The next morning, Liz had a call from Maria. She was coming home and Billy was following her- he hadn't left her side since she had been almost strangled by a stranger last week and now they were officially an item. Liz had gasped. She had been right about events remodelling themselves. She was convinced now that Isabel, Jesse and Max would have their story to tell. Maria had also said she had some news of her own and she'd find out when she got home that evening. Then Maria had asked about her and Michael. Liz had been coy at first, eventually telling her best friend that yes, it WAS official, she and Michael were now dating. Maria's squeal of joy for her had been a welcome reply. Then they talked for an hour about everything with the demo and New York. By the time, she had hung up, she was happy. Maria would be home soon.
She wandered downstairs and saw Michael setting up. Kissing him on the cheek, he turned and kissed her properly, his arm sweeping around her waist, deepening the kiss dramatically after last nights events. Her arms had wrapped around his neck. They pulled apart at her dad's cough. Her dad looked at both of them go bright red at being caught out. Stepping into a more fatherly stance, he asked the key question that had been bugging him "Michael, are you dating my daughter?" Uncomfortably, Michael nodded, scratching his eyebrow and looking away, ready to be yelled at. Liz recognised now it was up to her to step up.
She took his hand and faced her dad. "We are dating dad, yes. Michael is helping me get into Harvard. He's supports me the way Max didn't. I'm sorry for telling you sooner. Things have been busy lately, she corrected her wording, busy with the cafe and school I mean. I am being completely respected and nothing more physical will happen until the right time after Harvard and we are in the proper place and time for it to happen. Can you live with that?" she asked apprehensively, clinging onto Michael's hand for dear life. Michael had been surprised Liz had spoken up for them to her dad, she was as nervous as he was. Both were relieved when her dad smiled at them. He wanted to speak to Michael alone about his intentions.
"Michael, I understand things have been busy with the Crash Down lately, so can I talk with you now?", it was an order. Michael nodded, looking briefly at his girlfriend reassuringly and walked into her dad's office with him. Closing the door, Mr Parker sat down behind his desk and looked closely at a tense Michael, sensing he wanted to do the right thing, telling him straight "I believe you have something to ask me.". His voice was paternal, reminding Michael this was her dad talking now, not his boss.
He nodded, standing straight, respectful in his stance. Mr Parker was already impressed. Michael cleared his throat, looked him straight in the eye, asking him "Can I have permission to date your daughter please? I promise to respect her, respect your rules and my intentions are purely honourable towards her. She means a great deal to me, I love her and I can't imagine my life now without her in it.". He looked away, uncomfortable at saying such a long speech that touched on his own feelings and emotions so much but she was worth it.
Her dad sat back impressed by speech. He uncrossed his arms, smiling at Michael. He decided he approved of his daughters choice this time. He grinned, saying in a fatherly tone "You can date Liz, Michael but here are the rules: The first rule is with dates, she is to be home by 10 at the latest, no sneaking out later than that. Harvard is too important. The second rule is respect her. You hurt her or break her heart, I hurt you. I can make you wish you were never born. I won't even ban you from the Crash Down as you do work her but I can make you suffer for hurting my daughter.".
He took a deep breath and went on to say "The third rule is simple. Treat Liz well, how she deserves to be treated. I had heard Max Evans got another girl pregnant. You do that, you WON'T know what's hit you. Then again, I suspect you were upset by what Max did to Liz too. I noticed you watching her a bit more closely during that time, particularly after Alex died. She took that hard. I did note that Liz was alone more during that time. I won't ask why but I did come down the night after Alex's funeral to see her crying her eyes out over the prom photo on her own.".
His eyes went hard, looking directly at Michael "If that ever happens again, there should damn well be a good reason for it, is THAT understood?" his tone harsh. Michael nodded, wincing at the thought of Liz feeling alone and outcast and not believed by anyone, crying on her own. One of her best friends had just died and she had been left out in the cold on her own, worst still she had been right!
He promised himself that it would NEVER happen again.
He looked at Mr Parker. "Sir, I can promise you here and now that will NEVER happen again, she will always have my support from this point on. I agree to all your rules. Thank you for letting me date her", putting his hand out to shake Mr Parkers, who meet him halfway.
Mr Parker smiled at him, letting go of his hand. "Good, now that's sorted, let's put my daughter out of her misery of waiting, come on and welcome to the family son.". He'd put his arm around Michael's shoulder to pat his other shoulder, leading him out to Liz.
Liz had been pacing when they walked out of her dad's office. Her dad's smile was her answer. She smiled back, waiting for the official answer from him. "I'm fine with this. The standard rules still apply of course.". She nodded, "Of course. Thank you dad.". With that, she hugged him, being hugged back before going to Michael and hugging him. He hugged her for all he was worth. He needed to ask her about that night her dad had mentioned, it lined up with the night Sean had mentioned to him. She had been too alone and had nearly ended things for herself at the time. He just needed to know exactly how far she had gone.
