thank you," he told her before his face grew serious. "Now take off your clothes," he ordered, causing Maria to look at him shocked and Alex to be outraged.
"Hey!" Alex shouted as he got off the piano and moved over to where Maria was standing. "Who do you think you are? You treat her like a lady!" Alex ordered and the man looked at her.
"I'll treat her like a stripping lady, 'cause that what she's auditioning for," he informed Alex and Alex looked at Maria before grabbing the flyer.
"Give me this flyer. New talent, big money... Oh! Oh!" Alex looked at it before looking at Maria and pointed it out. "B.Y.O G-string," Alex pointed out and Maria rolled her eyes as she threw up her hands and left the room, Alex turned to the guy. "You need to make it more clearer buddy," he informed him before leaving, chasing after Maria.
Michael paced the cell that he and James were sharing; he was wringing his hands as he thought up ways to get out of the cell he was in and to get away from James.
"Figures I would get stuck in here with you," Michael stated and James rolled his eyes.
"If you had just packed up and left like the manager had suggested, we wouldn't even be in this situation!" James shot at him and Michael glared at him.
"Don't go blaming me for this," Michael snapped and James lost it.
"What the fuck is your problem?" James demanded as he stood up and glared at Michael, Michael stood up and faced James.
"My problem is you and Sarah coming in here and wreaking everything we worked for," Michael snapped at him and James scoffed.
"And what about Max and Liz?" he demanded, causing a stunned look from Michael. "Ever since they came back, all you and Isabel have done is get onto their cases, you continually put them down because they dared to love each other. The way you go on, you make it sound like it's against some sort of law or something like that!"
"They are not meant to be together," Michael snapped and James let out a bitter laugh.
"Oh, that's just funny because a blind and deaf man would know that they would belong together," he stated before shaking his head. "Do you really hate Max that much? Or Liz?" he demanded. "I have never ever seen Liz be so happy as she is with Max. He lights her up, he makes her laugh and smile. God! He put a sparkle in her eyes that I have never seen before and I will be damned if I let anyone get in the way of that!" he snapped. "Even Mrs Evans tells me that Max is completely different around Liz, that he had never been more happier and outgoing when he is with Liz. That he actually opens up to someone, that he came out of his shell. Are you that selfish that you would rather have Max a lonely person with no one to love and no one to love him just so you can be happy?" he demanded and shook his head. "You are pathetic, anyone who tries to break up two happy people, who are so obviously in love with each other just because they are not happy with their relationship outta be shot in the head," James stated before turning away and sitting down on the bench.
Maria entered the suite and smiled when she saw Liz and Max cuddling up together on the couch, watching a film.
"Hey Maria, spend all your money already?" Liz asked and Maria rolled her eyes.
"I gave Alex it," she informed them and got curious gaze in return. "Alex spent his 3 grand all in the one go and lost the game, I found a flyer for a singing competition and I gave Alex 3 grand if he would play the piano," she informed them.
"Did you get the gig?" Max asked and Maria scoffed.
"I would have if I had stripped my clothes," she informed them. "It was a gig for a singing stripper," she explained and got amused looks in return, causing her to glare at them as the phone rang. "Hello, president suite," Maria stated.
"Hey babe," James greeted and Maria perked up.
"Do you have any idea what happened to me?" she asked. "I ended up auditioning to be a stripper! Little innocent me!" she exclaimed.
"What?" James demanded. "I thought you said it was a singing competition," James told her and she scoffed.
"Didn't specify that it was suppose to be a singing stripper!" she exclaimed and he sighed as he pinched the bridge of his note.
"If you help me, I will come up and comfort you," he told her and her eyebrows furrowed.
"What happened?" she asked and he sighed.
"Michael and I are in jail," he told her.
"What?" she demanded, causing Max and Liz to look up from where they were cuddling together on the couch. "Why?"
"Michael was getting lucky on one of the games, the manager was getting suspicious so they told him to close down and move somewhere else, he didn't listen and got into a fight with the security guard, I got hit and we got arrested," he explained and Maria pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I'll be right down once I get money for bail," she promised him.
"Thanks babe, I owe you one," he told her and he hung up while Maria turned to Max and Liz.
"I'm going to kill your best friend!" Maria told him and Max stood up.
