ROSWELL on PLANET-SF

CHAPTER EIGHT

Liz stood in front of her parents for the third time in less than two days.

"Can we just get this over with so I can go see Maria and the baby?"

"I guess your mind is made up then?" Nancy Parker had her arms folded over her chest.

"Yes," Liz said defiantly.

"This is big, Liz. First you blow off numerous acceptances to good schools to go to the Junior College here and now you're moving in with Max. Are you going to get pregnant, too?"

"No, I'm not." She shook her head. "That is not something I want to do until I'm through with school and married."

"That may be the most sensible thing you've said in the last thirty-six hours," Jeff Parker said.

"Thank you. You have to realise that this is my life, I'm not the same little girl I used to be. I know what I want from my life. Max Evans is what I want."

"All this for some boy." Nancy shook her head.

"He's not just some boy, mom. He's my future." Liz's eyes became glassy. "You'll see. I want you both to support me in this, I really need your support."

"I don't think I can support you living in sin."

"There's nothing sinful about it. We're in love. We're going to be together forever, so you're going to have to get used to it."

"Have you and Max discussed how you're going to pay for this living together?" Jeff asked.

Liz opened her mouth to speak, then closed it. They hadn't discussed it. Her parents had her. She had no idea how they could afford the apartment.

"I see." He smiled. "Why don't you let your mother and I talk about a few things and you go visit Maria. We'll finish this later."

Liz nodded and retreated to her room. She had boxes piled in a corner, some half full. She was scared, not in a bad way, but still scared nonetheless. She was also upset that her parents weren't as accepting of the cohabitation as Max's had been. They had come over to the apartment that morning with Isabel to inspect it. They also had offered their help in furniture and household items.

Liz sighed and began to pack more clothes in the boxes. She was heading back over to the apartment before going to the hospital to see Leia. Maria was being released in a few hours but she knew her friend wasn't leaving that baby alone for long. She picked up the box and carried it downstairs, pausing briefly to say goodbye to her parents who were huddled next to each other talking softly in the kitchen. She put the box in Maria's Jetta that she was borrowing and made her way the short drive to her new home. She saw Max's car already in the parking lot and smiled.

When she pushed open the door she smiled. She was home. Max was lying on the floor underneath a desk connecting the computer.

"Hi honey, I'm home!" She set the box on the floor and knelt down next to Max.

"Are your parents any better?" he asked, sitting up.

"I think my dad might be coming around, but mom's convinced we're living in sin. It's going to be a long ride with her. I wish they were as cool about this as your parents."

"Think about my parents. In the fall when Isabel goes back to school and I'm here, they're going to have the whole house to themselves for the first time since they brought us home."

"So are mine, but..."

"It'll be okay." He tried to reassure her with a hug.

"Eventually. I guess." She wrinkled her brow. "My dad brought up an interesting point that I didn't think of, though. He wanted to know how we were going to pay for this place. How are we?"

"Well, I figure I have to get a new job, one that I actually go to regularly. That's it."

"What about school?"

"That's in the fall and I'll still work at night, or go to school at night. Which ever."

"I'll have school in the day and the Crashdown at night. We're never going to see each other!"

"We will." He smiled. "We'll have plenty of time together. I promise. Hey, aren't you supposed to be at the hospital?"

"Yeah, I'm on my way. Just wanted to drop off the box and see you." She kissed the side of his mouth. "I'm leaving now. I have to work tonight, so if you come in I'll see you. If not, then I'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? You're not going to stay here with me tonight?"

"Oh. Yeah, I guess I will."

"Sure? You don't sound sure."

"Positive." She waved at him while walking to the door. "I love you Max."

"I love you too Liz."

Liz left the apartment grinning down the flight of steps to the parking lot. She reached the Jetta and as she was about to put the key in the door a shadow loomed over her. She turned around abruptly and came face to face with Bret Anderson.

"Oh God, Bret! You scared me! Where's Isabel?" she asked looking around him.

"Not here," he smiled. He outstretched his hand and laid it on Liz's forehead, she looked strangely at him for a second, then her eyes shut. The keys fell from her hand as her knees weakened. Bret caught her with one arm and carried her a few cars down to his. Looking around suspiciously, he put her in the backseat and got in. He waited a beat before starting the car, then peeled out of the lot.

* * * *

"She can come home tomorrow," Maria said looking in the window at her baby girl amongst a dozen others. Michael stood in back of her, his arms around her chest. "Can you believe they're letting her come home so soon?"

"Everything's good with her, she's healthy and perfect."

"Thank God!" She turned her head and kissed his neck. "She's so beautiful."

"She looks like you."

"Not those eyes," Maria shook her head. "They're the lightest green I've ever seen."

"And you thought green and attenae, right?"

"Very funny. Do you realise how lucky we are?"

"I know how lucky I am." He squeezed her tighter. "Didn't you say Liz was coming by? Visiting hours are almost up."

"Yeah, I wonder where she's at, she has my car." Maria looked again at Leia behind the glass in a plastic box with vents and tubes. "I guess she got hung up at her new apartment."

