ROSWELL on PLANET-SF

CHAPTER SIX

Max Evans felt like he was walking on air. The smile on his face was huge, he was almost giddy. He put the finishing touches on the room and looked around. It was perfect. Everything was perfect. Tonight Liz Parker was going to be his. All his. Soulmates. He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer to a god he didn't believe in that the night would be magic. No interference.

He closed the door behind him on the way out and ran down the steps to the parking lot to his car and went home to wait. The waiting was going to be the hard part. He was picking Liz up in about five hours. Five hours. Probably the longest of his life.

* * * *

Maria was lying on the couch, pillows propped her back up. Her hands rested protectively on her very swollen stomach. Five weeks. Only five more weeks. Liz sat at the other end of the sofa. Nervous. Fidgety. She was tapping her foot to an unheard song, her hands were beating softly against her thing.

"Stop it!" Maria shouted. "You're driving me crazy! Can you not sit still?"

"I'm sorry," Liz apologised, her one-man band coming to an abrupt stop. "I'm nervous."

"I can see that. Don't be nervous."

"That's easier said than done. Tonight could turn out to be one of two things. Either the best night in the history of time, or the worst most unimaginable nightmare."

"What do I always tell you about positive energy? It works. Letting all those bad thoughts in your head is not helping. Positive. Must remain positive."

"I'm trying to. I mean I'm so excited that we're finally going to be together. I've waited for this for so long. At the same time I'm scared that I won't remember it. That it won't be me."

"Max won't let it happen if it's not you, right?"

"No, of course not. However, this well be the furthest we've gone, I don't know if she can pop up anytime or not."

"This sounds like a really bad porno."

"Aren't all pornos really bad?"

"Yeah," Maria laughed. "Like anyone would really answer the door in a bra and then get it on with the pizza delivery guy. Whatever!"

"I know, they are so unrealistic."

"Yeah, like sleeping with aliens?" Maria raised her eyebrows and laughed. "Okay, seriously now. Are you really scared?"

"Yeah. Not about being with Max, but of her. God, I hate her!"

"I know sweetie, we all do."

"I hate the fact that she thinks she can ruin everything from a gazillion miles away."

"What I'd tell you before? You'll beat her. You're going to win, Liz, I know you are. This is how it's meant to be. Destiny scmenstiny, that's all crap. This is real. This is now."

"This is forever," Liz looked at ease for the first time that afternoon. "I can do it. I can beat her. I will win."

"Yes!" Maria held up her arms and cheered. "Finally!"

"So, are you still going to help me get ready? Do I have to drag everything in here?"

"No, I can get up." Maria proved it and went with Liz to her bedroom to help with her hair and make-up.

After a power beauty treatment, Liz looked in the mirror. She smiled at her reflection. A short black strapless dress, black heels. Her hair swept up on top of her head. Make-up: perfection.

"You look so pretty." Maria stood in back of her and gazed at her reflection. "I mean, I don't think you've ever looked better. Beautiful."

"Thank you." Liz turned around and hugged Maria. "Thank you for helping me with everything."

"No problemo, chica. Just remember, don't eat anything at dinner that's going to give you bad breath. And always, always, use a condom."

"I promise," Liz took a deep breath and glanced at the wall clock. "Max'll be here in about twenty minutes."

"Let's go wait in the living room. It might take me twenty minutes just to get there!"

"Okay, so I doubt my mom will call over here. But if she tries to get me on the cell and can't, she might."

"Covered. In the bathroom, those crazy nachos just didn't sit well, did they?"

"Thank you."

"I feel like I'm sending my daughter off to Prom or something." Maria looked over her shoulder and saw her camera. She picked it up and told Liz to stand in front of the window. "This is the last picture of Liz Parker as a virgin."

Liz smiled as Maria took the picture. They went to the living room and sat side by side on the couch. Liz did everything she could not to start an annoying fidgety thing again, and it was hard. At exactly six o'clock, they both looked towards the front door. A knock. Liz smiled and squeezed Maria's hand. "Wish me luck."

"You don't need luck," she smiled.

Liz picked up her overnight bag and carried it to the door. She set it down and opened the door. Max stood in the opening in a suit. Black on black. She gaped and smiled. He stared, unable to take his eyes off her.

"You look quite handsome tonight Mr. Evans," Liz said softly, suddenly self-conscious at the way he was staring at her. "Max?"