"What's wrong? What bail money?" he asked.
"It looks like Michael has been using his powers to win the games, the manager got suspicious and told Michael to move somewhere else. Of course, knowing Michael, he kicked up a fuss and got himself and James arrested for assault," she explained.
"What?" Liz demanded as she stood up. "What do you mean, arrested?" she demanded.
"They are in jail waiting for us to bail them out," Maria stated and Liz scoffed.
"If Michael thinks I'm bailing him out, he can think again," she told them before grabbing her bag and Max turned to him.
"Liz…" Max started and Liz turned to him and shook her head.
"No Max, he has done nothing but aggravated us because we stayed together and you didn't follow your destiny. He had made it pretty clear that he resented Sarah and James coming to Roswell. I'm not helping him out because he couldn't be bothered to keep his powers in check," she informed him before leaving the motel and Maria turned Max.
"You have to admit, she is right Max," she told him and Max sighed as he nodded and Maria smiled, gently. "Don't worry about her, she's just frustrated. You two stayed in the room to have time to yourselves without us and without any problems disturbing you. Michael getting him and James arrested is not the kind of problem she wants and add in the fact that Michael hasn't exactly been welcoming about James and your relationship. She's just venting," Maria told him and he nodded.
"I know, I hate Michael for doing this too but he's my best friend," Max told her and Maria nodded.
"I know but Michael has only really tolerated Liz, I don't think he ever really accepted Liz and when you guys found out about your destiny and you ran off with Liz then came back proclaiming there was no way you were going to follow your destiny, it just ticked him off even more. She gets that and it makes her frustrated that he's dragging James down with him," Maria explained and Max nodded.
"Come on, we better go and bail them out," he told her and she looked at him, causing him to look at her, puzzled. "What?" he asked.
"How long are you going to keep paying for Michael's mistakes?" she asked before leaving the motel room, leaving Max alone with his thoughts.
Liz made her way down to the jail section; she knew she shouldn't have blown up at Max but god-damnit! It was hers and Max's time together. They finally had time away from Roswell where they could pretend to be normal teenagers in love and do what couples do, make love to show their love together. Have fun. Date and see the scenes. But everyone was so determined to disrupt their times by being selfish about their own needs and damn everyone else's.
"Yes?" the receptionist asked when Liz arrived at the desk.
"I'm here to bail out a James Parker and a Michael Gurien," she told her and she nodded.
"Sure, here's the clipboard, I want your to sign your name on it and I'll go and get them," she told Liz and Liz nodded as she took the clipboard and signed her name as Max and Maria turned up.
"Liz?" Max asked.
"Don't worry about it, I just set bail for him too," she informed him and Max nodded.
"Liz, can we talk?" he asked, Maria smiled as she moved away and Liz stepped closer to Max.
"I'm sorry," Liz told him as she looked up at him. "It just, it's was suppose to be our time Max, Michael knew that we wanted time alone together and he still goes ahead and pulls this stunt!" she exclaimed. Max pulled her into a hug.
"I know, I'm angry at Michael too, I don't want you to doubt that but he's like a brother to me," Max told her and she nodded.
"I know but James is like a brother to me," she told him and Max sighed.
"I think we're just gonna have to disagree to agree," he told her and she laughed as Max kissed her forehead as James and Michael stepped through the corridor.
James smiled when he saw Maria and she threw herself into his arms.
"I'm so glad you're okay!" she told him and James nodded.
"I'm fine," he promised her before looking at Liz and Max. "I'm sorry for ruining your time," he told them and they nodded.
"It's okay," Liz told him as she hugged him and pulled away. Her smile faded when she saw Michael. "Michael," she greeted and he nodded before she turned back to James. "Come on, let's get back to the room, I'm pretty sure you're hungry," Liz told James and he laughed as he wrapped his arms around Liz and Maria and they both left the area.
Michael turned to Max. "Thanks for helping me," Michael told him and Max shook his head.
"It wasn't me, it was all Liz," Max told him and shook his head. "What the hell were you thinking?" Max demanded. "You used your powers to win the games and in the process could have exposed us all!" he exclaimed,
"Max…" Michael started and Max shook his head.
