Another Regret

Max slumped onto his bed with a sigh and stared up at the familiar nicotine-stained ceiling of his motel room. He didn't think he'd been in this particular room before, but they all looked the same anyway, no matter what town or state he was in.

The pain in his head slowly migrated to his eyes and with a groan he rubbed them tiredly, he couldn't believe he had just found Michael and then left without saying a word. After everything he had thrown away by looking for him, after years of making Michael his own personal quest…he found him and just walked away.

Maybe Michael wasn't really what you were looking for. A voice whispered in the back of Max's mind. Maybe his disappearance was just the excuse you were looking for, an excuse to drop all of the pressure that rode on your 'kingly shoulders', King Max. An excuse to hide from the problems you had to deal with at home, or with Liz…

"Shut up." Max mumbled to himself. He'd spent far too many nights lying on a bed alone, wishing everything had been different, and wishing he hadn't broken Liz's heart for the last time.

/flashback/

"What are you saying to me Max?" Tears of denial swam in her amber eyes, they pierced through him and with every tear she cried, another stab of pain went to his heart. He avoided her eyes and stared at her lips, always so pink, so fresh and will never be his again.

"Well uh…as you know Michael's gone. We need to stick together Liz, we need to stay here. I can't have him wandering off on his own without any of us to protect him, or keep him from doing something stupid. I have to go and find him. I can't be a king without my second in command."

"So how long do you think you'll be? A few months? A year? What? He's only been gone 3 months." Her mouth was pressed down into an unhappy line. Her hand awkwardly fumbled with the ring on her finger, as she stared at the floor, unable to meet his eyes.

Max sighed. "I don't know, as long as it takes I guess."

"As long as it takes..." She repeated and nodded, as if trying to absorb the information. "So what about us, what do we do now?"

"I don't know. I suppose you could call this a break. Temporary."

"Temporary…I could always go with you; we could try and find him together?" Her hopeful eyes shone with him with a heartbreaking intensity. He shook his head and saw the gleam die into depression.

"No Liz, you have to graduate and get the grades and qualifications. Don't throw away your future for mine, that way at least one of us can earn some money when we live together. Besides, Maria needs you. I've seen her the past few months and it's worried me, she's just so..."

"Perky? Happy? Completely in denial? Yeah I know. I don't know how long she's going to go on with this, but it's been scaring me too. Michael just leaving like that should have devastated her. Yet it just doesn't seem to have bothered her at all."

"Keep an eye on her Liz, she needs you. Sooner or later she will break." He slung his bag over his shoulder. "I'll be back soon; I still have to check in now and again with mom and Isabel anyway."

"You've already said goodbye to them then?" It was starting to rain, Max felt mesmerised by the love held in her eyes and the way her hair curled half-wet against her face. Without realising it, his hand moved forward and brushed a stray bit of hair away.

"A hair thing?" Liz smiled, tears forming again in her eyes at the bittersweet gesture. Max nodded and moved his hand back, before he felt any more impulsive.

"Yeah." Max breathed, answering her original question. "I hope I don't have to say goodbye to them again. Isabel's a wreck. But she's got Alex to look after her." Then for the last time he held her in his arms, a loving embrace, and kissed her deeply on the lips, showing her every time he had watched her, everything he felt when he was around her, everything she meant to him. "I love you Liz Parker. I always have."

"I love you too Max Evans. You better be back soon."

"I promise. Bye." He hopped into the cab that had pulled up, and shut the door. The droplets of rain distorting Liz's face as the cab pulled away.

/end of flashback/

He only saw her once after that and it was at Isabel's wedding. The pictures looked carefree and joyous, but if you look closely, you can see the strain on each of their faces. The arguments him and Liz had later over the phone, the threats, and the tears, they all showed up on that picture. The wedding was the last time any of them saw her.

Max sighed and scrubbed his face with his hands; his face was wet from crying. It was late and he knew he'd have hell to pay from Isabel in the morning, especially when he tells her that after 8 years of searching, he let their brother go.

Scared by the notion, Max shivered and fell asleep. He much preferred sleeping that being awake. When you're asleep there's no pressure. No problems. No tears and no pain. Just an empty void to immerse yourself in.

Sorry I took so long, and I apologise if this chapter doesn't seem that intune with the characters, I've never been good with Dreamer scenes lol. Still, let me know what you think :)

Rabidbutterfly: Aw thanks honey for putting me on your alert list ) Glad you like the story.

Radiogirl: Thanks so much for your comments! That's really sweet of you blush I'm glad you're enjoying the story and good luck with yours! Sorry it's been quite a while.

Irisraine: Thanks for the feedback !

Rachael: My ever constant feedbacker, thanks for it lol. I know I'm not that consistent with my updating. Yeah it was a pretty harsh fight, but unfortunately there's worse to come. I promise soon enough you'll get details of her and Rath, but it's a long angsty road. I'm glad you're enjoying this!

Caitlin, Majikstruck and KalsGal: Thanks for liking my little fic, I hope you'll enjoy the next part! Sorry it took a while.

AgathaN: Heh finally another post now! I feel so honoured that I'm the only Roswell fic you're reading, I'm sorry I made you wait so long sweetie!

Liz: I'm afraid there's more suspense to come as this next chapter isn't conclusive, another POV for ya too since you like them so much lol :D. Thanks for feedbacking! I'm so happy you like this.

Hayley: lol I never actually don't carry on with my fics, it just takes me a very long time to get around to writing parts. I'm glad you like my story; I hope you didn't have to wait too long this time!