"Sorry," he shook his head and looked at her face. "Wow. You are stunning."

"Thank you."

"No, I mean really spectacular."

Maria looked down at her fat belly, elastic banded shorts and T-shirt that read 'baby' and had an arrow pointing down, a gift from Kyle and Jim Valenti, and grimaced. "Okay, enough of the stunning talk. You're making me feel like a cow. Go. Go to dinner. Have a nice night and be careful!"

Liz smiled at her and said goodbye as she picked up her overnight bag. Max took it from her and guided her with his hand on her back to the jeep. He put the bag in the back and opened the door for her, then helped her in.

"Thanks, I wouldn't want to flash you," Liz said to him through the open window after he shut the door.

"No, that's for later." He winked and walked around and got in.

They drove in near silence to the restaurant, each stealing glances at the other. At the Italian restaurant, Rizzo's, they were seated at a small table in the back. They each ordered light, neither sure if they could eat at all knowing what lay ahead of them. Conversation was minimal during the meal, small talk. They finished quickly and made it back to the jeep before Max stopped and kissed her.

"I'm so nervous," he admitted, swallowing hard.

"Me too."

"I love you, no matter what happens tonight. You know that, right?"

"I know," she picked up his hands in hers and brought them to her face, kissing his knuckles. "And I love you."

"No matter what happens?"

"I'll always love you Max." Max didn't elaborate. She couldn't. It was true; she'd always love Max. Nevertheless, if things went terribly wrong tonight it would destroy her. It would destroy them. Max seemed to understand and let her in the jeep.

"So, where are we going?" Liz finally asked after they had been driving for a few minutes.

"It's a surprise," Max smiled to himself.

"Hint?"

"Nope."

Liz crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. Max looked at her and laughed. "Forget it. I told you, a surprise." After about ten more minutes Max pulled over on the side of the road and put the car in park.

"Why are we stopping?" Liz asked, looking around.

Max didn't say anything but reached across her and opened the glove box; he pulled out an object and closed it. He shook the object out, a scarf. A black scarf.

"What's that for?"

"You. Turn around." Liz obediently did as she was told and Max tied the scarf over her eyes. "Is that too tight?" Liz shook her head. "Can you see anything?" She shook her head again. "Are you sure? You don't want to ruin the surprise, do you?"

"I promise, I can't see anything," Liz answered.

"Good." Max put the car in gear again and within minutes, he stopped and turned the car off. "Stay there, I'll come get you." He grabbed her bag from the back and then helped Liz out of the car. She clung to his arm and took small steps. When they got to a staircase she held Max's arm with one hand and the handrail with the other.

"Are we almost there?" she asked after the top step.

"Almost. Just a little further." He led down an outside hallway and then stopped. Liz could hear keys jingling and then a door opening. He led her inside, dropping her overnight bag on the floor. He closed the door.

Liz's heels sank down in the plush carpet. She reached in front of her for furniture, but felt none. "Max?"

"I'm right here." He took her arm again and led her through a room and down a short hallway, then through an open door. "Ready?"

"Oh, yes."

Max undid the scarf and let it fall to the floor, not wanting to miss a single moment of Liz's expression. He was not let down. Liz opened her eyes and she gasped. The room was empty except for a queen size bed against the wall, adorned with a white spread and pillows. White Christmas lights were strung from the ceiling and the walls, looping over the closed mini-blinds on the windows, outlining the walls on the floor. She turned to Max and smiled.

"It's so wonderful in here, it's magical." She hugged him. "But where are we? A hotel? Where's the other furniture?"

"It's not a hotel." He cocked his head to one side. "All I could afford was the bed after first and last month's rent."

"Rent?" Her eyes widened. "This is your place?"

"I was hoping it could be our place." He smiled modestly.

"Our..."

"Liz, will you move in here? With me?" he asked and was answered with a kiss. "That's a yes, right?"

"What do you think?" She kissed him again and stepped out of her shoes. She concentrated on herself more than she ever had before. 'Stay here Parker,' she chanted over and over in her head. She slid Max's jacket off, letting it fall to the floor. She undid his tie, allowing it to hang around his neck. She unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it from his pants. Max placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face to meet his. "It's still me, Max. All me."

Max smiled and knew it was her. He mentally kicked himself for not knowing when it wasn't her. When her hands paused after loosening his belt, he pulled her to his bare chest. She heard his heart beat, only one, and smiled feeling safe. While embracing her, he found the zipper on the back of her dress and slowly eased it down. Liz looked down as the dress dropped from her body. Her first instinct was to cover herself up, but she fought it and stood in black silk panties in front of Max and let him drink her in, her arms at her sides.