"No Michael!" Max snapped. "You knew that Liz and I wanted a day off from babysitting you guys and just have time alone together and you still pulled off that stupid move!" he snapped and ran a hand through his hair as he let out a frustrated breath. "Just stay away from us, I need to make sure that Liz is calmed enough for tonight because we are going to have one normal night where we are all normal teenagers just having fun. And I swear to god Michael, if you stuff it up, there will no place on earth for you to hide," he promised before leaving Michael alone with his thoughts.
The gang, sans Liz, were standing outside in the main area of their motel room, Max took at them all and nodded in approval, he still found it hard that they all could scrub up when the occasion call for it considering their lives.
"Liz wants Max to see her alone as the dress is a surprise for him, so we'll head on downstairs and meet you in the dance hall," Maria told them and Max nodded.
"Okay," he told them and they left and Max headed over to his and Liz's bedroom that they shared.
Max waited outside of the room, when he heard the door open; he turned around to see Liz standing there in the doorway wearing her red dress. Her hair was pinned up in a messy way with strands falling around her face and she wore her red heels.
"Oh…wow," Max, stated and Liz grinned.
"Do you like it?" she asked and Max shook his head.
"I love it," Max told her and she stepped forward as Max held out his hand, she linked her hand with his and they both made their way out of the motel and down to the dinning room where they planned to meet up with their friends and have fun.
"This is just great," Maria stated from where she sat across from Liz, wearing her gold dress.
"This is amazing Maria, you did good work," Liz told her best friend and Maria grinned.
"I aim to please," she stated and James laughed as he wrapped an arm around Maria's shoulders and hugged her.
"You did great baby," he told her and she smiled up at him before kissing him, gently, on the lips. Liz looked up at Max, who smiled down at her before looking at the rest of their friends. Tess was sitting on the other side of Max, wearing her ice blue dress while Michael sat on her other side, wearing his suit. Alex sat at the head of the table, wearing his suit and holding a camera while Sarah sat next to him, wearing a white dress, her read hair was curled and pinned up. Kyle sat on the other side of Michael wearing his suit and Isabel sat next to Kyle, on the other side of James, wearing her black strapless dress.
"Okay beautiful people," Alex called out and everyone turned to face him. "Picture time," he informed them and everyone moved in closer while Liz and Maria leaned across the table next to each other and they all grinned. "Say Las Vegas."
"Las Vegas!" everyone cheered and he took the picture.
"Now, that's one for the album," Alex stated, causing laughers.
"I'm just going to go and grab a drink from the bar," James told them, causing everyone to look at him.
"Okay," Maria told him and he grinned as he kissed her cheek before getting up and heading over to the bar before moving out of sight. Maria sighed as she turned back to Liz and Liz smiled.
"You're in love," Liz teased and Maria laughed as she threw a napkin at Liz as both girls laughed together.
There was a noise then silence, causing everyone to look toward the stage and Maria felt her jaw drop when she saw James standing on the stage, smiling nervously at everyone.
"Hi, Erm, I just wanted to introduced you to everyone. She is a fabulous girl and she loves to talk. And she is a great singer and I know you are all going to love her tonight," James informed them before winking at Maria, causing her heart to melt."Please welcome to the stage... Miss Margarita Salt!" James announced and Maria smiled as she made her way over to the stage, James helped her up and leaned in. "You know this song?" James asked and Maria smiled at the tune.
"Yes," she told him before kissing his cheek and moved over to the microphone.