"I still can't believe Max did that without telling anyone." Michael shook his head. "It's really nice, I don't know how they're going to afford it though."

"Can't wait to see it. Anyway, I guess Liz is a no show." She sounded sad. "I want to go home and take a real shower and eat a real dinner and then come back. Okay?"

"Yeah." Michael let her go and took her hand leading her back to her room. He helped her pack up and then checked her out. He pulled the car around front and waited as Maria was wheeled outside. He helped her in the car and looked at her. "Can you believe we have a daughter?"

"Not really," Maria admitted. "Isn't it strange?"

"Big time." He started the car and pulled out of the lot and into traffic. "Is your mom going to be home?"

"Yeah. Her and the Valentis, we're having dinner together. Mom's cooking."

"Oh."

"You don't think you still need an invitation, do you?" she smiled. "We're totally in this together now, Guerin. Remember? A family?"

"Yeah," he was smiling as he looked straight ahead. He slid sunglasses on and turned back to Maria. "My future's so bright, I gotta wear shades."

"You're a dork." She laughed.

As they pulled into the driveway Maria let out a yelp. In the front yard was an obnoxiously large wooden stork with a banner that read 'It's a Girl! Leia Guerin!' across it. Pink balloons adorned the railings to the steps. Amy DeLuca and the Valentis were waiting on the porch, all waving at the car.

"Oh my God," Maria laughed. "This is so embarrassing! Did you know about this?"

"A little." His eyes danced behind dark glasses.

He helped her out of the car and into the house with the rest of the entourage. She sat on the couch and let out a deep breath. "Wow."

"How are you feeling?" Kyle asked sitting down next to her. "Is everything still good with Leia?"

"Boy, you really are taking the role of cool Uncle Kyle seriously, aren't you?" She saw the embarrassment she caused and hugged him. "Thank you. We're both great! We can bring her home tomorrow. Will you come over?"

"Of course. I'll bring the present then."

"Presents? You didn't have to get presents," Maria laughed.

Kyle shrugged.

"Did you guys think of a middle name, yet?" Amy asked. "I wanted to put it on the stork, but since no one told me what it was I couldn't."

"We did, well, Michael did," Maria smiled. "He got to pick."

"Uh-oh," Jim and Kyle said at the same time.

"Leia Chance Guerin," Maria said proudly. "What do you think?"

"Perfect," Amy smiled genuinely at Michael. "Just perfect."

"So, mom," Jim Valenti leaned over her and kissed her cheek, "how does it feel to be a mother?"

"So far so good. I miss her already though. We're going back after dinner."

"Good, I think your mom and I are too, for a little while." He looked to Michael. "So, how's the job hunt going?"

"Going?" Michael laughed. "It's going nowhere and fast. I haven't gotten one call back from the thousand applications I put out."

"Hmm," he cocked his head towards the kitchen. "Why don't you help me get the food ready for the grill?"

Michael looked quizzically at him then followed him into the kitchen. Jim was already seated at the kitchen table. He motioned to the chair across from him.

"What's up?" Michael asked nervously.

"I have a proposition for you. I did something for you and if you refuse it, that's okay. I won't get mad and no hard feelings."

"Oh boy," he exhaled loudly.

"Relax," Jim laughed. "I know you're having a hard time finding a decent job. I know you need one and fast. I know you need insurance. So, I made a few calls and pulled in a few favours with the county."

"Am I going to be a Trash Man?"

"No," Jim laughed again. "I got you into the Police Academy with a job waiting as a Deputy of Roswell, working under me when you graduate from the academy."

"Are you serious?" Michael squinted at him.

"Yeah. I want to see Maria and Leia taken care of. Besides having a Deputy with a few extras won't be a bad thing."

"A Deputy?" Michael laughed and pointed to himself. "Me?"

"You'd be a good one. You've got compassion."

"Tell me more about the academy." Michael rested his elbows on the table.

"It's sixteen weeks Monday through Friday. You'll learn everything you need to there."

"Four months?" He leaned back in his chair. "There's no way I can not work for four months. I mean it's a great offer -"

"Stop. This is where I called in my markers. We're paying you to go to the academy." Jim leaned back in his chair and grinned.

"No way."

"Effective when you start, and the next programme starts in less than two weeks."

"What's the catch?"

"No catch. That's it; that's my offer. Like I said before, if you turn it down, no hard feelings."

"Turn it down?" Michael laughed. "Are you serious? I am accepting! Oh yeah, big time acceptance here. If you weren't a man I'd kiss you."

"Will a handshake suffice?" Jim outstretched his hand and Michael clasped it.

"Thank you." Michael smiled and laughed. "You saved my butt."

"What's new?" Jim shrugged.

They were still laughing as they walked back in the living room.

"What's so funny?" Amy asked. She had taken a seat next to Maria on the couch, Kyle still on her other side.

"I got a job." Michael smiled and knelt down in front of Maria. "I got a job with insurance and they're going to pay me and it's all good."