With her dad leaving them be, he took her over to one side. "How far did you go to nearly end things for you?" he asked her, his voice tense. She stilled. He mentally swore. She had been close and hadn't told anyone in the group. No wonder she had accepted her fate with that bomb. He should have never left her alone.
She quietly answered, noting how tense he was, "I was close a few times. Once after Alex's wake that night, if it hadn't been for the Thai delivery guy showing me the first clue of one's and zero's for Alex's signature, I honestly don't know what would have happened. I had just seen one of my best friends be buried and then been frozen out from the group in one day. Maria didn't even believe me until I had proof.".
Her eyes was blazing at him- he had hit a sore spot. She paced away from him, her anger rolling in waves around her. He winced, oh yeah, he had definitely screwed up here. She glanced at him, anger in her eyes, "I get why you walked out. I heard you that day in the classroom. I knew then you didn't believe me either. I was alone. It was then I went to Alex's grave that evening. I didn't have the strength left to continue, not alone. Thank goodness for Sean that night. He saw me drinking that night and took it out of my hands. All he did was hug me and kiss my hair and say how sorry he was.". She smiled at the memory, the anger melting away into relief and hope. Michael felt jealous of Sean in that moment.
She hadn't said everything though. He could tell. One thing jumped to mind- pain killers and alcohol. She hadn't planned that, had she? She didn't say. He closed his eyes, unable to believe it. His Liz planning suicide and Sean had been the one to save her, not knowing what she was planning. He really owed Sean for this. Liz shook her head, shaking the memories away. She wanted to focus on her and Michael now. This just confirmed his suspicions. He let it go for now. He had his answer. He just wanted it to never happen again.
Liz was setting up the last table, saying that Maria was back that evening. Then he remembered. "Isabel called, she, Jesse and Max are back today too. They have Ava with them.". She smiled. "I've missed Ava. It'll be good to see her again". Michael sighed, running his hand through his hair, walking over to her and took her hands in his "You weren't alone when Alex died. Maria was just being Maria. Isabel and I did believe your idea. Max refused to. Kyle did believe your idea too. What did it was you blaming Max or Isabel's connection or me or Tess..." he trailed off at that, seeing the look on her face. He had gone too far. She pushed him away. Maria had told him she hadn't and Tess had killed Alex.
Looking away from him, her emotions mixed about that memory now, she was able to say "Thank you for telling me that but DON'T EVER mention that bitch's name to me ever again. I'm still paying for that particular mistake.". She looked back at him, her pain of that memory in her eyes. He put his hand out to her as a peace offering. She nodded, accepting it for what it was, allowing him to bring her into his arms. "I'm sorry" he muttered into her hair, "You're forgiven" she whispered back, looking up at him with a smile. Meeting her smile with his, he reached for her chin, firmly pressing his lips to hers.
Luckily it was a slow saturday and the two worked together well for most of the day. It was Liz who heard the doorbell ring first. She saw Maria walk in and meet her halfway in a hug. Michael was walking in and smirked. The musketeers were back together and both were safe now. "Welcome back.". He was immediately engulfed in a giant hug from Maria. "Space boy, I've missed you. Now have you been taking good care of my best friend since I gave my permission for you two to date?".
His eyes flickered to Liz, saying "Ask Liz to show you her pendant from me", his eyes flashing a deep amber at what she was wearing around her neck. His claim to her. Maria looked at the back of the 'P' pendant in wonder. "Is that Antarian? What does it say?" "It say's Michael. It was my way of declaring my feelings for her. It worked.". Michael answered her. Maria's jaw dropped, having noticed the 'Parker' engraved next to it. Liz was speechless- she knew it linked to him but his name next to her nickname from him together. He hadn't been kidding when he had said she was his already. "Seriously, huh?! Wow" was all Liz could say.
Maria shook her head at her friends face and laughed. "Wow, you really did a romantic number on her. I haven't seen her this quiet ever and that's a good thing.". Liz was just finding her voice again in stunned awe "I knew it was linked to Michael but I didn't realise it was his name! That means the other.." she never finished her sentence. He had kissed her to shut her up in the most passionate way possible. "Finished rambling yet?" he smirked at her when he let her breath again. She nodding dumbly, his smirk became his typical trademark smirk at having completely upset his 'Little Miss Scientist's' way of thinking. Maria just watched them intrigued at how well they worked together. He was good for her. Really good for her. He kept her on her toes and she kept him balanced. She approved. Really approved.
She grinned as Liz finally found her voice again to protest. "That move wasn't fair. Seriously, you can't kiss someone mid sentence like tha..." 'Ok, apparently he could...' was her only thought as he skillfully obliterated that thought, making her effortlessly senseless. He pulled back to rest his head against hers "You were saying?" he grinned at her, amber eyes flashing dangerously. 'Damn, he was dangerous to her way of thinking.'.
He was about to answer when the door opened again, announcing the return of the others.
All three turned to the door, seeing Jesse, Isabel and Max and Ava enter with Kyle behind them. The whole group was finally back together and safe again. Michael and Liz exchanged looks, it was time to warn Isabel. Liz went to move when Michael stopped her, it was his turn. They shared a look, Liz stepping back and Michael stepping forward. He hugged Isabel, warning in a whisper her of a potential camera and video tape that could be put in her room by her dad and if she was invited to stay in her old room, to not use any of her powers in her room just in case. She nodded her thanks.