#If I were the moon, I could, catch your eye--I'm jealous of the moon
If I were the wind, I would, make you fly--I'm jealous of that too#
Max held out his hand and Liz smiled as she took it and they made their way on to the dance floor with the other dancers. Michael and Tess joined in as Sarah laughed as something Kyle said before nodding and accepting his hand, they moved out onto the dancing floor while Alex smiled as he watched them as he taped everything. #I wish I were the sun shining, on your face--caressing like a lover
I would wrap you in a warm embrace--, we'd be holdin' one another
(I'm jealous of the sun/I'm jealous of the sun
(Jealous of the sun) oh, I'm jealous of the sun
Oh, I don't wanna share you with, nothing else--I gotta have you to myself
Oh--I can't help it--I'm so in love--, I just can't get you close enough, no
When the sun's on your skin--
I can't hold it in, and I know it's a sin--
But I'm jealous of the sun
I wish I were the rain runnin' down your, Neck--and drippin' from your fingers
Then I could be the drops rollin' off your, Back--I'd love to let it linger
(Jealous of the rain) oh, I'm jealous of the rain
Oh, I don't wanna share you with nothing, else--I gotta have you to myself
Oh--I can't help it--I'm so in love-/I just can't get you close enough, no
When it rains on your face--, I almost can taste
Your beauty, your grace-, I'm jealous of the rain
When the wind's in your hair--, the way it blows through the air
Oh, it's seems so unfair, yeah, When the moon's in your eyes--
You seem to light up the skies, yeah, and I realize--
I'm even jealous of the moon# Maria finished and everyone clapped as they smiled at Maria, James smirked as he helped Maria down before moving over to the microphone.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I now introduce Shirley Temple," James announced and Liz glared, playfully, at her cousin before kissing Max gently on the lips before making her way over to the stage, James helped her up and winked at her. "Don't need to know if you know this song," James teased and Liz laughed as she tune came on, she nodded and moved over to the microphone.
#Oh, thank you baby for, lovin' me like you do
I didn't like datin'--, and trying to find someone
I gave up waitin'--, for love to come alongThere had to be someway--, I knew I'd find it someday
Yeah, thank you baby, For makin' someday come so soon
Yeah, thank you baby, For lovin' me the way you do
So many numbers--so many guys to call, Is it any wonder--I got nowhere at all
Oh, well it had to be someway (it had to be, Someway) I knew I'd find it someday
Yeah, thank you baby, For makin' someday come so soon
Yeah, thank you baby, For lovin' me the way you do
Thank you baby (check it out)
Oh, Uh, uh, uh, yeah
There had to be someway--, I knew I'd find it someday
Yeah, thank you baby, For makin' someday come so soon
Yeah, thank you baby, For lovin' me the way you do
(Thank you baby) thank you baby, (Thank you baby) for lovin'
Me the way, me the way you do, Baby someway, someday, somewhere
Yeah, yeah, oh, thank you baby! For lovin'
Me like you do, Oh, thank you baby# Liz finished and everyone clapped and cheered as Max walked up to the stage and handed Liz a rose, causing her to blush as she kissed him.
They all laughed as they stepped into the motel room only to stop sight of Jim sitting there. He lifted the sign that said 'Guerin's Party', turned his head and dropped the sign as he looked at the kids in front of him.
Everyone looked at each other before looking back at him.
"Where's Sarah and James?" he asked, noticing that two of the party was missing.
"Sarah wanted to get some coffee and James went with her to help her," Maria explained.
"I got phone calls from everyone's parents, demanding to know where all their kids where, I had no idea and started to panic as I thought the world was coming to an end, or that you were out hurt or being chased by one of your enemies as I knew that you lot wouldn't go somewhere without telling me!" he shouted.
"We're sorry," Liz whispered and Jim shook his head.
"Sorry doesn't cut it Liz, you all just went off without telling me what you were doing!" Jim shouted. "You are supposed to be responsible people who should know better than to run off and leave your parents worried!"
"What about us?" Liz asked and Jim looked at her. "When do we get to be normal kids?" she asked before shaking her head and headed into the bedroom that she and Max shared, slamming the door.
Jim just looked at the door before looking at the remaining kids.
"Be home," he told them then moved past them. "Kyle, car!" Jim told him.
"But dad!" Kyle whined.
"CAR NOW!" Jim shouted and he left the motel room on his dad's heel.
"Am I glad I'm an orphan?" Michael asked and Tess nodded.
"Same here," Tess told them.
"TESS!" Jim shouted and Tess winced as she looked toward the gang before shrugging and leaving the room.
Michael turned to Max.
"Wanna get some breakfast?" he asked and Max nodded as they left the room and headed outside to the vendor. "I'm sorry," Michael stated and Max looked at him.
"For what?" Max asked.
"For being an Ass," he admitted and Max looked at him. "James let me see some things, I guess you can say, knocked some sense into me." Max looked at him.
"How do you mean?" Max asked.
"When we were in jail, he told me things, made me see things in his way," Michael admitted and Max nodded. "I just wanted to let you know that I support you and Liz, James explained it to me," Michael told him.
"Thank you," Max told him. "I accept you and Tess, just a little confused how it came to be, Tess told Liz you were working on controlling your powers, got talking and it went from there," Max told him.