"Slow down! What are you talking about?"

"I'm going to the Police Academy and when I graduate I'm going to be a Deputy." He laughed.

"What?" Maria gasped.

"Valenti did it." He pointed over his shoulder. "He set everything up."

Amy looked to Jim and smiled, he blushed and shrugged.

"Oh my God!" Maria put her hand to her mouth. "Oh..."

"I'm sorry," Kyle interrupted, "someone is going to let you carry a gun?"

"And pay me for it!" Michael stood back up.

"It's the end of the world as we know it," Kyle sang and then shook his hand. "Kidding. Congrats Michael. How long until you're one of Roswell's finest?"

"Two weeks until the academy and then four months until I'm deputised. Deputised. I feel like Keifer Sutherland in Young Guns."

"You know," Maria smiled coyly at him, "I love a man in uniform."

"So do I." Amy looked towards Jim.

They all laughed and Jim and Amy went into the kitchen to really get the food ready for the grill.

"I can't believe you're going to be a Deputy." Maria motioned him to the spot next to her. "Are you still going to work at the Crashdown while you're in the Academy?"

"No, this is the great part. They're paying me to go to the Academy!"

"My dad pulled some strings, didn't he?" Kyle asked.

"Oh, yeah. I think big time."

"He really considers you and Maria his children. You know that?" Kyle frowned.

"He's been like a father to us," Michael raised his eyebrow at him as he answered for Maria, too.

"We are family." Maria hugged Kyle. "You coming to the hospital with us after dinner?"

"Actually, I have a date with Morgan. Do you mind if I bring her over to see Leia tomorrow though? She'd like to meet you. Did you know she's working at the Crashdown?"

"Yeah, Liz and Michael have nothing but good things to say about her."

"She's great. Guess what? She's got a tattoo on the small of her back, it's a Ying Yang. Can you believe that? She knows what it means, too!"

"That's cool," Maria nodded. Michael nodded too although obviously clueless about the meaning.

The phone ringing interrupted them. Michael being the closest answered. It was Jeff Parker.

"It's Michael."

"Is Liz over there by chance?"

"No."

"She hasn't shown up for work yet and she said she was going to visit Maria first. Have you seen her?"

"No," Michael tried to keep the alarm out of his voice. "She didn't show up at the hospital. Have you tried the apartment?" Michael cringed after he said it knowing Liz's parents were not thrilled about the situation.

"No, I don't have the number."

"Hold on," Michael dug the number out of his wallet. "Max just got the phone turned on today." He read the number to him and then disconnected. He looked to Maria and Kyle. "That was Mr. Parker, Liz didn't show up for work."

"That's not like her. Not without calling." Maria shook her head. "Call Max."

Michael reached for the phone as it began to ring. He knew it would be Max.

"Liz didn't make it to the hospital?" Max asked when Michael answered.

"No. When did she leave there?"

"Before two, I think."

"Any ideas?"

"She just wanted to see Leia and then she was going to go to work." Max had walked over to the window and parted the mini-blinds. He looked over the parking lot. His heart sank when he saw Maria's red Jetta. "Shit! Maria's car's here. Shit!"

"I'm on my way, stay put." Michael hung up and looked to Maria. "Your car is still in the parking lot. I gotta go, I'm sorry."

"No, go! Meet me at the hospital later if you can or back here. Call me. Please!" Maria's eyes were wide.

"I'm coming too." Kyle stood. "Tell my dad that there might be a little problem. It's only been a few hours..."

"The car?" Maria pressed. "Find her!"

Michael and Kyle left in the baby blue Tempo before Jim and Amy came back in the living room.

"Where're the boys?" Amy asked.

"Uh...Mr. Parker called. Liz didn't show up for work and she didn't come to the hospital. The car's still in the parking lot..."

"What's going on Maria?" Jim sat next to her and picked up her hand.

"I don't know," she answered honestly.

"Amy, can you get me a bottled water?" he asked over his shoulder and watched his girlfriend walk in the kitchen. "Has then been any problems lately?"

"No." She shook her head. "All was good."

"No idea where'd she go?"

"No. Do you think this could be bad?"

"I never know what to expect with you kids." He squeezed her hand. "Will Michael call and let us know what's going on?"

"Of course."

* * * *

As Max hung up the phone he ran from the apartment and down the steps to the parking lot. He bolted to the Jetta and looked inside, nothing. He kicked something and looked down, Liz's keys. His heart was pounding as he went around to the back and opened the trunk. Nothing. He leaned against the car and shaded his eyes scanning the nearly deserted parking lot. Nothing. He walked through the lot and cursed himself for not walking her out.

He was near the entrance when he saw the DadMobile turn in. Michael pulled in a spot next to where Max stood and he and Kyle out.

"What's going on Max?" Michael asked with Kyle at his side.

"I don't know."

BACK TO THE TOP / CHAPTER 9

STORY OF LINES:
3 - CURVED PATH

CHAPTER EIGHT

WRITTEN BY BECKY W

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