Liz was hugging Ava and Max was hugging Maria. Kyle was welcoming Jesse back. Then everyone swapped until everyone but Liz and Max had welcomed everyone but each other back. Liz chose to not hug Max, giving him a nod instead. Max looked hurt but didn't blame her. She chose to stand with Michael instead. The others were confused. Michael clued them in. "Liz and I are dating now. We have been for over 2 weeks and it happened when most of you were away. Maria's fine with it. Any questions?" his voice saying 'deal with it!'.
Isabel had one question- how did they know about the tape? "I'm fine with you and Liz dating, I knew something would happen eventually- no offence Maria, Maria shrugged there was none taken, she said she agreed with Isabel, how do you know about the tape?". Kyle, Liz and Michael exchanged looks. Liz spoke for them. "We need to talk in private.". Michael led them all to the back room where it was safe, Liz by his side.
Liz started when everyone was settled "I had a theory. The others backed it up. With my powers flared up, I had dreams of the future. One included a van and all of us on the run. The theory goes the FBI have been in town for a while but have no evidence to act on. The hidden camera at Michael's place, the plain cars... it makes sense. We're not a threat yet. Something happens and we become one. To avoid being killed, we end up on the run. No Harvard, no graduating properly for Kyle, Michael, Max or me. We suspect Mr Evans sets up a video recorder and somehow the FBI get the tape. There is one other thing- Tess is coming back with her son. We don't know when. Put her in the picture on the run and.." "We're on the run from the FBI, etc." Jesse had finished for her. "Exactly!".
Ava spoke up "That is a problem. Why don't you all just graduate early and skip town just in case?" Everyone blinked at her. She shrugged. "What! It solves the problem." Michael felt Liz's mind working in over time, calculating everything. He groaned. "Great idea Ava, did you have to send my girlfriend's mind into over drive, she's giving me a headache!". At everyone's raised eyebrows, he finally told them "Liz's powers and mine are linked. We effectively share one brain.". Max wasn't quite sure how he felt about that, finding Ava leaning on him. She rolled her eyes at his face before kissing him firmly, hoping he'd get the point.
He had when she finished. She smiled smugly at his face, squeaking when he tugged her into his lap, content to have let Liz go and just be with Ava. "About time too!" she loudly exclaimed, snuggling into him. Liz just grinned at them, before getting the same treatment from Michael, who had decided she was a bit too far away from him, locking his arm around her. "Better?", she asked him, wondering if he was finished yet, "Better" his tone smug. Liz rolled her eyes, as he laid her back against him. ''Carry on now" he told her, smirking at her. She just huffed at him. Isabel and Jesse just grinned at them, curled up together already.
"So what does everyone going to graduate say, do we ask to graduate early? Or risk it?" "I vote graduate early, it'll help with Harvard" Michael made his vote. Kyle agreed as did Max. Liz was chewing her lip and Maria was quiet. "I've already graduated. I did before I left for New York, just in case the demo went well" Maria told them all. That left Liz, who was still thinking. Michael made her see reason. "Liz, don't risk it. Graduate early. You can be in Harvard, trying for the interview on the day instead of being here in Roswell. It's your dream." "Ok, I agree with graduating early" Liz agreed. Kyle's jaw dropped. Liz Parker had just agreed with Michael Guerin on the same thing on the same subject with no arguments! It turns out miracles do happen. He grinned.
Everyone else was shocked. They weren't arguing! Liz Parker and Michael Guerin were somehow getting along on the same page for once! This was unheard of. Max just shook his head in stunned disbelief. It was Ava, who ironically brought them out of their group shock by asking when Tess was returning. Michael replied they didn't know. Liz asked a puzzling question."Did anything unusual happen in Boston?" Isabel, Ava, Jesse and Max looked at each other for a second and Jesse answered for all of them. "Yes, I saw Max and Isabel attacked in broad daylight by a double of Michael with what looked like a blast of green energy. I also found out I've married an alien hybrid. Ava explained it to me.". Kyle's, Liz's and Michael's jaws dropped. Michael was muttering something when Liz startled him.
"You saw Rath in Boston. I hope you blasted him. He deserves a punch!" 'Meaning?' Michael enquired, she mentally groaned at his tone. 'He made a move on me after I said no. He deserves it after that!'. She was still annoyed at his dupe alright and she hadn't kissed him back. He scratched his eyebrow, feeling a touch of jealousy and let it go.
Isabel was shaking her head "He was after Ava, he hit me instead of Max because I stood in front of Max and he ran. Max healed me and Jesse saw everything.". Kyle's eyes meet Liz and Michael's in surprise. Liz just shook her head. Her theory had been right.
A little while later, they all had milkshakes to celebrate. It turned out Max has also graduated early in Boston. Then in the following days there was a crash and they helped a pilot and his daughter to go on the run from the Air Force.