"Yeah, I don't know what it is, but something about her attracts me to her," Michael told and Max nodded.
"As long you're happy, funny though, I didn't think Tess was your type," Max admitted and Michael looked at him.
"Thank you, beside you used to be attracted to her," Michael reminded and Max shook his head.
"Actually I wasn't, Tess was using her mind warps on me, the day dreams? That was all her," Max explained it. "It explains why I never had night dreams about her, it was only Liz I dreamt of," Max finished as they picked up their food and coffees.
They headed back up to their motel room and saw that James and Sarah had arrived.
"Hey, where are Tess and Kyle?" James asked and Max winced.
"Mr. Valenti found us," Max told him and James winced.
"We're in trouble?" he asked and Michael nodded.
"I bet we'll catch hell 101 for this when we go back," Michael told them as a bedroom door opened and revealed Liz wearing her sweats and one of Max's shirts, her hair was tied up in a messy bun as she walked over to them.
"That was quick change," Maria stated and Liz grinned.
"A girl can be motivated considering some people don't have a knack for knocking," she told them, glaring at James in the process and he rolled his eyes.
"One time and they hold against you forever," he muttered as he handed her a cup of hot chocolate.
"When's our flight back?" Sarah asked and Max looked at his wrist.
"About three hours," he told them and she nodded.
"Three hours to gear ourselves up," she told them with a smile and Alex laughed.
"Some of us will be lucky and get off easy," he reminded. "Your mother is pretty much laid back, she understand the stress you've been under, James' parents is in Florida, so he's lucky. Maria will face Amy's wrath, Michael will be lucky too as he has no parents to lecture him, Max and Isabel, well Mrs. Evans can be scary when she wants to be and when it comes to Liz's mother, well, Liz you better run," Alex told Liz and she smiled.
"Yeah, I should," Liz, teased back while thinking, 'especially when my mother is not my mother'.
Max just wrapped an arm around her shoulder, understanding what she was thinking, she just looked up at him and smiled at him before resting her head on his shoulder, wondering what they would face when they arrived home.
They let out a big sigh when they felt the plane hit the ground of Roswell, Michael had taken everyone's licenses back and changed them before they entered the plane and gave it back to them when they were on the plane, remarkably, James and Sarah never questioned it.
They walked out of the plane and made their way into the airport when they saw the parents standing there in the line, Liz sighed as she tightened her grip on Max's hand and he nodded as they moved closer to the parents.
Nancy opened her mouth to speak when Liz held up her hand, halting the adults.
"We will have a talk but we will not have it here, meet us at the Crashdown so you can hear our reasons for going off like that and then you can lecture us," Liz informed them before the teenagers followed each other out of the airport to their cars and made their way over to the Crashdown.
The adults entered it and saw that Max was sitting at the counter with Liz standing between his legs, her back pressed against his chest. Maria was sitting in one of the booth, leaning against James while Alex and Sarah mimicked the pose on the other side of the booth. Michael was sitting on the counter while Tess sat on the counter seat near him, while Kyle and Isabel occupied a table near the booth. Mr. Valenti stood near the till.
"Okay, give us the 'reasons' why you left," Nancy snapped out, bitterly and Max, sighed.
"We were all under stress, our up coming exams, not to mention our prelims were putting pressure on us. Add in the fact that you all have been even more protective than usual and asking us questions we don't want to answer," Max told them.
"I was having a hard time after the whole incident at Laurie Dupree's house, I was having nightmares so I took the money they gave me and I asked the gang if they wanted to come to Las Vegas, I felt we all needed a break," he told them.
"Still no excuse for running off without telling us!" Nancy exclaimed. "You are all children, we only want to protect you from any mistakes that you are not capable of handling!" Nancy exclaimed and Liz snapped. She pulled herself away from Max's legs and stood in the middle of the Crashdown, facing the adults.
"Stop it!" Liz shouted before running a hand through her hair as everyone looked at her. "God! You are such hypocrites!" Liz told them. "First you say that we should act like adults and start making our own decisions but when we do that, you turn around and tell us that we're too young! You can't do that, you have to pick one or the other; you can't have both! It doesn't work like that!"
"Liz…" Nancy started and Liz shook her head.