"You..." Max was unable to form words. He tensed as he felt her unbuttoning, then unzipping his pants. She let them drop to the floor and he stepped out of them, then kicked off his shoes and took off his socks, leaving him in blue boxer shorts. He took her hand and led her to the bed. He pulled down the comforter exposing white sheets. He sat her on the edge of the bed, then pushed her back gently. He lay on top of her and kissed her. She ran her hands through his hair. He lowered his head to her breasts and took one in his mouth feeling her nipple harden under his tongue. He paused and looked to her, her eyes were closed.

"Liz?" he asked softly.

Nothing.

"Liz?" When he didn't get an answer the second time he laid back almost on her and took her by the arms and shook her gently. Her eyes flew open. "Liz?"

"I'm here." She noticed his boxers still on and relief filled her. "It's me."

"You were..."

"It's me now, Max." She touched his cheek lovingly. "I promise."

Max nodded and made a mental note to check periodically that he didn't lose her again. He moved back to her breasts while his hands worked to roll off her panties. He looked at her and she smiled. It was Liz. He smiled back and she sat up and helped him off with the boxers. Nervous to touch him like she had never before, she reached to him and felt him quiver. She rolled him in her hands and looked at his face. His sweet face. He was so hard.

Liz scooted back further on the bed and rested her head on the pillows. Max followed and lay next to her, running his hand along her thigh, he parted her legs and pressed his cupped hand to her. He felt her tense, then slide into ease spreading her legs further. He looked up and tried to discreetly see her eyes. She caught him and looked through the bottom of her eyes at him.

"I'm here." It was all she needed to say.

Max was confident he would be able to tell if she slipped again. He prayed his confidence wasn't in vain. He slid his finger into her wet folds and heard her gasp. He smiled and the kissing on her shoulder turned into licking. She grabbed his hair and gently coerced him to her, her mouth enveloping his. He pulled away from her, it wasn't Liz. He removed his hand and called her name, she looked towards him. Then smiled.

"I hope this doesn't happen all night," she muttered and kissed him.

He reached under a pillow and pulled out a condom, which earned him an amused look from Liz. He shrugged and opened the wrapper with his teeth. He spit it out and put the condom on. Max straddled her then laid down on her, holding his upper body up by his arms. He relaxed onto one side and guided himself into her as far as he could.

"This is going to hurt," she whispered and closed her eyes.

Max smiled at her innocence and wished for a fleeting moment that he still had his. He tried to thrust inside her gently, but he couldn't go any further. He tried again and again and could only get so far. Liz knew what the problem was and she knew he was afraid of hurting her. Sweat dripped from his forehead on to her, exasperation predominant in his eyes. She smiled and rested her hands on his ass and pulled him into her as he thrust again. He went deeper and saw the pain in her eyes.

"Are you okay?" he whispered; his voice shaky.

"I'm perfect."

Max thrust into her again and again. In the coolness of the room he was panting, sweat falling from him. Clinging to their arms and legs. He took her arms and put them in back of her, his hands holding hers.

"I love you Liz..." he said breathlessly.

"I love you." She gazed in his eyes and the flashes hit her from every side. She saw her life with Max up until now. She saw his caring looks and devoted heart. She saw herself through his eyes. "Oh..."

"I'm coming." His body jerked momentarily and then he collapsed on her out of breath. "Oh..."

"Max." She ran one hand through his wet hair, the other caressed the back of his neck. He rolled off her and onto his back. "I saw so much."

"I know, I did too." He rolled on his side and reached his hand to her face, running his finger over her lips. "That was...I don't think I can explain it."

"Was it...?" Liz bit back what she had intended to say.

"It's you Liz, it's always been you." He fought to hold back a lone tear in his eye. "Tonight, now, this is magical."

"Magical," she repeated and wiped away the tear before it could fall.

"I don't ever want to be without you."

"You never will be. I promise." Her voice cracked.

He wrapped his arms around and burled his face in her damp hair. "I'll never let you go. Never."

They made love two more times before falling asleep, their bodies entwined. Liz stayed Liz. She had won.

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STORY OF LINES:
3 - CURVED PATH

CHAPTER SIX

WRITTEN BY BECKY W

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