"NO!" Liz snapped. "Ever since Max and I were caught by the Principal, you made it clear that you didn't approve of Max! You made it clear that you hated him because you thought he was trying to take him away from me," Liz told her.
"You are too young to be in a serious relationship!" Nancy exploded.
"Tough!" Liz snapped. "I love Max," Liz told her and Nancy scoffed.
"Liz, you are too young," Nancy protested and Liz sighed.
"Do you remember when you asked me to let you in? To let you see the real me?" Liz asked and Nancy nodded. "If you love me, you wouldn't ask." Nancy looked at her, confused but Maria picked up on it.
"Because Max loved you enough to see you himself," Maria stated and Liz nodded.
"God, Max took the time to see me, he didn't ask me to show myself to him. If Max can do that, what does that say about you?" Liz asked.
For the first time, Nancy was stumped, she had no answer for that and for the first time, she saw Liz as a grown up. "Max was never taking me away, you were pushing me away that I went to Max, willingly."
"How long have you been sleeping with him for?" Nancy asked, causing Jeff to look at his daughter before looking at Max.
"Since summer," Liz told her and Jeff looked at Max with a furious glare. "And you can't blame Max," Liz cut in, causing Jeff to look at her. "I wanted to be with him."
"Liz…" Jeff started but Liz shook her head.
"No dad, Max never pressured me into doing anything, I wanted to share myself with him, he told me that he was more than willing to wait for me as long as it took," Liz finished.
"Still too young," Nancy told her and Liz shook her head.
"Age has nothing to do with this," Liz told her. "I love Max and I wanted to be with him," Liz told her and shook her head. "And you can't stop me."
"Watch me," Nancy told her.
"Stop me, you'll lose me," Liz told her, causing all the adults to look at her. "I will never forgive you and the moment graduation comes, I'll leave with Max and you'll never hear or see from me again," Liz promised.
"Don't be stupid," Jeff raged and Maria shook her head as she stood next to Liz.
"Liz is right, Max and Liz have been through a lot together to get where they are now, I'm not going to stand by and let people rip my best friends' hearts apart," Maria told them. "I'll go with her." Then she turned to Liz. "You know I have your back Chica," Maria told her and Liz smiled.
"Yeah, I know Ria," Liz told her. "And you know I have yours."
"I'm with them," James stated as he moved forward.
"James!" Nancy gasped out and he shook his head.
"No, you called me down here because you wanted me to keep an eye on Max and Liz, that you wanted me to break up their relationship. Max and Liz are perfect for each other," James explained.
"Hey, I admit that I haven't been totally happy with Max and Liz's relationship," Isabel spoke up. "But Liz really makes Max happy and I don't want to see him like he used to be before he and Liz got together," Isabel stated before looking at her brother. "You know I have your back," she told him and Max nodded.
"Same here, James made me see that Liz wasn't taking Max from us, she was just helping Max show that he can love everyone," Michael jump in.
"I'm with Lizzie all the way, she's my best friend and Max makes her really happy," Alex stated and Sarah shrugged.
"I have never seen a happy couple like Max and Liz and I don't think it would fair on them or on anyone if they break up because the parents wants them to break up," Sarah informed.
"I'm behind Max and Liz," Tess admitted and Kyle sighed.
"Hey, if anyone should have any reason to hate Max, that's me but I have never seen Liz happy as she is with Max, he brings her out of her shell and she does the same thing to him, the Max Evans I knew would have never willingly help me play pranks," Kyle informed them.
The adults were stumped, a part of them were proud to see that they had such a strong bond but at the same time they were scared when Liz finally spoke up the one thing that she feared off but needed answer to.
"Do you want to control me because I'm not your daughter?" she asked and everyone looked at her. Max just wrapped an arm around her waist and showed his support.
"What are you talking about?" Nancy snapped and Liz faced her.
"I know I'm not your biological daughter, that I was the daughter of Sheila, Dad's girlfriend who died in the car accident," Liz told her and Nancy took a step back in shock while everyone looked at Nancy then looked at Jeff, who hung his head.
"Is this true?" Amy asked.
"Yes," Jeff told them and Amy's hand went up to her mouth as she gasped, she looked at Liz, who was like a daughter to her and felt her heart breaking for the young woman in front of her.
"Are you telling me you lied to Liz all these years?" James demanded as he stepped forward. Maria tightened her arm around his waist as she looked up at him. "You made her believe that Nancy was her mother when she wasn't and stood by when Nancy left her out in the cold, without giving Liz a reason why? Is this the reason why Nancy's family seems to hate Liz?"
"Yes," Jeff stated with a nod. James scoffed.
"Everyone in our family knew about the secret didn't they?" he asked and Jeff nodded.
"No, there was one person who didn't," Jeff told them and they looked at him. "My mother, Claudia," he told them and Liz felt her jaw drop open.
"You lied to Grandma Claudia?" she asked and Jeff shook his head.
"No, she never asked, I never said anything. Nancy and I got together pretty much straight after your mother died. We were friends before Shelia died. Mom never knew I was dating Sheila at the time. I think she guess that Nancy wasn't your mother but she never asked or hinted anything," Jeff explained and Liz nodded.
"Jesus," Kyle whispered, shocked at what had been revealed and Maria turned to Liz.
"How long have you know about this?" Maria asked and Liz looked at her.
"A few weeks, I found out after you took Laurie back to her aunt and uncle. I was still in a shock," Liz admitted and Maria nodded and Isabel turned to Max.
"You don't seem too shocked about this news," Isabel remarked and Max looked at her.
"I was the reason this whole thing started. I paid attention in biology when they started talking about inheritance, it turned out that brown is the dominate colour and as Liz's parents both had blue eyes and grandparents also had blue eyes, I came to the conclusion that someone in her family wasn't her family and we found out the truth," Max explained and Diane nodded.
"Okay, I think we need to all go back home and try and digest this," she informed them and they all nodded. "Kids, don't think you're going to get out of trouble for going to Las Vegas but at least we have some understanding why you went," she stated.
"Can I stay at someone else's house tonight, I don't really want to spend time here at the moment," Liz asked and looked at her parents. "I still need time away," she explained. Nancy was about to protest when Jeff piped up.
"No problem," he told her and she nodded.
"Sure sweetie, you can come and stay with us," Diane told her. "If that's okay with you?" she asked as she looked at Amy, Lois, and Gloria.
"It's fine, we need to have a chat with our child without any distractions," Amy stated as she looked at her daughter and Maria nodded.
"That's will be great Mrs. Evans," Liz told her and Diane looked at her with a raised eyebrow and Liz smiled slightly. "Sorry, I'll work on it," Liz promised and Diane nodded as everyone left the Crashdown and headed over to their places to get their lecture.
Liz found herself sitting at the table, staring into her cup hot chocolate when she heard a noise, she looked up and saw Diane making her way over to Liz, tightening the belt of her robe.
"What are you doing up?" Diane asked and Liz looked back down.
"I couldn't sleep," she admitted and Diane watched the young woman in front of her. She was wearing a pair of Max's joggers and her strapped top, her dark hair was twisted up with a clasp, she had never saw Liz look so lost and lonely before. Diane moved over and poured herself a hot cup of tea before turning back to Liz once more.
When they came back from the Crashdown, Liz had went into Max's bedroom while Max and Isabel got their lecture, both, Diane and Phillip found it hard to give them a stern lecture, not after what they heard about Liz, they could see that Max was worried about Liz and was barely paying attention to the lecture, that they let them off with two weeks worth of housework.
"How are you feeling honey?" Diane asked as she sat next to Liz. Liz just sighed as she cupped her cup.
"Confused, hurt, isolated," she admitted and Diane looked at her, puzzled.
"Okay, let's start with Confused," Diane told her and Liz looked at the ceiling as she ran a hand through her hair.
"I just feel confused about everything around me. I mean, finding out that one of your parent is not your parent is a little disconcerting," she admitted. "Max is trying to help me through this but, you know, he knew he was adopted this whole time and you guys and your family love him to pieces. I have a mother who seems to hate me and family who would love nothing more than to see me out of the way," she admitted and Diane reached over and stroke back a strand of Liz's hair.
"I'm sure that's not true honey," she stated and Liz nodded.
"It is, my grandmother, my mom's mom, she was always cold with me, she never gave me any indication that she loves me and every time when I visit her, which is rarely, she keeps asking if I have gotten myself pregnant because I seem to be getting bigger," she muttered and Diane rocked back in shock at Liz's statement.
Max just clenched his hands into fists as he listened to this. He had woken up when he couldn't feel Liz and was hiding behind the wall where he could see Liz and his mother but where they couldn't see him. He knew that Liz's mother's side of the family wasn't as nice but she had downplayed it the whole time.
"Oh sweetie, I'm sorry," she whispered and Liz shook her head.
"At the time, I thought it was because mom had gotten pregnant but now I realise it's because my dad got his girlfriend pregnant and mom got saddled with me," Liz told her and Diane nodded, she would come back to that later.
"Okay, what about hurt?" she asked.
"It hurts that no one ever bothered to tell me the truth, that I didn't get to know my real mom. I hear from people how much I look like her and have her spirit. I guess I just feel annoyed that everyone got to know her and I didn't," she explained and Diane nodded.
"Isolated?" Diane asked and Liz looked at her.
"Like I'm not part of this world," she whispered. "I look around and see that everyone basically knows who they are. It just feels like no one knows what I'm going through. Don't get me wrong, Max has been great with everything, helping me find out whatever I can about my mother but everywhere I look, it just seems strange to me," Liz explained and Diane sighed as she stroke back Liz's hair.
"That's bound to happen, considering what you are going through," Diane told her. "It is never easy for a child to hear that their parent is not their parent," Diane told her and Liz nodded.
"It just doesn't help that Mom keeps trying to control me!" she burst out. "She just can't understand that I'm with Max because I want to be. That he is not forcing me or leading me astray or anything like that," she told Diane. "I love Max and I just want to be with him but it seems like everyone is just against us." Liz sighed. "I guess Grandma Claudia was right when she told me that if it wasn't complicated, then Max wouldn't be my soul mate," Liz whispered and Diane smiled as she took Liz's hand into her own.
Ever since she saw Liz that day in the hospital, the look that they shared. It made her heart soar that Max just might be coming out of his shell. Even when she was called in that day to the school because her child had been caught in the Eraser Room with Liz, she was excited; her son has been caught with a girl. Phillip had been worried that Max might have been gay considering he hadn't been seen around girls.
"I just wanted to tell you," Diane started and Liz looked at her. "I'm glad that you and Max got together," she told her. "You were always what I imagined for Max and ever since that day in the hospital, I had hoped you two got together," she finished.
"Even when we got caught in the Eraser Room?" Liz asked and Max blushed as the memory came back to him and Diane laughed.
"Oh honey, you have no idea how relieved I was when I was called in!" Diane told her, causing Max to snap his head up in a stun shock and Liz to look at her, stunned. "Phillip had been a bit worried about Max considering Max does tend to hang out with Michael a lot and he has been sneaking in Max's room," Diane trailed off and Max's mouth drop open when realisation hit him and his cheeks flamed while Liz let shocked laughers.
"Don't worry, you weren't the only one," Liz told Diane. "Maria had though the same thing, you see I tried flirting with Max and he didn't seem to pick up on it so Maria stated that Max could be gay but got rid of that notion when she caught Max staring at me in the Crashdown," Liz explained and Diane laughed.
"You know, a mother shouldn't be so happy that his son is dating you know?" she asked and Liz nodded.
"Aunt Julia, James' mother is the same, she is very protective of her son," Liz told her and shook her head. "Makes me wonder if my mother would have been like that," she whispered and Diane smiled, fondly as she reached out once more and stroked back Liz's hair before looking at her in the eyes.
"I have no doubts about it, you are every women dreams of a daughter, strong, independent yet you know when you need help and your big heart," Diane told her, causing Liz to blush slightly and Diane smiled. "I think you better get back to bed before Max wakes up and starts panicking that you're not there," Diane warned her and Liz nodded.
"Thanks Diane," she whispered and Diane winked as Liz got up and made her way back to Max's bedroom, leaving Diane alone at the table, wondering how she could help the young woman who had caught her son's heart.
Liz made her way into the bedroom and smiled when she saw Max sleeping, she climb into bed and cuddled up to him as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her in close. "I love you," Liz whispered as she kissed his Adam apple before burying her face into his neck and Max opened his eyes slightly, he looked down at her, kissed the top of her head and they both fell into a deep sleep.
TBC